2025 NFL Draft

[Doomsday]

I've watched him every year he's played. A Stepnoski clone.

 

[daboyz]

Cowboys are most likely drafting a WR at #12. Tetairoa McMillian would be ideal. He's tower at 6'4. The kid's a nightmare assignment for a CB in man-to-man coverage. He also has outstanding ball skills/catch radius that will make
Prescott's over throws look like bread basket passes.

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

Good football player.

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

McGinn on Edge Rushers

Penn State’s Abdul Carter casts a large shadow over this class of edge rushers. Not only does Carter clearly rank as the best at his position, he might wind up as the best player in the draft.

After that, it’s about as clear as mud.

One team had 14 players graded as starters. Another team projected about half that many.

Missing information clouds the picture for evaluators with anxious owners waiting to write big checks. Ten of the top 15 prospects have yet to run and/or probably won’t run the 40-yard dash, an unprecedented number. Only seven have performed the vertical jump and the bench press.

In the last four years 53 edge rushers have been selected among the top 100 picks, an average of 13.3. That looks about right for this class.

Of the 53, 22 have gone in the first round.

Ten of the 11 edge rushers that made the all-rookie team as selected by the Pro Football Writers of America in the past four years were taken in the first round. The exception was the Rams’ Byron Young, a third-round pick in 2023. Two of the rookie stalwarts — Aidan Hutchinson and Jared Verse — have been voted to the Pro Bowl.

Like most positions, it helps to draft edge rushers early. Of course, there are exceptions.

The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto, the last pick of the second round in 2022, made the Pro Bowl last season. Bonitto has 23 career sacks while another unheralded Bronco, Jonathon Cooper (seventh round, 2021), has 23 ½.

Many of the leading prospects have their fair share of warts. One personnel executive, who happened to rank Marshall’s Mike Green second behind Carter, said, “It’s kind of hit or miss. After the top two it’s strictly developmental. You’re just hoping with the rest of these guys.”

EDGE RUSHERS​

1. ABDUL CARTER, Penn State (6-3 ½, 250, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “Early in the season he didn’t show much but he was dominating after that,” one scout said. “I’d take (Aidan) Hutchinson. It’s two different body types and two different type of twitches. Carter’s more twitchy. Hutchinson is stronger, more rangy. Carter can come off the edge and bend better.” Started in 2023 as an off-the-ball linebacker before moving to the edge last season. “It’s almost like they did Micah Parsons,” said a second scout. “I guess those guys don’t know how to coach there. They got the top pick in the draft playing inside linebacker last year. He’s a legitimate difference-maker. He’s rare with his motor and athletic ability. He does get beat up some. He’s on the ground too often. He’s just going to keep getting better once he gets more reps (outside).” Started 35 of 42 games, finishing with 172 tackles (41 for loss), 23 sacks, 13 passes defensed and five forced fumbles. “He’s, like, really good,” said a third scout. “He’s f-----g quick. He’s got a get-off. Fluid. Elite pass rusher. He closes quickly and has range all over the field. In the run game, he’s not the most powerful taking on blocks but, ****, the run and chase on him, he’s all over. But the pass game is where he makes his money.”

Spent the off-season rehabilitating foot and shoulder injuries. “He’s just what you want up there (top of the first round),” a fourth scout said. “He’s a Pro Bowl player. He’s got everything you’re looking for as an edge rusher. But he’s not a quality guy.” That scout was one of four personnel people to express reservations about Carter’s makeup. “He’s not a great worker,” said one. “Plays his *** off on Saturday but he’s not a great guy during the week because he’s so gifted. I give him credit. He got hurt in the Boise State (playoff) game and had no business playing against Notre Dame. Played, and played his *** off. He’s a modern, high-maintenance, big-time player. There are similarities to Micah Parsons as a player and as a kid. Micah was probably a little more malicious coming out.” Four-year recruit from Philadelphia. Lettered in basketball as a power forward. “Super athletic,” said a fifth scout. “There’s a little baggage that comes with him. Some people just shrug their shoulders and say it comes with the territory. Other people were a little more concerned with it. Penn State seemed to dial it back because they obviously wanted him to go top 5 or top 10. There’s a pretty strong consensus here that he’s the top defender out there.” His 23 sacks rank sixth on the Nittany Lions’ career list. “If you watch 2023 tape he’s a top-10 will linebacker,” said one scout. “His rarity is he plays at an elite level at two different positions, one of which is a major elite position: pass rusher. You could just as well stand the guy up and say, ‘Hey, go cover this guy,’ and he can do it better than anybody else. Dynamite pass rusher. Just natural. In some games he makes like every other play. Now, with guys with this amount of talent, there’s times you want a little more out of him.”

2. JALON WALKER, Georgia (6-1, 243, no 40, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “When you add the whole player up I’d rather have this guy (than Carter),” said one scout. “Quick twitch, good speed. Big-time motor. If you don’t like him, he’s a tweener. If you like him, he’s a hybrid, and you can use him as an outside linebacker and as a rusher.” Played on and off the ball throughout his career. Often compared to Nolan Smith (6-2, 240, 4.42, 32 5/8 arm), his former teammate and the Eagles’ 30th overall selection in 2023. “He’s not as speedy (as Smith) but he plays heavier and bigger,” a second scout said. “Nolan was also a little more of a one-trick pony where they lined him up almost as a wide-9 rusher. This guy has more versatility as a pass rusher.” Played as a backup in 29 games as a freshman and sophomore before starting 11 of 14 in 2024. “He’s a defensive coordinator’s dream,” said a third scout. “He played stack backer but he’s best as a DPR (designated pass rusher). You can align this guy all across the front. He has twitch, the ability to bend and to redirect to create pressure. There’s a defensive coordinator right now watching this guy and frothing at the mouth as to what he can do with this guy and creating pressure on the quarterback.” Finished with 89 tackles (19 for loss), 12 ½ sacks and three passes defensed. “What is this guy?” said a fourth scout. “Really good athlete. Can run like the wind. He’s a great quarterback spy. He does show edge speed when he’s allowed to attack, which is not as often as you would like. Not a ton of wiggle as a pass rusher. More just straight bursts and speed upfield. I questioned his instincts and reaction quickness as a linebacker. Gets stuck on blocks too much and needs work on his hand use. Doesn’t have a great body of work in terms of his career because they’ve had so many guys there.” Semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. His makeup was praised by multiple personnel men. “He has top character off the field,” a fifth scout said. “He has that mentality and I like the way he plays, but he just doesn’t produce. He doesn’t feel it. He doesn’t have good instincts. It’s almost similar to the Packers’ Quay Walker guy. When he figures it out and see it, he goes and attacks. He is a tough guy. Plays hard. I think he kind of short-circuits a little bit. He has to be a 3-4 (edge) and not do all this other stuff they do with him. They played him off and he didn’t see it. He was a disappointment.” Arms were 32, hands were 10 ¼.

3. SHEMAR STEWART, Texas A&M (6-5, 270, 4.58, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s the classic example of a guy who has no idea how to play football,” one scout said. “Doesn’t know how to take on blocks, doesn’t know how to find the ball, doesn’t know how to work off things. I was shocked he was 281 (at the Senior Bowl). He plays like he’s 240. He crushed it at the combine but in the games he is just a nonfactor. Just can’t figure it out. He’s damn near defensive-tackle size and they’re playing him standing up, too. He should be a hand-down, go-at-it guy.”

Was 270 at pro day after being 267 at the combine, where he was clocked in 4.58 despite tweaking his hamstring, posted a 40-inch vertical jump and a position-best 10-11 broad jump. “He looks incredible but he’s got like five sacks in his career,” said a second scout. “It’s a little bit all over the map, but the way he tested and the way he looked and ran he’s going in the first round.” Arms were 34 1/8, hands were 9 5/8. “Height-weight-speed physical freak show,” a third scout said. “He’s almost as good as Abdul Carter. Different guy completely. Good effort player. Plays hard in pursuit and in-line. Why isn’t this guy more productive? Wow edge speed. You really see it coming out of the turn. He’s explosive down the middle of a blocker. He’s really stout at the point. Plays with physicality. He lacked instincts and awareness. Mental delays when he’s stunting inside. Mental has to be looked into. Maybe it’s what they’re asking him to do. I don’t know. Maybe we could do something different with him and it would look different. Physically, this guy’s everything you want. He could play either defensive end or 3-technique.” Finished with 65 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and four passes defensed in 37 games, including 19 starts. Five-star recruit from Miami.

4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’ That’s his narrative.” In 2022, Georgia edge Travon Walker (6-5, 270, 4.59, 35 ½ arm) was the first overall choice by Jacksonville. “Very similar,” the scout said. “Travon’s a little looser athlete. Definitely runs a lot better. Better in space. Mykel’s a little bit more of a power player where Travon could do a lot athletically.” Longest arms at the position (34 3/8). Hands were 10 ¼. “I thought this guy was better than Travon Walker,” a second scout said. “If he had had the year he was supposed to he would have challenged for the first pick in the draft. That didn’t happen.” Two-year starter. Finished with 67 tackles (23 for loss), 14 sacks and four passes defensed. “This is a true, 5, 6-technique but can play 4i,” said a third scout. “Has speed to power. Has enough bend and redirect. He can long-arm tackles off the edge. He was obviously really good last year and this year battled injuries. You can go look at the Texas game when he’s throwing guys around. You can’t have enough players like this.” Four-star recruit from Columbus, Ga. “He’s very similar to Travon Walker,” said a fourth scout. “Big tough-*** guy who looks like he should be a monster but he’s not. Reminded me of Boogie Basham that came out of Wake Forest and bounced around (four seasons, 4 ½ sacks). A lot of these Georgia guys, they play hard and they play their role but they don’t know how to play.” Added a fifth scout: “True classic 4-3 defensive end. He’s able to just beat up on a tight end and have enough pass rush to get home. No, he wouldn’t be a standup guy. I just didn’t see quite the athleticism in space to be a standup guy. I almost think, ‘Hey, maybe you bulk this guy up and he could be a 5-technique.’ That’s the way they played him some of the time. He stood up as well.”

5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” Ran a blazing 40 but his vertical jump (31) was the poorest of the top 20 at the position. “Really liked the get-off and burst of speed and bend,” a second scout said. “Not a lot of power in his rush but he can really run. Didn’t play a ton of snaps like you would think. Not soft. Mid-first round.” Arms were 32 ¾, hands were 10. “There’s some concerns on the character,” said a third scout. “Lot of emotional outbursts and inconsistency. He’s not quite Von Miller but he’s got that kind of ability to turn the corner and get home on the quarterback. More of a one-dimensional player at this point in his career. Not heavy enough to play the run. He’s a leaky tackler who falls off too often. He had top-5 buzz coming off 2023 (10 sacks) and then with more attention focused on him he disappeared in some games.” Finished with 71 tackles (30 for loss), 19 ½ sacks and two passes defensed in 39 games, including 12 starts. “Pearce belongs with the top three but the mental part, the personality part is what I would say pushes him down,” a fourth scout said. “You knew at the combine he would put on that show, and he did. He did not disappoint. He probably goes after Williams, Carter and Stewart. But it will probably be to a successful team that will feel like they can take him on. At Tennessee, he was literally a no-go. You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.” Four-star recruit from Charlotte. “Almost a basketball player’s body,” a fifth scout said. “Got some first-step quicks but not really explosive. He’s not strong. They push him around. Not very physical at the point of attack. A 3-4 guy. I’ve seen a lot of profiles like this go bust. He’s scary. He had a lot of hype coming in. That will carry him a long way.” Volunteers’ first defensive lineman to make first team All-Southeastern Conference two straight years since John Henderson 25 years ago.

