2025 NFL Draft: ESPN releases first-round mock with massive QB trade

Colorado has two of the best players in college football: quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a prolific passer and the son of head coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders; and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, a two-way star that has a legitimate shot to win the Heisman Trophy this year.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid released a midseason 2025 first-round mock draft Wednesday, and Sanders and Hunter lead the way at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

But Reid packed a whole lot more into his early projection of picks No. 1-32. The draft order is based on the current NFL standings.

No first-round picks have been traded yet, however, Reid projected a few deals to get done, including one head-turning move in the top five.

1. Cleveland Browns — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Not only are the Browns 1-5 right now, but they’re also in a financial pickle. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is struggling, except, as Reid pointed out, the organization still owes him $92 million guaranteed beyond this year. Cutting Watson next offseason would come at a huge cost — $172.7 million in dead money to be exact — so Reid noted that a blossoming prospect on a rookie deal could be Cleveland’s best option in that scenario.

Enter, Sanders: He’s completed 72.6% of his passes this season while posting a 17:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Sanders is on pace to eclipse the 4,000-yard passing mark this year as well.

2. New England Patriots — Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Reid pointed out that, according to ESPN Research, this would mark the first time since 2000 — and third time in the common draft era (1967-present) that college teammates are the first two players off the draft board.

The Patriots taking Hunter would be a case of a talent-hungry team going for the best available player. Hunter can play both corner and wideout at the next level, although Reid’s leaning toward the Heisman hopeful playing corner.

3. Carolina Panthers — Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Carter is breaking out in his third season at Penn State. He’s already flirting with his sack total from last season with four sacks in six games so far this year. Carter, once an off-ball linebacker, has recorded 20 pressures in his EDGE role this time around, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Panthers, much like the Patriots, need help lots of places on their roster. But getting a premier pass rushing threat is a good starting point.

4. Las Vegas Raiders (via projected trade with Jacksonville) — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Reid laid it out: Last year, the Raiders didn’t take a quarterback while six other teams did ahead of them. Now, Las Vegas is in a bridge year in which Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell have both started games. Reid sees a situation where the Raiders trade the Jaguars second and fifth-round picks in exchange for a three-spot jump from No. 7 to No. 4.

Once the Raiders are there, Reid has them picking Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The dual-threat Washington State transfer has starred for the Hurricanes this season. He’s willed them to a 6-0 start, and he’s thrown 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions along the way, not to mention his surging 69.2% completion percentage. Ward is a gamer, and, like Sanders, he’s played a lot of football.

5. Tennessee Titans — James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Just because Pearce has only two sacks this season, doesn’t mean he hasn’t been disruptive. He’s seventh among all SEC EDGE players this year with 21 pressures, according to PFF.

Reid described Pearce as a “scheme-versatile defender,” meaning he can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.

6. Los Angeles Rams — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Even though Reid has Hunter going No. 2 overall — and potentially playing cornerback in the league — he believes Johnson is the best cover corner in the 2025 draft class.

The Rams’ pass defense shortcomings are well documented this year. Johnson would help in that department, plus he’s a takeaway magnet. He’s picked off nine passes in three seasons, and he’s taken three of those interceptions back to the house for six.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (via projected trade with LV) — Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU

Reid has Campbell as his first offensive lineman off the board and projects that Campbell could play offensive tackle or guard at the next level.

Right now, Campbell is LSU’s standout left tackle. He hasn’t allowed a sack this season, per PFF, which has him down for only three pressures conceded, too. That said, Campbell has committed five penalties this year. But his pass pro reliability and physicality in the run game make him an intriguing top-10 prospect.

8. Cincinnati Bengals — Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Michigan could have two defensive players selected in the first eight picks of the draft — that’s the way Reid currently sees it, anyway. Graham is both a strong run defender on the interior and a pesky pass rusher through the middle of the trenches.

This year, he’s collected 10 run defense tackles and 17 pressures, per PFF, as well as 3.5 sacks.

9. New York Jets — Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Scourton transferred from Purdue this offseason, and he’s proved that he’s built for the SEC and, really, the NFL. And he’s not even 21 yet.

Scourton can play inside and outside. No matter where he lines up, he’s going to find his way to the quarterback sooner than later. His 17 pressures are tied for 10th most among SEC EDGE players this season, according to PFF, and he’s tallied 3.5 sacks over the last two games, not to mention to his 10 TFLs on the year.

10. New York Giants — Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

The clock is ticking on Daniel Jones in New York. His successor could be in the 2025 draft class. At the moment, Reid is projecting that to be Beck, who is a career 70.2% passer.

Jones’ inability to consistently connect deep this season has been a concern among Giants fans. Beck, meanwhile, has completed 15-of-41 passes traveling 20-plus air yards this season, per PFF.

ESPN’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft – Pick No. 11 through No. 32:

11. Miami Dolphins (via projected trade with Arizona) — Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, Texas
12. New Orleans Saints — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
13. Arizona Cardinals (via projected trade with Miami) — Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
14. Indianapolis Colts (via projected trade with Seattle) — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
15. Dallas Cowboys — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
16. Denver Broncos — Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
17. Philadelphia Eagles — Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
18. Chicago Bears — Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona
19. San Francisco 49ers — Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M
20. Seattle Seahawks (via projected trade with Indianapolis) — Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
21. Los Angeles Chargers — Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
22. Washington Commanders — Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
23. Buffalo Bills — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
24. Green Bay Packers — Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
25. Pittsburgh Steelers — Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
26. Atlanta Falcons — Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
27. Baltimore Rvens — Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
29. Detroit Lions — Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State
30. Houston Texans — Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
32. Minnesota Vikings — Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon