Texas Ace
I'll Never Dream Again
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This is true for every single WR that was on the roster last season.
Our passing game should have been damn near unstoppable, but we had to have the college Dak as our QB.
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Our passing game should have been damn near unstoppable, but we had to have the college Dak as our QB.
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
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In a position loaded with beefy potential, good things often arrive in pairs when it comes to the defensive line.
A generation ago, Richard Seymour (6-5 ½, 295, 4.94) and Marcus Stroud (6-5 ½, 321, 5.12) left Georgia for the NFL draft: Seymour went No. 6 to New England, Stroud went No. 13 to Jacksonville.
Many sets of defensive tackles from the same university have been drafted high in the same year. A year ago, Texas sent Byron Murphy to Seattle at No. 16 and T’Vondre Sweat to Tennessee at No. 38. The Longhorns are represented this spring by Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. If one classifies Jordan Burch as a defensive lineman rather an edge rusher, as was done here, Oregon has three top-notch prospects inside. Ole Miss has more than one big, too.
Much of the pre-draft focus, however, will center on Michigan’s tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. They were as responsible as anyone why the Wolverines beat Ohio State in their two seasons as starters and won the national championship in 2023.
“I remember doing Seymour and Stroud out of Georgia in 2000 (actually, 2001) but that’s what it reminds me of with Grant and Graham,” a long-time scout said. “I loved both of them. They’ll both be Day 1 guys. There’s a bunch of ‘em (defensive tackles) but these guys are in a category by themselves. One of them will go top 15 easily. They don’t come along that often. It’s hard to pass on those two guys.
“Then there’s two at Oregon that aren’t as well-known, but they’re really good.”
Michigan has the most victories in college football history but you wouldn’t know it by the NFL careers of its defensive tackles. Only Tom Keating, a fourth-round draft choice by Minnesota in 1964, made the Pro Bowl as a full-fledged defensive tackle (Oakland, 1967, ‘68). The only other Pro Bowl D-tackle from Michigan was Al “Big Ox” Wistert (6-1, 214), a fifth-round pick by Philadelphia in 1943 who made the Pro Bowl as a two-way tackle in 1951 (he did make four All-Pro teams).
Dave Gallagher (1974) and Kevin Brooks (1985) had marginal careers as first-round choices. The Wolverines’ only other first-rounder was Mazi Smith in 2023, who has been a disappointment in Dallas.
Michigan has produced more than its share of successful edge rushers in the NFL — LaMarr Woodley, James Hall, Brandon Graham, Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Rashan Gary, Josh Uche, Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson – but inside is an entirely different matter.
Seymour, with 9 ½ sacks and 34 tackles for loss in a 41-game career for the Bulldogs, went on to make seven Pro Bowls in 12 years en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Stroud, with 6 ½ sacks and 19 TFLs in 43 collegiate games, made the Pro Bowl three times in 10 years.
“It’s really, really deep,” one scout said. “There’s a ton of interior guys. I got 12 with starter grades.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. MASON GRAHAM, Michigan (6-3 ½, 306, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As long as he goes to a 4-3 team that uses the 3-technique as the featured guy he’ll be just fine,” said one scout. “As long as he can get off the ball and disrupt everything. He’s John Randle, any of those 3-techniques. Warren Sapp. Aaron Donald. What was Aaron Donald’s arm length?” In February 2014, the Canton-bound retired Ram went to the combine and measured 6-0 ¾ and 285 with 32 5/8 arms and 9 7/8 hands.
His 40 time was 4.67. Graham was 6-3 ½ and 296 (306 at pro day) with 32-inch arms and 9 1/8 hands. He declined twice this spring to run a 40. “He is insanely overrated,” a second scout said. “He’s got short arms, and that shows up. Inconsistent with his hands. On the ground a lot. Not explosive. The in-line effort’s really good but I thought his pursuit effort was ****. He’s got initial quickness. He’s pretty light on his feet. He’s smart and instinctive. Functional at the point. He’s got strength and balance as a rusher but I didn’t see a wow speed or quickness guy. I’ve seen the guy mentioned as a top-5 (pick). F--k, he’s not that.” Played extensively as a true freshman in 2022 before starting 25 games in 2023-’24. “Love him,” a third scout said. “Tough, quick, physical. He’s a really good interior pass rusher. He’s all football, man. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s got the ideal mindset to be a 3-technique. Those guys don’t grow on trees. Ohio State couldn’t run the football. There’s only one little concern with him: he’s a little bit short-armed.” Finished with 108 tackles (18 for loss), nine sacks and three passes defensed. “I think he’s a top-5 player,” a fourth scout said. “This guy is comparable at his position that (Aidan) Hutchinson was in his (edge rusher).” Four-star recruit from Mission Viejo, Calif. Two-time all-conference wrestler. “He’s from one of those powerhouse high-school programs (Servite) and now Michigan so he’s polished up,” said a fifth scout. “I could see him going in the top 12. Very good with his hands. He’s got the quickness to get down the line. He’s got some pass-rush potential because he’s very active. He always, always hustles. More of a one-gap, get-up-the-field.” Cited a bruised heel for not working out at the combine. Did position drills at pro day. “He’s a former wrestler and that’s what he plays like,” said a sixth scout. “I compared him to the guy at Buffalo, Kyle Williams, who played forever. He’s not really dazzling. Braden Fiske was much more athletic and much more explosive than Mason. I don’t think he’s a difference-maker by any stretch in the league. I like the guy. You know what you’re getting. But top-5 or second pick in the draft? That’s not what he is. He has to wrestle people all the time. Occasionally, he’ll do that little step-through thing that he does but, overall, if he has to lock up with those big guys it’s a fight for him. He’s got to drop that knee down to kind of hang in there. I don’t think by any stretch he’s an Aaron Donald or Chris Jones. But you’ll love to have him.” Had 24 reps on the bench. “Arm length is crucial when it comes to altering the passer,” said a seventh scout. “I think that will come into play. I wasn’t real high on Mazi Smith, either. I have a hard time with Mason. I just don’t see the domination.”
2. WALTER NOLEN, Mississippi (6-3 ½, 300, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s the best 3-technique — by far,” one scout said. “Tremendous athlete. He’s a little full of **** but extremely talented. Quick and strong.” Described himself at the combine as a “young Aaron Donald.” At Texas A&M, he started 14 of 22 games in 2022-’23 before starting 13 at Ole Miss last year. Was rated the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. “Sort of like an Albert Haynesworth except not quite as big,” said a second scout. “Taller and longer than Graham. He has shown and flashed everything. All of it. He’s been compared to (Jalen) Carter from Georgia. Carter was just sort of obnoxious in a way. This kid doesn’t say a word. You don’t know what’s on his mind.” Finished with 114 tackles (26 for loss), 11 ½ sacks and four passes defensed. “Not really explosive,” a third scout said. “Gets knocked around. Not very good strength. He’s best trying to get into the gaps but he’s really not explosive doing that. He’ll flash every so often. I question this guy’s desire and overall toughness and physicality. Just one of those flash guys. There’s enough flashes for him to go there (second round).” Played at a high school in Olive Branch, Miss., as a freshman and sophomore. From Olive Branch he was enrolled for a time at IMG Academy but never played. As a junior, he played at St. Benedict at Auburndale in Memphis, Tenn. As a senior, he played at Powell, Tenn., before joining Texas A&M as a five-star recruit. “He’d probably be at the top of the list if you could just not see him between plays, between drills, between meetings,” one scout said. “This kid has been paid at five different schools: three high schools and two colleges. He is a mercenary. He’s probably the biggest mercenary in this whole draft. He has followed the money everywhere but yet is very quiet and shy. You would think totally disinterested. You wouldn’t think he’s hearing a word the coaches are saying to him. But when the ball is snapped, for 4 seconds at a time, he’s really talented, really gifted. He is explosive, good with his hands, gives effort. But between drills, between snaps, he’s on his own program. Some D-line coach is gonna stand on the table and say, ‘Oh, no, I can coach this guy,’ because he’s so talented. Organizational support is probably an understatement.” Arms were just 32 ½, hands were 9 ½.
3. ALFRED COLLINS, Texas (6-5 ½, 332, no 40, 1): Playing behind a covey of NFL draft picks, he started just 12 of 48 games from 2020-’23 before starting all 15 last season. “He’s just a junkyard dog,” one scout said. “He just messes **** up in there. Just a load at the point of attack. He can jolt and snatch people. He takes it (double-team blocks) on. Got some sneaky quickness in the gaps. Plays with balance. Not much range. Not going to do a lot of sexy things. Pass rush? Just let just try to get some big push and use my length to try to mess things up. He’s the type of guy you need to win. Not gonna be a Pro Bowler or 10-sack guy. Just a guy in there wrecking things and being a problem … (Marcus) Stroud was a little more dynamic.” National Honor Society student in high school and earned academic honors at UT. “First round for sure,” a second scout said. “Talented but inconsistent. John Henderson. Wish he were a little more productive. Motor’s up and down. Inconsistent to finish. Technique and discipline in terms of playing upright. Body position at the point was inconsistent. He is powerful. He’s flexible for a tall guy; Henderson was stiff. Other than that, that’s who he reminded me of. Got really strong hands. Quick feet for a big man. Stout at the point. Got pretty good instincts. Good against the bubble. He’s got power rush. More first and second down but he can play on third down.” Finished with 141 tackles (18 for loss), seven sacks and 12 passes defensed, including seven last year. Arms were 34 5/8, hands were 10. “Good, solid player,” a third scout said. “Nothing great. He’ll be a sometime starter.” From Bastrop, Texas.
4. KENNETH GRANT, Michigan (6-3 ½, 330, 5.13, 1-2): Third-year junior. “Reminds me a little bit of Richard Seymour and Kevin Williams, that type of guy,” one scout said. “Because I don’t think he’s a true noseguard the way he runs. More of the bigger 3-technique guy, but he’s so big he kind of creates his own (model) because not many are as big as him and can run like him. He has some pass rush, and I think that will only improve when he understands what is needed from him.” Played sparingly as a true freshman before starting five games in 2023 and 12 in ’24. “I like him better than Graham,” said a second scout. “He has length, push. He’s aggressive. I’d take him over Mazi Smith.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 1/8. “He was way better than Graham,” a third scout said. “Not even close. Some rawness. Not a ton of experience. Pretty smooth movement for a big man. He’s got some inside pass rush. Power rush is really good. Really stout at the point. Hands are a little inconsistent on his pass-rush moves. The arrow is really up.” Finished with 69 tackles (12 for loss), 6 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. “Big body that demands double teams,” a fourth scout said. “Plugs up space. He played extremely hard. He’s got good range just due to the effort and playing to the whistle. Long arms to affect the passing lanes. He’s a really good player.” Three-star recruit from Merrillville, Ind. Also started at guard as a prep senior. Threw the shot put in track. “He’s gigantic and all … but I was really disappointed,” a fifth scout said. “Big ol’ dude is just a non-factor. ‘Are you going to make a play at any point?’ Plays upright, gets killed by angle blocks, doesn’t have great feel. I don’t see it. He’s seventh on my list of DTs.” Added a sixth scout: “He’s technically unsound. I can see the conditioning being an issue. If he doesn’t have Graham next to him he probably doesn’t develop to the level he has. You could hit on this guy, but you’ve got to have a really good D-line coach who’s gonna kick his *** and hold him accountable. If you don’t have that, you’re probably going to get a bust.”
5. TYLEIK WILLIAMS, Ohio State (6-3, 329, no 40, 1-2): A better prospect than Buckeye edges JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, according to one scout. “Oooh, he’s a football player,” the scout said. “He can play a 0 or a 1 or a 3 (technique), and you can keep him on the field all three downs if you want to. He’s hard to handle one-on-one in pass-rush downs. He beats the crap out of dudes now. It wouldn’t shock me if he went in the first. At all. People don’t realize how big and strong he is. Those guys are hard to find in the NFL. As an athlete with that kind of size, he’s a matchup advantage depending on who you’re going against.” Short arms (32), hands were 10 ¼. “Very similar to Collins,” said a second scout. “Just a load of a guy. Monster at the point of attack. Hard to handle. Not a pass rusher but give me that push, give me some effort. He’s got some versatility.” Returned for a fourth season and helped the Buckeyes to a national title. Finished with 136 tackles (28 for loss), 11 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. “I like him in the second round,” a third scout said. “He’s a 3-technique. He’s quick, productive and disruptive.” Four-star recruit from Manassas, Va.
6. DERRICK HARMON, Oregon (6-4 ½, 320, 5.01, 1-2): Played at Michigan State from 2021-’23, reportedly weighing 340 in his final season, before heading westward after the Spartans’ spring ball. “Like his size, the disruption, the athleticism and the strength,” said one scout. “Plays out of control. Plays high. It hurt his production this season. He missed a lot of tackles. But if you want a guy that’s up the field and a disruptive penetrator, he’s a really good prospect. He can play whatever. He even played some nose this year. He’s got the length to play 5 (technique) and the quickness to play 3. If he goes after 20 someone’s getting a great value pick.” Started 15 of 28 games in East Lansing before starting all year for the Ducks. Long arms (34 3/8) and largest hands at the position (10 3/8) among the top 12. “He played like a fence-post 5-technique in an old 3-4 scheme,” another scout said. “Really strong upper and lower (body). Has more straight-line speed than you would guess for a big guy. Not real twitchy or sudden. He’s heavy-footed in change of direction. More of a placeholder than a playmaker.” Finished with 116 tackles (18 for loss), 8 ½ sacks and six passes defensed. “Taller, linear, high-hipped,” said a third scout. “He’s OK. He gives you effort. I gave him credit for being able to play a bunch of positions adequately. Nothing really stands out. Good but not a great pass rusher. Just kind of a utility guy. His pass rush is more stunting and effort. He’s not going to beat your *** with moves. Second round.” Started on both offense and defense all four years at Loyola High in Detroit.
7. JORDAN BURCH, Oregon (6-4, 282, 4.68, 2): Some teams view him as an edge rusher, others see him as a 5-technique or even a 3 on passing downs. “He played at 290 during the season and dropped almost 20 pounds before the combine,” one scout said. “I get why — to run — but the strength of his game was he was 290 and played with power off the edge. That’s how he got all his sacks. He’s a finesse player. He just has to understand he’s not a twitchy athlete. He will have to take on double teams, play inside. He makes some first-round plays and he also makes some undrafted plays. Boom or bust in his profile right now. If he goes in the first that’s a very, very big reach.” Started 14 of 34 games at South Carolina from 2020-’22 before starting two years for the Ducks. “He’s wired a little bit differently than a lot of D-linemen,” a second scout said. “He’s got his **** together. I interviewed him. He said when he was at South Carolina he never once heard the word championship. Said he just wanted to win and that’s why he went to Oregon. You respect that a little bit … He can play up or down, wherever. Not a super loose athlete but I could see him getting into the top of Day 2 conversation if not end of Day 1.” Finished with 170 tackles (33 for loss), 16 sacks and 11 passes defensed. “First guy off the bus,” a third scout said. “Man, he looks good, and he’s improved. Two years ago, I wouldn’t talk about him outside the fourth round. Now it’s end of the second, top of the third. You’re not going to back off with his athleticism and his looks and his length. Plus, when he really wants to, and doesn’t have too much to think about, he can be a good player. Instincts are going to be an issue. They were at South Carolina and they were at Oregon. They were waiting for him to make more plays and it didn’t happen this year. At least he did get better.” Arms were 33, hands were 9 ½. “He’s always been an underachiever,” a fourth scout said. “Looks incredible on the hoof but he’s just too nice. He’s just a real nice kid. He might go third or fourth round off the body alone but he doesn’t make a lot of plays.” Five-star recruit from Columbia, S.C. Played basketball, earned academic honors. Gamecocks’ highest-rated recruit since Jadeveon Clowney in 2011.
8. T.J. SANDERS, South Carolina (6-4, 305, 5.04, 2): Fourth-year junior. Redshirted in 2021 and didn’t start a game until ’23. “The Carolinas are notorious for these type guys,” one scout said. “They got size, mobility, twitch and they’re still getting better in their third and fourth year of college. It’s a D-line rich area. He’s a country kid, raw, with huge upside. Really good first step, really good power in his hands. Showed that he can win with quick, showed he can win with power. Former basketball player so the movement is obviously there. He’s a second-rounder all day, top 50 player. He can play a 4 to a 5 (technique) but on nickel and dime he can probably get away lining up inside. That’s what everybody’s looking for: a guy that a good 4i, can play 5-technique, maybe align over a tight end. But, in certain packages, all of a sudden this guy’s in a 3-technique giving the guard something different to work with. That’s gonna be his big value.” Started 16 of 39 games, finishing with 109 tackles (18 for loss), 9 ½ sacks and six passes defensed. “They had some horses on the edge so he was more interior,” a second scout said. “He was borderline first round last year. He can play anywhere. He’s really athletic. Got heavy hands. He can bend, redirect. When he wants to play hard he can be really good. He’s got some typical D-lineman immaturity and work-ethic issues but that guy’s got a ton of upside. He’ll be a sneaky pick for whoever takes him. The reports out of there indicate he’s not really ready for all this.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were 10 ¼. Graduated in December. “They’ll tell us when you walk through the door he might be their most talented player,” a third scout said. “But the attitude and demeanor … he’s a big-time underachiever. He’s never really put it together. He’s probably going to be disappointed on draft day. They tolerated him … but he underachieved there.” Averaged a double-double as a prep basketball player in Marion, S.C.
