| CINCINNATICan and will the Bengals bring everyone back? Duke Tobin speaks at The Combine as monitored by Paul Dehner, Jr. of The Athletic: Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin answered the same question asked about as many different ways as possible at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.It’s one on the mind of the entire NFL and the mouth of his franchise quarterback.Can the Bengals pull this off?In the case of one of the more fascinating and impactful offseasons in franchise history, this would involve extending Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, signing free agent receiver Tee Higgins, rebuilding a defense ranked among the worst in the NFL and giving Joe Burrow what he’s spent the last two months asking for every time he’s landed in front of a microphone.Burrow’s public push to sign all these players wasn’t viewed as pressure applied in the eyes of Tobin and the Bengals’ ownership. It sounded more like a shared belief.“I haven’t heard anything he’s said that I’m not in complete alignment on,” Tobin said. “I want the good players, too. And I think they ought to be paid to their ability level, and that’s what we’re gonna do.”Tobin spent 30 minutes taking a barrage of questions at the podium with a flood of interested media hurling tangents of the same discussion. Head coach Zac Taylor did the same, calling the need to sign these players “champagne problems” and far better than the alternative of not having enough elite talents. Both spent another 30 minutes in smaller sessions with local reporters, reemphasizing the point.Tobin’s tone came off as definitive and aggressive in the expectation to land long-term deals with his collection of stars.“We’re in a position to re-sign these guys, and it’s a good position to be in,” Tobin said. “We’re going to attack it. We don’t want to just re-sign these guys and pay more for the same football team we had last year. We want to add to it as well. So we want to re-sign these guys, reward them for their ability level and add to the football team. It’s a tall task. We think we’re up to it, and (Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn) has got us in position to attack it well.”What did Tuesday’s conversation add to the expectations of this group? Let’s dive in one at a time.Tee HigginsTobin rather famously said at this event two years ago that the rest of the league can “go get your own” when pressed about potentially trading Higgins amid contract negotiations.Tobin could have fielded offers for the first pick of the second round when Higgins was drafted in 2020. He had all day to do so but passed.He could have traded him last year when Higgins made a trade request after receiving the franchise tag. He never entertained it.“I think you guys all know what I feel about Tee Higgins,” Tobin said. “I think Tee Higgins is a fantastic football player and I want him on my football team. Whenever I’m in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins. So I’m going to do what I can to get Tee Higgins. Our preference with Tee Higgins is to do a long-term agreement. Always has been. It continues to be.”Higgins switched agents mid-season and is now represented by Rocky Arceneaux, who is also Ja’Marr Chase’s agent. A month ago at the Senior Bowl, Tobin asked for engagement to get a deal done from the other side. That was not the request now. Without spilling specifics, Tobin was clear on Tuesday that he feels good about the state of the negotiations.“We’re trying to reward him for what he’s done and what we think he will do going forward for us,” Tobin said. “We think we have a pretty clear vision of what that is, and what some comps around the league look like … we feel like we’ve got our arms around it. It’s just a matter of if they’re seeing things in a different light. We want a long-term deal.”The clock is ticking on the next deadline. That comes at 4 p.m. March 4 when a franchise tag must be applied. The expectation internally is the tag will be used on Higgins if necessary to keep negotiations going at that point, but the long-term deal is the desired result.“I’m optimistic until there’s reason not to be,” Tobin said. “I’ve always been optimistic with Tee, and I want a long-term deal. He fits with us and we fit with him. It’s a great match.”Ja’Marr ChaseTobin and Taylor doubled down on comments made at the Senior Bowl regarding their triple-crown-winning receiver. He will get paid this offseason and break new ground in the process.“We want to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in this league,” Taylor said.“Ja’Marr is always going to be our priority,” Tobin said. “He’s a fantastic football player, he’s going to end up being the No. 1-paid non-quarterback in the league.”That distinction belongs to his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson, who signed his record-breaking $35 million per year contract last June, the summer before his fifth season. Chase looks to set a new record approaching his fifth season.There hasn’t previously been an inkling of doubt from the Bengals’ side that Chase’s deal would get done. There was not again Tuesday. The biggest push regarding Chase and Higgins is the urgency to avoid these deals lasting into the summer or replicating what unfolded during Chase’s hold-in of camp last year.“We’re trying to get ’em done as soon as we can,” Tobin said. “When they broke down last summer, it just didn’t get over the (line), he changed his mind, which is fine. We understood. There’s not hard feelings in this stuff.”Tobin said he doesn’t know if Chase specifically changed his mind, but merely didn’t take the final deal on the table. Both sides finding that agreement now goes a long way to the team successfully being able to plot a path in free agency to fix the defense.The club is working along “parallel paths” with both, trying to get them done, and is aware of how important the time factor would be to pulling off the complicated offseason of moves.“I think we have the ability to build the defense if we can get clarity on (the contract) and structure him in a way that is beneficial,” Tobin said. “If they linger, it creates a little bit of uncertainty.”Trey HendricksonWhile clarity and urgency surrounded Higgins and Chase, there was less so with Hendrickson. That’s not to say Tobin wasn’t still adamant about wanting to reach an extension with the NFL sack leader, who is entering the final year of his deal. He’s set to make $16 million this year and count $18.6 million against the cap.Nick Bosa tops the market for defensive ends at $34 million per year.“We’ve been a great fit for him; he’s been a great fit for us,” Tobin said. “We would like to extend that. We would like to keep him not only happy but with us on a longer-term basis. He’s under contract right now, and we’re gonna talk as the offseason goes and hopefully come to an agreement that everyone’s accepting of. But are we there yet? We’re not there yet.”Tobin was asked about Hendrickson, who turns 31 in December, having age as a problematic factor in his negotiation.“It’s just a data point and we’re trying to get a deal done with Trey,” Tobin said. “So that would tell you what our conclusion is on it, we are trying actively to get a deal done with Trey. It’s just a matter of coming to an agreement on what that looks like and what fits for us with the other things that we’ve got coming.”Inevitably, Tobin was pushing Hendrickson down the priority list in terms of timing behind Chase and Higgins. The other side of this is what happens if the sides can’t agree on what an extension looks like in terms of years and value.Would Tobin entertain trading a man who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting?“Our preference with Trey is to have him on our football team because we want him,” he said. “So I never really talked about open preferences for trading guys, because all that does is take on a life of its own. And that’s not something I want to do, because I want Trey on our football team. He’s under contract. We’re looking to pay him for what we believe will be really good future years and we see him as not falling off in his career. That’s why we’re actively trying, and if we get to the point where we’re actively trying to trade him, maybe I’ll give you a call.”All these comments from Taylor and Tobin sound similar to those voiced by Burrow. Everybody on both sides of the table has voiced clear opinions and plans on keeping the Bengals’ contingent of stars together. Tobin called them a “championship-caliber” team but is seeking more than just re-signing or extending these guys.Saying the right things and finishing the deals are two vastly different conversations.That returns all of this back to the negotiating table. The Bengals have a clear plan for how they want to execute the offseason and it sure sounds like one Burrow and the concerned fan base would fully support.One question, phrased many different ways, remains: Can the Bengals pull this off? |
| 2025 DRAFTMel Kiper, Jr. has a new Mock Draft: Here’s my current thinking on how Round 1 could look based on what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league.1. Tennessee TitansAbdul Carter, OLB, Penn StateThe quarterback question looms large here at No. 1. Could Tennessee trade the pick to a QB-needy team looking to land Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders? Sure. In fact, new GM Mike Borgonzi has even suggested the Titans will listen to offers. Could Tennessee also choose to take one of those passers itself here to replace Will Levis? Of course. But there are other ways to attack the quarterback position — Aaron Rodgers? — and I already said it’s too early to start projecting trades.Besides, the Titans would love having Carter — who isn’t working out this week at the combine — on this defense. He creates so much pressure off the edge with the burst and instincts to get home for sacks. He had 12 of them in 2024, along with a nation-leading 23.5 tackles for loss. For a Tennessee team that was 25th in pressure (29.0%) this past season, sliding him next to Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat makes a lot of sense.2. Cleveland BrownsCam Ward, QB, MiamiI have Sanders ranked slightly ahead of Ward in my own rankings, but mock drafts are supposed to represent what the league thinks and what is likely to happen. And right now, Ward is the consensus QB1 in the class. He can make tough throws from different arm angles, on the move and under duress. His creativity in and out of the pocket and his arm strength are impressive, leading to 39 touchdown passes in his final college season.Deshaun Watson has been disappointing in Cleveland since the Browns pulled off their megatrade in 2022 and is now out after tearing his right Achilles for the second time in three months. So the Browns need an answer under center, and getting a potential franchise guy on a rookie contract could help them turn things around quickly and soften the blow of Watson’s contract weighing down the team’s salary cap.3. New York GiantsTravis Hunter, WR/CB, ColoradoLet’s start with the QB question, since I’m sure Giants fans would raise their eyebrows at seeing New York pass on Sanders. First, there are mixed feelings on him around the league, and he isn’t seen as a surefire top-five pick. The front office and coaching staff have to win right now, and banking their futures on the class’s QB2 might not get it done. Second, I’m not ready to close the door on the Giants bypassing this lackluster QB class in favor of a veteran option. Could New York trade for Matthew Stafford? Would signing Sam Darnold fix the issue? There are options here, and if the Giants go another route, they can instead use this pick to address one of many other needs. Or, in Hunter’s case, maybe two of them.Hunter is my top-ranked prospect in the class, and though I currently see him as a receiver in the pros, he could also play cornerback for New York. He can make a massive impact on either side of the ball, and he’ll likely see at least some time on both sides. Perhaps the Giants take his ball skills and quickness and drop him at receiver opposite Malik Nabers to form a solid supporting cast around whomever is under center. Perhaps they look at his elite instincts and finally land a true CB1. Either way, this pick would be clutch for a struggling Giants team.4. New England PatriotsWill Campbell, OT, LSUThis is a trade-back spot if something presents itself. Carter and Hunter are off the board, and one of the top two quarterbacks is still available. I’d bet the Patriots will be getting a few calls if the board falls this way, and I’m sure they’ll be very interested given the holes on their roster.But if nothing materializes, I like Campbell checking a box for New England. The Pats were 31st in pass block win rate in 2024 (50.9%) and allowed the league’s fifth-most sacks (52). They can’t have that with second-year quarterback Drake Maye trying to take the next step in his development. Campbell has the sound technique to effectively seal off the blind side, but he could also boost this offensive line on the inside if he ultimately fits better at guard.5. Jacksonville JaguarsMason Graham, DT, MichiganI had Graham to Jacksonville a month ago, too. He uses his leverage, power and quickness to wreak havoc from the inside. And though his 3.5 sacks on the season won’t drop many jaws, he has the traits and upside of a top-three prospect in this class.After hiring offensive-minded Liam Coen as its new coach, Jacksonville might take a long look at that side of the ball in Round 1. But it can’t ignore huge problems on defense. Only the Panthers gave up more yards per play than the Jaguars this past season (5.9). And though the Jags have Arik Armstead and DaVon Hamilton under contract, they could use a dominant force inside between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.6. Las Vegas RaidersAshton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateI thought about Sanders here, especially given the link between him and minority owner Tom Brady. It’s absolutely plausible. Give it another month, and Las Vegas might even be considering trading up for him. But free agency still has to play out, and any number of available signal-callers could fit into this offense. Sam Darnold might be the answer. Justin Fields could bring upside. Russell Wilson has the Pete Carroll connection from Seattle. So right now, I’m looking at other positions here.Plus, look at what happened when the Raiders missed out on the QBs last year. They landed Brock Bowers, who looks like a star at tight end. Now they have the chance to add another one in Jeanty and clean up the league’s worst run game (3.6 yards per carry in 2024). And speaking of Carroll, remember his background. He leaned on the run game in Seattle for years, and he even used a first-round pick on Rashaad Penny in 2018. Jeanty brings it all — speed, power, elusiveness, contact balance and vision. He ran for 2,601 yards this past season, and he can make a dent as a pass catcher on top of that. Las Vegas can advance the offense by getting yet another elite playmaker into the fold and looking elsewhere for a more stable QB solution.7. New York JetsShedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoThe Jets, however, might favor drafting a quarterback over trying another veteran. Because they are moving on from Aaron Rodgers, they could opt for the high-end accuracy and field vision of Sanders in an offense that has plenty of pieces already in place. In 2024, Sanders completed 74.0% of his passes, had 4,134 passing yards and threw 37 TDs. Those are all top-four numbers in the FBS.Sanders would elevate this New York team that was near the bottom of the league in most passing metrics this past season and allow it to build around his rookie contract. The youthful combination of Sanders, receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall could do some damage. (By the way, Sanders won’t be throwing in Indianapolis this week as he sits out the workouts.)8. Carolina PanthersJalon Walker, LB, GeorgiaThis has to be defense, right? Carolina ranked last in yards allowed per play at 6.0 this past season. News broke Monday that the Panthers won’t re-sign linebacker Shaq Thompson, and they didn’t have a single edge rusher with six or more sacks in 2024. Walker can play either of those spots at a high level. Explosion is the word that comes to mind with his game, as he fires off the ball to make plays both as a pass rusher and a run defender. He had 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss in his final season at Georgia.If Carolina spends big on defense in free agency, the alternative approach will be looking at the receiver class here. Adam Thielen will be 35 years old, and the Panthers need another pass catcher alongside second-year players Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker for quarterback Bryce Young’s development.9. New Orleans SaintsTyler Warren, TE, Penn StateWarren is really fun to watch, and he could do a bit of everything in the New Orleans offense. At Penn State, he was lined up in-line, out wide, in the slot and in the backfield. And no matter where he was, he made plays, racking up 1,233 receiving yards on 104 catches. Warren has sure hands and the ability to pile up yards after the catch. With Juwan Johnson hitting free agency and Taysom Hill recovering from a torn ACL, tight end is a position of need for the Saints. New coach Kellen Moore has traditionally leaned on the tight end position with his offenses, too.10. Chicago BearsJosh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateIf the Bears expect quarterback Caleb Williams to take a big step forward in 2025, they have buy him time in the pocket to actually make plays. Giving up 68 sacks (the most in the NFL) doesn’t breed success for any quarterback, let alone a rookie. Darnell Wright has the right tackle position locked down, but Chicago could replace Braxton Jones (recovering from an ankle injury) on the left side with Simmons. Of course, Simmons is coming back from his own injury (knee), but he should be good to go for camp and has great traits. I love his consistency and balance in pass protection.11. San Francisco 49ersWill Johnson, CB, MichiganJohnson is right there with Hunter for CB1 in this class despite missing a lot of time in 2024 with an injury. During his time at Michigan, Johnson picked off nine passes, showcasing high-end instincts and quickness. With Charvarius Ward hitting free agency, there’s a spot open opposite Deommodore Lenoir at corner, too. The 49ers allowed opponents a 58.5 QBR this past season, ranking in the bottom third. For San Francisco to get back on top in the NFC West, the secondary needs some love.Other options include adding to the offensive line (especially with Trent Williams turning 37), shoring up the run defense with a defensive tackle or maybe even dipping into the receiver pool if Deebo Samuel Sr. ends up playing elsewhere.12. Dallas CowboysOmarion Hampton, RB, North CarolinaI’ve talked to people in the NFL who have Jeanty and Hampton neck and neck for RB1, and there are even some who prefer Hampton. And I look at Dallas’ decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as coach and can’t help but think about his father, Marty, and all those run-heavy offenses he had over 21 seasons in the same job for four different teams. One would think some of that will rub off on the Cowboys’ new coach, even with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in the offense.But to jump-start the run game, the Cowboys actually need a legit running back. Rico Dowdle was decent (1,079 yards), but he’s a free agent and Dallas will likely want to upgrade. Plus, this team has been known to use early picks at the position in the past, including drafting Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 in 2016. Hampton is a home-run hitter who had 1,660 yards and 15 rushing TDs in 2024.13. Miami DolphinsArmand Membou, OT/G, MissouriMiami could lose both starting guards (Liam Eichenberg and Robert Jones) to free agency, and this is a chance to improve the pass protection as a whole. The Dolphins were 28th in pass block win rate this past season (55.7%), and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had three diagnosed concussions over his career. This must be a priority. At Mizzou, Membou played right tackle (where key Dolphins contributor Kendall Lamm is also a free agent, by the way), but he can really line up anywhere, and some scouts think he’s a better fit inside. He allowed just one sack in 2024.14. Indianapolis ColtsMalaki Starks, S, GeorgiaThis is a good fit, with an obvious need for a ball-hawking safety on the back end of the Colts’ defense. Julian Blackmon is a free agent. And Starks — who picked off six passes across three seasons — can make an instant impact.I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Indy look at offense as it tries to maximize and evaluate the long-term prospects of quarterback Anthony Richardson in Year 3 of his career. Perhaps Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan or Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka could be the move at WR. But Starks probably makes more sense, especially because there are receiver options available in free agency.15. Atlanta FalconsMike Green, OLB, MarshallThirty-first in sacks with 31. Thirtieth in pressure rate at 26.9%. Twenty-seventh in pass rush win rate at 34.1%. Those are troublesome numbers for the Falcons’ defense, and the Matthew Judon trade before the 2024 season didn’t really lift the unit as expected. Green is one of the hottest names in the draft class right now, though, with 17 sacks (best in the country) and 51 pressures (tied for sixth) in his final collegiate season. I see incredible speed, bend and power in his game — traits that would be welcome in Atlanta under new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.16. Arizona CardinalsShemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&MWhen I put together my first mock draft back in January, the board didn’t present much pass rush value at No. 16 for the Cardinals. Not ideal, considering this team was 28th in pass rush win rate at 33.3%. But this time around, the Cards would have their choice between Stewart and Georgia’s Mykel Williams. It’s close, but I like the ceiling for Stewart here. Thanks to his speed and power, he should test really well this week in Indianapolis. And Arizona would be able to slide him in opposite Zaven Collins and get him a lot of work early in his career.17. Cincinnati BengalsMykel Williams, OLB, GeorgiaThere might not be a player with more to prove this week at the combine than Williams. He was considered a candidate to go in the top five — and even potentially No. 1 — when we first started building draft boards for this class back in August. But an ankle injury slowed him in 2024, resulting in just five sacks over 12 games. The traits are there, though. With a good week in Indy, the Bengals probably won’t be high enough on the board to get him. Turn on the tape, and you see outstanding speed-to-power.Cincinnati was 25th in sacks this past season, with Trey Hendrickson accounting for 17.5 of their 36. The defense held this team back, and for the Bengals to get back to the playoffs next season, they have to find a running mate for Hendrickson off the edge.18. Seattle SeahawksTyler Booker, G, AlabamaBooker is the best pure guard in this class. And while addressing the interior might not be the most exciting first-round pick, it’s a problem in Seattle. Laken Tomlinson is a free agent, and the middle of the Seahawks’ offensive line contributed to the team’s 54 sacks allowed (tied for third most). Booker is strong enough to anchor, allowing one sack in three seasons at Alabama. And he is able to open running lanes, which could pop Kenneth Walker III for some big runs.19. Tampa Bay BuccaneersJihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaThis is another potential landing spot for McMillan or Egbuka if Chris Godwin signs somewhere else. But what about the hole linebacker Lavonte David — another Tampa Bay free agent — will leave if he doesn’t return? Campbell could pick up the slack. He had 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks at Alabama in 2024, and he can cover the field sideline to sideline. And frankly, even if David does return, he’s 35 years old. Campbell could be the heir apparent as the next leader of