The Draft Network released its highly-anticipated first iteration of Draft Network 100 on Monday, ranking the top 100 draft-eligible prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Our in-house scouts spent months combing through tape on more than 300 prospects, conducting cross-checks with one another, and collaborating on the list.
These rankings will change throughout the college football season and into the spring as more games are scouted and The Draft Network has more in-person touchpoints for evaluation like the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine.
Until then, we've identified three prospects that are too high on the initial list.
Donovan Jackson, IOL, Ohio State (No. 9 overall)
Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson received legitimate second-round buzz throughout the 2024 NFL Draft process. Jackson declined that interest, ultimately deciding to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season. He's one of college football's best returning talents, but No. 9 overall feels awfully elite for a player I'd classify as having a better 2022 campaign than he did this past year.
Jackson wouldn't have been a top-five interior offensive lineman prospect had he entered the 2024 draft. A top 10 overall ranking should be reserved for generational guard prospects like Quenton Nelson, and Jackson isn't that caliber of prospect. He does project as a starting-caliber player, but I don't see the top-10-pick upside that's being suggested here.
Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia (No. 23 overall)
We're anticipating a massive 2024 campaign for Georgia tight end Oscar Delp and it's easy to understand why. With Brock Bowers no longer present, Delp projects as a go-to option in the Bulldogs offense. This ranking could look awfully smart in a few short months, but I'd personally prefer to see him meet those expectations before earning a top 25 overall ranking.
Delp recorded 24 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Cumming, Georgia native enjoyed just one 50-yard receiving showing and it occurred against Ball State in a Week 2 blowout victory. Delp is undeniably going to take a sizable step forward in Bowers' absence, but the towering pass-catcher must first prove capable of filling those shoes before receiving this sort of respect.
Lander Barton, LB, Utah (No. 27 overall)
I'm objecting to another projection. Utah linebacker Landon Barton is an inexperienced defender entering his junior campaign. Barton has appeared in 21 career games with 10 starts. The local product suffered a season-ending foot injury just seven games into his 2023 season, his first as an unquestioned starter.
That injury limited Barton's production to 34 tackles, zero sacks, and 0.5 tackles for loss. He ranked third on the team in tackles at the time of his setback but did show upside as a coverage defender by racking up two interceptions and four pass breakups via few opportunities. Barton has flashed sideline-to-sideline capabilities in short spurts, but he must stay healthy this season while proving the injury didn't stall his development.
Barton also plays a lesser-valued position at off-ball linebacker. It's premature to have him ranked as the No. 27 overall prospect and second-ranked linebacker.
