2025 NFL Draft: Riser predictions for Senior Bowl, combine

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  • Jordan Reid25. January 2025, 07:00 a

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      Jordan Reid is an NFL-Draft analyst for ESPN that provides in-depth scouting on the country’s best prospectus. Jordan came to ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to Sports Center and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then continued to train there from 2014-18. You can follow Jordan on Twitter via @jordan_reid.

With the college football season ended and the NFL season 2024 down to the last four playoff teams, the process before the NFL draft is getting hot. All-Star events start this weekend and I’ll be at East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas before I leave for Mobile, Alabama, for Senior Bowl training next week.

However, it is the starter. The Scouting combination will take place next month in Indianapolis, followed by Pro-Days throughout the country in March and official prospectus visits leading up to the first day of the 2025 draft on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Drafts are fluid and will be it in the next three months.

This dynamic contributes to one of my favorite parts of the pre-draft process-to watch players come out of nowhere and hear their names called under the draft earlier than we all expected. This happens in a variety of ways-impressive exercises at all-star matches, distinction in 40-yard’s dash and other combine harvesters, or seams professional training sessions and interviews with NFL team staff. But it is an annual event and we will also see more players flying up on the boards this spring.

But who will impress scouts, coaches and leaders over the next three months? I predicted 10 prospects that are ready to get momentum and jump up on drafts of drets, and I outlined how they could do it. Let’s dive in.

Current projection: Early-mid-day 3

The 6-Foot-3, 220-Pound McCord was a revelation after the transfer from Ohio State, led Syracuse for his first 10-victory season since 2018. After an inconsistent 2023 season with Buckeyes, he ended with a landing 4,779 passes of yards and 34 Touchdown handouts going from a late-round hopeful to a potential mid-round selection.

McCord has an average arm, but his determination and accuracy have been solid outside of an uncharacteristic five-crossing performance against Pittsburgh. His 36 finishes of passes of 20 or more airyards led FBS and show how aggressive he was this season. But if he wants to get up in boards and maybe even get into the QB3/QB4 competition, McCord has to prove that he has enough arm forces to drive the ball into tight windows at the Shrine Bowl.

Current projection: Late Day 2, Early Day 3

At 5-Foot-11, 215 pounds, Neal is a robust built rusher, which is a versatile threat out of the backfield. He ran in 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns in the past season while adding career mounds 254 receptionyards and one scoring. Neal has a good view and understands how to let blocks sit before accelerating through folds. His contact balance also stands out as he had 725 Rushing Yards after first contact this season (18 in FBS).

Scouts told me this week that Neal currently has a fourth grade. But his stock can rise by the Senior Bowl if he is able to show versatility in the delivery game that blocks and passes. Despite being a secondary part of his game in Kansas (24 catches in 2024), Neal has good hands and can be used on creative routes such as a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. He has the potential to be a great addition to any run-back-by-comité approach that acts as a rushing and receiving option.

Current projection: Mid -day 2

Williams is one of the more versatile playmakers in this class. TCU used his formal versatility over the past season, and stood him up as running back and receiver. He ended with career height in catches (60), received yards (611) and received touchdowns (six). He also rushed to 322 yards and six scores. With 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Williams is the ultimate chess piece that can generate explosive games from both places. Any team that prepares Williams needs a separate plan for how to best exploit him, but a creative playcaler can insert him in several places.

One disadvantage this season was his five drops, which is why most scouts have Williams as a round 3 or 4 views. But he could overturn into the round 2 discussion if he shows some consequence at the catching point of the combine. All eyes will be aimed at the glove for Williams. But I also expect him to be an excellent tester in Indianapolis as he could run in the low 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard line and jump 40-plus inches in vertically. That would give his stock a good boost.

Current projection: Mid-Sent Day 2

Arroyo remained healthy in 2024, after injuring sporadically injuring him in his first three college seasons. He ended this season with 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns. A 6-foot-4, 245-pound target, Arroyo can create separation on route stems. He had zero drop, and 71.4% of his catches went to either a first down or a touchdown (fifth highest in FBS among TEs). Scouts have remained careful because he has only had one productive year – he had 11 catches of 163 yards together in his previous three seasons – and most give him an early day 3 degree.

Despite that, Arroyo stands out in a deep tight end-class as a receiving threat. I expect him to be one of the biggest winners at Senior Bowl workouts because of his pass -catching upside and his fluid movement in and out of breaks. He also understands how to set up and perform different rut strips against defenders. Add his ability to catch the ball out of the air and it’s easy to see him as someone who could fly up the boards as we approach April.

game

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Cam Ward gives one to Elijah Arroyo to a 33-yard TD

Miami ties the match as Cam Ward flows a pass to Elijah Arroyo for a 33-yard touchdown.

Current projection: Mid -day 2

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Grant is this year’s offensive line man for small schools that can potentially shoot up the plank. Evaluators have touted him as an early day 3 selection on the way into the All-Star game circuit. “I want to see him in better competition before I’m a true believer,” said a NFC scout.

Grant is a light -footed and lightweight movement man. He combines it with a physical behavior that helps him to strain and end defensemen. And Grant’s speed with climbing to the second level and cutting off linebackers is among the best of all tackle options and makes him fit in zone -based schemes.

Due to his slim frame, Grant must show that he has sufficient strength against better competition. It is a widespread view that Grant is a perennial development player because he needs to add mass to his frame. The Senior Bowl week will be the first major test of his pre-draft process. If he plays well there, scouts will start shopping.

Current projection: Mid -day 2

Norman-Lott caught my eye while reviewing movies of this stressed defensive tackle class. With his 6 foot-3 and 315 pounds, he is a violent penetrator with an electric first step. He also remains consistently through his urgent plans. Norman-Lott’s BOX score statistics are not flashy, with only 18 tackles and four sacks this season. But he was part of a deep rotation, playing 20 or more snaps in only five out of 13 games.

“I know they had a great talent ahead, but why did he play so little?” said an AFC director for College Scouting. “I would have liked to see him play more in a full -time role, especially by early Downs.”

Norman-Lott had a defensive presrate of 9.1 %when he stood inside-10. Best among all FBS defensive line men. Some see him as an early day 3 prospectus because of questions about his running defense, but it’s easy to see him climb because of his talent as a pass-rusher. He will be able to show the whole of his game on the senior bowl and prove that he is more than just a role player.

Current projection: Early Day 3

Knight was at the heart of a star -studded defense from South Carolina. After four seasons at Georgia Tech, he switched to Charlotte in 2023 before landing at Gamecocks. A scout in the southeastern area told me he kept asking himself “Who is this No. 17?” When watching South Carolina movies.

The 6-Foot-2, 245-Pund Knight ended this last season with 82 tackles and three forced fumbles. He has good eyes and instincts as a driver’s defender, and he plays with patience before he hours his acceleration as he steps downhill. He is also knowledgeable in cover as he holds his head on a swirl and is always aware of the routes within his coverage.

Knight still has to improve his ability to put on and free himself from blockers with his hands. These are the reasons he has received round 4 or 5 characters from scouts, but Knight is a well-rounded view in an uncertain linebacker class. He will be able to showcase his instincts and his floating fit under 1-on-1 and 11-on-11 settings at the Senior Bowl. It wouldn’t surprise me if Knight is drafted as high as in the third round.

Current projection: Early Day 3

Porter is a former Wide Receiver that went over to Cornerback before the 2022 season. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds he is long and has a wealth of equal speed. Porter ended the 2024 season with three interceptions and allowed a completion rate of 26.7 % in its cover. He projects best in zone coverage in the NFL, and although he needs to add strength and mass to his frame, he can raise his treasure if he shows more control when mirroring Wideouts in their route strains at Senior Bowl.

But Porter is likely to impress by the combine. He is a state record holder in 400 meters Dash in Iowa (46.99 seconds) and he can become one of the fastest runners of any position of 40 yard dash in Indianapolis next month. Porter is expected to run in medium-to-high 4.3s. If that happens I could see him jumping into the round 3 conversation.

Current projection: Early to mid -day 2

Thomas was the best defender on a disappointing seminole team. With his 6 feet and 198 pounds, he is a long and slave corner that thrives in press-man coverage. His floating hips and sudden directional change skills allow him to have pure technique and remain consistently in the coverage. His 14.8 QBR allowed as the primary defender ranked in the top 30 among FBS defensive backs.

Scouts have told me that Thomas is likely to be drafted in the second or third round. He needs to add bulk to become a more consistent tackle in running support, but his upside is huge. The controlled setting of senior bowl could be beneficial to Thomas, as his technique in pressman coverage is among the best in this year’s class and is likely to shine there. I think Thomas can get into the back of the first round if he is practicing in mobile.

Current projection: Late Day 2, Early Day 3

After a unique first-year season at Clemson in 2021, Mukuba fought with durability problems in 2022 and 2023. Seen as a day 3-view that went into the 2024 season, he chose to move home to Texas. He regained his early career form with Longhorns with a career height of 69 tackles and five interceptions this season.

A versatile security, 6-foot, 190-pound Mukuba is instinctive and a quick reactor that found ways to generate revenue. He is also an aggressive downhill tackler with a consistent wrapping and finish. Mukuba still has to prove that he can stand in man cover and he will be someone to look during position exercises on the combine. If he can show improved agility in his technique and more hip mobility in Indianapolis, Mukuba may rise within the top 75 and become a third round.