Gregg Covers Sport

Draft Day is upon us! In just a couple of hours, the dreams of 32 college athletes will be realised as they join the ranks of the NFL as first round picks. Some teams are looking for the newest face of their franchise, some are looking for the final piece in the puzzle to turn them into contenders. One team, the Philadelphia Eagles, are looking for the player to help them defend the Lombardi Trophy and create the next dynasty.

No one will ever manage to correctly predict a complete mock draft, as every year there is at least one surprise pick, or one trade that no one sees coming. With just mere hours to go until the draft, each team still owns their own first round pick. If that holds true up until the moment NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declares the 2025 draft open tonight and puts the Tennessee Titans on the clock, it will be for the first time in the common draft era.

This is my first ever attempt at a mock draft, and it doesn’t include any trades, so we’re taking the order as it comes, starting with the number one pick and the Tennessee Titans.

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Let’s be honest, it’ll be a major surprise if we hear any other name called to be the first overall pick this year. The Will Levis experiment hasn’t worked out, and second year head coach Brian Callaghan needs his franchise quarterback if they are going to improve on their dismal 3-14 record from his first year in charge. Ward threw for over 4000 yards and 43 touchdowns for Miami in his final college season, and his skill set should excite fans in the Volunteer State.

2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

What do you do when you have a glaring need at two positions but only one first round pick? Simple. Take the best overall player in the draft and one that plays in both positions of need. Hunter is a generational talent, and one who has his mind set on playing on both sides of the ball at the next level, which he did to a Heisman Trophy-winning level in his Junior year with the Buffaloes. Whilst Kevin Stefanski and the Browns will play him as a receiver mostly, he’ll offer depth at corner where he should get some reps. They get their QB of the future with the first pick of the second round.

3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The Big Blue signed veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to compete for the starting job this season, providing them with, as a minimum, a steady enough level of play under centre to allow them to select the best edge rusher in this year’s draft. The earliest mock drafts had the Penn State product going first overall, but the Giants get him at 3 to add depth and even more talent to a defensive front line that already boasts Brian Burns and 2022 first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux (who could be traded should they select Carter, one to keep an eye-on).

4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

In the 2024 campaign, rookie QB Drake Maye, taken with the 3rd overall pick in last year’s draft, showed enough behind a woeful offensive line to suggest that he is the man to lead the team for the foreseeable future. With the fourth overall pick this year, new head coach Mike Vrabel gets the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft to protect his young quarterback’s blindside. Whilst many view Campbell as more of a guard at the elite level due to his below-average arm length, he locked down most if not all of the elite pass rushers he faced in college. Besides, if he struggles at tackle, the Patriots can always shift him inside to left guard, which is also a big need.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

When putting this mock draft together, I initially had the Jags taking DT Mason Graham here. However, as we’ve got closer to Draft Day, the consensus has changed, and it seems like the premier back in this year’s draft will be heading to Florida. Daniel Jeremiah, in his mock draft 4.0, said that “from everything I’ve heard (..) the expectation is the Jaguars will pick either Jeanty or Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan here.” It’s hard not to see why. Jeanty put up astronomical numbers at Boise State, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. He revitalises new head coach Liam Coen’s offense and reduces the pressure on star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

My Raiders. This is where I had Jeanty going in my initial mock, and it made almost too much sense, given how important a strong run-game has been to every team new head coach Pete Carroll has coached. But with the Jaguars taking him the pick before, new GM John Spytek selects the best defensive tackle available, and finds value at 6, with many suggesting Graham should be a top-five selection. Whilst not as big as many defensive lineman, pairing him with $100m man Christian Wilkins to compliment elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby would allow the Raiders to boast a nasty defensive line that would give any offensive coordinator nightmares.

UPDATE: Per HC Pete Carroll’s tradition of posting cryptic “Draft Clues” on his Twitter, I believe us to be selecting OT Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas, but we’ll see whether that comes to fruition.

7. New York Jets – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

After signing QB Justin Fields a two-year, $40m contract (with $30m guaranteed) to be their new starting quarterback in free agency, Gang Green selects the best right-tackle in this year’s class to instantly start and plug the gap left by Morgan Moses, who signed for the Patriots in free agency. Membou dominated in this position in the SEC last year, and completes the transformation of the Jets offensive frontline in recent years.

8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The almost miraculous resurgence of QB Bryce Young, taken first overall in 2023, following his benching for five games during last season, means that the Panthers aren’t one of the teams desperate for a new signal-caller this year. They instead focus on the other side of the ball, selecting Walker to give them a sack threat off the edge that they’ve struggled to find recently, ranking a worst-in-the-league 32nd in 3rd down defence last season. After addressing the defensive tackle position in free agency, Walker’s off the ball ability allows him to be utilised in various looks in coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defence.

