With Day One of the NFL Draft rapidly approaching, ‘Draft-fever’ is quickly spreading, and fans are itching to find out what their team will do come draft night.
Mock drafts are piling up, and debates are being had across the nation about who the best players are, but here at Vavel we want to tell you about some prospects who aren’t at the forefront of the media, who might not go on day one and yet could massively impact the team that chooses them.
So, here are 10 underrated players in the class of 2025
Nick Emmanwori, Safety, South Carolina
Standing at 6”3 and weighing 220 lbs, South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori is an athletic specimen. He has ideal length, speed and ball skills and has a high football IQ.
Many analysts have Emmanwori as the second-best safety in the draft, behind Georgia’s Malaki Starks, however, a successful combine and versatility mean he very well could be better than Starks at the next level.
Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
At quick, strong and versatile offensive lineman, Savaiinaea can be a force at the next level, and a starter for any team in years to come. Despite playing mostly at tackle for the Arizona Wildcats, he has the skills to stick it at guard too.
He fits perfectly for any power-rushing offence and has the skills to be a starter as early as his rookie season. No team can have too much depth at O-Line and Savaiinaea would be a great choice.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
After initially being labelled a solid day two player, Hairston cemented himself as a top corner in this year’s draft after an outstanding combine, in which he put up the fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.28 seconds. But even without his elite speed, he has good hands and is tough in one-on-one situations.
Hairston would be a great pick up for a team looking to boost their secondary and has even been picked by some to sneak into the first round.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Henderson was a key offensive component in Ohio State’s CFB Championship win in 2024, despite the fact that he shared the load with Quinshon Judkins. Other running backs such as Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton are getting more attention and look to be shoe ins for a day one selection. However, days two and three boast a plethora of good running backs, all of whom will be very capable at the next level; Henderson though, could be the best of the bunch.
He has great speed and athleticism, can hit top speed in an instant and break off big runs with ease. Although he may lack the size to be a three-down back in the NFL, teams cannot underestimate Henderson could sneak under the radar and get key touches in his first season.
Landon Jackson, EDGE, Arkansas
Jackson is another prospect who flew up draft boards after an immense draft combine performance, with some even predicting him to go at the end of the first round.
At the combine, he ranked second amongst defensive ends in the athleticism drills and set the combine alight with his vertical and broad jump.
Jackson is well rounded and will elevate any team’s D-Line.
Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
Alexander was a late bloomer and will be 25 in his rookie season. However, a pretty good combine and Senior Bowl performance has teams taking notice. He’s a powerful run defender, with the ability to beat opponents in one-on-one situations, and can collapse the pocket with his strong bullrush in the passing game.
Alexander has the potential to be an every-down starter at the next level and could be a great choice on day two or three.
Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Bech is a rangy receiver with good length and jumping ability, meaning he can go up and compete against any DB. His physicality and vertical are probably two of his best attributes but he also has great hands and command of his routes.
Teams will be eyeing up Bech in days two and three and he could end up being a quality second or third option in the future.
Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Grant only picked up football aged 18 and yet is quickly becoming a draft target for many teams. The former High-School wrestler uses his background to help him block well in the run game.
He is productive and athletic, with good footwork and speed. Add to this great length and technique and you very quickly begin to see why Grant has been flying up draft boards, despite playing at a lower level than most other prospects.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Whilst other day two quarterbacks are making more noise than McCord in the lead up to this year’s draft, such as Will Howard, Jalen Milroe and Riley Leonard, McCord is quietly making a name for himself as a good pick for teams looking to develop a young QB.
McCord has decent arm strength, decision-making and IQ to go alongside great fundamentals and resilience make him a fairly good backup option who has decent upside.
Bhayshul Tuten, HB, Virginia Tech
A great draft combine showing from Virginia Tech’s Bhaysul Tuten saw him go from unheard of to becoming one of our underrated picks in this year’s class.
Tuten is rapid and is shifty in the open field. Whilst he may lack in pass blocking and receiving right now, his home-run speed and sharp cuts will put pressure on any NFL defense over the course of a season.
The NFL Draft begins on Thursday 24th April in Green Bay, with these players and more hoping to stamp their authority on the league.
