A year ago, we were all in awe of what Jayden Daniels was doing. He went from a likely Day 3 pick before the 2023 season to smack dab in the running for QB1. He ended up going No. 2 overall to Washington, and has outplayed every other rookie (QB or anyone else not named Brock Bowers), which just reinforces the idea that trying to predict how college quarterbacks will play at the next level might not be a fool's errand, but they're probably in the same neighborhood.
I mention all that because this quarterback class, at least from the middle of November, can kindly be described as underwhelming. Right now, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the best bets to go in the first round, though they'd be no higher than QB4 in the 2023 class. But demand drives the NFL offensive economy, which is why both players could be off the board by the fifth pick.
Also, unlike a year ago, expect a heavy dose of defensive players. Edge rusher Laiatu Latu was the first defender drafted back in April, and he lasted until pick No. 15. Good luck finding 14 offensive players with first-round grades, at least as we sit here now. Of course, we have more than 150 days until the actual draft, and still a month of the college football season, and then the all-star games -- a lot can change. For now, enjoy.
FYI: The draft order below was determined using the current 2025 NFL Draft order ahead of "Monday Night Football." To check out the sportsbooks' odds on who will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, head on over to FanDuel sportsbook.
OK, let's get to it.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Travis Hunter
ATH
Colorado
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 185 lbs
This team has needs up and down the roster -- including offensive tackle -- but Travis Hunter is not only the best two-way player in recent memory, but he's also the best player in this class. The Jags could use upgrades at both cornerback and wide receiver, so Hunter checks two boxes for one of the most disappointing teams in the league.
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Mock Trade from
Tennessee Titans
Round 1 - Pick 2
Colorado
• Sr
• 6'2"
/ 215 lbs
The Daniel Jones experiment is almost certainly over after his benching, so the Giants decide to trade up, leapfrog the Raiders and get their next franchise QB. And while Sanders' father has made it known he will (understandably) have a say on where his son lands, New York feels like a natural fit. In part because it's the biggest media market in the country, and in part because of Brian Daboll's track record with helping to develop Josh Allen.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Cam Ward
QB
Miami (FL)
• Sr
• 6'2"
/ 223 lbs
Jameis Winston has been fun, at times, but he's not the long-term answer in Cleveland. And now that they have the No. 3 overall pick, there are no concerns, perceived or otherwise, that Shedeur Sanders would be inclined to pull an Eli Manning instead of heading to northern Ohio for his first job out of college. That means Cam Ward could very well be the Browns' QB of the future. No player has improved more throughout his career than Ward. He's gotten better playing on time and trying to minimize unnecessary hero ball, has a big arm and is incredibly athletic, both in the pocket and in the open field.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 212 lbs
The Raiders lose out on a QB, but they have a dire need to upgrade the WR room after shipping Davante Adams off to New York. Brock Bowers is already one of the best tight ends in the league, and Tetairoa McMillan gives them a Drake London-like threat on the outside. Now Vegas just needs to find that quarterback.
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Mock Trade from
New York Giants
Round 1 - Pick 5
Texas
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Banks is a junior who's going to keep getting better. LSU's Will Campbell has been more consistent over the course of the season, but we love Banks' upside. And if the Titans are rolling with Will Levis for another year, they need to continue to stock the offensive line with dudes.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
LSU
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 323 lbs
Credit to Drake Maye, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and an offensive line that has been held together with chicken wire and duct tape; all parties involved have exceeded expectations, but after neglecting the offensive tackle position in recent drafts, it certainly feels like the time is now, especially if Campbell is staring them in the face at No. 6.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Mason Graham
DL
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 320 lbs
It certainly sounds like Aaron Rodgers has every intention to play in 2025, but with each passing loss, we're of the opinion that if Ward or Sanders is still on the board, it probably behooves the Jets to draft Ward or Sanders. With both players gone, however, New York beefs up a defense that has gone from the best unit in the league to one with questions. Mason Graham has a chance to be special, and we love the idea of him lining up next to Quinnen Williams.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Abdul Carter
EDGE
Penn State
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 252 lbs
A freakish athlete who moved to edge rusher for the 2024 season, Carter is not Micah Parsons -- not yet, anyway -- but he's just scratching the surface on what he can do.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
James Pearce Jr.
EDGE
Tennessee
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 243 lbs
Woo boy. In the span of two months, this team has gone from division favorites and playoff contenders... to whatever they're putting on the field now. Who knows what this group looks like by the NFL Scouting Combine, but with four pass rushers, including Demarcus Lawrence, headed for free agency after the season, adding Pearce makes sense.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Will Johnson
CB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 202 lbs
Johnson was our top-rated player coming into the season, and he's been as good as advertised in 2024. The Saints shipped Marshon Lattimore to Washington and have needs at cornerback, and Johnson feels like a steal at No. 10.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Boise State
• Jr
• 5'9"
/ 215 lbs
Is this a vanity pick? Yeah! The Bengals defense has been invisible for large parts of the season, and the offensive line is perpetually in need of fixing... BUT, Jeanty is special, Cincy has depth concerns at running back, and in case we didn't make it clear, Jeanty is SPECIAL. He's in the same class as Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, who went No. 12 and No. 8, respectively, in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Jalon Walker
EDGE
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 245 lbs
Walker is listed as an off-ball linebacker but can line up anywhere ... and wreak havoc from anywhere.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Nic Scourton
EDGE
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 285 lbs
WR is near the top of the to-do list, but the Bucs have eight front-seven players in the final year of their current deals. Scourton feels like a Todd Bowles-type pass rusher, and he's had an impressive season for Texas A&M through 12 weeks
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Mykel Williams
EDGE
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
We would love to give the Bears an offensive lineman here, but this isn't the 2024 class. Instead, they get a twitched-up edge rusher who can be damn-near unstoppable when he's healthy. Love the idea of Williams bookend-ing Montez Sweat.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Deone Walker
DL
Kentucky
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 345 lbs
Offensive line could be a consideration here, but again, there isn't a ton of depth at tackle after Banks and Campbell, and it would be a surprise if any interior offensive lineman went off the board this early. Walker, meanwhile, might play with the strongest hands of anyone in this class; he consistently wins early in the rep and causes problems as a pass rusher because of his length, power and twitch.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
The Seahawks defense has been a liability against both the run and the pass, and Starks' versatility and athleticism make him a special talent; he can play in the box, in the slot or deep centerfield and be a game-changer at all three levels.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 339 lbs
This might sound familiar: offensive line would be a consideration ... but there's not much value at this point in the round. Instead, the Rams keep stockpiling playmakers on defense. Kobie Turner, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Jared Verse were all drafted in the last two years, and Grant has quietly been really good in the middle of Michigan's defense this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
East Carolina
• Sr
• 6'3"
/ 193 lbs
Revel is a long, athletic corner who moves like he's a much smaller, shiftier nickel back. He suffered an ACL injury earlier this fall, but he should be good to go by next season
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 245 lbs
Luther Burden III was an option here, but the Broncos offense, as currently constituted, is about getting the ball out of Bo Nix's hand as fast as possible, so Loveland feels like a perfect fit. He's a big middle-of-the-field target who also has legit YAC ability
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Texas
• Sr
• 5'11"
/ 200 lbs
Barron flashes every week for the Longhorns, and we get Brian Branch vibes when we watch him. Branch was a secomd-round pick because he ran in the 4.5s in the 40-yard dash; he plays much faster than that, should've been a first-rounder all day long, and is an example of overthinking what is staring you in the face.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Walter Nolen
DL
Ole Miss
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 305 lbs
Nolen lines up inside and over the tackle for Ole Miss, and while he's a twitched-up 290 pounds, he's also as strong as an ox.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Missouri
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 205 lbs
Yes, the Cardinals just drafted Marvin Harrison Jr., and Trey McBride has blossomed into one of the best young tight ends in the game, but Greg Dortch, Zay Jones and Zach Pascal are all on the the final year of their current deals. That, and Burden is a game-breakefr who feels like the perfect compliment to what Harrison and McBride bring to the passing game.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Emeka Egbuka
WR
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'1"
/ 205 lbs
With the addition of Marshon Lattimore, the secondary is less of a need. But with Dyami Brown, Noah Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus all on expiring deals, adding Egbuka would make a lot of sense. He does everything well and is a beast after the catch, reminding me a little of Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Arizona
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 336 lbs
Savaiinaea has split time between right and left tackle this season for Arizona, but his NFL future is likely inside, which would fit exactly what ails the Ravens O-line.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 290 lbs
Stewart plays all over the defensive line, and at 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, he reminds me of a first-rounder pick from a year ago: Mizzou's Darius Robinson, who had a great Senior Bowl week and was drafted by the Cardinals.
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Mock Trade from
Green Bay Packers
Round 1 - Pick 26
Jalen Milroe
QB
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
The Raiders currently have the 35th pick and will have an additional third-rounder as part of the Davante Adams trade. The point: the team likely won't have to give up a future first-rounder to move up nine spots. Either way, this is a gamble because after Ward and Sanders -- both of whom would've likely been no better than QB4 or QB5 in the 2024 class -- there's a lot of projection, even by QBs-graduating-to-the-NFL standards. But the Raiders desperately need a QB, so much so that general manager Tom Telesco, who never trades up ... does just that here.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Jalen Royals
WR
Utah State
• Sr
• 6'0"
/ 205 lbs
The Steelers have real needs at pass catcher behind George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth, especially looking ahead to 2025. Royals is an under-the-radar talent whose season was cut short at Utah State because of injury. He may not end up going this high, but I see a lot of Jayden Reed in his game.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 193 lbs
Igbinosun is still rough around the edges, but he's physical, plays with an edge and has the length and athleticism to consistently make plays on the ball at the next level.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'3"
/ 327 lbs
Williams has some twitch in his giddy-up. He plays with heavy hands, and his low center of gravity allows him to win the leverage battle early in the rep against interior offensive linemen. He plays with an incredibly active motor, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
South Carolina
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 227 lbs
Emmanwori is a tone-setter both in the secondary and coming downhill. He's an imposing physical presence who has a nose for the ball, including four interceptions through 12 weeks for South Carolina.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Tyler Warren
TE
Penn State
• Sr
• 6'6"
/ 261 lbs
We don't think Travis Kelce can play forever, and even if he can, Tyler Warren has accounted for roughly 75% of Penn State's offense (we're ballparking that, don't quote us), as a receiver, passer and runner. And with not much depth in this WR class, why not get one of the most productive offensive players in college football?
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Round 1 - Pick 32
JT Tuimoloau
EDGE
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 269 lbs
The Lions could go with defensive tackle or edge rusher here, and when he's locked in, Tuimoloau can be unstoppable at times. We'd like to see him play with more consistency, but he has a hair-on-fire approach to playing the position, which fits right in with what Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn are looking for.
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