NFL Analysis
8/15/24
11 min read
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Who Could Be Next Year's No. 1 Pick?
The 2025 NFL season is nearly here, which means college football is kicking off even sooner. Before it does, it's time to take a way-too-early look at a 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
This will give you at least 32 players to watch during the upcoming college football season:
The draft order was determined by my predictions for the upcoming season.
2025 NFL Mock Draft
1. New York Giants 
Selection: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
It doesn't seem very likely that the New York Giants will end up with the No. 1 overall pick, but they could easily move up to this spot if Daniel Jones doesn't take a major step forward.
Sanders needs to improve his decision-making and could stand to take fewer sacks, but he is a prolific pocket passer who has a chance to put up huge numbers in 2024.
>> READ MORE: Is Sanders Worth The Hype?
2. New England Patriots 
Selection: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Is this high for Travis Hunter? Maybe. But it's a long time since we've seen an athlete of his caliber. And the New England Patriots have a history of letting players play on both sides of the ball.
We've even seen it recently with Marcus Jones in 2022. Hunter will likely be a wide receiver in the NFL, considering there is more money to be made at that position. Hopefully, his next team will allow him to spend time on both sides of the ball.
3. Carolina Panthers 
Selection: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
The Carolina Panthers traded for Diontae Johnson and selected Xavier Legette in Round 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft, but that won't stop them from passing on Luther Burden III.
You can make a strong case that Burden is the best receiver in the class, racking up more than 1,200 yards during his sophomore season. He could easily be the first receiver off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft.
4. Denver Broncos 
Selection: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Does pairing Will Johnson with Patrick Surtain II seem like overkill? Yes. Would it be awesome to watch? Absolutely.
Johnson is the clear-cut top cornerback in this class and has an excellent chance of being the first defensive player off the board. The Denver Broncos stay true to their board and take the best player available at this spot.
5. Tennessee Titans 
Selection: James Pearce, EDGE, Tennessee
Harold Landry and Arden Key have struggled to stay on the field, and the Tennessee Titans lack edge depth.
Here at No. 5, they take the local kid, Pearce, who recorded 10 sacks during his sophomore season in the SEC. He's the top edge rusher in the draft and will be in contention for the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.
6. Washington Commanders 
Selection: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Dan Quinn needs his Micah Parsons, and he gets one here with Abdul Carter, who plays at Penn State and wears No. 11. Carter is expected to rush the passer more this season, which should dramatically raise his stock.
7. Las Vegas Raiders 
Selection: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Is Carson Beck the best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft? Many believe so going into the upcoming college season, but he falls a bit in this mock draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders would be overjoyed to see him fall to this spot, as they are only an average quarterback away from being a real contender in the AFC.
>> READ MORE: Beck's Case For Going No. 1 Overall
8. Arizona Cardinals 
Selection: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Arizona Cardinals lost B.J. Oujlari to a season-ending knee injury in training camp and don't have the pass-rushers up front to compete with the top teams in the NFC. Scourton has fantastic size and could be an edge-setter for the Cardinals in 2025.
9. Los Angeles Chargers 
Selection: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Ladd McConkey was a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, and he is expected to be their full-time slot receiver. But what the Chargers really need is a receiver with size who can win as an "X" receiver.
Enter McMillian, who measures in at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds. He is a vertical receiver who can win in contested areas, like Mike Williams.
>> READ MORE: Full 2025 NFL Draft WR Rankings
10. New Orleans Saints 
Selection: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
The New Orleans Saints are likely to move on from Derek Carr after the 2024 season and could use a new style of quarterback.
Milroe has a lot of work to do as a passer, but he has the traits to be a star. Don't be surprised if his stock skyrockets this fall and he ends up being a top-three pick in this year's class.
>> READ MORE: Milroe's Path To Becoming Top Pick
11. Minnesota Vikings 
Selection: Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Several NFL Draft analysts believe that Graham might be the best overall player in this class. He was a key cog for the Wolverines last season and is expected to take a leap as a pass rusher.
How much he develops in that area will determine how high he gets drafted, but don't expect him to fall out of the top-12 picks.
12. Seattle Seahawks 
Selection: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Seattle Seahawks still need more EDGE rush help, and Williams could solve all of their problems in 2025. Williams has recorded 4.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons and is poised for a massive breakout season.
He should test off the charts at the NFL Combine and could be in the conversation for the first defensive player drafted in 2025.
13. Los Angeles Rams 
Selection: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
The Los Angeles Rams aren't likely to be drafting this low, but we're projecting that they will move up inside the top 15 for an offensive tackle. The Rams did a lot of work on their interior offensive line this offseason.
However, Rob Havenstein is going into Year 10, and there is no telling how much longer he might hang around. Banks can play either tackle spot and would be a massive upgrade for the Rams.
14. Indianapolis Colts 
Selection: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
You can make a strong case that the Indianapolis Colts have the NFL's worst cornerback room, and you can bet that Chris Ballard will try to fix it in 2025.
Burke is a three-year starter for the Buckeyes and should be selected sometime in the middle of Round 1.
15. Cleveland Browns 
Selection: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
It seems unlikely that Jedrick Wills will be back in 2025, meaning the Cleveland Browns could use a new left tackle. The hope is that Dawaan Jones can be the future at right tackle, but the left side could use some work.
With another strong season at LSU, Campbell could be the first offensive tackle off the board come April 2025.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Selection: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
After trading away Carlton Davis to the Lions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lack cornerback depth in their secondary. Jamel Dean is still a quality player, but they could use a long-term bookend at that position.
Morrison is widely viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the class, recording nine interceptions in two seasons with the Fighting Irish.
17. Chicago Bears 
Selection: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
After spending two first-round picks on offense in 2024, the Chicago Bears go back to defense here in Round 1 in 2025. Walker is a massive defensive tackle who recorded 12.5 tackles for a loss last season.
He might be the best nose tackle prospect to enter the draft since Derrick Brown and could be drafted much higher than this.
18. Atlanta Falcons 
Selection: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
The Atlanta Falcons have a major need at edge rusher, even more so with Bralen Trice missing the entire 2024 season with a knee injury.
Sawyer isn't the most dynamic athlete, but he's logged a bunch of snaps and can be a starting base-end.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers 
Selection: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the wide receiver market for several months now. As of this posting, they are still interested in acquiring Brandon Aiyuk.
However, with that deal not done and George Pickens entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, wide receiver will be high on Pittsburgh's wish list. Egbuka had a bit of a down season in 2024 but should bounce back this year with Marvin Harrison Jr. out of the lineup.
20. Baltimore Ravens 
Selection: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
The Baltimore Ravens just don't have much at wide receiver outside of Zay Flowers, but Bond could give them another speed receiver who could make plays down the field.
He racked up nearly 700 receiving yards as a sophomore at Alabama, but the move to Texas could allow him to have a much bigger year this season.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars 
Selection: Emery Jones Jr, OT, LSU
Cam Robinson is the starting left tackle for the 2024 season, but he is entering the final year of his contract and is likely to hit the market in 2025.
Walker Little is his backup, but he will also be an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Emery Jones could be the Jacksonville Jaguars' long-term answer at left tackle.
22. Miami Dolphins 
Selection: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland would usually be a much higher pick in most drafts, but he "falls" in this mock due to positional value. The Miami Dolphins hope that Jonnu Smith can have a strong season in 2024, but they need a more well-rounded tight end who can have a "George Kittle" type impact on their offense.
Loveland had a huge sophomore season for Michigan, but he should see even more targets as a junior. At just 20 years old, he is one of the better prospects in this class.
23. Houston Texans 
Selection: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
The Houston Texans are loaded on both sides of the ball, but we should expect to see them invest more resources into their defense in the next several years.
Starks would fit DeMeco Ryan's defense well. He is a two-year starter who can play multiple positions in the secondary. Starks is poised for a breakout season and should be the first safety off the board next April.
24. Dallas Cowboys 
Selection: J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Demarcus Lawrence is set to become a free agent in 2025, and Sam Williams will enter the final year of his contract, coming off a torn ACL.
The Dallas Cowboys need more edge depth, and J.T. Tuimoloau could be the run-setting defensive end that Dallas will need in the post-Lawrence era.
25. New York Jets 
Selection: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Could Aaron Rodgers return in 2025? It's possible, but even if he does, the New York Jets need to find his successor.
Ewers has a lot of talent but still needs some time to develop. The Jets have weapons galore on offense, and this would be a nice landing spot for the Texas quarterback.
>> READ MORE: Will Ewers Finally Take The Next Step?
26. Green Bay Packers 
Selection: Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
Kenny Clark will turn 29 during the 2024 season, and the Green Bay Packers could use more depth across the interior defensive line.
Lukas Van Ness is expected to have a breakout season in Year 2, but Grant could give them more size and strength on the interior of their defensive line.
27. Cincinnati Bengals 
Selection: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Tee Higgins will be a free agent in 2025 and is unlikely to return to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati is hopeful that Jermaine Burton can step up as the No. 3 receiver, but the Bengals could use more speed in their offense. Stewart can offer that here in the later stages of Round 1.
28. Philadelphia Eagles 
Selection: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The Philadelphia Eagles' right guard situation is a mess right now, as neither Tyler Steen nor Mekhi Becton has shown much in training camp.
Jackson is the best pure guard in the class and would help keep a strength strong in 2025.
29. Detroit Lions 
Selection: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
The Detroit Lions selected Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the 2024 NFL Draft, but don't be shocked to see them go back to the well next year.
Detroit needs more cornerback depth, and their secondary is easily the worst spot on the roster. Davis is yet another cornerback with Round 1 potential, and this is a good landing spot for him.
30. Buffalo Bills 
Selection: Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
The Buffalo Bills are expected to rely heavily on James Cook in the 2024 season, but he has never been a full-time running back, and fumbles remain an issue.
Buffalo could look to add another back next year, and Gordon is widely believed to be the best back in the class. With Cook entering a contract year in 2025, Gordon could be the long-term answer to help take some of the load off Josh Allen.
>> READ MORE: Full 2025 NFL Draft RB Rankings
31. Kansas City Chiefs 
Selection: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Running backs with back-to-back picks? That probably won't happen. But it would be cool to see the Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs take them here late in the first round.
Judkins racked up more than 3,000 yards with Mississippi in the last two seasons but is now making the move to Ohio State. He should put up massive numbers in 2024 and could sneak into Round 1 next year.
32. San Francisco 49ers 
Selection: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
The San Francisco 49ers are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, but cornerback remains a spot that could use some depth.
Bryant is a playmaker with nine career interceptions and is poised for a massive season in 2024. Getting him this late in Round 1 would be a massive steal for the 49ers.
