Offensive Small-School NFL Draft Prospects To Watch

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Offensive Small-School NFL Draft Prospects To Watch

Bob Rose · Athlon Sports

Mon, Apr 21, 2025 ·

6 min read

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Few teams have been better at unearthing small-school talent in the NFL Draft than the New Orleans Saints .

This has been especially true with offensive players. Since 2006, these are some of the previously unheralded offensive contributors that have ended up in New Orleans .

• G - Nick Saldiveri (Old Dominion)

• TE - Adam Trautman (Dayton)

• OT - Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff)

• OT - Jermon Bushrod (Towson)

• G - Jahri Evans (Bloomsburg)

• WR - Marques Colston (Hofstra)

The 2025 NFL Draft is now only a few days away. Here are some of the potential small-school gems to keep an eye on in the middle and late rounds among offensive players.

Quinton Cooley, RB (Liberty)

Liberty Flames running back Quinton Cooley (20). Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

After transferring from Wake Forest, Cooley has been a high-volume and highly productive back for the Flames. He led Conference USA with 1,401 rushing yards and 16 scores in 2023, then followed that up with 1,254 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Contributing very little as a receiver at Liberty, there are questions whether Cooley can develop into an every down back. He has just average burst, overall speed, and lateral agility. This leads to concerns about his ability to be effective outside the tackles or to get into space.

Cooley is a tank between the tackles, running with extreme power and leverage. He also shows outstanding vision for open running lanes and good anticipation for where the blocking will create those holes. His blitz pickup is adequate, giving him some value in passing situations.

Quinton Cooley is projected to be a late-Day 3 pick at best, and more likely an undrafted signing. His high collegiate volume is a concern, with his lack of burst or receiving ability limiting him in some systems. However, he'll likely provide immediate value near the goal line and as a between the tackles complement.

Nick Nash, WR (San Jose State)

San Jose State Spartans wide receiver Nick Nash (3) catches a touchdown pass against the Southern California Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

A quarterback for his first three years at San Jose State, Nash didn't even convert to wideout until 2023. Over the last two years, he's caught 152 passes for 2,110 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 104 receptions for 1,382 yards last year were both second among all NCAA players, with his 16 touchdowns leading the NCAA. This led to 1st Team All-American accolades.

Obviously, the biggest concern regarding Nash is his inexperience at the position, which further works against him because of his age. He'll need to not only show that he can handle an NFL route tree but also show that he can develop the route precision to get separation. He must use his body a bit better to shield defenders on contested throws.

Nash showed rapid development as a wideout with outstanding football IQ and awareness of opposing defenses. He possesses a big frame, but also fluid athleticism that makes him a potential mismatch. He'll work the middle of the field well and has terrific ball-tracking skills and extra gear on downfield throws.

Nash could ultimately be an extremely versatile weapon to threaten defenders as a receiver, runner, and even quarterback. He's likely a Day 3 pick with tremendous upside because of that versatility. How much of an immediate impact he makes depends on if he gets a coaching staff that uses his best attributes and knows how to develop him.

Carter Runyon, TE (Towson)

Towson Tigers tight end Carter Runyon (8) catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats. © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin also qualifies, but he's on everyone's radar. The same cannot be said of Runyon, who quietly had 87 catches for 1,035 yards and 9 touchdowns the last two years.

As with any small-school project, there are questions whether Runyon can handle the massive jump in competition. He doesn't have the off-the-charts athleticism of the league's top tight ends. As a result, he may not be much of a factor lined up outside the numbers.

Runyon expertly works the short and intermediate areas of a defense as a receiver. He's shown reliable hands and the ability to shield defenders from the pass. As an in-line blocker, he's able to seal the edge or get push for the running game.

Runyon isn't expected to be drafted, but could be a surprise name in late Day 3. He's a traditional in-line tight end with the underrated receiving ability to be a number two tight end and the blocking skills to be an asset for the running attack in base formations and goal-line packages.

Charles Grant, OT (William & Mary)

William & Mary offensive linemen Charles Grant. Credit: TWSN Sports

Grant is another small-school prospect that scouts have loved long enough for fans to become aware of. He's been equally formidable as both a run blocker and pass protector.

The biggest concern is whether Grant can handle the jump in competition. He'll need to continue his footwork improvement, but could struggle to set a solid base against the more powerful outside rushers.

Grant is a technically sound lineman with great awareness of zone-blocking concepts. He has the vision and agility to pick up combination rushes and also beat speed rushers to outside positions. His leverage and quickness at the snap allows him to immediately open lanes for the rushing attack.

Many have Grant coming off the board before the end of Day 2. There will be a developmental curve, but he has the skills and upside to become a starter on the left side.

Jackson Slater, G (Sacramento State)

American team offensive lineman Jackson Slater of Sacramento State (67) battles defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott of Tennessee (55) during Senior Bowl practice. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

A four-year starter, Slater was one of the most dominant linemen at the FCS level. The 6'3" and 311-Lb. guard is a throwback mauler, but one that holds up well in pass protection.

Slater's lateral agility may be an issue at the NFL level. He's sometimes physically slow to respond to twists and stunts up front. He may also not be an ideal fit for an outside, zone-blocking running scheme.

Slater has the power and leverage to stonewall inside pass rushers to set a consistent pass pocket. For the running game, he fires off the ball with incredible authority to establish an instant hole. He comes out of his stance quickly, giving him the versatility to potentially play the center spot.

Jackson Slater is expected to be a mid-Day 3 pick. His effectiveness likely depends on the scheme he is drafted into, but he's got the raw power to bring value to any team.

The New Orleans Saints need offensive line help. This is a franchise that has also had great success drafting linemen from smaller schools. Charles Grant and Jackson Slater come with a developmental curve, but each have the blocking skills to be solid additions for new Saints head coach Kellen Moore's offense.

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