ESPN 2025 NFL Draft mock update: Carson Beck is still a first rounder (2024)

With the2024 college football regular season just a couple of weeks from being completed, ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Millerupdated his first-round mockfor the 2025 NFL Draft on Wednesday. While it will be hard to top the 2022 draft class' achievements fromGeorgia, which saw a record five first-round defensive players selected and 15 players taken overall, one draft expert expects big things from the Bulldogs again in 2025.

Millerhas four Georgia players being selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, beginning with defensive endMykel Williams,who goesNo. 10 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Except for Trey Hendrickson (11.5 sacks), no Bengals player has more than two sacks this season, so Cincinnati definitely needs a pass rusher. At 6-5 and 265 pounds, Williams is a trait-based prospect whose length, speed and power are reminiscent of former Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker, the No. 1 pick of the 2022 draft. Williams' 2024 season has been underwhelming so far, as he sat out because of an ankle injury and has only two sacks, but he has tremendous upside.

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Williams has played ineight games this season, making 11 tackles,six tackles for loss, two sacks, five quarterback pressures, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. In 2023, Williams played in 13 games, making nine starts at defensive end, with 18 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble.

Miller projectsedge defenderJalon Walkerto go off the board with the very next pick, No. 11 overall, to the New Orleans Saints.

There's a lot of uncertainty in New Orleans, which will have a new coach after Dennis Allen's midseason firing and has questions about quarterback Derek Carr's future. The Saints could use this pick to improve a defense that gives up 6.1 yards per play, second worst in the league. Plus, Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis will be 36 years old next season. Walker has played as an off-ball linebacker and off the edge. He doesn't have great size, but his first-step speed and power have helped him to 5.5 sacks. I like him in a stand-up rushing role in a 3-4 scheme if New Orleans' new regime goes that route.

Walker has a career-high 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss,eight sacks, a pass breakup, and two fumble recoveries this season.Walker had 20 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 14 games in 2023.

SafetyMalaki Starksgoes No. 15 overall to theIndianapolis Colts,a spot he has been projected multiple times in recent months.

The Colts have given up 231.5 passing yards per game this season, seventh worst in the league. Starks is a top-10 prospect with good positional versatility. He has 46 tackles, one interception and three pass breakups this season, taking snaps at safety, slot corner, outside corner and linebacker. The Colts have a good nickel corner inKenny Moore II, but Starks could move around and serve as an upgrade at either safety position.

Starks has 51 tackles this season and has four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and an interception. Starks made 14 starts in 2023, with 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass breakups, earning Consensus All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors.

Finally,quarterbackCarson Beckgoes No. 18 overall to the Los Angeles Rams.

Matthew Staffordwill turn 37 before the 2025 draft, puttinghis statusin year-to-year mode from this point forward. So the Rams should turn over every stone to find their QB of the future. They were linked toMichael Penix Jr. andBo Nixbefore the 2024 draft, but both were off the board before their pick.

Los Angeles could be the beneficiary of Beck's stock dropping. Beck has thrown 12 interceptions, and his accuracy has suffered withoutBrock BowersandLadd McConkey, but he has a strong arm, the ability to make full-field reads and upside. The consensus in talking to scouts this week was that Beck could get himself back into mid-Round 1 consideration with a strong finish -- which is what we're projecting here due to the supply and demand at the position.

In 10 starts this season, Beck has completed 235-of-361 passes for2,835 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, with 71 rushing yards and a touchdown run. Beck put together a strong season as a first-year starter, completing 302-of-417 passes for 3,941 yards, the most in the SEC and third-most in the country, with 24 touchdown passes and six interceptions.