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Lou Pickney's 2025 NFL Mock Draft
Last Updated: November 11, 2024
Lou Pickney (2020-2024: tied for the third-highest score from The Huddle Report)
NFL Draft analyst since 2003
Note: the projected draft order is based on Tankathon as of this writing.
Despite the first 14 selections of this past April's draft being offensive players, there's plenty of reason to believe there will be several defensive prospects off the board early in 2025.
But it's all about the passing game now in the National Football League, particularly on night one of the draft. -Lou
2025 NFL Mock Draft
Hunter is an exceptional corner and also a legit potential two-way threat as a wide receiver, at least depending on where he ends up.
Sanders could very well end up being the first quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's hard to fathom the Giants drafting this high and not taking a QB here.
Ward is an elite talent who has had a tremendous first year with the Hurricanes after transferring from Washington State.
The Browns are paying a heavy price now for taking a big risk on Deshaun Watson in a March 2022 trade with Houston.
But that in itself was a reflection of the times: without an ace quarterback, it's very hard to compete for championships in the modern NFL.
Johnson is a high-end corner prospect who would fill a need for the Raiders.
It will be good news for the Dolphins if they have their choice of the entire 2025 offensive line class at this spot.
New England needs to boost its wide receiver ranks, and McMillan is one of the most impressive wideouts in the college game today.
Is this where a run on EDGE players will begin? There would be several top-tier pass rushers for the Saints to consider here in this scenario.
Graham is listed as the top defensive tackle on nearly every board I've seen. He might end up going top five, though in this mock Graham lasts until #9.
There would be a certain irony to Carolina playing well enough down the stretch to end up with the top quarterback prospects of 2025 out of reach.
Jeanty is the top draft-eligible RB prospect on nearly every board and is in the midst of a really good season in Boise. He's great at carrying the ball, but Jeanty wouldn't be a realistic projection in this range if he weren't also such an adept receiver.
Morrison has been on the shelf since mid-October with a hip injury that ended his 2024 season for the Fighting Irish. It's possible that Morrison will return to Notre Dame for the 2025 season, but if he goes pro he's likely to be drafted on night one.
We may see the run on EDGE prospects really pick up here. Plenty of choices for Cincinnati in this scenario.
Pearce is an elite blitzer and is well-rounded against the run. But it's his pass rushing skills that have Pearce being talked about as a first-rounder.
This is the range where I'd anticipate offensive tackles will start coming off the board at a faster clip.
The run on EDGE rushers continues, albeit with a prospect here in Walker with versatility as a linebacker. But if Walker goes in the first half of round one, it will be because of his superb pass-rushing skill.
The run on offensive tackles continues here for the Rams.
Pass rushers and pass blockers and more pass rushers and more pass blockers... you get the idea. Scourton has impressed at EDGE in College Station this year after transferring from Purdue.
It would be a logical move for the Broncos to add a top wide receiver prospect here, particularly if they have as many viable possibilities in the mix as they would in this scenario.
Lawson is an exceptional athlete with great instincts and coverage range. He has the versatility to fit well in a wide variety of schemes.
Harmon has shot up draft boards thanks to his outstanding play at defensive tackle for the Ducks, showing a knack for pressuring opposing QBs. Harmon has been a great run-stuffer as well, but that's not why he would be drafted on night one.
While Ersery lacks the experience other comparable prospects in this draft will have, his potential is strong.
It almost feels a bit too on-the-nose to project Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reuniting with Loveland, the star tight end on Michigan's 2023 national championship team. Yet that's what looks most likely in this mock.
It's unusual for defensive players weighing ~340 pounds to go in round one. But Grant has the type of athleticism you seldom see in players with his size, and he can be a disruptive force wherever you position him on the defensive line.
Jayden Daniels is off to a great start at quarterback for the Commanders, and it would be a logical move for Washington to add a receiver here if Burden is on the board.
Baltimore needs an offensive line overhaul, and Savaiinaea would be a helpful addition to that effort.
Effective interior pass rushers are in perpetual demand in the NFL. Williams has an unusual mix of size/quickness, and his ability to flummox opposing passing attacks makes him an appealing prospect.
Revel suffered a torn ACL early in the 2024 season, but it speaks volumes about his potential that the injury hasn't dissuaded prognosticators from projecting him in round one.
It's uncommon for a 6'7" defensive end to be such an effective pass rusher, but that's the case for Jackson. He's lived up to huge expectations this year: on the watch list for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lombardi Award.
Davis helped his draft stock considerably with a strong showing in Arizona's upset win over Utah this past September. At 6'4", Davis has unusual height for the position and a propensity for pass break-ups.
Bond is exceptionally fast, and there's nothing the NFL values quite like ultra high-end speed. Great hands as well.
The Chiefs have an elite defensive tackle with Chris Jones, but he'll turn 31 before the start of the 2025 season.
Nolen was the top-rated overall prospect by ESPN and USA Today out of high school, and has played well for Ole Miss this season after transferring in from Texas A&M.
MORE:
Lou's List of 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
NFL Team Pages (2024 selections listed with bios)
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