George Kittle on why the 49ers front offense should prioritize OL & DL help in the draft
49ers TE George Kittle says San Fran should target offensive and defensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sports Seriously
From Shedeur Sanders and Ashton Jeanty to Abdul Carter and Walter Nolen, many of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL draft have already bowed out of testing and on-field drills at this year’s scouting combine. In a class already short on star power, that could allow for the Indianapolis spotlight to be seized by a surprising figure.
Identifying prospects flying under the radar can be somewhat of a moving target, especially this early in the process. But there are plenty of top athletes and players on the rise who could soon be the talk of the event despite lacking the billing of some of their peers.
Here are 10 sleepers who could create a buzz at the combine:
QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
A seventh-year senior who will turn 26 as a rookie might seem like an odd candidate for a sleeper, as many might be hard-pressed to see the room for growth with a passer who was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. But after navigating stops at Oregon and Texas Tech to start his career, Shough finally found his form in his lone season with the Cardinals. The 6-foot-4, 224-pound signal-caller is a classic pocket passer who can deal to every level of the field and manipulate coverage, though he can struggle to regain his composure if forced out of rhythm. His medical outlook might be the most important part of his combine stay after he was sidelined for extensive stretches in the previous three seasons with various ailments, but Shough has the opportunity to stand out amid a glut of quarterbacks clawing for a spot on Day 2.
RB Jaydon Blue, Texas
As part of a loaded Longhorns backfield, Blue only logged 214 carries in three years, even after taking on a leading role last season. But that was more than enough for him to demonstrate his breakaway straight-line speed. The former track standout ran an official 10.7 100-meter in high school but says he topped out at 10.2. The 6-foot, 200-pounder will put his speed to the test in the 40, and a top time could help him stand out as a potential big-play threat, both as a runner and a receiver.
RB Marcus Yarns, Delaware
After racking up 29 touchdowns in the last two years with the Blue Hens, Yarns demonstrated at the Senior Bowl he’s up to the task of hanging with a higher level of competition. The 5-foot-10, 189-pounder now has the chance to set himself apart from his more highly-touted peers as a potential third-down back who can create mismatches against linebackers in the passing game. He’s a strong candidate to post one of the better 40-yard dash times and should also fare well in drills that highlight his explosiveness.
WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
Don’t pigeonhole the 5-foot-10, 182-pound target as merely a slot receiver. The UNLV transfer eats up cushions in a hurry, as he posted 17.1 yards per reception and 14 touchdowns last season. He also topped out at 21.36 mph during Senior Bowl practice, the best mark of any receiver during the first session. With the potential to also post impressive marks in agility drills, Williams could continue to solidify his push into Day 2 if he has a strong outing.
WR Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech
His physical traits alone should earn him a shot with some team, as 6-foot-5, 212-pound pass catchers with big-play potential as downfield targets aren’t easy to find. But the former Norfolk State transfer has to account for a litany of drops and an overall lack of refinement. His deep-ball credentials are evident after he averaged 17 yards per catch in 2023, but standing out with top marks in the vertical leap and broad jump — as well as an impressive 40-yard dash — might help him convince teams to overlook the other shortcomings in his game and nab him as a developmental option.
OT Charles Grant, William & Mary
The wrestling-to-offensive-line pipeline continues to run strong with Grant, who was an all-state wrestler at 220 pounds in high school. Now standing 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds with a massive wingspan, he’s a two-time All-American who should be one of the first Football Championship Subdivision prospects off the board. Grant shouldn’t have trouble showing he can get on the move, which should help him in case some teams view him as a guard.
DE Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Is it possible for a second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick to be overlooked early in the draft process? In the case of Swinson, it’s possible. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound former Oregon transfer doesn’t have the same widespread recognition as many other established figures in this edge rusher class, but few players can match his burst in getting off the line or closing in on the quarterback. His technique is a work in progress, but rangy, explosive pass rushers with a knack for slipping blocks tend to get claimed quickly come draft day.
LB Eugene Asante, Auburn
A sixth-year senior, he toiled in relative obscurity through three years at North Carolina and one at Auburn before breaking out in 2023. At 6-foot and 220 pounds, he’s built like a safety but runs like a cornerback, closing in on ball carriers in a hurry. His frenetic style made the team captain a source of energy for the Tigers’ defense, but it could also occasionally be his undoing whenever he overran plays or bit on misdirection. While his instincts are underdeveloped for his experience level and his size might disqualify him from some schemes, Asante should be able to showcase his impressive raw tools at the combine. His best shot at latching on with a team is likely as a sub-package linebacker who can create havoc as a blitzer and grow into a potential coverage asset against running backs.
CB Darien Porter, Iowa State
Not often you find a 6-foot-2, 197-pound cornerback who was a high school state record-setter in the 400 meters. It’s even more rare that a defensive back with an elite level of linear athleticism is also fluid enough to be a standout in man coverage while adding ample ball skills from his earlier days as a receiver. Yet Porter manages to put all that together in what might be one of the most impressive sets of physical tools in this year’s class. A sixth-year senior who didn’t start until 2024, Porter is a late bloomer who still can be shaken by craftier receivers. But his immense upside should be evident through his workout and testing marks.
CB Tommi Hill, Nebraska
Another former receiver who switched sides in college, Hill saw what should have been a breakout 2024 campaign derailed by plantar fasciitis. If the 6-foot, 205-pounder is fully recovered, he has a shot to be among the leaders in the vertical leap, broad jump and 40-yard dash. For teams that rely heavily on zone coverage and are in search of a sure tackler with superlative ball skills, Hill could have plenty of appeal.