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2025 NFL mock draft with trades: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
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- 2025 NFL mock draft with trades: Expert predictions following major moves in free agency
The countdown to the 2025 NFL draft is in full swing as the selection process begins in less than a month from Green Bay .
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is building momentum for his case to be the No. 1 overall pick. The Tennessee Titans , who own the top selection, are high on the Miami product. Where will Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter land? Are Colorado teammates Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders destined to be top-five picks?
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The 2025 NFL draft kicks off on April 24 and ends on April 26. USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon prognosticates the entire first round in his 2025 mock draft 2.0:
2025 NFL mock draft: First-round predictions
( Editor's note: First-round mock draft includes trades )
1. Tennessee Titans : QB Cam Ward , Miami
Tennessee's reluctance to pursue a quarterback during free agency is an indication that they intend to draft a young passer. Titans coach Brian Callahan said Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are "worthy" of their top two quarterback distinction. Ward is the consensus top QB in this year's class.
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2. Cleveland Browns : EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
The Penn State product is the best defensive player in this year's draft. Carter's talent and athleticism off the edge will help him have an immediate impact in the NFL. Carter and 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett could quickly form the best pass rushing duo in the league.
3. ( Giants trade pick) New Orleans Saints : QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
New Saints coach Kellen Moore inherited Derek Carr . They aren't necessarily in a committed long-term relationship. Sanders is a prototypical dropback passer. He throws with good accuracy and anticipation. He's the type of quarterback the Saints and Moore can build around. The Giants trade down to get more draft assets.
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4. New England Patriots : CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is the best overall player in the draft. He wants to play cornerback and wide receiver . The Patriots had the worst defense in the AFC East and ranked last in the AFC in total offense.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars : DT Mason Graham , Michigan
The Jaguars had the second-worst defense in the NFL last season. Graham is an active three-technique defensive tackle with good strength.
6. Las Vegas Raiders : RB Ashton Jeanty, Bo ise State
The Raiders averaged an NFL-low 79.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. It was the lowest rushing average by a team in a single season since 2022. Pete Carroll's teams in Seattle routinely had stout rushing attacks. Jeanty and Brock Bowers are foundation pieces on offense.
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7. ( Jets trade pick) Indianapolis Colts : TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Whether the Colts start Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones , they need more production out of the tight end position. The Colts top tight end had a meager 14 receptions last season. Warren is a complete tight end who blocks well and is tough to tackle with the football in his hands.
8. Carolina Panthers : LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Carolina had the worst total defense in the NFL in 2024. The team's 32 sacks were second to last in the NFC. Walker is a hybrid player who can play edge or off-ball linebacker.
9. (Saints trade pick) New York Giants : CB Jahdae Barron , Texas
The Giants' defense allowed a 100.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, the third worst in the NFL last year. Many list Barron as the top cornerback in the draft. Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award (NCAA's top DB). His five interceptions last season was tied for fourth in college football.
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10. Chicago Bears : OT Will Campbell, LSU
The Bears landed three new interior offensive line starters this offseason. The job fortifying the O-line isn't finished. Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times during his rookie season, the third most in NFL history.
11. San Francisco 49ers : EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Green's 17 sacks led college football last season. He's athletic, explosive and has the bend and flexibility to get around the edge. The pass rusher would be a great fit opposite Nick Bosa .
12. Dallas Cowboys : RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
The Cowboys lost Rico Dowdle in free agency. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were added, but Omarion Hampton would give Dallas a much-needed long-term answer at the position.
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13. Miami Dolphins : G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Booker has the size, girth and length to be an elite guard. He was arguably the best guard in college football in 2024. The Dolphins need help in the trenches to keep Tua Tagovailoa healthy.
14. (Colts trade pick) New York Jets : WR Tetairoa McMillan , Arizona
The Jets must surround Justin Fields with better weapons. McMillan has a big catch radius and runs with long strides. The 6-foot-5 wide pass catcher is a possession receiver with good ball skills.
15. Atlanta Falcons : EDGE Mykel Williams , Georgia
After ranking last in the NFC in sacks in 2024, Atlanta has an opportunity to boost its pass rush with the acquisition of Leonard Floyd in free agency and Williams through the draft. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher has significant upside. He tallied five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last year.
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16. Arizona Cardinals : DT Walter Nolen , Mississippi
Nolen's athleticism and explosiveness make him an intriguing three-technique defensive tackle. Arizona upgraded its edge rushing unit with the addition of Josh Sweat in free agency. They need to bolster the interior now. The Cardinals ranked in the bottom half of the league in total defense.
17. Cincinnati Bengals : DT Kenneth Grant , Michigan
The Bengals devoted a lot of resources on offense. They must get better on defense through the draft. DJ Reader's departure in free agency last offseason was a significant loss. Grant is the type of player who can fill the void in the interior.
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18. Seattle Seahawks : OT Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Zabel can play four of the five offensive line positions. He could begin his career inside before kicking out to tackle.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers : G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Jackson is a big, athletic guard who has good length. He has traits that can make him a standout zone blocker in Tampa Bay 's run scheme.
20. Denver Broncos : WR Emeka Egbuka , Ohio State
The Broncos addressed a need in free agency with the addition of tight end Evan Engram . Another pass catcher would assist in Bo Nix' s development. Egbuka had two 1,000-yard seasons while playing alongside other standout receivers in Columbus.
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers : CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson is a big 6-foot-2, instinctive cornerback with good ball skills. He set a Michigan record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns in his career.
22. Los Angeles Chargers : TE Colston Loveland , Michigan
Jim Harbaugh reunites with another Michigan Wolverine. The Chargers need to supply Justin Herbert with more weapons. Herbert averaged a career-low 227 passing yards per game in 2024. Loveland is a pass-catching tight end who would start right away in LA.
23. Green Bay Packers : CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston is a fast cornerback who has good man and zone coverage skills. His 4.28 40-yard dash time was the fastest at the 2025 NFL combine. The Packers put CB Jaire Alexander on the trade block .
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24. Minnesota Vikings : S Nick Emmanwori , South Carolina
Veteran Harrison Smith decided to return for his 14th season, but the Vikings need to start grooming Smith's heir apparent. Emmanwori is regarded as the top safety in the draft. His 88 tackles led South Carolina last season. He also produced four interceptions.
25. Houston Texans : WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Golden earned himself a lot of money when he ran a wide receiver-best 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine . The Texans need a speed receiver because Tank Dell 's knee injury will likely keep him out all of 2025.
26. Los Angeles Rams : LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The middle of the Rams' defense has been a weakness since veteran Bobby Wagner departed for the nation's capital. Nate Landman was added in free agency, but Campbell would give the Rams the athletic and impact linebacker the team's been missing.
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27. Baltimore Ravens : EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The Ravens need to upgrade their edge rush room. Kyle Van Noy 's career-best 12.5 sacks led Baltimore, but he'll be 34 years old at the start of next season and in the final year of his contract. Pearce led Tennessee with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
28. Detroit Lions : EDGE Shemar Stewart , Texas A&M
Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a season-ending leg injury. The Lions ' defense was ravaged by injuries this past season and needs more depth up front. Stewart has all the traits to be an impactful edge rusher.
29. Washington Commanders : DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle has impressive size, length and strength. He produced 45 tackles and five sacks for the Ducks last year. The Commanders parted ways with two-time Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen this offseason.
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30. Buffalo Bills : OT Armand Membou, Missouri
Membou started 12 games at right tackle in 2024. The Missouri product plays with impressive athleticism, technique and body control. Membou's athleticism score of 94 ranked first among tackles at the NFL combine, per Next Gen Stats.
31. Kansas City Chiefs : OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Selecting Banks could create an open competition at both tackle spots in Kansas City . A healthy battle at each tackle position would benefit the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes was sacked a career-most 36 times in 2024.
32. ( Eagles trade pick) New York Giants: QB Jaxson Dart , Mississippi
A trade between two division rivals. An earlier deal supplied the Giants with ammunition to move back into the first round. The Giants grab their QB of the future who can sit and learn this year while Russell Wilson starts. Many scouts have the Ole Miss product as the third-ranked QB prospect in the draft.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL mock draft: First-round predictions following free agency
