With the college football season approaching halfway over, and the NFL season about a third of the way complete, it seemed like a perfect time for the first version of my NFL mock draft.
This order will be based upon the current team’s record following week 6 (before MNF), not based upon projection.
This will also be a 1 round mock draft with trades included
Round 1 Pick 1: Jacksonville Jaguars (via New England Patriots): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Trade Details: Patriots swap Pick 1 while the Jaguars move Pick 3 a 2025 3rd and a 2026 2nd
The Patriots are in need of multiple positions, and the Jaguars take advantage of it by giving up two day 2 selections and get their immediate playmaker. This will be the Jaguars 3rd #1 selection since 2021.
The Jaguars selected Brian Thomas last year, but still have room to improve on Gabe Davis as an outside guy on offense. With that being said, Hunter provides versatility as I believe he can actually be a better CB at the next level. I believe Jacksonville is in desperate need to pair someone with Campbell, and with his athleticism and agility, Hunter can find himself in a perfect role.
Round 1 Pick 2: Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The debate here will immediately be not going QB, but with the money tied up in Watson and a weaker QB class than we are accustomed to, I think it would be smarter to take best player available here.
Mason Graham has been a highly scouted prospect since last year and provides serious pop and ability to push the pocket. He has 3 down capability and puts himself in the mix for one of the best DL in all of college football.
Pairing Graham with Myles Garrett makes an already solid Cleveland defense even better. Their offensive struggles are a concern, but Graham is likely to be an immediate day 1 impact and give them a truly top of NFL position group.
Round 1 Pick 3: New England Patriots (Via Jacksonville Jaguars): Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Trade Details: Patriots swap Pick 1 while the Jaguars move Pick 3 a 2025 3rd and a 2026 2nd
The Patriots allow themselves to pass on a unique talent in Hunter and go the safer, more needed selection. Acquiring 2 more selections in the top 75 and still getting your guy is a perfect scenario for a talent desperate New England team.
Campbell to me is the best OT in the class. Banks provides a more natural build, but Campbell has some of the best feet in the class and will give them a LT they have not had since Nate Solder. This gives flexibility for Onwenu to stay at guard, and keep 2024 3rd rounder Wallace at RT.
Round 1 Pick 4: Carolina Panthers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Let’s get one thing straight, Carolina is going into the draft looking for any improvement to their top end talent. Yes, Young looks like his time is limited, but to trade that haul of selections for him and draft a guy 2 years later would be something never seen before.
Going best available, Carolina goes with my #1 player in the entire class. CB is a need with Jaycee Horn injury history and the trading of Donte Jackson this offseason, and Johnson should come in as a CB1 from day 1. He has pure length, inside/outside flexibility, as well as impressive instincts and ball skills. This is a no brainer for Carolina.
Round 1 Pick 5: Los Angeles Rams: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Here was another spot I felt in a separate year could be a QB to take over post Stafford, but in this class, they continue to fall. Banks was not only a need for the Rams, but also one of the best remaining prospects here at 5. If they want to maximize the time left with Stafford they must keep him on his feet.
With an offense of Williams, Nacua and Kupp, giving them time and space to work can provide unlimited value. Banks has every trait you want in an OT and untapped power to provide a 10-year starter for LAR.
Round 1 Pick 6: Tennessee Titans: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
You didn’t think we would get out of the top 10 without a QB, did you? The Titans pull the trigger here as the current highest ceiling QB falls in their lap with Levis struggling.
Ward is a risk for sure. he is a very raw prospect, but with his playmaking ability and big play potential the new offensive mind Callahan takes his shot. Levis may remain the starter for the beginning of 2025 while Ward gets ready and develops in the new system, but they will feel they have their new guy.
Round 1 Pick 7: Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
I would be shocked that if in January we see the Bengals down here at 7, but if there is one positive, it is their new Edge to oppose Trey Hendrickson.
Pearce has been off and on for Tennessee this year, but his elite build and twitchy nature still should make him a clear top half first round pick.
The Bengals need help on defense, and with Hunter/Johnson gone for their secondary, EDGE is the next best spot to help their pass defense. He seems to be the best all-around edge in terms of ceiling and fit the scheme in Cincy well.
Round 1 Pick 8: New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
As the Saints look for value here, there is no position more in demand than WR. They have not had a true red zone target since Michael Thomas and there is no better in this 2025 class than Tetairoa.
