2025 NFL mock draft: Giants, Rams trade up to address needs; Seahawks move quickly to replace DK Metcalf

If Cam Ward is the easy choice to be QB1 in this draft class, then there is going to be some urgency to secure that player. If the Browns and the Giants are both interested, and the Titans are fine losing out on Abdul Carter, then it makes sense for them to go with New York’s, likely, more lucrative offer.

If Cam Ward is off the board, then Shedeur Sanders will be part of the conversation at No. 2 overall. I do not believe the gap between Sanders and that perceived next group of quarterbacks is wide enough for Cleveland to pass on an opportunity to add a blue-chip talent across from Myles Garrett.

In this scenario, the Titans signed Sam Darnold in free agency. Tennessee is able to move back in the draft order, add additional draft capital and still get arguably the best overall prospect. If Travis Hunter is truly conditioned and able to play both ways, then odds are that he will be the most valuable player to come out of this draft. I tend to think the Titans would prefer Carter, however, because Tennessee is on record saying it views Hunter as a cornerback and they Titans have much bigger needs than a position occupied by L’Jarius Sneed.

Armand Membou played right tackle at Missouri, but it is not unreasonable to question whether or not he could play left tackle. Tristan Wirfs has made that transition with relative ease, but he is a unicorn.

Liam Coen’s first pick as head coach of the Jaguars is made on the defensive side of the ball. There is room for improvement on offense, but Mason Graham is certainly one of the best prospects available. Jacksonville is stacking talent on the defensive line with Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker and now Graham.

Shedeur Sanders to Las Vegas is a good fit. I think Tom Brady will be drawn to his confidence and competitiveness, but the chance to play in a dome for at least half the season limits some of the potential volatility as well.

Will Campbell arrives in New York with an opportunity to play left tackle, but there is a path to move inside long term if that does not work out. It would not be a surprise if Aaron Glenn has a desire to build the trenches before making other luxurious additions to the roster.

One would think Adam Thielen is gone this offseason. If Carolina wants to continue fostering Bryce Young’s development, then he will need help beyond Xavier Legette. Tetairoa McMillan has been compared to Drake London through this process.

Chase Young is slated to hit free agency in a matter of days or weeks. New Orleans adds Shemar Stewart, who is a promising pass rusher with unlimited athletic potential. He needs to work on finishing plays, but creating pressure has never been the problem.

When Chicago acquired offensive guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, it essentially wiped away the need to address the offensive line at No. 10 overall, and my first thought was that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty could come into play. However, I think Ben Johnson is reasonable enough to recognize that this roster is still more than one player away. Fix the defensive line before worrying about the running back.

The third consecutive edge rusher comes off the board as San Francisco adds a prototype opposite Nick Bosa. Mykel Williams is still an unfinished product, but has the traits of a top tier pass rusher.

There are ways to take pressure off CeeDee Lamb being the only consistent outlet in the pass game without addressing wide receiver. There is plenty of time to supplement the pass catchers, but Ashton Jeanty is a dynamic runner, as well as a net positive in the pass game.

Safety Nick Emmanwori was a top 1% performer at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. Emmanwori is a bigger body who can play down in the box, but also has the athleticism and range to excel in coverage. Jordan Poyer and Jevon Holland are both positioned to hit free agency.

The question surrounding Will Johnson is whether or not he has the desired long speed to play cornerback in the NFL. Johnson opted not to run at the NFL Scouting Combine and could still choose not to do so at the Michigan Pro Day. I stand on the fact that Johnson’s 2023 tape was as good as any at the position since Patrick Surtain II.

Atlanta has still not found a consistent pass rush contributor. Although Jalon Walker is of the smaller pass rusher variety, if there is one thing that he does exceptionally well, it is rush the passer.

Arizona continues its investment into the defense with the selection of Walter Nolen. All eyes will be on the former 5-star recruit at his Pro Day after electing not to test in Indianapolis. His draft stock could soar with a strong athletic performance. The Cardinals are hopeful to have two building blocks up front with last year’s first-round pick, Darius Robinson, and now Nolen.

Cincinnati allowed D.J. Reader to walk last offseason and then moved on from his successor, Sheldon Rankins, in the weeks leading to free agency. Derrick Harmon stood out among the other interior defenders at the NFL combine and now is a vital piece to Cincinnati’s defensive future.

Seattle released Tyler Lockett and is allowing DK Metcalf to pursue trade opportunities. The future of the Seahawks’ wide receiver room lies with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but it is clear that an overhaul of the room is underway.

Devin White has already moved on from Tampa Bay and Lavonte David may not be far behind. Jihaad Campbell would step in and fill that need for them in 2025 and beyond.

Denver is comfortable with its receiver room so the belief is that the Broncos will look to bolster the offense with either tight end or running back help. Ashton Jeanty is gone, but Colston Loveland is still available as Sean Payton can now focus on addressing the running back position on Day 2.

Los Angeles was interested in trading up last year for Brock Bowers, but were unable to make that goal a reality. A year later, the Rams are now tasked with replacing Cooper Kupp. Tight end Tyler Warren is dropped into the offense. They understood they may need to get in front of the Chargers.

Grey Zabel has the positional flexibility to play offensive guard or center. Los Angeles needs the guard in the short term and potentially the center in the long term. Edge rusher also ranks high on the list of needs with Wednesday’s news that Joey Bosa had been released.

Jaire Alexander will not be on the roster this season; the means to facilitate that are not important. Jahdae Barron has the size of a slot cornerback, but does not lack in physicality. Similar to Kansas City with Trent McDuffie, they could drop him on the boundary in a pinch.

Harrison Smith is not getting any younger and Cam Bynum is slated to hit free agency next week. Malaki Starks can bring youth and accountability to the Vikings secondary.

Kenneth Grant is a big body who will immediately upgrade the run defense. He can occupy additional bodies and deliver one-on-one opportunities for Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.

After trading back with Los Angeles, the Steelers draft a replacement for Najee Harris. Hampton is the second running back drafted after his standout performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Kelvin Banks is the perfect fit for the Ravens at this particular point in time because, as of writing this, Ronnie Stanley has not re-signed. Banks could continue playing left tackle or move inside to guard if Stanley returns.

Carlton Davis is slated to hit free agency. Detroit could simply bring back Darius Slay, but some of the familiar faces in that organization have moved on. The Lions elect to move forward with a young room that features Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw and now Maxwell Hairston.

The selection of Josh Simmons could potentially upgrade two positions. Simmons would be the long-term left tackle, but his presence allows the organization to move Brandon Coleman either inside or to right tackle.

Buffalo would have loved Malaki Starks to fall a bit further, but the Bills settle for a long boundary cornerback that will be returning from a torn ACL in 2025.

Joe Thuney was traded to Chicago and the belief is that Kingsley Suamataia will slide inside to potentially replace him. Regardless, a need at left tackle still exists and the Chiefs take another bite at the apple with the selection of Conerly.

Tyler Booker lasting this late in the first round may come as a surprise to general manager Howie Roseman, but he is not one to question a gift. Booker is the potential long-term answer at the position manned by Mekhi Becton in 2024.