this Buccaneers defense.20. Denver BroncosColston Loveland, TE, MichiganDenver coach Sean Payton is looking for a “joker” in his offense — someone who can play a few different roles as a playmaker. He had that in New Orleans with Alvin Kamara and Reggie Bush, but he hasn’t been able to find the right guy with the Broncos. If you look at what Loveland has done at Michigan and his skill set, he could help fill that role. He has the ability to separate, and his 6-foot-5 frame makes it difficult for opponents to match up. Loveland would be quarterback Bo Nix’s best friend in the pass game.An added bonus: Denver picks two spots ahead of the division-rival Chargers, where Jim Harbaugh — Loveland’s former coach at Michigan — might be interested in selecting him. Payton could block Harbaugh and simultaneously boost his own offense in a big way.21. Pittsburgh SteelersEmeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateI personally still have McMillan ranked ahead of Egbuka, but there is a lot of buzz around the latter in the NFL right now. Scouts love his route running, sure hands and approach to the game. He’s coming off an 81-catch, 1,011-yard, 10-touchdown season, and he’d fit perfectly opposite George Pickens in Pittsburgh. Pickens was the only Steelers receiver over 550 receiving yards this past season. It doesn’t really matter who is playing quarterback for them next season if they can’t give that passer more options in the offense. And if Egbuka runs well this week, he might be the perfect solution.22. Los Angeles ChargersTetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaThis would be a heck of an outcome for the Chargers. This isn’t a fantastic receiver class, and teams might prioritize other positions on Day 1, pushing guys such as McMillan down the board a little bit. The Chargers — who already have last year’s standout second-rounder Ladd McConkey — would jump at the chance to add McMillan, who is consistent and has a really impressive catch radius. He reminds me of Drake London, coming down with 50-50 balls with ease. His 1,319 receiving yards ranked third in the country this past season. And with that kind of production, he’d be a dependable outlet for quarterback Justin Herbert. I could see McMillan and McConkey becoming the next Keenan Allen/Mike Williams pairing to cause chaos for opponents in Los Angeles.23. Green Bay PackersAzareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida StateThomas was getting some notice after the Senior Bowl, and he’s probably going to get some more after the combine. His speed and length are standout traits, and he uses them to make plays on the ball; he broke up 17 passes over the past two seasons. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would love Thomas in his zone-heavy coverage schemes where he can break on the ball and halt pass catchers before they tack on yards after the catch. And if Green Bay moves on from the oft-injured Jaire Alexander, there’s going to be a big hole at the position.24. Minnesota VikingsGrey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota StateInterior offensive line is my No. 1 need for the Vikings right now, with guard Dalton Risner hitting free agency and center Garrett Bradbury one year out from potentially doing the same. Enter Zabel, the ultimate swing man who can play anywhere. He played both tackle spots and both guard spots in college, and he took reps at center at the Senior Bowl — where he quieted any concerns about his level of competition at North Dakota State by dominating. I love his pass-blocking fundamentals, and he’s a Round 1-caliber player.Minnesota could keep its offensive line strong by bringing Zabel in and slotting him wherever he’s needed.25. Houston TexansKelvin Banks Jr., OT, TexasThis might seem low for Banks, but I’ll be watching his height measurement at the combine this week. If he’s shorter than 6-4, he might have to kick inside in the pros. Honestly, though, that wouldn’t be a big problem for Houston, who could use the help everywhere on the offensive line. The Texans allowed 54 sacks last season, tied for third most in the NFL. Quarterback C.J. Stroud took a noticeable step back partly because he was constantly under pressure.Banks has 42 starts worth of experience and displays the strength to halt power rushers in their tracks. Inside or outside, he’d boost this offensive line and hopefully help Stroud rebound to his rookie season level of play.26. Los Angeles RamsJosh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonTwo mocks, two projections of Conerly to the Rams. The logic I had last month still stands: Matthew Stafford needs solid protection at 37 years old, and Conerly gave up just two sacks over three seasons at Oregon. Alaric Jackson is a free agent, and Los Angeles could lean on Conerly’s movement traits as a replacement. Of course, this could all change if the Rams move on from Stafford and start paying closer attention to the quarterback class (Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart?). But right now, this is the best way to help keep the contention window open.27. Baltimore RavensNick Emmanwori, S, South CarolinaThis guy is going to catch everyone’s eye during combine workouts. His explosiveness at 6-3, 227 pounds is special. But he’s more than just traits, having hauled in four interceptions for the Gamecocks this past season. If Baltimore is able to land him at No. 27, it can put him next to Kyle Hamilton and essentially take away the third level of the field. And that’d be a good thing, considering the Ravens allowed 58 plays for 20 or more yards this past season, third most in the NFL.28. Detroit LionsOluwafemi Oladejo, OLB, UCLAOn one hand, Detroit ran into bad luck in 2024 with an inconceivable number of injuries to its defense, seemingly dooming the otherwise dominant team. On the other, the Lions never really had a clear No. 2 pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson (who missed some time himself with a leg injury). Za’Darius Smith had four sacks over eight games after a midseason trade to Detroit, but no other edge rusher had more than three sacks. The rest of this roster is too good to ignore this, and GM Brad Holmes should be looking for answers in both free agency and the draft.Oladejo has steadily risen in this class, moving from Round 3 to the Round 2 conversation with a good Senior Bowl week. The jump to Round 1 is a bit of a projection, but Oladejo is getting buzz right now — I think he could be in this range after the combine. He should test well considering his burst and intensity. And while he had just 4.5 sacks in 2024, his tape is really good.29. Washington CommandersMaxwell Hairston, CB, KentuckyThis offseason should be all about maximizing the Jayden Daniels rookie contract window and building a winner. That might mean pursuing receiver Tee Higgins in free agency. It might mean adding a run stopper. But it should definitely mean shoring up the secondary. Emmanuel Forbes Jr. was released this season, two years after being a first-round pick. And while the big midseason trade for Marshon Lattimore moved the needle, he struggled to get onto the field amid a hamstring injury. Toss in that Benjamin St-Juste is a free agent, and there’s room for improvement here.Hairston has terrific awareness in coverage, and his recognition skills and speed allow him to get to the ball before it arrives. He had six interceptions over his past two seasons.30. Buffalo BillsJahdae Barron, CB, TexasIf Buffalo doesn’t re-sign Rasul Douglas, one of its cornerback spots is going to be open. And after allowing 7.1 yards per attempt in 2024 (league average), the Bills could use some reinforcements to the secondary.Barron is so versatile that the Bills would be able to put him anywhere on the back end. He reminds me of Cooper DeJean in that way. We saw Barron at outside corner, slot corner and safety at Texas. And he’s a real ball hawk, picking off five passes and breaking up 10 more this past season. Barron can wrap up as a tackler and get after the quarterback as a blitzer, too. He’s one of my favorite players in the class.31. Kansas City ChiefsAireontae Ersery, OT, MinnesotaIt’s telling that the Chiefs’ two Super Bowl losses over the past few years have come down to pass protection woes, and the big issue right now is the left tackle spot. Neither Wanya Morris nor Kingsley Suamataia did enough to keep the job, and D.J. Humphries’ impact was very limited coming off his torn ACL. Moving Joe Thuney outside helped, but it also came at the expense of the interior. And with guard Trey Smith potentially leaving town for big money in March, the Chiefs can’t rely on Thuney outside again.Ersery is a massive blocker at 6-6 and 330 pounds, and he shows ample power and movement skills on tape. He allowed just four sacks over 39 college starts.32. Philadelphia EaglesWalter Nolen, DT, Ole MissI went through quite a few names here at the end of Round 1 for the Super Bowl champions. I thought about Darius Alexander, who has the quickness and size to play anywhere on the defensive line. Plus, I imagine Eagles scouts got a good look at him last year when they were watching Toledo teammate Quinyon Mitchell, who became Philly’s 2024 first-rounder. Then I considered Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, who is instinctive and explosive up the middle.But I settled on Nolen, who is the definition of disruptive and can get to the quarterback from inside. He had 6.5 sacks this past season after transferring from Texas A&M. Nolen would be a good replacement for free agent Milton Williams, joining Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis to form a solid defensive tackle group. And this would be in line with what GM Howie Roseman likes to do early in the draft, building up the trenches. |
