2025 NFL Draft stock watch: Risers and sliders after Week 6 – Ole Miss, Ohio State, and Oregon prospects shine; projected Day 2 ACC prospect tumbles
It was a wild Week 6 on the college football schedule, as three teams nationally ranked in the top 10—Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri—fell from the ranks of the undefeated. Rutgers also saw its first blemish on a 4-0 record.
Looking at this weekend from the perspective of NFL prospects, several big-name players on the line of scrimmage stood out and improved their draft stocks, while another continued to struggle. Here are the rises and sliders for Week 6.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Risers after Week 6 of college football
#1 Walter Nolen (DT/Mississippi)
The Rebels spent a lot of money in the offseason bringing in transfers with large NIL deals, and Nolen was one of their prized signings. Thus far, he’s turned out to be a good investment for Mississippi.
Nolen has built a lot of momentum recently, totaling seven tackles in the close loss to Kentucky last week then dominating play Saturday. During the victory over South Carolina, he finished with five tackles, three TFLs, and one sack and recovered a fumble.
Nolen had his way with the Gamecocks offensive line and helped hold the South Carolina offense to 219 total yards. He’s an athletic big man who occupies blockers and makes plays on the football.
Presently graded as an early second-round choice, Nolen could easily move into the first frame with more performances, such as the one this weekend.
#2 Ty Robinson (DL/Nebraska)
The Cornhuskers beat Rutgers, 14-7, knocking the Scarlet Knights from the ranks of the undefeated and winning their fifth game of the season.
Nebraska held Rutgers to 264 yards total offense, and star running back Kyle Monangai rushed for just 78 yards.
Robinson was a menace up front and disrupted the action all game. Lining up all over the defensive line for the Blackshirt defense, including nose tackle, Robinson is quick, plays with leverage, and does a great job using his hands.
His stat line, which included three tackles, two TFLs, one sack, and one QBH, told a fraction of the story.
Robinson found a way to penetrate the line of scrimmage most of the game, forcing the Rutgers quarterback to move from the pocket and disrupting the passer’s timing.
Measuring 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, Robinson is expected to test well before the draft and is a legitimate middle-round choice.
#3 Donovan Jackson (G/Ohio State)
Before the 2023 college season, some predicted Jackson was a first-round prospect for the following draft, but he played horribly all year. Jackson made the right move, returning to Ohio State for another season, and he has played significantly better this season.
He’s a mobile big man who is effective at the line of scrimmage and on the move. He was terrific against a tough Iowa defensive line, as the Buckeyes offense rolled up more than 400 total yards on its way to a 35-7 victory over the Hawkeyes.
Jackson needs to improve his run-blocking strength, yet the ability to line up in a zone-blocking scheme will cement him as a Day 2 pick.
#4 Jordan James (RB/Oregon)
After being a rotational back with Bucky Irving last season, James has taken over as the feature runner at Oregon and is performing incredibly well. In five games, he’s rushed for a total of 552 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry and scoring five TDs.
Included in those numbers was a 166-yard performance during the victory over Michigan State on Friday. James is a well-built ball player with an explosive style who displays the ability to run away from defenders or run over them.
He grades as a middle-round prospect but he could easily jump into the second day of the draft if he continues this pace.
Sleeper Prospects in 2025 NFL Draft class
#1 Malachi Fields (WR/Virginia)
After seasons of tragedy and turmoil, the Cavaliers are a surprising 4-1 this year. The come-from-behind victory over Boston College on Saturday is further proof that they will contend in the weak ACC this season.
Fields, a large possession wideout, is having another terrific season and building a buzz in the scouting community. Despite being a big-bodied receiver, Fields is averaging 14.5 yards on 24 receptions over five games.
Fields is rounding into a complete wideout, and his reliable hands and large frame will be attractive to teams when the junior decides to enter the draft.
Small-school Prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft Class
#1 Andre Jefferson (DT/Lenoir Rhyne)
Jefferson has been graded as a draftable prospect by league scouts the past two seasons, and the tape justifies this opinion. He’s an indomitable force in the middle of the line who consistently blows up the opponent’s game plan.
Consider these numbers; as a sophomore in 2022, Jefferson totaled 53 tackles, 15 TFLs and 13 sacks. A year later, it was 58 tackles, 24 TFLs and 13 sacks. In five games this season, he’s accumulated 27 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and five sacks, as well as six QBHs. Added to that are the five kicks Jefferson has blocked in college.
He’s a lineman who plays with leverage, possesses great first-step quickness, and easily moves around the field. The lack of size is an issue, as he’ll likely measure under 6-foot-1.5 and tip the scales around 285 pounds.
He has the style and substance of a three-technique/one-gap tackle and will land in the late rounds with good performances leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
2025 NFL Draft stock: Sliders after Week 6 games
#1 Ashton Gillotte (DL/Louisville)
Gillotte chose to return to Louisville despite grading as a Day 2 pick in the draft the following a 2023 season that included 11 sacks and 14.5 TFLs. Thus far this year, he’s played like a free agent.
In five games, he’s totaled just 13 tackles and a single sack. Against SMU this past weekend, his stat line read one tackle with blanks in every other category.
Several teams wonder where Gillotte will line up, as his 6-foot-2.5, 275-pound frame has raised red flags. His poor play this season also gives them additional reasons to be concerned.