Zak Drapeau's "What I WOULD DO" Mock Draft

Zak Drapeau
Apr 18
6 min read

Updated: Apr 19

by Zak Drapeau * 4/17/2025 * FansOnlySportz

Final Mock Draft 5.0 Dropping 4/23/25!

Mock drafts nowadays are so repetitive because most mockers have GM patterns and media Big Boards but not many publish what THEY WOULD DO. In this exercise I will be making every single pick based on how I would draft if I was the GM. There will be no media rumors swaying my picks nor will there be any common selections I will consider because "that's what they'll probably do." I will be following my Final 2025 NFL Draft Big Board for my selections and basing each pick off of team fit and talent.

1. Cameron Ward QB

Tennessee Titans

Big Board Rank: 16

I have Ward as my QB1 and while he has a much lower floor than Shedeur, Ward has a better potential and for that should be the Titans #1 pick.

2. Abdul Carter Edge

Cleveland Browns

Big Board Rank: 2

The only question for the Browns is Carter or Hunter. Abdul Carter is where I would go because of the Browns' CB room, Travis Hunter wouldn't get the defensive reps to warrant him being #2.

3. Travis Hunter CB

New York Giants

Big Board Rank: 1

This selection is easy for the Giants unless they're enamored with Shedeur Sanders. Hunter is the best player in the draft and fits the Giants' needs at WR and CB.

4. Will Campbell IOL

New England Patriots

Big Board Rank: 8

The Patriots covered defensive needs in Free Agency and will address Offensive needs in the draft most importantly, O-line. Will Campbell is the best O-lineman whether he is a Guard or Tackle and worthy or a #4 pick.

5. Will Johnson CB

Jacksonville Jaguars

Big Board Rank: 5

I have mocked Mason Graham here but in truth, the Jaguars need corner help more. I have Johnson much higher graded than the NFL and I believe he'll be a better fit and more needed on the Jags.

6. Ashton Jeanty RB

Las Vegas Raiders

Big Board Rank: 3

This pick will surely be offensive and is between McMillan and Jeanty. The Raiders WR room is poor but not nearly as terrible as the RB room, Jeanty is the pick.

7. Tyler Warren TE

New York Jets

Big Board Rank: 6

I could've gone several places here including Armand Membou, Tet McMillan and Jahdae Barron but I believe Warren is the best fit. The Jets need pass catchers and o-line and Warren has the unique ability to be elite in both.

8. Mason Graham DT

Carolina Panthers

Big Board Rank: 4

Graham's fall to 8 is all too convenient for the Panthers who have a starting spot waiting for a guy like him. Alongside Derrick Brown, the Panthers will immediately improve on their 32nd ranked run defense.

9. Malaki Starks SAF

New Orleans Saints

Big Board Rank: 11

The Saints will start a massive rebuild this season and therefore should take the best players available in the draft. Starks may be ranked lower but his fit on the team, versatility and leadership will make him an ideal start to the rebuild.

10. Armand Membou OT

Chicago Bears

Big Board Rank: 12

The Bears signed 3 interior O-lineman in Free Agency so they don't HAVE to go Tackle here, but they should to completely rebuild the O-line and ensure Caleb's protection.

11. Kelvin Banks Jr. OT

San Francisco 49ers

Big Board Rank: 15

The 49ers have many holes on the team after this offseason and with Brock Purdy's contract upcoming. With both of these things in mind, Banks Jr. will be a cheap and reliable Tackle to protect Purdy.

12. Walter Nolen DT

Dallas Cowboys

Big Board Rank: 13

I almost went Tet McMillan here but then I realized, that's what Jerry Jones would do, not me. The Cowboys need pass rush and interior D-line and Nolen covers both bases, an easy pick.

13. Jahdae Barron CB

Miami Dolphins

Big Board Rank: 9

The Dolphins need O-line help most but any pick is a reach. Barron is a great fit in Miami's Nickel and will immediately help Jalen Ramsey turn their secondary legit.

14. Colston Loveland TE

Indianapolis Colts

Big Board Rank: 14

The Colts need to do anything to help Anthony Richardson and they're also weak at TE. Loveland won't be the inline blocking threat of Tyler Warren but his slot ability and route running are on par with any WR in the class.

15. Jihaad Campbell LB

Atlanta Falcons

Big Board Rank: 10

The Falcons are laughing to the podium as they select Campbell, who is a freak athlete with edge traits and SEC experience at Alabama. A true gamewrecker and captain in waiting for a Falcons defense that sorely need both.

