2025 NFL Draft: Day 2 and 3 Alternatives for Teams That Miss out on Top Prospects

The NFL draft doesn't end in the first round. Sometimes it feels like it based on how much emphasis is placed on the top picks, but the majority of a team's roster is built on later picks and even undrafted free agents.

Every general manager is looking to achieve the most efficient way to stack their respective class based on who they believe will be available once they're on the clock.

What's the best path forward for each team? That's the question being asked among scouting departments.

In this year's class, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department has three prospects—Colorado's Travis Hunter, Penn State's Abdul Carter and Michigan Mason Graham— graded as elite talents. In total, 23 prospects hold solid first-round grades, though that number will vary inside NFL war rooms, where each team's particular needs and preferences are taken into account.

Not everything on a roster can be addressed with just one pick. Instead, there are organizations who will miss out on the top talents yet can still get better at specific positions with smart selections later in the process.

QB Alternative: Jalen Milroe, Alabama

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With Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders projected as the only first-round locks among this year's class—the former is now the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans—a few quarterback-needy teams will need to look elsewhere to find a strong alternative.

Jalen Milroe is raw, particularly regarding his footwork, which in turn affects his consistency and accuracy as a passer. He'll need to grow dramatically in that specific area to become a full-time NFL starter.

However, no one else in the class presents the same floor as the Alabama product because of his elite athleticism, threat in the run game and a huge arm to push the ball down the field in an attempt to keep defenses honest.

After missing out on the top two quarterback prospects, the reigning William V. Campbell Trophy winner (the "Academic Heisman") presents more upside than any other prospect to eventually develop into a franchise signal-caller.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options

1. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
2. Will Howard, Ohio State
3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

B/R's Top Day 3 Options

1. Quinn Ewers, Texas
2. Tyler Shough, Louisville
3. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

RB Alternative: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

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Some franchise will almost certainly pull the trigger on Boise State's Ashton Jeanty in this year's first round. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton is good enough to be selected in the opening frame as well.

Yet everyone understands how the running back position is generally viewed in today's game.

The devaluation of running backs, coupled with a loaded draft class, means the position's value can be pushed down boards since teams will assume they can get a quality ball-carrier later in the process.

For example, Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins is a a national champion, two-time All-SEC selection and three-time 1,000-yard rusher.

Entering the 2024 campaign after transferring from Ole Miss, the 21-year-old looked like the potential RB1 for this class. A shared backfield with TreVeyon Henderson didn't necessarily help his draft stock, but the Buckeyes certainly excelled as a team.

Judkins still has lead back potential, which should make him an excellent selection on the second day.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
2. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
3. Damien Martinez, Miami
4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Jaydon Blue, Texas
2. Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
3. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State (7.0)
4. Jordan James, Oregon (7.0)
5. RJ Harvey, UCF (6.9)

WR Alternative: Jack Bech, TCU

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The wide receiver class is intriguing because it's as deep as always yet lacks a true marquee talent.

Last year's draft included three wide receivers among its Top 10. This year, Tetairoa McMillan may make it into the mix, though there are those who don't believe he's an elite talent. Otherwise, those initial selections will likely be void of any wide receivers.

For the Arizona product, a case could and should be made as a 6'4", 219-pound target with vice-grip hands, excellent body control and movement skills that belie his size. He has all the traits to become some team's No. 1 overall target.

If an organization decides to pass or doesn't get the opportunity to select McMillan, Jack Bech offers a similar skill set, albeit on a slightly smaller frame and maybe not quite as fluid.

The TCU product can thrive working as a power slot receiver because of his toughness and strong hands. The former tight end is going to make some quarterback very happy as a security blanket.

Quality wide receivers are consistently found outside of the first-round range and this year should be no different.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Luther Burden III, Missouri
2. Jalen Royals, Utah State
3. Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
4. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
5. Jack Bech, TCU

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Tez Johnson, Oregon
2. Dont'e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
3. Tai Felton, Maryland
4. Savion Williams, TCU
5. Andrew Armstrong, Arkansas

OT Alternative: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

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Will Campbell is one of this year's most fascinating evaluations because he's the top-rated offensive-line prospect but doesn't necessarily have a specific home at the NFL level, which could make how teams view their left tackle options differently.

The LSU product could ultimately wind up playing guard instead of sticking on the quarterback's blind side. The team will determine his exact usage depending on where he lands.

Furthermore, Missouri's Armand Membou has been a right tackle throughout his collegiate career. Ohio State's Josh Simmons is the class' best pure left tackle prospect, though he's still recovering from last year's season-ending torn patellar tendon.

