Every year, a few draft picks sneak through the cracks—guys who didn’t get the primetime hype but end up being absolute steals. These are the picks that make GMs look like geniuses and fans wonder how everyone else missed it.
From small-school linemen to overlooked SEC veterans, the 2025 NFL Draft had plenty of sneaky-good value. Here are 10 underrated picks who could easily become the surprise standouts of this year’s class.
10. Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
Demetrius Knight isn’t a big name, but he plays like someone with something to prove every snap. If he clicks in the right system, this could be one of those “how did he fall that far?” situations.
9. Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
Fannin is the kind of modern tight end coaches drool over—fast, flexible, and a total mismatch nightmare. He won’t be blocking defensive ends anytime soon, but he’s got serious weapon potential in the passing game.
8. Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
Injuries dropped his stock, but Morrison, at full health, can hang with just about anyone. If he gets back to pre-injury form, someone may have just found a starting corner on Day 3.
7. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Zabel is the ultimate plug-and-play lineman—tackle, guard, center, you name it. He’s not flashy, but his versatility could make him a long-term fixture on someone’s offensive line.
6. Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
All Devin Neal did in college was rack up yards, score touchdowns, and quietly torch Big 12 defenses. Over 4,300 yards and 49 touchdowns later, he somehow slipped to the sixth round—classic draft oversight.
5. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Milroe has all the tools—big arm, fast legs, serious upside. If he can clean up the rough edges, he could end up being one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
4. Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Riley had a rollercoaster college career, but the highs were really high. If he lands in the right scheme, his knack for finding the football could make him a breakout name fast.
3. CJ West, DT, Indiana
West is one of those guys who just causes problems in the trenches. He may not have the sack numbers, but his strength and explosiveness pop on tape.
Read More: 15 NFL Defensive Linemen Who Hunted Quarterbacks
2. Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
Moore was a leader at Bama and can do a little bit of everything in the secondary. Getting that kind of experience and versatility in the fourth round is just flat-out good business.
Read More: 20 NFL Linemen Who Went in Round 1 – But Shouldn’t Have
1. Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Grant might’ve been a Day 2 afterthought, but don’t be surprised if he’s a Day 1 starter down the road. He’s big, athletic, and has the kind of chip on his shoulder that linemen thrive on.
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