With the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft now complete, I am pleased to present my 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Day 2 Edition. These second-round and third-round projections are based on the draft order as it currently stands and my personal impressions of remaining team needs and interests, and do not reflect any potential trade scenarios.
With 2025 NFL Draft now upon us, I am pleased to present my 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Final Edition. These first-round projections are based on the current draft order and my personal impressions of team needs and interests entering the draft, with consideration given to potential trade scenarios.
Enjoy the draft!
1 | Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, Miami The Titans were admittedly willing to listen to offers, but in the end, came to a consensus to go on the clock and expect to select quarterback Cam Ward.
2 | Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado The Browns were reportedly considering quarterback Shedeur Sanders and edge Abdul Carter early, but in the end, expect to take two-way talent Travis Hunter.
3 | New York Giants — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State The Giants created some late buzz by holding a private workout with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, but in the end, expect to pick pass rusher Abdul Carter.
4 | New England Patriots — Will Campbell, OT, LSU The Patriots likely prefer to be higher or lower in the draft order to maximize their pick value, but in the end, expect to address their primary need and walk away with left tackle Will Campbell.
5 | Chicago Bears (via JAX)* — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State * Projected trade up with Jacksonville Jaguars * The Jaguars could very well stand in and make this pick, while their prospective trade partner could wait patiently and hope to make it, too. But, I think Jacksonville is open for business and the cost to move up shouldn’t be prohibitive for Chicago. In the end, the Bears go up and get stud running back Ashton Jeanty.
6 | Las Vegas Raiders — Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia The Raiders remain the favorite to draft Ashton Jeanty and have been linked to offensive tackle Armand Membou as of late, but in the end, I think the window for hybrid defender Jalon Walker starts and ends with Las Vegas.
7 | New York Jets — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan The Jets have mainly been mocked tackle Armand Membou and tight end Tyler Warren, who are both still on the board. But, these scenarios almost always assume this third, and possibly preferred, prospect is not. I think it could still be any one of the three, but in the end, if available, I would expect the Jets to grab defensive lineman Mason Graham.
8 | Carolina Panthers — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia The Panthers have been one of the teams most commonly paired with linebacker Jalon Walker, but in the end, I think this scenario might have the war room pounding the table for his teammate, edge Mykel Williams.
9 | New Orleans Saints — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State The Saints started the process with many needs and only seem to have added more, but in the end, I think tight end Tyler Warren might present more value to them here than tackle Armand Membou, edge Shemar Stewart, or a quarterback.
10 | Jacksonville Jaguars (via CHI)* — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona * Projected trade down with Chicago Bears * The Bears move up and the Jaguars move down in this projected trade, but both teams could stay put and end up taking the same players. I do think running back Ashton Jeanty and defensive lineman Mason Graham remain in play for Jacksonville, but in the end, I think there is something to the late smoke about the team liking receiver Tetairoa McMillan, especially in a trade back.
11 | San Francisco 49ers — Armand Membou, OT, Missouri The 49ers will most likely look to address their defensive line here, but might be presented with a scenario they didn’t expect. I think Mason Graham in a slide or Walter Nolen in a late rise are both still possible options, but in the end, the scales could tip to offensive tackle with Armand Membou still on the board.
12 | Dallas Cowboys — Matthew Golden, WR, Texas The Cowboys have been connected to more names in the past few days than in the months leading up to the draft and I’m convinced it could be any one of them or none of them. I’m actually of the mind that they might prefer to trade back than stand in and pick here, but in the end, I’m sticking with my original and only pick for them this draft season, be it here or down the board — receiver Matthew Golden.
13 | Miami Dolphins — Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas The Dolphins were my original fit and remain my landing spot for offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr., with cornerback Will Johnson as my secondary consideration. While there’s certainly a chance they will be beaten to the punch, in the end, I think they get their player of choice.
14 | Indianapolis Colts — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan The Colts reportedly covet a tight end and might just end up with both top options still on the board. It didn’t quite work out that way in this scenario, but in the end, I do think they come away with either Tyler Warren or, more likely, Colston Loveland.
15 | Atlanta Falcons — Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall The Falcons appear to be fully in the market for a pass rusher, either on the edge or the interior, but I wouldn’t rule out a trade up or trade down ahead of Atlanta making their selection. In the end, I think the intersection of need and value still points to Mike Green if they stay put.
16 | Arizona Cardinals — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss The Cardinals could go in a number of different directions here, including capitalizing on the injury discounts expected to be attached to linebacker Jihaad Campbell and cornerback Will Johnson. But in the end, I think defensive tackle Walter Nolen makes sense from both a fit and a value perspective.
