2025 NFL draft rankings: Yates' preseason top 25 prospects - ESPN

The 2025 NFL draft is both only eight months and still an eternity away.

The former description is literal, as the countdown to Round 1 — April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin — is on. The latter is a reference to the fact the 2024 college football season, which is getting into full swing with Week 1 action, can alter so much. To that end, keep in mind the following rankings will be subject to change and will be updated throughout the season. And players will continue to rise and fall during the pre-draft process, which includes all-star events, the combine and pro days.

But for now, here are my top 25 prospects for the 2025 class — the best draft-eligible players whom I have studied so far. We get started with three defensive standouts. (Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.)

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Yates' preseason mock draft

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 243 pounds

The class is loaded with defensive line talent, but no prospect at the position has as much upside as Pearce. His first-step quickness makes him borderline unblockable. And while he will make his money as a pass rusher in the NFL, his fluidity to drop into coverage on occasion also stands out. Pearce posted 10 sacks, 47 pressures and two forced fumbles in 2023 to go along with a highlight-reel 52-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265

Williams joins Pearce at the top of the heap, as the fellow true junior blends rare power and length. Williams' ability to set the edge and lock out offensive tackles helps reduce the field width for the Georgia defense, and he can fire out of his stance as a pass rusher to cause havoc. Given Georgia's depth and scheme, he has not been asked as frequently to pin his ears back and just rush, so his nine