Mel Kiper Jr's 2025 NFL Draft Big Board & Top Prospects 🏈

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2025 NFL draft Big Board rankings: Mel Kiper's top prospects​

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Let's dig in, and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins on April 24. I plan to update this Big Board often over the coming months as players rise and fall. All stats are through Week 10 of the season, and underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

Last updated: Nov. 7

25. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310 | Prev. rank: 23

2024 stats through six games: 6 starts, 0 sacks allowed

Simmons suffered a season-ending injury against Oregon. A former San Diego State right tackle, Simmons had looked really good on the left side after transferring to Ohio State before the 2023 season. He's just very consistent, showing excellent footwork and balance in pass protection. I really like the way he drives defensive ends off the ball and gets to the second level.

 

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24. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245 | Prev. rank: 24

2024 stats through eight games: 49 catches, 523 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

If you are looking for a tight end who can consistently stretch the deep middle part of the field, Loveland is your guy. He has averaged 8.4 air yards per target over three college seasons. The QB play has been subpar for Michigan, which has limited Loveland. But he is a difficult matchup for defenses, and he is averaging nearly nine targets per game.

 

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23. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State​

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 257 | Prev. rank: 22

2024 stats through eight games: 51 catches, 606 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Warren is super versatile. He can be used as a traditional in-line tight end, at H-back, at fullback, out of the slot or lined up out wide. He's a reliable pass catcher, and once the ball is in his hands, he can break free. Warren has 362 yards after the catch this season. He was incredible against USC, hauling in 17 catches for 224 yards and a TD. It tied for the most single-game catches by a tight end in FBS history.

 

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22. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame*​

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 190 | Prev. rank: 21

2024 stats through six games: 22 tackles, 4 pass breakups, 1 run stop

Morrison has extremely sound technique in the way he covers opposing receivers. He's really good in press coverage and gets his hands on the ball before it arrives to the receiver. The ball skills are impressive. Morrison had nine interceptions and 17 pass breakups over his first two seasons. But his 2024 season is over after suffering a hip injury.

 

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21. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota​

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 330 | Prev. rank: 16

2024 stats through nine games: 9 starts, 1 sack allowed

Ersery is a massive blocker who has made 36 career starts, nearly all of which at left tackle. He drives defensive ends off the ball with his power and uses his movement skills to keep quicker pass rushers in check.

 

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20. Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina​

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 193 | Prev. rank: 20

2024 stats through three games: 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, 1 defensive TD

Revel's 2024 season ended with a torn ACL after three games, so teams will be paying close attention to his recovery over the next few months. He came to East Carolina in 2022 after a few years at Louisburg College, and his physical traits and speed have impressed scouts. He's big and long, and his ability to locate the ball down the field helps him make plays. His pick-six against Appalachian State in Week 3 showed his excellent instincts.

 

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19. Will Campbell, OT, LSU*​

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 323 | Prev. rank: 19

2024 stats through eight games: 7 starts, 1 sack allowed

Campbell has started for LSU since 2022 and has given up just one sack since that first season. He has a big frame, and his solid footwork and technique make him an effective pass protector at left tackle.

 

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18. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri*​

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 208 | Prev. rank: 18

2024 stats through eight games: 40 catches, 450 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Burden is an explosive playmaker who really stands out after the catch, using his quickness and elusiveness to pick up extra yards. His 710 yards after the catch last season ranked third in the nation, and 55% of his yards this season (250) have also come once the ball is in his hands. He tracks the vertical throws well and makes some big plays down the field.

 

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17. Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon*​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 310 | Prev. rank: NR

2024 stats through nine games: 32 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 22 pressures, 9 run stops, 2 forced fumbles

Harmon transferred over from Michigan State after a solid 2023 season there, and his game has taken the next step in Eugene. What jumps out to me most is his consistent disruptiveness on a game-to-game basis. He combines quickness with power to cause chaos for opponents. And his scheme-versatility only adds to his value; Harmon can dominate at either defensive tackle or end.

 

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16. Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss*​

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 305 | Prev. rank: 17

2024 stats through nine games: 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 9 pressures, 8 run stops

The former top recruit has been disruptive, making an impact for Ole Miss against both the pass and run. He's strong with active hands, and his explosive traits allow him to get interior pressure on the quarterback.

 

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15. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan*​

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 339 | Prev. rank: 15

2024 stats through nine games: 19 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 10 pressures, 4 run stops

Grant started only five games before this season, which means 2024 should be huge for his draft stock. Considering his size, he has terrific athletic traits and explosion. His instincts stand out, too -- he's an extremely alert football player. And while he might not rack up sacks (3.5 last season), he is adept at batting down passes at the line of scrimmage, recording five pass breakups in 2023 and three more this year.

 

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14. James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee*​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 243 | Prev. rank: 14

2024 stats through eight games: 31 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 35 pressures, 7.5 tackles for loss, 7 run stops, 1 forced fumble

Tennessee spent the early part of the season rolling its opponents, limiting Pearce to 56 snaps over the team's first three games. But Pearce -- who is coming off a 10-sack season in 2023 -- has seen plenty of action of late. I see a lot of speed off the edge, and he does a nice job mixing up his pass-rush moves to keep offensive tackles on their heels. Pearce could still add weight to his frame. But even at 243 pounds, he shows the ability to win with power. And when asked to help in run defense, he has the quickness to make plays in lateral pursuit.

 

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13. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*​

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 212 | Prev. rank: 13

2024 stats through nine games: 63 catches, 1,066 receiving yards, 6 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 is first in receiving yards in the country.

 

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12. Cam Ward, QB, Miami​

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223 | Prev. rank: 12

2024 stats through nine games: 67.1% completion rate, 3,146 passing yards, 29 TD passes, 6 interceptions, 3 rushing TDs

Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. His 9.8 yards-per-attempt mark is a career high. He displays solid game management traits, and while he had some ball security issues last season at Washington State, that doesn't appear to be an issue in 2024. And 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. To say Ward has been a perfect fit with the Hurricanes might still be an understatement; I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.

 

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11. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado​

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 215 | Prev. rank: 11

2024 stats through eight games: 73.3% completion rate, 2,591 passing yards, 21 TD passes, 6 interceptions, 3 rushing TDs

You won't find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 52 sacks last season 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.

 

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10. Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia*​

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 245 | Prev. rank: 10

2024 stats through eight games: 37 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 19 pressures, 4 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 both 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.

 

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9. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*​

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 215 | Prev. rank: 9

2024 stats through eight games: 190 carries, 1,525 rushing yards, 20 rushing TDs, 14 catches, 81 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

After finishing just outside the top 10 in rushing last season with 1,347 yards, Jeanty has picked up where he left off, already eclipsing that total in 2024 and averaging 8.0 yards per carry. He's a determined runner with excellent contact balance, forcing an FBS-high 100 missed tackles last season. He already has 70 in 2024. And don't sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield.

 

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8. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia​

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 205 | Prev. rank: 8

2024 stats through eight games: 39 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 run stops, 2 pass breakups, 1 interception

Starks has the skill set to affect the game in a variety of ways. He's a force against the run from the back end and doesn't miss many tackles. He closes so fast in coverage, allowing him to break up some passes, and he has spent some time lined up over the slot. Plus, he has outstanding hands to finish plays. We saw that in action in Week 1 against Clemson, when Starks made an incredible leaping interception in the fourth quarter.

 

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7. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M*​

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 285 | Prev. rank: 7

2024 stats through nine games: 29 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 25 pressures, 8 run stops, 1 forced fumble

Scourton joined the Aggies after two seasons at Purdue, and SEC run games are feeling his presence in a big way. He uses his frame and strength to stop ball carriers in their tracks. Scourton is a power rusher off the edge, but he also shows impressive closing speed to the QB and is always hustling. His two sacks, four tackles for loss and big forced fumble in the Aggies' win over Arkansas show how he can take over. And his 12.5 tackles for loss rank seventh in the nation.

 

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6. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*​

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 320 | Prev. rank: 6

2024 stats through eight games: 8 starts, 1 sack allowed

Banks has 35 career starts under his belt, with every single snap coming at left tackle. And amazingly, he has given 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.