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2025 fantasy football draft guide - Rankings, mock drafts and analysis
Esports

2025 fantasy football draft guide – Rankings, mock drafts and analysis

by admin August 23, 2025



Aug 22, 2025, 07:04 AM ET

This page will be updated throughout the summer, so continue to check back for the latest content.

As the weather heats up, so does our excitement about the 2025 fantasy football draft season.

Whether you play in a casual redraft league, an intense deep dynasty format or anything in between, we at ESPN Fantasy are here to help.

This draft guide will serve as a one-stop shop for all of our best material as you prepare to make the best fantasy football picks possible in every draft you’re in: Rankings and cheat sheets; player projections; mock drafts for different league types; sleepers, busts and breakouts; and plenty of helpful information and tips from our expert team of fantasy football analysts.

It doesn’t matter whether you have been doing this for years or are a fantasy first-timer. We have everything needed to help you draft a great team and start the season with a shot at a championship.

Fantasy football cheat sheets, projections and depth charts

Your League, Your Rules

Create a league and customize league size, scoring and rules to play in the league you want to play in.

Create a league today!

Cheat Sheet Central
A one-stop shop for printable cheat sheets that fit your specific needs.

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet
All the names we’ve been talking about in a printable cheat sheet for your draft.

2025 projections
Mike Clay’s projected output for players at every fantasy position, sortable by category.

Depth charts: Offense | Defense

Rankings

2025 rankings hub
A range of rankings types to suit you, including our staff consensus by position, superflex, IDP, dynasty and individual overall lists.

Fantasy football rankings: Eric Moody’s QB tiers
How to approach drafting quarterbacks, especially if you don’t land one of the “Big 4.”

Fantasy football rankings: Eric Karabell’s RB tiers
Outside of Ashton Jeanty, in which tiers do the top rookies appear?

Fantasy football rankings: Eric Karabell’s WR tiers
There is great depth at WR, but it’s important to know when the value drops off.

Fantasy football rankings: Eric Moody’s TE tiers
Tight end tiers are top-heavy, with lots of uncertainty thereafter.

Mike Clay’s “The 192”
The 192 players who should be drafted in 12-team leagues, broken down into tiers.

Insurance RB rankings
A list of backup running backs best positioned to succeed if given a full workload.

RB ranks: Most reliable TD scorers
Which backs can you bank on near the goal line? Here are the most dependable backs.

From Chase to London, ranking the most reliable TD scorers among WRs
A deep dive into trustworthy TD scorers among wideouts based on target data, efficiency and more.

Mock drafts

The Mock Draft Project 2025: Results for over 30 expert 10-team PPR mock drafts

More mocks:
12-team, PPR (8/18) | Fantasy Marathon: 10-team, PPR (8/12)
12-team superflex, PPR (8/5) | 10-team superflex, 1/2 PPR (7/24)
8-team, PPR (7/9) | 12-team, non-PPR (6/24)
12-team, 1/2 PPR (6/12) | 10-team, PPR (5/6)

Advice and analysis

Tough draft-day decisions: Can you pick a top-5 QB and top-3 TE and still like your team?
Daniel Dopp shares takeaways from more than 100 drafts to help you make tough decisions in your upcoming drafts.

Tristan H. Cockcroft’s best picks for each draft slot in Rounds 1 and 2:
8-team leagues | 10-team leagues | 12-team leagues

Joe Burrow, Ladd McConkey among Matt Bowen’s top 10 draft targets
The players he’s been drafting all summer, along with a handful of late-rounders to put on the radar.

Field’s favorites: Jaylen Waddle, TreVeyon Henderson among popular draft targets
Field Yates offers up the players has been happy to snag most often in drafts this summer.

Mike Clay’s Ultimate Draft Board
Perfect picks for every round in a 12-team league.

Tory Horton, Jaxson Dart, Adonai Mitchell among deep sleepers
Tristan H. Cockcroft names names for those in deeper leagues seeking off-the-radar types who may emerge in 2025.

Answering one key preseason question for 20 NFL teams
NFL Nation reporters answer the most important fantasy questions, providing insight from training camps.

‘Do Draft’ list: Henry, Purdy, Kelce among players being undervalued
In the perennial counterpart to the Do Not Draft list, Eric Karabell discusses players who are being underappreciated in drafts.

‘Do Not Draft’ list: McCaffrey, Andrews among players being overvalued
Eric Karabell serves up his annual list of players going earlier than they should in 2025 drafts.

Fantasy football ‘drumbeat’ players: Nix, Hampton among those generating buzz
Liz Loza serves up six potential league-winning players who are generating serious excitement in fantasy circles.

Benson, Higgins lead the “Have Skills, Need Opportunity” team
Ten players who have the skills to be fantasy factors but are waiting for a chance to prove it.

Six late-round “fliers” that can help you win your league
Liz Loza offers up six players you need to be considering late in fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Focus breakouts: Williams, McCarthy and more
Field Yates, Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp identify players you can count on to break out.

Numbers you should know before your draft
Tristan H. Cockcroft uncovers some interesting stats that could impact draft day decisions.

Ward, McMillan and others primed to follow path of 2024 breakouts
These players are in position to follow a similar path to last year’s breakouts and produce big numbers.

Year 2 player spotlight: Maye, Harrison, Odunze among popular breakouts
The ESPN Fantasy staff lists NFL sophomores being undervalued in drafts and a few under scrutiny.

Murray, McCaffrey among “red flag” players worth drafting
You have to take risks to win in fantasy football. Liz Loza highlights players who are worth taking the chance on.

Opportunity knocks: Players poised to take advantage in 2025
Eric Moody lists those who will benefit most from teams’ vacated touches or targets from last season.

11 players who will score fewer TDs in 2025
Mike Clay gives his annual list of players he expects to reach the end zone less often this season.

Nine players who will score more TDs in 2025
Mike Clay lists the players most likely to increase their touchdown output in 2025.

Expect a return to form from these bounce-back candidates
Eric Karabell lists some of his favorite candidates to rebound from a disappointing 2024.

10 undervalued pass catchers with intriguing upside or safer floors
Matt Bowen lists his favorites with week-winning potential and others who are dependable, despite lower ADPs.

Top storylines for 2025: What to expect from CMC, Tyreek and more
Mike Clay, Daniel Dopp and Field Yates enjoy a robust conversation about topics that fascinate them heading into this season.

Don’t be surprised if … these 19 things happen in 2025
Eric Karabell offers his thoughts on players who could delight or disappoint in 2025.

The 20 rookies that should be drafted
Fans get excited about rookies, but which ones are truly worth taking in fantasy drafts this summer? Matt Bowen has a list.

16 players to trade for or trade away in dynasty leagues
Knowing when to hold and when to walk away from players is critical to dynasty league success. Eric Moody is here to help.

Players to upgrade, downgrade due to 2025 schedule
Mike Clay details the teams and players with the easiest and hardest schedules in fantasy terms.

Strategy/ways to play

The Playbook: Planning a winning fantasy football draft-day strategy
Mike Clay goes position by position and lays out a successful approach for 2025 fantasy football drafts.

The Playbook, Part 2: Fantasy football draft tips for nontraditional formats
Mike Clay discusses his draft approach in various intensive league structures that get less attention.

A fantasy football beginner’s guide to salary cap drafts
Eric Karabell’s provides an introduction to the ins and outs of salary cap drafts for fantasy football.

Why this is the season to try an IDP league
Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why drafting defensive players increases the fun you can have playing fantasy.

What is a superflex league, and why should you try one?
Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why starting two QBs instead of one maximizes the fun and also changes the way you draft.

10 ways to make your league more fun
Daniel Dopp provides custom options to increase the enjoyment of playing fantasy football for you and your leaguemates.

Individual player analysis

Drake Maye a top-10 QB in 2025?
Eric Moody explains why Maye is in position to take the next step in Year 2.

Should you take Ashton Jeanty over Saquon Barkley in fantasy drafts?
Liz Loza and Tyler Fulghum debate whether the hot rookie or the 2,000-yard back is the better choice.

The Travis Hunter Experience: How to maximize his fantasy potential
Want to play in a league in which you get points for all of Travis Hunter’s contributions? Here’s how you do it.

Miscellaneous

New features in ESPN Fantasy app: Easier navigation, improved personalization
A list of the newest elements added to the fantasy app, all of which you can enjoy this season.

Fantasy football team names: How to pick a winner
If you’re seeking inspiration for naming your fantasy team, Liz Loza provides a blueprint.

The Fantasy Team Name Generator
Answer a short quiz and be rewarded with a suggestion for a team name that fits your style and personality.



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August 23, 2025 0 comments
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How every 2025 NFL draft pick has looked in the preseason
Esports

How every 2025 NFL draft pick has looked in the preseason

by admin August 22, 2025



Aug 22, 2025, 06:40 AM ET

Training camps are winding down, and the 2025 NFL regular season is fast approaching. Which is why this is a perfect time to check in on the 257-member 2025 draft class.

We turned to our NFL Nation reporters to size up how every single draft pick has fared this spring and summer as cut-down day looms. Updates on all 257 selections are below, from Titans top-pick quarterback Cam Ward all the way to Patriots cornerback Kobee Minor, 2025’s Mr. Irrelevant. Who is in line to start for their team? Who is exceeding their draft position in the preseason and could make an early impact? And which high picks are falling behind?

Rookies are grouped by team below, and each team is listed in the order in which they made their first selection in April. That means we begin with Tennessee’s class.

Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Round 1 (No. 1): Cam Ward, QB. Titans coach Brian Callahan is taking a day-by-day approach to the QB’s development, but Ward quickly became the starter and has emerged as a team leader. His constant trash talk with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons provides a charge at practice. Ward has showcased his deep passing ability, especially with veteran receiver Calvin Ridley. He is focused on staying on schedule and getting the ball out when he gets to the top of his drops. “His timing is up to date,” Ridley said. “He whips it, he’s confident, it’s smooth. It’s an easy, catchable ball.”

Round 2 (No. 52): Oluwafemi Oladejo, Edge. Oladejo flashed at times, especially during one-on-one pass-rush drills. He has worked with both the first- and second-team defense but remains a work in progress.

Round 3 (No. 82): Kevin Winston Jr., S. Winston was heavily involved in defensive reps until hamstring and knee soreness landed him on the sideline for the past couple weeks.

Round 4 (No. 103): Chimere Dike, WR. Dike has earned a spot as a reserve slot receiver, giving the Titans a speedy option from that position. He’ll also be in the mix for punt and kickoff returns.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Round 4 (No. 120): Gunnar Helm, TE. Helm’s ability to find windows in zone coverage and win on seam routes has made him a trusted target for Ward. It has given him more reps with the first team in 12 personnel sets and plays when he’s the only tight end on the field.

Round 4 (No. 136): Elic Ayomanor, WR. It’s only a matter of time before Ayomanor takes the starting “X” spot thanks to the big plays he has made down the field and across the middle, but he’ll need to be a more consistent playmaker before he assumes that role.

Round 5 (No. 167): Jackson Slater, G. Slater has earned a depth role at center and guard, where his strength is getting out in space to make blocks on screens or pulling outside to lead the way for running backs.

Round 6 (No. 183): Marcus Harris, CB. Harris has made his mark as an outside cornerback, where he rarely panics if a receiver gets a step on him. He has also shown solid ball skills that have led to pass breakups.

Round 6 (No. 188): Kalel Mullings, RB. Mullings has made tough runs in practice and games, which could cement him as a short-yardage back who could contribute on special teams. — Turron Davenport

Round 1 (No. 2): Travis Hunter, WR/CB. The Jaguars were not shy about planning to play Hunter on offense and defense and discussing the kind of impact he could have for them. GM James Gladstone said Hunter has the ability to “alter the trajectory of the sport itself.” Hunter has been practicing on both sides of the ball and has participated in 364 snaps in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills in the first 15 practices, including 17 on offense and 16 on defense in last Thursday’s scrimmage.

Coaches and teammates have raved about his physical conditioning and how he’s mentally handling the load of learning a new offense and defense while finding a way to seamlessly work between both units. Hunter is dealing with a minor upper-body injury that kept him out of the second preseason game, but he’s expected to be back on the practice field soon — and could start on both offense and defense in Week 1 against Carolina.

Round 3 (No. 88): Caleb Ransaw, S. Ransaw played corner and safety in college, and the Jaguars started him out at safety. He was getting third- and fourth-team reps on defense but playing a lot on special teams before getting hurt (lower body) just before the preseason games began. He will miss the rest of camp and could start the season on injured reserve, but the Jaguars envision him eventually becoming a starter and being a key special teams player.

Round 3 (No. 89): Wyatt Milum, G. Milum played tackle at West Virginia, but the Jaguars drafted him as a guard despite him not working at that spot until the Senior Bowl. Milum has worked with the second-team line at right guard, but he has also gotten reps at tackle. That versatility is something the Jaguars want from of all their offensive linemen. They also love his physical and nasty demeanor, something that has been missing from the offensive line over the past few seasons.

Round 4 (No. 104): Bhayshul Tuten, RB. The Jaguars love his speed (4.32 40-yard dash) and plan to use Tuten in the running back rotation with Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby and LeQuint Allen Jr.

Round 4 (No. 107): Jack Kiser, LB. He was drafted as the eventual replacement for Chad Muma and that changeover is likely going to occur this month. Kiser has had some first-team reps along with work on all four special teams units.

Round 6 (No. 194): Jalen McLeod, LB. He was getting time on special teams until a lower-body injury in the second week of camp kept him off the field.

Round 6 (No. 200): Rayuan Lane III, S. Special teams coordinator Heath Farwell praised Lane on special teams, which is a good sign for his chances to make the roster.

Round 7 (No. 221): Jonah Monheim, C. Monheim was the second-team center in the second preseason game and likely contributed to veteran Luke Fortner being traded to the Saints right after that game.

Round 7 (No. 236): LeQuint Allen Jr., RB. Allen was drafted in part because of his pass blocking, and he has been the best back at picking up blitzes all camp. That should get him on the roster. — Michael DiRocco

Round 1 (No. 3): Abdul Carter, Edge. Carter has lived up to the hype this summer, dominating from the start of camp. His explosiveness and bend immediately caught the attention of his teammates while he played all over the field (outside linebacker, defensive tackle and inside linebacker). Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor declared a week into camp that he knew Carter was “going to be great.”

Carter flashed that potential in his first preseason game, recording two pressures on three pass rushes. Carter might not start initially, but the Giants are going to have him in a rotation on the edge and get him on the field as much as possible in pass-rush situations.

Round 1 (No. 25): Jaxson Dart, QB. The young quarterback had his ups and downs early in the summer before turning it on in recent weeks. Dart has been especially impressive in his first two preseason appearances, completing 25 of 35 passes for 291 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. Dart explained midway through camp that he started to feel more comfortable when given more freedom at the line of scrimmage.

“That just allowed me to play just faster and be able to make quicker decisions,” he said. Still, Russell Wilson is the starter. That’s highly unlikely to change before Week 1. But the better Dart plays, the more likely he gets in early in the season.

play

1:59

Stephen A.: Giants have ‘no reason to rush’ starting Jaxson Dart

Stephen A. Smith discusses the importance of the Giants being patient with Russell Wilson and not rushing Jaxson Dart.

Round 3 (No. 65): Darius Alexander, DT. He got off to a rocky start this summer after being slowed by an injury this spring. Alexander has flashed in recent weeks, but he still works almost exclusively with the second-team defense. It might take some time before he works his way into a regular rotation spot this season.

Round 4 (No. 105): Cam Skattebo, RB. Just when Skattebo started to hit his stride, he was set back by a hamstring injury that has kept him off the field the past few weeks.

Round 5 (No. 154): Marcus Mbow, OT. Perhaps the biggest surprise of this draft class, Mbow has been impressive this summer while primarily playing right tackle. He could work his way into the swing tackle spot.

Round 7 (No. 219): Thomas Fidone II, TE. Fidone has flashed with his catch radius but has also been inconsistent. But he’s in the mix for a roster spot in a deep tight end room.

Round 7 (No. 246): Korie Black, CB. It might be a long shot for Black to make the active roster. — Jordan Raanan

Round 1 (No. 4): Will Campbell, OT. Campbell has been the starting left tackle from the first day he arrived this spring, and there is a notable drop-off behind him. His aggressive playing style has stood out in preseason games — finishing run blocks down the field — as has his inexperience handling pass-rush stunts (e.g. a sack allowed in the preseason opener).

“Will is a young player that has a ton of respect for what is expected of him. I think he does a good job of gaining information from veteran players,” offensive line coach Doug Marrone said. “I think he’s said this before: There are some things he’ll go out and win on, and if he’s not winning, he’s learning. I think that’s the big thing I see; I see a player who is continuously trying to learn.”

Round 2 (No. 38): TreVeyon Henderson, RB. Henderson has a different gear the Patriots haven’t had in the backfield in a long time. He returned the opening kickoff of the preseason 100 yards for a touchdown. In the second game, he had an impressive 8-yard TD run in which he sliced through the left side despite little daylight. Using the Lions as a template, he’ll be the Patriots’ version of Jahmyr Gibbs, with Rhamondre Stevenson filling the David Montgomery role.

Round 3 (No. 69): Kyle Williams, WR. Williams projects as fifth on the depth chart behind Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins, with potential to rise as he continues to develop. Williams is a versatile option with the ability to win with his release at the line of scrimmage and down the field.

Round 3 (No. 95): Jared Wilson, C/G. Wilson opened camp as the backup center to veteran Garrett Bradbury before moving to starting left guard in Week 2. Wilson has now appeared to hit a fork in the road, where he could go in either direction after playing with the second unit in the second preseason game.

Round 4 (No. 106): Craig Woodson, S. Woodson has been the personal protector on the punt team and one of the top three safeties in a defense that often plays three at the same time.

Round 4 (No. 137): Joshua Farmer, DT. The Patriots remain high on Farmer after trading up for him, but he has had a quieter camp that has included missing some time due to an undisclosed injury. He currently projects as a backup/developmental option.

Round 5 (No. 146): Bradyn Swinson, Edge. With Harold Landry III and K’Lavon Chaisson entrenched as edge starters, Swinson should make the team as a backup developmental option and special-teamer.

Round 6 (No. 182): Andy Borregales, K. He has faced a strong charge from Parker Romo for the job, but based on his draft status, Borregales likely has the upper hand. But there have been some predictable growing pains (e.g. — coming on the field late for a badly missed 57-yard FG in the second preseason game).

Round 7 (No. 220): Marcus Bryant, OT. Bryant started the first two preseason games as veteran starter Morgan Moses rested and looks like the Patriots’ top backup swing tackle.

Round 7 (No. 251): Julian Ashby, LS. The first long-snapper drafted in the NFL since 2021, Ashby has had a few erratic snaps. But New England continues to ride with him as the only snapper on the roster.

Round 7 (No. 257): Kobee Minor, CB. Vying for the No. 5 or No. 6 spot at corner behind starters Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III, along with top backups Marcus Jones and Alex Austin, Minor has shown some sticky coverage in the first two preseason games. — Mike Reiss

Round 1 (No. 5): Mason Graham, DT. Graham has been transitioning to a new defensive scheme that asks him to penetrate more instead of taking on double-teams. The Michigan product has adjusted well and made strides in recent weeks. He’s projected to start in Week 1.

“I think his pass rush has improved, and his ability to kind of wiggle out of blocks is pretty impressive as well,” left guard Joel Bitonio said.

Round 2 (No. 33): Carson Schwesinger, LB. With Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) out for the season and Jordan Hicks retiring, the Browns gave Schwesinger defensive playcaller duties on day one, a testament to their trust in the rookie. Schwesinger is set for a big role as a starter in the middle of the defense.

Round 2 (No. 36): Quinshon Judkins, RB. Judkins hasn’t been with the Browns throughout training camp as he faced a domestic violence charge, but prosecutors declined to formally pursue charges. The NFL is still reviewing the matter, which could lead to a suspension, but he’ll split carries when he returns to the team.

Round 3 (No. 67): Harold Fannin Jr., TE. Fannin has been a mainstay in two-tight end sets with David Njoku. The Browns will look to get Fannin the ball in a bevy of ways.

Round 3 (No. 94): Dillon Gabriel, QB. Gabriel received first-team reps in the Browns’ quarterback competition but fewer snaps than Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett before suffering a hamstring injury. He will likely be a top backup to open the season.

Round 4 (No. 126): Dylan Sampson, RB. Sampson will make the team, and with Judkins’ status up in the air, Sampson will push Jerome Ford for carries in the backfield early on.

Round 5 (No. 144): Shedeur Sanders, QB. Sanders has been QB4 on the depth chart but impressed in the preseason opener. Flacco is set to start the season as QB1, but Sanders will stick with Cleveland as it continues to develop him. — Daniel Oyefusi

play

1:53

How Shedeur can lock in the QB2 spot with Browns

Stephen A. Smith breaks down the battle for the QB2 position with the Browns after it was confirmed Joe Flacco will be their starter in Week 1.

Round 1 (No. 6): Ashton Jeanty, RB. Jeanty has done nothing but impress his teammates and coaches during training camp. Quarterback Geno Smith said Jeanty has gotten better each day of practice. Following the Raiders’ preseason loss to the 49ers, when Jeanty totaled seven carries for 33 yards and a touchdown, defensive end Maxx Crosby commended the Heisman Trophy finalist for being compact and sudden when he runs the ball.

“That’s why he had so much success with Boise State, so we’re really excited about him and we’re looking forward to him being a big part of what we’re doing,” Crosby said.

Jeanty is expected to be the team’s starting running back right out the gate. He has received first-team reps since OTAs and started in both preseason matchups. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly anticipates using Jeanty quite a bit in the passing game, too.

Round 2 (No. 58): Jack Bech, WR. Bech provides a physical presence at wide receiver. He is a willing blocker and has a knack for making contested catches. Bech has flashed during camp but has not stood out compared with fellow rookie wideout Dont’e Thornton Jr. Bech has played mostly with the second-team offense, with occasional reps with the starters. He has the potential to make a Year 1 impact, but it’s going to take time before his role comes to fruition.

Round 3 (No. 68): Darien Porter, CB. Porter has a good chance to be a starting cornerback opposite Eric Stokes. He has upside and the size that coach Pete Carroll values at cornerback, and at times, he has shown the ball skills the organization valued during the draft process. Cornerback is one of the biggest question marks on the roster, and the unit’s success will come down to Porter being dependable on the outside.

Round 3 (No. 98): Caleb Rogers, G. The Raiders’ starting offensive line is pretty much set, but Rogers will provide depth along the entire front, given his ability to play multiple spots.

Round 3 (No. 99): Charles Grant, OT. Grant has the potential to start in the future but is currently a developmental player who still has a way to go before playing significant snaps.

Round 4 (No. 108): Dont’e Thornton Jr., WR. Thornton has had a strong camp and is expected to start. Given his speed and size, he could be a big-play threat. Thornton’s presence should also create opportunities for tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in the middle of the field. However, Thornton’s struggle to create separation against the 49ers’ cornerbacks during joint practice and the preseason game was noticeable.

Round 4 (No. 135): Tonka Hemingway, DT. Hemingway is expected to be in the Raiders’ defensive line mix. He has received starter reps during practice and made his presence felt in the run game. In two preseason matchups, Hemingway totaled four run tackles and the defense allowed 2.7 yards per carry when he was on the field.

Round 6 (No. 180): JJ Pegues, DT. Similar to Hemingway, Pegues is part of the Raiders’ defensive line rotation and could play significant snaps early. He started at nose tackle in the preseason opener against Seattle.

Round 6 (No. 213): Tommy Mellott, WR. Mellott said the switch from quarterback to wide receiver has been daunting. He has plenty of development to do before playing a meaningful role in the Raiders’ wide receiver room.

Round 6 (No. 215): Cam Miller, QB. A two-time NCAA Division I FCS national champion, Miller is a proven winner — a trait that general manager John Spytek values. Miller is not ready to be a second-string quarterback, but his dual-threat ability makes him someone worth developing.

Round 7 (No. 222): Cody Lindenberg, LB. Due to the Raiders’ linebacker depth, Lindenberg has an uphill climb to make the initial 53-man roster. — Ryan McFadden

Round 1 (No. 7): Armand Membou, OT. Membou became a starter the moment he was drafted. He hasn’t missed a practice, let alone a rep. Membou is “a special player, just a raw talent,” guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said. Membou is far from a finished product, though. In pass protection, he sometimes oversets to the outside, leaving himself vulnerable to outside-inside moves from quick pass rushers. It happened last week against the Giants in joint practices and the game. The coaches love Membou’s long-term potential, but there will be some growing pains.

Round 2 (No. 42): Mason Taylor, TE. He will have a major role on offense. The coaches view him as a true two-way tight end and believe his blocking is better than advertised. Taylor is healthy after missing more than a week with a high-ankle sprain. Jets coach Aaron Glenn likes to say that Taylor, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, has the right DNA for the NFL.

Round 3 (No. 73): Azareye’h Thomas, CB. Thomas got off to a promising start, but he missed the first two preseason games due to a shoulder injury. Thomas was projected as the CB4 at the start of camp, but that role seems unlikely for Week 1. He’s trending toward being inactive for opening day.

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Round 4 (No. 110): Arian Smith, WR. He’s a lock to make the team and likely will have a small role in Week 1 as a gadget receiver who can also be a vertical threat because of his electrifying speed.

Round 4 (No. 130): Malachi Moore, S. He won’t start right away, but Moore can play safety or the slot. He could be included in certain sub packages.

Round 5 (No. 162): Francisco Mauigoa, LB. He’ll make the 53, but he’s down the pecking order at linebacker. Mauigoa could be inactive for Week 1.

Round 5 (No. 176): Tyler Baron, Edge. He probably will make the team because GMs don’t like to give up on developmental pass rushers. Baron needs to be more consistent to earn a place on the game-day roster, though. — Rich Cimini

Round 1 (No. 8): Tetairoa McMillan, WR. McMillan was penciled in as the No. 1 receiver for QB Bryce Young on draft day. That’s not going to change. He has proved himself with his sharp route running, as well as his ability to adjust on the ball and make the tough catches.

“He did a great job of pulling his line and giving me a spot to throw the ball,” Young said of a 40-yard catch by McMillan in the preseason opener. “It’s a lot harder than I’m sure it looked. I have all the confidence in the world in him.”

Round 2 (No. 51): Nic Scourton, Edge. A collapsed lung puts his short-term availability in question. Long term, Scourton’s ability to create pressure is as advertised. Panthers coach Dave Canales saw it against Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders: “Nic pivoted, ran another 40 yards, chased him and knocked him out of bounds. That’s what we saw on film, that relentless pursuit,” Canales said.

Round 3, (No. 77): Princely Umanmielen, Edge. Umanmielen showed his aggressiveness early in camp and continues to be quick off the snap. He had two quarterback hits in the second preseason game, but he still needs to be a more consistent pass rusher who can finish plays. He also needs to tighten up his run defense.

Round 4 (No. 114): Trevor Etienne, RB. Etienne is likely to make the team as the RB3 and return specialist, putting Raheem Blackshear’s future in doubt.

Round 4 (No. 122): Lathan Ransom, S. He’s playing behind veteran Nick Scott, but it’s only a matter of time before Ransom earns the starting job and becomes an immediate contributor.

Round 5 (No. 140): Cam Jackson, DT. A shoulder issue has slowed his progress, but his size (6-foot-6, 328 pounds) is imposing and his ability to eat up blocks is something the Panthers need.

Round 5 (No. 163): Mitchell Evans, TE. With veteran Tommy Tremble still rehabbing from back surgery, Evans has shown enough consistency to be a backup to Ja’Tavion Sanders for the time being.

Round 6 (No. 208): Jimmy Horn Jr., WR. Horn’s exceptional speed and work ethic should earn him a spot on the final roster despite a crowded, talented receiver room. — David Newton

Round 1 (No. 9): Kelvin Banks Jr., OT. It’s been a quiet camp for Banks, and that’s a good thing. The Saints placed him at left tackle immediately after he was drafted, and he has been a mainstay since. Banks is poised to be the left tackle of the future now that 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga has been moved back to right tackle. Banks has already been a steady presence and has not stood out in a negative way since being drafted.

Round 2 (No. 40): Tyler Shough, QB. Shough has had a strong second half of camp and is competing with Spencer Rattler for the starting quarterback job. Shough started the second preseason game and has a shot to start in the regular season, but the competition is close.

Round 3 (No. 71): Vernon Broughton, DT. Broughton is fighting for a spot in a very crowded defensive line room. His draft status will get him a roster spot, but playing time will be hard to come by.

Round 3 (No. 93): Jonas Sanker, S. Justin Reid and Julian Blackmon have the starting spots locked down, but Sanker’s versatility and potential have earned him a backup role.

Round 4 (No. 112): Danny Stutsman, LB. Stutsman has had a very productive camp and has made a case for playing time this season, although Demario Davis and Pete Werner will still get the majority of the snaps.

Round 4 (No. 131): Quincy Riley, CB. Riley has made several plays on the ball at camp, causing a few turnovers. Although he’s not ready to start, he’s showing a lot of potential.

Round 6 (No. 184): Devin Neal, RB. Neal injured a hamstring. Although he is expected to be out for a few weeks, he still has a good shot to make the roster because the RB competition remains open.

Round 7 (No. 248): Moliki Matavao, TE. Matavao is a coin flip to make the active roster, but it could happen due to a combination of injuries at the position and his ability to block.

Round 7 (No. 254): Fadil Diggs, Edge. Diggs has come on strong in the last week of camp and might have earned himself a roster spot as a rotational rusher. — Katherine Terrell

Kaleb Johnson, Travis Hunter, Tyler Shough and Abdul Carter were among the rookies under the spotlight this offseason. ESPN Illustration

Round 1 (No. 10): Colston Loveland, TE. The Bears are asking Loveland to block defensive ends like a tackle and run routes like a wide receiver. So far, he has demonstrated he can do both. Loveland has a prime opportunity to make hay in the underneath game and has consistently been open in team drills, whether he’s lined up out wide, in the slot or in line. Bears coach Ben Johnson said he isn’t sure how he’ll divvy up workloads between Loveland and fellow tight end Cole Kmet, but it’s safe to say the rookie will be a big part of the Bears’ offense.

“He’s friendly to throw to,” backup quarterback Case Keenum said. “He’s got good body language. There’s that nonverbal communication that lets the quarterback know that he knows where the ball is and should be and has good body position in relation to defenders. And then based on what route it is, knows when to be open in a lot of ways.”

Round 2 (No. 39): Luther Burden III, WR. After being sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury, Burden wasted no time showing off his playmaking skills. His explosive after-the-catch ability translates well to this offense, but the complexity of the Bears’ scheme is something Burden is still trying to master. “He’s just got to [know his] alignment and assignment and line up and [be] ready to go,” Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said. “That’s what he’s been picking up on and doing better with.”

Round 2 (No. 56): Ozzy Trapilo, OT. Trapilo earned first-team reps at left tackle in the spring and was firmly in the mix to protect Caleb Williams’ blind side in the first three weeks of training camp. The Bears then moved him back to right tackle (where he started 24 games at Boston College) with the second-team offense to cross-train him at both positions. Trapilo could begin his career as the team’s swing tackle as the Bears search for clarity at left tackle.

Round 2 (No. 62): Shemar Turner, DT. Turner missed three weeks of camp with an ankle injury before returning to practice Aug. 15. He projects to be part of the Bears’ defensive tackle rotation behind Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings.

Round 4 (No. 132): Ruben Hyppolite II, LB. Hyppolite is in the mix to win the strongside linebacker job after routinely showing off an instinctive ability to make plays along with his sub-4.4 speed. He has also carved out a role on all four special teams units.

Round 5 (No. 169): Zah Frazier, CB. Frazier has not practiced since rookie minicamp in May and was absent from the rest of spring workouts. He was excused from training camp for personal reasons.

Round 6 (No. 195): Luke Newman, G. The Bears have tapped into Newman’s versatility by playing him at center and both guard spots. The interior depth he provides strengthens his case to make the 53-man roster.

Round 7 (No. 233): Kyle Monangai, RB. Johnson said he’s pleased with Monangai’s progress and envisions him as someone the Bears can trust this fall. After entering camp as the third running back, Monangai has shown potential as a physical rusher who projects to have a sizable role behind D’Andre Swift. — Courtney Cronin

Round 1 (No. 11): Mykel Williams, Edge. The Niners didn’t go through any charades with Williams, immediately plugging him in as the starter opposite Nick Bosa. And Williams settled quickly into the Arik Armstead role, playing the edge on early downs and kicking inside to rush in obvious passing situations. A hyperextended knee has been a bit of a speed bump, but Williams is expected to be back and in the starting lineup soon.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back here pretty soon, get him back rolling and hopefully he can pick up where he left off,” defensive line coach Kris Kocurek said. “But [he had a] really positive start to camp.”

Round 2 (No. 43): Alfred Collins, DT. Collins battled a calf injury in the spring that contributed to a slow start but has progressed lately, according to coaches. Collins is viewed more as a run stuffer than a pass rusher, which means his playing time will come on early downs, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he worked his way into the rotation by the time the season starts.

Round 3 (No. 75): Nick Martin, LB. Martin has worked with the second unit throughout camp. Although he has flashed the speed and contact courage the Niners want, the key for Martin will be the game slowing down for him. He has a tendency to overrun plays, leading to missed tackles. He could still push for the starting strongside linebacker job, but pushing Dee Winters for the spot Dre Greenlaw vacated is out the window barring injury.

Round 3 (No. 100): Upton Stout, CB. Perhaps the rookie most ready to contribute, Stout quickly impressed with his work habits, quickness and surprising strength. He has the inside track to be the slot corner in Week 1 so long as the calf issue that kept him out recently subsides.

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Round 4 (No. 113): CJ West, DT. West has been a star in one-on-one pass-rush drills and could earn a starting job right away if he can translate it into games.

Round 4 (No. 138): Jordan Watkins, WR. A good start that had him on pace to play early was sidetracked by a high ankle sprain, leaving Watkins’ status in flux for Week 1.

Round 5 (No. 147): Jordan James, RB. James has battled multiple injuries in camp, including a broken finger. So although he will make the team if healthy, early playing time will be harder to earn.

Round 5 (No. 160): Marques Sigle, S. Injuries at safety have opened the door for Sigle, who has pleasantly surprised coaches, to potentially steal a starting spot. He also figures to be a special teams factor early.

Round 7 (No. 227): Kurtis Rourke, QB. Rourke is recovering from an ACL injury, and this year is likely to be viewed as a redshirt season unless other injuries force him into a depth spot midway through the year.

Round 7 (No. 249): Connor Colby, G. Colby struggled in practice early but has come on of late. He was even first up with the starters when left guard Ben Bartch recently left a practice early. Colby should make the roster and provide depth on the interior.

Round 7 (No. 252): Junior Bergen, WR. Drafted to be the primary returner, Bergen had a good return in the first preseason game. He hasn’t shown much as a receiver, but that’s not his path to a roster spot. — Nick Wagoner

Round 1 (No. 12): Tyler Booker, G. He has been a starter for all but one practice since being selected. For 12 years, Zack Martin managed the right guard spot at a Hall of Fame level. The Cowboys don’t need — or expect — Booker to do that, but he has shown he can more than get the job done. He is a powerful run blocker and might be better in space than some think. His pass protection will need some work, but his strength will help him in tight spots against more sudden rushers.

Round 2 (No. 44): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge. He was one of the standouts of training camp and will see a major role on defense as a rookie. Ezeiruaku showed an array of moves to get to the quarterback, but he plays stouter against the run than some think.

Round 3 (No. 76): Shavon Revel Jr., CB. Revel will open the season on the non-football injury list as he continues to come back from a torn ACL suffered last season. He had some swelling in the knee in his rehab work in camp, but he’s back to training. Unless they find help elsewhere, the Cowboys need Revel to play a role in sub packages when he is healthy.

Round 5 (No. 149): Jaydon Blue, RB. An ankle injury slowed him late in camp, but before that his explosiveness as a runner and pass catcher was showing. Blue could be a change-of-pace back early.

Round 5 (No. 152): Shemar James, LB. He has earned a roster spot and can fill a role on defense but is likely a core special teamer to open the season.

Round 6 (No. 204): Ajani Cornelius, OT. Cornelius has played better in games than practice, but the depth at tackle might hurt his chances to make the 53-man roster. The practice squad is most likely.

Round 7 (No. 217): Jay Toia, DT. Unless the Cowboys look for a big, veteran D-tackle, Toia should have a spot on the roster. If he closes the preseason strong, he could play a large role in run defense.

Round 7 (No. 239): Phil Mafah, RB. His trajectory has climbed since the pads came on in camp, but Mafah might get caught in a numbers game that leads him to the practice squad.

Round 7 (No. 247): Tommy Akingbesote, DT. He had some positive moments in camp, but the practice squad is Akingbesote’s likely destination at the start of the season. — Todd Archer

Round 1 (No. 13): Kenneth Grant, DT. Grant has stood out since the pads went on at practice and has consistently demonstrated an ability to defend the run. He has also drawn rave reviews from coaches and teammates for his willingness to learn and has essentially been attached by the hip to Zach Sieler. Miami drafted Grant to play right away, and he’s trending toward doing exactly that.

“I think his emotional intelligence on this football team has been phenomenal,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “We needed his skill set to contribute and we couldn’t hold our breath if we were going to get a guy that can be a force on our defense. So I think he’s working relentlessly and I like where he’s at right now and I want to see his game continue.”

Round 2 (No. 37): Jonah Savaiinaea, G. Savaiinaea is another expected day one starter for a Dolphins offensive line that believes it added toughness and physicality this offseason. He is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, but he has flashed brilliance this summer and should be a solid rookie starter.

Round 5 (No. 143): Jordan Phillips, DT. Not only will Phillips make the roster, but he might also become a key contributor after a stellar summer and preseason.

Round 5 (No. 150): Jason Marshall Jr., CB. Marshall will make the initial roster, in part because of Miami’s depth issues at cornerback; those same issues might also provide a path to early playing time.

Round 5 (No. 155): Dante Trader Jr., S. Trader was banged up at the start of training camp but has flashed when healthy and should make the initial roster as a special teams contributor and depth safety.

Round 6 (No. 179): Ollie Gordon II, RB. Gordon is a roster lock, especially with Alexander Mattison’s season-ending injury. He has a real shot at challenging Jaylen Wright for Miami’s RB2 role if preseason production is any indication.

Round 7 (No. 231): Quinn Ewers, QB: Ewers is not far behind presumed backup Zach Wilson — if at all. He will be on the initial roster, and Wilson will have his hands full fending off Ewers for the QB2 job.

Round 7 (No. 253): Zeek Biggers, DT. Biggers has lived up to his surname this preseason and has been a disruptive presence at the line of scrimmage — particularly in batting passes down. He should make the initial roster. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Round 1 (No. 14): Tyler Warren, TE. The Colts were near the bottom of the league in tight end production in 2024, so the selection of Warren was most welcome. So far, he has confirmed practically everything the coaches believed about him, especially his ability to make difficult catches look routine. That has made life easier on the quarterbacks, according to coach Shane Steichen, because passes to Warren don’t need to be perfect. “We know when the ball is in his vicinity, he’s got a high percentage [chance] of catching the football,” Steichen said.

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Tyler Warren a rookie TE with upside potential in fantasy

Field Yates on why Warren is a mid-tier TE2 with upside this fantasy season.

Round 2 (No. 45): JT Tuimoloau, Edge. The Colts have good depth on the edge, so what they need from Tuimoloau is rotational help. He has shown that he’s plenty capable of that. But if he breaks out, he could earn even more playing time. He was slowed by a knee injury late in training camp, but the Colts still believe Tuimoloau can be a force as a run stopper and pass rusher.

Round 3 (No. 80): Justin Walley, CB. Walley sustained a torn ACL in a joint practice with the Ravens and is expected to miss the season. It was a huge blow for Walley personally, but also for the Colts’ defense. Walley had already emerged as a standout and was on track to be the team’s No. 3 cornerback.

Round 4 (No. 127): Jalen Travis, OT. Travis has a chance to establish himself as the Colts’ top backup offensive tackle, though he’s still adjusting to NFL speed.

Round 5 (No. 151): DJ Giddens, RB. Giddens has already made a splash and seems destined to be the Colts’ No. 2 running back behind Jonathan Taylor. Giddens’ skills in the passing game complement Taylor nicely, seeing how that is not an area of strength for the veteran.

Round 6 (No. 189): Riley Leonard, QB. Leonard has made some splashes with the backups in training camp, but he has also raised questions about whether he has an NFL-caliber arm. He’ll likely be the third QB.

Round 6 (No. 190): Tim Smith, DT. Smith had a quiet camp and could be destined for the practice squad given the veterans ahead of him on the depth chart.

Round 7 (No. 232): Hunter Wohler, S. Wohler has been flipping back and forth between safety and dime linebacker. He has already solidified a roster spot and is likely to see playing time. — Stephen Holder

Round 1 (No. 15): Jalon Walker, Edge. It has not been the greatest training camp for Walker. After a spring program where coaches were raving about him — Falcons coach Raheem Morris said he had future captain ability — he has missed most of the 11-on-11 periods with a hamstring injury. Walker did play in the first preseason game and had success, but a tweaked groin kept him out of the team’s second exhibition. The plan for Walker, a versatile linebacker, is to use him on the edge initially, have him master that and then move him around when ready. If healthy, he’ll be a regular in the edge rusher rotation.

Round 1 (No. 26): James Pearce Jr., Edge. The speedy pass rusher has been one of the team’s most valuable defenders in camp and will be used often at edge even if he doesn’t start. Pearce seems to be getting more reps in practice than anyone else. He has also been involved in several fights, getting under the skin of the offensive line, which has its positives and negatives. But the Falcons have appreciated the aggression Pearce has brought to the defense. Morris said Atlanta wanted more “natural edge” on the team from a personality standpoint, and Pearce has delivered.

Round 3 (No. 96): Xavier Watts, S. Watts has been dealing with an injury through most of camp but played in both preseason games, ending with five tackles total. He’s part of a competition at safety with veteran Jordan Fuller and DeMarcco Hellams. The Falcons expect Watts to be a real contributor as a rookie.

Round 4 (No. 118): Billy Bowman Jr., CB. The Falcons believe they got a steal and think Bowman will make an impact in his first season, potentially starting in Week 1 at nickel corner.

Round 7 (No. 218): Jack Nelson, OT. Nelson has gotten significant reps, even playing with the first-team offense at times, but has struggled to adjust on some plays and could be looking at a practice-squad role. — Marc Raimondi

Round 1 (No. 16): Walter Nolen III, DT. Nolen has yet to practice since training camp began in July because of a calf injury he suffered while working out ahead of camp. He’s progressing and is at the point in his rehab where he’s supposed to be, coach Jonathan Gannon said recently. “Hasn’t had any, I don’t want to say the word setback, but hasn’t had any setbacks,” Gannon said.

Round 2 (No. 47): Will Johnson, CB. Johnson has impressed from the jump and quickly worked his way onto the field as the starting cornerback in nickel and dime packages. He has stood out, pairing his physical abilities with his mental aptitude. “He’s been able to grasp the playbook rather quickly,” cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith said. “I’ve been impressed.”

Round 3 (No. 78): Jordan Burch, Edge. Burch has caught the eyes of his coaches because of his physical presence and how he’s able to move. It landed him first-team reps during camp and a chance to crack a deep rotation on the edge. “He doesn’t bust [assignments] a lot. He really doesn’t. So he knows what’s going on. He’s executing schematically and he’s playing pretty fast and violent. He’s doing a good job,” Gannon said.

Round 4 (No. 115): Cody Simon, LB. There’s a high probability Simon makes the 53 because of how quickly he has picked up playing inside linebacker in the NFL. With that comes a good chance of seeing the field as a rotational player in addition to special teams duties.

Round 5 (No. 174): Denzel Burke, CB. Burke has to beat out a couple of corners to make the team, but he has had a strong preseason, which could help swing the decision in his favor.

Round 6 (No. 211): Hayden Conner, G. An injury in the second preseason game could affect Conner’s status on the 53, but he was in line to make the team as a swing center and guard.

Round 7 (No. 225): Kitan Crawford, S. Arizona already has a deep and talented safety corps, but Crawford could carve out a niche playing special teams and contribute in spot situations on defense. — Josh Weinfuss

Round 1 (No. 17): Shemar Stewart, Edge. When the Bengals drafted Stewart, there were questions about whether his great traits could help him overcome the limited sack production he had at Texas A&M. And despite a contract dispute that kept him off the field for the start of training camp, he has been as impressive as any Bengals rookie in recent memory. Stewart has been disruptive, lining up across multiple positions on the defensive line and earning respect from all corners of the locker room.

“These are all the things we saw on the tape in terms of being able to position him in different spots and make an impact immediately and disrupt,” coach Zac Taylor said.

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1:11

‘It’s finally done!’ Barnwell reacts to Stewart’s deal with Bengals

Bill Barnwell joins “SportsCenter” to break down what Shemar Stewart will bring to Cincinnati with his contract finally in place.

Round 2 (No. 49): Demetrius Knight Jr., LB. Knight has been slotted in as a day one starter and has been attentive in learning throughout training camp. The most notable example was Knight working with linebackers coach Mike Hodges on his moves as a pass rusher. Knight also hasn’t been shy about thumping offensive players in practice and making sure his presence is felt.

Round 3 (No. 81): Dylan Fairchild, G. From the moment he was drafted, Fairchild was projected as the starter at left guard. He has lived up to the billing. He has been solid throughout training camp and gone virtually unnoticed, which is good for a rookie interior lineman. Fairchild is arguably the best guard on the roster and should beef up the Bengals’ interior offensive line.

Round 4 (No. 119): Barrett Carter, LB. Carter is projected as a backup but should still have a good shot at getting defensive and special teams reps this season.

Round 5 (No. 153): Jalen Rivers, OT/G. Rivers started camp as the swing tackle but has since shifted to guard, which should help Cincinnati’s shaky depth at that spot.

Round 6 (No. 193): Tahj Brooks, RB. Brooks could be the team’s No. 2 running back behind Chase Brown and should get opportunities to make plays this season. — Ben Baby

Round 1 (No. 18): Grey Zabel, G. With a strong camp and standout performances in both preseason games, Zabel is showing why the Seahawks viewed him as the best interior offensive lineman in this year’s draft. He’s playing left guard after finishing his college career at left tackle, and while athleticism was his oft-mentioned trait leading up to the draft, he looks plenty powerful, too.

“It’s not too big for him,” coach Mike Macdonald said of Zabel’s preseason performances. “There’s poise there. I thought his execution’s been really good. Still plays out on the table for him, which is cool. There’s an opportunity to grow and he’ll hit those things. … He’s done a phenomenal job, and he’s stayed hungry and he’s chasing those little details that’s going to make him a great player.”

Round 2 (No. 35): Nick Emmanwori, S. The Seahawks have a clear role in mind for Emmanwori, who will play regularly in their big-nickel package and will operate near the line of scrimmage. He has made enough plays in camp to look like he has the potential to be an impact player right away, even in a part-time role.

Round 2 (No. 50): Elijah Arroyo, TE. Arguably no member of Seattle’s rookie class has been as consistently impressive as Arroyo. He has shown good hands to go along with excellent speed that has allowed him to frequently make plays downfield. His emergence was one of the factors in Seattle’s decision to release veteran Noah Fant.

Round 3 (No. 92): Jalen Milroe, QB. Milroe’s improvement in accuracy has been evident in camp and both preseason games (9-of-15 for 107 yards), though Macdonald has noted that the QB needs to clean up some operational miscues. While he’s the clear-cut QB3 behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock, the Seahawks have talked about using Milroe for a handful of plays that take advantage of his legs. He successfully converted a tush push in the second exhibition game.

Round 5 (No. 142): Rylie Mills, DT. Mills is on the non-football injury list while recovering from a December ACL tear and won’t be ready until midseason at the earliest.

Round 5 (No. 166): Tory Horton, WR. Horton has had a strong enough camp to push veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the third receiver job — and for Emmanwori to predict that Horton will be the “steal of the draft.”

Round 5 (No. 175): Robbie Ouzts, FB. A college tight end, Ouzts has converted to fullback and is leading Brady Russell in the competition to fill that role.

Round 6 (No. 192): Bryce Cabeldue, G. Although he hasn’t factored into the competition at right guard, Cabeldue has positioned himself well to make the 53-man roster as a backup.

Round 7 (No. 223): Damien Martinez, RB. Kenny McIntosh’s season-ending knee injury opened the door for Martinez to be Seattle’s third running back — likely his only ticket to a spot on the 53 since Seattle will also keep a fullback — but George Holani currently appears to be ahead of Martinez.

Round 7 (No. 234): Mason Richman, OT. Richman hasn’t done enough to pass Michael Jerrell for the fourth spot on the tackle depth chart, so don’t expect him to make the 53.

Round 7 (No. 238): Ricky White III, WR. White also looks like a long shot to make the 53, but he has made enough plays and brings enough on special teams to make him a strong practice squad candidate. — Brady Henderson

Round 1 (No. 19): Emeka Egbuka, WR. Whether he’s formally listed as a starter or not, Egbuka will get those types of snaps in the Bucs’ offense. He can line up at any receiver position, and with Chris Godwin still recovering from ankle surgery (plus Jalen McMillan taking a hard fall on his neck in the second preseason game), Egbuka will be counted on early. “[He is] already a true professional,” Mike Evans said. “He is an unbelievable playmaker and is going to have a great career in this league.”

Round 2 (No. 53): Benjamin Morrison, CB. Morrison has been sidelined all preseason due to a hamstring injury, and this comes after missing months due to hip surgery. The hope is that he’ll be ready for Week 1, but that could be difficult.

Round 3 (No. 84): Jacob Parrish, CB. Coach Todd Bowles believes Parrish is the fastest guy on the roster, and his physical traits and ball skills make up for his 5-foot-10 height. He has learned the Bucs’ defense at both nickel and on the outside and could be their starting nickelback for Week 1.

Round 4 (No. 121): David Walker, Edge. The Bucs had high hopes for Walker as a rotational edge who could potentially blossom into a starter in coming seasons, but he suffered a torn ACL in the first week of practice, so he’ll spend the season on injured reserve.

Round 5 (No. 157): Elijah Roberts, DT. After a quiet preseason opener, Roberts recorded a quarterback pressure and a tackle on a kick return in the second game as he vies for the fifth defensive lineman spot.

Round 7 (No. 235): Tez Johnson, WR. Johnson missed the first preseason game with a leg injury but made his presence known in the second with a 34-yard punt return. He did muff another one in that game, but his speed as both a returner and a receiver is apparent. He should make the team. — Jenna Laine

Round 1 (No. 20): Jahdae Barron, CB. Barron was a top-10 player on the Broncos’ draft board, so they gladly reeled him at No. 20. He has not disappointed given he has already spent plenty of time in situational work with the starters and has lined up both outside and at nickel. The Broncos have kept him concentrated on cornerback, but Barron has the ability to line up as a dime linebacker and at safety. As Broncos coach Sean Payton has said: “He’s very instinctive. He’s very smart, exceptionally smart. I think that’s a big plus for him.” Expect Barron to get situational work in Week 1.

Round 2 (No. 60): RJ Harvey, RB. Harvey and free agent signee J.K. Dobbins have received most of the starting work throughout training camp. When the starters were playing in the preseason opener, Harvey was the early-down back with Dobbins playing on third down or longer passing situations. Harvey will get plenty of work this season, and Payton sees him as a potential lead back.

Round 3 (No. 74): Pat Bryant, WR. The Broncos have a crowded receiver room, but Bryant is poised to carve out snaps when the regular season opens. Bryant has shown physicality in contested-pass situations and the ability to create space on his release from the line of scrimmage, which is what Denver hoped for when it selected him.

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Round 3 (No. 101): Sai’vion Jones, DT. Jones caught the Broncos’ eye with his high-motor play, and they value the 6-foot-5, 289-pounder’s length. But with four veterans — Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach — getting most of the defensive line snaps, Jones is battling for a rotational spot. He has done enough to make the team if Denver keeps six defensive linemen, but DL is one of the deepest spots on the Broncos’ roster.

Round 4 (No. 134): Que Robinson, Edge. Robinson missed some time early in training camp with a bone bruise in his leg but was one of the best special teams players on the Broncos’ board. Robinson has also shown enough potential as a situational rusher to make the roster.

Round 6 (No. 216): Jeremy Crawshaw, P. Crawshaw has been the only punter in training camp, so he figures to be the guy in the regular season. But the Broncos would like to see more consistency to go with his rare leg power.

Round 7 (No. 241): Caleb Lohner, TE. Lohner played only one year of college football after playing basketball at Baylor and BYU, so he is a developmental prospect with red zone upside. — Jeff Legwold

Round 1 (No. 21): Derrick Harmon, DT. Harmon’s future isn’t immediately clear after he was carted off with a knee injury in the preseason finale against the Panthers. Harmon, who recorded a sack and a tackle for loss in the second preseason game, was tabbed a starter during minicamp and backed it up with a strong camp, filling out a defensive line that also includes stalwart Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton. A significant injury to Harmon would be a major loss for a team that drafted him to help rectify a porous run defense that heavily contributed to the Steelers’ season-ending five-game losing streak a year ago.

“We think he’s had a really good camp,” assistant general manager Andy Weidl said. “His explosiveness, his length, his hands … the ability to escape blocks and both phases, the energy comes off the ball with the explosiveness. All those things are attractive.”

Round 3 (No. 83): Kaleb Johnson, RB. Drafted for his instincts and power, Johnson started to show that more in the second preseason game as he got more comfortable with the speed of the NFL. But through two preseason games, he’s averaging only 3.5 yards per carry on 19 rushes. His pass pro also took a step forward in his second game, but he’s still the RB2 behind Jaylen Warren.

Round 4 (No. 123): Jack Sawyer, Edge. Sawyer was a luxury pick for an already stacked linebacker room, but he has looked more like a developmental player and special teams contributor through two preseason games.

Round 5 (No. 164): Yahya Black, DT. Black turned heads throughout camp, using his long arms and solid timing to be a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage. Look for him to be a solid rotational player up front.

Round 6 (No. 185): Will Howard, QB. Howard had a promising start to camp but was sidelined with a spiral fracture to a finger in his throwing hand. He should still make the team.

Round 7 (No. 226): Carson Bruener, LB. The son of former Steelers tight end and scout Mark Bruener, Carson is in a battle for a roster spot. Other inside linebackers’ experience and contributions on special teams might bump Bruener to the practice squad.

Round 7 (No. 229): Donte Kent, CB. Kent is on the losing end of a numbers game. The acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, along with a deep, veteran group of cornerbacks, makes Kent unlikely to make the 53-man cut. — Brooke Pryor

Round 1 (No. 22): Omarion Hampton, RB. Players and coaches have raved about Hampton since he arrived at the team’s facility in April. At first, it was Hampton’s stature. He’s 6-foot, 221 pounds but almost looks bigger than that, towering over his Chargers running back counterparts. Hampton also moves with a rare swiftness for a back his size.

“I don’t want to say how he’s impressed me, but I can tell,” edge rusher Khalil Mack said. “If you play football, then you know. It’s going to be fun to watch him play.”

Round 2 (No. 55): Tre Harris, WR. Harris had an inconsistent training camp, struggling with drops at practice. But he dazzled in the third preseason game against the Rams, leading the Chargers with six catches for 85 yards. “He had a heck of a game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Round 3 (No. 86): Jamaree Caldwell, DT. Caldwell has been a consistent disruptor in the Chargers’ three preseason games. His best game came against the Saints, where he had a sack and four tackles, including a tackle for loss. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said Caldwell is a “dominant block disruptor.”

Round 4 (No. 125): Kyle Kennard, Edge. Kennard has been hurt for most of training camp but will make the team. He has serious competition for playing time, however, with third-year veteran Caleb Murphy, who has emerged this summer.

Round 5 (No. 158): KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR. Lambert-Smith has been the star of this offseason with weekly spectacular catches and has a real shot to make an impact this season.

Round 5 (No. 165): Oronde Gadsden II, TE. Gadsden has fared well this offseason, and his upside as a pass catcher could get him opportunities this season.

Round 6 (No. 199): Branson Taylor, G. Taylor will be in a reserve role this season, but the Chargers’ shaky, injury-laden offensive line could thrust him into playing time.

Round 6 (No. 214): RJ Mickens, S. Mickens has dazzled on special teams and defense, and his versatility will likely earn him a roster spot.

Round 7 (No. 256): Trikweze Bridges, CB. Bridges appears to be facing an uphill battle to make the roster, but a good performance in the Chargers’ final preseason game could change things. — Kris Rhim

Round 1 (No. 23): Matthew Golden, WR. It’s hard to imagine a rookie receiver getting off to a better start. He has shown his 4.29 speed, ability to get open and the ease with which he catches the ball. What more could anyone want in a receiver? Golden is in line to get regular targets and opportunities in the passing game right away. “He’s one of those rookies that has made one or two plays every day,” Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said. “When you start to see that, the consistency of that, there’s a lot of history here that those guys make it and are pretty good players in this league.”

Round 2 (No. 54): Anthony Belton, OT. Belton has shown his power, especially as a run blocker, but has to clean up his technique and penalty issues — he had five in the first half of the Week 2 preseason game. The good thing is that barring injuries, the Packers don’t need him to play immediately, so Belton has time to work through it. He’s likely fourth on the tackle depth chart to open the season.

Round 3 (No. 87): Savion Williams, WR. If Williams can stay healthy — he has been slowed by a shoulder injury — then he can be a multifaceted weapon as a receiver and a ball carrier. He already has shown that despite being in and out of practice.

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Round 4 (No. 124): Barryn Sorrell, Edge. Sorrell looked set for a rotational role as a pass rusher until he sustained a knee injury in the second preseason game against the Colts. Now he is likely to miss the start of the season.

Round 5 (No. 159): Collin Oliver, DE. Oliver hasn’t taken a single practice rep. He was coming off a foot injury in college and has dealt with a hamstring injury this offseason, so Oliver is likely to begin the season on the physically unable to perform list.

Round 6 (No. 198): Warren Brinson, DT. Brinson appears to have a shot to be in the defensive line rotation to start the season.

Round 7 (No. 237): Micah Robinson, CB. The Packers’ top four cornerbacks appear set, so Robinson is likely in a battle for one of the final spots.

Round 7 (No. 250): John Williams, G. Williams has not taken a single practice snap because of a back injury that has him on the PUP list. — Rob Demovsky

Round 1 (No. 24): Donovan Jackson, G. Jackson appears set to be a Week 1 starter after taking every rep at left guard during the public portion of training camp. An anticipated competition with veteran Blake Brandel never materialized, in part because Brandel was filling in at right guard while Will Fries finalized his recovery from a fractured leg. Jackson has found himself in some vulnerable spots with veteran defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but coach Kevin O’Connell said he has been impressed with Jackson’s ability to “salvage a really competitive rep, and then mentally the next time anticipate it and kind of be prepared for it.”

Round 3 (No. 102): Tai Felton, WR/KR. Felton has demonstrated speed and open-field running ability while competing for the No. 4 receiver position. It’s also clear that the Vikings hope he can fill their kick returner role, despite some preseason struggles that have included a fumble and a kick that ricocheted off his leg.

Round 5 (No. 139): Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT. Ingram-Dawkins has gotten enough work with the second team, and with the first team when starters took veteran rest days, to suggest he will be part of the defensive line rotation at some point during the season.

Round 6 (No. 201): Kobe King, LB. There appears to be a big special teams role in store for King, who also has been good enough at inside linebacker to prompt the Vikings to waive veteran backup Brian Asamoah II..

Round 6 (No. 202): Gavin Bartholomew, TE. Bartholomew hasn’t participated in a single practice, dating to OTAs, because of a back injury. It does not appear he will be a contributor in 2025. — Kevin Seifert

Round 1 (No. 27): Malaki Starks, S. Starks will start immediately, filling the biggest hole in a talented secondary that features five first-round picks. The Ravens’ coaches been thrilled with his maturity, leadership and playmaking ability. Starks has made a couple of interceptions in training camp, including one where he leapt in front of a receiver to pick off Lamar Jackson in the end zone.

“If you were going to sit there and say what was one of the biggest reasons we drafted him, it’s because of [his takeaway ability],” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He just has great ball skills. He has great range.”

Round 2 (No. 59): Mike Green, Edge. Green will be used heavily in the Ravens’ edge rotation with Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy because, as outside linebackers coach Matt Robinson said, Green really “pops out on tape.” Green plays with a relentless mindset and is tenacious at the point of attack.

Round 3 (No. 91): Emery Jones Jr., OT. Jones has yet to practice for the Ravens because of a shoulder injury he suffered before the draft. He was expected to return in the middle of training camp, but if Jones remains on the non-football injury list to start the season, he will miss at least the first four games.

Round 4 (No. 129): Teddye Buchanan, LB. Known for his communication on the field, Buchanan will be the primary backup at middle and weakside linebacker while being a core special teams player.

Round 5 (No. 141): Carson Vinson, OT. The Ravens see Vinson as a developmental blocker who will make the team as the No. 4 offensive tackle.

Round 6 (No. 178): Bilhal Kone, CB. Kone will miss his entire rookie season after suffering a gruesome left knee injury in the preseason opener.

Round 6 (No. 186): Tyler Loop, K. The recently named successor to Justin Tucker, Loop has shown a strong leg and consistency during training camp.

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Round 6 (No. 203): LaJohntay Wester, WR. Wester solidified himself as the Ravens’ primary punt returner after scoring an 87-yard touchdown in the preseason opener.

Round 6 (No. 210): Aeneas Peebles, DT. The Ravens have been impressed with the quickness of Peebles, who provides interior pass-rushing depth.

Round 6 (No. 212): Robert Longerbeam, CB. Baltimore placed Longerbeam on season-ending injured reserve on Aug. 10 after he injured a knee during a training-camp collision.

Round 7 (No. 243): Garrett Dellinger, G. With the Ravens’ previous three seventh-round picks making the team, Dellinger is looking to land one of the final offensive line spots. — Jamison Hensley

Round 1 (No. 28): Tyleik Williams, DT. Williams brings confidence and has a high football IQ, and he’s expected to contribute immediately this season. He has taken first-team reps at defensive tackle all summer as the Lions will start the season without starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill, who is recovering from a season-ending ACL injury in 2024. Williams shined in his preseason debut at Atlanta despite failing to log any official defensive statistics in limited action, displaying quick feet and power that have coach Dan Campbell excited.

Round 2 (No. 57): Tate Ratledge, G. Ratledge continues to fight for a starting role on a line that lost key starters in Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow (retirement) and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler (free agency). After the first day of joint practices against the Dolphins on Aug. 13, Campbell was impressed with Ratledge and thought he “looked like a starting NFL guard.”

Round 3 (No. 70): Isaac TeSlaa, WR. TeSlaa continues to improve and earn trust as a playmaker. He scored receiving touchdowns in back-to-back preseason games. He has shined throughout training camp and preseason and could emerge as a sleeper pick. He has earned some first-team reps with the offense in practice. GM Brad Holmes called him a “gritty, tough, physical guy with a lot of confidence in himself.”

Round 5 (No. 171): Miles Frazier, G. Frazier has yet to play after being placed on the active/PUP list with a knee injury ahead of training camp. That will keep him out until September or October.

Round 6 (No. 196): Ahmed Hassanein, Edge. Campbell loves Hassanein’s effort and enthusiasm, describing him as “a sponge.” However, Hassanein suffered a pectoral injury and will “be down for a while” according to Campbell, who said he was unsure if Hassanein would return this season.

Round 7 (No. 230): Dan Jackson, S. The Lions placed the rookie safety on injured reserve on Aug. 4, a day after he left practice because of a leg injury.

Round 7 (No. 244): Dominic Lovett, WR. Lovett was an early training camp standout who could be useful on special teams. He could be Holmes’ next late-round gem. — Eric Woodyard

Round 1 (No. 29): Josh Conerly Jr., OT. Conerly was competing with veteran Andrew Wylie at right tackle early in training camp but has taken the bulk of the work with the starters lately as Wylie fills in for injured players elsewhere. Conerly looked sluggish early as he adjusted to playing in the NFL and playing on the right side as opposed to the left, where he played at Oregon. But he has been solid of late. Coach Dan Quinn said he likes his “quickness off the ball,” which works well with the team’s desire to use pulling action and screens.

If Conerly doesn’t start the opener, he’ll earn a starting nod at some point early in the season. But having a veteran such as Wylie (88 career starts) provides Washington insurance early in the season. “We don’t expect him to be an All-Pro on Day 1,” running back Brian Robinson Jr. said of Conerly. “He’s making strides; I definitely see improvement.”

Round 2 (No. 61): Trey Amos, CB. He has been impressive throughout training camp as a starting outside corner opposite Marshon Lattimore. Coaches have praised Amos’ patience at the line of scrimmage, with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. saying his ability to play press man has stood out the most.

Round 4 (No. 128): Jaylin Lane, WR. Lane will serve as the Commanders’ top punt returner, and his speed will help him get playing time at receiver.

Round 6 (No. 205): Kain Medrano, LB. Medrano’s speed has the Commanders wanting to develop him as a cover linebacker, though any early impact will come on special teams.

Round 7 (No. 245): Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB. Washington likes its running back depth, but Croskey-Merritt has an excellent chance to make the roster; Quinn likes his “violent cuts.” — John Keim

Round 1 (No. 30): Maxwell Hairston, CB. Hairston suffered a right LCL sprain on July 29 and hasn’t returned. Before the injury, Hairston was competing with Tre’Davious White for the No. 2 cornerback job, but White appeared to be in the lead. Hairston is now off his crutches, but Bills coach Sean McDermott didn’t rule out him starting the year on injured reserve.

“When you get injured, unfortunately as a young player, you’re missing a ton of fill-in-the-blank, reps, experience, technique work, fundamentals, all those things,” McDermott said. “And so, there’s going to be a lot of work to get done here as he continues to get going.”

Round 2 (No. 41): T.J. Sanders, DT. Sanders has made a splash at times during both practice and in the preseason. He should be expected to be part of the defensive line rotation and play significant snaps during the season.

Round 3 (No. 72): Landon Jackson, Edge. Jackson hasn’t necessarily flashed as he makes his way through camp, but he did lead the team with four pressures in the second preseason game. He’s set to be a backup but will be part of the defensive line rotation.

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Round 4 (No. 109): Deone Walker, DT. Walker is set to make the 53-man roster and has flashed at times, including putting up a strong performance in the first preseason game. He’s set for a backup role.

Round 5 (No. 170): Jordan Hancock, CB. Hancock came into the second preseason game in position to earn his way to the 53-man roster but suffered a shoulder injury in third quarter, so he’ll be one to monitor.

Round 5 (No. 173): Jackson Hawes, TE. A roster spot is largely secure for Hawes, who has put together a solid camp, especially as a blocker. He’s in position to be the Bills’ third tight end.

Round 6 (No. 177): Dorian Strong, CB. Strong is on the roster bubble after having some up-and-down moments. There are limited open spots, so he’s a player to watch on cut-down day.

Round 6 (No. 206): Chase Lundt, OT. Lundt is another player on the bubble. The Bills are trying him at guard and tackle to see if he can crack the offensive line room.

Round 7 (No. 240): Kaden Prather, WR. Prather missed a significant amount of training camp with a hamstring injury. With limited spots available, he’s not expected to make the roster. — Alaina Getzenberg

Round 1 (No. 31): Jihaad Campbell, LB. Running back Saquon Barkley likened Campbell’s build to Micah Parsons and predicted he is going to be “a real big problem for a lot of guys in the league who have to go against him and block him.”

Campbell has gotten first-team reps this summer in place of Zack Baun, who had been sidelined with a back contusion. He has made a number of impact plays, with his speed and physicality on full display. It hasn’t been perfect — Campbell has had some lapses in pass coverage — but there’s plenty for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to be excited about. Campbell will get snaps right away in Week 1.

Round 2 (No. 64): Andrew Mukuba, S. Mukuba was slowed with a shoulder injury for part of camp but has come on lately. He made a big splash with an interception return for a touchdown and a fumble recovery in the second preseason game against the Browns, flashing the kind of playmaking ability that helped him lead the SEC in interceptions in 2024. He has been competing with third-year player Sydney Brown for the starting spot opposite Reed Blankenship.

Round 4 (No. 111): Ty Robinson, DT. Robinson registered a sack and a QB hit in the preseason opener against the Bengals and has a chance to work his way into Fangio’s defensive tackle rotation.

Round 5 (No. 145): Mac McWilliams, CB. Able to play both outside corner and nickel, McWilliams will probably start off as a versatile depth player who could elevate to a greater role before long.

Round 5 (No. 161): Smael Mondon Jr., LB. Mondon has worked with the first team some and has acquitted himself pretty well, earning himself a spot in a talented linebacker room.

Round 5 (No. 168): Drew Kendall, C. He is vying for the backup center role and has shown an ability to play guard.

Round 6 (No. 181): Kyle McCord, QB. McCord has had an up-and-down summer as he competes with Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the No. 3 QB role.

Round 6 (No. 191): Myles Hinton, OT. Hinton is listed as the third-team left tackle and is fighting for a roster spot.

Round 6 (No. 207): Cameron Williams, OT. Williams needs some developing and could be a practice-squad candidate.

Round 6 (No. 209): Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., Edge. He has had a relatively quiet camp, but with 30 career college sacks, the Eagles might want to keep him around and see how he develops. — Tim McManus

Round 1 (No. 32): Josh Simmons, OT. Through camp and two preseason games, Simmons has been nearly flawless based on the team’s expectations. Simmons has taken every repetition at left tackle and has been impressive in limited action in the preseason. If Simmons can continue to improve, the Chiefs’ offense, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, should be one of the NFL’s best units.

“The kid has come out here and shown a little attitude and swagger,” general manager Brett Veach said of Simmons during camp. “He’s a gifted dude.”

Round 2 (No. 63): Omarr Norman-Lott, DT. He had a strong start to camp, earning reps with the first-team defense, but Norman-Lott sustained a left ankle injury that slowed his progress. He is projected to be a rotational player along the Chiefs’ defensive line and could earn a bigger role as the season progresses.

Round 3 (No. 66): Ashton Gillotte, Edge. Although he is not flashy, Gillotte should be a solid contributor. He has already shown he can be an above-average player on special teams this preseason. Gillotte will play a limited role early behind George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu.

Round 3 (No. 85): Nohl Williams, CB. Williams was always going to be a project, perhaps a defender who could play a pivotal role late in his rookie season. Williams has shown physicality, but he sustained a concussion in the second preseason game.

Round 4 (No. 133): Jalen Royals, WR. Royals has already been one of the Chiefs’ most reliable rookies, a player who could fill in when No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice is suspended.

Round 5 (No. 156): Jeffrey Bassa, LB. Bassa has had the most highlight-worthy plays among the defensive rookies and should be a core player on special teams.

Round 7 (No. 228): Brashard Smith, RB. Despite his impressive speed, Smith hasn’t made much of an impact in the preseason and could need time to find his NFL role. — Nate Taylor

Round 2 (No. 34): Jayden Higgins, WR. Higgins is fighting for a starting job, competing with Xavier Hutchinson for an outside receiver spot. Higgins has been running with the first- and second-team offense throughout camp and preseason, so he’ll get significant playing time regardless of whether he starts.

