2025 NFL mock draft: Browns land Travis Hunter, Mason Graham cracks top three

New York Times

07-04-2025

The NFL Draft features 32 first-round picks. It does not, however, necessarily feature 32 prospects with a first-round grade.
Most drafts don't sniff that number. And though the 2025 NFL Draft definitely features depth of talent at several positions, the number of players in this class with a consensus first-round grade is likely in the low teens. That's especially important when discussing the top two quarterbacks, Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. Both are very good prospects, but I'm not sure we can objectively call either 'elite.'
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A first-round grade means the player has almost no scouting holes, no serious questions about whether or not he'll be able to handle a starting workload for an NFL team (likely a bad one) tomorrow. A year ago, there were three quarterbacks who fit that bill: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. This year, quite frankly, there are zero.
It's still possible Ward and Sanders land in the top 10. But it's also possible one of those players — more likely Sanders — takes a tumble.
With that in mind, here's my latest three-round mock draft:
To be clear, I would not do this. Same time, there's too much smoke to ignore that first-year GM Mike Borgonzi's priority is a quarterback and if you're going to take one this high it's absolutely Ward. I do not think he'd have gone higher than Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye last season but it's possible — given the QB desperation league wide — he'd have been a top-10 pick in 2024.
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2025 NFL Draft consensus Big Board: Ashton Jeanty holds at No. 3; Jihaad Campbell climbs
The best football player in this draft class and one of the most unique talents we've seen in years, Hunter will make an impact wherever he goes — and wherever he lines up — immediately next year. If he sticks at CB he'll arguably have the best ball skills of any DB in the NFL. He's that good. This could also be Shedeur Sanders, though I'm decidedly less sure about him than I am Ward.
The Giants have spent the entire offseason trying to find veteran quarterbacks in the face of this rookie class, This, too, could be a Sanders landing spot. But I have zero questions about Graham's ability to help the Giants immediately.
Carter's foot situation certainly complicates matters, though I wouldn't rule him out as a top-three selection here. If he's healthy, Carter has a chance to be the best pro in this class. Foot injuries are very scary, however.
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Campbell's arms are a bit short — if he wasn't so good with his hands and feet, that might be an issue. But Campbell, one of the hardest workers in this draft class, is a terrific athlete. Like when the Chargers drafted Rashawn Slater, nobody should overthink this.
Jeanty is the NFL Draft's best running back prospect since at least Bijan Robinson/Jahmyr Gibbs. He might be the best we've seen since Saquon Barkley. Regardless of where he fits in that tier, though, he absolutely should be a top-10 pick.
At the very least, the Jets have a bridge QB in Justin Fields. It's also possible Fields turns a corner and becomes the team's long-term starter. Either way, New York's new regime is not in position to roll the dice on a QB.
Aaron Glenn should remember when Detroit passed on QB talent in 2021 to draft Penei Sewell. Start your rebuild there.
The tape tells the story with McMillan — and part of that story is that his less-than-stellar 40 time isn't that big a deal. McMillan was a man among children at times in college and has the ability to help Bryce Young and this young Panthers offense immediately.
The 2025 draft class features another great tight end group, and Warren — a true three-down weapon with the potential to be a dominant run blocker — is leader of the pack. The tight end position has evolved so much in the last 10 years, and Warren is the type of weapon that's worth it in the top 10.
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Why do Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland stand out in 2025 NFL Draft TE class?
The No. 2 edge in this class is a tough call, especially if we're lumping Jihaad Campbell and/or Jalon Walker in with that group. A case certainly could be made for Georgia's Mykel Williams here. But Stewart (6-5, 267) is actually bigger than Williams, and nearly as long (34 1/8 arms). He's the most athletic edge in this class not named Abdul Carter.
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It's hard to compare people to Micah Parsons. Campbell isn't as fast as the Cowboys' dynamic superstar, but he's not that far off — and he's probably at least as explosive. As was the case with Parsons when he came out of college, Campbell hasn't scratched the surface with regard to all the things he can do on a football field.
It's not nothing that Johnson has avoided athletic testing at all costs this offseason. It's also not nothing he more or less sat the 2024 season out after getting dinged up early. But the tape doesn't lie — Johnson's confidence is off-the-charts good, as is his football IQ. He definitely could tumble, but he's a worthy top-15 prospect.
The most complete athlete in this draft, Emmanwori has versatility that knows nearly no limit — he's 6-foot-3, 220 pounds with a 4.38-second 40 time, 43-inch vertical and 11 foot, 6 inch broad jump. He's still learning how to be consistent, but Emmanwori has the potential to be a defensive coordinator's best friend.
There are days when I think Loveland might be right there with Warren as a legit top-10 prospect. An outstanding receiver who terrorized linebackers and has the ability to beat safeties (and some corners), Loveland is also a better blocker than people realize and one of the most dependable talents on the board. He'd be a perfect fit in Indianapolis.
Williams' scouting profile almost could be used to explain most of this class: He's a terrific athlete (at 6-5, 260) and has limitless potential as a do-it-all edge with interior rush potential, but he's also really never put everything together. Though it could take a minute for him to develop, he has true star potential at an incredibly valuable position.
It wouldn't be a shock if Harmon winds up going higher than this. At 6-4, 313, he's bigger than Graham and probably comes with more versatility — he's already proven he can walk outside and handle himself as a big edge.
Derrick Harmon impressed throughout his drills 📈 @OregonFootball
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RApm9yEw3q
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
Like Carter, Campbell and Walker, Green is a phenomenal athlete who gives off Parsons-like vibes in terms of versatility. There also are serious off-field questions here teams will have to investigate before making a decision.
Booker's not a perfect prospect. Scouts wanted to see more consistency from him as a junior, but they also understand that Booker's been one of the SEC's most physically impressive offensive linemen since the first game of his true freshman season. It feels like Seattle has been looking for a prospect like this for at least five years.
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This might be the floor for Walker, whose testing may have caused him to slip behind Campbell and Green on some boards. Still, he's a legit playmaker anywhere he lines up — a hell-on-wheels front-seven defender who'd be perfect for Todd Bowles.
One of my favorite players in this class, Egbuka is this year's version of Amon-Ra St. Brown — a fearless competitor who was a difference-maker from Day 1 inside one of the country's best programs. As far as I'm concerned, he'd qualify as the 'Joker' weapon Sean Payton wants.
Even if Pittsburgh signs Aaron Rodgers, and even if Rodgers has some gas left in the tank we simply haven't seen over the past three years, the Steelers have to devise a long-term plan for the most important position on the field. I cannot get there on Sanders as a top-10 pick, and I don't think he's ready to help fix a truly bad team. He'll be a much better fit if he lands somewhere that can give him a supporting cast.
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Jim Harbaugh's backfield needs thunder and lightning. And Hampton, a 221-pound hammer with speed and wiggle, can be both at the same time. Not only did he rush for more than 3,000 combined yards the last two years, but also he had more than 60 catches.
A tough, smart, dependable competitor, Barron reminds me of a bigger version of Washington's Mike Sainristil. He can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, and you're going to get everything he has on every snap. He'd be perfect for the physical and talented NFC North.
Zabel was a true five-tool offensive lineman in college. He's not long enough to be an every-day tackle in the NFL, but his ability to make things happen inside is undeniable. Zabel is a powerful, explosive, flexible athlete with elite football IQ.
After suffering a knee injury early during the 2024 season, Simmons expects to be ready for the start of his rookie year. If he hadn't suffered that injury, it's fair to wonder if Simmons might have been OT1 in 2025. And the Texans have to find people who can keep C.J. Stroud off the ground.
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Consistency is lacking, but Conerly's still a young prospect with elite athletic traits and equally exciting flashes. His potential fit inside an offense that needs run blockers capable of being dangerous on the move and in space could be terrific.
It's possible Ezeiruaku is long gone by the late 20s, as the depth of his pass-rush arsenal and his attention to detail are arguably better than any other rusher in this class. He's also one of the most agile (sub-7-second three-cone at the combine).
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The Lions' biggest need is edge, and it also wouldn't shock me should Brad Holmes try to get younger at receiver — Jameson Williams' long-term future on the roster is anything but certain. But Detroit also has uncertainty at guard. Banks, a college tackle, should translate well to a guard spot in the NFL and could potentially be a long-term answer opposite Sewell.
Of all the draft-eligible offensive talent at Texas last season, Golden might've made the biggest leap. He displayed true difference-making speed and has an ability to win in any area of the field. He flashed WR1 ability, to go along with his 4.29 speed.
Grant's talent (at 6-4, 331) is undeniable, but almost nothing about his game is consistent. He also did not test anywhere near where scouts anticipated he would. Still, he's an explosive, powerful presence with high-end potential as a nose and/or a big 3-tech. There's enough raw ability here to bet on.
A balanced, explosive athlete with very good length, Jackson spent most of his Ohio State career at guard before moving out to tackle in the wake of Simmons' injury — a critical move during Ohio State's title run. Jackson can be inconsistent with his hands but has the look of a possible long-term starter at guard or tackle.
One of the smartest football players in this draft, Starks feels a lot like this year's version of Brian Branch. He's probably not fast enough to hold up as an outside corner, but he can play either safety spot or be a capable NFL nickel. He and Cooper DeJean together would be a lot of fun.
This, to me, makes much more sense for the Browns than reaching for a QB at No. 2. It's possible Cleveland will have to trade back into the bottom of the first round for either Shough or Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, but this would give the Browns a young quarterback and a premium talent at the top of the second.
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Personally, I prefer Shough to Dart but it's very close. Dart's biggest challenge will be proving he wasn't simply a product of a very college-y offense the way ex-Ole Miss QB Matt Corral was. However, Dart's a better prospect in just about every area. To me: Shough and Dart are closer to Sanders on the board than Sanders is to Ward.
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UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger (projected top-50 pick) weighed in at 238 pounds at his workout today for NFL teams. From an NFL scout in attendance:
3C: 7.05SS: 4.25BJ: 10'7"(No 40-yard dash)
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 2, 2025
If there's a QB other than Ward or Sanders who might surprise people with how high he's picked, it's Milroe. Every physical trait he owns is worth betting on, though the gamble here is considerable given how inconsistent he was as a passer during every season at Alabama.
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Feldman's 2025 NFL mock draft: How coaches view Ward, Sanders, Hunter, Carter and more
I'm not ruling out the possibility of someone at the bottom of the first taking a swing at Taylor, the athletic, sure-handed son of ex-NFL star Jason Taylor (and nephew of Zach Thomas). Few coaches in the NFL have better eyes for TE talent than Jim Harbaugh.
#LSU TE Mason Taylor
Garrett Nussmeier is going to miss him quite a bit.
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— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner.bsky.social) February 11, 2025 at 7:29 AM
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Jordan Palmer wants to change how we evaluate QBs. Kyle McCord is his 2025 NFL Draft test case.
One of the more underrated players in this class, Williams' is a small receiver and his hands could be more consistent — but he's one of the best YAC players in the class and an outstanding route runner with the ball skills to win in any area on the field. Very exciting player.
#Wazzu WR Kyle Williams is a problem.
He's not big, could be more consistent with hands, but he's one of the smoothest route runners in the country.
🏈4.42 speed
🏈10 contested catches at just 5-10, 190
🏈70-1196-14 last season
🏈Nearly 600 YAC yards
This is a top 100 player IMO
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— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner.bsky.social) April 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
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The Lions double-dipped at CB last season, and don't be surprised if they do the same this year while searching for pass-rush help opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Bringing an Ohio State (Tuimoloau) or Michigan (Stewart) player to Detroit always makes for a good time. These two would complement each other well.
(* = compensatory pick)
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Michael Miller / ISI Photos, Ed Zurga / Getty Images, Mark J. Rebilas and Rich Barnes / Imagn Images)