2025 NFL Mock Draft – Week 17 – Sports Gaming Rosters

2025 NFL Mock Draft – Week 17

December 24, 2024

12–18 minutes

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

I do not predict trades in my mocks, but expect a trade up with two quarterbacks worthy of a first round pick and so many bad teams in need jumbled together.

Pick	Team	Player	2024 Stats	Commentary
1	New York Giants	QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado – 6’2, 215 lbs	337-454, 3926 yards, 35 TD, 8 INT	The Giants now have a full one game lead over the rest of the field. With how this team has packed it in, I do not see them winning a third game. They are all in on tanking for a quarterback. The question is, Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward? Maybe it is my bias as a Colorado fan, but I am a Shedeur Sanders believer. While I think he may top out as a better Geno Smith, he should be a quality starter for a long time. He may not have the athleticism of other top quarterbacks, but he is smart, steady and withstood constant beatings behind a bad Colorado offensive line for two years, showing leadership and toughness.
2	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. Not to mention how he chooses to live his personal life. 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.
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	CB Will Johnson, Michigan – 6’2, 202 lbs	14 tackles, 2 INT	The Jaguars have talent, but this is just a team that does not know how to win football games. The defense, in particular, has been worrisome. 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.
4	Tennessee Titans	QB Cam Ward, Miami – 6’2, 223 lbs	293-435, 4123 yards, 36 TD, 7 INT	Tennessee may not want to admit it, but Will Levis is not, nor ever was, a starting caliber quarterback. The Titans have drafted quite a few first round quarterbacks the past twenty years or so. None have really worked out, but they have to keep trying. Cam Ward has had a storybook like run from zero star recruit, to three colleges, to first round pick. He is experienced, can make all of the throws, and is a leader.
5	Cleveland Browns	DE Abdul Carter, Penn State – 6’3, 259 lbs	63 tackles, 11 sacks	The Browns are one of many teams in need of a quarterback, but with an aging, shallow roster, they may not want to trade up for one. The offensive and defensive lines could also use upgrades. 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	Las Vegas Raiders	DE Mykel Williams, Georgia – 6’5, 265 lbs	20 tackles, 5 sacks	Players and coaches never want to lose games, but a meaningless late season win may have cost the Raiders a chance at a new quarterback. It’s a potentially catastrophic result for a franchise that seems to be all in on Shedeur Sanders, but that is the reality of the 2024 season, where so many teams are losing so many games. This roster needs help everywhere else as well. There may not be a defensive player in this class more talented than Mykel Williams. He showed what he is made of when he racked up two sacks against Texas a few weeks ago. Even during a “down” junior season, he finished with five sacks and two forced fumbles. I expect him to ace the pre draft process and push his way towards the top five.
7	Carolina Panthers	WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – 6’5, 212 lbs	60 tackles, 10 sacks	Bryce Young still has a long way to go, but his development since regaining his starting job has been encouraging. Surrounding him with skill position talent will be important. The Arizona Wildcats had a miserable season, but that was not Tetairoa McMillan’s fault. McMillan was a matchup nightmare right off the bat, starting the season with a 300 yard receiving performance and never let up. He has Mike Evans-like ability.
8	New York Jets	OT Will Campbell, LSU – 6’6, 320 lbs	N/A	The Jets drafted Olu Fashanu in the first round of the 2024 draft, but will need another starting offensive tackle, with both Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses upcoming free agents. I still like Will Campbell a bit over Kelvin Banks Jr., even though both took players took a small step back from dominating sophomore seasons. Campbell would be an ideal right tackle, or a dominant guard if he has to move inside.
9	Chicago Bears	OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas – 6’4, 320 lbs	N/A	After a 4-2 start, things have completely fallen apart in Chicago. Caleb Williams has done the best he could, considering the circumstances. The Bears absolutely have to fix an offensive line that continues to let their young quarterback down. Kelvin Banks Jr., may very well be the top offensive tackle in this class. He is agile and has quite a bit of experience blocking for NFL caliber quarterbacks.
10	New Orleans Saints	DT Mason Graham, Michigan – 6’3, 320 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. Mason Graham is one of the more talented defensive tackle prospects to come along in quite a while. He is the complete package, both as a strong run defender and a pass rusher. The Saints signed several stop gap types to play the position in recent years, but no one on the roster is nearly as talented as Graham.
11	San Francisco 49ers	DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss – 6’3, 305 lbs	48 tackles, 6.5 sacks	The 49ers came into the season with Super Bowl aspirations, but injuries have exposed an alarming lack of youth and depth on this roster, essentially ruining their season. San Francisco needs to replenish some talent, especially along both the offensive and defensive lines. Walter Nolen was the top overall recruit in the nation a few seasons ago. He flashed that potential while at Texas A&M, but really put things together at Ole Miss this past season. He has double digit sack potential from the defensive tackle position.
12	Miami Dolphins	DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M – 6’4, 285 lbs	37 tackles, 5 sacks	Despite investing heavily on pass rushers, Miami only has 31 sacks on the season. Bradley Chubb has not played all year and Jaelan Phillips cannot stay healthy. Nic Scourton would be a good fit with Miami’s 3-4 defense. He is big enough to line up at end and hold his own against the run, while providing pass rushing ability as well.
13	Indianapolis Colts	OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia – 6’2, 245 lbs	58 tackles, 6.5 sacks	The Colts defense is getting old in a hurry, and there are a lot of upcoming free agents to account for. Jalon Walker is one of the most well rounded defenders in this class. He could play outside linebacker in any defensive alignment. He gets after the quarterback like a 3-4 edge rusher, but can run and cover ground like a traditional linebacker.
14	Cincinnati Bengals	DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee – 6’5, 243 lbs	38 tackles, 7.5 sacks	The Bengals sit at 7-8 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.
15	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.
16	Arizona Cardinals	DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan – 6’3, 339 lbs	32 tackles, 3 sacks	Arizona has a playoff worthy offense, but the defense is still a work in progress. Kenneth Grant may be overshadowed by felllow Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, but he is a first round pick in his own right. He is a monster 340 pound run stopper who can also get after the quarterback on occasion. He would be an ideal nose tackle for the Cardinals 3-4 defense.
17	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame – 6’0, 190 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. Benjamin Morrison will have to show the injury that made his junior season a washout is behind him, but he is very athletic, quick, and a big time play maker. He had nine interceptions through his first two seasons at Notre Dame.
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	Atlanta Falcons	OLB Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss – 6’4, 255 lbs	58 tackles, 6.5 sacks	Like most teams, the Falcons are in need of additional pass rushing help. Edge players are flying off the board in this mock, so they may have to reach a bit here. Princely Umanmielen is an experienced fifth year senior with 23.5 sacks to his name.
20	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 and Stone Smartt have 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.
21	Houston Texans	WR Luther Burden III, Missouri – 5’11, 208 lbs	61 rec, 676 yards, 6 TD	Houston is the best of the worst that is the AFC South, but this roster still has quite a bit to work on. Tank Dell is a dynamic talent, but has suffered his second serious injury in two years. Couple that with Stefon Diggs upcoming free agency, and a receiver to pair with Nico Collins is needed. 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.
22	Denver Broncos	TE Tyler Warren, Penn State – 6’6, 257 lbs	82 rec, 1095 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. The Broncos should look to give Nix as many pass receivers as possible. Tyler Warren has put up one of the most impressive statistical seasons for any tight end in college football history. He has everything you look for in a modern day tight end.
23	Los Angeles Rams	CB Jahdae Barron, Texas – 5’11, 200 lbs	50 tackles, 5 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. Jahdae Barron has worked his way from a deep bench player to legitimate first round pick. He has five interceptions as a senior.
24	Washington Commanders	DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State – 6’5, 269 lbs	46 tackles, 8 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. JT Tuimoloau was a former five star recruit, and has upped his sack production every season of his four year career. He is coming off perhaps his best game as a pro, with eight tackles and two sacks against Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoffs.
25	Pittsburgh Steelers	WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State – 6’1, 205 lbs	65 rec, 824 yards, 9 TD	George Pickens is a Pro Bowl talent at receiver, but the rest of the group leaves much to be desired. 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.
26	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.
27	Green Bay Packers	CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina – 6’3, 193 lbs	8 tackles, 2 INT	The Packers may have the deepest roster in the NFL. It is tough to find obvious needs. Eric Stokes is an upcoming free agent, so adding a future starting cornerback could be a good move here. Shavon Revel Jr. was off to an all world start as a junior before suffering a season ending injury. He has only played a little over a full season as a starter, but showed serious play making ability, and has great size for the position. A gamble to be sure, but he could pay off in a big way.
28	Philadelphia Eagles	DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State – 6’5, 260 lbs	31 tackles, 1.5 sacks	The Eagles always like to employ a deep rotation of defensive lineman and pass rushers. 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. He had 1.5 sacks against Tennessee last weekend.
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.
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.
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 are miraculously 14-1 despite not scoring 30 points in any games this season. They are also set to lose stud offensive guard Trey Smith in free agency. Jonah Savaiinaea played tackle at Arizona, but looks the part of a pass blocking guard at the NFL level. Kansas City needs youth and talent all along its offensive line.