Tag: Mike Green

Bucs seen as fit for a top-tier edge rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft

One of the players who emerged from the Senior Bowl practices is now seen as a perfect fit for the Bucs in the NFL Draft. 

The NFL Draft is closing in as we move past the all-star games in Texas and Alabama and onto the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. After the Shrine and Senior Bowl practices and games, some new players have emerged.

One of the players who emerged from the Senior Bowl practices is now seen as a perfect fit for the Bucs in the NFL Draft.

The Draft Network looked at potential fits for Marshall’s Mike Green. The edge rusher has been rising up draft boards all year long, and after the Senior Bowl, his stock is attached to a rocketship.

Justin Melo writes, “The Tampa Bay Buccaneers recorded a sixth-best 46.0 sacks this past campaign. General manager Jason Licht believes in fielding a fierce pass rush, as does his head coach Todd Bowles. Together, Licht and Bowles also believe in keeping the cupboard full, reserving the right to rotate several defensive linemen up front.”

Melo kept things simple when describing how Green fits with head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, and it wasn’t a hard sell.

“Green would be an outstanding fit for Bowles’ scheme, one that would offer him an opportunity to attack opposing backfields with speed and relentlessness.”

The only problem with Green is whether he will be available at pick 19 or whether the team will have to trade up for him. Time will tell, but he is certainly a dream fit for the team.

6 potential Chargers targets that stood out at Senior Bowl

The Chargers selected five Senior Bowl participants in last year’s draft. Here’s a look at who could be next in line to be taken by Los Angeles.

Now that the 2025 Senior Bowl, the premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects, is over, it is time to reflect on the meaning of the week.

Which players helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile, AL, and likely garnered the attention of the Chargers?

Here are six prospects on both sides of the ball.

EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

The Chargers could address the edge defender position in the first round, depending on what happens with Khalil Mack, who is set to be a free agent. If they were to go that route, Green could be an option to draft and contribute as a pass rusher from the get-go. The nation’s leader in sacks, Green has a knack for winning with speed off the edge, bend, and various counters. But he raised eyebrows with his power profile on a rep where he put Oregon’s Josh Conerly (another potential top-30 selection) on the ground with a bull rush.

RB Damien Martinez, Miami

The Chargers should prioritize re-signing J.K. Dobbins, but Gus Edwards could be a potential cut candidate as he struggled to stay healthy in 2024. Should they go that route, Martinez is a great option to fill that void. He is a big, physical running back with good lateral agility and vision that gets downhill quickly and can wear defenses down. Martinez caught the ball well and was arguably the best back in pass-protection drills.

TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami

The Chargers need to add a tight end with pass-catching chops, and luckily for them, this class offers a multitude of them, including Arroyo. Arroyo flashed his route running agility, the ability to run past defensive backs and sticky hands to haul in passes. He blocked well, too.

DT Darius Alexander, Toledo

The Chargers should try to bring back Poona Ford and Teair Tartt. But this positional room still needs pass-rush juice. The 6-foot-4 and 304-pounder was unblockable in one-on-ones in team drills, making life difficult for blockers with a combination of upper body power, length (34-inch arms) and quickness. Alexander showed versatility in lining up all along the defensive line, as well.

WR Jack Bech, TCU

The Chargers must revamp the receiver room and give Justin Herbert more reliable targets. Bech played tight end at LSU before transferring to TCU. He might not be the fastest guy, but he showed the physicality and good routes to make himself open, and he flashed his great hands. He’s not Puka Nacua, but Bech plays a lot like Puka Nacua.

OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

The interior of the offensive line is a question mark for the Chargers. Center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent. Right guard Trey Pipkins did not show enough promise to be guaranteed a starting job next season. Zabel lined up at both guard and center, where he showed the play strength, hand placement and lower half mobility to stand up against Power 4 defensive linemen.

Senior Bowl Day 2 notebook: The trenches

Senior Bowl Day 2 notebook: Breaking down the line play from Wednesday’s practices in Mobile

The middle day of the Senior Bowl is always an educational one. The newness of the experience is typically over for the players, and they can focus a little more on just playing football.

The action from the American and National team practices at Hancock Whitney Stadium generally reflected that. There was better coordination and cleaner ball throughout the day of practice.

My attention today was primarily on the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines took center stage after spending the first day breaking down the perimeter positions. It was hard to ignore some of the skill position action during breaks, however…

Here’s some of what I took away from the Wednesday sessions of the Senior Bowl.

Positive standouts

Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State: Zabel showed outstanding balance, quick feet and adept technique playing both center and left guard. He was the best lineman on the field for the National team overall.

Wyatt Milum, OL, West Virginia: Primarily playing right guard, Milum used his base power and quick hands to score wins in team drills and also 1-on-1s in the pit. That he does so with a surly disposition was great to see from a college tackle moving inside.

Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA: No. 99 explodes off the snap for a taller pass rusher. He’s a bit long-levered, but Oladejo has a variety of moves and works them off a strong inside hand that sets everything up and jolts blockers back. More bend than expected, too.

Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&M: His strip sack on Riley Leonard was almost a Statue of Liberty play. Guys at his size aren’t supposed to have his explosiveness or speed playing on the end. Dominant day in the team drills.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College: He didn’t win every rep, but when he won, he did so immediately. Very good hand usage and closing tack to the quarterback. Excellent backside run defense in team drills.

Caleb Rogers, IOL, Texas Tech: Rock solid pivot who plays with some snarl but also a very crafty two-hand punch. Was praised in position drills by the coaches for his hand placement and foot drive. When the position coach uses you as an example of what he wants to demonstrate to the others, that’s a definite positive.

Mike Green, EDGE, Marshall: Green had the most dynamic rep of 1-on-1s, bullying his blocker into the dirt. Proved he could win inside with a polished rip move, and his balance through contact is great for a lighter (he’s 253) edge.

Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo: Much like Ezeiruaku, Alexander didn’t win all the time but looked fantastic when he did. If he wins with his first step to the inside, the quarterback is in major peril. Plays bigger than he looks, too.

Negative standouts

Jonah Monheim, IOL, USC: he’s been consistently overpowered and technically outclassed in 1-on-1s. Monheim did do a little better in team drills at center.

Josh Conerly, OL, Oregon: He was on the business end of Mike Green’s highlight reel. It wasn’t the only time No. 55 was on the ground. Conerly is more of a shover than a sustainer as a pass protector and that got repeatedly exposed by the better rushers here.

Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF: made the notes twice for getting beaten over the top in 1-on-1s and he lacked the recovery speed to break up an underthrown ball from Riley Leonard on one of them.

 

A quarterback comparison

On the American roster, quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart often go in sequence in the reps. It proved to be a striking example of the differences between the two, notably in the 1-on-1 passing drill for RBs and TEs.

Dart consistently led his target to open space with his throws. To say he’s “throwing them open” is disingenuous, but Dart was very good at letting his guys catch short passes in full stride when and where they needed it to be there to quickly transition from receiver to runner. It wasn’t perfect, but it sure stood out positively in contrast to Milroe.

It’s not that Milroe is inaccurate on the same throws, mostly shorter outs or crosses or sticks. But his lack of precise ball placement relative to what Dart (and Tyler Shough and Dillon Gabriel on the National roster) really stood out. He makes his receivers work harder to secure the ball and turn it up the field. Whether it’s a foot too low or a count too late, Milroe definitely lacked the precision that NFL scouts desire on the shorter, YAC-oriented offensive concepts.

 

5 standouts from Day 2 of 2025 Senior Bowl practices

After several offensive linemen stood out Tuesday, it was a couple pass rushers’ turn to stand out Wednesday.

With Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier among the onlookers in Mobile, Ala. this week, the 2025 Senior Bowl practices rolled on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, several offensive lineman stood out on the practice field, which may have caught the eye of the linemen-needy Dolphins.

