strengths: Deep speed requires additional defensive attention. Creates space & loosens coverage for teammates. Has bend and agility to run post-corner & whip routes effectively. There'll be problems for the defense if he breaks a tackle after the catch.
weaknesses: Needs to improve efficiency & quickness getting off the ball. Lack of hand strength gets him bullied on contested catches. Takes reps off when he's not expecting the throw to come his way. Fails to adjust his speed to the ball placement consistently enough.
grade: 6.29 (Will eventually become an average starter)
strengths: Patient with punch timing to prevent hand counters. Uses size & strength to ride the rusher and stall momentum. Good lateral quickness in outside zone and acceleration as a pulling tackle. Effective in climbing, tagging & sealing targets in space.
weaknesses: Average slide quickness forces his gate to open prematurely. Lacks sudden hands to find opponent's frame first. Heavy-footed recoveries won't help much when beaten. Sloppy hand placement limits block control in the run game. Fairly average contact balance at the point of attack.
grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
comp: Abraham Lucas
RD 4 (131) TE Jared Wiley: TCU 6'6", 249
combine: 4.62s 40, 37"vert, 9'10"broad jump
2023: 1st All-BIG 12, 47rec/520yds/8TDs
strengths: Willing to get physical; at the top of the route. Rarely has a focus drop and uses size to shield catch challengers. Gets into base blocks with inside hands & proper posture. Uses footwork and feel for angles to seal blocks.
weaknesses: Lacks desired footwork to get in & out of breaks cleanly. Needs to make earlier adjustments to bring in off-target throws. Doesn't break enough tackles on his run-after-catch. Inconsistent physicality to handle lead-blocking asks.
strengths: Good closing burst to play the ball and tackle in the alley. Takes playmaking angles on throws, leading to on-ball production. Keeps outside shoulder clean when playing contain role. Hurries from play-side high safety look to make plays near the line versus the run.
weaknesses: Gets pads turned when taking on blocks. Below-average short-area agility as open-field tackler. Needs to do a better job of keying wideouts & TEs on play-action.
grade: 6.24 (Will eventually become an average starter)
RD 5(159) C Hunter Nourzad: Penn St. 6'3", 317
combine: 27reps
2023: 2nd All-BIG 10
strengths: Quick-sets pass rushers with early hands in their chest. Firm jab followed by a firm anchor to withstand a charge. Power to displace & push blocks vertically on inside zones. Athleticism to find positioning as a zone blocker and get out in front when pulling.
weaknesses: Wide base can limit change of direction quickness in protection. Can get too hurried looking to charge into angle blocks. Needs to improve feel for sustaining against movement.
grade: 6.19 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
comp: Juice Scruggs
RD 6 (211) CB Kamal Hadden: Tennessee 6'1", 196
2023: 19tckls, 3INts/8PDs, 1TD
strengths: Bounces and slides for extended mirror & match from press. Sticky feet for stop-short action in vertical-route phase. Tracks & adjusts to the deep ball from shuffle and constricts catch space. Anticipates breaks from off-man and charges into the throwing lane.
weaknesses: Had season-ending shoulder injury. Allows vertical separation from his shuffle technique. Can be too content to hold or interfere when coverage panic sets in. Effort level can be very spotty as a run defender & tackler.
grade: 5.96 (Average back-up/Special teamer)
OG C.J Hanson: Holy Cross 6'5", 300
combine: 5.00s 40, 33.5"vert, 9'7"broad jump
2023: 1st All-Patriot League
strengths: Throws punch hands with firmness and right down the chute. Good eyes & hand twitch to pass and receive against twists. Body control and footwork to adjust and land as a pulling guard.
weaknesses: Below-average play strength in upper & lower body. Lacks agility for sudden recovery when beaten. Feet can lag in mirroring edge-to-edge movement.
RD 2 (33) WR Keon Coleman: Florida State 6'3", 213
combine: 4.61s 40, 38"vert, 10'7"broad jump
2023: 1st All-ACC, 50rec/658yds/11TDs
strengths: Attacks underneath throws with extended, sticky hands. Works aggressively back on short & intermediate throws. Unlikely to see focus drops. Meets jump balls with full extension to the high-point. Uses size to gain advantage over the corner on jump-ball wins. Hard to bring down after the catch.
weaknesses: Press coverage can blanket his release & catch a ride. Below-average acceleration getting out of breaks & cuts. Could struggle finding separation to avoid excessive contested catches. Capable of being a much more effective run blocker.
grade: 6.25 (Will eventually become an average starter)
strengths: Solid stop-start burst in coverage & pursuit. Looks to blister receivers in his zone. Hustle never shuts off, regardless of his proximity to the ball. Navigates traffic and knifes into crevices as a base defender.
weaknesses: Desire to make plays causes him to vacate coverage zones. Below-average eye balance between route & QB. Needs to do a better job of playing off run blocks near the line. Pursuit can lack pacing control, leading to overruns.
grade: 6.20 (Will eventually become an average starter)
RD 3 (95) DT DeWayne Carter: Duke 6'2", 302
combine: 4.99s 40, 32"vert, 9'1"broad jump
2023: 1st All-ACC, 41tckls/3.5TFLs, 1sck, 4PDs
strengths: Plays with energy and active feet to probe for opportunities. Good technique to stack and play off the block as a run defender. Disguises his desire to jump-step and use club move on upfield charge. Bull rush can be salty as an interior rusher or as a base end.
weaknesses: Too easily beaten to the spot against lateral blocks. Needs to play with better anticipation & snap reaction against the run. Fails to maintain ideal separation to prevent being neutralized. Needs to find a counter to improve his secondary rush off the bull rush.
grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
strengths: Runs behind his pads, falling forward after delivering a blow. Ran with much better patience behind lead blockers in '23. Uses slow-&-go pacing to distract the edge and open the corner. Catches with soft hands and has the ability to shake or break tackles.
weaknesses: Hip tightness slows ability to gather and cut on outside runs. Lacks desired flow speed to widen the defense to the boundary. Very average vision as an interior runner. More reactive than proactive on the 2nd level.
grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
RD 5 (141) C Sedrick Van Pran: Georgia 6'4", 298
combine: 5.20s 40
2023: 1st All-SEC, Jacobs Blocking Trophy
strengths: Keeps slide steps measured and choppy sliding to the pass rusher. Hands are twitchy getting from snap to punch in the run game. Powerful grip strength helps bring the opponent tight & lock him into place. Plays with above-average feel for run block positioning on 1st & 2nd levels. Success rate blocking LBs helped spring long runs.
weaknesses: Too straight-kneed getting into contact at the point of attack. Footwork starts to get sloppy once rush action heats up. Short arms and can be beaten by length at the punch point. Leans out past his toes getting into most blocks due to lower-body tightness.
grade: 6.22 (Will eventually become an average starter)
comp: Lloyd Cushenberry
RD 5 (160) LB Edefuan Ulofoshio: Washington 6'0 1/2", 236
strengths: Steps downhill and meets blockers with a jarring punch. Physical at the top of the route when covering TEs. Runs through tackler with the force of a sack of bricks.
weaknesses: Doesn't show enough feel for play development. Gets eager and bounces out of position during diagnosis. Below-average range as a tackler & in man coverage.
strengths: Powerful hips and relentless effort help propel him around the block. Quick to read and beat reach blocks to maintain contain positioning. Shows ability to bend the edge and flatten to the QB. Weaponizes counter moves to pry upon inside path to the pocket.
weaknesses: Can be widened out by a centered block and a wide base, Short-strider in his take-off to the top of the rush. Has trouble separating form long-armed tackles who cinch him up.
grade: 6.13 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
comp: James Houston
RD 6 (204) OT Tylan Grable: UCF 6'6", 306
combine: 4.95s 40, 36.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump
2023: Honorable All-BIG 12
strengths: Smooth pass slides and carries punch-ready hands. Ability to open hips & hitch recovery ride around the arc. Big, strong hands clinch in and stabilize run defenders. Has foot quickness to become a better move blocker in time.
weaknesses: Punches can lack accuracy & timing as both a run and pass blocker. Far too satisfied with grabbing and holding when the block starts slipping. Attention to angles & positioning for sustain are missing as a run blocker. Plays with a narrow power zone and very average body control.
strengths: Special teams standout. Phases deep sideline routes with optimal positioning. Consistent to whip his head around and find the deep ball. Maximizes pass breakups with well-timed hand attacks.
weaknesses: Technique in transitions gets away from him at times. Doesn't appear to have ideal speed or acceleration. Much more of a watcher than worker in run support.
grade: 5.84 (Average backup/Special teamer)
RD 7 (221) OT Travis Clayton: International Pathway Program (England) 6'7", 301
strengths: Competitive background in rugby & boxing. Shuffles & slides with fluidity and clean change of direction. Pass sets come naturally with weight heavier on the inside foot. Good bend with the ability to stay low into contact in drills.
weaknesses: Currently lacking functional mass & strength for the NFL. Will take time adjusting to league speed & size during development. Would like to see a little more pop in his punch.
strengths: Plays with lateral hustle to make back-side & play-side zone blocks. Generates push from lower half on down blocks and double-teams. Maintains active hands & feet to stay in front of the rusher. Keeps his weight back to avoid being countered off-balance in protection.
weaknesses: Run-blocking technique eventually gets away from him. Has issues with hand slippage due to inconsistent placement. Gets beaten inside when he's too eager and oversets the edge.
grade: 6.47 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
RD 2 (51) C Zach Frazier: West Virginia 6'3", 313
combine: 30reps
2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American
strengths: Jolting upper-body power helps widen run lanes with down/secure blocks. Drives opposition into the ground with every opportunity he gets. Uses darting eyes & plus instincts to locate pressure points around him. Punches with good placement and above-average grip strength.
weaknesses: Loses inside hands as a run blocker and ends up with too much hugging. Below-average reactive movement to moving targets in space. Needs to prove he can anchor with more shallow pass sets. Goose could be cooked once the rusher beats him at his edge.
grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)
strengths: Explosive speed to stretch the field and stress coverage. Defenders struggle to stay with him when the play extends. Good post-catch acceleration on west coast routes to hit big plays. Competitive & focused when catches become contested.
weaknesses: Inconsistent elusiveness to avoid route redirection at press or in space. Routes lack consistent leverage & salesmanship. Needs to get better at quickly setting and presenting on zone throws.
grade: 6.30 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
comp: Marvin Mims Jr
RD 3 (98) LB Payton Wilson: North Carolina St 6'4", 233
strengths: Rangy to find his way into a high number of tackle opportunities. Adequate football intelligence and blocking-scheme recognition. Has the hands & eyes to dart into passing lanes and take the ball away. Burst & lateral agility create blitzing potential for gaming fronts.
weaknesses: Can be too willing to side-step a block rather than play off of it. Plays too upright and gets knocked off balance too frequently. Has an injury history. Lacks play strength and take-on technique to consistently leverage his gap.
grade: 6.32 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
RD 4 (119) OG Mason McCormick: South Dakota St 6'4", 309
combine: 5.08s 40, 35.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump
2023: 1st All-MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference)/1st All FCS All-American
strengths: Rare durability. Adequate grip strength to help secure the block. Creates momentum and bangs into opponents on short pulls. Plays with clean eyes & good twist recognition in pass protection. Good upper-body strength to forcibly redirect the rusher on his edge.
weaknesses: Feet are mechanical and lower body is a little too stiff. Poor athleticism reacting to the defender against slants off the snap. Will have a hard time protecting against inside counters.
strengths: Has enough shed strength to match up as a 3-4 end in the pros. Upper-body power to press & extend at the point of attack. Capable of slipping around blocks from half-man positioning.
weaknesses: Lacks mass and play strength needed to grapple inside. Doesn't have the foot quickness to create mismatches inside. Gets pushed off his rush track by punch power.
grade: 5.69 (Candidate for the back of the roster or Practice Squad)
RD 6 (195) CB Ryan Watts: Texas 6'3", 208
combine: 4.53s 40, 40.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump
2023: 38tckls/1TFL, 3PDs
strengths: Traits & experience to transition to safety. Capable of lining up over slot TEs. Booming striker one he locks in and hits it downhill. Works around or through blockers with his run support.
weaknesses: Below-average foot quickness and reactive twitch. Frequently a step slow to turn his head and locate the throw. Questionable deep speed to stay deeper than the deepest.
