2025 NFL Draft: ESPN releases mock from former NFL GM, predictions for 32 first round picks

With less than a month before the 2025 NFL Draft begins on April 24, former NFL general manager-turned-ESPN commentator Mike Tannenbaum put his GM hat back on to produce a mock up of how Day 1 could play out. He did so as if he were making the picks for every team.

After evaluating each team’s moves during free agency, and studying the 2025 draft class, Tannenbaum — who previously served as the New York Jets‘ GM (2006-12) and the Miami Dolphins EVP of football operations (2015-18) — built out what Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft would look if he was making the picks as the GM for all 32 teams. That begins with an early run on QBs among the Top 3 picks and a general focus on the trenches throughout the first round.

Check out Mike Tannenbaum’s post-free agency 2025 NFL Mock Draft below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Mike Tannenbaum starts his mock draft off with a quarterback, projecting the Titans keep the No. 1 overall pick and land their franchise QB of the future. In his first season in Coral Gables, Ward led the Hurricanes’ NCAA-leading offense with a FBS-best 39 passing touchdowns and ranked in the Top 5 in nearly every passing metric. He was second nationally with 4,313 yards on 67.2-percent passing in 2024.

Tannenbaum: “Ward has a sturdy frame (especially in his lower body) at 219 pounds, and he displays outstanding pocket movement. I like how his eye level stays down the field as he moves around and avoids pressure.”

2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

While Tannenbaum acknowledged the Browns’ need for a quarterback, he projects Cleveland passes on the Colorado QB for its two-way threat in reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who can play both cornerback and receiver. Last season, Hunter racked up 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense and four interceptions, 11 passes defended and 36 total tackles on defense.

Tannenbaum: “While I have no doubt Hunter can excel at receiver in the pros, I would start him at corner, where his length and change-of-direction quickness should make him an elite man-to-man defender from day one. As an extra bonus, Cleveland could give him 15 to 20 plays per game at receiver, specifically in the red zone and on third down.”

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

After missing out on the biggest names in the QB free-agent market, the Giants land their next franchise quarterback with an NFL legacy — the son of former NFL superstar and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. While this might be a controversial pick, Shedeur Sanders‘ talent is undeniable after leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage along with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.

Tannenbaum: “I’m calling it now: Sanders projects as a top-15, maybe even top-12 starting QB in the NFL. That would be huge for a Giants franchise that ranked in the bottom five in just about every passing metric over the past two seasons.”

4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT/OG, Missouri

A year after drafting Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick, the Patriots get him some protection in the form of 6-foot-4, 332-pound Membou one pick later. Membou turned heads last month at the NFL Combine by posting the best broad jump (9-foot-7) and second-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.91 seconds) among all offensive linemen in Indianapolis.

Tannenbaum: “The idea of new Pats coach Mike Vrabel taking a tackle reminds me of Jim Harbaugh selecting Joe Alt in his first draft with the Chargers, and I think bringing in Membou would be a similar tone-setting pick.”

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Given QB-needy teams ahead of them, Tannenbaum believes the Jaguars could luck into the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Carter at No. 5 overall despite many NFL teams having the Penn State pass rusher as the top player on their draft boards. Carter was practically unstoppable this past season, racking up 12 sacks, 61 pressures, a NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles in 2024. 

Tannenbaum: “His ability to play both off the ball and off the edge will draw comparisons to Micah Parsons, and I think Carter might actually have more power in his game. … I’d be running the card in if I were the Jaguars and Carter was still available when they got on the clock.”

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

After trading for former Seahawks QB Geno Smith earlier this offseason, Tannenbaum expect the Raiders will focus on its rebuilt offense and land the draft’s top-ranked running back in Jeanty. The former Boise ‘back came within 30 yards of eclipsing Barry Sander’s 1988 NCAA single-season rushing record with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.

Tannenbaum: “Landing Jeanty would set the tempo for Las Vegas under Pete Carroll. Jeanty doesn’t have the physicality of Marshawn Lynch (who starred under Carroll in Seattle), but he has the skills to be more impactful as an overall NFL player.”

7. New York Jets: Will Campbell, OT/OG, LSU

After drafting Penn State LT Olu Fashanu a year ago, the Jets go back to the offensive line well to shore up its RT spot. The 6-foot-6, 323-pound Campbell is a first-team All-American after allowing just two sacks over the past two years in Baton Rouge.

Tannenbaum: “Campbell allowed only two sacks over his final two seasons, and while arm length is important, his tape is too good and too consistent to pass on here. This would be a good move for the Jets, who signed quarterback Justin Fields and now have to make sure the right players are in place around him.”

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

While continuing to build around third-year QB Bryce Young is key this offseason, Tannenbaum has the Panthers targeting a replacement for former first-round pick Brian Burns, who was traded to the Giants last offseason. Walker, the reigning Butkus Award winner, fits that mold after racking up 62 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss last season.

Tannenbaum: “While slightly undersized at 6-foot-1, his 79⅞-inch wingspan is impressive. He also produces, with 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss last season. Walker is scheme agnostic and can play both off the ball and as a rusher.”

9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The Saints had one of the NFL’s worst defenses last season, ranking 27th in defensive efficiency. And with Cameron Jordan getting up there in age, Tannebaum expects New Orleans to target his pass-rushing replacement with the ninth pick.

Tannenbaum: “Williams dealt with an ankle injury early last season that caused him to miss a few games, but he has great traits. Four of his five sacks came against Texas’ solid offensive line. And even though he has a huge 6-foot-5 frame, he plays even bigger and stronger than that.”

10. Chicago Bears: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

While the Bears have plenty of holes to fill, including at tackle, Tannebaum expects Chicago to bypass its offensive issues in favor of a “dominant pass-rushing defensive tackle” in the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham. He would pair with newly-signed defensive linemen Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.

Tannenbaum: “Graham has excellent physical traits and plays with great technique. His wrestling background is very apparent when you watch him play; he has great balance and leverage, which helped him to 3.5 sacks and 26 pressures last year in Ann Arbor.”

Mike Tannenbaum’s post-free agency NFL Mock Draft, pick Nos. 11-32

11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
13. Miami Dolphins: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
15. Atlanta Falcons: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
16. Arizona Cardinals: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
17. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
24. Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
27. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
28. Detroit Lions: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
29. Washington Commanders: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
30. Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State