
2025 NFL Draft Day 3: Best Available Rookies For Dynasty
2025 NFL Draft Day 3: Best Available Players for Dynasty
Wow. The first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft were absolutely incredible. From dream landing spots to free-falling quarterbacks, it has been an exciting two nights. Day 3 is already shaping up to be another fun show. There is still so much fantasy football relevant talent on the board. Here are a few you really need to be familiar with. They could all find their way into dynasty lineups as early as 2025.
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14. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Elic Ayomanor is a big, strong, powerful wide receiver who wins with strength and aggression. He out-duels defenders with his physicality and bully mentality. Ayomanor presents a big target for his quarterback, winning on the perimeter and down the field. He’ll use a variety of release tactics to create separation off the line while hand fighting throughout the route and taking advantage of his large frame to win at the catch point. He tracks the ball well in the air and knows how to position himself to out-race the defender to the catch. Ayomanor has enough speed to get open vertically and to get up field after the catch.
Stanford used Ayomanor mostly on the perimeter with a focus on vertical patterns, hitches, and drags, with the occasional double-move mixed in. In fact, more than half of his routes were go’s and hitches, according to TruMedia (via the33rdTeam). That’s about what we can expect from him at the NFL level, at least until he develops his route tree further. He showed enough to think he can add to his repertoire and even slide into a big slot role from time to time. Though, I do expect he will be predominantly used along the boundary. NFL teams will appreciate his physical nature and his sense of urgency throughout the play—both as a receiver and as a blocker in the run game. He will wear out defenders with his play style and competitiveness.
Ayomanor projects as a team’s No. 2 or 3 receiver who will man the X while presenting a big-play threat on the outside. Defenses will be forced to respect his impressive combination of speed and physicality in all phases of the game. If he is able to expand his route tree and develop into a more complete receiver, Ayomanor would really unlock his ceiling. No matter what happens, though, he will absolutely be a guy who will garner looks in the red zone. He will even earn his way on the field with his enthusiastic and effective run blocking. That will get him on the field early—and that’s step one on the road to developing into a productive player.
17. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Bhayshul Tuten is a big-play running back with the requisite size to be a workhorse in the NFL. He’s a slashing back who displays incredible speed and explosion. He gets up to his top gear very quickly and can turn any carry into a long touchdown. Tuten has excellent short-area quickness and burst and has the lateral agility to change direction on a dime. He’s not the most elusive in the open field and has average contact balance, but Tuten is always a threat to a defense thanks to hard running style, speed, and lower body strength.
Tuten has the ability to be effective running north and south, but was oftentimes deployed with the idea of stretching the defense horizontally at Virginia Tech. In fact, there were many times when Tuten would begin a play lined up out wide or in the slot and motion his way back in to take a handoff while already on the run. It was an effective way to not only test the edges of the defense, but to take advantage of Tuten’s elite speed.
In the passing game, Tuten had a productive career as a receiver, but he was mostly limited to simple routes like check-downs, swings, screens, etc. In fact, he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry in 2024. He had also struggled with drops prior to his senior season. He dropped nine passes between 2022 and 2023.
Where Tuten struggles, is in short yardage situations. He’s certainly tough enough to mix it up between the tackles and he can handle to contact, but without a head of steam behind him, the power and ability to move the pile just aren’t there. He also displayed questionable vision at times and was inconsistent at breaking tackles in the open field. He’s not terrible in any of these areas, but the power, contact balance, elusiveness, and vision are average at best. Tuten also battled with ball security issues throughout his career. On top of the drop issues, fumbled nine times during his two seasons at Virginia Tech. That’s something he will absolutely have to clean up if NFL coaches are ever going to trust him in a significant role.
Speaking of the NFL, Bhayshul Tuten projects as a complementary playmaker in a zone-heavy offense. He will be a great fit for a team looking to add an explosive athlete to its backfield without having to use a premium draft pick to do it. His quickness, explosion, and elite combination of speed and acceleration would pair perfectly with a big powerful backfield mate.
18. Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Brashard Smith played just one season of running back in college after spending his first three as a reserve wide receiver for the Miami Hurricanes. He looked like a natural out of the backfield, utilizing his impressive combination of speed, acceleration, and quickness to become an instant playmaker for the SMU Mustangs. Smith is slippery with the ball in his hands. He deploys a variety of moves to evade tacklers in the open field and in close quarters. Once he sees daylight, Smith is a real threat to take the run all the way to the end zone. He is incredibly explosive and he runs in the 4.3s.
Where Smith will be most impactful, though, is in the passing game. Naturally, as a former wide receiver, Smith possesses above average receiving skills for the running back position. He has good hands, excellent ball skills, and the ability to run any route from the backfield. He will also line up in the slot or out wide and run real wide receiver routes. Smith is a mismatch for any linebacker tasked with covering him one-on-one. NFL teams will find that extremely valuable in today’s game and it could get him drafted much earlier than anyone expects.
Where Smith is lacking is in short yardage situations. He simply doesn’t have the size, lower body strength, or power to move a pile and grind out tough yards. He also shows some hesitation behind the line of scrimmage, something that might just be a product of inexperience at the position.
Still, Brashard Smith projects as an NFL team’s primary receiving back. He’ll be a nightmare for defenses to match up against in the passing game while also providing explosive play upside as a runner. He’s incredibly elusive, twitchy, and explosive. He has elite speed with natural instincts as a ball carrier. Smith may be limited to a rotational/passing downs role but he absolutely has the upside to develop into a true playmaking weapon at the NFL level.
19. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo is a big physical runner who runs with a high sense of urgency and aggression on every carry. He consistently finishes runs with violence while displaying elite contact balance to bounce off tacklers like a real life pinball. Skattebo has good vision to quickly identify the open lanes. He has excellent footwork in the backfield to navigate through traffic and onto the next level. While Skattebo reaches his top gear quickly, he’s certainly no threat to break off long runs with pure speed. Once he’s in the open field, he needs to rely on his strength and contact balance to keep the run alive because he’s not going to out run anyone.
In the passing game, Skattebo racked up the production in 2024. He has good hands and is a tough tackle in space. His route tree is mostly limited to check-downs and screens, but Skattebo does well to maximize every touch. And he did catch the occasional downfield pass and looked like a natural doing it, so perhaps there’s room to expand this area of his game moving forward.
Where he really needs to focus on improving, though, is his ball security. Skattebo fumbled 10 times over his last three seasons. He’s going to have a hard time earning the trust of NFL coaches if he doesn’t clean that up.
Projecting to the NFL, Cam Skattebo will fit well into a rotational backfield where he serves as the primary short-yardage and red zone back. He is extremely effective in those situations, utilizing his power and strength to consistently move piles and gain the necessary yardage. He will also serve well as a team’s “closer”—where he can wear down a defense in the second half while protecting a lead. NFL teams are going to appreciate his high energy and bruising running style while being able to add value to all three downs.
21. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson is an overall athletic running back who wins with speed and explosion. He finds the open lanes with his great vision and patience and is able to bounce off tacklers with exceptional contact balance. He gains yards after contact with regularity while smoothly shifting gears from lateral runner to a north-south bullet with a knack for breaking off long runs. Sampson is extremely explosive once he finds a lane with the speed to house it at any time. He runs with surprisingly effective power for a back of his size. He doesn’t go down easily and he’s been known to move a pile on occasion.
In the passing game, Dylan Sampson displays good hands and the explosiveness to make plays after the catch. He has the upside to develop into a greater role as a pass catcher than he held at the college level.
In the NFL, Sampson projects as a versatile, well-rounded running back who can effectively contribute in all phases of the offense. He’s explosive between the tackles with the speed and lateral quickness to bounce it outside. He has the power to win in short yardage and goal line situations, even at his size. NFL teams will appreciate his versatility and playmaking upside. He will likely be deployed in a split backfield alongside a bigger, bruising style runner. But make no mistake, Sampson is capable of carrying the load when called upon as he showed in his final season at Tennessee.
22. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
Devin Neal is a versatile running back who wins with short area speed, burst, and acceleration. He’s a slasher with the build of a power back. He might not run you over like most other 215 pounders, but he’s incredibly difficult to bring down in space. Neal uses his quick footwork, agility, and natural instincts to make tacklers miss with ease. He’s a patient runner with good vision and great change of direction ability. Once he identifies a lane, he puts his foot in the ground and goes. That’s when he’s most exciting. His short bursts of speed, acceleration, and explosion are almost unmatched. He will then creatively work his way to the next level and use his contact balance to keep the play alive through multiple tackle attempts.
Once he makes it into the secondary, Neal has enough speed to create chunk plays. However, he does get caught from behind more often than not. The next level breakaway speed just isn’t there. In short yardage, Neal won’t always be the most effective option at the NFL level. We could see him subbed out for bigger backs at the goal line. He has the frame to do it, but he’s lacking in effective play strength and power to routinely convert on those opportunities.
In the passing game, Neal was productive enough at Kansas to think he can add some value there in the NFL as well. However, he did have some drop issues at times and will need to improve in pass protection if he’s going to stay on the field for all three downs. Instead, we’re likely to see a guy who can (and will) catch a number of passes will typically be subbed out in obvious passing situations. Still, Neal will be able to get his share of targets on early down screens, swings, and check-downs. If he were somehow able to develop this area of his game, though, he would bring a lot of upside as a receiver given his athleticism and open field elusiveness.
Projecting to the NFL, Neal will likely begin his career as a high-end change-of-pace back or RB2. He’ll be a versatile player in terms of what he can do on the field, as well as the schemes he can operate in.
24. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders is an all-around quality quarterback. He has requisite NFL arm talent, but is accurate with the football while possessing the poise and anticipation that you want from a professional quarterback. He’s excellent on schedule but questions still linger about his ability to create when plays break down and to make off-platform throws. Sanders doesn’t hesitate to stand in the pocket and deliver an accurate ball while getting hit. He’s composed inside the pocket and keeps his eyes down the field no matter what is going on around him. While most of his work will come from within the pocket, Sanders does have enough juice in his legs to get outside when needed.
Sanders has all of the tools necessary to be a successful starting quarterback and game manager at the next level. He will have a high completion percentage and his receivers will appreciate his ball placement skills. He won’t be a game changer or playmaker from the position, but he will get the job done. He will live in the QB13-20 range in fantasy football.
25. DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
DJ Giddens is an all-purpose running back who has great natural instincts and is a difficult take-down in the open field. Giddens has impressive fluidity in his running style for a 6-1, 212-lb back. He’s a smooth runner who quickly bursts through open lanes and onto the second level of the defense. He has the contact balance and strength to bounce off tacklers with ease or to run through arm tackles once he has a head of steam. Once into the open field, Giddens will utilize a variety of different moves to make guys miss.
He won’t outrun everyone, but he has enough speed to break off chunk plays and make the occasional house call. And while Giddens displays impressive elusiveness and tackle-breaking once he gets going, he does struggle to break free of tacklers at or behind the line of scrimmage and before he gets that runway build up speed. He also tends to be a bit indecisive in the early stages of the run. If he doesn’t have a clear lane to run through, Giddens can become hesitant and open himself up to a negative play.
In the passing game, DJ Giddens has proven to be a viable option with playmaking upside. He’s had some drop issues, but otherwise can run a variety of routes out of the backfield—including swings, wheels, and angle routes. He’s also been seen lining up in the slot on occasion as well. Giddens will need to clean up his pass protection issues, however, if he’s going to become a true contributor on passing downs in the NFL. In fact, according to PFF, Giddens gave up three sacks in 2024 alone on limited pass pro snaps. With that said, he certainly has the frame to develop into an effective player in blitz pickup.
In the NFL, DJ Giddens projects as a running back who can add value on all three downs. He will likely begin his career as an RB2/3 or part of a committee backfield. While he can be an effective player, Giddens may lack the athletic profile to become a true No. 1 running back. With that said, he certainly has the natural instincts and elusiveness to be a real contributor. Giddens will operate best in a gap scheme that will allow him to quickly identify the running lanes and get into the open field. And that’s where he is at his best. Giddens’ open-field vision, contact balance, and frame make him a true threat at the second level. He will bounce off tacklers with ease as long as he has the chance to build up some momentum.
26. Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon is a big running back with an incredible combination of size, strength, and overall athleticism. He is fast and explosive enough to create chunk plays while delivering the power and brute force to dominate between the tackles and in short yardage. Gordon displays good vision behind the line and he possesses the short-area burst to quickly get to the second level. And once he builds up that head of steam, good luck to anyone trying to tackle him. Gordon will bounce off tacklers with ease and finishes his runs with bad intentions. He’s a big, thick back who runs with a purpose.
But he doesn’t just rely on brute strength to break tackles. Gordon has the moves to run around would-be tacklers and there are a few highlights of him even hurdling guys in the open field. Some of the moves and cuts that he makes should be illegal from a guy of his stature.
Gordon adds some value in the passing as well. He was held to a limited route tree at Oklahoma State but he showed enough to think he can add a few branches at the next level. He will also be someone teams can trust in pass protection. Gordon utilizes his frame to its full advantage when squaring up with blitzing linebackers. Quarterbacks and coaches will appreciate this area of his game as much as any.
Where Gordon lacks is in true breakaway speed. Don’t get me wrong, he’s got enough juice to create explosive plays, he just can’t always finish it in the end zone before being tracked down. He also tends to get caught up in the trash when the blocking isn’t there. Gordon struggles to create on his own to find ways through traffic. He needs clean running lanes, otherwise he’s not getting very far.
In the NFL, Ollie Gordon projects as a workhorse running back who dominates with size, strength, and short-area explosiveness. He’s a violent runner who will strike fear in any defender squared up one-on-one. Whether he uses a juke, a stiff arm, or just runs right through you, Ollie Gordon is surely not getting brought down easily in the open field. He will be a force between the tackles and a guy who will consistently move the chains in short-yardage situations. He’ll make for a great goal line specialist. Gordon will add value on passing downs as both an outlet from the backfield and a trusted blocker in pass protection.
He will be best deployed in a gap-centric running game that will allow him to work north-and-south rather than asking him to bounce out wide or cut laterally.
27. Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Jalen Royals was a late-bloomer but he’s looked like a guy primed for a productive NFL over the last two years. Royals combines his quality route running with blazing speed to present a true three-level threat. He’s an instinctive player who has the versatility to line up in multiple positions across the formation. He gets up to speed quickly and consistently wins on vertical routes. He tracks the ball well and has the body control to adjust to the throw in the air and make difficult catches down the field. Royals is a good enough route runner to win in the short and intermediate areas of the field as well. He eats up zone coverage with ease, seemingly always knowing where the open lanes are going to be.
Royals is excellent after the catch, too. He bounces off tackle attempts and has the speed to outrun defenders in the open field. He’s a guy offenses will want to get the ball to at the NFL level.
Where there is room for development is against physical coverage and press looks at the line. Royals can get knocked off his routes pretty easily when a bigger defensive back gets handsy. He is also inconsistent at the catch point when working in traffic, though he has been known to come down with his fair share of contested catches. NFL coaches will surely want to improve his sideline awareness on vertical routes as well. Royals doesn’t keep enough space between himself and the sideline to allow his quarterbacks to lead him away from the defense on go routes. Instead, he allows the cornerback to use the sideline to his advantage and Royals runs out room to make a play on the football. These are things that can be coached out of his game at the next level
Speaking of the next level, Jalen Royals projects as a playmaking possession wide receiver in the NFL. He will give offenses a versatile weapon that can move around the formation and win down the field as well as underneath. He’s going to earn some manufactured touches that will allow him to get into space and use his speed and elusiveness after the catch to create explosive plays. He will settle in nicely as a team’s starting Z receiver who can potentially add some value in the kicking game as well.
28. Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
Damien Martinez is a big bruising running back. He wins with good vision, power, and surprising agility to make quick cuts on his way to the open run lanes. He’s far from the fastest, but he reaches his top gear quickly which allows him to get to the second level of the defense for a few breakaway runs. Martinez showcases good footwork and lateral movement while working his way through traffic. He then uses his size and power to its full advantage when faced with a potential tackler one-on-one. He shows zero hesitation to lower his shoulder and blow a guy up.
At that point, he gets back up to speed and is in search of his next victim. Martinez is almost impossible to bring down with a solo tackler. In fact, his highlight tape is filled with clips of him absolutely abusing both defensive backs and linebackers. Even when multiple guys get their hands on him, he will continue to drive his legs to grind out every last yard available.
In the passing game, Martinez won’t be a dynamic route runner out of the backfield, but he certainly has the hands to be a useful check-down option. Once he catches it, Martinez then goes right back into beast mode—barreling through tacklers with a head of steam behind him, or even turning on the occasional juke move.
Projecting to the NFL, Damien Martinez has the ability to become a team’s workhorse right away. However, he will likely land in a spot where he will have to compete for shared touches. Still, he will have the opportunity to earn a role as an early-down grinder and short yardage/goal line specialist. NFL teams will appreciate his violent running style and ability to wear down a defense. He’s the perfect type of running back to put in the game in the fourth quarter to grind out the clock and test the will of a tired opponent.
Martinez experienced success in both zone and gap schemes during his college career so he should have no problem translating to the NFL. His north-south running style will pair perfectly with a speedy, slashing backfield mate.
31. Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Jarquez Hunter is an undersized running back who runs like he’s 225 lbs. He’s a between the tackles grinder with an aggressive mentality and violent finisher. He bounces off tacklers like a pinball and thwarts arm tackles with ease. He has the lower body strength and power to move piles in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Hunter is not an explosive runner, nor is he much of a threat in the passing game. He won’t make anyone miss in the open field with elusiveness or creativity and he does have a tendency of running towards contact when it isn’t always necessary. However, he makes up for it with his physicality, good vision, and decisive running style.
Jarquez Hunter has the ability to be a 15-20 touch guy but he will likely settle into a backup role at the NFL level. He will add a power element with toughness and a downhill running style to whichever backfield he ends up in.
32. Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
Tory Horton wins on the perimeter with 4.41 speed, excellent ball-tracking, and the ability to routinely come down with contested catches. He had a very productive two-year stretch from 2022 to 2023 before an injury ended his 2024 season. Horton will spend most of his time at Z where he can avoid physical press coverage. His route tree will consist of mostly vertical patterns and hitches. Unless he expands his route tree further, Horton will be boxed in as a one-dimensional player who doesn’t move around the formation much and doesn’t provide a lot of variety to an offense. Still, he could settle in as a team’s WR3 and rotational starting Z.
34. Woody Marks, RB, USC
Woody Marks is best known for his receiving prowess from his time at both Mississippi State and USC. He set school records for receptions—both career and single season—and he finished with more than 250 career catches. He has natural hands and can run all the routes from the backfield. He has the speed and athleticism to create a true mismatch and routinely beat linebackers in coverage. Once he has the ball in his hands, Marks turns into a dynamic playmaker who will slip past defenders with ease.
As a runner, Woody Marks displays good patience and footwork to navigate his way through open lanes and into the next level of the defense. Once he identifies the open hole, he will plant his foot in the ground and use his impressive burst and acceleration to explode through to the secondary. He has the speed to turn a chunk play into a long touchdown and the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field.
Where he is lacking is in power and overall play strength. Marks has the frame to be effective between the tackles and short yardage, but the lower body strength and leg drive just aren’t enough to be a true force in those situations. He also easily gets knocked off balance with arm tackles that many other backs would plow through with relative ease. We see some of these issues come up in pass protection as well. Marks is simply not good in pass pro. It’s not for a lack of will or effort, but he just doesn’t have the technique and physical strength to be effective in blocking blitzing linebackers and safeties. That’s especially concerning given the strength of his game is as a receiver. If he can’t be trusted in pass protection, it’s hard to envision him carving out a true role on passing downs.
Still, Marks has plenty to offer to an NFL offense. He has the size and skill set to be an effective runner both between the tackles and on outside carries. He offers scheme versatility and the explosive ability to turn short gains into long plays. He will be a dual-threat running back who can be a true weapon in the receiving game. Offensive play callers will appreciate his versatility and not being a guy who tips off a defense by his presence on the field—meaning defenders will have to equally respect the threat of the run and the pass when Marks is out there.
That should get him drafted some time in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft with the expectation of whoever selects him to deploy him as a high-end RB2/change-of-pace guy who specializes as a receiver out of the backfield but offers more when needed.
35. Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
Isaiah Bond is an explosive playmaking wide receiver. He wins with speed both before and after the catch. His elite acceleration allows him to reach his top gear almost instantly while his exceptional lateral quickness and agility makes him almost impossible to get hands on him in space. Bond does an excellent job creating separation on his routes. He does so on all three levels—short, intermediate, and deep. He uses a variety of release tactics to get off the line with ease and find some space for his quarterback to hit him. Bond uses his speed threat to not only get open vertically, but he uses it to his advantage to throttle down and work the underneath areas of the field as well. Bond’s route running prowess goes beyond his speed and stop-start ability. He is a genuinely good route runner who is creative and crafty. He runs a diverse route tree and can do it from anywhere in the formation.
Once he has the ball in his hands, Bond uses those same athletic traits to gain additional yardage after the catch as one of the most elusiveness playmakers among the 2025 wide receiver class. That translates to manufactured looks as well. His offenses found multiple ways to get the ball in his hands—underneath routes in space, screens, jet sweeps, pop passes, end arounds, etc.
It’s hard not to get excited about the potential of a player like Isaiah Bond when you watch him play. However, he certainly doesn’t come without questions. For one, Bond’s production profile is extremely underwhelming. He never reached 700 yards in any of his three seasons or had a dominator rating reach 20%. He should be commanding more opportunities but the numbers tell a different story. He’s also not a guy who is ever going to win with physicality. That’s at the line, during the route, and at the catch point. A strong defender who gets hands on Bond will be a problem for the young receiver. His limited catch radius will keep him from snagging some of the tougher out of frame targets and inaccurate passes.
Projecting to the NFL, Bond can become a team’s No. 2 or No. 3 in a timing based passing offense. He will fit well with a quarterback who is accurate and gets the ball out on time. Bond will provide NFL offenses with a versatile playmaker who can win on all three levels and provide some electricity with the ball in his hands. Not only will he create easy separation in the short and intermediate areas of the field, but Bond will act as a team’s top vertical threat as well. He can score from anywhere and that’s always a coveted trait in today’s NFL. He will be used from both the slot and out wide, and as a guy to put in motion before the snap. In the right offense with the right quarterback, there’s a real chance Bond garners more volume and high-percentage opportunities than he ever did in college. He certainly has the physical traits to become that guy.
39. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
The younger brother of Travis Etienne, Trevor was an underwhelming producer at both Florida and Georgia. However, Etienne does possess some quality traits that could translate to the NFL. He has good vision, quick feet, and excellent short-area agility and quickness. He’s not overly elusive or dynamic, but he navigates well between the tackles for an undersized back and he has the speed to create chunk plays once he gets to the open field.
Etienne did find some impressive production as a receiver out of the backfield. He displayed reliable hands and efficiency in the passing game. In fact, Etienne managed to catch 62 of his 63 career targets with just one drop. With that said, though, Etienne was never asked to be overly creative or dynamic as a route runner. He was mostly used on simple stuff, but he proved to be a trustworthy option.
Etienne projects as a secondary piece in an NFL backfield with upside to contribute in a passing downs role. He’ll benefit from a zone-based rushing scheme that allows him to stick to the things he does well. He won’t be the explosive playmaker that his brother has been in Jacksonville, but Trevor Etienne will be a steady slasher as an RB2 or RB3.
40. Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Raheim Sanders, who goes by “Rocket,” is a big running back who’s running style is a combination of a one-cut slasher and a downhill grinder. He runs with good vision and contact balance to consistently gain yards between the tackles. He’s big and physical with a ton of strength, but he also has the speed and burst to create long runs. Sanders lets that big-play ability dictate his decision making a bit too much at times, looking to create the long run when it’s not there. That can create some indecision early in the run.
Sanders is at his best working between the tackles, utilizing his size and strength to grind out yards while popping the occasional chunk play. He is a force to be reckoned with at the goal line and short yardage. It’s not very often he gets stood up in those situations.
In the passing game, Sanders provides value as a check down option. He won’t be a mismatch as a route runner, but Sanders is not a guy defenses want to let get out into space with a head of steam so a few dump-offs, screens, and swings to the big man can be an effective way to move the football.
In the NFL, Raheim Sanders projects as a rotational running back who will provide some physicality to a backfield. He has the athleticism to be more than a grinder or short yardage guy. Offenses will appreciate his aggressive running style.
42. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
Oronde Gadsden began his college career as a wide receiver and you can tell. He’s become a pass-catching weapon from the tight end position with excellent body control and a huge catch radius. He’s a good route runner with the athleticism to be a matchup headache for opposing defenses. Gadsden attacks the football well and is dominant in contested catch situations.
Gadsden was incredibly productive at Syracuse. He set the school record for receiving yards by a tight end in 2022, then broke the record for most receptions by the position in 2024.
Gasden doesn’t offer much as a blocker. Instead, he will play a role closer to a big slot receiver than a traditional in-line tight end in the NFL. He will dominate the seams and be a red zone weapon.
45. Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Ricky White had a productive career at UNLV with more than 200 catches and over 3,000 receiving yards. He’s a versatile receiver with a thin frame. He was an excellent vertical separator in college but his 4.61 40-time suggests that may not translate as well to the next level. Still, he has good body control, adjusts to the football well, and has a wide catch radius. White will need to develop as a route runner, both in detail and variety, if he’s to carve out a consistent role in the NFL. He will play both the Z and slot positions as a WR3/WR4. He will also be a major contributor on special teams. He dominated on kick coverage units and blocked four punts in just 2024 alone.
46. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
Jaydon Blue is an explosive player who relies on speed and overall athleticism. He’s dangerous in space with 4.38 wheels and impressive open-field elusiveness. He has super quick feet and excellent lateral agility. He is better on outside carries where he can lean on that speed and get to the edge and into space. Overall, though, Jaydon Blue is an extremely raw runner after minimal usage in college while spending two years backing up studs like Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathon Brooks.
Where he is at his best is in the receiving game. Blue threatens defense as a legitimate mismatch while running a wide array of routes both underneath and downfield. Once he has the ball in his hands in space—look out. There are still concerns in this area, however. Blue battled some drop issues with a 10% drop rate in 2024. He has also had fumble problems and is a liability in pass protection. He will need to clean up his game if he is going to develop into an impact player at the NFL level.
Speaking of the NFL, Jaydon Blue projects as a change-of-pace satellite back who specializes as a pass-catcher. He will be a mismatch nightmare for opposing linebackers and a true weapon in the open field. As a runner, his lack of size and strength, plus poor vision between the tackles will make it difficult for him to carve out a meaningful role as a ball carrier. However, there is certainly room for Blue to improve his game as he enters the game relatively inexperienced. Whoever drafts him will be hoping he can develop and refine his game to the point where he can fully maximize his natural athletic traits.
47. LeQuint Allen Jr., RB, Syracuse
LeQuint Allen is a versatile running back who excels in the passing game. He has good hands, can run big boy routes, and is a force after the catch. Not only can Allen run the full route tree from the backfield, but he’s more than capable of lining up out wide or in the slot and running legitimate wide receiver routes. He rounds out his value by being one of the best pass protecting running backs in the class.
As a pure runner, LeQuint Allen is decisive with good vision, lateral agility, and acceleration. He looks like a wide receiver when he’s running. He runs upright which can throw off his leverage when taking on contact, especially given his height. He also lacks some explosiveness and creativity. And while Allen is undersized at just over 200 lbs, he has been largely successful in converting short yardage situations with a high level of consistency.
In the NFL, LeQuint Allen projects as a guy who will compete for a role as a team’s primary passing downs back. He will add value as a receiver as well as in pass protection. Coaches will trust him to protect their quarterback as well as protect the football. Allen displayed excellent ball security at Syracuse, fumbling just one time on more than 600 career touches.
48. Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware
Marcus Yarns was a two-year starter at Delaware, rushing for a combined 1,783 yards over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He runs with good patience and burst with the speed to rip off some long runs. He will make guys miss in the open field but he’s not much of a tackle breaker due to poor contact balance and undersized frame.
In the passing game, Yarns presents good hands and route running. He can create mismatches against opposing linebackers.
Yarns won’t offer much as an inside runner or in short yardage situations. He simply doesn’t have the size or play strength to hold up between the tackles.
Instead, Yarns projects as a change-of-pace back with receiving upside as a No. 3 running back in the NFL.
49. Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Tahj Brooks is a workhorse running back who capped off his career at Texas Tech with back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons. He’s the school’s all-time career leader in rush attempts and rushing yards.
Brooks has a low center of gravity with strong legs to create power and broken tackles. He has excellent lateral agility and contact balance and is elusive both in traffic and in the open field. He’s not the fastest or most explosive runner, but he will eat between the tackles and grind out tough yards.
In the passing game, Brooks has good enough hands to be a quality check-down option but that’s about as far as he will go in that facet of the game.
Brooks projects as a tough runner who will simply grind his way through defenses as a No. 2 or No. 3 in an NFL backfield. He will work best on inside carries as a downhill, straight-line runner. Brooks can certainly handle a heavy workload if ever called in from the bullpen for some relief duty.
50. Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
Kyle Monangai ran for over 1,200 yards in each of his last two seasons at Rutgers. He’s a between the tackles runner with excellent lateral agility and contact balance. He makes guys miss in the open field and bounces off tacklers like a pinball. Monangai lacks the speed, acceleration, and burst to break off long runs and he won’t add much to the passing game, either. He projects as an early downs grinder who will settle in as a No. 3 running back on an NFL depth chart.
51. Xavier Restrepo, WR, Miami
Xavier Restrepo is a volume slot receiver who is the University of Miami’s all-time leader in both single-season receptions as well as receptions in a career. He was also just the sixth receiver in school history to have a 1,000-yard season—and he did it twice. Restrepo can attribute much of his success over the last two years to his nuanced route running and ability to generate quick separation. He is explosive off the line and is smooth in and out of his breaks. He has incredible short-area quickness that allows him to create a consistent target for his quarterback. Restrepo is a reliable chain-mover with sticky hands and the toughness to grind out extra yards after the catch.
Restrepo lives in the slot, but he’s a threat to win on in-breaking routes, out-breaking routes, hitches, screens, and even the occasional vertical pattern. With the ball in his hands, Restrepo will fight with every blade of grass he can get.
Where Restrepo falls short is in his natural athletic traits—particularly long speed. While he generates plenty of initial burst and lateral quickness, Restrepo isn’t threatening too many defenders with his long speed. He’s also going to struggle against physical defenders in tight coverage on the outside.
