Mock NFL Draft: Where would SW FL high school football stars be selected in 2025 first round?

It’s NFL Mock Draft season. 

It’s that special time of year when fans, experts, and people who think they’re experts try to guess what moves pro football franchises will make over the three-day draft to bolster their rosters.

So why not do one for Southwest Florida’s deep local talent before the real thing takes place from Thursday, April 24 to Saturday, April 26 in Green Bay?

Instead of picking college players, let’s delve into a fantasy world where NFL teams are limited to selecting just high school players in the first round from the Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples area. 

So what exactly are the rules? Since we’re already breaking the NFL Draft eligibility requirements, there won’t be many.

• High school freshmen will be eligible for this draft.
• Teams own the picks they currently have heading into the draft. No mock trades. Sorry.
• These selections are based on positional needs for each team and not the best available player. You’ll notice that very quickly. Remember, this is not a ranking of the area’s best players but of the players that would fill an actual NFL team’s need. Measurables and projection at the next level will come into play here.
• Players are listed for the high school team they played for during the 2024 season and not where they will play in 2025.

Here is the fourth annual Southwest Florida High School NFL Mock Draft:

1. Tennessee Titans

Carter Smith, QB, Bishop Verot

No surprise here, as the Titans are in desperate need of a quarterback who can make throws and improvise. Smith does both as Lee County’s all-time leading passer threw for 8,828 yards, ran for 2,640 more, and accumulated 144 total touchdowns at Bishop Verot. He’s already on campus at Wisconsin as he works toward being a real No. 1 pick.

2. Cleveland Browns

Brady Quinn, QB, First Baptist

A young but capable thrower, Quinn’s got the intangibles to make things happen for a rebuilding Cleveland team in search of a return to the postseason. The freshman threw for 2,549 yards with 33 touchdowns against 9 interceptions, helping the Lions advance to the Class 1A state semifinals. Browns fans just hope he’s better than the Brady Quinn they drafted in the first round 18 years ago.

3. New York Giants

Bradley Martino, WR/CB, First Baptist

The Travis Hunter locally in this year’s draft, Martino can go either way for the Giants. As a junior at Golden Gate in 2023, he logged a pair of interceptions as a senior at First Baptist, he caught 53 passes for 974 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding a rushing score as well. Martino and Malik Nabers in the same receiving corps? Sign me up.

4. New England Patriots

James Johnson, DL, North Fort Myers

The ex-North Fort Myers defensive lineman was a wrecking ball and gives New England some much-needed physicality on the defensive line under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Johnson logged 60 tackles as a junior, including 29 tackles for loss, five sacks, and a pair of fumble recoveries in eight games. Johnson has since transferred to Northwestern.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Kendall Guervil, DL, Fort Myers

The big Fort Myers defensive lineman stays in state, heading to Jacksonville to try and provide some stability on the defensive line. Guervil was second on the team in tackles with 88, including 12 for loss. The junior helped Fort Myers to an 8-4 season along with a postseason berth, something Jags fans would love to have happen to their franchise again.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Shawn Simeon, RB, Naples

Simeon is quite literally the Ashton Jeanty of this year’s draft class. He’s a high-volume guy who will wear you down over time in the backfield. Just let Simeon’s back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons at Naples speak for themselves, including a 387-yard, 7-touchdown effort against Port Charlotte in the 2023 postseason. The Broxson Trophy winner should give Raiders fans a ton to cheer about.

7. New York Jets

Taren Hedrick, OL, Community School

Hedrick heads to the Big Apple after a productive season at CSN, helping the Seahawks produce a 1,500-yard rusher in Jayvian Tanelus. Hedrick’s 6-foot-5 frame should be good enough to protect Justin Fields whether he’s at left or right tackle, as the Jets aim to overtake Buffalo in the AFC East.

8. Carolina Panthers

Micah Fils-Aime, DL, First Baptist

Another edge rusher goes off the board here, as Fils-Aime heads to Carolina to try and shore up a defense that was below average last year. With the Lions, Fils-Aime logged 82 tackles, including 23 for loss, while adding 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and three blocked field goals, helping that unit concede just 15.8 points per game a season ago.

9. New Orleans Saints

Joel Ervin, OL, Fort Myers

Offensive line, offensive line, offensive line. That’s the Saints’ desperate need, no matter if it’s Derek Carr or Spencer Rattler starting under center next season. Ervin’s 6-foot-6, 280-pound frame gives New Orleans some much needed length at the tackle spot, in hopes of punching their ticket back to the playoffs.

10. Chicago Bears

Cole Cooke, OL, Riverdale

The Bears had plenty of options at No. 10, but Cooke makes the most sense to protect franchise quarterback Caleb Williams. Cooke’s ability to run and pass block was on display, as the senior’s 6-foot-8, 315-pound frame produced a pair of 1,500-yard rushers in Cole Hayes and Lovensky Blanchard.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Logan Bartley, DB, First Baptist

Bartley’s playmaking ability on the defensive side of the ball makes this pick a steal at 11, especially when the Kansas State signee can play virtually anywhere, whether it be safety, cornerback, or linebacker. Bartley did a little bit of everything for First Baptist in his final season, logging 69 tackles (9 for loss), two sacks, three forced fumbles, two blocked punts, a blocked field goal, and a fumble recovery.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Jayden Petit, WR, First Baptist

The Cowboys love offense, and Petit’s the perfect option here to complement CeeDee Lamb. The junior was second on the team in receiving yards and third in receptions, finishing with 50 catches for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns. Petit and Lamb in the same receiving corps? Sign me up, please.

13. Miami Dolphins

Darrion Jones, DB, Cape Coral

Another defensive back goes off the board, and it’s a good one in Jones. The Cape Coral product helped the Seahawks to an 8-2 season with a playoff appearance, logging a pick and a forced fumble in the secondary along with a handful of tackles. The Dolphins just got better on the back end with Jones, a lanky safety who can move to the nickel or outside if necessary.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Leo Berman, TE, Bishop Verot

Why not go and grab a tight end? Berman’s a great choice for the Colts, as Carter Smith loved his connection with the senior last season. Berman hauled in 27 passes for 352 yards and five touchdowns for the Vikings and should be able to develop quite the relationship with Anthony Richardson, who has similar intangibles to Smith.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Dwyer Camron, DL, Bishop Verot

Berman’s teammate is headed to the ATL just one pick later after a productive season. Camron was a force on the defensive line, logging 70 tackles (16.5 for loss), adding 12.5 sacks, 45 quarterback hurries, and a pair of fumble recoveries to go along with a forced fumble. The Falcons were so close to a playoff berth last season, and Camron’s addition should only bolster their chances.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Sean Kabengele, DL, Naples

Kabengele’s beef up front on the Naples defensive line was on full display, logging 47 tackles, 13 for loss, with 8 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. Kabengele also logged a fumble recovery for a Naples team that didn’t concede more than 23 points to any opponent this past season.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Mint Edwards, DL, Dunbar

Dunbar’s first selection goes off the board here as Edwards will head to Cincinnati to shore up a defense that saw defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo fired. The Tigers defensive lineman finished with 87 tackles (11 for loss), four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Edwards’ physicality helped Dunbar concede fewer than 14 points per game last season.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Rashawn Anderson, WR, Cypress Lake

No D.K. Metcalf? No Tyler Lockett? Seattle’s got their answer in Rashawn Anderson, who should be able to pair up with Jaxon Smith-Njigba beautifully. Anderson logged 73 catches for 1,152 yards with 16 touchdowns for the Panthers, who advanced to the Class 3A-Region 4 final under Joey Mendes. Anderson should be a weapon in the slot, while Smith-Njigba moves to the outside full-time.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Khari Bendolph, LB, Naples

With Lavonte David gone, the Buccaneers got a good one in Bendolph, who’s been a force on the Naples defense each of the last two seasons. Bendolph led the Golden Eagles with 115 tackles (10 for loss), adding four sacks and 11 quarterback hurries at the linebacker spot. The Tampa Bay defense shouldn’t miss a beat next season, putting themselves in a good position to repeat as NFC South champions.

