2025 NFL Mock Draft: Raiders trade up for Shedeur Sanders, Jaguars take best player in NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft is just five months away, and the draft order is taking shape. We're getting more and more confident on which teams are picking at the top of the draft, even if the order isn't set, and draft grades are starting to get settled. I've been scouting for 11 years now, and […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is just five months away, and the draft order is taking shape. We're getting more and more confident on which teams are picking at the top of the draft, even if the order isn't set, and draft grades are starting to get settled.
I've been scouting for 11 years now, and this is arguably the most difficult class I have evaluated since the 2015 Draft. The top of the draft is starting to become clearer, but beyond the initial top 10 or so prospects, it's anyone's guess. Opinions will vary from scout to scout this year.
#1. Las Vegas Raiders (from JAX): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Raiders send: Picks #3, #65, and a 2026 second-round selection
Jaguars send: Pick #1
To the surprise of nobody outside of Las Vegas, neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O'Connell have worked out as answers at quarterback. With desperation mode kicking in and the Giants one spot ahead of them, the Raiders make a call to the Jaguars, who already have their quarterback, and get a pick swap in.
In my opinion, Shedeur Sanders is far and away the best quarterback in this class. He's the most -accurate quarterback in this group and he pairs it with good arm talent and a quick release.
While he isn't quite in the same tier of other top-flight quarterbacks as we've seen in recent years, I think he's in the same tier as Bryce Young was coming out of Alabama.
#2. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The Giants officially cut ties with Daniel Jones this week, leaving them without any quarterback of the future. While they get leapfrogged by the Raiders for the top quarterback this year, they can get a nice consolation prize in Cam Ward.
#3. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LV)*: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Travis Hunter is the best player in this draft class. We've never seen a player quite like him with his ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback at an elite level.
Fortunately for Jacksonville, those are two of its biggest weaknesses. While I believe Hunter is best suited for cornerback in the NFL, there's nothing that says he can't rotate in at wide receiver at times and give Trevor Lawrence another talented weapon on the outside. He's a special, special player that we haven't seen before.
#4. New England Patriots: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
I could take this pick in a number of ways, but I enjoy the idea of pairing Christian Gonzalez with Will Johnson and building a terrifying young cornerback tandem in New England.
Given their recent struggles containing the passing attacks of the Rams and Dolphins, as well as the age and free-agent status of Jonathan Jones, this makes a lot of sense for the Patriots. That dynamic duo in man coverage would quickly shut down almost every passing attack in the league.
#5. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Panthers rank dead last in pressure rate and are second-to-last in sack rate in the league, and their lack of a pass rush has impacted their ability to close out and win games. Carolina has just 85 pressures this year, according to Sports Info Solutions. Every other team has well over 100.
Abdul Carter is an absolute freakazoid of an athlete who continues to get better every week as a pass rusher. Give him another year or two of development and he has the traits to be a top-flight NFL pass rusher.
#6. Tennessee Titans: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
This might be a little rich compared to consensus, but in my mind, Luther Burden is the best wide receiver in this class and teams won't find another one like him later in the draft. The Titans' defense has come on strong, but they need to keep investing in their offense and adding talent.
Treylon Burks's long-term outlook with the Titans is in jeopardy, while Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are pending free agents. This way, the Titans can spend their money elsewhere and continue to surround Will Levis with talent while they evaluate his long-term ability.
#7. New York Jets: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Going back-to-back wide receivers in this mock wasn't what I originally had in mind when I started, but I just kept coming back to this position for the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is all but gone in the new year and the Jets can save $35 million in cap space by cutting his buddies Davante Adams and Allen Lazard.
That would leave the team stuck with Garrett Wilson and Xavier Gipson as their top two options, with little behind them. No quarterback is going to succeed in those conditions.
In my opinion, Tetairoa McMillan is being overthought this year. His catch radius is enormous, and he can do plenty of damage after the catch. He would be a terrific complement to Wilson outside or could even play some power slot, much like how the Falcons use Drake London.
