The NFL season kicks off Thursday, however Yardbarker’s already retaining tabs on the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay.
Listed below are gamers we’re monitoring:
Ought to Colorado’s Travis Hunter swap to extensive receiver full time?
The Buffaloes WR/CB in all probability will not play each methods when he enters the NFL. Some expertise evaluators consider Hunter would fare higher as a receiver.
“It will likely be fascinating to see the way it performs out and that shall be a wholesome dialogue,” an NFL personnel supply mentioned, per CBS Sports activities’ Matt Zenitz. “I do know a number of scouts of that very same opinion: higher extensive receiver than cornerback. And once I watched him this summer time, I used to be pondering extensive receiver over nook.”
In a 31-26 win over North Dakota State in Week 1, Hunter flashed the playmaking means groups covet, recording seven receptions for 132 yards and three landing catches.
Miami QB Cam Ward is producing extra buzz
In a 41-17 road blowout of Florida in Week 1, Ward — a Washington State switch — accomplished 26-of-35 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Per Senior Bowl government director Jim Nagy, NFL scouts and executives who attended the sport thought it was the very best efficiency of Ward’s profession.
In his newest mock draft, CBS Sports activities’ Josh Edwards has the Los Angeles Rams taking 22-year-old Ward with the twentieth general decide. Do not be shocked if he retains climbing draft boards.
As of Thursday, FanDuel lists Ward, Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel and Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart because the super-early co-favorites to win the Heisman Trophy (+850).
Texas QB Quinn Ewers should shine vs. Michigan
No. 3 Texas faces No. 10 Michigan within the Massive Home on Saturday, and Ewers may very well be underneath the microscope.
“Popping out of highschool, [Ewers] was ranked forward of Caleb Williams, forward of Drake Maye, forward of J.J. McCarthy,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said Wednesday on “Get Up.” “That is Quinn Ewers’ yr to possibly reestablish himself as QB1 by the point we get to late April.”
In his preseason top-25 rankings, ESPN’s Field Yates charges Ewers because the No. 3 QB behind Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Georgia’s Carson Beck.
Nonetheless, if Ewers excels towards Michigan, he ought to increase his inventory. Kiper famous the Wolverines’ elite protection options potential first-round picks in cornerback Will Johnson and defensive sort out Mason Graham.
Has Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty already established himself as a clear-cut RB1?
In a 56-45 victory towards Georgia Southern on Saturday, Jeanty set program records in dashing yards (267) and dashing TDs (six) on 20 carries. Extra importantly, he confirmed he can use his stocky body (5-foot-9, 215 kilos) to make defensive backs miss within the open discipline.
“Defensive backs normally do not have very massive frames, they usually’re normally a bit taller,” Jeanty instructed the Draft Community’s Justin Melo. “After they see someone like me, a bit ol’ bowling ball coming at them, they do not actually need to sort out me.”
In his preliminary massive board, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Jeanty as his No. 1 RB prospect. The 20-year-old might proceed to showcase his abilities towards No. 7 Oregon on Saturday.
On Tuesday, third-year Geese head coach Dan Lanning told reporters he thinks Jeanty “is the very best operating again I’ve seen since I have been right here.”
Tennesee’s James Pearce Jr. nonetheless looks as if the highest edge-rusher
In accordance with Tankathon’s projections, the Carolina Panthers will take Pearce with the No. 1 general decide within the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Pearce has a uncommon explosive first step and pure juice off the sting that can assist him morph into an elite pass-rusher on the NFL degree,” wrote Yates. “He was an actual disruptor in 2023 with 10 sacks, two compelled fumbles and a highlight-worthy 52-yard pick-six in Tennessee’s bowl recreation.”
