U2 guitarist The Edge once said that "a U2 album never gets finished, it just gets released." That's how I feel about my annual seven-round mock draft.
The following projection of all 257 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft (which will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 24-26) accounts for the value of prospects and team needs (for this fall and beyond) while tossing in some surprise selections that occur every year.
Since this is released nearly a full week before the event occurs, it won't include last-minute information reported about teams' interest in prospects. I still predict five trades and potential matches between teams and players in Round 1, however, along with providing a wide-angle view about where teams can find value at positions of need throughout the event.
Ward's been my pick for the Titans at No. 1 overall since the Super Bowl. He reminds me a bit of successful 2024 rookies Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix because of his extensive college experience (57 starts) and willingness to make plays from the pocket or on the move. His plus ball velocity and ability to change arm angles allows him to lead receivers at all three levels of the field. He'll be the quarterback Tennessee needs to compete in the AFC.
Hunter is going to be a special player. He's the best cornerback and receiver in the draft class and should have his wish of playing both ways fulfilled, even if it doesn't happen full-time. The Browns need a big-play receiver alongside Jerry Jeudy, who finished with more than twice as many receiving yards (1,229) as the next closest player on the team. Hunter could also line up across from Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward at times to limit options for opposing quarterbacks.
Yes, the Giants already employ pass rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux (who, it should be noted, missed five games in 2024) -- but Carter would be quite the fill-in for Azeez Ojulari after Ojulari's departure via free agency. Carter also has the versatility to play off the ball if the team wants to get him on the field more regularly.
In this scenario, the Patriots take the best player on the board and meet their need at offensive tackle with picks in the second and fourth rounds. New head coach Mike Vrabel knows the value that a premier back can bring, having watched Derrick Henry carry his previous Titans teams to the playoffs. While Jeanty's not as big as Henry, he has considerable power through contact and the burst to create explosive plays in the run game.
It seems like this pick is meant to be -- the Jaguars did not address their defensive line needs in free agency. Graham's ability to attack the backfield and maintain the line of scrimmage make him a clear top-five value to me.
Sanders to the Raiders makes all kinds of sense. Geno Smith's new deal includes no guaranteed money after the 2026 season, per Over the Cap, potentially giving the team an out. Sanders would continue his relationship with minority owner Tom Brady and learn under Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, giving the QB a chance to maximize his potential.
With nimble feet and a willingness to finish blocks, the 21-year-old Membou has a chance to be a very good starter at right tackle. Last year, the Jets took Olumuyiwa Fashanu in the first round to man the blind side; this year, they follow the Steelers' lead (Pittsburgh drafted Broderick Jones in 2023 and Troy Fautanu in 2024) in picking a second consecutive Day 1 tackle.
Walker steps into the Panthers' scheme as a pass rusher, a role in which he showed great promise at Georgia. His quick, strong hands help him win after the snap, and his quickness to the ball make him a menace when teams try running plays to his side of the field.
I considered Dart at this spot even before we learned Derek Carr's 2025 availability is in doubt, thanks to a shoulder injury. Dart would be a good fit with new head coach Kellen Moore, distributing passes from the pocket and running for tough yardage when required in a way that might remind Moore of QBs he's coached in the NFL before, like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.
Tackles with sub-34-inch arms (Campbell's checked in at 33 inches at his pro day) are not typically taken in the top 10. Campbell's pass-protection skills and ability to move defenders in the run game, though, are too strong for the Bears to ignore here.
The departure of Charvarius Ward leads the 49ers to pick Johnson. His lack of demonstrable elite long speed (he has not run a public pre-draft 40, thanks in part to a hamstring injury, and suffered a season-ending foot injury last year) might make him available here. Johnson's ball awareness and secure tackling as a zone defender jibe with the zone-heavy scheme Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh leaned on when last together in 2020.
Golden was the engine of Texas' offense in the second half of last season, thanks to his speed and late-play separation ability. He would be a nice complement to CeeDee Lamb.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MIAMI DOLPHINS
The Colts don't typically trade up, but GM Chris Ballard could be enticed by a desire to fend off other teams who might be trying to acquire the large, agile, sure-handed Warren. In the fourth one-spot Round 1 move of the past six drafts (the Bucs went from No. 14 to 13 for Tristan Wirfs in 2020; the Eagles went from No. 10 to No. 9 for Jalen Carter in 2023; the Vikings went from No. 11 to No. 10 for J.J. McCarthy in 2024), Indy surrenders its fourth-round pick, with one of Miami's seventh-rounders coming back.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
I already had Miami selecting Barron -- and then we learned the Dolphins are working with Jalen Ramsey on a trade elsewhere. Barron's 4.39 speed and competitive nature make him a natural pick here.
