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The 2025 NFL draft is just around the corner, and while the Florida Gators won't dominate the first round, they still have several intriguing prospects who could hear their names called.
It's not a star-studded class from the Orange and Blue, but it's a solid one–built on gritty contributors, developmental upside and a few wildcards who could rise with the right fit.
While other SEC programs might boast more first-round firepower, the Gators are going to serve as those value picks that NFL teams are looking for in the middle rounds.
The Florida football class offers a mix of size, speed and special teams value–traits that tend to show up in the later rounds and earn roster spots.
Here's a full breakdown of where Florida's top talent could land in the 2025 NFL draft.
Elijhah Badger landing in the fourth round with the Buffalo Bills makes a lot of sense. Buffalo has been on the hunt for more dynamic weapons at receiver–especially someone who can win underneath but also separate deep. Yes, they have an incredible receiver in Khalil Shakir who can do just that, but it just feels like they can use another receiver and Badger could fit right in.
His route-running, body control and ability to adjust mid-air make him a natural fit for Josh Allen's off-platform throws. His production and versatility give him that plug-and-play upside Buffalo values in the mid-rounds.
I like the Miami Dolphins selecting Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson in the fourth round because it checks a lot of boxes. Miami has been actively trying to reinforce its offensive line depth, especially at tackle with Terron Armstead's retirement.
Crenshaw-Dickson brings ideal size, standing at 6-feet-7-inches with a weight of 322 pounds. He fits the mold of a developmental prospect with starting upside. With his raw power and length, he could be groomed as a long-term option at tackle in Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme.
Jason Marshall Jr. to the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round feels like a smart value pick. Minnesota's secondary is still a work in progress, especially at cornerback, where they've lacked consistency and depth.
Marshall has the size at 6-feet-1-inch, and the speed running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. That fits well in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' aggressive, man-heavy scheme.
While he didn't always meet expectations at Florida, Marshall's athletic traits and five-star pedigree give him the kind of upside that teams love to gamble on in the middle rounds.
I think the Jacksonville Jaguars pick up Cam Jackson in the fifth round because it makes a lot of sense given their need for rotational depth along the defensive line. Jacksonville has invested heavily in its front seven, but it's lacked a true space-eater behind its starters.
At 6-feet-6-inches tall and 342 pounds, Jackson brings the kind of size and strength that can clog lanes and eat double teams, especially on early downs. He seems like a natural fit for the Jaguars' 3-4 front as a nose tackle. Plus, keeping a Florida guy in-state who already knows the heat, humidity and SEC speed? That's a cultural and schematic win.
Chimere Dike to the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round feels like a perfect mid-round match. Dike is a Wisconsin native and former Badger, so the familiarity factor is already there. But more than that, he fits the Packers' mold–productive, smart and versatile. Green Bay loves receivers who can play inside and out, block in the run game and contribute on special teams.
Dike checks all those boxes. He's not necessarily flashy, but he's reliable. For a team still shaping its young receiver core, Dike offers immediate depth with long-term upside.
Shemar James landing with the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round feels like a strong value pick for a team that needs to restock its linebacker depth. James serves as a modern hybrid backer–athletic enough to cover in space, tough enough to fill run gaps.
While his draft stock isn't sky-high, James brings high character, SEC experience and special teams versatility, all of which align with the Titans' emphasis on culture and toughness. In the sixth round, James is the kind of player who can carve out a role early and grow into more.
Montrell Johnson Jr. feels like a smart depth move for the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles has leaned heavily on mid-to-late-round picks to build their roster, especially at running back, where durability and system fit are key.
Johnson brings a physical running style with good burst and solid vision. These are traits that mesh well with Sean McVay's zone-based run game. Johnson could step in as a rotational back while mainly serving as a depth piece behind Kyren Williams.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football 2025 NFL draft: Projections, picks and team fits
Continue reading...
It's not a star-studded class from the Orange and Blue, but it's a solid one–built on gritty contributors, developmental upside and a few wildcards who could rise with the right fit.
While other SEC programs might boast more first-round firepower, the Gators are going to serve as those value picks that NFL teams are looking for in the middle rounds.
The Florida football class offers a mix of size, speed and special teams value–traits that tend to show up in the later rounds and earn roster spots.
Here's a full breakdown of where Florida's top talent could land in the 2025 NFL draft.
