2025 NFL Mock Draft: Heisman Trophy Finalists Headline Latest First-Round Projections

On Saturday night in New York City, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be among the finalists hoping to hear their name called as the next winner of the coveted Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious individual award in college football.

A few months later, all three are expected to hear their names called as first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hunter is widely regarded as the top overall prospect in the 2025 class, while Jeanty is easily the best running back eligible for next year's draft. Ward is expected to battle with Colorado's Shedeur Sanders to be the first quarterback off the board, with both expected to be selected in the top 10, perhaps even the top five.

Updated 2025 NFL Draft Rankings By Position

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

Where could this year's Heisman finalists land at the next level?

Here's an updated look at how the first round of next year's draft could turn out, using the latest updated pick order following Week 14 results:

1. Las Vegas Raiders

Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado

Even before serious injuries befell Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell, the Raiders' quarterback situation was already in bad shape. They clearly need to take a swing on a new franchise passer, even though this isn't a great year to need one at the top of the draft. Sanders still needs to improve his consistency in multiple areas, but he's got the mental and physical tools to be a star, if the Raiders can give him enough help.

2. New York Giants

Cam Ward | QB | Miami (FL)

Much like the Raiders, the Giants find themselves desperate for a true franchise quarterback after the failed Daniel Jones experiment. And much like Sanders, Ward finds himself atop a fairly weak class at the position, but he's a playmaking wizard with the ball in his hands. If he can improve his decision-making, Ward has all the traits to prove himself worthy of this draft slot.

3. New England Patriots

Travis Hunter | WR/CB | Colorado

Anytime you can get the best overall player in the draft anywhere but the No. 1 overall pick, it's a steal. The Pats got a similar win last year by landing Drake Maye at No. 3 overall as their new franchise quarterback, and Hunter would give them another cornerstone player. Regardless of where he lines up at the next level, Hunter is a rare talent who can make a massive impact anytime the ball comes his way.

4. Carolina Panthers

Abdul Carter | EDGE | Penn State

This team simply needs as much pure talent as possible, regardless of position. After trading away Brian Burns, the Panthers have sorely missed the presence of a true difference-maker rushing the passer off the edge, and Carter would be the ideal solution. After moving from his previous off-ball linebacker spot, Carter has proven to be a dominant force who can take over games single-handedly.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mason Graham | DL | Michigan

Losing out on Hunter would be disappointing, but with multiple quarterbacks going ahead of them, the Jags are still able to get fantastic value here while still filling a massive need. Graham has been one of the most dominant players in all of college football this season, and Jacksonville desperately needs that kind of impact player along the interior of their defensive front.

6. Tennessee Titans

Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona

It looks like the Titans might be stuck with Will Levis for at least one more season of his rookie contract, as this spot won't give them any attractive options to replace him at quarterback. What they can do here is help him out by giving him a massive, athletic target in McMillan, who has shades of a young Mike Evans to his game.

7. New York Jets

Will Campbell | OT | LSU

Regardless of who ends up throwing passes for the Jets in the near future, that quarterback will need as much help as possible up front. New York invested last year's first-round pick in a stud offensive tackle in Olu Fashanu, but that shouldn't stop them from taking another one if Campbell is still on the board. He's still fairly raw, but has impressive physical traits that should quickly develop at the next level.

8. Cleveland Browns

Mykel Williams | EDGE | Georgia

Graham would be the dream scenario for the Browns here, but if he's not available, they could still bolster their defensive front by grabbing another dynamic edge player to pair with Myles Garrett. Williams missed some time earlier this season due to injury, but he's proven throughout the rest of the year that at full strength, he can be a dominant force against both the run and pass.

9. Chicago Bears

Jalon Walker | EDGE/LB | Georgia

There isn't an ideal fit for the Bears in this scenario, as their biggest need lies along the offensive line. We don't know what their defensive scheme will look like just yet, but a versatile defender like Walker should be able to make a massive impact, regardless of what the coaching staff looks like. Whether he lines up off the ball or on the edge, Walker is a big-play machine who is well worth a top-10 selection.

10. New Orleans Saints

Will Johnson | CB | Michigan

After trading away veteran Marshon Lattimore, it's time for the Saints to reload with some younger talent at the corner spot. Had he stayed healthy for the entire season, Johnson could have easily been a top-five lock, but questions about durability and his straight-line speed could keep on the board up to this point. That could end up being a massive win for New Orleans if he's able to avoid injury at the next level.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

James Pearce Jr. | EDGE | Tennessee

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. Pearce hasn't played to his potential consistently this season, but he's still got the physical tools to be a dominant pass rusher. If he can unlock that upside on a more consistent basis in the NFL, he could prove to be a huge bargain outside of the top 10.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is a popular pick here, and with good reason. But there are plenty of solid backs who are likely to be available on Day 2, and that depth could convince the Cowboys to spend this pick on another dynamic pass-catcher instead. Burden is a big-play magnet who would make opposing defenses pay for rolling coverages to CeeDee Lamb's side of the field.

13. Miami Dolphins

Derrick Harmon | DL | Oregon

Miami's defense has sorely missed Christian Wilkins' presence in the trenches, but thankfully for them, this year's draft class is loaded with blue-chop interior defenders. One of the fastest-rising prospects in the country this season, Harmon has been a disruptive force for the top-ranked Ducks, and his ability to consistently blow up plays in the backfield could make him a top-15 pick.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Malaki Starks | S | Georgia

Indy needs more playmakers across the board in the secondary, and in this scenario, they're able to land the perfect fit with Starks. A versatile defender who can line up anywhere in the defensive backfield, Starks can patrol the deep middle or lock up opposing pass-catchters in man coverage from the slot, which would give the Colts plenty of creativity with how they deploy him.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Nic Scourton | EDGE/DL | Texas A&M

The Falcons need more impact players across their defensive front, whether that's along the interior or out on the edges. Scourton's massive frame and versatile skill set would allow him to play either role in Atlanta, giving head coach Raheem Morris a ton of options to take advantage of his impressive physical abilities in any down and distance.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Shemar Stewart | EDGE/DL | Texas A&M

Arizona has similar needs to Atlanta on defense, and in this situation, they could find the solution in the same place. Just like Scourton, Stewart has the size and skills to line up on the edge or slide inside, and the Cards could pair him with a similarly skilled defender in 2024 first-rounder Darius Robinson to give them a strong foundation in the trenches for years to come.

17. San Francisco 49ers

Kenneth Grant | DL | Michigan

I wouldn't count out an offensive tackle here, but if the board falls this way, there's more value on the other side of the ball if the 49ers want trench help. This year's class of interior defenders is extremely deep, and landing a massive mauler like Grant outside of the top 15 would be a huge bargain for a San Francisco defense that desperately needs that kind of disruptive presence on the inside.