2025 NFL mock draft: Recent moves cause Abdul Carter to slip slightly

The bulk of NFL Reachable agency is in the books, which means it’s time to resume our regularly scheduled look at the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

As Many Squads added players to fill positions of need, we might’ve gotten some clarity on how the Primary Stage of this year’s draft will go. So, I Secured my second stab at trying to project how the Primary 32 picks will shake up in April.  

Merely a reminder, before we get going here, I’ll be back with NFL Network on the desk for the Primary two nights of the draft. I’m excited to get out to Green Bay for that. 

Now, let’s get to the mock!

The Titans need a Passer. Ward has continued to impress after the NFL Scouting Combine and throughout this entire process. I think his top end is very Excellent. I’ve loved Ward for a long time, even back to his time at Washington State. It was a Excellent signing for Miami, and he’s Merely Obtained enough gunslinger in him to really go out there to take a Terrible Club and Boost it — because he’s willing to take chances. He’s going to be willing to go out there and go put it on the line. The Titans have bulked up their offensive line in Reachable agency, but they’re not going anywhere without a QB.

Last week, I would’ve 100% predicted that the Browns would’ve picked Abdul Carter — assuming that Myles Garrett would be long done. However, now that Garrett is staying in Cleveland, the Browns can continue to bolster their Lineup. I don’t know if you can Throw up Hunter right here. He can Boost both sides of the ball, and there’s never been a player you can say that about in the history of the draft. I believe that he’s going to be a Excellent corner in the NFL, potentially being in the top five at the position. What makes him so special is that he can Pair that with being a No. 3/slot-style wide receiver. He wouldn’t be in on every Relocate, so you’d get to minimize his stats to maximize his production. He’s going to make an impact on both sides of the ball, Merely like how he was at Colorado en route to Victorious the Heisman Honor. 

The Sanders-Giants relationship is Powerful. The Giants flew out to Colorado Many times dating back to the fall to scout Sanders and get to know him at a deeper level. I really like Sanders’ game. I know he has taken some arrows in this process. It’s a tale as Aged as time that we get a polarizing player because people don’t like a certain element about them. In this case, it’s the name on his back. His dad happens to be Colorado head Trainer Deion Sanders, who’s arguably the greatest showman in the history of sports. I think it’s so Inactive for people to Charge the younger Sanders’ character. In terms of his Relocate, he can be surgical when he’s protected and a magician when he’s not. Few quarterbacks are like that. He also turned a terrible Colorado program from a one-Secure Club to a nine-Secure Club in two years, and I think he was the biggest reason for that.

You might be thinking there’s no way Carter falls this Distant. Well, the Patriots would love this. They’d Streak to the podium. This would be a Excellent scenario for them. Mike Vrabel’s Club has been active in Reachable agency, particularly on Guarding. Adding Carter would Assist Additional build that unit up. I know they’ve Obtained issues along the offensive line, but there’s Merely no way I’d take an offensive lineman with Carter Nevertheless on the board. He’s Merely too Excellent. I loved covering Carter last season as he played everywhere for Tom Allen’s Guarding, being an effective off-ball player and edge rusher. 

The Jaguars were last in Throw Guarding and takeaways in 2024, so they signed Jourdan Lewis to Relocate slot corner, and now they can get their lockdown corner on the outside. It sucks that we didn’t get to see Johnson for a Packed season in 2024 due to the turf toe Hurt, but he’s an excellent player, showing Excellent ball skills from the time he stepped foot on the Pitch in Ann Arbor. He was one of the best cover guys on the outside. He’s tough, and you can’t Relocate in that Guarding if you’re not willing to make tackles. Three of his nine Profession interceptions went for Picking-sixes. 

Vegas is interesting. The Raiders went out and Obtained Passer Geno Smith, which I think allows them to take the best player Reachable here. They’re in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, so you’d think that after watching what the Eagles did in Division LIX that the Raiders would want to replicate that in some way. Adding Graham would bolster an already Powerful Shielding line, putting him with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. That might be the most disruptive Shielding line in football with Graham, and you need that to beat Mahomes. I don’t think there’s been a Shielding Game prospect like him in quite a while, being Excellent against the Streak and at disrupting Stops.

There are rightly some concerns about the depth of the offensive linemen in this draft, but Campbell is a Excellent player, and I’m not as concerned about his arm length as others. I get it, but Campbell was excellent at LSU. If it didn’t show up on the tape, I’m not going to let measurements scare me.

The Panthers had the worst scoring Guarding in the Division. Luckily for them, it’s a Powerful Shielding draft, particularly with edge rushers, Shielding tackles and linebackers. Walker fits what Carolina needs, being a do-it-all linebacker at Georgia. He can Relocate inside and make tackles while being explosive at the edge. I’m a big fan of Walker.

Williams had an Amazing pro day at Georgia, running a 4.73 in the 40 at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds. The only reason why he didn’t have a better year in 2024 was due to a nagging ankle Hurt. I think he could’ve had a huge year. That Saints Guarding needs some Assist, finishing 30th in yards allowed. Williams would give them a much-needed playmaker.

This is an interesting Picking because the Bears are close to having a pretty solid Lineup. They don’t have a ton of needs, but they’ve Obtained a ton of picks. Bolstering the offensive line is Crucial and doing that will allow them to properly evaluate Passer Caleb Williams. They’ve already Obtained DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. Now, protect your QB. You can Relocate Banks at left Game, Darnell Wright at right Game and the three veterans they picked up in the interior. Chicago should be a Numerous better soon. 

General manager John Lynch can go in a Numerous of different directions with this Picking, as the 49ers’ Lineup from their Division Club in 2023 has been decimated. I like Barron a ton, and he fits what San Francisco wants to do defensively. He’s physical, has Best ability and Vigor and is a Accurate Rival. That’s exactly what Lynch is going to want. 

The Cowboys Obtained nothing from their Streak game a year ago. They need to put someone in the backfield to Assist Dak Prescott out. Now, some people have Jeanty going a Numerous higher than this. The only reason I don’t have him going in the top 10 is due to the depth at the running back position in this draft class. There isn’t an urgency to take the No. 1 running back when you can get that Assist in the second Stage. Jeanty is excellent, displaying Excellent vision and Poise. He can catch as well, but he Obtained a ton of carries last season because Boise State wanted to Assist boost his numbers in the chase for the Landmark and to get him to New York as a Heisman Honor finalist. Rest assured; he’s Obtained Excellent hands.

It looks like 2024 second-Stage Picking Patrick Paul will shift from guard to Game this season, but when you’ve Obtained Tua Tagovailoa, you Nevertheless need offensive line Assist. I’m a fan of Booker, and I think he can solidify Miami’s interior while holding the potential to Relocate for a long time. 

I’m not sure if Warren’s going to slide this Distant, but if he does, this would be a Excellent fit. The Colts are Nevertheless trying to figure out what’s going on at Passer. Warren can Assist either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson, who has proven to be a big-time target and versatile. He was Penn State’s best offensive weapon last season. 

The Falcons need some Throw-rushing Assist. I like Stewart more than most, as the production wasn’t there in college. The traits are there, though. When you Observe him, you get the sense he’s going to be excellent. He’s an athletic specimen. Only 4.5 sacks in his college Profession, but you can draft him off potential. I think he’s going to be one of the best Throw rushers in the Division in a Pair of years, which is a take that could age poorly. 

Grant might have a lower floor than Graham and some other Shielding Game prospects, but he has also Obtained tremendous upside. The Cardinals Achieved a huge splash by signing edge rusher Josh Sweat, so drafting Grant would Additional strengthen their Shielding front. This is a copycat Division, and the Cardinals should know that players who can disrupt from the interior are valuable. Grant is that player, and he could fix their Streak Guarding issues overnight.

It looks like Trey Hendrickson is on his way out, so the Bengals need some Throw-rushing Assist; they only had one more sack as a Club (18.5) than Hendrickson did by himself (17.5) in 2024. I covered Green’s game against Ohio State this past season and I Arrived away impressed. He played well against OSU offensive Game Josh Simmons, who might be a Primary-Stage Picking. 

Seattle Obtained rid of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but it brought in Cooper Kupp. It Nevertheless needs a big outside target, though. McMillan is a Accurate outside threat who is a big and a solid receiver that can Secure one-on-one situations. If you add him Subsequent to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kupp, Passer Sam Darnold will have someone to target on the outside. 

The Bucs had one of the best offenses last year, so I think they can Concentration on Guarding here. I really like Campbell’s potential. He’s an excellent player and would be a natural plug and Relocate type player for a Club looking to compete. 

