Kelly: 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Every NFL team is out shopping for draft prospects, impatiently awaiting the opportunity for their teams to get their hands on young, talented, and cheap labor that can fill voids in their roster.
Take a look at how Omar Kelly envisions the first round of the 2025 NFL Mock Draft playing out. This is the version (1.0) version of his mock draft, and there could easily be revisions made necessary by trades, medical history and players rising and falling.
1. Tennessee Titans
Needs: QB, WR, Edge, LB
Miami QB Cam Ward - This quarterback has a moxie you can’t coach and possesses an aggressive style that’s high-risk, high-reward. Interested team will likely bid for the No. 1 overall pick.
2. Cleveland Browns
Needs: QB, RB, WR, CB
Colorado CB Travis Hunter - Even though there’s a need at quarterback, the Browns take the Heisman Trophy winner because he’s a special team that only comes around once a decade.
3. New York Giants
Needs: QB, OT, D-line, CB
Michigan DT Mason Graham - Expect the Giants to target the No. 1 pick, but if they can’t get a deal done with Tennessee don’t be surprised if they take Graham over Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
4. New England Patriots
Needs: RB, WR, O-line, OLB
LSU OT Will Campbell - The best way to invest in a young quarterback like Drake Maye is to improve the protection around him. Campbell is the most polished pass protector in this draft.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Needs: WR, TE, DL, S
Penn State edge Abdul Carter - If Carter weren’t nursing a shoulder injury he would have been taken higher, but the Jaguars can’t pass up adding this elite athlete, who produced 23 sacks in three seasons.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Needs: RB, WR, D-line, CB
Michigan CB Will Johnson - The best way to push for respect in the AFC West is to improve the defense, and Johnson size and athleticism makes him the most polished defender in this draft.
7. New York Jets
Needs: QB, WR, OT, D-line
Missouri OT Armand Membou - There’s temptation to select Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, but the signing of Justin Fields and the presence of Tyrod Taylor provide the Jets two veterans they can invest in. Membou is the most athletic O-lineman in this draft.
8. Carolina Panthers
Needs: WR, CB, Edge, TE
Penn State TE Tyler Warren - An athletic tight end can be a young quarterback’s safety blanket, and Warren is a dangerous weapon who has the potential to match what Brock Bowers did last season with the Raiders.
9. New Orleans Saints
Needs: WR, RB, D-line, CB
Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan - There isn’t a Saints receiver worth mentioning presently on the roster. McMillan might not have blown people away with his 4.5 speed, but his size (6-foot-5, 212 pounds) should make him a go-to weapon for Derek Carr.
10. Chicago Bears
Needs: RB, D-line, S, LB
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty - Adding a physical, but yet explosive runner like Jeanty to Chicago’s backfield will immediately alleviate some of the pressure placed on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Needs: OG, OT, D-line, CB
Texas CB Jahdae Barron - Barron’s a versatile defensive back who has the instincts and skillset to make impact plays. He’s best suited in the slot, but thrives in a zone-heavy scheme.
12. Dallas Cowboys
Needs: RB, WR, OG, Edge
Georgia LB Jalon Walker - Say whatever you want about the Jones family, but they have an impressive eye for talent. Walker is a Jack of all trades talent, who will provide the Cowboys some insurance if a deal can’t get done for Micah Parsons.
13. Miami Dolphins
Needs: CB, OG, D-line, S
Alabama OG Tyler Booker - Booker has a large, power packed frame that makes him difficult for most defensive linemen to move, and a road grader in the run game. The Dolphins typically don’t draft college guards, but this one has the potential to be an eventual Pro Bowler.
14. Indianapolis Colts
Needs: TE, O-line, Edge, S
Georgia D-lineman Mykel Williams - Indianapolis would benefit from upgrades everywhere on the roster, but can’t pass up a defender with Williams’ physical traits. Players with his physical profile aren’t common.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Needs: WR, C, Edge, S
Oregon DT Derrick Harmon - Harmon is a powerful force at the point of attack, and the Falcons desperately need to find an adequate replacement for Grady Jarrett, who was released.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Needs: OG, D-line, CB, RB
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons - Before the knee injury, which forced him to miss the better part of 2024 and could impact his draft standing, Simmons had an impressive blend of strength and athleticism.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Needs: OG, D-line, LB, CB
South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori - The Bengals need to refresh the secondary because none of the young players are consistent. Emmanwori has the speed to play nickel, and the physicality to serve as an in-the-box safety.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Needs: C, OG, Edge, LB
Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell - Campbell packs a punch when he arrives at the ball, and his coverage skills make him a three down linebacker in any scheme.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Needs: Edge, ILB, CB, S
Georgia S Malaki Starks - It’s difficult to find glaring flaws in Starks game, but his 2024 film and production doesn’t match the reputation. Pairing him with Antoine Winfield Jr. will give him time to develop at a manageable pace.
20. Denver Broncos
Needs: RB, WR, C, D-line
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka - This offseason is about surrounding Bo Nix with as many weapons as possible and Egbuka lacks elite size, but he’s about as polished as it gets for a college receiver.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
Needs: QB, RB, OT, S
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders - Even if Aaron Rodgers does join the Steelers, which seems to be the most logical home for the future Hall of Famer, the Steelers need a young passer to groom for the future.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Needs: WR, TE, D-line, Edge
Texas A&M Edge Shermar Stewart - Stewart is explosive off the ball and knows how to convert his speed into power. However, he needs plenty of work on his technique, learning how to play under control.
23. Green Bay Packers
Needs: WR, Edge, CB, O-line
Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. - The Packers have a history of using early picks to reinforce the trenches, and that’s what the selection of Banks, a polished pass protector, does for Green Bay.
24. Minnesota Vikings
Needs: RB, D-line, CB, S
Ole Miss CB Trey Amos - Amos has good instincts around the ball and the press coverage skills needed to fit Brian Flores’ defensive scheme, which places cornerbacks on an island.
25. Houston Texans
Needs: WR, O-line, D-line, TE
North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel - The Texans need to upgrade every aspect of the offensive line, especially after trading perennial Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to Washington. Zabel can play every position but center.
26. Los Angeles Rams
Needs: TE, OT, LB, CB
Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson - Jackson looks like the NFL’s prototypical guard. He moves well laterally, but must fine tune his technique to become a starter.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Needs: OG, Edge, CB, D-line
Missouri WR Luther Burden III - This speedster is dangerous in open space. His explosiveness and short area quickness should help the Ravens ease the return of Zay Flowers, who will be coming back from a serious injury in 2025.
28. Detroit Lions
Needs: WR, OG, Edge, LB
Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen - Last year the Lions defensive line got decimated by injuries, so don’t be surprised if Detroit makes fortifying the trenches with players like Nolen a draft week priority.
29. Washington Commanders
Needs: RB, OG, Edge CB
Marshall Edge Mike Green - Green’s lightning quick first step, balance and athleticism should help him replicate the 22.5 sacks he produced in college during his three seasons.
30. Buffalo Bills
Needs: Edge, LB, CB, S
Florida State CB Azareye’h Thomas – A youth movement is needed in the backend of Buffalo’s secondary, and Thomas has the ideal height, length, wingspan and physicality to fit into Buffalo’s defense.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Needs: OG, OT, D-line, TE
Michigan TE Colston Loveland - Travis Kelce’s had a Hall of Fame worthy career, but he turns 36 in October, and last season served as proof that he’s lost a step. Loveland is one of the most slept on prospects in this draft class.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Needs: OG, Edge, CB, WR
Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. - Pearce has an impressive first step, and his blend of speed, athleticism, and hand use could easily make him a third down specialist in the Eagles top ranked defense.
