2025 NFL Draft sleepers: Day 2 standouts and Day 3 hidden gems to target

• Age: 21 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: No. 35
• Production Score: 78
• Athleticism Score: 79
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 85

Burden emerges as one of the top Day 2 prospects to watch, thanks to his elite YAC ability, position versatility and early career production. A three-year contributor at Missouri, Burden was used primarily out wide as a freshman (on 85% of his snaps, according to The Draft Network) before moving inside as a sophomore (82%) and again as a junior (85%). Across 38 games, he totaled 192 receptions for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, including a breakout sophomore campaign with 1,212 yards and nine scores.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Burden participated in the 40-yard dash and on-field receiver drills and made the most of his showcase, confirming his vertical speed by posting a 4.41-second time at 6-foot, 206 pounds. He also impressed as a route runner, flashing body control and more of that vertical speed -- according to combine tracking data from Next Gen Stats, Burden hit a top speed of 21.47 on a go route, third-fastest among all wide receivers in Indianapolis. His performance earned him a spot on NFL.com’s 2025 All-Combine Team.

Currently ranked as the No. 2 wide receiver prospect by the NGS Draft Model with an overall score of 85 (trailing only Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan), Burden is one of five wideouts to earn NGS scores of 75 or higher in both production and athleticism. While his final college season didn’t match his sophomore output, Burden projects as a dynamic weapon who can thrive in space and elevate an NFL offense.

• Age: 23 years old (turning 24 on April 26) 
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 62
• Production Score: 76
• Athleticism Score: 98
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 84

It was the final day of the combine that helped propel Ratledge to the No. 1 NGS draft score among this year's interior offensive linemen. The Georgia product posted a 4.97-second 40-yard dash, 32-inch vertical and a 9-foot-5 broad jump, numbers that contributed to an athleticism score of 98 -- which was the second-highest mark in 2025, regardless of position.  

Ratledge made 36 career starts (all at right guard) over the past three years with the Bulldogs, earning first-team All-SEC honors in back-to-back seasons. And Pro Football Focus charted just two sacks allowed over his entire Georgia career. For teams seeking a plug-and-play guard with a blend of size, athleticism, experience and proven pass-protection skills, Ratledge presents a compelling Day 2 option.

• Age: 20 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 56
• Production Score: 90
• Athleticism Score: 76
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 84

Though he is just 20 years old, Fannin enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the most productive tight ends in FBS history. In 2024, he led the FBS with 117 receptions and 1,555 receiving yards, both single-season records for a tight end. His breakout campaign helped him earn a blue-chip NGS production score of 90, making him one of just six tight ends over the past five draft classes to hit that mark.

In Indianapolis, Fannin measured 6-3 and 241 pounds, backing up his tape with a 4.71-second 40-yard dash and strong agility numbers for his position in the short shuttle (4.39 seconds) and three-cone drill (6.97). 

Fannin is currently ranked as the No. 3 tight end by Next Gen Stats with an overall draft score of 84. His unique blend of athleticism, production and upside makes him an appealing "big slot" weapon for teams targeting passing-game value on Day 2.

• Age: 21 years old
• DJ's Big Board Ranking: 55
• Production Score: 82
• Athleticism Score: 96
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 82

Just like his Georgia teammate Tate Ratledge above, Wilson used a standout showing in Indianapolis to solidify his draft stock. At 6-3 and 310 pounds, Wilson recorded the fastest 40-yard dash (4.84 seconds) and top speed (21.04 mph, per NGS combine tracking data) among participating offensive linemen. Only three other offensive linemen weighing over 300 pounds have run a sub-4.85 since 2003: Terron Armstead, Lane Johnson and Richie Incognito. Wilson's elite testing helped him earn a 96 athleticism score based on the NGS model, second among all offensive linemen, behind only Ratledge.

Wilson took over as Georgia's starting center in 2024 and made the most of his lone season in the role, finishing with the highest NGS production score (82) among interior offensive linemen in this class. A late riser with verified movement ability and intriguing tape at a relatively shallow position group, Wilson seems unlikely to make it out of the second round.

• Age: 22 years old
• DJ's Big Board Ranking: 40
• Production Score: 81
• Athleticism Score: 78
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 81

Schwesinger's draft profile is built on elite production, under-the-radar athleticism and his rapid rise from walk-on to one of college football's top tacklers. The UCLA linebacker broke out in 2024, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors while racking up 136 total tackles (90 solo), ranking among the leaders in the FBS in both categories. His standout season earned him the highest production score (81) and the second-highest overall draft score (81) among linebackers in this year's class, according to the NGS draft model.

He opted not to run the 40 in Indianapolis -- then turned heads at his private pro day, reportedly posting a 10-foot-7 broad jump, a 4.25-second short shuttle and a 7.05-second three-cone drill. Those agility numbers would have ranked him near the top of the linebacker group at the combine.

With just one season as a full-time starter under his belt, Schwesinger is still ascending. The tapes, the traits and the trajectory suggest he has all the tools to develop into a three-down off-ball linebacker at the next level.

• Age: 23 years old
• DJ's Big Board Ranking: 102
• Production Score: 93
• Athleticism Score: 73
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 88

While he might ultimately come off the board early on Day 3, Skattebo has the production profile of someone who is typically picked much earlier. The Sun Devils' do-it-all back earned the second-highest overall draft score (88) among running backs in the 2025 class, according to the NGS model, trailing only Ashton Jeanty, who is widely projected to be taken with a top-10 pick.

A two-year starter after transferring from Sacramento State, Skattebo served as the engine of Arizona State's offense in 2024, racking up over 2,300 scrimmage yards and 24 total touchdowns, both marks leading the Big 12. His production score of 93 ranked second among all running backs in the NGS model.

Though he skipped the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, Skattebo flashed explosive lower-body traits with a 39.5-inch vertical and consistently showed burst and contact balance on tape. His NGS athleticism score (73) reflects some concerns about long speed, but for teams valuing toughness, vision and proven production, Skattebo profiles as one of the top value targets if he is available on Day 3.

• Age: 21 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 121
• Production Score: 73
• Athleticism Score: 78
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 79

Ayomanor enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the more well-rounded Day 3 receiver prospects, offering a blend of size, athleticism and production that could translate to the next level. A two-year starter at Stanford, Ayomanor finished his career with 125 receptions, 1,844 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns -- though it was his breakout game against Colorado in 2023 that put him on the national radar. He set a single-game school record with 294 receiving yards and three touchdowns, much of it coming while matched up against projected top-five pick Travis Hunter. 

At 6-1 3/4 and 206 pounds, Ayomanor confirmed his athletic upside at the combine, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash with a 38 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump, all near-elite marks. Currently ranked inside the top 10 wide receivers, according to the NGS Draft Model with an overall score of 79, Ayomanor profiles as a developmental outside receiver with starting upside.

• Age: 23 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 120
• Production Score: 72
• Athleticism Score: 82
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 79

In a deep running back class, Tuten stands out as a Day 3 prospect with elite testing numbers and home run potential. After transferring from North Carolina A&T, Tuten became a two-year contributor at Virginia Tech, rushing for 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 en route to second-team All-ACC honors.

Tuten turned heads at the combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash (4.32 seconds) and 10-yard split (1.49) among running backs in Indianapolis. But his athletic profile goes beyond top-end speed; he also recorded a 40 1/2-inch vertical and 10-foot-10 broad jump, helping him earn an 82 athleticism score, fifth among RBs in this year’s class. While his production score (72) is more modest, Tuten’s speed profile offers real value as a change-of-pace weapon and special teams contributor.

• Age: 21 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: Not ranked
• Production Score: 72
• Athleticism Score: 84
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 75

Few FCS prospects did more to boost their draft stock this offseason than Sacramento State’s Slater. A 44-game starter, Slater’s consistency and toughness were on full display throughout his 2024 campaign, earning first-team FCS All-American honors and elevating him firmly into the Day 3 mix in this year’s draft.

After holding his own at the Senior Bowl, Slater followed up with a strong showing at the combine. Measuring 6-3 and 311 pounds, he ran a 5.01-second 40-yard dash and hit a top speed of 16.35 mph at the 10-yard split, the fastest among all offensive guards, according to Next Gen Stats tracking data. He also posted 31 bench press reps, tied for second-most among offensive linemen in Indianapolis.

Slater earned an 84 athleticism score in the NGS model, a mark that highlights both his mobility and raw power. Though he has experience at both guard and tackle, his 32-inch arms project him best in the interior. For teams looking to develop a physical, scheme-versatile lineman on Day 3, Slater brings long-term value as a potential swing interior option.

• Age: 23 years old
• DJ’s Big Board Ranking: 110 
• Production Score: 80
• Athleticism Score: 69
• OVERALL DRAFT SCORE: 75

Umanmielen has a realistic shot to come off the board late on Day 2, though size concerns could push him into early Day 3. Ranked No. 110 on Daniel Jeremiah’s big board, Umanmielen blends pass-rush production with intriguing athletic traits. In his lone season at Ole Miss after transferring from Florida, he racked up 10.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, earning first-team All-SEC honors and an NGS production score of 80, seventh-highest among edge rushers in this year’s class.

At 6-4 3/8 and 244 pounds, Umanmielen may lack the bulk to play as a full-time defensive end, but his testing speaks to his explosiveness -- highlighted by a 38-inch vertical and 10-foot-6 broad jump, both among the top marks at his position. While his 4.72-second 40-yard dash was closer to average, he showed improved agility at his pro day when shaving his three-cone time.

Umanmielen likely projects best as a stand-up, situational pass rusher with developmental upside. If he can improve his play strength and run defense, those passing-down snaps could evolve into a more complete role at the next level.