2025 Penn State NFL Draft Prospectus

"The big question [NFL teams have asked] is what made me decide to come out," Winston said. "That's the main thing; what was my thought process? I knew physically I was ready to go to the NFL and compete with the best of the best. But my thing was mentally. Am I mentally ready to go to the next level, because if you’re not ready you’re not going to last in that league.”

NFL Draft Prediction: Late 3rd, Early 4th

Winston, following his 12-tackle performance against West Virginia in weeknone, was poised to solidify his status as a first round pick, with his elite speed, instincts and playmaking abilities. The ACL injury will keep teams sketchy for a while. Many teams have him as a solid third-round pick, but his lack of starting experience (only 13 games at Penn State), his ball production skills and ability to anticipate will put him late in the third round or into the fourth.

Kimber Might Have Won Pro Day

Cornerback Jalen Kimber only had one opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts and that was at Penn State’s Pro Day. Kimber, who earned All-Big Ten honorable mention recognition, he did not receive an invite to the NFL Combine.

Kimber displayed to the scouts present that was a major oversight running a 4.39 40-yard dash, which would have been a top-10 time at the combine. He also ran the pro shuttle in 4.22 seconds (top 3) and reached 10-foot-3 in the broad jump.

NFL Draft Prediction: 7th Round/Free Agent

The argument could be had that Kimber was the biggest winner at Penn State’s Pro Day, but the draft signals are mixed still. Prior to Kimber’s Pro Day, the San Francisco 49ers expressed interest in Kimber, whether that was drafting him or signing him is unknown. With Kimber being the talk of Pro Day, he will flirt with the seventh round. If Kimber does not get drafted, his phone should ring immediately after the draft for an opportunity somewhere.

If Not Kimber, Then King

The other main contender for Penn State Pro Day’s biggest winner was linebacker Kobe King. Many felt King would have benefitted from another year of refinement at Penn State but he said he felt he was one of the best "Mike” linebackers in the nation.

"My level of play I feel probably was one of the best in the country from the standpoint of playing linebacker, maneuvering as a linebacker and conducting myself as a linebacker, specifically as a Mike backer," King said. "I thought I was probably the best in the country and like no other I've seen."

During Penn State’s Pro Day, King backed up his claims, dazzling at all of his workouts. King had a 4.63 40-yard dash, had 26 reps during the bench and had a pro shuttle time of 4.26 seconds.

King’s workout was lauded by NFL Network's Brian Baldinger.

"His size, his production, thew way he ran, the way he competed, I think Kobe really helped himself," Baldinger said. "If you said he's a second-round, off-the-ball inside linebacker, I'd say, great, that's what he looks like."

NFL Draft Prediction: 5th Round

I honestly feel if King came back another season, he would be a bonafide day two pick under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' system. King has the physical tools that will make scouts tempted to spend a pick as high as the fourth round. What King lacks in explosiveness, he makes up for in instincts as his IQ always puts him in a situation to make a play. King projects to be a solid pro making impact on early downs and on special teams. The fifth round is where a team looking to solidify something in those aspects will pick King.

Is Warren the Safest Pick in the Draft?

While Tyler Warren did not participate in workouts at the NFL Combine or Penn State’s Pro Day, his resume throughout the 2024 spoke volumes. As many rate the top players in the draft, many have higher ceilings than Warren but the detractors on all ahead of Warren are greater than his detractors leaving him in a position to get sniped early.

Warren’s weaknesses that analysts have mentioned include being a better in-line blocker. Throughout the 2024 season Penn State head coach James Franklin lauded Warren’s ability to set the edge and block in key situations. The other weakness might be analysts reaching for something on Warren’s route-running ability when the ball is coming his way versus when it isn’t.

NFL Draft Prediction: No. 9 New Orleans or No. 10 Chicago

Regardless of negatives, the positives have positioned Warren to be the first tight end since Kyle Pitts (2021) to be selected in the top 10.

If New Orleans goes with Warren at No. 9, it feels they can either overcome a potential season-ending injury to Derek Carr’s shoulder in the first year of the Kellen Moore era. Or they simply don’t see a quarterback of value worth taking at No. 9 unless they surprise everybody by taking Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. To have Alvin Kamara, Brandin Cooks, Chris Olave and Warren as weapons would give Moore and whoever is quarterbacking.

Chicago at No. 10 would be the next ideal spot. There is a lot to like about Cole Kmet , and many in Chicago feel the Bears need to protect Caleb Williams first and foremost. Williams was sacked a league high 68 times last season, so many will point to Missouri’s Armand Membou or LSU’s Will Campbell as ideal solutions—if they are there at No. 10. The Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) and New York Jets (No. 7) will squash those dreams.

The Bears adding Warren gives Williams an additional blocker, but his ability to line up in various spots and complement receivers Rome Odunze and DJ Moore will add explosiveness to the Bears offense.

If New Orleans or Chicago pass on Warren, I cannot imagine him falling further than No. 14 to Indianapolis where the consensus seems to be they are looking for a tight end early.

Carter Auditioning for Cleveland or New York

As Abdul Carter continues to rehabilitate his stress injury to his foot, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said last week, "It should be a non-factor with the teams at this point."

During his first season at the EDGE, Carter led the nation with 24 tackles for losses, 12 sacks, and according to Pro Football Focus, was second nationally with 66 pressures. 

NFL Draft Prediction: No. 3 New York Giants

Since Carter has not participated at the NFL Combine or Pro Day, he has been actively talking to his suitors in the Cleveland Browns (No. 2) and New York Giants (No. 3).

While the Browns have the first crack at drafting Carter, assuming Tennessee selects Miami quarterback Cam Ward No. 1 overall or Colorado dual threat Travis Hunter, they already secured Myles Garrett for the foreseeable future. Carter would be the worthy successor to Garrett in the role. The major issue for Cleveland is the quarterback position where Deshaun Watson’s lack of availability has crippled the cap situation and also makes you wonder why they sought to retain Garrett as well. Between Watson ($35.9 million) and Garrett ($22.9 million), they consume a combined 21 percent of Cleveland’s cap space. Cornerback Denzel Ward consumes the second most cap space between Watson and Garrett, totaling nearly 30% of the cap.

With the Browns needing to find an inexpensive quarterback solution, it could start with the No. 2 overall pick, but with this year’s class of quarterbacks not being strong it has opened up the potential of selecting Carter.

In the in end, Cleveland will take a quarterback with the second pick with that need being much greater.

This opens the Giants up to selecting Carter, who signed veteran Russell Wilson in free agency to serve as a bridge. The opportunity to place Carter with Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence should disrupt opposing offenses.

If the Giants somehow don’t take Carter, he won't fall beyond New England at No. 4 overall.