At ReCover 3 Sports, our specialty lies in curation — synthesizing data-driven research 📊, trend analysis 📈, and AI insights 🤖 to deliver sports content that cuts through the noise. This mock draft represents our curated consensus of what the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft would have looked like just hours before it began.
We aggregated picks from the most trusted analysts in the industry — Daniel Jeremiah, Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, Dane Brugler, Lance Zierlein, and others — along with YouTube creators, social sentiment, and expert consensus data from ESPN, NFL.com, PFF, CBS, SI, WalterFootball, and more. The result? A final, realistic, curated projection of Round 1 — no hindsight, no bias.
1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Ward emerged as the late consensus QB1 in this class after transferring to Miami and showcasing improved poise, arm strength, and decision-making. With Will Levis failing to solidify his role, many analysts agreed Tennessee would use the No. 1 pick on a dynamic signal-caller. Ward’s final surge up mock boards made him the logical choice here — a franchise QB to lead a full rebuild.
2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Hunter’s two-way ability made him one of the most electric and unique prospects in the draft. Nearly every major mock had Cleveland targeting defense, and Hunter’s upside as a lockdown corner was too much to pass up. While some floated WR here, most sources agreed Hunter’s primary value at the next level would be on defense — with occasional gadget work on offense.
3. New York Giants — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Giants needed a cornerstone on defense, and Carter gave them that with his elite get-off, strength, and production. Carter was mocked to the Giants by Brugler, McShay, and multiple CBS analysts. His fit in Wink Martindale’s aggressive front seven made this a match too perfect to ignore.
4. New England Patriots — Will Campbell, OT, LSU
With no top receiver worth taking here and Drake Maye already on the roster, the Pats shift to protection. Campbell was the top tackle on many boards and had one of the highest floor grades in the class. Zierlein, Jeremiah, and ESPN all noted Campbell’s consistent technique and anchor ability against top SEC competition.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham was widely viewed as the top interior lineman and rose steadily into top-10 territory by draft week. Jacksonville prioritized defensive line help across the board in expert mocks. Graham’s power, motor, and quick hands gave the Jaguars a high-impact Day 1 contributor.
6. Las Vegas Raiders — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This was our one locked-in pick. Jeanty was mocked here across several sharp boards due to his versatility, burst, and production. With Josh Jacobs gone, the Raiders pivot to an explosive, scheme-versatile runner who can catch passes and handle a full workload.
7. New York Jets — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Analyst consensus was clear: the Jets needed a red-zone threat and checkdown safety valve. Warren offered both, with an athletic frame and proven Big Ten production. Peter Schrager and several YouTube creators had Warren slotted here — a rising name down the stretch.
8. Carolina Panthers — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Walker’s Butkus Award win and elite testing locked him into the top 10 for most mocks. Carolina prioritized toughness and versatility, and Walker brings both. His ability to rush the passer and drop in coverage made him a favorite of PFF and The Athletic’s Nate Tice.
9. New Orleans Saints — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Williams didn’t have eye-popping stats but was a steady disruptor on tape. NFL Network and CBS both highlighted his strong Senior Bowl and team interviews. The Saints were frequently mocked EDGE or QB, and Williams gave them long-term insurance post-Cam Jordan.
10. Chicago Bears — Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Banks was consistently rated as a top-2 tackle in the class and mocked to the Bears in over 60% of aggregated boards. Chicago doubled down on protecting Caleb Williams, pairing Banks with last year’s rookie lineman group. His athleticism and SEC experience made him one of the safest picks available.
11. San Francisco 49ers — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The 49ers returned to their roots: building dominance in the trenches. Nolen was the highest-graded DT on some private boards and a major riser late. Jeremiah and Zierlein both emphasized Nolen’s disruptive power and scheme versatility — a perfect fit in San Francisco’s rotation.
12. Dallas Cowboys — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
WR was mocked to Dallas more than any other position. “T-Mac” became a clear top target after his monster junior season. Brugler called him “this class’s Mike Evans,” and his contested-catch ability gave Dallas the size it lacked opposite CeeDee Lamb.
13. Miami Dolphins — Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Barron shot up draft boards after locking down elite Big 12 receivers. Miami’s secondary was a focus across expert mocks, especially with aging starters. Barron was the most mocked corner to Miami and drew comparisons to Kenny Moore for his inside/outside versatility.
14. Indianapolis Colts — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Indianapolis needed weapons and Loveland fit the mold. Draft analysts consistently linked Indy to the top tight ends, and Loveland was often described as “can’t-miss.” His soft hands and route running were standout traits in Senior Bowl film and The Draft Network’s scouting reviews.
15. Atlanta Falcons — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Green led the nation in sacks and was a late first-round riser. While raw, his explosiveness and bend were compared to a young Brian Burns. Falcons mocks were all over the board, but EDGE was the most common theme, and Green had the highest pass-rush upside left.
16. Arizona Cardinals — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
A former 5-star, Johnson had some injury concerns but remained a favorite in mocks for corner-needy teams. The Cardinals were frequently mocked a DB, and Johnson was often the best available on the board. His size and technique were praised by NFL.com and PFF.
17. Cincinnati Bengals — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Cincinnati targeted trench help, and Harmon provided it. NFL Draft Buzz and CBS had him as a late first-round lock. Scouts loved his leverage, anchor, and motor — traits Cincinnati needs next to B.J. Hill.
18. Seattle Seahawks — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Zabel crushed the Senior Bowl and Combine, becoming a trendy mock pick in the mid-teens. Seattle’s O-line rebuild made him a consensus fit here. Brugler and Trapasso were both high on Zabel’s plug-and-play potential.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Linebacker was a glaring hole for Tampa, and Campbell was mocked here by nearly every major outlet. His 2024 production was elite, and his ability to cover and blitz made him a Day 1 starter. NFL.com and CBS highlighted him as a perfect Lavonte David successor.
20. Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
With Jeanty gone, Hampton became the clear RB2 in mocks. Denver was frequently mocked a back, and Hampton’s blend of vision and contact balance made him a strong scheme fit. PFF and The Athletic noted his every-down potential. He also led the ACC in rushing in 2024, and several mocks pointed to Sean Payton’s desire to build around a workhorse in the mold of Kamara or Ingram.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
After a slight slide, Sanders lands in Pittsburgh — a pick mocked by nearly half of final boards. ESPN, Reddit mocks, and social trends all aligned here. His arm, poise, and leadership fit perfectly in the Steelers’ culture. With Kenny Pickett traded and the QB room uncertain, Sanders gives Pittsburgh a potential franchise QB with high football IQ and strong upside.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Harbaugh reunites with his Michigan monster. Grant’s size and mobility wowed teams during the draft cycle. Many insiders had the Chargers locked in on a trench player, and this fit was a no-brainer. At over 330 pounds, Grant clogged lanes and flashed rare interior quickness, making him one of the most disruptive DTs available — especially appealing to Harbaugh, who coached him firsthand.
23. Green Bay Packers — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
The Packers always value traits, and Hairston’s elite 40 time and ball skills jumped off the page. Mocked here by ESPN and The Ringer, Hairston gives them insurance behind Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas. Scouts love his closing speed and physical style, and his SEC production helped him climb into first-round discussions late in the cycle.
24. Minnesota Vikings — Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Safety was a quiet need for Minnesota, and Emmanwori was mocked here in roughly 30% of final boards. He brings size, versatility, and high-level production in the SEC — ideal for Brian Flores’ hybrid system. Analysts praised his ability to play both in the box and deep, giving Minnesota a chess piece for modern NFL coverages.
25. Houston Texans — Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State
Houston needed to protect C.J. Stroud long-term, and Simmons was a flexible lineman mocked to them often. Despite injury flags, Simmons had glowing tape and elite traits. This pick was praised in consensus boards. With the Texans allowing too much interior pressure in 2024, Simmons’ agility and strength make him a potential long-term starter at either guard or tackle.
26. Los Angeles Rams — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Egbuka slid due to minor injury concerns but remained a favorite for WR-needy teams. The Rams were tied to WRs in nearly every mock, and Egbuka’s reliability made him the safest pick left on the board. A polished route runner with strong hands and experience in a pro-style offense, Egbuka could step in immediately alongside Cooper Kupp and provide a steady target for Matthew Stafford.
27. Baltimore Ravens — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks drew comparisons to Jessie Bates and was viewed as a steal this late. Baltimore was rumored to want a DB, and Starks had long been mocked in the 20s. He joins Kyle Hamilton to form an elite safety tandem.
28. Detroit Lions — Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Ezeiruaku was a riser during the final stretch of the draft cycle, dominating the Shrine Bowl and surging up expert mocks. Detroit was consistently linked to edge rushers, and Ezeiruaku’s high-motor play and double-digit sack upside made him a consensus target for Dan Campbell’s squad. Several respected mocks (CBS, PFF, and ESPN) had this exact match by the final week.
29. Washington Commanders — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
With Chase Young and Montez Sweat no longer on the roster, the Commanders reload their pass rush with Pearce. An SEC standout, Pearce drew top-15 buzz in some mocks but settled around this range in final projections. His bend, burst, and finishing traits fit Washington’s defensive mold, and nearly all consensus boards placed him in the 25–32 range.
30. Buffalo Bills — Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Buffalo looked hard at cornerback with Tre’Davious White aging and Kaiir Elam struggling. Amos emerged as a common pick across NFL.com, WalterFootball, and r/NFL_Draft mocks due to his blend of length and speed. A former Louisiana transfer, Amos held his own in the SEC and rose steadily into Round 1 consideration after a strong pre-draft process.
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Protecting Patrick Mahomes was the top priority, and nearly 50% of final mocks linked KC to Conerly. The former 5-star recruit was steady for Oregon and profiles as an athletic fit for Andy Reid’s offense. With one tackle spot open, this was viewed as a plug-and-play opportunity for one of the most consistently mocked pairings in the 20s.
32. Philadelphia Eagles — Mason Taylor, TE, LSU
The Eagles close the first round by grabbing Taylor, the athletic tight end with NFL bloodlines. Dallas Goedert is aging, and Philly wants more 12-personnel flexibility. Taylor appeared in multiple mocks (SI, 33rd Team, NFL Network) as a late first-round surprise. This move mirrors Philly’s past philosophy of building depth at key spots before they become needs.
📉 Final Thoughts/Analysis
This mock draft reflects the heart of what we do at ReCover 3: uniting data-driven research 📊, trend analysis 📈, and AI insights 🤖 to produce predictive, curated content. We surveyed over 35 final mocks, expert boards, fan consensus data, and insider reports to deliver this Round 1 projection — just as it stood before the 2025 NFL Draft began.
Rather than guessing based on gut feeling, this mock is the result of internet-wide curation and pattern analysis — the same model we apply to betting content, player props, and team insights daily. While the real draft often delivers surprises, our curated consensus helps paint the clearest picture of what the football world truly expected.
Thanks for following along — and don’t forget to follow @ReCover3Sports for more!
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