The ridiculously successful NFL Draft extravaganza reached new heights and broke records this year in Detroit. Over 700,000 people attended the event, shattering the Nashville record of 600,000 plus in 2019. Another record that was obliterated was the number of offensive players taken before a defender was selected.
A record 14 consecutive offensive players were taken before a single defensive player’s name was called. In the first round, 23 offensive players were picked, breaking the record of 19.
Now that the 2024 NFL Draft has concluded, it’s never too early to look ahead to 2025, is it? The spectacular event will head to Green Bay, Wisconsin next year. Who are the top prospects heading into next year’s NFL Draft?
2025 NFL Draft Prospects
Quarterback
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The quarterbacks dominated the first half of the 2024 NFL Draft. They will also dominate the top 10 in 2025. Carson Beck from the University of Georgia leads the way as next season’s top QB. Shedeur Sanders will be the most polarizing player in the draft and Garrett Nussmeier could be the most underrated. Keep an eye out for Kaidon Salter and Cam Ward. Salter has all the tools to be a solid NFL quarterback, and Ward is now in a spot to spotlight his talents.
- Carson Beck (Georgia)
- Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
- Quinn Ewers (Texas)
- Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)
- Kaidon Salter (Liberty)
- Cam Ward (Miami)
- Drew Allar (Penn State)
- Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
- Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
- Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
- Connor Weigman (Texas A&M)
- Preston Stone (SMU)
- DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State)
- Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)
- KJ Jefferson (Central Florida)
Running Back
Over the past few seasons, it has been a rarity to see running backs taken in the first round of the NFL draft. In 2025, you may see three selected on the first day. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins out of Ohio State and Ollie Gordon out of Oklahoma State should be the top RBs taken. Devin Neal and DJ Giddens are my favorite backs in the 2025 NFL Draft. Keep an eye out for Ashton Jeanty and Trevor Etienne to rise up draft boards as well.
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
- Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State)
- Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
- Devin Neal (Kansas)
- Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)
- Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
- Damien Martinez (Miami)
- DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
- Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
- Jadyn Ott (California)
- Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
- Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
- Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
- Jaydon Blue (Texas)
- Jam Miller (Alabama)
Wide Receiver
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The top five wide receivers for the 2025 NFL Draft are likely first-round selections. Luther Burden III out of Missouri is the most accomplished, but all five have elite traits. Watch out for Alabama’s newest weapon, Germie Bernard. He is a dynamic playmaker on this third program, who will rise up draft boards in Kalen DeBoer’s offense. CJ Daniels has transferred to LSU after spending his first two collegiate seasons at Liberty. I am very interested to see how he handles the leap in competition.
- Luther Burden III (Missouri)
- Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
- Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)
- Evan Stewart (Oregon)
- Antonio Williams (Clemson)
- Barion Brown (Kentucky)
- Jeremiah Hunter (Washington)
- Germie Bernard (Alabama)
- Colbie Young (Georgia)
- Tre Harris (Ole Miss)
- Tory Horton (Colorado State)
- Isaiah Bond (Texas)
- Matthew Golden (Texas)
- Dane Key (Kentucky)
- Juice Wells (Ole Miss)
- CJ Daniels (LSU)
- Tez Johnson (Oregon)
- J. Michael Sturdivant (UCLA)
Tight End
The tight end position for the 2025 NFL Draft is possibly the deepest in recent memory. We could very likely see up to six guys taken in the first two rounds. My favorite of the group is Mason Taylor out of LSU. He is a super athletic, big target with a hall-of-fame pedigree. He is the son of former Dolphin’s EDGE rusher Jason Taylor and has all the tools to be an All-Pro. The most athletic TE is probably Amari Niblack out of Texas. He will step in for the departed Ja’Tavion Sanders after transferring in from Alabama.
- Mason Taylor (LSU)
- Colston Loveland (Michigan)
- Oscar Delp (Georgia)
- Luke Lachey (Iowa)
- Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia)
- Amari Niblack (Texas)
- Caden Prieskorn (Ole Miss)
- Brant Kuithe (Utah)
- Jake Johnson (North Carolina)
- Chamon Metayer (Arizona State)
Offensive Linemen
As impressive of a group as the 2024 class of offensive linemen was, the 2025 NFL Draft is likely better. Will Campbell from LSU and Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas lead the way for this deep and talented group. As good as Campbell is, watch for his teammate Emery Jones to continue to rise up draft boards as well.
- OT Will Campbell (LSU)
- OT Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
- OT Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
- IOL Tyler Booker (Alabama)
- OT Drew Shelton (Penn State)
- OT Jacob Sexton (Oklahoma)
- IOL DJ Campbell (Texas)
- OT Emery Jones (LSU)
- OT Wyatt Milum (West Virginia)
- IOL Joshua Gray (Oregon State)
- IOL Tate Ratledge (Georgia)
- IOL Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
- OT John Campbell Jr. (Tennessee)
- OT Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
- OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State)
- OT Blake Miller (Clemson)
- IOL Blake Webb (Jacksonville State)
Defensive Line/EDGE
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It took until the 15th overall pick for a defensive player to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. That won’t happen in 2025. EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. from the University of Tennessee is potentially the number-one overall player for next season and Michigan’s Mason Graham is a big-time disrupter in the middle of the line. This group is probably the deepest position group for the 2025 NFL Draft. Keep an eye on Trey Moore. He transferred to Texas from UTEP and could rise into the first round with a big season at a higher level.
- EDGE James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
- DT Mason Graham (Michigan)
- DT Deone Walker (Kentucky)
- EDGE Mykel Williams (Georgia)
- EDGE Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
- EDGE Nic Scourton (Texas A&M)
- Dasan McCullough (Oklahoma)
- EDGE Patrick Payton (Florida State)
- EDGE Jeremiah Alexander (Alabama)
- DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
- DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
- DT Bear Alexander (USC)
- EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
- EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)
- EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan)
- DT Nazir Stackhouse (Georgia)
- EDGE JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
- EDGE Landon Jackson (Arkansas)
- EDGE Trey Moore (Texas)
- DT Howard Cross III (Notre Dame)
- EDGE Ashton Gillotte (Louisville)
- DT Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
- RJ Oben (Duke)
- DT Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
Linebacker
Teams have seemingly waited longer and longer to select linebackers as of late. However, the 2025 NFL Draft class could see three or four taken in the first round. Harold Perkins and Abdul Carter are the cream of the crop of the group. They both possess tremendous blitzing ability and star power that should easily translate to the NFL. Jay Higgins from Iowa is a tackling machine and Jason Henderson from Old Dominion is the best player nobody knows about. Look for these guys in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Harold Perkins (LSU)
- Abdul Carter (Penn State)
- Jay Higgins (Iowa)
- Barrett Carter (Clemson)
- Smael Mondon (Georgia)
- Shemar James (Florida)
- Jason Henderson (Old Dominion)
- Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
- Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky)
Defensive Back
Is it possible for two cornerbacks to be taken in the top five of the 2025 NFL Draft? With Travis Hunter and Will Johnson available, it isn’t only possible…it’s highly likely. Don’t get it twisted though. Hunter and Johnson aren’t the only elite defensive backs in next season’s class. Georgia safety Malaki Starks, Ohio State CB Denzel Burke, and Notre Dame CB Benjamin Morrison should all be day-one picks.
- CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)
- CB Will Johnson (Michigan)
- S Malaki Starks (Georgia)
- CB Denzel Burke (Ohio State)
- S Malachi Moore (Alabama)
- CB Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)
- S Keon Sabb (Michigan)
- CB Quincy Riley (Louisville)
- CB Cam Miller (Penn State)
- S Lathan Ransom (Ohio State)
- S Rod Moore (Michigan)
- CB Tacario Davis (Arizona)
- CB Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State)
- S Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)
- S Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State)
- CB Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon)
- S Xavier Nwankpa (Iowa)
- S Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
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About the Author
Tom has been writing about professional wrestling, college football, NFL, and fantasy football for over a decade and is an avid sports fan. He has been known in the fantasy football industry for his dynasty and devy knowledge, but he is also very versed in betting.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a History degree, he loves all things Vols. He is also a massive Atlanta Braves and Dallas Cowboys fan.
Tom has been with Total Apex since the beginning and will continue to help push the company to higher levels. Follow Tom on X @TomHarveySports and follow Total Apex on X @totalapexsports and @totalapexeandg
