Three-pack of 2025 NFL prospects

The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of prospects to pay attention to this season.

RB Devin Neal, Kansas 

• 5-foot-11 208 lbs
• 2023 stats: 203 carries for 1,280 yards and 16 touchdowns. 

What to like about Devin Neal

Devin Neal is an explosive athlete who can get to the outside against defenders and is able to get to his top gear quickly. He is a reliable pass catcher who can run several different routes from the backfield or from the slot. He is a creative running back who uses vision and has the cut back ability to set up big plays. Neal has outstanding vision and has a good feel when to use his blocks and when to accelerate through the holes. He is exceptional in the open field and runs like a water bug and is difficult to corral. 

Reason for concern

Neal has balance issues when he gets contacted early on or at the line of scrimmage. Neal lacks the power of a normal 215 lb. back and relies more on his speed than dropping his shoulder. He is not a pure pass blocker and tends to try and cut a defender instead of taking him on head-to-head. He has a tendency to try and bounce runs outside earlier than he should, and loses possible yards up the gut. 

Draft Projection

Third-round pick 

QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

• 6-foot-2 215 lbs
• 2023 stats: 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns 3 interceptions 

What to like about Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders is an athletic quarterback who knows how to progress in the pocket when he feels pressure. He is excellent at the quick, short passing game and has a lightning release when executing. He has advanced passing mechanics with a straight over the top motion that he repeats on each throw. 

Sanders has the “it” factor when leading and has the poise and confidence of a veteran. He is a student of the game and at Jackson State, he showed a talent for calling out blitzes and knowing where his hot routes were at all times. He is comfortable running when needed and has the ability to pick up big yards. Though Jackson State had a unique, spread offense, he was accurate in his passes and progressions.

Reason for concern

Sanders will be under a microscope to prove that he can throw in an NFL type offense. Much of his success has dealt with short, quick passes. Sanders' deep ball can hang up too long and it isn’t as polished as his quick throws. He holds the ball awkwardly when leaving the pocket and has already fumbled an alarming 19 times in his career. He has good mechanics in his upper body throwing the ball, but his footwork can be suspect at times. He tends to throw using all upper body and not using his legs to drive the ball through. 

Draft Projection

Shedeur Sanders is on the pre-season short list of quarterbacks who could go No.1 overall. His father, NFL great and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has already made remarks about Shedeur not going to just any team who drafts him. This will add drama as the draft order unfolds and what teams he “wants” to play for. 

S Rod Moore, Michigan

• 6-foot-0 198 lbs
• 2023 stats: 38 tackles, 2 interceptions

What to like about Rod Moore

Rod Moore’s biggest asset is his instincts. He is quick to sniff out a run and seems to take all the right angles well to get to the ball carrier. In the passing game he recognizes routes early, plays downhill and reads the quarterback's eyes efficiently. When the ball is in the air, Moore gets his head around and finds the ball and uses his soft hands to corral it. He’s a playmaker in the secondary who can take a pick to the house. As an athlete, Moore plays fluidly, getting in and out of his backpedal with little effort. He has enough speed to mirror wide receivers on crossing patterns.

Reason for concern

Moore can be overaggressive on long passes and can be grabby at times when he is challenged. Bigger receivers have had big games against him and he can be bullied on 50/50 passes. When playing man-to-man he tends to give too much room and tries to instead bait passers to make the throw. In the NFL, he will have to learn to play a tighter man-to-man as quarterbacks can win with arm strength, getting the pass to their target in a hurry. He is a willing run stopper but has issues with bigger receivers and running backs blocking him.

Draft Projection

Third-round pick