The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is here, and there will be a lot of great future NFL talent on the field, from the first round to the national championship game. It’s also bowl season — a final showcase for some, and a chance to rest up for draft prep for many more.
The NFL has only three weeks left in its season, and with nine teams already eliminated from playoff contention, plenty of clubs are already thinking about free agency and the draft.
That makes it a wonderful time of the year to check in with another edition of Sporting News’ first-round draft projections for 2025.
(Updated 2025 NFL draft order for Week 16; No. 1-18 courtesy of Tankathon)
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NFL Mock Draft 2025
1. Las Vegas Raiders 2-12
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 215 pounds)
The Raiders have gone through three starting quarterbacks this season with some ugly, injury-riddled results. They need to clean up this position with this year’s standout QB prospect, 10 years after landing Derek Carr. Sanders’ strong, accurate pocket passing would make sense in the right offense, maybe with his father in tow as head coach.
MORE: Sporting News’ 2024 All-America Team
2. New York Giants 2-12
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-2, 223 pounds)
Ward can be the next dynamic dual threat in the vein of Jayden Daniels. The Giants have seen Daniels be the real deal right away to turn around the Commanders’ fortunes, much like Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott did with the Eagles and Cowboys, respectively. Ward can help them catch up, either in the regime of Brian Daboll or another offensive coach.
3. New England Patriots 3-11
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Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds)
The Patriots have a history of loving versatile two-way players, tied to Bill Belcihick’s teams using players such as Mike Vrabel and Troy Brown in extra capacities when needed. Jerod Mayo needs to feel some of that vibe and address two positions of need in one pick.
2025 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: Travis Hunter tops best 100 prospects for 2025
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU (6-6, 323 pounds)
The Jaguars parted ways with Cam Robinson and need to work on better pass protection for Trevor Lawrence when he comes back healthy next season. Campbell is the rock they need lined up against the other team’s best pass rusher.
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5. Carolina Panthers 3-11
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Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (6-3, 318 pounds)
The Panthers need more defensive disruptors, period, and they took an early hit in 2024 when Derrick Brown went down for the season. He could use someone else to wreak havoc inside with him, and DC Ejiro Evero would love this massive 1-2 punch. Graham is just a flat-out blower-upper of plays in the backfield.
6. Tennessee Titans 3-11
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (6-5, 210 pounds)
The Titans need an all-around alpha playmaker to further boost Will Levis (or whoever their starting quarterback will be next season), and McMillan can be a great “X” complement to Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
7. Cleveland Browns 3-11
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (6-2, 225 pounds)
The Browns should accept their expensive lumps on Deshaun Watson and go the rookie first-round route for their next franchise QB. Milroe can give them that special dual-threat answer in the division for Lamar Jackson.
8. New York Jets 4-10
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Jets will think about offensive line, but they could really rebuild their pass rush after the defense fell apart amid the whole Haason Reddick mess, which turned out to be just as disappointing on the field. Carter would be a fine pass-rushing bookend to Will McDonald.
9. Chicago Bears 4-10
- Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia (6-5, 265 pounds)
The Bears have Montez Sweat for the edge but will need to beef up the interior for the post-Matt Eberflus era. Williams has the versatility to get to the QB from inside or outside and would also help shore up the run defense.
10. New Orleans Saints 5-9
- Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (6-2, 202 pounds)
The Saints need to rebuild their secondary with Marshon Lattimore gone and plenty of question marks remaining tied to injuries and ineffectivenes. Johnson is the type of big, active, on-ball playmaker who can be the ideal replacement for Lattimore.
11. Miami Dolphins 6-8
- Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (6-1, 205 pounds)
The Dolphins may decide to let Jevon Holland walk in free agency. Regardless, they need more secondary playmakers to support Jalen Ramsey. Starks can flat-out make a ton of plays, capable of smoothly going from extra run-stopping linebacker to savvy inside cover man.
12. Indianapolis Colts 6-8
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-4, 285 pounds)
The Colts landed versatile pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round last year but still need some pure help at defensive end for DC Gus Bradley. Scourton would be an easy impact player for their rotation as they work to get Latu going, too.
13. Cincinnati Bengals 6-8
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Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas (5-11, 190 pounds)
The Bengals are still deciding what to do with pending free agent Tee Higgins, and they also need to lock in Ja’Marr Chase with a lucrative contract extension in 2025. Bond would provide Joe Burrow with another speedy deep threat who can either complement them well or help replace Higgins.
14. Dallas Cowboys 6-8
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Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (5-11, 208 pounds)
The Cowboys can think about running back and defense, but they really could get a dynamic second target behind CeeDee Lamb. Burden is ideal with his big-play quickness after the catch and also his ability to stretch the field outside to complement Lamb’s elite slot work for Dak Prescott.
15. San Francisco 49ers 6-8
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Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (6-4, 324 pounds)
The 49ers need to get some offensive tackle help, while also thinking about the future on the left side with Trent Williams, who turns 37 next July, battling more injury issues at the end of this season. Colton McKivitz also might be better suited to kick back inside vs. holding up at right tackle.
16. Atlanta Falcons 7-7
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James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee (6-5, 243 pounds)
Pearce is the naturally devastating pass rusher the Falcons need, and he has a high ceiling once he polishes his technique and adds more power moves to get to the quarterback.
17. Arizona Cardinals 7-7
- Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6-3, 339 pounds)
The Cardinals need to beef up inside for coach Jonathan Gannon, and he can go after what could be his version of Jalen Carter. Grant was almost at the level of college teammate Graham in wreaking havoc.
18. Seattle Seahawks 8-6
- Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (6-2, 245 pounds)
Tyrel Dodson was a massive free-agent bust trying to replace Jordyn Brooks, and Mike Macdonald may want his version of Patrick Queen, who he once coached in Baltimore. The active, versatile Walker would be ideal in the Seahawks’ defense.
19. Los Angeles Chargers 9-6
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Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-9, 215 pounds)
JK Dobbins has had a resurgence and been electric at times, but once again, he (and Gus Edwards) were bitten again by injury bugs that followed them from the Ravens. Jeanty can be an immediate, offense-changing star behind rookie Joe Alt and the rest of the Chargers’ sturdy line.
20. Washington Commanders 9-5
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Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (6-3, 227 pounds)
The Commanders got Jeremy Chinn to offset the loss of Kamren Curl, but they’ve been struggling at the other safety. They need a clean-up extra linebacker against the run who has also some big-time coverage playmaking potential, a la Emmanwori, who has risen quickly behind fellow SEC star Starks.
21. Denver Broncos 9-6
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Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (6-5, 245 pounds)
The Broncos have been trying harder to find this offensive element for Bo Nix, but Adam Trautman or always-injured Greg Dulcich aren’t answers. Loveland’s athleticism and seam-stretching would fit well in Joe Lombardi’s offense, playing off go-to wideout Courtland Sutton.
22. Green Bay Packers 10-4
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Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 290 pounds)
Kenny Clark is getting older and fading in the Packers’ four-man front opposite promising first-rounder Devonte Wyatt. Williams can deliver energy as a compact, quick inside pass rusher.
23. Baltimore Ravens 9-5
- Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (6-0, 190 pounds)
The Ravens must work on improving their coverage outside to replace pending free agent Brandon Stephens, who has been often smoked this season opposite rookie first-rounder Nate Wiggins. Baltimore also should think a lot more about offensive tackle early in 2025.
24. Minnesota Vikings 12-2
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Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina (6-2, 193 pounds)
The Vikings have been also struggling against wide receivers all season long and should think corner above all else. Revel’s size and strength outside will be a good asset for their established attack scheme under DC Brian Flores.
25. Los Angeles Rams 8-6
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Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (6-6, 330 pounds)
Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom will be free agents, forcing the Rams to think about tackle help away from long-time stalwart Rob Havenstein. Ersery’s blend of power and athleticism can help make him their long-term left tackle.
26. Houston Texans 9-5
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Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State (6-4, 320 pounds)
The Texans also should be looking to boost their blocking, but on the interior instead. Jackson’s nasty and nimble blocking would be a nice asset in front of fellow former Buckeye C.J. Stroud.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6
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Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State (6-5, 260 pounds)
Sawyer has gotten attention for his pass rush, but he actually is a developing complete player with his effort in run defense. That’s the kind of asset Todd Bowles would love to have in the Buccaneers’ front seven.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4
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Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (6-2, 204 pounds)
This might seem like too soon after the Kenny Pickett flameout, but Russell Wilson still feels like a bridge and Justin Fields can’t be more than a run-oriented fill-in. Ewers’ blend of accurate downfield passing from the pocket and athleticism would mesh well with Arthur Smith’s offense, even if the Steelers would need Wilson to start another year.
29. Buffalo Bills 11-3
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J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 270 pounds)
Tuimoloau has the frame and athleticism to thrive as a productive pass rusher for Sean McDermott and the Bills, first starting off as a situational contributor.
30. Philadelphia Eagles 12-2
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (6-6, 260 pounds)
Dallas Goedert keeps battling injuries and age will be a factor when he turns 30 in January. The Eagles should strongly consider staying in state to land that other special, athletic receiver from the position in the Big Ten for a dangerous immediate complement to A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
31. Detroit Lions 12-2
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Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (6-3, 315 pounds)
The Lions know that Taylor Decker is a 31-year-old pending free agent. Should they decide to go ahead and flip the dominant Penei Sewell to the left side to take over, Jones would be the ideal young right tackle to start right away opposite him.
32. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1
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Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky (6-6, 345 pounds)
The Chiefs need to give future Hall of Famer Chris Jones some help next year beyond their promise on the edge with George Karlaftis, especially with Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel Jr. as pending free agents. Walker’s rare athleticism for his size makes him a good first-round target for them.