20. Denver Broncos

Deshon Jenkins, RB, Bishop Verot

The Broncos feel like they’re close to being an annual playoff team, and grabbing a tank of a running back in Jenkins does just that. The Verot product did damage against some of the top programs in Florida last season, rushing for 1,786 yards and 22 touchdowns, adding eight receptions for 88 yards in a high octane offense. Bo Nix has his counterpart in the backfield for years to come.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

BJ Williams, Barron Collier, QB

When you lose both quarterbacks, you should probably go get one. Williams is the best available here from a throwing and mobility standpoint, throwing for 2,004 yards, rushing for 560 more, and accounting for 41 total touchdowns after converting from wide receiver earlier this year. His athleticism is reminiscent of Lamar Jackson, something Mike Tomlin will love to have under center.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Madrid Tucker, WR, Fort Myers

The Chargers could’ve gone tight end in this spot, but with Leo Berman going eight picks earlier to Indianapolis, Tucker makes the most sense. Justin Herbert adding another weapon to the offensive side of the ball who can stretch a defense vertically will be beyond beneficial. If Ladd McConkey’s rookie season is any indication of what Tucker has the potential to do, this Chargers team can be scary.

23. Green Bay Packers

James Little IV, DB, Bishop Verot

An obvious concern for Green Bay is the secondary, and Little provides the stability and athleticism the Packers would prefer to have this upcoming season in a division with Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown among others. Little logged 57 tackles with an interception, two fumble recoveries, and eight pass breakups for the Vikings.

24. Minnesota Vikings

LaTroy Pender Jr., DB, Riverdale

The Vikings desperately need safety help and get one here in Pender. The sophomore had 52 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 3 fumble recoveries for the Raiders last season, who advanced to the Class 5A-Region 3 final under Kendoll Gibson.

25. Houston Texans

Jack Benaitis, OL, Bishop Verot

Protection matters. Especially when C.J. Stroud is your starting quarterback. The interior offensive lineman was a key reason why Carter Smith stayed relatively protected in the pocket and why Verot ran for over 3,100 yards as a team averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

26. Los Angeles Rams

JJ Bolz, LB, Bishop Verot

Pick any spot on the defensive side of the ball, and the Rams will automatically get better. They get that type of a player in Bolz, who led Bishop Verot’s defense with 134 tackles (10.5 for loss), adding 5.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Julian Correa, DL, Riverdale

Another side that has no reason to prioritize anything offensively, the Ravens once again go defense in the first round and snag a solid defensive lineman in Correa. The junior ended with 87 tackles, 24.5 of which were for loss, adding 3.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery.

28. Detroit Lions

Deuce Thornton, OL, Lely

Dan Campbell loves his offensive linemen, and grabbing one on the interior was a solid choice as the group gets older. Thornton blends right into what Detroit enjoys doing, which is running the football first. He helped produce a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Nino Joseph and Ty Collins while seeing quarterback Carter Quinn throw for 2,500 yards. This could arguably be the easiest transition of any first-round pick this season.

29. Washington Commanders

Albertini Tenor, DL, Naples

With the offense looking like it’s going to be just fine with Jayden Daniels under center, the Commanders opt for defense and grab a capable edge rusher in Tenor from Naples. The senior logged 57 tackles, 50 of which were solo, adding 20 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 16 quarterback hurries for the Golden Eagles.

30. Buffalo Bills

Jordan Bergeron, DB, Naples

With the amount of turnover in the Buffalo secondary due to injury, you’ve got to think grabbing another in the draft might be the move. Bergeron was often untested last season for Naples due to his length, but when he was tested, it often was a bad result for the opponent. The 6-foot-2 defensive back finished with 32 tackles, adding a sack, three quarterback hurries, and an interception.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

George Haseotes, OL, Community School

If the Super Bowl was any indication, Patrick Mahomes needs some serious help. The Eagles had their way with the Kansas City offensive line, just like Tampa Bay did in 2021. Haseotes gives the Chiefs a strong presence on the line, as he helped pave the way for a 1,500-yard rusher last season.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Brady Clark, DL, Naples

To counter Kansas City’s move, the Eagles got some beef themselves in Clark, who had a huge hand in sending Naples to its first Final Four under Rick Martin. Clark was a First Team selection after a 47 tackle, 8 sack, 2 interception season, with both interceptions being pick-sixes against Port Charlotte in the Class 4A-Region 3 final.

Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

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