The 2024 NFL regular-season campaign begins in approximately three weeks! The upcoming college football season is even closer with Florida State and Georgia Tech slated to kick off Week 0 on Aug. 24. That means it's mock draft season at The Draft Network. In-house scout Damian Parson delivered his first 2025 NFL mock draft earlier this week.
I’ve been selected to dissect Parson’s mock. I've identified my favorite selections, scheme fits, and the best prospect not selected. I also have some question marks. Let’s dive into Parson’s brand-new mock.
Favorite pick: Will Johnson, CB, Washington Commanders (No. 6 overall)
Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is TDN's top-ranked prospect heading into the new season. Johnson was electric for the National Championship-winning Wolverines last season, recording career highs in pass breakups (8) and interceptions (4). In Parson's mock, the shutdown cornerback lands in a terrific spot in the top 10 with the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders have a new defensive-minded head coach in Dan Quinn. As the former defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, Quinn helped develop Trevon Diggs into a two-time Pro Bowler, and little-known fifth-rounder Daron Bland into the 2023 interceptions leader. Johnson would appreciate an opportunity to acclimate to professional ball under Quinn's tutelage.
Biggest Question Mark: Donovan Jackson, IOL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 12 overall)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invested in the interior of their offensive line by drafting Graham Barton with the 26th selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. Barton will join a unit that also used a 2023 second-round pick on Cody Mauch. Parson has the Buccaneers taking Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson at 12th overall. Investing a premium pick in another interior lineman for a third consecutive draft would represent questionable value, both from a player and position perspective.
Jackson is an experienced lineman who would have garnered top-64 consideration had he entered the 2024 draft. I expect the Buckeyes blocker to earn second-round status next spring. Drafting Jackson in the top 15 would be premature.
Best Scheme Fit: Will Campbell, OT, New England Patriots (No. 2 overall)
The New England Patriots had a choice entering the 2024 draft: Select your future franchise quarterback or address an offensive line that desperately needed a makeover. The Patriots chose the former, opting for Drake Maye at No. 3 overall.
Maye isn't expected to begin the regular season as the starter, and that's probably in his best interest given the state of this offensive line. It's extremely inexperienced with the likes of Sidy Sow and Caedan Wallace vying for starting gigs. LSU's Will Campbell is a scheme-versatile left tackle who projects as the best offensive tackle in the 2025 draft. Campbell would protect Maye's blind side for years to come.
Best Value: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers (No. 16 overall)
Penn State defender Abdul Carter played "MIKE" linebacker last season, but is now making a transition to full-time edge rusher. Carter recorded 22 pressures and 4.5 sacks in 2023 despite receiving limited pass-rushing opportunities. Many are already making the Micah Parsons comparison, who went from off-ball linebacker to dominant pass rusher.
Parson has the Los Angeles Chargers landing an absolute steal in Carter at 16th overall. If Carter's position change goes as swimmingly as many expect, he'll be a bonafide top 10 selection. Competing NFL franchises haven't forgotten the mistake they made with Parsons, who should've gone earlier than 12th overall in 2021.
Best Player Not Selected: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Texas arguably fielded college football's most explosive offense last season. Three Longhorns wide receivers got drafted with Xavier Worthy going in the first round, Adonai Mitchell in the second, and Jordan Whittington in the sixth. Who's going to replace all that outgoing talent? I expect Isaiah Bond to step into Worthy's vacated role.
Bond recorded 48 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns last season despite playing a rotational role behind all those pro-ready wideouts. Bond has terrific chemistry with returning starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. He should easily surpass 1,000 receiving yards in 2024.
