Midseason 2025 Mock Draft: Thanksgiving Edition

It’s time to feed the people, and I’m not just talking about Thanksgiving. There are few things folks love more than a mock draft, so while you wait to carve the turkey, feast your eyes on a special one with new prospects to discuss, a few returning names and an ever-clearer draft order.

So happy Thanksgiving. Celebrate with loved ones, fall asleep during the Giants/Cowboys game, and dream of your team drafting your favorite prospect come April. To all our international readers, I’m sorry you have to go to work today. Enjoy the extra football as best you can. At the end of the day, we’re all just football fans after all.

1: Jacksonville Jaguars — Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter

There’s little debate for the top pick currently, as Hunter is considered to be the best prospect in the draft by most. He says he intends to play both ways in the NFL, so it’ll be interesting to see how teams treat that proposition through the pre-draft process.

2: New York Giants — Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

Colorado gets the top two picks in this mock, a scenario I’m sure Deion Sanders would love. There’s been a lot of smoke recently about New York’s interest in Sanders, with the front office brass including GM Joe Schoen spotted on camera at practice this week and in attendance for a number of Colorado’s games.

3: Las Vegas Raiders — Miami QB Cam Ward

Ward would provide a level of playmaking and big-play potential at quarterback the Raiders are desperately craving. It’s the start of a longer rebuild, but getting a top draft pick at quarterback in the building is the first step.

4: New England Patriots — Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan

The Patriots are desperate for help at receiver. McMillan is a rare athlete with the size to create a mismatch anywhere he lines up. He’d provide QB Drake Maye with the go-to weapon he’s currently missing.

5: Carolina Panthers — Michigan CB Will Johnson

The Panthers need a complete defensive overhaul, so why not start with the top defender on my board? Johnson profiles as a true No. 1 corner in the NFL. Carolina has a decision to make with former first-round CB Jaycee Horn entering a contract year on his fifth-year option in 2025, but should they retain him, he and Johnson would be an elite pair.

6: Tennessee Titans — Tennessee ED James Pearce Jr.

He’s dropped on some boards, but Pearce is still my favorite edge rusher in this class. His bend and fluidity are unreal, and his production still pops on film. A rebuilding Titans team can afford to swing for the fences, even if it takes a year or two.

7: New York Jets — Michigan DT Mason Graham

The Jets have an underrated need at defensive tackle, and here the top one falls right to them. Graham is a prolific pass rusher and fundamental run defender. He commands double teams and his first step off the line can burn almost any guard.

8: Cleveland Browns — LSU OT Will Campbell

With Jedrick Wills Jr. unlikely to return in 2025, the Browns will need a new left tackle. Enter Campbell, an avid pass blocker with the ability to get out on the move and set the edge in the run game. Arm length will be the question for Campbell, but if a team feels comfortable with his measurables, he checks every box you’d want in a tackle.

9: New Orleans Saints — Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

It was a rough weekend for Milroe, who struggled mightily in a road loss to Oklahoma. As a relatively inexperienced prospect, ups and downs are to be expected from him, and it shouldn’t take away what he’s done all season. It’ll be important for Milroe to stack quality outings in his last few opportunities.

10: Cincinnati Bengals — Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty

The Bengals could choose to make a strength even stronger by adding Jeanty’s playmaking to an already potent offense. The combination of QB Joe Burrow, WR Ja’Marr Chase, and Jeanty would put fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators everywhere.

11: Dallas Cowboys — Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka

I love this fit for the Cowboys, who need a running mate for WR CeeDee Lamb’s brilliance, especially with WR Brandin Cooks likely moving on in free agency after this season. Egbuka is a big-bodied slot receiver, shifty in his route running and dynamic after the catch.

12: Chicago Bears — Penn State ED Abdul Carter

The Bears struggle to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, a notable weakness in an otherwise excellent defense. Carter is still learning the position but he’s twitchy as hell and strong, too. A good counter move would elevate his game even further.

13: Indianapolis Colts — East Carolina CB Shavon Revel

Between Jaylon Jones, Samuel Womack III, and JuJu Brents, the Colts have a lot of solid options at cornerback. They’re lacking a stud on the outside, however, and Revel can be exactly that. He’s extremely long and athletic, exactly the kind of corner the Colts love.

14: Miami Dolphins — Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

The Dolphins have multiple needs all across their line, so they take the top o-line prospect left in Banks. His frame and movement skills are well-suited to playing tackle in the NFL, and he could thrive at guard as well.

15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Texas A&M ED Nic Scourton

The Bucs need to reinforce their pass rush, and Scourton is a versatile piece to do just that. He can play anywhere from rush end to 3-tech at 280 pounds. He’s a mismatch on defense and an advanced pass rusher, despite being one of the youngest players in this draft class.

