With the 2025 NFL Draft less than a week away, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Field Yates released his updated Top 200 for the 2025 NFL Draft, Matt Miller unveiled his top 600 prospects, and Jordan Reid put out his top 350 prospects. The draft is set to take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, with 257 selections over seven rounds. For Georgia, there are double-digit players projected to hear their names called and a few on the fringe.
Miller has linebacker Chaz Chambliss ranked No. 319 overall, tight end Ben Yurosek ranked No. 308, and offensive tackle Xavier Truss ranked No. 265. Reid has Yurosek ranked No. 303 and Truss ranked No. 278 overall. Yates has a more promising ranking for Yurosek at No. 198 overall, which would indicate a late sixth-round grade.
In the next tier are five players who have a solid chance of being selected. Wide receiver Dominic Lovett is No. 220 overall according to Miller, and Arian Smith is No. 230 overall (Miller) and No. 217 overall (Reid). Defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse ranks No. 228 overall (Miller), No. 186 overall (Reid). Defensive tackle Warren Brinson comes in at No. 232 (Miller), No. 156 (Reid), and No. 190 (Yates). Safety Dan Jackson is No. 239 (Miller), No. 183 (Reid), and No. 158 overall (Yates).
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There are several players with a chance to be drafted early on Day 3. Defensive end Tyrian Ingram-Dawkins is No. 153 for Miller, No. 128 for Reid, and No. 120 for Yates. Interior offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild is No. 96 overall for Miller, No. 159 overall for Reid, and No. 114 for Yates. Running back Trevor Etienne is No. 130 overall for Miller, No. 102 overall for Reid, and No. 121 overall for Yates. Linebacker Smael Mondon is No. 79 overall for Miller, No. 130 for Reid, and No. 112 for Yates.
There are two interior linemen with a chance to be selected on Day 2. Center Jared Wilson is No. 75 overall for Miller, No. 51 for Reid, and No. 79 for Yates. Guard Tate Ratledge is No. 63 overall for Miller, No. 79 for Reid, and No. 66 for Yates. Three players make the list inside the top 32 prospects, giving them first-round projections. Read on to hear more about their evaluations.
Safety Malaki Starks
Matt Miller: No. 21 overall
Player comparison: Brian Branch
Starks is a Swiss Army knife on defense with the versatility to play safety or lock up receivers in the slot. He also has the size and power to be an effective run defender. He primarily played safety last season but also notched high snap counts at slot cornerback. Starks’ ability to stick with receivers in coverage while tracking the ball is truly impressive. He had 67 tackles and an interception in 14 games in 2024.
Jordan Reid: No. 17. overall
Starks’ versatility is what stands out most, as he can play in coverage and serve in run support at a high level at either safety spot. He’s a savvy third-level defender who isn’t afraid to take chances and trusts his excellent instincts when reading routes. Starks didn’t make as many flashy plays in 2024 as he has in the past because he had to shoulder a bigger workload due to Georgia’s inconsistent and inexperienced cornerbacks.
Field Yates: No. 24. overall
Starks entered the 2024 season as a potential top-15 pick. That could still happen, but it feels less likely at this juncture after a quieter season (only one interception after three in 2023). Make no mistake, though: Starks has a compelling skill set. He can patrol the middle of the field, flex outside, cover the slot and also support against the run. He has the vision and speed to limit explosive plays on the back end, but he also has the coverage skills and agility to hang over the slot in man-to-man.
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Edge defender Mykel Williams
Matt Miller: No. 28 overall
Player Comp: Travon Walker
Williams rounded into form after an ankle injury forced him to miss time early in the 2024 season. He’s a developing player who wows scouts with his size, power and speed, and he has improved on pass-rush moves with his hand timing and use of leverage. He eats up pass protectors with his ability to swipe away their hands — something he did against Texas’ star tackles in Week 8. Critics will point to Williams’ lack of production outside of the two Texas games; he had four sacks against the Longhorns and one against everyone else last season. There’s talent, but his floor as a prospect will be heavily debated.
Jordan Reid: No. 13 overall
Williams was my top overall player entering the 2024 season but dropped after an ankle injury sustained in the opener caused him to sit out two games and slowed him until midseason. His frame is ideal for playing the edge, but Williams is not an instinctive pass rusher, instead relying on length and manufactured pressure to win rushes. That length makes him an NFL-ready run defender, though, as it’s difficult for blockers to get into his frame. Williams is a long-term developmental player as a pass rusher, but he’s only 20 and similar to Danielle Hunter as a prospect.
Field Yates: No. 21 overall
Williams truly wows at his best moments, as he has outstanding length (34â…œ-inch arms) and can put that to use on the field to drive through linemen and swat down passes. Williams had just 14 sacks in three seasons (never more than five in a single year), but his pass-rushing traits suggest a higher output in the NFL. And remember, he played banged-up (ankle) in 2024, was part of a loaded rotation at Georgia and wasn’t always asked to pin his ears back and just go after the quarterback. Williams has an explosive first step and brings power, bend and acceleration off the edge.
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Edge defender Jalon Walker
Matt Miller: No. 5 overall
Player Comp: Harold Landry III
It’s hard to imagine a better coming-out party than the one Walker had against Texas in Week 8, posting three sacks and six pressures against the Longhorns’ two high-round tackle prospects. He followed that up with another big day against Tennessee (six tackles for loss, one sack) and added four tackles for loss and a sack in the SEC title game rematch with the Longhorns. He’s a dual threat as a linebacker and pass rusher, with the speed and power off the edge to make game-changing plays.
Jordan Reid: No. 6 overall
Walker was Georgia’s most consistent defender in 2024 and shot up draft boards. He alternates between edge and off-ball linebacker, allowing coaches to use his versatility. Walker is a physical player whose 17.1% pressure rate was fifth highest in the FBS. He had 6.5 sacks last season, highlighted by a three-sack performance against Texas on Oct. 19. He’s a bit of a tweener, so Walker will need a playcaller who can mix and match his alignments. Walker sat out Georgia’s pro day because of a hamstring injury, but he’s expected to host a private workout for NFL teams on Thursday.
Field Yates: No. 9 overall
My grade for Walker is at edge rusher, though he played a significant portion of his snaps at inside linebacker for Georgia. Even in a part-time pass-rushing role, he tied for the team lead in sacks in each of the past two seasons (6.5 in each year) and uses his modest length to his advantage to get underneath opposing tackles. On a Georgia defense stacked with NFL players, Walker was easily the most impactful in 2024. He had 62 tackles, seven tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries.
