Standout gamers aren’t simply discovered within the first spherical of the NFL Draft. Past the primary spherical, groups will discover many high quality starters.
Forward of the draft in Inexperienced Bay (April 24-26), Yardbarker NFL writers determine one participant for each NFC crew who must be a primary candidate for choice on Day 2 (rounds 2-3 Friday) or Day 3 (rounds 4-7 Saturday).
DALLAS COWBOYS | RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State | With Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty virtually a certainty to land with the Raiders and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton considerably of a wild card within the first spherical, Henderson might be the crew’s finest wager at working again on Day 2. The 5-foot-10, 202-pounder accounted for 1,560 whole yards and 19 touchdowns final season and completed the NFL Scouting Mix with the best athleticism rating (92) of all working backs, per Next Gen Stats.
NEW YORK GIANTS | QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama |
Pro Football Focus referred to as Milroe “essentially the most bodily gifted quarterback within the 2025 draft class,” however added, “In an ideal world, he can be drafted with a plan to let him sit and develop.” Milroe (6-foot-2, 225 kilos) struggled with consistency in 4 years with Alabama however threw for two,844 yards and 16 TDs and rushed for 726 yards and 20 TDs final season, making him a perfect candidate to take a seat behind Russell Wilson, who lately signed a one-year, $10.5M contract with the Giants.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | TE Mason Taylor, LSU | Dallas Goedert is gifted, however the 30-year-old tight finish has missed 23 video games over the previous 5 seasons and was given permission by the crew to hunt a commerce. Taylor, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound son of Corridor of Fame defensive finish Jason Taylor, had 129 catches for 1,308 yards and 6 TDs in three years with LSU. When requested to determine the NFL participant who finest resembles Taylor, NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein named Goedert.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech | On a current episode of the “Up & Adams Show With Kay Adams,” the 5-foot-9, 214-pound Texas native mentioned he wished to play beneath OC Kliff Kingsbury and run-game coordinator Anthony Lynn, who each frolicked with Texas Tech, the place Brooks rushed for 100 or extra yards in 19 of his previous 22 video games. He additionally set college data with 879 carries and 4,557 yards as a Purple Raider, and per PFF, Brooks had 26 runs of 15 yards or extra yards final season, tied for fourth most amongst FBS ball-carriers. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS | QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama | The Cardinals have an affordable out in QB Kyler Murray’s contract after this season, so 2025 looks like a make-or-break 12 months for the six-year vet. Milroe has rather a lot to work on to be efficient within the NFL, however with the appropriate teaching and system, he might develop into an elite playmaker.
LOS ANGELES RAMS | CB Trey Amos, Mississippi | Cornerback has been an issue for the Rams since 2022, after they traded Jalen Ramsey. After spending premium picks to bolster their defensive position in 2024, the Rams should make an identical funding within the secondary. Amos figures to be an early Day 2 decide (and maybe even a late Day 1 decide) and will deliver wanted dimension (he is 6-foot-1 and 195 kilos), pace (4.43 in 40 at mix) and man-coverage capacity to the protection.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS| Edge Landon Jackson, Arkansas | The 49ers, who’re enduring a depressing offseason, have massive wants alongside their defensive position. Jackson (6-foot-6, 264 kilos) has top-tier run-stuffing capacity and must be out there on Day 2, when the 49ers may have three draft picks, together with two third-rounders.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | QB Quinn Ewers, Texas | Though the Seahawks signed QB Sam Darnold in free company, there isn’t a assure he’ll spend multiple season in Seattle. With no younger QB on the roster, Ewers (6-foot-2, 210 kilos) can be an intriguing undertaking to tackle within the center rounds. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS | EDGE Kyle Kennard, South Carolina | Kennard (6-foot-4, 264 kilos) is coming off a powerful fifth 12 months during which he recorded 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, three pressured fumbles and gained the Bronko Nagurski Award for essentially the most excellent defensive participant in faculty soccer. The Bears are constructing by the trenches, so Kennard must be excessive on their board on Day 2.
DETROIT LIONS | CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame | This can be a little bit of a cop-out as a result of Morrison (6-foot-0, 190 kilos) is sweet sufficient to sneak into the primary spherical, however the Lions ought to pounce on a trade-up if the gifted cornerback slips to the center of the second. Morrison is an NFL-ready defensive again with excellent ball expertise (9 interceptions and 18 passes defended in 31 video games).
GREEN BAY PACKERS | CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky | After shedding Eric Stokes, Robert Rochell and Corey Ballentine this offseason, the Packers should go away the draft with no less than one cornerback. Hairston (5-foot-11, 179 kilos) is an intriguing Day 2 prospect who tied a faculty file with three pick-sixes at Kentucky and runs a 4.28 40-yard sprint. He might assist soften the blow if the Packers dump oft-injured CB Jaire Alexander, too.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS | DT Jordan Phillips, Maryland | The Vikings have solely three picks after the primary spherical and none within the second, so they have to hit on the few possibilities they’ve at bettering the roster by the draft. Phillips (6-foot-2, 318 kilos) has the potential to develop into a game-wrecking defensive sort out, and studying behind veterans Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen can be nice for his improvement. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS | CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State | Atlanta’s go protection took a step again final season, which might power the entrance workplace to focus on a nook in later rounds. Per Pro Football Focus, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound nook allowed 17 receptions for 141 yards and no touchdowns on 33 targets final season for the Seminoles, making him a possible wonderful complement to entrenched Falcons CB1 A.J. Terrell.
CAROLINA PANTHERS | LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma | The senior linebacker had a powerful combine performance, working a 4.52 40-yard sprint. After fielding arguably the league’s worst protection in 2024, the Panthers want playmakers on all three ranges, and Stutsman (6-foot-3, 233 kilos) suits the invoice.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | DT Darius Alexander, Toledo | The 6-foot-4, 320-pound fifth-year senior might be the run-stopper the Saints desperately want as they progressively transfer to a 3-4 defensive scheme beneath first-year coordinator Brandon Staley. Offseason commerce acquisition Davon Godchaux will assist, however that shouldn’t cease New Orleans from contemplating Alexander, who was credited with 23 run-play “stops,” or tackles that represent a “failure” for the offense, per Pro Football Focus, the twelfth most in faculty soccer amongst inside defensive linemen in 2024.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | Guard Tate Ratledge, Georgia | The Bucs have finished a superb job rebuilding their offensive line right into a energy over the previous few seasons, however they might nonetheless probably improve at left guard. Ratledge, who performed on the appropriate facet for the Bulldogs, obtained a powerful 98 athleticism rating on the NFL Scouting Mix, per Combine IQ, and measured 6-foot-6 and 308 kilos, making the senior a uncommon expertise for a possible Day 2 decide. — Eric Smithling
