PFF/Scouting Megathread

[Finsup1981]

Going forward I'm going to post parts of Insider PFF and other premium sites in this thread so I'm not littering the board with a different thread every week.

As per @Travis34 , want to make sure I dont break any guidelines by posting entire articles so I'm going to post the premium articles so the Finheaven brothers who dont have access can read some of them, I will never post the full articles just as much as I'm allowed. If anyone wants the full article you can always PM me. Going to try to focus on potential Dolphins targets since reading scouting reports on Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter isnt going to do anything for us since we have no shot at them.

Starting with the DLine

By Bob McGinn​

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.”

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.”

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 bullshit 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 ass 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.

Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

Mason Graham is head of class. One scout sees 12 defensive linemen with starter grades. But gauging a player's motor? That's extremely difficult. Bob McGinn examines all of the top prospects.

www.golongtd.com

 

[Finsup1981]

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 ass 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. Game****s’ 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 ass. 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.”

 

[Finsup1981]

CORNERBACKS

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.”

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 ass beat, too. And when he gets beat when he gambles it’s a big-ass 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 ****y 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.

 

[Finsup1981]

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 HAN****, 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)

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.”

 

[Finsup1981]

GUARDS
The Georgia Bulldogs were one decision away from having their entire offensive line drafted by NFL teams next month.

Tackle Earnest Greene, a two-year starter, elected to stay in school after an injury-shortened third season. If he had declared, scouts projected him as a third-or-fourth round draft choice.

With Greene back in school, the Bulldogs still figure to have four interior players drafted. The list includes center Jared Wilson, guards Tate Ratledge (pictured above) and Dylan Fairchild and guard-tackle Xavier Truss.

Four drafted O-linemen is a haul even for Georgia, which along with Michigan has had the most offensive linemen drafted in the last five years. Four of the Bulldogs’ 11 selections have been in the first round whereas just one of Michigan’s 11 landed in Round 1.

Over the years Georgia wasn’t known as a fertile producing ground for the big uglies. Wisconsin, Iowa and a few others were. In the decade from 2010-’19, the Bulldogs had just eight drafted.

Kirby Smart’s first four seasons in Athens sent three offensive linemen to the draft.

Sam Pittman, Smart’s first O-line coach, helped recruit and develop the unit into one of the nation’s best. After Pittman became coach at Arkansas in early 2020, Matt Lake coached the Bulldogs’ offensive line for two seasons before Stacy Searels took over in 2022.

The three-man draft class of 2020 included first-rounders Andrew Thomas (No. 4) and Isaiah Wilson (No. 29). The two-man draft classes in each of the last four years included first-rounders Broderick Jones (No. 14, 2023) and Amarius Mims (No. 18, 2024).

“One thing I give credit to for any player from Georgia is they get coached hard and they practice hard all year,” a Southeast area scout said. “You go to a Tuesday or a Wednesday practice in October in Athens and they’re all going good on good run to the ground. Guys gotta be tough to play there.”

1. TYLER BOOKER, Alabama (6-4 ½, 326, 5.34, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s a pretty safe bet to be the first guard,” one scout said. “He has the most solid foundation. Now he may be a little bit more of a gap-scheme than a run-off-the-ball wide-zone type. He’s a big body. Real big personality. He’s very much liked at the school. He’s been paid a lot of money. There’s some maturity there.” Rotated at both guards in 2022 before starting 25 games at left guard in 2023-’24. Last season, one of his starts came at left tackle. “Giant human being,” said a second scout.

“Heavy-handed, flexible, strong, smart, good athlete. Not a great puller or second-level guy but he’s a really good in-line player, run and pass. He’d be our starting right guard yesterday. Guards typically don’t go in the first round but he will. He could play some right tackle in some power schemes.” Five-star recruit from New Haven, Conn., and IMG Academy. “A guard like this, you could take him (first round),” said a third scout. “He’s not super talented or dynamic in any way but he’s big, moves well enough, plays on his feet, good football intelligence, he works. He’ll be good.” Arms were 34 ½ inches, size 11-inch hands were the largest at the position. “I don’t know if he’ll be a solid starter but I don’t think you’ll miss on him,” said a fourth scout. “I have him in the second round but you’ve got to find 32 and he may be one of those 32.” Tested poorly. Vertical jump (27 inches), broad jump (7-10) and bench-press reps (21) were the worst at the position.

2. JONAH SAVAIINAEA, Arizona (6-4, 324, 4.99, 1-2): Three-year starter at right tackle. “He feels like a guard all day long,” said one scout. “He’s so big and square. His foot quickness and overall athleticism on the edge will be a concern for a lot of teams. You put him in there just as a 335-pound mauling guard, you might end up getting a really good player.” Third-year junior with 36 starts. “He’s a borderline first-rounder,” a second scout said. “He was a right tackle and he’ll play right tackle or guard. He also was their emergency left tackle and wasn’t bad doing it. There’s something to this guy. This guy’s really powerful and will start for somebody. The way he ran and worked out, he might slip into the first.” Besides a sub-5 40, he mustered a 29-inch vertical jump and an 8-10 broad jump. “At the Senior Bowl he played some guard and looked more natural there,” a third scout said. “When you got him too far out in space he didn’t play with his length. He’s a big, agile guy. He’s got anchor strength. He can bend. I like the athlete and the mover a little better than the complete football player.” Arms were 33 7/8, hands were 10 ¼. “I moved him inside but I just don’t think he’s very good,” said a fourth scout. “Slow feet, barely gets in the way. Not an athlete by any stretch. He struggles on the edges in pass pro because he doesn’t move his feet or adjust well enough. His only chance is as a big guard.” Three-star recruit from American Samoa. Played as a prep in Honolulu.

3. DONOVAN JACKSON, Ohio State (6-3 ½, 315, no 40, 2): Five-star recruit in 2021 rated as the No. 1 guard in the U.S. and the No. 1 player in Texas. “He’s good, man, he’s good,” said one scout. “I couldn’t believe it when he went out there and played tackle and really held his own. I have him as a second-round pick as a left tackle and a Pro Bowl player as a guard. He can do it all. He’s going to start Day 1 and play a long time. He would survive at left tackle; I don’t think he would thrive. He’ll thrive as a guard.” Experienced starter at left guard moved to left tackle down the stretch in 2024 after Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending knee injury and the Buckeyes’ second option didn’t reach fruition. “He’s one of the best run blockers I’ve seen in a long, long time,” another scout said. “I wouldn’t say pancake but he can drive you off the line of scrimmage. He’ll stick and stay with you. Latch onto you. I’m not saying he’s a Hall of Famer but you don’t see guys run block like he does. I’d take him as a guard late one.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9 7/8. “More of a third-rounder,” a third scout said. “In-line player only. He’s a power-scheme guy. He’s tough and physical, uses his length well, smart, got good power. He’s like really slue-footed. Kind of a clunky mover, and I thought he was on the ground way too much. He’s good enough to be a starter but he’s not a wow guy.” From Bellaire, Texas.

4. TATE RATLEDGE, Georgia (6-6 ½, 312, 4.98, 3): His father, Dean, played at Tennessee Tech in the mid-1970s and had a brief stint in the NFL. “High football intelligence, son of a coach,” one scout said. “He was important to them from a locker-room perspective and the mentality that he is as a true talent. Even when he was banged up this year he was such an important part of that offensive line. He does have a real nasty streak. I just thought he was a below-average athlete, a phone-booth brawler. Has stiffness and balance issues. If he didn’t have the mullet and attracted all the cameras and attention I doubt … he’s a good, solid player who will be drafted as a backup guard only.” Missed five games with an ankle injury in 2024. Three-year starter at right guard. “He’s a tackle’s body,” a second scout said. “Has the size and length to play outside but he’s never done it. Played a lot of ball. Good length, good mobility, good ability to absorb. Got a good personality, seems to be well-liked in the Georgia locker room. His issue will be he had some type of lower leg injury every year of his career. Availability is job security. If you’re not available it’s a little outta sight, outta mind. Fourth-fifth round type. But he has the upside to be a really good pick if he can stay healthy.” Short-armed (32 ¼). Hands were 10 3/8. “He’s in that bucket with Ben Cleveland and (Ben) Powers,” said a third scout. “He’s just OK. He’s a gap-scheme guard. I would take him fourth or fifth round. Some scouts thought more about the mullet than the knee bend.” Athletic test numbers were top-notch: vertical jump of 32, broad jump of 9-5, 7.38 in the 3-cone and 25 reps on the bench. “I thought he was going to be better,” said a fourth scout. “He’s not that good. He’s a giant. That’s what you’re drafting.” Four-star recruit from Rome, Ga., where he also participated in basketball and track.

5. DYLAN FAIRCHILD, Georgia (6-5, 325, no 40, 3): Fourth-year junior, two-year starter. “Like this guy,” one scout said. “Wrestler in his background. Played on the defensive line. Still on the come with his understanding of the nuance of the position. Good athlete, great balance and body control, good foot quicks when you get him on the move. Liked his strength. Good hand-fighting ability in a short area. Lot of positives with this kid. Early Day 3, maybe he sneaks up into the third round. At the end of the day he’s still that guard only, which is a little bit devalued.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. “Really tough, blue-collar type worker,” a second scout said. “Does a good job protecting the cylinder in pass protection. Has enough mobility to get out there and block at the second level. Good zone stuff. Georgia kid, so he’s going to be really tough. He’s quality depth value. Maybe not start right away but he could be a really good No. 2 that could ascend to a (starter). Ratledge is bigger.” Four-star recruit from Cumming, Ga. “He’s a one-position only guy,” a third scout said. “Can’t play center, can’t play tackle. He’s about a third-rounder.”

6. EMERY JONES, Louisiana State (6-5, 315, no 40, 3): Described by LSU coach Brian Kelly as a player that “makes good choices, good decisions. He is so reliable, and that goes to his background, his family and his high school.” Third-year junior manned right tackle. “He could be (a starter) at right tackle and/or guard,” one scout said. “There’s some reps you would say, ‘Wow, he looks even better than (Will) Campbell.’ Then as soon as you get that out of your mouth the next rep he looks 10 times worse than Campbell. His technique’s all over the map. He’s got no consistency whatsoever. But he is a big body, he is a good kid. He’ll end up being about a third-rounder and he’ll probably be a starter in another year or two. He’s got some ugly football to work through.” Made his first start in Game 3 of his freshman season, the first of his 36 straight starts at right tackle. Arms were 34 ¼, hands were 10 ¾. “A raw guy,” said a second scout. “If he’s a really good athlete, he’d have a chance. But he’s raw and he’s not a good athlete. He’s just a mess. His technique is bad. His instincts are off. He’s always on the ground and gets beat. Plays upright in the run game and falls off (blocks). In pass pro they just run by him all the time and he can’t adjust. Doesn’t set very well. I moved him to guard.” Standout prep basketball player in Baton Rouge, La.

 

[Finsup1981]

7. JALEN RIVERS, Miami (6-5 ½, 319, 5.36, 3-4): Starting left guard when healthy for much of 2021-’22, starting left tackle when healthy in 2023-’24. “Great character, tons of versatility throughout his career,” one scout said. “He’s an athlete. He’s long. They moved him around so much so he still hasn’t reached his ceiling. More of an early-to-midday Day 3 pick. He’ll probably be a third or fourth tackle you cross-train at guard. He’s so smart and versatile. Still a little bit raw in a lot of his game.” Underwent knee surgery after three games of the ’21 season before going down again in late ’22. Missed five more games with another unspecified injury in ’24. “Didn’t have the best week at the Senior Bowl,” said a second scout. “He got edged and overpowered a little bit. Nonetheless, he’s a mature guy and a multi-year starter. He’s most comfortable at left guard. He has shown he can play Power 5 football at tackle and do a good enough job. The Senior Bowl knocked him down a little bit. I see him more third or fourth round, maybe even fifth.” Arms were 34 7/8, the longest of the leading guards, and hands were 10. “He was just OK at the combine and on tape,” a third scout said. “The value is he played both left tackle and left guard so he’s got some position flex.” Won a state championship in the shot put and played basketball as a prep in Jacksonville.

8. ANTHONY BELTON, North Carolina State (6-6, 336, 5.28, 3-4): Four-year player with 33 starts at left tackle. “He’s talented enough and has the sheer size and production history to be a Day 2 pick,” one scout said. “Probably third round. He was a left tackle his whole career but I think he’s more of a natural guard. I don’t think he has the speed to match up with elite edge defenders. His body type reminded me of JC Lathon of Alabama but a little bit sloppier. A guy that just blots out the sun when he walks by. Good kid but has some growing up to do with his nutrition: just looking at the body type. Has the rare size to engulf defenders. He has some physicality on initial contact. There’s a lack of consistent dominance and finishing for a guy that’s this big. Maybe because he’s always been a big kid that’s tried not to hurt people too much. I think you have a hard time coaching that into somebody if they don’t have it already. Liked his patience in pass pro, but in the Clemson game he self-destructed. People will try to pick him apart on some of his bad games. When it starts to go bad it really goes downhill.” Spent two years at Georgia Military Academy but one of the two seasons was wiped out by Covid. “He’s as talented as they come,” said a second scout. “He could be a franchise left tackle. He’s just a character concern in terms of his overall compete and toughness and urgency and weight issues and some laziness. He’s big, long arms, light on his feet. He can play (either) tackle, and he can play guard. That kid’s really gifted. It’s just you’ll always want more out of him. Plenty of guys like this that have concerns go in the second round. You don’t find big people that are that talented.” Arms were 33 7/8, hands were 10 ¼. “Lazy and not super aggressive,” a third scout said. “Probably fourth or fifth round.” Nicknamed “Escalade.” From Tallahassee, Fla.

9. WYATT MILUM, West Virginia (6-6 ½, 313, 5.30, 3-4): Made 43 starts at both tackles in a four-year career. “Second-round pick,” one scout said. “Great kid. Needs a little more anchor strength. Good enough feet. Not a left tackle; definitely a right tackle. He’s better than the tackle (Colton McKivitz) that came out of there a couple years ago (fifth round, 2020) and he’s better than the center (Zach Frazier, second round, 2024) that went to Pittsburgh.” Shortest arms (32 1/8) of the top nine guards. Hands were 10 ¼. “He’s a solid Day 3 pick,” a second scout said. “There will be some questions about his arm length. Some people think he’ll be a better guard than tackle.” From Kenova, W.Va. “He’s nasty, tough, physical,” said a third scout. “Eat-****-and-die kind of guy. Bad athlete. Rickety, on the ground all the time. It didn’t help that he was playing left tackle. He’s barely draftable. He’ll probably make it somewhere but he’s not very good.”

10. JACKSON SLATER, Sacramento State (6-3, 311, 5.02, 4): Four-year starter at left guard with a pair of starts at left tackle in the 2022 FCS playoffs. “He’s a really experienced player and had a really good Senior Bowl week,” one scout said. “He needed to show he could handle bigger, stronger guys in the draft, not just the Big Sky-level competition. He is sturdy, consistent and plays on great angles with great hand placement. Where he gets in trouble is the lack of arm length. That’s his biggest concern because if he’s not excellent with his hand placement he can’t recover against longer inside guys. At the Senior Bowl, he had to short-set everybody in one-on-one’s because of his length. He’s got to quick-set you, get his hands on and then use his upper-body and grip strength to sustain that block. He’ll be a really good pro.” Shortest arms (32 1/8) of the leading guards. Hands were 10. “He ran fast at the combine,” a second scout said. “I think third day.” From Bellevue, Wash., where he was a four-sport athlete.

THE NEXT FIVE​

Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (6-4 ½, 312, no 40)

Said one scout: “The Big Ten Championship Game (against Penn State) was probably his worst game of the year, which is not good. He opted out of the Senior Bowl and all combine drills. That was disappointing. He played way better in 2023. He was just not good in pass protection. It was anchor strength, it was body control, it was hand placement.”

Miles Frazier, Louisiana State (6-5 ½, 317, 5.29)

Said one scout: “People got hot on him at the Senior Bowl because he played right tackle and guard. I think the (NFL line) coaches at the Senior Bowl liked him so he’ll probably get drafted. I didn’t think he was special. At all.”

Connor Colby, Iowa (6-5 ½, 309, 5.10)

Said one scout: “Four-year starter. He can get off the ball with quickness and attack blocks. Plays to the whistle and looks to finish and torque defenders. Above average lateral slide and anchor. Smart, competitive and played multiple positions. He’ll go Day 3 and stick on a team and could eventually work his way in as a starter.”

Joshua Gray, Oregon State (6-5, 300, 5.09)

Said one scout: “Had an excellent 2023 at tackle but then slid inside to guard (in 2024) and had a really bad year. Things happened too quickly for him. He wasn’t as strong as he showed on the edge. He did not look like a very good athlete.”

Chase Lundt, Connecticut (6-7 ½, 304, no 40)

Said one scout: “He’s a better player than a traits guy. Great kid. Just not real talented but he’s got pretty good size, he’s tough as (bleep), he’s really smart. He may roster as one of the last linemen because he can probably play right tackle and guard.”

CENTERS​

1. GREY ZABEL, North Dakota State (6-6, 312, no 40, 1-2): Played on FCS national championship teams in 2021 and 2024. “He’s what you would expect from North Dakota State: tough, physical, friggin’ blue-collar brawler,” said one scout. “Very smart. Instincts and reactions are very good. Played pretty good on the move. Good bender. At the Senior Bowl, the practices were better than the game. Real-deal interview. Loved the interview. He’s probably a great fourth-round pick. If somebody buys too much into the dude he might end up in the third.” Started 16 games at left tackle in 2024 after starting at every other position besides center in a five-year career. NFL scouts from each team voted him the overall practice player of the week in Mobile. Impressed personnel people by how effective he was playing some center during the week. “He’ll probably be a starting guard or center but he could get you out of a game at tackle,” said a second scout. “There’s real value there. The Senior Bowl has had a good run of small-school offensive linemen. Terron Armstead, the Hobart kid (Ali Marpet), (Cody) Mauch, (Quinn) Meinerz. But why he’s going (high) is because people are trying to make him a center.” Mauch played alongside Zabel from 2020-’22 before being drafted by the Buccaneers in 2023 (second round). “I gave Mauch the same grade,” said a third scout. “I think Cody was better in the run game because he could get out in space and run a little faster. I liked Grey a little more in the pass. The way they finish — Grey models his game after Cody’s. My only hangup with Grey is the length.” Arms were just 32. Hands were 9 ½. “He’s not exactly the measurements you want,” a fourth scout said. “Little bit short-armed. This kid can play center but I think he’s better off at guard. Tough, powerful, can move his feet, OK in space, can mirror and adjust. The last two guys out of there the last three years (wide receiver Christian Watson, Mauch) are starters. He’ll play a long time.” His vertical jump (36 ½) led the offensive linemen at the combine. Bench press of 26. “He’s all right,” said a fifth scout. “Does a little bit of everything OK. Nothing too exciting. He’s not a first-rounder at all. He’ll start.” Three-sport athlete from Pierre, S.D., where as a left-handed pitcher he threw in the 90’s on the radar gun.

2. JARED WILSON, Georgia (6-3, 311, 4.89, 2-3): Three-star recruit as a guard before moving to center and backing up Sedrick Van Pran until capturing the job this season. “He’s early Day 3, maybe getting into the third round,” one scout said. “Probably a good sixth offensive lineman in the NFL who can have a twin backup (role) for the three interior spots. Good character, good athlete, natural knee bender. Plays with great leverage. Like his foot quicks. Well-coached down there. It’s all good, just nothing outstanding. When you get up on him physically he’s not very imposing, and that shows up on tape in his limitations in core strength and power.” Longest arms (32 3/8) and largest hands (10 ¼) of the leading centers. “He’s a junior,” said a second scout. “He goes back as a senior and he’d probably be a first-rounder. But since he’s coming out and it’s a heavy tackle draft he might go (late first round). If not, he’ll go in the second. I don’t think there’s really any issues here.” Played soccer growing up in Winston-Salem, N.C. “Early third round maybe,” said a third scout. “He’s in the ballpark of starting for like the bottom seven teams in the league. If you need a center and a smart guy that can do both zone and gap scheme he can do it. Got all the intangibles you want in a center. Shows the ability to move people at the point in the power run game. He’s also really good pulling out there and getting in space.”

 

[Finsup1981]

TACKLES
The golden age of offensive tackles in the NFL draft covered a span of five years three decades ago. Regarded as can’t-miss prospects as collegians, five players exceeded their immense expectations forging sterling pro careers that culminated with bronze busts in Canton.

In chronological draft order, the fivesome numbered Willie Roaf, No. 8, 1993; Tony Boselli, No. 2, 1995; Jonathan Ogden, No. 4, 1996; Orlando Pace, No. 1, 1997, and Walter Jones, No. 6, 1997.

The demand for dancing bears to block the ever-increasing explosiveness of edge rushers has never been higher. In the first 55 years of the common draft only once, in 2013, had as many as nine offensive linemen been selected in the first round. Desperate teams drafted nine O-linemen in the Round 1 in two of the past three drafts.

“You go through these rosters,” an executive in personnel for an AFC team said, “these linemen are pathetic that are playing in the NFL.”

To put it mildly, every team is digging for giants with agility. What they’re seeing this spring is a good, not great cluster of tackles, better than most years but, of course, teams always want more.

“This is a mixed bag,” an AFC personnel man said. “If you talk to 10 people you get 10 different orders, I’m sure. There are very few left tackles. There are some very good right tackles and there’s some tackles that will probably end up playing guard. There’s some depth in this group and a bunch of ‘em are gonna go because they’re hard to find.

“There are no Ogdens, Bosellis, Walter Joneses. But in today’s football these guys go in the top 10, top 15 or top 20.”

1. WILL CAMPBELL, Louisiana State (6-6, 319, 4.98, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s super talented,” one scout said. “Can do it all. He’s quick, has feet, he’s athletic. His technique’s really good. In the run game, he can position or jolt people. In pass pro, he can mirror. He’ll give up some (pressure) every so often on an inside move mostly. He’s got Pro Bowl talent. His arms are a little short. That’d be the only concern.” Arm (32 5/8 inches) and hand (9 ½ inches) measurements at the combine (regarded as the standard by most teams) were the shortest/smallest among the top tackles. “There’s always exceptions, there’s always outliers,” the scout said.

“When you look at what 32 5/8 is compared to 33, and actually put that on a ruler and look at it, if you’re not going to take a guy who has potential to be a perennial Pro Bowler, then, OK … ” Started all 38 games at left tackle. “He’s good,” said a second scout. “If you want to nitpick, his arms aren’t that long. Great kid. His interview, he sounded like a head coach at a P4 (Power Four) school. It was incredible. One of the best interviews I’ve heard in my life.” Five-star recruit from Monroe, La., where his family operates a farm. “He’s less than a Jonah Williams as a left tackle but as a right tackle he would be a good player,” a third scout said. “He’s built like a guard … and I think that’s where he’s going to end up. You can find plenty of negative reps on this kid. If you want to knock holes in him and not take him you can find whiffs and misses and getting pushed back. They love him at the school and in the interviews so he will win people over with the personality and the desire and all that. But if you take him as a left tackle you’re going to be disappointed. You’ve got to have alternative plans. If you take him as a right tackle or guard then he’ll prove to be a good pick.” Vertical jump was 32 inches, broad jump was 9-5. “Maybe he’s a guard but I still see him as a tackle,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got the feet and the balance. He’s got the ability to play tackle but I want a longer-armed guy. He’ll be a starter, a winner, might make a Pro Bowl a time or two. I don’t think he’s that consistent guy that’s gonna have a 12-year career and is going to seven, eight Pro Bowls. I don’t see that.”

2. KELVIN BANKS, Texas (6-5, 315, 5.14, 1): Third-year junior, three-year starter. “He did play left tackle but he’s got sort of a right tackle’s features,” one scout said. “He’s not perfect but he’s got the size and strength to both block in the run game and enough size and foot agility to protect the passer. If he fails at left tackle he’ll be a right tackle. He has the most value (of the tackles).” Started 42 games at left tackle. “Liked his size and power and had good feet,” said another scout. “He’s a really well-rounded offensive lineman.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 3/8. “A buy that’s athletic,” a third scout said. “He does look like a guard but let him fail at tackle first because they’re harder to find.” From Humble, Texas. “I don’t see it in this guy,” a fourth scout said. “At all. Big dude. Average athlete. Gets beat a lot. Falls off blocks. Not very strong, not very athletic. Has issues in space. He’d have to be (a guard).”

3. ARMAND MEMBOU, Missouri (6-4, 332, 4.95, 1): Third-year junior, 2 ½-year starter at right tackle. “We got him as a right tackle-guard,” said one scout. “Like him. He could play four of five (positions). For a big fella he’s a really good athlete. Light on his feet. He can bend, he’s quick, plays with good position, uses his length well. He’s never on the ground. He’s strong, not overpowering and not real mean. This is a good player.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9 ¾. “Quick, light feet in pass pro, needs to win with his hands early,” said a second scout. “Struggles when power rushers get to his chest. Finishes in the run game and moves well in space. Wish he had a little more pop on contact. Like him at guard or tackle.” Excelled on the bench press (31 reps) and managed 34 inches in the vertical jump. “If you are set everywhere across your line Membou could be the best one (to draft),” said a third scout. “He’s a hell of a right tackle. Some might think he can play on the left side but he’s never done it. He’s a first-rounder even though he’s kind of a right tackle only. He’ll be fine at right tackle. I don’t think he’ll ever have to slide inside.” Four-star recruit from Lee’s Summit, Mo. “I loved his traits but I just didn’t think he was quite ready,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got big-time feet and range. That’s really good. Anchor’s kind of average. The instincts are kind of average. I think it will take a little bit of time so I don’t know if he’s a walk-in starter. I thought second round.” Turns 21 on Wednesday.

4. AIREONTAE ERSERY, Minnesota (6-6, 331, 5.06, 1-2): Started his final 38 games at left tackle before opting out of the Golden Gophers’ bowl game. “I was completely shocked by this guy,” said one scout. “He’s gigantic but he can play. He’s a little high-hipped and stiff-hipped but he’s got feet and excellent balance. He’s really smart … the technique’s there. Uses his hands excellent. Run game, he’s so damn big and he can position and really just move it. In pass pro he knows he’s big and uses his length perfectly. I compared him to Orlando Brown, another big guy, but this guy is better. He’s a better athlete. There will be a lot of talk about putting him at right (tackle) but I’d put him at left.” Didn’t start playing football until his junior year in high school. “Big, long, athletic,” said a second scout. “Fluid in space. Liked him better in run than pass. He can improve in the pass game just working on his technique and consistency and not giving up the edge a little bit.” Started his only game played in 2020, redshirted in 2021 and started at left tackle for three years. “Had a good week at the Senior Bowl,” a third scout said. “Excellent knee bend and foot quickness in his pass set. Good extension to get his hands inside and control. Had a really good game against Iowa. Showed ability to anchor with power and can move defenders in the run game. He can get a little lackadaisical at times with his techniques, steps and pad level. He didn’t have a ton of high-school experience and didn’t play at a really good high-school program. He came in there kind of raw and had to learn. He’s a better athlete than (Daniel) Faalele. This kid’s going to be a starting left tackle.” Arms were 33 1/8, hands were just 9 ½. “We were concerned about laziness, lack of discipline and for the process,” said a fourth scout. “That’s bad, especially for an offensive lineman. But he’s an easy mover, light on his feet, pretty good space player for a big guy. You question his awareness a little bit. He’s head and shoulders above Banks and (Josh) Conerly on pure talent.” From Kansas City. “I wouldn’t say he’s had a checkered past but he’s had some little character things,” one scout said. “I believe in him. I’ll say this. I don’t think the character things will hurt his draft spot.” Added a fifth scout: “He’s very stiff. If he’s in the first (round) he’ll be the 30th pick as a right tackle.”

5. JOSH CONERLY, Oregon (6-4 ½, 313, 5.04, 1-2): Third-year junior, two-year starter. “If you need a left tackle he would be it,” one scout said. “He has the agility and athletic ability to protect the blind side. He’s only going to get better. Great kid, very young. I had a clear vision for him, especially if I needed a left tackle.” Shifted from running back to the offensive line as a high-school sophomore in Seattle. “Big thing was he played well against Penn State’s Abdul Carter,” said another scout. “That really jumped out. Better pass pro than run blocker. Not super talented. Not a gifted athlete. He’s just getting by on his guile and craftiness. He’s going to start and be a good player.” Started at left tackle opposite right tackle Ajani Cornelius. “Both their tackles were really up and down all year,” said a third scout. “They had a hell of an offense but nether one was consistent. They just really struggled with second moves in the pass game. The Boise State game. (Sept. 7) was that way. I’d probably go with Cornelius just because he’s got a little more upside. It was a struggle getting those kids to practice hard, go hard, play hard.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 10 3/8. “If you’re asking a guy as a rookie to protect the blind side he would be a really good option,” a fourth scout said. “One thing he’ll have to get better at is strength in the run game if he wants to become a long-time Pro Bowl player. He doesn’t have in-line strength and power to displace vertically. He doesn’t have it, and you hope because he’s such a young guy that he can develop that.” Struggled in the Senior Bowl game. “He’d be on my all-overrated list,” a fifth scout said. “Has some athleticism but didn’t play smart, didn’t play with very good technique. I didn’t feel this guy.”

6. JOSH SIMMONS, Ohio State (6-5, 317, no 40, 2): Suffered a torn patellar tendon in Game 6 and underwent season-ending surgery Oct. 12. “He was just pass-setting and went down,” said one scout. “Boom! What a shame. He’s the best athlete in the group and maybe the best in the last few years. He is what you want. The movement is just easy for him. He’s also got some grit to him. He’s not a power dude but it’s easy for him and he yokes people up. Pro Bowl talent. If he didn’t get hurt I’d probably have him over Campbell.” Another scout said the knee would stop him from choosing him in the first round. “Patellar tendons can be longer than ACL,” he said. “It’s definitely going to drop him. There aren’t many patellar tendons in the offensive line. He’s an outstanding athlete. Lacks some pop and power but he’s got really good feet and bend.” Fourth-year senior redshirted in 2021, started 13 games at right tackle in 2022 and 19 games at left tackle in 2023-’24. “His arm length is (33) and some people don’t like that,” a third scout said. “He can stick-and-stay in space. He has sustain. He can kick out in line. Well-rounded tackle.” Removed from consideration by one team for makeup issues. Another team expressed serious reservations. “Kind of a f----p,” said a fourth scout. “His (issues) are more football character. He has a complete bullshit sense of urgency, like a total finesse player. Mental is an issue. Lacks power, struggles to anchor. Fundamentals are poor. Plays like a guy that was at a JUCO and just came here. Now, he is a natural athlete and a knee bender. He’s got quickness, balance and body control, real light on his feet. He can pull and get to the second level. I did see the athletic positives but the whole football player I wasn’t crazy about.” Hands were 10. Four-star recruit as a guard from San Diego.

 

[Finsup1981]

7. OZZY TRAPILO, Boston College (6-8, 319, 5.26, 2): Fifth-year senior. “He’s not getting enough buzz for what he is,” said one scout. “He’s just mammoth, dense. You’d probably like a little better arm length (33) but he’s technically sound enough so he can compensate for that. He’s a plug-and-play starter. More of a right tackle than a true left tackle. If he failed because of length and maybe he doesn’t have the left tackle feet I think you’ve got a high floor as a guard. Great football character, leader, tone-setter for that program. Above average athlete. Really good body control, great strength, good bend for a guy that’s 6-8. This guy is a ready-made NFL-type prospect. Limitations are first-step quickness, questionable length. Once in a while you see an elite edge rusher that’s able to get on him and he struggled to recover. For the most part, this guy is not going to get beat too often. Just a real steady Eddie.” Redshirted in 2020 before starting two games in 2021, 10 games at left tackle in 2022 and 24 games at right tackle in 2023-’24. “I usually don’t like big tall guys because it usually means they’re stiff waist-benders but he’s pretty good,” said a second scout. “Exceptional kid. Did a pretty good job at the Senior Bowl. He’s going to say and do all the right things. You’ll want him in your locker room. It would not surprise me if he slid into the second round because he checks all the boxes and too many other guys are (bleeps) at a position where there aren’t too many (bleeps).” His father, Steve (6-4, 282, 4.97), was drafted in the fourth round by New Orleans in 1987 and started 52 games over four years as a road-grading guard. He died in 2004. “He’s got some bloodlines,” a third scout said. “He’s a typical tall, narrow-framed BC resume. Not super gifted but he kind of gets the job done. If you need a right tackle, he’ll be a fourth or fifth starter, plug-in-and-play and probably be OK. The later he goes, the better he looks. If you overdraft him at, like, 23 or something you’ll be, like, ‘Oh, boy.’ But if you get him in the third you’ll be excited about him.” Three-time all-conference academic selection with a master’s degree in finance. From Norwell, Mass.

8. MARCUS MBOW, Purdue (6-4, 302, no 40, 2-3): Three-star recruit from Wauwatosa East High School in Milwaukee. “Really, really good athlete,” one scout said. “Agile, quick, smart, works, got some nastiness to him. He just needs to build up his body and get stronger. He reminded of Zach Tom. Purdue was awful. I see him as a second-rounder.” Played in four games as a freshman, started at right guard in 2022 and at right tackle in 2023-’24. Missed half of the ’23 season with a fractured leg that one scout said continued to affect his play early last season. “He has third-round ability,” the scout said. “I don’t think he can survive out there at tackle because of his size and length (32-inch arms). He is a guard, but it’s questionable whether or not he’ll be physical enough against bigger defensive tackles. The run game is suddenly back now.” Had major problems trying to withstand bull rushes at Senior Bowl practices. Said a third scout: “I thought he was weak as water in some of those reps at the Senior Bowl.” Hands were 10 ½. “Undersized with good quickness, speed and burst,” a fourth scout said. “Just lacks strength to engage on the line of scrimmage. He’s got a lot of traits. He just needs to get stronger. He can get out in space and run and pull and get to the second level easy. I don’t think he’s strong enough yet for guard. I don’t think he’s a left (tackle). That’s why I would say center, if anything, but he’s never done that so it’s a pure projection. He wants to be a tackle. You start him there until he fails.”

9. CHARLES GRANT, William & Mary (6-5, 309, 5.14, 3): Backup in 2020 before starting for 3 ½ seasons at left tackle. “He’s a nice project,” one scout said. “He’s as athletic as any guy in the (offensive line) group. His big problem is he’s had a hard time putting on and holding weight. Damn, he looks good moving around. He just needs to get stronger. He’s got great length. If he failed at tackle (maybe) play him at center because he’s smart, super athletic and can bend. He could go in the third maybe.” His arm length (34 ¾) was the longest of the top 10 tackles. Hands were 10 ¼. Just 19 reps on the bench press. “He’s very interesting,” a second scout said. “He’s a true left tackle. I was really impressed with his feet and his length. I think he’s a future starter. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see a team take him 50 to 80. He can really move. Very good pass protector. He’s coming from a smaller school and people might doubt that a little.” Team captain. From Portsmouth, Va.

10. MYLES HINTON, Michigan (6-6 ½, 325, no 40, 3-4): Started 15 games at right tackle for Stanford in 2021-’22 before transferring. At Michigan, he was benched in 2023 after five starts for the national champions before bouncing back to start 10 games at left tackle in ’24. “He’s got first-round talent,” one scout said. “He’s huge, he’s incredibly long. Now, putting it all together, I don’t know. He is a complete roll of the dice. If this guy had Will Campbell’s makeup he’d be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Not because he's a bad kid. Not mean, not aggressive or violent. He’s finesse all day. He gives up on too many plays. But when this guy does it right … sometimes when he’s wrong he’s still right because he’s too big and too athletic. This guy could be a red (solid starting) player if he had a higher give-a-**** factor.” Described as a “true renaissance man” by his coach in high school. Marine biology major with environmental interests. Avid fisherman. His father, Chris (6-4, 276, 4.85), moved from outside linebacker to tight end to tackle during his career at Northwestern before being the No. 4 pick in the 1983 draft. He went on to play 13 seasons at tackle and make seven Pro Bowls. Myles’ younger brother, Christopher (6-3 ½, 304, 5.29), made 19 starts at defensive tackle for Michigan. Having played seven games in two seasons, he remains on the Chargers’ roster. “I don’t think he’s much,” said a second scout referring to Myles. “The dad was really good. His dad was probably even a better athlete than the kid. When Chris Hinton came out they said he was a little soft coming out of Northwestern. One thing about Chris Hinton, he was tough.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 10 ¼. Just 19 reps on the bench press. Myles, a four-star recruit from John’s Creek, Ga., also competed in basketball and track as a prep and won a state championship in the discus.

THE NEXT FIVE​

Cameron Williams, Texas (6-5 ½, 317, no 40)

Said one scout: “Played right tackle there. Not a very good athlete. Struggles with movement. Put him inside. In the playoffs he was getting run by.”

Jalen Travis, Iowa State (6-7 ½, 341, 5.13)

Said one scout: “Transfer from Princeton over the summer (of 2024). Super intelligent and already has been accepted into multiple law schools. He’s a massive kid. People will want to try to develop him further.”

Logan Brown, Kansas (6-6 ½, 311, 5.15)

Said one scout: “His measurables look fantastic on paper. He draws your attention with his build. But he’s pigeon-toed and very stiff. His tape is just OK. He’s a third-day guy.”

Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M (6-7, 321, 5.17)

Said one scout: “He was a fifth- or sixth-year senior. He didn’t leave Alabama A&M. He stayed loyal to the program. There are a lot of reasons to like Carson Vinson. He is a project to get stronger and all that, but he’s got feet and he’s got length (34 ½ arms) and he’s gonna be overdrafted. Not in the first two nights but he’ll be a third-day guy that people will really, really want to work with because he can move.”

Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (6-7, 318, no 40)

Said one scout: “I’ve been waiting for Jack to ascend over the last three years and I still haven’t seen it. He gets drafted and he’ll be a backup.”

 

[Finsup1981]

SAFETY
Four times in the last five drafts the safeties turned away from the first round wondering, “Hey, what about us?”

What hasn’t changed in pro football is every team still needs at least three capable safeties. What has changed is where those teams want to draft them.

In 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024, that meant anywhere other than the first round. From 1988-2019, a span of 32 years, the first round included a safety 25 times.

Just one safety has been a top-10 pick since 2012. Only 13 have been first-round selections in the last 10 drafts.

By and large, the higher investments at the position have paid dividends. The six safeties voted to the Pro Bowl in 2024 included three from the first round (Minkah Fitzpatrick-11, Kyle Hamilton-14, Derwin James-17) and three from the first half of the second round (Budda Baker-36, Xavier McKinney-36, Brian Branch-45).

Most personnel people see this class of safeties as pedestrian. One of the overriding problems for safeties is how officiating changes have lessened their impact.

“I don’t see a lot of safeties going early just because of the way the rules are these days,” an executive in personnel said. “With all the targeting rules in college football safeties can’t enforce anymore. You can’t hit anybody so you’re making sound tackles but not an enforcement-type tackle. It’s worse in college because guys don’t want to get kicked out. Their value is diminished just because of the way the rules are. If they can’t cover, a lot of the bigger ones become linebackers and a lot of the smaller ones are playing nickel and safety.”

In 1988, the Detroit Lions took Miami’s Bennie Blades (6-0 ½, 213) with the No. 3 pick, the highest choice ever for a safety.

“I think he’s the first guy to come into this league since Kenny Easley (No. 4, 1981) that can dominate from the free safety position,” Ron Wolf, the Los Angeles Raiders’ personnel chief, said before that draft. “I think he’ll put the fear of God into people coming in there. He’ll be a gigantic policeman.”

Three years later, the Cleveland Browns chose Eric Turner (6-1, 206) of UCLA at No. 2. He remains the highest safety ever drafted.

1. MALAKI STARKS, Georgia (6-1, 203, 4.46, 1): Third-year junior. “Everybody loves him (at Georgia),” one scout said. “They think he’s a slam dunk. Can play nickel, safety and, corner, in a pinch. Leader, instinctive, athletic. Everybody stands on the table when they talk about him. Top 20.”

Started 42 of 43 games. “If he comes out last year he’s easily a top-10 pick,” a second scout said. “Kirby Smart loves, loves Malaki Starks. Real great reputation … He had two or three bad plays. The kid (Ryan Williams) made that circus catch (75-yard touchdown with 2:18 left) in the Alabama game and he was back there, he was on the scene. Then there was another play against Florida when he got sucked up and they beat him over the top … I still think he’s one of the most valuable defensive players in this draft because he can play safety and/or down as a sub defender. He’s still the best safety. Hell of an athlete, great kid. He’ll know everything there is to know about your defense. There’s no questions about anything other than: why did he not play as good this year? Well, go watch the one-handed pick against Clemson. Would you rather have him, who never missed a game, or Will Johnson, who’s missed every other game? I would be fighting for Starks.” Finished with 197 tackles (six for loss), 17 passes defensed and six turnovers plays (defined as interceptions, fumbles forced, fumbles recovered). “Reminds me a lot of Marcus Williams, who came out of Utah and played for the Saints and the Ravens,” said a third scout. “It’s hard to find these guys. I don’t really have any negatives. He could be a little more consistent with his tackling technique from a breakdown standpoint but he didn’t miss many. It’s splitting hairs on him. Outstanding young man. Starter since Day 1. Went to (SEC) Media Day for them. A+ across the board. And someone may get crazy and decide they want to try him at corner for a little bit. He’s got the corner movement. I’d rather keep him where he is. This is a rich man’s version of Damarious Randall.” Arms were 31 5/8 inches. Vertical jump of 33 inches was the poorest of the top eight safeties. “He’s far and away the best safety,” a fourth scout said. “Can run, has great cover skills, love the athlete. He’s not Ronnie Lott in the run game but he is a good tackler.” Posted a best of 24-9 in the long jump as a high-school track athlete. “I don’t see an elite athlete, I don’t see the movement and I don’t see the cover,” said a fifth scout. “Last year, Tykee Smith did similar things and he was a third-round pick. Now this guy’s a first-round pick? I had the same (negative) feeling last year about (Javon) Bullard. He was a hyped-up guy, too. You play at Georgia, I guess you must be a first-round pick.” Five-star recruit from Jefferson, Ga.

“Normally, you don’t take safeties quite that early,” Jerry Reichow, the Minnesota Vikings’ director of football operations, said before the draft in 1991. “But safeties are becoming more important than corners in a lot of defenses because they make so many tackles.”

Blades and Turner did their thing, pounding ball carriers out of the I-formation or split-back sets that the run-geared offenses of the era generally operated from.

A whole host of sledgehammer safeties — usually brimming with intimidating size and bad intentions — policed the secondary in the 1990’s and 2000’s. A partial list would include Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith, Tim McDonald, Chuck Cecil, Steve Atwater, Thomas Everett, Bubba McDowell, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Roy Williams, John Lynch, Adrian Wilson, Lawyer Milloy, Robert Griffith, Sammy Knight, Carnell Lake, Bob Sanders and Kam Chancellor.

Today, teams prioritize coverage skills, both man and zone, in safeties. When it comes to run support, they seek players that can get people down on a consistent basis.

Intimidation? Kamikaze-style enforcement? Those boxes no longer exist on the standard scouting form.

2. NICK EMMANWORI, South Carolina (6-3, 222, no 40, 1-2): Dominated at the combine with position-bests in the 40, vertical jump (43), broad jump (11-6) and bench press (20 reps). “Kind of a self-made kid from small-town South Carolina,” one scout said. “Some think he’s a little bit tight. He’s not the most fluid guy. I think he’s a notch below Derwin James. He can play man coverage. He can hit people. Had a nice year taking the football away (four interceptions, two touchdown returns). I don’t see how that guy fails.” Longest arms (32 ½) at the position. “He’s a big guy who runs well but he plays more like an old-school strong safety,” said a second scout. “He can run, there’s no question about that, but his style is coming downhill. If he plays for a team that will use him as a safety-linebacker he’ll be great in that role. I don’t see him doing it for a lot of teams because he doesn’t play going backward nearly the same as he does going forward.” Third-year junior with 36 starts. “There’s some inconsistency and possible character issues,” a third scout said. “More like football immaturity. I had him second or third round. He’s a giant safety. Strong, physical, he will strike. Above average in coverage, especially for a big man. Motor is a little disappointing in pursuit and when it’s not his play to make. Good, good football player.” Finished with 244 tackles, seven turnover plays and 11 passes defensed. “This guy’s a force of nature,” a third scout said. “They’ll probably try him at linebacker at some point if it doesn’t work out at safety. He just is a rare breed. He’s naturally contrarian to most everything. He’s got top-20 talent but there’s some bells and whistles that come with him. Just be sure you know. He can probably fray some things. You’ve got to have somebody to deal with the personality. They say this guy is so strong-willed, if you get him onto your side he’ll save the world. If he is opposed to your views he’ll burn the world down.” From Irmo, S.C. “He just like some of those workout guys in the past,” a fourth scout said. “Isaiah Simmons. Obi Melifonwu. Those gigantic guys that work out. You just can’t play safety if you’re that damn big. I don’t like him as a player, and then the history of those guys … everybody was trying to find Kam Chancellor but he was one of a kind.” Compared by a fifth scout to ex-Packer Aaron Rouse. “Buyer beware,” said the scout. “The size and speed are outstanding but the change of direction is not great, which makes me worry about covering tight ends. I didn’t think he played with a lot of urgency. If you take him, you’re just betting on the ability and that he’ll keep improving.”

3. KEVIN WINSTON, Penn State (6-1 ½, 213, 4.52, 2): Suffered a partially torn ACL in Game 2 on Sept. 7. Returned to form March 28 at pro day and ran a strong 40. “He’s super talented,” one scout said. “The problem is, he didn’t play this year. He basically played in one game and 14 plays in a second game. He’s tall, long and really athletic. He can run. Got great cover skills. For a guy that’s long and lean he’s got no problem hitting. He’s a little bit out of control and needs some strength as a tackler.” Started 13 games in 2023. Third-year junior with 15 starts in 28 games. “I would think he goes there in the second,” a second scout said. “He was seen as a good player.” Finished with 90 tackles, five passes defensed and four turnover plays. Four-star recruit from Columbia, Md.

4. BILLY BOWMAN, Oklahoma (5-10, 196, 4.41, 2-3): Shortest safety of the group. “Sort of a knockoff Bob Sanders,” one scout said. “He’s real super aggressive like that. No fight’s too big for him. He’ll mix it up. If you’re one of these Pete Carroll teams and you’re going to stay with your standards, the length and all that, you’re not going to take him. But if you’re going to take an exception, he’s one of those kinds of players. He’s probably going to find a way into a lineup because he’s a really good player. He’s just small with short arms (28 ½). Couldn’t prevent rebound-type plays against Tulane and Auburn. Very active sparkplug. The production speaks for itself. I mean, he’s around the ball. He’s figured it out some kind of way.” Shortest arms at the position. “That will hurt him,” a second scout said. “That (40) will move him up. Talented athlete. He’ll probably be in the third-fourth range.” Started 41 of 47 games over four seasons, finishing with 199 tackles (10 for loss), 14 passes defensed and 16 turnover plays. Had six picks as a junior, returning them for 238 yards (39.7-yard average) and three TDs. “He was not easy (to evaluate),” a third scout said. “He plays 100 miles an hour, and that’s good and bad. He missed a good amount of tackles by being so aggressive. Plays with some swagger; fun player to watch. Is he big enough to be a full-time safety? I’m not sure. He’s got enough speed to match up but he’s not a real loose, quick-twitched athlete. Probably not as good as (Brian Branch). If your glass is half full, he’s a second-round pick. If your glass is half empty, he’s probably a third. He’ll probably go two because there will be enough people that will like him and will have a really good role for him. I think it’s going to have to be as a nickel corner.” Returned 12 kickoffs for a 15.5 average. Co-winner of the Don Key Award, the Sooners’ pre-eminent post-season honor. “He is a scrappy little ****,” a fourth scout said. “Don’t tell him he’s little. He’s not afraid to hit, quite the athlete, got some ball skills, smart. For a little guy he’s an inconsistent come-to-balance tackler in space. He can be run through. Size against tight ends in coverage is an issue. More of a little nickel-cover free safety.” Four-star recruit from Denton, Texas.

5. XAVIER WATTS, Notre Dame (5-11 ½, 205, 4.58, 2-3): Led FBS in 2023 with seven interceptions and was second last season with six. “The hands are rare,” one scout said. “He was a receiver coming in to Notre Dame and they moved him. You see that. He takes the ball away. He’s not perfect. He’s not elite. But you’ll love him. I wouldn’t take him in the first but he might go possibly down there (late first round).” Ran a disappointing 40 at pro day. “We had backup grades on him,” said a second scout. “He has some ball production. Just a really good college player. There’s not a big upside.” Started for 2 ½ of his five seasons. “They played him everywhere: free safety, strong, box, linebacker,” one scout said. “He is one of the most sure tacklers in-line. He hits you and knocks you and wraps you strong. If you quickly move on him then you see his limitations athletically. But he plays so under control he stalks you out. Better in zone than man. Really good blitzer.” Finished with 188 tackles (nine for loss), 18 passes defensed and 17 turnover plays. “You can’t argue with takeaways but he had quite the gifts,” a third scout said. “Like he wouldn’t be in position and there’d be a tipped ball and boom, interception. He bites at times and plays a little too aggressive. I wasn’t a big fan of his tackling. He got better this year but still had quite a bit of missed tackles. Fourth round.” Three-star wide receiver and safety from Omaha, Neb. “I had him fifth-sixth round,” a fourth scout said. “Will get involved in run support but has inconsistent attack angles and can go along for the ride. Not particularly strong. He is really smart. Good enough athlete. He will make it to be a good backup and special-teams guy.” Arms were 31 ¼.

 

[Finsup1981]

6. JONAS SANKER, Virginia (6-0 ½, 204, 4.43, 3-4): Started 33 of 43 games from 2021-’24. “Really impressive kid,” said one scout. “He’s as rock solid as they come. Not a slug athletically, by any means. More of your traditional strong (safety) but in a lot of the two-high shells that teams now run he’d be totally fine back there because he’s so smart and so mature and so professional. At worst, he’ll be a No. 3 safety, but I can see him starting in the league for a long time because of who he is and the physicality. He’s more third or fourth (round) because he’s not an elite athlete, by any means. You’re just getting a good football player.” Ran a swift 40 and jumped well. Arms were 32 ¼. “I do see value in Sanker,” said a second scout. “He’s got size and really good straight-line speed. You want him to be a little more of a thumper for how big he is. He misses too many tackles because he’s got shoulder problems. Awesome, awesome kid. If he is starting it wouldn’t surprise me. I’d rather have him as a backup.” Finished with 273 tackles (14 for loss), 17 passes defensed and 11 turnover plays. “You’re probably talking fifth, sixth round,” a third scout said. “I don’t know if the speed helps him because his game was more physicality than having to get outside and help over the top. He’s too small to be a linebacker but that’s kind of how he plays. Box guy.” Three-star recruit from Charlottesville, Va. Played eight-man football in high school. Voted the Cavaliers’ defensive MVP in 2024.

7. ANDREW MUKUBA, Texas (5-11, 190, 4.45, 3-4): Started for three years at Clemson before moving to Texas and starting there in 2024. “He played safety this year,” one scout said. “They moved him for a reason. He is probably a better safety. He played more nickel corner last year.” Born in Zimbabwe, immigrating to the U.S. at age 9. “He likes to tee off on people,” the scout said. “That’s what he will do. He’s probably in that third-fourth range. He’s not special. More of a big-hitter type with a (small) body.” Finished with 212 tackles (nine for loss), 23 passes defensed and nine turnover plays. Arms were just 30. “He a free safety-nickel,” a second scout said. “Sixth round.” Four-star recruit from Austin, Texas.

8. LATHAN RANSOM, Ohio State (6-0, 203, 4.59, 4): Fifth-year senior. Graduated in December 2023. “Like him a lot,” one scout said. “He changed positions this year because of the kid from Alabama (Caleb Downs). Last year, I thought this guy might have been the best safety playing. Now he got usurped by his own NIL teammate. He’s smart, rangy, tough. He can cover in space. He can line you up. A year ago, he missed some (tackles) near the line of scrimmage but not a lot in space. They had him and No. 41 (Josh Proctor), and they kept inverting those guys to kind of keep 41 out of the plays. Ransom made a lot of plays.” Suffered a broken leg in the Rose Bowl late in his second season. In 2023, he missed the last five games with Lisfranc damage in his foot. “I trust him more in the running game than I do in the passing game,” a second scout said. “He’s tough. He’s hardnosed. Willing tackler. But I don’t trust his instincts playing off the hash. He’s so overaggressive in run support. Why Ransom wasn’t paying attention to what Caleb Downs was doing I have no idea. He could really learn from him. He’ll be a late (pick). You take him because he’s tough, he’ll be good on special teams. Until he proves otherwise, he’s a box safety. Now, he’s a better athlete than that, I will grant you that.” Finished with 227 tackles (18 for loss), 13 passes defensed and 11 turnover plays. Smallest hands of the group (8 ½). Arms were 30 ½. Benched 20 times to share top rung with Emmanwori. “I could see him in the third round,” a third scout said. “To me, he’s a solid fourth-rounder.” Four-star recruit from Tucson, Ariz.

9. MALACHI MOORE, Alabama (5-11, 198, 4.57, 4-5): Fifth-year senior. Made second-team All-SEC as a freshman in 2020 with a career-high three interceptions. “He hasn’t ascended like everybody thought he would,” one scout said. “He’s always been not quite good enough. He gets beat over the top when he shouldn’t. He’ll come down and miss a tackle when he shouldn’t. He’s one of those guys you hope he plays better and then he doesn’t. Flashes a lot but there’s not a lot of substance. He’ll be that late round-free agent.” Suffered a meltdown in the closing seconds of the Vanderbilt game when he shoved an opposing player, kicked the ball and threw his mouthpiece, drawing a personal-foul penalty. “Otherwise, a spotless reputation,” said a second scout. “He knows what to do and how to do it but he’s not talented. Excellent toughs and instincts. Some people will grade the helmet rather than the player and take him in the fourth.” Finished with 214 tackles (16 for loss), 25 passes defensed and 12 turnover plays. Very short arms (29 5/8). “This guy’s not going to get any better,” a third scout said. “He is what he is. Athleticism and speed are, at best, average. He’s willing to scrap and he’s crafty as ****.” Underwent hernia surgery Dec. 18 but was back running and testing at pro day. Four-star recruit from Trussville, Ala.

10. SEBASTIAN CASTRO, Iowa (5-11, 199, 4.62, 4-5): Six-year Hawkeye, three-year starter. “Day 2 selection,” one scout said. “He’s a starting nickel or safety. Like his athleticism and quickness. Physical player. Comes downhill and puts hit on the ball carrier and a blocker. Closes and runs the alley inside out on outside runs. Can have some missed tackles by attacking hard and not wrapping up, but he has made a number of tackles in space and shown strong wrap. Excels more in zone coverage where he can react, close and tackle or make the play on the ball. Has the ability to play nickel in zone coverage. I do have some recovery concerns against speedy wide receivers on double moves.” Didn’t run well at the combine and was even slower (4.72) at pro day. “I liked him better last year,” said a second scout. “It worked out well for him in Iowa’s defense because they play all zones. If he has to move out and play in space a lot I’m not sure how it will work out for him. He can do it, but he’s not the same player out there. I don’t know if he’s smart enough to be like him (the Vikings’ Josh Metellus) but he could be him. Metellus is bigger than this guy, too.” Finished with 163 tackles (14 for loss), 14 passes defensed and nine turnover plays. Vertical jump of 32 was the worst of the top 20 safeties. Arms were 30 ¾. Size 10 ½ hands were the largest at the position. “Not great physically but there’s a lot of guys like this at safety in the league,” a third scout said. ”Average speed, range and burst. Not really powerful as a tackler, but reliable. Not an ideal man cover guy against wide-receiver slots. He’s better than Josh Metellus, and Josh starts.” Played well in the Senior Bowl game. Will be 25 in October. From Oak Lawn, Ill.

THE NEXT FIVE​

R.J. Mickens, Clemson (6-0, 199, 4.57)

Said one scout: “Dad (Ray: 5-7 ½, 176, 4.42) was an NFL player (nickel, 1996-’06) and he plays like it. Smart, aware and smooth. A good tackler with good ball skills. Not a dynamic athlete but knows how to play and produce. He’s just a good player.”

Maxen Hook, Toledo (6-0 ½, 201, 4.53)

Said one scout: “He played the old monster back position. I would say third round on the high side and no later than the fourth. I can see where somebody might identify with him and say, ‘Hey, this guy can be the glue that can hold it together back there.’”

Kitan Crawford, Nevada (5-10 ½, 205, 4.42)

Said one scout: “Potential riser. He was somewhere else (Texas). He can run. He’s tough. He’s sudden. Good blitzer. Played bigger than his size. He’s really strong when he tackles. Stood out at the Hula Bowl. Pretty solid player. Third round.”

Jaylen Reed, Penn State (5-11 ½, 212, 4.48)

Said one scout: “He’d be a great fourth-round pick. He can play nickel and safety. He’s not tall but he’s thick. Good tackler. He’s a Johnny on the spot and makes plays on the ball. He’s a baller.”

Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin (6-2, 214, 4.63)

One scout said: “He could be a dime linebacker, or probably grow into a linebacker. If Philly’s Reed Blankenship, the kid from Middle Tennessee (State), is starting in the league this kid can as well. He inserts quickly on inside runs. He’s got a good feel for underneath stuff in zone. You see some hip tightness. He can get beat over the top. He’d be better suited in a two-high than a heavy single-high scheme.”

 

[Finsup1981]

LINEBACKERS

No off-the-ball linebacker from the last four NFL drafts has been voted to the Pro Bowl, and now teams are hedging their bets on this class, too.

Last month, decision-makers for the Patriots, Titans and Broncos tipped their hands by filling needs at inside linebacker in free agency or, in the case of the Jets, re-signing one of their own.

None of the agreements broke the bank or made big headlines. All four teams looked at the draft class and opted instead to spend freely on proven if not impact-style veterans.

“The Jets paid (Jamien) Sherwood like $15 million a year,” an executive in personnel for an NFL team said. “That seemed to tell me that people didn’t have much faith in this class.”

Sherwood, a fifth-round draft choice in 2021, went back to the Jets on a three-year deal with $30 million guaranteed.

Also in mid-March, Robert Spillane moved from the Raiders to the Patriots for three years and $20.6 million guaranteed, Dre Greenlaw went from the 49ers to the Broncos for three years and $13.5 million guaranteed and Cody Barton went from the Broncos to the Titans for three years and $9 million guaranteed.

Greenlaw has the most starts (56) of the foursome but also has had a reported nine surgeries. The undrafted Spillane (50) will be with his fourth team in eight years. This also will be the fourth team for Barton (43), a third-round draft choice in 2019. Sherwood (23), a fifth-round choice in 2021, had been a special-teams player for three years before he made the most of his first chance to start after C.J. Mosley went down with toe and neck injuries early last season.

Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell seems to be the consensus choice to the first linebacker drafted this year.

“He could go in the top 20,” an AFC personnel man said. “The five after him, those guys are all probably second round to high fourth round.”

League-wide, there’s a distinct need for fresh blood at the position. Of the 20 berths appropriated in Pro Bowl voting from 2020-2024, ten players have been represented. Five of the 10 came from the 2018 draft: Roquan Smith (first round), Tremaine Edmunds (first round), Darius Leonard (second round), Fred Warner (third round) and Zaire Franklin (seventh round). Those five players from the Class of 2018 have gobbled up 13 of the 20 slots over the past five years.

Two of the recent Pro Bowlers, Bobby Wagner and DeMario Davis, remain starters for NFC teams but each will be entering his 14th season. Leonard’s career appears over.

With teams favoring pass rushers and cover guys on the defensive side of the draft, only four conventional linebackers have been first-round selections in the last four years, and none higher than the No. 18 pick.

Jamin Davis, the No. 19 pick in 2021, already is on his fourth team. From the 2022 draft, Devin Lloyd (No. 27) probably has been a shade better than Quay Walker (No. 22). Jack Campbell, the No. 18 choice in 2023, improved from a so-so rookie season.

Defensive coordinators can only hope this class of linebackers approaches 2018. Besides Smith, Warner, Edmunds, Leonard and Franklin, that group also included Leighton Vander Esch, Josey Jewell, Jerome Baker and Rashaan Evans.

An obvious plus for this year’s class is the number of candidates regarded as capable of wearing the green-dot helmet because they’re equipped to call and direct a defense.

“I have six or seven in the top 100,” one scout said. “Only one that isn’t capable of being a green dot is Campbell. (Smael) Mondon and all the others are. (Danny) Stutsman, (Carson) Schwesinger and (Demetrius) Knight are like high-level green dots.”

1. JIHAAD CAMPBELL, Alabama (6-3, 235, 4.54, 1-2): Third-year junior. “He is all over the field,” one scout said. “Explosive, nasty. They do everything with this guy. He’s a former D-end. He has got bad intentions. He can blitz, cover. Love this guy. Mid-first round.”

Underwent surgery for a torn labrum after the combine. “He can roll,” said a second scout. “Plays with range and tackles hard. He’ll take on blocks and can slip ‘em. Best at run and chase. He can run in coverage. Closes quickly as a rusher. Played with good instincts.” Other personnel people didn’t feel his reactions were sharp. “He has a lot of physical traits but I question the instincts part of it,” said a third scout. “Quick twitch, physical, really good size and strength, but the instincts were kind of average. That would be the only thing that would kind of hold me back on him.” A two-year starter, he finished with 184 tackles (16 for loss), 5 ½ sacks and seven turnover plays (the total of interceptions, fumbles forced and fumbles recovered). “He’s like Derrick Johnson from Texas that played for Kansas City,” a fourth scout said. “He wasn’t mentally good but he was so athletic that sometimes when he was wrong he was still right. Campbell is a really talented athlete but questioned his brain. The athlete is dynamic.” The third scout was asked if a linebacker can overcome below-average instincts in the NFL. He replied: “That’s hard. A lot of times the answer is ‘no.’ Sometimes you can improve a little bit. It’s worth taking him at the right spot but not the first round. He’s more like in the 40’s.” Arms were 32 ½ inches; hands were 10 ½, largest at the position. “He put on a show at the combine,” said a fifth scout. “He’s got it all. He’s an inside backer with outside backer flexibility. He’s even got some rush potential people might try to tap into. He’s really only played the spot for a little more than a year so he’s going to get better and better. People question his instincts. I think it was more shifting gears from (Nick) Saban to (Kalen) DeBoer, changing schemes and really being on the field for the first time. I wouldn’t say he was a slow blinker. I don’t think that’s a concern.” Five-star recruit from Erial, N.J. Played wide receiver and defensive end as a senior at IMG Academy.

2. SMAEL MONDON, Georgia (6-2, 229, 4.60, 2-3): Led the linebackers in the broad jump (10-10) and bench press (25 reps). “Not as good as Quay Walker but a good football player,” said one scout. “Georgia’s done a great job producing linebackers. Second and third round, he’s gone. Really good run-and-chase player. Good interior blitzer. Needs to clean up some things going on behind him in coverage but he’s really good in first-level coverage – being able to read and react. I think he relies more on his athletic ability than his instincts.” Limited to 10 games as a senior due to injury. “He got banged up and missed some time so he really never settled in,” a second scout said. “When he was healthy he was more the will linebacker, the fast-flow type versus a heavy-handed, stack blocks, between the tackles type guy. Now the character’s not great on him but, assuming he gets healthier and gets coached up, I think he’s a starter. Second round.” Finished with 212 tackles (18 for loss), eight sacks ands just one turnover play. “The body has come a long way,” said a third scout. “It took him time. Holding above 220 has always been a challenge. That was a big key for him this year — to get the weight and hold it. He tests out well, at least in a straight line. More early Day 3 guy but could creep up a little higher if people get excited about the testing numbers. I would say he isn’t (a green dot). I think he did make the calls somewhat this year but I don’t think that’s him in the NFL. They say he’s super intelligent, a guy who makes 3.0 (grade-point average) without cracking a book. That’s the problem. He’s not going to put in a lot of effort. It’s the same way he’s been on the field. The guy’s a great athlete but never spent the time he needed in the weight room and the nutritional aspect, things like that.” Started 32 of 51 games. Arms were 31 ¾. “He can run the middle and cover wide-receiver slots,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got hips and feet like a safety. Not a knock-back tackler. Not great getting off blocks. Not an ideal point player but who gives a f--- because his athletic ability is (ideal). Second round for sure.” Five-star recruit from Dallas. Played running back, quarterback and wide receiver in addition to linebacker as a prep.

3. CARSON SCHWESINGER, UCLA (6-2 ½, 242, no 40, 2-3): Walked on in 2021 and redshirted. Played sparingly in 2022 and ’23. Made his first career start in Game 3 of 2024 replacing Femi Oladejo, who shifted to the outside. “Crazy story,” one scout said. “They put this guy in and he was an All-American. Crazy instinctive, quick off the spot, can really run, awesome space tackler, natural blitzer. Has close speed and timing; can break down on the quarterback. Almost moves like a safety. Not great at the point. Blockers lock on him. Inconsistent playing the ball in coverage, but then he makes an interception or forces a fumble like he’s Johnny on the spot. Really good second-round player.” Led the Big Ten in tackles with 136, the most by a Bruin since LB Eric Kendricks in 2014. “Good football player but not the biggest,” a second scout said. “Only played in the 220’s. Just really instinctive. Knows the game, knows which angles to take, plays really hard. Lacks a little bit of size and length fighting off NFL offensive linemen but the game is played sideline-to-sideline more than in the trenches. He’s right there on the fringe. He might be a guy teams really like, but when he gets on the field is the size going to show up? At worst, he’s going to be a really good special teamer-backup spot player. If guys like Josey Jewell are still playing, if this guy gets with the right coach and the right scheme, this guy could have a long career.” Finished with 163 tackles (12 for loss), five sacks and three turnover plays. “Fun to watch,” a third scout said. “He is just a tackling machine. He triggers quick. He finds it. Quick, fast, tough. Not a take-on guy. Doesn’t stay blocked. He’s just everywhere. Second round.” Arms were 31 5/8. From Moorpark, Calif. “He’s a little bit taller version of (Kansas City’s) Drue Tranquill,” a fourth scout said. “That’s a positive. I saw him as a solid starter. What he lacks is point-of-attack strength but he’s got big-time range. Can run people down. Instincts in a linebacker are so key. This guy has ‘em.”

4. DEMETRIUS KNIGHT, South Carolina (6-1 ½, 236, 4.51, 3): Four-year starting quarterback in high school. Spent first four of six collegiate seasons at Georgia Tech, and actually was moved to quarterback in spring ball 2021 before returning to linebacker. “I liked him better than Campbell,” one scout said. “Really looks the part. Can play mike or will. Very strong. Plays with great leverage at the point. This guy is a striker. When he hits, the play ends. He can run, can play all three downs. I thought he was a first-round talent.” Entered the portal after five games in 2022 when Ramblin’ Wreck coach Geoff Collins was fired after four games. Started 12 games at Charlotte in 2023 and then 10 at South Carolina in 2024, winning the Game****s’ defensive MVP award. Served as a captain last season, too. “He’s on the rise,” a second scout said. “He played well. He’ll probably end up being about a third- or fourth-round pick.” Finished with 229 tackles (17 for loss), 4 ½ sacks and 10 turnover plays. Arms were 32 5/8. “Like his size and speed and explosion,” a third scout said. “Played tough against the run. When he hits you, you go backwards. Instincts were not natural, but he’s relatively new to the position. I like the player a lot but I don’t see him as a top guy. I see him more as a good fourth-round pick.” Started just 22 of his 61 games. Never started a game at Georgia Tech in 3 ½ seasons. From Locust Grove, Ga. Will turn 25 in July.

5. BARRETT CARTER, Clemson (6-0, 232, 4.63, 3): Senior, three-year starter. “Great character makeup,” one scout said. “This kid just checks all the boxes across the board. For a guy who’s an athletic linebacker and seeing him play downhill and really take on blocks with physicality, you don’t get much of that anymore. It’s cleaning up some of his angles, his run fits, playing with a little better technique to defeat blocks. Those things give me pause because he didn’t get much better at those things. Even then, this guy’s a second-rounder. Totally typical will linebacker. They also played him split out like a big nickel. Buffalo nickel. A lot of teams run that, cover a tight end in the flat. This guy can do it.” Graduated in December. Team captain. “Poor man’s Nick Bolton,” said a second scout. “Outstanding athlete, very good mover, can run, has great range. Really good in coverage. Misses too many tackles for a good athlete. Sometimes can get caught in the wash as a run-support player. Better in space. Put him in (at) will and let him run around. Playmaker.” Started 40 of 52 games, finishing with 233 tackles (33 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and eight turnover plays. Arms were 32 1/8. “He’s like their Alpha male,” a third scout said. “Total slam dunk. Not the biggest or longest guy. Just super tough, competitive, physical, leader.” Five-star recruit from Suwanee, Ga. “Just a little guy without the athletic ability to make up for it,” a fourth scout said. “Gets knocked around. Better in space and cover, but not a good enough athlete to thrive there.”

6. DANNY STUTSMAN, Oklahoma (6-3, 236, 4.52, 3): Senior and a three-year starter. “He wears every bandage, every pad, every tape job in the book,” one scout said. “And he’s a little stiff. You wonder, ‘OK, is this as good as he can get?’ But he ran pretty good. He’s probably a late second, maybe a third.” Joined S Billy Bowman as a co-winner of the Don Key Award in 2024, the highest individual honor a Sooner player can receive. “I can see him being able to run a defense and doing everything you want him to,” a second scout said. “Good player, good hitter. Has enough range and speed. You won’t have any problems with him.” Started 37 of 47 games over four seasons, finishing with 376 tackles (37 for loss), eight sacks and eight turnover plays. “Good three-down player,” said a third scout. “Excellent size. He can run. This guy has pop at the point. A little inconsistent to shed but really quick to slip, though. Super instinctive. Almost the same player as Schwesinger. Second round.” Three-star recruit from Windermere, Fla. Arms were 32 1/8. “Big middle linebacker,” a fourth scout said. “Kind of odd because nobody plays like this guy anymore. Upright guy, kind of stiff. Gives his all. Not really great in space with movement and change of direction and range. He kind of runs to the ball and falls into stuff. Good awareness in coverage but he won’t be man-covering anybody. On blitzes, didn’t see much explosion. Typical try-hard, special-teams guy.”

 

[Finsup1981]

7. CHRIS PAUL, Mississippi (6-1, 225, 4.69, 3-4): Made 88 tackles for the nation’s No. 1 run defense. Nicknamed “Pooh.” Said one scout: “Looks more like a safety than a linebacker. Plays with outstanding physicality and violence. Don’t tell him he’s undersized. He can run and cover tight ends. Tackles well. Not a good blitzer. Can get banged around in the middle. Take-on strength is an issue. Fourth round. Will backer.” Started 11 of 28 games at Arkansas from 2021-’23 before starting 11 at Ole Miss last season. Finished with 225 tackles (27 for loss), 9 ½ sacks and four turnover plays. “Looked the part,” a second scout said. “He’s in line with Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight. He’s probably in that middle-round area.” Shortest arms (29 7/8) of the top 20 at the position. Three-star recruit from Cordele, Ga.

8. JEFFREY BASSA, Oregon (6-1, 228, 4.63, 3-4): Leadership was on display at the Senior Bowl when he addressed the team after one practice. “People love the personality,” said one scout. “He’s below Barrett Carter but not by much. Just isn’t real big. Probably fourth round.” Moved from safety to linebacker early in 2021, his freshman year, after playing safety and wide receiver in high school. “He packs a punch,” said a second scout. “Even for an ex-safety he’s more of a mike. I think some people will question if he has enough range outside the tackles. Sometimes instinctually he hesitates a little bit. That’s why I see him as more of a mike than a will. A will’s a guy that can run and sees it right away and can cover. I think he can cover. People will see him as a starter and he goes third round.” Finished with 236 tackles (14 for loss), 4 ½ sacks and five turnover plays. “Two-time captain,” said a third scout. “Always around the football. Good in coverage, too, which will help his third-down value. He’s got to get better tackling. Had a lot of missed tackles this season. Needs to get better on initial key and diagnose. Struggles to correctly fit or find the ball inside the box. The school raves about him. He’s had a professional mentality ever since he got to Oregon. He’s a really good backup with potential to start. Fourth round.” Vertical jump of 38 ½. Arms were 31 3/8. Four-star recruit from Salt Lake City.

THE NEXT FIVE​

Shemar James, Florida (6-1 ½, 226, 4.73)

Said one scout: “Captain America. Phenomenal human being. I can see him being a CEO of a company one day. Just a solid, consistent player. Not the best athlete in the world but good enough. He’ll be gone by the end of the third or the fourth. Someone’s going to fall in love with him based on the interview process.”

Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota (6-2 ½, 236, 4.73)

Said one scout: “Plays with high effort. Quarterbacks the defense. Not real productive in coverage. Like to see more explosion on contact. High character kid. Sleeps, breathes football. (Coach PJ) Fleck told me he’s arguably the best linebacker he’s ever had. He’s a solid player.”

Jack Kiser, Notre Dame (6-1 ½, 229, 4.67)

Said one scout: “His stock went up at the Senior Bowl. The coaches that coached him loved his effort and the fact he came right to the Senior Bowl from the (CFP) championship game. He had a chip on his shoulder. Wanted to prove something. Did a great job in every practice. Volunteered for things. His Senior Bowl coaches all thought he’d be a third-rounder.”

Kain Medrano, UCLA (6-3, 228, 4.48)

Said one scout: “Ran like a deer at the combine. He was the fastest out of that linebacker group. He’s a converted safety who doesn’t really know how to play inside the box very well yet. He’s going to have to get stronger and tackle better and get off blocks a lot better. I don’t think he’s a green dot.”

Jamon “Pop” Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky (6-0 ½, 236, 4.61)

Said one scout: “’Pop’ transferred from Georgia (in 2024), where he was getting squeezed out by Smael Mondon and Jalon Walker. Played pretty decent for Kentucky. The guy last year from Kentucky (Trevin Wallace) had more upside. He’s an old-fashioned mike. ‘Pop’ will slip some because people see him as an early-down run defender. He’s probably got a little more in the tank than that. I bet ‘Pop” goes in the fifth and I bet he ends up being a decent pro.”

 

[Neptune]

A lot of work there.
Thanks

 

[Finsup1981]

EDGE
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.”

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-ass 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.”

 

[Finsup1981]

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 aid. “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 shitload 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 ass 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.”