NFL Draft
4/4/25
8 min read
Sleeper 2025 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Be Selected Higher Than Anyone Expects
The 2025 NFL Draft has superstar names dominating media attention, but the real football sickos will be learning about the top sleepers soon enough. Being in the right place at the right time matters more for later-round picks, as teams don't give as many chances to Day 3 picks compared to first-rounders.
However, a handful of individuals will always emerge as valuable building blocks for a successful team.
Some prospects look completely different in the NFL, whether it's because they're late bloomers, in difficult situations, or because they've found a new gear. What evaluators have to consider is whether the athleticism is there to thrive in a specific role and if they have the right personality to continue grinding. It's a complex job when coaching staff fluctuate so often, and there is limited access to someone's inner workings and motivations.
Even with the challenge outlined, I've taken the task of identifying top sleeper candidates in the 2025 NFL Draft. These six players are unanimously ranked outside of the top 100 prospects across the web and are not expected to be picked no earlier than late Day 2. However, their traits and certain production metrics project especially well.
Each is an especially good candidate to be considered a steal in coming years and should have been drafted much higher than they were.
Top Sleeper Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
CJ West, DT, Indiana
Transferring from Kent State to Indiana was supposed to give CJ West a challenge, but the 6-foot-1, 315-pound nose tackle dominated the Big Ten instead of struggling. The middle man of the revamped Hoosiers was a menace as a run-stopper, earning one of the top PFF grades in the nation by dominating interior blockers. The key to his NFL stock is how translatable his pass-rush production is to the next level.
He logged only two sacks, but his 25 quarterback pressures were much more promising in comparison. There's a good chance West can be in line for a Poona Ford or Tershawn Wharton-like career where he'll get upfield and be more disruptive when isolated on guards or centers. The reason to believe that is that he tested as one of the most athletic defensive tackles in a class loaded with options.
All of West's combine scores were elite, and accomplishing that with his dense frame is extremely valuable. I wish his arm length were better than 31.5 inches, but he's the classic bruiser inside with enough quickness and closing ability to be an effective starter on the right unit.
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
This time last year, Quincy Riley was coming off a tremendous season and was thought to be a potential first-round pick in 2025. He allowed an NFL passer rating of only 37.2, which was the third-lowest of his career. Best yet, though, was his tackling efficiency, hitting a much more palatable level of almost 90 percent.
Riley's game seemed to be rounding out in a way that projected to be like Jaire Alexander's. Instead, though, he returned for a disappointing senior season in which a lot went wrong. His missed tackle rate more than doubled, and his passer rating allowed was easily the worst of his career. His usage didn't change, but he had an off year.
Instead of selling stock, I'm buying the dip on Riley. The film was still good, even if two bad games skewed key stats. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder then ran a 4.48 40 at the combine and solidified he'll have more than enough explosiveness to succeed in the NFL. Riley may need a more zone-based scheme to fit in, but he'll add major ball skills that led to eight interceptions and 27 pass breakups to a unit.
Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
Injuries and limited opportunities kept Demetrius Knight from breaking out until he transferred to Charlotte in 2023 and then to South Carolina in 2024. The last two years have been truly phenomenal, though. Knight was a relative unknown until 2023, but he's become the third-best linebacker in this class.
Standing 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Knight is twitched up like a modern-day safety. He plays fast and relentlessly, leading to impact plays and giving up a certain upside on third downs that average NFL linebackers don't have. His comfort in man and zone coverage can make him a special starter in a position where it's extremely hard to stand out.
Knight must show he can be that well-rounded consistently, as he only broke out as a fantastic, reliable run-stopper in 2024, and his coverage effectiveness was better in 2023 than this past season. Despite his time spent in college, he's somewhat inexperienced in playing at a high level. With this class lacking many options beyond Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker, Knight should be the next man up.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten looks like a super-sub back who needs a power option to complement him, but the 5-foot-9, 206-pounder is a superb athlete who is too good to take off the field often. He effortlessly dominated his competition in the ACC after transferring from North Carolina A&T and actually became more explosive despite the jump in opponent quality.
Even in a standout group of rushers, Tuten's movement ability is remarkable. He blazed a 4.32 40 to go with an elite 40.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-10-inch broad jump. Combining his elite measurables with his sixth-best yards after-contact per carry rate and breakaway rate reveals a high-end prospect who is being undervalued through this draft process.
With there being so many backs available in this class, it's possible Tuten gets pushed into Day 3. Even if he ends up as a platoon back, he'll be among the most dangerous threats every time he's on the field.
Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)
If you're only looking at raw stats, there's not much reason to believe that Tyler Baron was any better at Miami in 2024 than he had been at Tennessee in previous seasons. However, the change in teams allowed Baron to be a full-time edge defender for the first time since 2021, as opposed to playing various gap assignments over the guard or directly over the tackle as a 5-technique. The result was Baron's consistency and explosiveness were more on display.
Baron's speed off the edge is one of the most impressive traits in the entire class, and he has four seasons of quality pass-rush productivity to back that he's more than a workout warrior. His combine was fantastic, showing off with a 4.62 40 to go with elite jumping numbers at almost 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. Despite the good film, stats, and traits, Baron is rarely mentioned as a potential NFL starter.
Baron's run defense and missed tackle rate are only average, but quibbling over that aspect of his game is misguided when other similar prospects are not getting the same knocks. His high-end strengths will earn him a role.
Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
How far under the radar should a 6-foot-2, 203-pound receiver who produced 104 receptions, 1,382 yards, and 16 touchdowns be? Nick Nash's career journey was fascinating after starting his career as a quarterback. He caught on more as a receiver in 2023 and quickly became a dangerous playmaker with his size and power.
He's not an overly dynamic downfield threat, but he fits the profile of guys like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as bigger-bodied receivers who can win inside and out. Being a reliable big slot is incredibly valuable as offenses continue to embrace chess pieces that can stay on the field regardless of formation.
Nash's elite catch rate during the last two years (<6%), contested catch rate in 2024 (50%), and overall reliability make him the top Day 3 candidate to explode early in his career.
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