The NFL Draft opens tonight at 8.

Until then, here is the Herald’s first and only first-round mock draft of the year.

1. Titans: Miami QB Cam Ward

Tennessee GM Mike Borgonzi, an Everett native, has already announced he knows whom he will be selecting with this pick. And that player is Ward.

2. Browns: Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been the odds-on favorite at this pick for weeks. No late changes here, as Cleveland adds one of the best college football players ever and most exciting prospect arguably in franchise history.

3. Giants: Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter

For all the hubbub around New York considering a quarterback, no front office should pass on a potential All-Pro pass rusher like Carter, and the Giants don’t here with an easy selection at No. 3.

*4. Raiders: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty

Wary of the increasing buzz that Jacksonville covets Jeanty as the last blue-chip prospect available, the Raiders leap two spots in a trade with the Patriots. Jeanty then joins a Las Vegas team with a win-now focus under new 73-year-old coach Pete Carroll and new 34-year-old quarterback Geno Smith.

5. Jaguars: Georgia LB Jalon Walker

An elite edge rusher who can also play off the ball, Walker provides a nice consolation prize for the Jaguars at No. 5. He’s regarded as an exceptional leader and competitor, the type of talent and person a new regime should want to build around.

*6. Patriots: LSU OT Will Campbell

Despite moving back two spots, Mike Vrabel still gets his man. Campbell is a hand-in-glove fit for Vrabel’s culture, and the Patriots’ most pressing team need at left tackle, even if his remarkably short wingspan might ultimately force a move inside to guard at the NFL level.

LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during an NCAA game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

7. Jets: Missouri OT Armand Membou

Membou instantly slides in as the Jets’ new right tackle, forming an enviable starting duo with 2024 first-round pick and new left tackle Olu Fashanu.

8. Panthers: Michigan DT Mason Graham

After whiffing on Milton Williams in free agency, Carolina adds the best player available here in Graham; a can’t-miss prospect who can play all three downs and creates constant disruption.

9. Saints: Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams 

Surprise! Late-arriving league buzz has indicated New Orleans not only will pass on a quarterback, but take Williams. He’s a highly talented edge rusher.

10. Bears: Penn State TE Tyler Warren

Chicago doesn’t need a tight end, but first-year coach Ben Johnson can’t pass up a new chess piece and consensus top-10 prospect in Warren. At Penn State, Warren played in-line tight end, split out as a wide receiver, took snaps at quarterback and running back. Expect Johnson to steal some of those concepts for next season to maximize one of the most talented rookies in the NFL.

11. 49ers: Marshall EDGE Mike Green

A Senior Bowl star with elite traits, Green lands in San Francisco, where the 49ers desperately need to rebuild their defense. Expect the Niners to also consider defensive tackle or cornerback here.

12. Cowboys: Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan

One of the most popular projections in the first round, McMillan will provide a nice complement to Pro Bowler wideout CeeDee Lamb. He’s the most gifted receiver in the draft (outside of Hunter), a 6-foot-4, 219-pounder who compares favorably to Falcons star wideout Drake London.

Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) tries to get past Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber during the first half of an NCAA football game Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

13. Dolphins: Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.

It’s unclear whether Banks will play left tackle or left guard at the next level, but that’s no problem for Miami after it lost veteran left tackle Terron Armstead to retirement and too many battles at left guard in recent years. Banks is among the top prospects who should go higher than expected tonight.

14. Colts: Michigan TE Colston Loveland

Loveland is an all-around tight end near the top of one of the best tight end classes in recent memory. For a team like the Colts, who need a tight end as badly as anyone, this is an easy pick.

15. Falcons: Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart

Stewart is a physical freak with unteachable strength, length and explosiveness, a walking prototype for NFL defensive ends. But he’s also a project, having tallied just 5.5 TFLs and 1.6 sacks last year. The Falcons bet on his traits here out of desperation, having gone five seasons without a player recording more than eight sacks.

16. Cardinals: Ole Miss DL Walter Nolen

Arizona is officially on the rise, and Nolen’s interior pass rush could help a defense that ranked 16th last year inch closer to the top 10.

17. Bengals: Texas DB Jahdae Barron

One of the most electric prospects in the entire draft, Barron can capably bounce between the slot and deep safety. The only surprise here would be if he fell past this pick.

