2025 NFL Draft: Tyler Warren, DJ Giddens, and other “my guys” in an extremely thin offensive class
The 2025 NFL Draft is just on the horizon. Both the NFL and college football seasons are already winding down, and next up will be the all-star game circuit and the NFL Scouting Combine. As you begin to dig deep into the 2025 class, there are several offensive players who I already appear to be […]
The 2025 NFL Draft is just on the horizon. Both the NFL and college football seasons are already winding down, and next up will be the all-star game circuit and the NFL Scouting Combine. As you begin to dig deep into the 2025 class, there are several offensive players who I already appear to be higher on.
We fondly label these players "my guys" in the class. It is a less than stellar offensive class as a whole, but there is still a lot of value to be found. Here are five intriguing offensive talents to know.
RB DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
It is an incredibly deep running back class in 2025, but Giddens is still a player who needs a lot more fanfare than he is currently getting. At a hair over 6-0 and 216 pounds, there is no running back better at making second and third level defenders miss in tight spaces. Giddens is coming off of a tremendous 2024 campaign, running for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging a stellar 6.6 yards per carry. He has also been a threat out of the backfield, hauling in 21 receptions for 258 yards and another score. Giddens should be in the conversation to be the second runner off the board behind Boise State star Ashton Jeanty.
WR Daniel Jackson (Minnesota)
Hidden within an extremely underwhelming Minnesota passing attack, Jackson has quietly been tremendous the last two seasons. In 12 games in 2024, Jackson has made 75 receptions for 863 yards and four touchdowns. Jackson isn’t a dynamic athlete at 6-0 and 200 pounds, but he is incredibly nuanced as a player. He understands how to play the position, runs great routes, and utilizes tempo at a high level. Jackson will more likely be a mid round selection, and should seriously outplay that draft slot before too long.
TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
I liked Warren before it was cool. His 2023 film was very intriguing, but I didn’t quite think he would morph into TE1 and a potential top 20 selection in this class. At nearly 6-6 and 260 pounds, Warren is an extremely gifted athlete who is utilized in so many ways by the Nittany Lions. You will see Warren inline, flexed out to wide receiver, and even utilized as a wildcat quarterback. Warren has hauled in 98 receptions for 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns. We have also seen Warren improve tremendously as a blocker down the stretch of the season.
OT Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
There are some major questions about whether Ersery will stick at offensive tackle on the next level, or eventually transition inside to guard. Either way, he has plus starter upside on the next level. Ersery’s redirection skills are slightly below average at offensive tackle so he is a bit scheme specific if he can last on the outside. At over 6-6 and 338 pounds, with outstanding length, Ersery is an imposing presence in the run game. He also has some underrated lateral mobility in the run game, making him a versatile blocker in a variety of running schemes.
IOL Joshua Gray (Oregon State)
Gray is an offensive lineman who has been on NFL Draft radars for a couple of years now. Entering the 2024 season, Gray had spent most of his time at left tackle for Oregon State, and has been an All-Pac 12 selection four different times. Gray made the move into guard this fall, and it’s better for his long term upside. The 6-4, 306-pound lineman is a really gifted mover, and has also seen his power profile take a solid step forward. Gray projects favorably inside at guard or center on the next level.
2025 NFL Draft: Cobee Bryant, Andrew Mukuba, and other “my guys” in the deep defensive class
My guys for the 2025 NFL Draft class.
