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The 2025 NFL Draft projects as a defensively dominant class, with Michigan’s Mason Graham and Will Johnson among the early favorites for the No. 1 overall pick. The draft also features a strong offensive line group, led by LSU’s Will Campbell and Texas’s Kelvin Banks Jr.
On the defensive side, the interior line and edge rusher positions are deep, highlighted by talents like Kentucky’s Deone Walker, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., and Georgia’s Mykel Williams.
On offense, the running back class could rival the star-studded 2017 group that included Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Austin Ekeler. Michigan’s Donovan Edwards, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton lead the way with first-round potential.
Additionally, a strong tight-end class led by Michigan's Colston Loveland and another standout wide receiver group led by Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Missouri’s Luther Burden will provide plenty to evaluate during the 2024 college football season.
As of today, the quarterback position is led by Georgia’s Carson Beck and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. While the group as a whole is lacking top-end talent, there are several potential risers, including Arizona’s Noah Fifita and Texas A&M’s Conner Weigman, who could ascend in 2024.
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2025 NFL Draft: Big Board Top 50 Rankings Update
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Height/Weight: 6'2", 205 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: A quintessential lockdown corner, Johnson can effectively erase half the field, granting defensive coordinators greater creativity with coverage schemes and blitzes. Will Johnson primarily aligns as an outside cornerback, with notable experience in the slot as well. His skill set and physical build make him an ideal fit for a team that employs a mix of man and zone coverages, where his length and agility can be best utilized.
Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Height/Weight: 6'3", 318 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Graham primarily operates as an interior defensive lineman, excelling as a 3-technique in even fronts but also offering the versatility to play across multiple alignments. His quick first step and lateral agility make him a constant threat to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays. Graham’s ability to generate pressure and hold up against the run makes him an ideal fit for both one-gap and two-gap schemes.
Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
Height/Weight: 6'1", 185 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Hunter’s skill set translates best to a role that allows him to leverage his explosive athleticism and football instincts. Defensively, Hunter excels in off-coverage and zone-based coverage schemes that take advantage of his ability to use his reactionary quickness and football IQ, where he can read and react to the football.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Height/Weight: 6'0", 185 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Morrison excels as an outside cornerback, particularly in man and press coverage schemes. His quickness, agility, and ability to disrupt receivers at the line make him an ideal fit for defensive schemes that prioritize man coverage. His ability to adjust quickly and his instinctual awareness allow him to be effective in zone coverage as well, making him versatile across different defensive alignments.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Height/Weight: 6'5", 210 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: McMillan primarily operates as an outside X-receiver, utilizing his impressive size and athleticism to create mismatches. He excels in vertical routes, leveraging his long stride and explosive burst to stretch defenses. His versatility allows him to line up out wide or in the slot making him a valuable asset in multiple offensive schemes.
James Pearce Jr., ED, Tennessee
Height/Weight: 6'5", 245 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Pearce primarily operates as an edge rusher, utilizing his quick first step and fluid athleticism to create mismatches. His ability to align in multiple positions—whether as a stand-up rusher, with his hand in the ground, or even occasionally dropping into coverage—makes him versatile in various defensive schemes.
Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Height/Weight: 6'6", 325 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Campbell has established himself as a premier left tackle, excelling in both pass protection and run blocking. His athleticism and technique allow him to effectively protect the quarterback's blind side and create lanes in the run game. He is an ideal fit for both zone and power running schemes due to his ability to engage and drive through defenders.
Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
Height/Weight: 5'11", 208 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Burden primarily operates as a versatile receiver who can line up in multiple positions, including outside, in the slot, and occasionally in the backfield. His burst and foot speed allow him to stretch defenses vertically, while his physicality makes him a reliable target in contested situations.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
Height/Weight: 6'1", 205 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Starks exhibits a balanced skill set that suits both man and zone coverage, making him versatile as a safety. His ability to read the quarterback and diagnose plays quickly is notable. Starks has shown effectiveness in slot/nickel situations, suggesting he could fit well in schemes that value multidimensional defensive backs who can cover, tackle, and play the ball.
Mykel Williams, ED, Georgia
Height/Weight: 6'5", 265 lbs
Scheme Fit Analysis: Williams is an alignment-versatile edge rusher who has all the physical tools to develop into a premier player in the NFL. His ability to play various positions along the defensive front makes him a valuable asset in multiple schemes. His best fit in the NFL would be as a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Remaining 2025 NFL Draft Top 50 Rankings
Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
Deone Walker, IDL, Kentucky
Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
Kenneth Grant, IDL, Michigan
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Nic Scourton, ED, Texas A&M
Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Jonah Savaiinaea, OT, Arizona
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Tyleik Williams, IDL, Ohio State
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona
Howard Cross III, IDL, Notre Dame
Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Princely Umanmielen, ED, Ole Miss
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
Ashton Gillotte, ED, Louisville
J.T. Tuimoloau, ED, Ohio State
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Jack Sawyer, ED, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ole Miss
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Dontay Corleone, IDL, Cincinnati
Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
Jaishawn Barham, LB, Michigan
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