Midseason 2025 Mock Draft: ‘Twas the Week Before The College Football Playoff…

…and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even Kirk Cousins. Really didn’t think we’d see him benched before Christmas. Wild times.

We’re well into December and with the College Football Playoff starting in a few days, many top draft prospects will be showcasing their skills on the biggest stage college football has to offer. We’ll learn a lot about them over the next few weeks, then it’s straight into the all-star circuit and Combine.

Anyway, I’ll add my usual disclaimers here. Until we know more about how these players perform during the pre-draft circuit, and what teams do when the offseason starts, it’s difficult to make specific prospect-to-team fits. I did my best to attack areas of need for each team, but the primary goal of early mocks like this is to highlight draft prospects.

Let’s get to the mock draft:

1: Las Vegas Raiders — Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders

There’s been plenty of smoke for Sanders to both the Raiders and Giants, so the last three weeks of the NFL season might truly be the Sanders bowl. He doesn’t have elite pro traits, but he has good ones, and his anticipation and ability to read the field is superb.

2: New York Giants — Miami QB Cam Ward

If the Giants can’t get Sanders, they’d still be pretty happy with Ward, who enjoyed a meteoric rise this season. The way he manipulates defenses in the pocket, from his eyes to his feet, is impressive. With a big arm and all the playmaking ability in the world, Ward checks most every box you’d want in an NFL starter.

3: New England Patriots — Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter

Fresh off winning the Heisman trophy, Hunter now sets his sights on the NFL draft process. We’ll learn a lot about what teams think of Hunter’s versatility and his long-term home in the NFL in the coming months, but he himself says he’ll play both ways in the league.

4: Jacksonville Jaguars — Michigan CB Will Johnson

Jacksonville is in desperate need of some talent on their defense. Johnson remains my top-rated defensive player in this draft (Hunter notwithstanding) as he has all the markings of a shut-down corner in the NFL.

5: Carolina Panthers — Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan

Much like Jacksonville, Carolina needs an infusion of talent on defense. Even more importantly, however, they need to give QB Bryce Young some real talent to work with going into his third season. McMillan has unreal burst and agility for a man his size, with soft hands that play strong at the catch point.

6: Tennessee Titans — Penn State ED Abdul Carter

Harold Landry III is a nice player, but the Titans need a true alpha on the edge. Enter Carter, a player who’s gotten better every snap this season. He’s a bit undersized — and certainly still raw — but he’s an incredibly bendy rusher with elite burst and is starting to put together a real pass rush package.

7: Cleveland Browns — Michigan DT Mason Graham

Arguably the best defensive player in the draft, Graham would be a huge upgrade for the middle of the Browns’ defense. He impacts the game in so many ways, with the potential to be a true game-changer in the pros.

8: New York Jets — Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

The writing is on the wall for Aaron Rodgers’ future in New York. Ownership wants him out, meaning it’s time for yet another quarterback reset for the Jets. Milroe would probably benefit by sitting for a year (New York already has a capable bridge starter on the roster next year in Tyrod Taylor) but his athleticism, arm talent, and pocket movement are all top-notch.

9: Chicago Bears — Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty

Would this be the wisest pick for the Bears? Probably not. Would it be really fun though? Hell yeah it would. Give Caleb Williams the most dynamic back to come out of the draft in years. Jeanty’s contact balance and vision are the best I’ve ever scouted. He’s ready to be one of the best backs in the league right away.

10: New Orleans Saints — Texas A&M ED Nic Scourton

A big-bodied, versatile edge defender, Scourton is one of the youngest players in the draft and would be a much-needed infusion of youth on this Saints defense. With most of their defensive core declining in performance as they get closer to retirement, they could use a young pass rusher with All-Pro potential.

11: Miami Dolphins — LSU OT Will Campbell

The Dolphins have serious issues they need to fix on their offensive line. Campbell has been an excellent left tackle for LSU over the last three seasons, but some evaluators see him more as a guard prospect due to his shorter arms. Whichever way Miami leans in that debate, Campbell would be an upgrade.

12: Indianapolis Colts — Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

My OT1 as things stand today, Banks has put together an incredible season for Texas. He’s a smooth mover in pass protection, pairing quick feet with excellent hand usage. The Colts’ future at right tackle is up in the air, as longtime starter Braden Smith is on the NFI list with what was deemed a “personal matter” and hasn’t played well when in the lineup this season.

13: Cincinnati Bengals — Tennessee ED James Pearce Jr.

I’ve mocked Pearce to the Bengals before, but it’s such a clean fit I had to do it again. In what’s become a lost season for this Cincy core, their defense has been what’s held them back amidst career years from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Pearce would be a significant upgrade across from Trey Hendrickson on this defensive line.

14: Dallas Cowboys — West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum

Terence Steele has struggled at right tackle for the Cowboys, so upgrading from him is certainly on the table. Milum has put together incredible performances in some of West Virginia’s biggest games, with elite production in both run and pass blocking.

15: San Francisco 49ers — Michigan DT Kenneth Grant

San Francisco could use a boost in the middle of their defensive front. Grant is a big, run-stuffing tackle who’s flashed as a pass rusher. He has one of the highest floors of any prospect in the 2025 draft.

16: Atlanta Falcons — Georgia LB Jalon Walker

This may be too low for Walker when it’s all said and done. He’s a veteran rushing the passer, with legitimate edge defender capabilities and can moonlight as an off-ball linebacker. He’d be a major upgrade for Atlanta’s defense.

17: Arizona Cardinals — East Carolina CB Shavon Revel

With Revel coming off an ACL tear, his medicals leading up to the draft will be important to monitor. But just off the tape alone, Revel is a high-level prospect. His twitch and burst in coverage are elite, with smart footwork and a savviness to his game coaches will love.

18: Seattle Seahawks — Marshall ED Mike Green

Green has been a favorite in the scouting community all season long. He’s been nothing short of elite this season, putting up staggering grades against the run and in pass rushing. What’s particularly impressive is the advanced nature of his game. Small-school underclassmen don’t typically have Green’s combination of raw athleticism and refined technique.

19: Los Angeles Chargers — Georgia S Malaki Starks

Starks has had a bit of a down year in coverage, but his athleticism and football IQ will immediately translate to the NFL. He’s a thumper in run support with the range to play in multiple defensive schemes.

20: Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Georgia ED Mykel Williams

Williams will get a lot of Travon Walker comps, but he’s a different player. Like Walker, Williams plays a specific role in this Bulldogs defense that doesn’t put him in a position to succeed. Unlike Walker, Williams plays with more aggressiveness off the snap and is a more advanced pass rusher coming out.

21: Los Angeles Rams — Texas CB Jahdae Barron

What a breakout season it’s been for Barron. An elite zone corner, Barron is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his style of play. He has quick hips and a strong core to hold up against a variety of receivers.

22: Washington Commanders — Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka

Egbuka has gone under the radar this year, but don’t let prospect fatigue keep you from recognizing how good he is. With great positional size and versatility, Egbuka has the route running chops combined with the athleticism to be a problem from day one.

23: Denver Broncos — Michigan TE Colston Loveland

Denver needs to add weapons for their young quarterback, and Loveland will be a quarterback’s best friend. He can line up all over the formation and catches everything thrown his way, winning consistently over the middle and down the field.

24: Baltimore Ravens — Ohio State OT Josh Simmons

Simmons has been out with injury since midseason, but he rose up boards quickly over that span. He’s a natural in pass pro, using his frame and quickness to protect his edge.

25: Houston Texans — Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor

This Stanford offense struggles to get Ayomanor the ball, but that shouldn’t take away what’s been a fantastic season. Ayomanor’s hands can be iffy at times, but he’s physical at the catch point and can make things happen after the catch.

26: Pittsburgh Steelers — Missouri WR Luther Burden III

It’s been a rough season for Burden, but he still displays all the traits that made him such a coveted prospect in the offseason. He’s a true difference-maker with the ball in his hands, with the speed to alter how defenses play coverage. The Steelers need a big dose of dynamism in their offense, and Burden has it in spades.

27: Green Bay Packers — South Carolina DT T.J. Sanders

Sanders went nuclear this season, following up a great sophomore campaign with one that has him as a fringe first-round prospect. Slightly undersized by NFL standards, Sanders doesn’t let that stop him from shutting down opposing rushing attacks nor making life miserable for the quarterback across from him.

28: Minnesota Vikings — Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen

Nolen is the definition of a run-stuffing interior defender. He lines up all over the line, blowing up linemen and thwarting running backs all day. What separates him from other run stuffers is his pass rushing acumen. Some of the advanced numbers like his potential as a pass rusher, and this is backed up by the tape.

29: Buffalo Bills — Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins

It would behoove the Bills to continue adding to this wide receiver room. Higgins put together a fantastic season for the Cyclones, and he’s got an NFL build. He can win over the top and across the middle, profiling best as a possession WR2 in the league.

30: Philadelphia Eagles — Louisville ED Ashton Gillotte

A big, quick edge rusher, Gillotte brings the beef and the juice to every party. His pass-rushing acumen is impressive for a man his size. Lining up outside the tackle most of the time, Gillotte uses his speed and strength to win off the edge.

31: Detroit Lions — Arizona OT Jonah Savaiinaea

Once Detroit gets healthy on defense, their biggest need might be interior offensive line. I like Savaiinaea’s potential sticking at tackle, but there’s no denying he’d make a great NFL guard. His combination of strength and fluidity makes him suited for a variety of schemes.

32: Kansas City Chiefs — Penn State TE Tyler Warren

Travis Kelce won’t play forever. The Chiefs offense seems eternally adaptable to personnel changes as long as number 15 is behind center, but Warren would be an excellent heir apparent for Kelce when he eventually retires. He can bury a linebacker in the dirt as a lead blocker and is an incredibly versatile receiving threat.