The 2025 NFL Draft is finally here, and it's shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. Expect a flurry of trades, a few surprise picks, and no shortage of drama. In this week’s NFL Draft Notebook, we spotlight a quarterback who may come off the board far too early, a running back flying under the radar, and a once-overlooked offensive lineman now surging into first-round territory.
Latest NFL Draft news and notes
Where Travis Hunter needs to improve as a receiver
It’s looking more and more likely that Cleveland will select Colorado’s Travis Hunter with the second overall pick, intending to use him primarily as a wide receiver. While there’s no question Hunter has the tools to become an elite NFL playmaker, there are a few areas of his game that need refinement. First, he needs to expand his route tree. At Colorado, he primarily ran go routes and deep in-breaking routes. To succeed at the next level, he’ll need to master a full range of NFL routes. Additionally, Hunter needs to improve his release off the line—he tends to dance too much at the snap, which can throw off timing and give defenders an edge. His slight frame could also pose challenges against physical press coverage from bigger, stronger NFL cornerbacks, a step up from what he faced in the Big 12.
Omarion Hampton's landing spot
By the end of the night, don’t be surprised if North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton ends up a Denver Bronco. The fit makes too much sense to ignore. Head coach Sean Payton has emphasized that adding a running back is a major draft priority, and with Ashton Jeanty likely off the board before Denver picks at No. 20, Hampton—widely seen as the second-best back in the class—could be their guy. His powerful downhill running style and ability to contribute in the passing game make him an ideal fit in Payton’s offense.
5 TDs. 253 all-purpose yards.
— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 2, 2024
OMARION HAMPTON, EVERYBODY 😳👏
📺 @accnetwork x @UNCFootball
pic.twitter.com/8A0ZNTd7a6
Tyler Shough might be overdrafted
One quarterback who could be drafted earlier than he should is Louisville’s Tyler Shough, who has reportedly received high praise from at least one NFL head coach, with Dianna Russini of The Athletic quoting the coach as saying Shough is “better than Cam Ward.” While Shough boasts a strong arm and throws with nice touch, projecting him as a first-round pick is difficult to justify. He’s missed significant time in three of the past four seasons due to injuries, lacks mobility, and struggles to create when plays break down.
The running back who is being overlooked
One of the deepest, if not the deepest, positions in the 2025 NFL Draft is running back, and as a result, some talented players are flying under the radar. One of those backs is Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who was named Big Ten Running Back of the Year after rushing for 1,537 yards, often against loaded boxes due to Iowa’s struggling passing game. Johnson’s best trait is his exceptional contact balance, which helped him break 66 tackles this past season. He also has outstanding vision, consistently finding open running lanes. While he isn’t known for elite top-end speed, it’s worth noting he still finished second in the nation in breakaway yards with 861.
Vikings possibly trading down
The Minnesota Vikings could be a trade-down candidate in the 2025 NFL Draft, especially if a team like the Cleveland Browns looks to move into the late first round for a quarterback—particularly if Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders is still on the board. With only four picks this year, the Vikings may be inclined to trade back and stockpile more selections. Doing so could still allow them to address a key need, such as offensive guard, at the top of the second round while gaining valuable draft capital.
From All-Underrated team to first-round draft pick
Back in February, I named Georgia center Jared Wilson to my All-Underrated Team when he carried a consensus fourth-round grade according to NFL Mock Draft Database, though I had him graded as a second-round talent due to his elite athleticism and mobility. Now, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller, Wilson is one of the hottest names in NFL Draft circles and could even be selected at the end of the first round—surpassing even my early projection.