The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly right here, and I’ve released one last mock draft before Day 1’s arrival.
Earlier than the motion begins Thursday, I sat down with NFL Community’s Daniel Jeremiah on the newest episode of my podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show.” Jeremiah and I shall be on the desk collectively for the primary two nights of NFL Community’s protection of the draft, and I believe he is the most effective within the enterprise.
Listed here are some highlights of my dialog with Jeremiah, through which we mentioned this quarterback class and lots of different scorching matters surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft.
Klatt: This yr is an attention-grabbing quarterback class. I would not name it elite, however I need to speak concerning the prime three quarterbacks as a result of we now have it ordered a little bit bit in another way. I’ve Shedeur Sanders over Cam Ward after which we each have Jaxson Dart at No. 3.
Jeremiah: I’ve Cam Ward [at No. 1], then I’ve a little bit little bit of a spot earlier than we get to Shedeur. To me, No. 2 is nearer to No. 3 than No. 2 is nearer to No. 1. I believe that [opinion] varies by crew. In the event you have a look at it from a 30,000-foot view of those quarterbacks … it is nothing like what we noticed final yr. … I at all times inform individuals the grade for me on Cam was the identical grade that I gave to Bo Nix, and I like Cam. I believe he is bought a dwell arm. I like the truth that over his travels, I believe you’ve got seen him get higher and higher all through his school profession. He form of carried that Miami crew on his again final yr.
On the plus aspect for Cam, he’ll problem each blade of grass together with his arm power, and he has no concern. … I simply thought there was a noticeable distinction in how [Sanders and Ward] drove the soccer. I assumed Cam may entry extra of the sector together with his arm than Shedeur. The opposite factor I assumed was, there [were] instances once you get free rushers on Cam. Now, he would not have as many free rushers as Shedeur had, however I assumed he was stronger and sturdier. You’ll be able to form of see him pull by our bodies. When area bought constricted, I did not assume he wanted loads of area to function there. He simply felt like a stronger man.
Shedeur Sanders & Cam Ward in Joel Klatt’s High 5 QB’s in 2025 NFL Draft
Klatt: I like Cam quite a bit. One factor I actually like about these three guys, primarily the highest two, is that they’ve performed a ton of soccer. I am an enormous believer in that. In the event you have a look at the starters who’ve gained Tremendous Bowls on this league, typically talking, of their school careers, they’re broadly skilled. All the pieces you stated about Cam is totally correct. The opposite factor that I like about Shedeur and Cam is that they performed behind poor offensive strains, at instances, of their careers.
So far as Shedeur goes, I do know precisely how unhealthy Colorado was when he bought there. I do know Deion Sanders was an enormous catalyst for his or her turnaround and there was an inflow of expertise, however the largest distinction was that they lastly had a quarterback. There’s this mixture of this surgeon and magician with Shedeur, and also you’re proper about among the power points and there are occasions when he retreats greater than I would like him to, however you get these moments when every little thing’s proper, he is surgical. Then, you get these instances when every little thing breaks down, and he turns right into a magician with a purpose to make the play down the sector.
Jeremiah: The 2 issues that you would be able to dangle your hat on [with Sanders] are that you would be able to’t query his toughness, you are simply not allowed to. … The opposite factor is, when issues are clear and he is bought sight strains, he is extremely correct. He can put the ball in a mailbox. Like, he has pinpoint accuracy when issues are there for him.
NFL Draft: Is Jaxson Dart difficult Shedeur Sanders for QB2 on this draft?
Klatt: I would love to listen to your ideas on Jaxson Dart. Do we expect he’ll sneak into the primary spherical?
Jeremiah: We’re getting shut. Once we get shut, there’s a lot conflicting info that is flying round. I’ve talked to individuals who assume that when it is all stated and completed, we’d solely have one quarterback go within the first spherical. You speak to different individuals, they usually say we’re gonna have three go within the prime 10, particularly with the Derek Carr info that is now on the market about his shoulder points.
