Ryder Stoolie's NFL Mock Draft (Picks 21-32)

Happy Draft Day to all NFL fans (even Bears, Lions, and Vikings fans)! It has been a long time coming, but tonight, we get to find out which of our favorite prospects our team won't draft and which prospects you'll be convincing yourself for the next four months are Hall-of-Fame-caliber players once your team selects them.

Don't forget, this is part three of our Mock Draft series. You can find that here if you missed part one, which includes our best bets for Thursday, along with picks 1-10. Part two, which includes picks 11-20, can be found here.

The back half of the draft is by far the hardest to predict when doing a no-trade mock because teams in these positions are always looking to either move up or move back a couple of spots. Draft intel started to leak more and more after I completed my mock draft, so some of these players are likely to go higher or lower than what I have them predicted.

The first round of the NFL Draft will begin at 7:00 p.m. CT tonight.

Pittsburgh Steelers Round 1, Pick 21

SHEDEUR SANDERS, QB, COLORADO —  I think this has the chance to be the best landing spot for Sanders. He would come in with newly acquired WR D.K. Metcalf and dependable targets like George Pickens (who might be traded by the time training camp begins), Calvin Austin III, and Pat Freiermuth. If Sanders is off the board, I could see Pittsburgh going for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart or trading down a few spots. Regardless, the Steelers must find a quarterback with Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain and Mason Rudolph penciled in as the starter.

2024 stats: 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Los Angeles Chargers, Round 1 Pick 22

COLSTON LOVELAND, TE, MICHIGAN — Remember earlier when I said draft intel was starting to leak the closer we get to draft time? Loveland is projected to be gone way before this pick, but we have to stick to what we have. Obviously, a connection between Loveland and former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn't hurt. Still, I think Loveland is severely overlooked, and Justin Herbert needs more weapons on the offensive side of the ball.

2024 stats: 56 receptions, 582 receiving yards, 5 touchdowns

Green Bay Packers, Round 1 Pick 23

SHEMAR STEWART, EDGE, TEXAS A&M —  The team hosting the 2025 NFL draft (and my favorite team) is drafting one of the biggest question marks in the class. Stewart is a freak of nature when it comes to athleticism, but will that translate into production at the NFL level? It sure didn't in college, where he totaled just 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks. It will come down to whether or not Stewart learns how to finish plays. He was there to make the stop in college but had a hard time finishing. The Packers need a first-round pick who can come in and contribute, so a project like Stewart may be too risky for them. However, he will look great in the Green and Gold for now.

2024 stats: 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF

Minnesota Vikings, Round 1 Pick 24

MALAKI STARKS, S, GEORGIA — Fine, I'll admit it. I intentionally mocked Nick Emmanwori to the Seahawks just so the Vikings couldn't get him. However, you soon begin to realize it's a lose-lose either way because Starks is so fun to watch. With Harrison Smith getting up there in age, Brian Flores gets a new toy for his already elite defense.

2024 stats: 77 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 PD, 1 Interception

Houston Texans, Round 1 Pick 25

TYLER BOOKER, OL, ALABAMA — There's not much to this one. The Texans are desperate for offensive line help and have to do a better job of protecting CJ Stroud if they want any chance of being successful last season. Although they did lose Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver would also be a possible choice. I expect them to address the trenches after they traded away Laremy Tunsil for whatever reason to the Washington Commanders.

Los Angeles Rams, Round 1 Pick 26

MAXWELL HAIRSTON, CB, KENTUCKY — I may be higher than most on Hairston because I've done a lot of corner prep in case the Packers take one in the first round (and I think they should). Hairston is a long but light corner who is a playmaking machine. As a sophomore at Kentucky, he had five interceptions, including two for touchdowns. He only played seven games in 2024, but he is a guy with tremendous upside and would be solid for a Rams secondary that needs help.

2024 stats: 19 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 interception, 1 touchdown

Baltimore Ravens, Round 1 Pick 27

DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, EDGE, BOSTON COLLEGE — This is a match made in Heaven. Ezeiruaku is coming off an All-American season at Boston College and was second in the country in sacks (16.5) behind Mike Green of Marshall. You know he will show up ready to work every day, as evidenced by his team voting him as a captain. A bendy rusher who is a freak off the edge sounds like something Baltimore will use to their advantage when chasing down elite quarterbacks in the AFC.

2024 stats: 80 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 21 TFL, 3 PD

Detroit Lions, Round 1 Pick 28

GREY ZABEL, OL, NORTH DAKOTA STATE — Zabel is likely the most versatile OL in the 2025 class. He can play anywhere from left guard to right tackle. The Lions have lost Kevin Zeitler, and I believe Zabel could slip in immediately and be a day-one starter at right guard for Dan Campbell. The No. 1 thing that stood out to be about Zabel was his ability to get body on body to seal blocks. As a Missouri Valley Conference football fan, it would sadden me to see Zabel go to a division rival.

Washington Commanders, Round 1 Pick 29

KENNETH GRANT, DL, MICHIGAN — First off, shoutout to Derik from the Chat. I knew I had to make this pick special for him. Grant falling this low may not happen, but the Commanders need help in the run defense department. He has three years of production against high-level competition and has an impressive quick first step. This is a good starting point for a team looking to repeat success in 2025.

2024 stats: 32 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks

Buffalo Bills, Round 1 Pick 30

TREY AMOS, CB, OLE MISS — Amos might move the best out of any of the corners in the draft. He brings the ability to play in man coverage and does a nice job of disrupting receivers at the line of scrimmage. He tackles well for a corner, and the Bills are always looking for easier ways to shut down offenses like Kansas City, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. I love this pick for Buffalo.

2024 stats: 50 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 interceptions

Kansas City Chiefs, Round 1 Pick 31

JOSH SIMMONS, OL, OHIO STATE — Anyone who watched the Super Bowl knows what the Chiefs lack. Coming off a knee injury, Simmons would've been a lock to go in the top 15, but he might fall into the perfect situation with the NFL's best quarterback. They wouldn't need Simmons to step up and be an immediate contributor with the signing of Jaylon Moore this offseason, but Kansas City could have their tackle of the future waiting for them when he returns from injury.

Philadelphia Eagles, Round 1 Pick 32

LUTHER BURDEN, WR, MISSOURI — I will not stand for any slander of Luther Burden. As a Mizzou fan, Burden picked the Tigers over every team in the country as a St. Louis native to show the country that he could put Mizzou football on the map. Mission accomplished. As a sophomore, Burden helped lead the Tigers to a Cotton Bowl victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in Jerry World to cap off a 1,212-yard season with nine touchdowns. His production did slip a bit as a junior, but LBIII dealt with a tough quarterback situation for a few weeks. There have been character knocks on him in recent weeks, and worry about his route tree. Watch below if you haven't had time to watch what Burden can do with the ball in his hands. Touchdown Luther in Philly will feed families.