After spending the majority of last week/weekend at the 2025 scouting combine, my mind has been spinning with risers and fallers for my latest NFL Mock draft update.

I covered the specific risers and fallers from the combine in a separate article, but my entire first-round mock has been updated below.

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Post-Scouting Combine 2025 NFL Mock Draft

1. *New York Giants (3-14) – Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado

*Projected trade with Tennessee: Giants trade picks 1.03, 2.34, and its 2026 Round 1 pick to Tennessee for pick 1.01.

When Chicago traded the first overall Bryce Young pick to Carolina two years ago, the Bears received, in essence, three first-rounders and two second-rounders (Chicago elected to take WR DJ Moore instead of the third first-rounder). The cost would not be as high for New York to move up, as they’re coming up from 1.03 (and not 1.09), and the first pick isn’t considered as valuable this year.

The Giants simply need to come out of this draft with either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. This trade would guarantee that. I put no stock in the public discourse surrounding Sanders. He was a lightning-rod player all four years in college, and all he did was turn around two programs.

Sanders is my QB1 in the class, and the Giants have shown interest in him this process. I believe he would be the perfect fit for Brian Daboll’s offense.

Last season, Sanders’ 81.8% adjusted accuracy percentage—five points ahead of Cam Ward’s 76.3%—ranked No. 2 amongst FBS quarterbacks, per PFF. Sanders was also 97th percentile in avoiding negative throws/dropback, per PFF. He ranked No. 3 in turnover-worthy play rate (1.2)—Ward’s turnover-worthy play rate of 3.1 was nearly three times higher. 

Here’s an excerpt from my scouting report on Sanders:

“Sanders’ accuracy, in general, is an elite trait. He can put the ball wherever he wants it, to any sector of the field, shielding it from defenders and leading his receivers into space. … You can see how well Sanders has taken to coaching over the years from his repeatable upper-body mechanics; he throws like an archer shoots, quick and easy, tight, natural, and repeatable.”

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14) – Cam Ward | QB | Miami

There have been credible recent reports suggesting that Cleveland is leaning towards taking a quarterback in this slot. The Browns are reportedly most interested in Cam Ward.

Ward’s big arm could cut through the cold wind in Cleveland. Though he comes out of Miami, Ward had two years of experience throwing outdoors in the cold at Washington State.

Ward is an incredible rags-to-riches story after nearly not receiving any scholarship offers coming out of high school. Here’s a snippet from my scouting report on Ward:

“Ward’s got a high-voltage right arm, and there isn’t a throw in this world that he doesn’t think he can make. Ward’s game is a freewheeling, shoot-’em-up display of aggression and creativity. … He has an elastic, twitchy arm, shooting the pill out from unorthodox sidearm slots … Ward hates to check down, and he doesn’t like to throw the ball away. He will keep hunting until the bitter end. He generates explosive plays this way. But it’s also where you see wanton recklessness.”

3. *Tennessee Titans (3-14) – Travis Hunter | WR/CB | Colorado

*Projected trade with NY Giants: Tennessee trades pick 1.01 to the Giants for picks 1.03, 2.34, and a 2026 Round 1 pick.

Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said in January that Tennessee “won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft.” At the NFL Combine, new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi—the former Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM—was asked how he would define a “generational talent.”

“It’s a rare skill set of talent, an impact player who can take the team to another level, whatever position it is,” Borgonzi said. “And they have to have the character makeup as well to go with it.“

That’s Travis Hunter. Hunter profiles as a CB1 who’ll moonlight part-time as an electric go-to WR1 for however many offensive snaps he can additionally handle. 

With this trade, the Titans add a high-Round 2 pick along with the Giants’ valuable 2026 Round 1 selection… while still coming out of this draft with the class’ generational talent. 

4. New England Patriots (4-13) – Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State

With numerous roster holes, the Patriots are a tough team to peg. 

Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan would be a perfect WR1 for Drake Maye. Michigan CB Will Johnson would give New England one of the league’s most enviable young cornerback rooms, lining across from Christian Gonzalez. OT Will Campbell would bolster New England’s porous offensive line that has finished dead last in the NFL in pass-block win rate the past two years running.

But there appears to be a decent chance that either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter falls down to the Patriots at No. 4 overall—all it takes is the consensus top-two quarterbacks going in the top-three. If that happens, New England simply needs to submit the card with one of their names on it. Carter is a destructive force off the edge who led the FBS with 22 TFL in 2024.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) – Will Johnson | CB | Michigan

The Jaguars’ defense allowed the most yards per play in the NFL this season. Jacksonville badly needs a legitimate starting boundary cornerback to line up across from Tyson Campbell.

Johnson is a shutdown CB1. During Michigan’s 2023 title run, Johnson allowed a microscopic 30.9 QB rating against on targets. Over the last two years, Johnson picked off six balls while allowing zero TDs in coverage. He would solve a huge issue for Jacksonville.

6. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) – Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

The Raiders made a huge push for Matthew Stafford, but we found out during the NFL Combine that they had come up short. I expect the Raiders to fill their quarterback hole with a veteran—be it Sam Darnold, or HC Pete Carroll reuniting with Russell Wilson.

If that happens, this pick might come down to Jeanty against Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan. The face of Carroll’s Seahawks teams was Marshawn Lynch, and we have the veteran coach siding with another tone-setter from the RB position with this pick.

In my opinion, Jeanty is a better prospect than Bijan Robinson, who went No. 8 overall to the Falcons two years ago. There is nothing Jeanty can’t do. Jeanty’s 2,601 rushing yards in 2024 ranks No. 2 all-time behind Barry Sanders’ 2,628 (1988) on the FBS’ single-season record list. He’s also an exceptional receiver, as we saw more of in 2023.

Jeanty, who learned the game on an Italian naval base in seventh grade, has an incredible backstory. Here’s a snippet from my scouting report:

“I have never seen a college player who is more difficult to tackle. Jeanty has the contact balance of the spinning top at the end of Inception. He is barely fazed by first contact. Defenders slide off Jeanty like they’ve just hugged an electrical fence. Jeanty’s speed-to-power conversion juices him with electricity at the contact point. He also has a deep bag of tricks to deal with oncoming defenders, including a tornado spin move. In college, Jeanty posted a career missed tackles forced rate of 37.1% with 4.78 yards after contact per rush.”

7. New York Jets (5-12) – Mason Graham | DL | Michigan

The Jets need to address iDL at some point early in the draft if Javon Kinlaw leaves via free agency. Mason Graham would be an incredible compliment next to Quinnen Williams.

Graham is a two-way bully of a three-technique who gets after the quarterback and anchors against the run. He has violent hands and rock-em-sock-em shock-absorbing core strength.

8. Carolina Panthers (5-12) – Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona

If Mason Graham falls here, I would expect Carolina to take him. In 2024, the Panthers allowed the most points ever in a season, and the third-most rushing yards.

But with the Jets sniping Graham, Carolina audibles to giving Bryce Young a legitimate alpha boundary WR1. McMillan is a 6-foot-4, 219-pound pterodactyl with ludicrous ball skills. Think: Drake London.

9. New Orleans Saints (5-12) – Shemar Stewart | EDGE | Texas A&M

The Saints’ -$59.5 million effective cap space is by far and away the least in the NFL, and New Orleans has needs all over the roster. New Saints HC Kellen Moore would assuredly prefer to draft a young Round 1 quarterback to start developing, but 1.9 is too early for this class’ QB3.

With EDGEs Chase Young and Payton Turner headed for free agency, and the 36-year-old Cameron Jordan in an uncertain place heading into the last year of his contact, you could make the argument that EDGE might be atop New Orleans’ sprawling needs list.

They fill that need with Stewart, whose meteoric rise continued with a show-stopping performance at the NFL Combine. The 6-foot-5, 267-pounder with a wingspan of nearly seven feet posted a perfect 10 RAS score in Indianapolis. This came a month after Stewart thoroughly dominated the Senior Bowl.

Stewart is now firmly in play for the top 10.

10. Chicago Bears (5-12) – Will Campbell | OT | LSU

Bears HC Ben Johnson knows firsthand the power of a colossus offensive line. Johnson’s first order of business with his new team was improving that unit. Recently, the Bears traded a 2025 sixth-rounder to the Rams for OG Jonah Jackson and a 2026 fourth-rounder to the Chiefs for OG Joe Thuney.

