Florida State 2025 NFL Draft Expert Projections: Insider Tony Pauline previews DJ Uiagalelei, Patrick Payton, and more 

The Seminoles ran roughshod over the competition last season only to be snubbed by the selection committee, and they were left on the outside looking in when the CFB playoffs were announced.

The team proved its worth in the draft, with six top-100 picks last April. That number will be significantly reduced next year.

Florida State Seminoles' NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Patrick Payton

Right now, the only possible top-100 prospect on my board is pass rusher Patrick Payton. He’s an athletic pass rusher in the mold of former Jets first-round pick Jermaine Johnson, as he is tall, athletic, and explosive.

Patrick Payton (Source: Imagn)

Payton does not play with the same intensity or aggressiveness as Johnson, which is a problem. He has a large upside and will move up draft boards if he plays hard on every down.

Alabama transfer Roydell Williams has a nice-sized back and a hard-charging style. He’s a grinder on the inside who also weaves through the traffic to create yardage.

#2 Lawrance Toafili

I was very high on the team’s other ball carrier, Lawrance Toafili, entering last season’ yet he was disappointing and really didn’t show much improvement in his game.

Toafili is an explosive back who is a legitimate threat as a pass catcher. A lot of scouts have a free-agent grade on the senior, yet I believe he has enough ability to be a situational runner who can also line up on the flanks as a receiver.

Lawrance Toafili -(Source: Imagn)

Despite my opinions and high hopes for Toafili, he must turn in a big season to hear his name called in the draft next year.

#3 DJ Uiagalelei

After a year spent playing for Oregon State, DJ Uiagalelei returns to the ACC, hoping to get his revenge against Clemson as much as anything else.

During the COVID season of 2020, Uiagalelei filled in for Trevor Lawrence when the then-Clemson starting quarterback and eventual first pick of the draft tested positive for the virus.

During those two starts, Uiagalelei looked terrific and had Clemson fans as well as NFL scouts excited. Yet the following two seasons were met with disappointment at Clemson, and though Uiagalelei was not terrible, he was very inconsistent and never came close to the legacy of Lawrence.

DJ Uiagalelei (Source: Imagn)

He played reasonably well for Oregon State last season and must now take over for Jordan Travis at FSU.

Uiagalelei has great size, arm strength, and physical skills for the next level. He must improve his ball security, but he has a lot of upside.

If Uiagalelei performs this season as he has the prior three, he’s a late-round pick. Yet if he starts to meet expectations, he will skyrocket up draft boards.

Florida State 2025 NFL Draft Projections by Tony Pauline

Florida State Pro Prospects
Grade	Rnd	Pos	Full Name	Yr	#
3.63	3rd	OLB	Patrick Payton	4Jr	11
3.47	5th	RB	Roydell Williams	5Sr	5
3.38	5th	RB	Lawrance Toafili	5Sr	9
3.36	6th	QB	DJ Uiagalelei	5Sr	4
3.33	6th	C	Maurice Smith	5Sr	53
3.31	6th	DE	Sione Lolohea	5Sr	13
3.29	7th	G	Jeremiah Byers	5Sr	63
3.23	FA	DT	Darrell Jackson	4Jr	6
3.21	FA	CB	Fentrell Cypress II	5Sr	23
3.19	FA	TE	Kyle Morlock	5Sr	84
3.16	FA	WR	Malik Benson	4Sr	10
3.02	FA	ILB	DJ Lundy	5Sr	46
2.97	FA	OLB	Cam Riley	5Sr	99
2.94	FA	G	Darius Washington	5Sr	76
2.89	FA	T	Robert Scott Jr	5Sr	52
2.89	FA	RB	Caziah Holmes	5Sr	26
2.88	FA	WR	Ja'Khi Douglas	5Sr	0