The NFL’s legal tampering period begins today and teams can begin negotiating deals with free agents. They won’t become official until the start of the new league year but teams will be eager to solve concerns from last season with proven players.
The 2025 NFL draft class may impact how teams decide to use their resources. Quarterback is similarly thin in free agency as well as the draft, as is wide receiver. Free agent running backs may be in a tough spot given how talented and deep this running back class is with starting-caliber players.
2025 NFL draft top 10 RB prospects: Ashton Jeanty tops board post-combine
What happens over the next 24 hours will change the draft outlook for teams league-wide. Pressing needs could change or become even more prominent depending on which free agents sign where.
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As the free agent frenzy begins, we have our latest prediction for the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL draft.
Here’s what we think will happen over the first 64 selections:
2025 NFL mock draft: Pre-combine two-rounds
Two trades are included in this mock draft.
Round 1
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Seattle trading Geno Smith to Las Vegas very likely means the Seahawks will aggressively pursue Sam Darnold. If they get him, Tennessee will have to look to the draft to fill their quarterback need.
Ward has one of the strongest arms in the class with playmaking ability and a track record of improvement year-over-year in college at multiple programs. He’ll need to take fewer risks at the NFL level, though.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Cleveland stays put at No. 2 after pursuing a trade to No. 1 but is not willing to spend too many resources. They select the top edge rusher prospect in the class in Carter. If Myles Garrett is ultimately dealt, Carter can grow into a difference-maker in his place. If not, the two could make for a fearsome duo off the edge.
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants’ pursuit of Matthew Stafford ahead of the combine reveals the team is more likely aiming for a veteran option at the position. Instead of reaching for another quarterback, New York takes the best player available and one of the best prospects in the class in Hunter.
4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Coach Mike Vrabel’s teams in Tennessee were built on force in the trenches. In a deep defensive line class, the Patriots opt to address the offensive line in Round 1. Membou gets the nod over Will Campbell for Vrabel due to his thicker frame and longer arms with similar athleticism.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Jacksonville is more than happy to snatch Campbell up at No. 5 to plug and play at either guard or tackle in front of Trevor Lawrence. This will be the first pick in the James Gladston-Liam Coen era and it’s tough to find a safer bet for their first pick together.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Raiders addressed quarterback by trading for Smith and look to bolster the defense with their first pick here. Edge rusher Maxx Crosby is a superstar but the Raiders could use more around him. New general manager John Spytek comes from Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers prioritized the offensive and defensive lines in the first round. New coach Pete Carroll’s success in Seattle was largely built on a ferocious defense with a stable of productive pass rushers and a dominant secondary.
Stewart is an elite athlete who lacked sack production but got pressures at a great clip in 2024. He won’t need to shoulder too much of the pass rush load with Crosby on the other side and Tyree Wilson improving.
7. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
New York needs a new quarterback and Sanders slides to them at No. 7. The Colorado product brings a big name but also the highest floor of any passer in the draft. His game is built on timing and accuracy, which provides a floor for the Jets to build the offense around.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
Williams is a big, powerful edge rusher with incredibly long arms. His flashes make him a piece worth developing at the NFL level and he gives the Panthers defense an edge rusher to develop opposite Derrick Brown.
9. New Orleans Saints: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
Walker is a movable piece who can be an effective edge rusher or off-ball linebacker, thanks to his elite athleticism and burst. New Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley could deploy him in varied ways to help rejuvenate an aging defense.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Bears‘ trades for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney address issues on the interior offensive line and set up the unit well for 2025. They get a back to maximize that in Jeanty at No. 10. It’s a deep running back class, but Jeanty’s the crown jewel thanks to his elite contact balance and production at Boise State.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
The 49ers need help in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but given the deep classes on defense at edge and interior, they opt for the next-best offensive lineman here. Banks Jr. could easily start as a rookie at guard in place of free agent Aaron Banks before eventually taking over at tackle on the right or left side.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Cowboys select the long, fluidly athletic McMillan to be CeeDee Lamb’s running mate in the wide receiver corps. McMillan can stick at outside receiver and capitalize on the attention teams have to give to Lamb. He’d make a super No. 2 pass-catcher for Dak Prescott.
