Life’s busy – so you may have overlooked several 2025 NFL Draft prospects who could transform a franchise without the first-round price tag. Each year, teams find value in unexpected places—remember when Tom Brady went 199th overall? The 2025 class features record-breakers like Eastern Washington’s Efton Chism III and athletic marvels like Maxwell Hairston with his 4.28 speed.
These under-the-radar talents won’t remain hidden for long, and smart teams are already building their dossiers. So which players are attracting all the attention?
Key Takeaways
● Efton Chism III broke Cooper Kupp’s Eastern Washington records and excels at quick, precise route running.
● Grey Zabel from North Dakota State offers rare five-position versatility, making him a valuable defensive chess piece.
● Nick Emmanwori combines exceptional size (6’3″) with rare speed (4.38 forty) at the defensive back position.
● Charles Grant and Jackson Slater represent small-school offensive line gems with refined blocking techniques.
Small School Standouts Poised to Make NFL Impact
Every NFL draft features hidden gems from smaller programs who have defied the odds and make a significant professional impact – and attracted attention from the big league. However, this is nothing new, Superbowl history is filled with small-school prospects, like Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner, who dominated on the biggest stage.
There are others from humble beginnings who exploded onto the national scene, such as:
● Eastern Washington’s Efton Chism III broke Cooper Kupp’s records and impresses with his quickness in routes.
● Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M’s towering tackle, who allowed just one sack in 2024.
● David Walker who has dominated as PFF’s highest-graded edge defender.
● NDSU’s Grey Zabel offers rare five-position versatility.
● Elijah Williams from Morgan State brings elite defensive production with 31 career sacks and impressive tackles for loss numbers that caught scouts’ attention.
Late-Round Quarterback Gems
While quarterback-needy teams often focus on first-round options, savvy general managers know exceptional value can be found in the draft’s later rounds.
Players in the spotlight:
● Jalen Milroe brings elite athleticism and a strong arm.
● Tyler Shough’s 6’5″ frame and production across multiple programs makes him intriguing.
● Memphis’ Seth Henigan or Villanova’s Connor Watkins—both possess NFL-caliber traits.
● Despite inconsistent passing numbers, Milroe’s dangerous rushing ability produced an impressive 20 rushing touchdowns in his 2024 campaign.
Athletic Defensive Backs With Day 1 Potential
As the NFL continues to evolve into a pass-heavy league, athletic defensive backs who can cover ground and match up with elite receivers have become increasingly valuable commodities.
Maxwell Hairston’s complete package with 4.28 speed and Nick Emmanwori’s freakish 6’3″ frame with 4.38 speed stand out.
Don’t overlook Darien Porter and Caleb Ransaw’s explosive testing numbers, while Malaki Starks brings the rare blend of instincts and physicality. Starks impressed evaluators at the combine with his sharp and consistent performance, catching the ball with ease during drills.
Offensive Line Sleepers Built for the Modern Game
The modern NFL demands offensive line prospects who can adapt to diverse blocking schemes and counter increasingly sophisticated defensive fronts.
Several sleepers offer specific scheme value while maintaining positional versatility.
● Zone technicians like Willie Lampkin and Jared Wilson excel with lateral mobility.
● Power scheme specialists Luke Kandra and Marcus Mbow create devastating displacement.
● Small school gems Carson Vinson and Grey Zabel bring refined technique.
These players understand the importance of protecting the quarterback while creating opportunities for the running game, a crucial balance in offensive line responsibilities.
Speed Demons Who Dominated the NFL Combine
NFL Combine speed merchants turned heads this draft cycle, transforming relatively unknown prospects into legitimate draft sleepers through eye-popping athletic displays.
Maxwell Hairston’s blistering 4.28 forty leads cornerback speedsters, while Bhayshul Tuten dominated running back testing.
Ty Robinson shocked scouts with a 4.83 forty at 288 pounds.
Don’t overlook Darien Porter, who reached an incredible 22.17 mph at the Senior Bowl. Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten could make a similar impact after previously recording a 4.32-second 40 time.
A New Generation
You’ll find these overlooked prospects changing NFL narratives faster than an analytics department can backpedal. They’re not just combine warriors or YouTube highlights—they’re legitimate game-changers who’ve been criminally undervalued.
While front offices obsess over Power Five darlings, you’d be wise to track these sleepers who’ll inevitably make draft “experts” squirm when they’re collecting Pro Bowl nods. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at [email protected]
