Tag: mock draft

Commanders land arguably college football’s best player in this 2025 mock draft

Commanders land elite two-way star in a new mock draft.

It’s early in the 2024 NFL season, but it’s not difficult to tell what the Washington Commanders need. Through two games, multiple positions viewed as needs coming into the season remain priorities for Washington.

Four positions stand above the rest: offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback, and wide receiver. While it’s a bit early to talk about the 2025 NFL draft, the Commanders are expected to have a pick somewhere in the top 10.

What if Washington could select a player who could fill two of those four needs?

In a mock draft from Ryan Fowler of the Draft Network, he has the Commanders picking fifth overall and selecting Colorado’s star two-way player, Travis Hunter.

The Commanders have a massive need at both corner and wide receiver. Considering the injury to Emmanuel Forbes and Washington’s depth chart at WR, they remain the perfect spot for a transcendent talent like Travis Hunter. I expect him to earn snaps on both sides of the ball at points in his career and transform the way the industry currently evaluates two-way talent. In this spot, Hunter immediately becomes Washington’s top corner with the ability to provide Jayden Daniels with another target to feed in certain packages.

Fowler describes it perfectly here. Hunter would immediately slot in as a starting cornerback and play some snaps on offense. It’s rare to see a player excel at such a high level at two positions.

Hunter has 30 receptions for 342 yards and five touchdowns through three games this season. Defensively, he has 11 tackles and one interception.

General manager Adam Peters will look for blue-chip talent, regardless of the position. Fortunately, Hunter is a blue-chip talent who fills multiple needs.

2025 NFL mock draft: Saints add even more firepower at tight end

The New Orleans Saints added even more firepower to their offense in this 2025 mock draft. Michigan tight end Colston Loveland could be a major upgrade:

The New Orleans Saints have gotten off to a hot start in 2024, but we added even more firepower to their offense in this 2025 mock draft.

We used the PFF mock draft simulator and the 2025 draft order determined according to Tankathon (which had the Saints picking at No. 28 overall). And given the options available when the computer put us on the clock, we decided that Michigan tight end Colston Loveland could be a major upgrade.

A tight end could be in the cards for next year’s draft. The Saints would have seriously considered taking former Georgia tight end Brock Bowers had he made it to their pick this year, but they have to be pleased with what Taliese Fuaga has done for them instead.

Let’s take stock of the position. Foster Moreau is a good player but he has some limitations as a receiver. Juwan Johnson has been in and out of the doghouse with the coaching staff and he missed the offseason with a foot injury, which led to a reduced role in Klint Kubiak’s offense. He’s also going to be a free agent in 2025. Dallin Holker is an unproven rookie, and Taysom Hill splits too much time elsewhere to really be considered a tight end.

Which brings us to Loveland. He’s one of the youngest players eligible for the Class of 2025 (he’ll turn 21 a few weeks before the draft) but he’s already played a lot of snaps at a blueblood program. Loveland has run almost as many routes (527) as blocks he’s thrown (546) for the Wolverines, but he’s regarded as a high-upside receiver first and foremost. It’s important for the Saints’ tight ends to block well but so long as he’s willing to improve, they can work with him. It’s worth mentioning that Loveland is currently dealing with a minor injury but it isn’t believed to be a long-term concern.

And there aren’t many guys his size who move as smoothly as he does. Loveland is listed at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds but he’s already caught 80 passes for 1,071 yards in a run-first offense. He’s got nimble feet (averaging a solid 5.4 yards after the catch per reception) and good play strength on contested catches (having won 9 of his 17 targets, per Pro Football Focus charting). He’s the consensus TE1 in this upcoming draft class for good reasons.

So the Saints could have a need at tight end, and he could be available. Derek Carr is playing well enough to keep them from looking at early-round quarterbacks next year. The offensive line is always possibility, especially at left guard, and there’s also a chance they could draft a running back given Alvin Kamara’s contract situation; Boise State stud Ashton Jeanty was someone on our radar in this mock draft but he didn’t make it to the end of Round 1.

