Tag: scouting report

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.

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.

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.

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.