It’s finally here – draft week. The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday night, and will run through Saturday afternoon. To begin the week, it’s time for our third and final NFL Mock Draft of the year. This one will feed into our final New England Patriots seven-round mock draft, which will be posted later this week.

Usually during the pre-draft process, we do at least one mock draft that explores a scenario where the Patriots trade up or down. This was supposed to be that mock but in putting it together there just wasn’t a clear trade-down partner that felt realistic enough to work with. The closest ideas were the Chicago Bears trading up for Ashton Jeanty, or the Carolina Panthers trading up for Tetairoa McMillan.

There’s a good chance that’s reflective of the Patriots’ current situation. As much as they may want to move back the option may simply not be there unless they’re willing to sell the pick for well under its value – something that would be a bad precedent to set for this new-look decision-making group.

Instead, it’s stick and pick at No. 4. Who’s the pick, and what happens after? Let’s take a look…

1. Titans: QB Cam Ward, Titans

Ward said Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks are top-4 receivers in the NFL? Yeah, this one can be written in Sharpie at this point.

2. Browns: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Browns GM Andrew Berry was highly complimentary of Hunter this week. If the Browns are really out on a quarterback it’s going to be between him and Abdul Carter, and more of the buzz seems to be around Hunter right now.

3. Giants: Abdul Carter, Penn State

The Giants going on a full quarterback tour suggests they’re not sold on Shedeur Sanders. If that’s the case, Carter is clear and away the best player left on the board.

4. Patriots: OT Will Campbell, LSU

During his pre-draft press conference last week, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talked about the important of taking a player at a premium position this high in the draft. He also talked about how, ideally, approaching the pick in terms of filling a need and taking the best player available syncs up.

At this point, there’s a strong argument to be made that Campbell is the best player left on the board at a premium position in left tackle – which is among the most important positions on the roster and happens to be the Patriots’ biggest need. Unable to move back, the Patriots add a player who has the upside to hold down the blindside for a decade or more in New England.

5. DT Mason Graham, Michigan

A new coach and front office means a new start for the Jaguars. For any team (that already has a QB), the build up should start from the line of scrimmage out. Graham is arguably the best trenches player currently on the board, especially with the Jags appearing to have answers at both tackle positions.

6. Bears (from Raiders): RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Raiders get:

–10th overall pick
–41st overall pick (2nd round)

Bears get:

–4th overall pick

There’s questions about taking a running back this high, but the Raiders can maximize Jeanty’s value without taking him – by trading the pick. The Bears are the team getting aggressive here, trying to add the best skill position in the draft (besides Travis Hunter as a wide receiver) to help Caleb Williams. In Chicago, Jeanty will be running behind an offensive line that’s added players like Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson this offseason.

The Bears are also able to take advantage of having an extra second-round pick (which goes back to the Bryce Young trade), giving them the flexibility to move up.

7. Jets: OT Armand Membou, Missouri

Much of the concern about Membou from a Patriots perspective is that they need a left tackle, and he’s only played right tackle. Meanwhile, the Jets’ biggest need is right tackle – Membou’s natural position.

8. Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Bryce Young got things going in the second half of last year, but now the kid needs some help. The Panthers add McMillan to a wide receiver room in serious need of a boost.

9. Colts (from Saints): TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Another team that needs to help their young quarterback, the Colts move up to get Anthony Richardson a very quarterback-friendly tight end in Warren. Even if Richardson doesn’t end up being the long-term answer at the position in Indy, Warren will be a great asset for the next quarterback the team brings in.

Saints get:

–14th overall pick
–80th overall pick (3rd round)

Colts get:

–9th overall pick
–248th overall pick (7th round)

10. Raiders (from Bears): WR Matthew Golden, Texas

The Raiders have never been shy of taking a speedy receiver higher than projected. Looking to add juice to their offense alongside Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers, Vegas gets Geno Smith a deep threat by taking Golden in the top 10.

See Pick 6 for trade details.

11. 49ers: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

Williams is a bit more on the developmental side as a player, but has significant upside. The 49ers have a history of getting the most out of players along the defensive front, and after losing multiple pass rushers this offseason hope to get Williams going quickly in 2025.

12. Cowboys: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Cornerback is a major question for the Cowboys. They lost their starting slot corner – Jourdan Lewis in free agency. Meanwhile Trevon Diggs was shut down late last season due to knee issues. Barron can play inside and outside, and that versatility would be a major asset for Dallas.

13. Dolphins: OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

That’s right, a third Texas Longhorn in a four pick span. There are some questions about whether Banks will be a tackle or guard at the next level, but the Dolphins have needs at both spots. Bottom line, he’s a much-needed upgrade to their offensive line – wherever he ends up playing.

14. Saints (from Colts): CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Will Johnson was expected to be in the mix to be a top five pick before an injury cost him most of the 2024 season. This represents a bit of a fall, but the cornerback-needy Saints don’t let him go any further.

See Pick 9 for trade details.

15. Falcons: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia

The Falcons have been chasing a pass rusher for a few years now. They also could use an upgrade at off-ball linebacker. Walker can do both things, and has spoken highly of the organization during the pre-draft process. Atlanta keeps him in-state with this pick.

16. Cardinals: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

The Cardinals added Josh Sweat in free agency to anchor their pass rush, but need players to will better take advantage of the gravity he creates in blocking schemes. Stewart was both a lead and complementary pass rusher at times for the Aggies.

17. Bengals: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Despite being a projected first-round pick, Grant is still somehow one of the more underrated players in this draft. At 6-foot-4, 331 pounds Grant has a skillset that will play on all three downs. The Bengals made a defensive coordinator change this offseason hiring Al Golden, and now Golden gets a player who can anchor the defensive front for the foreseeable future.

18. Seahawks: G Tyler Booker, Alabama

Booker’s rough Combine might scare some teams off, but the film says he’s the best true guard in this draft. The Seahawks’ biggest need at guard, and they don’t shy away from addressing it early.

19. Buccaneers: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

Lavonte David is back for Tampa, but at 35-year-old he’s not the player he once was nor a long-term solution. Looking to find the player to take the torch at an important position the Bucs grab Campbell, who brings a similar skillset.

20. Broncos: RB Omarion Hampton, UNC

Bo Nix’s passer rating was significantly higher when using play action last year. A good running back will help the play action game, but the Broncos lost Javonte Williams in free agency and haven’t brought in a replacement. Hampton is a powerful runner like Williams, and can be an asset in the passing game.

21. Steelers: QB QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

With Aaron Rodgers seemingly willing to play the waiting game, the Steelers should start looking elsewhere for a quarterback. With a high-powered receiving duo of D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens, the team is in position to maximize Sanders’ skillset right away. They could trade up to ensure they get him, but with no QB needy teams ahead or lurking right behind them, they can sit back and let him come to them.

22. Chargers: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Loveland is an explosive play threat as a receiver at the tight end position – something the Chargers don’t have on the roster right now. Jim Harbaugh reunited with one of his former Michigan Wolverines with this pick.

23. Browns (from Packers): QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Packers get:
–33rd overall pick (2nd round)
-67th overall pick (3rd round)
-2026 2nd round pick

Browns get
-23rd overall pick
-237th overall pick (7th round)

Milroe’s athletic and arm strength equates to significant potential, but he struggled to put everything together consistently during his college career. Still, his best complete season came in 2023 when his offensive coordinator was Tommy Rees – who was hired as the Browns’ OC this offseason. Nobody has gotten better play out of Milroe than Rees, and the Browns move back up into the first to get the two back working together again – paying the QB trade tax to do so.

24. Vikings: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Harrison Smith is 36 years old, so it’s time to start looking ahead at the position. With the top safety in the draft in Starks falling to them, the Vikings hope to get his replacement here.

25. Texans: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Nolen is one of the most explosive defensive tackles in a class full of unique athletes at the position. The Texans added Sheldon Rankins in free agency but could use more in the middle, and Nolen would be a great complement to the rushers the team has on the outside.

26. Rams: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State

The Rams re-signed Aleric Jackson at left tackle, but don’t have a long-term answer at right tackle with Rob Haverstein turning 33 and set to answer a contract year. Simmons, who played right tackle at San Diego State before transferring to Columbus and moving to the left side, would have a year to recover from his significant knee injury before he’s needed in LA

27. Ravens: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Harmon is another defensive tackle with a rare combination of athleticism and speed. With that versatility, he’d fit well in a Ravens defense that lost a few linemen this offseason.

28. Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Worst case scenario, Ezeiruaku becomes a lead pass rusher for the Lions if Aidan Hutchinson is slowed down due to his injury. Best case? The Lions bolster their pass rush even further with two lead guys coming off each edge.

29. Commanders, EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Pearce is a pure speed rusher, who was originally projected to be a top 15 pick in this draft. His game didn’t round out as well as expected in 2024, but for a Commanders team that added power up front this offseason but could use some speed, he’s a fit.

30. Bills: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Joey Bosa will help the Bills up front, but they need more in both the long and short term. Defensive tackle was considered here, but Buffalo looks for value with Green’s fall. He’ll rush opposite Bosa for now, with the idea that he can become a player the Bills can build their rush around down the road.

31. Chiefs: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

The Chiefs simply can’t leave the left tackle position unaddressed. Conerly has the upside to be a solid starter in the NFL, filling a major hole protecting Patrick Mahomes’ blindside.

32. Eagles: DL Darius Alexander, Toledo

Alexander is an athletic, multi-positional defensive lineman – much like Milton Williams, who the Eagles lost in free agency. GM Howie Roseman said earlier this offseason that he has an “unhealthy obsession” with drafting linemen, and while there’s a case to be made for a guard here, with their free agency losses on defense this is the pick.