NFL: 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Cam Ward To The Browns, And Shedeur Sanders To The Saints

The last time we conducted our first mock draft, we made our selections based on the information we had before the NFL Scouting Combine. Now that the Combine is done and players have had their preliminary meetings with NFL teams, we have an updated look at how the 2025 NFL Draft might go.

Let’s take a look at picks one through 32 and determine which prospects will be going where.

1. Tennessee Titans – EDGE, Abdul Carter. Penn State

Though a quarterback is traditionally the move to make with the number-one overall draft pick, the fact that Tennessee released edge rusher Harold Landry III tells me that the Titans are looking for a new pass-rushing specialist. Carter could come in and be an immediate difference-maker for the league’s 30th-ranked pass-rushing team.

2. Cleveland Browns – QB, Cam Ward. Miami

Now that Myles Garrett is under contract for another four years, the Browns can focus on making improvements to the quarterback position. Cam Ward could be the savior the franchise has been looking for after the organization fumbled the Deshaun Watson contract.

3. New York Giants – WR/CB, Travis Hunter. Colorado

Though they’re quarterback-needy, I don’t know if Shedeur Sanders is the guy for New York after he reportedly came off as “arrogant” during the NFL Combine. By taking Travis Hunter, the Giants find their starting cornerback and their number-two wideout to play opposite Malik Nabers.

4. New England Patriots – OL, Will Campbell. LSU

I think it’s too early for the Pats to go after the second-best wide receiver in the draft, so they bring in Campbell to protect quarterback Drake Maye’s blindside for the next ten years. He was already the best offensive lineman in the draft, in my opinion. The Combine simply confirmed my beliefs.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – CB, Will Johnson. Michigan

Despite Travis Hunter being picked before him, I think Will Johnson is the best pure cornerback in this draft. He’s incredibly athletic and has the stats to back up his play. He’ll be a welcomed addition to the NFL’s worst passing defense.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – RB, Ashton Jeanty. Boise State

Now that Geno Smith will be the starting quarterback in Vegas, the Raiders can focus their attention on the ground game. Adding Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 2,601 yards last season, will certainly help Vegas’ 32nd-ranked rushing attack (79.8 yards per game).

7. TRADE: Indianapolis Colts – TE, Tyler Warren. Penn State

The Colts move up to take tight end Tyler Warren. He will be an excellent safety blanket for quarterback Anthony Richardson, who needs to show some progress after a terrible 2024-25 campaign where he finished dead last in completion percentage. A big target like Warren will set Richardson up a lot more with easy completions.

8. Carolina Panthers – DL, Mason Graham. Michigan

If it weren’t for Abdul Carter, Graham would be the consensus number-one defensive lineman in this draft. His production from the defensive tackle spot is unmatched in this draft class. Pairing him with Derrick Brown will give the Panthers two absolute studs in the trenches.

9. New Orleans Saints – QB, Shedeur Sanders. Colorado

I don’t care if the Saints are moving ahead with Derek Carr as their starting quarterback. I am not convinced that New Orleans’ front office is sold on him. They’ll bring in Shedeur Sanders to learn from Carr before eventually becoming the starter midway through the year.

10. Chicago Bears – OL, Kelvin Banks Jr. Texas

Chicago has already been very aggressive this off-season when it comes to shoring up the offensive line. Landing the second-best tackle prospect in the draft should mark the end of the Bears’ offensive line rebuild.

11. San Francisco 49ers – CB, Jahdae Barron. Texas

I expect the Niners to address their edge rusher needs in free agency. This will allow them to take Barron, who has rocketed up analysts’ boards after a stellar performance at the Combine. With four cornerbacks no longer under contract, San Fran fills its needs in the secondary with Barron.

12. Dallas Cowboys – OL, Tyler Booker. Alabama

With Zack Martin retiring, there is a massive hole along the Cowboys’ offensive line. Thankfully, they find his immediate replacement in Tyler Booker, who has long looked like the best interior offensive line prospect in this draft.

13. TRADE: Cincinnati Bengals – EDGE, Shemar Stewart. Texas A&M

His production leaves much to be imagined, but Stewart’s athleticism is absolutely off the charts. He scored a 9.99 out of ten on his Relative Athletic Score (RAS), the third-highest RAS amongst all defensive end draft prospects from 1987 to 2025. With Trey Hendrickson likely on the move, Stewart will be an excellent replacement if he can fine-tune his pass-rushing skills.

14. New York Jets – OL, Josh Simmons. Ohio State

Gang Green will likely lose their starting left and right tackles in free agency. They already have their left tackle of the future in 2024 first-round pick Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Now, they solidify the other tackle spot with Josh Simmons, who has experience protecting the right side of the offense.

15. Atlanta Falcons – EDGE, Mykel Williams. Georgia

The Falcons need another pass rusher following the release of Grady Jarrett. Not only is Williams a born-and-raised Georgia boy, but he is also a 4-3 defensive end, which is the exact scheme that Atlanta runs. This is a match made in Heaven.

