Aaron Leming’s Full First Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

It’s finally here. The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. For the first time in recent memory, all 32 teams will go into the draft with the assigned pick for the first round. There’s no guarantee that it will stay that way, but for now, we’ll head into tonight with a sense of normalcy yet plenty of intrigue.

Many analysts have labeled this a shallow class, and for good reason. The blue-chip talent is limited, which leads to a lot of unpredictability outside of the top six to eight picks. With only two quarterbacks labeled “locks” for the opening round, it’ll be interesting to see how the night unfolds. Without further ado, let’s jump into my one and only full first-round mock draft just ahead of tonight’s festivities.

1. Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward (Miami)

Early in the process, it felt like the Titans would punt on a down year at the quarterback position and trade out. As the offseason progressed, it became apparent that they are locked into Ward. This pick has a lot of boom or bust, but the arm talent and overall athleticism are apparent. Ward is stepping into a situation in Tennessee where heads could once again roll if they don’t show serious improvement.

2. Cleveland Browns WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)

I’ve gone back and forth on this pick a few times. On one hand, I have Carter as the top prospect in this year’s class. On the other hand, Cleveland desperately needs more options at quarterback. In a better class, the Browns don’t hesitate to pull the trigger on QB2. Instead, they’ll surprise me and go with Hunter, who should immediately be a plus player on both sides of the ball. Who knows, maybe they’ll jump back into the first round for someone like Sanders later.

3. New York Giants DE Abdul Carter (Penn State)

While I totally understand why the Titans and Browns would make the moves they did, Carter is the best prospect in this draft, in my opinion. The Giants don’t have a huge need at edge rusher, but like the old adage goes, “you can never have enough good pass rushers.” New York takes advantage and stacks the defense. This feels like a prime trade-down spot, but I’m having trouble finding a team that would be willing to come up without giving up valuable Day 2 draft capital.

4. New England Patriots OT Will Campbell (LSU)

Assuming the board falls this way (without a second quarterback being drafted), the Patriots will face the choice of either trading down or staying put and selecting the best available offensive lineman. There’s been plenty of chatter that the cost of trades this year will be less, but it’s hard to imagine many teams looking to jump the line unless someone absolutely loves someone like Mason Graham.

Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images

5. (Trade)Chicago Bears RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)

Trade Terms: Chicago trades #10 and #41 to Jacksonville for #51 & #107

We have our first trade and it’s a bold one. Chicago moves up five spots to select a player they’ve been heavily connected to over the last month or so. Ben Johnson’s value for running backs is no secret but in 2025, this is a risky move with a lot of disaster potential involved. Luckily for them, they have a pair of second-rounders, so they should be able to recoup some value on the back end.

6. Las Vegas Raiders OT Armand Membou (Missouri)

There have been plenty of conflicting reports around what the Raiders’ new regime is looking to get out of No. 6 overall. If Jeanty were on the board, this might be a much bigger discussion, but with Graham falling, this becomes a much easier discussion. They could start to fix their offensive line, but this roster has needs everywhere, and Graham is the better value this early in the draft.

7. New York Jets TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)

With both tackles off the board, this is a tough blow for the Jets. Instead of landing their bookend tackles for the next decade, they’ll give their offense another weapon. Warren is a bit of an older prospect but was the key cog in Penn State’s offense. There’s some boom or bust potential here but this is the product of this first round.

8. Carolina Panthers LB Jalon Walker (Georgia)

Carolina could go a few different ways at No. 8 overall. Last year started off as bleak as 2023 looked, but they finished strong and now should be comfortable building this roster around quarterback Bryce Young. A receiver is a need, as are a few different areas, but the best value comes with a Swiss Army knife on the defensive side of the ball. Walker will require a defensive coordinator with some creativity, but if utilized properly, he will be a weapon.

9. New Orleans Saints DE Mykel Williams (Georgia)

The Saints are a tough team to figure out, but what’s new? Derek Carr’s shoulder injury seemingly came out of nowhere, but the more information that comes out, the more it seems like this wasn’t breaking news to New Orleans. Because of that, I’m backing down on my projection for a quarterback here and instead going with a defensive player. Williams should be a nice fit in this defense.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)

There’s been plenty of smoke around Banks going much higher than most expect. There’s even been some rumors that Banks is Jacksonville’s OL2. Assuming they can’t trade up for Travis Hunter and drop back instead, this would be a win, win. They get a valuable second-rounder, and add more help to the offense.

