We are just days away from the NFL draft, and there is now an official consensus on the number 1 overall pick. Besides that, everything is still to be determined. The Cleveland Browns, who hold the second overall pick, are still debating who they will select, whether Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, or Shedeur Sanders.
As the NFL offseason officially winds down and the last free agents are nabbed by teams, team needs for the draft are prolific. Joe Flacco returns to Cleveland, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are teammates in the Meadowlands, and Aaron Rodgers is still unsigned.
Pro days have finally concluded, and they’ve either improved or worsened their draft stock. Players like Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, and Colston Loveland may have secured themselves as first-round prospects. At the same time, the Tetairoa McMillan of the world is no longer a sure-fire top-10 prospect.
There’s also still a question mark about whether Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe will be drafted in the first round, as both will attend the NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Matt Goldman and Bijan Pulley will split the picks, doing 16 apiece. Goldman will do the odds, and Pulley will do the evens. Here is the Final NFL Mock Draft before Thursday’s draft, without further ado!
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (MG)
The Titans are all but done with Will Levis. With Ward impressing so much in his pro day, this pick is a no-brainer. The Titans built up the offensive line this offseason with signings such as Dan Moore and Kevin Zietler, ultimately wanting to protect QB1.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (BP)
The Browns are getting the best player in this draft class and a generational talent. Hunter comes in and immediately becomes the WR1, slotting Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman in their natural roles as WR2 and WR3. Not to mention, a cornerback duo of Hunter and Denzel Ward could become one of the best in the league.
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (MG)
With Travis Hunter not on the board, I believe the Giants will select the best player available, Penn State’s Abdul Carter. With the signings of Wilson and Winston, the drafting of Shedeur Sanders seems unlikely. Pairing up Carter with Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence has the opportunity to make the best defensive line in the league.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT/OG, LSU (BP)
The Patriots’ biggest weakness is their offensive line. By drafting Will Campbell, they are getting the best offensive lineman in this class. Campbell can play anywhere on the offensive line, providing an immediate upgrade to the left side, which definitely needs improvement.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (MG)
On paper, the Jaguars’ interior defensive line may be the worst in the league. With Mason Graham available after a storied collegiate career at Michigan, this should be the obvious pick. Jacksonville has invested in its pass rushers for the last couple of years, so adding someone to clog up the middle may be the best choice to stay competitive.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (BP)
Ashton Jeanty may not be a generational talent, but he’s extremely close to it. He would deliver a massive boost to the Raiders’ run attack, one of the worst in the league last season. The Raiders have a young, ascending offensive line that will grow alongside Jeanty to form a dangerous run game for years.
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (MG)
For the last couple of years, it has been known that the Jets’ defense, on paper, is filled with stars. Offensively, they’ve struggled. Warren, who was a jack of all trades for the Nittany Lions, would automatically be their No.2 pass-catcher. The Jets can’t pass up on his ability to create separation from the tight end position this early.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (BP)
After a season in which they ranked among the worst defenses in the league, the Panthers need to add pieces to their defense. In particular, their pass rush needs improvement, which Mike Green will immediately boost. Mike Green is my EDGE2 in this draft class after coming off a 17-sack season at Marshall. Despite the “weaker” competition, I have no doubt his bend and pass-rushing skills will translate to the NFL from day one.
9. New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (MG)
With speculation that Sanders may fall, Kellen Moore nabs who he believes is the Saints’ quarterback of the future. There have even been rumors that Derek Carr won’t play in 2025. With Spencer Rattler lacking qualities that make him stand out, the Saints elect to regroup and go with the quarterback. At times, Sanders has struggled, but Kellen Moore knows a thing or two about getting the ultimate satisfaction out of a signal caller.
