Tony Pauline’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Ashton Jeanty becomes hometown hero, Cam Ward heads to NFC East 

Now that the regular season is officially over, the first 18 spots of the 2025 NFL Draft have been secured. Underclassmen still have several weeks to declare for the event, which may change things, yet here is my first mock draft of 2025.

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Tony Pauline’s NFL Mock Draft 3.0

1 - Tennessee Titans

Shedeur Sanders/QB/Colorado: Though he looked like a bargain at the time, it’s obvious Will Levis is not the answer at quarterback and the Titans must start anew. Sanders has a ton of upside, but he needs technical work.

2 - Cleveland Browns

Travis Hunter/WR-CB/Colorado: Cam Ward definitely gets consideration at this spot, and the Browns will also look to trade down.

3 - NY Giants

Cam Ward/QB/Miami: The Giants would prefer Shedeur Sanders, but the argument could be made that Ward is a safer pick at quarterback.

4 - New England Patriots

Tetairoa McMillan/WR/Arizona: The Patriots need a left tackle, but McMillan is a special receiver prospect who will quickly become Drake Maye’s favorite target.

5 - Jacksonville Jaguars

Will Johnson/CB/Michigan: Cornerback was seriously considered in the first round last year. They could opt for Johnson’s teammate Mason Graham at this spot.

6 - Las Vegas Raiders

Abdul Carter/Edge/Penn State: The Raiders will be one of the prime contenders hoping to trade with Cleveland for that second pick to draft a quarterback. Running back Ashton Jeanty will be a consideration at this spot, but Carter is higher rated and has the feel of a Raider.

7 - NY Jets

Mason Graham/DT/Michigan: So many question marks surrounding the Jets on the field and in the front office. Graham is good in the locker room and great on the field. He’ll also be a favorite of Rex Ryan, should he get the head coaching job.

8 - Carolina Panthers

Jalon Walker/Edge/Georgia: The Panthers would love to end up with Will Johnson, but edge rusher is a need and Walker is a natural fit.

9 - New Orleans Saints

Luther Burden III/WR/Missouri: The Saints need playmakers as well as depth at receiver.

10 - Chicago Bears

Will Campbell/T/LSU: Campbell will be hotly debated leading up to the draft, as many people like him while others do not. The Bears need a left tackle, and Campbell played better as the season progressed.

11 - San Francisco 49ers

Mykel Williams/Edge/Georgia: Another top edge rusher to pair with Nick Bosa.

12 - Dallas Cowboys

Ashton Jeanty/RB/Boise State: The Cowboys need a lot of help at running back, and Jeanty is a special, three-down player at the position.

13 - Miami Dolphins

Kenneth Grant/DT/Michigan: Malaki Starks will receive significant consideration at this spot, but Grant’s athleticism and upside are too good to pass up.

14 - Indianapolis Colts

Malaki Starks/S/Georgia: It would not surprise me if the Colts attempted to trade up to secure Starks.

15 - Atlanta Falcons

James Pearce Jr./Edge/Tennessee: The Falcons will have their pick of talented defensive front-seven players to choose from. Pearce will be a terrific fit for their scheme.

16 - Arizona Cardinals

Walter Nolen/DL/Mississippi: A terrific scheme fit, Nolen is a playmaker with great upside.

17 - Cincinnati Bengals

Kelvin Banks/OL/Cincinnati: The Bengals can use help at OG and OT to replace aging veterans. Most teams project Banks to guard, though a few believe he can play left tackle on Sundays.

18 - Seattle Seahawks

Jalen Milroe/QB/Alabama: The Seahawks are an organization that knows how to develop and get the most from quarterbacks. You can make the argument that Milroe has more upside than any quarterback in this draft. The question is, how early will he be selected?

19 - Houston Texans

Tyleik Williams/DT/Ohio State: Kelvin Banks would be a great fit here if available. In Williams, the Texas are getting an athletic, playmaker who alters the momentum of games.

20 - Denver Broncos

Evan Stewart/WR/Oregon: Tight end is a bigger need, but this is too early for Tyler Warren in my opinion. Stewart is a game-controlling wideout who has shown the ability to dominate games.

21 - Tampa Bay Bucs

Nic Scourton/Edge/Texas A&M: Scourton has been a dominant pass rusher at two schools and can do the same on Sundays.

22 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Derrick Harmon/DL/Oregon: Benjamin Morrison would receive consideration here, yet Harmon is a playmaker who can line up in a three-man front.

23 - LA Rams

Josh Simmons/T/Ohio State: Had Simmons not sustained a season-ending injury so early in 2024 and continued to play at the level he was, he well could’ve been the first tackle selected in the draft.

24 - Green Bay Packers

Benjamin Morrison/CB/Notre Dame: Should a highly rated defensive lineman fall in their laps, that would be a direction Green Bay would go.

25 - LA Chargers

Colston Loveland/TE/Michigan: Isaiah Bond could be the pick here, but with the need at tight end and Harbaugh’s relationship with Loveland, this makes too much sense.

26 - Washington Commanders

Shavon Revel/CB/East Carolina: Revel is a bit of a risk, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in September, yet his upside is huge and he showed a lot of improvement in his game prior to the injury.

27 - Baltimore Ravens

Josh Conerly/OL/Oregon: Conerly is underrated and another college left tackle who could end up at guard. He’s incredible athletic, mobile and has a lot of upside.

28 - Minnesota Vikings

Jahdae Barron/CB/Texas: With Shavon Revel off the board, the Vikings take the next best cornerback.

29 - Philadelphia Eagles

Marcus Mbow/OT/Purdue: This is earlier than most have Mbow, but he fits the Eagles scheme and Howie Roseman loves to draft offensive linemen.

30 - Buffalo Bills

Deone Walker/DT/Kentucky: The Bills need a lot of help all around the defense. At the top of his game, Walker controls the middle of the field with his size, power and quickness.

31 - Kansas City Chiefs

Tyler Warren/TE/Penn State: With Travis Kelce close to retirement, if not on his way after the season is done, Warren is a natural replacement.

32 - Detroit Lions

Landon Jackson/DE/Arkansas: A quarterback at this spot is very enticing, but bringing in a tough, intense defensive end/edge rusher to play opposite Aidan Hutchinson makes too much sense.