Film analyst Nate Christensen reveals 10 players he would like to see make their way to Kansas City.
Every year during the draft process, I like to identify my 10 favorite players in the draft. Typically, I don’t like having the best prospects in the class be my favorite players; I prefer selecting guys who I rate higher than the consensus and who I find to be underrated.
With that said, here are my 10 favorite players of the 2025 draft class:
Damien Martinez, RB, Miami
Read more about Martinez.
Since I first watched Martinez, my comparison for him has been young Kareem Hunt. Martinez is a bowling ball runner who will run through contact and physicality, but he also has good vision and can make cuts in space. Martinez — like Hunt — lacks elite size of top-gear speed, but their explosiveness between 0-20 yards is strong and makes each dynamic.
My favorite part about Martinez is his utility in multiple offenses. At Oregon State, he was successful in an under-center, outside zone scheme. At Miami, he operated well from the gun and on Duo runs, where he was targeting the interior. Martinez is a scheme-versatile back who is expected to have a long career.
Grade: Round 2
Jordan James, RB, Oregon
I haven’t written about James this draft season, but I’m a big fan of him. When I watched James, I kept remarking that while he doesn’t have the elite top gear to make explosive plays, he would find any way to get six yards. He has enough bounce to be successful running outside zone or between the tackles. He’s explosive when he first touches the ball and runs with excellent patience and vision. James can’t explode into open space for big plays, but is an efficient runner who can carve out yards. I see a starting running back for a long time.
Grade: Round 3
Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State
I watched Horton for the first time last Thursday and added him to this list afterwards. Horton tore his ACL during the 2024 season, limiting him to five games. When he’s healthy, he’s awesome. Watching his game against Travis Hunter in 2023, you see him succeed against high-level competition. He’s got a release package to get off press and win downfield. Horton has long legs that allow him to press a vertical release and be explosive, but he has good deceleration to create separation.
Horton has elite ball skills. His coordination in tracking and bringing down passes is excellent. Horton has great hands in general. He can catch a slant with the ball behind him or outside his frame and instantly get upfield. He’s a smooth athlete who looks natural running routes.
Horton does need to improve his route running, but he can create separation, gain yards after the catch, and catch the ball through contact. If you’re worried about his injury, he ran a 4.46 at the combine in March after getting hurt in-season.
Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
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I’ve been lower on this tight end class than the consensus, but I enjoy Gadsden. Gadsden has multiple seasons of elite production, including the year after a serious injury. Gadsden is a wide receiver convert, and you can see that in his game. He’s got long legs and good vertical speed as a downfield route runner.
Gadsden plays a majority of his snaps from the slot, running slot fades and vertical routes from there, but as his career went on, he’s played more inline tight end. Gadsden still needs work on his blocking, but his frame suggests he could gain more weight, and he’s already improved his blocking.
Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue
I haven’t written about Mbow, but he was one of the most fun players to watch. Mbow played right tackle for Purdue, but his lack of length will push him inside, which is a great fit for his skill set. Mbow is incredibly athletic and explosive in space. He can reach angles on the second level that many can’t. Mbow also has powerful hands that can knock defenders off his feet. I think Mbow is a natural fit at center or guard. His range and speed make him ideal for an outside zone center, but he’s strong enough to play guard. I want this guy on my offensive line.
Princely Umanmielen, DE, Ole Miss
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Umanmielen is a sick player to watch on tape. His pass rush bag is deep. He has a variety of moves he can use to get around the corner and sequences his moves well. Umanmielen is more agile than explosive, but he can bend or spin inside and make tackles look easy. He certainly lacks power and length, but he’s a Day 1-ready pass rusher that will add a dynamic, quick-winning piece to your front.
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
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I’ve called Nolen the best interior pass rusher of this class. Nolen’s flashes are wild. When he explodes into a block with his hands, he can knock any offensive linemen over. His burst and bend at that size is absurd. Nolen’s consistency is a knock, and he can play too far upfield, but the moves he can perform and the flashes are special. If Nolen gets with a good coach, he has All-Pro upside with his pass-rush ability.
T.J. Sanders, DT, South Carolina
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Sanders didn’t have a large role on the South Carolina defense, but I felt he was their best player. Sanders is a dynamic pass rusher. His agility and explosiveness are elite. Sanders can take advantage of slow guards with his quickness, but he mixes in a good bull rush to round out his game. Sanders will have to prove he’s competent against the run, but I buy his pass rush ability translating.
Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss
Amos feels so safe to me. He’s a smart zone corner with great instincts and ball skills, but he’s also functional in man coverage. Amos lacks the ideal size to jam, but his footwork and agility are strong enough to match releases. Amos will find a role in any defense, and I feel safe about his floor.
Andrew Mukaba, S, Texas
Mukaba definitely has limitations. I wouldn’t want him covering too much range in coverage. However, his run defense is elite. He will crash into the run fit from depth in Quarters or can play in the box vs. blocks. Mukaba has some massive hits on film and will make you earn everything. With the league trending towards Quarters defenses, Mukaba has a skill set that can work in many spots. He will be a tonesetter for your defense.