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NFL Mock Draft 2025: Carson Beck edges Shedeur Sanders as top QB; Travis Hunter stays in top 10

09-03-2024
12 min read
(SN Illustration)

The 2024 NFL Draft is well in the rearview mirror, as all 32 teams are hoping for big things from their rookie classes. Now, it's time to focus on what types of talents each team can think about adding in 2025.

Despite six QBs going early in the first round this season, it's a safe bet that the position will once again be highly sought after next year, too. That's good news for Shedeur Sanders, Carson Beck, and Quinn Ewers, who figure to be three of the most intensely watched and debated prospects this season. 

Here's a look at Sporting News' latest first-round projections for next year, based on the reverse order of SN's post-preseason power rankings.

NFL Mock Draft 2025

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1. New England Patriots

  • James Pearce Jr. EDGE, Tennessee (6-5, 243 pounds)

The Patriots would pass on a QB at first overall after just taking Drake Maye, but they could use this rising, explosive pass rusher in the wake of trading Matthew Judon late in the preseason.

2. Carolina Panthers

  • Will Campbell, OT, LSU (6-6, 323 pounds) 

The Panthers used the No. 6 overall pick on Ikem Ekonwu in 2022, but he might be better suited for the right side, where current RT Taylor Moton is 30. Campbell can be a dominant pass protector right away for Bryce Young on the blind side.

3. New York Giants

  • Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (6-4, 220 pounds) 

The Giants should be looking to replace shaky Daniel Jones as their franchise QB, and Beck would be a fine way to move forward with Malik Nabers and the rest of a rebuilding offense.

4. Arizona Cardinals

  • Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (6-3, 318 pounds) 

The Cardinals desperately need an all-around backfield disruptor inside for Jonathan Gannon's defense, which is bound to have big struggles in 2024.

5. Las Vegas Raiders

  • Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 215 pounds) 

The Raiders are bridging with Gardner Minshew vs. taking another long look at Aidan O'Connell, which screams that they are waiting for their franchise QB early in 2025. Deion's son would be an appropriately Prime pick for Vegas with his dynamic passing skills.

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6. New Orleans Saints

  • Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (6-2, 204 pounds) 

Derek Carr isn't long to keep starting in New Orleans, and Spencer Rattler isn't anything close to a real replacement yet. The Saints need to also consider a new pocket passer early, and Ewers appeals with his accuracy and efficiency.

7. Denver Broncos

  • Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky (6-6, 345 pounds)

The Broncos also could use a massive upgrade on their interior front, and Walker comes with loads of special pass-rush upside, just in a bigger frame than Graham.

8. Minnesota Vikings

  • Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds) 

The Vikings will be thinking plenty about corner to round out Brian Flores' defense behind a loaded pass rush, and Hunter's size should be appealing in that aspect. He would also Kevin O'Connell a potential new weapon to help Justin Jefferson and J.J. McCarthy.

9. Seattle Seahawks

  • Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (6-2, 202 pounds) 

The Seahawks have some depth and stability concerns after 2023 first-rounder Devon Witherspoon, and they can address that well next year with a potential shutdown bookend.

10. Indianapolis Colts

  • Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (5-11, 208 pounds) 

The Colts have Michael Pittman Jr. and have given themselves some other complementary receiving options, but they are badly missing someone reliable with open-field quickness. Burden can provide that well after the catch.

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11. Tennessee Titans

  • Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (6-0, 190 pounds)

The Titans have had trouble filling out corner with Caleb Farley being the latest first-round fizzle. Morrison is a well-rounded cover man who can make a ton of plays on the ball.

12. Washington Commanders

  • Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (6-4, 324 pounds) 

The Commanders need to get their long-term left tackle for rookie QB Jayden Daniels in Year 2, and Banks would be an ideal addition to their blocking scheme.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (6-1, 205 pounds)

The Jaguars have had some transitional issues at a key cleanup position. Starks is a classic all-around safety who covers like a corner and comes to hit in run support like a linebacker.

14. Cleveland Browns

  • Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M (6-4, 285 pounds) 

The Browns need to bring along a strong young complement to Myles Garrett, and they can tap into the Aggies' defense again for another high-ceiling pass-rush prospect.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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  • Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (6-5, 210 pounds)

The Buccaneers are seeing the combination of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin getting older and close to the end of their careers. This McMillan, not to be confused with the Jalen McMillan the Bucs drafted in 2024, can be the ideal heir apparent to Evans.

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16. Chicago Bears

  • Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (6-3, 250 pounds) 

Carter can give the Bears a versatile pass-rushing and tackling piece for Matt Eberflus' defense to boost Montez Sweat and their otherwise young rotation.

17. Miami Dolphins

  • Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia (6-5, 265 pounds)

The Dolphins lost Christian Wilkins in free agency this past offseason and need to target this kind of powerful, relentless, quick prospect to restore their inside pass-rush pop.

18. Los Angeles Chargers

  • Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (6-5, 245 pounds) 

This reunion of Jim Harbaugh with one of his big-time former Wolverines cogs is crazy good match. Greg Roman will need his new version of the Ravens' Mark Andrews for Justin Herbert's second year in the offense, and Loveland is a special wideout-like receiver in his own right.

19. Atlanta Falcons

  • Harold Perkins Jr., EDGE, LSU (6-1, 235 pounds) 

Matthew Judon was a good get for the short-term pass rush under Raheem Morris, but Judon is also 32 and the Falcons don't have much else to trust for outside pressure. Morris can use Perkins' versatile skills well over the field.

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20. Pittsburgh Steelers

  •  Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 205 pounds) 

Egbuka's quickness and reliable hands as a technically sound, natural route-runner would be the ideal complement to the field-stretching skill set of George Pickens.

21. Los Angeles Rams

  • Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU (6-3, 315 pounds) 

The Rams could his strength and power given long-time right tackle Rob Havenstein is 32 and backup Joe Noteboom is set to become a free agent next year.

22. New York Jets

  • Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon (6-0, 175 pounds)

The Jets could use a dynamic, quick route runner who can make big plays after the catch to better complement clear No. 1. Garrett Wilson.

23. Dallas Cowboys

  • Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan (6-3, 339 pounds) 

Veteran starter Osa Odighizuwa is a pending 2025 free agent next to Mazi Smith, and Grant's disrupitve skills are not far behind Graham's entering the Wolverines' season.

24. Buffalo Bills

  • Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 190 pounds) 

The Bills need to keep replenishing their cornerback coverage behind a deep pass rush, and Burke is ideal for Sean McDermott with his scheme and style versatility.

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25. Green Bay Packers

  • Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State (6-5, 260 pounds) 

The Packers know Preston Smith will turn 32 in November, and Eric Wilson is a pending 2025 free agent. That gives them a need for yet another versatile linebacker in his class, with Sawyer having solid pass-rush pop to go with elite play vs. the run.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

  • Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (5-9, 215 pounds) 

The Bengals are transitioning from Joe Mixon but might be disappointed in the split backfield results with Zack Moss and Chase Brown. Jeanty can clean things up as a trusty three-down option with a great blend of power and speed.

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27. Philadelphia Eagles

  • J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State (6-4, 270 pounds) 

Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham are free agents in 2025, and newcomer Bryce Huff will need some help with the pass-rush rotation continuing to be rebuilt. They can bring along this flashy prospect well in situational play to be productive like Haason Reddick once was for them.

28. Houston Texans

  • Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona (6-5, 330 pounds) 

Shaq Mason is 31 and top backup Kendrick Green is a free agent in 2025, so it makes sense for the Texans to already be thinking about bolstering their interior line again for C.J. Stroud and the running game. Savaiinaea is a natural inside pass protector with the frame to grow quickly as a reliable run blocker.

29. Baltimore Ravens

  • Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas (5-11, 190 pounds) 

The Ravens passed on bringing back Odell Beckham Jr. and need to develop a dynamic young deep threat to help Lamar Jackson better stretch field opposite Zay Flowers going forward.

30. Detroit Lions

  • Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State (6-5, 254 pounds) 

Payton packs a punch into his impressive frame and can be the nasty pass-rushing complement the Lions would love to have opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

31. San Francisco 49ers

  • Tyler Booker, G, Alabama (6-5, 352 pounds) 

Aaron Banks will be a free agent at left guard in 2025, and Booker would be a nice powerful replacement to fit well in Kyle Shanahan's blocking scheme with his quick feet and big, athletic frame.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

  • Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 290 pounds) 

The Chiefs need to think about the future at tackle beyond Chris Jones, and they can land this dynamic inside disruptor late to complete a massive run by Buckeyes first-rounders.