2025 NFL mock draft: Complete first round computer simulation

[ASFN Admin]

The 2025 NFL draft is just around the corner, and it's shaping up to be a thrilling first round given the top talent in this class. For the third straight year, the Chicago Bears will be selecting in the Top 10, and there are no shortage of options.

We've been sharing our weekly mock drafts throughout this pre-draft process, where we've tried to pin down realistic scenarios. But everyone's thought process when it comes into assembling mocks is different, which makes it exciting with any given week. So we decided to introduce a twist.

In this exercise, we let the computer do the selecting in the first round -- and there were both expected and surprising results. We used Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, which didn't include any trades and featured default settings with less care for positional value and more drafting for needs.

Here were the first round results:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami​

PFF rank: 21st

2024 PFF grade: 92.9

PFF analysis: "Appreciating Ward, an unorthodox, big-game quarterback, requires a leap of faith. He is ultra-confident, at times to a fault. His mentality could one day make him an All-Pro -- if his fundamentals don't drop him from the league entirely."

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2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado​

PFF rank: 46th

2024 PFF grade: 90.0

PFF analysis: "Sanders may be below average in stature and arm talent compared to NFL quarterbacks, but he plays the game cleanly, takes care of the football and is tough as nails with ice in his veins under pressure."

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado​

PFF rank: 1

2024 PFF grade: 88.2

PFF analysis: "Hunter is one of the most talented players I have ever scouted. As a cornerback, he brings good mirror-matching movements and truly elite ball skills. He can be a bit out of control and lacks some density, which gets exposed the most in press-man coverage. As a primary zone defender with press-man flexibility, he can be an immediate starting cornerback with an All-Pro ceiling."

4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State​

PFF rank: 2nd

2024 PFF grade: 91.3

PFF analysis: "It's hard not to see some Micah Parsons in Carter, who not only wears the same No. 11 but also pops off the screen nearly every play due to being a rare caliber athlete. If he can get even stronger, he has All-Pro potential as a player worthy of a top-five pick."

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan​

PFF rank: 4th

2024 PFF grade: 91.1

PFF analysis: "Graham has shorter-than-ideal arms for an NFL interior defensive lineman, but outside of that, there is a lot to love. He is fast, violent and relentless, and he can stop the run with great strength. He brings a high floor at all times and a high ceiling in flashes as a 3-technique defensive tackle for a 4-3 front."

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6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State​

PFF rank: 5th

2024 PFF grade: 94.9

PFF analysis: "Jeanty is a total-package backfield playmaker with impressive balance, footwork, vision, explosiveness and big-play ability -- reminiscent of Alvin Kamara. He is a first-round offensive weapon who can succeed behind any blocking scheme."

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri​

PFF rank: 11th

2024 PFF grade: 90.6

PFF analysis: "Membou presented a high athletic ceiling in 2023 before his confidence and control took off in 2024. There are times when he could play with more power, but he brings starting-caliber length and movement ability to the NFL with good production as a zone blocker."

8. Carolina Panthers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas​

PFF rank: 7th

2024 PFF grade: 90.7

PFF analysis: "The word "versatile" gets thrown around too much with defensive back prospects, but Barron is exactly that. As a natural zone defender with excellent instincts and anticipation, he is a starting-caliber pro at safety, wide cornerback or nickel defender -- sometimes as all three in the same game -- for Cover 3- or quarters-heavy schemes."

9. New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OL, LSU​

PFF rank: 6th

2024 PFF grade: 72.2

PFF analysis: "Campbell is an offensive lineman's offensive lineman. He approaches the position with excellent respect for what it takes to be great in the trenches: fundamentals, IQ and competitive toughness. His length and flexibility limitations might push him inside in the NFL, but this is a starting-caliber player at all five spots on the line."

10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State​

PFF rank: 8th

2024 PFF grade: 91.3

PFF analysis: "Warren is a do-everything tight end who any coach would love to input into their offense. He isn't a twitchy or flexible athlete who can unlock the whole route tree, but his versatility is incredibly valuable in the run-and-pass games. He is worthy of a first-round selection."

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11. San Francisco 49ers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas​

PFF rank: 22nd

2024 PFF grade: 74.0

PFF analysis: "Golden is a talented player whose movement skills should translate well to the NFL. His advanced avenues of success -- whether through beating press, impressive footwork, after-the-catch ability or kick-return prowess -- make him a player who could be a high-end WR2 in the league."

12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona​

PFF rank: 3rd

2024 PFF grade: 84.8

PFF analysis: "McMillan has All-Pro potential because of his length, athleticism and football intelligence. He's a smooth criminal of a receiver who was the focal point of Arizona's offense. He is a unique talent who deserves to be considered in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft."

13. Miami Dolphins: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama​

PFF rank: 10th

2024 PFF grade: 81.6

PFF analysis: "Campbell has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam LB in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4. He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player."

14. Indianapolis Colts: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia​

PFF rank: 28th

2024 PFF grade: 73.1

PFF analysis: "Walker is a physically and athletically gifted player who presents box presence versatility as an off-ball linebacker. His anticipation and pass-rush profile in its current form are lacking for consistent impact in the NFL. He must improve how he approaches rushing the passer or his off-ball instincts to be worth a top-50 selection due to age and potential."

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia​

PFF rank: 26th

2024 PFF grade: 78.4

PFF analysis: "Williams is a long, strong, versatile edge prospect whose motor is always running hot. His pass-rush profile and consistency (win percentage) are lower than ideal for a projected top-20 pick, but his floor as an elite run defender is so high, and his build is so alluring, that he's worth taking the chance on in that range for a team running odd or even fronts."

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16. Arizona Cardinals: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M​

PFF rank: 27th

2024 PFF grade: 79.5

PFF analysis: "Stewart is a scheme-versatile, high-potential athlete who is still working on winning his reps with technique and discipline as much as athletic ability. His lack of production throughout his college career speaks to the lack of refinement in his game, but he is built like a future NFL player and should be a Day 2 pick because of it."

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan​

PFF rank: 13th

2024 PFF grade: 76.5

PFF analysis: "Johnson is a long, lean cornerback with elite foot quickness and change-of-direction fluidity. His limited long speed will create questions about his man coverage reliability in the NFL, but having him play off coverage with his eyes on the ball as a zone-scheme wide cornerback could allow him to make impactful plays more often."

18. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State​

PFF rank: 18th

2024 PFF grade: 74.4

PFF analysis: "Simmons brings impressive flexibility, leverage, foot speed, balance and hand work to the NFL with an adequate frame. He lacks a bit of power in the run game and is coming off an ACL tear in 2024, but his movement skills and football intelligence make him worthy of a top-50 pick and a shot to be a starter early on."

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia​

PFF rank: 9th

2024 PFF grade: 78.3

PFF analysis: "Starks was a playmaker in the SEC for three straight seasons. He brings good football IQ, tackling and movement ability to play free, strong and slot. He isn't a rare athlete, but he's a starting-caliber player for the backend of any defense."

20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State​

PFF rank: 19th

2024 PFF grade: 79.5

PFF analysis: "There seems to be some draft fatigue with Egbuka, who has been talked about as an NFL prospect for three years. Don't fall for it. He's a high-floor, versatile and savvy receiver as a borderline WR1/WR2."

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21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan​

PFF rank: 17th

2024 PFF grade: 83.7

PFF analysis: "Grant brings a rare combination of quickness and size to the nose tackle position. He has the strength to dominate single blocks and hold up against doubles. When he's in attack mode, he is an imposing player -- I just wish we saw that aggressive mindset more consistently."

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall​

PFF rank: 12th

2024 PFF grade: 92.4

PFF analysis: "Green has only two years of starting experience and not the best competition to measure NFL talent over the past two years. However, he absolutely dominated the way you'd want a future NFL player to with elite pass-rush and run-defense grades in addition to high-90th-percentile numbers in win rate and run stops. He has top-50 all-around ability and projects as a starting-caliber outside linebacker in a 3-4 front."

23. Green Bay Packers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas​

PFF rank: 20th

2024 PFF grade: 86.2

PFF analysis: "Banks is an NFL-caliber athlete at the tackle position whose movement skills and run-blocking abilities give him positional versatility. His lack of arm length could hinder him at offensive tackle, but he projects as an impact starter at either tackle or guard."

24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College​

PFF rank: 16th

2024 PFF grade: 90.0

PFF analysis: "Ezeiruaku is a smaller outside linebacker-type edge rusher who can struggle with the power aspects of the game. However, his quick, smooth style paired with high football IQ and some very nice bend make him an ideal 3-4 pass rush type of defender to draft on Day 2."

25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama​

PFF rank: 48th

2024 PFF grade: 66.5

PFF analysis: "Booker has some foot speed and balance issues that keep him from being a blue-chip prospect, but there is still a lot to like as a powerful, well-built, competitive and high football IQ guard prospect for a man/gap heavy run scheme."

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26. Los Angeles Rams: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina​

PFF rank: 24th

2024 PFF grade: 88.4

PFF analysis: "Hampton is one of the class' most physically gifted running backs with his combination of size, explosiveness and lower-body strength. He can be a productive slasher type of runner behind zone schemes, but his overall vision could make him a boom-or-bust producer, depending on his offensive line."

27. Baltimore Ravens: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss​

PFF rank: 23rd

2024 PFF grade: 88.9

PFF analysis: "Nolen isn't the most polished interior defender, but he might be among the most physically gifted. If he continues to grow in his pre-snap plan and hand usage, he can be an impactful, versatile defensive tackle with a high floor due to his strength in run defense."

28. Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee​

PFF rank: 15th

2024 PFF grade: 87.1

PFF analysis: "Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don't let out of the first round. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best."

29. Washington Commanders: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan​

PFF rank: 25th

2024 PFF grade: 85.9

PFF analysis: "Loveland lacks the density to play as an inline tight end consistently in the NFL, but he brings plenty of value as a tall, long pass catcher with natural hands and crisp routes to line up as a big slot or "X" receiver. He also has some versatility to play attached to the line of scrimmage in certain situations."

30. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon​

PFF rank: 30th

2024 PFF grade: 83.9

PFF analysis: "Harmon has just one year of notable production, but that season showcased a player with a high football IQ, consistent competitiveness and NFL-level quickness. He can be an effective 3-technique defensive lineman for an even front."

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M​

PFF rank: 31st

2024 PFF grade: 80.1

PFF analysis: "Scourton brings an alluring combination of overall size and pass-rush moves to the edge spot, which gives him ideal versatility for 3-4 or 4-3 fronts. However, he does have some length and flexibility limitations. In his current state, he feels like a player who can disrupt and amass pressure but won't be a high-sack-count rusher."

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Darius Alexander, DT, Toldeo​

PFF rank: 32nd

2024 PFF grade: 90.1

PFF analysis: "Alexander was lightly recruited and was a late bloomer in college football (will be 25 in his rookie season), but his measurables and strength are NFL-caliber. He is a contributing NFL defensive lineman at worst due to his strength profile, with starting caliber impact potential in odd and even fronts."

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Complete first round computer simulation

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