Florida State 2025 NFL Draft Expert Projections: Insider Tony Pauline previews DJ Uiagalelei, Patrick Payton, and more
The Seminoles ran roughshod over the competition last season only to be snubbed by the selection committee, and they were left on the outside looking in when the CFB playoffs were announced.
The team proved its worth in the draft, with six top-100 picks last April. That number will be significantly reduced next year.
Florida State Seminoles' NFL Draft 2025 Preview
#1 Patrick Payton
Right now, the only possible top-100 prospect on my board is pass rusher Patrick Payton. He’s an athletic pass rusher in the mold of former Jets first-round pick Jermaine Johnson, as he is tall, athletic, and explosive.
Payton does not play with the same intensity or aggressiveness as Johnson, which is a problem. He has a large upside and will move up draft boards if he plays hard on every down.
Alabama transfer Roydell Williams has a nice-sized back and a hard-charging style. He’s a grinder on the inside who also weaves through the traffic to create yardage.
#2 Lawrance Toafili
I was very high on the team’s other ball carrier, Lawrance Toafili, entering last season’ yet he was disappointing and really didn’t show much improvement in his game.
Toafili is an explosive back who is a legitimate threat as a pass catcher. A lot of scouts have a free-agent grade on the senior, yet I believe he has enough ability to be a situational runner who can also line up on the flanks as a receiver.
Despite my opinions and high hopes for Toafili, he must turn in a big season to hear his name called in the draft next year.
#3 DJ Uiagalelei
After a year spent playing for Oregon State, DJ Uiagalelei returns to the ACC, hoping to get his revenge against Clemson as much as anything else.
During the COVID season of 2020, Uiagalelei filled in for Trevor Lawrence when the then-Clemson starting quarterback and eventual first pick of the draft tested positive for the virus.
During those two starts, Uiagalelei looked terrific and had Clemson fans as well as NFL scouts excited. Yet the following two seasons were met with disappointment at Clemson, and though Uiagalelei was not terrible, he was very inconsistent and never came close to the legacy of Lawrence.
He played reasonably well for Oregon State last season and must now take over for Jordan Travis at FSU.
Uiagalelei has great size, arm strength, and physical skills for the next level. He must improve his ball security, but he has a lot of upside.
If Uiagalelei performs this season as he has the prior three, he’s a late-round pick. Yet if he starts to meet expectations, he will skyrocket up draft boards.
Florida State 2025 NFL Draft Projections by Tony Pauline