2025 NFL Draft: Daniel Jeremiah reveals post-free agency mock 3.0 with surprise QB in first round

With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, free agency winding down, and pro days already underway, all eyes are now squarely on next month’s 2025 NFL Draft. And you know what that means, right? A new round of mock drafts.

NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah unveiled his Mock Draft 3.0 on Tuesday morning with several interesting surprises in the his latest first-round projection. Including a massive shakeup to his Top 10 with a new No. 1 and a third quarterback jumping into the Top 25.

Check out Daniel Jeremiah’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 for NFL.com:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Daniel Jeremiah started his latest mock by connecting the dots at No. 1 and projecting Miami’s Cam Ward will be the first name off the board on April 24. Whether it’s to the Titans or not is yet to be determined.

Jeremiah acknowledges Tennessee could still trade out of the top spot to a team that’s even more desperate to land a QB. But after not signing one in free agency, the Titans could also sit back and just take Ward as its next franchise QB.

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

Although the Browns are another team that could use an infusion of talent at the quarterback position, especially with Deshaun Watson expected to miss all of 2025, Jeremiah goes against the grain. He has Cleveland landing arguably the top-rated player in the draft at No. 2.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Carter was practically unstoppable this past season, racking up 12 sacks, 61 pressures, a NCAA-best 23.5 tackles for loss and 68 total tackles in 2024. He could pair with newly-re-signed Myles Garrett to give the Browns the NFL’s best pass-rushing tandem.

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

The Giants are the wildcard in the Top 5. And while they remain in the running for multiple free agent quarterbacks — namely Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson — Jeremiah doesn’t expect New York to pass up on the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders at No. 3.

Shedeur Sanders remains a controversial Top 10 selection and received some notably negative reviews after meeting with teams in Indianapolis. But the talent is undeniable after leading the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage along with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.

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

Given the early run at quarterback, the Patriots sit back and ultimately luck out by landing the reigning Heisman Trophy winner at No. 4. While bolstering its offensive line is of the utmost importance this offseason, the unicorn talent that Hunter possesses on both sides of the ball is too good to pass up.

Hunter would pair with former first-round pick Christian Gonzalez at corner. He’d also provide last year’s No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye an electric playmaker that could immediately establish himself as New England’s most dynamic receiver.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Jeremiah’s first surprise comes at No. 5, projecting the Jaguars to land another versatile linebacker out of Georgia. This comes just three years after drafting fellow former Bulldogs pass rusher Travon Walker at No. 1 overall in 2022.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Jalon Walker, the reigning Butkus Award winner, racked up 62 total tackles, 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss for the Bulldogs in 2024. He could give Jacksonville a legit three-headed monster on third downs with the two Walkers and Josh Hines-Allen off the edge.

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

This one is simple for Jeremiah. He sees the 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up as an immediate offensive boost to a remodeled Raiders offense that now includes former Seahawks QB Geno Smith.

In a draft loaded with talented RBs, Jeanty stands head and shoulders above the rest. He fell just 30 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders‘ NCAA single-season rushing record with a FBS-best 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, and 126 missed tackles in 2024.

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

It’s been another offseason overhaul that saw the addition of Jets alum Aaron Glenn as its new head coach. They also made the decision to part ways with Aaron Rodgers, and Jeremiah sees the other team from New York landing a blindside blocker for newly-signed QB Justin Fields.

The 6-foot-4, 332-pound Membou turned heads and opened eyes with elite numbers at the Combine. He has skyrocketed up draft boards all across the NFL and could be the top tackle off the board April 24.

8. Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

After the first offensive lineman comes off the board, Jeremiah goes to the other side of the ball at No. 8. The Panthers desperately need a run-stuffer up the middle after missing out on one in free agency.

The powerful 6-foot-3, 320-pound Graham is undisputably the top interior defensive lineman in the draft. He tallied 52 tackles, 26 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as the heart of the Wolverines’ defense in 2024.

9. New Orleans Saints: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Jeremiah’s next surprise comes at No. 9, as he projects the Saints won’t take any chances. They snatch up the draft’s top middle linebacker, whether others might view it as a reach or not.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Campbell led the loaded Crimson Tide defense with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2024. He would be an immediate upgrade within new Saints DC Brandon Staley‘s defense.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Bears are squarely focused on remodeling its offensive line this offseason. After rebuilding the inside of the line in free agency, Jeremiah expects Chicago will be rushing to the podium to lock up Caleb Williams‘ blindside blocker for the next decade.

The reliable 6-foot-6, 323-pound Campbell, a first-team All-American, has long been considered the draft’s most pro-ready offensive lineman. That’s after allowing just two sacks on 524 pass-block snaps in 2024.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah NFL Mock Draft 3.0, pick Nos. 11-32:

11. San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
12. Dallas Cowboys: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
15. Atlanta Falcons: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
16. Arizona Cardinals: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
18. Seattle Seahawks: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
23. Green Bay Packers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
25. Houston Texans: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
26. Los Angeles Rams: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
27. Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
28. Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
29. Washington Commanders: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
30. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M