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As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, the stock's continuing to fall for former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. In CBS Sports' latest first-round mock, Sanders is outside of the first 25 picks for the first time this cycle in any projection. Some of that has to do with teams inside the top 10 securing signal callers via trades or free agency, but the family has also changed its approach ahead of the draft with Deion Sanders now saying there's no team preference for his son.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has drawn 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. And the Giants, after signing Russell Wilson, are no longer in quarterback-necessity mode.
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. Milroe and Jaxson Dart are considered to be the most-liked behind Cam Ward and Sanders.
RELATED: Betting favorites to land in first round
Here is the latest 2025 NFL Draft first-round projection from CBS Sports:
1. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Tennessee Titans)
(Photo: Eakin Howard, Getty)
Given Cam Ward's recent private workout with Tennessee, it seems he's going to the Titans. That said, the franchise is willing to part ways with the selection and several teams have interest in the rights to take 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. 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. Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado (New York Giants)
Travis Hunter
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If the Giants go best player available here, Travis Hunter is not going to fall to New England at No. 4 overall. We're sure the Patriots would love to pair franchise quarterback Drake Maye with an opportunity to work with the former Heisman winner on offense, but the Giants need a player of Hunter's talent level just as much. 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.
4. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri (New England Patriots)
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From the back of the first round in January to inside the top 15 a few weeks ago, now former Missouri star Armand Membou has moved to the top five in this 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.
5. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan (Jacksonville Jaguars)
(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.
6. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (Las Vegas Raiders)
(Photo: Grace Brennan-Lions247)
Ashton Jeanty is a first-round lock, but will he go inside the top 10? The Raiders are the new betting favorite to land him, which would put a wrench in the Cowboys' first-round plan per reports. You would be hard-pressed to find a weakness in the former Boise State running back's game. He's agile, quick, powerful and has impressive endurance as a workhorse-caliber player. With veteran Geno Smith at quarterback, Las Vegas could let a rookie do the heavy lifting in the run game.
7. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (New York Jets)
(Photo: Chris Coduto, Getty)
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.
8. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia (Carolina Panthers)
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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. Jalon Walker is another ex-Bulldog who's been projected in this spot to Carolina.
9. Will Campbell, OT, LSU (New Orleans Saints)
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With Armand Membou from Missouri off the board, New Orleans would have the option of Will Campbell or Kelvin Banks Jr. from Texas here at No. 9 overall. Campbell was formidable in the SEC with the Tigers and was often matched with the opposing defense's top edge rusher. And it's always a neat story when a college star can stay close to his home, in this case, Louisiana with the Saints.
10. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (Chicago Bears)
(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
Kelvin Banks Jr.'s 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 Bears have a variety of needs up front to aid Caleb Williams, but haven't shown their hand yet. If Chicago doesn't go offensive lineman here, edge rusher is the pick.
(Photo: Brice Marich, USA TODAY Sports)
11. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (San Francisco 49ers)
12. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (Dallas Cowboys)
13. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (Miami Dolphins)
14. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (Indianapolis Colts)
Johnson missed the final six games of last season at Michigan with a 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.
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15. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall (Atlanta Falcons)
16. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (Arizona Cardinals)
17. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon (Cincinnati Bengals)
18. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (Seattle Seahawks)
19. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
20. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina (Denver Broncos)
If McMillan falls to the middle of the first round to the Seahawks after previously being hyped as a top 10 selection, Seattle would have its DK Metcalf replacement. McMillan said this month he's not a big film-watcher following his impressive run at Arizona's Pro Day and that may have scared some teams off.
(Photo: Jordan Scruggs, 247Sports)
21. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (Pittsburgh Steelers)
22. Jahdae Barron, S, Texas (Los Angeles Chargers)
23. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College (Green Bay Packers)
24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (Buffalo Bills mock trade with Minnesota Vikings)
25. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (Houston Texans)
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.
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.
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26. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (Los Angeles Rams)
27. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (****Baltimore Ravens)
28. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama (Detroit Lions)
All the negativity surrounding Sanders' interviews at the combine initially seemed to affect his draft stock, but now it's a result of several teams already signing quarterbacks who previously needed them. 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.
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29. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee (Washington Commanders)
30. Greg Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State (Minnesota Vikings mock trade with Buffalo Bills)
31. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan (Kansas City Chiefs)
32. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (Philadelphia Eagles)
It's not often you're able to take Ohio State's top pass-catcher coming out at the end of the first round, but Egbuka continues to slide as projections draw closer to the draft. As the Buckeyes' No. 2 option last season behind prized freshman Jeremiah Smith, Egbuka was still an effective and precise playmaker. He would be an ideal add to the defending Super Bowl champions' offense, to pair with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith.