John IV White’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Combine has just ended, and the chaos of free agency is looming over every team’s shoulder. For my first article on this website, I figured to release my second mock draft post-combine and pre-free agency. A lot of changes have happened since my 1.0 so it will definitely look different.

1. New York Giants-Cam Ward-QB-Miami (FL)

The Giants trade up with Tennessee, giving up their third round pick this year, #3 and a 2026 2nd round pick for the first pick. Tennessee goes the FA route at QB and the Giants get Cam Ward, who’s my QB1 in this draft. He’s mobile, has a good arm, and got better every year in college. 

2. Cleveland Browns-Shedeur Sanders-QB-Colorado

Cleveland could go the best player on the board in Carter but I believe they will take a QB at #2. The Deshaun Watson contract is a failure, and they’re going to be in a long rebuild should they trade Myles Garrett. Sanders is accurate, has been in the spotlight all his life, and showed a lot of toughness from the pocket. The mobility worries me, but Kevin Stefanski’s system is a good fit for Sanders. 

3. Tennessee Titans-Abdul Carter-EDGE-Penn State

Tennessee trades down, gets some draft capital and takes the best player in the draft in Abdul Carter. Carter is fast, strong and improved so much in just one season at edge rusher. Tennessee needs to improve their pass rush (Harold Landry might be gone as well) so they add Carter to help get sacks and take some pressure off the defensive tackle duo of T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffrey Simmons. 

4. New England Patriots-Travis Hunter-ATH-Colorado

The Patriots have the most cap space so they will add players through that at key positions they need (offensive line, wide receivers). They take the best player on the board in Hunter, who can be a good CB2 with Christian Gonzalez or a solid wide receiver for Drake Maye. Either way, he improves the team. Also helps that Coach Vrabel knows what being a two-way player is like in the NFL.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars-Mason Graham-DL-Michigan

Jacksonville’s defense needs to be upgraded all over. Even though he didn’t test at the combine, Graham seems to be one of the safer prospects in this year’s draft class. He’s slippery, plays with a high motor and knows how to win matchups with his hands. Adding him in the middle will give Jacksonville a solid defensive line, pairing him with Arik Armstead, Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders-Ashton Jeanty-RB-Boise State

Pete Carroll had success in Seattle with a Day 2 pick at QB so there’s no need to reach for a QB at this high of a pick. Here, they improved their running game with Jeanty, who was one of the electrifying players in college football a season ago. His ability to run through contact and fight for yards every play will give Carroll some visions of Marshawn Lynch in Seattle. 

7. New York Jets-Tyler Warren-TE-Penn State

The potential first wild card pick of the draft. The Jets are in a spot that whoever they take here would make sense. The Jets haven’t had any good players at tight end in a long time, so they get Warren, who has good hands and is physical in both the run and pass game. He can help set the culture for Aaron Glenn, and become a security blanket for whoever is at QB. 

8. Carolina Panthers-Jalon Walker-LB-Georgia

Bryce Young improved a lot by the end of the season, so the Panthers shift their focus on improving their defense. The pass rush was abysmal for them, so they got a hybrid player in Jalon Walker. Wherever he gets lined up, he knows how to attack the QB (2024 Texas game) and his pressure rate last season was one of the best in college football. He can be a good chess piece for the Panthers to use. 

9. New Orleans Saints-Will Johnson-CB-Michigan

New Orleans is in the same boat as the Jets to where whoever they take will make sense. A toe injury limited his season but Will Johnson is in my opinion, the best cornerback in the draft. He has good size and ball skills for the position, and the Saints are most likely losing Paulson Adebo to free agency. Johnson gives the Saints a good piece to use on defense. 

10. Chicago Bears-Will Campbell-OT-LSU

Chicago’s main goal this offseason is to improve the offensive line for Caleb Williams. Outside of Darnell Wright, every position can use an upgrade (hince why they traded for Jonah Jackson). Campbell is very physical, and can be an asset in both the pass and run game. He can either be competition for left tackle or be slotted in at left guard for the Bears.

11. San Francisco 49ers-Armand Membou-OT-Missouri

The 49ers will look very different in the next couple of years, but they need to upgrade the RT spot since it was a massive struggle for them this past year. Membou is very physical and has solid body control to anchor that part of the line. It’s important for the 49ers to hit on these picks as well considering the salary cap problems that can be coming up in the future. 

12. Dallas Cowboys-Tetairoa McMillan-WR-Arizona

While I see Jerry Jones taking Ashton Jeanty here if he’s still available, the class is loaded with running backs. Instead, they add McMillan, whose draft comparison is Drake London—an underrated wide receiver in the league. McMillan is huge, has great hands and underrated speed for his size. He can line up all over and can help take pressure off CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. 

13. Miami Dolphins-Kelvin Banks-OT-Texas

The Dolphins are going to have to protect Tua and they got some issues on the line. They could lose Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones to free agency, and they are preparing to lose Terron Armstead. Banks is one of the top linemen in the draft, and he has over 40 games of experience. He has good feet and a mauler in the run game. He can slide in to guard or tackle but he can help fortify the left side of the line.

14. Indianapolis Colts-Nick Emmanwori-S-South Carolina

With the hire of Lou Anaramo, we all saw how important Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell were when the Bengals made the Super Bowl. One of the fastest risers from the Combine, Emmanwori showed his case to be the first safety taken off the board. Running a 4.38 40 and a 11’6′ vertical jump at the combine helped his case. Emmanwori is versatile, and can help a Colts secondary that struggled in pass defense.

15. Atlanta Falcons-Mike Green-EDGE-Marshall

Part of the collapse the Falcons had at the end of the season was due to their pass rush. Finishing 31st in sacks, the Falcons need to hit with their picks considering they don’t have a ton of capital. Green led the FBS in sacks and showcased his power during positional drills at the Senior Bowl. He also displays good hand use, and he can get after the quarterback, which the Falcons desperately need to do since they passed on a edge rusher in last year’s draft.

16. Arizona Cardinals-Mykel Williams-EDGE-Georgia

The Cardinals improved in Year 2 under Jonathan Gannon, but they still need to upgrade the defense. Williams was hampered all season by an ankle injury sustained in Week 1. Still, he showcased his potential in the SEC Championship game against Texas, and has displayed versatility throughout his career.

17. Cincinnati Bengals-Derrick Harmon-DT-Oregon

The Bengals are doing everything they can to run it back with the trio with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The defense cost them one of the best offensive seasons in recent NFL history, and a big reason was the run defense. Derrick Harmon exploded this year with 10.5 tackles for loss and FBS-best 34 pressures. He also helped his case at the combine running a 4.95 40. Harmon was effective in both the run and pass game, and he can help both the run and pass defense in Cincinnati.

18. Seattle Seahawks-Jonah Savaiianea-OT-Arizona

The Seahawks had some offensive line needs and I believe there is a great possibility they will target that position in the first round. The run game was porous, and they are holes on the right side of the line. Savaiianea impressed at the Combine running a 4.95 40 yard dash, which is impressive for someone his size. He has experience at both right guard and tackle, which are needs that the Seahawks can look into.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Jihaad Campbell-LB-Alabama

Devin White is gone, Lavonte David is getting older, and the Buccaneers need pass rush help. Campbell showcased his potential and explosiveness this past season posting 117 tackles and 5 sacks for an off-ball linebacker. He then displayed a great combine running a 4.52 40 yard dash at 6’3″ and 235 pounds. Picking him will give Todd Bowles a chess piece for him to use on defense.

20. Denver Broncos-Omarion Hampton-RB-North Carolina

Sean Payton made it clear that he wants to add a joker to his offense. Hampton is 221 pounds and ran a 4.46 40 yard dash. He is a violent runner who consistently fights for extra yards every time that he touches the football. He can be an asset in the passing game as well, turning himself into a solid check down option for whoever is throwing the football. Getting a running back who can help Bo Nix and the running game while also upgrading the running back room will be great addition for the offense under Nix.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers-Matthew Golden-WR-Texas

The Steelers need another receiver to help out the passing game. George Pickens is a good wide receiver but he can’t be the only one who can catch passes for the Steelers. Golden impressed everyone with his 4.3 40 yard dash, but he consistently got better throughout the season and came through in some of the biggest moments. He has good body control and knows how to change speed on his routes.

