Draft day is here, and below is my final crack at how things might play out tonight… headlined by a blockbuster trade in the top five.
1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward will be heading to Tennessee unless the team came up with the most elaboration smokescreen in NFL history to force a Godfather offer when they’re on the clock. Filling out the roster with a strong draft around Ward is the key to instant success in the AFC South.
2. CLE: Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado
There has been trade rumblings over the past couple of days, but Hunter is the overwhelming favorite to be selected here—and the Browns sound primed to use him primarily as a wide receiver. Last season, Cleveland averaged an NFL-low 15.2 points per game, and maybe they’ll even be able to reunite Hunter with Shedeur Sanders later in Round 1.
3. NYG: Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
I don’t really believe anything that has come out about the Giants during the draft process, as one thing Joe Schoen has done well is avoid leaks. The thinking for Carter over a quarterback is simple: New York tried to trade up for Cam Ward and failed to acquire both Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers.
4. NE: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots did not fare very well in Eliot Wolf’s first draft at the helm with a heavy needs-based approach—but could tonight be more of the same? While this is not to say Campbell cannot be a franchise left tackle, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who believes he fits “best player available” with Ashton Jeanty and Jalon Walker available.
5. DEN (mock trade w/ JAX): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The first jaw-dropping move of the night, as Denver makes the bold trade up for a superstar runner in Jeanty to pair with Bo Nix. From the Jaguars’ perspective, a young general manager in James Gladstone might be eager to add draft picks for this year and 2026 as he reshapes the roster.
6. LV: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The connection for Membou to Las Vegas has picked up steam over the past couple of weeks, and he’s a top pass protector that the coaching staff might feel they can develop as a run blocker. Look for the backfield to be addressed on Day 2 with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly perhaps bringing Quinshon Judkins or TreVeyon Henderson with him from Ohio State.
7. NYJ: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
It sounds like the Jets want a guy that will help establish a new culture under Aaron Glenn—and Warren is a hard-nosed playmaker who would do just that. If they opt to go defense, Mason Graham and Jahdae Barron sound like top targets for New York.
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Walker being on the board is a dream scenario for Carolina, and he’d give the defense three building blocks along with Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn. I would assume any desire for general manager Dan Morgan to move down ends with Walker available.
9. NO: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
This is the second big surprise in the top 10, but buzz about Conerly is building—and the Saints might view him similarly to Terron Armstead (who was my comparison for the Oregon product). Tetairoa McMillan could also be the selection with Kellen Moore previously highlighting the importance of playmakers.
10. CHI: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Chicago has revamped the offensive line with input from Ben Johnson this offseason, and Banks could be the final piece to slide in on the blindside. A run on tackles shouldn’t be a surprise with the depth of the class not being strong—especially when you look at the money shelled out to the position in free agency.
11. SF: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s easy to imagine John Lynch being a huge fan of Graham, and the 49ers would count on him as an interior presence to help Nick Bosa on the edge. If San Francisco hits on the draft this year like they did in 2024 with Renardo Green and company, they could certainly return to the NFC’s elite.
12. DAL: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
I believe Matthew Golden is the better stylistic fit for Dallas as a speedster to complement CeeDee Lamb, but McMillan sounds like the target if available. Perhaps the idea would be to mix and match Lamb and McMillan in the slot and on the perimeter.
13. MIA: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Many might be disappointed with Miami drafting a safety with so many needs on the roster, but I’d argue that is precisely why they should take Starks—who is our No. 7 overall prospect and the best player available. If the Saints don’t take Josh Conerly Jr., he’d be the other option to watch here.
14. IND: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
I’m not quite as high on Loveland as many in the media, but the Colts have made it known they are seeking a tight end—and the former Michigan standout is ranked as a top-10 prospect on plenty of boards. At six-foot-six, Loveland would be a rangy target for Anthony Richardson and/or Daniel Jones.
15. ATL: Mykel Williams, LB, Georgia
The Falcons have passed on plenty of Georgia prospects in recent years (to the dismay of fans), and they’re also waiting for pass rushers to emerge. Williams won’t turn 21 until the end of July and at least has high-end potential as a run defender.
16. ARI: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Arizona has been extremely aggressive moving up and down the board under Monti Ossenfort—but this is a strange year where it’s difficult to find a clear prospect for teams with extra picks like the Bills and Eagles to move up for. Instead, the Cardinals stay put and take Simmons to be a long-term bookend with fellow Ohio State alum Paris Johnson Jr.
