Mike Randle’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The 2025 NFL Draft is exactly one month away, and we are finalizing team needs and potential landing spots for players – and rolling out Mike Randle’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0.

Gathering information and trying to predict the first round is one of my favorite exercises of the sports year. This season brings even more uncertainty, as there now is the possibility of three quarterbacks going in the first round. What remains surprisingly unclear at this point? Who is getting selected with the first overall pick? 

April 24, all of the rumors and predictions will become crystal clear as each NFL team will declare their intentions through actions, not words. After analyzing information from beat reporters, coach interviews and reviewing myriad mock drafts, here is my second projection of Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 — First Round

1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

It is becoming abundantly clear that either the Titans (or another team via trade) will select Cam Ward with the first overall pick. He is the absolute top prospect at the sport’s most important position. 

2. Cleveland Browns — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Carter is a game-changer on the defensive side of the ball. Myles Garrett received a four-year, $123.5 million contract extension, which would appear to make a quarterback the most likely selection. But this is not the spot for Shedeur Sanders, so let’s put the draft’s most fierce pass rusher as a bookend to Garrett. 

3. New York Giants — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Giants are desperate to reverse their struggles and gain positive momentum after the disappointing year with Daniel Jones. The dynamic Sanders infuses excitement upon arrival and would pair with veteran Jameis Winston.

4. New England Patriots — Will Campbell, OT, LSU

I agree with my colleague Jeff Ratcliffe on the New England selection. Head coach Mike Vrabel believes in building around a strong offensive line, and Campbell is the best comparison to Joe Alt from the 2024 NFL Draft. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

I’m doubling down on my outlier selection of Tet McMillan to Jacksonville. I’m in the minority, but wouldn’t an offensive-minded coach who preaches “lighting up the scoreboard” be interested in pairing Brian Thomas Jr. with the dynamic McMillan? It certainly would help embattled quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

6. Las Vegas Raiders — Travis Hunter, ATHLETE, Colorado

This is the quintessential Raiders selection. Hunter is an elite athlete who wants to play on both sides of the ball. Las Vegas adds a versatile and explosive chess piece for veteran quarterback Geno Smith. 

7. New York Jets — Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Mason Graham is a wrecking ball on the defensive side of the ball, and had a formal meeting with the Jets at the NFL Combine. 

8. Carolina Panthers — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Panthers decide to improve an area of strength, pairing the best cover cornerback in this draft with newly extended Jaycee Horn .

9. New Orleans Saints — Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

It’s a long rebuild for new head coach Kellen Moore, and that starts with the offensive line. New Orleans drafts an offensive lineman with their first-round pick for the second consecutive year.

10. Chicago Bears— James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

The Bears did sign DT Grady Jarrett and DE Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, but the defensive-minded franchise cannot pass up an elite pass rusher in Pearce. 

11. San Francisco 49ers — Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia 

Walker is flying up draft boards, currently mocked at No. 8 overall to the Panthers by Mel Kiper Jr. He is an elite pass rusher who has greatly improved his run-stopping ability. 

12. Dallas Cowboys — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Picking a running back this early in the first round is a risky move, but Dallas needs to infuse life and explosiveness into this offense. 

13. Miami Dolphins — Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Kelvin Banks is the Outland Trophy winner and fills the top area of need for the Dolphins. 

14. Indianapolis Colts — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

I am still convinced that the Colts were targeting Brock Bowers in last year’s draft before watching the Raiders grab the explosive Georgia product at No. 13 overall. They get the top tight end in the 2025 draft as a consolation prize. 

15. Atlanta Falcons — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Atlanta had the second-lowest pressure rate of any NFL team per FTN StatsHub, only ahead of Carolina. Stewart’s athleticism is incredible. 

16. Arizona Cardinals — Malachi Starks, S, Georgia

Starks has incredible versatility and solidifies a huge area of need for the Cardinals’ pass defense. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals — Kenneth Grant, DI, Michigan

After re-signing Tee Higgins, the Bengals turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. Grant is raw but extremely athletic. 

18. Seattle Seahawks — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

How about pairing Ohio State’s all-time receptions leader with dynamic wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Quarterback Sam Darnold needs a strong supporting cast to mimic his success in Minnesota. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

The nation’s sack leader improves a Tampa Bay pass rush that declined last season. 

20. Denver Broncos — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden changed his draft trajectory with a sub-4.3 time in the 40-yard dash. Denver continues to build around quarterback Bo Nix and can grab a running back later in the draft. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

This pick makes perfect sense, especially if Aaron Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The dynamic Loveland reunites with head coach Jim Harbaugh. 

23. Green Bay Packers — Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jahdae Barron fills the Packers’ biggest overall need. They can find a wide receiver later in the draft. 

24. Minnesota Vikings — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Vikings miss on Barron by one spot but settle for another elite cornerback. 

25. Houston Texans — Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Texans take a chance on Simmons, who is coming off a knee injury. Texans need to give C.J. Stroud more time. 

26. Los Angeles Rams — Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

His 4.3 speed lit up the Combine, which vaults Amos into the first round to fortify their secondary. 

27. Baltimore Ravens — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Is there a better fit in the first round than the disruptive Harmon to the Ravens?

28. Detroit Lions — Donovan Ezeiruaku, DT, Boston College

Cheers to the Lions for grabbing the quarterback disruptor from my alma mater. 

29. Washington Commanders — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Edge rusher in the No. 1 need for Washington. Easier to find wide receivers later in the draft or via free agency. 

30. Buffalo Bills — Walter Nolen, DI, Ole Miss

The Bills must improve their run defense, which still struggled to stop the Ravens last season. Nolen is 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, and was a key part of Mississippi’s elite run defense. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs —Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

I have mocked cornerback to the Chiefs twice, now pivoting to the length Thomas from Florida State. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles — JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

The rich get richer with a strong pass rusher from Ohio State.