The 2024-25 NFL season has finally arrived! College football has completed Weeks 0 and 1 of its season as well, meaning we're back in the full swing of things as football fans. Resumes are far, far from finalized with the 2025 NFL Draft more than seven months away, but it's a fun exercise to see where the top draft-eligible prospects rank as the season gets underway.
Every NFL team currently owns its first-round pick, so all 32 teams are included in my first 2025 NFL Mock Draft of the season. Let's dive into the players, scheme fits, and more as we project the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Please note that the draft order is set using the reverse order of Super Bowl betting odds. Click on each player's name to read their full scouting report.
2025 NFL Mock Draft
1. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Four offensive tackles have been taken No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era of the NFL draft. I wouldn't necessarily bet on a fifth adding his name to the list in 2025, but with no trades in this NFL mock draft, we'll put one here for now. There's little doubt the Patriots' biggest need is to shore up their offensive line and Will Campbell is a plug-and-play left tackle.
2. Carolina Panthers
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Panthers have plenty of holes to fill, but if the goal is to get the most out of Bryce Young—or make a final call in year three if he's "the guy" or not—a high-end receiving threat is needed. Currently, only Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, and Jonathan Mingo are under contract for next season. Tetairoa McMillan is my WR1 who has elite traits everywhere except straight-line speed. He and Legette can form a dynamic duo in Charlotte.
3. Denver Broncos
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
It was really tempting to give the Broncos an edge rusher here, but we're going to stay consistent with the theme thus far: Get the most out of your young quarterback. With three tackles scheduled to be pending free agents in 2025, we need to make sure Bo Nix's blindside is protected. Kelvin Banks Jr. is the 1B to Campbell's 1A at the top of the 2025 offensive tackle class. Banks Jr. is an agile, seasoned blocker who can be a long-term solution for Denver at left tackle.
4. New York Giants
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Daniel Jones is not the long-term answer for the Giants and his contract is cuttable in the offseason—so much so that he could be healthy-scratched to finish the regular season to avoid any injury guarantees kicking in. The current narrative on this quarterback class is negative, but we all know how the hype ramps up once a season's worth of games is played. As we stand, Carson Beck is my QB1. Beck is a high-IQ player when it comes to reading defenses but also knowing where and with what touch to throw the football. He's not in the same tier as 2024's QB1, Caleb Williams, but he could thrive with an offensive-minded head coach like Brian Daboll (or new coach TBD).
5. Tennessee Titans
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
A running mate opposite Harold Landry is sorely needed in Tennessee. While I won't put the "Micah Parsons" label on Abdul Carter, he has high-end pass-rush upside and the versatility to play multiple spots on the second level. There's a pathway this season for him to earn the top overall spot.
6. Washington Commanders
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Even if it did seem like he was falling out of favor as training camp wore on, trading Jahan Dotson highlighted a long-term issue the Commanders have at wide receiver outside of Terry McLaurin. Rookie Luke McCaffrey will grow into a role, but Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jamison Crowder are on expiring contracts—and McLaurin only has one more year left on his deal after the season. Luther Burden III is a high-end playmaker who can take a lot of pressure off McLaurin and Jayden Daniels. Once again, we're giving our young quarterback the best chance to succeed by surrounding him with weapons.
7. New Orleans Saints
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
It remains to be seen where Travis Hunter plays full-time at the NFL level, but I'm intrigued by the idea of him playing receiver for the Saints. Their cap situation... well, it's the same as it has been. There won't be space for a big-time free-agent signing at wide receiver, so adding a rookie contract is the best way to upgrade the unit. Rashid Shaheed and A.T. Perry are solid but they're not the same caliber of talent that Hunter is. Chris Olave and Hunter is a crazy good receiving duo for Derek Carr, who'll likely be in New Orleans at least through 2025.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Drafting a quarterback here is quite tempting. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell are both under contract for 2025, and I can't see them taking a flier on a Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston, or Russell Wilson over a top quarterback option in the class. Shedeur Sanders is a true difference-maker at the position and the Raiders can't keep passing up young passers. If you can cut through all the hype and nonsense that follows Colorado, you'll see a damn good quarterback prospect. Sanders' arm talent, accuracy, and mobility are plus traits and he certainly won't shy away from the NFL spotlight.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Mason Graham earned the top spot in our first Draft Network 100 rankings of the season. He's a disruptive defensive tackle who can play on all three downs. Given the expiring contracts on the Vikings' defensive line, Graham is a plug-and-play year-one starter.
