NFL Mock Draft 2025: College football writers weigh in on the first round’s top picks - The Athletic

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Top Picks

This article presents a mock draft for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, compiled by eight college football writers from The Athletic. No trades were considered in this exercise. The mock draft highlights the top college prospects and their potential fits within NFL teams based on their strengths, team needs, and projected performance.

Key Selections and Rationale

• Tennessee Titans (1st pick): Cam Ward, QB, Miami: Ward’s impressive physical attributes and playmaking ability are seen as key factors in his selection, potentially transforming the Titans' franchise.
• Cleveland Browns (2nd pick): Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State: Despite needing a quarterback, the Browns prioritize a potential superstar defensive end in Carter, even if Myles Garrett remains with the team.
• New York Giants (3rd pick): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado: The Giants' selection of Hunter signifies prioritizing the best overall prospect, considering the quarterback position could be addressed in later drafts.
• Other notable picks: The mock draft continues, highlighting various players based on their potential and their specific teams' needs. Other prominent picks include Will Campbell (OT, LSU) for New England, Jalon Walker (LB/Edge, Georgia) for Jacksonville, and several other key prospects across various positions.

The writers offer reasoning behind each pick, considering factors such as player statistics, individual skills, and team requirements.