NFL free agency has mostly run its course, and that’s recast how teams will approach the 2025 NFL Draft from April 24-26 in Green Bay. With that in mind, here is the seventh (seventh!) mock draft this cycle from Yahoo Sports draft experts Nate Tice and Charles McDonald. And in case you missed it, here are Nate’s big board, Charles’ big board, and their 2025 NFL Draft consensus big board.
In this edition, Nate makes the odd-numbered picks and Charles makes the even.
Previous mock drafts: 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 6.0
The no-doubt QB1 of this draft class. Ward’s combination of calm demeanor and creativity makes him a fun watch, with a higher floor than you’d think. The Titans beefed up their offensive line and could nab another weapon later in the draft to pair with Calvin Ridley and create a fairly healthy ecosystem to drop Ward into.
The Browns could certainly use a young quarterback to groom, and get out of the ditch they’ve dug themselves faster, but with Cam Ward off the board they’ll default to the best player in the draft. Hunter is a legitimate top prospect at either cornerback or wide receiver, so here the Browns take him as they continue to take their medicine with the Deshaun Watson contract.
Even if the Giants end up signing one of the remaining free-agent quarterbacks, they could still be looking at a longer-term plan in the draft, akin to something they did over 20 years ago with drafting (technically trading for) Eli Manning and signing Kurt Warner in the same offseason. Sanders has a good arm and is a tough operator from the pocket. And while I might not have him rated this highly, quarterback desperation is real and the Giants could see enough in Sanders’ game to build into a solid starter. Sanders didn’t throw at the Big 12’s joint pro day, but he plans on showing off his arm on April 4 at Colorado’s pro day session.
Surprise? It shouldn’t be that big of one, considering how many boxes Membou has checked off throughout the draft cycle. He has a legitimate case to be the first offensive tackle off the board. The Patriots need an OT still and Membou has the skills and talent to play either on the right or left side of the line.
The Jaguars could go in a variety of directions here, but end up with the explosive Graham. His arm length (32 inches at the combine) might scare off some teams, but new Jaguars general manager James Gladstone comes from the Rams, a place that has been more than fine with taking players who may lack ideal measurements or backgrounds but whose play does the talking. Graham in between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker would create a dangerous front, while also filling a hole, with an interesting mix of skills.
The Raiders had one of the worst rushing attacks in recent memory last season, needing a clear boost of talent at running back. Jeanty would be an immediate upgrade with the ability to be a long-term solution at the position as well. With Geno Smith in the fold at quarterback for the next few seasons, a running back becomes a more defensible pick this high, and Jeanty’s talent shouldn’t be questioned.
The Jets would be flying to the podium if this scenario were to unfold. Carter is the No. 2 overall player on my big board and has real game-wrecking potential as a pass rusher. He would inject some real juice into a front and unit that tapered off in 2024.
Stewart’s production makes him a risk, but for a team that needs juice off the edge like the Panthers, his potential makes him an intriguing dice roll at the top of the draft. Some teams will look at Stewart’s build and his 4.59 40-yard dash from the scouting combine and fall in love sooner than later. According to TruMedia, the Panthers’ defense finished dead last in pressure percentage last season (25.2%). This may be the type of risk the Panthers are willing to take.
The Saints are a wild card here. Any position would seem feasible and understandable. They nab Johnson in this scenario, a cornerback with ideal size (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) but who lacks ideal long speed. Johnson could start right away for the Saints and give New Orleans a long-term solution at the position after trading away Marshon Lattimore and losing Paulson Adebo in free agency.
The Bears have completely revamped the interior of their offensive line and now they find a long-term option at left tackle to finish their efforts up front. Campbell, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson would be a massive improvement over what they had last year and they already have a quality player at right tackle in Darnell Wright. Campbell could go much higher than this, so this is a nice get for the Bears.
The 49ers start to rebuild and reinforce their roster with a pick in the trenches. Harmon is equally adept at defending the run and pass, and can be asked to fill a variety of roles along the interior. He would be great in the 49ers’ heavy use of twists and stunts, and he gives San Francisco a young player to start replenishing its recently tenacious front.
Dallas is set at slot receiver with CeeDee Lamb, but they could use an upgrade on the outside. Luckily, McMillan falls right into its lap to give Dallas what could be an explosive passing game with Dak Prescott returning from injury.
Jevón Holland left for the Giants in free agency, and while the Dolphins signed a couple of veterans at the position, Starks would give them a fun chess piece to be used around the defensive back end.