9. SHEMAR TURNER, Texas A&M (6-3, 294, no 40, 2-3): Played four years, starting 35 games from 2022-’24. “Liked him,” one scout said. “Had some cool traits. He plays hard. Tough and physical. He’s strong. He can run. He’ll knock the **** out of you. He’s a good point player in terms of strength and position and leverage. He’s got explosive power. Plays on his feet. Good against the double. Got good range on loops and stunts. You would like a little bit more consistent pass rush and overall production for a guy with his talent level. He leaves you wanting a little bit more. He’s a strong second-round pick. Played hurt all year.” Suffered a significant leg injury early in the season but returned quickly and went the distance. Finished with 115 tackles (24 for loss), 10 sacks and one pass defensed. “He’s getting some attention now,” a second scout said. Arms were 33 5/8, hands were 10 ¼. Four-star recruit from DeSoto, Texas.
10. JOSH FARMER, Florida State (6-3, 312, 5.12, 2-3): Backed up in 2021-’22 before starting 25 games in 2023-’24. “Does the dirty work,” said one scout. “Just not as consistently strong and tough playing the point of attack and causing problems as Collins and Williams. He gets knocked around a lot. He’ll end up starting as a banger kind of guy. Second round.” Arms were 35, the longest of the top 10, and his hands were 10 ¼. “That’s rare to be that short and thick with those long arms,” the scout said. Finished with 80 tackles (21 for loss), 11 sacks and two passes defensed. “He has high, high upside,” a second scout said. “Still kind of young and raw. Not the most impressive physical specimen from a size-length standpoint but he’s well-proportioned and has a real powerful lower (body). He’s a good athlete overall with real twitch for a big man. Shows some first-step quicks and lateral agility to work on edges and get into gaps. Good variety of pass-rush moves. Doesn’t win from the jump. Tends to take his foot off the gas, stand up, free-lance. There’s a lot of that you can coach but you see the flash plays. He’s definitely third round.” Four-star recruit from Port St. Joe, Fla. “Played on 13-win and two-win teams,” a third scout said. “A little limited in his lateral movement so that will hurt him a little bit. Big men go early so you’re probably looking at a fourth- or fifth-round pick. Some teams have him a lot higher. I’d take a guy with a little more mobility. I like to see consistent redirect and close. He does that, just not all the time. Really good push. Really good B-gap type player. When he starts getting stretched laterally is when he kind of struggles. He can definitely make plays down there in the trenches as far as stop and redirect.”
11. TY ROBINSON, Nebraska (6-5, 288, 4.85, 2-3): After what scouts said was a semi-disappointing week at the Senior Bowl, he responded with boffo work at the combine. His vertical jump (33 ½), broad jump (9-11) and bench press (28) led the leading D-linemen. “Chance to be a Day 2 selection,” one scout said. “Big body. Thick dude. Really strong and powerful. Plays with an extremely high motor. Empties his tank. Good first step and quickness. Heavy hands. Knocks blockers back. Can club an offensive lineman off his feet. Can pry combo blocks open. Can bull rush a blocker into the quarterback. Has some short-area close and runs well. It’s hard for him to get skinny in a gap because of (his size). When he gets tired his pad level can rise and hand placement can get sloppy and (he) becomes more of a brawler-mauler type. I’d take him over (Yahya) Black because I know what I’m getting. He can play nose and 3-technique.” Tied the Cornhusker record for games played with 60, starting 47. Finished with 134 tackles (27 for loss), 12 sacks and 12 passes defensed. “Takes up space in the run game and high-motor production in the pass game,” said a second scout. “You’re hanging your hat on the strength and the power. He’s played outside but they kicked him inside, and that’s where his home is. I could see him going up there in the third.” Short arms (32 ¼). Hands were 10. “Looks like an NFL lineman,” said a third scout. “Little bit of a straight-line, erect, bull-in-a-china-shop style of play. He’s in the backfield, but then where’s the ball? He’ll crash into the line and then not be able to get the quarterback on the ground. He’ll get faked out or something. He has really got initial quickness and that initial charge, he’s big and he can run. He ran 4.82 at the combine so a lot of people will be going back and watching the tape on him. I’m not saying he’s first round but I definitely could see him going second on measurables alone.” Four-star recruit from Gilbert, Ariz.
12. YAHYA BLACK, Iowa (6-5 ½, 330, 5.41, 3): Waited three years for his turn to start. Backed up in 27 games from 2020-’22, then started 27 games in 2023-’24. “I’m a fan,” said one scout. “He’ll be a 2-technique or a 3-4 D-end. More of a two-gap kind of guy. This guy emerged as a leader. He’s vocal. He grew to love the program. Loved everything about it. He works. He’ll be a real nice value in the second or third.” Has 35-inch arms, tying Farmer for the longest at the position. Hands were 10 ¼. “When he uses his hands and length he can stack and shed blocks,” a second scout said. “Unrefined as a pass rusher and must develop moves and counters. Disappears for stretches and stays blocked. Makes him frustrating to watch. Little bit of good, little bit of bad. Has positive and negative flashes throughout games. This kid has upside. When he wants to go he’s impressive, and then he disappears. Probably second round, but I don’t think he gets out of the third. There’s a little bit of feast or famine with him. I’m not sure because normally those Iowa guys play their nuts off.” Early in his career, some members of the Iowa staff surmised he might be a fine offensive tackle. Finished with 117 tackles (15 for loss), 5 ½ sacks and 11 passes defensed. “He ran particularly slowly at the combine,” said one scout. “(Linebacker) Jay Higgins ran slowly. (Safety Sebastian) Castro ran slowly. The three main guys of the Iowa defense all tested poorly yet they played the best football of anybody in the country. Coaching matters.” Also played basketball and track in Marshall, Minn.
THE NEXT FIVE
Sai’vion Jones, Louisiana State (6-5 ½, 283, 4.76)
Said one scout: “He is a bad ***. Plays with a great motor, tough, physical. He can set the edge. He’s got power inside. He could start for some people at 3-technique. He played end but showed very interesting versatility playing inside at the Senior Bowl. He’s probably a fourth-round guy but if you needed a guy he’s worthy of the third.”
Darius Alexander, Toledo (6-4, 305, 5.01)
Said one scout: “Kind of reminds me of Montravius Adams coming out of Auburn (in 2017). He’s big, but he doesn’t play that big. More of a guy that gets on an edge and gets upfield. Doesn’t have a ton of substance setting edges and two-gapping but he is instinctive and plays hard. When you have guys like that they kind of find their way on the field. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him second or third round.”
Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon (6-2, 331, 5.15)
Said one scout: “Second or third round. You’re not going to like him if you see him in person. He’s a soft, doughy body. Looks like a bad offensive lineman body but he’s a real gap plugger. He stacks and splits (doubles). He’s powerful. Keeps his pads down. You wouldn’t want him getting off the bus first but they didn’t care about the look. Because they knew what he could do.”
Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee (6-2, 300, 5.17)
Said one scout: “People hyped him up. I didn’t think he did all that much. I thought he was just sort of a shorter, sawed-off guy with some quickness. Maybe I undersold him. At the combine he was sort of a disaster. He won’t be as high a pick as people were saying.”
Deone Walker, Kentucky (6-7 ½, 328, 5.35)
Said one scout: “He’s as big as they come. In the trenches you’ve got to play with some type of leverage. He just stands up way too often and gets pushed around a little too much. It’s still a big man’s game and he has some ability when he wants to. He just needs the right environment. He’ll probably end up in Philly and be great.”
A generation ago, Richard Seymour (6-5 ½, 295, 4.94) and Marcus Stroud (6-5 ½, 321, 5.12) left Georgia for the NFL draft: Seymour went No. 6 to New England, Stroud went No. 13 to Jacksonville.
Many sets of defensive tackles from the same university have been drafted high in the same year. A year ago, Texas sent Byron Murphy to Seattle at No. 16 and T’Vondre Sweat to Tennessee at No. 38. The Longhorns are represented this spring by Alfred Collins and Vernon Broughton. If one classifies Jordan Burch as a defensive lineman rather an edge rusher, as was done here, Oregon has three top-notch prospects inside. Ole Miss has more than one big, too.
Much of the pre-draft focus, however, will center on Michigan’s tandem of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. They were as responsible as anyone why the Wolverines beat Ohio State in their two seasons as starters and won the national championship in 2023.
“I remember doing Seymour and Stroud out of Georgia in 2000 (actually, 2001) but that’s what it reminds me of with Grant and Graham,” a long-time scout said. “I loved both of them. They’ll both be Day 1 guys. There’s a bunch of ‘em (defensive tackles) but these guys are in a category by themselves. One of them will go top 15 easily. They don’t come along that often. It’s hard to pass on those two guys.
“Then there’s two at Oregon that aren’t as well-known, but they’re really good.”
Michigan has the most victories in college football history but you wouldn’t know it by the NFL careers of its defensive tackles. Only Tom Keating, a fourth-round draft choice by Minnesota in 1964, made the Pro Bowl as a full-fledged defensive tackle (Oakland, 1967, ‘68). The only other Pro Bowl D-tackle from Michigan was Al “Big Ox” Wistert (6-1, 214), a fifth-round pick by Philadelphia in 1943 who made the Pro Bowl as a two-way tackle in 1951 (he did make four All-Pro teams).
Dave Gallagher (1974) and Kevin Brooks (1985) had marginal careers as first-round choices. The Wolverines’ only other first-rounder was Mazi Smith in 2023, who has been a disappointment in Dallas.
Michigan has produced more than its share of successful edge rushers in the NFL — LaMarr Woodley, James Hall, Brandon Graham, Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Rashan Gary, Josh Uche, Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson – but inside is an entirely different matter.
Seymour, with 9 ½ sacks and 34 tackles for loss in a 41-game career for the Bulldogs, went on to make seven Pro Bowls in 12 years en route to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Stroud, with 6 ½ sacks and 19 TFLs in 43 collegiate games, made the Pro Bowl three times in 10 years.
“It’s really, really deep,” one scout said. “There’s a ton of interior guys. I got 12 with starter grades.”
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
1. MASON GRAHAM, Michigan (6-3 ½, 306, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As long as he goes to a 4-3 team that uses the 3-technique as the featured guy he’ll be just fine,” said one scout. “As long as he can get off the ball and disrupt everything. He’s John Randle, any of those 3-techniques. Warren Sapp. Aaron Donald. What was Aaron Donald’s arm length?” In February 2014, the Canton-bound retired Ram went to the combine and measured 6-0 ¾ and 285 with 32 5/8 arms and 9 7/8 hands.
His 40 time was 4.67. Graham was 6-3 ½ and 296 (306 at pro day) with 32-inch arms and 9 1/8 hands. He declined twice this spring to run a 40. “He is insanely overrated,” a second scout said. “He’s got short arms, and that shows up. Inconsistent with his hands. On the ground a lot. Not explosive. The in-line effort’s really good but I thought his pursuit effort was ****. He’s got initial quickness. He’s pretty light on his feet. He’s smart and instinctive. Functional at the point. He’s got strength and balance as a rusher but I didn’t see a wow speed or quickness guy. I’ve seen the guy mentioned as a top-5 (pick). F--k, he’s not that.” Played extensively as a true freshman in 2022 before starting 25 games in 2023-’24. “Love him,” a third scout said. “Tough, quick, physical. He’s a really good interior pass rusher. He’s all football, man. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. He’s got the ideal mindset to be a 3-technique. Those guys don’t grow on trees. Ohio State couldn’t run the football. There’s only one little concern with him: he’s a little bit short-armed.” Finished with 108 tackles (18 for loss), nine sacks and three passes defensed. “I think he’s a top-5 player,” a fourth scout said. “This guy is comparable at his position that (Aidan) Hutchinson was in his (edge rusher).” Four-star recruit from Mission Viejo, Calif. Two-time all-conference wrestler. “He’s from one of those powerhouse high-school programs (Servite) and now Michigan so he’s polished up,” said a fifth scout. “I could see him going in the top 12. Very good with his hands. He’s got the quickness to get down the line. He’s got some pass-rush potential because he’s very active. He always, always hustles. More of a one-gap, get-up-the-field.” Cited a bruised heel for not working out at the combine. Did position drills at pro day. “He’s a former wrestler and that’s what he plays like,” said a sixth scout. “I compared him to the guy at Buffalo, Kyle Williams, who played forever. He’s not really dazzling. Braden Fiske was much more athletic and much more explosive than Mason. I don’t think he’s a difference-maker by any stretch in the league. I like the guy. You know what you’re getting. But top-5 or second pick in the draft? That’s not what he is. He has to wrestle people all the time. Occasionally, he’ll do that little step-through thing that he does but, overall, if he has to lock up with those big guys it’s a fight for him. He’s got to drop that knee down to kind of hang in there. I don’t think by any stretch he’s an Aaron Donald or Chris Jones. But you’ll love to have him.” Had 24 reps on the bench. “Arm length is crucial when it comes to altering the passer,” said a seventh scout. “I think that will come into play. I wasn’t real high on Mazi Smith, either. I have a hard time with Mason. I just don’t see the domination.”
2. WALTER NOLEN, Mississippi (6-3 ½, 300, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s the best 3-technique — by far,” one scout said. “Tremendous athlete. He’s a little full of **** but extremely talented. Quick and strong.” Described himself at the combine as a “young Aaron Donald.” At Texas A&M, he started 14 of 22 games in 2022-’23 before starting 13 at Ole Miss last year. Was rated the No. 1 player in the transfer portal. “Sort of like an Albert Haynesworth except not quite as big,” said a second scout. “Taller and longer than Graham. He has shown and flashed everything. All of it. He’s been compared to (Jalen) Carter from Georgia. Carter was just sort of obnoxious in a way. This kid doesn’t say a word. You don’t know what’s on his mind.” Finished with 114 tackles (26 for loss), 11 ½ sacks and four passes defensed. “Not really explosive,” a third scout said. “Gets knocked around. Not very good strength. He’s best trying to get into the gaps but he’s really not explosive doing that. He’ll flash every so often. I question this guy’s desire and overall toughness and physicality. Just one of those flash guys. There’s enough flashes for him to go there (second round).” Played at a high school in Olive Branch, Miss., as a freshman and sophomore. From Olive Branch he was enrolled for a time at IMG Academy but never played. As a junior, he played at St. Benedict at Auburndale in Memphis, Tenn. As a senior, he played at Powell, Tenn., before joining Texas A&M as a five-star recruit. “He’d probably be at the top of the list if you could just not see him between plays, between drills, between meetings,” one scout said. “This kid has been paid at five different schools: three high schools and two colleges. He is a mercenary. He’s probably the biggest mercenary in this whole draft. He has followed the money everywhere but yet is very quiet and shy. You would think totally disinterested. You wouldn’t think he’s hearing a word the coaches are saying to him. But when the ball is snapped, for 4 seconds at a time, he’s really talented, really gifted. He is explosive, good with his hands, gives effort. But between drills, between snaps, he’s on his own program. Some D-line coach is gonna stand on the table and say, ‘Oh, no, I can coach this guy,’ because he’s so talented. Organizational support is probably an understatement.” Arms were just 32 ½, hands were 9 ½.
3. ALFRED COLLINS, Texas (6-5 ½, 332, no 40, 1): Playing behind a covey of NFL draft picks, he started just 12 of 48 games from 2020-’23 before starting all 15 last season. “He’s just a junkyard dog,” one scout said. “He just messes **** up in there. Just a load at the point of attack. He can jolt and snatch people. He takes it (double-team blocks) on. Got some sneaky quickness in the gaps. Plays with balance. Not much range. Not going to do a lot of sexy things. Pass rush? Just let just try to get some big push and use my length to try to mess things up. He’s the type of guy you need to win. Not gonna be a Pro Bowler or 10-sack guy. Just a guy in there wrecking things and being a problem … (Marcus) Stroud was a little more dynamic.” National Honor Society student in high school and earned academic honors at UT. “First round for sure,” a second scout said. “Talented but inconsistent. John Henderson. Wish he were a little more productive. Motor’s up and down. Inconsistent to finish. Technique and discipline in terms of playing upright. Body position at the point was inconsistent. He is powerful. He’s flexible for a tall guy; Henderson was stiff. Other than that, that’s who he reminded me of. Got really strong hands. Quick feet for a big man. Stout at the point. Got pretty good instincts. Good against the bubble. He’s got power rush. More first and second down but he can play on third down.” Finished with 141 tackles (18 for loss), seven sacks and 12 passes defensed, including seven last year. Arms were 34 5/8, hands were 10. “Good, solid player,” a third scout said. “Nothing great. He’ll be a sometime starter.” From Bastrop, Texas.
4. KENNETH GRANT, Michigan (6-3 ½, 330, 5.13, 1-2): Third-year junior. “Reminds me a little bit of Richard Seymour and Kevin Williams, that type of guy,” one scout said. “Because I don’t think he’s a true noseguard the way he runs. More of the bigger 3-technique guy, but he’s so big he kind of creates his own (model) because not many are as big as him and can run like him. He has some pass rush, and I think that will only improve when he understands what is needed from him.” Played sparingly as a true freshman before starting five games in 2023 and 12 in ’24. “I like him better than Graham,” said a second scout. “He has length, push. He’s aggressive. I’d take him over Mazi Smith.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 1/8. “He was way better than Graham,” a third scout said. “Not even close. Some rawness. Not a ton of experience. Pretty smooth movement for a big man. He’s got some inside pass rush. Power rush is really good. Really stout at the point. Hands are a little inconsistent on his pass-rush moves. The arrow is really up.” Finished with 69 tackles (12 for loss), 6 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. “Big body that demands double teams,” a fourth scout said. “Plugs up space. He played extremely hard. He’s got good range just due to the effort and playing to the whistle. Long arms to affect the passing lanes. He’s a really good player.” Three-star recruit from Merrillville, Ind. Also started at guard as a prep senior. Threw the shot put in track. “He’s gigantic and all … but I was really disappointed,” a fifth scout said. “Big ol’ dude is just a non-factor. ‘Are you going to make a play at any point?’ Plays upright, gets killed by angle blocks, doesn’t have great feel. I don’t see it. He’s seventh on my list of DTs.” Added a sixth scout: “He’s technically unsound. I can see the conditioning being an issue. If he doesn’t have Graham next to him he probably doesn’t develop to the level he has. You could hit on this guy, but you’ve got to have a really good D-line coach who’s gonna kick his *** and hold him accountable. If you don’t have that, you’re probably going to get a bust.”
5. TYLEIK WILLIAMS, Ohio State (6-3, 329, no 40, 1-2): A better prospect than Buckeye edges JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, according to one scout. “Oooh, he’s a football player,” the scout said. “He can play a 0 or a 1 or a 3 (technique), and you can keep him on the field all three downs if you want to. He’s hard to handle one-on-one in pass-rush downs. He beats the crap out of dudes now. It wouldn’t shock me if he went in the first. At all. People don’t realize how big and strong he is. Those guys are hard to find in the NFL. As an athlete with that kind of size, he’s a matchup advantage depending on who you’re going against.” Short arms (32), hands were 10 ¼. “Very similar to Collins,” said a second scout. “Just a load of a guy. Monster at the point of attack. Hard to handle. Not a pass rusher but give me that push, give me some effort. He’s got some versatility.” Returned for a fourth season and helped the Buckeyes to a national title. Finished with 136 tackles (28 for loss), 11 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. “I like him in the second round,” a third scout said. “He’s a 3-technique. He’s quick, productive and disruptive.” Four-star recruit from Manassas, Va.
6. DERRICK HARMON, Oregon (6-4 ½, 320, 5.01, 1-2): Played at Michigan State from 2021-’23, reportedly weighing 340 in his final season, before heading westward after the Spartans’ spring ball. “Like his size, the disruption, the athleticism and the strength,” said one scout. “Plays out of control. Plays high. It hurt his production this season. He missed a lot of tackles. But if you want a guy that’s up the field and a disruptive penetrator, he’s a really good prospect. He can play whatever. He even played some nose this year. He’s got the length to play 5 (technique) and the quickness to play 3. If he goes after 20 someone’s getting a great value pick.” Started 15 of 28 games in East Lansing before starting all year for the Ducks. Long arms (34 3/8) and largest hands at the position (10 3/8) among the top 12. “He played like a fence-post 5-technique in an old 3-4 scheme,” another scout said. “Really strong upper and lower (body). Has more straight-line speed than you would guess for a big guy. Not real twitchy or sudden. He’s heavy-footed in change of direction. More of a placeholder than a playmaker.” Finished with 116 tackles (18 for loss), 8 ½ sacks and six passes defensed. “Taller, linear, high-hipped,” said a third scout. “He’s OK. He gives you effort. I gave him credit for being able to play a bunch of positions adequately. Nothing really stands out. Good but not a great pass rusher. Just kind of a utility guy. His pass rush is more stunting and effort. He’s not going to beat your *** with moves. Second round.” Started on both offense and defense all four years at Loyola High in Detroit.
7. JORDAN BURCH, Oregon (6-4, 282, 4.68, 2): Some teams view him as an edge rusher, others see him as a 5-technique or even a 3 on passing downs. “He played at 290 during the season and dropped almost 20 pounds before the combine,” one scout said. “I get why — to run — but the strength of his game was he was 290 and played with power off the edge. That’s how he got all his sacks. He’s a finesse player. He just has to understand he’s not a twitchy athlete. He will have to take on double teams, play inside. He makes some first-round plays and he also makes some undrafted plays. Boom or bust in his profile right now. If he goes in the first that’s a very, very big reach.” Started 14 of 34 games at South Carolina from 2020-’22 before starting two years for the Ducks. “He’s wired a little bit differently than a lot of D-linemen,” a second scout said. “He’s got his **** together. I interviewed him. He said when he was at South Carolina he never once heard the word championship. Said he just wanted to win and that’s why he went to Oregon. You respect that a little bit … He can play up or down, wherever. Not a super loose athlete but I could see him getting into the top of Day 2 conversation if not end of Day 1.” Finished with 170 tackles (33 for loss), 16 sacks and 11 passes defensed. “First guy off the bus,” a third scout said. “Man, he looks good, and he’s improved. Two years ago, I wouldn’t talk about him outside the fourth round. Now it’s end of the second, top of the third. You’re not going to back off with his athleticism and his looks and his length. Plus, when he really wants to, and doesn’t have too much to think about, he can be a good player. Instincts are going to be an issue. They were at South Carolina and they were at Oregon. They were waiting for him to make more plays and it didn’t happen this year. At least he did get better.” Arms were 33, hands were 9 ½. “He’s always been an underachiever,” a fourth scout said. “Looks incredible on the hoof but he’s just too nice. He’s just a real nice kid. He might go third or fourth round off the body alone but he doesn’t make a lot of plays.” Five-star recruit from Columbia, S.C. Played basketball, earned academic honors. Gamecocks’ highest-rated recruit since Jadeveon Clowney in 2011.
8. T.J. SANDERS, South Carolina (6-4, 305, 5.04, 2): Fourth-year junior. Redshirted in 2021 and didn’t start a game until ’23. “The Carolinas are notorious for these type guys,” one scout said. “They got size, mobility, twitch and they’re still getting better in their third and fourth year of college. It’s a D-line rich area. He’s a country kid, raw, with huge upside. Really good first step, really good power in his hands. Showed that he can win with quick, showed he can win with power. Former basketball player so the movement is obviously there. He’s a second-rounder all day, top 50 player. He can play a 4 to a 5 (technique) but on nickel and dime he can probably get away lining up inside. That’s what everybody’s looking for: a guy that a good 4i, can play 5-technique, maybe align over a tight end. But, in certain packages, all of a sudden this guy’s in a 3-technique giving the guard something different to work with. That’s gonna be his big value.” Started 16 of 39 games, finishing with 109 tackles (18 for loss), 9 ½ sacks and six passes defensed. “They had some horses on the edge so he was more interior,” a second scout said. “He was borderline first round last year. He can play anywhere. He’s really athletic. Got heavy hands. He can bend, redirect. When he wants to play hard he can be really good. He’s got some typical D-lineman immaturity and work-ethic issues but that guy’s got a ton of upside. He’ll be a sneaky pick for whoever takes him. The reports out of there indicate he’s not really ready for all this.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were 10 ¼. Graduated in December. “They’ll tell us when you walk through the door he might be their most talented player,” a third scout said. “But the attitude and demeanor … he’s a big-time underachiever. He’s never really put it together. He’s probably going to be disappointed on draft day. They tolerated him … but he underachieved there.” Averaged a double-double as a prep basketball player in Marion, S.C.
9. SHEMAR TURNER, Texas A&M (6-3, 294, no 40, 2-3): Played four years, starting 35 games from 2022-’24. “Liked him,” one scout said. “Had some cool traits. He plays hard. Tough and physical. He’s strong. He can run. He’ll knock the **** out of you. He’s a good point player in terms of strength and position and leverage. He’s got explosive power. Plays on his feet. Good against the double. Got good range on loops and stunts. You would like a little bit more consistent pass rush and overall production for a guy with his talent level. He leaves you wanting a little bit more. He’s a strong second-round pick. Played hurt all year.” Suffered a significant leg injury early in the season but returned quickly and went the distance. Finished with 115 tackles (24 for loss), 10 sacks and one pass defensed. “He’s getting some attention now,” a second scout said. Arms were 33 5/8, hands were 10 ¼. Four-star recruit from DeSoto, Texas.
10. JOSH FARMER, Florida State (6-3, 312, 5.12, 2-3): Backed up in 2021-’22 before starting 25 games in 2023-’24. “Does the dirty work,” said one scout. “Just not as consistently strong and tough playing the point of attack and causing problems as Collins and Williams. He gets knocked around a lot. He’ll end up starting as a banger kind of guy. Second round.” Arms were 35, the longest of the top 10, and his hands were 10 ¼. “That’s rare to be that short and thick with those long arms,” the scout said. Finished with 80 tackles (21 for loss), 11 sacks and two passes defensed. “He has high, high upside,” a second scout said. “Still kind of young and raw. Not the most impressive physical specimen from a size-length standpoint but he’s well-proportioned and has a real powerful lower (body). He’s a good athlete overall with real twitch for a big man. Shows some first-step quicks and lateral agility to work on edges and get into gaps. Good variety of pass-rush moves. Doesn’t win from the jump. Tends to take his foot off the gas, stand up, free-lance. There’s a lot of that you can coach but you see the flash plays. He’s definitely third round.” Four-star recruit from Port St. Joe, Fla. “Played on 13-win and two-win teams,” a third scout said. “A little limited in his lateral movement so that will hurt him a little bit. Big men go early so you’re probably looking at a fourth- or fifth-round pick. Some teams have him a lot higher. I’d take a guy with a little more mobility. I like to see consistent redirect and close. He does that, just not all the time. Really good push. Really good B-gap type player. When he starts getting stretched laterally is when he kind of struggles. He can definitely make plays down there in the trenches as far as stop and redirect.”
11. TY ROBINSON, Nebraska (6-5, 288, 4.85, 2-3): After what scouts said was a semi-disappointing week at the Senior Bowl, he responded with boffo work at the combine. His vertical jump (33 ½), broad jump (9-11) and bench press (28) led the leading D-linemen. “Chance to be a Day 2 selection,” one scout said. “Big body. Thick dude. Really strong and powerful. Plays with an extremely high motor. Empties his tank. Good first step and quickness. Heavy hands. Knocks blockers back. Can club an offensive lineman off his feet. Can pry combo blocks open. Can bull rush a blocker into the quarterback. Has some short-area close and runs well. It’s hard for him to get skinny in a gap because of (his size). When he gets tired his pad level can rise and hand placement can get sloppy and (he) becomes more of a brawler-mauler type. I’d take him over (Yahya) Black because I know what I’m getting. He can play nose and 3-technique.” Tied the Cornhusker record for games played with 60, starting 47. Finished with 134 tackles (27 for loss), 12 sacks and 12 passes defensed. “Takes up space in the run game and high-motor production in the pass game,” said a second scout. “You’re hanging your hat on the strength and the power. He’s played outside but they kicked him inside, and that’s where his home is. I could see him going up there in the third.” Short arms (32 ¼). Hands were 10. “Looks like an NFL lineman,” said a third scout. “Little bit of a straight-line, erect, bull-in-a-china-shop style of play. He’s in the backfield, but then where’s the ball? He’ll crash into the line and then not be able to get the quarterback on the ground. He’ll get faked out or something. He has really got initial quickness and that initial charge, he’s big and he can run. He ran 4.82 at the combine so a lot of people will be going back and watching the tape on him. I’m not saying he’s first round but I definitely could see him going second on measurables alone.” Four-star recruit from Gilbert, Ariz.
12. YAHYA BLACK, Iowa (6-5 ½, 330, 5.41, 3): Waited three years for his turn to start. Backed up in 27 games from 2020-’22, then started 27 games in 2023-’24. “I’m a fan,” said one scout. “He’ll be a 2-technique or a 3-4 D-end. More of a two-gap kind of guy. This guy emerged as a leader. He’s vocal. He grew to love the program. Loved everything about it. He works. He’ll be a real nice value in the second or third.” Has 35-inch arms, tying Farmer for the longest at the position. Hands were 10 ¼. “When he uses his hands and length he can stack and shed blocks,” a second scout said. “Unrefined as a pass rusher and must develop moves and counters. Disappears for stretches and stays blocked. Makes him frustrating to watch. Little bit of good, little bit of bad. Has positive and negative flashes throughout games. This kid has upside. When he wants to go he’s impressive, and then he disappears. Probably second round, but I don’t think he gets out of the third. There’s a little bit of feast or famine with him. I’m not sure because normally those Iowa guys play their nuts off.” Early in his career, some members of the Iowa staff surmised he might be a fine offensive tackle. Finished with 117 tackles (15 for loss), 5 ½ sacks and 11 passes defensed. “He ran particularly slowly at the combine,” said one scout. “(Linebacker) Jay Higgins ran slowly. (Safety Sebastian) Castro ran slowly. The three main guys of the Iowa defense all tested poorly yet they played the best football of anybody in the country. Coaching matters.” Also played basketball and track in Marshall, Minn.
THE NEXT FIVE
Sai’vion Jones, Louisiana State (6-5 ½, 283, 4.76)
Said one scout: “He is a bad ***. Plays with a great motor, tough, physical. He can set the edge. He’s got power inside. He could start for some people at 3-technique. He played end but showed very interesting versatility playing inside at the Senior Bowl. He’s probably a fourth-round guy but if you needed a guy he’s worthy of the third.”
Darius Alexander, Toledo (6-4, 305, 5.01)
Said one scout: “Kind of reminds me of Montravius Adams coming out of Auburn (in 2017). He’s big, but he doesn’t play that big. More of a guy that gets on an edge and gets upfield. Doesn’t have a ton of substance setting edges and two-gapping but he is instinctive and plays hard. When you have guys like that they kind of find their way on the field. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him second or third round.”
Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon (6-2, 331, 5.15)
Said one scout: “Second or third round. You’re not going to like him if you see him in person. He’s a soft, doughy body. Looks like a bad offensive lineman body but he’s a real gap plugger. He stacks and splits (doubles). He’s powerful. Keeps his pads down. You wouldn’t want him getting off the bus first but they didn’t care about the look. Because they knew what he could do.”
Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee (6-2, 300, 5.17)
Said one scout: “People hyped him up. I didn’t think he did all that much. I thought he was just sort of a shorter, sawed-off guy with some quickness. Maybe I undersold him. At the combine he was sort of a disaster. He won’t be as high a pick as people were saying.”
Deone Walker, Kentucky (6-7 ½, 328, 5.35)
Said one scout: “He’s as big as they come. In the trenches you’ve got to play with some type of leverage. He just stands up way too often and gets pushed around a little too much. It’s still a big man’s game and he has some ability when he wants to. He just needs the right environment. He’ll probably end up in Philly and be great.”
Simpleton
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This DL class is arguably just as stacked as RB, you're going to be finding starting DT's going into the 3rd and 4th pretty easily.
I wouldn't hesitate to take someone like Harmon or Grant in the first, but it might be better to hold off and get a Tyleik Williams or Alfred Collins in the 2nd, or TJ Sanders, Josh Farmer or Shemar Turner in the 3rd.
Shame we don't have a 4th because that'd be a nice spot for someone like Jordan Phillips.
Jamaree Caldwell is a sleeper that I like who probably won't go until 5/6.
I wouldn't hesitate to take someone like Harmon or Grant in the first, but it might be better to hold off and get a Tyleik Williams or Alfred Collins in the 2nd, or TJ Sanders, Josh Farmer or Shemar Turner in the 3rd.
Shame we don't have a 4th because that'd be a nice spot for someone like Jordan Phillips.
Jamaree Caldwell is a sleeper that I like who probably won't go until 5/6.
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Especially if you throw DE into the mix of the D-line class. The edges are extremely deep as well. Like I really like Kyle Kennard. SEC defensive player of the year. Second team All American. Double digit sacks. He is full sized at 6'5" 255 pounds. Ran better than Mykel Williams. And I'm not sure he even is talked about as a top 10 DE.
Simpleton
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Yes, very strong, there could be damn near 20 DL who go in the first two rounds. It makes me wonder if we should just go WR in the first and let the depth at RB/DL fall to us.
I even like the 2nd as a potential spot for CB with guys like Morrison and Amos, but I'd prefer a DT like Williams or Collins.
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Corner feels thin to me. Maybe I just haven't paid enough attention but beyond the first two rounds I'm not sure there are any corners that come to mind that I like. And I'm not that excited about the guys who will go in the first two rounds either.
Simpleton
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With a decision that needed making, it was my call to group Travis Hunter with the cornerbacks rather than the wide receivers even though his playing time at Colorado the past two seasons was almost evenly split.
Of course, that doesn’t at all indicate whether Hunter will play offense, defense or both after he’s selected early in the NFL draft.
Six executives in personnel were split on Hunter’s best position. Three said wide receiver, three said cornerback. He is the top-graded player at each spot.
What they were in agreement on is that Hunter wouldn’t be able to log the 150 or so snaps from scrimmage that he did for the Buffaloes at an effective and injury-free level in the NFL.
“There’s absolutely no way he can do them both full-time,” said one executive. “They’ll just wear him out. Each team will look at him differently as far as what they want to do with him.”
As an all-time prospect with corner-wideout versatility, Hunter drew comparisons with three Hall of Fame enshrinees: Deion Sanders, his coach at Colorado in 2023-’24; Charles Woodson, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner, and Champ Bailey.
Sanders returned punts during his four seasons at Florida State but never played offense. He ran track for the Seminoles, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 meters, and played two seasons of collegiate baseball and one month of minor-league baseball as a center fielder.
At 5-11 ¾ and 182 pounds, Sanders ran the 40 at the combine in 4.29 seconds before being chosen No. 5 in 1989 behind Troy Aikman, Tony Mandarich, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas. His two-way work in the NFL included 60 receptions for 784 yards (13.1 average) and three touchdowns.
“I’ve never seen a better defensive back,” Dick Steinberg, New England’s director of player development with two decades of scouting experience, told me before that draft. “The most dominating college defensive back I ever saw before this guy was Willie Buchanon.”
Ron Wolf, then Al Davis’s top scout with the Los Angeles Raiders, called Sanders a “rare player.”
Woodson (6-0 7/8, 200, 4.43), who in 1998 became the first defensive player to win the Heisman, not only returned punts at Michigan but also found time in 1996-’97 to catch 21 passes for 370 (17.6) and three touchdowns. He was drafted No. 4 overall.
“If they were in the draft at the same time I would take this guy,” Charley Armey, the St. Louis Rams’ personnel director, said before the 1999 draft regarding his preference of Woodson over Sanders. “He will be a much better football player all-around, from A to Z.”
After Woodson destroyed Michigan State with two interceptions in 1988, former NFL center and ESPN analyst Bill Curry said, “The last cornerback I can remember making plays like that was Herb Adderley.”
Woodson’s brief exposure on offense in the NFL was limited to two receptions.
Before the 1999 draft, Bailey (5-11 ¾, 184, 4.35) received a final grade of 7.25 from Joel Buchsbaum, the pioneering independent scout for Pro Football Weekly. The year before, Woodson was handed an 8.01.
However, Bailey was so good moonlighting as a wide receiver at Georgia that Buchsbaum gave him a 6.05, which ranked fourth at the position behind Torry Holt, David Boston and Troy Edwards.
“He’s a quicker athlete and more instinctive than Woodson,” Armey said in the runup to the ’99 draft. “He doesn’t have Deion’s speed but he has awful good quickness.”
Bailey, who had a 42-inch vertical jump and a score of 25 on the Wonderlic test, caught 47 passes and rushed 16 times as a senior for the Bulldogs. He was the No. 7 selection.
“Can be a great cornerback or wide receiver,” Buchsbaum wrote before Bailey’s rookie season in Washington. “Might even do both at the same time.”
In his 15-year NFL career, Bailey caught just four passes.
In any event, Hunter is primed to become just the seventh top-5 cornerback since 2011.
“Champ Bailey was super athletic,” a longtime scout said. “Travis is probably a little twitchier in a short area. Charles Woodson was a much bigger man. Hunter’s a really good prospect but just because of his size he’s not quite graded as high as Charles Woodson.”
CORNERBACKS
1. TRAVIS HUNTER, Colorado (6-0 ½, 188, no 40, 1): Hasn’t run a 40 for scouts and probably never will. “Like with Deion (Sanders), I think you could spot him as a wide receiver but put him where he’s going to be an all-pro,” one scout said. “He’s explosive in that 7-, 15-, 20-yard range. You see him making a burst on the ball. He’s not gonna be 4.27, I can guarantee you that. He’s not Deion. But he can man cover. That’s what he can do. Don’t get me wrong, he could play well on offense if he wants. Great hands and ball skills, everything’s there. He won’t be known for his tackling ability. He might be No. 1 over (Abdul) Carter.” In 2024, he won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver and the Bednarik Award as the top defensive player. “He’s a better receiver than corner,” said a second scout.
“As a receiver, he’s quick as ****. I mean, explosive. His hands are rare, rare, rare. I don’t know if I’ve seen someone catch the ball like he does. Doesn’t have a lot of big plays downfield. That’s really the only thing you don’t see, and a lot of that is the way they use him … More of a press guy. When he’s off, you see a little bit of getting turned around and not great change of direction. Might have the best hands ever for a corner. In run support he’s not the toughest but you’ll learn to live with that.” As the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2022, he surprised many by signing with FCS Jackson State. Played eight games for the HBCU, making two interceptions and catching 18 passes. “We ended up with him on the corner board because we felt there was a million receivers and there’s eight corners,” a third scout said. “He’s sizeable enough even though he’s somewhat narrow. He is just kind of out there playing right now without a lot of technique. If he will really zero in on the technique he can be sensational. He’s willing to tackle. He’s not 6-1, 205. He’s a little more on the slender side.” Played 22 games at Colorado, finishing with 66 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 passes defensed. As a receiver, he caught 153 passes for 1,979 yards (12.9-yard average) and 20 touchdowns. “I’d play him at corner just because I think you can find receivers,” a fourth scout said. “I haven’t seen a whole lot of guys like him, really. They went out of their way to have him win the Heisman. His overall play speed is good but I don’t expect him to run 4.3. The body type is a little bit of a turn-off. He’s kind of lanky lookin’ but damn, he’s a shutdown corner. Loose, fluid hips, really smart, great feet. He’ll tackle if he has to. He’s a pretty good receiver, too.” Third-year junior with 31 3/8-inch arms and 9 1/8-inch hands. “The best corner I have done in my career is Champ Bailey and he’d be right up against him,” said a fifth scout. “I wouldn’t say he’s better but he’s really good. I had him as a corner at the beginning of the year but then the more I watched him I started getting excited about the receiver. I kind of like him as a receiver. He’s probably the best player at both positions.” Eighth player to be named first-team All-America and Academic All-America. “You watch him pedal and there’s not many that can do that,” said a sixth scout. “He doesn’t really know how to run pass routes yet but it’s special to watch him come in and out of cuts and snatch the ball and make people miss. He makes so many plays because his hand-eye coordination is through the roof. When you think about guys that have played well on both sides of the ball there’s (Charles) Woodson, Deion, Rod Woodson. They’re probably all faster than him but I don’t know if they’re quicker than him or have the same ball skills. And his feet are like machines. It’s tap-tap-tap and he’s gone. Think of one of those small punt returners. He’s like them. No matter how hard you try to hit him, you can’t hit him.” From Suwanee, Ga. Avid fisherman.
2. WILL JOHNSON, Michigan (6-1 ½, 194, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As a pure corner I have him over Hunter,” said one scout. “He can play off. He can press. He’s really good in zone. Really good dude. He has average speed, though. Just kind of a smooth mover. Plays his best coming downhill making a play toward the ball. I don’t think he’s a gambler. He’s just really instinctive. Sometimes down the field when his back’s turned I don’t know if he can locate it and track it as fast as you want. But he’s a player. He’s strong enough to be physical.” Returned three of his nine interceptions for touchdowns. “Ball skills are awesome and instincts are incredible,” a second scout said. “He just sees everything, almost to his detriment because he jumps a lot of stuff. Last year, in the Washington (CFP) championship game, they got him. Another game they got him. He’s definitely trying to make a highlight. I question his big-time explosive speed. Not top run-support toughness. Reminds me of (Pat) Surtain.” Started five of 14 games as a freshman but missed 10 games in 2023-’24 with knee (arthroscopic surgery), shoulder and turf toe injuries. “He’s got to prove he can be durable, prove you can fight through adversity from an injury standpoint to really earn my trust,” said a third scout. “I don’t want to accuse the guy of milking an injury but the questions have to be asked. That guy scares the bejesus out of me. Who’s the guy that came out of Virginia Tech about four years ago? (Caleb) Farley? He was injured. Same conversation. It’s a buyer-beware pick.” His father, Deon, was a defensive back at Michigan from 1990-’94. “It’s a shame he got hurt,” said a fourth scout. “I like him. He’s a gambler, though, and he’s going to have to learn when to pick those battles. As many times as he gambles he’ll get his * beat, too. And when he gets beat when he gambles it’s a big-* play, and you can’t give those up in the National Football League. He’ll make some big plays but, man, you get beat to the flat, big chunks happen that are game-changers. I don’t want to say he’s a wild-horse rider, but he’s close to it.” Started 22 of 32 games, finishing with 68 tackles and 10 passes defensed. Never forced a fumble or recovered a fumble. “No, no, no, no, no — he’s not Patrick Surtain,” said a fifth scout. “I saw him more of a second-rounder. He’s not the athlete that Christian Gonzalez is but he’s like a lower-level hotel in that chain. There’s a lot good. There’s just not a ton of great.” Short arms (30 1/8) for his height. “Everything you look for in a corner excluding injury he does it at corner,” a sixth scout said. “He can definitely do it but he’s been out a little bit every year. But how many of them haven’t? It’s now becoming one of those deals where after they know they’ve got enough games on tape they start folding up shop.” Either left or missed a game with injuries eight times. Five-star recruit from Grosse Pointe, Mich.
3. MAXWELL HAIRSTON, Kentucky (5-11, 183, 4.27, 1): Fourth-year junior. “He’s really fast, really quick,” one scout said. “He’s not going to be fazed by tough competition. His style translates quickly to the NFL. Most guys have to learn to play without using their hands all the time. That’s how he already plays. You see so many flags on the young guys because they grab people all the time because of the college rules. This guy is really quick with his feet.” Clocked the fastest 40 at the combine to go with a vertical jump of 39 ½ inches and a 10-9 broad jump. “After Travis Hunter he might be the best athlete of all of them,” said a second scout. “He is electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed. He’s a thinner dude. Just elite cover athletic ability, awareness and confidence. He is a cocky little guy. Reminds me of Janoris Jenkins coming out of Florida (in 2012), but faster. The only thing is that size.” Redshirted in 2021, barely played in 2022 and started 20 games the past two years. Arms were 31. “There are some size and strength limitations,” a third scout said. “But he is quick, fast, feisty, aggressive and has good instincts. I just worry about the size and strength over the long haul. But it’s about instincts and speed. It’s hard to find that combo.” Finished with 89 tackles, six interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Forced three fumbles. Missed five games in 2024 with what was described as a nagging shoulder problem. “He had the unfortunate episode where he had I want to say a shoulder injury of some kind and he went to the hospital in Lexington and he got stuck with an infected needle, of all things,” said a fourth scout. “So he missed a good portion of the season and then came back at the end. Kentucky has a history of producing DBs the last eight, 10 years under Stoops because that was Mark’s position as a coach. Hairston’s the best one they’ve ever had, he really is. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder. Running that time at the combine solidified it.” Three-star recruit from West Bloomfield, Mich.
4. JAHDAE BARRON, Texas (5-10 ½, 198, 4.38, 1): Played corner, nickel, dime and safety. “This guy is a player,” said one scout. “I’ve never seen a corner who lines up in the A gap calling out coverages and blitz stuff. Really good athlete with change of direction. Not super explosive down the field. That’s the only thing. Kills stuff in zone and underneath where he can jump routes. Hands are really good. Not a safety-type tackler but really good for a corner. Just a versatile winner wherever you play this guy. He’s more of a skilled cover guy than Brian Branch. Goes in the 20’s.” Started 39 of 57 games over five seasons. Finished with 226 tackles (21 for loss), eight picks and 24 passes defensed. Shortest arms (29 5/8) of the top 12 at the position. “He’s a little shorter than you would like,” said a second scout. “He ran fast (but) the play speed is kind of average. Willing tackler. He’s a really good football player. He’s late first.” Four-star recruit from Austin, Texas. “I think he’s more late second, early third,” a third scout said. “More of a zone corner than a man corner. He’s physical to a certain degree but a lot of his plays come off of his vision and catching tipped balls. He’ll be very good in a zone scheme. In a man scheme, he might struggle some because he’s not as quick-twitched as the (top) guys. I think he’s a nickel/free safety. He can’t play man coverage like Branch. He’s not a natural man-cover guy. He plays with his eyes.”
5. BENJAMIN MORRISON, Notre Dame (6-0, 191, no 40, 1-2): Was looking like a first-round draft choice until Game 6 last season when he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip that required season-ending surgery. Last week, he put up 17 reps on the bench press. On April 19, he will try to do more during a scheduled workout in Arizona. “He had a hip, which is kind of scary,” one scout said. “He’ll be a winning starter. Best in press. Smothers people in press. He’s got quick feet and can run. In off coverage he’s not the most fluid or nifty but you see the burst. In run support he’s strong. Their defensive coordinator (Al Golden in 2024) does some awesome stuff and they blitz him. He’s so fast when they blitz him.” Had somewhat similar damage to his right hip in high school and underwent surgery in early 2021. “He’s a second-round guy,” a second scout said. “He has the height-weight-speed that people are looking for.” In 31 games (26 starts), he finished with 84 tackles, nine picks and 18 passes defensed. “Thing he does best is play man-to-man coverage, which every team is looking for,” a third scout said. “He’s going to get stronger. Very smart. If he’s healthy, he’ll go in the first. If he’s not totally healthy, he’ll go top of the second.” Four-star recruit from Phoenix. Arms were 30 3/8. “Fluid hips, quick feet,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got long speed. He just kind of struggles when there’s bigger bodies playing more physical with him. He lacks the strength and length to play at the line of scrimmage and press, but his feet are good enough to mirror and match in phase. It’s just a matter of that hip and how far that takes him down. And he had the other one done in high school. It was just a matter of time to do the one he did this year. But I don’t see him getting out of the second round.”
6. AZAREYE'H THOMAS, Florida State (6-1 ½, 196, 4.59, 2): Appeared to have a shot late in the first round before he ran a slow 40 at pro day. “He was easily a first-rounder and then he didn’t run well,” one scout said. “He’s gonna drop because of that but I didn’t think there was a lot of evidence he didn’t have straight-line speed. If anything, I thought it was the lateral piece that would hurt him. I’d fight for him because he’s a big corner. Someone will have to believe in their eyes and not the (watch). His card will be so marked up in red that it’ll be hard to turn it in. He’s going to be a value pick for somebody. He was a bright light in a dark room there.” Third-year junior. Played sparingly as a freshman, played extensively as a sophomore and then started 12 games as a junior. “I like him over Barron,” a second scout said. “Their season was bad but his was good. You can line him up against bigger guys, line him up against fast guys. He can play on or off the ball, and he can play inside. He’s got a really big upside because he can do so much, and he’s big.” Finished with 95 tackles, two picks and 15 passes defensed. Arms were 32 3/8. Hand size (10) was the largest of the top 12 corners. “They had a tough season,” a third scout said. “He got picked on more this year than I would have expected. I still think this guy’s a solid second-rounder. Then again, I saw he had some rough reps in the Senior Bowl, too. He's every bit of 6-2 and has great foot quickness, movement skills, ability to mirror in man coverage, acceleration and recovery ability. I think he did struggle on the more multi-breaking routes. At 6-2, you’re always going to have some difficulty with that and he also would get bodied by bigger receivers. He’s pretty willing (as a tackler). He’s not a coward in that area.” Four-star recruit from Niceville, Fla.
7. SHAVON REVEL, East Carolina (6-2, 200, no 40, 2): Compared by two scouts to Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round pick from Toledo last year and an all-rookie team corner. “Early on I said this could be Quinyon Mitchell,” said one scout. “He is tall and that length shows up. Explosive close as a straight-line athlete. Yeah, for a guy that tall, he’s going to get leggy at the top of a route and get segmented in transition. But he has rare stuff. For such a long guy he’s so explosive and fast. He displayed natural timing to make a play on the ball and high-point it. Probably my favorite thing about this guy was just how aggressive he was as a run defender. He throws his body around. He probably needs to protect himself a little bit more. You can tell: he loved it. This was a solid Day 2 guy.” That picture changed dramatically Sept. 18 in practice when he suffered a torn ACL; surgery was performed Oct. 15. “Before he got hurt he was trending to being a first-round corner so now maybe he goes in the second or third,” a second scout said. “He has a small body of work and it’s not against a ton of Power 4 teams. Impressive run with people. Able to play the ball. Strong tackler. Has a lot of high-level starter traits.” Spent 2020-’21 at a junior college but the first season was canceled and he played just six games in the second. Started 15 of 24 games for the Pirates from 2022-‘24, finishing with 70 tackles, three picks and 15 passes defensed. “I was hoping he’d get to an all-star game and then you could see what he looked like against top receivers and quarterbacks,” said a third scout. “I think about him and Mitchell. I wasn’t sold on Mitchell until the all-star game (Senior Bowl).” Three-star recruit from Winston-Salem, N.C. “Where he goes I don’t know, but he has first-round talent,” said a fourth scout. “He’s a late-bloomer. Hasn’t played a ton. He didn’t even know how good he was.” Arms were 32 5/8. Added a fifth scout: “ACL in September after three games. Seems to be a theme for this group. Raw, but he’s competitive. He’s going to start if he’s healthy.”
8. DARIEN PORTER, Iowa State (6-3, 197, 4.31, 2-3): Arrived in Ames in 2019 and stayed six years. ”He could be the enigma of the whole draft,” said one scout. “He was a track guy to start with and then he was a receiver and then he was a corner. To Iowa State’s disservice, they didn’t put him out there enough where you could just go, ‘Yeah, I really like this guy.’ They talked him up but they didn’t play him the way they talked about him. He’s talented, he’s big and he can run. If you do (take him top-100), you feel pretty good about your team already.” Ran a blazing 40 and led the corners in the short shuttle (4.04) and 3-cone (6.71). Longest arms at the position (33 1/8). “He’s just very raw,” a second scout said. “Where he’ll make his money is special teams to start. He’s an excellent gunner. He blocked five kicks over his career, including four punts and one field goal. He’s just new to the position. Only played half the snaps on defense this year. He’s got a lot of traits that are maybe average right now but they can be better. He had two picks against Iowa (Sept. 7) and got blown up on the map.” Three-star wide receiver from Bettendorf, Iowa. Ran the first sub-47 second clocking in the 400 meters in Iowa prep history (46.99). Made one reception in three seasons as a wideout before moving to corner in 2022. “Long, lean, athletic and fast,” a third scout said. “Battled through an ankle sprain during the season. His ability to turn and run with guys really showed up. Limited tackle production but more than willing to run support. Not afraid to stick his nose in there. Doesn’t have a high volume of times when he was targeted but he makes plays on the ball in man and zone.” Finished with 51 tackles, three picks and six passes defensed. “Not aggressive or violent,” said a fourth scout. “Poor tackler. Not strong. But can this guy move around for a big dude. He’s raw, but the arrow’s going the right way. Fourth round.”
9. TREY AMOS, Mississippi (6-0 ½, 194, 4.45, 3): Played 34 games at Louisiana Lafayette from 2020-’22, 14 games (one start) at Alabama in 2023 and 13 games, all starts, at Ole Miss last year. “Alabama took him in the portal and then, ‘Well, this guy’s really not good enough,’” said one scout. “He really improved this year. He has worked himself to maybe third round and no later than the fourth. You can poke some holes in him but he’s a good corner.” Finished with 121 tackles, four picks and 31 passes defensed. “He reminds me of a poor man’s version of the kid that got drafted this year, Kool-Aid (McKinstry),” said a second scout. “Talented athlete, but when you have to put your head into the fray, will he do it? I’m not sold on him doing it. He’s quick, he’s long and can match up in man coverage. This year he played pretty solid and pretty consistent. The thing for him is to be a consistent tackler in space and improve his overall field awareness.” Arms were 31 ¼. From New Iberia, La. “Kind of struggles with change of direction,” said a third scout. “Got good zone feel. In run support, some feistiness but weak. Has enough talent to back up. Fourth-fifth round.”
10. JORDAN HANCOCK, Ohio State (6-0, 190, 4.45, 3-4): Often overshadowed in a secondary that included free safety Caleb Downs, strong safety Lathan Ransom and cornerback Denzel Burke. “When it came down to it he was kind of the glue, he and the safety from Alabama (Downs),” one scout said. “He might ultimately end up playing better than their other two corners (Burke, Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun). I think his talent level will take him a long way because he’s smart and he’s a leader. He played nickel for them but probably should have been starting outside to keep him on the field more. He’s a jack of all trades and he could be the master of all of them. He has no problem covering guys outside or taking on linemen and making tackles.” Clocked a solid 40 at pro day to go with a vertical jump of 41 ½, best among the corners. “He was their best corner,” a second scout said. “He’s more ball denial than interception but he has the ability to play the ball. He can play nickel, safety, any position in the secondary. Athletic, good tackler, great feet, can run, strong, smart, great hips. Like him in press and off coverage. Little bit inconsistent to shed blocks. If he’s in the box as a nickel he can get pushed around a little bit. He’s dynamite.” Missed the first six games of 2022 with a hamstring injury. Started 23 of 41 games over four years, finishing with 98 tackles, three picks and 14 passes defensed. “I just like the way he handles his body and the way he moves around,” said a third scout. “He was a position leader. I’d say he’s probably third day, fourth or fifth round.” Rated as the No. 4 corner in the U.S. coming out of Suwanee, Ga., in 2021.
11. JACOB PARRISH, Kansas State (5-9 ½, 193, 4.31, 3-4): Third-year junior. “He’s coming out as a junior,” said one scout. “If he goes back, next year he’s a second-, third-round pick. This year, he’ll be a third-rounder or fourth-rounder. He can play outside and nickel. He’s very competitive. They really liked him and were sad they lost him. But it’s better to lose them to the combine than the portal, you know? He’s going to be a good player. He’ll be one of those guys that fans say, ‘Where did that guy come from?’” Started all 24 games the past two seasons after playing 14 games as a key backup in 2022. Finished with 108 tackles, five picks and 19 passes defensed. Arms were 30 7/8. “Pretty good man cover ability,” said a second scout. “He’ll bang you and has pretty good eyes in zone. Has a good talent level, just not a great talent level.” Ran one of the top 40’s at the combine. “He doesn’t play like that (4.31), though,” the second scout said. “He probably was their No. 2 corner at the end of the year, maybe their No. 3. He’s going to go between the fourth and the sixth.” From Olathe, Kan.
12. CALEB RANSAW, Tulane (5-11 ½, 196, 4.33, 3-4): Played 34 games from 2021-’23 at Troy before following Trojans coach Jon Sumrall when he accepted the Tulane job in 2024. “They literally kidnapped him from Troy to Tulane,” one scout said. “They did not let this kid see the light of day because they did not believe the portal would be kind to him so he followed (Sumrall) down there. He’s a sensational nickel. He’s got the size of an outside corner and the size of a safety. He can play all five positions but his specialty is nickel. He’s very good at it. He tested well. They absolutely love this kid. Underrated. I think he’ll go as high as the second and no later than the third.” Ran a fast 40 in tandem with a 40-inch vertical jump. Arms were 30 ¾. “That one surprised me, that he could run that fast,” said a second scout. “He looked good in the all-star games and OK during the regular season. But he’s smart and competes. His quickness is a bit of a problem. Every time I watched him I was trying to figure out what you do with the guy. He’s in the fourth-fifth range.” Finished with 115 tackles, just one pick and only eight passes defensed. From Harvest, Ala.
THE NEXT SIX
Denzel Burke, Ohio State (5-11, 187, 4.49)
L
One scout said: “What he looked like two years ago is not what he looked like this year. I’m not sure if he should have come out and then had reservations about it, or he’s a guy who peaked too early. Still a good player. But he was going early-to-mid first round last year and now you’re talking second to third. Against Michigan and Notre Dame, they were actually trying to find him. He was being targeted a lot, which was different than in past years. It just didn’t look like the tenacity was the same.”
Justin Walley, Minnesota (5-10, 194, 4.43)
One scout said: “He’s a good nickel. Undersized and scrappy. Best in man coverage. Average athlete. He had good speed, but there were some plays you questioned that, too. More of a nickel guy. You like the makeup and the way he competes. He’s just kind of smaller.”
Jaylin Smith, Southern Cal (5-10 ½, 191, 4.42)
One scout said: “Struggled at the Senior Bowl in one-on-one’s but that can be a false tell. Scrappy and competitive. Not great in press. He’s got recovery (speed). Really like his feet. He does get pushed around at the point. Needs to get stronger. He’s third-fourth round.”
Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech (6-1, 185, 4.48)
One scout said: “The other corner there, Mansoor Delane, stayed in school but was a better player. Strong’s one of those guys that’s 6-1, runs well enough, is athletic enough. He does enough to stay on the field but he doesn’t do enough to get you excited. He’s not getting torched all the time and getting penalties, but he’s also not making very many plays. He’s a backup in the league.”
Nohl Williams, California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s the best corner on the West Coast. Last year he was, too. Fast and instinctive, can play outside or inside. The big thing is his ball skills. Led the country in picks (seven).”
Quincy Riley, Louisville (5-10 ½, 193, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s sticky in man coverage. He’ll take kill shots … but misses way too many tackles. He can run. Little more straight-line. Little bit rigid in change of direction. He’s a cover guy, a pure cover guy. He knows how to play within his body. This kid’s like that in coverage.”
Of course, that doesn’t at all indicate whether Hunter will play offense, defense or both after he’s selected early in the NFL draft.
Six executives in personnel were split on Hunter’s best position. Three said wide receiver, three said cornerback. He is the top-graded player at each spot.
What they were in agreement on is that Hunter wouldn’t be able to log the 150 or so snaps from scrimmage that he did for the Buffaloes at an effective and injury-free level in the NFL.
“There’s absolutely no way he can do them both full-time,” said one executive. “They’ll just wear him out. Each team will look at him differently as far as what they want to do with him.”
As an all-time prospect with corner-wideout versatility, Hunter drew comparisons with three Hall of Fame enshrinees: Deion Sanders, his coach at Colorado in 2023-’24; Charles Woodson, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner, and Champ Bailey.
Sanders returned punts during his four seasons at Florida State but never played offense. He ran track for the Seminoles, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 meters, and played two seasons of collegiate baseball and one month of minor-league baseball as a center fielder.
At 5-11 ¾ and 182 pounds, Sanders ran the 40 at the combine in 4.29 seconds before being chosen No. 5 in 1989 behind Troy Aikman, Tony Mandarich, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas. His two-way work in the NFL included 60 receptions for 784 yards (13.1 average) and three touchdowns.
“I’ve never seen a better defensive back,” Dick Steinberg, New England’s director of player development with two decades of scouting experience, told me before that draft. “The most dominating college defensive back I ever saw before this guy was Willie Buchanon.”
Ron Wolf, then Al Davis’s top scout with the Los Angeles Raiders, called Sanders a “rare player.”
Woodson (6-0 7/8, 200, 4.43), who in 1998 became the first defensive player to win the Heisman, not only returned punts at Michigan but also found time in 1996-’97 to catch 21 passes for 370 (17.6) and three touchdowns. He was drafted No. 4 overall.
“If they were in the draft at the same time I would take this guy,” Charley Armey, the St. Louis Rams’ personnel director, said before the 1999 draft regarding his preference of Woodson over Sanders. “He will be a much better football player all-around, from A to Z.”
After Woodson destroyed Michigan State with two interceptions in 1988, former NFL center and ESPN analyst Bill Curry said, “The last cornerback I can remember making plays like that was Herb Adderley.”
Woodson’s brief exposure on offense in the NFL was limited to two receptions.
Before the 1999 draft, Bailey (5-11 ¾, 184, 4.35) received a final grade of 7.25 from Joel Buchsbaum, the pioneering independent scout for Pro Football Weekly. The year before, Woodson was handed an 8.01.
However, Bailey was so good moonlighting as a wide receiver at Georgia that Buchsbaum gave him a 6.05, which ranked fourth at the position behind Torry Holt, David Boston and Troy Edwards.
“He’s a quicker athlete and more instinctive than Woodson,” Armey said in the runup to the ’99 draft. “He doesn’t have Deion’s speed but he has awful good quickness.”
Bailey, who had a 42-inch vertical jump and a score of 25 on the Wonderlic test, caught 47 passes and rushed 16 times as a senior for the Bulldogs. He was the No. 7 selection.
“Can be a great cornerback or wide receiver,” Buchsbaum wrote before Bailey’s rookie season in Washington. “Might even do both at the same time.”
In his 15-year NFL career, Bailey caught just four passes.
In any event, Hunter is primed to become just the seventh top-5 cornerback since 2011.
“Champ Bailey was super athletic,” a longtime scout said. “Travis is probably a little twitchier in a short area. Charles Woodson was a much bigger man. Hunter’s a really good prospect but just because of his size he’s not quite graded as high as Charles Woodson.”
CORNERBACKS
1. TRAVIS HUNTER, Colorado (6-0 ½, 188, no 40, 1): Hasn’t run a 40 for scouts and probably never will. “Like with Deion (Sanders), I think you could spot him as a wide receiver but put him where he’s going to be an all-pro,” one scout said. “He’s explosive in that 7-, 15-, 20-yard range. You see him making a burst on the ball. He’s not gonna be 4.27, I can guarantee you that. He’s not Deion. But he can man cover. That’s what he can do. Don’t get me wrong, he could play well on offense if he wants. Great hands and ball skills, everything’s there. He won’t be known for his tackling ability. He might be No. 1 over (Abdul) Carter.” In 2024, he won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver and the Bednarik Award as the top defensive player. “He’s a better receiver than corner,” said a second scout.
“As a receiver, he’s quick as ****. I mean, explosive. His hands are rare, rare, rare. I don’t know if I’ve seen someone catch the ball like he does. Doesn’t have a lot of big plays downfield. That’s really the only thing you don’t see, and a lot of that is the way they use him … More of a press guy. When he’s off, you see a little bit of getting turned around and not great change of direction. Might have the best hands ever for a corner. In run support he’s not the toughest but you’ll learn to live with that.” As the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2022, he surprised many by signing with FCS Jackson State. Played eight games for the HBCU, making two interceptions and catching 18 passes. “We ended up with him on the corner board because we felt there was a million receivers and there’s eight corners,” a third scout said. “He’s sizeable enough even though he’s somewhat narrow. He is just kind of out there playing right now without a lot of technique. If he will really zero in on the technique he can be sensational. He’s willing to tackle. He’s not 6-1, 205. He’s a little more on the slender side.” Played 22 games at Colorado, finishing with 66 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 passes defensed. As a receiver, he caught 153 passes for 1,979 yards (12.9-yard average) and 20 touchdowns. “I’d play him at corner just because I think you can find receivers,” a fourth scout said. “I haven’t seen a whole lot of guys like him, really. They went out of their way to have him win the Heisman. His overall play speed is good but I don’t expect him to run 4.3. The body type is a little bit of a turn-off. He’s kind of lanky lookin’ but damn, he’s a shutdown corner. Loose, fluid hips, really smart, great feet. He’ll tackle if he has to. He’s a pretty good receiver, too.” Third-year junior with 31 3/8-inch arms and 9 1/8-inch hands. “The best corner I have done in my career is Champ Bailey and he’d be right up against him,” said a fifth scout. “I wouldn’t say he’s better but he’s really good. I had him as a corner at the beginning of the year but then the more I watched him I started getting excited about the receiver. I kind of like him as a receiver. He’s probably the best player at both positions.” Eighth player to be named first-team All-America and Academic All-America. “You watch him pedal and there’s not many that can do that,” said a sixth scout. “He doesn’t really know how to run pass routes yet but it’s special to watch him come in and out of cuts and snatch the ball and make people miss. He makes so many plays because his hand-eye coordination is through the roof. When you think about guys that have played well on both sides of the ball there’s (Charles) Woodson, Deion, Rod Woodson. They’re probably all faster than him but I don’t know if they’re quicker than him or have the same ball skills. And his feet are like machines. It’s tap-tap-tap and he’s gone. Think of one of those small punt returners. He’s like them. No matter how hard you try to hit him, you can’t hit him.” From Suwanee, Ga. Avid fisherman.
