2025 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (1-16) – Charlie Campbell

The Raiders take their quarterback of the future.

In 2024, Sanders has completed 68 percent of his passes for 689 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Sanders was very good in 2023, completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He picked up four rushing touchdowns as well. Multiple team sources thought Sanders (6-2, 215) had the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. An area scout told WalterFootball.com:

He won’t wow with physical tools …. But his arm is good enough, especially in the short and intermediary. Mentally, he can operate at incredible speed. He could be the most NFL ready as far as football I.Q.; he bleeds confidence and charisma. He’ll own a team immediately because of his competitiveness and obvious advantage having grown up in the rare NFL bubble. Pro ball will not scare him.

Sanders dominated at Jackson State over two seasons before transferring to Colorado in 2023 to continue playing for his father. In 2021, Sanders completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,231 yards, 30 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. In 2022, he completed 71 percent of his passes for 3,732 yards, 40 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

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DeAndre Hopkins will probably be done in Tennessee after this season. The Titans also could use more cornerback talent. Here’s a stud to help them at corner and/or receiver.

In 2024, Hunter has 17 receptions for 242 yards with three touchdowns. He has six tackles with one pass breakup on defense. Hunter flashed dominant cover ability in 2023 with 31 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended before getting injured and missing some time. As a receiver, he provided some big plays to the Buffs’ offense, catching 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns. As we reported in the Hot Press, teams are divided on whether Hunter should be a wide receiver or a cornerback in the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses other-worldly athleticism alongside superb instincts and feel. The 2025 NFL Draft has the potential to be a strong year at cornerback, and Hunter is my No. 1-ranked corner prospect in the class and he could end up grading out as a first-round receiver as well. At Jackson State in 2022, he recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes broken up. As a part-time receiver, Hunter also totaled 16 receptions for 213 yards.

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The Patriots grab a No. 1 receiver for Drake Maye.

In 2024, McMillan has 12 receptions for 315 yards and two touchdowns. To open the season, McMillan had an amazing performance with 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns taking on New Mexico. Arizona had an impressive 2023 season while featuring a dangerous passing attack. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was a known factor for 2023, but McMillan emerged as a playmaker that season. The sophomore caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan notched 39 catches for 702 yards and eight scores as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder McMillan has mismatch size for the NFL.

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Carolina traded away Brian Burns and has Shaq Thompson aging as a linebacker. Here’s a defender that can help them at both spots.

In 2024, Perkins has 11 tackles through two games. Perkins was a beast and was all over the field for LSU as a freshman in 2022, totaling 72 tackles, 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and four passes batted. In 2023, Perkins recorded 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 74 tackles, and four passes batted. The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder possesses a unique body type and is undersized as an edge defender, but there is no doubt about his explosive speed and tremendous instincts.

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The Vikings need an impact player in the middle of their defensive line.

In 2024, Graham has seven tackles and was a non-factor in Michigan’s loss to Texas. A former star recruit, Graham flashed as a freshman in 2022, collecting 28 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and a pass batted. He recorded 35 tackles, three sacks, one pass batted, and one forced fumble in 2023. Graham (6-3, 318) has good size and upside.

The Cardinals could use an impact front-seven defender to go next to or across from the versatile Darius Robinson.

In 2024, Williams has two tackles thus far. Williams totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two passes batted in 2023. As a freshman backup in 2022, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has a lot of upside and an excellent skill set.

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The Bears could use more defensive line talent next to Montez Sweat.

Pearce has one tackle but has produced a lot of pass pressures thus far in 2024. Pearce was a big-time presence for the Volunteers in 2023, making a lot of splash plays and producing a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 28 tackles with 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two passes batted, and an interception. Pearce is listed at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, but that could be inflated. If those numbers are exaggerated, as often is the case, Pearce could fit as an outside linebacker and edge rusher in a 3-4 defense. Pearce would need to gain weight and get stronger to be an every-down defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. Pearce needs to improve his run defense for the NFL.

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Click here to jump to the Bears' first second-round pick.  |  Rd: 2 Pk: 7

Courtland Sutton could be on a roster come 2025, and the Broncos could target a No. 1 receiver for Bo Nix.

In 2024, Burden has seven receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. Burden played really well as a sophomore in 2023, putting up 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. As a freshman, he flashed with 45 catches for 375 yards and six scores. He also ran the ball somewhat that season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden is an explosive playmaker and could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Unless Daniel Jones plays well this season, the Giants will need a new starting quarterback.

In 2024, Beck has completed 71 percent of his passes for 520 yards with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. After a bit of a slow start to 2023, Beck heated up for Georgia, showing off a powerful arm and an ability to push the ball downfield. Beck completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his debut as the Bulldogs starter. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has upside and could become a legit quarterback prospect by the time of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Marshon Lattimore is injury-prone, expensive, and a problem in the locker room. There have been rumors of him being traded and the Saints could be looking for another No. 1 corner in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Johnson has recorded six tackles, an interception, and a pass defended. In Week 1, Johnson had a clutch interception. He returned 86 yards for a touchdown. Johnson played really well for the Wolverines in 2023 and provided very good coverage late in the year during their championship run. He totaled 27 tackles, four interceptions and four passes defended. In 2022, he recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions, and three passes broken up. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder has a good skill set and upside.

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The Commanders could use a left tackle to protect Jayden Daniels.

Campbell earned the starting left tackle job in training camp as a true freshman in 2022 and started 13 games there. He then held onto the spot as a sophomore in 2023, protecting the blind side of Jayden Daniels. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Campbell is big and will enter the NFL with a lot of valuable experience – assuming he stays healthy.

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The Steelers need a long-term starter.

In 2024, Ewers completed 70 percent of his passes for 506 yards with six touchdowns and an interception. In 2023, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He surgically ripped up Alabama’s defense in a Week 2 road win. Ewers flashed some big-time potential for Texas in 2022. Ewers completed 58 percent of his passes that season for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. There is no doubt that Ewers can make all the throws and pocket-passing potential. While he needs to get more consistent, he has a big arm and serious passing talent. Team sources said Ewers has good makeup, football I.Q., and could continue to rise.

Ewers was smart to return to school because the 2025 NFL Draft should have a weaker quarterback class. If he had entered the 2024 NFL Draft, he probably would have been the fourth-rated quarterback prospect at the highest.

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The Jets could consider adding a safety upgrade.

Thus far in 2024, Starks has three tackles and an interception. In 2023, Starks racked up 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended. He recorded 69 tackles, two picks, and seven breakups in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder’s size gives him versatility.

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The Jaguars could use more cornerback talent to go with Tyson Campbell.

In 2024, Morrison has seven tackles and one pass broken up. In 2023, Morrison totaled 31 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He performed well against Ohio State, helping limit Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Morrison was a freshman sensation in 2022, recording 33 tackles, six interceptions, and five passes defended. The 6-foot, 185-pounder has talent and upside.

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The Chargers need a tackle upgrade.

In 2024, Williams has nine tackles and 1.5 sacks thus far. Williams flashed interior rush ability in 2021, putting up five sacks and 16 tackles. In 2023, he played solid football, recording 54 tackles, three sacks, and five passes defended. Williams (6-2, 290) made a number of impressive plays against NoXtre Dame, getting the better of left tackle Joe Alt.

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Seattle passed on an offensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft, and if the offensive line struggles again this season, they will have to add more talent to their blocking front next April.

Jones (6-6, 322) earned a starting job during his freshman season and has turned in a pair of impressive years to start his collegiate career. In 2023, Jones formed an excellent tackle tandem with Will Campbell to help their quarterback Jayden Daniels produce a massive season that earned Daniels the Heisman Trophy. Jones has a strong build with impressive athleticism for a thick-bodied tackle, and his basketball background is evident in his footwork. At many schools, Jones would be a starting left tackle. Jones looks like a pro starter and should enter the NFL with excellent experience, assuming Jones stays healthy.

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