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2025 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects
ESPN PLUS $ MATERIAILThe 2024 college football season is over. We've had a lot of time to see the top prospects for the 2025 NFL draft in action over the course of the season, and predraft events still lie ahead. Which players have impressed and look the part of future first-rounders? And who could continue rising?
I'm updating my Big Board for 2025, stacking the top 25 prospects in the class. Remember, this is not a mock draft or prediction of where players will be drafted. These are my personal rankings. Sure, I want to have a realistic board based on how the draft will play out, but my goal is to include the best players based on what I'm seeing and my own evaluations. In addition to the top-25 list, I also ranked the best prospects at every position at the bottom.
Let's dig in, and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins April 24. I plan to update this Big Board often over the coming months as players rise and fall. Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.
Last updated: Jan. 21
1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185 | Prev. rank: 12024 stats over 13 games: 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, 15 receiving TDs, 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I'm ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him.
Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.
2. Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 259 | Prev. rank: 22024 stats over 16 games: 93 tackles, 12 sacks, 61 pressures, 23.5 tackles for loss, 15 run stops, 1 forced fumble
Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience effectively operating as an off-ball linebacker, helping him crack 60 tackles in three straight seasons at Penn State. But the hope this season was he would make a dent in opponents' game plans as a pass rusher off the edge. Mission accomplished. Carter has the traits to wreak havoc there, getting pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush snaps. He is instinctive and fast flying to the football. Carter's 23.5 tackles for loss this season ranked No. 1 in the nation.
3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 320 | Prev. rank: 32024 stats over 12 games: 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures, 14 run stops
I love Graham's technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness. Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proved effective against the run and pass from inside. He had two sacks against Minnesota in September but managed just 1.5 the rest of the season.
4. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Prev. rank: 42024 stats over 13 games: 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, 37 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs
You won't find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I'm always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he's not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.
5. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223 | Prev. rank: 52024 stats over 13 games: 67.2% completion rate, 4,313 passing yards, 39 TD passes, 7 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs
Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. He displays solid game management traits, and while he had some ball security issues in 2023 at Washington State, that wasn't an issue in 2024. When things break down around him, Ward can extend plays with his legs, either throwing on the move or picking up first downs as a runner. I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.
6. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 202 | Prev. rank: 62024 stats over six games: 21 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs
Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball. Johnson returned both of his interceptions this season for touchdowns, and you can see those instincts throughout his first pick-six in Michigan's opener against Fresno State -- when he jumped a screen and took the ball 86 yards to the house. He has nine career picks. Johnson missed the team's last six games with a toe injury.
7. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 212 | Prev. rank: 82024 stats over 12 games: 84 catches, 1,319 receiving yards, 8 receiving TDs
McMillan is a big-bodied receiver who can be a mismatch for smaller corners. And his great size, body control, concentration and hands help him consistently win in contested-catch situations. He can snatch the ball and make it look easy. And while McMillan plays with more physicality than speed, he generates late separation to get open. He was third in receiving yards in the country.
8. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia*
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 245 | Prev. rank: 92024 stats over 14 games: 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 29 pressures, 7 run stops
Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He's a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape. In Week 8 against Texas, he picked up three sacks.
9. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*
Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215 | Prev. rank: 72024 stats over 14 games: 374 carries, 2,601 rushing yards, 29 rushing TDs, 23 catches, 138 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
Jeanty displays excellent contact balance and toughness, which help him skirt past the first line of defense and through traffic. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and forced a nation-leading 126 missed tackles in 2024. And don't sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.
10. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320 | Prev. rank: 102024 stats over 15 games: 15 starts, 1 sack allowed
Banks has 42 career starts under his belt, with every single snap coming at left tackle. And amazingly, he gave up only three sacks. He has the mobility to quickly block off the edge and then the frame and strength to take care of power rushers. He just needs to become more consistent in the run game as a blocker. Banks missed the SEC Championship with an ankle injury but returned for Texas' CFP games.