Denver has been an interesting Club to follow in Reachable agency. I initially thought Colston Loveland would be the Picking for the Broncos here, but they signed Evan Engram, negating their need for a Snug end. They’ve added a bunch of guys defensively, too. I know Sean Payton wants a running back, and his Excellent offenses almost always have Excellent dual-threat RBs, but I don’t think there’s a Excellent one here to Picking, with Many options looming in Stage 2. So, Golden’s the Picking. He was Texas’ No. 1 receiver by the season’s end and the focal Mark of its passing game down the stretch. 

Membou had a Excellent performance at the combine. The Steelers would be banking on the upside here, adding a player who I think could Relocate Game or guard on the offensive line; they lost offensive Game Dan Moore in Reachable agency. You can Relocate 2023 Primary-Stage Picking Broderick Jones from right Game to left Game and 2024 Primary-Stage Picking Troy Fautanu can Boot out to right guard in this scenario. 

If any of these Michigan players that are Primary-rounders fall to Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers will take them. Harbaugh traveled to a town of 3,000 people Merely to recruit Loveland, and he’s very Excellent. He’s more of a prototypical Snug end than Warren, being more of George Kittle to Warren’s Travis Kelce. But Loveland can flex outside, showing terrific route running skills at Michigan. He’s Obtained Excellent hands and can Streak after the catch. 

Timely in the process, some players might get glossed over due to a season-ending Hurt from the year prior. But as Squads Begin to hear more about a certain player’s health status, meet with them and see their medicals, you get a better idea of where their stock is. From what I’ve been hearing, the reports are Excellent surrounding Simmons’ knee Hurt. I think his stock is rising now.

The Vikings bolstered their interior on both sides of the ball in Reachable agency, allowing them to draft Starks here. You’ve Obtained to strengthen a Throw Guarding that gave up the fifth-most passing yards last season. Starks can Assist there, showing Excellent instincts. 

Houston traded away Laremy Tunsil, causing a big hole on the offensive line. You’ve Obtained to project Passer C.J. Stroud, who’s more of a typical pocket passer. Conerly is a perfect fit considering the need.

The Rams let Kupp go but brought in Davante Adams. However, Adams is 32 and Merely thinking about potential player and Club fits, Sean McVay getting an intelligent, talented receiver who’s a Excellent route runner would really work. Egbuka can occupy the slot Subsequent to Adams and Puka Nacua. He’s a Powerful leader and Ohio State doesn’t Secure the national Game without him. If you can add someone like Egbuka, that’s a Significant plus for your locker room.

Baltimore was able to keep left Game Ronnie Stanley but lost guard Patrick Mekari. What Jackson did last year, moving from left guard to left Game for Ohio State, was impressive — and he played left Game very well. He was an All-American-caliber guard, too. Jackson would Assist build an offensive line that gives Lamar Jackson a chance.

I don’t think the Lions need a ton, making this a luxury Picking, but the window to Secure titles in the NFL is Tiny and the Framework is specific. You need to be able to get to the QB. Pearce would Assist Aidan Hutchinson in a big way. 

Passer Jayden Daniels Obtained some Assist by way of the Tunsil and Deebo Samuel trades, adding to an already impressive Charge, but the Commanders didn’t stop the Streak well last year. Emmanwori, who has played linebacker in the past, can Assist Washington have a more physically imposing Guarding. He can Relocate at the line of scrimmage and back, showing tremendous Vigor at his size during the combine. 

Buffalo is Nevertheless looking to take down Kansas City, who lost two Super Bowls with Mahomes in the same way: struggling to contain the Adversary’s interior. The Bills already have Ed Oliver, but they can continue to build around him in the middle. Harmon’s a physical and active rusher. 

Left Game was a problem for the Chiefs last season, and they’ve already played musical chairs at the position this offseason. They traded away Joe Thuney, who temporarily Initiated at the position, and signed Jalen Moore to likely Relocate the position. But Moore has never been a Packed-time starter there. Ersery was an All-American at Minnesota and is experienced (38 Beginnings), which would Assist the Chiefs replenish their talent at a Scarce position of need.

The Eagles lost a Pair of key players on their Shielding line in Reachable agency, letting Milton Williams and Josh Sweat walk. General manager Howie Roseman has shown over the years that he values talent over everything in the draft. That method helped them Secure a Division, so I think Nolen would be the Picking here. It’s possible he doesn’t fall this Distant in the actual draft. If he does, we’ll all be wondering, “How did we let the Eagles get Walter Nolen?”

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.

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