2025 NFL mock draft: QBs Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward crack top five

Posted by Admin November 13, 2024 NFL

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The NFL season has cruised past its midway point, but there’s only a tiny fraction of clarity surrounding next year’s draft.

The uncertainty starts with the quarterbacks, with only two passers – Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward – truly establishing themselves as worthy of first-round consideration, while several other previous candidates – including Georgia’s Carson Beck and Texas’ Quinn Ewers – have seemingly faded a bit. A similar dynamic is in place for many other positions, with a shortage of surefire top-10 selections. And the top of the order still looks volatile, with 11 teams having either two or three wins.

With all that in mind, here’s our latest 2025 NFL mock draft projection, with the current first round order via Tankathon:

2025 NFL mock draft

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Enjoy the incredible ironman performances while you can, as whichever team selects Hunter surely can’t utilize him on 161 snaps in a single game the way Colorado did last week against Texas Tech. Even though he could be a shutdown corner for Jacksonville’s league-worst defense, the smart money is on the Heisman Trophy front-runner going the receiver route given the way the market at the position has exploded. That shouldn’t dissuade the Jaguars at all, as Hunter is still the kind of transcendent talent who can team with stellar 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr. to get Trevor Lawrence’s development back on track after what’s shaping up to be another lost season.

2. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Deion Sanders’ claim regarding his son’s draft outlook in March that “it’s gonna be an Eli (Manning)” would take on new meaning in this scenario. Should Big Blue pursue another football blue blood, the pairing could be fruitful for each side. With coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen expected to return in 2025, the Giants would be able to turn the page on Daniel Jones’ tenure by installing a poised passer who can dice defenses apart with precision strikes from the pocket. Sanders, meanwhile, would inherit a unit that looks to be on the upswing, with wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. exhibiting immense promise as rookies and the offensive line looking to be in a better spot upon left tackle Andrew Thomas’ return from a season-ending Lisfranc injury.

3. Tennessee Titans – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Titans’ 31st-ranked passing attack is too large of a problem for any one player to resolve. While Tennessee can’t merely expect improvement by running things back with Will Levis, general manager Ran Carthon and coach Brian Callahan might be reticent to force a quarterback pick in an uneven class. The 6-5, 212-pound McMillan would pair nicely with Calvin Ridley to give Tennessee’s next signal-caller a formidable tandem of targets. He’s also shown he can lift an underperforming offense, as he ranks second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,066 receiving yards despite Arizona’s wider issues.

4. Cleveland Browns – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

From both a financial and personnel perspective, trying to pivot this spring from the Deshaun Watson debacle to a first-round quarterback doesn’t seem viable. Instead, Cleveland should be focused on collecting cornerstones for what could be an extended build. Graham’s relentless approach would help set the right tone for a franchise facing major upheaval in the coming years.

5. Las Vegas Raiders – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

It’s only fitting that perhaps the biggest gamble of this class would land in Las Vegas. If Ward is able to harness the singular playmaking skills he has demonstrated throughout this season, the payoff for this pick would be immense. But the transfer from Washington State and Incarnate Word could be in for a rough transition to the pros if he is asked to start immediately, as he has largely faced underwhelming competition and too often refuses to fold even when he’s dealt a bad hand. That mentality could create some friction with Antonio Pierce, but it should be evident to the coach that a seismic shift is in order after the team tried to scrape by with Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell this season.

6. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

With Drake Maye providing a much-needed spark to an otherwise lifeless offense, the mandate for executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf to upgrade the supporting cast in Year 2 is even stronger than it was last offseason. Overhauling the offensive line and receiving corps likely will require a significant spend in both the draft and free agency, with New England currently projected to have a league-high $130.8 million in cap space for 2025, according to Over The Cap. Campbell doesn’t have the flashiest physical traits, but New England would likely welcome his savvy as a pass protector. Even if he ends up as a candidate to move inside due to his frame, he could allow the team to keep Michael Onwenu at right guard after the team toyed with the idea of flipping him to the other side.

7. New Orleans Saints – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Will the Saints finally detonate their deteriorating roster after firing Dennis Allen or hold out hope for a quick return to relevance? Given the way the franchise has engaged in cap gymnastics to cling to the status quo, don’t bet on a full-blown reset. Still, Johnson is the kind of pick any franchise would leap at regardless of its direction. The 6-2, 202-pounder has missed substantial time this season with shoulder and toe injuries, but his shutdown credentials are unimpeachable. Not a bad way to regroup after trading Marshon Lattimore at the deadline.

8. New York Jets – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

It’s anyone’s guess as to what next year’s iteration of the Jets will look like given the wide-reaching fallout that could be ahead once this year’s disappointing campaign wraps up. But there’s little reason for Gang Green to hand Haason Reddick the long-term contract that the two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher is seeking. The Jets can reload their edge rush with Williams, whose power makes him a fine partner for breakout defensive end Will McDonald IV.

9. Carolina Panthers – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Though Bryce Young has shown incremental improvement since being reinserted into the starting lineup, Carolina hardly seems committed to a plan at quarterback. Using another top pick on a passer could be dicey for the Panthers, especially after two consecutive wins dropped them back in the order. Though Burden hasn’t had the junior season many envisioned with just 11.3 yards per catch and one game over 100 yards, he’s still a dynamic run-after-catch threat who would help this team reload at receiver after it cast off Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo.

10. Miami Dolphins – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Keeping impending free agent Jevon Holland seems like a stretch for a franchise that is shelling out top dollar at several other positions, and Jordan Poyer and Marcus Maye are also set to hit the market. While the NFL hasn’t had a safety selected in the top 10 since Jamal Adams went sixth overall in 2017, Starks should earn consideration to go early on Day 1 as a do-it-all defender who constantly puts himself in position to make big plays.

11. Dallas Cowboys – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Jerry Jones seems about as eager to make sweeping personnel changes as he does to hang drapes throughout AT&T Stadium. Still, it no doubt eats at the Cowboys owner to see the 31st-ranked rushing attack dragging down the rest of the offense. A correction – or overcorrection – could be waiting with the selection of Jeanty. After attending high school in the same town – Frisco, Texas – as the location of Cowboys headquarters, the Heisman Trophy candidate continues to pinball off defenders as though he were playing against those still at the prep level. Bringing him on could one of the first steps in a massive recalibration for Dallas.

12. Indianapolis Colts – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

A season-ending hip injury could severely drag Morrison’s draft stock down. But given the Colts’ extensive shortcomings in the secondary and cornerback Kenny Moore II calling out his teammates’ effort, the 6-0, 190-pounder’s polish and consistency make him an alluring option.

13. Cincinnati Bengals – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Reconfiguring a dilapidated defense has to be a priority in Cincinnati, but Tee Higgins’ expected departure looms large as well. Egbuka doesn’t offer the same level of explosiveness as Higgins, but the crafty 6-1, 203-pound target could step into the No. 2 role next to Ja’Marr Chase as a supercharged Tyler Boyd who routinely creates opportunities for himself with smooth route running.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State

Leaks are springing up everywhere on Todd Bowles’ defense, which has given up 31.3 points per contest in its last six games while setting an NFL low with 425.3 yards per game. A step in the right direction would be to address an underperforming pass rush by adding Carter, a blur off the edge who still has room to grow as he learns not to rely solely on his pure explosiveness.

15. Seattle Seahawks – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The interior line’s failure to safeguard Geno Smith has severely limited offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s options this season. At 6-4 and 320 pounds, Banks has the tools to become a high-level pass protector at guard if he can comfortably adapt to a new position after starting at left tackle for three years at Texas.

16. Chicago Bears – Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M

As pressing as the ongoing offensive calamity in Chicago is, a shortage of top-tier linemen might point the Bears elsewhere with their first-round pick. At 6-4 and 280 pounds with a signature spin move, Scourton could provide even an additional spark to Chicago’s defense as a potential fixture opposite Montez Sweat.

17. Los Angeles Rams – Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

Lingering issues along the offensive line could threaten to spoil what’s left of Matthew Stafford’s career in Los Angeles, with the veteran quarterback under constant duress and taking four sacks in Monday’s loss to the Dolphins. Williams is far more of a project than a plug-and-play starter, but his elite traits should have him firmly in the first-round conversation.

18. San Francisco 49ers – Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Taking a player coming off a torn ACL would give any San Francisco fan pause given the toll rampant injuries have taken on the team’s season. But so long as the 49ers are comfortable with his outlook, Revel is an intriguing possibility given a frame (6-3, 193 pounds) and skill set that have drawn him comparisons to Richard Sherman.

19. Denver Broncos – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The acclimation plan for Bo Nix has centered on maintaining a reasonable ask of Denver’s rookie quarterback. While Nix’s responsibilities are sure to expand, adding Loveland would be in keeping with the current effort. The 6-5, 245-pounder threatens defenses down the seam with his speed and could be a high-volume target for an offense that has just 28 combined receptions from its tight ends.

20. Houston Texans – Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Fortifying the interior of both its lines has to be a priority given Houston’s problems at the point of attack. The Texans can still find value at offensive guard later in the draft and use its first pick on Walker, a 6-6, 345-pound force in the middle. More consistency and control are required for him to properly tap into his Pro Bowl-caliber talent, but his combination of sheer power and surprising agility is hard to find.

21. Atlanta Falcons – James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee

The longstanding pass-rush woes haven’t abated, with Atlanta’s inability to take down Derek Carr during a letdown loss to the Saints keeping the team’s defense at a league-low nine sacks on the season. Pearce has established himself as one of college football’s best at pestering quarterbacks thanks to his impressive burst and length, though he’ll have to fill out his frame and round out his pass-rush plan to be a consistent threat off the edge.

22. Arizona Cardinals – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The past two weeks have been an awakening for Jonathan Gannon’s formerly dormant defense, with the group netting a combined nine sacks against Caleb Williams and Aaron Rodgers. But Arizona shouldn’t get too comfortable with how the unit handled two floundering teams. The 6-2, 245-pound Walker will need to be deployed creatively to replicate the massive disruption he has created for the Bulldogs this season. Gannon, however, knows how to make the most of an undersized but athletic linebacker after he helped Haason Reddick record a career-high 16 sacks for the Eagles in 2022.

23. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

The Bolts rank ninth in rushing yards allowed per game (110.6) but 25th in yards allowed per carry (4.7). To boost the team’s efficiency on that front, Jim Harbaugh doesn’t need to stray far from his comfort zone, as his former pupil Grant routinely blows up plays in the backfield and demands double teams.

24. Green Bay Packers – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

For all of the progress that defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has made in Year 1, the starting cornerback spot opposite Jaire Alexander remains a sore spot. Barron might not meet Brian Gutekunst’s high thresholds for size and athleticism at the position, but he can thrive anywhere in the secondary and has a knack for making his way to the ball.

25. Washington Commanders – JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State

Kudos to coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. for piecing together a pass rush without a marquee investment. The hard-charging Tuimoloau might not consistently post seasons with double-digit sacks, but his knack for jolting offensive tackles backward and stopping the run shouldn’t be overlooked.

26. Baltimore Ravens – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Maybe it seems wrong to project an offensive tackle for a team currently on track to break the NFL record for yards in a season, especially given Baltimore’s deficient edge rush. But left tackle Ronnie Stanley is set to be a free agent after this year, and Simons was on a clear first-round trajectory before a knee injury ended his season.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers – Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

With Russell Wilson on a one-year deal and turning 36 later this month, it’s difficult to suss out what this offense might need next season. Still, it never hurts to infuse an aerial attack with serious track speed, which Bond has flashed at times this year en route to averaging 16.7 yards per catch.

28. Minnesota Vikings – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The Michigan State transfer has arguably enjoyed the biggest breakout season of any defender in college football, as he leads all interior defensive linemen in pressures. Able to line up in a variety of spots, the 6-5, 310-pounder could create serious havoc in Brian Flores’ scheme.

29. Philadelphia Eagles – Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

Vic Fangio’s defense has feasted on struggling opponents since the bye, but adding to the defensive front is likely to remain of interest to Howie Roseman. The 6-6, 290-pound Stewart is one of the most imposing defenders in the draft, and his versatility and stout run defense should make him an immediate contributor.

30. Buffalo Bills – Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

For the foreseeable future, Buffalo has to construct its roster with a focus on besting Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. That likely entails a more formidable front four, especially with an improved push on the interior. Since transferring from Texas A&M, Nolen has stepped up his game and served a reminder of why he was once ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 class.

31. Detroit Lions – Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona

With Kevin Zeitler playing on a one-year contract and turning 35 in March, Detroit might be due for a change to a front that has paved the way for the league’s second-highest scoring attack. With his massive frame (6-5, 330 pounds) and punishing approach, Savaiinaea is a natural fit to move back to guard after starting his career there prior to a switch to right tackle.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Always hyperconscious of maximizing value throughout the draft, general manager Brett Veach could stay true to his mentality here while still filling a key void. Chris Jones is the only defensive tackle signed for 2025, and Williams can help collapse the pocket while honing his pass-rushing skills.