Three Round Way-Too-Early 2025 NFL Mock Draft features best returning College Football stars
The 2024 NFL Draft may be over, but let's be honest, it's always mock draft season. With this year's draft behind us and another few months without meaningful NFL games, it's time for a three round way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft! We'll be diving into the best retuning college football stars eligible to begin their […]
The 2024 NFL Draft may be over, but let's be honest, it's always mock draft season. With this year's draft behind us and another few months without meaningful NFL games, it's time for a three round way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft! We'll be diving into the best retuning college football stars eligible to begin their professional career in next year's NFL Draft!
We'll be drafting through the first three rounds (without compensatory selections included) reflective of all completed NFL trades through the end of the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft order is simply based on reverse order of current Super Bowl odds for next season according to Vegas, so if you want to complain about where your team is situated just call your favorite sports book. Let's jump in!
2025 NFL Draft Round 1
1. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., EDGE Tennessee
If James Pearce Jr. were in the 2024 NFL Draft class he would have been the first edge defender off the board at age 20. His pass rush pressure rate over 21% would have ranked first in this year's NFL Draft class among all edge defenders and defensive line prospects. At 6'5", over 240 pounds with great length, strength, speed, and bend, Pearce is a nightmare for opposing offenses.
Given the 2025 NFL Draft class is currently a bit lacking in the quarterback department expect an edge rusher to come off the board first. If James Pearce Jr. plays like he did last year it's going to be his name that we'll be hearing first on draft night. Just check out some of his highlights from A to Z Sports' very own James Foster in his post below. Even when Pearce doesn't force a sack he's always creating havoc somehow. The Panthers (and any other franchise picking first overall) would be making a mistake if they took any other player over Pearce.
2. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB Colorado
Despite missing a handful of games due to injury last year Travis Hunter had an incredibly special and productive season on both sides of the ball. The former number one overall recruit in the 2022 class snagged three interceptions, defended another half dozen passes, and allowed less than 57% completion rate when targeted playing cornerback. Then on offense he racked up over 700 receiving yards and five touchdowns in less than nine full games.
Hunter now has five career interceptions and has allowed a career completion rate of just 51% to opposing quarterbacks. While he could legitimately play both offense and defense in the NFL, Hunter likely ends up on the defensive side of the ball as an elite shut down cornerback. He would completely transform the Patriots' secondary the moment he' was selected.
3. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden, WR Missouri
Luther Burden posted a 99th percentile production profile in 2023 as a true sophomore, combining high volume dominance with efficiency better than any second year college receiver in the country. This former five star and top overall wide receiver recruit in his class is living up to the hype and could give the Broncos offense a major boost.
4. Washington Commanders: Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Will Johnson is a rare talent. He allowed an impressive 29.1 NFL passer rating last season (according to PFF), completely shutting down opposing quarterbacks. He snagged four interceptions on just 38 targets thrown his way and defended a few more. Johnson is firmly in the mix for CB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft class thanks to his dominance at outside corner. Even after selecting Mike Sainristil in round two this year the Commanders could use another elite cornerback like Johnson.
5. Tennessee Titans: Will Campbell, OT LSU
The Titans may have just selected JC Latham at offensive tackle this year, but that might not be enough to fix the offensive line issues in Tennessee. Drafting Will Campbell, the best returning left tackle in the nation, would allow Latham to switch back to the right side where he played all of his snaps at Alabama. Campbell has allowed just two career sacks on nearly 1700 snaps.at left tackle. He's a near lock for top ten draft capital already.
6. New York Giants: Quinn Ewers, QB Texas
Quinn Ewers took a huge step forward last season, looking like the former number one overall player in the 2021 recruiting class for much of the season. If he takes another step forward this fall Ewers should definitely be a round one selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. If you want to get an idea of what he brings to the table, here's every throw from Quinn Ewers in last year's victory over Alabama from Nash Talks Texas:
Ewers has all the arm talent, can make any throw, and even showed some decent mobility in the College Football Playoff game against Washington. He just needs to clean up a couple small things and take a few less sacks. But even if he doesn't improve this esason he would still be an immediate and significant upgrade over Daniel Jones for the Giants.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Graham, DL Michigan
Mason Graham is a huge part of the reason that Michigan finally won a national championship. As a true sophomore he led the Wolverines defensive line in snaps, pressures, pressure rate, and run stops. He was much more impressive than even his teammate Kris Jenkins who was just selected at pick 49 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Graham should be the anchor of the nation's best defensive front yet again this fall. He would be a no-brainer pick for the Cardinals here at seven.
8. Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck, QB Georgia
Thanks to the six-quarterback run in the first 12 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft the Raiders missed out on solidifying their future. They won't let that happen again in 2025. Carson Beck posted a top ten quarterback efficiency composite score (16-pronged production metric) among all power conference passers last season. If he takes one more step he may actually be the QB1 of the class.
9. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
The Saints basically just have Chris Olave and bunch of other guys who shouldn't be starting in the NFL at wide receiver. After annihilating his competition last season for over 1400 receiving yards and 10 scores Tetairoa McMillan looks like he's the WR2 (at worst) for 2025. His ball skills, wingspan, and 6'5", 210-pound size make him a major match-up problem. The post below demonstrates that there's really no target McMillan can't haul in.
10. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
Benjamin Morrison has posted back to back elite coverage seasons for the Fighting Irish and should do it again in 2024. He grabbed six interceptions in 2022, then another handful last season. He's incredibly quick with great instincts and pass defending rate stats. The Vikings' one area where they could certainly stand to improve is cornerback and Morrison would fix that right away.
11. Seattle Seahawks: Kelvin Banks, OT Texas
Kelvin Banks stepped in from day one as the starting left tackle for Texas and never looked back. He was imperfect at times as a true freshman, but last fall only allowed one sack on nearly 1000 snaps. Banks and (the aforementioned) Campbell are really the only two options in next year's class for the top overall offensive tackle. They're both just ridiculously dominant and should be perennial Pro Bowl players.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M
Nic Scourton plays like he was shot out of a cannon. He's still developing, adding to his arsenal of pass rush moves, but pressured opposing quarterbacks on 16% of his pass rush snaps in 2023 for Purdue. His spin move is absolutely lethal. His strength and balance to finish are special. Even as teams began to key in on him later last season Scourton found ways to produce. There's a reason he was the highest rated transfer edge rusher this spring. Just see for yourself in the post below from NFL Draft Files.
13. Indianapolis Colts: Harold Perkins, LB LSU
Harold Perkins had an absolutely wild true freshman breakout season with over 40 pass rush pressures, 10 sacks, more than 50 tackles, and an interception. However, last season when thrust into a new defensive role he looked lost at times. Things have reportedly looked promising this spring at LSU, but given his ups, downs, and tweener size his range of outcomes is vast. Perkins could be one of the best linebacker prospects ever, or he could be a major let down if LSU's new defensive scheme isn't a fit for him this fall.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deone Walker, DL Kentucky
Defenders shouldn't be able to move the way the Deone Walker does at 6'6", 350 pounds. And he surprisingly doesn't line up at nose tackle too often for Kentucky. Instead he thrashes through opposing offensive guards and even executes quick stunts with teammates along the Wildcats front to create havoc on every play. Speaking to that point, Walker exploded for more than 50 pressures and eight sacks last year as an interior defensive lineman. Thoes are absolute near impossible numbers for a man his size. He's a plug and play potential All-Pro on any team.
15. Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka is just one season removed from putting up over 1200 yards and 12 total touchdowns while splitting work with Marvin Harrison Jr. for Ohio State when he was just a true sophomore. Injuries limited his 2023 season, but he's still the same five star talent that makes difficult catches look routine (as you can see in my post below from the Buckeyes spring game). Egbuka should be a lock to be a first round pick in 2025 and the Chargers still only really have one wide receiver as of now.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars: Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
Denzel Burke has been generating first round buzz for well over a year now. He was supposed to be a first round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but was part of the big Buckeyes contingent that chose to return to school in hopes of winning a national championship with their stacked roster. If they do win it all, Burke will be a big reason why. He's allowed a completion rate below 52% on more than 150 career targets defended over the last three seasons. Burke is a lockdown corner that the Jaguars certainly need.
17. Chicago Bears: Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Malaki Starks has led the Georgia defense in snaps for both of the last two seasons. A former five star elite talent, Starks could be the best safety prospect to come out in nearly a decade. He's racked up over 120 tackles, a dozen passes defended, and a handful of interceptions already. The Bears have Kevin Byard at free safety (for now), but Starks would likely plug in as a day one difference maker if they selected him.
18. Cleveland Browns: TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Nick Chubb is coming off a terrible injury and will be 29 before the 2024 season is over. TreVeyon Henderson exploded for nearly 1600 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns as a true freshman back in 2021 and is one of the most incredible players in college football today. Cleveland could keep him home in Ohio if they select him here.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Wyatt Milum, OT West Virginia
Wyatt Milum will have about 3000 snaps of experience at left tackle after his final season this fall. A former Top 100 recruit, Milum struggled as a true freshman at West Virginia, but since then has logged over 1600 snaps without allowing a sack of his quarterbacks. At 6'6", over 310 pounds, Milum has every trait needed to be a first round offensive tackle.
20. New York Jets: Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart is more than just a perfect QB name. He's a dual threat force with a rocket arm that can extend plays and make magic happen. He burst onto the scene back in 2021 for USC tossing four touchdowns and nearly 400 yards in his first game ever. Then struggled at times with turnovers in his first season with Ole Miss. However, he was fantastic in 2023, averaging more than 10 adjusted yards per pass attempt, tossing 23 touchdowns and adding 8 more on the ground.
Dart is the post-hype sleeper QB that everyone should be getting excited for this season. Ole Miss and the portal king Lane Kiffin have been adding weapons on both offense and defense all around him to make a push towards the College Football Playoff. If that happens there will be legitimate early first round buzz for Dart. He's right to ask 'Why not us?' in his hype video that just dropped today.
21. Atlanta Falcons: Dasan McCullough, LB Oklahoma
Dasan McCullough started out as an edge rusher for Indiana, but after he transferred to Oklahoma Brent Venables moved him to his famous hybrid "cheetah" role where he played a combination of off-ball linebacker and defensive back.
As highlighted in the post below, McCullough was perhaps the most important defensive player in Oklahoma's victory over Texas last year. He'll be an extremely important piece of the Sooners defense again in 2024. His versatility may get him drafted early.
22. Miami Dolphins: Walter Nolen, DL Ole Miss
Walter Nolen is a freak athlete that can line up anywhere along the defensive line and win. The former five star played a good portion of his snaps winning with force and quickness against offensive guards last year, but he also won lined up way outside offensive tackles in both the run and pass game too. Now that he's transferred to Ole Miss his role might shift a bit more exclusively to the interior of the defensive line but he should still dominate, inevitably earning first round draft capital in 2025.
23. Green Bay Packers: Isaiah Bond, WR Texas
If you look at Isaiah Bond's stats from his first two years at Alabama (just 888 yards and five touchdowns) one might think he isn't very special. But one look at his highlights here below and you'll likely understand the hype (highly recommend you mute the audio).
Bond should immediately slot into the primary vertical threat role for Steve Sarkisian's Texas offense this fall and find himself drafted early. The Packers will realize after this season that they don't actually have a single elite wide receiver on the roster and remedy that by drafting someone like Isaiah Bond.
24. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DL Michigan
Kenneth Grant should not be able to run or move like he does at more than 340 pounds. Watch him chase down a Penn State running back nearly 40 yards down field in the post below.
