The 2025 NFL draft cycle is still in its nascent stages, yet certain names have already risen to or near the top of the projected class weeks before an actual contest has yet to be played. The setup is far from stable, though.

Certain names often carry a lot of weight because of an obvious skill set that should translate to the professional level, hence why individuals such as Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. run the table as top prospects. Conversely, others fail to impress and slip down boards. At this same point last year, Kalen King and Leonard Taylor III were popular first-round projections, who eventually experienced massive draft-day slides into Day 3 and beyond.

A middle-ground exists where certain talent maybe doesn't quite live up to expectations but still find themselves as a high draft pick. Let's park in that zone.

Currently, the following seven prospects are generally viewed as top names. But their status is more volatile than others in the class because questions remain about their skill sets and situations. Each has the potential to be a top-15 selection, or see themselves slide if their respective seasons don't go exactly as planned.

QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

The hype train isn't just rolling down the tracks for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders; it's careening out of control with Denzel Washington at the helm, a la the 2010 film Unstoppable.

Sanders' father, who doubles as the Buffaloes head coach, already christened him as a future top-five draft pick, which he very well may be. The spotlight will be brighter on the Colorado than any other program because of the name recognition and brashness found within the family.

It's not arrogance if you can back it up.

Sanders has the ability to be everything his father said he will be, but NFL evaluators are split on the caliber of prospect he is entering the 2024 campaign.

"I think he's a Round 1 pick because of the upside and confidence that he plays with," a high-ranking NFC executive told ESPN's Jordan Reid. "Add in the NFL DNA and how he's going to step into the league and feel like he's ready, there will be a team that loves that about him."

Others aren't quite as high at this juncture.

"He's a [Day 2] guy for me heading into the year," an AFC scout said.

Variance exists because of A) Colorado's developing program and B) certain areas that need to improve based on Sander's previous tape.

No one will argue against the fact Sanders played behind one of college football's worst offensive lines last season. Internally, the coaching staff understood the impetus of rebuilding the front five and how it impacts winning. As such, a whole new starting unit is expected to take the field this fall.

As long as the offensive line holds up, Sanders can build upon his previous resume. First, he proved he was more than a name and did so by winning the Jerry Rice Award, Deacon Jones Trophy and SWAC Offensive Player of the Year during his time at Jacksonville State.

Upon transferring to the FBS level, Sanders performed well against a high level of competition, with the nation's third-highest clean pocket grade, behind only Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, per Pro Football Focus.

However, Sanders can do a better job when pressured by navigating the pocket more judiciously while getting the ball out quicker. The 22-year-old prospect is an easy and accurate thrower. He just needs to speed up his internal clock to become a more efficient operator, especially at the NFL level where muddy pockets are the norm.

QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

The good and the bad of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers can be clearly seen during the program's loss to the Washington Huskies at last season's Sugar Bowl. That particular contest became an encapsulation of what type of prospect the quarterback is.

Through most of the second half, Ewers looked like his playmaking self. When the quarterback is performing well, he's loose and creative.

With the game on the line, the story changed quickly. Let's revisit that specific portion of Ewers' performance while being viewed as a prospect trending down at the time:

"On first down while trailing by six with 15 seconds left [from the Washington Huskies' 12-yard line], Ewers immediately checked the ball down for a loss of a yard while eating up five seconds of the clock. Two plays later, the quarterback gave his wide receiver no chance of making a play on the ball in the back of the end zone. On the final play, Ewers didn't make the correct coverage read and threw a lob to Adonai Mitchell that allowed the defender to make of play instead of tossing an easy stop-route or back-shoulder throw that probably would have been a game-winning score."

Ewers wisely chose to return to school. Or maybe not. Arch Manning is still lurking. Trey Owens is also a promising true freshman. As of now Ewers is the guy. He must prove capable of navigating a situation with a high-profile quarterback room, while improving upon last season's success.

"I think he's just still trying to figure things out," a veteran Big 12 assistant told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman. "Sark (Steve Sarkisian) does such a good job of setting things up for him, and so you'll see times where he'll rip it, but then there are other times, he just seems to be a little timid."

Basically, Ewers needs to be calmer while working through the storm. He has the arm talent to complete big-time throws. At the same time, he needs to be more consistent with his footwork, mechanics and overall decision-making. Coming into his season, Ewers is far too erratic to successfully play the quarterback position at the highest level. He does have a chance to settle in and assuage those concerns.

WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka could have potentially been a first-round pick in this year's NFL draft. After an injury-riddled season, the underclassman chose to return for another season at Ohio State. In doing so, he has a chance to show three different things to elevate his status for next April's event.

First and foremost, a bounceback campaign after dealing with an ankle injury that eventually required tightrope surgery will show he's potential WR1 material. Egbuka played in 10 games last season, but he wasn't the same explosive target. His production fell from 1,151 receiving yards in 2022 to 515.

"It's been a no-joke injury," Egbuka said in late December. "But I am grateful for all the trials and tribulations it's brought. ... It feels great now."

