2025 NFL Mock Draft: Bucs plan for life after Mike Evans, Chris Godwin as 8 WRs taken Round 1; 3 QBs go top 10

Let's talk about receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft class. No, it doesn't seemingly feature a Ja'Marr Chase, Malik Nabers or Drake London type. But just because it doesn't feel like there's a classic, slam-dunk, instant WR1 in the class does not mean it's absolutely brutal. 

And the position has never been more valuable than in the modern day -- although there is seemingly a surplus of quality wideouts across the NFL landscape. 

Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri's Luther Burden III, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka and Texas' Isaiah Bond feel like the top of the crop. Oh, and then there's Colorado's Travis Hunter, who just might be the best of the bunch with the highest upside. 

Similar to the quarterback position, there's typically a receiver or two who ascends boards during the pre-draft process -- a huge combine typically sparks this -- and ultimately lands in the first round. In this mock, I've pegged two of those possibilities, and one lands with the suddenly WR-needy Buccaneers. Even if Chris Godwin returns to 100% health from his second major NFL injury, he's hitting free agency in March, so Tampa Bay may have been set to look for an heir apparent to one of their superstars in the first place.

This mock features a grand total of eight (!) wideouts in Round 1. This position isn't going out of style anytime soon. 

The draft order below was determined using the current 2025 NFL Draft order. To check out the betting odds on who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, head on over to BetMGM.

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 51 REYDS 604 YDS/REC 11.8 TDS 6 While Hunter hasn't been sensational of late, his sensational traits haven't subsided at all. The Patriots get a supreme talent with the ability to play both ways.

Round 1 - Pick 2 Cam Ward QB Miami (FL) • Sr • 6'2" / 223 lbs Projected Team Carolina PROSPECT RNK 6th POSITION RNK 1st PAYDS 2538 RUYDS 190 INTS 5 TDS 27 At this point, I'll be shocked if Bryce Young starts again for the Panthers -- minus an injury to Andy Dalton forcing him back on the field -- and general manager Dan Morgan will want to pick his guy at the quarterback position next April. Ward doesn't have classic top-3 pick natural ability, but he's gradually improved as a passer and improviser during his long collegiate career.

Round 1 - Pick 3 Will Johnson CB Michigan • Jr • 6'2" / 202 lbs Projected Team Cleveland PROSPECT RNK 2nd POSITION RNK 1st What the Browns should do and what they will do at quarterback might be two different things -- and ownership may very well have something to do with that. In this mock, they elect to pass on a reasonably weak quarterback crop and pick a lockdown box-checking outside cornerback who's looked like a top-10 selection since his freshman season at Michigan.

Round 1 - Pick 4 Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona • Jr • 6'5" / 212 lbs Projected Team Tennessee PROSPECT RNK 4th POSITION RNK 1st REC 47 REYDS 780 YDS/REC 16.6 TDS 4 At this point, I don't think the Titans will punt on the Will Levis experiment after his second season. After all, the club's current general manager drafted him at the top of the second round in 2023. Therefore, they get Levis a young weapon at receiver who can win on the boundary in traffic and create after the catch because of his enormous frame.

Round 1 - Pick 5 Will Campbell OT LSU • Jr • 6'6" / 323 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Jets PROSPECT RNK 5th POSITION RNK 1st Another offensive lineman in Round 1 to protect the edges for Aaron Rodgers and whomever the Jets choose to succeed the veteran passer in 2026.

Round 1 - Pick 6 Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia • Jr • 6'5" / 265 lbs Projected Team New Orleans PROSPECT RNK 7th POSITION RNK 1st The Saints build for the future with the uber-talented but raw Williams on the edge to eventually replace Saints legend Cam Jordan.

Round 1 - Pick 7 Mason Graham DL Michigan • Jr • 6'3" / 320 lbs Projected Team Jacksonville PROSPECT RNK 3rd POSITION RNK 1st The Jaguars get a serious three-down pocket pusher in Graham who will have a ripple effect on Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker on the edges.

Round 1 - Pick 8 Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado • Sr • 6'2" / 215 lbs Projected Team Las Vegas PROSPECT RNK 9th POSITION RNK 2nd PAYDS 2268 RUYDS -19 INTS 6 TDS 21 Let's get Sanders in Las Vegas. Bright lights. New-ish stadium. And most importantly, a club with a dire need to address the quarterback spot.

Round 1 - Pick 9 Jalen Milroe QB Alabama • Jr • 6'2" / 225 lbs Projected Team N.Y. Giants PROSPECT RNK 26th POSITION RNK 5th PAYDS 1722 RUYDS 330 INTS 6 TDS 24 Milroe has All-Pro upside, and he's slowly but surely demonstrated progression in his ability as a passer.

Round 1 - Pick 10 Malaki Starks S Georgia • Jr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team Miami PROSPECT RNK 12th POSITION RNK 1st The Dolphins pick Starks to pair with Jevon Holland to formulate a studly duo at safety for a long time.

Round 1 - Pick 11 Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State • Sr • 6'1" / 205 lbs Projected Team L.A. Rams PROSPECT RNK 20th POSITION RNK 3rd PAYDS 1483 RUYDS 319 INTS 4 TDS 23 More ultra-polished receivers for Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense here.

Round 1 - Pick 12 Princely Umanmielen EDGE Ole Miss • Sr • 6'4" / 255 lbs Projected Team Cincinnati PROSPECT RNK 35th POSITION RNK 6th Umanmielen has now established himself as a high-caliber outside rusher on two SEC teams. He has first-round size and athletic skills, too.

Round 1 - Pick 13 Nic Scourton EDGE Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 285 lbs Projected Team Arizona PROSPECT RNK 16th POSITION RNK 3rd Another hefty, multi-dimensional edge rusher for the Cardinals to start to build the pass-rushing unit.

Round 1 - Pick 14 Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State • Jr • 6'3" / 252 lbs Projected Team San Francisco PROSPECT RNK 19th POSITION RNK 4th Three-straight edge rushers with this selection. Carter can play off the ball and range to outside runs or rush the passer from a three-point stance and deliver an array of pass-rush moves. Nick Bosa needs youthful help opposite him in San Francisco.

Round 1 - Pick 15 Colston Loveland TE Michigan • Jr • 6'5" / 245 lbs Projected Team L.A. Chargers PROSPECT RNK 21st POSITION RNK 1st REC 36 REYDS 344 YDS/REC 9.6 TDS 2 This is a Michigan prospect who matches with the proper value and need for the Chargers. Loveland remains the best tight end prospect in the class.

Round 1 - Pick 16 Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State • Jr • 5'9" / 215 lbs Projected Team Dallas PROSPECT RNK 14th POSITION RNK 1st RUYDS 1248 YDS/ATT 9.9 REYDS 39 TDS 18 Would this not be the most Jerry Jones pick ever? Jeanty looks like one of the most threatening running back prospects in a long time, and the Cowboys have a major need at the position.

Round 1 - Pick 17 Luther Burden III WR Missouri • Jr • 5'11" / 205 lbs Projected Team Tampa Bay PROSPECT RNK 11th POSITION RNK 2nd REC 37 REYDS 447 YDS/REC 12.1 TDS 6 This pick seems more sensible now given the injuries to Mike Evans and impending free agent Chris Godwin. Burden has looked the part of a first-round pick with a complete game for years now at Missouri.

Round 1 - Pick 18 Isaiah Bond WR Texas • Jr • 5'11" / 180 lbs Projected Team Philadelphia PROSPECT RNK 41st POSITION RNK 5th REC 23 REYDS 380 YDS/REC 16.5 TDS 5 The Eagles add more weaponry for Jalen Hurts with the ascending wideout who can win in the slot or down the field on the outside.

Round 1 - Pick 19 Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU • Jr • 6'2" / 200 lbs Projected Team Seattle PROSPECT RNK 33rd POSITION RNK 6th PAYDS 2222 RUYDS 15 INTS 6 TDS 20 The Seahawks do have Sam Howell on the roster behind Geno Smith, but that doesn't stop them from adding another talented quarterback at the game's most vital position.

Round 1 - Pick 20 Jack Sawyer EDGE Ohio State • Sr • 6'5" / 260 lbs Projected Team Indianapolis PROSPECT RNK 27th POSITION RNK 5th The Colts add a serious, NFL-ready, three-down defensive end with plus pass-rush skills to a defensive line that needs his type.

Round 1 - Pick 21 Jalen Royals WR Utah State • Sr • 6'0" / 205 lbs Projected Team Denver PROSPECT RNK POSITION RNK REC 55 REYDS 834 YDS/REC 15.2 TDS 6 The Broncos need more firepower in the receiver group, especially of the young variety. Royals will be a riser during the pre-draft process. He has quality size and has demonstrated a full skill set at Utah State.

Round 1 - Pick 22 Donovan Ezeiruaku DE Boston College • Sr • 6'2" / 247 lbs Projected Team Atlanta PROSPECT RNK 44th POSITION RNK 1st This Boston College rusher is piecing together a tremendous campaign. His lack of size and length are the main reasons he wasn't picked earlier than this.

Round 1 - Pick 23 LT Overton DL Alabama • Jr • 6'5" / 283 lbs Projected Team Chicago PROSPECT RNK 52nd POSITION RNK 6th The Bears add another youthful outside rusher -- who has erupted for the Crimson Tide in 2024 -- to their sturdy defensive line.

Round 1 - Pick 24 Cameron Williams OL Texas • Jr • 6'5" / 335 lbs Projected Team Baltimore PROSPECT RNK 56th POSITION RNK 3rd With Ronnie Stanley set to hit free agency, the Ravens add a young and talented -- but not totally NFL-ready -- blocker who can eventually man the left tackle spot in Baltimore (or play guard if need be).

Round 1 - Pick 25 James Pearce Jr. EDGE Tennessee • Jr • 6'5" / 243 lbs Projected Team Buffalo PROSPECT RNK 13th POSITION RNK 2nd Pearce looked like a future top-10 pick after an incredible 2023 season at Tennessee. His 2024 hasn't been as efficient, but the length, burst, flexibility and flashes of pass-rush moves are there. More outside rushing help in Buffalo.

Round 1 - Pick 26 Shavon Revel Jr. DB East Carolina • Sr • 6'3" / 193 lbs Projected Team Washington PROSPECT RNK 28th POSITION RNK 1st The cornerback class looks weak, but Revel -- who's currently out for the year with a knee injury -- has immense potential because of his size, suddenness and ball production. The Commanders could still use more outside cornerback talent, and Revel has CB1 potential.

Round 1 - Pick 27 Kobe Hudson WR UCF • Sr • 6'1" / 200 lbs Projected Team Pittsburgh PROSPECT RNK 101st POSITION RNK 10th REC 26 REYDS 503 YDS/REC 19.3 TDS 3 Instead of waiting until Day 2, the Steelers jump at the opportunity to pick the sturdy outside receiver from Central Florida who's been a steady, three-level producer for going on three years now.

Round 1 - Pick 28 Deone Walker DL Kentucky • Jr • 6'6" / 345 lbs Projected Team Green Bay PROSPECT RNK 8th POSITION RNK 2nd The Packers add an enormous and athletic defensive tackle to make life easier for Rashan Gary and Co. on the outside.

Round 1 - Pick 29 Kenneth Grant DL Michigan • Jr • 6'3" / 339 lbs Projected Team Houston PROSPECT RNK 29th POSITION RNK 4th Grant is a high-energy interior rusher with quality pass-protection skills -- exactly what this Texans defense needs.

Round 1 - Pick 30 T.J. Sanders DT South Carolina • Jr • 6'4" / 290 lbs Projected Team Minnesota PROSPECT RNK 43rd POSITION RNK 2nd Sanders has been a disruptive force on a South Carolina defensive line budding with NFL talent in 2024. Serious girth inside for the Vikings.

Round 1 - Pick 31 Jayden Higgins WR Iowa State • Sr • 6'4" / 215 lbs Projected Team Detroit PROSPECT RNK POSITION RNK REC 45 REYDS 563 YDS/REC 12.5 TDS 6 Higgins is a big-bodied weapon from Iowa State. The Lions could use more perimeter talent in their receiver room.

Round 1 - Pick 32 Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame • Jr • 6'0" / 190 lbs Projected Team Kansas City PROSPECT RNK 15th POSITION RNK 2nd Morrison's season was cut short due to injury, which could lead to this slide. The Chiefs love their young cornerbacks but would love to add more to the secondary.