10. Arizona Cardinals
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Cardinals desperately need to find impact players when it comes to rushing the passer. While James Pearce Jr. has some things he needs to work on defending the run, he's a stud on passing downs with the ability to make a major year-one impact on Arizona's defense.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson probably deserves to be taken higher than this, but he slides just out of the top 10. He would add a much-needed piece to the Buccaneers' secondary and would immediately become their CB1.
12. Indianapolis Colts
Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
The Colts can use an upgrade to their safety room and one of the better prospects at the position in recent years, Malaki Starks, is here for the taking. Starks can do everything needed from a modern safety at a high level. He can be a true chess piece in the defensive backfield for Indianapolis.
13. Seattle Seahawks
Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
I'm concerned about the long-term status of Abe Lucas' knee. Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll described Lucas' 2023 injury as "chronic" and he'll now miss the start of the 2024 season on PUP. Emery Jones Jr. gets lost in the shuffle with Campbell on the opposite side but is a large, strong right tackle who should immediately help Seattle's running game.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Steelers have plenty of expiring contracts at corner and need someone opposite Joey Porter Jr. Benjamin Morrison is in contention for the CB1 title. Morrison is technically sound and thrives in man-to-man coverage.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Cam Robinson and Walker Little are pending free agents and Doug Pederson has reportedly shown interest in adding an offensive tackle high in the draft. Aireontae Ersery has the size, length, and skill set to develop into Jacksonville's franchise left tackle.
16. Los Angeles Chargers
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
It appears the edge room is going to be completely revamped for 2025 and beyond. Why not add a talent like Mykel Williams to really kick-start the positional rebuild? Williams has the measurables and athleticism desired for the position, especially if he stays on the edge instead of playing inside—he's played in several spots on the defensive line for Georgia.
17. Cleveland Browns
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore's deals are expiring and the Browns need to replace that production. Emeka Egbuka stays in Ohio to form a duo with Jerry Jeudy. Egbuka is a strong route-runner and RAC threat who can hold down the slot for years to come with Jeudy having inside-out versatility.
18. Chicago Bears
Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss
Chicago needs a high-level IDL that can impact the quarterback and Walter Nolan fits the bill. His combination of strength, athleticism, and ability to play different spots on the defensive line will be a major asset for the Bears.
19. Los Angeles Rams
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Despite having both Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson on the roster, the Rams were reportedly very interested in trading up for Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Colston Loveland isn't quite at Bowers' level right now, but he's a first-round talent and the clear TE1. If Sean McVay is looking for a more dynamic player at the position, Loveland is a great addition and neither Higbee nor Parkinson's contract are too big of a burden to get out of.
20. Miami Dolphins
Tyleik Williams, IDL, Ohio State
Almost everyone on Miami's defensive line is playing on an expiring contract this season. Pair that with the loss of Christian Wilkins in free agency, and there's a clear hole to fill here in Round 1. Tyleik Williams still has room to grow as a pass-rusher but is an NFL-ready run defender right now with upper-level strength and positional flexibility along the line.
21. Atlanta Falcons
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Maybe Matthew Judon is more than just a one-season rental, but given a lack of a new deal after trading for him, let's assume he hits the free-agent market in March. Lorenzo Carter is also a pending free agent. The Falcons can't expect to contend for a Super Bowl without an adequate pass rush and Nic Scourton will help. Scourton flashes dominant reps as a pass rusher and more than holds his own against the run. Keep an eye on his development this season after transferring to Texas A&M from Purdue.
22. New York Jets
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers is a divisive prospect heading into this college football season. Some (like me) believe he has all the tools—arm talent, accuracy, football IQ, mobility—to be a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. Others think he's overrated and will be benched for Arch Manning before the end of the season. The Jets don't have a long-term answer at quarterback and need to find one quickly even if the Aaron Rodgers experiment works out this season.
23. Green Bay Packers
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
New Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley played Cover 1 defense nearly half the time in 2023 at Boston College. If that trend carries over to Green Bay, they'll need to add a corner that can excel in man-to-man coverage as a primary focus. Enter Denzel Burke, who has the speed, footwork, and technique to be a shutdown man cover corner who can replace a player like Eric Stokes, who's a pending free agent.
24. Buffalo Bills
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
While the Bills need to address the safety position here, I'm not sure anyone other than Starks has earned the right to go in the first round. Instead, they help shore up a cornerback room set to lose Rasul Douglas in 2025 and possibly Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford in 2026. Maxwell Hairston has strong ball skills and thrives best in a zone-primary defense.
25. Dallas Cowboys
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys' backfield looks like a who's who of 2019. The problem is, well, it's not 2019 anymore. Plus, Deuce Vaughn is the only running back under contract for 2025. Jerry Jones has already worked things out with CeeDee Lamb and I expect he will lock down Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons as well. That doesn't leave much room for free agency adds, so I wouldn't be shocked if Jones decided to complete his big three with a first-round running back. Ollie Gordon II isn't just a CFB25 star, he has a high-end combination of speed, vision, and size despite only being 20 years old.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Trey Hendrickson asked for a trade this past offseason and may do so again. The Bengals would clear $12.33 million in cap space if they do trade him pre-June 1 next offseason. J.T. Tuimoloau could be his replacement. Tuimoloau needs to grow this season as a pass rusher to earn a spot in the first round, but he has the frame and skill set to succeed in that area and is already a strong run defender.
27. Houston Texans
Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky
The long-term future of Houston's IDL is far from settled and I'd love to see them draft a player like Deone Walker. Walker is a disruptor in the passing game who can beat offensive linemen in multiple ways. He must improve as a run defender to secure this draft position, but he has the size and tools to do so.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
Harold Perkins Jr., LB/EDGE, LSU
Harold Perkins Jr.'s versatility has been a blessing and a curse when it comes to evaluating him as an NFL draft prospect. He's a menace at the college level coming off the edge but is undersized by NFL standards. Will he be targeted in the run game by opposing offenses? Perkins Jr. flashes high-level ability off the ball at linebacker but doesn't yet look fully comfortable diagnosing plays from that position. In the end, I'm betting on the talent. Given how many free agents the Eagles have at linebacker and EDGE, they can certainly find a spot for Perkins Jr.
29. Detroit Lions
Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
Lions fans are probably sick of reading this, but it doesn't make it any less true: Aidan Hutchinson needs a running mate. Patrick Payton has room to grow when it comes to making his high-level flashes more consistent, but he has the size, length, and athleticism to become a disruptive pass rusher in the NFL. His penchant for TFLs and batting down passes doesn't hurt, either.
30. Baltimore Ravens
Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/OG, Arizona
Jonah Savaiinaea will be labeled as a guard on some NFL teams' draft boards, but he can more than hold his own as a tackle. Ronnie Stanley's contract is coming up and he's missed a ton of games over the last four years. Baltimore must address its future at left tackle and do so here. And if they view him as a guard, there's a spot for him on day one there as well.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Sebastian Castro, CB, Iowa
Four 49ers cornerbacks are scheduled to reach free agency in 2025. Sebastian Castro can help fill whatever gaps are left over after free agency. Delane is a competitive, explosive playmaker who fits the attitude of the 49ers defense.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
Kenneth Grant falls into the Chiefs' lap here to play next to Chris Jones—just in time too, with Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Tershawn Wharton all scheduled to hit free agency. Grant's motor and ability to collapse the pocket against the pass and shed blocks against the run make him an exciting, high-upside player.
