Todd McSage & Pierce Zierlein 2025 Round 1 Mock Draft

[SageBow]

 

#1 ARI
Sage: ILB Weston Shackelford, BAMA - The Cardinals line our top spot in the draft, but they’re quite an odd team. QB Patrick Johnson is still set to be the man and still a solid quarterback even at his age. But this team needs a new injection of youth, and in my mind a stud on defense. So I’m sending them my highest rated defensive player in this draft. 109 tackles, 26.0 TFLs, Shackelford is a menace in the front seven that combined with 8th year DT Leon Payne, gives Arizona something to work around going forward. 
Pierce: QB Travis Knebel, BAYL - There’s not a more worthy player in this class for the top pick, and Arizona’s best offensive weapons currently are aged 34 (QB), 30 (RB), and 35 (WR). They need a complete overhaul on that side of the football, and it starts with a new franchise QB. With the new Prime Age mechanics giving QBs more development time, Arizona has the option of playing Knebel immediately and trying to trade/cut Johnson ($16M in Dead Cap to move him vs $15M on his contract to pay him) or having Knebel sit a year and then take over in 2026. But I don’t think having Johnson under contract is an impediment to drafting a QB of the future, even with the top pick.

#2 SF
Pierce: RB Vontae Knebel, STAN - Rubby Stewart and Joseph Bordewyk are outstanding run blockers who can give Knebel plenty of space to work and take the pressure off of a young Andrew Solano. Despite his designation as a Receiving back, Knebel racked up over 2,400 yards on the ground last year. And he’s only 22, which gives him an extra year of peak play over some of the other top backs in this year’s class. 
Sage: RB Mickey Brogdon, UNLV - It’s time to save the 49ers. Last year’s first round pick QB Andrew Solano struggled as a rookie, but has done enough in my opinion to stick for another year. But let’s get him some help. UNLV’s Brogdon was the do-it-all man for the Rebels last season, with 26 total touchdowns. Solano’s got the receivers, but with Brogdon as the counter balance in this offense the 49ers will improve dramatically. Knebel’s a good shout and a bay area kid, but Brogdon is good as well.

#3 HOU 
Sage: OT Rodney Ladler, UNM - Well after they traded for a boat load of wide receivers, lets shore up the line protecting Hiram. Maronde struggled big time as a rookie, but I think he’s earned at least one more year. Ladler was a machine for New Mexico, this is a future left tackle that can hold it down for the next several years as one of the best protectors in the league. (I made this selection before the trade for OT Elijhaa Rader. They won’t go OT here but I’m not reworking my mock)
Pierce: ILB Beau Oh, AUB - I certainly didn’t mock them a receiver before the year opened. Anyway, they started the year without an ILB on the roster, and the acquisition of a 64/7 veteran won’t move the needle much. We’ve seen from Kenny Daniel the kind of impact a rookie LB can have, so I think the Texan’s grab the wonderfully named “Bo-oh” and drop him right in the middle of the action. 

#4 KC 
Pierce: CB Mitch Forrest, TAMU - Playing offenses like the Raiders twice a year, you need more than a single standout cornerback. Forrest fits the Zone scheme the Chiefs are using, and the team’s lack of depth at the position means he should get immediate playing time. With 11 pass breakups in his senior season alone, Forrest has the potential to develop into a long-term star opposite Benedict Deluna. 
Sage: QB Travis Knebel, BAYL - The Chiefs are surprisingly not that bad of a team to have a top 4 pick. Defensively, they’re sound with one of the best OLB tandems in the nation. RB Jhan Peters is an up and coming star, but I just feel like they need the franchise guy that Theo Scribner simply isn’t. Enter this past season’s Heisman winner, Travis Knebel. An absolute freak athlete with a rocket arm. His legs combined with Peters makes this attack fearsome, and if last season’s 1st round pick Ronald Cimber can get in on the action we’re looking at an incredible young core that the Chiefs can build around for years to come.

#5 BUF 
Sage: OLB Joshua Bacon, MIZZ - The big storyline in Buffalo has been Yusei Ascensio. I think he’s done enough to keep his job, and I like how the Bills are building, with great young talent at tackle and receivers. I thought about going running back here again as I don’t think highly of this team’s running backs, but let’s go with the consensus big boards #1 defender, Joshua Bacon. Sure his stats aren’t much, but he didn’t get along with Mizzou’s coaching staff, recording only 200+ snaps of defense last season. I’ll take that to mean he’s fresh and ready to attack the NFL. 
Pierce: OLB Joshua Bacon, MIZZ - Love this pick for Buffalo. A+ listing, position of need, scheme fit - Bacon has it all. Vontae Knebel would also be a great choice, but he’s off my board in this version. While I think Bills fans might be disappointed in Acensio’s performance so far, I don’t think there’s enough upside in resetting the clock at this point. 

#6 SEA 
Pierce: TE Taylor Allen, UCLA - A stretch? Probably. But Kevin Black doesn’t have much gas left in the tank at age 33, and there’s no one else on the roster with long-term upside. Allen had a 1,000 season and 13 TDs on only 48 catches, and he’s a scheme fit for a Pistol setup that can easily incorporate multiple tight ends. Give him some targets early, and by the time Black and WR Terrence Hoffman are ready to hang up their cleats the young guys will be ready to step in as starters. 
Sage: CB Ryan Herget, CMU - Seattle’s in a weird spot. The biggest thing they have to answer is if Kemoko Allard is the guy. Knowing what I know about the Seahawks organization, I think they are still big fans of their main man. Unlike my counterpart, I think they go defense this year. Allard has the receivers, the offensive line, the running backs, he just needs to put it together. Let’s go with the best man coverage corner in the nation, Ryan Herget. 14 PDs, 5 INTs, he’s fit to team up with Mendoza and Hargreaves for a lethal CB trio. 

#7 NO 
Sage: QB Will Outman, UGA - Ben Rivera is not that guy. Saint’s are giggling to themselves as all the QBs fall to them and they get their pick of the litter. Is this a competitive team? Objectively not, with only 5 players above 70 overall after progressions. Let’s give them a young guy, let him take his lumps, and when they get a little more competitive Outman could be the guy for the next 10 years. 
Pierce: OT Nathan Hungalu, BAMA - On the other hand, if the Saints do believe Ben Rivera is the future of their franchise, they need to protect him. Both of their current OTs are Run Blocking specialists with sub-70 Overalls, which is a death sentence for a Pocket QB. Hungalu would be an immediate upgrade in the passing game, and he was no slouch on the ground with 18 pancakes in his senior season. 

#8 ATL 
Pierce: DE Deiondre’ Morales, IOWA - If Atlanta is sticking with their current defensive scheme, they need some edge rushers on the line. Morales terrorized the B1G with 28 TFL and 12 sacks and should provide a real spark in that department, especially playing alongside veteran Marco Everett.
Sage: RB Vontae Knebel, STAN - Unlike the Saints, the Falcons are absolutely in win-now mode. They need to produce, with two of the best defenders in the nation in Williams and Rosania and a very expensive QB in Jose Padilla. This has to work, so they go and grab the All-American from Stanford to finish the job. Knebels is a dynamic running back that can do anything, and instantly gives more depth and dimensions to this Falcon attack. 

#9 MIN 
Sage: CB Rick Guerra, CAL - Another team that’s in the category of “should be good, but just isn’t”. I don’t know what to make of this team besides they’re coached by Bundy so they’re going tight end. Just kidding, let’s go corner again. Richard Lupo has been an elite player for a long time, but age is hitting him now. I love this kid Guerra from Cal. 10 interceptions, 5 passes deflected last season, I just think his game translates really well to the next level. 
Pierce:  WR Hayes Edwards, TENN - A couple years ago, giving Minnesota another WR would have been ludicrous. But now their WR2 options include an aging George Boone, a middling Joseph Jones, and a collection of players who might be halfway decent in a couple years. Edwards has a higher ceiling than most of the players already listed, and had an outrageous catch rate in Tennessee. He’s the first of an excellent WR class to walk up to the podium.

#10 NE 
Pierce: RB Rishard Ward, UNT - Much as we all love the name, Fish Liggins isn’t the guy. Rashaan Lyons doesn’t have another skill player over 70 on the offense, and the current roster might not even get there next year with top-tier snap progressions. He needs another future star to share the load, and Ward could offer that in both the ground and air games. 
Sage: QB Julian Longacre, USC - This team trusts in Rashaan, but I do not. If I’m the Patriots, I pull the trigger now. I think the world of Longacre. The driver for that USC  2023 National Championship team, I think he’ll be able to make good use of the Patriot’s weapons such as WR Logan Njoku and TE Randal Marquardt and accelerate this team’s drive to the next level. 

#11 IND 
Sage: CB Bobby Gonzalez, ODU - Another team with good young talent that just needs to keep stacking guys. Let’s go with the Monarch’s All-American DB Bobby Gonzalez here at 11. An incredible player, this helps with talent and numbers as the Colts currently only have 3 cornerbacks on their roster. This is a guy on par with the elite DB prospects we’ve seen, will be a long time star for years to come. 
Pierce: QB O’Koyea Landrum, GT - Indianapolis finally gets a 1st round pick since trading up to #3 overall in the inaugural 2022 draft, and they grab their QB of the future. Gary Freitag is 35 years old and takes more hits than most due to his scrambling nature - the man can’t be far from retirement. Landrum would require a scheme shift to achieve his potential, but with Daniel Elswick locked up long-term and a pass-blocking line in front of him, the pieces are there. 

#12 JAX 
Pierce: TE Torrey Barbato, ND - Barbato is right at the intersection of need and fit for Jacksonville, who crushed the draft last year with three great 1st round defenders. He’s a matchup nightmare who can start immediately and draw focus off Ronnie and Ray-Ray in the passing game. 
Sage: TE Torrey Barbato, ND - Totally agree - An All-American tight end at #12? Don’t mind if I do. A CFP Semifinalist, Barbato arrived on the national scene with gusto in the Fighting Irish’s incredible offense. This guy projects extremely well to the NFL level, and should be a big time weapon for Matt Howard.

#13 PIT 
Sage: RB Chad Dolis, WVU - I quite like this on multiple fronts. I think the Steelers need help in both the RB and WR rooms, so why not get a player Smackemz is extremely familiar with that can play both positions? Dolis is just a weapon. Use him in the slot, he’s deadly. Have him carry the ball in a two man option game with Robert Morris? Deadly. Every part of this is nice.
Pierce: WR Jose Colabello, UCLA - Paul Gurule had a major regression (-3) after this year, so it’s time to plan ahead. Colabello was prolific, catching 91 passes for 1,336 yards and 10 TDs. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a lot of depth at the position currently, and Spread Option allows them to put several on the field at once. So there are a lot of potential snaps there for the taking if they draft a young star. 

#14 TB 
Sage: DE Deiondre’ Morales, IOWA - A long and rangey edge rusher with production, Morales had 28.0 TFLs and 12.0 Sacks last season for the Hawkeyes, and I think this combination with the Bucs is a match made in heaven. He’s instantly the best player in their defensive ends room. This man dominated for Iowa with nobody around him, with NFL talent adjacent to him on the D-Line he’s going to be a force.
Pierce: DE Lyndon Hart, TXST - Defensive end is definitely a need, but Hart fits their scheme better (assuming they stay with Multiple Man) and Hart had an equally impressive resume with 35 TFL and 19 sacks. Even with Morales off the board on my side, I think Hart is a great fit and a difference-maker for a team that’s been hurt by inconsistent roster management. 

#15 LV 
Pierce: RB Mickey Brogdon, UNLV - James Agnew is well past his prime, and Adel Fraire went -1 last year at age 27. Vegas needs a youth injection in that backfield, and I think Brogdon can provide it. His 2,386 rushing yards and 24 TDs were both second only to Knebel, and he’d be joining a team that doesn’t expect him to carry an entire offense. 
Sage: TE Taylor Allen, UCLA - A second top 15 tight end? Just hear me out guys. Allen is that good of a prospect. An All-American, Allen had an incredible 20 YPR to lead all tight ends and picked up 14 TDs while he was at it. 26% of his receptions were touchdowns. James Hixon’s only got a few years left in him as he’s in his early 30s. Let him cook with one of the most dynamic tight ends the game has seen.

#16 BAL 
Sage: SS Joshua Martin, MIAO - I’m not even gonna pretend to know what the Baltimore Ravens will do. Syndakyt and KGreene will definitely not be picking Martin here, but this is my shot in the dark. Another SS would do them good, potentially start but at least be a special teams demon. Martin also pairs up well with the talented young FS Matt Perez. With 80 tackles, 2 FF, 2 PD, and 2 INT, Martin is a classic box safety that works well as a thumper with the cover skills to boot. 
Pierce: SS James Wilson, ODU - I like the extra dimension Wilson provides against the run, if his 5 TFL are anything to go on. But I agree that a 6th round pick from 3 years ago isn’t doing the trick in the NFL, even if he did go to the best school in the nation. Wilson is a Swiss army knife at a position that needs to defend both the pass and the run, and should provide an immediate upgrade.

#17 CHI 
Pierce: WR Ryan Lydon, CHAR - Last year the Bears spent high picks on CB and DT, so let’s go offense and take advantage of this excellent WR class. Lydon put up over 1,500 yards and 16 TDs last year from an otherwise unremarkable offense, so I think he’s a great match for Gerald Lewis and the Bears. 
Sage: OLB Benardrick Goodwin, LSU - Over halfway done with the mock, lets just go with a physical freak talent. Benardrick Goodwin of the Bayou Bengals is one of the most dynamic athletes we have in the draft. He should absolutely wreck the combine. Pair him up with all-universe linebacker Jehu Ginn, and this defense will be rocking. 

#18 PHI 
Pierce: OT Rodney Ladler, UNM - While they might not be in the market for a Run Blocker with the transition from Pool to Moncrief on the horizon, the truth is that Kenneth Draper is 35 and the team might want more options for the next man up. That room is already crowded with Keith Weise (64/5) and Daryl Shaw (63/3), but you can’t have too many good offensive linemen. Ladler had 12 pancakes last year and wasn’t credited with an allowed sack.

#19 DET 
Pierce: ILB Weston Shackleford, BAMA - Detroit needs some depth in the interior of that defense, and Shackleford has the Speed they like to see in their scheme. That same skill helped him accrue 99 tackles and 22 TFL last year, and I think he immediately pushes Ryan Hicks for the starting job. 
Sage: DT Denver Litton, WISC - I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to let a defensive tackle go in this mock, but here Litton is. The Lions are running to the stand. This jumbo-sized zone cornerback turned into defensive tackle is an adept pass rusher but can also play the nose. I think ILB Ryan Hicks is the MIKE for this team’s system, so another beast up front on the interior defensive line to pair with Bradley Crook, who says no?

#20 NYJ
Sage: SS Ryan Blacknall, BYU - Being brave is a choice, and I choose to be brave with the Jets. After trading away their star RB and WR, they are going to be brave and trust in the young guys they’ve acquired in those two positions and instead shore up their DB room with Ryan Blacknall, one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league. 51 tackles, 3 PDs, 3 INTs, this guy is dynamite, and either can start day 1 or grow into that role while being productive when he’s called upon. 
Pierce: RB Richaun Alsadek, NEB - Call me a coward, I guess. Even without counting Carter who has since departed via trade, the Jet’s backfield went a combined -14 so it’s time to bring in fresh legs. Alsadek averaged 6.2 yards per carry with 17 TDs at Nebraska; a quick training camp and he’ll be nicely set up as the successor to Michael Fulmer after the latter turns 30 this season.

#21 KC 
Pierce: QB Will Outman, UGA - The Chiefs successfully play the waiting game and still come away with a franchise quarterback. Outman passed for 4,400 yards and had a 34-8 TD/INT ratio as a senior, and (unless the Chiefs are very bullish about their chances) could see immediate playing time to maximize his development. This would be a huge acquisition for a team that hasn’t had top-tier quarterback play at any point in the first 3 seasons. 
Sage: ILB Beau Oh, AUB - On my mock, the Chiefs already got Travis Knebel, it’s time to get their future on defense. JW-Numbers goes out and grabs the Auburn star inside linebacker Beau Oh with their 2nd first round pick. He brings the BeauOhm (okay sorry that was terrible), but I think with these two picks, as long as the coaches do a good job of developing them, KC will have firm foundations for what looks to be a sizable rebuild. 

