NFL Mock Draft: First Round Dominated by Defense | Abdul Carter, Mason Graham and Travis Hunter Go Early

In 2024, offense dominated the first round of the NFL Draft. The first 14 players off the board played on the offensive side, and 25 of the top 34 were offensive players. It evened out a little after that, but it helped highlight the point that it is an offensive league.

That was an outlier: in 2023, just 15 of 31 first-round players came on offense. In 2022, the first five players were defensive guys, and the first-round picks were split evenly on offense and defense. With that in mind, it could be just as likely that defense has a bigger year in 2025 early in the draft.

What would a defensive draft look like? Quarterbacks would be falling after being projected as high as the top two picks, and playoff teams later in the first round would have the chance to add high-level talent at each skill position and on the offensive line.

Below is a quasi-possible scenario in which teams focus on the defensive talent early in the draft. There are four trades projected. Rather than an actual prediction in any spot, this is a collection of plausible picks/trades that could happen if things fell right.

1. Tennessee Titans – Pass Rusher Abdul Carter, Penn State

Carter is the top prospect in the draft according to most analysts, with Travis Hunter a close second who gets a little love as the top guy. The safest pick for the Titans is probably to go with Carter.

2. Cleveland Browns – DT Mason Graham, Michigan

It seems like either Hunter or a quarterback would be the destined pick here, but Graham is a top-five prospect who I have seen ranked third by a number of draftniks. Graham is a guy who can disrupt both the pass and run from the inside.

3. New York Giants – Pass Rusher Jalon Walker, Georgia

In the real draft, the Giants are probably the most likely team to draft a quarterback. They signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, though, and while that shouldn't stop them from taking a rookie, a coach and GM fighting for their jobs might see the quickest improvement as bringing in the best prospect and going with a veteran QB.

That would allow them to bring in another top-line pass rushing prospect who can make an impact in multiple ways.

4. New England Patriots – Pass Rusher Mykel Williams, Georgia

No team has ever had too many good pass rushers. While the Patriots have been linked to the top offensive linemen and the possibility of a falling Hunter, they have brought in several new starters on the line and could look for more help for a pash rushing unit that finished 23rd last season, according to ESPN.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter is technically the first offensive player off the board here, though his biggest impact might be made as a cornerback. The situation that seems most likely if he is going to play on both sides of the ball is playing as a full-time corner while being included in several packages and in the red zone at receiver.

The Jags would be adding a player who could help them right away with a new coach and supposed franchise quarterback who seems to have stalled a bit. This would be a great value pick for Jacksonville.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – CB Will Johnson, Michigan

The Raiders have been linked often to running back Ashton Jeanty, the top receivers, and the top offensive linemen, but they made some moves on offense during the free agency period, particularly trading for Geno Smith. The defense needs more help than the offense, and Johnson is often seen as the best pure corner prospect.

7. New York Jets – QB Cam Ward, Miami

The Jets signed Justin Fields; that shouldn't stop them from taking a guy like Ward if they think he's a franchise quarterback, though. Ward is often projected to the Titans at No. 1, so New York would have to feel like they are getting a steal here.

TRADE – Pittsburgh makes a major move for their quarterback of the future

The Steelers are making dalliances with Aaron Rodgers. That just doesn't sound exciting, does it? A major move up the board for one of the top two QBs would become more realistic if one or both passers dropped toward the back half of the top 10.

To complete this trade, the Steelers would send their 2026 first-round pick to the Panthers, and Carolina would send back their 2026 fourth rounder in return. There could be more involved in the late rounds.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders has fallen to the clear second quarterback in this class both because of his skillset and reports of inconsistent interviews at the combine. Pittsburgh would be taking a leap of faith here with the hope that Sanders could come in and take the offense to another level that the aging veteran options might not have in them anymore.

9. New Orleans Saints – OL Will Campbell, LSU

Even in a defensive mock draft, I can't get past how perfect this matchup would be if Campbell lasted until the ninth pick. New Orleans has drafted six offensive linemen in the first or second round over the past 10 years, and they need help at multiple spots up front.

Campbell played left tackle in college but is seen as maybe a better guard prospect because of having short arms. Wherever he plays (including right tackle), he would probably be an upgrade for New Orleans during his first season.

TRADE – Atlanta gets much-needed pass rushing help

In a previous mock, I projected the Falcons to trade up to the third pick to take Carter after he slipped outside the top two. This time, they have the same idea, trying to secure a top pass rusher, but the price isn't near as steep.

To complete this trade, the Falcons would send their fourth-round pick (No. 118) and a 2026 third rounder to the Bears, who slide down to 15.

10. Atlanta Falcons – Pass Rusher Mike Green, Marshall

Though he was playing weaker competition, Green still led FBS in sacks (17) and was second in tackles for loss (22.5). He impressed at the Senior Bowl against better competition, leading many to lock him in as a first-round pick. The Falcons would be hoping to fill their biggest need.

11. San Francisco 49ers – CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Charvarius Ward left for Indianapolis in free agency. There's room for top-level talent in this defensive backfield, and no one ever had too many good corners. Barron is seen by some as the top pure corner over Michigan's Johnson (to the Raiders at No. 6).

12. Dallas Cowboys – CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Dallas joins the party with another corner who has impressed in the postseason process, including at the combine. Hairston's name has been included near the top of the CBs with Johnson and Barron, and he's probably close to being locked into the first round. Someone at the top of the second would get a steal if Hairston were to drop.

TRADE – Tampa Bay fills a major need on defense

Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell has been popularly linked to the Bucs at No. 19, but he might not last that long. Campbell plays off-ball linebacker, a position that has been devalued a bit, but he is good enough that someone will draft him early. There's also an expectation that he could rush the passer more as a pro, a la Micah Parsons.

To complete the trade, the Bucs would send Miami their second-round pick (No. 53), and the Dolphins would send back a fourth rounder (No. 116) in return.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Campbell does everything, including blitzing the passer and playing a little pass coverage. He will be expected to be a big-time contributor as a rookie and could stuff the stat sheet on the way to a Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Pass Rusher Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Despite drafting pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round last year, the Colts finished 2024 21st in pass rush win rate. There is room for another major talent in Stewart, who didn't put up great stats in college but has the look of an impact NFL talent.

15. Chicago Bears – Pass Rusher James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Keep the pass rushing bus rolling. Pearce was seen as a potential top pick heading into this season, but he had a more pedestrian 2024 and has now been projected more in the late first round or early second.

Jared Verse had a similar profile last year in the draft and ended up going to the Rams at No. 19 before winning his own DROY award with 61 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. This might be Chicago's biggest need.

TRADE – Denver gets Bo Nix some major help

Nix played like a league-average quarterback as a rookie, a positive sign for his future. Denver was also in the bottom 10 in yards per rush attempt despite ranking first in pass blocking win rate.

To complete this deal, Denver trades Arizona their third-round pick, No. 85.

16. Denver Broncos – RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

It's a defensive draft, and that means really good offensive players are going to fall. Jeanty is a top-10 prospect who could slide, and a playoff team would inject a major shot of adrenaline into their offense. A receiver or one of the top two tight ends could also fit here.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

The Bengals were 20th in pass rush win rate and 25th in run stop. The most obvious area to help would be with an edge rusher, but we've had six go off the board before this spot. The value just isn't there.

Instead, we pivot to Nolen, who was the top recruit in his high school class when entering college but was uneven in three college seasons. He did have his best season last year, and there's reason to think he will be better in a professional setting. He could help against both the run and pass.

18. Seattle Seahawks – WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

After releasing Tyler Lockett, which was an expected move, the Seahawks traded their QB Smith then receiver DK Metcalf, giving the offense a major makeover that included the signing of Sam Darnold to take over at quarterback.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a 2023 first-round pick, is there as probably the top option, and the team signed Cooper Kupp, who has obvious upside but just as obvious injury concerns. There's room for another skilled player. McMillan is a big receiver who would replace Metcalf and allow the other two to move around the formation.

19. Miami Dolphins – OT Armand Membou, Missouri

The top of this offensive line class is strong, and the real draft will probably see guys coming off the board early and often in the first round. With this scenario playing favoring defense, though, those top guys are lasting longer, to the benefit of Miami. Membou could step in at left tackle as a rookie or slide somewhere else if veteran Terron Armstead returns for 2025.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Pass Rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Everyone needs pass rushing. Even with six guys off the board, Arizona attacks maybe their biggest need. Like Indianapolis, the Cardinals took a defensive end in the first round last year but still ended up 28th in pass rush win rate. Ezeiruaka is a speed rusher nimble enough to chase after mobile quarterbacks.

21. Carolia Panthers – S Malaki Starks, Georgia

After trading back and picking up another first-round pick next year, Carolina gets maybe the best safety in the draft. The Panthers need help at every defensive position; they can go best player available at essentially every pick and upgrade the roster.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Ladd McConkey, last year's No. 34 pick, stood out as the best receiver on the team last season. Quentin Johnston, 2023's first-round pick, has been slower to develop, though he has shown some flashes.

The rest of the depth chart is made up of old, injured, and unaccomplished receivers who shouldn't be counted on for big production. Egbuka is another bigger receiver who would complement the smaller McConkey. He would have some redundancies with Johnston, so maybe the latter would become a trade target for a team looking to find his potential.

23. Green Bay Packers – CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

Like pass rusher, cornerback was depleted early in this scenario. Three pure corners and Hunter were drafted in the top 12, though no one else at the position went between then and now. Revel is another small-school prospect; remember Quinyon Mitchell coming out of Toledo and stepping in as a major component of Philadelphia's Super Bowl run?

It's unfair to hold Revel to Mitchell's standard, but he is a guy who stood out and has first-round buzz despite playing weaker competition. He also missed most of the season with an injury, so he is a bit of a wild card. The team who takes the chance could be greatly rewarded, though.

24. Minnesota Vikings – S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Harrison Smith is returning for his 14th season, but the team is surely looking for their next generation of safety. Emmanwori has been another postseason demon who might be locking up his first-round status. Some analysts see him as the top safety over Georgia's Starks (who went No. 21 to Carolina).

25. Houston Texans – WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

Stefon Diggs was supposed to be the missing piece last year. He stepped into a Houston offense that thrived in 2023, but they took a step backward, with the offensive line struggling and C.J. Stroud feeling the effects.

Diggs recently signed with New England while still recovering from a major knee injury suffered during the season, and fellow receiver Tank Dell will likely miss most of 2025 after his own major injury. Burden is a versatile player who could complement Nico Collins and work with Dell when he returns.

26. Los Angeles Rams – LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Schwesinger may be overshadowed because of Campbell's presence as the top linebacker in the class, but Schwesinger is projected as a late first rounder or early second rounder and would fill a need for the Rams. In a defensive draft, Schwesinger gets the first-round nod.

27. Baltimore Ravens – G Tyler Booker, Alabama

Baltimore was third in both run blocking and pass blocking last season by ESPN's metrics. Rather than resting on their laurels and expecting continued greatness, this would be a case of the team taking advantage of great value and grabbing maybe the top interior lineman in the draft. Booker is likely a Day 1 starter.

28. Detroit Lions – DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

The Lions run into the same problem as the Bengals in that they could use a pass rusher but have seen most of the top talents go off the board. Also like Cincinnati, they will try to find value on the interior of the line, taking the second Michigan defensive tackle.

Grant is an anchoring run defender who shows some pass rushing chops but will have to develop in that area.

29. Washington Commanders – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

The top two tight ends in this draft, Loveland and Penn State's Tyler Warren, are seen as close to top-10 prospects in this class. After the recent instant success of guys like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers, teams might be eager to grab two of the top prospects regardless of position. With offensive players falling, Washington gets a possible star who can play with veteran Zach Ertz before eventually taking over as the top guy.

Last year's second-round pick, Ben Sinnott, might be made redundant (like Michael Mayer in Las Vegas with Bowers), but getting high-level players around Jayden Daniels is a key to sustaining success.

30. Buffalo Bills – CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

There are a few guys who could fit here who are in the conversation for the late first round or early-to-mid second. Corner is probably Buffalo's biggest need, and while they could look at another receiver, a guy like Morrison would be expected to contribute as a rookie.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Like Washington, the Chiefs would be playing the value game here and getting a player who could soon take over for their aging veteran. Warren and Loveland are close in value, but I've seen Warren favored as the top tight end more often. He could play for a few years behind Travis Kelce while becoming an impact player for the best quarterback in football.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

Right tackle Lane Johnson will be 35 before the season starts. Banks would be insurance on the right side in the meantime and ready to take over for Johnson when he retires. Banks could slot in at right guard or swing tackle until a starting spot opens. No one ever had too many good offensive linemen, an attitude that has helped the Eagles thrive offensively.