With the 2025 NFL draft just over two weeks away, I’m done with one-round mock drafts. It’s time to expand. My new set of predictions covers all 64 picks in the first two rounds, tackling big team needs and finding homes for the class’s top prospects.
You’ll notice some shake-ups since my last mock draft in March. Things could get interesting right off the bat, and I shuffled landing spots in the top five. Over the course of two rounds, there are a few risers and fallers, too, based on what I’ve heard in my discussions with NFL execs and coaches. And I have five quarterbacks getting picked, including two in the top 10.
Let’s dig into my predictions for the first 64 picks. And for more on these potential selections, check out Tuesday’s “SportsCenter Special” (3 p.m. ET on ESPN2) and listen to the “First Draft” podcast.
ROUND 1
1. Tennessee Titans
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Speaking about the No. 1 pick at league meetings two weeks ago, Titans coach Brian Callahan said, “We’re open to everything at this point.” Tennessee certainly has options, especially if another team calls GM Mike Borgonzi with a massive trade offer. But the Titans don’t have a franchise quarterback, and they have a chance to get one in Ward. To win in the NFL, you have to take those opportunities when they present themselves.
I was a fan of Will Levis during the ahead of the 2023 draft. But he has made too many mistakes with the football over the past two seasons (16 INTs and 17 fumbles) to prove he’s the guy. It’s time to upgrade, and Ward would bring a big arm, an ability to create outside of structure and good accuracy to Nashville.
3. New York Giants
Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
Even after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants have been linked to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. I’m not ruling it out. Neither Wilson nor Winston is a long-term answer. However, the additions mean the Giants can at least toy with passing on the quarterbacks in Round 1 in favor of one of the class’s top two prospects. Travis Hunter is off the board, but Carter would take this New York defense to new heights.
2. Cleveland Browns
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
I debated Hunter vs. Penn State’s Abdul Carter for Cleveland. There’s no doubt that slotting Carter opposite Myles Garrett would destroy opponent game plans. But Hunter is a special prospect in so many ways, and he’d check a big box for the Browns — mainly as a receiver. They have wideout Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku but need more pass-catching talent. Hunter — my No. 1 overall prospect — has a “wow” factor to his game, and he could use his speed, ball skills, instincts and elusiveness to become an impact player right out of the gate. He had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs last season.
But there’s also the defensive impact of taking Hunter. Cleveland already has playmakers at cornerback in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II, but it could still use Hunter in big spots. Have to make a stop at the end of the half? I’d have him on the field. Drafting Hunter and getting him in the mix on both sides of the ball could really energize this fan base.
In his first season as a full-time edge rusher (after playing primarily off-ball linebacker in past years), Carter had 12 sacks and 23.5 total tackles for loss. I see elite traits on the tape. And considering the Giants have holes all over their roster, they might opt for the best player on the board. They’d have something with Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II up front.
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
With Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter unavailable, the Patriots could listen to trade offers in case a quarterback-needy team wanted to jump on Shedeur Sanders. I’m not projecting trades here, but even if I were, there’s a good chance New England might just stand pat and take Campbell. The Patriots allowed pressure on a league-worst 39.4% of their dropbacks last season, and Drake Maye is entering his first full season as the starting quarterback. They have to be better in pass protection.
Campbell would slide in at left tackle. I’m not overly worried about his 32⅝-inch arms; he plays longer than that. Campbell can land a quick first punch and use his great overall technique and agility to keep pass rushers at bay. He has 38 games of experience, and pairing him with new right tackle Morgan Moses would buy Maye more time in the pocket.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
I’m out of things to say about Graham to Jacksonville — I’ve projected this match in all four of my mock drafts. New coach Liam Coen might want offensive playmakers for Trevor Lawrence, but the Jaguars have a chance to finally get a pocket-pushing disruptor for the middle of the defensive line.