#22 NYG 
Sage: RB Jonathon Perez, Army - After getting his exemption from the US Military, Perez is one of the top prospects heading into this NFL draft, and the whopping 4th halfback that I’ve mocked in the first 22 picks. I think this is an awesome class for running backs and with their prime age being so low, they’re a commodity that NFL GMs just can’t get enough of. Perez should be the top RB in the Giant’s room and form a wrecking ball rushing attack with either QB Lamar Johnson or the young up and coming QB Wilfredo Joseph and his 95 speed. 
Pierce: RB Nick Suarez, WASH - Yes, the Prime Age impact on running backs is in full effect as we see another back taken in the first round, though this pick is primarily about need as the Giant’s best option on the ground currently is a 56 Overall. Neither Suarez nor Perez were super productive in college, but I like Suarez’s 5.7 ypc average and 10 touchdowns. 

#23 CAR 
Sage: OT Jacob Williams, CONN - They got a great young player in Link, so let’s protect him with the Huskie Hurler Jacob Williams. 16 recorded pancakes as a pass blocking tackle? Sign me up. This guy’s a freak that’s going to find his way on the field sooner rather than later, and he’ll be a great fit with the Panthers youth movement hitting their peak. 
Pierce: OT Jacob Williams, CONN - Totally agree! Tackle is one of the few places the Panthers don’t have a top-flight young talent, and that Air Raid offense absolutely requires good pass protectors. I’m a little worried about the 6 allowed sacks, but that A+ grade certainly looks good right now. Williams could gain or lose a lot of ground based on his combine performance, but for now he looks like a 1st-round pick.

#24 MIA 
Pierce: SS Joshua Martin, MIAO - Maybe not the biggest need, but that’s the joy of the draft - grab a guy you can develop until it’s his turn to step up. Robert Yellowhair is gone, and while William Alexander isn’t a bad replacement, he’s hardly a future star with a likely peak in the low 70s. Martin has more upside long-term and can get special teams snaps to help his Progression odds.
Sage: OG Frank Valdes-Scantling, KSST - Love this dude, great value off the board this late in the first. The Fins clearly believe in Dean Hammond and they’ve loaded up that side of the ball with playmakers to get his passes. While a DB is a great pick, let’s add another monster to keep him upright and let him deal his damage. FVS is a beast on the offensive line that will be a star for years to come.

#25 CLE 
Sage: WR Seby Bazardo, RUTG - Let James Rivera air it out for real this time. Who’s Bazardo? A living weapon. I don’t care about how he didn’t have 1000 yards last year, name the Rutgers quarterback without looking. Even so, this guy is a DAWG. 21 yards per reception, and a crazy 27.5% of his catches went for touchdowns. If you get him the ball, he makes things move on offense. 

 #26 CAR 
Pierce: ILB Quadree’ Weatherly, VT - I simply refuse to believe the grade in the Draft Book - Weatherly was a game-changer in the middle of the field with over 100 total tackles, 17 TFL, and multiple forced fumbles. He’d immediately jump to ILB2 on the depth chart which, while not starting, would give him snaps as a reserve or a sub for blowout victories. And like Martin in the previous pick, I think he has more long-term upside than their current options.
Sage: DT Erick Boehringer, CCU - Weatherly is a stud, but Carolina again, forget it let’s just go BPA. I spy with my little eye a big ol boy from the state of South Carolina, a long time Panther’s fan ready to impact his childhood team from Barnwell, SC to Charlotte, NC. The Boombringer had 26.0 TFLs and 7.0 sacks last season for the Chanticleers and with that nickname, he’s going to sell jerseys like crazy.

#27 GB 
Sage: RB Cody Casspi, KANS - Speed Speed Speed. A super talented, high usage running back out of Kansas, Casspi had an insane season with 19 total touchdowns. Everytime he touched the ball, he moved the offense with 6 YPC and 5 YPR respectively. Green Bay’s offense hums on efficiency, so they get a guy that will make the most of his touches simply because once the ball’s in his hands, you can count on him torching at least one defender. 
Pierce: OT Trey Gustave, GAST - It’s getting to the point where high levels of team talent make it hard to judge need, so let’s talk about the long-term future. Oscar Martinez is an all-world athlete at left tackle, setting new records with his 93 Overall. The options for right tackle are a collection of high 60s 27-year-olds who aren’t washed, but probably won’t be making the Ring of Honor in Lambeau. Gustave could be a future star if he develops well, so I have the Packers taking him late in the 1st and hoping that they can pair him with Martinez in a few years. 

