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NFL

Mahomes: Chiefs ready to unleash passing attack

  • Adam TeicherApr 23, 2025, 02:20 PM ET

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      Adam Teicher has covered the Kansas City Chiefs for more than 30 seasons. He joined ESPN in 2013 for the launch of NFL Nation.

In leading the Kansas City Chiefs’ running backs and wide receivers through a passing camp in his home state of Texas, Patrick Mahomes is getting to see what he saw only in training camp last year.

That’s a lineup that includes the team’s top three wideouts: Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. Injuries kept Rice and Brown out for most of last season, leaving only Worthy, then a rookie.

Seeing them together again has Mahomes hopeful the Chiefs can have the big-play passing game in 2025 that they lacked last season.

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“Everything looks great right now getting the guys back and healthy,” Mahomes said. “I think the offense has a chance to be really, really good. The core group will be back in its entirety, so the goal is to try to build on it and get even better and try to get back to some of the explosive passing plays that we’ve done in years past.”

Rice was leading the NFL in catches with 24 last year through the first three games before a knee injury ended his season. After throwing to Rice in the passing camp, Mahomes said he expects the wide receiver to play like he was before the injury.

“The expectations are high,” Mahomes said. “He looks really good. He is running routes, he’s catching the football. I don’t know when we get back into the actual OTAs [in May] how much he’ll be able to do, but he’s been able to do everything here as far as running routes and everything like that.

“I know it was unfortunate how he got hurt last year, but it was so early in the season that he’s going to get pretty much a complete offseason, which I think will be big going into this season.”

The Chiefs were encouraged last year by what they saw in training camp from Brown, a free agent addition. But Brown suffered a sternoclavicular injury on the first play of the preseason and, after surgery, returned in time to play only two games in the regular season plus all three playoff games. His contributions in those five games were minimal, with 14 receptions for 141 yards.

“It’s hard to throw guys in at the end of the season and try to give him a huge role,” Mahomes said. “I was happy to have him back at the end of the season and for him to kind of get back in within the offense, but I think now with hopefully him having the full offseason and training camp and keep staying healthy and continue to [expand] his role even more. You can see when he gets to football in his hands and he has a huge role in our offense, it makes everybody go.”

Worthy wound up being the Chiefs’ leading wide receiver with 59 catches and 638 yards. He also caught two 50-yard passes in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, but both came after the Chiefs had fallen far behind.

“We had to push the envelope, and you saw Xavier making some big plays down the field,” Mahomes said. “Trying to take a positive away from that and from the rest of the season as well is that we’ve got the guys. It’s about me trusting them, making the throws downfield and letting them make plays.”

NFL

Jones: Cowboys working on 'substantive trades'

  • Todd ArcherApr 22, 2025, 02:51 PM ET

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      Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010.

FRISCO, Texas — The NFL draft is two days away, but the Dallas Cowboys are still looking at ways to improve other than the 10 current selections they have over seven rounds on Thursday through Saturday.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said after Tuesday’s predraft news conference that the Cowboys are working on “pretty substantive trades” regarding players, although he offered no specifics other than saying they are taking calls with teams.

The Cowboys have made trades for quarterback Trey Lance, wide receiver Jonathan Mingo, wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore in recent years but have not made a blockbuster deal since the midseason addition of Amari Cooper at the trade deadline in 2018. Earlier this offseason the Cowboys made trades for linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (Tennessee Titans) and cornerback Kaiir Elam (Buffalo Bills).

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The Cowboys have more than $37 million in salary cap space, according to NFLPA figures, although a chunk of that will go to draft picks, practice squad additions, injury settlements and incentives.

Jones has long had a history of making draft-day trades. Since Jones took over the Cowboys in 1989, the team has made 72 trades. Their last trade involving a first-round pick came in 2021 when they moved down to No. 12 overall in a deal with the

NFL

Raiders GM Spytek strong believer in drafting RB

  • Ryan McFaddenApr 18, 2025, 05:06 PM ET

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      Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN’s NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.

HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek didn’t want to talk about specific prospects during Friday’s predraft news conference. That includes Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who has been linked to the organization throughout the draft process.

However, Spytek made it clear that he’s a strong believer in taking a running back high in the draft.

“I mean we just saw Saquon Barkley just change the Eagles in one year,” Spytek said during Friday’s predraft news conference. “…There’s certain ways to build a team, and I don’t know where we got to a place where we don’t feel like running backs are valued.

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“I come from the University of Michigan, and those guys were certainly really valued there. So, it’s hard for me to get away from that.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Raiders drafting Jeanty sixth overall

Spytek and coach Pete Carroll are on the same page in making the run game an integral part of the offense. Jeanty, who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, can provide an immediate boost to the Raiders’ offense, which finished last in rushing yards per game at 79.8.

Outside of running back, Spytek said the team remains “open-minded” when it comes to drafting a quarterback.

“You guys have all done your investigative journalism well enough to know that we brought some quarterbacks in. And that wasn’t by accident,” Spytek said. “We remain open to the most important position in sports to get right.”

The position is not as big of a need for the organization after trading for Geno Smith and signing the former Seahawks starter to a two-year, $75 million extension that can be worth up to $85.5 million and includes $66.5 million in guaranteed money, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

At the same time, Smith doesn’t have any guaranteed money after 2026, and that could potentially open the door for the Raiders adding a rookie quarterback to develop.

The Raiders have done their due diligence in evaluating quarterbacks during the draft process. This week, Las Vegas hosted Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders for a top-30 visit. They’ve also met with other quarterback prospects such as Quinn Ewers, Jaxson Dart and Will Howard.

“If you start forcing players because you need them, you end up regretting that. And you also can’t have enough good players in certain positions, too,” Spytek said. “Sometimes what doesn’t feel like a need right now becomes a need after one or two injuries during the season, and then you’re thankful you took this really good player.”

NFL

Who’s the best player in the draft? How about the 100th best? Legwold ranks them all

  • Jeff LegwoldApr 20, 2025, 06:45 AM ET

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      Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos at ESPN. He has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years and also assists with NFL draft coverage, joining ESPN in 2013. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999, too. Jeff previously covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans at previous stops prior to ESPN.

It hasn’t been easy for talent evaluators to make sense of the 2025 NFL draft class. The combination of COVID-19 seasons, prospects in their mid-20s, transfers and NIL have created several obstacles for scouts to sift through.

“Maybe this is how it’s going to look [from now on], but this year feels different,” a longtime AFC scout said. “[It’s] pretty thin on top [of the board], thick in the middle, and NIL probably carved out the back end [of Day 3].”

That leaves a class with fewer players with first-round grades than usual. But it does have one of the most unique prospects of the modern era, as Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is ranked as the No. 1 player at two different positions by much of the league. It also has a polarizing group of quarterbacks. While Cam Ward (Miami) seems destined to be the first overall pick, the rest of the crop — led by Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) — has drawn a variety of reactions from decision-makers.

With those factors in mind, here is my annual top-100 list heading into the draft, which starts Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Green Bay, Wisconsin (ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App). This list is based on grades, not position value. This isn’t meant to be a mock draft, just a pure ranking of the top prospects. Thanks to all those around the league who took the time to chat and answer piles of questions around this annual project.

Note: Listed 40 times are best verified or electronically timed.

Height: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 188 pounds | 40 time: Did not run (DNR)

There are minor concerns that Hunter’s frame won’t hold up in the NFL, especially if he plays offense and defense. But let’s face it: The 2024 Heisman winner is the No. 1 player at wide receiver and cornerback, so that makes him my No. 1 player. The 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns along with four interceptions don’t hurt, either. The challenge for whoever drafts him is finding the ideal play distribution between corner and receiver that maximizes his development and impact.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 250 | 40 time: DNR

There are some injury concerns with Carter. He didn’t work out at the combine due to a shoulder injury and had a stress fracture discovered in his right foot during the medical exam. But Carter is a relentless, explosive pass rusher, with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss last season. He should make an immediate NFL impact.

Height: 5-9 | Weight: 211 | 40 time: DNR

There might be a slight pause about Jeanty’s workload — he averaged 31 carries per game last season — and fumbles (nine in the past two seasons). But some believe he’s the best player in this class. He rushed for 2,601 yards in 2024 and combines strength, balance and vision with big-play ability (12 runs of 50-plus yards last season).

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 256 | 40 time: DNR

Warren exploded as a senior, with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024 after compiling 49 catches the previous three seasons. He can line up in-line, in the slot or out wide and has room for further growth. His ability to run with power and drive makes him a Wildcat quarterback option, too.

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Height: 6-4 | Weight: 296 | 40 time: DNR

A former No. 1 overall recruit, Nolen broke out with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles in 2024 to earn All-America honors. He was aided by Ole Miss’ defensive tackle-friendly scheme, but Nolen plays with urgency and top-shelf strength. His best football is in front of him.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 319 | 40 time: 4.98 seconds

There’s been a lot of talk about Campbell’s 32?-inch arm length measurement at the combine — below the league’s threshold for tackles. But Campbell has high-level movement skills and has passed every test against many of the nation’s best pass rushers over the past three seasons. He’s also a pounder in the run game.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 296 | 40 time: DNR

A good rule when evaluating prospects in the trenches is to defer to those with an accomplished wrestling background. Graham has that, and if there were a “tossed defender aside” metric, he would likely lead the nation. He’s a high-effort player with 14.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 194 | 40 time: 4.39

Some people might scoff at Barron being this high, but he’s a resourceful player with the versatility to play outside, in the slot or as a dime linebacker. He has elite speed and doesn’t waste steps or miss tackles. He won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 after recording five interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

Height: 6-6 | Weight 248 | 40 time: DNR

Loveland sat out the combine because of right shoulder surgery but said that he would be full-go for training camp. His ability to stress the seams of the defense with his speed and movement ability are highly coveted. Loveland set the Michigan school record for tight ends with 56 receptions in 2024.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 332 | 40 time: 4.91

Membou has been arguably the biggest riser in this class and projects best as a right tackle. He’s smooth in pass protection and mirrored some of the nation’s best edge players this past season. Membou also has the power to clear defenders in the run game.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235 | 40 time: 4.52

Is Campbell an off-ball linebacker or an edge rusher? He started as an edge as a freshman, moved to linebacker as a sophomore, then played both in 2024. Campbell led the Crimson Tide in tackles (112), tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (5) and forced fumbles (2) last season.

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Height: 6-1 | Weight: 243 | 40 time: DNR

The Bulldogs moved Walker all over their defense, but he projects best as an edge rusher in the NFL thanks to his explosiveness and closing ability as a pass rusher. Walker has led Georgia in sacks the past two seasons but also plays with decisiveness and physicality against the run.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194 | 40 time: DNR

Johnson has been great when he has played — he had nine interceptions and three pick-sixes in his college career, including two in 2024. But a

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260 | 40 time: DNR

Williams suffered an ankle injury in Georgia’s season opener that held him back in 2024, so he didn’t have the breakout season many expected. He ended up with five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss, but he can make an immediate NFL impact as a pass rusher.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 | 40 time: 4.38

Emmanwori put on a show at the combine, but he is more than a workout warrior. He had 88 tackles and four interceptions this past season, two of which he returned for touchdowns. His size and traits allow him to move around and play as a safety, dime linebacker or big nickel corner.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 313 | 40 time: 4.95

Harmon flourished after transferring from Michigan State, with 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in his only season at Oregon. His strong hands, big reach and explosiveness in shedding blockers make him a consistent interior disruptor.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 191 | 40 time: 4.29

Golden averaged 17.0 yards per catch in his only season with the Longhorns, with 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. The Houston transfer had the second-fastest 40 at the combine. When he’s dialed in, he can separate from even the best corners and is dependable no matter where he lines up.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219 | 40 time: DNR

Ward will be selected long before this — probably before anyone else — because of his pocket awareness and smooth short-area movements. Add in a quick release and his mental toughness with the willingness to be the “it” guy, and you have an immediate starter. He must clean up accuracy issues and his footwork when he’s in sling-it mode.

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Height: 6-4 | Weight: 219 | 40 time: 4.53

He is the production king of the receiver class, with back-to-back seasons of at least 84 receptions, 1,300 yards and more than 15 yards per reception. McMillan also had a 304-yard game in 2024. The former volleyball player consistently wins contested catches.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 315 | 40 time: 5.16

Banks won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award last season. Some in the league believe he might be a guard because he is more refined as a punishing, smooth mover in the run game than a pass protector. Banks needs a little more strength to deal with the league’s speed-to-power rushers and cleaner work with his hands.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 202 | 40 time: 4.48

This wide receiver class isn’t as strong as some in previous years, but Egbuka is a safe, top-tier performer who is NFL-ready. He finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (205). Egbuka runs routes with precision and tempo and consistently creates separation.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 321 | 40 time: 5.38

Booker is a powerful interior presence who plays with quality awareness in pass protection and the strength to wall off rushers. He also finishes with purpose in the run game. He was a team captain as a junior and should start right away in the NFL.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 206 | 40 time: 4.41

His route portfolio will be far larger in the NFL, as the vast majority of Burden’s collegiate targets came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. He had only one 100-yard game in 2024, though he flourished in 2023 (86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns). Burden has powerful hands, plays with toughness and is dynamic after the catch.

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Height: 6-5 | Weight: 267 | 40 time: 4.59

Stewart is one of the toughest evaluations on the board. He has coveted physical abilities and had a ridiculous combine workout that featured a 40 time better than some receivers. His 4.5 combined sacks in three seasons are the biggest red flag, as well as his inconsistent pressure rate.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 202 | 40 time: 4.43

What more do you want? Henderson had two 1,000-yard seasons and another 900-yard season, and did not fumble in his past three seasons. He is the best pass protector in this running back class and a quality receiver who runs with acceleration and tempo. It would be inaccurate to pigeonhole him as a third-down back.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 245 | 40 time: 4.47

Pearce’s speed, explosiveness off the ball and consistent high-pressure rate (19.0% in 2024, second in FBS) are tantalizing. He doesn’t have the elite flexibility of some of the best edge prospects, which could slow his development if he can’t consistently disengage from blockers.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 251 | 40 time: DNR

Green broke through in 2024, leading the FBS with 17 sacks, a big step up from the 4.5 he had in 2023. He is a high-effort player with flexibility and an array of counters to get to the quarterback.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 248 | 40 time: DNR

Ezeiruaku is arguably the most productive player in a deep edge class, compiling 80 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and 3 forced fumbles in 12 games. He moves from speed to power effectively and has the flexibility to get to the corner. He has inside counters and plays with an edge.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 257 | 40 time: DNR

Few players show as much diversity in the pass rush as Scourton, and he faced more double-teams and chips than his Aggies teammates. He also plays with consistent intensity — a third of his tackles in 2024 were for a loss, and he had 10 sacks for Purdue in 2023 before transferring.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 197 | 40 time: 4.50

Starks has put plenty on tape during his 42 starts in three seasons. He played both safety and nickel corner, with six interceptions in his college career. Starks ran well at the combine, and teams have been impressed with his interviews.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 331 | 40 time: 5.07

Most evaluators want to see more consistent production, but Grant’s power, agility and size make him a unique player. When he’s at his best, he’s the kind of interior disruptor NFL teams want. He had 6.5 sacks and knocked down 11 passes over the past two seasons.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 212 | 40 time: DNR

When he sets his feet in a clean pocket, Sanders shows the best mechanics and accuracy of any quarterback in this draft. His 71.8% completion rate in two seasons at Colorado is an FBS career record. But he is undersized and doesn’t throw the ball quickly, which partially explains why he took an FBS-leading 94 sacks the past two seasons.

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33. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 312 | 40 time: DNR

Zabel has the potential to play every offensive line position. He started games at left guard, left tackle and right tackle at North Dakota State, then dominated at center during Senior Bowl practices. Zabel plays with maximum toughness and awareness.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 251 | 40 time: 4.68

Taylor was primarily used as an in-line player in LSU’s offense, though he has some experience in the slot. He doesn’t have the same timed speed as some of the other top tight ends, but his routes are clean and he knows how to put defenders in a bad spot. He’s the only TE in LSU history to exceed 100 career receptions.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 204 | 40 time: 4.59

Watts and Travis Hunter were the only players to be consensus All-Americans in 2023 and 2024. Watts had 14 pass breakups and two forced fumbles the past two seasons combined, and his six interceptions led FBS in 2024. He has elite awareness, ball skills and is rarely flagged. He will flourish in a zone-heavy scheme.

Height: 5-8 | Weight: 200 | 40 time: DNR

Sampson scored 22 rushing touchdowns last season to break a school record that stood for 95 years. While some might think he is undersized, he knows how to work the crowded areas of the field. Half of his touchdown runs last season were of 5 yards or fewer, and he has a top-shelf jump cut.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221 | 40 time: 4.46

Hampton was highly productive the past two seasons, rushing for 1,660 yards in 2024 and 1,504 in 2023. He’s not a quick cutter, but he is decisive to the point of attack and is a high-contact runner who smashes through defenders. While that might not be sustainable, he did average 3.7 yards after contact last season.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 317 | 40 time: DNR

Simmons’ predraft assessments centered mostly around his recovery from what he said was a torn patellar tendon in his left knee that he suffered in October. Simmons has experience at both tackle spots and showed the movement ability teams want in pass protection.

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Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | 40 time: 4.43

Amos has the length and willingness to be physical with receivers that translates well to the NFL. He was more consistent in zone in 2024 and can disrupt receivers in press man coverage. He also finds the ball, having knocked down 26 passes over the past three seasons.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 311 | 40 time: 5.05

He had 28 consecutive starts at left tackle for the Ducks over the past two seasons and has excelled in pass protection. Conerly is an ascending player who has made significant jumps over the past two years. His performance in the Big Ten championship game, when he held Abdul Carter without a sack, turned heads.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 315 | 40 time: DNR

Jackson moved from left guard to left tackle after Josh Simmons’ injury and impressed in that role. Despite some bobbles, he showed more positional flexibility than anticipated. The three-year starter has the power and movement skills to plug and play at guard.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 194 | 40 time: DNR

Revel tore his left ACL during a mid-September practice, but his doctor has informed teams he is expected to be ready for training camp. He’s long and has shown top-level play speed along with an understanding of route concepts.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 221 | 40 time: 4.48

Judkins had three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons — two at Ole Miss and 1,060 yards this past season for Ohio State. He scored a touchdown every 16.4 carries in his college career and runs with physicality and decisiveness.

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 183 | 40 time: 4.28

Hairston was the fastest player who ran at the combine and routinely closes throwing windows with his speed. He has shown comfort in man or zone, but his concentration wavers at times. He’ll need to be a much better tackler as a pro to reach his potential, though his struggles there in 2024 could be attributed to a shoulder injury.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 242 | 40 time: DNR

Schwesinger’s film will have to speak loudly, as a hamstring injury kept him out of most combine drills and UCLA’s pro day. The former walk-on was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2024 in his only season as a starter, compiling 136 tackles (90 solo). He’s an effective blitzer who rarely misses tackles.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 334 | 40 time: DNR

Williams pulled a hamstring on his first 40-yard dash attempt at his pro day, which could carry over postdraft. When healthy, he is an interior power player who gets involved. He had 54 tackles in 2023 and added 46 in 2024 despite missing three games. He plays a little upright, so taller NFL guards could give him some difficulty.

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Height: 6-2 | Weight: 235 | 40 time: 4.58

Knight is one of the oldest prospects on the board — he turned 25 in January and played six college seasons — which might negatively impact his stock. But he gets off blocks, makes play after play and has shown maturity and work ethic in his interviews with teams.

Height: 6-6 | Weight: 264 | 40 time: 4.68

Evaluators saw his explosiveness during the season, but his combine workout had many scouts reassessing his tape. He doesn’t look smooth when he plays and will need to improve his lower-body flexibility as a pro. But he produces, with 13 sacks over the past two seasons.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 265 | 40 time: DNR

Tuimoloau had a huge 2024 season, with 21.5 tackles for loss (third in FBS) and 12.5 sacks. Some defensive line coaches see him as a high-effort player who can improve his pass-rush techniques to have more success when he doesn’t win with power after the snap.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 260 | 40 time: DNR

Sawyer closed his 2024 season on a positive note, with 4.5 sacks and six knockdowns in the Buckeyes’ four playoff games. He capped it off with a strip-sack, 83-yard scoop-and-score in Ohio State’s CFP semifinal victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl. He is a power-first player who might not fit everybody’s scheme but plays with intensity.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 290 | 40 time: DNR

Some see a player flagged too many times for personal fouls, while others see one with the kind of relentlessness they want from a defensive lineman. His best season came in 2023, with 10.5 tackles for loss and two blocked kicks, but he also added 5.5 tackles for loss as part of a deep D-line rotation in 2024.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 214 | 40 time: DNR

Bech’s best seasons came in his first year (43 catches as a freshman for LSU in 2021) and his last (62 catches for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024). He consistently creates separation at the top of the route and regularly wins in contested-catch situations. Bech had a big Senior Bowl week and was the game’s MVP.

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 250 | 40 time: DNR

Like Bech, Arroyo had a big week at the Senior Bowl. There are big questions around his health, given he was out for much of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with a knee injury. But he showed an NFL-level skill set in 2024, as more than 70% of his 35 catches went for first downs or touchdowns.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 249 | 40 time: DNR

Stewart didn’t work out at the combine because of a hamstring injury and chose not to work out at the Wolverines’ pro day. But he gives max effort on every play, and his punishing, determined style is easy to spot on tape. He had 47 tackles for loss over four seasons and led the Wolverines with 8.5 sacks in 2024.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 255 | 40 time: DNR

Swinson is an ascending player, as he didn’t start more than one game in a season until 2024. He started 12 games last season and led the Tigers with 12 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He didn’t work out at the combine or LSU’s main pro day.

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Height: 6-4 | Weight: 214 | 40 time: 4.47

He’s a tough matchup for defensive backs because of his size and enormous catch radius. Higgins projects to play outside or in the slot and averaged 18.5 yards per catch in 2023 and 13.6 yards per catch in 2024. He had only three drops in two seasons at Iowa State after transferring from Eastern Kentucky.

Height: 5-10 | Weight: 192 | 40 time: 4.42

Few defensive backs on the board find the ball like Bowman. He had eight interceptions over the past two seasons and returned three for TDs in 2023. He does miss a lot of tackles, but Bowman showed plenty of potential as a nickel defender at the Senior Bowl.

Height: 6-8 | Weight: 316 | 40 time: 5.21

Trapilo started games at both left and right tackle for the Eagles. Boston College coach Bill O’Brien, a longtime NFL coach, has lauded Trapilo’s work in pass protection, where his quality hand work, reach and footwork make him tough for rushers to solve. He could be a starter with more time in the weight room.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 303 | 40 time: DNR

Mbow played right guard in 2022 before starting 18 games at right tackle the past two seasons. Zone-blocking teams will be interested in his movement and awareness, as he consistently makes the right choices in space. Some might move him back to guard, but his skill set is too good to ignore.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 224 | 40 time: 4.57

His best attribute is his decisiveness — Johnson has the size and power to brush off arm tackles and enough speed to create big plays. His 20 runs of at least 20 yards in 2024 were second in the nation, and his 21 rushing TDs were a school record. Pass-protection struggles have some scouts doubting whether he’s capable of being a three-down back.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 297 | 40 time: DNR

He was smaller than many of the blockers he faced in the SEC, but Sanders is rarely knocked off his feet and plays with powerful hands. He should be able to play on multiple fronts and in the interior. He had 16.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 197 | 40 time: 4.60

His timed speed will concern some, but Thomas knows how to play to his strengths. He consistently ruins pass routes by challenging receivers effectively at the line of scrimmage and down the field. He had just two career interceptions but knocked away 15 passes, including 10 in 2023.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 305 | 40 time: 4.95

Alexander showed some positional versatility last season and had a quality week at the Senior Bowl against some of the better blockers in this draft. While he lined up inside most of the time, there were pass-rush situations when he played on the edge. He’ll turn 25 in August, so Alexander will need to smooth his rough edges quickly, but potential is there.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 193 | 40 time: DNR

Morrison could have been a top-40 player if not for injury concerns. He had left hip surgery in October 2024 and had shoulder surgery last spring. He had nine interceptions combined in 2022 and 2023. Morrison is a smooth player in his transitions and plays with high-end awareness.

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 205 | 40 time: 4.42

Somewhat hidden on a below-average Mountain West team, Royals averaged 15.2 yards per reception in back-to-back seasons. He had a combined 10 receptions of 50 or more yards in those two years, and he had 55 receptions for 834 yards in seven games in 2024 before a foot injury ended his season.