McMillan provides a perfect duo with Olave, as it gives a big target with a wide radius for Carr. A true X receiver in those terms. He will allow for 50/50 balls and give New Orleans an Evans/Godwin style for years to come.
Round 1 Pick 9: Arizona Cardinals: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Cardinals are a team getting held back by their defense. With Kyler back healthy and Marvin Harrison Jr there to stay, it seems CB or EDGE are the best two spots to go. With Hunter and Johnson gone, the same philosophy from the Bengals applies here. Get a guy to speed up reads and make the QB life difficult.
Scourton is another high upside guy who has started to turn a corner for the Aggies. He has a good toolbox of moves and shows to be a similar style to promising rookie Jared Verse. Solid addition for Arizona.
Round 1 Pick 10: Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The flashy and predictable pick had to be taken here. Sanders is a name well known in the media by this point, and probably too known, but the Raiders have to take a shot at QB here at 10.
Sanders is a high ceiling guy. He has a lot of pocket presence and limits turnovers compared to most collegiate QBs. The Raiders provide a market he and his father seem to be interested in, as well as giving him two veterans to learn from in the room. He will come in with high IQ, it will just be about toning down the out of football experience.
Round 1 Pick 11: Denver Broncos (via New York Giants): Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Trade Details: The Giants swap Pick 11 and a 2026 6th while the Broncos move Pick 15 and a 2025 3rd
Denver could find themselves in a spot where some of the most talented players are falling, and they want to jump on it before they are no longer in their lap. With two QBs going earlier due to position, and teams like the Bengals and Rams ahead of them, a top 2 WR in the class hits their pick at 11.
Luther Burden is a smaller WR, but with large playmaking ability. He flexes inside and out, shows great route running ability, and has sneaky contested catch ability for his size. He surely needs to clean up some of his game, but with a room of Sutton and not much else, Luther has a chance to be elite.
Round 1 Pick 12: Miami Dolphins: Emery Jones Jr, OL, LSU
Yes, somehow Tua is coming back to play for the Dolphins. With that being said, he is truly 1 hit away from being out of the league. With that money invested in him, we pass on QB and go protector of the QB.
Emery Jones has versatility for the offensive line at the next level. Miami has a major weakness of the OL and never really replaced Robert Hunt in true fashion. Jones can start at OG until he cleans up his technique, which certainly has been struggling, and if his footwork improves, he can play OT despite shorter build. Miami will be content without a usual speed pick here and believe in Jones with that offensive style.
Round 1 Pick 13: New York Jets: Malachi Starks, S, Georgia
The Jets are selecting here with the assumption that Rodgers will still be slinging the rock in 2025. With the OL aging fast, they had a decision to make here, and since Fashanu was the pick in 2024, I like Starks here in 2025.
Starks is an elite playmaker. He really does have NFL slot capability, but also fills a weak NYJ safety room. With a room of NFL turnstile players, Starks gives a true third cornerstone to Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed. This could make the already stud filled defense next level.
Round 1 Pick 14: Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Yes, a reach, but it is a QB hungry NFL. Fitting the scheme of a mobile QB with a strong arm, Milroe can sit behind Geno in a perfect developmental year for the young QB out of Alabama. Smith is getting no younger, and before having to draft a play a guy immediately, you can get Milroe in now.
I do not think Seattle is ever going to be drafting much higher than 14, and to find a guy with a massive arm, escape ability, and coming from a coaching staff like Bama, it was worth the shot. We have seen guys like Pickett and EJ Manuel go here with minimal next level skills, so crazier things have happened surely.
Find Milroe in the lineup by mid 2026.
Round 1 Pick 15: New York Giants (via Denver Broncos): Aireontae Ersery: OT, Minnesota
Trade Details: The Giants swap Pick 11 and a 2026 6th while the Broncos move Pick 15 and a 2025 3rd
The move down for the extra 2025 pick was a no brainer with the performance of Nabers and Jones proving to be capable at 40 million a year.
The Giants surely did their best to address OL in the 2024 free agency while two starters on their offense come from that class, and Evan Neal is still a work in progress. With that being said, these are band-aids for this team.
Ersery provides a good frame and solid technique for a Giants style approach on offense. Daniel Jones has played well enough to be concerned to lose and with Elumanor on a short deal Aireontae is your long-term plan. This also will allow Neal to focus on moving to OG full time and possibly save that pick to some extent.
Round 1 Pick 16: Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Another pop pick for Jerry’s World.
Jeanty is not just for the fans or to restart the feed me trend like 2014 Zeke, but he will change this offense. The Cowboys run game is brutal at the moment and costing them chances to stay ahead of the chains game after game. Dowdle can be a good punch, but Genty can become the next Barkley.
Ashton is the Heisman favorite and deservingly so. There is minimal weakness in his game other than the positional value of the sport. Giving Dak another weapon that costs minimal cash is massively important when Parsons needs to be paid, and Lamb and Dak combine for close to 100 million. He will truly change that offense.
Round 1 Pick 17: Philadelphia Eagles: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Eagles are a team that has struggled to get to the QB this year with only 11 sacks through 6 games. The difference just two years can make from one of the top units to the group they have now is very drastic. Reddick and Huff departing has shown to be a major issue for the Eagles and Williams can hopefully solve that issue.
Another guy with a lot of great traits that needs some touch up done to his pass rush itinerary. He will provide something different than they have in Sweat and can complete a 3-year plan of Williams, Carter, Davis and Sweat for this squad.
Round 1 Pick 18: Chicago Bears: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
The Bears have found themselves trending up the last few weeks, but it would not be due to their interior offensive line. Having two future OT for years to come will help, but the combination of Nate Davis and band-aid impacts to the guard spot has been an issue for Caleb so far.
Savaiinaea could play OT at the next level but having him flex into guard will help him start right away and give Caleb 3 solid offensive lineman heading into year 2. Keeping Williams healthy is priority 1, and this year’s Jordan Morgan is a solid option for Chicago.
Round 1 Pick 19: Indianapolis Colts: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Yes, Morrison is out for the year… yes, I still have him going round 1.
I believe Morrison when healthy is a top 5 player in the entire class. The Colts not only need CB, but they find a guy with the perfect build for the NFL and great outside ability that their best CB does not have. His length and shown to be able to press and play off coverage will prosper. Colts will be patient with his health and have their full stud CB1 by mid 2025.
Round 1 Pick 20: San Franscisco 49ers: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
This may be one of the teams with the least number of needs in the entire National Football League. Although injury always comes into play, the 49ers will look to fix their run defense and give insurance to Hargrave and expiring deals. Walker gives them exactly that.
Flexibility across the DL, I feel Walker plays a 3-tech role perfectly in this system. He gives a sense of pressure and strength to taller blockers but seems too big for a lot of guards at the FBS level. I feel SF looks defense here after going Pearsall last year, and with Morrison getting snatched the pick before them, they go with their familiarity of defensive line studs.
Round 1 Pick 21: Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Kenneth Grant is an interesting prospect who has started to show out like he should be. This was a guy I have had ranging from 10 to 34 on my big board, and eventually he falls somewhere in between on this mock. He provides similarities to Walker in this class, and his teammate Jenkins from the 2024 class.
I like Kenneth’s ability to join a strong group of Rousseau and Oliver to free up vets like Von Miller or aspiring players like AJ Epenesa. He will find a role on downs from the jump.
Round 1 Pick 22: Los Angeles Chargers: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
For the Chargers, EDGE is not a 2024 need but may be their largest need at the end of the year. Carter is a unique style edge rusher who has a lot of athletic ability to move around and stunt through pressure. With Mack and Bosa aging, hurt, or having contract issues, this seems like the security they need.
Carter is a player Harbaugh is familiar and coached against in the past, and with his versatility and Jim’s style of defense, they will start to build a foundation with Abdul and Colson as young front 7 defensive leaders.
Round 1 Pick 23: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida
The run of defensive line help continues.
Tampa has found a little spark in Diaby so far, the last 15 games or so, but with Tryon and Hall seeming to be fizzled out, it is time to get more help on their defense.
Princely is a player I am very high on. He provides serious twitch off the edge and shows to be a high IQ player in the 3 full games I have seen of his tape. I think in a stand-up position in Tampa, it will allow for him to set a strong edge and show his deep filled toolbox.
Round 1 Pick 24: Green Bay Packers: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
This was a spot in 2024 I would mock Cooper Dejean over and over again. Green Bay did address DB later in last year’s class, and sign S Xavier Mckinney who has played great, but Stokes does not cut CB2 and insurance to Alexander in that secondary.
Davis jumps Burke after the week 6 performance, and I feel shows to be a slightly better on ball CB. Providing ability to man press as well as lurk the field, Davis to my eyes is a round 1 talent. GB has gone to their next young true outside CB and give the Packers one of the best well rounded rosters in the league.
Round 1 Pick 25: Washington Commanders: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Another Wolverine following the trend of round 1 selections.
