- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 370,631
- Reaction score
- 43
NFL teams spent hundreds of millions of dollars on contracts in the first week of free agency. Big deals and trades saw the landscape of the league change in a matter of days; Seattle's overhauled its offense and New England spent at every level of the defense.
'HAD TO SCRATCH, CLAW AND FIGHT': Newest Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs embraces the role of underdog, other takeaways
Front offices league-wide used free agency to address some needs, lowering the number of holes on their rosters ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. This shows where teams felt investment with veterans was more worthwhile compared to young talent and leaves spots for talented prospects to fill in.
This year's draft will have plenty of starting-caliber talent to offer in the first three rounds, specifically at the defensive line, running back, interior offensive line and tight end positions.
DRAFT'S TOP 10 EDGE RUSHERS: Abdul Carter leads class post-combine
Free agency and the deals shortly beforehand vastly changed the quarterback outlook for the class. In a down year for the position, teams may be locked into a quarterback after the limited veteran options came off the market quickly.
DRAFT'S TOP 10 CORNERBACK PROSPECTS: Travis Hunter leads class post-combine
There are plenty of possibilities for how Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft will turn out. At time of publishing, all 32 teams are slated to pick in the first round for the first time in NFL history.
Here's our latest predictions for Round 1:
No trades are included in this mock draft.
This one's pretty straightforward. The Titans spent money on the offensive line to surround Ward with good protection in year one. They'll need to invest at the weapons around him but Ward is the best prospect at the most important position in this class.
Myles Garrett is back in the building and there are questions at quarterback, but the Browns take one of the best players in the class. Carter offers an ideal running mate for him and a potential succession plan for the future. They can use a later-round pick at quarterback or sign a free agent.
The Giants were poking around the free agent market for quarterbacks and weren't able to make a deal. They get the most pro-ready quarterback in the class in Sanders in the hope of turning around the offense in 2025.
Campbell is an impressive athlete on the offensive line and a leader in the locker room. Both of those qualities will endear him to new Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and he'll be a key protector for Drake Maye in the future.
Jacksonville stays put and gets arguably the best player in the class. Hunter can help the worst pass defense in the NFL from 2024 hold up better in coverage. New coach Liam Coen can scheme up packages for him on offense as well.
Las Vegas brought in Pete Carroll and John Spytek as the new head coach and general manager, respectively, for 2025. Spytek's time in Tampa Bay's front office was marked with their investment in the offensive and defensive lines, and he does something similar here. Membou could be a guard and transition to tackle with time or compete with DJ Glaze at right tackle as a rookie.
The Jets signed Justin Fields and spent in the secondary in free agency, leaving offensive line and pass catchers as potential investments in Round 1. McMillan could compliment Garrett Wilson at outside wide receiver and ease the load on him in the passing game.
The Panthers need to invest in defense and get one of the best athletes in the class here with Stewart. His a rare, elite athleticism eases some of the concern about his lackluster sack numbers from college.
The Saints brought in Kellen Moore as the new head coach. His last two stops as an offensive coordinator featured elite offensive line groups. That's not the case in New Orleans now and the Saints opt to invest in the draft there.
Chicago bolstered the offensive and defensive lines in free agency and via trades. Now, the Bears can look more like Ben Johnson's offenses in Detroit with a standout running back such as Jeanty, the most talented running back in the class.
With the top three offensive tackles off the board, the 49ers opt instead to invest in the defensive line with Williams. His freakishly long arms, size, athleticism and power make him a developmental piece for the 49ers' defense.
Jeanty's off the board so the Cowboys take the best player available on defense in the versatile Walker. He can line up at linebacker or rush off the edge as a compliment to star Micah Parsons.
Miami invested in the secondary and offensive line in free agency, leaving the defensive line as the point of investment in the draft. Graham has a similar game to Christian Wilkins coming out of college and can fill the whole he left after leaving in free agency.
The Colts invested in the secondary in free agency, but lost multiple starters on the offensive line. They take the versatile Jackson here who can line up at guard and excel or at tackle in a pinch, as he did in 2024 after an injury to teammate Josh Simmons. Tight end is popular here but the Colts could get a difference-maker at the position in Round 2.
