2025 NFL First-Draft’s Round Prospects

Evaluating football talent is a very subjective thing. It’s said that the average draft class has roughly 15 players who are deemed “first round talents.” There once was a time when LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell was considered a slam dunk first round talent. There once was a time when Michigan quarterback Tom Brady was not. It’s a very subjective thing. Of the players in the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has given first-round grades to only 13 players. It’s the lowest number of true first-round grades he’s ever awarded. It’s a very subjective thing. Here are Miller’s lucky 13.

2025 NFL Draft’s First-Round Prospects

1.  Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

2.  Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

3.  Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

4.  Mason Graham, DT, Michigan 

5.  Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

6.  Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

7.  Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

8.  Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

9.  Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

10. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

11. Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

12. Will Campbell, OL, LSU

13. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

That’s it. 13 first-round grades. It’s a very subjective thing. One thing about the NFL Draft that isn’t subjective is that 32 players will be selected in the first round. Another thing that isn’t subjective is that none of it matters. All that matters is the opportunity. First round to seventh round, or undrafted, it’s what these players do with the opportunity in front of them. Any of the above can be the next Leo Hayden. Any of the hundreds of players without a first-round grade can be the next John Randle.