2025 NFL Mock Draft: Early Surprise Headlines New First-Round Projection

The 2024 NFL regular season is officially in the books, and while a handful of lucky teams are now headed to the playoffs, the rest of the league will now turn their attention toward improving their roster in the offseason via the 2025 NFL Draft.

Week 18 gave us plenty of shuffling at the top of the draft order, as the Tennessee Titans secured the No. 1 overall pick, while an upset victory over the Buffalo Bills dropped the New England Patriots from the top spot all the way to No. 4 overall.

Now that we know where all of the non-playoff teams are slated to pick (barring eventual trades), how could recent developments like draft order changes, College Football Playoff results, and underclassman declarations impact the early going of the 2025 draft?

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Rankings By Position

QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | Interior OL | EDGE | Interior DL | LB | CB | S

Here's an updated look at how the first round of this year's draft could turn out, using the latest updated pick order following the conclusion of the regular season:

1. Tennessee Titans

Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado

After landing the No. 1 overall pick at the last minute, the Titans now have the ability to pick between the best quarterback prospects in this year's class to replace Will Levis. While it's a fairly weak group, Sanders has all the mental and physical traits to develop into a quality starter if the Titans are able to build a strong supporting cast around him.

2. Cleveland Browns

Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State

Yes, the Browns need a new QB, but that doesn't mean they'll take one here. The bigger surprise might be passing on Travis Hunter, but with Myles Garrett's recent comments about the direction of the team, Cleveland might opt for another elite edge rusher who could eventually replace him. Carter has been dominant since making the switch from off-ball linebacker, and is worthy of this spot.

3. New York Giants

Cam Ward | QB | Miami (FL)

If the Browns pass on the other top quarterback in this draft, the Giants will have little choice but to snatch him up. Ward has some boom-or-bust potential with his wide variance in play, but he's a dynamic playmaker with a ton of upside if he can improve his decision-making and consistency. Throwing to Malik Nabers definitely won't hurt, either.

4. New England Patriots

Travis Hunter | WR/CB | Colorado

After landing their new franchise quarterback last year in Drake Maye, the Pats are free to grab the best overall player in the draft here. Hunter was arguably the best player in all of college football at multiple positions, and regardless of where he lines up at the next level, his rare abilities should make him an immediate star.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mason Graham | DL | Michigan

Missing out on Hunter would be disappointing, but the Jags should still be able to land a blue-chip talent at another position of need here. Graham is a monster in the middle of the defensive line, bringing a well-rounded skill set that makes him a dominant run defender and an impactful interior pass rusher, both of which Jacksonville's defense needs.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona

Obviously, the Raiders need an upgrade at quarterback as badly as any team in the NFL, but there's just not one worth taking at this spot. Instead, they should improve the supporting cast for their future franchise passer by landing a massive, athletic target in McMillan. There's shades of a young Mike Evans here, and that's way better than reaching for the next-best quarterback on the board.

7. New York Jets

Jalon Walker | LB/EDGE | Georgia

There will be plenty of needs on both sides of the ball for the Jets this offseason, but where will they find the best value here? Walker can make a strong case, thanks to his versatile skill set and the ability to make splash plays as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher. No matter who takes over as the new head coach, Walker would be a huge addition to the defense.

8. Carolina Panthers

Will Johnson | CB | Michigan

This roster simply needs as much pure talent as possible, regardless of position. In this scenario, that means landing another shutdown corner to pair with Jaycee Horn. Johnson has been banged up this season, but at full strength, he has all the physical and mental traits to be a perennial Pro Bowl player at the next level.

9. New Orleans Saints

Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia

We may have seen Cam Jordan play his last snap in New Orleans, so it's time for the Saints to find a replacement for one of their most reliable defenders. An impressive overall athlete, Williams has the ideal frame and skill set to fill that role, and though he missed time due to injury in 2024, he proved when he was fully healthy to be a disruptive force against both the run and pass.

10. Chicago Bears

Will Campbell | OT | LSU

Chicago's top priority this offseason has to be improving the offensive line if they want Caleb Williams to reach his sky-high ceiling as their franchise quarterback. Campbell might be a better fit at guard in the NFL, but regardless of whether he lines up there or at left tackle, he'd be a much-needed upgrade for a struggling unit that needs as much help as possible.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Kenneth Grant | DL | Michigan

I wouldn't count out an offensive tackle here, but if the board falls this way, the 49ers could opt for trench help on the other side of the ball. Landing a massive mauler like Grant would be a huge win for a San Francisco defense that desperately needs that kind of disruptive presence on the inside against both the run and pass.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

This feels like a lazy pick at this point, but there's just no denying how much the Cowboys need to balance out their offense with a quality ground attack, and the fact that Jeanty is an elite prospect at the position. He's a top-10 overall talent in this draft, and could instantly transform Dallas' offensive identity with his three-down skill set.

13. Miami Dolphins

Derrick Harmon | DL | Oregon

Miami has sorely missed Christian Wilkins' playmaking presence along the interior of the defensive line, but this year's strong class at the position should give them the perfect opportunity to find a similar player. Harmon has flown up the draft board thanks to a dominant 2024 campaign, and his skill set would be the ideal fit for what the Dolphins need.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Malaki Starks | S | Georgia

Indy's secondary desperately needs more playmakers, and if the board falls this way, it would give them a chance to land one of the best this year's class has to offer. Starks has the range, athleticism, instincts and versatility to line up anywhere in the secondary, making big plays in both zone and man coverage responsibilities.

15. Atlanta Falcons

James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee

This defense desperately needs a true impact player who can get after opposing quarterbacks off the edge, and this scenario allows them to land a high-upside prospect to fit that role perfectly. Pearce wasn't as consistently dominant as expected in 2024, but the flashes of brilliance would be enough for the Falcons to bet on here.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Nic Scourton | EDGE/DL | Texas A&M

The Cardinals need help across their entire defensive front, whether that's along the interior or out on the edges. Scourton's versatility would make him the ideal target here, with impressive athleticism and movement skills for his size, and the ability to line up inside or outside and still great big plays against both the run and pass.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart | EDGE/DL | Texas A&M

Trey Hendrickson is one of the NFL's best edge rushers, but the Bengals need an upgrade on the other side of their defensive line. Much like his Aggie teammate Scourton, Stewart is a versatile defender with the size and skill set to play out on the edge or slide inside, but he's the ideal fit for what Cincinnati looks for in their edge rushers. 

18. Seattle Seahawks

Kelvin Banks Jr. | OL | Texas

On both sides of the ball, Seattle needs help along the interior in the trenches. There are some solid options at nose tackle in this scenario, but an offense full of weapons is suffering because of the offensive line situation. Banks has played tackle for the Longhorns, but he could be a better fit at guard at the next level, where Seattle needs a big upgrade.