2025 NFL Mock Draft: Jets select OT to protect Aaron Rodgers, Panthers reset with Cam Ward

Robert Saleh ultimately coached Aaron Rodgers for less than six full games. Remarkable, isn't it? The Jets firing their head coach well before Halloween serves as a stark reminder that the franchise is all in with Rodgers, and the veteran quarterback is likely to be the starter in 2025 based on the structure of his contract. 

Instead of drafting his eventual replacement, in this mock, the Jets grab another blocker to fill the shoes of either Morgan Moses or Tyron Smith in 2025, pairing the rookie with 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu on the edge. At this point, it's what the pot-committed Jets would almost have to do to get every ounce out of Rodgers. 

And New York not picking a quarterback would of course open the door for other teams to jump at the opportunity. The Panthers need to do so. Bryce Young might be salvageable, but GM Dan Morgan did not draft him in 2023 and likely won't want to put his job on the line for a quarterback who's essentially shown zero flashes now into his second season. 

While Daniel Jones has played better of late, the Giants are another club that must address the quarterback position in the draft. From "Hard Knocks," we know how fervently GM Joe Schoen attempted to move up to select Drake Maye. Here, Schoen gets his guy.

Now, let's get to the players who heard their names called in the mock. 

The draft order below was determined using the current NFL Draft order. Thanks, Tankathon.

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 Travis Hunter ATH Colorado • Jr • 6'1" / 185 lbs Projected Team New England PROSPECT RNK 1st POSITION RNK 1st REC 46 REYDS 561 YDS/REC 12.2 TDS 6 Every week, Hunter is tracking closer to being the No. 1 overall pick. He's been sensational in every regard as a receiver and cornerback and has elite-level traits that can translate at the next level.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Princely Umanmielen EDGE Ole Miss • Sr • 6'4" / 255 lbs Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 35th POSITION RNK 6th This is a multiyear high-level producer in the SEC at a premium position the Bengals need to upgrade, especially long term.

Round 1 - Pick 3 Will Campbell OT LSU • Jr • 6'6" / 323 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st The Browns haven't shown they're ready to move on from Deshaun Watson, and it's not like they can easily get out of his mega contract next season either. Therefore, they attempt to upgrade the offensive line on the edges with Campbell.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado • Sr • 6'2" / 215 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 2nd PAYDS 1630 RUYDS 25 INTS 3 TDS 15 This remains one of my favorite fits in the draft from every angle. Sanders heads to Hollywood. The Rams get a poised pocket passer to learn from Matthew Stafford for a year before taking over.

Round 1 - Pick 5 Will Johnson CB Michigan • Jr • 6'2" / 202 lbs Projected Team Jacksonville PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st Johnson is the type of long, athletic, majorly producing cornerback who can go this high in the draft.

Round 1 - Pick 6 Cam Ward QB Miami (FL) • Sr • 6'2" / 223 lbs Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 2219 RUYDS 161 INTS 5 TDS 23 The Panthers go with the ultra-experienced Ward who's gotten better inside the pocket as he's progressed across three different schools at the collegiate level. The improvisation skill is certainly there too, and he's as calm as they come with pressure mounting.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona • Jr • 6'5" / 212 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st REC 37 REYDS 664 YDS/REC 17.9 TDS 4 McMillan gives Will Levis -- if he's still starting in 2025 -- a big-bodied weapon on the outside with elite ball-tracking skills.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Malaki Starks S Georgia • Jr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 1st The safety duo of Jevon Holland and Starks could be one of the league's best in a few seasons. Starks looks very NFL-ready at a position with a multitude of responsibilities.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Cameron Williams OL Texas • Jr • 6'5" / 335 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 56th POSITION RNK 3rd Williams has been a lockdown edge-protector for the Longhorns this season, and with Aaron Rodgers set to be the Jets starter in 2025, New York gets more offensive tackle help.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Nic Scourton EDGE Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 285 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 3rd Like 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson, Scourton is a sizable, inside-outside rusher with strength and pass-rush moves.

Round 1 - Pick 11 Jalen Milroe QB Alabama • Jr • 6'2" / 225 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 5th PAYDS 1274 RUYDS 283 INTS 2 TDS 20 It's upside galore with Milroe because of his dynamic rushing abilities along with ascending arm strength and decision-making.

Round 1 - Pick 12 Luther Burden III WR Missouri • Jr • 5'11" / 205 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 2nd REC 26 REYDS 339 YDS/REC 13 TDS 5 Another receiving weapon for Derek Carr who can win at all three levels of the field.

Round 1 - Pick 13 Shavon Revel Jr. DB East Carolina • Sr • 6'3" / 193 lbs Projected Team Indianapolis PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 1st Revel is out for the year with a knee injury but was having another lockdown season on the outside and fits the supreme athletic profile the Colts gravitate toward.

Round 1 - Pick 14 Mason Graham DL Michigan • Jr • 6'3" / 320 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st Too much talent and multiyear productivity for the 49ers to pass on Graham here.

Round 1 - Pick 15 Quinn Ewers QB Texas • Jr • 6'2" / 210 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 18th POSITION RNK 3rd PAYDS 691 RUYDS 1 INTS 2 TDS 8 Ewers has been at Ohio State and now at Texas, so he's had plenty of experience in the spotlight. While his game isn't fully refined yet, he has major potential because of his arm talent.

Round 1 - Pick 16 Kelvin Banks Jr. OT Texas • Jr • 6'4" / 320 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 10th POSITION RNK 2nd When in doubt, Howie Roseman addresses the trenches, and Banks can be the heir apparent to Lane Johnson at right tackle.

Round 1 - Pick 17 Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State • Jr • 5'9" / 215 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 1st RUYDS 1031 YDS/ATT 10.9 REYDS 19 TDS 16 How about freaky talent at the running back spot for Caleb Williams in Chicago? At this rate, Jeanty will be a first-round pick next April.

Round 1 - Pick 18 Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia • Jr • 6'5" / 265 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st Williams is too freakish for the Packers to pass on in this middle portion of Round 1. He can be the eventual replacement for Preston Smith as a versatile defensive lineman in Green Bay.

Round 1 - Pick 19 Kenneth Grant DL Michigan • Jr • 6'3" / 339 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 4th Jim Harbaugh snags a Michigan product to bolster the Chargers' run-stopping efforts and provide glimmers of upfield pass-rushing juice.

Round 1 - Pick 20 Harold Perkins Jr. LB LSU • Jr • 6'1" / 225 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 17th POSITION RNK 1st Perkins should be ready to go early in the 2025 season as dynamic jack-of-all-trades in Seattle's defense.

Round 1 - Pick 21 Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State • Sr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 3rd REC 30 REYDS 433 YDS/REC 14.4 TDS 5 The Steelers get George Pickens a legitimate running mate on the perimeter with the silky smooth Egbuka from Ohio State.

Round 1 - Pick 22 Isaiah Bond WR Texas • Jr • 5'11" / 180 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK 41st POSITION RNK 5th REC 20 REYDS 364 YDS/REC 18.2 TDS 4 Bond is flying up boards thanks to a scintillating start in 2024 for the Longhorns. He's an electric mover who will stretch defenses vertically in the NFL.

Round 1 - Pick 23 Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State • Jr • 6'3" / 252 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 4th Carter is another super-versatile defender from Penn State who can be a chess piece alongside Micah Parsons for years to come in Dallas.

Round 1 - Pick 24 James Pearce Jr. EDGE Tennessee • Jr • 6'5" / 243 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 2nd Pearce possesses the type of upside the Buccaneers could use on the edge on their defensive line. He was ridiculously efficient in 2023 and has pieced together a solid 2024 thus far getting after the quarterback.

Round 1 - Pick 25 Jalen Royals WR Utah State • Sr • 6'0" / 205 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK POSITION RNK REC 34 REYDS 491 YDS/REC 14.4 TDS 4 The Bills need more juice on the perimeter, and Royals can provide that along with serious run-after-the-catch skill in a sizable frame.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Jack Sawyer EDGE Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 260 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 5th The Ravens are never timid about picking trench players early in the draft, and Sawyer is an ascending rusher who has gotten years of quality coaching at Ohio State.

Round 1 - Pick 27 Donovan Ezeiruaku DE Boston College • Sr • 6'2" / 247 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 44th POSITION RNK 1st The senior Boston College rusher has been awesome around the corner to begin the season. While not someone who has traditional Round 1 size and length, he plays like he was shot out of a cannon and coverts speed to power.

Round 1 - Pick 28 Aireontae Ersery OL Minnesota • Sr • 6'6" / 330 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK 49th POSITION RNK 2nd Ersery is a large mauler at tackle, and he can eventually replace Taylor Decker at left tackle or play on the right side if Penei Sewell eventually switches positions.

Round 1 - Pick 29 Jalon Walker LB Georgia • Jr • 6'2" / 245 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 31st POSITION RNK 2nd The Commanders get a physical front-seven player on defense to help add to the overall athleticism and versatility of that unit.

Round 1 - Pick 30 Deone Walker DL Kentucky • Jr • 6'6" / 345 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 2nd The defensive tackle is the one clear weak spot on the Texans roster, and Walker can be a star playing on the inside with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. on the edges.

Round 1 - Pick 31 Jonah Savaiinaea OT Arizona • Jr • 6'5" / 336 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 23rd POSITION RNK 3rd Another early-round pick on an offensive tackle. While Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid mask this flaw extraordinarily well, it's now been a few seasons in which the Chiefs tackles struggle individually.

Round 1 - Pick 32 Xavier Watts S Notre Dame • Sr • 6'0" / 203 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 92nd POSITION RNK 3rd Watts has been tremendous in 2024 for the Fighting Irish, and he can learn from ageless wonder Harrison Smith at safety early in his professional career.