2025 NFL Mock Draft – Overreaction

Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
2025 NFL Mock DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S
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The overreaction mock draft is back! You never know what outside-the-box thinking will end up being prophetic.

1. Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Will Levis has not proven to be the long-term option, and Tennessee needs a new franchise quarterback.

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.



2. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
TRADE! The Raiders need a franchise quarterback, and they trade up with the Browns in order to jump in front of the Giants. Las Vegas gets what they hope will be their long-term starter and a quarterback who will be able to go head-to-head with Pat Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix.

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) 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.



3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
The Giants need cornerback help and also could use more firepower on their offense. Hunter could be a full-time corner and also help their offense with a receiver to pair with Malik Nabers.

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. 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.



4. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Patriots grab a No. 1 receiver for Drake Maye.

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.



5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Cornerback has been a problem spot for Jacksonville and this would be a huge upgrade across from Tyson Campbell.

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.



6. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
TRADE! Cleveland moves down with the Raiders to get picks for future drafts as they know they will need to start building assets to help get a replacement for Deshaun Watson.

In 2024, Carter has 63 tackles with 11 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.



7. New York Jets: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
The Jets could use a tackle to pair with 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.



8. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee
The Panthers need a replacement for Brian Burns.

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.



9. New Orleans Saints: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia
Chase Young is a free agent, and Cam Jordan is aging. The Saints need defensive end help across from Carl Granderson.

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.



10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
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.



11. San Francisco 49ers: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The 49ers could use a tackle to pair with Javon Hargrave.

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.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
The Cowboys add a stud runner to invigorate their offense. .

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.

13. Miami Dolphins: Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
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 had 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.

14. Indianapolis Colts: Kelvin Banks, OT/G, Texas
The Colts could use more 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.

15. Atlanta Falcons: Mike Green, DE, Marshall
The Falcons need some young edge rush talent.

Green has been a monster for the Thundering Herd this season, with a ton of big plays for the Marshall defense. In 2024, Green had 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.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
TRADE! The Steelers badly need more receiving talent and they move up in a trade with the Cardinals.

In 2024, Burden had 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. 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.