17 | Cincinnati Bengals — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee The Bengals are on the hunt for defensive upgrades, with both edge and interior defenders expected to be in play. I actually gave strong consideration to safety Nick Emmanwori as an outside-the-box pick, but in the end, I think this might still be where polarizing pass rusher James Pearce Jr. hears his name called.
18 | Seattle Seahawks — Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina The Seahawks could look to reinforce the trenches here, with Grey Zabel being the most likely consideration. However, they might view the mid-second, where they have two selections, as the sweet spot for interior offensive line. Meanwhile, adding elite athleticism, traits, and versatility to the defense might be more appealing early. In the end, I think safety Nick Emmanwori might be the match here in terms of vision and value.
19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan The Buccaneers expect to draft defense here, with linebacker Jihaad Campbell, defensive backs Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron, and edge Shemar Stewart among the names potentially in the mix. All would come with questions, but in the end, I think this is the floor for Will Johnson.
20 | Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina The Broncos are reportedly inquiring about moving up, but how far and for how much are both more of a question than for who. That said, I think the cost might be too rich to climb the board as rumored for Ashton Jeanty, so in the end, they ride with Omarion Hampton.
21 | Buffalo Bills (via PIT)* — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan * Projected trade up with Pittsburgh Steelers * The Steelers are short on picks and might not be so committed to any particular player — quarterbacks and defensive linemen included — to where they wouldn’t trade back if the opportunity presents itself. Meanwhile, the Bills are loaded with picks that they could package to move up for a player they want. Given the speculative interest in Kenneth Grant on the part of both the Bills and the Chargers, Buffalo could consider striking a deal to jump Los Angeles. In the end, I think they partner with Pittsburgh and take the big defensive tackle just in front of the Bolts.
22 | Los Angeles Chargers — Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama The Chargers are reportedly interested in defensive tackle Kenneth Grant and it makes sense, both in terms of need and familiarity. But, with the projected trade between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, Los Angeles would have to pivot from perhaps their preferred pick. In the end, I think they still look to the trenches, but on the offensive side — adding another massive offensive lineman in plug-and-play guard Tyler Booker.
23 | Green Bay Packers — Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky The Packers prioritize tools and traits, including speed, and there are a few options that could be in play here. I did give strong consideration to sticking with edge Shemar Stewart, but in the end, I went with competitive cornerback Maxwell Hairston as my first-round fit for Green Bay.
24 | Minnesota Vikings — Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State The Vikings are the the team that would benefit most from trading down, as they have the fewest picks in the entire draft. If they hold here, expect them to target an immediate starter on the offensive line or in the secondary. In the end, I think versatile offensive lineman Donovan Jackson could be at the top of their board when they come up on the clock.
25 | Houston Texans — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State The Texans are among the expected landing zones for the second wave of offensive linemen and are reportedly interested in moving up to be in the mix for the first. It makes sense, but in the end, I think this might be the spot for receiver Emeka Egbuka, who would be a personnel and a personality fit for Houston.
26 | Los Angeles Rams — Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas The Rams could be a wildcard and look at taking a quarterback — or could be a potential partner for a team looking to move up to get one. However, I think they will still see value across their board here and, in the end, might see a blinking light next to the name of versatile defensive back Jahdae Barron.
27 | Baltimore Ravens — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State The Ravens expect to have multiple top targets available here. While I feel my initial selection, safety Malaki Starks, still makes total sense, in the end, I shifted to offensive lineman Grey Zabel as the pick for Baltimore.
28 | Detroit Lions — Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M The Lions taking anything other than a guard or an edge rusher would be somewhat of a surprise, so with both Tyler Booker and Grey Zabel off the board, edge rusher is the play. I did give consideration to Donovan Ezeiruaku as the pick in this scenario, but in the end, I went with Shemar Stewart, knowing he could very well go much higher.
29 | Washington Commanders — TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State The Commanders could go with a pass rusher or a cornerback, especially with the options still available in this scenario. But in the end, I still think they are the team that takes running back TreVeyon Henderson off the board in the first round.
30 | Pittsburgh Steelers (via BUF)* — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado * Projected trade down with Buffalo Bills * The Bills move up and the Steelers move down in this projected trade, but the outcome is the same as it would have been even if they didn’t. I think Pittsburgh stands to gain by moving down and while there’s obviously risk involved that they could miss out on Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, or both by doing so, they still have their pick of the two quarterbacks in this scenario. In the end, although Dart projects to be a better scheme fit, it still feels to me like Sanders might be the one who ends up with the Steelers.
31 | Kansas City Chiefs — Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon The Chiefs remain firmly in the mix for an offensive tackle, especially having their choice of either Josh Simmons or Josh Conerly Jr. here, but I still think interior defensive line is the play. In the end, I think the projection ranges for Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon have flipped, which puts Harmon within reach for Kansas City.
32 | Philadelphia Eagles — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia The Eagles may end the night with the final pick or could be on the move up. While I was initially set on this being tight end Mason Taylor, in the end, I changed my mind and went with safety Malaki Starks, who could be yet another first-round steal for Philadelphia in the making.
Welcome to the ninth annual edition of my DRAFTPLEX featured content series, Drafting Dallas! In this exercise, I assume front office duties to mock draft the full seven rounds for my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, using my DRAFTPLEX Board and the current official draft order.
After a disappointing final campaign under former head coach Mike McCarthy, America’s Team is once again ushering in a new era, with veteran assistant Brian Schottenheimer ascending to the top job. Surrounding him is a staff of both new and familiar names, with the most notable among them being a new offensive coordinator in Klayton Adams and a returning Matt Eberflus taking over as defensive coordinator.
On the personnel front, Dallas said goodbye to a number of mainstays this offseason, headlined by the retirement of future Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame inductee Zack Martin. Meanwhile, free agency claimed veteran starters Demarcus Lawrence and Jourdan Lewis, as well as a number of core contributors including Cooper Rush, Rico Dowdle, and Brandin Cooks, who will all be playing elsewhere in 2025.
On the flip side, the Cowboys front office has been active in talent retention and acquisition, securing the services of Osa Odighizuwa and KaVontae Turpin for 2025 and beyond, swapping late-round picks for Kenneth Murray Jr., Kaiir Elam, and Joe Milton III, and signing Dante Fowler Jr., Javonte Williams, Solomon Thomas, and Jack Sanborn among others from this year’s free agent pool.
But, while Dallas has made moves to fill out and firm up the roster, there’s a case to be made that, on paper at least, the team is not any better than the one that fought and fumbled its way to a 7-10 record in 2024 — and may even be worse. That leaves the organization with a reasonable amount of ground to make up in next week’s draft as they look to close the gap with the reigning Super Bowl Champions in Philadelphia and an upstart contender in Washington within the division, while trying to find their way back into the tournament amidst a very competitive field in the NFC.
That said, if I’m being honest, I’m concerned with what they stand to gain from this particular draft and not just because of the prevailing opinion about the quality of this prospect class. The Cowboys simply have not gotten the returns they should have from the past three drafts. Sure, they have hit on an All-Pro in Tyler Smith, installed a strong starter in Cooper Beebe, and mined a pair of mid-round diamonds in DaRon Bland and DeMarvion Overshown (albeit with both missing significant time due to injury). But, it’s been a major knock on their draft-and-develop approach and a detriment to the roster overall that their last two first-round picks, Tyler Guyton and Mazi Smith, have not lived up to expectations, and their last three second-round picks, Marshawn Kneeland, Luke Schoonmaker, and Sam Williams, have yet to emerge as starters, let alone down-in, down-out difference-makers.
Unfortunately, this lack of confidence does color my judgment in completing this exercise and does temper my expectations for who I see the Cowboys coming away with from the 2025 NFL Draft. And while I am holding out hope to be pleasantly surprised by their haul, I’m not holding my breath.
With that in mind, I present to you what I believe is a realistic scenario that could play out based on my personal evaluations, my impressions of pre-draft reports, and how the board may fall.
Let’s go on the clock with Drafting Dallas 2025!
Round 1 | Pick 12 Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
While Ashton Jeanty was widely considered to be in line to become the next great Dallas back early on, the Boise State product is now seemingly out of reach. This has put the first-round focus almost exclusively on wide receiver, with the Cowboys potentially having the pick of this class of pass catchers — the two most likely candidates being Tetairoa McMillan, who was clear and away the top receiver coming into the process, and Matthew Golden, who has been a consistent riser and may have taken the lead as the favorite to be the first receiver off the board and to potentially emerge as the best receiver from this class.
It must be acknowledged that McMillan has regained steam as of late in draft circles as the Cowboys preferred option, but I’m not so sure that the front office doesn’t think they already have a high-ceiling, big-bodied target on the roster in Jonathan Mingo — who they acquired from Carolina in exchange for their 4th-round pick and a 7th-round pick in this year’s draft. So, while I personally tend to think that the pick should be McMillan, I have a feeling that Golden having the edge in speed, route savvy, and ability to separate, as well experience lining up across the formation, might lead them to feel he is the better fit for the offense.
Ideal Pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Alternative Pick: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona Trade-Back Consideration: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
In the Mix: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina Will Johnson, CB, Michigan Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Round 2 | Pick 44 Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Rico Dowdle parlayed a breakout year rushing for more than 1,000 yards into a free agent deal with Carolina, leaving Dallas without a back on the roster who contributed more than 70 yards on the ground last year. To reload the depth chart, they signed Javonte Williams, who projects as more of a complementary back, and Miles Sanders, who fell out of favor in Carolina, ironically enough, after two dismal seasons. The team also returns Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, and Hunter Luepke, none of whom are locks to make the roster under a new coaching staff. Suffice to say, the Cowboys are not set in the backfield and need to come out of this draft with a lead ball carrier.
I expect they will prioritize the position early, but they may be at the mercy of the board in both the first and second rounds. Ashton Jeanty making it to #12 seems highly unlikely, while a pivot to Omarion Hampton there projects to be somewhat of a reach. Thus, the conversation is probably tabled until the second round, barring a trade back.
If TreVeyon Henderson happens to still be on the board when Dallas comes up on the clock, they should sprint to turn in the card, as that would be the ideal pick here. The Cowboys have also shown interest in Henderson’s teammate at Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins. But, I’m not sure either of them make it to #44, at which point, I expect the Cowboys might press and draft Kaleb Johnson.
Seemingly the forgotten man amongst the top of this crop of backs, Johnson has not had an optimal process after a productive year and career at Iowa, with his tape and testing seeing him fall in line behind the four names previously mentioned. But, Johnson is a big, strong back with vision and burst who can get downhill quickly, excels after contact, and is more than capable of carrying the load for Dallas. That said, I don’t think this would be my preferred outcome.
Ideal Pick: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
In the Mix: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Round 3 | Pick 76 Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Cornerback was a turbulent position for Dallas all of last year with DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs both spending time on the shelf, rookie Caelan Carson struggling, and a collection of journeymen rotating in and out of the lineup. With the one constant, nickel Jourdan Lewis, off to Jacksonville and Diggs expected to miss time again, the level of uncertainty remains high in the secondary.
But, beyond trading for Kaiir Elam, a former first-round pick who didn’t pan out in Buffalo, Dallas hasn’t done as much as you would think they should to address such a problematic position. As such, I would expect the priority to fall just behind wide receiver and running back in the draft — and wouldn’t rule out the possibility of them drafting a cornerback ahead of either of those two positions.
Given this scenario thus far, Quincy Riley is a player I’ve been circling as a potential selection for Dallas in this range. Riley’s competitive nature, athletic ability, and ball skills are notable, as well as his versatility to line up outside or inside, which would help give the Cowboys additional flexibility in matching up with opposing offenses.
Other considerations: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
Round 5 | Pick 149 Caleb Rogers, OL, Texas Tech
Without a fourth-round selection, Dallas has a long wait until they are back on the clock, although a trade up could be in the works with six picks still to go after this. One mid-round possibility is Caleb Rogers, the Texas Tech offensive lineman who offers the position flex the Cowboys tend to value. With multiple starts on both sides, at tackle and at guard, Rogers has the experience to either compete for a swing role or possibly contend for the start at right guard, where Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Robert Jones, and Saahdiq Charles all expect to be in the mix.
Round 5 | Pick 174 (compensatory) Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
The state of the running back position I addressed earlier. Given that state and the slate of picks Dallas is scheduled to make, I would expect them to take another crack at finding a bell cow before the draft is over. Another big, downhill back who also offers value in pass protection and receiving out of the backfield, Ollie Gordon II is a risk-reward prospect I think I like more than most, but has trended down as the draft process has played out. While I do suspect Gordon will be off the board by this point, with the depth of this running back class, it’s not out of the question that he could still be available and be in play for the Cowboys after a Dallas Day visit with the team.
With a complete turnover of the offensive coaching staff as far as the line is concerned, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cowboys continue adding blockers as they try to find the right combination of starters and reserves for their offensive front. Dallas reportedly visited with Ajani Cornelius at Oregon’s Pro Day and with room to add another tackle to the mix, the experienced lineman could be a late-round target.
Dallas has looked to Kansas State multiple times in the past two years for players (Cooper Beebe and Deuce Vaughn) and a coach (new offensive line coach Conor Riley), so there’s a level of familiarity with the program that could see another Wildcat or two head south. As Dallas auditions replacements for Jourdan Lewis in the nickel role, a hybrid safety like Marques Sigle could make sense later on Day 3.
Round 7 | Pick 217 (via TEN thru NE) Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College
Round 7 | Pick 247 (via KC thru CAR) Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE, Boise State
With an offensive-heavy draft like this early, supplemented by secondary help, I could see the Cowboys using their seventh-round picks to bring players in to compete for reserve and developmental roles within the front-seven.
Defensive tackle Cam Horsley, linebacker Justin Barron, and edge Ahmed Hassanein have all reportedly visited with Dallas during the pre-draft process. Horsley is more of a run defender than a pass rusher, but is very experienced and could be a solid rotational add in the trenches. Barron is a versatile second-level defender and seasoned special teams contributor who has room to grow as a pro. And Hassanein is productive, high-motor pass rusher with developmental upside who would be the latest in a long pipeline from Boise State to Dallas and would notably be the first Egyptian player ever drafted into the NFL.
