- The Ultimate 2025 Rookie Big Board 1.0 | Best Players You Need to Know
One of the most challenging aspects of evaluating prospects is figuring out how to align players at different positions. However, that is one of the most important parts of the rookie process. We will spend hours upon hours ranking prospects by position, but we don’t draft that way. We draft from a pool of prospects. Our 2025 Rookie Big Board Series aims to help you navigate the gap in positional rankings and prepare you for upcoming rookie drafts following the 2025 NFL Draft. These articles will provide you a variety of opinions and will be updated throughout the remainder of the college season and up to rookie draft season. It will be tailored for Superflex leagues unless otherwise noted.
QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Round 1 | 2025 Rookie Big Board
No. 1 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Colorado | 6’2” | 215 lbs.
Shedeur Sanders entered the 2024 season as my top-ranked quarterback and now gets the honor of being the top player on my 2025 Big Board. Sanders may not be the consensus top QB like we had in 2024, but he’s in line to be an early selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. In a Superflex format, 1st Round NFL Draft quarterbacks should be the first players off the board.
Sanders has a strong arm, capable of making any throw. His accuracy is top-class, both with ball placement on tight-window throws and on deep passes. His athleticism isn’t elite, but he’s mobile enough to use his legs when needed and extend plays as he looks down field. I have Shedeur Sanders as my top overall player and wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up being a top-5 selection in the draft.
No. 2 | Cam Ward | QB | Miami | 6’2” | 223 lbs.
Undoubtedly, the quarterback prospect in this class that has risen the most since entering college is Miami’s Cam Ward. He is a well-traveled prospect with five years of starting experience at the collegiate level. Now, as one of the top passers in the nation through the first few months of the season, Ward is leading a resurgence at the University of Miami and playing himself into the early 1st Round discussion.
Cam Ward has a very strong arm and can throw from a variety of arm angles and platforms. He shows incredible poise in the pocket and in the face of danger. While he has improved significantly, his biggest knock is still a lack of consistency. I expect Cam Ward to be drafted in the early 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
No. 3 | Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State | 5’9” | 215 lbs.
There aren’t many years where I would understand drafting a non-quarterback ahead of early 1st Round QBs, but 2025 is it. In fact, there are a couple players that could make their case for the No. 1 spot in my 2025 Rookie Big Board. The player with the best argument for the top spot is Boise State’s star running back, Ashton Jeanty. He has simply been other-worldly in 2024. Whether or not Jeanty sets the record for rushing yards in a single season, he has elevated his game to an elite level and the top of this draft class.
He runs with a dynamic combination of short-area quickness and top-end speed. Jeanty is able to read the defense, set up his blocks, explode through the hole, and break away from the pack, making him a home run threat on every play. But Jeanty is more than just his speed. He rarely goes down on the first hit as he runs with impressive contact balance, breaking tackles with ease. At this point, I expect Ashton Jeanty to be the rare running back drafted in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft and if his landing spot is good, you’ll see him going No. 1 overall in all formats.
No. 4 | Travis Hunter | WR | CB | Colorado | 6’1” | 185 lbs.
Travis Hunter is the most unique player in the 2025 NFL Draft and perhaps in the history of the NFL Draft. He has faced durability questions throughout his career, but bounced back from a minor injury earlier in the season to play 132 snaps against Cincinnati. For most of us, we are only interested in offensive players, and Travis Hunter may only be a part-time offensive player at the next level. This ranking is operating under the assumption that he will play the majority of his snaps at wide receiver.
As a wide receiver prospect, Hunter is still refining his skills, but has shown flashes of elite-level talent. He creates separation with his quick-twitch movement, has elite contested catch skills, is dynamic after the catch, and has a knack for making big plays. His biggest area for improvement on offense is with consistency, especially with his route running. Hunter has the highest ceiling of any receiver in this class, and if he shows a little more consistency on the offensive side, the sky’s the limit. I expect Travis Hunter to be taken in the first 5 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft.
No. 5 | Tetairoa McMillan | WR | Arizona | 6’5” | 212 lbs.
You will find that Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan is often listed as the top wide receiver in the 2025 class. While I have him at WR2, I do have him as a Tier 1 WR. I understand the appeal with McMillan. You know he’s going to play offense, and he possesses something that few in this class have—height. At 6’5”, McMillan is a beast to cover. If you’re looking for a player that can vacuum in targets with an enormous catch radius, McMillan is your guy.
Tetairoa McMillan is a long-strider that can get up to top-speed quickly, with a special ability to move fluidly at his size. Ultimately, his 2025 NFL Draft position is going to be heavily impacted by how fast he runs and how quickly he moves at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. If he’s able to stop the clocks in the 4.5-second range or faster in the 40-yard dash, McMillan will all but certainly be a top-15 pick in the Draft.
No. 6 | Quinn Ewers | QB | Texas | 6’2” | 210 lbs.
One of the toughest evaluations in my 2025 Rookie Big Board is Quinn Ewers. His benching during the Georgia game sent shockwaves throughout the college and NFL football communities. Eventually, Ewers was brought back in and he helped the Longhorns fight back. There have been many naysayers when it comes to how much talent Quinn Ewers possesses, but I am not buying into it. For me, the talent is there. It’s the consistency that needs to improve.
Ewers has a side-arm delivery that generates good velocity on throws, but is capable of putting touch on passes when needed. He sometimes looks a little lost when trying to process a defense. But, to me it looks like overthinking rather than simply throwing the ball.
His draft stock is going to greatly affect where he ends up on my 2025 Rookie Big Board. As of now, Ewers is still firmly in the 1st Round discussion, so he belongs in the 1st round of Superflex drafts. As a long-time believer in his talent, I’m holding strong. However, his stock is one to closely monitor from now until the end of the season.
No. 7 | Carson Beck | QB | Georgia | 6’4” | 220 lbs.
I was a bit surprised when Beck decided to return to Georgia for the 2024 season instead of entering last year’s draft. He decided to gamble on what was considered a weaker quarterback class where he had a chance to be the frontrunner. Early on this year, that looked like a great decision. Beck was the favorite to be the first QB taken and Georgia was rolling. Then, over a two-game span, he completed only 56.8% of his passes and looked bad. It’s not to say that Beck (or any player) should have a two-game span dramatically hurt their draft stock, but what we saw highlighted my ongoing concerns for him.
Carson Beck is the most prototypical pocket passing quarterback in this class. He struggles at times when forced to move outside the pocket and make throws out of structure. His arm strength is sufficient for the NFL, but I wouldn’t say he has a particularly strong arm. My concern with Beck is that he doesn’t have any elite tools and has a lower ceiling than the other top quarterbacks in the class.
No. 8 | Jalen Milroe | QB | Alabama | 6’2” | 225 lbs.
After soaring up some draft rankings early in the season, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe has come crashing back to earth. He struggled with reading a defense, decision making, and performing well when the game was on the line. The questions that I’ve had about Milroe’s profile have gotten louder. Is Jalen Milroe talented enough at throwing the ball to be a starting QB in the NFL? We have seen more and more quarterback prospects enter the NFL who are dynamic runners but leave something to be desired when they drop back to pass.
The question then becomes if these prospects are good enough runners to outweigh the growing pains that they will face throwing the ball in the NFL. Currently, my answer for Jalen Milroe is no. I think he needs to improve his throwing before he’ll have much NFL success. Like Ewers and Beck, Milroe’s ranking on my 2025 Rookie Big Board is being propped up by the expectation that he’ll be drafted sometime during the 1st Round of the NFL Draft. If that does not happen for any of these three, they will tumble down draft boards.
No. 9 | Luther Burden III | WR | Missouri | 5’11” | 208 lbs.
It’s a pleasant surprise to see someone as talented as Luther Burden III be ranked all the way down at No. 9 in my 2025 Rookie Big Board. I considered putting him up at No. 6, but ultimately decided this was a better fit. If the QBs above him don’t go in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft, Burden will find his way up there anyway. The biggest separator between Luther Burden III and the aforementioned Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan is that Burden doesn’t have the same kind of unique traits. He’s a very good receiver prospect, but his best ability shows up after he catches the ball.
The biggest concern I have with Burden is whether or not he has the high-end speed to attack defenses down the field. However, that may not hurt him too much as we have seen receivers dominate at the NFL level without elite speed. As I have said before, if he finds a team that wants to utilize him similarly to how the San Francisco 49ers use Deebo Samuel, he could excel. If Burden runs a sub 4.50-second 40-yard dash, he will likely be drafted in the 1st Round.
No. 10 | TreVeyon Henderson | RB | Ohio State | 5’10” | 212 lbs.
There always seems to be a player or two that each evaluator likes more than the consensus. This year, Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson is that player. Three years ago, having Henderson as the RB2 in this class would have been too low. Now, it’s an outlier for being too high. My belief has always been that TreVeyon Henderson’s skillset aligns very well with what the NFL currently looks for in a running back.
Henderson is a dual-threat weapon. He has the ability to catch a pass out of the backfield and turn it into six points in a flash. He has elite athleticism that will transfer well to the next level. Henderson is a big play waiting to happen. I expect his athleticism to be on display throughout the pre-draft process, and think he’ll be drafted on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
No. 11 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | Ohio State | 6’1” | 219 lbs.
We are in a stretch where 5 of 6 players on my 2025 Rookie Big Board being running backs. Ohio State’s second RB in my rankings is Quinshon Judkins. While not a bad athlete, Judkins wins on the field through violent, punishing runs. He often looks like he is the one seeking contact with defenders.
I still have some questions about his top-end speed, but Judkins has a very fast first step and possesses great short-area quickness. He is a solid receiver, but not exceptional. Judkins is a beast to bring down as he absorbs contact well and bounces off would-be tacklers. If he gets drafted by a team that covets a powerful running back, he might move up my board.
No. 12 | Omarion Hampton | RB | North Carolina | 6’0” | 220 lbs.
Like Quinshon Judkins, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is a powerful runner that has great short-area burst and power. While he does have a little bit of wiggle, he doesn’t possess elite open-field elusiveness. However, what he lacks in evading defenders with misdirection, he makes up for in running over defenders with power. Hampton is the most violent runner in the 2025 RB class.
Omarion Hampton can show good vision and patience to find the hole. He has plenty of power and burst to hit the hole as it opens. However, I do have concerns about his long-speed as he rarely runs away from trailing defenders. Top-end speed is not the most important skill for running backs, so this may not slow him down at the next level. He is also an above-average pass catcher, enabling him to stay on the field for three downs. I expect Hampton to be in the mix for the second running back drafted and if he runs well at the NFL Combine, he’ll likely get a nice pre-draft bump to his draft stock.
Round 2 | 2025 Rookie Big Board
No. 13 | Emeka Egbuka | WR | Ohio State | 6’1” | 205 lbs.
It feels like Emeka Egbuka has been in college for far longer than four years. He surprised me when he returned to the Buckeyes for his senior season instead of entering the 2024 NFL Draft. In doing so, Egbuka has solidified his profile as an immediate starting slot receiver at the NFL level. He is a well-polished route runner who can find the holes in a defense and excels after the catch. Egbuka is quicker than he is fast, but can surprise you with his smooth running style. He should be a borderline 1st Round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and your Superflex rookie drafts.
No. 14 | Nicholas Singleton | RB | Penn State | 6’0” | 227 lbs.
The next player on my 2025 Rookie Big Board, Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton, has seemingly flown under the radar since his impressive freshman season for the Nittany Lions. Singleton has quick feet, good vision, and gets up to speed in a flash. He’s a capable pass catcher, who has shown improvement over this time in college. The concerns for Singleton are that his elusiveness, especially in the open field, could improve. He will occasionally wait too long for blocks to develop or holes to open when in the backfield. However, Nicholas Singleton may be the most athletic running back on this list. I expect him to dominate during the pre-draft process and rise up draft boards.
No. 15 | Isaiah Bond | WR | Texas | 5’11” | 180 lbs.
Isaiah Bond, the former Alabama receiver, has game-changing speed. But, he’s more than just another speedy wide receiver. His straight-line speed is paired with quick-twitch athleticism that gives defensive players fits. My biggest concerns for Bond are his size, contested-catch skills, and his occasional over-reliance on his speed. If Bond cleans up his route running, he could be a dynamic weapon in the NFL.
No. 16 | Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan | 6’5” | 245 lbs.
Having our first tight end on my 2025 Rookie Big Board all the way down at No. 16 is a testament to the depth of this class. Colston Loveland may not be the elite-level tight end prospect that we have seen in years past, but Loveland is as well-rounded of a prospect as you’ll find in drafts and he will likely see the field right away. He is quick enough to beat linebackers and big enough to cause havoc for safeties. I expect Day 2 draft capital for Loveland.
No. 17 | Devin Neal | RB | Kansas | 5’11” | 215 lbs.
Having Devin Neal as my No. 17 overall player is surprising even to me. Neal has quick feet, varies his speed to take away pursuit angles, and seems to elude at least one tackler on every play. He is an above-average receiver of the ball and can turn dump offs and screen passes into big plays. My biggest concern for Neal is his overall athleticism and how he’ll stack up at the NFL level. If he tests well, being selected on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft is not out of the question.
No. 18 | Garrett Nussmeier | QB | LSU | 6’2” | 200 lbs.
One of the biggest risers in my rankings is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. He has a strong arm and isn’t afraid to squeeze the ball into tight windows. The two biggest concerns I have with Nussmeier are his size and inexperience. But each week, Nussmeier gains a little experience and quiets that concern. We have not seen many quarterbacks come into the NFL below the 200-pound threshold, so that’s the biggest question remaining. It would not surprise me if Garrett Nussmeier ends up being in the 1st Round discussion with some of the QBs higher on this list.
No. 19 | Tre Harris | WR | Ole Miss | 6’3” | 210 lbs.
Senior receiver from Ole Miss, Tre Harris, has been one of the best receivers in the country this year. His best trait is his physicality and ability to make contested catches. Unfortunately, my biggest concern (his ability to separate) leads to a need for contested catches. If he struggles at the collegiate level, the NFL could be a big challenge. However, Harris could end up playing (and testing) his way into the 1st Round of the NFL Draft with a strong finish to the season and good athletic testing numbers at the NFL Combine.
No. 20 | Evan Stewart | WR | Oregon | 6’0” | 175 lbs.
The award for player to jump around the most in my rankings belongs to Oregon’s Evan Stewart. His 2024 season has been as volatile as his draft stock. Stewart’s talent is not at all a question for me, but his inconsistency is a major concern. Depending on what game you watch, he can be a drastically different prospect. He is quick, creates separation, has smooth hands, and makes incredible catches. He also disappears in other games. I think Stewart is a boom/bust player, so if you’re a risk taker, Stewart is your guy.
No. 21 | Oronde Gadsden II | TE | Syracuse | 6’5” | 236 lbs.
It’s hard to say that someone at 6’5” is undersized, but that’s exactly the case for Oronde Gadsden II as a tight end prospect. His frame is a bit too slender for the NFL, so there is a lot of projection here that doesn’t always exist with other prospects. The path to success for Gadsden requires a team to utilize him the way Syracuse does, by making him a receiving threat all over the field. If the NFL sees him that way, No. 21 will be a good value. If they see him as undersized, he will fall down my rankings considerably.
No. 22 | Elic Ayomanor | WR | Stanford | 6’2” | 210 lbs.
Like Oregon’s Evan Stewart, Elic Ayomanor has some of the most impressive highlight plays you’ll see from a college wide receiver. Sadly, he also will all-but-disappear in other games. Despite not appearing to have elite speed, quickness, or overall athleticism, Ayomanor routinely finds himself targeted when he’s running open underneath defenses or in jump ball situations down the sideline. Right now, I think Ayomanor could be a Day 2 NFL Draft selection.
No. 23 | Tyler Warren | TE | Penn State | 6’6” | 257 lbs.
Another player who is rapidly rising up my rankings is Penn State’s Tyler Warren. This tight end class doesn’t really have anyone that has separated themself from the others. However, Warren could be on the path. Depending on how the NFL views Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II, Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland could be in a heavyweight fight for the top TE spot in the class. Warren has all the makings of the next star dynasty tight end.
No. 24 | Jalen Royals | WR | Utah State | 6’0” | 205 lbs.
Jalen Royals was one of the lesser-known wide receiver prospects at the beginning of the season. Despite not playing in a Power 4 conference, he has been a dominant force in the passing game for the Utah State Aggies. Jalen Royals has an intriguing combination of speed and ball skills. Being from a smaller school, the pre-draft process will be especially important for Jalen Royals. If he gets drafted in the first two days, the No. 24 ranking might be too low.
Tristan Cook’s 2025 Sleeper Pick
No. 25 | Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green | 6’4” | 230 lbs.
My sleeper in this class is another undersized tight end in Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. He has been on an absolute tear this season, with more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than he had in his first two years combined. Because Fannin is a bit underweight for the TE position at the NFL level, his ranking will ultimately depend on how he’s viewed by NFL teams. As a receiving weapon, Fannin can be a difference maker. I’m sure you’ll hear his name more and more as the 2025 NFL Draft gets closer.
Whenever you have a list of of prospects, the focus will inevitably shift toward the players not included. There are many players deserving of being on this list like California’s RB Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma State’s RB Ollie Gordon II, Penn State’s RB Kaytron Allen and QB Drew Allar, Miami’s WR Xavier Restrepo, Iowa’s TE Luke Lachey, LSU’s TE Mason Taylor, Oregon’s TE Terrance Ferguson, and many, many more.
The beauty of the 2025 Rookie Big Board Series is that it is a living thing. Prospects will move up and down the rankings throughout the remainder of the year based on performance, new information, and potential draft stock. Players will be added, and players will fall out. That is the nature of the beast. Please check back regularly to see our most recent 2025 Rookie Big Board update.
This Big Board was aided by the Dynasty Nerds Film Room!
The video clips used in this 2025 Rookie Big Board were curated and arranged by Dynasty Nerds Film Room Manager Matt Cooper (@CouchScoutsFF). A special thanks to Matt and all the Film Room crew for the awesome quality content they provide for us and our subscribers. Use code MOCK-DRAFT for 15% off your own Film Room Subscription and start scouting rookie prospects like a Nerd!
Our staff is working on a new mock draft each week, so be sure to check back regularly for more 2025 NFL Draft content. In case you missed it, here’s our most recent Superflex Rookie Mock Draft:
