2025 NFL Mock Draft: Scott Smith’s 1.0
Here's the first of several iterations of my mock of the 2025 NFL Draft. But first, some details about the NFL Draft.
2025 Draft NFL Draft Date & Time
- Date: Thursday, April 24 (Round 1), Friday, April 25 ( Rounds 2 & 3) & Saturday, April 26 (Rounds 4-7)
- Time: 8:00 PM EST (Round 1), 7:00 PM EST (Rounds 2 and 3), & 12:00 PM EST (Rounds 4-7)
- Channels: NFL Network, ESPN & ABC, and FuboTV Livestream
- Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
More Mock Drafts from 4for4: Connor Allen 1.0 | Ryan Noonan 1.0
2025 NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans - Cameron Ward (QB - Miami)
Pick Analysis: Tennessee’s passing offense ranked 28th (171.2 YPG) in 2024, needing a savior. Ward’s elite 4,123 passing yards, 36 TDs, and 7 INTs bring dynamic playmaking to an offense bolstered by OT Dan Moore Jr.’s signing, addressing their QB woes head-on.
Team Needs: QB, OL, EDGE
2. Cleveland Browns - Abdul Carter (EDGE - Penn State)
Pick Analysis: With Russell Wilson as a potential QB bridge, Carter’s 10 sacks and 17 TFLs improve a pass rush that managed just 33 sacks (27th). He complements Myles Garrett, enhancing a defense that allowed 223.4 YPG through the air (24th).
Team Needs: QB, EDGE, CB
3. New York Giants - Shedeur Sanders (QB - Colorado)
Pick Analysis: The Giants’ 30th-ranked passing attack (169.8 YPG) demands a QB upgrade. Sanders’ 69.3% completion rate, 3,230 yards, and 27 TDs offer precision and poise, fitting their rebuild despite no major free-agent QB splash.
Team Needs: QB, CB, WR
4. New England Patriots - Armand Membou (OT - Missouri)
Pick Analysis: Protecting their QB is critical after allowing 47 sacks (4th-most). Membou’s 88.9 PFF run-blocking grade fortifies a line ranked 29th in yards before contact (2.1), pairing with CB Carlton Davis’ signing to balance roster needs.
Team Needs: OT, EDGE, WR
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Hunter (WR - Colorado)
Pick Analysis: Jacksonville’s 26th-ranked passing offense (193.4 YPG) needs a jolt. Hunter’s 92 catches, 1,152 yards, and 11 TDs as a WR give Trevor Lawrence a dynamic weapon, prioritizing offense over secondary gaps.
Team Needs: DL, CB, WR
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty (RB - Boise St.)
Pick Analysis: With Geno Smith at QB, Jeanty’s 2,497 rushing yards and 6.8 YPC turbocharge a Raiders run game ranked 21st (113.6 YPG). He’s a cornerstone for their ground-focused attack and would give the Raiders an offensive identity they have desperately lacked.
Team Needs: EDGE, RB, DT
7. New York Jets - Mason Graham (DL - Michigan)
Pick Analysis: Signing Justin Fields shifts focus to defense (40 sacks, 16th). Graham’s 42 pressures and 6 sacks bolster a D-line needing interior disruption, pairing with Quinnen Williams to pressure QBs.
Team Needs: OT, CB, WR
8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan (WR - Arizona)
Pick Analysis: Carolina’s league-worst passing offense (149.6 YPG) needs a weapon. McMillan’s 1,402 yards and 10 TDs make him a big-bodied target for Bryce Young, complementing Chuba Hubbard’s re-signing.
Team Needs: WR, EDGE, CB
9. New Orleans Saints - Jalon Walker (EDGE - Georgia)
Pick Analysis: Re-signing Chase Young isn’t enough for a Saints pass rush that ranked 30th (31 sacks). Walker’s 9.5 sacks and 15 TFLs add dynamism, fitting Kellen Moore’s aggressive scheme alongside Derek Carr.
Team Needs: EDGE, WR, DL
10. Chicago Bears - Will Campbell (OT - LSU)
Pick Analysis: Signing Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman bolsters the interior, but the edges lag (47 sacks allowed, 4th-most). Campbell’s 92.1 PFF pass-blocking grade protects Caleb Williams, enhancing their 22nd-ranked run game (112.3 YPG).
Team Needs: RB, OT, S
11. San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson (CB - Michigan)
Pick Analysis: in 2024 the secondary proved vulnerable (218.4 YPG allowed, 19th). Johnson’s 6 INTs and 14 PBUs in 2024 shore up a 49ers pass defense, maintaining their defensive identity.
Team Needs: CB, WR, OL
12. Dallas Cowboys - Matthew Golden (WR - Texas)
Pick Analysis: Signing Miles Sanders doesn’t fix a passing game needing targets. Golden’s 1,089 yards and 9 TDs boost a Cowboys offense ranked 20th in passing (204.1 YPG), easing pressure on CeeDee Lamb.
Team Needs: TE, RB, EDGE
13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks (OT - Texas)
Pick Analysis: Miami’s O-line allowed 43 sacks (8th-most), hindering Tua Tagovailoa. Banks’ 91.3 PFF pass-blocking grade stabilizes the left side, supporting their 4th-ranked passing offense (241.9 YPG).
Team Needs: EDGE, IOL, CB
14. Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren (TE - Penn State)
Pick Analysis: Whether it’s Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson, the Colts need weapons beyond Michael Pittman Jr. Warren’s 1,057 yards and 8 TDs enhance a passing game ranked 25th (191.2 YPG), replacing instability at tight end.
Team Needs: OT, TE, DL
15. Atlanta Falcons - Shemar Stewart (EDGE - Texas A&M)
Pick Analysis: Atlanta’s 32nd-ranked pass rush (27 sacks) gets Stewart’s 9 sacks and 14 TFLs. He fits their defensive rebuild, pairing well with their defensive scheme.
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, QB
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jahdae Barron (CB - Texas)
Pick Analysis: Arizona’s pass defense (226.3 YPG allowed, 26th) needs help. Barron’s 5 INTs and 13 PBUs provide lockdown coverage, supporting Kyler Murray’s offense with a stronger secondary.
Team Needs: IOL, EDGE, CB
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Green (EDGE - Marshall)
Pick Analysis: The projected loss of Trey Hendrickson leaves a void. Green’s 11 sacks and 16 TFLs bolster a Bengals pass rush (39 sacks, 17th), supporting the decision to extend Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
18. Seattle Seahawks - Donovan Jackson (IOL - Ohio St.)
Pick Analysis: The signings of Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp are nice but Seattle needs line support (45 sacks allowed, 6th-most). Jackson’s 89.4 PFF run-blocking grade strengthens a run game ranked 19th (116.7 YPG).
Team Needs: TE, IOL, EDGE
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jihaad Campbell (LB - Alabama)
Pick Analysis: Signing Haason Reddick helps the edge, but linebacker depth lags. Campbell’s 104 tackles and 8 TFLs shore up a run defense ranked 17th (119.2 YPG allowed), adding versatility.
Team Needs: DL, CB, WR
20. Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton (RB - UNC)
Pick Analysis: Losing Javonte Williams leaves a gap in the backfield (114.8 YPG, 20th). Hampton’s 1,987 yards and 6.2 YPC juice up a Broncos run game, pairing with Bo Nix.
Team Needs: DL, RB, TE
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jaxson Dart (QB - Ole Miss)
Pick Analysis: Trading for DK Metcalf and signing Mason Rudolph don’t solve QB long-term. Dart’s 3,875 yards and 29 TDs fit Arthur Smith’s play-action scheme, upgrading a 26th-ranked passing offense (187.6 YPG).
Team Needs: QB, WR, CB
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Emeka Egbuka (WR - Ohio St.)
Pick Analysis: Signing Najee Harris strengthens the run (121.9 YPG, 14th), but Herbert needs targets (213.7 YPG, 17th). Egbuka’s 1,137 yards and 8 TDs provide a reliable option for a thin receiving corps.
Team Needs: S, CB, WR
23. Green Bay Packers - James Pearce (EDGE - Tennessee)
Pick Analysis: Green Bay’s pass rush (41 sacks, 13th) gets a jolt with Pearce’s 10 sacks and 14 TFLs. He complements Rashan Gary, enhancing a defense allowing 209.8 YPG through the air (16th).
Team Needs: S, CB, IOL
24. Minnesota Vikings - Malaki Starks (S - Georgia)
Pick Analysis: Trading for Jordan Mason helps the run, but the secondary lags (215.9 YPG allowed, 18th). Starks’ 5 INTs and 66 tackles add range to Kevin O’Connell’s defense.
Team Needs: RB, CB, IOL
25. Houston Texans - Josh Simmons (OT - Ohio St.)
Pick Analysis: Trading Laremy Tunsil weakens the line (39 sacks allowed, 12th-most). Simmons’ 90.2 PFF pass-blocking grade protects CJ Stroud, maintaining Houston’s top-10 passing offense (231.4 YPG).
Team Needs: OT, CB, RB
26. Los Angeles Rams - Luther Burden (WR - Missouri)
Pick Analysis: Signing Davante Adams helps, but the exodus of Cooper Kupp looms. Burden’s 1,212 yards and 9 TDs add explosiveness to a 13th-ranked passing offense (221.3 YPG).
Team Needs: WR, CB, EDGE
27. Baltimore Ravens - Trey Amos (CB - Ole Miss)
Pick Analysis: Baltimore’s pass defense (205.1 YPG allowed, 14th) needs youth. Amos’ 4 INTs and 11 PBUs pair with Marlon Humphrey, maintaining their secondary strength.
Team Needs: CB, WR, EDGE
28. Detroit Lions - Derrick Harmon (DL - Oregon)
Pick Analysis: Detroit’s D-line (44 sacks, 10th) gets deeper with Harmon’s 7 sacks and 39 pressures, supporting Aidan Hutchinson and their top-5 defense.
Team Needs: DL, CB, EDGE
29. Washington Commanders - Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE - Boston College)
Pick Analysis: With key offensive additions in Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel, Adam Peters shifts focus to defense (38 sacks, 19th). Ezeiruaku’s 9 sacks and 13 TFLs add juice to a Commanders pass rush needing pop.
Team Needs: EDGE, OT, CB
30. Buffalo Bills - Kenneth Grant (DL - Michigan)
Pick Analysis: Signing Joey Bosa helps the edge, but the interior needs work (42 sacks, 14th). Grant’s 7 sacks and 41 pressures fortify a D-line supporting Josh Allen’s 11th-ranked passing attack (224.1 YPG).
Team Needs: WR, CB, EDGE
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Conerly Jr. (OT - Oregon)
Pick Analysis: Protecting Patrick Mahomes (37 sacks allowed, 15th) is key. Conerly’s 89.8 PFF pass-blocking grade shores up the left side, maintaining KC’s top-ranked offense (364.2 YPG).
Team Needs: OT, CB, WR
32. Philadelphia Eagles - Mykel Williams (EDGE - Georgia)
Pick Analysis: Trading for Kaiir Elam and signing Dayo Odeyingbo shift focus to the edge (45 sacks, 8th). Williams’ 8 sacks and 12 TFLs maintain Philly’s defensive dominance, supporting Jalen Hurts.
Team Needs: EDGE, CB, WR
