The Lead’s 2025 NFL 1st Round Mock Draft

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham: DT Michigan

In his first year as a general manager, James Gladstone finds himself at the center of attention. The Jaguars could go a number of ways, but Graham provides huge upside at a glaring weak spot. In 2024, Jacksonville interior lineman only recorded four sacks. Graham has the power to dismantle offensive lines and generate enough push to easily eclipse that number on his own. As the draft’s top defensive lineman, Graham should be Gladstone’s preference.

– Nathan Shriberg

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Armand Membou: OT Missouri

Membou turned heads in March at the NFL scouting combine and has since rocketed into the top ten on many draft boards. He posted the highest athleticism score of any offensive tackle, giving him the ability to overcome his smaller frame. Membou is a plug-and-play starter in Las Vegas.

– Nathan Shriberg

7. New York Jets – Shedeur Sanders: QB Colorado

With the turmoil that Aaron Rodgers brought on the franchise, a reset at QB is necessary. Shedeur, while lacking some qualities top-QB prospects possess, brings some stability to New York. He can make multiple kinds of throws, has glimpses of good out-of-structure play, and has a high football IQ. He lacks size, but if the Jets structure their offense around that, in a similar manner to what the Buccaneers did for Baker Mayfield, he could really excel.

The key is not to place the offense all on Sanders’ shoulders. Colorado did it out of necessity, and sometimes it produced greatness (like against Baylor), but it often led to Sanders trying to athlete himself out of situations he just couldn’t. Garrett Wilson gives him a receiver who can win at all three levels, and if Breece Hall can produce a bounce-back season, the Jets could be on the right path in 2025.

– RJ Wagner

8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker: EDGE Georgia

The 2024 Panthers were all-time bad on the defensive side of the ball. How bad? The absolute worst defense in NFL history in regards to total points allowed. So, as much as fans would love for Carolina to select another weapon for Bryce Young — who had a hopeful ending to last season’s campaign — such as Tetairoa McMillan or even Ashton Jeanty, Walker just makes too much sense as an improvement for Carolina’s defensive unit.

– Joshua Balta

9. New Orleans Saints – Tyler Warren: TE Penn State

Although the Saints just re-signed TE Juwan Johnson to a $53 million deal, it’s imperative they get another proven pass catcher who can help their 2025 QB (whoever that may be) succeed behind a rather weak offensive line.

Juwan Johnson is a good backup, but is not worth the $53 million the Saints paid him. Tyler Warren is a well-rounded stud who will immediately bolster the passing game. Drafting a top TE is something the Saints have rarely done in their past, but now they have the chance to get one. Warren becomes particularly more valuable given the news and reports of uncertainty surrounding Tetairoa McMillan as a prospect.

– Tristan Perkins

10. Chicago Bears – Ashton Jeanty: RB Boise State

Ben Johnson’s arrival in Chicago came with the promise of offense, and nothing says offense like adding college football’s most dynamic rusher.

Jeanty had a season for the ages at Boise State, rushing for an FBS-high 2,601 yards. Only counting his yards after contact, he’d still be the country leader with 1,733. The Heisman runner-up would add the electrifying playmaking ability that has been sorely missed in Chicago, and he’d fit perfectly with Ben Johnson’s scheme and the Bears’ newly rebuilt offensive line.

– Nathan Shriberg

11. San Francisco 49ers – Kelvin Banks Jr.: OT Texas

For much of the past few years, Banks was often viewed as the top tackle in the 2025 class. Despite posting multiple All-American seasons at Texas, he’s continued to slide down draft boards. San Francisco was gutted in free agency, losing guard Aaron Banks and tackle Jaylon Moore. They’ll likely look to reload their offensive line early in the draft, and Banks presents an opportunity to land a high value starter on Day 1.

– Nathan Shriberg

12. Dallas Cowboys – Matthew Golden: WR Texas

The Cowboys are in dire need of a WR2, especially if they’re looking to retool and posture themselves for a competitive 2025 season. Apart from CeeDee Lamb, their receiver group is headlined by Jonathan Mingo and Jalen Tolbert, which doesn’t exactly strike fear into defenses. Golden has the versatility to play as a deep threat, Z receiver, or slot receiver to serve as a complement to Lamb. His positional versatility, ability to accelerate and decelerate well and quickly create separation results in a top-15 selection for Dallas.

– Omar Patel

13. Miami Dolphins – Josh Simmons: OT Ohio State

It’s another offseason where the Dolphins will have several different moving pieces in the trenches on offense. With Tua Tagovailoa still under center, presumably for the long-term, adding upside on the offensive line will always be a must. Josh Simmons brings experience, athleticism, versatility to move from tackle to guard and plenty of potential.

– Dominic Chiappone

14. Indianapolis Colts – Colston Loveland: TE Michigan

The Colts have a glaring need at TE. With Tyler Warren off the board, the clear next best option is Loveland. The Michigan product has been flying up draft boards in recent weeks. He excels after the catch and is a more than capable blocker. He’d instantly be the top TE in Indianapolis.

– Nathan Shriberg

15. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green: EDGE Marshall

Green inserted himself into the NFL draft scene with a monstrous 2024 season for the Thundering Herd. His 17 sacks led all of Division I. The Falcons are in need of an explosive pass rusher, and Green more than fits the bill.

– Nathan Shriberg

16. Arizona Cardinals – Jahdae Barron: CB Texas

The Cardinals let the draft come to them and take a strong corner prospect who will provide versatility and takeaways for a Cardinals defense in need of both.

– John Earley

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Omarion Hampton: RB North Carolina

RB’s will go early and RB’s will go often in this draft. Though defense is undoubtedly Cincy’s biggest issue, the Bengals choose to go for the best player available at this spot, unable to resist the temptation to grab the draft’s RB2 and add another dynamic element to a talent-laden offense craving consistency. Can a consistent run game assuage their early-season woes? Hampton gives them the opportunity to find out.

– Doug Slovenkay

18. Seattle Seahawks – Nick Emmanwori: S South Carolina

This pick will bring cries of outrage; however, the Seahawks have made it clear that they want to build around their defense, Head Coach Mike MacDonald’s biggest strength. With a bolstered defensive line and strong linebacker core, the only piece missing is MacDonald’s own personal Kyle Hamilton. Enter Emmanwori. As a rangy, hard-hitting linebacker/safety hybrid, he gives the Seahawks added juice to an already fearsome unit looking to establish itself among the upper echelon of NFL defenses.

– Augie Goldberg

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Will Johnson: CB Michigan

The Buccaneers already have an elite offense, so they’ll move to upgrade their defense in the first round by drafting one of the best corners in the country. There are some question marks about Johnson’s health, as he was limited to just six games last year due to a toe injury, but the 2023 first-team All-American’s upside is too good to pass up on.

– Henry Daley

20. Denver Broncos – Tetairoa McMillan: WR Arizona

McMillan may seem derivative of what Courtland Sutton already provides, but that is why it’s a great pick for Denver in this spot. A top receiver prospect to go opposite Courtland Sutton would give Denver a legitimate three-headed beast, now that Marvin Mims is coming along into his role. Furthermore, Sutton is nearing 30 years old, so McMillan will both lessen his burden and provide a succession plan at the same time.

Having two receivers who stretch the field, make tough catches, and who are elite in the middle of the field would do wonders for Bo Nix, who struggled the most over the deep-middle. The Broncos still desperately need a running back, but the 2025 RB class is deep, and grabbing a quality one in the second round is more than doable. Bo Nix thrived with Courtland Sutton, and vice versa. Why not add another version of him?

– RJ Wagner

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Luther Burden III: WR Missouri

Pairing an explosive weapon like Luther Burden III with outside threats like George Pickens and recently acquired DK Metcalf will set the Steelers up with one of the best receiving corps in the NFL.

The quarterback position remains a question mark in Pittsburgh, so building a strong supporting cast will be necessary, regardless of who is under center. Burden’s quickness and elite body control make him a true Day 1 wide receiver in the draft. His versatility will serve him well in Pittsburgh as he can fill the slot role while potentially moving to play Z receiver if Pickens finds a new home.

– Ezra Lombardi

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Walter Nolen: DT Ole Miss

The Chargers fortify their defensive line with a promising prospect in Nolen. The defensive tackle has uncommon explosiveness for his position, and his college production inspires confidence. As a senior in 2024, Nolen recorded 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in the SEC.

– John Earley

23. Green Bay Packers – Derrick Harmon: DT Oregon

As much as Packers fans still desperately want their long-awaited WR, adding another rookie to the room will just result in more short-term growing pains. As seen with troubles from Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Christian Watson, the Packers need an immediate contributor. Right now, another young WR doesn’t seem like the best use of draft capital. Instead, the Packers should pursue a veteran WR through trade and use the No. 23 overall pick to add a boost to their weak pass rush.

