Colorado’s NFL Showcase happened on Friday, and it included two potential high draft picks in Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Now is a good time for another 2025 NFL mock draft, with perhaps clarity at No. 1 overall—and the next two picks arguably becoming clearer, too.
1. TEN: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
If the Titans aren’t taking Cam Ward No. 1 overall, they’ve done a heck of a job with a smokescreen that could potentially bring a godfather offer from a team like the Giants at the last minute. The mutual cancelation of Shedeur’s private workout probably locks in Ward here. It’d be interesting to hear the max offer another team sends Tennessee, though.
2. CLE: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Abdul Carter was long the betting favorite to go No. 2, but things are changing and I believe we’re going to see some order of the Colorado guys go before Carter. The Browns sound like they love both—and are having trouble deciding between—Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. While it’s easy to see the quarterback winning out, the two-way star might bring value the Browns feel is worth adding with a premium selection.
3. NYG: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If Hunter is available, I think the Giants would go with him. But with Hunter going two—as opposed to Carter—it’s easy to envision the Giants feeling more comfortable taking Sanders. Despite their value, the Giants simply might not want to add another edge defender to go with big 2024 trade acquisition Brian Burns and former first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux.
4. NE: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
The ideal scenario for the Patriots is two quarterbacks going in the top three, allowing them at worst to get the No. 2 player on their board. Abdul Carter would join a roster that invested in a bunch of veteran pieces this offseason. A front four of Carter, Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, and Harold Landry III could do some damage in terms of getting after the passer.
5. CHI (mock trade w/ JAX): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Bears have an extra second-round pick from the Panthers, and using the trade chart (not that the Jaguars would automatically go for that) it’d be more than enough to move up from No. 10 to No. 5. If they are locked in on Ashton Jeanty—an extremely talented running back who also has great character—it makes sense to go get him as a headliner on offense to make things much easier on Caleb Williams.
6. LV: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Jeanty has been a popular pairing with the Raiders leading up to the draft, but there are several ways Vegas can go at No. 6 with or without the Boise State star on the board. My guess right now is the new regime might want to pair Michigan man Mason Graham with Christian Wilkins on the interior to go with Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the outside.
7. NYJ: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
The Jets have had a quiet offseason and have some work to do, and the thought is they like Armand Membou as a plug-and-play right tackle to bookend what looks like a hit in 2024 first-round left tackle Olu Fashanu.
8. CAR: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
It doesn’t sound like the top three teams are considering him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Jalon Walker is in the mix as early as No. 4 to the Patriots, and the Panthers might run the card up to get him on their defense if he’s there at No. 8. The Georgia star would bring juice and leadership to the squad.
9. NO: Will Campbell, G, LSU
Kellen Moore had success with the Eagles behind an elite offensive line, and Will Campbell—though whether he plays tackle or guard at the next level is uncertain—feels like a fit for New Orleans as a three-year starter close by at LSU.
10. JAX (mock trade via CHI): Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
After trading back five spots with the mock draft, the Jaguars might be more willing to take a tight end—especially a do-it-all weapon like Tyler Warren. Trevor Lawrence would have fun throwing to Brian Thomas Jr. and Warren.
11. SF: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The young secondary of the Niners is very exciting, and now they need to re-build that front. Kenneth Grant would be a natural fit inside, where San Francisco has gotten weaker.
12. DAL: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are a wild card. They could go just about any position including a running back like Omarion Hampton. I’m going with a relative surprise selection of Emeka Egbuka as the first wide receiver off the board. Egbuka has known Cowboys wide receivers coach Junior Adams since high school, and the high character of the Ohio State product is a plus for Dallas.
13. MIA: Kelvin Banks Jr., G, Texas
Left tackle Terron Armstead just retired, with 2024 second-rounder Patrick Paul expected to step into the role. But Kelvin Banks Jr. can play guard—or slide out to his college position if Paul isn’t working out. Miami has made it clear they’re going to invest in the offensive line this offseason.
14. IND: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Shoulder surgery for Jihaad Campbell could lead to a massive fall well outside the first round, so keep that in mind. But if teams are comfortable with the medical situation, the Colts are a great fit. Indy needs more playmaking and aggressiveness.
15. ATL: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Falcons kept their intention to draft Michael Penix Jr. under wraps last spring, and they’re a challenging team to pinpoint in terms of direction they go this month. This area of the first round could be an active spot for trades, but they might stick here and get Will Johnson, who picked off Penix in the national title game a couple of years ago.
