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 below are 5 gamers we’re monitoring going into this weekend:
Miami QB Cam Ward has a powerful trait
By means of three video games, Ward has accomplished 73 p.c 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 vary 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 shortly 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 sooner and the processing clock quarterbacks use internally is sped up.”
Ward (6-foot-2, 223 kilos) should show himself towards higher competitors. The No. 8 Hurricanes (3-0) have not performed a ranked opponent this season. In a highway 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 general choose.
Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter nonetheless desires to play each methods within the NFL
Hunter — the No. 2 general prospect, per Tankathon’s big board — believes he is usually a two-way star within the NFL if a group lets him play each methods.
“My objective is to proceed to be a two-way participant,” Hunter just lately advised Forbes contributor DJ Siddiqi. “One in all my biggest strengths is my versatility as a participant, and I really like the problem of studying and excelling in each roles and pushing my limits.”
Hunter (6-foot-1, 185 kilos) ought to think about switching to at least one place, although. In keeping with Siddiqi, he is averaging 129 snaps per sport, essentially the most within the FBS. An identical workload over the course of the NFL’s 17-game common season may tax him.
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe’s inventory is bettering, however scouts need 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 need to see extra throws between the hashes,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote in a Monday roundtable. “Milroe obtained a mix of midround grades coming into the season, and after polling scouts this weekend, late-Day 2 is the commonest projection for him.”
Nevertheless, it appears Milroe’s passing is bettering. By means of three video games, he has accomplished 67.3 p.c 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 continues to be flying below 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 would 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, comparable to 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 Faculty Soccer Playoff contender due to Gabriel’s play. By means of three begins, he has accomplished 84 p.c of his passes for 914 yards, six touchdowns and no picks.
“Regardless of the gaggle of begins Gabriel has made, it is laborious to search out many clunkers on his resume,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler just lately. “He is a high-floor prospect. And when the draft heads towards Day 3, greater flooring can beat greater ceilings in the best 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.