2025 NFL Mock Draft: Travis Hunter and Cam Ward are top-2 picks, but for who?

The official order of the 2025 NFL Draft won't be decided until the confetti falls on Super Bowl 59. But after 17 weeks of the 2024 regular season, we've got a pretty good idea of who'll be picking where -- and what they need.

That provides the framework for our latest mock draft, this time with the hapless New England Patriots at the top of the pecking order. New England already has its franchise quarterback in place -- Drake Maye already looks like the franchise's best passer since Tom Brady departed -- which means its place at the top of the draft will be very much for sale to the highest bidder.

This adds another wrinkle to a wildly imperfect science. So how is the 2025 NFL Draft shaping up, assuming no trades and chalk advancing through the playoffs? Let's take a look.

1. New England Patriots: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Needs: OT, WR, EDGE, CB, OG

This is a placeholder pick -- a player the Patriots could use in a spot they probably wouldn't select him. New England doesn't need a quarterback and has a multitude of holes to be filled. The three teams behind them in the pecking order (and a handful more) could use Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Expect New England to auction this pick off to the highest bidder hoping to get a haul similar to what the Carolina Panthers paid for Bryce Young in 2023.

For now, Hunter fills holes on both sides of the roster. He can be a dynamic corner across from Christian Gonzalez to give the Pats one of the brightest young coverage combinations in the league. Or he can be Drake Maye's huckleberry on the offense, using his absurd ball skills to haul in Maye's gorgeous deep throws. Either way, he'd be a boon for a talent-deficient team.

2. Tennessee Titans: QB Cameron Ward, Miami

Needs: QB, EDGE, OT, S, LB

The Titans know neither Will Levis nor Mason Rudolph is a long term answer at quarterback. While the need for help across the offense could make trading back a tempting possibility, Tennessee's opportunity to take 2025's first passer is the better deal.

That leads us to Ward, whose stability and playmaking traits give him a slight edge over the more volatile Shedeur Sanders at No. 2. He threw an FBS high 39 touchdown passes in fewer than 13 full games and added four more on the ground (and one through the air) in what would have likely been Miami's best season in two decades had he finished up the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He didn't, but that hardly matters; he's a composed quarterback who'll be an immediate upgrade in Nashville.

3. Cleveland Browns: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Needs: QB, OL, WR, RB, DT

Cleveland restructured Deshaun Watson's contract, but that doesn't mean it will be counting on him in the future -- just that his next two years were fully guaranteed and there's no real way to get rid of him. That's the bargain the Browns struck after trading three first round picks and giving $230 million fully guaranteed to a player reeling from more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct and what the NFL itself described as "predatory behavior."

This franchise shouldn't be let off the hook for that, but Sanders and an inexpensive rookie contract could do just that. The Big 12 offensive player of the year is a big play machine, but his 74 percent completion rate also led the FBS. His risk/reward balance is a bit rougher than Ward's and hoping the Browns can bring out the best in him, historically, has been an awful bet. But his potential -- and his ability to fix the ills of the Watson deal -- makes him too valuable to pass up.

4. New York Giants: OT Will Campbell, LSU

Needs: QB, OL, CB, TE, RB, LB

With the top two quarterbacks off the board, the Giants can instead make life easier for whatever veteran happens to be slinging passes in 2025. Andrew Thomas was a solid presence at left tackle before getting hurt, but Evan Neal has been unable to beat out journeyman Jermaine Eluemunor on the right edge and may never fulfill the promise he showed en route to a top 10 draft selection.

Enter Campbell, who is battling for the top spot among offensive linemen with Texas’s Kelvin Banks. Neither is a surefire All-Pro, but either would be an immediate plug-and-play upgrade for New York. In this case, Campbell’s extra reach at 6-foot-6 and exceptional mechanics make him the pick -- and a selling point for future quarterbacks to come to north Jersey.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Needs: OT, WR, EDGE, CB, S

Kelvin Banks is worth a look here, but with Walker Little and Anton Harrison under contract the Jags would be better served addressing the league's least efficient passing defense. Good news; the top pure defensive prospect is still on the draft board.

Johnson was a true shutdown corner at Michigan. He's a big (6-foot-2), athletic defensive back who can hold his spot in press coverage or off the line and breaking toward the ball. He allowed a 52.9 passer rating in coverage this fall, which is only a disappointment compared to his 30.9 rating in 2023. Though a foot injury has forced him off the field since mid-October, he should be capable of bolstering his stock with a big Combine showing.

6. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

Needs: QB, OL, EDGE, LB, WR, ETC

The Panthers need so much defensive help. The secondary is a mess -- even Jaycee Horn has fallen off -- but Carolina can make things much easier for that group by bolstering a pass rush whose 25 percent pressure rate is by far the worst in the NFL.

Carter was the Big Ten's defensive player of the year after leading the conference in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (11). He'd have an immediate impact for a unit in dire need of playmakers. The Penn State star is a tempest unto himself and shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to life on Sundays.

7. New York Jets: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas

Needs: WR, EDGE, TE, S, QB

Both Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith are 2025 free agents. We just saw an offensive line without them allow Aaron Rodgers to be beaten like a rented mule's favorite rug. No matter whom is throwing passes next fall, he'll need help.

Pairing Banks with Olu Fashanu would give the Jets a high ceiling young pair of bookends on the offensive line. The Longhorn has a low center of gravity and long arms, allowing him to pry up edge rushers and dispatch them behind the pocket. He’s similarly stout against straight-on bull rushes, using his power to absorb punches and redirect defenders. That would make him a selling point for a team desperately trying to woo competent quarterbacks to New Jersey.

8. Las Vegas Raiders: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

Needs: QB, EDGE, CB, RB, S

It's not impossible for the Raiders (or Jets) to reach for the draft's third quarterback here. But rather than roll the dice on Jalen Milroe or Carson Beck, Las Vegas plays it safe and reloads Antonio Pierce's defense instead.

Scourton is a beefy defensive end with similar traits as Tyree Wilson, who the Raiders drafted seventh overall in 2023. He hasn't developed as hoped in Nevada, so Las Vegas gets a bit of a do-over here. The important thing is reinforcements arrive for Maxx Crosby, who'd be surrounded by high-ceiling chaos diviners in Wilson, Scourton, Christian Wilkins and a healthy Malcolm Koonce.

9. Chicago Bears: OT Josh Simmons Ohio State

Needs: OL, RB, OL, S, EDGE

This year's crop of blocking talent isn't quite good enough to justify three top 10 picks. But the Bears' offensive line continues to be anathema to a young quarterback's development. Caleb Williams's 67 sacks are the most the NFL has seen since David Carr's rookie campaign in the first season of the Houston Texans' existence.

That creates the urgency to pick up whichever offensive lineman is shooting up draft boards across the league. At the moment, that's Simmons, who has used Ohio State's playoff run to gain a minor edge over similarly rated prospects like Aireontae Ersery, Josh Conerly Jr. and Wyatt Milum. Simmons has the chops to fix things as a Day 1 starter both as a freshman at San Diego State and a transfer with the Buckeyes the last two seasons. He’s long armed and powerful with the low center of gravity that should help him recover from rookie mistakes.

10. New Orleans Saints: DL Mykel Williams, Georgia

Needs: OT, WR, S, EDGE, TE

New Orleans needs a boatload of young talent on expensive contracts to help dig out from the "buy now, pay later" ethos of Mickey Loomis's management style. That makes a trade down a very real possibility. Instead, they address a position of need (at an expensive position to lure free agents) by betting on Williams's five-star potential.

At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, he's built like pending free agent Chase Young, who leads the team with 21 quarterback hits. He'd fill a role up front in the Saints' 4-3 thanks to his ability to win inside and out behind a blend of strength and speed few other defensive linemen can match in 2025.

11. San Francisco 49ers: DL Mason Graham, Michigan

Needs: OT, CB, EDGE, DT, CB

One of the tenets of Kyle Shanahan's 49ers teams is a commitment to a deep and athletic defensive line. Graham isn't a perfect fit moving from Michigan's 3-4 to San Francisco's 4-3, but he's talented enough to make this a moot point.

The Wolverines star would get to thrive next to a healthy Javon Hargrave to give the Niners a pair of inside-out gap-shooters who can flush quarterbacks out to Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd's orbits. At 320 pounds, he’s big enough to be immobile against the run. He’s also quick and explosive enough to blast through gaps as a 3-technique lineman between the guard and tackle.

12. Indianapolis Colts: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Needs: IOL, CB, EDGE, S

The Colts were bounced from the playoff race by virtue of allowing Drew Lock's finest day as a pro (and 45 New York Giants points). That puts a direct emphasis on upgrading a secondary that's allowed 300-plus net passing yards to the unprolific offenses of the Giants, Jaguars and Bears this season.

Malaki Starks could be the next man up. So could cornerbacks like Shavon Revel Jr. and Benjamin Morrison. But Emmanwori's massive 2024 suggests he's got a high floor in the pros to go with a massive upside. He's a beast of a safety; a 6-foot-3, 225-ish pound missile with 4.3-second 40 speed and the tackling of a linebacker.

He’s comfortable as an over-the-top safety or working as a nickel corner in the slot. What Brian Branch brought to the Detroit Lions? That’s what Emmanwori could bring to the Indianapolis backfield.

13. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Needs: EDGE, LB, S, OT, WR, RB

(Long sigh.)

Let's do the dang thing. Jerry Jones loves stars. Ashton Jeanty is a constellation unto himself, a version of Ezekiel Elliott who, by virtue of not being a top-five draft pick, will feel like a bargain to Dallas's powers that be.

He may be, especially with RB1 types coming back into vogue in the NFL. The Cowboys' 4.0 yards per carry is an improvement over its 3.8 to start the season but still a bottom five figure. Jeanty, on the other hand, averages 7.3 yards per touch and has scored 30 touchdowns (29 rushing!) in 13 games for Boise State.

14. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

Needs: EDGE, DT, CB, LB, S

Arizona's 31.5 percent pressure rate ranks 27th in the NFL despite a 25.2 percent blitz rate that ranks 18th. That leaves the Cardinals in need of an edge rusher who can introduce chaos to the pocket on a consistent basis.

Is Pearce that guy? It's tough to say for sure after he followed up 2023's 10-sack breakout with 7.5 in 2024, but the raw tools are there. He's got elite quickness and speed to attack the edge and the lateral movement to slice inside and snuff out running plays. He'll need to prove he has the play strength to be a viable three-down outside linebacker, but his potential as a disruptor makes him worth the pick.

15. Miami Dolphins: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Needs: QB, OG, CB, DT, S

Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller have led an efficient secondary this season, but each will be 30 or older in 2025. Kader Kohou will be a restricted free agent. This is a cornerback room that needs reinforcement.

Morrison isn’t a big cornerback at 6-feet and 190 pounds, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with explosiveness. His ability to snap off routes and close to the ball led to an FBS-high 10 passes defensed in 2023 and a directive to stay the hell away from him in 2024. He’s allowed a 58.4 passer rating in coverage this fall.

16. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Needs: EDGE, RB, IOL, DB

Tee Higgins is a free agent in 2024. Joe Burrow's MVP-adjacent season emphasized just how important keeping him surrounded by playmakers is. So despite a dire need for defensive reinforcements, Cincinnati instead opts to take 2025's first wide receiver.

McMillan's 6-foot-5 frame and ball skills give him the opportunity to be a proper Higgins replacement alongside Ja'Marr Chase. He's a wonder on 50/50 balls and at creating separation with the ball in his sights. He averaged nearly 109 receiving yards per game in his final two seasons at Arizona.

17. Atlanta Falcons: CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

Needs: OT, DT, LB, CB

Atlanta’s 98.6 passer rating allowed is sixth-worst in the NFL. That's even with A.J. Terrell doing solid, if inconsistent, work at corner. Adding a pass rusher should be priority one, but the top three are already off the board at this point.

The next best thing may be Revel, a long-armed defender with elite top-line speed who can be an eraser on deep throws. He can thrive in zone or man coverage, using those arms to press effectively or accelerating to close distance (15 pass breakups and three interceptions in his last 15 games). He'd pair with Terrell and Jessie Bates to elevate the Atlanta secondary and make it a little less frustrating when the Falcons' pass rush can't find paydirt.

18. Seattle Seahawks: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Needs: TE, LB, S, IOL

There are a handful of players who make sense here. Luther Burden could be heir to Tyler Lockett's throne. Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland could punch up the tight end position. Offensive line help could benefit a roster with a bottom-10 pressure rate allowed.

But head coach Mike Macdonald knows the value of a generational safety talent having worked with Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. Starks can have a similar impact. He's an elite athlete with solid size and very few weaknesses to his game. He can track deep balls or rocket toward the line of scrimmage to erase gains before they happen. He can play downfield or in the box or slide up and cover slot receivers from the get-go.

19. Houston Texans: IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama

Needs: IOL, RB, DT, EDGE

The interior of the Texans line is a disaster and it's had a drastic impact on C.J. Stroud's development. The former Pro Bowler saw his pressure rate rise from 35 to 39 percent and dropped his average throw distance from 8.2 yards downfield to seven.

Help is on the way. Booker isn't a sexy pick, but he's a high floor blocker who can be an immediate asset. He can play multiple positions up front and create pancakes from all of them. He can play hyperactive at times, but he’s a bulldozer who understands his assignments.

20. Denver Broncos: WR Luther Burden, Missouri

Needs: WR, EDGE, DL, OT

Good news, Bo Nix. Help is on the way. Courtland Sutton gets the running mate for whom the Broncos have spent the last five seasons searching when the productive Missouri wideout slides to the 20th selection.

Burden is a shape shifter who can thrive as a sideline threat or devastating chain-mover over the middle. He’s got great hands and vision to pair with explosive acceleration for big gains after the catch. He’s also powerfully built blocker who can help create space on off-tackle runs. Between him and Sutton's big body and red zone skills, Nix suddenly has a dynamic do-it-all combination to unlock the next step of his NFL development.

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jalon Walker, Georgia

Needs: EDGE, CB, LB, IOL… WR?

Lavonte David turns 35 in January and is a pending free agent. Fellow off-ball linebacker K.J. Britt is a useful player but not yet a reliable starter and also headed to free agency. There's room for an upgrade here.

Walker has surged into first round consideration after two solid seasons at a program that's churned out a hit list of elite defensive prospects. He led Georgia in sacks in 2023 and 2024 but is an effective presence in coverage and a fearless force against the run. His do-it-all bonafides give him a little more value than your typical off-ball linebacker and give him a real chance to slide into the top 20 next spring.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Needs: WR, EDGE, OG, LB, S

It would be easy to slot in a former Jim Harbaugh acolyte here. Both Kenneth Grant and Colston Loveland are still on the board and could be Day 1 starters for the Chargers.

Even so, Warren's playmaking ability is too much to pass up. In a season where Justin Herbert has elevated Will Dissly and Stone Smartt to key roles in the passing game it's clear how much damage a dynamic tight end could do in L.A. That's Warren, who has the ability to produce as both a receiver (79 yards per game) and runner (197 yards on 24 carries).

23. Los Angeles Rams: OT Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

Needs: OT, CB, WR, LB, S

Milum has vastly improved his draft stock this fall, emerging as an All-American talent in a career where he’s been a major contributor since his freshman season. He’d be an immediate starter for a team whose line was devastated by injuries throughout the 2024 season, leaving Matthew Stafford to twist in the wind and Sean McVay to alter his playbook.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Mountaineer is a durable, consistent wall along the edge. Nimble feet and quick hands make him difficult to beat with a speed rush; he hasn’t allowed a sack in 24 games for West Virginia. He’s capable of handling either tackle position, which makes him a versatile and proven commodity who can work in both a rebuild and win-now capacity.

24. Green Bay Packers: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan

Needs: OT, EDGE, DT, IOL, CB

There's room to upgrade the offensive line here, but Zach Tom and Rasheed Wallace have played well at tackle and there's a wealth of good-not-elite talent who'll still be available on Day 2. Given that and Green Bay's preference to boost its defense in the first round, Grant is the guy.

A blue chip player from a blue chip program is an easy sell for general manager Brian Gutekunst. The Michigan standout is a 340-pound crime against physics to clog running lanes and shrink pockets from the inside-out to make life easier for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. With Devonte Wyatt failing to live up to expectations and Kenny Clark nearing his 30s, the Packers reload in the trenches.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers: DL Walter Nolen, Mississippi

Needs: WR, RB, LB, CB, DL

Dan Moore is a pending free agent, leaving room to upgrade at offensive tackle. There's a dire need for wideout help, but the Steelers typically wait until Day 2 to address the position. And since we're leaning into Pittsburgh traditions, let's dip into keeping a swarming defense rolling.

Nolen's selection here gives the Steelers a viable replacement for Cam Heyward, who has been great in 2024 but is also 35 years old. His explosive first step creates the kind of pocket-shrinking havoc that has been vital to the explosive sack numbers of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The All-American explodes off the line at 305 pounds and brings an immovable presence in the run game as well.

