University of Kwazulu-Natal

Big Boards The Draft Scout Substack

Bonisiwe Shabane
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big boards the draft scout substack

The latest college football and NFL Draft news, rankings, rumors and mock drafts. After the dissemination of an unofficial but unavoidable record amount of information and misinformation, 32 teams will put their opinions on the line Thursday in one of recent memory’s most controversial and confusing Player... The previous drafts honored the popularity and importance of the almighty quarterback, with three and six taken in the respective first rounds. This year, minds seem to turn to mush as pro and amateur draftniks mumble words such as edge rusher, offensive lineman, and an archaic term once the darling of the sport — running backs. Remember them? We will get back to that subject.

The most dominant positions in this draft include: Pass rushers: Nine first-round prospects, 16 who could go in the first two rounds, then 20 of the top 100, with 52 who are draftable. Every Saturday gives us new tape. Every Sunday changes what teams need. And every week, the gap between what fans think they know and what the league is actually preparing for gets a little wider. The Draft Scout’s Top 25 Big Board isn’t a snapshot of one Saturday afternoon or a reaction to one highlight clip—it’s a living, evolving evaluation built on full-game study, coach and scout calls, and...

And as the college football season settles into the stretch run, the board is shifting in real time. Some prospects are locking in Round 1 résumés. Some are fading. And a few are about to make the kind of late-season jump that only shows up if you’re watching every snap. If you want the full positional breakdowns, expanded scouting reports, and weekly movement as the draft picture crystallizes, make sure you’re subscribed. This is where the draft conversation starts—and where you’ll stay a step ahead of everyone else.

Subscribe to The Draft Scout to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives. Insight, perspective and analysis on the NFL Draft by veterans who have covered college and pro football draft for six decades, working with NFL teams, the NFL itself and virtually every major sports publication. It may not be the quarterback class we'd hoped for, but it still looks like a step up from last year. After that, though, there aren't a ton of position groups I'd call "loaded" relative to recent expectations. It's part of why we've already seen so many teams feel comfortable unloading their first-rounders. That doesn't mean there isn't talent to be had, however.

It simply means scouts are going to have to work overtime to parse through a less clear-cut draft order than we've seen in recent years. If you're looking for position groups with quality depth -- even if they aren't traditionally drafted highly -- interior offensive line and linebacker are where I'd start. There are 13 interior offensive linemen and nine linebackers represented in the top 100 below, both large numbers compared to the typical yearly crop that goes in the top three rounds. With that context in mind, let's dive into how the class stacks up in early November. Bain is putting together the best season for a defensive end at the collegiate level since Aidan Hutchinson. Like Hutchinson, Bain isn't a cookie-cutter edge prospect.

The Hurricanes defender has a defensive tackle build with shorter arms than ideal on the edge. It's no matter -- he already has 44 pressures this season. Woods has been on scouting radars since he was a true freshman. He's as powerful a true junior defensive tackle as you'll see and won't turn 21 until a month before the draft. He'll be even more disruptive in the pros than he is in Clemson's defense. The 2025 NFL draft is fast approaching, and it’s time for you to get familiar with the top players in the class.

Today we’re unveiling our Top 50 big board—the final top 50—with a scouting report on every player; including pro comps and draft range projections. The info will be coming fast and furious in the next two weeks. Make sure you’re subscribed to never miss a post like these: What We’re Hearing rundown on Wednesday night before the draft This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Buckle up, NFL fanatics—the draft season is upon us, and it’s time to get hyped for the gridiron’s next generation of superstars! In this electrifying rundown, we’re counting down the top 32 prospects set to ignite the 2025 NFL Draft, where dreams collide with destiny and franchises find their future MVPs. We’ve dissected the film, crunched the numbers, and decoded the intangibles to deliver a jaw-dropping list of the most explosive, can’t-miss talents ready to tear up the league. But hold onto your helmets—we’re cranking the excitement up a notch with our top-five rankings at every position group, spotlighting the quarterbacks who sling it, the linemen who smash it, and the playmakers who... We’re going old school with our top fives at each position group and even breaking it down into sub-categories like third-down backs, slot receivers, and 3-4 vs. 4-3 defensive prospects.

