NFL Draft 2025: Ranking top 5 best defensive players available in Round 2

Every NFL Draft brings its fair share of surprises, and once again, medical concerns have shaken up the board. This year, the spotlight fell on Will Johnson, Michigan’s standout cornerback, who unexpectedly slid out of the first round on Thursday night.

Widely regarded as the top cornerback in the 2025 class, Johnson's draft stock took a hit following reports from Albert Breer of SI.com, revealing that teams had flagged a knee issue. While the injury isn’t expected to affect his immediate availability, there are lingering concerns about his long-term durability. Adding to the caution, Johnson missed time last season with shoulder and toe injuries, and a hamstring tweak kept him from participating in Michigan's Pro Day.

Despite only suiting up for six games in 2024, Johnson made his presence felt—posting 14 tackles, defending three passes, and returning two interceptions for touchdowns. His impact didn't go unnoticed, as he still earned second-team All-Big Ten honors. The year prior, he claimed a spot on the first team with 27 tackles, four picks, and four pass breakups, helping the Wolverines secure a national title.

Over his collegiate career, Johnson allowed just two touchdowns in coverage, tallied nine interceptions, and held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 31.0—the second-lowest in the FBS between 2022 and 2024. He’s clearly a game-changing talent, but in a league where longevity is everything, teams were wary of the red flags, leading to his unexpected fall out of Round 1.

Revel checks all the physical boxes for an NFL-caliber outside corner—boasting the ideal blend of size, length, and fluid movement. His quick feet and sharp change-of-direction ability allow him to mirror receivers effectively, and his natural ball skills make life difficult for anyone lined up across from him.

An ACL injury early in the 2024 campaign sidelined him for most of the season, but even in limited action, he showed enough flashes to turn heads. If team doctors give him the green light, it's likely he'll draw serious interest around the league.

That said, there’s still room for growth. He could benefit from adding more functional strength, and like many young defensive backs, his technique can be hit-or-miss. Still, with his frame, athletic twitch, and scheme versatility, Revel offers the kind of upside that coaches and scouts love to bet on.

After spending his first three collegiate seasons with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in the Sun Belt, Amos made a seamless jump to the SEC—proving he could more than hold his own against elite-level talent. He saw action with Alabama in 2023, then truly emerged as a standout during his final year as a full-time starter for Ole Miss.

In 2024, he earned First-Team All-SEC recognition, anchoring the Rebels’ secondary with a career-best campaign: 13 pass breakups, three interceptions, and 50 tackles—3.5 of them for loss—plus a forced fumble to round out his impact.

Whether playing press or dropping into zone, Amos brings intensity and timing to the table. He doesn't just aim to disrupt passes—he plays the ball with the mindset of taking it away. He’s most effective on the outside, where his instincts, competitiveness, and physicality shine.

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Emmanwori turned heads with a jaw-dropping athletic display in the Combine, leading all prospects with a 43-inch vertical leap and an 11-foot-6 broad jump. He backed that up with blazing speed, clocking a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash.

Per ESPN Research, he joined elite company as just the fourth player since 2003 measuring 6-foot-3 or taller to notch a vertical above 40 inches and run sub-4.4—alongside Bryce Ford-Wheaton (2023), Tariq Woolen (2022), and DK Metcalf (2019).

The accolades matched the athleticism. In his junior season, Emmanwori earned First-Team AP All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors, pacing South Carolina with 88 tackles. He also picked off four passes—two of which he returned for touchdowns—and started every game. His breakout moment came in Week 8 against Oklahoma, where he snagged two interceptions, taking one to the house.

Over his three-year college career, Emmanwori was a model of consistency. As a sophomore, he posted 71 tackles, two picks, and eight pass deflections across 11 starts. As a freshman, he led the team with 85 tackles and secured Freshman All-American and SEC All-Freshman Team nods.

Carson Schwesinger is a natural at the linebacker spot—instinctive, rangy, and equipped with impressive coverage chops. Against the run, he processes plays in a flash, routinely beating blockers to the punch with quick recognition and sharp angles. He’s slippery in space, often ducking under or sidestepping would-be blockers with ease, though he can get tied up when forced into direct contact.

What he lacks in sheer physicality, he makes up for with sideline-to-sideline speed and relentless pursuit. He’s not a punishing hitter, but his tackling is sound and consistent. In coverage, he moves with grace and fluidity, able to stick with tight ends and backs thanks to his short-area burst and change of direction. His motor never cools—he’s in on the action from whistle to whistle.

Last season, the 6ft2in, 225-pounder led the Big Ten with 90 solo tackles, part of a staggering 136 total stops. He also notched nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and picked off two passes—an all-around stat line that reflects his high-energy, high-IQ play style. While he doesn’t boast intimidating size, his speed, instincts, and effort make him a production machine.