"My Guys" for the 2025 NFL Draft

It's been quite some time since I have had a solid chance to sit down and write. Here is a brief article highlighting my five favorite prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Azareye'h Thomas, CB, Florida State

Azareye'h Thomas is extremely underrated as a prospect. For those who aren't in on him, they are going to find out real soon during the Reese's Senior Bowl. Thomas measures in currently at 6'2"-200lbs, and I have him listed down as the best press-man cornerback in this class. He is a dominant force at the cornerback position and a naturally gifted athlete. He is able to smother receivers thanks to his large and long frame, disruptive hands, and fluid hips. Thomas is a physical corner but is susceptible to falling a step behind on receivers who excel at getting out of their breaks. One of the best traits that stood out on his tape is his willingness to defend the run and tackle. Time after time, Thomas is flashing downhill to contribute in run support and lay down some tough tackles. I have a feeling that folks will start to catch on to Azareye'h Thomas and he will fly up boards and have a meteoric rise similar to Quinyon Mitchell did last year.

Azareye'h Thomas 2025 Draft Grade (as of January 10, 2025): Day 1 - Mid-1st Round

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

I've been banging the drum for Maxwell "Mad Max" Hairston all season. He fills the mold of my favorite type of cornerback: sticky, obnoxious, and tenacious. Jaguars rookie CB Jarrian Jones is a great example from last year's draft cycle. At 6'1"-185, Hairston boasts impeccable lateral and straight-line speed; arguably the best in this class. Additionally, he is arguably the best ball-hawking corner in this class, snagging six interceptions over the last two seasons - THREE of which were returned for touchdowns. Hairston shows prowess in both man and zone coverage with great hip fluidity and a nose for the ball. He is a disciplined corner, though he is built a bit wiry and can get outmuscled. Hairston is susceptible to "feast or famine" reps as well; he can bite too much on routes or get lost when caught out of position. He is a sure tackler, but gets moved fairly easily due to his build. Overall, the athletic traits are off the charts and I believe he will test exceptionally well. Hairston could benefit from some added weight and refined coverage technique. When he lets the game come to him, he is at his best.

Maxwell Hairston 2025 Draft Grade (as of January 10, 2025): Day 1/Day 2 Fringe - Late 1st Round/Early 2nd Round

LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado

Since his days at Florida Atlantic, I have loved LaJohntay Wester's play. I have been pushing my LaJohntay Wester agenda all season long. The agenda, you ask? LaJohntay Wester is a Day 2 pick. 

At the "G5" level, Wester was unbelievably productive. Check out these stats: 65 rec, 702 yds, 4 TDs (2021); 62 rec, 719 yds, 8 TDs (2022); 108 rec, 1168 yds, 8 TDs (2023); 74 rec, 931 yds, 10 TDs (2024). Wester was on the 2023 Biletnikoff Award Watchlist, made the 2023 All-AAC First Team, and left FAU as the program's all-time leader in receptions. At Colorado this year, he finished as an All-Big12 honorable mention. Measuring in at 5'11"-165lbs, Wester's size is most likely the primary concern for NFL scouts. Due to his size, he struggles often against press coverage, and is susceptible to being overpowered and/or smothered from a physical perspective. However, there is a lot to love about Wester's ability. He possesses elite speed out of the slot, is an extremely gifted separator, and is a twitchy, elusive route runner. Wester does a great job at getting in and out of his breaks, and runs routes with precision. Wester has also displayed his ability to be a serious kickoff and punt return threat. I believe there were some academic concerns for Wester during this season, however he cleared those up. He plays with a big heart; he thinks he is the biggest guy on the field. NFL teams will love this type of attitude. 

LaJohntay Wester 2025 Draft Grade (as of January 10, 2025): Day 2 - Late 2nd Round

Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina

For those who have been following me, they know I was a big fan of Raheim "Rocket" Sanders last season. During the 2024 draft cycle, he was my RB1 for as long as I could possibly have him ranked there. The missed time combined with the likelihood of him returning to school forced me to cease waving my "Rocket Sanders RB1" flag. Nonetheless, I haven't neglected to review his film. 2022 and 2024 are easily his best seasons, with 2022 taking the cake when he was at Arkansas. Rocket tallied 222 carries, 1443 yards, and 10 TDs for the Razorbacks in 2022, but followed it up with an underwhelming and injury-riddled 2023. After entering the transfer portal and becoming a Gamecock in 2024, Sanders ran for 881 yards on 183 carries and found the end-zone 11 times. So, what stood out? Sanders is a very patient runner, which reminded me of Le'Veon Bell (not an official comp... yet). He processes the defense well and finds holes and cutback lanes with great vision and patience. For a prospect his size (6'0"-230lbs), Sanders can surprisingly accelerate with efficiency. He is a bell-cow running back who can carry a heavy workload in large part due to his NFL-ready size and frame, and he is purposely physical with defenders. He is exceptionally strong which he leverages to possess great contact balance, and he is an adequate pass blocker. However, my biggest gripe with his tape is his constant desire to seek contact. Rocket is indeed a physical runner, but there are moments where he is seeking out a bulldozing play for no reason. For longevity sake, he needs to avoid doing so. Additionally, his involvement in the passing game has been minimal throughout his college career. Although he has shown to have reliable hands out of the backfield, his overall utility as a pass catcher is low. I believe he will be a Day 3 steal for an NFL team that is looking to add a power back to their current scheme.

Raheim Sanders 2025 Draft Grade (as of January 10, 2025): Day 3 - Early-Mid 4th Round

John Pius, OLB/EDGE, Wisconsin

Alright, here's another guy I've been draft obsessed with. I've been following John Pius since he was in Williamsburg, Virginia dominating opponents for the William & Mary Tribe. I firmly believed that Pius was one of the best linebacker prospects out of the FCS last year if he had declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. As far as accolades go, Pius was decorated during his time at W&M. He finished his career at William & Mary ranked second in school history in career TFLs (40.5) and fifth in career sacks (24.5). In 2022, Pius earned First Team All-CAA, CAA Defensive Player of the Year, and FCS First Team All-American. In 2023, he earned First Team All-CAA and FCS First Team All-American once again. He transferred to Wisconsin in 2024 for his final collegiate season, but was quiet due to being featured primarily as a depth/rotational player. Although he appeared in 12 games, he only started one for the Badgers defense. Pius was a nightmare-level defender and pass rusher at the FCS level, but struggled to produce for a P4 program. Regardless, he is a natural athlete who explodes out of his stance with relatively good power. He's twitchy, agile, and can win as a pass rusher with a blend of size and speed. Pius can drop back into coverage as well, which he has shown in flashes, but isn't a formidable threat by any means. I was actually shocked he didn't declare for the NFL Draft after last season, where I thought he certainly was an early Day 3 pick at the very least, with the potential to be a sneaky 3rd-rounder if he tested well and performed well at any college all-star events that he may have been invited to. The lack of production this season at Wisconsin might sting, but I still truly believe that John Pius will be a draft gem for any NFL team.

John Pius 2025 Draft Grade (as of January 10, 2025): Day 3 - Mid 5th Round-Early 6th Round

-- Alex P