For months, the 2025 NFL draft class has been criticized by scouts and media analysts as being weaker compared to recent years. It’s been described as thin, lacking blue-chip talent, and, at times, downright disappointing.
However, as NFL scouts, analysts, and executives take a deeper dive into the prospects ahead of Round 1 on April 24, that perception is beginning to shift. With a wave of underclassmen declaring and a more thorough evaluation of potential Day 2 and Day 3 picks, this class might be stronger than initially thought.
So, how did we get to this point? Conversations with over a dozen scouts and general managers in recent weeks revealed a common theme: what began as an inquiry into why the 2025 class was considered subpar evolved into a broader exploration of positional value, team-building strategies, and the belief that talented players are out there—if you know where to look.
“The people calling this a bad class just haven’t watched enough players yet,” said an AFC college scouting director.
What are scouts saying about the 2025 NFL Draft class?
For months, the 2025 NFL draft class has carried the label of being weaker than recent groups, but the narrative is beginning to shift as teams dig deeper.
“There are four, maybe five, blue-chip players,” one NFL general manager said. “After that, it’s 40 guys with a late-first or second-round grade.”
While future All-Pros might be scarce, scouts view this class as rich with potential starters. “You’ll see a ton of rookie starters from this class because it’s such an experienced group,” noted an AFC South area scout.
Unlike last year’s class headlined by clear-cut stars like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr., this group lacks those can’t-miss prospects. Still, the talent pool from picks No. 15 to No. 50 is tightly packed. “Player No. 15 on your board might have the same grade as No. 50,” an AFC East area scout explained.
This depth benefits teams with multiple early picks. The Chicago Bears, holding three selections between Nos. 10 and 41, and the Buffalo Bills, with three picks between Nos. 30 and 62, are well-positioned. Expect more trades in the middle of the first round through Round 2 due to the evenly graded prospects. Conversely, fewer trades into the top 10 are expected, with a lack of elite quarterbacks and blue-chip talent at the top.
The narrative shift was further reinforced by the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Philly’s defensive line and versatile secondary—positions stacked with talent in this class—highlight the draft’s strengths.
“This is a meat-and-potatoes draft,” an NFL area scout said.
Which position groups raise the biggest questions?
The lack of buzz starts at quarterback. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders headline the position, but scouts agree they wouldn’t have cracked the top group of QBs taken in 2024. “There isn’t a single guy this year you’d take over the six drafted in the first round last year,” an AFC scouting director remarked.
Despite the underwhelming top-end talent, there’s solid depth. One scout even suggested this group is deeper than the 2021 class, which saw five quarterbacks selected in the first round.
Wide receiver, a traditionally strong position in recent drafts, is notably down this year. Colorado’s Travis Hunter—expected to be a top-three pick—comes with a twist: teams are split on whether he projects better as a cornerback or a receiver. He’s listed as a corner at the combine, which could further thin the top-end receiver class.
Behind Hunter, questions persist. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Missouri’s Luther Burden III have first-round potential, but scouts are skeptical of their deep speed. There could be as many as five first-round receivers, but none are viewed as superior to last year’s top trio of Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze.
Which position groups have scouts excited?
Running backs and tight ends stand out as the bright spots.
“If you can’t find a starting running back this year, you’re really just not trying,” quipped an NFC West area scout. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty leads the pack with a first-round grade, while Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson headline a deep group that could produce late-round starters. This class might yield the most running backs selected in a single draft since the seven-round format began in 1994.
Tight end is another strong position. Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are viewed as top-15 talents, with seven more prospects likely to go by the end of Day 2. “It’s not 2023 good, but it’s stronger than last year or 2022,” an AFC South area scout said.
Defensive linemen, however, are the crown jewel. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, and Georgia’s Jalon Walker headline a class that features 31 defensive linemen in the top 100—a personal record for one evaluator. “A third of the first round might be edge rushers and defensive tackles,” an NFL general manager noted.
Is there a recent class comparison for the 2025 group?
“It reminds me of the 2015 first round with two quarterbacks at the top and then just a bunch of really solid players,” said an AFC North scout with over 20 years of experience. That year, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota went 1-2, but five future Pro Bowlers emerged from the top 10.
A stronger comparison might be 2016. Like that year, this draft could see top quarterbacks early, followed by a run on trench players. The 2016 class featured stars like Joey Bosa (No. 3), DeForest Buckner (No. 7), and Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4). If Jeanty cracks the top 10, the parallels grow stronger.
Bottom line: While this class may lack flashy, can’t-miss stars at the top, its depth—especially in the trenches, running backs, and tight ends—should produce plenty of long-term NFL starters.