17. CIN: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nolen can probably go to any team in the 11-15 range, and he’d provide an interior presence to help Cincinnati close out games—ideally alongside Trey Hendrickson amid a contract dispute. Defense is fully expected to be the pick for the Bengals with their offensive core locked up.
18. SEA: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Offensive linemen flying off the board early could cause others to go earlier than expected—but Jackson is well worth selecting here after a tremendous career at Ohio State. In Seattle, Jackson would pair with left tackle Charles Cross to give the offense one of the best LT-LG duos in the league.
19. TB: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Medical concerns as Campbell recovers from a shoulder injury has his stock in flux, but Tampa Bay has a clear need at linebacker—and he can also boost the pass rush. I don’t see wide receiver being a strong possibility despite others signaling that could be the pick.
20. JAX (mock trade w/ DEN): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Jacksonville wants “intangibly rich” players in the building, and Egbuka fits the criteria as much as any prospect in the class. In terms of the fit in Liam Coen’s offense, Egbuka would be more of the intermediate, between-the-numbers option with Brian Thomas Jr. mostly doing damage on the perimeter.
21. PIT: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Not many would agree with Milroe being the second signal-caller off the board, but I get the feeling amidst all the smoke in recent weeks that Pittsburgh has been targeting him all along. Milroe could be the Steelers’ version of Lamar Jackson and has the downfield accuracy to connect with DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
22. LAC: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant was my choice for the 49ers in each of the first two mocks, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they opted for him with Mason Graham still on the board. If not, though, the Chargers might be able to get him at a home-run value—we have Grant as our No. 10 overall prospect.
23. GB: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002, so what better way to get the Green Bay fans fired up as the host city for the 2025 NFL Draft? Golden would bring the vertical element the team is lacking with Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL, but he’s more than a just a deep threat.
24. CLE (mock trade w/ MIN): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
I’m torn on which team between the Browns and Giants might trade up for Sanders, but Cleveland already taking Travis Hunter is the tiebreaker. The criticism of Sanders has gone completely overboard during the draft process, and he’s a natural fit in Kevin Stefanski’s system.
25. HOU: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Even for a team drafting this late and not knowing how the board will play out, offensive line almost feels like a lock for Houston (-400 odds). Booker has drawn comparisons to Will Anderson Jr. in terms of intangibles, and he’d help tie the group together as a rookie.
26. LAR: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Barron was mentioned already and could go much higher than this, but it’s somewhat similar to Brian Branch a couple of years ago in that his versatility could be used against him. A young secondary featuring Kamren Kinchens and Barron to match the pieces up front would be very exciting.
27. BAL: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Ravens have a hole on the defensive line with Michael Pierce retiring, and Harmon would slide in next to Nmandi Madubuike and Travis Jones while continuing to craft his game. Cornerback could be added later in a deep class, and T.J. Tampa could get a shot for a role in Year 2.
28. DET: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
“Character concerns” have been attached to Pearce throughout the draft process, and maybe that will lead to him falling out of Round 1. However, I don’t see anything on the field to be concerned about with Pearce showing he will take on blockers and set the edge for being more of a finesse rusher.
29. NYG (mock trade w/ WAS): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
The Giants might decide to wait until they’re on the clock at No. 34 overall to take a quarterback, but moving up for Dart could be necessary if he’s a target for New Orleans. For those who didn’t see, Joe Schoen’s son posted Dart highlights on his Instagram account yesterday—which is either a tell or an obvious smokescreen.
30. BUF: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
I love that the Bills brought back Tre’Davious White last week, and I believe he’ll be determined with a Super Bowl being on everyone’s mind in Buffalo. Still, Johnson is an ideal option in Sean McDermott’s zone-heavy scheme with plenty of safety help over the top, and depth could be needed in January if injuries hit.
31. KC: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Henderson meeting virtually with the Chiefs this week is interesting to say the least, and I’m sure Patrick Mahomes would sign off on having a top-tier pass protector in the backfield for at least the next four years. The trenches or cornerback could be options, too.
32. PHI: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
In my opinion, the nightmare scenario for the rest of the NFL doesn’t come to fruition here with Malaki Starks and James Pearce Jr. off the board—but Stewart obviously has a ton of upside in his own right. I could see Philadelphia viewing him as more of a 3-4 defensive end that could be molded into a force next to Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.