The 2025 NFL Draft is here, meaning that all of the prognosticating is about to give way to actual picks.
Months of analysis and forecasting have helped shape a fairly strong consensus on a few fronts, with many gravitating to the same prospects for several of the earliest selections. But surprises are inevitable, and it only takes one unexpected move to send a ripple effect throughout the rest of the first round. Though it’s difficult to guess what that inflection point might be, one last shot at predicting the first 32 picks was necessary before the things start Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Here’s USA TODAY Sports‘ final 2025 NFL mock draft:
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)
Any remote chance for entropy at the top of the draft was eradicated Tuesday, when Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi confirmed that the team would not be dealing the No. 1 pick. That all but cements Ward as the selection. Tennessee will no doubt be pressed on president of football operations Chad Brinker’s remark that the team would not pass on a “generational talent,” which led many to believe that Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter could be the team’s target. But getting a fresh start and a real investment behind center was a necessity for Year 2 of Brian Callahan’s run, and Ward offers the dynamic playmaking ability and pocket poise to give the coach a true offensive catalyst.
NFL DRAFT HUB: Live NFL Draft news, live picks, grades, analysis and more.
We combined 30 NFL mock drafts. What they tell us about every team’s first pick
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
What do you get the team that needs everything? A player who can do everything. Hunter’s ironman capabilities will be tested at the next level, but Cleveland clearly will take his dynamic playmaking in all forms. The Heisman Trophy winner’s otherworldly ball skills and penchant for turning quick hits into long gains will be a major boon to whoever takes over at quarterback for the Browns, both in the short and long term.
3. New York Giants – Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State
Seems like there could be a wait before Big Blue’s quarterback question gets an answer. Unless the Giants pull a true stunner by taking Shedeur Sanders here, Carter is the natural choice. Even with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in tow, New York can’t afford to pass on one of the few players in this class who can tilt a game on any given play.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
It’s not an outright nightmare scenario for New England, but it has to be somewhat of a letdown to end up just out of range for Hunter and Carter. Turning to Campbell at least allows the team to address its most glaring hole at left tackle, with the consensus All-American also having high upside at guard if his length proves to be a problem as a blindside protector.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Credit to my USA TODAY Sports colleague Nate Davis for being ahead of the curve in predicting Jeanty to the Jaguars, breaking from the consensus pick of Mason Graham. While it would certainly make sense for general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen to kick off a new era by building out along the lines, it might be hard to pass on one of the truly elite players in this class – even if he carries questions of positional value. Jacksonville might not be set up to allow Jeanty to be a transformational back from the get-go, but the Heisman Trophy runner-up might be the best chance the Jaguars will have to unearth the offensive explosiveness Gladstone and Coen prioritized when they first took the job.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Long linked to Jeanty, the Silver and Black will have to find another way to jolt the league’s last-ranked rushing attack. After nearly a decade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, new general manager John Spytek could look for his own version of Tristan Wirfs in Membou, a powerful yet controlled blocker who could stabilize the outlook for Geno Smith and open holes for whichever running back the Raiders target on Day 2.
All the players and the plays: Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter for more NFL news.
7. New York Jets – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
A hard-charging, do-everything weapon shouldn’t have any trouble catching the eye of coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. Warren would not only smooth things out for Justin Fields with his knack for racking up yards after the catch, he’d also be a cornerstone for the new regime intent on overhauling the culture throughout the organization.
8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
I settled on this pairing since the top of the draft order was set, and there doesn’t appear to be any reason to buy into an eleventh-hour shift. Walker’s disruption is something Carolina should covet, and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can get creative to deploy the 6-1, 243-pounder to his full potential.
9. New Orleans Saints – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
A franchise that has been historically reticent to rush a quarterback decision doesn’t need to force the issue here. Instead, the Saints can turn to Graham, whose quickness and persistence on the interior make him immensely difficult to neutralize.
10. Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
With Jeanty and Warren off the board, general manager Ryan Poles can train his focus on the trenches. Banks would allow the Bears not to pin the hopes of their rebuilt offensive line on left tackle Braxton Jones, who is still recovering from a fractured left ankle suffered in December.
11. San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Maybe this is earlier than some might expect for Williams, an athletic marvel who never reached the production level many expected for him amid injury setbacks and usage limitations. But with John Lynch stressing the importance of setting the edge, the 6-5, 260-pounder sizes up as what San Francisco is searching for in a running mate for Nick Bosa.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
If Dallas is intent on getting Dak Prescott back on track, this might come down to a choice between McMillan and Matthew Golden, assuming both are available. McMillan has been one of the pre-draft process’ more maligned figures amid questions about his speed and urgency, but he should be able to feast on short and intermediate routes while he becomes a more precise route-runner.
13. Miami Dolphins – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Jalen Ramsey could end up as the most notable veteran to be sent packing during the draft, as Miami has openly acknowledged it is trying to move the seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback. Regardless of whether the team severs ties before the end of the weekend, the Dolphins might be drawn to Barron given his immense versatility and impressive playmaking prowess.
14. Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Opening up a quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones can’t be the extent of the Colts’ offensive reimagining. An instant mismatch down the seam, the 6-6, 248-pound Loveland would open things up for the entire Indianapolis attack.
15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall
In a deep class for pass rushers, Atlanta finally looks poised to address its longstanding problem on the edge. The hyperactive Green would give the Falcons its most electric presence in years, though his stock could be somewhat volatile after he faced separate sexual assault allegations in high school and at Virginia.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Despite spending big in free agency to build out the front seven, Arizona still could round out its efforts by using a premium pick at either edge rusher or the defensive line. But Johnson, a legitimate top-10 talent despite the speed and injury questions, is too enticing to pass up.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
As the Trey Hendrickson drama continues to linger, Cincinnati knows that it still needs to create more disruption up front no matter what. That’s no problem for Harmon, who led the Football Bowl Subdivision in pressures among interior defensive linemen and should continue to pose problems with his forcefulness.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Eschewing the interior offensive line yet again might create quite a stir in Seattle. But Golden might provide too much value for the Seahawks to pass up, as he should make life easier for Sam Darnold with his ability to create separation downfield.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
There are several different avenues Tampa Bay could take to bolster the long-term outlook for its defense. Yet Campbell’s rare package of size, speed and athleticism could put him a notch above the other options for a team that soon will have to turn the page on linchpin Lavonte David.
20. Denver Broncos – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The link between a team openly searching for help at running back and one of the class’ premier ball carriers has been strong for some time. While Denver could attack the issue later on in the draft, Hampton could yield immediate dividends to an offense that could take off with another weapon.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders’ wait to hear his name called is shaping up to be the story of Round 1. If the Steelers go a different route here, the first night could be thrown into chaos. But this could be a sensible marriage for each side as Pittsburgh remains in a holding pattern with Aaron Rodgers.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
A potential Wolverines reunion went from a fun thought exercise to a distinct possibility. Jim Harbaugh certainly knows how to get the most out of his former pupil in Grant, and the 6-4, 331-pounder would make a massive mark for a Chargers defensive front thinned out by Poona Ford’s departure.
23. Green Bay Packers – Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Two years after rolling the dice on Lukas Van Ness, the Packers could once again look to a powerful pass rusher with spotty production. Stewart’s finishing touch leaves a lot to be desired, but he should ramp up Green Bay’s ability to create pressure while holding his own against the run.
24. Minnesota Vikings – Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State
With Minnesota holding a league-low four picks in the draft, it’s hard to shake the notion that this could be prime territory for a trade. If one to the Vikings’ liking doesn’t materialize, however, the team could extend its offseason effort to fortify the offensive interior by scooping up the smooth-moving Zabel, who would provide ample flexibility along the line.
25. Houston Texans – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
A once-settled Houston receiving corps looks to be on somewhat shaky ground with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell facing an uncertain recovery timeline for his severe knee injury. Reuniting C.J. Stroud with his former Buckeyes teammate would provide a needed dose of stability to the Texans’ aerial attack.
26. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Despite the Rams embracing a win-now mentality by restructuring Matthew Stafford’s contract and signing Davante Adams, the team can comfortably return to taking the long view in the draft. That could point them toward Conerly, who could learn from Rob Havenstein for a year before taking over at right tackle.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Eric DeCosta has a way of letting the board come to him rather than setting his sights on one specific area. In this scenario, the Ravens general manager pounces on the draft’s premier athlete, with Emmanwori teaming up with Kyle Hamilton to form perhaps the league’s most physically imposing safety duo.
28. Detroit Lions – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Selecting the bulldozing Booker shouldn’t require a hard sell for Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. The overpowering guard is a perfect fit for Detroit’s ethos, and he would help allow the Lions to continue to set the tone at the line of scrimmage.
29. Washington Commanders – Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College
Edge rush remains the one pressing deficiency that Washington didn’t take drastic action to address this offseason. Utilizing the 6-3, 248-pound Ezeiruaku likely will require some creativity, but Dan Quinn should be up to the task of maximizing the contributions of a crafty defender who’s already far more polished than most of his peers.
30. Buffalo Bills – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The back end of Buffalo’s defense is ho-hum with the current safety tandem of Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. Starks’ addition would invigorate the unit thanks to his range in coverage and run support.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
When it comes to protecting Patrick Mahomes, there’s no such thing as doing too much. Given the Chiefs’ current setup at offensive tackle, Simmons could continue to recover from a torn patellar tendon and polish his game before stepping in as a critical safeguard for the star quarterback.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
There’s a good chance Nolen doesn’t fall to this point, which might amount to his floor. If the talented interior disruptor does, however, he could find a natural home with Howie Roseman and his love for players who can create havoc in the passing game.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.
