NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said in a conference call with members of the media on Wednesday there were only two prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft he identified as "special players."
He awarded the title to Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, both of whom have outside shots at being taken by the New York Giants early in Round 1.
"There are two special players in this draft only," Kiper said. He also reiterated the fact this draft class is not as deep or as great as classes of the past, for example, 2011, 2022 and 2023.
He is also in the minority of experts who list Colorado's Shedeur Sanders as the top quarterback in the draft. He has him rated higher than Miami's Cam Ward, who was a Heisman Finalist and led the nation in total offense. Ward has been predicted by many as the No. 1 pick of the draft, with others considering him New York's top option under center.
Carter and Hunter have made cases to be the top pick, too. Carter is the best edge rusher in the draft. But Hunter's skeptics might suggest that he isn't the top receiver or corner in this class -- both debatable claims -- and that teams would benefit more from building the trenches.
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Hunter was a great college receiver and hauled in Sanders' passes for more than 1,000 yards. He also was a very steady cover corner. Granted, he was very good at both positions
Carter is an absolute beast on the defensive line and causes disruption wherever he lines up. He deserves the term "special," if for nothing else than his effort in the College Football Playoff. He pushed through an arm injury to face Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff Semifinal and was the best player on the field.
Throughout the entire college football season, Carter and Hunter dueled for the title of the best defensive player in the nation. Now, they'll hope to push the Giants off the quarterback position with the No. 3 pick.
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This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM.