2026 McGinn's Grumpy Scouts

6. COLE PAYTON, North Dakota State (6-2 ½, 235, 4.61, 2-3): Started only as a senior during five-year stay in Fargo. “He played in multiple games throughout his career as like a running quarterback or lined up at running back like a gadget guy,” one scout said. “He’s lefthanded, which some people might not like as much. But the kid has size, he’s really athletic for his size and has excellent speed. He can turn like a 3- or 4-yard run into a 30-yard run. He has a little bit longer windup and a three-quarter release, but he does have elasticity in his arm to get it out quick. He’s got a really strong arm. His accuracy is unreal on deep balls and layering the ball. He has touch. The school has a history of producing draftable quarterbacks. You might let him sit for a year. Maybe use him in a Taysom Hill role as a rookie. This kid could be a really good starter by Year 2. I don’t think he gets out of the second or third round. He has too much ability to work with.” Never threw more than 27 passes in his first four seasons. Only attempted 224 for the rush-oriented Bison in 2025. Finished with a passer rating of 123.7. Also rushed 287 times for 1,918 (6.7) and 31 TDs. “He can make sideline throws, do fades, put it in the middle,” said a second scout. “When he runs he makes people miss. He can do short-yardage.” In addition to a fast 40, he went 40 in the vertical jump and 10-10 in the broad jump. Largest hands (10 ¼) of the top 15 quarterbacks. “Overall, he had a pretty good Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “I think there’s something to him but it’s probably going to take a couple years. You better have a quarterback and let him develop his skills. I’d absolutely take Cole Payton over Cade Klubnik.” Earned a master’s degree in December 2025. “One-year starter at North Dakota State – no thank you,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got a slow left-handed windup. Got a really weak arm. Terrible against pressure. Kind of a one-read guy. Decent enough athlete when it’s a designed run, but doesn’t really escape pressure well. He’ll make it but I don’t think he’ll be a decent backup even.” From Omaha, Neb.
Sometimes gotta wonder if scouts actually look at these smaller school guys or just make shit up off the top of their head.

For the record... Payton has a pretty strong arm. Throws a beautiful deep ball, and can stick it in tight spaces. Him and WR Bryce Lance made each other a lot of money. Does a good job taking some off on touch passes.

He does need a year or two on the bench in the NFL, tho. He does tend to lock on to his first read, and will pull it and run at the first sign of pressure. He has nice, quick feet. I think that could be coached out of him. Learn to slide in the pocket to buy time instead of taking off. But I kinda understand why he'd do that. He's pretty damn good at running with the ball, too.
 
I would post the rest of these but they seem to be behind a paywall, so I guess it's up to Simp to post the rest of them (if they are out yet).
 
courtesy Dbair at the world renowned DCU

EDGE RUSHERS

1. DAVID BAILEY, Texas Tech (6-3 ½, 253, 4.51, 1): Started just 16 of 32 games at Stanford from 2022-’24 before starting 13 times for the Red Raiders in 2025. “As a pass rusher he’s really good, probably the best in this draft,” one scout said. “He’s fast, twitchy, can bend, can change direction, can counter. He’s got a good variety of moves. I think he can walk in Day 1 and help you in your subpackages. If you call Arvell Reese an inside linebacker I probably think Bailey is the first (edge) to go. My downside on him is, he doesn’t chase plays away at times, and plays that are coming at him he’s not real physical at the point of attack. He’ll jump around some things, but he’s quick enough to make plays.” Led the nation in sacks last year with 14 ½. “(Micah) Parsons maybe has a little more power to his game,” said a second scout. “Aidan (Hutchinson) is just bigger and longer. Bailey’s the best edge. He’s a little undersized, but after that he’s got consistent production with some big-time burst. He has explosive ability off the edge, first-step quickness and violent hands. His only issue is if he’s head-up on the tackle he doesn’t have the bulk to really try to hold his ground. Usually he can use his hands and just kind of get off people.” Finished with 163 tackles (42 for loss), 29 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and four batted passes. “(Nik) Bonitto is a good comparison,” a third scout said. “He’s a skilled rusher. He might be a top-5 pick. He can win with power or speed. I’m not saying he loafs but against the run his mindset is pass rush first and then react to the run. In obvious pass-rush downs that’s great, but if it’s a run he’s not necessarily always in his gap. He’ll dip inside and give up the edge because he’s looking to rush the passer. Those are things that are correctable.” His old brother, DJ, played defensive end at Harvard from 2015-’17. David graduated from Stanford before departing. “He kind of did his own thing at Stanford,” said a fourth scout. “He dropped when he was supposed to rush, and vice versa. They tried to hold him accountable. Just kind of all over the map. When I watched him last summer I never dreamed he’d be talked about at this level. There’s definitely some stiffness with the guy. If he’s small and stiff that raises a major red flag to me. Texas Tech played with the lead most of the year. I don’t think any of that matters, but it’s going to matter now. I favor Reese over him because I think he’s more of a complete package. But maybe Bailey can turn out to be like one of those guys from the Colts (Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney) years ago.” Ran the fastest 40 at the position. Arms were 33 3/4 inches, hands were 10 ¼ inches. “This guy gets off the ball better than Tyree Wilson (No. 7, 2023, Raiders) but he reminds me of him and he has done absolutely nothing,” said a fifth scout. “Kind of a weird kind of athlete. Not very fluid. He can just get off the ball and run. But after that he doesn’t show a lot of move coordination or power. Doesn’t seem like he has a plan to what he’s doing. In run support he wasn’t very good. He’s like a flash guy. He can cause problems just from getting off the ball with that edge burst. That being said, in any other draft he would not be that high of a pick.” Four-star recruit from Irvine, Calif.

2. RUEBEN BAIN, Miami (6-2, 264, no 40, 1): Third-year junior started all three years. “Good football player,” one scout said.

“He’s a power player. He runs through people. Uses his hands pretty well. Can collapse the pocket. Has short arms. Not the rangiest body type. Doesn’t have a ton of speed. He’s not your historical top-5, top-10 D-lineman.” Arms were merely 30 7/8. Hands were small, too (9 1/8). “I think he’ll be the first defensive lineman or edge guy taken since ’99 or something with under 31-inch arms,” a second scout said. “He’ll be a major outlier. He’s super physical and aggressive but Bain is a tweener. He’s got no position. He’s not tall or lanky enough to be a defensive end. He’s not really athletic or fast enough to be an outside backer. And he’s too small to be a defensive tackle. Does he have a motor? Yes. Does he have physical hands? Yes. Is he active with his hands? Yes. As a technician, he’s going to wear a lot of bad college linemen out with his hands and effort. He did that. But, wow, do I think he’s going to get blocked in the NFL? I do.” Finished with 121 tackles (33 ½ for loss), 20 ½ sacks, four forced fumbles and two batted passes. “His quickness and power are just outstanding,” said a third scout. “He’s violent in how he plays. He’s always around the quarterback. He’s going to be the exception to the rule because I don’t think he’s very fast. He’s probably smart he didn’t run because I think he’d run around 4.8. I like edge rushers that have speed but he’s an anomaly for me. There are a lot of other parts of his game that he will compensate with.” Compared by one scout to Kwity Paye. “Those short arms and that size will be a concern,” a fourth scout said. “More of an overachiever-type athlete than a natural, fluid, silky kind of dude. But you love the way he plays. He’s tough as hell. Best thing about his pass rush is he’s relentless. Gives effort against the run. Kills the tight ends. He gets smothered up a little bit by those big (tackles). They’ll get him. He’s like a Brandon Graham.” Four-star recruit from Miami, where he led Central High to four straight state titles and amassed 77 sacks. “He’s a really, really good college player,” a fifth scout said. “When I watch him against some of the better tackles he struggled a little bit. His best shot’s going to be as a 4-3 D-end. To me, if I’m going to take him top 15, I’m hoping to get somebody that’s going to come in and give me eight sacks and build up to like double digits in the next year or two. I don’t know that that’s what he is.”

3. ZION YOUNG, Missouri (6-5 ½, 265, 4.75, 1-2): Started 11 of 20 games at Michigan State in 2022-’23 and all 26 games for the Tigers the past two seasons. “Young is a pretty player,” one scout said. “He has the look of an NFL player when he steps on the field. My main concern is his production against the best competition. He occasionally has reps where he relies on his length and athleticism thinking ‘I will win,’ followed by many reps where he doesn’t know, or understand, how to get past a blocker. The same things happened at the Senior Bowl. In the one-on-one’s, he had some success but, overall, there were not enough impactful plays.” Finished with 131 tackles (28 ½ for loss), 11 ½ sacks, three forced fumbles and five batted passes. “Little bit the same as (Keldric) Faulk,” a second scout said. “But a little bit tighter athlete.” Named defensive MVP at the Senior Bowl. “He’s a much better player than that Darius Robinson (of Missouri) who got taken in the first round by the Cardinals (No. 27, 2024) and hasn’t done much,” said a third scout. “He’s tough, plays hard. They move him all up along the front because he’s so damn big. Not a top, top athlete but good enough for his size. He gets off, gets his arm out and controls people. His pass rush is more as a stunt kind of guy. They put him inside, too. He’s just not your edge guy. He’s a big power rusher. He’ll be in a 4-3, and some teams will even look at him as a 5-technique.” Arms were 33, hands were 9 1/2. Earned academic honors at both MSU and Mizzou. “He’s a defensive end that has a chance to go in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “Now he looks like an NFL left defensive end. He did well at the Senior Bowl.” Three-star recruit from Atlanta.

4. KELDRIC FAULK, Auburn (6-6, 275, 4.68, 1-2): Third-year junior. “He’s a big D-end, the left end, in a 4-3 who can slide inside and give you something in there,” said one scout. “He’s got all the physical qualities. He’s a great young man, probably too nice. They sort of changed schemes (in 2025) and he had more responsibility, more gap control. He’s not a natural playmaker. He probably plays more to the responsibility than just going and making a play. Someone’s going to take him because he’s a great kid and we can change him and he’s 6-6, 275. He’ll probably be in the first round, but later.” Longest arms (34 3/8) at the position. Hands were 9 7/8. “I wasn’t crazy about him but he’ll be late first or second round,” a second scout said. “I just thought he was a tweener. Not really an edge guy and not really an inside guy. He doesn’t really win on the edge as a rusher. Best thing he does is rush inside because he’s long and very quick. He can beat a guard on the pass rush, but in the run game he plays really high. He’s just not a natural defensive tackle inside. I worry about him. He is a great athlete and he’s got great makeup.” Finished with 109 tackles (19 ½ for loss), 10 sacks, one forced fumble and six batted passes. “He’s a 5-technique,” said a third scout. “If someone got him like top of the second round, yeah, you’d be excited because he’s strong. He’s kind of a bull rusher, a power player. Gets a guy on his heels and then slips underneath.” Four-star recruit from Highland Home, Ala. “Prototypical NFL frame without the production,” a fourth scout said. “Shows stiffness in his lower half when trying to bend and navigate around corners. Some will love his raw upside but I’ll hold off on that. He should be taken where similar players have succeeded, which is not in the first round.”

5. AKHEEM MESIDOR, Miami (6-3, 260, no 40, 1-2): Started one of 23 games at West Virginia in 2020-’21. After a seven-sack season in 2022 for the Hurricanes, he suffered a foot injury early in the ’23 season and was out for the year. Started all 28 games in 2024-’25. Turns 25 on Saturday. “He’s more flexible than Bain,” one scout said. “I thought he had better bend at times than Bain and was more athletic. I was looking at him through the lens of a 3-4 outside backer. But he’s 25 years old. What do you do? Some of these guys are 25 and going against 19-year-olds. It’s not necessarily a fair fight.” Registered two of his 12 ½ sacks last season in the national title game against Indiana. “I like him more than Bain,” said a second scout. “I think he’s a better pass rusher. He’s a pure pass-rushing, 4-3 defensive end. Now he kind of picks his spots to play the run but not terrible. I could see him (in a 3-4). He’s not going to make a living dropping in coverage but I don’t think he’d be out of place doing it.” Finished with 208 tackles (52 ½ for loss), 35 ½ sacks (third most in Division I since 2005), five forced fumbles and four batted passes. “I actually think he’s better than Bain,” a third scout said. “Instinctive, nasty. At the point of attack, tight end’s got no chance. As a pass rusher he’s got all sorts of stuff in the bag. He’s got power, spin, uses his hands. They drop him and he moves like a linebacker. Talented guy, starter, playmaker. But he’s old. Twenty-five.” Arms were 32 1/8, hands were 10. “He had Rueben Bain on the other side so he wasn’t getting a lot of the attention,” said a fourth scout. “I don’t think he got the attention he deserved. Not that Ahkeem is going to be Hall of Famer but he is much better than ‘the guy opposite Bain.’” One of eight siblings from Ottawa, Ontario. Earned multiple academic honors at both schools

6. CASHIUS HOWELL, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 1-2): Won SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 after an 11 ½-sack season. “He’s a compact dude but he has excellent quickness, speed, athleticism, bend and hand use,” said one scout. “He has shorter arms, but he’s able to sideswipe and dip and do all this really cool stuff. If he was bigger he’d be a top-10 pick, but he’s not.” Started in his third of three seasons at Bowling Green, where he had 11 ½ sacks total. Started for the Aggies the past two years. “He might be a first-rounder,” a second scout said. “He’s quick and fast but he’s also small and short-limbed.” Has the shortest arms (30 ¼) of the top 25 edges. Hands were 9 ¼. “Best thing he does is from the back side,” said a third scout. “That’s the only plays I ever saw him make is beat blocks from the back side. He’s tweener size and not super athletic for that. Not explosive as a pass rusher. They wear him out in the run. It’s like he didn’t want anything to do with it.” Finished with 127 tackles (35 ½ for loss), 27 sacks, three forced fumbles and 15 batted passes. “I’m not a huge fan,” said a fourth scout. “He’s more of an outside linebacker. Doesn’t play the run real well. Plays hard against the pass.” Went to Bowling Green after not receiving a Power 4 offer. From Kansas City.

7. T.J. PARKER, Clemson (6-3 ½, 264, 4.71, 2): Third-year junior. “He’s similar to Mesidor,” one scout said. “He doesn’t wow you in anything. His thing is more motor. He’ll get stuck on an edge against athletic tackles. He keeps coming with second and third effort. He chases backside.” Best year was 2024 when his six forced fumbles ranked second in the nation and his 11 sacks ranked ninth. Those numbers dipped to zero and five in 2025. “They changed defensive coordinators and he didn’t have the freedom to go rush and it probably impacted his year,” said a second scout. Parker and his fiancé, former Clemson volleyball player Azyah Dailey, were married in late October during the team’s bye week. “He didn’t have great production this year but I liked his tape,” a second scout said. “He’s got quickness and power. Plays with a lot of energy. He’s physical. He’s an end-of-the-first-round type.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were 9 1/2. “Good player,” a third scout said. “Has enough size, length, motor, production. It’s not high-end at anything. Just a solid package, not special.” Finished with 126 tackles (41 ½ for loss), 21 ½ sacks, six forced fumbles and four batted passes. “Not explosive on the edge,” said a fourth scout. “Just kind of out there. He tries to play tough but isn’t athletic enough to get off blocks and make plays. Just kind of a big effort guy.” Given name is Tomarrion. Four-star recruit from Phenix City, Ala.

8. JOSHUA JOSEPHS, Tennessee (6-3, 243, 4.73, 2-3): Spent four seasons in Knoxville, starting 16 games (11 as a senior). “One of the top edge rushers in the draft,” one scout said. “Not a sexy rusher. He’s is a long-armed speed-to-power rusher who has consistently created vertical rush. He won’t get as much love as Zion Young because he doesn’t look as athletic nor will he get the love of Rueben Bain because the hype isn’t there. However, he has a chance to produce more than either one because his style will carry over to the NFL more efficiently. He’ll most likely go in the second round and should be a career starter capable of eight to 12 sacks per season due to his speed-to-power conversion and relentless motor.” Finished with 104 tackles (22 for loss), 9 ½ sacks, six forced fumbles and nine batted passes. Had a vertical jump of 38 1/2. Arms were 34 ¼, hands were 10. “Good athlete,” a second scout said. “He’s long, but not that big and can get washed off pretty quickly. He’s not going to run through everybody. Kind of wins with his athleticism more than he does anything else. You’ll see more speed to power out of him. He did not have a good interview so I know some teams will be worried with the character.” Four-star recruit from Kennesaw, Ga.

9. DANI DENNIS-SUTTON, Penn State (6-5 ½, 259, 4.60, 2-3): Blew out the combine with a fast 40 and edge bests in the broad jump (10-11) and 3-cone (6.90). “He’s really talented,” said one scout. “Big, strong, fast. The guy can be a starter at defensive end. If you watch him drop you’d say this guy definitely can be a starter as a 3-4 outside guy. He can be hard to coach. Kind of my way is the way.” Played extensively all four seasons, finishing with 127 tackles (34 ½ for loss), 23 ½ sacks, seven forced fumbles and eight batted passes. “He’s got personality quirks, if you want to call it that, where he kind of marches to his own drum,” a second scout said. “He’ll go two or three, probably three.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 1/8. Persistent knee problems remain a concern. “There was so much hype on him two years ago,” a third scout said. “I watched him, I didn’t like him. Last year, I didn’t like him at all. This year, I thought he played a lot better. Solid player. Don’t think he’s going to be a dynamic pass rusher. I think he lived off of last year when (Abdul) Carter flushed a lot of things and he cleaned it up. This year, they had another young kid (Chaz Coleman) and he was the beneficiary of some of that. He’ll play in the league for a long time.” Four-star recruit from Millsboro, Del. Added a fourth scout: “Good speed and acceleration, very quick hands and some nice moves. Occasional starter initially and then I could see him fitting in just about any kind of defense.”

10. R MASON THOMAS, Oklahoma (6-2, 242, 4.67, 2-3): Played four seasons in Norman, starting 20 of 42 games. “He is a tough, explosive little guy,” one scout said. “He was similar to Bailey. He’s got power. He can run through big guys. He absolutely destroys those guys (tight ends). With big tackles he can get up underneath ‘em and jolt ‘em, or out-quick you. Just physical. Wears you out. Against Auburn he runs 44 yards downfield. Runs past all his teammates and goes and catches this receiver. First round.” Finished with 65 tackles (25 ½ for loss), 17 sacks, four forced fumbles and three batted passes. “He’s a DPR (designated pass rusher) edge rusher with excellent speed and quickness off the edge,” a second scout said. “Just small and short-armed. How do you have an every-down role for him?” Arms were 31 5/8, hands (8 7/8) were the smallest of the 30 leading edges. “I know some people have him in the first round,” said a third scout. “I’ve been burned too many times in the past by these undersized guys like him that are short-armed. Once these NFL O-linemen get on them they really don’t do much. In the Michigan game I didn’t even know he was playing. Michigan didn’t have a tackle with first-round talent but they had big guys with size. Once those guys got their hands on him they nullified him. NFL tackles are big and long. He may be a more explosive athlete than they are but at the end of the day length wins. You know what you’re gonna get. He’s a high-character kid, a high-motor guy. I don’t think he can consistently beat O-linemen with length. He’s more of an annoyance than a guy you gotta put a tight end over there and adjust the running back. But there are people that absolutely love him.” Four-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Said a fourth scout: “Really fast, really athletic — run and chase. Disinterested playing the run. Somebody will draft him (high) because he’s got production.”

11. DERRICK MOORE, Michigan (6-4, 256, no 40, 3): Won the Bo Schembechler Award as team MVP in 2025. “Love him,” said one scout. “He made money at the Senior Bowl. Good size, length, strength, toughness, quick reads. Can hold the point. Can run down the running back off the RPO. Can run the hoop to the quarterback. Got an inside swipe move. Can get skinny in the hole to get to the quarterback.” Played seven games in 2022 before starting 24 of 39 games in 2023-’25. “He kind of grew on me a little bit,” said a second scout. “He knocks people down. His athletic ability and speed are not high level but the strength and the heavy-handedness and toughness and instincts are. Bit of an overachiever. Third round.” His 30-inch vertical jump was lowest among the top 11. “He’s OK,” a third scout said. “Didn’t see a whole lot of talent. I liked their little guy last year better (Josaiah Stewart). He was more of a threat. Fourth round.” Finished with 95 tackles (24 ½ for loss), 21 sacks, three forced fumbles and eight batted passes. “He didn’t stand out at all at the Senior Bowl,” a fourth scout said. “He was actually a dick down there in a couple drills. There’s been some better defensive ends that have come out the last few years at Michigan. He power rushes all the time. He gets into what I call personal battles sometimes and gets fighting the guy and not getting off the block.” Four-star recruit from Baltimore.

12. GABE JACAS, Illinois (6-3 ½, 260, no 40, 3): Started 43 of 50 games over four seasons. “Stout player,” one scout said. “Put together. Looks the part in person. Had a nice Senior Bowl.” Posted a career-high 11 sacks in 2025, giving him 27 in his career. That ranks sixth in Big Ten annals. “Fourth-round guy,” a second scout said. “If you actually study the plays that he made a lot of them are late-in-the-down production or somebody else flushed the quarterback out and he plays hard and finishes a lot of it. I don’t see him coming off the ball, flipping his hips, accelerating to the quarterback and making plays.” His 30 reps on the bench press were four more than any other edge. Arms were 33, hands were 10. “Third round,” a third scout said. “He’s such a relentless guy. He doesn’t want to give up. I just love guys like that. In nickel packages he moved into some 4-technique and did a good job in there. He’s a pure power rusher with good hand placement and active hands. He can hold the point. He can take on the kickout from the guard or tackle and hold his ground. He’s got good leverage on the goal-line in a four-point (stance) to squeeze the hole. Just lacks a burst in the open field.” Finished with 183 tackles (35 ½ for loss), the 27 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two batted passes. “As a rusher he just bulls and tries to run through you,” a fourth scout said. “Not much sprint off the edge and moves. He’d be a nice backup, a special-teams tough guy. I would just see him as a 4-3 end. I can’t see him playing in space. Fourth round.” Three-star recruit from Port St. Lucie, Fla. Was a state champion wrestler.

13. KEYRON CRAWFORD, Auburn (6-4 ½, 252, no 40, 3): Was a basketball player as a prep in Memphis. Didn’t play football until his senior year. “He’s in the second- or third-round mix,” one scout said. “He had a pretty strong off-season.” Had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl. A quad injury limited him to drill work only at the combine. At pro day March 24, he did drills but declined to run the 40 or participate in the bench press, shuttle runs or the vertical/broad jumps. “I’m rising, growing, mentally and football-related,” Crawford told reporters at pro day. “I feel I will fit in wherever. I’m a very genuine person.” With just one year of football, he accepted an offer from Arkansas State. After playing sparingly as a freshman, he started as a sophomore before moving to Auburn. “Good-looking player,” said another scout. “He had a nice spring.” Finished with 116 tackles (24 for loss), 11 ½ sacks (6 ½ at Arkansas State), three forced fumbles and two batted passes. “He’s a fourth-rounder,” said a third scout. In his lone season of high-school football he had 14 sacks.

14. LT OVERTON, Alabama (6-3, 287, 4.92, 3): Extremely versatile player. “It’s split,” one scout said. “Some people see him as a defensive tackle, that penetrator. Other see him as a power edge. He easily could be a power edge on base downs and you kick him down inside to rush on sub downs. Third round.” Started four of 23 games at Texas A&M in 2022-’23 before transferring to Alabama and starting 16 of 26 games the past two years. Finished with 132 tackles (12 for loss), seven sacks, one forced fumble and two batted passes. “I watched him in 2024,” said a second scout. “This kid just kept flashing. I could have seen taking him top 10 of the draft last year. He’s got some rare ability, but you watch him and he’s playing a backup center and he’s not winning. He can be whatever he wants to be. He has rare movement skills but he takes a lot of plays off. Doesn’t always strain through blocks. He can play 3-technique. He played nose tackle with very good effectiveness. He played on the outside collapsing the pocket. He’s the most versatile defensive lineman. There’s real value in him. You get in a situation where you don’t let the offense dictate to you like you have to bring in all your subpackage players because they’re spreading you out. This kid can play defensive tackle and defensive end. I think more teams would ask him to bulk up and play inside. Maybe be that undersized, quick 3-technique that Seattle and the Rams use.” Overton’s last weigh-in for scouts was March 26 at pro day when he was up to 287, 13 more than he was at the combine and nine more than at the Senior Bowl. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were an edge-best 10 5/8. His vertical jump was an edge-worst 26. Given name is Lebbeus. Five-star recruit from Milton, Ga.

15. MALACHI LAWRENCE, Central Florida (6-4 ½, 253, 4.51, 3): Redshirted in 2021, played briefly in three games in ’22 and started in 2023-’25. “He’s a guy with a lot of ability, and he showed up at the combine,” one scout said. “He has talent. He ran 4.51. He has traits and pretty decent production.” His 40 was the fastest among the edges. His vertical jump of 40 paced the top 20 edges. “He tested really, really well and ran fast,” said a second scout. “He’s a little more finesse. Lacks core strength, but a good player.” Finished with 72 tackles (28 for loss), 20 sacks, three forced fumbles and five batted passes. “He worked out well at the combine and now people are trying to make something of him,” a third scout said. “He’s a fifth-year senior who’s still raw and not productive. Hit or miss type. He ran fast, and you see a little of that in his getoff. But just overall he doesn’t have great instincts. He doesn’t play the run well. Not very strong bending and breaking with pass-rush stuff.” Arms were 33 5/8, hands were 9 ¼. “Inconsistent motor,” a fourth scout said. “When it’s third and 10 and he knows it’s pass he can get off the ball pretty good. If it’s first and 10 he kind of comes off slow, soft. Not real tough and physical setting the point. More of a fifth-fourth round project.” From Louisville, Ky.



THE NEXT FIVE

Romello Height, Texas Tech (6-2 ½, 238, 4.66)
Said one scout: “He and Bailey, it was almost like they were having a contest seeing who could get to the quarterback fastest. Good pass rusher. Plays hard. Inconsistent playing the run right now. I think a couple teams are talking about him and if he can be a linebacker and then drop down on passing downs. He did drop in coverage and wasn’t bad at it.”

Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (6-3 ½, 251, 4.66)
Said one scout: “He’s one of those hybrid pieces. Do you like him better off the ball or do you want to use him as both? Some teams are looking for positionless players. I think to get the most of his value you’re going to mix it up but he’s probably a better rusher than just a stack backer. He’s not a throwaway out there. Today, I’d say he’s second round because he does have some rush value. He’s kind of a unique player. At worst, he’s a rotational player. He has the demeanor to be a kick-*** on teams. He’s gonna get a jersey and help you.”

Wesley Williams, Duke (6-3 ½, 258, 4.90)
Said one scout: “He’s extremely athletic. He’s raw. Changes direction quickly. Plays fast. Plays extremely hard. Chases run and pass. Like they throw the ball to the alley and he turns and sprints. Fourth or fifth round. He did really well at the East-West Game.”

Logan Fano, Utah (6-5, 254, 4.60)
Said one scout: “He’ll play. He’ll be a backup-rotational guy. He has some DPR stuff to him. I could see fifth round because he’ll be a good backup ands play teams. His brother (Spencer) is the tackle. They’re cut from the same cloth. High-character kids.”

Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College (6-3, 238, 4.73)
Said one scout: “(Donovan) Ezeiruaku was a better, more polished, more well-rounded football player but this kid is a way better athlete. But really raw, not instinctive. He’s got initial quicks. First and foremost, he’s a 3-4 outside linebacker. For a 4-3 team he’s a developmental DPR. He became a guy you can trust.”
 
Faulk is such a funny situation because I don't think anybody really disagrees with the points that he's strong against the run and that he is dangerous matched up against interior OL rushing from the interior. The way he's described here, even the negatives, almost lines up perfectly with what a 3-4 DE is.

He's not big enough to be a full-time DT, but he's not exactly what you want as an edge rusher getting after the QB, but if you run a 3-4 and plan to use him as a 5T in base situations while rushing from the interior in passing situations, where's the issue? He even has the versatility to line up as an OLB here or there as a big edge in base situations, although obviously I wouldn't want that full-time.

The only problem comes if you switch back to something resembling a traditional 4-3 and he never develops his edge rush beyond where it is currently.
 
On a separate note, I do really like the depth at edge this year and it's something to consider relative to hoping someone like Moore, Height, Jacas, Lawrence, etc. falls to 92 when considering what positions to take in the first.

I'm skeptical that many, or even any of them make it to 92, but I think there's a needle to thread where maybe you pass up edge rush types in the first while looking to maybe move up 10-15 spots in the 3rd if the board starts to thin.

I bet we could move up from 92 to about 80 while giving up just like a 5 and a 7 or so.
 
On a separate note, I do really like the depth at edge this year and it's something to consider relative to hoping someone like Moore, Height, Jacas, Lawrence, etc. falls to 92 when considering what positions to take in the first.

I'm skeptical that many, or even any of them make it to 92, but I think there's a needle to thread where maybe you pass up edge rush types in the first while looking to maybe move up 10-15 spots in the 3rd if the board starts to thin.

I bet we could move up from 92 to about 80 while giving up just like a 5 and a 7 or so.



No moving up.

giphy.gif


If we want extra picks in the second and third rounds, move down in the first.

Especially since the value for what we're looking for aligns pretty well with picking in the mid to late 20s, more so than at 20.

No moving up this year.

If we can't move down in the first I'd rather stand pat. Maybe the best edges will all be gone by 92 but that just means that the chances of a good CB or safety, which are also deep, being there will be better.
 
No moving up.

giphy.gif


If we want extra picks in the second and third rounds, move down in the first.

Especially since the value for what we're looking for aligns pretty well with picking in the mid to late 20s, more so than at 20.

No moving up this year.

If we can't move down in the first I'd rather stand pat. Maybe the best edges will all be gone by 92 but that just means that the chances of a good CB or safety, which are also deep, being there will be better.

Why?

I get it before we had a 3rd but we basically have a normal allotment of picks except an extra 1 instead of a 2.

If I see someone who I think is a clear 2nd type talent dropping at a position of need like Jacas or Lawrence and the rest of the board is thinning, I'm seeing what I can do.
 
Why?

I get it before we had a 3rd but we basically have a normal allotment of picks except an extra 1 instead of a 2.

If I see someone who I think is a clear 2nd type talent dropping at a position of need like Jacas or Lawrence and the rest of the board is thinning, I'm seeing what I can do.


Because I think we have too many needs on defense and truthfully I think we can find decent contributors even in the 4th or 5th. I would just rather add picks than subtract.

It would be different if I thought we'd have potential studs at 12 and 20 but instead I think there's a real possibility we'll get roughly similar quality players after trading down from either of those picks. That logically to me looks like our best opportunity to add day two picks.
 
Yeah, I wouldn't give away the third, but I don't mind losing a 5th or 7th.
 
Because I think we have too many needs on defense and truthfully I think we can find decent contributors even in the 4th or 5th. I would just rather add picks than subtract.

It would be different if I thought we'd have potential studs at 12 and 20 but instead I think there's a real possibility we'll get roughly similar quality players after trading down from either of those picks. That logically to me looks like our best opportunity to add day two picks.

Sure, I'd rather trade down and do it that way too, I'm just saying if that doesn't happen I'd consider a small move up in the 3rd if we didn't take an edge in the first.
 
No moving up.

giphy.gif


If we want extra picks in the second and third rounds, move down in the first.

Especially since the value for what we're looking for aligns pretty well with picking in the mid to late 20s, more so than at 20.

No moving up this year.

If we can't move down in the first I'd rather stand pat. Maybe the best edges will all be gone by 92 but that just means that the chances of a good CB or safety, which are also deep, being there will be better.


What if we move down and then move up and in total have the same number or more of picks? Is that acceptable?
 
6. CASHIUS HOWELL, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 1-2): Won SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 after an 11 ½-sack season. “He’s a compact dude but he has excellent quickness, speed, athleticism, bend and hand use,” said one scout. “He has shorter arms, but he’s able to sideswipe and dip and do all this really cool stuff. If he was bigger he’d be a top-10 pick, but he’s not.” Started in his third of three seasons at Bowling Green, where he had 11 ½ sacks total. Started for the Aggies the past two years. “He might be a first-rounder,” a second scout said. “He’s quick and fast but he’s also small and short-limbed.” Has the shortest arms (30 ¼) of the top 25 edges. Hands were 9 ¼. “Best thing he does is from the back side,” said a third scout. “That’s the only plays I ever saw him make is beat blocks from the back side. He’s tweener size and not super athletic for that. Not explosive as a pass rusher. They wear him out in the run. It’s like he didn’t want anything to do with it.” Finished with 127 tackles (35 ½ for loss), 27 sacks, three forced fumbles and 15 batted passes. “I’m not a huge fan,” said a fourth scout. “He’s more of an outside linebacker. Doesn’t play the run real well. Plays hard against the pass.” Went to Bowling Green after not receiving a Power 4 offer. From Kansas City.

These are obviously two different scouts. But it's funny when I read these and you see opposite opinions. I'd fire the scout whose report claims that he isn't explosive as a pass rusher or athletic. That dude must be wearing the wrong bifocals.

But these are always interesting reads to me because you get multiple different opinions. It also explains why some teams will have a guy like Howell in the top 20 on their board and why another team will have him in the third round. Sometimes I wonder how some scouts ever got their job in the first place. And this is just an example. I really like Howell but you could pick another player and you'll see the same differences of opinions.
 
Sometimes I wonder how some scouts ever got their job in the first place.
I mean, Broaddus was a scout for years and he's demonstrably wrong on players all the time.

Said it before, but I wonder how often these guys are evaluated and fired if they're wrong too often. Doesn't seem like it happens that often. Some of the guys with the Cowboys have been there for years.
 
I mean, Broaddus was a scout for years and he's demonstrably wrong on players all the time.

Said it before, but I wonder how often these guys are evaluated and fired if they're wrong too often. Doesn't seem like it happens that often. Some of the guys with the Cowboys have been there for years.


Yeah I don't think they get fired often. If they aren't good it feels like they just don't get promoted as opposed to actually being fired. It also highlights that I don't know exactly what qualifications it really takes to get those jobs. But my guess is it is more about who you know than what you know.
 
Faulk is such a funny situation because I don't think anybody really disagrees with the points that he's strong against the run and that he is dangerous matched up against interior OL rushing from the interior. The way he's described here, even the negatives, almost lines up perfectly with what a 3-4 DE is.

I think you're maybe embellishing this point a little. He did this at Auburn last year. And wasn't all that "dangerous." 30% of his snaps were played inside. Which led to 5 TFLs and 2 sacks last year in total. I'm not going to call that "dangerous" but maybe he could become dangerous.
 
I think you're maybe embellishing this point a little. He did this at Auburn last year. And wasn't all that "dangerous." 30% of his snaps were played inside. Which led to 5 TFLs and 2 sacks last year in total. I'm not going to call that "dangerous" but maybe he could become dangerous.

He wasn't always put in a position to just go one on one vs. interior OL, but when he did he usually won.
 
What if we move down and then move up and in total have the same number or more of picks? Is that acceptable?


More picks is acceptable. Same number of picks it'd have to be a clearly better and impactful defensive player than we'd otherwise get for me to endorse it.
 
again, :NoDick Dbair

LINEBACKERS

1. ARVELL REESE, Ohio State (6-4, 244, 4.46, 1): Never made a tackle in 2023, played extensively in ’24 as a reserve and started 14 games in ’25. “Consider him like Jalon Walker last year,” one scout said. “They’re very similar in terms of positional fit. He is a very, very good athlete.”

Reese probably played more off the ball than on the line of scrimmage last year but some teams view his future as an edge rusher. “My thought is just get him on the edge and let him rush on tackles,” a second scout said. “He’s going to be a lot faster than most of the guys. I have him below (David) Bailey because I haven’t seen enough. With Reese, I’m betting on the future. There were some games you would say, absolutely, yes (he was dominant). Some games he just doesn’t flash for you.” Finished with 112 tackles (13 ½ for loss), seven sacks, no forced fumbles and two passes defensed. “They play him all over the place and he does everything kind of at a high level,” a third scout said. “He goes hard. He’s tough as ****. He is a vicious player. He blitzes and does that stuff but there’s no way he can play edge full-time. This guy might be 240. Micah Parsons is 260. He could bulk up to maybe do that but right now, to put him down on the edge full-time, I think it would hurt him. He reminds me of Jihaad Campbell from last year. Like almost exactly the same. He has some Leonard Floyd tendencies when he rushed. Devin Lloyd finally came on and he kind of reminds me of that where he did everything. What’s surprising is this guy might be the second pick in the draft and those two guys (Campbell, Lloyd) were bottom of the first. That just shows you where this (draft) class is.” Four-star recruit from Cleveland. Two-time All-Big Ten academic selection. “Guy’s a hell of a football player,” a fourth scout said. “He played anywhere Matt (Patricia, defensive coordinator) needed him to. Multifaceted guy. I don’t think he has Micah Parsons’ strength but I’d take Reese. He can cover. He can play in the middle. Likes to make collisions as a tackler. High motor.” Won’t turn 21 until late August. “He can be physical but he gets blocked a lot of times at the point,” a fifth scout said. “He doesn’t shed very quick. There’s something missing, and it’s production. He doesn’t jump off tape as a great player. He’s not in the league of Micah Parsons. A guy like Reese, he should have stayed in school. You’ve got to be careful of that guy now. The bottom line is he just doesn’t make as many plays as he should.” Arms were 32 ½ inches, hands were 9 1/2. Other than running a pair of 40’s, he declined the rest of the physical testing.

2. SONNY STYLES, Ohio State (6-5, 246, 4.41, 1): Played safety in 2022-’23, starting in ’23. Moved to linebacker in spring 2024 and started for two years. “Just his second year at linebacker,” said one scout. “I’d say he’d be the guy wearing the green dot over the other guy (Reese). He’s solid in shed (shedding blocks) and plays down in the A gap. I thought he was OK in coverage, not great. He reminded me of (DeMarvion) Overshown, who played at Texas a few years ago and was a former safety that became an inside linebacker. They got to him a little bit inside. People would block him. He also reminded me of Kenneth Murray but (Styles) is way more instinctive.” Dominated the combine with LB-bests in the 40, the vertical jump (43 ½) and the broad jump (11-2). “He was born and bred to have a combine like he did,” a second scout said. “He’s been running with a parachute on his back since he was 5 or 6 years old. People question his instincts. The bottom line is, he’s 6-5, 245 and ran super fast. That’s all I can say. Look. There’s a reason why he wasn’t top-10 or top-15 until the combine. Speed, toughness, instincts. He’s got the speed. The toughness is a question. The instincts are a question. So then you start having doubts about him. But with that body type someone will say ‘yes.’” His father, Lorenzo (6-1, 238, 4.82), was drafted in the third round by the Falcons in 1995 and started eight of 70 games as a linebacker in a six-year career. He tested positive for marijuana at the combine, then refused to weigh in or work out. Sonny’s brother, Lorenzo (6-0 ½, 197, 4.30), was a safety at Ohio State and might be a late-round draft choice this month. “He’s a big kid and obviously tested through the roof,” a third scout said. “Outstanding leader. It’s just for a big kid he doesn’t quite knock you back like you’d want, but there’s not many linebackers that do.” Arms were 32 7/8, hands were 10. “He didn’t play as good this year as he did last year,” a fourth scout said. “I didn’t think he was a first-rounder. He’s a real good cover guy because of his safety background. Everybody’s grading him on his reputation. He’s a grab and wrap-up tackler. I didn’t think he was physical at all. He slipped underneath blocks instead of taking on, and that created run lanes.” Finished with 244 tackles (22 ½ for loss), nine sacks, three forced fumbles and nine passes defensed. “He reminds me of Darron Lee that came out of there in (2016),” a fifth scout said. “He went to the Jets (as the No. 20 pick) and didn’t do anything. He could run but there was something off: toughness, physicality, grit. That’s what got him. It was odd seeing this guy because everybody else on that Ohio State defense played their *** off. This guy was just kind of hanging around. He doesn’t play like the rest of those dudes. When he’s in space he can run, which Darron Lee could do. But the instincts are off. The lack of physicality was off. He’s not a quick-trigger guy. Seeing him in person, he’s so damn big and he is very, very smooth and well-coordinated. Give him some more credit and love for that. You’re betting it all on the upside. With Reese, you see it, man. Styles, he made the occasional play.” Three-time All-Big Ten academic honoree. From Pickerington, Ohio.

3. CJ ALLEN, Georgia (6-0 ½, 232, no 40, 1-2): Third-year junior. Started five games in 2023 and 25 the past two years. “He might get the Georgia defensive bump and end up going in the top 32,” said one scout. “He’s definitely top 50. He’s just your classic run-and-hit linebacker. He can stay on the field for all three downs.” Made the decision not to test at the combine, and then cited a knee injury for why he didn’t test at pro day. Arms were 31 ½, hands were 10 1/8. “He’s a leader,” said a second scout. “He’s always barking out stuff. Really instinctive. He tries hard. Just not a lot of natural talent. He tries to take on but he gets smothered up. In space, he’s limited in terms of change of direction. Old-school player. Completely different from (Quay) Walker. Similar to Nakobe (Dean).” Finished with 205 tackles (13 ½ for loss), 4 ½ sacks, two forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed. Four-star recruit from Barnesville, Ga. In high school, he averaged 7.7 points as a junior on the basketball team and ran 100 meters in 11.16 seconds.

