2025 Draft: Potential Sleepers and Busts
- sivakumarpranav
- Apr 10
- 8 min read
Which prospects will prove consensus completely wrong in the coming years?
As draft month finally gets going, I wanted to make my predictions on which prospects of the class will outperform their draft position by miles, as well as who could have their teams regretting the selection in the future. Hitting on prospects in the later rounds is a valuable skill for any team, as shown by the Los Angeles Rams with stars Puka Nacua and Byron Young in recent years.
Potential Sleeper #1: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky
The Good:
A former second team All-American linebacker for Georgia, Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky for his final season in college football, having a solid year with 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He didn't test at the combine, but at the Wildcats' Pro Day, he shined, running a 4.50 40 yard dash and also testing above the 90th percentile in the vertical and broad jumps.
On film, Dumas-Johnson is a natural playmaker who makes plenty of tackles, holding up well against the run. He also made an impact for the Bulldogs when used as a blitzer. Rival HC Lane Kiffin of Ole Miss was also a fan, as he noted Dumas-Johnson's presence as "huge from a mentality and leadership standpoint."
The Bad:
While the athleticism Dumas-Johnson possesses is impressive, he still lacks NFL-caliber size, at just 6'1 and 238 lbs. This could limit him to more of a coverage role for some teams, which isn't one of his strengths.
Dumas-Johnson also took a step back in 2024, performing slightly worse than he did at Georgia. He has a case of reckless driving against him as well in 2023.
Outlook:
While the size concerns for this LB, Dumas-Johnson has many positives to his game as a whole. He has the high IQ and quick instincts to adjust to the pro league easily, shortening the learning curve versus other rookie prospects. For the right team, I believe Dumas-Johnson can carve out a starting role, as well as making a strong instant impact for his team.
Ideal Team Fit: Cleveland Browns
Potential Bust #1: Jack Bech, WR, TCU
The Good:
Bech's style of play has many scouts and football fans alike enamored, as his toughness and versatility stand out on tape. Whether lining up on the inside or outside, he finds creative ways to get open, and wins deep on coverage using impressive body control skills.
After starting his college career at LSU, Bech transferred to play for the Horned Frogs in 2023, and led the team in 2024 with a 1000 yard season. Bech also checks the character box for teams, as he is viewed as a good leader.
The Bad:
On tape, Bech lacks the long speed and change of direction abilities to shake coverage, leading to him being hampered at times versus press. At the Combine, he elected not to run the 40 yard dash at all, only amplifying these concerns.
Players in the NFL with a similar profile tend to have great hands, but concentration drops are still an issue for Bech over the middle. Additionally, 2024 was Bech's only year of top production, as he amassed under 850 yards in the 3 years prior.
Outlook:
NFL teams will love the team-first mentality Bech displayed at TCU, and he could have a potential role as a possession-type receiver who can move the chains. However, his lack of NFL athleticism and suspect hands likely limit his role even considering long-term development. I view Bech as a solid Day 3 pick, but he could disappoint for teams that end up picking him in the Day 2 range.
Ideal Team Fit: Dallas Cowboys
Potential Sleeper #2: Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
The Good:
The younger brother of current Jaguars RB Travis, Etienne plays with similar shiftiness and vision that made him tough to get on the ground at Georgia. He runs with very smooth footwork and is also adept at churning out extra yards at the end of plays. As a pass-catcher, he flashes good hands as well.
Etienne started out at Florida, but transferred to the Bulldogs in 2024 in order to chase a championship. He has a knack for showing up in big games, as evidenced by his 94 yard, 2 TD performance in the SEC championship versus Texas.
The Bad:
While Etienne has adequate long speed (official 4.42 at combine) he will likely never be a home-run hitter out of the backfield. He's also never been the true workhorse in a backfield, with only 753 rushing yards in his best college season.
The medical report will also be crucial for how teams view Etienne in regards to other RBs in this top class. He sat out 3 games in 2024 with a rib injury, which reportedly bothered him for most of the season as well.
Outlook:
Etienne can get lost in the shuffle in one of the best RB classes in recent memory, but he has the game to be one of the headliners when all is said and done. His vision and pass-catching give him a nice floor on all 3 downs, and he is still just 20, with plenty of years ahead of him. Overall, I think Etienne will be a better pro than college player, and can easily overperform his Day 3 draft stock wherever he lands.
Ideal Team Fit: New England Patriots
Potential Bust #2: Shemar Turner, DT, Texas A&M
The Good:
A former 5-star recruit, Turner has been a big part of the Aggies' front for all 3 years of his tenure, and has had a role on special teams blocking field goals as well. He has a very competitive personality, possessing the fight and motor to compete on every snap he is on the field.
On tape, Turner is one of the most explosive penetrators of the class, winning right off the snap at times versus weaker competition. He was versatile enough to rush both from the middle as well as on the edge in A&M's scheme. The power he rushes with is also very solid for a pro player.
The Bad:
Turner's play style borders on recklessness at times, as he can get caught up on the play and let the ball go by him as a result. His tackling is a consequence of that, with a high missed tackle rate for the position.
