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

Carson Beck


* Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Last update: Monday, May 6, 2024. Round 1 added.
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’20, ’21, and ’22
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, and 2022 NFL Drafts
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021

2025 NFL MOCK DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S ROUND: 1

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 5/7): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/6)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


1. NFL Team Logo for Titans Tennessee Titans: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Titans could give Will Levis the 2024 season, but if he doesn’t lock down the job, they could look to replace him in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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 previously dominated at Jackson State over two seasons before transferring to Colorado for 2023 to continue to play 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. NFL Team Logo for Giants New York Giants: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

The Giants grab a new starting quarterback.

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. On the year, Beck completed 72 percent of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has upside and could become a legit quarterback prospect by time of the 2025 NFL Draft.

3. NFL Team Logo for Patriots New England Patriots: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

The Patriots take an impactful player for their defensive front seven.

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.


4. NFL Team Logo for Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado

The Vikings take a No. 1 corner for their defense.

Hunter flashed dominant cover ability in 2023 with 31 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defended before getting injured. As a part-time receiver as well, Hunter 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-worldy 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.


5. NFL Team Logo for Panthers Carolina Panthers: Harold Perkins, OLB, LSU

The Panthers grab an edge rusher to replace Brian Burns.

Perkins was a beast and 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.


6. NFL Team Logo for Cardinals Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Cardinals could use a true No. 1 corner.

Johnson played really well for the Wolverines in 2023 and provided very good coverage late in the year during their championship run. On the year, 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.


7. NFL Team Logo for Bears Chicago Bears: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

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

Williams recorded 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.

8. NFL Team Logo for Broncos Denver Broncos: Patrick Payton, DE, Florida State

The Broncos need a difference-maker at edge rusher.

Payton (6-5, 240) was superb in 2023, making a lot of 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.


9. NFL Team Logo for Raiders Las Vegas Raiders: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

The Raiders take their quarterback of the future.

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.

10. NFL Team Logo for Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Pearce Jr., DE/OLB, Tennessee

Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has been a big disappointment and will be a free agent after the 2024 season. The Bucs could use a lead rusher to go with YaYa Diaby and Chris Braswell.

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 27 tackles with 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, 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.


11. NFL Team Logo for Commanders Washington Commanders: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The Commanders could use more long-term offensive line solutions.

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.


12. NFL Team Logo for Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

The Steelers will see if Russell Wilson or Justin Fields can be a solution at quarterback past the 2024 season. If one doesn’t prove to be the long-term starter, however, the team will need to find a new franchise signal-caller.

In 2023, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He surgically ripped up Alabama’s defense in a Week 2 road win. Ewers flashed some big-time potential for Texas in 2022. Ewers completed 58 percent of his passes that season for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. There is no doubt that Ewers can make all the throws and pocket-passing potential. While he needs to get more consistent, he has a big arm and serious passing talent. Team sources said Ewers has good makeup, football I.Q., and could continue to rise.

Ewers was smart to go back to school because the 2025 NFL Draft should have a weaker quarterback class. If he had entered the 2024 NFL Draft, he probably would have been the fourth-rated quarterback prospect, at the highest.

13. NFL Team Logo for Colts Indianapolis Colts: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

The Colts could stand to add more interior defensive line talent.

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.

14. NFL Team Logo for Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

The Jaguars grab a cornerback upgrade.

In 2023, Morrison totaled 31 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defended. He contributed a nice performance against Ohio State back in September, 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.


15. NFL Team Logo for Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State

Los Angeles needs a true No. 1 cornerback.

Hancock totaled 41 tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks, two interceptions and four passes defended in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses good size and upside.


16. NFL Team Logo for Saints New Orleans Saints: Princely Umanmielen, DE, Ole Miss

Cam Jordan is aging and declining, while Chase Young only signed a 1-year contract. The Saints will have to draft Jordan’s replacement before long.

Umanmielen played well for Floida in 2023, recording seven sacks and 39 tackles. He transferred to Ole Miss after the season. In 2022, he totaled 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Umanmielen totaled 3.5 sacks over the 2021 and 2020 seasons. The 6-foot-5, 255-pounder has quality size with some speed and athleticism off the edge. He has shown improvement and growth as he has gained experience. Umanmielen still possesses upside to develop, so he could make a jump in 2024.