Jack Brentnall's 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
By Jack Brentnall
The 2025 NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away, so we are firmly in mock draft season.
For months, I’ve been busy scouting prospects and pulling together The Touchdown’s 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
At this point you will have seen countless projections attempting to decipher the intentions of all 32 NFL front offices. But this isn’t one of those.
Now, with the draft on the horizon, it’s time to put that scouting into practice. This mock draft offers a glimpse into my personal philosophy of team building. These aren’t the picks I think will happen, but rather a reflection of what I would do if I were handed the keys to all 32 franchises.
For a complete understanding of the player analysis underpinning these selections, you can get yourself a copy of The Touchdown’s 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
1. Tennessee TItans
Travis Hunter - CB/WR, Colorado
I understand the clamour to take a quarterback, but I’m not passing on a prospect like Hunter to force a need. For me, he is comfortably the best player in this year’s class with a two-way skillset that is genuinely worthy of the “generational” tag.
2. Cleveland Browns
Abdul Carter - EDGE, Penn State
Just like with the Titans at No.1, I don’t think it is a wise move to force a need at quarterback with a player like Carter staring you in the face. The prospect of pairing him with Myles Garrett is tantalising and you can always still address quarterback on day two if you want to.
3. New York Giants
Cam Ward - QB, Miami
To be clear, I don’t think Ward is a top three player in the class. He’s not even in my top 10. That said, with Hunter and Carter gone, the blue chip cupboard at premium positions is bare. The Giants front office are undeniably on the hot seat heading into 2025. I have no idea if Ward can save their jobs, but I’m sure that Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston cannot.
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell - OT, LSU
Drake Maye was pressured on 37.4% of his dropbacks as a rookie. That number needs to come down if New England is to take the next step in 2025. Opinion is split on whether Campbell is a tackle or a guard in the NFL – I prefer him inside – but wherever he lines up will be a major value add for New England.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Will Johnson - CB, Michigan
I seriously considered Ashton Jeanty at this spot but it is impossible to overlook the fact that this Jaguars defense ranked 32nd in dropback EPA allowed last season. Johnson might be slipping down some people’s boards at this point, but as far as I am concerned he is more than worthy of the No. 5 pick.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty - RB, Boise State
The hiring of a 73-year old Pete Carroll and trade for Geno Smith tells you that the Raiders want to win now. Getting a guy like Jeanty is a great way to do that. He is the kind of back that you can build your offensive identity around.
7. New York Jets
Armand Membou - OT, Missouri
Membou isn’t my top ranked tackle, but his experience at right tackle makes him a really easy choice here. He is a clear upgrade on Carter Warren and alongside Olu Fashanu gives the team a pair of young bookend tackles for years to come.
8. Carolina Panthers
Shemar Stewart - EDGE, Texas A&M
Stewart might not be the most refined prospect, but he’s better than some are giving him credit for. He is a truly exceptional blend of size and speed and has the ability to work from a range of alignments. I’d trust a coach like Ejiro Evero to get the most out of him.
9. New Orleans Saints
Luther Burden - WR, Missouri
If I’m the Saints I’m looking for franchise building blocks whilst I ride out a slow burn rebuild. This is a team in desperate need of pass catchers, particularly with Chris Olave’s health concerns. Burden is a dynamic YAC threat who can create something out of nothing.
10. Chicago Bears
Malaki Starks - S, Georgia
Starks feels like the perfect pairing with Jaquan Brisker. He’s an alignment-versatile athlete who is as comfortable playing deep as he is kicking down into the slot. His blend of football intelligence, ball skills, and run defense ability make him worthy of such a premium pick.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Josh Simmons - OT, Ohio State
This is the 49ers’ long term successor to Trent Williams. Williams is still playing at a high level, but he turns 37 before the season and he can’t sustain his current level of play indefinitely. Simmons is my top tackle in the class, with a special blend of athleticism and play strength.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Booker - IOL, Alabama
With Zack Martin gone, the Cowboys need offensive line help. Their new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams comes over from Arizona, whose offense was centered around a gap scheme run game. That’s a perfect fit for a mauler like Booker.
13.Miami Dolphins
Nick Emmanwori - S, South Carolina
Safety was a clear weakness for the Dolphins last season. With new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver arriving from Baltimore, it makes sense to target a player with a similar skillset to Kyle Hamilton. Emmanwori isn’t quite the same calibre of prospect, but they both offer size, quickness, and alignment versatility that defensive coaches love.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Colston Loveland - TE, Michigan
This is a make or break year for the Colts and Anthony Richardson. If things are going to improve, then the front office needs to surround their quarterback with more weaponry. What could be better than a super-athletic, big-bodied tight end with a huge catch radius?
15. Atlanta Falcons
Jihaad Campbell - LB, Alabama
It is a familiar refrain, but the Falcons need help at linebacker and pass rusher. Campbell offers the kind of versatile front seven presence who contribute in both areas. While the edge rusher market in the second round is promising, finding a linebacker with Campbell’s skillset outside the top 15-20 picks is highly unlikely.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
TRADE! The Chargers send #22, #125 and a 2026 4th round pick to the Cardinals for #16
Tyler Warren - TE, Penn State
There are a number of positions the Chargers can consider here but adding another pass catching weapon alongside Ladd McConkey would be smart and a player like Warren is worth trading up for. He is a moveable offensive weapon who can add value in a multitude of ways.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Walter Nolen - IDL, Ole Miss
It is pretty apparent that this Bengals defense needs reinforcement, especially along the interior of their defensive line. Nolen is my top defensive tackle in this class and he would give them some much-needed pass rushing juice.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Bradyn Swinson - EDGE, LSU
This feels like a trenches pick. I’d be tempted with taking a guard at this spot, but there isn’t one that I like more than Swinson. He’s a player I’m higher on than most but his combination of explosiveness, power, and motor make him well worth a first round pick.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jalon Walker - EDGE, Georgia
Some may view him as a linebacker, but for me, Walker is an edge rusher in the NFL. He isn’t actually my top edge left on the board (that would be his teammate Mykel Williams) but the fit that he offers with Todd Bowles’ defense is too good to pass up. He is the sort of athlete you can use across the front seven on passing downs.
20. Denver Broncos
Tetairoa McMillan - WR, Arizona
Devaughn Vele had a really nice rookie season in the slot last year, but that isn’t going to keep me from drafting McMillan. He might be getting talked up as a prototypical X receiver but I think he has real potential as a power slot in the NFL where he can make the most of his sure hands and YAC ability.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Azareye'h Thomas - CB, Florida State
A couple of years ago the Steelers used the No. 32 pick on a long and physical cornerback in Joey Porter Jr. They can draft his running mate at this spot in Thomas, who is the smoothest press coverage technician in this class.
22. Arizona Cardinals
Jahdae Barron - CB, Texas
For most teams Barron projects as a nickel, but the Cardinals have Garrett Williams there. Instead, I think Barron can thrive in a boundary role in Jonathan Gannon’s zone-heavy scheme, much like he did at Texas.
23. Green Bay Packers
Mykel Williams - EDGE, Georgia
The Packers need to invest in their front seven and find themselves another player that can crush the pocket and get after the quarterback. Williams is a big and physical edge with a true three-down skillset that should fit nicely into Jeff Hafley’s defense.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Mason Graham - IDL, Michigan
Some will be surprised to see Graham go this late. He’s definitely going to go much earlier in reality, but I think this is a fairer reflection of his value. He is a good interior pass rusher who would provide a boost to the Vikings’ front as a rookie. Graham spoke at the Combine of his admiration of Javon Hargrave and in this scenario he gets to develop behind him as a rookie.
25. Houston Texans
Josh Conerly - OT, Oregon
If I were the Texans I would be sprinting this card up to the podium. The need for investment in their offensive line was readily apparent, even before the departure of Laremy Tunsil. If CJ Stroud is to survive they need to protect him and Conerly will do just that.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Jacob Parrish - CB, Kansas State
Parrish isn’t a name you will see in many first round mock drafts but I think he warrants this sort of pick. He is a talented athlete with smooth hips and quick twitch. His talent as a run defender and tackler would help him to earn the starting nickel role early in his career.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Donovan Ezeiruaku - EDGE, Boston College
The Ravens have some solid edge rushers on their roster, but getting that alpha pass rushing threat would really help to elevate their defense. Ezeiruaku is a long-armed and flexible rusher with a deep arsenal of pass rushing moves at his disposal.
28. Detroit Lions
Kelvin Banks - OT, Texas
I don’t love the other pass rushers left on the board at this spot so I think this is a case of taking the best player available. Banks played tackle at Texas but can be an immediate contributor on the interior as a guard. He also has the potential to be the long-term successor to Taylor Decker at left tackle.
29. Washington Commanders
Xavier Watts - S, Notre Dame
It makes sense for Washington to bolster their defense with a premium pick, and Watts would be a day one starter for them. A former wide receiver with elite ball production (13 picks in two seasons), he would step in and be their free safety. That would allow Quan Martin to kick down to the slot, which is where he spent most of his college career.
30. Buffalo Bills
Derrick Harmon - IDL, Oregon
This is one of those ‘eat your vegetables’ type picks. It might not be sexy, but the Bills clearly need to beef up the interior of their defensive line if they are to compete in the postseason. Harmon gives them a very dependable run defender with some pass rushing upside too.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
TreVeyon Henderson - RB, Ohio State
This feels like it should be an offensive lineman, but there isn’t one I like at this spot and I am not going to force a need. I don’t think anyone would be willing to trade up either. With that in mind, I’d take what might be the most entertaining fit of this first round and give Patrick Mahomes the explosive rushing threat this team needs.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Emeka Egbuka - WR, Ohio State
This is the annual “How did Howie Roseman do it again” pick. Egbuka is an incredibly reliable pass catcher with outstanding route running chops and reliable hands. The Eagles are clearly keen to add another option into their passing attack and I love the idea of building on a strength and making this offense even more terrifying.
Jack Brentnall
Head of NFL Draft Content
Previously the founder of The Jet Sweep, Jack joined The Touchdown as head of Draft Content in 2024. A Scouting Academy alumnus, Jack has been Covering the NFL Draft since 2020. Follow him on Twitter @Jack_Brentnall.