2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper makes massive changes to Big Board Top 25 player rankings after combine

The 2025 NFL Combine has come and went, which means we’re one step closer to this year’s NFL Draft. Before prospects can focus on their respective Pro Days, Mel Kiper Jr. made some enormous changes to his Big Board Top 25.

Former Colorado two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter remains at No. 1 overall since Kiper Jr.’s last update. He remains the top prospect at both cornerback and wide receiver.

But how else did the rest of the field shake up? Here’s how Mel Kiper Jr. stacked the current top 25 overall prospects before pro days get underway.

1. WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Offensively, Travis Hunter totaled 1,258 yards and a Big 12-leading 15 touchdowns in 2024. As a defensive back, he added 36 tackles and four interceptions. For his efforts, it earned him the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

Kiper: “I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I’m ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him. Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.”

2. OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State

The defensive star was a dominating force for Penn State throughout his time in Happy Valley. All told, he spent three seasons with the program, amassing 173 total tackles, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles and one interception. Carter totaled 12 sacks in 2024 alone.

Kiper: “Carter is versatile and has plenty of experience effectively operating as an off-ball linebacker, helping him crack 60 tackles in three straight seasons at Penn State. But he has now shown the ability to make a dent in opponents’ game plans as a pass rusher off the edge, as well. Carter has the traits to wreak havoc there, getting pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush snaps. He is instinctive and fast flying to the football. Carter’s 23.5 tackles for loss this past season ranked No. 1 in the nation.”

3. DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Graham was productive at defensive tackle as a key piece to Michigan’s defense over the past couple of seasons. During his time in Ann Arbor, Graham compiled had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 26 pressures, and 14 run stops in 12 games last season.

Kiper: “I love Graham’s technique. His leverage gives him an advantage at the point of attack, and interior offensive linemen struggle with his power and quickness. Graham has strong and active hands, and he has proved effective against the run and pass from inside. He had two sacks against Minnesota in September but managed just 1.5 the rest of the season.”

4. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty led all of college football with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries this season. He came just 28 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders‘ NCAA single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards set in 1988.

Kiper: “Jeanty displays excellent contact balance and toughness, which help him skirt past the first line of defense and through traffic. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and forced a nation-leading 126 missed tackles in 2024. And don’t sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.”

5. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Shedeur Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his senior season at Colorado. When you take into account he did that on a 74% competion percentage, it makes his numbers all the more impressive.

Kiper: “You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.”

6. QB Cam Ward, Miami

Ward finished his lone season at Miami with 36 passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, the best QBR in college foootball (88.0) to go along with over 4,300 yards of total offense across 12 games for the Hurricanes in 2024. Miami would go on to score 30 or more points in 11 of those matchups.

Kiper: “Ward has an unorthodox delivery, but he throws with accuracy and velocity from different arm angles. He displays solid game management traits, and while he had some ball security issues in 2023 at Washington State, that wasn’t an issue in 2024. When things break down around him, Ward can extend plays with his legs, either throwing on the move or picking up first downs as a runner. I like his toughness, swagger and confidence.”

7. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Tyler Warren did a little bit of everything in Penn State’s offense. This past season he led the team in receiving yards, totaling 1,233 while hauling in eight touchdowns. He also ran for 218 yards and four additional scores as well.

Kiper: “Warren is super versatile. He can be used as a traditional in-line tight end, at H-back, at fullback, out of the slot or lined up out wide. He’s a reliable pass catcher, and once the ball is in his hands, he can break free. Warren had 700 yards after the catch this past season. He was incredible against USC in October, hauling in 17 catches for 224 yards and a TD. It tied for the most single-game catches by a tight end in FBS history.”

8. LB Jalon Walker, Georgia

In three seasons at Georgia, Jalon Walker compiled 12.5 sacks, including a career-best 6.5 in 2024. He had by far the most productive season of his career with 61 total tackles. For reference, he totaled just 20 tackles in 2023.

Kiper: “Walker gets into the backfield as if he were shot out of a cannon, and his bend and explosion off the edge help him beat blockers and get to the quarterback or ball carrier. He’s a versatile defender, with experience as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher. His sideline-to-sideline speed gets your attention when you watch the tape. In Week 8 against Texas, he picked up three sacks.”

9. CB Will Johnson, Michigan

Former Michigan star Will Johnson has the potential to be a staple on a franchise’s defense wherever he ends up come April. During his time in Ann Arbor, Johnson elevated to become arguably the top corner in all of college football. All told, he finished his career with nine interceptions, including a school record three pick-sixes.

Kiper: “Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him. He has great quickness in his transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball. Johnson returned both of his interceptions this past season for touchdowns, and you can see those instincts throughout his first pick-six in Michigan’s opener against Fresno State — when he jumped a screen and took the ball 86 yards to the house. He has nine career picks. Johnson missed the team’s last six games with a toe injury.”

10. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan (+1)

Colston Loveland finished the 2024 season with 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns as Michigan’s leading receiver by over 300 receiving yards. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, he has the ability to block, catch and run routes for whichever team drafts him in April.

Kiper: “If you are looking for a tight end who can consistently stretch the deep middle part of the field, Loveland is your guy. He averaged 8.3 air yards per target over three college seasons. The QB play was subpar for Michigan, which limited Loveland. But he is a difficult matchup for defenses, and he averaged nearly nine targets per game.”

11. OT/G Armand Membou, Missouri (+11)
12. LB Jihaad Cambell, Alabama (+3)
13. OT/G Will Campbell, LSU (-3)
14. OLB Mike Green, Marshall (-2)
15. DE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (+1)
16. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (+3)
17. OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State (-3)
18. OLB Mykel Williams, Georgia (-1)
19. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (-6)
20. WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (+1)
21. WR Matthew Golden, Texas (NR)
22. S Malaki Starks, Georgia (-4)
23. S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina (NR)
24. CB Jahdae Barron, Texas (NR)
25. OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (-2)