2025 NFL draft rankings: Matt Miller's top 50 prospects
It's time to update my top 50 prospect rankings for the 2025 NFL draft, which begins on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The combine has occurred since I last updated this list. And after watching many of the top prospects work out in Indianapolis, along with talking to scouts and NFL talent evaluators, there were some significant changes. There will be more before the draft begins, as colleges are conducting their pro days and NFL teams will be hosting prospects at team facilities between now and the draft.
One thing that continues to stand out about this class is the lack of conviction among talent evaluators. There is a handful of elite talents -- maybe five or six. After that, scouts cannot agree on where to rank players. I heard varying grades on many -- a prospect would receive a top-10 grade from one scout and a second-round grade from another. But while scout feedback is an important part of the process, I'm throwing out the consensus and basing this top 50 on my grades alone.
I included scouting reports on each of the top 50 prospects, then listed my top guys at every position at the bottom. Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
Jump to: Miller's position rankings
More from ESPN+: Consensus rankings
1. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250
The transition from linebacker and part-time pass rusher to full-time defensive end has been great for Carter's NFL future. He had 61 pressures and 12 sacks in 2024, and his 18.5% pressure rate was third nationally. He has speed and burst off the snap, but he also has the power to move offensive tackles off their spots. And he's still learning how to be a full-time pass rusher, so there's upside. Carter started the season in the middle of my Round 1 board but has shot up to the top spot based on strong weekly performances and potential. Teams in the top five would be wise to consider him regardless of need.
2. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 188
Depending on which NFL scout you ask, Hunter can play either wide receiver or cornerback in the pros (or maybe both). One exec from an NFL team told me his franchise views Hunter as a cornerback who could play a handful of offensive snaps in the pros, and I think many other teams agree with that thinking. Multiple scouts remarked that finding an elite cornerback is harder than finding an elite receiver, and that's pushing teams to prefer that the two-way star start on defense, where he had four interceptions in 2024.
But I'm listing Hunter at receiver. There will be a transition period at either position; he'll have to work on route discipline at wideout. His agility, speed, toughness and sure-handedness are All-Pro quality. He had 96 catches for 1,258 yards this past season while taking home the Heisman Trophy. Despite not being a quarterback, Hunter could be in play for the first overall pick.
3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 296
Graham is my favorite trench player to watch. He's a game-wrecker. Playing primarily as a 3-technique, he had 26 total pressures -- good for a pressure rate of 8.2% -- and 3.5 sacks. His disruption can't be captured with stats alone, though. Graham's energy post-snap is nonstop, and he combines quickness with angry hands and a frenetic motor. There were questions when he weighed in at 296 pounds at the combine after being listed at 320 during the season, but there are no concerns with his tape and his NFL projection. He's a Day 1 starter with a high rookie-impact grade.
4. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 243
It's hard to imagine a better coming-out party than the one Walker had against Texas in Week 8, posting three sacks and six pressures against the Longhorns' two high-round tackle prospects. He followed that up with another big day against Tennessee (six tackles for loss, one sack) and added four tackles for loss and a sack in the SEC title game rematch with the Longhorns. He's a dual threat as a linebacker and pass rusher, with the speed and power off the edge to make game-changing plays.
5. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 211
Jeanty was the nation's leader in rushing yards (2,601) and had 29 touchdowns on the ground. He doesn't have great size, but he's a forward-leaning runner with breakaway speed and great agility to make defenders miss. His contact balance, poise and how well he runs through contact are truly special traits. Jeanty is not as involved as you'd like him to be in the passing game (23 catches in 2024), but his role there could be expanded in the pros. For now, he looks like the rare Round 1 running back and a Day 1 starter.
6. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 248
Michigan's passing-game struggles held Loveland's stats down a bit -- 56 catches, 582 yards, five touchdowns in 10 games -- but he's a mismatch for defenders and can be moved around. He can align in the slot, backfield or traditional in-line TE spot. His combination of size, strength and speed make him a true threat to beat man or zone coverage, and he can attack 50-50 balls in the air. Loveland's traits are on par with previous first-round tight ends.
7. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194
NFL teams looking for the next Pat Surtain II will love Johnson. He has prototypical size and speed, as well as excellent ball skills. He grabbed two interceptions this past season -- both of which were returned for touchdowns. Despite battling through injury, Johnson allowed only one completion of more than 20 yards in the six games he played and is rarely thrown at. He has the talent and traits to be a great NFL cornerback right out of the gate. Johnson did not work out at the combine and didn't participate at Michigan's pro day on Friday due to a minor hamstring injury. He plans to hold a private workout for teams on April 14.
8. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315
Banks was my top-ranked tackle before the season began. He allowed only four pressures and one sack as a junior (which came in a rough Week 8 outing against Georgia) on 898 snaps despite battling an ankle injury late in the season. Banks' game is clean, but it's his lateral agility and quick feet that scouts love and believe will help make up for a lack of ideal height. "I've never seen his length be an issue," an AFC scouting director said. "He moves too well."
9. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 256
Warren was a huge part of Penn State's offensive improvement this past season, posting an incredible 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He was at his best against USC, when he had 17 catches for 224 yards and one score. Warren has the speed to separate downfield and is the ideal "move" tight end, yet he does it with enormous size. He also showcased his all-around versatility, playing Wildcat quarterback and even center on a trick play.
10. Armand Membou, OT/G, Missouri*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 332
The pre-draft process has been huge for Membou, who played right tackle at Mizzou. He measured in at 6-foot-4 with a 33½-inch arm length at the combine, showing the necessary measurements to be a tackle in the NFL. He also showed off his movement skills with a 4.91-second run in the 40-yard dash and a 1.74-second 10-yard split. He has elite balance and agility, and he allowed just one sack this past season while committing only three penalties in 12 games. Membou's combination of really good tape and high-end athletic tools match up to make him a top-10 prospect.
11. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194
Barron was a playmaker for the Texas secondary this past season, allowing only 20 receptions on 51 targets while also grabbing five interceptions and taking home the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back. Formerly used as a slot cornerback, he moved to right corner in 2024 and played as well as any corner in the country. After beginning the season as an early-Day-3 guy, Barron is a lock for Round 1 following a combine performance that saw him run a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. That explosive speed showed that he can play on the outside or inside at the next level.
12. Will Campbell, OT/G, LSU*
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 319
Campbell is easy to spot with his upright stance, and he's a powerful blocker in the run game who generates strength and leverage with his quickness and lower-body power. A three-year starter at tackle, he allowed two sacks in his last 25 games. (There are questions about penalties, as he was flagged 14 times over the past two seasons.)
Some scouts think guard is Campbell's best NFL fit due to his shorter arm length -- he was measured at 32⅝ inches at the combine. Others feel his elite agility (he ran a 4.98 40) makes up for it. Expect an intense debate, but I like him as a player who can start at either tackle or guard, where he might have more high-end potential.
13. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 206
Burden has evolved from a gadget player into a fully developed wide receiver over the past three seasons. He is often the focal point of opposing defenses, which is why his numbers this past season (61 catches, six touchdowns) were down from his 2023 breakout campaign (85 catches, nine touchdowns).
This is a case of asking what a player can do instead of what he was asked to do in his scheme. Burden would be an early star in an offense that leans on pre-snap motion and allows him to operate in space with his speed. His three seasons of production and 4.41 speed at the combine are enough for me to believe he's a top-15 player in this class -- though he might be drafted lower due to concerns NFL teams have about his statistical drop-off.
14. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219
Ward took an elite jump after transferring from Washington State. He led the FBS in touchdown passes (39), tied for first on throws of 20-plus yards (74) and finished second in passing yards (4,313). His ability to move around the pocket, dial up fastballs and threaten as a runner have combined to make him the biggest QB riser this season. Multiple scouts have told me Ward is QB1 in the class. He has the top spot in my quarterback rankings thanks to his big-play ability, experience (39 starts) and top-end arm talent.
15. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235
Campbell produced first-round stats this past season with 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. His game is still raw, but he has good size and movement traits, and NFL teams crave his kind of length from linebackers in coverage. His instincts and timing in pass coverage could be his calling card for NFL scouts, though he also has the quickness to run down ball carriers. The more I talk to teams, the more I hear Campbell could be seen as a 3-4 outside linebacker given his first-step quickness and power. He checked that box with a 4.52 40 at the combine (including a 1.53-second 10-yard split).
16. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191
I didn't have Golden ranked prior to the 2024 season, but he emerged as Texas' go-to receiver over the second half of the campaign. He finished with 58 catches for 987 yards and nine scores. Golden dominated in the SEC title game with eight catches for 162 yards, then followed it up two games later with seven grabs for 149 yards and a season-saving score against Arizona State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. His acceleration, body control and toughness in traffic are starting wideout traits.
Golden wasn't the most hyped Texas wideout when it came to speed, but his 4.29 40 at the combine was the fastest time of any offensive player. The tape was good enough for him to be in the WR1 conversation, but the testing secured it.
17. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220
In a safety class light on star power, Emmanwori stands out as a playmaking threat on the back end. He has the size and speed to cover tight ends or spy quarterbacks, and he arrives at the football with power as a tackler. Emmanwori had four picks and 57 tackles this past season. Scouts believed his standout athletic tools would help him star at the combine, and he didn't disappoint. Emmanwori put together an all-around great performance with a 43-inch vertical and 11-foot-6 broad jump before running a 4.38 40. The Derwin James Jr. comparisons are real, and Emmanwori projects as a top-20 pick.
18. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 219
A big-play threat in the mold of Drake London or Mike Evans, McMillan feasted on defenses throughout the 2024 season. His 109.9 yards per game ranked fifth in the nation. He has the reach and length to win on 50-50 balls, but he also has the acceleration to be a yards-after-catch nightmare. McMillan projects as an immediate X receiver in the pros and a problem for defenders in the red zone.
19. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 212
With pinpoint accuracy, toughness in the pocket and field vision that allows him to make plays to every level of the field, Sanders leveled up to become of the top QBs in this class. He turned the ball over more in 2024 (10 INTs) but played with better pocket poise and timing. He completed 74% of his passes and was second in the FBS in touchdown passes (37).
Sanders has some bad habits he needs to clean up, such as throwing late over the middle and holding onto the ball for too long. That will ultimately determine his NFL success, but his accuracy and ability to make off-platform plays from different arm angles should get him drafted early in the first round.
20. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 197
Starks is a Swiss Army knife on defense with the versatility to play safety or lock up receivers in the slot. He also has the size and power to be an effective run defender. He primarily played safety this past season but also notched high snap counts at slot cornerback. Starks' ability to stick with receivers in coverage while tracking the ball is truly impressive. He had 67 tackles and an interception in 14 games in 2024.
21. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 267
Defensive line coaches will be in love with Stewart's upside when they look at his film. His frame provides positional and alignment versatility, but his quickness and power off the ball should have them thinking about ways to get him splitting gaps and getting after quarterbacks. He had only 1.5 sacks in 2024 while working in a heavy rotation, but his 25 pressures show how much impact he can make.
Scouts wanted to see Stewart's potential during combine workouts, and he answered the call. Down 14 pounds from his Senior Bowl weight, Stewart ran a 4.59 40, jumped 40 inches in the vertical and 10-foot-11 in the broad jump. Those numbers show elite explosiveness and traits that a good defensive line coach can unlock.
22. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260
Williams rounded into form after an ankle injury forced him to miss time early in the 2024 season. He's a developing player who wows scouts with his size, power and speed, and he has improved on pass-rush moves with his hand timing and use of leverage. He eats up pass protectors with his ability to swipe away their hands -- something he did against Texas' star tackles in Week 8. Critics will point to Williams' lack of production outside of the two Texas games; he had four sacks against the Longhorns and one against everyone else this past season. There's talent, but his floor as a prospect will be heavily debated.
23. Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221
Hampton is a dream for any outside zone rushing attack, and his home run ability was shown when he ran a 4.46 40 at the combine. He also has experience in pass protection and worked well as a receiver this past season (38 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns) while rushing for 1,660 yards (third in the nation) and 15 touchdowns. He bounces off tacklers, and his decisiveness in a one-cut offense has him in my top 25. Hampton's tape is full of chunk plays, and his testing backed it up.
24. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205
If a team wants a do-it-all receiver, Egbuka should be the target. He can play either outside alignment or do damage from the slot. He's a specialist on slant routes and has the toughness to make plays in traffic, which he also shows off as a punt returner. Egbuka doesn't look like a true speed player on tape, but his route-running prowess and sure hands are ideal for NFL offenses. He had 1,011 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this past season.
25. Tyler Booker, G, Alabama*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 321
Booker is an immovable force with the lower-body power to truly anchor against bull rushers and flat-back defenders in the run game. He can toss defenders once he gets his hands on them. There will be concerns from NFL teams that need their offensive guards to pull and cover a lot of ground since that's not Booker's strength, but he is hard to beat when asked to fight in a phone booth.
26. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 317
When I began evaluating players, an NFL offensive line coach told me to look at recovery agility for offensive tackles. Their ability to regain leverage and position after being beaten is key, he said. Simmons has that, moving and sliding with quick feet. The way he gets out in space in the run game is the best in the class, too. He's electric on the move and arrives at the defender with powerful hands. Unfortunately, he was lost for the season in mid-October with a torn left patellar tendon, but Simmons is one of my favorite tackle prospects and would have been in play for OT1 before the injury.
27. Mike Green, Edge, Marshall*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 251
A transfer from Virginia, Green sat out the 2022 season before emerging as a standout on the Thundering Herd defense. He really turned it up this past season with an FBS-leading 17 sacks, three forced fumbles and 81 tackles. Green has devastating speed off the corner and uses his length to generate pressures (51) and erase escape lanes for scrambling quarterbacks. Green's showing against a higher level of competition at the Senior Bowl sparked a big move up the board, as his burst and length are easy to get excited about.
28. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 331
Area scouts who have visited Michigan speak highly of Grant's potential. "People his size shouldn't move like this," an AFC West area scout texted me early in the 2024 season. While he didn't do drills at the combine, Grant is rumored to run a sub-5-second time in the 40-yard dash and has posted a 29-inch vertical. That movement ability shows up on tape when he's crashing the pocket or chasing down runners. He even had an interception in 2023 in which he tracked a batted ball down like a punt returner fielding a kick. Grant's scheme fit as a true nose tackle might limit his value with some teams, but he is a plug-and-play starter over the center.
29. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 313
Harmon's tape prior to transferring to Oregon in 2024 wasn't top-30 caliber. He excelled with the Ducks, though, racking up five sacks and 35 pressures while showing the power to be an impactful run defender. Harmon's stock value varies depending on which scouts you talk to, but his nonstop motor on tape will excite defensive line coaches throughout the league.
30. Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195
A strong pre-draft process culminated in Amos running a 4.43 in the 40 at the combine and broad jumping 10-foot-6. He also stuck around to do 13 bench press reps of 225 pounds -- he was one of only seven corners to lift. Amos had three interceptions in 2024 -- his first season with Ole Miss after stints at Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe. The long, rangy cornerback has swagger for days and plays a physical brand of football that I love to see. He had 50 tackles this past season while holding quarterbacks to a QBR of 55.1 as the nearest defender. Amos' tape can be hot or cold -- he allowed 25 catches on 55 targets -- but he has lockdown man-coverage traits.
31. Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 311
A former high school running back, Conerly showed remarkable development at Oregon and has grown into a high-quality offensive lineman. He added power to the agility he already possessed, which showed up on tape in 2024 compared to 2023. He is an ideal fit at left tackle in a zone blocking scheme but could also move inside to guard.
32. Grey Zabel, C/G, North Dakota State
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 312
Zabel was arguably the biggest winner of the Senior Bowl, showing scouts his tape at North Dakota State wasn't simply due to playing a lesser level of competition. He played with poise and power in individual drills while showing versatility that would allow him to play all five offensive line positions. NFL teams love his toughness, agility and instincts at center. Zabel has a shot to be drafted in the first round.
33. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 248
Ezeiruaku had a stellar Senior Bowl week, showing NFL scouts he can use his speed to win off the edge but with more power than most expected from his 248-pound frame. Ezeiruaku finished second in the FBS in sacks in 2024 (16.5) and is an ideal fit in an outside linebacker alignment for a team running a 3-4 scheme. He also has the toughness and instincts to thrive in a 4-3 role even though he lacks the size of a traditional defensive end.
34. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky*
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 183
Hairston's combine-best 4.28-second 40 put an emphatic stamp on his rising stock following a great Senior Bowl week. The feisty cover man missed five games with injury this past season, but look at his 2023 tape and you'll see five interceptions and six pass breakups to go along with 68 tackles. He's an ideal slot cornerback with man-coverage toughness.
35. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 296
Nolen was the No. 1 high school recruit in the 2022 class, and he transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss before the 2024 season. In Week 6 against South Carolina, he had the best game of his career with two sacks and five tackles. Nolen is still working more off power and quickness than technique, but his performance steadily improved each week. That's notable in the run game, where his play strength is a difference-maker.
36. Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 315
After missing the first three games of 2024 with an ankle injury, Jackson started at left guard before sliding to tackle in mid-October when Josh Simmons was sidelined for the season. Despite a rough outing against Abdul Carter in early November, Jackson quickly acclimated to tackle and played at a high level. He didn't allow a sack in eight straight contests to close the season -- including games against elite pass rushers from Tennessee, Oregon, Michigan and Texas. He's likely a guard in the NFL, but Jackson's versatility has no doubt caught the eye of scouts.
37. Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 197
Thomas was just outside the top 50 after this past season concluded, but a big Senior Bowl week sent me back to the tape. I wanted to confirm that the closing speed and playmaking ability I saw in Mobile were legit, and they were. Thomas is an ideal press-man cornerback with the length (32⅜-inch arms) and speed to stick with receivers down the field. Questions about his lower-body power were answered at the Senior Bowl, putting him into fringe first-round territory.
38. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 224
Johnson made the most of his first full season as a starter in 2024, with 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. The powerful downhill runner keeps defenders guessing with good short-area agility and a devastating stiff-arm. He added 936 yards after first contact this season -- seventh most in the FBS -- and enters the NFL with limited wear-and-tear after only 240 carries this past season and 508 in his college career.
39. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 251
The son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason made a name for himself in scouting circles. He has the ideal size and length to exploit defenders in the middle of the field. He has a huge catch radius and the tools to shake linebackers in coverage. Taylor hauled in 55 receptions for 546 yards and two scores in 2024.
40. Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 225
A former walk-on, Schwesinger developed into a three-down difference-maker for the Bruins. He posted 136 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble in 2024, and he picked off two passes while earning second-team All-America honors and being named a Butkus Award finalist. His range and instincts are tailor-made for a middle linebacker at the next level, even if he's a touch undersized.
41. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State*
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 219
Judkins is a punishing runner with enough speed to rip off home run plays, and his aggressive, violent downhill style projects him as an immediate NFL starter. Judkins saw his rushing totals decrease every season in college -- from 1,567 as a freshman at Ole Miss in 2022 to 1,060 at Ohio State in 2024 -- but his impact stayed consistent, as he leaves college with 50 total touchdowns. He profiles as an inside zone runner, similar to the Texans' Joe Mixon.
42. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 202
A blur with game-changing speed, Henderson gets it done as a runner and a receiver. He rushed for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 while sharing backfield duties with Quinshon Judkins, then added 27 catches for 284 yards and a score as a receiver. Henderson lacks the inside running skills of an every-down back, but he's dangerous in space and would thrive in a system that uses him outside the tackles. He can be an awesome complementary back to a power runner, thanks to his outside vision and speed.
43. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223
The most impressive performance I saw in person this season was Dart's 515-yard, six-touchdown day against Arkansas in early November. It showed all the reasons teams like him -- touch, timing, accuracy and an impressive deep ball. Critics point to Ole Miss' RPO-based offense and the lack of reads that Dart makes but when it comes to experience (41 career starts) and production (11,970 passing yards and 81 touchdowns), he has traits that NFL teams like.
Dart's solid all-around week at the Senior Bowl led into the combine, where his throwing session was the most impressive of any quarterback who worked out. He is a work in progress, but his experience and leadership traits are pushing Dart's draft stock into the first round even though he carries an early Round 2 grade.
44. Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 264
Jackson has the ideal length/strength/quickness combination that scouts look for at defensive end. He had a quiet stat line this past season with only 6.5 sacks and 31 pressures, but he's consistently a disruptive presence on the edge. And while smaller pass rushers might have better sack numbers, Jackson is the best DE in this class against the run. His frame also helps him be scheme-versatile. Teams running a three-man front could play him over the tackle, and those with four-man fronts could put him on their outside shoulder.
45. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 194
Noel burst onto the scene against Iowa in Week 2 of this past season, when he caught five passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. He finished strong, with 117 yards on eight catches in the Cyclones' bowl game victory over Miami, then had a great Senior Bowl week. Noel has quick feet and great lower-body strength, and he's impossible to knock off his routes. He's an ideal WR3 in the NFL, with yards-after-catch ability and a penchant for chunk plays. Noel's strong pre-draft performance, capped by a 4.39 40 at the combine, has shot him up my board.
46. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 214
Teams looking for a true X receiver in this draft will love Higgins' profile. At 6-foot-4, he has the height, length and strength to run through coverage and tacklers along with being a power forward when the ball is in the air. He's great at boxing out coverage and winning on slant routes. Even though he ran a 4.47 in the 40 at the combine, Higgins' tape does show some struggles separating from deep coverage. But he could be a Michael Thomas-like receiver in the NFL.
47. Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 204
It's hard to find a player more productive at his position in the 2025 class than Watts. The 2023 Bronko Nagurski winner had 12 interceptions in his last two college seasons and only allowed nine receptions in his coverage in 2024 with no touchdowns against. Watts doesn't have amazing size or speed, but his instincts and agility are ideal for a starting free safety in the NFL.
48. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 334
Williams is a grinder who can play anywhere along the inside of the defensive line, from nose tackle to 3-technique. He doesn't have great height or length, but his quickness in the middle jumps out on tape. Williams doesn't lose reps and is an anchor in the run game, which allows his teammates to make plays around him.
49. Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 332
Scouts rave about Collins' ability to hold his ground in the middle of the defensive line. He won't wow with first-step explosiveness or with an arsenal of pass-rush moves, but his ability to anchor with length and power in the run game is his best asset. Collins started only one season at Texas, giving reason to believe his best football is ahead of him with more reps and time to develop his tools.
50. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 288
Robinson has enjoyed a rapid rise up the board during the pre-draft process thanks to his Senior Bowl week and combine performance. He is an ideal 5-technique for a 3-4 defense with the ability to slide inside on passing downs. Robinson is an ascending player who put his best tape together in 2024, showing improved quickness and awareness. While he doesn't have a top-tier pass-rush plan, he's an elite run defender.
Rankings at every position
Quarterbacks
1. Cam Ward, Miami
2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
4. Quinn Ewers, Texas
5. Tyler Shough, Louisville
Running backs
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
3. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
5. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Fullbacks/H-Backs
1. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
2. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
3. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
Wide receivers
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. Luther Burden III, Missouri
3. Matthew Golden, Texas
4. Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
5. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Tight ends
1. Colston Loveland, Michigan
2. Tyler Warren, Penn State
3. Mason Taylor, LSU
4. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
5. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Offensive tackles
1. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
2. Armand Membou, Missouri
3. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
4. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
5. Charles Grant, William & Mary
Guards
1. Will Campbell, LSU
2. Tyler Booker, Alabama
3. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
4. Marcus Mbow, Purdue
5. Tate Ratledge, Georgia
Centers
1. Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
2. Jared Wilson, Georgia
3. Jake Majors, Texas
4. Drew Kendall, Boston College
5. Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
Edge rushers
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
2. Jalon Walker, Georgia
3. Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
4. Mykel Williams, Georgia
5. Mike Green, Marshall
6. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
7. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
8. James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Defensive tackles
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
3. Derrick Harmon, Oregon
4. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
5. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Linebackers
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
3. Barrett Carter, Clemson
4. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Cornerbacks
1. Will Johnson, Michigan
2. Jahdae Barron, Texas
3. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
4. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
5. Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
Safeties
1. Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
2. Malaki Starks, Georgia
3. Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
4. Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
5. Andrew Mukuba, Texas
Kickers
1. Andres Borregales, Miami
2. Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State
3. Caden Davis, Ole Miss
Punters
1. Jeremy Crawshaw, Florida
2. Alex Mastromanno, Florida State
3. James Burnip, Alabama