2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases new mock with strong run on first-round QBs

After another action-packed week of college football, CBS Sports has released a new first-round mock of the 2025 NFL Draft. It includes dozens of high-profile players.

Most interestingly, the publication sees a run on quarterbacks in the middle of the top 10 picks, with four different quarterbacks going in the first seven picks. That could make for some interesting landing spots.

Without any further ado, let’s dive into CBS Sports’ mock for the 2025 NFL Draft below.

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

In perhaps the most surprising pick of CBS Sports’ mock, the two-way star from Colorado goes off the board first. Most analysts expect Hunter to play on one side of the ball, rather than both like in college, and New England would get to pick his spot.

CBS thinks it would be on offense, noting the franchise “could use a receiver jolt to pair with Drake Maye.” However he’s used, Hunter figures to be a plus athlete at the next level.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Pick No. 2 is also a non-quarterback, as CBS has Jacksonville selecting the cornerback out of Michigan. Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best cover corners in the game, though he’s had trouble staying healthy this season.

With a full season in 2023, Johnson recorded 27 tackles, 1.0 tackles for a loss, four interceptions and four pass breakups. He’s elite when the ball is in the air.

3. New Orleans Saints: QB Cam Ward, Miami

The first quarterback off the board is the former Washington State transfer. Ward has been having a tremendous season with Miami, bringing the ‘Canes fully into the College Football Playoff picture. At times he’s been single-handedly responsible for that success.

Ward has a very real shot at the Heisman Trophy, having already tallied 3,146 yards passing and 29 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He has also run for 187 yards and three scores, proving quite the capable dual threat.

4. Carolina Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

The first pure receiver comes off the board at No. 4 overall in the mock 2025 NFL Draft, with McMillan from Arizona getting the nod. He’s as steady as they come at the position, capable of the big play and the huge game.

Already this season he has posted a 200-yard game and a 300-yard game, while he had a four-touchdown performance in the team’s season opener. McMillan is racking up the yardage totals, already at 1,066 on the season, to go with six touchdowns.

5. Cleveland Browns: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Here’s where the run on quarterbacks really begins in the mock 2025 NFL Draft from CBS Sports. It’s a little unclear what the Browns will do at quarterback going forward, with Deshaun Watson coming off a torn Achilles.

Milroe would be a quality stash as a backup, if not as an instant starter in the league. His athleticism separates him from other dual threat guys; he’s that elite.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

The third quarterback to come off the board, Sanders could easily have a case as QB1 in this class. What’s clear is the Raiders desperately need a quarterback, and Sanders would certainly fit the bill.

The Colorado star has helped elevate his program considerably in just two years, to the point that the Buffaloes are bowling again and even have a shot at the Big 12 title. Sanders has 2,591 yards passing and 21 touchdowns, against just six interceptions.

7. New York Giants: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Nussmeier might not quite have the stature of some other quarterbacks in the draft, but he has displayed an uncanny willingness to hang tough in the pocket and make plays. He does a great job extending things when he has the chance.

He can be a little loose with the football at times, throwing multiple interceptions in three of his last four games. Still, he’s got a lot of upside and he’s the son of a coach, something that will be looked on favorably in the 2025 NFL Draft process.

8. Miami Dolphins: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

With two receivers off the board already, CBS has Miami taking a stab at the third: a high-upside draft pick out of Ohio State. Egbuka hasn’t always been the top guy for the Buckeyes, who have been loaded with NFL-caliber receivers in recent years.

Still, he’s an extremely productive and consistent receiver at the college level. Egbuka has accounted for 46 catches for 577 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He’s even shown the versatility to take some carries out of the backfield in recent weeks.

9. Tennessee Titans: DL Mason Graham, Michigan

Graham is having a monster season after going into the year already highly thought of. He’s got the size and capability to instantly plug the middle for whichever team happens to draft him.

On the season, Graham has racked up 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a blocked kick. That’s a lot of production for an interior lineman.

10. New York Jets: S Malachi Starks, Georgia

Starks has been a star since the minute he walked onto Georgia’s campus, and nothing he’s done since has diminished his profile a bit. He’s an elite ballhawk in the secondary with incredible size and athleticism.

So far this year Starks has accounted for 43 tackles, 3.0 tackles for a loss, an interception and a pass breakup. He now has six career interceptions to his name, making him a very viable first-round 2025 NFL Draft pick.

2025 NFL Draft: Picks 11-32

11. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
12. Indianapolis Colts: OT Will Campbell, LSU
13. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Isaiah Bond, Texas
15. Seattle Seahawks: LB Harold Perkins, LSU
16. Los Angeles Rams: QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
17. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
18. Chicago Bears: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas
19. Denver Broncos: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State
20. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia
21. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia
22. Atlanta Falcons: DL LT Overton, Alabama
23. Green Bay Packers: DL Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
24. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
25. Houston Texans: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
26. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
27. Pittsburgh Steelers: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan
28. Minnesota Vikings: DL Deone Walker, Kentucky
29. Washington Commanders: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
30. Buffalo Bills: DL TJ Sanders, South Carolina
31. Detroit Lions: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
32. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame