- The Titans choose edge defender Abdul Carter: The explosive junior move rusher delivered one other dominant season in 2024, incomes a 92.3 pass-rush grade — his second straight 12 months eclipsing the 90.0 mark.
- The Giants get their quarterback of the longer term: Shedeur Sanders has a robust basis as a passer, with essentially sound throwing mechanics that give him the instruments to develop on the subsequent stage.
Estimated studying time: 17 minutes
With the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl formally within the books, the pre-draft analysis course of shifts into excessive gear. After the week of practices, drills and recreation motion in Cell, scouts and analysts have gathered priceless insights into this 12 months’s high prospects.
Now, it’s time to interrupt down how these gamers stack up and challenge the place they could match within the 2025 NFL Draft class.
1. Tennessee Titans: ED Abdul Carter, Penn State
All eyes are on the Titans on the high of the 2025 NFL Draft, because the franchise faces a number of evident roster wants and will take a number of paths to handle them. Their choice may have a cascading impact on how the remainder of the draft unfolds.
One participant who has gained momentum in current weeks is Abdul Carter, whose betting odds to be the No. 1 general choose have shortened considerably.
The explosive junior move rusher delivered one other dominant season in 2024, incomes a 92.3 pass-rush grade — his second straight 12 months eclipsing the 90.0 mark. Over the previous two seasons, he has ranked within the 99th percentile in a number of of PFF’s most secure pass-rushing metrics, together with pass-rush grade in opposition to true move units and pass-rush win charge.
If chosen by the Titans, Carter would offer an instantaneous increase to a move rush that ranked backside 5 in crew pass-rush grade, pass-rush win charge, and strain charge in 2024.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB Cam Ward, Miami (FL)
After reinjuring his Achilles, Deshaun Watson is predicted to overlook your entire 2025 season. And even when he had stayed on observe in his restoration, his restricted availability (he is made simply 22 begins since signing his deal in 2022) and lack of constant manufacturing (he earned an 80.0-plus passing grade in just one recreation) make a robust case for the Browns to hunt his alternative.
Ward, who led the FBS with a 91.7 passing grade in 2024, might present the contemporary begin Cleveland desperately wants at quarterback.
3. New York Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
With two-way star Travis Hunter nonetheless on the board, the Giants would face a tough choice: add one of the crucial gifted ability gamers to enter the draft in a long time or prioritize the sport’s most respected place.
Finally, investing in a quarterback can be the logical transfer for a entrance workplace beneath strain in 2025, particularly with restricted confirmed choices obtainable by different avenues.
Sanders has a robust basis as a passer, with essentially sound throwing mechanics that give him the instruments to develop on the subsequent stage. Nevertheless, his most spectacular trait could also be his capability to restrict errors. Since transferring to the FBS, he has produced a negatively graded throw on simply 10.9% of his dropbacks, a 97th-percentile mark.
4. New England Patriots: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado
Touchdown the best two-way risk in faculty soccer historical past can be a large win for Mike Vrabel as he seems to be to rebuild a Patriots roster with loads of holes to fill. Whereas New England has vital cap house to handle its wants in free company, including a uniquely versatile expertise like Travis Hunter would offer an immediate affect on each side of the ball.
Hunter, who earned 89.0-plus PFF grades as each a receiver and protection defender in 2024, would enable the Patriots to allocate assets elsewhere, notably towards defending their younger quarterback, Drake Maye.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DI Mason Graham, Michigan
Regardless of having high quality edge rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, the Jaguars struggled to generate strain in 2024, posting the seventh-lowest strain charge (30.8%) within the NFL. The first subject was the inside, the place Jacksonville’s defensive tackles recorded a league-worst 8.9% pass-rush win charge.
Graham would offer an instantaneous affect. Because the begin of 2023, he has posted elite marks within the secure metrics for inside defenders, rating within the 96th percentile or higher in pass-rush grade in opposition to true move units and run-stop proportion.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Whether or not it’s Russell Wilson, as some experiences counsel, or one other quarterback beneath heart, the Raiders can be smart to arrange their subsequent signal-caller for fulfillment by including a real X receiver with difference-making dimension.
McMillan pairs spectacular acceleration for his stature with robust play on the catch level, making him one of many nation’s most harmful deep threats. Because the begin of 2023, he has secured 25 receptions of 20 or extra yards—probably the most within the Energy 5.
7. New York Jets: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
With Aaron Glenn now main the Jets, Gang Inexperienced’s defensive id isn’t going anyplace. In Detroit, Glenn deployed the best charge of Cowl 1 in 2024, emphasizing cornerbacks who excel in man protection.
Johnson’s mixture of dimension and understanding of leverage made him extremely efficient in these conditions. He earned a 90.8 PFF grade in man protection in 2022 and 2023 earlier than battling accidents in 2024.
With D.J. Reed set to hit free company, discovering a cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner shall be a high precedence for New York.
8. Carolina Panthers: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Though this protection desperately wants move rushers, the 2025 draft class is loaded with expertise on the place, making it probably {that a} high quality choice might fall to them on Day 2. Nevertheless, high-end security prospects are far much less frequent on this 12 months’s class — except Starks, who stands effectively above the remaining because the premier expertise on the place.
Carolina ranked thirty first in EPA allowed per dropback in 2024, struggling notably in opposition to the deep ball. The Panthers allowed a 48% completion charge on passes focused 20 or extra yards downfield, the second-highest mark within the NFL.
Starks’ fluid hips and top-end pace can be a pivotal addition to Carolina’s secondary, offering the vary and protection capability wanted to assist shore up their deep-passing vulnerabilities.
9. New Orleans Saints: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
With Taysom Hill struggling a critical knee harm at age 34 and Juwan Johnson set to enter free company, the Saints might use a bodily, game-changing receiving risk like Tyler Warren at tight finish.
The Penn State standout delivered in an enormous approach in his senior season, hauling in 34 receptions of 15 or extra yards and averaging 2.71 yards per route run. His dominance within the passing recreation earned him a 93.3 PFF receiving grade, the best amongst Energy 5 tight ends in 2024.
Warren can be a pure slot in a Saints offense that utilized 12-personnel at a top-eight charge final season.
10. Chicago Bears: T Will Campbell, LSU
Ben Johnson’s first precedence as Chicago’s head coach have to be fixing the offensive line, notably in move safety for Caleb Williams. The Bears allowed the best sack charge within the NFL (9.9%) in 2024, making it essential to supply their younger quarterback with higher safety.
Whereas the sort out spots are safer, discovering the perfect five-man mixture up entrance shall be important to the crew’s future success.
11. San Francisco 49ers: T Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
The 49ers are getting ready to speculate closely in Brock Purdy, with a large extension on the horizon. That deal will probably restrict their spending in free company, making defending their franchise quarterback a good higher precedence.
With Aaron Banks’ contract expiring and Trent Williams getting into his age-37 season whereas coming off an harm, deciding on the Texas sort out would tackle each an instantaneous want on the inside and supply a long-term resolution at sort out.
12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Generally, the best reply is the fitting one. It’s uncommon for a prospect of this caliber and match to fall exterior the highest 10, making this a straightforward choice.
Ashton Jeanty is ranked No. 5 on PFF’s massive board for a cause. His 96.6 speeding grade in 2024 is the best ever recorded by an FBS operating again with not less than 100 carries in PFF’s faculty soccer grading historical past.
13. Miami Dolphins: T Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Given the huge funding in Tua Tagovailoa—and his harm historical past—premium move safety will at all times be a precedence for Miami.
Though he’s coming off a knee harm that ended his season, Simmons is predicted to totally get better by coaching camp. His pass-blocking capability is plain. Earlier than taking place in Week 7, he posted an 88.4 pass-blocking grade and allowed zero pressures on 148 pass-blocking snaps.
14. Indianapolis Colts: ED James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Though the Colts’ defensive entrance handled harm misfortune in 2024, even at full power, the unit lacked the explosive pass-rushing presence wanted to alter a recreation.
Enter Pearce, a twitchy edge rusher with quick palms and a powerful speed-to-power transition for his dimension. His 89.9 pass-rush grade displays his disruptive capability, which might instantly increase a Colts protection that ranked twenty eighth in strain charge final season.
15. Atlanta Falcons: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
With Michael Penix Jr. set to take over because the starter in 2025, surrounding him with extra offensive firepower can be a sensible strategy to set him up for early success.
Luther Burden is a pure playmaker out of the slot, excelling with the ball in his palms. Over the previous two seasons, he has ranked within the 87th percentile in yards after catch per reception, showcasing his dynamic capability within the open discipline. Pairing Burden with Darnell Mooney and Drake London, who’s coming off his greatest season as a professional, would give Penix one of the crucial gifted receiving corps within the NFL.
16. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia
Whereas Walker performed each on the sting and off-ball at Georgia, he has rapidly emerged as a promising edge defender, the place he is proven probably the most upside. He additionally thrives in massive moments, recording all 4 of his sacks in 2024 in opposition to School Soccer Playoff groups (Clemson, Texas and Tennessee).
With Jonathan Gannon seeking to revamp a move rush that ranked twenty ninth in pass-rush win charge, Walker can be a pure match on the sting for this Cardinals protection.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: DI Kenneth Grant, Michigan
With B.J. Hill’s contract expiring, the Bengals face a major void on the inside line of defense. Even with Hill, Cincinnati struggled mightily up entrance in 2024, rating thirty first in pass-rush win charge from the inside and that includes only one defensive sort out — Hill himself — who earned a run-defense grade above 54.0.
Including Grant to the inside can be a much-needed resolution, instantly upgrading each the move rush and run protection for a unit needing reinforcements.
18. Seattle Seahawks: ED Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Senior Bowl week could also be simply the primary part of the pre-draft course of, however no participant elevated their inventory greater than the Texas A&M edge rusher. Stewart dominated all through Senior Bowl practices, firmly thrusting his title into the first-round dialog.
Mike Macdonald’s protection generated strain at a top-three charge in 2024, however a lot of that success might have been pushed by scheme and circumstance. The unit ranked inside the highest six in each unblocked and clean-up pressures, suggesting some potential variance in sustainable pass-rush manufacturing.
Including an explosive edge rusher like Stewart would make a real distinction off the sting, serving to to stabilize and elevate the move rush past scheme-driven alternatives.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ED Mike Inexperienced, Marshall
Even amongst a deep group of Energy 5 prospects, Mike Inexperienced has risen up the ranks. After a standout season at Marshall, the place he completed because the highest-graded edge defender within the nation, Inexperienced validated his expertise on the Senior Bowl, flashing in opposition to NFL-caliber competitors.
With the Buccaneers holding only one confirmed edge rusher — Yaya Diaby — beneath contract and restricted cap house, Inexperienced might step in and make an instantaneous affect on Tampa Bay’s protection.
20. Denver Broncos: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
The Broncos’ high precedence this offseason have to be surrounding Bo Nix with extra weapons as he enters Yr 2.
Emeka Egbuka would give Sean Payton’s offense a dynamic slot risk who makes use of his elite physique management, pace and soccer IQ to create separation persistently. Whereas an harm in 2023 restricted his manufacturing, he proved his playmaking capability in 2022 and 2024, incomes an 82.0-plus receiving grade whereas surpassing 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each seasons.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
With experiences suggesting that Pittsburgh will probably deliver again Justin Fields as its beginning quarterback in 2025, including younger expertise to the receiver room can be a logical subsequent step.
Golden confirmed regular enchancment all through his faculty profession, culminating in a breakout 2024 season. He delivered his greatest performances beneath strain, excelling in Texas’ three postseason video games, the place he posted an 84.2 receiving grade and averaged 3.58 yards per route run.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Like their division rivals in Denver, the Chargers want extra playmakers—past Ladd McConkey—to step up and supply Justin Herbert with dependable targets.
Colston Loveland took his recreation to a different stage in 2024, incomes a career-best 90.6 receiving grade, highlighting his pure pass-catching capability and refined route-running. Having already gained a nationwide championship collectively at Michigan, a Loveland-Jim Harbaugh reunion in Los Angeles can be a low-risk, high-upside transfer for the Chargers offense.
23. Inexperienced Bay Packers: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Though the Packers completed top-five in sacks in the course of the common season, they led the NFL in unblocked sacks, elevating issues in regards to the sustainability of their move rush. Amongst Inexperienced Bay’s 4 edge rushers with 150 or extra pass-rush snaps in 2024, solely Rashan Gary posted a double-digit pass-rush win charge.
That wouldn’t be a difficulty for Nic Scourton, who has exceeded a 19.1% win charge in every of the previous two seasons. The previous Aggie and Boilermaker brings versatility, able to speeding along with his hand up or down from both aspect, giving the Packers protection a much-needed disruptive presence off the sting.
24. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
With a number of expiring contracts within the secondary, the Vikings should prioritize addressing the place early within the draft.
Barron brings a extremely sought-after ability set for Brian Flores’ scheme, excelling in spot zone protection with robust instincts and anticipation throughout a number of alignments. His Energy 5-leading 90.2 protection grade additional highlights his capability to affect the sport, making him a superb match for Minnesota’s protection.
25. Houston Texans: DI Walter Nolen, Mississippi
Whereas Houston would love so as to add a receiving risk, with the highest choices off the board, this choose can be utilized to revitalize a struggling defensive inside. In 2024, Texans defensive tackles mixed for a 38.6 run-defense grade, rating twenty eighth within the NFL.
Enter Walter Nolen, whose 90.4 run-defense grade ranked second amongst FBS inside defenders, trailing solely projected top-10 choose Mason Graham. His presence would offer an instantaneous increase to a Texans entrance in want of reinforcement.
26. Los Angeles Rams: T Armand Membou, Missouri
With Alaric Jackson set to check free company and Rob Havenstein getting into his age-33 season within the last 12 months of his contract, the Rams will undoubtedly prioritize offensive sort out on this draft.
Membou, who earned a 90.4 general grade in 2024, graded within the 87th percentile or higher as each a run and move blocker. His athleticism and flexibility would offer the Rams with a versatile, high-upside choice on the skin.
27. Baltimore Ravens: T Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Filling the void at left sort out left by Ronnie Stanley’s impending free company shall be a high precedence for the Ravens’ offense.
Josh Conerly Jr. can be a pure match on the left aspect after posting an 83.0 pass-blocking grade in 2024. He additionally allowed only a 0.6% knockdown charge throughout 1,000-plus pass-blocking snaps.
28. Detroit Lions: CB Benjamin Morrison, Norte Dame
With Detroit selling Kelvin Sheppard to switch Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator, the Lions are anticipated to proceed deploying one of many heaviest Cowl 1 charges within the NFL.
That makes Benjamin Morrison a perfect match. The Notre Dame cornerback is at house in man protection, having performed a excessive quantity of Cowl 1 whereas rating above the 87th percentile in each single-coverage grade and protection grade when no strain is generated.
29. Washington Commanders: ED Mykel Williams, Georgia
Including extra firepower to Dan Quinn’s protection is at all times a smart funding, particularly with Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell set to hit free company. That makes Williams a compelling alternative—an explosive, high-ceiling move rusher with the violent taking part in type Quinn covets.
Williams’ distinctive size permits him to make use of leverage successfully as a move rusher and run defender. Whereas he’s nonetheless creating as a move rusher—he’ll flip 21 this summer season—he has already excelled in opposition to the run, rating within the 97th percentile in run-defense grade at his place, giving him a stable ground early in his profession.
30. Buffalo Payments: CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
Outdoors of Christian Benford, no participant in Buffalo’s secondary earned a protection grade above 70.0 in 2024. With out Benford on the sector within the AFC Championship Recreation, the unit was picked aside, finally ending the season with a 31.8 crew protection grade — thirty first within the NFL.
Amos would deliver much-needed athleticism and playmaking capability to Buffalo’s secondary. A multi-sport athlete with robust instincts in protection, he has posted a 22%-plus pressured incompletion charge since 2021, rating within the 98th percentile at his place.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: ED Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Philadelphia’s core philosophy is to generate strain with out blitzing, making high-end move rushers a relentless precedence. With Josh Sweat prone to check free company, the Eagles will virtually actually be out there for an edge rusher this offseason.
Sawyer joins a franchise with a championship pedigree, although he brings a title-winning resume of his personal after serving to lead Ohio State to a nationwide championship. Over the previous two seasons, he has posted an 89.0-plus general grade every year, positioning him for early success within the NFL.
32. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: OL Gray Zabel, North Dakota State
One of many greatest risers on the Senior Bowl, Zabel has catapulted himself into first-round consideration. Whereas he performed sort out at NDSU, he took in depth snaps on the inside throughout Senior Bowl practices, the place he excelled in move safety — a efficiency emblematic of his 93.1 pass-blocking grade in 2024.
With Trey Smith prone to land a profitable contract in free company, the Chiefs can discover a high-upside alternative in Zabel. A key piece in North Dakota State’s championship run, he brings a profitable mentality to an offense that thrives on elite inside play.
