Top-50 NFL Prospects of the Last 5 Years
- Zak Drapeau
- 5 days ago
- 15 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
I have been covering the NFL Draft process and the Prospects involved for over 5 years now and in that time I have kept expansive spreadsheets in ranking every prospect based on their athletic ability, position skill, future potential and basement floor as a pro.
With the 2025 NFL Draft set to add new NFL players and future integral pieces to teams in only 9 days, I thought it'd be a good idea to showcase some of the top incoming players by showing just where they stack up against prospects of the past to show spectators how good they are and how this class stacks up to to others.
The basics are this, the 2025 class...
Is weaker than most
Has shortcomings in QB, OL and SAF
Is the best DT class I've ever seen
Has a weak Top-25 but a VERY STRONG 25-50
Along with talking points about this year's class I also thought it would interest viewers to see some breakdowns of the entire Top-50 which are...
Top Colleges
Bama -7
LSU -5
Mich -3
Oreg -3
UGA -3
PSU -3
OSU -3
And Position
QB -11
RB -2
WR -8
TE -3
OT -4
IOL -3
DT -3
Edge -8
LB -0
CB -7
SAF -1
I want to make clear these are the rankings based on my OWN raankings every year and was assembled weeks ago based on every season's final Big Board. My 2025 Final 150 Big Board will be releasing April 23rd before the 2025 NFL Draft.
Keep an eye out for these players from THIS YEAR' CLASS that made the cut...
2025 Prospects
Travis Hunter
Abdul Carter
Ashton Jeanty
Mason Graham
Will Johnson
Tyler Warren
Tetairoa McMillan
Will Campbell
Jahdae Barron
Jihaad Campbell
Top-50 Prospects of the Last 5 Years
1. Trevor Lawrence QB
Clemson #1 2021
Lawrence's NFL career might may be at a tipping point after signing a $275 Million contract just last season but he is without doubt the best Pre-Draft prospect of the last 5 years. After being a #2 prospect out of high school, Lawrence thre for over 10,000 yards and 90 TDs at Clemson while winning a Natty. He was easily the #1 pick in the 2021 Draft and remains the #1 prospect since then.
2. Will Anderson ED
Alabama #1 2023
The best Non-QB prospect, Will Anderson destroyed opposing O-lines and Quarterbacks while at Alabama. He would go on to win 2 Nagurski, a Bednarik and a Lombardi Trophy in that time along with 2 All-American honors. Anderson was the #3 pick in the 2023 class only because he isn't a Quarterback and even then I'm sure the Panthers are still kicking themselves.
3. Caleb Williams QB
USC #1 2024
The most recent #1 pick, Caleb Williams was going to be the #1 pick in his draft class ever since his freshman season at Oklahoma. The Heisman winner in 2022, Williams actually had better stats than Trevor Lawrence and was a different QB as an improvisor with mobility. Williams had some minor concerns about his character and was only a 4-star recruit out of High School. Nonetheless, Williams is easily one of the most hyped up prospects since 2021.
4. Marvin Harrison Jr. WR
Ohio State #2 2024
Don't let a subpar rookie season make you forget about how elite a prospect Marvin Harrison was. The best of the best WR group we've ever seen at one college including Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka, Harrison Jr. checks every single box a Wide receiver prospect could.
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5. Travis Hunter CB/WR
Colorado #1 2025
The first of this year's class and the best of the bunch, Travis Hunter is the 5th best prospect of the last 5 years and the #1 CB. His athleticism may be unmatched this half-decade and his #2 high school ranking coupled with his Heisman trophy winner and his 2-way ability make him a near cant miss prospect. His slight downside is the unlikelihood of playing both sides in the NFL.
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6. Ja'Marr Chase WR
LSU #2 2021
To this point in our list, Ja'Marr Chase is the best NFL player and became even better than his 2021 ranking. Only behind Trevor Lawrence in this class, Chase opted-out of his final season at LSU during the "COVID year". In his sole year of starting, Chase was part of the LSU dream team along with Burrow and Jefferson that won a natty. Chase was the best player not named Joe Burrow on that team as a 20-year old true sophomore. The Bengals would somehow get him at #5 and the best QB-WR duo in the NFL was born.
7. Jalen Carter DI
Georgia #2 2023
Carter's draft stock dropped to his #9 selection because of a traffic incident after his Georgia Bulldogs won the natty in 2023. This character issue may have made teams question his maturity but absolutely NOBODY could question his talent. The #12 recruit in the 2020 High School class, Carter had incredible speed and agility for his size and captained the 2-time National Champion Bulldogs' defensive line... 2 years in a row. Carter could have easily gone in the Top-4 of this draft if not for the incident.
8. Aidan Hutchinson ED
Michigan #1 2022
The first entry of the "weaker" 2022 class, Hutchinson was a bonafide high floor edge rusher drafted #2 in the class. Ranked #193 in his high school recruiting class, Hutchinson would explode on the scene in his senior season at Michigan with 14 sacks. Matched with his ideal size for the position, Aidan Hutchinson would also dominate the NFL Combine and solidify himself as the best player in his class, (even if Travon Walker was selected before him.)
9. Trey Lance QB
N. Dakota State #3 2021
We finally get to the first bust of the list. Trey Lance was a big athletic QB from North Dakota State who had a very good season in the FCS before COVID hit. Lance had a big arm and great mobility while showing great ability not to turn the ball over after an impressive 28-0 Touchdown-to-Interception ratio his Sophomore campaign. Lance would go #3 in the draft to the 49ers who traded quite a bit to get there and has started 5 games in 4 years in the pros.
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10. Abdul Carter ED
Penn State #2 2025
The second current prospect on our list, Abdul Carter has one of the best motors I've ever seen at the position. His physicality and speed make him a complete athlete who had his best games this season against good competition. Recent minor injuries made him fall a bit and I can't help the feeling that if he was 2 inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, he may have cracked the Top-5 on this list.
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11. Kyle Pitts TE
Florida #4 2021
Pitts is the best TE prospect I've ever seen due to his size, speed and versatility. He has not shown he can be consistent in the NFL yet but if he's ever able to get to the level he showed while at Florida, NFL defenses beware.
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12. Ashton Jeanty RB
Boise State #3 2025
#3 in the 2025 class, Jeanty is BY FAR the best RB prospect we've seen on the list and is only rivaled by Saquon Barkley over the last decade. With incredible balance, speed, vision and physicality, Jeanty was snubbed of a Heisman after putting on the best statistical season of any college RB since Barry Sanders.
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13. Ahmed "Sauce" Gardner CB
Cincinnati #2 2022
Unbelievably, Gardner was the 2nd CB taken in the 2022 draft after Derek Stingley Jr... What a class. Ahmed Gardner was and is a lockdown man corner with excellent size and speed. A lack of competition in the American conference was his biggest deterrent and clearly was an oversight since he's been a Top-5 NFL corner since he came into the league.
14. Bryce Young QB
Alabama #3 2023
The #1 pick in 2023, Young had 2 incredible seasons at Alabama and a Heisman trophy in 2021. As a 6'0", Alabama QB, Young had to fight off two stigmas to make it as a #1 pick and even looked like a bust out of the gate. Bouncing back with a good sophomore season, Young may still become a force in the NFL.
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15. Mason Graham DI
Michigan #4 2025
Graham has one of the lowest floors as a pro of anyone we've covered on the list. His pass rush-run topping combo is elite for an incoming prospect and his size and athleticism will allow him to keep his production for a long time. Only his position may have him fall below the Top-5 in the draft.
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16. Drake Maye QB
N. Carolina #3 2024
At the time of his draft, Maye was a low-floor, high-potential Quarterback with a Favre-esque mystique about him. Maye was Top-50 in his high school class and his size, speed and throw power were amongst the best in the 2024 QB class, a class with 6 picks in the first 12 picks.
17. Kayvon Thibodeaux ED
Oregon #3 2022
A nasty, athletic edge rusher, Thibodeaux was the #1 recruit in the 2019 high school class. He has the ideal build for a 3-4 Edge with 3 great years of production at Oregon. Time will tell if he will ever live up to his prospect in New York.
18. Malik Nabers WR
LSU #4 2024
The 2nd receiver in the daunting 2024 class, Nabers was the best burner of the class. His 2024 season at LSU made him an All-American with 1,500+ yards and 14 TDs. Nabers took off his rookie season in New York and showed everyone how right his prospect was.
19. Joe Alt OT
Notre Dame #5 2024
Unbelievably the first O-lineman on the list, Joe Alt was the #5 pick last year and a mountain of a man at 6'8" and 322 pounds. Alt is the final player in the "almost perfect tier" and will have an incredible NFL career ahead of him.
20. Evan Neal OT
Alabama #4 2022
Neal is on his way to joining Trey Lance as a bust after 3 seasons on the Giants' O-line rotation after being selected #7. Neal's 3 seasons at Alabama saw him culminate as Bryce Young's LT but was much better at run blocking. His future in the NFL will likely coincide with his ability to transition to Guard.
21. Brock Bowers TE
Georgia #6 2024
Another "receiver" in last year's class, Bowers was an unreal prospect at Georgia but was considered too small for the position at 230 pounds. Bowers was the perfect slot weapon with size and route running while winning 2 national Championships in 3 years starting at Georgia.
22. Jaylen Waddle WR
Alabama #5 2021
Waddle is one of the most athletic and fastest WR prospects we've seen in a very long time. Unable to show off in his Junior season due to COVID, Waddle showed big play ability at Alabama and was the #6 pick in the 2021 draft.
23. Kyle Hamilton SAF
Notre Dame #5 2022
Only because of his position was Hamilton ever underrated including a #165 high school ranking and the #14 pick in the 2022 draft. At 6'4" and 215 pounds, Hamilton was the perfect combo of run stopping and coverage Safety at Notre Dame and has brought that skill to the NFL and is one of the best at his position.
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24. Will Johnson CB
Michigan #5 2025
As the fifth current prospect on the list, Will Johnson is massively underrated this year and has been shown to go as low as 15 in mock drafts. A 3 year starter and national champion, Johnson is the best zone cover CB in the draft. His speed, ball skills and intelligence will make him a true CB1 in the NFL.
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25. Derek Stingley Jr. CB
LSU #6 2022
Stingley is the most recent in line of LSU's rich DBs and was an elite prospect most of his life. The 18th prospect in his class and the #1 Corner, Stingley Jr. went #3 in the draft for his lockdown ability that also just scored him a $90 Million contract with the Texans.
26. C.J. Stroud QB
Ohio State #4 2023
The 2024 OROY C.J. Stroud was an elite 2-year starter at Ohio State at a time Ohio State QBs had a bad reputation in the NFL. Elite accuracy and great size have made him a great talent. #104 high school recruit to #2 pick in the draft is one of the best rises of any QB we'll see on the list.
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27. Tyler Warren TE
Penn State #6 2025
Tyler Warren was a high-school QB which is why he wasn't ranked Top-300 in his class. Warren's skillset and size as a Tight End makes him a cant miss prospect. Rarely if ever have we seen someone of 6'6" and 260 pounds move so well while having a nasty-streak quite like Warren's. In a TE class with almost 0 blocking ability, Warren's is very good as well.
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28. Garrett Wilson WR
Ohio State #7 2022
-17
Wilson was part of the Ohio State Wide Receiver group that will go down in history as one of the most talented in any given year. Along with Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, Garrett Wilson was the best of the bunch in 2021. As the #2 WR in his class and #1 WR at OSU, Wilson's only downfall has been his size.
