Nic Scourton isn’t perfect, but nobody else in this class possesses his blend of technical prowess, bend, size, and power. He’s playing too heavy right now, but losing the unnecessary weight he’s currently carrying on his frame should only make him more dangerous as an arc rusher. Scourton’s pass-rush plan is artwork, and the suddenness and fluidity he already plays with at 280 is terrifying. He’ll be one of the youngest players in the class while already possessing nuance far beyond his years. Scourton’s naturally thick lower half makes him a sturdy edge setter, and there’s a chance he’ll continue growing into his frame while building a more consistent power element to his game.
James Pearce Jr.’s effortless explosiveness makes him a consistent arc threat. Pearce’s ankle and hip flexibility make him a true danger, but his ability to win with his hands outside, through, and inside tackles could make him a pass-rushing assassin at the next level. When the Volunteers’ pass rusher times up the snap perfectly, there’s nothing for an offensive tackle to do but open up the door and let him in the house. Pearce is too explosive and turns too tight of a corner to stop him. He’ll likely fit into the mold of Brian Burns. That means he’s a consistent threat on passing downs while being an overall underwhelming run defender, but Pearce’s pass-rush chops still make him worthy of high draft capital.
Dolphins fans will want an offensive lineman here, but with many questions about Tyreek Hill’s future and Jaylen Waddle’s uninspiring performances the past two seasons, they’re going to need to continue to surround quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with weapons. Luther Burden III could step into the NFL and be the best wide receiver from this class or quickly slide into anonymity. His physical talent is impressive but not unique in the NFL these days. Burden is a dangerous post-catch weapon, but he carries the burden of playing in Missouri’s offense, which doesn’t ask him to run a diverse route tree, nor does it manufacture enough touches for him, given how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. Burden has a knack for making huge plays in important moments, usually on slot fades and while flashing only one hand out to finish the catch. The highs are incredibly high, but the lack of nuance as a route runner and the amount of volume he receives crossing the field or on screens compared to winning 1-on-1 matchups is alarming for his projection as a separator at the next level. Nevertheless, Burden’s natural fluidity, conspicuous explosiveness, and violent agility with the ball in his hands should realistically extend to his natural separation ability at the NFL level.
Trade: Chargers received pick 14 from the Colts. Indianapolis received picks 22 and 55. Shavon Revel Jr. might have the easiest long speed in the class. He effortlessly carries receivers downfield, and that same explosion extends to his ability to bait throws from quarterbacks and close downhill when playing from space. While he has the eyes and athleticism to bait quarterbacks into bad decisions, good passers can manipulate him in the same ways. Revel’s high-cut frame also makes him slightly sticky in transition, and a lack of film against legitimate competition and an ACL injury keeping him from participating in an all-star game muddies his evaluation further.
There’s nothing in coverage that Will Johnson can’t do. He’s shown everything he needs to hear his name called early on that fourth Thursday in April despite missing a good chunk of the season. Johnson has prototypical size, length, and reactive athleticism. If it weren’t for Hunter, we’d discuss Johnson’s ball skills among the best we’ve seen in recent times. He consistently shows he can turn, find the ball, locate it in the air, and elevate to its highest point while finishing the catch to the turf. Johnson is a better true man coverage cornerback than Hunter, and he’s certainly no slouch playing with zone eyes, either.
Tyler Booker is a physical and technically sound offensive guard who excels in both pass protection and run blocking. His strong hands and powerful lower body allow him to anchor effectively against interior rushers, while his quickness and footwork make him reliable when pulling or working in space. Booker’s physicality shines in the run game, where he drives defenders off the ball and creates clear lanes for ball carriers. His ability to maintain leverage and sustain blocks demonstrates his attention to detail. By refining his hand placement and consistency, Booker has the tools to become a dominant and dependable force on the interior.
Emeka Egbuka has the natural play strength, frame, and technical detail to play on the outside at both outside designations. However, his skill set would be best utilized in the slot, allowing him full freedom to operate as the route-running savant he is. Egbuka’s lackluster top-end explosiveness theoretically limits his ceiling, but he’s in a similar mold to Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has rounded into one of the most dangerous pass catchers in the NFL.
Trade: The Ravens received pick 18 from the Seahawks. Seattle received picks 27 and 59. Will Campbell is an excellent college tackle who could see a slide to the interior at the next level because of his lackluster length. However, his uniquely high stance calls into question how seamless that move could be. The Tigers’ left tackle doesn’t have the outrageous physical tools we’ve seen from other top blockers in recent years, but Campbell makes up for it with outstanding technical prowess, impressive balance, a stout anchor, and excellent rotational strength (which is why a move to the interior could yield All-Pro upside, whereas that ceiling is likely much lower on the bookend).
Opinions on Jalon Walker vary greatly from his draft stock to the position he should play at the NFL level. He’s displayed flashes of pass-rushing brilliance, and despite his sawed-off frame, Walker has adequate length to be a full-time pass rusher. However, he’s currently more of a “master of none,” which is common for defenders playing multiple positions without specificity. Walker is inexperienced in coverage, and much of his pass-rush productivity stems from spying quarterbacks and using his outstanding closing speed to bring them to the turf when they attempt to leak away from the pocket. His length also helps him take on climbing offensive linemen, and he has a natural feel for playmaking. However, without adequate examples as a coverage player, it’s hard to love Walker’s entire profile.
Think of everything Brock Bowers did for Georgia’s offense over the years, and then package that in a prototypical in-line TE frame with more athleticism. Tyler Warren is practically the TE version of the Permian Panthers’ Boobie Miles. He’s a big, physical, explosive, loose route runner with the frame and ball skills to shield himself from defenders. Some of Penn State’s most explosive offensive moments come from Warren taking direct snaps in the backfield, capturing the edge, and scampering toward the sideline where he can bully defensive backs with his size. AND HE CAN PASS!
