With the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, let’s break down who to watch for.
It’s coming up! The 2025 NFL Draft is set to be held at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24 to 26. Round 1 will occur on Thursday, April 24 at 8 pm EST, Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 25 at 7 pm EST and Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday, April 26 at noon EST. You can watch on ESPN, ABC, the NFL Network, CBS Sports and Fubo.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, who should we be looking out for? Well, I’ve got a short but mighty list here of a few key players you might want to consider when making your mock draft. Let’s get right into it.
Will Campbell
An offensive tackle from LSU, Campbell has shown up since day one. Starting as a true freshman, he has continued to impress scouting teams at the combine following his three collegiate seasons. He received the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and was named consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC in the 2024 season before declaring for the draft. In the combine, he demonstrated agility and athleticism and carried a heavy punch, which supports his undeniable aggression on the field. Campbell seems like a safe bet as we enter the draft.
Tyler Booker
The offensive guard from the University of Alabama may not be currently ranked highly when it comes to the draft picks, but if you’re looking for an offensive guard for your draft, he’s your guy. Following his 2024 season as a captain for the Crimson Tide, Booker was named first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC. During his time at the combine, he ranked first for Production Score amongst the guards. Through analysis by the scouts, Booker has reportedly shown explosiveness in first contact but uses his size and power in the second phase of a block to his advantage to overtake the competition. With seemingly average statistics, Booker has technique and football intelligence beyond his years and has exemplified this through his leading role as captain for the Crimson Tide the past two seasons. While he may not have been on your radar before, he is definitely someone you need to know going into the 2025 draft.
Travis Hunter
A wide receiver and cornerback from the University of Colorado, in 2024 Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, AP College Football Player of the Year, SN College Football Player of the Year, Chuck Bednarik Award, Fred Biletnikoff Award, Lott Trophy, Paul Hornung Award and was named unanimous All-American. You could say he made a statement on the field. He finished the regular season at Colorado with 1,400 scrimmage snaps on offense and defense (382 more than any other player in the country). In the 2025 Combine, he ranked first in Production Score with 99 and first in Total Score with 92. With exceptional athleticism in both offensive and defensive plays, he was noticeably fast and good at scrambling during the combine. A definite name to be on the lookout for as we move closer to the draft.
Abdul Carter
I’ve seen Carter’s name in multiple mock drafts posted, so he is definitely on everyone’s radar. Coming from Penn State as an edge rusher, he began his collegiate career as a running back but made the switch last season and has had immense success. He is considered the top pick for this year’s draft and has hinted at his hopes for playing for the team with the first overall pick, the Tennessee Titans. During his last season as an edge rusher, Carter was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, All-Big Ten and unanimous All-American. He also became the first Nittany Lion to post over 10 sacks in a season since 2015. In the 2025 Combine, he showed explosiveness and agility on the field, making him a great pick for the draft.
Cam Ward
This name has got to sound familiar. The University of Miami’s quarterback is coming off of an impeccable season. After originally declaring for the draft in 2023, he returned to play a final year for Miami in 2024 and led them to a 10-2 record. In the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl, Ward threw three touchdowns in the first half, setting a career record for NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision 71 and Football Bowl Subdivision 87. He also set the NCAA record with 158 passing touchdowns in his career. Following the season, he was named a consensus All-American, first-team All-ACC, and ACC Player of the Year, and received the Davey O’Brien Award and Manning Award.
The first three teams for the draft picks: the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, are all currently searching for a quarterback and Ward would make a great addition to any of them. Following the combine, he was ranked first for QB’s Total Score, so without a doubt, Ward is another name to make the top of your list.
Shedeur Sanders
I know I just listed off a quarterback but Sanders is another one to consider when looking at the draft. While he’s currently fluctuating from being the second overall pick to dropping to the second round, he’s got some talent you don’t want to miss. Entering the draft after starting for two seasons under his dad’s coaching at the University of Colorado, he led the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record in the 2024 season. He finished with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. This earned him the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was also named first-team All-Big 12. During the combine, he ranked first for quarterbacks in Production Score and third for Total Score. His accuracy elevated him during the combine and his confidence is second to none. Although his position in the draft is wavering, I think he’s a good quarterback to consider during the draft.
Mason Graham
Where are my Michigan fans at? This Wolverines defensive tackle has shown up and has been considered an early first-round pick for the draft for a while. During this past season with Michigan, he finished with 45 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He wrapped up his three-season career at Michigan with a 35-6 record, two Big Ten championships, two All-American honors, a Rose Bowl MVP, a national championship and 3-0 against the team’s rivals, Ohio State and Michigan State. He recorded 108 career tackles and 18 tackles for a loss with nine sacks. In the combine, Graham ranked first in Production Score for defensive tackles and first for Total Score. He showed his fast-paced playing ability and relentlessness as noticed by scouts. Now I may be biased as a Michigan fan, but I think Graham is a proven strong pick for the draft.
Nick Emmanwori
If you’re not already considering him, here’s your sign. Coming from the University of South Carolina, Emmanwori is a safety who truly deserves your attention. He committed to the Gamecocks with the potential to play as a linebacker or safety and ultimately chose to play safety. In his first two collegiate starts, he recorded 11 and 14 tackles, respectively, and achieved a team-high of 78 tackles in the 2022 season, establishing himself as a key player for South Carolina. In the 2024 season, he started in 13 games and led the team with 88 tackles. Wrapping up his last season, Emmanwori was honored with first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American accolades. At the combine, he ranked first among safeties in Production Score, Athleticism Score, and Total Score (that’s 3 for 3, in case you didn’t know). Emmanwori’s speed and versatility have shone through during his time at the combine, adding to the many reasons he is an excellent pick for the draft.
Ashton Jeanty
Another familiar name, Jeanty enters the draft as a running back from Boise State. In his 2024 season opener with the Broncos, he rushed for 267 yards, breaking the single-game record for Boise State that had stood for 46 years. He also scored six touchdowns, tying both the stadium record and the Mountain West record. At the end of the 2024 season, Jeanty led the FBS in scrimmage yards and rushing yards, ranking second in rushing touchdowns and total scoring. He earned the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, was a unanimous All-American, and received first-team All-MW and Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. He is regarded as the top running back prospect for the 2025 draft, ranking first in Production Score and Total Score for running backs. During his time at the combine, he has demonstrated his speed and ability to create yardage impeccably. Although running backs are starting to be devalued in the NFL Draft, Jeanty has the potential to change that, making him a prime addition to any mock draft.
So there it is. A breakdown of some of the top names in a variety of positions to be looking out for as you start up your 2025 Mock Draft. It’ll be interesting to see where the results from the combine leave these players and how they’ll set themselves up for the draft taking place at the end of April. What a time to be a football fan. Happy drafting!
Edited by Madison Roost
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