Honestly, if you're looking for the next Caleb Williams or C.J. Stroud, you might want to look elsewhere. The 2025 NFL Draft big board isn't top-heavy with "generational" quarterback saviors, and that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating. It’s a blue-collar class. We are looking at a year where the "trench monsters" and a once-in-a-lifetime two-way freak are the ones driving the conversation.
You've probably heard the names. Travis Hunter. Shedeur Sanders. Cam Ward. But beneath the Heisman hype and the Prime Time spotlights, there is a weird, deep pool of talent that’s going to fundamentally change how some of these NFL rosters look next September.
The Travis Hunter Dilemma and the Top of the 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
Let’s talk about Travis Hunter first because you basically have to. He is the consensus No. 1 or No. 2 on almost every 2025 NFL Draft big board for a reason. But here is the thing: NFL scouts are genuinely torn on where he actually plays. Is he a corner who dabs in offense, or a WR1 who can lock down a side of the field?
He won the Heisman. He played over 1,000 snaps. That's insane. Most humans would have crumbled by Week 6. Hunter didn't. He has these "eraser" qualities at cornerback—the kind of ball skills that make quarterbacks just stop looking at his side of the field. Yet, as a receiver, his body control is just stupidly good. If he goes to a team like the Jaguars (who pick high), they have to decide if they’re drafting one player or two. The medicals will be the only thing that could possibly slide him, but talent-wise? He’s in a different stratosphere.
Then you have Abdul Carter out of Penn State. He’s the guy everyone is calling "Micah Parsons 2.0." It’s a lazy comparison, sure, but when you watch him bend around the edge at 250-plus pounds, you sort of get it. He transitioned from off-ball linebacker to a pure pass rusher, and while the technique was a bit raw early on, his 12 sacks in 2024 proved the ceiling is the roof.
Why the Quarterback Rankings are Kinda Messy
If your team needs a QB, I'm sorry. It's a gamble this year.
- Cam Ward (Miami): He’s got the "it" factor. The arm talent is undeniable—he can flick the ball 50 yards while falling backward. But he’s also the guy who will occasionally throw a pass into triple coverage that makes you want to pull your hair out. The Tennessee Titans took him No. 1 overall in most late-season projections because, in a weak class, you bet on the high-ceiling traits.
- Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): He is the most polished passer in this group. Period. His processing speed and accuracy are NFL-ready. People knock the "Celebrity QB" aspect, but the kid is tough. He took a beating behind a shaky line and never blinked. He won’t run for 100 yards, but he’ll pick a zone defense apart.
- Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss): He’s a gamer. He led the FBS in yards per attempt and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s probably a fringe first-rounder, but he has that "winner" vibe that coaches like Dan Campbell would absolutely love.
The real tragedy for some teams is the lack of a "safe" bet. There is no Trevor Lawrence here. There’s a lot of "if he fixes his footwork" or "if he learns to read the backside safety."
The Trench Monsters Nobody Talks About Enough
Everyone loves the skill positions, but the real value on the 2025 NFL Draft big board is in the dirt. Michigan’s Mason Graham is a violent human being. He’s a defensive tackle who plays like he’s trying to ruin the offensive guard’s entire life. He’s not the longest guy, but his leverage is perfect. If he’s available at pick 5 or 6, he’s a plug-and-play starter for a decade.
Over on the offensive side, Will Campbell from LSU is the "safe" pick of the draft. He’s a three-year starter at left tackle in the SEC. You don't do that unless you're a pro. Some people think he might have to move inside to guard because of his arm length, but honestly, he’s so technically sound he’ll probably stay at tackle and just be "very good" for 12 years.
And we can't ignore Ashton Jeanty. A running back in the first round? In this economy? Yes. When a guy puts up 2,600 yards and 29 touchdowns like he did at Boise State, you stop caring about "positional value." He runs like a bowling ball made of muscle. He’s basically Alvin Kamara if he was built like a tank.
A Quick Look at the Mid-First Round Value
- Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona): At 6'5", he’s a nightmare. He caught everything thrown within a five-mile radius of his body.
- Colston Loveland (Michigan): The best tight end in the class. He’s basically a big wide receiver. The Chicago Bears are rumored to be in love with him to give Caleb Williams a massive safety valve.
- Malaki Starks (Georgia): The only safety worth a top-20 pick. He can cover, he can hit, and he’s been doing it since his true freshman year in the toughest conference in football.
What This Means for Your Team
If your team is picking in the top 10, they are either getting a potential superstar (Hunter/Carter) or a foundational piece (Graham/Campbell). If they are reaching for a quarterback, prepare for some growing pains. This draft is about getting bigger and tougher, not necessarily flashier.
The scouts I've talked to (off the record, obviously) say this is a year where you want to trade back. If you can move from pick 8 to pick 15 and pick up an extra second-rounder, you do it. The talent gap between the 10th-best player and the 40th-best player on the 2025 NFL Draft big board is surprisingly thin.
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Next Steps for Draft Fans
You should start watching tape on the "second tier" offensive tackles like Missouri's Armand Membou or Texas's Kelvin Banks Jr. Most of the draft-day drama is going to happen when the elite defensive players are off the board and teams start panic-buying protection for their quarterbacks. Also, keep an eye on the medical reports for Travis Hunter—his snap count is legendary, but NFL GMs are famously paranoid about wear and tear.
Follow the Senior Bowl closely this year. Since the QB class is so wide open, a good week in Mobile for a guy like Kyle McCord or Tyler Shough could actually catapult them into the first-round conversation. The board is far from settled.