| DEAD MONEYJoel Corry of CBSSports.com counts eight players who have cost their former team more than $20 million this year while they labor elsewhere or, in the cases of Aaron Donald and J.C. Jackson, sit at home: Dead money is a salary cap charge for a player who is no longer on a team’s roster. It exists because of how salary cap accounting rules operate. Signing bonuses, option bonuses and certain roster bonuses are prorated or spread out evenly over the life of a contract for a maximum of five years. When a player is released, traded or retires, the remaining proration of these salary components immediately accelerate onto his team’s current salary cap. There are two major exceptions to this general rule of bonus proration accelerating. Only the current year’s proration counts toward the cap with players released, traded or retiring after June 1. The bonus proration in future contract years is delayed until the following league year, which typically begins in early to mid-March. A team can also release two players each league year prior to June 2 (known as a post-June 1 designation) that will be treated under the salary cap as if released after June 1. With a post-June 1 designation, a team is required to carry the player’s full cap number until June 2 even though he is no longer part of the roster. The player’s salary comes off the books at that time unless it is guaranteed. This means dead money is typically a sunk cost where money isn’t owed to a player. A payment is associated with dead money when there are salary guarantees at the time of release or departure comes after the player has already begun receiving a portion of his compensation in that particular league year. Teams have become more comfortable with big amounts of dead money. The number of dead money charges in excess of $20 million has increased from three in 2022 to eight this year. Here’s a look at the eight players responsible for the 2024 dead money over $20 million. QB Russell Wilson, Broncos: $53 millionIt became apparent pretty quickly that Sean Payton and Russell Wilson were like oil and water after Payton was hired to coach the Broncos last year. The marriage of convenience between the two came to an end in March when the Broncos released Wilson with a post-June 1 designation. The Broncos are contending with $85 million in dead money because of Wilson’s departure. The $53 million for 2024, which includes Wilson’s fully guaranteed $39 million 2024 base salary from the five-year, $245 million contract extension he signed in August 2022, is an NFL record of dead money related an individual player in one league year. The other $32 million is a 2025 salary cap charge for the Broncos because of the post-June 1 designation. QB Daniel Jones, Giants: $47.105 millionThe Giants made a bad bet thinking that the best was yet to come for Jones after a 2022 season in which he emerged as a capable dual-threat quarterback. Making the playoffs and winning a wild-card game against the Minnesota Vikings led to Jones getting a four-year, $160 million deal (worth up to $195 million thanks to incentives and salary escalators) with $104 million in guarantees, of which $81 million was fully guaranteed at signing in March 2023. The $40 million-per-year deal put Jones upon signing in a tie with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford as the NFL’s seventh-highest-paid player. A struggling Jones was benched coming out of this season’s Week 10 bye to prevent the Giants from being on the hook for his $23 million 2025 base salary injury guarantee if he were hurt and couldn’t pass a physical next March. The Giants released Jones at his request a couple of days later and he has since joined the Vikings’ practice squad. Jones’ $47.105 million is the second biggest amount of dead money in NFL history. A majority of this dead money comes from Jones’ fully guaranteed $35.5 million 2024 base salary. WR Stefon Diggs, Bills: $31.096 millionA divorce between Diggs and the Bills became inevitable as the 2023 season unfolded. Diggs was increasingly frustrated as the Bills moved to a more run-oriented offensive attack. The Bills dealt Diggs, a 2024 fourth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Texans for a 2025 second-round pick in March despite signing him to a four-year, $96 million contract extension running through the 2027 season in 2022. The Bills are comfortable with establishing a record for dead money with a non-quarterback in moving on from Diggs. The dead money stems from the $12.9 million of signing bonus proration in Diggs’ 2024 through 2026 contract years with the extension and $18.196 million of bonus proration in his 2024 through 2027 contract years relating to a 2023 salary conversion to create 2023 cap room. QB Kirk Cousins, Vikings: $28.5 millionThe $28.5 million is a product of: (1) Cousins’ one-year, $35 million extension in 2022, which included a $25 million signing bonus, having voiding 2024 and 2025 contract years for cap purposes and (2) a 2023 contract restructure tacking on voiding 2026 and 2027 contract years to create $16 million of 2023 cap space. All four years voided when the 2023 league year ended on March 13. Cousins’ dead money is Minnesota’s largest cap charge for this year. It’s more than double Cousins’ $12.5 million 2024 cap number in the four-year, $180 