Jeff Ratcliffe’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Let’s take another crack at a 2025 NFL mock draft now that the rookie Scouting Combine dust has settled.

A lot has changed since my first NFL mock draft, but one thing remains the same: Mock drafts are an exercise in futility, as it’s essentially impossible to get even remotely close to correct on all your picks. So instead of worrying about that, we’re going to approach this mock as an academic exercise with a few parameters in place.

Unlike my Mock Draft 1.0, I do have a trade in this mock based on the reporting that came out of the Combine. But the goal here remains the same: 1) Identify which positions teams are most likely to address in the first round, and 2) Identify the top players likely to be on the board at the positions of need for each pick.

Jeff Ratcliffe’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft — 2.0

1. NY Giants (TRADE with Tennessee) – Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Let’s get this NFL mock draft started with a bang. The quarterback-needy Giants trade up to the top spot to select Ward. It isn’t feasible for a lot of teams to get up to this spot, but it’s only a move of two picks up the board for the Giants. Based on the 3,000-point pick value chart, New York could get this done for the third overall and a 2026 first-round pick.

2. Cleveland – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

With Myles Garrett pushing to be traded, the Browns look toward the future at edge and grab an absolute game wrecker in Carter. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year racked up a nation-leading 24 tackles for a loss in 2024. An argument could be made for Carter as the top overall prospect in this class.

3. Tennessee (TRADE with NY Giants) – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Tennessee moves back two spots, accumulates some draft capital, and still manages to land their signal caller of the future in Sanders. He doesn’t have the upside of Ward, but Sanders is more than capable of running Brian Callahan’s offense.

4. New England – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Mike Vrabel has needs across the board, but perhaps the top mission statement for the Patriots is “Protect Drake Maye.” The athletic Campbell will give them a plug-and-play starter at left tackle. He was a 2024 Consensus All-American who allowed just five career sacks in 1,508 pass blocking snaps.

5. Jacksonville – Mason Graham, DI, Michigan

The new era in Jacksonville begins with a pick in the trenches with a 2024 All America. Graham is a disruptive force from the interior, tallying 63 pressures and 6.5 sacks last season.

6. Las Vegas – Travis Hunter, ATHLETE, Colorado

Pete Carroll’s squad has needs at wide receiver and corner. They potentially address both with the selection of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. It still isn’t clear how Hunter will be used at the pro level, but his versatility and massive upside give Vegas a major weapon.

7. NY Jets – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Aaron Glenn and the Jets address a need with the ball hawk corner out of Michigan. Johnson notched nine interceptions with three of them going for pick sixes over the last three seasons.

8. Carolina – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

The Panthers need an upgrade along the edge and get just that in Pearce. He’s a long and explosive player who is capable of winning in multiple ways as a pass rusher.

9. New Orleans – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

He may not be Brock Bowers, but Warren isn’t that far off. He is the best tight end prospect in a loaded class. He can do it all on the field and is especially effective in the passing game. Warren goes top 10 in this NFL mock draft.

10. Chicago – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Now that the Bears have upgraded their offensive line via two trades, it’s more feasible they look Jeanty’s way with this pick. He’s coming off one of the most prolific running back seasons in college football history and is an instant three-down workhorse.

11. San Francisco – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

The 49ers address the future of their offensive line with the versatile and athletic prospect out of Missouri. Membou will help them on that front and has the versatility to play guard or right tackle.

12. Dallas – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Beyond CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are very thin at wide receiver. In McMillan, they get a big-bodied X-receiver who can complement Lamb and give Dak Prescott a major above-the-rim red zone presence. McMillan led the nation in receiving yards from 2022 to 2024 with 3,423.

13. Miami – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

There were zero safeties selected in the first-round last year, but Kyle Hamilton was a first-rounder in 2022. Despite being one of the most impressive players in the class, Hamilton didn’t come off the board until pick 14. Starks is in a similar position this year. His versatility and ability to play multiple spots make him an intriguing get for Miami.

14. Indianapolis – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

In this mock draft, the Colts address a need and grab a player who is capable of playing multiple positions in the secondary. His physicality is especially a plus against the run.

15. Atlanta – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Atlanta goes edge in this spot. Green led the nation in sacks last season with 17.0 and has seen his stock rise during the predraft process. Though typically labeled as a speed rusher, Green showed he can also win with power during the Senior Bowl practices.

16. Arizona – Kenneth Grant, DI, Michigan

Jonathan Gannon continues to build his defense and address a major need in the interior. While Grant is slightly overshadowed by Mason Grant at Michigan, he’s no slouch. A mountain of a man, Grant has freakish athleticism for his size.

17. Cincinnati – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

While the Bengals did use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, there’s still a very real chance they trade him. If that happens, expect Cincinnati to address that hole in the draft. Egbuka is the all-time receptions leader in Ohio State history with 205.

18. Seattle – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Seahawks get a major boost at off-ball linebacker in Campbell. He offers prototype size, plus speed and the ability to play all three downs.

19. Tampa Bay – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

It’s no secret the Bucs need help at edge. This one falls into their lap. In Williams, Tampa gets a high upside pass rusher.

20. Denver – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

While this isn’t a particularly strong wide receiver class, we still will see a handful of them go in the first round. Golden certainly helped his stock at the Combine, running sub-4.3 in the 40. Golden has the ability to play all over the formation and would provide a good complementary piece to Courtland Sutton.

21. Pittsburgh – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Follow a season where the Steelers were absolutely decimated at wide receiver, they add talent at the position in this NFL mock draft. Burden was highly productive over the last three seasons, notching 192 catches and 21 scores.

22. LA Chargers – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

J.K. Dobbins could walk in free agency, which would leave a big hole in the Chargers offense. Fortunately, this is a very good running back class. Hampton is second in FBS rushing yards over the last two seasons (3,164) behind only Ashton Jeanty.

23. Green Bay – Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Packers add a height-weight-speed edge rusher in Stewart. While he didn’t put up gawdy numbers in college, Stewart has the intangible traits you’re looking for in a potential starting caliber pass rusher. He also blew up the Combine with some extremely impressive testing numbers.

24. Minnesota – Darrick Harmon, DI, Oregon

An extremely versatile defensive lineman with the size and strength to hold his own on the interior, Harmon would bolster the Vikings defensive front.

25. Houston – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Protect C.J. Stroud. In Banks, the Texans get the Outland Trophy winner, who allowed a pressure on just 1.9% of his career pass-blocking snaps.

26. LA Rams – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Rams add the big and athletic tight end who will present a mismatch in the passing game at the NFL level.

27. Baltimore – Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State

He’s a small schooler, but Zabel has the skills to hold his own against NFL defensive linemen. Better yet, he can play across the line and will give the Ravens versatility to plug any hole they have along their offensive front.

28. Detroit – Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

The Lions will have Aidan Hutchinson back next season, but they do need more firepower on the edge. Ezeiruaku is undersized but offers plus athleticism and some of the best agility among this year’s top edge prospects.

29. Washington – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Commanders bulk up along the offensive line to protect Jayden Daniels. Simmons played left tackle at Ohio State but also has experience playing right tackle in his time with San Diego State. He is coming off a knee injury that ended his season last year.

30. Buffalo – Walter Nolen, DI, Ole Miss

The Bills beef up along their defensive interior with Nolen. He’s explosive along the interior and equal adept against the run and pass.

31. Kansas City – Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Andy Reid and company don’t have a lot of holes to fill, so why not add talent to their offensive line room in this NFL mock draft? Connerly is extremely athletic and offers a very high ceiling at the next level.

32. Philadelphia – Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

The Eagles have very few needs, but guard is certainly one of them. Booker fits the bill and has the run-blocking chops to fit right into the Philly offense.