2025 NFL Mock Draft: Shedeur Sanders vs Cam Ward, elite defender debate, and a multiverse of possibilities in the top 10
Before you know it, both the NFL and college football seasons will be over. From there, we are going to roll right into the 2025 NFL Draft class and it promises to be a really entertaining group. In order to prepare for the draft before it officially kicks off, there are going to be a […]
Before you know it, both the NFL and college football seasons will be over. From there, we are going to roll right into the 2025 NFL Draft class and it promises to be a really entertaining group. In order to prepare for the draft before it officially kicks off, there are going to be a million mock drafts from here until April, and a lot of group-think is going to be out there as well.
The big reason for mock drafts is to lay out a range of possibilities. That way we can develop a deeper understanding for the talented prospects in the class, team needs, and strengths and weaknesses of the class overall. For a full scope understanding for how the board could fall, I ended up doing two separate mock drafts and I combined the thoughts behind them.
Here are the top ten selections in the upcoming class, including the prospective players, and the thought process behind why they were selected.
1. Tennessee Titans
Option 1: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
Option 2: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
There has been some conversation around the Titans' selection, and whether passing on a quarterback might be in their best interest. Head coach Brian Callahan desperately needs to find their future behind center. The biggest question is going to center around whether they want to go with the gunslinger with tremendous upside in Cameron Ward, or the safer bet of Sanders and his high-level accuracy. These two couldn’t be any more different, which makes it a fascinating debate.
2. Cleveland Browns
Option 1: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Option 2: Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
Copy and insert analysis from the Tennessee selection. After the disaster that was the Deshaun Watson situation, the Browns need new blood in that quarterback room. Cleveland has several needs on the offensive side of the football, so banking on upside and development could be in their best interest. They don’t need an immediate fix at quarterback.
3. New York Giants
Option 1: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Option 2: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The New York Giants are in a fascinating position. They clearly need a quarterback but there just might not be an answer after the top two went off of the board. That means the veteran market might be more the route they go. One of the other major needs on this roster is at cornerback, which is one of the major strengths in the 2025 class. Both Hunter and Johnson bring a lot of the upside to the table. The interesting part about Hunter is he could also project to wide receiver, which would add an interesting option alongside Malik Nabers.
4. New England Patriots
Option 1: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Option 2: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
With the Patriots already having their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, they are in the position to draft the best player available. Most consider that to be Hunter, who can play either cornerback or wide receiver at an extremely high level. There is, however, a strong argument for Carter as well. If he hits his upside, Carter could be one of the better pass rushers in the NFL before too long. His potential is outrageous.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Option 1: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Option 2: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Jaguars need an injection of nastiness into their team. Both Graham and Banks would give them that at different positions. There is a massive need at left tackle, and Banks could fill that void almost immediately. For Graham, this would be a “best player available” type of scenario. His impact against the run will get the most conversation, but Graham also has a ton of penetration upside to continue tapping into.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Option 1: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Option 2: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Raiders are another team that would love to have a quarterback fall into their lap, but it just doesn’t happen here. One idea to lean into is adding talent around the quarterback position for whoever is the long-term answer, and Burden is just that. His YAC impact will be a welcomed variable that Las Vegas just doesn’t have right now. Adding a player like Graham to the defense is also an interesting possibility. He has a real argument as one of the top couple of overall players in the class.
7. New York Jets
Option 1: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Option 2: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The offensive tackle spots for the New York Jets are getting old, and quickly. An injection of youth would be nice. Even if Tyron Smith lasts for another year or two, Campbell also has the flexibility to potentially fit inside at offensive guard as well. Warren is a bit of a wildcard selection, but it feels like the Jets have needed a difference maker at tight end for a long time. At nearly 6-6 and 260 pounds, Warren is a dynamic athlete who has all of the tools to develop into a dominate all around tight end.
8. Carolina Panthers
Option 1: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Option 2: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
After Brian Burns was traded last offseason, the Panthers really need to find some answers with their pass rush. The dream scenario is that Carter somehow falls to this spot, but it seems somewhat unlikely right now. Pearce does feel more likely, but that is far from a consolation prize. Both players bring bend and closing speed to the table, something that the Panthers need a lot more of.
9. New Orleans Saints
Option 1: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Option 2: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
The Saints need to get better on the perimeter, both on offense and defense. Burden is a dynamic space player who creates a ton of plays after the catch. He would be a welcomed addition for quarterback Derek Carr. Johnson might not be as exciting as a couple of other cornerbacks in the class, but he’s about as safe of a prospect as you are going to find. He should start early, and add a huge bump in talent to that group.
10. Chicago Bears
Option 1: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Option 2: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The offensive line is a major need for the Bears, and Banks could offer some position flexibility at either left tackle or inside at guard. Chicago could also use some upgrades at pass rush as well. Pearce brings about as much of it as anyone in the class. He didn’t quite take the step that some hoped in 2024, but the tools are still impressive. The former Tennessee star has some parallels to current New York Giants star Brian Burns.
2025 NFL Draft Mailbag: Luther Burden, Tetairoa McMillan, my guys in the class, and drafting for the Bengals, Patriots, and Jaguars
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