DRAFT TRACKER 2025

Three-year starter with the build and mentality to play nose tackle in odd or even fronts. Toia carries a girthy base and is heavy into first contact. He has the power to give good resistance against all forms of blocks that come his way but a lack of length makes him more of a space eater than a block beater. He pummels single-block protection with violent club moves for sporadic pressures but is unlikely to get home. He’ll need to improve his block recognition and fine-tune his take-on to be his best version of a two-down run defender.

Durable four-year starter with Wisconsin football racing through his blood. He’s a better run blocker than pass protector on tape, with the quickness and athleticism to find his landmarks on move blocks. He operates with good strain and technique on base and drive blocks but won’t create much push. Nelson’s pass sets can feel frantic with disheveled footwork, inconsistent body control and an anchor that could struggle to withstand NFL speed-to-power. He needs to get stronger, but his instincts and awareness in protection could pair with his range as a move blocker for consideration by zone-heavy teams.

Fidone is long and linear with impressive athleticism but just two years of game experience due to injuries over his first two seasons. He’s a willing blocker with pretty good technique but needs to add strength to handle the work in-line. He needs to become more elusive with his release and more physical at the catch point, but he’s fast and fluid through his routes. He has the ability to uncover and stress the defense beyond the first level. Fidone’s effort, athleticism and ability to improve a passing game give him a chance to become a TE2 in the NFL.

Fifth-year senior with 42 career starts between SMU and Missouri. Bryant is a tall tackle whose upper-body strength and punch timing are critical in making up for his lack of natural knee-bend. He’s an average run blocker who might be able to reduce his run-block losses with fewer outside-zone reps. Bryant has the tools to provide pass protection in the NFL, but he needs to keep working on the consistency of his technique.

Versatile offensive lineman with impressive football intelligence and quality pass protection. Monheim has started at guard, tackle and center, but a lack of functional length narrows the focus on where he could take snaps at the next level. He plays with punch quickness and accurate hands but will get beat by longer rushers and a two-gapping nose tackle. He fits up blocks on time, but won’t get much push or displacement. He does excellent work identifying fronts and communicating with teammates, which will endear him to coaches, but Monheim might not create enough plus reps against NFL opponents to make his mark.

Assignment-oriented linebacker and patient tackle-collector from the second level. Lindenberg is long-legged with average play strength but posted explosive athletic-testing numbers last spring. He has trouble taking on blocks and coming out on top, so he might need to become more active at flowing downhill and tilting the odds in his favor. He recognizes blocking schemes and sees clearly into the backfield but allows separation when plays flow wide. He can handle basic zone drops but will be mismatched against route runners. The on-field tape is fairly average, but the traits scream special-teamer with backup potential.

Productive three-year starter with an impressive blend of power, dexterity and decisiveness. First and foremost, Martinez is truly a “big back” who proves he can find yards after contact on most carries. He lacks speed to win outside but does a nice job creating alternate routes using vision and agility when it’s congested inside. Despite a lack of breakaway speed, Martinez averaged 6.2 yards per carry on 514 career totes. He can catch passes here and there but could be best dialed in as a complementary banger capable of taking on the lion’s share of the carries if needed. 

Recruited as a wrestler initially, Hamilton has become a steady, durable defensive lineman. He plays with a nice blend of quickness and athleticism to circumvent blocks on the move. However, he’s not a forceful upfield penetrator and has issues playing with consistent technical savvy to anchor his gap against force. Hamilton’s rush production has been modest but he flashed more in 2024. He’s a good athlete with room for more development but might not find the reps needed in camp to take that next step.

Fifth-year senior who made his way to Nevada for his final season after four years at Texas. Crawford lacks height and arm length, but he’s compact and very explosive. His testing at the combine showed off his long speed. He needs to play with better timing to make it work for him more consistently, though. Crawford is inconsistent as a run defender but is more than willing to hit. He needs to find a position fit as either a big nickelback or backup safety to pair with a starring role on special teams.

Bruener doesn’t have the chiseled frame of a linebacker, but he seems to get things done. He comes from NFL bloodlines and plays stronger than his listed weight, with heavy hands. Despite the production, he appears to lack the functional speed and athleticism to survive against NFL offenses beyond the box. Bruener might not be an ideal fit as an NFL backup, but his special-teams work will be enticing for teams.