With great power and quickness, Graham can get into the backfield to create interior pressure on quarterbacks and drop running backs behind the line of scrimmage. He had 3.5 sacks and 14 run stops last season. With Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker collapsing the pocket on either side, Graham could have an immediate impact. And the Jaguars — who ranked 31st in yards allowed per play in 2024 (5.9) — could use all the help they can get.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Last in rushing yards per game at 79.8. Last in yards per rush at 3.6. Tied for the second-fewest runs of 10 or more yards with 34. That’s what Las Vegas produced on the ground last season. New coach Pete Carroll is going to want much more out of his run game, and Jeanty could immediately flip the script. He displayed excellent speed, contact balance and vision en route to 2,601 rushing yards last season. He could be an elite three-down back in the NFL.
Maybe add another receiver on Day 2 of the draft, and this would suddenly be a very interesting offense with Jeanty, Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers.
7. New York Jets
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Membou is powerful and quick, and he started 30 games at right tackle in college. It would make a lot of sense for the Jets to pop him into the lineup there, with 2024 first-rounder Olu Fashanu manning the left side. They signed quarterback Justin Fields, who has the league’s second-highest sack rate since being drafted in 2021 (10.5%). For this to work, the offensive line has to be good.
I considered Penn State tight end Tyler Warren here. He can line up all over the offense and give Fields a reliable outlet when the pressure does come. Once the ball is in his hands, he’d pick up chunks of yardage. But I don’t think New York is going to ignore the O-line.
8. Carolina Panthers
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
No change on my Panthers pick projection, as this makes it four mock drafts in a row for Walker to Carolina. He’s an explosive defender with bend and versatility. I like him at off-ball linebacker — he’d make plays all over the field for the Panthers with sideline-to-sideline speed. But he could absolutely rush off the edge, too; he had 6.5 sacks last season.
This Carolina defense was the worst in the NFL in yards allowed per play (6.0), yards allowed per rush (5.2), opponent QBR (64.8), points allowed per game (31.4) and opponent third-down rate (50.2%) last season. Walker would help no matter where he lines up.
9. New Orleans Saints
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If Sanders doesn’t go to the Giants, there aren’t many clear landing spots for him in the top 10 … and he could slide. I could see a team trading up for him — maybe even the Saints, who have nine picks — but most of these rosters are already set at quarterback. This is a great outcome for New Orleans, though. I like this match a lot.
Sanders is my top-ranked quarterback, and his accuracy jumps off the tape. He completed 74% of his throws last season despite being under constant pressure. Playing in the NFC South with good weather and a few indoor stadiums would ease any arm strength concerns. And he wouldn’t be forced to play right away. Derek Carr, 34, will be with the Saints for at least another season; Sanders could learn behind him before taking over.
10. Chicago Bears
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Offseason moves to add interior offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman should buy Caleb Williams more time to throw. Landing Warren would give the second-year quarterback another reliable target. New Bears coach Ben Johnson could line up Warren anywhere, get him the ball and let him roll to first downs after the catch. The versatile tight end had 1,233 receiving yards last season, and 700 of them came once the ball was in his hands.
Chicago got only 512 total yards out of its tight end room in 2024, but the combination of Warren and Cole Kmet could do some damage.
11. San Francisco 49ers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
There’s well-documented roster turnover in San Francisco right now, and Charvarius Ward is among the departures. Renardo Green has one of the outside starting spots, but what will the 49ers do at the other? Could slot guy Deommodore Lenoir move outside? Will new signee Tre Brown earn the role (and stay healthy)? Or could this be a golden chance to land a potential shutdown CB1 in Johnson?
Johnson missed time last season with a toe injury, and he slid from the top five to No. 12 overall on my Big Board. But the talent is undeniable. He’s big — 6-foot-2 — and his instincts and ball skills show up in the box scores. He had nine interceptions over his Michigan career, including two pick-sixes last season. The 49ers had 11 total INTs a year ago (tied for 19th).
12. Dallas Cowboys
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
I was torn here, as I think Dallas will look at all offensive playmakers. It needs a difference-making WR2 to take some of the load off CeeDee Lamb. But I’m not sure Texas’ Matthew Golden or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan will go quite this early.
Instead, I see the Cowboys trying to improve the run game, which managed 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six TDs last season. They have thus far replaced Rico Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither new back has the home run ability of Hampton, who can scoot through holes and take off despite his 221-pound build. I’ve never been an advocate of the first-round running back, but team owner Jerry Jones isn’t afraid to address the position on Day 1.
