2025 NFL Draft: Maurice Jones-Drew releases Mock 1.0 featuring Travis Hunter fall, surprising risers in 1st round

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially less than three weeks away. With that, comes the time for prognosticators to unleash new or updated mock drafts is quickly winding down.

NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones-Drew only does one mock draft each offseason, and the former Jacksonville Jaguars running back doesn’t disappoint with this year’s version. Although Jones-Drew doesn’t include any trades in his mock, he did make sure to drop a couple of interesting picks, including a surprising draft day slide for reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, widely projected to be among the Top 3 picks in most other mocks.

Jones-Drew is a former second-round pick out of UCLA who would go on to rush for 8,167 yards in nine NFL seasons (2006-14). In his mock draft, Jones-Drew included a surprise second running back landing in the Top 10.

Check out Maurice Jones-Drew’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 below:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Jones-Drew follows the trend that seems to suggest the Titans will be moving on from Will Levis as their starting quarterback and select Ward at No. 1 overall. Ward showed out at Miami’s Pro Day last month, reinforcing what he showed directing Miami’s FBS-leading offense with 39 passing touchdowns and 4,313 yards in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “The Miami product would make the Titans an immediate contender in the AFC South.”

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

While he certainly considered QB here, much like the Browns will on draft day, Jones-Drew opts for the generational pass-rushing talent from Penn State. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Carter led the FBS with 23.5 tackles for loss while also adding 12 sacks in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “Carter, my colleague Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 1-ranked prospect, has all the tools to thrive opposite Myles Garrett, whose presence will give the rookie plenty of one-on-one opportunities.”

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

Jones-Drew doesn’t make the same mistake with the Giants, which he has selecting the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders at No. 3 despite signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency. Sanders led the FBS with a 74-percent completion rate along with with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “Sanders, a crisp and accurate passer, has the talent and moxie to become a star in New York.”

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

Jones-Drew knows the Patriots need to find protection for last year’s No. 3 overall pick, Drake Maye, and he gives them arguably the most reliable offensive lineman in the draft in Campbell. The 6-foot-6, 323-pounder is a first-team All-American who allowed just two sacks over the past two years in Baton Rouge.

Jones-Drew: “(The Patriots) add the best tackle in this draft class to help keep Drake Maye upright as he attempts to improve in Year 2.”

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The former Jaguars running back gives new head coach Liam Coen a big-bodied playmaker that has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans, who Coen coached as Tampa Bay’s OC last season. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound McMillan was a Biletnikoff finalist with 1,319 receiving yards in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “Joining second-year pro Brian Thomas Jr., McMillan is a big receiver (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) with the ball skills and physicality to make contested catches.”

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

Jones-Drew, who finished his career with the former Oakland Raiders, sees the powerful Broncos running back as the perfect fit with new head coach Pete Carroll. The 5-foot-8, 210-pound Jeanty nearly broke Barry Sanders’ NCAA single-season rushing record with 2,601 rushing yards in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “I view Jeanty as a generational player at the running back position. Knowing how much Pete Carroll’s teams have relied on the run game over the years, I don’t think he’ll hesitate if he has the chance to land a workhorse back.”

7. New York Jets: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

Once considered a sure-fire Top 2 or 3 pick, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner’s draft day slide is ended by the Jets at No. 7. Given his talent and versatility, Hunter lands in the Big Apple as a two-way superstar that could help New York on both sides of the ball.

Jones-Drew: “Hunter is a generational talent with the ability to play on both sides of the ball for a team that has plenty of room for improvement at both cornerback and receiver.”

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Like Jones-Drew, most prognosticators expect the Panthers to land a new pass rusher at No. 8, and outside of Carter, the talented UGA linebacker is among the best in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Walker tallied 62 tackles and 6.5 sacks to win the Butkus Award last season.

Jones-Drew: “Walker can be an explosive rusher off the edge for Carolina. He can win with speed, power and his athleticism. He’ll be a big help to a defense that ranked dead last in 2024.

9. New Orleans Saints: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Jones-Drew knows you can never have enough talented offensive linemen. That’s why he has the new-look Saints landing one of the best in the 6-foot-4, 332-pound Membou, who can play both guard and tackle at the next level.

Jones-Drew: “The Saints could go cornerback here … but in this scenario they aim to shore up the offensive line with Membou, who can step immediately at guard and eventually move over to tackle.”

10. Chicago Bears: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Here’s Jones-Drew’s big surprise: slotting the national championship-winning Ohio State running back in the Top 10 despite most draft evaluators not even projecting him in Round 1. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Henderson can do it all after rushing for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.

Jones-Drew: “I know it would be a surprise to a lot of folks if Henderson is picked in the top 10, but he’s my No. 2 RB in the draft and we saw how much success Detroit had with two running backs at the center of Ben Johnson’s offense.”

Maurice Jones-Drew’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft pick Nos. 11-32

11. San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
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: Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
18. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
20. Denver Broncos: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
23. Green Bay Packers: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
24. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
26. Los Angeles Rams: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
27. Baltimore Ravens: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
28. Detroit Lions: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
29. Washington Commanders: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
30. Buffalo Bills: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State