2025 NFL mock draft: Live picks, predictions from across the USA TODAY Network

With the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tennessean selects….

Come Thursday, April 24, the Tennessee Titans will make a selection that will alter the direction of their franchise for the foreseeable future. While the Titans are expected to make Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick, the next 31 picks are less certain.

Countless mock drafts, rumors, pre-draft meetings and smokescreens have produced a seemingly infinite amount of possibilities for this year’s first round. The landing spots of quarterback Shedeur Sanders, two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, pass-rushing phenom Abdul Carter and other top-end NFL draft prospects are certainly murky. Few know where these players will land until their draft cards are turned in.

To that end, there are few people in tune with what all 32 NFL teams need than those who cover those teams.

At 2 p.m. ET on April 16, beat writers and NFL experts from across USA TODAY Sports and the USA TODAY Network joined forces to deliver a live mock draft, with the results below. Each selection was allotted 3 minutes, and each pick comes complete with expert analysis.

Here’s how the dust settled on the mock:

No. 1, Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

We can look at this one of two ways: Either the Titans fell in love with Cam Ward in February and telegraphed this decision, or they deliberately ignored the quarterback market in March and left themselves no choice but to find a starter in April. Either way, Ward — the top QB in the class and the NCAA Division I all-time leader in touchdown passes — is the pick. Bring on the Steve McNair comparisons. – Nick Suss, The Tennessean

No. 2, Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Best talent in the draft. Two-way ability sets him apart from any of the QBs. – Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal

No. 3, New York Giants: Abdul Carter, DL/OLB, Penn State

Carter plays with aggression and he’s really good with his hands. This was his first year playing defensive end and on the edge, so there’s no telling how good he can be with more experience at the position. His combination of athletic traits, explosiveness and potential upside is off the charts. – Art Stapleton, NorthJersey.com

No. 4, New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Patriots will almost certainly take an offensive lineman if both Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter aren’t on the board. Will it be Campbell or Armand Membou? Concerns exist about Campbell’s arm length, but the LSU product has three years of starting experience at left tackle. Membou played mostly on the right side at Missouri, so that could convince Mike Vrabel and Co. to roll with Campbell as an upgrade over Vederian Lowe. – Jacob Camenker, NFL Connect

No. 5, Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Jaguars are in position to take the best available player here and there can be debate on whether that’s Graham or Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty. Still, they go the safer route here, addressing a premium position to soldify a defensive line that’s missing one piece. – Demetrius Harvey, The Florida Times Union

No. 6, Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

General manager John Spytek said his son would leave the family if he picked someone other than Jeanty. The Boise State running back brings relevance to a franchise that’s seemingly lost its way. Part-owner Tom Brady doesn’t snag positional value, but wins with touchdowns and fantasy football like Spytek’s son wants. At the end of the day, that’s what football is all about. Worry about the other needs later. – Nick Brinkerhoff, NFL Connect

No. 7, New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

In this draft, the Jets opt for more offensive line reinforcements over the potential star quarterback in Shedeur Sanders. Membou is beefy, athletic and gives the Jets bookend offensive tackles alongside Olu Fashanu for the foreseeable future. – Joe Rivera, NFL Connect

No. 8, Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Conventional thinking states the Panthers should go defense here. But this is a make-or-break season for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales should do everything in their power to make sure he can take the next step forward. Last offseason, they addressed the offensive line in free agency. Nonetheless, Young still lacks weapons. Xavier Legette didn’t show as much promise as he should have during his rookie season, and Adam Thielen isn’t getting any younger. McMillan is one of the most polarizing prospects in the draft, but to me, he’s WR1. Give Young a 6-foot-4 target who has big-play ability and was one of the most productive players in college football over the last two seasons. His expertise in winning at the point of attack – thanks to his volleyball experience – will be a welcome attribute for Young and the Panthers. – Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY Sports

No. 9, New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Saints would love for Sanders to drop to them at No. 9. Saints coach Kellen Moore inherited Derek Carr. They aren’t in a committed long-term relationship, and Carr is reportedly battling a shoulder injury. Sanders, a prototypical dropback passer, is the type of quarterback the Saints and Moore can build around. – Tyler Dragon, NFL Connect

No. 10, Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Bears are in a position to draft the best available after their offseason moves. With Will Campbell, Ashton Jeanty and Armand Membou all off the board, Tyler Warren could very well be the guy. Ben Johnson had high praise for Warren, where it sounds like he’s already scheming up all the different ways to utilize him on offense. Even new Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made it clear how much of a headache it would be to go against a player like Warren. – Alyssa Barbieri, BearsWire

No. 11, San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The 49ers’ tackle future is murky as Trent Williams hits his age-37 season and Colton McKivitz hits free agency in 2026. Banks has the wingspan to become a starter at tackle long-term and work in at guard as a rookie if need be. – Ayrton Ostly, NFL Connect

No. 12, Dallas Cowboys: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

At 6-foot-6, Loveland lines up all over the formation and is consistently a mismatch as a receiver. Dallas ranked first or second in points per game for four consecutive seasons heading into 2024. They ranked 18th with Prescott healthy under center in eight games. Dak posted a career-worst passer rating (86) and QBR (45.6) in those eight games. The addition of a top-tier talent and viable pass catcher is what the offense needs to return to form. Brandin Cooks signed with the Saints in free agency, leaving special teams maven KaVontae Turpin and Jalen Tolbert to battle for the No. 2 wide receiver spot opposite CeeDee Lamb. It’s a copycat league, and the success of Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers in the last two seasons gives the franchise the confidence to make this pick. Jake Ferguson is an unrestricted free agent after 2025 and Dallas will need to spend money elsewhere (Micah Parsons). – Tom Viera, NFL Connect

No. 13, Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Dolphins need a cornerback to replace Jalen Ramsey, who they plan to trade. Miami is thrilled to have a choice here between Johnson and Jahdae Barron of Texas. Miami will look to guard or defensive tackle in Rounds 2 and 3. But corner is their top need. And Miami hopes Johnson can have a Xavien Howard-type career – Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post

No. 14, Indianapolis Colts: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

The Colts would love to solve their tight end need here but get sniped on Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. In the absence of a trade up or, what GM Chris Ballard really loves in a trade back, they take the top linebacker available for their one glaring need left on defense. Jihaad Campbell – Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star

No. 15, Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia

The Falcons would be thrilled to land a player of Walker’s caliber at No. 15 in this year’s draft. He is the exact kind of high-energy, high-ceiling pass-rusher the franchise has craved for years now. While he’d need time to reach his potential, he would immediately give Atlanta the kind of player it loves at outside linebacker. Plus, he’s a Georgia player, which never hurts to win over the Falcons fan base with a draft pick. This is a best-case scenario for Atlanta. – Cory Woodroof, For The Win

No. 16, Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Despite a busy offseason revamping their defensive front seven, the Cardinals keep adding talent and another pass rusher with an intriguing prospect such as Williams. – Bob McManaman, Arizona Republic

No. 17, Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

If Jihaad Campbell or Mykel Williams were still available, this would have been a hard decision. The Bengals need an interior defensive lineman who can wreak havoc and Harmon does just that. One of Cincinnati’s biggest issues defensively was not getting enough pressure on opponents. Harmon immediately upgrades the Bengals’ defensive line and gives them a long-term solution at a position they need to nail to get back into the playoffs after two years of missing the postseason. – Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer

No. 18, Seattle Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

With four picks on Day 2, John Schneider can address the glaring hole at offensive guard later and instead try to maximize value with his top selection. A supreme athlete with extensive playmaking range in coverage, Emmanwori can help Mike Macdonald unlock all kinds of new looks with his defense. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports

No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Yeah, sure, the Bucs could easily go DB here. But they need to draft a star receiver for the future. Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer who is still highly effective but he’s getting older and the team needs to keep giving quarterback Baker Mayfield weapons. – Mike Freeman, USA TODAY Sports

No. 20, Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Sean Payton needs a new bell cow tail back for Denver and they don’t get much better than Hampton. He’s a classic between-the-tackles runner who should be the perfect balm for Bo Nix’s developing offense and an upstart Broncos team that simply needs more field-tilting weapons on all fronts. – Robert Zeglinski, For The Win

No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers: Malakai Starks, S, Georgia

Will the Steelers lingering desperation for a quarterback force them to reach for Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe or Tyler Shough here? Pittsburgh has typically been stoic when it comes to the draft, filling holes with valued prospects in the first round before taking risks later on. Starks, a 2023 All-American, isn’t a perfect fit with Minkah Fitzpatrick but is versatile enough to play just about anywhere in Mike Tomlin’s defense, adding another layer of protection for a team whose offense has done little since the waning days of Ben Roethlisberger. – Christian D’Andrea, For The Win

No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

Chargers could draft a pass catcher here but opt to go for arguably the best player available. Nolen’s athleticism and explosiveness make him an intriguing three-technique defensive tackle. The Chargers need to upgrade the interior of the defensive line after losing both Poona Ford and Morgan Fox in free agency. – Tyler Dragon, NFL Connect

No. 23, Green Bay Packers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Packers have no shortage of needs and would seriously consider Texas CB Jahdae Barron, Texas A&M DE Shemar Stewart and Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, among others. But they need a big man for the middle of their defensive line, and big men with Grant’s talent are hard to find. – Pete Dougherty, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

No. 24, Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, 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. Minnesota had the NFL’s 28th ranked pass defense last season and is devoid of a No. 1 cornerback. – Tyler Dragon, NFL Connect

No. 25, Houston Texans: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

The Texans took a chainsaw to their offensive line during the offseason and are still rebuilding it. Zabel played tackle in college but profiles as a top-tier interior lineman at the professional level. Houston can select him and figure out whether his best long-term fit will be at guard or center while investing in a developmental option behind Cam Robinson later in the draft. – Jacob Camenker, NFL Connect

No. 26, Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texans

This would likely be a dream scenario for the Rams, who fill arguably their biggest need with one of the best cornerbacks in the class. Barron can be a Day 1 starter outside or they can play him in the slot, deploying him similarly to how they used Jalen Ramsey during his prime in L.A. Barron’s versatility will appeal to Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula, as will his physicality and instincts. He’s a perfect target for Los Angeles, even with playmakers such as Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III still on the board. – Cam DaSilva, RamsWire

No. 27, Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Green was the most productive edge rusher by sacks in college football in 2024. Instead of taking a traits-based player, the Ravens go another route and get a player who should contribute off the edge immediately with his burst and violence. – Ayrton Ostly, NFL Connect

No. 28, Detroit Lions: Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State

I considered a pair of pass rushers at this pick: Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku and Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, but Lions GM Brad Holmes is a best-available type guy and Simmons checks that box, assuming he’s healthy. Simmons won’t play right away and the Lions have a bigger need at edge, but they can fill that on Day 2. – Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press

No. 29, Washington Commanders: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Cornerback was a consideration for the Commanders, but with so many edge rushers still on the board, it was impossible to pass up. The Commanders just lost their sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., to the Cowboys in free agency and need to be able to generate more pressure to remain among Super Bowl contenders in 2025. Stewart’s stats won’t impress the box-score watchers, but he’s super traits-y (6-foot-5, 267 pounds) and an excellent athlete (40-inch vertical, 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the combine). With some extra development under head coach Dan Quinn, Stewart will be able to put up more than the 4.5 sacks he had in his collegiate career. – Jack McKessy, NFL Connect

No. 30, Buffalo Bills: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Lackluster defense is what has prevented the Bills from overtaking the Chiefs and getting to the Super Bowl. They have glaring needs at DT and CB, and Williams solves one of those as a big-bodied 329-pound run-stuffing man in the middle of the line, who is one of the best run defenders in this DT class. – Sal Maiorana, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

No. 31, Kansas City Chiefs: James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee

The mission is simple: make the defense more explosive. Allow Patrick Mahomes the freedom of not always having to save the day. – Mike Freeman, USA TODAY Sports

No. 32, Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Howie Roseman was no doubt pulling out his hair waiting for this pick to finally arrive. And as much as Roseman would have loved to trade up, he’ll be very happy getting an edge rusher with 16.5 sacks last season. Ezeiruaku, who goes from the B.C. Eagles to the Philadelphia Eagles, can fit in nicely in the edge rusher rotation. – Martin Frank, Delaware Online

NFL draft order 2025

Here’s the order of all 32 first-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft, according to Tankathon.com:

1. Tennessee Titans: 3-14 record; .522 strength of schedule (SOS)
2. Cleveland Browns: 3-14; .536 SOS
3. New York Giants: 3-14; .554 SOS
4. New England Patriots: 4-13; .471 SOS
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-13; .478 SOS
6. Las Vegas Raiders: 4-13; .540 SOS
7. New York Jets: 5-12; .495 SOS
8. Carolina Panthers: 5-12; .498 SOS
9. New Orleans Saints: 5-12; .505 SOS
10. Chicago Bears: 5-12; .554 SOS
11. San Francisco 49ers: 6-11; .564 SOS
12. Dallas Cowboys: 7-10; .522 SOS
13. Miami Dolphins: 8-9; .419 SOS
14. Indianapolis Colts: 8-9; .457 SOS
15. Atlanta Falcons: 8-9; .519 SOS
16. Arizona Cardinals: 8-9; .536 SOS
17. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-8; .478 SOS
18. Seattle Seahawks: 10-7; .498 SOS
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7; .502 SOS
20. Denver Broncos: 10-7; .502 SOS
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7; .502 SOS
22. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6; .467 SOS
23. Green Bay Packers: 11-6; .533 SOS
24. Minnesota Vikings: 14-3; .474 SOS
25. Houston Texans: 10-7; .481 SOS
26. Los Angeles Rams: 10-7; .505 SOS
27. Baltimore Ravens: 12-5; .529 SOS
28. Detroit Lions: 15-2; .516 SOS
29. Washington Commanders: 12-5; .436 SOS
30. Buffalo Bills: 13-4; .467 SOS
31. Kansas City Chiefs: 15-2; .488 SOS
32. Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3; .453 SOS

When is the 2025 NFL Draft?

• Round 1: Thursday, April 24
• Rounds 2 and 3: Friday, April 25
• Rounds 4 through 7: Saturday, April 26

The 2025 NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 24 at 8 p.m. ET. The Tennessee Titans hold the first pick in this year’s draft.

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