2025 NFL Mock Draft Shakes Things Up: Giants Eye QB Replacement, Ashton Jeanty Surprises, and More!
It might seem far away, but the 2025 NFL Draft is already brewing with drama and speculation, even this early on! The interesting part? The quarterback carousel is about to stir up some serious conversation. We’re talking potential trades, surprises, and some teams making bold moves for the future. One of the biggest headlines? The New York Giants could be gearing up to find their next franchise quarterback, moving on from Daniel Jones. So, let’s dive into this mock draft breakdown and see which moves would make the biggest waves in the NFL.
Giants Trading Up for a QB? Daniel Jones’ Future in Question
If you thought the New York Giants were settled with Daniel Jones, think again. They might be thinking ahead and possibly looking for a successor during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants have been solidly average with Jones under center, but will they remain content with “just fine”? According to this mock draft, they definitely won’t!
In a bold prediction, the Giants are expected to trade up with the Chicago Bears to secure one of the top quarterback prospects, Cameron Ward, from Washington State. It’s worth noting that Ward has really turned heads over the past college season, showing off his impressive all-around game. If this mock prediction goes down, New York will move from No. 9 to No. 3 overall in exchange for additional 2025 and 2026 first-round picks. That’s a hefty price, but the Giants clearly feel that Ward is worth it.
It’s surprising to see Daniel Jones’ future with the Giants in this somewhat uncertain spotlight. Though Jones inked a four-year extension worth $160 million last offseason, the contract structure gives the Giants an out after two seasons. Either it’s a high-stakes gamble, or New York management is ready to consider life after Jones if the team isn’t trending toward Super Bowl contention by the 2025 draft.
Bears and the Trading Carousel Continue
The Chicago Bears, who will be involved in that trade with the Giants, get a sweet deal out of it. They’re trusting Justin Fields and presumably want to build around him rather than chase a new QB. Rather than looking for the next franchise quarterback, they’re stocking up on picks, looking to make smart investments elsewhere on their roster.
By doing business with the Bears, the Giants land a top-tier quarterback and get their man. Whether Fields pans out for Chicago or not, 2025 will certainly offer a handful of budding stars for both franchises. This could be the trade that defines the next few seasons for both teams!
First Overall Pick: Chapter One in Arizona’s Quest for Rejuvenation
No major shocks here—Arizona holds the first overall pick, but this pick might not just be any other addition to the team. They’re selecting Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, a player considered by many scouts to be a franchise talent. The Cardinals desperately need a cornerstone for their defense, so this selection would bring in a change-maker for them. Tuimoloau is a beast on the field, and the Cardinals will be looking for him to transform a defense that’s been disappointing in recent seasons.
This move could mean lights-out improvement for Arizona, who will be looking to build defensive muscle around him. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive end is destructive with his pass rush and consistently causes havoc for opposing quarterbacks. It’s exactly the type of game-changing presence Arizona needs.
Quarterbacks Bring Intrigue: Atlanta Falcons Swing Big
The New York Giants aren’t the only team shaking up the draft with their quarterback choice. The Atlanta Falcons could get involved too, eyeing another key signal-caller—Michael Pratt out of Tulane. If Atlanta’s leadership doesn’t see substantial improvements from Desmond Ridder, they could very well dive into the 2025 market for a quarterback. Taking Pratt with the No. 4 pick might signal they want a true face of the offense who brings a little more refined talent to the table, especially with Ridder showing mediocre growth thus far.
Pratt has developed a solid reputation as a dual-threat QB prospect, with polished footwork and decision-making that jump off the charts. Falcons fans might be ready to hop on the Pratt hype train if Ridder isn’t living up to expectations over the upcoming 2024 season.
Other Top Players to Watch Out For
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr., linebacker from Clemson, is expected to go at No. 5 to the Green Bay Packers. He’s a heck of a player with an instinctive feel for the game, and Green Bay is hungry for some defensive bolster.
- Cooper DeJean, a dynamic cornerback from Iowa, could land at No. 6 with the Tennessee Titans. DeJean’s great at reading offenses and could anchor Tennessee’s pass defense for years to come.
Both Trotter Jr. and Cooper DeJean have been critical to their respected schools during their college careers. Scouts have continuously sung their praises for their preparedness at the pro level, and any team who brings them onboard has a bright future defensively.
Biggest Surprise in the Top 10: Ashton Jeanty Lands in Minnesota’s Lap
The Minnesota Vikings are sliding down the draft order, currently positioned at No. 8. They seem to have their crosshairs on one of the more intriguing players available—Boise State running back (*drumroll*) Ashton Jeanty. It’s a surprising yet exciting choice for Vikings fans.
For many experts, this pick makes fans’ jaws drop. Minnesota already boasts a reliable offense with Justin Jefferson catching passes, but the Vikings’ running game has had some inconsistency post-Dalvin Cook. That’s where Jeanty—standing at 5’8″ and weighing 205 pounds—could shake things up in Minnesota. In his previous season, Jeanty stunned the college football world with 1,108 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns—for someone who burst onto the scene, that’s massive.
Someone needs to replace Alexander Mattison at some point, and Jeanty looks like he’s got the juice to eventually lock down an RB1 role in the NFL. If the Vikings are determined to build versatility on offense paired with a brutal defense, this selection would be an instant upgrade on the field.
The Order So Far: Top 10 of 2025 NFL Draft
The first several picks set the tone for 2025. Here’s how the projections look:
- Arizona Cardinals: J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
- Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
- New York Giants (via Chicago): Cameron Ward, QB, Washington State
- Atlanta Falcons: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane
- Green Bay Packers: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson
- Tennessee Titans: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
- Washington Commanders: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
- Minnesota Vikings: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Chicago Bears (via New York Giants): Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami (FL)
- Las Vegas Raiders: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
Who Else Could Make a Splash?
Beyond the top 10, there are sure to be even more exciting players to watch. Offensive talent like Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt is expected to be a spark plug for that struggling Raiders line, while Jared Verse—a terrifyingly talented EDGE out of Florida State—rounds out the top of the Commanders’ wishlist too.
Teams like Washington, Las Vegas, and Chicago are gearing up to add elite-level talent at key positions. While the QBs are getting much of the attention early on, don’t forget about these top defensive and offensive stars who could become the franchise player that turns their teams around.
How Will the Rest of the League Respond?
The 2025 draft feels like it’s just a peek beyond the horizon—but make no mistake, it’s going to be here before you know it. Teams are already scouting, analyzing, and preparing to pull off trades, maneuvers, and deals that no one sees coming. With massive names on the board like Cameron Ward and Ashton Jeanty, the only question remains: Which teams are willing to take a giant leap towards the future?
Whatever happens, this upcoming draft will impact the league for years to come. Whether it’s the quarterback shuffles, game-changing defensive savants, or surprise picks like Jeanty, the landscape of the NFL is set to look quite different once 2025 shakes out. As always, buckle up for an exciting ride!
Originally Written by: Ryan Wilson