The Colts drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round last year, but they still could stand to add another player off the edge. Williams is more of a power player than a finesse rusher, but he would be a great addition to a Colts defense that lost edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears in free agency this year.
Walker heads right down the road from Athens to bring his infectious play to a defense badly needing some juice. Any defensive position makes sense for the Falcons here, and while Walker is a bit of a ‘tweener between off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, the Falcons need both. Just get him into this front seven.
Offensive tackle isn’t the biggest need for Arizona, but the Cardinals can potentially get a huge boon pick here with Simmons. He is one of the more athletic OTs in the draft, but a patellar tendon injury may have him getting off to a slower start to his NFL career. Jonah Williams is likely going to start again at right tackle for the Cardinals, but Simmons gives them a long-term option to pair with Paris Johnson Jr..
Defense? Nah, let’s quadruple down on the offense after the Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase extensions. This time with more beef up front. Booker is a classic gap-scheme guard who could create some powerful double-teams in the Bengals’ at-you run game.
Tight ends play a big role in the offense that new coordinator Klint Kubiak is installing in Seattle, but the Seahawks don’t have a big-time talent at tight end. Insert Warren, who is one of the best players in the draft and could be a steal in Seattle’s offense given his athleticism and wide array of skills.
One of my favorite player-team-need fits of this draft. The Buccaneers’ roster could look to add a pass rusher here, instead go with Campbell to bridge between now and a post-Lavonte David world. Campbell is a real three-down off-ball linebacker whose pass rushing ability would be unlocked in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme.
A bit of a luxury pick maybe, but Hampton would give the Broncos a steady and reliable RB1 for their offense — and form a strong trio with second-year running back Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.
Gone is Larry Ogunjobi, and Cameron Heyward, despite an inspiring 2024, will be 36 this upcoming season. Grant is inconsistent but his best football is in front of him, with strength and plugging. but also twitchiness that points to more upside as a pass rusher.
With Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack on a one-year deal, the Chargers could use a boost and infusion of youth to their edge rush. Enter Green, who falls a bit here despite leading the NCAA in sacks last season.
Whatever the conclusion is of the Jaire Alexander Experience, the Packers look to find his successor (and the successor to the recently departed Eric Stokes). Revel injured his knee early in the 2024 season, but his body of work was already pointing toward the first round. He has the size, twitch and most of all the toughness to be an impact player on the outside.
The Vikings have done a good job adding talent up front to their defense, but they could still use an upgrade at slot corner. Barron is built to be an NFL slot defender and would form a nice tandem with the recently re-signed Byron Murphy Jr.
I mean, Laken Tomlinson or Ed Ingram can’t be the plan, right? Zabel has played all over the offensive line and would give the Texans, or any offensive line, the ability to play their best five. Whether it’s center or guard, he would give C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense some steadiness.
Cooper Kupp is out, but the bigger-bodied Loveland can handle a lot of the same responsibilities as a big body from the slot. Loveland isn’t a great blocker like a lot of traditional tight ends, but he has the speed and receiving skills to be a clean fit for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.
While Jackson’s film at tackle was surprisingly encouraging, I view him best as a guard. He has length and the explosive strength to really jar holes open. His ability to bump outside in case of emergency is a bonus, and his size fits right in with the Ravens’ pretty robust line (sans Tyler Linderbaum).
When you don’t have many needs, take a lineman. Banks could immediately compete for a starting spot at right guard and eventually kick out to left tackle later in his career. This offense is built on elite line play, might as well keep the pipeline going.
The Commanders have been using the trade market to add to their offense, so they look to the draft to help bolster their defense. Pearce is all about speed and joins a team, defense and head coach that loves to emphasize it.
The Bills need some athleticism and speed at safety, so here comes the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori, who was one of the stars of the scouting combine with a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical. He would be a nice upgrade over what they have now, even though he’s got some room to improve in terms of physicality.
Offensive line is very much in play here, and there are some interesting names the Chiefs could look at. They instead dip their pen back into the Longhorn ink and take another Texas wide receiver in Golden. He is a smooth athlete who can win against press. He would give Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense yet another weapon to open things up, beat man coverage and hold the fort until Rashee Rice returns from injury.
Conerly is a perfect stash pick for the Eagles to put behind 34-year-old Lane Johnson. Conerly is a younger prospect who might benefit from playing behind Johnson for a couple seasons as he finishes out his career in Philadelphia.
This news was originally published on this post .
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