Derrick Harmon, the standout DT from Oregon, would help both the team’s pass rush and run defense. With questions around Devonte Wyatt’s fifth-year option, Harmon feels like a no-brainer.

– Patrick Simon

24. Minnesota Vikings – Malaki Starks: S Georgia

Starks offers the Vikings some versatility at safety, given the departure of Cam Bynum and knowing that Hall of Famer Harrison Smith is turning 36 this season. Starks provides size and youth to Minnesota’s safety room which currently lacks both. He may not dominate in one specific area, but his versatility makes him an ideal three-down safety built for today’s NFL. Starks is the only player in the FBS to play at least 1,500 snaps at safety and 500 snaps at slot cornerback over the past three seasons.

– Sabrina Hiller

25. Houston Texans – Josh Conerly Jr.: OT Oregon

It is no secret that the Texans need offensive linemen. Houston traded away their starting LT in Laremy Tunsil and plans to replace him with Tytus Howard, who has played RT for the Texans for over five years. Conerly, who played LT at Oregon, provides a perfect insurance plan at the key position. With talent everywhere else on the field, even if Conerly has to learn a new position, overloading offensive line talent is a sound idea for the Texans.

– Jethro Swain

26. Los Angeles Rams – Azareye’h Thomas: CB Florida State

The Rams have three cornerbacks whose contracts expire at the end of the 2025 season (Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick), which leaves them the perfect opportunity to draft a physically gifted corner that needs a bit of workshopping. At just 20 years old, and with only one year of starting experience, Thomas is a bit of a project, but he has the physical tools to become the Rams’ lockdown man corner in due time.

– Jethro Swain

27. Baltimore Ravens – Mykel Williams: EDGE Georgia

The Georgia product Williams is 6-foot-5, 267 pounds. That fits the traditional mold of what the Ravens look for when drafting a defensive player. He can offer Baltimore versatility edge-wise, since he’s long, lanky, and quick. When asked what position he plays, Williams answered “defender” because he can line up at edge, inside at defensive tackle, or even drop back in coverage like a linebacker.

– Sabrina Hiller

28. Detroit Lions – Josaiah Stewart: EDGE Michigan

Detroit and its fans are desperate for another pass rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. Josaiah Stewart made a name for himself quickly in college with 12.5 sacks his freshman year at Coastal Carolina. After transferring to Michigan, Stewart helped bring the team a National Championship. He was an essential and aggressive player for the Wolverines during his two years in Ann Arbor. Staying in-state, Stewart will fit perfectly in a role where he’s primarily tasked with pressuring the quarterback.

– Jackson Overholt

29. Washington Commanders – Donovan Ezeiruaku: EDGE Boston College

After losing the team’s sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency, General Manager Adam Peters will look to fill that void. Ezeiruaku finished last season with 16.5 sacks for Boston College – second most in the nation to Marshall’s Mike Green. Ezeiruaku is on the smaller side for an NFL edge rusher, standing at 6-foot-2, 247 pounds, but makes up for that with his long arms and agility. Head Coach Dan Quinn is familiar with developing premier pass rushers, most recently with Micah Parsons in Dallas – Ezeiruaku could be his next project.

– James Duncan

30. Buffalo Bills – Emeka Egbuka: WR Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka will add depth to a Buffalo receiver room that is starved of an elite first option. The Ohio State product has a fantastic catch radius and, given his experience, could command targets right away. Should Buffalo select him, they will have a good problem of having multiple versatile slot receivers. Egbuka is terrific at gaining the extra one or two yards after the catch.

– Mac Pham

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Shemar Stewart: EDGE Texas A&M

The Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss was decided in the trenches. Stewart’s underwhelming college production might scare away some teams, but the Chiefs have the luxury of taking on the risk. Stewart’s perfect 10.00 RAS stood out at the combine, but teams’ interest in him has waned since then. If he were to fall this far, Stewart’s upside would be too much to pass on for Kansas City.

– Nathan Shriberg

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Nic Scourton: EDGE Texas A&M

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has consistently emphasized building through the trenches in recent drafts. With the departures of key defensive linemen like Brandon Graham, Milton Williams and Haason Reddick in the past couple of years, it’s time for Philadelphia to retool the unit with high-leverage draft capital. The Eagles finished just 15th in sacks during the 2024 season, a number they would love to improve.

Nic Scourton brings an intriguing blend of speed and power off the edge, along with the size and flexibility to kick inside when needed. His versatility makes him an ideal fit for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, offering the Eagles another dynamic piece to rotate along their defensive line.

– TJ Mabardy