FILE – Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (7) follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

18. Seahawks: Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell

A monster off the ball and off the edge, Campbell is a gift to second-year coach Mike MacDonald. If Seattle doesn’t take Campbell, look for North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel to receive strong consideration here.

19. Buccaneers: Michigan CB Will Johnson

Few teams need cornerbacks more than the Buccaneers, who land a former top-10 projected pick in Johnson. He had a rough pre-draft process, but the raw talent and cover skills are undeniable.

20. Broncos: North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton

The Broncos feel they’re close. In Hampton, they add a final piece to their offensive puzzle and replace former starter Javonte Williams who couldn’t average more than 3.7 yards per carry behind a bulldozing O-line.

21. Steelers: Ole Miss QB Shedeur Sanders

The future is finally here in Pittsburgh. The bet here is Sanders impressed coach Mike Tomlin with his toughness and spirit. He’s also an accurate passer who will need good structure to survive, and should find it with ex-Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

22. Chargers: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant

A behemoth defensive tackle, Grant reunites with former coach John Harbaugh in an easy pick for Los Angeles. The 331-pounder should contribute right away in a defense that started strong but got pushed around after Thanksgiving last year.

23. Packers: Texas WR Matthew Golden

Green Bay officials race to hand the card in for Golden, whom some see as the best receiver in the draft. Golden caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season, while blazing through opposing secondaries with his 4.29 speed.

**24. Giants: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

The Giants have their first-round cake and eat it too, selecting Abdul Carter with their original pick and trading back up ahead of the Rams, who may want to develop Dart behind aging Matthew Stafford. In doing so, coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen boost their roster for the present and make an argument to keep their jobs in the future.

25. Texans: Ohio State LT Josh Simmons

After dismantling their offensive line this offseason, Houston begins to rebuild with Simmons, who some believe would have been a top-10 pick had he not tore a patellar tendon last season.

26. Rams: Georgia S Malaki Starks

An unexpected faller, Starks lands in Los Angeles where he should start right away. Scouts like him as a do-it-all safety whose experience covering deep, in the slot and over the middle for a multiple Georgia defense should only ease his transition to the NFL.

Patriots final 2025 NFL mock draft: Trading up for receiver in first round

27. Ravens: South Carolina S Nick Emmanwori

Emmanwori is perhaps the most gifted athlete in the entire draft and a perfect fit inside a nasty Baltimore defense. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he became the only safety since 2003 to run under a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, jump at least 40 inches in the vertical jump and at least 11 feet in the broad jump at the combine.

28. Lions: Boston College EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku

After getting blasted in the playoffs, the Lions lick their wounds here by restocking on defense. Ezeiruake destroyed opposing offensive linemen last year, posting 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 20.5 tackles for loss as an All-American. He’s a high-energy player Detroit coach Dan Campbell should love.

29. Commanders: Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka

The best player available becomes a new favorite target for Jayden Daniels. Egbuka is regarded as a high-character prospect with a high floor who should make plays immediately out of the slot and could develop more outside.

Related Articles

Patriots final 2025 NFL mock draft: Trading up for receiver in first round

Patriots 2025 NFL Draft big board: Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Will Campbell and more potential picks

Kyed: Patriots ultimately in a tough spot at No. 4 with no sure thing

NFL Draft 2025: 7 potential Patriots offensive tackle draft picks

NFL Draft 2025: 11 potential Patriots wide receiver draft picks

30. Bills: Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.

Expect the Bills to lean defense in this year’s draft, and Pearce kicks off their new class as an athletic, natural pass rusher. The 6-foot-5, 247-pounder was named All-SEC first team last season and posted 27.5 tackles for loss over his last two years in college.

31. Chiefs: Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.

In free agency, Kansas City signed 49ers backup Jaylon Moore to be their new starting left tackle. But with only 12 career starts, Moore is no guarantee. Enter Conerly, a talented pass-protector who should have Patrick Mahomes’ back for years to come; whether he starts as a rookie or not.

32. Eagles: Oregon DT Derrick Harmon

Another draft, another first-round defensive lineman for the Eagles. Harmon threads the needle here as the best player available and a young talent who can help Philly reload after losing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in free agency.

*The Raiders move up to No. 4 overall in a trade with New England that sends their picks at No. 6 and No. 68 overall to the Patriots.

**The Giants trade up to No. 24 overall in a trade with Minnesota that sends their picks at No. 34 and No. 65 to the Vikings for the first-round selection and a fifth-rounder at No. 139.