As we approach the halfway point of the season, some fans are already preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. Many teams have a small chance of making the playoffs and would need to go on a historic run to compete for a Super Bowl. The college football season is getting interesting and many of the best players are proving themselves to be worth of a first round pick. Now that we are halfway through the season (ish…the 17-game slate makes it difficult), let’s take a look at the latest mock draft.
1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Ward QB Miami
Unless Bryce Young shows massive improvement in the second half of the season, the Panthers should pick a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. I understand the argument that they invested a ton for the Alabama quarterback, but there is also wisdom in admitting the mistake and moving on. Ward has been one of the best quarterbacks this year. He doesn’t get rattled even when facing massive deficits. The quarterback has to be right in order to move forward, and the Panthers need to get their guy here.
2. Tennessee Titans: Quinn Ewers QB Texas
Speaking of teams who need to know when to move on from a quarterback, the Titans are currently in the second spot. Will Levis has been injured, but when he is in the lineup, he makes three massive mistakes per game. Those mistakes have cost the team wins. The good news for Tennessee is that they only spent a second-round pick on the Levis. This makes him easier to move on from. Ewers has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football and has shown an ability to command an offense and win big games.
3. New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks OT Texas
The Patriots have the luxury of taking the best player available. Drake Maye looks like the real deal, but he is the bright spot on the team right now. One thing is for certain: the Patriots need help on the offensive line. Injuries haven’t been kind to the team, but they need to pair their young quarterback with an elite left tackle. With Maye and Banks, the Patriots have a foundation for the future.
4. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado
The Jets cannot go into next season with Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback. At 2-6, they are more likely to have a top-ten pick than make the playoffs. If there is a silver lining, it is this roster has talent. On both sides of the ball, there are pieces to like. What they need is a quarterback who isn’t 40 years old and recovering from an Achilles injury. I understand the discourse around Shedeur Sanders, but I can’t deny the numbers. He has led the Colorado Buffaloes to more wins than last season already, and they are a dark horse for the Big 12. The Sanders family in the Big Apple? Yes, please.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter CB Colorado
Travis Hunter is the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft for me. He makes at least two jaw-dropping plays a game. Jacksonville has the same luxury as New England. They have the quarterback figured out. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been perfect, but at least half the teams in the NFL would immediately start him as their signal caller. Furthermore, Brian Thomas Jr. has looked like a true number-one target. Jacksonville needs help with defense, especially in the secondary. Hunter becomes an immediate impact player on that side of the ball.
6. New Orleans Saints: Jack Sawyer Edge Ohio State
Trying to guess what the Saints will do as a franchise is like trying to guess when Marvel will release the next Blade movie. You could tell me any scenario for New Orleans in the 2025 NFL Draft, and I would believe it. On offense, the pieces are there whether we like them or not. Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, and Chris Olave are at least a serviceable offense. The trouble is on defense. New Orleans needs a way to disrupt the quarterback. I’ve been very impressed with Sawyer this year. He has come up in big moments for the Buckeyes and doesn’t have any quit in him. The history of strong Ohio State pass rushers helps him as well.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck QB Georgia
In last year’s draft, there were rumors the Raiders wanted to trade up for a quarterback. That didn’t happen, and they were left with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. They won’t miss in the 2025 NFL Draft. Settling for Brock Bowers has worked out well, as he racked up receptions during his rookie year. What would make him even more effective? Pairing him with his college quarterback. These two had a great connection in college, and Las Vegas will hope it translates to the NFL.
8. Cleveland Browns: Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona
The Deshaun Watson situation isn’t going away from a salary perspective. At this point, I’m not sure how he plays another down for the team. While there may be some salary cap gymnastics that happen, the Browns need top-tier talent at a low cost. McMillan has gotten lost on many people’s radar because the Wildcats haven’t been good. Make no mistake, though, he is one of the best all-around receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft. His size, hands, and route-running are exactly what the Browns need.
9. New York Giants: Will Johnson CB Michigan
I’m going to zag on what you might see in another mock draft. This pick does not mean I think the Giants should stick with Daniel Jones. They definitely shouldn’t. However, it would also be a mistake to reach for the fifth-best quarterback in the class. This team isn’t a quarterback away. They would be better off grabbing a top-tier corner in Johnson and then either signing a veteran to a one-year deal or drafting someone in the later rounds. Grabbing the best player available helps New York in the long term.
10. Miami Dolphins: Will Campbell OT LSU
The Dolphins need help in the trenches. They seem committed to keeping Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback as long as he wants to be. The number one priority should be to protect him at all costs. Campbell is one of the best tackle prospects in the class. His footwork is impressive and could translate to an easy transition to the NFL. I wouldn’t hate a defensive line pick here, either. Miami has the skill positions but needs to beef up the trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: James Pearce Jr. Edge Tennessee
It’s hard to know whether the Bengals are bad this year or going through their normal early-season woes. Regardless, the pass rush is non-existent. Even if Cincinnati makes a playoff push, they need to focus on the defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s hard to win in this league with no pass rush. The offense is too good. Give a quarterback enough time, and he will carve you up. Pearce Jr. has been a cornerstone in a stingy Volunteers’ defense.
12. Los Angeles Rams: Wyatt Milum OT West Virginia
Milum might be seen as more of a project in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he will set himself up as a first-round pick when the draft rolls around. He has been an iron man in college, starting 31 consecutive games and logging over 2,200 snaps. Furthermore, he has shown an ability to learn other positions, increasing his value. He might be a little raw, but the Rams have the system in place to take raw talent and make it NFL-ready.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State
This will be the pick in every mock draft until April. I’d love to zag on the pick, but it makes too much sense. Dallas needs more from the running back position. When the Cowboys were dominant with Dak Prescott, they had an elite running game. Jeanty has taken the college football world by storm and is on the fast track to a Heisman Trophy. Dallas is committed to Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, and getting a cheap running back would do wonders for this offense. Nothing is a sure thing, but this feels inevitable.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks S Georgia
The Colts have made the news this week with their decision to bench Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco. All of the quotes coming out of the building show they are still committed to the former fourth-overall pick in the long term. Indianapolis has a solid offense. Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs are the best trio in the league, but they are by no means the worst. The Colts have struggled on defense. Starks has shown his elite abilities this season and would be a perfect addition to a struggling secondary.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cam Williams OT Texas
Last season, the Buccaneers were last in the NFL in rushing. This year, they have found something in the tandem of Rachaad White and Bucky Irving. Both backs have thrived in the offense in 2024. With the futures of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin up in the air, investing in the trenches is the right move. Williams has been impressive for the Texas Longhorns. He has shown a great combination of run-blocking and pass-protection. Getting a young tackle in the building is never a bad plan.
16. Seattle Seahawks: Princely Umanmielen Edge Ole Miss
Ole Miss hasn’t been very impressive this year, but the tape on Umanmielen is fun to watch. He has great explosiveness off the edge, as well as great flexibility. This is exactly what you want from an edge rusher. I expect head coach Mike MacDonald to push for more defensive help in the 2025 NFL Draft. Pairing Byron Murphy with Umanmielen gives a solid duo of linemen who can be the cornerstones of an improving offense.
17. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly Jr. OT Oregon
Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger or cheaper. This roster is in desperate need of cheap talent. Nick Bosa, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and Fred Warner are all on massive contracts, with Brock Purdy in line to get one this offseason. The offensive line has slipped a little this year, and getting a young (and cheap) tackle in is just what the 49ers need from the 2025 NFL Draft. Conerly Jr. has shown an ability to run block at the second level, something essential in the Kyle Shanahan offense.
18. Chicago Bears: Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona
There is one goal in the 2025 NFL Draft: find a way to protect Caleb Williams. It is impossible to evaluate a young quarterback if he is constantly under pressure. Injuries have been an issue on the line, but even healthy, there were issues protecting the number one overall pick. Savaiinaea excels in pass protection. While he can whiff in run-blocking sometimes, the Bears will happily take a big body who can lock down the blind side of their franchise cornerstone.
19. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham DT Michigan
While I do not believe the offense is one of the best in the league, the Cardinals certainly have solid pieces. They’ve spent the last few drafts investing in that side of the ball. Arizona should focus on the defense in the 2025 NFL Draft. I’m a big believer in building the trenches. Graham is one of the top defensive tackles in the nation. While the Wolverines offense has looked abysmal, the defense has kept them in games. Graham is a force inside and exactly what the Cardinals need to help stop the likes of Kyren Williams, Kenneth Walker, and Christian McCaffrey.
20. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant DT Michigan
If there is a Michigan guy on the board, Jim Harbaugh is likely to get them. The aforementioned Graham and Kenneth Grant were once called “gifts from the football gods” by the Chargers head coach. Harbaugh would love to bless his team with this type of talent. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter knows how to use Grant effectively as well. Harbaugh wants to win with smash-mouth football and suffocating defense. Grant will clog up the line and make it difficult for teams to find a rhythm on offense.
21. Atlanta Falcons: JT Tuimoloau Edge Ohio State
The Falcons need help with their pass rush. Trading for Matthew Judon didn’t help as Atlanta ranks near the bottom of the league in pressure rate. The offense looks set for at least one more year with Kirk Cousins. Their secondary has solid pieces as well. They need a dynamic player off the edge. Tuimoloau has been great for the Buckeyes this season. He and Jack Sawyer have been a problem for offensive lines in the Big Ten and will fit in perfectly on the edge opposite Judon.
22. Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State
It’s a wonder Ohio State isn’t wrecking opponents with the amount of talent they have. Regardless, Egbuka was a projected first-round pick last year until he decided to go back to school. He hasn’t hurt his draft stock at all. Denver needs some juice at the wide receiver position. Bo Nix has been a solid starter but needs some weapons. Egbuka slots well into the WR2 slot, with Courtland Sutton sticking as the primary target.
23. Baltimore Ravens: Shavon Revel Jr. CB East Carolina University
Batimore’s offense has been electric this season. Lamar Jackson looks comfortable in Todd Monken’s offense, and the weapons around him have improved over the past few years. The defense, on the other hand, has taken a huge step backward. Opposing offenses are carving up the secondary, leading to many shootouts. While the reigning MVP can keep up, this isn’t how the Ravens want to win games. This is a bit of a risky pick because Revel Jr. is currently out with a torn ACL. However, he is a speedy corner with great recovery speed and could become the next great Batimore corner.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Nic Scourton Edge Texas A&M
Howie Roseman loves to stockpile pass rushers. The once daunting pass rush hasn’t been as good in the past few seasons. Part of this has been some picks not panning out. However, some of it is the volatility of defense from year to year. Roster turnover happens. Scourton has been excellent for the SEC-leading Aggies. He has shown off his relentless motor and helped shut down some high-powered SEC offenses.
25. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame
Brian Flores has been doing a great job with this defense, given the talent. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they need to infuse some talent into the unit. Morrison is out for the season with injuries but projects to be a quality corner in the NFL. The offense will be set for years to come with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at wide receiver. JJ McCarthy will need to prove he was worthy of such a high draft pick, but a year of studying the offense may be what the young player needs.
26. Buffalo Bills: Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
Nolen was a former number-one overall recruit for a reason. While he has not been dominant in college football, the tools are there for him to be a quality interior lineman. The Bills had to let a lot of veterans go on the defensive unit due to salary cap restrictions. While the group has been serviceable, they need some young talent, especially on the defensive line. Nolen is the perfect fit for the team’s needs.
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deone Walker DT Kentucky
Speaking of teams who need some help on the defensive line, the Steelers need some young talent as well. Cam Heyward is having a ridiculously good season, given his age. However, the team cannot expect that to be a long-term solution. The good news is there is quality talent at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Walker has all of the physical tools and backs it up on the field. He has led the Wildcats to some near upsets in the SEC and has the skills that translate well to the NFL.
28. Green Bay Packers: Mykel Williams Edge Georgia
The Packers have a glut of young talent on the offensive side of the ball. They have also drafted a lot of defensive players, many of whom are from the Georgia Bulldogs. Preston Smith is entering the twilight of his career. Lukas Van Ness has struggled to live up to the first-round pick, and Rashan Gary is still finding his footing as the leading pass rusher. Williams is another rotation piece for this pass rush that has improved under Jeff Hafley.
29. Washington Commanders: Luther Burden III WR Missouri
Jayden Daniels has proven the doubters wrong. The time is now to get as much talent as possible to try and maximize the rookie contract. In the 2025 NFL Draft, there are many quality receivers, and Burden III is one of them. While he hasn’t had the same success this season, he is still a dynamic player who can make game-breaking plays. Terry McLaurin has thrived in this offense, and Burden III is another high-quality weapon for Daniels.
30. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker OG Alabama
For the love of all that is good in this world, get CJ Stroud some protection. I wouldn’t mind if the Texans drafted an offensive lineman with every pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Some will criticize taking an interior lineman in the first round, but Houston needs it. Booker is a high-quality player as well. He has great size, power, and athleticism and is a huge need for the team.
31. Detroit Lions: Abdul Carter Edge Penn State
I’m still bummed about the injury to Aidan Hutchinson. The good news is it seems like he will make a full recovery. When he does get back, he does need some help. Carter has helped anchor a stingy Nittany Lions defense. He has elite athletic traits and has the potential to be another young star on this defensive unit.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Colston Loveland TE Michigan
Kansas City needs some offensive line help, but if Loveland is there, they will take him in the 2025 NFL Draft. Travis Kelce is showing his age, and the Chiefs need better pass-catchers. Anyone who dislikes the Chiefs will hate this pick, as he could become Patrick Mahomes’ next favorite target.
The 2025 NFL Draft order is becoming more clear. While there is still plenty of season left to play, we are getting and idea of who will be in a position to get the elite players in this class.
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