The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and this mock draft features an unexpected QB sneaking into the first round. The Senior Bowl has brought some interesting storylines forward here as we progress into Super Bowl 59. After the Super Bowl, we'll see things like free agency, the scouting combine, perhaps some major trades, and the 2025 NFL Draft.
The main issue with this class is that it is not nearly as strong at the QB position as the 2024 NFL Draft was, and that could be a huge issue for some QB-needy teams, who really should have taken a passer last year.
Well, you can't undo the past, so here we are. The 2025 NFL Draft also does not have the high-end talent that was present in the 2024 NFL Draft, so a rebuilding team in general may have a hard time here. Let's dive into our latest NFL mock draft where an unexpected QB sneaks into the first round.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Unexpected quarterback sneaks into the first round
1. Tennessee Titans - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
It feels like this is the way things are going to go for the Tennessee Titans. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are not special prospects, so there is no use in them overdrafting either. The Titans take Abdul Carter from Penn State instead.
2. Cleveland Browns - Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Cleveland Browns also do not like Sanders or Ward at pick no. 2 so they take Mason Graham from Michigan, who is the best defensive tackle prospect in a very deep class.
3. New York Giants - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The first quarterback of our latest mock draft comes off the board here at pick no. 3, and it seems like Shedeur Sanders would get his wish if he got to play with Malik Nabers and the New York Giants.
4. New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The New England Patriots have to get more protection for Drake Maye, so they grab the best OT prospect in the class and snag Will Campbell from LSU at pick four in this NFL mock draft.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen to be their new head coach, and part of me thinks Coen would endorse the idea of Travis Hunter playing both sides of the ball within reason. Hunter heads to Florida here.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Cam Ward is able to drop all the way to pick no. 6, so the Las Vegas Raiders, who have hired Chip Kelly to be their offensive coordinator, grab Cam Ward and perhaps want to bring in a bridge QB for a year as well. The Raiders might honestly be building something.
7. New York Jets - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The New York Jets hired another former defensive coordinator to be their head coach, so it should be no surprise that they are taking a pass rusher with their first-round pick. Mykel Williams gets to play for Aaron Glenn.
8. Carolina Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Carolina Panthers have to get another viable weapon for Bryce Young, and Tetairoa McMillan is sitting right there at pick eight. It's a no-brainer move for GM Dan Morgan in his second year on the job.
9. New Orleans Saints - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The New Orleans Saints bolster their defensive line and grab Nic Scourton from Texas A&M at pick nine in this NFL mock draft.
10. Chicago Bears - James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
I am sorry, Bears' fans, but this team cannot go forward with a running back in the first round until they fix their trenches. Chicago needs another pass rusher and some OL help. In this NFL mock draft, they grab James Pearce Jr from Tennessee and get the pass rush help.
11. San Francisco 49ers - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The San Francisco 49ers hired Robert Saleh back to be their defensive coordinator, and I would not be shocked if they brought on a rookie CB, as Charvarius Ward is a free agent this coming offseason.
12. Dallas Cowboys - Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
In the most Dallas Cowboys' pick of all-time, Jerry Jones cannot keep his hands off of the idea of a running back in the first round, so they grab Ashton Jeanty at pick 12.
13. Miami Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
The Miami Dolphins bolster their offensive line and grab Kelvin Bank Jr from Texas. Left tackle Terron Armstead is getting old, so they need some younger blood up front.
14. Indianapolis Colts - Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Oh yeah, here we go. The Indianapolis Colts cannot keep going forward with Anthony Richardson and no legitimate insurance plan at the position. They have to bring someone else in with actual upside. Jaxson Dart was turning some heads at the Senior Bowl and could see himself sneak into the first round.
15. Atlanta Falcons - Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Atlanta Falcons have to add to their secondary in the offseason. Shavon Revel is recovering from a knee injury but is still a first-round talent. The Falcons grab him at pick 15.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Arizona is close, but this team is simply missing more talent, period. Tyler Booker gives them a sure-thing along the offensive line for years to come.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Cincinnati Bengals shock some here in this mock draft and do not take defense. With Tyler Warren still on the board, they simply cannot help themselves. Warren is a do-it-all tight end and might end up being a sure-thing at the NFL level.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
The Seattle Seahawks have to get more protection up front no matter who is playing QB for them going forward. Even though it would not shock me to see Geno Smith get traded or cut, the need for more OL help is obvious, so Cameron Williams from Texas is the pick here.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Tampa Bay is a good-not-great team that might be a few players away from being a legitimate force in the NFC. They add a stud safety here at pick 19 and grab Malaki Starks from Georgia.
20. Denver Broncos - Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
The Denver Broncos grab what could be the missing piece to the puzzle on offense and take Colston Loveland from Michigan. They also do this with a bit of a petty side, as I am sure Jim Harbaugh and the LA Chargers would have their eyes on Loveland themselves.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Luther Burden heads to Pittsburgh at pick 21 as the Steelers finally get another wide receiver, but George Pickens does appear to be on some shaky ground.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers get some secondary help at pick 22 in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft and take Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame.
23. Green Bay Packers - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The Green Bay Packers do have a need at CB but instead focus along their defensive line and grab Derrick Harmon from Oregon at pick 23.
24. Minnesota Vikings - Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Minnesota Vikings may have to prepare for an entirely new starting safey duo in 2025. They could target Nick Emmanwori at pick 24. Harrison Smith could retire, and Cam Bynum is a free agent, so the need is there.
25. Houston Texans - Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Houston Texans find some more help along their defensive line and keep a strength as just that - a strength. Tyleik Williams is the pick here at the bottom of the first round.
26. Los Angeles Rams - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
The LA Rams do need some juice in the middle of their defense, so they grab Jalon Walker from Georgia, who also has some outside linebacker potential as well. Walker might be the full package.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Matthew Golden could end up being the steal of the 2025 NFL Draft. Is that even possible in the first round? The Baltimore Ravens grab Lamar Jackson another weapon and give what is likely to be a three-time MVP more ammo.
28. Detroit Lions - Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Detroit Lions getting Emeka Egbuka does seem kind of unfair, but here we are. Detroit will load up on offense here in this NFL mock draft. I would expect the team to address both sides of the ball, but they can really go in a number of different directions here given how talented the roster is.
29. Washington Commanders - Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Some more help along the offensive line would be a perfect for the Washington Commanders. Josh Simmons is a great pick at the bottom of the first round.
30. Buffalo Bills - Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
The Buffalo Bills continue to get younger along the defensive line and take the high-energy Walter Nolen at pick 30.
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Philadelphia Eagles may have some work to do along their offensive line in 2025. It would not shock me if they were only able to retain one of Milton Williams and Zack Baun. I bet they prefer to keep Baun, so that could leave them with a need along their defensive line. Kenneth Grant is the pick here.
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Jahdae Barron, DB, Texas
To finish up this NFL mock draft, the Kansas City Chiefs take a DB in Jahdae Barron who has the ability to line up just about everywhere in the secondary. This would be a huge get for the Chiefs.