NFL Draft 2025 Big Board: Travis Hunter takes No. 1 spot, 4 QBs in updated top 50

I dont envy you.

That was the text response from an NFL scout when I asked how he would stack the 2025 NFL Drafts quarterback prospects.

Teams are not excited about this group of passers because each feels more like a risky bet than a safe one.

That doesnt mean one or two wont be drafted in the top 10.

That doesnt mean a few of these quarterbacks wont eventually become established NFL starters.

Advertisement But with all of the varying opinions throughout the league, the only consensus at this stage in the process is that teams are struggling to find positive conviction on any of these QBs.

We still have more than five months until the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off from Green Bay, including several pivotal games on college footballs regular-season schedule and the expanded College Football Playoff, which will create fluctuation in these rankings.

After that, the underclassmen deadline, all-star games and pre-draft workouts will play crucial roles in shaping the final board.

But this top 50 is based on what we know right now, including updated tape and buzz from around the league.

There are plenty of changes from the preseason rankings in August , including a new No.

1 prospect.

Hunter is the best draft-eligible player in the country, and I dont think that will change between now and April.

Does he project best at wide receiver? Cornerback? Both? Those questions will be answered as he progresses through the process, but regardless, Hunter is the clear favorite to be the first non-quarterback drafted.

My preseason No.

1 prospect, Johnson has missed multiple games this season due to shoulder and toe injuries, and the 2024 tape has had more volatility than you want to see.

But he is fluid and long and shows terrific awareness in the passing game.

Johnson still projects as a No.

1 cornerback in the NFL.

With his explosive body twitch at 6-3, 250, Carter has the athletic traits to be a top-10 pick.

But he is very much a work in progress as a pass rusher, especially when he doesnt win with his first step.

It wouldnt be surprising if he goes higher than this to a team willing to bet on his ceiling.

Starks is one of my favorite players in the draft because of his diverse skill set that allows him to do just about everything desired from a safety in todays NFL.

Though he has the physical tools to cover the entire field, it is his football IQ at such a young age (turns 21 this week) that jumps out most on tape.

Arizona's 2024 season quickly went sideways, but McMillan has been one of the few bright spots he was the first FBS player to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards this year.

A unique athlete at 6-5, he has Gumby-ish body movements with elite tracking and high-pointing skills.

Already a top-25 prospect coming into the season, Jeanty has become more of a household name thanks to his eye-popping production over the first two months of the season.

With his contact balance, run athleticism, vision and third-down skills, the Boise State star is a complete back with true impact potential.

Walker will crush the draft process because of his testing athleticism and a professional mindset that will connect him with NFL coaches.

He is an off-ball linebacker for the Bulldogs and has the movement skills to drop or pursue the run, but his greatest value will be as a pass rusher.

While the production stats wont look like those of a top-five pick, Williams has the traits and has put enough examples on film to project him becoming a true impact edge defender in the NFL.

His combination of power, length and movements make him a nightmare to block, both in pass protection and against the run.

Graham is one of the easiest prospects to like in the 2025 draft class.

An explosive and relentless lineman, he naturally plays from a low position to consistently win leverage through contact and lean on his agility to chase the football.

Graham is a menace in the most complimentary way possible.

Averaging just 8.3 yards per catch, Burden doesn't have first-round production this season.

But teams will have no trouble betting on his diverse athleticism.

Though he can win down the field, Burden has the physicality and contact balance of a running back, making him dangerous on underneath catch-and-go patterns.

Now in his third season as the Tigers left tackle, Campbell is a very natural blocker due to timing and balance through engagement.

His lack of ideal length will be an issue for some teams (scouts believe his arms will measure right around 33 inches at the combine).

Im keeping him at tackle until he shows he cant do it but even if he moves to the interior, Campbell is still the best offensive lineman in this draft.

Long, athletic and disruptive, Pearce has the projectable tools to become an impact NFL pass rusher.

Though he has improved versus the run, he isnt used as an every-down defender in the Vols scheme, which leaves some questions unanswered.

Between the talent and those lingering concerns, Pearce is drawing Will McDonald IV comparisons from scouts.

Despite being stuck in a sporadic passing offense, Lovelands speed and receiving athleticism pop on each tape.

Similar in ways to Dalton Kincaid, he will have limitations as an NFL blocker, but he can be a difference-maker as a hybrid pass catcher who can line up across the formation.

Some teams are even scouting him as a wide receiver.

Harmon flashed at Michigan State, but he has taken his game to another level at Oregon and is one of the biggest risers this season.

The stats are mediocre (6.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks), but the disruption he creates is one of the key reasons the Ducks are the No.

1 team in the nation.

At 290 pounds, Stewart moves better than most 250-pounders.

His athleticism, combined with the strength in his hands and relentless motor, makes him a disruptive force regardless of whether he is lined up on the edge or inside over the B-gap.

Nic Scourton and Shemar Turner receive most of the praise on the Aggies defensive line, but dont sleep on Stewart.

