Grok AI has first-round mock draft that goes a little wild

USA Today

22-04-2025

Grok AI has first-round mock draft that goes a little wild Why not add an AI mock draft to the mix?
It is draft week and everyone is giving final mock drafts and projections for what will happen in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday.
We have shared so many projections from football analysts. But what about artificial intelligence?
I asked Grok, X/Twitter's AI bot, to project the first round of the draft. Here is what it came up with:
2025 AI NFL mock draft for Round 1
Tennessee Titans (3-14): Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) Will Levis and Brandon Allen aren't the answer. Ward's 39 TD passes and pocket movement make him the -10000 favorite for No. 1 (DraftKings), per NFL.com's Reuter. Cleveland Browns (4-13): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado With Myles Garrett's trade request, Hunter's versatility (WR or CB) adds elite ball skills. He can replace Stefon Diggs or start opposite Martin Emerson Jr., per ESPN's Tannenbaum. New York Giants (4-13): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado Post-Daniel Jones, the Giants need a QB. Sanders' 73.4% completion and poise fit Brian Daboll's offense, per PFF. New England Patriots (4-13): Will Campbell, OT, LSU Protecting Drake Maye is critical. Campbell's 6'6', 320-pound frame and three-year starting experience anchor the line, per NFL.com's Jeremiah. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-12): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State With Travis Etienne's contract expiring, Jeanty's 2,601 yards and 29 TDs in 2024 are a game-changer for Doug Pederson, per Bleacher Report. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12): Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State The Raiders need pass-rush help post-Maxx Crosby trade rumors. Carter's 10 sacks and 20 TFLs pair with Christian Wilkins, per NFL.com's Reuter. New York Jets (5-12): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas With Tyron Smith's contract expiring, Banks' versatility (Outland Trophy winner) protects Aaron Rodgers, per NFL.com's Jeremiah and PFF. This avoids duplicating Warren (projected later). Carolina Panthers (6-11): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan The defensive front needs a cornerstone. Graham's 8.5 TFLs and motor fit Ejiro Evero's scheme, per NFL.com's Reuter. New Orleans Saints (6-11): Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia With Demario Davis aging and Derek Carr's injury, Walker's versatility (6.5 sacks) bolsters the defense, per PFF. Chicago Bears (6-11): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri Caleb Williams needs more weapons. Burden's 1,212 yards and 9 TDs in 2024 complement DJ Moore, per ESPN's Tannenbaum. San Francisco 49ers (7-10): Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M The 49ers prioritize defensive line traits. Stewart's 6'6', 267-pound frame and 4.59 40-yard dash offer upside, per NFL.com's Reuter. Dallas Cowboys (7-10): Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas Losing Jourdan Lewis creates a nickel need. Barron's five INTs and slot versatility fit Mike Zimmer's defense, per Bleacher Report. Miami Dolphins (8-9): Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona Tua Tagovailoa needs a big-bodied receiver despite defensive needs (Jalen Ramsey trade rumors). McMillan's 1,402 yards and 8 TDs fit Mike McDaniel's offense, per Bleacher Report and NFL.com's Marc Ross. Indianapolis Colts (8-9): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State Warren's 88 receptions and 1,057 yards in 2024 make him a safety valve for Anthony Richardson, fitting Shane Steichen's scheme. Bleacher Report and PFF project him here, avoiding duplication from No. 7. Atlanta Falcons (8-9): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan With a weak pass rush (31 sacks), Atlanta pivots to the secondary post-Judon and Carter. Johnson's two INTs and 4.37 40-yard dash pair with A.J. Terrell, per NFL.com's Reuter and Jeremiah. Arizona Cardinals (8-9): Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan With top OTs (Banks, Campbell) gone, Arizona bolsters Jonathan Gannon's 3-4 front. Grant (6'3', 339 lbs, 7.5 TFLs in 2024) is a run-stopper with pass-rush upside, fitting needs with Roy Lopez and L.J. Collier as free agents, per NFL.com's Reuter and PFF. Cincinnati Bengals (8-9): Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia Trey Hendrickson's uncertain future demands pass-rush help. Williams' 4.5 sacks and 6'5', 265-pound frame fit, per NFL.com's Reuter. Seattle Seahawks (10-7): Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State DK Metcalf's trade request and Cooper Kupp's injuries necessitate a young WR. Egbuka's 72 catches and 4.42 40-yard dash fit Ryan Grubb's offense, per NFL.com's Adam Rank and Seahawks.com. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7): Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama Lavonte David's age (35) requires a successor. Campbell's 106 tackles and versatility fit Todd Bowles' defense, per PFF and The Athletic's Brugler. Denver Broncos (10-7): Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina Sean Payton needs a workhorse back. Hampton's 1,543 yards and 13 TDs add explosiveness, per ESPN's Tannenbaum. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas A WR2 for George Pickens, Bond's 4.39 40-yard dash fits Arthur Smith's offense, per NFL.com's Reuter. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M Joey Bosa's injuries require edge depth. Scourton's 10 TFLs fit Jesse Minter's front, per PFF. Green Bay Packers (11-6): Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina Jaire Alexander's uncertain future demands a corner. Revel's two INTs in three 2024 games (pre-ACL injury) offer upside, per NFL.com's Reuter. Minnesota Vikings (11-6): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Brian Flores needs a rangy safety. Starks' 4.45 40-yard dash and 20 PBUs bolster the secondary, per PFF. Houston Texans (11-6): Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon A run-stuffing DT for DeMeco Ryans' front, Harmon's 6 TFLs fit, per NFL.com's Reuter. Los Angeles Rams (10-7): Matthew Golden, WR, Texas Cooper Kupp's injuries and trade rumors necessitate a young receiver. Golden's 4.29 40-yard dash and 987 yards fit Sean McVay's offense, per NFL.com's Reuter. Baltimore Ravens (11-6): Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss Interior line depth is needed. Nolen's 7 TFLs offer upside, per PFF and NFL.com. Detroit Lions (12-5): Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA Depth beyond Aidan Hutchinson is needed. Oladejo's athleticism fits Aaron Glenn's scheme, per CBS Sports. Washington Commanders (12-5): Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State Despite Marshon Lattimore's addition, secondary depth is needed post-Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Thomas' 4.38 40-yard dash fits Dan Quinn's defense, per ESPN's Tannenbaum. Buffalo Bills (13-4): Vernon Broughton, DL, Texas With DaQuan Jones and A.J. Epenesa as free agents, Broughton's 6 TFLs add depth, per CBS Sports. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2): Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia Protecting Patrick Mahomes is key with Trey Smith's potential departure. Milum's versatility fits Andy Reid's scheme, per CBS Sports. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3): JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State With Josh Sweat and Milton Williams as free agents, Tuimoloau's 6.5 sacks and combine performance bolster the pass rush, per The Athletic's Brugler.
Analysis
This mock goes after the first few picks. Abdul Carter going sixth? Mason Graham going eighth?
Banks going before Membou is interesting, too, although his experience at left tackle might be the difference.
Burden as the first receiver off the board? Also wild.
Shavon Revel in Round 1 coming off an ACL? Isaiah Bond in the first round?
It's a good thing this is not a person making picks. Some of those picks would get a guy fired.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.