2026 Dane Brugler The Beast Draft Info

[dbair1967]

Going to store it all here outside of the big draft thread.

Start with the top-10 at defensive positions:

Edge
1 ARVELL REESE Ohio State
2 DAVID BAILEY Texas Tech
3 RUEBEN BAIN JR. Miami
4 KELDRIC FAULK Auburn
5 AKHEEM MESIDOR Miami
6 T.J. PARKER Clemson
7 MALACHI LAWRENCE UCF
8 ZION YOUNG Missouri
9 CASHIUS HOWELL Texas A&M
10 R MASON THOMAS Oklahoma

DT/DL
1 KAYDEN MCDONALD Ohio State
2 PETER WOODS Clemson
3 CHRISTEN MILLER Georgia
4 CALEB BANKS Florida
5 LEE HUNTER Texas Tech
6 DOMONIQUE ORANGE Iowa State
7 TYLER ONYEDIM Texas A&M 3rd 5SR
8 CHRIS MCCLELLAN Missouri
9 DARRELL JACKSON
10 GRACEN HALTON Oklahoma

LB
1 SONNY STYLES Ohio State
2 JACOB RODRIGUEZ Texas Tech
3 CJ ALLEN Georgia
4 JAKE GOLDAY Cincinnati
5 ANTHONY HILL JR. Texas
6 JOSIAH TROTTER Missouri
7 KYLE LOUIS Pittsburgh 3rd
8 KEYSHAUN ELLIOTT Arizona State
9 KALEB ELARMS-ORR TCU
10 BRYCE BOETTCHER Oregon

CB

1 MANSOOR DELANE LSU
2 JERMOD MCCOY Tennessee
3 CHRIS JOHNSON San Diego State
4 AVIEON TERRELL Clemson
5 COLTON HOOD Tennessee
6 D’ANGELO PONDS Indiana
7 BRANDON CISSE South Carolina
8 TREYDAN STUKES Arizona
9 KEITH ABNEY II Arizona State
10 DAVISON IGBINOSUN Ohio State

Safeties

1 CALEB DOWNS Ohio State
2 DILLON THIENEMAN Oregon
3 EMMANUEL MCNEIL-WARREN Toledo
4 KEIONTE SCOTT Miami
5 A.J. HAULCY LSU
6 ZAKEE WHEATLEY Penn State
7 BUD CLARK TCU
8 JALON KILGORE South Carolina
9 GENESIS SMITH Arizona
10 KAMARI RAMSEY USC

 

[dbair1967]

Offensive Top-10 by position:

QB
1 FERNANDO MENDOZA Indiana
2 TY SIMPSON Alabama
3 GARRETT NUSSMEIER LSU
4 DREW ALLAR Penn State
5 COLE PAYTON North Dakota State
6 CARSON BECK Miami
7 TAYLEN GREEN Arkansas
8 CADE KLUBNIK Clemson
9 HAYNES KING Georgia Tech
10 JOE FAGNANO UConn

RB

1 JEREMIYAH LOVE Notre Dame
2 JADARIAN PRICE Notre Dame
3 MIKE WASHINGTON JR. Arkansas
4 EMMETT JOHNSON Nebraska
5 KAYTRON ALLEN Penn State
6 JONAH COLEMAN Washington
7 DEMOND CLAIBORNE Wake Forest
8 NICHOLAS SINGLETON Penn State
9 ELI HEIDENREICH Navy
10 KAELON BLACK Indiana

WR

1 CARNELL TATE Ohio State
2 MAKAI LEMON USC
3 JORDYN TYSON Arizona State
4 KC CONCEPCION Texas A&M
5 OMAR COOPER JR. Indiana
6 DENZEL BOSTON Washington
7 GERMIE BERNARD Alabama
8 CHRIS BELL Louisville
9 MALACHI FIELDS Notre Dame
10 ANTONIO WILLIAMS Clemson

TE

1 KENYON SADIQ Oregon
2 ELI STOWERS Vanderbilt
3 MAX KLARE Ohio State
4 OSCAR DELP Georgia
5 JUSTIN JOLY NC State
6 SAM ROUSH Stanford
7 WILL KACMAREK Ohio State
8 NATE BOERKIRCHER Texas A&M
9 ELI RARIDON Notre Dame
10 MARLIN KLEIN Michigan

 

[dbair1967]

Offense- OL groups

T

1 SPENCER FANO Utah
2 FRANCIS MAUIGOA Miami
3 MONROE FREELING Georgia
4 KADYN PROCTOR Alabama
5 CALEB LOMU Utah
6 BLAKE MILLER Clemson
7 MAX IHEANACHOR Arizona State
8 CALEB TIERNAN Northwestern
9 TRAVIS BURKE Memphis
10 MARKEL BELL Miami

OG

1 OLAIVAVEGA IOANE Penn State
2 CHASE BISONTIS Texas A&M
3 EMMANUEL PREGNON Oregon
4 KEYLAN RUTLEDGE Georgia Tech
5 GENNINGS DUNKER Iowa
6 JALEN FARMER Kentucky
7 BILLY SCHRAUTH Notre Dame
8 FEBECHI NWAIWU Oklahoma
9 LOGAN TAYLOR Boston College
10 KAGE CASEY Boise State

C

1 JAKE SLAUGHTER Florida
2 SAM HECHT Kansas State
3 LOGAN JONES Iowa
4 CONNOR LEW Auburn
5 TREY ZUHN III Texas A&M
6 BRIAN PARKER II Duke
7 PARKER BRAILSFORD Alabama
8 MATT GULBIN Michigan State
9 JAGER BURTON Kentucky
10 PAT COOGAN Indiana

 

[dbair1967]

Arvell Reese. Edge 1, #1 overall player.

STRENGTHS ● Tall, developed frame, with above-average length and sculpted build ● Twitched-up athlete, especially for his size — teammates were buzzing about his freaky talent since he enrolled ● Explosive in both movements and ability to generate power ● Shows impressive burst and flexibility as pass rusher, which allows him to win high side and flatten to the quarterback ● Able to forklift 320-pound blockers as blitzer from depth ● Plays balanced through contact in all phases ● Violent hands as take-on player; uses his long arms to stay detached on the edges ● Hard to find missed or overrun tackle attempts on 2025 tape ● Fluid change-of-direction skills in space to operate as spy or cover man ● Learned how to study and prepare playing behind (and rooming with) Cody Simon ● NFL scouts say Ohio State coaches praise his competitive toughness and the way he matured behind the scenes ● Versatile experience — spent time at edge rusher and multiple linebacker positions

WEAKNESSES ● Slender for an edge; doesn’t have ideal mass for NFL trench work ● Pass rush is based on athleticism and feel more than a strategic rush plan ● Play action and misdirection can create slight pause in his process ● Competitive and fluid in coverage but needs more man-to-man reps against backs and TEs ● Needs to develop awareness as a hole player to react with better decisiveness ● Only one season as a full-time starter (fewer than 1,000 career defensive snaps) ● Concussion on kickoff coverage (Sept. 2023) and missed five games as a freshman

SUMMARY A starter for one-and-a-half years at Ohio State, Reese was a hybrid outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s multiple fronts. After spending time at edge defender and Mike linebacker as an underclassman, he became a joker defender in Patricia’s scheme in 2025. That role primarily asked him to be stacked, with some reps walked out and some on the edge. Box-score scouts will be unimpressed by his production, but his stats don’t accurately reflect his on-field impact, because he was primarily used as a spy and read player. Reese emerged as the Big Ten Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year and became the first consensus All-America linebacker at Ohio State since James Laurinaitis (Reese’s position coach for the Buckeyes). An impressive height/weight/speed athlete, Reese — who is also one of the youngest prospects in the draft class — was asked to play a blend of multiple positions, which showcased his vast tools for NFL scouts. He is explosive from his spot and has exceptional closing burst to cover ground in a blink. He can create short corners as a rusher, but will need time to become more of a pass-rush technician, in terms of setting up and sequencing different moves. He uses his length to anchor as an edge setter and skillfully deconstructs blocks with elusive movements or violent, well-timed hands. Overall, Reese has the dynamic talent to play a variety of different linebacker or edge roles at a high level, although his ceiling as a pass rusher is his most valuable asset. It is hard to find versatile defenders with his caliber of explosive tools.

 

[dbair1967]

David Bailey, Edge 2, 7th

STRENGTHS ● Long and lean, with shredded body mass and thickness in thighs/bubble ● Explosive athlete who has first-step burst and speed to win the corner ● Long strides eat up cushions and create force at contact that tests blockers’ brakes ● Strong hips, leverage and leg drive, making it tough to knock him off rush path ● Blockers are so worried about his feet, they are late to defend his sudden hands and long-arm moves ● Not a finesse rusher; plays physical through shoulders of blockers ● Adequate strength as an edge setter; battles versus much larger blockers ● Uses initial quickness to avoid run-game blocks and make stops in backfield ● Finishes with tremendous closing speed to chase down quarterbacks and backside runs ● Rangy athlete when asked to drop; rarely misses tackles ● Highly productive — finished with second-most sacks (14.5) in a single season in school history ● NFL scouts say his practice habits have matured and he is learning to love the process

WEAKNESSES ● Mediocre anchor and can be moved, especially by doubles and angle blocks ● Inconsistent instincts and hand use for quick sheds ● Some tightness in movements, especially at the top of his rush ● Needs to become more skilled in rush counters, spin attempts and move-to-move transitions ● Only one season as a full-time starter Back to table of contents 334 ● Allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a photographer after Arizona State game in 2025 (photographer filed a police report, but no charges were filed against Bailey) ● NFL scouts say they want “more consistent energy levels” from him behind the scenes

SUMMARY A one-year starter at Texas Tech, Bailey was the field-side edge rusher (stand-up and hand on the ground) in defensive coordinator Shiel Wood’s 4-2-5 base scheme. After flashing as a part-time player at Stanford, he joined the Red Raiders for his senior season and became a unanimous All-American, helping the program to its first Big 12 championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. Under the watchful eye of outside linebackers coach C.J. Ah You (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers), Bailey finished No. 1 in the FBS in sacks (14.5) and pressure rate (21.3 percent) and No. 2 in tackles for loss (19.5) and total pressures (81). A linear-based pass rusher, Bailey fires off the ball like a sprinter, with stride length and hell-raising intentions to quickly build forceful momentum to the quarterback. He is at his best with a runway and must continue to polish his secondary moves. He is a violent strikethrough tackler and showed clear improvements as a run defender in 2025, although his take-on skills and instincts need more work. Overall, Bailey is still developing his rush counters, but he is an explosive, quick-twitch athlete with the power, length and desire to be a disruptive rush piece. He projects as a versatile NFL starter.

 

[dbair1967]

Reuben Bain, 3rd Edge, 9th

STRENGTHS ● Wide-hipped, densely built frame, with thick quads/bubble and balled calves ● Quick off his spots and plays at a relentless level ● Heavy, deliberate rush hands to overpower blockers with clubs, chops and rips ● Uses power to attack leverage points and forklift blocks ● Able to dip his shoulder and grind the corner with strong lower half ● Moves well laterally to slash gaps as a rusher from interior alignment ● Stout run defender, with outstanding strength to stack, anchor and control point of attack ● Excellent awareness to key and chase the football ● Offenses that try to block him with a tight end don’t do it twice ● Soft-spoken by nature — allows his play to do the talking ● Collected 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks over 38 college games

WEAKNESSES ● Pear-shaped body and below-average arm length ● More quick than explosive off the snap ● Not super bendy; can get stuck at top of the arc ● Longer tackles will be able to close space and prevent him from creating a runway ● Reliant on power — NFL blockers have a sneak peek at his rush plan ● Had at least one missed tackle on almost every 2025 tape studied ● Missed four games as a sophomore because of soft tissue injury (Sept. 2024); torn left MCL, suffered during state title game of his high school junior year, which required surgery (Jan. 2022); wears bulky brace on left arm

SUMMARY A three-year starter at Miami, Bain lined up as the field defensive end (three- and four-point stance) in defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s four-man front. After combining for 58.5 sacks over his junior and senior seasons in high school, Bain stayed home and played for Miami, where NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor served as his D-line coach. A consensus All-American as a junior, Bain made his presence felt — especially in the College Football Playoff — and led the FBS in pressures (83), the most by any player in a single season since 2017. However, he also led the FBS in pass-rush snaps (557), 106 more than No. 2 on the list (No. 41 in the FBS in 2025 in pressures per snap). With a uniquely thick body type, short arms and an average get-off, Bain isn’t the picture-perfect embodiment of what NFL teams covet in a pass rusher. But he consistently deconstructs blocks with power and is a tough player to slow down. As a pass rusher, Bain uses anvil-weighted hands to jar blocks off balance with rip/bull-rush moves and regularly forces quarterbacks off spots, flushing production to his teammates. He plays low and squatty in the run game, with the violence and awareness to shut down the edges. Overall, Bain has some size/speed constraints, but his power profile, leveraged attack and tenacious play style show in all areas of his game and directly lead to backfield disruption. He projects as a scheme-versatile NFL starter who can line up wide, over the tackle or inside as a three-technique

 

[dbair1967]

Sonny Styles LB 1, 4th

STRENGTHS ● Tall, long and well put together with defined traps and quads ● Incredibly rangy because of his athleticism and body length (“Freaks List” alum) ● Outstanding pursuit speed to cut off outside run angles (reached 22.69 mph during his 40-yard dash at the combine) ● Diagnostic skills showed clear and obvious improvement the past two years at linebacker ● Doesn’t stick to climbers; uses lateral quicks and abrupt hands to shuck blocks ● Attacks runners with bend to face up, overwhelm and stone ball carriers cold ● Only two missed tackles in 2025 (and both came in the final game of the season) ● Can see his safety background in the way he hunts underneath zones or plays man-up against tight ends ● Able to match in man-to-man with slot receivers and tight ends ● Blitzes with power and burst to blow up backs in pass pro — his pass rush has yet to be weaponized ● Laidback personality but carries himself like a pro; described to NFL scouts as “the best leader in the program” by the Ohio State coaches ● Received standing ovation during a formal interview with an NFL team following his on-field combine performance ● Skipped senior year of high school, so he’s young for a four-year college prospect

WEAKNESSES ● Arrives high as a tackler at times because of his height, which will be tougher to get away with versus NFL runners ● Will take himself out of position when he misreads backfield action ● Quick to react in coverage but doesn’t play with top-tier anticipation to arrive before the ball ● Could do a better job ball searching to force incompletions or fumbles (only career interception was on a right-place, right-time deflection)

SUMMARY A three-year starter at Ohio State, Styles played weakside linebacker in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s 4-2-5 base scheme (and wore the green dot in 2025). After playing multiple safety roles for two seasons, he transitioned to linebacker as a junior and then became an All-American as a senior, combining for 182 tackles over his final two seasons. He was awarded the “Block O” jersey in 2025 and voted a senior captain (receiving the most votes on the team). Styles is a freaky height/weight/speed athlete with fluid change of direction and the playmaking range to cover every blade of grass. He processes quickly and delivers pop at contact as a downhill player, rarely missing tackles thanks to his ability to violently overwhelm the ball carrier. Though he plays with terrific reaction quickness, the next step in his development is to improve his anticipation, especially in coverage, so he can make more plays on the football. Overall, Styles is an outstanding size-speed athlete who is comfortable in space, reacts well to what he sees and plays with the physicality to mark up the stat sheet. With elite subpackage value, he has the talent to become an impact linebacker early in his NFL career.

 

[dbair1967]

Jacob Rodriguez, LB 2, 40th

STRENGTHS ● Square, athletic build with a boxy torso and adequate mass ● Plays with short-area quickness and acceleration to get from A to B quickly ● Trusts his instincts and anticipates openings to shoot downhill for quick stops ● Diagnoses combo blocks and works down to beat climbers ● Stout and physical in the hole ● Quick to decipher shallow routes from zone and puts himself in position to bait throws ● Majored in the “Peanut Punch” and led FBS with seven forced fumbles in 2025 (ranks top 10 in FBS history in career forced fumbles) ● Two-time team captain; described as “humble” and “leader of men” by coaching staff (NFL scout: “He’s all about business on the field. … Checks every box as a worker and isn’t shy getting vocal to rally the troops.”) Back to table of contents 457 ● Only FBS player to score on both offense and defense in 2025 (69-yard fumble return touchdown; scored two rushing touchdowns in the “stache” goal-line package) ● Filled up stat sheet with tackles and impact plays the past two seasons

WEAKNESSES ● Adequate size and strength by NFL standards ● Struggles to make up ground once he loses angle ● Lack of length shows as a take-on player and on off-balance tackle attempts ● Multiple missed tackles on most tapes studied, mostly on cutback runs ● Needs to expand peripheral vision to avoid running into blocks when chasing to sideline ● Marginal special teams resume in three years at Texas Tech ● Lisfranc sprain and bone bruise in right foot (Sept. 2023), injuries which didn’t require surgery but sidelined him for eight games

SUMMARY A starter for two-and-a-half years at Texas Tech, Rodriguez lined up as the Will linebacker in defensive coordinator Shiel Wood’s 4-2-5 base scheme. A former quarterback, he bet on himself by giving up a scholarship at Virginia and transitioning to linebacker as a walk-on at Texas Tech in 2022. He put together an All-America 2025 season and filled up his trophy case (Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award). He also finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy race. The “quarterback of the defense,” according to Red Raiders coaches, Rodriguez is quick off his spot with the backfield vision to sort and drive on the football. He lays it all on the line each snap with adequate stack-and-shed strength, but he has marginal length to get extension on blockers or create knockback. His awareness in coverage, go-getter intangibles and turnover production (19 career forced turnovers) are qualities that will win over a war room. Overall, Rodriguez has a very average size profile, but his athletic versatility has made him a more instinctive linebacker and helps him play decisively. He should immediately compete for a starting role in the NFL.

 

[dbair1967]

CJ Allen LB 3, 46th

STRENGTHS ● Well built with adequate length and definition on his frame ● Above-average straight-line speed and moves well laterally ● Displays functional perimeter range and frequently makes stops near the sideline ● Strong key-and-diagnose skills to mirror at the line ● Doesn’t take the cheese — eyes stay glued to the football ● Adept at sidestepping or dipping underneath climbing blockers ● Excellent drive-through and finish-to-the-ground tackler ● Heart and soul of the defense on and off the field (NFL scout: “Stud of a human. … Good head on his shoulders.”); captain for six games in 2025 ● Coach-pleaser and hates to let his team down (Kirby Smart: “He practices so hard. He wants to win so bad. I don’t know that I’ve seen a kid care more about the team performance. Great leader, and I appreciate the work he puts into it.”) ● Above-average tackle production; didn’t commit a penalty in 41 career games

WEAKNESSES ● Needs to load more ammo behind his hands when striking blocks ● Too easily stood up and stonewalled as a blitzer ● Missed tackles are usually a result of him trying to chop low ● Can get lost in zone drops and struggles to feel routes behind him ● Has some tightness in coverage ● Left knee injury that required a meniscus clean-up surgery (Nov. 2025), performed by Dr. James Andrews, but (somehow) only missed one game (Smart: “He chose to get the surgery immediately to give him a chance at coming back. … This kid is wired different.”)

SUMMARY A starter for two-and-a-half years at Georgia, Allen was an inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann’s 3-3-5 base scheme. Because of his ability to handle information, he earned a starting role as a true freshman and developed into a team leader and All-American as a junior. Despite a late-season knee procedure in November 2025, he only missed one game and led Georgia in tackles, tackles for loss and forced fumbles in his final college season. With his football smarts as a run defender, Allen is quick to sort, fill and chest up ball carriers, often playing one step ahead of the other 10 defenders on the field. He is rarely fooled by misdirection and also trusts his eyes to unlock and chase plays to the perimeter. He has inconsistent pop and power as a take-on player in tight quarters but sees and sifts through blockers with his lateral agility. Overall, Allen has reliability issues in zone coverage, but he is a speedy flow-and-scrape linebacker who is quick to trigger and be around the football. He projects as an NFL starter who can make a Nick Bolton-like impact.

 

[dbair1967]

Mansor Delane, 1st CB, 6th

STRENGTHS ● Mid-cut body type, with an adequate size/speed profile ● Quick-footed and controlled in his movements ● Smooth hip action — doesn’t labor in transitions ● Situationally aware and reads the quarterback’s drops to bait and drive throws ● Very disciplined from off coverage and anticipates double moves (doesn’t open the gate too quickly) ● Maintains a relationship between multiple routes in zone ● Mixes up press techniques (mirror, bail, two-hand punch) ● Strong ball skills — makes quarterbacks pay for mistakes (18 passes defended in 23 games over past two seasons) ● Not shy about throwing body around in run defense; holds up as a tackler ● Durable — has played a lot of football (40 career starts) ● Outstanding football character (NFL scout: “LSU coaches loved him … good worker, tough as s—, brings energy … was good for the young guys.”)

WEAKNESSES ● Rocked up in upper body but has shorter arms and underdeveloped lower half (lean thighs, thin ankles) ● Mediocre play strength and can get hung up on perimeter blocks ● Lacks elite recovery speed/burst if caught out of position ● Just 4.7 percent of career defensive snaps came in the slot ● Limited special teams experience, outside of field goal units ● Missed one game while playing through an abdominal injury, which plagued him most of 2025

SUMMARY A one-year starter at LSU (and four-year starter overall), Delane was the left outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s balanced coverage (man and zone) scheme. After teasing next-level starting talent at Virginia Tech, he took his talents to Baton Rouge in 2025 and was arguably the best cornerback in college football. He became just the 14th unanimous All-American in LSU history, and the first since Joe Burrow. Though he doesn’t have elite length, Delane is fluid and opens with speed to stay in phase against vertical or in-breaking routes. He is instinctive in coverage and understands down and distance, which allows him to settle and close without any wasted or panicked movements (zero touchdowns allowed and zero penalties committed in 2025). His average frame and play strength might be greater hindrances versus NFL size, but he is an alpha competitor and carries himself like a pro. Overall, Delane plays with the route anticipation and temperament to stay attached in coverage and squeeze catch windows. He projects as a starting outside NFL cornerback, with the skill set to move inside over the slot.

 

[dbair1967]

Chris Johnson 3rd CB, 24th

STRENGTHS ● Calm feet and fluid hips for natural transitions from press ● Shows excellent feel and anticipation from off coverage Back to table of contents 515 ● Flashes a burst to close when triggering on routes ● Baits throws and plays the football like a wide receiver ● Balances vision between route and quarterback to track the ball ● Has an extra gear to make up ground deep after he’s initially beat ● Returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2025 (his 146 interception return yards ranked No. 3 in the FBS) ● Eager run defender — won’t jump off the tracks to escape oncoming train ● Played on special teams coverages all four seasons (687 career snaps), including as a gunner (blocked punt in 2024) ● Young for his grade (started kindergarten a year early) ● Sterling character feedback from teams (NFL scout: “His ‘give-a-s—’ factor is to the moon … leader of the DB room … likeable kid — his parents did an amazing job.”)

WEAKNESSES ● Narrow bone structure with marginal muscle mass, especially on his limbs ● Long speed is only average on tape, although his stopwatch times were above average ● Takes foot off the gas slightly when turning to find the ball ● Can get out-physicaled by size on the outside ● Toughness vs. the run is there, but he’ll get run over by backs when tackling form isn’t on point ● Of 23 career starts, just two came vs. Power 4 competition (Cal in 2024 and 2025) ● Occasionally moved inside on subpackage downs but doesn’t have a lot of slot experience (88.6 percent of his snaps were outside in 2025) ● Missed one game as a senior because of injury (November 2025)

SUMMARY A two-year starter at San Diego State, Johnson was the left outside cornerback in Demetrius Sumler’s balanced scheme (zone and man, press and off). He put himself on the NFL radar with a productive junior season and took his game to another level as a senior, earning All-America and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. When he was targeted in 2025, opponents completed just 41.9 percent of throws — Johnson had 13 passes defended and four interceptions and allowed zero touchdowns. Johnson is a sticky cover man, in both man and zone. He plays with clean pedal mechanics to mirror and match in press man and flashes a burst to regain phase down the field. He is hyperaware in zone to drive on throws and consistently play through catch windows. He can get big-boyed at times by receivers and in the run game, but he doesn’t go down without a fight. Overall, Johnson offers a combination of instinctive eyes and athletic movement skills that allow him to consistently make plays on the football. He should compete for a starting role on day one, while also making an impact on special teams.

 

[dbair1967]

Colton Hood, CB 5, 30th

STRENGTHS ● Adequately sized frame and arm length ● Patient at the line and sound press-man technique, utilizing two-hand stabs ● Controlled mover — comfortably turns to stay hip to hip with routes ● Above-average vertical speed; closes space quickly in coverage ● Reads receivers’ eyes and leans into the route while attempting to locate ● Crowds passing lanes and gets his hands on a lot of balls ● Adequate instincts as an underneath zone defender ● Physical early in the down and never gets bored ● Not shy about getting busy downhill; tackles well one-on-one ● Emotionally resilient and doesn’t play scared

WEAKNESSES ● Lean throughout, with below-average bulk and skinny lowers ● Will allow separation at top of a route and can be late on comebacks ● Had some trouble anticipating and reacting with whip routes ● Can be inconsistent with timing when looking for the football downfield ● Guilty of panicked tugs while playing through the body (holding penalty against Georgia in 2025 negated an interception) ● Doesn’t have much experience inside as a nickel ● Only one season as a full-time starter (13 career starts)

SUMMARY A one-year starter at Tennessee, Hood was an outside cornerback in former defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ man-heavy scheme. After one season at Auburn and another at Colorado, he transferred to Knoxville for the 2025 season and quickly earned the respect of SEC receivers (Georgia receivers Dillon Bell and Colbie Young both said Hood was the best corner they faced in college). Despite not becoming a defensive player until his junior year of high school, Hood plays comfortably in man-to-man on an island. He competes with the physicality of a bigger and longer player, and he looks to reroute receivers from the jump. He needs to shore up some of his technique and become more consistent in finding the football, but he isn’t a passive or athletically deficient player. He’s also shown promise with his hunting eyes from off coverage and reliable tackling skills. Overall, Hood embraces press-man challenges and is the type of balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers and make things difficult for the offense. He has the talent and wiring to be an early NFL starter.

