We're less than three weeks from the start of the 2025 NFL draft on April 24, and most top prospects are done working out at their pro days. Colorado completed its workout Friday, featuring a throwing session from quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Amid a ton of buzz about early picks and the quarterback class, we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.
How did Sanders fare in his throwing session? Do teams have a preference for where wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will play at the next level? Which organizations could trade down in the first round? And which prospects could be sleepers on Day 3? We get into all that and then let Miller, Reid and Yates project the perfect draft for three teams picking outside the top 10.
Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they're hearing, seeing and thinking ahead of Round 1. Let's start with what Yates learned from attending Colorado's pro day.
Jump to a section:
Takeaways from Colorado's pro day
Where will Hunter play? | Day 3 sleepers
Which team is most likely to trade back?
Seven-round mock drafts: DAL, SF, CIN
Emptying our notebook: What we're hearing
What are your biggest takeaways from Colorado's pro day?
Yates: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders had an impressive showing at his pro day, as his signature accuracy and ball placement were on full display. What stood out to me was his downfield accuracy. He drove the football and gave his receivers a chance on every pass. There was just one pass in the entire session that I thought was truly off-target, while everything else was or should have been caught. Travis Hunter ran routes for Sanders, but he did not participate in any other on-field drills.
Catching up with Sanders after the showcase, I thought his poise and confidence shined through. The task of being a young quarterback on a potentially bad NFL roster is daunting, but he is willing to embrace the challenge.
The atmosphere of the showcase also stood out, as it felt like the NFL epicenter for a day. All 32 teams were represented, with multiple head coaches and general managers on hand. Even Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was in attendance.
What are you hearing on which position teams prefer Travis Hunter to play?
Miller: It varies team by team. I've spoken to scouts who rave about his ball skills and ability to make defenders miss as an elite receiver. Others talk up his instincts and change-of-direction skills, which would make him a top-tier cornerback. There isn't total agreement on his best position, and it could completely depend on where he lands.
When considering his fit with the Browns -- who own the No. 2 pick -- it's easy to see him playing wide receiver given the team's desperate need for a viable option opposite Jerry Jeudy. There could be more of a split with the Giants (No. 3) and Patriots (No. 4), since those teams have No. 1 receivers (Malik Nabers and Stefon Diggs, respectively) and could use him on some defensive snaps. The Giants might be Hunter's most likely destination as a primary cornerback, because of Nabers and the team's lack of a true top cover man, despite signing Paulson Adebo in free agency.
Reid: I'm siding with Matt in that there is still a wide array of opinions on Hunter's position. And both sides of the argument make sense. Scouts in favor of him playing wide receiver frequently mention teams can control how many times they put the ball in his hands. Hunter's ball skills and his ability to potentially shut down one side of the field are the reasons some evaluators want him on defense full time. I'm in favor of Hunter playing defense full time, and then involving him in an offensive package of 20-25 plays per game.
Yates: The teams I've spoken to have had a slight lean toward a higher ceiling for him at wide receiver. But it's telling that there isn't a definitive answer, which is what makes Hunter -- who is No. 1 overall in the ESPN consensus rankings -- so special.
Two other very important notes: I haven't yet spoken to a team that thinks Hunter will play one side of the ball exclusively (all envision at least a part time role on the side where he isn't featured), and I've yet to find a team that thinks his ceiling is low at either spot. Hunter's Pro Bowl upside at wide receiver or cornerback is very real.
Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky go back and forth on the Giants' needs and who fits best between Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter.
Which team is most likely to trade down in Round 1?
Reid: Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals, who own the No. 16 pick, have not been shy about moving around the board and have had large recent draft classes, including 12 picks in 2024 and nine in 2023. With only six this year, don't be surprised if general manager Monti Ossenfort trades out of his pick. Even after signing Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell in free agency, Arizona could continue to add depth to its defensive front.
Yates: Washington Commanders. General manager Adam Peters has resourcefully added to his roster through trades this offseason, landing Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel Sr. for modest draft pick compensation. The Commanders are down to only five picks and are in the sweet spot -- No. 29 overall -- where a team slotted early in Round 2 could want to move up for a coveted prospect and the fifth-year option that comes with all first-round contracts. If the Giants or Browns do not take a quarterback early in Round 1, could they give Peters a call?
Miller: Minnesota Vikings. With only four selections in this draft, including no second-rounder, the Vikings have less draft capital than any other team. At No. 24 overall, they could benefit from sliding back to a spot like Buffalo (No. 30) or Kansas City (No. 31) to add extra picks. Minnesota could still fill needs at defensive back or defensive tackle later in Round 1.
Who is your favorite Day 3 sleeper?
Yates: Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis. I'll bang the gavel for Martin every day of the week, as the combine snub is a stick of dynamite. He absolutely flies around the field and was incredible as a blitzer last season, racking up seven sacks (he had 13.5 over the past three seasons). Martin isn't a big linebacker at only 6-foot, 230 pounds, but he imposes his will and packs a forceful punch. He has a Round 4 grade in my rankings.
Miller: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound receiver is a complete route runner with 4.43-second 40-yard dash speed and a 39½-inch vertical jump that highlights his explosiveness. TeSlaa had a dominant performance at the combine in positional drills, which helped overcome a quiet statistical 2024 season in a struggling Arkansas offense. But there were moments, like a 75-yard touchdown against Texas A&M, that make you think he has the tools to break out. Plus, he didn't drop any balls in 2023.
Reid: Zah Frazier, CB, UTSA. Frazier is an ideal match for teams that run zone heavy defensive schemes. His combination of height, speed and ball skills are among the best of the late-round options in this class. At 6-foot-3, 186 pounds, he ran a 4.36 40 and had impressive jumps (36½ inches on vertical and 10-feet-6-inches on broad). He tied for second in the FBS with six interceptions last season, and his reactionary skills complement his size. Frazier's age -- he'll be 25 in October -- might push him down the board, but he could quickly outplay his draft slot. The 49ers, Bills and Vikings are three teams that feature zone heavy schemes and have needs at the position.
Mini-mocks of the week: Perfect drafts for teams picking outside the top 10
Miller's ideal picks for the Dallas Cowboys
12. Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
44. Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
76. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
149. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
171. Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU
174. Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State
204. Jalen Travis, G, Iowa State
211. Maxen Hook, S, Toledo
239. Cody Lindenberg, LB, Minnesota
247. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
The Cowboys' draft plan should revolve around building up the offense and adding more playmakers for quarterback Dak Prescott. They would do just that in this mock, with the explosive Golden at wide receiver and a speedy back in Sampson. Defense isn't ignored, though, as Williams is the ideal 1-technique next to Osa Odighizuwa. We further build depth on the defensive line and in the secondary while getting a developmental backup quarterback option in Leonard.
Reid's ideal picks for the San Francisco 49ers
11. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia
43. Aireontae Ersery, OT, Minnesota
75. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
100. Joshua Farmer, DT, Florida State
113. Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia
138. Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
147. Woody Marks, RB, USC
160. Jake Majors, C/G, Texas
227. Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
249. Kobe King, LB, Penn State
252. Andres Borregales, K, Miami
Reid: Addressing the trenches should be at the forefront. Outside of edge rusher Nick Bosa, the team lacks consistent options along the defensive front and needs multiple long-term choices on the offensive line. Walker gives the 49ers an explosive and versatile option off the edge, and Farmer and Kennard can contribute early or at least provide depth. Ersery could serve as the eventual heir apparent to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams or bring immediate competition at right tackle.
Elsewhere on defense, Porter is a rangy and athletic zone corner with strong ball skills. And if Jake Moody struggles again, adding a powerful kicker such as Borregales wouldn't hurt.
Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A. Smith and Bart Scott voice their displeasure over Brock Purdy saying the 49ers' downturn was due to fatigue from playoff runs.
Yates' ideal picks for the Cincinnati Bengals
17. Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State
49. Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State
81. Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
119. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
153. Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College
193. Marques Sigle, S, Kansas State
Yates: After addressing guard in Round 1, the Bengals can use their final five picks to shore up the defense. The team has needs at all three levels, and it must find a way to connect the pass rush and the secondary more. The bottom line is that there was a talent void for Cincinnati on defense this past season. Adding corners of different sizes and styles (Thomas and Riley), plus a gifted rusher in Kennard, would help fix this defense.
What else did you hear and see this week?
Reid's notes:
The lack of true first-round grades in this class is notable. On average, most teams usually have 15 to 20 prospects who are considered true first-round talents. Two high-level NFL executives told me this week that neither of their teams reached that number. What does that mean? Expect to hear unlikely names in Round 1. Because of the lack of high-end talent, many teams are equating the quality of players in the middle of the first round to prospects in the middle of Round 2.
After speaking with multiple scouts this week, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku is a player teams are hot after in this loaded edge rusher group. He had a breakout senior season with the second-most sacks in the FBS (16.5), and he followed that up with a standout Senior Bowl performance. Viewed as an early Day 2 prospect in January, Ezeiruaku could now be picked as high as No. 15 to the Falcons or No. 18 to the Seahawks.
Yates' notes:
Everybody sees a different level of value in pro days, but it's important to remember these workouts might be the only live exposure evaluators get with top prospects. Coaches and general managers simply can't go to as many (or any) games during the season, while more and more prospects opt out of on-field work at the combine. One pro day that was incredible, per multiple scouts in attendance, was the one for Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen. He did not work out at the combine, but he showed how special he is in Oxford. I had him going to the 49ers at No. 11 in my most recent mock draft.
We've talked at length about the wide draft range of players in this class, and injuries are becoming a prominent influence on rankings near the top of the board. Notable injuries include: Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons (patellar tendon), East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (ACL) and Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison (hip). I think Campbell, Simmons and Revel are first-round locks at full strength, but scouts are having a harder time specifying a precise range because of their health concerns.
Miller's notes:
Will Campbell's position in the NFL has been debated throughout the predraft process, but at least one team in the top 15 sees him as a tackle. A general manager told me any team should "give him the chance to play tackle since that's what he's been. If he fails there, you move him to guard. But try to fill the more valuable position first." Campbell's position still might vary based on the team, but there's support around the league for his initial position being where he started for three seasons at LSU.
The depth of this running back class has been praised by pretty much everyone for good reason. Something to watch as the draft unfolds will be how teams view that depth and if it forces their hand at the position. Excluding Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), multiple scouts have talked to me about waiting for a talented running back in Rounds 2, 3 and 4. We could see Jeanty and Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) go off the board in Round 1, but will teams jump at a running back in Round 2? That's a storyline I'll be watching.