2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Besides Ward to Tennessee, Could We Be In for a Shock?

Ward to the Titans, Final Decision

Tennessee Titans General Manager Brian Callahan and General Manager Mike Borgonzi have made two things abundantly clear as the draft nears. One, they will not be trading the No.1 pick away, and two, as expected and predicted in my first mock draft, the Titans will be taking Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward at one.

1 DAY UNTIL CAM WARD IS A TENNESSEE TITAN pic.twitter.com/xI5XBFXinB

— Jack (not a burner) (@_jackmcpherson) April 23, 2025

Don’t act surprised, we all knew this was bound to happen.

Picks Two to Ten

Cleveland Browns, Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Browns need a whole lot of everything. Between having to deal with Myles Garrett asking for a trade and then backing down on his word, deciding to stay, Cleveland is still in the market for a marquee player to try and find a new horizon.

Thus, enter Heisman Winner, dual-threat superstar Travis Hunter.

1 day until Travis Hunter is a Cleveland Brown#DawgPound pic.twitter.com/io9JiKm2h3

— Cory (@coryskuza) April 23, 2025

His skillset and immediate impact value in NFL games could turn Hunter into the NFL’s Shohei Ohtani kind of player.

New York Giants, Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

Following a horrible 3-14 record, everyone thought the New York Giants would target a QB. Following Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston’s arrival in New York, it’s on to finding a new franchise cornerstone for the Giants. So, how about Penn State defensive end giant Abdul Carter?

Abdul Carter, born and raised in Philadelphia, on his Pennsylvania roots:

“Once I go to New York, I’m all New York – I’m going to have to leave Philly behind” pic.twitter.com/fiW5kzqD0n

— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) April 23, 2025

Just imagining Carter, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux lining up together is probably making every other offense in the NFC East tremble already.

New England Patriots, Will Campbell, OT, LSU

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel knows for a fact that to make it out alive of his first season leading the Pats, protecting QB Drake Maye is a must. With the fourth pick in the draft, it makes total sense that New England should target one of the best offensive line prospects in the draft, LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell.

#Patriots HC Mike Vrabel “fell in love” with Will Campbell during the pre-draft process, per @McShay13.

Campbell’s football intelligence and leadership qualities are what sold Vrabel.

McShay adds that there is even a rumor circulating that Drake Maye knows Campbell is the pick. pic.twitter.com/MqdX2xR1xV

— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) April 23, 2025

Campbell fits the bill as a day-one starter and a potential long-term solution for New England to not look at its NFL schedule with fear.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Jacksonville Jaguars need help on offense. But they also need help on defense. And don’t forget the secondary.

Still, staying on defense here, I like the Jaguars taking Michigan beast Mason Graham with the fifth pick.

Top draft prospect Michigan DL Mason Graham working out in a Jaguars salute to service shirt…👀

Jacksonville has the 5th pick in the draft. pic.twitter.com/lGwnmjOMn9

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 16, 2025

Even if there are rumors of the Jags not selling Graham, they could really use a player like Graham to bring their middle defensive line to competitive status.

Las Vegas Raiders, Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

With Pete Carroll taking over the Las Vegas Raiders, his vision for having a dominant rushing attack comes to life, snagging up Boise State stud running back Ashton Jeanty.

“Don’t start drafting for need when there’s an opportunity to pick the best player available.”@Realrclark25 is rockin’ with Ashton Jeanty as a potential draft pick for the Raiders 🙌 🏈 pic.twitter.com/l5putMqH1n

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 18, 2025

Jeanty in Las Vegas could easily become the team’s offensive leader for the foreseeable future. And with Carroll’s guidance, the sky’s the limit.

New York Jets, Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

I will shoot myself in the foot and do the river dance if the New York Jets do not take Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the 7th pick.

The Jets recently and quietly had Penn State’s Tyler Warren in for a visit, and there are certain members of their organization who are said to be enamored with the player many consider to be the top tight end in this class, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/MuC1soSlHK

— SleeperJets (@SleeperJets) April 21, 2025

I don’t care if new head coach Aaron Glenn thinks going defense-first is the way to go here. No, New York’s defense is good right now. Justin Fields is going to need help moving the ball down the field, and Warren offers everything this team needs for its passing game.

Carolina Panthers, Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

A good attack starts with a strong defense, hence why Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker could fit in perfectly for the Carolina Panthers.

Jalon Walker is feeling the love from the Panthers! 💙 🏈 @heykayadams | @JalonWlaker | @Panthers pic.twitter.com/jInbjg1inj

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 2, 2025

Even if he’s deemed as undersized for his position, at this point, any help is welcome to spruce up Carolina’s reeling sack and pass rush department.

New Orleans Saints, Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

My No.1 prospect at cornerback, Michigan’s Will Johnson, fits the bill perfectly to become the Saints’ new CB1 from day one.