 

[dbair1967]

Caleb Downs 1st Safety, 5th

STRENGTHS ● Rangy, physical presence and drops the hammer on arrival ● Full-speed tackler with outstanding balance and twitch to break down in space ● Wraps, keeps his eyes before his feet and accelerates through target ● Quick to read keys and fly to the football from anywhere ● Dissects route combinations almost instantaneously for breakups or minimal post-catch gains ● Shows read-react burst of a cornerback when driving on throws ● Didn’t allow a passing touchdown in two seasons at Ohio State (874 coverage snaps) ● Balances high-level intelligence with disciplined decision-making ● Veteran-level communication skills ● Played on both punt return and punt coverages — had a 79-yard return touchdown versus Indiana in 2024 ● Elite competitive toughness; voted one of four team captains in 2025 ● Teammates praised his all-business attitude toward practice and meetings (NFL scout: “Our coaches are going to love him because he’s a process guy — how he prepares influences how he plays.”) ● Proven to be durable — didn’t miss a game in his three college seasons

WEAKNESSES ● Doesn’t have the frame some desire at the position ● Kept everything top-down and was rarely asked to turn his back to the line ● Always around the football but posted mediocre ball production ● Does a great job reading routes and the quarterback but would like to see him take more chances ● Can occasionally misjudge open-field speed in pursuit angles

SUMMARY A two-year starter at Ohio State (and three-year starter overall), Downs played a variety of safety positions (STAR, money, post) in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme, which uses a lot of disguises and trap/zone coverages. He often aligned in split-safety looks, where he could work down to create an eight-man box or drop into five-under man. Downs played with an unbelievable level of consistency over his three years in college. He became the first freshman to lead Alabama in tackles in 2023, then was a two-time unanimous All-American for the Buckeyes as he filled up his trophy case, including the 2024 national championship. A human missile, Downs jumps off the tape because of his fast, competitive play style. Despite having average size, he is an elite tackler who fills with impressive body control and strength at contact. He was most productive downhill and near the line of scrimmage but showed the same high-level reaction skills in coverage. His pattern recognition and situational awareness are above average, although you’d wish there was more ball production on his resume. Overall, Downs sees the field like it’s a chess board and plays with an exceptional combination of intelligence, urgency and toughness, allowing him to be disruptive from anywhere on the field. His intangibles and on-field versatility will make him an impactful NFL starter early in his career.

 

[dbair1967]

Emanual McNeil-Warren, 3rd Safety, 23rd

STRENGTHS ● Tall, broad-shouldered body type and comfortable manning up tight ends in coverage ● Controlled, fluid athlete who’s able to redirect and carry receiver routes ● Long-legged and rangy, with adequate back-end speed ● Good hands and ball skills (see diving interception on 2025 Central Michigan tape) ● Has a knack for punching the ball out (nine career forced fumbles) ● Plays assignment sound (stays home) and understands field leverage on back-side contain ● Route anticipation took a jump between junior and senior seasons ● Toggles speed in pursuit to avoid blockers and break down as open-field tackler ● Not shy dropping his shoulder and driving through middle-field targets ● Called for just one penalty in college (1,861 career defensive snaps) ● NFL scouts say he was “highly loyal” when it came to transfer opportunities ● Not very vocal but well respected in locker room (NFL scout: “No ego to him, and I really like his competitive confidence.”)

WEAKNESSES ● Narrow through torso, with thin wrists/ankles ● Overaggressive with run fits and late to course correct versus cutback runners ● Needs to clean up tackling mechanics — too many ankle-biting attempts or examples of him throwing his shoulder ● Inconsistent physicality when taking on contact in the box ● Missed final five games of junior season because of shoulder injury (October 2024); missed part of senior season because of elbow fracture and concussion (September 2021)

SUMMARY A three-year starter at Toledo, McNeil-Warren lined up as a boundary safety in former defensive coordinator Vince Kehres’ scheme (rotated to nickel and deep half during tempo). With five draft picks on defense over the past four years, former Toledo head coach (and current UConn head coach) Jason Candle developed a reputation for finding and developing talent with the Rockets — and McNeil-Warren is next up in the pipeline. He turned down transfer opportunities, and his trust in the Toledo staff paid off in his development over the past four years. Thanks to his footwork and hips, McNeil-Warren is a fluid mover with functional range and improved instincts versus the pass, which allows him to mirror and match tight ends and running backs. He drives on the football in run support and took a master’s class on the “Peanut Punch.” You’d wish there was more meat on his bones and will want to see him continue to improve his take-on and tackle-finishing skills. Overall, McNeil-Warren is an impressive size/speed athlete on the back end, who is at his best when roaming to read his keys, flow to the ball and quickly close space. He has the rangy tools to push for starting safety reps as an NFL rookie.

 

[dbair1967]

Eli Heindenreich, 9th rated RB. 5th round value.

STRENGTHS ● Firm-muscled with low body fat and adequate mass ● Versatile experience and can be used across the formation ● Turns over his feet quickly and slashes without gearing down ● Contested grabs (13) far outweighed drops (two) in 2025 ● Tracks the ball naturally with outstanding catch-point focus ● Above-average vision in both tight quarters and open space ● Runs square and physical with contact balance ● Wipes away defender’s hands and can’t be contained by press coverage ● Gets on defenders’ toes and separates out of route breaks (especially on angle/pivot routes) ● Outstanding practice habits; likes to be coached hard ● Has punt return experience (nine returns for 54 yards) ● Leaves Navy as most-productive pass catcher in school history

WEAKNESSES ● NFL fit requires imagination, because of his blended skill set and college usage ● Likely maxed-out physically and doesn’t have tackle-breaking power ● Short-armed, which limits his target radius as a pass catcher ● Accelerates quickly but doesn’t have breakaway gear ● Inconsistent patience — can do a better job setting up blocks at the line ● Feet are quick but not overly elusive ● Unproven in pass protection, with size that likely limits him as a blocker

SUMMARY A starter for two-and-a-half years at Navy, Heidenreich played the “Snipe Z” position in the Midshipmen’s modern triple-option offense, which includes aggressive pass concepts (play action, verticals, etc.). He split his 2025 snaps between the backfield (44.4 percent), wide (35.4), slot (14.7) and inline (5.5), and he accounted for a sky-high 45.7 percent target share. He set Navy records for career receiving yards (1,994), single-season receiving yards (941) and single-game receiving yards (243). Heidenreich and Tavon Austin are the only FBS players since 1956 with 925-plus receiving yards and 475-plus rushing yards in the same season. Heidenreich is a versatile all-purpose athlete with acceleration and body control as both a route runner and ball carrier. More quick than explosive, he has mismatch-creating potential out of the slot and catches everything thrown his way, regardless of placement or positioning. He is unproven in pass protection, although there are no questions about his competitive toughness. Overall, Heidenreich has dynamic pass-catching ability that can be weaponized in a hybrid role by an NFL offense (think closer to Danny Woodhead than Kyle Juszczyk). He won’t be a fit for everybody, but he will be a fit for somebody

 

[dbair1967]

Jaden Duger, 25th LB, 7th rd value. He showed up this week on our 30 visitor list.

SUMMARY Jaden Dugger grew up in Pittsburgh with his parents (Lance and Tanisha). Following in the footsteps of his two older brothers, he played basketball and football as a kid. Tragically, his oldest brother (Dajuan) died at age 24 in 2023. At Penn Hills High School, Jaden was a standout receiver and defensive back and also played basketball, averaging 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds as a senior. On the football field, he caught 13 touchdowns as a senior from his younger brother (Julian), who played quarterback. Julian signed with Pittsburgh in 2024 and now plays for Washington State. A no-star recruit, Jaden Dugger started to receive interest from FCS programs and committed to Georgetown. After two seasons as a safety, he wanted to challenge himself and move up to FBS, so he transferred to Louisiana. He moved to dime linebacker and edge (Sam and Jack) as a junior and then moved inside for his senior year in 2025, when he grabbed the attention of NFL scouts. Dugger has remarkable size, with a lean, filled-out build and go-go gadget arm length. His instincts and communication skills as a Mike ‘backer are still maturing, but he adapted quickly to the new position because of his ability to see ball-get ball. When he keeps himself clean, he has sideline range and can open and run. He explodes through his hips as a tackler, although he has to improve the consistency of his details as a flow tackler. He hasn’t yet fully realized how to weaponize his long arms to combat blockers, but he plays with toughness to battle through contact. As a former safety, he looks comfortable dropping in space and has match-man potential against tight ends. Overall, Dugger is an ascending player with a blend of size and reactive athleticism worth developing on the back end of an NFL roster or practice squad.

 

[dbair1967]

Eli Stowers. 2nd TE, 63rd overall. 2nd/3rd rd pick.

STRENGTHS ● Broad-shouldered frame, with adequate bulk and room to add mass ● “Freaks List” athlete, which is reflected on the tape and in testing ● Graceful speed to attack down the seam or after the catch ● Fluid route runner who can sink and cut on command ● Quarterback background is an asset when reading coverages and finding windows ● Solid ball skills, especially for a former quarterback (3.9 percent career drop rate) ● Frequently widens catch radius to make proper adjustments and bail out his quarterback ● NFL scouts say he logs “countless hours” at the facility and wants to be coached “harder than the rest of the team” ● Team captain; driven attitude made him a leader at Vandy ● Led FBS tight ends in 2025 in receiving yards per game (64.1)

WEAKNESSES ● Lean muscle structure — more linear body type than what some teams prefer ● Competes but has marginal play strength as a run blocker (21 percent of snaps came inline) ● Light in the pants and likely will never overwhelm defenders at point of attack ● Not consistently efficient blocking backside on the move ● Can do a better job selling route movements with his eyes/shoulders ● Want to see him be more aggressive finishing on the ball in traffic Back to table of contents 172 ● Durable after moving to tight end at Vandy but had two key injuries before that: injured right (throwing) shoulder in high school, then tore labrum during freshman year, which required postseason surgery (Jan. 2022); torn PCL and meniscus in left knee in 2019 state championship game, which required surgery (Jan. 2020).

SUMMARY A two-year starter at Vanderbilt (three-year starter overall), Stowers was a detached tight end (70.7 percent of snaps in the slot) in offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s run-heavy scheme. A highly recruited quarterback out of high school, Stowers began at Texas A&M and then New Mexico State but suffered multiple shoulder injuries, which forced him to change positions (Stowers: “I could never throw the same.”). With Diego Pavia as his quarterback for that transition, Stowers’ receiving production improved each of the past three seasons, including 769 receiving yards in 2025, tops among FBS tight ends and earning him All-America honors and the Mackey Award. An above-average athlete for the position, Stowers attacks defenders’ techniques and uses his quickness to consistently win one-on-one on slants, digs or seam balls. Because of the quarterback and scheme at Vanderbilt, he was asked to use his burst for quick windows and is unproven in other areas, although he has the speed to be more of a deep threat in a pro-style scheme. He delivered mixed results when asked to attack in traffic, but he has reliable hands and fluid adjustment skills. As a blocker, he has questionable physicality and sustain strength but competes when sealing or walling off defenders. Overall, Stowers will need to prove himself as a serviceable blocker at the NFL level, but he is explosive as a pass catcher, and I love the way he

 

[dbair1967]

Kamari Ramsey, 10th S, 4th rd value.

STRENGTHS ● Light-footed athlete who smoothly gears up and down ● Covers a lot of ground; very deliberate with his pacing ● Efficiently reads out the play, regardless of alignment angle ● Active hands to ball search once he arrives at catch point ● Quick to key and sniff out screens/throwbacks ● Adequate drive skills to close downhill on plays in front of him ● Reserved personality and keeps his eyes on the prize (NFL scout: “Not a man of many words … goal-oriented and very intentional with his decisions.”) ● Proven position flex across secondary (Derwin James is his favorite safety to study, because of his versatility)

WEAKNESSES ● Adequate build but lacks ideal mass and length ● Inconsistent physicality without a runway ● Snaps as a tackler, but better technique will improve finishing skills ● Tends to be overly conservative in man-coverage looks ● Alert player, but ball production doesn’t match processing ability ● Ball skills are closer to passable than exceptional ● Missed multiple games in 2023, 2024 and 2025, including a right knee injury suffered in his final season (Nov. 2025)

SUMMARY Back to table of contents 588 A two-year starter at USC (and three-year starter overall), Ramsey rotated between nickel and safety in former defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn’s scheme. He was a chess piece for Lynn and unselfishly played out of position at nickel in 2025 out of necessity because of injuries in the USC secondary. Though his production declined in his final season, he never complained about the position switch and showed his versatility to scouts. For most defenses, a linebacker wears the green dot. For USC, it was Ramsey because of his check communication and knowledge of everything happening at each level of the defense. Though he has the fluidity and speed to survive in man-to-man, he is better in zone, where he can sort through traffic and drive on the ball. He prides himself on thinking a few steps ahead (started playing chess during lunch in high school, and it translates to the field), although his playmaking eyes are only average. Overall, Ramsey might not have any one exceptional trait, but he is solid across the board with his athletic tools, smarts and toughness. Staying healthy will be the most important hurdle when it comes locking down a regular role.

 

[dbair1967]

D'Angelo Ponds, 6th CB, 38th overall

STRENGTHS ● Controlled, reactive athlete, with twitch in his pedal and transitions ● Outstanding speed and has an extra gear when the ball is in the air ● Squeezes receivers against the sideline and makes it tough to stack him vertically ● Feels routes developing around him in zone or off coverage ● Instinctively picks up pre-snap clues, based on splits and spacing ● Plays through the hands of receivers — always ball searching ● Flagged just once in 2025 (pass interference vs. Oregon) ● Hypercompetitive mindset and takes every catch on his watch personally (NFL scout: “My man gets pissed when there is a catch in practice.”) ● Opportunistic, because of the way he always hustles to the football ● Wrap-and-drive tackler downhill — looks to lay licks (knocked Ty Simpson out of Rose Bowl) ● Robust production on his resume, including a pair of blocked punts while at Indiana

WEAKNESSES ● Small, compact frame, with lean muscle and shorter arms ● Can be pushed around by bigger pass catchers (see his tape versus Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith) ● Will open prematurely at times — crafty NFL receivers will look to take advantage ● Left some production on the field with dropped interceptions ● Missed tackles were rare on his tape, but grounding NFL athletes will be a different challenge ● Nickel corner in high school but played primarily outside corner in college ● Battled a hip pointer during 2025 College Football Playoff (Jan. 2026); missed one game during regular season because of injury (Sept. 2025) Back to table of contents 520

SUMMARY A two-year starter at Indiana (and three-year starter overall), Ponds was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ zone-heavy scheme. Indiana added some man looks specifically for Ponds, who prefers the boundary, where he can press and play one-on-one. Underrecruited out of high school because of his size, he was a Freshman All-American at James Madison, then followed Curt Cignetti to Indiana and became a two-time All-American. He also was named defensive MVP of a Peach Bowl win over Oregon. Ponds led his team in passes defended all three years in college (39 in 41 career games) and accounted for four touchdowns (two blocked punt returns, two interception returns). Ever since pee-wee, Ponds has been the smallest player on the field, which placed a permanent chip on his shoulder and sharpened his skills in other areas. With quick-twitch footwork and body control, he has the cover talent to play tight in man-to-man or bait and drive from depth. He does a great job staying in phase and creating on-ball production at the catch point. He plays with a confident swagger, though bigger athletes will have an unquestioned advantage on him. Overall, Ponds is undersized (which will be a deal-breaker for some), but he compensates with top-tier speed, instincts and competitive toughness that is ingrained in his DNA. His play style makes it hard to bet against him becoming an inside-outside NFL starter.