NFL front offices are brimming with optimism.
The 2025 draft is a little more than two weeks out, and the possibilities are endless.
Depth charts around the league will instantly look better thanks to the difference-makers added to the fray over the draft's three days. General managers will make splash trades to acquire talent. Coaches will explain in news conferences how they'll maximize the skill sets of their new stars.
But, years from now, what looks like a draft haul could make fans cover their eyes when they search their teams' draft history. Many promising prospects simply won't pan out. A draft class can carry a franchise for years -- or stunt its trajectory for the next half-decade.
Much of that success or failure hinges on one variable: the risk assessment when dealing with polarizing prospects. Some of the most talented players come with the most questions. Whether a team can address those questions -- and be comfortable with the answers -- determines the direction of the draft.
Whether it's due to injury, style of play, personal chemistry or organizational fit, players throughout the draft will elicit differing opinions throughout the league. ESPN asked executives, scouts and coaches from around the NFL for their polarizing players in this year's class. These 12 prospects were mentioned the most:
SEC Network analysts Roman Harper and Jordan Reid give their insight on what stands out at the Tigers Pro Day, including the performances of Will Campbell and Mason Taylor.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 14
To illustrate the mixed opinions on Sanders, ESPN asked six high-level personnel evaluators whether they had a first-round grade on the Colorado passer. Four said no; two said yes as a mid-to-late first-round talent.
Players with second-round grades get moved into the first round all the time -- particularly quarterbacks. To be sure, the Cleveland Browns included Sanders on their short list of candidates for the second pick. Sanders will go in the first ... but where?
"I'm fine with Shedeur's personality -- he's tough and works really hard," said an AFC executive who views him as a first-round talent. "He needs to be in a timing offense -- three-step drop, timing, throw."
That's a common refrain from evaluators: The hype around Sanders doesn't bother teams because he's detailed and mature in his football approach. His ability to process at the line of scrimmage and throw with accuracy and touch is impressive.
The concern is more about the ability. Questions about upside abound. One executive said Sanders' ceiling is probably Kirk Cousins or a Baker Mayfield with less arm strength -- quite good, not quite elite.
"If it was me, I couldn't do that," said a separate AFC executive on taking Sanders in the top 10. "Not [a] great athlete, not big, not strong, undisciplined game, comes with scrutiny. Is he going to be good enough?"
One comp from an NFC personnel man: Teddy Bridgewater.
"Fringe starter who makes good decisions and does some good things but won't get you over the top," the personnel man said.
The SEC Now crew takes a look back at the best performances from the Crimson Tide's Pro Day and discuss where Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker stand in the NFL Draft.
Mykel Williams, DL, Georgia
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 9
From the "pro day chatter" file: A personnel evaluator from a team picking late in the first round noticed a counterpart from a team picking in the teens talking with Williams at Georgia's pro day.
"He ain't making it to you," the second man said after speaking to Williams. Both knew why.
"He's a man," the evaluator said. "Long, smooth, bendy."
But questions remain about Williams, whose production (15 tackles, five sacks in 2024) did not overwhelm. Neither did his 4.74-second 40 time at Georgia's pro day, though Williams has been dealing with an ankle injury.
"I thought he'd be a better tester than what he is," an AFC executive said. "Film was good, not productive. He's not [former Georgia standout and No. 1 pick] Travon Walker as far as an athlete. At one point I was thinking top 10, or was hoping for that."
While Williams will almost assuredly go in the first round, where he goes is still unclear. But his upside and positional flexibility along the defensive line should enhance his stock.
"I feel good about him figuring it out -- dependable, tough," a veteran NFL personnel evaluator said. "He plays the game with good feel, good inside rusher, amazing frame, great kid."
Shemar Stewart gets in the backfield to force a fumble and set Marcel Reed up for a Texas A&M touchdown.
Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 19
Polarizing might be a strong label for Campbell, a consensus top-10 pick with projections that indicate stardom.
"He's going to be awesome -- All-Pro caliber guard, and if he's a tackle, he will be better than at least half the tackles in the NFL right off the bat," a high-ranking personnel evaluator with an NFC team said. "Captain, started every game, instinctive. Don't overthink it."
Despite his status as a consensus All-American and recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, debate about his arm length won't quite dissipate. He measured in at 32 5/8 inches at the NFL scouting combine and 33 inches at LSU's pro day. Some teams prefer their tackles to have at least a 34-inch reach.
The top tackles from the 2021 draft, Detroit's Penei Sewell and Los Angeles' Rashawn Slater, measured below that 34-inch mark and have been excellent pros. But when comparing Campbell to them, one AFC exec noted "Sewell was more violent and Slater was quicker ... the lack of ideal length or speed is a factor."
Still, most football purists recognize that Campbell simply knows how to play football -- and thrived in the SEC.
"It [Campbell's measurables] was a thing for a while, but I think people have gotten over it," an AFC executive said.
Added an NFC personnel man: "It's a concern that limits his ability in some way, and he gets beat on the inside edge a little bit. But he knows how to play. It's not like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't draft him because of arm length.'"
Check out some of the top highlights from Ole Miss' Walter Nolen.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 80
Milroe is one of the toughest quarterback evaluations in this draft based on his struggles as a passer in the short-to-intermediate portions of the field. But his enormous potential could tempt teams to pick him somewhat early in the draft.
"At some point someone will say he's too good an athlete to not take," an AFC executive said.
Milroe is a sub-4.4 40 runner who throws a good deep ball, scouts noted, but "has trouble going through his progressions and is not accurate," an NFC executive added. Ten of Milroe's 11 interceptions in 2024 came on throws of 15 air yards or less, via TruMedia, which also cited that Milroe's 6% off-target percentage on throws in that range ranked 46th in the FBS.
A frequent comp for Milroe among scouts: Justin Fields. Both are big and fast quarterbacks who can create chunk yardage in space. As passers, they are quarterbacks with strong arms who can hurt defenses downfield but struggle with accuracy, touch and decision-making. They are good enough throwers to keep defenses honest but are not good enough to warrant a pass-heavy offense tailored around them.
Milroe is viewed as a player who will navigate the tough learning curve by putting in the work.
"If you can sit him for multiple years and then tailor your offense around him, you could really have something," an NFL national scout said. "But you would have to be all-in on his dual-threat ability. Work ethic is not a concern with him."
Check out some of the key numbers behind Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson's college career.
Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 20
Stewart flourished at the Senior Bowl, looking at times like "the best player on the field," according to one personnel evaluator.
"Big, fast, explosive -- lots of physical ability," an NFC executive said. "Just not sure where exactly he's going to go." Added a separate NFC exec: "The community is split on him."
Production is an issue -- 4.5 sacks in 37 collegiate games left much to be desired. The executive believes that's in part because Stewart didn't always look comfortable in the A&M defense.
"Average feet, average instincts, doesn't always really know what's going on," the executive said. "Maybe he can work his way into being a good player at the next level, but he will need to improve in those areas."
A high-ranking NFL defensive coach says Stewart deserves grace for some of his play because the A&M defensive line looked unorganized at times and that can affect a player's bottom line.
An AFC executive adds that Stewart has the physical ability of a top-10 pick but predicts he will probably go in the middle of the first round.
Michael Green makes timely sack vs. Stony Brook
Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 26
Nolen is a big-time talent whose pro day performance was incredible, per multiple scouts.
"Highest ceiling in the entire draft," a veteran NFL defensive coach said. "Not as big as [Jalen] Carter but has some of his traits."
Added an NFC executive: "Impressive traits, and we were fine with his interviews."
Nolen had pass-rush production with 6.5 sacks in 2024, a solid number for a 305-pounder.
Multiple scouts have maturity concerns, however. There are several NFL scouting reports that reflect Nolen's history of walking off the practice field mid-session due to frustration.
Opinions of his team interviews are varied, but one NFL personnel executive said Nolen came across as someone who wants to improve and shed bad habits.
"He's searching for solutions," the exec said. "He's young." Nolen turned 21 in October.
Going to a veteran-laden locker room could help Nolen.
"Your hands will be full and you need a real plan for him, but I have a hard time thinking he falls out of the top 20," the coach said.
Kaleb Johnson finds a hole up the middle and goes 41 yards for a Hawkeyes touchdown.
Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 78
Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland are battling for the top tight end spot, and which player goes first in the draft will depend on team preference. Loveland is considered the more explosive player, while Warren probably gets the edge on playing style and feel for the game.
The third-best tight end prospect out of the Big Ten is Ferguson, a productive pass catcher with adequate speed and the ability to stretch the field. The question with Ferguson is physicality.
"Good athlete, probably not as physical as you'd like," an AFC executive said. "Not quite as finesse as [Mike] Gesicki but not as physical as you'd hope. Though I think he has worked to answer that in the pre-draft process and the Senior Bowl."
If the Eagles move on from Dallas Goedert, tight end could make sense for them on Day 2, a potential sweet spot for Ferguson.
Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard looks noticeably gassed after leading the Fighting Irish on a record 18-play drive for a touchdown.
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 22
Green wowed at the Senior Bowl with impressive traits, building off the momentum of a 17-sack campaign in 2024.
"His tape was middle-of-first-round good," an NFC executive said.
Whether he lands there or falls is up for debate due to two reported sexual assault allegations against him, one from high school and one while he was at Virginia, his first college. Green denied the allegations at the NFL scouting combine, adding that he was never charged.
"There's accusations out there," Green said. "I've never been questioned. I've never been asked. You know what I'm saying? Like, nobody ever asked me a question about what happened before I departed from Virginia. It was just accusations that caused me to leave from there."
But this is something that teams have been trying to process, and multiple execs admitted that the presence of the allegations affects their outlook on Green to some degree. Multiple people we spoke to for this story have linked Atlanta as a potential landing spot for Green at No. 15.
Michael Penix Jr. is hit as he throws and gets picked off by Will Johnson along the sideline.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 61
One of the most productive running backs in the draft class finished 2024 with 1,537 rushing yards on 6.4 yards per carry and 21 rushing scores. Most evaluators consulted for this story have Johnson as a late Day 2 pick, while noting that fit will be crucial for him.
"He's got to go to a wide zone [rushing] team," an AFC executive said. "The scheme fits him well, and he's going to be a solid pro, but if you're looking for somebody with early quickness or avoidability, he doesn't have that."
Examples of wide zone rushing teams include the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN ranks Johnson as the No. 5 running back in the class. The Denver Broncos, badly in need of tailback help, recently hosted Johnson on a top-30 visit.
"Straight-line juice, very decisive when he gets north and south," an NFL personnel evaluator added. "He's not a sudden mover. He's a linear glider."
Tetairoa McMillan runs down the sideline for the game-tying Wildcats touchdown.
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: Not in top 300
Multiple personnel evaluators I trust really like Leonard -- in fact, they like him in the top three to five in the quarterback class. In what's considered a weaker QB draft group, Leonard's intangibles and explosiveness stand out. But, not with everyone.
"I don't get it," said one AFC scout who ranks Leonard ninth in this year's quarterback class. "He's elevated [the boards of] a couple of teams. [I'm] just not a fan of the thrower."
Leonard helped Duke win 17 games his final two seasons there before transferring to Notre Dame, which reached the national title game with Leonard under center.
"Big, athletic, raw basketball background, smart, great kid, super tough -- just not accurate or a gifted passer," an AFC executive said.
Leonard's ability to keep plays alive with his football instincts could help him offset deficiencies as a passer while he figures out the pro game.
"I actually think he has more in his arm," a veteran NFC scout said. "He needs a really good offensive coach to help develop him behind the scenes."
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 12
A star since high school, Johnson has the length (6-foot-2) and ball skills (nine interceptions in 32 collegiate games) to be drafted in the top half of the first round. Teams love his ability to break on the ball. But Johnson needs to prove his durability after missing time with knee and shoulder injuries in college. Scheme will be crucial for him, too.
"He needs to be in a vision zone scheme; let him attack what's in front of him," an NFL coordinator said. "If you want him to match up against the best guy every down, that's not him."
Examples of zone defenses that would fit Johnson include the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks. Johnson has not run a 40-yard dash leading up to the draft, but he's set to conduct a pro day for teams Monday, now that he's healthy following a hamstring issue. An NFL coordinator believes doing so will help him.
"Can't tell how fast he truly is from the tape, " the coordinator said.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Scouts Inc. overall draft rank: 15
With no receiver unquestionably tracking for the top 10 (Travis Hunter notwithstanding), several are jockeying for top position. McMillan is among them, competing directly with Texas' Matthew Golden and Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka.
McMillan has ideal size at 6-foot-5, 212 pounds, but while a 4.48-second 40 time from his pro day is solid, he's not known for creating separation. Any Mike Evans comparisons should probably stop early. Evans' 35 1/8-inch wingspan is nearly four inches longer than that of McMillan, who is listed nearly 20 pounds lighter than Evans.
"The good is really good, but the bad is pretty bad," an NFL coordinator said. "The good is elite ball skills, burst after the catch. The bad is not running routes full speed."
Added an NFL offensive coach: "I like him a lot -- he's not Randy Moss at 6-4 just running past everyone, but he catches everything around 10 yards and closer to the line of scrimmage, and he can physically get people off him to use his long arms to snag it. In a perfect world he'd be like the next Michael Thomas."