2025 NFL draft: Prospects with first-round grades, plus comps

How many first-round prospects are there in the 2025 NFL draft class?

You might think the answer is 32 because there will be 32 selections in Round 1 on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But we aren't talking about how many players will ultimately be drafted in Round 1; we're talking about how many carry a true Round 1 grade.

The average draft class has roughly 15 players who are deemed "first-round talents," though the number varies by team and scouting department. These sacred evaluations are reserved for prospects who would be Day 1 selections regardless of year, and my own guideline is whether a player would have been a first-rounder in each of the past five classes.

This class has the lowest number of true first-round grades I've ever awarded: 12. To compare, the final list in 2024 had 18 names on it, and the 2023 list had 20. There is still time for things to change and that number to grow, but here are the players who deserve a first-round grade on my board right now. (Players' overall rankings are in parentheses after their names.)

Quarterback (0)

One year after seeing six quarterbacks drafted in the first round, the 2025 class has zero passers with a true first-round grade. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward would have both been ranked behind Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and even J.J. McCarthy in 2024.

Both Sanders and Ward are talented and have the potential to rise in the predraft process, but I wouldn't be comfortable calling them first-round prospects based on this past season's tape. That doesn't mean they won't be drafted in the first round, though. In fact, it's a safe bet that both get drafted in the top five selections; quarterbacks always go early.

Running back (1)

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (No. 6)

Comp: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Jeanty's 2024 stats were legendary. He finished the season with 2,601 yards rushing (only 27 behind Barry Sanders for the most in a single season) and scored 29 touchdowns while accumulating 1,733 yards after first contact.

The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Jeanty is a punishing runner with patience, vision and runaway speed, and he can also catch passes out of the backfield and stand up to pass rushers while in pass protection. The Heisman runner-up is a rare, true blue-chip running back prospect.

Wide receiver (1)

Travis Hunter, Colorado (No. 2)

Comp: Odell Beckham Jr., free agent

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Hunter won the Heisman Trophy because of his two-way ability, but I think his biggest NFL impact will come at receiver, which is why I rated him here. (He'd be my No. 2 cornerback if he exclusively played defense). Hunter's playmaking ability, burst in space and easy speed are a joy to watch.

He's electric on both sides of the ball. On offense, he had 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he had four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. And he could be a great punt returner, too.

Tight end (2)

Tyler Warren, Penn State (No. 9)

Comp: Rob Gronkowski, retired

I don't typically compare prospects to NFL Hall of Famers, but since Gronk isn't in the Hall yet, I'm making an exception because Warren is that rare and that good. The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Warren has the functional quickness and movement of a much smaller player, more in line with a 6-foot-3 tight end such as Sam LaPorta.

Warren scored a touchdown as a passer, runner and receiver this past season, finishing with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He could be an Offensive Rookie of the Year contender in the right scheme.

Colston Loveland, Michigan (No. 11)

Comp: Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Loveland started the 2024 season with a solid Round 1 grade and a top-10 ranking, but a shoulder injury that seemed to linger caused some concern and prompted me to push him down the board. But this time of year is great for reflection, and Loveland deserves a true Round 1 grade.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Loveland is physical and tough with the upfield movement ability to beat defenders in his route tree. He's also a capable blocker with experience playing both in-line and flexed out. Loveland finished this past season with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games.

Offensive tackle (2)

Will Campbell, LSU (No. 7)

Comp: Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills

Campbell will spark intense debates in NFL scouting rooms as teams try to decide if the three-year starter at left tackle will remain at that spot in the pros. The 6-foot-6, 323-pounder is a technician with great agility and balance, but his shorter arms (under 33 inches) and an upright stance which lacks base power could force a move to guard. Whether he's on the inside or outside, I confidently give Campbell a Round 1 grade.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (No. 8)

Comp: Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers

Banks has been the anchor of the Longhorns' offensive line since arriving on campus as a freshman. Though his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame might scare some scouts in pass protection, Banks' elite footwork makes up for a lack of length and has helped him allow pressures on an FBS-low 0.8% of snaps. He is also an elite run blocker with the power and agility to overwhelm defenders. Banks has the potential to be a top run blocker in the NFL, either at tackle or kicking inside to guard.

Interior offensive line (0)

It takes a special prospect to get a first-round grade as an interior lineman, and this class doesn't have one yet -- although Alabama's Tyler Booker keeps working his way up my board. This class is still good and has plenty of promising Day 2 and Day 3 prospects. There are also a number of offensive tackles such as Armand Membou (Missouri) and Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona) who are likely first-round selections that will move to guard in the pros.

Edge rusher (3)

Abdul Carter, Penn State (No. 1)

Comp: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Carter is currently my favorite prospect in this class. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, he started his college career as an off-ball linebacker but was unstoppable after being bumped to edge full time this past season, racking up 12 sacks and 61 pressures. Carter has the first-step quickness and speed to blow past tackles, along with the power to set them up and run through them. He has the makings of a perennial NFL double-digit sack performer.

Jalon Walker, Georgia (No. 5)

Comp: Harold Landry III, Tennessee Titans

Walker is a hybrid defender with the tape to be a first-round prospect at linebacker and edge rusher, but his pass-rushing talent is too valuable to categorize him as a linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Walker was a game changer this past season with 6.5 sacks, and he played his best football in Georgia's biggest games. He had four sacks in the two meetings with Texas and 1.5 sacks in the season-opening win over Clemson.

Mykel Williams, Georgia (No. 12)

Comp: Travon Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Williams sometimes looked like the best player in the 2025 class this past season. He played that way in the two games against Texas, posting a combined eight pressures and four sacks. But he had only one sack against non-Longhorn opponents this past season. Williams' speed and power combination gives him tremendous upside, which scouts will bet on with continued development.

Defensive tackle (1)

Mason Graham, Michigan (No. 4)

Comp: Nnamdi Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens

Graham pops on tape, as you'll see him causing constant problems from his 3-technique alignment. The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder had 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2024. He is powerful enough to anchor in the run game while also being quick enough to knife through gaps and make plays in the backfield. One AFC East scout summed it up to me by saying that Graham "never loses snaps." He consistently beats the player in front of him and has the tools to be an NFL star.

Linebacker (0)

It's rare for an off-ball linebacker to get a first-round grade, and no one makes the cut in the 2025 class. UCLA's Carson Schwesinger is the top-ranked linebacker in the class at No. 25 on my board, while Alabama's Jihaad Campbell is a close second at No. 26. Clemson's Barrett Carter is the next-closest player to the cutoff with a mid-Round 2 grade.

Cornerback (2)

Will Johnson, Michigan (No. 3)

Comp: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Johnson was limited to six games in 2024 because of a foot injury but had two interceptions (both pick-sixes) during that time. He is an elite all-around corner with speed and physicality, as his 6-foot-2, 202-pound frame allows him to match up with bigger receivers. Johnson isn't as flashy as Travis Hunter, but he is incredibly savvy and technically sound.

Jahdae Barron, Texas (No. 10)

Comp: Brian Branch, Detroit Lions

There will be a conversation about Barron's best NFL position, but I'm a fan of how he plays football. The 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his senior season and worked his way from a Day 3 prospect last summer all the way to my top 10. Coaches at Texas rave about Barron's instincts and leadership, and those traits show up on the tape. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder has inside-outside versatility thanks to experience at both slot and outside cornerback, and some scouts think his best position is at the nickel.

Safety (0)

There are two safeties in the 2025 class who could be drafted in the first round, but I don't have a safe Round 1 grade on either. South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori is my top-ranked safety at No. 28 overall. He's a joy to watch, with elite physical tools at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds. He had 88 tackles and four interceptions this past season. Georgia's Malaki Starks had a down 2024 after entering the season as a top-15 prospect. But the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder is still a possible late-Round 1 selection at No. 30 on my board.