Chicago could still use an upgrade at tackle opposite Darnell Wright, as well as a center.  QB Caleb Williams’ game requires an offensive line that can hold up—and hold up for longer than is typical—in pass-pro.

Campbell’s addition would be another strong step in the reshaping of this offensive line. Campbell was LSU’s starting LT the past three seasons. If the Bears take him at 1.10, it’s because they anticipate him stepping in at LT on Day 1.

11. San Francisco 49ers (6-11) – Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia

Williams has a made-in-a-factory frame and high-octane athleticism. Like Travon Walker before him, Williams has shown to be a well-rounded collegiate defender who stops the run in addition to getting after the quarterback.

Williams will face the same counting-stat questions that Walker did. A heavily-used rotation player all three years on campus, Williams never played 50-plus snaps in a game until the regular season finale against Georgia Tech.

To be fair, Williams suffered a serious ankle sprain in the opener against Clemson that included the partial tearing of ligaments. He was given a 3-6 week recovery timeline, but rushed back after missing only two games.

Williams was only able to play limited snaps the next three games (42 snaps total between Games 2-6). In his first game with an increased workload, the regular season game at Texas, Williams posted two sacks and had a third taken off the board due to a facemask flag.

If Williams had been healthy for the entirety of his junior season, he probably wouldn’t be available in this slot.

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10) – Armand Membou | OL | Missouri

With Ashton Jeanty off the board, the Cowboys look elsewhere for help. How about the unit that’s supposed to create holes for the running game?

Last year, the Cowboys ranked a lowly No. 31 in yards before contact per carry. Meanwhile, Dallas ranked No. 25 in both average time to pressure and in PFF’s overall offensive line grades. The need area became even more pronounced with Zack Martin‘s retirement.

Membou, a three-year starter at right tackle in the SEC, is coming off a dominant 2024 season (90.4 PFF grade). Membou is still 20 years old, with upside left to untap. He’s sawed-off at 6-foot-4, 332 pounds. But Membou has the long arms and athleticism to hang on the boundary at the next level.

13. Miami Dolphins (8-9) – Nick Emmanwori | S | South Carolina

The Dolphins need secondary help. At safety, both Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer are impending free agents.

In previous drafts, we’ve had Georgia S Malaki Starks in this slot. We’re making the change this time to Emmanwori, who lit up the NFL Combine.

A first-team All-American in 2024, Emmanwori posted a perfect 10 RAS score with a ludicrous 4.38 forty and 43-inch vertical at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9) – Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State

A 6-foot-6, 260-pound do-everything tight end, Warren is a matchup nightmare. He had 98 catches with only three drops in 2024.

He was used in a specialized way, as Brock Bowers was, with touches manufactured on hand-offs and on trick plays. Warren would greatly help Anthony Richardson with high-percentage completions, leading to prime YAC opportunities.

15. Atlanta Falcons (8-9) – Mike Green | EDGE | Marshall

The Falcons finished second-to-last in the NFL in sacks. Atlanta simply must—at long last—address this long-term issue in a serious way this offseason.

Green would qualify. He’s the only EDGE defender in this class to receive PFF grades higher than 90 as both a pass-rusher and in run defense. Green’s stock has soared since his dominant showing at the Senior Bowl.

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9) – Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri

Burden is coming off a disappointing season, in part due to quarterback injuries at Mizzou this season. But the former five-star recruit is a dynamic playmaker who has a strong catalogue of film going back to 2022. 

Burden would provide the Cardinals with a perfect stylistic complementary piece to the pass-catching corps of Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison, and Michael Wilson.

A lightning-fast slot receiver, Burden could take advantage of the intermediate spacing provided by coverage attention paid to Harrison and McBride.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) – Kenneth Grant | DL | Michigan

Cincinnati’s defensive interior was poor against the run and the pass last year. And B.J. Hill’s contract is expiring. There is also a long-term EDGE need to consider, with Trey Hendrickson, entering the last year of his deal.

By picking Grant, the Bengals would add some serious beef up front. Though Grant weighed into the NFL Combine at 331 pounds, he played closer to 350 at Michigan. There is some Dexter Lawrence to his game.

