2025 NFL Draft roundtable: Reacting to Dane Brugler's latest top 100 board

After visits to the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl, The Athletic draft skilled Dane Brugler launched his up to date high 100 board for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. As at all times, there was a lot to speak about, from which gamers made enormous rises to how the quarterbacks stack to the place NFL groups would possibly have the ability to pinpoint potential “steals” — these prospects who deserve extra love than they’re getting.

What have been the important thing takeaways from Brugler’s newest board? Draft analysts Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman break it down …

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What’s the very first thing that jumped out to you on Dane’s up to date board?

Nick Baumgardner: It wasn’t actually a shock to me (as I’ve related ideas), however seeing Jalon Walker at No. 3 nonetheless made me increase my eyebrows. That rating says as a lot in regards to the NFL’s want for gamers who can fill the Micah Parsons function as the rest, however frankly, Walker was some of the constantly explosive front-seven hammers all season. He checks each field bodily, and his testing gained’t be that far behind Abdul Carter’s.

It feels a little bit bit just like the Travon Walker state of affairs from a couple of years in the past, albeit at a unique place — and with a participant who might be extra prepared for prime time. Jalon Walker solely began one season at Georgia, however he was excellent. The flexibility to take a defensive finish and provides him protection and/or run tasks within the field whenever you need to is one thing NFL defensive coordinators covet now greater than ever.

Scott Dochterman: I really feel the identical about Walker — he was an affect performer on Georgia’s protection, however he’s somebody I assumed was extra within the 10-20 vary as a prospect. However he has the burst and physicality to do just about something as a blitzer, edge rusher or conventional linebacker. You may’t have sufficient athletes on protection with that sort of athletic skill.

I used to be most likely extra shocked with a couple of prospects who fell out of the highest 50. I’ve thought Texas A&M defensive finish Nic Scourton (No. 53 within the rankings) was a possible first-rounder stretching to his days at Purdue. He has sufficient measurement and energy to play a heavy five-technique, slide inside on passing downs, and sufficient talent and edge-rushing skill to face up when required.

SCOURTON SACK 😈 @NicCaraway3

📺 ABC#GigEm pic.twitter.com/iHMTLPqhhM

— Texas A&M Soccer (@AggieFootball) October 27, 2024

One other one was Arizona offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea (52), who doubtless will kick inside to protect within the NFL however can play sort out if crucial. Though he and Scourton are each simply exterior the highest 50, I assumed they might be a little bit greater.

Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the one QBs to crack the highest 50. Is there any likelihood a 3rd quarterback will get into the Spherical 1 combine?

Baumgardner: Sure, completely — probably multiple. I couldn’t carry myself to place greater than two that top throughout my newest three-round mock, although, as a result of I don’t assume there are greater than two QBs who belong inside the highest 50 this yr. There are vital questions on Ward and Sanders; there are bigger questions on everybody else.

Jalen Milroe (61) is the man who feels more than likely to be over-drafted this yr, merely primarily based on potential. He’s almost 230 kilos with a huge arm and he’s going to run within the 4.3s at any time when he decides to line up for a 40. Some scouts see a doubtlessly souped-up model of Jalen Hurts, and others wonder if he can’t wind up extra like Lamar Jackson.

All of that is guesswork, nevertheless, as a result of — not like Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. final yr — there are not any stretches on Milroe’s faculty resume that lead us to consider he’s prepared to begin within the NFL subsequent season.

And although there’s been loads of latest hype surrounding Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart (57), I feel it’d be clever to recollect Louisville’s Tyler Shough (59). I’ve a tough time seeing both participant going within the first spherical — Spherical 2 would possibly even be a attain — however as we’ve established many occasions, many groups want quarterbacks.

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Dochterman: Sure, however solely out of desperation. No one apart from these two have first-round grades.

Within the first month of the 2024 season, I assumed Milroe would possibly emerge as a top-five choice — he was gorgeous in opposition to Wisconsin and Georgia. Then he grew to become inconsistent, and his ultimate evaluation is incomplete. In the end, is he a much bigger model of Russell Wilson and a long-term starter, or a Jake Locker-type? That’s what may have scouts and GMs scouring each final second of tape. Some group that misses out on Sanders or Ward would possibly transfer as much as the late first spherical and take a flier.

