College football is officially here, with Week 1 on deck. Plus, the 2024 NFL season is less than a week away. So it sure seems like a good time to take an early look at the 2025 NFL draft, right?
We asked our NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to answer 25 questions and make early predictions for what might happen next April. Who will go No. 1, and how many quarterbacks will be first-rounders? Which positions and schools will have most Day 1 picks? What prospects could be sleepers -- and risers -- over the next eight months, and who will dominate at the combine after the season? Our experts even did mini mock drafts of the top five selections, predicted the College Football Playoff national champion and made their Heisman Trophy picks.
To get you ready for the college football (and NFL) season, here's what you need to know for the NFL draft.
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No. 1 pick | First-round QBs | Deepest position
Stacked rosters | Sleepers | Intriguing prospects
CFP picks | Heisman | Mini mocks | Planting our flags
Who will be the No. 1 overall pick next April?
Yates: Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to the New York Giants. I will always default to QB here, as eight of the last 10 first overall picks have come from the position, and Beck has been the most impressive signal-caller in the class in my early evaluation. He has a smooth delivery and is a precision passer with the mobility to create second-reaction and out-of-structure throws. ESPN's Football Power Index projects the Giants to have the sixth pick in the draft, but other teams ahead of them are unlikely to take a QB, which means a trade-up could be in play for a team like New York.
Kiper: I agree, Field. Beck has the best chance to be the No. 1 pick given the push for quarterbacks, even though I also see a lot of really good pass rushers at the top of this class. It's so tough to call the team right now since someone would likely trade up to land Beck. If the Patriots, Titans or Vikings end up at No. 1, for instance, things could get interesting for franchises trying to move up since they might not be in the QB market.
Predict the top non-QB offensive player drafted.
Miller: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri. Get ready for a full draft season of me hyping up Mizzou's junior wideout. Burden developed from a gadget player in his true freshman season (45 catches, 375 yards, six touchdowns) into a truly elite pass catcher last season. His numbers soared to 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 14.1 yards per reception -- including 8.3 yards after the catch.
I had the chance to watch Burden in a scrimmage at Missouri in early August, and he appears to have added muscle and strength to an already explosive 5-foot-11, 208-pound frame. The Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle comps will be there, and Burden has the goods to be special.
What about the top defender drafted?
Yates: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee. It's pretty safe to guarantee next year's first defender will come off the board much earlier than this year (Laiatu Latu at No. 15) and that we'll see a bunch of defenders in the first half of Round 1. Pearce has a rare explosive first step and natural juice off the edge that will help him morph into an elite pass rusher at the NFL level. He was a real disruptor in 2023 with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles and a highlight-worthy 52-yard pick-six in Tennessee's bowl game.
How many quarterbacks will go in Round 1? How many will be top-10 picks?
Reid: I'll say four overall and two in the top 10. Georgia's Carson Beck, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Texas' Quinn Ewers are the only passers who have received multiple Round 1 grades from scouts that I talked to this summer. That's only three guys, but I said four because there's always a quarterback who makes an unforeseen rise during the season, the way Jayden Daniels did before the 2024 draft. The best candidates for that are Texas A&M's Conner Weigman, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard and Miami's Cam Ward.
Over the last decade, there have been an average of 3.5 quarterbacks picked in the first round, and 2024 saw a record-high six signal-callers taken in the first 12 picks. Since 2015, there have been at least two quarterbacks picked in the top 10 every year except 2022, which saw only one picked before Round 3. It's fair to say the 2025 class won't be nearly as bad as that class, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions.
Heather Dinich and Harry Douglas disagree on which Heisman favorite has the most to prove entering the 2024 season.
Predict the midround QB who scouts will fall in love with as a sleeper pick.
Kiper: Cam Ward, Miami. It's his year to shine after transferring to Miami, his third collegiate stop after spending time at FCS Incarnate Word and then Washington State. He can sling it, even though he has an unorthodox delivery that might raise some eyebrows from scouts. And while he forces things at times, Ward is extremely accurate (66.6% completion rate in 2023). He could emerge in this QB class, particularly with the talent around him now.
Reid: Drew Allar, Penn State. At 6-foot-5 and 238 pounds, Allar is a toolsy pocket passer who can drive the ball when well-protected and balanced -- and I also see the mobility to escape pressure. He finished last season with 2,631 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes and two interceptions, but his biggest struggles came against Penn State's toughest opponents, as he completed only 45.3% of his passes against Michigan, Ohio State and Ole Miss. Scouts want to see improvement in those spots in 2024. He has received a mixture of late-Day 2 to early-Day 3 grades from scouts.
Which NFL teams will draft a quarterback early in the draft?
Miller: I count six teams with long-term quarterback questions at the moment, and each of them could take a passer in the top 50 picks. The Las Vegas Raiders -- who will start Gardner Minshew this season -- missed out on the position in 2024, owning the 13th pick in a draft where six quarterbacks were selected in the top 12. Similarly, the Giants were interested in trading up for a Round 1 quarterback given the uncertainty around Daniel Jones, and they could get it done next spring if Jones doesn't turn things around. Those are the two most obvious teams to watch.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields on one-year contracts, and the Los Angeles Rams were rumored to be interested in a signal-caller to develop behind Matthew Stafford this past draft, so both teams could be in the QB market in 2025. And lastly, let's include the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints here; they could be looking for "quarterback of the future," depending on how much longer Aaron Rodgers plans to play in New York and how much longer the Saints plan to stick with Derek Carr.
Which position will have the most first-rounders -- and what's the over/under?
Yates: Edge rusher, with an over/under of 6.5. The 2024 draft class wound up producing five first-round edge rushers, but the 2025 group boasts much clearer top-end star power and depth at the position. In fact, my recent mock draft included seven edge rushers in the first 32 picks. It would not surprise me if two of the first three non-quarterbacks taken in April came from the position, with Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. and Georgia's Mykel Williams leading the way based on the tape I've seen.
Predict how many receivers will go in Round 1.
Reid: Four. Wide receiver has seen a huge uptick in value and draft position in recent years, but the 2025 class isn't as strong as 2024 (which saw three pass catchers drafted in the top 10 alone). Still, there are several WRs who could rise into Round 1 consideration. Mizzou's Luther Burden III and Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan are two first-round worthy targets, and Colorado's Travis Hunter could be added into that group if he decides to play receiver instead of cornerback.
Also keep an eye on Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka, who is aiming to return to his sophomore form after struggling with injuries in 2023. And Oregon's Evan Stewart and Texas' Isaiah Bond are two massive transfers who could rise up draft boards with big seasons with their new teams.
But will we see a first-round running back?
Kiper: Let's say maybe. So much of this depends on the draft order, so I'm not quite ready to make the call. Of course, we didn't see any running backs get drafted in April before the middle of Round 2 (Jonathon Brooks), but two have a chance to get the position back in Day 1 next year. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty could be the top back in the class after rushing for 1,262 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2023, and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton is a special playmaking entity out of the backfield.
It's well known I'm no fan of taking a running back in Round 1, but these two rushers have the chance to clip the top 32 picks if they have big seasons.
Name a player who will jump into the top 10 by the end of the season.
Miller: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State. He's the player I'm most excited to see this season, as he moves into a full-time pass-rush role after previously splitting his time there and at off-ball linebacker. At 6-foot-3 and 259 pounds, Carter has a powerful first step and the lower-body strength to rock back offensive tackles. His size, length and speed are the type of tools that could get him into the top 10 if his production off the edge matches his talent. (He had 4.5 sacks in 2023.)
Which school will produce the most first-rounders?
Yates: Ohio State with five. It's close, though. Ohio State -- which last had five first-rounders in Round 1 in 2016 -- Michigan, Georgia and Texas are among the most talented rosters in terms of draft-eligible prospects, and in my preseason mock draft, the Buckeyes tied with their rival Michigan for the most with four apiece (cornerback Denzel Burke, edge JT Tuimoloau, receiver Emeka Egbuka and guard Donovan Jackson for OSU). So this is a fascinating question to answer based off that alone.
But I'm going with Ohio State because two additional Buckeyes nearly also made that mock draft: left tackle Josh Simmons and running back Quinshon Judkins. It's no surprise this team is viewed as one of the favorites to win the national championship this season.
Emeka Egbuka stays inbounds and spins into the end zone for a 15-yard Ohio State touchdown.
Predict a school that will have a sneaky-high number of top prospects drafted.
Reid: Arizona. Entering the season, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the highest-ranked prospect on the roster and arguably the best receiver in the draft. He's already being compared to Drake London and Mike Evans, who were both top-10 picks.
But interior offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea has also created considerable buzz, as multiple scouts have mentioned he's a late-Round 1 candidate and could be the first interior blocker off the board. Plus, cornerback Tacario Davis is currently getting Day 2 grades but could see a big rise in the coming months. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, he's long with impressive movement skills for his frame.
