2025 NFL mock draft: Bengals get star defensive end in projection of first round

Posted by author January 23, 2025 NFL

Spread the love

Two quarterbacks in the top three picks, without another signal-caller selected the rest of the first round.

One running back, two tight ends and two receivers, meaning most teams look to address the offensive line, defensive line and secondary.

There’s a lot that will happen between now and the NFL draft on April 24, but here’s an NFL mock draft January edition, with the last four picks to be determined based on conference championship results.

1 Tennessee Titans – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

New general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker, a former Ohio University Bobcats running back, aren’t ready to give up on Will Levis yet. And they won’t pass up the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.

2 Cleveland Browns – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

The Browns hold a first-round pick for the first time since the 2021 draft, and grab their quarterback of the future.

3 New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

This team has indicated that quarterback is a top priority. If Ward is gone, Deion’s son appears to be the Giants’ guy.

4 New England Patriots – Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State

The Pats’ co-leaders in sacks last season, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Keion White, had five sacks each. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year had 12 this past season for the Nittany Lions.

5 Jacksonville Jaguars – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Brian Thomas Jr. had a breakout season as a rookie wide receiver with 87 catches for 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The Jags’ second-leading receiver, tight end Brenton Strange, had 411 receiving yards.

6 Las Vegas Raiders – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Suffice it to say the Raiders have a lot of needs. The Wolverines’ Johnson appears to be the best player available to fulfill one of those needs. Johnson’s Michigan teammate, defensive tackle Mason Graham, might also be a strong option.

7 New York Jets – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Left tackle Tyron Smith had a rough season cut short by a neck injury, and is said to be considering retirement. Olu Fashanu, a first-rounder in 2024 who replaced Smith, could move to right tackle or right guard.

8 Carolina Panthers – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Carolina ranked dead last against the rush, by a lot, allowing 3,057 yards on the ground. That’s 600+ more than second-to-last New Orleans allowed.

9 New Orleans Saints – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Even if Chris Olave bounces back from a tough 2024 season, the Saints could use a strong No. 2 option at receiver.

10 Chicago Bears – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Banks could play tackle or guard, and would offer more consistent protection for young QB Caleb Williams.

11 San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

Williams’ UGA teammate, linebacker Jalon Walker, will be considered by several teams with top-10 picks. But the Niners have more of a need on the defensive line.

12 Dallas Cowboys – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Rico Dowdle had the Cowboys’ first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season by an undrafted free agent. But Dowdle is an unrestricted free agent who could walk and get big bucks, and he’ll be 27 in June. Dallas might not want to pass on the Heisman runner-up who starred at nearby Frisco Lone Star High School.

13 Miami Dolphins – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

If Walker does, in fact, fall to No. 13, Miami gladly would take him here.

14 Indianapolis Colts – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

A no-brainer for Indy if the first 13 teams to draft pass on the top safety available.

15 Atlanta Falcons – Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

Pass rush will be among the Falcons’ most significant needs during the offseason.

16 Arizona Cardinals – Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

This will be a pick the Bengals could move up for if they covet Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr., as Arizona could just as easily go after a player like Pearce. Cincinnati exhales if the Cardinals focus instead on their offensive line.

17 Cincinnati Bengals – James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee

The Bengals did just select a defensive end in the first round two years ago when they took Myles Murphy 28th overall. But if Sam Hubbard’s days with his hometown team are numbered as some suspect, Cincinnati may look to add Pearce to the D-line.

Notre Dame defensive back Benjamin Morrison and East Carolina corner Shavon Revel Jr. also are possibilities if the Bengals again look to improve their secondary.

18 Seattle Seahawks – Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

We don’t know who the Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator will be, but there’s no doubt the inconsistent offensive line will be a draft priority, likely in the first round.

19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas

Defensive tackle was a strength, as Vita Vea had a career-best seven sacks, and Calijah Kancey had 7.5. The Bucs didn’t get as much production from their DEs.

20 Denver Broncos – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

How about the top-ranked tight end in the draft as another potential weapon for Bo Nix?

21 Pittsburgh Steelers – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Pittsburgh could use depth at receiver regardless of its quarterback situation moving forward. But don’t be surprised if the Steelers pursue one of the Buckeyes‘ talented defensive ends instead.

22 Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Grant is reunited with his former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, in an effort to shore up the Chargers’ run defense.

23 Green Bay Packers – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Green Bay could move up for Grant, but likely will be satisfied to land one of the Big Ten’s top interior defenders.

24 Minnesota Vikings – Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Only three teams allowed more passing yardage than the Vikings this past season.

25 Houston Texans – Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Whether the Texans go with Jackson, his OSU teammate Josh Simmons or Alabama guard Tyler Booker, it’s a great opportunity to address their offensive line.

26 Los Angeles Rams – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

The Rams could lose left tackle Alaric Jackson through free agency, and might pursue whichever prospect the Texans don’t take.

27 Baltimore Ravens – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Baltimore has drafted a defensive back in the first round two of the past three seasons, but the Ravens will gladly add another Fighting Irish DB to a secondary featuring Kyle Hamilton.

28 Detroit Lions – Nic Scourton, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

Some think Scourton is the best run defender of this draft’s edge players.

29 Washington Commanders – Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Campbell led the Crimson Tide in tackles and was named first-team all-SEC as a junior this past season. First-round talent.

30 Buffalo Bills – Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas

Jackson starred as an edge rusher for the Razorbacks after transferring from LSU.

31 Philadelphia Eagles – JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State

The Eagles fill a need and join the late-first round run on pass rushers.

32 Kansas City Chiefs – Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

There’s no telling when former University of Cincinnati standout Travis Kelce will call it quits, but with Kelce turning 36 in a few months, why not take the 2024 MAC Offensive Player of the Year who put up huge numbers for the Falcons?