2025 NFL Top 32 Big Board: Pre Bowl Edition!!

Hello everyone and welcome to another wonderful season of Big Board Projections by NFL Hopefuls!! This time, we will examine the 2025 NFL Draft Class; a class that is much more loaded than others believe. Now, is this the case for specific positions?! Eh.... not quite. However, other positions received a much needed upgrade after years upon years of neglect; some even returning with a vengeance. Regardless... that is an article that will be saved for later. For now, let us review the 32 best of the best players from the 2024 College Football Season shall we?! As always though, a disclaimer:


These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator.



Legend:


***: Denotes Generational Prodigy (Borderline Hall of Fame Level coming out. Top 3 at their position.. minimum. All Pro's follow in their wake with either OPOY or DPOY being in their future.)


**: Denotes Instant Impact Player (Top 10 at their Position.. minimum. Perennial All Pro, Multiple Pro Bowls.)


*: Denotes Instant Starter (Possible to definite Pro Bowl. Possibly some All Pro nods.)






1.) * Travis Hunter: Athlete from the University of Colorado



2.) ** Will Johnson: Cornerback from the University of Michigan



3.) ** Mason Graham: Defensive Lineman from the University of Michigan



4.) ** Ashton Jeanty: Running Back from Boise State University



5.) * Abdul Carter: EDGE from Pennsylvania State University



6.) * Kelvin Banks Jr.: Offensive Tackle from the University of Texas



7.) * Shedeur Sanders: Quarterback from the University of Colorado



8.) * Will Campbell: Offensive Tackle from Louisiana State University



9.) ** Malakai Starks: Defensive Back from the University of Georgia



10.) Mykel Williams: EDGE from the University of Georgia



11.) Tetairoa McMillan: Wide Receiver from the University of Arizona



12.) * James Pearce: EDGE from the University of Tennessee



13.) Benjamin Morrison: Cornerback from the University of Notre Dame



14.) *Luther Burden III: Wide Receiver from the University of Missouri



15.) *Emeka Egbuka: Wide Receiver from Ohio State University



16.) Cam Ward: Quarterback from the University of Miami



17.) Tyler Warren: Tight End from Pennsylvania State University



18.) *Tyler Booker: Offensive Guard from the University of Alabama



19.) Nick Emmanwori: Defensive Back from the University of South Carolina



20.) Josh Simmons: Offensive Tackle from Ohio State University



21.) Shemar Stewart: Defensive Lineman from Texas A&M



22.) Colston Loveland: Tight End from the University of Michigan



23.) Tyleik Williams: Interior Defensive Lineman from Ohio State University



24.) Shavon Revel Jr.: Cornerback from East Carolina University



25.) Xaiver Watts: Defensive Back from the University of Notre Dame



26.) Walter Nolen: Defensive Lineman from the University of Mississippi



27.) Isaiah Bond: Wide Receiver from the University of Texas



28.) Jonah Savaiinaea: Offensive Lineman from the University of Arizona



29.) Cameron Williams: Offensive Tackle from the University of Texas



30.) Omarion Hampton: Running Back from the University of North Carolina



31.) Landon Jackson: Defensive Lineman from the University of Arkansas



32.) Kenneth Grant: Interior Defensive Lineman from the University of Michigan




Now that we know of the Top 32 Players, it is time for some quick notes!



1.) Travis Hunter is a great player... but not the "once in a generation type" player so many believe him to be. Never mind his Injury History, he has never truly been the slamdunk best Corner nor the best overall Receiver for the entirety of the 2024 NCAA Football Season in totality. He has had his games for sure where he does look that way but not in succession. By comparison, Will Johnson and Tetairoa McMillian have both looked as good, if not better, than Hunter at their respective positions. All that said however, given the fact that Travis is literally a Top 5 Corner and a Top 10 Receiver rolled into one?!.... It is impossible to find such a talent in todays game. That said, he isn't the best of both. To classify as someone who is of "generational ability", one must be the slam dunk best of whatever position, or positions, they play. Quenton Nelson comes to mind.


2.) On the subject of T-Mac from Arizona, something tells me he isn't going to be the current number one WR for much longer as I continue my draft analysis. Difficult doesn't describe his abilities to beat Corners both off the line as well as going deep. He does posses the best contested catch ability in the draft and some of the best that I have seen since AJ Green. However, combat catching alone will not equate to NFL Success.


3.) Dear god is this class loaded to the brim with so many options at IDL. This isn't even accounting for names that missed the cut like T.J. Sanders, L.T. Overtron, and Derrick Harmon. In fact, this is the best class, on paper, of IDLs since 2019. Hell, by the time this is all over, it might even rival that legendary 2011 class. Again though, time will tell but quite the start for the IDLs. One hidden gem to look for?! Shemar Stewart. He is classified as an EDGE in other places but he shall no doubt be in considered as a 4i or 5 tech. His talent is tremendous but his potential is easily the greatest of any player in the class; regardless of position.



4.) As is tradition of the position, Will Campbell Jr vs. Kelvin Banks Jr will naturally come down to what an NFL Franchise wants in a Blindside Protector. Common sense dictates that Campbell should be the favorite... if only though for his arm length. That has to get sorted out for him. Until there is more data to collect on that end, I have Banks Jr. over Will but only by the thinnest of margins. The rest of the Offensive Tackle Class though isn't too bad either.



5.) For the first time since 2018, I can confidently say it is now officially a good thing to draft a Running Back in the First Round. As it stands currently, this draft is rocking two of them. Asthon Jeanty will be an absolute menace no matter where he goes and Omarion isn't to be trifled with either. Not quite the complete back Jeanty is but Omarion is arguably the biggest home run threat of any Running Back in the class.



6.) Shedeur and Cam. That is it. That is, more or less, the QB Draft Class. Say hello to the weakest one yet. Nowhere near as bad as 2022... but it is reminiscent of 2013. Depending on what happens within two weeks, even QBs like Allar, Ewers or Beck will make this class that much weaker. If a team is in need of drafting one.... 2025 isnt the time to do so. For that matter, do so at your own peril.


7.) Safeties are finally back. This time though?! This class brings a lot more versatility to the table in comparison to previous years. 2022's haul had "the one" in Kyle Hamilton but 2024s is much better from top to bottom. Malakai is the lead off for the class but don't be shocked to see Nick Emmanwori move his way up in the rankings. Not quite the instinctive Deep Center Fielder Starks is but Nick packs a lot boom while being a more favorable matchup chess piece arcoss the secondary.


8.) Unlike last season, we finally got an actual Hell Raiser of an EDGE Player. Abdul Carter is a "what would happen" case of taking an existing player on the roster and changing his position before waiting too late. His run defense could use some work but his overall blend of technique, athleticism, discipline, toolbox of pass rush moves and motor easily make him the best overall EDGE player in the class. Mykel Williams though has the greatest level of potential among EDGE players while James Pearce Jr. is tailored built to be in the 3-4 but needs a serious tune up in the weight room. Overall, this EDGE Class is a breath of fresh air and one the position has sorely needed since 2020.


9.) Tyler Booker and Jonah Savaiinaea both represent the return of prominence for IOLs in the NFL Draft. Granted, this position did see some form of life in 2022 but quickly fell off in 2023 and 2024 saw one of the positions greatest lowpoints. Expect that to change in 2025 for both Booker and Jonah are instant plug 'n' play bullies with the demeanor to match.




To sum up, quite a bit of a shock to such a draft stacked with big men. That said, that is the current paradigm of not just the NFL but also College. One major note though; college Lineman rarely receive any form of training or instruction due to both the amount of time they are in their programs; NIL complicating matters even more. It is fair to state that some of these Lineman will no doubt struggle once they enter the league. That said, that should come to a surprise to no one. However, these bigs have shown that they are a cut not just above their own peers but other positions as well. As such, they have shown to overcome these shortcomings to place themselves into a position that will payoff massive for them. Will it remains to be seen. For now though?! Big men dominate the 2025 NFL Draft Class as a whole.



That will do it for me everyone as we begin the 2025 NFL Draft Cycle! Thank for reading and I hope you enjoyed! If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to comment down below and I will respond as quickly as I can!



Once again, this is AskQuestionsLater saying farewell for now!! Have an awesome day!!!

 

I notice Abdul Carter on your list. Is there any way he falls to us in the first?

 

I severely doubt it. I had him in the Top 15 before this college season even began. Abdul was a bit inconsistent in the beginning but he really stepped it up during the final five weeks of the season.


His B1G Championship Game could have gone better but he still made an impact. He isnt the worlds best run stopping EDGE among all EDGEs in this class?! There isnt a better all around pure pass rusher than him.

 

I follow Penn State. Tyler Warren is going to be a great tight end

 

Agreed.


He is a mismatch weapon for just about any offense. Placing him in a West Coast Offense though?! Watch out!

 

AQL, no love for the big defensive lineman out of Kentucky? I thought he was a sure-fire first rounder?

 

Deone Walker you mean?! I have actually had him in the Top 32 since the ending of the 2023 NCAA Season. However, this is the 2024 NCAA Season and I expected a bigger leap from him after a stellar Sophomore Campaign. However, he regressed in more ways than one after a great start in 2024. His Junior Campaign left a lot to be desired.



He has now entered the NFL Draft. If there are records of him fighting medicals, then I will factor that in. That said, I will, as always, update this list. Given how the new CFB Playoff Bracket is playing out, I will not update it again until the end.

 

Beck will be injured heading into the 2025 NFL Draft Cycle assuming he declares.


Drew Allar and Quinn Ewers are heading back to school. Long story short?!


This is a very weak QB Class; spearheaded by two QBs who have one too many question marks as it stands.