Scouting is basically a guessing game played by people in expensive suits. You’ve seen the mock drafts. You’ve heard the "generational talent" buzzwords. But honestly, the projected draft picks 2025 cycle is looking weirder than usual. We’ve got a Heisman winner who plays two ways, a Duke freshman who might be the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis, and a quarterback class that has scouts arguing in circles.
Forget the tidy rankings for a second. Let's talk about what’s actually happening on the ground.
The Travis Hunter Dilemma
Travis Hunter is a unicorn. It’s a cliché, but there isn't another way to describe a kid who played over 1,000 snaps for Colorado. He won the Biletnikoff and the Bednarik. That’s best receiver and best defender. In the same year.
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NFL GMs are losing sleep over him. Why? Because they don't know where to put him. Some teams, like the Browns, reportedly see him as a WR1 who can win on deep routes. Others, like the Titans, view him as a shutdown corner who can "inject" into the offense for 15 snaps a game. If he goes in the top three, does he have to play both? If you pay him like a top-five pick, you kind of want two players for the price of one. But humans break. Hunter is 185 pounds. That's thin for the NFL. One bad hit over the middle as a receiver could ruin your star cornerback.
The Quarterback "Reach" Factor
This isn't the 2024 class. There’s no Caleb Williams here. Instead, we have Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
Ward is a human highlight reel. He threw for over 3,700 yards and 30+ touchdowns at Miami, but his "hero ball" tendencies drive coaches nuts. He’ll make a no-look throw across his body that works, then fumble a snap the next play. He’s projected as a potential 1.01 pick for the Titans or Giants because, well, those teams are desperate.
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Then there’s Shedeur. He’s arguably the most "pro-ready" in terms of reading a defense. He took 52 sacks and still put up elite numbers. That shows toughness. But the "Deion factor" is real. Teams are weighing the talent against the potential media circus. Most scouts I’ve talked to think he’s a lock for the top ten, likely to a team like the Browns if they finally decide the Deshaun Watson era is over.
Cooper Flagg and the NBA's "Big Prize"
Switching gears to the hardwood, the 2025 NBA Draft is essentially the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes. He's 6'9" (in shoes), has a 7-foot wingspan, and plays like he's trying to start a fight with the rim.
What most people get wrong about Flagg is thinking he’s just a scorer. He’s not. He’s a defensive menace. At Duke, he led the team in blocks, steals, and rebounds. He’s been compared to Scottie Pippen or a more athletic Andrei Kirilenko. The hype is so high that DraftKings has him at -20000 to go number one. That means you’d have to bet $2,000 just to win ten bucks.
Behind him, it’s a bit of a scramble:
- Dylan Harper (Rutgers): A big, savvy guard who plays at his own pace. Think Cade Cunningham vibes.
- VJ Edgecombe (Baylor): Probably the best athlete in the class. His vertical is insane, but the jumper is still a work in progress.
- Ace Bailey (Rutgers): Pure scoring potential. He’s the guy who could lead the league in scoring in five years if his shot selection improves.
The Boise State Engine: Ashton Jeanty
Let's talk about the guy who broke the internet this season. Ashton Jeanty. Running backs usually don't go in the top ten anymore. It’s "bad value." But Jeanty is the exception that proves the rule.
He put up nearly 2,000 yards and looked like a Madden character playing on "Rookie" mode. The Raiders, picking at No. 6 in many mocks, are a popular landing spot. Why? Because Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly love a workhorse. If Jeanty goes top ten, it officially signals that the "running backs don't matter" era might be softening for elite, three-down backs.
Baseball’s Quiet Revolution
The MLB draft doesn't get the same TV ratings, but the 2025 class is loaded with high-school shortstops. Ethan Holliday (yes, Matt Holliday’s son) is the name to watch. He’s 6'4", left-handed, and has "future All-Star" written all over him.
But look out for the arms. Seth Hernandez is a high schooler out of California hitting triple digits on the radar gun. Taking a prep pitcher 1-1 is a massive risk, but when a kid throws 100 mph with a plus changeup at 18, teams get brave.
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What This Means for Your Team
If your team needs a quarterback, prepare to be nervous. This class is volatile. You might get a superstar, or you might get a guy who’s out of the league in four years. If you need a "safe" pick, look at the interior defensive linemen like Mason Graham from Michigan. He’s a plug-and-play starter who will be in the Pro Bowl by 2027.
Scouting is about projection, not just production. That’s why a guy like Mykel Williams from Georgia stays high on boards despite average stats—NFL teams bet on the 6'5" frame and the 4.5 speed.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch the Combine: Keep an eye on Travis Hunter’s weight and hand size; if he’s under 180 lbs, his draft stock might actually slide.
- Monitor the NBA Lottery: The "Capture for Cooper" race is real. Teams like the Wizards or Nets are positioned to pivot their entire franchise around Flagg.
- Check the Medicals: Quinn Ewers and Will Johnson both have injury histories that will be the primary focus of team doctors in Indianapolis. Any "red flag" there drops them out of the first round entirely.