The 2024 NFL Draft has wrapped up, which means that the cycle begins all over again, no matter how early it may seem. NFL analysts are already looking ahead to the 2025 draft class, who will play their final year of college ball this fall before heading to the pros. In the way-too-early mock drafts floating around for next April, there are a few big-name quarterbacks, but there is also a notable difference from this year’s draft: Way, way, way more defenders.
This past week’s draft set a record for fewest defenders selected in the first round, but the secondary options next year abound. It’s cornerbacks, cornerbacks, and more cornerbacks — Michigan’s Will Johnson, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, Colorado’s Travis Hunter (who will likely be used at CB rather than WR at the next level), Arizona’s Tacario Davis, Oregon’s Jabbar Muhammad, and OSU’s Denzel Burke are all projected to be first rounders in 2025. A few safeties —Malaki Starks out of Georgia and Kevin Winston out of Penn State — also make the list.
The quarterback list is topped by Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Georgia’s Carson Beck, and Texas’ Quinn Ewers. Other quarterbacks could rise in the ranks depending on how this upcoming fall plays out — Penn State’s Drew Allar, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe will all have their sights set on the pros.
Missouri’s Luther Burden and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka are likely to be the top-ranked receivers in the class, which is not expected to be as strong at the WR position as 2024’s. Several interior defenders from Michigan are popping up on the way-too-early drafts. Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon is likely going to be the top rusher to go in the class, and may even be talented enough to earn a first-round selection.
In terms of edge rushers — always a top priority for plenty of teams heading into draft season — keep an eye on Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, and Penn State’s Abdul Carter.
The mock drafts that we referenced when putting this together are: