WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Many NFL draft prospects from and with ties to the DMV are expected to hear their names called in the 2025 NFL draft. The DC News Now sports team has you covered with who could be drafted, what they can bring to NFL teams and where and when they may be selected.
Projection: Late 1st-2nd round pick – Drafted No. 28 overall by the Detroit Lions
Williams became the first Washington, D.C. area native off the board when the Lions selected him late in the first round. Williams is a native of Manassas, Virginia and played high school football at Unity Reed. With the Buckeyes, Williams was the anchor of the top defense in the nation. He was an All-Big Ten player all four years of college, excelling in rush defense.
Projection: 2nd-3rd round pick – Drafted 3rd round, No. 82 overall by the Tennessee Titans
A former DeMatha standout, Winston could be a big boost to an NFL secondary. He broke out in 2023 at Penn State, starting every game for the Nittany Lions. Winston posted a team high 60 tackles, with two fumble recoveries, an interception and five pass breakups. He tore his ACL early in his junior year, but told DC News Now, he’s feeling good and ready for the next level.
Projection: 3rd-4th round pick – Drafted 3rd round, No. 102 overall by the Minnesota Vikings
Felton’s local ties are strong – the Ashburn, Virginia native starred in high school at Stone Bridge high school, before four impactful years at Maryland. With the Terps, Felton really shined as a senior, finishing the season with 96 receptions, 1,124 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. Felton could be a sleeper pick for an NFL team.
Projection: 4th-5th round pick
Before five solid seasons at Virginia Tech, Strong starred at Wise high school for then-head coach DaLawn Parrish. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native served as a playmaking safety for the Hokies. Strong finished his fifth season in Blacksburg with a career high 32 tackles. He posted seven interceptions, 27 pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble during his career.
Projection: 4th-6th round pick
Asante had a long college career, splitting six years at North Carolina and most recently Auburn. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Asante played high school football at Westfield. Asante is a fast, explosive player, who posted 7.5 sacks in the past couple of seasons.
Projection: 4th-6th round pick
Longerbeam is another local prospect from Alexandria, Virginia. Longerbeam played his high school football at Alexandria City. While he’s smaller than most NFL cornerbacks at 5”11, Longerbeam has made up for that with his play, posting five impressive seasons at Rutgers. He posted a career high 11 pass deflections and two interceptions in his final season of college football.
Projection: 5th-6th round pick
Before starring at Auburn, and even before his early college days at Appalachian State, McLeod was a star for head coach Mike Hunter at Friendship Collegiate. The Washingtonian improved his stats each year through his college career. McLeod finished his final season at Auburn with career highs of 56 total tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Projection: 5th-7th round pick
Phillips was a powerful force in College Park at the nose tackle position for two seasons after transferring from Tennessee. At 20-years-old, Phillips is one of the youngest prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. Phillips posted a career high 29 total tackles his final year with the Terps.
Projection: 5th-7th round pick
Hyppolite made waves at the Terps pro day in March, running a 4.39 40-yard dash. That performance should move Hyppolite up some draft boards. He started 46 games for the Terps over five seasons. Hyppolite posted more than 60 total tackles in three of the last four seasons. He added an interception and two pass deflections his fifth and final year in College Park.
Projection: 6th-7th round pick
While Dumas-Johnson hails from Hyattsville, Maryland, he played high school football at Saint Francis Academy in Baltimore. He spent his fourth and final season of college football at Kentucky after three seasons at Georgia. Dumas-Johnson posted 67 total tackles and 3.5 sacks in his senior season.
Projection: 6th-7th round pick
Trader may be the most compelling local prospect in this year’s NFL draft. Trader played football and lacrosse at the University of Maryland. Trader could be the next in a long recent line of Terps defensive backs to be drafted to the NFL. He believes his versatility playing two sports will help him at the next level.
Projection: 7th round pick
Lane is the top prospect from Navy in this year’s NFL draft. Lane played a huge role on the Midshipmen’s defense as a playmaker. Lane started all 13 games for Navy, leading the team with three forced fumbles. He also posted 70 tackles, two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown. Lane was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in his senior season.
Projection: 7th round pick/Priority Undrafted Free Agent
Jules is a talented defensive tackle from Montgomery County, Maryland. He is a native of Germantown and played his high school football at Northwest. Jules spent most of his six year college football career at Pittsburgh, before playing his final season in the SEC at South Carolina. Jules missed part of the season due to injury at South Carolina, he finished his final year of college with 14 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Jules played for the Gamecocks in the Citrus Bowl.
Projection: 7th round pick/Priority Undrafted Free Agent
Prather is shaping up to be an underrated player in the 2025 NFL draft. The Montgomery Village, Maryland native also played his high school football at Northwest. After two years at West Virginia, Prather settled in for two seasons at Maryland. In those two years combined, he posted 98 receptions, 1,290 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
Projection: 7th round pick/Priority Undrafted Free Agent
Akingbesote is another member of the DMV to UMD movement, now hoping to hear his name called in the NFL draft. After an impressive high school career for head coach Dameon Powell at Flowers high school, the Largo, Maryland native starred on the interior of the defensive line for Mike Locksley and the Terrapins for four years, with his role and production increasing each year.
Projection: Undrafted free agents
- Santana Sanders – Offensive Tackle, Old Dominion – From Upper Marlboro, MD, went to C.H. Flowers high school
- Xavier Robiou – Defensive Back, Howard
- Kenny Gallop Jr. – Defensive Back, Howard
- Johnny Hodges – Linebacker, TCU – From Darnestown, MD, went to Quince Orchard high school
- Jahmal Banks – Wide Receiver, Nebraska – From Washington, went to Saint Francis Academy (Baltimore)
- Adin Huntington – Defensive End, Tulane – From Stafford, VA, went to Mountain View high school
- Jarrett Hunter – Running back, Howard – From Mineral, VA, went to Louisa County high school
- Taylor Morin – Wide Reciever, Wake Forest – From Centreville, VA, went to Westfield high school
- Riley Riethman – Punter, Navy
- Josh Kaltenberger – Center, Maryland
