NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein releases first mock draft
With the calendar flipped to February and the Super Bowl just a few days away, mock draft season is in full effect.
The latest to publish their predictions for the first round of this year's draft is NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein.
In Zierlein's mock, the Tennessee Titans select Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, while the Cleveland Browns follow that up by selecting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.
With the third pick in the draft, Zierlein has the Giants selecting Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.
"Two-way talent in the Big Apple! I like it!" wrote Zierlein. "The Giants had the second-fewest interceptions in the league in 2024 (five). The ballhawking Hunter can help New York do a better job of taking the ball away -- and score some touchdowns as a part-time receiver."
The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner put together a special season with the Buffaloes.
As a cornerback, Hunter finished the season with four interceptions, 11 passes defensed, one forced fumble and 36 tackles (25 solo). According to Pro Football Focus, the 21-year-old allowed just 22 receptions for 212 yards and one touchdown in coverage across 13 games, which earned him a passer rating against of just 38.8.
Not only did Hunter serve as a shutdown corner at Colorado, but he also thrived as a full-time wide receiver. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and a whopping 15 touchdowns. While the receptions and yards finished within the top five in the nation, his 15 receiving touchdowns were the second-most.
In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy this past season, Hunter was also named the AP College Football Player of the Year, the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner (given to the nation's top wide receiver), the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and Unanimous All-American, among numerous other accolades.
Hunter is considered by many analysts to be the best overall prospect in this year's draft.
Here is how Zierlein believes the first six picks in the draft will go.
- Tennessee Titans - Cam Ward, QB, Miami
- Cleveland Browns - Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
- New York Giants - Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
- New England Patriots - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
- Las Vegas Raiders - Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
View photos of 2025 NFL Draft prospect Travis Hunter, cornerback/wide receiver out of the University of Colorado.
View photos of Dexter Lawrence and Malik Nabers at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, where Eli Manning 3-peated as head coach of the NFC.
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