Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and Travis Hunter

With Week 9 now completed and the trade deadline having passed, we are now at the midway point of the 2024 NFL season.

And with that in mind, let’s take a look ahead to next offseason, with our latest 2025 NFL mock draft.

1. New England Patriots – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

With Drake Maye showing early signs of being a franchise quarterback, the Patriots figure to be an obvious trade-down candidate regardless of where their pick lands. But while its most obvious need is on the offensive line, New England’s roster is simply too devoid of overall talent to pass on a top-tier prospect like Travis Hunter, who’s capable of making an impact on either (or perhaps both) sides of the ball.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas

After trading Cam Robinson to the Minnesota Vikings, the Jaguars have a glaring need at left tackle. In a loaded offensive line class, here they grab the best in Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr.

3. New Orleans Saints – James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Situated in salary cap hell, the Saints are headed for an apparent rebuild. Rather than taking a swing on a quarterback, it might make more sense for New Orleans to grab a potential defensive cornerstone like James Pearce Jr. and turn its attention toward the Arch Manning sweepstakes of 2026 (or 2027).

4. Carolina Panthers – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Panthers having a projected top-four pick tells you everything you need to know about Bryce Young’s first two seasons in the NFL. In what marks its first chance at a do-over, Carolina takes the consensus top quarterback in Shedeur Sanders while hoping it’s on Coach Prime’s list of approved destinations.

5. Cleveland Browns – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

Like the Panthers, the Browns took a big swing on a potential quarterback in Deshaun Watson and whiffed spectacularly. Despite the salary cap ramifications Cleveland finds itself facing, it’s easy to imagine Cam Ward’s arm thriving in Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

6. Las Vegas Raiders – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Raiders’ roster has obvious holes on both sides of the ball. If they can’t nab one of the top quarterback prospects, it would make sense for to secure the draft’s top wideout in Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan for whoever’s throwing passes in Las Vegas.

7. New York Giants – Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU

While the Daniel Jones era is likely coming to an end, the Giants need to upgrade their offensive line. With the versatility to play tackle or guard, Will Campbell should fit in wherever New York needs him to.

8. Miami Dolphins – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

The Dolphins turned to 38-year-old Calais Campbell to fill the void left by Christian Wilkins’ departure. The top interior defensive lineman in next year’s class, Mason Graham could provide a more permanent solution.

9. Tennessee Titans – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Titans’ defense has been better than expected this season, but its secondary still has some holes. Michigan’s Will Johnson would provide an instant boost and potentially the flexibility to let L’Jarius Sneed play the slot position he thrived in with the Kansas City Chiefs.

10. New York Jets – Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Despite investing heavily in their defensive line in recent years, the Jets still lack depth. Currently in the midst of a strong junior season at Penn State, Abdul Carter would add both productivity and versatility to New York’s pass rush.

11. Dallas Cowboys – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Beyond CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys possess one of the worst collection of skill players in the NFL. And considering the heat he’s taken for passing on Derrick Henry, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jerry Jones try to rectify that by selecting a star running back in Ashton Jeanty.

12. Indianapolis Colts – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

The Colts’ needs in their secondary are obvious. As such, it makes plenty of sense for them to take a top-level cornerback prospect such as Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison.

13. Cincinnati Bengals – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

All indications are that 2024 will be Tee Higgins’ last in Cincinnati. While he may be overshadowed by Jeremiah Smith this season, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka is a first-round talent in his own right.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has yet to live up to his first-round status and is set to become a free agent next offseason. Here, Tampa Bay takes another swing on an Edge, with Nic Scourton possessing the potential to upgrade the Bucs’ pass rush.

15. Seattle Seahawks – Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

The Seahawks’ offensive line has been one of the worst in the NFL this season. A big-bodied, high-upside prospect, Aireontae Ersery could pair with Charles Cross to give Seattle a solid base of offensive tackles to work with.

16. Los Angeles Rams – Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona

Cornerback already stood out as an obvious need for the Rams before they traded Tre’Davious White to the Ravens. A rangy cornerback with impressive size (hello, DK Metcalf), Tacario Davis could be a difference-maker in Los Angeles’ secondary.

17. San Francisco 49ers – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Considering their current salary situation, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Deebo Samuel be a cap casualty for the 49ers next offseason. If that’s the case, then what better way to replace him than with the prospect many have already hailed as the next Deebo Samuel in Missouri star Luther Burden III?

18. Chicago Bears – Jordan Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona

As Caleb Williams enters his second season, Chicago needs to continue to invest in ways to support him. A high upside offensive lineman with the flexibility to play inside or out, Jordan Savaiinaea fits the bill.

19. Denver Broncos – Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

If Bo Nix is going to have a chance in Denver, the Broncos need to improve their wide receiver corps. Texas’ Isaiah Bond could pair with Troy Franklin to give the 2024 first-round quarterback two speedy downfield targets.

20. Arizona Cardinals – Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky

Despite having a defensive-minded head coach, the Cardinals’ defense has major holes. At 6-foot-6 and 345 pounds, Deone Walker could fill one of them while providing a pass rush from the interior of Arizona’s defense.

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

It’s imperative that the Chargers get Justin Herbert more weapons. Here, Jim Harbaugh turns to a familiar face in Michigan’s Colston Loveland to accomplish just that.

22. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia

Even after acquiring Matthew Judon, Edge remains an obvious need for the Falcons. With the versatility to play multiple positions in the front seven, Jalon Walker isn’t just a local product, but an obvious fit.

23. Green Bay Packers – Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jaire Alexander be a cap casualty in Green Bay next offseason. While he missed most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL, Shavon Revel Jr. had already established himself as a first-round talent.

24. Baltimore Ravens – Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

Offensive line is already a need for the Ravens and Ronnie Stanley is set to become a free agent next offseason. While he’s primarily played right tackle in his college career, Cameron Williams could provide Baltimore with some flexibility for its plans for the unit.

25. Houston Texans – Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

While the Texans’ offense is filled with young talent, you can’t say the same about their defense. If anyone is going to get the most out of a top safety prospect like Malaki Starks, you would think it would be DeMeco Ryans.

26. Philadelphia Eagles – Mykell Williams, Edge, Georgia

After trading Haason Reddick, the Eagles have an obvious need at Edge. And considering their propensity for drafting Georgia defenders, Mykell Williams seems like a perfect fit.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers – Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL)

The Steelers traded for Mike Williams at the deadline but still have a glaring need at receiver. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Xavier Restrepo’s draft stock continue to soar as he serves as Cam Ward’s top target with the Hurricanes.

28. Minnesota Vikings – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

The Vikings could stand to add a difference-maker in the middle of its defense. Over the course of his career at Michigan, 6-foot-3, 339-pound Kenneth Grant has proven to be just that.

29. Washington Commanders – Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama

The Commanders would be wise to continue to invest in protection for Jayden Daniels. While most of the top offensive tackles may be off the board, they can still grab the top guard in Alabama’s Tyler Booker.

30. Buffalo Bills – LT Overton, DL, Alabama

The Bills have shown a propensity for investing in its defensive line under Sean McDermott. While he hasn’t amassed eye-popping numbers, LT Overton possesses the type of ability and versatility that typically appeals to Buffalo.

31. Detroit Lions – Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

Aidan Hutchinson’s injury showed the need for Detroit to add depth at Edge. Jack Sawyer hasn’t been the most consistent prospect over the course of his college career, but he has shown flashes of living up to his former five-star status.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon

The Chiefs have already shown a willingness to play the numbers game at wide receiver. That’s especially the case when it comes to speedsters, with Oregon’s Evan Stewart standing out as an obvious fit.

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About Ben Axelrod

Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.