Now that the 2024 NFL draft is over with, it’s not too early to forecast how day one of the 2025 NFL Draft will play out. A lot will change between now and next year’s NFL Combine, but WHAT IF GMs had to rush back to the table as soon as possible?
Before we begin, just a quick note that the 2025 draft order is courtesy of Tankathon.
Now, let’s dive into our way-too-early 2025 NFL first-round mock draft!
Which player will your team pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL mock draft?
1. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr.
If Bryce Young has a miserable sophomore season, Carolina could consider a quarterback in round one. But right now, the Panthers’ main organizational need is a pass-rusher, especially after trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants this offseason.
Pearce Jr. broke out in 2023 with 9.5 sacks at Tennessee. If he builds off last season, he’s an early favorite to go first overall. And he would perfectly fit Carolina’s pressing need for an explosive pass-rusher.
2. New England Patriots: Mason Graham
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The Pats secured their new quarterback in Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick. Next year could be a “take the best player” available mentality for a rebuilding New England team, and head coach Jerod Mayo would have a scary-good interior pass-rushing tandem here if Graham were to team up with rising star Christian Barmore.
3. Denver Broncos: Travis Hunter
Cornerback or receiver? It’s unlikely Hunter will get to play both at the NFL level, but the rebuilding Broncos could use him at either position.
Having used their 2023 first-rounder on Oregon QB Bo Nix, we’d guess that Denver would use Hunter as a wide receiver. Sean Payton’s offense would quickly come together with a Nix-Hunter duo leading the way.
4. Washington Commanders: Will Campbell
Washington drafted Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 selection in the NFL draft. Next year, the priority becomes rebuilding a shaky offensive line around their new franchise QB.
LSU’s Will Campbell is a beast in both pass-blocking and run-blocking — making him the perfect fit for a Washington team with a dual-threat QB. If he were to come as advertised, Campbell would be Daniels’ blindside protector for the next decade-plus.
5. Tennessee Titans: Will Johnson
QB could be an option as well for Tennessee if they don’t like how Will Levis performs in year two. But since we’re high on Levis’ potential, let’s give Tennessee the best guy on the board here in Michigan corner Will Johnson.
The Titans traded for ex-Kansas City Chiefs star L’Jarius Sneed, yes. But two elite shutdown corners is better than one, especially in today’s pass-heavy NFL league. Johnson and Sneed could be the NFL’s best cornerback pairing in short time.
6. New York Giants: Carson Beck
The Giants took LSU wideout Malik Nabers instead of grabbing Daniel Jones’ successor. Waiting a year does no harm, as they land the most polished and NFL-ready quarterback of the 2025 class in Carson Beck.
New York can get out of Jones’ contract in 2025 without many financial ramifications. Even if Beck isn’t ready to start as a rookie, the G-Men can always find a cheap bridge option.
7. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders
Vegas wanted Jayden Daniels but couldn’t move up into the No. 2 spot to get him. So how about another dazzling, highlight reel QB in Colorado State’s Shedeur Sanders?
Raiders owner Mark Davis loves bringing in big-named stars to spotlight his program. Can’t do much better than the son of Deion Sanders — who will provide limitless attention for his son’s team.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Deone Walker
Arizona’s second 2024 NFL first-round pick, Darius Robinson, will help solidify a pass-rush that lacked quality playmakers last season.
But more beef is needed on that defensive line, and Kentucky’s 348-pound Deone Walker would give the Cardinals their first superstar-level pass-rusher since Chandler Jones’ departure.
9. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison
It’s been a while since the Vikings have had a Pro Bowl-level shutdown cornerback. Just imagine what defensive coordinator Brian Flores could do with this team if he had a stud defensive back to lock down the opposition’s top receiver.
Minnesota is thin at cornerback depth, so Morrison already just feels like a natural fit here.
10. New Orleans Saints: Luther Burden III
The Saints have been searching forever for a capable No. 2 receiver to complement their WR1. They never found their guy for Michael Thomas, and they’re still looking for someone to take some of the workload off Chris Olave.
Here’s the chance to finally address the weakness. Speedy Missouri wideout Luther Burden II might even replace Olave as the Saints’ new top receiver.
11. Seattle Seahawks: Quinn Ewers
The Texas Longhorns QB would have likely been a top-10 pick if he didn’t go back for one more year of college. At any rate, Seattle is a good landing spot for Ewers — who can sit behind Geno Smith during the veteran’s contract year.
With DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett and Kenneth Walker on offense, Ewers would be set up nicely in Emerald City.
12. Indianapolis Colts: Denzel Burke
If Anthony Richardson stays healthy and asserts himself as the Colts’ franchise quarterback, the team will be set on offense.
With one of football’s best front sevens, it’s obvious that Indianapolis will need to take a corner. Ohio State’s Denzel Burke has the size and athleticism to hold his own against top receivers, and Indy could use him in a division that features explosive receivers like Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and Nico Collins.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Harold Perkins Jr.
Lavonte David is returning to Tampa on another one-year deal, but the Bucs’ icon won’t be playing forever. Even if he comes back in 2025, Tampa needs to add more youth at linebacker in the NFL draft.
LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is a do-it-all workhorse whose pass-rushing skills would make him the perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ defense.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tetairoa McMillan
Pittsburgh hasn’t used a first-round pick on a wide receiver since 2006, when they selected Santonio Holmes. Time for the streak to end here.
The 6-5, 210-pound McMillan is a dynamic deep threat and red zone specialist who’d flourish as George Pickens’ running mate. No matter who Pittsburgh’s QB is in 2025, they’ll be in good hands with a McMillan-Pickens pairing.
15. Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka
We liked the Chargers’ pick of Ladd McConkey in round two, but they’re still short of a star weapon after losing both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.
Can’t hate on Jim Harbaugh for taking can’t-miss offensive tackle Joe Alt with his 2024 first-round pick. The receiver-heavy 2025 class allows the Bolts to get a playmaking receiver for Justin Herbert, who will love Egbuka’s speed and contested catch abilities.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kelvin Banks Jr.
With Cam Robinson set to hit free agency in 2025, this is the perfect opportunity for the Jaguars to snag his successor.
Pro Football Focus had Banks down for an 86.8 pass-blocking grade last season, and he hasn’t even hit his full ceiling yet. Banks would flourish as Trevor Lawrence’s blindside protector in Duval County.
17. Cleveland Browns: Mykel Williams
Some scouts rank Williams as the best prospect for the 2025 class. Of course, next year’s class could end well like the 2024 NFL draft, where it was a run-off of offensive players in round one.
At any rate, any team could use a run-stopping beast like Mykel Williams will be a day one starter wherever he lands. We just can’t think of a better fit than the Browns, where Williams would get to do plenty of havoc-wreaking alongside Myles Garrett.
18. Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks
The Rams have done a nice job rebuilding their front seven, but they’ll need to address the secondary next offseason.
Georgia safety Malaki Starks is steady in coverage and a machine in run defense. His ability to line up all over the field would make this a fun pick for Sean McVay, who loved using former All-Pro Jalen Ramsey in a variety of roles.
19. New York Jets: J.T. Tuimoloau
Haason Reddick has one year remaining on his deal, so the Jets will want to find a suitable edge-rusher replacement if the ex-Philadelphia Eagles star walks.
The 6-4, 270-pound Tuimoloau would give the Jets a long-term pass-rushing star to combat the long list of prolific quarterbacks in the AFC. If Robert Saleh gets another year in Gotham, Tuimoloau would be a grade-A fit for his defense.
20. Chicago Bears: Walter Nolen
The Bears offense is ready to go after bringing in Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Keenan Allen and D’Andrew Swift.
Now they can focus on adding more beef to an already scary-looking front seven that boasts Montez Sweat and Tremaine Edmunds. If Nolen were to land in Chicago, the Bears would have one of the NFC’s top pass-rushing tandems between him and Sweat.
21. Atlanta Falcons: Abdul Carter
Atlanta shocked everyone by taking Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. Not just because they already have Kirk Cousins but also because they sorely need edge-rushing help.
The Falcons haven’t had a player hit double-digit sacks in a season since 2016. One year after passing on the likes of Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu, the Falcons make things right by grabbing Penn State star Abdul Carter.
Finally, a sidekick for Grady Jarrett on the defensive line!
22. Miami Dolphins: Tacario Davis
Miami already has one of the league’s best corners in Jalen Ramsey, but he can’t shut down an entire defense by himself. Arizona Wildcats star Tacario Davis has great size at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and athleticism to develop into an All-Pro corner if they snatch him in the 2025 NFL draft.
23. Green Bay Packers: Jabbar Muhammad
The Packers appear set on the offensive side of the ball, so they may be eyeing the best defensive player available here.
Washington corner Jabbar Muhammad would be a nice sidekick for Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, who hasn’t had much support in the secondary over these last two years. Muhammad isn’t big at 5-10 and 183 pounds, but he has a nose for the football and makes up for his lack of size with excellent speed and football IQ.
24. Houston Texans: Nic Scourton
The Texans have two potent pass-rushers in Will Anderson Jr. and free agent pickup Danielle Hunter, but why stop there?
Head coach DeMeco Ryans knows better than almost anyone about the importance of loading up on pass-rushers, and Scourton would be a gem of a fit alongside Anderson and Hunter.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Barrett Carter
Eagles GM Howie Roseman loves loading up on pass-rushers. Why stop next year, especially if franchise legend Brandon Graham departs?
Carter would be a nice addition to a front seven that already features the other Carter, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Isaiah Bond
The Cowboys continue to search for a capable No. 2 receiver to help superstar CeeDee Lamb. Dallas is up against the cap, so it’ll be hard to swing a trade for a pricey veteran between now and next year’s NFL draft.
Patience would pay off for Jerry Jones and company by waiting until the draft to get a weapon like Isaiah Bond, whom the Cowboys would get on a rookie deal.
27. Buffalo Bills: Jack Sawyer
The Bills underwent a massive overhaul on defense this offseason. With Von Miller nearing the end of his career, Buffalo has to start loading up on young pass-rushers.
The Bills will likely eye an NFL-ready player who can produce right away. Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer could be the guy here. And you just know head coach Sean McDermott would love Sawyer’s leadership and work ethic.
28. Cincinnati Bengals: Colston Loveland
Tee Higgins won’t be a Bengal beyond 2025. That feels like a foregone conclusion.
So the Bengals need more young weapons to help Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland would complement Chase perfectly with his smooth route-running skills and ability to work the middle of the field and should be a decent pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
29. Detroit Lions: Ashton Gillotte
Aidan Hutchinson has been everything the Lions could have asked for, but they’re still lacking another explosive pass-rusher to accommodate the local kid.
Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte is tailor-made for the Lions’ “Bully Ball” identity constructed by Dan Campbell. Not only is he a force off the edge as a pass-rusher, but Gillote is also a top-tier run-stopper who could make Detroit’s D-line even more ferocious.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Emory Jones
Ronnie Stanley has struggled to stay healthy, and the Ravens should have a long-term replacement plan. Plus, the Ravens could use an upgrade at right tackle.
LSU’s Emery Jones has to clean up pass protection issues, but his dominance as a run-blocker would make him the ideal addition to Baltimore’s rush-heavy offense. Jones, Tyler Linderbaum and Roger Rosengarten would be a tremendous foundation to build the offensive line around.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Payton
It feels like the 49ers are always looking for that third monster on the front seven to complement superstars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Fortunately, next year’s pass-rusher-heavy NFL Draft opens up a prime opportunity to find a guy.
Florida State’s Patrick Payton could single-handedly take this 49ers defense to another level. If they have someone like him to guard against Patrick Mahomes, dare we say the 49ers could finally get over the championship hump.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Kenneth Grant
Chris Jones is the best defensive tackle in the game, and he’s willed the Chiefs to consecutive Super Bowl championships. But we can’t help but wonder how much scarier the defense would be with another game-wrecking stud to help Jones on the interior defensive line.
Kenneth Grant comes from a championship-winning program at Michigan and should be a day one starter. Jones won’t be playing forever, so this would be an opportune time for Kansas City to draft + develop his successor and have Grant ready to take the torch as the team’s new leader on defense.
