The 2025 NFL Draft is packed with hidden gems. While the top prospects receive the majority of the attention during the pre-draft process, several players deserve to be highlighted more than they currently are.
We take a look at which prospects are currently going underrated in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Underrated 2025 NFL Draft Prospects
The most underrated players in the 2025 NFL Draft have been expertly identified by analyzing the CSN Top 300 NFL Draft Prospects alongside the consensus big board on Mockdraftdatabase.com.
This list highlights the prospects with the most significant variances between the two rankings, showcasing hidden talent that deserves recognition.
Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
Ty Hamilton is the player that features the highest on CSN’s board compared to the consensus. The Ohio State Buckeye is ranked 111th by CSN, 132 places higher than the consensus rankings.
At CSN, we are banking on Hamilton’s clean, smooth movement and undervalued athleticism to translate to the NFL. As a four-year starter, the defensive tackle has extensive production and is a stout run defender who possesses punchy hands.
His 9.21 RAS showcases exceptional lateral movement and pass-rushing upside. The 6’3”, 299 Ohio State product needs to continue adding mass to his frame. However, he should be a priority selection early on Day 3.
Consensus: 243
CSN: 111
Elijhah Badger, WR, Florida
Elijhah Badger projects as an X receiver in a class that lacks receiving prospects who combine size, speed, and physicality. At 6’1” and 200 pounds, the Florida Gators wideout has had three consecutive seasons with 700+ yards and is a fluid mover.
Furthermore, the Arizona State Sun Devils’ transfer has varied release packages and exceptional ability to tiptoe on the boundary.
Landing 122 places higher on CSN’s big board than the consensus at No. 162, Badger is one of the most underrated receivers in the draft. He still needs to develop his route tree and run crisper routes, but Badger’s athleticism, sticky hands, and ability to stretch the field should make him an asset as a WR3 as a rookie.
Consensus: 284
CSN: 162
Jordan James, RB, Oregon
CSN ranks Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James 115 places higher than the consensus board. A powerful mover with authoritarian power, the 5’9”, 205-pound back is incredibly physical and possesses amble lateral movement to unlock his exceptional agility.
The 140th-ranked player on CSN’s draft board has excellent contact balance, popping burst, and instinctual vision. With 1,267 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, the Oregon rusher had zero career fumbles in Eugene and has the lower body strength and explosive cuts to make defenders miss.
Consensus: 255
CSN: 140
Kitan Crawford, SAF, Nevada
An elite athlete, Kitan Crawford is ranked much higher on CSN’s board than the consensus. At No. 168, the Nevada Wolfpack safety is 108 places higher and has the experience, athleticism, and versatility to be a gem on Day 3.
Crawford’s 9.90 RAS displays his blazing instant speed and aggressive trigger. After sprinting four seasons with the Texas Longhorns, he transferred to Nevada in 2024 and was incredibly productive and flashed good instincts. Plus, with over 1,000 special teams snaps in five seasons, the Wolfpack safety brings a varied package.
Consensus: 276
CSN: 168
Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech
The 2025 wide receiver class is deep, but it is surprising not to hear Jaylin Lane’s name appear more often in national discussions. The Virginia Tech Hokie was let down by poor quarterback play but led the team in receiving yards in 2024. He is undersized at 5’10” and 191 pounds but has a dense build and long arms.
CSN ranks Lane 98 places higher than the consensus board at No. 117, with the former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders transfer bringing elite testing. He was among the top testers at the 2025 NFL Combine, ranking in the top three for every drill besides the bench press.
He is a smooth route runner with lightning-quick feet, agility to weave through traffic, and the instinctual ability to make things happen after the catch. Lane also has extensive experience as a return specialist, becoming the only player in the nation in 2024 to run, pass, receive, and return a punt for a touchdown.
Consensus: 215
CSN: 117
R.J. Mickens, SAF, Clemson
R.J. Mickens ranks as one of the top 10 safety prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft and is ranked 134th on CSN’s big board. It sees the Clemson Tigers’ safety land 90 spots higher than the consensus board, with his versatility, football IQ, and movement skills standing out on tape.
With the ability to defend the box, be sticky in coverage, and play from deep, Mickens can do it all. His movement skills provide sideline-to-sideline range, and his clean technique allows him to stick with receivers in man coverage. The 6’0”, 199-pound safety also has ample physicality and can anticipate and close down the ball when playing zone.
Consensus: 224
CSN: 134
Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
If it weren’t for injuries, Thomas Fidone II would be talked about a lot more in this deep 2025 tight-end class. The Nebraska Huskies’ playmaker has had two ACL surgeries and only played one game over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but he played all 13 games in 2024.
But, his production didn’t meet his potential. Fidone only had 373 receiving yards and has zero career touchdowns with the Huskies.
It is why the Nebraska prospect is ranked 256th on the consensus board. However, CSN ranks him 71 places higher at No. 185, projecting his athletic development and ability to take the next step at the next level if he can remain healthy.
At 6’5” and 243 pounds, Fidone has impressive size, athletic traits, and physicality. He is a strong, nuanced route runner with outstanding ball skills and a wide catch radius to be a weapon over the middle of the field and up the seam as a receiver.
Consensus: 256
CSN: 185
Theo Wease, WR, Missouri
Theo Wease is an intelligent, instinctual, experienced receiver who has done it all on the college field. The Missouri Tigers’ receiver has run every route and has a natural knack for finding space.
Since transferring from the Oklahoma Sooners to Missouri in 2023, Wease has 1,566 yards and 10 touchdowns and has translatable production and route salesmanship to the NFL.
Coming in at 219 on CSN’s board, Wease is ranked 70 places higher than the consensus board. At 6’2” and 200 pounds, the Missouri receiver rarely drops the football, has the toughness to force missed tackles, and is slippery through contact.
Consensus: 289
CSN: 219
Mello Dotson, CB, Kansas
Mello Dotson has the potential to be a steal on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Kansas Jayhawks’ corner has the ball skills, size, and fluid movement to be a starting outside corner at the next level. The experienced defender has played 46 career games and is scheme-versatile.
CSN ranked Dotson 68 spots higher than the consensus at No. 124. He has displayed incredible ball skills to disrupt at the catch point and recorded five interceptions in 2024. His active footwork, solid ball tracking, and anticipation mean he can make plays in both man and zone coverage.
Consensus: 192
CSN: 124
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Mac McWilliams, SAF, UCF
Mac McWilliams is a versatile defensive back who could feasibly line up at any position in the secondary. However, he is undersized at 5’10” and 190 pounds and lacks some long speed. However, his hot motor and incense aggressive mentality allow him to overcome some size deficiencies.
There is a reason that the UCF Knights defender features 68 spots higher on CSN’s board than the consensus. McWilliams has incredible stop/start ability, instant burst, and accurate instincts. His agility, short-area quickness, and binding tackling ability mean he has the potential to be a solid option from the slot at the next level.
Consensus: 274
CSN: 198
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