Once I get requested this query, I at all times wanna say, “Can I let you know after the Giants‘ choose?” The Giants really feel, to me, just like the Shedeur crew. You can also make a powerful case for why they need to take a quarterback due to the necessity they’ve at that place. It’s also possible to make the case that there are two elite gamers on this draft, they usually have an opportunity to get considered one of them. If [the latter] occurs, I believe Jaxson Dart’s [draft stock] will get attention-grabbing. I believe the Giants are going to come back away with a quarterback with considered one of their first two picks. I believe Cleveland goes to come back away with a quarterback with its second choose.
Klatt: So, that is an ideal Dart touchdown spot if Shedeur will get taken at No. 3.
Jeremiah: If the Giants do not take Shedeur [at No. 3] and he have been to go to New Orleans, Pittsburgh or wherever, my antenna can be up for the Giants and Jaxson Dart. I do assume it is a coin flip that Jaxson Dart goes within the first spherical. The issues I like about Dart as a participant — and I made this comparability, which is a little bit unorthodox, nevertheless it jogged my memory of Jalen Hurts‘ journey — [are] not essentially an similar comp as gamers, however as guys who bought higher each yr. Guys who, once you speak to of us round them, they speak about their competitiveness, toughness and likability. Teammates love being round him, and that was at each locations, USC and Ole Miss.
I assumed [Dart’s] finest soccer remains to be in entrance of him with the pattern line heading into the constructive path. He would not have elite arm power, nevertheless it’s good. He isn’t an elite athlete, however he is an excellent athlete who ran a bunch within the SEC. Sort of shopping for on the aggressive child and the pattern line.
Klatt: That is so humorous that you just talked about Jalen Hurts. Have you learnt who I considered a university comp for Dart? Bo Nix. There are flashes early, however yearly they each bought a little bit bit higher. By the top, you are like, “OK, I can see this.” Here is the one concern I’ve with Dart. With Bo, you would venture him into Sean Payton’s, however I wrestle with projecting how Dart will play popping out of Lane Kiffin’s offense. It is an amazing offense, however there are such a lot of wide-open throws or pre-snap choice throws. Like, scripted winners. There aren’t a ton of post-snap throws the place the quarterback must be a canine within the pocket.
However let’s get into the 2 elite gamers within the draft. I’ve bought Travis Hunter on the prime and Abdul Carter at No. 2. You could have Carter at No. 1, however we each agree that he and Hunter are the highest two gamers on this class. I would love to listen to why you have got Carter at No. 1.
Jeremiah: I’ve had Abdul Carter [at No. 1] by this whole course of, however I’ve had a wayward eye.
Klatt: Oh, are you peeking?
Jeremiah: I am simply peeking a little bit at Travis Hunter. I am not gonna sit in entrance of the choose and jury and provides the all-in case for Abdul Carter, as a result of there’s going to be some deliberations, however I really like each these gamers. I will begin with Abdul Carter. Does he have an elite trait? Sure, he does. He can get off the rock. He has elite, elite burst. He can flip the nook as soon as he will get to the highest of his rush, and he’s a finisher. Now, he hadn’t performed off the sting his entire profession, so I believe this is rather like a bit of clay that you would be able to mildew like there’s extra in there.
The opposite factor — as a result of I hear it quite a bit as a result of he did not work out, and he has been harm a little bit bit — however I do not assume persons are labeling him as somebody who’s all-in and passionate. I refute it. I am like, “Guys, he performed within the playoff with one arm.” He was the very best participant on the sector.
Klatt: What’s so humorous is that I am round Penn State as a lot as anyone, and I’ve by no means had that on my radar.
Jeremiah: Now, here is the second the place I had a wandering eye. We have been protecting [Colorado’s] professional day and this sounds so dumb to individuals, however I believe you will get it. [Hunter] goes the entire exercise, and it was a brisk exercise. Among the routes he ran, he bought some criticism, like, “Oh, it is form of like Instagram routes.” He is actually taking his time doing all these totally different releases, and nearly wanting like an And-1 mixtape with among the routes that he was operating on the market. However he is so dang athletic. He is bought such elite ball abilities.
However it was the second on the very finish of the exercise. We did an in depth up and it was all the fellows there. You see the fellows with sweat on them and the sweat by their shirt. That dude didn’t have a drop of sweat on his face. And I assumed, “This man is a cyborg, like he’s simply fully totally different.”
Klatt: It is exceptional. If you’re watching movie of a participant’s cut-up, you’ll by no means understand that Hunter’s taking part in his a hundred and twenty fifth consecutive snap. I by no means bought the sense that he was drained within the fourth quarter of any recreation. As for what place Hunter will play, I believe he’ll be a full-time defender as a result of it is actually robust to discover a man with these sort of traits as a canopy nook. Then, I believe you fit him in as a No. 2 or 3 receiver offensively and restrict him to 15-to-18 snaps per recreation.
Jeremiah: It is at all times been main in protection, minor in offense. You could have a bundle of performs on offense, however you are a full-time defensive participant. He is the primary one which I’ve ever lobbied for the other. … I believe he is additional alongside on offense. No. 2, he needs to play offense. He lists himself as a large receiver who performs DB, not the opposite method round. Even at his professional day after they requested him about that, he was very adamant that he sees himself as an offensive participant.
As a defensive participant, I do not assume this can be a Pat Surtain, “Depart him over on the aspect in press, depart him on that half of the sector and let him go.” I believe he is higher taking part in prime down. You talked about his instincts — that is the place he’s completely at his finest.
2025 NFL Draft: Travis Hunter & Tyler Warren in Joel Klatt’s prime ten gamers
Klatt: I’ve a pair extra issues I need to hit on. I really like this tight finish class. I used to be round each Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren quite a bit within the Large Ten. I even have Loveland ranked forward of Warren. Warren exploits area with creativity in addition to any tight finish that I’ve seen in a very long time in school soccer. The creativity he used to impression the sport was immense. Loveland was in a extra inflexible offense and needed to create his personal area. I believe Loveland can create his personal wins as a greater route runner and technician with the fluidity and polish he has.
So, one participant creates area and the opposite participant exploits area. To me, what you have got right here is mainly the Rob Gronkowski method or the Travis Kelce method. Each might be extremely efficient.
Jeremiah: I’ve stated the very same factor. I did this entire dialog on the truth that we now have two timber. You could have the tree of Kelce, which is the route runners, change of path, quickness and the separation. Then you have got the Gronk tree, which is the larger man who performs larger, going to be a seam runner, on the transfer, be an inline blocker and going to bully individuals when the ball’s within the air.
Six and 7 are the place they’re [on my top prospects] record. I’ve Warren at six, Loveland at seven. So, they’re proper there. That is what’s distinctive about this draft and possibly one of many issues that is not nice by way of endorsing this draft, is that three of the highest seven gamers are a operating again and two tight ends.
Klatt: I do assume there are loads of starters on this draft. One final thing, who’s your favourite participant to look at on tape on this draft? It would not need to be a star.
Jeremiah: My favourite factor that I’ve seen on this draft is the go safety tape for TreVeyon Henderson.
Klatt: Cease it! We did not speak about this beforehand, however you actually stole my reply.
Jeremiah: The best way I described it was, once I watch one thing that I wrestle to seek out the appropriate phrases to explain what I am seeing that I am creating new methods of describing one thing … with him, if you happen to sluggish it down, it appears like “The Matrix” when he hits guys. You simply see the slow-motion of the arms flailing and the toes up within the air. Like, he is an animal in go safety and there are so few guys in school which might be good at it. Shoot, there aren’t too many guys within the NFL which might be good at it. He is the most effective pass-protecting operating backs that I’ve ever evaluated.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead school soccer recreation analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Show.” Comply with him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
