Tag: 2025 NFL Draft

Chiefs scouting report: Oregon Ducks DE Jordan Burch

Oregon #Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch could be on the Kansas City #Chiefs’ radar in the 2025 NFL draft.

Pass rushers who win with both power and finesse succeed in the NFL. Burch brings those elements to the table and offers the Kansas City Chiefs the depth they desperately need along the defensive front. The Oregon product projects as a top 100 selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch’s verified height and weight are 6’4 3/8″, 294 lbs. He doesn’t have great arm length, but that’s the only knock against his physical profile. Burch is a densely built, high motor player with freakish power and explosiveness.

According to Bruce Feldman for The Athletic, Burch squats and sumo deadlifts 685 lbs. and reaches a top speed of 20.75 miles per hour. Those traits show up on tape. It’s not every day you see a defensive end cutback to make a tackler miss on a 36-yard fake punt run.

Burch’s power rush moves include long-arms, humps, forklifts and converting speed to power. He unlocks the power to walk offensive tackles into the pocket or blow the B-gap open by knocking the lineman off balance.

Burch’s pass rush plan also includes swims, inside spins, chops, rips and a developmental ghost move. He doesn’t have elite bend but still turns the corner well for a defender his size. Burch sets up his pass rush moves with tempo, footwork and feints. His closing burst helps him finish plays once he gets past the offensive lineman.

Burch doesn’t play to his size consistently in the run game. His lack of arm length pops up in this part of the game, and his base suffers from some failures when anchoring at the point of attack.

Oregon goes on the road to play the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CST before finishing their season at home against the Washington Huskies on Nov. 30. Wisconsin’s offensive tackles, Riley Mahlman and Jack Nelson, struggled earlier this year but are playing better now. Both possess NFL tools and talent as Day 3 prospects.

Chiefs scouting report: Boston College Eagles OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku

The Kansas City #Chiefs could target Boston College outside linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs built one of the NFL’s premier defensive units but still struggle to generate pressure outside of contributions from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. General manager Brett Veach should consider selecting a pass rusher with a top 100 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Boston College linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku is a bendy, fluid and versatile pass rusher with an undersized frame. He’s not densely put together but possesses the long arms to meet the NFL’s thresholds. Ezeiruaku is an explosive and sudden athlete with excellent bend to tighten his rush angles to the quarterback. He plays low enough to the ground to slip under the offensive tackle’s hands and avoid taking on unnecessary contact.

Ezeiruaku needs to add counters to his pass rush plan but already knows a good variety of moves. He primarily wins with cross-chops, ghosts, inside swims, rips, spins and two-handed swipes. Ezeiruaku takes advantage of offensive tackles oversetting by firing through the B-gap for quick pressures.

Ezeiruaku lacks the raw power to stack and shed blockers who are pushing vertically but uses his agility and burst to evade offensive linemen and quickly close on ball carriers. He moves like an off-ball linebacker in space with his ability to redirect and mirror running backs. Offensive players can’t shake Ezeiruaku in space, and he uses his speed and excellent pursuit range to chase down players.

Ezeiruaku should ace the speed and agility tests in the pre-draft process, but evaluators could drop him down draft boards because of size concerns. His draft range begins in the second round and extends to the top of the third round.

Three games remain on Boston College’s schedule. The Eagles travel to Dallas to face the 8-1 SMU Mustangs on Saturday at 2:30 p.m CST.

Chiefs scouting report: Ohio State Buckeyes RB Quinshon Judkins

The Kansas City #Chiefs could add Ohio State #Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins in the 2025 NFL draft.

The injury to Isiah Pacheco revealed that the Kansas City Chiefs lack multiple explosive playmakers in their backfield. The team should address this issue in the 2025 NFL draft by investing in at least one new running back.

Ohio State Buckeyes running back Quinshon Judkins is a young prospect with the speed to gash defenses. He’s fast enough to turn the corner on off-tackle runs before stressing pursuit angles with his acceleration. Judkins’ quick feet string together sharp cuts that make defenders miss in one-on-one situations.

Judkins patiently presses close to the offensive line while in the backfield before exploding through the hole. His vision helps him locate openings and prevents him from running into dogpiles. His contact balance is average, which prevents him from creating between the tackles at a high level.

Judkins isn’t known for his power, but he drops his shoulder going into contact when he finds himself isolated with cornerbacks on the perimeter. His stiff arm is one of the best in the 2025 class. Judkins also deploys a spin move to shake defenders. Unfortunately, he’s not twitchy, and his elusiveness falls short of elite.

Judkins’ value on third down remains murky. He has the speed to stack linebackers as a route runner, but neither Ole Miss nor Ohio State asked him to catch passes. Judkins makes passable blocks in pass protection but lacks the power and enthusiasm to succeed as a blocker consistently.

Judkins receives plenty of praise from evaluators but could fall as far as the third or fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

The Buckeyes play three Big Ten games to end their regular season, starting with a matchup against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Chiefs scouting report: Ohio State Buckeyes RB TreVeyon Henderson

Ohio State #Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson could be a 2025 NFL draft target for the Kansas City #Chiefs.

Several running backs on the Kansas City Chiefs enter free agency after the 2024 season. The team must replace its depth in the backfield and add some more explosive options who can shoulder the load if Isiah Pacheco suffers another injury in 2025 or beyond.

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson faces an uphill battle as a prospect because of his size and injury history. He missed significant time in 2022 and 2023. According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Henderson’s verified height and weight are 5’9 7/8″, 206 lbs., which rank on the smaller and lighter side for an NFL running back.

Henderson’s play often overcomes his measurables. He possesses true track speed that, even on a very fast Ohio State offense, puts him in a class of his own. Henderson is an explosive athlete who demolishes pursuit angles and runs so fast that he naturally breezes through some arm tackles.

Henderson’s footwork pops on tape. His light feet easily spring through sudden cuts and help him cover significant ground horizontally on jump cuts. He weaves through tight spaces with natural footwork but lacks the power to create between the offensive tackles.

Henderson doesn’t break tackles with power. He makes subtle but sharp adjustments to make defenders miss in space but lacks a deep bag of jukes. Henderson is a one-cut running back with light footwork and impressive explosiveness but limited twitch.

Henderson offers plenty of value on third down. Ohio State doesn’t use him as a pass catcher much, but he knows how to stem routes and manipulate leverage. Linebackers don’t have the speed to keep pace with Henderson, making him a mismatch creator in space.

He’s an enthusiastic pass protector who quickly identifies threats and seeks out contact. Henderson’s surprising proficiency as a blocker and untapped potential as a pass catcher make him a three-down option for teams at the next level.

Ohio State is currently facing off with the Northwestern Wildcats. A few weeks ago, the Wildcats surrendered three rushing touchdowns to Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson. This could be a great confidence-building game for a Buckeyes team that hasn’t run the ball well this year.

Chiefs scouting report: Ohio State Buckeyes OL Donovan Jackson

The Kansas City #Chiefs could beef up their offensive line by selecting Ohio State Buckeyes guard Donovan Jackson in the 2025 NFL draft.

Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith becomes a free agent after the 2024 season. Smith’s massive value on the open market could push Kansas City to let him walk in favor of a cheaper option through the 2025 NFL draft.

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Donovan Jackson is a left guard who needs to gain experience operating on the right side of the line if he lands in Kansas City. The Buckeyes asked Jackson to finish this season playing left tackle after superstar Josh Simmons suffered a season-ending injury. Unfortunately, this means Jackson won’t be at his natural position in any of his games in the College Football Playoff.

Jackson’s thick frame sports arms with elite length for a guard. Jackson sits low in his pass set and absorbs power rushers with a wide base. Defenders struggle to play through his frame and can’t escape his grasp once he latches onto them. He channels nice power through his hands, which makes him a nightmare for undersized defensive tackles and second level blitzers.

Jackson lacks the agility to redirect and cut off twitchy pass rushers. He bends at the waist a little, which makes him vulnerable to swim moves. Defensive tackles with powerful upper bodies like Nebraska’s Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson knock him out of his stance with club moves. This weakness appeared on Jackson’s tape in previous seasons too.

Jackson is a versatile run blocker with the power to generate vertical displacement and the mobility to lead block on the perimeter. He showcases nice speed in the open field. Jackson uses his burst to execute reach blocks and has the power to strain and finish through the whistle.

Jackson is a well-rounded prospect with physical upside because of his length and power. He projects as a second or early third-round selection.

Ohio State is currently facing off against Northwestern at the Wildcats’ temporary stadium on Lake Michigan. The game kicked off at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Northwestern only has two wins against Big Ten opponents this year, but pass rusher Anto Saka could provide a challenge for Jackson as he fills in at left tackle.

Kirby Smart gives clear answer on if he would consider a QB change in wake of Carson Beck’s performance

Kirby Smart did not mince words when questioned about a potential quarterback change.

Kirby Smart has fielded a lot of questions on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck as of late, many of which have pertained to the signal-caller’s interceptions.

One of the most ludicrous of those was as to whether or not he would consider a change at the position, whether temporarily or permanently and if he thought there could be another option as a running threat.

