How Many in the 2025 Draft Are Truly Legitimate Top 10 Picks?

[RJ in Lafayette]

I struggled with the wording of this heading. I am trying to ask how many players in this draft have a first tier grade with a majority of teams that is normally reserved for those considered a top 10 selection--and who are they. In a great draft year, it could be 10 or even more. In most draft years, the number is likely less than 10.

I have not studied this draft as much as some of you. Before I offer a final answer, I want to hear from and read Greg Cosell and Bob McCann much more than I have. But this is my preliminary list in no particular order of ranking (though I do think the top three players are Ward, Carter, and Hunter):

1. Cam Ward
2. Ashton Jeanty
3. Armand Membou
4. Abdul Carter
5. Travis Hunter
6. Tetairoa McMillan
7. Will Campbell

For me, there are no other offensive players, defensive linemen, or defensive backs with a top 10 grade. Out of need, Mason Graham may go in the top 10, but to me, he lacks an exceptional skill-set and seems more a late-teens first round pick. There are several edge rushers and linebackers with tremendous athletic traits who could sneak into the top 10--Jalon Walker, Jihadd Campbell, Mykel Williams, and James Pearce. But to me, there are too many questions for each, and they lack the high floor for a top 10 grade.

A postscript: I do not see Shedeur Sanders going in the top eight picks.

 

[Geldo]

Carter
Hunter
Jeanty
Ward (because of positional value)

 

[Kegger]

Add Warren to the list, not a top 5 but I think he's top 10 material in an average draft

 

[BreesusSaves]

Carter
Hunter
Jeanty

Only players who would get consistent top 10 grades regardless of year.

 

[fishing4food]

My top 10
Warren
Hunter
Carter
Jeanty

 

[3ParStillDriver]

In Order (IMO):

Jeanty
Carter
Graham
Warren.

Even Ward I don't think should be listed, but the desperation of QB's i believe has lifted him into that conversation as if he is.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Can't disagree, though I like Membou and think he can slide in. After reading what others have said, I would agree that McMillan and Campbell seem more like top 15 players rather than top 10.

 

[livefromDC]

It's hard to make this decision in a vacuum. That's why I embrace scouting reviews that compare players to players from previous drafts and next year's drafts. If Will Campbell came out last year, is he getting picked before Taliese Fuaga or Joe Alt or JC Latham? No, not a chance. He's not a top 10 value but he will be drafted there this year because of the lack of value in this draft. There's probably 5 players with a top 10 grade in this draft. The locks are:
Carter
Hunter
Jeanty

The next 2 are maybes:
Ward
Graham

That's it folks. It's a weak draft. It's the wrong draft to be picking from 5 to 12. If the Saints could get out of the 1st round of this draft (or at least move back) while picking up an additional 1st next year, that would truly be the best outcome.

Also. Only in a world where someone is hellbent on the Saints drafting TE is Warren a top 10 talent. That's rare air for TEs, he's not in that air although he's a good TE prospect. This year, with the talent being so mediocre, I wouldn't mind the Saints taking him at #9, but in an average draft year, no way he sniffs the top 10.

 

[AARPSaint]

This is a great thread in my view. It clarifies my thinking about this draft. I liked the idea of keeping the pick because a team might not get a top ten pick in the near future. Now, I’m thinking that the Saints should make every effort to trade down because next year’s class should be better.

The problem is that it appears that every team knows this and wants to trade down unless they’re in the top five or so. I read somewhere that the number of pre-draft trades has been almost nil. That tells me that nobody wants to move up because the value is not there.

So, we may be “stuck” with the 9th pick. Let’s hope it’s a good one because the Saints need help everywhere.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Interesting take that the amount of interest in, and the price for, trading up are indicative of how teams feel about the top players. There hasn't been much talk about trading up. And whom would you trade up for in a deal involving major assets? For me, it would be Ward, who has the traits to be a really good quarterback and who is the only top quarterback prospect in this draft, and Abdul Carter. That's it. But if he drops a bit, I think there will be teams trying to trade up to pick Jeanty.

I have seen several defensive players mocked to the Saints in the different mock drafts, but are there any defensive players in the draft, after Carter and Hunter, who are true top 10 picks?

 

[Super]

I wonder how many sure thing top ten picks ended up being busts?

 

[TribuneUK]

I struggled with the wording of this heading. I am trying to ask how many players in this draft have a first tier grade with a majority of teams that is normally reserved for those considered a top 10 selection--and who are they. In a great draft year, it could be 10 or even more. In most draft years, the number is likely less than 10.

I have not studied this draft as much as some of you. Before I offer a final answer, I want to hear from and read Greg Cosell and Bob McCann much more than I have. But this is my preliminary list in no particular order of ranking (though I do think the top three players are Ward, Carter, and Hunter):

1. Cam Ward
2. Ashton Jeanty
3. Armand Membou
4. Abdul Carter
5. Travis Hunter
6. Tetairoa McMillan
7. Will Campbell

For me, there are no other offensive players, defensive linemen, or defensive backs with a top 10 grade. Out of need, Mason Graham may go in the top 10, but to me, he lacks an exceptional skill-set and seems more a late-teens first round pick. There are several edge rushers and linebackers with tremendous athletic traits who could sneak into the top 10--Jalon Walker, Jihadd Campbell, Mykel Williams, and James Pearce. But to me, there are too many questions for each, and they lack the high floor for a top 10 grade.

A postscript: I do not see Shedeur Sanders going in the top eight picks.

McMillan probably doesn't deserve a top 10 grade either, based on a lot of feedback. He's just the top WR available this year.

But I'd venture that you're wrong to drop Mason out of that category.

 

[WhoDat?DrewDat]

I only have 6 true top 10 grades in this draft (excluding QBs).

Hunter, Carter, Graham, Jeanty, Johnson, Jihaad Campbell

Fringe legit top 10: Tet, Membou

Not a true top 10: Warren, Will Campbell, Shemar Stewart, Mykel Williams (3rd round)

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

I'm learning so don't take my comments as strong disagreement. But I just went back and listened to Greg Cosell's comments on Mason Graham, who at the combine weighed less than 300 pounds but was 10 pounds heavier at his recent pro day: Constant activity. Has mass. Quick off the ball. Position versatility. Uses hands well. As a pure power player, needs work. See more energy with strong hands than real power. At this time, not a good pass rusher.

My impression is that Will Johnson's stock has dropped some.