Predict the highest-drafted small-school prospect in this class.
Kiper: Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound lineman was a wrestler in high school, and that physicality and explosiveness shows up on tape. His football background is limited, and he is still growing into his frame (he was 240 pounds as a freshman), but he has long arms and has given up one total sack over 29 career starts. I see Grant as a Day 2 pick.
Miller: Clay Webb, C, Jacksonville State. Webb was a top recruit in the 2019 class and originally signed with Georgia before moving to Jacksonville State. He currently plays tackle but probably will slide inside to center in the pros given his listed size of 6-foot-3, 310 pounds. His quickness and instincts as a blocker track with his status as a highly rated recruit, and Webb currently has a Round 3 grade on my board.
Which prospect will be an immediate fantasy football star as a rookie?
Yates: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona. He has a real shot to be a top-10 selection based on his tape to this point, as he has rare 6-foot-5 size for the position to go along with excellent route-running ability and what I would describe as vice grips for hands. His ability to snatch the football outside of his frame makes him a quarterback's favorite target, and he is rarely not in position to make a play. No matter the landing spot, he could have an immediate fantasy impact in the NFL.
In a vacuum, running backs are a bit more dependent on their team and situation in terms of fantasy value than receivers, which further boosts McMillan's case.
Predict a first-round sleeper.
Miller: Jaydn Ott, RB, California. I know Kiper is going to love a running back being my pick here, but Ott is special. The 6-foot, 210-pounder has 4.4 speed and a powerful running style that allows him to break tackles and run past defenders. With 1,315 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season, Ott has put himself in the RB1 conversation with players such as Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins and Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. But factor in the 71 receptions he has posted over the last two years, and Ott's draft stock goes over the top. Three-down skills and runaway speed make Ott my Round 1 sleeper.
Kiper: Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon. At 6-foot and 175 pounds, Stewart is an electric, super-fast playmaker who can take the top off the defense. The former high school track star was great as a freshman at Texas A&M, hauling in eight catches for 100-plus yards in games against both Alabama and Florida, but an ankle injury slowed him in 2023. Now in his first season at Oregon, he's primed for a big year catching passes from Dillon Gabriel. There's a little Zay Flowers to his game.
Who will be the season's biggest non-Round 1 riser?
Yates: Antwane Wells Jr., WR, Ole Miss. Wells starred in his first three college seasons, dominating at James Madison for two years (including 1,197 yards and 14 TDs in 2021) before spending two more at South Carolina. He is a huge, explosive and powerful wide receiver who sat out all but two games last season and then transferred to Ole Miss. Wells will already be 24 years old at the time of the draft, which might limit just how high he can rise, but the tools are there for a bounce-back in Oxford. He's probably in the fourth-round discussion right now because of the lost 2023 season, but he has the potential to jump as high as Round 2.
Reid: DeMonte Capehart, DT, Clemson. Capehart is expected to be Clemson's starting 1-technique after playing 20 or more snaps in only three of 12 games last season. And with Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro off to the NFL, Capehart is a prime breakout candidate. At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, he's a true space-eater who can clog interior gaps as a run defender and collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. He has a chance to impress scouts early on as the Tigers play Georgia in Week 1. Capehart is a Day 3 guy at the moment because of his lack of playing time but could rise into the Day 2 discussion with a strong season.
Pick the prospect scouts will fall in love with because of his physical traits.
Kiper: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina. Revel joined East Carolina in 2022 after a couple of years at Louisburg College, and he impressed with nine pass breakups in 12 starts last season. Another former high school track star, Revel has great length and recovery speed at 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds. He has only one pick over two seasons at East Carolina, but he has excellent traits, and opponent offenses tend to steer clear of him with the ball.
Yates: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama. Milroe is my QB4 coming into the season and has a chance to rocket up the rankings. He has a cannon arm and is an elite power runner at the position. Though Milroe does not have overwhelming size (6-foot-2, 225 pounds), he's still challenging for defenders to bring down because of his combination of explosion and toughness. And I'm forecasting him to take a major step forward as a passer in a new coach Kalen DeBoer's offense.
Name one prospect who no one will be able to agree on next April.
Miller: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas. Believe it or not, I answered this question the same exact way at this time last year, when we thought Ewers might declare for the 2024 draft. It still rings true 12 months later. We could probably pick any of the top quarterbacks and find a wide variance on ranking headed into the season, but Ewers is particularly notable. He's a third-year starter with the arm talent and mobility needed to be a high draft pick, but his inconsistent play and decision-making have led to questions about his pro stock. Some will love the traits and potential, while others will be more concerned with the lack of overall consistency.
Predict who will run fastest in the 40-yard dash at the combine.
Yates: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas. The Longhorns know speed; Xavier Worthy set the combine record with a 4.21-second 40-yard dash in 2024. And Bond's playing speed is also elite, which should make him an ideal candidate to fill Worthy's role in Austin after transferring from Alabama. Bond could run in the low-4.3s at the combine.
Will Travis Hunter ultimately be drafted as a wide receiver or cornerback?
Reid: It's a question that I've gone back and forth on, and the feedback from NFL scouts has also been a mixed bag. He has pro traits on both sides of the ball, catching 57 passes for 721 yards and five scores on offense, and making 30 tackles and picking off three passes on defense last season. But given how quickly young wide receivers are making an impact in the NFL, combined with pro teams' propensity to use first-round picks on them, I'm starting to think Hunter would be better served as a receiver.
Travis Hunter is left open to score a 15-yard touchdown and pull the Buffaloes closer vs. Oregon State.
Hunter's ball skills, playmaking ability and route running are fantastic, and those traits probably will translate to the next level. There's a much steeper learning curve at cornerback. And there's also the financial ramifications, as the market for wideouts has surged over the last three seasons.
What is your pick to win the new expanded College Football Playoff?
Kiper: Ohio State. So many players who could have gone in the 2024 draft opted to return, and the Buckeyes also used the transfer portal to build a juggernaut. It's a motivated roster with superior talent to the rest of the FBS, though Oregon could give OSU a run.
Miller: Oregon. The move to the Big Ten will test the Ducks, but the additions of quarterback Dillon Gabriel and wide receiver Evan Stewart push them over the rest of the conference -- and the rest of the nation.
Yates: Ohio State. It's a bit of a pressure-cooker year for the Buckeyes, but that was addressed this offseason when they hit the transfer portal hard to load up and put together a roster filled with future NFL starters.
Reid: Ohio State. Yes, this is the most loaded roster in the country, as the Buckeyes have everything needed to win it all. They will ultimately prevail over Georgia in the title game.
Who will win the Heisman Trophy?
Miller: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon. He has the big arm, the mobility and an offense that will allow him to throw the ball early and often to star receivers Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart.
Kiper: I'm with you. Gabriel will put up huge numbers this season, especially with the talent around him. Oregon's offense has two future NFLers at offensive tackle and plenty of playmakers to catch his passes. It helps that Oregon hosts Ohio State this season. Gabriel reminds me a little of Tua Tagovailoa.
Mini mock time: Predict the top five picks, including how you think the draft order will play out.
Reid:
1. New York Giants: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
2. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
3. Denver Broncos: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
4. New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
5. Washington Commanders: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Miller:
1. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
2. New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
3. Denver Broncos: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
4. New York Giants: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
5. Washington Commanders: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Yates:
1. New York Giants: Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
2. Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
3. New England Patriots: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
4. Washington Commanders: Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
5. Denver Broncos: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Predict the NFL team that everyone will be talking about at draft time.
Yates: Las Vegas Raiders. I believe the Raiders' defense will keep them competitive in many games this season, so much so that there's a chance they aren't sitting in a premium draft slot. That would make drafting a first-round quarterback a little more difficult than some other teams that might be higher on the board. The Raiders saw that same situation in last spring's draft, with six signal-callers going before they were on the board. If things play out this way, Las Vegas will be an interesting trade-up candidate.
Plant your flag: Predict anything else about this class.
Miller: One year after seeing a record-tying seven wide receivers drafted in Round 1, the 2025 class will see a dropoff to three or four in the top 32. I love Luther Burden III, Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter, but this class doesn't have much top-tier depth.
Yates: Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will soar into the first round. Playing in the Kalen DeBoer offense will help refine his game, and I expect Milroe's evaluations to look much different come April -- even if it's too much to ask for him to see a Jayden Daniels-esque jump up the board.
Reid: The 2024 draft broke the record for most offensive players selected in the first round (23) -- and the inverse will happen in 2025, with defense ruling the day. And the defensive line, in particular, will dominate Round 1. The top six players on my board are defensive players, and I have 14 in my top 25 on that side of the ball.
Kiper: I have a few here. Along the lines of what Jordan suggested, I think eight of the first 10 picks -- and 10 of the first 13 -- will be defensive players. That side of the ball is going to rebound in a big way next year. Additionally, we're going to see four or five RBs in the first two rounds, the most since 2020. There is a lot of talent at that position.