- Arch Manning goes No. 1: While only a backup at Texas this previous season, he earned an 88.0 PFF grade and could possibly be subsequent up in his household’s quarterback dynasty.
- Jeremiah Smith to the Raiders: Ohio State’s freshman phenom huge receiver heads to Las Vegas, reuniting with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and his cousin Geno Smith.
Estimated Reading Time: 14 minutes
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Draft Position Rankings
The NFL is exclusive to different sports activities leagues in that gamers can’t enter it till they’re three years faraway from highschool. But what if that rule modified and gamers might declare for the draft after only one yr of faculty soccer?
Well, right here’s how we expect the primary spherical would shake out if that have been the case.
Editor’s observe: Only gamers eligible for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 NFL drafts have been thought of. Incoming true freshmen weren’t eligible. This draft represents what we, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick, would do as basic managers.
1. Tennessee Titans: QB Arch Manning, Texas, 2026
The Titans take a swing on Arch Manning with the primary choose. Obviously, he garners a ton of consideration attributable to his final identify, however he earned an 88.0 PFF general grade in restricted motion final season and ought to be arrange very nicely for fulfillment at Texas after two years as an understudy. If he proves himself constantly in opposition to SEC competitors, he very nicely could possibly be the primary choose each time he decides to go away college.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB DJ Lagway, Florida, 2027
Lagway oozes potential. The true freshman confirmed why he was the highest quarterback recruit within the 2024 cycle by main the Power Four with an 8.8% big-time throw price. His 95.6 PFF passing grade on deep throws this previous season ranked third within the nation.
The Florida quarterback could have extra arm expertise than anybody else in faculty soccer. He simply must fine-tune his footwork and accuracy to doubtlessly grow to be a prospect whom groups just like the Browns journey over themselves to pick in a few years.
3. New York Giants: QB Cam Ward, Miami (FL), 2025
It’s no secret that the Giants would choose Cam Ward on this yr’s draft if he’s nonetheless on the board. They get that probability on this train. Ward was the highest-graded quarterback in faculty soccer in 2024. His mixture of decisive downfield passing and improvisational expertise make him the right candidate to run New York’s offense. Ward throwing to Malik Nabers can be thrilling to look at.
4. New England Patriots: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado, 2025
The Patriots nab the very best participant on this yr’s class. This previous yr’s Heisman Trophy winner is a celebrity on each side of the ball, tying for third amongst FBS cornerbacks in PFF protection grade (90.3) whereas tying for essentially the most receiving touchdowns within the Power Four (15). If that two-way stardom continues into the NFL, Hunter will instantly grow to be one of the vital helpful non-quarterbacks within the league.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State, 2026
The Jaguars had the lowest-graded security unit within the NFL final season and misplaced the very best participant in that group, Andre Cisco. Caleb Downs is a really generational prospect on the place who earned PFF grades above 85.0 as a real freshman and a real sophomore. His potential to morph himself to suit into any function in any protection would utterly change the outlook of Jacksonville’s secondary.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, 2027
Smith already has a few connections to the Raiders’ group. He would catch passes from his cousin, Geno Smith, and reunite with Las Vegas’ new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached Smith throughout his freshman season final yr as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator.
Even with out these ties, the Raiders would nonetheless dash this card in. Smith was essentially the most helpful receiver within the nation as only a true freshman, in accordance with PFF’s Wins Above Average metric. He additionally tied for the Power Four lead in receiving touchdowns (15) whereas his 1,311 receiving yards trailed solely Tetairoa McMillan in that very same group.
Smith is an athletic freak at 6-foot-3 and 215 kilos with an extremely refined ability set for somebody who turned 19 years outdated in November. He has all of the makings of a generational prospect in a few years and is already the very best energetic participant in faculty soccer.
7. New York Jets: DI Mason Graham, Michigan, 2025
The Jets took a serious step again in run protection in 2024, due largely to the shortage of inside manufacturing except for Quinnen Williams. Mason Graham was the very best defensive sort out within the FBS over the previous two seasons. He led the FBS with a 91.1 PFF general grade and a 92.6 PFF run-defense grade in 2024. He and Williams would instantly create one of many NFL’s most dynamic inside duos.
8. Carolina Panthers: EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State, 2025
The Panthers desperately need assistance at edge defender, and so they’re fortunate sufficient to have their choose right here. Carter was essentially the most helpful edge defender within the nation this previous season, in accordance with PFF’s Wins Above Average metric, whereas his 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade ranked second. He will possible go inside the first three picks within the 2025 NFL Draft, however Carolina is fortunate to seize him right here on this mock.
9. New Orleans Saints: QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, 2026
Between the quick journey down from Baton Rouge and Doug Nussmeier, Garrett’s father, not too long ago being put in because the Saints’ offensive coordinator, we’re connecting some dots when projecting this choose. That’s to not say Garrett Nussmeier isn’t a first-round expertise, although. In his first season as LSU’s starter, he ranked nineteenth within the nation with an 81.3 PFF passing grade and tied for seventh with 26 big-time throws.
10. Chicago Bears: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 2025
In a variety that would very nicely occur within the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears choose Jeanty. His 99.9 profession PFF speeding grade is the very best in PFF faculty historical past, and he additionally earned an 81.7 profession PFF receiving grade. Jeanty is up there with Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley as the very best working again prospects in latest reminiscence.
11. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Dylan Stewart, South Carolina, 2027
Stewart made his freakish expertise obvious in his very first faculty sport when he racked up six pressures and three sacks on his solution to a 94.6 PFF pass-rush grade in opposition to Old Dominion. He saved that momentum going and completed tied for sixth with Mike Green, amongst others, in PFF pass-rush grade (91.4) for the season. A classically constructed 4-3 defensive finish, Stewart can be the right complement to Nick Bosa because the 49ers start their defensive position rebuild.
12. Dallas Cowboys: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, 2025
Dallas selects McMillan right here as the right complement to CeeDee Lamb. He led the FBS with 35 contested catches over the previous two years and can also be greater than only a huge goal, inserting second within the nation with 29 pressured missed tackles after the catch in 2024. This is one other choice that very simply might occur within the 2025 NFL Draft.
13. Miami Dolphins: T Will Campbell, LSU, 2025
Miami picks up the top-ranked 2025 offensive lineman on PFF’s huge board in Will Campbell. Whether he performs sort out or guard for the Dolphins, he would definitely fill a necessity. Campbell earned a career-high 80.6 PFF pass-blocking grade after permitting simply two sacks in 2024. His basically sound fashion of play would considerably elevate the ground of the Dolphins’ offensive line.
14. Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State, 2025
This is a dream choice for the Colts within the precise 2025 NFL Draft. Warren led all Power Four tight ends in PFF general grade (91.2), receiving yards (1,230), receiving touchdowns (eight) and yards after the catch (693) in 2024. Last yr, the Colts notched the second-fewest receiving yards from tight ends.
15. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas, 2027
Dylan Stewart is the premier defensive finish in faculty soccer heading into 2025, however Colin Simmons is the very best edge rusher from a two-point stance. That matches completely with Atlanta’s wants in Raheem Morris’ protection.
Simmons led Texas with an elite 90.0 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024 and tied for the group lead in sacks regardless of garnering simply the fifth-most pass-rush reps. He shall be competing to be the primary defensive lineman off the board in 2027.
16. Arizona Cardinals: CB Will Johnson, Michigan, 2025
Only one among Arizona’s present cornerbacks positioned within the prime 75 in PFF general grade final yr, and that was slot man Garrett Williams. Johnson addresses a determined want on the skin and has the soccer IQ to thrive within the Cardinals’ heavy off-zone protection scheme. He earned a 91.3 PFF general grade throughout his three years at Michigan.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: DI Peter Woods, Clemson, 2026
Through his true freshman and sophomore seasons, Woods has confirmed himself as an elite run defender whereas nonetheless creating his pass-rush expertise. The former is evidenced by his excellent 89.7 run-defense grade over the previous two seasons. His power is past his years, and his potential at such a younger age can be welcomed in Cincinnati.
18. Seattle Seahawks: T Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, 2025
The Seahawks desperately want to deal with their inside offensive line. Neither of their projected beginning guards, Anthony Bradford and Sataoa Laumea, have been among the many 70 highest-graded gamers at their place final yr.
Banks was the Power Four’s most dear sort out this previous season, in accordance with PFF’s Wins Above Average metric, and has the flexibility to play guard. He may be Seattle’s long-term reply at proper sort out if Abraham Lucas’ damage points proceed.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 2025
Lavonte David continues to be a productive participant at 35 years outdated, however the Buccaneers would lastly have a succession plan in Jihaad Campbell. He is the consensus top-ranked linebacker on this yr’s class after a season wherein he was one among simply six FBS linebackers with 80.0-plus PFF run-defense and protection grades.
20. Denver Broncos: WR Ryan Williams, Alabama, 2027
The Broncos shall be trying so as to add some offensive weapons on this yr’s draft, and Williams definitely matches the invoice right here. While he did not match Jeremiah Smith’s biggest true freshman huge receiver season of all time, Williams was nonetheless unimaginable in his first yr of faculty soccer. The former top-five recruit’s 865 receiving yards weren’t simply the second most amongst FBS true freshmen this previous season, however they have been second most over the previous three seasons. He has elite velocity and physique management and may solely be getting higher within the subsequent couple of seasons.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, 2025
The Steelers could not get the possibility to draft Sanders within the precise 2025 NFL Draft, however their fortunes are a bit higher on this train. Sanders brings a 91.4 PFF passing grade and a minuscule 1.3% turnover-worthy play price over the previous two seasons at Colorado. The Steelers want an correct passer to throw the ball downfield to DK Metcalf and George Pickens, and Sanders offers them simply that.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 2025
Joey Bosa‘s launch and Khalil Mack‘s return on a one-year deal at 34 years outdated leaves Los Angeles needing to deal with its future at edge defender. Pearce was probably the greatest cross rushers in faculty soccer over the previous two seasons, main all FBS edge defenders in strain price (22.4%) over that span.
