Tag: Talent

The Super Bowl is set! The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will square off in New Orleans … and pick last in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

If you’re not a fan of either team, you’re still in luck. Here’s how your squad can start making the climb to the big game.

Draft order via Tankathon. In this edition, Nate Tice makes the odd-numbered picks and Charles McDonald makes the even.

Previous mock drafts: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0

1. Tennessee Titans — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Titans said they want a “generational” talent at the top of the draft, though Cam Ward would still make sense if they decide to move on from Will Levis. There’s also the possibility of adding more firepower to their defensive front with Abdul Carter, or a trade (a long-term right tackle would sure be nice). Really whatever adventure the Titans choose makes sense at the top of a wide open class. Hunter is a dynamic talent at cornerback, with even more to tap into. He would bring starpower to Tennessee’s defense and help bolster the offense in a small role, too. — Nate Tice

2. Cleveland Browns — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The Browns are in a tough spot with Deshaun Watson’s contract looming large for the next few years, but they can at least give themselves an opportunity to move on at quarterback rather quickly with the selection of Ward. He’s a gunslinger and a player who will try to make the most of whatever the defense offers up — which ends up in mistakes sometimes. Still, he has the aggressive style to end up as a high quality NFL passer. — Charles McDonald

3. New York Giants — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Giants get their new QB of the future, and a player who is used to pressure, attention and bright lights. While this is a tad rich for where Sanders will end up on big boards, he’s tough, competitive, has plenty of arm strength to attack all areas of the field and can really drive on throws. QB desperation is a real thing, especially in New York.

4. New England Patriots — Will Campbell, OT, LSU

New England seemingly found its quarterback in Drake Maye, who was stellar as a rookie last season. Now, the Patriots need to find serious help on the offensive line in order to make sure he has the most help possible to see his career through. Campbell is a Day 1 starter at left tackle who will be a nice building block on New England’s mission to improve the offensive line.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

With QBs and Hunter going early, the Jaguars have talented players to select from. The Jaguars, and whatever general manager will be making this pick for them, go with the explosive Graham to add some interior disruption to their front. Jacksonville has holes at other places along the roster, but Graham is a talented player who played through injuries in 2025, and would turn the Jaguars’ front into one of the league’s better ones right away.

6. Las Vegas Raiders — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson is probably the best player available at this point in the draft, bringing potential shutdown cornerback skills to a defense that desperately needs big-time talent on the outside.

7. New York Jets — Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

This would be quite the get for the Jets at No. 7. Carter has upside as a true pass rushing ace who would inject the venom back into what has been a deep unit in recent years. Carter has an explosive get-off and the bend to turn the corner on tackles. He’s still inconsistent playing the run, which means you won’t see many Carter-Will McDonald pairings on early downs, but he would keep the cupboard full of pass rushing options for Aaron Glenn and new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

8. Carolina Panthers — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Carolina got some quality play out of Bryce Young toward the end of the season and now need to keep building out the core. McMillan can be a tremendous No. 1 receiver for Young to grow with and would immediately create quality depth with young players like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.

9. New Orleans Saints—Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Chase Young and Payton Turner are free agents, and Cameron Jordan is on the back nine of his career. Williams’ length and tools give him one of the highest upsides of any player in this draft class. He still needs time to tap into that upside, but there were strong glimpses and stretches this season after Williams returned from an ankle injury. On a Saints franchise without a head coach and with holes and decisions to make at essentially every position, Williams will almost certainly get the playing time to hone his talent.

10. Chicago Bears — Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Bears need offensive line help outside of right tackle, so here’s a running mate for Darnell Wright. Simmons has a chance to be a riser during the draft process considering his skills, athleticism and upside.

11. San Francisco 49ers — Armand Membou, OG/OT, Missouri

Whether it’s a new right tackle, interior help or a Trent Williams succession plan, the 49ers’ offense could use an injection of beef. Membou is a good athlete who played tackle this past year at Missouri, but could kick inside at the next level. He has long arms that can bring some pop with his blocks. Kyle Shanahan likes to ask his linemen to move and be in space, and Membou would fit in nicely somewhere.

12. Dallas Cowboys — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Something flashy for America’s Team. Jeanty isn’t necessarily the most important player the Cowboys need coming into the draft, but he would be a great fit for their offense and most importantly, sell jerseys.

13. Miami Dolphins— Kelvin Banks, OG/OT, Texas

Banks has been the left tackle for Texas the past several years but I think his NFL future will be best kicking inside to guard. Banks is squarely built, strong and explosive. The Dolphins have multiple guards about to hit free agency and are currently without a returning starter at either spot. Banks can fit many types of offensive attacks as a guard, and would nicely fill the huge hole on Miami’s offensive line.

14. Indianapolis Colts — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Colts seem to be sticking with Anthony Richardson for another year, so here’s a dynamic athlete at tight end to make his life a little easier. For his size (6-foot-6, 261 pounds), Warren is one of the most impressive athletes in the country and will open up the playbook for Colts head coach Shane Steichen.

15. Atlanta Falcons — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Grant is a monster in the middle whose best football is in front of him. He has excellent size (6-3, 340 pounds) and is very good against the run, but isn’t just a plugger. While the Falcons desperately need pass rushers (as has been the case for over a decade), Grant is an easy mover who can be disruptive. He needs work harnessing his tools.

16. Arizona Cardinals — Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia

Walker is the perfect player for how the Cardinals have liked playing defense. He’s an amoeba-like defender who can play a whole bunch of roles and excels as a blitzer moving fast downhill. Walker may not be a classic edge, but that’s a good fit for Arizona.

17. Cincinnati Bengals — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Bengals need to address their leakiness against the run this offseason, and that begins up the spine of their defense. Nolen is another athletic defensive tackle in this class who is especially disruptive on twists and games. He still has to harness his ability to impact plays more consistently, but he can create edginess and explosive plays for a defense that desperately needs it.

18. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama

Klint Kubiak’s scheme is going to run the damn ball and Seattle’s offensive line didn’t necessarily make that the easiest task this season. Booker would be an immediate starter along the line for a group that desperately needs talent.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

This has been one of my favorite pairings on these mock drafts. General manager Jason Licht does a great job of addressing current and soon-to-be holes at positions. Lavonte David is a franchise legend, but inside linebacker is looking like one of those positions in Tampa Bay. Campbell has excellent size (6-3, 244 pounds) with real two-way potential. He can get downhill in the run game, but is fluid enough to turn and run in coverage. His experience as a blitzer will also translate nicely in Todd Bowles’ defense.

20. Denver Broncos — Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

The Broncos’ defense is close to being the elite, all-round unit they wanted to be in 2024, but they just need some more help along the defensive line. Stewart has upside through the roof, but is still a little rough around the edges.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Outside of a long-term answer at QB, the Steelers desperately need another pass catcher to pair with George Pickens. Egbuka is a coach’s dream of a player: He is good at essentially every aspect of playing the receiver position, plays hard and is an excellent blocker. While the Steelers have shied away from taking receivers in the first round, Egbuka feels like a Steelers receiver with his ability to play inside and out, along with his toughness that would fit perfectly in Arthur Smith’s offense.

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Shavon Revel Jr., CB, ECU

The Chargers’ defense needs a blue-chip player at cornerback and there might not be a better option at this point than Revel. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but he has the prototypical size (6-3, 193 pounds) and speed to grow into a No. 1 cornerback.

23. Green Bay Packers — Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

With center Josh Myers hitting free agency, the Packers could be doing some shuffling along their offensive line, which could have them looking to adding to their line room again early in the draft. Conerly improved rapidly as the season went along, especially with his strength and ability to anchor as well as using his hands more consistently. Conerly has the length and athleticism to stay out at either tackle spot, and could give the Packers another option with pedigree to get their “best five” out there.

24. Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota Vikings) — Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Trade! The Bills jump up to get Burden, who may be a steal at this point in the draft. The Bills could use another wide receiver to make life easier for Josh Allen and they get another quality target here.

25. Houston Texans — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Texans absolutely, desperately need offensive line help. But they have invested heavily already into the position and I think stronger coaching at that position will help them get better performances in the near future. I instead address the Texans’ pass-catching group that looks more depleted after Tank Dell’s gruesome injury and Stefon Diggs’ upcoming free agency. Dalton Schultz is as solid as they come at tight end, but Loveland is even more dynamic as a pass catcher, with the ability to split out that could make for some fun synergy with star Nico Collins in a fun 1-2 punch for C.J. Stroud.

26. Los Angeles Rams — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden has been a late riser over the past few months as he had a big hand in Texas’ playoff run in January. He’s got big-play ability downfield and could be a nice complement for Puka Nacua for the long haul.

27. Baltimore Ravens — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Another safety falling to the Ravens? Starks is a versatile back-end player who would give Baltimore even more flexibility in its defensive back room. The Ravens love to rotate their players after the snap, and Starks’ ability to line up deep or in the slot would give the coaches another option to move their players around.

28. Detroit Lions — Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush. Green is a quality defender off the edge and has the makings of one of those small-school players who ends up in a great spot. Detroit needs juice along the defensive line and Green joining a healthy line would give the Lions a hellacious front.

29. Washington Commanders — James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

The Commanders’ front seven was essentially built out of their talented defensive tackles and a bunch of other guns for hire. Pearce’s pass rush-first style will actually fit well with Dan Quinn’s 120-mph-at-all-times style. He still needs to work on his consistency in impacting the game.

30. Minnesota Vikings (via Buffalo Bills) — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Vikings had a great defense without many great players, particularly along the interior of the defensive line. Harmon gives Minnesota a chance to find that impact defensive tackle.

31. Philadelphia Eagles — Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

The Eagles’ offensive line factory keeps on churning. Ersery has dozens of starts under his belt at left tackle, but could be an eventual successor to Lane Johnson on the right side. Mekhi Becton has been a fun rental and project for Jeff Stoutland, but Ersery could even fill that spot if Johnson wants to hold off on his retirement for a bit longer.

32. Kansas City Chiefs — Marcus Mbow, OT/OG, Purdue

Kansas City is starting a Caliendo in the Super Bowl and it might as well be Frank. They need to spam picks along the offensive line — especially with the potential (likely?) departure of guard Trey Smith in free agency.