Usually, at this point in the season, we have an idea of what the 2025 NFL Draft order will look like. This year, it is absolute chaos at the bottom of the league. You could make the case for nine teams to finish with the number one overall pick. It makes the next seven weeks even more intriguing. Fans of the good teams will be looking at playoff positioning, while the others will be hoping for an advantageous draft position. Here is my post-week 11 mock draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter CB Colorado
It’s time for a reset in Jacksonville. As of the writing of this article, I cannot believe Doug Pederson still has a job. The Jaguars need everything except the quarterback. While Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been the generational talent many thought he would be, he is still an above average starter in the NFL. It gives the team the luxury of taking the best player available which in this draft is Travis Hunter.
Every week, Hunter is all over the place and is a big reason why Colorado is in the hunt for the Big 12 title. The team needs help on the defensive side, especially at corner, where I believe the Heisman candidate will be in the NFL. Don’t overthink it, Jaguars.
New York Giants: Cam Ward QB Miami
I usually don’t do trades in my mock drafts. I couldn’t resist this one. The Giants have to get a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sitting at five, they probably miss out on a top prospect. They won’t let that happen. I don’t know what the trade looks like, but Tennessee convinces itself that it can stick it out with Will Levis for a king’s ransom of draft picks. Cam Ward brings a great dual-threat ability and doesn’t seem to get rattled no matter what happens in the game. The Giants look to build around Ward and Malik Nabers for the future.
Cleveland Browns: Kelvin Banks Jr. OT Texas
The Browns should sign Jameis Winston to a short-term deal after this season. He is so likable, and the franchise needs a likable player at quarterback. With Deshaun Watson’s salary still on the books, trying to build around a rookie quarterback seems ill-advised. It’s time to accept the trade was bad and make smart decisions from here on out.
The smart decision in the 2025 NFL Draft is to shore up the offensive line. No matter who the signal caller for the Browns is next year, an elite offensive tackle will help. In the long term, Banks Jr. will have some experience under his belt when Cleveland does decide to bring in the quarterback of the future.
Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado
After every Raiders loss this season, Shedeur Sanders has tweeted the same thing. The Colorado quarterback wants to go to a city where he can build his brand. There is no better place than Vegas. This would also draw many fans to the stadium, making games in Las Vegas must-see television. It isn’t just about selling tickets. Sanders has been great for the Buffaloes this season. Projections have them winning the Big 12 and getting a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff! Imagine that two months ago.
Sanders has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football, period. He is second in the nation in completion percentage, with 72.9% of his passes being completed. Pro Football Focus has 22 of his throws as “big time throws” showcasing his ability to be accurate down the field. If Sanders gets this team to the College Football Playoff, he could be a highly coveted player when the 2025 NFL Draft rolls around.
Tennessee Titans: Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona
If the Titans are offered a king’s ransom, I bet they take it. There are pieces to like on this team. The defense has been especially stout against the run. Offensively, the line is improving, and Levis makes positive plays. What would help the young quarterback would be a dynamic receiver. McMillan is a wonder to watch on the field. He has the complete package of route-running, hands, and explosiveness. They are going to give Levis all the tools to be successful. It’s sink or swim for the former second-round pick.
New England Patriots: Will Campbell OT LSU
Of all the teams who are picking near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots have to feel the best. Drake Maye has looked fantastic with a subpar supporting cast. Priority number one should be to protect their franchise guy. Campbell hasn’t given up a sack since 2022. Left tackle is one of the most important positions in football. It’s a no-brainer to me for a rebuilding team like the Patriots.
New York Jets: Mason Graham DT Michigan
Oof. That’s how I feel about the Jets. Joe Douglas, the architect of this team, is gone after being fired. Every trade and signing hasn’t quite worked out in the past two years. I don’t see how the Jets re-sign Aaron Rodgers, which means they will be without a quarterback next year. I think they will go the defensive lineman route in this position in the 2025 NFL Draft. The defense has been the most surprising piece of the team in 2024. A once dominant group is now getting carved up by teams left and right. Whoever the new GM ends up being will focus on building the trenches.
