2025 NFL DRAFT: Position Breakdown: THE PLAYMAKERS

 

This year’s class 

Travis Hunter-WR/CB/ATH-Colorado
6’0”/188
NFL Comp: Stefon Diggs/Andre Rison/Troy Brown 
2024 Stats
96 receptions
1258 total yards
15 Touchdowns 
Hunter is the most unique prospect in NFL draft history. The Heisman winner has the most electrifying play maker in college football last season. He started at both receiver and corner. He put up great numbers as he showed how special he is with the ball in his hands. 

The NFL is a passing league where offense is now king. Hunter playing more offensive will also add to his marketability as a player and his ability to fill the stadium and the stat sheet. 
There is no doubt that Hunter can start at corner but his best value to any team will be as a wide receiver. He may be small, but he is just so special when the ball is in his hands. Barring injury he also has very little bust potential as he should be a great receiver in the league for a long time. 

Ashton Jeanty-RB-Boise St
5'9''/211
NFL Comp: Marshawn Lynch "Beast Mode"/Maurice Jones-Drew
2024 Stats
2601 Rushing Yards
30 TDs
23 receptions
138 Receiving yards
Jeanty would of won the Heisman Trophy in most college seasons. His numbers were out of this world. He is an offensive weapon that an entire offense can be built around. In the right system he could be the best running back in the NFL.

He possesses literally every trait one looks for in a running back. He has speed, power, vision, toughness and is elusive with the ball in his hands. He does need to improve more in the pass game to reach his full potential. He's been compared to many experts to Hall of Fame backs like Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson. I went for two more practical comparisons in Beast Mode and MJD, both of whom were All Pro players. 

Tetairoa McMillan-WR-Arizona
6’5”/219
NFL Comp: Marques Colston/Herman Moore
2024 Stats
84 receptions
1319 total yards
8 TD
McMillan has a rare combination of size, speed and body control. Due to his frame, he is a one on one matchup nightmare. He is a smooth route runner and very quick for a taller receiver. He is great at contested catches and high points the ball perfectly. A 50-50 ball is more like a 90-10 ball with him. This is a player with All Pro potential as true number one threat. 

Tyler Warren-TE-Penn St
6'5"/256
NFL Comparison: Mark Andrews/Zach Ertz
2024 Stats:
104 receptions
1233 total yards
8 TD
Warren put up insane numbers last season. He has the perfect combination of size, hands, speed and route running. He is a physical player and a solid blocker. He is solid at getting yards after the catch. He is the type of do it all tight end with 80 catch potential 

Colston Loveland-TE-Michigan
6'6"/248
NFL Comparison: Greg Olsen/Mike Gesicki
2024 Stats:
56 receptions
582 total yards
1 TD
Loveland did not have the production of Warren but the gap separating the prospects is small. Loveland is long and rangy and has movement skills like a receiver. He is a better vertical threat than Warren. The knock on him is that he is too small to lineup inline next to the tackle. 

Matthew Golden-WR-Texas
5'11''/191/4.29
NFL Comp: Mike Wallace/Jaylen Waddle 
2024 Stats
58 receptions
987 total yards
9 TD
No other receiver has helped their stock more than Golden in the draft process. He is a burner that has great change of direction skills similar to Waddle. He was a borderline first round pack that has risen to a likely top 15 pick. 

Luther Burden III-WR-Missouri  
6’0”/206/4.41
NFL Comp: Amon-Ra St. Brown/Hines Ward
2024 Stats
86 receptions
1212 total yards
7 TD
Burden is a volume receiver that is amazing with the ball in his hands. His best trait is his versatility to play X, Y or slot. In the right offense with the right offensive coordinator he can be a 100 catch guy. 

Emeka Egbuka-WR-Ohio St
6’1”/202/4.45
NFL Comp: Reggie Wayne/Roddy White 
2024 Stats
81 receptions
1011 total yards
10 TD
Egbuka would have been a first round pick had he left after last season. He is a great all-around prospect that can is likely that safest pick at receiver. He had no problem being the the number two option at Ohio St with Marvin Harrison Jr and then Jeremiah Smith. But he has the skill set to be a go to guy in the NFL. 

Omarion Hampton-RB-UNC 
6'0''/221/4.46
NFL Comp: Corey Dillon/Matt Forte 
2024 Stats
1600 Rushing Yards
17 TDs
38 receptions
373 Receiving yards
Hampton is an elite combination of power, speed and vision. He is a day one starter that has the size and receiving ability to be a three down back. He reminds me of two of my favorite backs in history in Dillon and Forte. Both had similar builds and playing style. 

TreVeyon Henderson-RB-Ohio St
5'10''/202/4.43
NFL Comp: James Cook/Willie Parker 
2024 Stats
1016 Rushing Yards
11 TDs
27 receptions
284 Receiving yards
Henderson rushed for over 1000 yards despite splitting carries with fellow second round prospect Quinshon Judkins. He is an elite athlete with long speed. He is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. He has All Pro potential like Cook and Barber and also has shown to be a more than capable receiver out of the backfield.  

Jayden Higgins-WR-Iowa St
6’4”/214/4.44
NFL Comp: Kenny Golladay/Marquez Valdes-Scantling
2024 Stats
84 receptions
1183 total yards
9 TD
Higgins is a tall and fast and can make plays all over the field. He is a good possession receiver but can be more than that in the right offense.  His 4.44 vaulted him into late first round discussion as he showed the speed to be an X outside receiver. 

Kaleb Johnson-RB-Iowa  
6'1'/224/4.57
NFL Comp: Najee Harris/Le'Veon Bell
2024 Stats
1537 Rushing Yards
23 TD
22 receptions
188 Receiving yards
Johnson had a breakout junior year as the focal point of Iowa's offense. He is a tall, physical back with good vision and solid speed. He can turn into an all around back if he improves his hands and pass protection. 

Mason Taylor-TE-LSU   
6'5"/251
NFL Comparison: Julius Thomas/Jared Cook 
2024 Stats:
55 receptions
546 total yards
2 TD
Taylor is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame great Jason Taylor. He has the same long and powerful frame as his father. He is a much better receiver than a blocker right now. He has great hands and speed 

Jack Bech-WR-TCU
6’1”/214
NFL Comp: Jordy Nelson/Cooper Kupp
2024 Stats
62 receptions
1034 total yards
9 TD
Bech was the MVP of the Senior Bowl. He is a very safe prospect that can do a bit of everything as a receiver. At worst he is a very capable number two option, at best he can be an All Pro like Nelson and Kupp. 

Quinshon Judkins-RB-Ohio St
6'0''/221/4.48
NFL Comp: Josh Jacobs/Joe Mixon 
3 year Average 
1262 Rushing Yards
16.7 TD
19.7 receptions
147.3 Receiving yards
Judkins was a very productive back for two seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio St last season. He is an elite athlete with good size. He could be even better at the next level if a team features him as their go to back. 

Elijah Arroyo-TE-Miami
6'5"/250
NFL Comparison: Tyler Higbee/Chris Cooley
2024 Stats:
35 receptions
590 total yards
2 TD
Arroyo would be on the first round radar if not for a knew injury suffered in 2023. When healthy he was very productive at Miami. He is a versatile player that can lineup in the backfield as an H back. He is more quick than fast and knows how to use his quickness to separate from linebackers. 

Elic Ayomanor-WR-Stanford
6’2”/206/4.44
NFL Comp: Michael Thomas/Javon Walker
2 Year Average
62.5 receptions
922 total yards
6 TD
Ayomanor is as steady as they come in this class. He is only 206 but plays much stronger and more physical. He is a possession receiver with enough speed to be respected as a deep threat. He should be an instant impact player given his toughness and football IQ. 

Tre Harris-WR-Ole Miss
6’2”/205/4.54
NFL Comp: Eric Moulds/Jake Reed
2024 Stats
60 receptions
1030 total yards
7 TD
Harris is not a burner but he is a proven big play receiver in the SEC. In a wide open offense he can have success with one on one matchups. 

Dylan Sampson-RB-Tennessee 
5'9''/200
NFL Comp: Ray Rice/Aaron Jones
2024 Stats
1491 Rushing Yards
22 TD
20 receptions
143 Receiving yards
Sampson will bring speed, power and toughness to the team that drafts him. He is a big play threat with a knack for the endzone. In a deep running back class Sampson seems to be the forgotten man but it would not be a surprise if he ends up better than any back other than Ashton Jeanty. 

