As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, anticipation is building across the league, with teams preparing for one of the most crucial events of their calendar year. The draft represents an opportunity for franchises to lay the foundation for future success by adding young talent to their roster. Whether it’s a player that can instantly contribute or a future star that requires development, the 2025 draft is expected to be filled with surprises, breakout prospects, and players with the potential to make an immediate impact. With exactly three weeks left until the event kicks off, here’s a breakdown of what to expect, key players to watch, and how teams are approaching their draft strategy.
The Significance of the 2025 NFL Draft
Every year, the NFL Draft serves as a critical turning point for teams. For franchises that have struggled in recent years, the draft is a potential game-changer—offering the chance to turn the tide by selecting the right players. Conversely, teams at the top of the league look to fill minor gaps and strengthen already competitive rosters. In 2025, with many teams aiming for a title run and several others undergoing full rebuilds, the draft will carry even more weight in shaping the future of the league.
The draft will take place over three days, starting with the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The second and third rounds will be held on Friday, April 25, and the fourth through seventh rounds will follow on Saturday, April 26. The event will feature live broadcasts, analysis from experts, and intense scrutiny from fans and teams alike as they await the selection of key players. As usual, the first round will receive the most attention, but there are also deep talent pools in later rounds that could provide teams with great value.
Top Players to Watch in the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 draft class is packed with talent from several positions, but there are a few names that are expected to dominate discussions leading up to and during the event. Here’s a closer look at some of the players whose stock is expected to be high and who will be watched closely as the draft nears.
1. Caleb Williams – Quarterback (USC)
Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, is widely regarded as the top overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After a standout career at USC, Williams has earned the reputation as a dual-threat quarterback with a rare combination of arm strength, accuracy, mobility, and poise. His ability to make plays on the move and thrive under pressure has made him a favorite to be selected first overall, with many teams, including those at the top of the draft order, preparing to make a move to secure his services.
Williams’ impressive career at USC has featured gaudy statistics, including over 4,500 passing yards, 42 touchdowns, and just a handful of interceptions in his final season. While his college success doesn’t automatically guarantee an easy transition to the NFL, his skill set, leadership qualities, and football IQ have made him the most highly sought-after quarterback in this draft class.
The team that selects Williams will expect him to become the face of the franchise for the next decade, and his immediate impact in the NFL will be under heavy scrutiny. Expect his draft stock to remain at the top, barring any unexpected setbacks in the weeks leading up to the event.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr. – Wide Receiver (Ohio State)
When it comes to pass-catchers, few in the 2025 draft class are more highly regarded than Marvin Harrison Jr. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Jr. has shown exceptional ability to separate from defenders, make contested catches, and be a game-changing presence on the field. The Ohio State standout has the size (6’4”, 205 pounds), speed, and ball skills to be an immediate playmaker in the NFL.
Harrison’s ability to win jump balls, track deep passes, and create separation with ease has him trending as a top-5 pick, with several teams in need of an elite wide receiver, like the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Giants, all rumored to be potential landing spots for the wideout. Harrison’s polished route tree and ability to dominate at every level of the field make him one of the safest picks in the 2025 draft.
If Harrison continues to perform at a high level in pre-draft evaluations and workouts, his stock will remain sky-high as teams look for a No. 1 receiver who can be the focal point of an offense for years to come.
3. Olu Fashanu – Offensive Tackle (Penn State)
In a class full of potential top-tier talent, Olu Fashanu, the left tackle from Penn State, is expected to be one of the most coveted prospects. Fashanu’s combination of size (6’6”, 323 pounds), athleticism, and technical prowess makes him one of the best offensive linemen to come out of college football in recent years.
Fashanu’s stock has only risen after a dominant season at Penn State, where he showed the ability to shut down some of the best pass-rushers in the nation. Offensive linemen are often undervalued in the early rounds, but teams are becoming more aware of the importance of securing a franchise cornerstone along the offensive line, especially in a league that is becoming more pass-happy.
With quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye (another highly regarded QB in this class) on the board, Fashanu will be an attractive option for teams looking to build a strong offensive line to protect their young quarterback and establish a solid running game. As we near the draft, Fashanu’s value continues to increase, and he’s a lock to be a top-10 pick.
4. Jared Verse – Edge Rusher (Florida State)
With the NFL placing a greater emphasis on pass rushers and edge defenders, Jared Verse from Florida State is one of the top defensive prospects to watch in 2025. Verse has an explosive first step, a variety of pass-rushing moves, and the physical tools to become a dominant force on the edge.
At 6’4” and 248 pounds, Verse combines size with speed and flexibility, making him a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. During his time at Florida State, he developed into one of the nation’s premier pass rushers, accumulating numerous sacks and tackles for loss. Teams that need help getting after the quarterback, such as the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts, are likely to target Verse early in the first round.
With his combination of athleticism and production, Verse could be a potential top-10 pick, and if he impresses teams with his workouts and interviews in the coming weeks, he could even rise further.
5. Drake Maye – Quarterback (North Carolina)
While Caleb Williams may be the consensus top quarterback in this draft, Drake Maye from North Carolina is not far behind. Maye has been one of the most impressive quarterbacks in college football, showcasing his arm strength, accuracy, and mobility in leading the Tar Heels offense. At 6’4” and 220 pounds, he possesses the ideal physical attributes to succeed in the NFL and has been a proven winner at the collegiate level.
Maye has been compared to some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL due to his ability to make all the throws, read defenses, and show poise under pressure. Teams that are looking for a potential franchise quarterback but may not have the top pick in the draft could look to Maye as an option in the early to mid-first round.
6. Kool-Aid McKinstry – Cornerback (Alabama)
One of the top cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama is making waves as one of the premier defensive backs available. His ball skills, coverage ability, and physical playstyle have made him a standout for the Crimson Tide, and he’s likely to be a first-round pick.
At 6’1” and 195 pounds, McKinstry has the size and athleticism to succeed against NFL wide receivers, and his shutdown abilities on the outside make him a high-value target for teams with secondary needs. Teams like the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles will be closely watching McKinstry as a potential lockdown corner for their defense.
Team Needs and Draft Strategies
As teams evaluate their draft strategies, many will look to fill holes in their rosters with premium talent. Below are some key positions of need for teams in the top 10 of the draft order:
- Quarterback (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye): Teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of a quarterback to build their future around.
- Edge Rusher (Jared Verse, Will Anderson Jr.): Teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts could prioritize a pass rusher to bolster their defensive lines.
- Offensive Tackle (Olu Fashanu, Blake Fisher): Teams like the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions may prioritize offensive line help to protect their quarterbacks.
- Wide Receiver (Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka): The Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys could look to add a top-tier wide receiver to their offense.
- Cornerback (Kool-Aid McKinstry, Kelee Ringo): Teams like the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles could look to add a cornerback to improve their secondary.