The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting classes we've seen in recent years. Following the top 10 picks, there’s a lot of uncertainty, which is likely to lead to some chaotic moments. Many players we anticipated would become first-round picks haven't quite worked out, creating opportunities for potential risers to step up.

Although we’re still several months away from the all-star events and the NFL Scouting Combine, standout candidates for rising talent become evident with each game played. Film evaluations provide valuable insights, and some players who were initially projected as late-round picks have the potential to excel at the next level. These rising prospects are now in a strong position to be selected earlier than many had predicted at the start of the season.

From those moving from undrafted status to mid-round projections to Day 2 talents making their way into Round 1, we've identified one significant riser at each position for the 2025 NFL Draft. So, which player has seen the most significant rise?

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2025 NFL Draft Prospect Risers

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Stats: 187/259, 72.2% completion, 2,497 yards, 17 TDs, 5 INTs

Drew Allar's advanced statistics show noteworthy improvements, even if they aren't monumental on their own. In 2023, he proved to be a statistically efficient starter with a completion rate of 59.5%, which was impressive considering the limited supporting cast at Penn State. This year, Allar has effectively combined his exceptional physical attributes with a smart, high-IQ playing style.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, Allar possesses a powerful arm and solid athleticism. He has gained valuable experience in traditional passing schemes and excels at minimizing mistakes, highlighted by his impressive turnover-worthy throw rate of just 1.1% and a pressure-to-sack rate of 11.7%. This skill set suggests he could follow a path to the NFL similar to Bo Nix.

What sets Allar apart is his superior physical talent and a slightly more aggressive playing style. It would be beneficial for him to join an offensive system with a more robust supporting cast than what he has at Penn State, where he largely relies on Tyler Warren. With his skills and ability to maintain a productive and efficient offense, Allar should be a strong candidate for first-round consideration in the NFL draft.

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Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Stats: 223 carries, 1,490 yards, 21 TDs

Ashton Jeanty receives a lot of attention, and rightly so, but Kaleb Johnson has been impressive in his own right. Johnson specializes in trucking defenders and has forced 62 missed tackles this year. This performance isn't a one-time occurrence; he forced 51 missed tackles on 151 carries in 2022 and an additional 19 on 117 carries in 2023.

A remarkable 1,004 of his rushing yards have come after contact, and he has generated 69 first downs. This success isn’t simply due to a veer offense that capitalizes on light boxes. Johnson is playing behind a struggling passing game and lacks support from other players on the Iowa roster.

Even with defenses fully aware of his running, Johnson has averaged an astonishing 8.8 yards per carry on runs outside the left tackle and 7.1 yards outside the right tackle. He is also powerful on interior runs, averaging 5.3 yards per carry to the left and 7.5 yards to the right.

Johnson poses a threat whether he is darting past linemen and linebackers or bulldozing through defensive backs. He is a strong candidate to emerge as an immediate impact starter and a top-40 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Kyren Lacy, WR, LSU

55 receptions, 825 yards, 8 TDs

Receivers who can effectively play both inside and outside, win at the catch point, and create gains after the catch are increasingly difficult to find. This class features small, speedy options as well as larger possession receivers. However, Kyren Lacy stands out as one of the few stout and versatile playmakers.

At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, the senior from LSU plays with a style reminiscent of a bowling ball. He has caught just under 57% of his targets, averaging an impressive 14.6 yards per target. Lacy is effectively handling the team's primary target role, having spent nearly a quarter of his snaps in the slot and averaging four yards after the catch.

The only weakness in his performance has been his struggles in contested catch situations, where he has converted only four of 20 targets. A closer examination reveals that many of these targets were uncatchable, but one would generally expect a physically robust receiver like Lacy to fare better in these scenarios. Despite this shortcoming, it is unlikely to keep him from being a projected Day 3 pick.

Given his talent, it’s hard to imagine that Lacy will fall beyond the top 100 picks in the draft.

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Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green

Stats: 92 receptions, 1,295 yards, 9 TDs

Harold Fannin Jr., the nation’s most productive tight end, has significantly increased his draft stock. He is not your typical in-line tight end; rather, he resembles a hybrid H-back who can excel anywhere on the field. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 230 pounds, Fannin is quick, powerful, and possesses exceptionally strong hands.

 

This season, 111 of his snaps occurred in the slot and 136 in-line, showcasing his versatility. Bowling Green effectively utilizes this by isolating him against linebackers and defensive backs, allowing him to dominate these matchups. He has forced 29 missed tackles and won 10 contested catches.

 

While NFL teams often hesitate to invest in hybrid talents due to concerns over their blocking abilities, Fannin stands out in this regard. He has graded as an above-average blocker in the run game over 233 snaps and has committed only seven penalties across 587 run snaps throughout his career. Additionally, his blocking skills have improved each season, according to Pro Football Focus.

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Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

The offensive tackle class has some solid options at the top, but it quickly dwindles as we move into Day 2 of the draft. Many tackles are projected to move inside due to concerns about their length, leaving only a few strong and skilled blockers as true tackle candidates. Josh Conerly Jr., despite being only 6-foot-4, should be considered primarily as a tackle.

 

Conerly, a standout left tackle, hasn’t yet gained the recognition he deserves after an impressive breakout season. He has allowed only two sacks across 972 career pass-blocking snaps, and his overall efficiency has improved each year. According to PFF, Conerly has given up just six hurries this season, resulting in an outstanding pass-block efficiency rate of 99.1. In contrast, last year he allowed 17 pressures and was penalized eight times.

 

By combining his improved effectiveness with only three penalties this year, it is evident that Conerly has addressed his key issues from the past. His athletic build lends significant power in the run game, and his footwork in pass protection is noticeably smoother and more balanced than it was in 2023. Overall, he appears to be a top-50 pick in the upcoming draft.

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Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Tennessee

Since transferring from Arizona State to Tennessee, Omarr Norman-Lott has redefined his reputation among evaluators. It's easy to see why. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound player has been given the green light to pursue quarterbacks more aggressively than ever, and he has fully embraced his physical play, leading to greater success.

It's noteworthy that Norman-Lott ranks among the top 25 tackles in terms of quarterback pressures. Even more impressive is the fact that he is the only defender out of 40 tackles with at least 20 hurries who has recorded fewer than 333 snaps. Despite playing only 191 snaps this season, he outpaces the competition. In contrast, projected Day 2 picks like T.J. Sanders, Dontay Corleone, and Zane Durant have needed twice as many snaps to achieve similar production.

This level of hyper-efficiency is exactly what NFL teams look for in Day 2 picks who can serve as impactful role players early in their careers. Norman-Lott is capable of playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive fronts, which positions him well to be a standout in the upcoming spring risers list.

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Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall

While Mike Green ended up at Marshall, he's not someone who simply flew under the radar and was a huge scouting miss. Virginia Tech, Kentucky, and Kansas State courted him. Now, Green is the nation's most productive pass-rusher, notching 15 sacks and 56 quarterback hurries.

The 6-foot-4, 248-pounder will blow up the combine as well. He's been timed as a 4.57 40-yard dash sprinter, can squat 525 pounds, and bench 405 pounds. A rush 3-4 linebacker by trade, Green is the ideal Day 2 pick who checks all of the boxes of an impact starter but gets knocked down due to level of competition concerns.

It might be unfair to punish Green for that. With 20 tackles for loss and 43 run stops, Green's resume is ridiculously loaded. He's not quite Khalil Mack as an athlete, but the second round no longer seems impossible for Green's projection.

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Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Sonny Styles, a physical specimen standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 235 pounds, is thriving in his first full season as a linebacker. His transition from safety and a hybrid Jack position was challenging at first, but he has quickly settled into his role as a formidable defender who aggressively confronts contact and overpowers blockers. In simple terms, Styles possesses abilities that few athletes can match.

The Buckeyes' defense places significant demands on Styles regarding his assignments. He has recorded 13 quarterback hurries, four sacks, and has made 30 run stops. Most of his production has come in the past two months, indicating that he is growing into his role and becoming more comfortable despite the increasing competition.

There is still room for improvement. While he isn’t quite at ease in open space, Styles has allowed only 19 receptions on 29 targets, totaling 149 yards. He is managing well in his weaker areas while also expanding on his strengths.

Although Styles may not declare for the draft this year since he is only a junior, it would be tempting to project him in the top 100, as teams may be eager to capitalize on his raw talents.

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Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

The cornerback class for the upcoming draft is becoming increasingly intriguing. It would be a mistake to overlook Cobee Bryant. Although he received an early Day 3 grade from me had he declared for the 2024 class, Bryant chose to return to Kansas and has shown significant improvement ahead of the 2025 class.

Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 175 pounds, Bryant may be on the thinner side, but he has made substantial strides where it counts. He has improved his performance in off-man and zone coverage, reducing his missed tackle rate from 17.9 percent in 2023 to just 6.8 percent this season. This year, he has forced four interceptions, bringing his career total to 13, and he has allowed only 25 receptions on 44 targets.

While he may not be the best option for lockdown man coverage, Bryant is experienced, athletic, and has become less grabby this season. He is sure to find a spot on a roster and have a place in the league for years to come. With the right scheme, he has the potential to be a reliable No. 2 cornerback.

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Bud Clark, SAF, TCU

You might recall Bud Clark's name from TCU's impressive breakout season in 2022. He excelled in TCU's secondary, emerging as a ballhawk who was pivotal to the Horned Frogs' 3-3-5 defense. However, as the program struggled in 2023, he was largely overlooked along with the team.

This season, Clark has showcased his best performance yet. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 185 pounds, his range and instincts have made him a significant presence in the box. He has achieved career-best numbers in coverage, tackle efficiency, and passer rating against, as he has spent the majority of his snaps in both the box and the true free safety role, moving away from the slot.

With three years of film in two very different roles, Clark inspires confidence as a highly intelligent and versatile playmaker. While there is plenty of talent in the safety group, Clark stands out as a player who can adapt and excel regardless of the defensive scheme he is placed in.