Yahoo Sports 2025 NFL mock draft: Titans pass on QB, Panthers nab steal in pre-Senior Bowl projections
With Super Bowl LIX set with a showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, the rest of the NFL is gearing up for the 2025 season. Those preparations begin with the 2025 Senior Bowl set to take place this week, with prospects meeting with teams and rumors starting to swirl about potential draft fits.
For the third consecutive season, the Chicago Bears will have a Top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears’ NFC North divisional rivals all suffered early exits in the 2024 postseason, and now Chicago has shored up their new with the addition of Ben Johnson as their new head coach.
The Top 30 picks in the draft are officially set. Ahead of the Senior Bowl, here are our new first-round projections, where the Titans pass on a quarterback, the Carolina Panthers land a steal at No. 8 and the Bears lock down a stud along the offensive line.
1. Tennessee Titans: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
When newly hired General Manager Mike Borgonzi had his initial press conference, he hammered home the point that the team would not pass up a generational talent, so he should’ve just said Travis Hunter. The Titans definitely have an issue at the quarterback position but if they believe they can build something around Will Levis, and he’s substantial enough to stay the starter, Hunter is the no brainer pick. Head coach Brian Callahan would have plenty of opportunity to use Hunter both offensive and defensively, and that is the generational talent that Borgonzi said they couldn’t pass up.
2. Cleveland Browns: Shedur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders will forever be criticized because of his father Deoin, but his talent is undeniable. Cam Ward may have the bigger play ability than Sanders, but the Browns, who are in a quarterback disaster, need to be safe with the pick. They can not afford to take the riskier of the two picks, and Sanders should be the first quarterback off the board.
3. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Much like the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants have to address their quarterback position and Ward, who will be in contention to be the first QB taken, makes sense. Despite their poor season in 2024, the Giants hammered on their draft picks, specifically running back Tyrone Tracy and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Putting Ward under center in New York should be a great fit for both parties.
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
There is certainly a thought to go offensive lineman with this selection, but if there were two generational talents in this draft, it’s Abdul Carter and Hunter. New England, like Chicago, will have plenty of cap space and ironically, both need to address their offensive and defensive lines. Carter is an absolute freak of nature, and there should be zero reason for him to fall out of the top 10, New England needs to grab him the moment their pick comes on the clock.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Liam Coen, one of the most successful offensive coordinators in the NFL this season is now the head coach for Jacksonville. That means there is an interesting decision to make, but it should lean towards the defensive side of the ball. Outside of Johnson, his collegiate 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 him.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Pete Carroll is now the head coach for the Raiders, and although they’ll be desperate to fulfill the quarterback position, McMillan feels like a must have for whoever is throwing the ball. After sending Davante Adams to the Jets during the season in 2024, McMillan would instantly address their need for a big-body, big-play wide receiver.
7. New York Jets: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Jets need to figure out, like the Raiders, what they’re doing at the quarterback position, but new head coach Aaron Glenn sounds open to having Aaron Rodgers return next season. If that is the case, even with Glenn’s excellence coming on the defensive side of the ball, the Jets have tackles that will be no younger than 34 when next season begins. If Rodgers does return, protecting him would be of the utmost importance, and he’d have plenty of experience to learn from inside the Jets locker room.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, DT, 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: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Saints have so many roster questions around their disaster of a salary cap situation and they’re going to have to start replacing some of their marquee defensive players. There’s a need at cornerback after trading away Marshon Lattimore this season, but Mykel Williams, along with several other pass rushers could be in the mix here for New Orleans. Williams is incredibly fast and twitchy, but this pick may depend on who the Saints hire as their next head coach.
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OL, 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: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Robert Saleh is back as 49ers defensive coordinator and he’s going to need some new talent to utilize. There’s a few pass rushers after Carter who could be interchangeable right after the Top 10, so the 49ers really can’t go wrong. Scourton is an absolute power rusher who would complement Nick Bosa on the defensive line, although he could be a reach this soon. A reach or not, having a coach like Saleh could easily get him to exceed expectations in his rookie year.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, 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: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
That previous mention of outstanding pass rushers is on display with these selections following the Top 10. Miami already has Chop Robinson who they took in the first round of last year’s draft, but teams can never have enough pass rushers and Miami could take advantage of a very good one being on the board.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, 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: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Jalon Walker falling to this spot would be a gift for the Atlanta Falcons who will have a new defensive coordinator in Jeff Ulbrich. As is the case for all teams in the NFL, getting to the quarterback was a major focus point for Ulbrich when he was introduced as the team’s new coordinator. Walker has great versatility that can see Ulbrich use him in many different ways either at linebacker or pass rusher.
16. Arizona Cardinals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
A few names on the list could be considered reaches in this stage of the draft, but all of these teams need pass rushers. There are going to be fallers and risers throughout the pre-draft process, but Pearce came into 2024 considered one of the very best pass rushers, and even with a down season, he’s still worthy of a high first round pick. Arizona needs to get to the quarterback next season, Pearce will do just that.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Warren, TE, 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: Josh Simmons, OT, 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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri
One of the names who is certain to get more attention in the pre-draft process, Membou is a versatile lineman who could be a big boost to the Tampa offensive line. They’ll need to address their interior and at 6’3”, 314-pounds, Membou is not only a team need, but could turn into a force to be dealt with on the line.
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, 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. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The slide stops for one of the most talented players in the draft, and it would be a jackpot selection for the Steelers. They’ve made it known they’d like to bring back either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, but they also must know that they can’t return the same wide receiver core. Burden would fit perfectly on the opposite side of George Pickens and would be another big time pick for the historic franchise.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
There will be plenty of names at edge rusher in 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.
23. Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison, CB, 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. The Packers have an urgent need to fulfill their secondary and Morrison would not only address that need, but also provide insurance for Jaire Alexander who struggled with his health in 2024.
24. Minnesota Vikings: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Back-to-back selections by teams in the NFC North could see back-to-back selections of very talented cornerbacks. Minnesota’s secondary is aging and Revel, who will be rehabbing from a torn ACL, would likely be much higher up the draft board had it not been for the injury. Due to the injury, the Vikings should luck out on this selection.
25. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, OG, 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.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, 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.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
For as long as they’ve been around, the Baltimore Ravens have been known for their defense. Offensive line could be in play here, but Hairston is a guy who could raise his stock with a great performance at the Senior Bowl. The Ravens used their first round pick last year to take cornerback Nate Wiggins, and would continue to build a very impressive secondary if they landed Hairston in the first round.
28. Detroit Lions: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
Detroit was destroyed by injuries on both sides of the football down the stretch of this season, but nothing hurt more than their defensive unit. Sawyer is one of a few names, Mike Green out of Marshall being the other top candidate that Detroit should lock in on. It may build a fun rivalry in the locker room between them, but Ohio State’s Sawyer as well as Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson would make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks off the edge for Dan Campbell’s Lions.
29. Washington Commanders: Emeka Egbuka, WR, 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.
30. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DT, 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.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Mike Green, OLB, Marshall
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. Green is a young edge rusher who had terrific grades by Pro Football Focus, and ranked top-10 in sacks, tackles for loss, and pressure rate. That sounds like a great fit for
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahade Barron, CB, Texas
No matter what is said about Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs offense, they’re continuing to find success for the third straight year thanks in large part to their defense. A versatile corner who covers well in both zone and man coverages, as well as makes plays on the ball, Barron would be an early fill for potential free agency departures in a season or two in Kansas City. He’d also reunite with his college teammate Xavier Worthy.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL mock draft: Titans pass on QB, Panthers nab steal