million contract, averaging $45 million per year with $100 million of guarantees ($90 million fully guaranteed), he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March as an unrestricted free agent. DT Aaron Donald, Rams: $23,833,334The Rams used some creative salary cap maneuvering to deal with Donald’s retirement in March. Donald’s contract was restructured where a $5 million fully guaranteed third day of the 2024 league year roster bonus was turned into signing bonus and $8.79 million of his $10 million 2024 base salary was added to an existing $20 million option bonus payment to pick up his voiding 2026 contract year. The $28.79 million option bonus was subsequently renounced so the $9,596,666, $9,596,666 and $9,596,668 of proration in 2024, 2025 and 2026 would come off the Rams’ salary cap. Since the renouncing meant the 2026 option year no longer existed, the remaining $9,666,668 of 2026 bonus proration accelerated to 2024. This maneuvering created $9,123,332 of 2024 cap space for the Rams. Donald was carried on the Rams’ roster until the start of training camp in late July to prevent the $9,666,666 in bonus proration relating to his voiding 2025 contract year from becoming a 2024 cap charge. This $9,666,666 is 2025 dead money. The Rams picked an additional $1.21 million of 2024 cap room in July from Donald’s 2024 base salary when he was placed on the reserve/retired list. Edge Haason Reddick, Eagles: $21.515 millionThe Eagles chose $21.515 million in dead money over addressing Reddick’s dissatisfaction with the three-year, $45 million contract (worth up to $46.5 million through incentives and salary escalators) he signed during 2022 free agency. He was traded to the New York Jets for a conditional 2026 third-round pick in early April. The dead money comes from inserting dummy/voiding 2025 through 2027 contract years into Reddick’s deal at the outset for proration purposes with his $13.715 million signing bonus and $15.17 million option bonus. S Jamal Adams, Seahawks: $20,833,334The Seahawks released Adams in March because he never measured up to the four-year, $70 million extension (worth up to $72 million through incentives and salary escalators), averaging $17.5 million per year, he signed during the 2021 preseason to dramatically reset the safety market. The deal was structured with a $20 million signing bonus and $12.44 million option bonus. Seattle made matters worse with an uncharacteristic 2023 contract restructure that freed up $6,613,334 of 2023 cap room. CB J.C. Jackson, Chargers: $20,833,333The Chargers signed Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million contract with $40 million of guarantees, which included a $25 million signing bonus, in 2022 free agency to shore up the secondary. Jackson didn’t resemble the player who earned Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro honors in 2021 with the New England Patriots before rupturing the patellar tendon in his right knee midway during the 2022 season. When Jackson continued to regress, the Chargers traded him and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Patriots for a 2025 sixth-round pick four weeks into the 2023 season. To facilitate the deal, the Chargers converted $7,777,777 of Jackson’s remaining $9,333,333 2023 base salary into signing bonus prior to the trade |
| 2025 DRAFTDane Brugler of The Athletic drops his latest Mock Draft without a QB going first overall: I have been covering the NFL Draft for almost two decades — and the 2025 class might be the most polarizing of them all. Some NFL scouts believe one or two quarterbacks are deserving of this year’s first round, while others think drafting any QB in Round 1 would be a mistake. A comment from one AFC scout: “Man, I feel bad for the teams trying to find one (quarterback) in this group.” And it isn’t just that position. Outside of Travis Hunter, there is very little consensus about the non-quarterbacks at the top of this draft. “Hunter,” a second AFC scout told The Athletic, “is the only guy this year who would have been a top-10 pick last year — probably in most years.” I share those opinions not to be a buzzkill, but rather as a reminder to keep an open mind with this year’s first round. One team’s No. 2 prospect might be another team’s No. 15. The polarizing nature of this year’s draft will make it interesting. Embrace it now. 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, ColoradoAt this point in the process, Hunter is the only 2025 prospect considered by scouts to be a surefire top-five pick. There are a lot of differing opinions about Hunter’s ability to be a two-way player in the NFL, but everyone agrees: If anyone can do it, it’s him. With his athletic traits, ball instincts and focused mindset, he has “NFL playmaker” written all over him — regardless of how he is used. 2. Las Vegas Raiders: Cam Ward, QB, MiamiIt might be tough for owner Mark Davis to pass on the Sanders name, but Ward speaks the Raiders’ language with his ability to create explosive plays. Although his loose play style will sometimes lead to head-scratching moments, Ward has shown clear progress in his decision-making and placement, and his calm demeanor will help smooth his transition to NFL action. 3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoIn one of the more polarizing draft classes we’ve seen, Sanders is arguably the most polarizing prospect. Some NFL teams have graded him as an adequate NFL starter, while others are more optimistic. I don’t know how the Giants feel, but I do believe Brian Daboll can get the most out of Sanders in the NFL. 4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT/G, LSUDrake Maye has the quarterback position locked up, so the Patriots need to surround him with more help. And if the organization invests in a wide receiver via free agency (Tee Higgins?), its draft focus would shift to the offensive line. Despite having average arm length, Campbell moves with fluidity and strength throughout his frame and projects as an immediate NFL starter at tackle, guard or even center. 5. Carolina Panthers: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn StateIf the Panthers wind up with a top-five pick, almost every position would be an option as general manager Dan Morgan hunts for difference-makers. A lack of juice off the edge has been a particular problem in Carolina, especially when Jadeveon Clowney isn’t on the field. Carter is not yet a finished product and is still learning how to use all of his gifts, but his freaky burst and developing power make for a promising foundation. 6. New York Jets: Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, GeorgiaThere is a ton of unknown for the Jets organization as it turns the page to the 2025 offseason — time will tell how the new general manager and head coach will view the current roster. Edge rusher and linebacker might both be needs this offseason, though. With his athleticism at 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds, Walker can play either position at a high level. 7. Tennessee Titans: Mykel Williams, Edge, GeorgiaAfter upgrading Tennessee’s offensive line in the first round the last two years, general manager Ran Carthon now can turn to the defensive side of the ball. Although his production has dropped this season as he’s battled through an ankle injury, Williams has a rare blend of power, athleticism and length. His 2024 Texas tape alone might be enough for him to be drafted this high. 8. Cleveland Browns: Mason Graham, DT, MichiganHaving a top-10 pick and a major need at quarterback feels like familiar territory for Cleveland, but there isn’t a viable QB option in this scenario. Many in Ohio saw Graham’s impact last weekend against the Buckeyes and would welcome that type of interior presence on the Browns next season. Graham is a leverage monster who hates to be blocked. He uses his strength and play recognition to make an impact versus both pass and run. 9. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson, CB, MichiganBetween his average speed and the nagging injuries that kept him off the field for most of 2024, Johnson won’t be a top-15 lock. But it is a light cornerback class, and the Bengals will be in the market for any type of upgrade on defense. Johnson, who set the Michigan record with three career pick sixes, is long, fluid and shows outstanding route recognition to make plays on the ball. 10. New Orleans Saints: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaEven with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed expected back in the fold next year, the Saints need more playmaking size at receiver. McMillan isn’t going to blow away teams with his 40-yard dash, but his catch-point skills will win over NFL coaches. Using his Gumby-ish adjustment skills, he does an outstanding job expanding his catch radius, high pointing and becoming a threat as a ball carrier. 11. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, TexasSome teams view Banks as a tackle; others see him as a guard. Personally, I think this is a tad early in Round 1 for him. But the Bears need to add quality offensive linemen to the mix, and Banks could be a potential answer at several spots. 12. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaJevon Holland has been underwhelming in a contract year, and his lack of development likely will push safety up Miami’s priority list this offseason. Starks is a do-everything defensive back who can line up as a nickel, single-high or post safety. His athletic versatility and ball skills give him Pro Bowl potential. 13. Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR, MissouriThe cries for Ashton Jeanty here will be loud — and it wouldn’t be surprising if, ultimately, he is Dallas’ pick. But the Cowboys also need more explosive options in the passing game, and their in-season trade for Jonathan Mingo won’t prevent them from going receiver in Round 1. Despite a mediocre 2024 campaign, Burden is strong at the catch point and at his best creating with the ball in his hands. 14. San Francisco 49ers: Derrick Harmon, DT, OregonLast year, we saw Byron Murphy II ascend up draft boards into the mid-first round because of his disruptive nature. Harmon is following the same script this season with 47 pressures (no other FBS interior defensive lineman has reached 40 yet), which should put him on the 49ers’ radar when they look to upgrade their defensive front. 15. Indianapolis Colts: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East CarolinaAt 6-2, 200 with 4.3 speed, Revel is the type of athlete the Colts (and general manager Chris Ballard) target, especially at cornerback. The risk here is that the ECU corner is coming off a torn ACL. If team doctors at the combine say his rehab is going as planned, however, Revel still can be in the top-25 mix. 16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shemar Stewart, DL, Texas A&MAt around 290 pounds, Stewart has exceptional athletic balance and fluid movements — and he plays his tail off for all four quarters. Considering his versatility to line up inside or outside the offensive tackle, Stewart could give Todd Bowles options for how he attacks offenses. 17. Los Angeles Rams: Aireontae Ersery, OT, MinnesotaThe Rams will need to look at their offensive tackle options this offseason, including in the draft. Ersery doesn’t have first-round consistency on his tape, but it isn’t easy to find 335-pounders with his movement skills and length. 18. Arizona Cardinals: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole MissWith his explosiveness and physical hands, Nolen is a force through interior gaps — that’d be a welcome sight in Arizona. Fun fact: The Cardinals last drafted an Ole Miss prospect in the first round almost a decade ago, and it was another defensive tackle (Robert Nkemdiche). 19. Atlanta Falcons: James Pearce Jr., Edge, TennesseePearce is going to be another polarizing prospect in this class, because he hasn’t proven himself to be a true every-down player. But he knows how to get after the quarterback, something the Falcons have been severely lacking over the last decade. 20. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonWith Abraham Lucas injured, right tackle has been a problem position for the Seahawks. Lucas will have the rest of this season to convince Seattle he can stay healthy and be the long-term answer. If he’s not, the Seahawks will look at upgrading this offseason. A left tackle for the Ducks, Conerly has impressive feet and balance — and a bright future ahead of him. 21. Washington Commanders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateJeanty is one of the best players in this draft class, full stop. But there aren’t many obvious landing spots for a running back in the top 20, especially if Dallas passes (and I’m not projecting any trades in a mock draft this early in the process). Washington wouldn’t be upset to see the Boise State standout fall this far. I’ll double check the NFL rule book, but a Jayden Daniels/Jeanty backfield hardly seems fair. 22. Houston Texans: Tyler Booker, G, AlabamaThe Texans will make it a priority this offseason to improve the interior of their offensive line, and selecting Booker would be one way of doing that. The Alabama mauler is a powerful blocker with enough athleticism to handle what Houston likes to do on offense. 23. Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateLike Chicago, Washington and a few other teams, Denver would be wise to continue upgrading around its rookie quarterback. A more athletic and versatile version of current Broncos tight end Adam Trautman, Warren is very much a Sean Payton type of tight end. He can play inline or the “F” role and would expand the Broncos’ playbook. 24. Baltimore Ravens: Kenneth Grant, DT, MichiganNo defense has allowed more yards this season than the Ravens. One player isn’t going to fix that, but Baltimore must upgrade its depth on the defensive line and in the secondary this offseason. Grant is an impressive mover at 340 pounds, with the skill set to play multiple spots on the line. 25. Los Angeles Chargers: Kaleb Johnson, RB, IowaJeanty deserves every bit of praise he gets, but he isn’t the only running back in this class who will be considered in the first round. Johnson is a well-put-together athlete who runs with equal amounts power, patience and quickness. Add in that he doesn’t fumble and is reliable on passing downs, and you don’t have to squint to see why Jim Harbaugh might go this direction. 26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Maxwell Hairston, CB, KentuckyThe Steelers’ cornerback unit has been a roller coaster all season. Donte Jackson, who leads the team with five interceptions, is an impending free agent; Joey Porter Jr. has looked great at times but lost on other plays (he leads all NFL defenders with 14 penalties). Hairston missed a chunk of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, but he is a long, twitchy cover man and doesn’t lack for confidence. 27. Green Bay Packers: Landon Jackson, Edge, ArkansasThe Packers always consider defensive line in the first round, and Jackson has several traits that match up with what they target. At 6-5 1/2 and 271, he isn’t a super fluid mover, but he plays with power in his hands and above-average backfield vision to retrace or find ways to the pocket. 28. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Mbow, OT/G, PurdueA prospect I expect to be a riser throughout the draft process, Mbow has impressive foot quickness and movement skills for his size, and his overall skill level continues to improve with each game. He might be able to stay at tackle in the NFL, but he also projects really well on the interior, which is where the Vikings could use him. 29. Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron Williams, OT, TexasThe Eagles selecting Amarius Mims last year would not have been surprising had he still been on the board when they picked in the first round. Although Williams is even more raw than Mims, he is similar in his impressive traits yet undeveloped discipline and lack of experience. A few semesters at “Stoutland U” is exactly what he needs to help realize his immense potential. 30. Buffalo Bills: Mike Green, Edge, MarshallThe Bills could look at wide receiver (Emeka Egbuka?) or secondary help here, but Von Miller’s future in Buffalo is unsettled — and it is never a bad plan to invest in more pass rushers. Green is a tad smaller than what general manager Brandon Beane normally targets at the position, but he is a violent edge setter who uses his explosiveness to put heat on the quarterback. 31. Kansas City Chiefs: Alfred Collins, DT, TexasTexas had a pair of defensive tackles selected in the top 40 last year, and it might have another one in 2025. Collins (6-6 and 319 with 34 3/4 inch arms) has an imposing body type and has impressed scouts this season with his ability to create disruption against both run and pass. 32. Detroit Lions: Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaWith his do-everything skill set, Campbell’s effectiveness will be limited only by a defensive play caller’s lack of imagination. The Lions likely will have greater needs this offseason, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Dan Campbell bangs the table for this type of talent — if the Alabama product is still on the board this late in Round 1. Nick Baumgardner, also of The Athletic, has a list of 14 players whose draft status is better in December than it was in August: One way or another, be it via the NFL Draft or NIL, every player on the list below sizably increased the value of their future portfolio this season. Some come out of nowhere; others simply need one more season to prove who they truly are. But we see serious risers (and fallers) every year come draft time, and the 2025 cycle will be no different. In fact, most postseason top-100 prospect boards this year probably will look markedly different from what they were at the start of the year simply because this has been one of those classes. With college football’s regular season now all but over (save for the Army-Navy game on Dec. 14), let’s take a look at some of the players who’ve been the biggest potential moneymakers this season. Cam Ward, QB, MiamiWard was nowhere close to a consensus top-50 player on NFL boards when the season opened. Some teams may not even have had him in the top 100, depending on their situations. In his first four college seasons, Ward’s flashes as a passer, while brilliant, happened about as often as his flops. However, as he’s done every year of college, Ward made clear improvements exactly where he needed to this season, in a great situation at Miami. He’s still loose with his mechanics and might need a year to sit in the NFL, but the trajectory of improvement from the former high school Wing-T quarterback is undeniable. Ward has a big-time arm, great mobility, he’s tough and not afraid to sling it between the numbers. Ward used the transfer portal better than arguably any player ever has, moving from a complete unknown with no scholarship offers to an in-demand transfer — twice — to potential top-10 pick. That’s how it’s done. Kaleb Johnson, RB, IowaHold on to your pearls, because this is an outstanding running back class. Johnson had a very good, albeit under-the-radar, sophomore season in 2023, then got lost in a super-talented shuffle this summer. But he quickly made scouts take notice of him as a junior and never stopped. Johnson became the first player in Iowa history to score a touchdown in every game of the regular season. A durable, explosive one-cut back, Johnson is the type of downhill hammer with wiggle teams covet as an 1A or 1B running back — and he has the goods to be a three-down weapon quickly in the NFL. The top of the third round feels like his absolute floor. Tre Harris, WR, Ole MissThe simplicity of Ole Miss’ offense can create a stats mirage and, at times, works against guys like Harris (and teammate Antwane Wells Jr.), because Rebels wideouts aren’t asked to run an overly expansive route tree. Harris runs more screens, go routes and posts than most of his peers. However, he also does everything well. He’s dependable, big, physical and quick enough to pile up yards after catch. It’s hard to say if Harris was firmly in the top 100 when the year began. It’s easier to make that claim now. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateFew players had more fun inside their respective offenses this year than Warren, who saw a snap at every spot from quarterback to center(!) for Penn State, while serving as one of the best big-man playmakers in the country for his main event. Warren (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) is twitched-up unit with great wiggle and elite ball skills. Michigan’s Colston Loveland was pretty firmly the only TE prospect scouts considered to be a first-rounder when the year started. Warren changed some of those minds, however, and could sneak into the back half of Round 1 as a versatile weapon in the NFL. Joshua Simmons, OT, Ohio StateSimmons suffered a season-ending knee injury in late October, but his work before that was easily the best of his career — and some of the best, in terms of run- and pass-blocking effectiveness, of any tackle in this class. This OT class has