5 quick takeaways from The Athletic’s beat writer mock draft

Any time a collection of team beat writers get together to project a mock draft, it’s always an opportunity to learn. Credentialed beat writers often offer a different, more informed perspective on a particular team and what they might do (and also what they won’t do) than a set of projections written from a broader national context.

The Athletic recently had its 32 beat writers produce a 2025 mock draft ahead of next week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. There were a few picks and decisions that raised some eyebrows.

Here’s what stood out to me from the projections.

Both TEN and CLE avoid QBs at the top

The Titans and Browns hold the first two picks, respectively. Both are in dire need of getting better at quarterback, the most important position in professional sports.

And neither took a quarterback. Tennessee opted for Heisman winner Travis Hunter, while Cleveland tabbed Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter. Both beat writers came right out and said it — they don’t believe that their team (at this point in the draft process) sees either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders as worthy of those lofty picks at the top of the draft.

Raiders trade up for Shedeur Sanders

The Titans and Browns might not feel Ward or Sanders are worthy, but the Giants and Raiders sure do. Ward goes to the Giants at No. 3, with beat writer Charlotte Carroll noting,

Maybe he’s not the best player on the board, but he’s the best one at a position the Giants desperately need to address. 

The Raiders moved up from No. 6 to the No. 4 spot to land Sanders. The enthusiasm with which writers Vic Taur and Tashad Reed lay out the trade is a telling sign that Las Vegas is fixated (again–right now; 2 more months could change things) on getting a quarterback. In this case, a specific one in Sanders.

Armand Membou crashes the top 10

The Missouri offensive lineman doesn’t typically project above the 15-20 overall range, but Saints writer Larry Holder snatched up Membou with the No. 9 pick. Membou is No. 8 overall on The Athletic’s big board from analyst Dane Brugler, which is about 15-20 spots higher than the projected right tackle appears on most big boards. With this offensive line class looking very much like a dealer’s choice, choosing Membou at No. 9 is a definite reflection of the lack of a consensus opinion on the tackle group.

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