NFL comparisons come with any pre-draft evaluation of prospects. The 2025 class is no exception, regardless of position.
Likening players entering the league to players already in the league gives a better understanding of what kind of talent a team will get — good or bad.
From floor to ceiling, here’s looking at Sporting News’ first-round projections based on NFL veterans past and present:
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NFL Mock Draft 2025
1. Tennessee Titans
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-2, 219 pounds)
The Titans are hoping they finally have their second coming off the best QB in franchise history, Steve McNair, as Ward’s size, arm strength, and mobility have some recalling their late one-time MVP. Other big mobile types, such as Ben Roethlisberger and Daunte Culpepper, have been thrown out as Ward comps, but in the modern game, Ward has a high ceiling, to the point he can push to be a mashup of Jayden Daniels and Patrick Mahomes.
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2. Cleveland Browns
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Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-1, 212 pounds)
The Browns could use a strong pocket passer, and the return of Joe Flacco suggests they are looking at him as a backup and still need an immediate starting option for OC Tommy Rees and coach Kevin Stefanski. Sanders’ strong arm and downfield clutch play channel both Jared Goff and a former Stefanski QB in Minnesota, Kirk Cousins.
3. New York Giants
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds)
The Giants tap into Carter’s potential defensive dominance, as former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons hints plenty into this latest Nittany Lions’ prospect’s ferocious, disruptive upside. Carter also has some Myles Garrett to his game, suggesting he soon will be a contender for DPOY.
4. New England Patriots
- Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-0, 188 pounds)
The Patriots can get a two-way player who’s received high praise for both sides of his game. Defensive-minded coach Mike Vrabel also played offense for Bill Belichick, and wide receiver Troy Brown once helped them by crossing over to cornerback. As a corner, Hunter has some of the same qualities as Darrelle Revis and Darius Slay. As a wideout, Hunter can be compared to former Ohio State stars Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
- Armand Membou, OT, Missouri (6-4, 332 pounds)
The Jaguars need some right tackle help, and Membou is a hybrid of what recently retired Terron Armstead and Buccaneers starter Tristan Wirfs have brought to an offensive line.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-8, 211 pounds)
The Raiders can get a feature back who has some qualities to LaDainian Tomlinson and Alvin Kamara because of his running, receiving, and red-zone finishing. Jeanty can also have a long career because of his compact power and burst, a la Frank Gore.
7. New York Jets
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (6-5, 256 pounds)
The Jets have been tied to Warren, as they have a void at the position and need a complementary, athletic receiver next to Wilson. Warren has the same big-play move qualities as Mark Andrews and also has the tough field-stretching of George Kittle.
8. Carolina Panthers
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Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (6-3, 296 pounds)
The Panthers are hoping they will have the next Dexter Lawrence or Christian Wilkins with the best defensive player available to them, as Graham has qualities that more resemble the former Clemson stars than past Michigan ones.
9. New Orleans Saints
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (6-4, 219 pounds)
Wide receiver might not be an obvious need for the Saints, but Kellen Moore might want to get his version of A.J. Brown to go with Olave if Shedeur Sanders isn’t an immediate option for their offense. Moore, however, would be taking advantage of the fact that the Panthers passed on the potential next Mike Evans to fit in former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales’ offense.
10. Chicago Bears
- Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (6-5, 315 pounds)
The Bears should like Banks’ fit to continue their offensive line improvements, and head coach Ben Johnson will hope he has his version of a lighter Penei Sewell.
11. San Francisco 49ers
- Will Campbell, OT, LSU (6-6, 319 pounds)
The 49ers, whether they view Campbell as a guard, right tackle, or future left tackle successor for Trent Williams, should covet his sturdy play. He’s a blend of current Raven Ronnie Stanley and past Raven Marshal Yanda.
12. Dallas Cowboys
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Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-5, 267 pounds)
The Cowboys lost Demarcus Lawrence from their pass rush, leaving Micah Parsons needing some new help. They will hope that Stewart, going from College Station to Arlington, will bring some of the old qualities they had with Demarcus Ware.
13. Miami Dolphins
- Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (6-1, 197 pounds)
The Dolphins lost Jevon Holland and free agency, and although Starks has some qualities in common with Holland, his all-around playmaking feels much like the Falcons’ Jessie Bates III.
14. Indianapolis Colts
- Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss (6-3, 296 pounds)
The Colts should be ready to pounce on Nolen, knowing his Aaron Donald-like potential in the NFL can give them the league’s best interior front along with DeForest Buckner.
Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
15. Atlanta Falcons
- Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (6-3, 235 pounds)
The Falcons need a dynamic coverage and pass-rushing linebacker to support Kaden Elliss. Campbell is up there with the Eagles’ breakout star Zack Baun and future Panthers Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly in those capacities.
16. Arizona Cardinals
- Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6-3, 331 pounds)
The Cardinals should be looking at Grant because defensive-minded coach Jonathan Gannon can see him fill a key need with someone who should remind him of his former Eagle, Jordan Davis.
17. Cincinnati Bengals
- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas (5-11, 194 pounds)
The Bengals need their version of the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton, someone who can be a versatile coverage man and ballhawk. Barron has come more into play as a mid first-rounder late in the pre-draft process.
18. Seattle Seahawks
- Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (6-2, 202 pounds)
The Seahawks could use a top outside cover man to go with Devon Witherspoon, and when looking at Johnson vs. wide receivers, he can be a dead ringer for Broncos star Pat Surtain II if he can stay healthy.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee (6-5, 245 pounds)
The Buccaneers will hope Pearce can deliver as a high-energy freakish pass rusher in the Jevon Kearse-Jason Pierre-Paul vein, only without the same bulk.
20. Denver Broncos
- Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia (6-1, 243 pounds)
The Broncos can try to get their version of Micah Parsons, but there’s also plenty of Saints star leader Demario Davis there for Sean Payton and Vance Joseph.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (6-2, 225 pounds)
The Steelers can see two prospects in one with Dart. As a passer, Dart has a lot of qualities that match Justin Herbert with his confident downfield throws. As a runner, Dart carries the mental and physical toughness of Jalen Hurts.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
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Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 202 pounds)
The Chargers coaches have seen plenty of Wilson and Olave thanks to coach Jim Harbaugh facing archrival Ohio State while at Michigan. But as a first-round prospect, the versatile, technically sound, good-hands route-runner is more like former Buckeyes teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
23. Green Bay Packers
- Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia (6-5, 260 pounds)
The Packers will enjoy having this hybrid player support their pass rush for DC Jeff Hafley. He combines the disparate qualities of two former Green Bay defenders, Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji.
24. Minnesota Vikings
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Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (6-3, 220 pounds)
The Vikings could go after the third impact inside secondary star in this draft to help replace Camryn Bynum, as it’s close between Starks, Barron, and Emmanwori. He is a great clean-up field safety in the Derwin James mold.
25. Houston Texans
- Tyler Booker, G, Alabama (6-5, 321 pounds)
The Texans need someone to upgrade from Kenyon Green as they make some key offensive line changes in front of C.J. Stroud. Booker has a lot of reliable long-term blocking qualities, similar to former Steeler David DeCastro.
26. Los Angeles Rams
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Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (6-0, 206 pounds)
The Rams should be thinking Burden has the potential to be the next Cooper Kupp for them in Sean McVay’s offense. He also has a combination of two unrelated players in his versatility, Deebo Samuel and Curtis Samuel.
27. Baltimore Ravens
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-2, 257 pounds)
The Ravens can get their version of Trey Hendrickson‘s power and quickness to get to the quarterback.
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
28. Detroit Lions
- Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State (6-6, 312 pounds)
The Lions need to replace free-agent departure Kevin Zeitler at right guard and have aging issues with Graham Glasgow at left guard. Zabel can be their version of Landon Dickerson.
29. Washington Commanders
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Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (6-2, 248 pounds)
The Commanders can go after a solid pass rusher to help Dan Quinn, as Ezeiruaku combines the skills of two former Titans, Jadeveon Clowney and Harold Landry.
30. Buffalo Bills
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Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (6-0, 195 pounds)
The Bills can go after a receiver high to give Josh Allen a speedy, reliable deep threat to take more advantage of his huge arm. Working outside or inside, Golden is a mix of Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
- Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall (6-3, 251 pounds)
The Chiefs might be hoping they have stolen a disruptor on the level of Aidan Hutchinson or T.J. Watt, but Green can at least be effective getting to the QB, a la current Chief George Karlaftis.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
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Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (6-5, 248 pounds)
The Eagles need to think about replacing Dallas Goedert soon. While Warren taps into some of what Brock Bowers has done well right away in the NFL, it would be apt to call Loveland more the next Trey McBride or Sam LaPorta.
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