After watching the Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LIX, many NFL teams will look to mimic what the reigning champions did via the draft over the last few seasons.
In beefing up the team in the trenches, the Eagles were able to protect Jalen Hurts of the offensive side and build a stout front on the defensive side by drafting players like Jalen Carter on defense. The Eagles through trade and free agency added pieces like A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley to compliment players they drafted over the last few years.
With a string of strong drafts, the Eagles have positioned themselves to win for years to come. Other teams will look to follow that blueprint.
Whether it is teams like the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers looking to revamp their franchises around young quarterbacks or teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens who may just be a player or two away from getting to the big game, the strategy is clear. Draft players that fit your needs, but most importantly identify the players that fit your system. It’s not always about the most talented, it sometimes comes down to the best fit for the team.
Will the 2025 NFL Draft feature big stars on the move?
The 2025 NFL Draft could be shaped by a few big names with buzz surrounding their names. In Cleveland, will Myles Garrett be dealt to bring more draft capital to the Browns? In Dallas, will the Cowboys dare move on from Micah Parsons? The 49ers will be shopping Deebo Samuel and Cooper Kupp may land the Rams an additional pick or two. With big names on the market, we could be in for an exciting start to the new league year which will spill into the draft.
In this post-Super Bowl edition of NFL Mocks’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft, teams make big move and surprise selections that will shape the landscape of the NFL in 2025.
Let’s get on the clock!
In an unappealing draft when it comes to elite quarterback talent, the Titans will pass on taking one of the top QB prospects just to take a QB. This is a smart move for the Tennessee as they decide to stick with Will Levis another season and instead take a generational defensive talent in Penn State’s Abdul Carter. An elite pass rusher at the college level, there is no doubt Carter will continue that Penn State streak of great defensive talent and elevate the Titans defense into a dominate level. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Carter’s explosiveness off the edge will be a nightmare for opposing AFC South quarterbacks who will have to face him twice a season in 2025 and beyond!
The Titans will have their choice of generational talents with the No. 1 overall pick. The Browns will get the consolation prize. In this case, it is Colorado’s Travis Hunter. A two-way superstar, Hunter will give the Browns both a lockdown corner and another offensive weapon on offense. While the Browns could also go quarterback here, the team will decide to go the route of adding a veteran to a playoff ready roster which gets even better with Hunter in the mix, which will lead to a rejuvenated Myles Garrett deciding he is happy keeping his talents in Cleveland.
More on Travis Hunter:
The Giants make Miami’s Cam Ward the first quarterback off the board. This is not a shock, but the Giants passing on Shedeur Sanders here says a lot about how the team and the NFL feel about Ward, who was one of the more explosive and exhilarating gunslingers in the nation in 2025. His ability to emphasize in the pocket and make plays in clutch moments will get Giants fans excited about the possibilities of a Ward to Malik Nabers combination leading the team into the future.
Trade! Patriots trade No. 4 overall to San Francisco 49ers for No. 11, No. 43, 2026 first round pick and Deebo Samuel
It wouldn’t be a draft without a team making a head scratching move to leap into the top 10. In a blockbuster trade, the 49ers entice the Patriots with a package that includes veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel. As a team on the brink of a Super Bowl, the 49ers see an opportunity to secure their offensive line with the top tackle in the draft, LSU’s Will Campbell. With the depth at tackle in this draft, the 49ers will be criticized for this move, but a team with Super Bowl aspirations will do what’s necessary to get a championship piece. Yes, Campbell is that good.
Dallas Cowboys trade No. 12, 76 and a 2026 first round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for No. 5 overall
The 49ers criticism will be short lived because that team in Dallas will have critics scratching their head with this trade with the Jaquars for the No. 5 overall pick. This would make sense if Abdul Carter started to slide, but the belief here is the Cowboys see an opportunity get Dak Prescott an elite outside threat in Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. Cowboys Nation will want Ashton Jeanty, but in a draft deep at running back, Dallas will leap up for McMillan, especially with the future of Ceedee Lamb in the Big D in doubt. In McMillan they get a big-bodied receiver with a tremendous catch radius. Best-case scenario is that Prescott gets a 1-2 punch of Lamb and McMillan. Worst-case scenario is McMillan replaces Lamb as the Cowboys top receiver in 2025.
The Raiders get their quarterback with the selection of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders with the No 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Las Vegas doesn’t have to do anything to move up to get their guy as he falls to them. In what seems like a match in NFL heaven, Sanders brings his duel ability talent to Vegas for a team ready to wager on its present and future with a young QB under center.
New Jets heads coach Aaron Glenn will love the idea of having two elite corners hold it down at the Meadowlands. With the No. 7 overall pick, the Jets take Michigan’s Will Johnson as they will take their chances on one of the second-tier quarterbacks in this draft. The Jets may also take a shot at a veteran QB in free agency. It would be ironic if that ended up being Sam Darnold. Whoever it is, the Jets will build an elite defense to compliment whatever direction the offense goes.
The Carolina Panthers are taking the best position available here to suit their needs. With the No. 8 overall pick, Carolina goes with Tennessee edge James Pearce Jr. to help bring some identity to the defense. As the second ranked pass rusher by Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-5, 234-pound Pearce gives Carolina a player on defense to build around.
The Saints jump at the chance to select Mason Graham who falls to them at No. 9. The 320-pound anchor of the Michigan defense brings his high motor, power and versatility to a Saints team starving for a defensive disruptor. Graham will be an instant favorite in the middle of that Saints defensive line and a nightmare for opposing offensive lines in the NFC South.
With Will Campbell off the board, the Chicago Bears get the next best guy with the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. with the No. 10 overall pick. The Bears will entertain offers to move back in the draft, but will ultimately focus on protecting their young QB, Caleb Williams, with the massive, powerful force Banks could be on the left or right side of the line. He also has the versatility to slide inside to guard.
2025 NFL Draft: Patriots protect Drake Maye, Chargers get their guy
In predicting No.11 through No. 20 in the 2025 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots take care of multiple needs with their draft day trade with the 49ers. They get a top-level playmaker in Deebo Samuel and get a tackle to protect Drake Maye with the selection of Josh Simmons. With their additional second round pick, the Patriots will be able to select an edge rusher and another young receiver or even double dip along the offensive line. The Los Angeles Chargers get a tight end suited for their offense by trading up to grab Penn State’s Tyler Warren with the No. 13 overall pick.
No. 11: New England Patriots – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
No. 12: Jacksonville Jaguars – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Trade! Chargers trade No. 22, No. 86 and 2026 2nd round Pick to Miami Dolphins for No. 13
No. 13: Los Angeles Chargers – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
No. 14: Indianapolis Colts – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
No. 15: Atlanta Falcons – Mike Green., ED, Marshall
No. 16: Arizona Cardinals – Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
No. 17: Cincinnati Bengals – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
No. 18: Seattle Seahawks – Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
No. 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneeers – Jack Sawyer, ED, Ohio State
No. 20: Denver Broncos – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
2025 NFL Draft: Steelers take a chance by selecting the third quarterback selected in the first round
The Minnesota Vikings see gold fall to them at No. 24 in the name of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The Heisman Trophy runner up brings his talent to the NFC North. The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles add another young cornerback in the mix with the selection of Jadae Barron. Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell and Barron? Oh My! Here’s a look at 21-32 in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft:
No. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
No. 22: Miami Dolphins – Walter Nolen, DL, Mississippi
No. 23: Green Bay Packers – Shemar Stewart, ED, Texas A&M
No. 24: Minnesota Vikings – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
No. 25: Houston Texans – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
No. 26: Los Angeles Rams – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
No. 27: Baltimore Ravens – Nic Scourton, ED, Texas A&M
No. 28: Detroit Lions – Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
No. 29: Washington Commanders – Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
No. 30: Buffalo Bills – Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State
No. 31: Kansas City Chiefs – Josh Conerly Jr.,OT, Oregon
No. 32: Philadelphia Eagles – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas