NFL mock draft 2025: Meta AI predicts the entire first round
The predictions from Meta AI for the 2025 NFL draft were unexpected and generated buzz among fans and analysts. The chatbot's mock draft showcased its ability to analyze data and make educated guesses on player selections. It will be interesting to see how accurate the AI's predictions are once the draft actually takes place. The use of artificial intelligence in sports analysis continues to evolve and provide new perspectives on player evaluations and team strategies.
NFL analysts have been attempting to predict the NFL draft for decades since Mel Kiper Jr. and Joel Buchsbaum popularized coverage of the event in the 1980s. Mocking the draft is often a difficult pursuit. Even the best mock drafts tend to get just a handful of picks right each year, as one surprise or out-of-order pick can have a ripple effect that can dismantle the mocks of even the most well-prepared draft analysts.
With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports decided to see what type of mock draft an artificial intelligence chatbot might put together. For this exercise, Meta AI was used to determine the first-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft a few weeks ahead of the event. Meta wasn't quite able to create a full mock draft by itself, so it was prompted to make the mock on a pick-by-pick basis. The mixed results showed the limitations of having AI predict such an event.
Notable Omissions
Notably, Meta decided not to include two notable prospects – Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren – in its first round. The duo has broadly been mocked as top-15 selections, so seeing both slide out of the first 32 picks would be surprising.
Meta didn't have any picks that were major reaches, but it did have some questionable player-team fits in its first round. That included an odd landing spot for Boise State star Ashton Jeanty.
Meta AI's Mock Draft Picks
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
4. New England Patriots: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
7. New York Jets: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
9. New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
10. Chicago Bears: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
11. San Francisco 49ers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
13. Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
14. Indianapolis Colts: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
16. Arizona Cardinals: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
18. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
24. Minnesota Vikings: Max Hairston, CB, Kentucky
25. Houston Texans: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
26. Los Angeles Rams: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
27. Baltimore Ravens: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
28. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
29. Washington Commanders: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
30. Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon