The 2024 NFL Draft was less than a month ago, but the league never sleeps, and neither do their scouting departments. The 2024 draft cycle was dominated by quarterbacks but in 2025 the defense makes its return to main stage.
It took defense until the 15th overall pick for it to even make an appearance in last month’s draft. Next April, depending on who makes the selections, it could easily be the first and second overall picks. Knowing who is worthy of those selections is why we do these mock exercises nearly a year in advance.
Something we are adding to these selections in the mock draft is something that can change throughout the year, team needs. We plan on doing mock drafts once a month through the bulk of the college football and NFL season. Let these be your way to get to know prospects in the upcoming draft because, yes, even though Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded away nearly all the Vikings’ picks, they still have a first.
1
Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Oct 21, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) causes a fumble by Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) which Tennessee recovered at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: RT, Edge, and DB
2
New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers offensive linemen Will Campbell (66) lines up before the snap during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, OT, and Edge
3
Denver Broncos: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Nov 18, 2023; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) plays against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, OT, and LB
4
Tennessee Titans: Mason Graham, DL, Michigan
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) celebrates after a tackle against the Alabama Crimson Tide during overtime in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: RT, LB, and Edge
5
New York Giants: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Syndication: Online Athens
Team needs: QB, iOL, and LB
6
Washington Commanders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Team needs: OT, Edge, and CB
7
Arizona Cardinals: Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Sep 23, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) makes a catch as Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Benjamin Morrison (20) defends in the second quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. The catch was reviewed and ruled and incomplete pass and Morrison was given a pass interference penalty. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: OL, DL, and CB
8
Minnesota Vikings: Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky
Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker (0) tackles Florida Gators running back Nay’Quan Wright (5) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, iOL, and CB
9
Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) throws a pass in the second quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: QB, CB, and LB
10
Seattle Seahawks: Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M
Nov 25, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Nic Scourton (5) reacts after bringing down Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: QB, LB, and Edge
11
New Orleans Saints: Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by LSU Tigers safety Major Burns (28) and linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (40) and linebacker Greg Penn III (30) and defensive end BJ Ojulari (18) during the second half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: QB, LB, and Edge
12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Nov 4, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Tykee Smith (23) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: CB, LB, and Edge
13
Indianapolis Colts: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
Nov 11, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) tackles Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) in the second half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: TE, LB, and CB
14
Pittsburgh Steelers: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Sep 30, 2023; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) makes a catch for a first down against Washington Huskies defensive lineman Ulumoo Ale (68), defensive end Voi Tunuufi (52), and safety Mishael Powell (3) in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: CB, DL, and WR
15
Los Angeles Rams: Malaki Starks, SAF, Georgia
Syndication: Florida Times-Union
Team needs: LB, CB, and SAF
16
Jacksonville Jaguars: Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; An Arizona State Sun Devils player reflects in the helmet visor of Arizona Wildcats cornerback Tacario Davis (23) in the first half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: CB, iOL, and OT
17
Cleveland Browns: Emery Jones, OT, LSU
Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers offensive linemen Emery Jones Jr. (50) lines up prior to the snap during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: OT, WR, and DL
18
Chicago Bears: Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Syndication: York Daily Record
Team needs: iOL, LB, and Edge
19
Los Angeles Chargers: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) is hit by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows (18) as he scores a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: Edge, WR, and CB
20
Houston Texans: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Dec 27, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (0) runs with the ball as Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Rylan Kennedy (15) attempts to make a tackle during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: RB, DL, and CB
21
New York Jets: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland (18) runs the ball after a catch against Washington Huskies cornerback Dominique Hampton (7) during the fourth quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: TE, CB, and WR
22
Atlanta Falcons: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Team needs: CB, Edge, and WR
23
Miami Dolphins: Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) and Washington Huskies cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (1) reach for a pass intended for Worthy in the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semi-finals at the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 1, 2024. The Texas Longhorns take on the Washington Huskies for a spot in the College Football Playoff Finals.
Team needs: CB, LB, and WR
24
Green Bay Packers: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Evan Stewart (1) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, iOL, RT
25
Dallas Cowboys: Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Team needs: WR, DL, and LB
26
Philadelphia Eagles: J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Team needs: Edge, iOL, and LB
27
Detroit Lions: Kevin Winston Jr., SAF, Penn State
Syndication: Hanover Evening Sun
Team needs: WR, SAF, and LB
28
Cincinnati Bengals: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: CB, TE, and RB
29
Buffalo Bills: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Nov 25, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (13) cannot quite hold a pass from quarterback Justin Lamson as he gets ahead of Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety DJ Brown (2) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, CB, and SAF
30
Baltimore Ravens: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Nov 18, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) runs after a catch as Louisiana Monroe Warhawks defensive back Jyren Ester (21) makes the tackle during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: WR, Edge, and iOL
31
San Francisco 49ers: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (71) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: OT, CB, and WR
32
Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 24, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) looks to tackle Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Anthony Grant (23) at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Team needs: CB, SAF, and WR
