Tag: NFL Draft

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.

No ‘tap out’ for Colorado stars in upcoming bowl game

The Buffaloes should be at full strength for their bowl game.

It has become trendy for college football players who are headed to the NFL draft to opt out of their team’s bowl games, citing it as nothing but a meaningless game. But this is not the attitude of the Colorado Buffaloes and their head coach Deion Sanders.

When Sanders addressed the media he made it very clear that all of his top players will be playing in the Buffaloes bowl game.

“That’s what we signed up to do and we’re gonna finish,” Sanders said. “We’re not gonna tap out. Because that throws off the structure of next season.”

When Sanders talks about his players, he is obviously talking about quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. Colorado has several prospects who have a shot at being drafted but Hunter and Sanders are the only guys in our Top 100 prospects and both protect to go in the Top 10 of the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

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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.

New mock draft has the Browns drafting a name to get familiar with

The lethal Luther Burden III fits the trifecta of value on the board, a team need of the Browns, and what they do offensively.

The Cleveland Browns will need a wide receiver, and Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III aligns with the value, need, and scheme fit in the 2025 NFL draft.

Currently slotted to select eighth overall in the draft if it were today, the Browns sit in a weird position where there is not quite an offensive tackle worth that selection, and both quarterbacks are likely to be off the board. This leads to the potential to add a wide receiver.

In a new mock draft written at Daft on Draft, the Browns picked the Missouri standout with the eighth overall pick with the two top quarterbacks already off the board. Here is what Daft on Draft had to say about Burden III and his fit with the Browns:

“Out of reach for a quarterback and with no offensive tackles worth drafting in the top ten, the Browns add a dynamic playmaker. Elijah Moore is a free agent after the season, and Luther Burden III is practically juiced up Moore after the catch with some immaculate body control when working down the field and along the boundary.”

The Browns, for so long, have tried to find a player they can stretch the field laterally with and extend their run game. Moore has not quite been that player. However, Burden III, predominantly a slot who has the skill set to play outside as well, is a force in the open field with the football in his hands.

Then taking into account his body of work down the field, Burden III has the innate ability to locate the football and adjust his body on the fly with elite body control to make the play. This would be a tremendous fit for the Browns offensively.

With six games to play, however, the Browns have the chance to see their draft slot sway in either direction. For now, however, Luther Burden III would be a stellar selection.

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!

Cardinals in top 20 of 2025 draft order after falling out of NFC West lead

After falling out of first place in the NFC West, the Cardinals currently hold the 18th pick in the 2025 draft.

The Arizona Cardinals’ place in the first round of the NFL draft order in 2025 was unknown for a couple of weeks because they were in the NFL playoff race. For teams that make the playoffs, their place in the draft is impacted by how far they go in the postseason.

Following a 16-6 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12, the Cardinals fell out of the NFC West lead and into the top 20 of the 2025 NFL draft.

According to an updated 2025 NFL draft order, the Cardinals now have the 18th pick in the first round.

Here are the last five players selected No. 18 overall:

  • 2024: OL Amarius Mims (Bengals)
  • 2023: LB Jack Campbell (Lions)
  • 2022: WR Treylon Burks (Titans)
  • 2021: EDGE Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins)
  • 2020: CB Damon Arnette (Raiders)

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Former Commanders’ first-round pick signs with Vikings

A former Commanders’ first-round pick has a new home.

Former Washington linebacker Jamin Davis has a new home. On Tuesday, the 2021 first-round draft pick signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ 53-man roster.

The Commanders released the 25-year-old Davis on Oct. 22, and he signed with the Green Bay Packers practice squad the following week. He remained on Green Bay’s practice squad until signing with Minnesota.

The Commanders moved Davis to defensive end this past offseason after he spent his first three seasons at linebacker. Once Washington signed Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, Davis’ future was in question. The Commanders moved him to defensive end, where he worked exclusively with assistant coach and Washington’s all-time sack leader, Ryan Kerrigan, on rushing the passer. Coaches praised Davis for embracing the change and working hard, but the Commanders ultimately needed the roster spot and had other defensive ends they liked better.

Davis appeared in 50 games for the Commanders with 36 starts, recording 282 tackles, seven sacks and one interception.

Updated 2025 NFL draft order after Week 12

The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

There are only six weeks left in the NFL regular season and with that, we’ve updated the order for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to hold onto that top pick with a 2-9 record with the New York Giants sitting at No. 2, also 2-9.
The next five teams all only have five wins so that top pick is really wide open with just over a month to go. The top prize in the upcoming draft will depend heavily on who lands that No. 1 overall pick. If things stay as they are, the Jaguars should have plenty of opportunities to trade back for one of the three or four teams in the Top 10 picks who will want a quarterback.
If Jacksonville sits tight, there’s a good chance Colorado athlete Travis Hunter makes the most sense. Hunter has the potential to be an excellent starting cornerback but an elite wide receiver.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Giants
3. Las Vegas Raiders
4. New England Patriots
5. Carolina Panthers
6. Tennessee Titans
7. New York Jets
8. Cleveland Browns
9. New Orleans Saints
10. Cincinnati Bengals
11. Dallas Cowboys
12. Chicago Bears
13. Indianapolis Colts
14. Miami Dolphins
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. Los Angeles Rams
17. San Francisco 49ers
18. Arizona Cardinals
19. Atlanta Falcons
20. Seattle Seahawks
21. Washington Commanders
22. Houston Texans
23. Denver Broncos
24. Los Angeles Chargers
25. Baltimore Ravens
26. Pittsburgh Steelers
27. Green Bay Packers
28. Minnesota Vikings
29. Philadelphia Eagles
30. Buffalo Bills
31. Kansas City Chiefs
32. Detroit Lions
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Browns new draft slot revealed after win and more Week 12 action

Where do the Browns sit in 2025 NFL draft order after a Week 12 win?

The Cleveland Browns, now sitting at 3-8 on the season, have many fans looking ahead to the 2025 NFL draft.

Although, with Jameis Winston under center, the Browns have been a much more fun football team than they were through the first seven weeks of the season. This has been capped off by two AFC North wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in that timeframe.

However, with one eye still on the draft board, just how far did the Browns drop in the 2025 NFL draft order? After their win over their AFC North foe, the Browns slid from the No. 3 overall pick back to the No. 8 overall pick in the draft.

With needs at offensive tackle, wide receiver, and defensive tackle, there are a few names that stand out in this range. Texas’ young offensive tackle Cameron Williams, Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham lead the way on the wishlist in this range.

Of course, if Colorado quarterback were to fall into their laps, that would be a different story.

Will LSU get Mason Taylor and Aaron Anderson back in 2025?

LSU football could use a couple of key pieces back in 2025. Will Mason Taylor and Aaron Anderson head for the NFL draft or return to LSU?

The end of the college football regular season is nearing — leaving key LSU contributors with key decisions to make about the future. Return for another year or head to the NFL Draft?

With some prospects, it’s easy to guess their next move. LSU LT Will Campbell is projected to be a top-10 pick. It’s probably safe to say he’s moving on. Something similar can be said for RT Emery Jones, who has a shot to be a first-rounder.

The choice isn’t as easy for other guys. TE Mason Taylor and WR Aaron Anderson fall into this category. Both are talented players who have produced in 2024, but it’s hard to say if an NFL team would pick either in the first four rounds.

According to Mel Kiper Jr’s big board, Taylor is the No. 3 TE in the draft and the No. 75 overall prospect. If NFL teams view Taylor the same way, there’s a chance he’s out of here.

In the NIL era, there’s more to consider. Players can remain in college another year to boost their draft stock while already making money. But in most cases, that NIL money doesn’t come close to what the NFL pays a top-100 pick.

There’s risk in returning — an injury could kill a player’s draft stock. If a prospect is in a position to be drafted, it’s hard to pass it up.

With NIL, the college has some agency too. If LSU decides it’s critical to have Taylor back, the Tigers can find a way to make it worth his while.

PFF ranks Taylor even higher, at No. 54 overall.

With those rankings, I’d expect Taylor to turn pro. His 52 catches lead all SEC tight ends and his 518 yards rank third.

As for Anderson, the picture is more murky. His emergence is recent, so there hasn’t been much talk about his NFL outlook throughout the season. He’s caught 52 passes for 778 yards and six scores in 2024. He’s a former five-star and can fly, but he’s only 5’8′.

NFL teams love to bet on speed, but if Anderson returns, he has a chance to be a true feature receiver at LSU.

The Tigers are set to lose Kyren Lacy and CJ Daniels. If they want returning experience at wide receiver, it has to come from Anderson. I’d expect LSU to go all out to ensure Anderson remains in Baton Rouge.

For that reason, I think Anderson is back in 2025.