11 NFL Draft prospects who could go No. 1 overall in 2025, and 3 who just missed the cut

After handicapping the teams competing for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, we now move on to the question of who will be selected with that pick. Most years there is a consensus top-tier player as the projected No. 1 pick, but this year it looks like there is close to a large group of players competing for the position. This is the year they need help on defense, and the strongest group in the 2025 draft class comes from the defensive line. Additionally, if you need protection up front, you will find a blocker in this draft. However, if you need a quarterback, you may be in a tight spot. There are top-tier players, but there is basically very little difference between everyone, and they may not be in the top 10 of draft prospects entering 2025. However, the QB tax is still high, and teams will want to acquire their playmaker of the future.

Here are 11 top prospects who could be the No. 1 pick in April.

James Pierce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

My top prospect heading into the summer, I'm a big fan of Pierce's athleticism and ability to close in on the QB. He has a very quick first step and the ability to get around the edge, which is huge considering most of the top EDGE prospects out there right now are pocket pushers and defenders. At this point, I have him as the front-runner for the #1 overall pick. He needs a little more playweight to shore up his run defense, but if you're looking for a real pass rusher, Pierce is a great fit. He's very similar in style to Giants EDGE Brian Barnes.

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Beck is a prime candidate to be the first quarterback taken in the draft, especially if he continues to perform well this year at Georgia. Beck is a very talented passer in the middle of the field, with good mechanics and ball placement in that area, especially off play action. He has good accuracy at all three levels of the field, and with the Bulldogs getting a lot of talented players on the offensive side of the ball, there will be more people to hand the ball to. I think he can certainly improve his play under pressure and without play action, but teams can sell his ball placement and ability to make plays with play action, which is a staple of NFL offenses.

Michael Williams, EDGE, Georgia

The second Georgia prospect on this list, Williams should be your pick if you also like Travon Walker coming into 2022. Williams is an unusual combination of size and power, and playing on the Georgia title and mint front means he will play the 4i a lot and line up across the defensive formations, including the edge, which is where most expect him to be. Like all Georgia defenders, he is very strong and disciplined against the run and has shown flashes of brilliance as an outstanding pass rusher. If Williams can turn those flashes into consistent production with more repetitions (4.5 sacks last year), he could vault to the top of your draft board.

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Campbell has been a star ever since he stepped onto the field. LSUCampbell has played left tackle since his freshman year and has consistently matched up against some of the top SEC pass rushers, showing his polish as a pass blocker. He also has excellent hand technique and is able to stun pass rushers before they can get going. As offensive line talent continues to be at a premium, Campbell is also a potential top pick in 2025.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Graham is a disruptive force in the middle of Michigan's defense. He always plays with momentum, but never gets out of control. Graham has shown plenty of disruption as a run defender while also expanding his pass rush repertoire. As NFL defenses look to get stronger and stronger through the middle, Graham's ability to never be out of play is highly sought after.

Deon Walker, DT, Kentucky

The main drawback to drafting DT Deon Walker first overall is simple. There aren't many players his size who can move like he does. At 6'6″ and over 330 lbs., Walker plays with more finesse and footwork than you'd expect from a player his size. When he's in form, he has enough power to destroy the entire game plan. Stamina, always a concern for larger DTs, has improved since coming to Lexington and could be even better with another year of training and practice. He struggled against Georgia so scouts will be keeping an eye on him this season.

Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas

Banks is one of the guys I want to keep an eye on early in the draft cycle. He has plenty of length on the edge and can anchor against power, but he's a terrible run blocker. Texas will use him as a pull to get into space and he definitely explodes into the second level defender. He's a really good athlete who overpowers his man and finishes every snap. I don't think he's my favorite to lose to speed often, but Banks has no ceiling. He could be in the conversation for the #1 overall pick in April.

Shedul Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sanders is under a lot of scrutiny given that he is the son of Deion Sanders, one of the greatest football players we have ever seen. But Sanders is a good player with a lot of NFL qualities. Sanders is a professional deep ball thrower and has good touch in addition to the aggressiveness to take shots downfield. He is also athletic enough to make things work outside of structure, although you can see him trying to go from the first read to the second read and try to make his own progress. I would like to see him get a little better under pressure and find different answers, but given the state of Colorado's offensive line, he may not have a choice. Think Geno Smith when it comes to Sanders.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Shall we eat some nuts?

Sure, Milroe is not the most polished passer, especially in the short area. Sure, Milroe was benched against USF, but that seems like a situation that former OC Tommy Reese would be better off explaining. But Milroe brings some things to the team. If he makes it to the NFL, he'll be one of five QBs with his athleticism, and the deep pass definitely works. Every year, we've seen an under-the-radar QB become one of the top picks in the NFL draft. We've also seen signal callers who weren't the best in their passing careers turn around under an offensive guru. Take Michael Pennis Jr., for example. Pennis Jr. broke records under the tutelage of head coach Karen DeBoer after moving to Washington, and was selected 8th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Well, DeBoer is now in Alabama, and they have a jumbo jet QB in Milroe. Milroe is a strong, physical runner who can jump over opponents with his speed, and he also has enough arm strength to attack teams vertically. His processing ability and accuracy need to improve, but if there's any player teams are going to fall in love with, it's Milroe.

Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU

Opposite Will Campbell is another 2025 draft prospect rising up draft boards. Jones Jr. is a powerhouse as a run blocker and is very strong and flexible as a pass protector, stopping a lot of defenders. Another plus-plus athlete at the position, Jones Jr. has a ton of room to grow in his game, but that's for the 2024 season. He hasn't played on the left side yet, but with more teams placing value on the right tackle position, he could be the first tackle taken.

Abdul-Kater, EDGE, Pennsylvania State University

There is something special about Penn State's #11 linebacker. Carter is the next in line for the Nittany Lions' beefed up edge defender/LB hybrid and he's really turbocharged. Now that he's fully on the edge, I love the explosiveness and the way he can swerve around the edge and get to the QB. His explosiveness and speed are utilized much better on the ball than off the ball, which is where he primarily played in 2023. He's just a good off the ball LB, but has a chance to be a player very similar to the super athletic edge guys Penn State has been producing in recent years.

Players who unfortunately did not make it through the qualifying rounds

CBs Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Will Johnson (Michigan)

I really wanted to put these guys at the top of the list, but no cornerback has ever been drafted first overall in the history of the NFL draft. But if there is a year to make history, it is this year. Johnson is my best cornerback, he has the length, technique, and patience to play in a variety of coverages and guard different sizes out wide. His work against Marvin Harrison Jr. last year was very, very impressive. As for Hunter, some teams may look at him as a receiver, but I think he has elite potential at cornerback. His instincts and ball skills really shine in zone coverage, making him an exciting cornerback when he has the ball in his hands.

QB Connor Weigman, Texas A&M

Another player who could benefit greatly from a strong 2024, Weigman has all the tools to be a great passer in the NFL. His pocket movement and confidence throwing the ball downfield really stood out in a Texas A&M offense that didn't produce much last year. Once Weigman fully recovers from the foot injury that caused him to miss the remainder of the 2023 season, his play should improve significantly with a coordinator like Collin Klein calling the plays for him.