NFL Draft First Round Mock: Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Colsten Loveland and More

The NFL season is nearly over, which means it will be time to turn our attention to the offseason. Free agency is a fun time for football fans, but the draft is probably the most anticipated event in the offseason. 

Today, I decided to have some fun and conduct a mock draft for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. I will make some surprising picks, and even throw in some trades. 

This draft simulator was done through Pro Football Network. Let’s go!

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Pick 1: Titans - Cam Ward, QB

Tennessee needs a quarterback, and I think Ward is the top option in this draft. The Titans debated trading back a bit, but decided to roll the dice on Ward instead, hoping to find their franchise QB.

Pick 2: Browns - Abdul Carter, EDGE

After Myles Garrett requested a trade, Cleveland needs a new pass rusher. Carter fills that void. I think Cleveland gets their quarterback in a trade, or in free agency.

Pick 3: Giants - Sheduer Sanders, QB

New York stays pick and lands the player it wanted all along. Sanders will be looked to to jumpstart a Giants’ organization that has spiraled downward over the past couple seasons.

Pick 4: Patriots - Travis Hunter, WR/DB

New England has several needs, and they draft a player who could possibly play two of those needs. I think Hunter will eventually settle on one position, but by taking Hunter, the Patriots give themselves a great shot to fill a need.

Pick 5: Panthers - Mason Graham, DL

The Panthers have 10 draft picks in 2025, so I think they use some draft capital to move up and get an impact player like Graham.

Pick 6: Raiders - Tetairoa McMillan, WR

The Raiders have several needs, but try to land a generational receiver in McMillan with the sixth pick. 

Pick 7: Jets - Will Campbell, OL

This pick isn’t going to thrill Jets’ fans, but they need offensive line help, and Campbell gets them moving in the right direction.

Pick 8: Jaguars - Will Johnson, CB

After trading back, Jacksonville ends up drafting who they really wanted to take with the fifth pick. Johnson fills a big need.

Pick 9: Saints - Mykel Williams, EDGE

Another need filled here with Williams going to the Saints. New Orleans got some good offers to move back, but decided to take a player instead.

Pick 10: Bears - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT

Chicago clearly needed help on the offensive line last season and get help here with Banks.

Pick 11: Browns - Jalon Walker, LB

San Francisco traded this pick for Myles Garrett in my mind, so that’s why Cleveland is getting another first-round pick. The Browns took the versatile Walker to keep revamping their defense.

Pick 12: Cowboys - Ashton Jeanty, RB

You should have seen this one coming. Dallas is desperate for a lead running back, and Jeanty is the clear top option in this draft. The best part is, Dallas didn’t have to trade up to get him.

Pick 13: Eagles - James Pearce Jr., EDGE

After losing in the Super Bowl, the Eagles decided to make a big splash and trade 16 picks up to grab another pass rusher. Pearce fills a need and makes the Eagles’ defense that much better going into 2025.

Pick 14: Colts - Malaki Starks, S

The Colts have a need at safety and decided to stay put and draft one in the first round with Starks.

Pick 15: Falcons - Nic Scourton, EDGE

Atlanta keeps the run on defensive players going and lands a pass rusher in Scourton.

Pick 16: Chargers - Tyler Warren, TE

The Chargers decided to make a trade up to go get the best tight end prospect in this draft. They are hoping he can fill a void the team has and add a new dynamic to the offense.

Pick 17: Bengals - Shavon Revel, CB

The Bengals desperately need some secondary help, and they stay at their original pick and grab Revel.

Pick 18: Packers - Luther Burden, WR

The Packers decide to give their fans a surprise at the draft (hosted in Green Bay) and trade up to grab a first-round receiver. If there were ever a time to take a wideout in the first round, why not have it be when the team is hosting the draft?

Pick 19: Buccaneers - Nick Emmanwori, S

The Bucs stay put and land a much-needed safety in Emmanwori. This fills a need that Tampa Bay has.

Pick 20: Broncos - Colston Loveland, TE

Denver desperately needs a tight end, and Loveland falls into their lap at pick 20. 

Pick 21: Steelers - Matthew Golden, WR

Pittsburgh needs some more pass catchers, and they decide to nab Golden with pick 24. 

Pick 22: Cardinals - Josh Simmons, OL

After the trade with the Chargers, the Cardinals fill a need at offensive tackle by selecting Simmons with pick 23. By trading back, Arizona also picks up some more draft picks after going into the draft with only six picks.

Pick 23: Seahawks - Tyler Booker, OG

After trading back with the Packers, the Seahawks also go after an offensive lineman and take Booker. Seattle also had just six draft picks coming into the day, so the trade back gives them some more picks to keep filling out their roster.

Pick 24: Vikings - Walter Nolen, DT

Minnesota stays at their original pick and fills a need by selecting Nolen. The Vikings hoped to trade back after starting the draft with only four selections, but will need to find another way to recuperate some picks.

Pick 25: Bills - Emeka Egbuka, WR

After trading back and missing out on Xavier Worthy in 2024, Buffalo decides to trade up a few picks to take Egbuka. They jump several teams needing a receiver and have to pay a hefty price to move up.

Pick 26: Rams - Armand Membou, OT

Los Angeles might have taken Egbuka if he was available, but stayed put and selected an offensive tackle in Membou instead. 

Pick 27: Chiefs - Kenneth Grant, DT

Kansas City decided to trade up and fill a need at defensive tackle with Grant after watching Saquon Barkley run wild in the Super Bowl.

Pick 28: Lions - Mike Green, EDGE

Detroit tried to trade up several times, but was outbid by other teams. The Lions decide to nab a pass rusher in Green here.

Pick 29: Commanders - Jihaad Campbell, LB

Washington decides to take a swing on the versatile Campbell, who can be an every-down linebacker and situational pass rusher. After watching the Eagles run wild on them, Campbell is a great fit.

Pick 30: Texans - Derrick Harmon, DT

After trading back with the Bills, the Texans land Harmon with the 30th pick. Houston had six picks coming into the day, so trading back got the team some extra picks to work with.

Pick 31: Dolphins - Jahdae Barron, S

After trading back with the Eagles to acquire several more draft picks, the Dolphins fill a need with Barron at pick 29.

Pick 32: Ravens - Shemar Stewart, EDGE

Baltimore traded back with Kansas City to add to their seven picks coming into the day. They land Stewart, who is who they were hoping to land at pick 27 originally.