We also can’t rule out defensive end (if Chase Young doesn’t re-sign) or cornerback (should Paulson Adebo or Marshon Lattimore leave the team). Safety is a possibility, too, considering Tyrann Mathieu’s age. There’s a lot to like about the Saints’ 2-0 start. That doesn’t mean they can’t improve. They’ll have work to do in the offseason like everyone else and it’s worth taking time to explore draft scenarios like this to get an idea of how they could get better in the spring.

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Steelers land offensive playmaker in new 2025 mock draft

Wide receiver and quarterback are the offensive positions to watch this offseason for the Steelers.

In Week One, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens caught six passes on seven targets. No other Steelers wide receiver caught more than one pass. This is not what anyone envisioned with the new Arthur Smith offense.

So as we look ahead to the offseason, adding another playmaker at wide receiver has to be a high priority. In the latest 2025 NFL mock draft over at The Draft Network, they took this approach for Pittsburgh with their first-round pick.

They opted for Missouri wide receiver to the Steelers as the third receiver off the board at the No. 14 overall pick. Here’s what they had to say about the selection:

The Steelers’ quarterback situation has stolen the headlines the entire offseason, but the one position that I believe needs to be highlighted is the receiver position. Yes, the Steelers have talent, but is it to the standard that the Steelers usually have? With this pick, they draft Luther Burden III, a slot-dominant player who can move to a different alignment and should be a great complementary piece to George Pickens and a healthy Roman Wilson.

A small run on quarterbacks is a big reason why Burden lands with the Steelers. If the first round plays out like this, the temptation would be there to roll the dice on Miami quarterback Cam Ward but we are good with the safer option in Burden.

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2025 NFL Mock Draft: Vikings landed biggest star in college football

The Vikings were once thought to be looking toward the draft sooner than most. However, after a win over the Giants those have been paused.

The Vikings were once thought to be a team looking toward the NFL Draft sooner than most. However, after a dominant Week 1 win over the New York Giants, those talks may have been premature. The Vikings showed they have plenty of strengths to make things interesting for 2024 and beyond.

Regardless of how well a roster is or isn’t constructed, players are always coming in.

In an early 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports published his take on the Vikings and their potential plans. The team needs a cornerback; Daniel Jones showed that at times. His solution to that problem is also a possible solution to the team’s receiver depth needs.

He has the Vikings drafting Travis Hunter, the dual-threat player out of Colorado.

He writes, “What a fun selection here — Hunter can act as the No. 1 CB in Minnesota and Kevin O’Connell can design an offensive package to utilize Hunter for the true beginning of the J.J. McCarthy era.”

It would be ideal for both parties. Kevin O’Connell would be able to scheme with Hunter in unique ways, keeping him fresh on both sides of the ball. Perhaps this can be mocked a few more times before we get to next April.

Saints pick a pass rusher in final preseason 2025 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints could be looking for defensive line help again next season. Saints draft Mykel Williams in B/R 2025 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints open their season against the Carolina Panthers in just a matter of days. Before we completely focus on the upcoming year, let’s take one last look at a 2025 mock draft.

Bleacher Report’s scouting department projected the Saints will end with the 10th overall pick in next year’s draft and draft Georgia’s Mykel Williams, one of the most exciting pass rushers in this draft class.

The position is completely feasible. Chase Young will likely leave after the season. Carl Granderson is the team’s lead pass rusher. Instead of looking for Cameron Jordan’s running mate, they would be looking for his replacement. A major turn of events

There are two points in their explanation that are off-putting specifically in regards to selecting Williams.

“Williams is more of a traits prospect who has impressive strength at the point of attack to collapse the pocket as a pass-rusher than he is a finished product. But he’d be a good addition for the future of New Orleans’ defense,” wrote B/R’s Matt Holder.

The Saints don’t need that type of player in the top-10. New Orleans has had their struggles defending the run, but that area of the draft is meant for pass rushers. That’s what the Saints would need draft an impact rusher in this portion.

Been there, done that. If Williams can return from injury to have a productive season rushing the passer then this conversation changes. For now, the description provided doesn’t feel like the best pick for the Saints with the tenth overall selection.

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Seahawks land elite 2-way prospect in latest ESPN 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks land elite 2-way prospect in latest ESPN 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for the 2024 NFL season, and that means the 2025 NFL Draft is inching closer. With Week 0 of the new college football campaign kicking off Saturday, ESPN insider Field Yates felt it was an appropriate time to release his first mock draft. Yates has the Seahawks picking 11th overall. The draft order was determined by ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), which uses simulations to predict the season.

And with the No. 11 overall selection in Yates’ 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select, Travis Hunter, cornerback/wide receiver, Colorado.

“There will be intense debate over whether Hunter is best suited to be a full-time receiver, a full-time cornerback or some combination of both,” Yates wrote. “I don’t know the answer myself right now, but I do know he’s one of the most talented playmakers I’ve studied in some time. That said, Seattle might lean into Hunter more on defense given its building blocks already in place at wideout, teaming him up with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen.”

Whether Hunter is a receiver or cornerback at the next level could dominate pre-draft headlines next Spring. It would represent an especially interesting conundrum for the Seahawks, because they’re extremely deep at both positions. Defensive minded head coach Mike Macdonald could see Hunter playing cornerback, filling out a trio at the position that already includes Witherspoon and Woolen.

On the flip side, Seattle could possess a more pressing need at receiver next offseason. All-time franchise great Tyler Lockett is entering his age 32 season and there could be a discussion next summer regarding whether or not he’s a cap casualty (he’ll be heading into a contract year). As a receiver, Hunter could join D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Hunter recorded 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver for the Buffaloes last season. As a cornerback, the Suwanee, Georgia native contributed 30 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions.

The bigger question/concern is why the Seahawks are picking 11th overall in this mock-draft exercise!

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Saints pick LSU star left tackle Will Campbell in 2025 mock draft

Will Campbell could be too talented for the Saints to ignore. LSU’s star left tackle stayed in-state with this 2025 mock draft:

Will Campbell could be too talented for the New Orleans Saints to ignore. LSU’s star left tackle stayed in-state with this 2025 mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates, who has the Saints picking Campbell at No. 10 overall next year. Here’s why this would be a home-run hit:

If the Saints are picking 10th, I get that the quarterback position will probably be under the microscope. However, while New Orleans doesn’t come across many salary cap predicaments that it can’t work out of, releasing Derek Carr would incur nearly $50 million in dead money. So I’d watch for the Saints to instead address the O-line, staying local by nabbing Campbell, a native of Monroe, Louisiana.

Campbell became a Day 1 starter at LSU at left tackle and may well end up on the left side in the NFL, but this pick would allow the Saints optionality. (Taliese Fuaga, their 2024 first-round pick, has moved from right tackle to left tackle already.) Campbell has great length and quick feet, but he must improve his power and finishing ability.

The draft order was determined by ESPN’s Football Power Index, which is currently down on the Saints. If they’re bad enough to be picking at tenth overall there needs to be serious conversations about whether or not they’re best served with Derek Carr sticking around at quarterback, and with Dennis Allen at head coach.

Still, the opportunity to land a prospect like Campbell could be just what this team needs to get right. He’s a surefire top-ten pick who probably won’t make it out of the first five selections next April. Campbell immediately won a starting job at left tackle and was the top-rated high school player in Louisiana. He’d bring real credibility to what’s arguably the Saints’ weakest unit. Campbell hasn’t allowed a sack in 15 straight starts, largely competing against future NFL players in the SEC.

And as Yates observed, adding Campbell would free up Taliese Fuaga to move somewhere else, either to his college position at right tackle or inside to left guard, where the Saints have expressed optimism about his hypothetical fit. If there’s any hope of Trevor Penning holding it down at right tackle, that would give the Saints the ability to truly field their five best blockers.

But those are problems for next year. Penning needs to actually win his starting job before he can worry about holding onto it. Campbell would be a huge addition for the Saints up front. Until it’s a possibility, though, it’s closer to the stuff of daydreams.

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Steelers land elite dual threat in new 2025 NFL mock draft

We take a look at the Steelers pick in this new mock draft.

A case could be made the Pittsburgh Steelers biggest offseason needs after 2024 will be at cornerback and wide receiver. But which one to pick? According to the new mock draft from The Draft Network, the Steelers won’t have to.

In their latest 2025 NFL mock draft, they have the Steelers selecting colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. Here’s what they have to say about Hunter:

Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers have needs at both WR and CB. Why not select a prospect who is one of the best at both positions in the draft? If they can fix one of the positions through free agency, Travis Hunter can walk into camp with a solidified role/plan. He is a top-five player in the country and the draft class. Landing him here would be a steal for Pittsburgh.

We expect to see Hunter settle in to a more pronounced single role with Colorado this season. Hunter is a scary good athlete and an excellent football player but every team would love to see him focus his skills in one area in 2024.

In terms of this draft, there are better pure cornerbacks and better pure wide receivers left on the board and we would expect the Steelers to go for one of them over Hunter.

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Vikings get defensive help in latest Draft Network mock draft

The Vikings sold a lot of the groceries in the 2025 NFL Draft for assets in 2024, but they still have their first-round pick.

The Minnesota Vikings sold a lot of the groceries in the 2025 NFL Draft for assets in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they still have their first-round pick, which means mock drafts matter. The Vikings and their first-round pick are going to be very valuable. Could they trade back? Could they sit where they are and get a value?

It’s the NFL draft, anything is possible.

The Draft Network published the latest mock draft within the industry, with some interesting picks. One common theme, though, is that defense rules the draft. A year after the offense was the king of the draft, the other side of the ball gets a turn, and that is where they have the Vikings going.

They gave the Vikings help along the defensive line in the form of Deone Walker from Kentucky. He is arguably the most impressive player in the entire draft due to how he moves as a defensive lineman with the size he possesses.

We wrote a scouting report on him from our summer scouting and thought he would be a great fit for the team in the future. Damian Parson sells us on the idea of Walker alongside the Vikings’ established edge rushers.

“Dallas Turner looks the part from his first NFL action in Week 1 of the preseason. Pairing him with Deone Walker with Brian Flores calling the defensive plays will make opposing QBs lose sleep at night.”

A defensive front of Jonathan Greenard, Dallas Turner, and Deone Walker is a modern-day version of the Purple People Eaters. What more could you ask for?

Mock Draft Monday: Saints pick another big-time Ohio State wide receiver

It’s Mock Draft Monday! The Saints picked another Ohio State wide receiver in this projection. Emeka Egbuka could follow Michael Thomas and Chris Olave to the NFL:

It’s Mock Draft Monday! The New Orleans Saints picked another big-time Ohio State wide receiver in this projection from Curt Popejoy over at Draft Wire. Emeka Egbuka could follow Michael Thomas and Chris Olave to the black and gold.

The Saints made Egbuka the third or fourth wide receiver to go off the board (depending on whether you see Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter staying at wideout or cornerback) by picking him at No. 11 overall. This time he fell behind other pass-catchers like Missouri’s Luther Burden III and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan.

So what makes Egbuka so special? He’s only appeared in 33 games with the Buckeyes but he’s already caught 124 passes for 1,857 yards with 14 touchdown receptions before his senior year. He ranks top-20 in both catches and receiving yards and is tied for 23rd in touchdowns. He’s also ran the ball 16 times for another 112 rushing yards, with two scores on the ground.

He doesn’t have a huge frame at a listed 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, but Egbuka is a special player, and the Saints would be lucky to land him — even if they may have bigger fish to fry while picking at No. 11. A draft slot that high in priority would mean Derek Carr was a big bust in Klint Kubiak’s offense, and they might need to take a hard look at the quarterbacks available in next year’s class. Even if Spencer Rattler has earned a fan in Olave.

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