Five underrated 2025 NFL Draft prospects

As mock drafts thrive, rumors swirl and big boards take shape, every NFL team is searching for a “sleeper” pick to add to their roster.

With the NFL Draft less than one month away, NFL scouts have taken this search full steam. Now, I may not be an NFL scout, but I’ve conducted my own research.

So, after sifting through film and draft rankings, here are five underrated NFL Draft prospects I believe will take a team’s draft from good to great this April.

Zah Frazier, CB | UTSA

PFF Ranking: Unranked

Frazier is a long and lanky cornerback standing at 6-foot-3, 189 lbs. Not only does he have intriguing size, but he also possesses elite athleticism.

At the NFL combine, he ran an official 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, the fifth-best time amongst cornerbacks in 2025. An excellent time for his size.

His 7.00 time in the 3-cone drill was the second-fastest among corners, and he recorded great verticals too- 36.5” at the combine and 37” at his Pro Day.

But being a draft steal goes beyond just measurables. Frazier had good production as well. In his first season as a starter, he tallied a school-record six interceptions and only missed two tackles.

He finished the season as a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection and ranked second in the FBS in total interceptions, behind only Cal’s Nohl Williams.

With his limited starting experience, he may be more of a developmental pick in the mid-to-late rounds, but his intriguing blend of size and athleticism gives him tons of potential.

Jaydon Blue, RB | Texas

PFF Ranking: 126/300

With names like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, it could be hard to separate yourself as a sleeper at the running back position.

But Jaydon Blue might be able to do just that. Despite serving as Texas’s backup, he finished with 730 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024. He also added six touchdowns receiving.

Blue looks the part of an NFL contributor on tape. He is a hard runner with breakaway speed and possesses the agility/short-range quickness to make the first man miss.

As a former high school track star, Blue timed exceptionally well in the 40. He ran an official 4.38 at the NFL combine, ranking second amongst running backs.

However, Blue revealed that he had been dealing with a groin injury during his combine test. At his Pro Day, he was timed between 4.25 and 4.28, which would have been the fastest time of any player at this year’s combine.

With just over 600 career snaps, his lack of collegiate experience could be his downfall. But with plenty of untapped potential, Blue could become a home run pick in the later rounds.

Dont’e Thornton Jr, WR | Tennessee

PFF Ranking: 202/300

Thornton is a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who runs a 4.3 40… I could simply leave it at that, but it gets even better.

His 40 time ranks second-fastest among wide receivers and is tied for third out of all 2025 combine participants. He has NFL-ready size and speed.

A true deep threat, in 2024 Thornton led the NCAA in yards per reception with 25.42 YPC. He led Tennessee with 661 receiving yards and tacked on 6 touchdowns.

He may not be as “flashy” as some of the top receivers in the class, but Thornton is going to be a clear mismatch in the NFL. Simply put, he is a big play waiting to happen. He’s a natural at creating separation.

Thornton’s limited route tree could cause him to slide, but his above-average size and raw athleticism could turn him into one of the biggest steals in this draft.

Ty Robinson, DT | Nebraska

PFF Ranking: 244/300

A 6-foot-5, nearly 300-pound human being should not be able to move how Ty Robinson does. Please, do yourself a favor and watch his film… oh my goodness.

He possesses an extremely quick first step and flies downhill. Despite a bigger frame, his quickness allows him to find success all over the defensive line.

Robinson plays with a high motor. The fifth-year senior tallied seven sacks and one forced fumble for the Cornhuskers in 2024.

Plus, he tested off the charts at the NFL combine. His shuttle, vertical, 3-cone and bench press all ranked inside the top four among defensive tackles, with his 4.83 40-yard dash ranking first.

Robinson might have become one of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in the draft. I believe he’ll end up as a key part of a team’s defensive line rotation, if he doesn’t eventually blossom into a starter.

Jackson Slater, OG | Sacramento State

PFF Ranking: 217/300

Slater is certainly more of a raw prospect, but his athleticism pops on tape. He’s got a great burst off the line and moves well in space.

He may appear a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, 311 lbs, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and strength.

His 5.01 40 time is tied for sixth best among offensive linemen, and his 31 bench press reps are tied for the third most of any participant at the combine in 2025.

In 2024, Slater was an AP first-team FCS All-American selection and was honored with his third first-team All-Big Sky selection in a row.

While he may come from a smaller school, he has the tools to be a caliber guard in the NFL. With the right coach, Slater could end up making some noise as a sleeper pick.

More sleepers whom I considered but didn’t include:

Penn State safety KJ Winston, Cincinnati guard Luke Kandra, Georgia LB Smael Mondon, Kansas State running back KJ Giddens and Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane.

Darian Capobianco is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.