Way too early 2025 NFL mock draft

Trenton Corn gives us a look at some prospects to keep an eye on for next year’s draft, as we embark on the 2024 college football season.

Every year after the draft, I put out my “way too early” NFL mock draft for the following season. Of my 18 players mentioned in my “Way too early 2023 mock draft”, Ten were selected in the first round. Last year’s article saw me identify ten as well. This year, I’m looking to break through and get at-least eleven correct.

This year will be a little different however, as instead of predicting the first eighteen draft picks, I’ll use the Vegas odds.

Why only 18 picks? This early into the process (literally the beginning), I think identifying the first few core group of prospects is much more beneficial to you than throwing out 32 names and hoping they stick. This article should do nothing but introduce you to some of the first few prospects.

Additionally, I use the first 18 teams because that’s the cutoff for the NFL playoffs. With how unpredictable the postseason is, it’s much more likely to predict which teams won’t make the playoffs, than predict how far teams will go, once there.

1. Panthers: Mykel Williams, EDGE

With Brian Burns no longer on the team, Carolina will be looking for his replacement on the edge. Next year’s rookie class is MUCH better on the defensive side of the ball, as the Panthers will definitely have their fair share of options at the top. Although this is a bit of a projection, Georgia’s Mykel Williams is a long, instinctive and powerful pass rusher who many Georgia fans have anticipated being their Travon Walker replacement since his arrival on campus. Although the sack production hasn’t been what many had expected, Williams has produced more sacks throughout his first two seasons than Walker did to start his career for the Bulldogs. Although he’s a better run defender at this point in his career, I can see NFL teams being sold on his measurables and athletic testing enough to make him become the first pass rusher on their board.

2. Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB

It’ll be interesting to see what position the former first overall ranked High-School recruit turned Coach Prime disciple decides to play at the next level, but with needs at both Cornerback AND Receiver, I wouldn’t be shocked to see New England select the best player available and figure things out from there. In my opinion, Hunter is a superior prospect at the cornerback position, thanks to his length, acceleration in and out of his back pedal and ELITE ball skills. Although he’s a bit thin, that trend has started to become the norm at the position, with Sauce Gardner and Emmanuel Forbes both being first round selections in recent drafts.

3. Commanders: Abdul Carter, EDGE

After seeing what Dan Quinn did with Micah Parsons in Dallas, it makes sense for him to seek out another prospect with a similar play style in Abdul Carter, who also played at Penn State, while donning the number eleven. Carter played primarily at Linebacker his first two seasons, but the 6’3” 250 pound freak of nature with 4.4 second speed is making the switch over to becoming more of a Defensive End for the Nittany Lions next season and would be a player Quinn would undoubtedly covet.

4. Broncos: Kelvin Banks Jr, OT

Sean Payton selected Bo Nix in the first round of this year’s draft, but will likely be looking for someone to protect his blindside next offseason, considering the team didn’t focus on drafting their Garett Bolles replacement in the draft. Kelvin Banks Jr. is ranked below Will Campbell in most way too early mocks, but is a far superior athlete, who’s also a mauler in the ground game and solid in pass protection. Although not as refined as Campbell is, I don’t understand how anyone wouldn’t have Banks and his athletic tools as OT1.

5. Titans: Carson Beck, QB

If Tennessee is picking this high, it’s likely that the Will Levis experiment didn’t go according to plan. That’s where Carson Beck comes in. The 6’4” 220 pound prospect can make any throw and has the ability to create a first down with his legs, which reminds me of Trevor Lawrence. Although he is a much less experienced player than the former first overall pick, I think Beck’s uncanny calm demeanor in the pocket will give NFL GM’s confidence in him being the first QB selected in the 2025 draft.

6. Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB

Since New York didn’t select their Daniel Jones replacement in this year’s draft, I don’t see how they pass up the opportunity to do so next season. Although he has his fair share of critics thanks to his dad, you’d be a fool not to realize that Shedeur can make all the throws and has Bryce Young esque elusiveness in the pocket, to extend plays. There could be some pre-draft drama with his landing spot and his dad, but I think that’s been blown out of proportion by the media.

7. Cardinals: James Pearce Jr, EDGE

Although Arizona drafted Darius Robinson 27th overall in this year’s draft, defensive minded head coach, Jonathan Gannon will likely like to continue to stack bodies the way he had it set up in Philadelphia. James Pearce Jr is a long and explosive pass rusher, who used an NFL ready spin move to claim 9.5 sacks for the Tennessee Vols last season. If he takes another step forward, it’s not crazy to view him as a first overall pick contender.

8. Vikings: Will Johnson, CB

With limited draft capital, Minnesota wasn’t able to address all of their team needs, including at the Cornerback position. They selected Khyree Jackson in the fourth round, but I view him as an NFL ready depth piece, instead of a longterm option. Will Johnson is a very exciting prospect athletically, standing in at 6’2”, two hundred pounds and running a 4.4 second forty, being worthy of a top ten selection.

9. Raiders: Jaxson Dart, QB

With Las Vegas standing pat in the draft and moving forward this season with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connel, one would assume that they’d be in better position to select a QB next year. Jaxson Dart could breakout into being a similar prospect to Zach Wilson and JJ McCarthy, as he’s a bit undersized, but can legitimately make every throw with confidence (almost too much confidence in his arm at times) and has the ability to make plays with his legs as well.

10. Saints: Luther Burden, WR

New Orleans selected much needed offensive line help (Taliese Fuaga) and their potential Derek Carr replacement (Spencer Rattler), but with the release of Michael Thomas, the team could use additional weapons at the position. Luther Burden reminds me of Deebo Samuel with what he can do after the catch.

11. Seahawks: Tetairoa McMillan, WR

With Tyler Lockett getting older and the future of DK Metcalf on the team in question, Seattle would be wise to take a swing at the receiver position and could do a LOT worse than McMillan. The 6’5” wideout reminds me of Drake London with how he uses his strong hands to get separation at the line of scrimmage and make contested catches look easy. He’s a legit three level treat at the position and is a name you need to know coming into next season.

12. Buccaneers: Emeka Egbuka, WR

Positional runs happen all the time in the NFL draft and that’s exactly what I have happening here in way too early mock. Although Mike Evans is in Tampa Bay long term, Chris Godwin’s contract is up after this upcoming season and is getting older. Emeka Egbuka is a former first ranked WR prospect coming out of High School and would’ve potentially been a first round selection in last year’s draft before returning to Ohio State. Projected to be a slot receiver at the next level, Egbuka would be a perfect replacement for Godwin.

13. Colts: Benjamin Morrison, CB

Indy should’ve made it more of a focus to address the Cornerback position in my opinion, as they didn’t elect to select one until the fifth round in this year’s draft. Benjamin Morrison reminds me of Quinyon Mitchell from this year’s class, with his size and ball skills.

14. Chargers: Mason Graham, DT

The Chargers signed Poona Ford for some added beef up the middle of their defensive line this offseason, but with it just being a one year contract, it’s obvious that he’s not a long term option at the position. This gives Jim Harbaugh the opportunity to draft himself a Michigan Wolverine, who offers an intriguing pass rush upside and versatility at defensive tackle.

15. Steelers: Riley Leonard, QB

Although Pittsburgh has Russell Wilson and Justin Fields currently on roster, they’re both on one year deals and will have to prove a LOT to the organization to not move on from them next offseason. When watching Riley Leonard make plays for the Duke last season, I put him on my radar as a dark horse contender to become the QB1 in this years draft class thanks to his dual threat ability. Now transferring to Notre Dame, he’ll most definitely be surrounded by top level talent, but I worry that his arm doesn’t quite compare to those guys I have going above him.

16. Jaguars: Emery Jones, OT

Jacksonville’s biggest needs heading into the draft was finding offensive line help, cornerback depth and addressing their potential Calvin Ridley replacement. With the Jaguars electing to wait until the fourth round to select an offensive lineman, I believe they’ll need to spend up in next year’s class to legitimately address the issue. Although many have tabbed Will Campbell as the superior prospect between the two LSU standout Tackles, Emery Jones excites me a lot more when you begin to look at his size and how well he moves at the position. With the first round selection of Anton Harrison in 2023 (27th overall), Jacksonville can afford to let Cam Robinson walk, move Harrison back over to the left side of the line and let Jones begin his career at Right Tackle.

17. Bears: Harold Perkins Jr, LB

Perkins could fall in next year’s draft due to the position he’d play at the next level. However, with his versatility as a pass rusher, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a team like Washington take him within the top five and Dan Quinn choose him to fulfill the Micah Parsons role within his defense. After solidifying their offense for Caleb Williams this offseason, it makes sense for Chicago to select the best player available and start adding building blocks throughout their defense. In this scenario, Chicago would’ve selected the best player in college football in back to back draft classes.

18. Browns: Deone Walker, DT

Not only is Deone Walker the best player available, but fills a positional need along the Browns defensive line, considering they could use more youth and impact players in that area. Walker could potentially go much higher than this, when you consider his 6’6” 348 pound frame and pass rush upside (7.5 sacks last season).