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Mike's six rookie prospects who could slip out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. His top fallers to be drafted after round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly here. The rumor mill is on fire, and we’ve reached the point of the draft cycle where reports suggest 60 players will go in the first round. However, math tells us that only 32 players will get picked on the first night of the NFL Draft.
While everyone wants to focus on which players could sneak into the first round, no one wants to talk about prospects who could slip into Day 2 of the draft. Unfortunately, for every surprise pick or player that sneaks into the first round, another prospect will still be on the board at the start of the second round on Friday night.
Last year, Ladd McConkey and Cooper DeJean were first-round picks in nearly every mock draft. Unfortunately, both slipped into the second round. However, they had outstanding rookie seasons and look like future superstars. Therefore, let’s look at six prospects who could slip out of the first round.
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Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Sanders was one of the top quarterbacks in college football last season, leading Colorado to a 9-4 record. He completed 74 percent of his pass attempts for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the country in every statistic. Furthermore, Sanders ended his Colorado career by completing 71.8 percent of his pass attempts, an FBS record.
Shedeur Sanders DART to Will Sheppard for a 47 yard TD 🎯@ShedeurSanders x @WillShep20
📺: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/Kp7z5re6hV
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 28, 2024
While many thought he could be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Sanders is no longer in play for the top selection. The Tennessee Titans have locked in on drafting Cameron Ward. More importantly, the Cleveland Browns (picking second overall) and the New York Giants (picking third overall) have added multiple quarterbacks this offseason. Reportedly, they plan on using their top pick on other needs.
Therefore, the highest Sanders could go is ninth overall to the New Orleans Saints. However, many believe they would take Jaxson Dart over the former Colorado star if they select a quarterback. The Pittsburgh Steelers (at 21st overall) could draft Sanders, but they might address another need. While it seems unlikely on paper, Sanders might need a team to trade into Day 1 of the draft to keep him from slipping into the second round.
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Unfortunately, Burden had a disappointing 2024 season. He finished with 61 receptions for 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, the former Missouri star sits among excellent SEC company. Burden is one of six wide receivers to play in the SEC as a freshman or sophomore to total over 1,200 receiving yards.
Here is the list of every SEC WR to post 1,200 or more rec. yards during their freshman or sophomore season:
Ja'Marr Chase - 1,780
Alshon Jeffery - 1,517
Mike Evans - 1,394
Jerry Jeudy - 1,315
A.J. Brown - 1,252
Luther Burden - 1,212— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 11, 2025
Many had the former Missouri star as their No. 1 wide receiver in the draft class heading into the 2024 season. Unfortunately, his poor performance impacted his ranking. Yet, most January mock drafts had Burden coming off the board in the first round. However, with Matthew Golden’s impressive pre-draft process, Burden could slip out of the first round of the NFL Draft.
While he could still be a first-round pick, Burden likely slides into the second round. Unfortunately, the depth of the wide receiver class will likely lead to teams waiting until Day 2 to add a pass catcher. However, the former Missouri star likely won’t have a long wait on Friday night, with the New York Giants (picking 34th overall) and the Tennessee Titans (picking 35th overall) having a massive need at the wide receiver position.
Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
A few years ago, many NFL general managers were reluctant to spend a first-round pick on a guard. However, offensive line play has become so critical that teams will use a Day 1 pick anywhere on the line. Booker was outstanding at Alabama, starting at guard since his freshman year in 2022.
Some scouts have described his leadership skills as some of the best in school history to come out of Alabama. However, Booker’s draft stock has been slipping. He was once a potential top-15 pick, coming off the board as early as 10th overall to the Chicago Bears. Unfortunately, many offensive line-needy teams addressed their problems in free agency.
Furthermore, Grey Zabel and Donovan Jackson have passed Booker in many guard rankings because of their abilities to play multiple spots on the offensive line. Zabel can also play center, while Jackson played left tackle during Ohio State’s playoff run last year. While Booker might slide into the second round, he will start as a rookie.
Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss
Nolen was the No. 1 player in the 2022 high school class. He started his college career at Texas A&M. However, the former top high school recruit failed to make a difference, totaling 66 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and five sacks in 22 games with the Aggies. Yet, Nolen had a bounce-back year in his lone season at Ole Miss.
The talented defensive lineman had a career season in 2024, showing off his physical pass-rush abilities. Nolen finished with 48 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks in 13 games. He led the team in tackles for a loss and fumble recoveries (two). While many think Nolen is a first-round talent, some have off-the-field concerns.
My favorite rep from Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen, who unloads on SoCar LT Josiah Thompson pic.twitter.com/MdvrZvDpTK
— Eric Froton (@CFFroton) April 8, 2025
Reportedly, some NFL scouts believe Nolen has maturity concerns. Usually, maturity issues aren’t a massive concern for teams. However, the draft class is loaded with talented defensive linemen. Nolen’s maturity concerns might be enough for him to slide into the second round, especially with Derrick Harmon and Darius Alexander on the fringe Day 1 line.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
While the running back position is the deepest unit in the 2025 NFL Draft, the edge rusher group is right behind them. Abdul Carter is the clear-cut edge rusher and a top-4 pick. Meanwhile, seven other edge rushers could come off the board on Day 1 of the draft, including Pearce.
Last year, Pearce had 13 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks, leading Tennessee in both categories. Furthermore, he had 15 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks in 2023, leading the team in both metrics and the SEC in sacks. However, some mock drafts have the former Tennessee star sliding out of the first round because of off-the-field issues.
Pearce was charged with speeding, driving on a suspended license, and other violations in December 2023. Furthermore, some NFL executives believe he has a lazy attitude, with one claiming the Tennessee football program was happy to see Pearce leave after last season. Unfortunately, these concerns could cost him on draft night, especially with the depth of the edge rusher class.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
The 2025 NFL Draft class has multiple positions loaded with talent. However, the linebacker position is arguably the weakest group in the draft class. Yet, Campbell is the clear-cut top linebacker in the class and has been a first-round pick in most mock drafts, including some with him coming off the board inside the top 15 picks.
Some mock drafts had Campbell coming off the board as early as ninth overall by the New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, he is likelier to slip into the second round of the NFL Draft than get picked in the top 10. Campbell didn’t participate in Alabama’s Pro Day after undergoing labrum surgery on his left shoulder following the NFL Combine.
Reportedly, some teams fear Campbell won’t be ready for training camp and could even miss the start of the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Carson Schwesinger has improved his draft stock and could be a late first-round pick. No one should be surprised if Campbell slides into Day 2 while Schwesinger comes off the board in the final few picks of the first round.
Mel Kiper said he heard multiple times that 2nd round is a possibility for Jihaad Campbell
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 4, 2025
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