Who Are 7 Most Polarizing 2025 NFL Draft Prospects?

Every NFL draft class has its sure things—blue-chip prospects who command near-universal praise. But just as fascinating are the players who divide scouts and front offices alike. 

The 2025 draft class is no different. It’s a cycle that has been described as a ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ class in regards to where players could come off the board. From toolsy quarterbacks with inconsistent traits in the pocket to dominant athletes with raw technique, several players have the league split on their true value. Some teams may see a future All-Pro while others may have a day-three grade. 

Below, I’ll break down the most polarizing prospects in the class, what makes them special, what holds them back, and why opinions on them vary so widely.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Shedeur Sanders has the poise, accuracy, and mechanics of a high-level passer. However, his pocket presence is a double-edged sword, as his internal clock needs work and his mobility inside the tackles projects as league average—especially when he faces higher-level athletes up front. His inconsistencies post-snap in identifying matchups to take advantage of often lead to unnecessary sacks on must-have-it downs. Some teams have him as a top-15 player, while some have him labeled as a day-two talent. How he handles NFL pressure with less-than-ideal surroundings, and his correlating ability to extend plays with his legs while touting the arm talent to threaten teams vertically, remains a question.

Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue

Marcus Mbow has the frame (verified 6-foot-4, 308 pounds), length (verified 33 inches on the arm), and footwork to be a high-end offensive line prospect, but his tape is a mixed bag of really good and some not so good. Some evaluators love his power and finishing ability in the run game along with his ability to mix up looks in pass protection with varying stabs and footwork. Others see extremely inconsistent technique, particularly against speed rushers. His best position at the next level—guard, tackle, or center—also remains a topic of debate, which could impact his draft value. If everything comes together for Mbow, expect him to compete for a starting gig at the next level, likely as a late-day-two pick.

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

A former five-star recruit, Shemar Stewart has all the tools NFL teams covet at EDGE—size, power, and flashes of a ballplayer that can take over a football game. However, his lack of production over three seasons in the SEC (six sacks combined) has some teams weary. Personally, Stewart is a lock for day one as his explosiveness and bend are flat-out ridiculous at his size. He’s also an underrated run defender. Now, his repertoire as a pass-rusher has room to grow, absolutely, but working under the tutelage of an NFL D-line coach could see the metaphorical lightbulb click in Stewart’s game to showcase a potential 10-sack-a-year talent.

Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky

Deone Walker could be an absolute force at 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds. His potential to collapse the pocket and disrupt in the run game is undeniable. However, his role at the next level is a major question mark. Some see a dominant 3-technique, while others view him as an athlete with limited muscle mass, minimal pass-rush upside against NFL interior blockers, and evident conditioning concerns. At his best, Walker is a piece to build around up front. But currently, teams have more questions than answers when it comes to Walker’s immediate projectability, and how much draft capital to allocate toward him in such a deep class up front.  

Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

Cam Skattebo doesn’t have the prototypical size or breakaway speed of an early-round back, but his toughness, vision, and ability to break tackles are traits that translate. His unique running style—almost fullback-like in nature—has led to debates over his role on Sundays. Some scouts see a key rotational back who does the little things well, while others think his lack of elite traits caps his ceiling. Wherever he lands, expect Skattebo to challenge for snaps quickly in his career as a true do-it-all playmaker in the backfield, no matter what type of picture his testing paints at the NFL Scouting Combine.  

Arian Smith, WR, Georgia

Expected to be one of, if not the fastest players in the 40 in Indianapolis, Arian Smith is capable of taking the top off any defense. But the question is: can he be more than just a deep threat? And more so, can he catch the ball with consistency? His route-running can be classified as raw, yet it remains underrated at this point in time where Smith has shown the nuance and route tree to press or snap off routes at varying depths (see Alabama and Mississippi State tape). Some evaluators see a potential game-breaking, rotational weapon in the right system, while others worry he’s simply a track star who won’t be able to make the transition to the highest level of the game. The bottom line when it comes to Smith is he’s potentially the type of player you could look back on two or three years from now and ask why your GM didn’t take a shot. 

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Jalen Milroe’s electric athleticism and deep-ball ability make him one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the class. He’s built like a tank (verified 6-foot-1, 220 pounds) and can make plays off-script that few others can. However, concerns about his processing and accuracy in the intermediate areas make him an interesting case study in a class searching for solidified answers at the QB position. Some scouts see a high-upside project whose floor as a rusher remains highly intriguing, while others think he’ll struggle to develop as a consistent NFL passer. Should Milroe fine-tune the nuances of his game, the sky's the limit toward what he could be as a dynamic playbook extender.