16. ARI: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
The Cardinals have taken some swings on the defensive front, including drafting Darius Robinson in Round 1 and trading for Baron Browning last year—and signing former Eagle Josh Sweat during free agency. In this scenario, Shemar Stewart would develop as part of the group. Again, this might be a spot the Cardinals might want to trade out of.
17. CIN: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Drafting well is incredibly important for any team, but the Bengals really must hit on draft picks with the money committed to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Jahdae Barron matches what they’ve looked for in defensive backs, with athleticism and versatility to play outside or at nickel.
18. SEA: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Protecting Sam Darnold will be critical as the Seahawks look to have a successful transition and remain in the playoff mix with their new, younger franchise quarterback. Donovan Jackson next to left tackle Charles Cross long term would be excellent.
19. TB: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Antoine Winfield Jr. already plays the deep part of the field at a high level, and adding Malaki Starks might be seen as overkill to some extent. But both safeties are plenty versatile to move around the defensive formation and take the ball away in a variety of ways.
20. DEN: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
It’s difficult to know how the board falls, but the Broncos might be set to add a running back at No. 20—or trade back and get one. Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson are two other options, but Quinshon Judkins probably best fits the tone-setting style that Denver—boosting that on defense with free agent signings Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga—wants to play. Judkins excels on all three downs and in pass protection in a running back room rounded out by Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.
21. PIT: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
The Steelers have not been shy in showing their interest in Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, going to his Pro Day and having dinner with him. This feels somewhat like the Kenny Pickett situation from 2022, where it was obvious looking back that Pittsburgh was just going to sit there and take him if he was there. But Milroe is obviously much more explosive and has immense upside as a dual threat in today’s league.
22. LAC: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Will Johnson are all gone in this mock, but fellow Wolverine Colston Loveland could land with Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers. The signing of Tyler Conklin during free agency wouldn’t preclude LA from taking Loveland if they like him.
23. GB: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
This might be lower than expected for Tetairoa McMillan, but the big target fits nicely with Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed—along with Dontayvion Wicks, Mecole Hardman, and Malik Heath—after Christian Watson’s ACL tear in Week 18. Love of the game has become a question with talk of McMillan’s past film-watching habits, but Matt LaFleur should be able to get the most out of the talented Arizona receiver.
24. MIN: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Maxwell Hairston’s length (at his height), speed, and ability to take the ball away all likely appeal to the Vikings and their complex defense under Brian Flores.
25. HOU: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
Keep an eye on Josh Simmons as a long-term left tackle option for the Texans after trading Laremy Tunsil and signing Cam Robinson on a one-year deal, but Grey Zabel can help solve the interior problems the offense had in 2024. Zabel might start right away at center for Houston.
26. LAR: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
It’s easy to envision the Rams as a team that aggressively moves up the draft board for someone they love. If they stay at No. 26, Trey Amos spent five years in college and can challenge receivers on a defense looking to play in big games again next season.
27. BAL: Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia
This was one of the easier pairings, as Mykel Williams fits what the Ravens look for in edge defenders, with size and pedigree playing for Georgia.
28. DET: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
If the character checks out, Brad Holmes and the Lions are probably very intrigued by the damage James Pearce Jr. can do opposite Aidan Hutchinson. If a contending team lands Pearce in this range, we might quickly look back and wonder how that happened.
29. WAS: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Simmons was mentioned earlier, and the Commanders can draft him as someone with the talent to take over for either Tunsil on the blindside or for Andrew Wylie at right tackle in a year or two.
30. BUF: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
This was a tough choice to pin down, but Benjamin Morrison stands out as a great option to immediately compete for the starting role opposite Christian Benford with Taron Johnson in the slot.
31. KC: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
Kansas City could be another spot for Omarion Hampton if they love his home-run ability on the ground and as an outlet for Patrick Mahomes, but the talented pass rusher Mike Green fits the direction they’ve gone in the past. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen might be in the mix here, too.
32. NO (mock trade via PHI): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
With the mistakes much of the league has made in how things have played out for Philly, the Eagles could have someone like Malaki Starks or James Pearce Jr. fall to them (or trade up for someone like that), but in this scenario, a trade out makes sense. The Saints have shown legitimate interest in Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, and moving up to No. 32 gets them the fifth-year option for a guy that won’t start right away over Derek Carr.