16. TRADE: Denver Broncos – WR, Tetairoa McMillan. Arizona

The Broncos trade up one spot ahead of the Dolphins so that they can take the second-best wide receiver in this draft. At 6’5″, McMillan will be a perfect complement to Courtland Sutton, who is coming off his second 1,000-yard season.

17. Miami Dolphins – OL, Armand Membou. Missouri

The ‘Phins need to ensure quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is protected next season because they looked completely inept when he missed time due to injury. Adding one of the most athletic interior linemen in this draft is a great way to preserve Tua’s health.

18. Seattle Seahawks – WR, Matthew Golden. Texas

Seattle just traded away DK Metcalf and released longtime wideout Tyler Lockett. They need another wide receiver to take attention away from Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was named to the Pro Bowl in his second year as a pro. Golden is an ideal choice to play opposite Smith-Njigba.

19. TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers – EDGE, Jalon Walker. Georgia

With Khalil Mack under contract for another year, LA only needs to replace one of their two edge rushers. Walker is a little undersized, but he is an incredibly disruptive pass-rusher who had 6.5 sacks last season. Pairing him with Mack will help fans get over the loss of Joey Bosa.

20. Arizona Cardinals – EDGE, James Pearce Jr. Tennessee

Six of Arizona’s edge rushers are scheduled to be free agents this off-season. I don’t expect them to re-sign all of those guys, so they’ll use their first-round draft pick on a talented edge rusher who has 17 sacks over the last two seasons.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – DB, Nick Emmanwori. South Carolina

Nick Emmanwori had an outstanding performance at the Combine. He scored a perfect ten out of ten on the RAS. He can play all over the field and definitely at cornerback, which is where the Steelers need some additional support.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR, Emeka Egbuka. Ohio State

Chris Godwin will probably leave in free agency, so they’ll need to find a new number-two receiving option. Egbuka could fill that role after putting up good numbers as Ohio State’s second-best wideout. Also, when Mike Evans eventually retires, Egbuka could step in and make up for his lost production.

23. Green Bay Packers – CB, Maxwell Hairston. Kentucky

GM Brian Gutekunst loves drafting athletes with a high RAS, which Hairston has (9.68/10.00). He probably would’ve had an even higher score if he was a tiny bit taller and a little bit heavier. They’re in desperate need of cornerbacks, and Hairston looks like the exact type of player that Green Bay likes to pick.

24. Minnesota Vikings – DB, Malaki Starks. Georgia

Starks can be the successor to longtime safety Harrison Smith whenever he decides to retire. Until then, he can play cornerback, which will be necessary since the Vikes will likely let Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin test out free agency.

25. Houston Texans – WR, Luther Burden III. Missouri

Stefon Diggs is expected to be a free agent. More importantly, there’s a chance that Tank Dell will miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season. Adding a slot receiver like Luther Burden III will take some pressure off of Nico Collins while giving quarterback C.J. Stroud a reliable new target.

26. Los Angeles Rams – LB, Jihaad Campbell. Alabama

Campbell was originally recruited as a pass rusher, but he was moved to the linebacker spot after the Crimson Tide chose to start Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner as their defensive ends. He is great as a pass rusher and an off-ball linebacker, which will be incredibly valuable for a Rams defense that needs to shore up the inside linebacker position.

27. Baltimore Ravens – OL, Grey Zabel. North Dakota State

Now that Ronnie Stanley is returning, the Ravens need to continue to solidify their offensive line. They are set at the tackle spot, but they might lose guard Patrick Mekari in free agency. Zabel has started at multiple different positions along the offensive line, but he is at his best when playing guard, which is exactly what Baltimore needs.

28. Detroit Lions – EDGE, Mike Green. Marshall

Even though Marcus Davenport is returning to Detroit on a one-year deal, he’s not a long-term solution at the edge rusher position. I think the Lions could really benefit from bringing in a guy like Green, who led the country in sacks last year. He can take pressure off of Aidan Hutchinson while rotating in at the other edge rusher spot.

29. Washington Commanders – DL, Walter Nolen. Ole Miss

Walter Nolen is an incredibly talented interior defensive lineman whose draft stock was actually hurt by the Combine. Now that Jonathan Allen has been released and the futures of Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. appear murky, Washington takes the best available defensive lineman with the 29th pick.

30. Buffalo Bills – CB, Shavon Revel Jr. East Carolina

31. Kansas City Chiefs – TE, Colston Loveland. Michigan

Travis Kelce’s time in KC is coming to an end, probably this season or next. They need to have a succession plan in place for when he retires. Getting a guy like Loveland, who would’ve been the number-one tight end in this draft if not for Tyler Warren, is a great pickup for the defending AFC champs.

32. Philadelphia Eagles – EDGE, Donovan Ezeiruaku. Boston College

Now that Zack Baun is returning, Philly can focus its attention on the defensive line. I don’t think they have the cap space to bring back Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham, so they take a gamble on Ezeiruaku, who could become a force in a couple of years.