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Way too early 2025 NFL draft forecast from The Athletic
Posted on: May 1, 2024 at 09:58:10 CT
El Zorro MU
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Recognizing this is too far in advance to know for sure and things will change, a couple of quick thoughts.
Harbaugh sure didn't leave the cupboard bare at Michigan. After getting 13 picks in this year's draft, this writer has 3 Michigan players going in the top 5 of the draft.
Luther at #17 to the Rams - I'll bet he goes much earlier depending on what kind of a season he has.
Georgia and LSU with 3 each - Texas A & M with 2 - and Bama and Mizzou with 1 each.
Way too early, but it kind of gives a look at what players are viewed at this point in time as first round talent.
Early 2025 NFL mock draft: Carson Beck or Shedeur Sanders? Two Michigan prospects in top 5
Dane Brugler
Apr 30, 2024
If you think it is too early for a 2025 NFL mock draft, you would be right. Think of this as more of a “watch list” — 32 draft-eligible prospects who popped on film or have some buzz from NFL scouts going into the 2024 college football season.
A lot will change in a year. Looking back at my way-too-early 2024 mock draft from a year ago, 16 of the prospects mentioned wound up in the first round, seven more landed on Day 2, five on Day 3 and four went back to school.
Several of the players below made it based on projection and expectations for the upcoming season. And don’t get mad at me about the draft order — I am going based on current Super Bowl LIX odds.
1. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia
At this time last year, it was easy to put together the top of my mock, with stars like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. But the 2025 draft class doesn’t have that type of established star power, leaving the No. 1 pick wide-open.
A toolsy prospect, Williams’ 2023 tape doesn’t show consistency, but there are high highs, including what he did in the bowl game against Florida State.
2. Tennessee Titans: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
If the Titans are drafting this high next April, the organization might be re-examining its quarterback situation.
In his first year as a starter, Beck got consistently better with each performance and put some beautiful throws on tape. He enters the season as the quarterback scouts like the most.
3. New England Patriots: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s been tough studying the Michigan defense without your eyes being drawn to No. 55 at defensive tackle because of his consistent disruption. Graham is explosive off the ball with powerful hands and an unmatched motor to disrupt backfield action.
4. Denver Broncos: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Since he earned his way onto the field as a true freshman, it was clear Campbell was a little different than everyone else. The left tackle is able to sink, stay in front of rushers and answer counters with ease.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
After competing for the all-time draft pick record in 2024, Michigan has two players in the top five of next year’s projection. I’m excited about Johnson for a lot of the same reasons I was high on Quinyon Mitchell — he’s a good-sized athlete with composure and ball skills.
6. New York Giants: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Like Campbell at LSU, Banks immediately became the starting left tackle as a true freshman and took another jump last season as a sophomore. The Longhorns offense lost several weapons, but its offensive line will be an important strength in front of QB Quinn Ewers in 2024.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Abdul Carter, Edge/LB, Penn State
Watching the Penn State defensive prospects last season, Carter was clearly the star for a front seven that produced multiple top-100 picks. Formerly a linebacker, he is expected to play more of a pass-rushing role in 2023. Early warning: The Micah Parsons comparisons will be rampant.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Irish coaches say it was clear from the moment Morrison arrived in South Bend that he is an alpha. With his size and athletic profile, he stays attached to routes and has a great feel for finding the football.
9. New Orleans Saints: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Cornerback or wide receiver? Hunter is at his most dangerous with the ball in his hands, so there is a good chance we see him drafted for offense. He routinely turns short catches into long gains.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Pearce put some fun pass-rush reps on last year’s film, especially against South Carolina and Texas A&M. Although he is a little light (6-foot-5, 245 pounds), he has freaky ability and can secure top-10 status with another strong season.
11. Washington Commanders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
At 6-5, McMillan brings mismatch potential with his size and finishing skills. There are some areas of his game that scouts want to see developed this season, but his athletic adjustment skills and sticky hands make him a quarterback-friendly target.
12. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
When studying Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith, you couldn’t help but notice Starks at safety — he was the best of the group in 2023. He doesn’t miss tackles working downhill and has the range to overlap and make plays in coverage.
13. Seattle Seahawks: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Perkins will be an interesting prospect to track. He is an athletic marvel, especially downhill as a pass rusher, but he is too small for a full-time edge role. Scouts want to see him make more plays when dropping into coverage.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers will be a polarizing prospect, but he made the right choice returning to school. Whether he is drafted in the top half of Round 1 in 2025 will depend on how he performs this season. Still only 21 years old, he will have better experience (25-plus starts, 1,000-plus pass attempts) than most of the other quarterbacks in this class.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burke turned down a likely spot in the top 50 of the 2024 class for one more year in Columbus. He can read and drive in the quick game or turn and stay attached to receivers vertically.
16. Cleveland Browns: Earnest Greene III, OT, Georgia
One of the reasons Amarius Mims stayed at right tackle last season was because Georgia had Greene, a Freshman All-American, at left tackle. If Greene takes another jump in his development in 2024, he will have an NFL decision to make after the season.
17. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Burden is a playmaker with the ball in his hands because of his athletic balance to play through contact, stay afloat and consistently get more yards than expected. At the catch point, he makes up for average size with smooth adjustment skills on the football.
18. Chicago Bears: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Every time Walker rushes the passer, it feels like the field is tilted, which allows him to charge downhill and run through road blocks using his 6-6, 350-pound frame. Throw on the tape from the bowl game against Clemson and watch him work.
19. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland would have been the easy TE2 (behind Brock Bowers) if he’d been eligible for this year’s draft. I’m not sure what his stat line will look like in 2024 playing with a new quarterback, but his athletic traits give him a great chance of being a top-20 pick next April.
20. Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
A Purdue transfer, Scourton is 6-4, 260 and rushes with the big-man twitch that makes it tough to keep him blocked. If you’re looking for a breakout candidate in the SEC, this is your guy.
21. Miami Dolphins: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
Another ascending player from the Aggies’ defensive front, Turner is one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in the SEC. He has a quick first step with the body control to work his way through gaps.
22. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Despite all the hype (including being the betting favorite to go No. 1 in 2025), Sanders wouldn’t be a lock first-rounder if the draft were held tomorrow. The talent is clear, but he must show consistency with his decision-making this fall if he is going to be a top-25 pick.
23. Green Bay Packers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
One of the top prizes as a high school recruit in the 2022 class, Nolen flashed his potential the past two seasons at Texas A&M. He transferred to Ole Miss this offseason and will have a chance to make his case for the first round.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
With Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Ja’Tavion Sanders now in the NFL, Bond will become Ewers’ top target this fall. The Alabama transfer has modest size, but his speed and ball skills make him an exciting weapon.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
In this past draft class, there were three teams (Notre Dame, Penn State, Washington) that had two offensive tackles selected in the top 100. LSU has a chance to see both of its OTs drafted in the first round next April.
26. Houston Texans: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Penn State had a pair of pass rushers (Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac) selected in 2024, but the cupboard isn’t bare in State College. Listed at 6-5, 270, Dennis-Sutton is a long, active edge rusher who can get himself in the first-round discussion with a strong year.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
Considered a potential top-40 pick had he entered the 2024 draft class, Tuimoloau returned to school looking to bolster his pro resume and cement himself in the first round.
28. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Payton, Edge, Florida State
A tall, lanky pass rusher, Payton finished second on the team in pressures last season, behind only Jared Verse. He needs to continue adding mass to his frame, but his speed and flexibility help him capture the corner.
29. Detroit Lions: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Another Purdue transfer (the poor Boilermakers), Burks is a playmaking athlete with the ball in his hands. The Belleville, Mich., native returns to his home state in this scenario.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Jackson put himself on the NFL radar last season with his performance against Alabama. Can he turn the flashes into more consistency in 2024? If he does, Jackson will continue moving up boards.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The top-ranked offensive line recruit out of high school in the 2022 class, Conerly went through growing pains as a sophomore, but he played really well over the second half of the season and is trending toward the first round.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Arguably the most talented prospect from the Nick Saban era to stay in Tuscaloosa for the 2024 season, Booker is a massive blocker with the tools to be an NFL starter.
Harbaugh sure didn't leave the cupboard bare at Michigan. After getting 13 picks in this year's draft, this writer has 3 Michigan players going in the top 5 of the draft.
Luther at #17 to the Rams - I'll bet he goes much earlier depending on what kind of a season he has.
Georgia and LSU with 3 each - Texas A & M with 2 - and Bama and Mizzou with 1 each.
Way too early, but it kind of gives a look at what players are viewed at this point in time as first round talent.
Early 2025 NFL mock draft: Carson Beck or Shedeur Sanders? Two Michigan prospects in top 5
Dane Brugler
Apr 30, 2024
If you think it is too early for a 2025 NFL mock draft, you would be right. Think of this as more of a “watch list” — 32 draft-eligible prospects who popped on film or have some buzz from NFL scouts going into the 2024 college football season.
A lot will change in a year. Looking back at my way-too-early 2024 mock draft from a year ago, 16 of the prospects mentioned wound up in the first round, seven more landed on Day 2, five on Day 3 and four went back to school.
Several of the players below made it based on projection and expectations for the upcoming season. And don’t get mad at me about the draft order — I am going based on current Super Bowl LIX odds.
1. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia
At this time last year, it was easy to put together the top of my mock, with stars like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. But the 2025 draft class doesn’t have that type of established star power, leaving the No. 1 pick wide-open.
A toolsy prospect, Williams’ 2023 tape doesn’t show consistency, but there are high highs, including what he did in the bowl game against Florida State.
2. Tennessee Titans: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
If the Titans are drafting this high next April, the organization might be re-examining its quarterback situation.
In his first year as a starter, Beck got consistently better with each performance and put some beautiful throws on tape. He enters the season as the quarterback scouts like the most.
3. New England Patriots: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
It’s been tough studying the Michigan defense without your eyes being drawn to No. 55 at defensive tackle because of his consistent disruption. Graham is explosive off the ball with powerful hands and an unmatched motor to disrupt backfield action.
4. Denver Broncos: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Since he earned his way onto the field as a true freshman, it was clear Campbell was a little different than everyone else. The left tackle is able to sink, stay in front of rushers and answer counters with ease.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
After competing for the all-time draft pick record in 2024, Michigan has two players in the top five of next year’s projection. I’m excited about Johnson for a lot of the same reasons I was high on Quinyon Mitchell — he’s a good-sized athlete with composure and ball skills.
6. New York Giants: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Like Campbell at LSU, Banks immediately became the starting left tackle as a true freshman and took another jump last season as a sophomore. The Longhorns offense lost several weapons, but its offensive line will be an important strength in front of QB Quinn Ewers in 2024.
7. Arizona Cardinals: Abdul Carter, Edge/LB, Penn State
Watching the Penn State defensive prospects last season, Carter was clearly the star for a front seven that produced multiple top-100 picks. Formerly a linebacker, he is expected to play more of a pass-rushing role in 2023. Early warning: The Micah Parsons comparisons will be rampant.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
The Irish coaches say it was clear from the moment Morrison arrived in South Bend that he is an alpha. With his size and athletic profile, he stays attached to routes and has a great feel for finding the football.
9. New Orleans Saints: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Cornerback or wide receiver? Hunter is at his most dangerous with the ball in his hands, so there is a good chance we see him drafted for offense. He routinely turns short catches into long gains.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Pearce put some fun pass-rush reps on last year’s film, especially against South Carolina and Texas A&M. Although he is a little light (6-foot-5, 245 pounds), he has freaky ability and can secure top-10 status with another strong season.
11. Washington Commanders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
At 6-5, McMillan brings mismatch potential with his size and finishing skills. There are some areas of his game that scouts want to see developed this season, but his athletic adjustment skills and sticky hands make him a quarterback-friendly target.
12. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
When studying Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Tykee Smith, you couldn’t help but notice Starks at safety — he was the best of the group in 2023. He doesn’t miss tackles working downhill and has the range to overlap and make plays in coverage.