On top of his freaky size-speed combination, Grant somehow pressured quarterbacks more than 10% of the time despite quite often garnering double teams last season. He and Mason Graham headline the best defensive front in college football this season as two obvious future first round picks.
25. Dallas Cowboys: Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State
Ohio State easily has the best backfield in the nation for 2024. They already brought back TreVeyon Henderson, but then they decided to steal Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss too. Judkins has over 3000 yards from scrimmage and 34 touchdowns in his first two collegiate seasons. He may be even better than his elite teammate, Henderson. The Cowboys don't have a long-term answer at running back on their roster right now. They'll almost certainly grab one early in the 2025 NFL Draft.
26. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyleik Williams, DL Ohio State
Tyleik Williams was considered a potential first or second round pick by many for much of last summer and into the fall. Now he returns to push for a national championship with Ohio State. Williams is an absolute brute in stopping the run and adds some solid pass rush value when called upon. Over 60% of his tackles result in neutral or negative plays for the offense because he's just so infrequently moved off his spot in the run game, penetrating into the backfield quite often.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
There's virtually no debate. Colston Loveland is the most dynamic pro-ready tight end returning to college football this fall. He averaged about two full yards per team pass attempt, which was more than Brock Bowers last season. He accounted for over 20% of the Michigan receiving offense last year, and that number might be even higher in 2024. Loveland's raw totals might be lower with J.J. McCarthy now departed for the NFL, but his key rate stats and athletic profile will be near perfection. The Bengals get their tight end of the future here (Mike Gesicki is just on a one-year deal).
28. Buffalo Bills: Evan Stewart, WR Oregon
Evan Stewart got tired of his talents being wasted by Texas A&M so he decided to join Oregon where he'll play in the Troy Franklin role (nearly 1400 yards in 2023). Stewart is a far more physical and versatile receiver than Franklin, so the upside this season is unimaginably high. The Bills still need a wide receiver who can separate after drafting Keon Coleman. Stewart would be a great grab in the late first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
29. Detroit Lions: Tate Ratledge, OL Georgia
Tate Ratledge is the best returning interior offensive lineman in all of college football. He's allowed just one sack in his last 1600 snaps and has posted a career pass block efficiency rate over 99%. Players who project as guards-only don't usually go too early, but Ratledge should be the exception. The Lions would fill out their last needed offensive line spot here to push for a Super Bowl in the near future.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE Penn State
When good players get stuck behind early round NFL talents it can be hard to see just how special they are. Dani Dennis-Sutton has been sharing snaps with first round pick Chop Robinson and day two selection Adisa Isaac for two seasons, but now he's ready to be unleashed. He's already posted a career pressure rate near 15% through his age 18 and 19 seasons. Here he is (in the post below) last season making it look far to easy against the eventual national champions.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE Ohio State
JT Tuimoloau doesn't wow with high volume stats, but his presence is felt on every single play for Ohio State. A former five star stud with size and skills galore, JTT can line up anywhere along the defensive front for the Chiefs here, and his late first round contract gives them cheaper depth among edge defenders.
32. San Francisco 49ers: Ajani Cornelius, OT Oregon
When Ajani Cornelius transferred up from Rhode Island to play at Oregon it was unclear how well that transition would go, but Cornelius' key rate stats somehow improved even beyond their already elite levels! He finished with over 99% pass block efficiency and zero sacks allowed last year as one of the best offensive tackles in the sport. He's already logged over 2,300 snaps of experience now, and that should be near 3,000 when he enters the league. Although he's mostly played right tackle, he may eventually swing to the left side to replace the great Trent Williams for the 49ers if drafted here.
2025 NFL Draft Round 2
There will be more notes to come on round two and three players in the near future. For now, check out the next two rounds here to get familiar with some of the best returning players in all of college football who should be selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft!