a lot of projects in it. So long as his knee recovers, Simmons is not one of them. Simmons, a three-year college starter who began at San Diego State, could be a top-20 pick if his medicals clear and he doesn’t have any recovery setbacks. Marcus Mbow, OL, PurdueArguably the best player on a terrible team, Mbow is a big, fluid athlete who has extensive starting experience at guard and tackle. Many project him to move back inside once he’s a pro, but he can play outside, if necessary. Mbow is also a bit of a feel-good story. He originally was headed to Arizona State, until the Sun Devils’ former staff dropped his scholarship late in the recruiting process. He wound up at Purdue and grinded through some pretty brutal football the last two years. Tough player. Derrick Harmon, DT, OregonOne of a few Michigan State transfers to have a great year somewhere else (Miami DT Simeon Barrow Jr. also could’ve made this list), Harmon (6-5, 310) is a giant. He’s a long and explosive interior lineman who can absolutely be a heavy edge, if necessary. Oregon moved Harmon around more than Michigan State did, and he was disruptive everywhere, posting a whopping 18.1 percent win rate. He finished the regular season No. 1 among interior defensive linemen with 47 pressures, per PFF. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&MA very loose and explosive athlete with true power, Stewart (6-6, 290) has the frame and athletic balance to line up more or less anywhere along the defensive front, zero- to five-tech, and have some sort of impact. An extremely versatile edge who shows active hands inside or out, Stewart has continued to improve and — as a true junior who just turned 21 last month — hasn’t played his best football. Kyle Kennard, Edge, South CarolinaKennard started out as a 220-pound Georgia Tech prospect and has blossomed into a versatile, three-down prospect who had a career year during his lone SEC season. Kennard transferred to South Carolina after four years with the Yellow Jackets, and he has continued to add power and strength to an explosive, long frame. A lighter version of Stewart, Kennard can win against a tackle or over a guard on third down. Plenty of what he gets is effort-based, but don’t let that fool you — he’s a very good athlete who was all over the backfield this season (11 1/2 sacks, 15 1/2 tackles for loss). Jared Ivey, DL, Ole MissTeammate Princely Umanmielen probably will be drafted higher, but Ivey — like Harris, his teammate — simply proved his worth this season. He does a little bit of everything up front for Ole Miss, all of it very well. Ivey (6-6, 285) also boasts exceptional arm length and probably could wear several hats in the NFL. A complete athlete with wiggle, burst and everything in between, Ivey undoubtedly saved his best season for last. He looks like an easy Day Two edge at this point. Jalon Walker, LB, GeorgiaVersatility has been a theme here, and few front-seven defenders have shown more of it this year than Walker. The 20-year-old junior is a powerful, explosive downhill run-fitter when lined up in the stack and a twitchy speed presence off the edge when Georgia wants him to rush the passer. Walker won a job on Georgia’s defense last year and has only improved as the Bulldogs have added more to his plate. As with Penn State’s Abdul Carter, there are some Micah Parsons traits to his game. Walker’s snaps were split nearly 50-50 this season between playing as a defensive lineman and in the box. Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaCampbell played more in the box as a junior for Alabama this year, but the 20-year-old thumper has continued to add power to a twitchy frame. Now 6-3, 244, Campbell looks like the type of inside linebacker children of the ’80s and ’90s remember fondly. He also runs like the guys we love most today. It’ll be interesting to see if Alabama can pay Campbell enough NIL money to stay another year — added development to his pass-rush game could do wonders for his 2026 draft stock. It won’t be easy to keep him around, though, as Campbell ranked No. 50 (and might still be rising) on Dane Brugler’s latest board. Darien Porter, CB, Iowa StateAnother member of the WR-turned-DB club, the nearly 6-3 Porter (who has 33 1/2-inch arms) made the move ahead of 2022 and now has played three full seasons on the defensive side of the ball. This year has been his best as a corner, easily, though the tape library is still pretty limited. Porter will turn 24 in January, too, which won’t help him with some NFL front offices. But he’s exactly the type of long, fast athlete teams now covet on the outside. The NFL is not a developmental league, and Porter isn’t young by football standards. But if there’s one spot where teams love to take chances, it’s in the secondary, with guys built like Porter. Nick Emmanwori, S, South CarolinaA member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List headed into the season, Emmanwori brought his weight-room prowess to the football field in full force as a 6-3, 227-pound behemoth of a safety with speed, hops and ball skills. Emmanwori had two pick sixes this season and has been a productive three-year player on the back end for the Gamecocks. Should the 20-year-old Emmanwori (a junior) declare, his NFL combine workouts — notably, his jumps — will be appointment viewing. |
