Travis May 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 features best returning College Football stars in the nation
2025 NFL Draft? Is that a typo? Nope. Yes, the 2024 NFL Draft is still a couple months away and the debates are already raging. But instead of focusing on this year's draft we'll be taking a look ahead. This particular mock draft will highlight the best returning college football players in the nation set […]
2025 NFL Draft? Is that a typo? Nope. Yes, the 2024 NFL Draft is still a couple months away and the debates are already raging. But instead of focusing on this year's draft we'll be taking a look ahead. This particular mock draft will highlight the best returning college football players in the nation set to hear their names called in next year's NFL Draft!
We'll be drafting through the first round. Draft pick order is simply based on reverse order of initial 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 dive 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 the highest pass rush pressure rate (over 21%) among all edge defenders and defensive line prospects. Pearce wasn't just great at bringing pressure, he was also elite at finishing, posting the highest sack rate of any power conference edge defender in the nation last fall on his way to 13 sacks in total.
This shouldn't surprise those familiar with Pearce's game. He is explosive, strong, flexible, and creative off the edge. Here's a glimpse at how easy Pearce makes rushing the passer look on this quick sack below.
If Pearce can repeat or even exceed his 2023 season performance he might be an even better edge prospect than reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Will Anderson (drafted out of Alabama).
2. Tennessee Titans: Will Campbell, OT LSU
The Titans may very well try to address the offensive line this year in the draft, but landing the best offensive tackle in the 2025 NFL Draft would be a huge win either way. The 6'6", 325-pound monster of man in Will Campbell didn't give up a single sack last season despite his QB Jayden Daniels' high sack total on the year.
3. New York Giants: Will Johnson, CB Michigan
It's rare that we see a cornerback go top three, but Will Johnson is a rare talent. Johnson allowed just a 29.1 NFL passer rating to opposing quarterbacks (via PFF) in 2023, absolutely shutting down passing offenses by himself. Receivers hauled in their target less than 45% of the time. Johnson is the clear CB1 for 2025 and the Giants could use an upgrade at corner.
4. Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DL Michigan
Mason Graham was the most dominant second year player along the defensive line anywhere in the nation by a wide, wide margin. He posted the 8th best power conference pass rush pressure rate among defensive line players and stuffed 28 plays near the line of scrimmage that stopped opposing offenses in their tracks this season. Incredible talent to pair with Maxx Crosby on the Raiders defensive front.
5. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden, WR Missouri
Luther Burden posted a 99th percentile production profile in 2023 as just 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 receiver recruit in his class is living up to the hype and could transform the Broncos offense.
6. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
Assuming the Patriots draft their quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft, he could certainly use a dominant X receiver. After annihilating PAC-12 opponents all season long for over 1400 receiving yards and 10 scores McMillan looks like he's slotting in as WR2 (at worst) for 2025. His ball skills, wingspan, and 6'5", 210-pound size make him a major match-up problem.
7. Washington Commanders: Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado
It's perfectly fitting that we haven't quite seen an NFL prospect like Travis Hunter since Deion Sanders. This former top overall player in the 2022 recruiting class could seriously play both cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL. However, with coverage and movement skills like on this interception against TCU early last year he likely plays mostly defensive back.
In just nine games last year Hunter had 721 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, three interceptions, and five passes defended. The Commanders, who only have one decent corner would greatly benefit from adding Hunter.
8. New Orleans Saints: Quinn Ewers, QB Texas
2025 is the first year that it makes any sense for the Saints to move off Derek Carr's contract. Adding Quinn Ewers would finally give them a quarterback with upside again. Ewers destroys defenses in the intermediate game better than most any quarterback in the country to set up his selective shots downfield. One more year with Steve Sarkisian at Texas and he'll be ready for this kind of draft capital.
9. Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin Morrison, CB Notre Dame
Morrison was the only second year cornerback actually rated higher in coverage than Will Johnson of Michigan (via PFF). Morrison has excellent speed, awareness, and always finds himself in the right spot. He's a pro-ready defensive back already that the Cardinals could greatly use right away.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers: Harold Perkins, LB LSU
It's hard to tell where Harold Perkins will line up in the NFL. LSU can't even make up their mind on how to best deploy him. He's athletic enough to get to the quarterback off the edge, fast enough to play coverage against anyone, and strong enough to stuff the run at off-ball linebacker. Mike Tomlin is going to love him.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Malaki Starks, S Georgia
There aren't many players who lock in first round status before their first college season is through, but Malaki Starks certainly did. Here he is in the first quarter of his first college game making an absurd interception on a throw from Oregon QB, Bo Nix.
Starks could have played running back as well, but the former five star's athleticism on the back end of the defense was too good not to have him there. The Buccaneers add Starks to pair with Antoine Winfield Jr. (after they re-sign him here soon), creating the best safety tandem in the NFL.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE Ole Miss
Princely didn't have a ton of sack's last year, but his pressure rate and havoc numbers were through the roof. He needs to add some more complex moves to his game, but his strength and ability to affect the passer will be a perfect fit for the kind of edge defender the Seahawks love to draft.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Carson Beck, QB Georgia
If the Vikings miss out on drafting their supposed favorite target at QB, J.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft expect them to grab a signal caller in 2025. Beck showed unreal efficiency down the stretch last year against some of his toughest competition and should repeat or exceed his totals from a year ago.
14. Indianapolis Colts: Kelvin Banks, OT Texas
Kelvin Banks was a day one starter at left tackle for Texas and has been dominant ever since. His movement ability at nearly 325 pounds and strength to finish is quite the sight to behold.
This play in the post below highlights his abilities to get to the second level and completely throw defenders out of the play.
The Colts need to take care of Anthony Richardson after missing him for much of his rookie season. Banks ensures that happens.
15. Cleveland Browns: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka missed significant time last fall, but still very likely would have been a first round pick at receiver this year. He posted the second best production profile of any second year WR behind only Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2022. The Browns desperately need more competent wide receiver play and this pick would do it.
16. Los Angeles Rams: Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
Speaking of Buckeyes who could have been first round picks had they chosen to declare in 2024, Denzel Burke is a stud. He's not the best tackling corner, but he's allowed a career completion rate around just 50%. Rams lock up a solid rookie corner for a long time here.
17. Chicago Bears: Deone Walker, DL Kentucky
Deone Walker may be 350 pounds, but he's not limited to just nose tackle. He can line up and bring pressure from just about anywhere, and if he gets his hands on the ball carrier at all the play is immediately over. The Bears already have a strong run defense, but Walker's disruptive value as a pass rusher would make them an elite defensive front.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE Penn State
Penn State is sending two edge rushers to be selected inside the Top 50 picks of the 2024 NFL Draft and Dani Dennis-Sutton might be better than them both. At 6'5", 260 pounds he has elite first round edge defender traits and will be the leader for Penn State's defense in 2024. The Jaguars keep trying to fix their edge defense in nearly every draft. Dennis-Sutton is the answer.
19. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
There's a great chance that Jalen Milroe is forced to carry Alabama's offense in 2024. If he finds more consistency to go along with his incredible bursts of efficiency via deep shots and runs like he did late last season Milroe could rise into first round discussions. The Falcons offense with a mobile quarterback, Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts would be too much fun.
20. Los Angeles Chargers: TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball, and the Chargers will need a new feature back soon. TreVeyon Henderson would be the perfect Austin Ekeler replacement in LA. He brings explosiveness on the ground and through the air, averaging 11.4 yards per reception out of the backfield.
21. New York Jets: Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss
After throwing a few too many interceptions in 2022 the hype surrounding Jaxson Dart died down, but his arm talent and mobility didn't go anywhere. He easily flicks beautiful deep shots like the one to Jonathan Mingo in this post below all the time.
He has the fifth best quarterback efficiency composite (16-pronged production model) among returning passers and Ole Miss brings back one of the top rosters in the country. The Jets need a quarterback of the future and Dart could be it.
22. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DL Michigan
Kenneth Grant was the other Michigan defensive lineman (besides Mason Graham) with a double digit pressure rate up the middle last fall. At 340 pounds he's a mauler against both the pass and run. The Texans will need an age reset in the middle of their defense by 2025.
23. Green Bay Packers: Dasan McCullough, DB/LB/EDGE Oklahoma
Dasan McCullough started out as an edge rusher for Indiana, but when 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.
Thanks to his unique versatility McCullough could end up playing edge defender, off-ball linebacker, and even big nickel for the Packers if selected here.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Barrett Carter, LB Clemson
Barrett Carter will offer the most balanced skill set among linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft and the Eagles will likely need him unless they address the position long-term this offseason. Carter brings pressure on blitzes, has solid coverage skills, and is always close to the ball in the run game.
25. Dallas Cowboys: Parker Brailsford, C Alabama
There were only two sophomores who played significant time for the national champion runner-up Washington Huskies last fall and Parker Brailsford was the most important one. He was the anchor of the Huskies offensive line at center, and will now certainly find similar success for Alabama. He should easily be the best center prospect in 2025 and the Cowboys need a new young long-term prospect there.
26. Miami Dolphins: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Eventually the Dolphins will have to employ a real starting tight end and Colston Loveland is the clear TE1 for 2025. He has the best production profile among all returning power conference tight ends and wins with both speed and ball skills.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: Clay Webb, iOL Jacksonville State
Jacksonville State has a first round talent? Absolutely. Clay Webb was actually a five star recruit for Georgia at the start of his college career and has blossomed into a star interior offensive lineman. He's only given up two sacks on nearly 1500 snaps for Jacksonville State and will climb NFL Draft boards once scouts get more eyes on him. The Bengals desperately need to continue fixing their offensive line to keep Joe Burrow upright.
28. Detroit Lions: Tate Ratledge, iOL Georgia
Tate Ratledge could have been an early round selection in 2024 had he declared. He might be the best returning pass blocking guard in the nation. The Lions have could use interior offensive line help and Ratledge would help right away.
29. Buffalo Bills: Evan Stewart, WR Oregon
This former five star receiver's talents were largely wasted at Texas A&M so he decided to transfer to Oregon this offseason. Evan Stewart's talent is clear every time he touches the ball and now he gets an opportunity to feature in an offense with much higher pass volume in 2024. The Bills will be looking to replace Stefon Diggs soon and Stewart could be their man.
30. Baltimore Ravens: 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 Ravens get an explosive deep threat to pair with Zay Flowers.
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. 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: Wyatt Milum, OT West Virginia
The 49ers will have to replace Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams here soon. That's truly an impossible task for anyone, but Wyatt Milum would be a good target to attempt it in 2025. A former Top 100 recruit, Milum struggled as a true freshman at West Virginia, but he now has over 2200 snaps at left tackle already with zero sacks allowed in the last two seasons.
And there you have it, the first 32 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft in this exact order with 100% accuracy guaranteed (not really). If you enjoyed this piece or would like to tell me just how wrong I am you can find me on X @FF_TravisM.