2025 NFL mock draft: Scouts predict the top 5 picks out of 10 picks

1. Titans of Tennessee Our designated scout for the Titans' pick didn't shake things up and make a non-quarterback selection. This mock draft starts chalky, as Ward is the clear favorite to be the No. 1 pick on April 24. When asked why Ward was the choice -- even over blue-chip prospects such as Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter -- the scout said, "He's the best QB in the class and is the best player at the most important position of need."

Ward led the FBS with 39 touchdown passes in 2024. He also threw for 4,313 yards and completed 67.2% of his passes. He moves well in the pocket and can dial up fastballs with his strong arm. Ward is the No. 14 prospect on my board, and he edges Colorado's Shedeur Sanders as the clear QB1. The Titans' lack of significant quarterback moves in the free agency window indicates that Ward will be the No. 1 pick and the likely starter, with incumbent Will Levis moving to a backup role.

2. Cleveland Browns

Projected pick from an AFC South area scout: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The Browns don't have a franchise quarterback. Deshaun Watson is dealing with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 7 last season and reinjured this offseason. He was a big disappointment even before that, considering the massive guaranteed contract he was given in 2022. The Browns' QB room currently includes 40-year-old Joe Flacco and twice-traded 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett.

But despite the lack of a long-term QB answer, the AFC South scout chose to bypass Shedeur Sanders or even Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart at No. 2, instead going with Hunter.

"Hunter is the cleanest playmaker in the draft. It was between him and Abdul [Carter]," the scout said. "With the shoulder and foot injury concerns with Carter, give me Travis."

The scout doubled down when asked if QB was even a consideration at this spot: "Nope. Don't reach for a quarterback when the guys that will be available at No. 33 are just as talented."

Hunter won the Heisman Trophy last season thanks to his excellent play on both sides of the ball. He posted 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards and 15 receiving TDs on offense, and he had 10 pass breakups and four interceptions on defense. I love his agility, speed, toughness and sure-handedness, and I ranked him No. 2 on my final board.

Asked where he'd play Hunter in Cleveland, the scout loved the idea of using him on both sides of the ball, saying, "Give him the opportunity to do both [wide receiver and cornerback] with an emphasis on offense with the lack of a WR1 in Cleveland."

3. New York Giants

Projected pick from an AFC North area scout: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The assigned scout for the Giants made the quickest pick of this exercise -- and was extremely happy to pick Carter.

"Easy decision," the scout said. "Sure, in a perfect world we'd wish this would align a little better with a more immediate and glaring need on the roster, but we'll take the blue-chip talent and rest easier for it.

"The only other real consideration would be a trade down if the right opportunity presented itself on draft night, given how many pieces [away] this team is."

Even after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Giants need a quarterback. But the scout felt pretty good about New York getting one with its second-round pick (No. 34 overall). Jaxson Dart, Louisville's Tyler Shough and Alabama's Jalen Milroe could all be available in that range. The Giants could also use offensive line reinforcements, ranking 26th in pass block win rate last season (56.2%). However, this roster necessitates differentiators, and Carter is ranked first on my board. Carter was a devastating force for Penn State last season, collecting 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 61 pressures and 23.5 tackles for loss. He has great burst and power. Adding his potential to an edge group that already features two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, youngster Kayvon Thibodeaux and free agent pickup Chauncey Golston would make the Giants' pass rush one of the league's finest. Burns could serve as the ace, with Carter as the closer as he develops in the NFL.

4. New England Patriots

This was the most important part of this exercise because the Patriots had Drake Maye as their quarterback and had already signed Hunter and Carter, two top prospects. There is no consensus top prospect for the Patriots, and I don't have an offensive lineman ranked in the top five on my board. But sometimes it's OK to draft for need, and the Patriots really need offensive line help after surrendering 52 sacks last season. With a pass block win rate of 50.9%, they also ranked 31st. Campbell, who played left tackle as a starter for three seasons, is a skilled and battle-tested player. Despite opposing future NFL players on a weekly basis, he only allowed two sacks in 11 games last season. The biggest concern comes from his arm length; he measured at 32⅝ inches at the combine and 33 inches at LSU's pro day. NFL teams generally prefer 34 inches for offensive tackles, and Campbell is well below that threshold. But the NFC South scout still thinks he can be Maye's blindside protector.

"He's a high-floor prospect. I trust his feet and hand use to succeed at tackle, but if the length ever becomes that problematic, we think he's got All-Pro potential as a guard," the scout said.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Graham to the Jaguars has been a popular pick across mock drafts, and for good reason. New general manager James Gladstone was previously with the Rams and had influence over their back-to-back picks of Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to start the 2024 draft. So it wasn't surprising that our scout was ready to pounce on this pick.

"There's no need to hem and haw. Jacksonville needs interior defensive line help," the evaluator said.

Graham is seen as a top-five player in the class (fourth on my board) after a season in which he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures and 14 run stops as Michigan's defensive anchor. He combines quickness, physical hands, and a strong motor, making him my favorite trench player in the class to watch on tape. He is a dependable player who would assist a Jacksonville defense that ranked last in pass defense (257.4 yards per game) and 31st in yards allowed per play (5.9) last season. "This is hitting a double versus swinging for a home run and reaching for a Shemar Stewart or Walter Nolen," the scout said. "They did that with Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson in 2022, and we're not doing that again."

Writted by ME