2025 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys add a big-time RB, Jets bring in another pass catcher for Aaron Rodgers

The 2024 NFL Draft will always be remembered for a record six quarterbacks being taken in the first round. USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye had distinguished themselves as top prospects entering their final collegiate seasons. No one from the 2025 NFL Draft eligible quarterback class has cast themselves in the same light thus far. 

One polarizing prospect is Texas' Quinn Ewers, who was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school before enrolling early at Ohio State. After losing a quarterback battle with C.J. Stroud, Ewers transferred to Texas. His first two seasons as the starter were rich with flashes of greatness, but intertwined with poor decision-making. There were questions coming into the season about how Ewers would fare without wide receivers AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy, as well as tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. 

Early returns in 2024 suggest that Ewers may be an improved product, but there are still questionable choices. Early in the Michigan game, he floated a screen to the boundary and a Wolverine made an attempt but could not get to it before it fell haplessly to the ground. There are reasons to believe he could elevate his draft stock into first-round consideration, but time will tell as the season plays out. 

Some of the other quarterback prospects to monitor include USC's Miller Moss, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Georgia's Carson Beck, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and more. 

In today's thought exercise, we explore some of the difficult decisions that teams may have to make at the quarterback position. Although no trades are projected, I will share a few spots that could be trade-down possibilities along the way. 

The draft order below was determined in the preseason using Super Bowl odds but in reverse order.

For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen below!

NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

Round 1 - Pick 1 Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia • Jr • 6'5" / 265 lbs Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 2nd New England has its quarterback of the future in Drake Maye, so the Patriots do not have to sink resources into the position. Offensive line would be great but that is more realistic in a trade-down scenario. I do not see the Patriots taking an offensive lineman when there are blue-chip players available at premium positions like edge rusher and cornerback. Williams has more size than James Pearce Jr., which is something that the franchise has looked for over the years.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Will Johnson CB Michigan • Jr • 6'2" / 202 lbs Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st Carolina has a lot of issues right now. The defense is not good and there is no real reason for optimism on offense yet. They need to add talent and Johnson is No. 1 overall on my board. Horn and Johnson turn that into a position of strength.

Round 1 - Pick 3 Carson Beck QB Georgia • Sr • 6'4" / 220 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 520 RUYDS 37 INTS 0 TDS 7 There is a long way to go before the quarterback pecking order begins to crystallize. As it stands, it is a back-and-forth race of mediocrity. Beck was the favorite to be the first quarterback taken coming into the season and there is no reason to change that yet.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Will Campbell OT LSU • Jr • 6'6" / 323 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 2nd The Brandon Coleman experiment could still pan out for Washington, and I hope it does for both parties, but there is also reason to believe that it may not. The Commanders have to prioritize the offensive line to maximize the potential of Jayden Daniels.

Round 1 - Pick 5 James Pearce Jr. EDGE Tennessee • Jr • 6'5" / 243 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st Tennessee has sorely missed a game-wrecker of Pearce's caliber. Pearce is flexible and explosive around the corner. The pressure is on for Will Levis and the offensive line is still a work in progress, but it would be difficult to pass on Pearce in this scenario.

Round 1 - Pick 6 Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado • Sr • 6'2" / 215 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 2nd PAYDS 689 RUYDS -13 INTS 2 TDS 5 Gardner Minshew vs. Aidan O'Connell may be a fine quarterback competition in a head coach's first full season, but it is not going to fly for long. Shedeur Sanders would certainly bring some hope and swagger to that room.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Travis Hunter CB Colorado • Jr • 6'1" / 185 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 2nd REC 17 REYDS 242 YDS/REC 14.2 TDS 3 One would assume that Hunter wants to play wide receiver in the NFL, especially given the pay discrepancy between the cornerback and wide receiver positions. Hunter has shown a more reasonable claim to play wide receiver in the NFL early this season.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Deone Walker DL Kentucky • Jr • 6'6" / 345 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 2nd Coach Jonathan Gannon continues to build a defensive line that suits him. Walker is unique at 6-foot-6, roughly 350 pounds. He has the athleticism to take over games but needs to show that on a more consistent basis to justify this level of consideration.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Mason Graham DL Michigan • Jr • 6'3" / 320 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st Minnesota's defensive interior is underwhelming to say the least. The Vikings invested significant assets into the position this offseason but that investment must continue moving forward. Graham is a good start.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona • Jr • 6'5" / 212 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 2nd The New Orleans offense showed more life in Week 1 than most, including myself, expected. Chris Olave, Tetairoa McMillan Rashid Shaheed would be a fun group.

Round 1 - Pick 11 Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 190 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 3rd Week 1 was either an indictment of Washington or Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers performed really well, but adding to a depleted cornerback room is the smart path for this team.

Round 1 - Pick 12 Malaki Starks S Georgia • Jr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team Indianapolis PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 1st Indianapolis was late to the cornerback party so the Colts are forced to address another position of need -- safety. Starks is a technically sound defensive back who can make an impact on that football team.

Round 1 - Pick 13 Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State • Jr • 6'3" / 252 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 4th The ascension of Boye Mafe, Derick Hall or Uchenna Nwosu would go a long way towards answering a need for a pass rush. Mike Macdonald did not have a dominant pass rusher in Baltimore either, so the strength could be the sum of its parts.

Round 1 - Pick 14 Luther Burden III WR Missouri • Jr • 5'11" / 205 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 1st REC 6 REYDS 54 YDS/REC 9 TDS 2 The outlook of the quarterback position is still very much a mystery. There is not a lot of confidence in either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson at this time. One thing is certain and that is Pittsburgh needing more contributors in the wide receiver room.

Round 1 - Pick 15 Kelvin Banks Jr. OT Texas • Jr • 6'4" / 320 lbs Projected Team Jacksonville PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st Left tackle Cam Robinson is in the final year of his contract, so that is an opportunity for Jacksonville to get younger in that role and save money toward its salary cap. Banks is a sturdy option to protect Trevor Lawrence's blindside.

Round 1 - Pick 16 Quinn Ewers QB Texas • Jr • 6'2" / 210 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 25th POSITION RNK 3rd PAYDS 506 RUYDS -6 INTS 1 TDS 6 Cleveland has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and yet there are no expectations because of the quarterback play. The leash is getting incredibly short and now there are new allegations against Deshaun Watson. It may be time for the Browns to hold some difficult conversations and move forward without him.

Round 1 - Pick 17 Colston Loveland TE Michigan • Jr • 6'5" / 245 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 1st REC 16 REYDS 157 YDS/REC 9.8 TDS 1 John Harbaugh continues to stockpile his former players as Loveland joins the squad. There are not any roster blockades at the tight end position and Loveland is well-rounded.

Round 1 - Pick 18 Nic Scourton EDGE Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 285 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 3rd General manager Ryan Poles' actions have made it clear that he is looking to bolster the team's pass rush. Montez Sweat is a great start, but they showed interest in Matthew Judon, traded up in the draft for Austin Booker and then traded for Darrell Taylor. Scourton is a powerful rusher who gives the team a different skill set from Sweat.

Round 1 - Pick 19 Tacario Davis DB Arizona • Jr • 6'4" / 190 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 63rd POSITION RNK 2nd Atlanta's search for a No. 2 cornerback opposite A.J. Terrell takes them to the desert where a player with the wingspan of a Pterodactyl awaits. Davis could bring stability to that unit long-term.

Round 1 - Pick 20 Denzel Burke CB Ohio State • Sr • 6'1" / 193 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 4th The signings of Tre'Davious White and Darious Williams, who is currently injured, feels more like a Band-Aid than a long-term remedy. Burke has accumulated extensive experience playing in Columbus and now takes what he has learned to the NFL.

Round 1 - Pick 21 Tyleik Williams DL Ohio State • Sr • 6'3" / 327 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 3rd Miami notably lost Christian Wilkins from last year's team and that will not be easy to replace. Williams is a strong player who will hold up at the point of attack. He may not be Wilkins, but he brings them closer to where they should aspire to be at the position.

Round 1 - Pick 22 Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State • Sr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 3rd REC 9 REYDS 149 YDS/REC 16.6 TDS 0 New York continues to invest in the wide receiver room. Garrett Wilson is an explosive outlet in the pass game whereas Malachi Corley is more run after the catch. Emeka Egbuka is a reliable pass catcher who does a good job getting himself open.

Round 1 - Pick 23 Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State • Jr • 5'9" / 215 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 2nd RUYDS 459 YDS/ATT 10.2 REYDS 12 TDS 9 Ashton Jeanty is a twitchy runner who contributes in the pass game. Dallas may be able to get through its current season with the group of running backs it has assembled, but a player of Jeanty's caliber would open up more of that offense.

Round 1 - Pick 24 Harold Perkins Jr. LB LSU • Jr • 6'1" / 225 lbs Projected Team Green Bay PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 1st The youth movement continues on defense for Green Bay as the Packers bring in an Uber-talented linebacker to go along with Quay Walker. Perkins is a rangy linebacker who has yet to settle into a role with the Tigers.

Round 1 - Pick 25 Jack Sawyer EDGE Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 260 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 5th Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. are a formidable duo in the present, but Hunter may not be playing much longer. Sawyer provides good depth early in his rookie contract but could develop into a viable option across from Anderson down the road.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa • Jr • 6'2" / 215 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 49th POSITION RNK 3rd It is difficult to replace the accountability and experience that Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde provided an on annual basis but Nwankpa is a well-rounded prospect who can deliver game-changing plays.

Round 1 - Pick 27 Evan Stewart WR Oregon • Jr • 6'0" / 175 lbs Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 43rd POSITION RNK 5th REC 8 REYDS 127 YDS/REC 15.9 TDS 1 Stewart is still very much a projection but Cincinnati could need help at the position after this season. Ja'Marr Chase is still searching for a new contract and Tee Higgins has resigned to the idea that he is not going to get one from the Bengals. If Jermaine Burton does not come around by the end of the season, then wide receiver will be a position of need next season.

Round 1 - Pick 28 JT Tuimoloau EDGE Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 269 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 24th POSITION RNK 6th Marcus Davenport had an encouraging debut but injuries have plagued him throughout his career. Perhaps he is able to stay healthy and it can be a fruitful union for both parties, but Tuimoloau is an athletic, big-bodied edge rusher who can help Detroit be even more stingy up front.

Round 1 - Pick 29 Jalon Walker LB Georgia • Jr • 6'2" / 245 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 56th POSITION RNK 5th Which tendency is stronger: Philadelphia's inclination to draft Georgia players or its lack of desire to use significant resources on a linebacker? All I know is that Walker is a really good player who can also provide the occasional pass rush.

Round 1 - Pick 30 Isaiah Bond WR Texas • Jr • 5'11" / 180 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 58th POSITION RNK 7th REC 8 REYDS 112 YDS/REC 14 TDS 1 Baltimore's use of Zay Flowers was a bit concerning regarding this season's offensive output. Flowers got the ball near the line of scrimmage almost exclusively, so teams could condense the field on them without a true vertical threat. Bond has some of that potential.

Round 1 - Pick 31 Landon Jackson EDGE Arkansas • Sr • 6'7" / 280 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 7th San Francisco is cycling through players opposite Nick Bosa and Drake Jackson has not panned out to this point in his career. Jackson has the length that the franchise looks for in the position and the hope is that he provides a bit more stability in the role.

Round 1 - Pick 32 Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona • Jr • 6'5" / 336 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 3rd Jawaan Taylor is costly. His contract may preclude Kansas City from moving on from him until after the 2025 season, but a year is not that long for Savaiinaea to sit the bench. It worked out just fine for Patrick Mahomes. Imagine broadcasters having to learn Suamataia and Savaiinaea as K.C.'s bookend tackles.