DRAFT TRACKER 2025

Pearce is a tight-hipped, linear pass rusher with explosive take-offs and good speed-to-power but a lack of bend to flatten at the top. His high pressure rate is partially derived from an instinctive feel for positioning, allowing him to work around protection for quick wins into the pocket. He’s very long but narrow through his hips, so the build-out of his frame might be limited. Pearce knows how to play around blocks and has the speed to close and tackle, but his base is naturally narrow and lacks bend. He’ll need to improve his strength and technique as an NFL run defender. Despite those concerns, Pearce’s length, twitch and rush production create a higher ceiling.

Compact back with good instincts and run-after-contact ability that propelled him to stardom in his lone season as a starter. Sampson separates himself from other backs in the class with an impressive feel for timing, spacing and blocking scheme. He sees lane development in real time and is disciplined to stay on the designed track, but he can flip a switch and improvise when traffic mounts. He can wiggle around tacklers or break free from their grasps. Ball security and pass protection improvement will be early priorities for his next coaching staff. Sampson plays with the instincts of a seasoned veteran and has the talent to build on what he started in 2024. 

Long, linear target whose primary function is to take the top off of defenses. Thornton can play through early contact and works past tight man coverage. He’s talented at stacking cornerbacks and tracking the ball when he finds top positioning. He can strike over the top or with routes allowing him to catch on the move. His route tree is limited, so two-high safety looks could park him in the garage. He’s average after the catch on short throws but plays as big as he measures, winning contested catches on all three levels. Thornton is a low-volume target with erratic production, but teams looking for vertical juice should have him on their boards.

Norman-Lott is an undersized interior defender who will need to specialize in penetration and havoc creation in a one-gapping scheme. He has plus snap quickness and is talented at reading and beating move blocks. He’s a rangy run defender with a full tank of gas but will struggle against downhill rushing attacks aimed at him. Norman-Lott is an energetic pass rusher with a high pressure rate. He plays with harmonious hands and feet that work to and around edges, but he won’t offer much as a power rusher. His lack of size could hurt his draft slotting, but he has the potential to become a rotational defender and sub-package rusher.

Fifth-year senior with the size and athleticism for consideration as an edge defender in odd or even fronts. Baron plays with clear eyes to read play development and locate the football but possesses just average upper- and lower-body strength to battle the block. He doesn’t create fear with his rush quickness or skill level but he’s an active worker with a slippery upper body that could foreshadow improvement in rush efficiency with more work. He moved inside as a sub-rusher at Tennessee, which could create an additional layer of alignment versatility. Baron projects as a middle-round edge prospect whose ceiling could be tied to his ability to become a more consistently disruptive force.

Linear wideout with all-star traits but relatively limited production during his career. Hip tightness demands he run a more limited route tree of go routes, comebacks and posts. At this point, his routes are too easy to read, allowing keen cornerbacks to jump throws. He will have the speed to win deep if he proves he can beat press cleanly on the next level. He’s an excellent leaper with a wide catch radius but the ball skills fail to stand out when contested both short and deep. McCoy’s traits are alluring, but it feels difficult to project him as anything more than a “short-or-deep” target with a WR3/4 ceiling.

Simmons has the build of a huge tree stump and is highly explosive off the snap. Despite seeing a limited snap count, there’s plenty of evidence of centers and guards straining to survive the unique carnage he can create. He unleashes knock-back power at the point of attack and can disrupt move-blocking schemes. For all of the trouble he can cause early in the snap, the overall production is somewhat light. Simmons likely won’t play on passing downs but should offer Day 3 value for a defense seeking a rotational one-technique who can muddy run lanes.

Powerful nose tackle known for his work ethic and leadership. Phillips is compact and explosive at the point but is inconsistent at controlling blocks quickly enough as a read-and-react defender. He can be quick off the snap but lacks fluidity and tends to get sealed by move blocks. In general, he’s gap-sound and can be hard for blockers to finish. He has yet to display he can provide pass-rush production, so he will need to prove he can at least be a run plugger in the pros.

Four-year starting center with a scrappy playing demeanor. Mays is very capable on lead pulls and up to linebackers. He plays with good hand placement and technique in the run game but will struggle to sustain blocks against NFL length/power. He’s adequate on most pass reps and punches with some authority but could have issues holding up on his own when isolated. Mays is a good football player, but he’s a single-position prospect who could have a tough time finding a home in the NFL because he lacks standout traits.

Highly experienced SEC defensive tackle with good measurables but a lack of consistency in important areas. Thomas isn’t a natural bender, which hinders his ability to stand his ground and clog gaps as a run defender. He’s not a threatening pass rusher by league standards. Teams will like the experience and length, but Thomas might not offer enough against the run to earn a spot as a pro.