16. Josh Simmons OT

Arizona Cardinals

Big Board Rank: 21

The Cardinals have a pretty solid roster and are on the verge of being a real playoff contender. Josh Simmons may need time to get back to 100% health but when he is will pair with his old OSU teammate Paris Johnson and complete the Arizona O-line.

17. Jalon Walker LB

Cincinnati Bengals

Big Board Rank: 17

With Trey Hendrickson possibly sitting out and Sam Hubbard retiring, the Bengals will need someone like Walker. Without a single Pro Bowler on the defense, Jalon Walker could become the best player in his first season.

18. Tetairoa McMillan WR

Seattle Seahawks

Big Board Rank: 7

The drop for McMillan stops here and the Seahawks get their Metcalf replacement. McMillan will compliment JSN and Cooper Kupp extremely well.

19. James Pearce Jr. Edge

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Big Board Rank: 19

Pearce Jr. moved down many boards because of character concern but his talent has never been in question. His ideal size and talent at Edge is exactly what thre Buccaneers are looking for.

20. Omarion Hampton RB

Denver Broncos

Big Board Rank: 26

Another easy pick, the Broncos over-achieved last year and then went and improved their defense in Free Agency. Without a solid Rb on the roster, Omarion Hampton is the best and only pick the Broncos should make.

21. Shedeur Sanders QB

Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Board Rank: 22

Another drop is finished as Shedeur Sanders is finally off the board. Possibly too similar to the Kenny Pickett selection, Sanders will have to overcome the odds but is being drafted to the best team to do so.

22. Mike Green Edge

Los Angeles Chargers

Big Board Rank: 18

The Chargers released Joey Bosa and have Khalil Mack on a 1-year deal. Mike Green will make an immediate impact and has the perfect utility and size for Jim Harbaugh's defense.

23. Maxwell Hairston CB

Green Bay Packers

Big Board Rank: 31

This will be the 4th time I've mocked Hairston to the Packers because of his speed and man cover skills. Similarly to Jaire Alexander who the Packers may need to replace soon anyway.

24. Nick Emmanwori SAF

Minnesota Vikings

Big Board Rank: 24

The Vikings need to add youth to their Safeties especially with Cam Bynum leaving. Emmanwori will be given the year of development he needs and then the sky will be the limit.

25. Tyler Booker OG

Houston Texans

Big Board Rank: 23

The Texans will pick the best O-lineman left at 25 and Tyler Booker may be the best pure Guard in the draft and will immediately become a Captain on the unit.

26. Trey Amos CB

Los Angeles Rams

Big Board Rank: 34

Amos has been a late riser for me and could definitely be a first rounder. The Rams need a cornerback badly and Amos could step in and be a starter on Day 1.

27. Kenneth Grant DT

Baltimore Ravens

Big Board Rank: 32

A freaky athlete in a Nose Tackle body, the Ravens have been searching for a Nose for years and Grant being here at 27 seems like a perfect fit.

28. Mykel Williams Edge

Detroit Lions

Big Board Rank: 25

The Lions will need an Edge desperately until Aidan Hutchinson returns and Mykel Williams will be both a great run stopping Edge on Day 1 and a potentially great pass rusher after a few years of development.

29. Shemar Stewart Edge

Washington Commanders

Big Board Rank: 20

The Commanders have completely disregarded Edge Rushers but have filled every other hole on the team. Stewart won't be pro ready right away but WILL be one of the best athletes in the league. His progression as a pass rusher feels safe in Dan Quinn's hands.

30. Emeka Egbuka WR

Buffalo Bills

Big Board Rank: 30

Taking Egbuka here with Burden and Golden still on the board is questionable but the Bills need outside receivers and Egbuka is better as an X then either of his counterparts.

31. Donovan Jackson IOL

Kansas City Chiefs

Big Board Rank: 39

Jackson has versatility the Chiefs will love as either a Guard or Tackle. The Chiefs have a lot of personnel on their O-line without a sure starting lineup and Jackson is in play to start at Tackle or at guard alike.

32. Derrick Harmon DT

Philadelphia Eagles

Big Board Rank: 29

Harmon will come in and immediately replace Milton Williams while also being versatile enough to move from 3-tech to 5-tech. In a deep D-line, Harmon will compete for starting level steps right away.