KCCrow's 2025 Round 1 Mock 2.0

[kccrow]

1-01 | Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami
One thing for certain is that Cam Ward is going #1. The only question is whether the team picking him will be Tennessee or New York. We shall see, but I think the Titans' need for a quarterback who can win outweighs the potential return they may get from trading out of this slot. And as we know, there are no future guarantees they'll be in a position to get the top quarterback next year.

1-02 | New York Giants (t/CLE) - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Giants must get a quarterback to have any shot at being a competitive team in a tough division. I don't see them sitting on their laurels, hoping one falls to them, and I believe they'll make every attempt to persuade Tennessee to move out of #1. That said, I think they'll at least swap spots with Cleveland to ensure they don't have a team leapfrog them for Sanders, much like Chicago did in 2017 when they moved from 3 to 2 for Mitchell Trubisky. Talk of Sanders's fall, to me, is a bunch of pre-draft hogwash. The Giants send 1-3, 3-65, 4-105, and a 2026 3rd to the Browns.

1-03 | Cleveland Browns (f/NYG) - Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Browns are in complete disarray, given the Deshaun Watson disaster. They could opt to draft a quarterback, but I think they might try to stockpile picks for now and the future. Carter is the best player in the draft, so snagging him at 3 is quite the coup. Carter and Garrett will give the Browns a terrorizing defensive front, which they'll need to compete with their offensive issues.

1-04 | New England Patriots - Will Campbell, LT, LSU
The Pats have to fix the offensive line in front of Drake Maye at multiple spots. There are concerns about Campbell's arm length, but his hand usage and footwork negate it, and he's easily the most talented offensive lineman in this year's class.

1-05 | Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
The Jags struggled in coverage, so why not lock it down with one of the best CBs in the draft? Hunter can even provide the Jaguars with some sparks on offense.

1-06 | Las Vegas Raiders - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders have some holes to fill offensively, but they can take a lot of pressure off Geno Smith with Jeanty who is a consummate do-it-all RB.

1-07 | San Francisco 49ers (t/NYJ) - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The 49ers have to retool defensively and take pressure off Nick Bosa after their defensive front was gutted by free agency. If Graham falls, I see the 49ers making a strong push up for a menace like Graham. The 49ers send 1-11, 3-75, and 4-138 to the Jets.

1-08 | Carolina Panthers - Jalon Walker, ER, Georgia
Carolina has to bolster their defense at every level, and that starts with getting the pass rush going. Walker is an athletic dynamo and will provide an instant spark as a 3-4 OLB.

1-09 | New Orleans Saints - Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
The Saints need more juice up front on defense as Granderson is very average, and Jordan is ready to collect social security. Stewart is as athletically gifted as you could hope for in a full-sized 4-3 DE and can bring the heat every down. Stewart needs to convert pressures into finishes to reach his full potential.

1-10 | Chicago Bears - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Ryan Poles knows the value of an A+ TE from his time in KC, and new head coach Ben Johnson found ways to feed Sam LaPorta. Warren is an NFL blueprint at TE with size and speed to go with playmaking and blocking ability. This will give Caleb a reliable safety valve underneath and add another blocking presence up front to complement their offensive line moves.

1-11 | New York Jets (f/SF) - Armand Membou, RT, Missouri
The Jets have their LT in Fashanu but have a dire need at RT opposite him after Moses left for New England in free agency. Membou is a rock at OT who should solidify their OL for a long time.

1-12 | Dallas Cowboys - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Cowboys desperately need to improve their weapons outside of CeeDee Lamb. McMillan will provide a big, reliable target on the outside for Dak Prescott and a guy who can block in their sure-to-be featured run game.

1-13 | Miami Dolphins - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Dolphins' secondary is a work in progress, but they have nobody at NT or LDE alongside Zach Sieler. Nolen can step in and be an immediate star at LDE in their 3-4 defense.

1-14 | Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Colts have put a lot around Anthony Richardson, but they have absolute nobodies at TE. They have a prime opportunity to add the final piece with a guy who can help the run and the pass game with Loveland.

1-15 | Atlanta Falcons - James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
The Falcons need a spark plug defensively, and Pearce is exactly that. Pearce could stand to get better against the run, but he's going to create pressure in the passing game, something the Falcons severely lack.

1-16 | Arizona Cardinals - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The Cardinals improving their interior offensive line is important, but their linebacking corps was downright atrocious last season. Davis-Gaither could help at WLB in free agency, but Campbell could take them to another level at MLB.

1-17 | Cincinnati Bengals - Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
The Bengals lost Sam Hubbard to retirement and only re-signed Joseph Ossai to a 1-year deal. They need a long-term option opposite of Trey Hendrickson, and Williams fits the bill. He needs to develop into a more consistent player, but the traits are there in spades for him to become an elite NFL DE.

1-18 | Seattle Seahawks - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Seahawks did quite a bit on offense and returned a couple of key pieces defensively, leaving few real holes, with CB and OG seeming to be the big ones. I don't see Seattle going OG in round 1. Meanwhile, Johnson is an excellent schematic fit as a long zone corner who can make plays on the football.

1-19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike Green, ER, Marshall
The addition of Haason Reddick could help the Bucs get more explosive opposite YaYa Diaby, but they need an elite pass rusher of the future. Green would probably go higher if not for some character concerns. He's as explosive as they come in this draft and can provide the Bucs with a speed-to-power edge they lack.

1-20 | Denver Broncos - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
It's no secret that Sean Payton wants his next "Joker," but that may not come until round 2. Meanwhile, they have to get more explosive on offense as well, and there is not a better prospect in the draft to do that than Matthew Golden. Golden creates matchup problems and is a pretty good route runner, to boot.

1-21 | Pittsburgh Steelers - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Steelers addressed WR by trading for DK Metcalf, so they can turn their attention to the defense if they don't see a QB here they like. Harmon can give them a solid plug at DE with supreme 2-gap ability and a powerful anchor to go with a little bit of pass rush.

1-22 | Los Angeles Chargers - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
The Chargers are a complete wildcard with many positions lacking ideal talent levels, but the one position they severely lack is CB after losing Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr this offseason. Barron can step in and be an immediate difference-maker as a solid press/man CB that can come up and tackle.

1-23 | Green Bay Packers - Josh Simmons, LT, Ohio State
The Packers lack obvious holes outside of maybe CB2, which allows them to go largely with BPA here. The Pack could use a definite upgrade at LT, but they don't need to be in a rush to get that guy to the field. That makes taking Simmons, who might be the 2nd-best OL in this draft, an easy choice and allows him the time to fully recover.

1-24 | Philadelphia Eagles (t/MIN) - Donovan Ezeiruaku, ER, Boston College
The Eagles lost a few players defensively this offseason, most importantly Josh Sweat, given that Bryce Huff didn't do anything to note last year (and rumors are they are trying to trade him). The Vikings need to gain more picks in this draft, so I see them as a trade-down partner. The Eagles pick up one of the leading sack artists in college football in 2024 in Ezeiruaku (16) by getting ahead of the gauntlet looking for a similar talent. The Eagles send 1-32, 3-96, and 5-161 to the Vikings.

1-25 | Houston Texans - Kelvin Banks Jr., LT, Texas
The Texans' interior offensive line was atrocious last season, and they did themselves no favors by trading away Laremy Tunsil. They have to go OL early and often. I have them adding Kelvin Banks to secure LT for them.

1-26 | Los Angeles Rams - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Rams could go in any direction in the draft, but CB and NT are the most likely needs to be addressed. Grant could give the Rams an absolutely dominant front with Fiske and Turner.

1-27 | Baltimore Ravens - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Ravens could use an edge rusher, but they may wait until later if the board falls this way. Meanwhile, they signed an aging Hopkins and can't rely on Bateman, so WR remains a big need for them. Egbuka is as reliable as it gets as an inside/outside option.

1-28 | Detroit Lions - Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
Every year it feels like the Lions have the same needs at DE and CB. Adding D.J. Reed was huge, so they'll likely turn their attention to an upgrade over Marcus Davenport. Scourton is a terror if he can return to his Purdue form. Either way, he should provide a much better spark opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

1-29 | Washington Commanders - Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Washington traded for Deebo Samuel, but he seems to be less and less reliable with each passing year. With some quality work on the DL and OL in free agency, they might just look for another playmaker. Burden can immediately give them quality reps from the slot and become more in time.

1-30 | Buffalo Bills - Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
The Bills have no bigger need than CB, so it stands to reason they'll look there early. They traded away Kaiir Elam (good move) and let an aging Rasul Douglas walk, but did bring back Dane Jackson to man the slot (most likely). They need a true starter opposite Christian Benford, and Thomas can provide just that with a reliable, physical brand of play.

1-31 | Kansas City Chiefs - Josh Conerly Jr., LT, Oregon
The Chiefs went out and grabbed backup LT Jaylon Moore from San Francisco, but nothing screams Brett Veach more than overcompensating for a weakness. If a tackle falls that he likes, Veach will pounce, and this class sets up relatively well for exactly that to happen. Conerly could use a year gaining lower-body anchor strength, but he has all of the tools to be a premier pass blocker in the NFL and will threaten to start over Moore in year one.