Carolina Panthers: Princely Umanmielen Edge Ole Miss
The Panthers need just about everything in the 2025 NFL Draft. They had a firesale at the trade deadline and have very few quality pieces. They have many good options at this spot, but I have them taking an edge. Rushing the passer is too important to ignore in today’s NFL. Umanmielen has continued to impress me with his tape. I think once the draft process is over, he will be one of the top edge rushers in the class. The rebuild begins now. They take an edge and pray Bryce Young continues to develop.
Dallas Cowboys: Will Johnson CB Michigan
I’ve spent the last few weeks of mock drafts putting Ashton Jeanty on the Cowboys. While this is still a strong possibility, I think the higher they pick, the more likely they are to go elsewhere. Dallas’ secondary hasn’t been great this season. (I mean, the whole defense hasn’t been good, but the secondary especially). Teams find high-quality running backs in later rounds all the time. They do not always find quality corners. Will Johnson has had a weird year for the Wolverines. Injuries have made it so many analysts have cooled on him. Don’t be fooled. He is still one of the best players in this class overall.
New Orleans Saints: Abdul Carter Edge Penn State
I did not have the Saints winning two straight, but that may be due to the terrible job Dennis Allen was doing. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints can do whatever they want and should look for the best player available. That’s Carter, who has been a force for the Nittany Lions off the edge. This would also be an interesting trade spot.
Much has been made about the salary cap for New Orleans. If you haven’t looked at it, it’s truly hilarious. They need cheap talent. The draft is the way to do it. Acquiring more picks means more attempts at cheaper talent. Watch as the draft nears to see if the Saints are a trade-down candidate.
Cincinnati Bengals: Malaki Starks S Georgia
Joe Burrow is really good at football. The Cincinnati offense is fun to watch. The defense, on the other hand, is an absolute dumpster fire. They have lost too much in the past few years. When the Bengals made it to the Super Bowl, it was on the back of an ultra-talented defense. Unfortunately, they have had to let people walk due to the salary cap restrictions. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bengals should focus on defense and rebuild the backend of their secondary. Starks is the best safety in the draft and would help rebuild the unit. They cannot afford to continue to waste the talent of Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
Miami Dolphins: James Pearce Jr. Edge Tennessee
Is Miami a playoff team? I have no idea! This team is so hard to predict because they have a quarterback who is one concussion away from retirement (probably) and insists on making headfirst tackles after interceptions. I am more concerned about the defense. Miami let Las Vegas hang around a little too much for my liking. Pearce Jr. has been a force off the edge for Tennessee this year. The Dolphins could help their offense by making it harder on the opposing quarterbacks. I have concerns about the longevity of the team in the trenches. This helps fix that problem.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Luther Burden III WR Missouri
I’m concerned about the receivers in Tampa Bay. While this feels like a luxury pick, they should focus on wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Chris Godwin’s injury is nasty, and there are concerns about whether he will be the same receiver again. Mike Evans is an automatic 1,000 yards, but he is on the wrong side of 30. They need to get younger on offense. Luther Burden III had a signature moment in the game against South Carolina last week. While it was overshadowed by the Missouri defense giving the lead right back, Burden is still one of the best receivers in college football. Baker Mayfield gets a new target in Tampa.
Chicago Bears: Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss
Color me impressed with the new-look Bears offense. With Shane Waldron gone, the offense looked competent. They didn’t give up a ton of sacks. Until the last drive, the Packers were only able to get home once. This leads me to believe the Bears can work around some offensive line deficiencies. The Bears should focus on the defensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft in the first round. Their depth is severely lacking, and they could use a better rotation of bodies. Nolen is another player who hasn’t quite lived up to his potential in college but could be a force in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts: Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina
Colts fans can breathe a sign of relief. Anthony Richardson is not a bust. Sure, he has a lot to improve on, but that was always going to be the case. One way to help a young quarterback is to build up the defense. Indianapolis has righted the ship somewhat on defense after the first few games, but they need help in the secondary.
I don’t love the corners in the 2025 NFL Draft as a whole. There are some top tiers, but they fall off quickly. This leads me to believe that the Colts are taking a safety. Emmanwori has played well this year for a defense playing at an elite level. Laiatu Latu looks like a star in waiting, and getting a young member in the secondary should help solidify things.
Seattle Seahawks: Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona
As I review this team, I see that they are in a weird spot. Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett are entering the twilight of their careers. The team may want to look to replace these players in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the offensive line play is too poor to ignore. No matter who is under center, protection is needed. It’s weird that Arizona isn’t better, considering how many first-round picks they could potentially have. Savaiinaea is a quality tackle and fills an area of need immediately for Seatlle. While they need to start looking toward the future, solidifying the line helps bridge the two eras.
Los Angeles Rams: Colston Loveland TE Michigan
It’s strange to me how great Ram’s offense has been without the presence of a quality tight end over the past few years. Tyler Higbee hasn’t been able to stay on the field. While many will mock a defensive player to the Rams in the 2025 NFL Draft, I really like Loveland for them. Michigan’s passing game has been non-existent this year, meaning Loveland hasn’t had a chance to showcase his talents. He is a perfect fit in the McVay offense due to his pass-blocking prowess.
Keep an eye out for what Matthew Stafford signals about his career in the offseason. Depending on where the Rams finish, they could look to get into the quarterback market. As of this moment, I think they will roll the dice in the second or third round and stick with Stafford for at least another year, if not more.
San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Millum OT West Virginia
The 49ers have had one of those years. Every year, one or two teams get ravaged by injuries, affecting their year. San Francisco sits at 5-5 with a date with Green Bay coming up. The skeleton of the offense and defense are there. Once players get healthy next year, this offense will still have Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk. On defense, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are still elite. The 49ers need to build for the future in the 2025 NFL Draft. Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger. The advantage this team has is taking a high-upside prospect and developing him. Millum is raw, but the talent is undeniable.
Denver Broncos: Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State
Okay, I want to pump the brakes on the Bo Nix hype. No, I’m not a hater. I genuinely hope Nix can succeed. However, the Broncos are 4-0 against the NFC South and 2-5 against the rest of the league. This is why there is so much variance in the NFL. Denver’s season would look a lot different if they had to play the NFC North this year.
Still, the team should lean into their rookie quarterback and build around him in the 2025 NFL Draft. Egbuka finally made some headlines with an insane catch last week. He’s always played second fiddle in Columbus but is one of the most refined prospects out there. He and Courtland Sutton make a formidable pass-catching duo.
Atlanta Falcons: Jack Sawyer Edge Ohio State
It doesn’t matter who is playing quarterback. If you give any player enough time, they will carve you up. Good pass defenses aren’t simply built on good secondaries. Atlanta has an elite secondary but has no pass rush to speak of. The trade for Matthew Judon hasn’t paid the dividends they were hoping for. Sawyer might be the most pro-ready edge rusher in the class. He doesn’t have the highest upside but he could come in and play right now and be good to great. Atlanta is in win-now mode. They need players who can play immediately.
Arizona Cardinals: Nic Scourton Edge Texas A&M
Arizona has spent the past two drafts focusing on the offense. It has largely worked. Paris Johnson Jr. has been a solid starter, and Marvin Harrison Jr. looks as good as advertised. In the 2025 NFL Draft, they should focus on the defensive side of the ball. If the Cardinals could get more pressure on the quarterback, it would help them in a tough NFC West. Scourton moves well despite his size. Some polish needs to happen, but Jonathan Gannon has shown he can do more with less.
Washington Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr. OT Oregon
The feel-good story of the 2024 season has been the Commanders. This franchise has had little to cheer for in the past few decades. Jayden Daniels has given the Commanders life, and Dan Quinn has galvanized this team in a way we haven’t seen in the past. While the offense has been solid, protecting their franchise quarterback should be the focus. Conerly Jr. is a player I have started to enjoy watching more. He moves well and would be a perfect fit for the run-heavy offense that the Commanders want to run.
Houston Texans: Tyler Booker OG Alabama
I’ve had this in the past few mock drafts. Some will say taking an offensive guard in the first round is a bad idea. When it is this much of a need, it can be justified. The Texans are on the clock with CJ Stroud. A quarterback on a rookie contract is one of the best advantages in all of sports. They need to make a run in the next few years. The rest of the team has a solid foundation. The receivers are above average. On defense, they have a suffocating defensive line and a defensive-minded head coach. They have to protect Stroud. Booker is a big, athletic guard who helps the team right now.
Baltimore Ravens: Shavon Revel Jr. CB East Carolina University
The cornerback class is thin in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there is some good value at the end of the first round. Revel Jr. is an otherworldly athlete. A torn ACL has sidelined him for the season, but he is still projected to go at the end of the first round. The Ravens need secondary help. They have gotten gashed in the passing game this year, and it will probably be their downfall in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers: Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State
Jim Harbaugh wants to run the ball. JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards are nice, but an elite running back would transform this offense. Dobbins looks good, but he has had an Achilles injury and a torn ACL. Edwards is a journeyman back who has a high floor but a low ceiling. Jeanty has been taking college football by storm. If not for Travis Hunter, he would likely be the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy. He takes the pressure off the passing game and opens up the field for Justin Herbert.
Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame
It seems like the Packers always need a cornerback. Jaire Alexander is having problems staying on the field due to injuries. Eric Stokes hasn’t panned out after a strong rookie season. Keisean Nixon is holding his own, but is not a long-term option. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers will go defense. I have them picking Morrison, who is dealing with injuries but has been one of the most productive corners in college football. I’m not sold on this pick and could see the Packers taking a defensive lineman or even a linebacker, but they definitely go defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Milroe QB Alabama
Because of the Steelers winning record, it seems weird to talk about the instability at the quarterback position. Justin Fields had his chance to prove he could be a starter in the league. Russell Wilson replaced him after five games. While the Super Bowl-winning quarterback has won games, he is 35 years old. They should start to look toward the future. Milroe has two years of experience, starting at Alabama. His dual-threat nature would be something this franchise has not seen in a while. Even if they don’t play him right away, I like them nabbing the quarterback of the future.
Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron S Texas
Minnesota’s secondary is full of aging players. Stephen Gilmore and Harrison Smith are past their prime. They’ve been patching together a group of players for the past few seasons, but it is time for them to try to bring stability. The 2025 NFL Draft has some quality safeties, and the Vikings nab Barron at the end of the first round. He has played well for the Texas defense and can be deployed by Brian Flores in many ways.
Philadelphia Eagles: Josaiah Stewart Edge Michigan
The Philadelphia Eagles pass rush is not as scary as a couple of years ago. During their Super Bowl run, they had an absurd amount of sacks. The pass rush has lost some teeth because of free agency and players getting older. Stewart is very raw and is likely a third-down-pass rusher exclusively. However, Philadelphia has shown they are willing to take on these types of players. The defense is much improved under Fangio, and they will try to keep it that way and take the pressure off Jalen Hurts and the offense.
Buffalo Bills: TJ Sanders DT South Carolina
Buffalo is the hero of the NFL this week. They took down the Chiefs and ended their undefeated season. Sean McDermott deserves some praise for what he has been able to do with this defense. They got rid of many star players because of the salary cap. The defense hasn’t missed a beat. However, the defensive line has been susceptible to the run. Sanders is a big run-stopping defensive tackle who could be a day-one starter because of the depth on the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery OT Minnesota
Watching the game against the Bills, I noticed Patrick Mahomes under duress more than in past years. The team has tried to fix their offensive line through other means with limited success. When April rolls around, Ersery might be the first tackle off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. The team is not generating explosive plays, and part of that is due to protection. They have the weapons but now need to give Mahomes time in the pocket.
Detroit Lions: Tre Harris WR Ole Miss
I’m on the fence about this one. The Lions need another pass rusher to go opposite Aidan Hutchinson, but I am also worried about their wide receiver depth. Jameson Williams is streaky. I know he just had a big game, but I’m not making any decisions about this team based on their win against Jacksonville. Detroit needs an outside receiver who can consistently bring production. Harris is a big target who has shown an ability to stretch the field.
As the college football season starts to wrap up, we are getting a better picture of who will go at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft. Stay tuned for more mock drafts as the season progresses!