13. Miami Dolphins: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham slips slightly after he measured smaller than expected at the NFL combine with short arms. One of his top draft comparisons is Christian Wilkins, who the Dolphins lost in free agency last offseason. Graham can provide a replacement at the position and a run-stuffer on the interior alongside their developing pass rushers.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
New defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo needs more talent on the back end. Johnson’s 2023 tape alone should make him an early first-round pick and he boasts a combination of prototypical size, ball skills, athleticism and good technique. His drop in production before injury in 2024 may scare some teams, but he could be a big boost for the Colts, who face the likes of Nico Collins and Brian Thomas Jr. twice a year.
15. TRADE: Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Rams give Atlanta No. 26, a third-round pick (No. 90) and a sixth-round pick (No. 192) for No. 15.
Los Angeles makes a move up to get ahead of the multiple pass-catcher-needy teams ahead of them to grab the rising talent in Golden. The Texas product is a solid route runner and impressive jump-ball threat who can track the ball deep on vertical shots from Matthew Stafford.
Atlanta enters the draft with just five selections and big needs at deep positions in the class (defensive line, secondary), so they gladly pick up another pick on Day 2 and Day 3.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Arizona needs an upgrade in the middle on defense with both Roy Lopez and Khyiris Tonga hitting free agency. The Cardinals drafted edge Darius Robinson in the first round last year and Grant could complement him along the line. Graham may have received more attention, but Grant is a long, powerful prospect with traits worth developing.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Green was one of the most productive edge rushers in college football in 2024. His mix of bend, pass rush moves and fluid athleticism make him a threat off the edge on day one for a team needing a lot of help at the position as Trey Hendrickson is seeking a trade.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
With Tyler Lockett out of Seattle and DK Metcalf seeking a trade, the Seahawks need help in the pass-catching corps. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is already an entrenched starter in the slot and it’s a bit earlier for the next crop of outside wide receivers. That leaves the top tight end in college in Warren as the next-best option for the offense. He’ll help in run blocking while providing a mismatch in the passing game that could fit well in new coordinator Klint Kubiak’s system.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Tampa Bay needs some more juice off the edge to complement Vita Vea in the middle. Pearce is one of the most explosive edge rushers in the class, with ideal length and production from college. He can grow into an effective edge rusher quickly in Tampa Bay’s infrastructure.
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Denver opts for a tight end instead of a wide receiver at No. 20 here with some veteran options available at wideout on the free agent market. The Broncos targeted their tight ends at the third-lowest rate in the NFL in 2024 and Loveland is a walking mismatch at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds. He’ll be an immediate upgrade at the position from day one in Denver.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Pittsburgh should draft a wide receiver here but they haven’t taken a wideout in the first round since 2006 (shoutout Santonio Holmes). They opt to address that later and instead get a versatile cornerback to pair opposite Joey Porter Jr. Barron tested well at the combine and has the attitude to make it in the AFC North.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Chargers need more help in the trenches on defense. Nolen’s burst off the line is impressive and his powerful punch can disrupt blockers and take over gaps. His hand usage needs some work but his flashes of pass rush production show potential long term.
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
The Packers may move on from longtime starter Jaire Alexander at cornerback and Revel Jr. provides an impressive mix of elite athleticism and length to replace him. He’s a hard hitter in run defense, too, which will serve him well in the NFC North.
24. TRADE: Cleveland Browns (via Minnesota Vikings): Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Browns give Minnesota their second-round pick (No. 33 overall), a third-round pick (No. 94 overall) and a sixth-round pick (No. 181 overall) for No. 24.
