Peter Schrager releases mock draft based on intel, 36 hours ahead of 2025 NFL Draft

ESPN’s Pete Schrager released his first and only mock draft with plenty of intel ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft Thursday. Based on what he’s hearing from sources, he adjusted his picks accordingly.

Some may surprise you as you read through his entire predicted first round. Not only that, Schrager projected two trades within the first round.

Without further ado, let’s dive into this mock draft as we are just one day away from the first round. First things first, no surprises with the top selection.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB – Miami

Schrager is with the rest of the mock draft predictions as he puts Ward as the top pick. Get ready Titans fans, Ward is the new franchise star.

Ward consistently got better throughout college and starred during his lone season at Miami. At this point, we just want to see Ward in Nashville.

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

Hunter, the two-way star and Heisman winner, goes to the Browns in Schrager’s mock. Perhaps he’s more of a wide receiver in the NFL, we truly don’t know.

Whatever the Browns end up doing at quarterback, they’ll need buzz elsewhere. Hunter brings that elite skill on both sides and franchise star potential to an organization that desperately needs it.

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE – Penn State

Carter is an absolute menace off the edge and can also play multiple positions on defense. The Giants might be in more win-now mode, causing them to take a quarterback later.

So with that, don’t miss Carter. Otherwise, he’ll go right to the New England Patriots. Carter is the next version of Micah Parsons.

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT – LSU

Schrager goes with offensive line help for the Patriots, putting Campbell in New England. Drake Maye needs some protection and it seems like Mike Vrabel will pick Campbell at this rate.

If you want to build toughness in the team, it starts with a guy like Campbell, who was widely considered the best offensive lineman in the class for a while. Seems like a match made in heaven.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State

The Jaguars were linked to Mason Graham for a long time but Schrager is going with Jeanty here. Jacksonville will get some star power behind Trevor Lawrence and give them quite the running back. 

Jeanty was the Heisman runner up in 2024 and nearly averaged a first down per carry throughout the season. He’ll add a new dimension to the Jaguars offense.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Armand Membou, OT – Missouri

The Raiders won’t get a quarterback here nor Jeanty, so Schrager goes with the next offensive lineman. Membou had a freakish scouting combine which vaulted him up the boards.

If Pete Carroll wants an instant impact in Vegas, he’ll need to protect Geno Smith. So, Membou makes a lot of sense in the top 10.

7. New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State

Time to get a versatile weapon! Schrager mocked Warren to the Jets with the seventh pick and it’ll allow New York to use him in a variety of ways.

He has instant impact potential as a tight end, but can also carry the ball and split out wide. At the very least, it gives Justin Fields another reliable target this year.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB – Georgia

Walker goes to the Panthers in Schrager’s only 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: Mykel Williams, EDGE – Georgia

Despite Derek Carr’s uncertain future, at least in 2025, Schrager does not go quarterback here. Instead, Williams is the pick, bolstering the Saints’ defense.

As Schrager put it, Williams is the replacement for Cameron Jordan down the line. An elite defender and franchise stalwart? Yeah that sounds good.

10. Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with Bears): Colston Loveland, TE – Michigan

The Colts vault into the top 10 by swapping picks with the Bears to get their guy. Indianapolis needs a weapon and Schrager has the answer in Loveland.

If you like Warren, you’ll like Loveland as well. Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or someone else at quarterback, they need a reliable playmaker for instant offense.

Peter Scrager’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft

11. San Francisco 49ers: Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss
12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G – Alabama
13. Miami Dolphins: Mason Graham, DT – Michigan
14. Chicago Bears (projected trade with Colts): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jihaad Campbell, LB – Alabama
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jahdae Barron, CB – Texas
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE – Marshall
18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, C/G – North Dakota State
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Arizona
20. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka, WR – Ohio State
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT – Michigan
23. Green Bay Packers: Matthew Golden, WR – Texas
24. Minnesota Vikings: Omarion Hampton, RB – North Carolina
25. Houston Texans: Donovan Jackson, G – Ohio State
26. New York Giants (projected trade with Rams): Jaxson Dart, QB – Ole Miss
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons, OT – Ohio State
28. Detroit Lions: Will Johnson, CB – Michigan
29. Washington Commanders: Shemar Stewart, EDGE – Texas A&M
30. Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, S – Georgia
31. Kansas City Chiefs: James Pearce Jr., EDGE – Tennessee
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Maxwell Hairston, CB – Kentucky