SNS 2025 Deep Dive - Deep Sleepers Who Could Be NFL Stars
- John B. Everett
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
SNS presents, for the fourth consecutive year, a deep dive analysis of the 2025 NFL Draft class to reveal prospects that are likely to be late Saturday draft picks or UDFAs (Undrafted Free Agents) who will sign with a team after the draft and have to earn their NFL job the hard way. Prospects identified in previous editions of Deep Dive include Zach Tom, starting guard for the Green Bay Packers, former Detroit Lions rookie phenom EDGE James Houston, Josh Newton, CB for the Cincinnati Bengals, and RB Kimani Vidal of the LA Chargers.
Micah Bernard / RB / Utah (SNS Ranking - Unranked )
The 2025 RB class is one of the best and deepest groups to enter the NFL in more than a decade and this figures to suppress the value of many RBs, which likely includes Bernard, a tough and physical inside runner with a significant injury history who is unlikely to get drafted this weekend. Bernard possesses very good vision and runs with great pad level to churn through arm tackles. Bernard has position versatility as a jack of knives type player who will play wherever the coaching staff needs him and should excel on special teams at the next level, which will be his ticket to playing in the NFL.
Zakhari Franklin / WR / Illinois (SNS Ranking - Unranked )
Franklin’s best game film is two years ago at UTSA where he scored 38 TDs in three seasons in San Antonio as the team’s go-to receiver. After one year at Ole Miss where Franklin had difficulty finding the field, he transferred to Illinois where he posted a respectable season of 55 receptions / 652 yds / 11.9 ypr / 4 TDs. Franklin is very thin and can be outmuscled by physical CBs downfield and he has difficulty gaining a clean release when jammed at the LOS but he possesses very reliable hands, is very quick, knows how to find the end zone, and performs best in crunch time. Franklin is unlikely to get drafted but do not be surprised if he ends up on a practice squad this fall.
Mark Redman / TE / Louisville (SNS Ranking -#24 TE )
“Not all that glitters is gold” comes to mind when thinking about the impending NFL future of Redman who took the NIL pot of gold and transferred from San Diego State, where he was a multi-year starter, to Louisville where he battled injuries and had difficulty finding a role in the offense as a graduate transfer. Redman also finds himself in one of the deepest TE classes to enter the league in decades. Not good timing for Redman but let’s focus on the positives about the experienced college TE. Redman possesses an ideal build for the position and has been very productive when healthy, accounting for six receiving TDs for the last two seasons. Redman is a quality in-line blocker and although not a deep threat, possesses reliable hands and works the middle of the field well. Redman grades as a late round draft pick but is likely to be an UDFA who will push for a roster spot in the fall.
Most of the NFL draft community is sleeping on Etienne, a transfer from Oklahoma State, and in a league that is looking for physical studs, that’s surprising. Etienne possesses a sculpted physique with an ideal blend of size and length. He is a natural athlete with the fluidity and movement skills to man the QB’s blindside. He needs some technique work, specifically in hand use, but has athleticism you can’t teach. Etienne needs to improve his core strength – he is not nearly as strong as he should be. But the biggest issue with Etienne is possibly a fatal flaw – his lack of nastiness. In the NFL, offensive lineman need play with a mean streak and Etienne is too passive and is more of a “catcher” than a “pitcher” of violence. Etienne could get drafted this weekend and will be a priority UDFA if he doesn’t hear his name called in Green Bay this weekend.
Unlike Etienne, who has the physique of a Greek god, Lampkin does not have the body or build that NFL teams covet. Actually, that’s a vast understatement since Lampkin is severely undersized for an IOL at only 5’10 & 3/8” and 270 pounds. Normally, being that undersized automatically eliminates you from draft consideration. But Lampkin is not your normal prospect. His arm length is 32”, which is average for IOL, and impressive considering his lack of height. He was a championship high school wrestler and it shows in his hand use and grip strength. Lampkin started for four years in college, two at Coastal Carolina before transferring to Chapel Hill. He plays with superb leverage and uses his low center of gravity to his advantage; his leverage is his greatest strength. He plays with a nasty disposition that OL coaches will love. Expect Lampkin to be a sought-after prospect when the UDFA period begins at the end of the draft.
Marcus Wehr / IOL / Montana State (SNS Ranking - Unranked)
Wehr has excelled on the FCS level for the last two seasons and turned down numerous FBS offers to chase a national title last season in Bozeman. Wehr has a good build for interior line play and works most effectively in the run game. Montana State ran an RPO-based offense and there will be an adjustment period for Wehr to play in an NFL scheme. He also spends too much time on the ground and his balance may be an issue, but he plays with a nasty edge and works to the echo of the whistle on every play. Wehr looks like an UDFA who will try to earn a job on a practice squad to start his career.
Weaver is a victim of being a talented but flawed prospect in a deep class of similar players and this means he will likely not get drafted. But Weaver has the length and position versatility that the NFL likes in their EDGE players. Weaver works to set a strong edge in the run game as a down lineman but has enough athleticism to play WLB on run downs in the NFL while being a situational rusher off the edge on passing downs. Weaver’s path to NFL playing time will likely be via special teams. Weaver could be a late round selection but will likely have to earn his path as an UDFA.
CJ West / IDL / Indiana (SNS Ranking -#20 IDL; #179 Big Board 300)
Unlike most prospects on this list, West will almost certainly be drafted this weekend in Green Bay. But due to the depth at the IDL position, several quality prospects figure to fall below where their talent merits. West possesses a very quick first step, shoots low, and plays with outstanding leverage. West has good size but lacks the desired length (6’1 & 1/8” / 316 / 31 & ½” Arms / 79 & 1/8” Wingspan) and this, relative to the other similarly ranked prospects, diminishes his value in this loaded class. West grades as a Top 100 prospect in most drafts but looks like a fourth to sixth round draft pick this weekend.
Nash Hutmacher / IDL / Nebraska (SNS Ranking - #39 IDL; Unranked)
Speaking of IDL prospects hurt by the depth of this year’s class, Hutmacher is an old-fashioned, bring your lunch box to work kind of lineman who doesn’t rack up the stats but does the dirty work required up front. Hutmacher was the nation’s top ranked high school wrestler and was a two-sport athlete throughout his college career. His wrestling skill translates well to the football field due to his strength, natural leverage, and strong hands. Most of the scouting community is focusing on his teammate, Ty Robinson, up front. Robinson is another of the quality IDL that Hutmacher is jockeying for draft position against in this loaded draft. Hutmacher should earn a late round draft pick and a spot on some team’s opening 53 man roster this fall.
If drafting simply based on production, Higgins would earn a first-round grade. Higgins is a tackling machine, leading the nation in tackling in 2023 with 171. His instincts and reaction skills are as good as any LB prospect observed in years – he seems to know where the ball is going before the offense lines up. Unfortunately, his foot speed is far below average – he recorded the slowest 40 time (4.82) of any LB at the combine. And his slow speed and limited range hurts his value. But put on his game film and you see a gamer who is always near the ball and seldom misses tackles in space. Higgins plays like a first rounder but runs like an UDFA. Just don’t bet against him starting in the NFL before too long.
Another overlooked Hawkeye defender, Castro possesses neither eye-popping workout numbers nor a fantastic physique. While he is neither small (5’11 & ¼” / 203 / 30 & ¾” Arms) nor slow (4.59 40), he just doesn’t stand out. But Castro has been an impact player in Iowa City for three seasons and he plays best in the clutch. Castro offers versatility and can line up as a slot CB, an in the box safety, and as a free safety handling deep responsibilities. In other words, he is a poor man’s Brian Branch (Lions) and a potential day three steal.
Akili Arnold / S / USC (SNS Ranking - #27 S; Unranked)
In a draft loaded with elite safety prospects, prospects like Arnold are bound to fall through the cracks. Arnold, a transfer from Oregon State, was arguably the best defender on an otherwise poor USC defense and was a force crashing down against the run while providing a last line of defense against the pass. Arnold did not receive any postseason invitations (all-star games and combine) and has seemingly fallen off most draft radars. But Arnold is a gamer, a violent hitter, and has the perfect mental make-up for special teams play. Expect Arnold to compete for a practice squad spot this fall.
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