A return to form should allow the 21-year-old target to regain his status, specifically as a favored target in the Buckeyes' loaded offense. Egbuka finished only three catches behind Marvin Harrison Jr. during his standout sophomore season. He's now the top guy. Though Ohio State remains extremely talented as wide receiver with Carnell Tate and 5-star freshman Jeremiah Smith, who enters the collegiate ranks as the nation's No. 1 recruit. Egbuka still showing out even with other viable targets in the offense will secure his standing.

Finally, Egbuka has primarily served as a slot receiver during his time with the Buckeyes. He's expected to see far more snaps as an outside target this fall.

"Coming into college, I had never played the slot before," Egbuka told reporters in March. "I was always outside growing up. So it felt natural to me going back there for the Cotton Bowl. I just feel like if you get the ball in my hands on the outside quickly, I feel very confident with the ball in my hands and my ability to gain yards after the catch."

OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

The ol' "Is he a tackle or guard" argument will be renewed when discussing Texas's Kelvin Banks Jr. It happens ever year, most notably with Rashawn Slater and Ikem Ekwonu recently.

The conversation almost always centers on body type.

Typically, NFL teams want their offensive tackles to be 6'5" or taller, with arms nearly 35 inches long. As an example, Slater has turned out to be a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle despite being 6'4", with 33-inch arms.

Not everyone falls into the same parameters.

The Longhorns program lists Banks at 6'4" and 320 pounds. Some will automatically project him inside despite starting every game at left tackle since his true freshman season. He has another season to show he is a premium blindside protector.

Banks' movement skills and lower-body flexibility project as a future NFL left tackle, which are represented in his pass protection. The underclassman hasn't allowed a sack as a collegian and surrendered the second-lowest pressure rate since the start of the 2022 campaign, per Pro Football Focus.

At this juncture, LSU's Will Campbell is generally considered OT1 for the 2025 class. He fits more prototypical standards. But another outstanding season by Banks, where he continues to show he's more than capable and completely comfortable playing left tackle, will quiet those who don't individualize the evaluation process.

Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia

Mykel Williams will undertake a similar path that former Georgia Bulldog Travon Walker did, albeit a little sooner in the process.

Walker ended up as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. His outstanding athleticism and traits translated to being a potential dominant edge-defender, despite playing mostly along the interior during his collegiate career.

Williams entered the Georgia program as a heralded 5-star recruit. Through two seasons, he's manufactured 13 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Far more is expected of him this season, as the new focal point of the Bulldogs' defense.

Last year, the second-team All-SEC performer was often seen lined up as a 4i- or 5-technique. This spring, he converted to outside linebacker. Though he's expected to be used all over Georgia's defensive front.

"Guys that can do multiple things are obviously going to find ways to highlight them and feel productive," co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann told reporters. "Mykel's one of those guys that he's going to affect the game in a variety of ways this year."

By placing Williams in space more often, the 20-year-old prospect should garner more opportunities to see one-on-one matchups and harass opposing quarterbacks. Increased production, coupled with Williams' age and the fact he's packed with nearly unlimited potential, provides an opportunity for the current Bulldog to follow in Walker's footsteps, as the first defender drafted in his class and a potential No. 1 overall pick.

Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions have another one.

Micah Parsons was a hybrid linebacker/pass-rusher, who the squad flexed back and forth before he went on to start a successful NFL career.

Abdul Carter has been an off-ball linebacker, with pass-rush skills, who will become more of a full-time edge defender this fall.

"I know Abdul is excited about it, and we're looking forward to having an opportunity to work with him, but it is a big change," head coach James Franklin told reporters in March. "He's never really done this before, and it is a big change. It's not just like you make the decision to move and you snap your fingers and automatically you're a defensive end. It's a different world the closer you get to the ball, just like it's a different world if you move back to the secondary. We're excited about watching his development and growth."

The two-time All-Big Ten selection can drastically improve his draft standing by showing he can be a consistent force off the edge, thus capable of playing a premium position on a full-time basis.

Carter's athletic traits portend a problem at the next level.

"He matched his numbers from last offseason, clocking a 4.48 40, a 4.35 shuttle and broad-jumping 10-7 when he was No. 43 on our list in 2023," The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported. "... Carter's max velocity is 22.4 mph. He vertical-jumped 33.5 inches, power cleaned 350 pounds, bench pressed 375 and squatted 600.

LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU

Harold Perkins Jr. has been a star since he stepped onto LSU's campus. But his actual fit at the NFL will have some evaluators perplexed.

Perkins is an adept at working off the edge. He's accumulated 13 sacks through his first two seasons. But Tigers head coach Brian Kelly believes his long-term future is at inside linebacker.

"We felt like we could manage it better with him there," Kelly told reporters in February. "We don't want to manage it. We want to get him in a position where he can impact the defense, where he will play at the next level. I think we owe it to him."

Some may scoff at this notion, but the NFL doesn't feature 6'1", 225-pound edge-defenders.

Instead, Perkins needs to be an active force in all three phases of the game. He'll get an opportunity to do so this fall. By playing off-ball, the junior prospect will have an opportunity to show what he can do in space. He'll play downhill against the run. And, yes, he'll rush the passer in whatever pressure packages that LSU's defensive staff concocts for him.

Whichever NFL franchise ultimately selects Perkins must do so with a plan of how to deploy the defensive chess piece. Those most comfortable with his skill set, based off what he continues to do, will determine how high he can go in the draft.