Early 2025 NFL Draft Intel dispels some early storylines, highlights several sleepers, and potential question marks to watch
The 2025 NFL Draft class has been a heavily debated one already. There are some misnomers out there that it is a weak class, but that feels like a very premature opinion. We are now heading down the stretch of Summer Scouting, getting a much better understanding of what the draft class could end up […]
The 2025 NFL Draft class has been a heavily debated one already. There are some misnomers out there that it is a weak class, but that feels like a very premature opinion. We are now heading down the stretch of Summer Scouting, getting a much better understanding of what the draft class could end up looking like.
In order to try to get the readers as much early intel as possible, the last several days have been focused on talking to some trusted sources, both who cover the space and around the league. There was a first section of the Intel, but here are several defensive players to know, and more storylines to be aware of.
- The EDGE class for the 2025 NFL Draft looks stellar so far. One name that has an argument as one of the toolsier talents in the class is Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), who transferred over from Florida this offseason. While a Gator, Umanmielen put together his best season so far in 2023, finishing with 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. The talent is easy to see, possessing an NFL frame (6 '3 ¾” and 258 pounds), length, explosiveness, and bend.
- On paper, Umanmielen has everything you look for at the position. The problem is there are several work ethic concerns about him heading into the 2024 season. According to a very trusted source, Umanmielen was known as a lackadaisical worker while in Gainesville. There was also a pretty strange exit from the Gators this offseason for his final year at Ole Miss, although the details of the messiness of that split weren’t revealed. If Umanmielen has a big year, there’s reason to believe he will test extremely well, while also dominating the All Star circuit. The full evaluation will most likely come down to how he handles interviews, and answers the hard questions. We have no idea how to know what will come of that portion of the process right now.
- From a character perspective, there are no concerns around Kentucky defensive tackle Deone Walker. There also are no athleticism concerns, with one source telling me that he might be the most physically gifted interior defensive lineman he has seen in a few years. The bigger issue is going to be weight. While he was listed at 6-6 and 348 pounds last season, I was told that weight was very, very generous. Several people around the league want to see Walker take off some of the bad weight, and maintain a better body. If he can, it’s believed his major issue of pad level could be remedied a good bit. All the tools are there but seeing a more in-shape Walker in 2024 is something people are hopeful for.
- Every year there’s a player who “comes out of nowhere” in the draft landscape, quickly rising up boards with their tremendous play. In most cases, those players don’t actually come out of “nowhere”. Typically they are on the NFL radar already, but there is a want to see a bigger volume of dominance. That’s the storyline on Clemson defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart, who is one of the more talented players at his position in the 2025 class. At 6’4 ⅜” and 320 pounds, Capehart is incredibly explosive and powerful. His best reps are extremely impressive, but he just hasn’t played a ton of reps up until now. Playing behind guys like Bryan Bresee, Ruke Orhorhoro, and Tyler Davis, Capehart is expected to be a breakout star this season and has the talent to be a top 50 selection when all is said and done.
- The quality and depth of the 2025 cornerback class is almost unbelievable. It’s a group that could be the best to come out in a while. We all know the mainstream names up top like Will Johnson (Michigan), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Travis Hunter (Colorado), and even Denzel Burke (Ohio State). One name that is beginning to surface more and more is ECU star Shavon Revel. Originally attending Louisburg College, Revel is coming off of his breakout year for the Pirates in 2023. From a height-weight-speed perspective, Revel might be the most talented athlete in the group. Folks around the league are very high on Revel, and there is a belief that he can rise into the first round conversation before too long. I even ran my Antonio Cromartie comparison to one person, who was very complimentary!
- Ohio State has three cornerbacks in the 2025 class that could go on the top 100 picks, including Burke, Davison lgbinostul, and Jordan Hancock. Burke is my personal favorite but from a couple people I spoke to, there is the idea out there that Hancock could end up being the top one selected when all is said and done. Some sources I spoke to love Hancock’s experience in the slot, as well as upside to play at safety or even at outside cornerback in the right system. That versatility is playing into Hancock’s favor big time. He has a lot of fans around the league. The major thing to monitor is medicals, with Hancock having several nagging injuries in the past, including some hamstring issues.
- With the cornerback class as strong as it is, it’s no surprise that there is nothing close to a consensus top guy right now. Some like Johnson. Some are very high on Morrison, while names like Hunter and Revel are certainly being circulated a lot as well. The battle to be the first cornerback off the board is going to be fierce, and an interesting race to monitor.