Ourlads' 2025 Mock Draft 1.0

Updated: 01/21/2025 12:04PM ET

* Denotes Underclassmen
Tennessee Titans
QB, Miami
HT: 6020 | WT: 223  | Stats
Year two of the Brian Callahan regime needs to start off with a fresh quarterback. With previous experience with Joe Burrow and Matthew Stafford, the decision comes down to arm talent and personality. Ward is a no-nonsense playmaker that is capable of putting a team on his back. While he may not be ready right away, Ward's ceiling is enough to warrant a number one overall slot.
Cleveland Browns
CB/WR, Colorado
HT: 6010 | WT: 185  | Stats
While the organization copes with one of the worst contracts ever given out in league history, they must set their sights on the future. This is a front office and coaching staff that leans on economics and there may not be a more economic prospect in this class considering he credibly projects to both sides of the ball at a high level.
New York Giants
DE, Penn State
HT: 6030 | WT: 252  | Stats
An elite edge defender or a quarterback you kind of believe in. Value vs. Need. While the Giants quarterback room is among the worst in football and this is a game built on that position, Carter brings more upside and a more impactful immediate impact. The ability to line up in multiple spots can give their defense a true indentity that can win games and they can fill the quarterback with a different bullet.
New England Patriots
HT: 6060 | WT: 323
The support for Drake Maye can and should from multiple angles. History shows us the number one receiver does not need to come in the form of a top five pick and odds are heavy they will be pursuing one in free agency. History also shows us that support needs to arrive in the form of an offensive line first and foremost. The New England offensive line is among the worst in football and Campbell is a turnkey solution.
Jacksonville Jaguars
DT, Michigan
HT: 6030 | WT: 320  | Stats
Defensively they allowed the second most yards in football and finished bottom five in sacks, pressures, and QB hits. They were also an easy team to run on. All of this despite real solid talent on the outside that need a better complement inside than what they currently employ. Graham is a do-it-all type that certainly fits the freak label Trent Baalke looks for.
Las Vegas Raiders
QB, Colorado
HT: 6020 | WT: 215  | Stats
The Raiders will wrestle with the idea of the best available quarterback (Sanders) and best available player (Jeanty). Almost anytime you hear an organization speak of their “BPA” approach, it is usually a farce. They draft for need more often than not and the new regime in Las Vegas will want to start off with a brand-new toy under center. And this is a shiny toy will may be an absolute hit in that city. He will not be rushed into action and they can use another year to build the support system prior to handing him the keys.
New York Jets
TE, Penn State
HT: 6060 | WT: 261  | Stats
The drama that follows Aaron Rodgers everywhere he goes may be put to rest unless their new Head Coach, whoever that may be, can mend the relationship. There is not a quarterback worth taking at this spot and Warren is the kind of versatile weapon that can give an offense options. He is a plus-sized version of TJ Hockenson, the eight overall pick of the 2019 Draft. If the band gets back together, he is the best immediate option to balance everything else out on that side of the ball.
Carolina Panthers
S, Georgia
HT: 6010 | WT: 205  | Stats
Nearly the entire safety room from Carolina is heading toward free agency and Starks may be the best we have seen at the position in years. The ideal blend of powerful and fast, Starks improves the spine of the defense in every way possible. He finished is three-year career with 13 pass breakups and five interceptions, four against SEC and ranked opponents. His miniscule 7% missed tackle rate may be the most immediate help to their dead-last ranked defense, who finished with the third most missed tackles in the league.
New Orleans Saints
WR, Arizona
HT: 6050 | WT: 212  | Stats
If I’m the trying to build this Saints roster, I’m worried about the receiver room. Chris Olave, their 2022 first rounder and best receiver has suffered multiple serious concussions. No other receiver passed 20 catches. If they are going to give a look to last year’s fifth round pick Spencer Rattler, there needs to be another option in that room even if Olave comes back healthy. McMillan is an ideal complement to him and has a Michael Thomas feel to his game with that kind of ceiling.
Chicago Bears
HT: 6040 | WT: 320
The Bears allowed a league-high 68 sacks. While some of that can be put on Caleb Williams and the fact he learned the hard way he’s no longer playing against the kids from the Pac-12, things can get real ugly real fast if they don’t get better players protecting him. This is a must. Banks at his best is the top offensive lineman in this class but the inconsistency can cause some hesitation this high. This is a front office willing to pursue upside, though.
San Francisco 49ers
CB, Michigan
HT: 6020 | WT: 202  | Stats
This is a different defense when they do not have the playmakers on the outside. They were first in interceptions in both 2022 and 2023 but fell to 19th in 2024. Johnson has not had a clean bill of health over the past two seasons, but he is a scheme fit with the upside of a credible number one, shutdown cover man. The little we did see him play since his standout freshman season included six interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns) in just 18 games.
Dallas Cowboys
RB, Boise State
HT: 5090 | WT: 215  | Stats
This should be the floor for Jeanty. He could go as high as sixth overall to Las Vegas and we could see a surprise team like Chicago swoop in. Nonetheless, he falls into the laps of the franchise that always seems to have a star running back when they are at their peak. Jeanty is a star, to say the least. His ability to break tackles outweighs anyone we’ve scouted, and the explosive play potential will elevate their offense that still has the upside to be a top ten unit.
Miami Dolphins
WR, Missouri
HT: 5110 | WT: 205  | Stats
In a year that began with being detained by police outside his home stadium before his week one game and ended with him refusing to go back into the week 18 contest, afterward discussing playing somewhere else, soon-to-be 31-year-old Tyreek Hill had his worst season since 2019. Whatever ends up happening there, an offense fueled by explosive and versatile options needs another weapon. Burden may be the most ideal fit for this team, a playmaker that has scored multiple touchdowns as a receiver, rusher, and returner.
Indianapolis Colts
DT, Mississippi
HT: 6030 | WT: 305  | Stats
General Manager Chris Ballard has tried a lot of things to beef up this pass rush but a lot of their draft capital has been spent on the outside with mixed results. Nolen would be a slightly different approach but one that would complement their current big-man approach along the defensive line. Nolen is an explosive and nimble interior force that adds a dimension they do not have on a defense that has been bottom half in the league in pressure percentage two straight seasons.
Atlanta Falcons
DE, Texas A&M
HT: 6040 | WT: 285  | Stats
This coaching staff knows they needed an edge defender last year, hence the late trade for Matthew Judon. The pending free agent did not deliver what they had hoped and with Scourton they get a very similar physical profile and upside. The difference? About 12 years. Scourton is one of the youngest players in the draft and already plays with man-hands. He is an ideal complement to what they already have at edge.
Arizona Cardinals
DT, Michigan
HT: 6030 | WT: 339  | Stats
In 2019, Dexter Lawrence was drafted 17th overall, which was after his college linemate Christian Wilkins. And it was Lawrence that developed into the dominant force year after year. Grant, who will get drafted after his college linemate Mason Graham, has the physical tools to be the better player. Arizona needs a difference maker up front and while they have a few options on the outside to choose from, Grant is the one with the superstar ceiling.
Cincinnati Bengals
DT, Oregon
HT: 6050 | WT: 310  | Stats
Grant would have been the first choice, but an argument can be made Harmon brings more to the table as a pass rusher. This is defensive line that is overly dependent on their edge defenders, but they still need help inside to raise the floor on that side of the ball. A floor that has fallen from underneath them two straight seasons in the precious Joe Burrow-era.
Seattle Seahawks
OT, Ohio State
HT: 6050 | WT: 310
There are a few risky plays here such as bringing in a quarterback to set up the future or overload at receiver. All of the shiny toys will not work unless they stabilize the line. Simmons, who was on a trajectory to possibly finishing as OT1 in this class, should be back for the start of the season after an ACL surgery. Even if he’s not, their immediate need is not extreme and they can ease him to that right tackle spot and to Abraham Lucas a shot inside.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB, East Carolina
HT: 6030 | WT: 193  | Stats
Let’s make it two straight prospects coming off a torn ACL. Revel, one of the most physically gifted corners could have played his way into the Will Johnson-tier this season had he not gotten injured early in the year. He should be back by the start of the 2025 season and the one standout hole on this defense, which is loaded with potential, is a true top corner that can live on an island.
Denver Broncos
TE, Michigan
HT: 6050 | WT: 245  | Stats
Courtland Sutton essentially had twice as much production and targets as any other pass catcher on the team. Now that Sean Payton has his young quarterback up to speed, it is time to look at the New Orleans model. A big part of that model was a mismatch at tight end and that is exactly what the 6’5”/245 pound Loveland will be. The best version of him can be found on his 2023 tape when there was more stability at quarterback for Michigan. And those flashes were special.
Pittsburgh Steelers
WR, Texas
HT: 6000 | WT: 195  | Stats
Many resources have been put into the offensive line and while that foundation is a vital ingredient to how this franchise does things, it is time to get a safer and more secure threat at receiver. George Pickens is a wildcard and even if he does pan out, Golden is the type of receiver that can come in right away and taker over the room. The transfer from Houston shined in his one year for the Longhorns, easily becoming the team’s top target by season’s end.
Los Angeles Chargers
RB, North Carolina
HT: 6000 | WT: 220  | Stats
Jim Harbaugh put his stamp on this team right away. As we predicted in the 2023 Ourlads Mock Draft 1.0, his desire to own the trenches and bring a physical brand led to the Joe Alt selection over Malik Nabers. This year? He gets the bell cow back that brings life to the power game on the ground. Do not make the mistake of labeling Hampton a simple north/south pile pusher. The second leading rusher in the country finished third in the country with 45 runs of 10+ yards.
Green Bay Packers
WR, Ohio State
HT: 6010 | WT: 205  | Stats
The receiver room was the gamble of the season for Green Bay. While they have multiple young talents with intriguing skill sets that flash on occasion, the lack of consistency and volume of drops held them back. Egbuka gives them a week one slot receiver that can bring back a level of dependability the room desperately needs.
Minnesota Vikings
DE, Texas A&M
HT: 6060 | WT: 290  | Stats
The Vikings hit a homerun in free agency last year after the signings of Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. Beyond them, not a single lineman finished with a 10% pressure rate. Stewart is a wild stallion in need of training, but the tools in his possession are normally reserved for top ten picks. Building multiple options for multiple looks (Stewart has over 300 career snaps inside) in addition to depth is a key ingredient to a quality pass rush.
Houston Texans
HT: 6050 | WT: 225  | Stats
Stefon Diggs is heading toward free agency and Tank Dell suffered a late-season injury that will likely prevent him from playing at least the front half of the 2025 season. The fall back down to earth for 2023 Rookie of the Year CJ Stroud was alarming and their primary objective needs to be more support around him. The offensive line is an option, but the interior help should be found day two. Williams is a ball of clay with the potential to be one of the most versatile weapons in the NFL and he brings even more size which could help their red zone struggles.
Los Angeles Rams
OT, Minnesota
HT: 6060 | WT: 330
Left tackle Alaric Jackson is a free agent and with so much money tied up on that side of the ball already, the Rams are likely to find a plug and play tackle this late considering their demands they put on the position. Ersery is not the cleanest in pass protection, similar to Jackson. But also similar to Jackson and going with the ethos they are promoting up front, his overwhelming power and size is an ideal fit.
Baltimore Ravens
CB, Notre Dame
HT: 6000 | WT: 190  | Stats
The one question that needs an answer on Morrison is the health of his hip. The latest is that he will be ready for the 2025 season, and this is exactly the kind of value pick that always seems to fall in the laps of the Ravens. Morrison joins Kyle Hamilton, another draft-night value from the Fighting Irish, to help rebuild a cornerback room that is by far the biggest hole on this roster.
Detroit Lions
DE, Mississippi
HT: 6040 | WT: 255  | Stats
Aidan Hutchinson led team in pressures in 2024. He played five games. While the team is confident he will be back full strength in 2025, this pass rush would benefit from another outside force. Umanmielen is an NFL body with burst and bend. His 93 pressures over the past two years from two different SEC programs is among national leaders.
Washington Commanders
DE, Georgia
HT: 6050 | WT: 265  | Stats
Head Coach Dan Quinn comes from the “never have enough pass rushers” school of thought when building a defense that can be effective year after year. The timeless mantra bodes well for this class. Williams is the type of player that fits well with the four man front the Commanders are using. He can set the edge vs. the run and rush the passer from a five technique on out. He has the versatility to slide inside to a three technique on obvious passing downs.
Buffalo Bills
S, South Carolina
HT: 6030 | WT: 227  | Stats
General Manager Billy Beane has had to re-tool a safety room that steadied the ship of this entire defense for years under Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde but the solution has yet to come to the surface. He turns his eyes to one of the best pure physical packages in the class. Emmanwori is a massive body with a quick trigger and ball-hawking ability. The ceiling he brings to the table can have a similar eventual reward to the Greg Rousseau pick in 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles
DE, Ohio State
HT: 6050 | WT: 260  | Stats
With the possibility of losing several front seven defenders to free agency the Eagles will look at the draft for reinforcements. Jack Sawyer is the classic high motor player the Eagles like. He’s played as a wide nine on the ball linebacker and hand in the dirt defensive end. While not bad by any means he lacks elite athletic ability in some areas. He makes up for that with technique, football IQ and extreme effort. Highly productive run defender and pass rusher.
Kansas City Chiefs
HT: 6040 | WT: 315
As well as this franchise has built the interior of the line and the rest of the offense, they just as much have failed to find repeatable solutions at tackle. This offense can be taken to another level if they stabilize the outside. Conerly is as twitchy as you will find with elite pass protection potential.