10. Chicago Bears: Armond Membou, OT/OG, Missouri (BP)
After an off-season where they added a lot of pieces to their O-line, the Bears continue to build up the trenches. Armand Membou is my OT1 in this class. His combination of physical tools, technique, and IQ gives me confidence that he can become a Pro Bowl to All-Pro caliber tackle. While Chicago has a franchise RT in Darnell Wright, Membou can play LT, replacing Braxton Jones, a free agent next year. Membou will be given a year to adjust to playing LT, giving him an even better chance to reach his potential.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT/OG, Texas (MG)
The offensive line needs to be the point of emphasis for the 49ers this offseason. Christian McCaffrey will be back healthy in 2025, and after losing starters at both tackle and guard, they can get a guy who can do both. Banks was a phenomenal leader in his time with the Longhorns. San Francisco can acquire a guy whose versatility will help them from day one.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (BP)
Tetiaroa McMillan is my WR1 this draft, and the Cowboys getting him at 12th overall is a homerun pick. McMillan, at 6’4 “and 219 pounds, has the route-running and after-the-catch skills of a receiver much smaller. He has an incredible feel for the game, knowing when to break on the route and finding the soft spots in zone coverage. Dallas, having a WR duo of McMillan and CeeDee Lamb, could join the conversations of Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins, and AJ Brown/Devonta Smith, has one of the best WR duos in the league in the next few years.
13. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (MG)
Simmons is a winner and a long-time key player for an offensive line that produced two 1,000-yard rushing seasons a season ago in Columbus. With the recent surprise retirement of Pro Bowl lineman Terron Armstead, the Dolphins elected to select the best lineman available.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (BP)
One of the Colts’ most significant needs is a linebacker, and they fill that hole by drafting my LB1 in Jihaad Campbell. Campbell is an athletic freak with solid man and zone coverage skills. But he still has room to grow in terms of taking on blocks and using his instincts in the run game. While it might take Campbell a year or two to figure it out, if he puts it all together, the Colts will have a franchise cornerstone at linebacker
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia (MG)
The Falcons were heavily mocked for selecting an edge rusher in the early rounds of the NFL draft last year. They shocked the world and selected a quarterback, which may have been a mistake. Jalon Walker is a player who can excel in both pass rushing and linebacker roles. The Falcons’ pass rush was weak; Walker can fix things up immediately.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (BP)
This pick is the definition of don’t overthink it. The Cardinals getting Will Johnson at 16th overall is an absolute steal. He’s a top 10 player in this class, and being overthought after a “down” year this past season. He has the physical tools and has shown on tape all the makings of being an All-Pro shutdown corner a team can put on their opponent’s WR1.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolan, DT, Ole Miss (MG)
Recently, it seems that the Bengals always need help defensively. Walter Nolan is the best defensive player on the board, and his fit in Cincinnati just feels correct. They’ve struggled on the interior for a little bit now, and Nolan can be a Pro- Bowl-level piece and a starter right away.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, OT/OG, North Dakota St (BP)
Seattle’s offensive line, especially its interior offensive line, has been a problem for years and has not been properly addressed. Grey Zabel will already come into the NFL as a solid starting guard who can start anywhere on the interior offensive line, making him a perfect fit for the Seahawks.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas (MG)
Is Tampa Bay’s most significant need at cornerback? No. But is Jahdae Barron way too good of a player to pass up on at Pick #19? Yes. Barron has qualities to play all over the field, and his inclusion in Tampa’s secondary is something I don’t think John Lynch can pass up. Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum are solid as the primary cornerbacks; adding Barron puts that group at another level.
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (BP)
Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are more RB2s than RB1s; with Omarion Hampton on the board and Sean Payton’s love for having a dynamic running back, this fit makes too much sense. Hampton is a dynamic running back with the balance and power to get many yards after contact on the ground and through the air. Denver in Hampton will get their RB1 for the next several years, giving their hopeful franchise QB in Bo Nix a ground game he can rely on.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon (MG)
Most mocks have the Steelers chasing a quarterback or another offensive weapon. The two guys Pittsburgh is gunning for are off the board: Sanders and Hampton. Pittsburgh elects to go the safe route and pick Derrick Harmon, a constant improver on many boards. Flashes of his game are reminiscent of potential teammate Cam Heyward, a dominant pairing on the interior if Pittsburgh can get him.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (BP)
This pick has been mocked to death for months, but Coltson Loveland to the Chargers is a perfect fit. One of the Chargers’ biggest needs is a TE, and Loveland would immediately be their best TE on the roster. He’s a dynamic receiving threat who can line up both as a tight end and a slot wide receiver. While his run blocking still needs some work, it can improve over time, with Loveland adding more weight, getting stronger, and refining his technique.
