2025 NFL Mock Draft: B/R NFL Scouting Dept.'s Predictions Entering April

The calendar flipped to April, which means it's NFL draft month.

For those ready to turn the page and start looking at the league's next big event, you're already months behind those who have been studying the event since August.

Don't fret, though. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department has everyone covered.

Brandon Thorn, Dame Parson and Matt Holder spent the last seven months evaluating prospects and writing scouting reports—which are hyperlinked with every player mentioned.

The group also has its own ideas of how teams should proceed when they're on the clock. With that in mind, this particular mock draft projection was built upon how the B/R Scouting Department thinks it should play out based on its internal rankings and feel for where each team currently stands.

Yes, a quarterback still goes No. 1 overall. But the second signal-caller tumbles a little before coming off the board.

While Miami's Cam Ward isn't graded as B/R's No. 1 overall prospect, he still finds himself at the top of the the class.

The Tennessee Titans can't move forward with their quarterback room as it's currently constructed. Ward is still a legitimate top-10 talent in this particular class, and his upside as a playmaker is immense.

"Head coach Brian Callahan believes in the improvement Ward made after returning to school for his final season," Parson said. "Ward's combination of coachability, pre-snap control of his offense and immense physical talent makes him hard to pass up for a team in dire need of a fresh start at the most important position in sports."

Owner Jimmy Haslam and the Cleveland Browns organization may have moved on mentally from quarterback Deshaun Watson, but both he and his enormous contract remain.

The Browns are likely still looking for a cheap veteran alternative so they can compete this season. Kirk Cousins remains the likely target once the Atlanta Falcons decide they're not going to eat his entire contract.

Instead of concentrating on quarterback, though, Cleveland can land a higher-rated player and an elite prospect with Penn State's Abdul Carter to give the team a real identity on defense.

"While Colorado's Shedeur Sanders was tempting here, the Browns are stuck with Watson's contract for a few more years and opt to address the defense," Holder said. "Playing opposite Myles Garrett will give Carter plenty of one-on-one opportunities early in his career and give Cleveland a potentially dominant pair of pass-rushers as long-term building blocks."

The New York Giants made their decision at quarterback by bringing in two veterans with extensive starting experience in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

Wilson already stated he expects to start. Once again, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders could and should be in play here. But the team seems to be going in another direction.

To be fair, the Giants could do much worse than drafting the class' top-ranked prospect in Colorado's cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.

"New York can justify passing up on Sanders in favor of his Heisman Trophy-winning teammate," Holder said. "Hunter gives the Giants' defense another starting corner to replace Deonte Banks, who has struggled to begin his career, and a fourth pass-catcher to make an impact in offensive sub-packages alongside Malik Nabers."

The New England Patriots have done a nice job adding talent and filling holes in a roster that was the league's worst a season ago.

Having the league's most salary-cap space certainly helped matters and allowed the Patriots to bring bring in defensive lineman Milton Williams, edge-rusher Harold Landry III, cornerback Carlton Davis III, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and offensive linemen Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses.

"The Patriots have solidified the right side of their line for the 2025 season, while having viable in-house options to man guard spots," Thorn said. "This makes their hole at left tackle, coupled with QB Drake Maye's vital upcoming sophomore campaign, all the more glaring, thus signaling a need for an upgrade at this selection.

"LSU's Will Campbell is the highest-graded blocker on B/R's board and provides the team with solid-level play on the blindside, with the intangibles to be a leader on the team."

Clearly, the Jacksonville Jaguars' previous approach didn't work, as the team suffered through one of its most embarrassing campaigns after having high expectations entering the season.

The Jaguars can sit here at No. 5 and consider what their biggest need is. Well, the team's biggest need isn't a specific position. The roster lacks difference-makers. Jacksonville lacks the type of talent that is going to consistently slant the game into its favor.

Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a good start, but Trevor Lawrence still needs to show he can be that type of talent. The defense definitely needs more. Meanwhile, the Jaguars can take an elite prospect in Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham just by sitting where they are in this year's draft.

"Graham's teammate, Will Johnson, was also considered at this spot since the Jaguars could use cornerback help," Holder said. "But the defensive tackle is the No. 3 player on B/R's big board, meaning the value is too much to pass up for the scouting department."

The Las Vegas Raiders now have the luxury of taking a completely different approach to this year's draft after spending the last year-plus trying to find a solution at quarterback.

"Geno Smith's acquisition prevents the Raiders from needing a quarterback and automatically taking Shedeur Sanders," Holder said. "Instead, the defense gets the potential No. 1 corner that it has been searching for over the last few years.

"Michigan's Will Johnson immediately assumes that status in Las Vegas and adds much-needed talent to a defensive backfield that lost three Week 1 starters—Nate Hobbs, Tre'von Moehrig and Marcus Epps—in free agency."

With all of the talent the Raiders already feature along their defensive front, Johnson gives them a top cover option on the backend.

A running quarterback in Justin Fields, with a talented running back stable, can benefit greatly from a strong offensive line capable of consistently winning at the point of attack.

The New York Jets nearly have all the pieces in place. Right tackle remains open, though. Missouri's Armand Membou can complete a relatively young and talented group.

"Membou's selection at No. 7 to bookend second-year, 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu equips the Jets line with their two tackles of the future," Thorn said. "Membou offers a tantalizing blend of youth, explosiveness and natural power that would be a fun to offset Fashanu's more polished, smooth playing style on the other side.

"Regardless of who the QB of the future may be, these pillars on the outside of the O-line unit provide a luxury that is far too difficult to pass up here."

The Carolina Panthers invested a first-round pick in wide receiver Xavier Legette just last year, yet the weapons around quarterback Bryce Young still require improvements.

Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan gives the Panthers a legitimate WR1, as a 6'4" target, who can create after the catch, work downfield or simply body defensive backs.

"The Panthers must find out if Bryce Young is their franchise quarterback," Parson said. "By adding another talented wide receiver, the move significantly helps the organization figure out what it has in the 2023 No. 1 overall pick sooner rather than later.

"McMillan is a big receiver with good, fluid hips to sink and drive out of the top of his routes. He is an outstanding one-on-one ball-winner to grow into a potential high-volume X-receiver."

The difference between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders separating the two as the No. 1 overall pick and a selection in the latter portion of the Top 10 is based on playmaking ability.

Today's NFL isn't about what a quarterback can do when playing in rhythm and operating his team's offense. It's what he does when everything breaks down around him. Ward is the better playmaker with superior arm talent, while Sanders is closer to a point guard on grass.

However, the Saints aren't going to pass on an opportunity to start building toward something with a young quarterback packed with potential finally at the helm.

"Derek Carr is NOT the answer at quarterback for the Saints," Parson said. "New head coach Kellen Moore gets a chance to select his potential franchise QB.

"Sanders is a precision passer with great accuracy. He will be able to deliver the ball with good pacing and placement to their young and explosive playmakers."

The Chicago Bears had multiple areas to address when the new league year began.

General manager Ryan Poles added Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson to fortify the team's offensive interior and solved the roster's biggest problem. Dayo Odeyingbo also signed as a free agent to bookend Montez Sweat on defense.

With no major holes remaining, Chicago can take the best player available, which happens to be an elite running back prospect in Boise State's Ashton Jeanty.

"Jeanty is the clear-cut best running back in the 2025 class," Parson said. "He blends burst, patience, vision and elite contact balance to give new head coach Ben Johnson his bell-cow ball-carrier and alleviate some of the offensive pressure on second-year quarterback Caleb Williams."

The San Francisco 49ers hemorrhaged defensive talent this offseason and requires an infusion of prospects.

Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw, Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd are all gone. San Francisco fielded a top-eight defenses for four straight seasons. The unit will likely take a step back if significant additions aren't made.

"After releasing Floyd, the 49ers could use a running mate for Nick Bosa," Holder said. "Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart lacks production, but he presents ample physical traits that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh should be able to utilize.

"Stewart is an awesome athlete, who's yet to harness his natural capabilities. He should get plenty of opportunities to make plays when lining up opposite Bosa."

Obviously, the Dallas Cowboys already feature significant talent in the secondary. How long will that be the case, though?

"DaRon Bland is entering a contract year and Jourdan Lewis left in free agency, so the cornerback position is very much in play for the Cowboys," Holder said. "Jahdae Barron's versatility could allow him to fill in for Lewis at nickel this year, then take over for Bland if he walks next offseason."

Even if Bland doesn't leave, Barron's versatility makes him an ideal addition for most secondaries, because he can be utilized as a chess piece. The Texas product can line up wide, over the slot or at safety. He's not afraid to come up and stick his nose into the action, either.

While the Cowboys may look to fill other needs on offense, Barron's value to any squad should cause him to come off the board sooner rather than later.

Safety isn't a sexy position to address in the first round. Even so, Georgia's Malaki Starks is a special talent whose skill set fits extremely well into today's game.

