With the NFL’s wild-card weekend almost in the rearview mirror, six other teams see their 2024 seasons end after losses early in 2025. That means the first-round draft order for the draft of the NFL on April 24 is set from no. .1 at No. 24 overall, or two-thirds of the total of 32 selections.
While newly eliminated teams need to begin determining their offseason needs, there are some changes to the non-playoff teams’ projections in Sporting News’ latest simulation, which also comes a week before the NFL’s national championship game. College Football Playoff.
Let’s take a look at our latest first-round draft.
(Will be updated after Vikings-Rams result Monday night)
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2025 NFL Mock Draft
1. Tennessee Titans 3-14
- Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds)
The Titans will have a hard time going in a different direction due to Hunter’s rare immense talent on both sides of the ball. He can play the role of impact coverage in their defense and also provide an extra punch in the passing game when needed.
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2. Cleveland Browns 3-14
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Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (6-5, 210 pounds)
The Browns will also consider quarterback options after learning that Deshaun Watson suffered another setback with a ruptured Achilles, but they may also bridge with another veteran or wait to move into the position later. Whoever is at QB would love to start McMillan as the immediate No. 1, Mike Evans style.
3. New York Giants 3-14
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 215 pounds)
The Giants can take advantage of the fact that the Titans and Browns aren’t ideal preferences for Deion Sanders’ son. Shedeur can give them precise, precise passes to fit well with Brian Daboll while working with young playmakers such as Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Theo Johnson.
4. New England Patriots 4-13
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Patriots had the fewest sacks in the NFL under former defensive coach Jerod Mayo. Carter was an unstoppable wrecking game with a run-and-run diagnosis in the CFP and would be a great top pick for the Mike Vrabel era.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars 4-13
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU (6-6, 323 pounds)
The Jaguars need to land the best pass protector in the draft with the departure of Cam Robinson. Campbell would be a reliable long-term presence in front of Trevor Lawrence.
6. Las Vegas Raiders 4-13
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-2, 223 pounds)
The Raiders wouldn’t mind if that scenario played out. Ward, a gun-toting pocket passer with dynamic running skills when needed, would work well as their franchise QB after missing out on Sanders.
7. New York Jets 5-12
- Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (6-3, 318 pounds)
The Jets will put the quarterback on their radar when they see what’s going on with Aaron Rodgers, but if he stays put, it would be smart to have someone help Quinnen Williams. Graham is essential with his power, energy and explosiveness.
8. Carolina Panthers 5-12
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Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (6-2, 202 pounds)
The Panthers have a ton of defensive needs after not being able to get much stops in 2024. Johnson would help them clean up the back end with a possible work stoppage.
9. New Orleans Saints 5-12
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (6-2, 225 pounds)
The Saints need to think about their quarterback future beyond Derek Carr, and Milroe would be a good addition as they get a fresh start at coaching and think more about the offense. Milroe’s dual threat ability can help them catch up to the rest of the division quickly.
10. Chicago Bears 5-12
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (6-4, 324 pounds)
The Bears can’t ignore Caleb Williams’ ridiculous sack rate in his rookie season and should focus on Campbell or Banks to bolster their pass protection.
11. San Francisco 49ers 6-11
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Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6-3, 339 pounds)
The 49ers should want to tap into the Wolverines for another fierce interior force to help them add more interior passing pieces.
12. Dallas Cowboys 7-10
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Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-9, 215 pounds)
The Cowboys have cut ties with Ezekiel Elliott (again), and despite Rico Dowdle’s flashes, they should want to land a potential superstar in the first round for the first time since Elliott took the 4th overall pick in 2016.
13. Miami Dolphins 8-9
- Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (6-1, 205 pounds)
The Dolphins may decide to let Jevon Holland enter free agency and need more secondary playmakers to support Jalen Ramsey. Starks makes a ton of plays, able to seamlessly transition from run-stopping extra linebacker to savvy interior cover man.
14. Indianapolis Colts 8-9
- Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (6-5, 245 pounds)
The Colts are missing a dynamic tight end as a key piece in the passing game. Shane Steichen can see his next Dallas Goedert with Loveland’s athletic frame and receiving skills on the field.
15. Atlanta Falcons 8-9
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Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-4, 285 pounds)
The Falcons need to increase their outside rushing for Raheem Morris’ second season with a change in defensive coordinator. Scourton can be their sack leader right away.
16. Arizona Cardinals 8-9
- Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia (6-5, 265 pounds)
The Cardinals need to consider defensive tackle Jonathan Gannon, and with Graham and Grant off the board, Williams would make a lot of sense with his all-around interior punch.
17. Cincinnati Bengals 9-8
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Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (5-11, 208 pounds)
The Bengals may want to try to keep Tee Higgins while extending Ja’Marr Chase to a lucrative contract, but Higgins could end up being too expensive. Burden can be a strong cheap possibility to play well against Chase as an immediate impact #2.
18. Seattle Seahawks 10-7
- Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (6-2, 245 pounds)
The Seahawks need a more reliable, versatile linebacker with some pass-rush skills in their second season under defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald.
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19. Denver Broncos 10-7
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (6-6, 260 pounds)
The Broncos also haven’t had a big receiving tight end in a while, and Warren can take over games receiving with size, strength and athleticism, which are also key assets in run blocking and wrinkle games.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-7
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee (6-5, 243 pounds)
The Buccaneers need to secure support from YaYa Diaby and Calijah Kency to resolve pending free agent issues at outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. Pearce needs more refinement, but his borderline bizarre potential makes him a good candidate for the project.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-7
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (6-2, 204 pounds)
The Steelers need to dive back into a first-round QB three years away from Kenny Pickett given that they have limited their offensive and overall team success with various band-aid solutions over the past two seasons. Ewers can be ideal with his downfield passing and untapped athleticism.
22. Los Angeles Rams 10-7
- Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (6-0, 190 pounds)
The Rams, if knocked out by the favored Vikings on Monday night, would need defensive back help after quickly rebuilding their front seven during Aaron Donald’s transition. Morrison missed Notre Dame’s season and CFP run due to a hip injury, but he should soon return to health as a strong cover man and fearless playmaker.
23. Los Angeles Chargers 11-6
- Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State (6-5, 260 pounds)
The Chargers have Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, but the latter is a 33-year-old pending free agent and they have rotation depth issues. Sawyer can help them reload as a rising, relentless passer and overall playmaker.
24. Green Bay Packers 11-6
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Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas (5-11, 190 pounds)
The Packers need to invest in their first-round receiver in 23 drafts to help Jordan Love after not doing so once in the Aaron Rodgers era. They need a reliable target, as there are many concerns about injuries and inconsistency within the current corps. Bond, a transfer from Alabama, is more than a speedy vertical threat and can quickly become their all-around No. 1.
