Let’s be real for a second. Most mock drafts you’re seeing right now are basically just lists of names that scouts liked back in August. But it's January 2026. The regular season is in the rearview mirror, the "non-playoff" order is locked in, and the stench of desperate front offices is starting to fill the air. If you think the top of the board is going to stay chalk, you haven't been paying attention to how the NFL actually works.
The 2025 NFL mock draft with trades landscape is messy because the quarterback class is, well, polarizing. You've got the "Cam Ward is a superstar" camp and the "Shedeur Sanders is the most polished" camp. Then you have the Travis Hunter factor. Is he a corner? Is he a receiver? Is he actually a cyborg sent to ruin offensive coordinators' lives?
Heisman or not, teams are going to get weird. They’re going to trade up for guys they probably shouldn't, and they’re going to let blue-chip defenders slide. Here is how the first round is actually shaking out now that we’ve seen the regular season dust settle.
The Top Five: A Game of Quarterback Roulette
The Tennessee Titans technically "won" the race for the No. 1 pick after a brutal 3-14 campaign. Will Levis had flashes, but the accuracy issues and the way he handled pressure basically forced Brian Callahan’s hand. You can’t pass on a franchise reset when it’s staring you in the face.
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
This feels like the worst-kept secret in the league. Ward is that "unorthodox" playmaker who just finds ways to win. He led the FBS in touchdowns and has that twitchy, sidearm-heavy release that reminds people of a certain guy in Kansas City. Is he perfect? No. But the Titans need a "dude," and Ward is the biggest dude in this class.
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Browns are in a weird spot. There’s been so much noise about a potential Myles Garrett move, but for now, they need a spark. Hunter is the best pure football player on this list. While some teams want him at WR, I’m hearing the Browns love him as a shutdown corner who can "minor" in offense to give Deshaun Watson (or whoever is back there) a real weapon.
👉 See also: Tom Brady Throwing Motion: What Most People Get Wrong
3. PROJECTED TRADE: Las Vegas Raiders (via NYG): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Trade Details: Raiders give No. 6, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick to the Giants for No. 3.
The Raiders are tired of the revolving door at QB. They won two late-season games that kicked them out of the top five, but Antonio Pierce isn't waiting around. Shedeur is the most "pro-ready" guy here. He doesn't have Ward's arm, but he's tough as nails and doesn't turn the ball over. He basically lived under pressure at Colorado, so he’s already used to the Raiders' offensive line.
4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots' offensive line was a disaster this year. Injuries didn't help, but they just lack foundational talent at tackle. Campbell is a "safe" pick, but in a good way. He’s massive, fundamentally sound, and can protect Drake Maye’s blindside for the next decade.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Jags need secondary help, but you don't pass on a guy like Carter. He wears No. 11 at Penn State for a reason—the Micah Parsons comparisons are real. Putting him opposite Josh Hines-Allen gives Jacksonville a pass rush that can actually compete in the AFC South.
Why the 2025 NFL Mock Draft With Trades Is All About Defensive Depth
Once you get past the "big three" (Ward, Hunter, Sanders), the draft shifts toward the trenches. Honestly, this is a better year to be a team looking for a defensive tackle than a wide receiver. The interior talent is actually kind of insane.
✨ Don't miss: The Philadelphia Phillies Boston Red Sox Rivalry: Why This Interleague Matchup Always Feels Personal
6. New York Giants (via LV): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Giants move back, pick up extra picks, and still get the best interior defender in the country. Graham is a violent, relentless 3-technique. Pairing him with Dexter Lawrence is basically a war crime against opposing centers.
7. New York Jets: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Jets have been linked to quarterbacks, but with Ward and Sanders off the board, they’d be reaching for someone like Jaxson Dart or Quinn Ewers. Instead, they give Aaron Rodgers (or his successor) a 6-foot-5 monster who catches everything. McMillan and Garrett Wilson together is a nightmare for any secondary.
8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Panthers' defense was bottom-tier this season. They need someone who can disrupt the pocket while Derrick Brown eats up doubles inside. Williams is another one of those Georgia "freaks" who hasn't quite put the production together yet but will probably crush the Combine.
9. New Orleans Saints: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
New Orleans is always in cap hell and always needs secondary help. Starks is the smartest safety to come out in years. He can play the slot, he can play deep, and he actually tackles.
10. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Caleb Williams took way too many sacks this year. Some of that is on him holding the ball, but a lot of it is the fact that the Bears' tackles were getting beat by simple speed rushes. Banks is a natural left tackle with elite feet.
🔗 Read more: The Eagles and Chiefs Score That Changed Everything for Philadelphia and Kansas City
The "Second Tier" Quarterback Problem
If you're a fan of a team like the Giants or the Jets, you’re probably wondering why I didn't mention Quinn Ewers or Jalen Milroe yet. Honestly? The NFL is skeptical.
There’s a huge gap between the top two guys and the rest of the field. Milroe has the athleticism, but the "processing" questions haven't gone away. Ewers has the talent, but the injury history and the "stale" stretches at Texas have scouts worried. This is why we see so many teams opting for elite O-line help or defenders instead of reaching for a QB who might be a bust.
- Dallas Cowboys at No. 12: Everyone says they need a running back. And yeah, Ashton Jeanty is sitting there. But the Cowboys' defense fell apart this year. They might go defensive line here and try to find a back like Omarion Hampton in the second round.
- The "Jeanty" Slide: Speaking of Ashton Jeanty, he’s the best back we’ve seen in years. But will a team actually take him in the top 10? Probably not. The value just isn't there anymore. Look for a team like the Chargers (if they trade back) or the Cowboys to be the floor for him.
What Most People Get Wrong About Draft Trades
People love to mock trades where teams swap five first-round picks for a kicker. It doesn't work like that. Most 2025 NFL mock draft with trades scenarios involve teams moving up 2-3 spots for a specific target.
Take the Saints, for example. In 2025, they were rumored to be aggressive for a QB, but as we saw, they often prefer to stay put and take the best player available. The real "trade-up" candidates are the teams with aging veterans who feel like they are "one piece away." The Falcons and the Rams are the teams to watch here.
Actionable Insights for Draft Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve as the draft approaches in April, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Medicals: Quinn Ewers and Will Johnson (Michigan CB) have had nagging injuries. Their draft stock will be 100% determined by the medical checks at the Combine.
- The Senior Bowl is King: For guys like Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, the practice week in Mobile is more important than the actual season. If they can show they can handle a pro playbook in three days, they'll lock in those top-10 spots.
- Follow the Money: Look at which teams are restructuring contracts in March. If a team like the Giants clears $20 million in space, they are likely prepping for a veteran QB, which means they’ll pass on a rookie in the draft.
The board is going to change fifty more times before the first pick is called in Pittsburgh. But right now, it’s a Cam Ward and Travis Hunter world—we’re all just living in it.
To keep your edge, start tracking the "Top-30 visits" that begin in March. These are the best indicators of which players a team is actually serious about, regardless of what the mock drafts say.