For the Miami Dolphins, he can immediately fill one of the safety spots vacated by Jevon Holland or Jordan Poyer.

"After losing safety Holland to the New York Giants, the Dolphins need a playmaker at the top of their defense," Parson said. "Starks has the instincts and athleticism to thrive as a center-fielding, single-high free safety. He is adept as a nickel defender in man coverage, too.

"Starks has the makings of an impact player early in his NFL career."

The assessment shouldn't come as a surprise considering Starks thrived during all three of his seasons on campus as part of an elite collegiate defense.

The Indianapolis Colts are renovating their defense this offseason after a dismal performance under the guidance of previous coordinator Gus Bradley.

First, Lou Anarumo replaced Bradley as the play-caller. General manager Chris Ballard, who is firmly planted on the hot seat this year, finally spent some money in free agency by bringing in cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum.

Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell can be the final piece of the starting puzzle by giving the Colts a tremendous twosome along the second line of defense.

"Ballard has earned his reputation for drafting high-level athletes and Campbell certainly fits that description, as he flies around the field," Holder said. "Also, Indianapolis' defense could use a second linebacker to pair with Zaire Franklin after letting E.J. Speed walk this offseason and join the rival Houston Texans."

The Atlanta Falcons' need for a pass-rusher might be the longest-running and most obvious area to address among all NFL teams.

Once again, the Falcons haven't had any defender manage 10 or more sacks since Vic Beasley did so during the 2016 campaign. Atlanta is nearing a decade without anyone serving as a serious threat as a pass-rusher.

Marshall's Mike Green has all the makings of a defender capable of consistently posting double-digit sacks throughout his career.

"The Falcons ranked second-to-last in sacks last season, then lost Lorenzo Carter and Matthew Judon this offseason," Holder said. "Despite signing Leonard Floyd, the defense could still use another edge-rusher. The nation's 2024 sack leader is as good of an addition as any. Plus, Floyd is only operating under a one-year deal and Arnold Ebiketie is entering a contract year, making Green a good long-term pick."

The obvious reservation will be raised as soon as Arizona Cardinals fans see this particular selection.

"Yes, they went wide receiver in the round last year with Marvin Harrison Jr. So what?" Parson said.

"This Cardinals offense desperately needs some speed and explosive playmaking at the wide receiver position. Texas' Matthew Golden brings everything—speed, route-running and ball skills—to pair well with Harrison and tight end Trey McBride.

"Kyler Murray, are you the answer? Let's find out."

With Golden's addition, Arizona can raise its profile and legitimately become a top-10 offense that opponents will dread facing.

The Cincinnati Bengals are going all-in with their offense, having paid a premium to extend quarterback Joe Burrow, as well as wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The organization must protect and maximize these investments. The best way to do so is further investments in the offensive line, with Alabama's Tyler Booker being the tone-setter the group currently lacks.

"The Booker-Bengals fit is a perfect match due to Cincinnati's pass-first, drop-back focused scheme, which places a premium on being able to protect with five blockers more than most other NFL systems," Thorn said. "The team also has a desperate need for a reliable, long-term answer at guard.

"With Booker's elite-level anchoring ability, size and play-strength, he not only fits the physical archetype the team typically pursues but also bolsters the firmness of the pocket to create room for Burrow to navigate the pocket."

The Seattle Seahawks offense is going to look drastically different this fall after moving beyond quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The offensive line needs renovations, too.

Offensive tackle is set with Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, as long as both remain healthy. The interior is a completely different story. Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr. may have won the Outland Trophy as a left tackle, but he makes the move inside upon joining the Seahawks.

"Seattle needs to upgrade the guard position early in this draft after not addressing it in free agency," Thorn said. "Although this move would be a projection with Banks after exclusively playing left tackle in college, his quickness and adept hand-fighting skills signal a smooth transition. This pick also provides insurance at right tackle with Lucas' potential lingering injury concerns."

A creative defensive mind should be able to maximize Jalon Walker's hybrid skill set. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles immediately comes to mind.

Walker is a natural edge-defender, though he's built more like an off-ball linebacker. He's a playmaker from either alignment.

For the Buccaneers, they could use both since Lavonte David and Anthony Walker Jr. aren't long-term answers at linebacker, while the team doesn't know exactly what it has in edge defenders YaYa Diaby and Haason Reddick.

"Walker's best position at the next level is up in the air," Holder said, "but the Bucs could use someone with his varied skill set. As a result, it's difficult to see the hybrid defender from Georgia falling past Tampa Bay."

Imagine if the Denver Broncos snag Michigan's Colston Loveland just ahead of the tight end's collegiate head coach and the rival Los Angeles Chargers.

But this move is more than simply being vindictive. B/R grades Loveland as the class' TE1, because he's the most well-rounded prospect, with the ability to be a weapon in the passing game and providing an in-line presence.

"Broncos quarterback Bo Nix needs more weapons to exploit mismatches created by head coach Sean Payton," Parson said. "Loveland is the class' best pure pass-catching tight end. He can run multiple routes from a variety of alignments.

"Payton knows how to utilize oversized wide receiver archetypes. Anyone else remember Jimmy Graham? 'Nuff said."  

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on an answer from Aaron Rodgers. At this point, either he is going to play in the Steel City or retire since other options have dried up in recent weeks.

Despite the Steelers not having a firm answer at the game's most important position, they don't invest in a quarterback at this juncture because every available prospect would be deemed a significant reach, according to B/R's draft rankings.

Instead, Pittsburgh does what it always does by adding to an already talented defense.

"Historically, the Steelers are an organization that builds through the trenches and has a fearsome defensive line," Holder said. "Oregon's Derrick Harmon is automatically an option as a result, especially since Cameron Heyward is about to turn 36. Also, the defense line could use some help after Larry Ogunjobi signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency."

The Los Angeles Chargers may not land Jim Harbaugh's old tight end, but they still upgrade at the position with Penn State's Tyler Warren.

"Quarterback Justin Herbert needs more offensive weapons," Parson said. "Warren will fit perfectly in this Greg Roman offensive scheme that is usually tight end-centric. Warren's playmaking in space, willingness to run block and physical ball skills may remind Roman of a former star he once coached in Baltimore with the Ravens."

A Mark Andrews comparison may be a tad rich, considering he's an elite tight end. Yet Warren showed elite play-making skill playing all over Penn State's offense during his final season on campus.

Generally speaking, the Green Bay Packers have had success by drafting developmental, toolsy defensive linemen. Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary are obvious examples.

Michigan's Kenneth Grant is a mountain of a man in the middle of the defense with surprising athleticism. He's still a work-in-progress, yet the 330-plus-pounder has the natural upside to grow into an every-down defender, even as a nose tackle.

Besides, Grant helps fill a void in Green Bay's defense.

"Especially after T.J. Slaton leaving in free agency to join the Cincinnati Bengals, the Packers could use some defensive tackle help," Holder said. "Grant gives the defense a run-stuffer to fill in for Slaton and prevents the defense from having to use Devonte Wyatt on early downs. Plus, the Michigan product has potential/upside as a pass-rusher."

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah brought back cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and long-term starting safety Harrison Smith.

While those stalwarts remain in place, the Vikings remain suspect at outside corner. Ole Miss' Trey Amos is one of the class' better press corners, which should give him an advantage transitioning to Minnesota's scheme.

"The Vikings gave a big contract to Murphy in the offseason but could use a second cornerback with Stephon Gilmore no longer on the roster," Holder said. "Amos has the speed and press coverage technique to be a good fit with defensive coordinator Brian Flores."

The Vikings should be looking to upgrade a bottom-five pass defense, anyhow.

The Houston Texans have a choice at this particular juncture. Who do they make happy: their quarterback or their head coach?

While C.J. Stroud should welcome the opportunity to play alongside a former Ohio State teammate in Emeka Egbuka, the Texans' needs along the defensive interior take precedence, especially with Ole Miss' Walter Nolen still on the board.

"The Texans are getting excellent value here, nabbing the 15th overall player on B/R's big board with the 25th overall pick," Holder said. "Also, the defense could use some help at defensive tackle and Nolen's disruptiveness should pique head coach DeMeco Ryans' interest."

Nolen is a highly disruptive defensive tackle, who can immediately contribute as part of Houston's rotation.

The Los Angeles Rams were trying to piece together a secondary with duct tape and chewing gum last season.

Maybe a long-term investment is necessary, particularly at cornerback. The Rams' front office did a good job by bringing in safeties Kamren Curl and Kamren Kinchens.

After last year's outstanding additions along the defensive front, complementary pieces in coverage can elevate the Rams defense into the top half of the league.

Cornerback Azareye'h Thomas is another prospect with Senior Bowl experience, which the Rams love. He's only 20, though, so the Florida State product may need some leeway as he develops.

"The Rams could use some cornerback help to complement their impressive young pass rush," Holder said. "By adding Thomas, the defensive will feature a long corner who has the traits to be successful in press coverage and give the front seven more time to hit home."

The mere thought of Kyle Hamilton and South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori playing together immediately sends shivers down the spine.

The size and athleticism found among both can create a fearsome duo with the potential to dominate as imposing tone-setters.

"Quarterbacks beware," Parson said. "With this pick, the Baltimore Ravens can create the scariest physical tandem at the safety position. Emmanwori can move all around the Ravens secondary, much like Hamilton. Plus, the Ravens coaching staff is well-suited to develop Emmanwori from a somewhat raw prospect to reaching his full potential."

From a logistical standpoint, the Ravens defense took off last season with Hamilton shifting to free safety. Baltimore now has a similar talent at strong safety in Emmanwori.

The Detroit Lions chose to move past veteran defensive end Za'Darius Smith despite acquiring him prior to last year's trade deadline. With Smith gone, the Lions' hole on the edge again presented itself.

Aside from Aidan Hutchinson, who is coming off a season-ending broken leg, they simply don't have anyone who they can count on to be a consistent presence.

Georgia's Mykel Williams won't join the lineup and immediately provide what Detroit needs. Yet he has the type of upside worth taking a huge swing late in the first round.

"Hutchinson needs a long-term running mate, and Williams is a physical defender to fit the mentality Dan Campbell wants," Holder said. "The Georgia product is a project who may need some time to develop, but he could sit behind Marcus Davenport next season in Detroit while gaining valuable experience and reps as part of the rotation."

Dan Quinn benefited greatly from having Micah Parsons on the roster when he served as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator, but he doesn't have a pass-rusher anywhere close to that level on the Washington Commanders defense.

Dante Fowler Jr. provided some punch off the edge a year ago, but he left in free agency to rejoin the Cowboys. Washington also released its best interior rusher in Jonathan Allen. Frankie Luvu is a fantastic situational pass-rusher, but he's not an every-down threat.

Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. has the upside of an elite edge-rusher if he puts everything together.

"The Commanders could use some help off the edge, especially since Clelin Ferrell has been more of a run defender throughout his career," Holder said. "Ferrell and Pearce complement each other well, as the latter is an impressive athlete who can put pressure on the quarterback but struggles to hold his ground against the run."

The Buffalo Bills are searching for any path that can lead them to the Super Bowl after repeatedly coming up short against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The organization already brought in Joey Bosa to provide a boost to the team's pass rush. The secondary is already solid, though the Bills should be hard-pressed to pass on a talent of Benjamin Morrison's pedigree.

Morrison suffered a hip injury this season, which muddies the water a bit. Still, he looked like a top-15 pick prior to the issue.

"Morrison's injury complicates his draft projection," Holder said, "but the Bills could use a second cornerback after paying Christian Benford, not re-signing Rasul Douglas and trading Kaiir Elam. With the 30th overall pick, it's a good time to take a chance on the Notre Dame product."

A Kansas City Chiefs team led by Patrick Mahomes may never get a better opportunity to draft a legit top offensive tackle prospect than they do now by selecting Ohio State's Josh Simmons.

Had it not been for a torn patellar tendon suffered in October, Simmons would have made a run at being this year's OT1. Clearly, that's no longer the case. But the Chiefs find tremendous value here if he comes back healthy and continues his upward trajectory.

"In what could be the steal of the draft a few years down the line for the Chiefs, Simmons has the potential to be an elite left tackle," Thorn said. "Prior to the injury, his game took a sizable jump from 2023. He presents an excellent blend of size, movement skills and range as a pass-protector to go along with refined zone run-blocking ability.

"With the free-agent addition of left tackle Jaylon Moore to bridge the gap between Simmons taking over as a starter, the Chiefs already have an insurance policy with the upside of hitting a future home-run at a premium position at pick 31."

As the reigning Super Bowl champs, all the Philadelphia Eagles need to do is stand pat and see who remains available when they're on the clock.

General manager Howie Roseman can then take the best player still on the board.

In this particular case, Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is the class' best pure route-runner and a ready-made target. He can easily slide into an offense that may experience some change in the coming months.

"Tight end Dallas Goedert and the Eagles could be headed toward a divorce," Parson said. "If so, quarterback Jalen Hurts will need a third, reliable pass-catcher in their pursuit of consecutive Super Bowls.

"Egbuka can win as a slot and Z-receiver. His addition to this wide receiver room will allow Philadelphia's new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, to be creative with alignment and create favorable matchups for Hurts to exploit in the passing game."