9. New Orleans Saints – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

News of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury and it’s potential in limiting his availability in 2025 meant that some have considered this as a potential landing spot for the second-best quarterback on the board, whether that be Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart. For me, they follow the Raiders move from last year and simply take the best player available, who coincidentally also happens to be a TE. Warren instantly replaces the versatile Taysom Hill, who he replicated in some of the plays Penn State gave him last year, and becomes a fun option for new head coach Kellen Moore to work with.

10. Chicago Bears – Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Ask some scouts, and they’d tell you that Walter Nolen has a bigger ceiling than Mason Graham, and the Bears take the risk on the 6″4, 296lbs DT out of Mississippi to bring even more nastiness to their pass rush. Nolen has shown flashes of being an absolute monster at the position but not consistently enough for some to consider him a sure thing. New head coach Ben Johnson will be hoping he and his staff can unleash his full potential.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The 49ers lost a lot of talent on both sides of the ball in free agency, unable to keep many of their stars as they gear up to give QB Brock Purdy the big payday he has been destined for ever since he entered the league. While they did keep hold of tackle Trent Williams, he will turn 37 during the upcoming season, meaning some youth is needed on the offensive line. Banks Jr possesses great movement skills, and could start opposite Williams at right-tackle or operate at guard until Williams retires.

UPDATE: Should the Raiders take Banks Jr. at 6, don’t be surprised to see another offensive tackle go here, or perhaps Mason Graham on the defensive line.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMcillan, WR, Arizona

Dallas could well trade out of this position, with owner and GM Jerry Jones saying to reporters that they are working on ‘substantive trades’, but here they stick and select big-bodied receiver McMillan to give QB Dak Prescott a legitimate WR2, one who can take off some of the attention of star receiver Ceedee Lamb. McMillan averaged a whopping 15.7 yards per reception last year for Arizona, showing he can be the perfect big-play target to compliment Lamb.

13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

This could be another spot where we see a potential trade, with one or more teams looking to leapfrog the TE hungry Colts. Star CB Jalen Ramsay is seemingly on the trade block, and the Dolphins go out and secure his replacement with pick 13. Barron boasts blistering speed, running a 4.40 40 yard dash at the combine, and also incredible versatility, having been utilised at linebacker and safety at college.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Having just said how desperate the Colts are for a TE, I have them addressing an even bigger need on defence instead. The defence was ranked 27th for sacks in the 2024 season, and did not address the linebacker position during free agency, choosing to instead bring in CB Charvarius Ward amongst others. Whilst he is currently out injured after having surgery to repair a torn labrum, Campbell is expected to be fully well before the season starts, and would bring a much needed spark to this defence.

15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

From one team that struggles to pressure the QB to another, the Falcons return to conventional picking after shocking everyone last year when they selected QB Michael Penix Jr with the 7th overall pick despite splashing a lot of money on Kirk Cousins in free agency. Atlanta ranked 31st in the number of sacks recorded last season. The remedy? A 6″1, 251lb, edge rusher who set a Sun Belt Conference record last year with 17 sacks. Also worthy of note is the fact that Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was present at Marshall’s pro day.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

This is the dream scenario for the Cardinals. Whilst they invested heavily in their defence during free agency, signing 2024 Super Bowl Champion edge rusher Josh Sweat and veteran DT Calais Campbell, they didn’t sign a starting CB. Whilst he didn’t run the 40 at the Combine because he is on the slower side, his size, IQ and ball skills make him a perfect match for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ zone defence.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

This is a pick that simply HAS to be used on defence. After tying down star receivers Jamarr Chase and Tee Higgins to huge contracts, their attention will turn to sorting out their pass rush. The lack of a new contract led to Trey Hendrickson demanding a trade, which has yet to materialised, and at just 20 years old, Williams could dominate the edge for the Bengals for the next 10 years.

18. Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, T, North Dakota State

There’s some rumour that Seattle is looking to trade out of this spot and even out of the first round entirely, but if they stick they should focus on protecting new QB Sam Darnold and giving him time to find Cooper Kupp and Jackson Smith-Njigba. Zabel can operate in any position across the front five of the offense, although he is projected as a centre, and he would instantly improve an O-Line that failed to consistently protect Geno Smith last season.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

The Bucs bring in Ezeiruaku to help them maintain a defence that finished 7th in registered sacks last season. His everything you would look for in a speed edge rusher, whilst lacking the necessary power to bull rush defenders. His impressive character also helps him go top 20.

20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

This is a pick that makes too much sense. The Broncos front office haven’t shied away from telling everyone they’re targeting a running-back in the draft, it just remains to be seen if they take that back in the first round or in the later rounds. Hampton ran a solid 4.46 second 40 yard dash and would be a dependable option out of the backfield in the passing game.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Aaron Rodgers will he/won’t he sign circus hasn’t been resolved in Pittsburgh and so this is another position where we could see a quarterback selected, with the Steelers currently projected to start Mason Rudolph under centre. Still, they stick to their formula and selected Harmon to bolster their D-line and take over from the great Cam Heyward when he eventually retires.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

This would be an absolute steal for the Chargers, and would be a dream scenario for Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, reuniting him with one of his favourite players from his days in charge of Michigan. Despite his size (6″6, 248 lbs) he is adept at running downfield routes, with many saying he is the better pass-catcher out of the top two at the position in this years class, adding another weapon to Justin Herbert’s arsenal.

23. Green Bay Packers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

It’s about time the Packers used a first-round pick to give their star quarterback a true weapon. Golden’s speed is electrifying, running a scintillating 4.29 40 yard dash, something the Packers desperately need. Many have Golden as the top receiver in this years class, so don’t be surprised if he is the first wideout off the board and McMillan is the one to slide to the Packers here.

24. Minnesota Vikings – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Vikings addressed their defensive line in free agency, so they use their first-round pick preparing for their future without safety Harrison Smith. Smith is 36 and, after letting Cam Bynum walk in free agency, a youthful and versatile defensive back like Starks could be exactly what DC Brian Flores needs to maintain that top defence.

25. Houston Texans – Josh Simmons, T, Ohio State

The Texans need to do a better job at protecting QB CJ Stroud, that much is obvious after he suffered a ‘sophomore slump’ last season following his electric rookie campaign in 2023. They take the risk that Simmons knee is healthy enough in order to get the strength and quickness that he showed in the opening two months of the Buckeye’s run to the National Championship last year.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Emmanwori is giant of a safety at 6″3 and 227lbs, but he has the speed to match it, running a 4.38 at the combine. That combination of size and speed is rare, and he loves stepping up to attack the box and stuffing the run game. His size allows him to excel at covering tight ends, and the Rams division boasts two of the very best in George Kittle and Trey McBride

27. Baltimore Ravens – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Another pick that almost makes too much sense. Following Michael Pierce’s retirement, the Ravens have a need on the defensive line, and are no stranger to picking Michigan players. Grant is almost an immovable object in one-on-one situations, and loves to bat passes down at the line of scrimmage if he can’t get home, although he does struggle to stay consistent.

28. Detroit Lions – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

This is simply a scenario of a team filling a need with the best player left at the position, regardless of who it is. In this scenario the Lions get the 6″5 321 lbs lineman from the Crimson Tide. Booker excels in the run-game, perfect for a side with two premier backs in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and Head Coach Dan Campbell will love his intangibles.

29. Washington Commanders – Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

The turnaround in the Commanders from last years draft to this years is remarkable. Last year they were drafting second, this year it’s 29th. They take a chance on the raw talent of Stewart, who has the tools to be an elite pass rusher but hasn’t produced the expected numbers yet. Head Coach Dan Quinn hope he and his staff can mould the rough talent into a gem of an edge rusher who can help them continue their dominance of the NFC East.

30. Buffalo Bills – Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

One of the few consensus picks across most mock drafts, and that is because it is another one of those that makes perfect sense. The Bills know it too, they had him in for an official visit, he excels in zone coverage, which they play a lot of, and his size means he can tackle well too. They need corner depth, so there should be no surprises here,

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Like the Lions at 28, this pick will simply see the Chiefs taking the best offensive tackle left available by the time they’re on the clock in order to fill the need. Yes they signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal in free agency, but here they draft the Oregon prospect to challenge for that starting left tackle position, as they aim to sure up a position that has been their achilles heel recently.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

This is a luxury value pick for the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Egbuka could be taken a lot higher in a few hours time, but here he simply falls into the Eagles laps at 32, providing QB Jalen Hurts with another weapon to join an already stacked offence. Egbuka is a physical receiver, complimenting AJ Brown, and would cause headaches for any defensive coordinator trying to cover the plethora of options available to Nick Sirianni. HC’s and GM’s up and down the country seem enamoured with the wideout’s intangible’s too.