After I finish up “The Beast,” my attention shifts to a complete seven-round mock draft. It’s a time-exhaustive task, but I also see it as a helpful thought exercise to focus on team needs, draft trends and fits for all 32 organizations.
Scroll to the bottom for team-by-team draft hauls to better see how each team did in this scenario.
(Editor’s note: An asterisk designates a compensatory draft pick.)
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1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
It became clear at the combine that Ward would be the No. 1 pick. The only question: Would the Titans trade out or stick and pick themselves? Over the last month, it’s become apparent that Tennessee plans to stay in the top spot and hand Ward the keys to its franchise.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/cam_ward-quarterback-oHdiwL239lLeDOQ8
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
The Browns are desperate to get the quarterback position right, although I don’t expect them to force the pick. With the best player in the draft still available, it makes sense that the choice here would be Hunter, who could provide a spark on offense (and defense).https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/travis_hunter-cornerback-8gLQH3y3aik6xdy0
3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
Like Cleveland, the Giants are looking for the “right” quarterback — but with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston on the roster, they also don’t need to force anything. Pass rusher might not be a screaming need, but you draft players not positions in the top three, and Carter is a true impact player.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/abdul_carter-edge-QT9kuzF0nq8EcXxT
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Should the Patriots consider Ashton Jeanty? Of course — he is arguably the best player available here. But Campbell also would be in the best available conversation at this point, plus he plays a position that’s a major need for New England. The Pats nab the best offensive lineman in the draft.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/will_campbell-offensive_tackle-719qp9Pw4Aw5l7Wz
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
If the Jaguars had a chance at a high-level corner here, that is the direction they should go. But this draft is light at the top and Jeanty is the best player available. He would give the Jacksonville offense an immediate upgrade.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/ashton_jeanty-running_back-rEw4u2PC213tn0LR
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Newly hired general manager John Spytek prioritizes pass rush over everything else on defense. Graham doesn’t have ideal length and isn’t on the same level as a Quinnen Williams-type prospect, but he deconstructs blocks consistently and becomes a problem for offenses. Spytek and his boss, Tom Brady, being Michigan alums doesn’t hurt, either.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/mason_graham-defensive_tackle-E7uBKech1mK6qkvR
7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
With tight end arguably the top need on the Jets’ roster, Tyler Warren makes sense here. But investing premium resources at a position that has plagued this franchise for a long time is not a bad idea. Olu Fashanu and Membou as bookend tackles? Justin Fields wouldn’t hate that.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/armand_membou-offensive_tackle-8sPrhAFGqm8vc9Nj
8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, edge/LB, Georgia
A hybrid player, Walker is at his best as a joker edge who can be flexed around the front seven and give a blocking scheme fits. There is certainly risk involved with his projection, but it isn’t hard to see why so many teams have Walker — who discovered his love for football about a half-hour north of Charlotte, N.C. — ranked so highly.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/jalon_walker-edge-BBucAZ1ubAuYuFam
9. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Is this a quarterback landing spot? And if so, which one? New Orleans hasn’t drafted a first-round quarterback in 53 years (Archie Manning in 1971), but anything is possible with the recent Derek Carr injury news. However, I’m not sold that the Saints love their options here, so in this scenario they opt to upgrade the receiver depth chart.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/tetairoa_mcmillan-wide_receiver-6Gsv1seUH7Ev19sd
10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
This is a pairing that grew on me the more and more I considered it. Ben Johnson runs a decent amount of “12” personnel, which would get both Warren and Cole Kmet on the field (Kmet also has no guaranteed money left on his deal after this season). Warren can be for Chicago what Sam LaPorta was to Detroit the last two seasons.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/tyler_warren-tight_end-wHPInk7yUqxrecf3
11. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M
I certainly understand the reservations with Stewart and his lack of sack production in college — he isn’t a slam-dunk prospect. But he created plenty of noise when the Aggies allowed him to pin back his ears and attack the quarterback (he led A&M in pressures in 2024). His dominant Senior Bowl flashes and elite explosion numbers at the combine could be enough to convince a pass rush-starved team such as the 49ers to bet on his tools.12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
The Cowboys could go in a few directions at No. 12: cornerback, defensive line, even Jeanty if he falls. But adding another pass catcher would help put points on the board, and Golden’s ability to play inside-outside and create throwing windows would make him a natural complement to CeeDee Lamb.13. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Dolphins have more questions than answers at several positions, including safety. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds with 4.3-second speed, Emmanwori is a physical freak. His teammates also praise his football IQ and reaction skills. A talent like that in Anthony Weaver’s scheme would be fun.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/nick_emmanwori-safety-7rzUq5H1CGQKsQpe
14. Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
I’m sure there is Loveland-to-Indy fatigue because it is a frequent pairing in mock drafts, but I’m not switching things up for the sake of variety. With his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Loveland is one of the best weapons this draft class has to offer and would upgrade the Colts’ offense immediately.15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, edge, Marshall
The FBS leader in sacks last season, Green uses linear burst and athletic twitch to be a disruptive one-on-one pass rusher. Despite average size measurements, he sets a violent edge in the run game and his motor pops on every tape (led all FBS defensive linemen in tackles in 2024).16. Arizona Cardinals: Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia
When you grade to the flashes, Williams is as impressive as any other defensive player in the class. Still just 20, he was hampered by a nagging ankle injury in 2024 but still looked like an All-SEC player on multiple tapes.17. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Bengals have several needs on defense. Above all, though, they need an impact guy — and Harmon fits the bill. No other interior defensive lineman was more disruptive in the FBS last season, against both run and pass. It’s hard to go wrong drafting guys who hate to be blocked, and that sums up Harmon.18. Seattle Seahawks: Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State
After not doing much to address the offensive line in free agency, the Seahawks will be hunting for interior offensive linemen in the first few rounds. A college left tackle, Zabel is an above-average athlete for 312 pounds and has crushed every step of the draft process. He’s secured a spot in the top 32.19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Lavonte David is back at age 35 for a reason — he is still playing at a high level. But this would also be a great opportunity for the veteran to help Campbell get introduced to NFL life. The Buccaneers are going to have a defense-heavy draft, especially in the early rounds.20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
The Broncos were a year ahead of schedule last season and have a chance to push for the AFC West this season, especially if they can add a productive weapon such as Hampton. With his blend of patience, power and speed, the former Tar Heels back would help elevate Sean Payton’s offense.21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If Sanders indeed falls out of the top three, we’d then go on “Shedeur watch” to see where he lands. Presumably, the Steelers will have a serviceable short-term option, and Sanders would provide them more of a long-term answer.22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Chargers lost Poona Ford in free agency and need to make upgrades on the interior of their defensive line. Grant, who is obviously familiar with the Chargers’ scheme and coaching under Jim Harbaugh, offers the size of a nose tackle with the movement skills of a gap penetrator.23. Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnson go as high as No. 11 to the 49ers, but he might still be on the board in the 20s. He declined to run the 40-yard dash at his pro day and the medicals will be a factor for several teams, but the tape shows a really good football player.https://nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/player/will_johnson-cornerback-WlxVcXZQ8xTJH7rS