Days after the 2024 NFL Draft, I did a small preview of the 2025 NFL Draft, a prime 32 stuffed with upcoming potential draft picks in 2025.
Nicely, the time has come that we have a look again at this primary massive board and see what I received proper, and the place I fell brief.
What I received proper
Amongst my board of the highest 32 gamers when the primary massive board was launched after the 2024 draft, 20 had been additionally in Arif Hasan’s consensus massive board. A 62.5% proportion from begin to end feels fairly good, particularly after inspecting these gamers from starting to finish. A lot of the prime guys stayed on the prime of this class, and though there was some motion, the folks stayed the identical.
My prime offensive lineman on this class on the finish of the method is similar as my prime offensive lineman: LSU’s Will Campbell. Whereas Campbell doesn’t precisely have the nice arm size that you just search for in a prototypical sort out, however his core flexibility and talent to anchor may make him sort out (however an elite guard). Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan remained close to the highest of my board, though not on the seventh spot like I had final April. McMillan has been raked over the coals this cycle, from not working a 40-yard sprint on the NFL Mix to being questioned about whether or not or not he loves soccer, however on the sphere he’s a dynamic receiver who can create separation within the in-between recreation. Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter additionally caught round on the prime of my massive board, top-of-the-line gamers on this complete draft class. In his first yr as a full time EDGE, Carter confirmed off the pace and burst that might make him a dominant participant within the NFL, and why I used to be excessive on him coming into the season.
What I received flawed
Yeah, I used to be method too low on Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty coming into the season. I had Hunter thirteenth and Jeanty twenty first on my board after the 2024 draft, and each ended up in my prime three on the finish of the cycle. I used to be apprehensive about how lengthy Hunter’s physique would maintain up if he performed cornerback and receiver, however it seems that he received even higher at each positions, en path to the Heisman trophy award. Jeanty is available in at No. 3 on my board after a historic season, the place he proved that he may very well be a bell cow again after a 2023 the place he shared the backfield with George Holani. Jeanty is considered one of my favourite gamers to observe on tape this yr; a real three-down again who can change an offense.
I had Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr as my prime participant coming into 2025, however I hoped that his body would fill out and he may very well be a bit higher towards the run in 2025. Neither of these issues actually got here to fruition, and he ended up dropping all the best way to thirty seventh on my remaining massive board. He was in a rotation alongside Tennessee’s entrance, and they’d try to keep away from taking part in him to the power of the run design. I hope he goes to a great spot within the draft that’ll assist him grow to be what I believed he may very well be.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker was my second general participant, and he doesn’t even crack my prime 100 on the finish of this cycle. His 2024 was very tough, with a spinal damage that he tried to play by that hampered hjs play severely. Even with acknowledging the again damage, I fear a bit about 6’7 defensive tackles with skinny legs and a foul again. I believe Walker may nonetheless find yourself going earlier than Day 3, however fascinated by what may’ve been might be fascinating.
OK advantageous, let’s speak QBs
Carson Beck was my QB1, which…didn’t age very effectively. Though Georgia’s receiving core was not it in any respect, Beck’s 2024 was up and down, whereas gamers like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders improved greater than Beck did. Miami QB Cam Ward wasn’t on that first massive board, however I did say this about him:
“Miami switch QB Cam Ward may very well be in there, however he additionally has to drastically scale back the Jackass performs.”
I’m unsure if he removed all of the Jackass performs, however Ward improved his play throughout the pocket and is greater than possible going to be the primary general decide. Nevertheless, after Sanders, the category will get very murky, like I believed earlier on this course of.