KCCrow's 2025 "What I Want" Mock Draft

[kccrow]

Here it is, what will not come to fruition once again (and sometimes that's a good thing haha). This represents what I'd most like to see happen in the 2025 draft. If there is a trade mocked, it's because I don't believe that player will make it to our selection in that round, simple as that. Rankings estimated from several relatively reliable sources. All synopses are from Dane Brugler's "The Beast" Draft Guide for simplicity. I've provided highlights for as many prospects as I could find them for.


1-024 | LT Josh Conerly, Jr., Oregon (6'5" 311, 5.05)
KC trades 1-31, 3-66 to MIN for 1-24, 3-97
What I like: Has easy movement skills to get to perimiter blocks and into deep sets, excellent body control, and increasingly bettering his hand usage
Why I want: I championed picking up Moore to hedge our bets at LT because we can't go into another season wondering how we're going to address it but that doesn't mean I don't want to see a more athletic, long-term option in house. Conerly provides exactly that and there is no rush to get him on the field while they hone his technique and strength.
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

A quick, fluid mover, Conerly has the range to reach his landmarks laterally in pass protection and on the move, at the second level and in the run game.
Because of the underdeveloped parts of his game, he will put himself in some compromised positions, especially against power rushers, but his recovery balance is exceptional. Overall, Conerly must continue refining his hands and core strength, but he is on the right trajectory and enters the NFL with a promising foundation based on athletic movements and body control. Currently a “bend, don’t break” blocker, he has the talent to become a solid starter early in his NFL career.

Strengths

• Outstanding lateral quicks, change of direction and overall movement skills
• Explosive jump setter to easily cut off pass-rush angles
• Elite recovery balance
• Average height but above-average arm length and big, firm hands
• Keeps head on a swivel to locate blitzes and stunts
• Uses light feet and body control to seal frontside end on zone runs
• Paces speed to shine at second level and out in space, where he can erase defenders on move as lead blocker
• Plays with both raw strength and aggressive play style
• Allowed only six pressures over final 12 starts (all coming vs. Ohio State)
• Durable — finished career with 28 straight starts

Weaknesses

• Core strength must be addressed and developed
• Hands are all over the place and frequently late, leaving his chest exposed
• Bull rushers able to rock him on his heels and drive him backward
• Explosive laterally out of stance but will be early and overset, inviting inside rush moves across his face
• Can be caught leaning in pass pro and needs to find better balance between being patient and aggressive
• Only played left tackle in college and doesn’t have functional experience at right tackle or on the interior

2-063 | DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (6'4" 305, 4.95)
What I like: Immediate penetration into the gap, tough to move off his spot despite being on the lighter side, and lateral tackling ability
Why I want: We need more young bodies on the defensive line instead of constantly regurgitating older players that don't make much of an impact outside of Chris Jones. Not only that, Jones will start a decline in the coming year or two and you would like to see these rookies coming into their own when it happens.
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

With his initial burst, Sanders can maneuver through gaps with abrupt hands/feet or change the line of scrimmage by quickly getting into a blocker’s chest. He is surprisingly stout at the point of attack and flashes power and hand use to stack and shed against the run. Overall, Sanders is a long, twitchy big man and has the tools to make consistent plays in the backfield with continued technical and awareness improvements. His promising skill set will fit both even and odd fronts.

Strengths

• Tall, athletic frame with long arms and range
• Light on his feet and moves well laterally to access different gaps
• Fluid off blocks to close on the football
• Flashes violence in his hands to shed and make stops at the line
• Active on loops and will get skinny on stunts/twists
• Can push the pocket when he creates downhill momentum
• More physical at the point of attack than expected for his size
• Loses slowly versus double teams and two-gaps with control when needed
• Covers ground from the backside with a consistent motor
• NFL scout: “The coaches say he really matured and went from being late to meetings when he first got there to becoming a guy who sets the example of how to carry himself as an upperclassman.”

Weaknesses

• Lacks desired mass to combat NFL power in trenches
• Savvy blockers will use his aggressiveness against him
• Inconsistent resisting pressure on angle/down blocks and can be caught out of position
• Caught leaning on blocks
• Can do a better job countering once pads become elevated and first move is halted
• Has some rough stretches as tackler (see 2024 Vanderbilt tape)
• Average production reflects his average awareness

3-095 | LB Barrett Carter, Clemson (6'0" 232, 4.63)
What I like: Explosive sideline-to-sideline range, excellent blitzer and QB spy, and solid coverage ability
Why I want: We need better coverage and more athleticism at the WILL as Tranquil looks to have lost a step and Chenal can't play out in space.
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

A speedy run-and-hit athlete, Carter is one of the best open-field pursuit defenders in this draft class and has genuine sideline-to-sideline range. Though he tracks the ball well, he will run himself into roadblocks and needs to widen his vision and improve his take-on hands to avoid becoming Velcroed to blockers. Overall, Carter plays with the type of pursuit speed that can be weaponized as both a run defender and cover man, although he might be too reactionary and undersized for what some NFL schemes desire. At the very least, he will be lightning on special teams coverages while fighting for footing on the linebacker depth chart.

Strengths

• Sudden speed and closes on the ball like a ravenous predator
• Frequently makes stops outside the numbers with perimeter range
• Quick to key on blocking scheme and flow to appropriate gap
• Able to slam on brakes mid-sprint to corral cutback angles
• Broken-tackle rate dropped from 20.5 percent in 2023 to 10 percent in ‘24
• Doesn’t have any trouble turning and running with backs on wheel routes
• Tracks quarterback’s eyes to get his hands in passing lanes (21 career passes defended)
• Rarely leaves the field (93 defensive snaps on the 2024 Pitt tape)
• Was a regular on punt coverage each of past three seasons (360 career punt/kickoff coverage snaps)
• Embraced veteran role in 2024 (defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin: “No one’s more respected.”)
• Missed only two games because of injury during four seasons at Clemson (52 games played)

Weaknesses

• Longer arms than expected for his size but doesn’t consistently use them effectively
• Needs to be more purposeful and well-timed with hands to shed road blocks
• Usually ends up where blockers want him to go
• Straight-line tendencies; looked slightly heavier and tighter on the 2024 tape
• Overcommits to gaps, leaving him late to scrape laterally and answer lane-changing runners
• Attacks high with only average finishing force, giving powerful runners the chance to escape his grasp
• Awareness in zone coverage brings both highs and lows
• Texas tight end Gunnar Helm bullied him at top of route
• Explosive downhill blitzer but needs clear lanes to be effective and lacks pass-rushing instincts
• Missed one game as sophomore after suffering concussion (Oct. 2022)

3-097 | RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia (5'9" 198, 4.42)
What I like: Great footwork at the LOS, exceptional decisiveness to hit the hole or cutback lane, excellent receiving ability with homerun speed
Why I want: We need to replace the skills we lost when McKinnon left the offense and Etienne provides a similar profile if he can become a good pass blocker
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

Etienne is built low to the ground with the vision and tempo to follow blockers with little wasted motion. He doesn’t have the same type of electric acceleration as his older brother, but he has balanced feet in the hole with short-area cutting burst to shake defenders in tight spaces. Overall, there might not be anything exceptional about Etienne’s game, but he also doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses that would keep him from seeing steady NFL snaps. His promise as a pass catcher and blocker gives him value on all three downs.

Strengths

• Compactly built and runs bigger than listed, with muscular lower half
• Pairs his feet with his eyes at line to set up moves
• Agile footwork for sharp cuts and last-minute redirects
• Runs with tempo and balance through hole
• Gathers and establishes his weight quickly post-cut
• Consistently finishes runs with toughness
• Large, accepting hands as receiving target — rarely let a pass hit the ground
• Just 371 carries in college — plenty of tread left
• Became an offensive leader at Georgia (Kirby Smart: “He hasn't had even a full year with these guys, but he's not afraid to speak up.”)

Weaknesses

• Inconsistent open-field moves once he clears line of scrimmage
• Can get bounce-happy at times
• Fumbled twice in 2024 (Notre Dame and Alabama tapes)
• Showed promise in pass protection but wasn’t asked to do it a ton on 2024 tape
• Wasn’t asked to be a workhorse (20 carries or more just once in 34 career games)
• Suspended for 2024 season opener after he was arrested and charged with reckless driving and underage possession of alcohol (March 2024); charges were later dismissed after Etienne pleaded no contest
• Rib injury sidelined him for three games (Oct. 2024) and bothered him much of final college season; missed freshman year of high school after suffering broken fibula (Aug. 2018)
• Last time he led team in rushing for season was in high school

4-133 | CB Korie Black, Oklahoma State (6'0" 192, 4.35)
What I like: Aggressive and disruptive at the line, uses the sideline, and is a superb tackler in space
Why I want: You always need to continue to churn DBs because they are expensive, much like WR and I believe Black provides what we look for while also giving slightly more playmaking/ball skills than exist on the roster
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

A good-sized athlete, Black is a rangy cover man who can work underneath routes in zone or squeeze receivers outside in man-to-man. Nuanced route runners cross him up, though, and he lacks the elite recovery agility to easily get back on track. Overall, Black needs to improve his eye discipline to better stay in phase, but NFL teams will like his physical attitude and length to match up in coverage or as a tackler.

Strengths

• Tall, long corner who matches up well with size on the outside
• Aggressive-minded and doesn’t shy from bumping routes
• Uses size to shrink catch windows and plays through hands
• Reads eyes of receivers to find the ball with his back to the quarterback
• Solid tackling strength and will unload on ball carriers when driving downhill
• Blocked two field goals in college; returned another for a touchdown
• Durable — started 38 games

Weaknesses

• Average acceleration burst when carrying receivers vertically
• Upright and late to transition when he allows receivers get on him too quickly
• Inconsistent balance in recovery attempts
• Can be baited into excess contact downfield (see matchup against Jack Bech on 2024 TCU tape)
• Will lose track of his route when his eyes get too nosy in backfield
• Left a few interception opportunities on the field

7-226 | FS J.J. Roberts, Marshall (5'11" 192, 4.41)
What I like: Outstanding range and length that show up in coverage, solid ball skills, good tackling for his size
Why I want: We lack depth at safety so it's more about bodies, but you like to see elite ball skills show up at times on the back end and I think Roberts can provide that
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

Roberts has the body type of a cornerback but the mentality of a safety with the way he runs the alley with speed and conviction (led the team in solo tackles in 2024). He explodes into ball carriers, although he often opts for the big hit instead of relying on tackling fundamentals. He plays with impressive range in coverage (led the Sun Belt in passes defended in 2024), although the speed he faced against Ohio State gave him some trouble. Overall, Roberts has the athletic profile, production and playing temperament that could make him a draft pick.

7-251 | WR Dymere Miller, Rutgers (5'11" 181, 4.37)
What I like: Always creates separation with his athleticism and finds soft spots in zone coverage
Why I want: We need to develop a long-term slot option and Miller has the requisite athleticism for this offense but I'll admit it's a shot in the dark
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

Miller is both quick and fast to pace his routes, cross up corners and create passing windows for the quarterback, which is necessary since he is a smaller target. Despite his movement skills, he wasn’t very elusive on his 2024 tape and got himself in trouble by taking his eyes off the ball too quickly, leading to drops. Overall, Miller needs to be more reliable putting catches away, but the athletic talent is NFL-worthy in the slot and gives him upside on special teams coverages.

7-256 | DT Kyonte Hamilton, Rutgers (6'3" 305, 5.02)
What I like: Wrestling leverage shows up with the way he gets under the pads of blockers, jolting pop into the offensive lineman, and generates penetration with snap quickness
Why I want: As with Sanders, you just have to stack bodies at DT to create depth and long-term stability at the position and I feel like Hamilton's arrow has continued to point up as he's become more dedicated to football after leaving the wrestling arena
Synopsis:

Spoiler!

You can see his wrestling background in his bend and hand strength, especially when he gets underneath blocks and imposes his will. He flashes twitch and fast hands off the snap, but his block recognition to be more of a playmaker in the run game is still developing. Overall, Hamilton is strong, explosive and durable. He’s viewed as an ascending prospect by NFL teams.