NFL mock drafts will begin to be formulated in the coming days and weeks, with fans, analysts, and pundits creating their own dream destination for the hottest college prospects. One person that many pay attention to is Mel Kiper, who has been a mock draft extraordinaire for decades.

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Kiper has released his first official NFL mock draft of 2025, and has predicted where one of the most talked about players will land. That player is Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sander.

Sanders is highly-rated, and the presumed top quarterback in the draft. However, there is also Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who many also believe could either go before Sanders, or right after.

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Kiper has predicted both of their landing spots, with Sanders shockingly dropping to No. 3.

Kiper’s first mock draft sees Cam Ward go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Despite the team having Will Levis, they are set to draft another quarterback who might actually be the franchise player the organization needs.

According to Kiper’s mock draft on ESPN:

“1. Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

I was a fan of Will Levis when the Titans took him early on Day 2 in 2023, and there’s still a chance he’ll put it all together. But he hasn’t played nearly well enough to keep the job in Tennessee. The Titans had the NFL‘s second-worst QBR (37.3) and interception total (21) this season as they bounced between Levis and Mason Rudolph.”

Kiper then predicts that the Browns will surprisingly not draft Sanders, though they also clearly need a franchise quarterback. Instead, they will draft the arguably best player coming out of college: Travis Hunter.

“2. Cleveland Browns

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Know how I just said the Titans had the league’s second-worst QBR and INT total? Well, the Browns were the worst in both categories. Deshaun Watson also retore his right Achilles and Jameis Winston is a free agent, so taking Sanders isn’t out of the question. But I think Cleveland is more likely to address another hole here and find QB reinforcements in free agency and/or later in the draft. (Trading back for more picks with another QB-needy team could be part of the equation, too.)”

Finally, Kiper moves to the No. 3 overall pick, which is held by the New York Giants. The Giants are in the same boat as the Browns and Titans, but they have their sights squarely on Sanders.

“3. New York Giants

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

This is the best-case scenario for the Giants. Their Week 17 win over the Colts slid them to No. 3, and now finding a new QB1 in the first round isn’t guaranteed. But Daniel Jones is gone and Drew Lock is a free agent, so the Giants have to do something to clean up one of the worst passing games in the league. New York will be weighing all options, and it might ultimately be forced to trade up into the top two to get its guy. But here, Sanders falls into the Giants’ lap without any extra moves.”

Kiper believes what many analyst do, which is that Sanders will fall to the Giants at No. 3. However, that is not a guarantee.

The Titans will do their due diligence and see if Sanders has what it takes to lead the team into a new era. Tennessee also hired former Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi, who will be responsible for nailing the first pick in the draft.

Borgonzi might see things differently and want to take Sanders. Either way, these top three picks should usher in a new era of the NFL.

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