2025 NFL Draft Stock Up
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers entered this season as a potential first-round pick and had a statement game leading a road blowout over Michigan that will help Ewers’ effort to be selected on the draft’s opening night. Versus Michigan, Ewers completed 24-of-36 passes for 246 yards with three touchdowns. Overall, this was an excellent tape from Ewers. He showed a quality arm capable of making all the throws. He had functional mobility to maneuver within the pocket, and Ewers made superb decisions to take care of the football. This tape will help Ewers be a first-round pick next April.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
Emmanwori was superb taking on Kentucky last Saturday. In the second quarter, Emmanwori had a clutch tackle downfield to keep a run from being broken for a huge gain. Emmanwori continued to contribute to tackles in the ground game. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Emmanwori put the game away with a pick-six. Emmanwori was in the deep zone and watched the quarterback’s eyes before undercutting a receiver down the seam for the interception. Emmanwori weaved through would-be tacklers to dart into the end zone.
There is a lot to like about Emmanwori for the NFL. He is a huge safety asset for tackling power backs at the second level and going toe-to-toe with big tight ends down the seam. Emmanwori also has tremendous instincts, vision, and feel in zone coverage. He covers a lot of ground and could be capable of playing man coverage on tight ends. Not many safeties grade out as first-round picks, but Emmanwori has that kind of potential for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
Mukuba was all over the field, leading the Longhorn’s defense to dominate the Michigan offense. Along with a bunch of tackles, Mukuba had a critical interception and a third-down pass breakup to get the ball back for the red hot Texas offense. Mukuba produced an excellent tape to help his draft grade.
Anthony Belton, LT, N.C. State
Belton was phenomenal against Tennessee. He was absolutely vicious on some blocks, knocking defenders backward and pummeling them into the turf. He did that on a number of rushing plays to open up his gap for his back. In the pass rush, Belton was incident-free, mirroring speed rushers and anchoring against the bull rush. Belton showed some serious power to knock defenders to their knees and finish them off with violence by divining into them and smashing them to the turf. This tape gave Belton the look of a future NFL starter and will help him be an early-round pick next April.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Even though the season is just beginning, McMillan already has impressed team sources. “He’s really impressive,” said an AFC director of player personnel. “Big, catches everything, outstanding body control, and really good after the catch. I just wonder how fast he is.” Another team source said McMillan has speed similar to Falcons wide receiver Drake London. If he stays healthy, it is a near certainty that McMillan will be a consensus first-round pick by the end of the season when scouts submit their grades.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
Loveland is one of the top tight end prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, but Loveland had an ugly game taking on the Longhorns. Late in the second quarter, Loveland made a critical mistake after catching the pass. He wasn’t holding the ball securely and just dropped it for a crucial fumble. Early in the third quarter, Loveland had a reception but couldn’t hold onto the ball while getting hit. It was a tough catch, but one that he should make. In the next play, Loveland went high to climb the ladder to make a leaping grab for a first-down conversion. Later in the third quarter, Loveland kept running when the quarterback thought he would stop his route, which led to an easy interception for Texas. It wasn’t clear whether it was Loveland’s fault or the mistake of the Wolverine’s new quarterback. In garbage time, Loveland (8-70) made a nice leaping catch along the sideline. Overall, this tape is going to hurt Loveland. He showed poor hands on a few occasions, including a critical fumble. This performance won’t help Loveland to grade out as a first-round pick.
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
Walker was not impressive as the Wildcats were blown out by South Carolina. In the first half, Walker needed to get off blocks to get in on tackles in run defense or as a rusher. Walker flashed some in the third quarter with hustle downfield, but overall, Walker was a non-factor with his team getting blown out. This tape will hurt Walker’s draft grade.
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Leonard did not impress in Week 1 against Texas A&M, but the Aggies defense was winning the line of scrimmage, so Leonard could not get into a passing rhythm. However, Week 2 was even more embarrassing as Leonard had an unforgivable loss to Northern Illinois. Leonard completed 20-of-32 passes for 163 yards and two interceptions. One interception was a horrible back breaker with a throw late into double coverage that was easily picked off. An early-round quarterback should not lose to lesser competition like this and this tape is going to hurt Leonard’s draft grade.
