Top 5 Favourite Picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
Introduction
The 2025 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror as Minicamps and OTAs are kicking off across the NFL. Most teams will have their Rookie Minicamp this weekend and it is a perfect opportunity to look across the landscape and determine which draft picks were my favourite throughout the 7 rounds in April. This is not a list of players who will make the most impact in Year 1 but rather a personal assessment of a combination of the quality of the prospect, draft value and where he stacks up relative to the depth chart in no particular order. Without further ado, let's get into it!
1. Chris Paul Jr., LB, Los Angeles Rams
Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. was a prospect I had my eye on this year at Ole Miss following his transfer within the SEC from Arkansas. Paul Jr. had an excellent 2024 season, recording 88 tackles (11 for a loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception, and four passes defensed. He had a strong East-West Shrine Bowl week and was thought to be moving up draft boards.
That turned out not to be the case, as the Rams snagged him in the 5th round, way later than the top 50 grade I had on him. His strong coverage and surefire tackling could mean an ILB role with the Rams initially with some outside versatility. He has good football IQ, which special teams coach Chase Wyatt Blackburn will love and he could by season's end see himself in the LB3 role, ascending to a first reserve or even spot starter role.
2. DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Giddens was one of my favourite prospects in this RB class and for the Colts to get him at pick 151 feels like a steal. He runs low to the ground with good contact balance but has adequate size and foot quickness to make people miss or run over poor tackle technique. He has been well-coached in the Wildcats offense and has been consistent, taking over in the 2nd half of his final year with five 100+ yard performances, including a dominating game vs Colorado.
He does have some flaws in his technique such as mental lapses in the passing game with slightly choppy footwork but this is a potential RB2 talent with high-level upside who could thrive early in the right situation. The Colts feels like that situation as after established starter Jonathan Taylor, there are only Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson, both of whom have failed to impress in Indy. Giddens was a top 50 player on my board, who we could be talking about 2 years from now as a top 5 RB from this class.
3. Joshua Farmer, DT, New England Patriots
The New England Patriots had one of my favourite overall drafts as they continue to surround offensive pieces around 2024 No.3 overall pick Drake Maye. However, it was on defense where they snagged one of my favourite prospects in the class in 6'3 all-rounder defensive lineman Joshua Farmer. The Florida State product had impressive tape in both his years as a starter, playing across the Seminoles defensive line. He plays the run effectively and was a real leader for the Seminoles defense in a tough year in 2024.
He may never have a high sack volume in the NFL and will have to fight his way up the depth chart behind stud (when healthy) Christian Barmore. Ahead of Farmer on the depth chart are former 2023 5th round pick Jaquelin Roy and free agent pickup Khyiris Tonga, whom I believe Farmer has the pedigree, first step quickness and tools to beat out for meaningful snaps in 2025 and beyond.
4. Cam Miller, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
This one may come as a surprise, as Cam Miller did not even receive an invite to the NFL Combine and arrives in Vegas with little fanfare following the non-selection of sliding Sheduer Sanders. However, Cam Miller had a strong Shrine Bowl week, fresh off an FCS national championship win with the Bison. He is an experienced starter who had his best year by far in 2024, posting impressive stats, including 3,251 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, just four interceptions, 631 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns.
He looked much more comfortable as a rhythym passer his final year and has a decent feel for the game as seen across multiple FCS playoff runs. Pocket awareness and footwork do let him down at times and while his talent allows him to still excel at the FCS level he will need to be more precise on an NFL field. His lack of elite arm talent and size may limit him to a backup role at the NFL level, however stranger things have happened and he may end up as a late round steal with coach Pete Carroll falling in love with his leadership and improvement. While Aidan O'Connell remains entrenched as QB2 behind Geno Smith for now, he was drafted under a previous regime and may end up on the outside looking in should Miller impress in training camp.
5. Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks
One of the most surprising things to occur on Draft Weekend was the relatively minor slide for Gamecock Emmanwori into Day 2. Few prospects have had as strong a pre-draft season in recent memory than Nick Emmanwori. He blew up the Combine after an impressive Senior Bowl cameo and was the talk of the draft community at the South Carolina Pro Day. His tape reveals an initially raw player in 2023 with some coverage and tackling deficiencies overshining his obvious athletic prowess.
However, the 6'3 safety improved dramatically over the course of 2024 and following an inconsistent early season showing vs LSU, emerged as a real leader and tone-setter by year end, skyrocketing his draft stock into top-20 consideration. Some coverage assignment issues remain, however they are correctable and I would be shocked if he doesn't find himself a serious contributor for the Seahawks quite early in his rookie contract. Established starters in former 4th round pick Coby Bryant and Julian Love man the safety spots, however with pre-draft comps to Kam Chancellor and Kyle Hamilton, Emmanwori may find himself getting some buzz for all-Rookie Teams in 2025.