By: Jack Stewart
Every April, the National Football League hosts its annual draft over the course of three days, with 2025’s iteration taking place from the 24th-26th in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The event allows teams to select the best prospects from college football to help build their roster and improve for next season. While star players like Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, and Miami’s Cam Ward have received most of the buzz leading up to this year’s draft, many exciting prospects have flown under the radar and could make unexpected splashes in next year’s NFL season. Here are some of those “slept-on” players who could have breakout rookie seasons come this September:
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (QB)
While Jaxson Dart has seen a recent rise in his draft stock, most journalists and fans still have a mixed outlook on him as a prospect. He’s been an undoubtedly controversial figure, with some believing he could go low in the first round and others believing he’s a third day pick. Not only do I believe Jaxson Dart will be a first round pick, but I also think he has the talent to back it up, and I could very well see his career playing out similar to the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen. Similar to Dart, Allen’s ability was questioned a lot and many believed he was an “incomplete” or “rough” prospect. While it may seem surprising now, Buffalo’s initial reaction to the Josh Allen trade was extremely mixed, and if Jaxson Dart is a first or second round pick, the reception will most likely be similar. Just like with Josh Allen, I believe the mixed reception surrounding Dart will largely be disproven, and I see him excelling throughout his time in the NFL. Stylistically, Dart is also very similar to a young Allen, possessing many of the same physical characteristics and qualities. While not as much of a dual-threat as Allen, Dart still has solid capabilities as a runner, and his improvisation is impressive for a college player. Some of his best traits are his ability to extend plays and perform when those plays break down, both of which are crucial for NFL quarterbacks. This, coupled with his strong arm talent, makes him an attractive target for teams looking to find their next franchise quarterback, and could easily result in a breakout season if he’s placed into the right system. Many critics of Dart cite his poor decision making, and while yes, it is a problem he’s struggled with, it’s an easily fixable issue. It’s an issue again reminiscent of Josh Allen, who dealt with similar problems early in his career, but time has shown that he’s been able to develop into a mature and smart quarterback. While Jaxson Dart may not have the same raw talent and athleticism as Allen, his improvisational skills and arm strength could make him a prime candidate for a breakout rookie season in 2025.
Tez Johnson, Oregon (WR)
At 5’10” and 165 lbs, Tez Johnson has historically been doubted because of his physical limitations. The average NFL player is 6’2” 246 lbs, putting Johnson at a clear disadvantage against the rest of the NFL. Despite this, Johnson has excelled at Oregon, putting up great numbers throughout the season and in the Big 10 Championship, becoming one of the most exciting prospects in this upcoming draft. While his height and weight are glaring issues, Johnson’s incredible route running and shiftiness make him an attractive target for teams seeking additional help in their receiver room. His performance in the Big 10 Championship in particular drew a lot of attention to his talents. Throughout the championship game, he found holes in the Penn State defense and used his agility to find open space. His recent performance at the NFL Combine has turned some scouts away from Johnson, with his 4.51 40-yard dash being seen as “lackluster” by many, but it’s unlikely his speed becomes a problem. Game speed and combine speed aren’t always the same, which is obvious looking through Tez Johnson’s highlights. This past year he lit up defenses with his quickness and there’s no reason to believe that his college level abilities won’t transfer to the NFL, even with the increased physicality.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College (DE)
In what was an otherwise mediocre season for the Golden Eagles, senior pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruka seemed to be one of the only highlights of 2024. Boston College, especially as of late, has produced some standout NFL players, and it seems that Ezieruaka will follow in the footsteps of fellow defensive greats like Luke Keuchly and Matt Milano. He has an “explosiveness” on the edge, using speed and finesse to quickly work his way around offensive tackles, earning him an ACC leading 16.5 sacks. Numerous times throughout the 2024 season, Ezeiruaku took over games, having multiple sacks in six separate appearances. In a week twelve game against Pitt, he tallied 3.5 and against a ranked Syracuse squad he had two. This ability to dominate the line of scrimmage and constantly find his way to the quarterback is something that every NFL general manager wants, and it’s what makes Ezeiruaku such a promising talent. His biggest drawback is his rush defensive, which is admittedly subpar. He isn’t necessarily bad against the run, but it’s definitely an area that he could improve upon. This has been a common critique of Ezeiruaku, and what has held him back from being a truly elite prospect on the level of other 2025 pass rushers. Ezeiruaku’s downsides, however, can be easily mitigated if he’s placed in the right system. A defensive scheme with another edge opposite him who’s better against the run and two physical defensive tackles down the middle could be the perfect situation for Ezeiruaku, and a place where he could easily excel in the NFL.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (RB) While Boise State star and Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty has dominated almost all talk about 2025 RBs, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has been making splashes in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. While he may not be the fastest, Hampton makes up for it with his strength and aggression. In a way similar to Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Isiah Pachecho, he runs like he’s “angry at the ground”, a phrase which has been used to describe the unique ground game that Pacheco brings to the table. Watching Hampton’s film reveals an incredible ability to shake off defenders, break tackles, testifying to his physicality and the same “anger” that many have used to describe Pacheco. Even with this talent, Omarion Hampton has flown largely under the radar, which is unfair to a prospect who’s as skilled as Hampton. This mainly boils down to two things: Ashton Jeanty and UNC. Jeanty has been the standout running back this year in the way that Bijan Robinson and Saquom Barkley have been in past years, being the almost sole focus of all media outlets and social media coverage. This leaves great, but not as good, players like Hampton overshadowed, despite their incredible talent. His other major holdback is the school he plays for; North Carolina. While their basketball history is unprecedented, UNC has had a lackluster football program, producing only one truly notable NFL great in Lawrence Taylor. Besides Taylor, UNC has had nearly zero success in professional football, leading to more doubt about Hampton’s talent and less publicity of his great season. Both of these factors may have hindered Omarion Hampton’s draft stock, but if any running back besides Ashton Jeanty is to lead rookies in rushing next season, it’s him.