26. Washington Commanders: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Needs: OL, CB, EDGE, WR, S

Jayden Daniels needs help after what's likely to be a rookie of the year campaign. He's thrived despite a lack of receiving talent behind Terry McLaurin and some inconsistent blocking up front.

Drafting Ersery gives Washington an exit strategy from Andrew Wylie at right tackle (he's a free agent in 2026) and an insurance policy if rookie third round pick Brandon Coleman fails to pan out at left tackle. He's a massive (6-foot-6, 330 pounds) tackle who has improved throughout his college career.

He’s got quick feet and sound technique along with experience playing both tackle positions. While his floor may be slightly lower than other blockers available, he could hang out as a swing tackle for a year before growing into his enormous ceiling as a pro.

27. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Needs: OT, S, WR, EDGE

Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has created a scheme in which Kyle Van Noy can set a career high in sacks at age 33. That's remarkable, but the Ravens can't rely on him forever and David Ojabo may never be the player he could have been before tearing his Achilles at Michigan's pro day in 2022.

Betting on Green is a bit of a gamble. He dropped down from Virginia to Marshall and only has one productive season in his college career. But man, what a season -- an FBS-high 17 sacks and 23 tackles for loss. Solid performances against Ohio State and Virginia Tech suggest he can handle a step up in competition. Will a slightly undersized frame erase those gains?

28. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas

Needs: EDGE, S, CB OT, LB

Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham are both free agents next spring. They currently occupy spots amongst a pass rush whose 31.1 percent pressure rate ranks 28th in the NFL. Reinforcements are needed.

Jackson can be part of a rising tide that sends quarterbacks into a panic a rising secondary can turn into interceptions. He's going to see his stock rise considerably in the pre-draft process thanks to a 6-foot-7 frame, long arms and explosive quickness. He can slice around the corners to get to the pocket and those long arms allow him to shed blocks and be an asset in the run game as well.

29. Buffalo Bills: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

Needs: CB, LB, WR, EDGE, S

The Bills are thin at cornerback and safety. Barron provides a player who can handle his business at either position.

At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, he's a compact tackler who can make stops at the line of scrimmage. His selling point, however, is elite coverage that resulted in a 30.8 passer rating when targeted in 2024. He's got quick hits and crazy recognition skills, whether that's sensing where a route is going or when the ball has hit his orbit. He's not a perfect prospect, but he can thrive under Sean McDermott.

30. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss

Needs: DT, CB, S, RB

The defensive run continues with a player who can unlock even more pages in defensive coordinator Brian Flores's playbook. With Stephon Gilmore nearing the end of his career and Byron Murphy a pending free agent, there's a definite need for a boundary cornerback who can be trusted in single coverage.

Amos can be that guy. The well-traveled cornerback (Louisiana, Alabama, Ole Miss) led the SEC last season with 13 passes defensed. He's sticky in coverage and productive at the point of attack, with solid size and long arms to maximize his presence against top wideouts.

31. Detroit Lions: OL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona

Needs: LB, EDGE, DL, IOL

Detroit doesn't have a ton of glaring needs (aside from some kind of shaman who can keep its defense healthy), but Kevin Zeitler is a pending free agent for a team that relies heavily on a bruising offensive line. Savaiinaea is a tackle who can kick inside to guard or spend his first year as a Dan Skipper replacement as the team's swing tackle/jumbo package tight end who eventually catches a touchdown pass to make the score Lions 43, Bears 10 next November.

Savaiinaea's pass blocking is ahead of his run game, which may diminish his prospects in the eyes of a roster with one of the league's top running back tandems. Still, his versatility and athleticism may make him too tempting to pass up. With quick feet, solid lateral movement and a mean streak he's otherwise a great fit for Dan Campbell.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Cameron Williams, Texas

Needs: CB, LB, RB, WR

D.J. Humphries is 31 years old and has missed 26 regular season games the last three seasons. Jawaan Taylor hasn't worked out as expected as a high profile free agent arrival. Wanya Morris does not appear to be ready for a full-time role.

Fortunately for the Chiefs, several solid tackle prospects remain. Williams may have as much upside as any blocker drafted next spring. He's a big, long-armed blocker who can swap away edge rushers. Or, he could kick inside and replace Trey Smith if the All-Pro guard is too expensive to stick around in Kansas City.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Travis Hunter and Cam Ward are top-2 picks, but for who?