2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases updated mock after draft order set ahead of playoffs

The final week of the NFL’s 2024 regular season has come and gone, and with it came even more definitive changes to the 2025 NFL Draft order.

Following another week of NFL upsets, and a surprising Week 18 win from the team sitting in the driver’s seat for the top overall draft pick, the Tennessee Titans officially locked up the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, overtaking New England for that position following the Patriots’ 23-16 win over playoff-bound Buffalo.

Given all the sweeping changes, and the first 18 picks officially set in stone — barring any future trades of course — CBS Sports expert Ryan Wilson overhauled his latest NFL Mock Draft to better reflect the new draft order with a pair of quarterback-needy programs landing their franchise QBs with the top two picks.

Check out how CBS Sports projects the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft playing out below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

While this will be a coveted trade spot for QB-needy teams, especially given a weak quarterback draft class, Wilson expects the Titans to stand pat and move on from former first-round pick Will Levis with the selection of Ward as their next franchise quarterback.

The Heisman Trophy finalist is widely-considered the favorite among the Top 2 QBs given his experience leading the No. 1-ranked offense in the FBS this season after throwing a NCAA-best 39 passing touchdowns and ranking second with 4,313 yards on 67.2-percent passing in 2024.

2. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The other big beneficiary of the Patriots’ Week 18 win was the Browns, who could be in the market to move on from its $230 million man in Deshaun Watson, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in October but has been a royal bust since landing in Cleveland.

Outside of Ward, Sanders — the much-ballyhooed son of NFL legend and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders — is considered head-and-shoulders among his QB peers but remains a controversial pick. Still, Sanders more than proved his merit after leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage this season, finishing 2024 just behind Ward in production with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns on the year.

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

While the Giants miss out on their franchise QB, their consolation prize is the consensus best overall player in the draft and a generational talent as a true two-way threat in Hunter.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner also took home half a dozen national honors this season, including the Bednarik Award as college football’s best defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver after hauling in 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024.

4. New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The Patriots lose out on the No. 1 overall pick but don’t fall far, and still end up landing who Wilson considers the best offensive tackle in the draft class in Banks. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Banks has anchored Texas’ offensive line since landing in Austin as a five-star recruit.

During that time, Banks has been nothing if not the definition of consistency, surrendering only three sacks in over 40 career starts over his three years in Austin. Banks would be a welcomed addition to protect the Patriots’ top pick last year, QB Drake Maye, after New England surrendered 52 sacks this season.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

The Jaguars have plenty of needs, with many on the defensive side of the ball after finishing the 2024 season second-to-last in total defense after allowing 389.9 yards and 25.6 points per game this season.

The physically-imposing 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham is a plug-and-play option in the middle of the Jacksonville defensive line after spending the last two years as the heart of Michigan’s defense, tallying 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2024.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

After also missing out on one of the top quarterbacks, the Raiders go defensive and nab the top-rated cornerback in the draft in Johnson, a big corner at 6-foot-2 with a knack for interceptions.

Johnson saw his 2024 season cut short due to a nagging turf toe issue, but he’s expected to be fully healthy by the time training camp rolls around. Despite his injury issues, Johnson finished his Michigan career with nine interceptions, including returning both of his 2024 picks for touchdowns this season.

7. New York Jets: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

With plenty of questions surrounding its aging offense, especially as it relates to 40-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers, the Jets look to strengthen its passing game with the addition of McMillan.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound McMillan 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 as a Biletnikoff finalist.

8. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Given the sophomore progress of former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young at quarterback, the Panthers grab the top-rated pass rusher in the draft to fill the loss of former top-pick Brian Burns, who joined the Giants in free agency last offseason.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter is a physical freak drawing budding comparisons to fellow former Penn State star Micah Parsons after finishing with 11 sacks, 52 pressures, 22.5 tackles for loss and 85 total tackles in 2024.

9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia

With Carter off the board, the Saints opt for the next best pass rusher in the class in Williams, who Wilson believes “may end up being the best” of Georgia’s string of elite defensive talents

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Williams has flashed elite potential despite not necessarily lighting up the stat sheet with just 21 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and five sacks – two coming in overtime of the SEC Championship game.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Bears stand pat and still get a much-needed addition to their beleaguered offensive line that surrendered a NFL-worst 68 sacks this season, most coming against 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams.

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Campbell is a plug-and-play lineman with a wealth of experience with 38 career starts under his belt and could anchor the Bears offensive line for years to come.

CBS Sports’ NFL Draft picks Nos. 11-32

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
12. Dallas Cowboys: Jihaad Campbell, MLB, Alabama
13. Miami Dolphins: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
18. Seattle Seahawks: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
19. Houston Texans: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
20. Denver Broncos: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
23. Los Angles Rams: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
24. Green Bay Packers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
25. Los Angles Chargers: Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
26. Washington Commanders: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
27. Baltimore Ravens: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
28. Minnesota Vikings: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
29. Buffalo Bills: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
32. Detroit Lions: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State