Cam Skattebo-RB-Arizona St 
5'10''/219
NFL Comp: Peyton Hillis/Larry Centers
2024 Stats
1711 Rushing Yards
24 TD
45 receptions
605 Receiving yards
Skattebo was a little known recruit who only had one Division 1 offer from Sacramento St. He played there for two season before going to Arizona St. Last season he made history for the Sun Devils leading them to the College Football Playoff. His best trait is his versatility as a pass catcher and runner. He could be used at full back and half back similar to Hillis on the Browns and Centers back in the day on the Cardinals. 

Jalen Royals-WR-Utah St
6’0”/205/4.42
NFL Comp: DJ Moore/Chris Godwin
2024 Stats
71 receptions
1080 total yards
15 TD
Royals was a big play machine in college. He is strong and powerful with the ball in his hands. He should be a very good number 2/3 option like Moore and Godwin.  

Jaylin Noel-WR-Iowa St
5'10''/194/4.39
NFL Comp: Will Fuller/Laveranues Coles
2024 Stats
80 receptions
1194 total yards
8 TD
Noel is a fast deep threat. His lack of size may limit him to the slot but he can be a very productive player in the right offense. 

Savion Williams-WR-TCU   
6’4”/222/4.48
NFL Comp: Allen Lazard/Riley Cooper. 
2024 Stats
60 receptions
611 total yards
6 TD
Williams has a good combination of size, speed and toughness. He was used more as a possession receiver at TCU. He shared targets with Jack Bech at TCU and thus his numbers were not as high as the other third round prospects

Terrance Ferguson-TE-Oregon
6'5"/247/4.63
NFL Comparison: Jermichael Finley/Dalton Kincaid 
2024 Stats:
43 receptions
591 total yards
3 TD
Ferguson is another tight end that is a great pass catcher but not physical enough in the blocking game. He could become a solid starter if used to his strengths as a pass catcher. 

Isaiah Bond-WR-Texas
5'11''/180/4.39
NFL Comp: John Brown/Travis Benjamin 
2 year average
41 receptions
604 total yards
4.5 TD
Bond will be drafted based on potential and traits not his college production. His upside is as a Brown/Benjamin deep threat but he will need to find the right fit as a number three target to have the careers of those guys. 

Xavier Restrepo-WR-Miami  
5'10''/209
NFL Comp: Golden Tate/Jarvis Landry
2024 Stats
69 receptions
1127 total yards
11 TD
Restrepo was the go to receiver for likely first overall pick Cam Ward last season at Miami. He is seen as a slot only which is why his value is likely in the third round. 

Harold Fannin -TE-Bowling Green
6'3"/241/4.71
NFL Comparison: Owen Daniels/Daniel Graham 
2024 Stats:
117 receptions
1555 total yards
10 TD
Fannin put up video game like numbers last season. He may be the best in the class at getting yards after the catch. This is the classic small school sleeper that could end up being an absolute steal in the 3rd/4th round or a guy that struggles to find a niche in the league. 

Gunnar Helm-TE-Texas
6'5"/251
NFL Comparison: Hunter Henry/Todd Heap 
2024 Stats:
60 receptions
686 total yards
7 TD
Helm led the Longhorns in receptions last season. He is not an elite level athlete but he knows how to get open and has sure hands. He is a guy that could be drafted in the 4th round but end up contributing right away. 

RJ Harvey-RB-Tennessee 
5'8''/205
NFL Comp: Kevin Smith/D'andre Swift
2024 Stats
1577 Rushing Yards
25 TD
20 receptions
267 Receiving yards
Harvey's best trait is his ability to force missed tackles. He is small but knows how to use his low center of gravity to his advantage. He compares to former UCF back Kevin Smith with Swift's upside. 

 

Tez Johnson-WR-Oregon      
5'10''/154/4.51
NFL Comp: Ernest Givins/Wayne Chrebet
2 year average
84.5 receptions
1040 total yards
10 TD
Tez is a polarizing prospect because of his lack of deep speed. He is also the smallest player in the entire draft. However, his short area quickness may be second to none He was very productive at Oregon. There are simply no modern day NFL receivers that are that small and lack deep speed. I had to get real old school on the player comps for Tez.