Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay.
From a Heisman Trophy finalist to an outstanding offensive tackle, here are five players we are tracking:
Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel could be the QB who soars in the College Football Playoff
After the QB accepted his Senior Bowl invite Tuesday, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote, “I’ll bet Dillon Gabriel is going to be a ‘riser’ over the next five months of the draft process.”
Through 13 games, the sixth-year senior has completed a career-high 73.2 percent of his passes for 3,558 yards and 28 TDs and has posted the FBS’ second-best QBR (86.5). His stellar play helped the Ducks (13-0) clinch the No. 1 seed in the 12-team College Football Playoff.
In a Wednesday column, The 33rd Team’s Tyler Brooke rated the Heisman finalist the second-best QB prospect in the CFP behind Penn State’s Drew Allar.
Scouts will likely have concerns about Gabriel’s size (6-foot, 200 pounds), but guiding the Ducks to their first national title could mitigate them. As of Thursday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Oregon and Texas as co-favorites (+360) to win the national championship.
Michigan CB Will Johnson is a ballhawk who teams will likely covet
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Johnson (6-foot-2, 202 pounds) declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday. Toe and shoulder injuries limited him to six games this season, but he’s still considered one of the top CBs in the draft.
On his updated big board, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. rated Johnson the No. 5 prospect in the 2025 class.
“Johnson is so instinctive in coverage, and his ability to read quarterbacks jumps out when you watch him,” wrote Kiper. “He has great quickness in transition, allowing him to make plays on the ball.”
In three seasons with the Wolverines, Johnson had nine interceptions, including three pick-sixes. According to Tankathon’s projections, the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) will take him with pick No. 5.
Could Oregon WR Tez Johnson be a steal for this NFC East team?
In a 45-37 victory over Penn State for the Big Ten Championship, Johnson (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) logged 11 receptions for a season-high 181 receiving yards and one TD catch.
“Penn State had no answer for Johnson’s quickness and open-field creativity,” wrote The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino in his weekly draft stock report. “While the first round is a tougher sell because of Johnson’s weight, the senior shouldn’t last long on Day 2.”
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder recently suggested the Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) should target Johnson in the draft to improve their 31st-ranked passing attack (180.6 YPG). He could provide the playmaking ability they need.
Pro Football Focus credits Johnson with the FBS’ sixth-most yards after the catch (586 in 11 games).
Why Texas A&M D-lineman Shemar Stewart could be a top-20 pick
Stewart only had 1.5 sacks in 12 games this season, but his elite physical traits make him a potential first-rounder.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates had the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) taking Stewart (6-foot-6, 290 pounds) with the 17th overall pick.
“Stewart has just 4.5 career sacks but boasts power, agility, fluidity and length coming off the edge,” wrote Yates. “Several scouts have pointed him out as a player who could skyrocket during the pre-draft process as a combine standout.”
The team that drafts Stewart — who had six tackles for a loss this season — could use him as a run-stopper instead of a pass-rusher. PFF gave him an elite 89.7 run-defense grade.
Stewart won’t play in the Las Vegas Bowl against USC on Dec. 27.
LSU LT Will Campbell has lofty aspirations
On Wednesday, Campbell confirmed he will opt out of the Texas Bowl against Baylor on Dec. 31, per NOLA.com’s Wilson Alexander. The O-lineman said he’s moving to Frisco, Texas, to train for the draft and to become a cornerstone for the team that selects him.
“I want to bring the organization a guy that they can count on, a pivotal point for the team, a franchise guy,” Campbell said. “I want to be the face of an organization. Whatever team gets me. I’m going to be excited for it, and I’m going to go win a Super Bowl.”
Campbell (6-foot-6, 323 pounds) could become the class’s top LT. Per PFF, he allowed just one sack on 557 pass-block snaps in 12 games this season.
In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso has the Tennessee Titans taking Campbell with pick No. 6. He could fill one of the biggest holes for Tennessee (3-10), which has allowed the league’s third-most sacks (45).
