The 2025 NFL Draft class won’t be a bad one. But it might be a weird one.
The best player in this class isn’t sure what his position will be. The best position in this class (cornerback) is one teams typically shy away from toward the top of the first round. The position usually most in demand (offensive line) is certainly intriguing, but nowhere near on the level of what the ’24 class offered. And the quarterbacks? Insert the concerned Larry David face here.
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That’s not to say this class is lacking terrific prospects or players who can help NFL teams next season, but there might not be much of a consensus come April.
To set the order for this mock, we’re using Austin Mock’s NFL projections model. Let’s get into it.
1. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
New England’s rebuild has its quarterback, Drake Maye, but still needs a bit of basically everything else. A quarter of the way through the college season, it’s impossible to say there’s been another player better than Hunter — and it might not be close.
A prospect who will make an impact on day one, on offense or defense, Hunter plays like a modern-day Charles Woodson — only with more offensive polish. A corner has never gone No. 1, and it’s been a long time since a WR landed in that top spot (1996). If ever there were a player to change those histories, though, it’s Hunter.
GO DEEPERHeisman straw poll: Travis Hunter’s pose matches early voting, but Jalen Milroe lurks2. Cleveland Browns: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
We’ll see what happens with the Browns’ QB situation this offseason. It’s important to remember there will be a larger-than-normal market for younger starting QBs already on their second teams. Quarterback-needy teams don’t necessarily have to draft that position this high if there are better options elsewhere — and there absolutely should be.
Banks has had an outstanding start this season and would fill a need in Cleveland immediately.
3. New York Giants: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The above QB discussion applies here, too — if New York is picking No. 3, it’s probably done with Daniel Jones. Same time, if you reach for a rookie quarterback and then can’t protect him, you’ll be right back here again in no time. Keep building up front.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson did miss Michigan’s win over Minnesota with a shoulder injury (and has missed on a few gambles while trying to make plays early this season), but he’s also housed two pick sixes effortlessly and remains an elite-level CB prospect with speed, length, power and IQ. A Will Johnson–Tyson Campbell combination would be quite fun.
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5. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham might wind up as a top-three pick in this draft given how much destruction he can create from multiple spots inside, and possibly even outside in certain situations. He’s the best of a very intriguing DT class.
🎙️New Athletic Football Show!🎙️@dpbrugler hops on to discuss his early thoughts on the 2025 class, Jalen Milroe's case for QB1, how Travis Hunter fits in the NFL, and more.
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Full show: https://t.co/MrjSeK21Ib pic.twitter.com/mwMYeAVw50
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 2, 2024
6. Tennessee Titans: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
I’m not ready to give up on Will Levis just yet, but Tennessee might be if it’s picking in the top 10 again. Either way, the Titans need help at wide receiver, and McMillan — a 6-foot-5, 212-pound unicorn of an athlete — would be a big-time addition.
7. Carolina Panthers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
It remains to be seen whether Carolina’s ready to give up on Bryce Young. Don’t be surprised if he starts again later this year.
However, as with Tennessee, Carolina’s next QB — no matter who it is — will need more help. And Burden is the most versatile pass-catching asset in this class.
GO DEEPERWhich 2024 NFL Draft picks have excelled so far? Our early All-Rookie Team8. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
This is too high for a QB in this class. However, based on how willing QB-needy teams have been in recent years to reach for unfinished products, it’s certainly not a stretch to suggest a quarterback will come off the board inside the top 10 in April.
Sanders, whose arm talent and playmaking ability have become undeniable, has the confident personality that’s a perfect match for Raider nation.
9. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
Kirby Smart has already compared Starks’ ball skills to those of Champ Bailey, which is about the highest praise he can give a player. Starks’ interception versus Clemson earlier this year was one of the best you’ll ever see. He’s just 20 years old, could play either safety spot and probably even could handle corner reps if he had to. Starks is a difference-maker and a tone-setter.
Play 👏 Maker 👏
📺: Watch live on ABC#GoDawgs | @StarksMalaki pic.twitter.com/G9jxVOgTRE
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 31, 2024
10. Miami Dolphins: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
This is tough right now — for Miami, which still doesn’t know what’s next for Tua Tagovailoa, and for people who have to stack quarterbacks in this draft class.
Beck is coming off the worst start of his career versus Alabama, but it was one that also featured a lot of really good stuff and nearly a comeback victory against a top-five team. Still, the QB in charge of one of college football’s most talented football teams was shaken early in a three-interception day. We (and NFL scouts) can’t unsee that. But every passer in this class will come with questions, even as we get more data on them this season.
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11. Denver Broncos: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
It’ll always be hard for me to guess that someone will be fast enough to break Xavier Worthy’s combine 40 record, especially because that run just happened in February and it was wild. However, if anyone’s going to come close, it’ll be Worthy’s replacement at Texas. Bond’s speed and burst are elite, and he’s also bigger than Worthy.
12. Los Angeles Rams: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Back on the field after missing time in spring with a shoulder injury, Morrison has the burst, quickness and ability to do everything low to the ground that will make him a coveted defender in spring. He can be a versatile corner, in man or zone, and will fit the run with tenacity.
GO DEEPERNFL player poll: Josh Allen for MVP; Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson as building blocks13. Chicago Bears: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
A junior classmate of Campbell’s, Jones is still fine-tuning his rep-to-rep consistency. When everything clicks and goes where it’s supposed to on a play, however, he’s outstanding. With terrific length, size, foot speed and power, Jones will continue to improve in the NFL.
The Bears, meantime, need to continue building a wall around Caleb Williams.
14. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The 6-3, 339-pound Grant is one of the best pound-for-pound athletes in this class. And though there’s still plenty for the junior to refine his game, he’s nowhere near his ceiling and appears to be improving each week — he has a combined seven pressures and two sacks over his last two games (USC and Minnesota).
Kentucky’s Deone Walker also has an argument to be DT2 in this class.
15. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee
This could be way too low for Pearce, who looked like a terror for stretches last week with seven pressures against Oklahoma. Pearce (6-5, 243) is a pass-rushing specialist, so if the right team inside the top 10 falls in love with his game, they’ll go for it. Can he be as impactful against the run in the NFL? His win rate (16.7) has dipped a bit this year (21.8 last season).
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16. Dallas Cowboys: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
The Cowboys have the worst run defense in football through four games this season and could desperately use someone like the gigantic and explosive 6-6, 345-pound Walker. Just a junior, Walker could be much higher on mock drafts in a month or so.
The @seniorbowl is looking live at Kentucky vs. Ole Miss. @UKFootball DT Deone Walker (6074v, 353v, 34 1/2 arm, 10 5/8 hand) is a 𝘽𝙄𝙂 & 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙮 man! Guys this size aren't supposed to move like that. He's yet to record a sack this year but he'd be a load to handle in… pic.twitter.com/COU7wEuL4P
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 28, 2024
17. New Orleans Saints: Nic Scourton, edge, Texas A&M
Scourton (6-4, 283) still needs to work on his consistency versus the run, but he is a versatile three-down pass rusher who can give offensive tackles problems with his move set and power. The Saints need help up front defensively, in general, and Scourton could fill a few different gaps.
18. New York Jets: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
It’s entirely possible Loveland won’t be around at Pick 18. An outstanding blend of size, speed and hands, Loveland lines up all over the field and routinely beats linebackers, safeties and corners in man coverage. His catch radius is impressive, as is his ability to adjust to poor throws. With or without Aaron Rodgers on next season’s roster, Loveland would be an investment in the Jets’ present and future.
19. Los Angeles Chargers: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
It was a bit of a slow start for Carter, who is playing full time as an edge after working in the stack last season. However, he was dominant during a tough Penn State win over Illinois last week (eight pressures, two sacks). We still need to see more from him, but if he repeats his performance from the Big Ten opener against some of the top teams in the league, he could emerge as a top-10 prospect.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia
Williams hurt his ankle just about the same time the season started, which has slowed his 2024 a bit. However, as with Carter, he could play his way into being a top-10 pick if he can get healthy and rattle off some consistent games. If he’s hurt and sluggish all year? He might wind up as a steal down in this range.
GO DEEPERNFL Draft 2023 prospect tracker: Profiles, news and analysis of the top players by position21. Green Bay Packers: Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
There’s still some sloppiness and stiffness to the 6-6, 330-pound Ersery, but everything else is pretty outstanding. A great mover at that size, with a powerful punch and positional versatility (he probably could play guard, too), Ersery feels like a perfect fit for Green Bay’s offense.
22. Seattle Seahawks: Jalon Walker, edge/LB, Georgia
Seattle seems to be headed in a strong direction under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald and his new-look defense. One area the defense does need help in, though, is at off-ball linebacker. Walker, who also can line up and rush, is exactly the type of playmaker who could help elevate Macdonald’s system.
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23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Had he not torn his ACL last month in practice, Revel would be near the top 10 here. As is, it’s still hard to push him out of the first round, because of all we’ve seen and know about him. If he heals quickly, maybe he’ll still get back into that top-10 range. Revel (6-3, 193) reminds a lot of people of Tariq Woolen, and he had 11 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns in just three games this season.
24. Washington Commanders: Mansoor Delane, CB, Virginia Tech
Delane and fellow Virginia Tech corner Dorian Strong gave Ole Miss, the country’s top pass offense, all it could handle last week in a narrow loss. Long, explosive and hard for receivers to stack out wide, Delane would fill a need for a young and suddenly exciting Washington club.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Justin Fields didn’t play with Egbuka at Ohio State. Give them a week of practice together, though, and Fields will feel like he did. The quintessential Buckeyes receiver, Egbuka’s greatest strength is that he doesn’t do anything wrong. He’s always on time and always reliable.
Another 4th down, another TOUCHDOWN for Ohio State. 💪
📺 Peacock | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/GHLlnIKlEl
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 29, 2024
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
The Ravens need help at tackle and guard, and Savaiinaea (6-5, 330) has played both spots for Arizona — quite well, in fact. He has great movement skills and power throughout his huge frame.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Corner is going to be on the list for the 49ers this offseason and, thankfully for them, this is shaping up to be a great CB class. Barron has range to do all sorts of stuff in the defensive backfield. He’s a very exciting draft prospect.
28. Houston Texans: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Jeanty. Sounds like a great wrestling stable or law firm — or the future of one of football’s most exciting young teams. Jeanty is a monster, and in a year with so few true blue-chip prospects, rolling the dice on a very good RB late in Round 1 wouldn’t feel like a big deal.
Ashton Jeanty made Washington State's defense look like a JV squad. I've never seen more forced missed tackles on a RB tape.
Just watch these 5 clips. #RB1 pic.twitter.com/kVZGdYLBeR
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 29, 2024
29. Detroit Lions: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Literally the only thing Detroit is missing offensively right now is a big-bodied X receiver. Ayomanor (6-2, 210) is powerful, explosive and great in the air. He would be a physical fit with this Lions offense.
30. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burke has played a lot of high-level football and been very tough to fool over his long college career. A four-year starting corner at Ohio State, he gives up a bit in the run game but is a high-floor corner who came back to fine-tune his game — and to have one more shot at Michigan.
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31. Minnesota Vikings: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Cut from the same cloth — both in attitude and mindset — as former Kentucky standout (and current New York Giants rookie) Andru Phillips, Hairston is another big and physical corner. He still could use a bit more weight on his frame, but he has enough length and passion to be a problem for receivers.
GO DEEPERThe NFL Projection Model's 5 biggest preseason misses: Commanders, Vikings hot starts top list32. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
A great blend of power, agility and size, Williams is a three-down defensive tackle. He’s another prospect who could wind up a lot higher in the draft if he’s able to shake off an early-season injury and finish the 2024 season strong.
(Top photos of Carson Beck and Travis Hunter: Jeff Moreland, Chris Leduc / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)