9.) New Orleans Saints – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

6’2” | 194 lbs

Will Johnson was set to be a top 5 pick headed into the season, but dealt with some injuries. Outside of Travis Hunter, he is the best CB in the class. The Saints lost some talent on defense this offseason, so… pic.twitter.com/ySGGkzCyq5

— Mike (@MikeRezNFL) April 22, 2025

Want an NFL futures prediction to keep on the burner? If Johnson reaches his best potential early on in the season, he has All-Pro potential written all over his future.

Chicago Bears, Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The first thing new Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson probably realized after taking the job is that his team’s success will go through how much protection Caleb Williams gets from his offensive line.

While Missouri’s Armand Membou could easily fit the scene here, I’m going with another day-one starter here, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr.

6’5″ 320lbs
Just turned 21 in March
Started 40+ games at LT & LG
Natural pass protector
Physical run blocker
Great movement, agility, & speed
Powerful, big & strong
2025 Outland & Lombardi winner

Kelvin banks Jr. should be available… #DaBears pic.twitter.com/mxVqtmyV1T

— Danikin (@Danikin_DG3) April 21, 2025

A natural-born left-tackle protecting Williams’ blind side? Yes please.

Eleven to Twenty

• San Francisco 49ers, Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

Dallas Cowboys, Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

The Cowboys need, need, let me spell that out N-E-E-D, an RB1 that’s ready to go if they wish to see their Super Bowl contention plans actually be taken seriously.

While in my second mock draft I had Jeanty falling to #12 and Dallas snagging him up, let’s be real for a second, that’s not going to happen. So, who’s next on the RB prospect list? North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.

Omarion Hampton is an absolute workhorse.

➖ 6’0/220lbs | 21 Years Old
➖ 1222 Yards After Contact (#2 in FBS)
➖ 73 Missed Tackles Forced
➖ Good Pass-Catcher, Vision, Instincts

He’s going to be a damn good football player. Some Josh Jacobs/Nick Chubb to his game… pic.twitter.com/kdt54DBWwH

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) February 21, 2025

The Cowboys can get good wide receiver prospects later on in the draft, first, it’s best to focus on running the ball.

Miami Dolphins, Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

If Jalen Ramsey stays or leaves, if I’m the Dolphins, I’m still not skipping on the possibility of picking up the second-best CB prospect in the draft, Texas’s Jahdae Barron.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

+ Elite speed and closing burst
+ Smooth mover
+ Can play man and zone
+ Instincts
– Older prospect (24 in season) pic.twitter.com/zGjYxFmLqb

— The List – Dolphins Podcast (@TheListFinsPod) April 22, 2025

Coming into the league as the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive end in college football last season, it would be a stupid mistake for the ‘Fins to pass on him at 13.

• Indianapolis Colts, Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
• Atlanta Falcons, Mike Green, DE, Marshall

Arizona Cardinals, Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

New Cardinals OL coach Justin Frye coached him and the team’s starting left tackle, Paris Johnson, at Ohio State. What’s best for a reunion protecting Kyler Murray?

• Cincinnati Bengals, Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
• Seattle Seahawks, Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
• Denver Broncos, TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Shocker: Sanders to the Steelers

You didn’t think I had forgotten about Shedeur Sanders, now did you? Ever since he made his intentions of heading to the NFL a reality, NFL draft betting odds have gone up and down regarding which team and in which number Sanders will be picked.

Considering Aaron Rodgers is still treating the Pittsburgh Steelers like a side piece and with Mike Tomlin practically ready to pull the plug on Rodgers joining Pitt, let’s all say “Welcome to the Steelers, Shedeur!”

𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: Many teams are expecting star QB Shedeur Sanders to fall outside of the Top 10, per @JFowlerESPN

The Steelers are looking like the most likely team to draft him.

Pittsburgh has the 21st pick in the draft. pic.twitter.com/YJbLFN4bhK

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 23, 2025

Various NFL picks and predictions experts have been talking about Sanders dropping out of the top 10 recently. With the Steelers in serious need of finding a right-now solution at QB, Shedeur might be the best fit.

Rest of the Pile

• Los Angeles Chargers, Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
• Green Bay Packers, Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
• Minnesota Vikings, Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
• Houston Texans, Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
• Los Angeles Rams, Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
• Baltimore Ravens, Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
• Detroit Lions, James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee

Washington Commanders, Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

If the Washington Commanders want to be taken as seriously as a heart attack in the race for the Super Bowl next season, besides adding Deebo Samuel to help Jayden Daniels, adding Matthew Golden would be one of the, if not the biggest, steals in the first round.

Matthew Golden to the Commanders would be an ABSOLUTE STEAL@McShay13 @yougoodmuench pic.twitter.com/Wlic6CjxJz

— The Ringer (@ringer) February 25, 2025

Golden was a beast in his last season with Texas. Now imagine what he could do with Daniels slinging the ball at him?

• Buffalo Bills, Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
• Kansas City Chiefs, Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
• Philadelphia Eagles, David Walker, Edge, Central Arkansas