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NFL teams enjoyed great success from their rookies in the 2024 season at multiple positions. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had one of the best rookie seasons at the position in modern NFL history to power Washington to the NFC championship game. Four of the top 10 players in receiving yards were rookies: Brian Thomas Jr. (third, 1,282 yards), Malik Nabers (seventh, 1,204), Brock Bowers (eighth, 1,194) and Ladd McConkey (10th, 1,149).
Teams enjoyed similar success on defense as well. Edge rusher Jared Verse was one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. Philadelphia's rookie duo of defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean helped the Eagles get to and win Super Bowl 59.
There are certain players every year who enter the draft and don't require much projection to see how they'd fit at the NFL level. Teams often draft players based on elite traits that they can then develop, but some prospects offer a ready-made skill set that won't require much time to adjust to the NFL level.
Ten players stand out as some of the most pro-ready in the class. Here's what to know about them:
2025 NFL draft: Picking one best prospect fit in the class for each team
The Heisman runner-up had an outstanding final season in Boise State, leading the nation in rushing yards by a long way. He's right behind Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson as the best prospect at the position over the last five years.
Jeanty is used to being a bell-cow back and the focal point of an offense. Coming to the NFL and getting a high volume of carries won't require much projection. His rare contact balance should translate well to the professional level , and he's built to wear defenses down over the course of a game. He wasn't used in the passing game much in college, but that's a small nitpick in an otherwise outstanding skillset.
Whichever side of the ball Hunter decides to line up on, he'll be a standout player. He was the first wide receiver to lead the Big 12 outright in both receptions and receiving touchdowns since Justin Blackmon in 2011. He's arguably just as good on the defensive end as a long, athletic cornerback who uses his playmaking and experience on offense to be a force in coverage.
Hunter may end up playing more on defense early on due to the easier transition to the pro game. If he does that, it'd be surprising if he wasn't a difference-maker immediately.
Hunter's teammate Sanders isn't the consensus top quarterback prospect in the class overall, but he's widely considered the most pro-ready passer in the group. Sanders won't wow you with his arm talent or athleticism. His accuracy, timing and poise in the pocket are his calling cards. Those are attributes that translate well in the NFL right away.
Sanders may never be a top-10 quarterback in the league, but he's absolutely a starting-caliber passer who can immediately raise the floor of an offense.
Ohio State's been a wide receiver factory in recent years with first-round prospects in 2024 (Marvin Harrison Jr.), 2023 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and 2022 (Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson). Egbuka will very likely be the next one up.
He's arguably the top slot receiver prospect in the class, depending on how teams view Missouri's Luther Burden III. Egbuka's game is very reminiscent of Smith-Njigba's as a smooth route-runner with very reliable hands. He'd be a contributor as a rookie for most offenses league-wide.
Jeanty gets the headlines after his stellar season, but it's a very deep running back class with Hampton receiving first-round consideration. The Tar Heel product is a powerful back (6-foot, 220 pounds) with a dense frame that punishes arm tacklers. His vision is among the best in the class, and he offers surprising burst for his big frame. He's also an accomplished receiving back during his time in Chapel Hill.
Hampton will very likely run behind a better offensive line in the NFL than in college regardless of where he goes. That upgrade may unlock his three-down abilities even more.
This draft class' depth on the defensive line, both at edge and on the interior, means there will be plenty of starting-caliber players going on Day 2 and likely into Day 3 of the draft. A lot of them have elite tools or traits that make them developmental pieces or rotational pass rushers early in their careers.
Ezeiruaku doesn't need nearly as much time to develop. The Boston College product has the athleticism and long arms teams look for in edge rushers. Then you put on his tape and see a variety of pass-rush moves that no other prospect in the class can match. His ceiling may be a bit lower due to his leaner frame at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but his floor is among the highest in the class. He'll be at least a rotational pass rusher as a rookie.
Henderson's another running back who could be a day one starter as a rookie in a loaded class. His breakaway speed shows up all over his film from his four years in Columbus, and he led the Big Ten in yards per carry at 7.1 on 144 attempts in 2024. He's a three-down player with proven abilities as a receiver and in pass protection. NFL teams will love that he had zero fumbles on any of his 667 career touches at Ohio State.
2025 NFL draft's top 10 OL prospects: Will Campbell leads class after combine
Booker had a poor showing at the NFL combine and ended the weekend as one of the slowest offensive linemen in the class. That may take him off the draft boards of some teams, but that doesn't mean he won't be a good starter in year one.
Booker's game is more about power with the play strength and finishing mentality to be a mauler in the run game. His massive 6-foot-5, 325-pound frame features nearly 35-inch long arms. Good luck to defensive linemen who try moving that mass on pass rushing snaps. He won't be a fit for every offense, but he's a safe bet to be an immediate contributor, especially teams who use a lot of inside run concepts.
Restrepo will likely be a late Day 2 pick in April's draft because he isn't an elite athlete at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds. He likely won't run a fast 40-yard dash at his pro day or be a top performer in other drills. But Restrepo plays faster in-game and finds a way to exploit defenses with his stellar footwork and leverage. He led the ACC in receiving yards (1,127) and receiving touchdowns (11) in 2024. His game is reminiscent of Hunter Renfrow, and Restrepo should be a contributor immediately.
Wilson's the top pure-center in the class and only had one year of starting experience for the Bulldogs, but he made the most of it. His tape was among the best in the country, especially in pass protection. Wilson's combine performance improved his stock even more after he posted the top 40-yard dash among all offensive linemen (4.84 seconds) and one of the best 10-yard splits. His broad jump and shuttle numbers were top five among all offensive linemen as well.
Wilson isn't an imposing figure, but his impressive athleticism means he could be an ideal fit for zone blocking schemes. His smaller frame may require bigger guards alongside him, but he'll be a good starter who may be available early on in Day 3 of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL draft: Jeanty, Travis Hunter most pro-ready prospects
Continue reading...
Teams enjoyed similar success on defense as well. Edge rusher Jared Verse was one of the top pass rushers in the NFL. Philadelphia's rookie duo of defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean helped the Eagles get to and win Super Bowl 59.
There are certain players every year who enter the draft and don't require much projection to see how they'd fit at the NFL level. Teams often draft players based on elite traits that they can then develop, but some prospects offer a ready-made skill set that won't require much time to adjust to the NFL level.
Ten players stand out as some of the most pro-ready in the class. Here's what to know about them:
2025 NFL draft: Picking one best prospect fit in the class for each team
Top 10 most pro-ready prospects in 2025 NFL draft
RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Heisman runner-up had an outstanding final season in Boise State, leading the nation in rushing yards by a long way. He's right behind Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson as the best prospect at the position over the last five years.
Jeanty is used to being a bell-cow back and the focal point of an offense. Coming to the NFL and getting a high volume of carries won't require much projection. His rare contact balance should translate well to the professional level , and he's built to wear defenses down over the course of a game. He wasn't used in the passing game much in college, but that's a small nitpick in an otherwise outstanding skillset.
CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Whichever side of the ball Hunter decides to line up on, he'll be a standout player. He was the first wide receiver to lead the Big 12 outright in both receptions and receiving touchdowns since Justin Blackmon in 2011. He's arguably just as good on the defensive end as a long, athletic cornerback who uses his playmaking and experience on offense to be a force in coverage.
Hunter may end up playing more on defense early on due to the easier transition to the pro game. If he does that, it'd be surprising if he wasn't a difference-maker immediately.
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Hunter's teammate Sanders isn't the consensus top quarterback prospect in the class overall, but he's widely considered the most pro-ready passer in the group. Sanders won't wow you with his arm talent or athleticism. His accuracy, timing and poise in the pocket are his calling cards. Those are attributes that translate well in the NFL right away.
Sanders may never be a top-10 quarterback in the league, but he's absolutely a starting-caliber passer who can immediately raise the floor of an offense.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Ohio State's been a wide receiver factory in recent years with first-round prospects in 2024 (Marvin Harrison Jr.), 2023 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and 2022 (Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson). Egbuka will very likely be the next one up.
He's arguably the top slot receiver prospect in the class, depending on how teams view Missouri's Luther Burden III. Egbuka's game is very reminiscent of Smith-Njigba's as a smooth route-runner with very reliable hands. He'd be a contributor as a rookie for most offenses league-wide.
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Jeanty gets the headlines after his stellar season, but it's a very deep running back class with Hampton receiving first-round consideration. The Tar Heel product is a powerful back (6-foot, 220 pounds) with a dense frame that punishes arm tacklers. His vision is among the best in the class, and he offers surprising burst for his big frame. He's also an accomplished receiving back during his time in Chapel Hill.
Hampton will very likely run behind a better offensive line in the NFL than in college regardless of where he goes. That upgrade may unlock his three-down abilities even more.
Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
This draft class' depth on the defensive line, both at edge and on the interior, means there will be plenty of starting-caliber players going on Day 2 and likely into Day 3 of the draft. A lot of them have elite tools or traits that make them developmental pieces or rotational pass rushers early in their careers.
Ezeiruaku doesn't need nearly as much time to develop. The Boston College product has the athleticism and long arms teams look for in edge rushers. Then you put on his tape and see a variety of pass-rush moves that no other prospect in the class can match. His ceiling may be a bit lower due to his leaner frame at 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, but his floor is among the highest in the class. He'll be at least a rotational pass rusher as a rookie.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson's another running back who could be a day one starter as a rookie in a loaded class. His breakaway speed shows up all over his film from his four years in Columbus, and he led the Big Ten in yards per carry at 7.1 on 144 attempts in 2024. He's a three-down player with proven abilities as a receiver and in pass protection. NFL teams will love that he had zero fumbles on any of his 667 career touches at Ohio State.
2025 NFL draft's top 10 OL prospects: Will Campbell leads class after combine
G Tyler Booker, Alabama
Booker had a poor showing at the NFL combine and ended the weekend as one of the slowest offensive linemen in the class. That may take him off the draft boards of some teams, but that doesn't mean he won't be a good starter in year one.
Booker's game is more about power with the play strength and finishing mentality to be a mauler in the run game. His massive 6-foot-5, 325-pound frame features nearly 35-inch long arms. Good luck to defensive linemen who try moving that mass on pass rushing snaps. He won't be a fit for every offense, but he's a safe bet to be an immediate contributor, especially teams who use a lot of inside run concepts.
WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami
Restrepo will likely be a late Day 2 pick in April's draft because he isn't an elite athlete at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds. He likely won't run a fast 40-yard dash at his pro day or be a top performer in other drills. But Restrepo plays faster in-game and finds a way to exploit defenses with his stellar footwork and leverage. He led the ACC in receiving yards (1,127) and receiving touchdowns (11) in 2024. His game is reminiscent of Hunter Renfrow, and Restrepo should be a contributor immediately.
C Jared Wilson, Georgia
Wilson's the top pure-center in the class and only had one year of starting experience for the Bulldogs, but he made the most of it. His tape was among the best in the country, especially in pass protection. Wilson's combine performance improved his stock even more after he posted the top 40-yard dash among all offensive linemen (4.84 seconds) and one of the best 10-yard splits. His broad jump and shuttle numbers were top five among all offensive linemen as well.
Wilson isn't an imposing figure, but his impressive athleticism means he could be an ideal fit for zone blocking schemes. His smaller frame may require bigger guards alongside him, but he'll be a good starter who may be available early on in Day 3 of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL draft: Jeanty, Travis Hunter most pro-ready prospects
Continue reading...
