The one and only SDS Mock: Predicting the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft

This is the year that we get every pick right. I can feel it.

Every year, Adam Spencer and I do a single Mock Draft. We don’t do Mock Draft 5.0 and pretend that we correctly guessed each pick even though we changed our minds several times. Nah. Instead, we have 1 Mock Draft that can make us look like geniuses. There is no alternative.

Last year, we correctly predicted the first 6 players that would come off the board. As for what happened after that, well, it was an unpredictable draft. We had some whiffs.

But that was last year. This year, it’s nothing but perfection.

(Note: Adam Spencer picked the odd-numbered teams and Connor O’Gara picked the even-numbered teams.)

1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, Miami (FL) QB

Yeah, I feel pretty good about this one. It seems like a lock that the Titans are going to pick the Miami QB here. Would I use the No. 1 overall pick on Ward? Probably not. Although, if I had just watched what Tennessee trotted out there at QB in 2024, maybe I’d reconsider. Either way, this is the pick here. Lock it in. (AS)

2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, Colorado WR/CB

Not even the Browns can mess this up. They take the electrifying, 2-way unicorn and figure out the non-Cam Ward quarterback options later in the NFL Draft. That’s what’ll be more intriguing for the Browns’ front office after an offseason in which they avoided losing Myles Garrett. Hunter will be an instant star in Cleveland. (CO)

3. New York Giants — Shedeur Sanders, Colorado QB

Our first real surprise of the draft comes at No. 3. If the Giants aren’t going to choose Sanders here, look for them to trade out of the pick. Sanders has the potential to be a solid NFL QB. He has a good arm and makes quick reads. It doesn’t seem like coach Brian Daboll and the front office really want to pick Sanders here, but the owners could override that. (AS)

4. New England Patriots — Will Campbell, LSU OT

After all the debate about arm length, the Patriots land the guy that everyone and their mother had mocked to them at the start of the pre-draft process. Campbell is an ideal fit for Mike Vrabel, and even if he’s not a Day-1 left tackle like he was in college at LSU, he’s at least a longtime anchor on that offensive line. (CO)

5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Abdul Carter, Penn State Edge

The Jaguars will be absolutely giddy if Abdul Carter falls to them at No. 5. He’s widely seen as 1 of the top 2 players (along with Travis Hunter) in terms of talent in this draft. The Jaguars need to improve at almost every spot on the football field. Carter is the smart pick here. (AS)

6. Las Vegas Raiders — Ashton Jeanty, Boise State RB

The second that the Jaguars end the pre-draft intrigue by not taking Jeanty, the Raiders sprint to the podium to take their guy. A pairing of the Heisman Trophy runner-up with Brock Bowers makes for a much more promising situation for the Raiders’ quarterback of the future … whoever that is. (CO)

7. New York Jets — Armand Membou, Mizzou OL

The Chicago Bears could never really block for Justin Fields. Now that he’s a Jet, New York needs to avoid making that same mistake. Many analysts have Membou ahead of Will Campbell on their big boards. The Jets are getting an absolute steal by snagging the Mizzou lineman here. (AS)

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8. Carolina Panthers — Jalon Walker, Georgia Edge

The Panthers badly missed Brian Burns last year after he was traded to the Giants, and they badly missed their first-round pick after it was involved in that lopsided trade to the Bears. Walker isn’t able to do all the things that Burns did from the jump, but in a draft that’s got plenty of NFL-ready edge-rushers, the Panthers go out and get the No. 2 player at the position. (CO)

9. New Orleans Saints — Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss QB

Ah, now things start to get interesting. Kellen Moore is the new head coach in New Orleans. He’s worked with guys like Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts in his NFL coordinator career. Dart fits the mold of those guys. This pick makes a lot of sense for both sides. (AS)

10. Chicago Bears — Tyler Warren, Penn State TE

A year after the Bears passed on Brock Bowers (twice), they vow to avoid letting a player of Warren’s caliber get past them. New coach Ben Johnson teases the idea of moving Warren around the offense and playing plenty of 12 personnel with incumbent tight end Cole Kmet. The Bears continue their 2-year rebuild of the offense by taking one of the top players in the class, regardless of position. (CO)

11. San Francisco 49ers — Mason Graham, Michigan DL

Much like Abdul Carter fell to the Jaguars at No. 5, the 49ers are elated to see Graham here at No. 11. The big Michigan defender has a long career ahead of him stuffing things up in the middle of the defensive line. The 49ers need to rebuild at a number of spots, so taking the top overall player remaining on the board is the smart move here. (AS)

12. Dallas Cowboys — Matthew Golden, Texas WR

The Cowboys watched the Eagles go all in on spending big for their top 2 receivers, and finally, they follow suit. Golden exploded onto the scene in the Lone Star State, and he took his game to a new level late in the season for College Football Playoff semifinalist Texas. Golden is the ideal complement for CeeDee Lamb and he immediately injects life into a Dallas offense that needs more playmakers. (CO)

13. Miami Dolphins — Will Johnson, Michigan CB

Johnson is a cornerback who plays the game downhill. He’s great at diagnosing plays as they’re unfolding. And while he’s not the fastest guy on the field, he is constantly in position to make plays. The Dolphins need some help in their secondary and they’ll get it with the top full-time defensive back on the board. (AS)

14. Indianapolis Colts — Mykel Williams, Georgia Edge

Colston Loveland may make a lot of sense for the Colts, who would like to make sure that whoever starts at quarterback isn’t lacking weapons. But Williams helps Indianapolis address the more imminent need as a versatile pass rusher. Instead of coming off the board at the end of the top 10, Williams slips into the middle of the round to pair with Laiatu Latu, who the Colts took as the first defensive player in last year’s draft. (CO)

15. Atlanta Falcons — Jihaad Campbell, Alabama LB

The Falcons are almost certainly going defense in Round 1. There’s just not much talent on that side of the ball in Atlanta. They can go a number of ways here, but I have them picking Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama to plug into the middle of the defense. (AS)

16. Arizona Cardinals — Jahdae Barron, Texas CB

For the first time since they took Patrick Peterson in 2011, the Cardinals go with a cornerback in the first round. Concerns about Barron’s size proved to be overblown after a stellar career at Texas ended with him winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the country. Barron gives the Cardinals a Day 1 starter in the defensive backfield. (CO)

17. Cincinnati Bengals — Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina S

The Bengals have their receivers locked up. They have a franchise QB in Joe Burrow. But the defense is a mess. That’s true at all levels, so the Bengals need reinforcements anywhere. They’ll start in the secondary on Thursday night, snagging Nick Emmanwori out of South Carolina — 1 of the top 2 safeties on the board. (AS)

18. Seattle Seahawks — Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona WR

Gone are the likes of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and in is Cooper Kupp, who’ll be 32 years old this season. McMillan gives the Seahawks a long-term option to work alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who took that all-important Year 2 step. While he isn’t considered to be as polished a prospect as last year’s group of top-end wideouts, McMillan’s skill set is too good to pass up on as a Metcalf replacement. (CO)

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Malaki Starks, Georgia S

The Bucs need a safety on the back end of the defense who can make plays down the field in space. Starks has shown time and time again during his Georgia career that he can make breathtaking plays in coverage. (AS)

20. Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, UNC RB

It wouldn’t surprise me if Sean Payton takes a swing on someone like TreVeyon Henderson in this spot. But after how much the Broncos’ pre-draft discussions centered around eventual-pick Bo Nix last year, I can’t help but wonder if the same thing will be true with Hampton after he’s been an overwhelmingly popular mock selection for Denver. (CO)

21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas OL

The Steelers will be disappointed not to see 1 of the top 3 QBs available in this spot. That could lead to some fireworks in Round 2 as Pittsburgh tries to trade up for Jalen Milroe. But no matter who the QB is in Week 1 (and I believe it will be current free agent Aaron Rodgers), the Steelers need to add blockers. Kelvin Banks Jr. becomes the third Texas player off the board and will get plenty of opportunities to succeed with Pittsburgh. (AS)

22. Los Angeles Chargers — Tyler Booker, Alabama OL

Jim Harbaugh pursuing a set-it-and-forget-it offensive lineman? How crazy would that be? Not at all. Booker will be a leader in that locker room from the moment he steps foot in it. Even though he’s an interior lineman and not deemed as valuable as 2024 selection Joe Alt, Booker checks every box for Harbaugh’s squad. (CO)

23. Green Bay Packers — Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M Edge

My Green Bay Packers need to put more pressure on opposing QBs. They’ll be thrilled to see Stewart here. Some have Stewart as a top-10 talent, but questions about his motor allow him to fall into the Packers’ lap at No. 23. (AS)

24. Minnesota Vikings — Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky CB

An aging Vikings secondary needs a young, ball-hawking corner like Hairston. A team that led the NFL in interceptions continues its push to add playmakers to Brian Flores’ defense. (CO)

25. Houston Texans — Josh Simmons, Ohio State OL

The Texans absolutely cannot afford to pass on an offensive lineman, especially if a guy like Simmons is here at this spot. Simmons was a key part of the Buckeyes’ offensive line that helped Ohio State win the national title in 2024. He’s a potential Day 1 starter protecting QB CJ Stroud. (AS)

26. Los Angeles Rams — Colston Loveland, Michigan TE

Loveland’s fall finally ends with the Rams scooping him up. It’s a pick that makes everyone say, “Why did everyone just allow Sean McVay to do this?” Loveland adds another passing-game threat to an offense that made a very win-now move by replacing Cooper Kupp with Davante Adams. The Rams get an offensive player in Round 1 for the first time since Jared Goff went No. 1 overall in 2016. (CO)

27. Baltimore Ravens — Derrick Harmon, Oregon DL

The Ravens need to build some quality depth along their defensive line in their 3-4 scheme. Harmon, at 6-5 and 330 pounds, can jam up the run game. He also recorded 5 sacks at Oregon last year, so he’ll collapse the pocket on pass plays, too. (AS)

28. Detroit Lions — Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon OL

As dominant as the Lions are on the offensive line, they need a versatile, long-term option with Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow both entering Year 10 in the NFL. Since 2016, the Lions have selected 3 offensive linemen in the first round, and all 3 are still starters. Conerly allows Dan Campbell to add another franchise cornerstone late in Round 1. (CO)

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

The offense is looking good for Washington under QB Jayden Daniels. Now it’s about giving the Commanders a defense that can help it compete for a title. Getting after opposing QBs is the name of the game these days. The Commanders will be very happy to snag Pearce here. He has some question marks, but his ability as a pass rusher isn’t one of them. (AS)

30. Buffalo Bills — Mike Green, Marshall Edge

The NFL Draft community is in disbelief that Green falls to the Bills. After he was projected as a mid-round option, the Marshall standout gets bypassed by edge-rush-needy teams in the latter half of the Round 1. The Bills are stunned that they don’t have to trade up for a prospect of Green’s caliber after he led the FBS in sacks. (CO)

31. Kansas City Chiefs — Luther Burden III, Mizzou WR

Luther Burden III has fallen out of Round 1 in many mock drafts, but the Chiefs are constantly looking to add weapons to the offense alongside star QB Patrick Mahomes. With Travis Kelce aging, the Chiefs choose to load up at receiver, adding LB3 to a mix that includes Rashee Rice and last year’s Round 1 pick, Xavier Worthy. (AS)

32. Philadelphia Eagles — Landon Jackson, Arkansas Edge

The Eagles have an immediate need at defensive end, and to the surprise of some, Jackson is the answer. He’d fit in extremely well alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, both of whom could help cover up some of Jackson’s shortcomings as an NFL-ready pass-rusher. He’s exceptional against the run and capable of making an already elite defense even better as an every-down player. (CO)