NFL mock draft live: 32 team reporters make their first-round picks
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff game against Penn State, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)It was 25 years ago that Michigan quarterback Tom Brady waited and waited to be selected in the NFL. Finally, he was picked 199th overall... and went on to win seven Super Bowl rings.
Brady is the patron saint of the passed-over passers, and this Los Angeles Times beat-writer mock draft has plenty of those.
The University of Miami's Cam Ward is chosen first overall in this reporters' mock, but he's the only quarterback selected in this opening round. This scenario contemplates Hall of Famer Deion Sanders languishing in the green room as his son, Shedeur, Colorado's former quarterback, is left waiting far longer than many people have predicted to hear his name called.
We shall see when the first round unfolds Thursday night in Green Bay.
The live reporters' mock draft is complete. Here's how reporters from across the country see the first round of the 2025 NFL draft unfolding:
1. Tennessee Titans | Cam Ward, QB (Miami)
Miami quarterback Cam Ward passes against Syracuse in November.(Adrian Kraus / Associated Press)While he doesn't project as well as some of the recent QBs coming into the league, it would be awfully difficult for a quarterback-needy team in position to get the draft's best signal-caller to do anything but draft Ward. The Titans need far better decision-making and accuracy from the spot, and the best-case Ward can bring [coach] Brian Callahan a dynamic playmaker and the franchise a star."
-Paul Kuharsky,PaulKuharsky.com
Colorado's Travis Hunter against Texas Tech in November.(Annie Rice / Associated Press)The Browns land one of the two transformational prospects in this draft (Abdul Carter is the other one) and bolster two positions. Hunter has Pro Bowl potential at both receiver and cornerback, and the Browns will play him at both. They'll draft a developmental QB later."
-Mary Kay Cabot,Cleveland Plain Dealer
Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter follows a play against USC in October.(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)Four years ago the Giants passed on Micah Parsons and they're still suffering the consequences. They don't make that same mistake twice. The Giants still need a quarterback of the future but Carter's potential to impact games immediately means they'll have to wait to find a passer... but maybe not too long if they can jump back into the first round."
-Tom Rock,Newsday
LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell lines up against South Alabama in September.(Matthew Hinton / Associated Press)With both of their preferred choices off the board, the Patriots face a tough choice between a tackle or pass rusher. Campbell's arm length isn't ideal, but he's the best OL in the draft and fills their biggest hole at left tackle."
-Ben Volin,Boston Globe
Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham plays against Fresno State in August.(Al Goldis / Associated Press)One of Jaguars' most glaring weaknesses last year was lack of toughness in both interior lines. Taking Graham should address that issue."
- Gene Frenette,Florida Times-Union
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty warms up before the Fiesta Bowl against Penn State in December.(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)The Raiders help their offense immensely with the addition of an instant impact running back."
-Vinny Bonsignore,Las Vegas Review-Journal
Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou sets up against Alabama in October.(Vasha Hunt / Associated Press)The question for the Jets is do you get new quarterback Justin Fields another protector or a planet? Penn State TE Tyler Warren is tempting but I am taking [the 332-pound] Membou to play right tackle and solidify an offensive line that will have three first-round picks on it."
-Brian Costello,New York Post
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker celebrates after a sack against Texas Christian in the national championship game on Jan. 9, 2023.(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)The Panthers used free agency to begin addressing a defense that was the NFLs worst in 2024. But they could still use a young edge rusher as they start to think about life after Jadeveon Clowney. And while Walker was an off-ball linebacker at Georgia, the Panthers believe he can be effective outside."
-Joe Person,the Athletic
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren catches a pass against Maryland in November.(Barry Reeger / Associated Press)The Saints avoid the temptation to take a quarterback and go with the best player available, a versatile offensive weapon for first-year coach Kellen Moore."
- Jeff Duncan,Times-Picayune
Michigan tight end Colston Loveland tries to run past Arkansas State safety Justin Parks in September.(Al Goldis / Associated Press)The Bears' greatest need is at left tackle but with Will Campbell gone and the small group of marquee players off the board, it forces GM Ryan Poles to consider the best player available. Maybe that leads him to Loveland with the idea being to outfit his new coach Ben Johnson with a player that can enhance the development of QB Caleb Williams."
-Brad Biggs,Chicago Tribune
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) plays against Florida in November.(Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press)The 49ers have been looking for a bookend for Nick Bosa for the past five years and finally find one in Williams, who is big, powerful and relentless. The team could also tap a defensive tackle - like Ole Miss' Walter Nolen, for example - here. But that position is especially deep in 2025 and the 49ers ought to be able to find good ones in the next three rounds."
-Matt Barrows,the Athletic
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden scores a touchdown against Florida in November.(Eric Gay / Associated Press)Dallas finally gets a viable No. 2 to pair with CeeDee Lamb. His 4.29 speed and route running proved to be the ideal fit over [Tetairoa] McMillan, another viable option."
-Clarence Hill,DLLS Sports
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson plays against USC in September.(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)The impending trade of Jalen Ramsey has Miami in a desperate spot for cornerback help. Johnson's a top 10 talent who seems to be sliding because of his injuries, but the Dolphins are familiar with taking calculated risks that could potentially produce a significant return."
-Omar Kelly,Miami Herald
Marshall defensive lineman Mike Green speaks during a news conference at the NFL scouting combine in February.(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)Indy likely will have its eyes on either of the top tight ends but miss out on both here. But, ultimately, it's their defense that needed the most help coming off 2024."
-Stephen Holder,ESPN
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. blocks against Arkansas in November.(Michael Woods / Associated Press)The Falcons are getting long in the tooth at the tackle spot. Jake Matthews (33) and Kaleb McGary (30) is in the last year of his contract. They can address the pass rush later from the deep edge rusher and DT pool."
- D. Orlando Ledbetter,Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant celebrates sacking Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch in November.(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)As much as GM Monti Ossenfort has already overhauled the defensive front seven, the Cardinals are still eyeing more talent up front along the interior. Grant is a beast and an immediate plug-and-play option in the rotation."
-Bob McManaman,Arizona Republic
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in February.(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)The Bengals need pass rush in any way, shape or form. Passing on one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in college football would be hard to do. There would be temptations to look at edge rusher or guard here, but they need interior push more than any other aspect in repairing their dismal defense."
-Paul Dehner,the Athletic
Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker reacts during a game against Vanderbilt in October.(John Amis / Associated Press)Seahawks need immediate help in the middle of their offensive line and the 21-year old Booker could step right into a guard spot this year and maybe move out to tackle in the future."
-Bob Condotta,Seattle Times
South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori plays against Missouri in October 2023.(Colin E Braley / Associated Press)The Buccaneers and coach Todd Bowles said they are looking for 'ballhawks,' defensive players with an ability to create takeaways. The Bucs had only seven interceptions last year and were extremely vulnerable to passes over the middle. Part of it was because Antoine Winfield Jr. missed half the season with foot and knee injuries. But their coverage was lacking, especially against tight ends and really anyone who wanted to exploit their lack of coverage inside."
-Rick Stroud,Tampa Bay Times
North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton runs against Pittsburgh in October.(Chris Seward / Associated Press)Broncos are motivated to caffeinate offense around Bo Nix. Sean Payton has not had a 100-yard rusher in his two years in Denver. That changes with Hampton."
-Troy Renck,Denver Post
Former Texas A&M defensive tackle Walter Nolen with Mississippi, celebrates after a sack against Wake Forest in September.(Chuck Burton / Associated Press)The Steelers need defensive line help above all else, and with Derrick Harmon gone they take Walter Nolen."
-Gerry Dulac,Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, right, stiff arms a Texas Tech defender in October.(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)A homecoming for Servite alumnus McMillan would be the perfect, much-needed addition for the Chargers, whose only free agent addition to the wide receivers room was 30-year-old Mike Williams. Grabbing McMillan 22nd feels like a steal for a receiver who was projected to go in the top 15."
-Thuc Nhi Nguyen,Los Angeles Times
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron celebrates after making a tackle against Arkansas in November.(Michael Woods / Associated Press)The Packers also would consider edge rushers Shemar Stewart and Donovan Ezeiruaku, but Barron provides positional versatility and skill at another defensive position of need."
-Pete Dougherty,Green Bay Press-Gazette
North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in March.(George Walker IV / Associated Press)The Vikings have spent the offseason upgrading a protection unit that gave up nine sacks in a wild-card loss to the Rams, but after they signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, they could use one more addition at left guard. That'll lead them to Zabel, who played all five positions at North Dakota State but would be a natural fit at left guard, where he'd line up between Kelly and Christian Darrisaw and add some size, tenacity and athletic ability to the middle of the line."
-Ben Goessling,Minneapolis Star Tribune
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons participates in a drill during the school's pro day in March.(Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)The Texans, who have been adamant this offseason about fixing their O-line, preferred Kelvin Banks Jr. and Tyler Booker, both stars and leaders at their respective schools. But with both off the board, taking the next best option in Simmons, at a position of need, made the most sense for Houston's long-term future."
-Jonathan Alexander,Houston Chronicle
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in March.(George Walker IV / Associated Press)Yes, potential Matthew Stafford successors are still on the board. But if general manager Les Snead does not trade back for a second-round pick and perhaps more, the Rams could tab Conerly as the eventual replacement for veteran Rob Havenstein."
-Gary Klein,Los Angeles Times
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart warms up before a game against Florida in September.(Texas A&M Florida Football / Associated Press)Choosing between Stewart and Georgia safety Malaki Starks is an extremely tough call, but Stewart's upside and physical tools are too much to ignore at this stage of the draft. The modest college production is a concern, but the Ravens are in a position where they can bet on traits and trust their coaching staff to get the best out of Stewart. With Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo all in the final year of their deals, pass-rush help is both a current and future need and Stewart fills it."
-Jeff Zrebiec,the Athletic
Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku defends against Southern Methodist in November.(Michael Ainsworth / Associated Press)The Lions need pass rush help and Ezeiruaku can get after the quarterback like few others in this draft. He's not the biggest defensive end, but he'll give the Lions some oomph opposite Aidan Hutchinson."
-Dave Birkett,Detroit Free Press
Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown against Vanderbilt in September 2023.(George Walker IV / Associated Press)The Commanders' secondary is still a work in progress. Marshon Lattimore struggled after arriving in Washington last year, and around him are a number of versatile defensive backs who may be better suited as nickels. Hairston has the size, undoubtedly the speed (his 4.28-second 40 was the fastest among all players at the NFL combine this year) and the natural playmaking ability to give Washington a solid cornerback for years to come. Dan Quinn loves long and physical corners, and Hairston fits the bill."
-Nicki Jhabvala,Washington Post
Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos reacts during a game against Kentucky in September.(Randy J. Williams / Associated Press)The Bills have big needs at cornerback and along the defensive line. They address the first of those in the first round with Amos, feeling confident that the depth along the defensive line will last until their two picks in the second round come up."
-Jay Skurski,Buffalo News
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) scores a touchdown against Oregon in the Rose Bowl in January.(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)The Chiefs base-covered their biggest needs in free agency, which means they remain flexible here while not pigeonholed into one position. Defensive tackle, edge rusher and offensive tackle all are bigger roster priorities, but I don't see how the Chiefs could pass on Egbuka if he fell to 31. The Chiefs need playmakers - both now and in the future - with tight end Travis Kelce close to retirement and receiver Rashee Rice returning from a knee injury with an NFL suspension looming. Egbuka - a top-20 prospect on many boards - would be great value at a spot that still needs addressing."
-Jesse Newell,Kansas City Star
Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine in February.(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)In this scenario, I'd imagine Howie Roseman tries to trade out. But with no opportunity to move up - which the Eagles will do if one of their targets drops - an edge rusher makes sense here."
-Jeff McLane,Philadelphia Inquirer
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.