It’s Never Too Early: The 2025 Mock Draft

Through the first ten weeks of this year’s NFL season, fans have been treated to several unpredictable surprises in the standings, notably the downfall of the Browns and Cowboys, and the come-up of the Vikings and Steelers. Here is a mock first-round featuring the first twenty picks if the season ended today, ignoring potential trades.

My Top Five

First Overall: OT Will Campbell, LSU, to the Jaguars

An offensive-lineman going first overall is rare, but has happened twice in the last 16 years. Jacksonville currently holds the one-pick, partly due to a struggling offensive line which could use some help. It doesn’t look like they will move on from T-Law, and Brian Thomas’ brilliant rookie season won’t make Hunter as appealing to them. 6’6″, 320+ lb Campbell has been the Tigers’ best player, becoming the first lineman to wear the honorary number seven patch seen on his jersey.

2. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, to the Titans

6’5″, a 22 mph top speed, a 300-yard game, and the second-highest yard count in the FBS, T-Mac burst onto the scene as a deceptively fast playmaker reminiscent of a slightly-taller Randy Moss. While Travis Hunter has gained more media attention as a WR-DB, Tennessee already has a CB1 in L’Jarius Sneed, and questions exist over Hunter’s ability to play both sides in the NFL.

3. QB Cam Ward, U-Miami, to the Giants

The breakout Heisman contender has become this year’s QB1, and following Daniel Jones’ release, they are in need of a new leader. Ward leads the college scene in most important QB stats, including yards and touchdowns, as well as leading a playoff contender.

4. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, to the Raiders

Gardner Minshew, despite his attractive mustache, is not a viable franchise quarterback option. Benchings and injuries have plagued the Vegas QB room since Derek Carr’s departure and have even caused star players’ departures, notable Davante Adams. Sanders is an electric playmaker who has turned the CU Buffaloes program around, possessing the charisma to lead a team to a championship.

5. OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, to the Patriots

Drake Maye’s promising rookie season has been jeopardized by poor O-line play, as I project New England drafting some much-needed protection for their young star. While they could use Abdul Carter in Matthew Judon’s absence or help for the receiving core, keeping Maye healthy is the primary concern in the upcoming draft. Like Campbell, Banks weighs upwards of 320 pounds, despite standing at just 6’4″, and has been a standout player on a star-studded Longhorns offense.

The Top Ten

6. WR-DB Travis Hunter, Colorado, to the Jets

While receiver and cornerback do not appear to be immediate needs, I see the Jets taking Hunter as a ‘best-available’ pick, perhaps motivated by Sauce Gardner’s struggles. Hunter’s dynamic skill set makes him a promising prospect who can fill in any role required on the team, as they look for success in what may be Rodgers’ final season.

7. WR Luther Burden, Mizzou, to the Browns

Despite Deshaun Watson’s disappointing stint in Cleveland, the drought of viable QB prospects may motivate Browns executives to endure one last season with either him, Winston, or Thompson-Robinson at QB as they look to begin their rebuild by taking a receiver of the future after trading Amari Cooper. Burden is a hard-to-tackle receiver who has disappointed this year, but is still a top prospect.

8. DT Mason Graham, Michigan, to the Panthers

Graham is the nation’s top solely-defensive prospect. Carolina, who has struggled on both sides of the ball, need Graham to bolster their D-line if they want to set the offense up for success. However, a distinct possibility remains that they take some help for Young (perhaps Loveland, Egbuka, or an OL). Graham played a key role in Michigan’s 2023-24 undefeated season and posses a versatile skill set for terrorizing interior lineman.

9. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, to the Cowboys

Jeanty, who has a real chance at breaking Barry Sanders’ all-time rushing record, is a logical pick for the Cowboys, who lack a star running back following Pollard’s free agency departure. Providing Jerry Jones looks to actually improve his team this offseason, the run game has been a pressing issue the Cowboys need to fix. Jeanty, who stands at 5’9″, 215 lbs, is a nightmare for any linebacker to repeatedly tackle, as as demonstrated by QB Maddux Madsen’s success this year, a tool which can open up a passing game as well. Jeanty, a Heisman favorite, leads all players in total touchdowns and has scored more points than entire programs.

10. CB Will Johnson, Michigan, to the Saints

Rounding out the top ten, I have the country’s top defensive back heading to New Orleans. The Saints have disappointed on defense this year, and although many people predict them selecting a receiver, I believe that is unrealistic due to Olave and Shaheed’s success when healthy. Johnson, who is 6’2″ and over 200 pounds, is unusually proficient at tackling for a corner and has versatility to play man or zone coverage. He should pair well with 2024 second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry following Marshon Lattimore’s trade.

Mid-Round Picks

11. DE Abdul Carter, Penn State, to the Bengals

Cincinnati’s defensive line has been nothing short of disappointing. Trey Henrickson is a sole bright spot as the Bengals defense has consistently let their offense down. Carter, on the other hand, is a top pass-rush prospect with top-ten talent who only falls this far due to a lack of DE need in previous teams.

12. DE Mykel Williams, Georgia, to the Dolphins

Like Cincinnati, Miami’s defensive line needs improvement if they want a real chance at a super bowl in the Tagovailoa era. Williams, who stants 6’5″, two inches taller than Carter, has often been tied to the Bengals in other mock drafts.

13. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, to the Buccaneers 

Tampa Bay’s receiving core has taken a hit following Mike Evans’ and Chris Godwin’s injuries, and it doesn’t look to improve. Evans has been in the league for over a decade and is in his thirties, and Godwin is an upcoming free agent. In light of this, OSU star Egbuka may become the latest Ohio State wideout to become a star in the NFL.

14. OT Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, to the Bears

While Chicago have brought in a new quarterback, running back, and several receivers, Eberflus seems to have overlooked the offensive line. QB Caleb Williams has been sacked more than anyone else, and if they want their young prodigy to stay healthy, protection is needed. Savaiinaea, who has an ideal body size at 6’6″, 330 lbs, is a logical choice for this.

15. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan, to the Colts

Much like the Raiders drafting Brock Bowers this year, the Colts are likely to draft a top tight end prospect in Colston Loveland, even though they don’t necessarily need him. Loveland may be too appealing to pass up on, as he has taken his place as the country’s best

16. DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan, to the Seahawks

Despite drafting Byron Murphy II with their previous first-round pick, this Seahawks defensive line leaves a lot to be desired. Logically, Wolverine Kenneth Grant, who weighs in at nearly 340 pounds, possesses the needed size to play as a top-end DT in the pros, with an old-school NT game reminiscent of Vita Vea or Dexter Lawrence.

17. S Malaki Starks, Georgia, to the Rams

Despite safety not being a position often taken in the first round (there were no first-rounders at the safety position this year), Starks is truly generational with cornerback speed and agility and the strength of a typical safety. A hard-hitter and turnover machine, he would fit well in LA, who has a lacking secondary.

18. IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama, to the 49ers

San Francisco’s O-Line has been the final hurdle for them in the hunt for Lombardi no. 6. Quite frankly, Aaron banks, Jake Brendel, and Jon Feliciano are all not worthy of a spot on any NFL roster, and if available, the Niners should take some extra protection for Purdy in the consensus top interior lineman in the draft.

19. WR Isaiah Bond, Texas, to the Broncos

Denver’s receivers, aside from Courtland Sutton, have done nothing but hinder their young QB’s development. Bond has been a star for UT, being Ewers’ primary pass-catcher in AD Mitchell and Xavier Worthy’s absence. His explosive speed at a sub-4.3 40 time can turn him into a primary weapon at the next level.

20. DE James Pearce Jr. Tennessee, to the Falcons

Yes, I think this is the year Atlanta finally decides to draft a competent pass-rusher. Pearce is 6’5″ specimen of a human being who, for a long time, was considered the best in the upcoming class. Following Judon’s contract upgrade, Pearce could learn a lot from the veteran pass rusher and become a top player in the NFL.

What Could’ve Been/What Almost Was

Since August, several big-name prospects have seen their draft stock fall in dramatic fashion for a variety of reasons, many due to unfortunate injuries. East Carolina CB Shavon Revel entered the season as a top defensive back and would likely become only the third first-rounder in the university’s history (the first since RB Chris Johnson, the fastest in NFL history and holder of the single-season yards record, in 2008). However, a torn ACL has sidelined him and potentially dropped him into a day-two pick. Similarly, Harold Perkins Jr., a linebacker honored with LSU’s prestigious No. 7 on his jersey for being their best player, tore his ACL. He hoped to follow in the footsteps of the other No. 7s, including Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Derek Stingley, and others, but his first-round status has been jeopardized.  ESPN’s second-highest ranked safety, Penn State’s Kevin Winston, and Ohio State’s star tackle Josh Simmons have each had their seasons ended early.

In short, this upcoming draft is quite unpredictable. In the absence of top QB prospects, I believe that there is a real possibility that we see the second non-quarterback first pick in the last four years. If the season ends today (all standings accurate as of Saturday the 23rd), Jacksonville would have their third first-overall pick since 2021, which is probably some kind of dubious record.