Gavin Riley's 2025 NFL mock draft 2.0: Final predictions before the main event
Spoiler: I hate it.
Draft week is finally upon us, and the speculation can mercifully end as we get real answers instead of endless hypotheticals. This year was particularly challenging to predict due to there being varying opinions on the class.
Nevertheless, I've thrown my hat into the ring with one final mock draft, for better or worse. Let's see how spectacularly wrong I am.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
This has been known for quite some time now.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Signs have indicated this is the direction the Browns will go. With Hunter demanding he’ll play both ways in the NFL, the Heisman Award winner fills two needs.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Last-minute homework on Shedeur Sanders won’t change my thought process. Take, who many consider, including myself, the best player in the draft despite it not being an immediate need. Perhaps in a corresponding move, the Giants trade Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has struggled to come into his own in New York.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The left side of the Patriots’ offensive line is horrendous, so why not protect your franchise quarterback’s blindside? People have warmed up to Campbell being successful at tackle, despite his arm length. And if that doesn’t work, he’ll move inside.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
It’s a homecoming for the Jacksonville native. The Jaguars are, according to Bryan Broaddus, “looking for touchdowns.” Jeanty had 30 total touchdowns last season. Bar none, he’ll make an immediate impact for new head coach Liam Coen, who innately prioritizes a strong run game.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
With Jeanty snatched up by Jacksonville just one pick before, the Raiders pivot to addressing their offensive line woes. John Spytek knows the value of building through the trenches from his Tampa tenure, and Banks represents both an immediate starter and a cornerstone piece for the Raiders' future plans to protect Geno Smith and, eventually, his successor.
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Jets will want to surround Justin Fields with weapons, and Warren brings uncommon versatility to the position. The versatile chess piece can line up anywhere on offense and creates matchup nightmares with his size and athleticism. The Jets passed on Brock Bowers last year — they don’t make that mistake again.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, Edge/OLB, Georgia
There’s a bit of a grey area when it comes to envisioning where Walker will line up defensively at the next level, but, simply put, he’s a baller. In search of any defensive help, the Panthers take perhaps their next Frankie Luvu, who they lost in the 2024 offseason.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
I understand the premonitions of quarterback here, but the Saints haven’t selected one since Archie Manning in 1971. Cameron Jordan isn’t getting any younger, so here they draft Williams, who brings a tantalizing toolkit off the edge with sky-high potential as a pass rusher. At worst, you’re getting a rock-solid run defender.
10. Chicago Bears: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Jeanty at five caused a bit of a fall for Graham, but his slide stops here. I think the Bears are very fond of Graham, who is considered a top-five player in the draft by many. If he’s here, this should be a no-brainer.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The 49ers need to revamp the defensive line. All it takes is one person to become enamored with Nolen’s upside. The very best version of Nolen is a top-11 prospect in the class.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Outside of Ceedee Lamb, what other weapons does Dallas have? McMillan is a prototypical X receiver with a wide catch radius. He’d be the perfect running mate for Lamb.
13. Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Dolphins goal should be to keep Tua Tagovailoa upright, and that starts with protecting his blindside. Membou would be an immediate upgrade. I think he could go earlier than this, but here, the Dolphins get a player one of the best athletes in the draft.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
For a long time, the Colts have needed a reliable tight end. Loveland is a do-it-all player — he can line up inline, in the slot, and even outside. He possesses a rare blend of size, speed, and quickness.
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The Falcons finally address the pass rush. Pearce may fall due to character questions, but he’s probably the second-best pure pass rusher in the draft. He has a high chance of hitting with Raheem Morris as head coach.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Cardinals desperately need secondary help, and Johnson is the elite cornerback prospect in this class. His combination of length, fluidity, and ball skills gives Arizona a potential shutdown corner who can match up with the NFC West's dangerous receiving corps from day one.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
If Cincinnati is comfortable with the “character concerns,” Green would be an excellent selection. He led the FBS in sacks last year and was dominant at the Senior Bowl. If Cincinnati can work out the contract situation with Trey Hendrickson, the two would form a formidable duo.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Macdonald's philosophy of controlling the line of scrimmage makes Zabel an ideal target to shore up a Seattle offensive front that surrendered far too much pressure last season. The small-school standout dominated Senior Bowl week.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Todd Bowles loves his defenders with versatility, and Campbell represents the prototype of the modern NFL linebacker with his blend of sideline-to-sideline range and pass-rushing prowess.
20. Denver Broncos: TreVeon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The buzz is building for this pick to come to fruition, and I’m buying in, despite Omarion Hampton still being available. Henderson offers what Sean Payton looks for in a running back; he’s an elite pass catcher, an exceptional pass protector, and can hit a home run from anywhere on the field.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The slide stops! From a cultural standpoint, this is the best fit for Sanders. And while the Steelers await a decision from Aaron Rodgers, selecting a quarterback makes the most sense. From what’s been reported, Sanders’ meeting with the Steelers went well, and head coach Mike Tomlin likes him a lot.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Harbaugh brings his Michigan monster to Los Angeles. Grant was personally recruited by Harbaugh out of high school and developed into a dominant interior force under his tutelage. This reunion makes perfect schematic sense — Grant's rare combination of size and quickness fills the Chargers' glaring need for a disruptive presence in the middle of their defensive front after the loss of Poona Ford.
23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Here, the Packers end their long-time drought of not selecting a wide receiver in the first round. They lack a reliable pass catcher. Insert Golden, whose draft stock has been skyrocketing after being the go-to guy in Texas’ playoff run and running a sub-4.3 forty at the combine.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Vikings continue revamping their secondary with Barron, who brings the versatility Brian Flores covets. He can play inside or outside and isn't afraid to mix it up in run support. His competitive fire and ball skills give Minnesota a day-one starter who can match up with the diverse receiving threats in the NFC North.
25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
This is a DeMeco Ryans pick. Booker is a road-grader in the run game and brings much-needed interior protection for C.J. Stroud. His Alabama pedigree of technical refinement and nastiness will help elevate an offensive line that was one of the worst in football last season.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Rams desperately need secondary help, and Hairston is a flat-out playmaker. He has a knack for finding the ball and making something happen with it. His combination of length, speed, and ball skills gives the Rams defense something they've been sorely missing since Jalen Ramsey's departure.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
This is exactly the type of value pick Baltimore always seems to land. Starks can do it all — play in the box, cover tight ends, and range as a centerfielder. Georgia defenders consistently translate well to the NFL, and Starks will be no different. He fits perfectly alongside Kyle Hamilton. This is a home run selection for a team that always seems to nail their first-round picks.
28. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Another homecoming! Harmon, a Detroit native, is simply a playmaker on the defensive front. For a team that struggled to get after the quarterback last season, especially from the inside, Harmon is a perfect fit.
29. Washington Commanders: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The box score surfers don’t love Stewart, but he absolutely warrants this selection. Personally, I think he should’ve gone higher. His relatively modest production doesn't tell the full story of his disruptive presence. He’s awesome.
30. Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
The Bills need to reload at cornerback after losing Tre'Davious White, and Amos is the perfect fit. The Ole Miss transfer brings impressive length and technique to a Bills defense that still has playoff aspirations despite losing several key veterans. Amos’ physicality and route mirroring ability jump off tape. This is a classic Brandon Beane pick.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The entire world witnessed the Chiefs offensive line crumbled on the brightest stage. Simmons, had he not suffered a season-ending injury in week 5 of the 2024 season, would probably go much higher than this. He makes playing left tackle look easy.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Eagles strike gold with Ezeiruaku somehow still being available at 32. Howie Roseman should sprint to the podium for this one. Ezeiruaku's production and athletic profile suggest he should have been long gone by now, but the Eagles once again benefit from a premier talent falling right into their lap.