2025 NFL mock draft: QBs go 1-2, Giants and Bears get steals in top 10
The 2024 NFL regular season has come to an end, and for the third consecutive season the Chicago Bears will have a top 10 pick in next year’s draft. While all three of their NFC North divisional foes prepare for the playoffs, the Bears will look forward to next season and how they can upgrade a roster in desperate need of an overhaul.
Coming into Week 18, Chicago was positioned to pick ninth in the 2025 NFL Draft, but with their win over the Green Bay Packers and other teams around them losing, the Bears will pick 10th overall. The one-spot drop is not as bad as what happened in New England, as the Patriots entered the game with over 70% of securing the top pick but fell to fourth with their win over Buffalo.
The draft order for the top 18 picks of the NFL draft are set, and here's our first-round mock draft following the regular season as quarterbacks dominate the top two picks while the New York Giants and Bears get steals in the top-10.
1. Tennessee Titans: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders may have the most critics, but he is also arguably the most talented quarterback in a not so deep class. The Titans desperately have to find a replacement for Will Levis, and Sanders is just that so the choice shouldn’t be that difficult. There will be conversation about Cam Ward out of the University of Miami, but Sanders has shown incredible growth in two seasons at Colorado, and his quick release should translate well to the pro level.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
Originally, Travis Hunter was slated for this position, but then news dropped on Monday morning that Deshaun Watson has suffered a setback in his recovery from a torn Achilles. Watson's contract looks atrocious for Cleveland and now his future is even more so up in the air, so the Browns can not waste any time in getting their quarterback of the future. The debate between Ward and Sanders for the top two picks is officially on.
3. New York Giants: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
Not ideal for the New York Giants who desperately need to bring in a stable quarterback this offseason, but Hunter's athletic ability on both sides of the ball is must-see TV. The big question for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner will be where teams want him to play in the NFL, but if New York can address their quarterback position before the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter should be a lock for their pick.
4. New England Patriots: OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
The Patriots have their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye and now their job is to protect him at all costs. A wide receiver could be in play at this selection, but keeping Maye upright is of the utmost importance and Banks feels to be the top choice at offensive tackle. Banks has great footwork, excels in pass protection, and is one of the most polished prospects coming out of this draft.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
Jacksonville is an interesting position and Johnson’s teammate, defensive tackle Mason Graham could be in consideration here as well. Being compared to some of the best lockdown corners in the NFL before he even arrives, Johnson warrants a selection in the top five, and the Jaguars would hit a homerun by choosing Johnson. The difference between Johnson and Graham could come down to who is hired to be the next head coach of the team after Doug Pederson was fired following the conclusion of the 2024 season.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
An absolute monster at 6’5” and 212 pounds, McMillan is everything the Raiders need after they shipped out Davante Adams to the New York Jets during the season. There are questions at quarterback, but not enough talented prospects to see a third quarterback taken in the Top 10.
7. New York Jets: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Speaking of the New York Jets and Davante Adams, if he doesn’t return, they’ll need to find his replacement. Garrett Wilson is entrenched as the team’s top receiver, and while there’s no immediate decision on the future of Aaron Rodgers, Burden may fall all over the first round of mock drafts, but his selection in the Top 10 won’t be a shock once he steps onto the NFL field.
8. Carolina Panthers: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
The best at his position and the Panthers would have an incredible 1-2 with Graham and Derrick Brown in the middle of their defensive line. In a class that is loaded with defensive line talent, Graham sends reminders of Jalen Carter who has been an absolute stud since being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
9. New Orleans Saints: DE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Undoubtedly the best pass rusher in a deep class, Abdul Carter making it this far down in the first round would be a gift wrap for the New Orleans Saints. Faced with plenty of cap issues on their roster, it’ll be best for the Saints to tear it all down and begin a rebuild with a new head coach in 2025.
10. Chicago Bears: OT Will Campbell, LSU
To be very clear, if Campbell falls to the Chicago Bears, it should be the easiest no-brainer pick of the year. After allowing quarterback Caleb Williams to be sacked 68 times in his rookie year, the offensive line needs an upgrade nearly everywhere, but specifically the interior position. There’s a real chance the Bears have to address both guard positions and the center, and while some may see Campbell as an offensive tackle, he could also thrive at offensive guard. Either way, if he’s available, Chicago brings Campbell in and figures out the best place to play him.
11. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
Coming from a long line of athletic freaks playing defensive line for the Georgia Bulldogs, Mykel Williams would be an immediate upgrade for the 49ers. Falling in the bottom quarter of defensive sacks by team this season, the 49ers need to address their pass rush opposite of Nick Bosa, and pairing Williams with him should most certainly improve their 37 team sacks they had this year.
12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
This is going to be the most simple and repeated pick in any mock draft you’ll see on the internet. Jeanty had a remarkable season for the Boise State Broncos, running for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns while finishing as a runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Dallas Cowboys need a premier running back and Jeanty is the pure definition of just that.
13. Miami Dolphins: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
A run of pass rushers should be seen in the early stages of the first round, and here, Scourton is the third in the last five picks. The Miami Dolphins, like the 49ers need to address their inability to pass rush as they finished with just 35 sacks on the year. Scourton can get to the quarterback in a plethora of ways, stacking up 17 sacks in his three seasons in college, with five of them coming in his lone season with the Texas A&M Aggies.
14. Indianapolis Colts: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
The best player at the safety position doesn’t wait too long to hear his name called on draft night. Starks is not just talented, but smart and versatile. With Nick Cross already holding down the strong safety position, the Colts could really shore up their safety positions by pairing Starks with Cross, creating a fun and young duo in the NFL.
