2025 NFL Draft: 10 prospects who could rise during pre-draft process 

After a 2023 season in which Ohio State failed to live up to the lofty expectations many have for that program, Kyle McCord left the Buckeyes for Syracuse and showed the football world that he could play like a franchise quarterback. The former five-star recruit rewrote the record books for the ACC and the Orange, exhibiting outstanding touch and anticipation as a big-play hunter in a vertical offense. McCord’s aggressiveness as a passer might intrigue offensive coordinators seeking a pocket playmaker with developmental potential. While the 6-foot-2, 224-pounder must display more consistency with his footwork and fundamentals, he has created some buzz on the all-star circuit, putting together a stellar week of practice at the East-West Shrine Bowl. If he impresses at the NFL Scouting Combine and in private workouts, the Syracuse standout could sneak into the top 100 as a prized sleeper. 

The spectacular Sun Devil is almost like an urban legend, gaining legions of followers in the football world after running roughshod through the Big 12 in 2024. As a rugged runner with outstanding strength, power, balance and body control, Cam Skattebo is ideally suited to operate as a featured runner in a downhill system. Though he can add a dimension as a soft-handed pass catcher with underrated playmaking ability in space, the Arizona State standout is a throwback type built for the NFL’s running back renaissance. With a strong performance at the combine, he might convince a few play-callers he can fill a role as a primary back as a pro.

Lost in the NFL’s obsession with prototypical WR1s has been the importance of catch-and-run playmakers. Luther Burden III is a dynamic pass-catcher with an electric game who can flourish out wide and in the slot. As an option-route specialist with exceptional short-area quickness and wiggle, the Missouri standout is an old-school wingback ideally suited for a multi-faceted scheme built to showcase explosive playmakers. With a chance to dazzle evaluators on the big stage in Indianapolis, Burden could create buzz in league circles with an impressive performance in workouts and interviews.

The pass-catching wizard has created interest in scouting circles after posting ridiculous numbers as the primary playmaker for the Falcons. Harold Fannin Jr. posted a 100-catch season (117 catches, 1,555 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns), exhibiting outstanding ball skills and route-running ability while working between the hashes. The 6-4, 238-pounder is an ideal H-back/FLEX tight end prospect for a team featuring multi-tight end sets, with a designated pass-catcher positioned in the slot. Fannin’s superb tracking skills, soft hands and running back background could make him a dangerous weapon at the next level. If he impresses as a pass-catcher in workouts, the electric Bowling Green star could inspire a creative play-caller to expand the playbook. 

Versatility is coveted at a premium in the NFL, and swing players with starting potential at multiple spots get pushed up the board. Jonah Savaiinaea is an experienced player with inside and outside capabilities. Though the 6-3, 339-pounder is built like a prototypical inside blocker, he has logged significant snaps at offensive tackle, making him a valuable commodity on game day. If Savaiinaea can flash enough athleticism to hold up as a fill-in right tackle, the top-50 prospect could further increase his value in the pre-draft process. 

If executives, scouts, and coaches believe college sack production translates into stellar pro performance, Mike Green could come off the board earlier than expected on draft day. The 6-4, 251-pounder is a pass-rushing freak with exceptional first-step quickness and snap-count anticipation. In addition, Green is a hand-to-hand combat specialist with "bend and burst" capabilities as a speed rusher. His significant spike in production (he racked up 17 sacks in 2024 after recording just 4.5 sacks in 2023, his first season after transferring from Virginia) might prompt some to label him as a "one-year wonder," but the Marshall product could squash any such concerns with a stellar workout that showcases superior athleticism and technical skills. If Green crushes the positional workout and clearly explains his pass-rush plan and maneuvers in meetings with coaches and executives, he could jump over some notable names as one of the top pass-rushers in the class. 

The biggest "boom or bust" prospect in the 2025 draft class could creep into Round 1 with a strong showing in Indianapolis. Shemar Stewart heads into the pre-draft process as one of the more intriguing players on the board, possessing prototypical size and tools for a trench warrior with disruptive potential. The Texas A&M product flashed "take over the game" capabilities at the Senior Bowl, but the glimpses of promise are not matched by his regular-season production (65 tackles, 11 for loss, with 4.5 sacks over three seasons). Conducting scripted workouts in a T-shirt and shorts is obviously nothing like playing a game in pads, but the athleticism and technical skills displayed still could help a team determine if Stewart might emerge as a star at the next level. 

Carson Schwesinger has earned every advancement throughout his tenure at UCLA. The former walk-on transitioned from a special teams standout to an ultra-productive starter with splash-play potential as a sideline-to-sideline force. Measuring 6-2 and 225 pounds with superb instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills, the energetic defender is an underrated playmaker with starting potential at the next level. Whether working inside as the Mike (middle linebacker) or the Will (weak-side linebacker) or making his initial contributions as a special teams demon, the UCLA product is an intriguing prospect who could earn high marks from evaluators after impressing in meetings and workouts. 

The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award -- given to the best defensive back in the country -- is a dynamic inside-outside cornerback with big-play potential on the island. Jahdae Barron's instincts, awareness and ball skills should make him a hot commodity in defensive meeting rooms, particularly for teams looking to add a playmaker to the defensive backfield. While Barron must show evaluators he possesses the footwork and movement skills to flourish as a CB1 or blue-chip nickel defender, the Texas product could impress as a high-IQ defender in meetings. Superb instincts and diagnostic skills can help a defender play faster between the lines; thus, Barron's interview process could make him a red-star prospect for teams valuing on-field performance and production (he posted five picks in 2024, tied for fourth in the FBS) over workouts. 

The NFL's transformation into a passing league means it is imperative for defenses to have a high-IQ defender in the middle of the field. Xavier Watts is an instinctive centerfielder with the anticipation and range to eliminate deep balls between the numbers. The 6-foot, 203-pounder roams the middle like a vulture, plucking errant throws and punishing would-be pass-catchers venturing between the hashes. Although he needs to clean up his pursuit angles and tackling technique, Watts' superb movement skills and natural playmaking ability could make him a fast riser when evaluators look more closely at his game. Given some one-on-one time to impress coaches and scouts with his intelligence and awareness, the Notre Dame product could climb the charts throughout the pre-draft process.