2025 NFL Draft: Trade, new No. 1 pick highlight CBS Sports updated mock draft

As the Senior Bowl approaches, the pre-draft process is kicking into high gear. The 2025 NFL Draft picture is starting to come into focus, and CBS Sports released its updated mock draft – featuring a new No. 1 pick.

Penn State star Abdul Carter came in as the top selection in Chris Trapasso’s latest mock. Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders dropped to the No. 2 overall pick, although that’s where CBS Sports projected a trade that would shake up the draft board. The Cleveland Browns currently hold that selection, although in this latest mock, they traded it to the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s just one of the big changes in the new projections. Here is CBS Sports’ full updated 2025 NFL mock draft ahead of the Senior Bowl.

1. Tennessee Titans – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

New Tennessee Titans GM Mike Borgonzi made it clear the franchise wouldn’t pass on a “generational” talent with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Abdul Carter is generating that type of buzz after anchoring the Penn State defense and came in as CBS Sports’ top selection.

Carter cemented himself as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft with huge numbers in 2024. He led the nation with 23.5 tackles for loss while totaling 68 tackles and 12.0 sacks, and he could be the centerpiece the Titans need on their defense as Brian Callahan enters Year 2.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (projected trade with Cleveland Browns) – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

(Ron Chenoy | Imagn Images)

The most accurate passer in the country this past season, Shedeur Sanders is widely considered one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Considering the Browns’ quarterback situation with Deshaun Watson still under contract despite being ruled out for 2025 with an injury, they could opt to trade the pick.

That’s where Las Vegas comes in, and CBS Sports projects the Raiders to trade up to No. 2 to select Sanders under new coach Pete Carroll. He’s coming off the best year of his career at Colorado, completing 74% of his passes for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns.

3. New York Giants – Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Another team with a quarterback question, the New York Giants would also benefit if the Titans went elsewhere at No. 1. In CBS Sports’ updated mock draft, Cam Ward fell to No. 3.

Ward put together a monster season at Miami after transferring from Washington State, leading the nation with 39 passing touchdowns while totaling 4,313 yards and just seven interceptions. With Brian Daboll still in the fold as head coach, Ward’s improvisational skills could remain on full display in the offense once run by Josh Allen in Buffalo.

4. New England Patriots – Will Campbell, OL, LSU

With their quarterback in tow in Drake Maye, the Patriots will now look to protect him. Enter Will Campbell, the standout offensive lineman from LSU who continues to create buzz as the top lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Campbell anchored the LSU defensive line this past season while becoming a consensus All-American. The Patriots will surely be looking for o-line help after Maye was sacked 34 times in 13 appearances as a rookie.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

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Despite missing most of the 2024 season with an injury, Will Johnson showcased his skills while helping lead Michigan to a national championship in 2023. CBS Sports projects him to become a centerpiece of the Jaguars’ defense as new coach Liam Coen builds out his staff.

Johnson only appeared in six games this past year, but both his interceptions turned into pick-sixes. In 2023, he had a career-high four picks while anchoring the Michigan secondary to end the Wolverines’ title drought.

6. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Raiders) – Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

In return for the projected trade with the Browns, the Las Vegas Raiders would take another Colorado star. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter could take his elite skillset to Cleveland, although which position he’ll play is still to be determined.

Hunter electrified college football this past season en route to Heisman honors. He totaled 1,258 yards and a Big 12-leading 15 touchdowns on offense while adding 36 tackles and four interceptions on defense as a cornerback – cementing himself as a bona fide two-way star.

7. New York Jets – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The New York Jets face multiple questions on offense as Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams weigh their futures. But CBS Sports projects the franchise to add another key weapon as Aaron Glenn builds out his staff, with Tetairoa McMillan going No. 7 overall.

McMillan was straw that stirred the drink at Arizona this past season as he ranked third in the nation with 1,319 receiving yards to go with eight touchdowns. The Jets are still in line to have Garrett Wilson in the wide receiver room, and depending on the direction Adams goes, McMillan would be another elite addition to the unit.

8. Carolina Panthers – Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

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Mason Graham was at the forefront of Michigan’s staunch defense the last two seasons, and he comes in as a projected Top-10 pick in CBS Sports’ updated 2025 NFL mock draft. The Carolina Panthers take him at No. 8 overall in the latest projection as a top young piece of their defense.

Graham earned All-American honors amid a career year in Ann Arbor in 2024. He totaled 45 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks – setting career-highs in all three categories while also cementing himself as a top draft prospect.

9. New Orleans Saints – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

His numbers were down in 2024, but Luther Burden showcased an NFL-level skillset in 2023 when he topped 1,000 receiving yards. He continues to be an interesting prospect, and CBS Sports projects him to go to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9.

The Saints are still in the midst of their coaching search, but all signs point toward Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as the favorite. Burden would add an interesting weapon to the offense after he totaled 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns across three years at Missouri.

10. Chicago Bears – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

When Ben Johnson was with the Detroit Lions, the franchise took Jahmyr Gibbs with a Top-12 pick. CBS Sports projects a similar path for the Chicago Bears, selecting Ashton Jeanty at No. 10 overall.

Jeanty is coming off one of the most decorated seasons in recent memory as he finished just behind Travis Hunter in the Heisman Trophy voting. He just missed Barry Sanders’ rushing yards record, totaling 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground to lead Boise State to a College Football Playoff appearance.

11. San Francisco 49ers – James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee

12. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

13. Miami Dolphins – Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia

14. Indianapolis Colts – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

15. Atlanta Falcons – Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

16. Arizona Cardinals – Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

18. Seattle Seahawks – Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

20. Denver Broncos – Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

23. Green Bay Packers – Omarr Norman-Lott, DL, Tennessee

24. Minnesota Vikings – Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

25. Houston Texans – Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama

26. Los Angeles Rams – Armand Membou, OL, Missouri

27. Baltimore Ravens – Aireontae Ersery, OL, Minnesota

28. Detroit Lions – Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

29. Washington Commanders – Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

30. Buffalo Bills – Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

31. Philadelphia Eagles – Mykel Wiliams, EDGE, Georgia

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After the Senior Bowl wraps up, attention will turn to the NFL Scouting Combine in late February.

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