1. Los Angeles Rams (via TEN)
Cam Ward, QB Miami
Big Board Rank: 16
TRADE ALERT
The Giants seem enamored with QB Matt Stafford so in this exercise, the Rams give up their QB and pick #26 for the Giants #3 pick, then use that to trade for #1 with the Titans. If the Rams are truly set to move on from their Super Bowl-winning QB, they should have the stones to go get their replacement.
Cam Ward has somewhat separated himself as QB1 in this class (not in my eyes) and fits into this offense as a gunslinger. Will Ward be able to start from Day 1 and make an impact? Doubtful. But if there's one Head Coach in the league that could help him do it, it's Sean McVay.
2. Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter, Edge Penn State
Big Board Rank: 3
The recent news of Carter not performing in the combine won't change this pick for the Browns. In the midst of a possible Myles Garrett-trade, the Browns would need a replacement. Even if Garrett does stay, can you imagine these two paired together. Sheesh...
3. Tennessee Titans (via LAR)
Mason Graham, DT Michigan
Big Board Rank: 2
The Titans are staying with Will Levis in this exercise and take Mason Graham after getting another 3rd-rounder and a 1st next year. Pairing Graham with Jeff Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat is nuts and will stop AFC South RBs in their tracks.
4. New York Jets (via NE)
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
Big Board Rank: 9
TRADE ALERT
The Jets give up the exact same haul to the Patriots as the Titans got to get their QB, Shedeur Sanders. Sanders (in my eyes) is the better prospect and the definite "safer" option. Sanders has a very similar style to Jared Goff, who new HC Aaron Glenn has seen just how good he can be in the right system.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter, CB Colorado
Big Board Rank: 1
The Jaguars had patience and good luck and somehow... got Travis Hunter at #5. Hunter's status as a two-way player or even the #1 player in this class is debatable but his potential impact on the Jaguars isn't. Instantly becoming the best man corner on the team while being another role-player WR for Lawrence, big props to the Jaguars for staying put and getting a steal.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Big Board Rank: 6
The Raiders are the other side of the coin from the Jaguars at 6, with none of their top-5 prospects falling to them. Will Johnson is a pretty spectacular "consolation prize" who will be the Raiders CB1 and can do it all in the secondary. A perfect fit in Pete Carroll's defense, Will Johnson could easily start a new legion of boom... Don't pair him against a sorry-ass receiver.
7. New England Patriots (via NYJ)
Will Campbell, OT LSU
Big Board Rank: 7
The Patriots trade back from #4 and still get the prospect they wanted in the first place. Will Campbell will answer questions at the combine with his arm length whether he is a true Tackle or a Guard but either way, the Patriots will jump on the best O-lineman in the class.
8. Carolina Panthers
Mike Green, Edge Marshall
Big Board Rank: 10
The Panthers go with the best Defensive player at this pick and Mike Green made a case for the best Edge in the entire class at the Senior Bowl. A 17-sack season catapulted Green into the 1st round and the Panthers will assimilate him to hopefully be their next Brian Burns.
9. New Orleans Saints
Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
Big Board Rank: 5
The Saints finally hired Kellan Moore as their new HC, and the former Dallas and Philly OC will look to rebuild this offense quickly and Tet McMillan would be a fantastic start. Recent rumors have him dropping to the back-3rd of the first round and I don't see it, especially with the Saints being such a good marriage with a need for him. We'll see McMillan's agility at the combine and from there where he ends up "sliding to".
10. Chicago Bears
Tyler Booker, OG Alabama
Big Board Rank: 15
Best O-Lineman available. "No Matter What." (For all you Draft Day fans). The Bears need to protect Caleb Williams and specifically, upgrade the interior. Tyler Booker is the best IOL in the draft, (if you don't include Campbell) and serves as a "safer" option with similar upside to Kelvin Banks Jr.
11. Indianapolis Colts (via SF)
Malaki Starks, SAF Georgia
Big Board Rank: 8
TRADE ALERT
The Colts finally make a Draft Day trade-up for the first time in the Ballard-era to get a bluie-chip DB in Malaki Starks. Trading from #14 will cost them their #81 pick but fill a HUGE need the Colts haven't addressed in years. Starks is a do-it-all DB who plays best at Safety but can play NB very well and aggressively when Kenny Moore hangs up his cleats.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Nic Scourton, Edge Texas A&M
Big Board Rank: 12
For the first time this mock draft season I have mocked NOT-Ashton Jeanty to the Cowboys. This pick is contingent on Scourton having the Combine I expect him to; a VERY good one. Scourton was a Top-5 player before this season but struggled a bit after transferring to Texas A&M. Scourton's athleticism and especially his strength and burst should blow people out of the water and push him back to at least a Top-15 player.
13. Miami Dolphins
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT Texas
Big Board Rank: 18
The Dolphins have a few prospects to choose from here but settle with the large O-lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas. Another OL that can play OT or OG depending on his Combine measurements, Banks Jr. would start at OG his first year in Miami and can always be stashed as a possible Terron Armstead replacement in a few years.
14. San Francisco 49ers (via IND)
Luther Burden III
Big Board Rank: 14
Like the Patriots, the 49ers gain capitol from trading down and take the player they wanted anyway in Luther Burden III. A sure-handed and athletic WR who fits best in the slot, Burden and Pearsall can complete this offense next season if Deebo Samuel is moved on from.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Jalon Walker, LB Georgia
Big Board Rank: 22
Some will say Jalon Walker is a steal at 15 due to his pass rush potential but I'd have to say he's a better ILB than edge threat and that's why I have him at my #22 prospect. No matter for the Falcons who have both positions as a need, Walker could revolutionize the front-seven of this offense whether he does develop his edge rush or not.
16. Denver Broncos (via ARI)
Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
Big Board Rank: 4
TRADE ALERT
Sean Payton's Broncos were way better than expected last season and in this exercise, he trades a 3rd-rounder to give Bo Nix another weapon and make this offense more balanced. Ashton Jeanty behind the Broncos' O-line and with Payton's playcalling will be so dynamic and could really help Nix take another step in Year 2.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Jahdae Barron, CB Texas
Big Board Rank: 23
Another player and team connection that makes to much sense to me, Barron's ability to play Safety, Nickel or CB would be too tempting to the Bengals to pass on. Barron's not only versatile but super aggressive, being one of the nation's best ball hawks and better tacklers at the position last season. A much needed shot in the arm to the defense that overshadowed Burrow's career-year last season.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Warren, TE Penn State
Big Board Rank: 11
One of if not the most dynamic offensive weapons in this class finally strops his "slide" at #18 to the Seahawks. Warren is a former High Scool-QB now TE at 6'6" and 260 pounds who runs like a Wide Receiver. I'm not as high on him as others and that's why he falls a bit to Seattle's gushing arms but make no mistake, his potential as an NFL-Top-5 TE is very real in a few years.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mykel Williams, Edge Georgia
Big Board Rank: 24
With Warren off the board, the Buccaneers will have to wait to fill the need at pass catcher and instead take Mykel Williams to fill a need at OLB. Williams is very similar to Jalon Walker in the sense that a team is banking on upside-pass rush potential. Williams is a physical freak at 6'5" and 240 pounds with an 82" wingspan who is already great at stopping the run as an edge. If his pass rushing becomes better than average this could be serious edge threat in the future.
20. Arizona Cardinals (via DEN)
Walter Nolen, DT Ole Miss
Big Board Rank: 13
Yet ANOTHER team that trades down for more capitol and gets the guy they wanted, the Cardinals desperately need new bodies in their D-Line and get a physical freak in Walter Nolen. A former ESPN 300 #1 player and member of Bruce Feldman's Freak List, Nolen stands 6'3" and 310 pounds with agility, burst and strength that measure off the charts. A probably impressive combine may make this drop impossible but for this exercise... the Cardinals are laughing to the podium.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Shavon Revel Jr., CB ECU
Big Board Rank: 30
The Steelers SOMEHOW made the playoffs this year but have equally as tough of an offseason ahead of them with several key impending Free Agents. CB is a position they'll need to rebuild around Joey Porter Jr and adding a big and aggressive Shavon Revel does that. Revel missed last season with an ACL injury but he should be able to come back without missing a step.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Big Board Rank: 26
If Loveland makes it to #22, Harbaugh will most likely take him. Herbert needs more weapons and Loveland will give him a great slot option alongside McConkey on the outside. Not your average inline TE, (similar to Brock Bowers) Loveland will be the best midfield, safety net option Herbert has ever had.
23. Green Bay Packers
Shemar Stewart, DE Texas A&M
Big Board Rank: 31
Stewart is a tough and nasty D-lineman that can play the 3 or 5-tech for the Packers and should fill the hole Devonte Wyatt never could. A team that already ranked 8th in sacks last year will improve with Stewart and the third-year Luke Van Ness both stepping up into starting roles next year.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIN)
James Pearcce Jr., Edge Tennessee
Big Board Rank: 12
TRADE ALERT
Here we go again... The Eagles capitalize on an impressive defensive player falling in the first round by taking James Pearce Jr here at 24. The Eagles have showed they don't mind drafting a player with "character concerns" as JPJ has been rumored to have. Pearce Jr will step right into the Josh Sweat role, (and might even be better) while the Eagles only give up a 3rd and a 2026 4th to get him.
25. Houston Texans
Gray Zabel, OG North Dakota St.
Big Board Rank: 32
Like the Bears... Best O-Lineman available No Matter What. Zabel may not be as high on boards as Josh Simmons or Armand Membou are but he projects much better to IOL than either of them. Zabel was the best player regardless of position at the Senior Bowl and can play any interior position for the Texans who gave up 3+ sacks a game last season.
26. New York Giants (via LAR)
Armand Membou, OT Missouri
Big Board Rank: 27
The Giants pulled the trigger for Matt Stafford in this exercise and draft him protection at 26. Membou's placement in this O-line is curious but with all the problems they've had in the past few years it'd be better to get the player and find his role later. Evan Neal can get moved inside with Eluemenor and be flanked by Thomas and Membou. Pretty good protection for the 37-year old QB
27. Baltimore Ravens
Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
Big Board Rank: 20
Morrison may need time to recover form his hip injury and the Ravens have the personnel to let him do so. If Morrison can recover and play to his 2023 standards, he could end up being the best CB in this class No Joke.
28. Detroit Lions
Josh Simmons, OT Ohio State
Big Board Rank: 19
Simmons ACL injury will have him fall farther than his talent deserves but when healthy, could be a Top-3 OT in the class. A perfect stash option for the Lions who may move on from Taylor Decker soon.
29. Washington Commanders
Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Egbuka will immediately be WR2 in this offense and if players like Olamide Zaccheaus and Dynami Brown thrived last season, Egbuka could have OROY potential next year.
30. Buffalo Bills
Markus Golden, WR Texas
Big Board Rank: 33
Josh Allen carried this team on his back and came up just short in the AFC Championship again. Keon Coleman will continue to grow but adding Markus Golden could give Allen the dynamic weapon he must be desperate for.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa State
Big Board Rank: 41
The run on WRs continues with the Chiefs selecting the big Jayden Higgins. Higgins is 6'4" with great hands and showed better than average route-running at the Senior Bowl. A different kind of receiver than Mahomes is used to, Higgins could bring some much needed diversity to this pass game.
32. Minnesota Vikings (via PHI)
Derrick Harmon, DT Oregon
Big Board Rank: 28
After adding mid-round picks coming down from 24, the Vikings add Derrick Harmon; a do-it all DT with great size. Harmon's ability and talent is easily first-round worthy and may only be this low in the draft or on my board due to the excellent D-line class.
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Stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft
-Z.D.
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