2025 NFL Round 1 Mock Draft
Note: This article was originally written last week, and betting odds continue to shift as the draft approaches. Betting odds are as of 4/14/2025 from FanDuel Sportsbook
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for several franchises, and this mock draft uses data from the 2024 college football season to evaluate each prospect’s potential success at the professional level. Each pick is aligned with team-specific needs, offering a deeper look at how these players could address critical gaps vs. current betting odds. Any NFL Draft is not without a few surprises!
1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Titans endured a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a porous defense that allowed an average of 27.8 points per game. However, Cam Ward emerges as a beacon of hope for their future. In 2024, Ward led the FBS with 39 touchdown passes and posted an 88.7 QBR (second in the nation), showcasing his arm talent and poise under pressure. Despite being underrated by some, his improvisational skills and 4.8% sack rate (among the lowest for qualifying QBs) suggest he can thrive behind an offensive line the Titans have begun to bolster. Replacing Will Levis, who struggled with a 58.2% completion rate and 12 interceptions, Ward could elevate this offense and instill optimism for years to come.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Cam Ward is the overwhelming favorite to be selected first overall, with odds as high as -20,000. This indicates a near certainty among bettors that the Titans will call his name on draft night.
2. Cleveland Browns - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Browns’ front office finds itself in a precarious position after a series of questionable decisions, nudging them toward another high-profile quarterback prospect. Shedeur Sanders, despite his flaws, brings a polished skill set, evidenced by a 95.6 grade for throws past the sticks and an 82.2 short-passing grade in 2024—both tops in his class. His 94.1 passer rating in a clean pocket (third nationally) indicates potential as a game manager, aligning with the Haslam family’s penchant for marquee names. However, his 6.2% interception rate raises concerns, and without coaching alignment, Cleveland’s success with this pick remains uncertain.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Shedeur Sanders sits at +1500 to go No. 2 overall. That’s a long shot compared to Travis Hunter, who leads this market at -280. It’d be a bold move, but Cleveland isn’t afraid to shake things up.
3. New York Giants - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Giants, fresh off a sneaky effective 2024 draft, eagerly accept calls at the podium to secure Travis Hunter, a two-way phenom who can address multiple needs. In 2024, Hunter recorded 66 receptions for 943 yards (14.3 yards per catch) and three touchdowns as a wideout, while adding three interceptions and 12 pass breakups as a cornerback. Pairing him with Malik Nabers—whose 2024 stats included 87 catches for 1,142 yards—could create a dynamic passing attack, even with inconsistent quarterback play. Expect Hunter to log 30 reps per game at wideout, with situational secondary duties, filling two critical roster holes.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Hunter is the current favorite to go second overall at -280. If he slides to the third pick, the Giants might be getting the best value in the draft.
4. New England Patriots - Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
The Patriots’ defense managed just 28 sacks in 2024, a glaring weakness despite free-agency moves. Abdul Carter, widely regarded as the draft’s top talent, posted 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2024, showcasing his disruptive potential. His 6’4”, 260-pound frame and 4.6-second 40-yard dash time suggest he can be a game-wrecking force, addressing the front seven’s lack of elite edge presence. This pick, combined with their offseason overhaul, positions New England for a defensive resurgence, likely prompting an aggressive move at No. 38 for an offensive tackle.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Carter is the betting favorite to go third overall at -220, so New England nabbing him at four would be a slight dip, but still well within expectations.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Some draft projections lock in early, and Mason Graham fits the Jaguars’ needs perfectly. After investing in their offensive line and secondary, the Jags turn to the interior defensive line, where Graham’s 2024 stats—3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss—highlight his ability to collapse pockets from the 3-technique. His 6’3”, 320-pound frame and 92.3 run-defense grade (per PFF) could open rushing lanes for Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. While a skill player like Tyler Warren might tempt them to aid Trevor Lawrence, Graham’s fit as a pocket pusher makes this a strategic selection.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Jacksonville gets the betting favorite here, too. Graham is sitting at -155 to be the fifth overall pick—a smart, chalky choice.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Drawing from Pete Carroll’s playbook, who drafted offensive tackles with top-10 picks in 2010 (Russell Okung) and 2022 (Charles Cross), the Raiders prioritize a premium position. Will Campbell, despite lacking prototypical length (33-inch arms), excelled in 2024 with a 90.1 pass-blocking grade and allowed zero sacks over 400 snaps. His athleticism and quick engagement suit Las Vegas’ need for a left tackle, offering stability as they rebuild around a new quarterback.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Campbell’s odds to go fourth overall are -170, so slipping to six would be a mild surprise. Still a top-10 lock and major value here.
7. New York Jets - Armand Membou, RT, Missouri
The Jets and Armand Membou have been linked for months, a testament to their shared vision. After losing Morgan Moses in free agency, Membou’s 2024 performance—88.7 run-blocking grade and just two pressures allowed in 300 snaps—positions him to anchor the right side. His 6’6”, 325-pound frame and explosive first step align with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s desire for physicality, reinforcing the Jets’ commitment to elite line play.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Membou is currently +480 to go fifth and -270 to be a top-10 pick. Slotting him in at No. 7 hits the sweet spot of his projected range.
8. Carolina Panthers - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
With top tackles off the board, the Panthers pivot to Tyler Warren, a versatile tight end reminiscent of Dallas Clark. In 2024, Warren caught 58 passes for 719 yards (12.4 yards per catch) and five touchdowns, while earning an 85.6 blocking grade. His ability to align across formations addresses Carolina’s need for offensive flexibility, providing a reliable target for their quarterback as they rebuild.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Warren's odds sit at +2500 to be a top-five pick and -150 for the top 10. This feels like his floor, which makes it a logical and safe move for Carolina.
9. New Orleans Saints - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Saints’ roster struggles with poor construction, having overinvested in linemen with limited upside. Will Johnson, despite missing time in 2024 and underwhelming at the combine, brings physicality (6’2”, 200 pounds) and a nose for the ball, with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2023. His 2024 tackle efficiency (87.2 grade) compensates for average speed, making him a vital addition to a secondary desperate for talent.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Johnson comes in at +160 to sneak into the top 10. At pick nine, this would be considered a slight reach based on the odds—but a justifiable one for a team needing a tone-setting DB.
10. Chicago Bears - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Bears have fortified their interior offensive line but still seek a left tackle upgrade. With Will Campbell unavailable, Ashton Jeanty offers immediate impact. In 2024, he rushed for 2,614 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and 29 touchdowns, earning a 94.0 rushing grade. His 8.2 yards after contact per attempt signal physicality under HC Ben Johnson, though his 68.4 pass-protection grade needs work. Jeanty could be a security blanket for Caleb Williams in the passing game.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Jeanty is a massive betting favorite to go top 10 at -1350. This pick lands him right on the number, and it’s hard to argue with the production or positional value he brings.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Transitioning after significant offseason losses, the 49ers rely on Grey Zabel to revitalize their zone scheme. In 2024, Zabel posted an 89.3 run-blocking grade and a 4.8-second 40-yard dash, showcasing explosiveness and lateral agility. While the secondary needs attention, Zabel’s skill set addresses a pressing line concern, potentially accelerating their return to contention.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Dallas covets freakish athletes, and Mykel Williams fits the bill despite an ankle injury limiting him to five sacks in 2024. His 6’5”, 265-pound frame and 4.65 40-yard dash time flashed elite edge potential, with a 90.1 pass-rush grade in limited snaps. His size and movement could elevate the Cowboys’ defensive front if he regains full health.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Williams is listed at +340 to go top 10, so slipping into the teens here checks out with how the market currently views him.
13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Dolphins require agile linemen and true starters, and Kelvin Banks Jr. delivers. In 2024, he allowed just one sack over 450 snaps, earning an 87.9 pass-blocking grade. His 6’4”, 320-pound frame and quick feet address a massive need, outpacing free-agency depth moves, though interior defensive line help may wait.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Banks is hovering around +195 to be a top-10 pick. That makes this slide to 13 a solid value pickup for Miami.
14. Indianapolis Colts - Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
The Colts chase athletic freaks, and Shemar Stewart’s Myles Garrett-esque 6’6”, 265-pound frame intrigues. However, his 4.5 sacks over three years (including 1.5 in 2024) lag behind Garrett’s 2016 output. If their defensive line coach unlocks his 88.5 run-defense grade, this high-upside pick could pay dividends.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Shemar is a long shot at +340 to go top 10, so this landing spot lines up nicely with current expectations.
15. Atlanta Falcons - Mike Green, OLB, Marshall
With only 28 sacks in 2024—14 fewer than Green’s nation-leading 16.5—the Falcons need edge pressure. Green’s 2024 stats include 21 tackles for loss and an 89.3 pass-rush grade, complemented by elite tackling (92.1 grade). His versatility as an edge setter bolsters their secondary investment.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Green is listed at +600 to go top 10. He just misses that range here, and this might end up looking like a steal when the dust settles.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The Cardinals embrace tweeners, and Jalon Walker’s 2024 performance—7 sacks and 12 tackles for loss—suits Jonathan Gannon’s defense. His 6’3”, 245-pound frame and 87.6 coverage grade allow inside-out flexibility, addressing a positional need.
📈 Draft Odds Insight:
Walker sits at +490 for top-5 and -750 for top-10 consideration. Arizona nabbing him at 16 means he’s fallen farther than many expect—could be a major value play.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Bengals need guards, but Walter Nolen’s talent is irresistible given their 2024 defensive woes (allowing 25.3 points per game). His 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss in 2024, paired with a 90.2 run-defense grade, make him a 3-tech threat to pressure quarterbacks.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Nolen sits at -280 to be a first-rounder, so pick 17 places him right in the expected range. He may not have elite top-10 hype, but the floor is rock solid.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
In transition after trading Geno Smith and DK Metcalf, the Seahawks add Jihaad Campbell. His 2024 stats—6 sacks and 10 tackles for loss—reflect versatility, while his 88.9 leadership grade (per PFF) brings stability to a retooling roster.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Campbell is currently +12,000 to crack the top 10 and isn't listed among top-25 odds, which suggests this is a reach in the eyes of bettors—but one that could pay off with the right coaching fit.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Buccaneers ranked fourth-worst against the pass in 2024, allowing 260.5 yards per game. Hairston’s 2024 five interceptions (down from seven in 2023) and 4.42 40-yard dash time offer elite speed, addressing a critical secondary need.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Hairston currently sits at -125 to be a first-round pick. Slotting him at 19 is right on the edge of where the market expects him to go.
20. Denver Broncos - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan, the class’s top receiver prospect, fell to 20 due to speed (4.55 40-yard dash) and work ethic questions. His 2024 stats—82 catches for 1,242 yards (15.1 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns—mirror Sean Payton’s successful wideouts like Michael Thomas, making him a fit for Bo Nix.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: McMillan comes in at +430 to crack the top 10. So while he’s not favored to go early, he remains squarely in the Day 1 conversation.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With no quarterback solution, the Steelers opt for the best player available in Malaki Starks. His 2024 stats—four interceptions and an 89.5 coverage grade—plus experience in big games align with Pittsburgh’s defensive tradition.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Starks is a longshot to be a top-10 pick at +1900, so pick 21 tracks closely with current betting sentiment.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for tight ends shines with Colston Loveland. In 2024, he caught 61 passes for 781 yards (12.8 yards per catch) and six touchdowns, earning an 86.3 receiving grade. He offers Justin Herbert a reliable target to enhance the passing game.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Loveland is +700 to crack the top 10—not out of reach, but this feels like his ideal landing zone.
23. Green Bay Packers - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Aiming for more man coverage, the Packers lack personnel to execute consistently. Barron’s 2024 stats—three interceptions and an 87.9 coverage grade despite 45 targets—highlight his skill set, making him a high-value addition to their secondary.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Barron checks in at +600 to go top 10 and -125 to go in Round 1. A well-timed selection in terms of both need and market placement.
24. Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Nick Emmanwori’s athleticism suits Brian Flores’ scheme. A 2024 First Team All-SEC selection, he recorded 68 tackles, three interceptions, and a 43-inch vertical at the combine. His 90.1 coverage grade positions him as a top-40 pick to bolster the secondary.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Emmanwori is a heavy favorite to go in the first round at -1500. This might actually be a slight bargain.
25. Houston Texans - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
With Tyler Booker in consideration, Donovan Jackson’s 2024 versatility—87.6 run-blocking grade across guard and tackle—addresses Houston’s line depth needs. His 6’4”, 320-pound frame strengthens a unit requiring both improvement and redundancy.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Jackson’s odds to go Round 1 sit at +195. That makes this pick a little higher than projected, but not dramatically so.
26. Los Angeles Rams - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Rams face an uncertain future with Matthew Stafford aging and showing signs of wear in 2024, where he posted a 65.8% completion rate and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Jaxson Dart offers a developmental heir with upside. In 2024, Dart threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just six interceptions at Ole Miss, achieving a 69.3% completion rate and a nation-leading 180.7 passer rating. His 11.9-yard average depth of target (second among Power Four QBs) highlights his reliance on deep shots, fitting Sean McVay’s play-action-heavy scheme—53% of Dart’s 2024 throws came off play-action. While his simplistic college offense raises questions about NFL adaptation, his arm strength, mobility (421 rushing yards in 2024), and quick release could thrive behind McVay’s coaching, making him an ideal long-term investment.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Dart sits at +5500 to go top 10 and -370 to be drafted in Round 1. This slot fits the buzz around him perfectly.
27. Baltimore Ravens - James Pearce, OLB, Tennessee
James Pearce’s mental concerns dropped his stock, but the Ravens’ leadership can harness his 2024 output—8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. His 6’5”, 245-pound frame and 88.7 pass-rush grade suggest elite potential if unlocked.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Pearce is right at the fringe, with -125 odds to go Round 1. Classic Ravens pick: upside with a little risk.
28. Detroit Lions - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Kenneth Grant’s 2024 stats—3 sacks and 6 tackles for loss—belie his 6’3”, 340-pound frame’s movement. His 91.0 run-defense grade makes him a 3-down fit, though Detroit might also eye a tackle.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Grant is priced at -230 to be a first-rounder. At 28, he lands almost exactly where Vegas pegs him.
29. Washington Commanders - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka’s comprehensive skill set could elevate him higher. In 2024, he caught 67 passes for 981 yards (14.6 yards per catch) and seven touchdowns, with an 87.4 blocking grade. His physicality aids Jayden Daniels’ growth.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Egbuka is -180 to go Round 1. Plenty of teams are rumored to be targeting WRs late in the first—Washington gets a clean fit.
30. Buffalo Bills - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Matthew Golden’s 4.29 40-yard dash stands out despite 2024’s 45 catches for 620 yards. His speed addresses a Bills’ need for deep threats, complementing their offense.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Golden is +2400 to go top 10. At pick 30, this is a sleeper hit that could pop.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Josh Simmons’ 2024 injury limited him, but his 87.8 pass-blocking grade over 250 snaps signals first-round talent. His 6’5”, 315-pound frame adds depth to the Chiefs’ oft-injured line.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Simmons is -1100 to go Round 1.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
Losing Josh Sweat, the Eagles target Donovan Ezeiruaku. His 2024 ACC-leading 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, with a 90.3 pass-rush grade, fit their line-investment philosophy.
📈 Draft Odds Insight: Ezeiruaku is -210 to go in Round 1. If he lands at 32, expect a lot of “How’d he fall this far?” commentary.