Who are the 50 best prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft?
With the 2025 NFL Combine getting ready to begin this week, how about we release the first version of the 2025 Big Board? This class is interesting, to say the least. However, I see a lot of opportunity for most of these guys to immediately become starters at the next level, especially along the offensive and defensive lines.
There’s a total of 18 defensive lineman in my top 50 and nine offensive lineman, over half of the top 50 in the trenches. That’s real football right there. On the other side, I’m a bit worried about the quarterback and receiver classes. Only seven of the top 50 come from those two positions, a reflection of a class that doesn’t really have much strength there.
Without further ado, let’s get into the top 50!
1 . Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Freak blend of speed and burst, with his best football still ahead of him. Carter’s explosiveness and violence in his game will translate immediately.
2. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
It doesn’t matter where you play Hunter–his ball skills and instincts translate on both sides. I have him graded as a corner, where he uses his quick thinking to make plays on the ball in man and zone.
3. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
A walking highlight reel, Jeanty’s low center of gravity and contact balance make him a load to tackle. In addition, he’s an underrated receiver.
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4. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Despite not having elite length, Graham plays with great leverage and violence, making him an instant impact player as a run defender and pass rusher.
5. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren is an athletic marvel at the position, adding on as a run blocker with urgency and vertical explosiveness to make his catch radius high quality. He’s what you need in a modern NFL TE.
6. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks wore a lot of hats at Georgia, and that versatility has him ranked high. His ability to play on the roof of a defense while also defending in the slot makes him a multifaceted player that adds on to any defense.
7. Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia
I have Walker as an EDGE, where I love the violence and urgency he plays with. Despite being undersized, his arm length and strength shouldn’t be a problem in the NFL. He wins with more motor than efficient hand usage, which is something I’ll be watching if he plays EDGE full time.
8. Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
Stewart is one of the most athletic players in this draft, but don’t let the lack of production fool you–Stewart is a violent blend of length and burst who can win on the EDGE in the NFL at 281 pounds. His ability to finish and refine his pass rush counters will be the key to him taking the next step.
9. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Johnson is a sticky corner who I think has been on the wrong side of prospect fatigue. At his best, Johnson is an athletic, long corner who has multiple pick-sixes in his career. Some stickiness with his feet and hips will need to get ironed out at the next level.
10. Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Regardless of where he plays in the NFL, I think Campbell is the best offensive linemen in the draft. His technique and hand placement, combined with his flexibility and core strength make him a fine tackle–but an All-Pro guard. I worry a bit about his foot quickness, but if he plays inside that issue gets mitigated.
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11. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
McMillan is a big WR who doesn’t play like a guy his size. He’s slippery when creating separation and has strong hands to work the intermediate and middle of the field. I wonder how consistent he can create vertical separation and his long speed, but if a guy like Drake London is his upside, that’s a high quality player.
12. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
The movement skills Simmons has immediately stands out at tackle. He’s got the foot quickness and length to work in both a man and zone scheme, with the strong hands to fit against pass rushers. He’s coming off a knee injury and has some questions to answer about consistency, but I think he’s the best true tackle in the class.
13. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
Much like Simmons, Membou’s ability to move is what stands out first. He cuts off backside defenders with ease, and mirrors really well as a pass protector. All of his experience comes at right tackle, however. I wonder if a team will switch him to left if they need a guy there.
14. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Consider me a big fan of Campbell’s game. At 6’3 and 245 pounds, Campbell has the feel in space of a guy much lighter, and the versatility to play on the EDGE if need be. I think he can be more consistent getting through the trash in the run game, but Campbell is what you want in a modern MIKE LB.
15. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Williams dealt with a nasty ankle injury in his final year at Georgia, but when he’s healthy, he can be a force. He’s the best run defending EDGE in the draft class, and has the potential to win on stunts and loops. I worry about his lack of consistent bend at the top of his rush, however.
16. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland is going to be a monster in the passing game for whoever drafts him. He’s got more wiggle to his game and can stretch the field vertically, while being used both detached from the line of scrimmage and on the line as a Y. He does round off his routes and doesn’t drive his feet on contact as a run blocker, though, which might be some of his early pitfalls as a rookie.
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17. Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
A mauler inside in the run game, Booker has a compact and tight punch that can knock defenders on their butts in the run and passing game. He also showed nice vision as a pass protector, passing off stunts with ease. He’s not the fleetest of foot, which may limit him to a fit only for gap scheme offenses.
18. Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall
On the field, Green is a blur of a pass rusher, winning with an explosive first step and ability to flatten and bend to the QB. I also think he’s expanding his game as a run defender, showing more effort there than true execution. I want to see if he can become a three-down defender at the next level, not taking himself out of plays by getting washed out. Also has major off-field concerns that may knock him down the board.
19. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Monster athlete at the safety position who has more productive skills on the ball than most guys at his size. Emmanwori is at his best coming downhill off the roof of the defense, but wore a lot of hats for the Gamecocks. I want to see if he can shore up some inconsistencies with his eyes from depth in the passing game.
20. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
An athletic freak, when Grant has it turned on he can play with force and power in the run game from various alignments, dropping his weight and being immovable. I also think he flashes more pass rush potential with his quickness and explosiveness at his size. He has to keep his pad level in check at the next level, while developing his pass rush plan.
21. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
A QBs’ best friend, Egbuka does so many of the little things right as a receiver. He works his butt off as a run blocker, and is very precise as a route runner at all three levels. Does he have enough explosiveness to be a top option in a passing offense? That’ll be the question for Egbuka at the next level, but he comes in with the profile of a high tier WR2.
22. Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
I love watching Ezeiruaku rush the passer. You can tell that he knows how he wins, with burst and bend, while knowing when to punish offensive tackles for oversetting due to his speed. He also shows some violence as a run defender, though I would like for him not to play himself out of some runs with his speed going upfield.
23. James Pearce Jr, EDGE, Tennessee
When Pearce has it going, he is such a force with speed and bend around the edge. He also showcases a long arm that he uses as a counter to his speed. His frame is still too slender, and needs to add some more mass before he can be an every down player at the next level. He also comes with inconsistency issues, and getting the most out of him will be the task for a defensive coordinator.
24. Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
So much of what Mbow does comes from the powerful grip strength and his footwork is so impressive (a former three-sport athlete in high school). He also mixes up his pass sets, getting guys off guard with a sick fake jump set. I think he profiles best on the interior as a guard because of the lack of arm length, but he’s going to be a good guard in the NFL.
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25. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Burden is a guy I want to believe in. He’s a monster after the catch, with impressive contact balance and ability to win from the slot. He’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball, winning on designed touches as well. Can he win on the outside consistently enough to not be an exclusive slot guy?
26. Kelvin Banks, OL, Texas
Banks has a wide base and powerful punch, crushing guys on down blocks and being a homing missile in space on screens. Where the worry for Banks is comes from his lack of foot quickness and inconsistent bend at the hips, which isn’t a good combo at tackle. I think he can be a great guard, but more than likely only a guard.
27. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
Harmon is a versatile defensive tackle with a rocked-up upper body that gives him an advantage from multiple fronts as a run defender. Coming from Oregon’s mint front, he played up and down the line and made an impact in the run and pass. I think his pass rush upside might be a bit limited, but shows enough to win in certain situations.
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28. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders might not have the limitless athletic potential of former top QBs, but I love his feel for the game and ability to throw with touch and timing. For offenses that play with a lot of quick game and working the middle of the field, Sanders is the best option.
29. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Ward takes the idea of playground QB to another level, showing the free-wheeling playmaking that everyone wants out of their signal caller. Ward’s quick release is accentuated on RPOs, where he flips the ball out quickly to playmakers. I worry about his play within structure, opting for the big play over the routine, but with the right coaching he can be a quality starter.
30. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
A smooth operator at RB, Johnson has impressive vision and contact balance as a rusher and receiver. At a solid 225 pounds, Johnson is well built and can win between the tackles as well. The long speed will come into question, but if he can answer that, he’s a perfect fit for a zone run game.
31. Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Thomas is the prototypical man cornerback, dominating with length and athleticism, combined with ball skills (four PBUs in first year as a starter with the Seminoles). I think he can get grabby and catch guys at the top of their routes, but for teams that run a lot of man coverage Thomas is the guy they’ll want.
32. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Nolen is an incredibly athletic three-technique at defensive tackle, winning with violent rips upfield and can push the pocket with his speed and burst on the inside. He would be much higher if he gave more effort in the run game, however. This limits him only to being a three-technique DT, who right now will be a pass rush specialist. But that comes with a lot of value in the NFL, and Nolen can make an impact there right away.
33. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Shavon Revel Jr. comes from a smaller school in ECU, but his athleticism and instincts to make plays on the ball will translate to the NFL. He’s tall and long, and if he’s healthy his speed and trust in his speed will be an impact at the next level. He is coming off a torn ACL, and that’ll push him down some boards for sure.
34. Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
If you watched Scourton’s 2023 at Purdue, you would be surprised at him being this low. However, I think Scourton added bad weight while at A&M, and that sapped some of his explosiveness. At his best, Scourton plays with urgency in the run and passing game, with a sick spin move that he can still pull off. The weight that he plays at in the NFL will make or break him, however.
35. Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon
Conerly might be one of the most athletic tackles in this class, being a perfect fit for zone run schemes. He’s got quick feet and the ability to win with his footwork and agility, beating pass rushers to the edge. I worry about his play strength, which makes him a zone only fit but he could be a really nice zone tackle for teams that still run some of the Shanahan stuff.
36. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Barron is a feisty corner who has great instincts whether it be outside or inside. Texas played him in both spots, but I wonder where his best fit in the NFL will be. His long speed is a bit questionable, but the ball production in zone coverage is hard to ignore.
37. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
Golden is a smooth operator at WR, who shows nice ball tracking skills and plucks the ball out of the air well for a guy who isn’t the biggest receiver. Golden came on strong to finish the 2024 season for Texas, and his best football might be ahead of him. I would like to see him work through contact better, and wonder if he’s more quick than fast.
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38. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Hampton is a Bullet Bill at RB, running with violence and contact balance to force a lot of broken tackles at the NFL level. I think his vision still leaves a lot to be desired, which might make him only a fit for gap scheme teams, but his ability to hit the big play is what makes him stand out in this RB class.
39. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA
Schwesinger is a former walk-on who has turned himself into one of the best LBs in this class. His range immediately stands out on tape, as he’s shown the instincts and speed to go sideline to sideline while factoring into the pass defense as well. He’s a bit slender and the play strength concerns me, but as a WILL LB he can be fun.
40. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Alexander is another defensive tackle that will more than likely be more of a three-technique than a one, but he has the athletic chops to do both. As a pass rusher, he’s shown the ability to win both inside and outside, with quick hands and nice timing on his moves to knock the linemen’s hands down. In the run game, he’s a bit more of a gap shooter than gap control, but for many 4-3 teams that meshes really well. He’s a super senior, which knocks him down the board, but a valuable guy on Day 2 of the draft.
41. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Helm is your prototypical Y-tight end who offers some upside as a receiver. While Helm isn’t as explosive or dynamic downfield, he’s really good after the catch and offers legitimate blocking chops both in-line and detached. Helm is also sure handed, maximizing his value on an NFL offense.
42. Tyliek Williams, DT, Ohio State
Williams is one of the strongest players in this class, uprooting offensive linemen with force in the run game. While that keeps him on the field in early downs, I wonder if he can build a pass rush game versatile enough to keep him on the field on third down. However, there’s value in that kind of player on Day 2.
43. Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee
Continuing the run on defensive tackles is Norman-Lott, who offers a lot of lateral quickness and burst as a pass rusher. He’s undersized at 295 pounds, but his speed on the interior makes a lot of sense as a 4-3 3-technique DT. How he holds up in the run game might limit his ceiling, but on Day 2 you can live with that.
44. Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
Harris is a prototypical boundary wide receiver who wins with finesse and immediate separation. He can win downfield and provides more pop after the catch than many would think at his size. The offense did help him out a lot though, and his downfield separation will be called into question.
45. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Finally back after injury-riddled seasons, Henderson showed his gamebreaking speed and instant impact on passing downs that has him in this top 50. Henderson excels with runways to build up his speed, and once he hits the second gear, he normally takes it to the end zone. I also think he adds a lot of value as a receiver and pass blocker, two things most backs can’t really do. His vision is sometimes shaky, and the injury history will play a big role, but he can be a quality second back in an NFL offense.
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46. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
Hairston has a much slighter frame than the guys ahead of him, which brings him down, but his foot speed and ability to make plays in off coverage really stood out at Kentucky. He’s got quick eyes, noticing a lot of route combinations and driving on them quickly (10 PBUs in two seasons, only playing in five games in 2024 due to injury). For teams that are very quarters and Cover 2 heavy, Hairston would be a nice fit.
47. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
Collins is incredibly strong on the inside as a run defender, discarding offensive linemen with length and power. I don’t think he offers much as a pass rusher right now though, which knocks him down the board.
48. Tate Ratledge, OG, Georgia
Ratledge is the definition of “dawg in him”–no pun intended. He plays with a nasty mentality on the inside and looks to finish defenders with knockout power. He did deal with a bad ankle injury that required surgery, and isn’t as versatile as other guard prospects, but for a team needing instant nastiness and stability at guard, Ratledge is perfect.
49. Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin is an interesting prospect. He set almost every record possible for receiving at the position in 2024, in an offense that was exclusively built around him. He wins more vertically, showcasing an ability to high point the ball and get above the rim for targets. However, I wonder if he can only be used in 2-TE sets because of his lack of size, and he’s more of a linear athlete than well-rounded. That being said, he’s only 20 years old, so there’s room for growth.
50. Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
Caldwell is a massive man at 342 pounds, but in his college career has played all along the defensive front. At Oregon, he settled in as the nose/1T in their defense and flashed a lot of athleticism and nice movement skills for a guy his size. His pass rush upside has yet to be tapped, and I could see him becoming something special in the right defense.