Round 2 (No. 48): Aireontae Ersery, OT. Ersery will start at right or left tackle because he is one of the team’s best five offensive linemen. So Ersery will either start at left tackle, with Cam Robinson on the bench, or he’ll play right tackle with Robinson at left tackle and Tytus Howard shifting to right guard.

Round 3 (No. 79): Jaylin Noel, WR. Noel is slotted as the fourth receiver and is backing up Christian Kirk in the slot. Noel has special teams value as a punt returner.

Round 3 (No. 97): Jaylin Smith, CB. Smith is the Texans’ first cornerback off the bench if starters Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre or Kamari Lassiter get hurt.

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Round 4 (No. 116): Woody Marks, RB. Marks will make the team and could carve out a role as Houston’s third-down back.

Round 6 (No. 187): Jaylen Reed, S. Reed is dealing with a knee injury but should make the team with the injuries to safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jimmie Ward.

Round 6 (No. 197): Graham Mertz, QB. Mertz is likely to get cut, as he’s the fourth quarterback and had a three-interception outing against the Vikings in the first preseason game.

Round 7 (No. 224): Kyonte Hamilton, DT. Hamilton suffered a lower leg injury during the early part of training camp and could start the year on the PUP.

Round 7 (No. 255): Luke Lachey, TE. Lachey is unlikely to make the team — the Texans have signed or traded for multiple tight ends throughout camp. And some of those transactions came before tight end Brevin Jordan suffered a season-ending knee injury. — DJ Bien-Aime

Round 2 (No. 46): Terrance Ferguson, TE. Ferguson has been dealing with a groin injury and has not practiced since July 31. The second-round pick is in a crowded tight ends room with Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen but could still contribute once healthy.

Round 3 (No. 90): Josaiah Stewart, Edge. Stewart had a hamstring injury after the draft, so he didn’t have much time on the field during the offseason program. But once the pads were on, defensive coordinator Chris Shula said that Stewart really showed up. “He’s a great rusher, but he’s also a tough guy [against] the run,” Shula said. “And [he] doesn’t take any plays off.”

Round 4 (No. 117): Jarquez Hunter, RB. Hunter is expected to be the Rams’ third running back behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum but could see playing time as a change-of-pace back.

Round 5 (No. 148): Ty Hamilton, DT. Hamilton has improved as training camp has progressed and should make the 53-man roster. “I think he’s really ascended over the last week,” head coach Sean McVay said. “He’s playing with leverage and he’s understanding what he’s supposed to get done snap in and snap out.”

Round 5 (No. 172): Chris Paul Jr., LB. Paul missed time during training camp with a hamstring injury but wore the green dot in the Rams’ preseason opener. “He’s a running-hit type of guy,” McVay said. “I thought you felt his presence and you felt his range out there.”

Round 7 (No. 242): Konata Mumpfield, WR. Mumpfield is expected to be the Rams’ sixth receiver. He had two catches for 12 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against the Chargers. — Sarah Barshop



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Eagles' Saquon Barkley is entering his prime
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Fantasy football – Best picks for each draft slot in Round 1 and 2 in 10-team leagues

by admin August 21, 2025



Aug 21, 2025, 07:03 AM ET

No one needs more stress in their lives.

Strange as it may sound, among the more anxiety-inducing parts of the fantasy football experience centers around one’s draft position. Whether it’s fretting that your most desired player won’t be there by the time you get to pick, the bother of not knowing your slot until an hour beforehand (as is the case in ESPN default leagues), or the fear that you’ll pick the inevitable “first-rounder who is a bust” and be openly ridiculed by your counterparts, we collectively exhaust far too much energy sweating this particular topic.

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Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. It’s here where I annually walk you through the twists and turns of your draft’s first two rounds, helping ease your mind and maximize your chances at starting your team off strong. After all, we all know that age-old fantasy mantra: “You can’t win your league in the first round, but you can certainly lose it.”

Below is an outline of the specific candidates for selection from each draft spot, the potential combinations for your first two picks, and I offer my ideal selections from each slot in your league.

This edition covers 10-team ESPN standard leagues with PPR scoring. Under each draft slot, you’ll find a “players unlocked” section, which highlights the earliest pick at which you should consider selecting that player (this does not mean that you should select him, but rather that you could if you wish to).

Are you in a league of a different size?
Check out the best picks for 8-team leagues | 12-team leagues

Draft Slot 1

Round 1 (Pick 1 overall): Ja’Marr Chase is coming off one of the most prolific seasons by a wide receiver, he’s a prime-age 25, and his Cincinnati Bengals return a near-identical offense for 2025. Chase’s 403.0 fantasy points were fourth best in history by a wide receiver, his 23.7 points per game was 12th since the merger, and he joined Charley Hennigan (1961), Isaac Bruce (1995) and Davante Adams (2020) as the only wide receivers to score 40-plus points in a game three times in a season. Chase at No. 1 is a no-brainer.

Players unlocked: Chase, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley.

Round 2 (Pick 20): In a 10-team league, there’s a path to one-slot teams enjoying a dream start to the draft, should any of the running backs from the Derrick Henry/Bucky Irving/Josh Jacobs tier, or the wide receivers from the Nico Collins/A.J. Brown/Drake London tier, or even better, multiples, make it this far. If Jacobs is the only one there, he is a great selection this late. Additionally, a WR-RB start to the draft gives this team the luxury of considering Brock Bowers in Round 3. Bowers scored 12.9 more fantasy points than the second-best TE and 114.2 more than the 11th best last season, while projecting for 100-plus more points than the No. 11 tight end for 2025.

Players unlocked: Tee Higgins, Tyreek Hill, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jayden Daniels.

Tristan’s picks: Chase and Jacobs.

Draft Slot 2

Round 1 (Pick 2): You’ll notice both Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley alongside Chase among “unlocked” players at No. 1 overall, in large part due to the perennial debate about the impact and scarcity of three-down, 360-touch running backs (they’re the only ones with at least that many in 2024 and in our 2025 projections). Barkley averaged the position’s most fantasy points per game (22.2), while Robinson’s 341.7 total points were 11th best by any second-year running back in history, making either a viable choice for managers who prefer to prioritize the position. I’m not going running back at No. 1 overall, but I would from this spot, with Robinson preferred between the two.

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Players unlocked: Justin Jefferson, Jahmyr Gibbs, CeeDee Lamb.

Round 2 (Pick 19): Getting the No. 1 running back, and a prime-age one at that, provides this team lots of second-round flexibility, to the point that the two-slot manager might be thinking about breaking the seal on either the quarterback or tight end position. I wouldn’t, as there are enough of the former in the top tier, the latter has historically unearthed enough low-cost breakthroughs to warrant draft patience, and the third round should still provide a wealth of options at either spot. Lamar Jackson, for example, by all rights should be there at 22nd overall.

Running back remains the way to go from this slot, with Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor or Bucky Irving often the names available. Taylor, for all his injury risk, is one of the most reliable three-down backs, his 15 games exceeding 20 touches in a game the past two seasons trailing only Saquon Barkley and Kyren Williams (17 apiece).

Players unlocked: None.

Tristan’s picks: Robinson and Taylor.

Draft Slot 3

Round 1 (Pick 3): If you’re a Saquon Barkley believer — and I’m not, concerned that players of his age (28) coming off his 2024 workload (482 total touches, including the postseason) have a poor track record of repeating (detailed in my video above) — you shouldn’t let him sneak past this draft slot. Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson and Barkley are projected for 100-plus more points than the No. 21 player at their positions, the only running backs and wide receivers who can claim that.

This is a year, however, where personal opinion can come into play between picks 3 and 6, meaning Justin Jefferson, Jahmyr Gibbs and CeeDee Lamb, all “unlocked” at the previous slot, are fair game. I’m among the most pro-Jefferson fantasy managers around, pointing out his wide receiver-record 1,492.4 fantasy points through his first five NFL seasons.

Players unlocked: None.

Round 2 (Pick 18): Bucky Irving is the most intriguing second-round running back, at least relative to what are generally modest projections. I can formulate a case that he almost scratches the top-10 overall picks, though many people rank him outside the top 20. This seems like the sweet spot for him, but don’t be afraid to reach with one of the lower draft slots, if you share similar optimism.

Players unlocked: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Trey McBride.

Tristan’s picks: Jefferson and Irving.

Draft Slot 4

Round 1 (Pick 4): Jahmyr Gibbs ultimately outscored Saquon Barkley last season (362.9 to 355.2), and while Barkley sitting out the Week 18 finale contributed, Gibbs’ performances in Weeks 15-18 and the divisional round gave him the look of a player ready to take his game to another level. If Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson and Justin Jefferson are already off the board, this slot should come down to your Gibbs/Barkley personal preference.

Players unlocked: None.

Round 2 (Pick 17): I’m fading Derrick Henry more than most — more on why under Draft Slot 10 — but this is about as far as I’d allow him to slip in any draft, 10 teams or otherwise. Running backs will be plentiful from this spot in drafts where the Brian Thomas Jr./Nico Collins/A.J. Brown/Drake London wide receiver tier goes early in the second round, and Henry is a cut above Bucky Irving, Jonathan Taylor and Josh Jacobs.

Players unlocked: None.

Tristan’s picks: Gibbs and Henry.

Draft Slot 5

Round 1 (Pick 5): Don’t get me wrong, my fading of Saquon Barkley is no hater’s angle. The 5-slot is the furthest I’d let him slide in any 2025 draft of 10 teams or greater. Any more than that and you run the danger of gifting your competition a massive value pick … kind of like Barkley wound up being in 2024.

Players unlocked: None.

Round 2 (Pick 16): The danger for this team is being cornered into a Philadelphia Eagles strategy, should Brian Thomas Jr., Nico Collins and Drake London all already be off the board. If that’s the case, taking a second running back in De’Von Achane, Derrick Henry or Bucky Irving, then drafting wide receivers aggressively in the next three to five rounds, is reasonable. It’s also not outrageous to take No. 1 tight end Brock Bowers this early.

Players unlocked: Chase Brown, Kyren Williams.

Tristan’s picks: Barkley and London.

Draft Slot 6

Round 1 (Pick 6): If it’s not either of the top two draft slots, this is my preferred position for 2025, as the first point at which there’s a noticeable drop-off in terms of talent. Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, Justin Jefferson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkey and CeeDee Lamb make up the top tier of six, meaning you should select the one remaining from this slot. For those feeling super-bold, this is the earliest possible slot from which you should even consider drafting the top-ranked rookie, Ashton Jeanty.

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Players unlocked: Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Christian McCaffrey, Malik Nabers, Jeanty.

Round 2 (Pick 15): This team also runs the risk of the dual-Eagles start, albeit with more control over it in the second round. A non-A.J. Brown member of the Brian Thomas Jr./Nico Collins/Brown/Drake London wide receiver tier, or a RB1 like De’Von Achane, should still be there. Incidentally, I wouldn’t pass up one of the wide receivers even if I took Lamb in the first round. Chase Brown, Kyren Williams and James Cook have been known to make it back to this pick in Round 3.

Players unlocked: Ladd McConkey.

Tristan’s picks: Lamb and Brown.

Draft Slot 7

Round 1 (Pick 7): Picks 7 through 11 overall come down largely to personal preference, from the trio of wide receivers (Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Malik Nabers) and the two high-ceiling running backs (Christian McCaffrey and Ashton Jeanty) unlocked in the 6-slot. I’ve vacillated between the three receivers in my own early drafts, though St. Brown, the only wide receiver to score 300-plus fantasy points in each of the past two seasons, has most often risen to the top of my board.

Players unlocked: None.

Round 2 (Pick 14): If you’re more pro-Henry than I am, selecting him here makes a bit of sense, even if you took a running back in the first round. I prefer one of the Brian Thomas Jr./Nico Collins/Brown/London wide receiver quartet, but as long as you’re not selecting a running back ranked beneath De’Von Achane or Henry, you’re starting off fine. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyreek Hill, Tee Higgins and Garrett Wilson are typically among wide receivers available from this slot in the third round.

Players unlocked: None.

Tristan’s picks: St. Brown and Collins.

Draft Slot 8

Round 1 (Pick 8): Puka Nacua is the next wide receiver on my draft board. He has a more reliable quarterback throwing him the football than Malik Nabers, and he has scored 15-plus fantasy points in 17 of the first 28 games of his career. Nacua also finished last season on a high note, scoring 159.4 fantasy points over the final eight weeks (third best among wide receivers, despite sitting out the finale).

Players unlocked: De’Von Achane and Brian Thomas Jr.

Round 2 (Pick 13): I’m an Achane fan, so I must point out the following: Since his breakthrough game in Week 3 of 2023 (but not including that one), he has averaged 16.8 PPG, eighth best among running backs. That’s production I can’t pass up in the hopes of piecing a Zero-RB strategy together in the later rounds.

Players unlocked: Josh Jacobs, Brock Bowers.

Tristan’s picks: Nacua and Achane.

Draft Slot 9

Round 1 (Pick 9): Here is where fantasy managers face their toughest draft decision, as Christian McCaffrey, despite the glut of top-6 wide receivers, becomes too difficult to pass up. Over the past seven NFL seasons, covering the time he has been a full-time starter, he has averaged a league-leading (among all players) 23.7 fantasy points per game. Yes, McCaffrey is now 29 years old, with 1,871 career touches on his résumé, and he averaged barely half that per-game rate in his four games played last season, but the upside of a healthy McCaffrey is unquestionably first-round talent. I wouldn’t fault anyone for picking any of the earlier wide receivers (if still available) or Ashton Jeanty over McCaffrey, but this is the furthest I would allow him to slip in any draft.

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Players unlocked: Nico Collins, Derrick Henry.

Round 2 (Pick 12): My valuations have there being a gap between the top 11 picks and the next tier that includes Brian Thomas Jr., Nico Collins and De’Von Achane, meaning that if any player targeted for earlier slots makes it this far, snatch him up quick. Failing that, those who select McCaffrey might be tempted to take Achane, or perhaps Derrick Henry, though that’s absorbing a good amount of risk at the position. I’d go wide receiver, and Thomas, from here.

Players unlocked: None.

Tristan’s picks: McCaffrey and Thomas.

Draft Slot 10

Round 1 (Pick 10): The reason to shy away from the 10-slot in a 10-team league, if you at all have the opportunity to choose, is what will likely be available come the Rounds 3-4 turn, not these two picks. If everything plays out as outlined above, Malik Nabers and Ashton Jeanty provide an excellent starting point. That said, once Christian McCaffrey is gone, it’s time to bring up the other highly debatable running back, Derrick Henry. Henry was fourth in scoring among RBs in 2024, and he’s a three-down back for one of the most run-friendly offenses in football. That said, among the previous 20 players with at least the same as Henry’s 2,529 career touches through his age-30 season, only Walter Payton (three), Ricky Watters and Curtis Martin enjoyed a season of 220-plus fantasy points at an older age. Henry is a risk/reward pick, and I’m not yet ready to take the chance.

Players unlocked: Bucky Irving, Jonathan Taylor, A.J. Brown, Drake London.

Round 2 (Pick 11): If you’re thinking about going WR-WR rather than selecting Jeanty, or if Jeanty goes earlier and you’d rather pass on De’Von Achane, bear in mind that every one of the top 12 running backs will likely be gone by the Rounds 3-4 turn. Be prepared to go heavily Zero-RB if selecting Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., for example.

Players unlocked: None.

Tristan’s picks: Nabers and Jeanty.



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August 21, 2025 0 comments
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Arch Manning's 2025 expectations and NFL draft outlook
Esports

Arch Manning’s 2025 expectations and NFL draft outlook

by admin August 17, 2025



Aug 15, 2025, 06:15 AM ET

Arch Manning needs no introduction to the college football world. From the moment the sophomore quarterback committed to Texas in the class of 2023, the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning has been in the public eye.

After a redshirt season in 2023 and serving as a changeup to Quinn Ewers last season, Arch Manning will get his opportunity to be the face of the Longhorns — and potentially college football. He won’t get the chance to ease into the starting role, as top-ranked Texas will play at defending national champion and No. 3-ranked Ohio State in its season opener on Aug. 30.

As Manning readies for the 2025 season, we had our NFL draft and college football experts dive into all things Arch. Heather Dinich looked at how Manning could change Texas’ offense this season, and Adam Rittenberg talked to opposing coaches to get their initial impressions. Jordan Reid broke down Manning’s game from a scouting perspective, and Matt Miller talked to NFL evaluators about what stands out about the young QB and when he could enter the draft.

Let’s begin with Reid’s breakdown of what Manning has put on film to date.

Jump to a section:
Scouting report | Texas’ offense
Opposing coach perspective
NFL scouts talk Arch

What does Manning look like from a scouting perspective? What stands out most, and what does he need to work on?

Two starts and 95 career passing attempts provide too small a sample size to assess any signal-caller, but the early returns on Manning are positive. He has immense potential, but his starts came against 2-10 Mississippi State and 5-7 Louisiana Monroe. At 6-foot-4, 222 pounds, Manning has prototypical size and a well-built frame. He finished last season with 939 passing yards, nine touchdown passes and two interceptions over 10 games, and he has picture-perfect mechanics. He throws from a strong platform and seems to always play on balance from the pocket.

Manning also has a quick, over-the-top delivery that helps him get the ball out effectively. He has the necessary arm strength and confidence to drive the ball into tight windows, but one of the more impressive parts of his film was his success as a downfield thrower. He averaged 10.0 air yards per attempt last season, and 15 of his 61 completions went for 20-plus yards.

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Manning finished last season with seven completions on throws of 20-plus air yards, and three of his nine touchdowns came on downfield passes, which was an element mostly missing from Texas’ offense when Ewers was quarterback. Manning will help the offense generate more explosive plays downfield because of his touch, arm strength and comfort on deep-shot plays.

Unlike his uncles, Manning can also turn into a reliable running threat on designed QB runs or when plays break down. His frame and mobility allow him to string together positive plays outside the framework of concepts.

But Manning needs refinement on true multistep progressions from the pocket. He has a habit of sticking to his primary read too long, so he must learn when and how to move on to his next options quickly. Too many times last season, he stared down his first read, hoping the receiver would get open.

Manning can also improve on using his mobility to his advantage. His internal clock in the pocket was inconsistent. During several plays, he could have hurt defenses even more as a running threat instead of hanging in the pocket too long. — Reid

How will Texas utilize Manning, and how will things look different with him instead of Ewers?

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian told ESPN that his offensive system won’t change, but it has evolved with the strengths of different quarterbacks — just as it did when Sarkisian was the offensive coordinator at Alabama and transitioned from Tua Tagovailoa to Mac Jones late in the 2019 season.

“The beauty of it for us right now is we have two years with Arch of working with him every day and have a really good understanding of the things that he’s good at, and so we can focus and tailor things around what he does well,” Sarkisian said.

“Probably the most natural thing is his athleticism to where he’s a threat. When he runs the ball, you have to account for him because there’s a speed component to the way he runs, and there’s a physical component to the way he runs. And so some of the things that we’re able to do in short yardage may be a little bit different than where we’ve been in the past.”

Breaking News from Heather Dinich

Download the ESPN app and enable Heather Dinich’s news alerts to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here.

Sarkisian said that the Longhorns have added the quarterback run in short-yardage, third-down situations and in the red zone — while also allowing Manning to recognize his strengths.

The Longhorns were middle of the pack in the red zone last season, as their 63.8% touchdown percentage ranked 55th in the FBS. Texas was 49th in third-down conversion percentage (42.1%). Manning could boost both categories. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season (25 carries for 108 yards and four touchdowns), a marked improvement over Ewers’ minus-1.4 yards per carry in 2024 (57 carries for minus-82 yards and two touchdowns).

“We may not change so much, but his ability to use his legs on third down in the red area to create plays when people are in man coverage and people are blitzing and there’s voids to go run, I think would be another component to that as well,” Sarkisian said. — Dinich

What do opposing college coaches think of Manning, both good and bad?

Most opposing coaches have a better sense of Manning off the field than on it, but they like what they’ve seen.

“He’s getting a lot of publicity, but he seems like a pretty level-headed kid,” a coach who will face Manning this fall said. “It doesn’t seem like he bought into the hype.”

An SEC coach added: “You’ve got a ton of respect for the kid, handling what is an insane situation.”

However, Manning’s limited game experience (11 career games, including 10 in 2024) creates doubt about whether he can reach the elevated expectations he’s facing as a first-year starter.

“He’s going to be a good player,” another SEC coach said. “The hype that it’s been, it’s impossible to reach.”

Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby, who faced Manning in his only conference start last season, thought the quarterback’s command and composure stood out. Manning completed 26 of 31 passes for 325 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, while adding a rushing touchdown, in a 35-13 Texas win.

“You’ve got to find ways to get him off platform,” Lebby told ESPN. “For a guy who hadn’t played a ton up to that point inside that game, man, he was really, really calm. He had great demeanor, and he had command of what Sark and his staff was trying to accomplish.”

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Arch Manning dazzles with 5-TD performance vs. UTSA

Arch Manning replaces the injured Quinn Ewers and tallies five total touchdowns in Texas’ win vs. UTSA.

Several coaches who studied Manning noted his athleticism, which showed on a 67-yard run against UTSA and runs of 26 and 21 yards against Mississippi State and Georgia, respectively. Texas used Manning primarily as a running threat when Ewers returned from injury.

“Any time a quarterback can make all the throws and has enough ability to run the ball, they’re usually pretty f—ing good,” an SEC defensive coordinator said. “But I’m sure he’ll force some stuff and make some mistakes.”

Manning’s run threat certainly will be part of his repertoire, but how much? Coaches say a lot depends on Texas’ confidence in projected backup Trey Owens, who had only four pass attempts last season, because the more Manning runs, the more he opens himself up to injury.

“Sometimes, that comes into play, what your backup’s like,” a coach who faced Texas last season said. “I don’t imagine there will be a lot of designed runs. It will be Arch doing it on his own.” — Rittenberg

What do NFL scouts and evaluators think of Manning, and what are they looking to see from him this season?

Based on conversations I had with scouts, Manning is arguably the nation’s most discussed player. I spoke to 20 evaluators, and each was excited to talk about Manning. But not one evaluator polled is sure when they’ll scout the third-generation star as an active NFL draft prospect.

As a redshirt sophomore, Manning is draft eligible for the 2026 draft but also has three years of college eligibility remaining. No one I talked to thinks he’ll use all three years, but scouts aren’t ready to commit to him as a 2026 prospect, either. Grandfather Archie Manning, who has been more hands-on than Arch’s famous uncles, told Texas Monthly that he doesn’t expect Arch to enter the 2026 draft. But scouts are doing the legwork just in case.

“We’re evaluating him, while at the same time knowing he probably goes back to school [for the 2026 season],” an AFC scouting director said.

NFL scouts typically say 25 collegiate starts is the minimum any incoming quarterback should have before entering the draft. Manning has only two. A long playoff run this season could get him to 18 starts. But if the family agrees that more starts are better in the long run — Peyton started 45 games in college, and Eli had 41 — then it’s unlikely Arch will have a one-and-done starting season.

“People in the league want him to come out. Fans want him to come out. But I really feel like he’s in no rush, given his support system,” an NFC West scout added. “The family is going to care where he goes and who has the first pick when he does enter the draft.”

That sentiment was echoed by other scouts, and there’s precedent. The Manning family determined Eli’s landing spot in 2004, as Archie and Eli told the San Diego Chargers not to draft him coming out of Ole Miss. The Chargers picked Eli but traded him to the New York Giants, his preferred destination.

Look ahead to the 2026 NFL draft

• Early mock drafts: Miller | Reid
• Top five by position | Top QBs to know
• Race to No. 1 | 10 sleepers | Read more

“The situation is going to matter,” an NFL general manager said. “With NIL money and his family situation, there is no rush to get to the league. So, they’ll wait and see what the environment is before making a decision.”

One NFC scouting director predicted that the Manning decision would come close to the mid-January deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft. “They’ll want to see which team has the No. 1 pick and if they’ve fired their coach — which is pretty common — [and] who the replacement is before jumping into the draft,” the scouting director said.

Would Manning and the family consider an earlier entry into the 2026 draft if a team with the right appeal, be it an emotional tie to an organization or the right football fit, were in position to draft him? Potentially, but after conversations with scouts, this is an unknown.

Online speculation that the Manning family wants him to land with the New Orleans Saints, where his grandfather played, or maybe the New York Giants to follow uncle Eli, has been rampant. But one thing is for certain — Arch will go his own way. He didn’t go to Tennessee or Ole Miss and try to live in the family legacy. Overconnecting the dots between where his uncles played hasn’t been a smart bet.

If he enters next year’s draft, Manning wouldn’t be the guaranteed No. 1 pick. Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Drew Allar (Penn State), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are also receiving first-round attention.

Manning is the most hyped quarterback coming out of high school since Trevor Lawrence, but arguably under more pressure and with more attention.

“We’re still talking about a guy who has two starts, right?” an AFC South area scout said when asked to break down Manning’s game. “He’s big, he has a strong arm and I love the flexibility in his throwing motion. And he can move much better than his uncles ever did. But he’s very raw, and last year, the game was way too fast for him when he got in against Georgia and looked overwhelmed.”

Manning was a fish out of water too often when thrust into action last year. On film, there were a lot of “one-read-and-go” situations when he would take off as a runner if the fast-throwing option wasn’t there, which was referenced by several scouts. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian will develop his eyes and his pocket patience, but that’s the jump scouts need to see this season for him to live up to the generational quarterback label. — Miller



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August 17, 2025 0 comments
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2025 NBA draft: Players, picks, intel, rankings, stats, mocks
Esports

2025 NBA draft: Players, picks, intel, rankings, stats, mocks

by admin June 23, 2025


The 2025 NBA draft begins Wednesday in New York at Barclays Center, with the Dallas Mavericks on the clock holding the No. 1 pick and the right to select Duke’s Cooper Flagg, the consensus top prospect.

There will be 59 selections over two rounds, with the draft being held across two nights for the second time ever.

Two big questions heading into the draft: Where will Rutgers star Ace Bailey go if the Philadelphia 76ers pass on him at No. 3? How will teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, who have four first-rounders, use their multiple picks to build around their stars?

With insights and analysis from ESPN draft experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, we provide you with a one-stop shop for everything you need to know: times, locations, draft order, top prospects, rankings, mock drafts, stats and more. Read about the draft’s best players and what to expect this week.

Jump to a topic:
Dates, times, green room invites
Draft order | How good is this class?
Questions on Bailey, 2026, more
Top 100 rankings | Latest mock, intel
Top players by skill | Comps | 5 things to know

Round 1: Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN and the ESPN app)
Round 2: Thursday at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN and the ESPN app)

Five additional players have received invitations to attend the draft in New York and sit in the green room, adding to the 19 top prospects already invited previously.

Joan Beringer, Nique Clifford, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr. and Danny Wolf were the third and final batch of players invited by the NBA league office to take in the draft in New York City with their families. They join Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, Carter Bryant, Derik Queen, Asa Newell, Noa Essengue, Collin Murray-Boyles, Thomas Sorber, Liam McNeeley, Nolan Traore and Will Riley.

The green room is a staging area in front of the NBA draft podium where players, their families and agents await commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement of players’ names upon selection. Players are allowed to invite six people to sit at their tables.

Receiving an invitation is considered a positive sign for a player’s draft stock. However, there have been instances of prospects falling to the second round while sitting in the green room, including Johnny Furphy and Kyle Filipowski in 2024.

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Why there’s a lot of uncertainty around Ace Bailey in the draft

Jonathan Givony and Brian Windhorst analyze the significance of Ace Bailey canceling his visit to the 76ers.

There will be 59 picks in this year’s draft: 1-30 on the first night and the rest on the second. The Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance to win the lottery and jumped 10 spots to grab the top pick, the biggest move by any team in lottery history, according to ESPN Research.

The Nets have the most picks with five, including four in the first round (Nos. 8, 19, 26, 27 and 36). Eight teams (Suns, Nets, Spurs, Wizards, Hawks, Thunder, Jazz and Pelicans) have multiple first-round picks. The Spurs are the only franchise with multiple lottery picks (No. 2 and No. 14).

The New York Knicks’ second-round pick was rescinded by the NBA after an investigation into Jalen Brunson’s free agency signing in the summer of 2022.

Top 14 (lottery picks):
1. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Philadelphia 76ers
4. Charlotte Hornets
5. Utah Jazz
6. Washington Wizards
7. New Orleans Pelicans
8. Brooklyn Nets
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Phoenix Suns (from HOU)
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)
14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)

More: Draft assets for every team | Full draft order

How good is the 2025 draft class?

This class is strong, led by a clear franchise-caliber talent at the top, Cooper Flagg, followed by a potential All-Star, Dylan Harper, at No. 2.

There is some uncertainty after that, with a group of six players — VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears and Khaman Maluach — expected to follow.

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The first round is considered deep, particularly with wings and forwards likely to dominate much of the remainder, interspersed with a handful of big men and guards.

Historically, the best players in the draft rarely go in any specific order at the top. NBA executives expect this trend to continue this year, providing an opportunity for teams with elite talent evaluators and intel gatherers to distinguish themselves from those that weren’t paying close enough attention during the season and might easily become distracted in the predraft process.

The second round of this year’s class took a significant hit, as at least 15 draftable players chose not to enter by the deadline or withdrew from consideration at the NCAA and international deadlines. Though there is talent to be found in the first half of the second round, especially in the 30s, many teams believe the value of their second-round picks has been severely diminished, even compared with last year, which was not seen as a robust draft.

Financial implications surrounding the salary cap and luxury tax apron rules, which will heavily impact this summer, are likely to cause numerous trades both days. — Givony

Former Duke star Cooper Flagg, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been considered the front-runner to be the top pick in the draft since August 2023, when he announced his decision to graduate high school a year early and enroll in college as a 17-year-old.

Read ESPN’s coverage of the 18-year-old from Maine

The biggest questions about this draft are…

Which team will pick Bailey?

With Flagg and Harper seemingly locked in at Nos. 1 and 2, the real intrigue starts at No. 3. The 76ers are coming off a challenging season going from championship contenders to one of the worst teams in the NBA (24-58), and they face important decisions in a pivotal offseason.

Do the 76ers select Edgecombe or Bailey, or do they trade down a few spots and try to better position their salary books and pick up additional assets?

Bailey canceled a visit to the 76ers, sources told ESPN. He was slated to fly to Philadelphia on Friday for dinner with the team’s front office and a private workout, but elected to cancel Wednesday, according to the sources.

Bailey’s predraft strategy has perplexed NBA teams over the past month, as he is currently the only U.S.-based prospect yet to visit any clubs. He has declined invitations from multiple teams in his draft range, which is considered to be anywhere from No. 3 to No. 8. Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-three player in the draft, but also that he seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a franchise will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4 should he drop.

The Sixers have not ruled out selecting Bailey despite his refusal to visit, sources told ESPN.

Teams such as Washington, New Orleans and Brooklyn, drafting 6-7-8, are surely monitoring the situation closely, as they have ample minutes and opportunities to offer, potentially making them attractive to Bailey’s camp. — Givony and Shams Charania

Projected first-round picks Ace Bailey and Cooper Flagg work out at the NBA draft combine in Chicago in May. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

How is the projected talent-rich top of the 2026 draft affecting this year’s, if it is at all?

With 30 of the top 40 picks in the draft concentrated in the hands of just 12 teams, we’re expecting significant movement on both nights of the draft as clubs look to position their books and maintain flexibility with roster spots, contract guarantees and salary and luxury tax considerations.

Early on, teams are reporting the market for selections outside the top 10 has proved to be softer than anticipated, with more franchises open to moving picks and players than ones looking for them. The Indiana Pacers are swapping the No. 23 selection to reacquire next year’s first-rounder, giving them added flexibility this summer to aggregate more picks in a bigger trade without violating the NBA’s Stepien rule.

Things can, and likely will, change on draft night once teams are on the clock and get to see who is on the board at different slots.

Though the 2026 draft is loaded at the top — with several potential franchise-caliber talents available in Darryn Peterson, A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Nate Ament — teams still have a lot to learn about the rest of the lottery and first round, as this is not considered a particularly deep high school senior class currently enrolling in college, nor the most exciting (2007-born) group of international players about to become NBA draft eligible for the first time.

With that said, a significant number of players elected to either not enter this year’s draft or withdrew at the deadline, adding quite a bit of “older” depth in the college ranks that doesn’t normally exist. Teams will have to weigh how to value future picks with that in mind, something that has become a joint venture between traditional scouts, strategy analysts and analytics departments. — Givony

The 2026 NBA draft is set to feature several players at the top, including A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Nate Ament. ESPN

The Nets have five picks inside the top 40. How will they approach this draft?

Brooklyn has been one of the most active teams in the lead-up to the draft out of necessity. With the No. 8, No. 19, No. 26, No. 27 and No. 36 picks, the Nets have the levers and the incentive to optimize their return on draft night, considering it’s unlikely they’ll roster five rookies next season. They are also the only team with meaningful salary cap space, giving them optimal flexibility to not only make their own moves, but also to facilitate things for other teams.

What exactly that means for the Nets is still playing out in real time behind the scenes. Can they combine their picks to move up from No. 8? Do they select at No. 8 and instead try to move from No. 19 into the late lottery? Do they use both, and then look to trade some of the later selections? The number of picks they have in different areas of the draft has allowed them to cast a wide net (no pun intended) and bring in the majority of prospects for meetings and workouts.

No matter what it ultimately does, Brooklyn is viewed by player agents as a desirable landing spot, due to the developmental minutes it has available that not many other teams can concretely offer. The Nets are looking through a long-term lens and prioritizing talent over NBA readiness, with a strong 2026 lottery class on the horizon before they start angling to flip the switch toward competing for the postseason. — Woo

How do the prospects rank?

For a full list of the top 100 prospects (including strengths and weaknesses), check out the complete rankings compiled by Givony and Woo.

Any suspense as far as Flagg was concerned was put to rest on lottery night, with the Mavericks shockingly winning the right to select him.

Expect Flagg to be up for the challenge, as he has held down the top spot on our draft board largely unchallenged, and continues to get better at an impressive rate. He’ll be an impactful defender and versatile option for Dallas immediately, with room to grow and increase his comfort as a scorer and playmaker over time. At this point, the question is more about what heights he’ll ultimately reach, with a promising future awaiting.

ESPN’s top 10 prospects:
1. Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke
2. Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
3. Ace Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers
4. VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
5. Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
6. Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke
7. Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
8. Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
9. Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)
10. Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois

More: Kevin Pelton’s top 30 prospects

Givony and Woo will be tracking news and team and player information until the Mavericks go on the clock Wednesday, with this version of the mock draft undergoing updates until draft time, based on our latest intel.

Walter Clayton Jr.’s landing spot?: Clayton has showcased his dynamic shotmaking in workouts and worked his way up boards in a first round that has shaped up somewhat light on point guard options. Considering the Heat’s need for a proper point guard and the way Clayton seems to fit their mold, this fit makes sense on paper.

Suns’ plans with their new pick at No. 10?: With the Suns desperately needing to upgrade their frontcourt — especially after losing their starting power forward in Kevin Durant — Collin Murray-Boyles is likely someone the team will consider heavily if they keep the pick.

Woo shares his list of the top prospects based on skills and traits in 20 categories. Here are notable names who stand out:

Best pull-up shooter: Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
No player in this draft class is more dangerous in a tight window than Bailey, whose ability to rise and fire over defenders at difficult angles and knock down tough shots off the bounce make him a tantalizing scoring prospect.

Best intangibles: Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Maluach is expected to be the first center off the board because of his impact for Duke as one of college basketball’s premier paint deterrents, but his appeal as an NBA prospect also has much to do with who he is as a person and what he’ll bring to a locker room.

Best rim protector: Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (Adriatic League)
Beringer’s draft stock skyrocketed this season as scouts gradually made the trip to see him in Europe, as his excellent defensive abilities and shot-blocking chops at 18 years old were on display.

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1:11

Joan Beringer’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Joan Beringer a top NBA draft prospect.

The goal here isn’t to draw a perfect comparison for each of the 14 projected lottery picks — we’d be guaranteed to be wrong. This exercise serves as a lens to think about a prospect’s future role, examine his range of potential outcomes, and consider which areas of development are most critical to long-term success.

Here are a couple of notable comps and excerpts from Woo’s recent story:

VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
High end: Victor Oladipo
Low end: Jaden Ivey

The elevator pitch with Edgecombe centers largely around the possibility that he develops into a capable on-ball creator, where his speed, strength and elite explosiveness could best create problems for defenses. Getting him the reps he needs to make that leap will be step one wherever he lands, but the downhill, hyperathletic slashing mold he fits makes Oladipo a valid point of comparison.

Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
High end: Michael Redd
Low end: Cam Thomas, but taller

Johnson is a fairly simple prospect to understand. He’s likely going to shoot it well; he’s probably going to shoot a lot; and whatever else he ends up giving his future team will be gravy, not necessarily baked into their expectations. If Johnson can come close to the type of career Redd put together (although Redd’s peak in the early 2000s was eventually hampered by serious knee injuries in 2009), that would be a pretty outstanding result, and there are some similar components here.

More: Flagg’s best NBA comps: Tatum, Pippen and Kawhi

ESPN Research: Five things to know about this draft

1. Assuming they make the pick, the Mavericks will become the fourth team in the modern draft era (since 1966) to make the No. 1 pick in the draft within a year of reaching the NBA Finals. The others: The Bulls won the NBA Finals in 1998 and drafted Elton Brand with the No. 1 pick in 1999. The Lakers won the NBA Finals in 1982 and drafted James Worthy with the No. 1 pick in 1982. The Trail Blazers won the NBA Finals in 1977 and drafted Mychal Thompson with the No. 1 pick in 1978.

2. Flagg, who reclassified, will be 18 years and 186 days old on draft night, making him the second-youngest No. 1 pick in draft history, behind LeBron James (18 years, 178 days old) in 2003. Also, Flagg will give Duke its fifth player selected first in the draft, the most top selections of any school. The Blue Devils already had the most with four: Elton Brand (1999), Kyrie Irving (2011), Zion Williamson (2019), Paolo Banchero (2022).

2025 NBA draft

• New mock draft! Predictions off trades, intel
• Our final top 100 big board: 1 to 100
• Draft’s top players at 20 skills, traits
• NBA comps for 14 players: Flagg to Tatum?
• We offer potential trades for Mavs, Flagg
• 2025 draft guide is here | More

3. Based on ESPN’s latest mock draft, the first eight picks are projected to be freshmen. If that happens, it will mark the most consecutive freshmen selected in a row at any point in a single draft. The previous most came in 2017, when the first seven picks were freshmen. In all, 12 of the 14 lottery picks are projected to be freshmen, which would set a record for most selected in the lottery era. It would mark the third time double-digit freshmen were picked in the lottery (11 in 2017 and 10 in 2018).

4. Kentucky does not have a player projected to go in Round 1, which would snap a streak of 15 consecutive drafts with a first-round pick, the longest in the modern draft era (since 1966). The last time Kentucky didn’t have a player selected in the first round was in 2009, John Calipari’s final season at Memphis before taking over at Kentucky. Cooper Flagg had yet to turn 3 years old.

5. Based on ESPN’s latest mock draft, five Frenchmen are projected to be selected in the first round (Joan Beringer, Noa Essengue, Nolan Traoré, Noah Penda and Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud). This comes one year after four players representing France were selected in the 2024 draft, which tied Canada (2019) for the most players from a non-U.S. country taken in the first round of a single draft. France has had at least one player selected in the first round in each of the past three NBA drafts, including the past two No. 1 picks.

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.



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2025 NBA mock draft: 59 picks as trade talks heat up for 30 teams
Esports

2025 NBA mock draft: 59 picks as trade talks heat up for 30 teams

by admin June 17, 2025


  • Jonathan Givony

    Close

    Jonathan Givony

    ESPN

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
      Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
  • Jeremy Woo

    Close

    Jeremy Woo

    ESPN

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in 2023
      Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023

Jun 17, 2025, 02:01 PM ET

With the 2025 NBA draft eight days away (June 25-26, 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN), 30 teams are deep into their predraft process, working out top prospects and narrowing down their draft boards in preparation for the two-round event.

The Dallas Mavericks, owners of the No. 1 pick thanks to winning the draft lottery despite a 1.8% chance of doing so, have no plans to work out any other prospects other than Duke’s Cooper Flagg for the top choice. The Mavericks have scheduled a private visit with the national player of the year on Tuesday.

This latest mock draft, which reflects a thorough evaluation of the 2025 class and considers intel from scouts and front office personnel, has a bit of a shake-up from previous ones as half of the top 10 has new players slotted to different teams, including the projection for Rutgers star Ace Bailey.

Sunday’s blockbuster trade between the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies impacted this draft, with the Magic sending the Grizzlies their No. 16 pick among other future picks. Around the league, trade talks are still taking shape as different scenarios are being laid out from NBA decision-makers depending on how the draft evolves.

One such scenario that could have draft ramifications is that NBA teams have been anticipating Kevin Durant would be traded ever since the Phoenix Suns engaged in talks around the February trade deadline. On Saturday night, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets are Durant’s preferred trade destinations.

Amid the leaguewide trade discussions and what we’re hearing on how teams are evaluating prospects, here’s our latest mock draft of the 59 picks:

Notes:

–This mock draft was updated Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET following the Indiana Pacers’ trade of their pick at No. 23 to the New Orleans Pelicans.

–The New York Knicks’ second-round pick was rescinded by the NBA after an investigation into Jalen Brunson’s free agency signing in the summer of 2022.

More NBA draft coverage:
Trade offers for No. 1 | Lottery pick comps
Latest mock draft: Need vs. best value
Draft assets | Top 100 rankings | Pelton’s top 30

First round

Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 60.0

Height without shoes: 6-7¾ | Weight: 221
Standing reach: 8-10½ | Wingspan: 7-0

There’s no suspense to be found at No. 1 this season. Flagg is set to visit the Mavericks on Tuesday, a formality in the process as Dallas prepares to select him on the first night of the draft (June 25). The Mavs’ exceptional lottery luck means Flagg will walk into a competitive team from Day 1, with Dallas pushing for the playoffs next season as Kyrie Irving recovers from an ACL tear.

Flagg enters the league with not only a versatile skill set, but the requisite mental makeup to succeed under pressure as the de facto successor to Luka Doncic as the face of the Mavericks’ franchise. His offensive progression in what could be a significant playmaking role out of the gate will be a fascinating subplot to begin the 2025-26 season. — Woo

play

1:19

What Stephen A. needs to see for Cooper Flagg to live up to the hype

Stephen A. Smith explains what Cooper Flagg needs to do in the NBA to live up to the hype.

Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Freshman
| TS%: 59.3

Height without shoes: 6-4½ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-6 | Wingspan: 6-10½

Most talent evaluators consider Harper to be in a tier of his own as the draft’s clear-cut second-best prospect, overriding potential concerns the Spurs might have about his imperfect backcourt fit with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, due to a distinct lack of perimeter shooting.

Rival teams attempting to engage in trade talks with the Spurs have come away with the impression it’s unlikely they move down or off the pick at No. 2; it seems San Antonio is excited about the possibility of adding a talent of Harper’s caliber and is willing to be patient, figuring out roster construction concerns later.

The 19-year-old’s combination of size, shot-creating prowess, passing creativity, finishing skill and scoring instincts makes him the type of lead guard, offensive engine that is coveted in today’s NBA, as his strong frame appears well-suited for playing through the physically demanding vigor required in the playoffs. The challenge of acquiring these types of players makes it difficult to envision the Spurs passing on the opportunity to add Harper ultimately. — Givony

VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
Freshman
| TS%: 56.1

Height without shoes: 6-4 | Weight: 193
Standing reach: 8-5½ | Wingspan: 6-7½

Edgecombe takes over this spot from Ace Bailey in ESPN’s mock draft after a positive visit to Philadelphia, where sources say he made a strong impression in a private workout as well as in meetings with the front office and ownership. He appears to be “the leader in the clubhouse” currently, with Bailey losing momentum after refusing to visit, initially unsatisfied with his search for a proven pathway to development. However, Bailey is scheduled to work out in Philadelphia at the end of this week, and we’ll see if he’s able to sway the tides in his favor.

The feedback from his interviews at the draft combine in Chicago was not all that positive, with some teams expressing concern about his lack of preparation and focus. NBA executives say Bailey has been polarizing in internal front office conversations because of questions about his feel for the game and lack of polish, creating a wider draft range than initially anticipated.

Surrounding the hyper-explosive Edgecombe with prolific 3-point shooters such as Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes and Paul George could add another dimension to the Sixers’ offense, especially if the team buys into the development of his passing ability long term.

Should Edgecombe not be selected here, most teams expect him to be drafted one pick later by Charlotte at No. 4, but he has also worked out in front of Washington in the predraft process, an indication there might be some trade scenarios in play with the Wizards moving up, potentially as high as No. 3. — Givony

Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 64.8

Height without shoes: 6-5 | Weight: 219
Standing reach: 8-5½ | Wingspan: 6-6¼

2025 NBA draft

• New mock draft! Movement in top 10
• Draft’s top players at 20 skills, traits
• NBA comps for 14 players: Flagg to Tatum?
• We offer potential trades for Mavs, Flagg
• Updated top 100 big board rankings
• Stacking all 30 teams’ draft assets | More

Knueppel has some real fans among NBA teams in this portion of the draft, with proponents highlighting his elite movement and spot-up shooting (emphasis on his ability to shoot off movement as opposed to his actual movement), defensive smarts and playmaking, as well as an analytics-friendly profile that shines through in team draft models. Knueppel’s feel for the game, selfless style of play, strength and toughness should make him easy to play with, especially alongside the likes of LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, who he appears to complement quite well.

The Hornets and Jazz are two teams that appear to have interest in him, with his floor seemingly no lower than No. 8. He’s the type of prospect a playoff-caliber team could also target in a trade, as he has a plug-and-play skill set and looks likely to bring value throughout his cost-controlled rookie-scale contract. — Givony

Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
Freshman
| TS%: 56.1

Height without shoes: 6-4¾ | Weight: 190
Standing reach: 8-5 | Wingspan: 6-10¼

The Jazz, now led by Austin Ainge, have major decisions ahead as they work to navigate their way out of what has become a protracted rebuild. While rival teams still suspect Utah will have interest in a strong top of the 2026 lottery — noting that their first-round pick has top-eight protection (otherwise conveying to Oklahoma City) — the organization’s public stance has been that the team is done tanking.

Still, none of the perimeter players available to Utah at this spot will be ready to turn around the franchise immediately, allowing the Jazz to simply swing on their preferred talent.

Johnson’s excellent perimeter shooting and room to develop as an all-around scorer will make him enticing. Bailey, who continues sliding down the board in this scenario, doesn’t appear to have much interest in Utah and is viewed by most teams as a riskier bet. Expect Jeremiah Fears, and Knueppel, if available, to receive long looks as well. — Woo

Airious “Ace” Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers
Freshman
| TS%: 54.0

Height without shoes: 6-7½ | Weight: 202
Standing reach: 8-11 | Wingspan: 7-0½

Bailey’s predraft workout strategy has perplexed some observers, as he has yet to conduct a single known workout to date, having declined invitations from several teams within his draft range. Sources say Bailey’s camp has informed interested teams that they believe he is a top-3 player in the draft, but also seeks a clear pathway to stardom, perhaps feeling comfortable that a team will trade up to get him at Nos. 3 or 4, should he drop.

Some teams question whether Bailey has received assurances of being selected by a team currently outside the top five, to a situation deemed more advantageous from a geographic and playing time perspective.

Bailey is scheduled to conduct a workout with the 76ers later this week, but it’s unclear if he plans to visit any other teams at this stage. Should the Sixers pass on him, he could very well slide to the No. 6 or No. 7 picks, two teams in Washington and New Orleans that are said to be highly intrigued with the 18-year-old’s talent. And both are situations in which there appear to be plenty of minutes and shots to be had. — Givony

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1:51

Ace Bailey’s electric game is ready for the NBA

Take a look at highlights from Rutgers freshman Ace Bailey ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.

Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
Freshman
| TS%: 57.0

Height without shoes: 6-2½ | Weight: 179
Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-5¼

Fears built significant momentum with the way he finished his season at Oklahoma and has front offices thinking hard about his long-term upside, even with some rough edges left in his game. His range is relatively narrow at this point: The Pelicans and Nets are viewed by rival teams as landing spots, and the Jazz at No. 5 appear to be the top end.

There’s thought circulating that New Orleans might be his floor if he makes it to this spot — a fit that makes sense, considering the Pelicans’ long-standing need for a starting-caliber lead guard. The Pelicans sit in a valuable slot here, with at least one of Fears, Johnson, Knueppel or Bailey set to be available to them — but have also been a tricky team to peg thus far, with rival teams working to understand what direction the team’s new leadership will take. — Woo

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 74.7

Height without shoes: 7-0¾ | Weight: 252
Standing reach: 9-6 | Wingspan: 7-6¾

Maluach has been participating in competitive workouts for top-10 teams against other big men, aiming to showcase the improvements he has made in his skill level and physique. Maluach received a clean bill of health from NBA doctors during his medical examination, which is significant considering his size and some minor ailments he experienced earlier during Duke’s season. The Nets, drafting No. 8 right at the end of a tier of prospects before what seems to be a clear drop-off, can afford to be opportunistic and wait to see which player falls to them, whether it’s Maluach, Fears, Knueppel or someone else.

Maluach is one of the draft’s youngest prospects, turning 19 on Sept. 14, and has significant room for growth both physically and skillswise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates because of his unique off-court intangibles.

His ability to anchor a defense with his wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter, while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition, will be attractive to any team looking for a center to build around long term, including potentially the Wizards or Pelicans, which pick at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. — Givony

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%:
61.1

Essengue’s predraft process has stalled because his successful season in Germany remains ongoing. Ulm advanced to the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) Finals against Bayern Munich, a best-of-five series that began Monday and could very well run into the draft, with a potential Game 4 slated for June 24, and Game 5 on June 26. Essengue (as well as teammate and draft prospect Ben Saraf) might be unable to conduct private workouts stateside prior to draft night. What does help is that this week, Essengue, 18, measured well officially at 6-10 barefoot with a nearly 7-1 wingspan, underscoring his excellent physical profile across frontcourt positions.

Toronto has largely been linked to frontcourt targets at pick No. 9, including Maluach, who is no guarantee to be on the board. The Raptors are also one of several teams in this range said to be involved in trade talks around their pick, considering the possibility of moving back in the draft to add talent to next season’s roster.

Essengue’s blend of size, versatility, extreme youth and burgeoning production has drawn increasing interest from teams in the 9-to-15 range, and he fits an archetype that Raptors brass has often targeted if the team stays put here. — Woo

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1:08

Noa Essengue’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Noa Essengue a top NBA draft prospect.

Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
Freshman
| TS%: 59.9

Height without shoes: 6-6½ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 6-11¾

Bryant has received strong reviews throughout the predraft process. He appears likely to hear his name called somewhere in the 9-to-15 range, with several teams likely to be attracted to the frontcourt shooting, defensive versatility and passing prowess he offers. Bryant wasn’t consistently productive for Arizona coming off the bench, averaging 6.5 points per game, as he’s not much of a shot creator, and has plenty of room for growth on both ends of the floor.

The Rockets, flush with young prospects, might not be ultimately picking here, as the possibility of adding a proven veteran will likely be thoroughly explored. Fresh off an outstanding season that concluded with the NBA’s fourth-best record (52-30) and flush with young talent throughout the roster, it’s challenging to pinpoint specific needs for the Rockets, aside from perhaps addressing Fred VanVleet’s team option.

Rival teams expect Houston’s front office to be active the week of the draft. — Givony

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Freshman
| TS%: 59.8

Height without shoes: 6-4¾ | Weight: 205
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-7¾

The Trail Blazers are set up front for the foreseeable future with Donovan Clingan at center and don’t have an express positional need, but players such as Jakucionis, Bryant and Essengue could all be available here and bring broadly different skill sets.

Jakucionis’ unselfish style and ability to enhance ball movement would help Portland’s backcourt mix, with players such as Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons all more scoring-oriented. He could feasibly slide into multi-playmaker lineups alongside the other guards in a more connective role.

Jakucionis appears ticketed for this 10-to-15 range, with his playmaking, versatility and intangibles holding strong appeal in a variety of contexts. — Woo

Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Freshman
| TS%: 60.0

Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 247
Standing reach: 9-1½ | Wingspan: 7-0½

The Bulls don’t have much in the way of long-term keepers in the big-man department, with Nikola Vucevic, 35, a trade candidate entering the final year of his contract. Queen, Joan Beringer, and Thomas Sorber are said to be among the prospects they might consider with this pick at No. 12.

Queen is the most skilled big man in this class. He is a terrific target in pick-and-roll, can create his own shot facing the basket with a wide array of moves and has intriguing passing ability.

Queen’s conditioning, occasional apathy defensively and lack of shooting range are things NBA teams picking in this area (or earlier) are trying to get a better handle on in the predraft process, areas that we’ve heard mixed feedback about based on some of his early workouts. — Givony

Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
Freshman
| TS%: 51.3

Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 199
Standing reach: 8-9½ | Wingspan: 6-10¼

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Rival teams’ read on the Hawks has been that they’ll look to pair a big man and a guard, presuming they keep both of their first-round picks (Nos. 13 and 22). The order they go about prioritizing those needs might hinge on what happens in front of them. Demin’s playmaking talent becomes an intriguing value bet if he makes it to this part of the draft, with big men including Essengue, Joan Beringer and Asa Newell among potential candidates at this slot.

Demin has cast a wide net on the workout circuit, scheduling a range of teams while looking to showcase his talent in competitive settings. He has interest from teams inside the top 10, but scenarios are also in play where he could slip out of the lottery. His combination of excellent size and passing vision should allow him to play all over the perimeter, provided he makes progress with his jump shot, an area he demonstrated effectively during an impressive pro day workout. — Woo

Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija
Adriatic |
TS%: 61.5

Height without shoes: 6-11 | Weight: 235
Standing reach: 9-3 | Wingspan: 7-4½

The Spurs will likely explore various options with this No. 14 pick, including the possibility of adding a veteran who is more ready to contribute as the team pivots toward playoff contention. Adding frontcourt depth could also be a priority, especially if the Spurs use Victor Wembanyama as more of a power forward alongside another rim protector eventually, which would be very difficult to score against.

With his season in Slovenia finally concluded, Beringer made his way to the United States, starting in Chicago and Brooklyn, New York, where he completed his mandatory NBA combine participation. That included official measurements, which indicate he has grown an inch and a half in the past year, now standing over 7-feet in shoes, 235 pounds with a 7-4½ wingspan and 9-3 standing reach, similar measurements to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner at the same age.

The draft’s best shot blocker, Beringer has flashed considerable upside all season, which has put him in lottery consideration since January. — Givony

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1:11

Joan Beringer’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Joan Beringer a top NBA draft prospect.

Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina
Sophomore
| TS%: 64.0

Height without shoes: 6-6½ | Weight: 239
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 7-0¾

Murray-Boyles has been one of the more divisive players among executives we’ve spoken with — some are enamored with his defensive versatility and all-around production and see an outstanding NBA role player, while others harp on his limited positional size and lack of perimeter shooting, and the way those two factors limit his projectable ceiling.

His range appears to start at No. 10 with the Rockets — a team that makes sense as a fit, but also one that could trade its pick — and ends around here in the teens.

The Thunder enter the draft with supreme flexibility thanks to their deep, talented roster and their huge cache of future draft capital, enabling them to move around in the draft and target who they want. Murray-Boyles’ toughness and basketball IQ align with the criteria Oklahoma City tends to target, making this a potential landing spot for him. — Woo

Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan State
Freshman
| TS%: 63.2

Height without shoes: 6-0½ | Weight: 178
Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-6

The Magic and Grizzlies pulled off a blockbuster trade Sunday, with Desmond Bane headed to Orlando in return for a package including this draft’s No. 16 pick.

The Grizzlies are exactly the type of team that could be interested in an ultra-efficient, productive young prospect such as Richardson, who rates highly in draft models that analytics-savvy teams like Memphis often pay attention to.

Richardson possesses an excellent feel for the game, hit 41% of his 3-pointers this season, brings strong defensive intensity and looks adept at playing off the star power of a teammate like Ja Morant, whose future in Memphis is to be determined. As Richardson’s shot-creation diversity and offensive aggressiveness evolve, he could be someone who eventually inherits more significant ballhandling responsibilities, if the Grizzlies decide to pivot toward a youth movement. — Givony

Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Freshman
| TS%: 58.7

Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 262
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-6

Sorber is still recovering from February foot surgery and has been unable to partake in basketball activities on the workout circuit, with teams relying on film and the interview process to complete his evaluation. Nevertheless, he has solid interest inside the top 20, as teams are drawn to his defensive impact and long-term outlook after emerging this season as a surprise one-and-done player.

Minnesota is facing potential roster changes next season, with Naz Reid and Julius Randle set to test free agency and the Timberwolves currently tied as a Kevin Durant landing spot. There’s a good case for adding frontcourt depth here, with a number of bigs projected inside the top 20, and the Wolves also holding the No. 31 pick. — Woo

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)

Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia
Freshman | TS%:
62.0

Height without shoes: 6-9 | Weight: 224
Standing reach: 8-11½ | Wingspan: 6-11¼

With three picks in the top 40 and no real pressure yet to win just two years into a comprehensive roster teardown, the Wizards can go in a multitude of directions in this part of the draft. After taking a perimeter player with their first pick at No. 6, adding frontcourt depth could make sense.

Newell’s mobility, aggressiveness and intensity level are significant assets that allowed him to have a highly productive, efficient freshman campaign at Georgia, making 26 3-pointers in 33 games and converting 75% of his free throws, pointing to floor-stretching potential. — Givony

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0:17

Asa Newell drills a trey for Georgia

Asa Newell splashes a corner trey for Georgia vs. No. 1 Auburn.

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)

Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois
Freshman
| TS%: 53.8

Height without shoes: 6-8¼ | Weight: 185
Standing reach: 8-8 | Wingspan: 6-8¾

This is the second of the Nets’ four first-round picks, with Brooklyn unlikely to roster all of these selections and actively exploring a range of options as a result. If they stay put, the Nets have enough berth from a timeline perspective to take swings on younger prospects like Riley, who might need a season or two to become a contributor.

Riley is another player whose range is on the wider side at the moment. He has teams’ interest as high as the early teens, but there are also scenarios in play where he could slip into the 20s. His advocates around the NBA see major upside due to his excellent size, offensive feel and shooting potential, but it’s understood that it will take him time to add physical strength and hopefully, improve defensively. — Woo

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)

Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
Freshman
| TS%: 53.6

Height without shoes: 6-6¾ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-8½

Adding backcourt talent will likely be a priority for the Heat this offseason, but it’s not easy to point to any surefire guard contributors in this range. McNeeley’s size, shot-making prowess, feel for the game and toughness are critical attributes that NBA teams value at the wing position. He needs to remind them of his winning qualities throughout the predraft process, following an inefficient season in which he converted 44% of his 2-pointers and 32% of his 3-pointers.

He will likely be asked to play a different role in the NBA, leaning more heavily into his ability as a dynamic perimeter shooter, which was more evident in other settings before college. McNeeley has some momentum behind him now, following some positive workouts, helping to remind teams of what made him so highly regarded entering the season. — Givony

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1:38

See why Liam McNeeley is an intriguing NBA prospect

Check out highlights from UConn’s Liam McNeeley ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.

21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)

Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State/Duke
Junior | TS%: 71.0

Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 7-2¼

Just how high Coward will hear his name called has been a hot topic around the league of late. While at surface level, his lack of high-level pedigree and performance sample is a major drawback, NBA teams have come away enamored with his interviews and intrigued by his physical toolbox and shooting ability on the wing.

Coward’s fast rise in the process is also a referendum on the shape of this draft, as some teams feel the class flattens out hard around No. 20 or so, and there’s a decided lack of 3-and-D wings who warrant first-round grades, an archetype many are willing to take a chance on — all of that appears set to play in Coward’s favor on draft night.

Utah, holding multiple selections, could use a player in Coward’s mold and could see value in him. — Woo

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Danny Wolf, PF, Michigan
Junior | TS%:
56.6

Height without shoes: 6-10½ | Weight: 251
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-2¼

Feedback on Wolf from teams has been mixed in the predraft process, as he’s a somewhat unorthodox prospect who some view as a more situational fit. His inside-out versatility and passing skills at his size separate him from the other bigs in this class. There are also real questions he has to answer surrounding his inconsistent shooting and foul line struggles (34% on 3-pointers, 59% on free throws), and whether he’ll defend at a high level.

If the Hawks go with a perimeter player with their pick at No. 13, adding a big later in the draft at No. 22 makes sense, with Wolf making for an interesting fit in big, versatile lineups with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu up front. — Woo

Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State
Super Senior |
TS%: 60.9

Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 202
Standing reach: 8-6½ | Wingspan: 6-8

As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday afternoon, the Indiana Pacers are trading the No. 23 pick and the rights to Mojave King to the Pelicans for Indiana’s own 2026 first-round pick back, which the Pelicans had previously acquired.

Clifford has received positive feedback on the workout circuit, drawing interest in the teens with his range running into the 20s. Coming off a big season at Colorado State, Clifford’s experience and plug-and-play, two-way skill set has made him a viable option for NBA teams in search of wing help. — Woo

Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid
EuroLeague | TS%:
50.9

The Thunder might not even have a roster spot at their disposal for both of their first-round picks, so it’s unclear exactly which direction they will go on draft night.

Gonzalez could fit Oklahoma City’s style of play with the impressive physical tools and frenetic energy he brings defensively, which has enabled him to carve out a strong role for Real Madrid in the Spanish Liga ACB playoffs recently. There’s also the possibility a team could convince Gonzalez to be stashed for another year in Europe — something that surely wouldn’t be appealing to his camp at this stage — but might be a necessity if the significant buyout in his contract doesn’t get paid this offseason (it’s an option Real Madrid would surely be open to, considering his impactful play). — Givony

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0:54

Hugo Gonzalez’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Hugo Gonzalez a top NBA draft prospect.

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)

Maxime Raynaud, PF/C, Stanford
Senior | TS%: 56.1

Height without shoes: 7-0¼ | Weight: 236
Standing reach: 9-2 | Wingspan: 7-1¼

It’s not clear what the Magic’s appetite will be for adding rookie teenagers to an already young roster, perhaps causing them to explore more mature upperclassmen like Raynaud, who would bring some much-needed frontcourt spacing that the roster currently lacks.

Raynaud hit 67 3-pointers this season in 35 games and had a strong showing at the draft combine, suggesting there’s upside still left to tap into due to his late-blooming trajectory, having focused full-time on basketball only as a high school senior. Raynaud’s ability to stretch the floor as a center is valuable in today’s NBA, something that could surely appeal to the Magic from a spacing perspective. — Givony

Nolan Traore, PG, Saint-Quentin
France
| TS%: 51.0

Height without shoes: 6-3 | Weight: 175
Standing reach: 8-5½ | Wingspan: 6-8

With four first-round picks at their disposal, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Nets take several talent swings, hoping to uncover gems with some of their later picks.

The Nets have a void in the backcourt, depending on what they do with their first few picks, and this situation will be considered highly attractive to any of the guards slated to be picked in this range.

After starting the season projected as a top-10 pick, Traore’s draft stock dropped because of inconsistent play, but there’s still plenty to like with his size, ballhandling, playmaking creativity and upside, making him a worthy gamble for a team in Brooklyn’s situation and at this point in the draft. — Givony

Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph’s
Junior | TS%:
64.4

Height without shoes: 6-8¼ | Weight: 232
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-5¼

It seems unlikely the Nets, who also hold the No. 36 pick, will ultimately roster all five of their draft picks. Count them among many teams in the 20s who are open for business involving their selections. This range of the draft is viewed by teams and agents as extremely fluid, with every pick between Nos. 21 and 27 either viewed as available and/or belonging to teams with multiple selections.

Fleming is among the players likely to come off the board in the back half of the first round. His physical tools and improving 3-point shooting give him a path to carving out a rotation spot, and some teams view him as a player who can help immediately. While not a flashy player nor immensely skilled, Fleming’s length, improvement track and late-blooming trajectory point to untapped potential. — Woo

play

1:31

Rasheer Fleming’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Rasheer Fleming a top NBA draft prospect.

Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina
Freshman | TS%:
61.1

Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 200
Standing reach: 8-7 | Wingspan: 7-0

The Celtics have some big needs to address in the wake of Jayson Tatum’s season-ending Achilles injury, but they can’t have any real expectation to address them in the draft, certainly not this late in the first round.

Finding a wing like Powell, who’s capable of soaking up minutes, hopefully gaining some experience and perhaps emerging as capable of adding value in a year from now, would be a major win. NBA teams like Powell’s feel for the game and long-term upside, especially his ability to guard everyone from point guards to power forwards while flying around to protect the rim, crash the glass and close out with purpose on the perimeter. He plays exceptionally hard, has tremendous mobility covering ground, rotating all over the floor — with the question being whether he’s an aggressive enough scorer or accurate enough shooter to hold his own on that end of the floor. — Givony

Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida
Senior | TS%:
61.1

Height without shoes: 6-2 | Weight: 199
Standing reach: 8-1½ | Wingspan: 6-4

The Suns appear interested in getting younger and remaking their roster, with the prospect of a Durant trade also creating scenarios in which Phoenix could pick up additional draft picks earlier in the first round.

A player like Clayton, who might be value-additive on a rookie-scale deal immediately, should be attractive to the Suns as they navigate a difficult salary sheet and try to better position themselves long term.

Clayton seems to have played himself into the first round with his NCAA tournament heroics, viewed as a sparkplug scorer who can help enhance a team’s bench unit. His confidence and shot-making skills will have to cover for his limited size and questionable defense. — Woo

play

1:56

See what makes Walter Clayton Jr. an intriguing NBA prospect

Check out highlights from Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.

30. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City)

Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans
France | TS%:
53.9

Height without shoes: 6-7¼ | Weight: 242
Standing reach: 8-10½ | Wingspan: 6-11½

Due to their hefty payroll, the Clippers should see value in rostering a rookie who can contribute with this pick. Finding someone who can complement their stars on a cost-controlled deal would be a win.

Penda has been an interesting sleeper name for teams due to his multipositional versatility, capable of playing all over the floor on offense and also defending several spots. While his perimeter shooting and limited run-jump athleticism are question marks for teams, his feel, skill and size are all nice selling points.

There remains curiosity among teams as to whether Penda will agree to be stashed overseas for another season, something that could help his chances of finding a comfortable draft slot. — Woo

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0:20

Jamir Watkins with the and-1 bucket

Jamir Watkins with the and-1 bucket

Second round

31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

32. Boston Celtics (via Washington)
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior

33. Charlotte Hornets
Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas

34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans)
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State, junior

35. Philadelphia 76ers
Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao (China)

36. Brooklyn Nets
Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State, senior

37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto)
Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)

38. San Antonio Spurs
Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior

39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland)
Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet (Adriatic)

40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior

41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami)
Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)

42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago)
John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin, super senior

43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas)
Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior

44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta)
Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova, super senior

45. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento)
Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior

46. Orlando Magic
Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior

47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit)
Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior

48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State)
Javon Small, PG, West Virginia, senior

49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee)
Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan, super senior

50. New York Knicks (via Memphis)
Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Illawarra

51. LA Clippers (via Minnesota)
Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson, super senior

52. Phoenix Suns (via Denver)
Kobe Sanders, SG/SF, Nevada, senior

53. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers)
Dink Pate, SG/SF, Mexico City (G League)

54. Indiana Pacers
Micah Peavy, SG/SF, Georgetown, senior

55. Los Angeles Lakers
Hunter Sallis, SG, Wake Forest, senior

56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston)
Amari Williams, C, Kentucky, senior

57. Orlando Magic (via Boston)
Alijah Martin, SG, Florida, senior

58. Cleveland Cavaliers
Ryan Nembhard, PG, Gonzaga, senior

59. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City)
RJ Luis Jr., SF/PF, St. John’s, junior

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.



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June 17, 2025 0 comments
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2025 NBA draft superlatives: Best at shooting, defense, more
Esports

2025 NBA draft superlatives: Best at shooting, defense, more

by admin June 14, 2025


  • Jeremy WooJun 14, 2025, 07:15 AM ET

    Close

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in 2023
      Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023

NBA front offices have canvassed the globe for the past year in preparation for the 2025 draft, scouting prospects and narrowing down their boards. Now, it’s decision-making mode.

Scouting reports are filled with details and descriptors to distinguish prospects. Evaluation encompasses myriad factors, of course — but which prospects have earned superlatives? Who comes to mind as the best playmakers, shooters and defenders in this class?

Now that the draft is less than two weeks away — Round 1 begins June 25 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN — analyst Jeremy Woo matched 20 prospects with the traits that make them special, as a way to understand how this class stacks up and how the top players could reach their long-term potential.

More NBA draft coverage:
Trade offers for No. 1 | Lottery pick comps
Latest mock draft: Need vs. best value
Draft assets | Top 100 rankings | Pelton’s top 30

Top 100 ranking: No. 7

Fears obliterated expectations at Oklahoma thanks in large part to his exceptional handle and his ability to get all over the floor with a live dribble, keeping defenders off-balance. He applies relentless pressure on the paint without being the biggest or strongest guard, using his change of pace, jittery style and instincts to get downhill.

Fears is smooth and decisive with the ball in his hands and doesn’t waste as many dribbles as expected for a guard his age — he’s more function than flash in how he creates space. It’s extremely impressive stuff from an 18-year-old who reclassified to start college a year early. As the threat of his jump shot progresses and his decision-making improves, Fears should become an even more dangerous cover.

Top 100 ranking: No. 2

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

Harper’s size, power, pace, finishing craft and vision combine to make him this draft’s top shot creator. This was on display during his best moments at Rutgers — despite a suboptimal team around him — with his decisiveness and burst enabling him to dissect defenses and create shots for himself and teammates.

Harper finished in the 87th percentile (inclusive of assists) for pick-and-roll handlers, per Synergy, and shot a solid 36.8% in isolation situations. He also converted 67.6% of his shots at the rim. His well-rounded offensive numbers help back up the comparisons to current NBA players Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson.

Harper’s ability to make quick decisions, play through contact with explosion, split coverages and spray passes all over the floor sets him apart from the rest of this class as a player with the chops to eventually shoulder the load for a successful NBA offense.

Top 100 ranking: No. 10

Jakucionis has proved to be a particularly challenging cover working with a screen in front of him, where his vision, creativity and acute sense of timing intersect to make him an outstanding operator. The vast majority of his offensive workload came in ball screens — his 501 ball-screen possessions (among the highest total in the country) led to a basket 41.7% of the time, including assists (65th percentile nationally), a number made more impressive by the fact the Illini didn’t have consistent 3-point shooting or ideal spacing around him last season.

Jakucionis also became more comfortable getting to his own shot when defenses loaded up the paint, with his jumper becoming a viable counter for his average explosiveness around the rim. Though he presses at times, leading to aggressive turnovers, his size, unselfish mentality and instincts navigating traffic should translate well into an NBA role, whether it’s as a full-time point guard or combo playmaker.

Top 100 ranking: No. 33

Kalkbrenner developed into an extremely efficient finisher over five years in college, even if some might consider his game boringly effective. The 7-foot-2 big man shot a remarkable 73.1% on rolls to the basket last season and strung together three straight seasons making more than 70% of his 2-point attempts. It’s fair to ask how much that level of offense will translate, as Kalkbrenner isn’t the quickest off the floor or most powerful playing through contact.

