NFL Analysis

10/28/24

16 min read

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Latest First-round Predictions Entering Week 9

"Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward scrambles against California Golden Bears, Oct 5, 2024, at California Memorial Stadium"
Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) scrambles against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The NFL season has reached critical mass. Some franchises have reached the point of no return, where shortcomings and injuries have taken a toll on the win-loss column.

Teams that are abundantly on the outside looking in this season have little choice but to shift gears towards the months ahead, where an NFL Draft looms with the promise of a new direction and new hope. No one wants to be all-in on a draft before November.

However, the football gods have other plans for a handful of franchises across the league. Based on what we know now, who pairs well with whom?

We take an updated look at the 2025 NFL Draft order and the top prospects eligible for next April.

 Latest Top 100 Big Board Rankings


2025 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

1. Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers logo

Pick: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

No quarterback has done more to ignite his stock than Cam Ward this season. He's on a torrid pace and keeping the Canes firmly in the CFB Playoff conversation thanks to his control of the pocket and big-play hunting at the position. Ward is several things that Bryce Young isn't as a passer — and it appears the ship has sailed on Young in Carolina after yet another underwhelming look at the former No. 1 overall pick against Denver this past weekend.

Ward has the arm talent and mobility to win outside of the structure, and a fresh start at quarterback could give Dave Canales a quarterback capable of bringing his offensive vision in structure to life.



2. Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans logo

Pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sanders would be an excellent fit in Brian Callahan's offensive scheme. The Titans have tried to make things work with Will Levis, but his feel for a timing-based offense simply feels like a square peg in a round hole.

Sanders is at his best processing the field and utilizing his abilities as a progression passer to make snap decisions, which should pair well with Callahan. Considering the Titans' investments in the offensive lines during recent years, this spot feels well-equipped to land a quarterback and help him make the giant leap to the pros in stride, too.



3. New England Patriots New England Patriots logo

Pick: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

In the long term, the Patriots need wide receivers and cornerbacks. Hunter's superhuman conditioning and ability to play on either side of the football can alleviate one or both of those dynamics.

Hunter's exceptional football instincts would be a welcomed addition to any depth chart. However, in New England, where impact players feel like they're the missing piece of the puzzle, Hunter can be on the fast track to superstardom and a game-changer in either spot. Drake Maye has every bit of ability to make the most of a dynamic pass catcher like Hunter.



4. New York Jets New York Jets logo

Pick: Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan

The New York Jets defense has been one of the biggest disappointments in the season's first two months. Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and San Francisco all ran roughshod over the unit, and the depth up front feels like it is being tested to the utmost degree.

Mason Graham is a high-floor talent with the potential to eat snaps next to Quinnen Williams or rotate along with Williams to keep the motors running hot on the interior for New York. The Jets have made plenty of investments into the offense to try to right the ship — so adding on defense feels like the right next counterbalance.



5. Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars logo

Pick: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

The Jaguars have to get the supporting cast around Trevor Lawrence right. The investment into Lawrence has already been made, but the group playing around him needs to be more consistent.

A premium investment in upgrading offensive tackle Cam Robinson could go a long way in evolving the effectiveness of Jacksonville's group each week, no matter who calls the plays and coaches the team next offseason.



6. New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints logo

Pick: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas

The "other" offensive tackle at Texas is one of the biggest risers of the 2024 season. When the Saints were humming to start the season, the running game played a significant role in the team's offensive success. And now, thanks to a reinvestment into running back Alvin Kamara, the team is set to run the nucleus again in 2025.

If that's the case, drafting a fresh tackle who can bump Trevor Penning off a starting tackle role would be a welcome move. And Williams, conveniently enough, plays right tackle, which is where the Saints have an opening.



7. Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders logo

Pick: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

The Raiders have been sorely in the quarterback market since moving on from quarterback Derek Carr. Without a viable long-term option in place, the Raiders have felt a bit directionless on offense as a result. LSU's Garrett Nussmeier has some of the most attractive quarterbacking reps of any eligible player this season — don't expect to find any of them on the film from this past weekend's game against Texas A&M.

That poor showing showcased Nussmeier's lack of experience. But the Raiders cannot afford to swing and miss in that quarterback market again this offseason.


Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan catches a pass against West Virginia Mountaineers, Oct 26, 2024, at Arizona Stadium
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches the ball during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Arizona Stadium. Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images.


8. Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns logo

Pick: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Browns found new offensive life with Jameis Winston at quarterback against the Ravens in Week 8. Suppose Winston gets a prolonged look at quarterback for the Browns — adding wide receiver talent would help get the most out of his aggressive style of play at the position.

No wide receiver this season in college football has been more dominant than Tetairoa McMillan. He can win in all phases and is physically capable of beating up defensive backs along the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. He would offer an excellent style contrast to quick-twitch route runner Jerry Jeudy.



9. New York Giants New York Giants logo

Pick: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia

The Giants have one of the most robust front sevens in the game, thanks to Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. They've made recent investments along the offensive line via free agency this offseason. And while they do need a quarterback, the value doesn't look like it will line up with a pick in the final slots of the top 10. Instead of hunting for need, the Giants can take the next best talent and enjoy the rewards of drafting a good player.

