I bring you my favourite prospects and top sleepers from the 2025 NFL Draft article series I started last year. The 2024 edition included names such as Georgia WR Rudd McConkey and Oregon RB Bucky Irving.
Here is my list for 2025. It consists of famous outlooks that I like more than most 3-day sleepers that could become hidden gems later in the draft.
Howard/QB Ohio
If you follow my draft memos and reports, you know I’m the highest in Howard. His ability to be layered with touch from the pocket and his overall accuracy is impressive. It’s easy to fall in love with top-class athletes or people who create plays from structures. There are no doubt two key elements, but most quarterbacks still play nuts and bolts. We will stand on time and deliver from within our pocket.
Howard had an early struggle in Ohio, but moving to a new system and school would create a learning curve. He played the best ball when it mattered most, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship. He is a leader, a winner, and more athletic than the credit he is given. Yes, he was surrounded by Ohio gold-plated talent, but even watching the highlights, Howard’s receiver didn’t save him with the epic play. He had dropped them in a bucket.
My quarterback motto is usually “go big or go home” or take one in the first round, not at all, but Howard is the exception. There’s no problem picking him in the third or fourth round.
Howard Scouting Report
Devin Neal/RB Kansas
I ranked Neal at 6th in my recent running rankings. And maybe it was still a too low spot. His name is buried in a deep running back class. Neal was extremely productive in Kansas and left as the school’s greatest rush ever.
He brings about a mix of size, bursts and directional changes with healthy receiving production (77 carrier catches). Neil simply had good consistent tape. He really led the Jayhawks offense as a mainstay. His tests weren’t great, but he’s an athletic and a two-way Kansas player who played in the outfield for the baseball team. If Neil follows in the fifth round, it’s a steal.
Devin Neal Scouting Report
Andrew Armstrong/WR Arkansaud
I’ve recorded that I’m not a fan of this year’s wide receiver class. It is one of the weakest in years. However, Armstrong is a potential day 3 gem. Armstrong, who moved from East Texas A&M, has put a big number on the SEC. He led the meeting at the reception and They beat out the likes of Yard, Ole Miss Treharis and Texas’ Matthew Golden, and two players were drafted before him.
It’s not just the number, but Armstrong has impressive tape. With his big, strong hands, Armstrong catches traffic harshly. Despite his large frame of almost 6’4 and 202 pounds, he shows fluidity and ability to lower his hips. His 6.85 Three Cone is a great guy to fit the tape. Armstrong has to clean up his footwork and get out of his break more efficiently, but the tool is there. I compared him to Jacobi Myers.
Andrew Armstrong Scout Report
JJ Galbreath/TE South Dakota State & Oronde Gadsden II/TE Syracuse
Galbreth never gets love. You don’t even find him in some Extensive draft list. Playing at the FCS level in South Dakota is not part of the reason, but in recent years it has produced so many talented tight ends.
A smooth, fluid athlete running like a big receiver, Galbreath was productive in 2024 when he didn’t miss time with a shoulder injury. He wasn’t a great blocker and was asked to move around and do it. He ran 4.67 40 with 38 inches vertical and 6.82 cones. It’s a better number than one tight end in Dane Bluegler’s draft guide (Rhode Island’s screams to Tommy Smith and 6.79, he’s an 11-pound light receiver/tight end hybrid). Gal braces should be drafted late.
I didn’t write any reports on Gadsden, but this year I saw a lot of Syracuse tapes in reports on teammates like Requint Allen and other games. He is a pure receiver, but he has worked with Orange for nearly 1,000 yards in two seasons. It was 975 in 2022 and 934 in 2024, and most of 2023 was missing due to Lisfranc’s injuries. His father is Olonde Gadsden, a successful NFL wide receiver who won the Dallas Cowboys and the Super Bowl.
In the deep tight end NFL draft class, Gadsden’s name was lost, but shows positive value.
JJ Galbreath Scouting Report
Teddye Buchanan/LB California
Buchanan recorded my article in the Steelers deposit round table “Sleeper” post, so I don’t repeat it much here. Buchanan moved from UC Davis and immediately influenced his sole year at Cal. Always around the ball, he has the athletic properties that rushes the quarterback, steal the ball and improve coverage.
As an original two-star recruit, a strong combine test, coupled with good tape and tips on his shoulders, is thrilling me. Buchanan’s plays need to be refined, but if he can clean up the techniques, he becomes an NFL starter. He was a true riser throughout the NFL draft process.
Teddye Buchanan Scouting Report
Maxwell Hairston/CB Kentucky
Hairston is no longer a “secret” that may have been early in the draft process. Currently taking part in the NFL Draft, he is probably a top 32 pick and popped into the combine with 4.28 40.
I was asked about his tackle, but a shoulder injury in 2024 misrepresented his abilities. He is completely healthy and he is not responsible. Hairston will be the starting corner and playmaker.
Maxwell Hairston Scouting Report
Malaki Moore/DB Alabama
Moore had one of the biggest positive disparities in my scouting report. Nickel/Safety, he is versatile, productive, reliable to work and cover. In 2024 he did a little bit of everything to finish with 70 tackles (3 losses), two picks, two forced fumbles, eight pass breakups and one bag.
His high-end athleticism and persistent draft injuries haven’t helped him throughout the process, but I compared Moore to Micah Hyde.
Malachi Moore Scout Report
Hunter Waller/s Wisconsin
Love Hunter Waller is easy. He is more physical, smarter, hardworking and more coverage than the credits given. The true foot speed rack is the only one that holds him down, the tape has slow ticks and 4.57 40 matches.
Still, he can use all the other tools in his belt to succeed and become the safety of the starting box. He’s a guy who has the floor up in the defensive backroom, but could do more than just a back-up of his hair. Wallers can play.
Hunter Waller Scout Report
Dunjackson/S Georgia
Jackson is Hunter Wallerlight. Although they have the same overall mentality, there is little chance of cracking the starting lineup. There are a little less athletics with slim frames. Still, Jackson won everything he received in Georgia. A walk-on, which has climbed all the hangings buried in the charts of depth, may have the hottest motors of this year’s class, never officially winning a scholarship or even living from scratch. One of my favourite NFL Draft Day 3.
His run and chase are just fun to watch, and he makes a special team of cores. Jeremy Reeves type that makes a Pro Bowl for its ability to cover kicks and punts. Someone will get great value drafting Jackson on the third day. He won’t be a 10-year starter, but will cut his teeth in the third phase of football for the next decade. Please reserve it.
Dunjackson Scout Report
