NFL mock draft 2025: Will Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty go in top five? – USA Today

We’ve reached NFL draft month, the first pick of the 2025 “player selection meeting” set to be announced by Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 24 in Green Bay, Wis. The league’s teams and scouts have collected nearly all of the pertinent player information with the major schools’ pro days completed, though Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders – both potential top-five selections – are among the Buffaloes scheduled to work out at the “Colorado Showcase” this Friday, a separate event from the Big 12 pro day that occurred in mid-March.
But while much of the hay is in the barn, the less publicly transparent aspects of the pre-draft process will continue to unfold as some prospects conduct individual workouts and provide updated medical information – often during official visits to NFL clubs. Said another way, there’s still enough going on – to include other developments within the league – to make projecting the draft’s first round a highly fluid endeavor.
But this mock draft is USA TODAY Sports’ latest Round 1 outlook … with a few thoughtfully constructed trades baked in to keep things interesting:
ICYMI, their most notable moves in free agency were the signings of OL Dan Moore and Kevin Zeitler … a good signal the team is trying to bolster the protection of its quarterback – and right now, the options are Will Levis, Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle. That alone is a pretty strong suggestion that the team intends to draft a passer, barring a sizable enough trade offer to move down the board. But right now, Ward seems like the logical option, a dynamic thrower with five seasons of experience at the college level (including 57 starts and a Division I record 158 TD passes). Interesting to note, too, that Ward’s 2,329 passes attempted are 1,000+ more than highly erratic Levis has thrown since he entered college in 2018 – Wards’ results typically much better, too, if not skewed by Levis’ NFL mishaps (26 turnovers in 21 games).
ICYMI, their most notable moves in free agency were extending DE Myles Garrett to an exorbitant deal and trading for Kenny Pickett – the only quarterback currently on the roster aside from injured Deshaun Watson, who’s recovering from multiple surgeries to his Achilles. Cleveland has been floated as a potential destination for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, who spent two years with HC Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota. But given how the Watson experience went, does it really make sense for this team to give up anything for Cousins, particularly at his salary? Or bet an entire season on Pickett? With Russell Wilson now a member of the Giants, not to mention the similarities between Cousins’ game and Sanders’, the Big 12’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year seems like the most logical choice at the moment. And while Sanders’ average arm might not seem well suited to playing on the banks of Lake Erie, don’t forget that the Browns are aiming to relocate to a new indoor stadium by 2029.
With the draft’s top quarterbacks gone in this scenario – and the Wilson insurance policy already purchased – the G-Men are in position to snatch the man who is arguably the best college player entering the league this year. It’s a matter of debate what the best professional position is for Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and an equally accomplished offensive weapon and defender. Bad as the Giants were in 2024, they enter 2025 with a solid group of receivers (including Malik Nabers at the top of the depth chart) and corners (including recently signed Paulson Adebo at the top of the depth chart). That means a golden opportunity to take a unique, elite player like Hunter and allowing him to play both positions in the NFL – as he desires to do – without demanding he cover top receivers, be the team’s primary target or play an inordinate numbers of snaps as he settles into whatever his role develops into.
EVP of player personnel Eliot Wolf has vowed to take the best player available this year – not a tough lift given the apparent quarterback of the present and future, Drake Maye, is already on the roster. Carter’s case as this draft’s best prospect rivals Hunter’s, even if the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t directly support the fairly flimsy offensive supporting cast Maye is currently working with. But this team is in no position to pass up potential perennial All-Pros, particularly ones who could help hunt league MVP Josh Allen and help knock the Bills off their AFC East perch in future seasons.
The Bears’ offseason has been all about upgrading the resources around second-year QB Caleb Williams, from the hiring of HC Ben Johnson to the expensive improvements to the offensive and defensive lines. What better way to continue that effort than to move up for Jeanty, who might be giving Hunter and Carter a run for their money near the top of the board if not for the position he plays. But oh how Jeanty (5-9, 211) plays it, the 2024 Heisman runner-up rushing for 2,601 yards – 28 shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season NCAA record. A compact, powerful combination of explosiveness and strength, Jeanty could be the final piece to the offensive puzzle surrounding Williams – but wouldn’t have to take on a massive load as a rookie given the presence of capable veteran D’Andre Swift, who could nicely shift into a third-down role. The move up would likely cost the Bears their No. 10 pick and one of their second-rounders, though GM Ryan Poles might also be able to get a Day 3 selection back from the Jags to balance the scales. Regardless, this is a case where the juice is well worth the squeeze, especially given the possibility the Raiders could pounce on Jeanty at No. 6.
Could they still go running back – much of HC Pete Carroll’s success in Seattle came courtesy of bruising Marshawn Lynch – with Jeanty gone? Certainly, given there doesn’t appear to be a precipitous drop-off to UNC’s Omarion Hampton. But the cold truth is that this roster has numerous other needs, no matter how quickly Carroll, rookie GM John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady might covet a quick turnaround – and let’s not forget the gap that has formed between the Silver and Black and the remainder of the AFC West. Membou (6-4, 332) could slot into his familiar right tackle post, providing a nice bookend to LT Kolton Miller, and solve one position for the next decade – while putting this squad in a better position to run the ball regardless of who’s carrying it.
