2025 NFL Mock Draft No. I
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Three quarterbacks taken in a row, and none for the rest of the first round. A defensive minded class takes center stage as an athlete is selected first overall poised to make an immediate impact.
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka; Clare Grant/Columbus Dispatch
1: Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado
The Jaguars will be amidst another rebuild with what likely will be its fifth head coach in as many seasons. Taking a high-octane, high-floor athlete such as Hunter is the BPA (best player available) option, but since Jacksonville already has its quarterback locked up, surrounding Lawrence will be paramount.
2: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Although the shelf life for a day two quarterback selection thrusted into the starting role prematurely is shorter than expected, Will Levis has been playing better football post-injury in 2024. Getting a bonafide weapon and winner on the outside should help with his development.
3: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers begins the run on quarterbacks for a trio of teams desperate for quarterbacks and a restart after disastrous 2024 season. With the highest ceiling of any quarterback prospect, Ewers slides in ahead of the highly-touted Ward and Sanders duo.
4: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Las Vegas may be the most desperate team in the NFL for a quarterback. Selecting the project prospect with palpable potential but apparent flaws is a Raiders-like pick if I’ve ever projected one. Surely Las Vegas wouldn’t rush him into the starting role midway through his rookie season and ruin his development, right?
5: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
With Head Coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen likely coaching/managing for their jobs in 2025, taking a quarterback chock-full of potential may extend their tenures in East Rutherford. Sanders’ off the field baggage ironically fits in well in New York, which may make this fit better than the Daniel Jones experiment.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Quarterback Drake Maye has been without help from his wide receivers since taking over for Jacoby Brissett midway through the 2024 season. Selecting Burden, a do-it-all slot option that can open up the middle of the field, is a critical hit for general manager Eliot Wolf.
Kelvin Banks Jr., T, Texas
With standout LSU Tiger Will Campbell projecting to move inside once in the NFL, Banks has become the clear OT1 in a loaded offensive line class. Concerns about his length may opt his move to the inside as well, but New York will be starting new under Woody Johnson yet again, which gives Banks time to mature on the offensive line.
Abdul Carter, ED, Penn State
Making the move from off-ball linebacker to edge rusher this season has benefited Carter’s draft stock, as the lengthy sack artist has developed into a well-rounded edge defender, a position Carolina must upgrade ahead of 2025.
Ashton Jeanty, HB, Boise State
This is a Dallas pick. Jeanty is a first round talent at the runningback position and will complete any offense he ends up in. Dallas, in desperate need of a running game, takes a shot on one of the highest floor prospects in the draft class.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Egbuka would join Chris Olave as Saints first round receivers drafted out of Ohio State since the start of 2022. A reliable slot option, Egbuka has proven to be a surehanded pass catcher amongst one of the most crowded wide receiver rooms in the country.
11: Nic Scourton, ED, Texas A&M
With Trey Hendrickson not under contract after this season, Cincinatti takes its next sack artist in Scourton, who will be an immediate impact player with exceptional length and proven power.
12: Will Campbell, T/G, LSU
Campbell may profile better on the inside in the NFL, but Miami will look to upgrade almost every position on one of the league’s worst offensive lines. Campbell is a sure-fire starter on day one regardless of his position, possessing extreme discipline from the blindside as a Tiger.
13: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson will miss the remainder of his final season in Ann Arbor with an injury, but the Wolverine product is one of the smoothest and most NFL-ready prospects from the Harbaugh era. Tampa Bay will need to replace and upgrade its secondary, with Johnson being an excellent start.
14: Mason Graham, DI, Michigan
With Chicago’s aim being to improve in both of the trenches, Graham’s high-floor bodes well. Graham’s play has not been as flashy in 2024, but consistency is key on the defensive interior, and Graham has shown that continually throughout his time in Ann Arbor.
15: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
It’s not the sexiest pick in the first round, but Walker has demonstrated elite level play on one of the country’s best defenses. A tenacious tackler and good pressure seeker, Walker will instantly improve the interior of Indianapolis’ defense.
16: Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia
The interior-bound Milum has been a steady presence on the Mountaineers’ offensive line, and with Seattle desperate for interior help, Milum makes plenty of sense. The Seahawks have shown to be one of the worst teams on the interior in the NFL, and Milum’s raw power from the interior will be a much needed upgrade.
17: Josh Simmons, T, Ohio State
This would be a prime trade-down spot for Los Angeles, who lost out on Milum and Campbell on the offensive line just picks before. Since there aren’t any trades in this mock, Los Angeles sticks and picks the injured Simmons, who is one of the most explosive athletes along the offensive line in this class.
18: Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
For what is by far the hardest pick to project, nabbing an athletic specimen in Williams seems most likely for San Francisco, who needs to generate more pressure with Nick Bosa off the field. Williams has an elite blend of size and quickness which should translate well to the next level.
19: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland to Denver is one of the easier fits in this first round due to Denver’s want to surround quarterback Bo Nix with weapons. The Michigan product is not as diversified as last year’s tight end commodity in Brock Bowers, but offers “big slot” ability with a sleek frame and multi-dimensional catch radius.
20: Shemar Stewart, ED/DI, Texas A&M
Stewart’s breakout 2024 campaign along a stout Aggie defensive line has bolstered his draft stock. Atlanta is in desperate need of an upgrade along the defensive front. Stewart fits the Grady Jarrett role as an interior rusher who has the flexibility to move out to the edge.
21: Kenneth Grant, DI, Michigan
Houston fortifies the interior of its defensive line, which has struggled at times with consistency in 2024. Missing out on a tackle opts Caserio to grab the BPA at a secondary position of need.
22: Cameron Williams, T, Texas
The Cardinals take a raw, elite project athlete at tackle in the first round — sound familiar? Williams has been a stalwart on the Longhorn offensive line this season, bookending one of the best duos in the country along with Kelvin Banks Jr. Williams is a raw prospect who will need time (years) to fully blossom. Luckily, Arizona is just entering its window of competitiveness.
23: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks falls to Washington to become one of the best value picks in this first round mock. An elite athlete and instinctual presence on the backend for the Dawgs, Starks has established himself as the best safety prospect in this class with consistent, demonstrative play.
24: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Morrison’s injury, now thought to be more significant than first suspected, may push the talented corner down the board. Still, the overall talent possessed by one of the best corners in the country in 2023 is undeniable. Baltimore grabs another corner (like Wiggins last season) to improve its secondary.
25: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren has quickly risen to stardom in Happy Valley and has merited one of the best tight end grades in this class behind his all-around stellar play. Warren is a very well-rounded, surehanded blocker and exciting pass catcher that should fit well into the Harbaugh hard-nosed offensive scheme.
26: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Harris has been one of the highest volume pass catchers in the country this season, utilizing his big bodied frame and high top speed to rack up the nation’s second most receiving yards through 10 games. Green Bay is still in search of a winner on the outside, and Harris provides just that on day one.
27: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
The odds of this pick actually being a wide receiver are close to zero — but its still fun to dream. Ayomanor possesses a unique skillset for the Cardinal which has separated him as one of the best receivers in the ACC. Pittsburgh will be in search of a weapon for its new quarterback, and Ayomanor is a high-floor prospect sure to make an immediate impact.
28: Walter Nolen, DI, Ole Miss
Generating interior pressure has been one of Minnesota’s weak points this season, despite possessing one of the best front seven’s against the run in the NFL. Nolen, a high-ceiling interior presence, provides more of a space-consuming threat that will occupy gaps and open up opportunity for edge rushers and blitzing linebackers. Nolen is also solid, although sometimes spotty, against the run.
29: James Pearce Jr., ED, Tennessee
Once regarded as a top overall pick this off season, Pearce’s play has lacked its projected development that warranted the off season praise. A proven pass rusher and sack artist, Pearce would be an instant upgrade for the Philadelphia pass rush, which has struggled in 2024. Improving against the run, Pearce’s biggest knock heading into 2024, still needs to be addressed.
30: Tyleik Williams, DI, Ohio State
Bouncing back and forth between Williams and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon was a tough decison, but with Williams’ proven ability (despite the injury), I opted to go with the Buckeye product. Buffalo will be in search of another defensive interior option, and a good 3T is always rare to find.
31: Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina
Revel is another high-octane athlete and lanky corner struck with the injury bug in 2024. Still, the ECU product returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown and defended four passes in his three games played. Kansas City is always in search of help on the boundary. Revel makes perfect sense.
32: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
There isn’t a ton that Detroit needs to complete its roster, which is one of the best in the NFL, but grabbing yet another weapon for Goff and company would be a huge get. Bond is an explosive athlete who thrives after the catch — very Jameson Williams like — that is bound to have an impact in a play-action heavy offense.