2025 NFL mock draft: Steelers select QB with Aaron Rodgers decision still looming; Raiders land Ashton Jeanty

The NFL Draft is right around the corner — April 24-26 to be exact — and we are in the peak of mock draft season. There have been so many mocks released over the last few weeks, making it hard to keep track of who picked what to where and how many versions they have done. 

I’ve never been crazy about mock drafts, using them as a point of reference over anything else. I do one mock draft a year — and that always is for the first round. There’s a ton of respect from me for anyone who does mock drafts for two rounds up to seven (and they are a lot of fun to read). The mock draft simulator also is fun to use for team-oriented mock drafts, part of the buildup.

For my one and only mock draft this year, I’m going to do something a bit different. I’m going to pick where every player SHOULD go.

This is more of a pound for pound of the draft class, instead of a player or team reaching for a player. Of course, team needs do factor into the equation (hence why quarterbacks will be taken high). There will be other players who will go higher or lower based on these pound-for-pound rankings, but that’s part of the fun of it all. 

Oh, and as is tradition — no trades in the first round.

Without further ado, here is my one mock draft for 2025.

For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on “With the First Pick” — our year-round NFL Draft podcast with analyst Ryan Wilson and former Titans general manager Ran Carthon. You can find “With the First Pick” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen to the latest episode below!

The 2025 NFL Draft is to take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. More draft coverage can be found at CBSSports.com, including the weekly mock drafts and a regularly available look at the eligible prospects.