That’s why Xavier Restrepo projects as a pure slot receiver at the NFL level. He will thrive as a trusted chain mover who quarterbacks can turn to in must-have situations. He will win with quickness, detailed route-running, and good initial acceleration off the line of scrimmage. Restrepo plays above his size and displays incredible toughness that will help him succeed in the middle of the field. He will fit best on a team that uses a lot of 11-personnel and is in need of a physical slot receiver. Teams may even view him as a guy who can contribute on special teams which will only enhance his value on draft weekend.
52. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
The story of Tez Johnson starts and ends with his size (or lack thereof). He stands at just 5-9 and 156 lbs. And that certainly puts a cap on what he can do as a player. It limits his catch radius, it limits his success rate in contested catch situations, and it makes playing out wide almost impossible because he can’t hold up against any type of press or physical coverage. However, that doesn’t mean Tez Johnson can’t have success at the NFL level. He was, after all, very productive at the college level as a volume slot receiver in one of the nation’s best offenses.
Where he wins is in route running and instincts with the ball in his hands. Johnson is often described as a “twitchy” receiver. He has quick feet and a ton of short-area quickness and burst. He consistently wins in the short and intermediate areas of the field while offering the ability to occasionally get open vertically on slot fades or up the seams as well. After the catch, Johnson is an instinctive runner with excellent open-field vision to find the open lanes in a defense. He has the speed and elusiveness to take advantage of any crease given to him.
In the NFL, Tez Johnson projects as a slot receiver who will benefit from pre-snap motions and alignments that will allow him to get into space and avoid physical coverage. He will be best paired with a quarterback who’s playing style is more rhythm and timing based—a guy who likes to get the ball out quick and let his playmakers make plays. Johnson will be great on option routes, screens, and underneath crossers. He may not be the featured piece of an offense or receive the same volume he did in college, but Johnson can certainly make an impact and be a weapon in the right situation.
54. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Gunnar Helm is an all-purpose tight end who had a productive career at Texas. He’s a quality route runner with good hands and ball skills. He works well in traffic and is comfortable operating in the middle of the field. He’s a reliable target who quarterbacks trust. Helm will operate primarily in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Despite a lack of explosive athleticism, Helm will add additional yards after the catch with some tough running.
Helm provides three-down value and versatility as a quality blocker. He can operate comfortably as a traditional in-line tight end. He can develop into a low-end starter or high-end No. 2.
55. Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee
Bru McCoy is a vertical wide receiver who has the size and speed to win downfield. However, his route tree is limited beyond that and questions remain whether his game will translate to the NFL or not. In addition to his limited route tree, McCoy has below average ball skills and is underwhelming in contested situations. He makes up for it with his physical traits and massive catch radius. Once he has the ball in his hands, McCoy does a good job of getting up field and making guys miss for additional yardage. McCoy projects as a WR3 in the NFL who will operate along the boundary and focus mostly on vertical patterns.
56. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Mitchell Evans is an all-purpose tight end who led Notre Dame in receptions in both 2023 and 2024. That’s despite suffering an ACL injury midway through the 2023 season that also limited him early in 2024. Evans has good enough athleticism to be an effective receiver. He has the versatility to line up both in-line and from the slot. He will run most of his routes underneath while dabbling in the intermediate areas of the field as well. He has good ball skills and has been known to make some difficult catches in traffic.
Evans is also an effective blocker in the run game with good size and strength. That will help him carve out a three-down role in the NFL as a team’s No. 2 tight end.
58. Jordan James, RB, Oregon
Jordan James graduated from Bucky Irving’s backup to Oregon’s starting running back in 2024. He started all 14 games and led the team with 1,267 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
James is a tough between the tackles runner who wins with physicality and aggression. He breaks through arm tackles with ease and has excellent lateral agility to help navigate his way through traffic. He will grind out the tough yards and wear down defenses. James needs to be more patient behind the line of scrimmage, however. He gets too antsy and runs himself into trouble rather than letting his blocks get set up.
In the NFL, James will compete for backup duties as a two-down grinder. He won’t be a threat to break off long runs, but he’ll do the dirty work.
60. Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
A former linebacker, Kalel Mullings waited patiently for his opportunity for an increased role in the Michigan backfield and finally got it in 2024. He took advantage by leading the team with 948 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
Mullings is a big running back who runs with power and strength. He uses his size to break tackles and grind out the tough yards between the tackles. He has impressive lateral movement for his size but lacks creativity as a runner. He projects as a No. 3 running back in the NFL who will add power and a downhill running style to a backfield. He could work his way onto the field as a short yardage specialist.
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