13. Seattle Seahawks: Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Perkins will be an interesting prospect to track. He is an athletic marvel, especially downhill as a pass rusher, but he is too small for a full-time edge role. Scouts want to see him make more plays when dropping into coverage.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers will be a polarizing prospect, but he made the right choice returning to school. Whether he is drafted in the top half of Round 1 in 2025 will depend on how he performs this season. Still only 21 years old, he will have better experience (25-plus starts, 1,000-plus pass attempts) than most of the other quarterbacks in this class.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Burke turned down a likely spot in the top 50 of the 2024 class for one more year in Columbus. He can read and drive in the quick game or turn and stay attached to receivers vertically.
16. Cleveland Browns: Earnest Greene III, OT, Georgia
One of the reasons Amarius Mims stayed at right tackle last season was because Georgia had Greene, a Freshman All-American, at left tackle. If Greene takes another jump in his development in 2024, he will have an NFL decision to make after the season.
17. Los Angeles Rams: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Burden is a playmaker with the ball in his hands because of his athletic balance to play through contact, stay afloat and consistently get more yards than expected. At the catch point, he makes up for average size with smooth adjustment skills on the football.
18. Chicago Bears: Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Every time Walker rushes the passer, it feels like the field is tilted, which allows him to charge downhill and run through road blocks using his 6-6, 350-pound frame. Throw on the tape from the bowl game against Clemson and watch him work.
19. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland would have been the easy TE2 (behind Brock Bowers) if he’d been eligible for this year’s draft. I’m not sure what his stat line will look like in 2024 playing with a new quarterback, but his athletic traits give him a great chance of being a top-20 pick next April.
20. Atlanta Falcons: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
A Purdue transfer, Scourton is 6-4, 260 and rushes with the big-man twitch that makes it tough to keep him blocked. If you’re looking for a breakout candidate in the SEC, this is your guy.
21. Miami Dolphins: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
Another ascending player from the Aggies’ defensive front, Turner is one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in the SEC. He has a quick first step with the body control to work his way through gaps.
22. New York Jets: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Despite all the hype (including being the betting favorite to go No. 1 in 2025), Sanders wouldn’t be a lock first-rounder if the draft were held tomorrow. The talent is clear, but he must show consistency with his decision-making this fall if he is going to be a top-25 pick.
23. Green Bay Packers: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
One of the top prizes as a high school recruit in the 2022 class, Nolen flashed his potential the past two seasons at Texas A&M. He transferred to Ole Miss this offseason and will have a chance to make his case for the first round.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
With Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell and Ja’Tavion Sanders now in the NFL, Bond will become Ewers’ top target this fall. The Alabama transfer has modest size, but his speed and ball skills make him an exciting weapon.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
In this past draft class, there were three teams (Notre Dame, Penn State, Washington) that had two offensive tackles selected in the top 100. LSU has a chance to see both of its OTs drafted in the first round next April.
26. Houston Texans: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State
Penn State had a pair of pass rushers (Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac) selected in 2024, but the cupboard isn’t bare in State College. Listed at 6-5, 270, Dennis-Sutton is a long, active edge rusher who can get himself in the first-round discussion with a strong year.
27. Cincinnati Bengals: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
Considered a potential top-40 pick had he entered the 2024 draft class, Tuimoloau returned to school looking to bolster his pro resume and cement himself in the first round.
28. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Payton, Edge, Florida State
A tall, lanky pass rusher, Payton finished second on the team in pressures last season, behind only Jared Verse. He needs to continue adding mass to his frame, but his speed and flexibility help him capture the corner.
29. Detroit Lions: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
Another Purdue transfer (the poor Boilermakers), Burks is a playmaking athlete with the ball in his hands. The Belleville, Mich., native returns to his home state in this scenario.
30. Baltimore Ravens: Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Jackson put himself on the NFL radar last season with his performance against Alabama. Can he turn the flashes into more consistency in 2024? If he does, Jackson will continue moving up boards.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
The top-ranked offensive line recruit out of high school in the 2022 class, Conerly went through growing pains as a sophomore, but he played really well over the second half of the season and is trending toward the first round.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Arguably the most talented prospect from the Nick Saban era to stay in Tuscaloosa for the 2024 season, Booker is a massive blocker with the tools to be an NFL starter.
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Way too early 2025 NFL draft forecast from The Athletic - El Zorro MU - 5/1 09:58:10
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