New mock draft: Kiper projects a change at No. 1

27.02.2025, 19:36 espn.com

It's combine week, which means we'll get a good look at some of the best players in the 2025 NFL draft class on the field in Indianapolis. Some prospects are already clear first-round talents, but others come in with something to prove. To get a sense of how the board stacks up ahead of the workouts, I'm projecting all 32 picks in Round 1.

I have two quarterbacks in this updated mock draft, no change from my January set of predictions. But there are a few big risers at other positions, especially in the trenches. We're getting a better idea of the strengths of this class as we get closer to the draft (which begins April 24), but things will continue changing. The combine, in particular, will obviously boost some players' stocks. Pro days and more interviews follow after that. And with free agency ready to kick off in two weeks, positional needs will pivot. (I'm also not projecting any trades right now; it's still too early to gauge which teams could move up on draft day.)

Here's my current thinking on how Round 1 could look based on what I'm hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. And for more on the 32-pick predictions, check out the "SportsCenter Special" on the picks.

See more from :Kiper's Big Board | Latest mock drafts

Jump to a team's first-round pick:ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CINCLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | INDJAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MINNE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SFSEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

The quarterback question looms large here at No. 1. Could Tennessee trade the pick to a QB-needy team looking to land Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders? Sure. In fact, new GM Mike Borgonzi has even suggested the Titans will listen to offers. Could Tennessee also choose to take one of those passers itself here to replace Will Levis? Of course. But there are other ways to attack the quarterback position -- Aaron Rodgers? -- and I already said it's too early to start projecting trades.

Besides, the Titans would love having Carter -- who isn't working out this week at the combine -- on this defense. He creates so much pressure off the edge with the burst and instincts to get home for sacks. He had 12 of them in 2024, along with a nation-leading 23.5 tackles for loss. For a Tennessee team that was 25th in pressure (29.0%) this past season, sliding him next to Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat makes a lot of sense.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

I have Sanders ranked slightly ahead of Ward in my own rankings, but mock drafts are supposed to represent what the league thinks and what is likely to happen. And right now, Ward is the consensus QB1 in the class. He can make tough throws from different arm angles, on the move and under duress. His creativity in and out of the pocket and his arm strength are impressive, leading to 39 touchdown passes in his final college season.

Deshaun Watson has been disappointing in Cleveland since the Browns pulled off their megatrade in 2022 and is now out after tearing his right Achilles for the second time in three months. So the Browns need an answer under center, and getting a potential franchise guy on a rookie contract could help them turn things around quickly and soften the blow of Watson's contract weighing down the team's salary cap.

Cam Ward passes to Damien Martinez for a 13-yard first down to break the Miami record for passing yards in a season.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Let's start with the QB question, since I'm sure Giants fans would raise their eyebrows at seeing New York pass on Sanders. First, there are mixed feelings on him around the league, and he isn't seen as a surefire top-five pick. The front office and coaching staff have to win right now, and banking their futures on the class's QB2 might not get it done. Second, I'm not ready to close the door on the Giants bypassing this lackluster QB class in favor of a veteran option. Could New York trade for Matthew Stafford? Would signing Sam Darnold fix the issue? There are options here, and if the Giants go another route, they can instead use this pick to address one of many other needs. Or, in Hunter's case, maybe two of them.

Hunter is my top-ranked prospect in the class, and though I currently see him as a receiver in the pros, he could also play cornerback for New York. He can make a massive impact on either side of the ball, and he'll likely see at least some time on both sides. Perhaps the Giants take his ball skills and quickness and drop him at receiver opposite Malik Nabers to form a solid supporting cast around whomever is under center. Perhaps they look at his elite instincts and finally land a true CB1. Either way, this pick would be clutch for a struggling Giants team.

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

This is a trade-back spot if something presents itself. Carter and Hunter are off the board, and one of the top two quarterbacks is still available. I'd bet the Patriots will be getting a few calls if the board falls this way, and I'm sure they'll be very interested given the holes on their roster.

But if nothing materializes, I like Campbell checking a box for New England. The Pats were 31st in pass block win rate in 2024 (50.9%) and allowed the league's fifth-most sacks (52). They can't have that with second-year quarterback Drake Maye trying to take the next step in his development. Campbell has the sound technique to effectively seal off the blind side, but he could also boost this offensive line on the inside if he ultimately fits better at guard.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

I had Graham to Jacksonville a month ago, too. He uses his leverage, power and quickness to wreak havoc from the inside. And though his 3.5 sacks on the season won't drop many jaws, he has the traits and upside of a top-three prospect in this class.

After hiring offensive-minded Liam Coen as its new coach, Jacksonville might take a long look at that side of the ball in Round 1. But it can't ignore huge problems on defense. Only the Panthers gave up more yards per play than the Jaguars this past season (5.9). And though the Jags have Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton under contract, they could use a dominant force inside between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

I thought about Sanders here, especially given the link between him and minority owner Tom Brady. It's absolutely plausible. Give it another month, and Las Vegas might even be considering trading up for him. But free agency still has to play out, and any number of available signal-callers could fit into this offense. Sam Darnold might be the answer. Justin Fields could bring upside. Russell Wilson has the Pete Carroll connection from Seattle. So right now, I'm looking at other positions here.

Plus, look at what happened when the Raiders missed out on the QBs last year. They landed Brock Bowers, who looks like a star at tight end. Now they have the chance to add another one in Jeanty and clean up the league's worst run game (3.6 yards per carry in 2024). And speaking of Carroll, remember his background. He leaned on the run game in Seattle for years, and he even used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny in 2018. Jeanty brings it all -- speed, power, elusiveness, contact balance and vision. He ran for 2,601 yards this past season, and he can make a dent as a pass catcher on top of that. Las Vegas can advance the offense by getting yet another elite playmaker into the fold and looking elsewhere for a more stable QB solution.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Jets, however, might favor drafting a quarterback over trying another veteran. Because they are moving on from Aaron Rodgers, they could opt for the high-end accuracy and field vision of Sanders in an offense that has plenty of pieces already in place. In 2024, Sanders completed 74.0% of his passes, had 4,134 passing yards and threw 37 TDs. Those are all top-four numbers in the FBS.

Sanders would elevate this New York team that was near the bottom of the league in most passing metrics this past season and allow it to build around his rookie contract. The youthful combination of Sanders, receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall could do some damage. (By the way, Sanders won't be throwing in Indianapolis this week as he sits out the workouts.)

Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

This has to be defense, right? Carolina ranked last in yards allowed per play at 6.0 this past season. News broke Monday that the Panthers won't re-sign linebacker Shaq Thompson, and they didn't have a single edge rusher with six or more sacks in 2024. Walker can play either of those spots at a high level. Explosion is the word that comes to mind with his game, as he fires off the ball to make plays both as a pass rusher and a run defender. He had 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in his final season at Georgia.

If Carolina spends big on defense in free agency, the alternative approach will be looking at the receiver class here. Adam Thielen will be 35 years old, and the Panthers need another pass catcher alongside second-year players Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker for quarterback Bryce Young's development.

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Warren is really fun to watch, and he could do a bit of everything in the New Orleans offense. At Penn State, he was lined up in-line, out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. And no matter where he was, he made plays, racking up 1,233 receiving yards on 104 catches. Warren has sure hands and the ability to pile up yards after the catch. With Juwan Johnson hitting free agency and Taysom Hill recovering from a torn ACL, tight end is a position of need for the Saints. New coach Kellen Moore has traditionally leaned on the tight end position with his offenses, too.

Tyler Warren defies gravity with a high-flying catch for a Penn State touchdown.

Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

If the Bears expect quarterback Caleb Williams to take a big step forward in 2025, they have buy him time in the pocket to actually make plays.