2025 NFL mock draft: New No. 1 leads updated predictions after wild card playoffs

Posted by Admin January 15, 2025 NFL

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The wild card round of the NFL playoffs is in the books and the NFL draft order continues to take shape. The Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings are all set in the first-round order after losing in the opening round of the postseason.

There’s only one game left in the college football season, the College Football Playoff (CFP) national championship game on Jan. 20 between Notre Dame and Ohio State. Both teams feature players who will likely hear their names called early in the 2025 NFL draft.

With more of the order set and more changes to coaching staffs league-wide, here are our latest predictions for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

2025 NFL mock draft: Divisional round

Order via Tankathon.com. Picks 1-24 are set following the wild card round of the NFL playoffs and the rest are set by record and strength of schedule.

Like the 2016 draft class, this feels like a two-quarterback race for the No. 1 pick. This time around, the Titans stay at No. 1 and pick the higher-upside Ward. He isn’t as pro-ready as Shedeur Sanders but has the elite traits that will prompt a team to select him first overall.

Ward will need to limit his risk-taking and work on post-snap recognition to make good on his playmaking and arm strength. Behind a well-coached offensive line, he’ll have the chance to do that.

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Cleveland takes the other top quarterback of the class with Sanders at No. 2. The Browns’ offense traditionally has had more success with under center play-action concepts with a good running game. Sanders can provide a solid floor from the quarterback in that system and help the Browns’ offense get back to being one of the more prolific units in the league.

There are some questions at other spots on offense but Sanders is the most pro-ready quarterback in the class and can raise the standard immediately.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

New York doesn’t overreach for a quarterback here and instead opts for the consensus top player in the class. Hunter should be a starter on defense first and work his way into the fold on offense over the course of the season. His length, coverage abilities and ball skills will make him an asset for the 27th-ranked pass defense in the league.

The Patriots at No. 4 are where things can get interesting. New England has needs across the roster, edge rusher included. Carter is going to be one of the first defenders off the board in April because of his rare explosiveness in a 6-foot-3, 252-lb. frame. His background as an off-ball linebacker means whoever new coach Mike Vrabel brings in to run the defense can use Carter in multiple ways.

Wide receiver, cornerback and offensive line were all considered here but Carter is the pick based on positional value.

Jacksonville bolsters the defense with one of the best prospects in the draft, regardless of position. Graham needs to improve as a pass rusher but that’s not a huge need for the Jaguars with Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker on the roster. He does have the tools to become a better interior rusher at 6-foot-3 and 318 lbs. Those tools show up in run defense already and Graham should help Jacksonville in that area immediately.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Quarterback is a huge question mark entering next season, but the Raiders need offensive weapons alongside record-setting tight end Brock Bowers. McMillan is the top wideout prospect in the class thanks to a combination of good route-running, size (6-foot-5 and 215 lbs.), catch radius and run-after-catch ability. He’s not a burner but is more of a big-bodied outside receiver in the mold of a Tee Higgins or Drake London. That’ll be a welcome sight for a team that needs help at the position.

Running back was also in consideration but, with a much deeper class at that position compared to wide receiver, the Raiders go with McMillan here.

7. New York Jets: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

With McMillan off the board, the Jets take arguably the top cornerback of the class in Johnson. The Michigan product has the prototypical size and production to warrant a top-10 selection. DJ Reed was the best corner on the team in 2024 and is a pending free agent. At least the new general manager can fill that gap immediately with their first-round pick.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia

Carolina’s offensive improvement down the second half of 2024 kept them in games against better teams. Walker should help shore up the defense so they can turn the page and start winning some of those close contests. He spent most of 2024 at edge after primarily playing off-ball linebacker previously in Athens. Walker has the athleticism packed in a 6-foot-2, 245-lb. frame to contribute at either position. Carolina needs plenty of help on defense and a movable piece like Walker would be very useful.

The Saints are another team entering the draft with lots of needs. Compared to their other positions of need, wide receiver is the weakest group in this class. Wide receivers Rasheed Shaheed and Chris Olave both missed most of the 2024 season with injury. Whether they’re back or not, Burden III brings a different skill set to the position. He’s built like a running back and can operate very well out of the slot for a creative playcaller.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Chicago’s offensive line wasn’t great in 2024 and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ propensity for holding on to the ball too long didn’t do them any favors. Chicago opts to take the best offensive lineman regardless of position to help things out up front. Campbell’s an impressive athlete with experience, strength and a competitive streak to make it at the next level. He’s likely better suited at guard due to arm length concerns but offers Pro Bowl upside as a rookie.

San Francisco needs to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Given the depth of talent on defensive line in this class, especially on the interior, the 49ers opt to use their first pick on offensive line. Banks Jr. has prototypical tackle size, remarkably smooth footwork and good hand usage for his age (he turns 21 in March). After hitting on right guard Dominic Puni in the third round last year, San Francisco builds out the right side with Banks Jr.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

For once, we’re resisting temptation and not giving Dallas running back Ashton Jeanty. Instead, they opt to invest in the pass rush with Scourton. The 6-foot-4, 280-lb. edge has the size, strength, athleticism, pass rush moves and college production scouts look for. His size means he can likely line up at multiple spots along the line, offering versatility to whoever is coordinating the Cowboys’ defense in 2025.

Micah Parsons can’t do it all. With Scourton in the building, he likely won’t have to.

13. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

It’d be easy to opt for a defensive back at this spot given the number of upcoming free agents at that position group. But the Dolphins’ success has been tied to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health for the last two years and that has to be priority No. 1 heading into 2025. Simmons looked like arguably the best tackle in the country before a season-ending knee injury. If he gets a clean bill of health ahead of the draft, he would be an impact starter protecting Tagovailoa into next season and beyond.

The Colts have built a good corps of skill position players around quarterback Anthony Richardson but they could use an upgrade at tight end. They do so here with the versatile Warren. The 2024 John Mackey Award winner was used all over the formation by the Nittany Lions. He has the size to hold up as a blocker and make plays as a pass catcher. Warren would complement speedsters Alec Pierce and Josh Downs and could even line up in the backfield alongside Jonathan Taylor.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Atlanta’s pass rush is a well-known weakness on defense and Matthew Judon is a free agent. They need to invest a top pick in the position for the first time since the 2017 draft. They won’t have to look far. Williams brings impressive power and movement skills at 6-foot-5 and 265 lbs. His tape in the Bulldogs’ first game against Texas in 2024 alone could likely make him a first-round pick. He’s still inexperienced due to playing in a rotation but can grow with time into a difference-maker the team’s been missing for years.

This is a loaded interior defensive line class, but few prospects offer the upside Nolen can bring when he’s on a tear. If a team can maximize him and iron out his inconsistency, Nolen could be a steal at No. 16. Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon coached up an impressive defensive line rotation during his time in Philadelphia. After getting edge Darius Robinson in the first round last year, the Cardinals continue to build in the trenches with the high-upside Nolen.

Lou Anarumo is out as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati after a rough year for that unit. They’ve missed with recent defensive back picks high in the draft, but there aren’t many safer bets in this class than Starks. The Georgia safety can do anything a future coordinator could ask of him. He can cover like a cornerback, can defend the run extremely well and is an outstanding athlete with a great football IQ. In a division with Lamar Jackson, the Bengals could do worse than grabbing one of the six best players in the class.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

This may be surprisingly high for a linebacker, especially given the Seahawks’ shortcomings on the offensive line in 2024. But current Seattle coach Mike Macdonald orchestrated a dominant defense in Baltimore in 2023 led by Nnamdi Madubuike on the line, Roquan Smith at linebacker and Kyle Hamilton in the secondary. Seattle got defensive tackle Byron Murphy II in the first round last year and has cornerback Devon Witherspoon to lead the secondary. Campbell provides another link to improve the defense. He’s what a modern linebacker looks like at an impressively athletic 6-foot-3 and 245 lbs. with experience off-ball and off the edge as a blitzer.

Longtime slot receiver Chris Godwin is a free agent after a season-ending injury. It’s hard to find a more ready-made replacement at this spot than Egbuka. The Ohio State product is reminiscent of former Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a polished route-runner from the slot receiver position. He can fit in with the future of the position alongside Jalen McMillan and provide another target for Baker Mayfield in the passing game.

20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime all started at least one game at running back for the Broncos in 2024. They can settle the position by taking the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Jeanty’s a generational talent thanks to his contact balance, burst, patience and a compact frame that doesn’t wear down over a game. He’s already comfortable in the colors and would excel in the Broncos’ scheme. As far as fumbling concerns go, the same was said for another great Sean Payton running back: Alvin Kamara.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

In a division featuring Baltimore and Cincinnati’s high-powered offenses, the Steelers could use more help in coverage. Revel Jr. would be a slam-dunk top-15 pick if it weren’t for a season-ending ACL injury in mid-September. He has 4.3 40-yard dash speed in a 6-foot-3 frame. That’s a rare combination and he’ll have the environment to grow alongside standout safety Minkah Fitzpatrick as well as outside corner Joey Porter Jr.

The Jim Harbaugh connection is too strong to ignore here. Numerous drops against the Texans showcased how much help Los Angeles needs in its pass-catching corps. Loveland is arguably the better tight end in the class due to how dangerous he can be as a receiver. His blocking skills leave something to be desired but he can be an immediate upgrade at the position and a weapon in the passing game for Justin Herbert.

Green Bay’s offense fell apart against the Eagles, especially after an injury to left guard Elgton Jenkins. Conerly Jr. is young – he’ll turn 22 during the 2025 NFL season – but has two years of starting experience at left tackle. His athleticism at 6-foot-4 and 305 lbs. give him ideal recovery skills. He’s a better option at this spot than any of the pass-catchers on the board. He could start inside and develop into a starting tackle, similar to the options for Green Bay’s 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

The Vikings’ starting cornerbacks and safeties from 2024 are all hitting free agency. Minnesota lucks into Morrison who, like Revel, would likely go higher if it wasn’t for a season-ending injury. He has good size for outside cornerback at 6-feet and 190 lbs. with smooth athleticism that makes him a natural for man coverage. He can play either outside or in the slot which could come in handy in the NFC North. He needs to iron out some inconsistencies in zone coverage but it’s a small blemish that could improve in time in Brian Flores’ system.

25. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona

Houston’s offensive line played well against the Chargers in the wild card round but that shouldn’t preclude the team from looking to upgrade the unit. Savaiinaea has the size and experience to line up at tackle or guard. His limitations athleticism-wise could keep him inside in the NFL, but that’d still be a plus for the Texans’ line.

Los Angeles has ample cap space to re-sign pending free agent left tackle Alaric Jackson if they choose. The Rams opt in this scenario to invest more into the cheapest defense in the NFL next season with Barron. The Longhorns’ cornerback has the right mix of ball skills, positional versatility, football IQ and physicality to hang in the NFC West.

Washington’s offense needs more playmakers for Jayden Daniels to throw to and Harris is a big-bodied outside receiver who could be an option to grow with the Commanders’ young quarterback. The 6-foot-3, 210-lb. Harris boasts the catch radius and body control to be a threat in the red zone and on jump balls. He’s not a speedster, which could limit his ceiling overall, but he’d be a welcome addition to the position in Washington.

Due to the depth at edge rusher and cornerback in this draft, the Commanders opt to address those positions later in this scenario.

28. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Baltimore lucks into one of the most productive edge rushers in the SEC at the bottom of the first round. Pearce Jr. led the conference with 10 sacks last season and had another 7.5 in 2024. His 6-foot-5, 242-lb. frame could fill out, but for now, he has impressive length and athleticism for his size. He needs to improve in run defense, but given the depth at the position in Baltimore, Pearce Jr. could rotate in as a rookie before expanding his role in future years.

29. Buffalo Bills: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Bills receiving corps got a boost from a midseason trade for Amari Cooper. But both Cooper and Mack Hollins are free agents and Buffalo does not have a lot of cap space to spend to retain them. Golden is a vertical threat who can make plays after the catch and gets separation consistently. He’d diversify the skillset in the pass-catching corps. Safety was in consideration but this is a deep class that can be addressed later.

Williams is raw but has elite traits for his size. The Eagles’ roster doesn’t have any glaring needs and they instead can plan for the future. Williams can grow into an eventual successor to Lane Johnson on the right side.

31. Detroit Lions: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia

Detroit has one of the best offensive lines in the league but could use succession plans at the guard spots. Milum played tackle for four years but will likely move inside at the NFL level due to his athleticism concerns. His heavy hands, play strength and strong anchor would make him a great fit in play action-heavy systems. Milum could succeed pending free agent Kevin Zeitler at right guard if the Lions opt not to re-sign him.

Thanks to a deep interior defensive line class, Harmon drops down to the end of the first round. The 6-foot-5, 310-lb. Oregon product should have an immediate impact in run defense and develop as a pass rusher. Chris Jones turns 31 this offseason and, like Williams for Johnson in Philadelphia, Harmon could grow into his eventual successor on the Chiefs’ defensive line.