This is it. This is the final stretch until the 2025 NFL Draft. I don't know about you, but I've never been a fan of mock drafts that don't include trades. The draft is always littered with big moves by aggressive teams looking to take that next step and risk it all to be the next big thing in the NFL. 

Well, I can assure you all that you will see trades in this mock draft and teams taking big swings on playmakers. Okay, that's enough preamble; let's get to the good stuff!

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The Titans take a swing on a talented but raw quarterback prospect with elite arm talent and playmaking ability. Ward gives the Titans hope for the future and is a passer tied directly to head coach Brian Callahan. I wouldn't bank on a big year from Ward or the Titans in 2025, but he's got the type of play-extending ability that coaches and GMs love. 

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

After all the speculation of where he might fall or which team his father (Deion Sanders) approves of, Sanders goes to the Browns and gives Kevin Stefanski the accuracy at the quarterback position that he covets. There wouldn't be much of a running game for Sanders to rely on just yet, but he'd have some capable receiving threats in Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Cedric Tillman. 

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter WR/CB, Colorado

With none of the top quarterbacks left to choose from, the Giants get the consolation prize of the draft in Hunter. It remains to be seen if he'll be a receiver, corner, or a bit of both. Whichever the Giants choose, Hunter will have an immediate impact with Malik Nabers and whoever is under center - and what better way to support a new quarterback than to give him two elite talents as pass-catchers? 

4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

This is sort of a dream scenario for the Patriots. They get arguably the best prospect in the draft without having to move up a single spot. Mike Vrabel gets a blue-chip pass-rusher to play opposite Harold Landry III in his revamped defense. While I'm sure there are many of you screaming into the void that the team needs offensive line help or even a trade-back to pick a receiver and get more draft capital, I doubt the team will pass up the opportunity to add Carter to their defense. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

The Jaguars need a lot of help in the interior defensive line, and Graham fits that need perfectly. Graha teaming up with the edge rushers in Jacksonville would give the Jaguars a scary defensive front for years to come. 

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Pete Carroll loves to run the ball. Chip Kelly loves to run the ball. Ashton Jeanty is very good at running the ball. The best way for the Raiders to try to win in the AFC West is by controlling the clock and keeping the ball out of their opponent's hands. Jeanty would be an immediate workhorse in this offense and a Top-8 fantasy running back in 2025.

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

The Jets would love this scenario. They get their pick of the top offensive linemen and Tyler Warren. In this case, I went with Membou to plug in at right tackle. Membou is a pro-ready prospect with quick feet, strong hands, and three years of starting experience on the right side of the line. 

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

I went back and forth between giving Bryce Young a top pass-catcher or improving this defense with a star pass-rusher. If I'm in charge, I'd probably take Tetairoa McMillan to pair with Bryce Young for the foreseeable future. But these drafts never go the way I want. The Panthers would love to have Walker wreaking havoc in Ejiro Evero's 3-4 defensive scheme. 

9. New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

I think Will Campbell's ceiling is much higher than pick nine. He fell to the Saints mostly due to preference and circumstance, not talent. Campbell can play offensive tackle at the next level, but he'd also be an all-pro guard. New head coach Kellen Moore understands the importance of a strong offensive line after coaching in Dallas and Philadelphia during some of their best years in the trenches. 

10. Indianapolis Colts*: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

CHI Receives: Picks 14 and 80 / IND Receives: Pick 10

We have a trade! Yes, I told you this mock draft would have trades, and here we go! Chris Ballard and the Colts tend to be aggressive on draft day, and this might be his last if the team doesn't make massive improvements. The best way to set Anthony Richardson up for success is to give him a big, fast, and reliable target who can line up anywhere on the field. Just imagine this goalline offense with Richardson, Warren, and Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. 

11. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

This pick screams 49ers! John Lynch and the Niners front office love to take chances on athletic freaks. Stewart fits that bill perfectly. Despite only recording 4.5 sacks over three seasons at Texas A&M, Stewart's athletic profile is off the charts and could give the Niners front seven the boost it needs if he can be coached up to his full potential. 

12. Dallas Cowboys: Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

The Cowboys have holes all over their team, but the most notable ones are on the offensive line, where they must address multiple starting spots. Banks has the versatility, skills, and experience to play at any tackle or guard spot on day one for Dallas. 

13. Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

As a Dolphins fan, I am tired of seeing this team pass on offensive linemen, but history has shown us that GM Chris Grier values the corner and edge rusher positions very highly. Johnson has floated all over the big board rankings, but he's stayed steady as a Top-15 prospect. With the Dolphins' glaring holes in the secondary, it would be hard to imagine the team not pairing Johnson with Jalen Ramsey. 

14. Chicago Bears*: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Remember that trade from before? This is where the Bears get to pick, and guess what? This is the player I was going to have them select at their previous pick anyway. Mykel Williams is a traits-y player that Ryan Poles covets. He will get to be in a rotation on the defensive line in his first year as he develops his full arsenal of pass-rush moves. The Bears don't have many glaring needs, so they can choose to develop a player like Williams.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

The Falcons have had a need at EDGE for what feels like ten years. They finally address their pass-rush woes with the FBS sack leader in Green. He'd be an immediate plug-and-play guy who can stand up as a 3-4 outside linebacker and learn from veteran Leonard Floyd.

16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

One of the freakiest athletes in the draft, Grant was somehow overshadowed by his blue-chip teammate, Mason Graham, but that doesn't mean Grant isn't an absolute disruptive force on the interior of the defensive line. At 331 pounds, Grant is an absolute load for centers and guards to handle. The Cardinals defense has needed a presence like this for years, and now Grant can learn from veteran Dalvin Tomlinson, who just turned 31.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

The Bengals have always loved long, rangy athletes at the edge rusher spot. Pearce fits that bill for the Bengals and would give the defense some much-needed pass rush if they lose Trey Hendrickson. 

18. Green Bay Packers*: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

SEA Receives: Picks 23 and 87 / GB Receives: Pick 18 and 157

Another trade, and this time it's a big one! The Packers and Brian Gutekunst tend to be aggressive on draft day, and they seize their opportunity to move up and get the top receiver in the draft to pair with Jordan Love. As great as Jayden Reed has been, the rest of the receiving corps in Green Bay has left a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, Christian Watson is dealing with yet another injury, and Dontayvion Wicks didn't take the step forward that many were hoping for. McMillan would give the Packers a true WR1 and big target that can win the 50/50 balls that Love so often puts up for his pass catchers.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Jahdae Barron is one of my favorite prospects in the draft because he's simply good at everything. He can play inside at the nickel or outside on the boundary. Heck, you can even line him up at safety and let him roam the secondary. Barron is a strong tackler and a turnover machine that would be a welcomed addition to Tampa's struggling secondary. 

20. Denver Broncos: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Sean Payton loves speed, he loves traits, and he really loves versatility. Emmanwori has that in spades. Emmanwori has been a draft riser after lighting up the combine, but his numbers and tape speak for themselves - he's a first-round talent. The Broncos would have a running mate for Talanoa Hufanga that would make this pairing one of the scariest in the entire league. 

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

Tyler Booker disappointed a lot of people with his athletic profile. But for a team like Pittsburgh, who value production and scheme-fit over athletic traits, Booker is a slam dunk pick. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

I think this might be mock draft number 1,000,000,000,000 with Loveland going to the Chargers, but it just makes too much sense. Justin Herbert needs athletic pass catchers that he can rely on. Loveland was recruited by and played for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, so the familiarity with his skill set is already there. Loveland and Ladd McConkey would be a fun duo over the middle of the field that would drive defenses insane. 

23. Seattle Seahawks*: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

The Seahawks traded back like they almost always do, and they selected a player that most people won't know... like they almost always do. But just because the average fan won't know who Zabel is doesn't make him a bad pick. Zabel had a phenomenal week at the Reese's Senior Bowl, winning nearly every one-on-one matchup while moving all over the line to show his versatility. He'd shore up the middle of the offensive front for Klint Kubiak's run offense and give Sam Darnold extra time to make throws to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and newly-signed Cooper Kupp.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

I wanted Campbell to come off the board sooner but couldn't pull the trigger until now. The thought of Brian Flores getting to move a defensive Swiss army knife like Campbell all over the defensive front is just too tantalizing to pass up on. 

25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

I really thought about offensive line help here, but there's too much value on the board wide receiver. Plus, the college teammate narrative with C.J. Stroud is too perfect to deny at this pick. Egbuka has primarily played slot at the college level, but he has the ability to play anywhere on the field. With Stefon Diggs no longer on the team and Tank Dell recovering from yet another injury, Egbuka would fit into a nice role with Nico Collins and Christian Kirk.  

26. Los Angeles Rams: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State

The Rams desperately need help in the interior offensive line if they want to keep Matthew Stafford upright and give Kyren Williams more open running lanes. I thought about getting cute with this pick and taking a wide receiver to join Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but that just seemed like an embarrassment of riches at that point. 

27. Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Pass-rushers are to the Ravens as what pizza is to me. We simply can't have enough. When Baltimore sees a player who was second in the FBS in sacks, they'll be hard-pressed to pass on him. Guard was another potential spot to pick from, but after the previous pick, the value wasn't there. 

28. Detroit Lions: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

Once Aidan Hutchinson went down with an injury last season, all the dominoes started to fall for the Lions. The defensive front seven, specifically on the pass-rushing front, has become a liability for Detroit. Harmon is a very disruptive force on the interior defensive line that can win with quickness or strength.

29. Washington Commanders: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri

What's better than one Deebo Samuel Sr.? Two Deebo Samuel Sr.'s! The Commanders were one of the most surprising teams in the NFL last season, and this offseason, they appear to have gone all-in on competing during the rookie contract window for Jayden Daniels. If that's the case, he'll need as many weapons as possible. Burden is more than just a gadget player; his college offense at Missouri left him so limited on gameday that I don't believe we've seen everything he can do. Burden is a good ball tracker with strong hands and special movement skills. Defenses won't know who to cover, and Jayden Daniels and Co. will reap all the benefits. 

30. Buffalo Bills: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Yes, I know. The Bills drafted a receiver last year. Yes, I know. The Bills signed Joshua Palmer in free agency. Yes, I know. The Bills also extended Khalil Shakir. But the offense still lacks true firepower. This is a team that simply can't get over the hump in the big games. Why not give your MVP quarterback as many quality weapons as you can and finally give him the deep threat that he's been missing for years? Golden was essentially the entire offense for Texas down the stretch in the CFB Playoffs. He had massive performances in big games against big-time opponents and followed that up with a tremendous showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. The rich get richer. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Speaking of the rich getting richer, here come the Chiefs. The offensive line woes are starting to catch up to Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes II. Despite signing Jaylon Moore in free agency, the team is likely still looking for a long-term answer at the left tackle spot. Simmons, at one point, was considered to potentially be the best offensive lineman in this class, but injuries derailed his 2024 season and will likely have him sidelined for most of his rookie year. That's okay, though, because the season tends to be pretty long for the Chiefs. 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Stop me if you've heard this before. Howie Roseman gets to pick a Georgia prospect who fell in the draft without having to make a single trade-up. It wasn't too long ago that Starks was being mocked in the Top-15 picks of the draft. He'd be an instant day-one starter in a young defense that would add its sixth Georgia Bulldog in the last four years.