#8. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Cleveland has other needs, no doubt, especially at quarterback. However, they have always been a team that prefers taking the best player available no matter what, and in this scenario, that's 110% Mason Graham.
He is as disruptive a defensive tackle as we have seen enter the draft in recent memory and has a serious case as the best player in this class. Graham is a three-down caliber defensive tackle who has the tools and technique to be a game-wrecker virtually right away.
Pairing him with Myles Garrett, Mike Hall Jr., and Obo Okoronkwo? Good luck blocking that for four quarters.
#9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Saints' pass rush has tanked this season. With Cam Jordan getting older and older, the rest of the room has yet to pick up the slack. New Orleans sits 28th in pressure rate and 25th in sack rate. To make matters worse, Chase Young, Payton Turner, and Tanoh Kpassagnon are all pending free agents, and the Saints will need to make cap sacrifices somewhere.
Mykel Williams fits the style of edge rusher the Saints like with those big-bodied pass rushers. He's 6'5, 265 pounds with nearly 36-inch arms and he knows how to use his frame, especially in the run game. While he's still raw, he's a tremendous athlete who can be a long-term heir apparent to Cam Jordan for New Orleans.
#10. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
We're double-dipping into the edge class here early on. While the Bengals' run defense draws plenty of attention, their lack of a pass rush has been startling. Cincinnati is 30th in sack rate and 24th in pressure rate, and those numbers are only that high because Trey Hendrickson is carrying the load.
Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai haven't quite enjoyed a successful start to their career, and the Bengals need to turn their pass rush around if they want to keep competing with teams like the Chargers, Ravens, and Chiefs for the foreseeable future.
James Pearce Jr. is an elite blend of explosiveness, bend, and technique, who projects as a top-flight pass rusher virtually right away.
#11. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
It's boring and I'm sure I'll get a lot of irate "running backs don't matter" people in this conversation, but I do not care.
Ashton Jeanty is the best offensive player in this class and I think might be the most complete running back prospect I have evaluated in quite some time. Sure, he might not test the same as Saquon Barkley did, but Jeanty doesn't run into his own line half the time either. He checks off every single box a running back needs skill-wise, and he's a pretty good athlete in his own right.
It's disheartening to watch the Cowboys pretend Ezekiel Elliott still brings something to the table as a runner. Let's bring in a real playmaker to an offense that desperately needs them.
#12. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Chicago takes the first offensive lineman of the draft, opting to add a left tackle worth his salt to protect Caleb Williams.
Opinions are split on Banks, but I am a believer in his ability to stick at left tackle in the league with his craftiness as a technician. While he doesn't possess the elite traits of his teammate Cameron Williams (more on him later), Banks is still a smooth athlete who brings a high floor and veteran mindset to an offensive line that desperately needs it.
#13. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Is this a surprise pick? This might be a surprise pick to many, but if you watch the Colts' offense at all, you know just how dire the tight end room is.
Sure, the Colts could add to their defense. I wouldn't argue with that at all. However, if they are finally going to commit to building around Anthony Richardson, they can't be trotting out Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson repeatedly.
I have had more and more scouts come out of the woodwork regarding Warren's translation to the next level, and it's not hard to understand why. He's a terrific do-it-all tight end, with high-end athleticism and receiving ability while still being able to line up and block in line.
Penn State asks him to execute so many responsibilities, and it feels like he's their entire offense at times. Add him to that offense and he's an immediate security blanket for Richardson to develop with.
#14. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
The Dolphins can snag a falling Will Campbell, who has a case as the best offensive lineman in this class.
Whether he's at tackle or guard in the NFL, he's a terrific technician, leader, and tone-setter who can immediately improve an offensive line at the next level.
#15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
When this pick popped into my brain, I had to smile and shake my head at it because of just how right it felt. The Buccaneers always seem to just find a way to have great or elite players just fall right into their laps, and that's no different here.
Tampa could stand to add a pass rusher here and nobody would bat an eye. They need a cornerback as well, but there isn't one available at this pick that is worth the selection.
Just think about pairing Malaki Starks with Antoine Winfield Jr. here for a second. Tell me that isn't immediately one of the best safety pairings in the NFL. The Buccaneers' secondary has struggled this season, but that pairing would turn things around quickly.
#16. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Rams' offensive line has been a disappointment this season, given their investments in that position group. It starts at the tackle spots, as left tackle Alaric Jackson and swing tackles Joe Noteboom and Warren McClendon Jr. have played poorly all year.
Simmons is my personal best offensive tackle in this class. If it weren't for a torn ACL in September against Oregon, Simmons would be pushing for a top-ten (or even higher) selection based on his early-season film. He can slide in at left or right tackle at the next level, but for Los Angeles, I'd keep him at left tackle.
#17. San Francisco 49ers: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
It feels like the 49ers need a real threat on the interior of their defensive line every season, and every season they have ignored it. No longer.
Derrick Harmon has skyrocketed up boards this season as the leader for the Ducks' defense. He plays a little too tall, but he's a violent and physical run defender who flashes an effective swim move while getting after the quarterback.
Harmon would add a real physical presence to the 49ers' defensive line that they have missed since trading away former Oregon Duck DeForest Buckner.
#18. Arizona Cardinals: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
While the Cardinals' aren't dead last in most pass-rushing stats, they are pretty close across the board, especially with Dennis Gardeck's recent injury. Their leading player in pressures is L.J. Collier with 21, while Zaven Collins is tied for the most sacks with four. To say this room is struggling is a pretty drastic understatement.
Nic Scourton is my personal favorite pass rusher in this class. Even though A&M had him add on some bad weight, he's still showing off that quickness, bend, change of direction ability, and technique that he had at Purdue. He did add a nice element of power to his game this season, making his floor as a rusher that much higher. As he loses some of that excess weight, Scourton's ceiling is tremendously high.
#19. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
Want to know the only team worse than the Panthers in sack rate this year? You're looking at them here in division foe Atlanta. The Falcons are generating 0.9 sacks per game. In case you aren't good at math, that is horrible.
Teams are split on where Jalon Walker will play at the next level, but it's hard to deny his athleticism.
#20. Seattle Seahawks: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Seattle is a weird team to figure out, but one thing is clear: They need to keep building around Geno Smith. That starts with figuring out that offensive line. The right tackle spot is a glaring weakness, and the future of Abraham Lucas there doesn't seem to be happening with his injuries.
This might be too high for Cam Williams, but teams are always willing to bank on tools in this draft class, and he's a terrific athlete for his 335-pound frame. With his length and movement skills, it's a worthwhile investment.
#21. Washington Commanders: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
It's hard to find building blocks in Washington's secondary right now. Rookie Mike Sainristil has had flashes of quality play, but the rest of their cornerback room leaves a lot to be desired. Dan Quinn is going to need to improve that unit if he wants to turn their defense around.
Revel tore his ACL early this season, but don't let that distract you from his elite athleticism and playmaking ability.
#22. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
The Texans' offensive line has been picked on far too often this season, and it has limited their offense's ability significantly. They need to keep C.J. Stroud healthy and upright, and that starts with upgrading their interior.
Tyler Booker is a mammoth of a man who has quickly ascended to be the top natural guard in this draft class. He's as plug-and-play as they come.
#23. Denver Broncos: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Denver doesn't have a whole lot of needs to fill, so they could easily take the best player available this year. While they've had an elite defense this season, they could lose a key part of their run defense in free agency with D.J. Jones's contract status.
Tyleik Williams is an every-down player at the next level. His physicality, quickness, and improved pass rush arsenal have vaulted him up draft boards this season.
#24. Baltimore Ravens: Jonah Savaiinaea, OG, Arizona
I fought with myself for awhile on what to give Baltimore this time. It feels like they are constantly mocked a wide receiver, even though I'm not convinced it's a need of the team.
One area I would like to see them reload talent on is their offensive line, especially along the interior. Jonah Savaiinaea has played tackle at Arizona, but is a guard at the next level. He would upgrade the physicality up front for Baltimore, who has endured some struggles at both guard spots this season.
#25. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
This might be the most frequently mocked pick of the 2025 draft cycle, but it makes plenty of sense.
With how much the Chargers love multiple tight end sets, it makes sense to add talent to that room instead. Loveland is an elite receiving prospect who would add a reliable big-play threat to the Chargers' offense
#26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Steelers aren't getting much out of their quarterbacks this year, but their wide receiver room isn't much better. George Pickens constantly feels like he's in the doghouse with the team and they have multiple wide receivers set to hit free agency.
Isaiah Bond is still flying under draft radars despite playing for the highly-ranked Longhorns, and that's mainly because his quarterback struggles to get him the ball routinely. He's a dynamic speedster whose route-running has taken a step forward this season.
#27. Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
I think it's fair to start a panic button about the Packers' pass rush. Rashan Gary leads the team with 25 pressures, and Green Bay is one of four teams without a single pass-rusher over 25 pressures. First-rounder Lukas Van Ness hasn't panned out, and they've been forced to manufacture pass rush by blitzing more often than I'd imagine they wanted to entering the season.
You might look at Stewart's size at a ridiculous 6'6, 290 pounds and question his fit on the outside. Then you see Stewart explode off of the line of scrimmage and it clicks right away. He's a jaw-dropping athlete for his size. When you live in as much single-high as the Packers do, they need elite athletes on the edge to quickly win and affect opposing quarterbacks.
#28. Minnesota Vikings: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Cornerback has frequently been mocked to the Vikings, but when I look at that team, the lack of any pressure from the interior of that defense stands out to me as a far greater need.
Walter Nolen isn't perfect as a prospect and still needs some ironing out with his hand placement and processing, but the athletic tools jump off the screen. For a Vikings' team needing some juice up front, Nolen makes plenty of sense.
29. Philadelphia Eagles: Princely Umanmeilen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Eagles lost pass rusher Brandon Graham to a season-ending pec injury Sunday night against the Rams. Both Graham and Josh Sweat are set to hit free agents, as well as pseudo-linebacker Zach Baun. With Bryce Huff battling his own injury and not producing worth his contract, the Eagles' pass rush feels pretty close to falling apart after this season.
At this point of the first round, teams are going to be looking for traits in their pass rush room. Umanmeilen has tools in spades.
30. Buffalo Bills: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
The Bills haven't figured out their pass rush opposite of Greg Rousseau, especially with the disastrous Von Miller move. Jackson is a quietly effective pass rusher, blending physicality with surprising quickness and agility. He's no slouch as a technician either, boasting a wide array of pass-rush moves he can throw at opposing tackles.
#31. Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
I thought about a wide receiver or tight end here, but I don't love the fit of any of the available players here. With that in mind, I flipped over to defense, and looked at their biggest concern: pressure off the edge.
Karlaftis has started to click as a full-time edge rusher, but the rest of that room has yet to do the same. Charles Omenihu's eventual return will help, but former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah hasn't worked out, and the lack of a pass rush is affecting the Chiefs in critical games.
Is this a reach from where consensus has Green? Almost assuredly. Like I said with the Eagles, teams in this draft are going to be forced to bank on upside and traits. Green is on the smaller side at 245 pounds, but he's lightning-quick off the edge and boasts some dangerous bend around the edge.
#32. Detroit Lions: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Six straight defensive linemen in one round? I'm not sure any position has ever been drafted six picks in a row, but this is a strong class on the defensive line.
The Lions traded for Za'Darius Smith, but they need a long-term partner for Aidan Hutchinson in their pass rush room. Ezeiruaku's length and bend around the corner give him a high floor to work with, but then he pairs it with the best toolbox of pass-rush moves in this draft class. In a class where we're all scratching our heads for first-round picks, don't be surprised if Ezeiruaku sneaks up here with a good offseason.
