2025 NFL Mock Draft: Former first-round picks Bryce Young, Deshaun Watson replaced by Panthers, Browns


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Georgia

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

1st

PAYDS

680

RUYDS

55

INTS

0

TDS

7

The Panthers have made the decision to bench former No. 1 overall selection Bryce Young. Two seasons would usually be too early to toss in the towel on an investment of that magnitude, but future outlook is pretty bleak. It may be in the franchise’s best interest to admit it is a sunk cost and move on.

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Tennessee

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 243 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st

I am not quite to the point of moving on from Will Levis yet. He makes some back-breaking plays that have cost his team games. However, he is also moving the ball downfield and scoring points. There are worse situations that they could be in at the position; see No. 1 overall. If Levis does not show improved decision-making before the end of the season, then the Titans could absolutely be in that conversation.

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Michigan

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 202 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

New York should be set at edge rusher with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. If mock drafts are going to be based on what we learned the previous week, then Daniel Jones actually played pretty well. Is it likely that he continues to play at that level for the rest of the season? No. But, I thought I would give Giants fans a break from seeing a quarterback linked to their team for a week.

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Georgia

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 265 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. When picking this high, a team should pick the best player available and that may be Mykel Williams. New England does need another pass rusher after trading Matt Judon prior to the season.

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Michigan

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 320 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Denver’s defense has performed above expectation, but the talent of that unit could still be elevated. Mason Graham is stout at the point of attack, but he has also shown an ability to get off blocks and pressure the quarterback.

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LSU

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Jacksonville is a team missing its identity right now. The Jaguars are headed down a path of big changes if the ship’s course is not corrected by the end of the season. One area in which they could start fresh is left tackle as Cam Robinson is in the final year of his contract.

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Colorado

• Sr

• 6’2″

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PAYDS

1340

RUYDS

10

INTS

2

TDS

12

The Raiders have been one of the league’s most volatile teams; first beating a solid Ravens teams and then losing to the woeful Panthers. There are ongoing public conversations about the starting quarterback so Las Vegas leaves little to the imagination and takes Shedeur Sanders.

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Kentucky

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 345 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Jonathan Gannon had uniquely framed interior defenders as the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. They simply need more talent and Deone Walker would help the situation.

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Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Colts chase of a top-flight cornerback finally comes to a conclusion with the selection of Benjamin Morrison in the first round. The room looks a lot better if JuJu Brents and the rest of the young unit slides down a spot on the depth chart.

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Penn State

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 252 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

4th

Chicago probably prefers to address the offense with this selection given the under-performance on that side of the ball thus far. The Bears could still benefit from a dynamic pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat.

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Colorado

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 185 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

2nd

Washington appears to have found their quarterback because Jayden Daniels has been sensational. Terry McLaurin is finally producing the way many expect from a player of his caliber. Travis Hunter Jr. can create explosive plays opposite McLaurin.

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Arizona

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 336 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

Jonah Savaiinaea has played right tackle for Arizona but the expectation here is that he moves inside at right guard. It may be too early to take a guard, but it is a position of need for Miami.

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Texas

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PAYDS

691

RUYDS

1

INTS

2

TDS

8

Cleveland needs to figure out its quarterback situation. The Browns have invested a lot of money in Deshaun Watson and his play on the field has been limiting. I still have my reservations about Quinn Ewers, but the Browns need a change. Yes, Watson is making a lot of money, but Cleveland has pushed out of a salary cap space, so you are mistaken if you do not think they can afford a $3.5 million salary cap hit for a rookie, especially when they would have to pay any draft choice that money.

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Missouri

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

REC

18

REYDS

247

YDS/REC

13.7

TDS

5

Chris Godwin has been Tampa Bay’s most effective pass catcher this season so the Bucs may not be comfortable allowing him to walk after the season. The reality is that he is a free agent and the team could add a dynamic player at a lesser cost.

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Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’1″

/ 193 lbs

Projected Team

L.A. Rams

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

Darious Williams is one of many Rams on the injured reserve. It was always a longshot that both he and Tre’Davious White would stay healthy over the course of the season, which leads to the selection of Denzel Burke.

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Michigan

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 245 lbs

REC

19

REYDS

187

YDS/REC

9.8

TDS

1

Jim Harbaugh brings another Wolverine to Los Angeles. Colston Loveland gives them more pass catching at the position and also provides more accountability as a blocker.

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Georgia

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

1st

Rayshawn Jenkins is nearly 31 years old and Seattle could move on and save over $5 million while still getting one of the most instinctual players in the draft.

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Ole Miss

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 305 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Atlanta has some older players on its defensive front. The investment in Walter Nolen, who is a rising talent, hopefully gives them some stability in the unit for many years.

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Arizona

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 212 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

REC

23

REYDS

453

YDS/REC

19.7

TDS

4

Tetairoa McMillan is probably a luxury for the Saints given how well Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have performed, but New Orleans now has the capability to effectively go three wide.

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Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’1″

/ 205 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

3rd

REC

14

REYDS

266

YDS/REC

19

TDS

1

Calvin Austin III’s surge in Week 3 was a welcomed development. If Roman Wilson can step up before the season’s end, then Pittsburgh may have something to work with at the position, but Emeka Egbuka is more consistent than anyone they currently have in that role.

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Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 327 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

6th

Minnesota is exceeding expectations and getting contributions from players unknown to the average fan. If the Vikings add more talent on that side of the ball, then they theoretically have an even higher ceiling to reach.

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Boise State

• Jr

• 5’9″

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

RUYDS

586

YDS/ATT

10.5

REYDS

12

TDS

9

The Ezekiel Elliott-Dalvin Cook era is washed away with the selection of Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty has good vision and burst as a runner, but also contributes in the pass game.

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Texas A&M

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 285 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Myles Murphy has not panned out as a first-round selection and Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract or to be traded. The future of the position is unclear and the presence of Nic Scourton at least gives them an option.

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Georgia

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 245 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

56th

POSITION RNK

5th

Green Bay’s offense looks as though it will have success no matter who is taken out or put into that offense. The confidence in that side of the ball allows the front office to funnel assets towards the defense. Jalon Walker is one of the more talented players in this draft class.

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Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 260 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

7th

The emergence of Will McDonald IV and presence of Jermaine Johnson may render this pick unnecessary by the end of the season. It does not seem as though Haason Reddick is going to report this season, so they may have to consider alternative plans moving forward.

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Oregon

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 175 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

43rd

POSITION RNK

5th

REC

11

REYDS

153

YDS/REC

13.9

TDS

1

Stefon Diggs is going to be a free agent after the season. It is entirely possible that Houston is satisfied moving forward with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and John Metchie at the position, but let’s consider the selection of Evan Stewart to give them another threatening outlet in that offense.

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Texas

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 320 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

Ronnie Stanley will turn 31 around the start of free agency. If not for his injury history, the franchise could move forward with him in that role. However, combined with the other offensive line concerns, Baltimore may want to move on now and start fresh.

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Arkansas

• Sr

• 6’7″

/ 280 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

7th

Philadelphia got a little more out of its defense this week, which is a positive, but the future of Brandon Graham and the organization’s historic over-investment in the position suggests that the Eagles could once again return to the well. Landon Jackson is a lengthy player who is still ascending as a result of receiving more live repetitions post-Alabama transfer.

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Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 269 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

6th

Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes are on injured reserve. The concern with Davenport has always been his inability to remain available. Detroit may have to address the position yet again this offseason.

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Utah

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 236 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK
POSITION RNK

Matt Milano has missed the better portion of two consecutive seasons. It could be a fluke and Milano is fine the next two years under contract, but the Bills may want to consider the alternative and start grooming his replacement now.

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LSU

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 315 lbs

Trent Williams is a difference-maker as long as he wants to play. Right guard Dominick Puni looks like a solid draft pick on Day 2. Emery Jones Jr. replacing Colton McKivitz should be an upgrade in theory.

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Arizona

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

63rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

Teams are looking for length in the secondary, and the Chiefs are no different. They have always been able to underinvest and overdeliver at the cornerback position, but perhaps they break tendency and take a lengthy cornerback, like Tacario Davis, in the first round.





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