Whether you’re screaming from the stands or glued to your screen, this is your all-access pass to the wild, unpredictable ride that is the NFL Draft. Let’s dive into the chaos and crown the kings of this year’s class! A junior edge rusher from Penn State, Carter is widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, showcasing a rare blend of athleticism, explosiveness, and versatility. Transitioning from an off-ball linebacker to a full-time edge role in 2024, Carter erupted with 17.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks in just 10 games, earning unanimous All-American honors and the Big Ten... At 6’3” and 250 pounds, he boasts a freakish 4.48 forty time, exceptional bend, and a relentless motor, allowing him to dominate tackles with speed and power while displaying a high football IQ honed... Though still refining his pass-rush moves and block recognition against the run, his upside is immense, drawing comparisons to elite NFL talents like Micah Parsons, with the potential to be a transformative, double-digit sack...

A junior from Colorado, Hunter a generational talent and the premier two-way player in the 2025 NFL Draft class, excelling as both a wide receiver and cornerback with elite athleticism and football instincts. In 2024, he earned the Heisman Trophy, posting an extraordinary 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, while adding 35 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 11 pass breakups on defense, showcasing his... At 6’1” and 185 pounds, Hunter combines rare ball skills, explosive speed (estimated 4.4 forty), fluid hips, and exceptional body control, making him a contested-catch maestro as a receiver and a lockdown cover man... While his slender frame raises some durability concerns and his technique requires polish due to splitting time between positions, his high football IQ, versatility, and playmaking ability project him as a top-5 pick with... I reach a point with every big board when I realize I’m never going to be happy. That point was 1 a.m.

this morning. Below is my second-to-last top 400 big board for the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. Please take some time to read my notes below before diving into the rankings. Those points provide a general roadmap of my thought process. There’s a lot I want to clean up on this board. I wish the fifth round bucket was smaller and much more orderly.

There are way too many prospects that I like who fall outside of the top 150, but maybe that’s just a sign that I’ve spent too long with this draft class. I will start uploading scouting reports on the weekend and will double-post a few days to try to empty the chamber for 2025 before I start sharing my thoughts on the 2026 class. My 2025 scouting process is complete outside of a few small school stragglers. I will post a sloppy initial 2026 big board sometime after the draft. 1. These are my second-to-last rankings.

My final big board that will be submitted to The Huddle Report will be posted next month. 2. Until then, the board will continue to shift based on new information, like injury history, measurables, athletic testing, off-field information, etc.

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The Latest College Football And NFL Draft News, Rankings, Rumors

The latest college football and NFL Draft news, rankings, rumors and mock drafts. After the dissemination of an unofficial but unavoidable record amount of information and misinformation, 32 teams will put their opinions on the line Thursday in one of recent memory’s most controversial and confusing Player... The previous drafts honored the popularity and importance of the almighty quarterback, wi...

The Most Dominant Positions In This Draft Include: Pass Rushers:

The most dominant positions in this draft include: Pass rushers: Nine first-round prospects, 16 who could go in the first two rounds, then 20 of the top 100, with 52 who are draftable. Every Saturday gives us new tape. Every Sunday changes what teams need. And every week, the gap between what fans think they know and what the league is actually preparing for gets a little wider. The Draft Scout’s ...

And As The College Football Season Settles Into The Stretch

And as the college football season settles into the stretch run, the board is shifting in real time. Some prospects are locking in Round 1 résumés. Some are fading. And a few are about to make the kind of late-season jump that only shows up if you’re watching every snap. If you want the full positional breakdowns, expanded scouting reports, and weekly movement as the draft picture crystallizes, ma...

Subscribe To The Draft Scout To Keep Reading This Post

Subscribe to The Draft Scout to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives. Insight, perspective and analysis on the NFL Draft by veterans who have covered college and pro football draft for six decades, working with NFL teams, the NFL itself and virtually every major sports publication. It may not be the quarterback class we'd hoped for, but it still looks like...

It Simply Means Scouts Are Going To Have To Work

It simply means scouts are going to have to work overtime to parse through a less clear-cut draft order than we've seen in recent years. If you're looking for position groups with quality depth -- even if they aren't traditionally drafted highly -- interior offensive line and linebacker are where I'd start. There are 13 interior offensive linemen and nine linebackers represented in the top 100 bel...