6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things. He uses leverage and angles. That (short arms) will hurt him.” Arms were 32. Smallest hands (8 ½) among the top 12 at the position. Bench-press reps of 28 led the position. His 3-cone time of 6.79 was superb. “The guy has twitch and he’s quick,” said a second scout. “He’s slippery. He can go underneath blocks. He has a long arm. He can rip. He can dip. He has all the qualities you want as an outside guy. Doesn’t have a lot of bulk and strength but because he’s so quick and has the speed he’ll catch you off-balance and go by you. He can go around and circle behind the quarterback. The effort’s there, too. But he had a couple Title IX’s in his lifetime.” Was dismissed in September 2022 after his freshman year at Virginia and played at Marshall in 2023-’24. At the combine, Green said there have been two allegations of sexual assault against him, both of which he denied. The other occurred during his high school years in Williamsburg, Va. “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems. Just a natural pass rusher. Has lower-body tightness. Struggles against the run. He’s like a backup-third down rusher.” Finished with 131 tackles (33 for loss), 22 ½ sacks and two passes defensed. “We didn’t have him in the first round,” said a fourth scout. “There are people who do. If he goes first round it’s more later because of that (character). He might be the next just pure rusher after Carter.” Three-star recruit. Voted Marshall’s most valuable player in 2024. “Really a violent player,” a fifth scout said. “Little undisciplined, but he’s a quick-twitch athlete with really good speed and can disrupt all over the field. Not the biggest guy, but plays the run with effort and toughness.”

7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): Three-year starter also played extensively as a freshman in 2021. Posted career highs in tackles (61), tackles for loss (22), sacks (12 ½) and forced fumbles (two) for the national champions in 2024. “I liked him last year (2023) but he got better,” said one scout. “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL. Unlike others you’re projecting or if this or maybe, all of that, this guy’s game, he’s ready to go. I’d keep him down (as a defensive end). First round.” Finished with 144 tackles (45 for loss), 23 ½ sacks and 10 passes defensed. Arms were 33 ¾, hands were a position-best 10 ½. “I’d go with him over (Jack) Sawyer just because he’s got a little more upside,” said a second scout. “I’d equate him to maybe (A.J.) Epenesa from Buffalo (6-5, 275, 5.06, 34 ½ arm). He’ll play, but is he a premier Pro Bowl guy? No. He’s a little bit more of a pass rusher than he is a run defender. He's a 4-3 guy. Is he going to come off the edge and put the fear in people? No, he’s not one of those guys.” Averaged 11.1 points as a four-year basketball player in Edgewood, Wash.

8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): Played five games at LSU in 2021 before starting 31 of 37 games for the Razorbacks from 2022-’24. “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” His vertical jump of 40 ½ led the edges. Arms were 33 ¼, hands were 10. “He’ll be a functional starter,” said a second scout. “Not a bad bender. Good strength. Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction. Just average speed. Sometimes it looks like he’s running in place. Hands and feet don’t always work together. Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run. He’s a big base left defensive end.” Finished with 116 tackles (28 for loss), 16 sacks and five passes defensed. Dominated Alabama A&M tackle Carson Vinson in the Senior Bowl game. “He’ll check off every box as a human being and the measurables,” a third scout said. “He’s sort of stiff, but with his numbers he might go first round. You’re getting a tightly-wound defensive end who plays hard and can cover some ground.” Four-star recruit from Texarkana, Texas.

9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): Played at Purdue in 2022-’23, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 10 in ’23. “He’s combative,” one scout 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 ******** of tackles. He can bend. Can show some power at times. More of a left end who could give you some sub rush inside. He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August. Four-star recruit from Bryan, Texas.

10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): Saved his best for last with 16 ½ sacks in 12 games, an average of 1.38 that led FBS. “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.” Worked out well at the combine; his 4.19 short shuttle led the edges. Arms were 34, hands were 9 ¼. “Highly productive – more overachieving-type production,” said a second scout. “He’s really crafty. Little dude, but you like him because he plays the game the right way. I just don’t know how he’s going to produce up here. He’s got to be coming forward. I’m not sold on him. At least he produces. It’s something to get excited about when he does things whereas some of these other guys don’t do anything but they look the part.” Finished with 215 tackles (47 for loss), 30 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Three-star recruit from Williamstown, N.J.

11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): Registered 16 sacks at Coastal Carolina in 2021-’22 and 14 more at Michigan in 2023-’24. “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell. You keep thinking as a little guy he’s going to get his *** kicked but he just strikes guys. Now he does get swallowed up. But if he’s squared up on you, wow, he’s got some explosiveness.” Finished with 150 tackles (48 for loss), 30 sacks, six forced fumbles and three passes defensed. “His lack of length showed up in the Senior Bowl,” said a third scout. “You didn’t see that in the Big Ten but in the Senior Bowl the offensive line was pretty good and they neutralized him really quickly. The shortness and lack of arm length, you saw that. They got their hands on him and he was a nonfactor. The Senior Bowl did not do him good. Third day.” Three-star recruit from the Bronx, N.Y. Played as a prep in Everett, Mass.

12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): Fourth-year senior, two-year starter. “Not an outside linebacker — never will be,” one scout said. “He’s a classic 4-3 guy. He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks. Not overly quick or fast. His rush is more power and use of hands and moves.” Finished with 144 tackles (29 for loss), 23 sacks, six forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed. Hands were 9 3/4. “He’s just a limited heart-and-hustle guy,” a third scout said. “A 4-3 left end. You’d like to have him as a backup and (special) teams guy. He’s a rugged tough guy that would run around on teams.” Five-star recruit from Pickerington, Ohio. Also played quarterback and on the basketball team.

THE NEXT FIVE​

Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”

Kyle Kennard, South Carolina (6-4, 259, 4.80)
Said one scout: “Had a better year than Senior Bowl. Plays with length, leverage and really hard. Not a great athlete and not real big setting the edge. That’s kind of his issue. He’s had production (143 tackles, 24 sacks). He’ll be a rotational guy versus a developmental starter.”

Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (6-2 ½, 264, 4.65)
Said one scout: “Strong and powerful at the point of attack. Struggled in space. The length (31 7/8 arms) shows at times when shedding. But he plays with a high motor. The bull rush was his fastball. He could sneak in there (top 125).”

Bradyn Swinson, Louisiana State (6-3 ½, 255, no 40)
Said one scout: “He is a rusher only. He’s definitely got real quickness and real ability to take the edge. At worst, he’s probably a third-rounder, maybe a little higher.”

Princely Umanmielen, Mississippi (6-4 ½, 241, 4.72)
Said one scout: “He left Florida for Ole Miss (in 2024). I always thought he was a bit of an underachiever. Blamed others, all that kind of stuff. I think the league knows who he is. So I think he’ll be surprised on draft weekend when he doesn’t go until the third day.”

 

[dbair1967]

Yim's Pic of the Day:

 

[dbair1967]

If we take this guy at 12 (or even after moving down a few spots) we'll all be holding our breath.

Absolutely blew up combine, but managed only 4 1/2 sacks in three seasons (yes, 1.5 every yr). Played in 13 games in 2023 and managed TWELVE total tackles. (yes, TOTAL, for the SEASON). Was better in 2024 but still nothing to write home about.

One of the other parts about him that bothers me is he played next to a couple other guys who are probably going 2nd/3rd rd at latest, and he still didnt produce much.

 

[icup]

If we take this guy at 12 (or even after moving down a few spots) we'll all be holding our breath.

Absolutely blew up combine, but managed only 4 1/2 sacks in three seasons (yes, 1.5 every yr). Played in 13 games in 2023 and managed TWELVE total tackles. (yes, TOTAL, for the SEASON). Was better in 2024 but still nothing to write home about.

One of the other parts about him that bothers me is he played next to a couple other guys who are probably going 2nd/3rd rd at latest, and he still didnt produce much.

drafting a guy high because he has traits but does not have production is risky but it is not stupid

if you have people in the building that know how to develop him, then go for it

 

[dbair1967]

drafting a guy high because he has traits but does not have production is risky but it is not stupid

if you have people in the building that know how to develop him, then go for it

He's pretty much a lotto ticket

 

[dbair1967]

 

[dbair1967]

superstar in right situation

 

[dbair1967]

Bob McGinn on CB's

With a decision that needed making, it was my call to group Travis Hunter with the cornerbacks rather than the wide receivers even though his playing time at Colorado the past two seasons was almost evenly split.

Of course, that doesn’t at all indicate whether Hunter will play offense, defense or both after he’s selected early in the NFL draft.

Six executives in personnel were split on Hunter’s best position. Three said wide receiver, three said cornerback. He is the top-graded player at each spot.

What they were in agreement on is that Hunter wouldn’t be able to log the 150 or so snaps from scrimmage that he did for the Buffaloes at an effective and injury-free level in the NFL.

“There’s absolutely no way he can do them both full-time,” said one executive. “They’ll just wear him out. Each team will look at him differently as far as what they want to do with him.”

As an all-time prospect with corner-wideout versatility, Hunter drew comparisons with three Hall of Fame enshrinees: Deion Sanders, his coach at Colorado in 2023-’24; Charles Woodson, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner, and Champ Bailey.

Sanders returned punts during his four seasons at Florida State but never played offense. He ran track for the Seminoles, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 meters, and played two seasons of collegiate baseball and one month of minor-league baseball as a center fielder.

At 5-11 ¾ and 182 pounds, Sanders ran the 40 at the combine in 4.29 seconds before being chosen No. 5 in 1989 behind Troy Aikman, Tony Mandarich, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas. His two-way work in the NFL included 60 receptions for 784 yards (13.1 average) and three touchdowns.

“I’ve never seen a better defensive back,” Dick Steinberg, New England’s director of player development with two decades of scouting experience, told me before that draft. “The most dominating college defensive back I ever saw before this guy was Willie Buchanon.”

Ron Wolf, then Al Davis’s top scout with the Los Angeles Raiders, called Sanders a “rare player.”

Woodson (6-0 7/8, 200, 4.43), who in 1998 became the first defensive player to win the Heisman, not only returned punts at Michigan but also found time in 1996-’97 to catch 21 passes for 370 (17.6) and three touchdowns. He was drafted No. 4 overall.

“If they were in the draft at the same time I would take this guy,” Charley Armey, the St. Louis Rams’ personnel director, said before the 1999 draft regarding his preference of Woodson over Sanders. “He will be a much better football player all-around, from A to Z.”

After Woodson destroyed Michigan State with two interceptions in 1988, former NFL center and ESPN analyst Bill Curry said, “The last cornerback I can remember making plays like that was Herb Adderley.”

Woodson’s brief exposure on offense in the NFL was limited to two receptions.

Before the 1999 draft, Bailey (5-11 ¾, 184, 4.35) received a final grade of 7.25 from Joel Buchsbaum, the pioneering independent scout for Pro Football Weekly. The year before, Woodson was handed an 8.01.

However, Bailey was so good moonlighting as a wide receiver at Georgia that Buchsbaum gave him a 6.05, which ranked fourth at the position behind Torry Holt, David Boston and Troy Edwards.

“He’s a quicker athlete and more instinctive than Woodson,” Armey said in the runup to the ’99 draft. “He doesn’t have Deion’s speed but he has awful good quickness.”

Bailey, who had a 42-inch vertical jump and a score of 25 on the Wonderlic test, caught 47 passes and rushed 16 times as a senior for the Bulldogs. He was the No. 7 selection.

“Can be a great cornerback or wide receiver,” Buchsbaum wrote before Bailey’s rookie season in Washington. “Might even do both at the same time.”

In his 15-year NFL career, Bailey caught just four passes.

In any event, Hunter is primed to become just the seventh top-5 cornerback since 2011.

“Champ Bailey was super athletic,” a longtime scout said. “Travis is probably a little twitchier in a short area. Charles Woodson was a much bigger man. Hunter’s a really good prospect but just because of his size he’s not quite graded as high as Charles Woodson.”

CORNERBACKS​

1. TRAVIS HUNTER, Colorado (6-0 ½, 188, no 40, 1): Hasn’t run a 40 for scouts and probably never will. “Like with Deion (Sanders), I think you could spot him as a wide receiver but put him where he’s going to be an all-pro,” one scout said. “He’s explosive in that 7-, 15-, 20-yard range. You see him making a burst on the ball. He’s not gonna be 4.27, I can guarantee you that. He’s not Deion. But he can man cover. That’s what he can do. Don’t get me wrong, he could play well on offense if he wants. Great hands and ball skills, everything’s there. He won’t be known for his tackling ability. He might be No. 1 over (Abdul) Carter.” In 2024, he won the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver and the Bednarik Award as the top defensive player. “He’s a better receiver than corner,” said a second scout.

“As a receiver, he’s quick as ****. I mean, explosive. His hands are rare, rare, rare. I don’t know if I’ve seen someone catch the ball like he does. Doesn’t have a lot of big plays downfield. That’s really the only thing you don’t see, and a lot of that is the way they use him … More of a press guy. When he’s off, you see a little bit of getting turned around and not great change of direction. Might have the best hands ever for a corner. In run support he’s not the toughest but you’ll learn to live with that.” As the nation’s No. 1 recruit in 2022, he surprised many by signing with FCS Jackson State. Played eight games for the HBCU, making two interceptions and catching 18 passes. “We ended up with him on the corner board because we felt there was a million receivers and there’s eight corners,” a third scout said. “He’s sizeable enough even though he’s somewhat narrow. He is just kind of out there playing right now without a lot of technique. If he will really zero in on the technique he can be sensational. He’s willing to tackle. He’s not 6-1, 205. He’s a little more on the slender side.” Played 22 games at Colorado, finishing with 66 tackles, seven interceptions and 16 passes defensed. As a receiver, he caught 153 passes for 1,979 yards (12.9-yard average) and 20 touchdowns. “I’d play him at corner just because I think you can find receivers,” a fourth scout said. “I haven’t seen a whole lot of guys like him, really. They went out of their way to have him win the Heisman. His overall play speed is good but I don’t expect him to run 4.3. The body type is a little bit of a turn-off. He’s kind of lanky lookin’ but damn, he’s a shutdown corner. Loose, fluid hips, really smart, great feet. He’ll tackle if he has to. He’s a pretty good receiver, too.” Third-year junior with 31 3/8-inch arms and 9 1/8-inch hands. “The best corner I have done in my career is Champ Bailey and he’d be right up against him,” said a fifth scout. “I wouldn’t say he’s better but he’s really good. I had him as a corner at the beginning of the year but then the more I watched him I started getting excited about the receiver. I kind of like him as a receiver. He’s probably the best player at both positions.” Eighth player to be named first-team All-America and Academic All-America. “You watch him pedal and there’s not many that can do that,” said a sixth scout. “He doesn’t really know how to run pass routes yet but it’s special to watch him come in and out of cuts and snatch the ball and make people miss. He makes so many plays because his hand-eye coordination is through the roof. When you think about guys that have played well on both sides of the ball there’s (Charles) Woodson, Deion, Rod Woodson. They’re probably all faster than him but I don’t know if they’re quicker than him or have the same ball skills. And his feet are like machines. It’s tap-tap-tap and he’s gone. Think of one of those small punt returners. He’s like them. No matter how hard you try to hit him, you can’t hit him.” From Suwanee, Ga. Avid fisherman.

2. WILL JOHNSON, Michigan (6-1 ½, 194, no 40, 1): Third-year junior. “As a pure corner I have him over Hunter,” said one scout. “He can play off. He can press. He’s really good in zone. Really good dude. He has average speed, though. Just kind of a smooth mover. Plays his best coming downhill making a play toward the ball. I don’t think he’s a gambler. He’s just really instinctive. Sometimes down the field when his back’s turned I don’t know if he can locate it and track it as fast as you want. But he’s a player. He’s strong enough to be physical.” Returned three of his nine interceptions for touchdowns. “Ball skills are awesome and instincts are incredible,” a second scout said. “He just sees everything, almost to his detriment because he jumps a lot of stuff. Last year, in the Washington (CFP) championship game, they got him. Another game they got him. He’s definitely trying to make a highlight. I question his big-time explosive speed. Not top run-support toughness. Reminds me of (Pat) Surtain.” Started five of 14 games as a freshman but missed 10 games in 2023-’24 with knee (arthroscopic surgery), shoulder and turf toe injuries. “He’s got to prove he can be durable, prove you can fight through adversity from an injury standpoint to really earn my trust,” said a third scout. “I don’t want to accuse the guy of milking an injury but the questions have to be asked. That guy scares the bejesus out of me. Who’s the guy that came out of Virginia Tech about four years ago? (Caleb) Farley? He was injured. Same conversation. It’s a buyer-beware pick.” His father, Deon, was a defensive back at Michigan from 1990-’94. “It’s a shame he got hurt,” said a fourth scout. “I like him. He’s a gambler, though, and he’s going to have to learn when to pick those battles. As many times as he gambles he’ll get his *** beat, too. And when he gets beat when he gambles it’s a big-*** play, and you can’t give those up in the National Football League. He’ll make some big plays but, man, you get beat to the flat, big chunks happen that are game-changers. I don’t want to say he’s a wild-horse rider, but he’s close to it.” Started 22 of 32 games, finishing with 68 tackles and 10 passes defensed. Never forced a fumble or recovered a fumble. “No, no, no, no, no — he’s not Patrick Surtain,” said a fifth scout. “I saw him more of a second-rounder. He’s not the athlete that Christian Gonzalez is but he’s like a lower-level hotel in that chain. There’s a lot good. There’s just not a ton of great.” Short arms (30 1/8) for his height. “Everything you look for in a corner excluding injury he does it at corner,” a sixth scout said. “He can definitely do it but he’s been out a little bit every year. But how many of them haven’t? It’s now becoming one of those deals where after they know they’ve got enough games on tape they start folding up shop.” Either left or missed a game with injuries eight times. Five-star recruit from Grosse Pointe, Mich.

3. MAXWELL HAIRSTON, Kentucky (5-11, 183, 4.27, 1): Fourth-year junior. “He’s really fast, really quick,” one scout said. “He’s not going to be fazed by tough competition. His style translates quickly to the NFL. Most guys have to learn to play without using their hands all the time. That’s how he already plays. You see so many flags on the young guys because they grab people all the time because of the college rules. This guy is really quick with his feet.” Clocked the fastest 40 at the combine to go with a vertical jump of 39 ½ inches and a 10-9 broad jump. “After Travis Hunter he might be the best athlete of all of them,” said a second scout. “He is electric as far as change of direction, movement, speed. He’s a thinner dude. Just elite cover athletic ability, awareness and confidence. He is a cocky little guy. Reminds me of Janoris Jenkins coming out of Florida (in 2012), but faster. The only thing is that size.” Redshirted in 2021, barely played in 2022 and started 20 games the past two years. Arms were 31. “There are some size and strength limitations,” a third scout said. “But he is quick, fast, feisty, aggressive and has good instincts. I just worry about the size and strength over the long haul. But it’s about instincts and speed. It’s hard to find that combo.” Finished with 89 tackles, six interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Forced three fumbles. Missed five games in 2024 with what was described as a nagging shoulder problem. “He had the unfortunate episode where he had I want to say a shoulder injury of some kind and he went to the hospital in Lexington and he got stuck with an infected needle, of all things,” said a fourth scout. “So he missed a good portion of the season and then came back at the end. Kentucky has a history of producing DBs the last eight, 10 years under Stoops because that was Mark’s position as a coach. Hairston’s the best one they’ve ever had, he really is. I think he’s definitely a first-rounder. Running that time at the combine solidified it.” Three-star recruit from West Bloomfield, Mich.

4. JAHDAE BARRON, Texas (5-10 ½, 198, 4.38, 1): Played corner, nickel, dime and safety. “This guy is a player,” said one scout. “I’ve never seen a corner who lines up in the A gap calling out coverages and blitz stuff. Really good athlete with change of direction. Not super explosive down the field. That’s the only thing. Kills stuff in zone and underneath where he can jump routes. Hands are really good. Not a safety-type tackler but really good for a corner. Just a versatile winner wherever you play this guy. He’s more of a skilled cover guy than Brian Branch. Goes in the 20’s.” Started 39 of 57 games over five seasons. Finished with 226 tackles (21 for loss), eight picks and 24 passes defensed. Shortest arms (29 5/8) of the top 12 at the position. “He’s a little shorter than you would like,” said a second scout. “He ran fast (but) the play speed is kind of average. Willing tackler. He’s a really good football player. He’s late first.” Four-star recruit from Austin, Texas. “I think he’s more late second, early third,” a third scout said. “More of a zone corner than a man corner. He’s physical to a certain degree but a lot of his plays come off of his vision and catching tipped balls. He’ll be very good in a zone scheme. In a man scheme, he might struggle some because he’s not as quick-twitched as the (top) guys. I think he’s a nickel/free safety. He can’t play man coverage like Branch. He’s not a natural man-cover guy. He plays with his eyes.”

5. BENJAMIN MORRISON, Notre Dame (6-0, 191, no 40, 1-2): Was looking like a first-round draft choice until Game 6 last season when he suffered a torn labrum in his left hip that required season-ending surgery. Last week, he put up 17 reps on the bench press. On April 19, he will try to do more during a scheduled workout in Arizona. “He had a hip, which is kind of scary,” one scout said. “He’ll be a winning starter. Best in press. Smothers people in press. He’s got quick feet and can run. In off coverage he’s not the most fluid or nifty but you see the burst. In run support he’s strong. Their defensive coordinator (Al Golden in 2024) does some awesome stuff and they blitz him. He’s so fast when they blitz him.” Had somewhat similar damage to his right hip in high school and underwent surgery in early 2021. “He’s a second-round guy,” a second scout said. “He has the height-weight-speed that people are looking for.” In 31 games (26 starts), he finished with 84 tackles, nine picks and 18 passes defensed. “Thing he does best is play man-to-man coverage, which every team is looking for,” a third scout said. “He’s going to get stronger. Very smart. If he’s healthy, he’ll go in the first. If he’s not totally healthy, he’ll go top of the second.” Four-star recruit from Phoenix. Arms were 30 3/8. “Fluid hips, quick feet,” a fourth scout said. “He’s got long speed. He just kind of struggles when there’s bigger bodies playing more physical with him. He lacks the strength and length to play at the line of scrimmage and press, but his feet are good enough to mirror and match in phase. It’s just a matter of that hip and how far that takes him down. And he had the other one done in high school. It was just a matter of time to do the one he did this year. But I don’t see him getting out of the second round.”