23. Green Bay Packers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia (MG)
The Packers have two glaring defensive holes: at the corner and in their pass rush. Mykel Williams is a player who’s not afraid to shine when the lights are bright; that alone gets Green Bay’s attention at 23. After a stellar season for the Bulldogs, he gets to work alongside former first-rounders Lukas Van Ness and Rashan Gary in the front four.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (BP)
It’s no secret that while he still has decent play left, Harrison Smith is near the end of his career, and in Malaki Starks, the Vikings get his successor. Starks is already good in coverage, has good filling skills in the run, has excellent ball skills to get takeaways, and has shown that he is a three-year starter on one of the best teams in the country, Georgia. Malaki is another overthought player and will immediately be a good starter with the upside of being a Pro Bowl to All-Pro caliber safety.
25. Houston Texans: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (MG)
Tank Dell’s out for the season, and the Patriots’ acquisition of Stefon Diggs creates a big void at wide receiver next to Nico Collins. Despite glaring offensive line needs, Matthew Golden tore up the NFL combine, and his measurables are too impressive to pass up. If Houston wants to stay on top of the AFC South, bringing in Golden will be a top-tier addition.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (BP)
Rams getting Luther Burden, my WR2 in this class at 26th overall, is a steal after a down year, which is more so to blame on his quarterback than he has made people overthink him. Burden is excellent after the catch, has a good catch radius and good hands, and is a very good route runner. You pair that with him being coached by Sean McVay and playing next to Puka Nacua, who will be destroying defenses for a long time.
27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee (MG)
Baltimore is another team that needs some help with their offensive line, but having Pearce still on the board is a must-pick. It’s not a bad position to know that Baltimore doesn’t have a solid pass rush outside of Odafe Oweh. Nonetheless, the projected preseason No.1 overall pick finds his way on a contender in Baltimore.
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (BP)
Aidan Hutchinson is a phenomenal edge rusher, but he needs a Robin to his Batman, which he would get in Donovan Ezeiruaku. Ezeiruaku has good bend and long arms to create a solid bull rush, but lacks that great bull rush power and has average speed/burst. Donovan is projected to be a good number two, and he would likely find himself in that situation coming to Detroit.
29. Washington Commanders: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M (MG)
Washington’s pass rush was the big thing holding them back from a potential surprise Super Bowl berth. Shemar Stewart did not have the same collegiate success as many of the other edge rushers in his class, but there’s no denying how impressive his intangibles are. Stewart is a risky pick, but it’s Dan Quinn if I trust anybody to help get edge rushers intact.
30. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (BP)
One of the Bills’ biggest needs is a defensive tackle, and they address it in Kenneth Grant. Grant projects to be a solid run defender with work to do as a pass rusher, with the upside to be good at both in a couple of years. If he does end up reaching his upside, a good defensive tackle who can play all three downs is great value at 30th overall.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Conerly Jr, OT, Oregon (MG)
The Chiefs desperately need another prominent offensive tackle. Jawaan Taylor has not been as good as his contract price is, and Jaylon Moore was never primarily a starter. Conerly, the best offensive lineman still on the board, will immediately provide a safety blanket for Patrick Mahomes. Last season, Mahomes was on the run more than he has ever been due to a weak line; Conerly can be the start to solving that issue.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Maxwell Hairston Jr, CB, Kentucky (BP)
Quinton Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are not going anywhere, but DeJean plays Nickel at his best. The birds are missing a corner to play opposite Mitchell on the outside, which Maxwell Hariston can fill. Hariston is best when dissecting route combos from zone coverage, which Eagles DC Vic Fangio primarily plays. Maxwell is an athletic marvel with room to grow; if there is any spot where he can put it all together, Philly would be the place.
