2025 NFL Mock Draft: Former NFL GM selects QB for Panthers at No. 1 and snags pass-catching help for Steelers

Rick Spielman — Spielman called Bryce Young’s Week 1 tape “horrendous,” so he’s giving the Panthers another No. 1 overall QB in Quinn Ewers.

Josh Edwards — “You have to make a change if you’re the Giants. Daniel Jones has not inspired confidence within that building, and so it’s time for a change.” That change is Georgia’s Carson Beck with the No. 2 overall pick.

Ryan Wilson — “I’m intrigued by [WR] Tetairoa McMillan, but not at No. 3.” Wilson watched Kelvin Banks against Michigan and said he got the best of fellow top draft prospect Mason Graham, so that’s where Wilson goes for New England.

Rick Spielman — Spielman could see WR here, but he couldn’t find anyone to take this high. So, based on a terrible performance against the run in Week 1, the Broncos go with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.

Josh Edwards — Will Campbell, Edwards’ top-ranked offensive tackle at the moment, comes in to protect his college QB in Jayden Daniels.

Ryan Wilson — Offensively, Wilson likes where the Titans are at. So he turns to the defense, deciding between edge rusher and cornerback. Will Johnson, the consensus No. 1 prospect at CBS Sports at the moment, ends up being the pick.

Rick Spielman — In what he calls a “no-brainer,” the Raiders take Shedeur Sanders to be their next franchise QB. “He plays a little bit of street ball, tries to always look for the downfield shot, but if he can get in rhythm and on time, there’s no question about the arm strength and the accuracy when he does have time (to throw).”

Josh Edwards — The Cardinals invested a lot in the defense in last year’s draft, but there’s still more to be done on that side of the ball. So, Arizona ends up taking potentially the best edge rusher in the class in James Pearce Jr.

Ryan Wilson — After grabbing the first defensive player off the board last year in pass-rusher Laiatu Latu, the Colts stay along the defensive line and snag Kentucky’s Deone Walker.

Rick Spielman — The Steelers need another WR to pair with George Pickens, so Pittsburgh goes with Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona to round out the top 10.

Josh Edwards — Looking at New Orleans’ tendencies in the past and the 2025 free agency class, Edwards believes defensive front is where the Saints will go with this selection. “For me, Mykel Williams, pound-for-pound, is the most intriguing edge rusher in this draft class.”

Ryan Wilson — Wilson goes with who he thinks is the most explosive player: Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter. “I’m not going to overcomplicate it. The defense is really good, but you can create packages for him. On the other side of the ball, they don’t necessarily need more wide receivers but you can find places for Travis Hunter to help you. At 12, I feel really good about that.”

Rick Spielman — For the team Spielman served as the longtime general manager for, he was first looking at defensive tackle. But two of the players he liked were already gone, so he turned his attention to what he thinks will be the Vikings’ biggest need: cornerback. He ended up selecting Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison. “I think he’s the best man-cover corner (in the class), really physical, and I think he’d be a great fit in (defensive coordinator Brian) Flores’ defense.”

Josh Edwards — After considering a few players, including one who was just picked (Benjamin Morrison), Edwards opted for Luther Burden III to replace impending free agent Chris Godwin.

Ryan Wilson — Jim Harbaugh loves to shore up the trenches, so Wilson gives them offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, who may have to move inside to guard at the next level.

Rick Spielman — Spielman doesn’t like their defense, especially on the backend, so he selects someone who reminds him a lot of Lions young standout Brian Branch: Georgia’s Malaki Starks. “He can play [nickelback], he can play safety, he can do a lot for them on the defensive side of the ball.”

Josh Edwards — Cleveland may need a new quarterback and it needs a left tackle, but Edwards doesn’t feel great about the options available at those positions. “I am surprising myself here, and I’m going to go with Ashton Jeanty, the running back from Boise State. … When I look at Jeanty, he reminds me a little bit of Jahmyr Gibbs coming out of the draft because of his ability to make an impact in the pass game as well.”

Ryan Wilson — Wilson thinks it’s pretty clear the Seahawks needs help along the offensive line, so he goes with tackle Emery Jones Jr. out of LSU.

Rick Spielman — In looking at the depth chart, Spielman believes they need corner help. Enter Denzel Burke from Ohio State.

Josh Edwards — Based on the picks ahead of him, Edwards decides to go in a different direction than initially anticipated. That results in him taking Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.

Ryan Wilson — “Let’s take Harold Perkins out of LSU and use him as a chess piece.”

Rick Spielman — The Bengals could be in dire need of an edge rusher next season — Trey Hendrickson asked for a trade this offseason and Sam Hubbard is approaching 30 years old — so Spielman went with Nic Scourton out of Texas A&M. “That’s a no-brainer.”

Josh Edwards — Jermaine Johnson suffered a season-ending injury and Haason Reddick is nowhere to be found, so edge rusher was certainly a consideration here. Ultimately, Edwards focused on the interior of the defensive front by taking Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams.

Ryan Wilson — The Dolphins have awesome skill players, but the one piece they’re missing is a dynamic tight end. That’s where Michigan’s Colston Loveland comes in.

Rick Spielman — “They need to add to their young secondary as they revamp this secondary, so Tacario Davis from Arizona, I think would be the perfect fit.”

Josh Edwards — The Ravens offensive line has been a problem through two weeks, so they address that here with the drafting of Alabama guard Tyler Booker.

Ryan Wilson — Even after signing CeeDee Lamb to a massive extension, “they still have a ton of issues at the wide receiver position.” Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could help Dak Prescott in a big way.

Rick Spielman — The Texans did a great job addressing needs in free agency and the draft, but they could use depth in the secondary. With the cornerback options underwhelming, Spielman goes with Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr. “Smart, instinctive football player.”

Josh Edwards — To no one’s surprise, Edwards is looking at the trenches for future reinforcements. With a lot of offensive linemen having already been taken, the Eagles address the defensive front with Landon Jackson from Arkansas.

Ryan Wilson — Despite being annoyed that the Eagles stole his Landon Jackson pick, Wilson stays with the defensive line and selects Kenneth Grant to help on the interior.

Rick Spielman — After considering cornerback, Spielman gives the 49ers an offensive lineman in Aireontae Ersery.

Josh Edwards — A corner here would be nice to replace L’Jarius Sneed, but Edwards doesn’t want to reach to fill a need. “I’m going to take a little bit on the upside and go to the defensive line and take Walter Nolen, defensive tackle, from Ole Miss.”