2025 NFL Mock Draft: Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Cameron Ward rising faster than all other top prospects

The NFL Draft is almost exactly six months away. The worst of the worst NFL teams have already nearly eliminated themselves from contention. College football season is already more than halfway over. So, what does that mean? It's definitely time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft as the next class of top prospects […]

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor
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Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) with wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The NFL Draft is almost exactly six months away. The worst of the worst NFL teams have already nearly eliminated themselves from contention. College football season is already more than halfway over. So, what does that mean? It's definitely time to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft as the next class of top prospects is beginning to take shape.

We asked six of our NFL Draft contributors here at A to Z Sports to put together a collaborative first round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, taking turns selecting for all 32 NFL teams. Our team of draft analysts utilized detailed film analysis, meaningful metrics, and intel from NFL staffers to help inform every selection. Draft order was determined via reverse Super Bowl odds from America's #1 Sports Book. Enjoy!

1. New England Patriots

Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado

If the Patriots actually land the number one overall pick I would expect them to target a quarterback-needy team and trade down if possible. They have to like what they've seen from their rookie QB Drake Maye after just two starts, so now it's about building around him. So, with QB not an option, I decided to give New England one of the most dynamic players in this class: Colorado phenom Travis Hunter. Hunter has shown himself to be a first round talent as both a wide receiver and a cornerback. And while I'm not sure how many NFL teams are going to want him playing both ways, it would be a good problem for the Patriots to figure out once they get him on the field for training camp competing with both position groups. – Destin Adams

2. Cleveland Browns

Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

Getting a quarterback is certainly an option for the Browns, but they seem to be stuck with Deshaun Watson, especially post-Achilles tear. Select the best wide receiver in the NFL Draft in McMillan who can be a great complement to the players already in the room, providing an elite catch radius for whoever ends up under center. – Tyler Forness

3. Las Vegas Raiders

Cam Ward, QB Miami (FL)

The Raiders need to take a gamble behind center in order to take a massive step forward. Ward is a volatile gunslinger who has some boom or bust to him, but he has outstanding upside to work with. – Ryan Roberts

4. Carolina Panthers

Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado

Landing my top quarterback here makes it a much easier decision. Carolina's supporting cast is decent enough for the right quarterback to succeed. Sanders' developmental curve and ability to create outside of structure without forcing turnovers is impressive. – Ian Valentino

5. Tennessee Titans

Kelvin Banks, OT Texas

Kelvin Banks is a 6'4", 320-pound monster of a man having a nearly perfect pass blocking season for Texas. The Titans have a desperate need at right tackle, so they could put Banks on the left side, then shift JC Latham back to right tackle where he played at Alabama. – Travis May

6. New York Giants

Will Campbell, OT LSU

The Evan Neal experiment didn't go according to plan in New York, and while they need a QB, Campbell forms a potential set of bookends at tackle to pair with Andrew Thomas. – Rob Gregson 

7. New Orleans Saints

Mason Graham, DL Michigan

The Saints defensive line isn't what it used to be, and their staple Cam Jordan is quickly approaching the end of his career. If the Saints end up with a top 10 pick I'm sure their fans would rather make the more flashy defensive line move, drafting an edge rusher. However, Graham is one of the best–if not the best–defensive prospects in this draft class. More than anything the Saints need to make sure they hit on this pick and land a true contributor with game wrecking upside for their defensive line. – Destin Adams 

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Emery Jones Jr., OT LSU

Supporting Trevor Lawrence needs to be priority number one and Jones is arguably the best tackle on the board with both Campbell and Banks potentially moving inside to guard. Jones can be an anchor on the outside for Lawrence right away and help keep him healthy. – Tyler Forness

9. Denver Broncos

Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State

Following the 2024 season, both Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning will be free agents. Carter is the type of standup rusher with massive upside that Denver needs. If he hits his ceiling, Carter could have a great argument as the most dominant defender in the entire class. – Ryan Roberts 

10. Los Angeles Rams

Will Johnson, CB Michigan

I'm tempted to go with Luther Burden here as the Rams' offense needs to turn the page on relying on Cooper Kupp's health. However, Will Johnson fits the Sauce Gardner mold (as a potentially special cornerback), and landing an elite cornerback is more impactful for a young defense. – Ian Valentino

11. Arizona Cardinals

James Pearce Jr., EDGE Tennessee

Pearce has logged pass rush pressure on more than 21% of his career snaps for the Vols. There's not a better pure edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and the Cardinals could definitely use the help there. – Travis May

12. Miami Dolphins

Mykel WiIliams, EDGE Georgia

Miami has a good pass rush on paper with Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, but health concerns have plagued both. Mykel Willians is too enticing to pass up at this point given his upside. – Rob Gregson

13. Indianapolis Colts

Malaki Starks, S Georgia

The Colts had a few different directions they could go with this pick, but with starting safety Julian Blackmon set to become a free agent after the season this move seemed like their most likely path. Malaki Starks is the clear top safety in this draft class and has the flexibility to play either free or strong safety at the pro level. – Destin Adams 

14. New York Jets

Jalon Walker, EDGE Georgia

The Jets are going to be focusing on maximizing the window with Aaron Rodgers and they need to find a consistent pass rush. Walker fits the archetype of pass rusher that the Jets like and he can play off the ball if needed when the team shifts between schemes on defense. – Tyler Forness

15. Los Angeles Chargers

Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State

JK Dobbins is a tremendous player when healthy, but he just can't seem to stay on the field and is a free agent after this year. Jeanty is one of the ten best prospects in the class as a truly dynamic three down weapon. – Ryan Roberts 

16. Chicago Bears

Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M

Few players have the raw tools that Nic Scourton can boast. We saw Travon Walker go No. 1 overall with a similar profile, except Scourton has a more refined set of pass rush moves and awareness. – Ian Valentino

17. Seattle Seahawks

Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss

Dart has posted back to back top ten college quarterback seasons based on the most meaningful metrics. He brings with him dual threat ability, fast processing, and all the traits you want in a franchise quarterback. – Travis May

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

Luther Burden III, WR Missouri

If the Pittsburgh Steelers could take Luther Burden right now they surely would. Passing up at him on 18 would be a shock. – Rob Gregson

19. Dallas Cowboys

Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State

The Cowboys have severely underperformed to start the season, and there are multiple position groups they could target with this pick. I would have loved to give them RB Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State but unfortunately he didn't make it to this pick. I ended up selecting Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka to give Dak Prescott a potential lethal receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and Egbuka. – Destin Adams

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State

Todd Bowles loves to have corners who can play man coverage. Burke can do that with some aggressiveness to him. The Bucs have dealt with some injuries and personnel changes at cornerback and adding to the room should be paramount this offseason. – Tyler Forness

21. Atlanta Falcons

LT Overton, EDGE Alabama

Overton is a versatile defender that can do a lot for a prospective defense. Whether you like him as a three-down defensive end, or as a traditional four-down EDGE, Overton has some of the biggest upside in the class. – Ryan Roberts

22. Cincinnati Bengals

Tre Harris, WR Ole Miss

Going with an edge defender is tempting, but the Bengals draft for need better than most. Tre Harris is the last first round caliber receiver here, and his YAC creation will help fill Tee Higgins' shoes. – Ian Valentino

23. Washington Commanders

Nick Emmanwori, S South Carolina

Nick Emmanwori began his collegiate career as a freshman All-American in 2022. He only got better from there. Now he's a 6'3", 220-pound freak athlete with elite speed and great length that looks that can win in any defensive back assignment. – Travis May

24. Philadelphia Eagles

Tyler Booker, IOL Alabama

Philly is always looking to build through the trenches and with arguably the best interior offensive lineman on the board still, Tyler Booker makes a lot of sense. – Rob Gregson

25. Green Bay Packers

Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame

The Packers are off to a great start in the 2024 NFL season. As a result they are picking near the end of this 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Somehow that didn't stop me from landing them one of the top defensive prospects in this entire draft class. If Benjamin Morrison's injury and hip surgery wouldn't have happened he would likely be taken in the first 15 picks, possibly even inside the top 10. It did happen though, which likely will cause Morrison to slip down the board come next April. But I have a good feeling whoever lands the Notre Dame CB is going to leave the draft very happy. – Destin Adams

26. Minnesota Vikings

Kenneth Grant, DL Michigan

The Vikings are one team who could go just about any direction with their first round pick, but they need to beef up on the interior defensive line. Grant is an athletic freak who could step in day one and be a force in the run game while developing some pass rush acumen. He and Harrison Phillips would be quite the tandem to build around. – Tyler Forness

27. Houston Texans

Tyler Warren, TE Penn State

One of the big risers in the class, Warren is a tremendous athlete at the tight end position. He presents an immediate upgrade to Dalton Schultz, who has been trending downward. This gives quarterback CJ Stroud a perfect middle-of-the-field target to work with on every snap. – Ryan Roberts

28. Buffalo Bills

Deone Walker, DL Kentucky

Walker is a mountain of a man at 6'6", 345 pounds, and the idea of pairing him with Ed Oliver should excite Sean McDermott. The Bills need more youthful explosiveness, and Walker is a rare athlete who can play multiple positions effectively. – Ian Valentino

29. San Francisco 49ers

Walter Nolen, DL Ole Miss

Walter Nolen might be 300+ pounds, but he can line up and win from any pre-snap alignment in pass rush situations. Then on top of that, he's one of the best tackling interior defensive lineman in the last few draft classes. – Travis May

30. Detroit Lions

Jack Sawyer, EDGE Ohio State

The Lions need more help at pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson, even when he’s healthy. This move gives them another technical player who can provide an instant boost on the edge of their defense. – Rob Gregson

31. Baltimore Ravens

Xavier Watts, S Notre Dame

Watts has been nearly perfect in coverage two years in a row now with 10 interceptions (and counting). He's a perfect free safety prospect with flexibility to win in the box and the slot at times. – Travis May

32. Kansas City Chiefs

Colston Loveland, TE Michigan

Despite Michigan's implosion on offense, Loveland has still played like the elite talent he is, accounting for nearly 40% of the Wolverines' receiving production this season. The Chiefs need their heir to Travis Kelce and they find him here in Colston Loveland. – Travis May

We'll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports all year long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

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