33. Chicago Bears (via CAR): Shemar Turner, DL Texas A&M
34. New England Patriots: Nick Singleton, RB Penn State
35. Denver Broncos: Clay Webb, IOL Jacksonville State
36. Washington Commanders: Barion Brown, WR Kentucky
37. Tennessee Titans: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
38. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State
39. Arizona Cardinals: Parker Brailsford, C Alabama
40. Las Vegas Raiders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT Oregon
41. New Orleans Saints: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
42. Buffalo Bills (via HOU-MIN): Tacario Davis, CB Arizona
43. Seattle Seahawks: Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Barrett Carter, LB Clemson
45. Indianapolis Colts: Patrick Payton, EDGE Florida State
46. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ollie Gordon, RB Oklahoma State
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Bear Alexander, DL USC
48. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Booker, IOL Alabama
49. Chicago Bears: Landon Jackson, EDGE Arkansas
50. Cleveland Browns: Jaishawn Barham, LB Michigan
51. Carolina Panthers (via LAR): Jabbar Muhammad, CB Oregon
52. New York Jets: Luke Lachey, TE Iowa
53. Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia
54. Miami Dolphins: Mason Taylor, TE LSU
55. Green Bay Packers: Emery Jones, OT LSU
56. Houston Texans: Donovan Jackson, IOL Ohio State
57. Dallas Cowboys: Deion Burks, WR Oklahoma
58. Philadelphia Eagles: Xavier Watts, S Notre Dame
59. Cincinnati Bengals: Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina
60. Buffalo Bills: Jonah Monheim, OL USC
61. Detroit Lions: Tre Harris, WR Ole Miss
62. Baltimore Ravens: Earnest Greene, OL Georgia
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Quincy Riley, CB Louisville
64. San Francisco 49ers: Howard Cross III, DL Notre Dame
2025 NFL Draft Round 3
65. Carolina Panthers: Dontay Corleone, DL Cincinnati
66. New England Patriots: Jack Sawyer, EDGE Ohio State
67. Denver Broncos: Donovan Edwards, RB Michigan
68. Washington Commanders: Blake Miller, OT Clemson
69. Kansas City Chiefs (via TEN): Sonny Styles, LB Ohio State
70. New York Giants: Trey Zuhn III, OT Texas A&M
71. Arizona Cardinals: Antonio Williams, WR Clemson
72. Las Vegas Raiders: Nic Anderson, WR Oklahoma
73. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Baron, EDGE Louisville
74. Jacksonville Jaguars (via MIN): Kevin Winston Jr., S Penn State
75. Seattle Seahawks: Danny Stutsman, LB Oklahoma
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jahdae Barron, CB Texas
77. Indianapolis Colts: Ben Yurosek, TE Georgia
78. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sebastian Castro, CB Iowa
79. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Etienne, RB Georgia
80. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE Louisville
81. Chicago Bears: Jay Higgins, LB Iowa
82. Cleveland Browns: Trey Moore, EDGE Texas
83. Los Angeles Rams: Derrick Moore, EDGE Michigan
84. New York Jets: Squirrel White, WR Tennessee
85. Atlanta Falcons: Domani Jackson, CB Alabama
86. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Tez Johnson, WR Oregon
87. Green Bay Packers: Rylie Mills, DL Notre Dame
88. Houston Texans: Malachi Moore, S Alabama
89. Dallas Cowboys: Nazir Stackhouse, DL Georgia
90. Philadelphia Eagles: Kaimon Rucker, EDGE North Carolina
91. Cincinnati Bengals: Jonah Savaiinaea, OL Arizona
92. Buffalo Bills: Jalon Walker, LB Georgia
93. New York Jets (via DET): Keon Sabb, S Alabama
94. Baltimore Ravens: Smael Mondon, LB Georgia
95. Kansas City Chiefs: Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
96. San Francisco 49ers: Oronde Gadsden II, TE Syracuse
And there you have it, the first 96 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft in this exact order with 100% accuracy guaranteed (kidding, kind of). If you enjoyed this piece or would like to tell me just how wrong I am you can find me on X @FF_TravisM. And make sure you're following A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
