Mina Kimes shares her most “chaotic” team going into the NFL draft
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes breaks down who she believes is very up in the air regarding their pick for the 2025 NFL Draft this year.
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After much anticipation, the 2025 NFL Draft is just days away.
The Tennessee Titans are on the clock. Is it a formality the Titans will select Cam Ward No. 1 overall? Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry praised Colorado Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Are the Browns targeting Hunter at No. 2? Where is Hunter’s teammate, Shedeur Sanders, going to end up?
Defensive line is considered the deepest position group in the NFL draft. This year’s running backs class is strong, too.
We’re going to get answers to all our questions from the draft in Green Bay next week. USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon provides his third mock draft less than a week before all the action kicks off.
1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Titans and Ward have been tied together for weeks. Tennessee’s reluctance to pursue a quarterback during free agency is an indication that they intend to draft a young passer. Ward is the consensus top QB in this year’s class.
2. Cleveland Browns: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Browns GM Andrew Berry called Hunter a unicorn this week and compared the Heisman Trophy winner to Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. The two-way player possesses the skills to play both ways. With Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome at corner, the Browns need more aid at wide receiver.
3. New York Giants: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Carter’s talent and athleticism off the edge will help him make an immediate impact in the NFL. He would instantly form a young formidable edge rushing duo with Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants ranked 24th in total defense last year.
4. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell, LSU
The Patriots ranked 31st in pass block win rate and last in run block win rate in 2024, according to ESPN. As a result, New England had the worst total offense in the AFC. The Patriots must fortify their O-line.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
The Jaguars had the second-worst defense in the NFL last season. Graham is an active three-technique defensive tackle with good strength. His 34 pressures ranked in the top 10 for all interior lineman in college football in 2024.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Raiders averaged an NFL-low 79.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. It was the lowest rushing average by a team in a single season since 2022. Pete Carroll’s teams in Seattle routinely had stout rushing attacks. Jeanty and Brock Bowers are foundation pieces on offense.
7. New Orleans Saints (via NYJ): QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
New Saints coach Kellen Moore inherited Derek Carr. They aren’t in a committed long-term relationship. Plus, Carr is reportedly dealing with a shoulder issue. The Saints can start a new era at QB with Sanders with this projected trade with the Jets. He’s a prototypical dropback passer, and throws with good accuracy and anticipation.
8. Carolina Panthers: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Carolina had the worst total defense in the NFL in 2024. The team’s 32 sacks were second to last in the NFC, and they ranked 31st in the league pass rush win rate, per ESPN. Walker is a hybrid player who can play edge or off-ball linebacker.
9. New York Jets (via NOR): TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
The Jets believe in Justin Fields, but they have to surround him with better weapons. Warren is a complete tight end who blocks well and is tough to tackle with the football in his hands.
10. Chicago Bears: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
The Bears landed three new interior offensive line starters this offseason. The job fortifying the O-line isn’t finished. Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times during his rookie season, the third most in NFL history.
11. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
The 49ers will have at least two new starters along their defensive line entering the season. Green could be one of them. Green’s 17 sacks led college football last season. He’s athletic, explosive and has the bend and flexibility to get around the edge.
12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
The Cowboys lost Rico Dowdle in free agency. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders were added, but Omarion Hampton would give Dallas a much-needed long-term answer at the position.
13. Miami Dolphins: OT Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead retired after 12 seasons. Zabel can play four of the five offensive line positions. He allowed one sack and six pressures at left tackle his final year at North Dakota State.
14. Indianapolis Colts: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Whether the Colts start Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, they need more production out of the tight end position. The Colts top tight end had a paltry 14 receptions last season. Loveland is a pass catching tight end who would make an immediate impact in Indy.
15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
After ranking last in the NFC in sacks in 2024, the Falcons have an opportunity to boost their pass rush with the acquisition of Leonard Floyd in free agency and Williams through the draft. The 6-foot-5 edge rusher has significant upside. He tallied five sacks, nine tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last year.
16. Arizona Cardinals: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Pro Football Focus gave Barron a 91.3 coverage grade for last year, the best of any cornerback with at least 300 snaps. Barron’s five interceptions were tied for first in the SEC, and he also led the team with 11 pass breakups. The Cardinals ranked in the bottom half of the league in total defense.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
The Bengals devoted a lot of resources on offense. They must get better on defense through the draft. DJ Reader’s departure in free agency last offseason was a significant loss. Grant is the type of player who can fill the void in the interior.
18. Seattle Seahawks: G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Booker has the size, girth and length to be an elite guard. He was arguably the best guard in college football in 2024. He allowed zero sacks and only nine pressures his final year with the Crimson Tide.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Johnson is a big 6-foot-2, instinctive cornerback with good ball skills. He set a Michigan record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns in his career. Tampa Bay finished 29 in pass defense in 2024.
20. Denver Broncos: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
McMillan has a big catch radius and is a long stride runner The 6-foot-5 wide pass catcher is a possession receiver with good ball skills. McMillan and 6-foot-4 Courtland Sutton would give the Broncos a basketball team on the outside.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Quarterback is an option here. But with several quality defensive linemen available, the Steelers select the Oregon product with massive upside. The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle has impressive size, length and strength.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
Nolen’s athleticism and explosiveness make him a first-round three-technique defensive tackle. The Chargers lost their best defensive tackle, Poona Ford, in free agency. Nolen, at 6-foot-4 and 296 pounds, has the size and potential to be a force in the interior.
23. Green Bay Packers: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Hairston is a fast cornerback who has good man and zone coverage skills. His 4.28 40-yard dash time was the fastest at the 2025 NFL Combine. The Packers put CB Jaire Alexander on the trade block.
24. Minnesota Vikings: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Veteran Harrison Smith decided to return for his 14th season, but the Vikings need to start grooming Smith’s heir apparent. Emmanwori is regarded as the top safety in the draft. His 88 tackles led South Carolina last season. He also produced four interceptions.
25. Houston Texans: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Golden earned himself plenty of money when he ran a wide receiver-best 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. The Texans need a speed receiver because Tank Dell’s knee injury will likely keep him out all of 2025.
26. Los Angeles Rams: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The middle of the Rams’ defense has been a weakness since veteran Bobby Wagner departed for the nation’s capital. Nate Landman was added in free agency, but Campbell would give the Rams the athletic and impact linebacker the team’s been missing.
27. Baltimore Ravens: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Starks is a versatile safety who has a nose for the football and is comfortable in coverage. He led the Bulldogs with 77 tackles in 2024. The Ravens had the second worst pass defense in the NFL last season.
28. Detroit Lions: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year finished second in the FBS with 16.5 sacks and third with 20.5 tackles for loss. The Lions’ defense was ravaged by injuries this past season and needs more depth up front.
29. Washington Commanders: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
The Commanders lost their sack leader Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency. Stewart’s college production raises some questions (only 4.5 sacks in three seasons), but he possesses high upside.
30. Buffalo Bills: DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Williams is a hole filling run defender. He has a good first step and quick feet for his size. The Bills can get younger and more explosive in the interior.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
The Chiefs witnessed the effects of a stout defensive line firsthand. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones is Kansas City’s only consistent pass rusher. Pearce led Tennessee with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last year.
32. New York Giants (via PHI): QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
A trade between two division rivals. The Giants grab their QB of the future who can sit and learn this year while Russell Wilson starts. Many scouts have the Ole Miss product as the third-ranked QB prospect in the draft.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
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