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

The Raiders take their quarterback of the future.

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 Titans add a difference-maker for their front seven.

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 Patriots grab a young edge rusher to go with Christian Barmore.

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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Jaycee Horn has played well but has had a very hard time staying healthy and is nearing the end of his contract. Even if he’s re-signed, the Panthers could use an upgrade across from him.

Hunter flashed dominant cover ability in 2023 with 31 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended before getting injured. As a part-time receiver, Hunter also totaled 16 receptions for 213 yards. At Jackson State in 2022, he recorded 19 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes broken up. 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.

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Click here to jump to the Panthers' first second-round pick.  |  Rd: 2 Pk: 20

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

Walker (6-6, 348) is a mammoth defensive tackle with surprising pass-rush ability for a heavy interior tackle. In 2023 he had 7.5 sacks with 55 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, and eight hurries. It was a big jump from his 2022 season when he had 40 tackles with one sack, and twp passes batted. For such a big-bodied defensive tackle, Walker has shocking quickness, agility, and twitch. He has a rare skill set that could cause a lot of pro evaluators to fall in love with the idea of adding him to their defensive line.

The Cardinals could use an impact player to go next to the versatile Darius Robinson.

Nolen was a highly recruited player who was considered to have star potential. In 2023, he showed why, recording four sacks and 37 tackles while causing a lot of disruption for Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has a good skill set with a lot of upside. He entered the transfer portal after the 2023 regular season and landed with Ole Miss.

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The Bears could use an edge rusher across from Montez Sweat.

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

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.

Allar completed 60 percent of his passes in 2023 for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 243-pounder has a powerful arm and the potential to be a special pocket passer.

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The Saints could consider adding a quarterback of the future in the next draft.

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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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 could use some youth for the defensive line.

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.

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The Colts could grab a No. 1 corner for Gus Bradley’s defense.

In 2023, Morrison totaled 31 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended. He contributed a nice performance 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 Jaguars could use a cornerback upgrade.

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 Chargers could use a difference-maker for the interior of their defensive line.

Payton (6-5, 240) was superb in 2023, making many clutch plays for the Seminoles. He totaled 43 tackles, seven sacks, and nine passes batted on the year, but he also was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. In 2022, he totaled 31 tackles, five sacks, and three passes batted.

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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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