This roster has equal parts young talent and equally glaring holes. One of those voids is the interior defensive line depth that’s formed behind Quinnen Williams. A former wrestler, Graham, a unanimous All-American in 2024, is a relentless three-down player who’s equally effective against the run and pass and possesses both a high ceiling and floor. If available, he’s certainly the kind of player rookie HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey should be targeting.
This team really needs another difference maker on defense, and Walker could effectively plug a gap at edge rusher or as an off-ball linebacker – and maybe both if he were to be deployed by coordinator Ejiro Evero in the optimal situationally dependent scenarios. But considering Jadeveon Clowney, 32, is the only player on this roster who generated more than a dozen pressures in 2024 – and just 22 – Walker’s ability to get to quarterbacks might be his most-needed attribute here. Size (6-1, 243) is not among his selling points.
Veteran GM Mickey Loomis could go in any number of directions. But given he’s lost CBs Marshon Lattimore and Adebo in the past six months and will probably only have veteran S Tyrann Mathieu for one more season, Barron is the type of highly capable – and versatile – defensive back who can upgrade this secondary in any number of roles.
He has prototypical corner size (6-2, 194) and ball skills, swiping nine passes (two of them pick-sixes) during three seasons with the Wolverines. A turf toe injury scuttled much of Johnson’s junior season in 2024 and has prevented him from doing much during the pre-draft process. But he’s scheduled to hold a private workout for teams on April 14, one that should confirm his physical traits (read: speed) and could push him even higher up the board. He’d be steal for Jacksonville at this spot and would form a nice outside tandem with Tyson Campbell.
The Niners may not quite be rebuilding, but – at minimum – they’re resetting in several spots. There seems to be at least an immediate opening at left guard, and perhaps that’s Campbell’s ideal NFL position given the discussion over his highly scrutinized arm length – though his overall stature (6-6, 319) is impressive. But maybe he’s also a guard temporarily and the eventual successor to legendary LT Trent Williams, who will be 37 by Week 1, missed seven games last year and hasn’t completed a full season in more than a decade.
Another player with estimable potential as an off-ball linebacker and/or pass rusher. Sound familiar? While it seems unlikely that Dallas would trade LB Micah Parsons, who’s due (overdue?) for an extension, Campbell could still be a boon to a team that didn’t get much outside pressure aside from Parsons’ and also needs help at the second level as LB DeMarvion Overshown tries to recover from a second devastating knee injury in less than two years.
A team that’s lost so much beef from its trenches in recent years could always use more. Yet the Fins may have no more glaring need than on the back end after sterling FS Jevon Holland joined the Giants. Starks can play deep, near the line or in the slot – and might be the ideal choice here for a team that probably needs to win immediately if HC Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier want to be back in 2026.
More Rob Gronkowski than Travis Kelce – just in case you enjoy outlandish pre-draft comparisons – Warren (6-6, 256) would help this team both in the run game and as an intermediate threat down the field. That might make him the perfect piece to include given the amount of help this team’s quarterback(s) is likely to need.
Maybe you’d heard no ATL defender has managed a double-digit sack season since 2016? The unit showed improvement in 2024, but Grady Jarrett and Matthew Judon won’t be back. Green (6-3, 251), the Sun Belt’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, led the country with 17 sacks and, per the analytics website Pro Football Focus, had 32 hurries.
Few players have as much projected variance as Pearce, who had 17½ combined sacks over the past two seasons and has exceptional athleticism. He also has precisely the right build (6-5, 245) and traits for a Cards defense that will need more production from its edges despite the arrival of Super Bowl hero Josh Sweat via free agency.
It would certainly make sense for them to invest in the defense given it ranked 25th overall in 2024, consistently undermined the offense and may not have DE Trey Hendrickson back. But doesn’t it make more sense to better safeguard QB Joe Burrow, who’s suffered nearly three sacks per game over the course of his NFL career? Zabel’s strong Senior Bowl showing should be further proof he’ll have little trouble becoming the latest member of the Bison to jump to the NFL. Better, he can play any position on the line and plug wherever it’s leakiest.
Sam Darnold could be the next face of the franchise. He could also be a one-year write-off if he reverts to his pre-2024 Pro Bowl form. Dart’s stock has seemed to be steadily rising in recent months after a very strong senior season with the Rebels – nobody threw for more yards (4,279) or was more efficient in the SEC last year. An excellent athlete who ran coach Lane Kiffin’s offense deftly, Dart could use more seasoning at the pro level. But it appears his services could in demand sooner in this draft than was originally anticipated, so Seattle GM John Schneider, who holds five of the first 92 selections, would probably need to invest early given the growing likelihood Dart probably won’t slide into Round 2.
His talent suggests top-five pick, particularly after he tested just about off the charts at the scouting combine – 4.59 40-yard dash and 40-inch vertical leap at 6-5, 267 pounds. His production (4½ sacks total in three seasons with the Aggies) suggests Day 3 pick. But dig a bit deeper and you’ll find Stewart had 33 hurries in 2024 and was a hellacious run defender. And the Bucs need to give NT Vita Vea help up front, something he hasn’t gotten in ample supply from Logan Hall or Calijah Kancey.
They somehow ranked 16th in rushing offense last season even though their top gainer was now-departed RB Javonte Williams, who had just 513 yards. Hampton could be the man to much more capably fill HC Sean Payton’s coveted “Joker” role after rushing for 15 TDs and at least 1,500 yards each of the past two seasons for the Tar Heels. Big (6-0, 221) and fast (4.4 speed), Hampton is also durable and used to carrying a heavy load if asked.
With Dart off the board, they’ll have to look elsewhere to find a replacement for Russell Wilson … and Justin Fields … and Aaron Rodgers (maybe). So maybe a team that doesn’t have to appear to have a ton of other glaring needs – running back can be addressed later – should think about finding a replacement for All-Pro DE Cam Heyward, 35, instead. After a breakout 2024 season for the Ducks, Harmon (6-5, 313) looks the part for Pittsburgh’s odd front and a guy who could nicely assist Heyward before eventually taking over for him.
It’s been pretty easy to marry Loveland to the Bolts given his Wolverines connection to HC Jim Harbaugh and the team’s glaring need for a playmaker at tight end. Loveland (6-6, 248) is a huge target and averaged nearly 15 yards per catch during his first two years in Ann Arbor when J.J. McCarthy was throwing to him. The main question is whether Loveland will actually be available this late into Round 1.
Yes, we know HC Matt LaFleur wants to “vomit” at the notion of No. 1 receivers. Yes, we know the Pack haven’t taken a wideout in the first round in 23 years. We’d also suggest the value of a big-bodied pass catcher like McMillan (6-4, 219), also an accomplished volleyball player, would be too much to pass up here – especially given deep threat Christian Watson is only three months removed from a torn ACL as he heads into his walk year.
New England really needs to get Maye better protection on the blind side. So it would be worth moving back into the first round – especially for a player with the capabilities of Simmons, who’d likely be a top-10 selection had he not suffered a torn patellar tendon last season. He seems on track to be ready for the upcoming season but should be worth the wait if not. (And, on the flip side, given the Vikes only have four picks at the moment, dropping back to No. 38 and picking up one of New England’s extra third-rounders would make a lot of sense.)
Laremy Tunsil is gone as QB C.J. Stroud’s blind side protector. Veteran Cam Robinson is a one-year patch – at best. Banks, an accomplished three-year starter for the Longhorns who won the Outland Trophy last season, would be a nifty long-term solution.
It’s not really an NFL draft unless the reigning champions enlist a defender from Athens. Even with a trade up, Williams could be a phenomenal value at this spot – and hard to believe he’d slip past subsequent teams to the 32nd spot – and a very nice backfill for departed Sweat.
This is one team that would probably love to have Mykel Williams. Yet Ezeiruaku would hardly be a consolation prize, the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year posting 16½ sacks and 21 tackles for losses last season. And it’s not like a defense can ever have enough pass rushers, but the Ravens also need to plan ahead with OLBs Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh set to hit free agency in a year.
You could argue Las Vegas is not in a great position to trade up – though this would only mark a nine-spot advance while vaulting them past some WR-hungry clubs. And you can definitely argue the Raiders are in desperate need of help at wideout, especially with Jakobi Meyers unsigned beyond 2025. Golden glittered at the combine, his 4.29 40 the fastest among offensive players – and very Raider-y. He’s not the biggest guy (5-11, 191), but his burst and ability to come up big in the clutch – watch the Longhorns’ CFP defeat of Arizona State – could make him the best of this year’s receivers.
He has a freakish combination of size (6-3, 220) and athleticism (4.38 40, 43-inch vertical at the combine) and can cause havoc in the box or in coverage. And for a team that needs safety help, what better option than a player who resembles Kam Chancellor – a “Legion of Boom” veteran … like Washington LB Bobby Wagner and HC Dan Quinn.
Christian Benford just landed an extension, but this defense could really use another outside corner. Not only was Hairston (4.28 40) the only player to outrun Golden at the combine, he’s a playmaker – pilfering five passes in 2023 before struggling with injuries last season.
Based purely on high-ceiling talent, he’s as gifted as any D-tackle in this draft. And playing alongside Chris Jones, who will be 31 on opening day, could be the best way for Nolen to maximize his potential – while also giving the Chiefs another disruptor they could use on the D-line.
The reigning NFC West champs have done a fabulous job turning over their roster in the three years since they won Super Bowl 56. But they could still use some size, youth and reliability at corner, and Thomas (6-2, 197) checks those boxes.
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