Many experts already said at the 2024 NFL Draft that the 2025 quarterback class would be thin. This explains why teams grabbed a record six signal callers in the first twelve picks.
But the truth is that teams in need of a quarterback are rarely patient when it comes to filling the most important position on the roster, so even if scouts aren’t exactly excited about the upcoming generation of quarterbacks right now, it’s entirely possible there will be another go, especially if one or two of them have a stellar year – after all, no one predicted Joe Burrow would be No. 1 before his 2019 Heisman season.
Of course, the number of QBs drafted is also influenced by demand. If the Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell doesn’t make a leap forward in his second season or Geno Smith doesn’t bounce back in Seattle, demand will increase, driving up the stock prices of any player who appears capable of leading an offense.
Who knows how The 2024 NFL season will take placebut the draft is more predictable because quarterbacks are often selected early and often in the first round. With that in mind, here is our attempt to predict the top 10 picks in Draft 25.
We’ve ranked them based on our earnings predictions that we used when we introduced our 32 Teams in 32 Days series this summer. Sports illustrated‘s website. But we made a trade within the top 10 because, as you know, teams don’t wait to draft quarterbacks.
We’ve ranked them based on our earnings predictions that we used when we introduced our 32 Teams in 32 Days series this summer. Sports illustrated‘s website. But we made a trade inside the top 10 because, as you know, teams don’t wait to draft quarterbacks. Here’s our way-too-early mock draft.
1. New England Patriots: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
The Patriots will likely need a strong wide receiver in the offseason to back up rookie quarterback Drake Maye, but there may not be a Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 2025 draft. Instead, the Patriots will play it safe and take the best edge rusher in Pearce. Pearce recorded 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in his second season.
2. Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Another poor season from Bryce Young could prompt the Panthers to draft a quarterback two years after selecting Young with the No. 1 pick. But the Panthers may have done enough in the offseason to ensure Young improves significantly after his rocky rookie season. In this scenario, the Panthers back up Young by selecting Banks, considered by many to be the best tackle in the 2025 class. This would allow Carolina to move 2022 first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu to the offensive guard position.
3. Denver Broncos: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Broncos could also consider drafting a quarterback after putting this year’s first-round pick Bo Nix in a tough spot. They may have the worst roster in the NFL, but Nix’s college experience (61 starts) could help him provide enough positives. Campbell has a lot of potential and could potentially surpass Banks as the most promising tackle with a dominant season at LSU. A strong left tackle would put Nix in a better situation for his sophomore year.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Cardinals could be a surprise team in 2024 because of their promising offense, but they lack key cornerstones on coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense. Arizona likely wouldn’t hesitate to recruit Johnson, who has been compared to Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Johnson had four interceptions in helping Michigan win the national title last season.
5. Las Vegas Raiders: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
There may not be three quarterbacks selected with the first three picks like in this year’s NFL Draft, but there will likely be one in the top five due to Beck’s accuracy, arm strength and ideal size at 6’4″ and 220 pounds. Raiders general manager Tom Telesco is known for preferring big quarterbacks with a strong arm. During his 11 years as GM of the Los Angeles Chargers, he had Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. After failing to select a quarterback, the Raiders paired Beck with 2024 first-round pick Brock Bowers.
6. Seattle Seahawks via transfer with Minnesota Vikings: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
When the Vikings drafted quarterback JJ McCarthy in April, they were willing to trade down and accept the Seahawks’ offer of multiple picks and at least one future first-round pick. By now, the Seahawks should realize that Geno Smith is not the long-term solution at the quarterback position, regardless of how he plays in 2024. Some may be surprised to see Ewers ahead of Shedeur Sanders, but perhaps Ewers can find consistency and deliver a dominant season in Texas.
7. Tennessee Titans: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Luther’s game-winning speed would fit well with the Titans’ receiver corps, which is heavily stocked with Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins. Treylon Burks was expected to be the team’s yards-after-catch playmaker, but he’s struggled to adjust to the NFL after being drafted in the first round in 2022. Whether Will Levis will be a franchise quarterback is still to be decided, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make strides in coach Brian Callahan’s offense to potentially acquire more players like Luther in the 2025 offseason.
8. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The Giants are parting ways with Daniel Jones after six rocky seasons and making Sanders the new face of the franchise. Sanders can get hot quickly and is capable of leading teams in crunch time. But his gunslinger mentality often got him in trouble last season as a starter for his father and coach Deion Sanders. If Sanders plays more composed, he has a lot of potential as a pocket passer and would do well in this scenario, as the Giants used their 2024 first-round pick on wide receiver Malik Nabers.
9. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
The Browns could be looking for a first-round quarterback next year if Deshaun Watson fails to show consistency in his third season in Cleveland. With three quarterbacks already out in this mock draft, the Browns are further bolstering their dominant defense by adding edge rusher Myles Garrett. Graham’s strength and relentless drive make him the ideal candidate to replace veteran defensive tackles Dalvin Tomlinson and Shelby Harris.
10. Washington Commanders: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Many draft experts struggle to find the best position for Hunter, but perhaps they’re overlooking how valuable he can be as a two-way player. Hunter can develop into a dangerous threat downfield and a gadget player in the backfield. That would put even more pressure on the opposing Commanders defense, which already struggles with rookie Jayden Daniels’ arm and mobility. Plus, Washington had one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season. Perhaps they could take advantage of Hunter’s versatility on both sides of the ball.
