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Giants, Titans get QBs as Shedeur Sanders falls
We’re one week closer to the end of the regular season. Week 16 of the NFL season saw a big shakeup at the top of the 2025 NFL draft order and it likely won’t be the last.
The Las Vegas Raiders‘ win over the Jacksonville Jaguars dropped them from the No. 1 spot to outside of the top five. The Jaguars face the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 and that could change the top five in the draft order once again.
2025 NFL Draft consensus big board:Travis Hunter leads top 40 players
This draft is marked by one of the best running back classes in recent years as well as lots of depth at offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback. It’s not very top heavy but there are some big names who should go early.
Here are our latest predictions for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft:
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2025 NFL mock draft: Week 17
If you’re going to bet big with a quarterback at No. 1, go with the one with a higher ceiling. Ward needs to improve on his post-snap recognition and reducing mistakes but his traits are too good to bet against.
This one is easy. New England needs talent everywhere and Hunter’s the best prospect in the class. He can start out on defense and work his way in as a package player on offense, where the Patriots will enjoy his skills on the outside.
Jacksonville’s pass defense is by far the worst in the league by a long shot in most advanced metrics. They’re also dead last in pass rush win rate (PRWR) at just 27% after Week 15. For comparison, the league-leading Houston Texans are at 49%. Carter is the top athlete at the position in the class and could be a long-term answer at the position. The Jaguars could’ve gone cornerback here as well but Carter’s impact could be bigger.
4. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sorry Deion, Shedeur goes later than No. 1. Sanders has a very high floor in the class as a quarterback who thrives on timing, accuracy, and release. He can pick defenses apart. Titans coach Brian Callahan spent years with Joe Burrow, a quarterback who doesn’t have a rocket arm and thrives with timing, accuracy, and poise in the pocket. Sanders will be a welcome change at the position. The Titans use their second-round pick to upgrade the weapons on offense in this scenario.
This may be a reach, but it’s far too early for a quarterback. Cleveland’s had bad injury luck at tackle this year and Jedrick Wills isn’t a long-term answer. The Browns opt for one of the top tackle prospects in the class. Banks Jr. is a good pass protector already but needs to improve with longer-developing plays in the run game.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The top two quarterbacks are off the board here. Without a good option to start as a rookie, the Raiders opt for one of the top weapons on the outside in the class. McMillan’s combination of size, fluid athleticism, and route-running prowess at this point of his development is impressive. Whoever starts at quarterback next season for Las Vegas will enjoy a McMillan-Brock Bowers combination in the passing game.
With Carter off the board, the Panthers could go for the next-best pass rusher but instead opt for a safer pick in one of the best players available. Johnson has the makings of a top-tier outside cornerback at 6-foot-2 and 200 lbs. with the commitment to hold up against the run. He doesn’t have many blemishes in coverage and should help the Panthers in coverage opposite Jaycee Horn.
8. New York Jets: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Jets have plenty of questions for the offseason, including who could play quarterback. Whoever it is could use another weapon in the passing game. Burden III is a slot-fade merchant with impressive burst and run-after-the-catch ability. Given how strong the offensive line class is (especially on the interior) compared to the wide receiver class, the Jets make the better value pick.
9. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Some of the Bears’ offensive line issues may be overblown as they’re a top-15 team in both pass block win rate (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR). Starting left guard Teven Jenkins is a free agent, as is starting center Coleman Shelton. Campbell is arguably the best offensive lineman in the draft, and it’s a worthwhile investment in front of their franchise quarterback.
New Orleans needs plenty of help on the defensive line, and Williams is one of the best edge prospects in the class. His stats are a bit lower than his peers in this class due to the rotation at edge in Athens but his impressive mix of athleticism, power, and size give him the tools to become a Pro Bowl-caliber rusher sooner than later.
11. San Francisco 49ers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The 49ers have needs on both sides of the ball but go for one of the best value picks in Pearce Jr. The Volunteers edge rusher has the length San Francisco looks for at the position but will need to bulk up long-term. He does have the frame at 6-foot-5 to do so and, like Williams, the tools to become a top edge rusher. In this scenario, he’ll be under the tutelage of one of the best defensive line coaches in the league in Kris Kocurek.
12. Miami Dolphins: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Miami lost Christian Wilkins last offseason in free agency and pick the best player available to replace him. Graham is one of the five best prospects in this class but happens to play a position that is undervalued. The defensive line needs to continue getting younger and Graham could work well in tandem with 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson.
The Colts continue to build around Anthony Richardson with the top tight end prospect in the class. Loveland brings a better skill set to the position than any of the tight ends on the Colts’ roster and will likely put up good enough athleticism scores to satisfy Colts GM Chris Ballard.
The Bengals defense has taken a big step back this season. They’re still in the playoff hunt thanks to their offense but that can’t go on into next season. There’s been a hole in the secondary at safety since Jessie Bates III left for Atlanta. Cincinnati gets a long-term replacement in Starks, one of the best players in the class. The Bengals can address other holes on defense in later rounds.
15. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Cowboys have plenty of needs but it’s just too easy to see them opting for the Heisman runner-up. Dallas has drafted plenty of Boise State players over the years, including Leighton Vander Esch, Cedrick Wilson Jr., and DeMarcus Lawrence. Jeanty is the top prospect in a loaded running back class and an upgrade over any back currently on the Cowboys roster.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Arizona’s defense is improved this season but still remains one of the worst by PRWR at 32% entering Week 16. Scourton has the size and power to help against the run but the athleticism to affect the pass rush as well. He’s a similar body type to Arizona’s top pick last year, Darius Robinson.