If a team is looking for a toolsy left tackle prospect outside of the first round, Minnesota's Aireontae Ersery should be at the top of the list.

The 6'6", 331-pound blocker is a three-year starter at left tackle, having been named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2024. He also has an outstanding physical profile with a 9.89 relative athletic score, according to Kent Lee Platte.

Ersery must continue improving his technique, but his profile is exactly what teams want in a left tackle later in the process.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
2. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
3. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
4. Marcus Mbow, Purdue
5. Cameron Williams, Texas

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Charles Grant, William & Mary
2. Chase Lundt, Connecticut
3. John Williams, Cincinnati
4. Myles Hinton, Michigan
5. Anthony Belton, North Carolina State

DT Alternative: Darius Alexander, Toledo

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Michigan's Mason Graham sets the bar for the defensive tackle class, as potentially the first to hear his name called among the initial five picks since Quinnen Williams in 2019.

An every-down defensive tackle capable of defending the run at a high level and regularly collapsing the pocket is one of football's rarest performers. Aaron Donald's dominance desensitized too many with how special he truly was at that specific position.

Interestingly, Graham isn't the only one with the upside to be a consistent force. Oregon's Derrick Harmon is in play for a top-20 pick. Fellow Wolverine Kenneth Grant is more of a nose tackle as a first-round possibility.

Darius Alexander is the only prospect other than Graham to post a 90 overall grade and run-defense grade last season, per Pro Football Focus. The MAC product also produced a higher pressure rate, albeit against lesser competition.

The Toledo product also turns 25 before the start of his rookie season, which drives down his value despite being one of the class' more disruptive defensive tackles.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
2. Alfred Collins, Texas
3. Jordan Burch, Oregon
4. Darius Alexander, Toledo
5. Jordan Phillips, Maryland

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Deone Walker, Kentucky
2. Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee
3. Joshua Farmer, Florida State
4. Shemar Turner, Texas A&M
5. Elijah Roberts, SMU

Edge Alternative: Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss

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Edge-rushers are hard to peg because their value usually runs higher than their tape indicates, and the NFL will overlook certain deficiencies if a prospect has the traits to be a consistent pass-rusher.

Donovan Ezeiruaku is an excellent example. The B/R Scouting Department has the nation's second-leading sack artist firmly graded as a second-round talent.

The Boston College product is not an explosive athlete and needs to be better against the run, but he's a smooth pass-rusher who knows how to get to opposing quarterbacks. As a result, he could end up in the first round.

Similarly, Ole Miss' Princely Umanmielen has the physical traits teams are searching for and the upward trajectory to project him as a double-digit sack artist at the next level. He posted a 91.5 pass-rush grade and 22 percent win rate last season, according to Pro Football Focus. He also needs to improve against the run.

It's all about the pass rush—whether it's Penn State's Abdul Carter, Marshall's Mike Green or those with tremendous upside like Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart and Georgia' Mykel Williams, all of whom are considered strong first-round options.

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
2. JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
3. Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
4. Landon Jackson, Arkansas
5. Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6.9)
2. Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6.8)
3. Bradyn Swinson, LSU (6.7)
4. Josaiah Stewart, Michigan (6.6)
5. Tyler Baron, Miami (6.5)

CB Alternative: Nohl Williams, Cal

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When discussing this year's class, Travis Hunter is the first name worthy of discussion regardless of position.

There are two ways to look at what type of alternative a team might prefer after missing out on the Colorado product, because the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is such a unique talent.

For the purposes of this article, we'll concentrate on cornerback instead of wide receiver and how anyone could possibly emulate Hunter after missing out on B/R's No. 1 overall prospect.

No one is going to bring Hunter's skill set to the table. Though Cal's Nohl Williams also has outstanding ball skills—he led the FBS last season with seven interceptions. He is also very physical in press and against the run. So, he's going to rattle some wide receivers and get turnovers.

Granted, Michigan's Will Johnson is fantastic in coverage. Texas' Jahdae Barron has a multipurpose skill set to play all over the secondary. Notre Dame's Benjamin Morrison also had a first-round grade prior to suffering a torn hip labrum.

[As a bonus, Ole Miss defensive lineman J.J. Pegues deserves a mention, as the class' second-most unique prospect behind Hunter as a legit defensive tackle prospect and potential fullback at 309 pounds.]

B/R's Top Day 2 Options
1. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
2. Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State
3. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
4. Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
5. Cobee Bryant, Kansas

B/R's Top Day 3 Options
1. Jermari Harris, Iowa
2. Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
3. Jacob Parrish, Kansas State
4. Mello Dotson, Kansas
5. Nohl Williams, California