23. Green Bay Packers: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas, 2025
Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley ran a bit extra zone protection than anticipated in his first yr on the helm in Green Bay. If that pattern continues, Barron can be the right participant so as to add to his secondary, particularly contemplating Jaire Alexander’s contract state of affairs. Barron led all FBS cornerbacks with a 91.5 zone PFF protection grade in 2024.
24. Minnesota Vikings: CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, 2027
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to get aggressive in how typically he performs man protection, however he didn’t fairly have the defensive items to take action final season.
Moore completed his true freshman season because the third-most-valuable cornerback in faculty soccer, in accordance with PFF’s Wins Above Average metric, trailing solely Jahdae Barron and Travis Hunter.
He was particularly good in Notre Dame’s man-heavy scheme, as his 82.5 PFF grade in man protection was third amongst all cornerbacks in faculty soccer. He is already PFF’s prime returning cornerback regardless of getting into solely his sophomore yr.
25. Houston Texans: T Armand Membou, Missouri, 2025
Houston is starting to rebuild its offensive line, and buying Membou can be the right solution to begin it. Membou’s 90.6 PFF general grade this previous season ranked third amongst certified FBS tackles. He was additionally one among simply 5 offensive linemen with no less than an 85.0 PFF grade as a run blocker and a cross blocker. Whether he performs on the precise or left aspect, Membou would make the Laremy Tunsil commerce far more palatable.
26. Los Angeles Rams: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan, 2025
The Rams tried to commerce up for Brock Bowers final yr to no avail. They’ll gladly choose Loveland right here as a comfort prize. He runs routes like a large receiver at 6-foot-6 and 248 kilos, and his 2.51 yards per route run since 2023 ranks second to solely Bowers amongst Power Four tight ends.
27. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Mike Green, Marshall, 2025
Ravens edge defenders ranked simply fifteenth in PFF pass-rush grade final season, which must be improved when dealing with the gauntlet of elite quarterbacks within the AFC.
Green led the FBS final season with a 92.4 PFF general grade and 17 sacks. He additionally earned an elite 90.2 PFF run-defense grade, which ought to give him loads of probabilities to play each down on the subsequent stage. Green could possibly be the elite edge rusher Baltimore is lacking.
28. Detroit Lions: EDGE T.J. Parker, Clemson, 2026
The Lions will possible be trying so as to add an edge defender working mate within the 2025 NFL Draft to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. Parker is the early favourite to be the highest edge in subsequent yr’s class. His 12 sacks in 2024 led all returning Power Four edge rushers, and he’s one among three in that very same group who posted 80.0-plus PFF grades each as a cross rusher and a run defender.
29. Washington Commanders: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee, 2026
McCoy could possibly be the primary cornerback chosen in subsequent yr’s draft. He ranked ninth amongst certified FBS cornerbacks with an 89.6 PFF protection grade in 2024. He additionally reeled in 4 interceptions and broke up six passes whereas permitting simply two touchdowns all season. McCoy’s presence would permit Mike Sainristil to maneuver again to his pure slot place whereas making a fearsome trio that additionally contains Marshon Lattimore.
30. Buffalo Bills: CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson, 2026
The Bills completed with the second-worst PFF protection grade within the NFL final yr (37.7), so including defensive backs is a should. The youthful brother of present Atlanta Falcons nook A.J. Terrell, Avieon is projected to comply with in his brother’s footsteps from Clemson to the primary spherical of the NFL Draft.
The youthful Terrell is a a lot better run defender than his brother, inserting fourth amongst all cornerbacks with a 90.7 PFF run-defense grade this previous season. His three pressured fumbles tied for the second most. He is superb in protection, as nicely, main all Power Four cornerbacks with 14 pressured incompletions in 2024.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: T Jordan Seaton, Colorado, 2027
This might’ve been one other sort out from the 2025 class, however we’ll take an opportunity on the expertise of Colorado’s Jordan Seaton. The prime offensive sort out recruit within the 2024 class, Seaton earned a top-30 true PFF pass-blocking grade within the Power Four as a real freshman. That turns into a top-12 rating when you take away the struggles of his first two faculty video games.
If Colorado goes to proceed its upward trajectory, Seaton is more likely to be an enormous purpose, and draft scouts will definitely take discover by 2027.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri, 2025
The defending Super Bowl champions proceed so as to add to their stacked offense by deciding on Burden right here. He is the very best after-the-catch receiver on this draft class. His 50 pressured missed tackles since 2023 ranked third amongst FBS receivers, and his 1,097 yards after the catch have been the fourth most. With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith already in tow, Burden would give Philadelphia arguably the very best huge receiver trio within the sport.