Team trades into top 10 for Shedeur Sanders in latest 3-round mock draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching and after the first major wave of free agency teams have a new set of needs to address. The first overall pick, currently held by the Tennessee Titans, isn't even a sure thing at this point. The team could go in any of three directions. For the benefit of the fans, we get to have endless speculation, but for teams, it creates chaos.

We made an attempt to sort through the chaos with our three-round mock draft.

Three rounds is a tough exercise, but it allows us to give teams a complete look at all their picks on the first two days of the draft. Several teams are in unique spots, which made this an interesting exercise.

Note: Selections are organized by team, and the teams are in alphabetical order. I find it easier in these mock drafts as people can be left scrolling back and forth looking for picks, and this makes it a one-stop shop for readers.

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1, Pick 16: Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan

Round 2, Pick 47: Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 78: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Player to Highlight: Donovan Jackson

The Arizona Cardinals offense continues to play hot and cold in every way that Katy Perry would prefer they don’t. The offensive line has some pieces, but adding Donovan Jackson to play tackle next to Paris Johnson Jr. would solidify one side of their line.

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1, Pick 15: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Round 2, Pick 46: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Player to Highlight: James Pearce Jr.

The Falcons passed on a pass rusher last year in favor of Michael Penix Jr., a decision that made no sense at the time but has paid off over time. James Pearce Jr. passed the scouting combine tests. The film speaks for itself, and I think he can be a playmaker for the Falcons in this scenario.

James Pearce Jr. against South Carolina was a thing of beauty.

His explosiveness when attacking the OL usually is enough to win reps but then the inside swim is just icing on the cake at that point. pic.twitter.com/UEKbdinn31
— Andrew Harbaugh (@AndrewHarbaugh_) June 21, 2024

Baltimore Ravens

Round 1, Pick 27: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Round 2, Pick 59: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Round 3, Pick 91: Andrew Makuba, SAF, Texas

Player to Highlight: Andrew Makuba

The team moved on from Marcus Williams this offseason, so Kyle Hamilton needs a new partner in the Ravens secondary. Makuba has great ball skills and good instincts and is everything the Ravens look for in their secondary.

Buffalo Bills

Round 1, Pick 30: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

Round 2, Pick 56: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Round 2, Pick 62: Bradyn Swinson, Edge, LSU

Player to Highlight: Darien Porter

The Bills cut bait on former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, so their search for a reliable cornerback continues. I love the way Darien Porter moves for someone with his size at the cornerback position, not often do you see someone with the measurables of a linebacker who tests and moves the way he does as a secondary defender.

Carolina Panthers

Trade: The Carolina Panthers sent the 8th, 74th, and 111th picks of the 2025 NFL Draft to the Patriots for the 4th overall pick

Round 1, Pick 4: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Round 2, Pick 57: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Player to Highlight: Abdul Carter

The Panthers need a dominant edge presence after trading away Brian Burns last offseason. Abdul Carter falls down the board a few spots, and it leaves the door open for Dan Morgan to be aggressive in building up his defense.

Despite a bum shoulder, Abdul Carter #11 was everywhere in his final college game.

Not hard to see why he'll be a top-4 pick. pic.twitter.com/lhlI45MpEr
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 10, 2025

Chicago Bears

Trade: Steelers sent the 21st overall pick and 83rd overall picks of the 2025 NFL Draft and a 2026 2nd round pick to the Bears for the 10th overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 21: Nick Emmanawori, SAF, South Carolina

Round 2, Pick 39: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Round 2, Pick 41: Tyleik Williams, DL, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 72: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

Round 3, Pick 83: Elijah Roberts, Edge, SMU

Player to Highlight: TreVeyon Henderson

Ashton Jeanty will be a popular choice if the Raiders pass on him at six, but this running back class is too deep to warrant that. Getting an explosive runner who is also a great blocker suits the Bears much better across the board, sign me up for TreVeyon Henderson to be a Bear.

Cincinnati Bengals

Round 1, Pick 17: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, Texas

Round 2, Pick 40: Alfred Collins, DL, Texas

Round 3, Pick 81: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss

Player to Highlight: Chris Paul Jr.

The Bengals defense was at its best when they had a reliable defense. They cannot continue to try and win games 45-42, and stopping the run and controlling the time of possession achieves that. Chris Paul Jr. is good in the run game and can be a key piece for them as they rebuild this group.

Cleveland Browns

Trade: The Browns send the 33rd, 94th, and 179th overall picks of the 2025 NFL Draft to the Vikings for the 24th overall pick

Round 1, Pick 2: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Round 1, Pick 24: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 67: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

Player to Highlight: Josh Simmons

Trading back into the first to get someone like Josh Simmons is a dream scenario for the Browns. While they likely wait to get a long-term answer at quarterback, they can at least build up the offensive line and help it get younger in the process.

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1, Pick 12: Will Campbell, OL, LSU

Round 2, Pick 44: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 76: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

Player to Highlight: Will Campbell

The Cowboys are going to miss Zack Martin, but throwing in Will Campbell to his spot will soften the blow. The offensive line is critical to everything the Cowboys want to achieve, so they have to make it a priority in the NFL Draft come April.

Denver Broncos

Round 1, Pick 20: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Round 2, Pick 51: Jared Wilson, C, Georgia

Round 3, Pick 85: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon

Player to Highlight: Jared Wilson

Jared Wilson tested out of his mind at the Scouting Combine and has since been on everyone’s radar. Bo Nix and the Broncos need both run and pass protection, and Wilson provides that and the prospect of long-term stability at a key position along the offensive line.

Detroit Lions

Round 1, Pick 28: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Round 2, Pick 60: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

Round 3, Pick 102: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

Player to Highlight: Shemar Stewart

Shemar Stewart was the star of the combine, but the film still shows some needs for improvement. Putting him alongside Aidan Hutchinson helps the former second-overall pick and allows for an easier transition for Stewart as he develops more.

Shemar Stewart at 6’5” | 267 lbs 🤯

- 10’11” broad jump
- 40” vertical jump
pic.twitter.com/BQExTTCkkY
— PFF (@PFF) February 27, 2025

Green Bay Packers

Round 1, Pick 23: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

Round 2, Pick 54: Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami (FL)

Round 3, Pick 87: Jared Ivey, Edge, Ole Miss

Player to Highlight: Trey Amos

The Packers are expected to move on from Jaire Alexander in one way or another this offseason. Trey Amos would be a fun choice for them as his replacement with his movement skills and size to handle NFC North wide receivers.

Houston Texans

Round 1, Pick 25: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

Round 3, Pick 79: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

Round 3, Pick 89: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Player to Highlight: Grey Zabel

C.J. Stroud is on pace to be sacked about 100 times in 2025, don’t check the math on that. They traded away two starters on the offensive line, so they need to rebuild it. They could get off to a great start on that front by picking Grey Zabel.

Indianapolis Colts

Trade: The Colts send the 45th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 4th round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Bucs for the 53rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 3rd round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 14: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama

Round 2, Pick 53: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas

Round 3, Pick 80: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

Player to Highlight: Jihaad Campbell

The Colts' defense needs leaders on that side of the ball and a better locker-room presence. Jihaad Campbell gives them that both on and off the field, not to mention he has a unique blend of run-stopping ability paired with reliable pass-rush skills.

I can tell I'm going to be a big fan of Jihaad Campbell pic.twitter.com/ybxojmKfkP
— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) March 17, 2025

Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 1, Pick 5: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan

Round 2, Pick 36: Xavier Watts, SAF, Notre Dame

Round 3, Pick 70: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL)

Round 3, Pick 88: Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon

Player to Highlight: Elijah Arroyo

The Jaguars made Evan Engram a cap casualty and released him before free agency. Elijah Arroyo allows them to have another playmaker at the tight end position to give Trevor Lawrence another weapon alongside Brian Thomas Jr.

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1, Pick 31: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

Round 2, Pick 63: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

Round 3, Pick 66: Omarr Norman-Lott, DL, Tennessee

Round 3, Pick 95: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

Player to Highlight: Omarr Norman-Lott

The Chiefs have their All-Pro man in the middle, Chris Jones, but they also make sure he has a tag partner. They signed Jerry Tillery in free agency, but adding someone who explodes off the ball and gets in the backfield like Norman-Lott is much better in this scenario.

Omarr Norman-Lott has so much juice as a pass rusher. I know Tennessee had a deep rotation but he should have been playing more than 17 snaps per game

pic.twitter.com/wU9uJXnVtH
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 22, 2025

Las Vegas Raiders

Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Round 2, Pick 37: Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss

Round 3, Pick 68: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Player to Highlight: Walter Nolen

There are not more perfect Raiders in the NFL Draft this year than Walter Nolen. The defensive front of Maxx Crosby, Christian Williams, and Walter Nolen would give the Raiders a frontline to go after Box Nix, Justin Herbert, and Pat Mahomes in the AFC West.

Los Angeles Chargers

Round 1, Pick 22: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Round 2, Pick 55: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

Round 3, Pick 86: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky

Player to Highlight: Colston Loveland

A tight end who moves like Loveland while also being a reliable blocker isn’t common coming out of college. It helps the run game by sealing the edges, and it helps Justin Herbert by giving him another weapon.

Los Angeles Rams

Round 1, Pick 26: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

Round 3, Pick 90: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

Player to Highlight: Charles Grant

The Rams like drafting projects with high upside, which fits how you would describe Charles Grant. He could be a long-term play for them at either tackle position, and he could also fill in immediately at guard.

Miami Dolphins

Round 1, Pick 13: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia

Round 2, Pick 48: Josh Connerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Round 3, Pick 98: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Player to Highlight: Malaki Starks

Javon Holland is gone. Hello, Malaki Starks. They need playmakers in their secondary, and not many are better in this draft class than Starks. Allow him to roam the secondary, track the ball, and make plays while the pass rush creates errant decisions from the quarterback and watch him produce.

Minnesota Vikings

Trade: The Browns send the 33rd, 94th, and 179th overall picks of the 2025 NFL Draft to the Vikings for the 24th overall pick

Round 2, Pick 33: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Round 3, Pick 94: Jordan Phillips, DL, Maryland

Round 3, Pick 97: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

Player to Highlight: Jalon Walker

The Vikings trading out of round one seems to make more and more sense after their free-agency haul. Whether Brian Flores uses him at linebacker or in designed pass-rushing scenarios, Walker is a fun pick for the Vikings and provides unique insurance in the case of an injury to Blake Cashman.

#Georgia LB Jalon Walker

• 2nd level versatility (stack LB -> EDGE)
• sideline-to-sideline range
• stout run defenders
• spot drop defender
• heavy hands at POA
• similar skill set to Andrew Van Ginkel
• great pass rusher instincts

Potential Rd 1 target for CAR. pic.twitter.com/55N23EXHCP
— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) January 8, 2025

New England Patriots

Trade: The Carolina Panthers sent the 8th, 74th, and 111th picks of the 2025 NFL Draft to the Patriots for the 4th overall pick

Round 1, Pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Round 2, Pick 38: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Round 3, Pick 69: Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue

Round 3, Pick 74: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona

Round 3, Pick 77: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

Player to Highlight: Omarion Hampton

Mike Vrabel is going to want to set the tone on both sides of the ball for the Patriots in 2025 and beyond. Omarion Hampton and his physical running style would give Vrabel someone who can do that while also taking pressure off of Drake Maye.

New Orleans Saints

Round 1, Pick 9: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Round 2, Pick 40: Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo

Round 3, Pick 71: Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina

Round 3, Pick 93: Savion Williams, WR, TCU

Player to Highlight: Kyle Kennard

Cam Jordan is getting more involved in media work at age 35. He will be 36 before the season kicks off, and they need to start preparing for his departure. Marcus Davenport wasn’t the answer, but Kyle Kennard could be.

New York Giants

Round 1, Pick 3: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Round 2, Pick 34: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 65: Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia

Round 3, Pick 99: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Player to Highlight: Jaxson Dart

I am going to paint a picture, take a minute to imagine it. What would a quarterback room of Jaxson Dart and Jameis Winston be like? Dart would be able to sit behind a veteran like Winston and develop before eventually jumping into the starting lineup.

This connection ⚡️@JaxsonDart ➡️ @jordantwatkins pic.twitter.com/KuFZEmZH4p
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) January 3, 2025

New York Jets

Round 1, Pick 7: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Round 2, Pick 42: T.J. Sanders, DL, South Carolina

Round 3, Pick 73: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Player to Highlight: Armand Membou

The Jets lost Morgan Moses in free agency, and they need to fill that hole for Justin Fields in 2025. Membou is a true tackle prospect and fits in at right tackle like they need.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1, Pick 32: Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon

Round 2, Pick 64: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State

Round 3, Pick 96: Dorian Strong, CB, Virginia Tech

Player to Highlight: Jack Sawyer

The Eagles need to rebuild their defensive line rotation after it got picked over in free agency. Jack Sawyer could fill in at Josh Sweat’s positions nd role and be productive right away as a rookie.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Trade: Steelers sent the 21st overall pick and 83rd overall picks of the 2025 NFL Draft and a 2026 2nd round pick to the Bears for the 10th overall pick.

Round 1, Pick 10: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Player to Highlight: Shedeur Sanders

The Steelers traded up from 20 to 10 in 2019 when they drafted Devin Bush, if they are willing to do it for a linebacker, they need to do it for a quarterback. Shedeur Sanders could be great under Mike Tomlin, and giving him both George Pickens and D.K. Metcalf wouldn’t be a bad start to his career.

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1, Pick 11: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Round 2, Pick 43: Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Ole Miss

Round 3, Pick 75: Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State

Round 3, Pick 100: RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

Player to Highlight: Jahdae Barron

The 49ers have some needs to address in the secondary, and someone like Barron, who has the size and testing to be a reliable option on the outside for them. Having to cover the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr., Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp is a tall order, but Barron is up for the task.

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1, Pick 18: Donovan Ezeirauku, Edge, Boston College

Round 2, Pick 50: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

Round 2, Pick 52: Shemar Turner, DL, Texas A&M

Round 3, Pick 82: Josaiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan

Round 3, Pick 92: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

Player to Highlight: Elic Ayomanor

The Seahawks replacing D.K. Metcalf with Elic Ayomanor just makes too much sense to me. Similar play styles and traits make him a fun option alongside Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Stanford's Elic Ayomanor is a quality Day 2 option in this class. Great hands and an efficient route runner pic.twitter.com/2dUnsn2HfZ
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) March 4, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Trade: The Colts send the 45th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 4th round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Bucs for the 51st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a 3rd round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 19: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Round 2, Pick 45: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

Round 3, Pick 84: Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State

Player to Highlight: Kevin Winston Jr.

Kevin Winston Jr. was robbed of having a special season in 2024, but what I saw, paired with his 2023 season, leads to me to believe he can be a great pro. Winston just has a knack for finding the ball and making plays, two things the Bucs need on defense.

Tennessee Titans

Round 1, Pick 1: Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)

Round 2, Pick 35: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Player to Highlight: Cam Ward

The team has addressed every other position in free agency. The offensive line is built and ready to handle the job of protecting a rookie quarterback so the selection of Cam Ward makes all the sense in the world to me.

Washington Commanders

Round 1, Pick 29: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Round 2, Pick 61: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Player to Highlight: Quinshon Judkins

Brian Robinson Jr. is a good, reliable running back, and Austin Ekeler is a nice complement. They need someone younger and special to work with Jayden Daniels and Judkins can be that.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFL Mock Draft: Teams get aggressive in trade filled first round