Mel Kiper 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Travis Hunter to Giants, Ashton Jeanty to Raiders

In his latest mock draft released Tuesday, ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that multiple quarterback-needy teams will pass on the position early in the first round in favor of help at other spots.

Although both the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders have an obvious hole under center, Kiper has them taking Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, respectively.

The top 10 selections in Kiper's newest 2025 NFL mock draft are as follows:

1. Tennessee Titans: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

2. Cleveland Browns: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

7. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

10. Chicago Bears: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

A strong argument can be made in favor of Hunter being the best all-around prospect in the 2025 NFL draft class, particularly after he won the Heisman Trophy last season at Colorado.

Hunter excelled as a starter at both wide receiver and cornerback, finishing with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 36 tackles, four interceptions and 11 passes defended.

It appears Hunter has the skills to be a star at either position in the NFL, which is a positive for the Giants, given that they have a need at both wide receiver and cornerback.

Hunter at wideout would give the Giants arguably the most dynamic, young duo of receivers in the game with him and Malik Nabers, while putting him at cornerback would give New York the lockdown guy it lacks.

It is fair to wonder if the Giants will jump on the opportunity to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward if he is available at No. 3 given that New York is entering the offseason with Tommy DeVito as the only quarterback on the roster, but Kiper has Ward going second overall to the Cleveland Browns.

The only other surefire first-round pick at quarterback this year is Hunter's Colorado teammate in Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of Colorado head football coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders.

While Sanders could still establish himself as the No. 1 quarterback in the class, Kiper has him falling all the way to the New York Jets at No. 7 overall.

In order for that to happen, Kiper not only predicts the Giants passing on him, but also the Raiders at No. 6 overall.

Poor quarterback play was likely the biggest reason behind the Raiders' struggles last season, as neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O'Connell could establish themselves as the answer.

With legendary quarterback Tom Brady taking a hands-on role as minority owner of the team and veteran head coach Pete Carroll replacing Antonio Pierce, it is easy to envision quarterback being the Raiders' No. 1 priority in the draft.

However, Kiper believes the Raiders will focus on a different offensive piece in Jeanty, who is coming off one of the greatest seasons by a running back in college football history.

Jeanty willed Boise State into the College Football Playoff by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also catching 23 passes for 138 yards and a score.

He was essentially the entirety of the Broncos' offense, and he finished second to Hunter in a tightly contested Heisman Trophy vote.

The Raiders were last in the NFL last season in rushing by a wide margin, gaining a mere 79.8 yards per game on the ground.

As much as Vegas needs a quarterback, establishing a strong rushing attack with Jeanty leading the way could contribute heavily to the Raiders turning things around quickly regardless of who is under center.