2025 NFL Mock Draft, Oct. 9, 2024: Four Quarterbacks in the First Round

The old Deshaun Watson is never coming back. It’s unclear if it’s too many massages or too many injuries, but the old Watson is gone forever. The Browns must move on from him, so they could trade up to the top pick if they’re close enough.

Shedeur Sanders has a high football IQ and great leadership skills. He doesn’t have a stellar arm, but it’s good enough for him to be a top-five pick.

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The Patriots have nothing at receiver unless Ja’Lynn Polk emerges. They need a true No. 1 option to give Drake Maye a fair chance.

Travis Hunter has incredible athleticism and plus size. He’s an elite talent at both cornerback and receiver.

Bryce Young sucks. He’ll have a few more starts to potentially salvage his career once he takes his job back from Andy Dalton, but his disastrous performance to begin 2024 has to mean that Carolina will be interested in making amends for owner Axe Tepper’s terrible decision to choose Young over C.J. Stroud.

Carson Beck has a huge arm, plus size, and quality accuracy.

Pick change; previously Quinn Ewers, QB

There’s a chance Tua Tagovailoa retires as a result of all of his concussions. Regardless, the Dolphins can’t count on him if a concussion will knock him out for the season each time. They may pull the plug on Tagovailoa and draft a new quarterback.

Jalen Milroe is a dangerous runner who has a solid arm. He needs to improve his ability to read coverages.

Pick change; previously Carson Beck, QB

The Jaguars have been searching a replacement for Calais Campbell for quite some time. Perhaps they’ll finally find one with this pick.

Mason Graham is a relentless player with a non-stop motor.

The Raiders wanted Michael Penix Jr., but the Falcons snatched him off the board. They can finally get their new quarterback with this pick.

Quinn Ewers has a big arm, but must improve his accuracy.

Pick change; previously Nick Emmanwori, S

Will Levis has been so bad that I’m beginning to wonder if he’s betting on the other team, or at the very least, helping those who are wagering on his opponents. He won’t be in the NFL much longer.

Cam Ward is a dual-threat quarterback who was very productive at Washington State.

The Rams could stand to bolster the pass protection, given how much worse Matthew Stafford is when pressured.

Will Campbell has average length, but is a nasty blocker.

Pittsburgh tried trading for Brandon Aiyuk, but that went nowhere. The team could use a first-round pick on a receiver this upcoming April.

Tetaiora McMillan has mismatch size for the NFL, and he was very productive during the ’23 season.

Pick change; previously Nic Scourton, DE/DT

Quarterback may seem like the obvious choice if one is available, but the Giants may have grand plans to draft Arch Manning in 2026. He’s the top choice for New York in my 2026 NFL Mock Draft. The Giants can instead obtain a shutdown cornerback to fill a huge need for their poor secondary.

Will Johnson, who had a tremendous showing during the championship run, has a plus skill set and upside.

Brandin Cooks is washed up, while Jalen Tolbert isn’t quite good enough to be a No. 2 receiver in the NFL.

Luther Burden is a shifty receiver who can be used as a ball-carrier.

Pick change; previously Tyleik Williams, DT

The Colts probably would have drafted a cornerback at No. 15 had Laiatu Latu not fallen to them. They still need help at the position.

Benjamin Morrison has a ton of upside as a 6-foot cornerback. He did a good job of limiting Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Saints spent last year’s first-round pick on a tackle, but they need another one. Talies Fuaga will play at right tackle, so New Orleans has to find a blind-side protector.

Emery Jones is a talented tackle with a basketball background. He has impressive athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL.

Pick change; previously Kelvin Banks, OT

The Buccaneers have some major problems in their secondary, particularly at cornerback. What could help is an explosive edge rusher to rattle opposing quarterbacks.

James Pearce put a ton of pressure on the quarterback in ’23. He has a ton of potential, but he needs to fill out his frame.

Arizona was always expected to pass on a quarterback in the early rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, but if Kyler Murray continues to suffer injuries, the Cardinals may not have a choice, especially if they have the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Then again, Arizona could continue to make excuses for Murray, especially if it misses out on the top two prospects. If so, perhaps the Cardinals will finally obtain a replacement for J.J. Watt or Chandler Jones.

Mykel Williams has an incredible first step and was terrific down the stretch for Georgia as a freshman.

The Seahawks have lacked a great pass rush for quite some time. They can rectify that with this pick.

Landon Jackson has high upside and can play end in the 4-3 and five-tech in the 3-4.