The midseason point of the NFL upon us, it’s already time to look ahead for most teams. Half of the NFL is pretty much ready to pack it in and start their scouting process for the 2025 NFL Draft.

This upcoming draft class is incredibly defense-heavy. Six of the top 10 in this mock are from the defensive side of the ball, and 17 of the players in the first round are from the defensive side of the ball. Players like CBs Travis Hunter and Will Johnson, DT Mason Graham and EDGEs Abdul Carter, James Pearce and Nic Scourton are some of my favorite prospects in this class, and all of them go highly.

On the other side of the ball … well let’s talk about it. The best prospects are at the RB position and Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. The man is simply incredible, a tackle-breaking machine at a compact 5’9 and can pass block as well. Outside of that, there are a lot of question marks. The top two linemen in this class, Texas’ Kelvin Banks and LSU’s Will Campbell, both might find themselves at guard in the NFL. Other guys like Texas’ Cam Williams and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons have injury and experience questions, making it hard to peg their value. Receiver is also lacking a true impact guy at the top outside of Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillian and Missouri’s Luther Burden. We’ll see how the offensive class shakes out, but at this point if you need a defender, go get one this year.

With that being said, here’s the midseason mock draft, thanks to Tankathon order pre-Monday Night Football.

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

This one is fairly easy. A corner hasn’t gone first overall since 1956, but Hunter should change that come April. His ball skills and instincts make him a perfect complement to Tyson Campbell in the Jaguars’ secondary, which needs all the help they can get.

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

Daniel Jones ain’t it, and if the Giants are picking this high, it might be with a new GM and head coach. Sanders is by far and away the best QB in this draft class, and his touch combined with his toughness give him the potential to be a very good starter in the NFL.

3. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

I wouldn’t be surprised if this pick is a QB if the Titans continue to bottom out, but the Titans can’t bring the QB down. Carter is a terrifying blend of speed and burst, and he’s still growing into the position.

4. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

I could see this potentially being Michigan CB Will Johnson, but I’m going with his teammate in Graham here. Imagine a defensive line with Graham and Myles Garrett set to rush the passer. Good luck to the AFC North.

5. Las Vegas Raiders: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami

The Raiders simply have to draft a QB this year. Ward can sometimes be a little too vibey as a passer, but the big play potential might be too good to pass up here.

6. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

The Dolphins need to be much more physical up front in 2025, and have to keep QB Tua Tagovailoa upright. Campbell might be a better fit inside, but his flexibility and play strength make him an easy pick here.

7. New England Patriots: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The tackle class might not be the best, so I’m gonna go best player available for New England and take the sticky cornerback Will Johnson. His physicality at the line of scrimmage make him and CB Christian Gonzalez a potentially fearsome CB unit.

8. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

Banks brings some nasty and physicality to his game, which is why I think he might work better at guard. The Saints’ offensive line can’t stay healthy, so adding Banks would be a best fit for right now and the future.

9. New York Jets: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Jets’ run defense hasn’t been up to the standard they’ve set, and their EDGE defenders are more bendy than run stopping. Scourton is a big, physical EDGE defender who fits this defense like a glove.

10. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Pearce is a long, explosive pass rusher who can immediately bring the juice up front. Carolina needs some life on the defensive side of the ball, and Pearce can come in and immediately be their ace pass rusher.

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

I will continue to mock this until it gets done. The Cowboys’ RB room is simply not able to get it done, and Jeanty’s ability to break tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield and pass block make him the perfect RB prospect.

12. Indianapolis Colts: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona

Gus Bradley is going to love Tacario Davis. The 6’4 junior is physical at the line of scrimmage and wants to make plays on the ball. The Colts prioritize length at corner, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Davis finds his way to Indy.

13. Cincinnati Bengals: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Continuing to find a complement to EDGE Trey Hendrickson has to be a priority for the Bengals. Williams comes from the Georgia factory of pterodactyls and plays with a lot of power and explosion, making him a better fit with his hand in the dirt.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Bucs’ EDGE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a free agent this offseason, and the Bucs have not been able to generate much pass rush. Walker is a versatile guy who has played off ball as well, but his bend and speed off the edge make him a nice fit in Todd Bowles’ defense.

15. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama

The Seahawks interior offensive line is a mess. They can’t get any push in the run game, and are a walking sieve in pass protection. Booker is a powerful player who will immediately change the math in their run game.

16. Chicago Bears: Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota

I actually think that Ersery could stick at tackle but play guard, which fits for Chicago because their offensive line play has been brutal. Ersery shows nice movement skills for a guy his size, and fits in an outside zone-based scheme.

17. Los Angeles Rams: Tetairoa McMillian, WR, Arizona

Ok, hear me out: WR Cooper Kupp was shopped around in trade rumors this year at the deadline. The Rams’ depth at receiver is middling at best, but adding McMillian immediately brings them back to life. He’s a bigger receiver, but moves like a much smaller guy and is smooth with the ball in his hands. This would be a steal for the Rams.

18. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

One of my favorite prospect to team fits in this mock, the Niners have been looking for a complement to Nick Bosa since Charles Omenihu left. Stewart is big, long, strong and plays with a bit more wiggle to his game than his size would indicate.

19. Denver Broncos: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks falling this low is more reflective of team needs than player quality, because he’s one of the ten best prospects in this class. His matchup versatility and range would be the perfect cap to a secondary with Patrick Surtain II, Riley Moss and JaQuan McMillian.

20. Houston Texans: Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia

Another guard comes off the board, with Ratledge going to the Texans. Houston has tried multiple variants at left guard, but Ratledge would help shore that up. He’s still recovering from tightrope surgery on his ankle, but when he’s healthy he’s a people mover.

21. Atlanta Falcons: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama

Atlanta has the least sacks in the entire league, they need to keep adding bodies along that defensive front until they can fix it. Overton is a big guy who can play inside and out, allowing for the Falcons to mix up their pass rush games.

22. Arizona Cardinals: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

This is the absolute limit for Walker’s draft range, he might go higher than this. But if he falls to Arizona, this is a really fun player and team fit. Arizona is simply too small up front, and Walker is built like a house. He immediately shores up their run game and helps to keep guys off their second level defenders.

23. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Jim Harbaugh might not be able to help himself in this scenario. He recruited Loveland to Michigan, now he would coach him in LA. Loveland is a bit more of an effort blocker than truly good, but he can snap defenders off in route running and can be an immediate receiving threat.

24. Green Bay Packers: Mansoor Delane, CB, Virginia Tech

Delane is a really good athlete who plays with good route recognition in off coverage. The Packers need to add more depth to the outside in their hopes of finding a true complement to Jaire Alexander, and Delane is one of the best. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was another pass rusher either.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

Umanmielen is an impressively built, athletic pass rusher who just continues to get better after transferring to Ole Miss. Baltimore needs some more boost to their pass rush, and they find it in Umanmielen.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas

There’s no more Georgia players to take this high for Howie Roseman, so he chooses another red team from the SEC. Jackson is tall, long and versatile, wearing multiple hats in the Razorbacks’ 3-man front. He goes to Philly, where he can help a pass rush that’s inconsistent at best.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

As the Steelers offense figures itself out with Russell Wilson at QB, one thing has become clear: they need some more receivers who can create separation underneath. Burden might be at his best in the slot, but he’s dynamite with the ball in his hands and can win in the short and intermediate areas.

28. Minnesota Vikings: Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

Before his season-ending knee injury, Revel was trending towards the top half of draft boards. He stays in Round 1 here, but goes to Minnesota at 28, where his speed and ball skills make him a youthful replacement in Brian Flores’ defense.

29. Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Washington is playing with a known good QB on a cheap contract, so they add on by adding another receiver. Egbuka is Mr. Reliable, winning at every level of the field and has sure hands. He can play inside and outside, a perfect complement to Terry McLaurin.

30. Buffalo Bills: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Bills have been trying to find a consistent partner to Ed Oliver for a minute now, and go to the DT well again with Nolen. The former top ranked recruit is a tantalizing athlete who is consistently disruptive.

31. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Sawyer just feels like a Dan Campbell EDGE defender. The motor runs hot, he’s versatile and can win with power primarily. He and Aidan Hutchinson would make a really nice duo in Detroit.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas

The Chiefs are embracing their New England Patriots-era of ruthless efficiency through their tight ends and underneath passing. Helm is a good blocker and wins downfield, and can be the future at tight end once Travis Kelce decides to hang up the cleats.