The NFL Draft is when teams select new players for their teams. It’s similar to selecting teammates for a game, but with much more riding on it. Teams attempt to predict which players will be stars based on what they’ve done and who they are. But it’s not always a sure thing — some choices are good, some aren’t.
The saying “for someone to rise, someone must fall” is that if a player increases in rankings, another must decrease. It’s a competitive process, and players can fall on the draft list even if they haven’t done anything wrong — it might simply be that other players are all of a sudden more in demand.
For the 2025 NFL Draft, analysts mention that there aren’t a ton of superstar-caliber players up top, similar to some seasons in the past. Rather, the draft is deep, such that there are plenty of fairly good players, and the disparity between a first-round and second-round pick isn’t that dramatic.
The author is joking in a lighthearted way by stating that these players aren’t really in trouble — they’re not making a call to Life Alert, a device elderly people have in case they have fallen and need assistance. Rather, the implication is that some of these young football players, once expected to be taken early in the draft (in the first round), could now be drafted later than anticipated.
That doesn’t imply they’re bad players — it just implies their worth in the minds of NFL teams has decreased a little bit, due to reasons such as team requirements, other players playing better, or simply strategy changes.
The article is now going to mention those players who were previously thought to be first-round picks but could “fall down the draft board,” which means they could be picked later than initially considered.
Which NFL draft players might fall in 2025, and why?
Sanders was once considered the likely No. 1 overall pick. Today, there is doubt that he even finishes in the top 10. The Colorado quarterback’s pick range has never been greater, and he is an obvious choice to fall off the draft board.Deion Sanders recently commented on the advantages of being drafted later in that those are the stronger teams, which sounded like him setting the stage for that to occur. The next NFL quarterback could be living that reality with arm strength and other issues beginning to become more widespread.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
Will Johnson is a talented University of Michigan cornerback. Though he was initially thought to be a sure thing as a first-round draft choice, he could fall back down the board. This could happen because of the changing needs of teams, the rise in other cornerbacks, or questions of fit or play. Still, his abilities and college productivity continue to make him an asset for teams who require secondary assistance.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Tetairoa McMillan is an Arizona standout wide receiver who boasts size, catch radius, and playmaking skills. Even with solid college play, he’s a player who might slide in the draft. It might be because of the depth of the 2025 wide receiver class, concerns about speed or separation against top-tier defenders, or simply changing team priorities. Nevertheless, McMillan’s potential makes him an interesting candidate for teams seeking to bring size and red-zone threats to their offense.
Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Tyler Booker, an Alabama offensive guard, is a source of power, ruggedness, and SEC-level ability. He was previously considered to be a surefire first-rounder, but he may fall because the positional value on interior offensive linemen is weaker in the draft. Guards rarely go early unless they are phenomenal, but Booker’s strength and run-blocking abilities still render him a solid Day 2 target. Teams that are in need of interior line assistance will undoubtedly keep a close eye on him.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. is an explosive EDGE pass-rusher out of Tennessee, who is noted for his speed, bend, and pass-rushing upside. He was considered a top-10 pick early in the draft process but might see his draft stock fall a bit based on team schemes, depth at EDGE, or inconsistencies. Despite those factors, Pearce’s athletic potential and pass-rushing ability make him a quality prospect who might still be available late in the first or early in the second round.
