Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he breaks down the pro potential of this year's top incoming draft prospects ...
The 2025 NFL Draft class lacks some of the pizzazz and sizzle of previous groups, featuring a less than ideal number of elite prospects (blue-chip players), but astute evaluators can still find plenty of rock-solid options. The collection of Day 1 starters and key contributors available within the first 50 selections could make this a "stick-and-pick" draft, with teams taking the best players available when they are on the clock (April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin) instead of moving up and down the board to grab a targeted name.
There is uncertainty surrounding the top QB prospects in the 2025 class. While Miami's Cam Ward is viewed as the consensus QB1 by the scouting community, the identity of the second quarterback selected could be a draft-day surprise, thanks to debates over the talent and long-term potential of Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart. With Alabama's Jalen Milroe (speed and arm strength) and Louisville's Tyler Shough (arm talent) piquing the interests of scouts with their unique superpowers, teams might end up hoping to flip a Day 2 gamble into a franchise quarterback.
The running back class is loaded with talented prospects possessing RB1 potential. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty has superstar written all over him after nearly eclipsing Barry Sanders' single-season college rushing record last year. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton also flashes star power as a dynamic runner with a pair of 1,500-yard seasons on his collegiate resume. Throw in the talented tandem from Ohio State (TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins) and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, and the scouting community has plenty of RB1 options to choose from in the 2025 class.
The 2025 wide receiver class features a two-way superstar and a collection of solid starters built for complementary roles. Colorado's Travis Hunter -- whose name you will see again when we get to this year's top DBs -- headlines the group as a spectacular WR1 candidate with big-play potential. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner dazzles as an electrifying playmaker with outstanding ball skills and "catch-and-run" ability.
Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan (size/leaping ability), Texas' Matthew Golden (speed), Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka (slot route-running skills), and Luther Burden III (catch-and-run specialist) are intriguing WR2 candidates with special skills that enable them to shine as key contributors in designated roles.
The tight ends might be the most talented group of the 2025 class. Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland are the headliners as the top "Y" (traditional tight end) and flex (pass-catching tight end) options of the group, respectively. As scouts gain a greater appreciation for LSU product Mason Taylor's game as a classic "Y" boasting big-play potential, he figures to be a late riser up the charts. Then there are Miami's Elijah Arroyo and Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr., ideally suited to thrive as flex tight ends in spread formations. Coaches and scouts seeking help at this position should be able to find a good one.
The collection of offensive line prospects will produce plenty of starters this season. There is a chance LSU's Will Campbell, Texas' Kelvin Banks Jr., Ohio State's Josh Simmons or Missouri's Armand Membou could develop into Pro Bowl-caliber players, based on their natural talent and potential to improve with a little skill refinement.
Alabama's Tyler Booker and Ohio State's Donovan Jackson are rock-solid interior blockers with rugged games and nasty dispositions. With North Dakota State's Grey Zabel showing promise as a flex player with the potential to play tackle, guard or center, the 2025 class is intriguing, despite being short on star power.
Defensively, this year's prospect crop is loaded with trench warriors at the point of attack. Teams looking for pass rushers with the potential to wreak havoc from a three-point stance or stand-up position will have plenty of options to choose from. Penn State's Abdul Carter is the top dog as a freakish pass rusher with explosive speed, quickness and burst. As a high-motor rusher with elite athleticism and agility, he flashes the traits of a future NFL sack leader. Marshall's Mike Green, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr., Georgia's Mykel Williams and Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku are designated pass-rush specialists with the speed, athleticism and wiggle to emerge as disruptive playmakers in schemes that showcase their talents as off-the-edge rushers.
Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton could join the party as heavy-handed defenders built to play the run or pass from the edge. Ohio State's Jack Sawyer and Arkansas' Landon Jackson are underrated wrecking balls who flash big-play potential as edge rushers.
The 2025 defensive tackle class boasts an impressive collection of high-motor defenders with a nasty attitude. Michigan's Mason Graham is a "war daddy" with the strength, power and agility to whip blockers utilizing force or finesse. He overwhelms opponents with his relentless effort and his competitive stamina at the point of attack. Ole Miss' Walter Nolen and Oregon's Derrick Harmon possess the size and tools to emerge as premier pros.
