The Baskin-Robbins draft is here.
We’re calling it that not only because there are (more than) 31 types of great talent available for any team in any circumstance in the 2025 NFL Draft, but also because if you polled the boards of every NFL team at the moment, you’d get 31 (OK, 32) distinct responses.
This year, a lot is happening. Numerous prospects with diverse stock ranges are there, including a few who will probably influence the outcome of the first round. A few of the crucial pivot-point players are as follows:
QB1: Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders?
Neither Ward nor Sanders would rate as a top-15 player in this class on my board, and I’m surely not alone in that opinion. I don’t run a QB-desperate franchise, though, and the annual game of chicken between the two neediest clubs — the Giants and the Raiders this year — will happen over these two talents. If the Raiders want to guarantee they get their guy, they’ll likely have to move up.
If Tennessee or Cleveland decides it wants a QB at the top of the draft, it would complicate things even further.
Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia
Abdul Carter is not the only prospect in this class who reminds people of Miach Parsons. Walker, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound junior with length, burst and speed got on the field at Georgia as an off-ball linebacker but forced his way into pass-rush wins off the edge.
He was a full-time starter for just one year, though, and much of his stock revolves around the projection of what he might be able to add to a front seven. If he has an explosive combine, Walker will tempt teams in the top five as the next-best version of Carter, in a draft in which truly premium talent is going to be hard to find.
His limited resume and the fact he’s spent more time in the box than on the edge also might scare teams, which means Walker’s potential draft range could be rather large.
Running backs: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State; Kaleb Johnson, Iowa; Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
The conversation certainly starts with Jeanty, who qualifies as a Bijan Robinson/Jahmyr Gibbs-level player teams shouldn’t be afraid of in the first round — even the top 10. If Jeanty starts to slide, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a team in the latter half of Round 1 trade up for him. He’s ready to contribute tomorrow.
The bigger question, though, is whether or not Jeanty will be the only first-round running back.
Johnson exploded this season inside Tim Lester’s retooled Iowa offense. With speed, balance and elite vision at 225 pounds, he is a legit three-down back who could thrive early in his NFL career behind a good line. The exact same thing could be said about Hampton, who put up back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons (and 73 career receptions) at North Carolina.
The top three OTs: Will Campbell, LSU; Armand Membou, Missouri; Josh Simmons, Ohio State
I’m curious to see not only where OT1 comes off the board, but also the order of the top three. On my board, Campbell is an easy pick for OT1, although I can understand some hesitation based on his lack of length out wide. But as was the case with Rashawn Slater, Campbell’s power, athleticism, IQ and football character should count for more than the length.
The conversation surrounding Membou is similar to Campbell’s, in that some teams like him better inside — which could mess with his overall landing spot. Simmons, meantime, is still rehabbing a patella injury. He looked like a surefire top 15 pick (and a true tackle) when he was healthy this season, but the medicals are still a question.
These three clearly look like the top tackles in this class. The questions surrounding each player will only rise from here, however. Will anyone trade up for Campbell and/or Membou? Will we get an early tackle run once the first one comes off the board?
The tight end stack
This is another outstanding tight end class, both at the top and in terms of depth. Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are both top-15 prospects in this class (some might say top-10). Warren is the more physically dominant prospect, while Loveland is an elite route runner and terrific receiver at 240-plus pounds.
Beyond that, it’s not impossible that as many as four tight ends land in Round 1 — LSU’s Mason Taylor and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo built on their positive momentum at the Senior Bowl.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The 2023 version of Johnson would be a top-five player in this class. Unfortunately, we only got glimpses of Johnson in 2024, as he missed most of Michigan’s season — including the upset at Ohio State and bowl win over Alabama — with various injuries. Teams will need to get clear medicals from him. It’s also unclear if Johnson will run or test at the combine later this month.
Still, he’s easily the best corner not named Travis Hunter in this group, as his combination of length, agility, ball skills and general football IQ at a young age is elite. He and Mason Graham were Michigan’s best players as sophomores during the team’s 2023 title run. Johnson could join Graham in the top 10, or he could slide because of the medical uncertainty and the position he plays.
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Though much of the talk about front-seven hybrid players in this draft has surrounded Carter and Walker, Green should be included in the discussion. The 6-3, 251-pounder sports short arms for the edge (32 2/8 inches) but makes up for it with full-body twitch and explosion. A former wrestling standout, Green topped 19 miles per hour on the GPS during Senior Bowl practices and is expected to jump through the roof at the combine in Indianapolis.
Still, he’s had only two real years of playing experience, and it came in a non-Power 4 conference. Green might not fit every team’s ideal edge requirement physically, but athletically, he’s undeniable and could crack the top 15.
GO DEEPER
Senior Bowl winners by position: Which 2025 NFL Draft prospects impressed scouts?
Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
When the season started, some had Williams in their top five, wondering if he might provide a repeat of Travon Walker’s final year at Georgia. It wasn’t meant to be, though, as Williams got hurt early and was unable to consistently stay on the field.
However, at 6-5, 265 with plus-34-inch arms and the movement skills of a basketball player, Williams’ flashes are of elite caliber. For now, though, they’re just flashes, which is why his range could be all over the place.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Starks had a decent junior season at Georgia, but his second year may have been a little better. In any case, the All-American safety has exceptional ball skills and is among the smartest defenders in this draft class.
However, given that Starks sacrificed more man coverage than he should have last season, he is probably a safety-only prospect. Slotting safeties, especially excellent ones, in the draft is never easy.
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