NFL mock draft 2025: Early projection is light on franchise QBs, heavy on defense

The 2024 NFL Draft has concluded. That means we can finally do what we all love: prepare for the class of 2025. The NFL Draft cycle never stops, and as soon as 2024 ends, we’ll jump right into 2025.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, a record-setting 23 offensive players were selected in the first round, with 14 of them being selected consecutively. In 2025, that may not be the case. This draft class is focused on defense, with the top five players on my early big board all on the defensive end, and nine players in the top 15 (10 if you count Travis Hunter as a DB). . If you want an impact defender, this is the draft you want to get.

On the other hand, this draft does not have a QB in the top 15 picks, at least for now. Here are some too-early thoughts on the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Why Tennessee’s James Pierce Jr. is our No. 1 player

At the top of the board is James Pierce Jr. of the Tennessee Edge, who has the great talent to become the first volunteer to be selected in the top five since Eric Berry in 2010. The first thing that stands out about Pierce is his speed. I have a lot. His 6’5, 242-pound frame allows him to jump out of a four-point stance with incredible speed, using his explosive power and bend to dive quickly around corners. I mean, from the snap of the ball this is just ridiculous.

Not only does he use his speed to turn corners, but he also uses his speed to make tackles on the edge and has a pass rush game that goes right back inside. He is deadly with his stunts and loops and quickly closes the gap.

He is a true backside EDGE defender who relentlessly chases plays from the backside and provides juice in the pass rush department. His game and frame continue to develop, and there’s no reason he can’t be a top pick in the 2025 draft.

Top defensive tackle stands out

Two defensive tackles stand out in the top 10: Kentucky’s Deone Walker and Michigan’s Mason Graham. Walker’s height, at his 6’6, 348 pounds, is built similar to the average apartment building, but unlike traditional spaces where a DT of his size would consume space, Walker He has top-class quickness and agility that you wouldn’t expect from a guy this big. Among all defensive tackles in college football last year, Walker ranked first in the NCAA in total pressures and tied for third in sacks. He plays up front for the Wildcats and will continue to be a key piece of their defense. I’d like to see him improve his pad level and consistency in his pass rush plans, but he’s probably the best mountain man to come to the NFL at his size.

Mason Graham is a chaotic ball in the middle of the University of Michigan defense. He has a lot of power off the snap and has a good arsenal of inside pass rush moves. Graham is also good at stunts and loops, charging into the backfield like a bull in a china shop. Graham and cornerback Will Johnson (No. 5 on the board) will be big plays on defense as Michigan prepares for a rematch.

Look for another QB somewhere else

If your team needs a QB in 2025, good luck. There are only two QBs in my early top 32, but they still have a lot of questions to answer. His QB Carson Beck of Georgia is QB1, No. 16. He has great passing speed and can execute passes with split-second touch and accuracy. However, his play outside of structure still needs some growth, as does his consistency with ball placement. But teams will like the way he plays in structure.

Next up is Colorado’s Shedule Sanders. The first thing that comes to mind about Sanders’ game is how beautiful the deep ball he throws. He has good speed, but not great speed, but he makes up for it in anticipation because his touch and timing downfield is so good. He’s a true pocket passer who wants to break through progressions and make plays. However, his play under pressure needs to improve. Colorado’s offensive line is still more of a suggestion than an actual thing, and he has to find his answer to the pressure. I also think he tries to press hard, which could also be a reflection of Colorado’s offense. He comes in as a QB2, but he could easily reach top status.

Then the cupboard will be bare. notre dame cathedralRiley Leonard could be the QB3, but will have to answer questions about downfield passing and his ability to mitigate jackass moments. QB Cam Ward, transferred from Miami, could be in there, but he would also have to play a lot less of the Jackass. The transfer portal has a huge impact on his NFL Draft evaluation, and 2025 could be the first year we actually see it.

year of slash

Slash is back, baby! The 2025 draft class has plenty of players who would be better suited for a more hybrid role. Penn State’s Abdul Carter looks eerily similar to another No. 11 who played at Penn State, but he moved from off-ball LB to EDGE, where he has dazzling explosiveness and athleticism. has become a feared presence outside the line of scrimmage. Off the ball, his vision and processing ability are a bit spotty, so keeping him on the edge is best for his NFL future.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the Buffaloes’ other top prospect on this big board. He is a very good wide receiver and also has the potential to be an elite cornerback. His ball skills and route concept handling are outstanding in zone coverage, where he can use top-level burst to get to the ball. He still needs to develop his pressing skills at cornerback, but cornerbacks have NFL characteristics and instincts that shouldn’t be thrown away just because he’s better as a receiver.

LSU LB Harold Perkins is one of the most interesting cases in this class. He arrived on the scene as a freshman at EDGE and used his quickness and explosiveness to dominate tackles. However, his smaller frame (220 pounds) and lack of off-the-ball depth for the Tigers forced him off the line of scrimmage. Perkins is still a very good athlete with the ability to close gaps in the run and pass game, but his inside feel still needs to improve. I look forward to seeing his growth as an off-ball LB.

The running back is back!

There are a lot of very talented running backs in this upcoming draft class. Four of them are in my top 32, but the one who almost made the list was UCF’s RJ Harvey. Ohio‘s Trayveon Henderson and Penn State’s Caitron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. My favorite in this class is Ashton Giunty from Boise State. He’s a guy who never goes down on first contact. Giunty ranked fourth nationally in yards after contact per attempt and tackle breakage + missed tackle rate. He has a powerful, low center of gravity at 5’9 and 215 pounds while providing enough breakaway speed to bring the game home. While his ball safety is a little questionable (4 fumbles in 2023), he provides 3-down versatility that puts him back at the top of his class.

Devin Neal of Kansas, a man to watch. Neal is a senior prospect who has great vision and balance while charging back very hard in a fun Kansas State offense. Although he’s not the most dynamic receiver in the backfield, Neal is a lot of fun and an interesting prospect to watch in a 2025 draft class that’s full of really cool backs.