However, the 23-year-old has excellent spatial awareness, does a good job making himself a target and has reliable hands, all contributing to a giant catch radius that makes him a useful lob threat. Though NBA scouts don’t project him to be a full-time starter — he is hovering in the late first round at best — the numbers back up his case as a highly efficient, low-usage center whose primary added value will be protecting the paint defensively.

Top 100 ranking: No. 3

No player in this draft class is more dangerous in a tight window than Bailey, whose ability to rise and fire over defenders at difficult angles and knock down tough shots off the bounce make him a tantalizing scoring prospect. Though he’s still relatively unpolished at 18 years old and operated without a ton of help other than Harper at Rutgers, that element of Bailey’s skill set shone through this past season; he’s far from the most consistent player in this draft class, but there’s no pull-up scorer as projectable long term.

Bailey hit an impressive 47% on midrange jumpers last season — many of them contested — pointing to his shotmaking acumen, even though much improvement is in order from the free throw line and from 3. The star potential some scouts see lies in his ability to keep converting at a high rate, a rare skill for a wing his size at 6-9.

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0:23

Ace Bailey fights through 2 defenders and a ref for a basket

Referee Jeffrey Anderson gets tangled up in the action as Ace Bailey scores for Rutgers.

Top 100 ranking: No. 4

Edgecombe’s highlight-reel dunk against Gonzaga to begin the 2024-25 season served as his entrance to college basketball. He’s an exciting and highly functional athlete who can put his explosiveness to use in game settings, giving him a potentially major advantage as a shot creator long term. He registered 33 dunks at Baylor this season — an excellent number for a guard — able to play bigger than his size and meet opponents around the rim both as a finisher and on the defensive end.

His impressive vertical leap, strong 193-pound frame and quick first step underscore his upside as a player some teams believe can evolve into a physically gifted long-term lead guard.

Top 100 ranking: No. 12

Bryant is built sturdy, standing around 6-8 in shoes with a 6-11¾ wingspan, broad shoulders and weighing 215 pounds. His picturesque basketball body has been a selling point for scouts throughout the season. Though his length isn’t off the charts, the projectability of his frame, which scouts believe has room to add more muscle, is a big part of his appeal: It’s not just that he’s a solid 3-and-D prospect, he also might be able to legitimately guard 2s, 3s and 4s as he continues to fill out.

Bryant’s closest physical dimension comp is Los Angeles Laker Dorian Finney-Smith, who has had a long and valuable NBA career. Bryant’s natural strength should produce even more defensive versatility, however. At 19 years old, Bryant’s physical profile leaves room for optimism, and has bolstered his case for the late lottery.

Top 100 ranking: No. 8

2025 NBA draft

• The NBA draft’s top players at 20 skills
• New mock draft: 2 picks each for Rd 1 teams
• NBA comps for 14 players: Flagg to Tatum?
• We offer potential trades for Mavs, Flagg
• Updated top 100 big board rankings
• Stacking all 30 teams’ draft assets | More

Knueppel is automatic with his feet set, making 48.8% of no-dribble spot-ups, 43% of all catch-and-shoot jumpers (92nd percentile on Synergy) and 40.6% of his 3s. His clean mechanics and textbook release back up the numbers, and there’s little doubt that his shooting offers a valuable floor projecting out.

The vast majority of his looks were assisted, and he didn’t fare as well hitting shots off the bounce (32.8%), but the excellent spacing Knueppel will immediately provide should supply value on his rookie contract. If he can take it to another level shooting off the bounce, his high-end outcomes start to get interesting.

Top 100 ranking: No. 5

Johnson proved himself as a high-level shooter at Texas, where he was asked to do a lot with the ball in his hands. He was also particularly effective shooting off screens, rating in the 91st percentile on those play types nationally, per Synergy, while making 52.1% of his shots and proving equally capable going left and right.

Johnson has quick, compact shooting mechanics, and his potential to be an elite off-ball scorer gives him a valuable pathway to NBA success as the threat of his shot will likely open up space. Johnson shouldn’t have to be a No. 1 scoring option to be valuable, which raises his floor considerably when projecting.

Top 100 ranking: No. 11

With a dizzying array of passes at his disposal at 6-9, Demin is the draft’s most aesthetically pleasing playmaker, with the size to see over defenses and a willingness to try things most players won’t. He’s a creative passer with excellent timing, a skill that should make him impactful whether he’s playing full time on the ball or off.

He can throw tough diagonal skip passes that force defenses to rotate, which often lead to hockey-type assists that don’t show up on a stat sheet. Though Demin isn’t a natural isolation player creating for himself, he should be plenty dangerous with a ball screen or working as a second-side initiator, as long as he makes enough shots to keep defenses honest.

Best rim protector: Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija (Adriatic League)

Top 100 ranking: No. 15

Beringer’s stock skyrocketed this season as scouts gradually made the trip to see him in Europe, as his excellent defensive instincts and shot-blocking chops at 18 years old were on display. In his first season playing at senior club level with Cedevita, Beringer finished with the best block percentage in the Adriatic League — a 2.9 shots per-40 pace adjusted across all competitions.

At 6-11 with a 7-4½ wingspan, he covers ground quite well already for a player who is still getting used to his body and has minimal experience.

Beringer has good feet defensively, and his ranginess should allow him to succeed in various screen coverages, able to switch and hedge better than most players his size. Though his offense is still a work in progress, his impact patrolling the paint has earned him consideration as a potential lottery pick with significant room to improve.

play

1:11

Joan Beringer’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Joan Beringer a top NBA draft prospect.

Top 100 ranking: No. 14

A dive into Murray-Boyles’ defensive habits illustrates why some scouts are high on his NBA outlook. Despite standing 6-6 barefoot, undersized for a four-man, he’s a player who regularly makes the most of what he has defensively, due largely to his outstanding awareness, strong hands and excellent timing. This stood out even in a losing context at South Carolina.

Murray-Boyles is versatile enough to switch across positions and does a terrific job of reading and reacting to plays, whether it’s rotating over for a block, digging down to swipe at the ball or putting himself in the right place to act as a deterrent. Those qualities help project him out at the NBA level: There will be certain one-on-one matchups where his size might be a challenge, but Murray-Boyles is a great bet to enhance defensive schemes and raise his team’s basketball IQ on the floor.

Top 100 ranking: No. 31

Though his stock dipped after an uneven freshman season, Powell’s ability to guard the perimeter remains a strong selling point as a developmental investment. At 6-6 with a 7-foot wingspan, Powell can sit down in a stance and slide with smaller guards, fight through screens, and switch effectively at the point of attack — a better blend of defensive traits than any wing in the class. His strength, length and agility makes him a challenging matchup for most ball handlers.

As an excellent run-jump athlete who can block shots in pursuit and impact the passing lanes, Powell’s potential as a defensive cog is clear. There could be value for a patient team selecting him later in the draft, provided he can make enough shots to be a useful role player on the offensive end.

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0:13

Drake Powell gets the and-1 to fall

Drake Powell gets the and-1 to fall

Top 100 ranking: No. 32

Thiero’s NBA appeal has long centered around his excellent defensive potential. When healthy and at his best, the 6-8 forward flies around the court, which made him one of the most disruptive defenders in college basketball. Thiero has a great combination of speed, strength, length and explosiveness that make him a threat to sky for blocks, jump passing lanes and blow up plays.

His awareness and overall tendencies could be better — he can take too many risks and be inconsistent — but he has the capacity to make highlight-reel plays that most players can’t. Thiero missed the end of the season because of injuries and is still very much a project, but his ability to create turnovers (career 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks pace adjusted per-40) makes him worth a developmental investment.

Top 100 ranking: No. 40

Broome’s burly presence on the boards was an essential part of Auburn’s success the past few years — he averaged 3.6 offensive rebounds per game last season (14% OReb rate) and shot 64.5% on putbacks. At 6-10 and nearly 250 pounds with an approximate 7-foot 1/4 wingspan, Broome consistently relied on physicality and positioning to hunt 50-50 balls off the glass despite below-average verticality off the floor.

And with 14.1 boards per-40 pace adjusted, Broome was the top NCAA-based rebounder among prospects in ESPN’s Top 100 rankings. While Broome’s age (he turns 23 on July 19) and athletic profile raises fair questions about to what extent it will translate to the NBA, it’s hard to knock his consistent work on the glass and its overall impact on winning.

Top 100 ranking: No. 1

We’ve spent much of this draft cycle highlighting the diversity of Flagg’s skill set and impact — but the special quality that pulls it all together and sets him apart from his peers is his intense-yet-controlled competitiveness and internal drive. That element of who he is has no off-switch, something evaluators love about him and have seen in every setting to date. As the backbone of Duke’s successful season and Final Four run and also one of the youngest players in college basketball, Flagg made quite the case for himself with not just his productivity, but his approach.

There’s a level of natural leadership that stems from how he carries himself, making him a rare tone-setting player at 18 years old. When you couple Flagg’s makeup with the basketball skill, playmaking versatility and on-court IQ, it’s exceedingly easy to feel good about what the future holds.

play

1:16

What Cooper Flagg brings to a franchise

Cooper Flagg’s energy and leadership are the big traits that stand out to Jonathan Givony.

Top 100 ranking: No. 27

Florida’s NCAA championship run was spurred largely by Clayton’s shot-making theatrics, with a series of huge performances and clutch shots, turning the guard into a March hero. His ability to create separation off the bounce, get to his own shot, and shoot over contests with composure set him apart from his peers and single-handedly boosted his draft stock in a real way.

While Clayton can be streaky, he has displayed a real embrace of big moments, vaulting himself into the first-round picture similarly to what Shabazz Napier did in 2014. It’s this type of big-shot mentality teams like to bet on, the hope being Clayton can become a useful depth player and bench sparkplug in short order.

Best motor: Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid (Spain)

Top 100 ranking: No. 23

Gonzalez’s role at Real Madrid has been inconsistent — typical for a teenage prospect trying to break through at one of the world’s top clubs — but his calling card as a player has long been the fact he plays exceptionally hard. That manifests on the defensive end, where he embraces doing the dirty work: playing in passing lanes, hustling for rebounds and even chipping in highlight blocks. He’ll run the floor hard in transition going the other way, and is always willing to sacrifice his own body for the good of the team.

The level of want and desire Gonzalez plays with has always been endearing for scouts, and has helped him earn increased trust and minutes over the past month. His sporadic offensive production has made it difficult to improve his stock over the past year, but NBA teams know what type of effort he brings, giving him a chance to carve out a role in due time.

play

0:54

Hugo Gonzalez’s NBA draft profile

Check out some of the highlights that have made Hugo Gonzalez a top NBA draft prospect.

Top 100 ranking: No. 24

Raynaud’s late-blooming basketball career has unfolded on a unique trajectory: He didn’t pick up the sport full-time until his final year of high school in Paris, where he was focused on swimming and chess. He wasn’t viewed as a big-time prospect even after joining French club Nanterre, where he grew close with a rising star named Victor Wembanyama before ultimately deciding to play college basketball at Stanford. Drawn to the school for academic reasons (he originally planned to pursue astrophysics), he attended as a walk-on before converting to full scholarship, and eventually becoming the starting center.

Raynaud is well-regarded for his affable personality and has been viewed by NBA teams as a player with untapped potential now that basketball is his full-time focus, and a breakout at the NBA combine in Chicago helped solidify him as a first-round level prospect.

Top 100 ranking: No. 6

Maluach is expected to be the first center off the board due to his impact for Duke as one of college basketball’s premier paint deterrents — but his appeal as an NBA prospect also has much to do with who he is as a person and what he’ll bring to a locker room. Born in South Sudan before his family took refuge in Uganda, Maluach arrived late to basketball before landing at the NBA Academy Africa, where he built a strong reputation.

Maluach checks every box teams look for off the court: He’s regarded as a beloved teammate, intense competitor, excellent on-court communicator and hard worker who will add value to an organization in those respects. His major improvement over the past several years from a skill and consistency perspective speaks to his character, having turned himself from a project into a top prospect in a short period of time.



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June 14, 2025 0 comments
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Cedric Coward forgoes Duke, to remain in NBA draft
Esports

Cedric Coward forgoes Duke, to remain in NBA draft

by admin May 24, 2025


  • Jonathan GivonyMay 24, 2025, 11:34 AM ET

    Close

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
      Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams

Cedric Coward is keeping his name in the 2025 NBA draft and will forgo the opportunity to play at Duke next season, he told ESPN on Saturday.

“This is the best opportunity for me to achieve part of my dream, which is making the NBA,” Coward said. “Everything is pointing in the right direction right now to follow that.”

Coward, a 21-year-old senior, spent the past season at Washington State, but he was forced to redshirt after suffering a partially torn shoulder labrum that sidelined him after six games and required season-ending surgery. He was averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, shooting 40% from 3 and drawing significant attention in NBA circles due to his unique backstory, measurables and outstanding productivity.

Editor’s Picks

1 Related

“NBA teams learned that the injury wasn’t a setback,” Coward said. “I got better and became more profound in all the different details of my game. I improved tremendously in aspects that I needed to work on, which showed in my athletic testing and shooting. I’m stronger mentally, physically and emotionally now.”

Coward entered the NCAA transfer portal and in late April announced he had committed to Duke after taking an official visit, spurning interest from the likes of Alabama, Kansas, Washington and Florida.

“Even though I am staying in the draft, I picked Duke for a reason,” Coward said. “I feel like I’m halfway in the brotherhood. This was a difficult decision at first, but after the combine, it became a lot easier with the path I wanted to take.

“This was always the main goal. Even if I went to Duke, it would have been in order to get to this level. I feel like I am ready. It didn’t hurt that I did pretty well at the combine.”

Coward’s standing with NBA teams has risen amid a strong predraft process that boosted him from fringe prospect to projected first-round pick, resulting in his decision to remain in the draft without ever playing a single game for Duke.

He measured an enormous 7-foot-2¼ wingspan at the NBA draft combine, tested a 38½-inch max vertical leap, ranked as one of the best shooters in drills (making 71% of his aggregate attempts) and conducted a well-attended pro day in Los Angeles on Tuesday organized by Life Sports Agency, where he demonstrated his physical tools, perimeter shooting and conditioning.

Coward improbably started his career at Division III Willamette in 2021, earning Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He transferred after his freshman year to Eastern Washington, where he spent two seasons under coach David Riley, becoming a Big Sky All-First Team member in 2024. When Riley was named the coach at Washington State, Coward followed him to Pullman, Washington, appearing to be en route to an all-conference campaign in the WCC before injuring his shoulder.

A young senior, not turning 22 until Sept. 11, Coward fits a mold every NBA team is seeking with his length, perimeter shooting, defensive potential and late-blooming trajectory.

Coward, projected as the No. 30 pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft, will be cleared for full contact activity on June 14. He said he has visited two NBA teams for private one-on-zero workouts — the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder — and has worked out in Los Angeles in front of another seven teams that came to evaluate him.

“I see myself as a draft pick,” Coward said. “I’m looking for a team that wants to take a chance on me. I’ve gotten really positive feedback. A lot of teams have been coy, not showing exactly how they feel. It doesn’t matter if it’s a guarantee or not, there’s still work ahead of me. There are only 59 picks. If I am fortunate to be one of those 59, it’s all a blessing. If I am 1 or 59, it doesn’t really matter. There’s always work to be done. It doesn’t matter what spot. It’s more about what team will give me the opportunity to show what I can do on the court.”

The NBA draft will be held June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.



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May 24, 2025 0 comments
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2025 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 59 picks post-combine
Esports

2025 NBA mock draft: Projecting all 59 picks post-combine

by admin May 20, 2025


  • Jonathan Givony

    Close

    Jonathan Givony

    ESPN

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in July 2017
      Founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams
  • Jeremy Woo

    Close

    Jeremy Woo

    ESPN

      NBA draft analyst and writer
      Joined ESPN.com in 2023
      Covered the NBA and NBA draft for Sports Illustrated from 2015-2023

May 19, 2025, 07:25 AM ET

Now that the 2025 NBA draft combine — complete with measurements, athletic testing, drills and 5-on-5 scrimmages — is over, it’s time to hear what league insiders are saying about the top prospects and look closer at how each player’s performance in Chicago affected his draft stock.

Are there any questions surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ most obvious choice of drafting Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick? The Brooklyn Nets, with four first-round picks, have options, but which players fit best? Who will the Philadelphia 76ers target at No. 3 with a wide selection of prospects consisting of Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach and Kon Knueppel likely on the board?

Many international prospects, including Joan Beringer and Noa Essengue, couldn’t attend the combine because they were playing with their clubs, so they will have have to attend a combine organized by the NBA in Treviso, Italy, in early June. NBA teams will also hold individual workouts that will help them narrow their boards and get a better handle on whom they might select during the draft in Brooklyn, which begins June 25 (8 p.m. ET, ABC and ESPN).

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo share their post-combine mock draft of the 59 picks, which reflects a thorough evaluation of the 2025 class and considers intel from scouts and front-office personnel. The New York Knicks’ second-round pick was rescinded by the NBA after an investigation into Jalen Brunson’s free agency signing in the summer of 2022.

More NBA draft coverage:
Combine: Risers, fallers | Lottery team questions
Draft assets | Top 100 rankings | Pelton’s top 30

First round

Cooper Flagg, SF/PF, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 60.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-7¾ | Weight: 221
Standing reach: 8-10½ | Wingspan: 7-0

Intel and fit: Lightning struck the Mavericks in an incredible stroke of fortune, allowing their beleaguered fan base to turn the page from the Luka Doncic trade and focus on acquiring one of the future faces of the NBA in Flagg. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported shortly after the draft lottery that Mavericks ownership will not entertain trade opportunities and plans to select Flagg No. 1, as expected.

All indications from Flagg’s camp are that he is thrilled with potentially joining a playoff-contending team with strong veterans, despite initially appearing shocked by the lottery’s outcome. Sources told ESPN that Flagg is scheduling a visit to Dallas.

Flagg had a spectacular freshman season at Duke, eliminating doubt about who will be the No. 1 pick. Just the fourth freshman to win the Wooden Award as the most outstanding player in college basketball, Flagg brought exceptional competitiveness and defensive versatility while impacting the game in every facet. He made jumpers from all over the floor, shouldered significant shot-creation responsibility and made teammates better with his passing.

Scouts’ only question is whether Flagg projects as “merely” an NBA All-Star, or if, as some scouts suggest, he can become one of the league’s most impactful players on both ends of the floor. — Givony

VJ Edgecombe, Cooper Flagg and Collin Murray-Boyles maintained their projections as top-10 picks following the NBA draft combine in Chicago last week. Illustration by ESPN

Dylan Harper, PG/SG, Rutgers
Freshman
| TS%: 59.3

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4½ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-6 | Wingspan: 6-10½

Intel and fit: Already operating from one of the strongest long-term positions in the league, the Spurs drew lottery luck for the third straight year, jumping six spots to No. 2 and earning the right to select Harper, the consensus option after Flagg goes off the board.

San Antonio was thrilled with its lottery luck, and early signs indicate that it is very comfortable with Harper, prioritizing the best available talent over fit concerns in a backcourt that features De’Aaron Fox and NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Building around Victor Wembanyama (21 years old), Castle (20) and Harper (19) on rookie contracts is an enviable foundation that offers tremendous short-term flexibility from a salary cap perspective. This selection would raise questions about the Spurs shooting and splitting up ballhandling duties among their guards, but Harper has substantial talent, and selecting him is easy to justify.

Though trade speculation has swirled around San Antonio and this pick since lottery night, at this stage of the process, it appears to be simply that. The Spurs want to get Wembanyama to the playoffs, but don’t have to rush into a blockbuster deal, be it for Giannis Antetokounmpo (should he become available) or a different star.

San Antonio has the future draft capital to keep Harper and still significantly upgrade its roster at a lesser cost. Rival teams expect the Spurs will entertain their options, but the wide assumption is Harper will be the pick, barring a blockbuster move. — Woo

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Fact or Fiction: Dylan Harper would be a perfect fit with the Spurs

Bobby Marks believes Dylan Harper would be a perfect fit with the Spurs with the No. 2 pick in the draft.

Airious “Ace” Bailey, SG/SF, Rutgers
Freshman
| TS%: 54.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-7½ | Weight: 202
Standing reach: 8-11 | Wingspan: 7-0½

Intel and fit: This is where the draft gets really interesting, as the 76ers are unsurprisingly signaling they are looking at a wide group of prospects, consisting of Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel. Bailey — widely considered this draft’s third-most-talented prospect — is the natural fit here, as he could seamlessly slide into the Sixers’ lineup at shooting guard, small forward or power forward, operating alongside any of their current players.

The feedback coming out of Chicago suggests Bailey is somewhat polarizing in internal front-office conversations because of questions about his feel for the game and “unpolished” team interviews, which one NBA general manager compared to Anthony Edwards’ during the predraft process (Minnesota drafted him No. 1 in 2020). Bailey hasn’t come off as “buttoned up” as some of his lottery peers but drew strong marks from a handful of executives who appreciated his candor and willingness to display his big personality.

Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations, with names such as Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) as potential targets in packages that could include Paul George and the No. 3 pick. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has made a career of being active and aggressive on the trade front, but historically, it’s rare to see a top-three pick being traded.

Adding a young, talented prospect could be appealing as a reset to the team’s timeline, offering long-term hope among Joel Embiid’s injury concerns and George’s significant contract, which might not age well. — Givony

VJ Edgecombe, SG, Baylor
Freshman
| TS%: 56.1

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4 | Weight: 193
Standing reach: 8-5½ | Wingspan: 6-7½

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Intel and fit: Though dropping one slot was disappointing for the Hornets, they were the only team with top-four lottery odds to remain there. The No. 4 pick is still advantageous with the way the board falls, as Charlotte will operate knowing that at least Edgecombe or Bailey will be available, both of whom would represent significant talent upgrades. Edgecombe is widely viewed as the safer of the two for Charlotte, but there’s not a consensus for teams after Flagg and Harper come off the board, making this range of the draft interesting to discern. Considering the Hornets’ needs, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tre Johnson receive a look here as well.

On paper, Edgecombe is a natural fit, sliding between LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, with his downhill explosiveness, slashing style and significant defensive potential complementing Ball’s vision and creativity and Miller’s shotmaking prowess. He also offers room to grow into a larger ballhandling role, which could make him more attractive to Charlotte, providing a long-term option in the backcourt.

The Hornets took a patient approach at the trade deadline, and opposing teams are curious about their level of urgency this offseason, having sold at the trade deadline but also having missed the playoffs nine straight seasons. — Woo

Jeremiah Fears, PG, Oklahoma
Freshman
| TS%: 57.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-2½ | Weight: 179
Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-5¼

Intel and fit: Dropping from the projected No. 1 slot ahead of the lottery to the No. 5 pick was a setback for Utah’s fan base and front office, creating questions about the team’s timeline and the value of undergoing another painful season hunting for a top pick in 2026.

With the roster in significant need of star power, it makes sense to take a long look at a prospect such as Fears, who had an outstanding season at Oklahoma despite — at 18 years old — being one of the youngest players in college basketball. His combination of size, speed, pace, shotmaking and shot creation gives him significant long-term upside, as he can get anywhere on the floor to create for teammates, finish skillfully in the lane or head to the free throw line.

Drafting Fears would likely have a roster trickle-down effect, as the Jazz selected point guards (Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier) in each of the past two drafts. The biggest questions revolve around the long-term status of Markkanen, a two-time All-Star who would have an active market if the Jazz were open to trading him. Going from the NBA’s worst record (17-65) to the No. 5 pick was a stern reminder of the pitfalls of rebuilding, but it’s unclear how else the Jazz can take the next step in building a championship-contending roster. — Givony

Tre Johnson, SG, Texas
Freshman
| TS%: 56.1

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4¾ | Weight: 190
Standing reach: 8-5 | Wingspan: 6-10¼

Intel and fit: The Wizards are in a similar boat to the Jazz after dropping four slots in a worst-case lottery scenario, albeit in an earlier stage of their full-scale rebuild.

