2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper updates Top 25 Big Board player rankings

ESPN’s Mel Kiper updated his Top 25 Big Board player rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft after another weekend of college football and there is a lot of talent out there.

Reminder, this is not the draft order, but rather Kiper’s top 25 players regardless of who’s drafting. This is based on pure talent.

Let’s dive into Kiper’s latest list now that we’ve gone through a week in October.

1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB – Colorado

Hunter is the best talent in the upcoming draft according to Kiper. The two-way star plans to play both wide receiver and cornerback at the next level.

There is a debate if he’ll be the No. 1 overall pick. But really, if you have the top pick, do you really want to be the team to pass on the tantalizing talent from Colorado?

2. Will Johnson, CB – Michigan

Johnson might be the best pure cornerback in the draft, although the comparison to Hunter this year is fascinating. He anchored the Michigan national championship defense last year.

Johnson already has two interceptions this year for 128 return yards, which is a career high. It’s very hard to throw on this man, so he won’t last long in the draft.

3. Abdul Carter, OLB – Penn State

Carter is a wrecking ball on defense for Penn State. If you want someone for your front seven, it’s probably wise to draft this man.

Carter already has three sacks this season after logging 11 over his first two seasons. He’s on pace for career high numbers, including tackles for loss. He has eight already in 2024.

4. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas

Banks is considered a top overall prospect but there is a debate between him and Will Campbell for best offensive tackle. Kiper opted for the Texas OT for this upcoming draft.

Protecting Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning is a tall task. It’s basically like protecting an NFL quarterback so that’ll make it a seamless transition!

5. Mason Graham, DT – Michigan

Another Michigan defender made the top five players in the 2025 draft, per Kiper. He’s a menace in the middle of the defensive line, anchoring a borderline elite Wolverines’ defense this fall.

He has a career high 3.5 sacks already, four tackles for loss and 21 total tackles in just six games. Halfway through the year, Graham is on pace to shatter all career highs.

6. James Pearce Jr., OLB – Tennessee

There’s a lot of talk about Tennessee’s offense this season, in victory and defeat. But more attention needs to be on Pearce Jr. 

He logged 10 sacks last year but only has 1.5 this year. Still, the talent is tantalizing and he can be an impact player right away in the NFL. He’s one of the best overall players in the draft, per Kiper.

7. Mykel Williams, OLB – Georgia

Sticking with the defensive side of the football, Williams is the highest rated player to come from Georgia. The draft should have plenty of Bulldogs again.

Williams has yet to log a sack this year, but there’s no doubt he’s a top tier player. He’ll likely go in the top 10 but it’ll always depend on how the order shakes out.

8. Malaki Starks, S – Georgia

Another Georgia in the top 10 of the draft? It’s certainly possible, according to Kiper. Starks is in the upper echelon of defensive backs in this upcoming class.

He already has an interception this season and 25 total tackles through five games. An All-American already, he’s a ready made defensive back for the NFL.

9. Luther Burden III, WR – Missouri

We’ll switch to the offensive side of the ball, in terms of skill players, for the next two. Kiper has Burden as his top wide receiver in the draft.

Now, that’s if you just consider Travis Hunter an overall player, kind of like an “athlete” for high school recruits. But there’s no questioning how good Burden is. He has 19 career touchdowns and is closing in 2,000 yards for his career.

10. Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State

Jeanty has been an absolute beast this year and should get more Heisman buzz than he’s received already. He’s clearly the top running back in next year’s draft.

Let’s blow your mind for a second. Jeanty ran 220 times for 1,347 yards last year, 14 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Pretty good right? This year, he has 95 carries for 1,031 yards, 16 touchdowns and averages 10.9 yards per carry. That’s just in five games! Insane.

Mel Kiper Top 25 Big Board player rankings for draft

11. Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Arizona
12. Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado
13. Jalen Milroe, QB – Alabama
14. Nic Scourton, DE – Texas A&M
15. Carson Beck, QB – Georgia
16. Cam Ward, QB – Miami
17. Quinn Ewers, QB – Texas
18. Jalon Walker, LB – Georgia
19. Kenneth Grant, DT – Michigan
20. Shavon Revel Jr., CB – East Carolina
21. Benjamin Morrison, CB – Notre Dame
22. Will Campbell, OT – LSU
23. Aireontae Ersery, OT – Minnesota
24. Josh Simmons, OT – Ohio State
25. Deone Walker, DT – Kentucky

“I plan to update this Big Board often over the coming months as players rise and fall,” Kiper wrote.

Expect some big changes as the season rolls on.