The Cincinnati Bengals selected Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks with the 193rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texas native joined the Red Raiders as a three-star recruit. His production really picked up in 2023 – his fourth season – with 1,541 rushing yards and 10 TDs. He posted similar numbers last fall but set a new high in rush TDs (17). His shifty feet lead to very few hard hits, and Brooks can certainly deliver the occasional explosive. He recorded 26 runs of 15+ yards this past season. He showed adequate speed (4.52 forty time) and burst (1.56 ten-yard split) at the NFL Combine. He shined in the agility drills with a 93rd percentile shuttle; a 76th percentile 3-cone. Outside of missing one game in 2024 with an arm injury, Brooks has largely stayed healthy despite 576 carries over the past two seasons. While the downfield passing offense rarely targeted him as a receiver, Brooks brings some value on passing downs.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard with the 189th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Leonard emerged as Duke’s starter in 2022. The sophomore earned an honorable mention All-ACC selection, popping as a dual-threat athlete. His 776 rushing yards ranked seventh nationally among QBs, although he threw for only 228 yards per game on 7.6 yards per attempt. Toe and ankle injuries limited Leonard to just seven games in 2023, and he needed two procedures to stabilize the ankle. Leonard transferred to Notre Dame ahead of the 2024 campaign and stayed healthy, running for 982 yards and 17 TDs. But he didn’t progress much as a passer. Leonard averaged 179 passing yards per game on 7.1 yards per attempt, ranking 48th in Pro Football Focus passing grade among 128 qualifying QBs. His rushing ability would make him an intriguing fantasy asset if he gets on the field as a pro. But Leonard is unlikely to develop into an NFL-caliber passer. He projects as a long-term backup.
The Tennessee Titans selected Michigan RB Kalel Mullings with the 188th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Blake Corum left for the NFL in 2024, and Mullings filled the void as Michigan’s starter. He’s a massive back at 6’1, 226 pounds and brings the impressive power to match. There’s not much nuance to his game, but it’s worth noting that the Massachusetts native joined Michigan as an LB. His first carry didn’t come until his third season, so we could be looking at a late bloomer. Realistically, Mullings won’t add much in the receiving game, as he exits college with 10 targets (8 catches). Look for him to contribute on special teams while he develops at RB.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State QB Will Howard with the 185th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard spent his first four college seasons at Kansas State, completing just 58.8% of his passes at 7.4 yards per attempt. But he transferred to Ohio State ahead of the 2024 season and led the Buckeyes to a national championship with an impressive campaign. Howard racked up 4,010 passing yards and 35 TDs on a 73.0% completion rate and 9.5 yards per attempt. He benefitted from playing with one of the best supporting casts in college football, but Howard also ranked ninth in the country in Pro Football Focus passing grade. He was especially effective throwing deep, registering the second-best PFF deep passing grade and the best adjusted completion rate on throws 20+ yards downfield. Howard doesn’t have the biggest arm but is an accurate and cerebral passer. He’s also an underrated athlete, earning an 8.80 Relative Athletic Score at 236 pounds. Howard averaged 20.5 rushing yards per game last year and was used on some designed runs by Ohio State.
The Saints selected Kansas RB Devin Neal with the 184th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Neal drew college interest as a football and baseball player. He broke out as a true freshman on the gridiron, entering the starting lineup in Week 2 and finishing with 159-705-8. He followed up that season with three straight 1,000+ yard campaigns for the Jayhawks. He added 16 TDs on the ground in each of the past two seasons. Neal checks a lot of boxes: consistent rushing production, promising receiving tape, NFL size, and make-you-miss ability. His vision and rushing tempo also pop on film. At the NFL Combine, he showed below-average speed with a 4.58 forty time and a 1.59 ten-yard split. He excelled in the jumps, though, with a 37.5” broad and a 124" vertical.
The Phildelphia Eagles selected Syracuse QB Kyle McCord with the 181st pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. McCord sat for two seasons behind QB C.J. Stroud at Ohio State before taking over as the Buckeyes’ starter in 2023. He finished that season with 3,170 passing yards and 24 TDs vs. six INTs on a 65.8% completion rate and 9.1 yards per attempt. McCord then transferred to Syracuse ahead of the 2024 season and turned in a massive campaign in a pass-heavy offense. He led FBS with 592 pass attempts, 391 completions, and 4,779 passing yards. McCord completed 66.0% of his passes and ranked seventh among 128 qualifying QBs in Pro Football Focus passing grade. Although McCord’s arm strength is just average, he led the nation in PFF deep passing grade and ranked fourth in adjusted completion rate on throws 20+ yards downfield. He’s also lauded for his processing, anticipation, and work ethic. Former high school and college teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. said McCord “prepares better than anyone else,” according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. McCord is just an average athlete, though, totaling 197 rushing yards over the last two seasons.
The Miami Dolphins selected Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon II with the 179th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Gordon appeared on track to be one of the top RBs in this class in 2023. He won the Doak Walker Award as the best RB in the nation after rushing for 1,732 yards on 285 carries and 21 TDs. He also ranked third on the team in receptions. Then 2024 happened. Oklahoma State’s talent on offense fell off. Gordon tried to carry the team but could only muster 880 yards on 190 carries. He looked slower and less decisive than he did in 2023. Now, Gordon’s ‘23 production and an excellent Senior Bowl week breathe some life into his fantasy potential. But he’ll need to win more with his size (6’1, 226) than his athletic ability. He tested as an average athlete at the NFL Combine, hurt by a 4.61 forty time and a 1.60 ten-yard split.
The Seahawks drafted Alabama TE Robbie Ouzts with the 175th pick of Round 5. Ouzts was invited to the Combine, but he profiles as a blocking TE first and foremost at Alabama. He was drafted over fellow TE and teammate CJ Dippre. At 274 pounds, he was the heaviest TE at the Combine and essentially adds another OT on the outside. Outzts 2.3% target share ranked dead last among NFL Combine TEs, proving his lack of receiving upside. He did have 25% of the TD Target Share for Alabama in 2024, so there could be a bit of red zone ability at the very least.
The Rams selected Georgia Tech TE Jackson Hawes in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Hawes totaled only 51 catches over six college seasons – five at Yale and one at Georgia Tech. Primarily a blocker, he ran a route on just 38% of his career snaps and averaged an ugly 0.77 yards per route. Hawes did tally a career-best 1.01 yards per route at Georgia Tech last year – but that still ranked 20th among 21 TEs at the Combine. There are flashes of contested-catch skills on Hawes’ tape, but he’s ultimately a longshot to get enough pass-catching work as a pro to be a fantasy factor.
The Seahawks selected Colorado State WR Tory Horton with the 167th pick of Round 5 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Horton started his career at Nevada, quickly ascending the depth chart. He then transferred to Colorado State, where a pass-friendly offense turned him loose. Horton had two straight 1,100-yard receiving seasons in 2022 and 2023. He was poised for another big season in 2024, but a knee/hamstring injury kept him out for most of the season. He had a 9.81 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 47th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 10.1%, and 16th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with an 81.4. He is currently 22 years old with a Breakout Age of 19.8. He ranked 16th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 6.48. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Laurent Robinson. At 6’3 with 4.41 speed, Horton has the athleticism and YAC ability to be an instant contributor in the NFL
The Chargers selected Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II with the 165th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. The son of the former Dolphins WR, Gadsden is the ultimate tweener prospect. The 6’5, 243-pounder is too big to be a WR, but not quite built enough to be an in-line TE. But that could make him a fantasy cheat code if he’s listed as a TE but plays mostly in the slot. That’s what he did at Syracuse, running 65% of his routes from the slot over four seasons. Gadsden broke out as a sophomore in 2022, leading the Orange in catches (61), receiving yards (966), and TDs (6). After missing all but two games in 2023 with a Lisfranc injury to right foot, Gadsden returned for a similarly productive 2024: 73 receptions, 934 yards, and seven TDs. He ranked sixth in yards per route and fourth in Pro Football Focus receiving grade among the 21 TEs at the Combine. With 4.6 speed, Gadsden regularly worked downfield, recording 16 grabs of 20+ yards last year. He’s underwhelming after the catch (career 3.7 YAC/reception) and might struggle to hold up as a blocker in the NFL. But Gadsden’s pass-catching skill set makes him an intriguing sleeper in this TE class.
The Panthers selected Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Evans bided his time behind TE Michael Mayer as a freshman and sophomore before an impressive but injury-shortened junior campaign. Evans averaged a team-high 52.8 yards per game in 2023 – before a torn MCL and partially torn ACL ended his season in late October. Evans returned to play in 15 of 16 games last year, missing one with a concussion. He led the Irish with 43 catches and ranked third with 421 receiving yards. Evans’ yards per catch and yards per route fell drastically from 2023, but it’s likely that his knee still wasn’t at 100% for much of the season. He earned a respectable 7.25 Relative Athletic Score at 258 pounds at the Combine. If Evans can rediscover his 2023 form, he could be one of the better value picks for dynasty teams in this 2025 TE class.
Broncos HC Sean Payton said "so many things" about WR Pat Bryant's game remind him of WR Michael Thomas. "Very explosive off the line of scrimmage, very competitive, very tough," Payton said of Bryant, who was selected by Denver in Round 3. "His size and his hands are outstanding. He’s physical."
The Chargers selected Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith with the 158th pick of Round 5 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Lambert-Smith aced the predraft process with an excellent Shrine Bowl week. His 4.37 40-time shows his blazing upside speed. Lambert-Smith spent his first four seasons at Penn State, eventually leading the Nittany Lions in receiving in 2023. His 673 yards topped TE Tyler Warren’s total by 251. Lambert-Smith joined Auburn ahead of last season. He blossomed into a legit deep threat, setting career highs in yards per catch (19.2), aDOT (13.8), and yards per route run (2.70). Lambert-Smith led Auburn pass catchers in catches and yards and tied for first in TDs. He had a 9.02 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 21st among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 22.9%, and 19th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with an 80.4. He is currently 22 years old with a Breakout Age of 22.1. He ranked 30th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 5.92. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is DeVante Parker.
The Colts selected Kansas State RB DJ Giddens with the 151st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Giddens initially played behind current Cowboy Deuce Vaughn. Come 2023, he broke out with 1,226 rushing yards and 10 TDs -- plus 29 receptions -- across 13 games. Last fall, Giddens’ advanced metrics improved alongside a career-high 1,343 rushing yards (12 games). He particularly popped with 6.6 YPC and 4.16 yards after contact per attempt, per Pro Football Focus. The 212-pounder also brings plus vision and patience along with a relatively clean injury history. Now, his receiving looked fairly raw on tape, as he struggled with drops in ‘24. And like most rookies, he’s unrefined as a pass protector. Still, the size, production, and rush efficiency signal a potential impact in the NFL.
The Cowboys selected Texas RB Jaydon Blue with the 149th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Blue was expected to be the next big Texas RB after sophomore CJ Baxter went down with an injury. However, struggles with his vision early in 2024 led to a pass-catching role for the former four-star recruit. Blue also struggled with ball security, fumbling five times in ‘24 (and twice in '23). Blue still excelled in his receiving role and peaked with a 146-yard, two-TD receiving performance in the College Football Playoff vs. Clemson. Blue ran a 4.38 forty at the NFL Combine, despite nursing a torn groin muscle. His 4.25 Pro Day time may be more accurate to his actual speed.
The 49ers selected Oregon RB Jordan James with the 147th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. James is one of the youngest players in the entire class. (He turned just 21 in March.) After splitting carries with Bucky Irving in 2023, James moved up to the 1A in the Oregon offense in 2024. The result: 1,267 yards and 15 TDs, good for 90.5 rushing yards per game and 1.07 TDs per game. His advanced metrics weren’t as rosy, though. Among 82 RBs with 150+ carries, James ranked 61st in yards after contact per attempt and 37th in Pro Football Focus Elusive Rating. Like most backs at Oregon, he’s shifty with great deep speed and receiving ability. He isn’t on the same level as Irving, but James has room to improve given his young age.
The Browns selected Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders with the 144th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Sanders played efficient, winning football across four college seasons. He began his career at Jackson State, where he led his team to a 23-3 record across the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Sanders completed 68% of his passes with 70 TDs vs. 14 INTs. He was named FCS’s top freshman in 2021 and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award as the top player in FCS in 2022. Sanders then followed his father, Deion, to Colorado. The Buffaloes went 4-8 in his first season but improved to 9-4 this past year. Sanders completed 71.8% of his passes at Colorado, including an FBS-best 74.0% completion rate in 2024. He’s deadly accurate on short and intermediate throws and reads defenses like a pro. But Sanders has average arm strength and lackluster pocket presence. He was sacked 94 times over the last two seasons and ranked 89th among 128 qualifying QBs in pressure-to-sack ratio in 2024. Sanders’ accuracy will shine if he gets good protection as a pro, but it could get ugly if he’s stuck behind a bad offensive line. Ultimately, there just aren’t any elite traits here to get excited about – either in real life or fantasy football.
The 49ers selected Mississippi WR Jordan Watkins with the 138th pick of Round 4 in the 2025 NFL Draft. Watkins set career highs in yards, yards per catch, and TDs in 2024. Still, he ranked third on Mississippi in targets with a 16.5% share. Watkins emerged as a sophomore at Louisville, ranking second on the team in catches (35), yards (529), and TDs (4). He transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 season, joining potential Round 1 QB Jackson Dart. Watkins’ production never took off, though. He ranked third behind Malik Heath and Jonathan Mingo in receiving in ‘22. Watkins repeated the finish in ‘23, this time behind fellow prospect Tre Harris. He had a 8.78 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked 34th among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 17.2%, and 25th among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with a 77.6. He is currently 23 years old with a Breakout Age of 22.6. He ranked 34th among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring a 5.88. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Nelson Agholor. Watkins could blossom into a real-life WR3, but he likely doesn’t have much upside past that.
The Titans selected Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor with the 136th pick of Round Four in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has flashed a physical style at 6’2, 210 pounds and showed that he can run NFL- caliber routes. Ayomanor also displayed excellent body control in contested situations. As a redshirt freshman, Ayomanor led Stanford across the board with 62 catches, 1,013 yards, and 6 TDs. A poor offensive environment contributed to a dip in production last fall: 63-831-6 (on two more targets). 38.3% of his yardage surfaced in only three games. He had a 9.71 Relative Athletic Score (RAS) based on his predraft testing. He also ranked fourth among Combine WRs in 2024 Target Share at 31.3%, and 31st among those WRs in PFF Receiving Grade with a 74.3. He is currently 21 years old with a Breakout Age of 20.2. He ranked seventh among WRs in our Draft Sharks predraft Rookie Model scoring 7.43. Our Comp for him in our Rookie Guide is Robert Woods.
Search