1-32 | Minnesota Vikings (f/MIN) - Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
The Vikings did a bunch in free agency to shore up their offensive and defensive lines, addressed backup RB (traded for Jordan Mason), and starting CB (Isaiah Rogers). The Vikings have few real glaring weaknesses at this point, but their greatest one might be Ivan Pace at ILB next to Blake Cashman. I can see the Vikings looking to shore that up relatively early, and I see them doing it with Schwesinger, who is a very high IQ player that makes plays in both facets.


Dropped from 1.0 1st round:
Shevon Revel, Jr., CB, East Carolina
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama

[el borracho]

2013 Chiefs Draft party GIF

[RunKC]

Woof. Man idk this is a tough spot. I don’t agree with LT so for me Hampton just might be the BPA.

I’d probably decide between Landon Jackson and Trey Amos. I love Darius Alexander but Veach probably has him off the board due to age.

Yeah. I’m gonna go Landon Jackson here

[staylor26]

I think I'd take Starks here over Conerly, but I get it.

[JPH83]

Originally Posted by staylor26

I think I'd take Starks here over Conerly, but I get it.

You'd definitely get more value from Starks the first year, possibly 2. But man...that potential long-term LT fix is alluring. Think I'd struggle to pass up the gamble, but I'd still be very happy with Starks, and just getting a really, really good player that you know improves that secondary from the off.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by JPH83

You'd definitely get more value from Starks the first year, possibly 2. But man...that potential long-term LT fix is alluring. Think I'd struggle to pass up the gamble, but I'd still be very happy with Starks, and just getting a really, really good player that you know improves that secondary from the off.

Personally, I'd take Starks, Hampton, or Burden.

That said....you're absolutely right. Left tackle can't continue being a turnstile of average-ish vets; we have to solidify the position with someone Mahomes has complete faith in over an extended period of time.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by JPH83

You'd definitely get more value from Starks the first year, possibly 2. But man...that potential long-term LT fix is alluring. Think I'd struggle to pass up the gamble, but I'd still be very happy with Starks, and just getting a really, really good player that you know improves that secondary from the off.

Yea, like I said, totally get it.

But Starks, Hicks, McDuffie, Watson, and Fulton could be the best secondary this team has ever had. Could be the best in the league by the end of the season.

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Yea, like I said, totally get it.

But Starks, Hicks, McDuffie, Watson, and Fulton could be the best secondary this team has ever had. Could be the best in the league by the end of the season.

I agree! This secondary would be legendary

[smithandrew051]

I’d go Hampton here, but would understand OT.

Just hard for me to justify a first round pick on a guy who likely takes a redshirt this year.

May well be worth it long term.

[kccrow]

I am second-guessing my decision not to have Starks in the 1st round but that's more a factor of talent than mocking him to KC.

As for Landon Jackson, he's not even on the radar in round 1. I see him as a late 2nd round guy. Same with Amos. No chance I'd ever mock either of those guys in round 1. If I did, it'd definitely be Amos but that's not trying to get your hopes up.

[RunKC]

The most fascinating thing about this draft is watching to see if Veach wants to get his favorite DL in a deep class or take other needs bc you can get damn good DL at 63 and good prospects later.

Will he see this and take Hampton as BPA then draft DL at 63 or will he see someone he loves in this DL like Scourton and trade up for him?

Gonna be interesting

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by RunKC

The most fascinating thing about this draft is watching to see if Veach wants to get his favorite DL in a deep class or take other needs bc you can get damn good DL at 63 and good prospects later.

Will he see this and take Hampton as BPA then draft DL at 63 or will he see someone he loves in this DL like Scourton and trade up for him?

Gonna be interesting

Somebody is going to fall and mess up everybody's board.

Somebody ALWAYS falls.

[SAGA45]

Originally Posted by Bowser

Somebody ALWAYS falls.

And they fall because there's always a reach, head-scratcher pick or two in the 1st round. There will be quite a few this year.

[Couch-Potato]

I also believe Conerly Jr is the most likely pick

[RunKC]

My guy Trey Amos went first rd for the Rams in Daniel Jeremiah’s new mock. A few other things I think are different in contrast to your mock:

-Grey Zabel is too good to not go rd 1 IMO
-One of these teams is gonna go full reerun and draft Jaxson Dart. I’ve seen it mocked so much and also heard it from guys I trust like Brugler. I wonder if the Steelers pull that trigger