The best comparison I have for Ward is ...

fireworks.

His ability to create explosive, dazzling plays with his elusiveness in the pocket and natural arm talent is unmatched in this class.

However, fireworks also come with a warning label when Ward gets careless with his decisions, negative results follow.

Nonetheless, his on-field upside and football character make him the current favorite to be the first quarterback drafted.

How Ward performs throughout November (and potentially into the postseason) will be put under a microscope by NFL teams.

With his thick, powerful build, Scourton has the physicality to align inside but also the athleticism to threaten tackles out wide.

Although he has several highlight plays this season, his efficiency as a pass rusher leaves a lot to be desired.

He is one of the youngest players in the draft, however, and should only get better.

Whether you like him best at tackle or guard (NFL teams are split), Banks is a quality offensive lineman because of his ability to maintain leverage and create force through his body mechanics.

He spends too much time on the ground, but the tools are there for him to become an immediate NFL starter.

There are better interior pass rushers in this draft class.

As a run defender, though, Williams is near the top of the list.

He has physical gifts, including his big-man agility and shed strength, but what stands out most are his gap integrity and recognition (both pre- and post-snap) to sniff out plays.

He shows too much volatility game to game, but on the LSU and South Carolina tapes, Nolen looks like a slam-dunk top-25 pick.

He is explosive in any direction to be a force through gaps and has done a better job this season using his fast, physical hands to rip through blocks.

Similar to Josh Simmons, Revel is about a dozen spots lower than I would have slotted him if he were healthy.

But his early-season ACL tear puts his draft grade in limbo right now assuming he still enters the draft.

At 6-2, 200 with 4.3 speed, Revel has a great chance of still landing in the first round if team doctors give their blessing.

A rocket-fueled version of Jalen Hurts, Milroe has a unique package of skills with his size (6-1, 225), 4.3 speed, outstanding arm strength and strong mental makeup.

Consistent ball placement is not a strength of his game right now, but if a team leans into his style, Milroe could be a dangerous playmaker.

There is a lot to like about Sanders package of skills.

He is poised, tough and accurate with a natural feel for touch and layering the football.

But one of the main concerns is the inconsistent way he manages the pocket, drifting or welcoming negative plays by holding onto the football.

(The blame for the number of sacks Sanders has taken at Colorado doesnt entirely fall on the offensive line.) Sanders reminds me of Jordan Love, but without the high-end physical traits, because they both use athletic movements to skillfully access different throwing platforms.

Sanders doesnt have Loves size or arm strength, however, which is a concern when playing that style of game.

Nonetheless, Sanders' ball placement and toughness will give him a chance to become an established NFL starter.

While there might not be one specific area of his game that is exceptional, Tuimoloau is above average across the board which is why he often sees extra blockers at the snap.

NFL coaches will appreciate his high "FBI" (football intelligence) and his motor that always runs hot, which helps him chase down plays.

There simply arent many 340-pound defensive tackles with the balance to play in gaps and the athletic range to work up and down the line of scrimmage.

Grant also can hold the point of attack and is a better run defender than pass rusher at this point in his development.

The go-to weapon in the Nittany Lions offense, Warren is a fluid mover at 255 pounds and has exceptional ball skills to track and finish in traffic.

I wouldnt call him an "asset" as a blocker, but he can line up inline or in the slot.

Warren gives me flashbacks of a different Tyler at tight end: Tyler Eifert.

Similar in ways to Amarius Mims last year, Williams isnt a picture-perfect, polished blocker right now.

With only nine college starts to his name, he is noticeably raw in several areas his total of 13 penalties leads the FBS.

But there are only so many humans who can move like him at 6-5 and 335, and teams are understandably ready to bet on his upside.

After the top tier of receivers in this class (Hunter, McMillan, Burden), who sits atop the next tier? Ayomanor is a real candidate thanks to his blend of size (6-2, 210), speed and ball skills even though the Stanford offense struggles to get him the football.

Based on the first month of the season, Simmons looked like a prospect who was rising into the top-15 discussion and a potential candidate for OT1.

But his season-ending knee injury against Oregon put his projection on hold until we know more about both the injury and recovery timeline.

The uncertainty drops him 10-12 spots lower than he could have landed on this board.

Through the first six weeks of the season, I was ready to put the QB1 label on Nussmeier because he was doing actual QB things with his pocket maneuverability and reads.

However, since halftime of the Texas A&M game, his inexperience has overshadowed the positive moments and that has included putting the ball in harms way far too often.

With only 10 collegiate starts on his resume, Nussmeier would be wise to return to school.

NFL scouts have been buzzing about him as a future first-round pick, but the last two games have shown a quarterback who could use more on-field reps before facing NFL speed.

If you covet a super-fluid edge rusher, Jackson isnt for you.

But there are different ways to get after the quarterback.