Atlanta needs pass rush help and gets the most pro-ready edge rusher here with Ezeiruaku, a productive edge rusher with a litany of pass rush moves.
Green was incredibly productive in 2024 off the edge for Marshall with 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He'd offer a different type of edge rusher for the Cardinals in a division featuring strong offenses in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Bengals need help on defense and grab one of the more productive edge rushers in the class with the former Volunteer. Pearce Jr. is a lean, athletic liner pass rusher who should shore up a position of need with Trey Hendrickson's future in doubt.
Seattle gets another versatile piece in the secondary with Barron who could line up at multiple spots for the Seahawks. Barron's versatility and speed at the combine make him an asset in coverage and his attitude in run defense will be welcome on this unit.
Lavonte David just turned 35 years old and is coming back for another year in Tampa Bay. This feels a bit early for the next crop of edge rushers and instead the Buccaneers select a succession plan once David opts to retire.
Denver brought in Evan Engram in free agency to bolster the tight end room and continue to invest in the pass-catching group here at No. 20. Golden's combine performance and finish to the 2024 college football season vaulted him into first-round territory. He'll be a great No. 2 option behind Courtland Sutton in the wide receiver group.
Johnson falls no further than the Steelers in this mock draft. The Wolverines product has prototypical size and production for outside cornerback and his 2023 tape was outstanding. His 2024 tape wasn't as good before his injury, but he would be a great fit opposite Joey Porter Jr. for the Steelers defense.
The Chargers opt for a tight end to help in both the pass and run games with Warren here. The Penn State product can line up all over the offense and provides the Chargers with a good run blocker and mismatch against coverage.
Green Bay upgraded interior offensive line and nickel corner in free agency, leaving outside cornerback as a need entering the draft even if Jaire Alexander returns in 2025. Revel Jr. is an ideal mix of size and speed at 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds and the commitment to play hard against the run.
Minnesota shored up interior offensive line and defensive line in free agency. The Vikings brought back Byron Murphy Jr. and brought in Isaiah Rodgers as well at cornerback. Starks is a versatile piece on the back end with impressive flashes from his time with the Bulldogs and could be an eventual successor to Harrison Smith on the back end.
Houston traded away tackle Laremy Tunsil during free agency and need more help at the position. They'll hope that new offensive coordinator Nick Caley can upgrade the offensive line as a unit with his system but there's still work to be done. Simmons could've been a top-15 pick if not for a season-ending knee injury. Houston could get a steal here if his medicals check out.
Los Angeles targeted Brock Bowers in the draft last year, but a trade up never came to fruition. The Rams get a tight end of the future this time around. Loveland isn't on Bowers' level as a prospect, but is a weapon in the passing game and a mismatch in coverage at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds.
Baltimore needs upgrades in the secondary around Kyle Hamilton to commit to the style of coverage they want to play. Thomas showed off well at the combine to address some speed concerns and offers a long frame made for press coverage at the NFL level. In a division with the likes of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf and Jerry Jeudy, a big corner opposite Nate Wiggins is worth investing in.
Detroit's defense as a whole was decimated by injuries last season. They'll look to shore up the depth chart up front with Scourton here. The Texas A&M product isn't as explosive an athlete than teammate Stewart but is a productive edge rusher with a high motor and solid pass rush moves for his stage of develpment.
The Commanders traded for Tunsil and Deebo Samuel this offseason in a show of commitment to building around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Another pass-catcher who can beat man coverage is a worthwhile pick here and they get a plug-and-play slot receiver in Egbuka.
Kansas City exploited Buffalo's shortcomings in the secondary in the AFC championship game and Buffalo gets to work shoring that up in Round 1. Morrison's a linear athlete with impressive ball production who looks like a good fit in zone coverage. At 6-foot and 193 pounds, he has the size that Buffalo typically looks for at the position.
The Chiefs spent at tackle and in the secondary in free agency. They lost Derrick Nnadi, though, and Harmon could help ease that loss while developing as a potential successor for Chris Jones down the line as he gets older.
Philadelphia traded away starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and that leaves a rare hole on the Eagles' roster. They take the best safety available in Emmanwori, an elite athlete with the size to thump in run defense and the speed to cover.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL mock draft: Post-free agency Round 1 predictions
Continue reading...
