2025 NFL Draft: Bucky Brooks releases first mock, predictions for picks No. 1-32

Super Bowl LIX is just around the corner and the 2025 NFL Combine is less than a month away.

In the meantime, NFL personnel are scattered throughout the country evaluating the next crop of future stars at various collegiate all-star events, including Saturday’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

Before that, NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks unveiled his first mock of the opening round of the 2025 NFL Draft, kicking it off with a bang as he projects the Tennessee Titans will stand pat at No. 1 overall and select their next franchise quarterback in Colorado‘s Shedeur Sanders.

Of course, that’s just the beginning of Brooks’ NFL Mock Draft 1.0. Check out how Brooks projects all 32 first-round picks below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Bucky Brooks expects the Titans to formally move on from former second-round pick Will Levis at quarterback and take the much-hyped son of NFL legend Deion Sanders at No. 1 overall. While Shedeur Sanders is a “polarizing” prospect, it’s hard to argue his elite production in 2024, leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage along with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns on the year.

Brooks: “Second-year head coach Brian Callahan and new general manager Mike Borgonzi jump-start the Titans’ rebuild with a franchise quarterback boasting big-game moxie and experience engineering program turnarounds.”

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Bucky Brooks knows the Browns have serious questions at quarterback, but they go best-available rather than need and nab arguably the most pro-ready player in the entire draft in the Nittany Lions pass rusher. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter was dominant off the edge for Penn State, racking up 12 sacks, 61 pressures, a NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles in 2024.

Brooks: “Despite an obvious need at QB, the Browns opt to pair Carter with Myles Garrett to give the defense a dynamic duo on the edges.”

3. New York Giants: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The Giants don’t pull the trigger on a trade and still land their quarterback of the future in Ward, who led the FBS with 39 passing TDs and ranked second nationally with 4,313 passing yards on 67.2-percent passing while spearheading the Hurricanes’ No. 1-ranked offense in 2024.

Brooks: “The selection of this alpha-dog quarterback gives the Giants the competitive leader needed to bounce back from a couple of disappointing seasons.”

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Bucky Brooks has the new-look Patriots jumping for joy that they’re able to land the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Hunter at No. 4. While his position might still be up for debate, Hunter’s talent on both sides of the ball is not after racking up 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense and four interceptions, 11 passes defended and 36 total tackles on defense in 2024.

Brooks: “New head coach Mike Vrabel‘s personal experience as a two-way player could help the Patriots maximize this Heisman Trophy winner’s potential as a combo playmaker in the NFL.”

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Bucky Brooks expects the Jaguars to shore up its dismal defense after ranking second-to-last in the NFL this season. And the powerful 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham certainly fits the bill after tallying 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2024, including two sacks vs. Minnesota.

Brooks: “Pairing Graham with 2024 second-rounder Maason Smith would give the Jaguars an intriguing interior tandem with disruptive potential.”

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Following another front-office shakeup, Brooks has the Raiders further strengthening its talented offense with the addition of 6-foot-5, 215-pound McMillan. The Biletnikoff finalist already has a sturdy NFL frame and proved himself on the field this season, ranking third in the FBS with 1,319 receiving yards on 84 receptions and eight touchdowns.

Brooks: “Upgrading the talent on the perimeter is a top priority for a Raiders offense that relied extensively on rookie tight end Brock Bowers in 2024.”

7. New York Jets: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Jets might have a new head coach in former draft pick Aaron Glenn, but it’s still a win-now mentality with 41-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers and 32-year-old WR Davante Adams nearing the end of their NFL careers. That’s why Bucky Brooks has the Jets focused on protecting Rodgers at all cost, nabbing the reliable 6-foot-6, 323-pound Campbell after allowing just two sacks on 524 pass-block snaps in 2024.

Brooks: “Building up the trenches is a part of the Jets’ plan to compete with the AFC’s heavyweights. Campbell is a rock-solid offensive tackle prospect with the size, strength and skill to dominate on the edges from Day 1.”

8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The Panthers have a serious need at pass rusher after allowing Brian Burns to leave in free agency last offseason, and they could fill that with the uber-talented 6-foot-5, 260-pound Williams, who some believe could be the next great defensive star out of Athens despite less than impressive stats in 2024.

Brooks: “Adding a difference maker on the defensive front will help Derrick Brown and Co. impose their will on opponents.”

9. New Orleans Saints: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Bucky Brooks projects the Saints tabbing the Butkus Award winner at No. 9, providing an immediate boost off the edge after the 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker racked with 62 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2024.

Brooks: “The Saints’ defense needs an infusion of young, athletic talent. Walker’s speed and explosiveness could make him a big-play specialist as a pro.”

10. Chicago Bears: Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

Bucky Brooks rounded out his Top 10 with a bit of a surprise in underrated offensive lineman Armand Membou, who is quickly climbing draft boards and could work his way into the Top 10 with a strong showing during Senior Bowl practices in Mobile.

Brooks: “New head coach Ben Johnson is committed to building a dominant line in Chicago to create a balanced but explosive offense — like the one he just coordinated in Detroit. Membou is a bully at the point of attack with some positional flexibility.”

NFL.com’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft pick Nos. 11-32

11. San Francisco 49ers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
16. Arizona Cardinals: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
18. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
20. Denver Broncos: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
23. Green Bay Packers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
24. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
25. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
28. Detroit Lions: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
29. Washington Commanders: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
30. Buffalo Bills: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina