2025 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense

In recent weeks, there have been a lot of questions about which players to avoid in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Every draft has some players who are selected highly, only to become massive disappointments in the NFL. Here, we break down some potential busts in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mike Green, DE, Marshall

This was a difficult choice because I see some boom/bust potential in Mike Green, Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart, and James Pearce Jr. Pearce has character issues, Stewart is talented but extremely raw, and Walker is very undersized. Ultimately, I went with Green because he is undersized and a liability as a run defender. I could see him being held on the sideline when a run is possible and Green being used as a DPR (designated pass rusher) only. That will limit his playing time significantly. He also is a bit of a one-trick pony as a speed rusher, and has character concerns. Hence, I could see a few routes that could lead to him not panning out.

Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

This was a difficult selection, but Nolen stood out as being a risky pick. At Texas A&M in 2023 and 2022, Nolen had some terrible tape. He had ugly moments, and even scouts who like him based on his 2024 play acknowledge the previous tape was bad. Nolen did flash at times and looked better in 2024, but on top of the inconsistent career, Nolen has some character concerns. I think he is the riskiest of the early-round defensive tackle prospects.

Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson

Early in his career at Clemson, there was media hyping Carter as a future first-round pick, but he never played up to that projection. Carter (5-11, 233) is a quality athlete with speed, but he struggles with downhill runs coming straight at him and gets pushed around by offensive linemen. I think he is going to struggle to take on and shed blocks in the NFL. Carter could be an early-round pick, but it would not surprise me if he tops out as a backup and special teams player.

Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

The 5-foof-11, 194-pound Barron is undersized for the NFL and does not play up to his timed speed. Barron is projected to be a slot corner in the NFL, but Barron could go top-20 and that is very high to take an inside corner. Barron is an instinctive player, but multiple team sources feel he has been overhyped and could have problems playing man coverage in the NFL.

Sebastian Castro, S, Iowa

This was a tough decision because no player was really jumping out at me. I ended up settling on Castro because there are some projections of him being a day-two pick, and he had some media hype coming out of the Senior Bowl. However, Castro has athletic limitations for the NFL, and I could see him topping out as a backup who contributes on special teams. As a day-two pick, I think Castro could have the potential to be a bust.

2025 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Offense | 2025 NFL Draft Day 2 Values: Defense
2025 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Offense | 2025 NFL Draft Potential Busts: Defense
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