Even if the Giants sign Rodgers, New York will go with the future of the franchise in this position if it is able to trade for the top pick. Tennessee is willing to part ways with its selection and several teams have interest in the rights to take Miami’s Cam Ward. Ward might have been a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had he come out following his final season at Washington State. Ward was the ACC’s Player of the Year last season and nearly took the Hurricanes to the playoff.

There is talk of Abdul Carter going No. 1 overall If Tennessee keeps its selection and fails to find a trade partner. With a stress reaction in his foot issue, Carter could slide, but that’s not what CBS Sports projects in this latest mock. He is similar in talent to Micah Parsons and projects to go No. 1 in other mocks as well. Carter is a player numerous teams covet despite his injury, so it would not be surprising if there are others moving into the top five to get him if he’s available after the first few picks. The Browns would make a smart move by going with this cycle’s top defenders at No. 2.

If the Giants keep the No. 3 overall pick, then New York likely goes best player available here and that would be Travis Hunter. In this mock, Tennessee slides to No. 3 and still takes the former Colorado star and could perhaps tinker with Hunter a few snaps offensively every week as another target offensively. It’ll be interesting to see how Hunter performs in the pre-draft circuit at his Pro Day since he only handled interviews in Indianapolis and did not participate in on-field workouts.

This cycle lacks front-end talent at wide receiver in the biggest way, but former Arizona star Tetairoa McMillan will not slip outside of the top 10 as the top prospect on the outside. He’s an every-down threat at the next level and would be this franchise’s immediate top threat on the outside, an immediate aid for Drake Maye. Drops were never an issue at the college level as McMillan was one of the most productive pass-catchers of all-time with the Wildcats.

Expect the Jaguars to go defense with their fifth overall selection, but this is the first time Michigan’s Mason Graham has been penned in this slot. There is some risk. Graham and fellow ex-Wolverines defensive lineman Kenneth Grant are interior defensive line mavens expected to go on Day 1. It’s going to be difficult for Sherrone Moore and Michigan in 2025 to replace two absolute stalwarts in the middle. And Michigan’s loss to Jacksonville’s gain.

This is as high as the former Boise State star and Heisman finalist went in the first round as the only running back on Day 1. The Dallas Cowboys have been long-projected to take Jeanty, but it’s hard to say if he is still available when their pick comes around. Jeanty remains the top prospect in the backfield after the combine, but several others ball carriers impressed including UNC’s Omarion Hampton.

As a fifth-year senior, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end set a Penn State record with 104 receptions for 1,244 yards and eight touchdowns. Via Lions247, aside from producing one of the finest pass-catching seasons ever for a tight end, Tyler Warren added 218 yards and four scores as a runner. He finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting and is widely-considered the top prospect at the position this cycle, drawing comparisons to Raiders rookie Brock Bowers.

Jalon Walker is back in the top 10 in this mock after a brief slide coming out of the combine. His measurables were a bit on the undersized side in Indianapolis, which pushed him outside of the top 10, at least temporarily. The Falcons and Cardinals are expected to with a pass rusher in the middle of the first round, but Walker may not be on the board for either of those franchises if he goes to the Panthers at No. 8.

Will Johnson recorded 14 tackles, a tackle for loss and two interceptions this season — both of which were returned for touchdowns. He missed the final six games of the season, however, with a reported toe injury. Still, Johnson leaves Michigan as one of its more decorated players to only play three seasons at the school. He played in 32 games, including 22 starts, recording 68 tackles, 10 pass breakups, four tackles for loss and nine interceptions. He set a school record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just two touchdowns in coverage in his career, both coming his freshman season, and held opponents to a 104.5 collegiate passer rating (49.8 NFL rating) over three seasons with Michigan.

Armand Membou doesn’t possess the size most offensive tackles do, but recent intel suggests he stood out to Kansas City during the evaluation process. In CBS Sports’ latest mock, the Bears stay put at No. 10 and go with the first offensive tackle selected. At Missouri, Membou’s tape was some of the best in the SEC, part of the reason why he projects to go high. In this spot, Membou is being graded by Chicago as the best option ahead of Will Campbell from LSU and Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.

11. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall (San Francisco 49ers)

12. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (Dallas Cowboys)

13. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (Miami Dolphins)

14. Will Campbell, OT, LSU (Indianapolis Colts)

Green’s performance on-field and during interviews at the combine as improved his draft stock a bit. He also answered questions about two off-the-field instances during his career, pleading his innocence for each. Green is a first-round talent who teams are going to do their homework on and make sure he’s not a liability as a top 15-type selection.

Stewart came, saw and conquered the NFL Combine with jaw-dropping individual numbers. It was the kind of performance that screams “first-round lock” following his first full season as a starter for the Aggies. The former five-star recruit finished with 31 tackles (5.5 for loss) and produced over 30 pressures, helping the Texas A&M defense as one of its leaders — especially on third down. NFL types would like to see more consistency on a down to down basis, but his ceiling is high.

15. Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia (Atlanta Falcons)

16. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (Arizona Cardinals)

17. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (Cincinnati Bengals)

18. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama (Seattle Seahawks)

19. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

20. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (Denver Broncos)

Banks’ draft stock has been all over the place over the last few months as his final season at Texas was not quite as dominant as expected. LSU’s Will Campbell appeared to lock up OT1 billing several weeks ago, but has also slipped outside of the top 10 according to this latest mock. The Cardinals have a variety of needs and haven’t shown their hand yet, but getting a player of top 10 talent in the middle of the first round would be great value in this spot with Banks.

In three years at Georgia, Williams recorded 67 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Athletic in 2022. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defender battled injuries during his career and was never the dominant, every-down force he showed during flashes in his career, but his athletic ability stands out on tape, nonetheless.

21. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (Pittsburgh Steelers)

22. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (Los Angeles Chargers)

23. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon (Green Bay Packers)

24. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (Minnesota Vikings)

25. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (Houston Texans)

Sanders’ stock reportedly took a hit after combine interviews and certainly after Las Vegas traded for Geno Smith. The Raiders were supposed to be the safety net for Sanders inside the top 7, but they now have their quarterback for the 2025 season after landing the veteran.

After Harold Fannin Jr. failed to impress at the combine, Loveland moved to No. 2 tight end billing behind Penn State’s Warren. Loveland logged 56 receptions— a single-season record for Michigan tight ends — with 582 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. All three figures led Michigan’s pass-catchers by a wide margin. Loveland alone accounted for 31.2% of Michigan’s receptions and 36.3% of the Wolverines’ receiving yards during the regular season.

26. Jahdae Barron, S, Texas (Los Angeles Rams)

27. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College (Baltimore Ravens)

28. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan (Detroit Lions)

Barron is a player whose intelligence, film and production numbers with the Longhorns will overshadow his likely mid-tier testing numbers as a “tweener” of sorts — at least that’s what most NFL evaluators believe. He was terrific down the stretch at Texas, dominating his side of the field in the secondary. The primary question is where he plays at the next level. He played a variety of defensive back positions throughout his time in Austin.