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Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today’s installment, he spotlights 11 youngsters set to ascend in 2025.
Last week in this space, I identified 11 offensive players poised to make serious noise in the 2025 NFL season. Now it’s time to hit the other side of the ball.
Here are 11 defenders to keep an eye on in the coming campaign.
After slowly acclimating to the NFL as a rotational player for a talented defense, Van Ness should be ready to make his mark as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge. The 2023 first-round pick has produced seven sacks over two seasons, but more opportunities should yield better results from the Iowa product. Whether he is attacking from the edges as a full-time starter or creating chaos as a designated playmaker in a sub-package, Van Ness possesses the size, tools and experience to turn his flashes into disruptive production this fall.
The most natural pass rusher in the 2024 draft class teased the football world with a four-sack rookie campaign that showcased the first-step quickness, violent hands and closing burst that made him the first defensive player selected two Aprils ago. Latu’s impact in a rotational role should prompt new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to create a plan to unleash the 6-foot-5, 265-pound playmaker. With more stunts, games and isolations designed to exploit favorable matchups on the edges, Latu can post impressive numbers as a second-year pro with a polished game.