Turner also has a long history of disciplinary issues that could continue at the pro level. In addition to being ejected from a game for throwing a punch, he has an arrest for reckless driving in 2023. His injury history is also something that teams will take into account.
Outlook:
Strictly looking at the tools an athleticism, Turner is one of the most fun players at his position in the class, not unlike his teammate of the same name in Shemar Stewart. However, Turner will need to work to keep his calm more often, as he has lost his cool multiple times in recent years. Overall, Turner should be a very decent NFL player, but his floor is dangerously low for a consensus 2nd round pick.
Ideal Team Fit: Green Bay Packers
Potential Sleeper #3: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan
The Good:
A Stanford transfer, Hinton has experience at both tackle spots, as well as excellent size for the position at an imposing 6'7 and 323 pounds. His NFL bloodlines are strong as well, with his dad being an All-Pro tackle in the league before him.
On tape, Hinton uses his 34-inch arms well to block off defenders, both in the pass and run game. He is also a coordinated athlete, with feet fast enough to stay in front of stunts with ease.
The Bad:
Like many taller tackles, Hinton struggles with his pad level, often coming in too high to keep leverage on his assignment. For a 5th year player, his technique is not the best, as he needs further refinement in the league there as well.
Outlook:
Hinton may not be the most technical or strongest prospect in the world, but his size and movement skills make his upside obvious at the next level. With the right coaching, he could be the next project OT to make it big in the NFL, in the mold of Jordan Mailata on the Eagles.
Ideal Team Fit: Houston Texans
Potential Bust #3: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
The Good:
Emmanwori is built more like a linebacker than a safety, measuring in at a massive 6'3 and 220 pounds. Adding to his profile of an athletic unicorn, the former Gamecock tested off the charts at the Combine, recording a 4.38 40 yard dash and a 43 inch vertical jump to go with it.
On film. Emmanwori puts his speed to good use, with good range as a run defender. He profiles much better close to the ball than playing deep, but he is decent in coverage as well.
The Bad:
Even with the insane traits Emmanwori possesses, his tape is not quite 1st round caliber in my opinion. He still lacks the pure instincts and movement skills to be a plus player in coverage, as well as less fluidity than other top prospects at the position. Additionally, Emmanwori could stand to improve his play in run support, via improving his pursuit angles and explosiveness to the football.
Outlook:
While Emmanwori is indisputably one of the top athletes ever at the safety position, he still needs work in order to fully utilize these traits on the football field. He has been a tackling machine in college, with a team-leading 88 for South Carolina in 2024, but his coverage skills could still use some development. Overall, his testing numbers should lock himself a spot on Day 1 of the draft, but some things still need to go right for Emmanwori to have the desired impact in the NFL for his team.
Ideal Team Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Potential Sleeper #4: Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis
The Good:
A 4-year starter for the Tigers, Henigan set several passing records for the program, as well as leading them to several bowl game victories in his career. Henigan throws with impressive accuracy and anticipation to all levels of the field and navigates well to escape pressure with necessary. Despite offers from more entrenched programs, he stayed loyal and cemented himself into the history of Memphis football.
The Bad:
While not a statue, Henigan lacks the mobility to be a true dual-threat at the next level, and also struggles with making plays on the move. His arm strength is viable, but not a strength in his prospect evaluation. He projects as a QB a team can win with but not a team-elevator like the best QBs are.
Outlook:
In terms of polish, Henigan stands out in this class, as his 4 years of starting made him almost a coach on the field for Memphis. While his athleticism is limited, Henigan is a confident passer who uses accuracy and touch to light up most of the defenses they played against. Overall, Henigan profiles mostly as a backup in the NFL, but I think with the right system he can be a good bridge starter with a very high floor.
Ideal Team Fit: Los Angeles Rams
Potential Bust #4: Jonah Savaiinaea, IOL, Arizona
The Good:
Savaiinaea, a 3 year starter at tackle for the Wildcats, has NFL-ready size and uses it well against rushers. His 6'4, 324 lb frame makes it tough for him to stick at tackle at the next level, but works well for a future on the interior of the offensive line. Savaiinaea has solid technique with his hands as well, both at the second level in run blocking and in pass protection.
The Bad:
Savaiinaea's anchor has not been the greatest throughout his college career, making it easy for NFL linemen to beat him via a bull rush. He tested pretty well athletically, with a 9.12 RAS, but he still lacks great bend and often allows pressures on inside moves. His strengths and weaknesses as a whole make him a bit of a tweener, without a great fit at either tackle or guard.
Outlook:
Savaiinaea played exclusively as an OT in college, but his athletic abilities will likely limit him to the inside in the pro game. His size fits the position well, but a lack of a great anchor will give him a difficult time, especially in pass protection. Overall, I think Savaiinaea can be a strong run blocker for the team that drafts him, but the holes on his profile make spending a Day 2 pick on him a risky proposition in my opinion.
Ideal Team Fit: Seattle Seahawks
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