While I’m no Mel Kiper Jr. or even the hugest college football fan, what kind of NFL blogger would I be without posting a first round mock draft ahead of tonight’s 2025 NFL Draft?

I didn’t project any trades, as that can get messy, but here is my mock of the first 32 selections of the 2025 NFL Draft.

If a trade does occur, but I got a players draft slot right, I’d count that as a point for scoring purposes.

This is my second year posting a Sak Sports Blog Mock Draft: check out last year’s to see if I was any good.

Without further ado, let’s dive in and find landing spots for the biggest names in college football, from Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Shedeur Sanders to Tyler Warren, Ashton Jeanty, and Colston Loveland.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

There is no debate or discussion needed here: the Tennessee Titans are going to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, ushering in a new era of expectations for both Ward and the Titans organization.

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

Let’s get one thing out of the way: this may be the pick I want to see happen, because of what it allows to happen with the third overall pick. There is probably a chance higher than 50% that the Cleveland Browns select Travis Hunter, a generational talent, with the second overall pick. But Abdul Carter is also a game-changing pass-rusher, and pairing him with Myles Garrett could result in a defensive pass rush that is even better than the sum of its parts. In other words, the Browns will get even more value out of Carter than other teams in the Top 5, and Carter is already a can’t-miss defensive prospect.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Perhaps the best overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft won’t slide to the third spot, but there’s also a solid chance he does. The New York Giants will select Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter here: whichever one the Browns leave on the board (or a mystery team could even swoop in and grab the Browns pick to get their guy.)

Shedeur Sanders has been heavily linked to the Giants, and felt like a possibility with this pick for a while. But at this time, Sanders might be a reach at #3, especially given the Giants’ free agent signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. New York still needs a quarterback of the future, but spending the third overall pick on your third new quarterback of the season seems frivolous: New York needs to continue building their roster with the best player available.

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The New England Patriots don’t need to do anything flashy here after getting Drake Maye last year: getting him some protection in top offensive line prospect Will Campbell from LSU will help the second-year quarterback’s progression.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

Some people have Ashton Jeanty going as high as this pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars (or even a trade partner? Paging the Denver Broncos.)

But without a trade, the Jaguars go with a tried and true Michigan defensive lineman, Mason Graham.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

This is an interesting one: I originally slotted Shedeur Sanders here, but later recanted this pick: Sanders may slide in to the late first round. Interestingly, Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron was still on the board despite the fact I was over half way done with this mock: but he’s the seventh overall-ranked prospect, and I even found other mocks with Barron going to Las Vegas.

Sanders remains an option, as a long-term plan, with Geno Smith expected to be the starter for at least this season in Las Vegas.

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Michigan CB Will Johnson is another possibility here, but in this scenario with Shedeur Sanders going at number six, the Raiders leave some top prospects on the board, like Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia

The Carolina Panthers need a defensive presence, and pass-rushing outside linebacker Jalon Walker out of Georgia could provide just that.

9. New Orleans Saints: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

There’s a lot of skill players still on the board at this position, including tight end Tyler Warren, but defensive back Will Johnson from Michigan could be a key player in the New Orleans Saints secondary. Big edge-rusher Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M is also a possibility here.

10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

The Chicago Bears should probably select the best player available here, as they continue to build a core around Caleb Williams. But the temptation might creep in to select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and with the Dallas Cowboys looming two picks later, other teams may start calling Chicago to ask about this pick to secure Jeanty’s services.

But without projecting a trade, the Bears go bread-and-butter and select offensive tackle Kelvin Banks from Texas.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

There’s a lot of ways the draft could shake out that leave Texas OT Kelvin Banks still on the board at this point: in which case, I think the San Francisco 49ers would love to add him to their offense. But since I have him off the board, the 49ers pick up a big body for their defensive line instead: Michigan DT Kenneth Grant.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Assuming Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty is still on the board, it’s hard to see him slipping past the Dallas Cowboys at #12. Dallas is still looking for a true successor to a solid Ezekiel Elliot era, and Jeanty fits the bill as a potential game-changing running back. The only risks Dallas faces are a team before them, or a team trading up, to snatch up Jeanty before them.

13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Miami Dolphins get a potential defensive cornerstone in safety Malaki Starks out of Georgia. Described as a “Swiss army knife” on defense, Starks is a potential star in the making.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

16. Arizona Cardinals: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

A year after selecting Marvin Harrison Jr. in the Top 5, the Arizona Cardinals double down on an electric offense by selecting WR Tetairoa McMillan as the first pass-catcher off the board at #16. The problem? McMillan plays big, just like Harrison Jr., which could create an interesting dynamic for Kyler Murray’s offense. There’s tons of ways the Cardinals could go “best player” and just get deeper with this pick, but keeping McMillan in Arizona with the 16th pick may be too good to pass up.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Georgia safety Malaki Starks is probably the top target here, but with Starks off the board, the Cincinnati Bengals still get a first-round talent in their defensive backfield with South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori

18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Seattle Seahawks offense will certainly see a rebuild after shipping out both Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf, and why not start with a do-it-all tight end that could be the next Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski if everything pans out: big-bodied Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Warren is the type of pass-catching tight end that you run a modern NFL offense through.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campell, LB, Alabama

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers get athletic linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the 11th-ranked prospect in this year’s draft by Pro Football Focus, with the 19th pick in the draft, shoring up the core of their defense.

20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

I originally had North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton going to the Denver Broncos with this pick, and he’s well available. It feels like the Broncos will go with a skill position player here to try and elevate Bo Nix’s offense over the top. The dream target is Ashton Jeanty, but he’s long gone at this time. Hampton would still be a solid pick, but the Broncos may be able to make due with a Day 2 running back. If wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan or tight end Tyler Warren are still on the board, the Broncos would likely be thrilled to select them. Some mock drafts have Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden the second-best wideout in the draft, going to Denver with this pick.

With a run on pass-catchers starting to heat up, the Broncos select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland to try and stretch the middle of the field. Loveland is an athletic 6-foot-5 tight end that screams mismatch for opposing defenses.

SEE ALSO: Denver Broncos 2025 First Round Draft Pick Targets

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

I really wanted to slot Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders here, but even with the 21st pick, it might be a bit of a stretch. While the Steelers are short on established quarterbacks, Sanders would certainly be a project, and the Steelers could probably find one of those in the second round. With that being said, the Steelers get a huge steal in eighth-ranked PFF prospect Walter Nolen, a defensive tackle from Ole Miss.

Sanders remains a possibility, as well as a trade to pick Sanders occurring late in the first round. Barring one of these two scenarios, it’s possible Sanders slides and is selected near the top of the second round, as natural fits from #22-#32 are slim.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The Los Angeles Chargers would much prefer tight ends Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland here, but even with them both off the board, the Chargers still find a way to give Justin Herbert a new weapon: Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden.

23. Green Bay Packers: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

The Green Bay Packers could use pass-rush help, and in this scenario, Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart is still available at #23. Stewart could be a near-Top 10 pick, so if he’s not available, Oregon DT Derrick Harmon and Arkansas DE Landon Jackson are two other possibilities.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is another player that could potentially be gone long before this pick: or be completely available at this pick. The Minnesota Vikings beef up their defensive line with a big body from Oregon.

25. Houston Texans: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Offensive line was a major weakness for the Houston Texans last season, so getting C.J. Stroud and company some help is much needed. Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is likely to be the best man to fit that bill with the 25th overall pick.

26. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

The Los Angeles Rams could use a replacement for the reliable hands and speedy legs of Cooper Kupp to complement Puka Nacua and newly-arrived veteran Davante Adams on the outside: Luther Burden III out of Missouri fits the mold, and could be an ideal pick if he’s still on the board: his draft stock has been rising a week ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce, DE/OLB, Tennessee

James Pearce is an athletic, pass-rushing outside linebacker from Tennessee, the kind of player the Baltimore Ravens need to make their defense formidable again and instill fear in opposing offenses.

28. Detroit Lions: J.T. Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State

The Detroit Lions have an elite offense, and will almost certainly go defense in the first round of this year’s draft. If not Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos or Marshall edge-rusher Mike Green (a top prospect who unfortunately faces off-field allegations), the Lions could go with an established pass-rusher from an established program: Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau.

29. Washington Commanders: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

The Washington Commanders offense of the future is starting to come in to place around Jayden Daniels, now it’s time for the Commanders to shore up their passing defense with a prototypical NFL cornerback: Trey Amos out of Ole Miss.

30. Buffalo Bills: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

A run on cornerbacks continues as the Buffalo Bills shore up their passing defense, ever-needed against the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and C.J. Stroud in the AFC, selecting East Carolina CB Shavon Revel.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

As mentioned earlier, Mike Green is a first round talent that faces off-the-field issues, specifically allegations of sexual assault. At this time, Green appears to be draftable, but his stock is sliding: he’s the 13th-overall prospect according to PFF.

Leave it to the Kansas City Chiefs to beef up their defense with a prospect that should have went in the first half of the first round, nabbing him with the 31st overall pick.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College

Look for the Philadelphia Eagles to get deeper and select the best player available here, probably leaving skill positions alone with this pick. It could be an offensive lineman, or it could be pass-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College.

BONUS: Shedeur Sanders Prediction

I don’t like to project trades in my mock drafts, so I went with all 32 first-round picks assuming their current owners keep their picks.

But that left Shedeur Sanders without an NFL team after the first round of the draft. While I actually do think that’s possible, I’m not entirely sure it’s likely. But there are only a handful of natural fits for Sanders in this round, from my eyes: the Cleveland Browns at #2, New York Giants at #3, the Las Vegas Raiders at #6, New Orleans Saints at #9, and Pittsburgh Steelers at #21.

Top 3 feels too high for Sanders, with prospects like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter on the board. I didn’t mock Sanders to the Raiders or Saints at #6 or #9, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers at #21 as the last realistic option without any trades happening.

But my official stance is that a team might trade for a pick late in the first round to select Sanders. Some have looked at the Denver Broncos’ 20th overall pick as a target: potentially leap-frogging the Steelers if they did want to select the Colorado quarterback.

But I think it might be a later pick: anywhere in-between #22 and #32. Leaving Sanders on the board overnight would almost assure a quick selection on Day 2, even through a trade with one of the first selection’s of the day. But I think a team will trade in to the back end of the first round, giving up a couple of future/late round picks in the process. And that team just might be…

The New York Giants

The Giants have been enamored with both Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders all season long, sending team brass to nearly every home game at the University of Colorado. The Giants might not land Hunter with the third overall pick, but that has nothing to do with the fact the Giants have publicly admired Sanders for months.

Spending the third overall pick on Sanders leaves a lot of talent on the table, but adding him in addition to the third overall pick may just be the spice this organization needs to get back on track. Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are just stopgaps: the Giants need a quarterback of the future as well.

Of course, there are other options for Day 2 quarterbacks to develop, in which case the teams from earlier: the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers, would be on the radar again.

The Browns also have the potential to draft Hunter with the second overall pick and pair him with his college quarterback later in the round or in the second round. The Hunter-Sanders college-to-professional transition would likely be the talk of the off-season, if any team were able to pull it off.

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