Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay.
From a Colorado two-way star to a Texas Tech running back, here are five players we are tracking:
Has Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter picked his position?
On Thursday, NFL.com listed Hunter (6-foot-1,185 pounds) as a defensive back for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, scheduled Feb. 24-March 3 in Indianapolis.
The 2024 Heisman winner may realize he can’t play CB/WR extensively in the NFL. Committing to corner may be the right choice for Hunter, who had four interceptions and 11 passes defended in 13 games in 2024.
“His athleticism, length and ball instincts are why he’s here, and those traits give him a sky-high ceiling as a cornerback,” wrote The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who rated Hunter his No. 1 prospect on his updated big board.
According to Tankathon’s projections, the New England Patriots will take Hunter with pick No. 4.
Miami’s Cam Ward could be cementing himself as the draft’s QB1
In a recent poll from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, four of six scouts tabbed Ward as the best QB in the class. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders was second with two votes.
Some talent evaluators have concerns about Ward (6-foot-2, 223 pounds). A scouting director told Zenitz, “What makes him great can be his detriment.”
The scout was likely referring to Ward’s tendency to hold the ball too long. Per Pro Football Focus, he averaged 2.93 seconds to throw in 13 starts in 2024, which tied for 136th in the FBS (300-plus dropbacks).
Ward must develop a quicker release, but QB-needy teams may bet on his playmaking ability. He led the FBS in touchdown passes (39) in 2024. In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates has the New York Giants taking Ward with pick No. 3.
Keep an eye on Toledo D-lineman Darius Alexander at the scouting combine
On Tuesday, Alexander — who had eight tackles for loss in 12 games in 2024 — accepted his invite to the NFL Scouting Combine.
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, O-linemen named Alexander the top D-lineman. His stock could continue to skyrocket if he tests well at the combine.
“Darius Alexander has the potential to become a solid every-down defensive tackle at the next level,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder in a recent scouting report. “He’s an impressive run defender who can defeat one-on-one blocks with his strength at the point of attack and can stay in his gap against double teams.”
Tankathon’s latest mock draft has the Kansas City Chiefs taking Alexander (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) with pick No. 66 in the second round.
Louisville’s Tyler Shough could be a sleeper QB
“There aren’t four quarterbacks in this draft class more gifted with NFL tools than Louisville QB Tyler Shough,” wrote The Ringer’s Todd McShay on his X account Tuesday.
Per Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, defensive backs voted Shough (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) the National team’s top QB during the week of practice. In 12 starts in 2024, he completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 3,195 yards and 23 TDs.
Shough turns 26 on Sept. 28, but teams may view his age as a positive. Older prospects, including Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix, have thrived in the NFL. In his rookie season in 2024, Nix, 24, finished with the league’s sixth-most TD passes (29 in 17 regular-season games).
Still, teams probably shouldn’t use a first- or second-round pick on Shough, who seems injury-prone. He broke his collarbone and fibula during his seven-year college career at Texas Tech, Oregon and Louisville.
Texas Tech RB Tahj Brooks says he ‘crushed’ interview with NFC team
Last offseason, the New York Giants let RB Saquon Barkley sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. They probably regret that decision after Barkley and Co. won Super Bowl LIX.
To replace Barkley, New York could target an RB in the draft, perhaps Brooks (5-foot-10, 230 pounds).
In a piece published Thursday, Brooks told The Draft Network’s Justin Melo he “crushed” his interview with the Giants at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Brooks could give the Giants more spark after they finished 23rd in the league in rushing yards (104.9) in 2024. In 11 games during his senior season, he ran for 1,505 yards and 17 TDs on 286 carries.
