Hidden Gems: Day 3 Special Teams Prospects Who Could Make an Instant Impact in the 2025 NFL Season
The NFL Draft is a showcase of future stars, but often, the most impactful players aren’t the headliners. As the draft extends into Day 3, teams shift their focus to finding players who can contribute immediately, often on special teams. These “hidden gems” can be the difference between a good team and a great one, providing crucial field position, game-changing returns, and solid coverage. With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, let’s examine some special teams prospects who could make an instant impact.
The Overlooked Specialists
While kickers and punters are often drafted later, their importance cannot be overstated. According to NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, when you work for a team, everyone defines what a first round grade means, and that grades beyond the first round mean different things to different teams. A third round player is a developmental player that by year two will be heavy in the rotation, and maybe start by year three.
Andres Borregales (PK, Miami): Borregales is ranked as the #1 prospect in special teams. Borregales brings a consistent leg and ice-cold nerves to the kicking game. His accuracy on field goals and extra points can provide a significant boost to any team needing stability in their kicking unit.
James Burnip (P, Alabama): Burnip is ranked as the #2 prospect in special teams. Burnip’s ability to boom punts with excellent hangtime can pin opponents deep in their own territory, giving his team a significant advantage in field position. His experience in the SEC has prepared him for the pressures of the NFL.
Ben Sauls (PK, Pittsburgh): Sauls is ranked as the #3 prospect in special teams. Sauls is known for his strong leg and consistency on field goals. His accuracy from long distances makes him a valuable asset for teams looking to improve their scoring range.
Ryan Fitzgerald (PK, Florida): Fitzgerald is ranked as the #4 prospect in special teams. Fitzgerald is a reliable kicker with a proven track record in college. His consistency and accuracy make him a solid option for teams seeking a dependable kicker.
Luke Elzinga (P, Central Michigan): Elzinga is ranked as the #5 prospect in special teams. Elzinga’s booming leg and precision punting can significantly impact field position. His ability to consistently place the ball inside the 20-yard line makes him a valuable asset.
Alex Mastromanno (P, Florida State): Mastromanno is ranked as the #6 prospect in special teams. Mastromanno is known for his powerful leg and ability to generate high hang times. His punting skills can help flip the field and give his team a defensive advantage.
Jeremy Crawshaw (P, Florida): Crawshaw is ranked as the #7 prospect in special teams. Crawshaw is a consistent and accurate punter with a knack for placing the ball strategically. His reliability makes him a solid choice for teams needing a dependable punter.
Kai Kroeger (P, South Carolina): Kroeger is ranked as the #8 prospect in special teams. Kroeger brings a polished, NFL-ready skill set that should translate immediately at the next level. His combination of consistent leg strength and accuracy makes him a valuable asset.
Return Specialists: Igniting the Spark
A dynamic return game can electrify an offense and provide crucial momentum swings. Several Day 3 prospects possess the speed, agility, and vision to excel as return specialists.
Matthew Golden (WR, Texas): Golden is a speedster with sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash speed, making him a threat to go the distance on every return. His explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss make him a dangerous weapon in the return game.
Tory Horton (WR, Colorado State): Horton has experience as a punt returner, with three career punt return touchdowns. His elusiveness and knack for finding the end zone make him a potential game-changer on special teams. In 2024, Horton played in only six games and handled four punt returns for 105 yards, but he managed to take one for a 78-yard touchdown. He finished the season with an 86.4 PFF punt return grade, which ranked seventh in the draft class.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB, Virginia Tech): Tuten’s 4.32-second 40-yard dash was the fastest of any running back at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine. In 2023, he turned 19 returns into 566 yards (29.8-yard average per return) and two touchdowns. His 78.8 PFF kick return grade that year ranked 13th in college football.
Malachi Lane (WR, Virginia Tech): Lane has elite speed and extensive experience returning punts and kicks. He took 40 career kick returns for 867 yards (an average of 21.7 yards per return). In 2024, Lane had 24 punt returns for 235 yards (9.8 yards average) and one touchdown, a 58-yard return against Marshall. He forced 22 missed tackles and earned a 76.0 PFF punt return grade in 2024, following up an 88.1 PFF punt return grade in 2023.
Coverage Aces: The Unsung Heroes
Special teams coverage units are often overlooked, but they are essential for preventing big plays and maintaining field position. Several linebackers and defensive backs in the Day 3 range possess the tackling ability, speed, and awareness to excel in these roles.
Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA): Schwesinger enjoyed three straight seasons with good special teams grades. He earned an 81.2 PFF special teams grade in 2022, a 77.9 mark in 2023 and an 85.8 figure in 2024. He blocked a punt against Fresno State in 2024. Schwesinger is a talented kick coverage team contributor and logged 15 career special teams tackles in college.
Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State): Porter is a rare prospect. He is a wide receiver-turned-cornerback with ideal ball skills, ranks above the 95th percentile in height and length and has an elite track background that translates to the field. He is still raw as just a one-year starter despite being a sixth-year player, but his special teams impact and sky-high potential are worth drafting in the middle rounds. Porter earned a 90.1 PFF special teams grade in his career.
Jack Kiser (LB, Notre Dame): Kiser is a versatile linebacker with a nose for the ball. His tackling ability and coverage skills make him a valuable asset on special teams. Kiser earned a 77.2 PFF special teams grade in his career.
Jay Higgins (LB, Iowa): Higgins will be playing on his next team’s kick coverage and kick return teams in 2025. He excels as a blocker there and recorded nine career special teams tackles.
Ricky White III (WR, UNLV): White is a versatile special teamer. His 91.9 PFF special teams grade in 2024 was the highest grade for a college player in six seasons, and he blocked four punts.
The Impact of Special Teams
Special teams can be the difference between winning and losing in the NFL. A game-changing return, a perfectly executed punt, or a clutch field goal can swing momentum and alter the outcome of a game. Teams that prioritize special teams in the draft often find themselves with a competitive advantage.
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, keep an eye on these hidden gems. They may not be household names just yet, but their contributions on special teams could quickly make them valuable assets to their respective teams.