We are continuing with the next eight picks in the first round of our first 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Previously, the Tennessee Titans selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the number one overall pick while Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders fell to the New York Giants.
Let’s take a look at picks nine through 16 and determine which prospects will be going where.
📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 9. New Orleans Saints – EDGE, Shemar Stewart. Texas A&M
- 2 10. Chicago Bears – OL, Will Campbell. LSU
- 3 11. San Francisco 49ers – OL, Josh Simmons. Ohio State
- 4 12. TRADE: Denver Broncos – WR, Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona
- 5 13. Miami Dolphins – OL, Tyler Booker. Alabama
- 6 14. Indianapolis Colts – OL, Josh Conerly Jr. Oregon
- 7 15. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE, Mykel Williams. Georgia
- 8 16. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Tennessee
9. New Orleans Saints – EDGE, Shemar Stewart. Texas A&M
The Saints will be getting back numerous key pieces on offense, so I could see them going defense with their first pick. While they have producers at both right end and left end, Chase Young might not be there once free agency starts. On top of that, Cameron Jordan will be turning 36 this summer, so New Orleans needs to find his successor this off-season.
There are a few reasons why Shemar Stewart is my choice here. First, he can learn from an all-time great in Cameron Jordan, who can help Stewart develop a much-needed pass-rush move set. It will also be good for Stweart to play on the opposite side of Cameron Jordan because it will give him many one-on-one blocking situations.
Another reason why I like Stweart here is because of the scheme fit. It sounds like Saints head coach Kellen Moore is targeting former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to be the team’s defensive coordinator. Staley runs a base 3-4 defense, which is the same type of defense Shemar Stewart played at Texas A&M. He would be a great piece to add to a New Orleans defense that was in the bottom half of the league in sacks last season.
The career production might not be there, but make no mistake about it, Shemar Stewart is a ferocious defender and one of the best project prospects in this draft. If he can put it all together, he could end up being one of the steals of the draft. The guy oozes potential, and I think he will find his footing in the Big Easy.
10. Chicago Bears – OL, Will Campbell. LSU
The Bears may use free agency to address their offensive line needs. However, this version of my mock draft doesn’t take free agency or the scouting combine into consideration. Therefore, Chicago makes a no-brainer selection by drafting arguably the best offensive lineman prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
They were able to land their franchise quarterback in last year’s draft, but they almost got Caleb Williams killed. He was sacked 68 times last season, which is tied for the fourth-most sacks ever taken in a single season by a QB. Only Randall Cunningham in 1986 and David Carr in 2002 were sacked more. Clearly, offensive line is a huge need for the Bears.
I also have to consider the coach they just hired. While serving as the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, many of Ben Johnson’s play calls were made possible by the fact that Detroit had one of the top two offensive lines in the NFL. Johnson needs to find Chicago’s version of Penei Sewell, and he gets it with Will Campbell.
In three years at LSU, Campbell played in 37 games. He also has experience going against several NFL-level pass rushers (like 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner). At 6’6″ and weighing 320 lbs., Campbell will be a Week One starter for the Bears at left tackle. Just in case Chicago sticks with Braxton Jones at LT, Campbell can play guard.
11. San Francisco 49ers – OL, Josh Simmons. Ohio State
The Niners will probably have some need for a cornerback at this spot with two guys in their secondary on expiring contracts. Somebody to back up and play on the other side of Nick Bosa could also be helpful. But, I think San Francisco has an obligation to beef up the offensive line.
I have said for several years now that the most important member of the 49ers’ offense is not Christian McCaffery, Deebo Samuel, or Brock Purdy, it’s Trent Williams. Just look at the statistics. In the ten matchups he started last season, the 49ers were 5-5 and averaged 25 points per game. In the seven games he missed, San Fran went 1-6 while the offense averaged 19.9 points. Trent Williams is the heart and soul of the 49ers’ offense.
Unfortunately, Williams is turning 37 this summer, meaning he only has one or two more years left before he retires. By picking Josh Simmons, San Fran has a succession plan for when Williams is no longer on the team.
Simmons is the top-rated offensive line prospect in this draft, according to ESPN. Plus, he has experience playing both left tackle and right tackle, so he can still get some reps as a rookie while Trent Williams holds down the left side of the offensive line.
12. TRADE: Denver Broncos – WR, Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona
This pick originally belonged to the Dallas Cowboys, who are probably looking to draft a running back with Rico Dowdle expected to become a free agent this off-season. Since the best running back in the draft was already taken off the board, I think the Cowboys move back.
