2025 NFL mock draft roundup: Top 3 picks in still-too-early projections
With the 2024 NFL season three months away and the 2024 NFL Draft squarely in the rearview mirror, it's a perfect time to look ahead to the top prospects in next year's draft class.
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay next April. Between then and now, there is plenty of time for college football prospects to establish themselves and NFL teams to determine their biggest roster needs.
NFL draft analysts from around the web have already tried their hands at taking over the general manager role with full first-round mock drafts for next year. Here is what some of the experts from around the web project for the first three overall picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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2025 NFL Draft projections
No. 1 overall pick
USA TODAY: New York Giants – Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "Beck's arm strength can help bring back a big-play element that has long been absent for New York with Daniel Jones at the helm. But the Georgia standout is also a precise and on-schedule operator, which should allow him to form a potent connection with 2024 first-round receiver Malik Nabers, an electric threat after the catch."
NFL Spin Zone: New York Giants – Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Sayre Bedinger writes: "The Giants replace Daniel Jones with Carson Beck, who has been the talk of the offseason among 2025 NFL Draft prospects. Beck had a fantastic year last year in his first year as the starter for Georgia taking over for Stetson Bennett, and it feels like he’s only going to continue getting better."
Pro Football Network: Carolina Panthers – Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Keff Ciardello writes: "Finding themselves in possession of the first overall pick again, this 2025 NFL Mock Draft assumes that the Carolina Panthers have deemed the Bryce Young experiment a failure, electing to select Georgia QB Carson Beck as his replacement."
No. 2 overall pick
USA TODAY: New England Patriots – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "As a receiver, he could be the spark that Eliot Wolf has sought for the offense but was unable to provide for Maye in building out the supporting cast. But his other-worldly ball skills could also come in handy on defense, where he could prompt opposing quarterbacks to stay away from his side of the field entirely. If Hunter is able to focus on developing at one position – and stay fresh by actually coming off the field every now and then – he could be in for astronomical growth"
NFL Spin Zone: New England Patriots – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Bedinger writes: "The Patriots have a few guys off the edge whose futures with this franchise are up in the air beyond 2024 (Matt Judon, Anfernee Jennings, Josh Uche). Someone like James Pearce could be a foundation for the future on that side of the ball."
Pro Football Network: Tennessee Titans – Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Ciardello writes: "The Michigan Wolverines’ defensive MVP in the National Championship Game, Johnson has been the premier lockdown corner for one of the more formidable defenses in college football."
No. 3 overall pick
USA TODAY: Denver Broncos – James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "The Broncos put their pass rush on the backburner somewhat as they used their first-round pick this year on quarterback Bo Nix. In Pearce, Denver would land a potentially dominant presence to lead a group that has mostly been left to try to scrape by."
NFL Spin Zone: Denver Broncos – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
Bedinger writes: "I don’t think the Broncos would complain about being able to add Travis Hunter to their roster because he could be a viable option at multiple positions. At this point, it’s tough to know where he’s going to settle in as an NFL player, but there’s money to be made both as a receiver and corner. Heck, maybe they’d even let him try playing both ways."
Pro Football Network: New York Giants – Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Ciardello writes: "With 11 sacks in the last two seasons at Penn State, Carter has been a force at LB for the Penn State Nittany Lions but will play off the edge this fall. His 6’3″, 250-pound frame should help the transition to a role he projects to play in the NFL."
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When does the 2024 NFL season start?
The 2024 NFL season will begin with the annual NFL Kickoff game on September 5. As reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs will be the hosts of the game against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC Championship Game rematch.
When is the 2025 NFL Draft?
Dates: April 24-26, 2025
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 NFL Draft: Projections for top picks next year