When you talk about the best NFL Draft analysts in the business, Dane Brugler from The Athletic is largely considered the best out there. Brugler recently put out a new first round 2025 NFL mock draft, and there was a lot to digest on that piece.

We saw some of the typical names, and there weren’t a ton of shockers early on in the draft order. There were, however, several intriguing inclusions in that first round. With how well Brugler is plugged in on the NFL level, it’s important to take note of some of those surprising players.

Here are some of the more bizarre, or unique selections that we saw Brugler include. They aren’t names you have probably seen in a mock before, or at least not in this particular order.

One of the first major surprises wasn’t an unknown player. If you have frequented mock drafts the last several weeks, Georgia defender Jalon Walker has been in a mainstay in the round one conversation.

Brugler just had him higher than we have seen, coming in at the No. 6 selection to the New York Jets.

6. New York Jets: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia

There is a ton of unknown for the Jets organization as it turns the page to the 2025 offseason — time will tell how the new general manager and head coach will view the current roster. Edge rusher and linebacker might both be needs this offseason, though. With his athleticism at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, Walker can play either position at a high level.

With the future of Haason Reddick a little bit up in the air, Walker does feel like a player who would fit that role well. He has played both linebacker and on the edge for the Bulldogs, and brings incredible versatility to the table.

The next huge surprise is a newer name to some. With the No. 28 selection, Brugler had the Minnesota Vikings selected Purdue offensive lineman Marcus Mbow. Here is what he had to say about the Boilermaker star.

28. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Mbow, OT/G, Purdue

A prospect I expect to be a riser throughout the draft process, Mbow has impressive foot quickness and movement skills for his size, and his overall skill level continues to improve with each game. He might be able to stay at tackle in the NFL, but he also projects really well on the interior, which is where the Vikings could use him.

This one is actually one of my favorites in the entire mock draft. Mbow is a player who has been gaining steam around the league, but the media side hasn’t caught up to it much yet. That promises to change moving forward.

The depth of pass rushers does drop off after the top group, and Brugler had an interesting selection for the Buffalo Bills. With the No. 30 overall selection, they selected Marshall defensive end Mike Green.

30. Buffalo Bills: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

The Bills could look at wide receiver (Emeka Egbuka?) or secondary help here, but Von Miller’s future in Buffalo is unsettled — and it is never a bad plan to invest in more pass rushers.

Green is a tad smaller than what general manager Brandon Beane normally targets at the position, but he is a violent edge setter who uses his explosiveness to put heat on the quarterback.

This is admittedly much too high for Green, but he still projects as a upside pass rusher on the next level. How well he develops as a run defender will determine just how good this selection ends up being. The talent is up there, but development is greatly needed.

The last huge surprise in the first round was Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who went off the board No. 31 for the Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s what Brugler had to say about Collins, who was once a five-star recruit.

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas

Texas had a pair of defensive tackles selected in the top 40 last year, and it might have another one in 2025.

Collins (6-6 and 319 with 34 3/4 inch arms) has an imposing body type and has impressed scouts this season with his ability to create disruption against both run and pass.

This is a selection that I’m not a fan of, at all. Collins is incredibly talented from a physical perspective, but the production has never caught up to his talent. Betting on traits is important, but at some point, you need to see it consistently on the field.