The Denver Broncos are an ideal trade partner. They’ll want to move up to this spot to take the second-best wide receiver in this draft: Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. They’ll want to get to him before the Miami Dolphins do since the ‘Phins might be forced to trade away Tyreek Hill, who said at the end of the season he won’t be in Miami next year.
At 6’5″, McMillan would be another big-bodied wideout for Bo Nix to throw the ball to. He’ll also take some pressure off Courtland Sutton, who had his second career 1,000-yard season last year.
The Broncos need another pass catcher to round out their wide receiver corps. Last season, Denver was 22nd in receiving yards per game (224). Adding McMillan will almost certainly help the Broncos increase that number in 2025.
13. Miami Dolphins – OL, Tyler Booker. Alabama
Miami has defensive issues, but protecting Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins’ number-one priority for as long as he is the team’s quarterback. Tua has only had one season as a pro where he started every single game. He has had at least three reported concussions since entering the NFL and almost had to retire last year due to his numerous head injuries. With that in mind, I think the ‘Phins take an offensive lineman in the first round.
Interestingly enough, I don’t think Miami needs to take a tackle. Left tackle Terron Armstead is a five-time Pro Bowler while right tackle Austin Jackson is a former first-round pick who hasn’t even turned 26 yet. This leads me to believe that the Dolphins will draft Tyler Booker, ESPN’s second-ranked guard.
Booker was a team captain and a two-year starter at Alabama. He also had the chance to face plenty of NFL-caliber defensive linemen by playing in the SEC. As a 6’5″, 325 lbs. 20-year-old, Booker will provide the interior protection that Miami needs.
14. Indianapolis Colts – OL, Josh Conerly Jr. Oregon
Quarterback Anthony Richardson has a problem staying on the field. The guy has only played in 15 games since being drafted with the fourth overall pick in 2023. Indy needs Richardson to play a full season, not for them to compete for a playoff spot, but so they can at least find out what they have in their 22-year-old project quarterback before they have to make a decision regarding his contract.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren would be the guy to go with here, but I have him being taken by the Jets with the seventh overall pick. Moreover, the drop-off from Warren to ESPN’s second-ranked tight end (Colston Loveland) is steep. As a result, Indy uses the 14th overall pick to shore up the offensive line.
Though a tad undersized, Josh Conerly Jr. has impressive game tape against Penn State’s Abdul Carter, which speaks to his ability to handle NFL-level pass rushers. More importantly, he has the versatility to play both inside and outside, which is something that Indy may need if center Ryan Kelly doesn’t return next year.
15. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE, Mykel Williams. Georgia
Atlanta’s offense is solid. They have their quarterback of the future in Michael Penix Jr. as well as weapons for him to connect with in Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson and breakout wide receiver Drake London. With the offense not needing too much improvement, head coach Raheem Morris can focus on bolstering the team’s defense. They do that by picking Mykel Williams.
The Falcons could end up with the steal of the draft if they do land Williams, who is projected to be one of the top three edge rushers in this class. The guy needs to spend more time on the field to solidify his game as a pass rusher, but the talent is obviously there. In fact, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein said that Williams becoming an impactful edge rusher “feels inevitable.”
There are two other reasons why I really love this pick. The first is that Williams played in a 4-3 scheme, which is what Raheem Morris runs. The other reason I love this pairing is because Williams is a Georgia boy through and through. He was born in Georgia, and he played college football at the University of Georgia, so it only makes sense that his NFL career begins in Atlanta, Georgia.
This would not only be a feel-good story for the Dirty Birds, but it would also fill an edge rusher demand for the Falcons. Atlanta needs an influx of talent on the defensive line after finishing with the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last season.
16. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Tennessee
Similarly to the Falcons, the Cardinals are set on offense for the most part. Since 2019, Arizona has used 26 draft picks on offensive players. They have their franchise quarterback, their franchise wide receiver, their franchise tackle, and their franchise tight end. Offense is not the problem in the desert.
Though they were a middle-of-the-road team when it came to rushing the passer, the complexion of the Cards’ defensive front could look very different next season. Five members of Arizona’s front seven are set to become free agents this off-season. The Cardinals are not going to want to shell out a lot of money for middle-of-the-road production. Therefore, they let some guys walk and try to find their replacements in the draft. Thankfully, they land James Pearce Jr., ESPN’s 11th-ranked overall prospect and the fourth-ranked edge rusher.
Pearce Jr. finished last season tied as the SEC’s sack leader with 9.5, so he has shown an ability to get after opposing quarterbacks. He can also be effective in pass coverage when called upon, as proven by his 52-yard pick-six against Iowa in the 2024 Citrus Bowl.
