With the NFL and college football seasons in full swing, each passing week delivers clarity on emerging prospects and glaring team needs. Prospects are rising and falling, and NFL teams are establishing whether they're contenders or pretenders. Struggling franchises like the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants may already have an eye pointed toward the 2025 NFL Draft.
We're months away from crucial pieces of the puzzle such as the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, but it's never too early to peek at the potential board on night one. Considering scheme fits, team needs, and prospect evaluation, we've delivered our latest first-round NFL mock draft scenario.
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. Carolina Panthers
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
The Carolina Panthers are moving on from Bryce Young. That much was essentially confirmed when head coach Dave Canales decided to bench him ahead of Week 3. Canales will get a chance to draft his quarterback, and Georgia's Carson Beck is a high-floor option that can quickly execute an NFL offense.
2. Denver Broncos
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Garett Bolles is a free agent after the season and the Denver Broncos could move on from the aging veteran. If so, they'll use this pick to continue investing in rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Kelvin Banks Jr. would project as an immediate replacement.
3. New York Giants
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
If the New York Giants are picking this high, there's a good chance they benched Daniel Jones down the stretch to prevent injury guarantees from being triggered. There will also likely be a new general manager, and maybe head coach, as well. Shedeur Sanders is the most talented passer in all of college football and has the strong-willed personality required to survive the media in East Rutherford.
4. New England Patriots
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The New England Patriots have been far more competitive than anyone imagined they'd be through three weeks. The future still belongs to Drake Maye, and that means improving this supporting cast. Will Campbell screams franchise left tackle.
5. Tennessee Titans
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
The Tennessee Titans could consider a QB here if Will Levis doesn't start showcasing improvement, but it's a tad early in the season to make that projection. The edge rusher spot opposite Harold Landry is a big-time need. A rare athlete for the position, Abdul Carter would thrive in Dennard Wilson's aggressive defense.
6. Washington Commanders
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Washington Commanders' need to upgrade their cornerback room has been painfully evident through two games. Emmanuel Forbes hasn't met expectations and Dan Quinn will want a cornerstone he can build his secondary around. Will Johnson can execute man and zone coverage schemes alike with high-end ability.
7. Las Vegas Raiders
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers has displayed the necessary improvement this season, proven by his big-time win at The Big House. Gardner Minshew is just a bridge-type filler QB until the Raiders are in a position to pick their signal-caller of the future.
8. Indianapolis Colts
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Chris Ballard may no longer be the GM if the Indianapolis Colts are picking this high, but the next decision-maker would still need to focus on upgrading this room. Benjamin Morrison is an elite technician who would be plug-and-play opposite JuJu Brents.
9. Los Angeles Rams
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Cooper Kupp is facing a multi-week injury. Given his age, injury history, and cap number (nearly $30 million in 2025), there's a real chance the Los Angeles Rams decide to move on. If so, Sean McVay will want a replacement to prevent the offense from being overly reliant on Puka Nacua. Tetairoa McMillan would offer McVay something different as a big-bodied prototypical "X" that moves incredibly well for his size.
10. Arizona Cardinals
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
The Arizona Cardinals' need for edge-rushing talent is evident. The season-ending injury to BJ Ojulari was a crushing blow. Mykel Williams is still developing his technique as he continues figuring out what his permanent position will be, but Jonathan Gannon is the perfect coach to continue developing him into the game wrecker he can be at the next level.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Whether Travis Hunter plays wide receiver or cornerback at the next level, I'd argue the Jacksonville Jaguars could use either one. I can see Hunter petitioning to play wideout, but he'd be a great fit at corner next to Tyson Campbell for DC Ryan Nielsen, who develops CBs as well as any coach in the league.
12. Chicago Bears
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
The Chicago Bears would seriously consider an IOL here if one emerges as being top-15 worthy, but for now, they go with a premium talent at a position of need. Solving the issue opposite Montez Sweat requires investing significant capital. James Pearce Jr. would complete what's otherwise a very good DL.
13. Cleveland Browns
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Deshaun Watson is an expensive problem for the Cleveland Browns and they need to figure out a way to make it go away. Worst case scenario, he becomes the most expensive backup QB in league history. Jalen Milroe is absolutely thriving under the tutelage of Kalen DeBoer this season, and his glow-up has him entering the first-round conversation.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
A dominant 3-tech would really complete this unit for Brian Flores. Dallas Turner and Jonathan Greenard were a good start to rebuilding in the wake of Danielle Hunter's departure. Now imagine they had a dominant inside presence like Mason Graham to free them up more consistently.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for a long-term running mate at boundary corner opposite Joey Porter Jr. Denzel Burke is an aggressive corner who speaks Mike Tomlin's language.
16. Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
Both left and right guard have been a problem for the Seattle Seahawks through two weeks. Christian Haynes is the future right guard, but a succession plan is also required on the left for Laken Tomlinson. Tyler Booker is a physical finisher who plays Mike Macdonald's brand of football.
17. Miami Dolphins
Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky
Miami Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver appreciated coaching Nnamdi Madubuike in Baltimore last season. A talent like that would really transform his defense in Miami. Deone Walker is a quick-footed 3-tech that's cut from that cloth.
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
I can see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers investing this pick in the secondary. Zyon McCollum is enjoying a breakout season, but the depth chart at cornerback is fairly thin. Maxwell Hairston is a ball hawk who had 11 pass breakups and five interceptions last season. He's a playmaker who thrives in zone coverage schemes.
19. Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
Jim Harbaugh opts for a talent he's familiar with in Michigan's Kenneth Walker. Harbaugh is building a hard-nosed ground-and-pound team that plays suffocating defense. Grant fits the culture.
20. New Orleans Saints
Kyren Lacy, WR, LSU
The New Orleans Saints have been the biggest surprise in the league with an outstanding offense. Rashid Shaheed is emerging as a legitimate threat, but a third receiver for OC Klint Kubiak to run 11 personnel more confidently would further transcend this offense. Keeping LSU's Kyren Lacy in state would be a major win.
21. Atlanta Falcons
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., the Atlanta Falcons are super invested in their QBs. That means building the supporting casts, and there isn't enough at receiver behind Drake London. Luther Burden III would give them a different type of receiver as an elite slot that quickly uncovers.
22. Green Bay Packers
Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst loves his Georgia Bulldogs and I can see him falling in love with Jalon Walker. A twitched-up versatile front-seven defender, Walker is explosive with a high-upside skill set that's still being molded.
23. New York Jets
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Cam Ward is the most improved QB in the nation with 1,035 passing yards and 11 TDs through three games. Aaron Rodgers is operating on a year-to-year basis and 2025 isn't guaranteed. The Jets need to take a shot on a succession plan and Ward would be a worthy gamble if he lasts this long.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Tee Higgins won't return to the Cincinnati Bengals next year and Mike Gesicki is on a one-year contract. Colston Loveland would join a young supporting cast behind Ja'Marr Chase that also includes Andrei Iosivas and Jermaine Burton. Loveland is the straightforward TE1 with easy movement skills and route-running ability.
25. Dallas Cowboys
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Reuniting with Ezekiel Elliott was a temporary solution after the Cowboys failed to land their RB of the future in last year's draft. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty has emerged as a potential Heisman underdog after rushing for 267 yards and six TDs against Georgia State, and he followed that up with 192 yards and three more tuddies versus Oregon. He would certainly solve the Cowboys' current rushing woes.
26. Baltimore Ravens
Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Ravens may miss the sack production provided by Jadeveon Clowney last season. Odafe Oweh is off to a fast start, but the jury remains out on David Ojabo, who has overcome a ton of adversity. Nic Scourton recorded a sack against Notre Dame for Texas A&M and should continue emerging as a first-round pass rusher.
27. Philadelphia Eagles
Tate Ratledge, IOL, Georgia
Is Mekhi Becton the long-term solution at right guard? Georgia's Tate Ratledge has starting potential. Ratledge combines physicality with advanced football IQ.
28. Houston Texans
Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
I'm not sure defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans could pass on the value offered here. Yes, the Texans drafted Calen Bullock in the third round last year, but Malaki Starks is so much more than a safety. He's a defensive chess piece that would thrive in Ryans' defense.
29. Detroit Lions
Walter Nolen, IDL, Ole Miss
Aidan Hutchinson is playing great, but his production would consistently skyrocket if the Lions had a better pass rusher on the interior. I loved the addition of DJ Reader, but he's more of a space eater. Walter Nolen has already flashed a ton of power and first-step quickness for the Ole Miss Rebels this season.
30. Buffalo Bills
Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State
Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin are a less-than-ideal safety tandem in Buffalo right now. It's going to be difficult to beat their arch nemesis Chiefs in the playoffs with this secondary. We'll see if Cole Bishop emerges at some point. Penn State's Kevin Winston Jr. is a long and rangy playmaker.
31. San Francisco 49ers
Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Colton McKivitz is not the long-term answer at RT for the San Francisco 49ers. He'll be entering another contract year next season, and Kyle Shanahan could consider a succession plan. Emery Jones Jr. is a natural right tackle with firm hands and a strong anchor.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Martin, LB, Oklahoma State
The Kansas City Chiefs often use the draft to replace home-grown talent they can't afford to give a second contract. That may be the case with pending free-agent linebacker Nick Bolton. Nick Martin would cover every blade of grass for Steve Spagnuolo.