Starks is a versatile talent who would pair wonderfully with young Tyler Nubin to give New York a young safety tandem with complementary skills. Both are long and can tackle, plus Starks can play well in man coverage from the slot.



10. Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins logo

Pick: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Miami needs more tone-setters on either side of the football. The team has been constructed in the vision of head coach Mike McDaniel, who has aspired to assemble a team that creates spacing issues with athletes and relies on scheming around the trench play with angles and play design.

But if this season continues to spiral for Miami, especially with the return of Tua Tagovailoa, the braintrust of this organization feels like it is in for a shakeup. And in that case, you can dismiss the prior norms and embrace adding a talent like Campbell with great power and the ability to kick inside to play guard, especially if 2024 rookie Patrick Paul ends up hitting.


11. Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals logo

Pick: Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan

The Bengals got smoked by Philadelphia in Week 8, continuing their theme of problematic run defense once again rearing its ugly head. But the 161 rushing yards conceded to Philadelphia is close to par for the course for the Bengals. They need some guys to change the math inside on defense.

Grant is a physically gifted monster who can help change the Bengals' play on the line of scrimmage and develop into a viable 3-down threat.



12. Los Angeles Rams Los Angeles Rams logo

Pick: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

The Rams' upstart young defense is seeing playmakers emerge everywhere. Thanks to their proven player development program, I selfishly would love to see Carter land with the Rams. Los Angeles has gotten a lot of quality play from modest investment players on that side of the ball; imagine now as they continue to pour resources into the defense with elite athletes like Carter.

Carter could be part edge rusher, part defensive chess piece, part pressure linebacker in the mold of Ernest Jones at times. This franchise could get a lot out of him.


13. Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys logo

Pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

This goes without saying. The Cowboys' running game is currently a missing element to their entire offense, so getting back on track with a superstar player like Ashton Jeany feels like an excellent opportunity to get balanced again.

Jeanty can fit into just about any scheme, and Dallas' young offense line talent has the power to create knockback up front and generate lanes for explosive runs.


14. Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts logo

Pick: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

At some point, the best player on the board becomes too good to be true. That is the case with Will Johnson and the Indianapolis Colts, who have a lot of youth and raw ability in their cornerback room. What they need, however, is definitive answers. Johnson can be that for them amid a gauntlet of young QBs in the AFC South.

Johnson suffered a knee injury against Illinois earlier this month, but his coverage instincts, stature, and explosiveness are a blend that can only slide so far.


15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers logo

Pick: Nic Scourton, DL, Texas A&M

Tampa Bay's defense is simply not cutting it. 31 points on Sunday to Atlanta is just the latest scoring outburst allowed; this team also gave up 41 to Baltimore, 27 to New Orleans, and 36 to Atlanta the first time they played.

Nic Scourton can afford impactful play for a slew of alignments in the run and pass game, giving more disruptiveness to a front that simply lacks threats from the edge to put opposing quarterbacks under duress.


Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers, Oct 19, 2024, at Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker sacks Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers in the second quarter at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Jay Janner/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.

16. Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks logo

Pick: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The Seahawks' addition of Jalon Walker doesn't feel like a fair development for the rest of the league as they attempt to solve Mike MacDonald's defenses every week. But I cannot think of a better fit for Walker at the pro level than Seattle for that very reason.

Walker is off to a tremendous start this season and is playing disruptive football on the edge and as a quarterback spy on the second level. MacDonald has the system to unlock all of his pro potential.


17. San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers logo

Pick: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina

The 49ers need a cornerback, and Shavon Revel Jr. would be an outstanding addition to their ranks. Revel Jr. is out for the season with a knee injury but has all the makings of a star despite playing at East Carolina.

He's fast, long, explosive, and a great support player in the run game. With salary cap constraints and Charvarius Ward's contract set to expire, this feels like a perfect pair.


18. Chicago Bears Chicago Bears logo

Pick: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Chicago, if it's going to successfully knock off offenses in the NFC North like Detroit's, Green Bay's, and Minnesota's, will need a little more firepower up front. Montez Sweat looks like a successful dice roll for GM Ryan Poles, but the rest of the pass rush group needs to be completed even after trading for Darrell Taylor.

Pearce Jr. has come on strong in SEC play and has been very disruptive recently. It is a development that many hoped they'd see when scouting Pearce Jr. this summer.


19. Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals logo

Pick: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Don't look now, but the Cardinals are nearly halfway to a winning season amid their rebuilding efforts. Fresh off a win against the Dolphins on Sunday, Arizona enjoyed a marquee performance from quarterback Kyler Murray.

His legs, plus tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., did much of the heavy lifting — how about another wide receiver target to share the love even more and create more spacing challenges? Burden was charged with playing without his starting quarterback against the Tide this past weekend but is lightning in a bottle who can make big plays with the ball in his hands.


20. Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers logo

Pick: Derrick Harmon, IDL, Oregon

Oregon DL Derrick Harmon is one of the bigger risers throughout the first half of the college season. Harmon is a Michigan State transfer who flashes many disruptive abilities up front on the interior.

That'd be a welcomed addition for the Chargers' defensive front as they look to continue rebuilding their team in the vision of Coach Harbaugh's bully teams at Michigan. Harmon must develop into a more consistent finisher, but he frequently flashes around the ball in the backfield.


21. Denver Broncos Denver Broncos logo

Pick: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas

The Broncos' faith in Bo Nix has been paying dividends throughout the past few weeks — he's playing better and finding ways to secure wins amid a weakened AFC. But getting more weapons to help Sean Payton's offense feels like necessarily tweaking the group's vision.

Bond is electric and loose and creates a ton of separation to help a young quarterback make confident reads and throw decisively. That is where Nix can be helped the most.


22. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Flacons logo

Pick: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Atlanta is enjoying some separation from the rest of the NFC South division as we near the season's midway point. Thanks to their past draft investments, they now have a lot of flexibility for adding talent.

Cornerback Benjamin Morrison is out for the season with a hip injury and would likely have been a top-20 draft selection if healthy. Here, he provides plus value at a position of need for Atlanta and can help ensure that when the Buccaneers get healthy at wide receiver next year, the Falcons have the manpower to slow them down.


23. Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens logo

Pick: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Mykel Williams enjoyed a coming-out party against the Texas Longhorns earlier this month, showcasing why he was such a buzzy name in the summer. With elite length and modest production, he's a player that won't be for everyone.

The Ravens have gone after this type of player before, and their development of guys on the edge suggests they can be trusted to get it right with this freakishly long pass rusher.


Mississippi Rebels defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen waits for the snap against Kentucky Wildcats, Sep 28, 2024, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Mississippi Rebels defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (1) waits for the snap during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images.

24. Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles logo

Pick: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

The Eagles' pass rush group has plenty of potential. However, Howie Roseman can only partially scratch the itch of needing more talent to rush the passer. Princely Umanmielen is long and explosive, which would pair well with the dense hitters Philadelphia has collected along the interior to help compress pockets from all angles.

As a bonus, Umanmielen can help ensure Zack Baun is free to move around the front amid his breakout season in 2024.


25. Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers logo

Pick: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

The Steelers need some long-term stability and security at the quarterback position. It wasn't all that long ago that the team swung (and missed) on quarterback Kenny Pickett, and the team deserves credit for cutting bait as quickly as they did.

They do need someone to be "the guy," though. Milroe has the right mix of Fields' mobility and quarterback run traits, along with a tremendous developmental ceiling and elite athletic abilities.


26. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings logo

Pick: Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss

Thanks to Brian Flores' schemes and disguises, Minnesota's front is dangerous already. But adding a disruptive talent up front like Walter Nolen feels like a dream come true, thanks to the potential free runs he can get.

Add in the disruptive ability when Minnesota still drops into coverage. Nolen could totally change the complexion of the Vikings' front.


27. Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills logo

Pick: LT Overton, DL, Alabama

The Bills will need a pass rusher this offseason. And Alabama's LT Overton certainly feels like their style of player. This former 5-star recruit transferred from Texas A&M to Alabama and has been a disruptive presence up front this season for the Tide.

Buffalo likes heavy-handed rushers based on Brandon Beane's draft history, and Overton has the physicality to help compress tackles and reduce angles to the quarterback.


28. Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers logo

Pick: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

The Packers have a firm need at cornerback, and I will stick to the script here. Adding a corner, even after the run earlier in the round, gives Green Bay an immediate answer to a need while filling a premium position after trying to make things work with Eric Stokes Jr.


29. Washington Commanders Washington Commanders logo

Pick: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

Washington is hot off the heels of a miraculous win against the Chicago Bears. Jayden Daniels' latest magic trick, a walk-off Hail Mary, showed off his ability to extend before eventually heaving the ball downfield.

The opportunity to add a wide receiver with the vertical ability of Tre Harris is exciting for Washington — although hopefully, they can do without the heart attack-inducing Hail Marys the rest of the way.


30. Houston Texans Houston Texans logo

Pick: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville

The Texans getting a chance to add to their pass rush group doesn't feel like a fair draw to the rest of the AFC South, but depth on the edge is one of the question marks around this football team. Ashton Gillotte has the alignment versatility that DeMeco Ryans will surely love and a motor that does not turn off.


31. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions logo

Pick: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State

Detroit is facing the prospect of continuing this season without star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Without Hutch in the mix, Detroit hopes to have some youth step up.

No matter how this season plays out on the edge, the Lions have a clear and obvious opportunity for another pass rusher to join their ranks, and Sawyer has the physical brand of play that Detroit has coveted for years.


32. Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs logo

Pick: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Chiefs have made some investments in wide receiver thanks to the trade for DeAndre Hopkins and the first-round pick of Xavier Worthy.

Hopkins is in a contract year, but between Rashee Rice and Worthy, plus the potential of extending Hopkins, I'll bypass a weapon for the Chiefs and instead target a versatile tight end who I believe could help be a focal point of the Chiefs' offense in life without Travis Kelce…whenever that may be.


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