Twenty NFL draft prospects I hated leaving off my updated top-50 board

Throughout the next six months, the 2025 NFL Draft class will take heat for its lack of true blue-chip prospects at the top, most notably at quarterback. But the depth of this draft class is promising — and I was reminded of that by the number of players who just missed my updated top 50 .

I could have added a dozen more names to the list below, but here are 20 prospects I hated leaving off my board:

Drew Allar , QB, Penn State

If he declares, it won't be surprising if ultimately Allar is drafted in the top 50, because of his toolsy skill set. But I would love to see him return to school and get another year of experience under his belt (assuming Penn State spends some NIL money at wide receiver).

Quinn Ewers , QB, Texas

Like Allar, Ewers has the talent to entice a team into drafting him in the top 50, especially with several high-profile games coming up for the Longhorns . How he performs against Texas A&M's defensive front and into the playoffs will strongly influence his projection.

TreVeyon Henderson , RB, Ohio State

His vision and tempo as an inside runner aren't always consistent, but Henderson has the acceleration to create big plays any time he touches the rock (he has really shined with Chip Kelly's pin-pull blocking concepts). His versatility as a blocker and pass catcher gives him a clear path to NFL playing time.

Quinshon Judkins , RB, Ohio State

Since he's averaging just 11.8 carries per game in 2024, Judkins is often overeager to make a big play when the ball is in his hands. But when he stays patient and reads the blocking geometry, he can gash the defense and run through tackle attempts at the second level using his contact balance.

Tre Harris , WR, Ole Miss

Harris isn't going to wow with his athletic profile, which is the main reason he didn't make my top 50, but his ability to play through contact and make grabs over defensive backs will serve him well at the next level. Hopefully, he can get back on the field soon after missing the last month with an injury.

Elijah Arroyo , TE, Miami

Although he isn't a high-volume pass catcher in the Hurricanes' offense, Arroyo does a lot with his targets — he's averaging 20.2 yards per reception (no other college tight end is above 17.0). He is also a better run blocker than you'd expect for his size (listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds).

Harold Fannin Jr. , TE, Bowling Green

The only tight end in college football with six games of 100-plus receiving yards, Fannin not only has dominated MAC competition, he also showed out against Penn State and Texas A&M. There is stiffness in his movements, but Fannin is straight-line explosive with natural receiving skills.

Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

With his length (35 5/8-inch arms) and movement skills, Grant has a terrific foundation to develop into an NFL starting tackle. That said, although his tape is strong, he primarily has faced FCS competition. If he performs at a high level during Senior Bowl one-on-ones, Grant will be a top-50 pick.

Marcus Mbow , OT/G, Purdue

There aren't many reasons for scouts to watch Purdue this season, but Mbow is an exception. After starting at right guard as a redshirt freshman, he has shifted out to right tackle the past two seasons, although a move back inside might be in his NFL future. Regardless, his athleticism is the reason he's in the top-60 conversation.

Parker Brailsford , C, Alabama

There are times when Brailsford's lack of size shows up (see the 2024 Tennessee tape). But the lasting takeaways from his tape are his range and movement skills. The fact that this is a lackluster center class might factor into his decision whether to go pro or return to Tuscaloosa.

Donovan Ezeiruaku , Edge, Boston College

Ezeiruaku (6-2, 245) is undersized for what most NFL teams desire at the edge position. He is better against the run than expected, though, and his bread and butter will be his speed — and his knack for giving blockers the slip as a pass rusher.

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Princely Umanmielen , Edge, Ole Miss

Having received early Day 3 draft grades after his final season at Florida, Umanmielen passed on the NFL for the NIL money at Ole Miss and a chance to boost his projection. He has done that, thanks to his ability to affect the quarterback. Umanmielen has a combined 17 pressures over the last three games.

Jordan Burch , Edge, Oregon

Considering Burch is a fifth-year senior, you'd wish he showed more polish as a pass rusher and finisher. But at 294 pounds, with his movement skills and power at contact, NFL teams will happily roll the dice on his package of traits once the draft moves to Day 2.

LT Overton , DT, Alabama

There are more hills and valleys on Overton's tape than you'd like to see, but he has the talent to become an impact defensive lineman in the NFL. The former five-star Texas A&M recruit absolutely could end up as a top-50 pick.

Shemar Turner , DT, Texas A&M

With his menacing play personality, Turner uses strong, active hands and explosiveness through his hips to make plays in the backfield. Inconsistent gap integrity and finishing skills create sloppy moments on tape, but Turner is a player you want as part of your defensive line rotation.

T.J. Sanders , DT, South Carolina

I feel confident saying the Gamecocks have one of the top three defensive lines in the entire country, and Sanders is one of the key reasons why. He moves well for a 300-plus pounder, with the ability to put blockers on their behinds when he starts rolling downhill or to win the gap with quickness.

Danny Stutsman , LB, Oklahoma

A fearless, rangy linebacker, Stutsman is an easy player to like. He has vision versus the run and eagerness to fly all over the field to make stops. His struggles in coverage are why he fell out of my top 50, but I'm not betting against him becoming the nucleus of an NFL defense.

Harold Perkins Jr. , LB, LSU

Perkins (6-0, 220) has intoxicating 4.3 speed, which might still get him drafted in Round 1. But between scheme-fit question marks and the ACL injury he suffered in September , his draft projections — if Perkins decides to declare for the 2025 draft — are going to be all over the place.

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Jacob Parrish , CB, Kansas State

Although his size might relegate him to the nickel, Parrish has outstanding speed and reaction quickness, and he matches the physicality of bigger receivers. I'll bet you will start to hear his name more often once more people get eyes on his tape.

Benjamin Morrison , CB, Notre Dame

Based strictly on tape, Morrison would have made my top 50 — likely in the 30-45 range. But the uncertainly surrounding his season-ending hip injury dropped him off the board. Concerns about his play strength give me pause, but Morrison is a technically sound cover man.

(Photo of Drew Allar: Scott Taetsch / )