It is that weird time of year. The Super Bowl is the only game left on the calendar, and half the league is already daydreaming about Green Bay. Specifically, they are looking at late April. If you've spent any time looking at a 2025 NFL Draft mock draft, you know that the consensus is basically a moving target right now. One week a guy is a lock for the top five; the next, scouts are whispering about his "lack of elite bend." It’s a grind.
Look, the 2025 class is actually pretty fascinating because it lacks that one "generational" quarterback prospect we usually see. There’s no Caleb Williams or Trevor Lawrence here. Instead, we have a mix of high-floor technicians and high-upside gambles. It makes for a chaotic mock draft season. Honestly, that’s more fun for us, even if it’s a nightmare for General Managers.
The Top of the Board: Chaos at Pick One
The Tennessee Titans have been sitting at the top of the order for a while now. Most people assumed they’d just sprint to the podium for a quarterback. But things have changed. With Brian Callahan in charge, the philosophy seems to be shifting toward "best player available" rather than forcing a signal-caller who might not be a franchise savior.
Cam Ward from Miami has been the name most linked to that #1 spot. He has the arm. He has the swagger. But he also has those moments where you just put your head in your hands. You've seen the tape—the off-platform throws are electric, but the "hero ball" fumbles are terrifying.
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Then there’s Travis Hunter. Is he a receiver? Is he a corner? He’s basically a glitch in the matrix. Some mocks have him going as high as #2 to Cleveland. The Browns are in a weird spot with Deshaun Watson’s contract still looming like a dark cloud, and adding a superstar like Hunter could be the jolt that roster needs. It’s rare to see a guy who could legitimately start at two positions in the NFL, but Hunter is that rare.
The Defensive Anchors
If you aren't looking for a flashy playmaker, this draft is a dream for trench warfare fans. Mason Graham from Michigan is a monster. He isn't just a space-eater; he actually penetrates the pocket. If he’s sitting there at #5 for Jacksonville or #7 for the Jets, it’s hard to imagine them passing him up.
- Mason Graham (DT, Michigan): A wrecking ball in the middle.
- Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State): The next great Nittany Lion pass rusher.
- Will Johnson (CB, Michigan): A true lockdown corner with elite size.
Why the Quarterback Class is Polarizing
Usually, by January, we have a clear QB1. Not this year. The debate between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders is getting heated. Sanders has the accuracy and the NFL pedigree. People love his poise under pressure. But there are questions about his processing speed when the first read isn't there.
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Meanwhile, teams like the New York Giants at #3 are desperate. They tried the Daniel Jones experiment. It didn't work. Now, they have to decide if Sanders is worth a top-three pick or if they should wait and grab someone like Jalen Milroe later. Milroe is the ultimate "traits" prospect. His dual-threat ability is top-tier, but he’s still a work in progress as a pure pocket passer.
Honestly, the draft might be won in the second round this year. Guys like Carson Beck or even Jaxson Dart could end up being better values than the guys taken in the top ten. It's about fit. If a team like the Steelers (picking #21) can snag a falling quarterback, they might have the steal of the draft.
The Ashton Jeanty Factor
We have to talk about the running back. Ashton Jeanty from Boise State is doing things we haven't seen since Saquon Barkley. He had over 2,600 yards. That is video game stuff. In a league that has devalued running backs, Jeanty might be the one to break the trend.
The Dallas Cowboys at #12 feel like a perfect fit. They need a spark. They need someone who can take the pressure off Dak Prescott. Seeing a 2025 NFL Draft mock draft without Jeanty in the top 15 just feels wrong at this point. He’s a blue-chip prospect in a position that usually gets ignored until late Friday night.
Offensive Line Stability
While everyone is looking at the skill positions, the smart money is on the tackles. Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas and Will Campbell from LSU are the two big names. If you’re the New England Patriots at #4, you have to protect your investment. You can't keep letting your quarterback get hit.
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Campbell is a technician. He’s played a lot of high-level football in the SEC. Banks is a bit more of an athlete. Both are likely ten-year starters. It's not the "sexy" pick, but it’s how you win Super Bowls. Just look at the teams that are playing deep into January—they all have elite line play.
What Most People Get Wrong About Mocks
The biggest mistake fans make is thinking the order stays the same. It won't. Trades are going to happen. Someone is going to fall in love with a quarterback and move up. The Raiders at #6 are a prime candidate to jump into the top three.
Also, don't sleep on the "risers" from the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Every year, a guy like Quinyon Mitchell or Byron Murphy II pops and flies up boards. This year, keep an eye on some of the smaller school guys or the underclassmen who haven't fully hit the mainstream radar yet.
Actionable Steps for Draft Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, don't just look at the names. Look at the team needs.
- Follow the medicals: The Combine in February is where half these mocks get blown up because of medical red flags.
- Watch the coaching hires: A new Offensive Coordinator usually means a new type of player is needed.
- Check the "Tier 2" QBs: If you’re a fan of a team with an aging starter, start looking at the Day 2 quarterback rankings.
- Ignore the "Draft Grades" for now: Nobody actually knows anything until these guys hit the grass in training camp.
The road to Green Bay is going to be long and full of rumors. It’s basically a soap opera for guys who like 40-yard dash times. Keep an eye on the movement in the trenches, because while the QBs get the headlines, the 2025 class is really defined by the monsters on the defensive line and the unicorns like Travis Hunter.
Stay tuned as the official draft order finalizes after the Super Bowl. That’s when the real fun starts.