Post-Combine Mock Draft Mania: Projecting the First Round of the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine has wrapped up, leaving NFL teams and fans buzzing about the potential stars of tomorrow. After witnessing impressive performances and surprising results in Indianapolis, the landscape of the upcoming draft has shifted dramatically. With pro day schedules on the horizon, the pressure is on for teams to finalize their draft boards. This post-combine mock draft dives into the first round, projecting where the top prospects might land based on team needs, combine performances, and the latest intel from around the league.
1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Tennessee Titans hold the coveted No. 1 overall pick, but what they’ll do with it remains a mystery. While the allure of a franchise quarterback is always strong, the Titans have pressing needs across the board. According to ESPN, the Titans have received calls from the Giants and Jets about trading for the number one pick. Ultimately, they may decide to stay put and draft the best player available. After a stellar combine performance, Abdul Carter’s stock is soaring. The dominant edge rusher from Penn State is now widely considered the top non-quarterback prospect in the draft. In 2024, Carter had 68 tackles with 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes broken up. Carter’s explosiveness and versatility make him an ideal fit for a Titans defense looking to bolster its pass rush.
2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The Cleveland Browns are in a unique position. With a strong roster already in place, they can afford to take a chance on a quarterback with immense upside. Cam Ward’s performance at the combine solidified his status as a top quarterback prospect. According to PFF, the Browns don’t think they’ll pick this high again. Ward’s arm talent, athleticism, and playmaking ability are undeniable. In 13 games at Miami in 2024, Ward had a 67.2 COMP% with 4313 passing yards. He also had 204 rushing yards, 43 total touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. While he needs to refine his decision-making and consistency, Ward has the potential to be a star in the NFL.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The New York Giants are desperate for playmakers on both sides of the ball. After finishing the 2024 season with a 3-14 record, the Giants have made it clear that they are looking for a new franchise quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL season. Travis Hunter is a rare talent who can contribute at a high level as both a cornerback and a wide receiver. His athleticism, ball skills, and competitive spirit are off the charts. While some may question his ability to excel at two positions in the NFL, Hunter’s versatility is a major asset. He can step in immediately as a starting cornerback and provide a spark on offense as a receiver and returner.
4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The New England Patriots need to rebuild their offensive line to protect their quarterback and establish a running game. Armand Membou is a physical and athletic offensive tackle who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His size, strength, and technique make him an ideal fit for the Patriots’ offensive scheme. Membou is a Day 1 starter who can anchor the Patriots’ offensive line for years to come.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to bolster their defensive line to improve their run defense and generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Mason Graham is a disruptive defensive tackle who excels at penetrating the line of scrimmage and making plays in the backfield. His quickness, strength, and relentless motor make him a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. Graham is a perfect fit for the Jaguars’ aggressive defensive scheme.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Las Vegas Raiders need to add a dynamic playmaker to their offense to take pressure off their passing game. Ashton Jeanty is a versatile running back who can run between the tackles, catch passes out of the backfield, and contribute in the return game. His speed, agility, and toughness make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Jeanty is a perfect fit for the Raiders’ offensive scheme.
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The New York Jets need to give their quarterback more weapons in the passing game. Tyler Warren is a versatile tight end who can line up in-line, out wide, in the slot, and in the backfield. At Penn State, he was lined up in-line, out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. And no matter where he was, he made plays, racking up 1233 receiving yards on 104 catches. Warren has sure hands and the ability to pile up yards after the catch. With Juwan Johnson hitting free agency and Taysom Hill recovering from a torn ACL, tight end is a position of need for the Saints. New coach Kellen Moore has traditionally leaned on the tight end position with his offenses, too.
8. Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Carolina Panthers need to bolster their pass rush to compete in the NFC South. Shemar Stewart is an explosive edge rusher who excels at getting after the quarterback. His speed, power, and technique make him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles. Stewart is a perfect fit for the Panthers’ defensive scheme.
9. New Orleans Saints: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints need to add more speed and athleticism to their linebacker corps. Jalon Walker is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who excels in coverage and run support. His speed, agility, and instincts make him a valuable asset on defense. Walker is a perfect fit for the Saints’ defensive scheme.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, IOL, LSU
The Chicago Bears need to continue to improve their offensive line to protect their quarterback and open up running lanes. Will Campbell is a versatile interior offensive lineman who can play guard or center. His strength, technique, and football IQ make him a valuable asset on offense. Campbell is a perfect fit for the Bears’ offensive scheme.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham, DI, Michigan
The San Francisco 49ers need to add more depth and talent to their defensive line. Mason Graham is a disruptive defensive tackle who excels at penetrating the line of scrimmage and making plays in the backfield. His quickness, strength, and relentless motor make him a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. Graham is a perfect fit for the 49ers’ aggressive defensive scheme.
12. Denver Broncos: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Denver Broncos need to add a dynamic playmaker to their offense to take pressure off their passing game. Tetairoa McMillan is a versatile wide receiver who can line up inside or outside and make plays downfield. His size, speed, and ball skills make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. McMillan is a perfect fit for the Broncos’ offensive scheme.
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Philadelphia Eagles need to add more talent and depth to their secondary. Will Johnson is a physical and athletic cornerback who excels in coverage and run support. His size, speed, and instincts make him a valuable asset on defense. Johnson is a perfect fit for the Eagles’ defensive scheme.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Minnesota Vikings need to improve their offensive line to protect their quarterback and open up running lanes. Kelvin Banks Jr. is a physical and athletic offensive tackle who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His size, strength, and technique make him an ideal fit for the Vikings’ offensive scheme. Banks Jr. is a Day 1 starter who can anchor the Vikings’ offensive line for years to come.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, IOL, Georgia
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to find a long-term solution at center. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger is a smart and tough interior offensive lineman who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His leadership, communication skills, and football IQ make him a valuable asset on offense. Van Pran-Granger is a perfect fit for the Steelers’ offensive scheme.
16. Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Purdue
The Atlanta Falcons need to bolster their pass rush to compete in the NFC South. Nic Scourton is an explosive edge rusher who excels at getting after the quarterback. His speed, power, and technique make him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles. Scourton is a perfect fit for the Falcons’ defensive scheme.
17. Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The Green Bay Packers need to add more weapons to their passing game to help their young quarterback develop. Luther Burden is a dynamic wide receiver who can make plays at all three levels of the field. His speed, agility, and ball skills make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Burden is a perfect fit for the Packers’ offensive scheme.
18. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
The Miami Dolphins need to add more talent and depth to their secondary. Denzel Burke is a physical and athletic cornerback who excels in coverage and run support. His size, speed, and instincts make him a valuable asset on defense. Burke is a perfect fit for the Dolphins’ defensive scheme.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida
The Los Angeles Rams need to replenish their pass rush after losing several key players in free agency. Princely Umanmielen is an explosive edge rusher who excels at getting after the quarterback. His speed, power, and technique make him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles. Umanmielen is a perfect fit for the Rams’ defensive scheme.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Seattle Seahawks need to add more depth and talent to their wide receiver corps. Emeka Egbuka is a polished route runner with reliable hands and good speed. His ability to get open and make contested catches makes him a valuable asset in the passing game. Egbuka is a perfect fit for the Seahawks’ offensive scheme.
21. Los Angeles Chargers: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
The Los Angeles Chargers need to continue to improve their offensive line to protect their quarterback and open up running lanes. Donovan Jackson is a physical and athletic interior offensive lineman who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His strength, technique, and football IQ make him a valuable asset on offense. Jackson is a perfect fit for the Chargers’ offensive scheme.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
The Baltimore Ravens need to add more speed and athleticism to their linebacker corps. Smael Mondon Jr. is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who excels in coverage and run support. His speed, agility, and instincts make him a valuable asset on defense. Mondon Jr. is a perfect fit for the Ravens’ defensive scheme.
23. Houston Texans: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
The Houston Texans need to continue to build their pass rush to compete in the AFC South. JT Tuimoloau is a versatile edge rusher who can play with his hand in the dirt or as an outside linebacker. His size, strength, and athleticism make him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive linemen. Tuimoloau is a perfect fit for the Texans’ defensive scheme.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
The Dallas Cowboys need to add more talent and depth to their secondary. Andrew Mukuba is a versatile safety who can play in the box or in coverage. His speed, instincts, and ball skills make him a valuable asset on defense. Mukuba is a perfect fit for the Cowboys’ defensive scheme.
25. Buffalo Bills: Beaux Collins, WR, Clemson
The Buffalo Bills need to add more weapons to their passing game to take pressure off Stefon Diggs. Beaux Collins is a big and physical wide receiver who excels at making contested catches. His size, strength, and ball skills make him a valuable asset in the red zone. Collins is a perfect fit for the Bills’ offensive scheme.
26. Detroit Lions: Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
The Detroit Lions need to add more speed and athleticism to their linebacker corps. Demetrius Knight is a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who excels in coverage and run support. His speed, agility, and instincts make him a valuable asset on defense. Knight is a perfect fit for the Lions’ defensive scheme.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Riley Leonard, QB, Duke
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to find a long-term solution at quarterback. Riley Leonard is a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and good athleticism. His ability to make plays with his arm and legs makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Leonard is a perfect fit for the Buccaneers’ offensive scheme.
28. Arizona Cardinals: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
The Arizona Cardinals need to bolster their pass rush to compete in the NFC West. Bralen Trice is an explosive edge rusher who excels at getting after the quarterback. His speed, power, and technique make him a difficult matchup for opposing offensive tackles. Trice is a perfect fit for the Cardinals’ defensive scheme.
29. Cincinnati Bengals: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
The Cincinnati Bengals need to continue to improve their offensive line to protect Joe Burrow. Kingsley Suamataia is a physical and athletic offensive tackle who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His size, strength, and technique make him an ideal fit for the Bengals’ offensive scheme.
30. Washington Commanders: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Washington Commanders need to find a long-term solution at offensive tackle. JC Latham is a physical and athletic offensive tackle who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His size, strength, and technique make him an ideal fit for the Commanders’ offensive scheme.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
The Kansas City Chiefs need to add more speed and explosiveness to their wide receiver corps. Xavier Worthy is a dynamic wide receiver who can stretch the field and make plays after the catch. His speed, agility, and ball skills make him a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Worthy is a perfect fit for the Chiefs’ offensive scheme.
32. Tennessee Titans (via LAR): Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
With their second pick in the first round, the Titans address another need at linebacker. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is a physical and instinctive linebacker who excels at stopping the run. His toughness, leadership, and football IQ make him a valuable asset on defense. Trotter Jr. is a perfect fit for the Titans’ defensive scheme.