The first wave of NFL free agency is in the books, which featured some big signings and trades that will have implications this season.
But the fun has only just started, as we're about one month away from the 2025 NFL draft, which is shaping up to be an intriguing one. With all of the big moves going down in free agency, things are starting to become more clear at several positions.
Following free agency, we thought it would be the perfect time to unveil another first-round mock draft taking into account the recent moves around the league. Our NFL Wire editors made their selections for the first round, which features the Dallas Cowboys making a shocking move at No. 12.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Every move the Titans have made in free agency is an indicator that they plan to select a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. They’re not currently entertaining any serious trade offers and despite speculation earlier this offseason that they’d be open to trading down, currently appear content and comfortable taking Miami’s Cam Ward first overall. It may not be a surprise move and certainly not one that creates interest in mock drafts, but it’s the right one for the team and April’s most likely outcome. – Dan Benton/Bryan Manning Titans Wire
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
It’s beginning to feel quite unlikely the Browns take a quarterback with the No. 2 pick if Cam Ward is off the board. He is in this case, so the Browns go out and take the best player available. They cannot go wrong between Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter here, but they look to get whoever their quarterback is a top-tier weapon in a lackluster wide receiver room. Outside of Jerry Jeudy and a few games from Cedric Tillman, there are no playmakers in this room for the Browns. Injecting Hunter into this roster, who can also provide quality play in some nickel and dime sub-packages defensively, gives the Browns an immediate boost and a rare blue chip player. – Cory Kinnan, Browns Wire
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
The Giants may need a quarterback but taking Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 overall feels like an overdraft. Carter, meanwhile, is widely viewed as the top overall prospect in the draft and an immediate Day 1 impact starter. It’s hard to pass on a generational talent and there’s no reason to believe general manager Joe Schoen would in this scenario. Going back throughout their history, the Giants have found success with their pass rush and it’s something they’ve gotten away from to disastrous results. They remedy that by pairing Carter with Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Brian Burns. – Dan Benton, Giants Wire
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
With Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter gone, the Patriots keep their eye on improving in the trenches by filling a massive need at left tackle. LSU's Will Campbell is already a talented player, but he should have added motivation from hearing endless debates regarding his arm length. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye needs a reliable blindside protector, and Campbell can be a key foundational piece for the team for years to come. – Jordy McElroy, Patriots Wire
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
I did entertain the idea of trading back here because there were several players available who I was comfortable with adding to the roster. However, a trade never materialized, so I went with the obvious pick Mason Graham. This pick makes all the sense in the world for the Jaguars, who have to get improved play from their defensive front this season. This was a unit in 2024 that ranked 32nd in ESPN’s pass rush win rate metric and 27th in run stop rate. Graham has proven to be a productive pass rusher and was one of the best interior run defenders in 2024 by PFF’s metrics. When a defense has a strong presence inside, every player on the field benefits. – Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
There seems to be a growing number of mock drafts that have the Raiders taking RB Ashton Jeanty here. That would be fine. The Raiders have a need at running back and Jeanty is far and away the best back in this class. But wide receiver is also a big need on this team. And in this class, running back is a lot deeper than wide receiver. McMillan is a rare talent and he is just what Geno Smith needs in this offense. So, while Jeanty wouldn’t be a terrible pick, I don’t think it would be an altogether wise pick. Not when there’s very good, starting caliber backs who are sure to be available on day two. – Levi Damien, Raiders Wire
7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
With McMillan so very close to falling to seventh, the Jets still have a good option in Warren available. While the Davante Adams-Garrett Wilson duo did not pan out well, Wilson still can’t do it all himself and a new quarterback’s best friend, such as Justin Fields, could be a productive tight end option. On top of that, Warren is considered an all-around tight end that can block as well, making him a potential Day 1 upgrade on Tyler Conklin. – Nick Wojton, Jets Wire
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Carolina may have lost out on the open market’s biggest fish in Milton Williams, but they still came out of the first wave of free agency with some nice catches for their defense. They added to their front seven with defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, nose tackle Bobby Brown III and outside linebacker Pat Jones II and found their new strong safety in Tre’von Moehrig. But the unit still needs direction, leadership and some playmaking ability. And whether it’s primarily as an inside linebacker or a pass rusher, Walker has the tools to raise what was a historically-bad defense in 2024. – Anthony Rizzuti, Panthers Wire
9. New Orleans Saints: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Saints may consider Shedeur Sanders here, and I expect Kellen Moore to start adding his own quarterbacks to the room sooner or later. But the Saints believe they can contend in the NFC South and a backup QB doesn’t help them achieve that goal. Jeanty, the best runner in a class full of talented running backs, livens up the NFL’s least explosive running game and sets up a transition for the last few years of Alvin Kamara’s career. He can be the big-play threat Moore enjoyed with Saquon Barkley in the Philadelphia Eagles backfield a year ago. – John Sigler, Saints Wire
10. Chicago Bears: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Bears overhauled the offensive line in a big way during free agency with the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman, but that doesn’t mean the work stops there. With Will Campbell already off the board, Armand Membou becomes the next man up. Membou didn’t allow a sack or QB hit last season at Missouri, and protecting Caleb Willams remains the long-term focus. Some project Membou to kick inside to guard (which wouldn’t be a bad option considering Thuney isn’t a long-term answer at left guard), but he could also be the perfect bookend at left tackle opposite Darnell Wright. –Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
11. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Dolphins receive: No. 11 (1st)
- 49ers receive: No. 13 (1st), No. 116 (4th)
The Dolphins have a decent amount of draft capital after adding three compensatory picks. So packaging one mid-round selection to slide up a couple spots still leaves the team with plenty of time to add beef in the trenches. For now though, finding a corner to pair with Jalen Ramsey on the outside who can be trusted to start right away is the higher priority. After parting with Kendall Fuller to save cap space, the Dolphins land a 6’2 playmaking cornerback with fluid coverage skills and a knack for pick sixes. – Adam Stites, Dolphins Wire
12. Dallas Cowboys: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Let’s get crazy. The Cowboys are going to ride out the next year or two of Dak Prescott under center, who will get tired of having the constant conversation about his job security and wave his no-trade clause before his deal expires. Brian Schottenheimer has one year to convince the Cowboys that he’s the guy. Otherwise, he’s out. Deion Sanders moves into the driver’s seat, the Cowboys get at least two first-round picks, likely from a team like Cleveland, and roll into the last half of the decade with a total reboot of the roster. – KD Drummond, Cowboys Wire
13. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA): Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
- Dolphins receive: No. 11 (1st)
- 49ers receive: No. 13 (1st), No. 116 (4th)
Trading back a couple of spots to pick up a fourth-round pick makes a ton of sense for San Francisco in a year where they need to hit on a bunch of picks. It would behoove them to have as many chances as possible to make selections. With the extra pick in tow, they address their front seven with a replacement for Dre Greenlaw. Campbell can flat out play, and the converted defensive end still has a ton of upside as an off-ball LB while bringing a pass-rushing element that could make him a Swiss Army knife for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. He’s a good run defender whose athleticism gives him an extremely high ceiling in coverage, which is key to the 49ers rebuilding their dominant defense. They need to control the second level with fast, athletic LBs again. Defensive line help is imperative, but that’s something they can address later in a deep class. Just pairing Campbell with LB Fred Warner might solve a lot of the defensive problems the 49ers had a season ago. – Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
14. Indianapolis Colts: Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas
Perhaps this is an off-script selection, but it’s a deep tight end class, so I feel comfortable addressing that need on Day 2, and there are some unknowns along the offensive line currently. Without Will Fries, Matt Goncalves will presumably slide to right guard. But even so, guard depth is a need, and so is finding a swing tackle. Banks can provide help in both of those areas and could compete with Goncalves or Braden Smith for playing time. While all the focus is on the Colts’ quarterback position, success for whoever the starter is begins with having a good offensive line in front of them to provide time and a running game to lean on. Getting this unit right is a must. – Paul Bretl, Colts Wire
15. Atlanta Falcons: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The Falcons are expected to sign veteran Jordan Fuller, but they seem to like Starks. At Georgia's pro day, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called Starks one of the "safest" picks in the draft. Fuller and Starks could share the field next season and the former Bulldogs defender could take over a full-time role in 2026. This strategy worked for Ravens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton and could work for Starks in Atlanta. – Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
16. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
After shoring up the defensive edge with Josh Sweat and Baron Browning and adding Dalvin Tomlinson to the defensive line in free agency, Arizona could go a lot of different directions here. But by hiring former Ohio State OL coach Justin Frye to coach their O-line, adding an incredible talent he knows well in Simmons makes sense. They have some uncertainty at right tackle with Jonah Williams coming back from a knee injury, so Simmons might get a chance to start there early. And if Williams is healthy, the Cardinals don’t have a set starting right guard, Simmons could play there as a rookie while Williams plays out the final year of his contract. All this is assuming he gets medically cleared with the knee injury that caused him to miss much of Ohio State’s championship season. – Jess Root, Cards Wire
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
The Bengals brought back Joseph Ossai in free agency and figure to retain Trey Hendrickson despite giving him permission to seek a trade. But those two were still members of one of the league’s worst defenses last year. The Bengals are greatly counting on new coordinator Al Golden to turn around the defense and unlock something from former first-round pick Myles Murphy. But more rotational, versatile depth is a must across the front seven. With Mike Green, they get a massive-upside prospect they can move around formations as a situational pass-rusher early in his career. – Chris Roling, Bengals Wire
18. Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Seahawks are making a considerable gamble moving on from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, wagering his 2024 season with the Vikings was not a fluke. What is one of the best ways to help ensure that isn’t the case? Get Darnold some explosive weapons! Darnold will already be working with JSN, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and now the former Eastern Washington standout Cooper Kupp… but this wide receiver corps still needs to make up some of the dynamic athleticism lost with DK Metcalf being shipped to Pittsburgh. Seattle made waves in 2023 when they took JSN in the first round, and it’s worked out pretty well for them! I could see them making a similar move this time around. – Kole Musgrove, Seahawks Wire
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
At this point in the draft, if the Bucs pass on Jahdae Barro, the entire 2024 NFL Draft class will be forgotten for how good it is despite its brilliance for Jason Licht. The team has made an effort to make sure the secondary is deep, but Antoine Winfield Jr. cannot do this on his own. Zyon McCollum has shown promise, as has Tykee Smith, but Barron is different. He is simply a great overall football player with physical traits to make you gasp and play that makes you fall in love with him. – Andrew Harbaugh, Bucs Wire
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Broncos patched up their defense during free agency and then added tight end Evan Engram on offense. Now it’s time to shore up the backfield. Hampton ran a 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the NFL combine after rushing for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Tar Heels. Javonte Williams left in free agency and Denver will likely find his replacement during April’s draft. – Jon Heath, Broncos Wire
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The temptation here might be to go for a quarterback like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe but with Kenneth Grant on the board, we just can’t pass on him. He’s a modern NFL version of a throwback nose and even if he isn’t ready to be a three-down lineman yet, his ability to impact the run game is exactly what the Steelers need. – Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Chargers haven’t had a good pass-catching tight end since Hunter Henry a few years back. When Henry was with the Chargers, he and Justin Herbert had a strong chemistry, so adding a receiving TE is imperative. Loveland could step in and serve as a weapon in the passing game from Day 1. – Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
23. Green Bay Packers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Pass-rusher or pass-catcher? Several players were under consideration here, including Shemar Stewart, Derrick Harmon, Donovan Ezeiruaku and Emeka Egbuka. The guess here is the Packers would love it if the board played out this way, and the pass-rusher is far more likely than the pass-catcher. But during this run through, we took Burden, a versatile and athletic receiver who can win to all three levels and gain yards after the catch. He could become the reliable, go-to target for Jordan Love and complete the receiver room after the Packers mostly missed out on the top options this offseason. – Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanawori, S, South Carolina
I imagine a handful of players in this draft as Vikings who would make for evil results for opponents. At 24, their best chance to land one is in Nick Emmanawori. He is a physical monster, an athletic freak, as his testing proves, and a certifiable ball hawk. There are not many better players in this class when it comes to finding the ball in the air or on the ground. Emmanwori and Brian Flores would be a match made in heaven for the Vikings and create hell for opposing teams. – Andrew Harbaugh, Vikings Wire
25. New England Patriots (via HOU): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Patriots receive: No. 25 (1st), No. 241 (7th)
- Texans receive: No. 38 (2nd), No. 77 (3rd), No. 238 (7th)
The Patriots did a great job of filling out their defense in free agency, and they finally managed to get the best left tackle in the entire draft. Why not package a trade to move back up into the first round for another offensive weapon for quarterback Drake Maye? All it cost was their second-round pick, the third-round pick they got back in the Matthew Judon trade and a seventh-round swap. I'd consider that a win if it means landing Emeka Egbuka, who is arguably the most skilled receiver on the board. He also comes from an Ohio State program that is currently riding hot with receiver draft hits. – Jordy McElroy, Patriots Wire
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Let’s have some fun, shall we? Quarterback isn’t as pressing a need with Matthew Stafford back for another year, but he’s not going to play forever. The Rams still have to find his successor and they won’t be afraid to take one in the first round if there’s someone they covet. Might that player be Dart? Trading down was my top option but with no takers, I stood pat and took Dart – who could go much earlier than this or potentially 20 picks later. No one truly knows. Dart has the mobility Sean McVay typically loves in a backup quarterback, and Les Snead even hinted at wanting a mobile passer back in November. There are things to clean up in his game but no one should doubt McVay’s ability to get the most out of someone like Dart. He has the tools to be a franchise quarterback and McVay might just be the perfect coach for him. – Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire
27. Baltimore Ravens: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Stewart is a physical edge rusher and, during the NFL scouting combine, weighed 267 pounds and posted an unofficial Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 10.00, besting former Texas A&M star Myles Garrett. The production for the Aggies wasn’t always on the stat sheet, but Stewart would bring athleticism and physicality to a position where Kyle Van Noy is now one year older, and David Ojabo could likely be the odd man out. Stewart arrived at Texas A&M as one of the top recruits in the 2022 class, and he appeared in 37 games for the Aggies over the last three seasons, amassing 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, four passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in those appearances. – Glenn Erby, Ravens Wire
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Jackson thrived as a power-oriented left guard for the Buckeyes, an outstanding puller and people-mover in the run game. Yet he looked even better on the outside in his trial-by-fire stint at left tackle during Ohio State’s run to the national championship. His balance, punch and fiercely competitive playing style are very easy fits for the Lions as an instant starter at left guard who can transition into a tackle if needed down the line. – Jeff Risdon, Lions Wire
29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
An edge defender remains Washington’s most significant need. However, GM Adam Peters has done a nice job of filling some major holes via trades and free agency. The depth of this edge rusher class could allow the Commanders to move back and accumulate more picks if the player they want isn’t there. Head coach Dan Quinn is very specific in what he looks for in a pass rusher, with explosiveness being one of those primary traits. Ezeiruaku is explosive and relentless. If he’s on the board at No. 29, it would be tough to pass on him. Ezeiruaku is a Day 1 contributor for the Commanders in 2025. – Bryan Manning, Commanders Wire
30. Buffalo Bills: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
With the addition of Joey Bosa, the idea of a pass rusher becomes less needed but another option in the middle of the defensive front is still something that would be welcomed in Sean McDermott’s defense. Over the years, general manager Brandon Beane has tabbed vets as the space-eating player next to Ed Oliver at tackle. Buffalo will still have that in DaQuan Jones in 2025, but that will allow Harmon to come along slowly in the pros which could be a win-win for long-term success on the Bills defense. – Nick Wojton, Bills Wire
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina University
Kansas City needs a ball hawk to pair with Trent McDuffie in its secondary, and Revel is just the kind of high-ceiling prospect the Chiefs’ front office loves to take chances on. Revel’s mix of size, athleticism, and savvy instinct will make him an above-average defender early in his NFL career. Though he isn’t considered the top cornerback in this class, Revel would be a steal for Kansas City this late in the first round. – John Dillon, Chiefs Wire
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Eagles have eight picks, and GM Howie Roseman will work to stockpile talent while retooling and maintaining a Super Bowl window. Philadelphia builds through the trenches, and after watching Milton Williams and Josh Sweat depart via free agency, the Eagles reload significantly with an All-SEC performer. This would be the third time in four years that the Eagles drafted a defensive tackle. Nolen is a disruptive game-wrecker on the interior and is athletic enough to be a viable and versatile pass rusher for the Eagles and Vic Fangio. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound dynamo led the Ole Miss defense in 2024, logging 48 tackles (career-high), two pass deflections (career-high), one fumble recovery, and 6.5 sacks (career-high). – Glenn Erby, Eagles Wire
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders heads to the Lone Star State
