With just the Super Bowl left on the NFL schedule, we can start to turn our attention to April’s NFL Draft.
The draft has become one of the most unique sports betting events on the calendar, and while most markets are still a few weeks away from being posted, my first mock draft can give you insights into where some of those NFL Draft odds are headed.
Sports betting + mock drafts is the combination you didn’t know you needed and my first version for the 2025 NFL Draft brings the heat.
2025 NFL Mock Draft Version 1.0
1. Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
While there is no Andrew Luck, or Trevor Lawrence in this draft class, Cam Ward is my QB1 and has the ceiling worthy of the No. 1 pick. The former Miami Hurricanes QB has a massive arm with a knack for fitting balls through tight windows while also throwing a pretty deep ball. Ward can also burn you with his legs. The Tennessee Titans can’t afford to miss on another quarterback because Will Levis ain’t it.
Ward is currently the favorite to be the No. 1 pick at about even money.
2. Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Cleveland Browns are also in the market for a quarterback, but my best guess is they bring in a veteran this offseason and look to draft one the following year in what is expected to be a better class for passers. Instead, they'll take arguably the best player in this class. Abdul Carter is an elite athlete who can do it all. It doesn’t hurt that he fills a need with Myles Garrett’s trade request hanging over the franchise.
3. Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The New York Giants need a quarterback in the worst way, and Shedeur Sanders has been linked to them for a while now. Prime Time’s son doesn’t have the biggest arm but is super accurate and can drop a beautiful deep ball on you. His toughness is through the roof, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s buddies with WR Malik Nabers, the Giants' No. 1 pick from last season.
4. Patriots: Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado
Travis Hunter’s fall stops here, but he will be in play for the three picks to this point as well. Hunter is a rare athlete who plays on both sides of the ball and did it well, earning himself the Heisman Trophy. There is a question about where Hunter will dedicate most of his time as a pro, but new head coach Mike Vrabel will just be happy to have such a versatile and talented player added to this New England Patriots roster.
5. Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of holes to fill, but they need some game-changers on defense. For me, that’s Will Johnson. If you watched any Michigan Wolverines games the last two seasons, you know Johnson was one of those corners who can take away half the field. He’s got great size, with fluid movements and excellent ball skills to boot. To me, he’s a prototypical NFL shutdown corner.
6. Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Las Vegas Raiders are also in desperate need of a quarterback and despite a poor Senior Bowl show, I’m not convinced Jalen Milroe won’t end up in Las Vegas. But the Raiders also need wideouts and McMillan looks like he could be a great one. If Hunter was only a WR, McMillan would go ahead of him. Just go check out the film from when they faced off this season.
7. Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Shocker, the New York Jets have many areas of need. But they were really bad against the run last season, so why not address the interior defensive line? Mason Graham is a bulldozer who has a motor that never quits. He can blow up blockers in the run game and uses a bull rush to create pressure up the middle on opposing quarterbacks. I don’t want to say his comp is Aaron Donald, but it’s not far off.
8. Panthers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Bryce Young proved he isn’t a lost cause in Year 2, so the Panthers need to support him by getting him some more weapons, and Luther Burden III fits the bill. Burden was in the conversation for WR1 heading into this season. Unfortunately, Mizzou’s passing attack kinda stunk. But he’s an explosive and athletic receiver best used in the slot and is great at creating space.
9. Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints need to keep adding young impact defenders to this roster, particularly now that Cam Jordan is 35. And if there is one thing Georgia is known for, it’s impact defenders. Mykel Williams is just one of the latest. Injuries hampered his production in the second half of the season, but he is a freak athlete with tools scouts drool over.
10. Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie campaign. Now, Williams is responsible for a bunch of those, but there’s no denying that the Chicago Bears need to improve the offensive line, and Will Campbell is the best of this crop. He has great size and strength to go with some of the cleanest tape of any prospect in this draft.
11. 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The San Francisco 49ers need to improve on the offensive line and Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger. Kelvin Banks Jr. will be in the conversation to be the first offensive tackle selected in this draft. He is a truck of a tackle who gave up just one sack in three seasons starting at Texas. The Niners could start Banks on the interior and kick him outside when needed.
12. Cowboys: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
Picking running backs early is fashionable again and Ashton Jeanty is the trendy pick here. But the Dallas Cowboys have lots of holes to fill (a running theme) and this is a deep RB class. America’s Team has been at its best in recent years when Jerry Jones invested early picks in the offensive line. So, the run on offensive lineman continues as the ‘Boys take Armand Membou, a brick house of a tackle that can start at guard.
13. Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Keeping Tua Tagovailoa's brain from rattling around inside his helmet is priority No. 1 for the Miami Dolphins, but fixing the defense is a close second. With several key pieces hitting free agency, this unit needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and why not start with a QB on that side of the ball in Starks? He can play all over the field and has great ball skills as well.
14. Colts: Ty Warren, TE, Penn State
While I didn’t do the trendy thing by sending Jeanty to the Cowboys, I couldn’t help but send Ty Warren to the Indianapolis Colts. Anthony Richardson needs a security blanket in the worst way possible. Warren is a playmaker in every sense of the word, and Penn State used him all over the field. He has great hands and he’s a hell of a blocker too.
15. Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
I feel like I’m a little higher on James Pearce Jr. than most. He looked like the most dominant player on the field more often than not on a very good Tennessee defense. He has an elite first step and is an incredible athlete. The only knock on Pearce is his size, but the talent to record double-digit sacks at the next level is there.
