Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Don’t miss our latest 2025 mock draft release!
Sound off on social media and let us know what you think about our latest mock draft.
We’ll be unveiling more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2025 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.
*projected trade
Don’t miss our latest 2025 mock draft release!
David Dorey’s latest mock draft of 2025 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.
We’ll be unveiling more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2025 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.
The Huddle’s David Dorey releases his first NFL mock draft of 2025.
David Dorey’s first mock draft of 2025 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.
We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2025 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.
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The Bengals roll the dice on one of the draft’s fastest-rising names in a new mock.
It goes without saying that the Cincinnati Bengals need help getting to the quarterback position this offseason. Trey Hendrickson is a stud but can still stand to get some running mates on the other side.
In the latest mock draft from Pro Football Network, the Bengals get just that in the form of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. Green was one of the top pass rushers during the 2024 season, leading the nation with 17 sacks. Green recorded a sack in all but three games played last season and had five games with multiple sacks, including a three-sack game against Southern Miss.
Green then showed he can play with the big boys after posting a strong week in Mobile, Alabama at the Senior Bowl. He was so good that he only needed two days’ worth of work before deciding to end his week to avoid injury. Green showed top-10 potential in Mobile. The Bengals getting him at No. 17 could turn out to be excellent value.
Here is every one-on-one rep by Marshall EDGE Mike Green during Day 1 of the Senior Bowl: pic.twitter.com/JgeGCz8wr9
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 28, 2025
“The Bengals are looking for answers after a down season,” wrote Marco Enriquez. “As they navigate the contracts for their dynamic pass-catching duo, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they will need to find cap space elsewhere. One way to do that is investing in high-,value positions in the draft to lock in rookie contracts.
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“Mike Green brings high energy and an aggressive pass-rushing style. His bend and twitch at the position have allowed him to be highly productive during his college career. While his athleticism can cover some of his rawness, he is inexperienced as a redshirt sophomore and will need some time to learn on the job.
“If the Bengals are willing to be a little patient with his development, he may repay them as a game-changing defender for years to come.”
Green weighing in at about 250 pounds in Mobile was huge for his draft stock. To move the way he does at his size is going to be a huge asset and make him a few extra bucks. Green could be a huge addition for the Bengals.
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The Tennessee Titans currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. This pick will be incredibly valuable, not just for the player the Titans could land but more importantly, as draft capital to trade back.
This is exactly what we did as we ran our seven-round mock draft update through the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator.
We traded the Titans No. 1 overall pick along with the team’s 101st pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for the No. 6 overall pick, No. 37 overall pick and the Raiders first-round pick in 2026.
Here’s how the draft turned out for the Titans.
First round – EDGE Abdul Carter – Penn State
Second round – OT Aireontae Ersery – Minnesota
Second round – WR Jack Bech – TCU
Fourth round – QB Riley Leonard – Notre Dame
Fifth round – RB Trevor Etienne – Georgia
Fifth round – CB O’Donnell Fortune – South Carolina
Fifth round – DT Junior Tafuna
Getting Carter at pick No. 6 is a huge value. Carter is a truly elite prospect and our top player in this draft. Being able to land a potential starting quarterback in the fourth round in Riley Leonard is the biggest surprise pick but we never thought he’d still be available.
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This new mock draft passes on two excellent prospects for the Steelers.
First off, let me say the Pittsburgh Steelers do need a cornerback. So in that sense, the pick from NFL draft writer Kyle Crabbs at The 33rd Team does fit with one of the Steelers needs.
However, when you look over Crabbs’ new mock draft in full, you see where this pick, which must be a hit, could be much better.
Crabbs opted for Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron as the pick. And this pick definitely wouldn’t be awful, even if Barron’s size does make him something of a tweener between a boundary cornerback and a slot cornerback the way the Steelers like to play them.
But the fact that wide receivers Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka were both still on the board when the Steelers selected a cornerback might make the fanbase riot and rightfully so. For many teams, the top offseason needs are somewhat divided between a couple of positions. This is not the case for Pittsburgh. Wide receiver is far and away this team’s biggest roster need and even if the Steelers add a veteran in free agency, that won’t change.
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The Chargers add a disruptive interior defender and two pass-catching weapons.
Draft season is officially upon us, as the East-West Shrine Bowl and Reese’s Senior Bowl ushered the football world into February with a week of all-star showings. With intel beginning to circulate and players rising and falling based on their performance, things will only reach a fever pitch as the NFL Combine approaches at the end of this month.
Let’s take a moment to evaluate what the Chargers might do when the draft rolls around in April.
Round 1, Pick 22: Michigan DL Kenneth Grant
A different Wolverine – tight end Colston Loveland – has been the most popular pick for the Chargers in this spot, but the rising stock of Penn State’s Tyler Warren could pull Loveland above the 22nd spot. Grant attended the Shrine Bowl but only participated in interviews, where he told at least one media member that he’d love to reunite with head coach Jim Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, and defensive line coach Mike Elston in LA.
A disruptive pass rusher from 1-technique, Grant would add a much-needed pass rush presence from the interior. Poona Ford and Teair Tart are free agents this offseason, which could magnify the need for a presence on the inside.
Round 2, Pick 54: Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
Higgins was arguably the best receiver at this year’s Senior Bowl, as he showed a routine ability to run past defensive backs down the field and make tough catches. He finished the 2024 season with one of the lowest drop rates in the country as the Cyclones’ primary target.
The Chargers need a bona fide threat on the outside, with Ladd McConkey set in stone in the slot. Joshua Palmer is a free agent and Quentin Johnston has still not risen to the level LA thought he would when he was drafted 21st overall in 2023.
Round 3, Pick 87: LSU TE Mason Taylor
Another attendee of the Senior Bowl, Taylor looked smooth as a route runner in Mobile, consistently beating linebackers with quickness and defensive backs at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds. The son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, the LSU product also comes with an NFL pedigree.
While not an overly dynamic vertical route runner, Taylor fits nicely into a Greg Roman scheme that wants tight ends to find soft spots in zones underneath. A well-rounded player who will also be a solid blocker, Taylor could easily step in as a rookie starter despite his Day 2 landing spot.
In ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft, the 49ers have a clear agenda of what they want to improve.
In the latest 2025 NFL mock draft for ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers have a clear direction in which they want to head.
ESPN’s Matt Miller shared his latest two-round mock draft following the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl all-star events. It has the 49ers looking to the trenches for help.
In Miller’s two-round mock, the 49ers select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons at No. 11 overall and then North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel in the second round with pick No. 43.
San Francisco would have to weigh injury concerns with Simmons. The 6-foot-5, 310 pound offensive tackle had a season-ending knee surgery that ended his 2024 college football season.
Despite the injury, Simmons is currently ranked as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s No. 3 offensive tackle in this draft class.
Christian McCaffrey‘s injury issues were the headline for the 49ers’ offensive woes this season, yet their offensive line was a mess and will be a priority fix for general manager John Lynch. The 49ers made a great selection on guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 draft, but a plug-and-play right tackle who could eventually take over for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be the next step. – Miller, ESPN.
The 49ers bolstering their offensive tackle group with their first selection and perhaps finding Williams’ eventual successor at left tackle has been a common idea among draft analysts.
Doubling down up front hasn’t necessarily been as common, though. Miller came away impressed with what he saw from former NDSU offensive lineman Zabel at the Senior Bowl.
Zabel played left tackle for North Dakota State as he helped guide the Bison to an FCS national championship this past season. The 6-foot-6, 316 pound offensive lineman has played all over though throughout his collegiate career.
Zabel appeared in 62 games with NDSU during his college career and also made starts at left guard, right guard and right tackle.
During the Senior Bowl, Zabel got in a drive at center as well. The center position is where Miller sees Zabel slotting in for the 49ers.
The 49ers could address the offensive line again to try to further fix that problem unit. Zabel has played tackle, guard and center, but I think he fits best inside, where his toughness and awareness could make him a star. He turned heads during Senior Bowl practices. – Miller, ESPN.
Zabel’s positional versatility would certainly be a welcome sight for San Francisco.
Zabel was named the Senior Bowl Overall Practice Player of the Week in a poll by 32 NFL executives for his performances in Mobile, Ala.
Addressing its offensive line to create running lanes for star running back Christian McCaffrey and to help keep quarterback Brock Purdy clean is a draft avenue that most 49ers fans could support.
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Could the Browns not take a QB or a player like Abdul Carter?
Seems like the Cleveland Browns have some interesting choices with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
They can take a quarterback like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders if the Tennessee Titans grab one of them. They can get Abdul Carter to help their pass rush if they end up trading Myles Garrett or a even Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
In the latest NFL mock from our Christian D’Andrea, he had the Browns taking Sanders at No. 2. But in the latest CBS Sports mock draft, Ryan Wilson has the franchise taking Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham with the second pick.
What’s his take there?
My comp for Mason Graham over the summer was Christian Wilkins. My co-host on the “With the First Pick” podcast, Rick Spielman, took it a step further and said Quinnen Williams. Wherever you land, Graham is a special talent who headlines a deep defensive line class.
There you have it. Make sure to check out our latest NFL mock draft from D’Andrea!
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In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein went out on a limb with the Panthers’ first-round pick.
Tight ends usually don’t go too high on NFL draft boards. But this one, at least according to NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, may be very much worth it for the Carolina Panthers.
Zierlein just pushed out his first set of first-round projections this offseason, and has the Panthers nabbing Penn State standout Tyler Warren with the eighth overall pick.
He writes:
Bryce Young’s turnaround has given life to the Panthers, but he still needs more help. Warren can become the perfect safety blanket for the third-year quarterback.
The Panthers, throughout the entirety of the 2024 campaign, completed passes to four tight ends—three of which are set to hit free agency. That bunch includes Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas and Feleipe Franks—so the offense could be rather light at the spot after this spring.
Warren, who is viewed as the top prospect in a loaded tight end class, will enter the pros as a first-team All-American and a John Mackey Award winner. He finished up his final season at Penn State with a conference-leading 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns.
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