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March Madness is typically reserved for the NCAA basketball tournaments, but it can also apply to the NFL Draft. With the tourney tipping off this weekend, it's a nice time to play with some madness in the latest 2025 NFL Draft projections.
These run through two rounds and do not feature any trades. This is a shot at what the NFL teams might do with their picks, and the projections here do not represent the choices I would make with the picks. With five weeks to go, where are the upset picks and Cinderella prospects heading when the NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay?
Ward is the clear No. 1 seed to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
There are compelling arguments for Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter here, but adding Carter to a defense that already has Myles Garrett locked in would create a true--and fantastic--identity for a team in desperate search of a tangible positive to sell to incredibly skeptical fans.
It's strange to have more confidence in pick No. 3 than the two above it, but that sure seems to be where everyone is with Sanders heading to the Giants. The bigger question is, will it be at No. 3 or above here?
Hunter won the Heisman for being a true playmaker on both sides of the ball. WR or CB as his focus doesn't really matter for New England; the Patriots need a playmaker at both spots.
I feel pretty good about the above four players being the first four picks, be it this order or some other. It's here at No. 5 where the field of prospects grows significantly. The Jaguars having a rookie GM and rookie head coach doesn't help...
Mason Graham is the standard pick here, but in the recent feedback I've gotten in talking to NFL folks, I don't believe the NFL sees Graham quite that way. Some teams will, to be sure, but are the Jaguars one of them? Campbell gets the nod based on positional scarcity in this class, which is loaded at defensive tackle (Graham's position) relative to just about every other position group this year.
On the theory that new coach Pete Carroll will emulate his old--and very successful--Seahawks teams, Jeanty steps into the stud RB role that Marshawn Lynch played. Jeanty is a different style of runner, but the function remains the same.
Yes, "Tet" didn't run fast at his recent pro day. Guess what? He didn't run fast for the Wildcats but still managed to be an unstoppable force in college. Could also see rookie coach Aaron Glenn wanting a defensive toy here, too.
Here's the first true upset in the draft, but Panthers fans probably shouldn't be too upset about adding the high-floor and high-ceiling Egbuka, who can win at all levels of the field and nicely complement the bigger wideouts already on the roster.
Williams has a wide draft range and this is near the top of it. His potential to be an impact pass rusher proves too tempting to the Saints in this scenario.
Graham bolsters the middle-of-field defense for a Bears team that can use a young foundational piece. Omarion Hampton is an interesting sleeper pick here for new head coach Ben Johnson.
The star of the NFL Scouting Combine can add a tone-setting presence to the back end of the 49ers defense that has been missed since Talanoa Hufanga got injured.
Johnson proved to be a playmaker extraordinaire when he was on the field for Michigan. If he can stay healthy--which is an ongoing issue--Johnson can do that for the Cowboys, too.
High-floor college tackle who would figure to shore up Miami's ongoing blocking issues right away, even while (likely) transitioning to guard.
Warren is not necessarily Indy's biggest need, but his size and playmaking ability after the catch just might have him as the BPA when the Colts go on the clock here.
Walker offers a lot of potential as both an off-ball LB and an EDGE. The Falcons would (presumably) tap into his pass-rushing upside Walker showed in 2024.
A little dot connection between Simmons and his former OL coach at Ohio State, Justin Frye, who is now in that role for the Cardinals. Simmons might need an injury redshirt rookie season coming off a late-season knee injury, but the Cardinals can weather that for the long-term upside.
Even if sack champ Trey Hendrickson returns, the Bengals need more firepower to balance out his pass rush. Green carries some questions but he's an explosive EDGE prospect.
Pearce was in the top 5 overall in most preseason mocks. While his 2024 campaign didn't live up to the hype, the lightning-quick Pearce still showed more than enough to stay appealing in this range for a needy team like Seattle. Luther Burden and Matthew Golden were each tough to ignore here...
The ability to play any LB spot at a high level and the potential to become an impactful pass rusher is too tempting for the Buccaneers, and they pull the trigger on the uniquely talented Campbell.
Hampton's electrifying style and ability to make an impact in the passing game figure to appeal to Sean Payton and his rhythmic offense. Thought about Colston Loveland here but his injury question moved me to Hampton and his dynamic potential.
Grant brings a lot of athletic upside as a nose tackle who can also play wider out, if needed. The Steelers can pair him with young Keeanu Benton and get both younger and better on the interior.
One of the most intriguing players in the draft, Stewart lit up the combine workouts and has some tantalizing film...but barely any production. In this scenario, Jim Harbaugh embraces the challenge of coaxing out that production.
The second straight Aggie defender selected who didn't post numbers commensurate with his athletic potential, Scourton offers the pass rush-needy Packers some promise that he can return to the sack master he was at Purdue.
Starks is a difficult player to slot because he's very polished and smart but not necessarily flashy. His ability to play any conceivable safety role should endear him to DC Brian Flores.
What a fun pairing, placing the kinetic Burden with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins in an offense that needs to be more threatening more often. Burden was a preseason top-10 fixture and still has that kind of talent.
Revel missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, but his size and skills are a great fit for the Rams' resurgent defense.
Often projected much higher than this, Banks can become the next in line of "how did everyone let this guy fall to the Ravens" players, even if they might not need him for a year or two.
The big Ducks lineman fills right into the middle of a Lions defense that needs reinforcements inside. Few players played their way up draft boards more than Harmon did in 2024.
Full disclosure: I had Barron typed in for at least four other spots above here but ultimately changed those picks. I'm not changing him out for anyone else for the Commanders.
Something of an upset to see Amos in the first round, but the talent and upside are there for the Rebel to make it worthwhile for a Bills secondary that can stand to add at least one CB in this class.
Jackson's CFP turn at left tackle almost obscures how impressive of a guard prospect he is. The Chiefs would gratefully figure out where he fits.
The world champs love to build through the trenches. Loveland is trench-adjacent and falls a little in this set of projections because of the shoulder injury that could keep him out all offseason.
33 - Cleveland Browns - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss34 - New York Giants - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State35 - Tennessee Titans - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas36 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky37 - Las Vegas Raiders - Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame38 - New England Patriots - Donovan Ekeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College39 - Chicago Bears - Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas40 - New Orleans Saints - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State41 - Chicago Bears - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State42 - New York Jets - Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green43 - San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama44 - Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama45 - Indianapolis Colts - JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State46 - Atlanta Falcons - Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia47 - Arizona Cardinals - Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Arizona48 - Miami Dolphins - Kevin Winston, S, Penn State49 - Cincinnati Bengals - Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota50 - Seattle Seahawks - Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona51 - Denver Broncos - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss52 - Seattle Seahawks - Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon53 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss54 - Green Bay Packers - Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford55 - Los Angeles Chargers - Savion Williams, WR, TCU56 - Buffalo Bills - Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame57 - Carolina Panthers - Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss58 - Houston Texans - Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue59 - Baltimore Ravens - Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State60 - Detroit Lions - Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU61 - Washington Commanders - Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo62 - Buffalo Bills - Emery Jones, OL, LSU63 - Kansas City Chiefs - Femi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA64 - Philadelphia Eagles - Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: NFL Mock Draft update: 2 rounds of March Madness
Continue reading...
These run through two rounds and do not feature any trades. This is a shot at what the NFL teams might do with their picks, and the projections here do not represent the choices I would make with the picks. With five weeks to go, where are the upset picks and Cinderella prospects heading when the NFL Draft kicks off in Green Bay?
1 - Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami FL
Ward is the clear No. 1 seed to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.
2 - Cleveland Browns - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
There are compelling arguments for Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter here, but adding Carter to a defense that already has Myles Garrett locked in would create a true--and fantastic--identity for a team in desperate search of a tangible positive to sell to incredibly skeptical fans.
3 - New York Giants - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It's strange to have more confidence in pick No. 3 than the two above it, but that sure seems to be where everyone is with Sanders heading to the Giants. The bigger question is, will it be at No. 3 or above here?
4 - New England Patriots - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Hunter won the Heisman for being a true playmaker on both sides of the ball. WR or CB as his focus doesn't really matter for New England; the Patriots need a playmaker at both spots.
5 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
I feel pretty good about the above four players being the first four picks, be it this order or some other. It's here at No. 5 where the field of prospects grows significantly. The Jaguars having a rookie GM and rookie head coach doesn't help...
Mason Graham is the standard pick here, but in the recent feedback I've gotten in talking to NFL folks, I don't believe the NFL sees Graham quite that way. Some teams will, to be sure, but are the Jaguars one of them? Campbell gets the nod based on positional scarcity in this class, which is loaded at defensive tackle (Graham's position) relative to just about every other position group this year.
6 - Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
On the theory that new coach Pete Carroll will emulate his old--and very successful--Seahawks teams, Jeanty steps into the stud RB role that Marshawn Lynch played. Jeanty is a different style of runner, but the function remains the same.
7 - New York Jets - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Yes, "Tet" didn't run fast at his recent pro day. Guess what? He didn't run fast for the Wildcats but still managed to be an unstoppable force in college. Could also see rookie coach Aaron Glenn wanting a defensive toy here, too.
8 - Carolina Panthers - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Here's the first true upset in the draft, but Panthers fans probably shouldn't be too upset about adding the high-floor and high-ceiling Egbuka, who can win at all levels of the field and nicely complement the bigger wideouts already on the roster.
9 - New Orleans Saints - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Williams has a wide draft range and this is near the top of it. His potential to be an impact pass rusher proves too tempting to the Saints in this scenario.
10 - Chicago Bears - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham bolsters the middle-of-field defense for a Bears team that can use a young foundational piece. Omarion Hampton is an interesting sleeper pick here for new head coach Ben Johnson.
11 - San Francisco 49ers - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The star of the NFL Scouting Combine can add a tone-setting presence to the back end of the 49ers defense that has been missed since Talanoa Hufanga got injured.
12 - Dallas Cowboys - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson proved to be a playmaker extraordinaire when he was on the field for Michigan. If he can stay healthy--which is an ongoing issue--Johnson can do that for the Cowboys, too.
13 - Miami Dolphins - Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
High-floor college tackle who would figure to shore up Miami's ongoing blocking issues right away, even while (likely) transitioning to guard.
14 - Indianapolis Colts - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren is not necessarily Indy's biggest need, but his size and playmaking ability after the catch just might have him as the BPA when the Colts go on the clock here.
15 - Atlanta Falcons - Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Walker offers a lot of potential as both an off-ball LB and an EDGE. The Falcons would (presumably) tap into his pass-rushing upside Walker showed in 2024.
16 - Arizona Cardinals - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
A little dot connection between Simmons and his former OL coach at Ohio State, Justin Frye, who is now in that role for the Cardinals. Simmons might need an injury redshirt rookie season coming off a late-season knee injury, but the Cardinals can weather that for the long-term upside.
17 - Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Green, EDGE
Even if sack champ Trey Hendrickson returns, the Bengals need more firepower to balance out his pass rush. Green carries some questions but he's an explosive EDGE prospect.
18 - Seattle Seahawks - James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
Pearce was in the top 5 overall in most preseason mocks. While his 2024 campaign didn't live up to the hype, the lightning-quick Pearce still showed more than enough to stay appealing in this range for a needy team like Seattle. Luther Burden and Matthew Golden were each tough to ignore here...
19 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The ability to play any LB spot at a high level and the potential to become an impactful pass rusher is too tempting for the Buccaneers, and they pull the trigger on the uniquely talented Campbell.
20 - Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Hampton's electrifying style and ability to make an impact in the passing game figure to appeal to Sean Payton and his rhythmic offense. Thought about Colston Loveland here but his injury question moved me to Hampton and his dynamic potential.
21 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant brings a lot of athletic upside as a nose tackle who can also play wider out, if needed. The Steelers can pair him with young Keeanu Benton and get both younger and better on the interior.
22 - Los Angeles Chargers - Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
One of the most intriguing players in the draft, Stewart lit up the combine workouts and has some tantalizing film...but barely any production. In this scenario, Jim Harbaugh embraces the challenge of coaxing out that production.
23 - Green Bay Packers - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The second straight Aggie defender selected who didn't post numbers commensurate with his athletic potential, Scourton offers the pass rush-needy Packers some promise that he can return to the sack master he was at Purdue.
24 - Minnesota Vikings - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks is a difficult player to slot because he's very polished and smart but not necessarily flashy. His ability to play any conceivable safety role should endear him to DC Brian Flores.
25 - Houston Texans - Luther Burden, WR Missouri
What a fun pairing, placing the kinetic Burden with C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins in an offense that needs to be more threatening more often. Burden was a preseason top-10 fixture and still has that kind of talent.
26 - Los Angeles Rams - Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Revel missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, but his size and skills are a great fit for the Rams' resurgent defense.
27 - Baltimore Ravens - Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Often projected much higher than this, Banks can become the next in line of "how did everyone let this guy fall to the Ravens" players, even if they might not need him for a year or two.
28 - Detroit Lions - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The big Ducks lineman fills right into the middle of a Lions defense that needs reinforcements inside. Few players played their way up draft boards more than Harmon did in 2024.
29 - Washington Commanders - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Full disclosure: I had Barron typed in for at least four other spots above here but ultimately changed those picks. I'm not changing him out for anyone else for the Commanders.
30 - Buffalo Bills - Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Something of an upset to see Amos in the first round, but the talent and upside are there for the Rebel to make it worthwhile for a Bills secondary that can stand to add at least one CB in this class.
31 - Kansas City Chiefs - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Jackson's CFP turn at left tackle almost obscures how impressive of a guard prospect he is. The Chiefs would gratefully figure out where he fits.
32 - Philadelphia Eagles - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The world champs love to build through the trenches. Loveland is trench-adjacent and falls a little in this set of projections because of the shoulder injury that could keep him out all offseason.
Second round
33 - Cleveland Browns - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss34 - New York Giants - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State35 - Tennessee Titans - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas36 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky37 - Las Vegas Raiders - Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame38 - New England Patriots - Donovan Ekeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College39 - Chicago Bears - Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas40 - New Orleans Saints - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State41 - Chicago Bears - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State42 - New York Jets - Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green43 - San Francisco 49ers - Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama44 - Dallas Cowboys - Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama45 - Indianapolis Colts - JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State46 - Atlanta Falcons - Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia47 - Arizona Cardinals - Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Arizona48 - Miami Dolphins - Kevin Winston, S, Penn State49 - Cincinnati Bengals - Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota50 - Seattle Seahawks - Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona51 - Denver Broncos - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss52 - Seattle Seahawks - Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon53 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss54 - Green Bay Packers - Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford55 - Los Angeles Chargers - Savion Williams, WR, TCU56 - Buffalo Bills - Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame57 - Carolina Panthers - Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss58 - Houston Texans - Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue59 - Baltimore Ravens - Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State60 - Detroit Lions - Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU61 - Washington Commanders - Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo62 - Buffalo Bills - Emery Jones, OL, LSU63 - Kansas City Chiefs - Femi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA64 - Philadelphia Eagles - Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: NFL Mock Draft update: 2 rounds of March Madness
Continue reading...
