2025 NFL Draft: ESPN, Matt Miller releases Round 2 Mock Draft, Shedeur Sanders prediction
The clock began to tick on the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday evening, and the first round is in the books. One of the major surprises was former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders falling out of favor, and he’ll be waiting once again on Friday to hear his name called on Day 2.
With that in mind, Matt Miller of ESPN is trying to make sense of it all. He provided a Round 2 NFL Mock Draft as the dust settled on Round 1, finding a home for multiple prospects many expected to go on Thursday, like the aforementioned Sanders, and players like Luther Burden III, Will Johnson and Mike Green.
Check it out below, as Miller locked in his picks for Friday. The Cleveland Browns are on the clock to start the second day of festivities, followed by the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and the Browns once again.
33. Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
Some thought Shedeur Sanders could’ve been the pick at No. 2, and subsequently No. 5 for Cleveland. Instead, the Browns selected Mason Graham and received a haul of picks from the Jacksonville Jaguars, and still land their quarterback in Round 2.
Miller: “The Browns weren’t comfortable selecting a quarterback in Round 1, but the front office is able to spend Friday coming to a consensus on Sanders — whose value looks much better at No. 33 than it did in the top five. The pressure to play him and his pressure to perform are much more manageable in this spot.”
34. Houston Texans (via NYG): Aireontae Ersery, OT – Minnesota
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Texans seemed like a team many thought could move up in the first round. Instead, they traded back, receiving multiple premium picks from the New York Giants, who selected Jaxson Dart. Now, Houston finally gets their shot, and they address the offensive line in Miller’s mock draft.
Miller: “The Texans have a remade offensive line and traded the No. 25 pick only to see two tackles go after that spot in Round 1. Ersery is the best of the remaining pass blockers and has the upside to play left tackle long term.”
35. Tennessee Titans: Luther Burden III, WR – Missouri
What’s the best way to endear yourself to a rookie quarterback? Getting him a big-time wide receiver with your next pick in the draft. Luther Burden III could’ve easily been a first rounder and no one would’ve batted their eyes. The Titans would love to gift Cam Ward a potential star to join Calvin Ridley in Tennessee.
Miller: “The Titans got their quarterback in Round 1 in Cam Ward and now they have to build the talent around him. Burden’s yards-after-catch ability is the best of any receiver in this class. Last season, he had 370 YAC and averaged 6.07 YAC per reception, the best mark of any wideout in this class.”
36. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): Jayden Higgins, WR – Iowa State
With one of the picks they received from the Jaguars as part of the Travis Hunter trade, Miller believes the Browns will get their quarterback room another weapon. Jayden Higgins fits the bill, as Cleveland hopes to rebuild their offense in 2025.
Miller: “Cleveland needs a tackle here, but the run in late in Round 1 wiped out the top options. The Browns could instead pivot and get an X receiver with the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Higgins.”
37. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB – Michigan
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Earlier in the process, this would’ve made a ton of sense for the Raiders at No. 6 overall. Will Johnson fell a bit in the NFL Draft due to a knee injury, but he’s been destined to be a premium pick since high school. It’ll finally come true on Friday evening, and Miller thinks Las Vegas is the team that’ll turn his card in.
Miller: “It feels like the cornerback position was always a need for the Raiders, but it’s an even bigger one now that Jack Jones was released. Johnson was my No. 7 overall prospect, but he has knee injury questions that have pushed him down the board.”
38. New England Patriots: Mike Green, EDGE – Marshall
The Patriots addressed their offensive line in Round 1, and now Miller believes pass-rusher is where they’ll go in Round 2. Mike Green fell a bit due to a myriad of reasons, but there’s no better coach than Mike Vrabel to make sure his transition to the NFL goes smooth.
Miller: “Green has elite speed, pass-rush potential and is ideally suited to play in a 3-4 defense, where his lack of strength and bulk isn’t as much of an issue. The Patriots have the right scheme for him and a coach in Mike Vrabel who can take him under his wing.”
39. Chicago Bears (via CAR): TreVeyon Henderson, RB – Ohio State
Ben Johnson knows a thing or two about having elite offensive weapons, and how much it means to a team’s success. After an incredible career at Ohio State, TreVeyon Henderson joining Caleb Williams in Chicago would be a dream scenario for the Bears.
Miller: “After adding tight end Colston Loveland in Round 1, the Bears could give new coach Ben Johnson the speedy, pass-catching back he made popular while he was the coordinator for the Lions. Henderson is electric and the best receiving back in this draft.”
40. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Shough, QB – Louisville
Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Saints elected to pass on Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart in Round 1, but they get their quarterback in Round 2. Tyler Shough and his age, injury history and other factors might scare certain teams away, but New Orleans bets on his talent in Miller’s mock.
Miller: “Given the uncertainty regarding Derek Carr’s shoulder injury, the Saints need a quarterback who can step in and play immediately. Shough’s seven-year run in college has him prepared to hit the ground running as a rookie.”
41. Chicago Bears: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE – Boston College
The second pick of Round 2 for the Bears goes to the defensive line. Donovan Ezeiruaku seemed like a player who could’ve snuck into Round 1, but Chicago adds him to their squad in Miller’s mock. Nobody would be disappointed if this is the haul in the Windy City on Friday,
Miller: “Signing Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency gives Chicago versatility with its defensive front and personnel groupings. Adding the speedy Ezeiruaku, who can win with his 34-inch arms and dangerous first-step quickness, will give the Bears a solid pass-rush package for new coordinator Dennis Allen.”
42. New York Jets: Nick Emmanwori, S – South Carolina
While Ben Johnson knows offense, Aaron Glenn knows defense after spending multiple years leading the unit of the Detroit Lions. The freshly-minted Jets head coach watched as his team addressed the offensive line in Round 1, but Miller believes the value of drafting Nick Emmanwori in this spot is too good to pass up for New York.
Miller: “Safety might not rank as the biggest Round 2 need for the Jets, but the ability to add a top-20 player here should be too tempting for Aaron Glenn — a coach with a background as an NFL defensive back himself. Emmanwori has special potential if he can speed up his diagnostic skills.”
ESPN Round 2 Mock Draft — Nos. 43-64:
43. San Francisco 49ers: Mason Taylor, TE – LSU
44. Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins, RB – Ohio State
45. Indianapolis Colts: Trey Amos, CB – Ole Miss
46. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): Jalen Milroe, QB – Alabama
47. Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin Morrison, CB – Notre Dame
48. Miami Dolphins: Xavier Watts, S – Notre Dame
49. Cincinnati Bengals: Azareye’h Thomas, CB – Florida State
50. Seattle Seahawks: Tre Harris, WR – Ole Miss
51. Denver Broncos: Darius Alexander, DT – Toledo
52. Seattle Seahawks (via PIT): Jared Wilson, C – Georgia
53. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carson Schwesinger, LB – UCLA
54. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Burch, EDGE – Oregon
55. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylin Noel, WR – Iowa State
56. Buffalo Bills (from MIN via HOU): Jalen Royals, WR – Utah State
57. Carolina Panthers (via LAR): Oluwafemi Oladejo, DE – UCLA
58. Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OG – Arizona
59. Baltimore Ravens: Shavon Revel Jr., CB – East Carolina
60. Detroit Lions: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE – Ohio State
61. Washington Commanders: Nic Scourton, EDGE – Texas A&M
62. Buffalo Bills: Kaleb Johnson, RB – Iowa
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Dylan Sampson, RB – Tennessee
64. Philadelphia Eagles: Elijah Arroyo, TE – Miami
Matt Miller’s top prospects available in Round 3:
Alfred Collins, DT – Texas
Ty Robinson, DT – Nebraska
Anthony Belton, OT – NC State
Jack Sawyer, EDGE – Ohio State
Tate Ratledge, OG – Georgia
Marcus Mbow, C – Purdue
Shemar Turner, DT – Texas A&M
Nohl Williams, CB – Cal
As you can tell, there’s a ton of talent available for Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. It all gets underway again at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. We’ll see where Shedeur Sanders and multiple other premium prospects end up in 2025.
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