6. AZAREYE'H THOMAS, Florida State (6-1 ½, 196, 4.59, 2): Appeared to have a shot late in the first round before he ran a slow 40 at pro day. “He was easily a first-rounder and then he didn’t run well,” one scout said. “He’s gonna drop because of that but I didn’t think there was a lot of evidence he didn’t have straight-line speed. If anything, I thought it was the lateral piece that would hurt him. I’d fight for him because he’s a big corner. Someone will have to believe in their eyes and not the (watch). His card will be so marked up in red that it’ll be hard to turn it in. He’s going to be a value pick for somebody. He was a bright light in a dark room there.” Third-year junior. Played sparingly as a freshman, played extensively as a sophomore and then started 12 games as a junior. “I like him over Barron,” a second scout said. “Their season was bad but his was good. You can line him up against bigger guys, line him up against fast guys. He can play on or off the ball, and he can play inside. He’s got a really big upside because he can do so much, and he’s big.” Finished with 95 tackles, two picks and 15 passes defensed. Arms were 32 3/8. Hand size (10) was the largest of the top 12 corners. “They had a tough season,” a third scout said. “He got picked on more this year than I would have expected. I still think this guy’s a solid second-rounder. Then again, I saw he had some rough reps in the Senior Bowl, too. He's every bit of 6-2 and has great foot quickness, movement skills, ability to mirror in man coverage, acceleration and recovery ability. I think he did struggle on the more multi-breaking routes. At 6-2, you’re always going to have some difficulty with that and he also would get bodied by bigger receivers. He’s pretty willing (as a tackler). He’s not a coward in that area.” Four-star recruit from Niceville, Fla.

7. SHAVON REVEL, East Carolina (6-2, 200, no 40, 2): Compared by two scouts to Quinyon Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round pick from Toledo last year and an all-rookie team corner. “Early on I said this could be Quinyon Mitchell,” said one scout. “He is tall and that length shows up. Explosive close as a straight-line athlete. Yeah, for a guy that tall, he’s going to get leggy at the top of a route and get segmented in transition. But he has rare stuff. For such a long guy he’s so explosive and fast. He displayed natural timing to make a play on the ball and high-point it. Probably my favorite thing about this guy was just how aggressive he was as a run defender. He throws his body around. He probably needs to protect himself a little bit more. You can tell: he loved it. This was a solid Day 2 guy.” That picture changed dramatically Sept. 18 in practice when he suffered a torn ACL; surgery was performed Oct. 15. “Before he got hurt he was trending to being a first-round corner so now maybe he goes in the second or third,” a second scout said. “He has a small body of work and it’s not against a ton of Power 4 teams. Impressive run with people. Able to play the ball. Strong tackler. Has a lot of high-level starter traits.” Spent 2020-’21 at a junior college but the first season was canceled and he played just six games in the second. Started 15 of 24 games for the Pirates from 2022-‘24, finishing with 70 tackles, three picks and 15 passes defensed. “I was hoping he’d get to an all-star game and then you could see what he looked like against top receivers and quarterbacks,” said a third scout. “I think about him and Mitchell. I wasn’t sold on Mitchell until the all-star game (Senior Bowl).” Three-star recruit from Winston-Salem, N.C. “Where he goes I don’t know, but he has first-round talent,” said a fourth scout. “He’s a late-bloomer. Hasn’t played a ton. He didn’t even know how good he was.” Arms were 32 5/8. Added a fifth scout: “ACL in September after three games. Seems to be a theme for this group. Raw, but he’s competitive. He’s going to start if he’s healthy.”

8. DARIEN PORTER, Iowa State (6-3, 197, 4.31, 2-3): Arrived in Ames in 2019 and stayed six years. ”He could be the enigma of the whole draft,” said one scout. “He was a track guy to start with and then he was a receiver and then he was a corner. To Iowa State’s disservice, they didn’t put him out there enough where you could just go, ‘Yeah, I really like this guy.’ They talked him up but they didn’t play him the way they talked about him. He’s talented, he’s big and he can run. If you do (take him top-100), you feel pretty good about your team already.” Ran a blazing 40 and led the corners in the short shuttle (4.04) and 3-cone (6.71). Longest arms at the position (33 1/8). “He’s just very raw,” a second scout said. “Where he’ll make his money is special teams to start. He’s an excellent gunner. He blocked five kicks over his career, including four punts and one field goal. He’s just new to the position. Only played half the snaps on defense this year. He’s got a lot of traits that are maybe average right now but they can be better. He had two picks against Iowa (Sept. 7) and got blown up on the map.” Three-star wide receiver from Bettendorf, Iowa. Ran the first sub-47 second clocking in the 400 meters in Iowa prep history (46.99). Made one reception in three seasons as a wideout before moving to corner in 2022. “Long, lean, athletic and fast,” a third scout said. “Battled through an ankle sprain during the season. His ability to turn and run with guys really showed up. Limited tackle production but more than willing to run support. Not afraid to stick his nose in there. Doesn’t have a high volume of times when he was targeted but he makes plays on the ball in man and zone.” Finished with 51 tackles, three picks and six passes defensed. “Not aggressive or violent,” said a fourth scout. “Poor tackler. Not strong. But can this guy move around for a big dude. He’s raw, but the arrow’s going the right way. Fourth round.”

9. TREY AMOS, Mississippi (6-0 ½, 194, 4.45, 3): Played 34 games at Louisiana Lafayette from 2020-’22, 14 games (one start) at Alabama in 2023 and 13 games, all starts, at Ole Miss last year. “Alabama took him in the portal and then, ‘Well, this guy’s really not good enough,’” said one scout. “He really improved this year. He has worked himself to maybe third round and no later than the fourth. You can poke some holes in him but he’s a good corner.” Finished with 121 tackles, four picks and 31 passes defensed. “He reminds me of a poor man’s version of the kid that got drafted this year, Kool-Aid (McKinstry),” said a second scout. “Talented athlete, but when you have to put your head into the fray, will he do it? I’m not sold on him doing it. He’s quick, he’s long and can match up in man coverage. This year he played pretty solid and pretty consistent. The thing for him is to be a consistent tackler in space and improve his overall field awareness.” Arms were 31 ¼. From New Iberia, La. “Kind of struggles with change of direction,” said a third scout. “Got good zone feel. In run support, some feistiness but weak. Has enough talent to back up. Fourth-fifth round.”

10. JORDAN HANCOCK, Ohio State (6-0, 190, 4.45, 3-4): Often overshadowed in a secondary that included free safety Caleb Downs, strong safety Lathan Ransom and cornerback Denzel Burke. “When it came down to it he was kind of the glue, he and the safety from Alabama (Downs),” one scout said. “He might ultimately end up playing better than their other two corners (Burke, Ole Miss transfer Davison Igbinosun). I think his talent level will take him a long way because he’s smart and he’s a leader. He played nickel for them but probably should have been starting outside to keep him on the field more. He’s a jack of all trades and he could be the master of all of them. He has no problem covering guys outside or taking on linemen and making tackles.” Clocked a solid 40 at pro day to go with a vertical jump of 41 ½, best among the corners. “He was their best corner,” a second scout said. “He’s more ball denial than interception but he has the ability to play the ball. He can play nickel, safety, any position in the secondary. Athletic, good tackler, great feet, can run, strong, smart, great hips. Like him in press and off coverage. Little bit inconsistent to shed blocks. If he’s in the box as a nickel he can get pushed around a little bit. He’s dynamite.” Missed the first six games of 2022 with a hamstring injury. Started 23 of 41 games over four years, finishing with 98 tackles, three picks and 14 passes defensed. “I just like the way he handles his body and the way he moves around,” said a third scout. “He was a position leader. I’d say he’s probably third day, fourth or fifth round.” Rated as the No. 4 corner in the U.S. coming out of Suwanee, Ga., in 2021.

11. JACOB PARRISH, Kansas State (5-9 ½, 193, 4.31, 3-4): Third-year junior. “He’s coming out as a junior,” said one scout. “If he goes back, next year he’s a second-, third-round pick. This year, he’ll be a third-rounder or fourth-rounder. He can play outside and nickel. He’s very competitive. They really liked him and were sad they lost him. But it’s better to lose them to the combine than the portal, you know? He’s going to be a good player. He’ll be one of those guys that fans say, ‘Where did that guy come from?’” Started all 24 games the past two seasons after playing 14 games as a key backup in 2022. Finished with 108 tackles, five picks and 19 passes defensed. Arms were 30 7/8. “Pretty good man cover ability,” said a second scout. “He’ll bang you and has pretty good eyes in zone. Has a good talent level, just not a great talent level.” Ran one of the top 40’s at the combine. “He doesn’t play like that (4.31), though,” the second scout said. “He probably was their No. 2 corner at the end of the year, maybe their No. 3. He’s going to go between the fourth and the sixth.” From Olathe, Kan.

12. CALEB RANSAW, Tulane (5-11 ½, 196, 4.33, 3-4): Played 34 games from 2021-’23 at Troy before following Trojans coach Jon Sumrall when he accepted the Tulane job in 2024. “They literally kidnapped him from Troy to Tulane,” one scout said. “They did not let this kid see the light of day because they did not believe the portal would be kind to him so he followed (Sumrall) down there. He’s a sensational nickel. He’s got the size of an outside corner and the size of a safety. He can play all five positions but his specialty is nickel. He’s very good at it. He tested well. They absolutely love this kid. Underrated. I think he’ll go as high as the second and no later than the third.” Ran a fast 40 in tandem with a 40-inch vertical jump. Arms were 30 ¾. “That one surprised me, that he could run that fast,” said a second scout. “He looked good in the all-star games and OK during the regular season. But he’s smart and competes. His quickness is a bit of a problem. Every time I watched him I was trying to figure out what you do with the guy. He’s in the fourth-fifth range.” Finished with 115 tackles, just one pick and only eight passes defensed. From Harvest, Ala.

THE NEXT SIX​

Denzel Burke, Ohio State (5-11, 187, 4.49)
L
One scout said: “What he looked like two years ago is not what he looked like this year. I’m not sure if he should have come out and then had reservations about it, or he’s a guy who peaked too early. Still a good player. But he was going early-to-mid first round last year and now you’re talking second to third. Against Michigan and Notre Dame, they were actually trying to find him. He was being targeted a lot, which was different than in past years. It just didn’t look like the tenacity was the same.”

Justin Walley, Minnesota (5-10, 194, 4.43)
One scout said: “He’s a good nickel. Undersized and scrappy. Best in man coverage. Average athlete. He had good speed, but there were some plays you questioned that, too. More of a nickel guy. You like the makeup and the way he competes. He’s just kind of smaller.”

Jaylin Smith, Southern Cal (5-10 ½, 191, 4.42)
One scout said: “Struggled at the Senior Bowl in one-on-one’s but that can be a false tell. Scrappy and competitive. Not great in press. He’s got recovery (speed). Really like his feet. He does get pushed around at the point. Needs to get stronger. He’s third-fourth round.”

Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech (6-1, 185, 4.48)
One scout said: “The other corner there, Mansoor Delane, stayed in school but was a better player. Strong’s one of those guys that’s 6-1, runs well enough, is athletic enough. He does enough to stay on the field but he doesn’t do enough to get you excited. He’s not getting torched all the time and getting penalties, but he’s also not making very many plays. He’s a backup in the league.”

Nohl Williams, California (6-0 ½, 200, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s the best corner on the West Coast. Last year he was, too. Fast and instinctive, can play outside or inside. The big thing is his ball skills. Led the country in picks (seven).”

Quincy Riley, Louisville (5-10 ½, 193, 4.48)
One scout said: “He’s sticky in man coverage. He’ll take kill shots … but misses way too many tackles. He can run. Little more straight-line. Little bit rigid in change of direction. He’s a cover guy, a pure cover guy. He knows how to play within his body. This kid’s like that in coverage.”

 

[dbair1967]

McGinn on LB's

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.”

LINEBACKERS​

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 Gamecocks’ 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.”

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.”

 

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Yim's pic of the day

 

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