Jacksonville would certainly be willing to listen to trade offers if there were a quarterback worthy of that consideration. There are no trade projections in this mock draft, so it stands pat and takes the most versatile player in college football.
New York waived Daniel Jones, so that era has already come to an unceremonious end. Shedeur Sanders would probably be happy to land in a big market like the Big Apple, and he has been the most consistent quarterback this year.
Las Vegas changes its starting quarterback on a near weekly basis. The Raiders aim to find some consistency in the 2025 NFL Draft with the selection of Cam Ward, who is a volatile quarterback who has willed his team to victory on a few occasions this season.
Drake Maye is the future at quarterback in New England. His supporting cast is not good enough. The biggest issue is the offensive line, but Tetairoa McMillan is better than the offensive line options available at this stage.
Bryce Young has regained his confidence in recent weeks and is playing at a higher level. Carolina needs to funnel some of its assets back to the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers need pass rushers and secondary players. Will Johnson has the potential to be the best player out of this draft.
Tennessee has the seventh-worst pressure rate in the NFL, according to TruMedia. It needs a pass rusher who can step in and make a difference within the structure of that defense. Abdul Carter is a versatile talent that, at the very least, knows how to move the quarterback off his spot.
New York is one of the teams that has already made the decision to move on from its head coach, so change is afoot. New leadership will have its own vision for how it wants to play and the personnel necessary to make that work. There is no question Mason Graham and Quinnen Williams would be a fun duo, however.
Neither Jedrick Wills nor Dawand Jones seem to be the answer at left tackle in Cleveland. The Browns will need to identify and acquire a replacement. There is no better position in which to do that than in the draft if they are out of range to draft a perceived top quarterback prospect.
New Orleans has always had a fascination with powerful pass rushers, and those are the pass rushers finding success in the NFL right now. Chase Young is a free agent, and the next head coach will want a young pass rusher to build his defense upon.
This projection is largely dependent upon what happens with Trey Hendrickson, who requested a trade earlier this year. If he returns, along with Sam Hubbard and Myles Murphy, then perhaps the Bengals use this draft capital to address cornerback or another position of need.
Ashton Jeanty eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards this past week. Dallas needs an upgrade at the position, and Jeanty is a net positive in both the run game and the pass game. It also would not be a surprise to see the Cowboys consider a wide receiver like Luther Burden III.
An offensive coordinator change has breathed life into the Chicago offense. If it can end the season on a positive note, then perhaps the front office will feel more confident in allocating assets to the defense. The Bears have a few, young attacking interior defenders, but would benefit from a staunch defensive tackle to elevate the floor of the run defense.
Benjamin Morrison is recovering from a pretty significant injury, but a lack of first-round caliber players may allow Morrison’s draft stock to remain steady. Indianapolis needs a big-time cornerback and is willing to wait in this instance.
After losing Robert Hunt in free agency last offseason, Miami elects to address the interior offensive line. Center Aaron Brewer has played well and now the interior becomes even more stingy.
When Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen was at Kentucky, he used Wan’Dale Robinson as a multi-purpose tool. Luther Burden III would give them a player capable of getting the ball in space and taking it the distance in the event that Chris Godwin leaves in free agency.
Los Angeles invests in the future of its offensive line with the selection of Kelvin Banks Jr. The Rams have done a great job accumulating talent on defense and need to focus more of their energy on the offense, as odd as that may sound.
Texas
• Jr
• 6’5″
/ 335 lbs
Trent Williams has slipped a bit this year, and his health and availability have come into question. Dominick Puni has been a good find, but the 49ers need more on that offensive line. Cameron Williams replaces Mike McGlinchey at right tackle.
Arizona has invested in the supporting cast of Kyler Murray, but the defense needs more difference-makers beyond safety Budda Baker. Deone Walker is not a finished product, but he is a massive interior defender with the potential to collapse the pocket.
James Pearce Jr. is more flash than power right now. He has good flexibility at the high side of his rush and good first-step quickness. Atlanta has the second-lowest applied pressure rate this season (26.6%), according to TruMedia. It has been a problem for years, and Pearce could be part of the solution.
I have been hammering this point for a month, but Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is building his version of the Baltimore defense in the Pacific Northwest. Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight are his version of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen. Malaki Starks could be his Kyle Hamilton in the sense he would bring a level of accountability to the secondary.
Jonah Savaiinaea has played right tackle for Arizona but may project as an interior offensive lineman. As time has passed, it has become clear that Washington still needs to upgrade the protection of Jayden Daniels. Savaiinaea is an immediate upgrade.
Stefon Diggs is a free agent at season’s end. Rather than throw a significant amount of money at the position or move to acquire another veteran, Houston selects a player familiar with franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud. Nico Collins and Tank Dell will have had another year to come into their own, so the Texans no longer need Diggs to be that player.
Denver recently waived Greg Dulcich and has gotten little support from the tight end position. Colston Loveland gives the Broncos more reliability in the run and pass games.
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6’5″
/ 269 lbs
Bud Dupree is playing significant reps for this team and Khalil Mack is in the final year of his contract. Joey Bosa and Tuli Tuipulotu are the present, but the rotation continues with the powerful J.T. Tuimoloau in the fold.
Ronnie Stanley, who is in the final year of his contract, has missed significant time due to injuries in recent years. Josh Simmons is not the best candidate to replace him considering he is coming off an injury of his own, but his early-season play was consistent with that of a potential first-round pick.
Pittsburgh has its secondary locked in long-term with Joey Porter Jr., Beanie Bishop Jr. and Daylen Everette as the three starting cornerbacks. Minkah Fitzpatrick on the back end allows the Steelers to capitalize on a havoc-wreaking defensive front.
Green Bay continues its defensive investment with the selection of Walter Nolen, who is a rising interior defender. The Packers could continue making over the offensive line or investigate available cornerbacks as well.
Minnesota’s defensive personnel has exceeded expectations this season, but that is not a sustainable approach. The Vikings need to address the secondary, in addition to defensive tackle this offseason.
Donovan Jackson is a versatile prospect who has played guard, but transitioned to left tackle when Josh Simmons suffered an injury. Philadelphia has always valued versatility amongst its offensive lineman, and the interior play has not been up to par in 2024.
Buffalo has had an affinity for powerful, raw pass rushers during the Sean McDermott-Brandon Beane era. L.T. Overton is still coming into his own but gives the Bills depth alongside A.J. Epenesa and Gregory Rousseau.
In the spirit of the holidays, Kansas City begs the question, ‘What do you get the kid that has everything?’ Sure, the Chiefs have positions of weakness, but it hardly seems to matter for the back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Cornerback is a spot that was not adequately addressed once L’Jarius Sneed was traded last offseason.
Detroit will be able to bring pressure from all angles next season with Za’Darius Smith and Aidan Hutchinson on the edge, and linebackers Jalon Walker and Jack Campbell capable of spot rushing.
