2025 first-round mock draft: Major shakeup in the draft order has three QBs and Ashton Jeanty landing in the top 10
Week 17 of the NFL season caused some major shake-ups to the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order. The biggest being the New York Giants, who previously were in the driver's seat for the number one overall pick, picked up a shocking win over the Indianapolis Colts. This now creates more mystery around where the […]
Week 17 of the NFL season caused some major shake-ups to the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order.
The biggest being the New York Giants, who previously were in the driver's seat for the number one overall pick, picked up a shocking win over the Indianapolis Colts. This now creates more mystery around where the top quarterback could land in the upcoming NFL Draft.
So now feels like a perfect time to jump into a first-round mock draft and discuss where some of the best college football players this season could land in April 2025.
New 2025 1st round mock draft
1. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Thanks to the Giants, the Patriots are now in the driver's seat to own the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They have their QB in Drake Maye, so the question will be, do you take the best available payer in the class or trade the pick to the highest-bidding QB-needy team? With no trades in this mock, I have them adding the dynamic Travis Hunter, who could offer the team an upgrade at both wide receiver and cornerback.
2. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Another team sending a thank-you gift to New York is the Titans. If the season ended today, Tennessee would own the second pick and be in line to land one of the top two QBs to replace Will Levis, who the team has recently benched. If they stay with the second pick, I think the Titans would be foolish not to target one of Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. In my opinion, the top quarterback in this class is Ward, who is out of Miami.
3. Cleveland Browns: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Some may think the Browns would follow up the Titans' selection of Ward with another QB, but I'm not so sure. Deion Sanders has made it known there will be his son Shedeur won't be interested in being drafted by just any team. And if they are willing to put that info out there, I don't see a reason they won't be willing to force their way to a different spot. With Deshaun Watson in place to be back next year no matter what, I don't see a world where Sanders and his team have the Browns on their list of desired landing spots. So, instead, I have the Browns grabbing Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan to play opposite Jerry Jeudy, who has had a great end to the 2024 season.
4. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Even though the Giants' win in Week 17 lost them the number one overall pick, I still have them landing their QB in Shedeur Sanders at pick four. Thankfully, they didn't fall too far down the draft order due to the win. So they are still in position to either trade up or one of the top two QBs to fall to them at four. Here I have Sanders falling to the Giants because I think it's the spot he ultimately wants to go to. And I don't think they will be shy in their efforts to make it happen in the end.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars have multiple needs they could address here. But their secondary has been diced up time and time again this year and is a major problem. At pick five, I have them targeting Michigan's Will Johnson, and hopefully, taking a CB this high leads to a long-term answer at CB as opposed to when they drafted Jalen Ramsey with the fifth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft but traded him away during his fourth season.
6. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
The Panthers still own a top-10 pick, but the second half of the season has been a giant step in the right direction in terms of team morale. Bryce Young has looked like an entirely new player since returning from his benching, and this team has been fun to watch, even in their losses. They could target a WR to give Young another weapon, but I don't think they can pass up on adding a pass rusher like Abdul Carter as they work to replace Brian Burns, who they traded away ahead of the 2024 season.
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Jets not landing a QB will be a disappointment to many. But there seems like a real world where the Aaron Rodgers experiment gets one more year, and with them missing the chance at one of the top two QBs, they go elsewhere here. Instead, they grab Michigan's Mason Graham to pair with Quinnen Williams to form a dynamic duo on the interior of their defensive line.
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The first shocker in the top 10 is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty landing with the Raiders. Las Vegas desperately has to improve at the QB position, but where they currently stand in the draft makes it unlikely that they land Ward or Sanders. I think the best route is targeting a veteran like Sam Darnold or maybe even Aaron Rodgers to start in 2025, and adding Jeanty to solidify their mediocre run game would help them get the most out of whoever that veteran is.
9. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Bears had some high expectations for 2024, and they weren't able to meet any of them. While there is some online discourse about whether Caleb Williams has been a disappointment, I have liked what I've seen from the Bears rookie QB. The fact is their offensive line is still a major problem, and they put Williams in a position to fail. So, I have them landing my top offensive lineman in the class in Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas, as they begin a new era in Bears football with a new head coach.
10. New Orleans Saints: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Not only is there a third QB in the first round, but a third in the top 10. The Saints QB dilemma is a major issue, and until they figure it out, they are going to struggle to find any real identity as a franchise. This pick would be a risk for sure, but Alabama's Jalen Milore has a skill set multiple teams in the NFL are going to be intrigued by. And if the Saints can get a new offensive staff in place that they trust to develop his game, it could be the beginning of a successful new era in Saints history.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The 49ers would like to forget the 2024 season and move on to 2025 as soon as possible. It was a year plagued with lingering injuries and no real momentum for a team many circled as one of the league's true contenders entering the season. They have no interest in drafting this high again any time soon, so they target the best player available in Will Campbell out of LSU to solidify their offensive line and prepare themselves for life after Trent Williams in the likely near future.
12. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Colts' embarrassing loss to the Giants in Week 17 is to thank for the major shake-up we see at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order. It makes the future for multiple key pieces on this team murky. A major position of need, no matter who the GM, head coach, or even quarterback is in 2025, is tight end. I don't think they could go wrong drafting Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland, but I lean toward Warren being a more dynamic player and, therefore, the first TE off the board.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Getting an edge rusher opposite of Micah Parsons that can be a part of the Cowboys' long-term plans is a major need. And at pick 13, the Cowboys take the second off the board in Texas A&M's Nic Scourton. Scourton is a player I've been told by multiple NFL teams that the league is higher on than his five sacks in 12 games may suggest. His prototypical size and athleticism are enticing to NFL teams, and he would benefit from playing alongside someone of Parson's talent.
14. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
A second Michigan DT comes off the board with Kenneth Grant heading to Arizona. The Cardinals need to improve on the defensive side of the ball, and Grant would be a day one difference-maker in the run game. And he possesses more upside as a pass rusher at the next level than I think he gets credit for.
15. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
The health of Tua Tagovailoa continues to be a big hurdle that has hindered the Dolphins from consistently being one of the best teams in the NFL. Alabama's Tyler Booker can play either guard spot day one and help the team keep Tagovailoa upright so he can lead the team's offense to the heights we've seen when healthy.
16. Cincinnati Bengals: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Bengals' defense playing so poorly is the only reason this team needs some luck to get into the playoffs. And even sadder, they are wasting an incredible season from Joe Burrow. East Carolina's Shavon Revel is one of the best CBs in this class. And if he hadn't suffered the injury, he honestly could have been drafted even earlier than 16 with a strong draft cycle.
17. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The Falcons have multiple needs on defense, so a swiss army knife player like Jalon Walker seems like the ideal selection. Walker can be a stand-up or hand-in-the-ground pass rusher, as well as dropping back in coverage when needed. So, while the Falcons work on improving that side of the ball, Walker would give them one player who can fill multiple roles.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Malaki Starks, S, Georiga
The Seahawks probably love how the first round fell as they land Malaki Starks out of Georgia, who many believe to be a top-10 prospect in the entire class. If this was last year, Starks probably hears his name in that range, but he saw a solid regression in production in 2024. He would still be a solid day-one starter for the Seahawks, and they will just hope to coach him up and get the ball skills from 2023 back on the field.
19. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Texans have to figure out why CJ Stroud took a step back as a player during his second season. The injuries in the WR room is a concern for sure, so why not give him a familiar face in his former teammate Emeka Egbuka.
20. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Whether the Broncos end up in the playoffs or not, they have to feel good about what they've seen from rookie Bo Nix. So, going into next year, they need to add a reliable weapon to pair with Courtland Sutton. Missouri's Luther Burden's skill set seems like a great compliment to Sutton.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers need to find more production off the defensive line even if it means taking a gamble on a player like Shemar Stewart. Stewart only recorded 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss during his three-year college career, but many believe his best football is in front of him. And multiple NFL teams think his skill set is a better fit for the pro level than college.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Landing Justin Herbert, a potential game-changing TE, and reuniting Jim Harbaugh with one of his best players from his national championship team at Michigan seems like a no-brainer for the Chargers.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Rams could go a few different ways here. Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison probably wouldn't make it to them here if he hadn't suffered the injury in 2024. Once he is healthy, he will be a solid upgrade at CB to improve the Rams' secondary.
24. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Back-to-back corners come off the board with the Packers preparing for a potential parting of ways with veteran Jaire Alexander by selecting Texas' Jahdae Barron. Barron's ability to make a play on the ball is going to make him popular around the NFL. His five interceptions and 11 pass deflections speak for themselves.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Steelers find a compliment for George Pickens by drafting Texas speedster Isaiah Bond. The team has tried the veteran approach in Van Jefferson and Mike Williams, but it's time to find a long-term solution. Bond gives them a WR who can play in the slot or on the outside and create a solid young duo with Pickens for whoever the team decides to roll with at QB in the future.
26. Washington Commanders: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
The Commanders have been a great story in 2024. Going from the second overall pick to a double-digit win season and the playoffs is more than anyone expected. Now it's time to improve on the defensive side of the ball. They need to find real production off the edge and Mykel Williams out of Georgia offers upside in both the run and pass game.
27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The Ravens land James Pearce Jr, who just a year ago was believed to be in the discussion to be the number one overall pick in 2025. Pearce Jr. saw a dip in production in 2024, and it could give the Ravens a shot at a high-end pass rusher this late in the draft.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
For the first time in a while, there are some questions along the Eagles offensive line. Lane Johnson will turn 35 years old ahead of the 2025 season, and they need to find their heir apparent behind him when the time comes. Ohio State's Josh Simmons' season-ending injury hurts his draft stock for some teams who need a day-one starter. The Eagles can allow Simmons to essentially redshirt his rookie year with an incredible mentor in Johnson to learn from.
29. Buffalo Bills: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Back-to-back strong years from Landon Jackson who recorded 13 of his 16 career sacks and 24 of his 28 career tackles for loss from 2023-2024. His jump in production and long frame at 6'6" is going to excite multiple NFL teams.
30. Detroit Lions: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona
The Lions have suffered multiple injuries this year and could go a few different directions with this pick as a result. A player I really like the fit for Detroit is Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea. Savainaea has been an impressive tackle at Arizona, but many scouts I've talked to see him as a guard at the next level.
31. Minnesota Vikings: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
If you want to see how dominant Tyleik Williams can be, go watch his tape from the Buckeyes win over Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
The Chiefs have been trying to find their long-term solution at left tackle for multiple seasons now. And It looks like they are still looking heading into 2025. They won't have to look too hard to find the 6'6" Aireontae Ersery, who only allowed one sack in 2024.
Arch Manning shuts down speculation about his future with the Longhorns at Peach Bowl media day
Arch Manning’s future is one of the most talked about topics in the Wild West that is the internet. Is he going to leave Texas? Click here! Where is he going? Click to find out! Manning has navigated the Texas fishbowl quite well during his two seasons with the Longhorns. On Monday during Peach Bowl […]
