Who are the best NFL draft prospects for next year? Let's debate the top player at 11 positions (2024)

Who are the best players in the 2025 NFL draft class? The debates will continue for months, and a lot will change before names are called next April, but a handful of prospects are getting early buzz as the top guys at their respective positions. So after reviewing the tape and talking to scouts, I wanted to pick out the early No. 1 player at every spot. Call these my early favorites as I dig into tape from last season, with the expectation that things likely will change based on how the 2024 season plays out.

Does Carson Beck have the pole position at quarterback, or does the edge go to Quinn Ewers or Shedeur Sanders? Which lockdown corner gets the top spot, Will Johnson or Benjamin Morrison? And how do we approach Travis Hunter, who could theoretically qualify for two categories here? I looked at every position's head-to-head battle for the top spot and picked the current leader as we gear up for the college football season. (Names are listed alphabetically at each position.)

Jump to position:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | IOL
EDGE | DT | LB | CB | S

Quarterback

Carson Beck (Georgia) vs. Quinn Ewers (Texas) vs. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

Unlike last year, there isn't a clear-cut QB1 entering this season. Sorry, Giants fans, there's no Caleb Williams waiting in the wings. But there is a solid group of pro-level quarterbacks who will battle for QB1 status -- and we'll see two of them go head-to-head when Georgia travels to Texas on Oct. 19.

Beck returns as most scouts' top-ranked passer in the upcoming draft after a brilliant campaign as a first-year starter in 2023, tossing 24 touchdown passes to six interceptions and showing the full-field arm strength and vision necessary to be an exciting prospect. A jump is expected -- even though receiver Ladd McConkey and tight end Brock Bowers have moved on to the NFL -- and there's noticeable buzz among scouts about Beck's aptitude and ability as a pocket passer.

Ewers and Sanders will challenge Beck. A former five-star recruit, Ewers skipped his senior season of high school, spent one year at Ohio State and eventually transferred to Texas, where he's entering his third year as a starter. Scouts rave about his tools and accuracy, especially since he's only 21 years old. Ewers threw 22 touchdown passes to six interceptions last season.

"Ewers has the best chance to break away from the pack because of the offense he's in and how well he's played," said an AFC college scouting director. "But he has to cut down on the bonehead plays he makes a few times a game."

Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado coach Deion Sanders, impressed during his first season of major college football, showing great accuracy and toughness. Shedeur was must-see TV in 2023, tossing 27 touchdown passes to three picks. But he was also sacked 52 times -- the most in the nation -- behind a porous offensive line.

One NFC West scout said: "Sanders really wowed me with his play, especially the accuracy, but can he stay healthy behind that line?"

My early pick for the top QB: Beck

Running back

Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) vs. Jaydn Ott (California)

The 2025 running back class is one of the deeper groups in memory. The top of the list, for now, is led by Ott and Judkins, but there are challengers such as Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), Damien Martinez (Miami) and Donovan Edwards (Michigan) who will factor into the mix come April.

Judkins transferred to Ohio State from Ole Miss, where he rushed for 1,567 yards in 2022 and 1,158 last season with a combined 31 rushing touchdowns. At 6 feet and 219 pounds, Judkins has the power and balance to be a dangerous inside or outside zone playmaker.

"Judkins is a bulldozer. He's a true one-cut downhill back that'll run right by you or right through your chest," an NFC East area scout said.

Ott is no slouch himself when it comes to power. At 6 feet and 210 pounds, he packs a punch, but it's his open-field speed and electric agility that gets scouts excited.

"Watch him run back that 99-yard kickoff against UCLA. He's patient, has great vision and this long stride that has him gliding past people. He's the real deal," an AFC South scout said.

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Jaydn Ott scores electric 99-yard kickoff return TD for California

Jaydn Ott scores electric 99-yard kickoff return TD for California

Judkins is talented, and sharing carries with TreVeyon Henderson might be best for him long term, but this is Ott's opportunity to prove that he's the class's RB1 after his 1,305-yard breakout campaign last season. With Cal now in the ACC, he'll have plenty of chances to pop against the likes of Florida State, Miami and NC State, along with a nonconference game at Auburn. If he can match or better his 2023 production against tougher competition, Ott will take home RB1 honors.

My early pick for the top RB: Ott

Wide receiver

Luther Burden III (Missouri) vs. Travis Hunter (Colorado) vs. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona)

Much like the quarterback class, the 2025 wide receiver group is extremely talented but lacks a Marvin Harrison Jr.-esque prospect atop the class. Instead, there's a three-way race for the No. 1 spot.

At 6-5 and 210 pounds, McMillan is a master of the 50-50 ball and an expert at tracking deep throws. My early player comparison for him is former USC star and current Falcons receiver Drake London. Like London, McMillan could find himself selected in the top 10. He's coming off a masterful 90-catch, 10-touchdown season in which he posted 1,402 yards (107.8 per game, good for fifth in the nation).

McMillan doesn't hold my preseason WR1 spot, though. That belongs to Burden, who was No. 13 in the nation last season with 93.2 yards per game and posted 14.1 yards per reception. A fiery receiver with unreal burst, Burden has developed from an offensive playmaker into a star route runner and yards-after-catch performer. In fact, the 5-11 208-pounder is the early No. 1 overall player on my board. An AFC East scout who covers the SEC agrees.

"Burden is my top guy," the scout said. "He's so much fun -- the burst, the power, the vision ... he's got it all."

The wild card in the group is Hunter. A two-way player in 2023, Hunter logged 293 snaps on defense at cornerback and another 412 at wide receiver in nine games. Scouts are torn on where to rank him. Is he a cornerback? Wide receiver? Both? The NFL hasn't seen a true two-way prospect since Devin Hester came out of Miami in 2006. Hunter will likely have to dedicate himself to one position in the pros, and scouts see his upside with the ball in his hands.

"I think he's a more natural receiver," said an AFC general manager. "To excel at corner, he'd really have to dedicate himself to the technique and craft. At receiver, his athleticism shines."

My early pick for the top WR: Burden

Tight end

Colston Loveland (Michigan) vs. Mason Taylor (LSU)

If there's a sleeper position group in 2025, it's tight end.

Loveland is the top returning prospect for most scouts, with one NFL general manager telling me at Michigan's pro day workout that Loveland could be a top-15 pick. The 6-5, 245-pound junior had 45 receptions and four touchdowns last season, but his all-around game as a blocker and receiver stood out most. Michigan is expected to lean more on the pass under new coach Sherrone Moore, so Loveland should see his numbers soar.

Picking Loveland's competitor for TE1 was tough. Georgia's duo of Oscar Delp and Ben Yurosek and Penn State's Tyler Warren were considered, but Taylor came up most often in conversations with college coaches and NFL scouts.

A son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, the LSU junior has breakout potential at 6-6 and 244 pounds (with rumored 4.5 speed). Taylor had 36 catches and one touchdown last season, but one NFC West area scout has declared him the next great tight end prospect.

"I saw him as a freshman and knew he had first-round talent," the scout said. "He's a natural mover with great hands. And he'll knock your head off as a blocker."

Taylor has the family background to be a top prospect -- Hall of Famer Zach Thomas is his uncle, too -- and is proving to be just that.

My early pick for the top TE: Loveland

Offensive tackle

Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) vs. Will Campbell (LSU)

The battle for the top offensive tackle spot is very much up for grabs as the season nears, with Banks and Campbell going toe-to-toe.

Banks, a third-year starter, locked down the left tackle spot immediately upon arriving in Austin. During his 27 starts, he has allowed two sacks and allowed pressure on a mere 1.3% of passing plays. There will be questions about Banks' arm length, but the film doesn't show any issues for the 6-4 lineman.

"Banks' footwork and hand play are pro level. He's been really well-coached but still has a lot of athletic upside. That puts him at the top for me," said an AFC East scout.

Campbell is regarded by scouts as one of the top returning players in the nation. The senior left tackle is 6-6 and has the agility and toughness to anchor an offensive line. In that regard, he's very similar to Joe Alt, the 2024 class's top tackle. In fact, Campbell was an honorary wearer of the famed No. 7 jersey at LSU, which is awarded for excellence in leadership.

"Campbell is more athletic than Graham Barton and a leader like Alt was. Pretty hard to go against that," said an NFC North area scout.

There isn't a right or wrong answer here. And we'll get to see both left tackles playing against top pass-rushers early in the season. Texas is at Michigan in Week 2, and LSU opens conference play against South Carolina in Week 3.

My early pick for the top OT: Banks

Interior offensive line

Dylan Fairchild (Georgia) vs. Emery Jones Jr. (LSU)

The top returning guard in the nation, Fairchild was a first-year starter last season but ended the year with first-round grades from scouts. The junior left guard allowed only three pressures and no sacks and was called for only one penalty.

"Fairchild is just so smooth," said an AFC East area scout. "Everything is done at a really high level."

Pushing him for the top spot is Jones, a college right tackle most scouts think will kick inside to guard in the pros. Scouts I spoke to informally ranked Jones as the second-best returning senior offensive lineman behind teammate Will Campbell.

"Jones is powerful, explosive and long. I just don't know if laterally he'll hold up at tackle. Put him at guard and he's an All-Pro," said an NFL offensive line coach.

Jones allowed four sacks and 13 pressures and was penalized three times last season. He's a powerhouse in the mold of 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga.

My early pick for the top IOL: Fairchild

Edge rusher

Abdul Carter (Penn State) vs. James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)

Carter lined up at linebacker the past two seasons but will move to a primary edge rusher position this year. And the 6-3 260-pounder will thrive after posting 11 sacks in his first two years at Penn State. Carter has length, power and first-step quickness.

"Carter is an ideal [4-3] DE to me," said an AFC West college scouting director. "He has size few college ends have but doesn't sacrifice any quickness or flexibility. He's a top-10 player."

On the other hand, Pearce enters the season knowing his position and with scouts very familiar with his game. In the lead-up to the 2024 draft, multiple NFL evaluators told me Pearce would have been their top defensive player if he were eligible. Well, now he is, and the 6-5 rush end is a consensus top-five overall prospect coming off a 9.5-sack season in his first year as a starter.

Pearce and Carter will see stiff competition from a very good defensive end group -- players such as JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State), Kaimon Rucker (North Carolina), Mykel Williams (Georgia) and Landon Jackson (Arkansas) will be factors -- but the top two spots are firmly locked in right now.

My early pick for the top Edge: Pearce

Defensive tackle

Mason Graham (Michigan) vs. Deone Walker (Kentucky)

Pick your flavor at defensive tackle. There's a great prospect no matter what you're looking for at the position.

A junior, Graham was the standout of a talented front seven that powered the Wolverines to a national title last season. Lining up at 3-technique, Graham posted 5.5 sacks and had 30 pressures in a Michigan scheme that was often asking defensive linemen to hold their ground instead of attacking the backfield.

"Graham is my top tackle ... and might be the top defensive lineman," said an AFC college scouting director. "He's got it all, with some Fletcher Cox to his game from a power perspective."

Walker, on the other hand, is a Dexter Lawrence clone, wrecking offenses from the nose. At 6-5 and 343 pounds, he is an immovable force in the run game but also has enough quickness to rush the passer, racking up 7.5 sacks and 39 pressures. In a poll asking five NFL area scouts for the best returning senior in the nation, Walker was a unanimous top-five pick.

Scheme fit will probably determine the first defensive tackle picked, but Graham and Walker have put together tape that will make them top-15 selections.

My early pick for the top DT: Graham

Linebacker

Barrett Carter (Clemson) vs. Harold Perkins Jr. (LSU)

One year ago, Carter was featured in the 2024 class's edition of this article as one of the nation's top linebackers. He made the somewhat surprising decision to return to Clemson after receiving second-round grades from NFL scouts. Now the weakside LB will look to further improve his stock.

Carter has three-down skills with 4.5 speed that allows him to impact all situations. In the past two seasons, he has posted 9 sacks, 3 interceptions and 135 tackles. Carter is a classic 4-3 Will 'backer at 6-1 and 230 pounds with awesome instincts and agility.

Perkins is an interesting case. He broke out in his true freshman season in 2022 as a linebacker and blitzing edge player but battled injuries before returning last year to mostly play stack linebacker. LSU hired new defensive coordinator Blake Baker with an eye on unleashing Perkins again, but at 6 feet and 220 pounds, he lacks the size of a full-time edge rusher despite his best plays coming from that alignment.

NFL teams will have to weigh his impact against his lack of ideal size while Perkins looks to build on a strong 2023 season in which he had 15 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception.

My early pick for the top LB: Perkins

Cornerback

Will Johnson (Michigan) vs. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame)

Prepare yourselves for a full season of gushing about these cornerbacks. Johnson and Morrison are equally exciting, and either would have been my top-ranked CB had he been eligible for the 2024 class.

Johnson is good enough that Michigan allows him to wear Charles Woodson's famed No. 2 jersey while locking down his old cornerback spot. The 6-2, 202-pound junior had four interceptions in 2023 to go with three in his freshman season. He's a proven playmaker with excellent timing, toughness and instincts.

"Johnson is my top overall player, and it's not really close," said an NFC South scout. "What doesn't he do well? A cornerback won't go first overall, but he'll make a damn good argument for it."

Morrison is special in his own right. In our poll about the top returning seniors, Morrison was ranked in the top three by four of five NFL scouts. He's 6 feet and 196 pounds, boasts 4.4 speed, and has nine interceptions in two years.

"Morrison is just so well-coached and technically savvy," said an AFC East area scout. "I love watching him mirror receivers because he ends up running the route for them."

The 2025 cornerback class is special -- we might be adding Travis Hunter into this mix -- but Johnson and Morrison are in their own tier.

My early pick for the top CB: Johnson

Safety

Jahdae Barron (Texas) vs. Malaki Starks (Georgia)

If you like versatile safeties, you'll love these two.

Barron was the leader when we asked scouts about senior safeties. "He's able to play everywhere -- slot left, slot right, deep safety ... there's a ton of value in what he brings. He may be a slot guy for us, but that looks like a potential top-50 pick," said an NFC East area scout. Barron has three career picks, but it's that inside/outside versatility that teams love.

The Georgia defense is always loaded with NFL talent, and Starks might be the team's best prospect for next year. The 6-1 junior can play cornerback, slot corner or deep safety, thriving in each role. With five career interceptions, he has proven ball skills -- his interception of Oregon quarterback Bo Nix in the 2022 opener was one of the year's best -- and a savvy ability to locate the ball.

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Malaki Starks high-points a Bo Nix pass for remarkable INT

Malaki Starks impresses with an interception on a deep pass from Bo Nix.

Starks is exactly what NFL teams are craving in an era of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Kyle Hamilton patrolling the back end, which is why he gets my nod for the top spot.

My early pick for the top S: Starks