Mock Draft 4.0

The clock is ticking as we approach the 2025 NFL Draft, and I am here to give my mock draft 4.0. Since we are so close to the draft, you won’t see anything crazy about these predictions, but there will be a pair of trades! 

This will be my final first-round only mock draft for 2025. Next week, you will see my full seven-round mock. 

Now, let's get into the mock!

1st. Overall - Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

This has been my prediction for weeks, and I don’t feel a need to come off of it. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi and the rest of Tennessee’s front office have been enamored with Ward for an extended part of this pre-draft process.

NFL Comparison: Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix

2nd Overall - Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Despite having Myles Garrett, the Browns still have a hole at the defensive end spot opposite of him. Abdul Carter is my number-one guy in the entire class this year. His blend of athleticism and power makes me think that he’ll end up becoming one of the best pass rushers in the entirety of the NFL. 

NFL Comparison: Free Agent EDGE Von Miller

3rd Overall - New York Giants: Travis Hunter, Athlete, Colorado

Travis Hunter is by far the most interesting player in the draft, due to his desire to play both sides of the ball in the NFL. If it were my choice, I’d play Hunter primarily as a cornerback and have him moonlight as a wide receiver. While the Giants need a long-term quarterback, waiting until the second round for one is likely the best decision they could make. 

NFL Comparison: Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey & Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

4th Overall - New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Will Campbell and his arm length have been the topic of discussion this offseason. Many teams have certain length requirements that their players need to meet. Personally, Campbell’s arm length isn’t a concern to me, and I believe he will be a long-time tackle in the NFL. Drake Maye needs to be protected, and this is the perfect way to do it.

NFL Comparison: Blend of Indianapolis Colts OT Bernard Raimann and former Pittsburgh Steelers OG David DeCastro

5th Overall - Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Jacksonville has a big need in the interior of its defensive line, and general manager James Gladstone said that it will be a priority for the Jaguars. Despite lacking the prototypical size, Graham possesses the traits that you see in a long-term IDL and could likely develop into a superstar. 

NFL Comparison: Cincinnati Bengals DT B.J. Hill

6th Overall - Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Vegas is in a weird spot; they have a ton of needs to address, but having the ability to add one of the best offensive players in the class is one you can’t pass on. Jeanty’s skill set will transcend an offense, with his ability to create something out of nothing and stay in the backfield to pass block. Jeanty excels best in zone schemes, as his acceleration will beat almost anyone in the first two levels of the defense.

NFL Comparison: Former Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson

7th Overall - New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

After adding Justin Fields in free agency, New York still has some needs along their offensive line. As it stands, their current starting right tackle is Chukwuma Okorafor. Armand Membou is the best right tackle in the 2025 NFL draft and has a nice blend of power and agility. 

NFL Comparison: Green Bay Packers OT Zach Tom

8th Overall - Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Now, seeing a linebacker go this high might be surprising, but Walker does bring a lot of pass-rush upside. Carolina is lacking edge rushers who can make a difference. With their 3-4 scheme, Carolina is a very solid landing spot for Walker, allowing him to be both an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. 

NFL Comparison: Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Nolan Smith

9th Overall - New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Outside of Chris Olave, the Saints don’t have another receiving threat for Derek Carr. While McMillan didn’t have the best season in 2024, he is still one of the top wide receivers coming into the NFL.

NFL Comparison: Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London

10th Overall - Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

As a Bears fan, I still have no real idea of where the Bears go with the 10th overall selection. This time last year, I was set on predicting both Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze to the Bears. 

While at the owners meetings last week, head coach Ben Johnson had a ton to say about Penn State’s Tyler Warren, primarily about how lethal he could be as a receiving threat. Having been a high school quarterback, Warren understands how to read a defense, helping him to know where the soft spots in the defense are. Ideally, he is best suited in a spread or West Coast offense, but he can be a difference maker in any offense he gets drafted into.

NFL Comparison: Former Chicago Bears & Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen

11th Overall - San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

With the career of Trent Williams winding down, tackle could be a position that San Francisco decides to take early. Banks has a bit to refine technique-wise before I’d be comfortable putting him out on my quarterback’s blindside. Banks’ lack of an anchor and poor hand placement bring some concerns to his game.

NFL Comparison: Minnesota Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw

12th Overall - Dallas Cowboys: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

The Cowboys have struggled to find long-term success at the running back position since Ezekiel Elliott started to lose a step in 2021. Omarion Hampton isn’t the “sexiest” name when it comes to the running back position, but he has everything to become a franchise back. There likely isn’t a running back in this class who is better between the tackles.

NFL Comparison: Former New Orleans Saints RB Mark Ingram

TRADE

The first of two trades comes between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins.

Trade Details:

Pittsburgh Acquires

13th Overall

224 Overall

Miami Acquires

21st Overall

83rd Overall

13th Overall - Pittsburgh Steelers (via MIA): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Pittsburgh lost both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson this offseason, ironically to both New York teams. Despite ongoing negotiations with Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers still have a need for a quarterback beyond 2025, and Sanders could be the perfect guy. Despite lacking the game-changing arm strength, Sanders is the most accurate quarterback in the class. 

NFL Comparison: Carolina Panthers QB Andy Dalton

14th Overall - Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Indianapolis Colts have a major need at tight end, and with Tyler Warren off the board to Chicago, Indianapolis takes my personal TE1 in Loveland, adding another weapon for whoever ends up being their week one starting quarterback. Loveland provides a ton of traits that lead me to believe that he will be a very solid inline tight end in the not-so-distant future.

NFL Comparison: Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta

15th Overall - Atlanta Falcons: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Falcons have a secondary that is very close to being complete, but could use another corner opposite A.J. Terrell. While Mike Hughes is a solid corner, if you’re Atlanta, you won’t lose sleep moving on from him and replacing him with Johnson. Will Johnson is one of the few true lockdown corners in this class. 

NFL Comparison: Denver Broncos CB Pat Surtain II

16th Overall - Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

After adding Josh Sweat in free agency, Arizona has no reason not to add another player to their defensive line. Despite not being overly productive in college, Stewart has the athletic traits that make you think he could blossom into a pass-rushing star. 

NFL Comparison: Denver Broncos EDGE John Franklin-Myers

17th Overall - Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

After re-signing B.J. Hill, the Bengals could still use another defensive tackle, and Nolen is likely the best fit. Nolen put together a very productive collegiate career that included 114 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. Nolen checks all the boxes (production, traits, and athleticism).

NFL Comparison: Buffalo Bills DT Ed Oliver

18th Overall - Seattle Seahawks: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Seattle has a few needs, but with the way the board has fallen, taking one of the best pure pass rushers available is a steal. Green excels with speed-to-power moves, and most of his sacks in 2024 came off finesse moves. The issues with Green come off the field, as he has been accused of sexual assault twice.

NFL Comparison: Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Bryce Huff

19th Overall - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Tampa Bay is another team in need of pass rush, and lucky for them, James Pearce falls to 19. Despite a lower production in 2024, Pearce will be an impact player in the NFL. In a class with unlimited talent off the edge, Pearce has the athleticism and skill set to be the best one. Currently, his frame suits him best as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but tape shows he can be effective as a 4-3 defensive end. The production history bodes well for his future in the NFL, and any respectable defensive line (or outside linebacker) coach can get elite production out of Pearce.

NFL Comparison: Atlanta Falcons EDGE Leonard Floyd

20th Overall - Denver Broncos: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Matthew Golden stunned teams at the combine with his outstanding performance. Golden outshined fellow Longhorn wide receiver Isaiah Bond in almost all of the drills. Golden is a receiver who relies on his athleticism to make plays, but needs some refinement on his route running to consistently win his matchups. 

21st Overall - Miami Dolphins (via PITT): Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Josh Simmons is a player Miami would have been happy with at 13, but adding more draft capital, while still being in a position to take Simmons, is a massive win for the Dolphins. Simmons is coming off a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in October. Simmons relies on his athletic traits to win in pass protection, but you see his power on full display in the run game. 

22nd Overall - Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Back-to-back Buckeyes off the board, but this time it’s their star wide receiver in Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State has been fantastic at churning out top wide receivers under the tutelage of Brian Hartline, and Egbuka will be the most recent of the bunch. The Chargers need a wide receiver; despite spending a first-round pick on Quentin Johnston in 2023, he has been less than stellar in his two pro seasons. Egbuka could allow 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey to find a home in the slot, utilizing his route-running ability.

