Tag: NFL Draft

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.

Steelers go for risky receiver in new mock draft

Ryan Fowler has the Steelers taking a huge risk in the first round of his new mock draft.

There are very few players who I would consider undraftable when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But at some point, the level of talent just can’t overcome the potential personality problems.

But in this new mock draft by Ryan Fowler at The Draft Network, they have the Steelers picking exactly one of those guys. In Fowler’s new mock draft, he has the Steelers selecting LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy with the No. 26 overall pick. Here’s what he had to say about the pick:

Kyren Lacy continues to impress as the weeks go on. That second tier of wideouts remains fluid, and Lacy has become a popular name to potentially headline the group. In Pittsburgh, the LSU product slides in to play opposite of George Pickens with the nuance and playmaking ability to up Arthur Smith’s playbook a bit. He and Pickens would be a nightmare to counter each week.

The Steelers have enough to deal with having George Pickens and his immaturity, the last thing they need is to add more of that into the mix at the same position at the expense of a first-round pick. If the Steelers could take a flyer on Lacy in the third round, that’s a much better risk/reward choice.

In addition, Lacy is a fifth-year senior who will be 24 when he’s drafted and even after all these years, struggles with very simple parts of his game.

Just looking at the players taken after Lacy, Oregon’s Darron Harmon would be our choice. He’s a dominant interior player and one of our favorites in this draft. Just looking at the rest of the wide receiver class, give me Texas’ Isaiah Bond or Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka over Lacy in the first round.

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2025 NFL draft: Commanders land cornerback help in new mock draft

The Commanders land cornerback help in this new mock draft.

The Washington Commanders will pick much lower in the 2025 NFL draft than many expected two months ago. At 7-4, Washington is one of the NFL’s most positive surprises, one year after finishing 4-13.

The Commanders’ strengths and weaknesses also look much different than previously imagined. Before the season, many wondered if Washington could make it through the season with its current group of offensive tackles. While rookie Brandon Coleman has yet to prove he’s the left tackle of the future, the Commanders’ offensive tackles are not the weakness many perceived ahead of the season.

However, Washington still must address two positions in the offseason: Cornerback and wide receiver. The good news is the cornerback position looks better than it did several weeks ago, thanks to rookie Mike Sainristil’s emergence and Marshon Lattimore’s acquisition via trade.

While Lattimore has yet to make his Washington debut, he is under contract for two more years. Still, with Washington looking likely to part with Emmanuel Forbes after the season and Benjamin St-Juste being a free agent, cornerback will be high on the Commanders’ priority list.

In his latest mock draft for ESPN, Matt Miller has the Commanders using a first-round pick on a cornerback for the second time in three years. This time, it’s Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison at No. 22 overall.

The Commanders picked up veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline but should continue to remake their secondary to fit coach Dan Quinn’s schemes, especially with three of their current corners (Michael Davis, Benjamin St-Juste and Noah Igbinoghene) becoming free agents after the season. Morrison, my second-ranked CB, was sidelined for the season in mid-October because of a hip injury, but he has good size (6-foot, 196 pounds), speed and instincts playing the ball, as evidenced by nine interceptions over his first two seasons.

Morrison’s size and ability to create turnovers would make him an excellent fit for Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt’s defense.

Chiefs scouting report: UCLA Bruins DE Oluwafemi Oladejo

The Kansas City #Chiefs could select UCLA Bruins defensive end Oluwafemi Oladejo in the 2025 NFL draft.

Charles Omenihu suffered a torn ACL during last year’s playoff run, which significantly hindered the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the 2024 season. Besides George Karlaftis, the team struggles to find reliable production from its defensive ends. The Chiefs should target at least one edge rusher in the 2025 NFL draft.

UCLA defensive lineman Oluwafemi Oladejo opened the season as an off-ball linebacker, but the Bruins asked him to step down and play defensive end. Despite the recent transition, Oladejo’s frame carries the necessary mass to play along the defensive line in the NFL. His arm length isn’t great but should meet the league’s requirements.

Oladejo’s pass-rush plan lacks the development and depth to make an immediate impact at the next level. This places a cap on his draft stock, but analysts remain optimistic about his ability to learn crucial pass-rush moves and counters. He primarily wins with his speed rush, inside spins, chops, rips, and two-handed swipes.

Oladejo needs to develop his hand usage to keep offensive linemen out of his frame. His high pad level and inconsistent use of bend limit his ability to win outside rushes. As a former linebacker, Oladejo lacks the power to bull rush offensive linemen. He generates most of his wins by attacking or countering into the B-gap.

Oladejo makes up for some of his shortcomings as a pass rusher with his work in run defense. He maximizes his arm length to stack, peak, and shed blocks and sets a surprisingly nice edge. Oladejo’s closing burst makes him a threat as a backside run defender, and he frequently blasts through gaps to make tackles in the backfield.

Oladejo’s reliability in run defense and upside as a developing pass rusher suggest he could go as high as the late third round.

UCLA renews its rivalry with USC as the Bruins take on the Trojans at home on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CST. USC’s offensive line struggled to block talented pass rushers earlier this season and could provide Oladejo with some big play opportunities.

Chiefs scouting report: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers CB Upton Stout

The Kansas City #Chiefs could target Western Kentucky #Hilltoppers defensive back Upton Stout in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs found a quality nickel defender when they used a fourth-round pick in 2023 on Chamarri Conner. Injuries hit Kansas City’s secondary hard this season, which could lead general manager Brett Veach to seek depth behind Conner in the 2025 NFL draft.

Defensive back Upton Stout lines up in the slot for Western Kentucky but spent the majority of his first four seasons with the Hilltoppers as an outside corner. His small frame and limited length make him a slot-only prospect at the next level.

Stout attacks everything downhill and significantly contributes in the run game and against screens. He is an eager run defender who competes to shed stalk blocks and quickly redirects to the football. Defensive coordinators aren’t afraid of playing him near the box because they trust his aggression and physicality.

Stout is a smooth athlete with fluid hips and good but not great speed. He delivers some surprisingly powerful punches in press coverage to jam receivers at the line. Stout’s closing burst helps him drive on short routes to contest receivers at the catch point. His physical play dislodges the football in contested catch situations.

Stout’s football IQ helps him overcome some of his physical limitations. He recognizes and anticipates plays pre-snaps and makes quick adjustments when reading route combinations post-snap. Stout projects as a mid-Day 3 selection.

Western Kentucky plays away at Liberty today at noon. Flames quarterback Kaidon Salter is one of the best passers in the Group of Five.

Chiefs scouting report: Kentucky Wildcats DL Deone Walker

Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Deone Walker could become a target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs lose interior defensive linemen Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, and Tershawn Wharton to free agency after the 2024 season. That places a lot of stress on the team to add interior help through the 2025 NFL draft.

According to Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Kentucky Wildcats defensive tackle Deone Walker entered the season at 6’7.5″, 353 lbs with 34.5-inch arms and hands over 10.5 inches.

He’s a one-of-one prospect in this class. Michigan’s Kenneth Grant is the only other player who comes close to his size and mass along the defensive line.

Despite his size, Walker is an extremely versatile player. He lines up everywhere from nose tackle to 5-tech. He gets off the line quickly and uses his powerful upper body to displace offensive linemen. Walker’s twitchy hands attack the blocker’s hands and arms to prevent linemen from gaining access to his frame.

Walker’s pass rush plan includes bull rushes, clubs, club-swims, pull-swims and rip-spins. He stacks moves and uses counters to keep his rush alive. When all else fails, Walker latches onto the offensive lineman and pulls him off balance to create an opening.

Walker’s raw power helps him shed blocks and close lanes in the run game. However, his large frame and high pad level consistently cause him to lose the leverage battle. This makes it easier for offensive linemen to access his trunk and displace or knock him off balance.

Walker’s lower half is much thinner than his upper body. Combined with his pad level, this makes him unreliable at the point of attack despite his incredible size and strength. Walker doesn’t two-gap, which is alarming for a player with his physical profile. He needs to shift some weight on his frame and improve his late-game conditioning.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, analysts believe Walker’s ceiling is the late first round, but he could sink as far as the late second round. Walker is only a junior, so he could return to school in 2025.

The Wildcats finish their season with a brutal stretch. They go to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CST before playing against Louisville at home on Nov. 30.

Chiefs scouting report: Marshall Thundering Herd DL Mike Green

Marshall Thundering Herd defensive end Mike Green should be on the Kansas City #Chiefs’ radar during the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the NFL’s best defenses but need a reliable third pass rusher to support Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. The team could target a long-term solution in the 2025 NFL draft this coming spring.

Marshall Thundering Herd defensive lineman Mike Green is one of college football’s most formidable pass rushers. He enters Week 13 of the season with the second-most quarterback pressures in the FBS. Over the past three weeks, his 15 pressures lead all defenders, regardless of position.

Green applied pressure on 18.7% of his pass rush attempts so far, putting himself within striking distance of the elite 20% mark.

Green is an explosive pass rusher who works up the arc before using his bend to curve around the offensive tackle and puncture the pocket. His pass rush plan includes club-swims, inside spins, two-handed swipes, swipe-rips, and converting speed to power. Blockers struggle to match the suddenness and twitchiness of his pass-rush moves.

 

Green plays with a relentless motor when pursuing the quarterback. He’s less consistent in pursuing the football downfield in the run game but makes a good number of plays at or near the line of scrimmage. Green fires through gaps and comes screaming off the edge as a backside run defender to make plays in the backfield.

Green is on the leaner side for an edge rusher. Play strength concerns arise at the point of attack in the run game, and he struggles to counter NFL-caliber power. The Chiefs could target him in the third round.

Marshall goes on the road to face Old Dominion this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CST. Each of Marshall’s final two games will air on ESPNU. Don’t miss the chance to watch one of the nation’s most productive pass rushers.

Draft declaration adds another 1st-round CB to the 2025 NFL draft

Revel is one of the most fascinating draft prospects on defense.

The cornerback class of the 2025 NFL draft is very deep but not loaded with first-round prospects. But we can add one more to the mix as East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel has decided to forgo his senior season and will declare for the NFL draft. ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter shared Revel’s declaration on X on Friday.

We have Revel as our No. 3 cornerback and No. 4 overall defensive back in the upcoming draft. He’s in the mix with Notre Dame’s Ben Morrison and Ole Miss’ Tre Amos to be the third corner off the board which would lock him into a Top 15 overall pick.

 

NFL teams love Revel because he has elite size and length. His ability to run a 4.4 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 and over 190 pounds puts him in rare company. Revel is a smart play who doesn’t assume his size and athleticism can win every matchup and is smart in coverage. He’s a physical run defender and a big hitter.

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Chiefs scouting report: Ole Miss Rebels OLB Princely Umanmielen

The Kansas City #Chiefs could target Ole Miss #Rebels outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs tried to land an explosive sack artist when they drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the 31st pick in 2023. Unfortunately, Anudike-Uzomah barely plays and doesn’t significantly contribute to the defense. Several edge rushers in the 2025 NFL draft fit the mold Kansas City tried to fill several years ago.

Linebacker Princely Umanmielen’s decision to transfer from Florida to Ole Miss for his final college season is paying dividends. He’s tied for second in the SEC with 9.5 sacks and is applying pressure on 17.2% of his pass rush attempts. That number jumps to 22.4% if the sample size focuses on Umanmielen’s past three games. He produced two sacks in each of those appearances.

Umanmielen is around 250 lbs. with arms that fall an eighth of an inch below the 34-inch mark. His speed rush is one of the best in college football. Offensive tackles lack the quickness to match Umanmielen’s pace off the line, especially when he deploys from wide alignments. He covers ground quickly with long strides to beat tackles to the top of the arc.

Umanmielen drops his hips and whips himself around the corner once he draws even with or blows past the offensive tackle’s outside shoulder. His hip flexibility helps him dip under the pad level of offensive linemen and flatten his rush angle to the quarterback. This generates quick pressures that many quarterbacks can’t avoid.

Umanmielen’s pass rush plan relies on more than pure speed. He uses rips and chops to win around the outside, counters into the B-gap with an inside spin and occasionally converts speed to power to rush through the offensive tackle’s frame.

Umanmielen primarily excels as a pass rusher but makes some nice plays in run defense. He uses a long-arm to stack and shed blocks and hunts down running backs on outside zone plays with his speed. Umanmielen’s burst makes him a threat as a backside run defender.

The Rebels play their next game on the road against the Florida Gators on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. CST.