2025 NFL Mock Draft: Fixing the NFL's Worst Teams

One of the best parts of any mock draft is the ability to fix teams. Or at least try to. In some cases, it feels like the author is trying harder than the actual team owners. (We’re talking about you, Carolina Panthers!)

With the season giving us new insights into what teams need and which players will be available, we’re taking a fresh look at the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

This is a fun exercise to see where team needs align with player values. Where do Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter stack up when comparing team needs, positional value and their individual ranks as players?

Let’s find out.

1. New England Patriots — Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Banks is not our No. 1 overall player, and in fact this would likely lead to a trade down the board as a quarterback-needy team tried to position itself for Shedeur Sanders. But in this case, the Patriots get a plug-and-play left tackle to build around upfront. This is the clear-cut biggest need on the roster. Banks struggled against Georgia, but our view was that was more of an issue with the quarterback holding the ball and not solely on Banks’ ability.

2. Carolina Panthers — Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Bryce Young will be traded in the offseason for pennies on the dollars paid to acquire him. That will open the door for another top of the draft quarterback. Ward has developed into a quality passer with added running ability from the backfield. He would no doubt spark this offense.

3. Cleveland Browns — Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Browns are financially stuck with Deshaun Watson for now, but that doesn’t mean the team can’t get ready for his replacement, especially following his Achilles’ injury. Sanders might not want to be in Cleveland—where the quarterback position has been one disaster after another—but the Browns would be lucky to him his talent.