Smart did not mince words when he responded.

“Absolutely not (have we considered a change),” Smart said. “We’ve got the quarterback we’ve got, who’s completely competent, capable and understanding of our system that gives us the best chance to win.

There is merit to some of the criticism regarding Beck’s questionable decision-making at times, but it should also be noted just how severe Georgia’s issue with receivers dropping passes truly is.

In fact, the No. 11-ranked Bulldogs have one of the worst drop rates in concerning drops rates in college football. It’s the issue that’s holding the offense back most, even though everyone seems to want to point fingers at Beck.

“The receiver problem is real,” college football analyst David Pollack said in a recent appearance on The Todd McShay Show. “They drop balls at the third highest-rate. They don’t make contested catches. Delp (Oscar) is M.I.A. this season. He has less than eight catches on the season. If you want to boil down to what you see and watch on tape, Carson Beck don’t trust Delp. He doesn’t. You can tell there’s definitely not a level of trust. (Brock) Bowers, that ball was getting force-fed. (Ladd) McConkey, that ball was getting force-fed.”

Such an issue causes any quarterback of any caliber to second-guess himself, causes hesitancy in the pocket that can affect timing of getting the ball off and overall decisiveness and generates a pure lack of trust.

Beck finished out his last appearance, the 28-10 loss to Ole Miss, 20-for-31 passing for 186 yards with one interception. On the season to this point, Beck has completed 65.4% of his passes for 2,488 yards with 17 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

That ratio may look a bit alarming, but at the same time, going back and looking through the film will show more receiver error causing this outcome than decision-making issues by Beck, which have existed but been few and far between.

How Beck continues to progress with the 2025 NFL Draft now much closer than it may appear will be something to watch down the final stretch of the season.

That starts with Saturday’s matchup against No. 6-ranked Tennessee in Sanford Stadium.

Deion Sanders’ vow could complicate Giants’ 2025 NFL draft plans

Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders could be an obstacle to any plans the New York Giants may have about drafting his son Shedeur.

The New York Giants are in line to select second overall in the 2025 NFL draft and will likely be in a position to select a top quarterback.

If they plan on taking Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur, they might want to make sure Papa approves first.

The younger Sanders is high on the list of quarterbacks in next year’s draft class. He plays at the University of Colorado, where his Hall of Fame dad is the head coach.

If the “wrong team” selects Shadeur, Deion appears to be ready to put his thumb on the scale and steer him away.

“Yeah, but I’m not gonna do it publicly, I’d do it privately,” Sanders said this week in an interview on Fox Sports 1. “I’m going to be a dad until the cows come home, and with [Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter] as well.”

The question is, are the Giants one of those “wrong” teams?

We likely won’t know until we get closer to the draft in April, but Deion is sending some salvos across the bow of any team that he deems unsatisfactory for his talented son.

Shadeur is predicted to go high in the first round, possibly in the top five. Teams that select that high in the draft are there for a reason — they’re not very good. The Giants fall into that category.

History isn’t on the Giants’ side in this scenario, and they know it. In 2004, they benefited from such an instance when Archie Manning told the San Diego Chargers not to draft his son Eli.

The Chargers defied the elder Manning, selected Eli anyway and then shopped him around. Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi quickly swooped in. You know the rest.

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2025 NFL Draft 1st impressions on early Senior Bowl commits

2025 NFL Draft 1st impressions on early Senior Bowl commits Jalen Royals, Charles Grant and B.J. Adams

The Senior Bowl is rolling out the names of some of the early prospects who have accepted invitations to participate in the 2025 edition of the annual scouting mecca and venerable All-Star game in Mobile, Alabama.

Three of the early Senior Bowl acceptances are players I haven’t really taken a long look at yet. After a crash course of watching at least two games of each, here are my preliminary scouting thoughts on Jalen Royals, Charles Grant and B.J. Adams.

Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

Talk about a prospect who should thrive in the practices in Mobile in 1-on-1 matchups! Royals stands to raise his profile quite a bit with a strong Senior Bowl week to cap an impressive career for the Aggies playing in the MWC.

Royals had already made a strong first impression from watching him in the 2023 season opener against Iowa. Digging into his 2024 film, the 6-foot, 205-pounder (listed weight might be high) has only built open the smoothness he showed against a secondary loaded with future NFLers. Royals has a “glide” to his gait as a route runner and it serves him well when he breaks. It feels like defenders are always misjudging his speed and ability to make sharp moves.

The hands are outstanding. Royals attacks the ball and quickly secures the catch. No body-catching unless required on lower throws. He transitions well from receiver to runner and can be difficult to corral if he’s got any momentum from the catch. There are some similarities to Terry McLaurin–a former Senior Bowl standout–in both size and game approach with Royals.

Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary

Grant plays left tackle for the Tribe, and he was somewhat familiar thanks to former linemate Colby Sorsdal, a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2023.

On the surface, Grant is a better prospect than Sorsdal even though the latter was bigger. Grant moves much more fluidly, and that is his calling card. The Tribe use a lot of outside zone in the run game and Grant is fantastic at getting to his point and engaging effectively.

In pass protection, Grant shows excellent balance and lateral agility with either foot. He’s active with his hands and can reset well after his initial jab. Grant doesn’t always sink his weight and drive, and his bull anchor is a little top-heavy–which is something to watch for when playing bigger/stronger pass rushers during Senior Bowl practices.

His feet are very good, and that’s important because Grant isn’t playing against anyone else who will sniff the NFL beyond a rookie minicamp invite. The core fundamentals of Grant’s game are strong, even if his play strength is questionable.

B.J. Adams, CB, UCF

Known in some scouting circles as Brandon, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound corner is listed by both UCF and the Senior Bowl as B.J. Adams. The length definitely stands out; Adams might not be 6-3, but he’s definitely long and uses it pretty well to his advantage.

When Adams gets his hands on a receiver, he’s very disruptive at the line and controls releases pretty well. His lateral agility isn’t great, nor is his recovery quickness, and that makes Adams winning at the start of the route imperative. Colorado took advantage of that by making him move laterally or sort through a stack to find his mark. He was much cleaner against Iowa State in that regard, though he was guilty of one pass interference flag and was endemically guilty of illegal contact in the NFL, something that isn’t against the rules in college.

Like many taller CBs, Adams doesn’t have the body control in space to handle shiftiness. His full-speed momentum doesn’t stop quickly and makes him more straight-linish.

There is confidence to Adams’ game, a requisite for a cornerback to succeed at the next level. I’d like to see more attack dog to him against the run, but Adams plays intelligent, positional football. He understands his boundary responsibility and is active in trying to get off blocks. Adams plays the sidelines to his advantage in man coverage, and his length cuts off throwing angles well.

2025 NFL Draft: Players Vikings fans should watch in CFB Week 12

Here are some players to watch this weekend before the Vikings kickoff while you enjoy some college football.

The Minnesota Vikings bounced back with a good win and the complete Sam Darnold experience which left some folks worried if they could close the game out. Each year around the NFL, rookies step up immediately for their teams and make a difference.

Jordan Addison scored a touchdown in Week 1 last year for Vikings fans. This year, we saw Xavier Worthy score two touchdowns on opening night. Rookies impact the league every year, and the Vikings need to keep hitting on their first-round picks. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had a rough first two rounds in 2022, but 2023 and 2024 have looked good thus far.

Here are some players to watch this weekend before the Vikings kickoff while you enjoy some college football. We will lay out the ultimate viewing guide to maximize the best players this weekend during each time slot.

Player to watch during Noon/11 A.M. Time Slot

  • Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on Big Ten Network

Player to watch during 4:00 P.M./3:00 P.M. Time Slot

  • Nick Singleton (Penn State) vs. Purdue on CBS

Player to watch during 8:00 P.M./7:00 P.M. Time Slot

  • Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) vs. Wake Forest on ACC Network

Player to watch during Noon/11 A.M. Time Slot

  • Seth McLaughlin (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on Big Ten Network

Player to watch during 3:30 P.M./2:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Jake Slaughter (Florida) vs. LSU on ABC

Player to watch during 8:00 P.M./7:00 P.M. Time Slot

  • Luke Kandra (Cincinnati) vs. Iowa State on FOX

Player to watch during Noon/11 A.M. Time Slot

  • Demonte Capehart (Clemson) vs. Pittsburgh on ESPN

Player to watch during 3:30 P.M./2:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Thor Griffith (Louisville) vs. Stanford on ACC Network

Player to watch during 7:45 P.M./6:45 P.M. Time Slot

  • Shemar Turner (Texas A&M) vs. New Mexico State on SEC Network

Player to watch during Noon/11 A.M. Time Slot

  • Jahdae Barron (Texas) vs. Arkansas on ABC

Player to watch during 3:30 P.M./2:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Quincy Riley (Louisville) vs. Stanford on ACC Network

Player to watch during 7:30 P.M./6:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Jabbar Muhammad (Oregon) vs. Wisconsin on NBC

Player to watch during Noon/11 A.M. Time Slot

  • Lathan Ransom (Ohio State) vs. Northwestern on Big Ten Network

Player to watch during 3:30 P.M./2:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Major Burns (LSU) vs. Florida on ABC

Player to watch during 7:30 P.M./6:30 P.M. Time Slot

  • Hunter Wohler (Wisconsin) vs. Oregon on NBC

Rounding up Raiders’ outlooks in NFL mock drafts entering Week 11

Will the Raiders find the quarterback they want? A look at the latest NFL mock draft projections for Las Vegas.

The last time we saw the Raiders, they were getting handily beaten at Cincinnati for their fifth straight loss to fall to 2-7 on the season.  Fresh off their bye, the Silver & Black returns to action this Sunday with a trip to the Miami Dolphins.

Las Vegas is hoping that its bye week rejuvenated the squad and that offensive staffing changes can spark them in the season’s second half.

While that’s certainly the hope inside the Raiders’ facilities, some Las Vegas fans have already turned their attention to 2025 and beyond. Specifically, a growing faction of Raiders fans are all aboard Team Tank.

If the season ended today, the Raiders would own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Many suspect that Las Vegas will look to snatch up a franchise signal-caller when the draft arrives in late April.

As the season moves into Week 11, let’s take a look at what NFL mock draft boards look like for the Raiders nationally.

USA TODAY Sports

The pick: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Author’s Take:

It’s only fitting that perhaps the biggest gamble of this class would land in Las Vegas. If Ward is able to harness the singular playmaking skills he has demonstrated throughout this season, the payoff for this pick would be immense. – Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz.

USA TODAY Sports’ complete Week 11 mock draft

CBS Sports

The pick: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Author’s Take:

In all likelihood, Las Vegas will explore trading up for a quarterback this year. The Raiders have been stuck in purgatory at the position the last few years with players like Jimmy Garoppolo and Gardner Minshew, but if they are unable to find a trade partner and the perceived top options are off the board, then it would be wise not to reach for the next best option. Will Johnson is potential No. 1 overall pick material when healthy. – Josh Edwards.

CBS Sports’ complete Week 11 mock draft

Sports Illustrated

The pick: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Author’s Take:

The Raiders have the league’s worst rushing offense, mustering only 76.9 yards per game on the ground. Milroe is one of the most gifted athletes in all of college football, regardless of position. He pairs explosive athleticism with a 6’2″, 225-pound build, a difficult combination for opposing defenses. He’s amassed 565 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, and he’s made strides as a passer. This year, he has completed 67.4% of his passes for 2,046 yards and 13 touchdowns. Milroe’s ceiling is tantalizing—he just needs the right environment. – Daniel Flick.

Sports Illustrated’s complete Week 11 mock draft

Fox Sports

The pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Author’s Take:

The Raiders would love a franchise savior at quarterback to fall into their lap here, but adding some juice to the backfield in the form of a star running back could also pay big dividends. The Raiders are currently last in the NFL in rushing yards (692), and Jeanty is the kind of dynamic talent who could bring the jackpot back to Las Vegas. – Rob Rang.

Fox Sports’ complete Week 11 mock draft

Sporting News

The pick: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Author’s Take:

The Raiders can’t mess around with bridge options and later-round rookies. They need to land a franchise dual-threat QB and build around him with their next full-time offensive schemer. Milroe fits that bill. – Vinnie Iyer.

Sporting News’ complete Week 11 mock draft

Bleacher Nation

The pick: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Author’s Take:

While I think the Browns will go with the top wide receiver in the draft instead of reaching for a QB, the Raiders feel like a team that will reach for a QB who has the electrifying skillset of Milroe. We’re still not certain he’s a polished enough passer for the NFL, but he’s certainly got all the tools and is an incredible athlete. He seems like a perfect Raiders reach pick. – Matt Rooney.

Bleacher Nation’s complete Week 11 mock draft

Takeaways

Sitting with the No. 5 overall NFL draft pick currently, multiple quarterback-hungry franchises are in front of the Raiders in the draft order.

In CBS, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News and Bleacher Nation’s mock drafts, both Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Miami quarterback Cam Ward have come off the board before the Raiders’ No. 5 overall selection.

Three of the four like the Raiders to draft Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe under that scenario. If that situation unfolds, maybe the Raiders could think about trading down multiple spots and still drafting Milroe while acquiring another pick in the process.

Despite a 2-8 record and possession of the No. 1 overall pick at the moment, the Jacksonville Jaguars shouldn’t be a threat to the Raiders’ hopes of finding the franchise quarterback they want. The Jaguars just extended former No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence to an extension last summer.

The other three teams that sit in front of the Raiders are a different story, though. The New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans could all be potential roadblocks to the Raiders’ hopes of drafting either Sanders or Ward.