Campbell would be a great fit for the Falcons, who want to be more multiple on defense under new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Campbell has the speed to make plays inside the box, in coverage and as a blitzer.
The Cardinals took Paris Johnson Jr. sixth overall in 2023, started him at right tackle as a rookie, then moved him to the left side last season. They could approach Banks' NFL transition in a similar fashion, thanks to his length, strength and mobility, starting him at left guard as a rookie, then shifting him to the right tackle spot, either this year (if Jonah Williams, who played in six games last season, misses time to injury again) or in 2026 (if Williams moves on as a free agent).
Cincinnati re-signed Joseph Ossai to a one-year pact, but 2023 first-rounder Myles Murphy took a step back in 2024, and All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson could be on the move in the near future. Williams is the pick because of his potential as a strong, long edge defender who can pressure quarterbacks and play the run.
Trading DK Metcalf away opened a spot in Seattle for a big receiver like McMillan, who can win in the short and intermediate areas, as well as in the red zone. He would be a great final piece for this rebuilt receiver group, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cooper Kupp joining 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
We haven't seen the Packers draft a receiver in Round 1 since 2002 -- but we did see them move up in Round 2 for Christian Watson three years ago. With the top cornerbacks no longer available in this mock, Green Bay swaps a third-round pick for a fifth-rounder to nab Egbuka.
Hampton is the kind of true lead back the Broncos haven't had since Sean Payton took over in 2023. He has more juice than his predecessor in Denver in this scenario, fellow former North Carolina back Javonte Williams, while also presenting the power to make tacklers look like turnstiles.
With Hampton off the board, Pittsburgh addresses a need on defense. The team moved on from Larry Ogunjobi after three seasons this offseason, opening a spot for the active Harmon to play 5-technique across from four-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward, who will turn 36 years old in May.
Jim Harbaugh picks one of his former Michigan players to serve as Justin Herbert's new safety valve -- don't forget that Herbert won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with tight end Hunter Henry serving as his second-most-targeted pass-catcher. Loveland's strong hands and quick feet will make him an excellent starter in short order.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS
The Buccaneers could use Stewart as a 5-technique because of his size and strength at the point of attack, potentially setting him up to replace Logan Hall if the veteran departs as a free agent in 2026. Stewart will also stand up at times because of his athleticism, making him a great fit in Tampa Bay's scheme.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Buffalo has already invested in the pass rush this offseason, signing Joey Bosa and Mike Hoecht and extending Gregory Rousseau. Then again, Bosa has a history of injury issues, Hoecht is facing a suspension for the season's first six games, A.J. Epenesa is entering a contract year and the Bills still have not found a hybrid player to replace Von Miller -- a vacancy that fits Green's game. Minnesota receives two fourth-round picks from the Bills in the deal, which is ideal for the Vikings, since they otherwise have just four selections due to past trades.
Signing Cam Robinson stabilized the left tackle spot after the Texans traded starter Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders. Still, Robinson's deal is only for one year, and he's struggled to stay on the field at times. Simmons is a solid pass protector and strong run blocker on either side of the line; he'll be a first-round pick if teams receive positive medical reports on the knee injury that sidelined him for much of 2024.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMS
Nolen's quickness and motor would make him a perfect replacement for Milton Williams, who left in free agency after helping power the Eagles' Super Bowl run. Philadelphia sends its second-rounder to the Rams for this pick and a third-round selection.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS
Philadelphia's domination of the line of scrimmage in the Super Bowl leads the Chiefs to find another tackle early in the draft, even after signing Jaylon Moore to a major free-agent deal. They send a third-round selection to Baltimore to bring in the big-bodied but agile Ersery -- regaining some value by swapping second-round picks with the Ravens.
Booker's powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions' offensive line. Though he played primarily on the left side, Booker logged time at left and right guard at Alabama, and veteran Graham Glasgow has started on both sides, setting the team up to find a combination that maintains the strength of Detroit's top unit.
Ezeiruaku brings speed off the edge as well as a very effective spin move. In Washington, he could be used as a designated pass rusher as a rookie, giving the team needed juice after losing leading 2024 sacker Dante Fowler in free agency.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BUFFALO BILLS
Emmanwori and Harrison Smith would form a nice safety duo for the Vikings. The rookie could play in the box, over slot receivers and cover the back end when called upon.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Here, the Ravens acquire another chess piece in the secondary. Starks can switch between playing inside, in the box and deep, just like Kyle Hamilton did as a rookie.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Tutu Atwell might get more playing time than Burden would in L.A. in 2025, but Burden's ability to avoid or run through defenders' tackle attempts should intrigue the Rams. Opposing defensive coordinators, on the other hand, might be nauseous trying to deal with Burden, Atwell, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.
