2025 Top Five Positional Rankings: Final Edition

Hello everyone and welcome back! Today begins the final edition of the 2025 Top Five Positional Rankings! It has been a long journey indeed; over three months in fact. Quite a bit of change from when we all First Started. If you are new to the series or would like to overview prior versions of the 2025 Top Five's, please click the links below!!


Senior Bowl

Pro Day


*** Combine is omitted for author was unavailable due to health issues ***



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.



Quarterbacks:



1.) Cam Ward

2.) Jaxson Dart

3.) Shedeur Sanders

4.) Will Howard

5.) Jalen Milroe



Much like what was said during the Pro Day Edition, I likely wasn't going to change this order. As we are now in the final stretch, I truly see no reason to. Cam Ward is the best one but compared to the class that came before him in 2024, he is the seventh best overall if comparing the previous two.



Best Arm Talent: Cam Ward

Best Accuracy: Shedeur Sanders

Best Pocket Poise: Will Howard

Best Pocket Presence: Will Howard

Best Improv. Skills: Cam Ward

Best Runner: Jalen Milroe

Biggest Boom/Bust: Jalen Milroe (very scheme specific despite near immeasurable athletic tools)

Most Pro Ready: Shedeur Sanders

AQL's Favorite: Will Howard



Running Backs:


1.) Ashton Jeanty

2.) Omarion Hampton

3.) Quinshon Judkins

4.) Kaleb Johnson

5.) Dylan Sampson


Much like the QBs, no major change here. That said, Jeanty is the best Running Back to come out since Saquon Barkley. He is better overall than Bijan Robinson in my opinion. Hampton and Judkins will make a power based running team very happy while zone blocking teams will love Kaleb Johnson. Dylan Sampson is a dynamic playmaking weapon but he will fit a specific type of offense.


Best Speed: Dylan Sampson

Best Power: Quinshon Judkins

Best Vision: Kaleb Johnson

Best BCA (Ball Carrying Ability): Kaleb Johnson

Most Versatile: Ashton Jeanty

Biggest Boom/Bust: Dylan Sampson

Most Pro Ready: Ashton Jeanty/Quinshon Judkins




AQL's Favorite: Quinshon Judkins



Wide Receivers:



1.) Luther Burden III

2.) Matthew Golden

3.) Emeka Egbuka

4.) Elic Ayomanor

5.) Tetairoa McMillan



No change here. Luther Burden III is a massive mismatch for any offense. My favorite type of Offense for him though is a Spread/RPO Offense where space is where he shines best. Matthew Golden is best suited for a Play Action/Run Heavy Offense despite the fact that his blocking needs work. From a pure Receiving perspective, his speed with his underrated route running will mesh very well. Emeka doesn't really have any limitations Offensive Wise but he is likely going to be limited as a number 2 Wideout. I personally would love Emeka to beat the odds but the odds are stacked against him. Tet McMillan is very, very schematically limited while Elic just needs to work on his consistency. Not nearly as bad as others make him out to be.




Best Speed: Matthew Golden (4.29 is pretty damn fast)

Best Hands: Tetairoa McMillan

Best Route Running: Emeka Egbuka

Best Blocking: Emeka Egbuka

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Tetairoa McMillan

Best YAC: Luther Burden III

Biggest Boom/Bust: Tetairoa McMillan (Very Scheme Dependent)

Most Versatile: Luther Burden III

Most Pro Ready: Luther Burden III



AQL's Favorite: Luther Burden III



Tight Ends:


1.) Colston Loveland

2.) Tyler Warren

3.) Harold Fannin Jr.

4.) Mason Taylor

5.) Gunnar Helm



As I said in the Pro Day Edition:



"The more things change... the more they stay the same...."


I still do say that, in this Tight End Classes defense, that both Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren will become solid contributors as they both are worthy of a First Round selection. Of the two, Tyler is a much better projection for his ceiling is much greater.



Best Speed: Harold Fannin Jr

Best Hands: Tyler Warren

Best Route Running: Gunnar Helm

Best Blocking: Mason Taylor

Best CIT (Catch In Traffic): Tyler Warren/Harold Fannin Jr

Best YAC: Gunnar Helm/Colston Loveland

Biggest Boom/Bust: Gunnar Helm (Immediate Separation is lacking; limiting his receiving abilities)

Most Versatile: Colston Loveland

Most Pro Ready: Colston Loveland


AQL's Favorite: Tyler Warren




Offensive Tackles:


1.) Armand Membou

2.) Kelvin Banks Jr.

3.) Josh Simmons

4.) Josh Conerly Jr.

5.) Aireontae Ersery




A very top heavy Offensive Tackle Class. Coincidentally, the best five from the entire class may be listed here in some form or fashion. Josh Simmons still can techincally become the best Offensive Tackle from this class as his Sophomore Season was some of the better forms of production that an Offensive Tackle had for all of the 2025 Classmates. His injury affected his stock but he is still very much worthy of a First Round Selection.



Best Pass Blocker: Kelvin Banks Jr

Best Run Blocker: Josh Simmons

Best Zone Blocker: Armand Membou (crazy athleticism mixed with crazy demeanor = match made in heaven)

Best Man Gap Blocker: Josh Simmons

Most Versatile: Armand Membou

Biggest Boom/Bust: Aireontae Ersery (Leverage)

Most Pro Ready: Armand Membou



AQL's Favorite: Armand Membou




Interior Offensive Lineman:



1.) Will Campbell Jr.

2.) Donovan Jackson

3.) Wyatt Milum

4.) Tate Rattledge

5.) Jonah M. Savaiinaea



Among all 2025 NFL Rookies who have a viable path to become that rare 1st Team All Pro, Will Campbell fits this bill to the tee. Any major weakness that he had as an Offensive Tackle becomes null and void at Guard. There really isn't much to say about him.. well, other than the fact that he isn't the perfect prospect; no players is. Wyatt Milum isn't as technically gifted nor as athletic as Will is but he is another player whom I can easily see outplay his draft stock. Wyatt has more than enough play demeanor, discipline and technique for him to thrive in the NFL. He just needs to hit that weight room. Jonah Savaiinaea, in the right Offense, can be good starter.



Best Pass Blocker: Will Campbell Jr. (best of the best here)

Best Run Blocker: Will Campbell Jr. (see above)

Best Zone Blocker: Will Campbell Jr. (see above)

Best Man Gap Blocker: Tate Rattledge

Biggest Boom/Bust: Wyatt Milum (Insufficient Strength)

Most Versatile: Donovan Jackson

Most Pro Ready: Tate Ratledge (he might have only played one spot but he is the best of them all)


AQL's Favorite: Donovan Jackson



Interior Defensive Lineman:



1.) Kenneth Grant

2.) Mason Graham

3.) Walter Nolen

4.) Derrick Harmon

5.) Tyleik Williams



Kenneth will not be the first IDL drafted. That said, to me, that doesn't matter as Grant's talent and ceiling are simply too difficult not to keep him in this spot. Grant still needs to develop his pass rush but his ability to stuff the run is already elite by NFL Standards. His teammate Mason has superior consistency and polish but is limited athletically in comparison to Grant. Even so, having a multi time Pro Bowl ready IDL isn't a bad investment; doubly so in the Top 10. Nolen actually possesses the potential to be the best overall IDL of them all. Biggest issue with him is will he apply himself?! Such questions were asked about Jalen Carter despite his immeasurable talent and he worked out quite well. Where Nolen lands will play a key factor into his NFL Future. Harmon's overall tool kit rivals Kenneth's but his inconsistency is as great as the tools and gifts Harmon possesses. Getting him to be more consistent will be key; a very good IDL Coach is needed for certain. Tyleik has some pass rush upside but he is arguably the drafts best pure run stuffer.



Best Pass Rusher: Walter Nolen

Best Run Stopper: Tyleik Williams

Best 3 Tech: Mason Graham/Walter Nolen

Best 5 Tech: Derrick Harmon

Best 0/1 Tech: Kenneth Grant/Tyleik Williams

Most Versatile: Kenneth Grant/Derrick Harmon

Biggest Boom/Bust: Derrick Harmon (Tackling Issues)

Most Pro Ready: Mason Graham


AQL Favorite: Kenneth Grant



EDGE:


1.) Abdul Carter

2.) James Pearce Jr.

3.) Mykel Williams

4.) Shemar Stewart

5.) Nic Scourton


Not much else to say about this EDGE Group. I will stand by my assessment of Adbul Carter; an All Pro for sure but perhaps not in Year One. He doesn't possess the tremendous amount of power that Micah Parsons had when he came out. I will say though that is Ghost Rush move is very, very T.J. Watt esque. Good luck finding another EDGE who can use that move as well as T.J. can in the league for it is a very, very difficult move to pull off.


Best Speed Rusher: James Pearce Jr.

Best Power Rusher: Nic Scourton

Most Versatile Rusher: Abdul Carter

Best Run Stopping: Mykel Williams

Best Coverage: Mykel Williams (he hasn't done it often but he has showcased well enough on both sides of where he is rushing)

Best HID (Hand in Dirt): Abdul Carter

Best 3-4 OLB: James Pearce Jr.

Biggest Boom/Bust: Shemar Stewart (Great Coach required)

Most Versatile: Abdul Carter/Nic Scourton/Mykel Williams

Most Pro Ready: Abdul Carter


AQL's Favorite: James Pearce Jr.



Off-Ball Linebackers:


1.) Jihaad Campbell

2.) Carson Schwesinger

3.) Barrett Carter

4.) Jalon Walker

5.) Chris Paul Jr.


Last time, I was convinced that the likes of Jihaad Campbell and Carson Schwesinger both had a shot to be drafted in Round One. Technically they still do but Jihaad is much more likely to be picked in Round One at this point. Not because Carson isn't athletic nor smart; he is both without question. It is just that Jihaad possess far greater athletic ability while being more versatile in more defensive schemes. Carson is more suited for the WILL position in the NFL whereas Jihaad has the potential be... literally any of the three. Smart enough to be the MIKE, strong enough to be the SAM and athletic enough to be the WILL. He did suffer an injury at his Pro Day but I honestly don't expect it to be that much of an issue.


As for the rest?! Carson, Barrett and Chris all have been just as I said back during the Senior Bowl write up of them. Barrett's Pro Day 40 time of 4.64 doesn't concern me as much as others would have for his Football Acumen and Instincts more than make up for it; his explosiveness no less. Chris is a tone setter while Carson's instincts are arguably the best of all Linebackers. As for the newcomer Jalon Walker, he is by far and away the best pass rushing Linebacker in the class. His violence and strike capability also allow him to be a better run defender than others believe. Now, while he does have much to learn about the finer points of being an Off Ball Linebacker, there is simply too much potential here to not invest in what he could become.


Best Pass Coverage: Jihaad Campbell

Best Run Support: Demetrius Knight Jr.

Best Pass Rusher: Jalon Walker (an EDGE but much better served as an Off Ball LB weapon where his speed can devastate many Interior Offensive Lines)

Best Instincts: Carson Schwesinger

Best Leadership: Barrett Carter

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Jihaad Campbell (needs some serious coaching up)

Most Versatile: Jihaad Campbell

Most Pro Ready: Barrett Carter


AQLs Favorite: Carson Schwesinger


Cornerbacks:


1.) Travis Hunter

2.) Will Johnson

3.) Benjamin Morrison

4.) *** Jahdae Barron ***

5.) Shavon Revel Jr.


This class post NFL Combine is set in stone; disappointing to say the least. I did initially want to have Trey Amos knock off the likes of Shavon Revel Jr. due to his injury but Amos' lack of length (something I didn't expect) along with his over aggression down the field is going to get him in a lot more trouble in the NFL. Shavon Revel does this as well but his length is a bit better while having much better control of his aggression in man coverage.


Unfortunately though, as far as the top three of Hunter, Johnson and Morrison, what I had said during the Senior Bowl write up still applies here. Even Will Johnson's no show at the combine doesn't affect me in the slightest. His lack of length though is something to monitor greatly as his Private Workout nears; April 10th for those that want to know. If anything major happens by that point, I will update this list. Until then, no changes here.



Best Man Coverage: Will Johnson

Best Zone Coverage: Travis Hunter

Best Run Support: Benjamin Morrison/Jahdae Barron

Best Blitzer: Jahdae Barron

Best Speed: Travis Hunter

Best COD (Change of Direction): Will Johnson.

Best Instincts: Travis Hunter

Best Technician: Will Johnson

Best Tackler: Benjamin Morrison/Travis Hunter

Best Slot: Jahdae Barron

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Shavon Revel Jr (Injury and age concerns)

Most Versatile: Jahdae Barron

Most Pro Ready: Travis Hunter


AQL's Favorite: Benjamin Morrison



Safeties:


1.) Xaiver Watts (+3)

2.) Nick Emmanwori

3.) Malakai Starks (-2)

4.) *** Jahdae Barron ***

5.) Andrew Mukuba (newcomer)



Oh... how the mighty have fallen! From the top to near the bottom, Malakai Starks has truly seen better days. He still possesses great instincts and some of the best overall Football IQ among all Safeties but his lack of overall athleticism is what dings him greatly here. For that matter, due to the lack of athletic juice, this also puts a restriction on what type of Defense he can be in. Single High Safety might no longer applicable with him; STAR role or something similar though he can play Slot in a pinch. In my Combine write up, I had noticed more and more instances where his eyes would often get tricked and could get fooled more easily. To make matters worse, he is a bit more stiff than I'd thought he be; not a good quality as a potential slot option. Even so, Starks is worth placing ones bets on for he still possess the best body control among all safeties, best Football IQ among all safeties and is one of the best tackling players among all Defenders.


As for our new number one, I initially wrote that Xaiver Watts is best suited to be a Strong Safety due to his lack of athleticism. I noticed the instincts but I initially thought that the overall speed wouldn't be enough. I then decided to dive a bit deeper into his 2024 tape to see if I was missing anything. Man... glad I did. His speed still isn't on the level of Andrew Mukuba or even Jahdae Barron but he is more than fast enough to play the Single High Role. Not only that, he is quite a thumper in the run game as well. Not the punisher that Nick Emmanwori is but no slouch either. As for slot duty?! Jahdae and Malakai have him beat there but not by much for either. What Watts has done better than any Safety is being an interception threat.. no matter where he is lined up. While I do understand that he is injured at the moment, teams that take a chance on Watts could end up with one of the biggest steals in the entire draft.

Now for our newcomer Andrew Mukuba. Say hello to not just the biggest dark horse among all safeties but also one of the biggest dark horses in the entire class as a whole. I would consider only Logan Brown from Kansas, Braydn Swinson from LSU and Omar Norman-Lott (somehow still) from Tennessee more slept on than Andrew. People tend to forget that Mukuba was the ACC Freshman of the Year during his time at Clemson. Sadly, injuries have robbed him of showcasing what could have been. After a transfer to Texas, he has slowly but surely returned to form. Now, he does have some over aggression on the run and his lean frame doesn't bode well for the NFL. His injury history is also something to be noted of. Despite the risks, Mukuba's abilities as a Single High, Strong, STAR and Slot CB are way too much to both overlook and pass up. He still has that great speed to allow him to play all three; his improved instincts and coverage capabilities also being great assets to him. If put into the right system, Andrew Mukuba can outplay his draft slot and could become the best safety from the class!!


Finally, Mr. Emmanwori. My second ranked Safety. To say he impressed me with his Combine Performance is an understatement. Much like Shemar Stewart, Nick blew the doors completely off Indy while blowing off the roof. A Safety with his size, speed, explosiveness, length, physicality, demeanor and strike power?! What's not to like?! Well... a bit actually. For one, despite his impressive speed and acceleration, his reaction time isn't quite up to snuff in comparison to the likes of Xavier Watts, Andrew Mukuba or even Malakai Starks. Remember that range isn't just speed alone; a player has to act and react just as quickly as their athleticism. Nick's physical gifts are second to none but his coverage instincts as a Single High leave a lot to be desired. That said however, while he isn't the Deep Center Fielding Dream of so many, he is an absolute terror of a Strong Safety. STAR Role isn't out of the question either for his length will allow him to get away with much more agile threats; same goes for a Slot CB role as well. If anything, Nick Emmanwori might be better suited for a WILL Backer role though I'd still keep him as a Safety for now.





Best Man Coverage: Malakai Starks/Jahdae Barron

Best Zone Coverage: Malakai Starks

Best Speed: Andrew Mukuba (Nick is faster but Andrew's processing speed is greater; a must for any Safety)

Best Power: Nick Emmanwori

Best Tackler: Nick Emmanwori/Xaiver Watts

Best COD: Malakai Starks

Best Instincts: Xavier Watts (not just among Safeties but arguably in the entire class)

Best Slot: Malakai Starks/Jahdae Barron

Best Single High: Andrew Mukuba/Xavier Watts (Malakai's lack of speed really hurts here in comparison to Andrew whereas Xavier's instincts are better)

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): Xaiver Watts (Xavier is a playmaking machine... in either spot)

Best Strong Safety: Nick Emmanwori/Xaiver Watts

Biggest Boom/Bust Potential: Andrew Mukuba (medicals)

Most Versatile: Jahdae Barron (Line him up anywhere. His combine performance is vindication that he will be just fine)


Most Pro Ready: Malakai Starks


AQL's Favorite: Malakai Starks



2025 NFL Draft Rankings By Position (PRO DAY):


1.) Interior Defensive Lineman: Much like the Senior Bowl write up; too much talent and way too much depth here. Tremendous.

2.) EDGE: Shemar Stewart, Brandyn Swinson and Landon Jackson boost this class a bit. Not enough though to topple their IDL brothers but more than enough to solidify second place. Don't be surprised if a hellacious run on EDGEs occur within the first two rounds.

3.) Cornerbacks: Same thing as the EDGE group. A strong Combine with this group allows them to stay put for the third spot... though the Running Backs overall Combine performance made this decision very difficult.

4.) Running Backs: Much more talent and depth now unlocked after the combine. Devin Neal, Dylan Sampson, TreVeyon Henderson, Bhayshal Tuten, D.J. Giddens, Donovan Edwards and even others like Brashard Smith give this group a much needed performance increase. Had it not been for the depth that Corners had for the slot option, their biggest since 2021, Running Backs would be in the top three for me.

5.) Wide Receivers: Like the Running Backs, much better after the combine. Savion Williams is going to make an OC very happy or very pissed; no in between. Matthew Golden is now firmly within the Top 20 as far as I am concerned and others like Jaylin Noel, Kyle Williams of Washington State, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Tory Horton give this group a bit more depth in the middle to late rounds. It is just not as much though as the Running Backs.

6.) Interior Offensive Lineman (+3): Will Campbell Jr. alone boosts this grade greatly. However, it is the likes of Joshua Gray, Jared Wilson from Georgia, Greg Zabel from North Dakota State, Dylan Fairchild from Georgia and the dark horse in Logan Brown which boosts this class to a great degree. They are just outside the top 5 but this group bounced back in a major way. Reason it cannot get any higher is that after the Top 100, the talent pool drops off.

7.) Offensive Tackle Class: Like before, extremely top heavy. Charles Grant from William and Mary is a rock solid option to look out for though. After the top 75, big fall off.

8.) Safeties: Very top heavy though much more appealing mid round options than the QB Class. Malachi Moore from Alabama, Latham Ransom from Ohio State and Andrew Mukuba from Clemson far exceed the mid to late round options that the QB Class has. It is just a shame though that the best one in Xavier Watts had to fight through injury.

9.) Quarterbacks (-2): I used to say Cam Ward is the best bet for this class. I shall now retract that statement with something much more accurate; Cam Ward is the only hope. BUYER. BEWARE. This is NOT the draft to nab a QB. If, for whatever reason you do, you had BETTER have the right system for them. Otherwise, it is a wasted pick.

10.) Tight Ends: Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren hard carry this group. I really wanted to put the Tight Ends above the QBs but Cam Ward can become just far exceeds any Tight End in this class. Had Brock Bowers been apart of this class, Tight Ends would move up a spot.

11.) Off Ball Linebackers: Jihaad Campbell. That is it. That is, more or less, what this group of Off Ball Linebackers has as far as star level players go. Every one else is literally scheme dependent. Place them in any other scheme they are not supposed to be in and you will ruin the player.



To wrap all of this up, that will conclude this years edition of the Top Five Positional Rankings. This week we will also wrap up both the Top 32 Big Board along with one Final Mock Draft! Please be on the lookout for it!!


Once again, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Until next time this is AskQuestionsLater saying so long, stay safe and I will see you next time!!

 

@SGSteeler won't like this no TreyVeon Henderson in the top 5 RBs

 

I would have had him ahead of Johnson or Sampson but the #3 through #6 backs are all pretty good.

 

I gave him hell for it last time, so he knows already lmao

 

what they do with tyler warren and what he can do for a team, i'm sorry but he has to be the top TE in this draft.



i'd take him even though we really don't need a TE. he's better, gives you more versatility than anything we have and a better blocker. heck he can play QB, on one play he snapped the ball and caught it for a TD.

good football player.

give me him and sawyer at the 1.- 3. slot and you have two great football players for years to come.

 

Warren finished 7th in Heisman trophy voting. Highest spot for a TE since 1977.

 

Not sure how you have Burden ranked as the number 1 receiver. He is more of a gadget guy who had alot of dump offs not sure that translates to him being the most pro receiver. He lacks in the route running department.

How do you not have Jeanty as the Rb with the best vision and best rb ability. Jeanty is a generation talent. Kaleb is a one cut upright runner. Not saying Kaleb isn’t good he just isn’t Jeanty.