Monday, April 20, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Preview: Steelers Part 5

 


These names come from various senior bowl, combine and pro day visits and connections. Summaries are from nfl.com's draft tracker.




OT Travis Burke - Memphis  6'9",  325


combine: 5.17s 40, 27"vert, 8'11" broad

2025: 1st All-AAC

strengths: Fires heavy-handed punch to fit & control run blocks. Gets into 1st contact with surprising bend for a tall tackle. Stays sticky to blocks with vice-grip hand strength. Unlocks hips & turns out ankles to sit & anchor against power.

weaknesses: Lumbering movement limits success in space & on combo climbs. Labors out of his stance & is late to his set-points against speed. Average ability to recover & redirect once his edge is compromised. Still overcommits & rides too deep on some end/tackle twists.

grade: 6.0 (Traits or talent to become above-average backup)




WR De'Zhaun Stribling - Mississippi  6'2",  207


combine: 4.36s 40, 36"vert, 10'10" broad

2025: 55rec/811yds/6TDs

strengths: Good initial acceleration into his routes. Smooth late adjustments to grab advantages downfield. Able to meet throws with good hand extension. Fits into block targets & fights to stick around. 

weaknesses: Linear route movements lack unpredictable elements. Average hip sink getting into intermediate cuts. Needs to play with greater fight when contested. Inconsistent finishing his catches through contact.

grade: 6.28 (Will eventually become an average starter)






LB Jaden Dugger - Louisiana  6'4",  240


2025: 125tot tckls, 4scks, 1FF, 1INT, 3PDs

strengths: Has the range & athleticism to successfully track wide runs. Effectively uses his length in wrapping & finishing in the open field.

weaknesses: Struggles to consistently read keys & diagnose play design. Hasn't learned to leverage his length against climbing blocks. Once blocked, tends to stay blocked.

grade: 5.68 (Candidate for the bottom of the roster or Practice Squad)






S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren - Toledo  6'3 1/2",  201



combine: 4.52s 40, 35.5"vert, 10'2" broad

2025: 3rd AP All-American/1st All-MAC, 77tot tckls, 0.5sck, 3FFs, 2INTs, 5PDs

strengths: Triggers to the action with long, ground-gaining strides. Frequently delivers strikes on pass-catchers. Slips blocks & slithers through traffic deep into run lanes. Uses his expansive tackle radius to run & capture in space.

weaknesses: Excessive bouncing & movement during run diagnosis. Downhill dives open him to loss of containment against the run. Inefficient footwork when covering in space. Will struggle staying connected  to vertical speed.

grade: 6.39 (Will eventually become a plus starter)







LB Jack Kelly - BYU  6'2",  240

 

combine: 4.57s 40, 37"vert, 10'5"broad

2025: 1st All-BIG 12, 55tot tckls, 10scks, 2FFs, 1PD

strengths: Delivers firm punch on climbing blocks. Possesses quality play strength & some nasty in his demeanor. Displays good feel as a blitzer & is able to trim the corner off the edge. Has plug-&-play traits as a 4-phase Special Teamer.

weaknesses: Will turn his pads to overrun his fits against wide runs. Inconsistent technique & execution to get rid of a block. Has trouble finishing tackles with consistency in space. 

grade: 5.85 (Average backup/ Special teamer)




TE Marlin Klein - Michigan  6'6",  248



combine: 4.61s 40, 36"vert, 9'9"broad

2025: Honorable All-BIG 10, 24rec/298yds/1TD

strengths: Creates leverage points to strike from. Accelerates through contact & runs his feet. Efficient eluding traffic & keeping routes on time. Adjusted catch-timing to the barrage of fastballs he saw.

weaknesses: Long-legged & gradual  through route turns. Must become more forceful at clearing out catch space. Hands fly out wide into contact on too many run blocks. 

grade: 6.1 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)







CB Malik Muhammad - Texas  6',  182


combine: 4.42s 40, 39"vert, 10'10"broad

2025: 2nd All-SEC, 30tot tckls, 1sck, 2INTs, 4PDs

strengths: Maintains field vision on every level of coverage. Above-average in reading & matching the route. Makes well-timed leaps to attack high-points  & break up throws. Fluid laterally & changes of direction with no hitch. 

weaknesses: Can get outmuscled from press & inside the pattern. Catching at the top of the route will lead to penalties. Lack of tackle strength shows up in the open field at times.

grade: 6.21 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Andru Phillips






OT Spencer Fano - Utah  6'5 1/2",  311


combine: 4.91s 40, 32"vert, 9'3"broad

2025: 1st AP All-American/1st All-BIG 12, Outland Trophy, BIG 12 OLOTY

strengths: Experience at both tackle spots. Good hand-strike quickness when allowed to fire out. Has footwork & body control to stay connected on move blocks. Flies out of his stance & in front of the rusher with quickness. Able to unlock hips & ride edge rushers around the pocket. Good at finding his footing after early push from speed to power.

weaknesses: Lacks upper-body & core strength to sustain in-blocks at pro level. Can be pressed & displaced by heavy-handed ends. Will overset instead of working inside/out against speed rushers. Must guard against lunging with inside hand & hugging with outside hand.

grade: 6.44 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Brian O'Neill




OG Olaivavega Ioane - Penn State  6'4 1/4",  320


combine: 31.5"vert, 8'8"broad

2025: 2nd AP All-American/1st All-BIG 10

strengths: Plays with impressive core power, body control & contact balance. Uses grip strength & chopping feet to stay tight as a drive blocker. Punches with tight hands & good pop. Snaps off twisters with good force. Firm inside hand with ability to set quick anchors against power.

weaknesses: Below-average lateral quickness & range as a move blocker. Lacks fluidity getting from block to block on combos. Below-average adjustments to moving targets. Gets beaten to the punch by twitchy interior rushers.

grade: 6.41 (Will Become a good starter within 2 years)

comp: Cooper Beebe





OG Beau Stephens - Iowa  6'5 1/2",  315


combine: 5.35s 40, 28"vert, 8'6"broad

2025: 1st AP All-American/1st All-BIG 10

strengths: Very good feel for angles & tempo in getting to his landmarks. Stays connected with his hands all the way through block finish. Pass-sets with good posture. Punches instead of catching when throwing his hands into rushers. 

weaknesses: Needs to prove he can succeed in schemes other than zone. Below-average connection accuracy when asked to pull. Rarely latches in tight to prevent secondary rush.

grade: 6.12 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)






TE Will Kacmarek - Ohio St  6'5 1/2",  261


combine: 4.74s 40, 36"vert, 9'11"broad

2025: Honorable All-BIG 10, 15rec/168yds/2TDs

strengths: Rolls hips into base blocks & strains as long as he needs to. Can help secure edges & climb on combos. Plays with a lineman's demeanor as a block-finisher. Catches what is thrown to him. 

weaknesses: Needs to lower pad level into 1st contact. Lacks fluidity & radar as a lead blocker. Clunky feet getting off the line & into space. Isn't much of a threat with the ball in his hands.

grade: 6.12 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)






CB Treydan Stukes - Arizona  6' 5/8",  190


combine: 4.33s 40, 38"vert, 10'10"broad

2025: 3rd AP All-American/1st All-BIG 12, 52tot tckls, 1sck, 4INTs, 6PDs

strengths: Cleanly processes stacked release & route combinations. Very good speed to stay in-phase or make up ground. Excels with his ball-tracking & catch timing. Accelerates quickly from any change of direction. Excellent technique & toughness tackling near the line. 

weaknesses: Feet have to do some of the work for his hips in coverage. Needs to break down sooner in downhill pursuit. Average lateral agility in coverage & as a tackler. Entry points into tackles can run a little high.

grade: 6.27 (Will eventually become an average starter)



Friday, April 17, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Preview: Buffalo Bills Part 2

 


These names come from various senior bowl, combine and pro day visits and connections. Summaries are from nfl.com's draft tracker.





LB Xavian Sorey Jr - Arkansas  6'2",  228


combine: 4.63s 40, 37.5"vert. 10'broad

2025: 81tot tckls, 2.5scks, 1FF, 1INT, 3PDs

strengths: Lose-limbed & athletic in his movements. Possesses sideline-to-sideline speed in pursuit. Viable option as a blitzer & QB spy. 

weaknesses: Struggles to take on & quickly shed blocks. Bites way too hard on play-action bait. Too many busts/missed coverage assignments on tape. 

grade: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or Practice Squad)







S Jakobe Thomas - Miami  6'1",  211


2025: 2nd All-ACC, Fiesta Bowl DMVP, 75tot tckls, 3.5scks, 2FF/2FR, 5INTs/1TD, 6PDs

strengths: Disguises intentions, dropping down late as an add-on defender. Ready & willing to explode into lead blocks. Above-average range & reaction as short-zone defender. Sees block & route development with impressive peripheral vision.

weaknesses: Allows receivers to get behind him more than he should. Burst to close & make-up speed in coverage are below-average. Tight-hipped & lacking desired lateral burst & agility. Ignites his tackle try before closing enough distance.

grade: 6.12 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)






WR Malik Benson - Oregon  6',  189


combine: 4.37s 40, 32.5"vert, 10'2"broad

2025: 43rec/719yds/6TDs

strengths: Climbs past press coverage very quickly in vertical leads. Extends his length to lasso throws from way outside his frame. Erases safety's post-catch tackle angles on digs & deep overs. Flashes toughness & consistently catching through heavy-contact. Able to protect throws with body-catching into the traffic. 

weaknesses: Needs to improve hand-fighting & learn to tempo his routes. Inconsistent leveraging landing space on deep sideline throws. Corners out-muscle him at the top of the route. Indecisive & lacking commitment on short catch-&-run throws.

grade: 6.00 (traits or talent to be an above-average backup)

comp: Will Fuller






S Jalen Kilgore - South Carolina  6'1",  210


combine: 4.40s 40, 37"vert, 10'10"broad, 16reps

2025: 2nd All-SEC, 54tot tckls, 2FR, 2INTs, 10PDs

strengths: Can stall TEs & big slot receivers from press. Rangy zone cover man with good vision & anticipation. Closes quickly & lands a heavy blow on receiver after the catch. Plenty of stopping power as a run defender. Plus balance & reactive agility as an open-field tackler. 

weaknesses: Average transition burst matching route breaks. Turns the motor down when he's away from the play. Below-average playing off of blocks for a player his size.

grade: 6.32 (Will eventually become a plus starter)







C jake Slaughter - Florida  6'5",  303


combine: 5.10s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'2"broad

2025: 2nd All-American/1st All-SEC

strengths: Accelerates & runs feet through contact on outside zone blocks. Quick eyes allow him to adjust assignments suddenly when needed.  Light on his feet to slide & protect against edge-to-edge rushers. Lands firm hands into pass rusher to set the tone for the rep. 

weaknesses: Rarely gets much displacement when asked to drive block. Has to guard against lunging at LBs on 2nd level. Might not have the anchor to handle bull-rushers heads-up.

grade: 5.93 (Average back-up/Special teamer)




CB Devin Moore - Florida  6'3",  198


combine: 4.50s 40

2025: 35tot tckls, 1sck, 2NTs, 1FF, 4PDs

strengths: Imposing figure from press with length to slow release. Tracks & adjusts to deep balls at top speed. Pulls arms & slaps hands when near the catch point. Good toughness as a tackler in run support. 

weaknesses: Too much space & not enough squeeze as a zone defender. Needs to improve route recognition & decisiveness in coverage. Top-end speed is average to close out stray vertical routes. Has an injury history.

grade: 6.00 (Traits or talent to be an above-average backup)







S A.J. Haulcy - LSU  6',  215


combine: 4.52s 40

2025: 1st All-SEC, 88tot tckls, 1FF, 3INTs, 4PDs

strengths: Poise/eyes of a pro. Outstanding instincts & route recognition fuel on-ball production. Decisive breaking into passing lanes. Closes downhill with good balance & body control. Enforcer in the middle who hits like a bag of concrete. Toggles speed to maintain pursuit leverage & adjusts his path to ball-carriers. 

weaknesses: Below-average recovery speed & burst to close. Loses some of his effectiveness when playing downhill. Will have speed mismatches to contend with in-man coverage. Average change of direction & reactive agility as an open-field tackler. 

grade: 6.29 (Will eventually become an average starter)






