2025 NFL Draft: Updated Big Board
One month out from the start of the 2025 NFL draft, we're updating our rankings.
Buckle up, NFL fanatics—the draft season is upon us, and it’s time to get hyped for the gridiron’s next generation of superstars! In this electrifying rundown, we’re counting down the top 32 prospects set to ignite the 2025 NFL Draft, where dreams collide with destiny and franchises find their future MVPs. We’ve dissected the film, crunched the numbers, and decoded the intangibles to deliver a jaw-dropping list of the most explosive, can’t-miss talents ready to tear up the league. But hold onto your helmets—we’re cranking the excitement up a notch with our top-five rankings at every position group, spotlighting the quarterbacks who sling it, the linemen who smash it, and the playmakers who flat-out dazzle.
We’re going old school with our top fives at each position group and even breaking it down into sub-categories like third-down backs, slot receivers, and 3-4 vs. 4-3 defensive prospects.
Whether you’re screaming from the stands or glued to your screen, this is your all-access pass to the wild, unpredictable ride that is the NFL Draft. Let’s dive into the chaos and crown the kings of this year’s class!
Let’s get it.
Top 32
1. Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
A junior edge rusher from Penn State, Carter is widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, showcasing a rare blend of athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility. Transitioning from an off-ball linebacker to a full-time edge role in 2024, Carter erupted with 17.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks in just 10 games, earning unanimous All-American honors and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. At 6’3” and 250 pounds, he boasts a freakish 4.48 forty time, exceptional bend, and a relentless motor, allowing him to dominate tackles with speed and power while displaying a high football IQ honed from his linebacker background. Though still refining his pass-rush moves and block recognition against the run, his upside is immense, drawing comparisons to elite NFL talents like Micah Parsons, with the potential to be a transformative, double-digit sack producer at the next level.
2. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
A junior from Colorado, Hunter a generational talent and the premier two-way player in the 2025 NFL Draft class, excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback with elite athleticism and football instincts. In 2024, he earned the Heisman Trophy, posting an extraordinary 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, while adding 35 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups on defense, showcasing his ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. At 6’1” and 185 pounds, Hunter combines rare ball skills, explosive speed (estimated 4.4 forty), fluid hips, and exceptional body control, making him a contested-catch maestro as a receiver and a lockdown cover man as a corner. While his slender frame raises some durability concerns and his technique requires polish due to splitting time between positions, his high football IQ, versatility, and playmaking ability project him as a top-5 pick with the potential to be a transformative NFL star, likely as a full-time cornerback with offensive packages, drawing comparisons to legends like Charles Woodson.
3. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
A junior running back from Boise State, Jeanty is widely considered the top running back in his class due to his exceptional production and dynamic skill set. In 2024, he nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, finishing with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries (7.0 yards per attempt), while adding 23 receptions for 138 yards and a score, earning him the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, and a Heisman Trophy runner-up finish. At 5’9” and 215 pounds, Jeanty combines elite contact balance, explosive burst, and uncanny vision, allowing him to thrive in both zone and gap schemes with a low center of gravity and powerful leg drive that make him a tackle-breaking machine. Though he lacks elite top-end speed and has minor concerns with ball security (10 career fumbles) and pass protection consistency, his three-down versatility, patience, and ability to create explosive plays project him as a potential top-15 pick, capable of becoming an immediate impact starter in the NFL with comparisons to a more agile DeAngelo Williams or a compact Josh Jacobs.
4. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Hailing from Michigan, the junior defensive tackle has emerged as a cornerstone of one of college football’s most dominant defenses, positioning himself as a top-tier prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft with his blend of power, technique, and disruptive playmaking. In 2024, he recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks across 15 games, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and anchoring a Wolverines unit that won back-to-back national titles. At 6’3” and 320 pounds, Graham showcases rare quickness off the snap, heavy hands, and a wrestler’s leverage, allowing him to collapse pockets as a pass rusher and stack blockers against the run with equal proficiency. While he could expand his pass-rush repertoire and occasionally struggles with double teams, his high motor, football IQ, and positional versatility (capable of playing anywhere from 1-tech to 5-tech) make him a projected top-10 pick, drawing comparisons to a slightly lighter Aaron Donald or a more explosive Christian Wilkins as a future NFL game-wrecker.
5. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Emerging from the talent-rich pipeline of Georgia’s defense, junior linebacker/edge rusher Walker has solidified himself as a dynamic and versatile prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft, blending explosive athleticism with a relentless playmaking ability. In 2024, he took home the prestigious Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, amassing 61 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks while showcasing his ability to dominate as both an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher, contributing to the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championships. At 6’2” and 245 pounds, Walker possesses a compact, powerful frame with twitchy athleticism, exceptional burst off the line, and surprising bend, allowing him to win with speed around the edge or disrupt interior gaps as a blitzer, though his shorter arm length and lack of elite size occasionally limit his effectiveness against bigger tackles. While his instincts and coverage skills remain a work in progress due to his hybrid role, his high motor, versatility, and ability to impact all three downs project him as a mid-to-late first-round pick, with the potential to thrive as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a creative defensive weapon in the mold of Haason Reddick or a more explosive Azeez Ojulari.
Lock in today as a subscriber and get the rest of our top 32 big board plus our top fives at every position; including sub-positions like slot receivers and F tight ends.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Draft Scout to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.