2025 NFL Mock Draft: Giants make stunning trade to land franchise QB, Eagles steal defensive star

Travis Hunter, Colorado football

Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) after an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)AP

The 2025 NFL Draft starts today.

Here’s how we think the first round of the draft will play out, including one big trade prediction.

(1) Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

Ward’s big arm and athleticism could help him become an elite player. He will be a significant upgrade over Will Levis, who was one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL last year.

(2) Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The Browns need a superstar to give them hope for the future — and nobody in this class has more MVP potential than Hunter, who is a two-way player.

As a rookie, Hunter would be Cleveland’s No. 1 wide receiver, and he also could start at cornerback.

(3) New York Giants: Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

Although the Giants desperately need a franchise quarterback, it would be a mistake for them to reach for a QB at No. 3. Instead, New York should draft a potential NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate and worry about getting a QB later.

Carter and Brian Burns would be one of the NFL’s best pass-rush tandems and could carry New York’s defense into the playoffs.

(4) New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Ideally, the Patriots would be able to trade down and still land Campbell, but finding a trade partner will be difficult. Campbell’s short arms are concerning, but he has enough athleticism to survive at left tackle.

(5) Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The Jaguars need to build a good supporting cast around quarterback Trevor Lawrence to rebuild his confidence. Drafting the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley would be a good start.

FILE -  Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Laramie, Wyoming. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

FILE - Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Laramie, Wyoming. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)AP

(6) Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Alongside Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and edge rusher Maxx Crosby, Graham could be a dominant force. He has an explosive first step and uses his hands well.

(7) New York Jets: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Despite having bigger needs on offense, Jets general manager Darren Mougey could pick a versatile defensive back to help revamp their secondary. Barron could play in the slot or on the opposite side of Sauce Gardner.

(8) Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia

Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero could use Walker as a pass rusher on third downs and as an off-ball linebacker on first and second downs. Walker has drawn comparisons to Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, who is one of the league’s best defensive weapons.

(9) New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

Williams could learn from Saints edge rusher Cameron Jordan to become a complete pass rusher. He has great arm length (34 ⅜”), size (6-5, 265 pounds) and strength, but his pass-rush arsenal is too predictable. To become an elite pass rusher, he needs to develop a couple of counter moves.

(10) Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The connection between Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Warren could be unstoppable. Penn State moved Warren all over the field to maximize his skill set, including lining him up in the backfield. Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who is one of the league’s best offensive minds, could have a good plan for Warren.

Penn State vs Minnesota, Nov. 23, 2024

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren hauls in a pass as Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg gives chase during the second quarter on Nov. 23, 2024 Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.comJoe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.

(11) San Francisco 49ers: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Membou would be the 49ers’ right tackle next season. Eventually, he could replace All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

(12) Dallas Cowboys: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

McMillan could develop into a great No. 2 wide receiver because he is smooth for his size (6-4, 219 pounds) and has great ball skills. He could form a dynamic duo with Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

(13) Miami Dolphins: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

As long as he stays healthy, Johnson could be a huge steal.

The Dolphins would have him replace Jalen Ramsey as their No. 1 cornerback.

(14) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Loveland could save quarterback Anthony Richardson’s career and make the Colts’ offense more dynamic.

(15) New York Giants (via a trade with Atlanta Falcons): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

It’s hard to ignore the Giants’ love for Dart. To get in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers (pick No. 21) and other teams vying for a quarterback, the Giants could send the Falcons one of their 2025 third-round picks (No. 65) and a 2026 third-round pick in exchange for the 15th pick.

Dart’s transition to the NFL could be steep because he didn’t play in a pro-style system at Ole Miss. He could sit behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston for most of his rookie season.

Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart pressures Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart

Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart pressures Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart during an SEC game on Nov. 4, 2023, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.(AP Photo/Thomas Graning)

(16) Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Banks could beat out Jonah Williams for Arizona’s starting right tackle job or win one of the starting guard spots.

(17) Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

Stewart didn’t fill the stat sheet for the Aggies, but he has immense upside. He would raise the ceiling of Cincinnati’s defense.

(18) Seattle Seahawks: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden’s speed and route-running skills get him open consistently. He would battle Seahawks wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for targets.

(19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Campbell has sideline-to-sideline speed and is a dangerous blitzer, which makes him a perfect fit for the Buccaneers’ defense.

(20) Denver Broncos: Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Henderson’s versatility as a runner and pass catcher makes him an ideal fit for Broncos coach Sean Payton’s offense.

(21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Steelers need a backup plan at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers still contemplating retirement.

Sanders doesn’t have a big arm and struggles to extend plays, but he is a master at reading defenses and has good accuracy. He would play behind Pittsburgh’s strong offensive line and throw to dynamic wide receivers, which could help him overcome some of his limitations.

Shedeur Sanders

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders could play for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

(22) Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh referred to Grant as a “gift from the football gods” when he coached him at Michigan. He would love to get him on his defense again.

(23) Green Bay Packers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

The Packers need a rookie cornerback to make an instant impact next season. Hairston’s 4.28 speed and ball skills should help him contribute right away.

(24) Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Emmanwori would flourish in the Vikings’ defensive scheme. His elite speed (4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine) and size (6-3, 220 pounds) are unique for the position.

(25) Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Texans need to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud, but they could wait until Day 2 to fix their offensive line.

Reuniting Stroud with one of his college wide receivers would improve Houston’s offense. Egbuka can beat NFL defensive backs with precise route running.

(26) Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks could be a chess piece for the Rams’ defense. He could play at free safety, in the slot and in the box.

(27) Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, DE, Marshall

Green is arguably a top-10 talent, but his off-field issues could cause him to drop to the Ravens or another playoff team. He has been accused of sexual assault twice in the past, both of which he denies.

(28) Detroit Lions: Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State

Zabel could start at left or right guard, then move to center if Frank Ragnow gets hurt.

(29) Washington Commanders: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

A good running back could take the Commanders’ offense to the next level. Hampton, who is widely considered the second-best RB prospect, can run over defenders and is elusive.

(30) Buffalo Bills: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Nolen could go much higher than this. He beats offensive linemen with heavy hands and a quick first step.

(31) Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Harmon efficiently stacks and sheds blockers. He would be a great fit next to Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.

(32) Philadelphia Eagles: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College

Ezeiruaku has an array of pass-rush moves and is solid against the run. He could help replace Josh Sweat’s production.

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