Moves made during the first wave of 2025 free agency have caused sizeable shifts on mocks and will likely dictate how prospects fall in late April. Several changes have occurred during the last couple of weeks across the NFL landscape including Head Coach Pete Carroll reuniting with Geno Smith in Las Vegas, Sam Darnold going to Seattle, Justin Fields landing with the New York Jets, Deebo Samuel being traded to the Commanders, Myles Garrett staying in Cleveland after becoming the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, Joey Bosa joining the Bills and Tampa Bay re-signing Chris Godwin and Lavonte David.
The list could go on and change will continue to materialize throughout the free agency frenzy. Senior Writer/Editor Scott Smith and I have rotated back and forth on 2025 mock drafts, and this will be my first during the crazed FA window. One trade has the power to become a domino effect, sending the remaining order into chaos. This will be my third edition of the series, and I am still not predicting any trades in this version. Without further ado, let the predictions begin:
- Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami
Cam Ward has solidified himself as the top quarterback prospect in this year's class and is the favorite to land in Nashville on draft night. The Titans have yet to pursue a veteran free agent quarterback and the club takes Cam Ward to be the future of the franchise. The Davey O'Brien Award Winner has a cannon for an arm and can deliver tight-window darts to all three levels of the field.
- Cleveland Browns: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
The Browns brought back Myles Garrett, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, and although they could still opt to go after Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland goes after the best prospect in the draft at both receiver and cornerback in Travis Hunter. The unicorn could pitch in on both sides of the football and the rare ball-hawk talent pairs route recognition on offense with range on defense. He is adept in jump-ball situations with strength, focus and a superb catch radius.
- New York Giants: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State
New York certainly needs a quarterback but for the purposes of this mock, Brian Daboll throws his hat in the ring for Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson and the club takes the best pass rusher in the 2025 class in Abdul Carter. His explosion, intensity and instinctive feel in the trenches set him apart. Carter's closing burst and lack of wasted motion would fortify the Giants' frontline.
- New England Patriots: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
The Patriots get a tackle to protect Drake Maye. Armand Membou continues to rise on draft boards with his body control, twitchy hands and agility. He can mirror edge rushers and quickly picks up stunts/blitzes.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jaguars have a clear need at defensive tackle and they bulk up the interior with Mason Graham. This cookie-cutter pick for Jacksonville causes disruption with first-step quickness, a relentless motor and a powerful punch. His prior experience as a wrestler is evident in his ability to generate leverage.
- Las Vegas Raiders: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Acquiring Geno Smith helps with the urgency at quarterback; however, Smith will be 35 later this year and that move would not prevent the Raiders from taking a quarterback for the future. Tom Brady's longstanding relationship with Shedeur Sanders has been well documented and if both Pete Caroll and John Spytek find him an appealing developmental option to elevate the QB room, this move would make sense. Sanders possesses accuracy, advanced fundamentals and command from the pocket and he hits receivers in stride.
- New York Jets: OT Will Campbell, LSU
The Jets snag one of the best offensive line prospects in the draft to pair with Olu Fashanu. Will Campbell has been tested by a plethora of college football's best pass rushers and holds his own with a jarring punch, ability to adjust on climbs and aggressive disposition.
- Carolina Panthers: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Bryce Young needs more weapons but the Panthers' defense struggled down the stretch. Carolina addressed needs along the defensive line in free agency and the club fortifies the secondary with Will Johnson. Johnson has a high ceiling and plays with outstanding instincts and ball production. He has fluid change-of-direction and his pre-snap recognition breeds positive positioning on the field.
- New Orleans Saints: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
The Saints could very well use this pick to add to the defensive line, but the club did re-sign Chase Young, so instead New Orleans gets a weapon for Derek Carr. Tetairoa McMillan is a cheat code in high-point situations and can generate leverage at the top of routes with physicality. He utilizes his long strides to gain yardage and works the boundary with ease.
- Chicago Bears: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Bears overhauled the interior of their offensive line through free agency and here they add another playmaker for the offense to take some of the pressure off of Caleb Williams in the Windy City. Ben Johnson would maximize the ability of Ashton Jeanty and the running back would add another dimension to the Bears' offense with vision, a low center of gravity, burst and rare arsenal of power/speed. The Doak Walker Award winner hit explosive runs of 50-plus yards in nine of his 14 contests last season.
- San Francisco 49ers: Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
The Niners have a void both at linebacker and on the edge and Jalon Walker helps address both. Robert Saleh will find ways to weaponize both Walker's ability as an off-ball linebacker and in the trenches. Walker's leadership at Georgia is well renowned, as is his ability to rush from the edge and as a blitzer on third-down packages. The hybrid talent's sensational closing burst became a nuisance for tackles – a skill that will undoubtedly translate to the pro level.
- Dallas Cowboys: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
With Jeanty already off the board, Jerry Jones takes a receiver to help out Dak Prescott. Missouri built the offense around Luther Burden's yards-after-catch ability with short-to-intermediate darts and the Cowboys will diversify his usage in 2025. Burden possesses vertical speed to quickly work over the top of defenders and effortlessly adjusts to deep balls. He can coral highlight reel catches with special ball skills and adds a different complexion to the Dallas offense alongside CeeDee Lamb.
- Miami Dolphins: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
The Dolphins have begun the bid to enhance their offensive line by signing guard James Daniels to a three-year deal and they fully commit, nabbing Kelvin Banks. Banks possesses the initial quickness to counter speed rushers and stays light on his feet. His athleticism is evident in space and his stout run blocking presents an upside.
- Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
This might be the most obvious choice but after the Colts solidified the secondary in free agency, this selection makes the most sense. Mo Alie-Cox, who is a free agent, has 25 receptions over the previous two years and the Colts need more production at the tight end position. Enter Tyler Warren. He is one of the most elite prospects in the 2025 class and stresses defenses. Warren can line up anywhere along the formation and can vary his speed mid-route to beat defensive backs. He is smooth in-and-out of breaks and can come out on top against man coverage underneath.
- Atlanta Falcons: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Atlanta's pickup of veteran Leonard Floyd will not stop Raheem Morris from adding additional reinforcements in the defensive department. Jihaad Campbell brings versatility and is efficient as an open-field tackler and as a blitzer on third down. Campbell has the pursuit quickness to make plays sideline-to-sideline and can cover running backs to the flat. He challenges passing lanes in coverage and would strength the Falcons' defense.
- Arizona Cardinals: DL Walter Nolen, Mississippi
The Cardinals signed Josh Sweat in free agency to bolster the edge and now they address the interior with Walter Nolen. When isolated, Nolen quickly wins with explosion out of his stance into contact. He can absorb double teams with ease and has the traits to become a force in the middle of the Cardinals' line.
- Cincinnati Bengals: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
The Bengals shore up the defense with a safety. Nick Emmanwori's stock continues to rise after a sensational Combine performance at Lucas Oil Stadium in which he became the only safety to surpass several benchmarks including a 4.38-second 40-yard dash, a 43-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot-6 broad jump. Emmanwori possesses recovery speed and disrupts the catch point. He has the capability of matching with pass-catching tight ends in coverage and he would boost the back end for Cincinnati.
- Seattle Seahawks: IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama
The Seahawks could go with a receiver here after moving on from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett; however, Seattle must address the offensive line and in terms of value, they go with an interior offensive lineman. Tyler Booker is technically sound and thrived in a downhill-based attack at Alabama. His power and climb prowess on the second-level would help spur Seattle's ground attack in 2025.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
The Buccaneers could go with a corner in the first round but with the value at edge, Jason Licht and Todd Bowles secure one of the top talents in the 2025 class in Mykel Williams. Tampa Bay did sign Haason Reddick in free agency, but Williams could develop under the veteran's tutelage and it could pay dividends for the club long-term. In this scenario, the Bucs select a corner in the second round and snag Williams to bolster pressure packages alongside Yaya Diaby, Reddick and Anthony Nelson. He is a sack finisher and although he does not have a large sample size, Williams wins with explosion and range. Over 30% of his tackles at the collegiate level resulted in a loss and he works to punch the ball out of the quarterback's hands and disrupts passing lanes. He possesses a voracious passion for the game and has elite closing burst and speed-to-power conversion.
- Denver Broncos: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Javonte Williams signed with the Cowboys and the Broncos fill a need at running back. Sean Payton certainly likes to have a do-it-all joker on offense and enlists Omarion Hampton. The former Tar Heel runs like a battering ram with aggression. The big-framed back can stack moves and drives through tacklers with elite contact balance. He can elevate the Broncos' screen game and will require opposing teams to gang tackle in order to get him on the ground.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Although their quarterback situation is unknown, the Steelers add a contributor for the defense instead, choosing to go the veteran route at QB. Jahdae Barron is a physical nickel who could cross-train at safety in the NFL. He plays with solid awareness in zone and thrives in underneath coverage, blanketing slot weapons. Barron plays with superb play strength and would solidify the Steelers' secondary.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
The Chargers moved on from Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack is on a one-year contract. They lack depth at the position and look towards the future. Considering how many talented edge prospects are still on the board to choose from, L.A. nabs Shemar Stewart. Stewart dominated at the Senior Bowl and impressed at the Combine, posting a 40-inch vertical (second-best among defensive linemen), 10-foot-11 broad jump (best among defensive linemen) and a blazing 4.59-second 40-yard dash (fourth-fastest among defensive linemen). Stewart is a raw prospect but has a rare blend of size and explosiveness and threatens guards when working inside.
- Green Bay Packers: Edge Mike Green, Marshall
The Packers addressed several areas of need in free agency and now add an infusion of juice to the edge with Mike Green. Green comes with a rush plan and has a variety of moves in his arsenal to counter tackles with both finesse and power. He attacks with violence in the trenches and his leg drive/burst catapult him into the opposition's backfield. His character concerns will have to be vetted but the Packers bet on his upside.
- Minnesota Vikings: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Brian Flores adds a versatile playmaker to the defense. The Vikings revamped the trenches in free agency and with Harrison Smith entering his 14th season, the club looks for his successor. Malaki Starks has a high football IQ and has the speed and ball skills to stay with vertical threats. Starks plays with above-average body control and the rangy athlete finds his home in Minnesota.
- Houston Texans: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Josh Simmons has fluctuated on mocks based on his patellar injury in mid-October that derailed his 2024 season but if given a clean bill of health, this move would make sense for the Texans. The injury robbed him of snaps but Simmons is fluid in space and possesses the quickness to stay with speed rushers. He often lands the first punch with advantageous positioning and can bolster the screen game with movement skills.
- Los Angeles Rams: CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
The Rams reloaded and added key pieces to their defensive front, so the front office follows suit with Shavon Revel Jr. to fortify the secondary. Revel is effective when jamming receivers and can phase vertical routes with top-end speed. He gains leverage by utilizing his length to re-route pass-catchers and has stellar acceleration in pursuit. An ACL injury in September has caused Revel to drop but the Rams find a role for the corner.
- Baltimore Ravens: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
The Ravens go with a value pick to enhance the offensive line, finding a long-term fill for Ronnie Staley. Josh Conerly Jr. helped spring runs at Oregon with fluidity in space and would play a role in igniting the Ravens' ground game and clearing the way for Lamar Jackson. Conerly has tackle-guard flexibility and pairs smooth slides with an effective punch.
- Detroit Lions: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The Lions' defensive front has been plagued with injury and the club finds a player to add to the pass rush rotation with Aidan Hutchinson. Donovan Ezeiruaku amassed 16.5 sacks in 12 contests last year and what he lacks in size, he makes up for with physicality and length at the point. He seems like a Dan Campbell-esque player and is effective at beating protection inside.
- Washington Commanders: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Deebo Samuel will certainly be an upgrade in the offense but he is also nearing 30 and is on a one-year contract in Washington. Dan Quinn finds Jayden Daniels a reliable target in Matthew Golden. Golden can line up at all three receiver spots and is adept at altering the tempo of routes to generate separation. He can adjust to haul in challenging catches and is quick in and out of breaks.
- Buffalo Bills: Edge Landon Jackson, Arkansas
Despite the arrival of Joey Bosa, the Bills also moved on from Von Miller and could use depth at the position. Buffalo could add a cornerback but adding another impactful edge would help out coverage. Landon Jackson is a developmental prospect but plays with synchronized hand placement and footwork, along with freaky athleticism. He went viral after hitting a 40.5-inch vertical at the Combine at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds.
- Kansas City Chiefs: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon
The obvious answer here would be an offensive lineman. We all witnessed Patrick Mahomes get harassed in the pocket in the Super Bowl but with Jaylon Moore signed for the next two seasons, the club gets an imposing interior defender to pair with Chris Jones. Derrick Harmon is powerful at the point of attack and can create clutter as a two-gapper or cause penetration as a one-gapper. He is tough to move and can play up-and-down the line of scrimmage.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. has the traits that teams covet in an edge but he has become invariably linked to the "character concern" disclaimer, causing pause. He will have to be vetted but the Eagles take a gamble. Pearce Jr. has a lethal first-step and has an instinctive feel in the trenches. He has a high-motor and has the range and burst to finish tackles in space. Pearce has an effective speed-to-power in his bag of tricks and would add a jolt to Philadelphia's line.