22. Los Angeles Chargers-Colston Loveland-TE-Michigan

The Chargers had a great first year under Jim Harbaugh, but they can use some upgrades at several positions. Loveland can be a mismatch from the tight end position, and displayed the ability running the route tree at all 3 levels of the field. It is also a bonus that Jim Harbaugh recruited him out of high school at Michigan, and knows the best ways to utilize him in his offense.

23. Green Bay Packers-Jahdae Barron-CB-Texas

Jeff Hafley showed a great first year with the Packers as their defensive coordinator, but they need upgrades at several positions on defense. Jaire Alexander’s future is murky with the team, so they turned to draft another defensive player in Jahdae Barron. Barron showcased versatility lining up both in the slot and on the outside. His physicality is also a big plus, which is something Hafley values in his players.

24. Minnesota Vikings-Malaki Starks-S-Georgia

Brian Flores had a great year at defense but has a ton of free agents in the secondary. To prepare themselves for losing some guys from a great defensive year, they turn to Malaki Starks with their first round pick. Malaki Starks is a versatile player who can line up across the field and has the leadership to become the Vikings defensive leader for years to come.

25. Houston Texans-Emeka Egbuka-WR-Ohio State

Stefon Diggs is probably gone, and Tank Dell could be out for the whole season due to his injury. The Texans grab Egbuka, who had a great season every year he played for the Buckeyes. Egbuka is a smooth route runner, with reliable hands and knows how to get open versus coverage. CJ Stroud and him already have a connection so this can help re-establish chemistry while the Texans look to make another postseason run.

26. Los Angeles Rams-Luther Burden III-WR-Missouri

The Rams have already stated that they are looking to trade Cooper Kupp. Re-signing Matthew Stafford takes away the QB need for now, and they also secured an extension for their left tackle, Alaric Jackson. With a good defense, let’s give Sean McVay a weapon to replace Kupp in Burden. Burden is a solid route runner with quick acceleration and reliable hands. McVay would love to find ways to deploy him in his offense as the Rams are chasing a Super Bow right now.

27. Baltimore Ravens-Josh Simmons-OT-Ohio State

The Ravens are potentially looking at next season without Ronnie Stanley being their blindside blocker. After finding their right tackle for the future in Roger Rosengarten, they turned to the left side and select Josh Simmons. Simmons improved during his time in Columbus and showcased great tape for the first couple of weeks of the season and if it wasn’t for a knee injury, he would be going way higher.

28. Detroit Lions-Grey Zabel-OL-North Dakota State

The Lions are going to make sure that the tiniest hole on the offensive line gets plugged up with their selection of Grey Zabel. Sure, they can use edge rush help but this is a deep draft for that position. Zabel improved his stock so much during the Senior Bowl playing inside, and his play style will be an easy fit for the culture that Dan Campbell has built in Detroit.

29. Washington Commanders-James Pearce-EDGE-Tennessee

Trading for Deebo Samuel has minimized the WR position need for the Commanders. Instead, they turn to addressing the edge rusher position as they relied on Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr this past season. Pearce has great length and speed for the edge rusher position, which are two traits that Dan Quinn likes to look for in his pass rushers.

30. Buffalo Bills-Kenneth Grant-DT-Michigan

The Bills reportedly were looking for defensive tackle help during the trade deadline. Adding a sidekick for Ed Oliver would potentially help the Bills overcome the obstacle of the Kansas City Chiefs. Kenneth Grant is huge for his position but has good athleticism and can occupy offensive linemen in the run game. Adding him will help fortify the defensive line into one of the best in the NFL, if they aren’t already.

31. Kansas City Chiefs-Donovan Jackson-OL-Ohio State

We all saw what happened to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl when the Eagles defensive line carved them up. They already franchise tagged Trey Smith but they need to clean up the left side. Donovan Jackson showed his versatility moving from left guard to tackle and helped paved the way for the Buckeyes to win it all. Joe Thuney did the same thing so they can solidify the left side of the line with two guys who have experience at both positions.

32. Philadelphia Eagles-Shemar Stewart-EDGE-Texas A&M

The Eagles do not have many needs but they could potentially lose both Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat this offseason. If they do, they can take a look at a guy like Shemar Stewart to add to their line. Stewart is an athletic specimen for someone his size but over 4.5 sacks in his college career does raise a little concern. Adding him can give Vic Fangio a new piece to mold on the defensive line for the Eagles.