Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft Trends to Watch After Early Free Agency
The unpredictable nature of the NFL draft adds to the buildup and anticipation. Every year, we're reminded to expect the unexpected in some aspects of the selection process.
That said, top analysts can steer our draft compass in the right direction with their mock projections.
Using FantasyPros' consensus draft board from March 28, let's examine the latest trends with examples from recent mocks.
What do recent mocks tell us about how the draft could pan out? Where do analysts think the most notable prospects go in the first round?
Abdul Carter Stirring Up Buzz as No. 2 Pick for the Browns
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Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon twice between October and January, so the Cleveland Browns have a clear need at quarterback.
They traded Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick for Kenny Pickett, and the team could add some competition for the starting job.
However, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t Ryan Dunleavy of The New York Post), Cleveland is "leaning toward Abdul Carter."
If the Browns draft the Penn State product, they can sign a veteran signal-caller like Carson Wentz or try to acquire Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons to bring extensive starting experience to their quarterback room.
Cleveland could have the best pass-rushing duo for the foreseeable future with Myles Garrett, who signed a four-year, $160 million extension in March, on one end and Carter on the opposite side.
On FantasyPros' consensus board, Carter (20 percent) is behind Colorado products Shedeur Sanders (40 percent) and Travis Hunter (40 percent) as the Browns pick, but mock draft tides are starting to turn as of late. Over the past week, NFL.com's Eric Edholm and ESPN's Matt Miller have linked Cleveland to Carter.
"If Schefter says it, I trust it," Miller wrote in his analysis for the Browns picking Carter.
Armand Membou Edging Will Campbell as Top Offensive Tackle
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Early in mock draft season, Will Campbell garnered the most mentions as the top offensive tackle. As time progressed, skeptics wondered if his shorter arm length relative to players at his position would force him to move inside for a career at guard.
The officials at the NFL Scouting Combine measured the LSU product's arms at 32⅝ inches, though his pro day measurement was noticeably different.
"I knew my arms were 33 inches," Campbell told reporters. "Height, weight, wingspan, arm length—everybody was kind of deducted at the combine. That's why I measured in again today, even though I didn't do anything, because I knew that's not right."
Campbell also fired back at critics.
"For two years, nobody had any measurements on me and nobody said anything about my play," he said. "So now, all of a sudden, an arm length decides if I'm a good player or not? I think it's BS."
Regardless of what Campbell has to say about his detractors, his words haven't stopped the rise of Armand Membou's stock.
Since his impressive combine performance, Membou has become a fixture within the top 10 in mock drafts, passing Campbell as the top offensive tackle in the class.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm and James Foster of The 33rd Team have the New England Patriots taking Membou at No. 4. The New York Jets, who hold the No. 7 pick, are also heavily linked to the Missouri product.
Ashton Jeanty Is Not the Consensus Pick for Raiders at No. 6
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During free agency, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported that Ashton Jeanty has support in the Las Vegas Raiders building.
"The Raiders, meanwhile, are certainly not done adding offensive weaponry to build around all-world rookie tight end Brock Bowers," he said, "and with the No. 6 pick in the draft, there is a contingent of Ashton Jeanty supporters within the organization."
Since Schultz's comments, several analysts have plugged Jeanty into the No. 6 spot for the Silver and Black.
However, FantasyPros' consensus draft board tells a different story, indicating cornerback Will Johnson (60 percent) is overwhelmingly Las Vegas' projected pick over Jeanty (20 percent).
Even though the Raiders signed Raheem Mostert, their biggest need is still at running back.
Mostert will turn 33 on Wednesday and has an extensive injury history. According to The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, fourth-year tailback Zamir White is available on the trade block.
While it makes sense that draft analysts have Jeanty linked to the Raiders, head coach Pete Carroll, who has a defensive coaching background, may want to put his stamp on the unit with Johnson.
Remember, in Carroll's last year with the Seattle Seahawks, the club used the fifth overall pick on cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
The Raiders' lead cornerback last season, Jack Jones, allowed eight touchdowns and a 98.5 passer rating in coverage. Fellow cornerback Jakorian Bennett improved from his rookie year, but he missed seven games due to injury.
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Omarion Hampton Projected as Top-20 Pick
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Draft analysts view Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton as the cream of a strong running back crop. B/R scout Dame Parson gave both running backs the same grade (8.3), though he sees the Jeanty as the best at the position in this class.
In most recent mocks, analysts have Hampton listed in the top 20, which makes sense because the Denver Broncos need a lead running back.
The Broncos allowed Javonte Williams to walk in free agency, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson at the position. Hampton has the skill set and the experience to lead a backfield committee.
At North Carolina, Hampton rushed for 1,504-plus yards and 15 touchdowns in back-to-back terms. As a collegian, he caught 73 passes for 635 yards and four touchdowns.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm thinks Hampton can go to the Dallas Cowboys, who hold the No. 12 pick. In free agency. They lost their top rusher from last year, Rico Dowdle, and added Williams and Miles Sanders to fill the void.
WR Matthew Golden Firmly in 1st-Round Mix
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Matthew Golden saw his stock rise after he clocked a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash time at the combine.
The 2025 receiver class doesn't have much star power. Even Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan may fall out of the top half of the first round. Golden may be higher than McMillan on some big boards. He's the No. 2 wide receiver over Missouri's Luther Burden III in recent mock drafts.
In his final collegiate term at Texas, Golden caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. His speed and route-running ability allow him to stretch the field and separate from defensive backs, offering a big-play dimension to his production.
While FantasyPros' consensus board shows most draftniks believe Golden will be a late first-rounder, B/R's latest mock draft has the Arizona Cardinals targeting him at No. 16.
"This Cardinals offense desperately needs some speed and explosive playmaking at the wide receiver position," Parson said. "Texas' Matthew Golden brings everything—speed, route-running and ball skills—to pair well with Harrison and tight end Trey McBride."
McMillan could have competition for the WR1 spot in this draft class.
Edge-Rushers Will Dominate Day 1 of the Draft
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In the words of NBA star Lebron James, "...not two, not three, not four…" Most analysts expect to see several teams take edge-rushers in the first round.
Of course, Abdul Carter is the consensus No. 1 edge-rusher in the class. He's separated himself within the position group, though Mykel Williams, Shemar Stewart, Mike Green, Donovan Ezeiruaku and James Pearce Jr. are all potential first-rounders. Some mock analysts also have Jalon Walker listed as a stand-up edge-rusher and off-ball linebacker.
After Carter, Walker and Williams have drawn the most attention as top-10 picks. Because of his versatility, Walker may generate more buzz than Williams closer to draft day.
According to FantasyPros' consensus draft board, analysts have linked the Carolina Panthers to Walker and Williams at No. 8, which may start a run at the position with Stewart, Green, Ezeiruaku and Pearce likely to follow shortly thereafter.
Edge-rusher should easily be the most-drafted position in the first round.
College football statistics are provided by cfbstats.com.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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