17. Seattle Seahawks: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia
Seattle’s defense has steadily improved over the course of the season but could use more reinforcements. Walker is a flexible piece that Mike Macdonald can use as both an edge rusher or off-ball linebacker. He’s too good of a prospect to pass up and with a good interior offensive line class, Seattle can address those needs more later.
The Buccaneers may be losing offensive coordinator Liam Coen and wide receiver Chris Godwin is a free agent. Egbuka is not a one-for-one Godwin replacement but is another top slot receiver prospect out of Ohio State. With Jalen McMillan improving at one of the outside receiver spots, Egbuka can be part of the next crop of pass-catchers in Tampa Bay from the slot.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
The Falcons pass rush is one of the longest-running problems for any team in the NFL. They need help getting after the quarterback and getting the other top edge from Texas A&M in Stewart. He’s slightly bigger than Scourton but more raw at this point of their development. He does have inside-out potential on the line and could be a player for Raheem Morris to develop over time.
Los Angeles is outperforming expectations this season, but that’s happening without many good weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert in the passing game. They lose out on Loveland but get the other top tight end in Warren, a big, powerful, athletic weapon in the passing game who can line up anywhere on offense. His blocking abilities are good enough to be an asset in the run game, likely another selling point for Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman.
21. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Houston’s offensive line has been one of the worst in the league this season. Entering Week 16, the team ranked 26th in pass block win rate (PBWR) and 30th in run block win rate (RBWR). Savaiinaea has the size to hold up at either tackle or guard and experience at both positions for Arizona. He can slot into multiple spots on the line and be an instant upgrade in front of franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud.
22. Denver Broncos: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
In this scenario, Denver loses out on the top tight ends and wide receivers and opts to bolster one of the top defenses in the league. Revel Jr. missed most of this season due to injury but would likely be a top-12 pick if healthy. The Broncos’ defense has struggled with starting cornerback Riley Moss out and Revel Jr. can build out the depth in a division featuring quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The Rams went defense-heavy in the 2024 draft with good early returns on the defensive line. This time, they opt for offensive line. Simmons looked like the OT1 in this class before an injury against Oregon ended his season. Los Angeles needs to plan ahead for its offensive line with both Joe Noteboom and Alaric Jackson hitting free agency.
Washington’s outplayed expectations this season but could still use reinforcements on offense around quarterback Jayden Daniels. Harris is a big-bodied outside receiver in the mold of a Michael Thomas-like receiver. He’s not a burner but is a very good (albeit limited) route runner who can make tacklers miss with his play strength after the catch.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Pittsburgh could go many directions with this pick but the quarterback class isn’t strong and running back is so deep they can address it later. They also rarely take a receiver early. So cornerback it is with Morrison, another top prospect whose season was derailed by injury. The Notre Dame product has a mix of size, athleticism, and scheme versatility to fit in most anywhere. Pittsburgh needs another corner opposite Joey Porter Jr. and Morrison can grow into a long-term solution.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari are both free agents this coming offseason. Williams is raw at this point but has rare physical traits that warrant a first-round selection. His ceiling is one of the highest of the tackles in the class and would hopefully be a long-term Stanley replacement for Lamar Jackson’s blind side.
Green Bay gets one of the next cornerbacks on the board in the versatile Barron. The Longhorns used him in many different ways this season and he’s held up, posting a 30.8 passer rating when targeted this season per Pro Football Focus (PFF). At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Barron has the size to hold up outside and the physicality to be an asset against the run in a division featuring the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
Philadelphia prioritizes edge rushers, offensive linemen, defensive backs, and wide receivers in the first round. After a great draft for defensive backs last season, the Eagles bolster the defensive line. Kennard is a natural pass rusher with impressive athleticism packed in a 6-foot-5, 254-lb. frame. He needs to bulk up a bit to hold against the run but the same was said for Eagles 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith.
29. Buffalo Bills: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
This is one of the more popular fits on the draft board. Emmanwori is exactly what you want in a modern safety with rare athleticism in a 6-foot-3 and 227-lb. frame. He can be a hybrid safety-linebacker thanks to his traits but will need to improve his coverage skills. Buffalo’s felt the loss of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde on the back end this year. Emmanwori’s a long-term answer to that.
Minnesota gets a great value pick here with Harmon. The Oregon defensive tackle is a plus-run defender already with a strong frame at 6-foot-5 and 310 lbs. He’s improving as a pass rusher but the Vikings won’t necessarily need him to be that right away. Minnesota’s been one of the best defenses in the league this year with Harrison Phillips and Jerry Tillery on the inside. Cornerback or running back could be choices here but Harmon’s too good to let slide.
31. Detroit Lions: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Detroit has been hit hard by injuries all over the defense this season but especially along the defensive line. Edge rushers John Cominsky and Marcus Davenport are free agents after the season and the Lions could use more depth. Jackson is not an outstanding athlete but has the size at 6-foot-7 and 280 lbs. that the Lions like at the position. His ceiling isn’t as high as some other edges in the class but his strength and size gives him a high floor as a prospect.
Chris Jones will be 31 by the start of next season and the Chiefs would be well-served looking for a long-term replacement. Nolen has the tools to be a Pro Bowl interior player on his rookie contract but needs to develop into a consistent, every-down player. Kansas City’s infrastructure can get the best out of the impressive interior athlete and bolster one of the top defenses in the league.
In a surprising turn of events, both the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans have secured new quarterbacks, leaving top prospect Shedeur Sanders without a landing spot.
The Giants announced the signing of veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, while the Titans made a blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson. Both moves have solidified their quarterback positions and left Sanders, the highly touted prospect and son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, without a team.
Sanders had been heavily pursued by multiple teams, but ultimately was unable to secure a deal before the Giants and Titans made their moves. It remains to be seen where Sanders will end up, but for now, the quarterback carousel continues to spin in the NFL.
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