2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly two weeks away, and the first round could not be more of a toss-up. There is no clear-cut favorite for the first overall pick, as murmurs of Cam Ward and Abdul Carter float around.

In what could be one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory, some of CommRadio’s best will take a stab at navigating the landscape of the first round.

Chris Carr, Jacob Rudy, Bryan Portney and Darian Capobianco go back and forth in the CommRadio Mock Draft 2.0.

1 - Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB | Miami

As the draft approaches, the Titans seem to have their sights set on Ward as their new franchise quarterback after passing up on some of the top free agent options.

With his arm talent, mobility, and pocket presence, Ward is the type of quarterback the new-look Titans’ leadership would be willing to bet their future on. -Chris

2 - Cleveland Browns- Shedeur Sanders, QB | Colorado

The Browns desperately need a quarterback after Deshaun Watson did not pan out.

In Sanders, they’d be bringing in a guy who has taken a large number of hits and still managed to produce. He’s physically and mentally tough, something the Browns will need in a division with two of the best quarterbacks in Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. - Jacob

3 - New York Giants- Abdul Carter, EDGE | Penn State

It’s hard to pass up on a generational prospect such as Abdul Carter at this stage in the NFL Draft.

The Giants need a defensive lineman on the outside to complement the skill of Dexter Lawrence in the interior. Carter’s footwork and hand wipes have been tough to defend by blockers in college, and his inside spin keeps tackles on their feet. - Bryan

4 - New England Patriots- Travis Hunter, WR/CB | Colorado

New England is fortunate enough to nab PFF’s No. 1-ranked draft prospect, not something many teams can say at the fourth pick.

Travis Hunter’s positional versatility at corner and receiver makes him one of the most intriguing prospects. Luckily, the Patriots could use help at both positions, and the Heisman winner is ready to play either. -Darian

5 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Tetairoa McMillan, WR | Arizona

The new regime in Jacksonville, headed by head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone, has a proven track record of success. Both thrive in offenses built around dynamic, elite receivers.

The Jaguars already have one piece of the puzzle solved in last year's rookie receiving yards leader, Brian Thomas Jr. It might be a little early for McMillan to come off the board.

Still, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound receiver oozes potential. Jacksonville has to invest in more resources to help Trevor Lawrence after the departures of Christian Kirk, Evan Engram and Cam Robinson this offseason. - Chris

6 - Las Vegas Raiders- Matthew Golden, WR | Texas

The Raiders have to replace Davante Adams, and Golden should be the right fit. He will complement well with Jakobi Meyers, who had over 1,000 receiving yards last year.

Golden brings a different skill set, including athleticism and lightning speed. He was also the most reliable receiver late in the year for Texas, making big plays in the biggest games, and would be a great number two option for Geno Smith. - Jacob

7 - New York Jets- Will Campbell, OT | LSU

Will Campbell is a player who can start at all five positions on the offensive line, making him a great target for the Jets. He has a great football IQ and excellent balance and posture, which makes him a force to be reckoned with.- Bryan

8 - Carolina Panthers- Mason Graham, DT | Michigan

Carolina may take the offensive route, but the defensive line may be more important here. Last season, the Panthers allowed the most rushing yards per game in the NFL (179 per game) and were in the bottom five in the league in sacks (1.9 per game). Mason Graham is one of the most well-rounded defensive prospects and is well-versed in rushing the pass and stopping the run. -Darian

9 - New Orleans Saints- Shemar Stewart, EDGE | Texas A&M

Stewart’s stock has been rising since his historic performance at the combine.

While he needs to refine his technique, the Texas A&M product has outstanding size for his position and is an explosive wrecking ball with the traits to be an offensive tackle’s nightmare at the next level.

New Orleans snags a high upside edge rusher in Stewart, who can learn under Cam Jordan and be a foundational part of their defense that ranked 20th in sacks last year. - Chris

10 - Chicago Bears- Derrick Harmon, DT | Oregon

The Bears were among the worst in the league last year in run defense, largely due to the weakness of the interior of the defensive line. Harmon, at 315 pounds, is quick and elusive for his size.

Harmon totaled five sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss (TFL) last year, and would be a key contributor for a franchise trying to rebuild with a young roster and new coaching staff. - Jacob

11 - San Francisco 49ers- Kenneth Grant, DT | Michigan

The 49ers need an interior defensive lineman in the draft, after the team released edge rusher Leonard Floyd.