23rd Overall - Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

This is the obvious pick for the Packers, but for that reason, they will end up going elsewhere with this pick. Burden has been in the national spotlight since high school, being a top-five nationally ranked recruit, and making the IHSA State Championship, ultimately losing to Cary-Grove. Burden can be utilized in every facet of the pass game. He’s exceptional in the quick game and works well in contested situations. While Burden saw a decrease in production in 2024, he should still be viewed as a first-round talent.

TRADE

The second trade that I mentioned comes between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Trade Details:

Philadelphia Acquires

24th Overall

2026 Seventh (Houston)

Minnestoa Acquires

32nd Overall

64th Overall

164th Overall

24th Overall - Philadelphia Eagles (via MIN): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

After trading away C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles created a hole at safety, and with their love of Georgia prospects, Malaki Starks seems to be the best fit for the Super Bowl champions. While Starks isn’t the greatest tackler at the safety position, he makes up for it with his high IQ and athletic traits. 

25th Overall - Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Houston has decimated their offensive line throughout the off-season, and it likely signals they will be taking one early in the draft. Tyler Booker has been a media and fan darling throughout the cycle, with many people projecting him as high as the mid-teens. There isn’t much to say about Booker because one sentence from him says everything you want to know about him. “I make guys not love football anymore.”

26th Overall - Los Angeles Rams: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

The Rams attacked their defensive line early last year, but they still need another edge rusher opposite Jared Verse. Donovan Ezeiruaku is perfect for the Rams’ 3-4 scheme. As a three-year starter at BC, Ezeiruaku tallied 30 sacks, 215 tackles,and eight forced fumbles. Very few edge rushers in this class have been as productive as him.

27th Overall - Baltimore Ravens: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Mykel Williams has been someone who has no consensus ranking, some analysts project him as high as 10 to the Bears, while other projected has late as 28 to tbe Lions. Williams might not be the prototypical 3-4 OLB, but he has the traits you want out of someone in that position. In 2024, Williams had five sacks along with 21 tackles and two forced fumbles. 

28th Overall - Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

The Lions have had an interesting off-season, losing both their coordinators (Ben Johnson to Chicago, Aaron Glenn to New York), but they were able to keep most of their roster intact, along with adding Jets cornerback, D.J. Reed. One of the players they did lose was Kevin Zeitler, and by far the best replacement for them is Bison guard Grey Zabel. Zabel is an aggressive guard who likes to run through defenders and bury them into the ground. While he doesn’t have the ideal frame, he makes up for it in every other aspect.

29th Overall - Washington Commanders: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Washington saw themselves as the NFL’s Cinderella team in 2024, going from being the second-worst team, to a NFC Championship appearance. They’re secondary is lacking at certain points, and with a good class, they can grab one early on and not think twice. Jahdae Barron is the ideal slot corner, he excels in zone and would be a defensive coordinator’s dream. 

30th Overall - Buffalo Bills: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Buffalo traded away former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, opening up a hole at corner. Azareye’h Thomas has silently been rising up the boards as teams finalize their plans over the next week and a half. Thomas has a larger frame, but lacks the top-end speed you want from an outside corner, but he makes up for that with his IQ and on-fielf ability.

31st Overall - Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Losing Justin Reid to the Saints is tough for the Chiefs, but they are in a good position to replace him late in the first round. Nick Emmanwori is the prototypical safety, with his larger frame and fantastic top-end speed. At South Carolina, Emmanwori showed linear progression year-by-year, leading to an 88 tackle, 17 pass deflection, and four interception season. Emmanwori is a natural ballhawk, who tends to be overagressive. Overall, Emmanwori will put together a long NFL career with the traits he possesses. 

32nd Overall - Minnesota Vikings (via PHI): Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The VIkings currently have a laxkluster cornerbackn room, but Maxwell Hairston has a ton of room to grow before reaching his max potential. As a two-year starter at Kentucky, Hairston was able to mold himself into one of the SEC’s best outside corners. Hairston is aggressive with his hands, but that ends up costing him a ton of penalties. If a coaching staff can get the aggressiveness used better, he will be an elite lockdown corner in the NFL.