2025 NFL mock draft: Miller predicts 15 first-round picks out of 32.part 1

The 2025 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin (ESPN/ABC/ESPN App). We have a pretty good idea of what will happen with the first pick. Barring a shocker, the Tennessee Titans will take Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

After that? Who knows.

To create this final mock draft, I relied on what I was hearing from NFL scouts and evaluators. I've been making calls and firing off text messages to people in the league I trust to get the most updated information before making a last projection. Naturally, a trade or a surprise pick on Thursday could shake everything up, especially in a year when prospects with grades in the first round are few and far between. But for now, I put together my best prediction for every selection in Round 1.

When will the second quarterback be taken, and who will it be? How will the receiver and edge rusher boards fall? We will delve into that and more, starting with the Titans at No. 1. And I included what I'm hearing on each of the first-round picks.

1. Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

There will be no surprises at the top of the draft. All sources I've talked to expect Ward to be the Titans' pick after a long predraft process. He threw 39 touchdown passes last season and can help stabilize Tennessee's offense.

2. Cleveland Browns

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Chalk is expected at No. 2 as well with Hunter going to the Browns, where he'd serve as a wide receiver first and a cornerback second.

3. New York Giants

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Although it would qualify as a slight surprise, some of the most recent buzz suggests that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is not entirely out of the question. Unless ownership insists otherwise, the Giants are more likely to select a quarterback in the second round, according to league consensus. So let's go with Carter, the top player on my board.

4. New England Patriots

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

There might be a debate if Carter slides to No. 4, but the Patriots' priority is protecting second-year quarterback Drake Maye. This week, every source I talked to said that Campbell would join the Patriots as a left tackle.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

One source informed me that Jacksonville would be Tetairoa McMillan's surprise team. Lately, there has been talk that Arizona receiver McMillan will be selected here. But I'm expecting new general manager James Gladstone to make a splash on another offensive standout in Jeanty.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Despite having a lot of connections to Jeanty and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, multiple sources informed me that the Raiders could go offensive line in this situation. With Kolton Miller not locked up long-term, Banks would be the answer at left tackle.

7. New York Jets

Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia

This is a surprise. The Jets were mentioned in multiple conversations with sources as a team that wants a leader who can build a culture and an effective defender. That's Walker, who coaches and scouts agree is one of the class's most adored players. The Jets could also be in play for tight end Tyler Warren (Penn State) or cornerback Jahdae Barron (Texas) based on what scouts are saying.

8. Carolina Panthers

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Nolen has been a red-hot riser in the days leading up to the draft as the Panthers, 49ers and Cowboys were all connected to him by scouts. Smoke screen? Maybe, but on Wednesday, there was a lot of talk about Carolina and Nolen.

9. New Orleans Saints

Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

unable to locate any sources indicating that the Saints would select a quarterback in the first round, and it appears that the team would be content with the QB options available to it with its second-round selection (number 40 overall). Williams is rising to new heights and may be able to assist New Orleans in the construction phase.

10. Chicago Bears

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Bears would love to see Jeanty move up here, but Ben Johnson, the team's new coach, can get Sam LaPorta instead. Throughout the process, I've heard repeatedly that Chicago and other teams consider Loveland to be the best tight end in the class. I have him ranked the same.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The 49ers were very active bringing in offensive tackles for predraft visits. According to team sources, they hosted Banks, Josh Simmons (Ohio State) and Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), but since Banks is no longer available, they would choose to draft right tackle Armand Membou (Missouri) instead.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Dallas may be a candidate for a trade-down due to its extensive research on the offensive linemen in this class. I think Banks would be in play if available, but sources were adamant this week that McMillan would be Dallas' target if the board falls this way.

13. Miami Dolphins

Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Offensive tackle, safety, and cornerback are Miami's targets, according to multiple sources, with the pick determined by the highest grade on the board. Membou is a player I'm told the Dolphins like a lot given his ability to play guard or tackle as a rookie.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

This shouldn't be a surprise, as the Colts have been expected to select a tight end throughout the predraft process. Warren would satisfy a significant need and be the best player available.

15. Atlanta Falcons

James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

This week, sources disagreed on who the Falcons will target, but everyone agrees that a pass rusher will be selected. Even though Marshall's Mike Green and Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart were both mentioned by different scouts, the most recent buzz told me to pick Pearce, and it came from the same source that said Michael Penix Jr. would go to Atlanta before the 2024 draft.

WRITTED BY ME