Christian Williams' 2025 NFL Mock Draft 6.0

A slide for the quarterbacks. An influx of defensive tackles. Trades and board movement. With less than a month until the 2025 NFL Draft, Christian Williams predicts the top 32 picks.

With the majority of NFL free agency movement behind us, and a clearer picture of how NFL teams view this draft class, it’s time for my penultimate mock draft. Here’s how I see the top 32 picks shaking out later this month.

6015 | 219 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 25 | Prospect Grade: 79.29

Ward will be the top pick, even if it’s not to Tennessee. Here, the new regime attaches itself to the talented playmaker from Miami. While not a direct play style comparison, Ward’s ability to run an offense similar to head coach Brian Callahan’s former Cincinnati Bengals offense should make this a seamless fit. For a detailed scouting report, check this out.

6030 | 250 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 2 | Prospect Grade: 88.11

I think one of Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr will start for the Cleveland Browns in 2025, giving them flexibility to take the best player in the draft. Carter’s elite bend and ability to wreck a pocket opposite Myles Garrett would immediately create one of the league’s best pass rushes. If his foot injury checks out, the opportunity to have two elite edge rushers may be too enticing to pass on.

6003 | 188 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 3 | Prospect Grade: 87.87

The Giants have signed three quarterbacks in the last few weeks, indicating they may be comfortable passing on the position to win football games, something this regime desperately needs if it intends to remain employed. Hunter is the easiest choice, with a dynamic skill set at wideout to pair with Malik Nabers and a higher ceiling than Deonte Banks at cornerback.

6057 | 319 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 11 | Prospect Grade: 81.01

Rumors that NFL teams are comfortable with Campbell’s arm length are surfacing, and his pre-draft process appears more favorable if teams avoid scrutinizing that number. Campbell is a nasty, intelligent player who should slot in as the starting left tackle for New England as a rookie. If it doesn’t work out, Campbell’s agility and strength should allow him to succeed as a guard.

6034 | 296 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 5 | Prospect Grade: 85.51

Similar to Campbell, teams seem unconcerned about Graham’s measurements and are allowing his film to speak for itself. Some scouts are lower on Graham, but his powerful hands, relentless motor, and combination of gap control and pass-rush juice give him the upside to be a three-down defensive tackle —a valuable addition to a team desperately needing help in the trenches.

5084 | 211 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 1 | Prospect Grade: 88.61

The Raiders are a solid team on paper, but one glaring need sticks out like a sore thumb when you glance at their roster. Drafting a running back inside the top ten isn’t always the best move, but Jeanty’s status as a top-three player in the class and ability to be a top-ten back in the NFL as a rookie eases the pain of paying him near the top of the market. Jeanty gives new head coach Pete Carroll a new version of MarShawn Lynch to hand the rock to, and provides the team with new life in the running game.

5084 | 211 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 12 | Prospect Grade: 80.89

The Jets are a popular spot for a right tackle, and that’s a justifiable pick. However, the Jets lack weapons beyond Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and surrounding Justin Fields with capable players is a sound strategy. Warren is the most dynamic pass catcher in the class, and while this offense won’t be a carbon copy of Detroit’s, the importance of a strong tight end group shouldn’t be underestimated.

6036 | 332 LBS | Position: 4 | Big Board: 23 | Prospect Grade: 79.49

Trade details: San Francisco sends No. 11, No. 75, and a 2026 5th to Carolina for No. 8.

The 49ers have a budding tackle problem, with Colton McKivitz entering the final year of his deal and Trent Williams entering the final years of his career. With Brock Purdy’s contract on the horizon, opportunities to build the offensive line may be limited, but affordable options through the draft can help keep the quarterback upright. Membou would slot in as a guard this year before taking over one of the tackle spots next season.

6016 | 194 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 6 | Prospect Grade: 83.54

The Saints currently plan to trot out Kool-Aid McKinstry and Ugo Amadi next to Alontae Taylor in 2025, and that secondary isn’t good enough to compete. While they have a multitude of needs, the cycle appears to be coming full circle with Johnson, with many teams now viewing him as the clear No. 2 cornerback ahead of Jahdae Barron. Johnson hasn’t had a phenomenal pre-draft process, but the 2023 film suggests he remains an elite island corner who can lock down No. 1 wideouts.

6010 | 243 LBS | Position: 5 | Big Board: 26 | Prospect Grade: 79.05

Walker’s leadership and intangibles are generating buzz, and the film suggests a Micah Parsons-esque role at the NFL level isn’t absurd. With a few big, long edge rushers on the roster, Ryan Poles may opt to build the basketball team (edge rusher’s version) and get a speed rusher with alignment versatility.

5106 | 194 LBS | Position: 5 | Big Board: 33 | Prospect Grade: 78.32

The Panthers traded back hoping for Walker, and a pivot to Mike Green isn’t out of the question. Still, with some uncertainty in the cornerback class past the top three guys, Carolina’s attempt to retool the secondary with playmakers continues. Barron would be the immediate starting slot cornerback, with the ability to kick outside when Mike Jackson struggles.

6041 | 219 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 8 | Prospect Grade: 81.91

The Matthew Golden WR1 buzz remains strong, but many teams still consider McMillan to be the top wide receiver in the class. With CeeDee Lamb offering alignment versatility and a flurry of wide receivers who offer a generic skill set still on the roster, Dallas opts to acquire the big, jump-ball wideout with more fluidity and separating ability than he’s been given credit for.

6027 | 235 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 7 | Prospect Grade: 82.04

Trade details: Tampa Bay sends No. 19 & No. 84 to Miami for No. 13.

Campbell to the Buccaneers felt like a lock before he dominated the NFL Combine and pushed himself into top-ten conversations. It requires a trade-up, but they still secure the linebacker with elite athleticism, coverage skills, and the perfect makeup for the modern-day impact player at the position.

6056 | 248 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 45 | Prospect Grade: 77.42

Loveland’s pre-draft process has been quiet, mainly due to an injury sustained during the 2024 season. Still, he’s an elite athlete with difference-making receiving skills, and general manager Chris Ballard eats up those types. Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones starting in 2025, Loveland offers a chain-moving, safety-net skill set to help take the offense to another level.

6051 | 260 LBS | Position: 4 | Big Board: 27 | Prospect Grade: 79.05

The Falcons need to overhaul their defensive line, and a shift to more 4-3 concepts makes Williams a great fit to start that reinvigoration. The team had 31 sacks in 2024, ranking 31st in the NFL. Williams played through an injury in 2024, and teams believe his best football is ahead of him.

6050 | 267 LBS | Position: 11 | Big Board: 56 | Prospect Grade: 76.53

Similarly to Williams, the pick before, Stewart’s ceiling is still untapped. The Cardinals were able to get to the quarterback at a league-average rate last year, but they lack a No. 1 edge rusher with dominating potential. Stewart has a long way to go, but his athletic potential and flashes indicate he could be that guy.

6031 | 251 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 9 | Prospect Grade: 81.37

Green slipping to this spot would solely be for the off-field concerns with his two sexual assault allegations, but he’s talented enough that a team will take him early. On film, he’s a top-ten player with an unrelenting motor, outstanding bend and change of direction, and more power than anticipated for an edge rusher his size.

6040 | 320 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 18 | Prospect Grade: 79.90

Trade details: Cleveland sends No. 33, No. 104, & a 2026 6th to Seattle for No. 18.

Here, the Browns trade up for their future left tackle, settling for a quarterback room of Kirk Cousins/Derek Carr and Kenny Pickett (for now). Banks has issues as a run blocker, but he’s athletic enough to work through them, and his pass protection will give the Browns a fresh start in their passing attack. Browns fans may not like this plan of attack, but the offensive line is a massive problem after 2025 (and potentially in 2025, too).

6036 | 296 LBS | Position: 1 | Big Board: 4 | Prospect Grade: 87.72

Nolen’s off-field concerns are more about him being quiet than anything else, so he may not be available at No. 19. Still, the Dolphins have a flurry of edge rushers and virtually nothing on the interior. Nolen’s strength, power, and motor give him the potential to fit as a 3-technique, 5-technique, or 1-technique (when needed), offering the Dolphins a solution to their problem.

5116 | 221 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 20 | Prospect Grade: 79.87

After Javonte Williams departed for Dallas this offseason, the need at running back is too significant to ignore Hampton if he’s there at No. 20. You can find my full scouting report on Hampton and the other running backs here:

6035 | 331 LBS | Position: 7 | Big Board: 48 | Prospect Grade: 77.25

The Steelers have needs, but Aaron Rodgers will likely quarterback them in 2025, and the team traditionally strays from drafting for need. Defensive tackle is a tertiary need, but Cam Heyward is 35, and the opportunity to take a player with as much upside as Grant is the Steelers’ way. Grant will be best as a nose tackle in the NFL, and he and Keeanu Benton would be an impressive rotation in 2025.

6027 | 334 LBS | Position: 3 | Big Board: 15 | Prospect Grade: 80.48

Williams’s pre-draft process hasn’t been outstanding, and character concerns exist. Still, his film is among the best in the class at defensive tackle, and the Chargers desperately need a run-stuffing interior player, with upside as a pass-rusher. Williams was the driving force behind Ohio State’s dominant defensive line, and he should land in the first round later this month.

5112 | 183 LBS | Position: 11 | Big Board: 103 | Prospect Grade: 71.08

Like many others in this class, Hairston has severe off-field concerns, potentially pushing him out of the first round entirely. Still, the Packers need an outside cornerback to continue bolstering a promising secondary, and Hairston has the momentum coming out of the NFL Combine. His versatility to play in both man and zone, albeit with physicality concerns, pushes him ahead of other less versatile players, at least in the eyes of NFL evaluators.

6014 | 212 LBS | Position: 3 | Big Board: 74 | Prospect Grade: 74.24

Trade details: New Orleans sends No. 40, No. 112, & a 2026 5th to Minnesota for No. 24 & a 2026 7th.

Rumors that the Saints are interested in resetting their quarterback position have persisted this offseason. With Sanders falling to a more feasible trade-up spot, they send some capital to Minnesota to get their guy. Sanders is supremely accurate, and playing in a dome would greatly benefit him.

5110 | 191 LBS | Position: 3 | Big Board: 42 | Prospect Grade: 77.89

The Texans added Christian Kirk this offseason, but still need to bolster the wide receiver room. My comp for Golden is Stefon Diggs, giving them an easy transition out of the short-lived Diggs era, and a more dynamic weapon alongside Nico Collins.

6022 | 223 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 69 | Prospect Grade: 74.74

Dart lands with the Rams, a team formerly hellbent on never creating a succession plan at quarterback, who were on the brink of trading Matthew Stafford earlier this year. Dart has all the tools to become a quality starter in the NFL, and sitting behind Stafford in the McVay system couldn’t be more beneficial for his development.

6050 | 325 LBS | Position: 4 | Big Board: 39 | Prospect Grade: 77.97

Booker’s place in the first round seems locked, though his workout at the NFL Combine may drop him on a few boards. The Ravens take advantage, and their heavy power scheme is perfect for the talented guard from Alabama. With the team laser-focused on winning a Super Bowl, they add a win-now starting guard to help boost the already elite run game.

6024 | 248 LBS | Position: 3 | Big Board: 17 | Prospect Grade: 80.05

Ezeiruaku isn’t the first name that comes to mind when thinking of a Dan Campbell kneecap-biting edge rusher, but his toolbox is enough to excite the Lions. They desperately need to add to the edge rusher room, with Aidan Hutchinson as the only player with significant impact on the current roster.

6031 | 220 LBS | Position: 3 | Big Board: 32 | Prospect Grade: 78.41

The Commanders have a few safeties on the roster, but after losing Jeremy Chinn following his return to form, they need a difference maker on the backend. Emmanwori has elite upside, checking in as one of the best athletes the NFL Combine has seen. He hasn’t quite put it all together yet, but the Commanders and Dan Quinn can afford to develop him on the fly.

6044 | 313 LBS | Position: 5 | Big Board: 40 | Prospect Grade: 77.97

The Bills added juice to their defensive line this offseason, but they need to continue adding pass rushers to the group. Harmon is a penetrating player with alignment versatility and much room for growth. He’s explosive, and his closing speed is impressive. With Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, and Ed Oliver, Harmon would further bolster the defensive line as Buffalo attempts to win a Super Bowl.

6007 | 202 LBS | Position: 2 | Big Board: 14 | Prospect Grade: 80.60

Trade details: Tennessee sends No. 35 & No. 103 to Kansas City for No. 35.

The Titans have one of the worst receiver groups in the NFL, and new quarterback Cam Ward will need better options to succeed early on. Egbuka would immediately be no worse than their No. 2 wideout, with reliable hands and an excellent ability to make plays after the catch. Egbuka is a supercharged Xavier Restrepo out of the slot, giving Ward a familiar skill set with which to work.

6041 | 313 LBS | Position: 5 | Big Board: 44 | Prospect Grade: 77.44

The Eagles can go in a ton of directions, and many expect them to add to the defensive line. But with Lane Johnson nearing the end of his career and some uneven options behind him and Jordan Mailata, adding Conerly now makes sense. Conerly is a work in progress, but he’s an elite athlete with long arms and a good technical base to work with. In Philadelphia, he could sit and learn behind two of the best in the league.