For many NFL teams, Week 18 marks the start of playoff season. However, for others, it represents the unofficial start of draft season.
The finalization of the top of the first-round order gives shape to the event, which is still more than three months away.
While events such as the Senior Bowl, scouting combine, and pro days, as well as free agency, will undoubtedly provide valuable insights, many fans are already wondering if their team will be able to sign a top talent like Colorado’s Travis Hunter.
And, as always, quarterbacks will dominate the pre-draft conversation, with Miami’s Cam Ward, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, and possibly Alabama’s Jalen Milroe looking like the top picks.
With much of the early first-round order established, here is USA TODAY Sports’ most recent 2025 NFL mock draft (the remainder of the order filled in by Tankathon):
1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)
Tennessee may finally get what it hoped for in Will Levis: a dynamic thrower who can attack at all levels of the field.
With the Titans’ suspect offensive line unlikely to provide the level of protection that the 6-foot-2, 223-pounder is used to, there will undoubtedly be an adjustment period for a signal-caller who enjoys pushing the limits of what he can get away with.
However, if he can settle in, Ward can help the team finally take off after two years of major moves by Ran Carthon.
2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
This could be the draft’s defining pick, as Cleveland must decide whether it wants to make a splashy move at quarterback with Deshaun Watson’s future uncertain for at least another year.
However, this roster isn’t particularly well-equipped to serve a rookie quarterback, and it would be difficult to go wrong with the Heisman Trophy winner, who is widely regarded as the best talent in this class.
Questions about how Hunter will be used at the next level are likely to grow in the coming months, with much of the early feedback indicating teams may prefer the two-way star at cornerback. Hunter would undoubtedly make an impact in whatever role the Browns choose to give him.
3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Their Week 17 explosion cost them the No. 1 pick, but Big Blue remains in position to select a quarterback capable of leading the team into a new era.
When it comes to managing pressure, the question isn’t so much whether Sanders can handle the New York media spotlight as it is whether he can react faster as a passer.
However, an experienced and accurate signal-caller capable of propelling rookie sensation Malik Nabers to the next level should be an exciting prospect for the Giants.
4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OT, LSU
New England won the finale, but it may have lost a lot of leverage in the process. The Patriots are now trailing several quarterback-hungry teams, limiting their chances for a trade back that could have helped them increase their draft capital while still acquiring a top offensive lineman or receiver.
As things stand, they can solve their most pressing issue by acquiring Campbell, a consensus All-American who could provide the stabilizing presence this shaky front requires.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson’s injuries cost him not only multiple games this season, but also his well-deserved spotlight.
The 6-2, 202-pounder has proven capable of handling almost any matchup or coverage assignment, as he is equally comfortable blanketing receivers and making plays on the ball.
He would be an immediate asset to a Jaguars team that has consistently given up big gains in the air.
6. Las Vegas Raiders – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Given that they’ve been long overdue to make a premium investment in a young passer, the Silver and Black appear to be strong candidates for trade ups.
If no deal is reached, the Raiders can lay the groundwork for whoever takes over behind center by acquiring McMillan, who would team up with record-breaking rookie tight end Brock Bowers to form an intimidating pass-catching tandem.
7. New York Jets – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
With no general manager or coach in place, and Aaron Rodgers potentially on his way out, Gang Green’s future is uncertain at this time. Regardless of the franchise’s future direction, adding another interior force to join Quinnen Williams could help get the rebuild off to a strong start.
8. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, DE/OLB, Penn State.
The trade of Brian Burns had a significant impact on a defense that ranked last in the NFL in pass rush win rate through Week 17. Carter demonstrated his ability to regularly disrupt offensive game plans by recording 11 sacks on his way to being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Williams is a better athlete than he is a pass rusher. However, with New Orleans in the process of rebuilding and likely in need of a long-term replacement for Carl Granderson, the Saints can be patient in bringing along a 6-5, 265-pound edge rusher with physical tools that few in this class possess.
10. Chicago Bears: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State.
Is using a top-10 pick on a running back a good use of resources for a team as troubled as the Bears? Perhaps not.
But there’s little doubt that Chicago needs to take drastic action to better support Caleb Williams after a disastrous debut season as the 2024 No. 1 pick. Jeanty, who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns to lead Boise State to the College Football Playoff, is a unique ball carrier capable of recalibrating an offense.
11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Expecting anyone to take over for 11-time Pro Bowl selection Trent Williams at left tackle is bound to be a disappointment.
But, regardless of whether San Francisco expects Banks to eventually take over at left tackle, move over to the right side, or even bump inside, the quick blocker could help get Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey back on track after a difficult season.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri.
The highest-scoring offense last season no longer appears to be particularly imposing, and the dropoff is not solely due to Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring surgery.
Burden’s electric skill set was rarely showcased by Missouri’s offense this season, but he remains a big-play threat who can easily rack up yards after the catch.
13. Miami Dolphins: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Despite numerous injuries and setbacks, it was surprising to see the Dolphins finish as one of four teams without a player selected to this year’s Pro Bowl, given their significant investment in top-tier talent.
Adding Nolen, a former No. 1 overall recruit who has shown flashes of his immense potential this season, would be another bet on explosiveness for a defense that may lose out on outperforming impending free agent Calais Campbell.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
A safety may appear to be a stretch for a team as troubled as Indianapolis, but a mediocre Colts team should be looking for difference-makers in whatever form they can find.
After standout cornerback Kenny Moore II questioned the team’s effort and identity in November, Starks can help set the tone for the defense with his playmaking range and savvy.
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
Atlanta’s pass rush improved late in the season, but the team should not be complacent. With a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and the length to confuse offensive tackles, Pearce provides a tantalizing set of tools that the Falcons don’t have elsewhere on their roster.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
With no top-tier pass rusher at his disposal, Jonathan Gannon devised pressure schemes from a variety of sources to compensate for Arizona’s defensive personnel deficiencies.
Walker and Gannon would make an excellent pairing, as a player who has been compared to the coach’s former protege Haason Reddick would undoubtedly serve as a spark plug for a unit that did not have a single player reach five sacks this season.
17. Cincinnati Bengals – Shavon Revel Jr., Cornerback, East Carolina
Outside of NFL sack king Trey Henderson, the Bengals’ defense lacks many building blocks after falling apart this season.
As long as he continues to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September, Revel should attract the Bengals’ attention as a smothering coverage presence built for AFC North tussles.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
In Year 1, coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense struggled due to protection issues and a toothless running attack. Conerly, an ascending blocker, could move over to right tackle and solidify a position that appeared vulnerable when Abraham Lucas was out.
19. Houston Texans – Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
Getting trampled by Derrick Henry on Christmas should put defensive tackle higher on the Texans’ wish list. Harmon established himself as the type of interior disruptor Houston needs between Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. after a breakout season following his transfer from Michigan State.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Shemar Stewart (DL, Texas A&M)
Todd Bowles has to be intrigued by the prospect of adding a 6-6, 290-pound defensive lineman who disrupts blockers with his length and physicality.
Stewart still needs to work on harnessing his hyperaggressive playing style, but he should be able to make an early impact against the run as he learns.
21. Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State.
Do you think Sean Payton would have some fun with a hard-charging, do-it-all tight end? Warren has made a strong case for himself to be the first tight end selected, and his ability to pull away from defenders in coverage and with the ball in his hands would make things much easier for Bo Nix.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jalen Milroe, quarterback, Alabama
Milroe may appear to be an odd fit for Mike Tomlin, who told Russell Wilson to “take care of the football and stay on schedule” before Pittsburgh finished the regular season on a four-game losing streak.
But there’s no denying that he can make big plays as a passer and runner, and his stock could rise throughout the pre-draft process as he demonstrates his unique athleticism.
If the Steelers can be patient with his development, perhaps starting him behind Wilson or another established veteran, there is a big payoff to come.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
With Alaric Jackson set to hit free agency, the Rams may need to consider their options at left tackle. Simmons is still recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered in October, but the 6-5, 310-pounder otherwise meets the criteria for a top-tier blindside protector.
24. Green Bay Packers: Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas.
Bailing on Lukas Van Ness may be premature, but the Packers can’t expect a dramatic improvement from the former first-round pick, especially given the lack of depth and production on the edge rush.
Jackson’s 6-7, 280-pound frame overwhelms blockers, but he will need to develop new strategies to win at the next level.
25. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Jim Harbaugh should not have to work too hard to understand Loveland’s capabilities. In Harbaugh’s final season with the Wolverines in 2023, Loveland used his speed and fluidity to catch 45 passes for 649 yards in a run-heavy offense.
Giving Justin Herbert a legitimate threat down the stretch appears to be a winning strategy.
26. Washington Commanders: Nic Scourton (DE/OLB, Texas A&M)
Dan Quinn has made it clear that he wants “heavy hitters” in Washington, regardless of their form. In his pass rushes, Scourton has demonstrated his ability to close in on the quarterback and lock in against an opposing offensive tackle.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Green, DE/OLB, Marshall
It is simplistic to believe that the Ravens can improve their occasionally flagging pass rusher by bringing in the Football Subdivision Leader in sacks (17).
However, the 6-4, 248-pounder is explosive and agile enough to get past blockers at the next level, and he could address one of the unit’s few obvious flaws.
28. Minnesota Vikings – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Depending on how the offseason goes, Minnesota’s defense may have a greater immediate need at cornerback.
But Grant can create opportunities for others with the attention he commands up front, and he could realize his full potential under Brian Flores’ leadership – assuming the defensive coordinator does not land a head coaching job this cycle.30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama.
29. Buffalo Bills – JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State
Aside from Von Miller’s occasional contributions, Buffalo hasn’t progressed much. Tuimoloau may be too rigid to ever post high sack totals, but he can generate consistent pressure through his forcefulness while also holding up well against the run.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama.
Yes, given Howie Roseman’s approach to linebacker investment, this would be an unusual move.
But, with Zack Baun appearing to be a strong candidate to cash in elsewhere following a breakout season that earned him a Pro Bowl nod, the Eagles should consider reloading with Campbell, whose versatility should shine once he learns to play with a little more discipline.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Counting on D.J. Humphries and Joe Thuney to solve the left tackle crisis may get the two-time defending champions through the season, but it’s not a sustainable long-term strategy. Ersery, a Kansas City native, needs some work in pass protection but could be a valuable addition as a blindside protector for Patrick Mahomes.
32. Detroit Lions: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama.
Kevin Zeitler has been outstanding at right guard, but he will turn 35 in March and become a free agent after this season. Booker would fit in well with the rest of the Lions’ offensive line because he is a punishing presence in the run game.