4. JACOB RODRIGUEZ, Texas Tech (6-1 ½, 232, 4.58, 2): Was at Virginia in 2021 as a quarterback but never attempted a pass. Did contribute as a wide receiver, running back and tight end (10 rushes, eight receptions). Walked on at Texas Tech in 2022 and played linebacker for the first time since middle school. Started 31 of 44 games for the Red Raiders and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2025, highest finish by a defensive player since Aidan Hutchinson in 2021. “He is a damn good player,” said one scout. “Instinctive as . He’s quick, he triggers. Tough as hell. He’s fast. His only issue is he’s got those short arms (30 7/8). It does show up in space when he can’t finish on tackles. He’ll make 10 and then miss two, something like that. He’s going to have some missed tackles but he’s going to make a ton, too.” His career statistics were phenomenal: 317 tackles (25 ½ for loss), six sacks, six interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, 12 passes defensed and five recovered fumbles. Became the first FBS player since 2005 to have 300-plus tackles, 10-plus forced fumbles and at least five interceptions and five recovered fumbles. Seven of his forced fumbles and four of his interceptions came last year. “A lot of that stuff (takeaways) isn’t really transferable,” the scout said. “Those kind of stats, especially for linebackers, some of it’s right place, right time. You’re counting on him running your defense and making a **** of tackles. He’s top of the second round. He’s heads and shoulders above the rest of that crew besides Reese and Styles.” Married since July 2023. His wife is a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army. “His speed is probably a little better than people thought,” a second scout said. “I think people are intrigued by this guy’s instincts and his ability to take the ball away. I’d say third round.” Had a vertical jump of 38 ½. His short shuttle of 4.19 led the position. “What his superpower is is just the instincts,” a third scout said. “He has a knack for creating turnovers – whether it’s in the passing game getting his hands on balls for interceptions or punching the ball out. He has some Charles Tillman to him. Like it’s part of who he is as a tackler. He goes for the ball and it shows up. He’s a high-character dude.” Four-sport athlete in high school: football, basketball, baseball and track. Three-star recruit. “Very good diagnose, knows how to play the game and always finds himself right around the ball,” a fourth scout said. “I wasn’t a huge fan of him going into the week (at the Senior Bowl) but I found myself appreciating just how good of a football player he is by the end of the week.” From Wichita Falls, Texas.

5. JAKE GOLDAY, Cincinnati (6-4 ½, 237, 4.58, 2-3): Redshirted at FCS Central Arkansas in 2021, backed up in ’22 and started in ’23. Became a Bearcat in 2024 and started 20 of 24 games the past two years. “He’s kind of interesting,” said one scout. “Now he can run and he’s got an impressive build. Some people might be just sitting on him. He might go a little higher than people expect. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going second round, third at the latest.” Vertical jump of 39, and his 40 matched Rodriguez’. “I think he’ll be a starter,” another scout said. “He’s tall and long and runs well straight line. He gets off blocks. Second round.” Finished with 289 tackles (26 for loss), 11 sacks and five forced fumbles. “He used to be a defensive end and they (the Bearcats) stand him up more now,” a third scout said. “That’s what he is. He’s got to be coming forward. When he drops you can tell there’s limitations in his movement and there’s stiffness. Decent football intelligence. He’s physical at the point. It’s kind of hit or miss whether he can get off the blocks athletically and make plays. You get him out in space and he’ll miss because he’s just too limited. He’s got to be a linebacker. Third round.” Arms were 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “Kind of an old-fashioned sam (strong-side linebacker),” a fourth scout said. “He’s just not athletic in space. Definitely a backup. He’ll play, but his space skills are so limited.” From Arlington, Tenn.

6. JOSIAH TROTTER, Missouri (6-2, 239, no 40, 3): Started 12 games at Missouri last year. Began his collegiate career in 2023 at West Virginia but sat out the entire season because of a lower-leg injury. Started 11 games for the Mountaineers in 2024. “A lot of people like him,” one scout said. “They think he’s better than the brother that came out a few years ago. He’s had a couple injuries that could be a hangup so that’s why I think he’ll be a second-round pick.” His father, Jeremiah, made four Pro Bowls and 914 tackles as a middle linebacker for the Eagles and two other teams from 1998-’09. In 1998, as a third-round pick from Stephen F. Austin, he was 6-0 ½, 261 and ran 4.67. His Josiah’s brother, Jeremiah (6-0, 226, 4.81), was drafted in the fifth round by the Eagles in 2024 from Clemson. In two seasons he has started two of 34 games and made 57 tackles. Josiah, his father and his brother all entered the draft after three years of college. “He’s not as good as his brother, and his brother doesn’t even (start),” said a second scout. “He’s very, very similar to his brother. He’s a tough guy and he’s physical. Just gets beat up at the point of attack because he’s a smaller guy. Not much range or change of direction or athletic ability. His coverage isn’t good at all. Fifth round.” Three-star recruit from Philadelphia. Arms were 32 ¼, hands (10 ¼) were the largest of the top 10 at the position. “He’s a strong second-round pick,” a third scout said.

7. KYLE LOUIS, Pittsburgh (6-0, 222, 4.57, 3): Compiled seven of his 10 career sacks in 2024. “He has been used effectively as a blitzer,” one scout said. “You’d have to scheme him because he’s not big enough or strong enough to get through any kind of contact. But he’s got timing and close. He can run: that’s one thing that is clear. Plays hard. He’s a good zone cover guy but you wish he was a better man cover guy. Little bit of an awkward athlete. There are teams that see him as a safety. I do not.” Impressed at the combine with a fast 40, a vertical jump of 39 ½ and a broad jump of 10-9. “He made some of the better plays during the entire week of practice (at the Senior Bowl),” a second scout said. “He is small, which is going to hurt his cause.” Redshirted in 2022, played sparingly in ’23, started at will linebacker in ’24 and at middle linebacker in ’25. “People are intrigued by his athleticism and speed,” said a third scout. “The character, the mental, the work ethic have been highly questioned. He showed up at the Senior Bowl and stood out in practices.” Finished with 201 tackles (25 ½ for loss), the 10 sacks, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed. Arms were 31 ¼, hands were 9 ½. “He’s a tweener,” said a fourth scout. “With Kyle Hamilton now everybody can do this tweener thing. Now (Nick) Emmanwori from last year. They’re trying to find other guys to do this. I can’t see him hanging in there full-time at linebacker. He’s more of a jump-on-the-pile kind of guy. He’s crafty and nifty. But size-wise, can he hold up in there taking on? Space-wise, he’s not a safety athlete. He could cover tight ends but no receivers, and the better tight ends will wear him out. Fourth round.” From East Orange, N.J.

8. ANTHONY HILL, Texas (6-2, 239, 4.55, 3-4): Third-year junior started 32 of 40 games. “He got a lot of hype,” one scout said. “Off the body and the athletic ability he was a 5-star, and you could probably say that about him now,” said one scout. “But as an inside backer there isn’t great take-on. As an outside backer, not just a pure edge rusher. He’s sort of caught between and not really great at either one. He isn’t super instinctive. Reading plays and the key and diagnose wasn’t natural for him. He’s built like a pro, but when you start to dig into him you definitely have question marks.” Ran fast and had a 37-inch vertical jump. Arms were 32 3/8, hands were 9 5/8. “He’s not a first-rounder,” said a second scout. “He’s a little soft at the point. He doesn’t have that linebacker mentality. I don’t want to ding him too bad.” Finished with 249 tackles (31 ½ for loss), 17 sacks, three interceptions and eight forced fumbles. “He’s tricky,” a third scout said. “He’s got some biomechanical issues that he might not ever be a good tackler in space.” From Denton, Texas. “I couldn’t get excited about this guy,” a fourth scout said. “They moved him all over the place but he doesn’t play physical. He doesn’t really trigger and get to the ball. He floats around and it kind of gets him to the play. You’ll hear he’s a great athlete but I don’t see that at all. Just an average athlete. Best thing he does is zone coverage. Has a good feel for that. Third round.”

9. BRYCE BOETTCHER, Oregon (6-1, 231, 4.73, 3-4): Followed his first love, baseball, to Oregon where he walked on and played four years, primarily as a centerfielder, and was drafted in the 13th round by the Astros in 2024. In all, he hit .242 with 14 home runs and 27 stolen bases. Joined the football team as a walk-on in spring 2022 and played four seasons, earning a starting berth in 2024-’25. “I think he’ll be the real find in this group,” said one scout. “Sort of a sawed-off guy, doesn’t have long arms. Team leader. Got all the intangibles. I bet he could go in the 90’s, before the end of that third round. He’s going to play on special teams and, at worst, be a backup.” Finished with 269 tackles (16 for loss), four sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and 10 passes defensed. “He’s a much better athlete than you think,” said a second scout. “He’s able to play a step faster than his pure timed speed would allow because of how smart and instinctive he is. Good tackler. He can play well in coverage. The biggest concern is he’s not very big and he’s not long enough to shed blocks inside the box so he can get covered up a ton. If you get him in the fifth round you’re going to be pumped. He’ll make the team better, the locker room better.” Won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2024 as the nation’s leading walk-on. “Played centerfield, so if somebody tells you he can’t run tell them they’re full of ,” a third scout said. “He reminds me of Carson Schwesinger, and that’s a lot. Boettcher will be a starter sometime in his first or second year and will play a long time. He’s just put together. He’s super instinctive.” Arms were 30 ¾, hands were 9. “He’ll be a * on special teams, one of those guys,” a fourth scout said. “He’s gonna make it as a will. Not great in coverage but he’s a good run defender and a good leader. Will he be on the field on third down? I don’t know. That’s a problem.” From Eugene, Ore., where he won 11 letters in three sports.

10. JIMMY ROLDER, Michigan (6-2 ½, 238, no 40, 4): Fourth-year junior didn’t start a game until last year. Hardly played in 2022-’23 and saw considerable action in ’24 as part of a rotation. “I don’t see him necessarily walking in as a starter,” said one scout. “He’s got size and length. His instincts are good. He’s not a throwaway as a cover player but you’re not putting him against a mismatch-type player. He’s a good player. I don’t think he’s anything special. He’s a bigger version probably of Micah McFadden, guys like that. I think in some drafts he’s a fourth-round pick. I think there’s enough backers that this year he’s more fifth.” Finished with 118 tackles (nine for loss), two sacks, no forced fumbles, two passes defensed and one interception. “He’s early Day 3,” said a second scout. “Not elite in any area but could play three positions in the traditional 4-3. There’s nothing special about him.” Shortest arms (30 ½) of the top 12 linebackers. Hands were 9 ¾. “This guy’s gonna go high,” a third scout said. “Good athlete, good frame, makes big plays. High-quality starter. He’ll be second or third round.” Three-time All-Big Ten academic choice. Fielded basketball offers from Division I schools. Four-star recruit from Orland Park, Ill.

11. JACK KELLY, Brigham Young (6-1 ½, 239, 4.55, 4): Redshirted at Weber State in 2021, then started 22 games in 2022-’23. Moved up to BYU and started 25 games in 2024-’25. “He’s only been playing stack linebacker for two or three seasons,” one scout said. “He’s still learning the position, which is scary because he plays it so well. The work ethic, the intangibles, everything is off the charts. On third down you can actually put him on the edge. He knows exactly how to use his hands as an edge rusher. He might not ever reach the solid-starter grade that some teams will give him but he will be a very, very good pro.” For the FCS Wildcats, he totaled 84 tackles (20 for loss), 16 ½ sacks and five forced fumbles. For the Cougars, he finished with 106 tackles (23 ½ for loss), 15 sacks and four forced fumbles. “BYU moved him to the edge and blitzed him or blitzed him through the A gap,” said a second scout. “He’s going to be a liability in coverage on third down so I don’t know if he can play all three downs. BYU had a bunch of really nasty, good, tough players.” Ran fast, had a 37-inch vertical jump and shared the fastest time in the short shuttle (4.19). “He’s an outside linebacker that can zone drop if you want but he’s better rushing the passer,” said a third scout. “Not very good taking on blocks. He’s more of a step-around guy. He misses a lot of tackles. He’s a 3-4 outside backer and athletic enough to be a will. I could see fifth or sixth round.” Compared by another scout to Rodriguez based on the way he always was around the ball at the Senior Bowl. Grew up competing in BMX dirt-track racing. From Kearns, Utah.

12. DEONTAE LAWSON, Alabama (6-3, 225, no 40, 4-5): Two-time captain, one of 16 in Crimson Tide history. “Great guy,” one scout said. “He’s no CJ Mosley or Reuben Foster. He’s not explosive. I don’t see him going that high. He’ll be a fourth- or fifth-rounder. I don’t think he’s gonna run. His medical’s not gonna be great.” Redshirted in 2021 before becoming a part-time starter in 2022 and a full-time starter in 2023-’25. Finished with 283 tackles (19 for loss), 6 ½ sacks, three forced fumbles and 16 passes defensed. Suffered a torn ACL in late November 2024 but was able to play all 15 games in ’25. “He’s a classic Alabama guy that’s been really beat up,” said a second scout. “He’s a solid player but more of a backup than a potential starter.” Unable to test this spring beyond putting up 20 reps on the bench press. Arms were 31 7/8, hands were 9 ¼. Four-star recruit from Mobile, Ala.



THE NEXT FIVE

Xavian Sorey, Arkansas (6-2, 228, 4.63)
Said one scout: “Super athletic and blazing fast. He’ll be a core special-teams guy. He’s not very instinctive but he can cover. Really good range. Fast, undersized. I’d take him over Boettcher.”

Aiden Fisher, Indiana (6-1, 231, 4.77)
Said one scout: “People are going to ding him on athleticism and whether he’s strong enough, but he’s put together. Smart and instinctive. The key-and-diagnose is great. He’ll get out-bigged at times but he’ll be a starter. I could see third or fourth round.”

Harold Perkins, Louisiana State (6-1, 221, 4.47)
Said one scout: “He looks like a will linebacker that you’ll blitz on third down. He’s just not that big but he is a really good athlete and he is really instinctive. He had production. He doesn’t quite have an every-down position. In Brian Flores’ defense he could just kind of have him float around and then blitz at the snap. He might be a Viking.”

Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State (6-1 ½, 232, 4.58)
Said one scout: “He’s 6-1, 230 and can run, which is kind of prototype now for linebackers in the NFL. He’s kind of the new-age linebacker. He’s not a big hitter. If I was playing against him I’d try to run right at him instead of away from him. But running to the outside making plays, dropping back in coverage making plays, those types of things, he can do. He’s probably fourth or fifth round.”

Eric Gentry, Southern Cal (6-6 ½, 228, 4.59)
Said one scout: “He’s long (35-inch arms), athletic and very rangy. Real good cover player, too. Little bit of an anomaly. There are not many human being that look like him that are linebackers. The issue is, when you’re that high-cut and that light, guards can eat you up when you’re trying to play the run. If you can keep offensive linemen off him, he’s got the ability to play sideline to sideline. He’d be a great special-teams player. He plays tough. Plays hurt, too. He’s so lean that durability is a concern.”
 
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