BROWNS

2025 NFL draft big board: Top 300 prospects include Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, Cam Ward

Portrait of Chris Easterling Chris Easterling
Akron Beacon Journal

The NFL draft starts April 24 in Green Bay, Wis. By the time it ends sometime late afternoon on April 26, 256 players will have heard their names called as they realize the first step of their pro football dreams.

Here's the Beacon Journal's list of the top 300 prospects heading into the draft, starting with a former Heisman Trophy winner atop the list, even if he appears to be going No. 2 in the draft. The list in divided up into rough tiers, based on where players could potentially fall in the actual draft.

Elite of the elite: Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter stand alone

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Top 10 almost certainly: Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty, Mason Graham top group

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.

1st round consensus: Jihaad Campbell, Jalon Walker among defensive-heavy group

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Tawee Walker #3 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass over the middle and is tackled by Jihaad Campbell #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

QB Tier 2: Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders throws the ball at the University of Colorado NFL Showcase as Browns coach Kevin Stefanski (far right in background) watches on April 4, 2025, in Boulder.

Likely 1st-round picks after Shedeur Sanders include Emeka Egbuka, Josh Simmons

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates a first down catch during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Ohio State won 38-15.

Borderline 1st/2nd-round talent starts with Luther Burden III, Nick Emmanwori

Nov 23, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Luther Burden III (3) attempts to make a reception against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

2nd-round gems like TreVeyon Henderson, Mason Taylor

TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

QB tier 3: Jaxson Dart

Nov 23, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) looks to throw against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Late 2nd-round talent includes Xavier Watts, Landon Jackson

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 28: Xavier Watts #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium on September 28, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

QB tier 4: Jalen Milroe

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) stands in the pocket against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium.

Borderline 2nd/3rd-round picks include Kaleb Johnson, DJ Giddens

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) celebrates a sack during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. Ohio State won 20-13.

Solid 3rd-round selections include Terrence Ferguson, Ozzy Trapilo

Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson (3) celebrates Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions, 45-37.

3rd/4th-round possibilities include QBs Kyle McCord, Tyler Shough

Nov 30, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Kyle McCord (6) drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

4th round prospects include Harold Fannin Jr., talented running backs

Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) runs the ball against Mississippi State during the fourth quarter, Sept. 24, 2022, in Starkville, Mississippi.

4th/5th-round borderline includes Tez Johnson, Jack Sawyer

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

5th round features safety help with Billy Bowman Jr.

Oklahoma's Billy Bowman Jr. is pictured during the University of Oklahoma (OU) spring football practice at the Everest Training Center in Norman, Okla., Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

5th/6th round line could bring talents Malachi Moore, Ty Robinson

6th round area starts with QBs Quinn Ewers, Will Howard, TE Mitchell Evans

6th/7th round, plus potential UDFAs include 'Rocket' Sanders, Jimmy Horn Jr.

Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