2025 NFL mock draft: Ohio State stars fill out latest projection of first round

It goes without saying that the College Football Playoff national championship is typically an impressive showcase for top NFL draft prospects.

Monday's matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame could be especially intriguing, however, given how robust the Buckeyes' collection of talent is. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, and offensive guard Donovan Jackson are among the prospects who could be on the first-round cusp this April, and that's to say nothing of underclassmen stars like safety Caleb Downs and freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. And while each player will be focused on delivering team glory, the game surely will put the spotlight on several players as they prepare to make the leap to the pros.

Ahead of Monday night's game, here's our latest NFL mock draft, with the last four picks still to be determined entering the conference championship games:

2025 NFL mock draft

1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

After rising through the ranks with the Chiefs for 16 years, Mike Borgonzi landed the general manager job with the Titans as the replacement for Ran Carthon. Now it's on him and lead decision-maker Chad Brinker to figure out a plan at quarterback. The Patrick Mahomes comparisons might only ramp up for Ward throughout the pre-draft process given the link to Borgonzi. Though drawing any such parallel is inherently unfair to all involved, it's easy to see why a franchise that's resetting yet again would be drawn to an electric and immensely gifted catalyst behind center with a knack for making off-platform throws.

2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

News of Deshaun Watson's second Achilles surgery throwing his 2025 availability into question only ratchets up the urgency for Cleveland to find an alternative at quarterback. But rather than force a rookie into an unenviable situation, the more prudent move might be to reunite Kevin Stefanski with Kirk Cousins once the Falcons release the veteran signal-caller. The Browns should also shop this pick to several teams eager to make a quarterback investment, as there could be an enticing offer to move down. But it's hard to go wrong by standing pat and landing Hunter, the most dynamic player in the draft.

3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Right now, he's No. 2 on the power rankings of Sanders family members creating early offseason buzz. But with Deion yet to have a formal interview scheduled for the Dallas Cowboys' coaching vacancy – and no real path for getting Shedeur to Jerry Jones and Co. – let's table that notion and send the signal-caller to a more reasonable NFC East landing spot. In keeping coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, Giants co-owner John Mara said finding a quarterback was the "number one issue" facing the franchise. Whether motivated purely by survival or a long-term vision, the Giants' brain trust would be wise to take a hard look at securing Sanders, who could step in as the Day 1 starter even if Big Blue signs a bridge quarterback in free agency to hedge its bet.

4. New England Patriots – Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State

Mike Vrabel highlighted offensive line as a particular point of emphasis for New England in what is shaping up to be a crucial offseason. But the Patriots can't afford to sacrifice value early in the draft, and there's no blocker worthy of leapfrogging Carter. Vrabel undoubtedly would covet a game-wrecker like the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and much of the work in patching up the offense should be done in free agency anyway.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

With Trent Baalke still in place, the Jaguars are sure to once again place a premium on length, size and athleticism in the scouting process. The 6-2, 202-pound Johnson should check every box Baalke has for physical tools, but he's also a savvy cover man who allows Jacksonville to try out a lot of different looks after owner Shad Khan bemoaned how "predictable" his team had become.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Silver and Black can't afford to spin their wheels at quarterback for another offseason. Trying to trade up seems like the move, but if the Raiders have to look for alternative solutions behind center, they can aid whoever takes over by grabbing McMillan. From his massive catch radius to his knack for racking up yards after the catch, the 6-5, 212-pound target can team with Brock Bowers to provide plenty of easy wins in the passing game.

7. New York Jets – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Two weeks after the regular season ended, the Jets remain a plane without a pilot. While their expansive GM and coaching searches could come into focus soon, it seems evident that it will take some time to get this rebuild off the ground. Starting off any overhaul by bringing aboard Graham, a consistent game-wrecking force, seems like a solid first step.

8. Carolina Panthers – Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Ejiro Evero's defense enjoyed a brief spike in its pass rush during a three-game stretch in which it recorded 13 sacks, but the unit had just 19 sacks in its other 14 games. While the 6-2, 245-pound Walker will have to be deployed creatively at the next level, he's one of the most disruptive defenders in the draft and can also be a standout in coverage.

9. New Orleans Saints – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Saints don't seem likely to embrace a full-blown teardown, but there's a clear need to get more building blocks in place. And while a significant investment at safety likely doesn't rank as a priority on New Orleans' offseason to-do list, Starks can change the complexion of a defense with his playmaking range, versatility and instinctiveness.

10. Chicago Bears – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

No matter who ends up as the Bears' much-anticipated hire for head coach, the team's offseason is bound to center on the effort to help Caleb Williams feel more at ease in Year 2. Campbell's composure could set the right tone for Williams and the rest of an offensive line that has too often looked out of sorts.

11. San Francisco 49ers – Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M

This might feel lofty for a player who, despite being a five-star recruit, largely flew under the radar during his collegiate career and collected just 4 ½ sacks in 37 games. But Stewart's stock is all about what's still to be unlocked in the 6-6, 285-pounder. Niners defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has plenty of experience in equipping physically imposing defensive linemen with a formidable pass-rush plan, and Stewart could be his latest project on a line that has slowly been sapped of much of its talent beyond Nick Bosa.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Any attempt to infuse Dallas' offense with more playmakers will surely have to come through the draft. Will Jerry Jones be able to resist taking top running back and homegrown product Ashton Jeanty in this spot? Burden might be a more reasonable option for the range, and his electric ability in space could provide an immediate lift if he's utilized correctly.

13. Miami Dolphins – Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

General manager Chris Grier defended the performance of Miami's offensive line but noted it was time to invest in the front and get younger. Whether as a tackle or guard, Banks would afford the Dolphins flexibility and help raise the floor of the unit by shoring up one of its greatest weaknesses.

14. Indianapolis Colts – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Though Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard were given a reprieve by Jim Irsay, the two might appear to have hitched their wagons to erratic quarterback Anthony Richardson. A strong option for helping him settle in could be Warren, a major threat down the seam who also is an asset after the catch.

15. Atlanta Falcons – Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

With Jeff Ulbrich expected to institute a 4-3 scheme and Matthew Judon bound for free agency, the Falcons could be starting over with their underperforming pass rush. Williams has followed in fellow former Georgia product Travon Walker's path as an edge rusher who looks the part but has yet to play up to his abilities, though he should be alluring to an Atlanta roster that doesn't have anyone with his level of upside.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Two years after making offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. his first draft pick, Monti Ossenfort could again be drawn to fortifying the Cardinals' front. Conerly is an ascendant prospect who could flip to the right side to give Kyler Murray a pair of fleet-footed protectors.

17. Cincinnati Bengals – James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee

Sometimes, mock draft picks don't have to be so complicated. Cincinnati should be on the hunt for whatever high-end defensive prospects it can get its hands on, and Pearce is an explosive pass rusher who would pair well with NFL sack king Trey Hendrickson.

18. Seattle Seahawks – Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri

Upon firing offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after just one season, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald made it clear he wants to pivot to an approach that more heavily emphasizes a hard-charging rushing attack. The overwhelmingly powerful Membou can help fulfill that vision, whether by remaining at right tackle or moving inside to address Seattle's biggest problem area.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

Zyon McCollum had a breakout season and could be in line for an extension as he enters the final year of his deal. If the Buccaneers are wary about shelling out top dollar, however, they could look to Revel, a hypercompetitive and physical 6-3 cover man who is still working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September.

20. Denver Broncos – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

If the Heisman Trophy runner-up makes it past the Cowboys at No. 12, how far could he fall? Denver is squarely in the running back market, with Sean Payton saying he was going to "stack that position group." Though Payton noted he isn't accustomed to operating with a bell-cow back, Jeanty might be the kind of talent worth revising plans for, as he would bring a sorely missed explosive element to the Broncos' ground game, which has not produced a 100-yard rushing game from a ball carrier in two years and last had a 1,000-yard rusher in 2019.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Mike Tomlin made no promises about his team's quarterback plans moving forward, other than declaring that the team had to take stock of all its options. For a franchise hardly prone to taking drastic action, the simplest solution to enacting change behind center might be simply re-signing Justin Fields to take over as the starter while saying goodbye to Russell Wilson. If the Steelers choose to go that route rather than looking to the draft for a passer, Egbuka would be a natural fit next to George Pickens as the smooth, polished No. 2 receiver this attack lacks.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

There were plenty of elements in the Chargers' wild-card loss to the Texans that likely proved bothersome to Jim Harbaugh, but perhaps none more so than the team allowing 168 rushing yards on 34 carries. Re-teaming with his former Wolverine pupil in Grant could help give Harbaugh the different look he might desire up front, as the 339-pounder can clog run games and even make the occasional play in the backfield.

23. Green Bay Packers – Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi

The Packers' belief in 2022 first-round draft pick Devonte Wyatt will be revealed by their decision on whether to exercise his fifth-year option, slated to be worth more than $13 million. Regardless, Green Bay's lifeless pass rush needs a jolt in whatever form it can find, and Nolen offers high-end flashes worth harnessing.

24. Minnesota Vikings – Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

The secondary could be in for significant upheaval given that the top four cornerbacks and starting safeties Cam Bynum and Harrison Smith are all on expiring contracts. But with the way the board pans out in this scenario, Minnesota instead turns its sights to Harmon, who's comfortable anchoring against the run or ripping past blockers to disrupt the pass game.

25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

The Texans' pressing shortcomings on the interior might be better addressed through free agency rather than the draft. But Houston isn't flush with salary cap space to allot in a booming market at guard, and the punishing Booker can help set a new tone for a front that has to be reconfigured in some form.

26. Los Angeles Rams – Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Sidelined since his October knee injury, Simmons won't be in action Monday night against Notre Dame. But anyone who got a glimpse of the 6-5, 310-pounder saw a player who had the trappings of a high-end pass protector. He could be a highly desirable option to plug in at left tackle with Alaric Jackson headed for free agency.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall

Offensive line looms as perhaps the more glaring issue, but so long as left tackle Ronnie Stanley is re-signed – or replaced with an adequate veteran substitute – the Ravens can instead focus on using this pick to address a pass rush that too often went dormant. Green led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 17 sacks, and his best play might be yet to come as he continues to fill out his frame and develop his upper body strength.

28. Detroit Lions – Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas

Aaron Glenn's barrage of blitzes could only cover for the Lions' defensive attrition for so long, as the defensive coordinator's plan came undone when Jayden Daniels calmly dissected the injury-ravaged unit. Reloading on the edge has to be a focus, and the 6-7, 280-pound Jackson should be able to win over Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes with his ability to weaponize his massive reach.

29. Washington Commanders – JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State

A pass rush that is more than the sum of its parts has been one of the hidden driving factors behind the Commanders' rapid emergence. Still, the group would be due for additional resources even if Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell weren't on one-year deals. Though not the most dynamic player at his position, Tuimoloau regularly generates pressure by forcing blockers back, and he could be counted on to help set a harder edge for a defense that ranks 30th against the run.

30. Buffalo Bills – Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State

Could the star of the Buckeyes' CFP run dash all the way into the first round? His pedestrian physical tools might relegate him to Day 2, but Sawyer should still be of high interest to many teams in this range, especially a Buffalo team that would benefit from the spark he could provide opposite Greg Rousseau.

31. Philadelphia Eagles – Nic Scourton, DE/OLB, Texas A&M

No one has to nudge Howie Roseman to fill out his pass rush, especially with Josh Sweat and Milton Williams potentially landing outsized deals elsewhere in free agency and Brandon Graham's future uncertain. With a physical and persistent approach, Scourton can be a spot contributor as part of a rotation early on as he continues to find his way.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State

Between Joe Thuney being called to kick out to left tackle to solve the emergency of protecting Patrick Mahomes' blindside and Trey Smith's impending trip to free agency, Kansas City's offensive front will face some uncertainty once the season wraps up. Jackson is a stout, forceful presence on the interior who could take over for Smith, but he also has shown surprising ability at left tackle since being called on to fill in at the position.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL mock draft: First round heavy on Ohio State stars