NFL First Round Mock Draft 2025: First Draft Post-Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is done and dusted, which can only mean one thing—it’s time for an updated mock NFL Draft.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward remains the sportsbooks’ favorite in NFL first draft pick odds, although Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter is making a strong push in the build-up to the draft.

The strength of this draft is toward the middle of the first round and throughout the second and third rounds. Teams will find an abundance of starting-level players with picks that historically have not been as valuable as they will be in this particular draft.

Coming out of the Super Bowl, here’s a look at our newest NFL mock draft 2025.

2025 NFL First-Round Mock Draft 

1. Tennessee Titans (3-14) 

• Cam Ward (QB) - Miami

Ward was the most explosive passer in college football during his first and only season at the University of Miami. He ranked second in passing yards (4,313), had 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions, was second in QBR, and was the best player on the nation’s highest-scoring offense (42.9 PPG).

The Titans publicly announced they won’t take a quarterback just to take one (although they definitely are in need of a new QB), and will instead select the most transformational talent that is available. 

Still, Coach Brian Callahan was around the Peyton Manning Denver Broncos and worked as Joe Burrow’s offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, so he’s used to dealing with downfield passers. Ward’s footwork and care for the ball need to improve, but he would breathe life into a Tennessee offense that ranked 27th in points per game (18.3). 

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14)

• Abdul Carter (EDGE), Penn State 

Carter made the transition from linebacker to full-time pass-rusher to great effect last season. He amassed career-highs in tackles (68) and sacks (12), led the country in tackles for loss, and added another four pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

Evaluating top prospects can often be tricky because of the level of their competition. However, Carter shone the brightest in the College Football Playoff even while dealing with an injury, producing sacks against No. 11 SMU and No. 7 Notre Dame and easily looking like the best player on the field.

Myles Garrett’s recent trade request forces the Browns’ hand a bit here. Carter offers more assuredness at a premium position and one of need than Travis Hunter, who is trying to become a first-of-his-kind hybrid player.

3. New York Giants (3-14)

• Travis Hunter (CB/WR), Colorado

The Giants need a quarterback. If they don’t sign one during free agency, this pick and everything we’re about to write will be a wash. So there’s that.

If we’re right that the Giants sign Jameis Winston or trade for Matthew Stafford, or just find another starting QB somewhere, that would make Hunter the most obvious pick of the draft. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is arguably the top prospect at both corner and wide receiver, two positions the Giants need help at and two positions he intends to play full-time in the NFL.

Hunter logged a ridiculous 1,458 snaps this past season, resulting in 1.258 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. Keeping him on one side will raise his ceiling at that position because of the extra energy he’ll have, and letting him play both sides could give the Giants two impact starters for the price of one pick.

4. New England Patriots (4-13)

• Will Campbell (OT), LSU

The Patriots surrendered the fifth-most sacks during the 2024 regular season, with 22-year-old Drake Maye taking the brunt of that punishment. New England would be wise to protect its third-overall pick of a year ago and potential franchise cornerstone piece.

Campbell gave up two sacks in 1,666 snaps over the last two seasons at LSU and played left tackle for Jayden Daniels during his Heisman season. He offers tremendous size at 6-foot-6, 323 pounds, and would be a day-one starter in the NFL.

New coach Mike Vrabel is already on record with his desire to fix an offensive line that was 31st in pass-block win rate (50.9 percent). Taking Campbell would make him a man of his word.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)

• Mason Graham (DL), Michigan

Graham would simply be the best player on the board at this point in the draft. Jacksonville could do with a burly beast to anchor its defense line after it just allowed the most passing yards per play, was 29th in sack percentage, and had a standout mark of a league-average 4.4 rushing yards allowed per attempt.

A member of UM’s national championship-winning team, Graham comes with tangibles and intangibles. He was well coached under Jim Harbaugh and would be a nice culture piece for Liam Coen’s first year in charge.

Graham’s biggest value-add would be balancing a front that has potential game-changers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, but one that has lacked that disruptive force in the middle.

6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13)

• Shedeur Sanders (QB), Colorado

Several scouts reportedly don’t have a first-round grade on Sander, while others believe he is the best player the draft has to offer at the most important position. He and Travis Hunter were asked to carry nearly all of Colorado’s offense, and he wound up finishing his senior campaign with 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and ranked 20th in QBR (75.5).

