Everyone talks about the first round. The glitz, the suits, the commissioner getting booed—it's a whole thing. But if you actually want to know which teams are going to be playing in January, you have to look at the second round. Friday night is where the real roster-building happens. Honestly, the nfl mock draft 2025 2nd round is looking more like a "Round 1.5" because of how many top-tier prospects are sliding due to medical red flags or a weirdly lopsided quarterback market.
Take a look at the names sitting there when the clock starts on Friday. We're talking about guys like Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Before the season, most people had him as a top-10 lock. Now? Between a lingering knee issue and a few teams getting spooked by his 2024 tape, he’s the kind of high-value "faller" that changes a franchise's secondary overnight.
The Friday Night Steals: nfl mock draft 2025 2nd round Standouts
The Cleveland Browns are on the clock at No. 33. They basically have the first pick of the second round, and the rumors are swirling. While they could go quarterback, general manager Andrew Berry has a history of targeting high-upside tackles. Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon is a name that keeps popping up. He’s incredibly athletic, and with Jedrick Wills’ future in Cleveland looking murky at best, Conerly feels like a plug-and-play starter who shouldn't even be available at this point.
Then you have the Chicago Bears. They've been aggressive. After snagging a tight end like Colston Loveland in the first, they still need a bell-cow back. Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa is a beast. He’s got that rare blend of 225-pound size and the track speed to erase angles. Putting him in an offense with Caleb Williams basically makes the Bears a nightmare to defend in the red zone.
Why the Quarterback Slide Changes Everything
This year's quarterback class is... complicated. It's not like 2024 where everyone was tripping over themselves to grab six guys in the top 12. In this nfl mock draft 2025 2nd round, we are seeing legitimate starters like Shedeur Sanders and Jalen Milroe still sitting in the green room.
It’s kind of wild.
Sanders has the pocket poise, but some teams are worried about the "off-field" noise—which, let's be real, is mostly just his dad being loud. On the field, the kid is a surgical passer. If he falls to a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or even the New York Giants in the second, that’s a massive win. You’re getting a first-round talent without the first-round price tag or the fifth-year option pressure.
- Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Elite accuracy but needs to prove he can handle a pro-style system without the constant scrambling.
- Jalen Milroe (Alabama): The most dynamic athlete at the position. Think Anthony Richardson vibes. If he lands with a creative play-caller, watch out.
- Tyler Shough (Louisville): The "old man" of the group. He’s played a ton of football and has the size GMs love, but injuries have been his Achilles' heel.
Trench Warfare: The Big Men of Day 2
If your team needs help on the lines, this is your round. The interior defensive line talent is actually deeper than the edge group this year. Tyleik Williams from Ohio State is a 320-pound wall. He’s not just a space-eater; he actually has a pass-rush plan.
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly very interested in him at No. 56. They’ve struggled to stop the run when it matters most, and Williams is the type of player who makes everyone around him better by demanding double teams.
On the other side of the ball, the Green Bay Packers are looking at Anthony Belton. The NC State tackle is a giant. We're talking 6-foot-6 and nearly 340 pounds. He has some footwork issues that need coaching, but you can’t teach that kind of frame. Green Bay loves these types of developmental projects with massive ceilings.
Mocking the Top Half of Round 2
- Cleveland Browns: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
- Arizona Cardinals: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
- New York Jets: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
- New England Patriots: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
- Chicago Bears: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
- New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
- Chicago Bears: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
- Indianapolis Colts: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
- Dallas Cowboys: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
- Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Wait, did you see that? Will Johnson at 47? It sounds crazy, but if those medical reports from the combine aren't 100% clean, teams start reaching for "safer" prospects. Jonathan Gannon would sprint to the podium for a talent like that.
The Skill Position Sleepers
Don’t sleep on the pass catchers here. Luther Burden III is another guy who could easily be a first-rounder in any other year. He’s a YAC (yards after catch) monster. The Tennessee Titans or even the Jacksonville Jaguars could use a guy who can turn a five-yard slant into a 60-yard touchdown.
And then there's Harold Fannin Jr., the tight end from Bowling Green. He’s basically a jumbo wide receiver. He’s 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, and runs like a deer. In an NFL that is increasingly obsessed with "12 personnel" and creating mismatches, Fannin is a cheat code that most casual fans haven't even heard of yet.
Key Insights for Your Draft Board
Look for teams with multiple second-rounders to be aggressive. The Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears have the capital to move up if a blue-chip player like Quinshon Judkins starts to slide. Judkins is a "bruise and cruise" back who would fit perfectly in a cold-weather offense.
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Also, keep an eye on the "program guys." Teams are putting a higher premium on players from Georgia, Ohio State, and Alabama because they know these kids have been coached in a pro-style environment. Donovan Jackson (OG, Ohio State) and Jared Wilson (C, Georgia) are two interior linemen who will probably play 10 years in the league and make three Pro Bowls, even if they don't get the Round 1 hype.
Basically, the nfl mock draft 2025 2nd round is where the value lives. While the media focuses on the quarterbacks at the top, the smart money is on the defensive anchors and offensive line stalwarts taken between picks 33 and 64.
To stay ahead of your league's draft talk, start looking into the medical history of the top 50 prospects. This often dictates the "Friday Slide" more than actual talent. You should also track which teams are meeting with Day 2 quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart or Quinn Ewers, as those late-round-two picks are prime territory for teams looking to develop a successor without the immediate pressure of a top-5 selection.