FOX Sports 2025 NFL mock draft: Who's on the Chicago Bears' radar in Round 1?

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 14 victory over the Tennessee Titans simplified the 2025 NFL Draft order slightly, making it essentially a two-team "race" for No. 1 overall.

Because of their weaker Strength of Schedule (one of several tie-breakers used by the NFL), the New York Giants would be picking first over the fellow two-win Las Vegas Raiders to kick off the festivities this spring. Things get muddied quickly after that, however, with six teams currently checking in at 3-10. Therefore, while the college football regular season may be over, there is still a lot of NFL action remaining to determine the final selection order. 

Given their woeful records, both the Giants and Raiders are understandably on the lookout for a gifted quarterback. Smart teams won’t force a selection of a signal-caller just to appease the fans, however. This class of quarterbacks simply is not as talented as recent years. As such, teams taking the Best Player Available strategy could mean that cornerbacks and linemen — both offensive and defensive — will dominate the first round. In fact, no one should be surprised if tight ends are the most popular "skill position" this year.

Here is our latest mock draft.

1. New York Giants (2-11): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Given that the Giants rank a respectable sixth in the NFL in sacks (37), the fact that the club is dead last (tied with the Jets) with just two interceptions is truly jaw-dropping. The NFL Draft has never begun with a cornerback selected at No. 1 overall, but, of course, the do-it-all Hunter is unprecedented in many ways. A classic cover-corner with exceptional instincts and ball-skills, he is the lockdown artist the Giants need in the NFC East. He also could be a practice rival to help keep 2024 first round pick Malik Nabers focused.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Raiders and the aforementioned Giants might very well open up the checkbook for pending free agent quarterback Sam Darnold (if Minnesota allows him out of town), but if not, Sanders is the quarterback likely to be the first off the board this year. Sanders’ flashy personality won’t be a fit for everyone, but he is poised and accurate to all levels of the field, specializing in the short to intermediate zones — where the Raiders boast arguably the league’s most exciting duo of tight ends in Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.

3. New England Patriots (3-10): Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

No one needs to tell Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo about the impact quality defenders can have on a franchise. Carter has the most explosive first step of anyone in this class. Pair him with blossoming star Keion White and the Patriots could have the makings of a dominant defensive line.

4. Carolina Panthers (3-10): Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Panthers have plenty of problems, but none uglier than a run defense that has surrendered 19 touchdowns through 13 games (31st in the NFL) and is allowing 5 yards a carry (tied with the Saints for last in the NFL). Graham is one of the few blue chip talents in this class, boasting a rare combination of size, strength and agility. Pairing him with Derrick Brown would give Carolina a formidable duo in the middle in which to build their defense around.

5. Cleveland Browns (3-10): Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Clearly, the Browns were expecting more with the acquisition of Deshaun Watson, but the club is essentially trapped by his massive contract, making a switch at the position unlikely. Cornerback isn’t the club’s biggest need, but the Browns are allowing a league-worst 12.8 yards per reception and have surrendered 18 touchdowns while intercepting just four passes. Johnson struggled with injuries this season, but when healthy, he’s a proven star with plus size, physicality and ball-skills. 

6. New York Jets (3-10): Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

Aaron Rodgers will turn 41 in December, and with Tyrod Taylor (35) the only other quarterback on the roster, it seems obvious New York will be drafting a quarterback next spring. Other than Sanders (selected at No. 3 in this projection) I don’t see a QB worthy of Top 10 consideration. Instead, expect the Jets to take the Best Player Available route with the powerfully-built Scourton a quality consolation prize.

7. Tennessee Titans (3-10): Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Only the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns have rushed for fewer touchdowns this season than the Titans (seven), which stings that much more given that longtime star Derrick Henry is leading the NFL with 13 scores for Baltimore. Like King Henry, Jeanty is a bona fide bell-cow whose vision, agility, balance through contact and breakaway speed could take a lot of the pressure off of Tennessee’s struggling passing attack.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10): Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

The Jaguars’ toothless 24-5 touchdown to interception ratio begs for reinforcements. Current starting safety Andre Cisco is a pending free agent. If in position to select Starks, the draft’s unquestioned best safety, the Jaguars should pounce.

9. Chicago Bears (4-9): Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Bears provided Caleb Williams with plenty of weapons, but need to do a better job of protecting their precocious young quarterback. An immediate standout who earned Second Team All-SEC honors from league coaches as a true freshman, Campbell ascended to First Team honors in 2023, showing off the size, agility and strength to warrant a selection in the top half of the first round.

FOX 32's take: It's fair to assume the Bears are going to address their offensive line this offseason. It's felt that way since they released guard Nate David mid-season, to go along with Teven Jenkins' expiring contract and center Coleman Shelton's one-year deal. Taking Campbell, though, would signify a complete overhaul from the tackles to the interior. It's hard to argue against that, though. The Bears could set an NFL record for sacks allowed in a single-season.

10. New Orleans Saints (5-8): Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

The Saints have shown signs of life since replacing Dennis Allen with Darren Rizzi as head coach, going 3-1 since the latter took the helm. One area that continues to be an issue for New Orleans is an aging pass rush that currently features just one player — defensive tackle Bryan Bresee — with more than 4.5 sacks. Williams needs to add some variety to his rush, but his burst and bend suggest that his best football lies ahead of him.