These names come from various senior bowl, combine and pro day visits and connections. Summaries are from nfl.com's draft tracker.
QB Garrett Nussmeier - LSU 6'2" 203
2025: 67.4%, 1,927yds, 12TDs/5INTs, 1 Rush TD
strengths: Impressive arm talent opens up opportunities. Able to zip spirals into very tight windows. Operational under pressure, with ability to make a play. Bounces & climbs to avoid the rush & get to a launch point. Takes very few unnecessary sacks.
weaknesses: Will force a circus throw when it's not necessary. Has trouble getting away from predetermined decisions. Puts the ball at risk far too often with low-reward throws. Shakes off changeups & throws the gas too often.
grade: 6.00 (Traits or talent to be an above-average backup)
strengths: Fires off snaps with low pads & into leveraged contact. Slides with lateral blocks & can make a stand on the move. Changes directions pretty well in small spaces. Twitchy upper body creates violent sheds against centers.
weaknesses: Too reliant on size over technique when taking on double teams. Lacks feel & efficiency in taking on down blocks. Lacks initial quickness to create early wins as a rusher.
grade: 6.29 (Will eventually become an average starter)
DT Darrell Jackson - Florida State 6'5 1/2" 315
2025: 44tot tckls, 1sck
strengths: Enormous presence in the middle. Can reach out & slow runners with an arm, even when he's being blocked. Uses his length & leg drive to crank up bull rush on centers. Moves well enough to bring down QB once he's in the pocket.
weaknesses: Plays with tight hips & a narrow base relative to his frame. Blockers can crowd his frame & uproot his anchor to clear him out. Movement is mechanical & lacking athletic flow. Hasn't learned to weaponize his length as a rusher.
grade: 6.00 (Traits or talent to be an above-average backup)
strengths: Jolts blockers with his knock-back power. Excellent run-game recognition from early in the snap. Fights to maintain run fits against wide zone blocking schemes. Makes accurate shed choices to defend both gaps. Very good change-of-direction quickness in small spaces.
weaknesses: Doesn't gain enough width on lateral slide steps to threaten edges as a rusher. Plays with slow power, making it tougher to quickly shed. Delayed in activating hands & getting them into blockers.
grade: 6.39 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
strengths: Very rugged demeanor with a taste for physicality. Strong core & base help withstand power. Always looking to get to the ball & refuses to ride the block. Violent chop knocks the tackle's outside punch hand away. Works back underneath at pocket depth to vacuum pocket-climbers.
weaknesses: Lacks ideal twitch getting in & out of his block engagements. Average short-area quickness for sudden tackle tries. Rush path tends to be monotonous & predictable for tackles. Needs to set up inside counters on the next level.
grade: 6.33 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
strengths: Wins through contact. Creates lateral separation when breaking press. 1st & 2nd acceleration catches defenders off-guard. Explosive leaper who can pluck high throws at their apex. Rugged runner who can break free from multiple tacklers.
weaknesses: Inefficient getting in & out of internal breaks. Needs quicker recognition & adjustment on underthrows. Disappointing effort & physicality when asked to run block.
grade: 6.39 (Eventually will become a plus starter)
strengths: Sauces up defenders with fakes & tempo changes. Works the middle of the field & has a good feel for soft spots in zone. RB's vision & cut quickness with ball in his hands. Loose & fluid making in-air adjustments to win jump balls.
weaknesses: Not a deep hip-sinker for tight turns in his routes. Lacks top-end speed to stretch defense from the slot. Average burst to separate getting oit of breaks. Route work will need to become more efficient & focused.
grade: 6.26 (Will eventually become an average starter)
OT J.C. Davis - Illinois 6'4" 322
combine: 5.16s 40, 30.5"vert, 8'3"broad
2025: 1st All-BIG 10
strengths: Good timing & consistency on his pin-&-climb combos. Power to torque & turn defender out of run gaps. Drives feet & looks to finish blocks when he has the advantage. Patient & independent hands allow him to gather spin counters. Good athleticism to mirror inside moves to find targets in space on screens.
weaknesses: Body control & contact balance are below-average. Poor hand placement limits block sustain/consistency in both phases. Allows rushers into his chest with popping & gathering.
strengths: Attacks blocks & constricts run flow with heavy hands. Scrapes with tempo altercations to leverage the run. Comes to balance & has good stopping power as a tackler. Not easy manipulated out of his zone by QB's eyes. Can immediately step in as a kick-cover talent.
weaknesses: Average quickness to diagnose & read play design. Needs a quicker downhill trigger to blow up the blocking scheme. Could struggle covering RBs if asked. Linear pass rusher with below-average elusiveness.
grade: 6.33 (Could eventually become a plus starter)
comp: Malik Harrison
CB Brandon Cisse - South Carolina 6' 189
combine: 41"vert, 10'11"broad
2025: 27tot tckls, 1FF, 1INT, 5PDs
strengths: Explosive athletic ability. Sits on short catches & squeezes work space from off-man. Imposes size on catch point when he's tight in coverage. Long speed to stay in-phase with deep routes. Supports the run like a box safety. Beats blockers with quickness & meets runners at or near the line.
weaknesses: Below-average in route recognition & break matching from off. Below-average tracking & adjustments on downfield 50/50 balls. Needs to more consistently read/react to QB's eyes/operations.
grade: 6.27 (Will eventually become an average starter)
strengths: Plenty of experience in pro passing concepts. Patient to wait out the route development. Good eye manipulation to move zone defenders away from his target. Keeps eyes alive & searching for a completion when scrambling.
weaknesses: Low-arm slot makes him susceptible to batted passes. Can be a step slow to hit open receivers in stride. Accuracy issues appear tied to a lack of discipline with footwork. Inconsistent poise in the face of real or simulated pressure looks.
grade: 5.68 (Good candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)
strengths: Plays with nimble feet & sudden change of direction in space. Rushes in, wraps & finishes before yards are added after the catch. Displays pure strength & intensity to fight off bigger blockers. Lowers miss rate by closing tight before igniting the tackle. Blitzes off the edge with plenty of heat.
weaknesses: Inconsistent locating & responding to route development. Transitions run tight when his leverage is beaten. Urgency causes overflow when pursuing wide. Can come in a little hot as a run blitzer.
grade: 6.30 (Will eventually become a plus starter)
strengths: Throws jabs & slides feet to cut off release from press. Gets hands on the route quickly & flows tightly to the route. Tracks QB without losing route awareness in zone coverage. Smothers the catch point like a dominant shot blocker. Full-contact thumper ready to jar the ball loose. Engulfs & wraps up pass-catchers to quickly end the play.
weaknesses: Can be baited by clever route combinations in deep zone. Aggressive hand usage to redirect, which will bring flags. Needs to become more consistent in locating deep throws. Can be tardy breaking down as an open-field tackler.
strengths: Manipulates defenders out of position with route acumen. Displays above-average burst from turns to gain separation. Ball-tracking adjustments & catch timing are elite. Elevates his toughness & focus when catch is untested. Good patience with late catch adjustment to save his catch space. Willing run blocker who gives legit efforts.
weaknesses: Appears quicker then fast when working vertical routes. Competitive but relatively ordinary after the catch. Needs runway to break off comebacks out of the drive phase.
grade: 6.70 (Year 1 starter)
comp: Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR Elijah Sarratt - Indiana 6' 2 1/2" 210
2025: 2nd All-BIG 10, 65rec/830yds/15TDs
strengths: Rugged & urgent when battling against physical coverage. Disciplined route-running disguises his route intentions. Speed changes & crisp cuts create space at route breaks. Dominated back-shoulder balls & slot fades. Tough to bring him down with the ball in his hands.
weaknesses: Tight strider with below-average release quickness. Noticeable loss of speed through stems & turns. Lacks 2nd gear to run under a deep throw. Labors opening hips & makes reactive, off-frame catches.
grade: 6.22 (Eventually will become an average starter)
comp: Allen Lazard
WR Jordyn Tyson - Arizona St 6'2" 203
combine: 26reps
2025: 3rd AP All-American/1st All BIG-12, 61rec/711yds/8TDs, 1 Rush TD
strengths: Plays with ideal suddeness & cut quickness underneath. Routes are smooth & manipulated to induce leverage. Digs hard on posts to gain ground before looking for the ball. Highly competitive to hog the catch space & win contested catches. Ball skills feature impeccable body control & high-point timing.
weaknesses: Can be impatient & hurry his routes at times. Loses momentum on in-breaking routes because of inefficient footwork. Injury history. Long speed & play strength are average.
grade: 6.46 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
strengths: Gains good lateral ground with swift jump-cuts to escape trouble. Bendy in his ankles & hips to quickly cut at crisp angles. Bursts takes him to his top speed in a hurry.
weaknesses: Lacks tempo & rhythm in getting to run actions. Hurries runs & either misses the entry point or runs into the blocker. Lacks instincts & feel for setting up tacklers. Missing the power & running style to collide & fall forward.
grade: 5.67 (Candidate for the bottom of the roster or practice squad)
strengths: Run/catch versatility from backfield or slot. Uses lead blockers effectively & smoothly changes directions. Outstanding hand strength to secure & finish the catch. Durable run finisher behind his pads.
weaknesses: Below-average burst to spring past 1st level defenders. Lacks speed to out-flank run pursuit or push coverage onto its heels. Short arms limit opportunities to nab off-target throws. Needs to improve at carving out catch space through face.
grade: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)
WR Zavion Thomas - LSU 5'10" 190
combine: 4.28s 40, 36"vert
2025: 41rec/488yds/4TDs, 19c/99yds/1TD
strengths: Late leverage pushes coverage out of his downfield break. Sharp snap at the top of his comeback routes. Legit ball-carrying talent on scripted touches. Good vision, burst & wriggle to create for himself. Return specialist.
weaknesses: Average early acceleration into his routes. Loses momentum in & out of slant stems. Needs to stack & control corners when tracking. Struggles to secure catches through contact.
Grade: 5.84 (Average backup/Special teamer)
WR Dillon Bell - Georgia 6'1" 209
combine: 4.5s 40, 39"vert, 10'6" broad
2025: 27rec/268yds/2TDs, 17c/109yds/2TDs
strengths: Highly successful weapon on jet-sweeps & reverses. Breaks through open-field tacklers once he gets rolling downhill. Accelerates late in route to create space. Run-block potential on perimeter and when cracking down. Experience & talent to become a plus kick returner.
weaknesses: Routes lack crisp cuts & attention to detail. Unable to pull the brakes firmly for comeback routes. Body-catcher with below-average catch focus. Struggles to bring in throws outside his frame.
strengths: Reads the run & scrapes to the line to compress the front. Lands a crisp two-hand punch to stay clean against blocks. Sifts through route development to locate zone landmarks. Triggers a well-timed blitz to harass the pocket. Accelerates through contact to finish tackles near the line.
weaknesses: Needs to be quicker in defeating skill-position blockers. Linear pursuit to the football leads to missed tackles. Too much confusion on his coverage tape. Average elusiveness to bypass blitz pickup.
Grade: 6.18 (Good backup with potential to develop as a starter)
CB Andre Fuller - Toledo 6'1" 200
combine: 4.49s 40, 35"vert, 10'9"broad
2025: 1st All-MAC, 40tot tckls, 1FR, 10PDs
strengths: Patient feet allow release fakes to clear. Reads receivers' eyes & attacks hands with timing. Beats up the catch space when he's in position. Has punt & kick-cover talent.
weaknesses: Late reaching in press slows take-off departure to flip & run. Struggles staying connected to route breaks from trail. Rarely finds the football with his back to the action. Needs to drop his entry point & body-up as a tackler.
Grade: 5.69 (Good candidate for back of the roster or practice squad)
strengths: Sees past initial set of traffic to set up future cuts & moves. Able to snap off out-breaking cuts with suddeness. Set school record with 6 return TDs. 1st tackle attempt is often eluded or broken on punt returns.
weaknesses: Desire to bounce returns wide could catch up with him in the pros. Lacks short-area agility as a ball-carrier near the line. Corners rise up over his head on jump balls. Short arms & smaller hands require an accurate QB.
Grade: 6.00 (Traits or talent to become above-average backup)
strengths: Rapid feet turnover quickly eats CB's cushion. Instant acceleration becomes runaway speed. Turns short slants into big plays after the catch. Threatens all 3 levels of the field. Good body control with sudden, late hands on contested sideline throws.
weaknesses: Wastes motion against press instead of winning clean. Body-catcher who loses focus over the middle. Lacks extension & hand strength to finish when contested. Fast post-catch but only average elusiveness. Needs to make quicker adjustments to capture air space on 50/50 balls.
grade: 6.25 (Eventually will become an average starter)
comp: Michael Gallup
RB CJ Donaldson - Ohio St 6'2" 230
2025: 96c/361yds/10TDs, 15rec/96yds/1TD
strengths: Times his cuts off the lead blocker's hip on contact. Leans & drives through contact to break tackles or fall forward. Knows where to be in pass protection.
weaknesses: One-speed runner lacking desired burst through the line. Lacks vision to locate & slide to small lane openings. Needs more patience in allowing blocks to develop. Little added value out of the backfield.
grade: 5.82 (Average backup/special teamer)
WR Eric Rivers - Georgia Tech 5'10" 176
combine: 4.35s 40, 37"vert, 10'7"broad
2025: 46rec/658yds/2TDs, 7c/56yds
strengths: Tempos into acceleration at the stem on deep routes. Disguises route breaks with a consistently quiet upper body. Maintains speed while locating & tracking the throw. Displayed punt return ability.
weaknesses: Deceleration & change of direction fluidity are average. Inconsistent balance & footwork in & out of intermediate breaks. Doesn't get much after the catch in tighter spaces.
grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)
OG Garrett Digiorgio - UCLA 6'7" 319
combine: 5.36s 40, 29.5"vert, 8'10"broad, 24reps
strengths: Finds work as a clean-up man when he's uncovered. Rips upward hand strikes into defender's frame at contact. Able to unlock lower half & roll hips into the block.
weaknesses: Can be knocked back by an average bull rush inside. Inconsistent footwork to match standing fronts & fit up his block. Struggles badly to stay centered & sustain as both a run and pass blocker. Poor change of direction in space when asked to make climbing/pulling blocks.
grade: 5.68 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)
WR Denzel Boston - Washington 6'4" 212
combine: 35"vert
2025: 3rd All-BIG 10, 62rec/881yds/11TDs
strengths: Good early acceleration. Runs routes with good fluidity. Big-bodied target who plays to his size. Pro-caliber ball skills with elite hand strength to finish. Extends for off-frame throws with a spider-web like catch radius. Ball tracking & adjustment timing are top notch. Competitive & strong with his run-after-catch ability.
weaknesses: Press release is linear. Lacks a true 2nd gear. Routes lose steam when he digs his foot in on route turns. Earned separation closes as the route progresses.
grade: 6.40 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)
comp: Puka Nacua
LB Eric Gentry - USC 6'7" 221
2025: 76tot tckls, 3scks, 5FFs, 2PDs
strengths: When he's near the route, the squeeze is on. Threatening closing burst to the QB as a blitzer. Long frame allows him to make tackles from distance. Actively targets punch-cuts.
weaknesses: Gets lifted up & out of the gap by linemen. Lacks upper-body and hand usage to get off blocks. Below-average change of direction in man coverage. High center of gravity makes open-field tackling tougher.
grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)
S Ahmaad Moses - SMU 5'9" 196
combine: 38"vert
2025: 104tot tckls, 1sck, 2FRs, 5INTs/1TD, 3PDs
strengths: Twitchy athlete with sudden change of direction. Pounces on quick game & short throws with immediacy. Quick to diagnose & trigger deep into the run fit. Sticky hands to flip the field and his kick-cover talent stands out.
weaknesses: Pass-catchers go up & over him for grabs. Loses track of positioning from depth near the redzone. Takes chances pursuing wide & will lose leverage. Limited tackle raidus once the ball-carrier hits the open field.
gradeL 5.91 (Average backup/Special teamer)
WR Zachariah Branch - Georgia 5'9" 177
combine: 4.35s 40, 38"vert, 10'5"broad, 20reps
2025: 2nd All-SEC, 81rec/811yds/6TDs
strengths: Top-end speed to pull away & take it to the house. Above-average play strength to battle against hands-on coverage. Can punish zone coverage when working between short & deep. Showed an ability to thrive through heavy catch contact. Access to instant speed when he wants it.
weaknesses: Developed a bad habit of jumping to make the catch when it's unnecessary. Rushes through his routes with little attention to detail. Will need to eliminate his heavy rounded route turns. Requires an accurate passer.
grade: 6.32 (Eventually will become a plus starter)
comp: Curtis Samuel
TE Bauer Sharp - LSU 6'5" 249
combineL 4.63s 40, 35"vert, 10'broad, 20reps
2025: 24rec/252yds/2TDs
strengths: Conscientious to drop feet in-bounds, catching tight to the boundary. Strikes with low pad level & good hand placement on down blocks. Finds, adjusts & centers up on block targets in space.
weaknesses: Beaten to the punch on a fairly consistent basis. Struggles to prevent being discarded by NFL-caliber talent. Route tells allow coverage to jump his breaks. Ball security after the catch is a concern.
grade: 5.67 (Candidate for bottom of the roster or practice squad)
Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.
"Let God Sort Em Out" - Clipse
1) "The Birds Don't Sing" (ft/ John Legend and Voices of Fire):
A track full of remorse; "The birds don't sing, they screech in pain".
2) Chains & Whips" (ft/ Kendrick Lamar):
There's a rock style production. Overall this feels fresh, with a furiously paced close; "Misery's fueling your aggression".
3) "P.O.V" (ft/ Tyler, the Creator)
Slowed down & calmer, though the flow feels slightly off.
4) "So Be It"
There's a Middle Eastern sound.
5) "Ace Trumpets"
A very smooth beat.
6) "All Things Considered" (ft/ The-Dream and Pharrell Williams)
There's a nice transition into this track; "The only sin left is to flirt with vengeance".
7) "M.T.B.T.T.F"
This brings about a 90s vibe.
8) "E.B.I.T.D.A" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)
While quicker paced, this feels a bit like a throw-in.
9) "F.I.C.O" (ft/ Stove God Cooks)
Again we see a slowed down tempo, going along with the pacing of this album.
10) "Inglorious Bastards" (ft/ Ab-Liva)
This brings about a different vibe; "I'm allergic to anything other than money behavior".
11) "So Far Ahead" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)
There's a soulful/gospel feel in the opening, with some very clever wording.
12) "Let God Sort Em Out/ Chandeliers" (ft/ Nas)
There's an interesting switch-up midway though.
13) "By The Grace of God" (ft/ Pharrell Williams)
This feels like a triumphant close to the album; "Escape the odds by the grace of God".
This is a fascinating album. It both feels new & unique, while also providing a throwback vibe to 90s hip hop. As I mentioned in the body of the review, its also really well paced (and not overtly lengthy). (82.1)
Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.
"Mayhem" - Lady Gaga
(Interscope Records)
1) Disease:
Immediately brings you into the atmosphere of the upcoming album with a classic Gaga sound; "if you were a sinner I could make you believe".
2) Abracadabra:
Intensely catchy. The pre-chorus itself tells a story.
3) Garden Of Eden:
There are some of Gaga's classic cadences.
4) Perfect Celebrity:
This deals with the spotlight of fame and idolization; "I look so hungry, but I look so good....tap on my vein, suck on my diamond blood". The production is practically perfect.
5) Vanish Into You:
The intro starts off with a power ballad vibe.
6) Killah (ft/ Gesaffelstein):
There's certainly a funk (Prince) vibe that fits really well. The breakdown builds on itself.
7) Zombieboy:
There's sort of a Gwen Stefani (Hollabackgirl) inspired sound.
8) LoveDrug:
She wants to find a way to numb herself.
9) How Bad Do U Want Me:
Getting the obvious out of the way, this is very Taylor Swift coded, but with Gaga's own flair. And its not just the sound, but the structure of the chorus. Its fun seeing Lady Gaga with a pure pop song.
10) Don't Call Tonight:
Some notable lines; "We twist the knife too many times to say goodbye".
11) Shadow Of A Man:
Very Michael Jackson coded, she really delivers on the fast paced chorus. She doesn't want to be in the background.
12) The Beast:
There's a driving/building tempo. A classic rock vibe with some powerful vocals.
13) Blade Of Grass:
A James Bond-esque ballad. Not necessarily among the top tracks of the album, but its a vibe switch.
14) Die With A Smile (ft/ Bruno Mars):
Sonically this works following "Blade Of Grass", but overall when considering the album this feels like a throw-in to produce a hit.
Not that she needed a comeback, but this album sees Lady Gaga going back to some of her early work, but still with some added flair. Its fun seeing her take on some inspired sounds, like Prince, Taylor Swift and MJ for example. (86.5)
Its that time of year for my annual series reviewing all of the album of the year nominees. This year I graded each track out of 100, and then of course averaged it out. On albums that feature interludes, or on certain tracks that are around a minute or shorter, those won't be judged toward the album.
"Chromakopia" - Tyler, The Creator
(Columbia Records)
1) St. Chroma (ft/ Daniel Caesar):
With a spoken word intro, it starts off with whispered vocals; "give a fuck about traditions, stop impressing the dead". This opener feels a bit disjointed and disconnected.
2) Rah Tah Tah:
The writing is clever; "if my ex is spilling tea about me, don't you drink that".
3) Noid:
This track provides a bit of a switch-up, with a sort of Kravitz vibe. Overall this centers on paranoia.
4) Darling, I (ft/ Teezo Touchdown):
The opening of this one feels more like a ballad; "One option for everybody? Don't you lie to me".
5) Hey Jane:
Dealing with the choice of an impending pregnancy, we see the partners going back & forth in the verses, "lets pretend we got no one to tell".
6) I Killed You:
There's a nice early flow, but the switch-up midway feels abrupt.
7) Judge Judy:
The beat is interesting, but the writing is so corny, and it drags on and on.
8) Sticky (ft/ GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne)
With heavy percussion, the instrumentals are far more interesting/intriguing than the sub-par lyrics.
9) Take Your Mask Off (ft/ Daniel Caesar and LaToiya Williams):
This is about being yourself and not hiding one's self.
10) Tomorrow:
With a nice guitar, this deals with thinking about the future.
11) Thought I Was Dead (ft/ Schoolboy Q and Santigold):
This has an interesting march/funk vibe.
12) Like Him (ft/ Lola Young):
This track drags on.
13) Balloon (ft/ Doechii):
With a synth-pop opening, Doechii brings some much needed energy.
14) I Hope You Find Your Way Home:
There's a nice synth breakdown.
I found this overall to be a bit up and down. Chromakopia has its high moments though. (78.4)