Category: NFL Draft

Saquon Barkley is among the early leading vote getters for 2025 Pro Bowl games

Saquon Barkley is the leading vote-getter for the NFC running backs in the Pro Bowl, and is the only Eagles player who is leading in votes at their position

The Eagles are 10-2 and one of the most exciting teams in the NFL. That popularity can be seen in the Pro Bowl voting. Star running back Saquon Barkley is the leading vote-getter for the NFC running back in the Pro Bowl and is currently the only Eagles player leading in votes.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, with 44,681 votes, leads all players in balloting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games after one week of voting.

Baltimore running back Derrick Henry (40,729 votes) ranks second overall, followed by Barkley (40,602), Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen (36,574), and Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs (35,637) round out the top five.

The Detroit Lions lead all clubs in total votes received, followed by the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fans can vote as often as they would like to help determine the 88-man roster and send the league’s best players at each position to Orlando for the Pro Bowl Games until Monday, Dec. 23, across a variety of platforms, including:

  • ProBowl.com/Vote

  • On club sites (i.e., https://www.baltimoreravens.com/pro-bowl-games/vote)
  • Social voting — During the final two weeks of voting (Dec. 9 – Dec. 23), fans can vote directly on “X” (formerly Twitter) by tweeting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player’s official Twitter handle or creating a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. All three of these methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. Social votes will count as double during the final two days (Dec. 22 – Dec. 23).

Player selections will be determined by the consensus votes of fans, players, and coaches, with each group’s vote counting as one-third toward determining the all-star players who will be selected for this year’s Pro Bowl Games. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches, and players to determine its Pro Bowl teams. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes on Friday, Dec. 27.

If the season ended today, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels would be the starter over Jalen Hurts (Eagles) and Jared Goff (Lions), among others.

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Electric playmaker named ‘stellar fit’ for Browns in NFL draft

Is Luther Burden III the Browns’ ideal fit in the 2025 NFL draft?

Even with a game today on primetime television, the Cleveland Browns likely have one eye on the 2025 NFL draft and potentially Missouri standout wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Despite a down season, sitting at just 61 catches, 800 total yards, and eight touchdowns, Burden III is one of the premier talents in all of college football and in all of the NFL draft. He entered the season with a ton of hype, racking up 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023 before fighting through subpar quarterback play all season.

And where Burden III is projected to be drafted, his scheme fit, and the positional need in Cleveland may just make him the perfect match that checks every box by the time April rolls around. Daft on Draft, an NFL draft site, thinks so at least.

Luther Burden III deemed “stellar fit” for Browns in 2025 NFL draft

Daft on Draft tabbed Burden III as one of eight “stellar fits” between NFL teams and 2025 NFL draft prospects as we trek toward the pre-draft process. Here is what Daft on Draft had to say on the fit between the Browns and the Missouri standout wide receiver:

“The Cleveland Browns have sought ways to create explosive plays, and they have mostly come with Deshaun Watson not on the field. Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman have become legitimate threats down the field, but what they are missing is a player who can become an extension of their run game.

Elijah Moore is not that player, and he is a free agent at the end of the season. Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III is that player. Not only is he Deebo-like with the football in his hands and hard to bring to the ground, but his ability to win down the field and along the boundary elevates his game even more.”

Why Burden III to the Browns makes sense

It’s no secret the Browns have been trying to push the ball toward the boundary with Moore and other playmakers offensively to no avail. It’s also no secret that they have limited weapons, namely just tight end David Njoku, who can create after the catch.

Burden III solves both of those issues.

While Burden III plays predominantly in the slot, over 80 percent of his snaps there, this projection comes down to whether or not the Browns think he can play on the outside at Z as well. Given his film, that answer is a resounding yes.

The body control, level of physicality, and explosive juice that Burden III possesses when working down the field and along the boundary makes it known that he can also win outside if asked to do so at the NFL level. Fitting into a room with Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy, Burden III fits like a puzzle piece.

With Tillman playing the prototypical X receiver, Burden III gives Jeudy and the Browns the freedom to line up in the slot or at Z with him doing the opposite to create mismatches and advantages for both players.

Sitting at 3-8 and with a need at wide receiver, could the Browns and Burden III be a match made in heaven when the NFL draft rolls around?

Chiefs scouting report: Cincinnati Bearcats LB Jake Golday

Cincinnati #Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday is a developmental prospect the Kansas City #Chiefs could select in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs need to add linebacker depth in the 2025 NFL draft to replace upcoming free agent Nick Bolton. The team’s current linebacker room can fill Bolton’s role in the short-term, but the Chiefs should look for some developmental options.

Cincinnati Bearcats standout Jake Golday is a tall 6’4″, 240 lb. linebacker with room on his frame to add weight. The Bearcats primarily line him up in the slot as a nickel or overhang defender. He plays mostly zone coverage from this alignment and occasionally blitzes. The Chiefs don’t need an overhang defender but can mold Golday’s physical tools to play him as a stacked linebacker.

Golday’s burst and straight-line speed stand out on tape. He triggers downhill quickly to attack short routes or make plays in the run game. His speed and high motor make him an effective pursuit-style linebacker. Golday delivers powerful hits as a tackler and finishes plays with good intensity.

Golday’s limited play strength impacts his ability to stack and shed blocks. He plays with the right demeanor in run defense but often finds himself stuck on blocks or displaced downfield.

Golday plays a limited coverage role in Cincinnati’s defense. He will take on a larger coverage menu at the NFL level, relying on his speed and range until his instincts catch up.

The Bearcats close their regular season at home with a game against the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CST. Cincinnati needs to win to become eligible for a bowl game.

Commanders have now cut or traded away all six first-round picks from 2019-2023

Commanders have now cut or traded away all six first-round picks from 2019-2023 after waiving cornerback Emmanuel Forbes

The Emmanuel Forbes era is over in Washington, as the Commanders are waiving the former first-round pick ahead of the Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans.

The NFL Draft is a crapshoot, and no franchise exemplifies recent failures like the Commanders. The Commanders have now cut or traded every player selected by the previous regime, with all six first-round picks from 2019-2023 no longer on the roster.

Montrez Sweat (2019) was traded, the late Dwayne Haskins (2019) was cut, Chase Young (2020) was traded, Jamin Davis (2021) was cut, Jahan Dotson (2022) was traded to the Eagles this summer, and Forbes (2023) was waived on Saturday.

The beginning of the end came for Forbes, drafted one spot ahead of Patriots star Christian Gonzalez, on October 7 of last season, when Eagles All-Pro A.J. Brown baptized Forbes to the tune of nine catches for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the win, giving Forbes Jr. his welcome to the NFL moment with an intense battle.

Brown was fined almost $11,000 for placing the football next to the then Commanders rookie cornerback after his second touchdown catch.

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Chiefs scouting report: Cincinnati Bearcats NT Dontay Corleone

The Kansas City #Chiefs should consider selecting Cincinnati #Bearcats nose tackle Dontay Corleone in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs need to add depth along their defensive line as several contributors prepare to enter free agency after the 2024 season. Selecting a run-stuffing nose tackle in the 2025 NFL draft would free up Chris Jones to focus on rushing the passer and fill a position of need.

Cincinnati Bearcats lineman Dontay Corleone is one of the shortest nose tackles in the 2025 class, but he’s a ball of muscle and power. According to The Athletics’ Bruce Feldman, Corleone benches 485 lbs., squats 605 lbs., and deadlifts 700 lbs. He projects as a two-down lineman who focuses on anchoring at the point of attack to clog run lanes.

Corleone’s naturally low pad level, thick frame, and wide base make him difficult to displace. Single blockers can’t shake his foundation. Double teams occasionally move Corleone off the line, but he wins his share of those battles.

Corleone dominates when isolated against centers. He drives excellent power through his precise hands to uproot linemen and reset the line of scrimmage. Corleone stuns centers with his powerful punches and arm extensions. Despite lacking ideal arm length, Corleone possesses the strength to discard blockers at will in the run game.

Corleone moves with surprising burst for his size but looks a little slower in 2024 compared to previous years. This might be due to an issue with blood clots shortening his offseason prep period. His agility and speed will improve if he shaves some bad weight off his frame.

Corleone primarily serves as a run-stopping force on the interior, but he disrupts the passing game by driving centers into the pocket and forcing the quarterback to roll out.

The Bearcats host the TCU Horned Frogs in their final game of the season on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. CST.

Chiefs scouting report: Arizona Wildcats CB Tacario Davis

Arizona #Wildcats cornerback Tacario Davis could be a target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered several injuries in their cornerback room this season that exposed a lack of depth. Expect general manager Brett Veach to target reinforcements in the 2025 NFL draft.

Arizona Wildcats standout Tacario Davis is a young, tall cornerback prospect with excellent arm length that helps him jam and re-route wide receivers. He uses patient footwork in off-man and zone assignments to mirror smaller, more agile receivers. Davis’ long legs and tall frame lead to some natural stiffness, but he flips his hips well for a cornerback with his build.

Davis absorbs routes at the top of the stem in off-man coverage and uses his arm length advantage to deter throws. He drives receivers toward the sideline on vertical routes, which narrows the throwing window. Davis lacks elite speed but offers sufficient juice to stay in phase and carry most receivers vertically.

Davis’ tools suggest he fits the mold of a press corner, but some of the limitations created by his size make him a better fit for zone assignments early in his career. He will play more press coverage once he perfects his technique and drives more power through his jams.

Davis is still developing his instincts in zone coverage, but his flashes of recognizing and attempting to jump routes suggest he’s headed in the right direction. He makes the most of his length at the catch point. Davis plays the ball from unique angles and blots out the sun in jump ball situations. He rakes the receiver’s hands to strip potential receptions.

Arizona hosts the No. 16 Arizona Sun Devils in the 98th edition of the Territorial Cup on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST.

Chiefs scouting report: USC Trojans CB Jaylin Smith

USC #Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith could be a perfect target for the Kansas City #Chiefs on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs ended 2023 with one of the NFL’s best defenses, but free agent departures and injuries took a toll on the unit’s depth this season. The team should consider investing selections in defensive backs in the 2025 NFL draft.

USC Trojans cornerback Jaylin Smith kicked outside in 2024 after spending the past two seasons playing in the slot. He’ll move back inside once he reaches the NFL because of his size and arm length. He could see some action as an outside corner if injuries strike the Chiefs, but that role won’t serve as his full-time home.

Smith is a smooth corner who uses spurts of twitchy footwork to attack short to intermediate routes and close throwing lanes from off-man coverage. This closing speed allows him to drive on slants and crossing routes to prevent quick-hitting throws.

Smith’s patience helps him mirror the receiver’s release in press coverage. He smothers inside releases with his aggression and uses ideal inside leverage to deter throws on vertical routes. Smith lacks elite acceleration, agility, and speed, which limits his ability to thrive in press.

Smith’s lack of size puts him at a disadvantage at the catch point, but this flaw doesn’t impact him in run defense. He routinely makes one-on-one tackles in open space against larger opponents. His willingness to come downhill without any support makes him one of the best tackling corners in the class.

USC hosts 10-1 Notre Dame on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST. The Fighting Irish are the No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Chiefs scouting report: Michigan Wolverines OLB Josaiah Stewart

The Kansas City #Chiefs could target Michigan #Wolverines outside linebacker Josaiah Stewart in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs need a pass rush specialist capable of complementing Chris Jones’ All-Pro production. General manager Brett Veach’s options in the 2025 NFL draft are plentiful, but one of Michigan’s star defenders stands out as a good candidate.

Josaiah Stewart is an undersized rusher who won’t meet many of the NFL’s thresholds. He’s a total outlier, which could make him available for Kansas City in the third or fourth round. Despite his physical limitations, Stewart is one of college football’s most dominant pass rushers.

Stewart explodes off the line with rare acceleration and burst that put offensive tackles at a disadvantage. He changes directions quickly to attack the B-gap or soften the tackle’s outside shoulder. His pass rush plan includes cross-chops, rips, swims, two-handed swipes, and converting speed to power.

Stewart possesses the power to pry open the B-gap and the bend to flatten his rush angle around the edge. His relentless pursuit and impressive open-field speed give quarterbacks nightmares.

Stewart’s motor and surprising play strength make him a surprisingly effective run defender. He’s a menace hunting down ball carriers as a backside defender and sets a firm edge on the front side of runs. Stewart uses a long-arm to stack blockers who outweigh him by more than 70 lbs. and quickly separates to pursue the ball.

Michigan goes on the road to face 10-1 Ohio State at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday. The Buckeyes are No. 2 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings.

Chiefs scouting report: Western Michigan Broncos CB Bilhal Kone

Western Michigan #Broncos cornerback Bilhal Kone could be an ideal Day 3 selection for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs identify and draft defensive backs better than most teams. Injuries to their secondary this season revealed depth concerns. Expect the Chiefs to add reinforcements in the 2025 NFL draft.

Western Michigan Broncos standout Bilhal Kone is a large boundary corner who surpasses the league’s height and arm length thresholds. He projects as an early to mid-Day 3 selection who could drop on draft night because of the cornerback class’ terrific depth.

Kone drives outside releases toward the sideline in man coverage. He doesn’t maximize his length yet and only deploys soft jams at the line of scrimmage. Kone lacks elite speed to carry burners downfield but recovers late in routes to contest throws at the catch point. He suffers from some hip stiffness but decelerates well to remain attached to receivers on intermediate comebacks and curls.

Kone is more reliable working in zone coverages. He reads the quarterback’s eyes to anticipate throws and quickly closes to limit yards after the catch. Kone’s arm length, vision, and timing help him undercut throwing lanes for pass breakups and potential interceptions.

Kone tracks down ball carriers with his long strides and impressive motor. He’s best against the run and screens as a pursuit-style player. Kone struggles to shed blocks and isn’t a physical tackler when challenging running backs head-on.

Western Michigan’s final game of the regular season is at home against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, November 30. The Broncos need to win to reach the six-win threshold required to qualify for a bowl game.

49ers take injured CB in 1st round of 2025 NFL mock draft

In 24 games at East Carolina, the defensive back has recorded three interceptions.

With only a few weeks left on the college football slate, NFL draft season is beginning to hit its stride. Before the San Francisco 49ers meet the Buffalo Bills in Week 13, USA TODAY’s NFL Draft Wire released their latest predictions for the 2025 draft with a new mock draft.

With the No. 17 overall selection in the mock draft, Curt Popejoy of USA TODAY’s draft wire penned East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel to the 49ers in the first round.

Read Popejoy’s full mock with Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter coming off the board at No. 1 here.

In three seasons at East Carolina, the 6-foot-3 defensive back has notched three interceptions, 15 pass deflections, a sack and five tackles for loss over 24 games. Revel has wrapped up 71 total tackles in his career.

Revel’s junior season was cut short after the top prospect tore his ACL at practice in September. Prior to his injury, Revel intercepted off App State quarterback Joey Aguilar for a 50-yard pick-six touchdown.

Via @American_Conf on Twitter:

In three games in 2024, Revel has posted an 85.4 grade according to Pro Football Focus. In 204 snaps this season, Revel has recorded a 87 coverage grade with PFF. In all three seasons at East Carolina, Revel has tallied an 81.5 grade or better with PFF.

The first round of the NFL draft is set for April 24, 2025. The draft will take place in Green Bay.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!