The 2025 NFL draft appears to be short on star power. But that doesn’t mean this year’s event will be lacking in entertainment value.
Months of analysis and speculation have yielded the usual pre-draft consensus on a few fronts, with the top of the first round seemingly taking shape ahead of the action kicking off Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But it doesn’t take much for one unexpected move – think the Atlanta Falcons grabbing quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 last year – to throw the entire night for a loop.
And while this year’s big twist might take some time to materialize, a class that’s short on surefire first-rounders could result in one or more figures who seldom appeared in mock drafts hearing their names called before Day 1 is over.
Here are five players who could be surprise first-round picks on Thursday:
QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
In a vacuum, Shough might seem like an odd candidate to sneak into the first round. The seventh-year senior, who was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields, will turn 26 early in his rookie season. And while he showed plenty of promise in his final season after transferring to Louisville, the 6-5, 219-pound signal-caller also has an extensive injury history, twice breaking his collarbone and suffering a broken fibula in previous stops at Oregon and Texas Tech.
But of course, quarterback picks aren’t made in a vacuum. Several teams are facing dire outlooks behind center, and Shough could stand to benefit from a potential lack of patience at the position.
While there could be an extended wait for the next passer to be picked after the Tennessee Titans’ expected selection of Cam Ward at No. 1, the close Day 2 clustering of the Cleveland Browns (who hold the No. 33 overall selection), New York Giants and New Orleans Saints might prompt some movement. If one of those teams doesn’t feel comfortable waiting for its signal-caller of choice, it could leap up into the first round. Both ESPN and The Athletic have reported that some organizations have Shough rated as their top quarterback, and his pure throwing ability could be a significant draw for various teams still seeking some semblance of a long-term solution at the position.
TE Mason Taylor, LSU
Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland have thrust the tight end position into the spotlight this year, as the two figure to be go-to targets as first-round picks. But Taylor, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, might have cemented his status as the next-best option behind his more highly touted counterparts. As a well-rounded receiving threat with a track record of dependability, he could be an alluring complementary target.
‘(Taylor)’s one of those guys when you are talking to teams, if you got wiped out, who would be your guy? ‘If we get wiped out, we would just take Mason Taylor,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in a conference call last week. ‘He’s going to start the next eight, 10 years. Just a steady, solid player.’
Jeremiah predicted Taylor would make the cut for Day 1, and there could be several contenders interested in adding a readymade contributor to the passing game. The Philadelphia Eagles face an uncertain outlook with Dallas Goedert given the veteran tight end’s lack of guaranteed money for 2025, and Taylor could be an efficient successor if the team opts to move in a different direction. The Los Angeles Rams also could be drawn to Taylor after the team’s push to move up for record-setting rookie Brock Bowers last year.
CB Trey Amos, Mississippi
Jaxson Dart and Walter Nolen have commanded the spotlight as the two Mississippi draft prospects generating a good deal of first-round buzz. Yet the more overlooked Amos might not be far behind.
In his breakout campaign, the 6-1 and 195-pound cover man proved capable of sticking with all sorts of receivers both down the field and in the short area. Amos also has a knack for breaking on the ball to make a play, recording three interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 2024. While he can still get out of sorts when forced to change directions in man coverage, he has the tools to be a standout in zone with significant room for growth as he settles in.
With the likes of Travis Hunter, Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron seemingly on track to be off the board by the time last season’s playoff teams have to make their selections, several organizations with a pressing need at the position might be left to sort through the next tier of prospects, with Amos sizing up favorably to many of his peers. His range could begin as early as the Minnesota Vikings at No. 24, though zone-heavy teams like the Rams (No. 26) and the Buffalo Bills (No. 30) also could be fits.
G Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
A former five-star recruit, Jackson helped power the Buckeyes’ national title run by filling in at left tackle when Josh Simmons – a likely first-rounder – went down for the season with a torn patellar tendon. Between the superlative protection he provided and the impressive versatility he displayed in changing positions during the season, the 6-4, 315-pounder demonstrated plenty of qualities that will endear him to coaches and personnel decision-makers alike.
Jackson likely won’t be counted on to reprise his roll as blindside protector for NFL teams, but his ability to bounce out to tackle is a significant plus. And with offensive guard no longer an afterthought as teams try to ward off interior disruptions as well as edge pressure, high-end inside protectors aren’t certain to stick around until Day 2. Jackson could be in play for the Houston Texans (No. 25), Baltimore Ravens (No. 27) and Detroit Lions (No. 28).
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
It’s little surprise that a second Buckeye is on this list, as it’s possible the defending champions could tie or break the record for most players drafted in one class from a single school (15). While Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton have widely been seen as first-round locks for some time, Henderson’s potential inclusion on Day 1 would mark a true renaissance at the position, as three ball carriers haven’t been among the first 32 picks since 2018.
At 5-10 and 202 pounds, Henderson doesn’t figure to occupy the bell-cow role that Jeanty and Hampton will. But Henderson has serious straight-line explosiveness, and teams have shown they’ll pay a premium for players capable of igniting big plays. What might put him over the top, however, is his experience and savvy in the passing game, as he’s arguably this class’ premier back in pass protection and also a major threat to split out wide as a receiver. He would be an intriguing option for the Denver Broncos (No. 20) given Sean Payton’s fixation on backs who can create mismatches in the passing game, though he could also step in as the dynamic backfield presence the Washington Commanders (No. 29) have been seeking to complement Brian Robinson Jr.