The Wizards continue to search for star talent in the draft and will take a swing on whichever player falls out of the top five. In this scenario, it’s Johnson, who would fill an immediate need and also offer upside to grow as their potential long-term shooting guard. He’s among the draft’s better perimeter shooters, with solid positional size and an aggressive approach. He helped himself at Texas while showcased in a huge role.

Johnson has been another polarizing player for teams because of questions about his style of play, which has, at times, been characterized by scouts as selfish as he rose through the high school and college ranks. Coming out of the interview process in Chicago, those questions remain for some teams — there are lingering concerns about his shot selection, and how he might adjust to varied usage long term — but there aren’t many players in the class with his caliber of scoring talent.

The Wizards can offer him an immediate offensive role and develop him, making them (on paper) one of the better fits for Johnson in the top 10. — Woo

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2:05

Texas’ Tre Johnson declares for NBA draft

Texas’ Tre Johnson joins “NBA Today” to discuss his decision to declare for the draft.

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 74.7

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 7-0¾ | Weight: 252
Standing reach: 9-6 | Wingspan: 7-6¾

Intel and fit: Another team that took a big slip after a tough season. The Pelicans have only the No. 7 pick after posting a 21-61 record, a tough way for new lead executives Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver to start their tenure.

The Pelicans need significant star power, but with top prospects such as Bailey and Fears projected to be picked earlier, selecting a high-upside big man such as Maluach makes sense.

Maluach is one of the draft’s youngest prospects, turning 19 on Sept. 14, and has considerable room for growth physically and skill-wise. He plays with tremendous intensity and is beloved by coaches and teammates, thanks to his unique off-court intangibles.

His ability to anchor a defense with his wingspan and provide vertical spacing as a roller and cutter while sprinting the floor aggressively in transition will be attractive to any team looking for a center to build around long term, including potentially the Hornets or Wizards, picking at No. 4 and No. 6, respectively. — Givony

Kon Knueppel, SG/SF, Duke
Freshman
| TS%: 64.8

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-5 | Weight: 219
Standing reach: 8-5½ | Wingspan: 6-6¼

Intel and fit: Count the Nets among the many disappointed lottery teams, dropping two spots from No. 6 to No. 8 after San Antonio and Dallas jumped.

Brooklyn has veteran players, including Cameron Johnson, four first-round picks in this draft and future assets to dangle if it wants to move higher in the lottery. Teams expect the Nets, who are also operating in the interest of present and future cap space, to consolidate some of what they have.

Knueppel’s reliable offensive play and high-level shooting would be a nice building block for the Nets, with his skill set augmenting most lineups no matter how they choose to build long term. League insiders see additional scoring and playmaking upside from the consistent wing.

There’s also an interesting case for selecting and developing a young ball handler such as Egor Demin or Kasparas Jakucionis, or going with the offensive upside of Derik Queen, if the Nets stay at this spot. — Woo

Collin Murray-Boyles, PF/C, South Carolina
Sophomore
| TS%: 64.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-6½ | Weight: 239
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 7-0¾

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Intel and fit: The Raptors could go in many directions with this pick, with young, multipositional players scattered throughout the roster, and plenty of options with the many players they’ve assembled via the draft and trades in recent years.

Murray-Boyles would fit in from a culture and toughness standpoint, adding more defensive versatility and playmaking, even if his lack of perimeter shooting isn’t ideal as a potential floor-spacer for Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.

Picking ninth in what many NBA insiders consider a draft in which the top tier consists of eight players, a best-player-available strategy makes sense for Toronto, a plan this front office has followed in the past. Murray-Boyles’ unique blend of passing, foul drawing, finishing prowess and defensive playmaking has him rated as a potential top-5 pick in some NBA team analytics models, especially because he doesn’t turn 20 until mid-June. — Givony

Kasparas Jakucionis, PG, Illinois
Freshman
| TS%: 59.8

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-4¾ | Weight: 205
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-7¾

Intel and fit: This pick is viewed around the league as a luxury asset for the Rockets, who are frequently mentioned by other teams as a big trade candidate to build on what they accomplished this season. Houston has the draft assets and young talent to target whichever star becomes available next, as well as Reed Sheppard, who presumably is waiting to take on more minutes next season.

If Houston keeps the pick, this is likely a best-available situation, and Jakucionis holds a good case at No. 10. His playmaking vision, shooting ability and intangibles coupled with excellent positional size for a ball handler (he measured similarly to Terance Mann in 2019 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2013) make him a versatile backcourt addition for nearly any team.

He will need to sharpen his decision-making and cut down on turnovers to see maximum time on the ball long term. Though some teams have speculated he could slip out of the top 10 because of how the board is falling, Jakucionis appears fairly solid in the Nos. 8-12 range at this stage. — Woo

Egor Demin, PG/SG, BYU
Freshman
| TS%: 51.3

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 199
Standing reach: 8-9½ | Wingspan: 6-10¼

Intel and fit: Demin had a positive week at the combine in Chicago, measuring bigger than expected at 6-9½ in shoes and then putting on one of the most impressive pro day performances we’ve seen in some time, causing even the most skeptical of NBA evaluators to acknowledge his undeniable talent.

Demin has made significant gains with his body and will continue to fill out, while making a barrage of 3-pointers with picture-perfect mechanics and a lightning-quick release that offered significant room for optimism despite hitting 27% of his 3-pointers in his lone season at BYU. Also, NBA teams raved about his interviews in Chicago.

The Trail Blazers can go in several directions with this pick, and adding a big guard with a strong feel for the game who can slide into different roster configurations could be interesting long term. — Givony

Derik Queen, C, Maryland
Freshman
| TS%: 60.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 247
Standing reach: 9-1½ | Wingspan: 7-0½

Intel and fit: The Bulls reacquired this once top-10-protected pick at the deadline in the Zach LaVine trade, guaranteeing they would add a prospect as they navigate out of the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago is in position to draft the best available talent but is in greater need of frontcourt help, which will make Queen an interesting option if he slips to No. 12.

Queen had an excellent season at Maryland and is in the mix for teams as high as the mid-lottery, but he looks to have a bit of a wider range. He came in at a legitimate 6-10 in shoes but fared poorly in athletic testing at the combine and didn’t shoot convincingly in drills. Though unsurprising, those are two key areas for his long-term development that teams will question as he hits the workout circuit.

He’s a major offensive talent whose skill set separates him from the other bigs in this class — ultimately, his film should speak louder than the combine data — and whichever team selects him will believe it can get the most out of him. His proponents around the league see an intelligent player whose potential is high. — Woo

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1:42

Maryland’s Derik Queen announces NBA decision

Maryland big man Derik Queen joins Scott Van Pelt to announce his intention to enter the NBA draft.

Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija
Adriatic |
TS%: 61.5

Intel and fit: It’s difficult to speculate which direction the Hawks will go with this pick until we see what their front office looks like after the ouster of general manager Landry Fields last month. The Hawks have held discussions with some of the most prominent agents in the industry, as well as some big-name NBA executives. They might elect to hire more of a senior adviser figure to work alongside new GM Onsi Saleh.

With the first of two first-round picks, taking a swing on a high-upside prospect such as Beringer would make sense, especially with starting center Clint Capela entering free agency. Beringer, 18, has been surprisingly impactful for Cedevita this season, leading the Adriatic League in block percentage.

His tremendous physical tools, combined with his ability to cover ground on the perimeter, switch on to smaller players and protect the rim, show he has significant potential, especially because he has been playing basketball for only three years. — Givony

Carter Bryant, SF/PF, Arizona
Freshman
| TS%: 59.9

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-6½ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 6-11¾

Intel and fit: Even before the prospective addition of Harper at No. 2 became plausible, the Spurs needed maximum spacing around Victor Wembanyama and their guards. They should have an opportunity to address that with their second first-round pick. Bryant is a strong fit on paper if he’s available at No. 14.

Although his box score production was modest in a supporting role at Arizona, NBA teams have been intrigued all season, drawn to his promising shooting stroke, passing feel and a strong physical frame with similar measurements to Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

Bryant has room to pack on significant strength that would give him some defensive versatility, as well. As a two-way contributor who won’t need on-ball usage to add value, Bryant can slide neatly into the long-term plans for most any team, which could put him in play for teams higher than this. — Woo

Noa Essengue, PF, Ratiopharm Ulm
Germany | TS%:
61.1

Intel and fit: With three picks among the top 44 selections, but 14 players expected to be under contract next season, it’s unclear how much room Oklahoma City has on its roster to add more rookies. Packaging picks to move up in the draft, trading nonrotation players to other destinations, or kicking the can down the road, swapping this year’s picks for future first-rounders, might be options for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City wouldn’t have a great deal of use for a player such as Essengue, but it has very few needs that this draft would help resolve. The team will likely go for a best-talent-available approach if it uses all of its picks. — Givony

Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan State
Freshman
| TS%: 63.2

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-0½ | Weight: 178
Standing reach: 8-2½ | Wingspan: 6-6

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Intel and fit: After back-to-back playoff appearances, Orlando’s front office seems intent on helping the team win its first playoff series since 2010, saying it plans to “look through a more win-now lens.” That might signal a willingness to part with one or both of the team’s first-rounders (the Magic also hold the No. 25 pick) if “proven offensive help” becomes available, a search that will likely continue through the offseason.

Should the Magic keep this pick, drafting a player such as Richardson, who possesses an excellent feel for the game and strong defensive intensity (and hit 41% of his 3-pointers this season), makes sense. His ability to play off the ball alongside two prolific shot-creators in Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero would also be a plus, as Richardson showed with his willingness to play a role at Michigan State, where he demonstrated character and winning qualities. — Givony

Danny Wolf, PF, Michigan
Junior | TS%:
56.6

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-10½ | Weight: 251
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-2¼

Intel and fit: The Timberwolves are in the middle of a contention window and lucked into a surprise first-round pick in a valuable part of the draft thanks to the Detroit Pistons earning a playoff spot and conveying this lotto-protected selection (acquired from New York in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade) to Minnesota.

This pick figures to be a best-available situation for the team that holds the league’s least future draft capital, with the Wolves also holding the No. 31 pick as a useful asset. The two picks create a nice opportunity for Minnesota to find value and get younger around three-time All-Star Anthony Edwards.

Wolf’s mix of perimeter functionality, passing and interior size (he measured at 6-10½ barefoot, putting him close to 7 feet in shoes with a 7-2¼ wingspan) makes him an intriguing player for creative teams. With Julius Randle and Naz Reid holding player options for next season, adding a younger forward in Wolf to the mix would be an interesting consideration as the Timberwolves sift through their options. — Woo

18. Washington Wizards (via Memphis)

Liam McNeeley, SG/SF, UConn
Freshman
| TS%: 53.6

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-6¾ | Weight: 214
Standing reach: 8-3½ | Wingspan: 6-8½

Intel and fit: Expect the Wizards to keep making draft picks as they add to the fifth-youngest roster in the league (average age of 25.1). In this scenario, after drafting Johnson, Washington would add a more versatile complementary wing in McNeeley, who would fit with its preferences for positional size and feel.

McNeeley measured and tested a little better than expected at the combine (6-8 in shoes and 215 pounds) and seems to be trending positively. After an ankle injury hampered him for a chunk of his freshman season at UConn, he’ll have an opportunity to help himself on the workout circuit, where he can reaffirm some of the questions around his athleticism and long-range shooting, and remind teams why he entered the season viewed as a lottery candidate. — Woo

19. Brooklyn Nets (via Milwaukee)

Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
Freshman
| TS%: 58.7

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-9¼ | Weight: 262
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-6

Intel and fit: With the second of their four first-round picks, the Nets could go in many directions, likely taking swings on talent while considering the importance of acquiring size in a league that has swayed back toward seriously valuing big men.

Sorber isn’t expected to conduct on-court activity during the predraft process as he recovers from foot surgery in February. Still, his strong feel for the game, defensive versatility, length, physicality and skill level as a pick-and-roll finisher are attractive qualities at 19 years old that should draw plenty of attention in this portion of the draft.

In Chicago, his wingspan was measured at 7-6, allowing him to play much bigger than his height (6-10½ in shoes). — Givony

20. Miami Heat (via Golden State)

Nolan Traore, PG, Saint-Quentin
France
| TS%: 51.0

Intel and fit: The Heat received this pick in the Jimmy Butler III trade and have had success selecting in the middle of the draft in recent years, adding Jaime Jaquez Jr. at No. 18 and Kel’el Ware at No. 15 in the past two drafts. Miami has played Tyler Herro on the ball quite a bit but would benefit from adding a true point guard to hold down the backcourt long term, with a big shot-creation void to fill on the roster sans Butler.

Traore would amount to a big swing if he falls to this spot. Some scouts view him as a lottery-worthy talent, but an inconsistent season in France has put a damper on his draft stock. His size and speed, playmaking ability and promise as a shooter offer obvious upside if he can put everything together.

This far down in the draft, Traore is an attractive pick for a team like the Heat, who have historically had success developing prospects. — Woo

21. Utah Jazz (via Minnesota)

Asa Newell, PF/C, Georgia
Freshman | TS%:
62.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-9 | Weight: 224
Standing reach: 8-11½ | Wingspan: 6-11¼

Intel and fit: The Jazz own this second first-round pick by way of Minnesota in the Rudy Gobert trade. After selecting a point guard in Fears in the lottery, taking a swing on a talented young big man such as Newell makes sense.

Teams searching for frontcourt help earlier in the draft are also interested in him. Newell’s combine measurements will likely mean he will play mostly power forward in the NBA.

Nevertheless, his mobility, aggressiveness and intensity are significant assets that allowed him to have a highly productive, efficient freshman campaign. Newell made 26 3-pointers in 33 games and converted 75% of his free throws, positive signs that scouts believe could point to him becoming a more consistent outside shooter (29% 3-point percentage). — Givony

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0:20

Asa Newell gets the hoop and the harm

Asa Newell gets the hoop and the harm

22. Atlanta Hawks (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Will Riley, SG/SF, Illinois
Freshman
| TS%: 53.8

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-8¼ | Weight: 185
Standing reach: 8-8 | Wingspan: 6-8¾

Intel and fit: It’s difficult to identify a clear direction for the Hawks, as previously mentioned, until Atlanta finalizes a hire to lead its front office. But with the Hawks already adding big man Beringer, they can take a best-available approach with Riley, another young player who has substantial long-term upside as his body and skill set mature.

He will be in the discussion for teams selecting higher than this, with excellent size for a wing (measuring over 6-8 barefoot at the combine) and room to add strength. His terrific offensive instincts and potential to make shots from the perimeter at a high level check important boxes if a team can afford him some patience. — Woo

Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State
Super Senior |
TS%: 60.9

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 202
Standing reach: 8-6½ | Wingspan: 6-8

Intel and fit: In the middle of a heavyweight battle with the New York Knicks for a trip to the NBA Finals, the Pacers might not be as focused on the draft as some of their league counterparts.

Every team is actively seeking wing depth, and Clifford will be getting looks higher than this because of his plug-and-play, Swiss Army knife-type profile, combining an excellent feel for the game with strong defensive versatility while converting 38% of his 3-pointers the past two seasons. — Givony

Maxime Raynaud, PF/C, Stanford
Senior | TS%: 56.1

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 7-0¼ | Weight: 236
Standing reach: 9-2 | Wingspan: 7-1¼

Intel and fit: It’s difficult to envision Oklahoma City using its three picks among the top 44 selections with its current roster situation. Nevertheless, the Thunder have several months to determine a plan, and there will be no shortage of suitors if they elect to trade picks.

Raynaud was one of the big winners at the combine, being arguably the most impressive performer of the scrimmages, after measuring over 7 feet barefoot with a huge 9-2 standing reach. Raynaud’s ability to stretch the floor as a center is valuable in today’s NBA, but the fact he more than held his own defensively in Chicago, both hedging screens out to the 3-point line and altering shots at the rim, was just as important. — Givony

25. Orlando Magic (via Denver)

Hugo Gonzalez, SG/SF, Real Madrid
EuroLeague | TS%:
50.9

Intel and fit: This is the Magic’s second first-round selection, acquired from Denver in 2021 in the Aaron Gordon trade. It’s unclear whether the front office will add two more rookies to what’s already one of the youngest rosters in the NBA, especially with few roster spots available. Still, hitting on these picks could have significant value projecting long term with the cost-controlled nature of rookie-scale contracts, especially in a deep draft like this.

Gonzalez, 19, has had difficulty gaining traction this season amid inconsistent playing time with Real Madrid, hitting 29% of his 3-pointers. When given the opportunity, Gonzalez has shown his defensive intensity, feel for the game and explosiveness. He can guard multiple positions, and has shown glimpses of the passing prowess and winning qualities that made him a highly regarded prospect at a young age.

His difficult team context and the fact that he might not be able to travel to the United States for private workouts might cause him to be under-drafted relative to the talent he displayed in previous settings, where he looked like a clear-cut lottery pick. — Givony

Yaxel Lendeborg, PF/C, UAB/Michigan
Senior | TS%:
61.3

Combine measurements:

Height without shoes: 6-8½ | Weight: 234
Standing reach: 9-0½ | Wingspan: 7-4

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Intel and fit: Rival teams expect the Nets to explore moving one or both of these picks in the 20s, as they manage their roster and salary cap situation to best position themselves moving forward.

Lendeborg faced one of the highest-profile, stay-or-go decisions among prospects at the combine, measuring quite well and turning in a solid, if not spectacular, showing in scrimmages, with Michigan coach Dusty May and members of his staff in Chicago to support him. NBA teams are aware Lendeborg has a multimillion-dollar NIL package to attend Michigan next season, and it wasn’t clear by the end of the week as to whether he had done enough to secure the type of guarantee that might keep him in the draft.

He was highly productive last season at UAB and will step into a huge role with the Wolverines as the ostensible replacement for Wolf, giving him an opportunity to improve his draft stock if he withdraws now. — Woo

Rasheer Fleming, PF, Saint Joseph’s
Junior | TS%:
64.4

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-8¼ | Weight: 232
Standing reach: 9-1 | Wingspan: 7-5¼

Intel and fit: The Nets might not be the team selecting here, which would make these picks in the late 20s interesting swing spots.

Fleming didn’t participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages at the combine, but had impressive measurements. His excellent size and how effectively he scored this season for Saint Joseph’s give him some attractive role-player qualities.

As a late-blooming player who is still lacking in ball skills and overall awareness at times, Fleming is more of a developmental addition than a true plug-and-play option in the late first round. — Woo

Noah Penda, SF/PF, Le Mans
France | TS%:
55.5

Intel and fit: Rival teams expected changes to the Celtics’ roster next season because of their massive payroll, even before Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury. Boston appears headed toward an active summer to reposition the franchise for more sustainable success. Though a full-on teardown isn’t likely, the Celtics control their first-round pick in 2026 and 2027, giving them a runway to rethink things depending on the state of their roster and the course of Tatum’s recovery.

Penda’s strong feel for the game and two-way impact, after a productive and well-rounded season in France, would make him an interesting sleeper target in this part of the draft. He offers excellent role-player traits as a smart decision-maker and defensive playmaker if he can make enough shots to earn NBA minutes. It remains to be seen what his availability will be for stateside workouts, with the Pro A season still ongoing. — Woo

Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida
Senior | TS%:
61.1

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-2 | Weight: 199
Standing reach: 8-1½ | Wingspan: 6-4

The Suns last year drafted two ready-made contributors in Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro and plugged them in their rotation, and would have an opportunity to do the same with Clayton, the NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player after helping Florida win a national championship.

Despite measuring smaller than expected at the combine, Clayton brings tremendous shotmaking prowess and all-around scoring talent, making big plays in clutch moments all season while creating chaos for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictability. The fact he can play on or off the ball, alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, could be attractive. — Givony

play

1:19

Walter Clayton Jr. explains the last play against Houston and his draft stock

Walter Clayton Jr. joins “First Take” to discuss Florida winning the national championship and his NBA draft stock.

30. LA Clippers (via Oklahoma City)

Cedric Coward, SF, Washington State/Duke
Junior | TS%: 71.0

Combine measurements:
Height without shoes: 6-5¼ | Weight: 213
Standing reach: 8-10 | Wingspan: 7-2¼

Intel and fit: The Clippers won’t control their draft for the next four seasons, with picks and swaps outgoing until 2030 and the team in win-now mode. Taking a gamble on a relatively unproven prospect such as Coward would be a high-risk, high-reward approach.

There has been plenty of buzz around Coward of late, with signs out of Chicago pointing to him remaining in the draft, despite a transfer commitment to Duke for next season. Many NBA teams we spoke with are hesitant about his surprising rise, given the fact that he played six games at Washington State before a shoulder injury ended his season. But his unusual trajectory from Division III to Eastern Washington to what appears to be guaranteed-contract territory is fascinating.

Though his lack of film against high-level college competition is a concern for NBA teams, Coward is the type of wing teams love draft, and it matters that he was efficient and productive at Eastern Washington. Still not cleared for contact as of last week, Coward measured with a 7-2¼ wingspan at the combine, shot the ball well in drills, and looked the part as he made his case to NBA teams. Despite not having played competitively since November, his draft projection seems to be moving in his favor. — Woo

Second round

play

0:13

Drake Powell gets the and-1 to fall

Drake Powell gets the and-1 to fall

31. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Utah)
Drake Powell, SG/SF, North Carolina, freshman

32. Boston Celtics (via Washington)
Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

33. Charlotte Hornets
Labaron Philon, PG/SG, Alabama, freshman

34. Charlotte Hornets (via New Orleans)
Adou Thiero, PF, Arkansas

35. Philadelphia 76ers
Ryan Kalkbrenner, C, Creighton, super senior

36. Brooklyn Nets
Yanic Konan Niederhauser, C, Penn State, junior

37. Detroit Pistons (via Toronto)
Tahaad Pettiford, PG, Auburn, freshman

38. San Antonio Spurs
Alex Condon, C, Florida, sophomore

39. Toronto Raptors (via Portland)
Alex Toohey, SF/PF, Sydney (Australia)

40. Washington Wizards (via Phoenix)
Chaz Lanier, SG, Tennessee, super senior

41. Golden State Warriors (via Miami)
Hansen Yang, C, Qingdao (China)

42. Sacramento Kings (via Chicago)
Bogoljub Markovic, PF/C, Mega Superbet (Adriatic)

43. Utah Jazz (via Dallas)
Miles Byrd, SG, San Diego State, sophomore

44. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Atlanta)
Jamir Watkins, SG/SF, Florida State, senior

45. Chicago Bulls (via Sacramento)
Johni Broome, C, Auburn, super senior

46. Orlando Magic
Rocco Zikarsky, C, Brisbane (Australia)

47. Milwaukee Bucks (via Detroit)
Darrion Williams, SF/PF, Texas Tech, junior

48. Memphis Grizzlies (via Golden State)
John Tonje, SF, Wisconsin, super senior

49. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Milwaukee)
Michael Ruzic, PF/C, Joventut (ACB)

50. New York Knicks (via Memphis)
Eric Dixon, PF, Villanova, super senior

51. LA Clippers (via Minnesota)
Tyrese Proctor, PG, Duke, junior

52. Phoenix Suns (via Denver)
Sion James, SF, Duke, super senior

53. Utah Jazz (via LA Clippers)
Kam Jones, PG/SG, Marquette, senior

54. Indiana Pacers
Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky, super senior

55. Los Angeles Lakers
Vladislav Goldin, C, Michigan, super senior

56. Memphis Grizzlies (via Houston)
Javon Small, PG, West Virginia, senior

57. Orlando Magic (via Boston)
Neoklis Avdalas, SF, Peristeri (Greece)

58. Cleveland Cavaliers
Mackenzie Mgbako, SF/PF, Indiana, sophomore

59. Houston Rockets (via Oklahoma City)
Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson, super senior

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.

Jeremy Woo is an NBA analyst specializing in prospect evaluation and the draft. He was previously a staff writer and draft insider at Sports Illustrated.



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