Las Vegas on the Clock: Reid’s Updated NFL Mock Draft Projects the Chaotic First Round

The desert air in Las Vegas is thick with anticipation, and it’s not just the usual casino buzz. For the first time, the NFL Draft will be held in the entertainment capital of the world, and the spectacle promises to match the setting. With the Las Vegas Raiders holding the No. 1 overall pick, the entire league is waiting to see which direction the new regime will steer the franchise. Will they secure a franchise quarterback? Trade down for a king’s ransom? Or build from the trenches out? The clock is ticking, and the decisions made at the top will send shockwaves through the rest of the first round. We’re projecting all 32 picks, analyzing the fits, the rumors, and the potential surprises that will define the future of the NFL.

The Raiders’ Quarterback Conundrum at No. 1

All eyes are on the Silver and Black. Holding the premier selection is a privilege and a pressure cooker. The consensus is that the Raiders need a long-term answer under center, but which QB fits with the Raiders is the multi-million dollar question. The candidate pool is deep but lacks a clear, unanimous top prospect.

Our projection sees them selecting J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan. While not the flashiest arm, McCarthy possesses the intangible leadership, proven winning pedigree, and high-level processing that head coaches and GMs covet. He operates efficiently within structure, protects the football, and has shown the ability to elevate in critical moments. For a Raiders team looking to establish a new, stable identity, McCarthy’s floor and ceiling present the safest and most promising bet. He can manage games early while developing into the face of the franchise.

Potential alternatives here are tantalizing. A trade-down scenario is very much in play if a QB-needy team falls in love with a specific passer. If they stay, the powerful arm of Shedeur Sanders or the dynamic dual-threat ability of Quinn Ewers will be discussed in the war room. But in this mock, McCarthy’s all-around game and readiness win the day.

Running Back Renaissance: How High is Too High for Jeremiyah Love?

The devaluation of the running back position has been a league-wide trend for years, but every so often, a talent emerges that forces a recalculation. This year, that talent is Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. With a blend of home-run speed, surprising power for his size, and elite receiving chops, Love is a modern NFL offensive weapon.

The question isn’t if he’ll go in the first round, but how high could Jeremiyah Love go? In a league increasingly dominated by offensive creativity, a player who can be deployed as a runner, slot receiver, and returner holds immense value. We project a team in the late teens to early twenties, like the Los Angeles Rams or the Buffalo Bills, to pull the trigger. These are contending teams with specific offensive visions that could slot Love in as an immediate impact player and a long-term centerpiece. Don’t be shocked if a team like the Dallas Cowboys, picking at 24, sees him as the final piece for their explosive offense. Love’s draft stock is a litmus test for how the league truly views the “positionless” offensive weapon.

Buckeyes Blitz: Ohio State’s Potential First-Round Dominance

The Ohio State University pipeline to the NFL is perennial, but the 2025 class has the potential to be historic. The sheer volume of elite talent in Columbus begs the question: Will the Buckeyes run the first round? It’s a distinct possibility. We project a staggering five Ohio State players to hear their names called on night one, which would challenge the modern record.

• CB Denzel Burke: A lockdown, physical corner who fits any scheme. A surefire top-10 pick.
• WR Emeka Egbuka: A polished, versatile route-runner who would be the WR1 in most other draft classes. Likely goes in the top 15.
• DE Jack Sawyer: A powerful, technically sound edge defender who had a dominant senior season. Mid-to-late first round.
• DT Tyleik Williams: An immovable force and disruptive interior penetrator. First-round talent based on upside.
• RB TreVeyon Henderson: Despite the RB trend, Henderson’s complete skill set and breakaway speed could entice a team like the Eagles or Cowboys at the back of the round.

This haul would be a testament to Ryan Day’s recruiting and development, and it would immediately inject premier talent into the league’s defensive backfields and offensive arsenals.

Full First-Round Projection: Picks 1-32

Here is our complete, pick-by-pick projection for how the first round in Las Vegas could unfold, accounting for team needs, scheme fits, and the inevitable surprises.

1. Las Vegas Raiders: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
2. New England Patriots: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
3. Denver Broncos (via trade projection): Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
4. Arizona Cardinals: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
6. New York Giants: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
7. Tennessee Titans: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
8. Chicago Bears: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
9. Seattle Seahawks: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
10. Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
11. Minnesota Vikings: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
12. New Orleans Saints: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
13. Las Vegas Raiders (via trade): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
14. Indianapolis Colts: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
16. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
21. Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
22. Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
24. Dallas Cowboys: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
25. Green Bay Packers: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
26. Houston Texans (via CLE): Evan Stewart, WR, Texas A&M
27. Detroit Lions: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
28. Buffalo Bills: Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona
29. Baltimore Ravens: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
30. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Nubin, S, Minnesota
32. New York Jets: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Conclusion: A Night of Drama in the Desert

The 2025 NFL Draft in Las Vegas is poised to be a perfect storm of need, talent, and unpredictability. From the Raiders’ franchise-altering decision at No. 1 to the seismic run on Ohio State talent and the intriguing ascent of a weapon like Jeremiyah Love, the first round will set the league’s narrative for the next decade. While mock drafts provide a roadmap, the reality in the draft room—fueled by trades, surprise falls, and last-minute convictions—always writes a more compelling story. One thing is certain: under the bright lights of Las Vegas, the future of the NFL will be reshaped, one pick at a time. Buckle up; the clock starts now.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.

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