We’ve finally made it. The 2025 NFL Draft is here. With decisions made and trades accepted, teams are ready to make their selections (or more trades!). We’ll have you covered throughout the draft with real NFL and fantasy football reactions. This season, we have a live stream for Round 1 AND the entirety of Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. We’ll also be active on social media and via our Discord channel where you can join fellow football fans as we all enjoy the NFL Draft. Let’s dive into each pick of Round 1 of the NFL Draft along with draft grades, social media reactions, and scouting reports for fantasy football-relevant players!
2025 NFL Draft Round 1 Coverage
We’re going to share our draft grades for each pick of Round 1 below. Our analysts will each provide their grades, and we’ll share the consensus for each first-round selection in the table below.
NFL Draft Grades: Round 1
Round 1 Draft Picks & Analysis
Pick 1.01 – Titans – Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Ward:
When Ward is locked in, he looks like a Pro Bowl-level/difference-making quarterback. He has a rocket arm with easy velocity. He can reach back and chuck it through a brick wall. Ward likely enters the NFL and is immediately knocking on the door of the top 12 ranks for strongest arm in the league. When Ward is on, he is lacing well-timed ropes to every level of a defense. He has some of the prettiest layered second-level and deep throws you’ll see. His high-end flashes are exquisite, with on-the-money ball placement and the velocity to fit it in any tight window. Ward has a quick release and can access multiple arm angles. The problem is his accuracy can be erratic. There are plenty of times when he needs to take something off the fastball in the short and intermediate areas of the field. Ward’s ball placement can be erratic. There are plenty of throws where he tosses it at a receiver’s back shoulder when he should have led them further down the field, or a crosser or out route will be out of the reach of his receiver. Ward will also sail throws at times as he tries to fastball it to a receiver. He has to improve his down-to-down consistency and accuracy to reach his ceiling. Ward is also inconsistent with moving through his progressions. There are plenty of reps where he moves seamlessly to his third option or check down. He also has a number of plays where he feels a tick behind and misses an open receiver running across the field. Some of this is tied to his aggressive nature. Ward will take what a defense is giving him with underneath routes, but he is also always a big-play hunter. This aggression is nice when he is dialed in, but it can also get him into trouble and affect his field vision. Ward plays with a swagger and has obvious confidence that he can fit throws into any small window. He is a creative player who can craft some off-script wizardry. Ward will stand tall, cool, and collected in the face of pressure. When he is locked in, he never looks rattled against pressure. When he is off and missing throws, things can pile up for him. This all goes back to the need for his play-to-play consistency floor, which needs to be raised. Ward has short-area agility that allows him to move well in the pocket. He will be primarily a pocket passer in the NFL, but he can take off and gain some yards with his legs if needed. Ward shouldn’t be considered a rushing quarterback or hypermobile.
- Player Comp: Jordan Love
Pick 1.02 – Jaguars (via CLE) – Travis Hunter (CB/WR – Colorado)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Hunter:
Hunter is an insanely talented player with a high ceiling as a wide receiver (if a team utilizes him in a full-time receiver role). He’s a fluid lateral mover with strong hands and plus body control. During his final season in college, he was heavily utilized on screens, hitches, and go-routes. Colorado also tried to get him moving laterally when possible. Hunter still has growth as a route runner, which will have to occur on the job in the NFL. His release package needs to continue to deepen, and his footwork has to become more efficient. Hunter’s snap at the top of his stem can be inefficient. He’ll also attempt to add jukes and extra nuance in his routes, which are simply too much and slow him down, don’t help with separation, and put him off schedule. This doesn’t surprise me with his split focus on both sides of the ball and only so many hours in a day for Hunter to hone his craft. If an NFL team drafts Hunter to play full-time wide receiver, I hope that he will not be forced into a “true X” role immediately. While Hunter excels versus zone coverage, he had some serious issues with man/press corners, which were physical and could also run with him. Hunter gave up his chest too easily on plenty of routes and allowed corners in and to hang around in his back pocket. Last year, among 268 qualifying wide receivers, Hunter ranked 40th in yards per route against zone (2.65) but 78th in yards per route run against man coverage (2.30). Hunter has the play strength and fluidity to improve in this area, but it’s a developmental step that has to occur. Hunter can be a liability in the blocking department. That won’t be how he’s cashing his checks weekly but there were plenty of screen plays that were blown apart with Hunter at the forefront of the blocking design. Hunter flashes plenty of strength at the catch point with a 63.3% contested catch rate in college. He can offer some YAC with his combination of upper body strength and speed, but his missed tackles forced numbers last year are somewhat flimsy. Last year, he had 24 missed tackles (eighth-best), but seven of those occurred (Texas Tech) against a defense that ranked 131st out of 134 qualifying FBS programs in tackling grade.
- Player Comp: Unicorn (Hunter’s ranking is related to his status as a possible part-time wide receiver. If he is a full-time wide receiver in the NFL, he’s a Tier 1 level prospect in the draft class.)
Pick 1.03 – Giants – Abdul Carter (DE – Penn State)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Carter:
One of the flashiest rushers in this year’s class, Carter is an intense, tenacious rusher with a dangerous first step. He has a wide repertoire of rush moves and counters and flashes the flexibility and functional strength to take on blocks in the run game.
Carter started his collegiate career as a linebacker, but looks like a one-gap EDGE all the way, using his suddenness, bend and hands to penetrate and create chaos in the backfield. Still needs to play with more consistent discipline, balance and extension, but the raw elements of his game won’t prevent him from being considered by teams picking early in the draft.
Pick 1.04 – Patriots – Will Campbell (OL – LSU)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Campbell:
A prototypical left tackle with an ideal combination of size, length, discipline and movement skills. With three years of SEC starting experience under his belt, Campbell looks like a plug-and-play option as a rookie, which should make him a high first-round pick given the premium position he plays. May never be a true phone-booth mauler, but understands positioning and has the mobility and technique to execute in the run game, with the lateral quickness, hand use and awareness to work on an island against speed in the passing game.
Pick 1.05 – Browns (via JAC) – Mason Graham (DL – Michigan)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Graham:
One of the most explosive and disruptive defensive linemen who’s come along in the past few years. His excellent first step, violent power, varied rush approach and top-notch motor could make him an early star in the league. Can seemingly do it all, but would probably be best as a defensive tackle in a one-gap scheme, taking advantage of his creativity and penetration skills. In a league that’s investing heavily in the interior of the defensive line, Graham should be among the first picks off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pick 1.06 – Raiders – Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Jeanty:
Jeanty is an elite rusher of the football. His combination of contact balance and effortless acceleration is incredibly fun to watch. Jeanty doesn’t lose speed when stringing tackle breaking moves together. He has a Batman-level tool belt to deploy against incoming defenders. Jeanty can juke, jump cut, stiff arm, and spin out of wraps. In his final collegiate season, defenses knew they were going to receive a heaping dose of Jeanty, and they were powerless to slow him down. He had at least 100 rushing yards in every game in 2024 except his season finale (six games with at least 200 rushing yards). Defenders have to attack Jeanty with superb tackling technique, or he’ll make them pay. Jeanty has a unique combo of speed and power packed into a muscled-up frame. He sheds defenders with ease and routinely makes the first would-be tackler miss. It’s rare to see the first defender he encounters actually bring him down. Jeanty has a no-nonsense running style. He is quick and decisive, diagnosing how to weave through the offensive line and the second level of a defense. Jeanty has superb vision, as he will also let off the gas at times to allow his blocks to set up in front of him. I have no worries about his speed. His home run gear might not be truly “elite,” but he has plenty of juice to break long runs and snap the spine of a defense in the process. If there’s one area that Jeanty can improve in the NFL, it’s his skills as a short-yardage back. He has the leg drive and lower-half power to excel in this role, but at times he runs too upright when there are only a few yards to gain or a goal-line situation. Defenders can get up under his pads and push him back or halt his momentum. Jeanty is a pass-game weapon. His usage in the passing game changed drastically from 2023 to 2024. In his final season, Boise State stripped him of his versatility and poured more touches into the early downs. In 2023, he lined up in the slot or out wide with 18.3% of his snaps. In 2024, that figure dropped to only 2.3%. Jeanty is fluid in his route running. His smooth hips allow him to turn on a dime. He was utilized mainly on flat routes and as a checkdown option. Jeanty did have an expanded route tree in 2023 with some go routes and outs. He displayed easy separation and superb body control, with these reps securing some back-shoulder targets. Jeanty has the skills as a receiver to see his role expand immensely in this area in the NFL. Jeanty still needs to hone his pass-pro skills. He was a chip-only option on plenty of passing downs. He will drop his eyes at times and lunge at defenders. He also needs to square up defenders better and get low to lock them down and anchor. Jeanty has the necessary lower-half strength, tenacity, and play strength to improve in this area in the NFL.
- Player Comp: LaDainian Tomlinson
Pick 1.07 – Jets – Armand Membou (OL – Missouri)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Membou:
A thick, stocky right tackle who’s probably going to be viewed as more of a guard at the next level, but who looks like a pretty safe bet to develop into an early starter there due to his thick build, polished footwork, consistent technique, natural power and overall awareness.
Membou’s lack of college experience on the inside might give him a little bit of a learning curve at first, but he should be able to play in either sort of scheme and create movement in the run game for a long time.
Pick 1.08 – Panthers – Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for McMillan:
6’5″ wide receivers should not move the way that McMillan does. When a player at McMillan’s size can run a crisp whip route, I take notice. McMillan can pull this off. His hips are fluid and allow him to uncover quickly at the top of his stem. Add in his footwork, and McMillan moves like a 6’1″ receiver. It’s incredibly impressive. McMillan has no issues separating early and late in his routes. His start/stop ability and short-area burst are exceptional. Yes, you’ll see some routes where McMillan has defenders muddying the catch point, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t separate. McMillan is an underrated route technician. He adds subtle head fakes, jab steps, pacing variations, and more to his routes. McMillan understands leverage, when to sit down versus zone, exploiting a corner’s blindspot, and has multiple moments on film where he waits for a corner to flip their hips in the wrong direction before snapping off his route at the top of the stem. McMillan has excellent body control in the air to play above the rim and in the red zone. He’s a catch-point bully with vice grips for hands. His catch radius is massive as he also has the flexibility to adjust to ankle biters and scoop them off his shoe laces. Over the last two seasons, McMillan secured 54.6% of his contested targets. McMillan is battle-tested against man coverage. He has the upper body strength, play strength, release package, and route prowess to get loose from man coverage. Over the last two seasons, McMillan has had the third-most and the tenth-most man coverage targets (among FBS wide receivers) while also ranking eighth and tenth in yards per route run against man coverage. McMillan can create YAC, unlike many wide receivers of his size. His combination of immediate acceleration and tackle-breaking shows up in the metrics. Last year, he ranked second in missed tackles forced and 27th in YAC.
- Player Comp: Drake London with better YAC ability
Pick 1.09 – Saints – Kelvin Banks Jr. (OL – Texas)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Banks:
A tough three-year starter at left tackle who plays with a low pad level and has a ton of power in his hands and through his frame to generate movement in the run game and anchor against power as a pass protector.
While Banks may not be quite as tall, long and agile as an ideal left tackle, he has provided consistent play for one of college football’s premier programs, with enough kick slide depth and strength to protect the edge against speed and the discipline to secure blocks at the second level. Could theoretically play almost anywhere along the line.
Pick 1.10 – Bears – Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Loveland:
Loveland is a high-cut runner. His movement skills more closely resemble those of a big wide receiver than those of a tight end. His quick feet and loose hips allow him to succeed as a route winner more than his raw speed or physicality. He can juke defenders at the top of his stem or uncover quickly by flipping his hips. Loveland has more build-up speed than explosion off the line, but he does have enough raw speed and juice to stretch the seam. Loveland is a strong route runner. He flashes a varied release package and can win on the perimeter. His play strength shows up best mid-route or off the line, as he can hold his own with physical linebackers or corners. Loveland isn’t a physical mauler or tackle-breaker. He managed only 5.4 yards after the catch per reception and eight total missed tackles in his collegiate career at Michigan. He can avoid some defenders with his footwork and quick acceleration at the catch, but he won’t bully defenders or stiff-arm them into another area code with the ball in his hands. He’s an adequate blocker in all phases. He has enough power and anchor to stand up a linebacker when blocking for a screen or setting the edge for a rushing play. Blocking won’t be his calling card in the NFL, but it also won’t deter a team from feeding him a 70% plus snap rate immediately.
- Player Comp: Dennis Pitta
Pick 1.11 – 49ers – Mykel Williams (DE – Georgia)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Williams:
One of the most sought-after recruits from the 2022 recruiting class, Williams never broke out and reached his full potential at Georgia, seemingly because of inconsistent get-off, pad-level issues and a limited/predictable pass-rush approach. However, there appears to be considerable untapped potential here, and Williams’ limitations are all technical issues that could be addressed with coaching and additional reps.
As it currently stands, it looks like he should be able to contribute relatively early in the run game, owing to his impressive size, length, power and discipline. Looks like a Day 2 boom-or-bust type to me, but is getting a lot of first-round hype.
Pick 1.12 – Cowboys – Tyler Booker (OL – Alabama)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Booker:
A two-year starter with a thick, strong build and the ability to create movement in a phone booth and absorb power in pass protection, Booker’s technically sound game and SEC experience should allow him to step into a lineup relatively soon.
While he occasionally struggled to get out in space and secure blocks, Booker showed impressive effort and handled some difficult responsibilities in Alabama’s power-based concepts. Would be best in an in-line scheme and looks like he’ll come off the board on the second day as a relatively safe pick.
Pick 1.13 – Dolphins – Kenneth Grant (Michigan)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Grant:
A “world theory” type of prospect who has all of the power you’d expect for someone with his size, but who is also more athletic than usual and is expected to test very well at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Although the draft is somewhat loaded with interior defensive linemen, Grant still stands a good shot of coming off the board sometime within the first couple of rounds as a potential three-down nose tackle in either an even or an odd front.
The Michigan lineman should be able to make an early impact because of his dominant physical tools, having shown the ability to use his bull-rush move to easily overpower most opponents one-on-one.
Pick 1.14 – Colts – Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Warren:
Warren plays with a palpable chip on his shoulder. There are plenty of plays where, as a runner after the catch or as a blocker, he has those Mike Alstott moments. Where you find yourself saying to your computer screen, “Good lawd…Tyler, that man has a family.” This nastiness will ignite any roster and set the tone for an offense. Warren can run through would-be tackles or maul incoming defenders attempting to bring him down. Warren is a plug-and-play three-down tight end. He should enter the NFL as a serviceable (if not above-average) run-blocking tight end who can immediately offer competency in pass pro. His skills as a receiver are already well-known. Warren is a versatile chess piece that can be aligned in the backfield, inline, and on the perimeter. He is a strong route runner with quick feet, fluid hips, and a good understanding of how to attack leverage and different coverages. He is more quick than fast, but the loose hips allow him to uncover and create separation at the top of his stem and with stop routes. Warren has the hops and strength at the catch point to play over the rim and win in the red zone. He can box out defenders and win 50/50 balls in the air. The body control he exhibits in the air is impressive for his size. Warren doesn’t have 4.5 raw speed, but I won’t be surprised if he runs a strong 4.6 40. He can be used down the seam, but he will likely have a defender hanging with him at the catch point. If he is being utilized as a downfield weapon, it’s best with deep crossers and posts/corners.
- Player Comp: Jeremy Shockey
Pick 1.15 – Falcons – Jalon Walker (Georgia)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Walker:
A compact, explosive, powerful and intense front-seven defender who was asked to handle a lot of different responsibilities as a first-year starter and did an admirable job, establishing himself as an impact player for the Bulldogs. It’ll be interesting to see how different teams view his role at the next level; while Walker could likely succeed as either a linebacker or EDGE defender, the latter might be a better overall fit, as he is at his best when he’s allowed to play aggressive, attacking football, using his leverage and strength.
Looks like a solid candidate for the first round either way, even in a class that is deep up front. Should be able to step right in and improve a team’s on-field culture.
Pick 1.16 – Cardinals – Walter Nolen (DT – Ole Miss)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Nolen:
An aggressive, explosive and physical defensive tackle who can grind down opponents with his bull rush or win with hand use and technique, but who can struggle to hold the point of attack when reading and reacting.