The Browns make the move up from the top of the second round to ensure they get the next-best running back on the board. Jeanty is the main attraction but Hampton’s mix of speed, size, explosiveness, footwork and vision. He’s a proven receiver out of the backfield as well. By getting him here instead of the top of the second round, the Browns can secure the fifth-year option.
Minnesota is slated to have just four picks in the entire draft with one in the first round, one in the third and two in the fourth. They stockpile more picks in a class that could help with their needs, thanks to depth at defensive line and the secondary.
25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud reunites with his former college teammate in Egbuka, a ready-made playmaker from the slot. Houston’s receiving corps is thin even with the Christian Kirk trade and Egbuka can provide insurance at the slot position as well as a long-term answer.
26. Atlanta Falcons (via Los Angeles Rams): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
The Falcons trade down from No. 15 overall but still get a top pass rush prospect in Ezeiruaku. The Boston College product is one of the most pro-ready players on the edge with an array of pass rush moves and great length and bend to get an advantage over blockers.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Jackson was a standout guard for years for the Buckeyes before injury to teammate Josh Simmons forced him to play left tackle. He performed very well thanks to his long frame at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds and impressive movement skills. He could be ideal for Baltimore if they lose left tackle Ronnie Stanley or Patrick Mekari (or both) in free agency. He could provide another piece at tackle or guard with tackle experience in a pinch.
28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Scourton is less athletic than Texas A&M teammate Stewart but he had far more production in college thanks to his arsenal of pass rush moves. The Lions were decimated by injury last year and could use another piece in the pass rush rotation. Scourton’s high motor and energy will be a fit in Detroit.
29. Washington Commanders: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Simmons was one of the best tackles in college football before his non-contact injury mid-season. Had he stayed healthy, he likely would’ve been a top-15 pick. Washington capitalizes on that by taking him here as a potential Brandon Coleman insurance plan at left tackle or a succession plan at right tackle for Andrew Wylie.
30. Buffalo Bills: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The Bills‘ secondary needs improvement, especially at cornerback. Thomas is the long body type they usually go with and excels in press coverage, thanks to his size and physicality. He’ll need to work on his instincts and discipline in zone coverage but the Bills’ defensive ecosystem can do it.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon
With Joe Thuney now in Chicago, the Chiefs need to upgrade one of their guard spots. Conerly Jr.’s tape in 2023 showed a good tackle but he struggled with the competition change in 2024 as Oregon moved to the Big Ten. His size (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) and movement skills show he should be a very good guard with tackle versatility if need be.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota
Mekhi Becton is hitting free agency and Ersery is a similarly massive mover who played tackle in college. Ersery’s power and athleticism make him a potential fit at tackle but his shorter arms, hand placement, balance and timing may mean he’s a better fit at guard to take over long-term for Becton.
Round 2
33. Minnesota Vikings (via Cleveland): Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Minnesota trades down and still gets one of the better defensive tackle prospects in the class. Harmon’s long arms on a 6-foot-4 and 313-pound frame give him versatility on the line with the power to disrupt. He needs to improve his pad level consistency but offers a lot to like at the position in the NFL.
34. New York Giants: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Savaiinaea performed well at the combine and his 6-foot-4, 324-pound frame with long arms shows he could potentially line up at either tackle or guard. He was a college tackle with the Wildcats but the Giants could use help at multiple spots on the offensive line.
35. Tennessee Titans: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Tennessee grabs a playmaker for their young quarterback in Burden III here. The Missouri product somehow fell to the second round after being considered one of the top three wideouts for most of the draft process. His open-field ability as a yards-after-catch talent will be a welcome boost to the Titans’ skill position group.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Due to positional value, Starks slides to the top of round two here and the Jaguars are stoked about it. The three-year starter for the Bulldogs is one of the top talents in the class and should be an immediate impact starter on the back end for the worst pass defense in the league in 2024.
37. Las Vegas Raiders: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
The Raiders bring in a familiar face for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in the former Buckeye Henderson. He brings plenty of speed and skills out of the backfield as a receiver. His zero career college fumbles bodes well for the NFL as well.
38. New England Patriots: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Patriots make it consecutive Ohio State players by taking Williams to build up the defensive line. Williams’ huge frame at 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds makes him a stout run defender with violent hands. His explosive athleticism shows he has the tools to be an effective pass rusher.
39. Chicago Bears (via Carolina): Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Jackson’s combine performance was one of the best at the position with impressive explosion, specifically in the jumps. His size (6-foot-6, 264 pounds), motor and unorthodox movement skills could be a tough matchup for blockers. He’ll be limited by a lack of bend but could be a rotational piece to start.
40. New Orleans Saints: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Hairston showed off his speed at the combine that overcomes some concerns about his smaller frame (5-foot-11, 183 pounds). His impressive ball skills (six INTs, 10 passes defensed in his last 20 games) and scheme versatility should help the worst pass defense in the league from a year ago.
41. Chicago Bears: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Noel’s combine and Senior Bowl performances show an explosive slot receiver in the making with smooth route running and reliable hands. With Keenan Allen hitting free agency, the Bears provide another pass-catcher for Caleb Williams to throw to.
42. New York Jets: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Jets have just one starter in the secondary from last year signed for 2025: Sauce Gardner. Morrison provides ideal size for the outside cornerback position and excels in zone coverage, similar to what Aaron Glenn ran in his best times with the Lions.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
After addressing a need on the offensive line in Round 1, San Francisco hits the defensive line in Round 2. Burch is an explosive athlete with a 6-foot-4, 279-pound frame that means he could line up at the edge or inside. The 49ers have historically enjoyed that versatility from the heights of their defensive line and Burch backs that up with production (8.5 sacks in 10 games in 2024).
44. Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Cowboys had a league-low six rushing touchdowns in 2024. They passed on a running back in Round 1 but make sure to get a guy in Round 2. Judkins transferred to Ohio State in 2024 and shined en route to a national championship. His burst and strong frame forces missed tackles and he’s a solid receiver out of the backfield as well.
45. Indianapolis Colts: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
Both Ryan Kelly and Will Fries are free agents. Zabel provides an answer at either of those spots following his career as a tackle with North Dakota State. He’s a mauler in the run game despite his leaner build.
46. Atlanta Falcons: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
The Falcons continue to build out the defensive line with Alexander here. The Toledo product has some of the longest arms in the class on a 6-foot-4, 305-pound frame. He’s a twitchy athlete off the line who uses that length well. He needs to improve his pad level and consistency, though.
47. Arizona Cardinals: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Similar to Starks, Campbell falls here due to positional value. He’s a first-round talent and finds a home with the Cardinals as an off-ball linebacker with pass rush potential. He’ll at least slide in for Kyzir White and continue Arizona’s rebuild on that side of the ball in this draft.
48. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Dolphins will likely lose Jevon Holland in free agency and draft the freaky athletic Emmanwori to take his place. The South Carolina product was arguably the best athlete at the combine and is built like a linebacker with good ball skills and zone coverage abilities.
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
The Bengals brought Al Golden back after his stop at Notre Dame to revamp the defense. He’s familiar with Watts and this addresses a need in the secondary with a player who has experience in the system. Watts’ background as a wide receiver shows up on film with his ball skills and route recognition.
50. Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Williams is a raw but supremely talented tackle prospect. Seattle needs help on the interior and could get him up to speed at guard before ultimately moving him to tackle should Abraham Lucas not work out on the right side.
51. Denver Broncos: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Sampson led the SEC in rushing yards in 2024 as an elusive yet compact runner at 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds. His timing, vision and speed make him a threat to take it the distance at any time. He had fumbling issues in college but coach Payton had great success with another Volunteer running back with ball security concerns (Alvin Kamara).
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
The Steelers waited until the second round to address wide receiver and make the move for Higgins. The former basketball star was prolific with the Cyclones thanks to his body control, athleticism and smooth hands in a 6-foot-4, 214-pound frame.
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Jamel Dean is a very capable starter at outside cornerback when healthy, which he hasn’t been in his six seasons in the NFL. Amos offers ideal outside cornerback size with a long, 6-foot-1 frame and proven production in press coverage. He needs to improve his consistency in zone but has the tools for a good starter should Dean get injured again or the Buccaneers decide to move on.
54. Green Bay Packers: Marcus Mbow, IOL, Purdue
The Milwaukee native comes back to Wisconsin by bolstering the Packers’ offensive line. Green Bay struggled against Philadelphia once they lost starting guard Elgton Jenkins in the NFC wild card playoffs. Mbow played tackle at Purdue but his leaner frame (6-foot-4, 303 pounds) likely translates best on the interior. He could grow into a movable piece as Green Bay decides on its best five offensive linemen.
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
The Chargers have a big need at running back and Johnson provides a bruising, powerful force with burst to get through the line of scrimmage. He’s not a burner but the Chargers’ offense needs a reliable workhorse back like Johnson at the running back spot.
56. Buffalo Bills (via Minnesota): Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Walker is a massive presence in the middle at 6-foot-7 and 331 pounds with long arms and huge hands. His athleticism for that size is impressive and can overwhelm blockers with his power. He needs to improve his pad level for leverage and consistency but could eat up blocks alongside Ed Oliver and the recently extended Greg Rousseau.
57. Carolina Panthers (via Los Angeles Rams): Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
His limited drills at the combine weren’t impressive but Collins provides a massive body (6-foot-6, 332 pounds) with long arms and power on the interior of the defensive line. He and Mykel Williams will give the Panthers two developmental pieces for coordinator Ejiro Evero to develop on the line.
58. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Houston needs help on the offensive line. New coordinator Nick Caley may help that with scheme but Booker provides a powerful, mauling presence at guard as a day one starter. His poor athletic performance at the combine likely lowered his stock in the eyes of some teams but Houston capitalizes.
59. Baltimore Ravens: Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss
Umanmielen provides an athletic, twitchy speed rusher prototype to the mix for Baltimore. His long arms on a 6-foot-4, 244-pound frame give lots of upside, as does his bend. He won’t win with power and will need to improve as a run defender but can carve out a role as a situational pass rusher to start out as a rookie.
60. Detroit Lions: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Porter may drop on some teams’ boards due to his age (six seasons in college). But he’s a long, tall, athletic cornerback with impressive speed who should be an asset in coverage. In case Detroit can’t sign one of the free agents at the position, Porter provides a good floor immediately.
61. Washington Commanders: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Riley measures in at 5-foot-11 and 194 pounds with outstanding athleticism for the position that keeps him in contention in man coverage. He was a ballhawk at Middle Tennessee but continued his ways at Louisville with eight interceptions and 27 passes defensed in the last three years. In a division featuring the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, Washington needs all the help it can get in the secondary.
62. Buffalo Bills: Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
Even with the Rousseau signing, the Bills could use reinforcements at edge given Von Miller’s age and A.J. Epenesa entering the final year of his deal. Kennard is a twitchy, powerful and long edge rusher with lots of production (11.5 sacks in 2024). His explosiveness and motor makes up for his lack of bend and he could be developed over time for Buffalo.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
Chiefs icon Travis Kelce was mulling retirement after Super Bowl 59. Eventually, the Chiefs will have to find his successor. This draft has a lot of good tight ends to choose from and Taylor could fit the bill well with his movement skills, route running, coordination and soft hands.
64. Philadelphia Eagles: Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan
Philadelphia’s likely losing Josh Sweat in free agency and could always use more athletic edge rushers. Stewart’s smaller frame (6-foot-1 and 249 pounds) may deter other teams but likely not Philadelphia. His explosiveness, strength, and aggressive attitude make him a piece worth developing.
