• Home
  • FFSN NFL
  • 2025 NFL Draft: Top Defensive Linemen Get Back on Track in Week 5

Category: Arizona Cardinals

Share & Comment:

2025 NFL Draft: Top Defensive Linemen Get Back on Track in Week 5

The NFL Draft is still in the distant future, but the true difference-maker in a player’s draft stock is determined by their on-field performance during the regular season. “But how can I track all the highlights throughout college football each week?”, you may ask. If that is you, you came to the right place!

Each week during the college football season, I will bring to you an NFL Draft Stock Report, sharing the most significant draft information gathered from the previous week’s college football action. As the season goes on, we will focus in on players whose stock is continuously soaring and making a case to be an early to mid-round selection.

As always, be sure to share your thoughts on these prospects in the comment section below, but without further adieu, here are the most notable performances affecting the 2025 NFL Draft landscape from this past week’s action.

Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State

Jeanty is on a record-setting pace at running back for Boise State, having already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on the season on less than 100 carries. This past week was the latest example of his playmaking ability, rushing the ball just 13 times but still totaling 186 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jeanty has drawn comparisons to Barry Sanders with his ability to beat defenders with so many different tools, but a more reasonable comparison may be a shorter version of Alvin Kamara. Jeanty is incredibly explosive in the open field as a runner, but fans must not forget his pass-catching prowess. Although he has not had a major role as a receiver this season, he had over 43 receptions for 569 yards and 5 touchdowns just one year ago. The ability is still there; that part of his game simply has not been needed this year. Jeanty is easily the Heisman favorite and likely first-round selection.

Nic Scourton | DE | Texas A&M

Scourton flashed for a few plays against Notre Dame in Week 1, but through the first 3 games of the season, the results had left scouts wanting more. Over the past two weeks, however, Scourton has been on a tear, accumulating 7 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble over that time frame. This week against Missouri may have been his best game all season, recording 3 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Scourton consistently applied pressure on the quarterback, leading a zealous defense to a tune of 6 sacks on the afternoon. Scourton’s biggest issues are consistency and schematic fit, but if the first issue can be resolved, the second one likely can as well. I currently have a Day 2 grade on the athletic Aggie.

Walter Nolen | DL | Ole Miss

Nolen is a prospect that I initially had a first-round grade on, but after a slower start to the season, he has taken a dip on my personal big board. This past seek restored my faith in his potential, racking up 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery. Nolen was in the backfield all game, constantly stirring up pressure and wreaking havoc on South Carolina. While we still need to see more than just one standout game, Nolen is certainly back on a positive trajectory as it pertains to his draft stock. His athletic potential is through the roof, but minor technical issues in his game need to be ironed out if he expects to produce on a consistent basis.

SUBSCRIBE TO FFSN!

Sign up below for the latest news, stories and podcasts from our affiliates

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.