Rourke earns a draftable grade because of his size, experience and production. He’s coming off an ACL tear, but the injury might not have a major impact on his draft slotting since his game isn’t built on mobility. Rourke’s evaluation requires 2023 tape to get a feel for his delivery and velocity when his knee is stable. While he can make pro throws, the accuracy and placement is average. He’s a decent field-reader who throws with adequate touch and anticipation. Rourke played winning football in 2024 and he’s plenty tough, but he needs to take better care of the football if he wants to stick with an NFL team.

Undersized running back who transferred from Miami and switched positions from wide receiver. Smith lacks ideal size and displays some hesitation in his early reads but is slippery over the first two levels, using quick cuts and spin moves to elude tacklers. He has a feel for finding soft spots along the interior but has average speed to turn the corner on wide runs. He could get pushed up a full round thanks to his ball skills and ability to run routes in space. Smith shined as a kick returner at Miami and will likely get that chance in the pros as a third-down back with room for development.

Speedy four-year starter and team captain with the athletic ability to garner Day 3 interest in the draft. Kent’s measurables are better suited for the slot, but he can play outside if needed. His speed and burst lead to pass breakups, but he lacks the route anticipation and instincts to turn more of those into interceptions. He’s not scheme-dependent but is better in man coverage than he is in zone. He’s tough enough in run support and has potential as a gunner or punt returner, which should increase his draft value.

Sixth-year senior who shows a strong desire to get downhill and set the tone as a striker. Despite his aggression, he’s more effective in coverage than he is as a run defender. He’s responsive to route combinations and is detail-oriented in his coverage but has athletic limitations that appear to limit on-ball production. He lacks the hand usage to keep himself clean as a run defender, which will need to change if he wants to make a team as a backup safety and core special-teams option.

Ewers' arm talent and game flashes are enticing, but he hasn’t learned to play the game with a high enough level of consistency. The tape of road wins over Alabama and Michigan over the last two seasons showed the clearest picture of Ewers’ ceiling. He spins it with a sudden release and good touch over the first two levels and makes it look easy when he finds a rhythm. He won a high percentage of his career starts but struggled to put points on the board in most big games in 2024. Ewers rarely operates as a smooth, full-field reader. He often predetermines his target and throws into coverage instead of taking what the defense is offering. A lack of escapability will require him to process quickly enough to stay ahead of NFL blitz packages. The raw talent and upside will be alluring for pro-style passing attacks, but it’s fair to wonder if he will ever be able to rise above the talent on his roster and the ability of his play-caller to create favorable terms.

Two-year starting safety whose activity level reaches beyond what his athletic capabilities can handle at times. Wohler spent much of his time as an add-on run defender who rushed in to be part of the action. He’s a run-and-hit tackler in space but a lack of burst and top-end speed causes him to lose pursuit angles and miss out on tackles. He can cover tight ends but doesn’t have the range to play over the top or the open-field athleticism to survive against NFL receivers in space. Special teams play could be the key to Wohler maintaining a roster spot as an NFL backup at strong safety.

Short but stout two-time team captain who is bundled tightly into a compact, muscular frame. Monangai is quicker than fast and lacks breakaway speed but can change the track of the run at a moment’s notice with unpredictable cuts at sharp angles. His vision is average and his lack of run-lane discipline will irk offensive line coaches, but he creates yardage out of nowhere and has exceptional contact balance to repel would-be tacklers. He lacks ideal third-down value, so teams will need to be comfortable with tabbing Monangai as an early-down backup who can handle a heavier carry load if needed.

Richman was a starting tackle at Iowa, but he might need to move inside to guard because of his lack of length. He will need to add mass and more power to prepare for battles against NFL defensive linemen. He’s capable as a move blocker and he’s technically sound, but he might have trouble redirecting or neutralizing opponents at a satisfactory clip.

Productive, high-volume slot receiver whose evaluation will include balancing the playmaking against his lack of traits. Johnson is thin-limbed with average suddenness and benefited from a scheme allowing him to run free in space. He’s clever and instinctive with his routes, finding ways to uncover over the first two levels. His hands are below average and he struggles when contested, but he’s tough to find and tackle quickly after the catch. Johnson’s lack of size, strength and NFL ball skills mean he’s likely to profile as a good community target rather than succeeding independent of the talent around him.

Allen is a versatile back with adequate size and speed. He’s decisive and gets what he can on most carries but lacks burst, imagination and contact force to create on his own. He’s a reliable pass-catching option with natural hands and an ability to run routes and find yards after the catch. His pass-protection willingness and execution stands out against others in this class. Allen’s ability to cover kicks and return punts adds to his value as a potential Day 3 pick who could compete for a role as a third-down option.

Fifth-year senior who spent one season at Tulane after transferring from Furman. He has NFL-caliber top-end speed but lacks the short-area shiftiness to match slot targets, which might be something he’s asked to do because he lacks ideal size. He was greatly improved in 2024 and is a tough run supporter when plays flow his way.

Productive inside/outside receiver with good instincts but below-average play strength. He’s too easily knocked around and needs to play with better care for eluding trouble inside the route. White is smooth in space with an easy stride but won’t light it up with separation speed -- though he does have a feel for positioning and adjustments to create late catch space. A lack of size and catch strength will become exacerbated on the pro level, so refining his route-running as a slot option is a must. His lack of traits and explosiveness could overshadow the production and punch his ticket as an average NFL backup.

Mafah runs hard and keeps the carry on track. He is big and tight-hipped with a linear running style that gathers momentum as the run proceeds. He’s tough but clunky as an interior runner with a lack of vision and wiggle to find additional yards if there isn’t a wide-open lane. Mafah might need to prove himself on special teams to offer enough roster flexibility to make it as an RB3.

Outside receiver with size and speed to create advantages downfield. Prather is not explosive -- though he builds and carries speed to create deep windows -- and needs to do a better job of finishing routes and catches. He’s too leggy and tight-hipped to beat man coverage over the first two levels and he’s not a natural pass catcher in traffic. Prather is a niche option as a field-stretcher with good height, weight and speed, but he might need to prove he can play special teams to give himself a legitimate roster shot.

Developmental project coming from the basketball world and attempting to prove he can stick in football. With only 57 career snaps, there will obviously be an emphasis on fundamentals and technique early in his career. His ball skills are natural, though, and his athleticism is a huge plus. He’s a likely practice squad stash early in his career, but we’ve seen a number of hoopers make the transition over the years. Lohner could be the next in line if he proves he has the toughness for the NFL game.

Versatile receiver with average size. Mumpfield is average in beating press and his routes are too undisciplined, but he has the instincts and athleticism to run an expanded route tree over the first two levels. He goes from bad focus drop to highly focused contested catch in the same drive. He’s crafty in uncovering, but scouts question his top-end speed and ability to threaten the third level. Mumpfield has modest traits but possesses playmaking elements that could be nurtured with more coaching.

Guard prospect with burly, squared-off frame. Dellinger could offer center/guard flexibility and has tape filled with challenges from quality opponents across from him. He’s not really a people pusher, but he plays with good pad level, firmness into contact and consistent technique in the run game. He’s a notch below in pass pro, where his pass sets tend to be long and heavy, opening him to counters and twists. He throws his hands with purpose and generally absorbs power. He’s functional in all blocking schemes as a likely backup who can provide quality starts if needed.

Lovett is as smooth as churned butter with an effortless glide and easy transitions inside his route. He’s a slender slot who can slip by press but has trouble dealing with physical coverage at times. A heavy percentage of his targets came within a few yards of the line of scrimmage, but he’s capable of expanding his sphere of influence as a pass catcher. He runs routes with consistent tempo and speed but appears to have access to a second gear he should use more often. His hands will both dazzle and frustrate. He’s capable and experienced as a gunner and can compete for reps on special teams until he finds his footing as a WR3.

Eligibility issues sidelined Croskey-Merritt for all but one game in 2024, but his skills were on full display at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January. He’s a quick processor with adequate size and impressive cut quickness to find yards in a crowded workspace. He has one-cut talent and the ability to break runs sharply across the grain when necessary. He finishes runs with purpose, too. He’ll be a 24-year-old rookie with below-average third-down value, but his talent and creativity pop quickly on tape and give him a chance to become a good RB2 at the next level.

Three-year starting cornerback with good size and great speed. Black played in all coverage schemes but needs more polish in press and off-man. He’s not bad at matching route breaks and releases, and he can be smothering at the catch point when his route anticipation is on. He plays with eye balance and readiness from zone but needs to trust his instincts. His difficulty finding and playing the football with his back to the quarterback is an issue, though. Black appears well worth a Day 3 pick for his traits and tape flashes alone.

Akingbesote possesses the size, length and athleticism for consideration as an even-front three-technique or an odd-front defensive end. He gets off the ball with adequate quickness and has the length to punch, separate and create opportunities. When he’s not first in, stronger guards tend to keep him under control. The sack production is lower, but tape flashes show there is meat on that bone. Akingbesote isn’t ready for the pro game right now, but he has traits and developmental potential if a team is willing to invest the time.

Big in-line tight end whose flashes as a pass catcher helped to improve his draft stock. Matavao possesses a pro frame. He gets into routes and early break points with above-average quickness. His play speed has an expiration date, though, and coverage tends to close him out if the route lasts too long. Matavao will do what he’s asked as a run blocker but lacks pad level, hand placement and aggression at the point. The frame and athleticism could help him make a roster, but sticking around might require an upgrade as a run blocker. 

Four-year starter who can play guard in a primarily move-oriented rushing attack. Colby started 50 games at Iowa and is well-versed in the inside-outside zone attack. He reads defensive movements and adjusts his blocks accordingly. He connects with strong hands and looks to finish lateral engagements but doesn’t have the pad level or play strength to deal with power across from him. His pass protection is troubling, with areas of concern that might not be correctable.

Williams, a college tackle, has the body type of a guard, which is where he might be asked to move as a pro. He’s tight-hipped, leading to waist-bending, but he has adequate quickness in the early stages of the block. He lacks decisiveness and body control to make consistent use of early advantages. He also needs to get stronger and more aggressive as a run blocker. He’s long in pass pro with adequate footwork when projected to guard, but it remains to be seen if he can survive against pro bull-rushers.

Undersized but highly accurate snapper with good operation quickness in getting the ball to his punter. Ashby appears to be the best long snapper in the draft class, but he might have to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent.

Bergen’s journey to making an NFL roster will rely heavily on his ability to slip tackles and stack yards as a punt returner. His eight career punt-return touchdowns display his natural talent for the task, but facing off against NFL athletes will make the job much tougher. He’s become more productive as a receiver over time, but he might need to show additional improvement in that area to make a team.

On paper, Biggers has the measurables that teams search for along the defensive front, but he lacks the build of an NFL interior defender. He’ll flash with a big punch to drive a guard off his spot, but he logs too many reps where he’s slow into contact and jostled around at the point. He’s slow getting off the blocks and misses too many tries. Biggers offers no rush help. He needs to get stronger to take advantage of his length and will have to prove himself as a 3-4 defensive end 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.

Combination tight end capable of lining up in-line or as a move tight end. While Lachey can do both, he lacks the core strength and consistency of a typical “Y” tight end and has average quickness to escape man coverage on the next level. He has experience operating underneath and as an intermediate target, using proper leverage in his routes and good body control, along with strong hands, when contested. He has NFL size but needs to prove he can more consistently sustain as a run blocker in order to become a trustworthy, three-down player in the league. Unless that happens, he’s likely to be fighting for a role as a TE3 or TE4.

Sixth-year senior with outstanding length and the versatility to take snaps as a zone corner or split safety. Bridges has played press corner but is fairly average at matching releases and routes. He’s more adept as an off-man or zone corner. He might be at his best as a roaming safety, utilizing his instincts, closing burst and ball skills to make plays on the football. He’s an aggressive striker against pass catchers but needs to prove he can eliminate arm tackling as a run supporter. Bridges' traits, versatility and special-teams potential give him a chance of making a team.

Cornerback whose lack of top-end speed could push him into more of a full-time role in the slot. Minor has had some hamstring issues, which might have contributed to him flying under the radar. Also, his lack of impressive athletic testing numbers and on-ball production didn’t help. He will need to prove he can handle NFL coverage responsibilities and he’ll need to stand out for his run support if he’s going to make an NFL roster.