2. WILL JOHNSON, Michigan (6-1 ½, 194, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As a pure corner I have him over Hunter,” said one scout. “He can play off. He can press. He’s really good in zone. Really good dude. He has average speed, though. Just kind of a smooth mover. Plays his best coming downhill making a play toward the ball. I don’t think he’s a gambler. He’s just really instinctive. Sometimes down the field when his back’s turned I don’t know if he can locate it and track it as fast as you want. But he’s a player. He’s strong enough to be physical.” Returned three of his nine interceptions for touchdowns. “Ball skills are awesome and instincts are incredible,” a second scout said. “He just sees everything, almost to his detriment because he jumps a lot of stuff. Last year, in the Washington (CFP) championship game, they got him. Another game they got him. He’s definitely trying to make a highlight. I question his big-time explosive speed. Not top run-support toughness. Reminds me of (Pat) Surtain.” Started five of 14 games as a freshman but missed 10 games in 2023-’24 with knee (arthroscopic surgery), shoulder and turf toe injuries. “He’s got to prove he can be durable, prove you can fight through adversity from an injury standpoint to really earn my trust,” said a third scout. “I don’t want to accuse the guy of milking an injury but the questions have to be asked. That guy scares the bejesus out of me. Who’s the guy that came out of Virginia Tech about four years ago? (Caleb) Farley? He was injured. Same conversation. It’s a buyer-beware pick.” His father, Deon, was a defensive back at Michigan from 1990-’94. “It’s a shame he got hurt,” said a fourth scout. “I like him. He’s a gambler, though, and he’s going to have to learn when to pick those battles. As many times as he gambles he’ll get his * beat, too. And when he gets beat when he gambles it’s a big-* play, and you can’t give those up in the National Football League. He’ll make some big plays but, man, you get beat to the flat, big chunks happen that are game-changers. I don’t want to say he’s a wild-horse rider, but he’s close to it.” Started 22 of 32 games, finishing with 68 tackles and 10 passes defensed. Never forced a fumble or recovered a fumble. “No, no, no, no, no — he’s not Patrick Surtain,” said a fifth scout. “I saw him more of a second-rounder. He’s not the athlete that Christian Gonzalez is but he’s like a lower-level hotel in that chain. There’s a lot good. There’s just not a ton of great.” Short arms (30 1/8) for his height. “Everything you look for in a corner excluding injury he does it at corner,” a sixth scout said. “He can definitely do it but he’s been out a little bit every year. But how many of them haven’t? It’s now becoming one of those deals where after they know they’ve got enough games on tape they start folding up shop.” Either left or missed a game with injuries eight times. Five-star recruit from Grosse Pointe, Mich.
3. MAXWELL HAIRSTON, Kentucky (5-11, 183, 4.27, 1): Fourth-year junior. “He’s really fast, really quick,” one scout said. “He’s not going to be fazed by tough competition. His style translates quickly to the NFL. Most guys have to learn to play without using their hands all the time. That’s how he already plays. You see so many flags on the young guys because they grab people all the time because of the college rules. This guy is really quick with his feet.” Clocked the fastest 40 at the combine to go with a vertical jump of 39 ½ inches and a 10-9 broad jump. “After Travis Hunter he might be the best athlete of all of them,” said a second scout. “He is electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed. He’s a thinner dude. Just elite cover athletic ability, awareness and confidence. He is a cocky little guy. Reminds me of Janoris Jenkins coming out of Florida (in 2012), but faster. The only thing is that size.” Redshirted in 2021, barely played in 2022 and started 20 games the past two years. Arms were 31. “There are some size and strength limitations,” a third scout said. “But he is quick, fast, feisty, aggressive and has good instincts. I just worry about the size and strength over the long haul. But it’s about instincts and speed. It’s hard to find that combo.” Finished with 89 tackles, six interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Forced three fumbles. Missed five games in 2024 with what was described as a nagging shoulder problem. “He had the unfortunate episode where he had I want to say a shoulder injury of some kind and he went to the hospital in Lexington and he got stuck with an infected needle, of all things,” said a fourth scout. “So he missed a good portion of the season and then came back at the end. Kentucky has a history of producing DBs the last eight, 10 years under Stoops because that was Mark’s position as a coach. Hairston’s the best one they’ve ever had, he really is. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder. Running that time at the combine solidified it.” Three-star recruit from West Bloomfield, Mich.
4. JAHDAE BARRON, Texas (5-10 ½, 198, 4.38, 1): Played corner, nickel, dime and safety. “This guy is a player,” said one scout. “I’ve never seen a corner who lines up in the A gap calling out coverages and blitz stuff. Really good athlete with change of direction. Not super explosive down the field. That’s the only thing. Kills stuff in zone and underneath where he can jump routes. Hands are really good. Not a safety-type tackler but really good for a corner. Just a versatile winner wherever you play this guy. He’s more of a skilled cover guy than Brian Branch. Goes in the 20’s.” Started 39 of 57 games over five seasons. Finished with 226 tackles (21 for loss), eight picks and 24 passes defensed. Shortest arms (29 5/8) of the top 12 at the position. “He’s a little shorter than you would like,” said a second scout. “He ran fast (but) the play speed is kind of average. Willing tackler. He’s a really good football player. He’s late first.” Four-star recruit from Austin, Texas. “I think he’s more late second, early third,” a third scout said. “More of a zone corner than a man corner. He’s physical to a certain degree but a lot of his plays come off of his vision and catching tipped balls. He’ll be very good in a zone scheme. In a man scheme, he might struggle some because he’s not as quick-twitched as the (top) guys. I think he’s a nickel/free safety. He can’t play man coverage like Branch. He’s not a natural man-cover guy. He plays with his eyes.”
5. BENJAMIN MORRISON, Notre Dame (6-0, 191, no 40, 1-2): Was looking like a first-round draft choice until Game 6 last season when he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip that required season-ending surgery. Last week, he put up 17 reps on the bench press. On April 19, he will try to do more during a scheduled workout in Arizona. “He had a hip, which is kind of scary,” one scout said. “He’ll be a winning starter. Best in press. Smothers people in press. He’s got quick feet and can run. In off coverage he’s not the most fluid or nifty but you see the burst. In run support he’s strong. Their defensive coordinator (Al Golden in 2024) does some awesome stuff and they blitz him. He’s so fast when they blitz him.” Had somewhat similar damage to his right hip in high school and underwent surgery in early 2021. “He’s a second-round guy,” a second scout said. “He has the height-weight-speed that people are looking for.” In 31 games (26 starts), he finished with 84 tackles, nine picks and 18 passes defensed. “Thing he does best is play man-to-man coverage, which every team is looking for,” a third scout said. “He’s going to get stronger. Very smart. If he’s healthy, he’ll go in the first. If he’s not totally healthy, he’ll go top of the second.” Four-star recruit from Phoenix. Arms were 30 3/8. “Fluid hips, quick feet,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got long speed. He just kind of struggles when there’s bigger bodies playing more physical with him. He lacks the strength and length to play at the line of scrimmage and press, but his feet are good enough to mirror and match in phase. It’s just a matter of that hip and how far that takes him down. And he had the other one done in high school. It was just a matter of time to do the one he did this year. But I don’t see him getting out of the second round.”
6. AZAREYE'H THOMAS, Florida State (6-1 ½, 196, 4.59, 2): Appeared to have a shot late in the first round before he ran a slow 40 at pro day. “He was easily a first-rounder and then he didn’t run well,” one scout said. “He’s gonna drop because of that but I didn’t think there was a lot of evidence he didn’t have straight-line speed. If anything, I thought it was the lateral piece that would hurt him. I’d fight for him because he’s a big corner. Someone will have to believe in their eyes and not the (watch). His card will be so marked up in red that it’ll be hard to turn it in. He’s going to be a value pick for somebody. He was a bright light in a dark room there.” Third-year junior. Played sparingly as a freshman, played extensively as a sophomore and then started 12 games as a junior. “I like him over Barron,” a second scout said. “Their season was bad but his was good. You can line him up against bigger guys, line him up against fast guys. He can play on or off the ball, and he can play inside. He’s got a really big upside because he can do so much, and he’s big.” Finished with 95 tackles, two picks and 15 passes defensed. Arms were 32 3/8. Hand size (10) was the largest of the top 12 corners. “They had a tough season,” a third scout said. “He got picked on more this year than I would have expected. I still think this guy’s a solid second-rounder. Then again, I saw he had some rough reps in the Senior Bowl, too. He's every bit of 6-2 and has great foot quickness, movement skills, ability to mirror in man coverage, acceleration and recovery ability. I think he did struggle on the more multi-breaking routes. At 6-2, you’re always going to have some difficulty with that and he also would get bodied by bigger receivers. He’s pretty willing (as a tackler). He’s not a coward in that area.” Four-star recruit from Niceville, Fla.
7. SHAVON REVEL, East Carolina (6-2, 200, no 40, 2): Compared by two scouts to Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round pick from Toledo last year and an all-rookie team corner. “Early on I said this could be Quinyon Mitchell,” said one scout. “He is tall and that length shows up. Explosive close as a straight-line athlete. Yeah, for a guy that tall, he’s going to get leggy at the top of a route and get segmented in transition. But he has rare stuff. For such a long guy he’s so explosive and fast. He displayed natural timing to make a play on the ball and high-point it. Probably my favorite thing about this guy was just how aggressive he was as a run defender. He throws his body around. He probably needs to protect himself a little bit more. You can tell: he loved it. This was a solid Day 2 guy.” That picture changed dramatically Sept. 18 in practice when he suffered a torn ACL; surgery was performed Oct. 15. “Before he got hurt he was trending to being a first-round corner so now maybe he goes in the second or third,” a second scout said. “He has a small body of work and it’s not against a ton of Power 4 teams. Impressive run with people. Able to play the ball. Strong tackler. Has a lot of high-level starter traits.” Spent 2020-’21 at a junior college but the first season was canceled and he played just six games in the second. Started 15 of 24 games for the Pirates from 2022-‘24, finishing with 70 tackles, three picks and 15 passes defensed. “I was hoping he’d get to an all-star game and then you could see what he looked like against top receivers and quarterbacks,” said a third scout. “I think about him and Mitchell. I wasn’t sold on Mitchell until the all-star game (Senior Bowl).” Three-star recruit from Winston-Salem, N.C. “Where he goes I don’t know, but he has first-round talent,” said a fourth scout. “He’s a late-bloomer. Hasn’t played a ton. He didn’t even know how good he was.” Arms were 32 5/8. Added a fifth scout: “ACL in September after three games. Seems to be a theme for this group. Raw, but he’s competitive. He’s going to start if he’s healthy.”
8. DARIEN PORTER, Iowa State (6-3, 197, 4.31, 2-3): Arrived in Ames in 2019 and stayed six years. ”He could be the enigma of the whole draft,” said one scout. “He was a track guy to start with and then he was a receiver and then he was a corner. To Iowa State’s disservice, they didn’t put him out there enough where you could just go, ‘Yeah, I really like this guy.’ They talked him up but they didn’t play him the way they talked about him. He’s talented, he’s big and he can run. If you do (take him top-100), you feel pretty good about your team already.” Ran a blazing 40 and led the corners in the short shuttle (4.04) and 3-cone (6.71). Longest arms at the position (33 1/8). “He’s just very raw,” a second scout said. “Where he’ll make his money is special teams to start. He’s an excellent gunner. He blocked five kicks over his career, including four punts and one field goal. He’s just new to the position. Only played half the snaps on defense this year. He’s got a lot of traits that are maybe average right now but they can be better. He had two picks against Iowa (Sept. 7) and got blown up on the map.” Three-star wide receiver from Bettendorf, Iowa. Ran the first sub-47 second clocking in the 400 meters in Iowa prep history (46.99). Made one reception in three seasons as a wideout before moving to corner in 2022. “Long, lean, athletic and fast,” a third scout said. “Battled through an ankle sprain during the season. His ability to turn and run with guys really showed up. Limited tackle production but more than willing to run support. Not afraid to stick his nose in there. Doesn’t have a high volume of times when he was targeted but he makes plays on the ball in man and zone.” Finished with 51 tackles, three picks and six passes defensed. “Not aggressive or violent,” said a fourth scout. “Poor tackler. Not strong. But can this guy move around for a big dude. He’s raw, but the arrow’s going the right way. Fourth round.”
9. TREY AMOS, Mississippi (6-0 ½, 194, 4.45, 3): Played 34 games at Louisiana Lafayette from 2020-’22, 14 games (one start) at Alabama in 2023 and 13 games, all starts, at Ole Miss last year. “Alabama took him in the portal and then, ‘Well, this guy’s really not good enough,’” said one scout. “He really improved this year. He has worked himself to maybe third round and no later than the fourth. You can poke some holes in him but he’s a good corner.” Finished with 121 tackles, four picks and 31 passes defensed. “He reminds me of a poor man’s version of the kid that got drafted this year, Kool-Aid (McKinstry),” said a second scout. “Talented athlete, but when you have to put your head into the fray, will he do it? I’m not sold on him doing it. He’s quick, he’s long and can match up in man coverage. This year he played pretty solid and pretty consistent. The thing for him is to be a consistent tackler in space and improve his overall field awareness.” Arms were 31 ¼. From New Iberia, La. “Kind of struggles with change of direction,” said a third scout. “Got good zone feel. In run support, some feistiness but weak. Has enough talent to back up. Fourth-fifth round.”
10. JORDAN HANCOCK, Ohio State (6-0, 190, 4.45, 3-4): Often overshadowed in a secondary that included free safety Caleb Downs, strong safety Lathan Ransom and cornerback Denzel Burke. “When it came down to it he was kind of the glue, he and the safety from Alabama (Downs),” one scout said. “He might ultimately end up playing better than their other two corners (Burke, Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun). I think his talent level will take him a long way because he’s smart and he’s a leader. He played nickel for them but probably should have been starting outside to keep him on the field more. He’s a jack of all trades and he could be the master of all of them. He has no problem covering guys outside or taking on linemen and making tackles.” Clocked a solid 40 at pro day to go with a vertical jump of 41 ½, best among the corners. “He was their best corner,” a second scout said. “He’s more ball denial than interception but he has the ability to play the ball. He can play nickel, safety, any position in the secondary. Athletic, good tackler, great feet, can run, strong, smart, great hips. Like him in press and off coverage. Little bit inconsistent to shed blocks. If he’s in the box as a nickel he can get pushed around a little bit. He’s dynamite.” Missed the first six games of 2022 with a hamstring injury. Started 23 of 41 games over four years, finishing with 98 tackles, three picks and 14 passes defensed. “I just like the way he handles his body and the way he moves around,” said a third scout. “He was a position leader. I’d say he’s probably third day, fourth or fifth round.” Rated as the No. 4 corner in the U.S. coming out of Suwanee, Ga., in 2021.
11. JACOB PARRISH, Kansas State (5-9 ½, 193, 4.31, 3-4): Third-year junior. “He’s coming out as a junior,” said one scout. “If he goes back, next year he’s a second-, third-round pick. This year, he’ll be a third-rounder or fourth-rounder. He can play outside and nickel. He’s very competitive. They really liked him and were sad they lost him. But it’s better to lose them to the combine than the portal, you know? He’s going to be a good player. He’ll be one of those guys that fans say, ‘Where did that guy come from?’” Started all 24 games the past two seasons after playing 14 games as a key backup in 2022. Finished with 108 tackles, five picks and 19 passes defensed. Arms were 30 7/8. “Pretty good man cover ability,” said a second scout. “He’ll bang you and has pretty good eyes in zone. Has a good talent level, just not a great talent level.” Ran one of the top 40’s at the combine. “He doesn’t play like that (4.31), though,” the second scout said. “He probably was their No. 2 corner at the end of the year, maybe their No. 3. He’s going to go between the fourth and the sixth.” From Olathe, Kan.
12. CALEB RANSAW, Tulane (5-11 ½, 196, 4.33, 3-4): Played 34 games from 2021-’23 at Troy before following Trojans coach Jon Sumrall when he accepted the Tulane job in 2024. “They literally kidnapped him from Troy to Tulane,” one scout said. “They did not let this kid see the light of day because they did not believe the portal would be kind to him so he followed (Sumrall) down there. He’s a sensational nickel. He’s got the size of an outside corner and the size of a safety. He can play all five positions but his specialty is nickel. He’s very good at it. He tested well. They absolutely love this kid. Underrated. I think he’ll go as high as the second and no later than the third.” Ran a fast 40 in tandem with a 40-inch vertical jump. Arms were 30 ¾. “That one surprised me, that he could run that fast,” said a second scout. “He looked good in the all-star games and OK during the regular season. But he’s smart and competes. His quickness is a bit of a problem. Every time I watched him I was trying to figure out what you do with the guy. He’s in the fourth-fifth range.” Finished with 115 tackles, just one pick and only eight passes defensed. From Harvest, Ala.
