If you’ve spent any time on NFL Twitter lately, you’ve seen the flame wars. Everyone thinks they’re a scout. But honestly, there is only one guy whose hair remains as legendary as his evaluation history, and that’s Mel Kiper Jr.
He just dropped his latest mel kiper 2025 big board rankings, and it’s basically sent the draft world into a tailspin. People are losing their minds over where the quarterbacks landed.
I’ve been digging through the tape and the actual numbers Kiper is citing, and honestly? Some of the takeaways you’re seeing on social media are just flat-out wrong. This isn't just about who goes first. It's about a massive shift in how the league views "dual-threat" versus "pure" prospects.
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The Travis Hunter Dilemma: Is He Actually a WR or a CB?
Kiper has been unwavering. Travis Hunter is his No. 1.
He’s had him there for months, but the nuance is in the position designation. While the rest of the world keeps arguing whether he’s the next Deion Sanders or the next Justin Jefferson, Kiper is effectively saying it doesn't matter. He’s ranking him as a "wide receiver/cornerback" hybrid, but lean-heavy on the receiving traits for the sake of the board.
Hunter's 2024 season was genuinely absurd. 92 catches. 1,152 yards. 14 touchdowns. And then he just... also had four interceptions.
If you look at the mel kiper 2025 big board rankings, it’s clear he values the "unicorn" factor over traditional positional stability. Most scouts are scared of a guy who plays 100 snaps a game. Mel? He’s leaning into it. He thinks Hunter has the hand-eye coordination that is literally uncoachable.
The Quarterback Rankings That Everyone is Fuming About
Here is where it gets spicy.
Most mock drafts you see have Cam Ward from Miami as the first pick in the draft. The Tennessee Titans are basically a lock to take him, right? Well, Kiper says not so fast. On his actual talent board—not the mock, the Big Board—he has Shedeur Sanders at No. 4 and Ward at No. 5.
It’s a subtle difference, but it matters.
Mel keeps pointing to Sanders’ toughness. Think about what that kid went through at Colorado. He was essentially running for his life behind an offensive line that was basically a collection of revolving doors. Despite that, he led the FBS with a 74.2% completion percentage.
- Shedeur Sanders: Elite accuracy, arguably the best "pro-style" footwork in the class.
- Cam Ward: The "off-schedule" king. He can make plays out of thin air, but he has that unorthodox delivery that scares some traditionalists.
Kiper is betting on the floor. He thinks Sanders’ mechanics are more "NFL-ready" today, even if Ward has the higher "wow" factor.
The Rise of the Trenches: Why Abdul Carter and Mason Graham Matter
If you aren't talking about the defensive line, you aren't watching the same sport as Mel.
Abdul Carter from Penn State is sitting at No. 2. He’s 6-foot-3, 252 pounds, and he’s being compared to Micah Parsons. That isn't just hype; the production is there. 23.5 tackles for loss in a single season.
Then you have Mason Graham at No. 3.
The Michigan DT is a literal mountain. He’s the guy who won the Outland Trophy. Kiper loves his "motor." It’s a scout-y word, but it basically means the dude doesn't stop until he’s sitting on the quarterback’s chest.
What's wild is seeing Ashton Jeanty at No. 4.
For years, we’ve been told "don't draft running backs high." Mel is basically throwing that rule in the trash. Jeanty’s contact balance is so good it looks like he’s playing a video game on easy mode. He forced more missed tackles than anyone in college football.
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The Sleepers and the Risers You Might Have Missed
The back half of the top 10 is where the real movers are.
Armand Membou out of Missouri soared. He’s at No. 8. A few months ago, he was a "good" prospect. Now? He’s Kiper’s top tackle on some versions of the list, passing Will Campbell from LSU.
Why? It’s the pop.
When you watch Membou’s tape, he isn't just blocking; he’s trying to remove people from the planet. Campbell is technically sound, but Membou has that "glass eater" mentality that NFL line coaches obsess over.
Then there’s the Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
He’s at No. 7. People forget he had 104 catches last year. That’s a school record. He’s not just a blocker; he’s a jumbo-sized wide receiver who can carry the ball on jet sweeps. Mel loves these versatile "chess pieces."
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Draft
The biggest misconception is that this is a "weak" draft.
It’s not. It’s just top-heavy in positions that aren't quarterbacks. If you need an edge rusher like Mykel Williams (Georgia) or a shutdown corner like Will Johnson (Michigan), you’re in heaven.
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Mel’s board reflects this. He has defensive players and linemen all over the top 15. He’s signaling that while the QB class is "fine," the real superstars are the guys who are going to be chasing those QBs.
Actionable Insights for Your Mock Drafts
If you’re trying to predict how the actual draft will go based on these rankings, keep these three things in mind.
First, watch the medicals on Connor Lew. He’s the best center in the class, but that ACL tear late in the season is a major red flag that Mel is still weighing.
Second, don't sleep on Tetairoa McMillan. He’s a big-bodied mismatch. If a team like the Broncos or Steelers needs a WR1, he’s the guy who might actually go higher than the board suggests because of his 6-foot-5 frame.
Third, look at the offensive line depth. Guys like Kelvin Banks Jr. and Josh Simmons are sitting in the 13-15 range. This tells us that if your team needs a tackle, they don't have to sell the farm to move into the top five.
The draft is a moving target. Mel Kiper Jr. is just the guy holding the rangefinder.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and Combine numbers for the "pop" guys like Membou. If they test well, the top 10 is going to look very different by April.
For now, the mel kiper 2025 big board rankings tell us one thing: the era of the "hybrid" athlete is officially here, and Travis Hunter is the king of it.
You should start looking at mid-round values for interior defensive linemen. Mel’s board is heavy on the stars, but the depth in the 20s and 30s—guys like Derrick Harmon from Oregon—suggests this is a great year to have multiple second-round picks. Check your team's draft capital and see if they can move back to grab more of these "trench" players.