'HAD TO SCRATCH, CLAW AND FIGHT': Newest Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs embraces the role of underdog, other takeaways
Front offices league-wide used free agency to address some needs, lowering the number of holes on their rosters ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. This shows where teams felt investment with veterans was more worthwhile compared to young talent and leaves spots for talented prospects to fill in.
This year's draft will have plenty of starting-caliber talent to offer in the first three rounds, specifically at the defensive line, running back, interior offensive line and tight end positions.
DRAFT'S TOP 10 EDGE RUSHERS: Abdul Carter leads class post-combine
Free agency and the deals shortly beforehand vastly changed the quarterback outlook for the class. In a down year for the position, teams may be locked into a quarterback after the limited veteran options came off the market quickly.
DRAFT'S TOP 10 CORNERBACK PROSPECTS: Travis Hunter leads class post-combine
There are plenty of possibilities for how Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft will turn out. At time of publishing, all 32 teams are slated to pick in the first round for the first time in NFL history.
Here's our latest predictions for Round 1:
2025 NFL mock draft: Post-free agency
No trades are included in this mock draft.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
This one's pretty straightforward. The Titans spent money on the offensive line to surround Ward with good protection in year one. They'll need to invest at the weapons around him but Ward is the best prospect at the most important position in this class.
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Myles Garrett is back in the building and there are questions at quarterback, but the Browns take one of the best players in the class. Carter offers an ideal running mate for him and a potential succession plan for the future. They can use a later-round pick at quarterback or sign a free agent.
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Giants were poking around the free agent market for quarterbacks and weren't able to make a deal. They get the most pro-ready quarterback in the class in Sanders in the hope of turning around the offense in 2025.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Campbell is an impressive athlete on the offensive line and a leader in the locker room. Both of those qualities will endear him to new Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and he'll be a key protector for Drake Maye in the future.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Jacksonville stays put and gets arguably the best player in the class. Hunter can help the worst pass defense in the NFL from 2024 hold up better in coverage. New coach Liam Coen can scheme up packages for him on offense as well.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Las Vegas brought in Pete Carroll and John Spytek as the new head coach and general manager, respectively, for 2025. Spytek's time in Tampa Bay's front office was marked with their investment in the offensive and defensive lines, and he does something similar here. Membou could be a guard and transition to tackle with time or compete with DJ Glaze at right tackle as a rookie.
7. New York Jets: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Jets signed Justin Fields and spent in the secondary in free agency, leaving offensive line and pass catchers as potential investments in Round 1. McMillan could compliment Garrett Wilson at outside wide receiver and ease the load on him in the passing game.
8. Carolina Panthers: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Panthers need to invest in defense and get one of the best athletes in the class here with Stewart. His a rare, elite athleticism eases some of the concern about his lackluster sack numbers from college.
9. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas
The Saints brought in Kellen Moore as the new head coach. His last two stops as an offensive coordinator featured elite offensive line groups. That's not the case in New Orleans now and the Saints opt to invest in the draft there.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Chicago bolstered the offensive and defensive lines in free agency and via trades. Now, the Bears can look more like Ben Johnson's offenses in Detroit with a standout running back such as Jeanty, the most talented running back in the class.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
With the top three offensive tackles off the board, the 49ers opt instead to invest in the defensive line with Williams. His freakishly long arms, size, athleticism and power make him a developmental piece for the 49ers' defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
Jeanty's off the board so the Cowboys take the best player available on defense in the versatile Walker. He can line up at linebacker or rush off the edge as a compliment to star Micah Parsons.
13. Miami Dolphins: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Miami invested in the secondary and offensive line in free agency, leaving the defensive line as the point of investment in the draft. Graham has a similar game to Christian Wilkins coming out of college and can fill the whole he left after leaving in free agency.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
The Colts invested in the secondary in free agency, but lost multiple starters on the offensive line. They take the versatile Jackson here who can line up at guard and excel or at tackle in a pinch, as he did in 2024 after an injury to teammate Josh Simmons. Tight end is popular here but the Colts could get a difference-maker at the position in Round 2.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Atlanta needs pass rush help and gets the most pro-ready edge rusher here with Ezeiruaku, a productive edge rusher with a litany of pass rush moves.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Green was incredibly productive in 2024 off the edge for Marshall with 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. He'd offer a different type of edge rusher for the Cardinals in a division featuring strong offenses in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The Bengals need help on defense and grab one of the more productive edge rushers in the class with the former Volunteer. Pearce Jr. is a lean, athletic liner pass rusher who should shore up a position of need with Trey Hendrickson's future in doubt.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Seattle gets another versatile piece in the secondary with Barron who could line up at multiple spots for the Seahawks. Barron's versatility and speed at the combine make him an asset in coverage and his attitude in run defense will be welcome on this unit.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Lavonte David just turned 35 years old and is coming back for another year in Tampa Bay. This feels a bit early for the next crop of edge rushers and instead the Buccaneers select a succession plan once David opts to retire.
20. Denver Broncos: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Denver brought in Evan Engram in free agency to bolster the tight end room and continue to invest in the pass-catching group here at No. 20. Golden's combine performance and finish to the 2024 college football season vaulted him into first-round territory. He'll be a great No. 2 option behind Courtland Sutton in the wide receiver group.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson falls no further than the Steelers in this mock draft. The Wolverines product has prototypical size and production for outside cornerback and his 2023 tape was outstanding. His 2024 tape wasn't as good before his injury, but he would be a great fit opposite Joey Porter Jr. for the Steelers defense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Chargers opt for a tight end to help in both the pass and run games with Warren here. The Penn State product can line up all over the offense and provides the Chargers with a good run blocker and mismatch against coverage.
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Green Bay upgraded interior offensive line and nickel corner in free agency, leaving outside cornerback as a need entering the draft even if Jaire Alexander returns in 2025. Revel Jr. is an ideal mix of size and speed at 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds and the commitment to play hard against the run.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Minnesota shored up interior offensive line and defensive line in free agency. The Vikings brought back Byron Murphy Jr. and brought in Isaiah Rodgers as well at cornerback. Starks is a versatile piece on the back end with impressive flashes from his time with the Bulldogs and could be an eventual successor to Harrison Smith on the back end.
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Houston traded away tackle Laremy Tunsil during free agency and need more help at the position. They'll hope that new offensive coordinator Nick Caley can upgrade the offensive line as a unit with his system but there's still work to be done. Simmons could've been a top-15 pick if not for a season-ending knee injury. Houston could get a steal here if his medicals check out.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Los Angeles targeted Brock Bowers in the draft last year, but a trade up never came to fruition. The Rams get a tight end of the future this time around. Loveland isn't on Bowers' level as a prospect, but is a weapon in the passing game and a mismatch in coverage at 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Baltimore needs upgrades in the secondary around Kyle Hamilton to commit to the style of coverage they want to play. Thomas showed off well at the combine to address some speed concerns and offers a long frame made for press coverage at the NFL level. In a division with the likes of Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf and Jerry Jeudy, a big corner opposite Nate Wiggins is worth investing in.
28. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Detroit's defense as a whole was decimated by injuries last season. They'll look to shore up the depth chart up front with Scourton here. The Texas A&M product isn't as explosive an athlete than teammate Stewart but is a productive edge rusher with a high motor and solid pass rush moves for his stage of develpment.
29. Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders traded for Tunsil and Deebo Samuel this offseason in a show of commitment to building around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Another pass-catcher who can beat man coverage is a worthwhile pick here and they get a plug-and-play slot receiver in Egbuka.
30. Buffalo Bills: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Kansas City exploited Buffalo's shortcomings in the secondary in the AFC championship game and Buffalo gets to work shoring that up in Round 1. Morrison's a linear athlete with impressive ball production who looks like a good fit in zone coverage. At 6-foot and 193 pounds, he has the size that Buffalo typically looks for at the position.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Chiefs spent at tackle and in the secondary in free agency. They lost Derrick Nnadi, though, and Harmon could help ease that loss while developing as a potential successor for Chris Jones down the line as he gets older.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Philadelphia traded away starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and that leaves a rare hole on the Eagles' roster. They take the best safety available in Emmanwori, an elite athlete with the size to thump in run defense and the speed to cover.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL mock draft: Post-free agency Round 1 predictions
Continue reading...
