The second half of the NFL season begins, and the first conclusions are clear: should we prepare for the playoffs or for next year? Now six months before the 2025 NFL draft, DNA of Sports offers you a roster review, with the 5 best prospects in each defensive position at the moment. Also find the 5 best prospects in each offensive position for this NFL draft 2025.
(*junior, **sophomore)
EDGE RUSHERS
1. James Pearce Jr. * (Tennessee)
2. Nic Scourton* (Texas A&M)
3. Abdul Carter* (Penn State)
4. Mykel Williams* (Georgia)
5. Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
Other key players cited: Bradyn Swinson (LSU), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), Kyle Kennard (South Carolina), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), Dani Dennis-Sutton * (Penn State).
This is arguably one of the most glamorous positions in the draft. And the training needed in this sector should not only have quality but also depth. In the first round alone, due to the versatility of quite a few prospects, starting with James Pearce and Abdul Carter, there are six or even seven pass ruishers who could be selected. Other names could not be mentioned, given the incredible density, such as Jordan Burch from Oregon, JT Tuimolau from Ohio State, or even Josaiah Stewart from Michigan…
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. Mason Graham* (Michigan)
2. Deone Walker* (Kentucky)
3. Tyleik Williams (Ohio State)
4. Kenneth Grant* (Michigan)
5. Walter Nolen* (Ole Miss)
Other players cited: Dontay Corleone * (Cincinnati), Derrick Harmon * (Oregon), Omar Norman-Lott (Tennessee), DeMonte Capehart (Clemson), TJ Sanders * (South Carolina).
Beyond the ultra dynamic duo from Michigan, notably the technically very seasoned leader, Mason Graham, a good number of athletes have great potential in this class to be tough on both the run and the pass. Deone Walker is the main intrigue of this group currently, thanks to his dominant nose tackle profile. A place in the top 15 seems promised to him at present…
LINEBACKERS
1. Jihaad Campbell* (Alabama)
2. Harold Perkins Jr.* (LSU)
3. Milestone Walker* (Georgia)
4. Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
5. Barrett Carter (Clemson)
Other players cited: Jay Higgins (Iowa), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Kentucky), Deontae Lawson * (Alabama), Smael Mondon (Georgia).
At Alabama, a lot of eyes have been on Deontae Lawson in recent months. But it is Jihaad Campbell, more comfortable in coverage, in the guise of the modern linebacker, who today seems to be unanimous among observers. A jack of all trades (too much?) at LSU, Harold Perkins will have to evaluate his presentation for the draft, due to his season shortened by injuries. The explosive Jalon Walker could also weigh the pros and cons, given partial use within the Dawgs defense.
Nick Emmanwori, future turnover machine in the NFL?
CORNERBACKS
1. Will Johnson* (Michigan)
2. Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina)
3. Benjamin Morrison * (Notre Dame)
4. Jahdae Barron (Texas)
5. Denzel Burke (Ohio State)
Other players cited: Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Maxwell Hairston * (Kentucky), Cobee Bryant (Kansas), Tacario Davis * (Arizona), Domani Jackson * (USC), Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon).
Lots of breakages within this group. Announced top 10 next April, Will Johnson is a playmaker for three seasons but has seen the last few weeks truncated by injuries. Behind, Shavon Revel and Ben Morrison have the ability to defend man-to-man but also finished their exercise prematurely in the infirmary. Former safety/nickelback, Jahdae Barron is a player who has expanded his range a bit this season at Texas and could continue to score points, given the national exposure of the Longhorns in 2024.
SAFETY
1. Xavier Watts (Notre Dame)
2. Malaki Starks* (Georgia)
3. Nick Emmanwori* (South Carolina)
4. Rod Moore (Michigan)
5. Malachi Moore (Alabama)
Other players cited: Andrew Mukuba (Texas), Kevin Winston * (Penn State), Billy Bowman (Oklahoma), Jeremiah Cooper * (Iowa State), Jaylen Reed (Penn State).
His hybrid linebacker/safety profile made Xavier Watts a very interesting commodity, and is reminiscent of what Kyle Hamilton was able to offer after leaving the same university. The Fighting Irish now seem to have a head start on Malaki Starks rather confined to the nickelback position and Nick Emmanwori who is still climbing the hierarchy, due to his four interceptions and two Pick-6s recorded at the beginning of November among the South Carolina Gamecocks.
