Exploring the NFL Draft and Top Prospects

Teams across the country assess the next top talent to come off the American Football conveyor belt and take it in turns to add players to their roster.

To ensure you are ready for the 2025 NFL draft and know who is who when watching games and wagering, this article will run you through everything you need to know about the process and the top prospects coming through at college level who will be eligible for selection.

The NFL Draft Explained

If you are new to the NFL, the draft may appear confusing but it is a fairly simple routine once you get your head around it. Put simply, it is a market for teams to identify and sign new players. All 32 NFL teams take turns selecting the best up-and-coming college players for their rosters and this takes place across seven rounds. 

When betting on the game and exploring NFL bonuses to enhance your experience, it is important to boast a strong understanding of what is available. Be sure to take the time to compare and assess different offers and follow expert opinion so that you can find the promotion that will best suit your preferences when predicting the outcomes of games.

It is also imperative that you know when the draft is taking place and which players will be available as this can change the landscape of the competition fast. The next draft in the American football calendar, which is an annual event, will take place in April 2025. It spans across three days and the 2025 draft will be held around Lambeau Field and the adjacent Titletown District in Green Bay, Winconsin.

The good and interesting thing about the NFL draft is that it is much fairer compared to how other sports operate when it comes to adding players. For example, in soccer, it is often the club with the most money in the bank that can sign the best players and this has swiftly diluted competition across the top leagues in Europe. However, when it comes to the NFL, it is the team with the worst record in the previous season that gets first pick in each round so therefore, it is often the team struggling with a lack of quality that gets first dibs on the talent. The Super Bowl champions are last to pick.

Each team get one pick per round. The first round takes place on the Thursday, Friday is the day of rounds two and three and rounds four through to seven are held on the Saturday. It is important to note that teams can trade their picks which can impact the order of the teams making their selections. What's more, there is also a time limit - teams can submit their pick once the time is up but it means the next opposition can steal the player when it comes to their allotted time to pick and so it's a wise move to ensure the selection is completed in the original timeframe.

Prospects to Watch Out for in the 2025 Draft

Here is a list of some of the top prospects to watch out for in the lead-up to the NFL draft in April.

Travis Hunter

The Colorado Buffaloes dual-threat cornerback is being tipped for a huge future in the game with a string of stunning performances at the college level. A consensus 5-star recruit, Hunter impressed during his freshman campaign with Jackson State, recording 18 receptions for 188 yards, four touchdowns, 20 tackles, and 10 pass breakups, showing he can shine both offensively and in defense.

From there, he followed coach Deion Sanders to Colorado where he has developed into a fine player. In the first give games of the current season, Hunter has made 46 catches for 561 yards and made six touchdowns. There is no doubt teams will be clamoring for the 21-year-old's services in 2025

Ashton Jeanty

The 20-year-old running back has caught the eye for the Boise State Broncos and is the top prospect for his position ahead of the NFL draft. Jeanty has already broken records this college campaign, with a rush of 267 yards the best by a Boise State player in 46 years. His six touchdowns also tied the Mountain West record and Paulson Stadium record. In the running for the Heisman Memorial Trophy, the youngster is a special talent.

Shedeur Sanders

Sanders is a team-mate of Hunter and is the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback. The son of coach Deion Sanders, he completed 38 of 47 pass attempts in his opening game for a school-record 510 yards and four touchdowns. Since then Sanders has continued to excel and in the 2024 season opener recorded another 445 yards and four touchdowns. The 22-year-old won the Jerry Rice Award and Deacon Jones Trophy earlier in his college career and will no doubt win more honors should he fulfill his potential in the NFL following the draft.

Wrapping Up

The NFL draft is a key part of the season and can make or break seasons and careers. It requires smart thinking and strategy from all 32 sides to pick the player which will best boost their roster with the worst performers having the first pick to ensure fairness. If you are planning on predicting games, be sure to track the selections so that you can weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of sides from a place of authority.