Tag: sports

2025 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Post combine but before free agency.

Every year the NFL combine is one of the most polarizing events in the pre-draft run up and this year will be no different.  You don’t even have to work out to have a bad combine, just ask Shadeur Sanders.  Clarity comes in many forms, a guy is faster than you thought, a guy is slower than you hoped.  He doesn’t measure up, literally, or he has some bad interviews with teams.  This is the current narrative with Sanders, teams apparently didn’t like his attitude during interviews.  There have always been some mixed reviews about Sanders as he can be brash and arrogant, but those are traits that most QBs have to some extent. You kind of have to if you’re a top QB prospect.  Some teams will make moves with a veteran or deals start to come together before the league year starts next week and that will have some effect on the draft.  There are other things that have happened to change this mock draft so I’ll start with some news that changes things. 

Matthew Stafford is staying in LA with the Rams which means the Giants and Raiders had to either pivot to other veterans when free agency opens or they look to the draft.  The Raiders pivoted to a trade for Geno Smith from Seattle, which changes the calculus for the Raiders and the Seahawks. The Bears have traded for two new starting offensive guards in Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson so all those mock drafts with them taking Tyler Booker are out the window.  Alaric Jackson re-signed with the Rams meaning that’s one less option for the Patriots at LT so if they strike out with Ronnie Stanley, LT becomes the priority with the fourth pick. Tee Higgins got franchised again by the Bengals so the Patriots may have to look elsewhere in free agency for a WR or they look for one in the draft again.  Sam Darnold didn’t get franchised by the Vikings so he’s the top available veteran QB and could be in play for Tennessee, Cleveland, NY Giants, Pittsburgh, or all of the sudden, Seattle. Things will become clearer next week as teams start signing free agents but what’s the fun in waiting for that, lets Mock Draft. 

1. New York Giants (TRADE from Tennessee):  Cam Ward     QB      Miami

This starts with Tennessee making a move this next week at QB.  I think they are the dark horse to sign Darnold and then they can look to move the first pick for some draft capital.  They don’t want to drop too far, they made it clear they want one of the best players in the draft, that means either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter.  They move down to three and let the Giants come up to get their QB.  Ward can be a Brian Daboll’s mini-version of Josh Allen only he won’t have to fix Ward’s accuracy, he’s pretty accurate.  Ward isn’t as big as Allen but he has some movement skills and he has all the throws in his bag that make him a legit NFL QB.  He doesn’t lack for confidence in his arm and he will allow Daboll to unlock all the parts of the offense in New York.  And he’ll make Malik Nabers very happy. 

2. Cleveland Browns (3-14):  Abdul Carter     Edge     Penn St.

The Browns seem adamant they are not trading Myles Garrett and I tend to believe them because there just isn’t a deal out there that seems feasible.  Trading him for two late first round picks and some other picks doesn’t seem like enough and its only really good teams that would trade for him so you’re not getting top draft choices.  Either way, I think they take Carter to either pair with Garrett on the defensive line and/or as a hedge against eventually losing him either in a trade or free agency.  Carter has a stress reaction in his foot (whatever that means) and it will need to be thoroughly checked out but I don’t think it will end up hurting his draft stock.  He’s one of the two blue chip prospects in this draft and Cleveland would be lucky to land him.  I also think this is where Kirk Cousins ends up as stopgap at QB so they don’t take one this early. 

3. Tennessee Titans (TRADE from NY Giants): Travis Hunter     CB/WR     Colorado

The Titans pick up a third rounder this year and another pick next year to move down two spots and they still get arguably the best player in the draft.  Hunter can be the CB1 this team needs after L’Jarius Snead wasn’t everything they thought he could be.  He’s also the CB1 they wished they had gotten when they drafted Caleb Farley a couple of years ago.  He can also be a part-time WR to give them some juice opposite Calvin Ridley for a new QB, Sam Darnold or otherwise.  New GM Mike Borgonzi and the new front office said they didn’t want to pass on a generational prospect, well, here’s the generational prospect and you picked up two more picks, that’s good process. 

4. New England Patriots (4-13):  Will Campbell     OT     LSU

Alaric Jackson is off the market and as much as I think they will make a major offer to Ronnie Stanley, I think he goes back to Baltimore.  He’s been there a long time, he’s an older player, and unless the money difference is ridiculous, he’s going to stick with the team that is closer to winning a Super Bowl while he’s still playing.  That puts OT as the #1 need for this team.  Armand Membou from Missouri put on an athletic show at the combine and is getting buzz as the OT1 in this draft.  Sorry but he played RT for three years and I’m not going through the “we can move him to LT and he’ll be fine” stuff again after last year.  Membou’s arms are about ¾ of an inch longer than Campbell’s, I don’t care.  Will Campbell started as a freshman and has started for three years at LT at LSU playing against SEC competition and has been awesome. Don’t overthink it, take Campbell and he can be Drake Mays blindside protector for the next decade. 

5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13):  Mason Graham     DT     Michigan

The Jaguars need high end talent and Graham is one of the best players in this draft.  He measured in with shorter than ideal arms at the combine, so what?  Watch this guy play at Michigan and he causes mayhem wherever he lines up.  They need help on the interior of the defensive line as they are a little thin there.  Graham would make life easier for Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen and he even has the versatility to line up outside a bit and they can play with moving Walker around.  He doesn’t look like the prototypical DT body type with his big barrel chest and short arms but he makes it work.  Jacksonville has plenty of work to do but at this point, taking the best player available is the smart move instead of reaching to fill a need. 

6. San Francisco 49ers (TRADE from Las Vegas):  Armand Membou     OL     Missouri

This would be a shocking trade given Kyle Shanahan rarely invests draft capital this high in offensive linemen but Membou helps them tremendously.  He can step in this season as the LG to replace Aaron Banks and then be the eventual replacement for Trent Williams at LT.  Membou is a very athletic player which fits Shanahan’s blocking scheme and giving him a year to learn the left side at guard next to the best LT in football would make a smoother transition.  It would take a special talent to get Shanahan to do this and Membou might be that guy. Also, Trent Williams is going to be 37 next season and he’s extremely expensive.  With all the issues the 49ers have with salary right now and Brock Purdy’s extension on deck, they could use a cheap LT for a few years on a rookie deal.  They also make this deal because if the Jets don’t re-sign Morgan Moses, Membou is a player they could take a serious look at next.

7. Atlanta Falcons (TRADE from NY Jets):  Shemar Stewart     DE     Texas A&M

This is where things get really interesting, the Raiders trade out of six after trading for Geno Smith and passing on Shadeur Sanders and now the Jets do the same thing.  The Jets need a lot of help on defense, their entire secondary not named Sauce Gardner, are all free agents.  They need picks to rebuild this roster and if they aren’t convinced Sanders is a good fit for Aaron Glenn or New York, they can trade down.  The Falcons need help in the front seven of their defense and they have gone back and forth between a 3-4 and a 4-3 defense too many times and guys don’t fit the scheme when they change.  Stewart didn’t produce sacks in college but he did produce pressure and he can play multiple spots up front.  He lost weight so he looked fast at the combine coming in at 267 lbs. but he played last year at 281 so he can be whatever they need him to be.  Their offense should be ready to go, the defense needs reinforcements so they move up for Stewart who made himself some money at the combine. 

8. Carolina Panthers (5-12): Tetairoa McMillan     WR     Arizona

The Panthers somehow salvaged Bryce Young in the last half of the season and Xavier Legette became a solid rookie WR with him.  They like Jalen Coker too but they need a true WR1 and that’s McMillan.  He’s a big, tall outside WR with a great catch radius and he’ll make Young’s life a whole lot easier.  When in doubt, Young can throw it up and McMillan is more likely than not to come down with it.  This team needs playmakers and McMillan is the best one in the draft.  They could use some help on defense for sure but this is a deeper draft on the defensive line and they can wait until their second-round pick to grab a pass rusher. 

9. New Orleans Saints (5-12):  Will Johnson     CB     Michigan

The Saints are in salary cap hell and they need a lot of help on defense.  Those two things don’t mesh well so they have to start somewhere.  Most have them looking for defensive line help but they also need a CB to start.  New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is a defensive backs coach at heart and they traded away Marshon Lattimore last season and they probably don’t have the money to re-sign Paulsen Adebo, that leaves Kool-Aid McKinstry as their only solid starting outside CB.  Will Johnson didn’t have a great season at Michigan and teams may wonder about his top-end speed but he’s a player and he’s a starter immediately in the NFL next season.  They could take a chance on a guy like Jalon Walker (he’s a little small for their tastes), Mykel Williams (they do like oversized DE’s who aren’t all that productive in college), or they could go for a guy who seems like more a sure thing, that’s Johnson.  Sometimes it’s best to just draft a good football player. 

10. Chicago Bears (5-12):  Mike Green     DE     Marshall

Ben Johnson isn’t messing around with his offensive line overhaul as the Bears already worked two trades to pick up Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to be their new starting guards, that solves that problem.  The next big issue is getting Montez Sweat some help rushing the passer.  Mike Green is a little out of sight, out of mind at the moment, after not participating at the combine.  However, he had a good Senior Bowl week and he’s a legit pass rusher off the edge.  He plays with more power than you would think for a guy his size and I think Dennis Allen will be able to work with that.  There’s a little part of me that wanted to give Ben Johnson Ashton Jeanty at RB and if the Bears sign a DE in free agency, that might be where my next mock draft goes. 

11. Las Vegas Raiders (TRADE from San Francisco):  Ashton Jeanty     RB     Boise St. 

This is where things get dicey for Shadeur Sanders, trading for Geno Smith wouldn’t preclude them from drafting Sanders.  However, if they pass on him after trading down, look out, the free fall could be real.  Smith an immediate upgrade from what they ran out there last season at QB.  Jeanty would be a huge upgrade from what they ran out there at RB last season too. Geno Smith, with Jeanty and Brock Bowers is the beginning of a much better offense than they had last season. If they add a good WR at some point, the offense starts to get really interesting.    

12. Dallas Cowboys (7-10): Kelvin Banks Jr.     OL     Texas

The Cowboys need a RB and a WR but they also just lost future Hall of Famer Zack Martin at guard and the offensive line is paramount to their success.  The jury seems split on Banks but he’s a good prospect at guard or tackle.  He could be an immediate starter at guard to replace Martin but he’s also a nice hedge against Tyler Guyton having any development issues at LT and if Terrence Steele doesn’t regain his form at RT, Banks could help there too.  The Cowboys have never shied away from taking offensive linemen in round one and this would be a solid choice for them. 

13. Miami Dolphins (8-9):  Nick Emmanwori     S     South Carolina

The Dolphins look to be pivoting in their secondary as both starting safeties from last season are free agents, Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer.  Holland is going to get a big free agent deal somewhere and Poyer is an aging player.  I’m not the biggest Emmanwori guy because I think he needs to go to a place that has a plan to use him.  He’s a great athlete who is either a really big safety or a small LB.  The Dolphin’s defensive coordinator is Anthony Weaver who cut his teeth in Baltimore and the Ravens know a thing or two about using safeties well.  If Weaver can find a plan, Emmanwori can be a very additive piece to the Dolphin’s secondary.  I probably wouldn’t take Emmanwori this high but after is combine showing and looking at the fit and the need in Miami, this pairing seems plausible.    

14. Indianapolis Colts (8-9):  Tyler Warren     TE     Penn St. 

This is may be the most common mock draft pairing across the internet.  That’s because it makes a ton of sense.  The Colts don’t have a great TE and Anthony Richardson could use all the help he can get.  Warren is a supreme athlete and he’ll be a really good all-around TE.  The team needs playmakers and Warren is a playmaker.  Warren is 6’6 255 lbs. and runs like a deer.  He will give Richardson a big over-the-middle target and make his life a little easier. 

15. New York Jets (TRADE from Atlanta): Jahdae Barron     DB     Texas

The Jets secondary is going to need a complete overhaul.  Sauce Gardner is the only returning player of note and that means they need a starting outside CB, a nickel back, and two starting safeties.  Barron is the jack of all trades player in the secondary.  Depending on what they do in free agency he could be the starting outside guy opposite Gardner, or the nickel corner.  He can also play safety and while he was more of a zone guy at Texas I think Aaron Glenn will like his feistiness as a guy who doesn’t back down.  Barron could be for the Jets what Glenn made Brian Branch in Detroit, and that’s useful for any defense.  Barron’s best spot is a nickel who can be moved all over the field. 

16. Arizona Cardinals (8-9):  Jalon Walker     LB     Georgia

The Cardinals need playmakers on defense and Walker may be a bit of a tweener but he’s a playmaker.  He would fit their scheme pretty well as a pass rushing LB who can also play off ball and be guy who just gets to the QB when they need it.  Walker has his fans and his detractors but at the midpoint of the first round he’s a really good value pick.  The Cardinals defense needs all the help it can get and Jonathan Gannon is a smart defensive mind who should find ways to use Walker’s skills to the fullest. 

17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8):  Jihaad Campbell     LB     Alabama

Trey Hendrickson is the best player on the Bengals defense and he’s been given permission to seek a trade.  Germaine Pratt is one of the better players and he’s requested a trade.  This defense was bad last year and if those two guys are gone things get ugly.  Campbell is a hybrid LB/edge player depending on who you ask and this defense needs anybody who can make a play.  He’s a little raw but he’s worth a gamble for a team that needs all the help they can get on defense.  If there was an elite edge rusher or CB left, I would put them here but Mykel Williams is a gamble similar to other ones they have taken at DE that haven’t worked out.  That feels like to big of a risk.  At worst Campbell is just a damn good LB.

18. Seattle Seahawks (10-7):  Shadeur Sanders     QB     Colorado

The Seahawks may be in luck after trading away Geno Smith if Sanders falls this far.  The reviews from the combine were not great about Sanders’ interviews but he’s well worth a shot at this point in the draft.  The real question is will his fall end here or do the Seahawks take Jaxson Dart, who seems to be closing in on Sanders to be QB2 in this class.  New Seahawks offensive coordinator Klink Kubiak is from the Shanahan school of offense so Sanders’ skill set would be a good fit.  He’s not the most physically talented player but he’s highly accurate and throws a nice deep ball.  I have said before, he’s somewhere between Brock Purdy and Jared Goff, that’s a good fit for the offense. 

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7):  Mykel Williams     Edge     Georgia

The Buccaneers are losing most of their edge rushers, that’s not a bad thing since the ones they are losing aren’t great.  Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaq Barrett haven’t been the most effective guys and while Anthony Nelson is a solid backup, they need more opposite Yaya Diaby.  Williams is a stud athlete who just never produced at Georgia like you would think his athleticism would allow.  That could be rectified if used as an true edge rusher and not a DE like he was at Georgia.  This would be a bet on potential but Williams might be worth it. 

20. Denver Broncos (10-7):  Omarion Hampton     RB     North Carolina

This one might surprise some people but Hampton had a great combine and the Broncos need a RB.  Javonte Williams has never been the same since his knee injury a couple years ago and he’s a free agent.  The team has some guys but none of them stepped up last season.  Hampton is a bell cow type of back; he can handle a major workload.  He’s big, physical, fast and he has enough skill as a pass catcher to be an every down back.  Sean Payton found his QB last season, this year he gets his answer at RB.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7):  Matthew Golden     WR     Texas

Golden had a good combine while Luther Burden III was fine but unspectacular and Emeka Egbuka didn’t test in Indianapolis.  He feels like the guy with momentum at this point and the Steelers desperately need WR help.  They could look at Jaxson Dart but drafting a QB that might be a reach in the early 20s of the draft feels a little too soon after the Kenny Pickett debacle and the Steelers seem like they want a veteran instead.  Golden would give whoever plays QB a better chance to succeed because he’s a nice complement to George Pickens.  He’s not the biggest WR but he has speed and runs good routes, that’s a nice combination if you can get it. 

22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6):  James Pearce Jr.     OLB     Tennessee

The reviews are really mixed on Pearce at this point.  No one doubts his traits and what he brings as a pass rusher but there are serious questions about him off the field.  There were some things about his time at Tennessee that will give teams pause, however, there are also those who say his issues were about the environment at Tennessee for him.  The Chargers cut Joey Bosa to save a ton of money and Khalil Mack is a free agent, they need pass rush help.  Jim Harbaugh is no stranger to guys who have some questionable character traits but he believes in his own culture enough to think he can help them overcome those issues.  I can see Harbaugh taking a chance on a guy if he thinks he can get the best out of him.  If Pearce has his head on straight and plays to his talent, he’s a star. 

23. Green Bay Packers (11-6):  Kenneth Grant     DT     Michigan

The Packers don’t have a lot of losses coming in free agency so there are not a ton of clear holes to fill.  DT TJ Slaton is a free agent and he’s the one big body they have at the position.  Also, Kenny Clark has been great for them but he’ll be 30 this year and he’s quite expensive.  They like Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, the two backup DTs for now but neither of them is very big.  Grant is a space eater who can push the pocket from time to time.  He’s 6’4 330 lbs. and can be immovable, he would give them a good, young DT who keeps the LBs clean and makes life easier for the pass rushers on the edge. 

24. Minnesota Vikings (14-3):  Derrick Harmon     DL     Oregon

The Vikings have a couple of free agents on their defensive line and they weren’t exactly stacked there to begin with.  Harmon is 6’5 313 lbs. and can play anywhere on the line in any formation and he’ll be an effective player.  He hasn’t gotten as much attention as some others but he’s the type of lineman Brian Flores will love because he can use him anywhere and move him where he’s most effective.  He’ll find matchups whether it’s inside or outside and Harmon will create havoc.  He makes the front seven a tougher matchup across the board. 

25. Houston Texans (10-7):  Tyler Booker     OG     Alabama

The Texans offensive line was pretty awful at times last year and got a little better when they moved Tytus Howard to guard and played Blake Fisher at RT.  They still need more help inside because it looks like they are cutting Shaq Mason at RG.  Booker was one of the least athletic players at the combine and it took him out of being a top half of the first-round type of player.  That said, he’s an excellent guard who plays with power and precision and is always where he’s supposed to be.  He gets the highest marks from teams when it comes to character and leadership and that will mean something to DeMeco Ryans.  He’s a plug and play guy at OG and he’ll make the offensive line a lot better for CJ Stroud and especially for the running game.  

26. Los Angeles Rams (10-7):  Walter Nolen     DT     Ole Miss

The Rams drafted Jared Verse and Braden Fiske as their first two picks last year and they hit on both of them.  Along with Kobie Turner, who they hit on a couple of years ago, they have some really good building blocks in the front seven.  They may lose Bobby Brown III in free agency this off season so getting a guy like Nolen would really help them.  Nolen is a truly talented interior defensive lineman who would fit between Turner and Fiske and really juice their interior pocket pressure.  This team hasn’t invested much in the secondary lately but Nolen is a better prospect than the CBs and safeties here so they go best player available over trying to fill a bigger need. 

27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5): Malaki Starks     S      Georgia

This would be right up the Raven’s alley.  Starks is one of the better football players in this draft but he went to the combine and looked like a pedestrian athlete competing against Nick Emmanwori.  The problem is he’s a better football player and this is why the Ravens always draft so well.  Marcus Williams is a free agent and while Ar’Darius Washington stepped up last year when Williams was out, he’s also a restricted free agent.  Whether they re-sign Washington or not, they need another safety so they can move Kyle Hamilton back to the position where they move him all over creation.  Starks is a great football player who plays the game faster than he runs and sees things and reacts with elite instincts for the game.  He and Hamilton would be a nightmare pairing for the rest of the league. 

28. Kansas City Chiefs (TRADE from Detroit):  Josh Simmons     OT     Ohio St.

The Chiefs franchise tagged RG Trey Smith, traded LG Joe Thuney and seemingly are set up to move Kingsley Suamataia to LG after he failed to take the LT position.  This leaves them spending a lot of money on Trey Smith, C Creed Humphrey, and RT Jawaan Taylor so they need to save some money at LT.  Simmons was on his way to being a top half of the first-round player before he hurt his knee.  Assuming all medical checks come back fine, he’s well worth a late first round pick here.  The Chiefs make a small move up to get him ahead of Washington potentially looking for an OT or another team moving up.  Simmons is an immediate starter assuming his knee is good and he’s the best LT they have had since the best days of Eric Fisher. 

29. Washington Commanders (12-5):  Luther Burden III     WR     Missouri

The Commanders are clearly invested in making the most of Jayden Daniels and they proved that by trading for Deebo Samuel from San Francisco. They have money to spend in free agency but I think they invest that on defense and try to build out the offense in the draft.  Deebo is a nice veteran but he gets hurt a lot and they need more than one WR.  They have Terry McLaurin as their WR1 and then a bunch of free agents they hope to improve upon.  Burden had a tough year at Missouri but he’s a true talent and he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands.  I think he could have a better year than Deebo and become a favorite target for Daniels.  They could look for a LT but Brandon Coleman did a solid job last year and they can wait to address the offensive line needs. 

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (TRADE from Buffalo):  Colston Loveland     TE     Michigan

The Jaguars have a lot picks in this draft and they trade their second-round pick (36th overall) and maybe a fourth rounder to move back into the end of round one to get Loveland.  The Jaguars just cut Evan Engram for salary cap purposes and he has been one of Trevor Lawrence’s favorite targets.  If they are looking to get the best out of Lawrence, they need to give him all the help they can get and Loveland is an excellent TE.  He would be a good middle of the field target while Brian Thomas Jr. is a outside deep threat.

31. Detroit Lions (TRADE from Kansas City):  Grey Zabel     IOL     North Dakota St.

The Lions pick up a later round pick from Kansas City and still end up with a starting offensive lineman they likely would have taken at 28.  Zabel can step into the RG spot that Kevin Zeitler is likely vacating as a free agent and he starts the process of the Lions getting younger on the interior offensive line.  Zeitler is 35 and LG Graham Glasgow will be 33 this year.  C Frank Ragnow is going to be 29 and his body has taken a beating over the years.  Zabel is good insurance in case Ragnow hangs it up earlier than expected at some point in the next couple of seasons.  The Lions know the value of their awesome offensive line and the worst thing they can do is let it start to fall apart.  Zabel is a nice investment for the future. 

32. Cleveland Browns (TRADE from Philadelphia): Jaxson Dart     QB     Ole Miss

The Browns have the 33rd pick and there’s no chance Philadelphia would take Dart so why make this trade?  Well, they pick up the 5th year option on a rookie QB contract by drafting Dart in the first round and not the second.  The Browns have 12 picks in this draft including five sixth rounders, flip one to Philadelphia and you get added time for a rookie QB.  This also matches up because I think they sign Kirk Cousins as a cheap veteran free agent and this pick gives them a guy who can sit and learn behind Cousins for a couple of years if necessary and the that make the 5th year option that much more important.  The Browns get a cheap veteran in Cousins, a cheap rookie in Dart and have remade their QB position without spending too much money or a lot of draft capital.  This is how you move on while having to eat Deshaun Watson’s stupid contract.       

Pre-Combine Notes

The NFL Combine is coming up this week and there should be some interesting players that will be weighed and measured, and hopefully they will actually work out.  The top players at the positions rarely work out and it’s a safe assumption that happens again this year.  There are some guys who can really help themselves if they work out and do well.  The flip side is you can hurt yourself if you don’t do well.  I’m going to give you a little primer on who could help themselves (or not) this week at the combine.

Quarterbacks

Jalen Milroe (Alabama)- He has the opportunity to show off his elite athleticism, which is something everyone knows he has but when you do it in front of them, it leaves a lasting impression.  I’m not a Milroe guy because I have a lot of questions about him in the passing game but he could move into the QB3 spot of this draft with an impressive showing in Indy.

Will Howard (Ohio St.)- One of the more intriguing QBs after he led Ohio St. to a National Championship.  Howard is 6’4 236 lbs. and he shows good accuracy. He’s more mobile that he gets credit for because he’s pretty big. He doesn’t want to run with the ball but he can move out of the pocket and throw on the run. 

Tyler Shough (Louisville)- Shough (pronounced like Shuck) will be 26 years old in September, he’s been in college 7 years.  He started at Oregon, went to Texas Tech, and ended up at Louisville.  When he throws at the combine, he’s going to make all the others look bad, he’s got arguably the best arm in the class.  He might scare off a few of the more notable players from throwing because they don’t want to look bad in comparison. 

Kyle McCord (Syracuse)- The guy who left Ohio St. and had a great year at Syracuse could make himself some money if he looks good at the combine.  He didn’t dominate the Shrine Bowl like some expected but he was good and if he carries that momentum into the combine, he could move up the board. 

Running Backs

Quinshon Judkins (Ohio St.) – Judkins transferred to Ohio St. last year after dominating for a couple of years at Ole Miss.  He moved into a timeshare with Treveyon Henderson and while they were both good it didn’t let either really dominate during the season.  Henderson was the speed guy while Judkins was the power back. Judkins showed in the National Championship game that he can be a dominate back.  He’s fallen behind a number of guys in this draft but someone is going to get a great back on day two.  He could really move up too if he shows some of the skills people forgot he had this last season. 

Kyle Monangai (Rutgers) – Monangai is listed at 5’9 209 lbs. but no one who has ever tried to tackle him would believe that.  He’s one of the toughest runners in college football and his game will translate to the pros.  He needs to prove to teams he has some speed and elusiveness that he rarely showed at Rutgers.  He’s a true power runner but he can do a little more than that.  If he can outperform expectations in the 40, the broad jump, or the vertical, just to prove some explosiveness, it will help his draft stock.

Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) – There is no doubt he has everything you want in the run game, speed, power, vision, patience, it’s all there.  The one thing that Iowa didn’t use Johnson for enough was in the pass game.  He has good hands and I believe he’s a complete back but there just isn’t a lot on film showing different aspects of catching the ball.  The pass catching drills for the RBs could be huge for Johnson’s stock. 

Wide Receivers

Luther Burden III (Missouri)– I’m not certain Burden will work out but I think he should.  He had a less than stellar season at Missouri, but it wasn’t his fault.  He can go to the combine and show that he’s still the playmaker he was two years ago.  I’m seeing him fall behind guys like Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden, I like those guys but Burden has the higher upside as a true playmaker. 

Emeka Egbuka (Ohio St.) – Egbuka is the all-time leading WR at Ohio St. in most categories, it helps that he spent five years there.  He was never the #1 guy and he’s not going to be a WR1 in the NFL but he’s an awesome #2.  He can move up the boards by showing off his athleticism, which is an underrated part of his game.  Most see him as a great route runner and steady presence.  He has more agility and body control that make him really good at the route running and gives him an opportunity to make tough catches.

Tez Johnson (Oregon) – He’s going to blaze the 40-yard dash because he has elite speed, but it would help if he does it weighing someone over 160 lbs.  He was 156 at the Senior Bowl and that was all anyone wanted to talk about.  Being fast is great but too many teams will take him off their board if he’s in the 155 lbs. range. 

Tory Horton (Colorado St.) – Horton played at Nevada and Colorado St. and was really productive at each place but he’s been injured lately.  He missed most of this last season and he will need the medical checks to come back clean.  Whoever ends up with Horton later in the draft is going to get very productive player who should outperform his draft slot. 

Arian Smith (Georgia) – Speed, speed, and more speed. Smith is going to try to break Xavier Worthy’s combine record in the 40 and he’s sure to run in the 4.2’s.  He’s never been the best WR from a production standpoint but teams won’t be drafting him because he’s a productive player, it’s because his speed is enticing.  I’m not his biggest fan but he’ll be the talk of the combine if he gets close to Worthy’s time. 

Savion Williams (TCU) – He’s also known as the other TCU WR.  Jack Bech was the productive WR at TCU and he should go higher than Williams but Williams is very intriguing.  He’s 6’5 225 lbs. and he has speed and agility all day.  Unfortunately, he’s very underdeveloped from a skill prospective and his hands are inconsistent.  If he looks good catching the ball and running routes, someone might take a flyer on him way earlier than anyone expects. 

Tight Ends

Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) – This guy as highly productive in college, as a matter of fact, he was so productive some people think he’s a WR not a TE.  He’s undersized for a TE or oversized as WR, not sure which is truer.  At the combine, teams are going to try to figure that out. Can he block well enough to play TE or is he only a receiving TE?  He doesn’t have the size to be a great blocker but technique and willingness can go a long way towards being a competent blocker at TE.      

Luke Lachey (Iowa) – Lachey had a rough year coming off a major injury the year before, having Iowa changing the offense, and having pretty ugly QB play all year. Lachey is a talented athlete with great size and great hands.  It’s a good TE class so he needs to stand out at the combine and make teams go back and watch him before his injury and before Iowa’s offense was a disaster, he was really good back then.

Offensive Line

Will Campbell (LSU) – Campbell’s combine results only matter as far as his arm length.  Teams are concerned he won’t have arms over the minimum 33-inches teams like for offensive tackles.  If he’s at 33 or above, they will largely forget about it.  If it’s under 33, then it becomes a conversation about him becoming a guard.  I don’t care all that much but teams seem to care a lot.  I would take him covering Drake Maye’s blindside for the next decade.   

Charles Grant (William & Mary) – Grant is a small school prospect who’s 6’4 300 lbs. so he’s also a bit small for a LT.  He makes up for his size deficiency with his athleticism.  He’s the perfect fit in zone blocking scheme because of his movement skills.  Not everyone is going to like him but he’s going to be impressive when he works out. 

Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) – Conerly is another guy who will be quite the athletic specimen at OT but he also has the requisite size to be a legitimate starting LT next season.  Conerly is not a refined player and he’s going to have his growing pains but the combine could be his showcase if he works out. 

Josh Simmons (Ohio St.) – This is all about his medical evaluation.  He had a torn patellar tendon early last season but he looked quite good leading up to that point. He has the size and athleticism everyone wants in LT, there’s just questions about the knee and the fact he doesn’t have a lot of starts at the power 4 level, he transferred into Ohio St. 

Defensive Line

Darius Alexander (Toledo) – Alexander had a really good Senior Bowl week proving he could hang with the big boys after playing at Toledo. He’s an athletic guy for size and while this is a deep defensive line class, Alexander stands out.  If he continues to stand out at the combine, he’ll keep moving up the DT board. 

The Big Boys; Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), Kenneth Grant (Michigan), Deone Walker (Auburn), Alfred Collins (Texas), Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee) – It’s always fun to watch the freaky big guys run the 40 and do the drills and realize just how unbelievably athletic these guys can actually be.  These are the truly scary athletes, Shemar Stewart is a 6’6 290 lbs. DE who could run 4.5 in the 40, that’s incredible.  And I guarantee you one of these guys is going to do something incredible in one the drills or something like the vert or broad jump.  Fun times.

The speed rushers; James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee), Jalon Walker (Georgia), Mike Green (Marshall), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), Josiah Stewart (Michigan) – This group is going to need to workout to stand out from each other.  There are so many good edge rushers in this class these guys need to show out to put themselves in position to be drafted before the others.  Abdul Carter is the top edge rusher and that’s not a question but who’s #2 might have a bunch of different answers at the moment and the combine is the chance these guys need to prove it should be them. 

Linebackers

Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina) – Knight is a 6’2 245 lbs. run stuffer who is a little stiff and doesn’t move great laterally.  He lacks pass coverage instincts and shouldn’t be counted on to do that to much.  His workout is about showing he’s improved his agility and fluidity. 

Carson Schwesinger (UCLA) – He’s the opposite of Knight, he’s speedy, fluid, and sometimes looks like he was shot out of a cannon.  He’s got good coverage ability because of those traits and he’s pretty good at blitzing even though he lacks size.  At 6’2 226 lbs. he can get overwhelmed in the run game but he can be a good player if used correctly.

Defensive Backs

Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) – Emmanwori is going to dominate at the combine, that’s what elite athletes do.  For me, it’s the position drills that will be interesting.  Is he fluid enough and comfortable enough to play safety full-time or is he a tweener, between a safety and LB.  His athletic testing scores are going to impress everyone, can he be a useful football player and not just a great athlete. 

Jahdae Barron (Texas) – Here’s the opposite of Emmanwori, Barron is an awesome football player no matter where you put him but his testing numbers and measurements aren’t going to impress.  He won’t be the tallest, strongest, fastest, or the longest DB prospect but he’s going to be really good anyway.  If he can show some of the athleticism teams want to see, it will help him immensely. 

Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) – These two need their medical checks to go well.  If Morrison’s hip injury is a question, he falls from round one pretty easily.  Revel had a less worrisome knee injury but teams can be scared off when a guy has any leg injury as a DB. 

Trey Amos (Ole Miss) and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida St.) – These are the two guys most likely to benefit if Morrison and Revel fall due to injury concerns.  They can help themselves by having good workouts in Indy.  Both have good size and coverage ability and if one out performs the other, he could move up draft boards significantly. 

Off season QB Carousel

The QB Carousel Spins

This off season is going to be quite interesting when it comes to the QB carousel.  There are 11 or 12 teams with QB questions heading into this off season that need to be addressed soon.  They break down into different groups depending on their level of need and how soon they have to deal with the question.  The good news is there are some answers out there, the bad news is not everyone is going to find one to their liking.  Some team could end up in a situation similar to the Raiders this last season with Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder as their options, the Raiders hope it isn’t them again. 

Tier 1- (teams not bringing back their main starter from 2024): Cleveland, New York Giants, New York Jets, Las Vegas, and probably Pittsburgh.

Tier 2- (teams that don’t want to bring back their starter from 2024 but might have to): Tennessee and New Orleans

Tier 3- (teams that may be looking for a change but it has to be an upgrade): Miami, Seattle, Minnesota, Indianapolis

Tier 4- (team that might not want to move on but might move on): LA Rams 

The way this all shakes out will be determined by the players and where they end up wanting to go.  Everyone has a reason for wanting to end up somewhere.  A better contract, a new location, a coaching staff, a chance to start, a new beginning, not every player’s motivations are the same.  QB moves will happen in three phases.  Phase one is free agency and trades that happen in the new league year that starts in March.  Phase two is the draft, that’s where teams that missed on their free agent targets will try to find a young solution so they can sell hope, to the fan base or the ownership, depending on their circumstances. And phase three is when you strike out on the first two phases and you have to decide if you want Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph  These things tend to happen like dominoes.  The biggest domino generally has to fall first (or not fall at all) before everything else happens.  The first domino is Matthew Stafford and the Rams.  I’m going to break this down in steps and try to go in order of how things fall, it’s not a perfect sequence as some things don’t affect others as much but I’ll point out if there are effects. 

The first and second dominos could be linked. The Rams have to figure out if they are sticking with Stafford and how long they want him around.  Stafford has to figure out how long he plans on playing, he’s 37 and while he’s staying relatively healthy the last couple of years, it doesn’t get easier.  The Rams may feel this is a good time to move on while they can still get draft capital from a team hoping to win now with Stafford at QB and while they may have a solution available to them.  I see three viable options, the Giants, who need to win now for their coach and GM, the Steelers, who need a real QB solution, and the Vikings, who need a bridge to JJ McCarthy.  I think the Steelers and Giants need longer-term solutions.  Stafford maybe has two years left before it may be over.  That’s not great for Mike Tomlin or Brian Daboll because that means they are back in the same boat they are currently in pretty quickly.  The Steelers have been trying band-aids since Big Ben, they need an real plan.  The Giants would be putting Stafford behind a suspect offensive line, he may say no thanks to that.

 I think the smart move is for the Rams to deal Stafford to the Vikings.  The Vikings showed they are ready to win right now the way they played with Sam Darnold but they need an upgrade from Darnold.  Stafford is the upgraded version of Darnold but he’s older and isn’t a long-term impediment to JJ McCarthy.  The Vikings can pay Stafford for a couple of years while McCarthy comes back from injury and learns from a veteran.  Stafford had Kevin O’Connell as his coach in LA before O’Connell got the Vikings job so there’s a familiarity to the offense.  Stafford makes the Vikings a much tougher playoff team than Darnold did. 

Where does that leave the Rams?  Well, Sam Darnold will be a free agent and he’ll be 28 next season.  He’s a similar player physically to Stafford and showed he could run the McVay style offense that O’Connell runs in Minnesota.  Could McVay, the teacher, develop Darnold in a way that O’Connell, his student, couldn’t quite do?  McVay once got the Rams to the Super Bowl with Jared Goff, then won a Super Bowl with Stafford.  From a talent standpoint, Darnold is somewhere in between but probably closer to the Stafford ceiling than the Goff floor.  He would give the Rams a little more long-term stability if they were to sign him to a four- or five-year contract.  Stafford and Darnold might get similar yearly salaries but not the same amount of years. 

Stafford is the domino that has to fall to get a few things started because some teams aren’t going to make a move until they know where Stafford ends up.  It’s completely possible he goes nowhere but it’s feeling like the Rams want to make a move for some stability moving forward. He’s also important because I think if Darnold has his choice of places to go, LA would be the top of his list.  Playing for McVay in the system he just excelled in is the best possible outcome for his career.  Darnold will have plenty of suitors but the Rams situation is better than all of them except maybe staying in Minnesota and I don’t think the Vikings want to commit to him.

If Stafford and Darnold go off the board that doesn’t leave a lot for the teams that need immediate help.  The immediate true starter level veteran QBs will be Kirk Cousins, the Falcons have to cut him after already replacing him and no one is trading for that contract.  Derek Carr, if someone is desperate and is dumb enough to take on that contract.  The Saints need to trade Carr because they can’t take the salary cap hit they would incur if they cut him.  Russell Wilson, for the teams that get really desperate, and then Aaron Rodgers, for the teams that have lost their minds.  Justin Fields, Jameis Winston, and maybe Jacoby Brissett could be your starter if you’re just looking to punt on the year and wait for the 2026 NFL draft, which should be better at QB than this draft. 

It’s sad to say but Kirk Cousins is probably the next domino in the sequence.  He was not good for Atlanta last season but he was a 36-year-old guy coming off an Achilles tear, thinking he would be good was foolish.  Another year of rehab will certainly help but he has to be in the right system and he knows that.  Cousins is going to cash in on his contract from Atlanta when they cut him so he can play for a low salary for one year to rehab his game so he can try to cash in one last time next off season.  The Steelers feel like a team that should go get him, they are a win-now team but I don’t see the fit for them.  The best fit for Cousins is Cleveland where his former coach Kevin Stefanski is running the offense and Stefanski needs Cousins as much as Cousins needs Stefanski.  Stefanski needs a guy he can win with because he needs to win.  With Deshaun Watson likely out for the year and careening towards the end of his career, Stefanski gets his QB who can run his offense.  Cousins takes a low paying deal and plays in an offense he knows he can be good in.  If the Browns can get a veteran QB on the cheap they can spend draft capital and free agent money to fix their offensive line too.  Win-Win for everyone. 

The Giants might make a play for Cousins if Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen think they are one year from unemployment but I think if they strike out on a Stafford trade and don’t get Darnold, they are more likely to pivot to the draft and set their sights on Cam Ward at three overall.  The only other scenario I could see happening is they take a flyer on Russell Wilson for a year and then double back and take a QB in round two to develop for a year, someone like Jalen Milroe. 

The Steelers are the other team looking to win while they still have guys like TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick in their prime on defense.  They could go hard after Stafford or Darnold but it doesn’t feel like their style.  They should go get a real QB for the future but in this draft that’s hard to do.  I think they bring Justin Fields back and maybe grab a lottery ticket QB in the middle rounds of the draft like Quinn Ewers, Tyler Shough, or Will Howard.  It would give Fields competition, it would give the team some cover if Fields flops, and the investment wouldn’t preclude them from making a move in the 2026 draft to go after a guy like Drew Allar.  Smart teams look ahead and their coach and GM aren’t afraid of getting fired for a subpar year. 

Tennessee is in an interesting place.  They have the number one pick in a draft where taking a QB first overall looks like a decision that gets you fired.  They will be in play for Darnold, Cousins, and maybe Aaron Rodgers but that’s suicidal for Brian Callahan’s coaching career.  This feels like maybe a Russell Wilson spot with them still giving Will Levis a chance to compete with him.  If they pull off a move for Darnold I think they ship Levis to anyone who will give them a pick and if I were them in that scenario, I’m calling Sean McVay and seeing what the Rams might offer for Levis. 

The Raiders could be a real spoiler here for my whole theory on Stafford or Darnold if they make a major move for either one.  This felt like a Shadeur Sanders spot for sure in the draft until they hired 73-year-old Pete Carroll to coach the team.  Is Carroll going to wait around for Sanders to figure it all out?  That seems unlikely.  This is also a Russell Wilson spot if Carroll doesn’t want to wait for a draft pick.  Those two had a rough ending in Seattle but it ended up costing them both pretty heavily and perhaps they see they were better off together than apart. 

The Saints have to either trade Derek Carr, possible but unlikely, or they are stuck with him. They owe him too much money to cut him and they don’t have the ability to restructure enough money to fit his dead money on their cap even if they wanted to cut him.  If they trade him, it’s probably a year of Spencer Rattler before they can reset and draft a QB.  The good news is a first-year head coach Kellen Moore with Spencer Rattler as his QB means they are probably picking in the top three of the 2026 draft.  Of course, starting Carr probably means they are still picking in the top five.

The New York Jets have a new head coach and a new GM and they already told Aaron Rodgers to take a hike, smart move.  Now they need a QB but there aren’t any that really fit for them.  Cousins is an old QB coming off an Achilles tear, they already did that.  Sam Darnold, nope, they did that too.  They could try Russell Wilson but that feels like a strange pick.  They brought in Tanner Engstrand from the Lions to be their offensive coordinator.  I have a name that no one is talking about that I think could make some sense.  Engstrand worked in Detroit with Jared Goff who was pretty down in his career when he went there and Ben Johnson resurrected him.  There’s a guy who hasn’t been a starter in for years because he sucked the last couple times but he may still have something to prove.  He’s only 32 so he still has some time to resurrect his career, think Geno Smith in Seattle style.  Carson Wentz.  He just spent this last year as Patrick Mahomes’ backup playing for Andy Reid.  He’s taken his time as a back up and from a talent standpoint he was once a pretty good QB in Philly.  I could see him being a stopgap QB for a team like the Jets who are looking to reset.  Or they could start Tyrod Taylor, their current backup, and draft a second or third round QB who will replace Taylor by week 7, he’s used to that. 

Seattle has Geno Smith but I’m not sure a desperate team like the Steelers couldn’t talk Mike McDonald and John Schneider into trading him.  They would probably just start Sam Howell this season and draft a QB next year if they do that.  The Dolphins have to sign at least a better backup than they have had at any time in Tua’s tenure.  Oh, and they absolutely should draft Dillon Gabriel in round five or six, he’s Tua 2.0 but in a good way.  The Colts are going to roll into the season telling everyone how much they believe in Anthony Richardson going into year three with a full healthy off season but they better sign someone like Jacoby Brissett or Jamies Winston as the backup or their season could go off the rails really quickly. 

My predictions for what teams will do this off season at QB.

Minnesota- Trade for Matt Stafford, sign him to a two-year deal, let McCarthy learn.

LA Ram- Sign Sam Darnold (or trade Stafford for him if the Vikings franchise tag him), sign Darnold to a three-year deal like Baker Mayfield’s deal.

New York Giants- Strike out on all the veterans and settle for drafting Cam Ward #3 overall when the Titans and Browns pass on QBs.

Pittsburgh- Keep Justin Fields and draft a guy in the middle rounds.  Maybe they end up with Jalen Milroe, similar skillset to Fields, at least their QBs would be of the same mold.  This might be the sneaky Derek Carr team though.

Cleveland- Sign Kirk Cousins, he can play in Stefanski’s offense

New Orleans- they are stuck with Carr unless someone gets really desperate and then it’s Rattler

Las Vegas- Sign Russell Wilson and they draft Shadeur Sanders, it’s a two-fer.  Wilson is the bridge to Sanders who isn’t ready just yet. 

Tennessee- I’m running out of options.  They pass on QBs in the draft and settle on signing Drew Lock and keeping Will Levis and hoping those two can suck enough for them to have a high pick again next season.  Solid bet.  Poor Brian Callahan, he never had a chance, the new GM gets a new coach to go with a new QB next year.  It’s a vicious cycle in Tennessee.

New York Jets- Sign Carson Wentz and keep Tyrod Taylor, draft a guy like Tyler Shough in the middle rounds unless they really love Jordan Travis who sat out last season doing rehab as a rookie.

Seattle- Keep Geno Smith for this year but they draft a guy like Jaxson Dart fairly early. 

Indianapolis- signs Jacoby Brissett or Jameis Winston and one of them has to start because Richardson is either bad or injured, they regret taking Richardson 4th overall in that draft.

Miami- Saved this one for last.  Tua starts the year and by week three he is injured.  The team drafted Dillon Gabriel in round six but the owner wants to “win now” so they sign Aaron Rodgers who no one else wanted and is in forced retirement doing the McAfee show three times a week.  Rodgers gets hurt within two games and Gabriel has to start anyway and he’s running Mike McDaniel’s offense like a pro.  Tua returns so they reluctantly go back to Tua because he’s making so much money.  The Dolphins miss the playoffs and Mike McDaniel gets fired but is immediately hired by the Browns who fired Kevin Stefanski after the Kirk Cousins thing didn’t work out.  The new Browns GM is some former 49ers exec like Ran Carthon who knows McDaniel.  McDaniel immediately trades for Dillon Gabriel because the Browns are still extricating themselves from the Watson contract.  The Browns owners demand the new GM trade for soon-to-be 32-year-old Tyreek Hill because they just can’t stop themselves.  Not sure that offense is going to work in the Cleveland weather…wait…I’m certain it won’t.  Sorry, was that too much detail, this is how my mind works. 

The QB Carousel starts to spin in a few weeks when free agency starts and we can look back at these predictions and laugh…or cry if your team signs Aaron Rodgers. 

2025 DT Prospects Top 5

There are some dudes in this group. Guys who are the size of these men should not be able to move like these guys do. Mason Graham is the cream of the crop but you don’t have to mortgage your future to move up to get him to get a good DT. There are different types too. Need a disruptive force who can get into the backfield? No problem, Walter Nolan and Derrick Harmon got you covered. How about a space eater in the middle? Kenneth Grant, Tyliek Williams and Deone Walker are waiting for you.

Defensive Tackle

1. Mason Graham (Michigan):  Graham is 6’3 313 lbs. of sheer terror on the interior.  He’s quick and immovable at the same time.  He’s barrel-chested and it makes him hard to handle.  He’s equally adept at stopping the run and getting penetration and he’s been known to slide outside a bit and rush the passer just in case you thought he was a one-trick pony.  He’s relentless too. He’s a top five talent in the draft. 

2. Walter Nolan (Ole Miss):  Nolan is a 6’3 300 lbs. twitched up athlete with an quick first step.  He has some holes in his game but there aren’t a lot of guys who are his size who move like he does.  He gets on the offensive linemen fast and wins quickly.  He’s disruptive and he’ll be a starter early.  He’s one of the most disruptive defensive players in this draft.   

3. Kenneth Grant (Michigan):  Surprisingly Graham isn’t the “big” DT from Michigan, that would be Grant.  He’s 6’3 339 lbs. and seems as tall as he is wide.  He’s the anchor in the middle of any defense and while he’s not flashy, he’s an important piece to a defense.  Graham was an awesome player at Michigan but his job was a lot easier because he played next to Grant.  If a team needs a space eater in the middle, Grant is your guy. 

4. Derrick Harmon (Oregon):  Harmon is 6’5 310 lbs. and moves really well on the interior.  He’s on the taller side for a DT so he has to remember to keep his pad level low, otherwise, he’s an easy target.  He’s a major disruptive force when he stays low and uses his athleticism.  He can be a problem.

5. Tyliek Williams (Ohio St.):  He’s the next giant anchor in the middle of the defensive line.  At 6’3 327 lbs. he’s hard to move and allows others around him to flourish.  He’s not flashy, he’s just solid as a rock.  He made it much easier for his linemates JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer to be playmakers on the edge.  He will do that for his NFL linemates too. 

*Other player to note: Deone Walker (Kentucky):  Walker is the biggest of the big men.  He’s 6’6 345 lbs. and he will ruin your day.  When he’s on, he’s awesome.  He needs more consistency but someone is going to bet on a guy that size. 

2025 Edge Prospects Top 5

Abdul Carter is the guy everyone is talking about in this group and he stands above the rest. However, after him, there’s a plethora of edge rushers to love and you can have you pick because there’s all kinds of different one. Do you like quick, agile guys off the edge? Here’s James Pearce Jr., Mike Green, or you can wait for Princely Umanmielen or Donovan Ezeiruaku a little later. Do you want a big, powerful edge player? How about Shamar Stewart or Mykel Williams, no just wait for JT Tuimoloau or Jordan Burch. This group is insanely deep, everyone gets a new edge player in this draft.

Edge Rusher/Defensive Ends

1. Abdul Carter (Penn St.):  Carter is the dark horse to be the first pick in this draft.  He’s an elite pass rusher with his speed and athleticism off the edge setting him apart.  He has as high of a ceiling as any prospect this year.  He could be a cross between Micah Parsons and TJ Watt.  While his size at 6’3 252 lbs. doesn’t make him the biggest edge rusher, he has great strength.  His speed and explosive first step make him one of one this year and he could be a great pass rusher. 

2. James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee):  Pearce is long and lean at 6’5 243 lbs. and has great edge rushing ability.  He can bend the edge and get around OTs with a nice set of moves.  He isn’t going to be a stout run defender because of his size but no one is drafting him to be a base end, it’s to get to the QB.  Teams that need an elite pass rusher are going to be after this guy, he has high upside off the edge.

3. Mike Green (Marshall):  Green has been a steady climber all season as he was dominant at Marshall.  That culminated at the Senior Bowl when he went up against some really good offensive linemen and was awesome.  He seems smaller being 6’4 248 lbs. and looking lean, but he can convert speed to power and knock a big man off his feet.  He has great pass rush skill to get around the edge too and he’s going to go much higher than anyone thought he would. 

4. Mykel Williams (Georgia): If you could build a DE in a lab he would look like Mykel Williams.  He’s 6’5 265 lbs. with long arms and he’s a physical freak.  Unfortunately, he’s never been as productive as his physical profile would lead you to believe.  He’s a good overall defender but he’s never had great pass rush skill or instincts that shine through.  He could develop his skills but it’s betting on potential not production.  Someone is going to take the chance on his physical profile and probably pretty early. 

5. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M):  Stewart was a man amongst boys early at the Senior Bowl practices.  He’s a really big man for a defensive end, he’s 6’6 290 lbs. and plays to his size.  He can slide inside and rush from a DT spot or just overwhelm guys on the edge.  His size is his calling card and he made a move up the board at the Senior Bowl. 

*Others to know (this is just a list, this class is ridiculously deep):  Nic Scourton (Texas A&M), Jack Sawyer (Ohio St.), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss), JT Tuimoloau (Ohio St.), Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), Jordan Burch (Oregon), Jared Ivey (Ole Miss)  That’s 13 edge rushers who should go in the first two rounds of this draft.