Way Too Early 2025 NFL Mock Draft
By Hayden Shapiro
The first edition of my 2025 Mock Drafts is here and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you all.
For more analysis, check out @HaydenShap49 on Twitter/X. That’s where I do some deep-dives and explain my feelings; and also rant about Carolina!
1 CAR: Carson Beck, QB Georgia
The quarterback talent in this class is lightyears behind the class of 2024. With that being said, Carolina is a really, really bad football team with a very underwhelming quarterback in Bryce Young. Young has shown little to no improvement from his rookie season, where he was selected number one in the NFL Draft. Coach David Canales and Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik have no ties with Bryce Young, as he was drafted before they arrived in Charlotte. Therefore, moving on from the former Heisman winner is not so far-fetched. Now let’s discuss why they choose Beck. The Georgia gunslinger has elite accuracy and confidence. His ability to read zones, especially inside the numbers, is not common in a college QB. Beck has raw arm talent, but he has improved at throwing off balance and from different slots. He showed athleticism in the Bulldogs’ week one blasting of the Clemson Tigers. The Bryce Young era is over in Carolina after just two years; two brutal ones at that.
2 NYG: Quinn Ewers, QB Texas
“Derek Carr with elite arm talent” is what social media calls Quinn Ewers; but I think he’s much more than that. Matter of fact, Ewers is my QB1, but in this mock Carolina chooses Beck (see above). Daniels Jones is not fit to start in the NFL. He is absurdly inaccurate and makes the most questionable decisions with the football. On the flip side, Quinn Ewers is an ultra-confident quarterback with elite arm-talent; one who steps up on every throw and one who’ll fight for extra yards. I have no doubt that the arm strength won’t be an issue for him at the next level. The best way to explain Ewers is that he’s the type of guy that’ll make everyone around him better rather than doing it himself. He’s a captain and treats the game like a veteran, and he ends up in the Big Apple next year.
3 DEN: Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado
Arguably the most dynamic CFB player we’ve seen in the last decade; Travis Hunter is the best football player in this draft. His instincts and insanely impressive football IQ are two traits we rarely see in college, but Hunter’s got both. He’s fed the lion’s share of the targets in Boulder and consistently makes highlight reel plays. His hands are immaculate, and his ball skills are up there with the best I’ve ever seen from a prospect. Oh yeah, he also plays on both sides of the ball.
4 NE: Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Almost everyone’s number one player in the class, Johnson is a physical, long corner who has been electric for the Wolverines since his freshman year. He can be left on an Island with any wideout in the country, frequently racking up PBUs and picking passes off. His instincts and intangibles are off the charts, But I do have one concern about Johnson. Like many physical man to man corners, Johnson’s lack of quickness and tendency to get stuck in the ground is something that will not serve him well at the next level. If he can prove he’s got the elite quickness like some other CBs in this class, he’ll most likely end up being my number one prospect.
5 WSH: Will Campbell, OT LSU
A starter in the Bayou since his freshman year, Campbell has a plethora of experience; something that’ll serve him very well at the next level. Washington wants to protect their franchise QB Jayden Daniels and Campbell, his ex-teammate I may add, is the right guy to have on the Heisman winner’s blind side. Campbell’s combination of footwork and power makes him my OT1.
6 TEN: Mykel Williams, EDGE Georgia
Williams is one of those high upside selections, but don’t let that take away from what he can already do. He lines up all over the line and is even used as a rushing off-ball linebacker in certain packages. A guy as bendy and deceiving as Williams usually doesn’t look like him; a 265 pound behemoth. Don’t let this take away from his power-rushing skills, though. The Titans have a much-improved defense and Williams lands on an already stout line featuring Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry III.
7 ARI: Mason Graham, DT Michigan
It’s really hard to have such a great impact on the game as a defensive tackle; yet Graham makes it look simple. His football IQ is off the charts, he sniffs out which way the run is going or if a screen is about to happen before the snap. The way he uses leverage as an interior lineman is what really makes me say wow. He gets lower than his blocker but then shoots out of a cannon, ultimately launching himself into the backfield. He’s got strong arms and extremely quick hands. Graham is just a really complete prospect who’ll make an immediate impact in Arizona, a team who desperately needs some interior pressure. The Cardinals have two intriguing outside rushers in BJ Ojulari and Zaven Collins but lack a force on the interior which is why Graham is such a good fit.
8 LV: Shadeur Sanders, QB Colorado
This would just be so much fun. Shadeur is the most confident and calm quarterback in college football, which is quite the statement given the pressure he faces week in and week out. I truly believe that with a sentient line, Shadeur could be the top quarterback in this class. He places the ball in very tight windows and steps up in the pocket despite who’s in his face. The one concern I have with Sanders is his consistency and decision making. We saw some really, really bad plays when the Buffaloes matched up against Nebraska. Once again, his line is awful, but Sanders’ decision making must improve in order for him to be a starter in the league.
9 CLE: Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona
McMillan seems to always be open, it’s truly absurd. The way this guy moves his hips for someone of his stature is flat-out ridiculous. At 6’4 McMillan’s body control is up there with the best I’ve seen from a prospect. He won’t dazzle you with his speed or explosiveness, but he can high point the football and make plays in the end zone better than anyone else in this class.
10 IND: Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Starks is a hard-hitting, run-supporting, extremely instinctual safety who sniffs out plays before the snap. Safeties don’t usually go this high, but one’s who play like this do. Starks is the anchor of the best defense in the country and lands in Indianapolis. Nick Cross has looked fantastic for the Colts so far this season; imagine a safety duo of Cross and Starks? It would give opponents the chills on film and nightmares on Sundays.
11 ATL: Ben Morrison, CB Notre Dame
AJ Terrell is still an elite cornerback, but the Falcons have lacked stability on the opposite sideline. Morrison is a playmaker who takes risks, but they very often pay off due to his high football IQ. He is great in press as well, giving him the edge on other corners in this class (besides Will Johnson).
12 CHI: James Pearce Jr, EDGE Tennessee
Pearce Jr falls a bit lower than usual in this mock and it’s due to a lack of production to start the year. When this Vol is on, he’s on. But when he’s not winning battles at the line, he quite frankly disappears. I love his twitchiness and bend off the edge, but he’s got to get those sack + pressure numbers up before I launch him back into my top ten. Any who, Chicago needs help on the other side of Montez Sweat; they get that with James Pearce Jr.
13 NO: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT Texas
Banks Jr is a powerful run blocker who has the tools to succeed in pass-protection as well. The Saints found a star in Taliese Fuaga and they continue to bulk up their line here with Kelvin Banks Jr.
14 CIN: Harold Perkins Jr, LB LSU
This tiger might be the fastest linebacker in the country and his sideline-to-sideline speed makes him a first-round selection. Cincinnati has two really good mike backers in Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt. But what they lack is a lightning quick, off-ball guy who can shoot gaps and even rush the passer. I want to see more production from Perkins Jr this year, but the intangibles are there, and I love how versatile he is, a true defensive chess piece.
15 LAC: Deone Walker, DT Kentucky
Let me start off by saying if Deone Walker makes it past pick ten, that’s a problem. This guy is 6’6, 350 pounds and gets up from his stance as fast as any other DT in the country. Walker is so much more than a lane clogger, although he does that spectacularly. His pass rush repertoire is insanely impressive for someone built like him and with his strength next to the likes of Bosa and Mack; watch out because this Chargers defense is looking young and ready to go. Harbaugh loves to play around with guys on defense and drafting Junior Colson in 2024, re-signing Asante Samuel Jr, and now selecting Deone Walker brings that intensity everyone wants. Especially Jim Harbaugh.
16 MIN: Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE Georgia
Walker’s versatility and upside send him to Minnesota here at 16. I am looking forward to seeing how he is used throughout the rest of this year at Georgia and the fact that he’s been a productive pass rusher to start the season is huge for his draft stock. He can cover, in zone at least, and he can line up standing or with his hand in the dirt; another one of those guys you can just play all over the box.
17 PIT: Cam Ward, QB Miami (FLA)
Yes. The Steelers have looked good to start the season. But Justin Fields is not the reason why. This defense is absolutely spectacular, a staple for a Mike Timlin led team. Cam Ward might be the most exciting of this year’s quarterback prospects. Ward throws from multiple arm slots and seemingly “experiments” in the pocket; he’s just that confident. He can also use his legs which means there doesn’t have to be much of a scheme change from the last couple years (Pickett, Fields, maybe Wilson).
18 GB: Nic Scourton, EDGE Texas A&M
Scourton was up there with my top prospects just a few weeks ago, but he slips here due to injury concerns and lack of production. The 280-pound defensive end, the position I think he’s best suited to play in the league, is a power-rushing technician. His strong bull rush is really hard to stop especially when you take into account that he’s got two to three other moves he can beat you with. The only knock on Scourton, and the reason he falls to 18 in this mock, is a lack of production to start the year. Green Bay has an aging Preston Smith so this pick not only makes sense, but a line consisting of Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kenny Clark, AND Scourton would give OCs headaches for years to come.
19 JAX: Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn St
Look: Carter is top five on a lot of people’s big boards, but I just don’t understand why because his lack of production through three weeks really worries me. It’s his first season at EDGE full time in Happy Valley and I haven’t seen what I saw last year from Carter. With that being said, his versatility and high motor keep him in the top 20. The Jaguars’ much improved pass rush thanks to Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker adds to their repertoire with a speedy, twitchy outside backer.
20 SEA: Emery Jones, OT LSU
We’ve seen a lot more right tackles going in the first round of drafts the last few years and Jones continues the trend here at 20. I really like his ability in the run game; a nasty, powerful blocker who paves the way for his RBs. Seattle’s Abe Lucas experiment looks to have failed. He’s a good tackle with great hands, but he just cannot stay on the field, so the Seahawks replace him with LSU’s Jones.
21 TB: Shavon Revel Jr, CB East Carolina
Tampa’s secondary is clearly their weak link. Jamel Dean is a solid corner, but they lack that top-guy who they can leave on an island with no safety help; that’s what Revel Jr gives you. His zone coverage is spectacular, and his recovery speed might be the best in the class. His break on the ball is very impressive and the way he sticks to wideouts in deep-zone coverage without getting flagged is great for his case in the pros.
22 HOU: Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL Arizona
Savaiinaea can play anywhere on the line and protected Noah Fifita wonderfully at Arizona. He is great in pass-protection but also holds the ability to do damage in the run game given his size and power.
23 LAR: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Loveland’s catch radius is what I really like about him. His long frame allows for his QB to put the ball anywhere near him and he’ll make a play. He’s a great red zone threat, too.
24 MIA: Tyleik Williams, DT Ohio St
Williams is really a jack of all trades as far as defensive lineman go. He bats passes down at the LOS better than anyone else in the country, he can slip into the backfield using his deceptive quickness, and he’s big enough to clog the lane as if he’s a nose tackle. Miami lost Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel, and their absences are evident early on this year. So, they snag Williams at 24 and get younger on the interior of this line.
25 DAL: Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise St
Jeanty plays like someone is controlling him in a video game. He runs so low that it makes it really difficult to bring him down. So yes, his pad level is what I find most impressive, but he also runs so hard for someone of his stature. He reminds me a lot of Isiah Pacheco, a hard runner who is determined to fight for extra yards. The Cowboys can’t continue with Rico Dowdle and an aging Ezekiel Elliot, so Jeanty is not only the future, but also a picture-perfect fit for this scheme.
26 NYJ: Kevin Winston Jr, S Penn St
In 2023, Kevin Winston Jr had zero missed tackles. Yes, none. He can shoot the gap on run plays and loves to sniff out screens before the ball is even snapped. He is going to rise on this board but here he falls to 26 and lands in New York. The Jets have a need at safety and Winston Jr is the perfect chess piece for Robert Salah. He flies all over the field; it’s really impressive and he’s a fun watch.
27 BUF: Tre Harris, WR Ole Miss
I am really high on Tre Harris coming out of Ole Miss. There is skepticism that he’s a product of good QB play (Jaxson Dart), but I believe it’s something deeper. Besides McMillan, Harris is the best route runner in this class. He’s always, and I mean always open over the middle; it’s quite impressive. Buffalo needs weapons on the outside and that’s where Harris shines.
28 PHI: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio St
Not only does Egbuka give you a steady, consistent slot receiver, but he’s very dangerous in the return game as well. I could see him becoming Jalen Hurts’ best friend in the near future.
29 BAL: Tyler Booker, OG Alabama
Booker is an interior force that finally gives Baltimore some stability at the guard spot. He can also move to tackle, ultimately pushing Patrick Mekari back into guard where he’s most comfortable.
30 SF: Kenneth Grant, DT Michigan
Grant gets overshadowed by Mason Graham, but he’s a really good lane clogger. San Francisco whiffed on the Javon Kinlaw pick years back and they should have never traded Buckner, but Grant can hold down the fort for years to come in the middle of this defensive line that already features Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave.
31 KC: Aireontae Ersery, OT Minnesota
Ersery is quickly rising on boards and for good reason. He’s a very technical pass blocker who has the size to improve in the run game. I like his footwork and think the Chiefs will too.
32 DET: Xavier Restrepo, WR Miami
Restrepo has arguably been the best slot guy in the country early on in this CFB season. He is Cam Ward’s best friend, and I think that a move to the perimeter in the NFL isn’t far-fetched.
