We are now one month into the 2024 NFL season and the countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft has begun.
Following this year’s draft, many labeled the 2025 quarterback class as weak, but now, it appears to be deeper than ever. Six quarterbacks were picked in the first round last draft cycle. We can expect that again with the position being a huge need for multiple teams and a loaded defensive class.
The Browns, Dolphins, Giants, Jets, Panthers, Raiders, Rams, and Titans could all be in the mix for a first-round quarterback selection
Here, Colton Edwards runs through the draft’s opening round in his second mock of the year.
This mock draft will not have any trades. The order is strictly based on the current NFL standings. Stats and standings are accurate as of Friday, October 4.
No. 1: Jacksonville Jaguars select Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars need help at multiple positions, including defensive back. Johnson, a lockdown-caliber cornerback, has been dominant in every area of football in 2024. He doesn’t allow any separation off breaks or over the top due to his instincts, very good fluidity, and body control. He has a good feel for route combinations, showcasing his awareness as he passes off receivers and tracks the ball successfully in zone coverage. He can fight off blocks due to his good use of hands to shed and help in run support.
No. 2: Miami Dolphins select Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe recently became my QB1, but that can still change with a long season ahead. The Dolphins are in a lot of uncertainty right now due to Tua Tagovailoa‘s possible retirement because of his concussion history. Even if he doesn’t retire, can he come back strong? Milroe’s development has been displayed so far this season with his very good pocket mobility and awareness. He’s been poised under pressure. He’s able to anticipate receivers. He has good ball placement at all levels of the field. Milroe could be the perfect fit for Mike McDaniel.
No. 3: New England Patriots select Travis Hunter, CB/WR, 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 have this discussion until next April. Hunter is a versatile prospect who brings elite athleticism, explosion, and competitive toughness to the wide receiver and defensive back positions. The Patriots need both of those positions.
Read our scouting report on Travis Hunter:
No. 4: Cincinnati Bengals select Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
The Bengals are missing a significant piece in their defense’s interior. Graham would be a great pairing for Trey Hendrickson. He showcases an explosive burst off the snap to disrupt the backfield versus the run or pass consistently. His quickness and impressive use of hands make him a formidable presence in the interior.
No. 5: Cleveland Browns select Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Cameron Ward offers a strong arm, good improvisational skills, a high-level processor, and impressive velocity through all levels of the field. Unfortunately, the Browns don’t have that in Watson, and it’s time to move on. Ward is one of multiple quarterbacks that could be selected in the first round.
Read our scouting report on Cameron Ward:
No. 6: Tennessee Titans select Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
The Will Levis era ends as Brian Callahan goes out and gets his signal-caller in Carson Beck. For some people, Beck is the top quarterback in the draft. He provides Tennessee with a quarterback who has a strong arm and can hit all levels of the field with good velocity and ball placement. He’s also a willing passer over the middle.
Read our scouting report on Carson Beck:
No. 7: Carolina Panthers select Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Panthers have a big decision to make with their quarterback situation. Do they keep Bryce Young and let him learn behind Andy Dalton, or do they start fresh with their first quarterback selected within the new regime? In this scenario, they move forward with Shedeur Sanders. Sanders has notable mental and physical toughness, a willingness to thread the needle or go deep, and poise in the pocket.
Read our scouting report on Shedeur Sanders:
No. 8: Los Angeles Rams select Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
The Rams are forced to go with a new quarterback with the possibility of Matthew Stafford retiring next offseason. Even if Stafford doesn’t retire, having your future franchise quarterback sit behind a guy of Stafford’s caliber would be a good idea. 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. 9: Arizona Cardinals select Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan
The Cardinals lack an impactful interior defensive lineman, which has become a glaring need in 2024. Grant provides that fill as he is another force in the trenches coming out of Michigan. He is an athletic run-stopper with good use of hands.
No. 10: New York Giants select Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
Garrett Nussmeier is on pace to become the new QB1 for the 2025 draft. He has prototypical NFL size with a strong arm while displaying good touch, rhythm, and the decision-making needed to attack all levels of the defense. The Giants’ biggest need is a quarterback.
Garrett Nussmeier Was A Problem In The Month Of September 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lgleOWtwCB
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) October 5, 2024
No. 11: Indianapolis Colts select Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
In the preseason, Morrison was CB1 for many draft media but has declined in production so far this year. That said, Morrison plays long with impressive physicality at the point of attack, which is what the Colts are missing out on the boundary.
No. 12: Los Angeles Chargers select Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Chargers still need a primary WR1, and Burden can be that. He wreaks havoc on defenses each rep, stretching the field vertically or catching underneath and accelerating up the field with his good YAC ability. His explosion out wide is impressive; some label him WR1 in this class.
No. 13: New Orleans Saints select Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Scourton continues to look explosive 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. The Saints have three pass rushers heading into free agency and they love trench maulers with size.
Read our scouting report on Nic Scourton:
No. 14: Dallas Cowboys select Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty has been putting up video game numbers so far in 2024. One of the most elite running backs we’ve seen in a long time, he has good vision and explosion upfield once he plants his foot. Very good contact balance. The Cowboys have a lot of needs, but the running back position and their running game are critical for success.
No. 15: Chicago Bears select Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Many people expect the Bears to go EDGE here in the first round, but with their offensive line’s subpar play so far, Banks Jr. gives you the versatility of playing tackle or maybe moving inside to guard.
