This projection was published on 13th December
Round one
#1 Las Vegas — Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
Tom Telesco has always been a ‘best player available’ GM. For that reason, he might stick to his guns and select Mason Graham or Travis Hunter and target someone like Sam Darnold at quarterback instead. However, he could be mandated to take a quarterback here. Deion Sanders will have a big say and he and his son are said to have spent considerable time studying Tom Brady, now part-owner of the Raiders, in preparation for his NFL career. I’m not sure Shedeur warrants the #1 pick but I can imagine an arrangement where ‘Coach Prime’ and Brady work to create an environment which would satisfy all parties.
#2 NY Giants — Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
The Giants don’t force a quarterback here because nobody warrants the pick and instead they sign Sam Darnold to a three-year contract. They look to combine a Baker Mayfield-style addition with a younger QB later on. That enables them to go for Hunter, who can be developed as a receiver or cornerback.
#3 New England — Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
For me he’s the pound-for-pound best player in the draft.
#4 Carolina — Abdul Carter (DE/LB, Penn State)
He’s had a great year and teams will wonder if he can emulate another former Penn State star in Micah Parsons.
#5 Jacksonville — Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
He’s had an injury plagued season but Johnson plays a premium position, he’s exceptionally talented and supposedly has top marks for character.
#6 Tennessee — Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
Although he’s not been utilised fully in Mizzou’s offense, Burden has incredible talent and was said to be extremely highly rated by NFL teams over the summer.
#7 NY Jets — Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
McMillan’s admitted he probably won’t test as well as some might think but he just shows so much natural skill on tape.
#8 Cleveland — Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
At some point early in round one, someone will select Jeanty. He’s too good.
#9 Chicago — Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)
The best pure left tackle eligible for the draft. If the Bears want Caleb Williams to be a success it starts with crafting a better offensive line.
#10 New Orleans — Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
Walker has been the most impactful and consistent player on Georgia’s defense.
#11 Cincinnati — Colton Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Loveland was a victim of Michigan not having a passing game in 2024 but he has every chance to be a star tight end in the NFL, especially playing with Joe Burrow.
#12 Dallas — Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
Eric Kendricks has been a liability this year. Campbell has played like a tank all season for Alabama and has outstanding upside.
#13 Miami — Kelvin Banks (T/G, Texas)
There are certain teams who will be under pressure to invest in their offensive lines in 2025. The Dolphins are very much one of those teams.
#14 Indianapolis — Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
He’s just been so dynamic this year and there’s little reason to think he can’t replicate a feature role in the NFL.
#15 Atlanta — James Pearce (EDGE, Tennessee)
He hasn’t had the big sack numbers and there are questions about his ability to set the edge but his pass-rush win percentage (23%) is second only to Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart (24.6%) and is just ahead of Abdul Carter’s (21.2%).
#16 Arizona — Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
Physically he looks the part but he’s only played in fits and starts this year. The Cardinals need impact players up front.
#17 San Francisco — Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
The 49ers have to fix their offensive line, it’s as simple as that.
#18 LA Rams — Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
Barron has had a brilliant season and can be used as a chess piece across the secondary.
#19 Tampa Bay — Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
He’s had an underwhelming second half of the season but the talent’s there.
#20 Washington — Josh Connerly (T/G, Oregon)
Just a brilliant football player with rare athleticism and aggression.
#21 LA Chargers — Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
Jim Harbaugh once took a chance on the raw potential of Aldon Smith and he might do the same with Stewart here.
#22 Denver — TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
Sanders has shown he can take over games, including against quality opponents in the SEC. His 13.2% pass-rush win percentage is similar to Mason Graham’s (13.1%).
#23 Seattle — Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)
Eventually John Schneider will invest in a quarterback. Allar’s traits match what he’s looked for in the past. He’s far from the finished article but he’s the exact same height and weight as Josh Allen, has plus athleticism and a big arm. The Seahawks renew Geno Smith’s contract on a compromise deal to suit both parties and select their bridge to the future in a range where they know they can get him. More on Seattle’s picks at the end of the mock.
#24 Baltimore — Jonah Savaiinaea (T/G, Arizona)
I think he’s a right guard because he gives up too many pressures at right tackle. When he’s squared-up he can win with power. However, the Ravens were willing to start Daniel Faalele at right tackle, so they might try Savaiinaea there first.
#25 Houston — Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
The Texans are virtually obliged to add to their offensive line after a horror year for C.J. Stroud. Jackson is a great athlete, the opposite of Houston’s former first round bust Kenyon Green.
#26 Green Bay — Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
His production this year has been really impressive with 17 sacks and a 20.3% pass-rush win percentage.
#27 Pittsburgh — Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
The Steelers like big, physical, highly athletic players. Emmanwori can be their version of Kyle Hamilton.
#28 Minnesota — Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
He took over games at times (see: Florida) but in other contests you wanted to see more from him. Finished with six sacks.
