2025 NFL Draft: Ideal Landing Spots for Top 10 Prospects in Class

Since it's Valentine's Day, the chance to spread a little love throughout the NFL draft process seems appropriate.

Think back to your high school days and the class' perfect couple who seemed to have it all together. They were the coolest. Everything seemed to work out for them.

Well, the NFL isn't much different than those days, replete with the anxiety that eats away at everyone from the inside because of the insecurities that come with potential failure.

As stated earlier in the week when Bleacher Report looked at the potential worst fits for this year's top-10 prospects, like any good relationship, an individual needs to be in right place, at the right time and with the right people to secure their future.

The task of doing so isn't so simple, though, because two parties must come together and make some magic. Too often, the situation isn't taken into account when a first-round pick doesn't reach his potential.

With all of this in mind, each of the Bleacher Report Scouting Dept.'s top 10 identifies specific landing spots where they can become stars.

1. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

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When discussing the possibility of Colorado's Travis Hunter, the conversation involves degrees of variance, to which the logical solution is viewing him as a cornerback prospect more so than a wide receiver.

To be fair, the 21-year-old can be a viable and productive wide receiver in the NFL. Furthermore, no one should make the argument that he must stick to only one position at the next level. For the first time in the young man's life, though, he can truly drill down on his technique and become the best version at one of those spots.

Cornerback is the logical choice. Very few players, even in the pro ranks, have the natural instincts and ball skills that Hunter presents. He has a legitimate shot to become an elite cornerback. At wide receiver, he'll be chasing the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson with no real chance of catching the best of the best.

In a class that lacks a true "generational talent," the Colorado product is unique. In the end, a team looking at him as a catalyst for its coverage plans is the right path forward, while sprinkling in some offensive contributions.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

2. Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State

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Once upon a time, questions existed about whether Von Miller could hold up as a full-time edge-defender.

Those concerns look ridiculous in retrospect since the three-time Pro Bowler is well on his way to finishing up an Hall of Fame career. But they existed because he came into the league as a 6'2" (and some change), sub-250-pound outside linebacker and evaluators weren't entirely sure if he'd be able to consistently set the edge and hold the point of attack against NFL offensive linemen.

The lesson learned from Miller is that an explosive athlete, who can convert speed to power, can absolutely be a force in the NFL.

And his lineage now points toward Abdul Carter.

As stated many times, the Penn State product made the transition from off-ball linebacker to full-time edge defender this past fall, and he flourished. In fact, he registered more tackles for loss and sacks during his final season on campus than Miller did, albeit the latter had a much better junior campaign.

What Carter needs to start his career—and possibly experience similar success—is a bookend to take some pressure off of the rookie, as he continues to develop his technique.

With or without Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns feature a talented group of edge-defenders.

Best Fit: Cleveland Browns

3. DL Mason Graham, Michigan

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Legitimate three-down interior defenders are worth their weight in gold.

Wait a second, the current price of gold is $2,932.10 per ounce. The Michigan Wolverines' official site listed defensive tackle Mason Graham at 320 pounds, which is 5,120 ounces. According to the old saying, he would be worth just over $15 million.

Guess what? Every incoming rookie from the 2024 draft class signed a contract in excess of that number. Graham shall be worth far more.

What makes these individuals so valuable is the fact that they don't need to be taken off the field. Few defensive tackles have the ability to consistently deal with the mass of humanity they're forced to take on, defend the run at a high level and still be explosive enough to make life miserable on opposing quarterbacks.

Graham is one of those people, as long as he's allowed to be aggressive in how he shoots his gaps, and he's not worried about clogging lanes, doing the dirty work and letting everyone else make the plays.

Best Fit: New York Giants

4. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

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Teams in the Top 10 don't have to look far to find themselves a tailor-made X-receiver, but Tetairoa McMillan is the only one projected that high in the process.

Fluid 6'5" targets aren't readily available, hence why someone of the 21-year-old's skill set is as positively regarded as he is.

Usually, some type of onboarding can be viewed as necessary, but wide receiver prospects are entering the league now more prepared than ever to produce.

Three of the top four rookie receiving records happened during the last four campaigns. Those doesn't include the New York Giants' Malik Nabers and Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr., who both cracked the Top 10 thanks to last season's performances.

McMillan needs to enter a situation where he can be reliably fed the football with some consistency from the quarterback position. Obviously, a wide receiver can still be productive if the latter isn't an option—much like Nabers did—but it's always preferable.

This year's Top 10 features one specific squad in dire need of a legitimate weapon at wide receiver and a young quarterback coming off a promising rookie campaign.

Best Fit: New England Patriots

5. S Malaki Starks, Georgia

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The real question with Georgia's Malaki Starks is whether a team is willing to pull the trigger and select a safety in this year's Top 10.

A year ago, no defensive back heard his name called among the first 20 selections. Jamal Adams is the last safety to land among the initial top 10 picks, which occurred eight years ago.

The position generally doesn't hold as high of a value. Yet Starks should legitimately be in that conversation because A) his skill set is perfect for the modern game, with his athleticism and coverage abilities, and B) the top of this year's class isn't quite as strong as previous groups.

From there, the question revolves around identifying which NFL organization will seriously consider the possibility of taking a non-premium position that high in the process. It's a short list.

An obvious one exists, though, particularly since a rebuild seems forthcoming after deciding to part ways with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a replacement doesn't feel like a strong possibility since the class' top two signal-callers, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, will likely be off the board by the time the New York Jets select with the seventh overall pick.

Best Fit: New York Jets

6. CB Will Johnson, Michigan

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A bit of overlap will exist here because of the uncertainty found at the top of the 2025 NFL draft class.

At this juncture, one can assume the Tennessee Titans should take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. The same can be said of the Cleveland Browns with the second selection. Though neither is guaranteed to do so.

Colorado's Travis Hunter and Penn State's Abdul Carter are big reasons why. The former is important as it pertains to fellow cornerback Will Johnson.

Earlier, we listed the Jacksonville Jaguars as the best landing spot for Hunter. What if he's not available because someone among the top-four picks decides they want to select such a unique talent?

The Jaguars will still be looking to add a legitimate cornerback after finishing with the league's worst pass defense. Plus, new defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is expected to bring an aggressive defense after working for Jeff Hafley and Brian Flores. Thus, a cornerback with strong man-cover skills will be vital.

Best Fit: Jacksonville Jaguars

7. OL Will Campbell, LSU

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Will Campbell stepped onto LSU's campus and almost immediately became the blueblood program's starting left tackle. He has a chance to take a similar path in the NFL, though possibly at a different position.

The 21-year-old is the incoming class' top-rated blocker. His level of performance in the SEC over the last three seasons speaks for itself.

At the same time, NFL teams evaluate the best possible outcome based on skill set. For example, Peter Skoronski experienced a similar collegiate career arc as a member of the Northwestern Wildcats.

Once the Tennessee Titans selected him with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 class, the organization chose to slide him inside to left guard, where he's stayed, and the team drafted JC Latham to play left tackle a year later.

Campbell could well make the same transition, though he provides flexibility, particularly for a team like the Chicago Bears after rookie Caleb Williams became the league's most sacked quarterback.

Braxton Jones, 25, is a passable left tackle, though he suffered a fractured fibula in December. If Jones is back, Campbell can move inside to form a nice left side.

If Jones isn't ready or needs replaced, the two-time first-team All-SEC performer can take over Chicago's blind side.

Best Fit: Chicago Bears

8. QB Cam Ward, Miami

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An interesting give-and-take could take place for Miami quarterback Cam Ward regarding his draft status. Everyone dreams of being the No. 1 overall pick, but that situation isn't necessarily the best option for many.

As B/R's QB1, the Tennessee Titans would be doing the right thing by choosing Ward with this year's first selection. Yet a strong argument can be made that Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is a better fit for what head coach/offensive play-caller Brian Callahan wants to run.

Whereas, the Browns, sitting at No. 2, are the better fit for Ward as he enters the professional ranks.

While Cleveland is a mess once again because of poor organizational decisions, the franchise has an opportunity to quickly rectify its biggest mistakes by simply moving past Deshaun Watson even if his contract remains on the books.

For Ward, he can play in Kevin Stefanski's quarterback-friendly scheme, which includes plenty of pocket movement and designed throws. Furthermore, Cleveland's roster still features running back Nick Chubb, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku.

However, the Browns will have to decide whether a rookie is good enough at the game's most important position or if a veteran plus someone like Penn State's Abdul Carter is a better path forward.

Best Fit: Cleveland Browns

9. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

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Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is a top-10 talent in the 2025 NFL draft class regardless of position. However, he's arguably the most difficult to project because of positional value.

A perfect alignment between the two points remains difficult no matter how good of a runner the 21-year-old is.

Much like Bijan Robinson two years ago, the argument should be centered on adding an offensive weapon more so than just looking at the prospect purely as a running back. Jeanty contributed 4,655 yards from scrimmage and 49 total touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Robinson's lineage as a multipurpose threat leads back to current New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

The five-time Pro Bowler remains under contract for two more seasons. However, he turns 30 before the start of the 2025 campaign, and he's failed to play a full regular-season slate in all but one of his eight-year career, which occurred as a rookie.

With Kamara on his way out sooner or later, the hire of head coach Kellen Moore who called the plays during Saquon Barkley's record-setting 2024 performance and two young, run-blocking tone-setters at offensive tackle, Jeanty can quickly become the focal point of the Saints offense.

Best Fit: New Orleans Saints

10. RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

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Omarion Hampton will be an absolute blast to watch in a powerful run-heavy offense with him as the featured option.

While the North Carolina product is a powerhouse, downhill runner, with 3,164 rushing yardage over the last two seasons, he also has an extra gear that allows him to break those between-the-tackle runs for big gains. His style certainly fits a very specific approach to the game, where he can excel as part of a heavy gap scheme.

The Los Angeles Chargers may not be actively searching for a lead back, depending on what happens with J.K. Dobbins' contract situation this offseason. But he isn't currently signed and is always going to be a injury concern based on his prior history.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh is known for his preference to establish the run game, particularly through a physical approach that often includes two or even three tight ends on the field.

The Chargers offense was humming at points when Dobbins was healthy and running well. But the group sputtered a bit when that wasn't always available.

Hampton can immediately step in as a focal point and likely put up big numbers very early in his career.

Best Fit: Los Angles Chargers