It’s National Pokémon Day, and it’s also the first day of on-field testing at the NFL Combine. College Sports Network is celebrating (Well, I am, at least) by having some fun. The title is self-explanatory; here, I’m comparing 10 2025 NFL Draft prospects to Pokémon.
Top 2025 Prospects as Pokémon
Some of these will be obvious, but some of them require some explanation. I’m keeping those short, so if you want more info on any of these prospects, you can check out scouting reports on the top 100 players from our CSN rankings.
If you’re interested in my personal rankings, I dropped a Top 75 on Thursday morning as the first version of my personal Big Board.
But more importantly, how do these guys compare to Pokémon?
Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State – Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn is a rock-type Pokémon that stands just over 3-feet tall but weighs nearly 250 pounds. It’s as close to a bowling bowl as you’ll find in the Pokémon world, with high health, attack, and defense.
It takes a lot to bring Arizona Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo to the ground. One hit just isn’t going to do it. Rhyhorn isn’t the fastest Pokémon and Skattebo isn’t the fastest RB, but that’s not what you’re using them for. Trainers use Rhyhorn to wear down opponents before it delivers a knockout blow. Similarly, Skattebo wears down defenses before hitting an explosive run, usually while breaking multiple tackles.
FULL Cam Skattebo Scouting Report
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado – Pikachu
He’s electric, and his beloved trainer (Ash/Deion Sanders) uses him for everything.
Will Campbell, OT, LSU – Blastoise
This was a fun comp a friend gave me, and it works for many reasons. Will Campbell has been a three-year starter at left tackle in the SEC, allowing him to gain polish and reach his fully-evolved form.
Blastoise is the final evolution of the loveable Squirtle. He’s explosive but also powerful and fast. Campbell starts off nice, but once it’s game time, he’s nasty and really tough to beat.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL) – Dragonite
Dragonite is one of the most powerful Pokémon in the game, capable of single-handedly wrecking entire squads. Why? Because of its powerful attacks and immunities.
Not only does Dragonite have one of the highest attack ratings of any Pokémon (and thus is great at going for the kill shot), but water, fire, bug, fighting, and grass types do half damage against it.
More importantly, it’s the Kryptonite of ground-based trainers. Ground-type Pokémon have no effect on Dragonite. Cam Ward is completely unaffected by the pass rush. He could have four 300-pound defenders bearing down and he’s still going to calmly fire away, usually going for a deep kill shot. It fits.
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – Gyrados
Gyarados is one of the most powerful attacking Pokémon in the game. It has few weaknesses and has a rare skill set, making it a part of most stronger trainers’ arsenals.
Tyler Warren has an extremely unique skill set, one that would instantly upgrade plenty of offenses. He’s not going to flex out wide as often as some of the other tight ends, but he can live over the middle, punishing linebackers left in coverage.
Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall – Mewtwo
This comparison shows my high view of Mike Green, who might be the most athletic defender in the entire draft. He has freakish bend and great power. When you watch him throw guys around on the field, you’d never guess a guy with that much strength could do a standing backflip, but he can.
Mewtwo is a legendary Pokémon with crazy stats akin to Green’s 17 sacks last season. it has the best special attack out there, and I consider Green’s bend/speed rush to be the best single pass-rushing move in the draft class.
FULL Mike Green scouting report
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State – Machoke
Abdul Carter moved from off the ball to edge rusher because of his massive power. Like Machoke, he looks like someone built him in a lab. He’s got an attitude of a fighting type Pokémon and while he’s already an elite prospect, his upside is the tantalizing thing.
Machoke can evolve into Machamp, the ultimate fighting machine. If Carter takes the next step to become just a bit better, he will have All-Pro upside.
Nick Emmanwori, SAF, South Carolina – Fearow
Nick Emmanwori is a huge, ball-hawking safety, and while Fearow isn’t a hawk (it’s an evolved sparrow, duh), it is a flying-type Pokémon that is immune to ground and ghost types.
Emmanwori is fun because of his speed, size, and ball skills, but before he had elite ball production, he led South Carolina in tackles as a true freshman. People point to his ability to fly around, but he’s really at his best against the ground game, where he’s a hard-hitter and sure tackler.
Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan – Geodude
The top interior pass-rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft is a rock on the inside. His run defense is extremely solid and he has massive upside as a pass-rusher.
So why not an evolved version like Graveler or Golem? Well, because he’s not close to reaching his ceiling. To make him one of those bigger, faster, stronger Pokémon would do him a disservice.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State – Scyther
Scyther can evolve into either the massively powerful Scizor or the more balanced Kleaver, depending on what the situation calls for, but his base form is one of the most powerful base Pokémon in the game.
Scyther is extremely quick, but has elite attack as well. When Scyther evolves into Scizor, it’s immune to poison/wearing down and brings massive, unmatchable power.
Ashton Jeanty led the country in 40, 50, 60, and 70-yard runs last season while putting up more forced missed tackles than any RB in the tracking era (since 2015) forcing 157 missed tackles, 53 more than the next best player in that span.
FULL Ashton Jeanty scouting report
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