With the NFL Draft is just a day away, it’s just about time to try and predict where the stars from the past CFB season will be suiting up in the pros. Here’s how I think the names will be called in Green Bay.
Pick 1: Tennessee Titans select QB Cam Ward – Miami
Tennessee finally moves on from their Mayo loving QB Will Levis. They grab the very composed signal-caller out of Miami, being Cam Ward. Ward’s talent should translate very nicely to the NFL, and I expected him to eventually lead the Titans back to the big stage.
Pick 2: Cleveland Browns select EDGE Abdul Carter – Penn State
In the offseason, the Browns emptied the Brinks truck in order to ink All-Pro DE Myles Garret to a lucrative contract extension. To keep him content, the Browns pair Garrett with the generational talent from Penn State. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are going to have nightmares about having to face this improved Browns D-Line, twice a season.
Pick 3: New York Giants select WR/DB Travis Hunter – Colorado
The G-Men decide to add Travis Hunter to their squad. Hunter is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball, but the only question is: Will they let him play both sides of the ball? Wherever Hunter ends up being listed on the depth chart, he’ll be sure to make an impact.
Pick 4: New England Patriots select OT Will Campbell – LSU
The Patriots add Campbell in order to protect their second-year QB Drake Maye. A franchise QB needs a franchise offensive tackle!
TRADE!!! Pick 5 via JAX: Chicago Bears select RB Ashton Jeanty – Boise State
Things are starting to get wild! The Bears go all-in on a star-studded offense and they go ahead and grab one of the prospects I’ve ever seen. Under new head coach and offensive guru Ben Johnson, the Bears offense is going to be lethal! Grabbing Jeanty not only takes pressure off last years’ #1 pick QB Caleb Williams, but it opens up a ton of offensive possibilities. With this draft class having a bunch of great RBs, I expect the Bears to grab another one later within the draft, in order to emulate the two-back tandem that Johnson had in Detroit.
Pick 6: Las Vegas Raiders select WR Tetoria McMillan – Arizona
The Raiders give newly acquired QB Geno Smith a very solid #1 target. While this is a little early, and could be considered a reach. McMillan is that good of a player, that it’ll workout wonderfully. A very sparse receiving core led by TE Brock Bowers and an aging WR Jakobi Meyers, gets another talent in T-Mac.
Pick 7: New York Jets select TE Tyler Warren – Penn State
The Jets continue to improve their offense through the draft, and they grab Warren out of Penn State. New York is attempting to set up their free agent QB Justin Fields for success. With a group consisting of WR Garrett Wilson, RBs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and now Warren, there’s no way Fields should be struggling to find a man open.
Pick 8: Carolina Panthers select CB Will Johnson – Michigan
Carolina creates a very nice corner tandem by pairing Will Johnson with CB Jaycee Horn, who they just gave a big extension to. In a division with some great WRs, having 2 great corners is quite beneficial.
Pick 9: New Orleans Saints select QB Shedeur Sanders – Colorado
With Derek Carr’s season in jeopardy, New Orleans is in need of a QB, unless they want to trot out QB Spencer Rattler for 17 games. New Orleans could trade down and Sanders might still be available, but better safe than sorry. If Sanders’ accurate arm translates to the NFL, he’ll be a solid starter for a multitude of years.
TRADE!!! Pick 10 via CHI: Jacksonville Jaguars select DL Mason Graham – Michigan
After trading down with Chicago, the Jags aim to bolster their DL and they go with the Michigan kid Mason Graham. Graham, an excellent run stopper will be a nightmare for AFC South offenses.
Pick 11: San Francisco 49ers select EDGE Jalon Walker – Georgia
After losing Leonard Floyd in free agency, the Niners get a stud in Walker. Being paired with DE Nick Bosa, Walker should shine. The defensive unit definitely took some hits, but adding Walker should help San Francisco recoup their losses.
Pick 12: Dallas Cowboys select WR Matthew Golden – Texas
Golden won’t have to move far. Jerry and Co. grab the speedster out of Texas. With a barren receiving core really only consisting of WR CeeDee Lamb, Golden gives Dallas some speed on the outside. While defenses are worried about Lamb, Golden will be open, it’s only a matter if Dak can get it to him.
Pick 13: Miami Dolphins select DB Jahdae Barron – Texas
With CB Jalen Ramsey’s future looming, and the departure of S Jevon Holland, Miami absolutely needs a DB. The Jim Thorpe winner will be an absolute stud wherever he goes. Barron is listed as a “big nickel” corner, however he would be a great fit at the Safety position.
Pick 14: Indianapolis Colts select TE Colston Loveland – Michigan
Indy gives project QB Anthony Richardson a little more help. Loveland is an elite route runner that defenses will have to worry about. He’ll make an immediate impact and will fit nicely in the Colts receiving group.
Pick 15: Atlanta Falcons select EDGE Mike Green – Marshall
After drafting offense in the 1st round for the last 4 years, the Falcons finally grab the pass rusher that they definitely need. The most athletic pass rusher in the draft, and the leader in sacks at the FBS level, Green is a force to be reckoned with. He reminds me of DL Khalil Mack, and if the Falcons don’t draft him or a EDGE rusher at all, then what on earth are they doing in Atlanta?
Pick 16: Arizona Cardinals select EDGE Shemar Stewart – Texas A&M
In a draft filled with defensive talent, the Cards get a great pass rusher to help start building that defensive line. Despite his low sack production at A&M, Stewart’s physical traits will aid him in becoming a quality player in this league.
