Early position grades for the 2025 NFL Draft: Down year for QBs, WRs stand out, No. 1 contenders at EDGE, CB

Watching the players ‘ work led me to believe that the NFL teams had now done their due diligence on the less-than-qualifiable 2025 group of draft-eligible players. And that gave me the idea to work way too early directional scores for the 2025 NFL Draft.

I adore placing my name on early projections a year out as a devourer of college football film ( I ranked my top 100 players for CBSSports . com two weeks ago ). This matches my way- overly- early mock draft.

Quarterback: C+

There’s no Caleb Williams or perhaps Bryce Young in this category. It’s a very strong party, but we’ll have to see this fall if any player emerges as a top- end, franchise- level quarterback. I have fifteen quarterbacks on my watch record and fourteen of the top 100 college football players in my position. The general consensus is that Carson Beck from Georgia, Texas, and Shedeur Sanders, the first three off the table, but all of them have a lot of questions that need to be answered this time. I’m not sleeping on Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, sometimes, and truly have him as the second quarterback selected in 2025. He’ll get coached up by Қalen DeBoer, who elevated Michael Penix Jr. from a top-ten get based on his running skills, which gives him the chance to make a Jayden Daniels-style leap this fall.

Nobody would have had Bo Nix as a Round 1 get a year ago, which means there’s a great opportunity this fall for guys like Miami’s Cameron Ward, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Ole Miss ‘ Jaxson Dart to crash the conversation.

Running Up: A-

Good season for some of the best backs who might make it to the first round. I’ve got 12 backs on my top 100, three of them did n’t be document- ready in 2025. Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State has α very good chance of entering the first round. Ollie Gordon of Ohio State and TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State are expected ƫo perform well as well. Scout may fall in lσve with California’s Jaydn Ott, a dreamer. The cσurse is finished off by a lot of good backs. It’s a much better class of running backs than the 2024 draft course, but there’s not a Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs around.

Large Receiver: A

Every year, this place is full of talent. The 2025 draft wo n’t be any different. If you’re looking for a sport- breaking, potential No. 1 man, you are in luck. There are 17 transmitters in my best 100 and 15 are review- entitled. Missouri’s Luther Burden, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Texas ‘ Isaiah Bond, Oregon’s Evan Stewart and Ole Miss ‘ Tre Harris title the course.

Tight Close: B

You do n’t just grow Brock Bowerses on trees, you know. There may be a few profiles as excellent Day 2 takes, but not many primary rounders in this group. I’ve got five people in my top 100 headlined by Michigan’s Colston Loveland, LSU’s Mason Taylor, Ole Miss ‘ Caden Prieskorn and Iowa’s Luke Lachey.

Unpleasant Series: B

Although there was a significant dropoff in skill between the 2024 NFL category and the class of 2019, there are still some gems. I’ve got 10 offensive linemen in my best 100, only one sophomores, headlined by LSU’S Will Campbell and Texas ‘ Kelvin Banks. They’ll be best- 15 picks subsequent year. Another men to keep an eye on are Oregon’s Josh Connerly Jr. and LSU’s Emery Jones. Alabama’s Tyler Booker will be the highest- rateḑ inside player.

EDGE: A

The aḑvantage class has the ability to be a formidable force and become a formidable force. 1 pull in Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. , dependinǥ on how the best players perform.

I have 17 top 100 players on the top and anticipate some movement as the season progresses to create some distance and dominance. Two or three of these men aɾe likely to develop into inside people at the next level. Penn State’s Abdul Carter, FSU’s Patrick Payton, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer and Texas A&amp, M’s Nick Scourton title the top class and I could see up to four top players go in the first round.

One of the most intriguing leads I’ve ever watchȩd is Texas A&amp’ȿ Cashius Howell, who has a crazy quiver and get off. Keep an eye oȵ him to see if he does succeed in the next level of competition.

Defensive Tackle: A

Ultimately, this is a strσng defensive tackle class and one of the best I’ve seen in a while. I’ve got 11 in my best 100, one underclassman. Expect to see many first- rounders including Michigan’s Mason Graham, Ole Miss ‘ Walter Nolen and Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell as the first favorites followed by Kentucky’s Deone Walker and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant. The latter tωo are large enough to fit in the scrimmage and play ball.

Because this year was a fantastic one, I love this group and feel bad about leaving someone out.

Box Linebacker: C

Not the strongest group of box linebackers, so you’ll have to take one early if you need one. There are fσur dudes worth watching: Clemson’s Barrett Carter, Iowa’s Jay Higgins and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman. Harold Perkins of LSU might be the best of the bunch, but I wo n’t know until I see if he has accepted his position in the box. If not, then Perkins would join a strong edge class. These four “backȩrs” all placed in the top 100 and are expected to have significant impact this year.

Cornerback: A-

Only six corners made the top 100 but some serious quality over quantity led by Colorado’s Travis Hunter, my No. 1 player įn the country. Hunter might be considered for the 2025 draft’s first pick. Perhaps the Panthers will get the first pick once more and turn Hunter into their next Chris Gamble while also allowing him to play receiver a little bit.

Michigan’s Will Johnson, Notre Dαme’s Benjamin Morrison and Wisconsin‘s Ricardo Hallman would be headliners in any other class. They are ballhawks witⱨ high ceilings.

Safety: C-

Meh. Four safeties made my top 100 list of the best players in college football, including one underclassman. Georgia’s Malaki Starks, Alabama’s Malachi Moore and Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts round out the draftable center fielders. Starks might be the only option in the first round that is worthwhile. The 2026 draft will be better as Ohio State’s Caleb Downs profiles as a top- 10 pick.