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

What the Titans will do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft is a mystery right now. It is still early in the draft process, so in the months to come, Tennessee could gravitate toward one of the quarterbacks, hoping to trade down or draft an edge rusher like Carter or the cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. Right now, there is the most buzz about Carter being the initial leader.

In 2024, Carter had 68 tackles with 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four 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, and he has the versatility to play Sam linebacker as well. Penn State lined him up inside the linebacker and rushed off the edge, so he already had experience moving around the defensive front.

Click links to see the Titans’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Titans’ second-round pick.

The Browns take their replacement for Deshaun Watson.

In 2024, Sanders completed 74 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He had 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.

Click links to see the Browns’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Browns’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 3  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 30

The Giants grab a potential starting quarterback.

In 2024, Ward completed 67 percent of his passes for 4,313 yards with 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He had four rushing touchdowns as well. Ward (6-2, 223) is considered to be a good leader and he has an adequate arm to distribute the ball throughout the field. He is at his best when plays break down, and he makes something happen off-script. Ward holds the ball too long, needs to improve his internal clock, and has some athletic limitations for the NFL. Multiple team sources feel that Ward could be a poor man’s Russell Wilson as a pro quarterback.

Ward 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.

Click links to see the Giants’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Giants’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 1

The Patriots grab an impact player to build their defense around.

In 2024, Hunter had 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns receiving and one rushing. He has 35 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. Many are inclined for Hunter to be an every-down cornerback and a rotational gadget receiver. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses other-worldly ball skills with elite athleticism alongside superb instincts and feel. Hunter is not the biggest of players, and teams have some durability concerns with him.

Click links to see the Patriots’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Patriots’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 5  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 13

The Jaguars could use help on the defensive line and at cornerback. They have invested more recent draft picks into their defensive front, so they could hope those young players improve and add a top talent at corner to help them in coverage.

In 2024, Johnson 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.

Click links to see the Jaguars’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Jaguars’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 6  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 24

The Raiders need a true No. 1 receiver to replace Davante Adams.

In 2024, McMillan had 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.

Click links to see the Raiders’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Raiders’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 4  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 9

The Jets could use an upgrade next to Quinnen Williams.

In 2024, Grant had 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.

Click links to see the Jets’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Jets’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 28

The Panthers need a replacement for Brian Burns.

In 2024, Williams had 21 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.

Click links to see the Panthers’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Panthers’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 10

The Saints go with the best player available and land a tackle to pair with Bryan Bresee.

In 2024, Graham had 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. Team sources say Graham has a bad body and looks like “the marshmallow man.” Multiple sources think Graham will go in the 11-20 range of the first round.

Click links to see the Saints’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Saints’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 7  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 29

Ben Johnson needs a better offensive line to help Caleb Williams progress.

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.

Click links to see the Bears’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Bears’ first second-round pick.  |  Rd: 2 Pk: 9  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 8

The 49ers could use a cornerback upgrade.

Thomas (6-2, 198) is a big cornerback who played well for the Seminoles in 2024. His strong play went under the radar with Florida State having a rough season, but Thomas provided tight coverage on receivers all season. He totaled 53 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up. In 2023 he had 29 tackles with 10 passes batted. Multiple team sources think Thomas could be a first-rounder next April.

Click links to see the 49ers’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the 49ers’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 11

Dallas adds a difference-maker for their rushing attack that could invigorate their offense next season.

In 2024, Jeanty averaged 7.0 yards per carry for 2,601 yards with 29 touchdowns and 23 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown. Jeanty (5-8, 217) has a strong build with impressive speed and athleticism. In 2023, Jeanty averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 1,347 yards with 14 touchdowns. He also was a tremendous receiving back with 43 receptions for 569 yards and five scores. Jeanty could be a dangerous weapon to lead an NFL rushing attack.

Click links to see the Cowboys’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Cowboys’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 12

Miami grabs an interior offensive line upgrade with a plug-and-play starter.

In his second season as a starter with the Crimson Tide, Booker (6-5, 325) turned into a dominant performer up front who consistently wins his blocks in impressive fashion. As a pass protector, Booker has no issues stonewalling bullrushes and mirroring speed rushers. Booker is a beast and extremely strong as a run blocker. He constantly generates movement at the point of attack and drives defenders out of their gap in a violent fashion. The powerful Booker can get a serious push at the line with brute physicality and power. He is a people mover in the ground game and looks like a plug-and-play starter at guard in the NFL.

Click links to see the Dolphins’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Dolphins’ second-round pick.

The Colts could use more interior offensive line talent.

Banks played well as the starting left tackle for the Longhorns over the past few seasons. At 6-foot-4, 324 pounds, Banks has adequate size, but some might view him as having more of a guard-type body – depending on how long his arms are. Banks moves well for his size with quickness and athleticism. He could start out at tackle and move inside as a Plan B if he struggles on the edge.

Click links to see the Colts’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Colts’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 16

The Falcons need help at cornerback and edge rusher. Here they land a natural quarterback hunter to give them so badly needed edge rush.

Pearce had 38 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.

Click links to see the Falcons’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Falcons’ second-round pick.

The Cardinals could consider a safety upgrade. Budda Baker is aging and they could find better talent next to him.

Emmanwori had 83 tackles, two passes broken up, and four interceptions with two returned for a touchdown. He had an interception returned for a touchdown against Kentucky, another returned for a score against Oklahoma, and had a 102-yard touchdown pick-six that had the return whipped out on a suspect penalty versus LSU. Emmanwori (6-3, 220) is a huge safety with rare coverage ability for a player that big. He has been a steady contributor for the Gamecocks for the past two seasons. In 2023, he had 71 tackles, 10 passes broken up, and two interceptions in 11 games. The previous season, he totaled 85 tackles as a freshman. Emmanwori is a freak athlete with instincts and speed and can flash some physicality.

Click links to see the Cardinals’ picks across all rounds:

Click here to jump to the Cardinals’ second-round pick.  |  Rd: 3 Pk: 14