2025 NFL Draft: Joel Klatt releases final mock with top five surprise, big first round trade

With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt released his final mock draft of the offseason. There was a top five surprise and another big first round trade in the backend.

The top of the draft seems to be figured out, at least in some sort of order. But things could still get wacky!

Without further ado, let’s dive into Klatt’s final mock draft. We’ll also see how accurate he is by the time we get to Thursday night.

1. Tennessee Titans: Miami QB Cam Ward

Nothing to see here. Just kidding. Ward is the consensus top selection in all mock drafts at this point, going to the Titans, including Klatt’s.

The former Miami quarterback had his best season in college with the Hurricanes and progressively got better each season. Welcome to Nashville.

2. Cleveland Browns: Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter

Hunter seems to be the consensus No. 2 pick according to most mock drafts. Klatt is in that crew as well, putting the Heisman Trophy winner in Cleveland.

Most think Hunter will play corner in the NFL and sprinkle in at wide receiver. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah thinks the opposite, so it’ll truly be interesting to see how Hunter adapts to his role in the pros.

3. New York Giants: Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter

Carter is an absolute dog. The Giants see Micah Parsons twice a year, so Klatt gives New York their own version of the edge rusher.

Carter could be the best overall player in this draft, but he won’t go No. 1 overall due to Tennessee needing a QB. Cleveland could take him, but it’s hard to believe Carter will fall past the Giants.

4. New England Patriots: LSU OT Will Campbell

Campbell is arguably the top tackle in the draft, depending upon who you ask. Klatt slots him to New England to protect Drake Maye.

Look, if the Patriots are going to have success, their franchise player needs to be upright. Campbell slots in at tackle or could play guard if need be.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty

Klatt might be the only one doing mock drafts that don’t have the Jaguars taking Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Jeanty is the pick to give Trevor Lawrence another weapon.

As long as Jacksonville’s offensive line holds up, Jeanty can add a whole new dimension to this offense. Liam Coen is sure to like that right?

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Michigan DT Mason Graham

So here’s Graham in Klatt’s mock draft! The Michigan DT won’t get out of the top 10, heck maybe not even the top five picks. The Raiders will get him if Jeanty doesn’t fall here.

Pete Carroll takes over and yes, the offense will be revamped, but you have to get a game changer on defense. Graham can do that in a variety of ways in the middle of the defensive line.

7. New York Jets: Missouri OT Armand Membou

If you want Justin Fields to have time in the pocket, take Membou. That’s Klatt’s argument, essentially. 

Membou had a freak scouting combine which vaulted him up draft boards. The Jets have a plethora of options here, but Membou feels like a safe pick, and the logical pick of course.

8. Carolina Panthers: Georgia LB Jalon Walker

Walker goes to the Panthers in Klatt’s final mock draft as Carolina gets a difference maker at linebacker. This is a guy that could develop into the captain of the defense.

Expect an instant impact from Walker once he steps on the field for the Panthers. It seems like Carolina needs more impact on defense early in this draft compared to the offense.

9. New Orleans Saints: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

Sanders is the second quarterback selected in Klatt’s top 10, going to New Orleans. The Saints are a popular prediction for the former Colorado quarterback.

Derek Carr’s season could be in jeopardy and Sanders might be able to step up right away. In Kellen Moore’s offense, well, he could be very successful. See what a solid running game did to the Eagles’ offense and how efficient Jalen Hurts was in 2024.

10. Chicago Bears: Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

The Bears could get crafty and draft a guy like Tyler Warren to give Caleb Williams another weapon. However, Klatt wants to beef up the Chicago offensive line.

Yes, they made moves in free agency with signings and trades, but lock this guy in. Banks is a freak athlete and he won’t last long past this point.

Joel Klatt final 2025 Mock Draft

11. San Francisco 49ers: Michigan CB Will Johnson
12. Dallas Cowboys: Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan
13. Miami Dolphins: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
14. Indianapolis Colts: Penn State TE Tyler Warren
15. Atlanta Falcons: Marshall EDGE Mike Green
16. Arizona Cardinals: Texas CB Jahdae Barron
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart
18. Seattle Seahawks: Michigan TE Colston Loveland
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell
20. Denver Broncos: North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: South Carolina SAF Nick Emmanwori
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant
23. Green Bay Packers: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku
24. Minnesota Vikings: Georgia SAF Malaki Starks
25. Houston Texans: Ohio State OT Josh Simmons
26. Los Angeles Rams: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka
27. Baltimore Ravens: North Dakota State OT Grey Zabel
28. Detroit Lions: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
29. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Commanders): Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
30. Buffalo Bills: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen