Every week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Inexperienced Bay.
From a quarterback with elite arm expertise to an ascending cornerback, listed here are 5 gamers we’re monitoring going into this weekend:
Miami QB Cam Ward has a powerful trait
By way of three video games, Ward has accomplished 73 % of his passes for 1,035 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. He is additionally posted the FBS’ finest QBR (94.4). Extra importantly, he has showcased a trait that some Tremendous Bowl champions have.
“His means to alter arm angles to what we have seen from the likes of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes permits him to get the ball out rapidly and with pop to keep away from oncoming rushers,” wrote The Draft Community’s Ryan Fowler in a Monday scouting report. “It is a useful trait on the subsequent stage, the place home windows are tighter, defenders are quicker and the processing clock quarterbacks use internally is sped up.”
Ward (6-foot-2, 223 kilos) should show himself in opposition to higher competitors. The No. 8 Hurricanes (3-0) have not performed a ranked opponent this season. In a street sport on Saturday, they face South Florida (2-1)
If Ward retains flourishing, he ought to propel himself into the QB1 dialog. In his newest mock draft, 247 Sports activities’ Brad Crawford has the Carolina Panthers taking him with the second total decide.
Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter nonetheless needs to play each methods within the NFL
Hunter — the No. 2 total prospect, per Tankathon’s big board — believes he generally is a two-way star within the NFL if a workforce lets him play each methods.
“My purpose is to proceed to be a two-way participant,” Hunter lately instructed Forbes contributor DJ Siddiqi. “One in every of my best strengths is my versatility as a participant, and I like the problem of studying and excelling in each roles and pushing my limits.”
Hunter (6-foot-1, 185 kilos) ought to take into account switching to at least one place, although. In accordance with Siddiqi, he is averaging 129 snaps per sport, essentially the most within the FBS. An analogous workload over the course of the NFL’s 17-game common season may tax him.
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe’s inventory is enhancing, however scouts wish to see extra
As of Thursday, FanDuel gives Milroe (6-foot-2, 225 kilos) the second-best likelihood (+600) to win the Heisman Trophy behind Ward, so why aren’t scouts giving him extra love?
“Milroe’s deadly dual-threat means has intrigued scouts, however they nonetheless wish to see extra throws between the hashes,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote in a Monday roundtable. “Milroe acquired a mix of midround grades coming into the season, and after polling scouts this weekend, late-Day 2 is the most typical projection for him.”
Nonetheless, it appears Milroe’s passing is enhancing. By way of three video games, he has accomplished 67.3 % of his passes for 590 yards, eight TDs and no interceptions. He has additionally rushed for 156 yards and 6 TDs on 36 carries.
Maybe he’ll change scouts’ minds if he leads No. 4 Alabama (3-0) to a house win over No. 2 Georgia (3-0) on Sept. 28.
Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel remains to be flying underneath the radar
In six seasons at Central Florida, Oklahoma and Oregon, Gabriel has handed for the fifth-most yards (15,779) in FBS historical past, however Tankathon’s big board does not listing him amongst its high 100 gamers.
Gabriel (6-foot, 200 pounds) lacks the prototypical measurement for a beginning NFL QB, which may scare groups away. Undersized QBs, resembling Carolina’s Bryce Younger (5-foot-10, 204 kilos), have struggled within the NFL.
Nonetheless, No. 9 Oregon (3-0) has emerged as an early School Soccer Playoff contender due to Gabriel’s play. By way of three begins, he has accomplished 84 % of his passes for 914 yards, six touchdowns and no picks.
“Regardless of the gaggle of begins Gabriel has made, it is arduous to seek out many clunkers on his resume,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler lately. “He is a high-floor prospect. And when the draft heads towards Day 3, increased flooring can beat increased ceilings in the suitable conditions.”
East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. is on observe to sneak into the primary spherical
On Monday, the Reese’s Senior Bowl named Revel its Defensive Participant of the Week regardless of Appalachian State (2-1) beating East Carolina (2-1) in Week 3. Within the 21-19 loss, Revel had a 50-yard pick-six.
