Finding a franchise quarterback is the best outcome that can be achieved in the NFL Draft. When the top-tier quarterbacks are being paid in excess of $50 million annually, the selection of a rookie making around $5 million is the ultimate bargain. There are different levels of play to be expected of a rookie quarterback, however.
First, there are teams that win because of its quarterback play. Houston witnessed this last year with the selection of C.J. Stroud. The players having success are those who process and get the ball out quickly, but also those who do not make the poor decisions that cause a team to lose. For those reasons, more and more teams are willing to take a chance on traveled veterans who have shown those qualities: Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, etc ... Each of those players has had varying levels of success in 2024. Early returns on Jayden Daniels indicate that he may be one of those players as well.
Then, there are quarterbacks with which a team can win. These players need a good support system and assistance from play-calling. They do not necessarily create explosive plays in the pass game, but they are consistent and do not cost a team chance at victory. Denver was probably hoping that Bo Nix fell into this category.
Finally, there are quarterbacks who will lead their team to defeat. Will Levis has been the perfect example of that in Tennessee this year. However, he also led his team to victory last season on more than one occasion, which is what led them to invest in him this offseason. Carolina evidently believed Bryce Young fell into this category or they would not have benched him.
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Teams can win with that middle tier of quarterback, but everyone is chasing the top tier. Being in position to pick No. 1 overall does not guarantee that a team correctly identifies that player. Neither Stroud nor Daniels were the first quarterback taken in their respective drafts.
Which lucky team will find that difference-maker in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order as of Thursday morning.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Carson Beck
QB
Georgia
• Sr
• 6'4"
/ 220 lbs
The Panthers have made the decision to bench former No. 1 overall selection Bryce Young. Two seasons would usually be too early to toss in the towel on an investment of that magnitude, but future outlook is pretty bleak. It may be in the franchise's best interest to admit it is a sunk cost and move on.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
James Pearce Jr.
EDGE
Tennessee
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 243 lbs
I am not quite to the point of moving on from Will Levis yet. He makes some back-breaking plays that have cost his team games. However, he is also moving the ball downfield and scoring points. There are worse situations that they could be in at the position; see No. 1 overall. If Levis does not show improved decision-making before the end of the season, then the Titans could absolutely be in that conversation.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Will Johnson
CB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 202 lbs
New York should be set at edge rusher with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux. If mock drafts are going to be based on what we learned the previous week, then Daniel Jones actually played pretty well. Is it likely that he continues to play at that level for the rest of the season? No. But, I thought I would give Giants fans a break from seeing a quarterback linked to their team for a week.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Mykel Williams
EDGE
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
The Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. When picking this high, a team should pick the best player available and that may be Mykel Williams. New England does need another pass rusher after trading Matt Judon prior to the season.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Mason Graham
DL
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 320 lbs
Denver's defense has performed above expectation, but the talent of that unit could still be elevated. Mason Graham is stout at the point of attack, but he has also shown an ability to get off blocks and pressure the quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
LSU
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 323 lbs
Jacksonville is a team missing its identity right now. The Jaguars are headed down a path of big changes if the ship's course is not corrected by the end of the season. One area in which they could start fresh is left tackle as Cam Robinson is in the final year of his contract.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Colorado
• Sr
• 6'2"
/ 215 lbs
The Raiders have been one of the league's most volatile teams; first beating a solid Ravens teams and then losing to the woeful Panthers. There are ongoing public conversations about the starting quarterback so Las Vegas leaves little to the imagination and takes Shedeur Sanders.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Deone Walker
DL
Kentucky
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 345 lbs
Jonathan Gannon had uniquely framed interior defenders as the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. They simply need more talent and Deone Walker would help the situation.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
The Colts chase of a top-flight cornerback finally comes to a conclusion with the selection of Benjamin Morrison in the first round. The room looks a lot better if JuJu Brents and the rest of the young unit slides down a spot on the depth chart.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Abdul Carter
EDGE
Penn State
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 252 lbs
Chicago probably prefers to address the offense with this selection given the under-performance on that side of the ball thus far. The Bears could still benefit from a dynamic pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Colorado
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 185 lbs
Washington appears to have found their quarterback because Jayden Daniels has been sensational. Terry McLaurin is finally producing the way many expect from a player of his caliber. Travis Hunter Jr. can create explosive plays opposite McLaurin.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 336 lbs
Jonah Savaiinaea has played right tackle for Arizona but the expectation here is that he moves inside at right guard. It may be too early to take a guard, but it is a position of need for Miami.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Quinn Ewers
QB
Texas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 210 lbs
Cleveland needs to figure out its quarterback situation. The Browns have invested a lot of money in Deshaun Watson and his play on the field has been limiting. I still have my reservations about Quinn Ewers, but the Browns need a change. Yes, Watson is making a lot of money, but Cleveland has pushed out of a salary cap space, so you are mistaken if you do not think they can afford a $3.5 million salary cap hit for a rookie, especially when they would have to pay any draft choice that money.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Missouri
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 205 lbs
Chris Godwin has been Tampa Bay's most effective pass catcher this season so the Bucs may not be comfortable allowing him to walk after the season. The reality is that he is a free agent and the team could add a dynamic player at a lesser cost.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Denzel Burke
CB
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 193 lbs
Darious Williams is one of many Rams on the injured reserve. It was always a longshot that both he and Tre'Davious White would stay healthy over the course of the season, which leads to the selection of Denzel Burke.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 245 lbs
Jim Harbaugh brings another Wolverine to Los Angeles. Colston Loveland gives them more pass catching at the position and also provides more accountability as a blocker.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
Rayshawn Jenkins is nearly 31 years old and Seattle could move on and save over $5 million while still getting one of the most instinctual players in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Walter Nolen
DT
Ole Miss
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
Atlanta has some older players on its defensive front. The investment in Walter Nolen, who is a rising talent, hopefully gives them some stability in the unit for many years.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 212 lbs
Tetairoa McMillan is probably a luxury for the Saints given how well Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed have performed, but New Orleans now has the capability to effectively go three wide.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Emeka Egbuka
WR
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
Calvin Austin III's surge in Week 3 was a welcomed development. If Roman Wilson can step up before the season's end, then Pittsburgh may have something to work with at the position, but Emeka Egbuka is more consistent than anyone they currently have in that role.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'3"
/ 327 lbs
Minnesota is exceeding expectations and getting contributions from players unknown to the average fan. If the Vikings add more talent on that side of the ball, then they theoretically have an even higher ceiling to reach.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Boise State
• Jr
• 5'9"
/ 215 lbs
The Ezekiel Elliott-Dalvin Cook era is washed away with the selection of Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty has good vision and burst as a runner, but also contributes in the pass game.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Nic Scourton
EDGE
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 285 lbs
Myles Murphy has not panned out as a first-round selection and Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract or to be traded. The future of the position is unclear and the presence of Nic Scourton at least gives them an option.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Jalon Walker
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 245 lbs
Green Bay's offense looks as though it will have success no matter who is taken out or put into that offense. The confidence in that side of the ball allows the front office to funnel assets towards the defense. Jalon Walker is one of the more talented players in this draft class.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Jack Sawyer
EDGE
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 260 lbs
The emergence of Will McDonald IV and presence of Jermaine Johnson may render this pick unnecessary by the end of the season. It does not seem as though Haason Reddick is going to report this season, so they may have to consider alternative plans moving forward.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Evan Stewart
WR
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 175 lbs
Stefon Diggs is going to be a free agent after the season. It is entirely possible that Houston is satisfied moving forward with Nico Collins, Tank Dell and John Metchie at the position, but let's consider the selection of Evan Stewart to give them another threatening outlet in that offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Texas
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Ronnie Stanley will turn 31 around the start of free agency. If not for his injury history, the franchise could move forward with him in that role. However, combined with the other offensive line concerns, Baltimore may want to move on now and start fresh.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Landon Jackson
EDGE
Arkansas
• Sr
• 6'7"
/ 280 lbs
Philadelphia got a little more out of its defense this week, which is a positive, but the future of Brandon Graham and the organization's historic over-investment in the position suggests that the Eagles could once again return to the well. Landon Jackson is a lengthy player who is still ascending as a result of receiving more live repetitions post-Alabama transfer.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
JT Tuimoloau
EDGE
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 269 lbs
Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes are on injured reserve. The concern with Davenport has always been his inability to remain available. Detroit may have to address the position yet again this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Utah
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 236 lbs
Matt Milano has missed the better portion of two consecutive seasons. It could be a fluke and Milano is fine the next two years under contract, but the Bills may want to consider the alternative and start grooming his replacement now.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
LSU
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 315 lbs
Trent Williams is a difference-maker as long as he wants to play. Right guard Dominick Puni looks like a solid draft pick on Day 2. Emery Jones Jr. replacing Colton McKivitz should be an upgrade in theory.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 190 lbs
Teams are looking for length in the secondary, and the Chiefs are no different. They have always been able to underinvest and overdeliver at the cornerback position, but perhaps they break tendency and take a lengthy cornerback, like Tacario Davis, in the first round.
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