Gavin Riley's top 50 2025 NFL Draft prospects 2.0, plus top 5s at each position

Apr 15, 2025

will campbell 2025 NFL Draft bears prospect target — Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly a week away, and the picture is becoming clearer — at least a little. After months of tape, reading the opinions of scouts, and countless re-ranks in my head, I’m locking these in. But if there’s one thing that defines this class, it’s the lack of consensus. Outside of a few blue-chip talents, opinions are mixed. Player No. 10 on one team’s big board might be player No. 40 on another's.

It’s just that kind of year.

1. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

The No. 1 spot is the former Nittany Lion. Carter explodes off the ball with rare acceleration that stymies blockers. Watch his tape against the elite programs — USC, Ohio State, Notre Dame — he's a constant disruptor. His speed wins early, complemented by a swipe/rip combo. He immediately exploits oversetting tackles, darting inside for quick pressures. When QBs try escaping, Carter shows a natural instinct to redirect underneath. In back-side pursuits, he closes at a blurry speed.

2. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Hunter is the most gifted two-way player since Deion Sanders, with elite instincts and ball skills at both receiver and corner. At CB, he’s sticky in coverage with elite ball skills. He changes direction like he's controlled by a joystick. At WR, he’s a polished route runner who easily creates separation. He can also climb the ladder for contested jump balls. He’s a transcendent talent who simply operates on a different level.

3. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Jeanty had one of the most absurd running back seasons in history, falling just 28 yards short of Barry Sanders’ all-time rushing record. He has some of the best contact balance I’ve seen from a running back. He’ll be the focal point of the offense for whichever team selects him.

4. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

If you’re looking for a complete offensive weapon, Warren is your guy. He burst onto the scene this past season with his incredible receiving skills and ferocious mentality as a blocker. Penn State lined Warren up everywhere. Whichever team drafts him is getting a versatile chess piece.

5. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Graham is an immovable force on the interior who combines elite power with surprising quickness for a man his size. He controls gaps with exceptional leverage and hand placement that makes him nearly impossible to move. He’s a dominant presence who consistently resets the line of scrimmage.

6. Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Campbell played left tackle at LSU, but analysts foresee a future at guard. Personally, I think he can stay at left tackle. His hand placement and sheer power make him my favorite offensive lineman in the draft. Watch his tape against Shemar Stewart, a potential top-15 pick — Campbell dominated.

7. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Green’s speed-to-power was evident in his 17-sack season for the Thundering Herd this past season. His ability to set up tackles with a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves is impressive. He has elite bend and an extremely high motor.

8. Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia

Walker is an explosive second-level defender who processes the game at an elite level. His sideline-to-sideline range and violent hands make him a force against both run and pass. He can diagnose plays pre-snap and teleport to the ball carrier on run plays.

9. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

Membou combines massive power with surprisingly nimble feet in pass protection. He creates movement in the run game while maintaining excellent balance and anchor.

10. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Stewart’s ability to convert speed to power at his size (6-foot-5, 280 pounds) is different. He’s a freak. He didn’t have much production for the Aggies, but frankly, I don’t think teams will care too much.

11. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

I sound like a broken record, but it bears repeating: Sanders' accuracy and ball placement are special. Cam Ward is the consensus QB1, but I like Sanders a little more. He lacks elite athleticism, and he doesn’t have ‘zip,’ but he can surgically take his team downfield. He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks in recent years, has the toughness of a long-time starter, and is the most pro-ready in the class.

12. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks wasn’t as effective as a playmaker in 2024, but he moves like a missile in the secondary with elite instincts and an explosive burst. He processes the game at an exceptional level, allowing him to play multiple positions with equal impact. His versatility and closing speed make him a defensive coordinator's dream.

13. Jihaad Campbell, LB/Edge, Alabama

Campbell has grown on me. He’s an absolute freak. Built like an old-school linebacker that moves like a safety, Campbell can rush the passer, drop into coverage if needed, and chase down ball carriers with high-end speed for his size.

14. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Nolen arguably has the most upside in this DT class. The former No.1 overall recruit in 2022 has had a great draft process, aside from maturity questions that arise occasionally. He has violent hands, brute strength, and a motor that just won’t quit. In his lone season with Ole Miss, he anchored the nation’s top run defense and tied the team lead with 14 tackles for loss, adding 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

15. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

McMillan has more to offer than his viral one-handed, between-the-legs catches during training. He dominates the vertical game with extraordinary length, body control, and run-after-the-catch ability. He’s not the most effective at creating separation, but he’s a matchup nightmare who plays like a basketball player in cleats.

16. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Ward brings electric playmaking ability with high-level arm talent to all areas of the field. He shows special awareness in chaos while keeping his eyes downfield for the big play, albeit too often, which causes too many turnover-worthy throws.

17. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Loveland possesses rare movement skills and natural hands for a tight end. He creates consistent separation with refined routes while showing surprising power at the point of attack.

18. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Golden is a smooth operator who wins with elite separation, quickness, and effortless route running. His ability to set up defenders and snap off routes makes him a consistent chain-mover, and he has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. He’s not the biggest or fastest, but he’s a technician.

19. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

While not the most explosive athlete, Baron is an elite ballhawk — the Thorpe Award winner flashes an uncanny football radar. Though he may not check all the boxes as a true boundary corner, he has great anticipation and timing.

20. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Johnson’s an elite pattern matcher with fluid hips and explosive bursts. His ball skills and route recognition allow him to bait quarterbacks into throws they immediately regret. He has a special blend of confidence and instincts that define shutdown corners, though he lacks the top-end speed many have.

21. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

Ezeiruaku is undersized at 6-foot-2, 247 pounds, but he has a bottomless bag of pass-rush moves that led to a 16-sack season with the Eagles. If he can become more powerful, he’ll be a dominant force. Bigger opponents handle him pretty easily if his initial and counter fail.

22. Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State

I don’t think there was a bigger winner during the Senior Bowl than Zabel. He stymied every defender trying to plow through him — and he did it at each position across the line.

23. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Harmon is a mountain of a man who controls the line of scrimmage with sheer power and leverage. His ability to eat up double teams and still generate interior pressure makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. While he’s not the most explosive, his motor and technique allow him to disrupt both the run and pass game consistently.

24. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

Williams is another trait-based gamble from Georgia, like Nolan Smith and Travon Walker. Williams lacked production, but he brought elite burst and bend off the edge with natural pass rush instincts. He also has a 34 3/8 wingspan. He has traits for days that make him an enticing prospect.

25. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Overshadowed by his counterpart, Graham, Grant consistently reset the line of scrimmage with what’s near preternatural power and startling quickness. He’s dominant in both the run and pass rush.

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26. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Pearce is tall and slender, yet one of the more gifted pass rushers in this class. He dominated SEC play with a unique blend of bend, twitch, and fluidity. Character concerns have been questioned. If all checks out on that front, Pearce could be the steal of the draft.

27. Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama

Alabama players referred to Booker as “the Will Anderson of the offense.” Anderson went No. 3 overall just two drafts ago. Booker is one of the safest linemen in this year’s class.

28. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Egbuka reminds me of another Ohio State product, Jaxson Smith-Njigba — both being savvy route-runners with exceptional body control and reliable hands in traffic. Like JSN, Egbuka excels in the slot with pristine footwork and spatial awareness. He’s also an exceptional blocker.

29. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

If not for a torn ACL midway through the season, Simmons would presumably be higher. The NFL draft community awaits his medicals at the combine to see if they need to move him up or down a few spots. If his medicals look good, he could be considered for the first tackle off the board.

30. Omarion Hampton, RB, UNC

Hampton combines a violent running style with great vision and balance, consistently making the first defender miss while showing the speed to take any carry the distance.

31. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

"Henderson can make a house call from anywhere," Chris Fowler noted as Henderson caught the slip-screen pass against Texas in the CFB Semifinals...75 yards later, the Buckeyes' back proved him prophetic with a touchdown sprint before halftime. He’s lightning in a bottle with exceptional pass-blocking ability.

32. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss

Amos plays like a corner who’s seen it all — battle-tested across three programs, his game carries the calm and confidence of experience. At Ole Miss, he finally put it all together, blending size, speed, and swagger into a complete cornerback profile. He’s sticky in press, instinctive in zone, and plays with an edge that shows up when the ball’s in the air. You’d be hard-pressed to find many corners in this class with the physicality and mirroring ability that Amos possesses.

33. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Burden operates primarily from the slot position, showcasing electric playmaking ability. Despite a statistical regression — partially attributable to quarterback inconsistency — his 2023 performance demonstrated his genuine talent. The dynamic playmaker remains despite his substandard season.

34. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Despite his lighter frame at 179 pounds, Hairston does well in press coverage where most corners his size struggle. He's a scrappy, play-making cornerback with excellent technique that compensates for his size disadvantage.

35. Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

After a 10-sack season at Purdue in 2023, Scourton transferred to Texas A&M and was unable to replicate the former success. His 2023 tape is incredible, and it’s fair to surmise that whichever team drafts him will likely get that player, as he dropped back down in the 250-pound range (his play weight at Purdue) after playing the 2024 season around 280. I believe he can recapture that production — the traits that led to double-digit sacks are still evident in his game. Scourton is still just 20 years old.

36. Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

A former five-star recruit, Conerly had continuous success at Oregon. He has a rare combination of a high floor and a high ceiling. His skill set blends surprising quickness with redirection ability. Conerly's talent was validated by his peers, who named him the top offensive lineman at the Senior Bowl.

37. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

Taylor is a smooth, savvy tight end who plays with the poise of someone raised in the game—no surprise, given he’s the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. At nearly 6’5” and 250 pounds, he’s not a burner, but he knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage and consistently presents a reliable target for his quarterback. His hands are trustworthy, and he’s a great blocker.

38. Shavon Revel, CB, East Carolina

An ACL injury sidelined him for most of the 2024 campaign, but Revel is one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks I’ve watched. At 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, he possesses extraordinary recovery speed. He lacks nuance at the position, but he’s just about everything you want at the position in terms of the physical gifts.

39. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

Regarded as the top left tackle in the draft, Banks dominates the edge with his massive frame and surprising movement skills, showing the consistent ability to mirror speed rushers while creating displacement in the run game.

40. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Watts brings an exceptional track record of ball production, securing 13 interceptions across two seasons. The Irish's first two-time consensus All-American since '93 makes up for man coverage shortcomings with an uncanny nose for the ball. His playmaking instincts should carry over nicely to Sundays, even if he isn't the most versatile DB in the class.

41. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

A long, rangy safety with a nose for the football, Emmanwori has been the backbone of South Carolina’s secondary. His physicality and tackling ability make him an enforcer in the run game, but his versatility in coverage — whether as a deep safety or in the slot — keeps him on the field in all situations. The tools are there for him to be an impact defender at the next level.

42. Omar Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Norman-Lott might be undersized, but he rushes the passer with extremely well — quick hands, natural leverage, and a knack for slipping through creases before linemen can react. He’s a problem on passing downs, winning with technique and twitch rather than brute strength. But his run defense is still a mystery; he was often pulled in those situations, and when he did play, he struggled to hold up against double teams. He’s a specialized weapon right now, but one that can wreck pockets in the right role.

43. Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State

Many may have Jackson higher. I mean, he did seamlessly step in for an injured Josh Simmons, sliding from left guard to left tackle. The transition, to quote what NFL lineman Justin Pugh once told me, “It’s like moving a fight in a phone booth to an open field.” It’s totally different. But Jackson excelled, and now it’s to be determined whether he’ll be on the interior or protecting a QB’s blindside.

44. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Dart’s highs are high, and his lows are low. His most impressive performance was in his 515-yard, six-touchdown day against Arkansas. His worst performance came against Florida with the College Football Playoffs on the line, where he had two interceptions in back-to-back possessions in the final minutes of the game. Ole Miss lost. Dart plays with a quiet fire — poised in the pocket, fearless with his arm, and always hunting the big play. He’s got one of the prettiest deep balls in the class, dropping passes in stride with touch and confidence, but he’s a work in progress.

45. Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo

Alexander will turn 25 when the season kicks off — an age that admittedly makes front offices nervous. He’ll be 29 when it’s time for his second contract. But for contenders looking to maximize their championship window? He's exactly who you want. Turn on his tape, and you'll see why — it's littered with defenders getting manhandled snap after snap. And the way he moves at 6-foot-4, 310 pounds…It’s a lot like Chris Jones.

46. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

Morrison’s 2023 film is as clean and polished as any cornerback in this draft class — sticky in man, fluid in zone, and always a step ahead of the route. His instincts and ball skills jump off the screen, and his ability to mirror top receivers made him a true lockdown presence. However, a hip injury cut his 2024 season short, and he’s still working his way back to full strength. If teams are comfortable with the medicals, Morrison has the tools and tape to be a high-end starter early in his NFL career.

47. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Judkins is a rugged, no-nonsense runner. At 6 feet and 221 pounds, he’s built to absorb contact and deliver it right back, using his compact frame and low center of gravity to churn out tough yards between the tackles. While he’s not the most elusive or explosive back in this class, his vision and decisiveness make him a reliable chain-mover.

48. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

It’s hard not to admire Schwesinger’s story. A former walk-on-turned-All-American, the UCLA Bruin has had a meteoric rise throughout the draft process. He has outstanding instincts in all phases and is a fast, rangy linebacker who does well in coverage and defending the run.

49. Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State

Williams isn’t the biggest or the fastest — 5-feet-11, 180 pounds with 4.4 speed — but he just knows how to get open. Against Travis Hunter, Williams dusted the likely top-two pick for a 34-yard touchdown that left the Colorado sideline stunned.

50. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

Grant is one of the more intriguing small-school prospects in this draft class. A two-time FCS All-American, he’s a fluid, technically sound left tackle with a wrestling background that shows up in his balance and hand placement.

Top 5 Prospects at Each Position

Quarterbacks

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

2. Cam Ward, Miami

3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

4. Will Howard, Ohio State

5. Tyler Shough, Louisville

Running backs

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

2. Omarion Hampton, UNC

3. TreVeon Henderson, Ohio State

4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Wide receivers

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado

2. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

3. Matthew Golden, Texas

4. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

5. Luther Burden III, Missouri

Tight ends

1. Tyler Warren, Penn State

2. Colston Loveland, Michigan

3. Mason Taylor, LSU

4. Elijah Arroyo, Miami

5. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Offensive tackles

1. Will Campbell, LSU

2. Armand Membou, Missouri

3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State

4. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

5. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Interior offensive linemen

1. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

2. Tyler Booker, Alabama

3. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

4. Tate Ratledge, Georgia

5. Jared Wilson, Georgia

Defensive tackles

1. Mason Graham, Michigan

2. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

3. Derrick Harmon, Oregon

4. Kenneth Grant, Michigan

5. Omar Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Edge rushers

1. Abdul Carter, Penn State

2. Mike Green, Marshall

3. Jalon Walker, Georgia

4. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M

5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

Linebackers

1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

3. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina

4. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss

5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Cornerbacks