Jackson is upright and has some stiffness in his lower half, but he eats up ground quickly with his strides and uses skilled, physical hands to break down blockers.

(Watch his wins against LSU left tackle Will Campbell.) After playing mostly guard his first two seasons, Savaiinaea has been exclusively a tackle (left and right) this season.

Though he has the length and initial quickness to stay on the outside, I think his best spot in the NFL will be back inside, where he shows better control and power.

Conerly is a polarizing prospect among scouts.

The former five-star recruit is very raw with his hands and needs to develop his core strength, but his feet and recovery athleticism are saving graces and minimize his losses.

Im eager to watch him throughout the College Football Playoff.

Like Kenneth Grant, Walker has unique ability for his gargantuan size (listed at 345 pounds).

Basketball was his first love, and it shows with the light feet Walker has for a big man.

But Walker needs to play with improved pad level, technique and process to maximize his physical gifts.

Kind of like his teammate, JT Tuimoloau, there isnt one aspect of Egbukas skill set that you would classify as "extraordinary." However, he already looks like a Sunday player with his route-running nuance, the way he frames the football and his willingness to block.

An NFL offense will welcome that consistency with open arms.

A former five-star recruit, Stewarts talent has never been in question.

But when you're playing with a Heisman-worthy quarterback, scouts want to see better production.

And while the flashes are great, Stewart has more games of 20 or fewer receiving yards (five) than 100-yard receiving games (two) this season.

With Tez Johnson sidelined with an injury, Stewart has a great opportunity to move up these rankings over the next month.

Some reading this are saying, Who? But if you have watched Marshalls defense this season, you know about Green.

Although he's a tad undersized (6-3, 245), Green doesnt play small and is surprisingly physical against the run.

What jumps out on tape more than anything, however, is his burst off the ball to create his own pass-rush lanes and finish at the quarterback.

He has an FBS-best 13.0 sacks through nine games in 2024.

The No.

32 prospect on my preseason top 50, Hairston has played in only four games this season due to a shoulder injury and Kentucky has missed his presence in a big way.

Despite the lack of tape, Hairston still belongs in the top-50 discussion because of his cover skills.

A physically put-together athlete, Johnson processes quickly at the line of scrimmage and quickly gets north-south, making tacklers feel contact.

Averaging 7.1 yards per carry this season, he has surpassed 100 rushing yards in eight of 10 games and ranks third in the FBS with 21 rushing touchdowns.

Ranked in the top 40 on my preseason draft board, too, Hampton has been a workhorse for the Tar Heels offense this season and is one of only six FBS players averaging better than 130 yards per game in 2024.

His blend of contact balance, speed and passing-down skills will help him make an immediate NFL impact.

A college left tackle who likely will move inside in the NFL, Milum has coordinated feet and plays stout against defenders who attempt to rush down his center.

His killer instinct and ability to seal in the run game also jump off his tape and will help him compete for a starting gig on day one at the next level.

If a team is expecting double-digit sacks, Sawyer probably doesnt have the pass-rush deception to do that in the NFL.

But if a team is looking for an alert, physical presence on the edge who can play a lot of snaps, force his way off blocks and make plays against the run, Sawyer will be a safe choice.

Entering the season, Bookers grades from NFL scouts were in the third- to fifth-round range.

But there has been a noticeable jump in performance and consistency this season compared to what the left guard put on last years Rose Bowl tape versus Michigan.

"Consistency" isnt the first word you think of when watching Bonds tape, but other favorable words like "twitchy" certainly come to mind.

With further development as a route runner and catch-point finisher, he displays the easy acceleration and short-area suddenness to be a weapon.

I was hoping for more dominance from Ersery this season, but the sloppy elements to his game still pop up more than you'd like to see.

Still, teams are understandably optimistic about his anchor and movements for his size (6-6, 337).

The Bison have produced three offensive line draft picks over the last four years, and Zabel is next up in the pipeline because of his foot quickness and active hands.

He has primarily been a tackle in college, but teams like him best inside some even believe he could be the top center in this draft class.

A Georgia Tech transfer, Kennard is in the midst of a career season (SEC-best 1.06 sacks per game).

He has almost as many pressures in 2024 (33) as he did his past two seasons combined (35).

With his burst off the snap, length to work off blocks and closing speed in pursuit, Kennard has game-wrecker potential.

Taylor is listed as a tight end, but he is more a jack of all trades who will line up inline, wide, in the backfield and everywhere in between as LSU leans on his versatility.

He is a quarterback-friendly target in the passing game because of his ability to adjust, frame and finish, even in traffic.

A good-sized athlete (6-3, 245), Campbell makes his presence felt against the run, rushing the passer and in coverage.

He leads Alabama in tackles (78), tackles for loss (9.5), sacks (4.0) and forced fumbles (two).

More importantly, that impact shows up on tape.

(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic; Photos of Mykel Williams, Travis Hunter and Will Johnson: Joe Robbins, Chris Ludac / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, David Berding / Getty Images).

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