Like in many industries, artificial intelligence is becoming a key player in the NFL. Data-driven teams already use it to evaluate player traits and performance. At what point do scouts and GMs become expendable? Will teams eventually hand complete control of draft decisions over to the bots?
This 2025 NFL mock draft imagines what a completely AI-driven draft might look like. Some picks make a lot of sense — others seem like they were made without considering needs, value, or fit.
In this mock draft, the Titans shockingly pass on their franchise QB and instead, opt to draft a cornerstone tackle. It’s also a bit of a head-scratcher that they didn’t take Will Campbell here, but they got their guy.
The Browns give Myles Garrett some support in the trenches. They could still use another dynamic pass rusher but this tandem will strike plenty of fear into opponent QBs.
Just one year after selecting Malik Nabers sixth overall, the Giants make another large investment at the wide receiver position. Surprisingly, they went with Egbuka—viewed primarily as a slot receiver—over a more prototypical outside receiver such as Tetairoa McMillan.
The Patriots spend a top-five pick on a QB, just one year after selecting Drake Maye third overall. Most analysts were impressed with Maye’s rookie season, so it seems odd that the Patriots would already look elsewhere.
The Jaguars make a surprising selection in this mock draft with Johnson. He has the potential to be a great CB at the next level, but if a team is looking to the secondary, it is hard to pass on a rare talent such as Travis Hunter.
Pearce has massive potential and a rare burst that scouts will drool over, but with Abdul Carter still on the board, it’s hard to rationalize this pick. Not only is Carter the more productive player, but Pearce also has some character concerns.
While the Jets could go Cam Ward here, getting a QB without giving him the proper protection is a recipe for failure. Perhaps they believe that Justin Fields can finally live up to his potential.
The Panthers desperately need to give Bryce Young some weapons to throw to. Burden is a well-rounded receiver who can play any role they need him to play. It would have been interesting to see them take McMillan here, but Burden makes a lot of sense in this mock draft.
The Saints finished with the third-worst rushing yards against in 2024, so getting a stout run defender such as Nolen makes a lot of sense here. There are no trades in this mock draft, but optimally they would trade back to get more capital, before getting their guy.
The Bears are trying to give QB Caleb Williams and offensive-minded HC Ben Johnson as many playmakers as possible. Adding McMillan to D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen makes this receiver room terrifying.
Hunter is widely considered the most talented prospect this year. His ability to play both WR and CB at a high level is unprecedented. The 49ers are ecstatic that he fell to them in this mock draft and they feel like the perfect team to utilize his skill set on both sides of the ball.
This is a slam dunk pick—Carter should have gone within the top five but slid to 12 in this mock draft. The pairing of Carter and Micah Parsons will immediately be considered the best pass-rushing duo in the league.
The Dolphins lost Jevon Holland in free agency, and Starks’ dynamic playmaking ability fills that void perfectly. They had plenty of other, more pressing needs, but Starks has the potential to be a star at the next level.
The Colts already have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL so this pick feels like a luxury. The biggest weakness is the right guard spot and Membou could start there before ultimately moving to tackle.
The Falcons desperately need to inject some youth into their front seven and Williams helps. He isn’t a premier pass rusher—although he has the physical profile to become one—but he is excellent against the run.
Restrepo could evolve into an excellent slot receiver at the next level. Many mock drafts have him going in the third round, so taking him in the middle of the first is one of the biggest reaches in recent draft history.
Since Joe Burrow came into the league in 2020, the Bengals have given up the fourth most sacks of any team. His career will be cut short if they don’t find some long-term solutions on the offensive line, and the Bengals front office hopes that Simmons can provide that stability.
With Leonard Williams bouncing back from injury and Derick Hall breaking out, edge is not the biggest need for the Seahawks. There is no such thing as too much pass rush in today’s NFL so the pick still makes sense. Scourton will be a versatile and disruptive piece along that defensive front.
Barron is a versatile defender who can lock down receivers in the slot, on the outside, or even roam as a safety. Adding him to a secondary with Jamel Dean and Antoine Winfield Jr allows Todd Bowles to be creative in dialing up coverages and pressure.
The Broncos stop the fall of Cam Ward at pick number 20 in this mock draft. QB is very low on the list of needs—they had great success under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in 2024—but Ward’s talent is too good to pass up this late in the first round. Perhaps they will try to trade him or Nix later this offseason.
The Steelers must have been livid when the Broncos’ pick was announced—Ward would have been the dream scenario for the black and yellow. Instead, they opt to address another major need—tackle. Conley should be a reliable starter for years to come.
With the recent successes of tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers, teams aren’t shy about taking one early in this mock draft. Loveland is a premiere pass-catcher though Penn State’s Tyler Warren is widely considered the more complete tight-end prospect.
The Packers have a promising young linebacker core after taking Edgerrin Cooper in the second round of 2024, and Quay Walker in the first round the year prior. In this mock draft, they add Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell making them the most athletic trio in the league.
This pick makes sense as the Vikings have struggled to create interior pressure. Grant is a nose tackle with surprising quickness for his size. This addition also allows Harrison Phillips to play a role better suited to his size and skill set.
The Texans are in great shape at edge with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter so this is a luxury pick in this mock draft. While Sawyer lacks some elite athletic traits, he has an endless motor and a high floor.
The Rams have a pair of solid corners—Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon—but both are over 30. Amos’s upside may be limited because he lacks elite quickness or explosiveness, but he has a high floor and should quickly develop into a good number-two CB.
Zay Flowers seems like the real deal, and Rashod Bateman had his best year in 2024. Adding Golden to the mix gives Lamar Jackson a wealth of weapons, making an already potent offense even more so. Golden should be an excellent wide receiver two with the possibility of being used in the return game.
Edge rusher is a popular mock draft option for the Lions. After Aidan Hutchinson went down with his broken leg last season, the Lions struggled to get any pressure on the QB without blitzing. Tuimoloau will be an immediate contributor as a rotational pass rusher.
The Commanders lost Jeremy Chinn in free agency, so picking a safety in this mock draft makes some sense, even if it is not the most pressing need. Watts struggles as a tackler but is a ballhawk who accrued 13 interceptions over the past two seasons. Ball skills like that can’t be taught.
Ashton Jeanty is a surefire first-rounder this year, and Omarion Hampton could go in the first as well, but Judkins is a massive reach here. He is a physical north-and-south runner who likely needs a good offensive line to be productive.
Higgins is the perfect complement to Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice. He’s a big-bodied possession receiver who will step into the role DeAndre Hopkins had during the back half of the 2024 season.
The Eagles’ Super Bowl success stemmed from their run game, and with Mekhi Becton gone, Booker could be a day-one starter to keep that ground attack rolling.
While a handful of teams will be pleased with this mock draft, most will be left scratching their heads. At the very least, this 2025 NFL mock draft is an excellent reminder that AI has limitations and is best utilized as a tool to aid humans instead of replacing them.
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