2025 NFL mock draft: Scouts predict the top 5 picks out of 10 picks.2

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Projected pick from an NFC West national scout: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Raiders traded a third-round selection to Seattle for quarterback Geno Smith in March, resolving the biggest need on the roster. Now they must build a better offense around Smith.

"I seriously considered going wide receiver here because of the needs, but I can't ignore the value of Jeanty," the scout said. "He might be the best player in the class, and you know exactly what you're getting with him."

Jeanty was a magician last season, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs. He shows contact balance and breakaway speed. But he's also a capable receiver out of the backfield and would open up the Raiders' passing game. The Raiders' rushing attack was bad last year -- dead last in yards per carry (3.6) and rushing yards per game (79.8). New coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly want to run the ball, and the Raiders need more than 32-year-old free agent pickup Raheem Mostert to accomplish that.

"This is Pete Carroll getting his Marshawn Lynch," added the scout on Jeanty.

2. New York Jets

Projected pick from an AFC South area scout: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

There were several directions the Jets could have gone. It would be tempting to pick a pass catcher, either a receiver or one of the top two tight ends -- Tyler Warren (Penn State) or Colston Loveland (Michigan). But I think our scout was smart to get the Jets' offensive line help. Membou started 30 career games at right tackle for Missouri, allowing only one sack during the 2024 season. He's 10th on my board.

"I love Membou. He's my top offensive lineman, and they have a huge hole at right tackle," the AFC South scout said. "Olu Fashanu and Membou is one hell of a bookend group in an offense that's gonna want to run the ball down your throat."

Even though the Jets spent a first-rounder on Fashanu last year, their 2024 veteran additions -- Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith -- have left and retired, respectively. Current right tackle Carter Warren, a fourth-round pick in 2023, projects more as a swing tackle. After allowing 40 sacks (15th) and averaging 91.8 rushing yards per game (31st), it's easy to see the Jets' new regime wanting to build around the offensive line.

3. Carolina Panthers

Projected pick from an NFC East national scout: Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia

"I'm not going to go against the grain when this was the worst defense in football last year and a game-wrecker like this is on the board," the scout said.

Walker is absolutely a game-wrecker, with the versatility to play edge and off-ball linebacker. He filled the stat sheet in 2024, with 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 29 pressures and seven run stops. He was the difference in both wins over Texas, showcasing his three-down ability. I see speed and power on the tape.

The Panthers' defense, meanwhile, was downright bad last season. They had only 32 sacks (tied for third worst in the league). They allowed the most yards per play (6.0), points per game (31.4) and passing touchdowns (35) in the league. Help is badly needed, and Walker would be an immediate boost.

Would Walker's pick be the start of a very defense-heavy draft for the Panthers? Despite their clear issues, the scout wasn't ready to devote all his picks to that side of the ball when asked.

"As bad as the defense was, I still considered a wide receiver here and would probably pick one in Round 2. We still have to build around Bryce Young."

4. New Orleans Saints

Projected pick from an AFC West scout: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Now this was interesting. Quarterback Derek Carr might miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The Saints have 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler on the roster, but he wasn't drafted by new coach Kellen Moore. There are suddenly some questions about the Saints' plan under center. Still, the scout decided to pass on Sanders and Dart, going with a high-upside defensive selection in Stewart.

"I thought about quarterback here, but there's no one in this draft that I love," the scout said. "There isn't that conviction to spend a top-10 pick on a guy when this roster has so many holes.

"Stewart has the highest upside of any defender in the class. Even with the Carr injury situation, we believe reaching for a quarterback would be a mistake given where they rank on our board."

The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Stewart had a combine performance for the ages. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and leapt 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-1 in the broad jump. He has versatility, quickness and power to his game.

However, there is concern about Stewart's lack of production. He had three consecutive seasons with only 1.5 sacks, part of the reason I have him 27th overall on my board. But his potential is sky-high thanks to his rare combination of explosiveness and strength at his size. The Saints need that type of juice in their pass rush. Veteran mainstay Cameron Jordan is 36 and in decline, and Bryan Bresee led New Orleans in sacks last season with only 7.5.

5. Chicago Bears

Projected pick from an NFC South area scout: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

We had to wait until the final pick, but we finally got a bit of a shocker in this mock draft. The Bears have frequently been projected to take a running back, tight end or offensive tackle in Round 1, but the NFC South scout went with Johnson despite having their choice of offensive skill players other than Hunter and Jeanty.

My personal list of Bears needs would also include defensive line, where top prospects such as Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon (Oregon) are available. But they don't represent good value at No. 10, and since there are no trades in this mock, our designated scout went purely on value.

"I believe in using a top-10 pick on premium positions," the scout said. "Quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher or cornerback. Johnson's tape the last two years is of an elite cornerback."

Johnson missed the second half of the 2024 season with a toe injury and was slowed in the predraft process by a hamstring issue, but he was the best cornerback in college football when healthy. Johnson had two interceptions early this season, running both back for touchdowns, and he has the eyes and instincts of a playmaker -- which is why I compare him to Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs as a pro prospect. The 6-foot-2 Johnson is my No. 7 overall prospect.

Writted By ME