Cole Thompson's Final NFL Mock Draft: Texans make a trade, Browns find 'franchise QB'

No more guessing. No more speculation. No more pondering on what the Houston Texans and 31 other teams will do.

It's just draft time. In less than 12 hours, Miami's Cam Ward will join the Tennessee Titans and the best three days of the bridge between college and the NFL will be underway.

As we inch closer to the start of the 2025 NFL Draft, everyone is wondering about trades. Down in Houston, general manager Nick Caserio certainly plans on dealing picks between now at pick No. 257, but will he move up in the first to target a certain tackle? What about a guard? Also, there still seems to be a wide range of opinions on prospects with a chance to be selected on Thursday night, so who falls out of Day 1 altogether.

With less of a clear consensus than what we've seen in the past, especially in the top 10. We could be in for a wild Day 1.

Who cares, though? We made it! Here's my final projection for the first 32 selections.

1. Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami

It's Cam Ward. He's not a top-20 player in the class, but he will be QB1 in Nashville for the new regime. The only argument happening at Nissan Stadium right now is whether Warren Moon will relinquish the rights to his jersey number for a team he technically never played for.

2. Cleveland Browns - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Hunter isn't the best receiver or cornerback prospect, but when you combine them, he's a top-five prospect overall. Cleveland needs help on both sides, so the Heisman winner will be quite busy in 2025 hauling in touchdowns and creating pass breakups.

3. New York Giants - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

The Giants are drafting a QB, but third overall is too rich. There’s been chatter about the Giants potentially trading back, but who's moving up? Brian Dabboll stays put to land Carter, who should take Big Blue's front seven from solid to stellar.

3. New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Will Campbell be a Pro Bowl left tackle in the NFL? What about a guard? A center? Who cares. New England must protect Drake Maye in Year 2 and the LSU product is the best blocker in the class.

5. TRADE: Chicago Bears - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

I've always bought the hype that Jeanty wasn't making it out of the top five, but I also believed Chicago would be aggressive to land its own Saquon Barkley under new head coach Ben Johnson. After shoring up the offensive line in free agency, plus with two second-round picks at their disposal, the Bears swing big for a playmaker that could change the outlook for Caleb Williams in the Windy City come Year 2.

6. Las Vegas Raiders - Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

With Jeanty gone, the Raiders decide to continue building at the line of scrimmage. Kolton Miller is looking for a new contract, so finding a stable left tackle option would could play guard for a year should be at the top of draft boards. That's where Banks comes in. Even if he were to start at right tackle, it makes too much sense.

7. New York Jets - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

With new QB Justin Fields' comfort level targeting tight ends throughout his career, Warren heads to the Big Apple as the Jets' new No. 2 weapon. He's a do-it-all playmaker needed in Gang Green.

8. TRADE: San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

Carolina wants to move back and the 49ers missed big time on the Javon Hargrave signing. Robert Saleh is back in the building and would have a field day developing one of the safest prospects in the class. In the right system, Graham could transform into an All-Pro defensive tackle. This is one of those "don't think to hard and pull the trigger" picks.

9. New Orleans Saints: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Did everyone forget that Ryan Ramczyk retired last week, thus leaving a massive hole on the right side of the offensive line? Membou was one of the best pass protectors in college football the past two seasons, but he's only been successful on the right side of the line. Kellen Moore was just in Philadelphia and understands the value of building an offensive line. This is a pick that must happen.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via CHI) - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The No. 5 draft pick feels too rich for a potential WR No. 2, but moving back five spots and picking up a Day 2 pick makes this selection a steal. McMillan has all the traits needed to flourish in a Liam Coen system and a massive catch radius to win 50/50 balls. The former Buccaneers OC gets his Mike Evans clone.

11. Carolina Panthers (Via SF) - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Carolina was rumored to take Walker at No. 8. Instead, GM Dan Morgan moves back three spots, likely picks up a Day 2 pick and secures a tweener-type defender that will make a ton of tackles and be an effective blitzer when asked to line up on the edge.

12. TRADE: Indianapolis Colts - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Can you imagine a 6-foot-6 tight end in Mike McDaniel's system? So can Chris Ballard, which is why he moves up two spots to land his new target for Anthony Richardson. Loveland's a smooth route runner with good hands and is more imposing than scouts give him credit for. While Indianapolis sorts through its long-term quarterback situation, it lands another stable weapon."

13. Miami Dolphins - Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas

Jalen Ramsey is expected to be on the move, leaving a gap at perhaps the most underrated position. Barron, who started 57 games in college, can play every position in the defensive backfield. He's a reliable defender who will improve any defense because of his flexibility.

14. Dallas Cowboys (Via IND) - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Dallas needs a running back, but it still feels too rich to draft either name left on the board. Golden is the ideal No. 2 target in this class and should be a plug-and-play option on the outside for Dak Prescott. He'll certainly take pressure off CeeDee Lamb and give Brian Schottenheimer's offense some much-needed juice.

15. Atlanta Falcons - James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee

This is the year Atlanta addresses the pass rush in Round 1. While Mykel Williams is on the board, Pearce's play style fits just as well for Raheem Morris. His production also outweighs Williams' potential.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Simmons started three years at right tackle before switching over to the left side this fall. Paris Johnson is locked down protecting Kyler Murray's blindside, but the Pro Bowl QB needs another option. Doctors believe the patella injury will be fully healed by the time training camp rolls around. That's enough for Monti Ossenfort to roll the dice on perhaps the draft's best lineman.

17. Cincinnati Bengals - Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

Green is a skilled pass rusher who led the FBS in sacks last season. He's got some similarities to Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson, whose future with the team remains unknown. At worst, he's a replacement for the All-Pro pass rusher. The best case scenario? Green and Hendrickson lead the AFC in combined sacks.

18. Seattle Seahawks - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Seattle's interior offensive line was comical in all the wrong ways last season. Zabel might be a guard. He might be a center. He's a Day 1 starter in the Emerald City, which is all that matters for Mike McDonald.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The draft day tumble stops for Williams at No. 19. While inside linebacker needs an upgrade, the Georgia edge is too good to pass up here.

20. Denver Broncos - TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

I think the Broncos would love nothing more than to trade back, but they're taking a running back in Round 1. There's been too much smoke not to buy into a Henderson-Sean Payton pairing. He's going to the Mile High City.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

There's two quarterbacks on the board, but the Steelers need another weapon for the offense to get over the one-and-done playoff hump. Egbuka's play style, smooth route-running and consistency pair well with DK Metcalf and George Pickens' role in the slot. He's the most pro-ready receiver and lands on a team that constantly speaks "pro."

22. Los Angeles Chargers - Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

There's no way Jim Harbaugh and Chargers DC Jesse Minter pass up on a former player from their national championship defense should he fall into their lap at No. 22. This is the easiest pick in the history of the draft.

23. Green Bay Packers - Will Johnson, DB, Michigan

The draft day tumble stops here for Will Johnson. With Jaire Alexander's days numbered in Green Bay, the Packers land a shutdown defender who can win at every level of the field. His 2023 tape might be the best you've seen over the past four seasons. His ceiling is All-Pro potential.

24. TRADE: Cleveland Browns - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Andrew Berry wins the draft headlines for 2025. With only four picks, Minnesota moves down to Day 2 and lets the Browns find yet another quarterback to save the franchise. Will it work or will Sanders joins the jersey of misery with the next "franchise passer."

25. TRADE: Philadelphia Eagles- Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

The Texans and Eagles make another draft day trade since perhaps the best defensive lineman in the class continues to fall down big boards. Milton Williams is off to New England, leaving a massive gap in the interior pass-rushing department for Philly's front seven. Howie Roseman lands a steal, but the Texans land few future Day 2 picks.

26. Los Angeles Rams - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

With the top defensive backs off the board, Los Angeles pivots to another position of need at the second level. Campbell is a heat-seeking missile that rarely misses tackles. He's a top 20 player who fell because of a shoulder injury. If not for the surgery, he'd be a lock to go top 20.

27. Baltimore Ravens - Malaki Stark, DB, Georgia

An All-SEC defensive back to pair with Kyle Hamilton in coverage? That's John Harbaugh's dream and the AFC North's nightmate.

28. Detroit Lions - Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College

Aidan Hutchinson is coming off a broken fibula and needs a long-term running mate. Sometimes the board just falls in your favor, leading to Ezeiruaku landing in the Motor City.

29. Washington Commanders - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Giving Jayden Daniels a stable run game with perhaps the most slept-on first-round player? That's a match made for contention in D.C. long-term.

30. Buffalo Bills - Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Bills need a stable No. 2 cornerback and Haitston's 4.22 speed should make him an option. He battled through injury in 2024, but his 2023 tape is exceptional. Give Buffalo the closing speed and ability to cause turnovers as the final piece to secure a Super Bowl berth in their future.

31. Kansas City Chiefs - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

It feels like the Chiefs will be taking the best available offensive lineman here. I say lineman because keep in mind that Joe Thueny is no longer lined up at left guard following his trade to Chicago. Jackson didn't allow a sack in nine games at left tackle, but he's built like a guard. He's literally Thueny's replacement from last season in terms of position and play style.

32. Houston Texans (Via PHI) - Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama

Caserio moves down, picks up more draft compensation to play with on Friday and lands the player everyone figured would be the selection since the combine. Booker possesses all the traits that DeMeco Ryans covets in a prospect and is one of the best run blockers in the country. He'll be a Day 1 starter at right guard and a massive upgrade in the trenches to bolster the ground attack under new OC Nick Caley.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Cole Thompson's final mock draft: Texans make bold move at No. 25