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

The Raiders take a new starting quarterback.

Sanders has completed 74 percent of his passes for 3,926 yards with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has four rushing touchdowns as well. 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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The Giants grab a replacement for Daniel Jones.

In 2024, Milroe has completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,652 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has 20 rushing touchdowns as well. Milroe (6-2, 212) has an excellent skill set, a good arm, a strong build, and dangerous running ability with amazing speed. In his first season as a starter, Milroe improved as the season progressed, completing 66 percent of his passes for 2,834 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He ran for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns with many clutch plays to get Alabama past Georgia in the SEC Championship and into the college football playoff.

As a passer, Milroe shows real potential with a powerful arm, and he can throw the ball accurately deep downfield. Milroe’s deep ball is phenomenal. He is also a dangerous running threat who can rip a defense with his legs. Milroe needs to improve his ability to read coverage, his knowledge of defenses, his communication, and develop his football I.Q. He also needs to get more accurate as a passer in the short to intermediate part of the field. Milroe is a hard worker and a good kid who is putting in a lot of time to get better.

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The Patriots grab a corner to pair with Christian Gonzalez and a gadget receiver to help Drake Maye.

In 2024, Hunter has 92 receptions for 1,152 yards with 14 touchdowns receiving and one rushing. He has 31 tackles with four interceptions, 11 passes broken up, and a forced fumble 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 Panthers need a replacement for Brian Burns.

In 2024, Carter has 60 tackles with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes broken up. Carter notched 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five passes defended, and one interception in 2023. In 2022, he made his presence felt as a freshman with 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended. Carter is extremely fast off the ball, and his rare explosiveness is even more dynamic with his ability to bend off the edge. While Carter (6-3, 250) is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge, but given his size, he will have to be Sam linebacker that rotates to rush off the edge in the sub package. Penn State lines him up at inside linebacker as well as rushing off the edge so he already has experience moving around the defensive front.

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Cornerback has been a problem spot for Jacksonville and this would be a huge upgrade across from Tyson Campbell.

In 2024, Johnson has recorded 14 tackles, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), and three passes defended. 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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Unless Will Levis plays well to close out the season, Tennessee will target a new starting quarterback.

In 2024, Ewers completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,665 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 2023, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Ewers flashed 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 with pocket-passing ability. He has a live arm, reads the field well, and has serious passing talent with the ability to throw accurately downfield. Team sources said Ewers has good makeup, football I.Q., and should interview well.

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It sounds like New York is going to move on from Aaron Rodgers after this season. Here’s a replacement.

In 2024, Ward has completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,123 yards with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has four rushing touchdowns as well. Ward (6-2, 223) was a point machine over the previous three seasons at Washington State, generating a prolific number of touchdowns. He broke out in 2021, completing 65 percent of his passes for 4,638 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. In 2022, Ward completed 64 percent of his passes for 3,231 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Ward then completed 67 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,735 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also notched eight rushing touchdowns during 2023, which matched the total of his ground scores from the previous three seasons. Ward flirted with transferring to Miami or Florida State before deciding to enter the 2024 NFL Draft, backing out, and completing the transfer to the Hurricanes.

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The Browns could use more young talent on the inside of their defensive line.

In 2024, Grant has 32 tackles, three sacks, and five passes batted. It took time for Grant to work his way onto the field behind Kris Jenkins. However, Grant flashed as a sophomore. In 2023, Grant put up 29 tackles, four passes batted, 3.5 sacks, and an interception in backup duty. The 6-foot-3, 339-pounder has a rare combination of speed, athleticism, and strength. Grant has top-notch ability with a surprising ability to bend his big body. He can play strong when he wants or needs to, and Grant is fast with the ability to run plays down. Grant has a ton of upside, and he is not as dominant as he can be. He could be a better pro than college player, and Grant looks like a top half of the first-round talent for the 2025 NFL Draft.

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The Bears need more offensive line talent to protect Caleb Williams.

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 enters the NFL with a lot of experience. Team sources say that Campbell plays well with his hands, has good technique, is big, and strong. However, in 2024 he has had some issues with playing over his toes too often and getting off balance. Campbell is a safe prospect to be a solid starter at tackle or guard.

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Click here to jump to the Bears' first second-round pick.  |  Rd: 2 Pk: 9

The Saints could use a big receiver and playmaker for their offense. Rashid Shaheed will be coming off a serious knee injury and Chris Olave has had issues with concussions. Here is a big wide out to form a talented trio for New Orleans.

In 2024, McMillan has 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight 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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Trey Hendrickson is nearing the end of his contract, but even if he is re-signed, the Bengals need more rush talent to go with him.

Pearce has 35 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted and has produced a lot of 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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The Cowboys add a difference maker for the interior of their defensive line.

In 2024, Graham has 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one pass batted. 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 is a disruptive presence. He has serious power to shed blocks, bull into the backfield, and stuff runs at the point of attack. Graham also has the quickness and athleticism to create some interior pass rush.

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Miami needs a true replacement for Christian Wilkins.

The 6-foot-3, 315-pound Norman-Lott is a quick gap-shooting defensive tackle capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. In 2024, he has 18 tackles and four sacks while being disruptive for the Volunteers. In 2023, Norman-Lott showed pass-rush ability with 5.5 sacks and 26 tackles with Arizona State. Norman-Lott looks more muscular and much tougher against the run with Tennessee than he did with the Sun Devils.

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The Colts grab more cornerback talent.

Amos flashed on tape for Alabama in 2023, and he has picked up where he left off after transferring to Ole Miss. Thus far in 2024, Amos has 47 tackles with three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Amos (6-1, 190) has good size, speed, and athleticism. He could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft next April.

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The Falcons need some young edge rush talent.

In 2024, Williams has 20 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles thus far. He missed the month of September with an injury. 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 Cardinals grab more defensive line talent to go with Darius Robinson.

Green has been a monster for the Thundering Herd this season, with a ton of big plays for the Marshall defense. Thus far in 2024, Green has 17 sacks with three forced fumbles, 81 tackles, and two passes batted. The 6-foot-4, 248-pounder is very fast and explosive off the edge. In 2023, Green had 43 tackles with 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.

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