Based on the first four weeks of the NFL season, the 2025 NFL Draft order is going to look quite different than anticipated, which creates different scenarios for the top prospects.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been dealing with an injury this season and that complicates the draft outlook considering he is not a finished product. In Ewers' absence, the Longhorns turned to touted freshman Arch Manning. Manning, the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning, has started two games. On the year, he has completed 70.5% of his passes for 901 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
A year ago, Will Howard was at Kansas State and projected as a potential top 100 overall selection. He had an intriguing freshman by the name of Avery Johnson breathing down his neck. Howard opted to stay in college, but transfer to Ohio State, and Johnson was the new starting quarterback in Manhattan. If the season does not play out as Ewers hopes and he decides he is not ready for the NFL, it could lead to unique conversations in Austin. Texas may not outright push him away, but they may not match the NIL packages offered by other programs.
Ewers is expected to make his return next weekend against Oklahoma. The anticipated return is the continuation of the former No. 1 overall recruit's journey. How it ultimately plays out impacts not only him, but Manning and others.
The draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order as of Thursday morning.
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 Jr. will almost certainly play wide receiver at the next level unless he plays both ways. The offensive line remains a problem, but there is not an overwhelming tackle option to consider at No. 1 overall right now. Trade down would be easy if there were a clear-cut top quarterback. As it stands, Hunter may be the best option for the Patriots.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Shedeur Sanders has been wildly efficient at every level of college football. He knows how to operate a drop-back offense better than anyone else in the class. As the Giants look for a fresh start, they could turn to Deion Sanders' son to show them the way.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 3
Carolina has made the decision to move on from former No. 1 overall selection Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton. It is difficult to envision the Panthers going back now even if it does feel early to move on. The Panthers do not dwell on the past but look to the future with the selection of Carson Beck.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Unless Will Levis turns the narrative around before the end of the season, the Titans are going to be in the market for a quarterback next offseason. Two are off the board, and although none are clear-cut franchise quarterbacks, the Titans make another change.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 5
Denver's defense may be exceeding expectations thus far, but it is not sustainable. The Broncos must uplift the overall talent on the roster and Mason Graham immediately helps the run defense.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 6
Will Johnson Jr. remains the top overall prospect for me personally, but he gets pushed down the board because of positional value and team needs. Jacksonville's cornerback changes continue as the Jaguars bring in Johnson to pair with Tyson Campbell.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 7
A year after taking defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the first round, Arizona continues its investment into the unit by drafting the massive interior defender capable of supplying pass rush. Coach Jonathan Gannon gets reinforcement on the side of the ball that helped him make his name.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 8
Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom are pending free agents. Los Angeles may re-sign one and go in another direction with this pick or could take Will Campbell and create a clear plan forward at one of the game's most important positions.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Former first-round pick Jedrick Wills has been the answer at left tackle and now injuries are a part of his history. Wills will soon be a free agent and Kelvin Banks is hopefully the future at the position. The quarterback conundrum will have to wait for another day.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Miami lost offensive guard Robert Hunt in free agency and the position was not effectively filled. There are bigger question marks at quarterback if Tua Tagovailoa is not a long-term answer, but he will need better protection.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Raiders have invested heavily on defense using a first-round pick on edge rusher Tyree Wilson, then signing defenders Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins to lucrative deals. The investment continues in the secondary.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Indianapolis missed on the cornerbacks unless it wants to take Ohio State's Denzel Burke at this point. One other way to address the unit is to bring in an accountable safety. Malaki Starks has a high floor, but has been making game-changing plays for a title contender since he arrived in Athens.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Chicago may have some pass-rush help in the building already opposite Montez Sweat, but Mykel Williams leaves no doubt. He is a bigger, powerful rusher who does not sacrifice any of the desirable athletic traits.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 14
Colston Loveland is an upgrade at tight end but, more importantly, he understands what Jim Harbaugh is seeking to do with that organization. Harbaugh is having to introduce himself and change the culture with those already in the building, but the culture is coming with Loveland.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Jayden Daniels is a superstar in the making and that should make everyone around him better. There is always a thought that emerges with those types of players and that is sacrificing skill talent to help other areas of the roster. Give Daniels weapons, let him build confidence and those other additions can be made along the way.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 16
James Pearce Jr. is an explosive pass rusher and great value at this stage of the first round. Tampa Bay has some potential impact rushers with Chris Braswell, Yaya Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka but none have the potential of Pearce.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 17
I think Pittsburgh is likely to move forward with Justin Fields after this season. With quarterback marked off its shopping list, the franchise turns its focus back to wide receiver. Luther Burden is a good complement to George Pickens.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 18
New Orleans has always valued big, powerful pass rushers and that is exactly who Nic Scourton is as a player. Tanoh Kpassagnon, Chase Young and Payton Turner are all free agents after the season.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Jalon Walker is not a traditional off-ball linebacker in the sense that he is capable of applying pressure when unleashed as a rusher. Georgia has not given him a full-time role but he is one of the most athletic prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 20
Atlanta gave A.J. Terrell a very lucrative contract extension, but the position opposite him has been a revolving door of sorts. The Falcons draft Denzel Burke to bring some consistency to the position.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Quinnen Williams is one of the best interior defenders in the game but New York has cycled through players next to him. Walter Nolen has tremendous upside at the position and having an accomplished veteran like Williams could assist him.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 22
Myles Murphy is returning from injury soon, so hopefully he answers the need for a pass rusher in Cincinnati. Trey Hendrickson is seeking a new contract and it does not sound as though the Bengals are particularly interested in being the team that gives it to him.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 23
Linebacker has not been a strength for Green Bay despite the presence of former first-round selection Quay Walker. Lander Barton gives them a bit more of a stable skill set in that role rather than a rangy, athletic type.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Ashton Jeanty is putting up huge rushing numbers -- 267, 192, 127 and 259 -- in his first four games. Dallas has seen a number of needs develop this season but one that is not going away any time soon is running back. Jeanty is an effective rusher but he will also make an impact through the air.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 25
Harold Perkins Jr. has not had the collegiate career that many had expected based upon his true freshman season, but he remains one of the most talented players eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft. Perkins' season ended prematurely due to an ACL injury.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Sam Darnold is playing exceptionally well on a one-year contract. It will be interesting to see if he returns to Minnesota or chooses to play elsewhere that can offer more playing time. No matter who is under center, the Vikings could use another blocker for that quarterback.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Tyleik Williams is a stout interior defender with a few pass-rush moves. Houston aggressively looked for interior defenders last offseason, but fell short. The Texans take matters into their own hands and nab Williams off the 'Best Available' pile and plug him in next to Will Anderson Jr.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Dan Campbell has always looked for tough, accountable players. Aidan Hutchinson has been a great choice, but they have not been able to find a solution on the other side. The hope is that JT Tuimoloau can be that player.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Buffalo values length, particularly wingspan, at the cornerback position. Tacario Davis is a pterodactyl at 6-foot-3. Rasul Douglas is slated to hit free agency after the season, so Davis is insurance in the event the Bills can not re-sign him.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Evan Stewart is more of a vision than a finished product, but he could be the type of player who can open the rest of the field for Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 31
The second LSU offensive tackle -- Will Campbell went No. 8 overall to the Rams -- is off the board as Emery Jones lands in the Bay Area as the replacement for Colton McKivitz at right tackle. San Francisco solidifies the right side of its offensive line with the selections of Dominick Puni and Jones in consecutive years.
| |||||||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Kansas City would probably not go in this direction but Hollywood Brown is playing out his one-year deal. Rashee Rice will be coming off a significant injury next season and Xavier Worthy is a one-trick pony in his usage. Isaiah Bond gives them another option in the pass game.
|
