2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports makes big changes in new mock after NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL Combine is now in the books and with it the latest data set for potential prospects eyeing an early selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Many prospects improved their standing at the Combine, while others held firm. That led to some shifting in the projections for the draft prognosticators.

CBS Sports released an updated mock draft following the annual scouting event in Indianapolis, so let’s break down where the publication has the top stars headed below.

1. QB Cam Ward, Miami – Tennessee Titans

The quarterback class might not be quite as deep as in other years, but Ward has the kind of talent to merit a selection inside the top five picks. Will he be the first one off the board? CBS Sports seems to think so.

Ward is coming off a season in which he single-handedly kept Miami afloat in several games. He threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions. Not too shabby.

2. EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State – Cleveland Browns

Carter has quickly moved to the forefront of the 2025 NFL Draft. Even given an injury that kept him from working out at the NFL Combine, there’s enough on tape for teams to love.

The Penn State star finished his 2024 season with 68 total tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, 12.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups and four passes defended. If that isn’t top-five overall production we don’t know what is.

3. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado – New York Giants

New York has needs in several places, but one easy way to combat that? Draft a guy that can play on either side of the ball. CBS Sports has this 2025 NFL Draft pick by the Giants as a defensive pick, for what it’s worth.

Hunter is coming off a Heisman Trophy campaign in which he excelled equally on both sides of the ball. He’s got a lot of natural instincts as a cornerback; instincts made stronger by having learned and studied the receiver position extensively.

4. OT Kelvin Banks, Texas – New England Patriots

With Drake Maye looking like the guy for now in New England, the key question is how the Patriots can support him in the 2025 NFL Draft. CBS Sports thinks the Texas product fits here as an ideal option.

Banks has now started in 42 games for the Longhorns. He was the 2024 Lombardi Award winner and the Outland Trophy winner, so he’s widely regarded as one of the top linemen in the game. He’d be a great get for New England inside the top five.

5. DT Mason Graham, Michigan – Jacksonville Jaguars

If you want to shore up your defensive front adding Graham is a great place to start. Jacksonville could definitely stand to beef up the interior of its defensive line.

Graham is coming off his best season yet. Despite playing inside, he logged 45 tackles, 7.0 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, a pass defended and a blocked kick. Excellent work for a big man on the interior.

6. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado – Las Vegas Raiders

If you’re looking for a quarterback with some polished flash to his game, look no further than Sanders. He was excellent creating from within the structure of the pocket or getting loose to extend plays.

The other thing that stands out about Sanders is that he was playing on a team that won just one game the year prior to his arrival. Colorado won nine games this year. That’s the kind of elevating your team that the NFL craves from the quarterback spot, and it’s what Las Vegas desperately needs.

7. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – New York Jets

With some of the more high-profile names off the board and a probable departure looming for Davante Adams, finding an upgrade offensively would be a key priority for the Jets. And it doesn’t get much better than McMillan.

McMillan is coming off a season in which he logged 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns, neither of which were even career highs for him. He’s shown he can be productive across multiple seasons, which makes him well worth a high selection given his athletic upside at 6 foot 5, 212 pounds.

8. EDGE Mike Green, Marshall – Carolina Panthers

The Marshall product is a workout warrior and an absolute weapon off the edge, earning 2024 Walter Camp First-Team All-American status this season. He can really get after the quarterback.

In just one season with the Thundering Herd, Green posted 84 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, 17.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two passes defended. That’s getting the job done from a production standpoint, making him one of the most coveted players in the 2025 NFL Draft.

9. CB Jahdae Barron, Texas – New Orleans Saints

New Orleans needs help in a few spots defensively, including the secondary. Barron would be a potential high upside selection after a very impressive showing at the NFL Combine.

The Texas star is also coming off a breakout season on the field, one in which he helped lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Barron had 67 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss, a sack, five interceptions, a fumble recovery and 16 passes defended in 2024.

10. OT Will Campbell, LSU – Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears absolutely need to get some help for Caleb Williams after hanging him out to dry a bit with the roster construction. Taking an offensive tackle in the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft would certainly qualify.

It doesn’t get much better than Campbell, who was remarkably consistent during his career with the Tigers. The NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks recently described him as “a plug-and-play starter with the talent, technique and temperament to set the tone.”

Rest of CBS Sports 2025 NFL Draft Mock: 11-32

11. S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina – San Francisco 49ers
12. OT Armand Membou, Missouri – Dallas Cowboys
13. OL Tyler Booker, Alabama – Miami Dolphins
14. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State – Indianapolis Colts
15. DL Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M – Atlanta Falcons
16. EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia – Arizona Cardinals
17. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan – Cincinnati Bengals
18. DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan – Seattle Seahawks
19. LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State – Denver Broncos
21. WR Luther Burden, Missouri – Pittsburgh Steelers
22. CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss – Los Angeles Chargers
23. EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia – Green Bay Packers
24. S Malaki Starks, Georgia – Minnesota Vikings
25. DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss – Houston Texans
26. CB Will Johnson, Michigan – Los Angeles Rams
27. OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State – Baltimore Ravens
28. OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State – Detroit Lions
29. DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon – Washington Commanders
30. WR Matthew Golden, Texas – Buffalo Bills
31. DL Darius Alexander, Toledo – Kansas City Chiefs
32. OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State – Philadelphia Eagles