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2025 NFL Mock Draft | Five Trades highlight Damond Talbot’s First Mock Draft of the Year

2025 NFL Mock Draft | Five Trades highlight Damond Talbot's First Mock Draft of the Year
2025 NFL Mock Draft | Five Trades highlight Damond Talbot’s First Mock Draft of the Year

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, excitement is building among fans, teams, and scouts alike. In my first mock draft of the year, I offer a glimpse into what could be a pivotal year for many college prospects. Whether it’s a generational quarterback, a game-changing defensive lineman, or a sleeper pick that could surprise the league, I try to provide insights at what teams may be eyeing as they prepare for the big day.

Here’s a deep dive into how the 2025 draft could unfold, according to my projections.

  1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami – The Titans have a lot of needs, but let’s face it, they get the quarterback to turn their franchise around. The Titans new GM has to find his quarterback, and while he can trade the pick and land a few extra picks, you need to find a franchise guy or you will struggle to make it long as a GM. I think Ward is the best player in the draft.
  2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado – I do not think the Browns will take a QB here. I think they will select one later in the draft, but you have to take the best player on the board. Hunter is the best player and I think he will be a huge addition to their roster.
  3. New York Giants – Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss – The New York Giants need a quarterback and they need one bad. I do not think they will hang their hat on Shedeur Sanders. I am not sure they would take him at three, which means the Giants get a guy they can mold into a franchise guy. He is flying up boards a lot like Bo Nix last year and that turned out pretty well.
  4. Las Vegas Raiders (via NE) – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado – The Raiders do not wait, they trade up and get Shedeur Sanders. This is a great move, Shedeur has been hanging out with Geno Smith, and Tom Brady loves Shedeur. The Patriots/Brady connection allow them to move up and get their quarterback. The Patriots pick up more picks and move down two spots.
  5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan – The Jaguars could use an offensive lineman here but Graham is the best interior defensive lineman in the draft. James Gladstone is a smart man and I think he lands a stud in Graham.
  6. New England Patriots (via LV)- Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State – The Patriots get the best defender in the entire draft, he falls to them by trading out of the fourth pick. The Patriots continue to make some crazy acquistions. I love this move for the Patriots, build through the draft.
  7. New York Jets – Will Campbell, OT, LSU – You need to protect your assets, and Campbell is the best offensive tackle in this draft. The Jets stay put and land the best offensive tackle in the draft. They fill a huge need and get Justin Fields some much needed protection.
  8. Carolina Panthers – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – The big and fast wide receiver steps into a role where he can become the WR1. Adding McMillan to Legette and Coker the Panthers continue to get Bryce Young some weapons.
  9. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia – The Saints have struck out on many high draft picks when it comes to pass rushers but they finally get one right. Williams will be the replacement of Cam Jordan and is a player I feel can fill the need.
  10. Chicago Bears – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State – Are you kidding me? The Bears went out and landed three big ass offensive lineman and now they land the best running back in the draft. They find a diamond who will alleviate some pressure on second year quarterback Caleb Williams.
  11. San Francisco 49ers – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri – The 49ers need to find a replacement for Trent Williams. Williams will be 37 years old and has a massive cap hit in 2026. Armand is a big and young player with great technique.
  12. Dallas Cowboys – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina – Dallas Cowboys love Hampton and feel he is the best running back in the draft. He is a bigger back that can carry a big load for them. They are looking to run the ball and help Dak out, and Hampton becomes the new bell cow.
  13. Miami Dolphins – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia – The Dolphins have a huge need at safety and after losing Jevon Holland to the Giants, they find an immediate replacement. Starks comes in day one and becomes a starter for the Phins.
  14. Cincinnati Bengals (via IND) – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas – Bengals end up landing the top cornerback prospect outside of Travis Hunter. This is a good move for the Bengals, because they are able to jump the Falcons and Cardinals to get their guy.
  15. Atlanta Falcons – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M – The Falcons were horrible at getting after the quarterback last year. Stewart is not rated higher than Mike Green by many, but Green’s background is frightening to some team, so his drop continues.
  16. Buffalo Bills (via AZ) – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan – Bills need to get a cornerback and they find a very good one. Bills trade a little bit to trade up, but they feel they landed the best cornerback in the draft.
  17. Indianapolis Colts (via CIN) – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – The Colts find a security blanket in Tyler Warren. He is the best tight end in the draft and will become a friend for their quarterback whether that is Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones.
  18. Seattle Seahawks – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri – Seattle traded away DK Metcalf and cut Tyler Lockett, they find a number 1 wide out in Luther Burden III. Burden will become a huge asset for Sam Darnold and the birds.
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee – The Buccaneers need a pass rusher and they get one in Pearce Jr.! James Pearce Jr. and Haasan Reddick will be very good together. I love this pick for the Buccaneers.
  20. Denver Broncos – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas – The Broncos land another deep and speed threat for Bo Nix. Sean Payton loves guys that can stretch the field, and Golden is not only a speedy guy he can run crisp routes. I like this pick up.
  21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan – The Steelers let Larry Ogunjobi go and need to find a run stuffer. Meet Kenneth Grant the big ass space eater. Grant is a dominant force in the middle of the field for the Wolverines and will be a star in Pittsburgh.
  22. Houston Texans (via LAC) – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – The Texans need a wide receiver and they find one in the former Ohio State playmaker. I love this trade up, after losing Stefon Diggs the Texans get another dog.
  23. Kansas City Chiefs (via GB) – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State – The Chiefs need an offensive lineman and they jump up to make sure they can Simmons their new franchise left tackle. This move is necessary if they want to keep the Super Bowl streaks rolling.
  24. Minnesota Vikings – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas – The Chiefs jumped the Vikings because they have heard the rumblings about protecting JJ McCarthy. Banks Jr. to some is the best offensive tackle in the draft, so this is a huge move but a smart one for the Vikings long term.
  25. Los Angeles Chargers (via HOU) – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan – Jim Harbaugh gets himself a familiar face in Colston Loveland. Many thought Loveland and Warren are the top 2 tight ends and then it falls off quite a bit, and there are rumblings the Rams loved Loveland as well.
  26. Los Angeles Rams – Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA – I know this sounds crazy, but there is a lot of buzz around the UCLA standout. The Rams trust their system, and they felt Carson was the best player on their board at this time. The Rams have been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, so you cannot doubt this pick.
  27. Baltimore Ravens – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College – Donovan racked up 16.5 sacks earning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, the Ravens are so close to taking that jump and they know they need to keep building their lines.
  28. Detroit Lions – Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State – The Lions need a guard bad, and they take Grey Zabel who they think can fill the guard position and add athleticism. The Lions also get a small schooler who is tenacious.
  29. Washington Commanders – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall – Mike Green feel hard because of some things in his background, but the Commanders know a lot about it because it all happened in the DMV area. They do their digging and get a pissed off Mike Green.
  30. Arizona Cardinals (via BUF) – Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss – The Cardinals are looking to upgrade their offensive or defensive line and they do it by trading down. A guy they were considering at 16 ends up falling to them. Cardinals take a very gifted defensive lineman.
  31. Green Bay Packers (via KC) – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon – the Packers land one of the most versatile defensive tackles in the NFL Draft. I love this pick for them, he will help that front seven immensly.
  32. Philadelphia Eagles – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia – Some may question his athleticism, but the Eagles have a knack for getting the most out of bulldogs in the NFL. Walker comes in and replaces the recently retired Brandon Graham.

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