#28 ARI 
Pierce: WR Josh Gaudin, ND - When you draft your franchise QB, it’s polite to get him a top-notch young receiving threat as a housewarming present. Gaudin might be looked down on by some for his Red Zone archetype, but I see a 78% catch ratio and 20 yards per catch on 85 receptions. He was a critical cog in the offensive machine that was Notre Dame, and I think he could do great things with Knebel in Arizona.
Sage: QB Isaiah Lewis, UMD - You know what, LET’S BE BRAVE. The Cards already got Shackelford with the first overall pick, now they get the heir to Patrick Johnson with Isaiah Lewis from Maryland! Yeah yeah I get it, this guy struggled a bit as a senior, but let’s not forget his dynamite junior season and the endless potential he seems to have. Crazy fast, crazy athletic, with room to grow in the arm department. At the very least, he can be a guy that the Cardinal fan base can pin their hopes on if the season starts off on a losing streak.

#29 WAS 
Sage: WR Daniel Hester, AUB - Not a speed guy, what are we doing? Well variety is the slice of life. Even so, this guy’s speed is the least of my concerns, he’s simply elite in catching, carrying, agility out of this world, silky smooth route-runner, and maybe the strongest receiver in this draft class. Hester did what he could with a much maligned Auburn passing attack after the graduation of QB Andrew Moncrief, but he’s still an elite weapon that will succeed with Jerome Morrison and this high-flying Commanders attack.
Pierce: DT Terry Kalis, FAU - An A+ player who’s a scheme fit at a position where Washington is starting an out of scheme, regressing veteran? Boom, perfect match. Kalis gets some time to acclimate to the pros while Robert Miller finishes his contract, and then he steps into the starting role. For a team as loaded as Washington it’s a great use for one of their few draft selections. 

#30 LAR 
Pierce: OG Frank Valdez-Scantling, KSST - Guards may not generate the same kind of buzz as some other positions, but I think this would be a great pick for the Rams. Valdez-Scantling is a huge talent, so getting him at the bottom of the 1st is great value. And the Rams current starters are 34 and 32, so they need to start developing the next generation of talent on that line. 
Sage: WR Jake Greenberg, SMU - Lets keep rolling with the receivers. This time, SMU’s Jake Greenberg is headed to the Rams. They got all these fast guys, now it’s time for finesse. This guy was tremendous for the Mustangs last season, 1059 yards on only 39 receptions, that’s 27 YPR, an unbelievable deep threat. He’s an instant contributor for the Rams who try to continue their rampant air raid assault. 

#31 NYG 
Sage: CB Freddie Koch, LU - I think they could go several different ways here, but being in the NFCE with Morrison, Noel, and Pool, you really can’t go wrong with another DB here to bring more talent to this team’s pass defense. Koch may not have the eye-popping interception numbers, but with 13 passes deflected he’s a guy that can blanket receivers. He’s also one of the feistiest tacklers in this DB class, with great highlight TFLs fighting through blockers to bring opponents down. 
Pierce: OG Casey Hatcher, WKU - While fans might bemoan the selection of Valdez-Scantling one pick earlier, Hatcher is also a talented guard with 14 pancakes last year. The Giants interior linemen are all 31+ and regressing or 2nd year UDFAs, so they too need to think about the future of their offensive line. 

#32 DAL 
Pierce: DT Denver Litton, WISC - What do you get for the team who has everything? The best player available. Litton is a 1st round talent who recorded 18 TFL and 11 sacks as a senior. And while the Cowboys currently have multiple 80+ starters in Eric Simon and Elliot Grossman, I doubt they’ll be able to afford both players when their contracts expire in two years. By that point Litton should be primed to take over as the starter. 
Sage: RB Zach Graterol, BGSU - Time for the final weapon of Jessie Noel’s arsenal, the final stone in the gauntlet. The Falcon’s star offensive option finds his way into the first round of the draft in a match made in heaven. He’s a great running back, 25 touchdowns through the ground, but he’s an elite receiver out of the backfield. 78% of his targets were turned into receptions, and he had 8 YPR, incredible numbers. Scary add to the Super Bowl Champions. 

[Bundy]

Casspi first legitimate R1 Kansas player pls