Every week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay.
From Colorado’s two-way star to Kansas’ explosive working again, listed here are 5 gamers we’re monitoring:
Will Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter nonetheless be a two-way star within the NFL?
Hunter — Tankathon’s No. 1 prospect — not too long ago announced he’ll enter the 2025 NFL Draft and desires to maintain taking part in each methods within the NFL.
“Hunter has terrific endurance, and I believe he might play each methods in some capability,” wrote ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Monday. “He’ll probably have a main place within the NFL however get sprinkled on the opposite aspect of the ball for particular packages in sure seems, particularly on the finish of video games.”
Hunter (6-foot-1, 185 kilos) has excelled at each positions. In 11 video games, he has profession highs in landing catches (11) and passes defended (9).
Nonetheless, the workforce that drafts him in all probability will not play him extensively at large receiver and cornerback. Per Pro Football Focus, he has performed on 1,301 offensive and defensive snaps this season. That snap depend might exhaust him all through a 17-game NFL common season.
Would Miami QB Cam Ward be an ideal match for this NFC East workforce?
The Giants appear to be within the Hurricanes QB, who leads the FBS in TD passes (34 in 11 video games). In keeping with Fox Sports activities’ Jordan Schultz, the Giants and a number of other different groups watched Miami’s Week 13 residence recreation vs. Wake Forest, and Ward was a “key focus.”
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler thinks the Giants ought to take Ward (6-foot-2, 223 kilos) in the event that they’re concentrating on a QB.
“Together with his arm expertise and elusiveness within the pocket, Ward is an thrilling participant who can maintain performs alive and sling the ball to each inch of the sector,” wrote Brugler in a Wednesday roundtable.
The Giants should discover a franchise QB after not too long ago releasing Daniel Jones. Scouting Ward early within the draft course of to find out if he is the man is wise and never sudden.
The place does WR Emeka Egbuka rank amongst former Ohio State stars?
Ohio State has produced a number of star wideouts lately, together with Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks. The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner prompt Egbuka may very well be higher than each in his Tuesday column.
“He is not probably the most athletic receiver the Buckeyes have ever had. There have been flashier gamers who’ve made greater splashes, to make sure,” wrote Baumgardner. “However when the smoke clears, there will be no receiver within the storied historical past of Ohio State’s program who has been a extra full soccer participant than Egbuka.”
In 4 seasons with the Buckeyes, he is second in program history in receptions (180), fifth in receiving yards (2,549) and is tied for eighth in TD catches (23).
Egbuka (6-foot-1, 205 kilos) might proceed to indicate why he is one of many class’ high WRs in Saturday’s residence recreation vs. Michigan. The Buckeyes — No. 2 within the School Soccer Playoff rankings — purpose to snap a three-game shedding streak to their rival.
Kansas RB Devin Neal is a late riser
Neal (5-foot-11, 215 kilos) completed with 287 yards (207 dashing and 80 receiving) and 4 TDs (three dashing and one receiving) in a 37-21 Week 13 upset over Colorado.
“What stands out most about Neal is how expert he’s in organising missed tackles,” wrote Brugler Tuesday. “He in all probability will not be one of many high testers within the pre-draft course of, however his potential to learn pursuit angles, make a reduce and go away defenders off stability is what makes him productive.”
Neal’s productiveness might alleviate potential issues about his athleticism. By 11 video games, he ranks seventeenth within the FBS (1,133) in dashing yards and is tied for tenth in dashing TDs (15).
Texas LT Kelvin Banks Jr. might showcase expertise in rivalry recreation
On Tuesday, Banks was named an Outland Trophy finalist, awarded to the perfect inside O- or D-lineman in faculty soccer. The nomination strengthens his case as one of many high prospects within the class.
On his up to date huge board, PFF’s Trevor Sikkema rated Banks (6-foot-4, 320 kilos) as his No. 2 OT behind LSU’s Will Campbell. In keeping with PFF, the Longhorns standout has allowed simply one sack in 11 games.
Banks will play a pivotal position in No. 3 Texas’ highway recreation in opposition to No. 20 Texas A&M on Saturday.
The Aggies protection incorporates a potential first-rounder in edge-rusher Nic Scourton, who has 14 tackles for loss and 5 sacks in 11 video games. Whereas the matchup may very well be difficult for Banks, it ought to give him one other alternative to spice up his inventory.
