2025 NFL mock draft, Rounds 2 and 3: Shedeur Sanders to Browns, Will Johnson’s slide ends

There were some chaotic moments during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. What do Rounds 2 and 3 have in store Friday night?

Here’s a look at how the second day of the draft might unfold:

(Editor’s note: An asterisk indicates a compensatory draft pick.)

Round 2

33. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

It should not come as a shock to people who paid close attention that Sanders fell out of the first round, nor that Jaxson Dart was selected ahead of him. That said, Sanders and Dart were very close with regard to the QB2/QB3 discussion. If Cleveland can use the extra picks it acquired Thursday to fortify its rebuild and give Sanders time to grow, this could be a great fit.

34. Houston Texans (from NYG): Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

C.J. Stroud needs protection up front, so offensive tackle could be an option for the Texans after they traded out of the first round. But adding a legit playmaker who gives off Deebo Samuel vibes feels like great value.

35. Tennessee Titans: Mike Green, edge, Marshall

There are off-field concerns surrounding Green, a top-15 prospect on several boards (including that of The Athletic’s Dane Brugler). It’s not impossible that he slides even further if teams aren’t comfortable with his situation, but he could be an elite value pick.

Advertisement

36. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Not only did the Browns leave the first round with an elite defender, Mason Graham, but also they have a chance to address QB and running back at the top of Round 2. Offensive tackle could be another possibility.

37. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson slid out of the first round for a few reasons, including speed and injury concerns. When healthy, though, he’s one of the best defensive players in this class. This could be a steal.

38. New England Patriots: Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

One of two terrific Iowa State wideouts likely to be picked on Day 2 (Jayden Higgins being the other), Noel (5-foot-10, 194 pounds) ran a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine and plays without fear. He is outstanding in the air and can contort his body to bad throws. He could be a great weapon for Drake Maye.

39. Chicago Bears (from CAR): Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota

In Round 1, the Bears landed Colston Loveland, a perfect fit for Ben Johnson’s offense. On Friday, Chicago has a chanceto get tougher up front. The hulking 6-6, 331-pound Ersery could be a long-term answer on the left side.

40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Whether or not Derek Carr is healthy this season, the Saints need a long-term answer at quarterback. Shough — a much better athlete than people realize — had outstanding flashes last season in Jeff Brohm’s offense. He possesses the frame (6-5, 219) and arm talent to be a potential NFL starter.

41. Chicago Bears: Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College

This would be outstanding value for the Bears, who still need plenty of punch along their defensive front. Ezeiruaku has one of the deepest pass-rush move sets in this draft and is a very high-character player.

42. New York Jets: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Maybe Justin Fields cashes in on his prove-it contract and becomes the Jets’ quarterback of the future. Maybe not. Either way, being able to stash and develop an elite athlete with immense potential such as Milroe — in an offense that will use its QB in the run game — feels like a terrific fit.

43. San Francisco 49ers: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M

In Round 1, the 49ers grabbed a potential star in freaky Georgia edge Mykel Williams. But San Francisco still needs help along its defensive front and Turner (6-3, 290) is an explosive, twitched-up pocket pusher who’d fit the bill.

44. Dallas Cowboys: Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

The Cowboys were one of the pre-draft favorites to land Ashton Jeanty. With the Boise State running back off the board by pick No. 12, though, the Cowboys instead opted for another mauling guard, Tyler Booker. They have a chance to attack this deep RB class on Day 2.

Advertisement

45. Indianapolis Colts: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

A 240-pound linebacker who runs like a safety, Schwesinger has elite upside. He tackled everything he saw in college (136 tackles last season) but also possesses exciting coverage upside playing from the stack.

46. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

The youngest player in the draft and one of the smoothest tight ends in college football last season, Taylor — son of Jason Taylor and nephew of Zach Thomas — could be a phenomenal fit in Sean McVay’s attack for years to come.

47. Arizona Cardinals: JT Tuimoloau, edge, Ohio State

One of the savviest players in this class, regardless of position, Tuimoloau uses a deep move set coupled with great length and a high football IQ to overcome his lack of ideal explosion off the edge. A big-time producer at Ohio State, Tuimoloau was always around the football.

48. Miami Dolphins: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

This would be a total steal — Emmanwori is one of the best athletes in this draft. No one rolled the dice on him in Round 1, and safety is a tough position to peg, but it’s certainly possible Emmanwori falls this far Friday. He also could be a trade-up target for a number of teams.

49. Cincinnati Bengals: Tate Ratledge, G, Georgia

The Bengals still need to add more protection for Joe Burrow and find ways to be more efficient in the run game. Ratledge is one of this draft’s best run blockers and was a very dependable player — for a long time — at Georgia.

50. Seattle Seahawks: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

There were not a ton of CB-needy teams this year, which caused a number of very good coverage players to slide. Amos, a long and speedy corner comfortable in man or zone, has a ton of upside.

51. Denver Broncos: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

This is a big need for Denver, which has to find a No. 1 running back for 2025. Judkins, one half of Ohio State’s dynamic duo last season, is another true three-down weapon with plenty of upside.

52. Seattle Seahawks (from PIT): Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

A 6-4, 214-pounder with 4.47 speed, Higgins isn’t the world-class burner DK Metcalf is, but he blends elite ball skills with a ton of length and an ability to play multiple spots in any scheme.

Advertisement

53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

If Revel hadn’t gotten hurt early last season, we might have heard his name in the first round. Tampa Bay went receiver in Round 1, so it now needs to focus on shoring up its defense — particularly in the secondary.

54. Green Bay Packers: Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State

The Packers (finally) took a wide receiver in Round 1 — Texas burner Matthew Golden. Corner is a need here and Thomas, one of the longest and most disruptive man-coverage players in the class, would be very good value.

55. Los Angeles Chargers: Landon Jackson, edge, Arkansas

The Chargers could go tight end or defensive tackle at this spot. But edge is a need and Jackson — a 6-6, 264-pounder with speed and length — can be an edge setter or pass rusher with the ability to drop and cover for Jesse Minter.

56. Buffalo Bills (from MIN via HOU): Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

The Bills need to get younger up front defensively — and more depth for 2025 couldn’t hurt, either. Alexander is long, powerful and quick, and he comes from one of the hardest-working programs in America.

57. Carolina Panthers (from LAR): Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Edge also should be a Day 2 priority for Carolina, but safety is a need right now — there are just three true safeties on the roster. Watts, a former receiver and linebacker with a great eye for the football, could fit nicely next to new addition Tre’von Moehrig.

58. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona

The Texans trade out of the first round gave them the opportunity to address two serious needs with possible starters in Round 2. Savaiinaea is a versatile guard who would help keep Stroud upright.

59. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Burch, edge, Oregon

The Ravens hit the jackpot at the end of Round 1 with Malaki Starks, a perfect fit for their roster. Burch, a versatile edge who can play inside, would be another.

Advertisement

60. Detroit Lions: Nic Scourton, edge, Texas A&M

Scourton’s high motor and high character would be terrific fits on Dan Campbell’s squad. Addressing DT and edge before the end of Day 2 would cross off a pair of big needs for the Lions.

61. Washington Commanders: Oluwafemi Oladejo, edge, UCLA

A physical edge presence who is very difficult to seal and has enough speed to chase down players in the backfield, Oladejo could help fix a leaky Commanders run defense.

62. Buffalo Bills: Jack Bech, WR, TCU

The Bills will be in the market for another pass catcher at some point this weekend, and Bech — a star of the Senior Bowl who has given many scouts Puka Nacua vibes — could be a great fit with Josh Allen.

63. Kansas City Chiefs: Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee

One of the fastest ball carriers in the SEC last season, Sampson could form a perfect combination with Isiah Pacheco and provide another dynamic option in Kansas City’s backfield.

64. Philadelphia Eagles: Jack Sawyer, edge, Ohio State

A powerful, physical and highly competitive presence on the edge, Sawyer is a passionate defender and got better every year at Ohio State. Another potential defensive standout from an elite college program for the Eagles.

Round 3

65. New York Giants: Miles Frazier, G, LSU

66. Kansas City Chiefs (from TEN): Princely Umanmielen, edge, Ole Miss

67. Cleveland Browns: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

68. Las Vegas Raiders: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma

69. New England Patriots: Bradyn Swinson, edge, LSU

70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State

71. New Orleans Saints: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State

72. Chicago Bears: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

73. New York Jets: Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

74. Carolina Panthers: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

75. San Francisco 49ers: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

76. Dallas Cowboys: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

77. New England Patriots (from ATL): Jordan James, RB, Oregon

78. Arizona Cardinals: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal

79. Houston Texans (from MIA via WAS/PHI): Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

80. Indianapolis Colts: Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia

81. Cincinnati Bengals: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

82. Seattle Seahawks: Ashton Gillotte, Edge, Louisville

83. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

84. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Billy Bowman Jr., S, Oklahoma

85. Denver Broncos: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon

86. Los Angeles Chargers: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

87. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina

88. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN): RJ Harvey, RB, UCF

89. Houston Texans: Anthony Belton, OT, NC State

90. Los Angeles Rams: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

91. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Mbow, G/C, Purdue

92. Seattle Seahawks (from DET via NYJ/LV): Jared Wilson, C, Georgia

93. New Orleans Saints (from WAS): Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

94. Cleveland Browns (from BUF): Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

95. Kansas City Chiefs: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

96. Philadelphia Eagles: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

97. Minnesota Vikings*: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

98. Miami Dolphins*: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State

99. Houston Texans (from NYG)*: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

100. San Francisco 49ers*: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

101. Atlanta Falcons*: Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina

102. Detroit Lions*: Josiah Stewart, Edge, Michigan

(Top photos of Shedeur Sanders and Will Johnson: Stacy Revere, David Berding / Getty Images)

Click here to read article