Each week, Yardbarker is monitoring the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay.
From Boise State’s elite running back to Michigan’s star defensive tackle, here are five players we are tracking:
Should this NFC East team target Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty?
The Athletic’s Jon Machota and Dane Brugler recently listed Jeanty (5-foot-9, 215 pounds) as a prospect who would make sense for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round.
“I think you could make an argument that after [Colorado WR/CB] Travis Hunter, Jeanty is the best player in the draft,” wrote Brugler. “If he’s still on the board for the Cowboys, I think he would be tough to pass up.”
RB is one of Dallas’ biggest needs. The Cowboys (7-8) rank 28th in the league in rushing yards (95.2). Why wouldn’t they draft an RB who could break the FBS record for rushing yards in a season?
Jeanty needs 132 rushing yards to surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer/former Oklahoma State star Barry Sanders’ season rushing record (2,628 yards in 11 games in 1988).
But hitting that number against Penn State’s seventh-ranked run defense (100.4 YPG) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m. ET will be challenging.
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe must make the most of his bowl game
Milroe will play against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Eve at 12 p.m. ET. 247 Sports’ Alex Scarborough recently reported the QB plans to declare for the draft.
Milroe may need an excellent performance to improve his grade. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Cleveland Browns (3-12) take him with pick No. 36.
“His ball placement has been erratic, he has airmailed deep throws and he put too much zip on downfield passes at other times this year,” wrote ESPN’s Steve Muench recently. “So getting into an early rhythm is going to be important in this bowl game.”
Despite the concerns, Milroe (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) has produced solid numbers. In 12 starts, he has 3,371 yards (2,652 passing and 719 rushing) and 35 touchdowns (15 passing and 20 rushing).
Texas RB Jaydon Blue gained momentum with superb CFP performance
In a 38-24 win over Clemson in the first round of the CFP, Blue had 14 carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including a 77-yarder in the fourth quarter.