Pick 17: Cincinnati Bengals select OT Kelvin Banks – Texas
While most say that the Bengals only issue is defense, and that they’re a “top 10” defense a way from a Lombardi. They absolutely need someone to protect their franchise guy in QB Joe Burrow. This draft has enough defensive talent, that selecting a first round offensive lineman isn’t a bad idea at all. One of the nation’s top offensive line prospects, Banks will help finally give Burrow some time in the pocket.
Pick 18: Seattle Seahawks select OT Armand Membou – Missouri
In the offseason, Seattle went out and absolutely paid former Vikings QB Sam Darnold. With the focus on building a great offense that’s been illustrated by grabbing Darnold, and signing former Rams WR Cooper Kupp. Seattle goes all in on offense and drafts Membou to help protect their hundred million dollar investment.
Pick 19: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select LB Jihaad Campbell – Alabama
An aging linebacker core has a new sheriff in town. Tampa goes ahead and grabs Campbell from Alabama. Campbell led Bama in tackles last season, and his excellent physicals set him apart from the other backers in this class.
Pick 20: Denver Broncos select RB Omarion Hampton – North Carolina
With the success that was drafting QB Bo Nix in the first round last year, Denver doubles down on building a great offense and they grab Hampton from North Carolina. Hampton is an excellent prospect, and it only makes more sense for the Broncos to grab him, due to the departure of RB Javonte Williams to Dallas.
TRADE!!! Pick 21 via PIT: Minnesota Vikings select DL Derrick Harmon – Oregon
Here’s where it gets a little bit wild again. Pittsburgh trades back to gain some more capital, knowing that their guy will still be on the board. Minnesota goes ahead and selects a great defensive prospect in Harmon. While some say he might fall due to injury, Harmon is an excellent talent, reminiscent of Steelrs DL Cam Heyward.
TRADE!!! Pick 22 via LAC: Baltimore Ravens select EDGE Mykel Williams – Georgia
Baltimore trades up to grab Williams out of Georgia. Another one of those great UGA defensive linemen. It’s either they grab Williams to help bolster the trenches, or they hope Malaki Starks falls to them. Which he very well could.
Pick 23: Green Bay Packers select EDGE James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee
If Pearce Jr. somehow falls to Green Bay, 22 teams made a mistake. Pearce, a proven rusher who can get sacks at the highest collegiate level is in my opinion, the best rusher in the draft. Pearce, someone who was the projected #1 pick in the draft at the start of the season, fell due to “character issues”. If I’m a GM, I look past these issues, and I grab JPJ without hesitation.
TRADE!!! Pick 24 via MIN: Pittsburgh Steelers select QB Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss
The Steelers lost both QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to New York teams in the offseason. The Steelers current QB room consists of Mason Rudolph, and Skylar Thompson. I would be absolutely surprised if a QB isn’t the pick. As when you make moves like trading for D.K. Metcalf, you need to get a guy to throw it to him. Dart is very accurate, and if developed properly, will be a great signal-caller in this league.
Pick 25: Houston Texans select WR Luther Burden III – Missouri
Houston looks to grab someone to pair with pro bowl WR Nico Collins. Burden is that guy. His excellent route running, and ball instincts make him a top receiver in this draft. He even could go later within the draft, but if I’m Houston, this is the guy I grab at 25, him or Egbuka.
Pick 26: Los Angeles Rams select OT Josh Simmons – Ohio State
LA absolutely paid QB Matthew Stafford in the offseason. Not that Stafford has been the most mobile guy in his career, but as he gets older it’s quite beneficial to have some more protection. The Rams get that by selecting Simmons at Pick 26!
TRADE!!! Pick 27 via BAL: Los Angeles Chargers select WR Emeka Egbuka – Ohio State
The Chargers finally get a receiver. With WR Quentin Johnston not living up to the expectations, LA looks to grab someone more proven, and Egbuka is that guy. Ohio State receivers usually end up being good, the equivalent of Kentucky guards in the world of basketball.
Pick 28: Detroit Lions select DL Kenneth Grant – Michigan
Detroit grabs another Michigan D-linemen. If it isn’t broke, then don’t fix it. His size makes him a hassle for even the best offensive linemen.
Pick 29: Washington Commanders select S Malaki Starks – Georgia
Washington gets an absolute stud in Malaki Starks. Now, I definitely see him going earlier, but due to the way this mock fell, the Commanders luck out. A very weak safety group gets an excellent talent.
Pick 30: Buffalo Bills select DL Walter Nolen – Ole Miss
With Buffalo finally moving on from DL Von Miller, they replace him by grabbing Walter Nolen. Nolen, an explosive rusher at the defensive tackle position. Scouts aren’t doubting Nolen’s talent or heart, but he is seen as a boom or bust prospect. I’m leaning towards boom however.
Pick 31: Kansas City Chiefs select OL Grey Label – North Dakota State
Mahomes was running for his life during Super Bowl LIX. With KC dealing OG Joe Thuney to Chicago, they look to replace him by selecting Label from NDSU.
Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles select DB Nick Emmanwori – South Carolina
In the offseason, the Eagles dealt C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston in exchange for minimal draft capital. A head scratching move, but the Super Bowl Champs replace him with an excellent prospect in Emmanwori.
Published April 23rd, 2025