PRESEASON '25 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS, SPECIAL TEAMS

These rankings are for my preseason top NFL Draftable players. Off course these ratings are subject to change by year end but it will be fun to see what the season  shows us. As in my Draft analysis, I use  my own eyes and metrics to rate players.  I also break down some positions differently than most. I find this very important and  the root cause of so many mistakes in the draft process. Even with all the advancements today many, many NFL executives and Draft analysts are still operating in caveman modes of years gone by, and failing!! New for this season I've added a Comments section just for some added context clarifying my opinion on players.   

  KICKERS 

CLASS GRADE 

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Graham Nicholson    Ala      6-0   185      Most consistent, not the biggest leg, 52yd long. Still, 20/24 40-49 last three seasons

2.Jonah Dalmas           BoiSt    5-7   180    4 year starter, 56yd long, 10/11 at 40 to 50+ last season.

3.Dragen Kesich           Minn     6-4   240    Big last season, needs to duplicate to be drafted. Most likely to move up.

4.Bert Auburn                 Tx         6-0   183   Knows pressure kicks, deadly inside 40, needs improvement outside that.

5.John Hoyland             Wyo    5-10 196   Biggest leg in group, can handle weather, must rebound from last season.

Others to watch:

Andres Borregales   Mia(F), Tyler Loop  Az, Michael Hughes   AppSt

   PUNTERS 

 CLASS GRADE

Rk     Player                       Sch        Ht     Wt      Comments         

1.Jeremy Crawshaw     Fla       6-3   205     Huge leg, 48.9avg, solid net. Issue, never kicks in poor weather, still #1 for now.

2.J Ferguson-Reynolds Boi     6-2   183   Really jumped last season, 49.6 avg.Another season like that he will be #1

3.Alex Mastromanno    FlaSt   6-1   235  4 year starter, excellent directional and net, he can move up.

4.Ryan Eckley               MichSt   6-2   211   Another season like last year and he can get drafted.

5.Tommy Doman            Mich    6-4   215   Well coached, great net. Needs another few yards to get drafted.

Others to watch:

Riley Thompson  PennSt, Kai Kroeger  SCar, James Evans  Ind, Max Fletcher  Cinn

KICK RETURNERS 

CLASS GRADE  B 

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Jacob DeJesus          UNLV    5-6    175     Undersized, returns all kicks and excells at both. Could develop as SWR.

2.Brashard Smith         SMU   5-10   196     Also a solid APB, needs to show PR ability.

3.Barion Brown               Ky       6-1    174     3 KR TD's, has returned punts and will contribute at SWR. 

4.LaJohnty Webster    Col     5-11   167     Solid PR, little KR, could develop at SWR

5.Keonte Scott                Aub   5-10   181     Multi-year PR, no real KO experience, can help at SCB and other ST.

Others to watch:

Bhayshui Tuten  VaTch, Silas Bolden   Tx, Jaylin Noel  IowsSt, Jayden Harrison  NDame, Roderick Daniels  SMU

LONG SNAPPERS

 CLASS GRADE  D

I'm not going to pretend I watch every long snapper. that said, I do watch who I can, I often pick players from schools with traditionally strong Special Teams where I know they are well coached and players who have performed under the highest pressure.

Rk     Player                       Sch       Ht     Wt      Comments        

1.Will Wagner                Mich     6-1    255     Well coached, great size, knows pressure.

2.Kneeland Hibbett     Ala      6-2    245     Well coached, great size , knows pressure

3.Austin Riggs                Rut      6-4    230    Perhaps best coached

4.Rocco Underwood   Fla      6-3     228    Athletic, well coached.

5.Eli Stein                        Ark      6-3     231    Nice size, athletic.

Others to watch: