Tag: 2025 NFL Draft

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen takes a drink of water before the pre-draft press conference in 2002.

Giants, Raiders lead race for No. 1 in 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An averted comeback sent the Las Vegas Raiders to their 12th loss of the season on Monday, even with the New York Giants for the worst record in the NFL this season.

The Giants (2-12) are up on the Raiders (2-12) by mere percentage points with three weeks remaining in the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Schedule strength indicates more than a two-horse field for the premium placement in the 2025 draft.

The New England Patriots (3-11) are No. 1 in the NFL with two dates against the Buffalo Bills (11-3) and a Week 17 visit from the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6).

The Chicago Bears appeared to be out of the running for a repeat of the No. 1 pick but dropped to 4-10 in a blowout 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. The setback put the Bears in the top 10 of the current draft order in the shadow of the New York Jets (4-10).

But the Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns all reside a rung higher in the order with three wins with three to play.

In the franchise’s 100th season, the Giants appear to be a lock to select in the top six of the draft for the fifth time in seven years since selecting Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in 2018.

The Raiders last picked in the top three in 2007 when they selected LSU’s JaMarcus Russell No. 1. Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions) was No. 2 and Joe Thomas (Browns) third.

Here’s the current order for the 2025 NFL Draft:

1. New York Giants

2. Las Vegas Raiders

3. New England Patriots

4. Carolina Panthers

5. Tennessee Titans

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

7. Cleveland Browns

8. New York Jets

9. Chicago Bears

10. New Orleans Saints

11. Miami Dolphins

12. Cincinnati Bengals

13. Dallas Cowboys

14. Indianapolis Colts

15. San Francisco 49ers

16. Arizona Cardinals

17. Atlanta Falcons

18. Seattle Seahawks

19. Los Angeles Chargers

20. Los Angeles Rams

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

22. Washington Commanders

23. Denver Broncos

24. Houston Texans

25. Baltimore Ravens

26. Pittsburgh Steelers

27. Green Bay Packers

28. Buffalo Bills

29. Minnesota Vikings

30. Philadelphia Eagles

31. Detroit Lions

32. Kansas City Chiefs

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates a touchdown after intercepting USC quarterback Miller Moss during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Michigan CB Will Johnson enters 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson entered the 2025 NFL Draft, ending his college career with his sights set on being a first-round pick in April.

Johnson, ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings, is one of two Wolverines defenders to declare for the draft this week. Defensive tackle Mason Graham, another first-round prospect in Field Level Media rankings, announced his exit from Ann Arbor on Tuesday.

With elite size (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and big-time production in the Big Ten, Johnson is projected as high as the No. 5 overall pick in 2025. He had nine career interceptions and set the record with three career interception returns for touchdowns.

“I want to start by thanking God for guiding me every step of the way. I would be nothing without Him and his hand on my life,” Johnson said in his farewell announcement posted to social media Wednesday. “To my coaches – Thank you to Coach Harbaugh for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to play at Michigan, it was a true honor.”

Johnson played in only six games in 2024 and said he won’t be playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Alabama this month.

Johnson was sidelined for Michigan’s win over Ohio State last month with a toe injury and missed one game with a shoulder injury. He has been limited by the toe injury since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, but is expected to be healthy for the pre-draft circuit starting with the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson had two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) carries for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Colorado’s Travis Hunter to enter draft, vows to be full-time CB and WR in NFL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter plans to turn pro and prefers to continue a dual role, playing wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL.

Hunter could be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is the favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Speculation about his future quieted as he gained notoriety by the week this season. Field Level Media projects Hunter as a top-three pick in the draft, and he confirmed Thursday this will be his last season at the college level.

“That’s definitely for sure,” Hunter said on a conference call with reporters.

Hunter is consistently playing between 100 and 125 snaps per game for Colorado. He has three interceptions on defense with 74 receptions, 911 yards and nine touchdowns playing wideout for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Also a projected early first-round pick, Sanders committed to play in the East-West Shrine Game in Dallas. The son of Colorado head coach and Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders said Thursday he would cast a Heisman vote for Hunter.

“If it’s between me and him, I would want him to get it,” Sanders said. “He does a lot of amazing things and things that haven’t been done before. I’m not a selfish guy. I know what he’s capable of, so I would rather him win.”

Hunter said he would invite his QB to New York if he’s not named a Heisman finalist before they go about the business of finishing the season, possibly in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Shedeur Sanders said he’s the best quarterback in the draft, and doesn’t believe that’s anything new.

“I feel like I was the best quarterback in the last draft, too,” said Shedeur Sanders. “Ever since I was draft eligible, I knew I’m the best quarterback. It’s not up for me to prove myself to talking about why.”

Former teammates at Jackson State where Deion Sanders also coached, Hunter said he felt his draft stock began to rise only after critics moved past “the hate” for his coach. A flashy, charismatic cornerback in the NFL after starring at Florida State, Deion Sanders was the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Hall of Famers Troy Aikman (first, Cowboys), Barry Sanders (third, Lions) and Derrick Thomas (fourth, Chiefs) were chosen ahead of “Prime Time” along with offensive tackle Tony Mandarich (second, Packers).

Hunter has picked the brain of Deion Sanders about a dual role in pro sports. Sanders was used selectively as a wide receiver and returned punts but was primarily a cornerback in addition to playing Major League Baseball.

There’s no base-stealing in Hunter’s future, but he does believe he can push the envelope as a full-time two-way NFL player.

“It’s never been done,” Hunter said. “I understand that it will be a high risk, (teams) don’t want their top pick to go down too early, and I know they’re going to want me to be in a couple packages. But I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it thus far. I like when people tell me I can’t do it.”

–Field Level Media

SMU's Preston Stone (2) looks to throw the ball as Memphis' CorMontae Hamilton (12) tries to block him during the game between Southern Methodist University and University of Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

Week 0 NFL prospect watch: Is the next Brock Purdy at SMU?

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Football is back with Week 0 and the headliner for NFL personnel evaluators takes us to Ireland, where Florida State is serving prospects by the pint in an ACC matchup with Georgia Tech.

Here are five prospects playing on opening weekend who enter the 2024 season with “draftable” grades.

RB Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech (RS JR): Haynes’ performance Saturday against a defense with speed everywhere could foretell his NFL draft outlook. He gets his toughness naturally from mom, Annette Johnson. Johnson has an Army background, sure, but she was also the family’s first running back. Johnson played for the semi-pro football team the Atlanta Xplosion in the Independent Women’s Football League. At Georgia Tech, Haynes went two seasons as a return specialist and receiver — his primary position since his sophomore season in high school — before being moved to the lead running back role. He has the versatility to line up anywhere in the formation for the Yellow Jackets. An all-purpose yardage dynamo already known in the ACC, put him on your list of breakout candidates on the national level.

LB Patrick Payton, Florida State (RS JR): Since becoming the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, Payton has drawn the full attention of opponents. Teams can slow him down, but best of luck stopping him. At 6-5, 256, Payton is a pure athlete with natural football instincts. As an edge aligned at the five-technique, Payton brings position flexibility (10 pass breakups in 2023), lining up inside on occasion, and versatility beyond imagination. A see-ball, get-ball defender with chase-down speed, he collected 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in 2023.

QB Preston Stone, SMU (JR): A 13,000-yard passer in high school (over 2,000 rushing yards, too) in Texas, Stone led Dallas Parish Episcopal to back-to-back state titles and was on the radar of Alabama with a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech before opting to stay home help steer SMU back to respectability. The Mustangs veer into the ACC this season. He’ll be tested by the depth and talent of the league more than he was in the American Athletic Conference, but Stone’s strong arm, quick release and processing ability appear to be pro-worthy. Perhaps the greatest obstacle on his path to the NFL is height — listed at 6-1, which might be a reach — but he brings an eerily similar physical profile to current 49ers starter Brock Purdy (6-0 5/8, 212 pounds at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine).

CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State (JR): Listed at 6-2 and a Nelson’s cheeseburger shy of 200 pounds, Thomas fits the NFL prototype. His 2024 season sets up as a ramp to the draft after flashing dominant — and physical — coverage traits in a rotational role in 2022 and 2023. Thomas played inside as an underclassmen in dime and nickel CB roles, and his running back and wide receiver background at Niceville (Fla.) underscores his position flexibility and athleticism.

QB DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State (RS SR): Uiagalelei can throw the fastball with the best of them, and his size (6-4, 246) along with his power and timing on a deep out gets your name on draft boards. What teams need to see from the two-time transfer and former five-star recruit is consistency and the patience to find his second and third receivers when coverage or scheme dictates going away from his primary option.

–Worth a look:
DT Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech (vs. FSU)
DB Kitan Crawford, Nevada (vs. SMU)
DL Brody Grebe, Montana State (at New Mexico)
OL Marcus Wehr, Montana State (at New Mexico)
OT Jordan Williams, Georgia Tech (vs. FSU)

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2024; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) warms up before a spring game event at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 prospects eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The backlog of players with COVID eligibility is finally coming to a close and the last of the super seniors are ready to turn pro.

That means the 2025 draft class should bring superior depth with quality talent available deep into the third day of next year’s NFL draft.

Early expectations reveal the class is light at quarterback, with possibly only a couple of first-rounders at the position.

The defensive side of the ball will rebound next year. Mass returnees the past two years loaded the trenches inside and out.

If the top juniors ultimately declare, as many as six defensive tackles could go in the first round, which happened just once in the past decade.

1. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee
A modern day pass-rusher, Pearce is on the lighter side and will need some seasoning for NFL run defense, but he is a rare bender with outstanding first-step quickness. He’s the early favorite to be the top pick and plays a premium position.

2. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
In the mold of A.J. Brown, Burden’s strength through the catch point and with the ball in his hands stands out. His testing will be key to whether he can maintain a top offensive billing next year.

3. Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
One of the best storylines in college football last season, Hunter’s dual-threat ability catches attention, but his play as a cornerback is what NFL teams will love. He is an elite mover with ideal fluidity and ball skills for a pro defensive back.

4. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
Reminiscent of Peter Skoronski, Banks is a technician with good strength and body control. He lacks ideal length for a tackle. His polish should get him drafted early, although there will be a split on whether to play tackle or guard.

5. Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Walker’s body type will be a strike in the mind of some scouts, but he is an extraordinary athlete for his size. There have been only a handful of players ever who can line up against offensive tackles at 350 pounds and succeed, and he’s one of them.

6. Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
Twitchy and versatile as a pass rusher, Nolen hasn’t produced up to his physical talent yet, but teams will be captivated by the Texas A&M transfer’s burst and agility.

7. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
A big-bodied target at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, McMillan has hands as soft as pillows and a feel for crafting openings at the catch point. His speed may end up being a point of deliberation for teams, but he looks like an early favorite for the top of next year’s draft.

8. Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
The rise of Darius Robinson toward the top of the 2024 draft is a good sign for Jackson next year, who has even more juice coming off the edge. While he isn’t as bendy as the usual elite pass-rushers, his length and strength through the rush gives him a trump card against most blockers.

9. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
A defensive pillar during Michigan’s run to the championship, Graham isn’t as toolsy as Nolen or Walker, but his refined pass-rushing may translate more immediately as a pro.

10. Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
Overlooked in the shadow of Brock Bowers, Delp lacks the same caliber of top-end speed once he gets the ball in his hands, but he is smoother out of his breaks and presents a similarly special receiving option as a tight end.

–Field Level Media