- Undersized prospects with elite manufacturing problem NFL norms: From Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel to Michigan’s Josaiah Stewart, a number of gamers missing prototype measurables nonetheless provide confirmed, high-level manufacturing and flexibility that would translate into useful NFL roles.
- Unique builds may carve out specialist roles within the league: Short-yardage operating again/defensive lineman JJ Pegues and undersized but explosive cornerbacks like Upton Stout and Robert Longerbeam carry uncommon traits that groups may leverage in artistic, matchup-based methods.
- PFF’s 2025 NFL Draft Guide is LIVE: This yr’s information is loaded with three-page draft profiles on a whole lot of NFL draft prospects within the 2025 class.
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Draft Position Rankings
The NFL is obsessive about top, weight and velocity in terms of evaluating draft prospects — and for good motive. In easy phrases, large guys beat up small guys, and quick guys run previous sluggish ones. Some groups have hard-and-fast thresholds for measurement and athleticism that they refuse to compromise on. Others are extra versatile and keen to make exceptions for gamers who’ve proven they will produce regardless of missing “best” measurables. But top, weight and velocity are simply a part of the equation — school manufacturing issues, too.
Future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald is an ideal instance. One of essentially the most dominant gamers of the previous 20 years, Donald measured simply 6-foot-1 and 285 kilos on the mix — placing him within the ninth percentile for top and seventh percentile for weight amongst inside defensive linemen. He was a transparent outlier by conventional requirements, however that didn’t cease him from changing into an all-time nice.
Now, I’m not saying the gamers on this listing are future Hall of Famers. But if Donald taught us something, it’s that success isn’t at all times tied to measurement. These prospects won’t match the mildew — however all they’ve accomplished is produce.
THE SHORT QUARTERBACK: QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Gabriel measured 5-foot-11 and 205 kilos on the mix, inserting him within the fourth percentile for top and fifth percentile for weight amongst quarterback prospects traditionally, per the 2025 PFF NFL Draft Guide.
Despite his measurement, Gabriel’s school résumé is as achieved as any quarterback on this class. Across stints at three completely different applications, he made an NCAA-record 63 profession begins, holds the FBS report with 189 whole touchdowns and is tied for essentially the most profession passing touchdowns in FBS historical past (155).
Gabriel’s in depth expertise has formed him into a fast processor and good decision-maker. He will get the ball out quick — his 2.7-second common time to throw ranks among the many quickest on this draft class — and he’s additionally essentially the most correct passer within the group, having led all quarterbacks with an 81.9% adjusted completion fee. Gabriel could also be undersized, however he’s correct, productive and battle-tested — and there’s little motive to consider his lack of top will maintain him again on the subsequent stage.
THE LIGHTWEIGHT WIDE RECEIVER: WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Johnson measured 5-foot-9 and 154 kilos on the mix. And whereas the NFL has seen success from 5-foot-9 receivers, it’s virtually unprecedented for a 154-pound participant to thrive on the subsequent stage. His top ranks within the ninth percentile amongst broad receiver prospects, and his weight lands within the zero percentile.
Despite his traditionally small body, Johnson is an explosive and agile athlete. He posted a 131-inch broad leap (92nd percentile) and a 6.65-second 3-cone drill (93rd percentile), each elite marks for the place.
Lining up principally within the slot, Johnson delivered a extremely productive 2024 marketing campaign. His 87.0 PFF receiving grade ranked fifth amongst draft-eligible wideouts with not less than 80 targets, and his 7.4 yards after the catch per reception additionally positioned fifth. While he received’t be requested to dam in heavy formations, Johnson’s quickness and playmaking capability make him a dynamic weapon from the slot.
THE SMALL TIGHT END: TE Brant Kuithe, Utah
Kuithe measured in at 6-foot-2 and 236 kilos on the mix, making him each the shortest and lightest tight finish in attendance. His top locations him within the fourth percentile and his weight within the third percentile amongst historic tight finish prospects.
Injuries have hampered Kuithe’s school profession, however he’s confirmed to be one of many extra productive tight ends within the draft class when he has been wholesome. He ranks sixth amongst tight ends in each PFF receiving grade (79.8) and yards after the catch per reception (8.5), whereas his 2.55 yards per route run ranks fifth. Given his measurement, Kuithe tasks finest as a transfer or receiving tight finish fairly than a standard inline possibility.
THE HEFTY SHORT YARDAGE RUNNING BACK: DI JJ Pegues, Mississippi
Pegues was launched on the Ole Miss professional day as an “offensive weapon,” and it’s straightforward to see why. Measuring 6-foot-2½ and 309 kilos on the mix, Pegues is a uniquely constructed short-yardage operating again who’s been surprisingly efficient with the ball in his arms. In 2024, he logged 21 carries for 69 yards — with 11 leading to first downs and 7 going for touchdowns. He pressured 9 missed tackles and averaged 3.0 yards after contact per try, incomes a 92.3 PFF offensive grade. Pegues even took half in fullback drills on the mix.
Of course, Pegues’ major place is inside defensive position, the place he posted an 81.8 PFF run-defense grade final season. That’s the place he’ll line up within the NFL — however right here’s hoping his new crew nonetheless provides him the occasional short-yardage carry.
THE UNDERSIZED INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
iOL Willie Lampkin, North Carolina
Willie Lampkin didn’t obtain a mix invite — seemingly because of his non-traditional measurement for an NFL offensive lineman — however he did make it to the Senior Bowl as a late addition from Jim Nagy. Measuring 5-foot-10 and 270 kilos, Lampkin can be the smallest offensive lineman within the NFL by a large margin.