18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7) – Matthew Golden | WR | Texas

After years of strong wide receiver play, the Seahawks suddenly have a desperate need for a receiver. On Wednesday, Seattle announced the release of veteran WR Tyler Lockett after 10 seasons. An hour or so later, WR DK Metcalf went public with a trade demand.

The Seahawks now might need to find two new running mates to play next to slot dynamo Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a 100-1,130-6 line last year.

Golden would fit that bill. He was one of the brightest stars at the NFL Combine. Here’s an excerpt of my Golden write-up in my annual Combine Risers/Fallers column:

“The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Golden stunned the NFL by blazing a 4.29 40-yard dash. That was the best time by a receiver this year, and the eighth-fastest showing by a receiver at the combine since 2013. Golden opted out of the agility drills and jumps, and didn’t participate in the position drills on Saturday. But his loud statement in the 40-yard dash could reverberate all the way to the end of April. Golden is now a legitimate threat to bypass Missouri’s Luther Burden and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka to be the class’ WR2 behind Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan.”

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) – Jihaad Campbell | LB | Alabama

The Bucs’ front seven needs help. LBs Lavonte David and K.J. Britt are both free agents, and David is nearing retirement. Tampa Bay also needs to improve it’s pass rush.

All of that makes Campbell a perfect fit. Campbell was a five-star EDGE recruit who wound up starting the past two years at off-ball linebacker. But he was used situationally as an EDGE rusher by Alabama, and, this draft process, Campbell almost exclusively trained as an EDGE rusher at Exos.

Last year, the Bucs ranked No. 31 in passing defense, in part because Tampa Bay gave opposing quarterbacks all day to throw. Campbell’s addition would be a nice step toward improving Tampa’s lackluster pass rush while adding an immediate starter at LB.

20. Denver Broncos (10-7) – Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan

The Broncos’ biggest offseason priority is adding more weapons for QB Bo Nix. Loveland is an extremely skilled receiver. He has some Zach Ertz to his game.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) – Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State

Egbuka doesn’t profile as a flashy alpha WR1, but as an ultra-reliable secondary option out of the slot—similar to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, his former Ohio State teammate.

Egbuka is the best in this class at immediately denoting zone coverage and finding the open area. He’d fit in really well beside George Pickens.

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) – Walter Nolen | DL | Ole Miss

A former five-star recruit, Nolen is quick and country strong. What Nolen does best is get into the backfield—run or pass, you can count on him shedding quickly. The Chargers badly need an interior defensive lineman who can step into the starting lineup immediately.

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6) – Jahdae Barron | CB | Texas

The Packers have a glaring need at cornerback. CB Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine are free agents, and it’s unclear whether CB Jaire Alexander will be back.

Barron is a destructive secondary presence in a zone scheme—such as the one Green Bay plays. Texas moved Barron all over the place. Barron has extensive experience at boundary corner, in the slot, and in the box as a dime LB.

Barron is instinctive and active, deciphering offensive intentions immediately and springing into action. In coverage in 2024, Barron allowed no touchdowns and 272 yards on 65 targets with five interceptions.

24. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) – Kelvin Banks Jr. | OT | Texas

*Projected trade with Minnesota: Chiefs trade picks 1.31, 3.95, and 4.131 to the Vikings for pick 1.24.

Retaining OG Trey Smith via the franchise tag required Kansas City to trade OL Joe Thuney (to the Bears for a 2026 fourth-round pick). The Chiefs now need two new starters for the offensive line—one at guard, one at tackle.

With that in mind, and with Kelvin Banks Jr. falling down the board, the Chiefs spring into action with a trade up the board to stop his tumble.

There is a debate in the draft community currently about whether Banks is a guard or a tackle. The Chiefs can sort that out in camp. But Kansas City knows, with this pick, that they have plugged one big hole on an offensive line that needs the help.

25. Houston Texans (10-7) – Grey Zabel | OL | North Dakota State

The Texans’ interior offensive line crumbled in 2024. QB C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times in the regular season, and he took eight more in the playoff loss to the Chiefs. Multiple new starters are needed to patch the leaking.

Grey Zabel has moved onto the Round 1 line after a dominant Senior Bowl—which itself came off a nearly flawless 2024 season at NDSU. Zabel didn’t lose a single rep in one-on-ones in Mobile.

