2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Deshaun Watson’s injury means Giants lose out on top QBs

Adjust your NFL Mock Drafts accordingly: The Giants slim chances of drafting a quarterback took a hit last week when Cleveland Browns passer Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles, forcing him out for the 2025 season. 

Holding the No. 2 pick, just one ahead of the Giants at No. 3, taking a quarterback was always going to be in play for the Browns regardless of Watson’s injury. After signing him to a mammoth contract, he did little to turn the franchise’s fortunes around even when he was healthy. 

Add the Tennessee Titans to the equation — they need a new quarterback after the Will Levis experiment failed — and the Giants are on the outside looking in at the top passing talents at the draft. With a slim class, they cannot afford to reach to take a second-round-caliber talent so early.

While it will force them to hit the free-agency or trade market to address the quarterback position, the Giants have an opportunity to nab a consolation prize to build up another aspect of an otherwise unimpressive roster.

Here is our second mock draft, which is updated with the losers of this previous weekend’s Wild Card Round.

amNY 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

1. Tennessee Titans — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: The Titans are moving on from Levis and Sanders is considered, for now, as the top quarterback in the draft. A no-brainer.
   

   

2. Cleveland Browns — Cam Ward, QB Miami: Watson’s injury allows the Browns to get a fresh start under center. Ward is a big-time talent who could develop into something special.
3. New York Giants — Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: Regardless of if the Giants bring in a bridge quarterback or make a trade, bringing in Hunter gives the team a bona fide No. 2 receiving option behind breakout star Malik Nabers.
4. New England Patriots — Will Campbell, OT/IOL, LSU: Drake Maye needs protection because it did not come from an oft-injured offensive line in 2024.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: A ballhawk capable of making gamechanging plays, Johnson has nine interceptions and three touchdowns over the last three years at Michigan.
6. Las Vegas Raiders — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: The Raiders need playmaking talent after trading away Davante Adams and McMillan is just that. Over his last two years at Arizona, he put up 2,721 yards with 18 touchdowns.
7. New York Jets — Mason Graham, DL, Michigan: A serious playmaker on the interior of the defensive line, Graham could revitalize what became a stale Jets defense. He posted 3.5 sacks with 45 total tackles, and seven tackles for a loss in 2024.
   

   

8. Carolina Panthers — Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State: Carter had a breakout year at Penn State, posting 12 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss in 16 games. For a Panthers defense that was the worst in the NFL, this is a can’t-miss prospect. 
9. New Orleans Saints — Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia: With a looming exodus of edge rushers out of New Orleans, Williams provides a high-ceiling talent to the mix. He had five sacks and two forced fumbles in 12 games this season at Georgia.
10. Chicago Bears — Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas: Considering the Bears allowed the most sacks in the NFL this season, Banks is the easy pick to help protect the still-developing Caleb Williams.
11. San Francisco 49ers — James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee: Depth behind Nick Bosa is needed. Pearce put up 7.5 sacks and 38 tackles with the Volunteers. 
12. Dallas Cowboys — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: The Cowboys have nothing to work with in the backfield and luckily for them, they get the best rusher in the nation to fall into their laps at No. 12. Jeanty had a historic season, rushing for 2,601 yards with 29 touchdowns.
13. Miami Dolphins — Malaki Starks, S, Georgia: In need of a jolt in the secondary, the Dolphins could use Starks to build around in the future. The three-year starter at Georgia posted 197 tackles and six interceptions during his time with the Bulldogs. 
14. Indianapolis Colts — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State: Anthony Richardson needs a security blanket and Warren could be just that. He posted 1,233 yards with eight touchdowns at Penn State in 2024.
15. Atlanta Falcons — Jalon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: The Falcons have some uncertainty on the edge with Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter as free agents. Walker was a staple for the Georgia defense with 6.5 sacks and 60 tackles. 
16. Arizona Cardinals — Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M: Another team with a number of free agents on the defensive line, the Cardinals will need to restock their ranks at the draft. Scourton put up five sacks with 37 tackles with the Aggies. 
17. Cincinnati Bengals — Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri: The Bengals could use some depth in the wide receiver room, but a pick like Burden becomes imperative if Tee Higgins leaves. Burden is more of a slot option, but his playmaking capabilities are undeniable. 
18. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama: The Seahawks have whiffed on their last few offensive-line draft picks. They’ll have to give it another go this year. 
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State: Mike Evans will be a free agent. So is Chris Godwin, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October. Egbuka racked up 947 yards with 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. 
20. Denver Broncos — Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan: The Broncos have found their quarterback in Bo Nix, now they need to surround him with more weapons. Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games this year. 
21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina: The Steelers could reach at this point and draft a quarterback like a Jalen Milroe with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields hitting free agency, but their secondary could also use a boost. Taking a top cornerback now would address one need before trying to get a passer in the second round. 
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan: The Chargers need to revamp their defensive line, particularly at the edge. Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M might be the pick here, but Grant could anchor the interior of the line after posting three sacks and seven tackles for a loss this season at Michigan.
23. Green Bay Packers — Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame: Eric Stokes is a free agent and Jaire Alexander has had problems staying on the field. Morrison adds depth to the position even though his stock took a hit after suffering a season-ending hip injury in October. From 2022 to 2023, he posted nine interceptions.
24. Minnesota Vikings — Jahdae Barron, CB Texas: The Vikings’ secondary is riddled with free agents. Byrone Murphy, Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and Fabian Moreau are all going to hit the open market this offseason. A young cornerback is a must at the draft.

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