As the pigskin season kicks off in full swing this week in the world of college football, scouts and analysts are already keeping a keen eye on the standout prospects who could potentially make a splash in the 2025 NFL draft.
While it may seem premature to start making connections between these college stars and NFL teams, experts are already beginning to narrow down the list of players who are catching the attention of pro football scouts this fall. Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman, from The Athletic, have gone as far as pairing these promising players with NFL teams based on a projected first-round draft order.
(Note: The order of the NFL draft was determined by Austin Mock’s forecasted win totals for the upcoming season for both the NFC and AFC.)
1. Washington Commanders: James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee
“This past April, Sean Payton focused on offensive additions. In Carter, the Broncos would take another step toward building their defense. Carter (6-3, 260) played off the ball at linebacker last fall but is moving to defensive end this year. His freakish skill set compares favorably to former Nittany Lion Micah Parsons, and with a big year, Carter could rival Pearce or a quarterback for No. 1 overall.” – Scott Dochterman
“No NFL team has ever taken a cornerback higher than No. 3 in the NFL Draft. It feels unlikely Johnson will change that. However, if ever there were a prospect that could make a team think about it, it’s a 6-2, 200-pounder with elite burst (near 11-foot broad jump), quicks (reported 6.57-second three-cone) and smarts.
Johnson is an extremely high-floor corner. If he has a Thorpe Award-type year, he might flirt with draft history.” – Baumgardner
“Beck will enter the season as QB1 on most NFL boards, and I still maintain he’d have been a top-10 selection had he come out in 2024. He’s smart, aggressive, accurate, confident and comes with ideal size. There aren’t many more high-pressure college QB jobs than running Georgia’s offense, and Beck barely broke a sweat last season.” – Baumgardner
2. Denver Broncos: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State
“Low, quick and powerful, Graham (6-3, 320) is a nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. He has the type of skill that translates to a 3-4 defense and would be a perfect addition for Arizona. He’d instantly upgrade the Cardinals’ defensive line and be a fierce run-stuffer.” – Dochterman
“Perhaps the most talented skill player in the draft, McMillan (6-5, 210) has the Mike Evans-like qualities that every team desires. Last year, he caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he was just as impressive on contested catches as he was running basic routes. Though he needs to fill out to reach his potential, McMillan could pair nicely with Anthony Richardson and the Colts’ group of receivers.” – Dochterman
The buzz around these potential NFL stars is only just beginning, and as the college football season progresses, all eyes will be on these top prospects as they showcase their talents for a shot at making it to the big leagues in 2025. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the season unfolds.
