We’re down to nearly one week until the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 from Green Bay, Wisconsin. That Thursday night will begin three days of madness as 32 NFL teams make 257 total picks to shape the next crop of professional talent.
The first few picks of Round 1 have become clear over the last few months of the NFL draft process. Miami quarterback Cam Ward, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are expected to go in the first three selections in some order.
After that, things can be pretty wide open and fans of all 32 teams are meticulously combing through the latest mock drafts to get some clues as to what their favorite franchise will do in Round 1 and beyond.
On April 16, one of the most respected evaluators in NFL draft coverage, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, released a seven-round mock draft of all 257 picks. It’s a lot to get through so here are some takeaways from his latest predictions:
Takeaways from Dane Brugler’s seven-round mock draft
Click here to read Brugler’s full 257-pick mock draft.
A run on quarterbacks in Round 2 after Shedeur Sanders falls
Brugler tabbed the Pittsburgh Steelers as the home for the former Colorado quarterback at No. 21 overall. That’s become a popular choice as the farthest he falls in Round 1 if the New Orleans Saints pass on him at No. 9. Sanders at No. 21 breaks the drought from No. 1 overall (Ward to the Titans).
He’s the last first-round quarterback but precedes a run on passers in Round 2. Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart (No. 33 overall to the Cleveland Browns), Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (No. 34 overall to the New York Giants) and Louisville’s (No. 40 overall to the Saints) all go in quick succession to start Round 2. Three quarterback-needy teams get a signal caller without having to use up too much draft capital.
Chicago goes offense early, defense late
The Bears are one of the more intriguing teams in the draft with a young quarterback, talented skill position players, a revamped offensive line and a new, exciting playcaller in head coach Ben Johnson.
Brugler sees another step forward for the Bears’ offense in the team’s first three picks: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren at No. 10 overall, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson at No. 39 overall and Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery at No. 41 overall.
Warren’s a dynamic threat as a tight end and Henderson’s long speed can somewhat mirror Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs, two talents who made Johnson’s offenses effective in Detroit. Ersery offers a potential succession plan at tackle in 2026 and beyond.
The Bears also go all-Big Ten with their seven picks in Brugler’s mock with players from Ohio State, Minnesota, Penn State and Rutgers.
A new future in Cleveland
Brugler’s prediction of Dart to Cleveland potentially solves the quarterback position. That pick comes after taking arguably the best player in the draft in Hunter at No. 2 overall.
From there, the Browns bring in talent at key positions on offense. Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo at No. 67 overall, Oregon running back Jordan James at No. 104, Alabama tight end CJ Dippre at No. 179 and Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith at No. 192 offer a huge influx in talent to the Browns. On defense, they bring in reinforcements at every level led by LSU edge Sai’vion Jones at No. 94.
Super Bowl champion Eagles reload with great value
The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 and address their few needs well in this mock draft. Boston Colelge edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku is one of the most pro-ready players in the class; he somehow falls to the Eagles at No. 32 overall as a plug-and-play starting option in place of the departed Josh Sweat.
Brugler keeps the Georgia Bulldogs-Philadelphia Eagles connection going with guard Tate Ratledge at No. 64, helping in case the team doesn’t have the right replacement for Mekhi Becton in-house already. Philadelphia grabs another small-school standout in Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. at No. 96, who is a versatile and productive player.
Safety is one of the few question marks on the roster and Brugler tabs Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom at No. 134 to Philadelphia. Hard to find flaws with this group.
CeeDee Lamb gets a new running mate in Dallas
The Cowboys’ offense struggled in 2024 before quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury. Lamb shouldered a heavy load in the passing game but Brugler thinks Dallas could find help early on.
In Round 1, Brugler has the Cowboys taking Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. The local prospect was one of the fastest players at the NFL combine and offers alignment versatility and verticality to take some of the pressure off Lamb in the slot.
In Round 2, Dallas gets a new running back in Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins. Ashton Jeanty was off the board long before Dallas was on the clock in Round 1 and Judkins is hardly a poor consolation prize. The former Buckeye is a powerful, aggressive runner with proven receiving abilities to help a team that scored just six rushing touchdowns in 2024.
