DRAFT TRACKER 2025

Carter has the urgency and athletic talent to bombard the stat sheet. He’s always first out and first into contact after the snap but can dart into gaps or around blocks as a penetrator. He’s willing to scrap at the point of attack; additional time in the weight room might be in order for his move up in class. Carter rushes with a rabid, all-game intensity that’s hard for opponents to match. He explodes out of the blocks and can force tackles to abandon their technique to go catch him. He can bend and flatten at the top of the rush or hit a game-breaking spin counter inside. He’s good with his hands but needs to keep working in that area to prevent long punchers from knocking him off-course. Carter’s explosiveness, hunger and body control should have him on track to become a highly productive 3-4 rush linebacker with Pro Bowl talent.

An upside prospect with loads of traits, Williams simply needs more snaps and more time to fill out his frame. He is an explosive athlete who uses his exceptional length to keep tackles and tight ends at the end of his punch. He plays a little too tall at the point and needs to get stronger to shed blocks more quickly, but he plays with good physicality in the trenches and is never pushed around. He’s still learning moves and counters but already has a big bull rush, good secondary effort and the closing burst to become a sack blanket in the pocket. He’s not there yet, but Williams’ improvement to become an impactful 4-3 base end feels inevitable. 

High-energy pass rusher with productivity and a method of play that should translate to the next level. Green displays a natural and instinctive rush, utilizing loose hips and a series of moves and counters that can open doors with force or finesse. He’s very physical, with notes of violence in the way he attacks blockers in both phases. His explosiveness allows him to penetrate gaps, play around or through the protection edges and change direction quickly to finish in the backfield. He relentlessly presses forward, but can run out of gas due to his hot-running motor. Teams might wish he were heavier and longer but he’s willful, skilled and powerful with the ability to create enormous matchup concerns as an edge rusher on the next level.

Some see Walker as a “tweener” while others view him as a “hybrid.” Either way, Walker can go. His career snap count is split between edge and linebacker, and his leadership is famous in the Georgia building. He’s still working to fine-tune his instincts and efficiency as an off-ball linebacker but has the take-on and closing burst to become a productive pro at that spot. He’s tough but small as an early down edge rusher, but his athletic talent and suddenness to attack both edges makes him a menace for tackles. The most valuable usage for Walker is likely to come as an early down linebacker who can rush off the edge or match up across the line as a blitzer on passing downs.

Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside. He’s long and sudden off the snap but hasn’t learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull-rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he’s too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases but requires additional training to start converting his opportunities into finishes. The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted. While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level.

Slightly undersized outside linebacker for a 3-4 front with long arms and plus athleticism. Ezeiruaku uses every bit of his length paired with aggression to mitigate size differences at the point of attack. He gets engulfed at times but typically separates from or slips blocks cleanly. He’s quick off the snap, using bend and agility to win at the top of the rush or make stops in the backfield. His hands exploit small advantages to turn them into big ones and he has a variety of ways to challenge protection, though he’s still learning to craft his plans. Ezeiruaku’s play demeanor, skill and athletic talent are the underpinnings of a productive starter with three-down value.

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.

Physical edge presence with the potential for creating havoc on all three downs. Scourton can power across the blocker’s face and into gaps but is an average “set-and-contain” run defender. He plays with adequate hustle and range in pursuit and hits runners with heavy pads. He’s an eclectic rusher with a mature rush plan and rarely shows opponents the same look on consecutive plays. He won’t outrace or bulldoze tackles, but he utilizes tempo alterations and a bag full of moves and counters. Teams threw chips and double-teams his way out of concern and respect. Scourton’s size, demeanor and rush talent give him a chance to become a productive three-down starter off the edge.

Rugged edge defender with the size, length and toughness to play up or down in hybrid fronts. Tuimoloau plays to his size. His game revolves around power and force. He uses well-timed strikes and good length to stay separated and shed the block cleanly. He plays hard but has average pursuit quickness outside the box and trouble holding his ground against drive blockers in-line. Tuimoloau's power rush helped him tear through the expanded College Football Playoff, with 6.5 sacks over four games, but his rush plan and hand work need refinement to maintain the momentum he built as a rusher during the 2024 season. He’s unlikely to become a star but his traits and demeanor fit the profile of a good NFL starter.

High-energy edge prospect with projectable traits but unorthodox movements and body control that might create a lack of conviction when it’s time to stamp a grade. Jackson added muscle mass to his leggy frame, but a lack of bend hinders his anchor and contact balance against force. He’s long and urgent in fighting his way past the man in front of him. He’ll never be a natural edge bender but he plays with connected hands and feet that should allow him to develop more impactful rush counters. It will look gawky at times, but Jackson seems to be growing into his frame and possesses the traits and motor to make it as a future starter on the edge.

Dense-framed, even-front defensive end whose game is built for power but not speed. He has short arms and slow power to neutralize and overcome run blocks. However, he lacks a quick-win first step or twitchy stack-and-shed move. He locates the football and racks up tackles when runners near his gaps. He’s a force-based rusher using strong hands, a relentless motor and a pocket-caving charge to run up pressure totals, but his rush lacks quickness. He could see more interior rush opportunities for shorter trips into the pocket. Sawyer is suited for box-based football, which could cap his pro ceiling, but his demeanor, toughness and activity level provide a higher floor.

Late bloomer with big hands, long arms and a frame to carry more muscle. Swinson is competitive at the point of attack, where he uses his length and footwork to beat the block or prevent block sustains. He is high-cut and leggy with average lateral agility but has an innate feel for playing off the block and making tackles. Swinson is less of an arc runner and more of a read-and-respond rusher relying on length and deception to open doors on either edge. He needs to craft rush strategies and work on getting quicker wins with go-to moves at the edge, but he’s always in the backfield. Swinson is an ascending talent with the demeanor, traits and talent to become a good starter as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

A 4-3 defensive end who fits the NFL mold with size, toughness and effort. Jones has good bend and a couple of reliable moves to unlock the top of the rush. He rarely works beyond pocket depth and has an instinctive secondary rush to cook in the pocket. His hands are twitchy and violent but he allows blockers into his frame a little too often. Maximum energy is exerted on every rep but he might need to improve pacing to become more consistent against the run. Jones’ translatable traits and rush talent make him an ascending prospect who could see early third-down reps before taking on a starting spot in the future.

Stewart falls below the classic size threshold as a 3-4 outside backer, but it might not matter much. He plays with all-day aggression and thirst for contact. He’s a decisive, linear rusher with the get-off and bend to win at the top of the rush, but he turns speed into power if tackles get too light on their feet. His entries of attack are fairly predictable and he needs to diversify his moves and counters. He’s violent at all contact points but is occasionally engulfed or knocked around some by size. The instincts are average but his pursuit range and closing burst can compensate. Despite a lack of size and length, the right ingredients are in place for Stewart to become an impactful starter within his first few years in the league.

Finesse edge defender with traits, athleticism and upside to have his sack production translate to the NFL. Umanmielen is a serious ground-gainer with burst, stride and bend to create shallow edges leading directly into the quarterback’s drop space. He’s not instinctive and takes predictable pathways to the pocket, but he’s simply hard to keep out of the pocket due to his attributes. He lacks play strength and aggression as a run defender. He will have trouble setting edges and might not be an early down option early in his career. Umanmielen is an ascending stand-up edge rusher who might be just scratching the surface of his already threatening rush talent.

Burch’s tape can be inconsistent, but he offers physical traits and upside as a rusher. As a run defender, his length and play strength flashes, but he simply doesn’t play with the block destruction or aggression you want to see for a player of his size. As a pass rusher, he’s a more energetic player with good get-off, long strides and the bend to turn the corner or unleash a bull-rush. He needs to work on adding skill to his hands and becoming more creative as a rusher to create quick wins. Burch leaves too many plays on the field, but the upside will have teams anxious to light the fire and get more out of him.

Sorrell’s measurables and speed won’t be eye-catching, but he’s very consistent and plays with good technique. He can play up or down, but might be targeted as a 3-4 outside ‘backer due to a lack of length. He plays with adequate power at the point and can work around blocks and into the backfield. Sorrell’s rush lacks speed and power but he wins with his hands and has an above-average feel for creating entry points with positioning and body turn. He doesn’t have high-end traits, but he’s productive and reliable. Sorrell could become an average starter in time.

Linebacker-turned-edge-rusher whose draft profile might have gone from dull to dynamic with the switch. Oladejo is long and aggressive in attacking blockers in front of him. A lack of instincts in the run game and plans as a pass rusher could be temporary bumps in the road that should be smoothed with coaching. He greets and discards blockers with powerful, twitchy hands and still plays with a linebacker’s range and nose for the football despite his new position. He catches the “developmental” tag relative to his edge experience, but his traits and tape suggest he will make a difference sooner than expected.

Productive and experienced, Gillotte shines with his ability to threaten the pocket. His rush isn’t overly complicated, but he can collapse the pocket with power, beat up the edge with violent hands and sneak past guards with snap quickness when playing inside. He’s powerful but doesn’t have a solid anchor to hold his ground as a run defender. I’ve graded Gillotte as a 4-3 defensive end, but he has the athletic ability to stand and play 3-4 outside ‘backer.

Edge defender with reams of 2024 production to sift through. Kennard keeps his long frame clean with well-timed punches and has plus range as a playmaker. He can be slippery when he finds edges in either phase. He is frequently knocked off-balance at contact points, though. He will create pressure with his get-off and length alone but needs less predictable rush patterns and more hand skill to beat NFL tackles. He fits as a wide nine-technique, where he can avoid early contact and create rush momentum. He profiles as a Day 2 pick, but the tape creates enough concerns to lower the floor for his projection.

Heralded FCS edge rusher with jarring production in high-impact stat columns. Walker falls below height and length standards, but his game reminds me of 2024 draft pick Mohamed Kamara’s. He has explosive, freaky power in his lower half. He can leverage and anchor the point and create instant pocket consequences with his bull rush. He’s an instinctive rusher with an above-average attack portfolio but a lack of length will be an obstacle to overcome. He’s an average athlete in space but his movements near the line are controlled and fluid. Walker’s stature might hurt his draft standing for some teams, but it won’t be a dream-ender. He has rotational value as an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense.

The right foot injury that cost Oliver all but two games in 2024 could create unsure evaluations. He’s a natural edge rusher with outstanding fluidity and movement talent but lacks the size or length to project there as a three-down player. As an off-ball linebacker in 2023 he flashed the ability to handle the position, but he clearly lacked the seasoning and recognition that can only come with more reps. No matter the alignment, he needs to play with better composure and positioning to handle run reps on his terms and make more tackles. He projects as a designated pass rusher and developmental off-ball linebacker with the ability to jump into a special-teams role.

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.

Powell-Ryland used smart hands and a diversified rush plan to accumulate 25.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He lacks length and speed but creates pressures by remaining varied and unpredictable. He uses accurate, violent hands to eliminate the punch and kick-start his bull rush. Powell-Ryland plays with a sturdy base and good leverage at the point, but he’s unlikely to control the edge. NFL length will limit his early wins, so he’ll need to keep developing his counters. The production is hard to ignore but modest traits and average athleticism will make it tough for his numbers to translate to the next level.

Despite consecutive seasons of production in opponents’ backfields, Ivey’s strengths and weaknesses converge for a feast-or-famine playing style. His rush is segmented and leggy with average short-area closing burst for an edge rusher. He lacks anchor and contact balance to command the point. On the other hand, Ivey is surprisingly slippery, using his stride, length and upper-body swivel to shapeshift and circumvent blocks. He needs to play with a little more edge but has enough disruption potential to become a rotational 4-3 defensive end with sub-rush potential inside.

Long-limbed edge defender with highs and lows on tape that make him a little more challenging to project. Joyner is a tight-hipped, short-stepping rusher with unimpressive speed and power. His hand work is basic, but he’s resilient and creates opportunities on the edges by utilizing his length and nose for the ball. He lacks a functional anchor to hold up against NFL run blockers and will need to play wide or standing until he improves his core strength and tightens up his block take-on. Joyner has traits but too many mismatched pieces in his game, which makes him a developmental prospect with a lower ceiling.

Two-year starter who has played with and against some of the best competition. Chambliss is an undersized 3-4 outside linebacker and he’s very strong for his size. He plays the game with a relentless forward charge but will run into some road blocks due to his lack of size and length. He flashes rush moves on occasion but he isn’t much of an edge-turner and is more likely to pressure the pocket with secondary effort. Chambliss has the mental and physical makeup to stick around as a solid backup and plus special-teams performer.

Productive base end with good play strength who continues to add weight to his frame. Roberts has chalked up stats as a standing defender but isn’t athletic enough to play as a 3-4 outside ‘backer in the NFL and might not have the brutality to play inside at three-technique despite his size. Roberts won’t win the rush with speed or quickness but he can collapse the pocket with a finesse-to-power rush transition. He is slow to read and react to mesh points and counters. He’s also a wildly inconsistent arm tackler. The production could earn him an opportunity, but it might not be translatable as a base defensive end in the pros.

Fifth-year senior with a “tweener” body type but glimpses of pro potential. Robinson played primarily on special teams until 2024. He’s long and athletic but might be too light for the edge. He needs more schooling and game reps to play off the ball. He can run the arc as an edge rusher and has the ability to mismatch guards as an off-ball blitzer or spy mobile quarterbacks. Robinson lacks physicality, but he has enough traits to warrant consideration as a four-phase special-teamer with developmental potential as a hybrid 3-4 linebacker.

Linton lacks starting experience and is short on production, but his length and explosiveness will earn him looks. He’s spindly, with poor contact balance. He creates pressures but lacks the know-how and play strength to convert them into sacks. Linton has disruptive snap quickness to make plays in the backfield but isn’t strong enough to hold his ground heads-up. Linton’s length, speed and potential will be intoxicating, but three different college programs failed to find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so the odds are against a pro team locating it.

Walker won’t mix it up at the point of attack with an abundance of aggression, but his flashes as a pass rusher give evaluators something to think about. He’s long-limbed with an adequate frame and works hard to keep his weight up. He can accelerate to the top and trim the edge with his flexibility. He’s smart in working back under and into the pocket when the tackle has the edge cut off. Walker has proven he can produce pressures and sacks, but he needs to be more diversified and skilled to earn a spot as a designated pass rusher in the pros.

Diggs has the versatility to play edge in odd or even fronts and his measurables are favorable. However, he doesn’t play with enough aggression or know-how for those measurables to work in his favor at a high enough rate. Diggs will flash once he’s beaten protection, but he will need work to beat pro tackles. As a run defender, he has the tools but doesn’t find the football or diagnose the action quickly enough. Despite those issues, his traits and pro-day testing give him a good chance to be drafted.

Downs looks physically outmatched before the snap, but once the leverage and play strength kick in, perceptions change. He plays with a strong base and is tougher than leather at the point of attack, but he lacks length and has a hard time getting off of blocks. His rush is fueled by effort and bend, but he’s not quick enough to beat tackles to the edge and sees his rush stall out by long tackles who strike and cinch him up. Downs is tough like a five-technique, but he might need to align wide in an even front or stand as a strong-side 3-4 outside linebacker.

Chippy edge defender who makes up for his lack of length with physicality and an impressive work rate. Green is tight-hipped but explosive with the ability to tilt blockers off-balance with force. While he’s strong and tough at the point of attack, he might be less consistent if asked to stand and defend a bigger patch of grass. He’s not a bendy rusher but still generates pressure at a high rate, utilizing violent hands, strong hips and consistent second effort to outwork the block. Green has the play strength and mean streak to compete for a rotational role as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

Slender 3-4 outside linebacker who is a good athlete but lacks exciting tape. Coleman will struggle to hold his ground against downhill blockers when he’s centered up, but he does a nice job of creating slippery angles to work off the block and find the action. He has some bend at the top of the rush but not enough upfield take-off to really maximize that bend. While his production won’t stand out, he uses active hands and long arms to make the most of his snaps. Coleman has a chance to become an NFL backup.

Bulky 4-3 defensive end with a strong motor and impressive production but a lack of NFL-ready instincts. Hassanein hasn’t played as much football as other prospects, so he’s still in the process of learning technique and developing play recognition. He comes off the ball with a narrow base but will deliver a good initial pop. The rush production is less a function of skilled play and more a function of play extension and secondary effort. He’s tough but limited and misses a lot of tackles.

Ponder rushes with effort, adequate footwork and some skill in his hands. He doesn't make anywhere near the impact he should create as a run defender relative to his physical tools and level of competition, but he has the ability to work around blockers. Ponder’s get-off and movement skills fit the NFL game, but he might need more polish to make it beyond a practice squad as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Shorter edge defender and 36-game starter with a compact frame and good length for his size. Rucker has adequate first-step quickness as a move defender but struggles to play around big bodies and gets pushed around at the point. He's a confident pass rusher with little wasted motion and a feel for bypassing protection when he gets to an edge. However, he has average go-to moves and counters. He’s a detailed tackler and finishes the job at a high rate. Rucker has high character and adequate career production, but he will need to fight hard to slot in as a designated rusher in a 3-4 defense.

Huntington’s impressive explosiveness makes him an intriguing prospect. He’s a true “tweener” who lacks the length teams look for on the edge and the mass needed to play inside. He can be knocked around by big bodies but is tough to deal with when he gets a quick upper hand in a gap or on a blocker’s edge. He might need to add weight and ply his trade as a one-gapping 3-technique, but his exceptional athletic testing could earn him a role as a sub-package rusher with special-teams value.

Duke transfer who plays with reckless abandon and is well built with above-average length. Oben flashes an ability to create rush opportunities with a couple of go-to moves on his 2023 tape. He plays with violent hand swipes and a relentless motor, but a lack of rush production at Notre Dame could hurt his stock. He displays a lack of instincts and awareness as a run defender and lacks feel for play design. Oben’s physical traits and projectable rush potential give him a chance, but he must learn to play under control to stick on a roster.

Batty has played standing on occasion, but he will be a 4-3, strong-side defensive end in the NFL. He’s densely muscled and plays with consistent aggression at the point. He hustles in pursuit, too. He has some snap in his initial punch but lacks the length and twitch quickness to get away from blocks quickly and will succumb to power from tackles. He creates pressure with hops and euro-steps to gain ground. He has strong hands to discard the punch but won’t beat most pro tackles with speed or power. He’s an older rookie and an effort player, but it’s not clear if he’ll have the physical gifts or skill level to become a “make it” prospect.

Three-year starter with an impressive blend of traits but a lack of twitch to take firm advantage of them. Martin has the frame of an odd-front defensive end but needs to get stronger in his upper half and bulkier in his lowers to handle that work. As a rusher, he fails to threaten with go-to moves or sudden counters across the protection's face, but he does have tools to work with in that area. He has developmental traits but is more a project than prospect considering his relative lack of impact on tape.

Sixth-year senior, three-time team captain and winner of the 2024 Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Weaver lacks the athletic profile and twitch to make explosive plays, but he’s generally solid from snap to snap. While he has been a solid collegiate defender, Weaver appears to lack a differentiating athletic trait that will help him stand out and excite NFL teams.

French made the jump from the FCS to FBS in 2024 with modest results. While a majority of his snaps have come as an edge defender, French might need to prove he can transition to off-ball linebacker due to his slender frame. His downhill mentality is a good starting point for his positional transition but it must be backed by better instincts and play recognition. He will need to shine brightly as a special-teams contributor to make it.