Jack Pine's 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Published: Friday, March 14, 2025

by Jack Pine

Free agency is underway, and several impact players are finding new homes. With that in mind, here’s a look at how draft night might unfold.

1. Titans select Abdul Carter, ED – Penn State

Despite concerns about his foot, Carter remains the most disruptive defensive player in the draft and is expected to make an immediate impact in Nashville.

2. Browns select Travis Hunter, WR/CB – Colorado

Cleveland has other needs, especially at quarterback, but the value of the draft slot doesn’t match the talent of any signal-callers on the board. The Browns instead opt to take the dynamic Heisman Trophy winner with superstar potential.

3. Giants select Cam Ward, QB – Miami

Despite the lack of talent in this year’s quarterback class, Ward has still separated himself as the top passer. While his individual talent may not warrant a pick this high, the Giants aren’t likely to get cute with this one like they did with a certain franchise player last offseason.

4. Patriots select Will Campbell, OT – LSU

New England might have been able to land Campbell later in the draft, but like last year, the team didn’t get cute and took its blindside tackle of the future. Campbell has shorter-than-average arms, but he’s blocked first-round talent for three seasons.

5. Jaguars select Jahdae Barron, DB – Texas

Jacksonville ranked last in pass defense last season, so this move was necessary. Barron is an elite athlete and tackler who projects as a consistent playmaker. He joins additions Eric Murray and Jourdan Lewis as the team looks to rebuild its secondary.

6. Raiders select Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State

Say what you want about taking a running back this high, but Jeanty is one of the best prospects at the position since Adrian Peterson. He has the potential to be a three-down back in the pros if he can protect the ball and improve his route running out of the backfield.

7. Jets select Mason Graham, DT – Michigan

Graham’s brief slide ends as he falls to New York. His ability to disrupt and take over the line should make an immediate impact on a team that struggled against the run and with tackling overall.

8. Panthers select Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State

Carolina addressed several defensive needs to start free agency, making Warren the primary offensive addition. Coach Dave Canales has committed to Bryce Young as the 2025 starter, so this move provides a major sigh of relief for Young, who now has a new safety valve.

9. Saints select Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Arizona

McMillan’s selection speaks volumes about the health of New Orleans’ receiving corps. He isn’t especially explosive in his route running, but his innate ability to create separation should pay dividends early in the Big Easy.

10. Bears select Jalon Walker, LB – Georgia

The first Bulldog off the board is the do-it-all linebacker who will anchor Chicago’s second level and round out the defense. A week or two ago, this pick likely would have been an offensive tackle, but the Bears solidified their line with the additions of Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson.

11. 49ers select Armand Membou, OT – Missouri

Membou has been one of the fastest risers leading up to the draft, showcasing his athleticism with an impressive performance at the combine. San Francisco should start him on the right side immediately, with the plan to eventually move him to the left when Trent Williams retires.

12. Cowboys select Mykel Williams, ED – Georgia

After losing franchise icon DeMarcus Lawrence, the Cowboys quickly found his replacement, taking a page out of the Eagles’ playbook with this selection. Williams’ long arms and creative pass-rush moves should make him an immediate success in Dallas.

13. Dolphins select Kenneth Grant, DT – Michigan

Grant is a strong example of the modern-day nose tackle, combining power and quickness that's rare in the middle of the line. He’ll need to be more consistent with his motor at the next level, but that’s something pro coaching can fix.

14. Colts select Colston Loveland, TE – Michigan

Back-to-back Wolverines come off the board as Loveland lands in Indianapolis. This addition will be welcomed by whoever is under center next season, but taking a tight end this high suggests the Colts want to give it another shot with Anthony Richardson.

15. Falcons select James Pearce Jr., ED – Tennessee

I still believe the Falcons will do the unthinkable and finally address a position of need. Pearce is lean and long but shows off his strength with a powerful bull rush. He has plenty of raw athleticism and is still one of the more well-rounded edge rushers projected to go in the first round.

16. Cardinals select Jihaad Campbell, LB – Alabama

Arizona lands an anchor for its second level, taking the first Tide player off the board. Campbell is a sideline-to-sideline athlete who could transform a defense that struggled with tackling last season.

17. Bengals select Emeka Egbuka, WR – Ohio State

The Bengals can only use the franchise tag as a cheat code for so long. Tee Higgins isn't a lock for 2025, and things could go downhill by draft night. Egbuka is a versatile receiver with a strong motor who would complement Ja'Marr Chase well.

18. Seahawks select Luther Burden III, WR – Missouri

The departures of Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett have sent fans into an offseason funk, but they now have someone to look forward to. Seattle could have traded up to ensure they got a receiver, but Burden fell right into their lap and will line up alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

19. Buccaneers select Will Johnson, CB – Michigan

Not long ago, Johnson was considered a potential top-10 pick, but he slides to Tampa Bay here. He is best utilized in off coverage and has elite potential in zone schemes, making him a strong candidate to line up opposite Jamel Dean.

20. Broncos select Omarion Hampton, RB – North Carolina

After Saquon Barkley’s dominant debut season with Philadelphia, two running backs come off the board in the first 20 picks. Denver could also use a tight end, but this addition to the backfield will keep defenses guessing.

21. Steelers select Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado

This one’s really funny to me: DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Shedeur Sanders in one locker room—led by Mike Tomlin—could produce levels of toxicity the Killer B’s could only dream of. Jokes aside, Pittsburgh is ready to win but needs stability at the quarterback position.

22. Chargers select Mike Green, ED – Marshall

Joey Bosa’s surprising departure has left a major hole in the Chargers’ pass rush, so this one seems like a no-brainer. Green, at the very least, will be a great run defender and solid pass rusher. He has quick hands, which allow him to excel with a dip and rip technique off the edge.

23. Packers select Darius Alexander, DT – Toledo

Devonte Wyatt and Kenny Clark struggled against the run last season, which is where Alexander comes in. He graded out as an elite run defender but still needs to anticipate the snap better and maintain his leverage to succeed at the next level.

24. Vikings select TreVeyon Henderson, RB – Ohio State

Aaron Jones may have just signed a two-year extension, but with J.J. McCarthy likely taking over at quarterback, the run game will probably be the focal point of the offense—making a dual-threat backfield a valuable weapon. Henderson is a three-down back with burst and elite pass protection skills who could take over fully once Jones’ deal expires.

25. Texans select Matthew Golden, WR – Texas

Golden’s hometown team is searching for reinforcements following Tank Dell’s injury and Stefon Diggs’ departure. Golden may be the best Y.A.C. receiver in the class, and pairing him with a true No. 1 option like Nico Collins could make this offense nearly unstoppable.

26. Rams select Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas

With Joe Noteboom likely to join a new team soon, the Rams move on and grab a great value pick in this spot. Like Will Campbell, Banks lacks the typical length of a tackle but makes up for it with quick feet and physicality.

27. Ravens select Tyler Booker, OG – Alabama

Having Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry should lead to strong results on the ground, but Baltimore’s run-blocking grade last season was surprisingly average. Booker’s arm length and impressive power could make him a versatile player for the Ravens if developed properly.

28. Lions select Shemar Stewart, ED – Texas A&M

Josh Paschal is in the final year of his contract and hasn’t produced like a starting defensive end. Stewart has a large frame but is surprisingly athletic. The main concern is his lack of production, but his ability to disrupt the pocket and play inside should earn him a Day 1 selection.

29. Commanders select Maxwell Hairston, CB – Kentucky

Despite retaining Marshon Lattimore and adding Jonathan Jones, the secondary still lacks depth. Hairston is polished in coverage but must improve in certain areas—particularly his hand usage downfield—before he can be trusted to cover top-tier receivers.

30. Bills select Trey Amos, CB – Ole Miss

Buffalo needs help in the secondary after trading away Kaiir Elam. This may seem like a reach, but Amos’ speed at the combine boosts him to this spot. He has plenty of upside, with strong instincts and ball skills in coverage.

31. Chiefs select Josh Simmons, OT – Ohio State

Kansas City addressed the offensive line, but it’s still far from complete. Jaylen Moore is on a two-year deal, and Jawaan Taylor continues to struggle — though his contract can be dumped after 2025. In the meantime, Simmons can play guard and get acclimated.

32. Eagles select Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss

Milton Williams and Josh Sweat both secured big contracts elsewhere, leaving Philadelphia with holes to fill along the front four. Nolen has explosive play potential, but he needs to improve on the little things. With Vic Fangio’s coaching, he has a strong chance to shine.

Jack Pine is an Assistant Sports Director/Sports Web Editor at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu. 

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