Bucky Brooks at NFL.com
2025 Draft Class Superpowers
“Abdul Carter
Penn State · Edge · Junior
SUPERPOWER: First-step quickness/snap-count anticipation
The league's elite pass rushers routinely display exceptional first-step quickness and snap-count anticipation. Carter pounces off the ball like a cat, showcasing a three-step burst that leaves blockers in a daze when trying to shadowbox with the sensational sack artist. As a dynamic athlete who explodes off the edge on the center's ball squeeze, the Penn State star exhibits the Hall of Fame traits that helped two of my former teammates, Derrick Thomas and Bruce Smith, earn gold jackets as pass-rush specialists.
Travis Hunter
Colorado · WR/CB · Junior
SUPERPOWER: Ball skills
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is a spectacular athlete with extraordinary hand-eye coordination and ball skills. Hunter tracks the ball like an MLB center fielder, exhibiting outstanding over-the-shoulder technique and high-point skills in traffic. With the 6-foot, 188-pounder's ability to dominate opponents as a catch-and-run specialist, Hunter's additional capacity to expand the quarterback's strike zone makes him a coach's dream as a WR1. Meanwhile, when the two-way star lines up a cornerback, opposing passers who throw in his direction risk turning the ball over.
Ashton Jeanty
Boise State · RB · Junior
SUPERPOWER: Contact balance
Jeanty's contact balance sets him apart from his contemporaries in this class -- and elite RB prospects of the recent vintage -- as a rare back capable of running through defenders utilizing force and finesse. The 5-8 1/2, 211-pounder mixes various jump-cuts and skip-and-dip maneuvers with stiff arms to fend off defenders in traffic. Jeanty's unique ability to pinball off defenders without losing speed/quickness is a testament to his ballerina-like footwork, balance and body control. With the league's running back renaissance of late, the NFL world could quickly fall in love with the 2024 Doak Walker Award winner.
Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona · WR · Junior
SUPERPOWER: Jump-ball skills
Defending a 6-4 1/8, 219-pound pass catcher with NBA length and leaping ability is hard. McMillan's supersized frame and athleticism give him a significant advantage in isolated matchups against defensive backs in a league with a limited amount of 6-footers on the defensive perimeter. As a former high school basketball and volleyball player, McMillan excels at playing the ball in the air on alley-oop tosses down the boundary and in the end zone. With his phenomenal leaping ability and extraordinary wingspan expanding the quarterback's target zone, McMillan enters the league with the potential to emerge as a prolific red-zone scoring machine.
Continued at link below…