#29 Buffalo — Princely Umanmielen (DE, Ole Miss)
When he wants to be, Umanmielen can be really good. His motor runs hot and cold but the talent is there. He had 11 sacks and a 20.6% pass-rush win percentage this season.
#30 Philadelphia — Will Campbell (T/G, LSU)
He’s a very good athlete but all this talk of the top-10 doesn’t chime with the tape. He can be passive, he lacks aggression and he’s been beaten way too often off the edge. He has short arms and will likely have to kick inside.
#31 Kansas City — Grey Zabel (T, North Dakota State)
One of my favourite players in the draft. Just brilliant fun to watch and I think he has a very bright future.
#32 Cleveland (v/DET) — Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
Ward has had a very good season and elevated his stock — but not qualifying for the playoffs robbed him of a serious test having faced a soft ACC schedule in 2024. It’s hard to imagine he elevated his stock from day three to top-five but a team will potentially take him in the top-45. I have the Browns trading up to take him late in round one in a deal with the Lions.
Round two
#33 Las Vegas — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
A reliable target for Shedeur.
#34 NY Giants — Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
Johnson has star potential.
#35 Jacksonville — Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
People keep saying he’ll go in the top-20 but I didn’t see that on tape.
#36 New England — Aireontae Ersery (T/G, Minnesota)
I think he’s too sluggish with his footwork to stick at left tackle but the options aren’t great if you want to improve at the position.
#37 NY Jets — Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, Bowling Green)
He could be a X-factor weapon in the NFL.
#38 Tennessee — Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
Players like Scourton — bigger defensive ends — always get mocked in round one. Then like AJ Epenesa and Boogie Basham, they go in round two.
#39 Detroit (v/CLE) — Josaiah Stewart (EDGE, Michigan)
He had a great season, wrecked the USC game and led the NCAA for pass-rush win percentage. Testing will be key for Stewart.
#40 Chicago (v/CAR) — Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
He would’ve gone in round one without the injury.
#41 New Orleans — Xavier Restrepo (WR,Miami)
There’s just something about Restrepo which makes me think he’ll go earlier than people are projecting.
#42 Chicago — Jared Ivey (DE, Ole Miss)
Ivey showed flashes this year, particularly against Georgia, to think he can be an effective NFL rusher.
#43 Cincinnati — Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
Another player who would’ve been a first round pick but for his injury.
#44 Dallas — Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
He’s aggressive and tough but doesn’t have a typical body type.
#45 San Francisco — Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
I’m not convinced the 49ers are going to pay Brock Purdy a massive contract. Thus, they might add Ewers as insurance and just let 2025 play out. Ewers could be a good fit for Kyle Shanahan.
#46 Miami — Kevin Winston Jr (S, Penn State)
Injury robbed him of an opportunity to go earlier than this.
#47 Indianapolis — Mansoor Delane (CB, Virginia Tech)
He has the traits needed to be a starting NFL corner.
#48 Carolina (v/LAR) — Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
Williams is a terrific run defender and has played well for two seasons.
#49 Arizona — Xavier Scott (CB, Illinois)
He’s such a sparky playmaker. I really enjoyed watching him.
#50 Tampa Bay — Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Ezeiruaku has been consistently good this season rushing the edge.
#51 Atlanta — Jordan Burch (DE, Oregon)
He’s very athletic for his size and he’s had a productive year for the Ducks. It feels like there’s more to come from Burch.
#52 Seattle — Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
He’s a former two-time Georgia state heavyweight wrestling champion. The Seahawks will like that.
#53 Houston — Jake Majors (C, Texas)
The Texans continue to rebuild their offensive line with the brilliant Majors.
#54 Denver — Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
This would be a bargain for the Broncos. Taylor is incredibly talented with great bloodlines.
#55 Baltimore — Billy Bowman (S, Oklahoma)
Bowman plays like a Raven.
#56 Washington — Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
He’s had a brilliant season. Bobby Wagner won’t be able to play forever.
#57 LA Chargers — Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
If there’s a Jim Harbaugh type of defensive lineman in this draft, it’s this guy.
#58 Green Bay — Jack Nelson (T/G, Wisconsin)
The Packers always seem to take offensive linemen I like.
#59 Pittsburgh — Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
If Najee Harris moves on, Neal would be a great replacement.
#60 Buffalo — Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
A productive, consistent safety with a great attitude.
#61 Buffalo (v/MIN) — Danny Stutsman (LB, Oklahoma)
As with Watts, a very consistent, hard-nosed linebacker who fits the Bills.
#62 Philadelphia — Derrick Harmon (DE, Oregon)
I’m not seeing why people have him in round one but he’s a viable day-two option in this draft.
#63 Kansas City — DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
He reminds me of a less explosive Alvin Kamara.
#64 Detroit — Chris Paul Jr (LB, Ole Miss)
He has the demeanour and playing style of a Lions’ defender.