29. Devon Witherspoon CB
Virginia #5 2023
Our first player not ranked in his class's ESPN 300, Devon Witherspoon would start all 3-years at Illinois and make it to pick #5 in the 2023 draft. Very undersized, Witherspoon's projection as Nickel made him drop on this list, but he has every other ability as Gardner or Stingley does on this list.
30. Penei Sewell OT
Oregon #6 2022
Sewell was a monster at Oregon after being relatively unknown in high school. At 6'5"-331 pounds, Sewell posesses strength and lateral agility that have made him at Oregon and in Detroit, the best run blocking Tackle we've seen in a very long time that made him an All-American and now an NFL All-Pro.
31. Christian Gonzalez CB
Oregon #6 2023
Falling very closely in Sewell's footsteps from unknown to All-American at Oregon, Gonzalez was not ranked coming out of High School. His blend of size and man coverage turned him into a brilliant CB prospect who fell to #17 in the draft.
32. Ikem Ekwonu IOL
N. Carolina State #8 2021
A very unknown prospect until his time at North Carolina State, Ekwonu's blend of size and agility have made him one of the rare instances of a Guard who's transitioned to Tackle. A spectacular zone blocking lineman at both positions, Ekwonu was a true diamond in the rough that made it to the #6 pick in 2021.
33. Jayden Daniels QB
LSU #7 2024
The current OROY and possibly the best young talent in the NFL, Jayden Daniels is so far down on this list because of my own discretions. Going into the NFL, I though Daniels would have severe accuracy issues and rely too heavily on his running. I have been wrong before and will be wrong again, but maybe not this much for a very long time.
34. Zach Wilson QB
BYU #7 2021
Some could say Zach Wilson fooled everyone with his BYU pro day which was the single biggest reason he made it to #7 on my 2021 rankings and #2 in the 2021 draft.
One of the greatest on the move throws ever recorded, Wilson had ridiculous throw power and really good mobility to boot. Unfortunately for him, he went to the Jets.
35. Dallas Turner ED
Alabama #8 2024
A #12 high school prospect, Turner would head to Alabama where he racked up over 22 sacks in 3 seasons. Turner is an ideal athlete with good size to boot. His draft class was one of the worst in terms of defense but he was the #1 Edge defender and was drafted #17 in a bargain for the Vikings.
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36. Tetairoa McMillan WR
Arizona #7 2025
Yet another current prospect and one with a lot of polarization to his name. McMillan has a downfall of only average separation but has A+'s in every other category. His size, speed, athleticism, zone knowledge and run after catch ability are all elite and while he'll never be a slot WR or a great WR inside 5 yards, McMillan has true gamechanger potential.
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37. Will Campbell IOL
LSU #8 2025
Another polarizing prospect, Campbell is the best lineman in this year's class and has been straight out of high school. A 3-year starter at LSU in the SEC, Campbell's strengths in pass blocking and run blocking are only matched by his athleticism. If his arms were 1.5 inches longer, we'd be talking about Campbell in the Top-10.
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38. Jordan Davis DI
Georgia #9 2022
Unranked out of high school, Davis was thought to be too big and unathletic to be great. A Lombardi Trophy later and scoits have been kicking themselves. At 6'6" and 315 out of high school, Davis has always been an elite run stopper but added some freakish speed and pass rush in his senior year at Georgia making him the best NT prospects seen in these last 5 years.
39. Justin Fields QB
Ohio State #8 2021
-1 In a class that included Trevor Lawrence, Fields is the ninth QB on the list and the 4th of his own class. Fields was a dominant dual threat in high school that made him #1 in his high school class and a 2-year Heisman finalist at Ohio State. Profiting from the unbelievable talent at OSU that year, Fields' best season saw him responsible for 51 TDs but drop to 27 his final season which pushed him down the list.
40. Tyree Wilson ED
Texas Tech #7 2023
A story of athletic testing, Tyree Wilson was unranked out of high school and never scored more than 7 sacks a season for a lowly Texas Tech program. His Pro Day and tape showed one of the most explosive edge prospects that year with elite size and length. Wilson was the perfect prospect to take as a project because of his freak upside. Too bad for Vegas he hasn't found it yet.
41. Devonta Smith WR
Alabama #9 2021
-227I've made claims of players being Top-5 worthy if they were an inch taller or 15 pounds heavier in this list and that will never be more true than Devonta Smith. At 6' and 170 pounds, Smith had as good a season in 2020 as any WR ever. National Champion, Heisman, Biletnikoff, All-American and the WR Triple-Crown, Smith also shredded Ohio State in the national championship as a cherry on top of his perfect season.
42. Micah Parsons ED
Penn State #10 2021
The #7 prospect in the 2018 high school class, Parsons is one of the twitchiest and pro-ready high school prospects we've ever seen. At Penn State, Parsons used his speed and agility to make Tackles look as if they were standing still. He was a bit undersized and lacked production in college and for that dropped well below his true talent level on this list.
43. Anthony Richardson QB
Florida #8 2023
-183"Low-Floor, High Potential has never been more true. Richardson only had one starting season at Florida but showed unbelievable big play ability along with a "Cam Newton-esque" size and mobility. His threat as a passer had potential especially with the deep ball, but his intermediate decision making and accuracy dropped him to 43 as well as stunted his growth in the NFL... predictably.
44. Mac Jones QB
Alabama #11 2021
-NR Alabama football between 2008 and 2023 will remain the greatest dynasty in College Football possibly forever. During this dynasty, the program had no better Quarterback than Mac Jones and if that doesn't earn him a place on the list I don't know what does.
45. Rome Odunze WR
Washington #9 2024
Another member of the 2024 receiving class, Rome Odunze was a late riser with true X potential in the NFL. At 6'4 with lightning-fast cuts and great hands, Odunze had the right size and athleticism for the position. A scheme-dependent college career and limited versatility hindered his potential on my rankings.
46. Charles Cross OT
Mississippi State #10 2022
Only the 4th OT prospect on the list, Cross was a Top-10 OL recruit in his high school class then went on to Mississippi State where he turned an average sophomore season into an elite junior year. As both a run blocker and pass blocker, Cross showed elite speed and agility. If he had tested with better power and had more than one good year as starter he could've been Top-25.
47. Laiatu Latu ED
UCLA #10 2024
Ranked only #234 in his high school class, Latu also battled injuries for which he medically retired from Washington. When he came back and transferred to UCLA, Latu showed 2 of the best pure pass rushing seasons we've seen in much longer than these 5 years. His athletic testing was subpar and a propensity for injuries weren't enough to keep Latu's pass rush repertoire off of this list.
48. Bijan Robinson RB
Texas #9 2023
Only the second RB on the list, Robinson is one of the best athletes on this list and even better than Ashton Jeanty. If he had more than one great season at Texas to show off his ability he could be pushing the former for his spot as RB1.
49. Peter Skoronski IOL
Washington #10 2023
Take everything from Will Campbell's entry but with one less year starting against a slightly lower competition and you have Skoronski. While Campbell still could be an NFL Tackle, Skoronski never truly had a chance at anything besides Guard.
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50. Jahdae Barron CB
Texas #9 2025
At #50, we have the ninth and final current prospect and the 2nd best Nickel corner on this list. Barron's captaincy at Texas this past season showed true leadership as well as ball hawking and man coverage. If only Barron had the size to be an NFL boundary corner but nonethless, still makes the list.
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Honorable Mentions:
Olu Fashanu, Penn State OT, 2024
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama LB, 2025
Will Levis, Kentucky QB, 2023
Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State Edge, 2022
Patrick Surtain II, Alabama CB, 2021
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 NFL Draft every day. CHAOS MOCK DRAFT dropping 4/17.
-Z.D.
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