Ben Standig's 2025 Mock Draft - FINAL

Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter

A tradition unlike any other: Publishing my final NFL mock draft on this site. Anyway, this mock draft nearly broke my brain. Bizarro world.

1. Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2. Browns - Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

3. Giants - Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

No drama

4. Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Should be no drama

5. Jaguars - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Would I take a running back at five, especially as a first-time GM? Probably not. The Jaguars need a boost in relevance, and having a flashy Rookie of the Year candidate helps with that. Receiver help for Trevor Lawrence comes on Day 2.

6. Raiders - Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

7. Jets - Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

These first-time general managers go for safety by targeting a core position. Vegas needs line help in front of Geno Smith, and the athletic Membou rounds out New York's starting five.

8. Panthers - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

9. Saints - Mykel Williams, LB, Georgia

The Bulldogs go back-to-back, though Michigan DT Mason Graham is a tempting pick for both teams.

10. Bears - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

You're welcome, Ben Johnson

11. 49ers - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Nolen's draft range is extreme. The call here is based on a fit with the 49ers' scheme and the fact that the top offensive tackle prospects have already been selected.

12. Cowboys - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Tet or Golden. Golden or Tet. Or Grey. Could be Grey.

13. Dolphins - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

In real life, it's hard to see Graham sliding outside the top 10. In this fake world, the slide comes to an end at lucky 13.

14. Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The chalk pick is an excellent one for the Colts' offense. Indianapolis could also fill the hole at guard created by Wil Fries' exit in free agency with Grey Zabel and then look at a second-round tight end.

15. Falcons - Mike Green, DE, Marshall

Atlanta MUST add pass rushers. This is said every year. Why will 2025 be any different? No clue. The Falcons probably take a cornerback instead, which annoys my sense of roster building. Speaking of which, are we getting a Kirk Cousins trade this week?

16. Cardinals - Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Another player with a wide range of draft outcomes, Barron has enough fans around the league to believe teams in the teens will take a long look despite concerns that the lack of size could limit him to the slot.

17. Bengals - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Pick the line or secondary, but pick a defender.

18. Seahawks - Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Swapping out Geno Smith for Sam Darnold was a bold decision. It will be a poor choice if there aren't pass protection upgrades in the middle of the offensive line.

19. TRADE Chiefs - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Kansas City could target a defensive end (Nic Scourton?) or a versatile running back (TreVeyon Henderson), but we know their primary need. Several teams this week, when talking about potential targets for themselves or others, interjected with some form of, "but don't rule out Simmons. He's the true left tackle in this class."

20. Broncos - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Yes, I also can't believe this isn't a running back. Omarion Hampton and Henderson were heavily considered. Golden's receiving chops and 4.29 40-time speed are a strong complement to Courtland Sutton.

21. Steelers - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Were you expecting a Deion Sanders relative? The Steelers unquestionably need a long-term quarterback, and Mike Tomlin appears ready to push for Shedeur Sanders. Unless that's a universal assessment inside the building, they are better off going all-in on this expected Aaron Rodgers-led, quick-fix season, especially when they already traded their second-round pick. If forced to wager, I'd say more than one QB goes in the first round. That could be here or the Giants/Saints tussling over Jaxson Dart. My big mistake might be listening to numerous league scouting sources who don't see any of these passers being worthy of round one status. When it comes to finding a QB, logic and analysis often lose head-to-head battles with emotion and desperation.

22. Chargers - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Get another receiving weapon for Justin Herbert. Check.

23. Packers - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

24. TRADE Bills - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson's decision to skip the 40-yard dash at a recent workout raised eyebrows. Green Bay goes for the faster-than-fast Hairston over the (generally) higher-rated player. Buffalo then swoops in for arguably the best corner this year in the non-Travis Hunter division.

25. Texans - Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

26. Rams - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Booker and Jackson, a needed guard upgrade in front of elder quarterback Matthew Stafford, offer quality skills at a position that has become more expensive in recent years.

27. Ravens - Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

If any team is going to draft a toolsy edge rusher with minimal sack production in college, it's the team that drafted Odafe Oweh in the 2020 first round despite a final college season with zero sacks.

28. Lions - Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

Detroit bolsters its pass rush with the bendy Ezeiruaku. That's it, that's the assessment.

29. Commanders - Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M

    
    

    This position requires no explanation. The player might. Public big boards typically rank the 2023 Big Ten sack leader in the second round, but the trend is moving toward my long-stated and optimistic assessment. Scourton isn't an electric athlete, but a high-floor, relentless defender on run and passing downs who was a team captain at 19.  If Washington passes on the player with significant "Commander" vibes, Kansas City or Philadelphia could pounce. Henderson was nearly the call -- it will bum me out not seeing him join Jayden Daniels in the read-option -- along with some cornerback candidates (Shavon Revel Jr for sure). Ezeiruaku and Egbuka are in my final group of candidates, if available. Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly would be a fascinating call. As for making the pick, the trade down is certainly the overall preference, especially with the Commanders holding only five picks. I can act as God and make it happen -- and have, sometimes over and over again. Root for quarterbacks and offensive linemen of interest on the board for this path. That includes you, Adam Peters.

    
    

30. (TRADE) Vikings - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Entering the draft with only four picks, Minnesota acquires extra picks through the trade down. The selection of Starks creates a free safety succession plan behind 36-year-old Harrison Smith.

31. (TRADE) Bucs - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

I kept this chalk selection even though Campbell's shoulder surgery may impact the linebacker's slotting.

32. Eagles - Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

This match is logical amid speculation that Philadelphia will move on from Dallas Goedart. Starks going two picks earlier eliminates some war room debate.