THE NEXT SIX
Denzel Burke, Ohio State (5-11, 187, 4.49)
L
One scout said: “What he looked like two years ago is not what he looked like this year. I’m not sure if he should have come out and then had reservations about it, or he’s a guy who peaked too early. Still a good player. But he was going early-to-mid first round last year and now you’re talking second to third. Against Michigan and Notre Dame, they were actually trying to find him. He was being targeted a lot, which was different than in past years. It just didn’t look like the tenacity was the same.”
Justin Walley, Minnesota (5-10, 194, 4.43)
One scout said: “He’s a good nickel. Undersized and scrappy. Best in man coverage. Average athlete. He had good speed, but there were some plays you questioned that, too. More of a nickel guy. You like the makeup and the way he competes. He’s just kind of smaller.”
Jaylin Smith, Southern Cal (5-10 ½, 191, 4.42)
One scout said: “Struggled at the Senior Bowl in one-on-one’s but that can be a false tell. Scrappy and competitive. Not great in press. He’s got recovery (speed). Really like his feet. He does get pushed around at the point. Needs to get stronger. He’s third-fourth round.”
Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech (6-1, 185, 4.48)
One scout said: “The other corner there, Mansoor Delane, stayed in school but was a better player. Strong’s one of those guys that’s 6-1, runs well enough, is athletic enough. He does enough to stay on the field but he doesn’t do enough to get you excited. He’s not getting torched all the time and getting penalties, but he’s also not making very many plays. He’s a backup in the league.”
Nohl Williams, California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s the best corner on the West Coast. Last year he was, too. Fast and instinctive, can play outside or inside. The big thing is his ball skills. Led the country in picks (seven).”
Quincy Riley, Louisville (5-10 ½, 193, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s sticky in man coverage. He’ll take kill shots … but misses way too many tackles. He can run. Little more straight-line. Little bit rigid in change of direction. He’s a cover guy, a pure cover guy. He knows how to play within his body. This kid’s like that in coverage.”
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Crusty old scouts aren't high on Barron and it's all a size thing. But he doesn't fit the mold of highly drafted corner in terms of his frame.
Simpleton
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Yea I think he's going to make a Pro Bowl or two as some sort of slot/hybrid guy.
He isn't even that small, 5-11 and nearly 200 is plenty of size, he just doesn't project that well as a pure outside CB, and I get that has to be considered but anybody thinking he should go in the 2nd because of it is out of their minds.
Simpleton
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Penn State’s Abdul Carter casts a large shadow over this class of edge rushers. Not only does Carter clearly rank as the best at his position, he might wind up as the best player in the draft.
After that, it’s about as clear as mud.
One team had 14 players graded as starters. Another team projected about half that many.
Missing information clouds the picture for evaluators with anxious owners waiting to write big checks. Ten of the top 15 prospects have yet to run and/or probably won’t run the 40-yard dash, an unprecedented number. Only seven have performed the vertical jump and the bench press.
In the last four years 53 edge rushers have been selected among the top 100 picks, an average of 13.3. That looks about right for this class.
Of the 53, 22 have gone in the first round.
Ten of the 11 edge rushers that made the all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers of America in the past four years were taken in the first round. The exception was the Rams’ Byron Young, a third-round pick in 2023. Two of the rookie stalwarts — Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Verse — have been voted to the Pro Bowl.
Like most positions, it helps to draft edge rushers early. Of course, there are exceptions.
The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, the last pick of the second round in 2022, made the Pro Bowl last season. Bonitto has 23 career sacks while another unheralded Bronco, Jonathon Cooper (seventh round, 2021), has 23 ½.
Many of the leading prospects have their fair share of warts. One personnel executive, who happened to rank Marshall’s Mike Green second behind Carter, said, “It’s kind of hit or miss. After the top two it’s strictly developmental. You’re just hoping with the rest of these guys.”
EDGE RUSHERS
1. ABDUL CARTER, Penn State (6-3 ½, 250, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “Early in the season he didn’t show much but he was dominating after that,” one scout said. “I’d take (Aidan) Hutchinson. It’s two different body types and two different type of twitches. Carter’s more twitchy. Hutchinson is stronger, more rangy. Carter can come off the edge and bend better.” Started in 2023 as an off-the-ball linebacker before moving to the edge last season. “It’s almost like they did Micah Parsons,” said a second scout. “I guess those guys don’t know how to coach there. They got the top pick in the draft playing inside linebacker last year. He’s a legitimate difference-maker. He’s rare with his motor and athletic ability. He does get beat up some. He’s on the ground too often. He’s just going to keep getting better once he gets more reps (outside).” Started 35 of 42 games, finishing with 172 tackles (41 for loss), 23 sacks, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “He’s, like, really good,” said a third scout. “He’s f-----g quick. He’s got a get-off. Fluid. Elite pass rusher. He closes quickly and has range all over the field. In the run game, he’s not the most powerful taking on blocks but, ****, the run and chase on him, he’s all over. But the pass game is where he makes his money.”
Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. “He’s just what you want up there (top of the first round),” a fourth scout said. “He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his * off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his * off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There’s a pretty strong consensus here that he’s the top defender out there.” His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions’ career list. “If you watch 2023 tape he’s a top-10 will linebacker,” said one scout. “His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, ‘Hey, go cover this guy,’ and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there’s times you want a little more out of him.”
2. JALON WALKER, Georgia (6-1, 243, no 40, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “When you add the whole player up I’d rather have this guy (than Carter),” said one scout. “Quick twitch, good speed. Big-time motor. If you don’t like him, he’s a tweener. If you like him, he’s a hybrid, and you can use him as an outside linebacker and as a rusher.” Played on and off the ball throughout his career. Often compared to Nolan Smith (6-2, 240, 4.42, 32 5/8 arm), his former teammate and the Eagles’ 30th overall selection in 2023. “He’s not as speedy (as Smith) but he plays heavier and bigger,” a second scout said. “Nolan was also a little more of a one-trick pony where they lined him up almost as a wide-9 rusher. This guy has more versatility as a pass rusher.” Played as a backup in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore before starting 11 of 14 in 2024. “He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream,” said a third scout. “He played stack backer but he’s best as a DPR (designated pass rusher). You can align this guy all across the front. He has twitch, the ability to bend and to redirect to create pressure. There’s a defensive coordinator right now watching this guy and frothing at the mouth as to what he can do with this guy and creating pressure on the quarterback.” Finished with 89 tackles (19 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and three passes defensed. “What is this guy?” said a fourth scout. “Really good athlete. Can run like the wind. He’s a great quarterback spy. He does show edge speed when he’s allowed to attack, which is not as often as you would like. Not a ton of wiggle as a pass rusher. More just straight bursts and speed upfield. I questioned his instincts and reaction quickness as a linebacker. Gets stuck on blocks too much and needs work on his hand use. Doesn’t have a great body of work in terms of his career because they’ve had so many guys there.” Semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. His makeup was praised by multiple personnel men. “He has top character off the field,” a fifth scout said. “He has that mentality and I like the way he plays, but he just doesn’t produce. He doesn’t feel it. He doesn’t have good instincts. It’s almost similar to the Packers’ Quay Walker guy. When he figures it out and see it, he goes and attacks. He is a tough guy. Plays hard. I think he kind of short-circuits a little bit. He has to be a 3-4 (edge) and not do all this other stuff they do with him. They played him off and he didn’t see it. He was a disappointment.” Arms were 32, hands were 10 ¼.
3. SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M (6-5, 270, 4.58, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s the classic example of a guy who has no idea how to play football,” one scout said. “Doesn’t know how to take on blocks, doesn’t know how to find the ball, doesn’t know how to work off things. I was shocked he was 281 (at the Senior Bowl). He plays like he’s 240. He crushed it at the combine but in the games he is just a nonfactor. Just can’t figure it out. He’s damn near defensive-tackle size and they’re playing him standing up, too. He should be a hand-down, go-at-it guy.”
Was 270 at pro day after being 267 at the combine, where he was clocked in 4.58 despite tweaking his hamstring, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a position-best 10-11 broad jump. “He looks incredible but he’s got like five sacks in his career,” said a second scout. “It’s a little bit all over the map, but the way he tested and the way he looked and ran he’s going in the first round.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 9 5/8. “Height-weight-speed physical freak show,” a third scout said. “He’s almost as good as Abdul Carter. Different guy completely. Good effort player. Plays hard in pursuit and in-line. Why isn’t this guy more productive? Wow edge speed. You really see it coming out of the turn. He’s explosive down the middle of a blocker. He’s really stout at the point. Plays with physicality. He lacked instincts and awareness. Mental delays when he’s stunting inside. Mental has to be looked into. Maybe it’s what they’re asking him to do. I don’t know. Maybe we could do something different with him and it would look different. Physically, this guy’s everything you want. He could play either defensive end or 3-technique.” Finished with 65 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and four passes defensed in 37 games, including 19 starts. Five-star recruit from Miami.
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-*** guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”
5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” Ran a blazing 40 but his vertical jump (31) was the poorest of the top 20 at the position. “Really liked the get-off and burst of speed and bend,” a second scout said. “Not a lot of power in his rush but he can really run. Didn’t play a ton of snaps like you would think. Not soft. Mid-first round.” Arms were 32 ¾, hands were 10. “There’s some concerns on the character,” said a third scout. “Lot of emotional outbursts and inconsistency. He’s not quite Von Miller but he’s got that kind of ability to turn the corner and get home on the quarterback. More of a one-dimensional player at this point in his career. Not heavy enough to play the run. He’s a leaky tackler who falls off too often. He had top-5 buzz coming off 2023 (10 sacks) and then with more attention focused on him he disappeared in some games.” Finished with 71 tackles (30 for loss), 19 ½ sacks and two passes defensed in 39 games, including 12 starts. “Pearce belongs with the top three but the mental part, the personality part is what I would say pushes him down,” a fourth scout said. “You knew at the combine he would put on that show, and he did. He did not disappoint. He probably goes after Williams, Carter and Stewart. But it will probably be to a successful team that will feel like they can take him on. At Tennessee, he was literally a no-go. You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.” Four-star recruit from Charlotte. “Almost a basketball player’s body,” a fifth scout said. “Got some first-step quicks but not really explosive. He’s not strong. They push him around. Not very physical at the point of attack. A 3-4 guy. I’ve seen a lot of profiles like this go bust. He’s scary. He had a lot of hype coming in. That will carry him a long way.” Volunteers’ first defensive lineman to make first team All-Southeastern Conference two straight years since John Henderson 25 years ago.
6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things. He uses leverage and angles. That (short arms) will hurt him.” Arms were 32. Smallest hands (8 ½) among the top 12 at the position. Bench-press reps of 28 led the position. His 3-cone time of 6.79 was superb. “The guy has twitch and he’s quick,” said a second scout. “He’s slippery. He can go underneath blocks. He has a long arm. He can rip. He can dip. He has all the qualities you want as an outside guy. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and strength but because he’s so quick and has the speed he’ll catch you off-balance and go by you. He can go around and circle behind the quarterback. The effort’s there, too. But he had a couple Title IX’s in his lifetime.” Was dismissed in September 2022 after his freshman year at Virginia and played at Marshall in 2023-’24. At the combine, Green said there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denied. The other occurred during his high school years in Williamsburg, Va. “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems. Just a natural pass rusher. Has lower-body tightness. Struggles against the run. He’s like a backup-third down rusher.” Finished with 131 tackles (33 for loss), 22 ½ sacks and two passes defensed. “We didn’t have him in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “There are people who do. If he goes first round it’s more later because of that (character). He might be the next just pure rusher after Carter.” Three-star recruit. Voted Marshall’s most valuable player in 2024. “Really a violent player,” a fifth scout said. “Little undisciplined, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with really good speed and can disrupt all over the field. Not the biggest guy, but plays the run with effort and toughness.”
7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): Three-year starter also played extensively as a freshman in 2021. Posted career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (22), sacks (12 ½) and forced fumbles (two) for the national champions in 2024. “I liked him last year (2023) but he got better,” said one scout. “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL. Unlike others you’re projecting or if this or maybe, all of that, this guy’s game, he’s ready to go. I’d keep him down (as a defensive end). First round.” Finished with 144 tackles (45 for loss), 23 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were a position-best 10 ½. “I’d go with him over (Jack) Sawyer just because he’s got a little more upside,” said a second scout. “I’d equate him to maybe (A.J.) Epenesa from Buffalo (6-5, 275, 5.06, 34 ½ arm). He’ll play, but is he a premier Pro Bowl guy? No. He’s a little bit more of a pass rusher than he is a run defender. He's a 4-3 guy. Is he going to come off the edge and put the fear in people? No, he’s not one of those guys.” Averaged 11.1 points as a four-year basketball player in Edgewood, Wash.
8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): Played five games at LSU in 2021 before starting 31 of 37 games for the Razorbacks from 2022-’24. “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” His vertical jump of 40 ½ led the edges. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were 10. “He’ll be a functional starter,” said a second scout. “Not a bad bender. Good strength. Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction. Just average speed. Sometimes it looks like he’s running in place. Hands and feet don’t always work together. Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run. He’s a big base left defensive end.” Finished with 116 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and five passes defensed. Dominated Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson in the Senior Bowl game. “He’ll check off every box as a human being and the measurables,” a third scout said. “He’s sort of stiff, but with his numbers he might go first round. You’re getting a tightly-wound defensive end who plays hard and can cover some ground.” Four-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.
9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): Played at Purdue in 2022-’23, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 in ’23. “He’s combative,” one scout said. “Can hold the point of attack. More power as a pass rusher but doesn’t have many moves. He’s got to be a 3-4 D-end. You’re hoping he develops into one. Five-technique. He might get taken in the first.” Started 12 games for the Aggies in 2024. Finished with 109 tackles (31 for loss), 17 sacks and five passes defensed. Declined to run a 40 at the combine and pro day. “More disruptive than productive,” said a second scout. “Tough and physical. Plays hard. Inconsistent breaking down on the quarterback when he gets there. On the ground a lot, misses a **** of tackles. He can bend. Can show some power at times. More of a left end who could give you some sub rush inside. He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August. Four-star recruit from Bryan, Texas.
10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): Saved his best for last with 16 ½ sacks in 12 games, an average of 1.38 that led FBS. “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.” Worked out well at the combine; his 4.19 short shuttle led the edges. Arms were 34, hands were 9 ¼. “Highly productive – more overachieving-type production,” said a second scout. “He’s really crafty. Little dude, but you like him because he plays the game the right way. I just don’t know how he’s going to produce up here. He’s got to be coming forward. I’m not sold on him. At least he produces. It’s something to get excited about when he does things whereas some of these other guys don’t do anything but they look the part.” Finished with 215 tackles (47 for loss), 30 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Three-star recruit from Williamstown, N.J.
11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): Registered 16 sacks at Coastal Carolina in 2021-’22 and 14 more at Michigan in 2023-’24. “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell. You keep thinking as a little guy he’s going to get his *** kicked but he just strikes guys. Now he does get swallowed up. But if he’s squared up on you, wow, he’s got some explosiveness.” Finished with 150 tackles (48 for loss), 30 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defensed. “His lack of length showed up in the Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “You didn’t see that in the Big Ten but in the Senior Bowl the offensive line was pretty good and they neutralized him really quickly. The shortness and lack of arm length, you saw that. They got their hands on him and he was a nonfactor. The Senior Bowl did not do him good. Third day.” Three-star recruit from the Bronx, N.Y. Played as a prep in Everett, Mass.
12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): Fourth-year senior, two-year starter. “Not an outside linebacker — never will be,” one scout said. “He’s a classic 4-3 guy. He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks. Not overly quick or fast. His rush is more power and use of hands and moves.” Finished with 144 tackles (29 for loss), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed. Hands were 9 3/4. “He’s just a limited heart-and-hustle guy,” a third scout said. “A 4-3 left end. You’d like to have him as a backup and (special) teams guy. He’s a rugged tough guy that would run around on teams.” Five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio. Also played quarterback and on the basketball team.
THE NEXT FIVE
Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-4, 259, 4.80)
Said one scout: “Had a better year than Senior Bowl. Plays with length, leverage and really hard. Not a great athlete and not real big setting the edge. That’s kind of his issue. He’s had production (143 tackles, 24 sacks). He’ll be a rotational guy versus a developmental starter.”
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 ½, 264, 4.65)
Said one scout: “Strong and powerful at the point of attack. Struggled in space. The length (31 7/8 arms) shows at times when shedding. But he plays with a high motor. The bull rush was his fastball. He could sneak in there (top 125).”
Bradyn Swinson, Louisiana State (6-3 ½, 255, no 40)
Said one scout: “He is a rusher only. He’s definitely got real quickness and real ability to take the edge. At worst, he’s probably a third-rounder, maybe a little higher.”
Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi (6-4 ½, 241, 4.72)
Said one scout: “He left Florida for Ole Miss (in 2024). I always thought he was a bit of an underachiever. Blamed others, all that kind of stuff. I think the league knows who he is. So I think he’ll be surprised on draft weekend when he doesn’t go until the third day.”
After that, it’s about as clear as mud.
One team had 14 players graded as starters. Another team projected about half that many.
Missing information clouds the picture for evaluators with anxious owners waiting to write big checks. Ten of the top 15 prospects have yet to run and/or probably won’t run the 40-yard dash, an unprecedented number. Only seven have performed the vertical jump and the bench press.
In the last four years 53 edge rushers have been selected among the top 100 picks, an average of 13.3. That looks about right for this class.
Of the 53, 22 have gone in the first round.
Ten of the 11 edge rushers that made the all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers of America in the past four years were taken in the first round. The exception was the Rams’ Byron Young, a third-round pick in 2023. Two of the rookie stalwarts — Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Verse — have been voted to the Pro Bowl.
Like most positions, it helps to draft edge rushers early. Of course, there are exceptions.
The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, the last pick of the second round in 2022, made the Pro Bowl last season. Bonitto has 23 career sacks while another unheralded Bronco, Jonathon Cooper (seventh round, 2021), has 23 ½.
Many of the leading prospects have their fair share of warts. One personnel executive, who happened to rank Marshall’s Mike Green second behind Carter, said, “It’s kind of hit or miss. After the top two it’s strictly developmental. You’re just hoping with the rest of these guys.”
EDGE RUSHERS
1. ABDUL CARTER, Penn State (6-3 ½, 250, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “Early in the season he didn’t show much but he was dominating after that,” one scout said. “I’d take (Aidan) Hutchinson. It’s two different body types and two different type of twitches. Carter’s more twitchy. Hutchinson is stronger, more rangy. Carter can come off the edge and bend better.” Started in 2023 as an off-the-ball linebacker before moving to the edge last season. “It’s almost like they did Micah Parsons,” said a second scout. “I guess those guys don’t know how to coach there. They got the top pick in the draft playing inside linebacker last year. He’s a legitimate difference-maker. He’s rare with his motor and athletic ability. He does get beat up some. He’s on the ground too often. He’s just going to keep getting better once he gets more reps (outside).” Started 35 of 42 games, finishing with 172 tackles (41 for loss), 23 sacks, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “He’s, like, really good,” said a third scout. “He’s f-----g quick. He’s got a get-off. Fluid. Elite pass rusher. He closes quickly and has range all over the field. In the run game, he’s not the most powerful taking on blocks but, ****, the run and chase on him, he’s all over. But the pass game is where he makes his money.”
Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. “He’s just what you want up there (top of the first round),” a fourth scout said. “He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his * off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his * off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There’s a pretty strong consensus here that he’s the top defender out there.” His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions’ career list. “If you watch 2023 tape he’s a top-10 will linebacker,” said one scout. “His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, ‘Hey, go cover this guy,’ and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there’s times you want a little more out of him.”
2. JALON WALKER, Georgia (6-1, 243, no 40, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “When you add the whole player up I’d rather have this guy (than Carter),” said one scout. “Quick twitch, good speed. Big-time motor. If you don’t like him, he’s a tweener. If you like him, he’s a hybrid, and you can use him as an outside linebacker and as a rusher.” Played on and off the ball throughout his career. Often compared to Nolan Smith (6-2, 240, 4.42, 32 5/8 arm), his former teammate and the Eagles’ 30th overall selection in 2023. “He’s not as speedy (as Smith) but he plays heavier and bigger,” a second scout said. “Nolan was also a little more of a one-trick pony where they lined him up almost as a wide-9 rusher. This guy has more versatility as a pass rusher.” Played as a backup in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore before starting 11 of 14 in 2024. “He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream,” said a third scout. “He played stack backer but he’s best as a DPR (designated pass rusher). You can align this guy all across the front. He has twitch, the ability to bend and to redirect to create pressure. There’s a defensive coordinator right now watching this guy and frothing at the mouth as to what he can do with this guy and creating pressure on the quarterback.” Finished with 89 tackles (19 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and three passes defensed. “What is this guy?” said a fourth scout. “Really good athlete. Can run like the wind. He’s a great quarterback spy. He does show edge speed when he’s allowed to attack, which is not as often as you would like. Not a ton of wiggle as a pass rusher. More just straight bursts and speed upfield. I questioned his instincts and reaction quickness as a linebacker. Gets stuck on blocks too much and needs work on his hand use. Doesn’t have a great body of work in terms of his career because they’ve had so many guys there.” Semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. His makeup was praised by multiple personnel men. “He has top character off the field,” a fifth scout said. “He has that mentality and I like the way he plays, but he just doesn’t produce. He doesn’t feel it. He doesn’t have good instincts. It’s almost similar to the Packers’ Quay Walker guy. When he figures it out and see it, he goes and attacks. He is a tough guy. Plays hard. I think he kind of short-circuits a little bit. He has to be a 3-4 (edge) and not do all this other stuff they do with him. They played him off and he didn’t see it. He was a disappointment.” Arms were 32, hands were 10 ¼.
3. SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M (6-5, 270, 4.58, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s the classic example of a guy who has no idea how to play football,” one scout said. “Doesn’t know how to take on blocks, doesn’t know how to find the ball, doesn’t know how to work off things. I was shocked he was 281 (at the Senior Bowl). He plays like he’s 240. He crushed it at the combine but in the games he is just a nonfactor. Just can’t figure it out. He’s damn near defensive-tackle size and they’re playing him standing up, too. He should be a hand-down, go-at-it guy.”
Was 270 at pro day after being 267 at the combine, where he was clocked in 4.58 despite tweaking his hamstring, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a position-best 10-11 broad jump. “He looks incredible but he’s got like five sacks in his career,” said a second scout. “It’s a little bit all over the map, but the way he tested and the way he looked and ran he’s going in the first round.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 9 5/8. “Height-weight-speed physical freak show,” a third scout said. “He’s almost as good as Abdul Carter. Different guy completely. Good effort player. Plays hard in pursuit and in-line. Why isn’t this guy more productive? Wow edge speed. You really see it coming out of the turn. He’s explosive down the middle of a blocker. He’s really stout at the point. Plays with physicality. He lacked instincts and awareness. Mental delays when he’s stunting inside. Mental has to be looked into. Maybe it’s what they’re asking him to do. I don’t know. Maybe we could do something different with him and it would look different. Physically, this guy’s everything you want. He could play either defensive end or 3-technique.” Finished with 65 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and four passes defensed in 37 games, including 19 starts. Five-star recruit from Miami.
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-*** guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”
5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” Ran a blazing 40 but his vertical jump (31) was the poorest of the top 20 at the position. “Really liked the get-off and burst of speed and bend,” a second scout said. “Not a lot of power in his rush but he can really run. Didn’t play a ton of snaps like you would think. Not soft. Mid-first round.” Arms were 32 ¾, hands were 10. “There’s some concerns on the character,” said a third scout. “Lot of emotional outbursts and inconsistency. He’s not quite Von Miller but he’s got that kind of ability to turn the corner and get home on the quarterback. More of a one-dimensional player at this point in his career. Not heavy enough to play the run. He’s a leaky tackler who falls off too often. He had top-5 buzz coming off 2023 (10 sacks) and then with more attention focused on him he disappeared in some games.” Finished with 71 tackles (30 for loss), 19 ½ sacks and two passes defensed in 39 games, including 12 starts. “Pearce belongs with the top three but the mental part, the personality part is what I would say pushes him down,” a fourth scout said. “You knew at the combine he would put on that show, and he did. He did not disappoint. He probably goes after Williams, Carter and Stewart. But it will probably be to a successful team that will feel like they can take him on. At Tennessee, he was literally a no-go. You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.” Four-star recruit from Charlotte. “Almost a basketball player’s body,” a fifth scout said. “Got some first-step quicks but not really explosive. He’s not strong. They push him around. Not very physical at the point of attack. A 3-4 guy. I’ve seen a lot of profiles like this go bust. He’s scary. He had a lot of hype coming in. That will carry him a long way.” Volunteers’ first defensive lineman to make first team All-Southeastern Conference two straight years since John Henderson 25 years ago.
6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things. He uses leverage and angles. That (short arms) will hurt him.” Arms were 32. Smallest hands (8 ½) among the top 12 at the position. Bench-press reps of 28 led the position. His 3-cone time of 6.79 was superb. “The guy has twitch and he’s quick,” said a second scout. “He’s slippery. He can go underneath blocks. He has a long arm. He can rip. He can dip. He has all the qualities you want as an outside guy. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and strength but because he’s so quick and has the speed he’ll catch you off-balance and go by you. He can go around and circle behind the quarterback. The effort’s there, too. But he had a couple Title IX’s in his lifetime.” Was dismissed in September 2022 after his freshman year at Virginia and played at Marshall in 2023-’24. At the combine, Green said there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denied. The other occurred during his high school years in Williamsburg, Va. “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems. Just a natural pass rusher. Has lower-body tightness. Struggles against the run. He’s like a backup-third down rusher.” Finished with 131 tackles (33 for loss), 22 ½ sacks and two passes defensed. “We didn’t have him in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “There are people who do. If he goes first round it’s more later because of that (character). He might be the next just pure rusher after Carter.” Three-star recruit. Voted Marshall’s most valuable player in 2024. “Really a violent player,” a fifth scout said. “Little undisciplined, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with really good speed and can disrupt all over the field. Not the biggest guy, but plays the run with effort and toughness.”
7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): Three-year starter also played extensively as a freshman in 2021. Posted career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (22), sacks (12 ½) and forced fumbles (two) for the national champions in 2024. “I liked him last year (2023) but he got better,” said one scout. “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL. Unlike others you’re projecting or if this or maybe, all of that, this guy’s game, he’s ready to go. I’d keep him down (as a defensive end). First round.” Finished with 144 tackles (45 for loss), 23 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were a position-best 10 ½. “I’d go with him over (Jack) Sawyer just because he’s got a little more upside,” said a second scout. “I’d equate him to maybe (A.J.) Epenesa from Buffalo (6-5, 275, 5.06, 34 ½ arm). He’ll play, but is he a premier Pro Bowl guy? No. He’s a little bit more of a pass rusher than he is a run defender. He's a 4-3 guy. Is he going to come off the edge and put the fear in people? No, he’s not one of those guys.” Averaged 11.1 points as a four-year basketball player in Edgewood, Wash.
8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): Played five games at LSU in 2021 before starting 31 of 37 games for the Razorbacks from 2022-’24. “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” His vertical jump of 40 ½ led the edges. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were 10. “He’ll be a functional starter,” said a second scout. “Not a bad bender. Good strength. Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction. Just average speed. Sometimes it looks like he’s running in place. Hands and feet don’t always work together. Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run. He’s a big base left defensive end.” Finished with 116 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and five passes defensed. Dominated Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson in the Senior Bowl game. “He’ll check off every box as a human being and the measurables,” a third scout said. “He’s sort of stiff, but with his numbers he might go first round. You’re getting a tightly-wound defensive end who plays hard and can cover some ground.” Four-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.
9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): Played at Purdue in 2022-’23, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 in ’23. “He’s combative,” one scout said. “Can hold the point of attack. More power as a pass rusher but doesn’t have many moves. He’s got to be a 3-4 D-end. You’re hoping he develops into one. Five-technique. He might get taken in the first.” Started 12 games for the Aggies in 2024. Finished with 109 tackles (31 for loss), 17 sacks and five passes defensed. Declined to run a 40 at the combine and pro day. “More disruptive than productive,” said a second scout. “Tough and physical. Plays hard. Inconsistent breaking down on the quarterback when he gets there. On the ground a lot, misses a **** of tackles. He can bend. Can show some power at times. More of a left end who could give you some sub rush inside. He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August. Four-star recruit from Bryan, Texas.
10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): Saved his best for last with 16 ½ sacks in 12 games, an average of 1.38 that led FBS. “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.” Worked out well at the combine; his 4.19 short shuttle led the edges. Arms were 34, hands were 9 ¼. “Highly productive – more overachieving-type production,” said a second scout. “He’s really crafty. Little dude, but you like him because he plays the game the right way. I just don’t know how he’s going to produce up here. He’s got to be coming forward. I’m not sold on him. At least he produces. It’s something to get excited about when he does things whereas some of these other guys don’t do anything but they look the part.” Finished with 215 tackles (47 for loss), 30 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Three-star recruit from Williamstown, N.J.
11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): Registered 16 sacks at Coastal Carolina in 2021-’22 and 14 more at Michigan in 2023-’24. “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell. You keep thinking as a little guy he’s going to get his *** kicked but he just strikes guys. Now he does get swallowed up. But if he’s squared up on you, wow, he’s got some explosiveness.” Finished with 150 tackles (48 for loss), 30 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defensed. “His lack of length showed up in the Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “You didn’t see that in the Big Ten but in the Senior Bowl the offensive line was pretty good and they neutralized him really quickly. The shortness and lack of arm length, you saw that. They got their hands on him and he was a nonfactor. The Senior Bowl did not do him good. Third day.” Three-star recruit from the Bronx, N.Y. Played as a prep in Everett, Mass.
12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): Fourth-year senior, two-year starter. “Not an outside linebacker — never will be,” one scout said. “He’s a classic 4-3 guy. He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks. Not overly quick or fast. His rush is more power and use of hands and moves.” Finished with 144 tackles (29 for loss), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed. Hands were 9 3/4. “He’s just a limited heart-and-hustle guy,” a third scout said. “A 4-3 left end. You’d like to have him as a backup and (special) teams guy. He’s a rugged tough guy that would run around on teams.” Five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio. Also played quarterback and on the basketball team.
THE NEXT FIVE
Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”
Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-4, 259, 4.80)
Said one scout: “Had a better year than Senior Bowl. Plays with length, leverage and really hard. Not a great athlete and not real big setting the edge. That’s kind of his issue. He’s had production (143 tackles, 24 sacks). He’ll be a rotational guy versus a developmental starter.”
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 ½, 264, 4.65)
Said one scout: “Strong and powerful at the point of attack. Struggled in space. The length (31 7/8 arms) shows at times when shedding. But he plays with a high motor. The bull rush was his fastball. He could sneak in there (top 125).”
Bradyn Swinson, Louisiana State (6-3 ½, 255, no 40)
Said one scout: “He is a rusher only. He’s definitely got real quickness and real ability to take the edge. At worst, he’s probably a third-rounder, maybe a little higher.”
Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi (6-4 ½, 241, 4.72)
Said one scout: “He left Florida for Ole Miss (in 2024). I always thought he was a bit of an underachiever. Blamed others, all that kind of stuff. I think the league knows who he is. So I think he’ll be surprised on draft weekend when he doesn’t go until the third day.”
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Yeah I guess I should say it's the short arms as well. 29" and 5/8" I'm assuming is pretty short for arm length. Jordan Lewis by comparison has 31" and 5/8" arm length. Which honestly is probably more important than the difference between 5'11" and 6'1" for example.
Simpleton
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On the outside, sure, on the inside it's not as big of a deal.
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I just mean when reaching out to knock a ball away your arm length probably means more than your height. But I like Barron. McDuffie is almost a spot on comparison for me. Size, arm length, playing style and all. Similar speed, tackling....
Anyway, he is Trent McDuffie 2.0
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I never noticed it but he does have a weird quick tap thing before he throws the ball. A QB coach should be able to fix that though.
SaveAHorseRideACowboy
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Hey Mosher … if you’re going to try to drive home the yds per carry point … try funneling your data through that bucket and the not the success rate bucket …. Ya twit …
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All depends on his health and injuries. Personally I don't love him enough to take an injury risk in the second. If I'm doing that I'd prefer Revel.
Chocolate Lab
Kuato Lives
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He has to be our leading candidate for second rounder, right?
Talking about the classic Jerry injury guy, of course.
Simpleton
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Touches on some of my concerns, primarily around his general lack of refinement as a route runner, his releases, etc.
Supposedly our WR coach is great at developing guys so I'm not too concerned about it, but this is why I could easily see Golden going before McMillan.
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