WR Elijhah Badger: Buffalo Bills (Round 4, Pick No. 109)
Elijhah Badger landing in the fourth round with the Buffalo Bills makes a lot of sense. Buffalo has been on the hunt for more dynamic weapons at receiver–especially someone who can win underneath but also separate deep. Yes, they have an incredible receiver in Khalil Shakir who can do just that, but it just feels like they can use another receiver and Badger could fit right in.
His route-running, body control and ability to adjust mid-air make him a natural fit for Josh Allen's off-platform throws. His production and versatility give him that plug-and-play upside Buffalo values in the mid-rounds.
OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson: Miami Dolphins (Round 4, Pick No. 116)
I like the Miami Dolphins selecting Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson in the fourth round because it checks a lot of boxes. Miami has been actively trying to reinforce its offensive line depth, especially at tackle with Terron Armstead's retirement.
Crenshaw-Dickson brings ideal size, standing at 6-feet-7-inches with a weight of 322 pounds. He fits the mold of a developmental prospect with starting upside. With his raw power and length, he could be groomed as a long-term option at tackle in Mike McDaniel's offensive scheme.
CB Jason Marshall Jr.: Minnesota Vikings (Round 5, Pick No. 139)
Jason Marshall Jr. to the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round feels like a smart value pick. Minnesota's secondary is still a work in progress, especially at cornerback, where they've lacked consistency and depth.
Marshall has the size at 6-feet-1-inch, and the speed running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. That fits well in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores' aggressive, man-heavy scheme.
While he didn't always meet expectations at Florida, Marshall's athletic traits and five-star pedigree give him the kind of upside that teams love to gamble on in the middle rounds.
DT Cam Jackson: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 5, Pick No. 142)
I think the Jacksonville Jaguars pick up Cam Jackson in the fifth round because it makes a lot of sense given their need for rotational depth along the defensive line. Jacksonville has invested heavily in its front seven, but it's lacked a true space-eater behind its starters.
At 6-feet-6-inches tall and 342 pounds, Jackson brings the kind of size and strength that can clog lanes and eat double teams, especially on early downs. He seems like a natural fit for the Jaguars' 3-4 front as a nose tackle. Plus, keeping a Florida guy in-state who already knows the heat, humidity and SEC speed? That's a cultural and schematic win.
WR Chimere Dike: Green Bay Packers (Round 5, Pick No. 159)
Chimere Dike to the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round feels like a perfect mid-round match. Dike is a Wisconsin native and former Badger, so the familiarity factor is already there. But more than that, he fits the Packers' mold–productive, smart and versatile. Green Bay loves receivers who can play inside and out, block in the run game and contribute on special teams.
Dike checks all those boxes. He's not necessarily flashy, but he's reliable. For a team still shaping its young receiver core, Dike offers immediate depth with long-term upside.
LB Shemar James: Tennessee Titans (Round 6, Pick No. 178)
Shemar James landing with the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round feels like a strong value pick for a team that needs to restock its linebacker depth. James serves as a modern hybrid backer–athletic enough to cover in space, tough enough to fill run gaps.
While his draft stock isn't sky-high, James brings high character, SEC experience and special teams versatility, all of which align with the Titans' emphasis on culture and toughness. In the sixth round, James is the kind of player who can carve out a role early and grow into more.
RB Montrell Johnson Jr.: Los Angeles Rams (Round 7, Pick No. 201)
Montrell Johnson Jr. feels like a smart depth move for the Los Angeles Rams. Los Angeles has leaned heavily on mid-to-late-round picks to build their roster, especially at running back, where durability and system fit are key.
MONTRELL JOHNSON JR. TO THE HOUSEpic.twitter.com/B0RqLT50Np
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 1, 2024
Johnson brings a physical running style with good burst and solid vision. These are traits that mesh well with Sean McVay's zone-based run game. Johnson could step in as a rotational back while mainly serving as a depth piece behind Kyren Williams.
Florida Gators expected to go undrafted
- Desmond Watson, DT
- Trikweze Bridges, S
- Jeremy Crawshaw, P
- Joey Slackman, DL
- Graham Mertz, QB
- R.J. Moten, S
- Derek Wingo, LB
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football 2025 NFL draft: Projections, picks and team fits
Continue reading...
