2025 NFL Draft Sleeper Picks

All the eyes are on guys like Cam Ward and Travis Hunter when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft. One of the two players is expected to hear his name called first when the 2025 NFL draft gets underway on April 24 in the Titletown District of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

For every Ward, Hunter, and other expected first-round draft picks, there will be a number of surprises. Guys that kind of flew under the radar. They may have played at a smaller school or even the Division II or III level. Some guys may be transfers who had a great final season in college football.

Whatever the case, there are a handful of guys that are not on the typical NFL draft fan’s radar. Some of those players are going to make great pros. There might even be a Joe Montana (third round) or Tom Brady (sixth round) among these 2025 NFL draft sleepers.

Bhaysul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech

The NFL combine really helped Tuten’s case in this year’s draft. Tuten ran for 1,159 yards, averaged 6.3 yards per carry, and scored 15 touchdowns last season for the Hokies. Still, in a pretty strong running back class, Tuten was more of an afterthought. That is, until he ran the 40 at the NFL combine. 

Tuten is a compact 5-9, 206 pounds and he clocked a blazing 4.32 in the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. It was the fastest of all the running backs at the combine. Tuten showed off his explosiveness with a 40.5-inch vertical jump and 10-10 broad jump. He likely turned himself from an undrafted free agent to a Day 3 draft pick.

Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State 

It was 2019 when Nash entered college at San Jose State. He was a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who eventually started six games under center for the Spartans in 2021. Just two seasons later, Nash became one of the top receivers in the Mountain West. Last year, he ended up No. 2 in the nation in receptions (104) and receiving yards (1,382). He also led the nation in touchdown catches with 16. 

Nash is big – 6-2½, 205 – and has all the tools that will make him a solid NFL wide receiver. He ran the 40 in 4.57 at the combine. He compares to guys like Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Both didn’t have blazing 40 times, but they run great routes, and they are physical when asked to block. That may keep Nash in the league for a very long time. Don’t be surprised if he is a Day 2 pick.

Jared Wilson, IOL, Georgia

Wilson’s athleticism is just too much to pass up. He is 6-3½ and weighs in at 310. At the combine, he ran 4.84 in the 40-yard dash. That is moving for a guy his size. Wilson bounced around playing guard at Georgia in 2022 and 2023 before moving to center and taking over the starting job last season.

Wilson is a one-year starter, but the athletic ability and playing at a high level in 2024 is going to get him on a lot of draft boards on Day 3. He’ll play center in the NFL, but he probably will be more of a developmental player before he eventually becomes a starter.

CJ West, DT, Indiana

West is the prototypical run-clogging nose-guard in an odd front defense. He’s got plenty of experience. He started for three seasons at Kent State and then last season at Indiana. He was a big part of why the Hoosiers finished No. 2 in the nation in run defense. 

West measured in at 6-1 and 316 pounds at the NFL combine. He then proceeded to wow scouts with an impressive 4.95 in the 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 33-inch vertical jump. West had 25 quarterback pressures last season in addition to his run-stopping ability. The whole package should help West end up as a Day 3 draft pick.

Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville

Quarterbacks are always the hot topic come draft time. Franchise quarterbacks are hard to find. Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and possibly Jaxson Dart could be among the first 10 or so picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Each year, though, a couple of later round QB picks always seem to shine.

Consider Brock Purdy going from Mr Irrelevant (last man drafted) to starter with the San Francisco 49ers. That could be Shough, who played last year at Louisville. Shough will be 26 in September. He’s old enough that he was Justin Herbert’s backup at Oregon. He was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence. 

Shough played seven seasons of college football. He struggled through some injuries, but he is big (6-5, 220) and has some athletic ability. He ran the 40 in 4.63 at the combine. He’s got plenty of experience and that should help him become a Day 3 pick.