2025 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects

As we move closer to the 2025 NFL draft, we're starting to get a clearer picture of the best players in the class. I'm updating my Big Board for 2025, ranking the top 25 prospects.

This is not a mock draft or a prediction of where players will be drafted. These are my personal rankings. Sure, I want to have a realistic board based on how the draft will play out, but my goal is to include the best players based on what I'm seeing and my own evaluations. In addition to the top-25 list, I also ranked the best prospects at every position at the bottom.

Let's dig in -- and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins April 24. I plan to keep updating this Big Board this month, and I will expand beyond 25 names once we get to draft week. (Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)

Last updated: March 31

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1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 188 | Prev. rank: 1

2024 stats over 13 games: 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, 15 receiving TDs, 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this past season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I'm ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him.

Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.

2. Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250 | Prev. rank: 2

2024 stats over 16 games: 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 61 pressures, 23.5 tackles for loss, 15 run stops, 1 forced fumble

Carter has experience operating as an off-ball linebacker and also making a dent in opponents' game plans as a pass rusher off the edge. He kicked over to the latter full time this past season, and he absolutely has the traits to wreak havoc there, getting pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush snaps. He is instinctive and fast flying to the football. Carter's 23.5 tackles for loss this past season ranked No. 1 in the nation.

We learned during combine week that Carter has a stress reaction in his right foot. However, he will not have surgery.

3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 296 | Prev. rank: 3

2024 stats over 12 games: 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures, 14 run stops

I love Graham's technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness. Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proved effective against the run and pass from inside. He had two sacks against Minnesota in September but managed just 1.5 the rest of the season.

4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 211 | Prev. rank: 4

2024 stats over 14 games: 374 carries, 2,601 rushing yards, 29 rushing TDs, 23 catches, 138 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

Jeanty displays excellent contact balance and toughness, which help him skirt past the first line of defense and through traffic. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and forced a nation-leading 126 missed tackles in 2024. And don't sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.

5. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 212 | Prev. rank: 5

2024 stats over 13 games: 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, 37 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs

You won't find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I'm always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he's not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.

6. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219 | Prev. rank: 6

2024 stats over 13 games: 67.2% completion rate, 4,313 passing yards, 39 TD passes, 7 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs

Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. He displays solid game management traits, and while he had some ball security issues in 2023 at Washington State, that wasn't an issue in 2024. When things break down around him, Ward can extend plays with his legs, either throwing on the move or picking up first downs as a runner. I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.

7. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 256 | Prev. rank: 7

2024 stats over 16 games: 104 catches, 1,233 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs

Warren is super versatile. He can be used as a traditional in-line tight end, at H-back, at fullback, out of the slot or lined up out wide. He's a reliable pass catcher, and once the ball is in his hands, he can break free. Warren had 700 yards after the catch this past season.

He was incredible against USC in October, hauling in 17 catches for 224 yards and a TD. It tied for the most single-game catches by a tight end in FBS history.

8. Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 332 | Prev. rank: 11

2024 stats over 12 games: 12 starts, 1 sack allowed

Membou has 30 career starts, all of which came at right tackle. Some scouts think he could slide inside to guard in the NFL, though he has the traits to stay outside. Wherever he ends up, he's very good in pass protection and shows some pop at the point of attack. And he was terrific at the combine, showing his quickness with a 4.91-second 40-yard dash time.

9. Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU*

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 319 | Prev. rank: 13

2024 stats over 12 games: 11 starts, 2 sacks allowed

Campbell had started for LSU since 2022 and gave up just two sacks since that first season. He has a big frame, and his solid footwork and technique make him an effective pass protector. However, his 32½-inch arms mean he'd be an outlier at left tackle in the NFL. He might end up kicking inside to guard or at least shifting to right tackle.

10. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221 | Prev. rank: 14

2024 stats over 12 games: 281 carries, 1,660 rushing yards, 15 rushing TDs, 38 catches, 373 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs

Hampton is a dependable rusher who can make defenders miss in the hole. And once he sees daylight, he's gone. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, and that is a solid time for a running back of his size. And he averaged 5.9 yards per carry this past season and had 45 runs for 10 or more yards.

Hampton is also a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield and holds up well as a blocker when asked to pick up a pass rusher. In short, he's an impressive all-purpose performer.

11. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 248 | Prev. rank: 12

2024 stats over 10 games: 56 catches, 582 receiving yards, 5 receiving TDs

If you are looking for a tight end who can consistently stretch the deep middle part of the field, Loveland is your guy. He averaged 8.3 air yards per target over three college seasons. The QB play was subpar for Michigan, which limited Loveland. But he is a difficult matchup for defenses, and he averaged nearly nine targets per game.

12. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194 | Prev. rank: 10

2024 stats over six games: 21 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs

Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball. Johnson returned both of his interceptions this past season for touchdowns, and you can see those instincts throughout his first pick-six in Michigan's opener against Fresno State -- when he jumped a screen and took the ball 86 yards to the house. He has nine career picks. Johnson missed the team's last six games with a toe injury.

13. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia*

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 243 | Prev. rank: 8

2024 stats over 14 games: 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 29 pressures, 7 run stops

Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He's a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape. In Week 8 against Texas, he picked up three sacks.

14. Mike Green, OLB, Marshall*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 251 | Prev. rank: 15

2024 stats over 13 games: 94 tackles, 17 sacks, 51 pressures, 22 tackles for loss, 14 run stops, 2 forced fumbles

Green, who led the FBS in sacks this past season, is extremely explosive off the edge and shows good bend. But his game isn't all speed; he also displayed power at the Senior Bowl. Green also knows how to seal the edge against the run and pursues well laterally. But what I love most about his game is how he mixes up his pass-rush moves. Green can get to the quarterback inside or outside, using that speed-to-power to disrupt opponent pass games.

Green transferred from Virginia after the 2022 season. And while some point to the lesser level of competition at Marshall, he did have a strong performance against Ohio State (one sack).

15. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas*

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191 | Prev. rank: 25

2024 stats over 16 games: 58 catches, 987 receiving yards, 9 receiving TDs

Golden first caught my eye when he was still at Houston, where he caught 13 touchdowns over two seasons. He joined the Longhorns before this past season and quickly emerged as the go-to target for Quinn Ewers. He's a terrific route runner who is smooth getting in and out of his breaks, and he has reliable hands. Golden is a big-play receiver too. He averaged over 20 yards per reception in nine different games last season. And with his 4.29 speed, he can beat just about anyone in a foot race.

16. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223 | Prev. rank: 18

2024 stats over 13 games: 69.3% completion rate, 4,279 passing yards, 29 TD passes, 6 interceptions, 3 rushing TDs

Dart can throw accurate strikes to every level, and he posted some big numbers in Ole Miss' run-pass option-based offense this past season. I saw a few really amazing throws across his body when rolling to his left on the tape too. And Dart can destroy opponent defenses with his legs, rushing for 655 yards this past season.

He still needs to work on layering the ball; some throws can be too flat as he tries to drive passes on a rope. But if he adjusts in the NFL to finding windows and putting more touch on the ball, Dart has a lot of potential. He's a confident passer who excelled over three seasons at Ole Miss after playing the 2021 campaign at USC.

17. Grey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota State

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 312 | Prev. rank: NR

2024 stats over 16 games: 16 starts, 1 sack allowed

I see Zabel as an "offensive line prospect" because he plays everywhere on the line. He started at left tackle, right tackle, left guard and right guard in college, and he worked out as a center at the Senior Bowl. Zabel plays with leverage, and his footwork and overall technique are impressive. He can drive defenders off the ball with his power, but he also does a nice job getting to the second level with his quickness.

18. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | Prev. rank: 24

2024 stats over 16 games: 81 catches, 1,011 receiving yards, 10 receiving TDs

Egbuka is an extremely polished route runner; he's detail-oriented and precise, and he knows when to break off his routes. You can tell how well he understands coverages. Egbuka is also deceptively fast and has sure hands (despite a fumble in the national title game). He's also very willing to do the dirty work, standing out as a blocker.

In short, Egbuka is a professional who has been playing college football. He's NFL-ready, and coaches will love him. He's a grinder who can make plays and pick up first downs when they are needed most.

19. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194 | Prev. rank: 23

2024 stats over 16 games: 67 tackles, 2.5 tackle for loss, 5 interceptions, 10 pass breakups

Barron is extremely versatile, with the ability to line up out wide, over the slot or even at safety. He is an excellent tackler, and he showed his advanced ball skills in 2024. Barron is instinctive and times everything out so well on the field, driving on the ball. He also has a little pass-rush upside when turned loose as a blitzer.

