The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and that means it’s mock draft season. A trade shakes up the top of the order in this mock draft, two teams land franchise quarterbacks, and a heavy emphasis is placed on building through the trenches.
Pick No. 10: Chicago Bears take Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Chicago Bears need to protect QB Caleb Williams. They make that their top priority with the No. 10 overall pick in this mock draft, taking Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr. He has three years of starting experience at left tackle and brings elite run-blocking skills to the table with solid pass protection as well.
Pick No. 9: New Orleans Saints take LSU OL Will Campbell
It’s finally time for the New Orleans Saints to start a rebuild. All of the NFL’s best teams build through the trenches. That’s what the Saints do with the No. 9 pick in this mock draft, taking LSU OL Will Campbell, who many regard as the best offensive lineman in the draft class. Campbell could be a starter at tackle or guard, both positions which the Saints could use an upgrade.
Pick No. 8: Carolina Panthers select Tennessee EDGE James Pearce
The Carolina Panthers need help all over their defense but building through the trenches should be the main priority. After trading away Brian Burns last offseason, the Panthers need to add pass-rushing talent. Tennessee EDGE James Pearce fits the billing with the No. 8 overall pick in this mock draft. Pearce totaled 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 2024. He led the SEC with 10.0 sacks in 2023.
Pick No. 7: New York Jets snag Penn State TE Tyler Warren
The New York Jets strongly considered taking TE Brock Bowers in last year’s draft but ultimately wound up improving the trenches with OT Olu Fashanau instead. This time around, they take the playmaking tight end, selecting Penn State TE Tyler Warren in this mock draft. Warren is a special talent who totaled 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
Pick No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders land Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
It’s primetime in Las Vegas as the Raiders land Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders with the No. 6 overall pick in this mock draft. There has been plenty of rumors linking the Raiders to Sanders throughout the pre-draft process with some even indicating that they may be willing to trade up to take the Colorado signal-caller. However, in this mock, they stick and pick, and land their next franchise quarterback. Sanders led the Big 12 with 4,134 passing yards in 2024 with a 37-10 TD-INT ratio and a nation-leading 74.0% completion rate.
Pick No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars select Michigan DT Mason Graham
This draft class is full of defensive line talent but Mason Graham might stand at the top of the mountain. The Jacksonville Jaguars could use an elite interior defender and land one here with Graham. The All-American totaled 45 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2024.
Pick No. 4: New England Patriots give Drake Maye a weapon with Arizona WR Tet McMillan
Surrounding QB Drake Maye with talent will be the New England Patriots’ top priority this offseason, and getting him a bonafide WR1 will go a long way in achieving that goal. Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan is arguably the best playmaker in this draft class. The 6-foot-5 wideout put up 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
Pick No. 3: Tennessee Titans (TRADE) take Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter
The Tennessee Titans trade down just a couple of spots in this mock draft and still land their desired “generational” talent. Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter is arguably the top prospect in this draft class, but the Titans don’t need to pick first overall to land the Heisman Trophy winner. Hunter upgrades Tennessee on both sides of the ball. In 2024, he totaled 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns at wide receiver while also adding 11 pass defenses and four interceptions at cornerback.
Pick No. 2: Cleveland Browns take Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter
With the future of superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett in question, the Cleveland Browns take arguably the best player in this year’s draft class, Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter, with the No. 2 overall pick. Carter led the nation with 24 tackles for loss in 2024 and totaled 12.0 sacks. He is the best pass-rusher in the class and has elite potential.
Pick No. 1: New York Giants (TRADE) land Miami QB Cam Ward
The New York Giants are hell-bent on finding their next franchise quarterback this offseason. In this mock draft, they are willing to land that quarterback by any means necessary and package a few extra draft picks together to trade up to the No. 1 overall selection. Miami QB Cam Ward is the pick. He’s the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the class following a 2024 campaign in which he threw for 4,313 yards with a 39-7 TD-INT ratio.