Steven Cheah's 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 - A Trade Up To #1!
Jim McIsaac. Getty Images.The NFL Combine is complete and we're firmly in the NFL off-season. The rumors are flying and I've got a new mock draft for you. Here is 1.0 for reference.
1) TRADE: Cleveland Browns (via Tennessee Titans) - QB Cam Ward (Miami)
Word on the street is that the Titans want Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter, but want to trade down to get him. This deal makes a ton of sense with Tennessee moving down just enough to secure their guy while also getting two more assets. They currently don't have a 3rd rounder, so they'd surely love to be picking at the top of it. The Browns have FIVE 6th round picks so giving up the top one has less of an impact on their draft. They give up a future 3rd in the deal too. The Titans will have other suitors too as the Giants, Jets, or even Saints could look to jump up to get to #1 to get the QB they desire. So this is basically a tax. With Deshaun Watson's achillies injury, they are without an appealing option at QB. Ward is a dynamic playmaker that could instantly provide an upgrade over Jameis Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
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*The Browns trade the 2nd overall pick along with a 3rd rounder (#67 overall), a 6th rounder (#181 overall), and a 2026 3rd rounder to the Titans for #1 overall
2) TRADE: Tennessee Titans (via Cleveland Browns) - EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State)
The Titans need a pass rusher. Harold Landry is now in New England and they've got Arden Key is really it. Word is they love Carter, so he's their guy at #2 after they get some assets from the Browns. Coming off a 12.0 sack season, Carter is the top pass rusher in the Draft.
3) New York Giants - QB Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
The Giants want a QB and this is the one they covet. And I fully believe Shedeur is a guy. I am very high on him. In fact, he's my top QB in the class. His mental processing and willingness to stay in the pocket and take a hit while delivering a strike isn't easy to find.
4) New England Patriots - WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)
The Patriots need playmakers. Having Drake Maye throw to the likes of Demario Douglas, JaLynn Polk, and Kayshon Boutte is gross. Hunter can play both sides, but with Christian Gonzalez being a certified stud, there is more of a need for Hunter on offense, but don't rule him out to go both ways as the Heisman winner can truly do it all.
5) Jacksonville Jaguars - OT/OG Will Campbell (LSU)
With Liam Coen at the helm, they're going to want a good O-Line to be able to run the football. The Bucs went from 31st in the NFL in rushing to 4th last year and have a very good O-Line. The Jags were 26th in the NFL in rushing in 2024. Coen's arrival will boost that, but they need guys to open up holes and Campbell has good positional versatility along with the talent and an NFL mindset.
6) Las Vegas Raiders - DT Mason Graham (Michigan)
With the trade for Geno Smith, QB isn't a pressing need anymore. New GM John Spytek is a Michigan guy. Minority owner Tom Brady is a Michigan guy. You'd better believe they'll have great intel on Graham who would be awesome next to Christian Wilkins and helping free up newly PAID Maxx Crosby.
7) New York Jets - OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
We don't know who will play Quarterback for the Jets next season but there isn't a QB to take here at #7. So they might as well get their next QB some more time. At 6'5" 315 lbs. he's got the size and athleticism to help their next QB stand and deliver.
8) Carolina Panthers - DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
The Panthers give up 184 total yards/game to opposing Runningbacks. That is league worst by about 30 yards. It's not a sexy pick, but Walter Nolen can help their defensive interior and also provide some pass rush upside.
9) New Orleans Saints - EDGE/ILB Jalon Walker (Georgia)
The Saints defense needs a facelift and Walker is a very interesting piece that can rush off the EDGE or play standup linebacker. But with 11.5 sacks the past two seasons, they will likely use him primarily at EDGE.
10) Chicago Bears - RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
The Bears have been making moves on the Offensive Line acquiring Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney via trades. That frees them up to spend their premium draft capital on the Heisman runner up. He'd definitely be an upgrade over D'Andre Swift on offense and can take some pressure off of Caleb Williams.
11) San Francisco 49ers - WR Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
With Brandon Aiyuk coming off an injury and Deebo Samuel now out of town, they really just have Ricky Pearsall who was solid, yet unspectacular in his rookie season for the 49ers. McMillan is a legit #1 WR at 6'4" 219 lbs. and can add a different dimension to their offense.
12) Dallas Cowboys - IOL Tyler Booker (Alabama)
The Cowboys really struggled to run the ball most of the year last year and one of the best Guards they've ever had, Zack Martin just retired. Booker can try and help fill those shoes and get the run game going.
13) Miami Dolphins - CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
The Dolphins are getting older the outside and Barron is a different type of Corner. Barron has good size for a CB at 5'11" 200 lbs. and more importantly, had 5 INTs and 11 passes defensed last year for the Longhorns. He can play in the slot or outside.
14) Indianapolis Colts - S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
Emmanwori was the talk of the Combine and with numbers like these, you can't argue as to why. Colts GM Chris Ballard is a huge traits guy and the Colts also have a glaring need at Safety. This pick makes way too much sense.
15) Atlanta Falcons - TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
But Cheah - they drafted Kyle Pitts a few years ago! He's a Tight End! Correct. Yes, but he also STINKS and was getting phased out a lot last season. The Falcons have proven over the years they will only draft guys that can be on a fantasy football roster.
2021: Kyle Pitts
2022: Drake London
2023: Bijan Robinson
2024: Michael Penix Jr.
Warren is a great talent and the Falcons are just a mess. This makes perfect sense.
16) Arizona Cardinals - EDGE Mykel Williams (Georgia)
Williams had a fairly disappointing season, but still had a career-high 5.0 sacks after 4.5 in each of his first two seasons. At 6'5" 260 lbs. with 34 3/8" inch arms, those guys go high. Williams is versatile and can rush outside or kick inside on 3rd downs. The Cardinals need a lot and he can help.
17) Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE James Pearce (Tennessee)
Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade and Sam Hubbard just retired. EDGE just became a glaring need and Pearce has the size (6'5" 245 lbs.) and athleticism (4.47 40-yard dash) to threaten QBs off the EDGE.
18) Seattle Seahawks - WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
Geno Smith is now gone, but there isn't a QB worthy of the 18th pick now that the top two are off the board. DK Metcalf is now in Pittsburgh and Tyler Lockett has been released. The Seahawks go back to the Ohio State WR well that worked out so well with Jaxon Smith-Njigba with Egbuka.
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LB Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
The Buccaneers need some help at Linebacker. Lavonte David turned 35 this year and even though he will be back for his 14th season, they don't have much outside of him. SirVocea Dennis is a good player but unproven and coming off an injury. Campbell is a perfect fit in a Todd Bowles defense as he's a do it all Linebacker who is also an exceptional blitzer. I would LOVE this pick at #19.
20) Denver Broncos - TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
The Broncos really don't have a go-to Tight End for Bo Nix and Loveland, at 6'5" 245 lbs. can provide a big target over the middle for Sean Payton's 2nd year signal caller.
21) Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Derrick Harmon (Oregon)
Cam Heyward can't play forever and Harmon had 5 sacks along the interior last year for the Ducks. At 6'4" 313 lbs. running a 4.95 40 with 34 3/8" inch arms is a similar build and profile to Heyward at 6'5" 295 lbs. with 34 1/8" inch arms.
22) Los Angeles Chargers - CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
The Chargers have a lot of needs now with Joey Bosa now gone and Khalil Mack being a free agent. But they also need some better coverage guys and Harbaugh is very familiar with Will Johnson who despite having a down year, could return to promise under his old Head Coach.
23) Green Bay Packers - CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
Jaire Alexander has been the subject of trade discussions and the Hairston is a climber post-Combine after he blazed a 4.28 40-yard dash.
24) Minnesota Vikings - EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)
Stewart doesn't have a ton of production (4.5 total sacks in three seasons), but a 6'5" 267 lbs. (rumors are he played closer to 290 lbs.) he is a massive EDGE rusher. He can help shore up their run defense, which is a big point of emphasis playing in a division with Detroit and Green Bay. But developing more of a pass rush plan he has sky high potential if he can put it all together.
25) Houston Texans - OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State)
CJ Stroud experienced a big time sophomore slump and while a lot of that was injuries to Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs. A lot of it was also poor protection as guys like Laremy Tunsil took a step back this season. Simmons started his collegiate career at San Diego as a Right Tackle before moving to the left side at Ohio State. He can start at RT on the other side from Tunsil.
26) Los Angeles Rams - IOL Armand Membou (Missouri)
The Rams need to continue to develop their Offensive Line and Rob Havenstein is entering year 33 of life. At 6'5" 310 lbs. They also just traded a starting Guard, Jonah Jackson to the Bears, so Membou fills an immediate need that will help give Matthew Stafford some time to get the ball to Davante Adams.
27) Baltimore Ravens - DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
The Ravens are love to build through the interior and Grant is a massive 6'4" 331 lbs. rock in the middle. With John Harbaugh having such close Michigan ties he'll have good intel on his new DT to go with Nnamdi Madubuike and Travis Jones.
28) Detroit Lions - EDGE Mike Green (Marshall)
With Aidan Hutchinson missing most of the season, it became clear that the Lions weakness was pass rush. Mike Green is a muscled up 6'3" 251 lbs. coming off a 17 sack season for the Thundering Herd.
29) Washington Commanders - OT Jonah Savaiinaea
The Commanders need to help protect Jayden Daniels better and their best Offensive Lineman, Sam Cosmi will likely miss most of next season. At 6'4" 324 lbs. the big boy from Arizona can play Tackle or kick inside to Guard.
30) Buffalo Bills - CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
Morrison is a lights out Corner, but he missed most of the season with a hip injury he sustained in early October. Had it not been for that injury, he'd be long gone before #30, but he should be ready to start the season and the Bills get a blue chipper at a discount.
31) Kansas City Chiefs - IOL Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
The Chiefs have the best Quarterback in football but the Left Guard they moved out to Left Tackle, Joe Thuney is now a Chicago Bear. Jackson can help fill the Left Guard role.
32) Philadelphia Eagles - EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
Josh Sweat is likely done in Philly with the payday he'll command. Ezeiruaku is coming off a 16.5 sack season for Boston College and could certainly help replenish what they're missing off the EDGE.
That's all for NFL Mock Draft 2.0. Thanks for reading!