16. Cardinals: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Another Georgia edge rusher you say? Who could have seen that coming? The Arizona Cardinals need to create more pressure on the quarterback next season. Jalon Walker can do just that. He’s an explosive player with long arms and rare versatility. He lined up for the Bulldogs as an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker. The fact that he is a bit of a tweener is the only thing holding him back.
17. Bengals: Walter Nolan, DL, Mississippi
The Cincinnati Bengals' defense is one of the biggest reasons they missed the playoffs last season. So, in comes Al Golden from Notre Dame to be the new defensive coordinator and he gets a new toy right away. Another edge rusher opposite Trey Hendrickson is probably the more pressing need but a guy like Walter Nolan, who can consistently disrupt an offense up the middle, isn’t too bad either.
18. Seahawks: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
It feels like it’s the same story with the Seattle Seahawks every draft cycle. They need to improve the offensive line. Well, in this mock, they at least recognize that and take Josh Simmons, a specimen with a great frame and excellent technique. He was in the conversation to be the first tackle selected before an ACL tear ended his season and dinged his draft stock.
19. Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
With Chris Godwin hitting free agency and veteran Mike Evans getting a little long in the tooth at 32, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to get Baker Mayfield a new weapon and Emeka Egbuka is as reliable as they come. While he may not be as highly touted as some of the other Buckeyes wideouts we’ve seen drafted recently, he has sure hands, is a great route runner, and can play out wide or in the slot.
20. Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
See the Colts picking Ty Warren above. Seriously though, this is another case of a young quarterback needing a safety valve. Colston Loveland provides that and more for Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix. He moves great for a guy who measures 6-foot-5 and 245 lbs. Loveland also has great hands and can line up all over. Just don’t expect too much out of him in terms of run blocking.
21. Steelers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Whoever is under center for the Pittsburgh Steelers next season will need someone to throw to, and Matthew Golden will generate more and more buzz as the draft approaches. He started the year a little slowly but became Quinn Ewers' go-to target as the Longhorns made their playoff run. A lot like Egbuka, Golden is a polished route runner with great hands, who can separate with quickness and strength.
22. Chargers: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
I wanted to slot Ashton Jeanty higher than this, but I still have a mental block about running backs and positional value. Jim Harbaugh says screw that and takes one of the most talented players in this draft class. Jeanty does it all and is a great fit for Harbaugh's offense. He explodes through holes and has the strength and balance to break tackles with ease.
23. Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
This is a great pick for the Green Bay Packers. So, that means they probably won’t do this on draft day. Seriously though, Green Bay needs help in the secondary and the only reason Morrison is available at this spot is because he got hurt in the second half of the season and people may just be forgetting how good he is. Morrison looks smooth on the field and has excellent ball skills.
24. Vikings: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Back-to-back cornerbacks for back-to-back NFC North rivals. Shavon Revel Jr. has also seen his draft stock dip due to injury but the former Purple Pirate defensive back brings rare size and length to the table. With many Minnesota Vikings defensive backs hitting free agency, addressing this position is a must.
25. Texans: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud suffered a pretty bad sophomore slump and while you can’t blame it all on offensive line play, the fact that the protection was so poor didn’t help. Tyler Booker didn’t allow one pressure this season, opened up big holes in the run game, and looks like a plug-and-play guard for the next 10 years.
26. Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The Los Angeles Rams are picking in the first round again! I’m not entirely sure where this team goes, but they could use some help on the offensive line. Josh Conerly Jr. was a two-year starter for the Ducks at left tackle. He does everything well, is athletic, and has quick feet. Keeping Matthew Stafford upright is the key to success in 2025.
27. Raven: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Oh, look, another great defensive prospect falls right into the Baltimore Ravens' laps. Shemar Stewart looks like an edge rusher you would build in a lab. He has great size, speed, and strength. Yet, he only had 4.5 sacks in three seasons with the Aggies. Something just isn’t computing here and the Ravens are the perfect team to try and unlock Stewart’s massive potential.
28. Lions: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
Mike Green is one of the biggest risers after an outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl. He led the FBS with 17 sacks thanks to his explosive speed off the edge. Green will be a perfect complement to the power-rushing style of Aidan Hutchinson when he returns to the field next season.
29. Commanders: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
You know Dan Quinn could always go for more edge rushers, particularly with a couple of his set to hit free agency. Nic Scourton is a big athletic power rusher who can get to the quarterback while also setting the edge to contain the run. While he lacks the explosiveness of some of the other edge rushers in this class, he is still just 20 years old and has plenty of time to develop.
30. Bills: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Sure, Josh Allen needs more weapons but that secondary needs to be better if the Buffalo Bills hope to finally end their Super Bowl drought and Bills Mafia will love Jahdae Barron. He plays bigger than his size and is super versatile. He was the Longhorns slot corner before moving outside last season. He makes excellent reads which resulted in five picks last season.
31. Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
What? Not a Georgia Bulldog? I guess Howie Roseman will have to settle for a Dawgs rival in Jihaad Campbell. Roseman has been a staunch proponent of selecting the best player available regardless of fit. That’s what he does here with Campbell, a super explosive and athletic linebacker who can rush the passer and play off the ball.
32. Chiefs: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Chris Jones won’t be around forever, and even if he is, wouldn’t it be nice to give him some help? Kenneth Grant is a behemoth of a defensive tackle with surprising quickness. He is dominant against the run and the idea of putting him in between Jones and George Karlaftis is scary.
