2025 NFL draft sleepers: These seven players are being undervalued
Show Caption
Hide Caption
2025 NFL Draft offers tons of offensive and defensive line help
USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon breaks down the deepest part of the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive and defensive lineman.
Sports Pulse
Each year, there are NFL draft prospects who go unnoticed and end up making significant impacts as rookies.
For example, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving finished in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing yards and led all rookies in the category after being a fourth-round selection in 2024. The year prior, then-Los Angeles Rams rookie fifth-round pick Puka Nacua broke the NFL's all-time receiving yards and receptions record for a rookie.
Some players in this draft class are currently being slept on but will soon make a name for themselves once the games begin. USA TODAY Sports examines seven draft sleepers who have a good chance to grab our attention in the NFL.
NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS: Best landing spots for Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, more
2025 NFL Draft: 7 prospects being undervalued
Harold Fannin Jr. TE, Bowling Green
Fannin isn't a 'sleeper,' based on statistics. He set FBS single-season records in both receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) for a tight end. He won MAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first tight end in FBS history to win conference Player of the Year.
Despite the collegiate success, Fannin isn't considered a top-three tight-end prospect. Some scouts note he's a poor blocker, has a limited route tree and didn't compete against top-tier competition. However, Fannin starred in his role at Bowling Green.
The 6-foot-3 tight end possesses good hands, he's a playmaker with the football and is tough to tackle. Plus, he's proven capable of a heavy workload. Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland are the consensus top two tight ends in this year's draft. But Fannin can potentially develop into the number one tight end in this year's draft.
Kyle Williams WR, Washington State
The fifth-year senior ranked fourth in college football with 14 touchdowns and eighth in receiving yards. His 70 catches led Washington State.
Williams is a deep threat with 4.4 40-yard dash speed. He tracks the football well and creates good separation.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver has a slight frame so physical corners and press coverage could give him problems. Still, Williams can use his quickness to his advantage. He has the versatility to play outside or in the slot having played 541 snaps outside and 166 snaps in the slot with the Cougars in 2024.
JT Tuimoloau EDGE, Ohio State
There were times when Tuimoloau was the best player on Ohio State's defense.
Tuimoloau uses his hands, footwork and overall technique to shed blocks. He doesn't have the athleticism or quickness of the highly-touted edge rushers, but he relies on fundamentals and power to be effective.
The defensive end amassed 144 tackles, 23.5 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss during his college career. He ranks in the top 10 in Ohio State history in career sacks and tackles for loss. Tuimoloau was a three-time All-Big Ten performer.
The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defensive end figures to be a Day 2 pick, but he could be a steal.
Tory Horton WR, Colorado State
Horton might've been mentioned among the top wide receivers in this year's draft if he hadn't suffered a brutal knee injury.
Unfortunately, the injury cut Horton's 2024 season short. He was 30 yards shy of Colorado State's all-time receiving record when he went down. He produced 193 receptions for 2,620 receiving yards and had 17 touchdowns in three seasons in Fort Collins.
The 6-foot-2 wide receiver is an instinctive route runner with sure hands. He ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, which should quell concerns about his knee recovery.
Horton compiled 16 catches for 133 yards and one touchdown against a Travis Hunter-led Colorado defense in 2023. He led Colorado State with 96 receptions for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns that year.
TOP WR PROSPECTS: Best landing spots for Hunter, McMillan, Golden
Joshua Farmer DT, Florida State
At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Farmer possesses the frame to be a stout NFL defensive tackle. The Florida State product is powerful, plays the run well and has position versatility as an interior lineman. He doesn't have a great first step or quickness but can clog lanes and rush the passer from the inside.
Farmer shared a team-high with four sacks last season. He also tallied 32 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 26 pressures. The defensive line is the deepest position group in this year's draft. Farmer is projected to be a mid-round pick but he could develop into a good starting defensive tackle.
Charles Grant OL, William & Mary
The William & Mary tackle was a standout lineman in college with elite traits and impressive fundamentals.
Grant is 6-foot-5 and 311 pounds. He could add a little more weight and muscle as he transitions into a more physical brand of football.
Grant was named an AP FCS All-American after starting 12 games at left tackle in 2024. He allowed only two sacks and nine pressures during his final college season. Grant has the footwork and technique to play tackle, and the tools to transition inside to guard at the next level. Many scouts project him to be selected in round three or four.
Jordan Phillips DT, Maryland
Phillips is a sturdy nose tackle who is violent at the point of attack. The defensive tackle produced 29 tackles, one tackle for loss and 16 pressures in 12 games last year for the Terrapins.
Phillips is 6-foot-2, 312 pounds. He is twitchy, and his strong upper body doesn't have tremendous length but that helps him spring off blocks.
The Maryland product is projected to be a late-round pick but could be a solid contributor in the right situation.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Packers waive injured rookie Jalen White to make room for addition at RB
The Green Bay Packers signed running back Tyrion Davis-Price before Tuesday's practice, and now we know the corresponding roster move: the team waived rookie running back Jalen White with an injury designation. White, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Southern, injured his foot during the Packers' preseason loss to the New York Jets and wasn't available to practice Monday. The Packers are light on numbers at running back entering two big events this week and likely needed a healthy body at the position. Israel Abanikanda didn't practice Tuesday because of a new hamstring injury, while Emanuel Wilson (knee) and MarShawn Lloyd (groin) only just returned to practice in 11-on-11 periods on Tuesday. The Packers go to Indianapolis this week to have a joint practice and preseason game with the Colts. A two-time All-Sun Belt pick, White rushed for over 3,000 yards and scored 36 rushing touchdowns at Georgia Southern. He signed with the Packers following the 2025 NFL draft. A player who is waived with an injury designation reverts back to the team's injured reserve list if unclaimed on waivers. At that point, the Packers and White can determine if an injury settlement is the right option. Davis-Price gives the Packers an experienced running back who could handle snaps right away. A third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, Davis-Price has played in eight NFL regular season games. He spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and was with the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason.
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Time may be running out for a former Ravens second-round draft pick
A former Ravens second-round draft pick may be running out of opportunities in Baltimore He's only 25 years old. It seems he'd be entering his prime years, but instead, a young Baltimore Ravens star is at a crossroads. Time has flown. David Ojabo, a second-round draft choice in 2022, enters the final season of his four-year rookie contract. His selection followed a stellar final season in Ann Arbor with the Michigan Wolverines. He was named a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and a Second-Team All-American in 2021. That elevated an already rising stock. Baltimore rolled the dice after having already added Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum in Round 1. They worked out. Unfortunately, Ojabo hasn't. Might this be David Ojabo's last chance to make an impression? Teams expect first-rounders to be stars, but the meat of NFL rosters is built on Day 2 of every selection meeting. Ojabo's career resume features one start in 18 appearances over three years. 16 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four sacks are the results of his efforts. Needless to say, the Ravens were hoping for more. Now, there is more to the story. In fairness, he suffered an Achilles tear at his Michigan Pro Day back in 2022. That led to a trip to the injured reserve to begin his rookie season. He was activated in November of that same year, but honestly, he just wasn't ready. Year two came. He began his sophomore NFL season with three tackles and a sack vs. the Houston Texans while playing 48% of the snaps. More adversity came. Another trip to Baltimore's injured reserve came in September 2023. That ended his second professional campaign after he had only been on the field for a total of three games. Now, what? It's 2025. Baltimore enters another season with one of the best rosters they have had on paper in a while. That's saying a lot, given that they've been one of the genuine contenders in the AFC for some time now. They're loaded at edge rusher. Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, Adisa Isaac, and Tavius Robinson are the familiar faces. Mike Green is the exciting rookie. That leads to a question. Is there even any room on this roster for David Ojabo? He'll need to make an impression quickly. This season, he represents a $2.5 million cap hit, but he only counts as $733,022 in dead money if Baltimore releases him. It doesn't sound like someone safe. Keep an eye on him during the final two preseason games because it may be safe to say the former highly-touted rookie may be running out of chances.
San Francisco Chronicle
2 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers eager for helmet switch: 'It looks like a spaceship'
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers is still feeling things out in Pittsburgh, in more ways than one. The NFL's oldest player, who wrapped up his initial (and likely only) training camp with the Steelers at Saint Vincent College on Tuesday, is still searching for the right helmet. The league banned the helmet Rodgers has long preferred because it didn't meet certain safety standards. He's not exactly enthralled with the replacement he's been using. 'I'm trying to change (it),' Rodgers told reporters. 'We're in the process still. It looks like a damn spaceship out there. We've got to change it.' The 41-year-old pointed out that the facemask he has used in the past, which he's still trying to use now, doesn't fit. 'It an old facemask, just like I'm old,' Rodgers said. 'But we're trying to find the right helmet now.' Rodgers will have to get comfortable being a little uncomfortable until the team figures out a solution. He — and his current helmet — could get meaningful reps against another club for the first time on Thursday when the Steelers and Tampa Bay hold a joint practice ahead of the Buccaneers' visit to Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. While it's unclear whether Rodgers will play in either of Pittsburgh's two remaining preseason games, he is eager to get behind center against Tampa Bay. 'It's good to go against a different team (because) ... you get a chance to go against not-vanilla defenses," he said. 'So hopefully (Tampa Bay coach) Todd (Bowles), he probably won't show everything, but he'll do some stuff to stress our protection and give us a chance to get some film to work on.' Pittsburgh's offense — without Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf or running back Jaylen Warren — put up 31 points last weekend in an exhibition victory over Jacksonville. Rodgers praised the efficiency of backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. He also got a feel for what the 'operation' might look like when he gets on the field. Rodgers also did his best to be what he called 'the voice of reason" on the headset. 'Sometimes people freak out on there and start yelling and screaming,' the four-time NFL MVP said, with more than a hint of his dry humor. 'Or other times, people are talking that shouldn't be talking. But I'm more of the comic relief on there.' All kidding aside, Rodgers believes the offense has made some progress since the rocky opening days of camp. Perhaps just as importantly, he's made it a point to try and get to know his new teammates, some of whom were toddlers (if that) when Rodgers entered the league 20 years ago. That includes popping up in different spots when the team goes out to stretch before practice, which allows him to chat informally 'So many times I feel like the expectation is that leaders have got to be at the front of line,' Rodgers said. 'But you know, sometimes to lead properly you have to serve and serving sometimes involves you being at the back.' It also provides him with a different and welcome perspective on what the vibe might be like on a given day. 'I don't need to be out front the entire time when I'm here,' he said. 'I want to make connections with the guys, and sometimes those guys hanging in the back are hanging in back for a reason. So those are the conversations I want to have.'