In rhythm, Sanders looked like the best player in college football. He also demonstrated his clutch gene numerous times, though he never won a truly meaningful game. His feet are also slow coming off the ground, and his insistence on holding onto the ball led to him being sacked far more than he should’ve been.

The Raiders could reopen the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson connection, but if they don’t, they’ll need a quarterback. Sanders has great touch on his passes and would fit a lot of what successful Carroll-coached quarterbacks had.

7. New York Jets (5-12)

• Malaki Starks (S), Georgia

The Aaron Rodgers era in the Big Apple is over, meaning they’re in the market for a quarterback… but if Ward and Sanders are off the board, there’s no one worth taking with this pick.

The Jets’ roster is stuffed with talent, despite what their recent season records would suggest. An area of weakness is at safety, where Pro Football Focus gave unimpressive rankings to starters Tony Adams (38th) and Isaiah Oliver (46th).

Starks can play downhill and effectively take away the middle of the field. He had some coverage gaffes in his most recent season, but that could also be attributed to him being forced to overhelp his corners who were uncharacteristically poor during the early parts of the season. New coach Aaron Glenn is a defensive guy and just helped young Brian Branch become one of the best defensive backs in the sport.

8. Carolina Panthers (5-12)

• Tetairoa McMillan (WR), Arizona

McMillan offers outstanding size at 6-foot-5, 212 pounds, which puts him at the same height and 19 pounds away from what Mike Evans was reported at during his combine. He also caught 2,721 yards worth of passes to go with 18 touchdowns during his last two seasons.

Only 21 years old until the start of April, the Arizona product has an enormous catch radius and an extremely safe pair of hands. He runs routes very well for a big body and caps his talents off with a great vertical leap.

If availability is the greatest ability, then McMillan playing 37 of a possible 37 games makes him the MVP of the draft. He’s ready to unlock a team’s vertical passing game and will be an asset in the red zone, making him the perfect target for a QB in Bryce Young who worked his way into 14th in EPA per play from Week 12 until the end of the regular season.

9. New Orleans Saints (5-12)

• Will Johnson (CB), Saints

Johnson only played five games in his junior season due to shoulder and toe injuries. However, what he put on tape in his freshman and sophomore seasons led many to believe he could have one of the highest ceilings of any player in the draft.

At 6-foot-2, 202 pounds, the former national champion can take even the most physical receivers in the NFL. He allowed 1.4 receptions for 21.3 yards per game in 2023 and is used to playing on an island, which makes him attractive for any team with a need at corner.

The Saints need to get younger and cheaper. They just traded away Marshon Lattimore and have the opportunity to draft another impact corner with All-Pro potential early in his career.

10. Chicago Bears (5-12)

• Tyler Warren (TE), Bears

The prevailing opinion that the Bears NEED to take an offensive lineman is only surface-level thought. Diving into the numbers, one would find that Chicago was eighth in pass-block win rate and 13th in average time to pressure per dropback, both of which are enough for the offense to flourish with Ben Johnson at the controls.

“Da Bears” opted to take Rome Odunze with the ninth pick last year, and he finished third on the team with 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns. Chicago’s offense was only 25th in EPA per dropback play (-.036) and could use even more beef, especially at a position that did not produce at an elite level last season.

Warren might be the best run-after-catch player at any position in this draft. He’s 6-foot-6, 257 pounds, broke 21 tackles and caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He’d allow Chicago to add a slew of new looks to their playbook and would fill an important position in Johnson’s offense.

11. San Francisco 49ers (6-11)

• Jalon Walker (LB), Georgia

Walker was all over the place for the Bulldogs, taking 194 snaps as a pass-rusher, 249 defending the run, and 179 in coverage. He finished the year with six sacks and had at least one in four of seven matchups with ranked opponents, including three in a midseason road matchup with Texas.

The 49ers love versatile defenders and could do with rejuvenating their linebacking corps with Dre Greenlaw approaching unrestricted free agency. Putting him next to Fred Warner would also make their defensive looks wildly unpredictable.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10)

• James Pearce Jr. (EDGE), Tennessee

Most mock drafts have the Cowboys taking Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty here, but Pearce was the best member of a UT front that was fifth in yards allowed per play and eighth in points allowed per game. He also had 21 sacks in his last two seasons and has lightning in his first step.

