2025 NFL Draft: CBS Sports releases wild first-round mock after Week 8 of college football

With Week 8 of the college football season in the books, players across the country are looking to continue building their stock for the 2025 NFL Draft. CBS Sports has released a new first-round mock draft ahead of Week 9, and it features some surprises.

Of course, there’s still plenty left to figure out as the NFL season rolls along, including the draft order. CBS Sports set the order based on current records, according to Tankathon, but the top prospects are starting to emerge.

The biggest name, and perhaps the most intriguing, is CBS Sports’ top draft pick. Travis Hunter continues to cement himself as the top playmaker in college football, electrifying the Colorado offense as a wide receiver and defense as a cornerback. While there are still questions about whether he’ll have to pick a position at the next level, he’s sure to be a top prospect come April.

As for quarterbacks, this draft is an interesting one after six went in the Top 12 last year. Shedeur Sanders continues to come in as one of the top prospects at the position, but CBS Sports put Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward ahead of him as the No. 2 overall pick in its first-round mock draft.

The rest of the board is going to be interesting, as well, with top talents continuing to emerge. Here’s where CBS Sports’ 2025 NFL mock draft stands ahead of Week 9 of the college football season.

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

A frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, Travis Hunter continues to electrify college football. He’s making big plays on both side of the ball and playing nearly every snap, making him a highly coveted pick in this year’s draft.

Hunter is averaging 86.3 yards per game on offense to go with six receiving touchdowns while also adding 19 tackles and two interceptions at cornerback. Of course, the big question will be if he can continue playing both spots in the NFL, and that’s something worth monitoring throughout the pre-draft process.

2. Carolina Panthers – Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Another Heisman hopeful, Cam Ward considered declaring for the draft last year. But he ultimately returned to college and committed to Miami, where he’s fit in seamlessly.

Ward enters Week 9 with 2,538 passing yards to his name, which leads the nation. He also has an FBS-leading 24 touchdowns as he showcases his playmaking ability both on and off script.

3. Cleveland Browns – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The anchor of the Michigan secondary, Will Johnson is emerging as one of the top cornerbacks in the country. He has two interceptions for 128 yards this year as part of an impressive follow-up to last year’s 27-tackle, four-pick season to help the Wolverines to a national title.

Johnson’s stock could be interesting going forward, though. He suffered an injury, although coach Sherrone Moore deemed him “questionable” for this week after going down in the second half against Illinois last week.

4. Tennessee Titans – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Through seven games, Tetairoa McMillan is putting together an impressive follow-up to his career year at Arizona in 2023. His 780 receiving yards leads the Big 12 after Week 8, and he came in as the No. 4 overall pick in CBS Sports’ mock draft.

McMillan ranks sixth in the nation in receiving yards as the top target for Noah Fifita this year. He’s also increasing his NFL Draft stock, coming in as a Top-12 pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft last week.

5. New York Jets – Will Campbell, OT, LSU

One of the top offensive linemen in the country, Will Campbell is an integral part of the LSU unit this season. He leads a group that has only allowed two sacks so far this year entering a key showdown against Texas A&M.

Campbell is one of the biggest keys to LSU’s success on offense this year and the 6-1 record. He’s crucial to protecting Garrett Nussmeier and could find himself as a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

6. New Orleans Saints – Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The anchor of the Georgia defense, Mykel Williams has battled through injury this year. But he’s still making an impact and generating some buzz in NFL Draft circles.

Through five games this year, Williams has six tackles – five of which are for a loss – and two sacks as he works through an apparent ankle sprain. He turned in his biggest game of the year against Texas, though, which bodes well for his production moving forward.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

After breaking out last year on the Michigan defensive line, Mason Graham is in the midst of another big season in 2024. He already has a new career-high in sacks, which bodes well for his draft stock.

Graham’s 3.5 sacks through seven games is already a new high-water mark during his time in Ann Arbor, and he also has 27 tackles to his name. He’s an important part of Michigan’s defense and is sure to stay in that role as the Wolverines try to right the ship through Big Ten play.

8. Las Vegas Raiders – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

After coming back for another year at Colorado, Shedeur Sanders continues to put up strong numbers as he looks to become a top pick in the draft. His 324 passing yards per game ranks sixth in the nation entering Week 9, and he’s well on pace for yet another 3,000-yard season.

Through seven games, Sanders has completed 72.2% of his passes for 2,268 yards and 19 touchdowns. His accuracy continues to impress NFL scouts as he goes to work in the pocket, and he’s firmly in the mix to be a Top-10 pick.

9. New York Giants – Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

In his first year in Kalen DeBoer’s high-powered offense, Jalen Milroe was looking to take another leap forward as a true dual-threat quarterback. It’s been an interesting ride so far, though, but he still came in as the No. 9 overall pick in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft.

Milroe continues to make plays with both his arm and his legs, totaling 1,722 passing yards and 330 rushing yards along with 24 total touchdowns. He’ll look to bounce back from a loss to Tennessee when Alabama returns to the gridiron this week against Missouri.

10. Miami Dolphins – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Another key piece of the Georgia secondary, Malaki Starks continues to emerge as a key playmaker. He enters Week 9 with 39 tackles and an interception as he came in as the No. 10 overall pick in CBS Sports’ 2025 NFL mock draft.

Starks is instrumental to Georgia’s operation, and Kirby Smart went so far as to compare him to the great Champ Bailey after a Week 1 win over Clemson. His draft stock will surely be worth monitoring as the year goes on, especially now that UGA is firmly in the mix for the College Football Playoff.

Rest of CBS Sports’ 1st-round mock draft

11. Los Angeles Rams – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
12. Cincinnati Bengals – Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
13. Arizona Cardinals – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
14. San Francisco 49ers – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
15. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
16. Dallas Cowboys – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
18. Philadelphia Eagles – Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
19. Seattle Seahawks – Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
20. Indianapolis Colts – Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
21. Denver Broncos – Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
22. Atlanta Falcons – Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
23. Chicago Bears – LT Overton, DL, Alabama
24. Baltimore Ravens – Cameron Williams, OL, Texas
25. Buffalo Bills – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
26. Washington Commanders – Shavon Revel, DB, East Carolina
27. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kobe Hudson, WR, UCF
28. Green Bay Packers – Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
29. Houston Texans – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
30. Minnesota Vikings – T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
31. Detroit Lions – Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Of course, there’s still plenty of time for the 2025 NFL Draft picture to become clear. But the chatter is beginning, and top prospects are starting to emerge as November quickly approaches.