With the Divisional Round of the playoffs in the books, only four teams remain alive. It also means that the Texans, Lions, Rams, and Ravens are onto free agency and the draft. With the draft order nearly set, let’s take a look at which college players teams might pick. In this 2025 NFL mock draft, which teams prioritize speed and which prioritize strength on the lines?
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1) Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Tennessee Titans
Miami (FL) Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is my top-ranked quarterback in the draft. I think his upside is the highest of any quarterback and while I don’t love this QB class as a whole, I think the Titans will go with the guy they think can turn around the franchise.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Ward is a polarizing prospect, but he’s fearless against pressure and can make some ridiculous throws, two traits that seem to translate well to the modern NFL. He has some fans within the college community, as ESPN commentator Louis Riddick called him a “Stone Cold Killer” and praised his upside.
2) Travis Hunter, Athlete, Colorado
Cleveland Browns
I have no idea what the Browns will do as Cleveland ruined its climb out of the league’s cellar by completing one of the worst trades in the history of the league. They’re stuck with Deshaun Watson’s mammoth contract, and Watson isn’t likely to play next season.
I have a bit of a weird take. Teams should stop chasing mediocrity and be okay with being bad for a year. If Cleveland takes the most unique prospect of the last decade, they’ll have a year to figure out how they want to use two-way superstar Travis Hunter. He was unstoppable on both sides of the ball with the Colorado Buffaloes and he fits two positions of need.
Cleveland can get a quarterback next year. Add talent and build depth in 2025.
3) Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
New York Giants
It’s quarterback time in New York and if there’s any passer who can handle the bright lights of the Big Apple, it’s Shedeur Sanders.
I think Sanders’ floor is a bit higher than even Ward’s, but his ceiling is limited a bit by his lack of elite athleticism. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a modern pocket passer, able to move around to get in position to throw, but he’s still a pocket passer and without an elite offensive line, he’s not immune to bad games.
4) Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
New England Patriots
The Patriots are at a crossroads. On one hand, their rookie quarterback flashed in 2024. On the other, there’s just not a lot of talent on this team, with holes on the offensive and defensive lines, and at the skill positions.
But.. There isn’t an offensive lineman I absolutely love in this class and you can find receivers later in the draft. What can’t you find? High-floor, high-ceiling edge rushers who possess elite athleticism and proven production while playing one year on the defensive line.
Peen State Nittany Lions edge rusher Abdul Carter rocketed up draft boards after a fantastic season and he’s only played edge for one year. He’s not close to hitting his potential and he’s already pretty good. Easy decision for the Patriots, in my opinion.
5) Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last year, I called the Jacksonville Jaguars “soft” multiple times. Guess what? They’re still soft. They need to beef up on the line of scrimmage.
You know who isn’t soft? Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham. Graham is mean, athletic, and very, very big. Always great against the run, he flashed high-level pass-rushing ability in 2024.
6) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Las Vegas Raiders
This scenario isn’t ideal for the Raiders, as the consensus top two quarterbacks are off the board, as are Graham and Carter. The Raiders could go with somebody in the trenches, as the top of this class is fairly solid.
However, Boise State Broncos superstar Ashton Jeanty is a great backup plan. Jeanty’s ability to both hit big plays and avoid negative plays is incredible and he put up one of the greatest rushing season in the history of college football despite an average passing game. He’s excellent in pass protection and does the little things NFL teams look for.
7) Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
New York Jets
Oh, let’s make this fun. I haven’t done my final evaluations yet, but I have Ole Miss Rebels passer Jaxson Dart as my No. 3 quarterback in this class. His arm strength isn’t elite, but he’s a great decision-maker who understands what defenses are trying to do against him.
Yes, Lane Kiffin’s offense makes it a bit easier for a quarterback to process, but the Rebels have been able to do things in the passing game with Dart that they haven’t with other guys. Even on my board, this is a bit of a reach but hitting on a quarterback pick is the quickest way to turn a franchise around.
8) Tetairoa McMillen, WR, Arizona
Carolina Panthers
As a Panthers fan, it really hurts to not love any defensive pick here, as there’s value there and Carolina was absolutely dreadful on that side of the ball.
That being said, I love the idea of going all in on Bryce Young. Tetairoa McMillen is another physical freak to pair with 2024 rookies Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. McMIllen is 6’5″ with speed and elite jump ball ability and unlike with the Arizona Wildcats, there are more offensive weapons on the Panthers for Young to spread the ball to, taking pressure off McMillen.
I’m a fan of strengthening the best part of your team and while the Panthers have major needs at all three levels of the defense, one player there won’t turn this into a winning team.
9) Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
New Orleans Saints
I watched every snap of the 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks, and Spencer Rattler was never under as much pressure as he was with the New Orleans Saints last season. Yes, they had some injuries, but the Saints’ offensive line was as bad as I’ve ever seen from an NFL team.
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Tyler Booker is a high-floor, NFL-ready guard with great power and the profile to be a great pass blocker. The Saints need all the help they can get. I’d also consider an edge rusher here, but the need to protect whoever the quarterback is supersedes the desire to pressure the opposition.
10) James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams struggled early in the season and the offensive line got a lot of the blame. The truth is, the Bears will have to live with some of the sacks, as Williams would take sacks even if he had five Hall of Famers on the offensive line.
But, Williams flashed elite decision-making and throwing ability, proving he can be the guy to bring the Bears out of the cellar. That being said, the defensive line needs a lot of help, and bringing in an NFL-ready, 6’5″, 240+ pound edge rusher will certainly help there.
11) Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers really help with their pass defense, which has led many to mock one of several impressive corners to San Francisco. However, the 49ers have always preferred to build from the line-of-scrimmage out, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them opt to go for one of the top edge rushers first. Mykel Williams was great, when healthy, this season.
This would fit with San Francisco’s draft approach, as the corner class is a bit deeper than the edge class. Here, they get one of the few first-round edge rushers, and can get a corner later.
12) Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon
Dallas Cowboys
What do the Cowboys do without Ashton Jeanty on the board? Don’t worry Dallas fans, you can fall in love with Oregon Ducks interior defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, a guy I’m much higher on than most people.
Harmon is freakishly athletic and strong as an ox. His first step is lightning quick and he’s NFL-ready. If Mason Graham wasn’t in this class, Harmon would be even more sought after as I think he’s a better prospect than most of the top interior linemen we’ve seen in the last few years.
13) Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Miami Dolphins
Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks is one of my favorite prospects in this draft. The issue is finding a fit for a team that will value the position. The Dolphins will need to do something offensively, but I think that’s as much an issue with Tua Tagovailoa’s health as it is with personnel. Starks can play the run and pass well and there aren’t any discernible weaknesses in his game.
14) Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Indianapolis Colts
I’m not ready to give up on Anthony Richardson, but I am ready to give him a big target who can work underneath. It feels like the Colts have neglected that particular type of pass-catcher in recent seasons, leading to Richardson having to go deep too often.
Accordingly, I’ve grown to love this pick. Let’s give Richardson a Tyler Warren as a safety blanket… A safety blanket that can also run people over and outjump even the most athletic defensive backs.
15) Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Atlanta Falcons
What a dream scenario for the Falcons, who find a corner to go opposite of A.J. Terrell. Will Johnson is one of the top corners in the class, maybe the best pure corner in terms of NFL readiness. He falls here simply because there are several great corners in this class and teams at the top could prioritize thinner positions, planning to circle back later.
Johnson dealt with injuries in his final year in Ann Arbor, but he has the ability to step in and immediately contribute to a team that is hoping to get over the hump.
16) Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Arizona Cardinals
Luther Burden III is one of the best primary-slot receiver options we’ve seen in years. He’s a big-play threat with a lower-than-average depth of target. After the catch, he’s as good as you’ll find, and he’d give Kyler Murray another big-play option to take the Cardinals’ offense to the next level.
17) Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Cincinnati Bengals
While Burden and the Bengals feel like a perfect match, he gets sniped out from under their noses in this mock. Ohio State Buckeyes standout Emeka Egbuka is a very different receiver, but can also operate in the slot, as he excels at getting open in tight windows. That skill set would work in Cincinnati, whether or not Tee Higgins leaves in free agency.
18) Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Seattle Seahawks
Last year around this time, South Carolina Gamecocks superstar safety Nick Emmanwori was a high-upside athlete with a solid tackling record and real issues in coverage.
As a junior, he fixed the coverage issues, as he was one of the best ball-hawking safeties in the country, excelling in both man and zone coverage. He’s going to put up ridiculous testing numbers, as he’ll likely outrun most of the corners while looking more like a linebacker than a safety.
19) Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
East Carolina Pirates corner Shavon Revel is a bit raw as a cover corner, and that makes him even more attractive to NFL teams, as he’s pretty talented as is. His athleticism makes him a safe bet to work well in man coverage, but if he can grow from a technical standpoint, he could turn the Tamp Bay secondary into one of the best in the NFL.
20) Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Denver Broncos
The only tried-and-true approach in an ever-changing NFL is that once a team finds a quarterback, they’ll miss their window if they don’t build around him. The Broncos need a few more pieces on the offensive line and at the skill positions, so getting an offensive tackle with Pro Bowl upside is certainly a start.
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I don’t love this tackle class, but Texas Longhorns lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. has a solid floor, thanks to his strong base and extensive experience. He also has a high ceiling as a guy who can add strength and improve his technique.
21) Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Pittsburgh Steelers
Benjamin Morrison is one of my favorite corners in the draft, despite an injury that kept him out for most of the season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Morrison is an aggressive man corner, probably the best man corner in the class, with plenty of athleticism and experience.
Pittsburgh has several holes, but this team has always been built on defense first, and getting another corner the Steelers can trust on an island would allow them to play more aggressively on that side of the ball.
22) Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Los Angeles Chargers
Nic Scourton is one of my favorite edge rushers in the draft, a guy who excelled with the Purdue Boilermakers before moving to the Texas A&M Aggies and again flashing pro potential.
He has excellent bend and is one of the better pass-rushers in a top-heavy class. We’re not sure where Joey Bosa is at when it comes to potential retirement, and the Chargers struggled on the edge, finishing 22nd in pass rush win rate. Scourton is an immediate remedy to that problem.
23) Tyleik Williams, IDL, Ohio State
Green Bay Packers
I’m honestly not entirely sure what to do with the Packers pick here, but I think I want to beef up the defensive line even more. Tyleik Williams is an NFL-ready interior lineman who could have entered the draft last year, but opted to return to the Ohio State Buckeyes instead.
As a senior, he displayed his power and pass-rushing arsenal, while holding up more than adequately in the running game as well.
24) Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings lose multiple secondary starters, so getting a guy who can play at multiple spots in the defensive backfield feels almost like a cheat code. Jahdae Barron’s versatility is his best weapon, and would allow the Vikings to build around him in free agency, slotting in at the position of highest need. Against Ohio State, he was excellent in man coverage on Jeremiah Smith.
25) Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
Houston Texans
We don’t often see this many interior defensive linemen go off the board in the first round, but I really like this class. Grant is massive: he’ll be one of the bigger tackles in the NFL, but also has a quick first step.
Want a full Texans Mock? Check Out our 7-Rounder for Houston
He doesn’t win in the passing game at a high rate, but he has the quickness to completely disrupt the play when he gets through. As a run-stopper, he’ll be more than adequate for a defense looking for a bit more “oomph” on the inside.
26) Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams haven’t had many first-round picks in recent memory, but they hit a grand slam with Pro Bowl edge rusher Jared Verse last season. Verse is the best player on the defense, and with needs at linebacker and the opposite side of the defensive line, I’m giving them an intriguing prospect.
Walker was orginally an edge rusher out of Salisbury (NC) High School, but made the transition to an off-ball linebacker role in 2024… Sort of. Walker still rushed the passer on 53% of opposing drop backs, racking up 34 pressures and seven sacks. He’s undersized, but the average weight of NFL edge rushers has dropped by nearly 10 pounds in the last seven years.
Walker gives the Rams a versatile chess piece. He can match up against a tight end or running back, or fire off the edge. I don’t trust some coaching staffs to deploy him correctly, but the Rams should be able to use him effectively.
27) Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Baltimore Ravens
I’m not piling on Mark Andrews, who has been great for the Ravens in the past. This is more that I love Harold Fannin Jr., an elite receiving tight end who broke all sorts of records in college.
The Bowling Green Falcons tight end is more of a big receiver, with great body control, speed, and size to win before, during and after the catch. Putting him on the Ravens’ offense would be incredible. He can do so much at all levels of the field.
28) Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Detroit Lions
Shemar Stewart has become a popular pick to the Detroit Lions and that should only gain tractions after a loss to the Commanders. It wasn’t just that they lost, it was the way they lost. The Lions were banged up on the defensive front all season, and that finally bit them against an overly-efficient Commanders offense.
Want a full Lions mock? Check out our 7-Rounder for Detroit
Stewart has pass-rushing upside, but he’s the best edge defender against the run in this class and that should endear him to Lions fans. He’s a guy who can control gaps can completely lock down one side of the line, preventing teams from running in his direction.
The Lions’ lack of elite depth was exposed in the playoffs, and though no one expects them to have to deal with the sheer volume of injuries they endured in 2024, Stewart’s abilities will fit well and provide the Lions another highly-talented defender.
29) Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL)
Washington Commanders
I’m much higher of Xavier Restrepo than most because he was so productive in college. The Miami (FL) Hurricanes’ record-holder for receptions and yards Restrepo is one of the most-polished route-runners in the class and really showcased his speed and explosiveness down the stretch this season.
Teams should build to their strengths, so as enticing as a younger corner or edge rusher might be, building the offense into a true juggernaut should be the priority. Restrepo gives the Commanders an immediate starter in the slot, and he’s a guy who could thrive with Jayden Daniels.
30) Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Buffalo Bills
I haven’t made a Big Board yet this offseason, but when I do, Xavier Watts might crack the top 10. He’s an elite safety against both the run and the pass and some of the things he’s asked to do schematically at Notre Dame make most NFL defenses look simple.
He has elite ball production, picking off seven passes in 2023. He followed that up with six interceptions this season, returning one 100 yards for a touchdown against the USC Trojans. Watts is an instant starter and would give the Bills a Jordan Poyer replacement they never really found in 2024.
31) Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Philadelphia Eagles
Impress your friends with you knowledge of Mike Green before he blows up at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Green is a Group of Five guy, perhaps the second such player off the board (Behind Jeanty, obviously). In order to do that, players have to have both athletic and productive.
Green is both, as he’s going to test well and had 17 sacks in 2024, including three in two games against Power Four competition. Green’s sweet spot for us at CFN seems to be late in the first round, where he can thrive with a contender.
32) Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Kansas City Chiefs
Look, Travis Kelce is getting old. He’s still able to make plays on the field, but he might want to settle down and enjoy life soon. When he does, you know Andy Reid and the Chiefs will want to be ready.
I’m not quite as high on Colston Loveland on some of my colleagues, but he’s a high-upside pass catcher with plenty of experience as a run blocker. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs get yet another weapon for Patrick Mahomes.
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