In Mobile, coaches played Zabel everywhere—at tackle, guard, and center. The 6-foot-6, 312-pounder was dominant at each spot, earning Practice Player of the Week honors from NFL executives. 

He would likely take over the Texans’ starting center gig immediately. But Zabel could also start at guard, another current sore spot for the Texans. Zabel’s presence in camp would give the Texans options with the configuration of the 2025 line.

26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) – Josh Conerly Jr. | OT | Oregon

A former five-star recruit, Connerly began his high school career as a running back. Play strength is a question, but Conerly is an extremely gifted pass-protector. Over 1,091 career pass-pro reps—nearly all of them at left tackle—he allowed only two sacks.

27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) – Josh Simmons | OT | Ohio State

The Ravens have always been comfortable taking draft-day discounts on injured prospects, and they do that again here. Simmons is coming off a season-ending knee injury suffered against Oregon in October.

Simmons allowed only one sack over 601 pass-blocking reps since the start of 2023. He’s a smooth mover with really good feet.

28. Detroit Lions (15-2) – Jalon Walker | EDGE/LB | Georgia

Marcus Davenport is leaving in free agency, Za’Darius Smith’s contract needs to be reworked if he is to stay, and Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Detroit needs more EDGE help.

Walker is a front-7 move-piece who will help you at both EDGE and LB. He has LB size at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds, but Walker has shown an exceptional prowess for getting after quarterbacks off the edge. He’s also proven to be an extremely effective quarterback spy, making dual-threat quarterbacks think twice before breaking containment.

In 2024, Georgia gave Walker more responsibility and maximized his versatility. Walker’s ability to be moved around to frustrate opposing offenses will appeal to Detroit’s staff.

29. Washington Commanders (12-5) – James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee

Pearce isn’t for everyone, in that he’s a light edge defender at 6-foot-5, 243 pounds. I think he’s being overly nitpicked. Pearce reminds me of Brian Burns. He is extremely disruptive, and you can send him from anywhere.

Washington badly needs an EDGE rusher. The Commanders would prefer a dual-threat EDGE who also defends the run. Pearce isn’t that, but you aren’t going to do better in the pass-rushing department at pick 1.29 than this.

30. Buffalo Bills (13-4) – Malaki Starks | S | Georgia

The Bills need help in the secondary. CB Rasul Douglas and S Damar Hamlin are both free agents. At safety, that leaves an uninspiring projected starting duo of Cole Bishop/Taylor Rapp with precious little depth behind them.

With those factors in mind, Malaki Starks falling to 1.30 would be a coup. Because of Starks’ mediocre measurables—6-foot-1, 197 pounds with a 5.49 RAS—he seems destined to drop, as Brian Branch did before him.

He’ll be a steal if he does. Starks is a high-IQ, high-impact move-piece. You can line him up all over the place – as a deep safety, as the nickel, or in-the-box.

31. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) – Derrick Harmon | DL | Oregon

*Projected trade with Kansas City: Vikings trade pick 1.24 to the Chiefs for picks 1.31, 3.95, and 4.131.

The Vikings need multiple new starters along the defensive line and at cornerback. The Vikings also desperately need a new starting RG, but my assumption is that need gets addressed in free agency.

Following the trade-down with the Chiefs—which would increase Minnesota’s total pick allotment to six—Harmon is the best available player at the Vikings’ bucket of needs.

The 6-foot-4, 313-pound Harmon made the Round 1 leap in 2024. He comfortably led all FBS interior defensive linemen in hurries with 39. Harmon has very good length, and he’s a strong athlete at his size, posting a 4.95 forty with a 1.74 10-yard split at the NFL Combine.

32. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) –  Tyler Booker | OG | Alabama

If OG Mekhi Becton is priced out of Philadelphia’s range in free agency, the Eagles will need a new starter to replace him in the lineup. In this scenario, the draft’s best pure guard, Booker, falls to Philadelphia.

Booker is a young powerhouse with an enormous wingspan for a guard. He tested poorly at the NFL Combine, and he’s confined to the interior—which could potentially lead to a drop in this range. But he’s ready to play immediately, and he also comes with a high ceiling.