The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and the mock drafts are plentiful. To cut down on some redundancy, I elected to go with a two-round mock draft this time. This exercise showed me just how talented this draft is and how much value can be had on day two. Even after two rounds, there were still starters and impact players available.
The draft content will continue to flow with articles for my draft crushes at each position, my final top-50 players, and, of course, one last mock draft. Follow me on X at JLSports24 for much more draft and NFL content.
First Round
The Titans have settled on their QB to build around for the future. Cam Ward gets the call at the top of the 2025 draft class.
The Browns pass on a QB to select an electrifying two-way prospect unlike any the NFL has seen before. He’ll bring some much-needed juice to the offense and contribute on defense as well.
Many believe Abdul Carter is the best talent in the draft. The Giants choose not to pass him up, giving the franchise a new face and a fan favorite to help wash away the still painful loss of Saquon Barkley.
New England may try to trade out of this spot, but if they have no suitors, Will Campbell will solidify Drake Maye’s blindside for years to come. His overwhelming success against SEC pass rushers is enough to convince Mike Vrabel and company that he can hold up at LT in the NFL.
With a lot of options on the table, the Jaguars’ new regime takes the safe route and selects the best defensive tackle in a strong class. Graham makes everyone along the defensive line better and the rebuild on defense begins.
The Raiders’ new identity is established with the first draft pick of the new regime. Ashton Jeanty is a true bell-cow running back who becomes the focal point of a classic Pete Carroll power run game.
New Head Coach Aaron Glenn wants to establish a run game similar to the one he had in Detroit. Membou helps him do that early as well as giving new QB Justin Fields some added protection.
Jalon Walker is one of the most polarizing prospects in this draft class. His leadership, speed, and physicality help establish a culture of toughness on defense.
With Derek Carr’s health in doubt for 2025, the Saints select Shedeur Sanders to take over as QB of the future, which will ultimately end Carr’s tenure with the team.
The Chicago Bears continue to fortify their trenches in the draft with a relentless pass rusher to help neutralize the potent offenses they face inside the division.
The 49ers missed their window of opportunity to win a Super Bowl and must reload with new salary cap parameters in light of the impending Brock Purdy contract. It will be back to basics, starting with the trenches. Josh Simmons would be OT1 in this class if not for his season-ending injury in 2024. He’s a perfect scheme fit for the 49ers who can contribute immediately and take over at LT once Trent Williams retires.
Jerry Jones has been open about wanting a WR2 to complement Ceedee Lamb. McMillan is a massive target who draws a crowd due to his big-play ability.
The Dolphins have a lot of needs, but they elect to go with the best player available. Malaki Starks brings excellent instincts and playmaking ability to the Miami defense.
Tyler Warren is a rare athlete who brings the ability to improve an offense on the ground and in the pass game.
The Falcons begin the build around Michael Penix with this speedy prospect who many believe is the best receiver in the draft. The Longhorn offense may have limited Golden, but with his 4.29 speed, the Falcons will take full advantage of him and help him reach his maximum potential.
A lot of options are on the table for the Cardinals, but they land Will Johnson, who many believe is a top-10 talent in this year’s draft.
Jihaad Campbell immediately improves a Bengals defense that desperately needs it. Campbell’s versatility offers run and hit ability, coverage skills, and impressive pass rush for an off-ball linebacker.
Shemar Stewart blew up the combine and supplanted himself firmly in the first round. The Seahawks make him the 18th overall pick and add an intriguing piece to Mike MacDonald’s defense.
Jahdae Barron fits Todd Bowles’ defense as someone who can move around the secondary and disguise well. This is tremendous value for one of the best chess pieces in the draft.
Sean Payton desires a power-run game but lacks the back to make it happen. Having drafted a RB in the first round twice during his stint in New Orleans (Reggie Bush & Mark Ingram), Payton won’t shy away from one of the best talents on the board here.
Although the Steelers run defense finished 6th in the NFL last season, allowing 299 yards in the playoffs against the division rival Ravens has left a bad taste in their mouths. Grant is a day-one run stuffer who can learn from Cam Heyward as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Harbaugh adds a familiar face to give Justin Herbert another reliable target and open up the run game. Colston has some of the highest upside in this draft, especially at pick 22.
Green Bay fills a need with one of the cleanest pass rush prospects in the draft. It also doesn’t hurt that Ezeiruaku’s collegiate head coach is now the Packers’ defensive coordinator.
Holding only four draft picks in the 2025 draft, the Vikings make the first one count. Trading for Jordan Mason won’t deter them from adding Henderson, who will be a house-call waiting to happen in an already explosive offense.
The Texans are completely rebuilding their offensive line after trading Laremy Tunsil earlier this offseason. Many believe Banks will settle out at guard, but the Texans will give him every chance to win the LT spot from the get-go.
The clock is ticking on Matthew Stafford’s career, and the Rams know it. Dart enters as a red-shirt rookie to learn the NFL and eventually take over in McVay’s QB-friendly offense.
There are a lot of Ravens fits on the board, but they don’t overthink this one. Their power-run game just got much more powerful with the addition of Tyler Booker on the inside.
Mykel Williams bookends Aidan Hutchinson on the defensive line as an effective pass rusher and run stopper. He’s an impact player who adds much-needed depth to the position.
Dan Quinn favors long corners who play the ball. One of the best in this year’s draft falls right into his lap. The Commanders are in win-now mode and have added an immediate contributor in Trey Amos.
The Bills simply select the best player available, who adds a penetrating force to their defensive line.
The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency as another bargain left tackle. With the priority being Patrick Mahomes’ protection, they double down and select the best tackle on the board in Conerly.
Something other than 40 million dollars a year convinced Myles Garrett to eat his words and return to the Browns. Adding star power like Travis Hunter and Jalen Milroe does the trick. The analytically driven Browns happily give up a middle-round pick to get back into the first round to gain a 5th-year option on their future QB.
Kevin Stefanski possesses the offensive mind and coaching ability to prepare the hard-working Milroe for the NFL.
Second Round
The Eagles slide back, acquire a mid-round pick, and still get their trench player. Harmon is an aggressive, athletic defender who lives in the backfield.
If Daboll truly watched every play of Russell Wilson’s career, he saw how poorly he played in 2024 with questionable offensive line play. Grey Zabel offers immediate help up front at whichever position helps the best five guys get on the field.
New QB Cam Ward receives his first help in the Ohio State standout. Emeka Egbuka wins in a variety of ways with route running, speed, quickness, and grit against zone and man coverage. He’s also a willing and capable blocker in the run game.
The Jaguars passed on Tyler Warren at pick #5, but still land a first-round caliber tight end in Mason Taylor. He doubles as a capable blocker in-line and a talented receiver flexed out. Soft hands, route running ability, and YAC are some of his many talents that will immediately benefit Trevor Lawrence.
Not many players scream Pete Carroll like Shavon Revel. A sizable, raw corner who fits a major need for the Raiders.
The Patriots continue to build around Drake Maye and select Jayden Higgins. He offers an outside receiving threat to pair with Stefon Diggs.
Judkins is a consensus top-5 running back in a loaded draft class. He’ll bring an inside run game to the Bears with some big play pop. No coincidence that my player comparison for Judkins is Ben Johnson’s former RB, David Montgomery.
After getting their QB in round one, the Saints select the best player available here. James Pearce is a polished pass rusher who can immediately contribute with real sack production.
The Bears continue to solidify their defensive line with Alfred Collins. The Longhorn standout is a massive man at 6’6″, 332 pounds, with great athleticism. He will be an immediate disruptor in the trenches for the Bears.
The Jets continue to set Justin Fields up for success with one of the best, but most raw talents in the draft. Burden has elite YAC ability and will complement Garrett Wilson nicely.
Landon Jackson fills a need for the 49ers but comes in as a relatively raw talent. He wins with motor and athleticism but could be a real difference maker once he’s taught how to use all his tools.
The retirement of Zack Martin leaves an impossible-to-fill hole in the interior of the Cowboys’ offensive line. Donovan Jackson is highly regarded as the best guard in the class and possesses the positional flexibility to play tackle as well, as he did for the 2024 National Champion Buckeyes.
Schwesinger is a lightning-fast, highly instinctive player who will take over as the leader of the Colts’ defense.
The Falcons often disregard their need for edge players by taking flashy offensive weapons in the first round. This draft is no different, but they land on Nic Scourton in the second round to fill their need.
Tate Ratledge is the perfect player to help boost the Cardinals’ run game and hold a strong pocket for Kyler Murray.
Miami lands their replacement for Terron Armstead, who announced his retirement earlier this offseason. Ersery is a large tackle who moves well, which fits the Dolphins’ offense perfectly.
New Defensive Coordinator Al Golden brings in one of his Notre Dame stars. Xavier Watts is an incredibly intelligent player who creates an abundance of big plays and can help teach the Bengals the new defensive system.
Adding Tre Harris gives the Seahawks an outside presence and an impressive trio of receivers with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp to help new franchise QB Sam Darnold continue his career resurgence.
The Broncos have a lot of expiring contracts after 2025 along their defensive line. Tyleik Williams is a day-one run stuffer with some slight pass rush upside who creates stability at the position moving forward.
The Seahawks have a dire need at interior offensive line, but the board hasn’t fallen their way. They may have to reach a bit, but Wilson is a perfect fit for Klint Kubiak’s rushing attack.
Todd Bowles expressed a desire to blitz less – Umanmielen is a talented pass rusher who can win on his own.
Jaire Alexander’s future with the Packers is up in the air. This would be an odd move for the Packers with Morrison’s medical history, but Morrison is a first-round talent who can do it all at corner.
Harbaugh continues the trend of drafting his former Michigan players who fill a need. Stewart doesn’t wow you, but he’s a solid starter for years to come.
Hairston has blazing speed (4.28 40) and great instincts in zone, which makes him a perfect fit for the Bills’ secondary.
Bryce Young needs weapons and Jack Bech offers a big receiver who can win all over the field.
Nico Collins and Christian Kirk head up the Texans’ receiver room for 2025 with the injury to Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs’s departure. Royals adds another target for CJ Stroud for years to come.
Again, the Ravens sit and let the draft come to them. What comes to them is a player with exceptional man coverage skills, which fits right into the Ravens’ defense.
TJ Sanders needs some gap discipline work, but he has the ability to shed blockers with ease to make big stops in the run game.
Kaleb Johnson is a power runner with a big play upside. He’s a good fit for the Commanders as their potential three-down back of the future.
JT Tuimoloau fits the Bills’ build as a stout run defender with great instincts and the ability to disrupt in the pass game.
Darius Alexander is an extremely raw inside defender who can learn how to be a pro from one of the best in Chris Jones.
The Eagles land a massive talent with true football instinct and athleticism.