With my first mock of the 2025 draft cycle, I tried to park my drive on (or close to) the fairway, aiming to pair up prospects and teams as best I could in late January.
Mock No. 2 was my hybrid-club shot -- a little more of a playful attempt, predicting a series of trades and being a little looser with my swing.
This mock, my final crack at the exercise this year, is all about getting it as close to the pin as possible. Easier said than done, but that's the goal. I kept it quite simple: mostly chalk up top (with one fun twist), and only one trade (albeit a spicy one).
How will Round 1 actually play out on Thursday night in Green Bay? The sudden quarterback urgency for a few clubs led me to project four first-rounders at the position, which is more than I imagined not long ago. It also led to some pretty good prospects -- including OL Grey Zabel, CB Maxwell Hairston and WR Emeka Egbuka -- falling out of the top 32.
Without further ado, here's my last first-round simulation before we get to kick back and see how the top prospects actually come off the board.
This pick has felt locked in for weeks. Ward's almost certainly the new face of the Titans. This has allowed new GM Mike Borgonzi to start thinking about which receivers and edge rushers might be available when Tennessee comes on the clock early in Round 2.
I won't say Hunter's completely bust-proof, but it's hard to imagine the Heisman Trophy winner not helping out in a major way, either at receiver or corner -- or, as he prefers, at both spots.
The Giants still have a decision to make on Kayvon Thibodeaux's fifth-year option. Carter, my No. 1 overall prospect in this draft class, could be an absolute monster in time.
Mike Vrabel knows he needs to protect Drake Maye, but the Patriots also need leaders and reliable building blocks. Campbell fills all of those voids.
I'm gonna flip it around. DT Mason Graham going here began to feel way too chalky for me recently. I just think Liam Coen will want to add a playmaker to his offense with the new regime's first pick.
With Ashton Jeanty off the board, the Raiders add another piece to a pretty strong defensive line. Las Vegas must continue to fortify that front in order to compete in the AFC West.
I considered Tyler Warren here, but the Jets can get a tight end later. They'd have less success attempting to find a starting right tackle with Membou's upside after this pick.
Carolina is still a bit of a mystery, and there has been some trade chatter at this spot. But Walker's speed, pass-rush ability and QB-spy potential could add some juice to that defense.
I truly don't know where Sanders is going to end up or what the Saints think of him, but New Orleans needs a quarterback and this mock needs Sanders. (I think.)
With two picks coming early in Round 2, the Bears can afford to take a luxury pick -- a nice Tonka truck for Ben Johnson to play with -- and swing back later for the tackle.
The Niners feel capable of making some noise in this draft, and they can afford to take an early swing on Stewart's alluring skill set, with 10 more picks forthcoming.
CeeDee Lamb can't keep shouldering such an outsized portion of the load. McMillan gives Dallas a big perimeter wideout and red-zone target with great body control and chunk-play ability.
With Jalen Ramsey on the trade block, cornerback becomes a pretty urgent need in Miami. Barron is a versatile defender with playmaking chops who can help immediately.
When healthy last season, Loveland was a godsend for a Michigan team that struggled badly at QB. Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are battling for the Colts' starting job. Loveland is here to help -- once he's cleared for contact following shoulder surgery.
This pairing has been gaining some steam of late, and it makes sense -- just as the idea of Atlanta using a first-round pick on a pass rusher has for many years.
This is another head-scratcher spot for me. Arizona could feel good enough about the DL/edge depth to wait on addressing that need. The Cardinals, however, might not be able to find the same caliber of receiver as Golden lower down.
There's a case to be made for taking more of an edge defender, but the Bengals need help inside. Harmon is a multi-technique DL who can disrupt from the interior.
The interior of Seattle's offensive line needs immediate help, and it was between Booker and North Dakota State's Grey Zabel here. Booker lacks Zabel's versatility, but the Alabama product can be a slobberknocker right away in the run game. There still should be a solid receiver available at 50 or 52.
I think an edge could tempt Tampa Bay here, but Campbell is such an explosive athlete and a perfect fit for the Bucs, assuming their medical evaluation of him is clean.
The Broncos quietly are creeping up on the NFL's big boys, and adding a three-down lead back speeds up that development. Hampton could be a big producer in Sean Payton's offense.
The Steelers must have heard Aaron Rodgers waffling about his future on The Pat McAfee Show. Can they count on the 41-year-old? If Pittsburgh doesn't go QB here, what's the long-term plan at the game's most important position?
Sure, the school connection helps for scouting purposes, but Grant really does fill the Chargers' nose tackle needs well. He'd step right into the Poona Ford-sized hole up front.
Johnson has been a tricky player to place in mock drafts because of questions about his health and long speed. But at No. 23, the Packers absolutely can justify the risk for a highly pedigreed talent at a needed spot.
PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGS
With Jaxson Dart off the board, the Giants can't hesitate to move up for a QB if they want one. Milroe makes sense for New York, even if he's a dice roll. The Vikings, with just four picks, might be an eager trade partner. In this scenario, Big Blue gives up Pick Nos. 34, 99 and 105 to select an explosive playmaker at 24.
I didn't imagine Banks falling this far, and I contemplated a receiver such as Emeka Egbuka here, but Houston can find a home for this Texas product right away, either at guard or tackle. He grew up just down the road from the Texans' facility.
The Rams were infatuated with Brock Bowers in last year's draft, so LSU TE Mason Taylor wouldn't shock me here. But Emmanwori could be a box safety/linebacker, adding another playmaker for this defense.
Every year, it seems, a top-20 talent just falls into Baltimore's lap in this range, and we all just shrug. Starks could fill an immediate role in a thin secondary as a proven, three-year SEC starter.
I'm not fully convinced Williams makes it this far, but if he does, the Lions should be thrilled. He's exactly the type of ascending prospect and body type Detroit seems to want on the edge.
I thought long and hard about a cornerback here, but Ezeiruaku's pass-rush upside might be too tempting to pass up here. He's also a mature player whose football character fits perfectly with Dan Quinn.
Maxwell Hairston's speed might be tempting, but Amos just feels like a better fit in Buffalo as a tackler, zone defender and general irritant with his size and play style. This secondary needs more length and skill.
Left tackle was such an issue last season, and the Chiefs can't assume free-agent addition Jaylon Moore will dominate and stay healthy. Simmons would be a smart value pick who can be brought along gradually.
The Eagles must replenish some lost depth up front, and Nolen could be perfect in their DL wave. He's a flash player who hasn't put it all together yet, but the ceiling is very high.