A former wrestler, Lampkin makes use of leverage and approach to his benefit within the trenches, persistently gaining positioning on defenders regardless of his measurement. He thrives in zone-blocking schemes, posting an elite 90.6 PFF run-blocking grade on zone runs over the previous two seasons. He additionally didn’t permit a sack in 2024. With expertise at each guard and heart, his finest NFL match is probably going at heart for a crew that emphasizes zone ideas within the run sport.
G Marcus Wehr, Montana State
Wehr was one other notable mix snub, however he made his mark on the East-West Shrine Bowl, the place he measured in at 6-foot-2, 298 kilos with 32 3/8-inch arms. Wehr has expertise at each deal with and guard, and he excelled at every spot. In 2023, he didn’t permit a sack and earned a 92.7 PFF run-blocking grade whereas taking part in deal with. He adopted that up in 2024 with one other sack-free season at guard, posting an 88.8 run-blocking grade.
Wehr’s lack of best deal with top and arm size seemingly limits him to the inside on the subsequent stage, however his constant manufacturing makes him a robust candidate to thrive as a guard in a zone-heavy run scheme.
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THE SHORT INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: DI Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech
Peebles measured in at simply 6 ft and 1/2 inch, 282 kilos with 31 3/8-inch arms on the NFL mix — inserting him within the first percentile for top and fourth percentile for arm size amongst historic inside defensive position prospects.
Despite these measurables, Peebles has been some of the productive inside cross rushers in school soccer over the previous two seasons. He posted back-to-back elite PFF pass-rushing grades — 90.1 in 2023 and 91.2 in 2024 — through the use of his fast first step, agility and a deep arsenal of pass-rush strikes, together with a devastating spin transfer. Across his profession, he recorded 98 whole pressures, together with 14 sacks, 9 quarterback hits and 75 hurries. While his measurement could restrict him in some roles, Peebles may thrive as a third-down inside pass-rush specialist within the NFL.
THE SHORT EDGE DEFENDERS: ED Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Stewart measured 6-foot-1 and 249 kilos on the mix with 31 7/8-inch arms — inserting him within the second percentile for top and fifth percentile for arm size amongst edge prospects. But regardless of his lack of prototypical measurement, Stewart was some of the productive pass-rushers in school soccer — and, in some metrics, traditionally so.
He burst onto the scene as a freshman with 15 sacks and led the nation in pass-rush productiveness in opposition to true cross units (26.2). As a senior, he posted a 93.7 PFF pass-rush grade in those self same conditions — one of the best within the nation — and his 41.2% win fee on true cross units ranks second-best over the past seven draft lessons, behind solely Chase Young and narrowly forward of Nick Bosa.
While velocity is his calling card, Stewart can also convert velocity to energy and has totaled 33 profession sacks and 147 pressures. He’s not only a pass-rush specialist, both — his 83.7 run-defense grade in 2024 exhibits he’s an entire participant. Stewart could not match conventional edge measurement thresholds, however his on-field efficiency factors to a possible impression starter on the subsequent stage.
ED David Walker, Central Arkansas
Walker measured 6-foot, 263 kilos on the mix with 31 7/8-inch arms — inserting him within the first percentile for top and fifth percentile for arm size amongst edge prospects. While these measurements fall effectively outdoors the NFL prototype for edge defenders, Walker has realized to make use of his shorter, stockier body to his benefit by getting below taller blockers and successful leverage battles.
Despite the scale considerations, Walker delivered some of the dominant school careers in latest reminiscence. His 94.6 general PFF grade in 2024 led all edge defenders at each the FBS and FCS ranges. He additionally posted the highest run-defense grade (92.6) and prime pass-rush grade (94.0) within the nation. That yr, he totaled 12 sacks, six quarterback hits and 37 hurries on simply 351 pass-rushing snaps. And it wasn’t a one-off — Walker earned a 90.3 pass-rush grade in 2023 and a 91.5 in 2022, with 151 whole pressures over the previous three seasons (37 sacks, 17 QB hits, 97 hurries).
His constant manufacturing as each a pass-rusher and run defender factors to every-down potential within the NFL. At minimal, Walker’s capability to win in numerous methods — and his distinctive construct — may make him a useful rotational presence immediately.
THE LIGHTWEIGHT DEFENSIVE BACKS
CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
Stout measured 5-foot-8, 181 kilos on the mix — inserting him within the first percentile for top and sixth percentile for weight amongst defensive backs, per MockDraftin a position. While undersized, he’s each explosive and robust: his 128-inch broad leap ranks within the eighty fifth percentile, and his 21 bench press reps landed within the 89th percentile.
Stout has delivered back-to-back robust seasons for Western Kentucky, posting an 80.9 PFF grade in 2023 and an 84.4 in 2024. His 90.9 run-defense grade final season ranked fifth amongst all FBS safeties. Primarily deployed within the slot, Stout’s physicality and instincts make that essentially the most pure NFL match for him — particularly given his body and talent set.
CB Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
Longerbeam measured in at 5-foot-11 and 175 kilos on the mix, together with his weight touchdown within the first percentile traditionally amongst defensive backs. Despite the sunshine body, he examined as a dynamic athlete — his 4.39-second 40-yard sprint ranked within the 87th percentile, and his 134-inch broad leap was within the 97th.
A collegiate outdoors nook, Longerbeam has the velocity to stay with vertical routes however lacks the play energy to persistently match up with bigger-bodied receivers on the catch level. His elite change-of-direction expertise and lightweight body make him a greater match within the slot on the subsequent stage. He posted a 71.3 PFF protection grade from the slot in 2024, didn’t permit a single slant completion all yr and added two interceptions and 9 cross breakups for good measure.