Eric Edholm 2025 NFL mock draft 2.0: Browns snag Abdul Carter AND Shedeur Sanders; RB to Cowboys

I think Ward ends up going to the Titans or Giants in this draft slot. Tennessee's offseason moves have pointed toward a rookie QB for some time, and Ward is a natural playmaker who can raise the Titans' tide after three years of the franchise heading south. He reasonably could have Bo Nix-like production in Year 1.

A Carter-Myles Garrett pairing would be an absolute blast to watch -- and it could swiftly develop into one of the most destructive pass-rush duos in the league. Passing on a quarterback at No. 2 would require some patience and hope, but with Cam Ward off the board, I don't currently believe the Browns would pull the trigger on a QB here.

Hunter would give the Giants another elite talent after last year's top-10 selection of Malik Nabers. Not to mention, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner could probably start for New York at either corner or receiver right away, so Big Blue almost can't go wrong here.

There's a scenario where the Patriots could get Hunter, but I think they'd be comfortable settling for a promising tackle such as Membou. With Morgan Moses almost certainly locked in at right tackle, however, that likely means playing Membou at another spot; he was strictly an RT for three years at Mizzou.

With a first-year general manager/head coach combo -- and the talent not synching perfectly with need -- it's tricky to forecast the Jaguars' pick. They've made two big offseason additions in the secondary, but I think Liam Coen wants to add pieces to this offense. The versatile Warren can give him a more dangerous Tyler Higbee (whom Coen coached in L.A.).

In my first mock a couple months ago, I sent Jeanty to the Raiders ... and had people laughing at me on X. Now, projecting Jeanty to the Raiders is all the rage. Just remember who first sent you. With Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and Jeanty, the offensive identity would start taking shape -- even if the WR room still needs major help.

The Jets have needs at receiver, tight end and right tackle, but new head coach Aaron Glenn also could use another difference-maker on the defensive front. Graham lacks special physical traits but is the kind of tone-setter Glenn's former team in Detroit always sought out in the trenches.

I think the Panthers would be happy to land a very young, ascending talent for a defense that just allowed the most points in NFL history. Some team sources I’ve spoken to anticipate Williams going later in Round 1, but his massive upside should be appealing after an injury-plagued year.

I could see new head coach Kellen Moore wanting to continue attacking the offensive line, but Stewart will be an enticing edge talent who can eventually take Cam Jordan's spot. Stewart's college production was disappointing, but he has star traits.

With Ashton Jeanty, Tyler Warren, Mykel Williams and Armand Membou off the board, this would almost be a nightmare scenario for GM Ryan Poles. Thankfully, Campbell remains available, and he's capable of supplanting Braxton Jones at left tackle and completing Chicago's OL remake.

The 49ers are now without LB Dre Greenlaw and edge Leonard Floyd; technically, Walker can help at both spots. Finding his exact role and position will be key, but the dynamic Georgia defender can be a traditional off-ball linebacker on typical run downs and rush the quarterback in passing situations.

If the Cowboys truly want to aid their new coach, why not give him a workhorse back who can grow into the spotlight in Dak Prescott's later years. Brian Schottenheimer has always been a run-heavy, ball-control play-caller, although Texas WR Matthew Golden could tempt Dallas in this slot.

There are big needs on both lines of scrimmage, but the Dolphins also don't have a clear-cut starter opposite Jalen Ramsey at corner. Johnson could fit better in a man-heavier scheme, as Miami was a big Cover 2 team last season. That said, the Fins might be thrilled that he's even available at No. 13; the pedigreed cover man would have been projected to go much higher had injuries not derailed his 2024 season.

The Colts really need a receiving upgrade at tight end. Loveland provides that, even if he won't be cleared for contact until July following shoulder surgery. Despite playing through the injury for most of last season, Loveland was targeted more than twice as often as any other pass catcher in a limited Michigan passing game.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH ATLANTA FALCONS

I don't know if this is exactly how it would go down, but the Browns could jump back into the first round -- giving up high picks in Rounds 2 (No. 33 overall), 3 (No. 67) and 4 (No. 104) -- to get the passer who best fits a Kevin Stefanski offense. Cleveland's coach wants a tough, smart, accurate pocket passer, and those are Sanders' best qualities.

Barron moved outside last season and proved he could handle that duty. I think the Cards could take a chance on his ballhawking skills, and -- at worst -- he's a hybrid defender or a nickelback. Those have had increased value around the league in the past few years, especially the ones with a knack for playmaking.

Teams must fully vet Green's background, but on the field, he's a ready-made pass-rush talent who has boosted his profile significantly over the past eight months. He's not the longest, thickest pass rusher in the class, but Green plays full tilt and has an arsenal of moves to get home.

The Seahawks seem to be leaning into a ball-control, run-heavy offense, even with the addition of QB Sam Darnold. There is a starting job open at guard, where the ascending Booker can establish himself as a fixture for years. He's not an elite athlete but is blessed with great power and finishing ability as a run blocker.

The Bucs have traditionally not strayed too far from their primary needs under GM Jason Licht in Round 1, so snagging Campbell makes perfect sense -- and could be a home run selection. I believe he's a top-15 player in this draft and could be the franchise's next great linebacker.

If McMillan were to fall into this range, I could see a team like the Packers trying to trade up for him. But the Broncos would welcome another big target for Bo Nix, and they'll want to plan for the potential loss of Courtland Sutton, who is heading into a contract season.

The Steelers have spent ample resources on the offensive line over the past few drafts and now must turn their attention to the other side of the trenches. The 330-pound Grant would fill a massive need inside, with Cameron Heyward turning 36 in May.

Getting Khalil Mack to re-up on a reasonable deal was a coup, but he's 34 and due to hit free agency again in a year. The similarly sized Ezeiruaku can operate as the third edge in a rush-heavy role in 2025 while preparing to take over for Mack in 2026.

With Christian Watson recovering from a January ACL tear, the Packers might want to add another deep threat, even if Golden wasn't extensively used downfield at Texas. It's well-documented that the Packers have not drafted a receiver in Round 1 since Javon Walker in 2002, but I won't be shocked if the run ends here.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Will it surprise anyone if Howie Roseman a) moves up aggressively to fill a top need and b) drafts a Georgia player? Starks is a cerebral defender with a lot of fans in league circles. First-round safeties are always a gamble, but there's no team better equipped to take that risk.

I thought about putting North Dakota State's Grey Zabel here, but Texans GM Nick Caserio has used his high picks on Power Four prospects. Banks checks that box, and he could be prepped to start at guard in Year 1 before potentially kicking out to tackle later. One of Banks' best games at Texas came as a freshman vs. Will Anderson Jr., a tape Caserio surely watched.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS

From 2016 through 2019, the Chiefs drafted six interior defensive linemen, five in the top 85 overall; since then, they've drafted one DT (Keondre Coburn, a sixth-rounder in 2023). Hence the desire to trade up ahead of some DL-needy teams for Harmon, who could be an eventual replacement for Chris Jones with his length and athletic twitch.

Near the end of Round 1, the Ravens have the luxury of taking Simmons, who’s coming off an ACL injury, and thinking more long term. They've taken chances on injury risks in the draft and had some payoff from that approach. Simmons might have been OT1 had he not gotten hurt.

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes will preach fit over need until they're Honolulu Blue in the face. But with Zabel, they might check both boxes with one pick. After watching Zabel at the Senior Bowl, dispatching one defender after another, I thought, This guy just looks like a pro. Detroit has a gaping hole at right guard, and Zabel can fill it.

Perhaps this is a surprising name to some here, but Jackson's elite length and athletic explosion could upgrade Washington's edge group. His traits would work in a Dan Quinn defense and match many of the benchmarks the 49ers looked for when Commanders GM Adam Peters was scouting there.

If the Bills don't plan to bring back Rasul Douglas, I could see them targeting a longer corner such as Thomas. The Kaiir Elam experiment flopped, but that shouldn't dissuade Buffalo from taking Thomas, who also had some great camp battles with Keon Coleman in their one season together at Florida State. A D-lineman could also make sense here.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Just a wild guess here, but I can imagine the Rams being fans of Emmanwori. And I could see DC Chris Shula using Emmanwori where he's best: in the box, as a pseudo linebacker. Shula's mentor, Wade Phillips, deployed Mark Barron that way in L.A. Emmanwori's path to success might be similar.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Moving back eight spots and landing a potential starting corner would be good work by the Vikings. Trading down would help Minnesota replenish a limited supply of draft picks (four at the moment). The Vikings could go with a guard here, but corner is the higher-priority position.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Falcons have added pieces inside for Jeff Ulbrich's defense, though there are few difference-makers on the D-line. Nolen isn't a refined player just yet, but he's a high-energy disruptor who can add to the pressure up front.