Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects: 50-41

Matt's top 2025 NFL Draft prospects. His NFL Draft big board for the 50-41 ranked players. Read the NFL Draft expert analysis, rankings, and breakdown.

We are just a few weeks away from the NFL draft, and young men will soon have their lives changed forever.

The 2025 NFL draft class is considered strong along the defensive line, the tight end position, and deep at the running back position. How does that depth affect the draft? How do teams set up their big board? Value will certainly slide as it does every year.

Here is my RotoBaller Big Board, where we will break down the Top 50 NFL Draft prospects leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Here, we take a closer look at my Big Board and those Draft prospects ranked from 41 to 50.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Top NFL Draft Prospects 50-41

50. Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

In a draft that is predominantly smaller or slot receivers, the 6-foot-4 Cyclone stands out. We will soon mention Jaylin Noel as one half, but Jayden Higgins was the other half when making up one of the best-receiving duos in college football last season.

Jayden Higgins on vertical targets pic.twitter.com/SwwqpIICDd

— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 1, 2025

When you remove all the manufactured touches from the rest of the wide receiver class, Higgins's 89 receptions rank tops amongst them. The 1,120 yards sit second only to Tetairoa McMillan in terms of receiving yardage. That works out to roughly 13.7 yards per reception which also shows that Higgins can be a vertical threat. What makes Higgins even more enticing, not only is he physically intimidating but he also ranks above the 87th percentile in Burst Score,  Catch Radius, and Speed Score.

49. Landon Jackson, Edge, Arkansas

Landon Jackson is an edge defender who doesn't know the meaning of taking a snap off. I heard the best line to describe him as having an "empty the tank" mentality. Jackson earned the reputation of being an explosive force off the edge for the Razorbacks, who accumulated 13 sacks and 93 total tackles over the last two seasons. 

Jackson's value has been trending upward after impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and The Combine, thanks to a 9.78 relative athletic score; seriously, 270-pound individuals aren't supposed to have 40-plus-inch verticals.

48. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Kaleb Johnson arguably has the best vision amongst draft-eligible running backs, not to mention some of the quickest feet in tight spaces. There is a reason why Johnson was named the Big Ten running back of the year and First Team All-American. Johnson led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns thanks to a display of size, vision, athleticism, and an uncanny ability to set up his blocks in the second level.

Johnson is a one-cut-back. He gets north and south and picks up yards rather than trying to shake defenders. Johnson also showed that he can be valuable in the passing game, not only with his pass protection but also as a receiver out of the backfield. If Johnson is a one-hit wonder, then 1,700 plus total yards and 23 touchdowns are one heck of a way to go.

47. Mason Taylor, TE, LSU

The year of the tight end rebirth continues with Mason Taylor's inclusion here. Taylor is essentially a build-a-bear, except you are building a prototypical tight end for today's NFL. Along with his size, Taylor has shown that he can be a mismatch in the passing game, thanks to his athleticism and route-running ability. If he gets loose in the open field, he can quickly pick up additional yards.

Taylor knows how to use his size to box out defenders, and the production in college was there. Taylor started in 37 or 38 contests, hauling in 129 passes for 1,308 yards. That's a career-receiving average of 10.1 yards per reception.

46. Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi

Trey Amos was the definition of a shutdown defender, who allowed a 54.5% passer rating when targeted last season, coming away with three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. At 6-foot-1, Amos has the size to be an effective press corner but has also shown that he possesses elite ball skills, especially in zone coverage.

Many were concerned about Amos's speed, but he put those concerns to rest at The Combine with a 4.43 40-yard time, which was better than anticipated.

45. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

Cam Skattebo is a ball of hate out on the field who hits the hole with ill regard for his opponent, and if there isn't a hole, he will make one. Skattebo becomes more effective as the game goes on as he continues to batter and bruise would-be tackles. If you need a back to close out a game, Skattebo fits the bill. Skattebo gained positive yardage on 85.7% of his rushing attempts.

The former Sun Devil is the first back to finish with more than 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a season since Christian McCaffrey. He also low-key added 19 touchdowns.

Career scrimmage yards per game
141 - Ashton Jeanty
135 - Cam Skattebo

2024 scrimmage yards per game
196 - Jeanty
178 - Skattebo

Career rushing success rate
50% - Skattebo
46% - Jeanty

Career avoided tackle rate
38% - Jeanty
35% - Skattebo

Skattebo played 11 of 13 games vs.… pic.twitter.com/OKnignzO7z

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) April 4, 2025

Skattebo doesn't have an elite athletic profile, but he's a proven winner, and I wouldn't bet against him. Look at what he did against Texas in the college football playoffs; he nearly willed Arizona State to victory all on his own despite playing at less than 100%.

44. Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami

Elijah Arroyo is all about projecting on the upside. He has all the physical traits, skills, and athleticism to be considered among the top tight ends not only in this draft but in the league in two to three years. Arroyo can be moved around the formation, including the backfield, to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties while succeeding in attacking seams and stretching the secondary. 

Injuries may have limited Arroyo's production in college. Still, he is a fluid, big man with refined route running ability and the ability to create separation, which he showed scouts in Mobile, Alabama.

43. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford

As a fellow Medicine Hatter, you knew Elic Ayomanor would make it onto this list. That said, it's not because he is a local product; it's because he is a good football player who had an "I am" moment with Travis Hunter in coverage. If you beat Travis Hunter clean, you have as good a chance as any to be an impact player in the NFL.

Elic Ayomanor has a knack for making acrobatic catches or making defenders look silly. Will quickly produce better as a pro once he gets with a competent offense and QB pic.twitter.com/5JO3hLnT3X

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 2, 2025

Ayomanor possesses all the traits necessary to be a bully X receiver in today's game. He is raw and limited in some aspects, but there is plenty of untapped potential available. Ayomanor is going to be the most physical player on the field most of the time, making it a daring endeavor if defenses attempt to run press coverage against him.

42. Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

How good is Noel? Compared to the rest of the wide receiver class, Noel ranked third in yards per route against zone coverage at 3.50, while his 2.6 yards per route run is more than that of more highly regarded prospects such as Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III.

Noel also offers value as a returner, with nearly 1,300 return yards to his credit, while leading the class with a 56% catch rate on throws greater than 20 yards. At the Senior Bowl, Noel was undefendable. He showed elite athleticism at The Combine, posting a 4.30 40-yard time, a 41.5-inch vertical jump, and an 11-foot-two board jump.

41. Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

We have all seen that 4.28 speed displayed at the 2024 NFL Combine. The bottom line is that speed kills. Hairston can change a game anytime, whether in coverage or on a corner blitz. While watching the film, yes, the speed stands out, but so do his burst, awareness, and ball skills. If opposing quarterbacks don't drive that ball to the sidelines, there is a good chance that Hairston will bring it the other direction in a hurry.

Some have flagged Hairston as a liability as a tackler, but I am willing to give him a pass for now. Last season, he dealt with a shoulder injury that limited him to just six games.

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