By Carson Mays 
With the 2025 NFL Draft right around the corner, fans of all 32 franchises are eagerly researching potential additions to their favorite teams. We know all about the projected first-round picks, but what about those sleepers who could end up as big-time contributors down the line? We’ve listed 15 players that could end up being household names despite not possessing a ton of hype.
DE Femi Oladejo (UCLA)
Oladejo has been flying up draft boards. He began his career as an inside linebacker at Cal. Over the last two seasons with the Bruins, he’s moved from linebacker to more of an edge rusher position. A freak athlete with terrific length and football I.Q., Oladejo is only scratching the surface as to how good he can be. With more experience at the edge spot, you could be looking at a difference-maker within a couple of years.
WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. (Tennessee)
Thornton Jr. was once an elite prep prospect out of Baltimore. After a brief stop in Eugene with the Oregon Ducks, he moved on to Tennessee where he emerged as a legitimate deep-threat option. His best season in college game in 2024 — where he hauled in six TDs and averaged 25.4 yards per reception. The 6’5″ athlete ran a 4.3 40-yard dash, and he profiles as the type of guy that could be a downfield specialist for a team looking to attack vertically with a strong-armed signal-caller.
QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
Rourke figures to be a late round draft choice. He spent six years in college and doesn’t ‘wow’ anyone with his physical tools. Having said that, he does profile as someone that could develop into a system starter one day. Rourke completed 69.4 percent of his passes this past year for Indiana. He’s got a ton of experience playing, and there’s a poise/maturity to his game that many quarterbacks lack when making the leap to a higher level. Rourke also has never thrown more than seven interceptions in a single season. For a team potentially looking at a developmental option, one could do a whole lot worse than Rourke.
RB Jaydon Blue (Texas)
There’s always that running back slipping down the draft boards that ends up being a rock-solid pro. Blue has the look of someone fitting into that category. He’s accrued experience against the best competition in college having played versus SEC defenses. Blue has averaged at least 5.4 YPC in back-to-back years without putting too much tread on the proverbial tires. At a compact 5’9″ and roughly 200 pounds, he ran a 4.38 40-yard time. The comparisons to Kyren Williams are both intriguing and somewhat accurate.
WR Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville)
Brooks broke out in his only year with Louisville. He had played sparingly at Alabama for three years before becoming WR1 with the Cardinals. Brooks is a fluid athlete with decent hand-eye coordination. He specifically does well when fighting for the ball with corners on contested plays. He could end up a WR3 with higher upside for a team willing to work on his route-running skills.
LB Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)
Schwesinger came out of nowhere to become one of the better linebacker prospects in this draft. A former walk-on hailing from the same high school as Jimmy Clausen, Zach Charbonnet, Michael Pittman Jr., and Kayvon Thibodeaux, Schwesinger worked his way up the totem pole in Westwood and truly became indispensable. He had a whopping 136 tackles this past year. Schwesinger has elite functional athleticism, and his ability to diagnose plays is sublime. He might not go in the first round — though a handful of teams will be kicking themselves for not drafting him earlier once he becomes a very good NFL player.
WR Tez Johnson (Oregon)
Johnson didn’t test well at the combine. At only 154 pounds, he ran a 4.51. Many scouts assumed he’d be in the 4.3 range. Having said all of that, he produces at a very good level — and there’s always room for a slippery slot receiver who plays faster than his times would indicate. Johnson put up two monster years at Oregon, combining for 169 receptions, 20 TD receptions, and 2,080 receiving yards. In the right system, you’re looking at a dynamic player.
RB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Judkins profiles as a starting back in this league. He’s got good size at 6-feet, 220 pounds. Clocked with a 4.48 40 time, Judkins has more than enough speed to be effective. He runs behind his pads very well, and there’s a present physicality to his game that would work well in a zone scheme. Sharing time with TreVeyon Henderson last year, there’s not a ton of wear and tear on his body. Some franchise will be very happy to draft a guy who could turn out to be the best RB in this draft.
WR Jimmy Horn Jr. (Colorado)
Horn Jr. holds some value as a potentially elite returner. At 5’8″ and roughly 175 pounds, he has some terrific quickness and agility to boot. There’s enough wiggle in his game to make people miss — and his 4.46 time in the 40 indicates that Horn Jr. has enough speed to be a credible threat in multiple ways. He likely won’t go on Day 1 or 2 — though there’s certainly value as a Day 3 selection.
OT Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
Cornelius has the profile of a future starting RT in the NFL. He was elite at Rhode Island before bumping up to play at Oregon. He more than held his own — and that’s a big reason as to why many think the leap up to the professional ranks should go smoothly for Cornelius. He’s got good feet, a solid initial punch, and the size to play right away. Teams also could opt to tap into Cornelius’ versatility and see whether he can play guard at a high level.
DL Desmond Watson (Florida)
Watson is a conditioning coach’s dream. At 6’6″, Watson weighs 464 pounds. It’s actually quite impressive in watching him move as well as he does. There’s some real athleticism present as a run-stuffing nose guard. He’ll clearly have to drop a substantial amount of weight to be an NFL player. The odds are he won’t be drafted. However, Watson has some talent — and there will be a team hoping to mold him into a player. Expect him to stick around on a practice squad as he gets in playable shape.
DB Cobee Bryant (Kansas)
Bryant is a true ballhawk. He’s accrued 11 interceptions over the last three seasons. There’s a present level of physicality and competitiveness with him that teams love. Bryant could stand to put on more weight and strength at only 180 pounds. However, there’s a lot to like about the makeup of this player. One can see Bryant flourishing in the right scheme that accentuates his strengths as a player.
QB Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
Milroe seemingly is entering this process a bit underrated. He’s accrued multiple years starting in the SEC — and Milroe has enjoyed some real success. He’s got a huge arm and legitimate athleticism. The deep ball is Milroe’s specialty, and there’s some who believe he could one day develop into a starter. As is the case with most quarterbacks, scheme will be huge here. Getting him out of the pocket and on the move will best illuminate Milroe’s strengths. He would best be a fit somewhere such as Philadelphia.
TE Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech)
Conyers has been a good player for both Arizona State and Texas Tech. Similarly to how Chris Cooley and Dallas Clark were used, Conyers can line up all over the field as a pass-catching threat/run blocker. He’s a bit raw with his route-running skills — though that’s something a team will work with him on. He’s even lined up as a Wildcat quarterback at times. For a team that enjoys the occasional gadget play, this versatile player will be of interest.
DT CJ West (Indiana)
West is a three-technique DT with the ceiling of a guy who could become a solid starter. It’s unlikely he’ll become a Pro Bowl-level player — though his quickness and proven track record makes him someone that will be attractive to teams as a depth piece. West plays with a ton of energy, and can be disruptive when shedding blockers in tight spaces. He’s better against the run rather than as a pass-rushing threat.
Angel Atienza-Romero