CBS Sports delivers a new projection with big changes.
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Former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders moved back into the top in the latest CBS Sports 2025 NFL Mock Draft despite the New York Giants continuing to be a reported player in the Aaron Rodgers free agency sweepstakes along with the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York's front office faces a decision.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe also draew reported interest from the Steelers, who hold the No. 21 overall pick and are in need of assistance at the position after Justin Fields signed with the Jets earlier this month. The Las Vegas Raiders could also go after Milroe despite building their franchise around Geno Smith at quarterback. If so, that pick would likely come after Day 1, however.
The 2025 NFL Draft begins April 24 from Lambeau Field in Green Bay and is expected to see the fewest quarterbacks (two) taken since the 2022 cycle in the opening round.
RELATED: Winners and losers from the 2025 NFL Combine
Here is the latest 2025 NFL Draft first-round projection from CBS Sports:
1. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Tennessee Titans)
(Photo: Getty)
The Tennessee Titans are willing to part ways with its selection 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 was the ACC's Player of the Year last season and nearly took the Hurricanes to the playoff. That said, Tennessee needs a long-term option under center, too.
2. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State (Cleveland Browns)
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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.
3. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (New York Giants)
Shedder Sanders
(Photo: Getty)
What happened to all the negativity surrounding Sanders' interviews at the combine? All that noise quieted down. Asked recently where he would like to play, Sanders took a different tune and said he would be willing to help any franchise that gives him the opportunity to shine. And Deion Sanders isn't planning to block a particular destination, either. One of the nation's brightest quarterbacks, Sanders helped Colorado win nine games.
4. Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado (New England Patriots)
Travis Hunter
(Photo: CU Athletics)
Unless the Giants go best player available here and not need, Travis Hunter likely falls to New England at No. 4 overall. and that would be Travis Hunter. And you know franchise quarterback Drake Maye would love an opportunity to work with the former Heisman winner on offense. Hunter only handled interviews in Indianapolis and did not participate in on-field workouts at Colorado's Pro Day. That's a clear sign that he's comfortable with what he's shown on film and he's going inside the top five.
5. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri (Jacksonville Jaguars)
(Photo: Parker Thune)
From the back of the first round in January to inside the top 15 a few weeks ago, now former Missouri star Armand Membou moved to the top five in the latest mock. With the the Tigers in the SEC, Membou's tape was some of the best in the league, which is part of the reason why he projects to go high. In this spot, Membou grades as the best option ahead of Will Campbell from LSU and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
6. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (Las Vegas Raiders)
(Photo: Arizona Athletics)
This draft class lacks front-end talent at wide receiver in the biggest way, but former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan will not slip outside of the top 10 as the top prospect on the outside after a marvelous performance in terms of speed at his Pro Day. He's an every-down threat at the next level and would be this franchise's immediate top threat on the outside. 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. Will Campbell, OT, LSU (New York Jets)
(Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Getty)
What's the thought process here for the Jets at No. 7? With quarterback in tow, going with a potential franchise offensive tackle feels like an ideal move in this spot. With Armand Membou from Missouri off the board, New York would have Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas on the board. Campbell was formidable in the SEC with the Tigers and was often matched with the opposing defense's top edge rusher.
8. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan (Carolina Panthers)
(Photo: Brice Marich, 247Sports)
Expect the Carolina Panthers to go defense with their No. 8 overall selection, but this is the first time Michigan's Mason Graham has been penned in this slot. There is some risk, here, however. Georgia edge Jalon Walker is another player who has been picked to go in this spot. 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.
9. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia (New Orleans Saints)
(Photo: Icon Sportswire, Getty)
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.
10. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (Chicago Bears)
(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.
(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
11. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas (San Francisco 49ers)
12. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (Dallas Cowboys)
13. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (Miami Dolphins)
14. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (Indianapolis Colts)
Barron is a player whose intelligence, film and production numbers with the Longhorns were projected to overshadow his testing numbers at the combine before he showed off blazing speed — at least that's what most NFL evaluators believe. He was terrific down the stretch at Texas, dominating his side of the field in the secondary. The primary question is where he plays at the next level.
As a fifth-year senior, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end set a Penn State record with 104 receptions for 1,244 yards and eight touchdowns. Profiled by Lions247, aside from producing one of the finest pass-catching seasons ever for a tight end, Tyler Warren added 218 yards and four scores as a runner. He finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting and is widely-considered the top prospect at the position this cycle, drawing comparisons to Raiders rookie Brock Bowers.
(Photo: Ole Miss Athletics)
15. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (Atlanta Falcons)
16. Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss (Arizona Cardinals)
17. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee (Cincinnati Bengals)
18. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon (Seattle Seahawks)
19. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
20. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (Denver Broncos)
Nolen's presence helped Ole Miss win double-digit games again under Lane Kiffin. He is 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 Kansas City an instant starter talent and is a utility piece of sorts up front.
(Photo: Tim Warner, Getty)
21. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia (Pittsburgh Steelers)
22. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (Los Angeles Chargers)
23. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (Green Bay Packers)
24. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (Minnesota Vikings)
25. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (Houston Texans)
Johnson missed the final six games of last season at Michigan with reported toe injury. Still, Johnson leaves the Wolverines as one of its more decorated players to only play three seasons at the school. He played in 32 games, including 22 starts, recording 68 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four tackles for loss and nine interceptions. He set a school record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns.
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 several weeks ago, but has also slipped to the second tackle taken according to this latest mock. The Vikings have a variety of needs up front, but haven't shown their hand yet.
(Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty)
26. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (Los Angeles Rams)
27. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan (****Baltimore Ravens)
28. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss (Detroit Lions)
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 during the regular season.
(Photo: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire, Getty)
29. Greg Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State (Washington Commanders)
30. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon (Buffalo Bills)
31. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (Kansas City Chiefs)
32. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College (Philadelphia Eagles)
Simmons projects to be the Buckeyes' second first-round selection of the 2025 draft, that's unless one of the defensive linemen squeak into Day 1. Simmons dominated at Ohio State during his tenure as one of the Big Ten's most productive offensive tackles. Kansas City investing in more blocking help for Patrick Mahomes seems like a smart decision financially without having to go on the free agent market.
This article originates on 247Sports.