The 5 Most Mysterious Rookies Early in the Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft will reveal answers on Thursday, April 24th, from Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the only certainty being Miami’s Cam Ward flying off the board to the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick.

The 5 Most Mysterious Rookies Early in the Draft

Thereafter, the pecking order gets murkier, though most now expect the Cleveland Browns to draft hybrid cornerback-wide-receiver Travis Hunter. The New York Giants will then decide between quarterback Shedeur Sanders and pass rusher Abdul Carter.

With answers on the way, the top of the draft still has many mysterious players. These are the five mystery guys, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most mysterious).

5. Will Johnson (CB)

College: Michigan

Why the Mystery?

Regarding Johnson, everything was peachy for about two months, unquestionably a Top 12 pick, with objections from the masses.

But then the second week of April arrived, and because Johnson didn’t run a 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, his draft stock has fluctuated. Some have shoved him into the 20s, with an outlier or two forecasting the bottom of Round 1.

Most will brush Johnson’s plunge aside and say, “Not happening.” But Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner wasn’t supposed to slide past the Atlanta Falcons last year.

Johnson is unusually mysterious with draft week now here. Some team could get a steal of a deal if he falls beneath the Top 15.

4. Kelvin Banks (OT)

College: Texas

Why the Mystery?

New York Daily News’ Antwan Staley recently mock-drafted Banks to the Packers — at pick No. 23 — and wrote: “Banks was a three-year starter at left tackle for a Texas offense that uses a combination of a pro-style offense that also uses a lot of motion and RPOs. Some believe Banks could be a guard at the next level. However, with Rasheed Walker in the final year of his contract, Banks is the Packers’ tackle of the future.”

That’s the man who’s No. 13 on the Consensus Big Board dipping 10 spots.

Offensive tackles are absolutely a premium position, and, oddly, Banks isn’t guaranteed to go in the Top 15. He’s a draft slider right now, depending on the mock.

The San Francisco 49ers at pick No. 11 feels like a sound place for Banks, with Trent Williams nearing the end.

3. Tyler Shough (QB)

College: Louisville

Why the Mystery?

Pundits considered Shough an undrafted free agent quarterback in January, climbing to a 7th-Rounder or so in February, and the mid rounds by March.

Now, draft heads have carried him into the back of Round 1, which is just an unbelievable climb in a few months. The Shough smoke probably won’t turn out as valid, but because so many have spitballed an early-round fate for the 6’5″ passer, perhaps the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers theories will come true.

2. Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)

College: East Carolina

Why the Mystery?

Revel Jr. is 24 — really old for a rookie — and recovering from a torn ACL. Those are two large strikes against his draft candidacy and cannot be swept under the rug.

But then that’s it. That’s all that’s wrong with Revel Jr.

In reality, he’ll probably bounce back just fine from his ACL injury, and some general manager may not care about his “advanced age” for a rookie. That executive will draft an incredibly talented football player, one he can start in September or October, assuming the ACL holds up.

Revel Jr.’s size and talent are undeniable.

1. Shedeur Sanders (QB)

College: Colorado

Why the Mystery?

Until two weeks ago, Sanders, the son of Deion, was supposed to join the Browns, a quarterback-needy team that needs an elixir to the Deshaun Watson gaffe.

Life was good.

Lately, though, scouts and general managers have decided that Sanders is not a Top 5 pick, and he could fall to the Steelers at No. 21.

Between all that, the New Orleans Saints became quarterback-hungry, too, as Derek Carr is apparently dealing with an injury that could ruin his 2025 campaign.

Sanders, because of his name and recent draft stock woes, is the most mysterious name in the draft. Bar none.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.