The conclusion of the NFL regular season has finalized the order for the top 18 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Late-season victories by some of the league's weaker teams have significantly altered our previous assumptions as we approached the final weeks. Now, with top college football talents facing the decision to either return to school or enter the NFL, they can make informed choices.

While trades could change the draft dynamics, history shows we typically witness minor transactions rather than major shifts that propel a team from the late teens to the top 10. For now, we are considering the current order, which has five teams among the top seven picks in need of a quarterback. This sets the stage for an exciting few months ahead.

Several players stand to gain from how the season concluded. Here are five 2025 NFL Draft prospects who find themselves in a more advantageous position than they did just a few weeks ago.

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Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar has yet to announce his intentions regarding the 2025 NFL Draft, but his impressive performance this season makes it hard to believe he won't take advantage of the current momentum. At just 20 years old and standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, he has propelled the Nittany Lions deep into the College Football Playoff. Beyond being a solid prospect, the draft order suggests that Allar has a relatively straightforward choice between staying in college or entering the draft.

The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants hold the top three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and all have significant needs at the quarterback position. While Shedeur Sanders and Cameron Ward will compete with Allar to be the top quarterback selected, it’s difficult to envision anyone other than these three players being chosen with the first picks. Despite some criticism of this quarterback class, especially compared to the 2024 group, each of these athletes has a clear path to potentially becoming a good or even very good starting NFL quarterback.

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The case for Allar, a native of the Cleveland suburbs, to be a top-three pick is straightforward. Historically, NFL teams have sought quarterbacks with large frames and powerful arms, preferring durable players who can deliver high-velocity throws. While Allar may not be a running threat, he possesses a similar physical presence to that of Matthew Stafford.

However, he hasn’t been as aggressive or turnover-prone as Stafford. With a career interception rate of just 1.2%, Allar has demonstrated impressive ball security, though this stat may also reflect a tendency to avoid testing tight coverage, which could change as he benefits from a stronger supporting cast and an offensive-minded coach—a situation that the teams selecting at the top are likely to provide.

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Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

The situation surrounding Jalen Milroe's decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft has generated quite a bit of discussion. After a challenging first season under Kalen DeBoer, Milroe has emerged as one of the most controversial prospects in the class. The Crimson Tide struggled to provide him with a solid running game and dependable playmakers beyond Ryan Williams, which left fans surprised at Milroe's lack of progress under the mounting pressure.

Milroe is an incredibly athletic player with a powerful arm, but he can be just as perplexing in the pocket as he is explosive on the field. This contrast presents a challenge for general managers and coaches, yet his high-risk, high-reward playing style offers a significant upside that makes him worth considering for teams not in the top tier of quarterbacks. 

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For instance, a franchise like the Jets, who must face Josh Allen, or the Raiders, who contend with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert several times a season, might benefit from a unique talent like Milroe.

While he may not currently resemble those elite quarterbacks, he has a knack for making big plays similar to Jalen Hurts during his time at Alabama and Oklahoma. Following the Eagles' approach of providing Milroe with a top-notch supporting cast and gradually developing him could lead to remarkable outcomes. After all, he boasts the best ratio of high-quality throws to turnover-prone throws in this draft class, according to PFF.

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Even if Milroe ultimately achieves a level comparable to an early-career Lamar Jackson, he would justify a top-10 selection. Those projecting him to be picked on Day 2 are overlooking his potential and the urgent need many teams will have for quarterback assistance this offseason. 

Currently, aside from a potential trade involving J.J. McCarthy or Malik Willis, the veteran quarterback market is expected to include names like Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields.

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Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

There are many standout players beyond just the quarterbacks in this year's draft. One notable player is 340-pound defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who has a strong chance of being a top-15 pick this April alongside his teammate, Mason Graham. Grant had an impressive 2024 season, showcasing improvements in quarterback pressures, run stops, and a reduction in his missed tackle rate.

This year's defensive tackle class is quite strong, but Grant's combination of athleticism and versatility positions him as DT2. Teams are always on the lookout for disruptive tackles who can collapse the pocket and create opportunities for tackles for loss. Given that this year’s edge-rusher class is relatively weak, many franchises will be eyeing Grant in the top 20.

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His draft range likely starts around No. 9 with New Orleans and includes teams like Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, Arizona, Cincinnati, and Houston. It would be surprising to see him drop any lower, and it wouldn't be shocking if he is picked before No. 9. Most defensive tackles with Grant's potential for pass-rushing are usually 40 to 60 pounds lighter, making him a unique prospect.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

The resurgence of the running back position is here. Saquon Barkley surpassed the 2,000-yard mark, while Derrick Henry, at 30, recorded 1,921 yards. In total, 16 running backs achieved the 1,000-yard milestone in 2024.

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As NFL defenses become smaller, favoring two-high safety schemes to combat explosive passing games, the significance of running backs has returned. This year’s class of running backs is historically strong, especially compared to the last twenty years, and Ashton Jeanty stands out as the top prospect.

We could see several running backs drafted in the first round, with as many as ten selected on Day 2. Jeanty is expected to kick off this trend, with teams like Chicago, Dallas, and Cincinnati appearing to be ideal fits for their offenses that are in need of star power to support their quarterbacks.

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Playoff-bound teams are likely to consider Jeanty as a value pick if he slips past those franchises that didn’t make the postseason. Teams such as Denver, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington seem to be suitable destinations for him. Although there may be some concern surrounding his draft position, Jeanty's rookie contract will allow him to perform during his prime years at the cost of the 10th-best running back in the league each season.

There’s no question that Jeanty will exceed expectations regarding his draft position and salary, provided he stays healthy. His stock has risen, especially with the Cowboys and Bengals missing the playoffs, potentially raising his draft ceiling.

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Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka has emerged as a standout late-season prospect, solidifying his position as the top receiver after Tetairoa McMillan, Travis Hunter, and Luther Burden. His impressive performances at the Scouting Combine will likely secure him a spot in the first round. This updated draft order further suggests that his draft range could exceed initial expectations.

The demand for speed and immediate impact players is at an all-time high. Depending on his combine performance, Egbuka could attract interest from teams like New Orleans at No. 9, as well as Dallas, Miami, Arizona, Cincinnati, Houston, with Denver being his likely lower limit. Essentially, he is expected to be a sought-after player across various draft positions in the teens.

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Egbuka’s versatility—excelling both in the slot and as an outside receiver—makes him one of the most straightforward projections in this class. He is not only dependable at securing catches, but he also shows creativity and agility after making the catch. His impressive career drop rate of just 4.9% becomes even more remarkable when considering he averages 6.7 yards after the catch with a target depth of 9.2 yards.