Todd McShay predicts a record number of defensive linemen and running backs will go in the first three rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, highlighting top prospects.
Todd McShay Predicts Record Defensive Run in First 3 Rounds of 2025 Draft in Last 30 Years
In a recent interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, NFL Analyst McShay revealed which areas he believed were particularly stacked going into the 2025 NFL Draft and which players would be gone in the first three rounds.
McShay’s selections included the likes of running backs Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, as well as defensive linemen like Abdul Carter and Mason Graham.
Running Back Picks Will Almost Double In The First Three Rounds
When discussing his evaluations, McShay revealed that, in his opinion, this year’s class of running backs is the best he has seen in almost 25 years. Claiming that Ashton Jeanty, ranked as the number one running back by practically all analysts, including ESPN, would be selected in the first ten picks of the first round.
The Analyst named the Las Vegas Raiders at Number Six or the Chicago Bears at Number 10 the potential destination for the Boise State Running Back.
McShay also claimed that based on his grades, 18 Running Backs are projected to go in the first four rounds, compared to just 10 on the yearly average before that.
Names listed included the likes of Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, with the likes of Ohio State duo TreyVeon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, Arizona’s Cam Skatebo, and RJ Harvey from UCF coming in below the first two named options.
McShay Reveals It’s A Good Year For This Position.
Aside from the Running Back position, the other position that the Analyst is heavy on this year is the Defensive Line. After studying for the last 30 years, McShay discovered that 26 defensive linemen were the highest number he had seen.
According to his evaluations, 35 players along the Interior Line and on Edge will play in the first three rounds this year, a record increase.
According to NFL Draft Buzz’s rankings of this year’s class, the top prospects include Penn State Edge Rusher Abdul Carter, who is projected by some to go in the first five picks, and Defensive Tackles such as Michigan’s Mason Graham and Ole Miss’s Walter Nolen.
Other prospects outside the Defensive End position besides Abdul Carter include Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, Georgia’s Mykel Williams, and Tennesee’s James Pearce Jr.
KEEP READING: Jaxson Dart Over Shedeur Sanders? One Team Thinks So But May Draft Neither
With this year’s NFL Draft coming up later this month, McShay also discussed some questions, including where Travis Hunter will play in the NFL and the debate between Jaxon Dart and Shedeur Sanders.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