No. 16: Green Bay Packers select Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Some Packers defenders are struggling with injury. Alexander on the boundary is declining, so we could see them draft another defensive back in the first round. With Hunter, Johnson, and Morrison off the board, Davis is the best available at the position.
No. 17: San Francisco 49ers select Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The 49ers will need a long-term solution at left tackle, and who knows if Trent Williams will be around in 2025? Campbell showcases a strong anchor and very good initial quickness off the line of scrimmage, putting himself in a position to dominate both the running and passing game.
Will Campbell x Garrett Dellenger = pic.twitter.com/0Ibuek5KoW
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 30, 2024
No. 18: Baltimore Ravens select Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley is in the last year of his contract; the Ravens could look for a younger and cheaper option in the draft. Ersery has continued to ascend in 2024. He displays good initial quickness off the snap and can quickly create inside leverage. He’s a perfect fit for the Ravens’ run-first approach.
No. 19: Philadelphia Eagles select James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Due to his high upside, James Pearce Jr. is one of those reaches you take in the first round. The Eagles’ edge rushing core has been disappointing this season with a lack of production. Pearce could be the perfect fit into their defensive system.
No. 20: New York Jets select Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
If the Jets don’t trade for Davante Adams, McMillan could be their WR1, lining up alongside Garrett Wilson. McMillan is 6-foot-5 with impressive athletic ability than most people suspect. Along with an extensive catch radius and the ability to make contested catches look easy, he showcases similarities to Mike Evans.
No. 21: Las Vegas Raiders select Miller Moss, QB, USC
With the top quarterbacks off the board, the Raiders settle for Moss as they look to move forward from Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew. Moss lacks experience, but his potential and willingness intrigue the Raiders.
No. 22: Denver Broncos select Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Bond showcases very good speed, with the explosiveness and long speed that you want for the receiver position. The Broncos need another playmaking receiver alongside Courtland Sutton, and Sean Payton would love to add Bond’s speed out wide to take the pressure off Sutton.
No. 23: Atlanta Falcons select Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Falcons should’ve taken an EDGE last spring but didn’t; they finally do that here with Carter out of Penn State, who’s had a dominant 2024 season so far. With the Falcons’ edge rushers, they currently have the second-lowest pass-rush grade in the NFL, so it makes sense.
No. 24: Detriot Lions select Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
The Lions need another solid pairing for Aidan Hutchinson. 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. Jackson is the perfect fit for Campbell’s culture.
Read our scouting report on Landon Jackson:
No. 25: Washington Commanders select Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Commanders still need to get their EDGE1 as they have yet to replace Chase Young and Sweat after the trade. Williams is a high-floor run defender with promising pass-rush traits and solid length.
No. 26: Buffalo Bills select Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
The Bills need help in the secondary, and they value length (wingspan) at the cornerback position. Rasul Douglas is slated to hit free agency after the season, so Revel is the cheaper option if the Bills can not re-sign Douglas. Despite the injury, Revel is athletic and long, with the potential to be a lockdown corner.
No. 27: Seattle Seahawks select Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Perkins perfectly fits into Mike Macdonald’s defense with his ability to play off-ball linebacker. He’s explosive with good speed and physicality at the point of attack. His awareness and football IQ will allow him to flourish in this system.
No. 28: Pittsburgh Steelers select Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The Steelers still need another playmaker out wide alongside George Pickens. Ayomanor has the size, strong hands, and physical traits to be their next big go-to at all levels of the field. Justin Fields would have a field day with those two options.
MICAH FORD THROWS TO ELIC AYOMANOR ON THE TRICK PLAY FOR A STANFORD TOUCHDOWN!!! #GoStanford
🌲: 7
🦃: 21 pic.twitter.com/oXcLpRi2r1— 🌲Sidelines – Stanford🌲 (@SSN_Stanford) October 5, 2024
No. 29: Houston Texans select Dontay Corleone, DL, Cincinnati
Corleone has been underrated this draft cycle. The Texans, who looked for interior defenders last offseason, draft Corleone off the list of best available players, pairing him next to Will Anderson Jr. That could be a dynamic duo under Demeco Ryans‘ leadership.
No. 30: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
With Sawyer at this selection, the Buccaneers find their long-awaited physical pass rusher. Tampa Bay has some potential with Chris Braswell, Yaya Diaby, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, but none have reached their expectations.
No. 31: Minnesota Vikings select Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
With this selection, the Vikings land an elite and versatile athlete who can line up at multiple positions within the secondary. Starks has a high football IQ, good awareness, and reaction in the back end. He flies to the football, making himself a legitimate top-10 prospect, but he falls slightly with the lack of value in safeties in the first round.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs select Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Remember the name “Harold Fannin Jr.” because he is the true TE1 for the 2025 NFL Draft. Future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce is declining in production, and 2024 is most likely his final season in the NFL. Fannin Jr. gives Kansas City that fresh air with explosion and a big target for Patrick Mahomes.
Lingering Thoughts From Edwards’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
- It is still early; multiple prospects could land in the first round or drop out of the first round. That’s the great thing about the NFL Draft process.
- Could we see more quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2025 draft than in 2024?
- Running backs are deep; huge quarterback needs with a heavy-loaded defensive class.
- Multiple first-round caliber prospects could sneak their way in, including Maryland wide receiver Kaden Prather, Utah State wide receiver Jalen Royals, Oklahoma wide receiver Nic Anderson (if he gets healthy), North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton, and so many more.
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