2025 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

The Bengals have a horrible defense that needs help at every level. However, their offensive line has two holes at guard. They are expected to address guard in the first couple of rounds.

Josh Conerly is a quick and athletic pass protector.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derrick Harmon/Kenneth Grant, DT – It’d be surprising if Grant fell this far, but he’d be a great replacement for D.J. Reader. Harmon seems more likely than Grant.

2. Mike Green, DE – The Bengals could decide to ignore Mike Green’s character issue to add a talented edge rusher.

Follow @walterfootball for updates.

Also, if you haven’t visited the site in a while, you may have noticed the new look. Yes, after nearly two decades, we’ve finally re-designed our site to be more modern. This was not done on a whim, but rather out of necessity because of what occurred during the 2023 NFL Draft. Our site crashed during the entire first day of the draft, which was disastrous for our revenue stream because we make more money during the draft than any other time. The site crashed because a line of code conflicted with the old format of the site, so we had to transition to this new look.

Because we lost so much money during the draft, I want to point out that you can really help support the site by paying for the ad-free version of it. It’s $7.99 per month, but you’ll get a super-fast site with no ads. My developer will be adding new features to paid subscribers as well, so look for that in the near future. If you don’t want to pay, please spread the word about the site through word of mouth. That would also be a big help!

The Seahawks have severe problems on their offensive line – they arguably have the worst blocking unit in the NFC – so it makes sense to draft someone who can play multiple positions, especially if they want to get the most out of their $100 million investment.

Grey Zabel is a versatile tackle-guard prospect for the NFL. He can also play center. He’s currently listed at -1000 to go in the first round – to win $100, you’d have to bet $1,000 – so he’ll be chosen earlier than most expect.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Tyler Warren, TEs – The Seahawks have traded D.K. Metcalf – check here for the NFL Trade Grades page – and cut Tyler Lockett, so they have nothing at receiver outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and an aging Cooper Kupp. This might mean that they’ll draft Tyler Warren to give Sam Darnold a great threat over the midfield.

2. Matthew Golden/Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Cooper Kupp is obviously not a long-term solution as a complement to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

The Buccaneers had major trouble covering the middle of the field this past season, and it’ll only get worse with Lavonte David aging out of the NFL soon.

Jihaad Campbell has impressive athleticism for a larger linebacker.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE/OLB – The Buccaneers need to improve their pass rush, and Ezeiruaku is a good fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.

2. Trey Amos/Shavon Revel, CBs – Cornerback has been a problem area for the Buccaneers.

Bo Nix needs another weapon. This could come in the form of a tight end, as Sean Payton may want to obtain his next Jimmy Graham. Denver signed Evan Engram, but the former Jaguar is 31, and we’ve seen teams double up on tight ends before (i.e. the Bills drafting Dalton Kincaid right after giving Dawson Knox a ton of money.) Receiver is a huge need as well, given that there isn’t much at the position outside of Courtland Sutton and perhaps Marvin Mims. And there’s running back, which is Denver’s biggest need. I believe the Broncos will attempt to trade up for Ashton Jeanty, but if the Jaguars draft him at No. 5, that will be impossible.

Omarion Hampton is a big back who has shown decent receiving ability.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trade up – As mentioned, the Broncos will be trying to move up for Jeanty. I could see them trading up for a receiver as well.

2. Tetairoa McMillan/Matthew Golden, WRs – The Broncos could take a No. 2 receiver if they don’t trade up.

The Steelers want a defensive tackle. In fact, they covet a defensive tackle so much that they’re willing to draft one over a quarterback. Cameron Heyward won’t be around much longer, so a successor is needed.

Derrick Harmon was a productive pass rusher this past season.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Kenneth Grant, DT – If Kenneth Grant slips to No. 21, the Steelers may not be able to resist.

2. Nick Emmanwori, S – Safety is not a need, but the Steelers love Emmanwori.

Many expect Jim Harbaugh to target Colston Loveland, but if the talented tight end isn’t available, Harbaugh may pursue another former Wolverine. In this case, he gets one of his favorite recruits he’s ever had to help with a weak defensive interior.

Kenneth Grant has flashed upside and is considered an underrated talent. Some of Charlie Campbell’s sources prefer Grant to Mason Graham.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Matthew Golden/Tetairoa McMillan, WRs – The Chargers have brought in many receivers for visits, so they could be interested in drafting one of them with this pick.

2. Colston Loveland, TE – The Chargers have met with lots of tight ends during the pre-draft process, as they clearly understand that they have a big hole at the position. Justin Herbert needs another weapon.

The Packers never draft a receiver in the first round, but they could finally buck that trend. Christian Watson can’t be counted on to produce next year, meaning the Packers won’t have a deep threat at receiver unless they draft someone like this.

Matthew Golden has a solid combination of size and speed. He’s an explosive athlete and an aggressive receiver.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Maxwell Hairston, CB – If both receivers are off the board, the Packers could go with an athletic cornerback.

2. Emeka Egbuka, WR – Perhaps the third receiver will be the pick. The Packers brought in Egbuka for a visit.

Harrison Smith has been a great player for a long time, but he doesn’t have many more seasons remaining in the NFL, so the Vikings may want to draft his successor.

Nick Emmanwori has very rare cover skills for a safety who is built like a linebacker. He also possesses terrific instincts.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trade Down – The Vikings have just four draft picks, so they’re a prime candidate to trade out of this pick.

2. Derrick Harmon, DT – Given how many teams have interest in Derrick Harmon in the 16-24 range, this could be Harmon’s floor.

An ESPN reporter recently broke a Pulitzer-type news story where he said – get this – that the Texans will address receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. Utterly shocking, I know. Perhaps the Texans will find their wideout here, as Tony Pauline reported that Emeka Egbuka will not make it past Houston.

Emeka Egbuka was a big-time producer with C.J. Stroud during the ’22 season.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Tyler Booker, G – Houston’s interior offensive line is a mess. Booker is the top option if Egbuka is off the board. He might even be the pick.

2. Josh Conerly/Grey Zabel, OLs – Another spot for Zabel. The Texans almost certainly should have interest in him, given the offensive line issues. Conerly took a visit to Houston.

Los Angeles’ defense showed major signs of improvement over the course of the 2025 season, but there’s still an issue at cornerback that must be addressed.

Shavon Revel has great speed and athleticism for a very large cornerback. He possesses terrific upside.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trey Amos/Maxwell Hairston, CBs – Other cornerback possibilities for the Rams.

2. Emeka Egbuka/Luther Burden, WR – Egbuka or Burden projects as a nice replacement for Cooper Kupp.

Pick change; previously Jahdae Barron, CB

The Ravens couldn’t stop the pass at all last year. Part of the reason for that was a weak pass rush. They could end up with one of the best players available to help them generate more pressure.

Mykel Williams has an incredible first step and was terrific down the stretch for Georgia.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Kenneth Grant, DT – Likely the floor for Grant.

2. Malaki Starks, S – The Ravens were torched often last year, so they need a new safety.

Pick change; previously Malaki Starks, S

The Lions always love to maintain an elite offensive line. Thanks to a departure in free agency, they have a hole at one of the guard spots.

Tyler Booker isn’t an elite athlete, but he has incredible length.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. J.T. Tuimoloau, DE – The Lions need another edge rusher for the long term, especially after what happened with Aidan Hutchinson last year.

2. Grey Zabel/Donovan Jackson, OL – You can’t ever count out the Lions drafting an offensive lineman.

The Redskins need to improve their defense, and specifically, their pass rush. However, they could also target a cornerback to pair with the two talented players they have at the position.

Maxwell Hairston has plus size and has performed on a high level thus far in school.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trade Down – The Redskins have just five picks, so they seem likely to trade down.

2. Omarion Hampton/Treyveon Henderson, RBs – The Redskins have publicly said that they want an every-down back.

Pick change; previously Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE/OLB

The Bills signed Joey Bosa, but I don’t think that’ll preclude them from drafting an edge rusher at No. 30. They just what the Eagles did to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. They need to emulate that.

Donovan Ezeiruaku is a terrific edge rusher, but has some size limitations.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Trey Amos/Maxwell Hairston, CBs – Other cornerbacks for the Bills to consider.

2. Malaki Starks, S – There’s a chance Starks falls. Buffalo could end his drop because of its need at the position.

Pick change; previously Shavon Revel, CB

The Chiefs kept rotating left tackles, but nothing worked. They were punished for it in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore, but in another move, they traded Joe Thuney, who was instrumental in getting Kansas City to the Super Bowl. He must be replaced.

Josh Simmons is an athletic left tackle with plus strength, but is coming off a torn patellar tendon.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Josh Conerly/Donovan Jackson, OLs – Other offensive linemen the Chiefs could consider.

2. Trey Amos/Jahdae Barron/Maxwell Hairston/Shavon Revel, CB – Cornerback is in play for Kansas City.

The Eagles spent last year’s first-round pick on a safety, and they could do that again. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is gone, opening up a big hole at safety.

A quarterback in high school, Malaki Starks is a star in the making, according to Charlie Campbell’s sources.

*** OTHER 2025 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Josh Conerly, OT – A successor for Lane Johnson is needed.

2. Mike Green, DE – Josh Sweat is now in Arizona, so he’ll be missed unless the Eagles land another talented edge rusher.

Pick change; previously Josh Conerly, OT