2025 NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders goes to the Titans in way-too-early predictions

In this mock draft, the Titans struggle mightily in a vastly competitive AFC South and don’t quite get the play they need from Will Levis to justify not taking a quarterback with the first-overall pick. Enter Sanders, who can step into a rebuilding Tennessee franchise and hypothetically start right away. He’s got the potential to be a very exciting quarterback on Sundays in the NFL.

The most intriguing wide receiver prospect in the 2025 class (at least right now) is Burden, who gives Drake Maye a very strong, young option in the passing game as he potentially takes his first starting reps after sitting for a year behind Jacoby Brissett. If Maye hits, this could be his version of the Cincinnati Bengals adding Ja’Marr Chase for Joe Burrow.

After what we’re guessing will be a tough fall in Denver behind first-year quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos take advantage of a very high pick to land a potential franchise left tackle in Banks. However, if Nix falters, it’s very possible the Broncos take a quarterback next year.

The Giants aren’t quite bad enough in 2024 to land the first pick because of that defensive line, but New York might not mind being in this spot next spring to land a talent like Beck. He’d step in right away and start for a Giants team that’s been searching for a quarterback since Eli Manning left.

After a 2024 offseason almost solely dedicated to marquee offensive investment, the Panthers grab their eventual Brian Burns replacement with a high pick in Pearce. The Tennessee defensive end might be the best defensive prospect at present, and your team can never have too many pass-rushers.

Like the Panthers, the Commanders switch over to defense after focusing on offense in 2024 with Williams, a key member of the Bulldogs defense who could get plenty of love next spring.

The Saints prepare for life after Derek Carr here by taking Ewers, who might be the perfect candidate to sit for a year and take over for New Orleans in 2026. If that’s when Michael Penix Jr. takes over for the Falcons, it’ll set up the dueling NFC South foes with two young quarterbacks to battle for the future with no shortage of offensive weapons at their disposal.

We’re not sure how long Geno Smith has left in Seattle as its starter, but the Seahawks wouldn’t surprise anyone by taking a quarterback next spring. Milroe might wind up being the best quarterback in this class if he declares next winter, as his potential at Alabama was radiant.

The Vikings only have three picks in next year’s draft right now, so they’ll have to make this first-rounder count. Hunter projects as an elite cornerback, but his excellence at wide receiver also makes him one of the most versatile prospects of his generation. If Hunter plays both ways in the NFL, at least on a part-time basis, the Vikings benefit here in a major way.

New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh keeps his focus on the trenches next spring by going and getting one of his best Wolverine defenders in Graham, who would fill a massive need on the defense. Wide receiver would probably be in play here, too, but familiarity helps a lot.

After what we’re thinking will be a down year in Buffalo, quarterback Josh Allen gets a new wide receiver in Egbuka, who could follow in the long line of excellent Ohio State wide receivers.

The Raiders might be too competitive to land a top-10 pick next year, so don’t be shocked if they’re one of the teams trying to trade up next spring. For now, they get QB5 in this draft class in Ward, who transferred from Washington State to Miami and could boost up his prospects this fall.

Cleveland tries to find more front seven help with its offense mostly complete right now with Perkins, who might wind up being taken higher than this with a strong fall in Baton Rouge.

The Bears land a long-term cornerback prospect to put next to elite corner Jaylon Johnson to cement Chicago as a possible Super Bowl contender going into quarterback Caleb Williams’ second season (if all goes as planned at Halas Hall).

The Buccaneers focus on the secondary after trading cornerback Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions this past spring by adding Morrison, who could slot in right next to Jamel Dean for the long haul.

A run on cornerbacks continues, as Pittsburgh lands Burke to play next to cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and gives the Steelers a very dynamic young duo on the defense.

The Jets finally get a season full of Aaron Rodgers, and they leave it realizing that he needs more wide receivers to really capitalize on what’s suddenly a closing window of contention. McMillan can help there, playing on the outside opposite of wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

The Jaguars get really lucky to have someone as talented as Campbell fall into their laps, but that’s just the way this way-too-early mock draft falls. We’re guessing the LSU offensive tackle goes much earlier than this next year, but this works out very well for Jacksonville with left tackle Cam Robinson a free agent in 2025.

The Cardinals improve quite a bit with a full season of Kyler Murray, and adding a ferocious defensive lineman like Tuimoloau can help them really contend for the division in 2026.

Another offensive player? Yes. The Falcons continue to prepare for Michael Penix Jr. eventually taking over the quarterback spot by getting him an offensive lineman he can grow with in Jones, who could replace Kaleb McGary at right tackle to start his career.

We wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest if the Cowboys traded quarterback Dak Prescott in the 2025 offseason ahead of his major payday and tried to find his replacement next spring. Getting QB6 in this draft might seem like shaky logic, but Dart has the potential to be a feisty competitor at the next level with an offensive line already ready for him when he gets there.

The Rams try to maximize the twilight of Matthew Stafford’s career with Bond, who could form a dangerous three-headed monster with Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua.

The Eagles get Lane Johnson’s heir apparent in Booker, as general manager Howie Roseman loves SEC players, particularly in the trenches.

The Dolphins add even more speed to their offense in Stewart, who can either replace Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle, should one of those guys get traded next offseason for cap reasons.

The Ravens always add good defensive linemen in the first round, and Williams could take a short trip to Baltimore to help the team’s stout defensive rotation stay intact.

Starks is perhaps the best safety for next year’s draft coming into the fall, and the Colts could definitely use some secondary help to buffet what we think will be a strong 2024 season.

With wide receiver Tee Higgins’ future squarely in question in Cincinnati and a lot of good wide receivers off the board, the Bengals add Loveland as a promising target for Joe Burrow.

The Lions, like any other NFL team, can never have too many pass-rushers. Sawyer continues the strong run of Buckeyes in this mock draft to provide Aidan Hutchinson a long-term running mate.

As he transfers from Ole Miss to Ohio State, Judkins is our next Buckeye off the board. He goes to an excellent landing spot here with the Texans, who make a luxury pick to avenge what we think will be a close AFC championship game loss next winter and boost up the offense even higher.

The 49ers focus on adding to the secondary with Davis, who has starting cornerback potential.

After transferring from Florida to Ole Miss, Umanmielen could be a nice fit for a Packers team we’re predicting will want even more pass-rushers after losing a close Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs are so happy with a three-peat at the Super Bowl that they’ll take another pass-rusher to boost up their defensive line and go for the unthinkable-yet-obtainable four-peat.