Georgia's Jalon Walker headlines a group of off-ball linebackers with outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills. The self-proclaimed "HLB" (hybrid linebacker) is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with "plus" pass-rush skills off the edge. Alabama's Jihaad Campbell also flashes hybrid potential as a run-around linebacker with elite instincts and splash-play awareness. UCLA's Carson Schwesinger is a tackling machine who flashes superb instincts and awareness as a "see ball, get ball" defender.
The versatility of this year's defensive backs will enable defensive coordinators to showcase their creativity in the NFL. Colorado's Travis Hunter could excel as a part-time player handling defensive duties to complement his contributions as a WR1. Michigan's Will Johnson and Texas' Jahdae Barron are intriguing CB1 candidates with special skills that could help them flourish in multi-faceted roles. Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison and ECU's Shavon Revel, meanwhile, flashed blue-chip traits before suffering season-ending injuries last year -- teams hunting for undervalued defenders with star potential could view the duo as hidden gems who might be available on Day 2.
South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori and Georgia's Malaki Starks are the premier safety prospects on the board. As high-IQ rovers with superb instincts, awareness and ball skills, they can provide an immediate impact as box-area defenders with hybrid duties. Notre Dame's Xavier Watts rounds out the group as a ball-hawking safety with outstanding range, instincts and awareness.
ALL-PROS
These are the elite prospects in the class -- they should rank among the top five players at their respective positions in two to three years.
PRO BOWLERS
These prospects are regarded as difference-makers based solely on their talent. They should make immediate contributions as rookies and rank among the top 10 at their position within two to three years.
RED STARS
On the "Move the Sticks" podcast, Daniel Jeremiah and I have discussed how scouts will stand on the table for guys they believe will outperform their draft status. In the scouting world, these players are called "red star" guys because they are destined to make their mark in the league despite circumstances. After surveying the 2025 class for players with the right skills and intangibles, here are my five red-star prospects to watch:
Typically, I reserve this space for players who aren't included in the preceding categories, but I wanted to explain why Sanders -- my top-ranked player at his position group -- is the QB I'd pound the table for despite his status as a polarizing prospect with a wide range of possible draft outcomes. Yes, he has a flamboyant personality and personal style. He's also the kind of classic dropback passer who has excelled in the NFL over the past three decades. As a tough-minded pinpoint passer who thrives in a timing-based offense that requires the quarterback to throw with touch and anticipation, the four-year starter is built to play in the pure progression schemes that are prevalent throughout the NFL. Moreover, Sanders' experience directing an offense designed by a former NFL head coach and offensive coordinator (Pat Shurmur) should help him acclimate quickly to the league. Given his success transforming a pair of programs (Jackson State and Colorado), it is easy to envision Sanders enjoying a successful run as a QB1 for a team with a talented supporting cast.
It is hard to bypass a blue-chip prospect with Hall of Fame bloodlines throughout his family tree. Taylor's dad (Jason Taylor) and uncle (Zach Thomas) earned gold jackets as dominant defensive playmakers, but the 6-foot-5, 251-pounder could embark on his own gold-jacket journey as a soft-handed pass catcher with a polished overall game. As a "Y" tight end with outstanding skills as a blocker and receiver, Taylor has the potential to dominate within the trenches and on the perimeter as a No. 1 option in the tight end room.
The undersized pass rusher exhibits dominant traits as a sack artist on the edge. Ezeiruaku's explosive first-step quickness and closing burst are complemented by an array of speed-rushing maneuvers that keep blockers guessing in pass protection. With 30 career sacks, including 16.5 in 2024, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year has the production to validate his skills as a playmaker. If Ezeiruaku lands with a team that allows him to hunt the quarterback from a wide-nine alignment and a two-point stance, the 6-foot-2, 248-pounder could wreak havoc as a Haason Reddick clone.
It is hard to find a workhorse runner with the strength, power and competitive stamina to handle a heavy workload. It is even tougher to find a "grinder" with the balance, body control and vision to slalom around defenders on downhill runs directed between the tackles. Skattebo is a talented runner who deftly mixes force and finesse and exhibits elite traits as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. Given his versatility and big-play potential as a runner and receiver, the Arizona State standout flashes RB1/RB2 traits, looking like a scheme-friendly back ideally suited to play the pro game.
In the pass-centric NFL, interior pass rushers are coveted at a premium. Alexander displays rare tools as a 300-pounder, showcasing agility and violent hands, along with effective counters. Though his collegiate production (nine career sacks and 22 tackles for loss) does not jump off the stat sheet, his tools and traits could help him transform into a destructive force in an aggressive scheme that enables him to wreck shop at the line.
