Football season is here and it’s time to dive deep into next year’s draft class. The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft is officially on. The Giants, Raiders, Jets, Saints, and Cowboys could all be in the mix for a first-round quarterback selection despite the talent concerns in this class, which has a plethora of defensive talent.
Here, Colton Edwards runs through the draft’s opening round in his first mock of the year.
This mock draft will not have any trades. The order is strictly based on our own predictions for our first mock draft. Click here for a full archive of our NFL Mock Drafts.
No. 1: New England Patriots select Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Patriots have their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye, and with the need for protection, they land Campbell. It’s early, but Campbell has the talent and upside to become the first overall pick. He showcases a strong anchor and very good initial quickness off the line of scrimmage. Selecting an offensive lineman of his caliber can never be too early.
No. 2: New York Giants select Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Carson Beck is QB1 entering the 2024 season. Given that the Giants were interested in a quarterback last draft cycle and the concern for Daniel Jones moving forward, it’s time for them to move on with the most pro-ready quarterback in 2025. If this is the case, we can assume the Giants have a whole new coaching staff and front office with an elite playmaker in Malik Nabers. Who wouldn’t want the best quarterback in the draft when throwing over the middle who consistently makes good decisions?
Read our scouting report on Carson Beck:
No. 3: Carolina Panthers select Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado
As we all know, Travis Hunter’s biggest conversation is about what position he will succeed in at the next level. Many draft experts and scouts will be having this discussion until next April. Hunter is a versatile prospect who brings athleticism, explosion, and competitive toughness to the wide receiver and defensive back positions. The conversation that isn’t being talked about is that the Panthers’ need for both positions.
Read our scouting report on Travis Hunter:
No. 4: Denver Broncos select Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
This year’s interior defensive line prospects class is loaded with top talent, and Mason Graham leads the way with his explosive burst off the snap to consistently disrupt the backfield versus the run or pass. His quickness and impressive use of hands make him a formidable presence in the interior. The Broncos have one of the worst rosters in the NFL, but Graham will bring significant talent to it.
No. 5: New Orleans Saints select Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Don’t expect much from the Saints as they continue to roll with Dennis Allen as their head coach. In 2025, they will search for their franchise quarterback, landing Sanders. Sanders has notable toughness, a willingness to thread the needle or go deep, and poise in the pocket.
Read our scouting report on Shedeur Sanders:
No. 6: Tennessee Titans select Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Not satisfied with an injury-prone and regressing DeAndre Hopkins, new head coach Brian Callahan will look to add a significant playmaker to the wide receiving core. McMillan is WR1, but having him line up alongside Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd would open the field for a young quarterback like Will Levis. McMillan is 6-foot-5 with more agility than most people suspect. Along with the extensive catch radius and the ability to make contested catches look easy, he showcases similarities to Mike Evans.
No. 7: Washington Commanders select Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Commanders have multiple critical position needs, including EDGE and offensive tackle. With Will Campbell off the board and a defensive-minded head coach, Quinn goes after the explosive Scourton off the edge. He’s a versatile defensive line prospect, capable of playing across the 3-7 techniques. Scourton’s unique blend of size, athleticism, and strength for an edge rusher puts him into a rare category with a repertoire of pass-rush moves that will make Dan Quinn fall in love.
Read our scouting report on Nic Scourton:
No. 8: Arizona Cardinals select Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Georgia has a history of producing athletic defensive linemen, including Williams. The Cardinals didn’t produce at EDGE last year, racking up just 33 sacks while ranking among the bottom half of the league in pressures. Jonathan Gannon, the defensive-minded head coach, turns this card in quickly.
No. 9: Minnesota Vikings select Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With this selection, the Bulldogs have made it in back-to-back selections and have three in the top 10. Starks is an elite and versatile athlete who can line up at multiple positions within the secondary. He has a high football IQ with good awareness and reaction in the backend. He flies to the football, making himself a legitimate top-10 prospect.
No. 10: Cleveland Browns select Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The Deshaun Watson era was never going to work out, and after a disappointing season, the Browns decide to have a fresh start. As we all know, teams will sometimes reach to get their player or position of need. That’s what Cleveland does here with the high-upside quarterback, Allar.
No. 11: Seattle Seahawks select Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison plays long with impressive physicality at the point of attack. The Seahawks’ new head coach, Mike Macdonald, is defensive-minded and loves high-motor athletes who play physically. That’s what he gets in Morrison to pair with Tariq Woolen. Last season, Morrison effectively shut down Marvin Harrison Jr. In seven coverage snaps, he pressed six times, resulting in two pass break-ups. Along the way, he only allowed two catches for 26 yards and no touchdowns. That’s legit.
No. 12: Indianapolis Colts select Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson and Benjamin Morrison will be discussed for CB1 in this upcoming draft. The Colts have a young defensive back core that could need better talent once the time rolls around. Johnson is a young prospect who is a lockdown-caliber cornerback. He can blanket opposing wide receivers due to his instincts, athleticism, and coverage ability.
No. 13: Jacksonville Jaguars select Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The trenches in this draft are extensive, with multiple tackles you could discuss as the top prospect. Banks would be the perfect fit for protecting the Jaguars’ franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
No. 14: Atlanta Falcons select Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
The Atlanta Falcons do what they should’ve done in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft: select a pass rusher. This specific pass rusher can line up off the EDGE or off-ball linebacker and still dominate effectively. He consistently showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor with good angles.
No. 15: Buffalo Bills select Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Bills regress in 2024 due to a poor receiving cast and the loss of some defensive talent in the secondary. Their next task is to pair an explosive receiver with Keon Coleman. Burden will put a burden on defenses each rep, stretching the field vertically or catching underneath and accelerating up the field with his good YAC ability.
No. 16: Los Angeles Chargers select Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh reunites with his former tight end from Michigan. The Chargers still need some playmakers, and Loveland can do it all out wide or inline. He can run through open-field arm tackles consistently, has an extensive catch radius, and is a precise route runner, looking like a receiver at times due to his athletic ability and solid fluidity. Not to mention, he’s a willing blocker.
No. 17: Philadelphia Eagles select Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
If Mekhi Becton doesn’t stay healthy, the Eagles could have a right guard position opening and could soon lose Lane Johnson to retirement. Booker is a mauler in the interior who offers versatility as he has played both right and left guard at Alabama.
No. 18: New York Jets select Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
The Jets barely miss the playoffs with a not-so-young quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. They decide to go out and select their future franchise quarterback in Ward, who offers a strong arm, good improvisational skills, a high-level processor, and impressive velocity through all levels of the field.
Read our scouting report on Cameron Ward:
No. 19: Pittsburgh Steelers select Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
Mike Tomlin will get enough out of the combo of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields this year. As a result, he’ll be comfortable enough to invest in their defensive line next spring. Grant is another force in the trenches coming out of Michigan.
No. 20: Las Vegas Raiders select Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Even though the Raiders make the playoffs in this scenario, it is most likely due to their defense getting them through the season. Antonio Pierce goes out and gets his signal-caller, who displays good touch, rhythm, and the decision-making needed to attack all levels of the defense.
No. 21: Chicago Bears select Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Next offseason, the Bears will focus on both sides of the trenches. The biggest need will be inside at guard, where a dominant presence like Savaiinaea, who can play both tackle and guard, could be a prime target.
No. 22: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The Bucs could be looking for their next franchise wide receiver. Mike Evans will be 32 next year, entering the final season of the two-year deal he signed to stay in Tampa Bay. Chris Godwin‘s contract is up after this year. Ayomanor has the size, strong hands, and physical traits to be their next big go-to.
No. 23: Miami Dolphins select Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
Miami could go three ways here: defensive line, corner, and tight end. Toss up the coin and replace a critical piece in Christian Wilkins. Walker has good hand strength, consistently wins early in each rep, and can cause problems as a pass rusher because of his length, quickness, and power.
No. 24: Los Angeles Rams select Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Even if Matthew Stafford doesn’t retire next offseason, wouldn’t it be a good idea to have your future franchise quarterback sit behind a guy of Stafford’s caliber? Ewers is that guy here since the other top quarterbacks are off the board. Many experts see Ewers as a top prospect with high potential. If anyone can bring that out, it’s McVay.
No. 25: Green Bay Packers select Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Revel is athletic, long, and highly underrated at this point. Revel had 14 pass break-ups last season but will need to get stronger and more physical at the point of attack and in press man. A couple of Packers defenders are struggling with injury, including Alexander, so we could see them draft another defensive back.
No. 26: Cincinnati Bengals select James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Bengals could invest in their defensive line, as the edge-rushing position could be needed in 2025. With Pearce available but raw, they are willing to take him here with his high upside. He showcases good acceleration off the snap to stretch the pocket.
No. 27: Dallas Cowboys select Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
With a critical need at the position, the Cowboys go with the RB1 of the draft in Omarion Hampton. He’s a physical running back who displays good post-snap vision, mental processing, and burst to separate from the first level.
No. 28: Houston Texans select Luke Kandra, IOL, Cincinnati
The Texans still have a couple of key needs to address, including a long-term replacement for veteran Shaq Mason at right guard. Kandra is a sleeper who could sneak his way into the first round. He’s allowed just four sacks in 6oo-plus career pass-pro snaps and is a run mauler. He has strong hands, good lateral agility, and will displace defenders in the running game.
No. 29: Baltimore Ravens select Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Baltimore will need another receiver to become Zay Flowers‘ WR2 and help open up the field. Egbuka would create rhythm and an impressive combination alongside Flowers and Mark Andrews to keep the offense balanced and the field stretched.
No. 30: San Francisco 49ers select Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Trent Williams is elite, but the 49ers will need a long-term solution at left tackle, and who knows if Williams will be around in 2025? Ersery should continue to ascend during 2024. He displays good initial quickness off the snap and can quickly create inside leverage. He is experienced (27 starts at left tackle) and has gone against some of the top edge rushers in the country.
No. 31: Detriot Lions select Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Jackson is a high-motor, sideline-to-sideline type of player. He’s a dominant pass rusher with power as a 4-7 tech, displaying good upfield burst, quickness, and hand placement to engage and extend. He consistently makes plays versus the run at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield. With similarities to Maxx Crosby, he would be the well-needed pairing for Aidan Hutchinson.
Read our scouting report on Landon Jackson:
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs select Walter Nolen, Defensive Lineman, Ole Miss
The future three-peat Super Bowl champions will need to address their defensive front. Chris Jones is aging despite his extensive contract extension. A Jones and Nolen pairing would dominate the trenches.
Lingering Thoughts From Edwards’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
- Despite the talk of this being a “weak” quarterback class, five or six quarterbacks could be taken in the first round. The Giants, Raiders, Cowboys, Rams, Jets, Saints, Browns, Titans, Steelers, and Bucs are teams to watch out for. Of course, not all will happen.
- Multiple prospects that could sneak their way into the first-round conversations are Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson, half of the running back class, another LSU offensive tackle in Emery Jones, and Parker Brailsford from Alabama.
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