15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Atlanta will have plenty of questions to answer, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but Pearce should be an easy selection if on the board. Having the potential and talent to be a Top 10 pick, Pearce did not have the season he would’ve liked or expected, but is still a very talented pass rusher and would fit quite well for Atlanta.
16. Arizona Cardinals: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Harmon could be seen as a reach here, or he could be the perfect fit in the middle of the Arizona Cardinals defense that needs to add a solid defensive tackle. Even with their defense playing above expectations, the middle of their defensive line could use Harmon who had 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in his lone season with the Oregon Ducks. Pairing him with head coach and defensive mind Jonathan Gannon could be intriguing.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Although the Bengals drafted a tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft in Erick All Jr. who showed potential before being injured, Warren seems too valuable to pass up at this spot. More weapons for Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense, who may lose Tee Higgins in free agency, is not a bad thing. Higgins can’t be replaced by Warren, but his ability to be a Swiss Army knife and do-it-all type player should be more than enough for Cincinnati to pounce.
18. Seattle Seahawks: OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
A talent worthy of being selected much higher than this spot, Simmons will be working his way back from injury which could halt his momentum. Seattle has aging veterans entering free agency and getting a talent like Simmons this late would be an immediate steal for the Seahawks, as long as he can return to his elite form once healthy at the NFL level.
19. Houston Texans: OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
The Texans, like many teams, have to address their offensive line, but they would benefit more from bringing in a guard rather than a tackle like the rest of the needy teams. Booker is the top rated player at the offensive guard position and would help the Texans offensive line which saw a game of musical chairs being played down the stretch of the season.
20. Denver Broncos: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Even though Tyler Warren was slated to be selected before him in this mock, Loveland is arguably the better talent at tight end making him the perfect fit for Denver. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix leading the Broncos to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, he needs more weapons on offense and Loveland is the best pass-catching tight end available. It is one of their biggest needs on the roster, if not the biggest, and makes this a perfect fit.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Tampa Bay’s linebacker core is getting older and Jalon Walker can play all over for Todd Bowles on defense. Needing to get better at their pass rush and needing to fill in the linebacker room with some young talent, Walker is an athletic freak who can be used all over the field.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
If it wasn’t for Will Johnson’s overly elite talent and presence in this year’s class, Morrison would more than likely contend for the first cornerback taken off the board. His toughness and physicality would be beloved and welcomed for Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers, pairing him with Joey Porter Jr. would be fun to watch.
23. Los Angeles Ram: OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Current left tackle Alaric Jackson is a pending free agent who played this season on a one-year deal, so Los Angeles should be looking to bring in a long-term young player to take his place. Protecting Matthew Stafford at the later stages of his career is imperative for a Rams team that just won the NFC West title for the first time since 2021.
24. Green Bay Packers: CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Green Bay has to address their secondary especially after a disappointing and injury plagued season for Jaire Alexander, the team’s top cornerback. Revel will be coming off a torn ACL which is why his stock takes a bit of a hit, but his speed and play-making ability would make it hard to test them with him and Xavier McKinney back there.
25. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
There will be plenty of names at edge rusher in the bottom half of the first round, but Jackson is a late riser this season who continues to see his name come up in conversation around this area of the draft. Khalil Mack is set to be a free agent this offseason and Jackson could come in and immediately take the spot over for him. He won’t produce to the level of Mack right away, but Jim Harbaugh is the type of coach to make this pick look stellar by the time the season gets underway.
26. Washington Commanders: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Jayden Daniels came in and set the NFL world on fire with his rookie season, mainly relying on his connection to veteran receiver Terry McLaurin. Creating a duo of Egbuka and McLaurin would make Daniels even more dangerous in his second season. Egbuka is a polished route runner, tough, and runs well after the catch. Good luck deciding who to double cover.
27. Baltimore Ravens: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Ronnie Stanley is scheduled to be a free agent and if Baltimore decides to let him walk, Ersery could be the beneficiary of a deep class at his position. Allowing just one sack all 2024 season at Minnesota, Ersery has the type of skillset that would see him thrive with Lamar Jackson’s dual-threat ability at quarterback.
28. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Minnesota will have several players in their secondary approaching free agency this offseason and while there may be conversation about which cornerback to take, Barron is not a bad fit at all. Recording five interceptions this season, Barron would be an excellent first year player in a defense that loves to get after opposing quarterbacks and Barron could make the most of their mistakes.
29. Buffalo Bills: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Yet another Michigan Wolverine defender comes off the board before the end of the first round, and this would be quite the pickup for Buffalo. He can make life tough for opposing quarterbacks up the middle of the defensive line, but he makes nightmares for opposing running backs. Buffalo is starting to age on the defensive line, and will need to find someone who can learn from Ed Oliver and eventually take over for him.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Penn State
Pass rush is going to be a necessity for Philadelphia who will lose Brandon Graham to retirement and Josh Sweat is a pending free agent. Umanmielen has a ton of burst in his game and could be a nice replacement for at least one of the two names that could depart Philadelphia.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss
The bottom half of the first round is a great opportunity to fill in at positions that may be lost to free agency, and getting Patrick Mahomes more weapons is never a bad thing. With DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown set to hit the open market, Harris, who is listed at 6’3” and 210 pounds would make a great 1-2 combo with Xavier Worthy, injecting youth and new names to a position of need.
32. Detroit Lions: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall
Aidan Hutchinson is coming off injury, as is most of the Detroit Lions defense, but their pass rush is certainly an area of concern moving forward. Green is a young edge rusher who had terrific grades by Pro Football Focus, with his run and pass defense grading over 90, which seems like a fun project for head coach Dan Campbell. Taking some pressure off Hutchinson in 2025 would be great and doing so with a young talent like Green could make this a perfect match.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: QBs go 1-2, Giants and Bears get steals in top 10