As the 2024 NFL season approaches, it’s never too early to look ahead at the upcoming prospects and where they could land in the next draft cycle.
Here is a look at the first 32 picks of my 2025 NFL Mock Draft.
2025 NFL Mock Draft | Round 1
For the draft order, we used the free Pro Football Mock Draft Simulator, now equipped with a multi-user experience.
1) Carolina Panthers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
If the Carolina Panthers are picking at No. 1 overall again in 2025, then perhaps a discussion may need to be had as to whether or not Bryce Young should still be the quarterback of the future for this franchise.
Yet, head coach Dave Canales and the Panthers front office made a significant effort to surround their young signal-caller with talented playmakers last offseason. That would continue by drafting Missouri WR Luther Burden III at No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Burden has the type of explosive movement skills to be a dynamic three-level weapon on the field, which could play a nice complement to Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette on the perimeter.
2) Tennessee Titans: Emery Jones, OT, LSU
The Tennessee Titans could be in the market for a quarterback if the Will Levis experiment doesn’t go well in 2024, but they still have some gaps to plug along the offensive line — especially at right tackle.
Adding LSU OT Emery Jones would instantly give this unit a big upgrade at a position of need with his great physical profile, powerful punch in the running game, and outstanding ability to stonewall edge rushers when he lands his punch and drops the anchor in pass protection.
3) New England Patriots: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
This may upset New England Patriots fans who want to add a dynamic playmaker on the outside to help out Drake Maye, but Michigan DT Mason Graham projects as the type of impact player along the interior of the defensive line that could anchor the defensive unit for years to come.
Graham’s dense 318-pound frame, combined with his explosive first step and lateral agility, makes him a versatile weapon along the interior of the defensive line. He can hunt for favorable matchups and terrorize opposing offensive line units ill-equipped to handle a dynamic playmaker up front.
4) Denver Broncos: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Another team that could decide to invest high draft capital into the supporting cast around a rookie quarterback may instead choose to pass on a receiver. Instead, the Denver Broncos could elect to add Michigan standout cornerback Will Johnson to a secondary that already features Pat Surtain II.
Johnson’s 6’2”, 202-pound frame gives him great size and length for an off-man corner. His ball skills, combined with his instant acceleration and cat-like foot quickness, could create one of the best young CB duos in the NFL.
5) Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
In a day and age where quarterbacks tend to dominate the top of the draft board, the Las Vegas Raiders would be ecstatic to have a prospect like Georgia QB Carson Beck fall into their laps at fifth overall.
Beck checks many of the boxes that scouts covet with his prototypical size, live arm, and functional pocket mobility. He also has some off-script creation ability with flashes of operating within a structure. This would help elevate an offense that currently has the uninspiring options of Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell under center.
6) New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The New York Giants were considering drafting a quarterback in the previous draft cycle, and I could see Daniel Jones’ time as the starter in the Big Apple coming to an end if they pick at No. 6 overall for a second straight season in 2025.
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country when operating from a clean pocket, but his ability to extend plays with his functional athleticism shouldn’t be overlooked.
Sanders may not have an objectively elite amount of arm talent, but he possesses enough velocity to carve up opposing defenses outside the numbers and over the middle in the intermediate range of the field.
7) Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Arizona Cardinals did already invest second-round draft capital in CB Max Melton this year, but you simply can’t pass the opportunity to add a sticky, man coverage savant such as Benjamin Morrison to your secondary.
Morrison’s ability to mirror opposing receivers’ movements throughout the stem and at the breakpoint suggests he has elite reactive athleticism. His impressive footspeed and hip fluidity allow him to redirect his body weight and instantly accelerate back to a receiver’s hip pocket in trail technique — which makes him arguably the best man-cover corner in this class.
8) Washington Commanders: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Washington Commanders have two glaring needs on the roster entering the 2024 NFL season: Wide receiver and cornerback.
Well, Adam Peters and Dan Quinn could manage to address either position they like by selecting a versatile player like Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who legitimately could project as a first-round talent at either position.
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
Hunter is an electric athlete who has uncommon body control and movement skills for a player his size. His thinner frame could create some issues at cornerback, but his ball skills at that position make him a potential playmaker for a secondary in desperate need of help at cornerback.
9) New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The New Orleans Saints’ 2024 campaign should definitively answer whether the Trevor Penning experiment will expire after three seasons.
Even if Penning shows improvement, he’s not quite the prospect that LSU OT Will Campbell is at tackle.
Campbell showcases uncommon movement ability — namely, his acceleration, lateral agility, and quickness to climb to the second level in run-blocking schemes — for a player checking in at 6’6” and 320 pounds.
Despite not having elite length for a blue-chip tackle prospect, Campbell’s pros far outweigh his cons, and he would be a welcome addition opposite of Taliese Fuaga along New Orleans’ offensive line.
10) Minnesota Vikings: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
The Minnesota Vikings addressed the edge rushers of this defensive front throughout the 2024 offseason by adding Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner to potentially wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks in Brian Flores’ blitz-heavy scheme, but they could still use some help along the interior of the defensive line.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker possesses an immense amount of upside at a towering 6’6” 348 pounds.
You would think a player that size would act simply as a two-gap run stuffer, but Walker’s surprising first step and lateral agility make him a player with elite physical tools who can be dominant when he is dialed in.
If Walker can manage to stay a bit more disciplined with his pad level, we could be talking about a future Pro Bowler.
11) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
I have Georgia S Malaki Starks as the top player on my big board, which means the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should run to the podium if he falls all the way to 11th overall.
I’m fully aware the Bucs brought back Jordan Whitehead to join All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. on the back end of the secondary, but Starks’ elite athletic profile, box or single-high versatility, physicality in run support, and ball-hawking instincts could help elevate the Buccaneers’ blitz-heavy scheme that requires coverage versatility at safety, which Starks has in spades.
12) Seattle Seahawks: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald may not be very happy that Starks came off the board right before he could take him, but adding an explosive athlete like Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. to get after the quarterback isn’t a terrible consolation prize.
Having versatile pieces at linebacker, corner, and safety could allow Macdonald to continue to give opposing quarterbacks fits with his complex coverage schemes. However, the team doesn’t currently have an elite impact pass rusher, with Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, and Uchenna Nwosu leading the way.
The lengthy and twitchy Pearce could be the final missing piece for Seattle’s defense.
13) Indianapolis Colts: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
One could make an argument that the gap between Michigan TE Colston Loveland and the second-best tight end in this class is wider than any other top two prospects at any other position.
Loveland projects to be an instant impact player in the passing game as an impressive move tight end with formation versatility, route-running nuance, outstanding body control, and strong hands.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
This could be the final missing piece to elevating Shane Steichen’s offense among the elite units in the league as the Colts continue to build around Anthony Richardson.
14) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Steelers may be in the market for a quarterback if Russell Wilson or Justin Fields don’t make a compelling enough case to secure a second contract as the quarterback of the future in Pittsburgh.
Yet, I am still a believer in Justin Fields running Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offensive scheme at a high enough level to earn another year under center, which makes this addition Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan a slam dunk at No. 14 overall.
McMillian projects as an instant impact outside receiver with impressive suddenness and acceleration for a player at 6’5” 210 pounds. His body control and catch radius alongside George Pickens could make life treacherous on secondaries with smaller DBs who are ill-equipped to handle a dangerous contested-catch duo like this.
15) Jacksonville Jaguars: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Cam Robinson is on the final year of his deal and is set to turn 30 years old next year. This could put the Jacksonville Jaguars in the market for a starting left tackle this upcoming offseason, which would make Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. an exciting pick at No. 15 overall.
Banks has OT1-type of physical tools at 6’4” 324 pounds with excellent hip freedom, first-step explosiveness, flashes of lateral quickness, dislodging raw power, and proportional length.
Banks does need some refinement with his hand placement and his foot quickness confusingly looks a bit sluggish at times, but the sheer amount of physical tools and flashes of dominance make him an intriguing tackle prospect to add to this unit.
16) Cleveland Browns: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
The Cleveland Browns’ defense in 2023 was a tale of two different units. At home, they were historically dominant. On the road, they had issues slowing down opposing rushing attacks, allowing 118.1 rushing yards per game.
Defensive tackle may not hold the highest draft-day value, but keeping Buckeyes DT Tyleik Williams in the state of Ohio could instantly address a big position of need for the Browns.
Williams’ raw power and explosiveness can make opposing offensive lineman look foolish if they lose the leverage battle, which could instantly help shore up a position of need along the Cleveland front.
17) Los Angeles Rams: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
The Los Angeles Rams’ decision to part ways with Ernest Jones ahead of the 2024 NFL season certainly creates a bit of a hole on the starting roster at linebacker … one that LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr. could fill immediately.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
Perkins is an electric athlete with rare closing and recovery speed to hawk down speedy ball carriers or run the seam with receivers or tight ends in coverage. Additionally, he can be very dangerous as a pass-rushing threat from the edge or from depth when called upon.
Perkins’ one drawback is his lack of size at 6’1” 221 pounds, but the movement capabilities and playmaking upside would make him a great addition to this young defensive unit.
18) Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
The Los Angeles Chargers did manage to address the receiver room after the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams last draft cycle by selecting Ladd McConkey in the second round, but that doesn’t mean they should stop trying to add dynamic playmakers for Justin Herbert to this offensive unit .
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka has the type of formation versatility, route-running savvy, and RAC ability to make him a nice addition to this receiver room alongside McConkey.
19) Chicago Bears: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The addition of Montez Sweat to this defensive front last year paid big dividends and the organization has to be intrigued by the flashes of Austin Booker this preseason. However, that doesn’t mean this unit couldn’t use a little bit more juice on the edge — which is exactly what Penn State LB Abdul Carter brings to the table.
Carter is a rocked-up 250 pounds with a compact and explosive frame that displays overwhelming power and speed screaming off the edge.
The length and diversity in his pass-rushing arsenal is still a bit of a work in progress, but his physical tools give him an exciting amount of upside to add to this ascending defensive unit.
20) Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The addition of Matthew Judon certainly addresses a big position of need for the Atlanta Falcons entering the 2024 season, but doubling down on this position should give head coach Raheem Morris enough options along with Arnold Ebiketie to make Nic Scourton a formidable pass-rushing trio in the NFC South.
Scourton is a throwback edge defender at 6’4” 280 pounds with alignment versatility with his ideal length and overall mass to operate as a 5-tech, 7-tech, or 9-tech opposite of Judon.
The explosive power element Scourton makes this one of the better value picks of this mock draft.
21) Miami Dolphins: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
The interior of the Miami Dolphins line still has some question marks entering the 2024 campaign, but that could quickly change if this speedy offensive unit can add a physically dominant force like Alabama OG Tyler Booker up front.
Booker is a turbo-charged bulldozer who can dislodge even the most formidable nose tackles in the NFL with impressive power to forcefully move abnormally large human beings off their spot against their will. This is the type of physicality this unit needs up front to change its identity and impose their will in the running game consistently.
22) Green Bay Packers: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Green Bay Packers’ defense retooled the secondary with the additions of Xavier McKinney and Javon Bullard this offseason, but it could still use a competent 0-tech or 3-tech to operate alongside Kenny Clark, Karl Brooks, and T.J. Slaton.
This unit struggled to slow down opposing rushing attacks by giving up 127.1 rushing yards per game in 2023, which ranked 28th in the league.
This is where Michigan DT Kenneth Grant could make an instant impact, where he plays with uncanny leverage for a player at 6’3” 339 pounds. He may not be the most dynamic mover, but he could effectively man the A-gap and while demanding double teams if he manages to maintain his base a bit more consistently when working against combo blocks.
23) New York Jets: Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Hassan Reddick trade may yield laughably terrible returns if the New York Jets can’t manage to get it figured out with the veteran pass rusher, which makes adding a quality edge prospect a priority moving forward.
Georgia’s Mykel Williams is what an artificial intelligence app would likely create when trying to construct an ideal edge defender with quantifiably elite length, mass, size, and athleticism.
MORE: Simulate the Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
Williams isn’t a finished product as a pass rusher yet, but his ability to immediately contribute as a run defender paired with the toolsy upside he possesses make him a great addition to work opposite of Jermaine Johnson in this talented defense.
24) Houston Texans: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea may be listed as a tackle, but he does possess position versatility after spending plenty of time at guard during his collegiate career, which is where I think he could make the biggest impact in this Houston Texans offense.
Savaiinaea packs a wallop with his first punch and has surprising lateral agility as a pass blocker and climbing to the second level in the running game for a lineman at 6’5” 330 pounds. However, he is susceptible to pass rushers who effectively counter his overeager punches — a weakness which could be negated with a full-time move inside at the pro level.
25) Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
The Dallas Cowboys signing Dalvin Cook after the completion of preseason games to join Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn in the backfield isn’t exactly an encouraging sign that the 2025 starter at the position is currently on the roster.
The Cowboys aren’t shy about taking a running back in the first round when the talent is there, and it certainly is with Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins.
Judkins has exceptional vision and patience paired with ideal size and cat-quick acceleration in short areas, which makes for some excellent redirection in traffic when carving through opposing defenses.
26) Philadelphia Eagles: Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Howie Roseman loves to invest in the offensive and defensive line units on draft day and just happens to find a true replacement for future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce in the form of Alabama’s Parker Brailsford.
Brailsford has top-shelf athleticism for a center, who is adept at functioning in space and climbing to the second level of zone-based schemes regularly. Additionally, the football IQ is already incredibly high, which could make him an instant contributor at the NFL level if he can manage to add some additional strength and size this season and throughout the draft process.
27) Cincinnati Bengals: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
The Cincinnati Bengals have a collection of quality defensive pieces littered across the entire unit, but it doesn’t exactly have a surefire star on the roster at this moment. That could change with landing a talent Ohio State CB Denzel Burke, who provides this secondary with both run-support physicality and playmaking ability as a ball hawk.
Burke could push for a starting role quickly if DJ Turner II doesn’t improve quickly after an inconsistent rookie year.
28) Buffalo Bills: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
The Buffalo Bills’ defense has managed to stay afloat through a nasty case of the injury bugs over the last few seasons. Yet, they could take an even bigger step toward being one of the elite units in the league if they can find a consistent edge threat opposite of Greg Rousseau, which is why Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen feels like a great add at No. 28 overall.
Umanmielan has surprising acceleration for a player his size and displayed an ability to punish tackles who eagerly overset outside in pass protection with inside counters and spin moves. If he can manage to improve his speed-to-power arsenal, then he could be a pass-rushing force in this defense.
29) Detroit Lions: Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State
FSU edge Patrick Payton may not thrive as the top pass-rushing threat, but he can be an effective complementary option to an elite talent on the opposite side — which is why pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson has me very intrigued in the FSU star at No. 29 overall.
Payton is a twitchy and rangy edge player who has excellent lateral agility, quality torso bend, and surprising speed to provide a versatile pass-rushing option to run the arc opposite of Hutchinson.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
The losses up front for the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line this offseason still make this a position that could need to be addressed on an otherwise great roster, which makes experienced Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson an option at the end of the first round.
Jackson has an imposing physical frame at 6’4” 320 pounds coupled with ideal length to operate physically at the NFL level. He also showcases an advanced feel for sifting through stunts in pass protection, but he’ll have to clean up his hand placement and leverage issues to live up to his full potential at the next level.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
The San Francisco 49ers don’t have any glaring needs on the roster, which allows them to simply take the best player available — which happens to be East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. at this point of the draft.
Revel is a long and athletic corner who has plays with the type of reckless abandon in the running game you normally see from a box safety.
Revel projects ideally at zone corner who can click and close with the action taking place in front of him. And, if he can clean up his hands in press coverage and improve efficiency while working with his back to the ball on deeper passing attempts, he can contribute to a secondary early in his NFL career.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
The Kansas City Chiefs will have completed their quest for a three-peat if they are picking at this point in the 2025 NFL Draft, which gives them the opportunity to select an exceptional box safety who is a tackling machine with great processing ability like Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr.
The Chiefs have Brian Cook and Justin Reid as their current starting safety tandem entering the 2024 NFL season, but the latter is set to hit free agency this year. This could make Winston a more cost-effective replacement option who possesses a higher ceiling than Reid late in the first round.