11. San Francisco 49ers DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)

Nolen is another player that has had projections all over the place. In recent days, there’s been plenty of ties to him and San Francisco. The 49ers need help in a few spots on defense, so adding the top interior pass rusher in this year’s class is a good start to their hopes of getting back to the playoffs in 2025.

Sara Diggins-USA Today Network via Imagn Images

12. Dallas Cowboys WR Matthew Golden (Texas)

Unlike last year, this wide receiver class doesn’t have too many top-notch options. Even so, Dallas needs help at multiple offensive skill positions. The Cowboys have always been a team that has valued speed, and that’s exactly what Golden brings. If it were me, I’d take Tetairoa McMillan, but most signs are pointing in the direction of the Texas-born product.

1. 13. Miami Dolphins DT Mason Graham (Michigan)

For my money, this might be the best value pick of the draft so far. For months, it appeared Graham was a lock for the Top 5 and one of the few “blue” players on the board. Over the last week, the narrative has changed and he’s slipping down the board. His slide stops at 13 and the Dolphins get a great piece to put in the middle of their defensive line after losing Christian Wilkins last offseason.

14. Indianapolis Colts TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)

Each year, Chris Ballard and the Colts are a hard team to pin down regarding what they’ll do in the opening rounds of the draft. After finally spending in free agency, the Colts look primed to compete for the division again. Quarterback is the biggest question mark, so why not give that competition another weapon that should immediately produce? That’s where my mind is at.

15. Atlanta Falcons DE Mike Green (Marshall)

It feels like every season, we’re looking at the Falcons roster and saying that they need edge-rushing help. The signing of veteran Matt Judon didn’t work out last year, and they were relatively quiet in free agency on that front, outside of the addition of Leonard Floyd. Now, they’ll land one of this class’s more polished pure-pass rushers. Green isn’t tall, but he was extremely productive and advanced at Marshall. Grey Zabel feels like a sneaky name here, with his guard-to-center versatility.

1. 16. Arizona Cardinals CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)

Defensive line is a spot that makes plenty of sense but with Nolen and Graham off the board, plus three edge rushers, it might make more sense to take their top choice at cornerback between Barron and Johnson. If Johnson’s medicals were better, he’d likely be the pick. Instead, they’ll go with the Texas product that has plenty of versatility, even if he ultimately ends up inside at the nickel.

17. Cincinnati Bengals DE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)

Originally, I had Williams slotted into this spot, but with the uncertainty surrounding the Saints, I had to make a change. Stewart is a similar prospect to Williams. His athleticism is off the charts, as are his measurables. The biggest issue that teams will need to solve is why he only had 4.5 sacks during his college career, despite posting a perfect RAS at the combine. Side note: I wouldn’t be surprised to see Trey Hendrickson get shipped out on Night 1 of the draft.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

1. 18. Seattle Seahawks iOL Tyler Booker (Alabama)

The Seahawks have had one of the stranger offseasons out of any team in the league. Despite being on the cusp of a playoff berth last year, they traded away their starting quarterback and top receiver. There are a few different ways Seattle could go (including quarterback), but the offensive line needs the most help. I’d probably take Grey Zable over Booker (due to athletic testing), but Booker is the safer pick, even if his ceiling isn’t quite as high.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Jihad Campbell (Alabama)

Offensively, the Bucs are in a great position moving forward. Defensively, well… That’s another story. Whether it’s edge rusher or linebacker, Tampa Bay needs help, and that’s exactly where I expect them to go in the first round. Donovan Ezirauku is a name that I’ve seen tied to them, but in the end, I keep coming back to Campbell as the pick.

1. 20. Denver Broncos RB TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)

Tet McMillan is still on the board, which is a viable option, but there’s been plenty of smoke around the Broncos and wanting one of the top running backs. Call me crazy, but I would guess Jeanty and Henderson are one and two on their board. Henderson is a great pass protector who can hit the homerun and is a perfect fit for Denver’s blocking scheme.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers QB Shadeur Sanders (Colorado)

Being held captive by Aaron Rodgers at 41 years old is not exactly where many Steelers fans had hoped to be heading into this weekend’s draft. Regardless of what the future Hall of Famer’s final decision is, he’s not a long-term answer. With Dart going No. 18 to Seattle, the pressure for the Steelers to make a move grows. Add in the fact that they are without a second-round pick, and quarterback feels like the only true option.