Putting Pearce Jr. opposite Micah Parsons would ease the burden both would face and give Dallas a chance to move off of 32-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence. With Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts in the division, Dallas needs as much outside speed and pressure as it can get.

13. Miami Dolphins (8-9)

• Josh Simmons (OT), Ohio State

The Dolphins were only 28th in pass-block win rate last season and have an injury-prone quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa under center. Starting left tackle Terron Armstead is also 33 years old, and they would be wise to get better and younger.

Simmons is returning from a major knee injury suffered in October, so a season behind Armstead wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for him. But as Miami begins to tear down its roster, making Simmons a building block for the future would be a smart idea.

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)

• Benjamin Morrison (CB), Notre Dame

There are two ways to defend against the pass: collapse the pocket, or lock down the secondary. Indy was only 21st in pass-rush win rate, and its young secondary was average at best.

Dropping Morrison, a speedy 20-year-old, into coverage would instantly improve the Colts’ defense. He did not play past Week 7 due to an injury, but he registered nine interceptions and allowed 23 yards per game in his first two years of college. 

15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)

• Mykel Williams (EDGE), Georgia

The Falcons would be overjoyed if Williams, a potential top-seven pick, fell this far. At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, and with freakishly long arms, Williams is exactly what anyone would imagine a Kirby Smart pass-rusher would be.

Williams’ production wasn’t outstanding (14 sacks in three seasons), but the traits and motor are there. The Falcons produced the second-fewest sacks and eighth-lowest pressure rate, and Williams would fill an area of immediate need.

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9)

• Kelvin Banks Jr. (T), Texas

The Cardinals’ offensive line wasn’t terrible this past season, though it was much better at handling the run than it was the pass. Right tackle Jonah Williams was just 37th in PFF’s tackle rankings, while left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. was 12th.

Banks is a smaller tackle, but he allowed just four pressures in 510 pass-block reps last season. He’d likely make the switch to right tackle but could also tuck inside at guard after amassing a wealth of experience (42 starts) at Texas.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)

• Walter Nolen (DT), Ole Miss

Joe Burrow put up MVP numbers, and yet the Bengals missed the playoffs largely because of their defense. There are holes all over the roster, but they’ll need to plug the one left by impending free agent B.J. Hill.

Nolen, the former top recruit in his high school class, registered 13 sacks from the interior the past two seasons and was the focal point of a defensive front that allowed an NCAA-best 2.4 yards per carry. His speed and size would be an immediate boost for a defense that was 25th in points allowed per game (25.5).

18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)

• Grey Zabel (OT/IOL), North Dakota State

Seattle was 21st in pass-block and 28th in run-block win rate. Tackle Laken Tomlinson is a free agent, and the line as a whole dealt with numerous injuries last season.

Zabel boosted his stock a ton at the Senior Bowl, showing out in individual drills against P4 talent. He has the versatility to play all five positions on the line and outstanding size (6-foot-6, 305 pounds), and only allowed pressures on 1.04 percent of pass-block reps over the last two years. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)

• Mike Green (EDGE), Marshall

Speaking of the Senior Bowl, no player created more ripples than Green. His devastating combination of technique and power verified his tape and his absurd 17 sacks and three forced fumbles last season.

Todd Bowles loves to turn the heat up on opposing QBs, and Green would allow him to get pressure without sacrificing an extra man in coverage. The Bucs’ secondary could also use an upgrade, but this would give them one of the best front lines in the sport.

20. Denver Broncos (10-7)

• Ashton Jeanty (RB), Boise State

Finally, the human highlight tape that is Ashton Jeanty is off the board. His historic season at Boise State saw him rush for 2,601 yards (fourth in NCAA history), 29 touchdowns, and seven yards per carry. He has Alvin Kamara’s balance with Jonathan Taylor’s burst, and he can shrug off tacklers who don't arrive with violence.

Rising sophomore Bo Nix put up solid numbers in his first professional season, though Denver’s offense was 16th in EPA per play. Leading rusher Javonte Williams only had 513 yards and four touchdowns, and adding a back who demands the attention of the defense and eases the burden on a young QB is just about the best possible scenario for Denver.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

• Luther Burden III (WR), Missouri

The Steelers want playmakers outside the numbers, but they struggled to manufacture big plays and appear to be making yet another change at quarterback. Burden had a pedestrian junior season, influenced by poor QB play, but was great as a sophomore, catching 86 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He plays with power and is special at running after the catch.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

• Emeka Egbuka (WR), Ohio State

Egbuka is a proven commodity, he’s tough, and he’ll put his nose into blocking for the runn—everything John Harbaugh loves. He broke 1,000 yards receiving twice and had 24 receiving touchdowns in his final three seasons at Ohio State, while the Chargers only had one player in the top 48 for yards per route run. 

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6)

• Jack Sawyer (EDGE), Ohio State

Sawyer was a veteran anchor for OSU’s national title-winning defense and had the biggest play of the season, a strip-sack-turned-83-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of the CFP Semifinal against Texas. He plays the run well and also had nine sacks during his senior campaign, while the Packers were 26th in pass-rush win rate.

24. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)

• Kenneth Grant (DT), Michigan

The Vikings have a treasure trove of riches on offense and just had one of the best seasons of any defense, which means they could go in several directions. Grant and Mason Graham were asked to play heavy snaps during their senior seasons at Michigan, and allowing him to rotate with other players would help Minnesota maintain its presence at the point of attack while developing a highly talented piece for the future.

25. Houston Texans (10-7)

• Armand Membou (OT/IOL), Missouri

Membou is only 6-foot-3 but has very long arms, meaning he could play inside or outside at the next level. He didn’t allow a sack against SEC competition last year, and Houston’s offensive line graded 22nd and 31st in pass and run-blocking success.

26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)

• Josh Conerly Jr. (OT), Oregon

The Rams are ready to make a slew of changes to their offense, and one, if not both, tackles could be in jeopardy of losing their spots. Conerly gave up two sacks in three seasons as a starter at Oregon and was an anchor for back-to-back QBs (Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel) finishing in the top four for Heisman voting. 

27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)

• Shemar Stewart (EDGE), Texas A&M

Stewart could go in the top 15, or he could fall out of the first round. He had 1.5 sacks in all three seasons at Texas A&M as a pass-rush “specialist.” However, his 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame and freakish speed make him an appealing project for a team with a strong history of player development. This is in the mold of a lesser Travon Walker, who had 9.5 sacks in three seasons at Georgia, but who went on to have 20.5 in his second and third professional seasons.  

28. Detroit Lions (15-2)

• Nic Scourton (EDGE), Texas A&M

The message is clear to the Lions’ front office: add depth on the edge. The loss of Aidan Hutchinson single-handedly dismantled Detroit’s pass rush, and they finished the year with the 10th-fewest sacks. Scourton doesn’t have as much home-run potential as his teammate, Stewart, but he was much more productive, registering hurries on nearly 9 percent of his pass rush reps, the same as the nation’s leading sack artist, Mike Green.

29. Washington Commanders (12-5)

• Jahdae Barron (CB), Texas

The Commanders need help basically everywhere on the roster aside from quarterback. Their acquisition of Marshon Lattimore did not have the desired effect, and Mike Sainristil should still slide back to nickel corner despite playing at a high level toward the end of the year. Barron won the Thorpe Award for best defensive back in college football with five interceptions and 17.8 receiving yards allowed per game.

30. Buffalo Bills (13-4)

• Matthew Golden (WR), Texas

Another Longhorn, the speedy Golden would add more playmaking down the field for MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, whose move for Amari Cooper did not produce any miracles. He had 162 yards in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia and 149 yards and a touchdown in the CFP Semifinal against Arizona State, and he comes from a pro-style offense, meaning he’ll be ready to play for a perennial contender.

31. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

• Tyler Booker (G), Alabama

This could be low for Booker, but it would be a blessing for the Chiefs if he fell this far. The Super Bowl demolition job by the Eagles proved that KC needs help on the interior, and the Chiefs are facing a dilemma with where to play Joe Thuney and if they can’t re-sign Trey Smith. Booker gave up two sacks in three seasons and is ready to go at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds.

32. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

• Jihaad Campbell (LB), Alabama

The rich get richer, right? Campbell is one of the most slept-on potential first-round prospects and should turn some heads at the combine with his test performances. The former Bama boy is the best inside linebacker in the draft and possesses immense speed, giving him a huge tackling range. This could even be a necessity if Philly can’t find the money to pay Defensive Player of the Year finalist Zack Baun, though it’s possible Campbell goes well before this pick.