Final 3-round mock draft: The Shedeur Sanders slide is real

For the last time before the main event...

We are under one week until the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us it’s time for one last mock draft this cycle. We do it for three rounds for one last blowout.

With the quarterback class receiving plenty of attention down the stretch, one has been in the spotlight for the wrong reason. For Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, it’s nothing that he’s done, but his draft stock has legitimately tumbled since the end of the regular season.

I’ve done plenty of work on Sanders, have charted him as the most accurate quarterback in this class (and the second-most over the last two years only behind Jayden Daniels), and think the slide has gone too far. The NFL, however, does not seem to agree.

So just how far will Sanders slide? Let’s figure it out together.

1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami

This one has been obvious for quite some time.

2. Cleveland Browns: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Browns general manager, Andrew Berry, cannot stop raving about Travis Hunter. It looks like the draft starts with the New York Giants.

3. New York Giants: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State

The Giants are doing some last-minute work on Shedeur Sanders, but that seems like bait to try and get a team to trade up to their spot to take him. The best bet? Take the remaining blue chip player in Abdul Carter. Kayvon Thibodeaux hasn’t worked out. Perhaps the Giants swing a draft weekend trade and move him too.

Read more: Abdul Carter scouting report

4. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell, LSU

The Patriots are a tough team to crack.

But trying to re-establish the “Belichick Way” under Mike Vrabel, they have to prioritize protecting Drake Maye. It’s not a sexy pick, but almost the entirety of the NFL views Will Campbell as a tackle. So why not take the best one to help Maye build off of a promising rookie campaign?

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Liam Cohen needs a sturdy running back to carry the load of his offensive structure. James Gladstone was mentored by a general manager who once took Todd Gurley early in the draft. They landed Brian Thomas Jr. a year ago and still have the promise of Trevor Lawrence. Here, they add the final infinity stone to their offensive gauntlet in the Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Outside of Christian Wilkins, the Raiders’ defensive tackle room is a mess. Adding a top-end talent like Mason Graham to pair with Wilkins would give the Raiders a formidable defensive front. Admittedly, this is the hardest team to get a pulse on.

7. New York Jets: OT Armand Membou, Missouri

One of the biggest risers this cycle now lands in the top-10 of this mock draft. The Jets seem to be between both Membou and Tyler Warren, but opt for the offensive tackle here to pair him with last year’s first rounder Olu Fashanu.

8. Carolina Panthers: EDGE/LB Jalon Walker, Georgia

While Walker is a player that I struggle to see the transition to the NFL as worthy of a top pick, it seems the Carolina Panthers are enamored with him. They lost Frankie Luvu in free agency last offseason and perhaps are looking to replace him here. The grey area of where Walker can line up defensively will either be a blessing or a curse.

9. New Orleans Saints: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

The Saints have a ton of needs that won’t be solved in just one or two offseasons. So why not just take the best player available? That’s what the Saints do here to give Spencer Rattler (or whoever their starting quarterback is going to be) an ultimate safety valve in the explosive Tyler Warren.

Read more: How high is too high for Tyler Warren?

10. Chicago Bears: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

What the Bears do here is one of the more interesting hinge points of the first round. However, they are likely going to look to phase out Cole Kmet after the season and just let Keenan Allen walk in free agency (still unsigned, so I guess not technically walking yet). Why not draft a tight end who will do most of his lethal work from the slot?

Looking at what Sam LaPorta has done under Ben Johnson, it’s hard not to envision the same for Colston Loveland.

11. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart is excellent. Don’t let box score surfers tell you otherwise. The San Francisco 49ers need to overhaul their defensive line, and starting with the ultra-explosive and powerful Stewart is the place to start. The Niners now have another threat opposite Nick Bosa.

12. Dallas Cowboys: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

Getting a real threat to pair with CeeDee Lamb in the passing game has to be a priority for the Cowboys. I know there will be a desire to reach on a running back here, but getting Dak Prescott a threatening X receiver to let Lamb throw his weight around over the middle of the field and down the seam where he thrives.

13. Miami Dolphins: CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Like Shedeur Sanders, Michigan cornerback Will Johnson Jr. has experienced a bit of a slide himself. However, he doesn’t go too far as the Miami Dolphins need help in their secondary. Especially considering they are now shopping Jalen Ramsey as well. Johnson heads to South Beach here.

14. Indianapolis Colts: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

The Colts love athletes, and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell had the best tracking data of anybody at the combine in March. While Campbell’s meds, I’m told, are a bit dicey with both his shoulders and his knee getting flagged, that didn’t stop the Colts from taking Laiatu Latu a year ago. Chris Ballard gets another top-shelf athlete here.