22. Los Angeles Chargers DT Derrick Harmon (Oregon)

After losing a pair of defensive tackles, including Puna Ford in free agency, the Chargers add a versatile piece to their defense. In the early going, Harmon might be better suited as a nose tackle, but he’s got some upside as a pass rusher. Pass catcher will need to wait until Day 2 in Los Angeles for Jim Harbaugh and company.

23. Green Bay Packers WR Tetairoa McMillian (Arizona)

Edge rusher, cornerback, and receiver all feel like legitimate options for Green Bay after a disappointing end to the season. In this situation, it might be too hard to pass on McMillan, despite the Packers’ recent history of not drafting receivers in the first round. With the status of Christian Watson in doubt for 2025, more offensive firepower is a must.

1. 24. (Trade) New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)

Trade Terms: New York trades #34 and #65 to Minnesota for #24

This is a slight overpay for the Giants in this spot but considering it’s for a quarterback and the rights to a potential fifth-year option, it’s likely worth it for the Giants. Dart appears to be QB2b. to Sanders at QB2a. Minnesota on the other hand, has just four picks in this year’s draft, and could use additional capital. It’s a win-win for both teams on paper. Now, we’ll see how it plays out on the field.

25. Houston Texans OT Josh Conerly (Oregon)

There are always a few surprises in the first round, and this year should be no exception. On the surface, Josh Simmons feels destined to be the next tackle off the board, but if you value the opinion of Mike Tice, this is his top tackle. The growth Conerly made in a short time at Oregon was impressive. Now, Houston will hope that he can step in and become the starting left tackle from Day 1.

Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

26. Los Angeles Rams CB Will Johnson (Michigan)

Johnson has been falling down boards after an injury-filled year, and a lack of testing at the combine or his pro day. If healthy, Johnson might be the best cornerback in this draft. The Rams’ pass defense ranked in the bottom third last season and this is the type of move that could help fix that.

27. Baltimore Ravens DE Donovan Ezeirauku (Boston College)

Ezeirauku falling to the tail end of the first round feels like the biggest steal of the opening round. Of course, it would be Baltimore that takes advantage. The Ravens need pass rushers, and it just so happens that one of the better pure pass rushers falls right into their laps. Don’t be surprised to see tight end Mark Andrews used as trade bait at some point this weekend.

28. Detroit Lions iOL Grey Zabel (North Dakota State)

With defensive end and a starting guard position as the Lions’ biggest needs, it’s all about value here. The top-end of this edge class isn’t great, but there’s still good value on the interior. Zabel is a stud and should immediately push for a starting job on Day 1. There might be some growing pains due to a position switch and jump in competition, but he has many of the same traits that Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz showed coming out of Wisconsin-Whitewater years ago.

29. Washington Commanders DE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)

The Commanders have one of the more well-rounded rosters in the league coming out of a surprising NFC Championship bid in Year 1 under head coach Dan Quinn. Heading into the offseason, the primary focus has been on edge rusher. The scouting reports around Pearce are all over the place, but even if he’s a situational pass rusher early in his career, he could play the Dante Fowler type role in this defense.

30. Buffalo Bills DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)

Buffalo would strongly consider a cornerback if one of the top names dropped. Instead, I decided to mock them with a defensive tackle, which is another serious need. On the surface, Grant projects as a true nose tackle, but he’s got some pass-rushing chops, even for as big as he is. He should be a big value in the middle of this defense.

31. Kansas City Chiefs OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State)

The Chiefs’ quest for a three-peat came crashing down in ugly fashion during the Super Bowl. They were dominated on both sides of the trenches, but the offensive line was a much bigger issue. So far, they’ve franchise-tagged Trey Smith, traded away Joe Thuney, and signed a career backup in Jaylon Moore to play left tackle. The entire right side of the line is a mess right now, and Jawaan Taylor’s contract is horrible, with an out in 2026. Kansas City needs to rebuild its offensive line. Simmons’ medicals are a question on the outside, but this is a tremendous value if he’s healthy enough. At this point, the Chiefs will just try to field the best starting five for Week 1.

32. Philadelphia Eagles S Malachi Starks (Georgia)

General manager Howie Roseman’s love for Georgia defenders knows no bounds. Like some of his other selections over the last few years, this is a very nice value this late in the opening round. Starks didn’t test well, but what he put on tape should win out. With Chauncey Gardner-Johnson traded and Sydney Brown unproven, Starks could step into a similar role as CGJ played for this defense. Defensive tackle could also make sense here, but the value here is much better.