2025 NFL draft best fits: Landing spots for Ashton Jeanty, Malaki Starks, more

Posted by Admin December 12, 2024 NFL

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As the final weeks of the regular season wind down, many NFL teams and fanbases are already looking to the offseason and the 2025 NFL draft. There’s still time for teams to move farther up or down the order in the first round but there’s a general idea on where teams will be picking come April.

This upcoming class is similar to the 2022 draft class where there aren’t many instant-impact prospects. A lot of these players will need to develop at the NFL level, similar to the growth seen from 2022 draftees like Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Hamilton and Derek Stingley Jr.

That means taking the best player available isn’t an easy default. Instead, finding the right fit is at a premium. Some teams could maximize players with elite traits more than others at specific positions. Considering there isn’t a general consensus on prospect order, there’s a wide range on where certain players could land.

A handful of prospects stand out for how their profile would fit with certain teams. These selections are at least possible in a trade-free first round. You won’t see quarterback Cam Ward – likely considered a top-three pick – going in the late 20s to the Pittsburgh Steelers, for example.

Here are our top five best player-team fits for the draft.

2025 NFL draft best fits

RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: Minnesota Vikings

This is one of the bigger stretches of this list. Jeanty may fall to the second half of the first round thanks to playing running back and the depth of the position in the 2025 draft. It’s one of the deepest groups in the class and teams may wait to take a running back until the second or third round.

That could open the door for Jeanty to fall to Minnesota in the latter part of the first round. Bringing Aaron Jones in for the 2024 season took the Vikings’ running game to its most productive level in coach Kevin O’Connell’s tenure. Jones turned 30 last week and is a free agent after the 2024 season.

Jeanty’s elite traits could give O’Connell the means to expand the running game with more concepts that play to his strengths behind a solid offensive line. Whether Sam Darnold stays or J.J. McCarthy takes over at quarterback, Jeanty could give the team a top-tier weapon at running back alongside Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

DL Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M: San Francisco 49ers

It’s been a rough season in San Francisco with injuries and off-field tragedies piling up after another Super Bowl appearance last year. The biggest regression is on defense. Through Week 14, the 49ers are 21st in the NFL in scoring, their worst mark since 2018.

The defensive line has traditionally been the 49ers’ strength on defense. Edge rusher Nick Bosa gets a lot of attention but it’s been best with a group effort rest around him historically with the likes of Arik Armstead and journeymen like Samson Ebukam, Charles Omenihu and even Clelin Ferrell.

Like running back, edge rusher is one of the deeper positions in the draft. There’s no ready-made Pro Bowl pass rusher but plenty of players with impressive traits like Stewart.

The Aggies’ defensive lineman fits the mold of an Armstead-like presence that the 49ers like. At 6-6 and 290 lbs., Stewart has the length and athleticism to play outside or inside on the defensive line. His power and burst off the line show up on film and could be an exciting prospect for renowned defensive line coach Kris Kocurek.

OL Cameron Williams, Texas: Philadelphia Eagles

By early returns, Philadelphia had one of the better classes from the 2024 NFL draft. Rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are helping the Eagles’ defense become one of the best in the league.

For one of the most talented rosters in the league, there aren’t a ton of glaring needs heading into the draft so there’s an opportunity later on in the first round to plan for the future.

Right tackle Lane Johnson will be 35 by the start of next season. Offensive linemen can play into their late 30s and Johnson’s been one of the best tackles in the league again this year. But Williams is an intriguing prospect thanks to his rare athleticism in a 6-5, 335-lb. frame.

Williams needs time to develop and gain more experience at the position. There are few better offensive line coaches in the league than Philadelphia’s Jeff Stoutland, who turned a talented but inexperienced seventh round pick Jordan Mailata into one of the better left tackles in the league.

TE Colston Loveland, Michigan: Los Angeles Chargers

This one is probably too obvious. The Chargers need another receiving threat besides Ladd McConkey. Los Angeles’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s offenses have historically featured tight ends (Mark Andrews, Charles Clay, Vernon Davis, etc.) in major roles.

Loveland fits both and played under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh for two years in Ann Arbor. He’s not getting a bump up to the first round simply because of the Michigan connection. His playmaking ability in a 6-5, 245 lb. frame at 20 years old (by draft night) means his best football is likely ahead of him.

Loveland is likely one of two tight ends who will be first-round picks alongside Penn State’s Tyler Warren. Either can fit with the Chargers but Loveland makes more sense if available thanks to the Michigan connection.

S Malaki Starks, Georgia: Buffalo Bills

Starks is arguably of the best five players in this draft. He’s a do-everything safety with the ability and athleticism to play two-high coverage as well as the size (6-1, 205 lbs.) to be an asset against the run.

Buffalo will likely be picking towards the end of the first round so this fit relies on teams going with more impactful positions than safety. The Bills’ defense is a top-10 unit this season despite multiple significant injuries but safety is likely their weakest spot.

Some of the best defensive units in coach Sean McDermott’s tenure in Buffalo featured a combination of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer at safety. Starks is more talented than both with a surprisingly high football IQ given his age (21 on draft night).

The Bills have needs elsewhere on defense but a player of Starks’ profile could thrive under McDermott.