With improved discipline and awareness, Nolen could turn out to be a disruptive starter, but currently looks a bit raw and lacks ideal snap-to-snap consistency. Projects as a boom-or-bust three-technique for an aggressive even front with one-gap principles.
Pick 1.17 – Bengals – Shemar Stewart (DE – Texas A&M)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Stewart:
A physical and athletic specimen with the type of power and anchor strength his size would suggest, but he also has much better athleticism than usual, as reflected by the fact Texas A&M often asked him to play out of a two-point stance. Having taken a big step forward this past season, Stewart has established himself as a high-upside prospect with unique versatility. Fits best as a two-gap five-technique end who could potentially slide inside on passing downs.
Pick 1.18 – Seahawks – Grey Zabel (OT – North Dakota State)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Zabel:
A very impressive prospect and a legitimate tough guy with an excellent combination of explosiveness, quickness, flexibility and nastiness that should allow him to develop into a quality starter at the next level — zone-based tackle scheme being his most likely role.
Despite being a small-school prospect, Zabel showed he can hang with the best rushers he’s come across, including against teams like Colorado. His extensive experience across the line should ease his transition into the NFL. Probably more of a second-round pick, but deserves some first-round consideration.
Pick 1.19 – Buccaneers – Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Egbuka:
Egbuka’s 2023 and (early) 2024 seasons were affected by his ankle injury and subsequent tightrope procedure. Egbuka still produced in 2024, but this has to be mentioned when discussing his analytics and overall performance. Egbuka has underrated speed. While he isn’t a burner by any stretch of the imagination, he can get downfield and create YAC with his legs. I don’t foresee Egbuka making a living off of YAC ability in its purest form or his skills as a field stretcher, but he does offer some value in these areas. Egbuka isn’t an elite YAC threat or tackle-breaker. Since 2022, he never eclipsed 7.1 yards after the catch per reception or ten missed tackles in any season. That’s not to say he is a zero in either category, but these traits are more of a thin sliver of icing on the cake of his skillset. Egbuka is a route-running wizard. He has the necessary strength, speed, release package, and savvy to win from the perimeter, but that’s not where you want him playing from for most of his snaps. Egbuka plays through contact well in his routes while offering the hand fighting and upper body strength to deal with physical corners. Egbuka has the quick feet to dice up corners in the short and intermediate areas of the field. His fluid hips, bend, and laser-sharp feet allow him to carve up zone coverage with slants, crossers, out routes, deep overs, and more. Egbuka’s hands are quite good. While he has a 5.5% drop rate in college, I think his 54.3% contested catch rate is more indicative of his trusty mitts.
- Player Comp: Rashee Rice
Pick 1.20 – Broncos – Jahdae Barron (CB – Texas)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Barron:
One of the most versatile, experienced defenders in this year’s class, Barron has done a little bit of everything in school over the past four seasons, combining a conservative, patient approach in off-zone coverage with impressive intensity and tackling in the run game. This past season, he also showed he’s capable of making plays as a boundary cornerback in off-coverage.
Since Barron didn’t play much man coverage during the games reviewed, it’s a bit difficult to project him into a man-heavy scheme. His lack of elite athletic traits may make it more difficult for him to stick with faster, quicker opponents at the pro level. The pre-draft process will probably determine whether he works his way into the first round or ends up in the second round.
Pick 1.21 – Steelers – Derrick Harmon (DL – Oregon)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Harmon:
A big, strong defensive lineman with schematic versatility and a nice combination of explosiveness and power that allows him to create disruption as a penetrator and to hold the point of attack when two-gapping. Puts pretty much everything you want to see on tape at some point, although he could still improve his snap-to-snap consistency by polishing his technique and awareness and refining his overall repertoire of pass-rush moves. Players with these tools often come off the board within the first couple of rounds or so.
Defensive linemen are now a premium position in the league.
Pick 1.22 – Chargers – Omarion Hampton (RB – UNC)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Hampton:
Hampton is a north/south, upright, and linear runner. Hampton has quick acceleration as he gets to top gear quickly. He doesn’t have a high-level second gear or elite long speed. He’ll get caught from behind on long runs, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t be a chunk play artist in the NFL. He has only one year in college where his breakaway percentage eclipsed 40%. Hampton isn’t the most fluid runner when changing direction in the open field. He’ll utilize jump cuts at the line to get to a free lane, but in the open field, he is a straight-line runner. His footsteps get choppy, and he loses speed in the second level when attempting to change course. His hips look stiff at times. Hampton is a volume-gobbling machine. In his final collegiate season, he had 20 or more carries in 67% of his games. His physical running style can wear down a defense throughout a game. Hampton will lower the boom plenty throughout the course of a game. It serves as a tone-setter. This physical running style doesn’t do much in the realm of gaining him extra yards as he doesn’t fall forward many times when lowering his shoulder and instead gets stood up, but the physicality still isn’t something that defenders want to deal with 20-25 times during a game. He can soften up a defense with these repeated body blows. Hampton’s upright running style can get him into trouble at times. His lower half is strong enough to run through weak wraps and defenders diving at his ankles, but if a defender can wrap him up decently, he can get chopped down. Hampton is a check-down option only in the passing game. He is reliable in this realm, with only two drops and a 90% catch rate in college, but I don’t see him growing into a pass-game weapon in the NFL. His stiff hips, short-area agility, and raw speed limitations will limit his route-running upside. He isn’t a skilled pass protector at this juncture. Hampton has a decent punch but doesn’t engage or anchor in pass protection well right now. He can chip and slow defenders down, but his pass-pro technique is lacking. He drops his eyes and lunges at defenders too often.
- Player Comp: Zach Charbonnet
Pick 1.23 – Packers – Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Golden:
Golden is a smooth route runner. His varied release package and crisp moves at the top of his stem allow him to gain consistent, easy separation. Golden can gear down easily and drop his hips. With Golden’s route running and fluid ability to change directions, he can carve up defenses in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He can be a high-volume wide receiver in the NFL while also possessing the speed to get downfield. When he is utilized downfield, he exhibits strong ball tracking and a quick return to top speed with double moves. Golden can dance in corners blindspots or threaten the outside shoulder before snapping off his routes and leaving them in the dust. He isn’t a ball-winner at the catch point or a monster after the catch. His lack of play strength can highlight his shortcomings. Golden had only 5.6 yards after the catch per reception in college and less than a 40% contested catch rate in two of his three seasons.
- Player Comp: Tyler Lockett
Pick 1.24 – Vikings – Donovan Jackson (OL – Ohio State)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Jackson:
A tough, consistent, assignment-sound lineman with excellent bulk and functional strength for a pro offensive lineman, traits which will get him early consideration on Draft Day.
While Jackson may not be quite as dominant in a phone booth as his size would suggest, he sets a physical tone, understands positioning and works hard to stay connected through the snap. Likely to be viewed as more of a guard candidate, which better matches his frame and experience. He should come off the board by the mid-second round.
Pick 1.25 – Giants (via HOU) – Jaxson Dart (QB – Ole Miss)
Derek Brown provides his outlook for Dart:
Dart has the arm strength to make every NFL throw. He has a “strong enough arm” but doesn’t have a cannon. He relies upon ball placement with his throws, but he can zip it in the short/intermediate areas of the field. Dart made a living in 2024 by hitting his receivers with bucket shots on the perimeter on go balls and deep outs. Dart moves through progressions fairly well. He accesses the middle of the field plenty and can get to his tertiary options plenty. Dart also has no issues expecting his first read to win 50/50 balls and exhibiting that type of trust that he’ll need in the NFL when his receivers are “NFL open” on plenty of plays. Dart flashes impressive ball placement on a ton of throws. He isn’t perfect, though, as the ball can sail on him when he reaches back for that extra oomph for his fastball. It’s not a consistent issue, though. Dart will also make anticipatory throws instead of waiting for his receivers to uncover. Dart is calm and collected in the pocket. He will boot when he feels pressure, and navigating a muddy pocket isn’t viable. He will also hang in the pocket when needed to deliver an accurate pass. There are plenty of plays where he stands tall in the pocket and gets smacked at the end of the play. Dart will also utilize pump fakes and subtle movements to affect corners in coverage. Dart likely has 4.7 40 speed. I don’t see him as a quarterback who derives a lot of his value from his rushing ability in the NFL. Can he scramble successfully and create with his legs? Yes. Will he be a quarterback for whom an offensive coordinator draws up a handful of quarterback runs weekly? I doubt it, but he can still add value by scrambling and creating with his legs.
- Player Comp: Dollar store brand Jalen Hurts
Pick 1.26 – Falcons (via LAR) – James Pearce Jr. (DE – Tennessee)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Pearce:
A very impressive EDGE defender who has an excellent combination of length, intensity, first-step explosiveness, power and toughness. Pearce’s listed size is a little bit misleading, as he was frequently asked to two gap in the run game and bull rushes on a relatively high percentage of passing downs. He isn’t primarily a finesse player.
Pearce will likely be asked to get up to around 250 pounds in the NFL. From a technical standpoint, looks like he should be able to step in and make an impact early. Likely to be one of the first defenders off the board.
Pick 1.27 – Ravens – Malaki Starks (S – Georgia)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Starks:
A three-year starter who’s offered highly consistent play over the past three years for one of college football’s top programs. Having shown an ability to handle virtually any responsibility, whether high zone, robber work, downhill run defense from the box or man coverage from the slot, Starks profiles as one of the safest picks in this year’s class.
Starks should be able to step right in as a starter for any scheme and looks likely to come off the board within the first dozen picks or so.
Pick 1.28 – Lions – Tyleik Williams (DL – Ohio State)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Williams:
A thickly-built nose tackle who shows the ability to defend the run effectively as a two-gap defender. Has what looks like a high floor because of his knee-bend, leverage, anchor strength, recognition skills and heavy hands.
However, Williams may never be a particularly dynamic pass-rusher, which could cause him to slip a little bit, especially in a class that has good depth at nose tackle. Despite playing a lot of one-technique with the Buckeyes, Williams could also get interest as a zero-technique on an odd front.
Pick 1.29 – Commanders – Josh Conerly Jr. (OT – Oregon)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Conerly:
A very talented athlete with the tough, physical temperament teams look for in offensive linemen, he has shown legitimate left-tackle traits and puts some sexy snaps on tape, ensuring he’ll be getting early-round buzz.
However, at this point, Conerly’s snap-to-snap consistency and overall feel are works in progress, especially when it comes to anticipation, positioning and technique. How much progress he makes in those areas will determine whether or not he develops into a quality starter or frustrates with a mix of flashes and lapses.
Pick 1.30 – Bills – Maxwell Hairston (CB – Kentucky)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Hairston:
An instinctive off/zone corner who showed much better route recognition/anticipatory skills than anticipated as a first-year starter back in 2023. Hairston does a nice job of keeping the play in front of him, diagnosing route combinations and driving on a spot to deliver hits or intercept throws, with reliable tackling skills.
Unfortunately, Hairston wasn’t able to replicate that success this past season, as he dealt with a shoulder injury and had issues with missed tackles. While he might not have ideal speed, fluidity and burst for press-man coverage, zone-heavy teams could give him second-round consideration if they’re confident he can recover his 2023 form. Either way, it’d be surprising if he slipped past Round 2 given his polish, awareness and ball skills.
Pick 1.31 – Eagles (via KC) – Jihaad Campbell (LB – Alabama)
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Campbell:
A versatile modern linebacker who could do a little bit of everything in school and stopped the stat sheet this past season, offering an impressive combination of awareness, effort, range, and explosiveness. May not be quite the finished product some previous Alabama linebackers have been, but has made a lot of progress since arriving in school, and his development trajectory is very projectable. Would fit best in a team that lets him play in different roles to maximize his skillset, somewhat reminiscent of Jamie Collins.
Pick 1.32 – Chiefs (via PHI) – Josh Simmons
Matthew Jones provides his outlook for Simmons:
One of the most impressive athletes at the offensive line position in this year’s class, Simmons has been playing left tackle since transferring to the Buckeyes and has the traits to stick there at the next level.
As it currently stands, Simmons looks more like a high-upside developmental prospect, given the work he still needs to do to improve his discipline, recognition skills and technique. Should have early-round appeal to zone-based teams given his speed, quickness, range, flexibility and work ethic.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS | YouTube