TE may not be the most valuable position in the league, but giving Jayden Daniels a security blanket outside of Terry and unproven McCaffrey brother is important.
Zach Ertz will not be around for much longer and Nesbit/Loveland fit that Likely/Andrews and Bowers/Mayer role for a power heavy offense with a running style QB. Daniels enjoys airing it out and with speed at WR, this TE tandem shows more value than anything else at this spot. Weapon is a weapon, and Loveland deserves to be a first-round guy.
Round 1 Pick 26: Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
After finishing my first scouting report (2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas – Kade’s Draft Room (kadesdraftroom.com)), of course Bond had to find his way into round 1.
A deep threat receiver, the worst you are getting out of him is a cheap, young, and faster Calvin Austin II. Bond shows massive playmaking ability and has smoothed up his route running playing for a top 3 team in the country.
The Steelers do not draft WR in round 1 usually, but they do develop WR super well and this could become their next Mike Wallace at the snap of a finger.
Round 1 Pick 27: Baltimore Ravens: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Patrick Queen has departed to a division rival, Simpson does not seem to be every down player, and Jalon Walker is a top 10 athlete in the entire class.
The Ravens grab a prototype OLB that can play on and off the line of scrimmage and give them a serious boost they lost with Queen. He comes from a great system at Georgia and shows to have power and pop at the point of attack. We all know BAL loves their defensive leaders and this can be the closest they can get to a Suggs/Lewis knock off with Roquan and Walker.
Round 1 Pick 28: Detroit Lions: LT Overton, DL, Alabama
Another NFC roster that does not have many holes to be filled this season.
With the recent injury to Aidan Hutchinson, and DJ Reader being a short-term plan for this DL unit, I decided that a guy who has risen and showed out deserved to hear his name on day 1.
Overton has popped for Bama and made a dozen plays that have opened eyes. Showing to be a great threat and having ability to split doubles, Detroit will take that grit and get the best out of him. A Dan Campbell guy at his finest and a first-round selection that should play a pivotal role by 2026.
Round 1 Pick 29: Atlanta Falcons: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
The Falcons did their best after deciding to pass on Turner, Verse, and Latu for Penix to fulfill EDGE on day 2 and 3 of the draft. Dorlus and Trice from last year’s class are no guarantee, and with injuries already to Trice, they went in the direction of Matt Judon. With no extension seeming to be in the works anytime soon, I chose the cheaper option.
Sawyer has a high motor and shows serious power for his size. With relentless pursuit, a guy like Raheem Morris should fall in love with the film of him chasing and never showing fatigue. He has NFL traits but would need to bulk in order to put his hand in the dirt.
At this stage in round 1, take the guarantee if you can get it and find yourself a rotational EDGE in a weak and inexperienced room with Matthew Judon likely finding a home elsewhere.
Round 1 Pick 30: Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama
Stroud is the man in Houston. Similar to most OL picks, this may be more insurance and depth than need, but it is worth it to protect your franchise guy.
Booker provides pop at contact and a mean spirit in the run game. I as a former OL love whistle to whistle play, and I feel Houston may be looking for other options to Howard, Green, and their depth for 2025. Booker getting a 5th year option here too will allow for time to develop and learn the scheme.
Round 1 Pick 31: Cleveland Browns (via Kansas City Chiefs): Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Trade Details: The Chiefs swap Pick 31 while the Browns move a 2025 2nd and 2025 4th
While the Browns passed on QB at 2, they will find a way to get their 5-year window for their future QB by giving up a early 30s pick and a 4th to get their guy and an extra contract year.
Beck has a high floor and with the defense Cleveland has created, can step in and win games with this team. The WR room is weaker, but they need to find stability and smarter decisions at the QB position. Watson will most likely have another year in the booms for the Browns, but Beck should be an NFL ready guy immediately.
KC decided to opt out of round 1 to gain an extra pick and still be able to find help on the OL or CB room.
Round 1 Pick 32: Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Upside, Upside, Upside.
Vikings are in a frenzy as their top pick at QB is already hurt, and their bridge guy looks like the franchise. As you sit here at 32 and have the last shot at long term development, Jackson is the pick to go for.
Needing IOL depth is important, but Jackson may take some time. Lucky for the Vikings their OT play is top of the league, and they can patch the inside until Jackson is ready. I felt a need to include him in Round 1 to assure my high feelings on the player.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Landon Jackson, Quinn Ewers, Harold Perkins (injury)
