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Following various reports of multiple teams being "turned off" during the interview process with Shedeur Sanders, his stock tumbled in the latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft first round projection from CBS Sports. If the New York Giants skip selecting a quarterback at No. 3 overall and the Las Vegas Raiders follow suit with the sixth pick after the recent acquisition of Geno Smith, Sanders' slide could happen quickly.
Sanders landed laeles as "unprofessional" and "disinterested" during two meetings with NFL teams inside the top seven, this coming after Deion Sanders' son was a driving force in Colorado's resurgence with one of college football's best 2024 season performances at the position.
Miami's Cam Ward remains this cycle's top prospect at quarterback with Sanders slotted as the next best, ahead of former Ole Miss signal caller Jaxson Dart, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and others. Ward and Sanders did not throw at the combine.
RELATED: Winners and losers from the 2025 NFL Combine
Here is the latest 2025 NFL Draft first-round projection from CBS Sports featuring Sanders' tumble:
1. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State (Tennessee Titans)
(Photo: Getty)
There is talk of Abdul Carter going No. 1 overall If Tennessee keeps its selection and fails to find a trade partner. With a stress reaction in his foot issue, Carter could slide, but that's not what CBS Sports projects in this latest mock. He is similar in talent to Micah Parsons and projects to go No. 1 in other mocks as well. Carter is a player numerous teams covet despite his injury, so it would not be surprising if there are others moving into the top five to get him if he's available after the first few picks. However, that's unlikely it appears.
2. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Cleveland Browns)
(Photo: Getty)
Tennessee is willing to part ways with the No. 1 pick, and several teams have interest in the rights to take Miami's Cam Ward. Ward might have been a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had he come out following his final season at Washington State. Ward and Sanders are the only expected top 10 picks at quarterback. Ward was the ACC's Player of the Year last season and nearly took the Hurricanes to the playoff. It's clear the Browns are going quarterback with their selection, but would Sanders be the pick if Ward goes first overall?
3. Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado (New York Giants)
(Photo: CU Athletics)
New York likely goes best player available here and that would be Travis Hunter. The Giants could tinker with Hunter a few snaps offensively every week as another target for a new quarterback. New York could also dangle this No. 3 pick as trade bait if Hunter is not the top player on the franchise's board. It'll be interesting to see how Hunter performs in the pre-draft circuit at his Pro Day since he only handled interviews in Indianapolis.
4. Will Campbell, LSU, OT (New England Patriots)
(Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty)
Will Campbell's arms are shorter than most NFL teams would prefer at the offensive tackle position, but he's not falling outside of the top 10 as a result. In previous mock, New England has selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., so it's going to be up to the Patriots to decide on which blocker they believe is the better long-term fit. Campbell is a reliable blocker who proved himself at the highest level of college football as a former elite-level recruit.
5. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan (Jacksonville Jaguars)
(Photo: Brice Marich, 247Sports)
Expect the Jaguars to go defense with their fifth overall selection, but this is the first time Michigan's Mason Graham has been penned in this slot. There is some risk. Graham and fellow ex-Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant are interior defensive line mavens expected to go on Day 1. It's going to be difficult for Sherrone Moore and Michigan in 2025 to replace two absolute stalwarts in the middle. And Michigan's loss to Jacksonville's gain.
6. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (Las Vegas Raiders)
(Photo: Arizona Athletics)
Since the Raiders pulled off a stunning trade for Geno Smith with the Seahawks, now additional weaponry is top priority in the the first round and that begins with Tetairoa McMillan. He's an every-down threat at the next level and would be this franchise's immediate top threat on the outside if he's the selection here alongside tight end Brock Bowers. Drops were never an issue at the college level as McMillan was one of the most productive pass-catchers of all-time with the Wildcats.
7. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (New York Jets)
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
Shemar Stewart came, saw and conquered the NFL Combine with jaw-dropping individual numbers. It was the kind of performance that screams "first-round lock" following his first full season as a starter for the Aggies. The former five-star recruit finished with 31 tackles (5.5 for loss) and produced over 30 pressures, helping the Texas A&M defense as one of its leaders — especially on third down. NFL types would like to see more consistency on a down to down basis, but his ceiling is high.
8. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri (Chiefs mock trade with Panthers)
(Photo: Parker Thune)
Armand Membou doesn't possess the size most offensive tackles do, but recent intel suggests he stood out to Kansas City during the evaluation process. In CBS Sports' latest mock, the Chiefs moved from late first to inside the top 10 after a proposed deal with Carolina. At Missouri, Membou's tape was some of the best in the SEC, part of the reason why he projects to go high. This would mean he's the second offensive tackle selected behind Johnson from LSU and ahead of Banks at Texas.
9. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (Cowboys mock trade with Saints)
(Photo: Brian B. Bautista, 247Sports)
Are the Cowboys worried a potential franchise running back will be off the board by the time they pick? Perhaps, hence the projected mock trade here with New Orleans to move into the top 10 and assure themselves of the ballcarrier. Jeanty remains the top prospect in the backfield after the combine, but several others ball carriers impressed including UNC's Omarion Hampton. That said, Jeanty projects so frequently to Dallas that it's starting to feel like a foregone conclusion.
10. Mykel WIlliams, Edge, Georgia (Chicago Bears)
(Photo: Benjamin Wolk, 247Sports)
In three years at Georgia, Mykel Williams recorded 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Athletic in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defender battled injuries during his career and was never the dominant, every-down force he showed during flashes in his career, but his athletic ability stands out on tape, nonetheless. Chicago is going with a defensive player in this spot and Williams has moved ahead of former Georgia teammate Jalon Walker, per CBS Sports.
(Photo: Brett Davis, 247Sports)
11. Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo (San Francisco 49ers)
12. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (Saints mock trade with Cowboys)
13. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (Miami Dolphins)
14. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (Indianapolis Colts)
15. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee (Atlanta Falcons)
Walker's measurables were a bit on the undersized side in Indianapolis, which pushed him outside of the top 10. He no longer projects to be the first pass rusher selected. The Falcons and Cardinals are expected to with a pass rusher in the middle of the first round, but Walker may not be on the board for either of those franchises if he goes at No. 12 to the Saints.
Banks' draft stock has been all over the place over the last few months as his final season at Texas was not quite as dominant as expected. LSU's Will Campbell appeared to lock up OT1 billing, which means Banks could slide a bit. The Dolphins have a variety of needs and haven't shown their hand yet, but getting a player of top 10 talent in the middle of the first round would be great value in this spot.
(Photo: Ole Miss Athletics)
16. Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss (Arizona Cardinals)
17. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon (Cincinnati Bengals)
18. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota (Seattle Seahawks)
19. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
20. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (Denver Broncos)
Nolen's presence last season as the Rebels' most consistent defensive lineman helped Ole Miss win double-digit games again under Lane Kiffin. He's a former five-star recruit and was a prized possession in the transfer portal for 2024's top-rated class. As a late-first rounder, Nolen would give Arizona an instant starter talent and is a utility piece of sorts up front.
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
21. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (Pittsburgh Steelers)
22. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan (Los Angeles Chargers)
23. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (Green Bay Packers)
24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (Minnesota Vikings)
25. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama (Houston Texans)
This is a bold drop in the first round for Sanders, whose stock reportedly took a hit after combine interviews and certainly after Las Vegas traded for Smith this month. The Raiders were supposed to be the safety net for Sanders inside the top 7, but they now have their quarterback for the 2025 season after landing the veteran.
(Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty)
26. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (Los Angeles Rams)
27. Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas (Baltimore Ravens)
After Harold Fannin Jr. failed to impress at the combine, Loveland moved to No. 2 tight end billing behind Penn State's Warren. Loveland logged 56 receptions— a single-season record for Michigan tight ends — with 582 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. All three figures led Michigan's pass-catchers by a wide margin. Loveland alone accounted for 31.2% of Michigan's receptions and 36.3% of the Wolverines' receiving yards through 12 games, and he was one of three finalists for the 2024 Mackey Award, which recognizes the nation's top tight end.
(Photo: Michael Miller/ISI Photos, Getty)
28. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall (Detroit Lions)
29. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, ECU (Washington Commanders)
30. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (Buffalo Bills)
31. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (Panthers mock trade with Chiefs)
32. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College (Philadelphia Eagles)
Green's performance on-field and during interviews at the combine as improved his draft stock a bit. He also answered questions about two off-the-field instances during his career, pleading his innocence for each. Green is a first-round talent who teams are going to do their homework on and make sure he's not a liability as an top 15-type selection. If he slides to the end of Day 1, some team will be getting a steal in this spot.
There's been talk of Carolina potentially going after Davante Adams, but why not go with a cheaper option and grab a budding wideout in the first round of the draft after moving back? In this proposed mock trade with Kansas City, the Panthers grab Emeka Egbuka from Ohio State.