Mike Randle’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

It is time. The 2025 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and we are starting to finalize team needs and potential landing spots for players. 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 (or four) quarterbacks going in the first round. What remains surprisingly unclear at this point? Who is getting selected with the second overall pick? 

On 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 a myriad of mock drafts, here is my third projection of Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 — First Round

1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

It is becoming abundantly clear that the Titans will select Cam Ward with the first overall pick. He is the absolute top prospect at the sport’s most important position. The Will Levis Experiment has ended. 

2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

It appears to be Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett this year, which means the Browns will need to bolster their offensive weapons as much as possible to stay competitive. The Cleveland quarterback of the future resides in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

3. New York Giants — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

The Giants will use Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston as a bridge quarterback pairing and bolster their defense with an elite pass rusher. 

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. You can’t really go wrong selecting offensive line in the first round. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

I’m not moving off my belief that head coach Liam Coen refuses to pass on this Mike Evans clone. McMillan stands 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, with 26 touchdowns in three college seasons at Arizona. It is logical that an offensive coordinator wants to ensure he has an explosive offense in his first season as head coach. With the ceiling of quarterback Trevor Lawrence now being questioned, Coen enters Week 1 with an incredible pair of young wideouts in McMillan and Brian Thomas Jr. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders — Mason Graham, DI, Michigan

A Tom Brady-led team is not selecting a running back with the sixth overall pick. Once Jacksonville passes on Mason Graham, the Raiders fortify the middle of their defensive line for the foreseeable future with Graham and Christian Wilkins .

7. New York Jets — Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

If the Justin Fields experiment is going to work, he needs to be well protected. The Jets make the obvious pick with the 6-foot-4, 332-pound offensive tackle. 

8. Carolina Panthers — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The Panthers grab the Georgia linebacker who continues to get exponential buzz as we approach draft day. 

9. New Orleans Saints — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

It’s a long rebuild for new head coach Kellen Moore, who now faces the possibility of being without veteran Derek Carr for some (or all) of the 2025 season. This is a logical choice for New Orleans, and Moore has the job security to try again next year if Sanders struggles.

10. Chicago Bears — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Bears are shocked the Boise State-product drops to No. 10 overall and waste no time in pairing Jeanty with franchise quarterback Caleb Williams.

11. San Francisco 49ers — Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Kelvin Banks is the Outland Trophy winner and secures an offensive line in front of quarterback Brock Purdy.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Dallas needs a wideout opposite CeeDee Lamb, as their offense has transitioned away from a run-first attack. Jerry Jones falls in love with Golden’s 4.29 speed. 

13. Miami Dolphins — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Dolphins decide to pair Johnson with All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey in their zone-oriented defensive attack.

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 — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Atlanta had the second-lowest pressure rate of any NFL team per FTN StatsHub, only ahead of Carolina. The nation’s sack leader makes an immediate impact. 

16. Arizona Cardinals — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart’s athleticism is incredible, and the Cardinals have been linked to the risky prospect with huge upside. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The popular thought is that the Bengals need to go defense here, but if the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Loveland is available, Cincinnati could make a legitimate argument as the NFL’s best offensive attack. 

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

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

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Derrick Harmon, DI, Oregon

The Buccaneers have shown a history of stacking strengths, and they do so again with the disruptive Harmon. 

20. Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

I agree with Jeff again on this pick, with Hampton’s draft prop lurking at 19.5. Sean Payton already unlocked Bo Nix as a rookie, imagine what he can do with the incredibly athletic and versatile Hampton? 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi

This pick makes perfect sense, regardless of any last-minute shenanigans by Aaron Rodgers. Dart has a strong arm, played under former NFL coach Lane Kiffin, and Mason Rudolph is certainly not the answer. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

Instead of Loveland, head coach Jim Harbaugh reunites with former Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant. 

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 — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Vikings fortify the offensive line, a critical need with might-as-well-be-a-rookie J.J. McCarthy ready to start under center. 

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 — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Fills a critical need for the Rams, who are focused on one more Super Bowl run. 

27. Baltimore Ravens — Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

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

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, 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 in my first three mock drafts, now pivoting to the length of Thomas from Florida State. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

The rich get richer with a strong pass rusher from Tennessee.