The 2025 Draft Thread

[philibusters]

Could a team like the Jags want to come back into the 1rst for a QB? They have 2 3rds and 2 3rths this draft. Who knows. Draft gets crazy and QBs come up fast.

I don't get why the Jags in particularly would trade back into the first round for a QB, but the Browns, Jets, Giants, Saints, and Colts are seem like possibilities if they pass on QB's with their own pick in the first round.

All that said if you put the over under at 3.5 QB's in the first round, I would probably take the under. I think Ward, Sanders, and Dart are the three. And I think 2 QBs in the first round is more likely than 4.

 

[Hail Raiser]

I don't get why the Jags in particularly would trade back into the first round for a QB, but the Browns, Jets, Giants, Saints, and Colts are seem like possibilities if they pass on QB's with their own pick in the first round.

All that said if you put the over under at 3.5 QB's in the first round, I would probably take the under. I think Ward, Sanders, and Dart are the three. And I think 2 QBs in the first round is more likely than 4.

Dart is not making it past the Steelers.

The Jags were just an example of a surprise team with ammo and a QB to move up into the first for the 5th year option.

Yes, all of those teams could wait until their 2nd rounders to try and get the QB, but I would doubt the stay patient if they view it as a need.

 

[philibusters]

Dart is not making it past the Steelers.

The Jags were just an example of a surprise team with ammo and a QB to move up into the first for the 5th year option.

Yes, all of those teams could wait until their 2nd rounders to try and get the QB, but I would doubt the stay patient if they view it as a need.

I kind just think these QB's are not that good. Cam Ward is the only one I think that projects as a franchise QB and the would be like tied with Penix in last year's draft for like my 5th QB in that draft. But you are correct there are definitely QB needy teams out there.

 

[Hail Raiser]

I kind just think these QB's are not that good. Cam Ward is the only one I think that projects as a franchise QB and the would be like tied with Penix in last year's draft for like my 5th QB in that draft. But you are correct there are definitely QB needy teams out there.

That's the thing. Last year there were 3 1rst round QBs going into the draft, not 5 in the top 10.

QBs rise farther than they should every year and teams seeing the success of Penix and especially Nix is going to inflate value. IMO

 

[skinsinparadise]

Digesting a couple of more podcasts with Logan. And Bullock on Galdi.

I am with Logan about Derrick Harmon. I mentioned him month or so ago, he's hard to resist if he falls.

Love Logan but he lol every now and then says a shake my head comment, the latest is can Jayden Higgins play outside of just the slot -- since he played slot in college? Wonder if he had Noel confused in his head because Noel is the slot guy. Higgins played some slot but played mostly outside.

He's fallen for Egbuka. I love him too. He's not a big Pearce guy. He likes his get off but finds weaknesses otherwise. He's not alone on that. The football player issues not just character. I only watched Pearce a little. I got to find time to dive in. I am getting the vibe he falls to the 2nd. He loves Scourton and Landon Jackson, too.

Bullock who I often agree with but not always, had similar takes to mine about Hampton, Henderson, Tuten. Thinks Hampton would be a very good featured back. Sees Henderson to a tee to what I said, he's the Ekeler role and he'd be great at it, great fit, but not a #1 back. Tuten is explosive and fun and a great change of pace RB but needs to clean up his fumbles.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Listening to Jeremy Greene on Sportsocracy and he was talking about how sometimes teams bring in people on visits to try and get them to fall in love with the city so they can win the UDFA sweepstakes if they go undrafted. I wonder if that's what they're doing with some of these names.

Brugler talked about it too -- saying don't look at them all as winning exercies because he's heard multiple times the team visits were the last straw for teams and decided they aren't taking the player after the meetings. Some other draft geek said that teams use the 30 day visits often for players either on the bubble for them or they have injury-testing concerns they want more clarity on.

If I recall 3 players who had 30 day visits were taken last year. I wish we knew more about their combine visits because those were so telling to the draft last year. Every now and then something slips though, Standig said on a segment he knows they met with Henderson at the combine. I've not seen that disclosed elsewhere. But we have less info about their visits than some other teams disclose.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Agreed regarding Tai Felton, I like him in like the 4th, maybe late 3rd as an outside guy. He is my favorite of the group. He could use a strength and conditioning program so he could handle slot. No one at the local day is worth anything higher than that. Thornton is another interesting receiver because he is a size speed guy...a fast Anthony Mix

There is a mid round NT/DT type Jordan Philips who they might keep an eye on and S Sanker is okay

We need another LB and if they don't get one there is a guy I've looked at as like a 7th rounder that might be decent and a teamers, Jamon Dumas-Johnson.

I don't even know a number of those players.

I'd be surprised if Felton went in the third albiet i know Tony Pauline thinks he might. Pauline is a fun listen but listening to him you feel like 100 players are going in the 2nd-3rd round.

I do think late 4th is good value and seems right for him. I don't always agree with PFF's rankings but that's where they got him.

The thing that makes it tough to fall for Felton is for a dude with his speed is so rarely a deep ball threat. He's not physical at the catch point and has his share of drops. So to me he's sort of a first level YAC threat primarily. And not that we can't use more of it. But I'd love a dude who can threaten teams vertically. And some push that hey the dude is fast so they are naturally a deep threat, too. But it doesn't always translate that way. And the fact that Felton wasn't that deep threat dude in college consistently, he's a bit of a projection as a deep threat. But I'd still like him in that 4th round range.

Thorton is more raw than Felton but he is a fast guy AND proven deep threat.

So much love from the draft media, including some of them continuing to say here's a below the radar dude i like, as to Kyle Williams. lol, yeah he's everyone's "below the radar" man crush. So the hype on him is a bit annoying to me. But I'll say that he played the way I wished Felton did. He's fast, and can catch the deep ball too and more dangerous with the ball in his hands than Felton. Felton though is good too with the ball in his hands but not IMO in Williams league. Williams has his drops, too. And played inferior competition. there is some projection with him, too. But I think he can be a fun player with a creative mind like Kingsbury albiet I hate joining the chorus about him, its a bit over the top.

 

[skinsinparadise]

My order for those 6 would probably be

1. Shemar Stewart
2. Donovan Ez
3. James Pearce Jr..
4. Mike Green
5. Jalon Walker
6. Mykel Williams

That is lightly factoring in the characters concerns with Pearce and Green. If the issues are more worrisome, you could move both of them of down potentially or if you think there is no issue I would probably have both of them jump DOnovan Ez.

Judging by most draft podcasts and the McGinn scouts, my guess as to their availabity would be

Stewart -- 50% shot he's there are 29. the fact that he didn't do testing at his proday seems to be helping the theory that he falls
Donovan Ez: 40% shot he's there, DJ mentioned him the other day as one of the prospects with most varying views.
Pearce: 80% shot he's there. Character and some football concerns, maybe drops to the 2nd.
Green: 25% shot he's there. Feels like his character concerns are less deal breakers because they don't seem to center on what kind of dude he is in the locker room.
M. Williams. 40% shot he's there. Questions about pass rush upside.

Often there is a surprise climber in the last two weeks. Feels like it could be JT from Ohio State.

 

[Chris]

Dane Brugler’s The Beast dropped today on The Athletic.

 

[Commander Wraith]

Brugler talked about it too -- saying don't look at them all as winning exercies because he's heard multiple times the team visits were the last straw for teams and decided they aren't taking the player after the meetings. Some other draft geek said that teams use the 30 day visits often for players either on the bubble for them or they have injury-testing concerns they want more clarity on.

If I recall 3 players who had 30 day visits were taken last year. I wish we knew more about their combine visits because those were so telling to the draft last year. Every now and then something slips though, Standig said on a segment he knows they met with Henderson at the combine. I've not seen that disclosed elsewhere. But we have less info about their visits than some other teams disclose.

To me, the 30 visit is sort of throwing the player into the deep end - with so much exposure, I imagine it’s sink or swim. Makes sense to get potential UDFAs in the mix too. Quinn really seems to have it dialed in terms of creating a truly positive environment that seems to impress players. Having the coaches gather in the lobby to welcome (certain?) players is such a great first impression.

As you’ve pointed out, formal combine meetings are the best piece of info we have as to draft predictions. In a broader sense, this staff seems to place a lot of emphasis on one on one* time with anyone they draft. Wonder how much they feel like they can get out of virtual meetings by comparison. I’m also curious about the rare pre-pro day dinners and private pro day meetings - these don’t seem to be frequent occurrences. In fact I’m not sure if there are limitations to how many you can meet in these ways?

*”one on one” is probably the wrong phrase, but you get the idea.

Judging by most draft podcasts and the McGinn scouts, my guess as to their availabity would be

Stewart -- 50% shot he's there are 29. the fact that he didn't do testing at his proday seems to be helping the theory that he falls
Donovan Ez: 40% shot he's there, DJ mentioned him the other day as one of the prospects with most varying views.
Pearce: 80% shot he's there. Character and some football concerns, maybe drops to the 2nd.
Green: 25% shot he's there. Feels like his character concerns are less deal breakers because they don't seem to center on what kind of dude he is in the locker room.
M. Williams. 40% shot he's there. Questions about pass rush upside.

Often there is a surprise climber in the last two weeks. Feels like it could be JT from Ohio State.

Regarding Stewart, do you know if it is that he didn’t do the 3-cone, shuttle or bench, or is it more that he stood on his Combine results?

 

[RandyHolt]

Its interesting how draft philosophy appears to have changed. Suddenly, QBs are being prioritized in the draft more than ever.

Food for thought. Flashing back to many defending drafting Chase because we were told he is the better player.

 

[Anselmheifer]

Regarding Stewart, do you know if it is that he didn’t do the 3-cone, shuttle or bench, or is it more that he stood on his Combine results?

I think he did literally nothing. Not even position specific drills, which basically nobody opts out of. That’s why it’s a bigger deal. If you don’t produce stats and you refuse to do position specific work…

 

[skinsinparadise]

Regarding Stewart, do you know if it is that he didn’t do the 3-cone, shuttle or bench, or is it more that he stood on his Combine results?

It's the drills he didn't do.

Teams upset with potential first rounder's decision to skip drills at pro day

Shemar Stewart's athleticism has never been in question. But teams weren't happy with his choice to not finish positional drills at Texas A&M pro day.

sports.yahoo.com

When questions like that surrounding him, it was a curious decision to not participate in the positional drill at the NFL Scouting Combine or Texas A&M pro day. It's a decision that, per SportsKeeda's Tony Pauline, is "not sitting well with teams."

 

[bowhunter]

It's the drills he didn't do.

Teams upset with potential first rounder's decision to skip drills at pro day

Shemar Stewart's athleticism has never been in question. But teams weren't happy with his choice to not finish positional drills at Texas A&M pro day.

sports.yahoo.com

When questions like that surrounding him, it was a curious decision to not participate in the positional drill at the NFL Scouting Combine or Texas A&M pro day. It's a decision that, per SportsKeeda's Tony Pauline, is "not sitting well with teams."

Interesting that he would make that decision. He doesn't have the stats that would do the talking for him. GM AP has the reputation of doing his research, and Stewart may be the best example of avoiding buying a pig in a poke.

 

[philibusters]

I would love to get Shamar Stewart. He is analogous to Travon Walker except in the hypothetical where we draft him at 29, we get to take that high floor lottery ticket at 29 rather than #1 overall. That is a big difference. The most likely scenario with Stewart is he ends up being a Travon Walker type players (where late first round is appropriate value for a solid 2 DE), but just like with Walker you are getting a lottery ticket that if it hits (say 20% chance of hitting so not likely, but not a really long shot) you could get a pro bowl caliber player like a Danielle Hunter. I feel like at minimum with Stewart you are getting a good run defender who has clean up ability as a pass rusher.

 

[bifflog]

Dane Brugler’s The Beast dropped today on The Athletic.

The new interactive version is AWESOME

NFL Draft 2025 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s scouting reports and player rankings

The 2025 version of The Beast has over 400 player profiles and nearly 2,700 prospects ranked, plus by position and the Top 100. This is the ultimate resource for the 2025 NFL Draft.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Anselmheifer]

What do you guys think is going to happen with Kyren Lacy? Undrafted because of legal concerns?

 

[The Chump Bailey]

I hate his draft for us. Shemar Stewart has had so little pass rush productivity. I feel like those guys usually don’t pan out, and when they do, it’s 3 years later. I’d way rather have Josh Simmons or James Pearce than Stewart, both of whom Kiper had available.

And Darien Porter in the second? He’s so, so raw. I get it that both guys have elite traits, but guys without a lot of experience or production, but with elite traits, to me, are mid round flyers. Not guys you spend 1st and 2nd round picks on.

I’d way rather trade our 1st for Hendrickson than draft Shemar Stewart.

Good thoughts Ansel I'm pretty risk averse and think that's the way to go (except for Mike Green who I'd take a chance on) and as much as I like TreVeyon and believe he would ball out in this offense I'm fixating on the RB that I was initially down on as far as consensus but have had a change of heart. I'd love to wait a bit for Dylan Sampson.

 

[skinsinparadise]

What do you guys think is going to happen with Kyren Lacy? Undrafted because of legal concerns?

Undrafted because of character. He's already 24 and change. And he was a decent, not that great of a WR. A lot of drops, not hot with contested catches.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Good thoughts Ansel I'm pretty risk averse and think that's the way to go and as much as I like TreVeyon and believe he would ball out in this offense I'm fixating on the RB that I was initially down on as far as consensus but have had a change of heart. I'd love to wait a bit for Dylan Sampson.

Sampson would be good. I started hot for Sampson. Then cooled off. Now I am not as hot for him but am warming up. Similar ride to Kaleb Johnson. Started hot. Cooled. Now am hot again for him.

As for Sampson, I wish he was bigger becuase he's stylistically a featured back type but not sure if he'd hold up. Feisty runner. Better at getting tough yards than some think. Worse at explosive-big runs as some think.

You are banking some on potential with him. Can he improve as a pass catcher? Can he hit more homeruns -- because right now he's pedestrian on that front which seems odd for a speedy back.

But what warmed me back up is he's such a feisty runner with special cutting ability. He's not explosive like Henderson or has his hands or his pass blocking chops but I'd trust Sampson over Henderson to make something out of nothing.

To me in that same tier is DJ Giddens. He has the size to hold up as a #1 back. He's more explosive than Sampson. But I like Sampson better as to making something out of nothing. i might like RJ Harvey a little more than Giddens but it bothers me that he's already 24.

Tuten is who some think Sampson is, a speedy back who can take it to the house. But I like Sampson better running between the tackles and getting tough yards. Neither are hot pass blockers but Tuten is worse.

The thing with these running backs is it depends on what your offensive coordinator wants. Some of these guys are so different that it depends on what you want.

Back to Sampson. If what they want is sort of a speedy version of a singles hitter who can run well between the tackles, then he's your guy. I think what you hope for with him is since he's only 20 -- the pass catching, pass blocking and home run explosive runs come in time with experience.