2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports' Pete Prisco releases Mock 1.0 featuring 3 QBs in first round, Travis Hunter falling

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially four weeks away, and with the NFL Combine and most of the Pro Days behind us, the entire football world now turns its attention to the weekend of April 24-26.

With less than a month to go, CBS Sports senior writer Pete Prisco unveiled his first of four planned mock drafts on Tuesday, opting to wait until after NFL free agency to debut his opening foray. And boy did he deliver. Prisco’s first mock includes three quarterbacks and two running backs being selected among the first 32 picks, beginning with Miami‘s Cam Ward at No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans.

Check out the rest of Pete Prisco’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Prisco follows the recent buzz surrounding the first overall pick and slots Ward at No. 1 to the Titans. That is a pick that would mean the team is officially moving on from Will Levis after two seasons as its starting QB.

Ward powered the Hurricanes’ NCAA-leading offense with an FBS-best 39 passing touchdowns. He was also second nationally with 4,313 yards on 67.2% passing in 2024.

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

Quarterback remains a desperate need for the Browns, especially with Deshaun Watson expected to miss all of next season. Prisco goes against the grain and opts for the elite Penn State pass rusher at No. 2 to pair opposite Myles Garrett.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter was practically unstoppable this past season. He racked up 12 sacks, an NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss, 61 pressures and 68 total tackles in 2024. 

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Despite signing veteran QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winson in free agency, the Giants won’t make the same mistake the Browns did, in Prisco’s mind. New York gets the talented NFL legacy at No. 3 overall.

The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders has drawn some negative press since the NFL Combine. New York doesn’t pay attention to any of it in this mock and picks Shedeur Sanders based on his talent after leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage in 2024.

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

While reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is appealing, Prisco believes the Patriots’ OL issues will ultimately win out. He has first-year coach Mike Vrabel landing protection for second-year QB Drake Maye, last year’s No. 3 overall pick.

The 6-foot-6, 323-pound Campbell is a first-team All-American and among the most reliable linemen in the entire draft. He allowed just two sacks over the past two years in Baton Rouge.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Prisco knows the new-look Jaguars won’t repeat the Patriots faux paux. He sees them racing to the podium to select the two-way Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado.

Hunter could help solve two positions of need in Jacksonville. He racked up up 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense and four interceptions, 11 passes defended and 36 total tackles on defense last season.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

This is another buzzy pick. NFL prognosticators everywhere are reading the tea leaves and slotting the dynamic Boise State ‘back to new Raiders coach Pete Carroll, and Prisco clearly agrees.

Jeanty came within 30 yards of eclipsing Barry Sander’s 1988 NCAA single-season rushing record. He had 2,601 rushing yards, 29 touchdowns and 126 missed tackles in 2024.

7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Jets resolved their quarterback issue with the free agent signing of Justin Fields. While the offensive line will be a focus, Prisco projects New York lands the best interior defensive lineman in the draft.

The powerful 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham would pair nicely beside Quinnen Williams. He racked up 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as the heart of the Wolverines’ defense in 2024.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

The is another pick that seems like a no-brainer. The Panthers look to rebuild their pass rush after trading away Brian Burns last offseason and not replacing him.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Jalon Walker, the reigning Butkus Award winner, is a talented linebacker. He can play on or off the line after tallying 62 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2024. 

9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Saints have needs all across the field. A versatile tight end like the Penn State playmaker could help solve several of those holes, much the same way Taysom Hill did during his time in New Orleans.

The 6-foot-6, 261-pound Warren, who won the John Mackey Award last year. He led the Big Ten with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and 13 total touchdowns (including four rushing and one passing) in 2024.

10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Prisco closes out his Top 10 with another pick that makes too much sense. The Bears are desperate to protect last year’s No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, and Banks fits the bill.

The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Banks surrendered only three sacks over 42 career starts in his three seasons at Texas. That included four pressures and a sack in 2024.

NFL.com’s Pete Prisco 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0, pick Nos. 11-32

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
12. Dallas Cowboys: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
13. Miami Dolphins: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
18. Seattle Seahawks: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
23. Green Bay Packers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
25. Houston Texans: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
26. Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
27. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
28. Detroit Lions: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
29. Washington Commanders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon