ESPN updates NFL Draft player Top 25 rankings ahead of Week 10 of college football
Somehow, we are already in Week 10 of the college football season. This has given NFL scouts plenty of time to get some work in, preparing to find their future franchise’s stars somewhere in the first round. It’s going to be a good class all around, especially at the quarterback position.
ESPN’s Matt Miller has been watching these games and getting into the tape and now, he has updated his top 25 player rankings. There should be no shock as to who occupies the No. 1 spot but the rest of the top 10 does have some interesting names.
This is a little different than a mock draft, with Miller just ranking players. He is not predicting as to where they get drafted, just showing how talented they are compared to other players available this upcoming April.
1. USC QB Caleb Williams
Williams entered the season as the No. 1 overall prospect and will likely remain throughout. Yes, there have been some on-field struggles but not alarming enough to slide him down the list.
Depending on who winds up with the top pick, Willimas should be selected. Teams could be willing to trade up and give up quite the amount of draft capital to get him.
2. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
You know a wide receiver is special when they are getting Heisman Trophy love. Even though DeVonta Smith won the award in 2020, it’s hard to imagine anybody else at the position being in the same spot so quickly.
Well, Harrison is considered that special, and an NFL team is going to add an incredibly dynamic player to their offense. His biggest stage is yet to come where we could quite possibly be even more amazed by the Ohio State star.
3. Georgia TE Brock Bowers
Unfortunately for college football fans, Bowers is not on the field right now. He had tightrope surgery on his ankle and is still going to miss a few more weeks.
Bowers did show his value prior to the injury, though. He has carried Georgia to multiple victories already and could wind up leaving college as a three-time national champion.
4. Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu
Had Fashanu left Penn State last season, he could have been a top-10 pick. It’s hard to see your value increase in that position but somehow, the offensive tackle has pulled it off.
NFL scouts are going to fall in love him with as a prospect once again this cycle. Being the highest-rated offensive tackle, not just once but twice, is not too common in this era.
5. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
Sanders has been a revelation since making the move to the Power Five via the FCS. Yes, there were doubters and from the beginning, he has been able to shut them up.
The only question surrounding Sanders is whether or not he will declare for the draft. His father will still be the head coach at Colorado and will want to fix the offensive line. Another good season in college and Sanders could be looking at No. 1 in the 2025 Draft.
6. North Carolina QB Drake Maye
In maybe a bit of a surprise, Maye is ranked being Sanders after being the consensus No. 2 quarterback for quite some time. Maye has still been playing fantastically and would be considered a home run draft pick for whatever NFL franchise lands him.
North Carolina has been a bit disappointing on the field but it’s in spite of Maye’s great play. And it comes after a summer where he could have transferred but stayed loyal to the Carolina Blue.
7. Alabama EDGE Dallas Turner
When Turner broke out as a true freshman, everyone assumed he would be in this position come the conclusion of the 2023 season. Turner has continued to play at a high level and should be the next Alabama pass rusher taken in the first round.
Off-the-field leadership has been a big part of Turner’s game lately too. Alabama lost their guy in Will Anderson from a year ago and Turner has filled in nicely. Something you know NFL people will love when getting to know him.
8. Florida State WR Keon Coleman
Coleman was a late addition to the Florida State roster but has completely transformed them into a College Football Playoff team. Nearly everything about his play is eye-popping from the stats he puts up to the amazing, highlight real catches.
In any other draft class, Coleman would be a sure-fire WR1 on the board. He just has a certain somebody ahead of him. This is about as good as it gets with a WR2.
9. Notre Dame OT Joe Alt
Notre Dame has quite the history of producing offensive linemen and Alt is set to be the next one. As you can tell from the image above, the C on his chest shows how well-respected the OT is in South Bend.
Alt actually got playing at tight end during his freshman season. His NFL combine day should be a fun one as well, maybe bumping him up a few boards.
10. Illinois DT Jer’Zhan Newton
Illinois has the chance to have another player taken early in the draft, with Newton following defensive back Devon Weatherspoon from a year ago. It would be the first back-to-back first-round picks for the program since 2011 and 2012.
Newton has been a game wrecker throughout his college career. Add in his 6-2, 280-pound frame, and teams will be lining up to have him anchor their interior defensive line.
Top 11-25 in ESPN NFL Draft player rankings
11. Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
12. LSU WR Malik Nabers
13. Washington WR Rome Odunze
14. Michigan QB JJ McCarthy
15. Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
16. Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
17. Penn State CB Kalen King
18. Georgia OT Amarius Mims
19. Alabama OT JC Latham
20. UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
21. Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
22. BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
23. USC S Calen Bullock
24. Houston OT Patrick Paul
25. Ohio State WR Emeka Ebuga
November is usually when some of the most high-stakes games in college football get played. Players will have plenty of opportunities to see their draft stock rise throughout the month. Yes, getting wins with your team is the ultimate goal but showing out and getting paid is never a bad thing.