2025 NFL Mock Draft – Week 16 – Sports Gaming Rosters

2025 NFL Mock Draft – Week 16

December 17, 2024

12–18 minutes

We are getting down to crunch time! The tanking is hot and heavy, with seven teams at 3 wins or less.

Draft order courtesy of http://www.tankathon.com.

Pick	Team	Player	2024 Stats	Commentary
1	Las Vegas Raiders	QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado – 6’2, 215 lbs	337-454, 3926 yards, 35 TD, 8 INT	The Raiders still pace the field when it comes to pathetic performances, and are in a spot to draft their quarterback of the future here. I like both Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, but slightly prefer Sanders. Maybe that is my Colorado bias showing, but I appreciate his leadership ability, knack for bouncing back after getting knocked down and, of course, ability to actually throw the football. I have doubts he will be a true franchise type quarterback, but he is worth the first overall pick for a desperate franchise like Las Vegas.
2	New York Giants	QB Cam Ward, Miami – 6’2, 223 lbs	293-435, 4123 yards, 36 TD, 7 INT	The Giants are working very hard to not win another football game this year. Tim Boyle actually got into the game for New York, proving they are doing whatever it takes to land either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward in the draft. I do not love Ward as a prospect, but I think he will make a fine starting quarterback in the NFL. His three school college career has been a remarkable tale of twists and turns, and he will end it as one of the most accomplished passers the NCAA game has seen in quite a while. The Heisman Trophy finalist has thrown for 155 career touchdowns.
3	New England Patriots	WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado – 6’1, 185 lbs	92 rec, 1152 yards, 14 TD	The negativity that is social media and the internet has infected the Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. So much negativity surrounding one of the most impressive seasons of all time. That is the life of the internet age. This Patriots franchise desperately needs to add a blue chip talent like him to its roster. It will be up to the coaching staff to figure out how to use the likely Heisman trophy winner. Do you play him at slot receiver? Cornerback? some of both? Whatever they decide to do, Hunter will be a dynamic play maker and the most talented player on the New England roster.
4	Jacksonville Jaguars	CB Will Johnson, Michigan – 6’2, 202 lbs	14 tackles, 2 INT	A Mac Jones-led win over the Titans a couple of weeks ago may have cost Jacksonville Travis Hunter, but Will Johnson would be a perfectly fine consolation prize. A nagging injury caused his junior season to be somewhat of a wash, but Johnson remains one of the most talented cornerback prospects to come along in years. He has ideal CB1 size and was a big time play maker during his Michigan career, picking off nine passes. The Jaguars defense, especially against the pass, has struggled mightily down the stretch.
5	Carolina Panthers	OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State – 6’3, 259 lbs	60 tackles, 10 sacks	Drafting Tetairoa McMillan to help out Bryce Young could be tempting, but it is just so hard to win in today’s NFL if you do not have a consistent pass rush. Abdul Carter is the cream of the edge crop. He took the Micah Parsons role and ran with it as a junior, showing both the ability to hold up against the run and overpower pass protectors, registering double digit sacks on the season.
6	Tennessee Titans	OLB Mykel Williams, Georgia – 6’5, 265 lbs	20 tackles, 5 sacks	The Titans could use another offensive tackle here, but it would be tough to sell a frustrated fan base the idea of drafting an offensive lineman in the first round three straight years. Pass rush is also a big need, and Mykel Williams may be the most talented edge defender of the bunch. It has not been the most productive junior season for Williams, but he showed what he is capable of with a two sack performance against Texas. The talent level is off the charts, and I expect him to be a top ten pick once he puts on a show during the pre-draft process.
7	Cleveland Browns	OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas – 6’4, 320 lbs	N/A	Other than quarterback, which is not a realistic option here, the offensive line is the biggest area of need for this Cleveland roster. Fortunately for them, both Kelvin Banks Jr. and Will Campbell are available here. Banks Jr. is probably the better fit as the Jedrick Wills replacement at left tackle. He is quite the athlete and has experience blocking for NFL caliber athletes.
8	New York Jets	DT Mason Graham, Michigan – 6’3, 320 lbs	46 tackles, 3.5 sacks	Despite loading up on veterans, it has been another lost year for the Jets. New York will bring in a new front office and coaching staff, so it is impossible to guess what direction they will go in. Fortifying both lines will be a priority. Mason Graham is one of the more complete defensive tackle prospects we have seen in the draft in quite a while. He has the ability to get after the quarterback as well as hold up against the run.
9	Chicago Bears	OT Will Campbell, LSU – 6’6, 320 lbs	N/A	We have seen too many young quarterbacks careers stunted by a failure to keep them off the turf. Chicago simply has to improve its pass blocking, or they could ruin Caleb Williams. Fortunately, Will Campbell is still on the board, and would be a fantastic fit. Whether he plays tackle or slides inside to guard, he is adept at pass blocking and would fill the biggest need for this Bears team.
10	New Orleans Saints	WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – 6’5, 212 lbs	46 tackles, 3.5 sacks	Age and a long term trip to salary cap hell has decimated this franchise. New Orleans simply needs to draft the best player available here in hopes of replenishing some talent. Receiver may not be the biggest need for the Saints, but Tetairoa McMillan is simply too talented to pass up here. He is big, strong and has a knack for the end zone. He looks an awful lot like a young Mike Evans.
11	Miami Dolphins	DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss – 6’3, 305 lbs	48 tackles, 6.5 sacks	Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier chose to load up on big name stars, and the cap situation has caused this roster to become old and shallow. The defense, in particular, seriously lacks punch. Only the Atlanta Falcons have less sacks than the Dolphins. Walter Nolen would be a nice compliment to Zach Sieler along the Miami defensive line. The former top overall recruit in 2022, Nolen really put things together as a junior. He is a rare pass talent as a defensive tackle, and could give Miami what they so desperately missed from Christian Wilkins this year.
12	Indianapolis Colts	CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame – 6’0, 190 lbs	20 tackles	The Colts defense is getting old in a hurry, and there are a lot of upcoming free agents to account for. Secondary, in particular, is the biggest need on the roster, and thankfully Benjamin Morrison is here for the taking. Morrison’s junior year was mostly a wash, but I do not think his draft stock will suffer much. He may not have the size of Will Johnson, but is a tremendous athlete and has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his 9 career interceptions.
13	Cincinnati Bengals	DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee – 6’5, 243 lbs	35 tackles, 7.5 sacks	The Bengals sit at 6-8 on the season, and it’s safe to say it is not because of the offense. The defense has taken a monstrous step back this year, and reinforcements are needed pretty much everywhere. Other than Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati has struggled to generate much of a pass rush. That is what James Pearce Jr. excels at. He needs to bulk up if he wants to play defensive end full time, but he will be a first round pick because of his quickness and ability to get after the quarterback.
14	Dallas Cowboys	RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State – 5’9, 215 lbs	344 carries, 2497 yards, 29 TD	Ashton Jeanty to Dallas is the most popular mock draft pick out there, and it is easy to see why. Dallas is at its best with a dominating running game, and Jeanty has had one of the very best running back seasons in NCAA history. I do worry about the amount of carries Boise State has put on his legs, but he should be a tremendous back during the length of his rookie contract.
15	San Francisco 49ers	DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan – 6’3, 339 lbs	28 tackles, 3 sacks	Injuries have exposed an alarming lack of young depth on the 49ers roster, and may cost an annual Super Bowl threat a return to the playoffs. Both the offensive and defensive lines have been bullied all year long. Kenneth Grant may be overshadowed by Mason Graham as far as Michigan defensive tackles go, but he is a first rounder in his own right. He owns rare athleticism for a 340 pound defensive tackle.
16	Atlanta Falcons	OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia – 6’2, 245 lbs	58 tackles, 6.5 sacks	Atlanta has almost doubled its season sack total the past two games, but front seven help is still needed. Jalon Walker is a very good all around defender, and a great fit for the Falcons hybrid 3’4 defense. He has middle linebacker skills against the run, but also the strength to get after the quarterback on passing downs.
17	Arizona Cardinals	DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M – 6’4, 280 lbs	37 tackles, 5.0 sacks	Arizona has a playoff worthy offense, but the defense is still a work in progress. The Cardinals do not have many players on the roster that can consistently get after the quarterback. Nic Scourton may be a tweener position wise, but he is a strong pass rusher, and Arizona should have no problem figuring out what position to use him at.
18	Seattle Seahawks	OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota – 6’6, 330 lbs	N/A	Charles Cross is a keeper at left tackle, but it would be correct to say that Seattle could use an upgrade at each of the other four positions along its offensive line. Aireontae Ersery does not have the name recognition of some of the other offensive linemen in this class, but continues to rise up the board as a safe, ready to contribute option. Seattle could use him at right tackle or inside at guard.
19	Los Angeles Chargers	TE Colston Loveland, Michigan – 6’5, 245 lbs	56 rec, 582 yards, 5 TD	The Chargers should continue to rebuild its passing game. Will Dissly has filled in admirably at tight end, but former Jim Harbaugh recruit Colston Loveland offers superior upside. The Michigan passing game was a disaster in 2024, but Loveland was been slump-proof. He is an athletic target hog who was the entire Wolverine offense at times.
20	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	CB Jahdae Barron, Texas – 5’11, 200 lbs	47 tackles, 5 INT	Somehow, the Buccaneers find themselves in the playoff picture despite a laundry list of injuries. Even when healthy, the secondary is probably the biggest need on the roster. Jahdae Barron has five years of experience, and has put up a truly impressive redshirt senior season. He picked off five passes and was one of Pro Football Focus’ top rated cornerbacks.
21	Los Angeles Rams	SS Malaki Starks, Georgia – 6’1, 205 lbs	73 tackles, 1 INT	Despite going seven years without a first round pick, the Rams have drafted well enough to plug quite a few holes on their roster. The secondary could use a couple of upgrades. While Malaki Starks is not a cornerback, he does offer cover skills and is a real play maker, picking off six passes during his Georgia career.
22	Washington Commanders	DE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss – 6’4, 255 lbs	34 tackles, 10.5 sacks	Washington chose to trade former first round picks Montez Sweat and Chase Young last year, and has had to rely on castoffs at defensive end this year. Princely Umanmielen may be a slight reach with the 22nd overall pick, but the guy is a pass rushing terror. The five year senior has 25.5 career sacks to his name.
23	Denver Broncos	WR Luther Burden III, Missouri – 5’11, 208 lbs	61 rec, 676 yards, 6 TD	Things are quickly looking up in Denver. The defense has been very solid, and Bo Mix looks like he could be a long term option at quarterback. Denver traded Jerry Jeudy, before the year, and should look to give Nix as many weapons as possible to succeed. Luther Burden III could not build on a very impressive sophomore season, but I am still a believer in his talent. He is a smart route runner and has the ability to gain those tough yards after catch.
24	Baltimore Ravens	OG Tyler Booker, Alabama – 6’5, 325 lbs	N/A	Baltimore will always a team that needs to draft very well, since it does not often use free agency to plug holes. The interior of the offensive line has simply been okay, which may not be good enough if they want to squeeze another year or two out of the ageless Derrick Henry. Tyler Booker may be a guard only prospect, but he is ready made to step right and and start for a playoff team in need of that extra beef up front.
25	Houston Texans	OG Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona – 6’5, 330 lbs	N/A	Houston is the best of the worst that is the AFC South, but this roster still has quite a bit to work on. Most notably, they need to do a better job of pass protecting for CJ Stroud. Jonah Savaiinaea played tackle at Arizona, but may slide inside at the NFL level. His experience blocking opposing pass rushers would be an asset no matter where he lines up.
26	Pittsburgh Steelers	CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina – 6’3, 193 lbs	8 tackles, 2 INT	Joey Porter Jr. has taken a huge step back this year for Pittsburgh, routinely giving up big plays and racking up a ton of penalties. He is still quite talented, but may be a bit over-matched as a CB1. I do worry about Shavon Revel Jr. coming off of a season ending injury, however, he officially declared for the draft and obviously feels good about his prospects going forward. He may need to sit and heal, but at this point in the draft, could be a steal. He offers rare length and quickness for the position.
27	Green Bay Packers	DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State – 6’5, 269 lbs	38 tackles, 6 sacks	The Packers may have the deepest roster in the NFL. It is tough to find obvious needs. Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness have been solid, but not spectacular. JT Tuimoloau may never be a double digit sack guy in the NFL, but is a solid run defender and can get after the quarterback on occasion. It never hurts to have a deep defensive line rotation.
28	Minnesota Vikings	CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State – 6’1, 193 lbs	41 tackles, 2 INT	Minnesota has four upcoming free agent cornerbacks, making the secondary by far the biggest need on the roster. With only one pick before the fifth round, Minnesota may need to be aggressive and draft a cornerback higher than he may be predicted to go. Denzel Burke looks the part of a Day 1 cornerback selection, but sometimes struggles with the mental aspect of the game. He love s to gamble for interceptions, often leaving him in bad positions. Still, the talent is there, and the Vikings need bodies at the position.
29	Buffalo Bills	DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State – 6’5, 260 lbs	46 tackles, 4.5 sacks	We could see up to one third of the first round composed of defensive lineman. Teams like to employ a deep rotation of pass rushers, the Bills no exception. Like teammate JT TUimoloau, Jack Sawyer never quite developed into a supreme pass rusher, but he has the ability to play all three downs as a complete defensive end.
30	Philadelphia Eagles	DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas – 6’7, 280 lbs	31 tackles, 1.5 sacks	The ageless Brandon Graham suffered a season ending injury, and may have finally played his last down for the Eagles. Landon Jackson, a former top recruit for LSU, has put the finishing touches on a nice career at Arkansas, and could be yet another first round pass rusher. His size/speed combination could allow him to line up at multiple positions in Philadelphia’s 3’4 defense.
31	Detroit Lions	DT Deone Walker, Kentucky – 6’6, 245 lbs	37 tackles, 1.5 sacks	Yet another defensive lineman going in this mock. Deone Walker looked like a potential superstar after a 7.5 sack sophomore season. Like the rest of the Kentucky team, he struggled a bit in 2024, but the talent is still there. He has rare ability for a 345 pounder, and is also a strong run defender, as expected from a man his size.
31	Kansas City Chiefs	WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State – 6’1, 205 lbs	60 rec, 743 yards, 9 TD	The Chiefs have seemingly cycled through dozens of receivers since trading Tyreek Hill a few years ago. They are relying on castoffs like JuJu Smith-Schuster to hold things together this year. Emeka Egbuka looked like a future superstar in 2022, with CJ Stroud throwing passes his way. He since settled in to a nice complementary role, racking up the tough yards and finding the end zone with regularity.