Full 2025 first-round mock draft: Buccaneers take dominant EDGE in pre-NFL Combine mock

NFL free agency is right around the corner, but so is the NFL Draft. We'll learn a lot more about the prospects set to be drafted high this year (and some that aren't there that will be soon) once the NFL Combine is done with at the end of March, but that doesn't mean we still can't go through some mock drafts.

We're getting in on the action — this is our pre-NFL Combine mock draft, and it sees the Tampa Bay Buccaneers addressing a pretty major need at pick No. 19. There aren't any trades in this one, so everyone picks where they're set to do so.

Without further ado, let's kick it off with the No. 1 pick:

1. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter against the Boise State Broncos. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Tennessee Titans have mentioned that they want a generational talent here, and Carter may just fit the bill. Carter has all the physical intangibles and put up 12 sacks and two forced fumbles at Penn State in 2024 — he could be a gamewrecker in Nashville.

2. Cleveland Browns: CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter after winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy. | Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images

Travis Hunter played both wide receiver and cornerback in 2024, but I think the Heisman Trophy winner will stay at cornerback in the NFL — and the Browns could certainly use a gamechanger like him. Cleveland has a few options they could go in the draft, but Hunter is an excellent corner with tremendous instinct and could serve them well.

3. New York Giants: QB Cam Ward, Miami

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward warms up prior to the game against the Iowa State Cyclones. | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Our first quarterback off the board is Cam Ward. This could easily be Shedeur Sanders, depending on who the Giants like, but Ward is calm and composed in the pocket and his 39 touchdowns in Miami last year speak for themselves.

4. New England Patriots: T Will Campbell, LSU

LSU Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell warms up before a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

There's an argument that the Patriots could gather some weapons for QB Drake Maye, but games are won in the trenches. Campbell has good size and a tough punch, and he could be the mauler that New England needs.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Mason Graham, Michigan

Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham celebrates after sacking Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer. | Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Jaguars also have a roster with a lot of holes, and while the Patriots go offense in the trenches, Jacksonville goes with defense. Graham is explosive and plays with a strong motor, and he could be a valuable piece in Duval.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders prepares to pass the ball in the third quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Our second quarterback falls to the Raiders, who will hope to get Sanders up to speed sooner than later. Sanders is a good off-platform thrower and is fairly accurate, but he struggles holding on to the football for too long — Las Vegas will need to get that out of him.

7. New York Jets: S Malakai Starks, Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks practices before the 2024 SEC Championship game. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Aaron Glenn is back with the Jets as head coach, and who wouldn't want a defensive player? Starks is a forceful safety who can play all over the field, and Glenn can cook up a few different schemes on defense to suit him.

8. Carolina Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan against the Arizona State Sun Devils. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Panthers need some help in the trenches themselves, but they'll have a hard time passing up on McMillan to bring in a potential superstar threat for Bryce Young. McMillan caught for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns last year and is a big body that can utilize space well.

9. New Orleans Saints: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III reacts after a touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. | Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Another receiver! The Saints desperately need another weapon too and Burden could fit the bill. Burden is a playmaker who has been quite productive in the last two seasons of his career, especially in the short game.

10. Chicago Bears: G Armand Membou, Missouri

Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Armand Membou lines up against the Massachusetts Minutemen. | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Membou can be moved to guard after playing tackle at Mizzou, and I think that's what the Bears would do here. Caleb Williams desperately needs an improved o-line, and the Bears can go with one of the best linemen available and then shift him inside.

11. San Francisco 49ers: T Josh Simmons, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive tackle Josh Simmons competes during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game. | Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK

Josh Simmons, meanwhile, will stay outside, and he'd be a good pick for the 49ers as tackle Trent Williams is aging. He had a knee injury at the end of 2024, but he doesn't have to be thrown into the thick of it right away.

12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty against the Penn State Nittany Lions. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys offense is desperately looking for a strong running back, and Ashton Jeanty could get the job done. Jeanty had one of the best college football seasons by a running back in the history of the sport in 2024, rushing for a quite frankly comical 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns.

13. Miami Dolphins: G Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. against the Clemson Tigers. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Another player who played tackle in college, Banks Jr. can also be kicked inside to guard. That could be a good move for the Miami Dolphins, who need a big offensive lineman to protect QB Tua Tagovailoa.

14. Indianapolis Colts: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Will Johnson is an excellent corner who may not fall this far, but if he does, the Colts will take advantage. There's a decent argument that Johnson is the best player available here and his instinctive play in pass coverage could benefit any team.

15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. during pregame activities against the North Carolina State Wolfpack. | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Falcons probably should have drafted an edge rusher last year around this spot, but here we are. They'll rectify that mistake this year with Pearce Jr., who is a little small for the NFL at the moment but has a very high motor and can work around protection quite well.

16. Arizona Cardinals: DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen waits for the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

With 6.5 sacks and 49 total tackles at Ole Miss last year, Nolen boasts impressive production and has good NFL size. The Cardinals could benefit from a disruptor in the interior, so this could be a good fit for them.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There's a pretty decent chance that the Cincinnati Bengals lose Tee Higgins in free agency, and if they do, they'll immediately need another weapon for Joe Burrow. Egbuka caught 10 touchdowns for Ohio State last year and understands space pretty well from the slot.

18. Seattle Seahawks: G Tyler Booker, Alabama

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker celebrates after the offense scored a touchdown during the A-Day scrimmage. | Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

The Seahawks have had a pretty troublesome offensive line in recent years, so nabbing a guard to protect Geno Smith wouldn't be a bad idea in the slightest. He has a lot of stellar physical traits and could develop into a nice piece anywhere.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Marshall Thundering Herd defensive lineman Mike Green celebrates after sacking Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones. | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a lacking edge rush. Yaya Diaby is a high-pressure player but can't seem to get sacks, and players like Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have disappointed. It's entirely possible that Green isn't here at 19 if he has a fantastic combine, but the Bucs would be thrilled if he ends up making it down here.

Green is an explosive player with a ridiculous motor and he produced in 2024, netting 17 sacks. The Bucs have had trouble developing edge rushers, but Green could be an answer to one of Todd Bowles' biggest problems on defense.

20. Denver Broncos: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren against the Boise State Broncos. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Broncos need a tight end for Bo Nix to throw to, and Warren would be a great answer. Warren caught eight touchdowns and lit up the stat sheet for 1,233 yards, and Sean Payton would love to have him in the offense.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a long pass for a first down near the end zone in the fourth quarter. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Steelers seem to always be cycling through receivers, and while they also need a QB, they definitely need a weapon on offense, too. Golden is fast, plays with good tempo and caught nine touchdowns at Texas in 2024.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Mykel Williams against the TCU Horned Frogs. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Chargers could see the departure of Khalil Mack in free agency, who has still been productive, so it wouldn't hurt to get younger at the position. Williams is a very raw prospect, but he has a lethal get off and great size.

23. Green Bay Packers: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison celebrates after an interception in the first quarter against the Boston College Eagles. | Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Another player who may not fall this fall, Morrison is coming off of a hip injury but has nine interceptions in 31 games. That's very impressive for a cornerback, and the Packers would likely jump at a playmaker falling this far.

24. Minnesota Vikings: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Kenneth Grant celebrates after Ohio State misses a field goal. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Vikings have a very strong roster all around (and need to figure out what they're doing at quarterback), so the trenches is never a bad route to go. Grant is very powerful and can play in multiple fronts, so that versatility could be helpful.

25. Houston Texans: T Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

National team offensive lineman Grey Zabel of North Dakota State works against National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander. | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

The Texans had some big o-line problems in 2024, and C.J. Stroud needs some good protection. Zabel could provide that and help get the Texans back on track in what should be a contested AFC South.

26. Los Angeles Rams: T Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. against the Liberty Flames. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Another tackle, and the Rams could use one themselves. If Matt Stafford is set to be QB again in Los Angeles, Conerly Jr. could be a good option to make sure he's protected.

27. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Stewart shows off his gold grill smile after the Aggies defeat the LSU Tigers. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

A lot of teams that pick in this range have a lot of great players already, so to the trenches we go. Scourton is another very raw prospect with middling production, but his size and burst could be elite at the next level.

28. Detroit Lions: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

Jack Sawyer celebrates after defeating Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Lions will be getting Aidan Hutchinson back, but making sure they have another player on the other side that's young is only a good thing. Sawyer had nine sacks and three forced fumbles in 2024, so he's a proven producer at the college level.

29. Washington Commanders: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland runs a route against the Northwestern Wildcats. | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Teams are typically weary about drafting tight ends in the first round, but the Commanders could use an extra weapon for Jayden Daniels to pair with Terry McLaurin. Loveland had five touchdowns last year and can run just about any route.

30. Buffalo Bills: DL Tyleik Willaims, Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Buffalo could do well to load up in the trenches and emulate the team that just beat their rivals in the Kansas City Chiefs. Williams is explosive and quick and could be a boon for Sean McDermott and his Bills defense.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: DL T.J Sanders, South Carolina

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle T.J. Sanders during the first half. | Butch Dill-Imagn Images

The Chiefs need o-linemen pretty bad, but there aren't as many notable ones this far down the line. Instead, they grab T.J. Sanders, who could replace Chris Jones eventually when the latter does retire.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton looks toward the sideline against the Florida Gators. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Josh Sweat could be set to leave Philadelphia in free agency, so an edge rusher here would be nice. Scourton is another project from Texas A&M, but he has a very high motor and good strength.

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