We’re in mock draft season, with the 2025 NFL draft kicking off April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My final set of projections drops Wednesday. But did you know NFL teams do their own mocks as part of their preparation process, assigning staffers to rival teams in Round 1 to try to project what could happen at each slot? I decided to do the same.
For a second straight year, I asked 10 anonymous scouts from around the league to serve as the decision-maker for a team picking in the top 10. I’m letting them make the pick based on the roster needs of the team they were assigned and their own personal evaluation of the 2025 class.
A couple of rules:
- The scouts are unaffiliated with the teams they were assigned. In fact, none work for a franchise in the same division as the teams they were assigned, and in most cases, we gave them a team from the other conference. They were asked to make selections based on how they’d approach that pick and who was already off the board.
- Because the scouts are anonymous and did not collaborate on the exercise, we didn’t allow any trades.
Here are how things played out in the top 10, starting with an evaluator from the AFC East making the call for the Titans at No. 1 overall.
Jump to a team:
1. Tennessee Titans
Projected pick from an AFC East area scout: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Our designated scout for the Titans’ pick didn’t shake things up and make a non-quarterback selection. This mock draft starts chalky, as Ward is the clear favorite to be the No. 1 pick on April 24.
When asked why Ward was the choice — even over blue-chip prospects such as Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter — the scout said, “He’s the best QB in the class and is the best player at the most important position of need.”
Ward had a dominant 2024 season, leading the FBS with 39 touchdown passes, throwing for 4,313 yards and completing 67.2% of his passes. He moves well in the pocket and can dial up fastballs with his strong arm. Ward is the No. 14 prospect on my board, and he edges Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as the clear QB1. The Titans’ lack of significant quarterback moves in the free agency window indicates that Ward will be the No. 1 pick and the likely starter, with incumbent Will Levis moving to a backup role.
2. Cleveland Browns
Projected pick from an AFC South area scout: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Browns don’t have a franchise quarterback. Deshaun Watson is dealing with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 7 last season and reinjured this offseason. He was a big disappointment even before that, considering the massive guaranteed contract he was given in 2022. The Browns’ QB room currently includes 40-year-old Joe Flacco and twice-traded 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett.
But despite the lack of a long-term QB answer, the AFC South scout chose to bypass Shedeur Sanders or even Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart at No. 2, instead going with Hunter.
“Hunter is the cleanest playmaker in the draft. It was between him and Abdul [Carter],” the scout said. “With the shoulder and foot injury concerns with Carter, give me Travis.”
The scout doubled down when asked if QB was even a consideration at this spot: “Nope. Don’t reach for a quarterback when the guys that will be available at No. 33 are just as talented.”
Hunter won the Heisman Trophy last season thanks to his excellent play on both sides of the ball. He posted 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards and 15 receiving TDs on offense, and he had 10 pass breakups and four interceptions on defense. I love his agility, speed, toughness and sure-handedness, and I ranked him No. 2 overall on my final board.
Asked where he’d play Hunter in Cleveland, the scout loved the idea of using him on both sides of the ball, saying, “Give him the opportunity to do both [wide receiver and cornerback] with an emphasis on offense with the lack of a WR1 in Cleveland.”
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Hunter would immediately become a primary target in the passing game, as the Browns’ receiver room is pretty thin behind Jerry Jeudy. The need help there. The Browns are stronger at cornerback — with Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Greg Newsome II manning the three starting spots — but Hunter could make an impact in dime packages, especially in man coverage in the red zone.
3. New York Giants
Projected pick from an AFC North area scout: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The assigned scout for the Giants made the quickest pick of this exercise — and was extremely happy to pick Carter.
“Easy decision,” the scout said. “Sure, in a perfect world we’d wish this would align a little better with a more immediate and glaring need on the roster, but we’ll take the blue-chip talent and rest easier for it.
“The only other real consideration would be a trade down if the right opportunity presented itself on draft night, given how many pieces [away] this team is.”
Even after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants need a quarterback. But the scout felt pretty good about New York getting one with its second-round pick (No. 34 overall). Jaxson Dart, Louisville’s Tyler Shough and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe could all be available in that range. The Giants could also use offensive line reinforcements, ranking 26th in pass block win rate last season (56.2%). But Carter is No. 1 overall on my board, and this roster needs difference-makers.
Carter was a devastating force for Penn State last season, collecting 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 61 pressures and 23.5 tackles for loss. He has great burst and power. Adding his potential to an edge group that already features two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, youngster Kayvon Thibodeaux and free agent pickup Chauncey Golston would make the Giants’ pass rush one of the league’s finest. Burns could serve as the ace, with Carter as the closer as he develops in the NFL.
4. New England Patriots
Projected pick from an NFC South area scout: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
With the two blue-chip prospects — Hunter and Carter — off the board and the Patriots set at quarterback with Drake Maye, this was the pivot point of this exercise. There is no consensus top prospect for the Patriots, and I don’t have an offensive lineman ranked in the top five on my board. But sometimes it’s OK to draft for need, and the Patriots really need offensive line help after surrendering 52 sacks last season. They were also 31st in pass block win rate at 50.9%.
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Campbell, a three-year starter at left tackle, is battle-tested and technically savvy. He allowed only two sacks in 11 games last season despite seeing future NFL talent opposite him on a weekly basis. The biggest concern comes from his arm length; he measured at 32⅝ inches at the combine and 33 inches at LSU’s pro day. NFL teams generally prefer 34 inches for offensive tackles, and Campbell is well below that threshold. But the NFC South scout still thinks he can be Maye’s blindside protector.
“He’s a high-floor prospect. I trust his feet and hand use to succeed at tackle, but if the length ever becomes that problematic, we think he’s got All Pro potential as a guard,” the scout said.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected pick from an AFC North area scout: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham to the Jaguars has been a popular pick across mock drafts, and for good reason. New general manager James Gladstone was previously with the Rams and had influence over their back-to-back picks of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to start the 2024 draft. So it wasn’t surprising that our scout was ready to pounce on this pick.
“There’s no need to hem and haw. Jacksonville needs interior defensive line help,” the evaluator said.
Graham is seen as a top-five player in the class (fourth on my board) after a season in which he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures and 14 run stops as Michigan’s defensive anchor. I’ve called him my favorite trench player in the class to watch on tape, and he combines quickness, physical hands and a great motor. He’s a reliable player who would help a Jacksonville defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed per play (5.9) and last in pass defense (257.4 yards per game) last season.
“This is hitting a double versus swinging for a home run and reaching for a Shemar Stewart or Walter Nolen,” the scout said. “They did that with Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson in 2022, and we’re not doing that again.”
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Projected pick from an NFC West national scout: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Raiders traded a third-round selection to Seattle for quarterback Geno Smith in March, resolving the biggest need on the roster. Now they must build a better offense around Smith.
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“I seriously considered going wide receiver here because of the needs, but I can’t ignore the value of Jeanty,” the scout said. “He might be the best player in the class, and you know exactly what you’re getting with him.”
Jeanty was a magician last season, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 TDs. He shows contact balance and breakaway speed. But he’s also a capable receiver out of the backfield and would open up the Raiders’ passing game. The Raiders’ rushing attack was bad last year — dead last in yards per carry (3.6) and rushing yards per game (79.8). New coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly want to run the ball, and the Raiders need more than 32-year-old free agent pickup Raheem Mostert to accomplish that.
“This is Pete Carroll getting his Marshawn Lynch,” added the scout on Jeanty.
7. New York Jets
Projected pick from an AFC South area scout: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
There were several directions the Jets could have gone. It would be tempting to pick a pass catcher, either a receiver or one of the top two tight ends — Tyler Warren (Penn State) or Colston Loveland (Michigan). But I think our scout was smart to get the Jets’ offensive line help. Membou started 30 career games at right tackle for Missouri, allowing only one sack during the 2024 season. He’s 10th on my board.
“I love Membou. He’s my top offensive lineman, and they have a huge hole at right tackle,” the AFC South scout said. “Olu Fashanu and Membou is one hell of a bookend group in an offense that’s gonna want to run the ball down your throat.”
Even though the Jets spent a first-rounder on Fashanu last year, their 2024 veteran additions — Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith — have left and retired, respectively. Current right tackle Carter Warren, a fourth-round pick in 2023, projects more as a swing tackle. After allowing 40 sacks (15th) and averaging 91.8 rushing yards per game (31st), it’s easy to see the Jets’ new regime wanting to build around the offensive line.
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8. Carolina Panthers
Projected pick from an NFC East national scout: Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
“I’m not going to go against the grain when this was the worst defense in football last year and a game-wrecker like this is on the board,” the scout said.
Walker is absolutely a game-wrecker, with the versatility to play edge and off-ball linebacker. He filled the stat sheet in 2024, with 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 29 pressures and seven run stops. He was the difference in both wins over Texas, showcasing his three-down ability. I see speed and power on the tape.
The Panthers’ defense, meanwhile, was downright bad last season. They had only 32 sacks (tied for third worst in the league). They allowed the most yards per play (6.0), points per game (31.4) and passing touchdowns (35) in the league. Help is badly needed, and Walker would be an immediate boost.
Would Walker’s pick be the start of a very defense-heavy draft for the Panthers? Despite their clear issues, the scout wasn’t ready to devote all his picks to that side of the ball when asked.
“As bad as the defense was, I still considered a wide receiver here and would probably pick one in Round 2. We still have to build around Bryce Young.”
9. New Orleans Saints
Projected pick from an AFC West scout: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
Now this was interesting. Quarterback Derek Carr might miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The Saints have 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler on the roster, but he wasn’t drafted by new coach Kellen Moore. There are suddenly some questions about the Saints’ plan under center. Still, the scout decided to pass on Sanders and Dart, going with a high-upside defensive selection in Stewart.
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“I thought about quarterback here, but there’s no one in this draft that I love,” the scout said. “There isn’t that conviction to spend a top-10 pick on a guy when this roster has so many holes.
“Stewart has the highest upside of any defender in the class. Even with the Carr injury situation, we believe reaching for a quarterback would be a mistake given where they rank on our board.”
The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Stewart had a combine performance for the ages. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and leapt 40 inches in the vertical and 11-foot-1 in the broad jump. He has versatility, quickness and power to his game.
However, there is concern about Stewart’s lack of production. He had three consecutive seasons with only 1.5 sacks, part of the reason I have him 27th overall on my board. But his potential is sky-high thanks to his rare combination of explosiveness and strength at his size. The Saints need that type of juice in their pass rush. Veteran mainstay Cameron Jordan is 36 and in decline, and Bryan Bresee led New Orleans in sacks last season with only 7.5.
10. Chicago Bears
Projected pick from an NFC South area scout: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
We had to wait until the final pick, but we finally got a bit of a shocker in this mock draft. The Bears have frequently been projected to take a running back, tight end or offensive tackle in Round 1, but the NFC South scout went with Johnson despite having their choice of offensive skill players other than Hunter and Jeanty.
My personal list of Bears needs would also include defensive line, where top prospects such as Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon (Oregon) are available. But they don’t represent good value at No. 10, and since there are no trades in this mock, our designated scout went purely on value.
“I believe in using a top-10 pick on premium positions,” the scout said. “Quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher or cornerback. Johnson’s tape the last two years is of an elite cornerback.”
Johnson missed the second half of the 2024 season with a toe injury and was slowed in the predraft process by a hamstring issue, but he was the best cornerback in college football when healthy. Johnson had two interceptions early this season, running both back for touchdowns, and he has the eyes and instincts of a playmaker — which is why I compare him to Trevon Diggs as a pro prospect. The 6-foot-2 Johnson is my No. 7 overall prospect.
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Cornerback doesn’t rank as a top-three need in Chicago, which has secured outside corner Jaylon Johnson and slot corner Kyler Gordon to long-term extensions and still has Tyrique Stevenson under contract for two more years. But the value in picking Johnson is hard to argue, especially in an NFC North filled with talented receivers.
