The 2025 NFL Draft is generating buzz around superstar names, but true football enthusiasts will soon start to focus on the top sleepers. Late-round picks often have a tougher path, as teams are less likely to take chances on Day 3 selections compared to first-round choices. 

Yet, history shows that a few of these players will rise to become essential building blocks for successful teams.

Some prospects may transform significantly once they reach the NFL, whether due to late development, challenging circumstances, or simply hitting a new level of performance. Evaluators must assess whether they possess the athletic skills to excel in a specific role and if they have the tenacity to keep pushing forward. 

This evaluation process is complicated further by the frequent changes in the coaching staff and the limited insights into each player's mindset and motivations.

Despite these challenges, I’ve taken on the task of pinpointing some of the top sleeper candidates for the 2025 NFL Draft. 

These six players are consistently ranked below the top 100 prospects across various platforms and are projected to be drafted no earlier than late Day 2. Nonetheless, their skill sets and certain performance metrics suggest that they could be valuable investments.

Each of these players has a strong chance of being considered a significant steal in the coming years and likely should have been selected much earlier.

Best Sleepers in 2025 NFL Draft

Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)

When examining just the raw statistics, it’s hard to argue that Tyler Baron performed any better at Miami in 2024 than he did during his earlier seasons at Tennessee. 

However, the switch in teams allowed him to focus solely on being an edge defender for the first time since 2021, as opposed to taking on various gap assignments over the guard or lining up directly against the tackle in a 5-technique role. This change showcased Baron’s consistency and explosiveness much more effectively.

One of Baron's standout traits is his impressive speed off the edge, making him one of the top prospects in this class. He boasts four seasons of solid pass-rush productivity, proving he’s more than just impressive at workouts. 

His performance at the Combine was remarkable, clocking a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash and achieving stellar jumping metrics at almost 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. Despite his strong film, statistics, and physical traits, Baron is seldom mentioned as a candidate for an NFL starting position.

While Baron's run defense and missed tackle rates are average, nitpicking this aspect of his game seems unfair, especially since other comparable prospects don’t face the same scrutiny. His top-tier strengths will certainly secure him a role in the league.

Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State

How little attention should a 6-foot-2, 203-pound receiver with 104 receptions, 1,382 yards, and 16 touchdowns be receiving? Nick Nash’s career trajectory has been intriguing, especially after starting out as a quarterback. In 2023, he transitioned to receiver and quickly emerged as a formidable playmaker, thanks to his size and power.

While he may not be the most explosive deep threat, he resembles players like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a larger receiver capable of winning both inside and outside. His role as a dependable big slot is highly valuable as offenses increasingly seek versatile players who can function well in any formation.

With an impressive catch rate below 6% over the past two years, a 50% contested catch rate in 2024, and his overall dependability, Nash stands out as a prime Day 3 prospect who could have a breakout performance early in his career.

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten has the potential to be an exceptional change-of-pace back, especially when paired with a more powerful running option. Standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 206 pounds, he is an impressive athlete who deserves to be on the field frequently. After transferring from North Carolina A&T, he dominated his competition in the ACC and even became more explosive despite the tougher opponents.

In a strong field of running backs, Tuten's agility stands out significantly. He clocked an impressive 4.32-second 40-yard dash, and his athleticism is further highlighted by a remarkable 40.5-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-10-inch broad jump. 

When you combine these elite measurements with his sixth-best average for yards after contact and breakaway rate, it positions him as a high-end prospect who seems to be undervalued in this draft cycle.

With numerous talented backs available this year, Tuten may be pushed to Day 3 of the draft. However, even if he ends up in a shared-backfield situation, he will still be a formidable threat each time he steps onto the field.

Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina

Injuries and limited opportunities hindered Demetrius Knight's breakout until he transferred to Charlotte in 2023 and subsequently to South Carolina in 2024. The past two years have been exceptional for him. Once relatively unknown before 2023, he has now established himself as the third-best linebacker in this class.

At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Knight possesses the agility of a modern safety. He plays with impressive speed and tenacity, leading to impactful plays and providing an upside on third downs that typical NFL linebackers lack. His ability in both man and zone coverage potentially makes him a standout starter in a challenging position to excel.

Knight needs to consistently demonstrate his well-rounded skills, as he only emerged as a reliable run-stopper in 2024, and his coverage effectiveness has decreased compared to 2023. Despite his time in college, he still has relatively limited experience at a high level. With the current class having few options beyond Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker, Knight is poised to be the next top prospect.

Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

A year ago, Quincy Riley was coming off an impressive season and was seen as a potential first-round pick in 2025. He posted an NFL passer rating of just 37.2, which ranked as the third-lowest of his career. Most notably, his tackling efficiency improved significantly, reaching nearly 90%.

Riley was starting to develop a game reminiscent of Jaire Alexander. However, he returned for a senior season that turned out to be disappointing, as many things went awry. His missed tackle rate more than doubled, and the passer rating he allowed was the worst of his career. Despite his usage remaining the same, he struggled throughout the season.

Rather than pulling out, I'm choosing to invest in Riley during this downturn. His film still showed promise, even if a couple of poor games impacted his overall stats. 

At the Combine, he clocked a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, proving he possesses the explosiveness necessary for success in the NFL. While he might thrive best in a more zone-oriented scheme, he brings exceptional ball skills, evidenced by his eight interceptions and 27 pass breakups.

C.J. West, DT, Indiana

C.J. West's transfer from Kent State to Indiana was meant to present a challenge, but instead, the 6-foot-1, 315-pound nose tackle excelled in the Big Ten. As a key player for the revamped Hoosiers, he proved to be a formidable force against the run, earning one of the highest PFF grades in the nation by overpowering interior blockers. The critical factor for his NFL potential will be how well his pass-rushing skills translate to the professional level.

While he recorded just two sacks, his 25 quarterback pressures indicate a much brighter outlook. It's likely that West has the potential for a career similar to Poona Ford or Tershawn Wharton, as he can create disruption when matched against guards or centers. This belief is supported by his impressive athletic testing, demonstrating that he stands out among a crowded draft class.

West's performances at the Combine were exceptional, showcasing his talent despite his compact build. While an arm length of 31.5 inches could be improved, he remains the quintessential inside bruiser with enough speed and closing capabilities to effectively start on the right team.