LB Jimmy Rolder - Michigan  6'2 1/2",  238


combine: 36"vert, 9'11"broad

2025: 2nd All-BIG 10, 73tot tckls, 2scks, 1INT, 2PDs

strengths: Excellent pad level, base strength & contact balance. Explodes heavy hands into climbers to separate. Rare to find a broken tackle against him on tape. Closes distance & bodies through tackles with consistent wrap. Sifts through route development & finds the nearest threat.

weaknesses: Downhill drift loses pursuit angles when tun bounces outside. Needs to keep outside shoulder uncovered to maintain contain. Inconsistent feel for working under or over climbing blocks. Slightly below-average cover talent in man & zone.

grade: 6.19 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Henry To'oTo'o








EDGE Jaishawn Barham - Michigan  6'3 1/2",  240


combine: 4.64s 40, 33"vert, 10'3"broad

2025: Honorable All-BIG 10, tot tckls, 4scks, 1FF, 3PDs

strengths: Pairs disruptive straits & playing style with a salty demeanor. Delivers knock-back pop to blockers & can quietly shed. His first 3 steps are sudden & threatening as a rusher. Elite bend & reactive agility allow him to tackle from unlikely angles. Smooth & rangy with his spot drops in coverage. Remarkable stop-start quickness when changing direction. 

weaknesses: Frenetic playing style can lead to missteps & missed tackles. Rush features reactive movements but lacks instinctive hand counters. Aggression can work against him with penalties. 

grade: 6.28 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Chop Robinson







S Kamari Ramsey - USC   6',  202


combine: 4.47s 40, 36"vert, 10'broad, 16reps

2025: Honorable All-BIG 10, 27tot tckls, 2PDs

strengths: Anticipates route breaks & readies feet to drive. Competes through the catch-point & challenges the receiver's hands. Slides with release & redirects with purpose. Able to run the alley & adjust his track on the move. 

weaknesses: Backpedal is upright & tight. Below-average fluidity & change of direction. Slow triggering downhill to close on the run. Inconsistent finding run fits near the line.

grade: 6.11 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)








DT Christen Miller - Georgia  6'4",  321


2025: 23tot tckls, 1.5scks

strengths: Power emanates from hip explosion into contact. Upper-body power prevents blockers from anticipating him. Good balance though contact & rarely seen on the ground. Active down the line to squeeze run lanes. 

weaknesses: Doesn't function as a pure gap hog in the middle. Average anticipation & feel for the back as a 2-gapper. Must prove he can anchor & occupy NFL double-teams.

grade: 6.34 (Will eventually become a plus starter)






TE Justin Joly - NC State  6'3 1/2",  241


2025: 1st All-ACC, 49rec/489yds/7TDs

strengths: Sturdy & strong with ability to catch through heavy contact. Route adjustments against coverage traffic come seamlessly. Consistently scrambles to freedom when the pass play extends. Good leaper with basketball body control  to lean & adjust to the throw.

weaknesses: Drifts on route turns, opening a door for defenders to undercut. Ducks head & leans into his run-blocking fits. Lacks consistent positioning, hand usage & strain as a blocker.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)

comp: Brevin Jordan






OT Austin Barber - Florida  6'7",  318


combine: 5.12s 40, 32"vert, 9'3"broad

2025: 3rd All-SEC

strengths: Quick to gain ground on initial sets & punches with timing. Strong hands can clinch & control defenders by their pads. Hustles to hit his landmarks for back-side cutoffs. 

weaknesses: Struggles with technique & anchor to beat bull rushers. Leaning & oversets see him countered by spin moves. Feet lag behind upper body, causing lunging into 1st contact. Below-average knee bend & pad level for adjustments in space.

grade: 5.98 (Average backup/Special teamer)




DT Domonique Orange - Iowa State  6'2",  322


2025: 3rd All-BIG 12, 18tot tckls, 1PD

strengths: Explosive power in both his upper & lower body. Pairs a slide step & arm-over move to create gap penetration. Uses anchor & spin counters to ward off wash-down blocks. 

weaknesses: Inconsistent hand usage in taking on double-teams. Lacks consistent shed quickness to get rid of the block. Has been a non-factor as a pass rusher.

grade: 6.26 (Will eventually become an average starter)