2025 NFL mock draft 2.0
Merry Christmas! My gift to you, enjoy my second mock draft of the season.
The race to who has the first overall pick in this year’s draft has a very interesting dynamic between the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders. If both teams lose out, the draft order will be decided on each team’s strength of schedule, which currently would swing the Raiders way.
Another wrinkle that’s been thrown out there, has been the conspiracy theory of Shedeur Sanders and father forcing himself away from the Giants and to the Raiders.
If the Giants “won” the first overall selection and this was true, they’d be facing an interesting decision on draft night.
1. Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB
I don’t necessarily think Shedeur has the highest ceiling in this year’s Quarterback class, but I don’t think Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has the time on his side to develop a more raw Cam Ward, and that’s if he even gets another crack at being the head man to begin with. Sanders appears to be the QB prospect most linked to the Raiders at this point.
2. Giants: Cam Ward, QB
An option for New York even if they’re picking first overall in my opinion, Ward is definitely a project, but has the physical tools to have success if he has a good foundation around him. With what he did with the raw but toolsy Josh Allen, Brian Daboll should feel comfortable with a prospect like Ward.
3. Patriots: Will Johnson, CB
When debating against Travis Hunter’s Heisman case, many fans pushed back about how he wasn’t the best Receiver or Cornerback in college football. Although I would’ve voted for Hunter to win the Heisman on my ballot, I do think NFL GM’s will definitely take that into account. Michigan’s Will Johnson is the best player available along that line of thinking and fills a massive need for this Patriots defense.
4. Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB
I had Hunter going to Jacksonville in my mock draft 1.0 (first overall) and will stick with that line of thinking here. The Jaguars need help in the secondary and more weapons on offense, as I believe that selecting Hunter and going from there on his positional future makes the most sense.
5. Panthers: Abdul Carter, EDGE
I had Carter falling to pick 12 overall in my mock 1.0 and felt gross in doing so, considering I believe him to be in contention to be considered the best overall prospect in this year’s class. Additionally, Carolina desperately needs pass rush help after trading away Brian Burns.
6. Titans: Tetairoa McMillan, WR
Tennessee signed Calvin Ridley last offseason and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has eight touchdowns on the season, but both aren’t enough to pass on a three level weapon like McMillan. Although Will Levis is clearly not the Titans franchise QB of the future, the team needs to surround whoever they roll out at Quarterback next year with ample weapons.
7. Browns: Mason Graham, DT
In my “Way too early” mock draft back in May, I had Cleveland targeting depth along the interior of their defensive line and will continue that theme here. Graham is top ten overall prospect in the class and also brings one of the safest floors of all the available prospects as well. His presence should allow Myles Garrett and others more free lanes to the Quarterback.
8. Jets: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT
Although I don’t necessarily think this is that great of a tackle class, I find it hard to believe that New York could pass up on an opportunity to solidify their offensive line, with Tyron Smith’s age and expiring contract. Banks gives New York the versatility to play either left or right tackle and forms a nice tandem with last year’s first round pick, Olu Fashanu.
9. Bears: Mykel Williams, EDGE
Like Abdul Carter, I felt bad leaving Mykel Williams out of the top ten in my mock draft 1.0, especially after having him go first overall in my “Way too early” mock. Chicago needs added bodies along the defensive line and I believe that Williams’ athletic traits will be too much for teams to let him fall out of the top ten.
10. Saints: Landon Jackson, EDGE
Speaking of athletic traits, when digging into which prospects could surprise us and jump up draft boards, I couldn’t help but to keep coming to Arkansas’s Landon Jackson. Obviously at this point in the process we’re projecting athletic testing, but WHAT IF Landon Jackson tested how I think he could at the combine and run in the 4.8 second range at 6’7” 280 pounds? His explosiveness out of his stance, long arms and heavy hands could be exactly what New Orleans is looking for in a defensive line unit that could use an influx of youth.
11. Dolphins: Will Campbell, OL
Miami’s offensive line is simply just not good enough. Will Campbell’s struggles against Oklahoma when I watched the last game of the season really made me re-consider his long term future at tackle. However, Miami’s immediate need at Guard allows Mike McDaniel and company to select Campbell’s versatility and allow the cards to fall where they may. Protecting Tua Tagovailoa in the future has to be priority number one moving into the offseason for the organization.
12. Colts: Malachi Starks, S
I have a feeling I’m going to have this pairing in many mock drafts this cycle, but it just makes too much sense. Malachi Starks is the best player available at this point in the draft and Indianapolis needs to get more reliable in the secondary.
13. Bengals: Nic Scourton, EDGE
Although a transfer from Purdue, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton will be one of the drafts youngest prospects in this year’s draft class and offers plenty of upside with his high motor. Cincinnati could potentially completely overhaul their defensive front this offseason and Scourton is a solid start.
14. Cowboys: James Pierce, EDGE
We’ll see a LOT of Ashton Jeanty here, but with Rico Dowdle’s recent success, I’m under the assumption that this front office will wait until later in the draft to add to the position. Due to this, I can see the Cowboys selecting the best player available here in James Pierce, who was the first prospect off the board in many people’s early mock drafts. With pass rushers like Demarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa potentially walking elsewhere this upcoming offseason, Pierce fills a need and plays into Jerry Jones “best player available” mantra.
15. 49ers: Aireontae Ersery, OT
San Francisco needs to get Brock Purdy some more help, starting with their offensive line. Ersery is becoming one of, if not my favorite offensive tackle prospect in this year’s class, thanks to the violence he plays with and the agility he has for a prospect his size.
16. Falcons: Jalon Walker, EDGE
The recipient of this years Butkus award (given to College Football’s best Linebacker), Jalon Walker projects to be a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level thanks to his pass rushing chops and his versatility in coverage. It just so happens, that Atlanta runs a 3-4 scheme and could desperately use a prospect like Walker to help with their pass rush problems.
17. Cardinals: Shavon Revel, CB
Shavon Revel is far and away the best prospect available, but his knee injury made him slide a little in this simulation. The next step in the development of Jonathan Gannon’s defense, is having a long armed lockdown corner with elite closing speed and excellent ball skills.
18. Seahawks: Princley Umanmielen, EDGE
Seattle likes drafting Senior Bowl prospects and there might not be any better prospects in attendance than Umanmielen. There’s always a Senior Bowl standout who becomes a draft riser and that very well could be the Ole Miss prospect who’s length, flexibility, instincts and versatility will fit seamlessly in Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme.
19. Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE
I might be playing into the John Harbaugh & Michigan connection, but Loveland is a dynamic weapon at Tight End similar to Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers before him and the Chargers are in need of offensive weapons to surround Justin Herbert with. In addition, Loveland’s willingness as a run blocker bodes well for his fit in Greg Roman’s offense.
20. Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE
Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers LOVE big, physical defensive lineman and I believe Stewart will become a prospect many fall in love with during the draft process due to his physical prowess and potential testing numbers. I wouldn’t rule out him being the first Texas A&M pass rusher to come off the board.
21. Rams: Wyatt Milum, OT
The Rams have made just ONE offensive line selection in the top 100 since 2019 (Steve Avila), but LA has some major issues to solve along their offensive line with veteran Rob Havenstein having one year on his contract and Left Tackle Alaric Jackson being on an expiring deal. Milum isn’t the “sexiest” prospect, but has been one of the most consistent O-Lineman in college football and should test better than many are expecting, effectively raising his draft stock.
22. Commanders: Isaiah Bond, WR
You have to surround Jayden Daniels with more weapons and the speedy Isaiah Bomd will test well at the combine & could see his stock rise if he performs well in the college football playoffs.
23. Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB
Offensive Tackle was considered a big need for Denver, but Garett Bolles recently signed an extension, giving Sean Payton and the staff more flexibility on draft night. With that added flexibility, I can see Denver being fine selecting the best player available on the board (at a position they can improve) and selecting Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
24. Ravens: Nick Emmanwori, S
Baltimore needs a Safety to start alongside Kyle Hamilton after benching Marcus Williams and cutting Eddie Jackson, as the team ranks near the top in the league in downfield completions allowed. South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori is going to be a name people fall in love with at the combine, when you look at his 6’3” 227 pound frame and pair that with what’s going to be truly ELITE testing numbers. Then, when you pair that with his tape and production, I just don’t see a world where he won’t be a first round selection.
25. Texans: Kenneth Grant, DT
Houston has a need at Guard, but I just don’t see them reaching for one here when you have a prospect like Kenneth Grant on the board here at 25 overall. Like the Starks and Colts pairing at pick twelve overall, I’m going back to the pairing of Grant and the Texans, like I had in my mock draft 1.0. As we get further into the process, I think we’ll see Grant separate himself from Mason Graham’s shadow.
26. Steelers: Luther Burden, WR
At this point in the draft and the lack of depth at the Quarterback position, I think Pittsburgh should consider bringing back one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields next year. However, they need to surround them with better weapons. If you couldn’t tell by their pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk this offseason, this front office is conscious of that reality and won’t hesitate to draft a prospect that is a similar athlete to Aiyuk, in Luther Burden. His ability to win down the field, close to the line of scrimmage and playmaking ability after the catch should allow the former top WR recruit to become a first round selection.
27. Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB
I went bold and played into the Donovan Ezeiruaku and Jeff Hafley connection in my mock draft 1.0, but to prevent redundancy (even though pass rush help is still a big need), I’ll go in a different direction this time around. If healthy and no medical red flags, Benjamin Morrison is the better prospect on the board anyway and Green Bay has a need in the secondary as well, thanks to the health of star Cornerback Jaire Alexander and the lack of production from former first round pick, Eric Stokes.
28. Vikings: Deone Walker, DT
With the lack of draft capital, Minnesota makes a lot of sense as a team that could trade out of the first round. However, I’m not including draft trades yet in my mocks, so I’ll use this selection to fill a positional need, while also highlighting Deone Walker. Walker was in my “way too early” mock draft and although his production dipped this season compared to last year, his jaw dropping frame and surprising explosiveness should put plenty of eyes on him. I wouldn’t be shocked to see a team like the Texans picking him at pick 25.
29. Bills: Emeka Egbuka, WR
Buffalo took a giant swing on acquiring Amari Cooper, but it appears to be a miss. Although Buffalo’s last few games have provided PLENTY of points, the organization can’t continue to just ride the back of Josh Allen. Khalil Shakir won’t be replaced as the teams deep threat, but Egbuka’s ability to find success in the slot and near the line of scrimmage provides the role that Stefon Diggs left in the offense and what Amari Cooper couldn’t fill.
30. Eagles: Josh Simmons, OT
We know how this goes. Philadelphia will likely stick to the trenches here. This time, I have them going with the San Diego State transfer turned Ohio State starting Left Tackle, in Josh Simmons. He broke out in a big way this season and would’ve went off the board a lot sooner if it wasn’t for his ACL injury against Oregon earlier in the year. This selection gives the Eagles a succession plan for Lane Johnson, while also giving Simmons time to rehab.
31. Lions: Mike Green, EDGE
I’m not going to lie, I don’t know if Mike Green is exactly the best fit schematically. However, he’s the best pass rusher statistically in college football this season and fits the Lions “blue collar” culture well. He should test himself into the conversation of being a first round pick and could step in and have a third down pass rusher role on day one.
32. Chiefs: Tyleik Williams, DT
I’ve officially started praying for Aireontae Ersery to fall to Kansas City at the end of round one, but if he’s not there and there’s not another OT that emerges, I think adding a Defensive Tackle makes sense. Especially one that pairs explosiveness with his size very well.