This is part two of my first Mock Draft for the 2025 NFL Draft. This pick is a continuation if the draft were to happen today. Now keep in mind there are no trades whatsoever in this mock as it is way too early to determine a trade in the Mock Draft. The best time to start doing trades in Mock Drafts is two weeks away from the Draft. Alright so let’s get into business where the Cincinnati Bengals are now on the clock with the 17th pick in the draft.
Have the Bengals ever had consistent safety play since Jesse Bates departed the team a few years ago? The entire Bengals defense excluding Trey Hendrickson was a mess last year, but their secondary needs to improve. Malakai Starks would make the most sense here with his solid coverage and tackling skills.
Previous Mock: TE Tyler Warren
Not changing this pick as this would make the most sense for Seattle. Last year Seattle used a first-round pick on Byron Murphy who went to Texas. Why not draft his partner on the field in Alfred Collins as well. Both have great chemistry with each other and they would do really well playing with each other. It would help both players in the NFL as Byron Murphy was lackluster in his rookie season.
Previous Mock: DT Alfred Collins
No change here, the Buccaneers desperately need a linebacker to help with how lackluster the defense was in coverage. Especially in the middle of the field, that needs to be addressed as soon as possible in the draft. Plus, Lavonte David is 35 years old and he could be regressing soon. This pick would address a need and focus on the future of the team as well.
Previous Mock: LB Jalon Walker
Bo Nix was really solid last season, but he needs another consistently great receiver not named Cortland Sutton to throw too. From the WR available to pick, Luther Burden makes the most sense. He has the speed, athleticism, and awareness to have a big impact on the Bronco’s offense which looked lackluster in the playoffs.
Previous Mock: WR Luther Burden
No matter who the QB is for the Steelers whether it’s Mason Rudolph, Aaron Rodgers, or anyone else, they can’t succeed without good offensive line play. They really could use a guy who has the versatility to play both Guard and Tackle. Armand Membou would fit well. He has the nasty mentality you want in a blocker and can benefit the pass-and-run blocking.
Previous Mock: DT Shemur Turner
With Jim Harbaugh as the coach and his ties to the University of Michigan, he is going to have his pick of the best Wolverine on the board. Colston Loveland would make the most sense as the Chargers haven’t had a great tight end since Antonio Gates retired. Herbert could use another target to throw the ball to and with his connection to Harbaugh, Loveland would fit like a glove as a Charger.
Previous Mock: TE Colston Loveland
Green Bay needs to find a replacement for Jaire Alexander who might be parting ways with the Packers soon. Plus with his durability issues and the departure of Eric Stokes, the Packers could use some secondary. Out of the cornerback group, Trey Amos is very underrated for a guy his size, and as athletic as he is, he can become a shutdown cornerback in this league.
Previous Mock: WR Isaiah Bond
The Vikings are a very interesting team, but this pick needs to focus on the secondary. One player that fits the bill is Jahdae Barron. Barron has strong instincts, is very fluid, and is physical with the way he tackles. This pick would also be a schematic fit for Barron as he would be perfect in Brian Flores’s defensive system and an eventual replacement for Harrison Smith.
Previous Mock: S/LB Nick Emmanwori
The Texans need a tackle and now. Especially with the trade of Laremy Tunsil, CJ Stroud is going to get destroyed if he doesn’t get a consistent blindside blocker. While Jones is not the next best o-lineman on the board, he is the next best tackle on the board. He isn’t getting the hype like his teammate Will Campbell is, but Jones is still a very good blocker. Texans can use those after the transactions they made in free agency.
Previous Mock: OT Emery Jones
Yes, the Rams got Davante Adams and Puka Nacua at wide receiver, but thinking about it, they don’t have a ton of receiver depth. The next best option besides those two is Tutu Atwell who was mainly mediocre last season. With extending Stafford the Rams need to give him another target to throw to and Emeka Egbuka is the next option on the board. Imagine how scary that trio of receivers would be.
Previous Mock: WR Emeka Egbuka
Ravens have two notable problems after that disappointing playoff performance against the Bills. The first is coaching as John Harbaugh did not do well at all managing that game. The second is the lack of consistent and depth pass-rushing options. That needs to change in this draft and while Mike Green would make sense, his off-the-field issues resulted in him not even making the first round in this mock. Luckily Mykel Williams is on the board and after a fall at this point, he would be too good to pass on.
Previous Mock: DE/EDGE Mike Green
Detroit was derailed by injuries during the playoffs. The Lions’ defense never truly recovered when Aidan Hutchinson went down with that brutal injury midseason. They need to clean up the pass rush and get some depth there. Shemar Stewart has been rising on draft boards, especially with a strong Combine performance. He is still a little raw and can be inconsistent at times, but the potential is there for Stewart.
Previous Mock: DE/EDGE Jack Sawyer
Booker did not have a good combine and he has been dropping a ton of scouts and analysts draft boards. The Commanders though, really could use a guard. Especially as Sam Cosmi tore his ACL in the playoffs and might not play next season depending on how his recovery goes. The potential is there and protecting Jayden Daniels is never a bad idea when using a first-round pick.
Previous Mock: CB Benjamin Morrison
Kaiir Elam was a complete flop as a first-round pick years ago. Plus the Bills lost Rasul Douglas via free agency. The Bills need some depth at cornerback and from the bunch Benjamin Morrison would be a great fit on that defense. He would be a great fit in both Zone and Press coverage on the Bills defense.
Previous Mock: CB Trey Amos
The Chiefs got exposed in this year’s Superbowl with horrendous offensive line play. It killed them in Super Bowl LV against the Buccaneers and lightning struck twice in Super Bowl LIX. That should be a wake-up call for the Chiefs to improve the offensive line and there is one player who is rising the draft pool. His name is Grey Zabel from North Dakota St and he can be plugged at guard or tackle, which will benefit the Chiefs.
Previous Mock: OT Earnest Greene
The Eagles don’t have a ton of needs and can use this pick to get depth anywhere. Something interesting that was reported is that the Eagles were putting Dallas Goedert on the trading block. The Eagles might be preparing to move on from him and they might need a replacement. One name that is a very underrated prospect in the tight-end room is Elijah Arroyo from Miami. While he is a little raw and has durability concerns, with a year or two of development he could be a very dangerous weapon. Heck, he is even getting pro comparisons to former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
Previous Mock: LB Jihad Campbell
These are my picks for 17-32 in my first Mock Draft. Do you agree with the second half of my Mock Draft? What do you disagree with? Let me know in the comment section and don’t forget to check out the rest of Stadium Rant’s NFL content.
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