15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia

The Falcons are doing late and extensive work on Mykel Williams and they are favorable to reaching down to Athens to find some talent. They are going to keep an in-state talent close to home here while upgrading their pass rush with the talented but still raw Williams.

16. Arizona Cardinals: DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

The Cardinals are looking to bolster their interior defensive line. Look what Jonathan Gannon was able to do in Philadelphia with an elite core. They already brought back Calais Campbell for what looks like a homecoming tour to end his career, but longevity is still needed inside. Oregon’s Derrick Harmon solves that problem.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

Mike Green has some off-the-field issues to work through. However, it appears that the majority of teams might be fine with the research they have done, as he is still consistently mocked in the first round. After the retirement of Sam Hubbard and the ongoing contract dispute with Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals need to make a move to add to their attack off the edge. They take the risk on Green.

18. Seattle Seahawks: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Go back and read the descriptions on previous mock drafts where I’ve connected South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori to the Seahawks. Mike MacDonald would have a great deal of fun with this one.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: G Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

After bringing back their whole squad from a year ago, the Buccaneers can afford a bit of a luxury pick. Is Cody Mauch bad perse? No, but he’s upgradable. And that’s what the Bucs do here, bringing in Grey Zabel to solidify what is already one of the best offensive lines in football.

20. Denver Broncos: RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

There is a great deal of buzz linking the Broncos to Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson. Yes, even with Omarion Hampton still on the board here. Henderson is a better pass catcher, an elite pass protector, and can give Sean Payton that Joker he is looking for.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

And this is where the Shedeur Sanders slide stops. The Steelers continue to wait on Aaron Rodgers, but how long can they continue to peddle to his nonsense? And even if he does sign on, it won’t be for more than a year. This gives Sanders the chance to sit and learn before taking over in 2026 as the quarterback of the future in Pittsburgh.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan

We’ve already seen Jim Harbaugh go hard after players that he recruited out of high school. Even guys he didn’t land like offensive lineman Mekhi Becton and running back Najee Harris. So what is to stop him from doing it again? The Chargers have a need along their defensive front, and Kenneth Grant fits the bill.

23. Green Bay Packers: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas

The Packers whiffed on Eric Stokes and now are faced with potentially dealing Jaire Alexander. They need help in their secondary. They turn to the strong leader from Texas, Jahdae Barron, to give themselves a Day 1 starter either outside or in the slot.

24. Minnesota Vikings: S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Harrison Smith is on his last leg, and Cam Bynum departed in free agency. I know another first round safety will give some Lewis Cine PTSD to the fanbase, but the Vikings are the beneficiaries of some insane overthinking down the stretch with Georgia safety Malaki Starks. Brian Flores will love the ability to deploy him over the top, from the slot, and even outside if needed.

25. Houston Texans: OT Joshua Simmons, Ohio State

The Houston Texans did a whole lot of nothing to try to improve their offensive line this offseason. Exiting Kenyon Green and entering Ed Ingram is a wash. Cam Robinson is a non-waterproof band-aid at a waterpark, and the veteran additions of Laken Tomlinson and Trent Brown are interesting but confusing moves.

None of these moves impact anything beyond 2025, and the Texans will be left in the same spot again next year. Unless they draft Joshua Simmons with their first pick here. The veteran additions give Simmons, who suffered a torn patellar tendon, the chance to redshirt if he has to. However, if he can start, he must start eventually in 2025.

26. Los Angeles Rams: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky

Darius Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon are penciled in as the starting cornerbacks for the Los Angeles Rams. Needless to say this is… less than ideal. So why not go out and get one of the best athletes in the draft who also has excellent ball production and a top-tier trigger? That’s what the Rams do here with the selection of Maxwell Hairston in this mock draft.

27. Baltimore Ravens: OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

A team with an immediate need at guard and a left tackle that has an injury history? The Baltimore Ravens. A four-year starter at guard who spot-started and shined at left tackle due to the injury of Josh Simmons? Donovan Jackson.

Read more: Donovan Jackson film room

28. Detroit Lions: DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

The Lions have never conformed to consensus big boards when making their picks. They pick players who fit their culture and who they have a plan for in the building. I cannot think of a better candidate for that fit in this year’s draft late in round 1 than Tyleik Williams.

D.J. Reader is a free agent after this season, so the Lions need a new long-term partner along their interior to pair with Alim McNeil. Williams and McNeil would give the Lions a whole lot of weight to throw around.

29. Washington Commanders: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

The Commanders took a massive leap in 2024 after completely overhauling their culture in one offseason. However, their pass rushers are high-floor run defenders with limited upside getting after the quarterback. That has to change. It does here as they take the ultra-productive and athletic Boston College edge defender, Donovan Ezeiruaku.

30. Buffalo Bills: WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Matthew Golden has been all the rage since the combine, where he ran a 4.29 40-yard dash. And even as an early stan of Golden, I find it hard to believe the rumors he could be the top wide receiver (outside of two-way player Travis Hunter) taken in the draft. His play speed doesn’t match, no matter how refined a route runner he is.

However, his flanker skill set fits in well with Khalil Shakir in the slot and Keon Coleman at X. The Bills also signed Joshua Palmer to take over Mack Hollins’ big slot role too. Adding Golden would give them a well-rounded room if Coleman can take a year-two leap.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

The Chiefs went out and signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, but that contract can be gotten out of after just one season. Jawaan Taylor is also likely in his last season with the team. Kingsley Suamataia is set to replace Joe Thuney at guard after a rough rookie season at tackle.

Needless to say, this Kansas City offensive line is a bit rudderless. Landing Kelvin Banks, who projects better at guard, can do that while also giving a chance to prove he can win at tackle at the NFL level.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Losing Milton Williams in free agency, the Eagles replace him here with Walter Nolen. A player who could slip due to some concerns about his love for football and consistent buy-in, Nolen is the kind of player the Eagles would even move up for a bit to make sure they get.

Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft

33. Cleveland Browns: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

34. New York Giants: RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

35. Tennessee Titans: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

36. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

37. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Josh Conerly, Oregon

38. New England Patriots: WR Jaylin Noel, Iowa State

39. Chicago Bears: RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

40. New Orleans Saints: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

41. Chicago Bears: S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

42. New York Jets: QB Tyler Shough, Louisville

43. San Francisco 49ers: G Tyler Booker, Alabama

44. Dallas Cowboys: EDGE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

45. Indianapolis Colts: TE Mason Taylor, LSU

46. Atlanta Falcons: LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

47. Arizona Cardinals: CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss

48. Miami Dolphins: OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia

49. Cincinnati Bengals: OL Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona

50. Seattle Seahawks: G/C Marcus Mbow, Purdue

51. Denver Broncos: DT Darius Alexander, Toledo

52. Seattle Seahawks: EDGE Jordan Burch, Oregon

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE David Walker, Central Arkansas

54. Green Bay Packers: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

55. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami

56. Buffalo Bills: CB Shavon Revel Jr., ECU

57. Carolina Panthers: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State

58. Houston Texans: DT Alfred Collins, Texas

59. Baltimore Ravens: OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

60. Detroit Lions: EDGE Landon Jackson, Arkansas

61. Washington Commanders: WR Jack Bech, TCU

62. Buffalo Bills: LB Demetrius Knight, South Carolina

63. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

64. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

Round 3 of the 2025 NFL mock draft

65. New York Giants: DT Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

66. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State

67. Cleveland Browns: S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

68. Las Vegas Raiders: RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State

69. New England Patriots: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee

70. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State

71. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

72. Chicago Bears: DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

73. New York Jets: WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford

74. Carolina Panthers: WR Jalen Royals, Utah State

75. San Francisco 49ers: CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

76. Dallas Cowboys: C Jared Wilson, Georgia

77. New England Patriots: S Andrew Mukuba, Texas

78. Arizona Cardinals: OL Wyatt Milum, West Virginia

79. Houston Texans: WR Kyle Williams, Washington State

80. Indianapolis Colts: LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

81. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

82. Seattle Seahawks: WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Savion Williams, TCU

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Nohl Williams, Cal

85. Denver Broncos: EDGE Bradyn Swinson, LSU

86. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE Femi Oladejo, UCLA

87. Green Bay Packers: CB Justin Walley, Minnesota

88. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland

89. Houston Texans: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State

90. Los Angeles Rams: LB Pooh Paul, Ole Miss

91. Baltimore Ravens: CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

92. Seattle Seahawks: TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

93. New Orleans Saints: RB Damien Martinez, Miami

94. Cleveland Browns: TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

95. Kansas City Chiefs: DT C.J. West, Indiana

96. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville

97. Minnesota Vikings: S Jonas Sanker, Virginia

98. Miami Dolphins: OT Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

99. New York Giants: OT Cameron Williams, Texas

100. San Francisco 49ers: WR Tory Horton, Colorado State

101. Los Angeles Rams: OT Jalen Travis, Iowa State

102. Detroit Lions: WR Tai Felton, Maryland