Dart has a case, primarily based on his numbers and effectivity at Ole Miss, however there have been occasions he didn’t fairly come by in clutch moments of shut video games — the Rebels have been 0-3 in video games determined by one rating final fall, which saved them out of the School Soccer Playoff. The problems weren’t all Dart’s, however he shouldered among the blame with a mixed 4 touchdowns and three interceptions in these losses. He had 25 touchdowns and three interceptions in Ole Miss’ 10 victories. However he’s value a second-round decide, for certain.

Who’s your favourite prospect exterior the highest 50 on this board?

Baumgardner: Bowling Inexperienced tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. (82). He was an elite defensive again in highschool who reworked his physique and turned himself into all the things an NFL group seems for in a flex tight finish. If he continues to get stronger, he might be an every-down starter.

The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder blends elite size (33 1/8-inch arms) with even higher athleticism and explosion. Fannin made 13 contested catches throughout final season’s ridiculous 117-catch, 1,555-yard season and is a legit downside for defensive backs in any respect areas of the sector. He’s additionally simply 20 years previous. Although he’s nonetheless on the thinner facet now, he had his share of blocking wins throughout his run on the Senior Bowl.

HISTORY.

With this catch, BGSU’s @fannin_jr grew to become the brand new FBS single-season document holder for receiving yards by a decent finish. Unbelievable season for the consensus All-American.@BG_Football | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/dtcjSljk8W

— MACtion (@MACSports) December 27, 2024

It wouldn’t shock me to see as many as 4 tight ends go within the first spherical, as LSU’s Mason Taylor (37) and Miami’s Elijah Arroyo (39) will probably be tempting for a number of groups late. Dane has seven tight ends within the high 100 — and the category doesn’t run dry there. Clemson’s Jake Briningstool, Iowa’s Luke Lachey, Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II and Georgia Tech’s Jackson Hawes are just some of the opposite intriguing prospects, however this group is deep.

Dochterman: There are a number of who come to thoughts, but when I had to decide on one, it’d be Ole Miss defensive finish Princely Umanmielen (75). The Rebels featured the perfect line of defense south of Columbus, Ohio, and a number of other gamers obtained excessive accolades. However Umanmielen was Ole Miss’ most disruptive participant on the road of scrimmage this season.

Umanmielen (6-4, 255) has unimaginable quickness and go off the sting and may convert that pace to energy like few gamers within the draft. He had the nation’s fifth-highest pass-rush win price, based on Professional Soccer Focus, and completed with a team-high 10.5 sacks. If I have been drafting for Detroit at No. 28, or just about any group to begin the second spherical, Umanmielen would enter my dialogue.

Among the many others into account are Texas tight finish Gunnar Helm (64), whom I’d rank simply barely behind Michigan’s Colston Loveland for the No. 2 tight finish spot. Huge 12 corners Jacob Parrish (86), Cobee Bryant (96) and Darien Porter (99) are very likable prospects and potential early contributors.

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Susceptible to coming on the king, does Dane have any prospect overvalued on this board?

Baumgardner: I don’t know if I can get behind Oregon operating again Jordan James (62) over Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins (70), however I perceive why groups are involved in his profile as a tricky runner who will get the job completed with out sacrificing his elusiveness.

One participant Dane might be too low on right here is Texas defensive again Jahdae Barron (40). I assumed he was able to go to the NFL final yr. And I do know there are issues about his physique sort and restoration pace, however he’s one of many smartest, savviest defenders on this class and simply finds the soccer.

Many individuals have cautioned groups to not overlook Georgia’s Malaki Starks the identical approach they did former Alabama DB Brian Department, however the identical might be stated about Barron — who most likely may line up at security within the NFL.

Dochterman: I is perhaps splitting hairs, however I assumed Josh Simmons (17) was a bit excessive. He’s an incredible prospect, however Ohio State’s offensive line performed at its highest stage within the School Soccer Playoff when Donovan Jackson (34) changed Simmons at left sort out. Simmons’ damage prevented everybody from seeing him at his greatest. I’d have him a little bit decrease (and Jackson a lot greater), however Simmons continues to be a first-rounder. Maybe North Dakota State offensive lineman Gray Zabel (38) matches in the identical class, though he’s nonetheless a top-50 prospect.

I used to be shocked UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger got here in at No. 43, however stylistically, he was excellent within the Huge Ten. Not too unhealthy for a former walk-on.