2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases new mock with predicted big risers from NFL Combine

The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine will kick off Monday, Feb. 24, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as 329 prospects and even more of NFL personnel descend on the city once again.

The Combine is annually one of the single-most important pre-draft events for NFL hopefuls looking to improve their draft stock with strong showings. With that in mind, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso constructed a new mock draft that highlights “potential workout warriors” that could see their stock skyrocket them into the first round if they impress next week as many expect.

Check out CBS Sports’ latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Rather than trade away the No. 1 overall pick, new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi stays true to his word and picks a true “generational talent” in Carter.  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.

CBS Sports: “The Titans ultimately don’t get a big enough offer to move out of No. 1, so they take a premier prospect at a premier position.”

2. New York Giants (mock trade with CLE): Cam Ward, QB, Miami

In order to prevent another team from leapfrogging them to get their desired QB, the Giants move up one spot to secure Ward out of Miami. The 22-year-old Ward is considered the draft’s most pro-ready QB, especially after leading the FBS with 39 passing TDs and ranking second nationally with 4,313 yards on 67.2-percent passing while spearheading the Hurricanes’ No. 1-ranked offense in 2024.

CBS Sports: “The Giants make no mistake about it, moving up one spot to ensure they get Ward to be their quarterback of the future.”

3. Cleveland Browns (mock trade with NYG): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Browns trade back one spot to get some additional picks and still lands the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and two-way superstar in Hunter. Like Carter, Hunter is considered a one-in-a-generation talent 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 last season at Colorado.

CBS Sports: “The Browns get a dynamic player to add to breakout star Jerry Jeudy in 2025 and beyond. In this swap, they get the Giants’ third-round pick (No. 65 overall) and a 2026 fourth-round selection.”

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

Finding quality protection for second-year QB Drake Maye, last seasons’ No. 3 overall pick, will be vital this offseason and the Patriots don’t hesitate to nab the top-projected offensive tackle in the draft in Campbell at No. 4 overall. The reliable 6-foot-6, 323-pound Campbell allowed just two sacks on 524 pass-block snaps in 2024.

CBS Sports: “Drake Maye’s offensive line needs to be better. Campbell is the cleanest offensive tackle in the class.”

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

This is the first post-Combine climber based on current draft rankings, as the supremely athletic Emmanwori jumps into the Top 5 after previously being in the bottom-half of the first round in prior mocks. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori led the Gamecocks with 88 tackles and ranked tied for first in the SEC with two interceptions (of his four on the season) returned for touchdowns in 2024.

CBS Sports: “With Andre Cisco a free agent, the Jaguars address the safety position with one of the freakiest athletes in the entire draft, who proved to be a damn good football player in 2024.”

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Rather than trading away picks, the Raiders and new miniority owner Tom Brady holding steady and still land their desired QB in Shedeur Sanders, the son of NFL great (and Buffs head coach) Deion Sanders. While a polarizing prospect, Shedeur Sanders has the traits to be elite after leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage along with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.

CBS Sports: “Tom Brady and Co. get their guy in Sanders, who can be a pocket point guard in the Raiders new offense.”

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

With plenty of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, the Jets can’t pass on the draft’s top interior defender in Graham if he falls to them. The powerful 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham is a plug-and-play prospect after tallying 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as the heart of the Wolverines’ defensive in 2024.

CBS Sports: “The Jets have a collection of free agents along the defensive line, and Graham is the premier interior three-down player in the class.”

8. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Another potential post-Combine climber lands with the Panthers. Pearce is a two-time All-SEC first-team selection that struggled to live up to the preseason hype after notching a team-high 10 sacks in 2023. Nevertheless, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound is a physical freak that led the Vols with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024.

CBS Sports: “Pearce is ready to erupt in Indianapolis, and, yes, the Panthers will eventually get weapons for Bryce Young. They also need to replace Brian Burns on the edge. Pearce would be a perfect addition.”

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

The injury-riddled Saints struggled to move the ball with any consistency in 2024, something Warren proved quite effective at in Happy Valley. The 6-foot-6, 261-pound Warren, a former quarterback like Taysom Hill, led the Big Ten with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and 13 total touchdowns, including one passing and four rushing.

CBS Sports: “The Saints just missed being able to pick Brock Bowers a year ago and now get their own freakish specimen at the tight end position.”

10. Chicago Bears: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

The Bears have one mission this offseason: protecting last season’s No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Ersery, who played tackle but could slide inside in the NFL, is a powerful prospect that could certain turn heads on the bench press as well as in positional drills in Indianapolis.

CBS Sports: “Ersery looked like an oversized guard at tackle over the past few seasons at Minnesota, and his tape was clean. He’s a sneaky candidate for a strong combine, which could catapult him this high in April.”

CBS Sports’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft picks 11-32:

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
13. Miami Dolphins: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
14. Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
15. Atlanta Falcons: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
18. Seattle Seahawks: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
20. Dener Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
23. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
24. Minnesota Vikings: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
25. Houston Texans: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
26. Los Angeles Rams: Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
28. Detroit Lions: Shemar Stewart, DT, Texas A&M
29. Washington Commanders: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
30. Buffalo Bills: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M