16: Los Angeles Rams — Georgia S Malaki Starks

The Rams have some nice pieces at safety already (Kam Kinchens is having a really good rookie season) but would jump at the chance to add a stud like Starks. His range, tackling ability, and ball skills would elevate a struggling Los Angeles secondary.

17: San Francisco 49ers — Georgia LB Jalon Walker

Georgia plays Walker primarily at off-ball linebacker, but his more permanent home in the NFL will be at edge defender. He’s a demon rushing the passer, using his advanced skillset and long frame to blitz past tackles and chase down quarterbacks from behind. I trust San Francisco to utilize his positional flexibility, as well.

18: Arizona Cardinals — Michigan DT Kenneth Grant

Grant’s been more up-and-down as a pass rusher, but he’s been an impact run defender in his first season as a full-time starter. He has all the high-end traits you’d want in a first-round interior defender, and though his tape is more solid than flashy, he projects well to the next level.

19: Atlanta Falcons — Kentucky DT Deone Walker

Many evaluators have dropped Walker out of their first-round mocks altogether, but I’m not quite ready to do that. He’s struggled with consistency in what was supposed to be a breakout season, but he still flashes considerable upside on tape. His versatility and fluidity at his size is so unique.

20: Seattle Seahawks — Arizona OT Jonah Savaiinaea

I’ve mocked Savaiinaea to the Seahawks before. It’s such a perfect fit. He’ll be an excellent tackle or guard in the NFL, and Seattle has multiple holes to fill along the offensive line. Drafting Savaiinaea would help them start their five best players on the line.

21: Washington Commanders — Ohio State OT Josh Simmons

Simmons returned from injury against Indiana this past weekend and had a solid game. He’s had a strong start to the year and hopefully he can return to form to close it. His length and ability to move in pass protection makes him an ideal NFL prospect.

22: Houston Texans — Michigan TE Colston Loveland

Despite their recent struggles, the Texans have a strong roster. One area they could potentially use reinforcements is at pass-catcher, as WR Stefon Diggs’ future with the team is uncertain after tearing his ACL. Loveland is more of a receiving weapon than a strong blocker, but he’d operate over the middle of the field in much the same way Diggs did.

23: Denver Broncos — Texas WR Isaiah Bond

The Broncos need more speed on offense, and Bond has that in spades. Courtland Sutton is a good outside option at receiver, and Bond could move between the slot and other outside position. His route running is still a work in progress, but Bond has made great strides in his down-to-down consistency.

24: Los Angeles Chargers — Penn State TE Tyler Warren

Warren is a tough, hard-nosed, football player’s football player. He does so many things for this Penn State offense that will immediately translate to modern NFL offenses. The Chargers under Jim Harbaugh have formed an identity as a fundamentally-sound team that will punch you in the mouth, and Warren fits perfectly with that while also adding some dynamism in the pass game.

25: Baltimore Ravens — West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum

In a deep tackle class, the Ravens would love to add Milum. He’s a Ravens kind of guy, athletic enough to move and pull in the Ravens’ rushing attack and is stout in pass protection.

26: Pittsburgh Steelers — Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor

Ayomanor is a Steelers-brand receiver. He’s big and athletic, someone who wins more through physicality than finesse. Pittsburgh badly needs more from their passing attack, and Ayomanor would be a great get.

27: Green Bay Packers — Iowa State CB Darien Porter

Length and twitch define Porter’s game. At 6-4, he towers over many of the receivers he faces and won’t be physically outmatched by anyone in the NFL. His coverage instincts are excellent, showcasing his advanced understanding of the position.

28: Minnesota Vikings — Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery

Ersery is one of the players I’m least sure where to rank in this class. He’s a massive tackle that might struggle with speedy edge rushers, but he also might not have the leverage to stick at guard. Wherever his home is, he’ll impress with his power and footwork.

29: Philadelphia Eagles — Ole Miss ED Princely Umanmielen

Umanmielen is in the midst of an excellent season after transferring from Florida. He’s polished several moves in his arsenal, and he was already an athletic specimen. The Eagles haven’t gotten the production they wanted when they signed Bryce Huff and could use some extra juice off the edge.

30: Buffalo Bills — Ole Miss WR Tre Harris

Though he’s missed some time with injury, Harris is putting together a phenomenal campaign. His size/speed combo would electrify this Buffalo offense and provide QB Josh Allen with a primary downfield threat.

31: Kansas City Chiefs — Alabama ED LT Overton

I’m not convinced Overton is a first-round talent, but it’s not hard to see why teams might be enthused with him. He’s a big end who plays with discipline and toughness against the run. Although he’s not quite there yet as a pass rusher, he has some eye-popping individual reps that make you optimistic about his long-term potential.

32: Detroit Lions — Georgia ED Mykel Williams

Detroit needs a long-term player to pair on the edge with All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson, and Williams would complement him nicely. Williams plays with power against the run and flashes high-end pass-rushing upside.