So who impressed most on Wednesday? Here are xxx players who made an impact on the practice field:

EDGE Mike Green (Marshall)

Green was highly productive with the Thundering Herd, racking up 22.5 tackles for loss and an FBS-leading 17 sacks. On Wednesday, he showed off the full bag of tricks, winning with his speed around the edge but also converting that burst into power.

Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., who has been projected as a fringe first-round prospect, found out about Green’s abilities the hard way Wednesday.

WR Jayden Higgins (Iowa State)

The 6’4 wide receiver projects as an obvious red zone target due to his size, but Higgins has showed in Mobile that he offers more than just that. His quick feet have made him tough to cover off the line of scrimmage, and his vertical speed has created space on deep balls.

His precise routes underneath may be the most impressive work he’s done, though. Higgins looks like a receiver who can do a little bit of everything.

OL Jalen Travis (Iowa State)

Travis is another Cyclones alum who excelled in front of scouts, coaches, and decision makers Wednesday. The massive, 6’8 offensive tackle showed he was light enough on his feet to keep up with speed rushers and more than powerful enough to neutralize anyone he got his hands on.

CB Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State)

Thomas may be the first of the Senior Bowl cornerbacks to get drafted in April and he’s looked the part in Mobile. The 6’2 corner has faced tough tests with receivers Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Tez Johnson on his squad, but Thomas has been up to the task with impressive athleticism to stay step for step with receivers.

EDGE Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)

Like Chop Robinson last year, Stewart has all the measureables as a prospect, but not much production. In three seasons with the Aggies, he recorded only 4.5 sacks.

While the Dolphins probably won’t want another first-round edge rusher, Stewart is giving every indication that he could follow in Robinson’s footsteps and produce in the NFL.

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2025 NFL Draft: Bucs targets who won Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices

The first day of Senior Bowl Practices has passed, and the hype train is building for some of the players in attendance.

The first day of Senior Bowl Practices has passed, and the hype train is building for some of the players in attendance. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and every other NFL team are in attendance, but it gives them a hands-on view of players in a unique environment.

Several of the players at the all-star game are seen as a fit for the team as they look to build off a strong 2024 season. Some of those players stood out on Tuesday at practice, and we wanted to share those with you.

If we noticed, we know the Bucs noticed.

Mike Green, Edge, Marshall

Mike Green started the week by passing the measurements test (6-3, 251 pounds with 77″ wingspan), and his momentum carried over to the first day of practice. Once he got on the field, his speed and size showcased a player who may not even be able to make it to the Bucs at 19. Green could easily be the answer to the Bucs problems rushing the passer, but they may have to get aggressive in trading for him.

Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami (FL)

The Bucs need at tight end can be hit or miss, but Cade Otton is coming into a critical year. They need a dynamic playmaker at the position with blockers like Payne Durham and Devin Culp in place. Elijah Arroyo showed during day one that he can stretch the field and make plays in the passing game. Perhaps giving Baker Mayfield a Miami tight end, like he had in Cleveland, would give this Bucs offense that extra dynamic.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College

The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year wasted no time in making an impact during his time in Mobile. He was flashing his arsenal of pass-rush moves during one-on-ones while showcasing his speed as well. The Bucs could target him in the draft to add to their rotation of pass rushers.

Marshall EDGE Mike Green a tantalizing 2025 NFL draft pass rusher

Get to know the lethal 2025 NFL draft pass rusher: Marshall’s Mike Green

Although the 2025 NFL draft lacks the star power of recent years, Marshall pass rusher Mike Green is still a name to watch for the Cleveland Browns.

While franchise-changing superstars are scarce, the depth of specialists at the edge stands out, offering a wealth of options for teams looking to bolster their front seven.

Need a small-school gem to root for this spring? Meet Marshall’s edge rusher Mike Green, a dynamic disruptor poised to rise draft boards. The reality is simple: no matter how stacked their defensive line may be, every NFL team needs pass rushers.

Disrupting the passer, forcing negative plays, and making the quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket have never been more crucial. The demand for pressure is only rising.

With teams always in need of fresh pass-rushing talent, expect Green to rise as a coveted prospect in this draft cycle.

Measurables and class of the potential Browns’ target

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 251 lbs

Class: Fourth-year Sophomore

Strengths

  • Employs an advanced pass-rush arsenal including hand swipes, swim moves, and counter-spin techniques
  • Displays excellent snap anticipation and a quick first step
  • Wrestling background provides him with an innate understanding of leverage at the point of contact
  • High motor
  • Special teams experience in all four phases

Weaknesses

  • Weak at setting the edge against the run
  • Often gambles by lunging at ball carriers, leading to missed tackles
  • Limited arm length and upper body strength may pose an issue against NFL competition.
  • Lacks positional flexibility, almost exclusively played out of wide alignments
  • Limited experience against top-tier offensive linemen

Other 2025 NFL draft-related notes

  • No major injury history
  • Has only played defensive end for two years
  • Medaled as a high school wrestler in Virginia, silver as a sophomore at 185 pounds, and bronze as a junior at 220 pounds
  • Led FBS in sacks (17) and tackles for loss (23) in 2024 season

Projected role: Outside Linebacker in a 3-4 front, pass rush specialist

General notes on Mike Green

Mike Green came out of high school as a three-star recruit who played linebacker and tight end. He committed to the University of Virginia and played in six games at linebacker in 2021, listed at 215 pounds. After sitting out the 2022 season for unknown reasons, he entered the transfer portal and joined Marshall for the 2023 season.

There, Green quickly made a name for himself as a pass rusher. In 2024, he exploded onto the scene, earning All-American honors and was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.

Since transferring from Virginia, Green has added significant weight, though it raises questions about how much more weight can be added to his lean frame. He is still developing as a run defender, struggling with upper body strength to extend on blocks and lacking the lower body anchor to hold his ground against offensive tackles at the next level.

Overall, Green is an explosive and violent pass rusher who dominated Group of Five of the offensive tackles during his time profile blends a solid technical foundation in pass rushing and block shedding with above-average athleticism. However, concerns remain about whether his frame can withstand the NFL’s size and strength in the trenches.

Chargers boost pass rush in latest PFF mock draft

The Chargers could address the edge defender position early in this year’s draft.

The Chargers could revamp their edge defender group this offseason, with Khalil Mack’s contract expiring and Joey Bosa’s injuries still being an ongoing issue.

Los Angeles could address the positional room early in this year’s draft, which is how Pro Football Focus sees it in their latest projections with the selection of Marshall EDGE Mike Green at No. 22 overall.

Green would inject some youth into the Chargers’ edge room and is the only edge defender in college football over the past two years who earned 90.0-plus PFF grades as a pass-rusher and a run defender.

After transfering from Virginia, Green went on to lead the nation in sacks in 2024 (17). That type of pass rush production is what the Bolts need off the edge, as they finished 26th in pressure percentage (19.8).

At 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds, Green gets into the backfield consistently in a variety of ways, causing fits for opposing offensive tackles with speed, bend, and an arsenal of counters (arm-over, cross-chop, long arm, spin).

Lions get pass rush help in first mock of season from Daniel Jeremiah

Lions get pass rush help in first mock of season from Daniel Jeremiah with Marshall EDGE Mike Green

Another of the draft kings is on the board with 2025 mock drafts as NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah just released his first set of first-round projections Saturday. Like many other mocks, Jeremiah has the Lions getting help alongside Aidan Hutchinson with the 28th overall pick.

In this mock, the Lions select Marshall Edge Mike Green. Green has plenty of speed off the edge and made a living getting to the quarterback last season, recording 17 sacks, leading the nation.

“It will be huge for the Lions to get Aidan Hutchinson back next season,” wrote Jeremiah. “Green would be a perfect complement with his speed and quickness off the edge. This team values production off the edge and Green had a ton of it during his college career.”

Green had at least one sack in 10 of the 13 games he played this season. He also had four games with multiple sacks, including a three-sack game on November 9 against Southern Miss.

A healthy Hutchinson — 7.5 sacks in five games this season — coupled with the speed of Green and their added depth would go a long way towards getting the Lions back in the game getting after opposing quarterbacks.

Packers get FBS sack leader in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft of 2025

In his predictions posted to ESPN on Wednesday, Mel Kiper sent Marshall edge rusher to the Packers at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2025 draft.

The Green Bay Packers added a highly disruptive and productive edge rusher in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft of the 2025 cycle. In his predictions posted to ESPN on Wednesday, Kiper sent Marshall edge rusher to the Packers at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2025 draft.

Green, who is listed at 6-4 and just under 250 pounds, led the FBS in both sacks (17.0) and tackles for loss (22.5) in 2024. He created 155 lost yards across his 22.5 tackles for loss and 144 lost yards on 17 sacks. The AP named him a second-team All-American, and he was both the Sun Belt Player of the Year and the Marshall Team MVP.

The Packers have invested heavily in the defensive front through the draft, especially in the first round, but getting a disruptive and explosive edge rusher with legitimate collegiate production could help complete the group and supercharge the pass-rush entering 2025.

From Kiper: “Who knows who was the last first-round pick out of Marshall?You have to go back to 2003, when quarterback Byron Leftwich went No. 7. Leftwich is one of three Marshall first-rounders of the common draft era (since 1967), joining Chad Pennington (2000) and Randy Moss (1998). So it says something that Green could join that group. Green ranked in the top 10 nationally in sacks (17, first), tackles for loss (22, second) and pressure rate (15.5%, ninth). He wins with speed-to-power, and he displays good bend and strong hands. Despite tying for eighth in sacks (45), the Packers were 22nd in
pressure rate (29.8%) and 26th in pass rush win rate (34.8%). This feels like a good fit.”

Green, a transfer from Virginia, set the new Sun Belt record with 17.0 sacks in 2024. He also forced three fumbles and led the nation in total tackles by a defensive lineman. PFF gave Green an elite 92.4 overall grade and credited him with 59 total pressures across 356 pass-rushing snaps. His 59 total pressured ranked ninth among all FBS players, and his pass-rush win rate of 20.1 percent ranked eighth.

From Packers Wire draft analyst Brennen Rupp: “Green would give Green Bay’s pass rush a different flavor. He’s a twitched up edge rusher with an explosive first step. Green led the nation in sacks with 17 and also had 56 pressures. He may be too light for Green Bay’s liking. He started the season at 248 and it will be interesting to see what he checks in at during the Senior Bowl and Combine. There is no doubt though that he’d add immediate juice to Green Bay’s pass rush.”

Edge rusher is going to be a common fit for the Packers in the early rounds of the 2025 draft. Rashan Gary was excellent against the run but failed to be consistently disruptive as a pass-rusher, Lukas Van Ness didn’t take a big second-year jump, Preston Smith was traded for a draft pick at the deadline and other edge rushers such Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby are probably best as rotational options.

The Packers fired defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich, and both Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst suggested the team has enough talent up front to get the job done for Jeff Hafley. But passing on a player at a premium spot like edge rusher might be tough for Gutekunst as he attempts to help the Packers go from good to great in 2025.

Keep an eye on Green as he goes through the draft process. He’ll need to pair his impressive college stats at Marshall with the right combination of measurable athletic traits to land in Green Bay come April.

Marshall star Mike Green declares for the 2025 NFL Draft

Mike Green had two years of eligibility left but is heading to the NFL after leading the nation in sacks.

Add the name Mike Green to the 2025 NFL Draft list. The Marshall pass rusher officially announced his intention to enter the draft on Friday.

Green leaves the Thundering Herd with two remaining years of eligibility. The 6-4, 248-pound redshirt sophomore led the nation in sacks in 2024 with 17, part of his 22.5 tackles for loss in his third season at Marshall. That TFL tally also led the FBS.

Questions about his lack of size and relative level of competition will need to be answered, but Green has undeniable burst off the line and excellent balance through contact in bending the edge around the outside. Most projections value Green somewhere between No. 25 and No. 50 overall, but that was before he officially declared.