The biggest question about Barron's game was his speed, and he answered it with a scorching 4.39 in the 40 at the combine. He pops on the tape, and he's on the rise after a terrific final season and combine.

20. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 219 | Prev. rank: 19

2024 stats over 12 games: 84 catches, 1,319 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs

McMillan is a big-bodied receiver who can be a mismatch for smaller corners. And his great size, body control, concentration and hands help him consistently win in contested-catch situations. He can snatch the ball and make it look easy. And while McMillan plays with more physicality than speed, he generates late separation to get open. He was third in receiving yards in the country.

21. Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB, Boston College

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 248 | Prev. rank: NR

2024 stats over 12 games: 87 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 65 pressures, 18.5 tackles for loss, 8 run stops, 3 forced fumbles

Ezeiruaku has long 34-inch arms and displays good bend off the edge. He has the speed and agility that defensive coordinators want to see from their pass rushers. His 16.5% pressure rate was fifth in the nation last season. Ezeiruaku struggles against the run, which could hurt his draft stock, but he's arguably the best pure pass rusher in the draft class behind Abdul Carter. He has the traits to dominate on third down in the NFL.

22. Mykel Williams, OLB, Georgia*

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260 | Prev. rank: 16

2024 stats over 12 games: 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 run stops, 5 sacks, 21 pressures, 2 forced fumbles

Williams is extremely explosive and wins as a pass rusher with speed-to-power. His bend off the edge is outstanding. The tools are all there, and his upside is immense. Scouts were hoping to see more consistency in his game and some improvement in his sack totals -- he had 4.5 in back-to-back seasons while playing in Georgia's deep front seven -- but he totaled only five in 2024 (two against Texas in the SEC championship game). Williams missed time early in the 2024 season with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain.

23. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama*

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235 | Prev. rank: 9

2024 stats over 13 games: 112 tackles, 5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 16 pressures, 12 run stops, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles

Simply put, Campbell is a complete football player. He does everything that an NFL defensive coordinator wants from an off-ball linebacker. He has impressive speed getting to the football against the run (4.52-second 40), along with the instincts and explosion to make plays in pass coverage. Campbell jumps off the Alabama tape. His 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump was second at the position at the combine, and his 32½-inch arms will help him wrap up ball carriers in the pros.

24. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 197 | Prev. rank: 20

2024 stats over 14 games: 67 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 run stops, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception

Starks has the skill set to affect the game in a variety of ways. He's a force against the run from the back end and doesn't miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent time lined up over the slot. Plus, he has outstanding hands to finish plays. We saw that in action in Week 1 against Clemson, when Starks made an incredible leaping interception in the fourth quarter.

25. Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 267 | Prev. rank: 17

2024 stats over 12 games: 34 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 25 pressures, 7 run stops, 1 forced fumble

Stewart is still a little raw and inconsistent as a pass rusher, but his physical traits are off the charts. He has quickness and power, and he's going to continue developing. And his scheme versatility is a bonus. At the combine, Stewart's traits were on full display. He posted a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, a 40-inch vertical and a 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump.

Rankings at every position

Quarterbacks

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
2. Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)
3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
4. Tyler Shough, Louisville
5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
6. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
7. Will Howard, Ohio State
8. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
9. Quinn Ewers, Texas
T10. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
T10. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Running backs

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
3. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
6. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
7. LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
8. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
9. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
10. RJ Harvey, UCF

Wide receivers

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. Matthew Golden, Texas
3. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
4. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
5. Luther Burden III, Missouri
6. Savion Williams, TCU
7. Jack Bech, TCU
8. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
9. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
10. Kyle Williams, Washington State

Tight ends

1. Tyler Warren, Penn State
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan
3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami (Fla.)
4. Mason Taylor, LSU
5. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
6. Gunnar Helm, Texas
7. Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
8. Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska
9. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
10. Luke Lachey, Iowa

Fullbacks/H-backs

1. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
2. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
3. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
4. Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
5. Joshua Simon, South Carolina
6. JJ Pegues, Ole Miss
7. Brant Kuithe, Utah
8. Ben Yurosek, Georgia
9. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
10. Carter Runyon, Towson

Offensive tackles

1. Armand Membou, Missouri
2. Will Campbell, LSU
3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
4. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
5. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
6. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
7. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
8. Anthony Belton, NC State
9. Charles Grant, William & Mary
10. Cameron Williams, Texas