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3 Takeaways From Mel Kiper Jr.’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft

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Dan Girolamo
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Dan Girolamo Sports Editor

Dan is a multifaceted content creator who specializes in sports, pop culture, and entertainment. His entertainment work has been featured on Digital Trends, where he has interviewed Brendan Fraser, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alison Brie, Adam DeVine, Sadie Sink, Chris O'Dowd, Machine Gun Kelly, and Frank Grillo. Dan's entertainment work has also been featured on Coming Soon, Hidden Remote, and WatchMojo. Dan's other passion in life revolves around sports, graduating from Marist College with a degree in Sports Communication and Journalism. From columns about the latest in New York sports to gambling predictions, Dan continues to find success in written and broadcast journalism. Previous written work can be found at Unafraid Show, while broadcast clips can be seen on WAVE.tv and CBS Sports.

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Published08 Apr 2025

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ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr during the 2011 NFL Draft.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest version of his 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Kiper revealed his predictions for the first two rounds. Here are three takeaways from Kiper’s latest mock.

Shedeur Sandes Falls To New Orleans Saints At No. 9

Miami’s Cam Ward is a virtual lock to go No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders will likely be the next quarterback off the board. Sanders happens to be Kiper’s top-ranked quarterback.

Kiper consistently had the New York Giants taking Sanders at No. 3. However, Kiper’s latest mock has Sanders falling to the New Orleans Saints at No. 9.

If Sanders doesn’t go to the Giants, there aren’t many clear landing spots for him in the top 10,” Kiper wrote. “I could see a team trading up for him — maybe even the Saints, who have nine picks — but most of these rosters are already set at quarterback. This is a great outcome for New Orleans, though. I like this match a lot.”

First-year coach Kellen Moore has inherited 34-year-old Derek Carr at quarterback. The former Raider will be on the team for at least one more year due to cap restraints.

The Saints may not be in the top 10 of the draft next year, so having the No. 2 quarterback in this year’s class fall to them could be an offer that’s too good to pass up.

Las Vegas Raiders Take Ashton Jeanty At No. 6

Personally, Kiper hates drafting running backs early, especially in the first round.

However, Kiper has Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty mocked to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6.

Head coach Pete Carroll built his Seattle teams on a great defense and a good running game.

Carroll inherits a Raiders’ running game that finished last in rushing yards per game (79.8) in 2024.

“Jeanty could immediately flip the script,” Kiper wrote about Jeanty to the Raiders. “He displayed excellent speed, contact balance, and vision en route to 2,601 rushing yards last season. He could be an elite three-down back in the NFL.”

Adding Jeanty to a new-look Raiders’ offense that features quarterback Geno Smith is a significant upgrade from a season ago.

Los Angeles Rams Take Jaxson Dart At No. 26

The biggest mystery of the NFL Draft involves the third quarterback.

After Ward and Sanders, who will be the next quarterback, and when will he get drafted?

Most NFL analysts, including Kiper, believe Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart will be the third quarterback off the board.

In a surprising move, Kiper has the Rams using the No. 26 pick on Dart.

37-year-old Matthew Stafford will be the starter for at least one more season. After this season, who knows?

“Given a season to learn under Stafford and transition to the NFL game after playing in Lane Kiffin’s RPO-happy offense, Dart has a high ceiling in the pros,” Kiper wrote.

Read Kiper’s full mock draft.