Grant has been able to absorb pressure from double teams, and his heavy hands have made him an impressive interior rusher. He uses his power to his advantage, and if Graham and Harmon are unavailable, he would make for a solid third option.- Bryan

12 - Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB | Boise State

The pre-draft plan here for Dallas likely takes an offensive line focus, but when a player like Ashton Jeanty is on the board, you take him. The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to one-year deals in the offseason, but they have yet to find a long-term answer at the running back position. Jeanty’s powerful, downhill running style should translate well to the NFL, and he could become the answer that Dallas has been searching for since the initial departure of Ezekiel Elliott. -Darian

13 - Miami Dolphins- Armand Membou, OT | Missouri

Despite other holes on the roster, protecting Tua Tagovailoa has to be the Dolphins' priority. Luckily for Miami, one of the best offensive tackles has fallen into its lap.

Membou fits Mike McDaniel’s zone run scheme well as an athletic, powerful blocker with great flexibility and can slot in right away at either guard or tackle in the pros. - Chris

14 - Indianapolis Colts- Tyler Warren, TE | Penn State

Bringing in Warren would give the Colts one of the most dynamic players in recent draft memory. Warren’s athleticism is impressive, especially given his 6-foot-6, 256-pound frame.

He set a Big Ten record for a tight end last year with 1,233 receiving yards and could help ignite an offense that averaged under 200 passing yards a game last year. - Jacob

15 - Atlanta Falcons- Jihaad Campbell, LB | Alabama

Campbell is a versatile player who can fit well into the Falcons’ 3-4 defense as a pass-rusher. He uses his height to his advantage, scanning the backfield and making way for pass deflections. He could also work well in coverage, as his movements show.- Bryan

16 - Arizona Cardinals- Jahdae Barron, DB | Texas

The modern NFL defense utilizes “chess piece” players, and Jahdae Barron fits that mold to a tee. He’s lined up almost everywhere on defense, with alignment experience outside, in the slot and in the box.

Barron brings expertise and value that allows Jonathan Gannon to get creative on defense. - Darian

17 - Cincinnati Bengals - Chris - Jalon Walker, LB | Georgia

The Bengals' offensive core is locked up for the future after inking Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive extensions this offseason.

However, despite Joe Burrow’s MVP-caliber season, Cincinnati’s struggles came on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive Coordinator Lou Anarumo is out, and Jalon Walker will anchor a new era of defense in Cincinnati. A talented edge rusher who can also play off the ball as a linebacker, Walker is a versatile, explosive force who can aid a Bengals’ defense that allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last year. - Chris

18 - Seattle Seahawks- Tyler Booker, OG | Alabama

Booker’s footwork allows him to get a good push in the running game, and his length also helps make him effective in pass blocking.

The Seahawks need to rebuild on the offensive line after being in the bottom five of the NFL last year in sacks allowed and rushing yards per game. - Jacob

19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Malaki Starks, S | Georgia

Where the Buccaneers lack in the secondary, Starks can make up for it and be a presence next year with great ball skills. Despite a rough 2024 campaign, Starks is still great when it comes to tackling, and he has the ability to play some man coverage, which could fit into the scheme at Tampa Bay. - Bryan

20 - Denver Broncos- Emeka Egbuka, WR | Ohio State

It was a tough decision between running back and wide receiver here, but ultimately, the fall off of receivers compared to backs is what solidified this pick for me. Egbuka fits the mold of a Sean Payton offense. The former Buckeye will be a great complement alongside Courtland Sutton. -Darian

21 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Jaxson Dart, QB | Mississippi

As of right now, Mason Rudolph is in a position to be back as the signal caller in Pittsburgh this season. That is a major problem. It is no secret that Mike Tomlin is doing his best to land Aaron Rodgers, but even if the 41-year-old gunslinger does sign with Pittsburgh, he can’t provide a long-term answer for their Quarterback problem.

Dart is a natural athlete and solid playmaker who can compete for the starting job in year one or provide the Steelers with some leverage if they decide to go in a different direction with someone like Rodgers. - Chris

22 - Los Angeles Chargers - Colston Loveland, TE | Michigan

The Chargers lacked production at the tight end position last year after the departure of Gerald Everett. Bringing in Loveland would add a big, reliable target for Justin Herbert. He would also fit right in with the Chargers system as he would be back under his old college coach Jim Harbaugh. - Jacob

23 - Green Bay Packers- Luther Burden III, WR | Missouri

Burden is a great motion receiver, and he uses his explosiveness to create separation and win battles in press coverage situations. He’s also impressive with YAC, as he has solid vision and balance while absorbing contact. He’s an all-around athlete, which helps as the Packers need a new wideout to complement Jayden Reed.- Bryan

24 - Minnesota Vikings- Will Johnson, CB | Michigan

One of the biggest needs for Minnesota is a starting-caliber outside cornerback, and Will Johnson is one of the best in the draft. The Vikings typically run a zone-heavy defensive scheme, but ran a lot of man coverage towards the back end of the season. Johnson might just be the best zone coverage corner in the draft, and has the ability to press if need be, fitting defensive coordinator Brian Flores’s scheme perfectly. -Darian

25 - Houston Texans - Walter Nolen, DT | Mississippi

Nolen isn't a polished interior defender yet, but his size and agility wreaked havoc on SEC offensive lines this past season. He has a high floor given his strength against the run and Demeco Ryans can help him reach his full potential. Houston is strong on the edges with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., but they lack strength up the middle to stop the run, which is where Nolen's positional flexibility comes in. - Chris

26 - Los Angeles Rams- Maxwell Hairston, CB | Kentucky

The Rams need to bolster their defense after finishing toward the bottom in yards allowed last year. A large part of that was the secondary, which could be shaky. Hairston brings speed and good acceleration, allowing him to recover, and the Rams will need a player with his skill set to get over the top against the top offenses in the NFC. - Jacob

27 - Baltimore Ravens- Mike Green, EDGE | Marshall

Green has performed well in his two years of starting experience, dominating the competition with a high win rate and run-stopping percentile numbers. He works well in a 3-4 defensive front, which is the base defense that the Ravens work out of. He also has an impressive spin move that is deadly when used effectively on blockers.- Bryan

28 - Detroit Lions- James Pearce Jr., EDGE | Tennessee

James Pearce Jr. is one of the most productive edge rushers in the class, having had 17 combined sacks over the past two seasons in Tennessee. Pearce utilizes his excellent blend of power and athleticism to cause disruption on the line. He’ll be an invaluable addition to the Lions' defensive line at a position of need. - Darian

29 - Washington Commanders - Mykel Williams, EDGE | Georgia

At one point, it seemed as if Mykel Williams was a lock to be a top 10 pick in this draft. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the breakout season many fans were hoping for and had to battle for playing time amongst a talented Bulldogs defensive front. However, his consistency and high motor will take him far in the NFL. Washington has witnessed a lot of talent depart from its defensive line in the past years, such as Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and now Jonathan Allen. Williams plugs a hole and supplies Dan Quinn with a new weapon along a stout front seven. - Chris

30 - Buffalo Bills- Azareye’h Thomas, CB | Florida State

Thomas is a big, physical corner who uses his length and strong arms to disrupt routes. His size also allows him to match up with the league’s bigger receivers for a Bills team that was toward the bottom of the league in pass yards allowed, and is still trying to get over the hump of the Kansas City Chiefs, in which the secondary has been a weakness multiple times. - Jacob

31 - Kansas City Chiefs- Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE | Boston College

What Ezeiruaku lacks in height and weight at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, he makes up for in speed. He uses dip-rip moves and utilizes his hands for clean plays and has long arms to maintain solid pad level. He has a high football IQ as well, and his tackling is hard to escape for ball carriers. - Bryan

32 - Philadelphia Eagles- Kelvin Banks Jr., OL | Texas

The Eagles are in a position where they’ll likely take the best player available, and in this scenario, that man is Kelvin Banks. Banks has started the past three seasons at left tackle for the Longhorns, but his athleticism could allow him to find a home elsewhere on the line.

His 6-foot-4 frame could hint at a move inside at the next level (where the Eagles have a need at RG), or the Super Bowl champions could choose to swing him to the right side as Lane Johnson’s eventual replacement. Either way, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will have a field day with a prospect as good as Banks. - Darian

Chris Carr is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjc7403@psu.edu.

Darian Capobianco is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.

Bryan Portney is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email bep5295@psu.edu.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.