25 NFL Draft Mix winners and losers for defensive linemen and linebackers

A sensible man as soon as mentioned, “you win championships within the trenches”. An important group up entrance might be the distinction between being despatched dwelling early, and elevating the Lombardi Trophy. Simply ask the Philadelphia Eagles, who stacked indignant defensive linemen like poker chips en path to a title this 12 months.

The 2025 NFL Draft has some nice trench and linebacker play, and it was on show throughout the first exercise session of the NFL Mix. Whereas guys like Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker and Mason Graham didn’t exercise, others actually stood out and made themselves some cash.

Listed below are some observations from Day 1 of the NFL Mix, centered across the defensive position and linebackers.

• This is perhaps probably the most proficient and athletic defensive position crop I’ve seen in my time scouting. The quantity of occasions I discovered myself saying that this man had an ideal rep within the wave drill, adopted by a totally completely different man doing properly within the four-bag drill, then ANOTHER man doing properly within the hoop drill is substantial. There are such a lot of completely different physique varieties and flavors on the spot that groups ought to double dip on defensive linemen within the draft, simply because this group is so robust.
• Toledo DT Darius Alexander has continued his robust postseason circuit. After tearing up the Senior Bowl, Alexander got here into Indy and carried out very well in his exercise. He posted a 4.95 40-yard sprint and a 1.73 10-yard break up (getting within the neighborhood of 1.7 is sweet for a defensive deal with). His Relative Athletic Rating of 9.22 backed up the tape, and to me he’s a surefire second spherical lock.

• Indiana DT CJ West had a GREAT day. The senior from Indiana was shifting by means of all of the drills, and seemed fluid displaying good bend by means of the hips. Indiana had him enjoying the nostril of their mint entrance, however he in all probability profiles higher as a gap-shooting 1-technique DT. I’m going to have to return and watch his tape.

• One other man I’ll have to return and watch the tape on is Nebraska DT Ty Robinson. Once I was in Cell, Robinson would make performs in opposition to the run, however I wasn’t anticipating this type of athlete.

Take into account me intrigued.

• Ohio State DT Tyliek Williams seemed good within the positional drills. I believed his bend was actually spectacular, as was his footwork. Williams is a robust run defender, who left me wanting extra from a move rush standpoint, so seeing the potential he has in his physique might sway some groups searching for an impactful nostril or 1-technique.

• I’m VERY excessive on Oregon’s Jamaree Caldwell, and his exercise did nothing to sway me off of it. Guys his dimension aren’t supposed to maneuver like this, man:

• South Carolina DTs Tonka Hemingway and TJ Sanders confirmed some good motion abilities too. Each are a bit extra on the undersized a part of the DT scale, however profitable with quickness and agility must be their factor shifting ahead.
• Oregon’s Derrick Harmon was the one man to check among the many prime 4 DTs, and he seemed as marketed. He was fluid in motion drills, ran a pleasant 40-yard sprint and stayed tight to the luggage in move rush drills. He received’t make it out of spherical 1.
• Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues did fullback drills:

God, I don’t ask for a lot. Simply give me Pegues fullback reps and I’ll be completely satisfied.

Then this:

Main into this:

High 10 participant. Learn my breakdown on why Stewart is without doubt one of the most fascinating prospects on this class.

• Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr had a bizarre day. His 40-yard sprint and 10-yard break up occasions have been blazing, however he solely had a 31-inch vertical. Then, he seemed nice within the drills, however there’s additionally his tape. I believe Pearce generally is a excellent participant, and his burst is clear, however his day was simply fascinating to me.
• Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton measured in at 257 kilos for the Mix, manner down from the listed 285, and it confirmed. He flashed extra bend, burst, and explosiveness throughout drills than at any level within the faculty soccer season. He was requested to placed on weight after transferring to the Aggies, so his projection will likely be a bit troublesome, however I believe his vary begins on the again finish of spherical 1 going into spherical 2.

• UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo had a very nice day. The transformed MIKE LB seemed actually good in drills along with his motion abilities and suppleness, then vertical jumped 36.5 inches. I’m an enormous fan of his recreation, a excessive effort and disciplined run defender with numerous athletic upside as a move rusher.

• Boston School EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku opted to not run the 40, however did the agility drills and positional work … I believe he made the fitting selection:

I’m very curious what his draft vary seems like proper now, I might say he’s within the center to late first spherical vary.

• Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson seemed much more explosive immediately than he has throughout the postseason circuit. The Arkansas protection didn’t do him many favors, however leaping 40.5 inches then throwing down a 4.68 40 with a 1.65 10-yard break up will do the trick. I simply want he performed with extra bend on tape than he confirmed immediately.
• Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker is such an enchanting case examine to me. Nicely undersized at 6 ft even and 267 kilos, however his explosive checks have been fairly good and his motion drills have been good. I’ve him in direction of the tip of the third spherical, however being that a lot of a bodily outlier may convey him down with out being a particular athlete.
• At LB, I believed Washington’s Carson Bruener seemed actually good. A clean, environment friendly mover in drills, he stood out as soon as they began having to make drops. One other man I’ll must activate the tape for.
• UCLA LB Kain Medrano, take a bow. Medrano ran a 4.46 40, had a 38 inch vertical soar after which broad jumped 10’10. May need to return and watch him as properly.
• His teammate, Carson Schwesinger, had an ideal weigh in, coming in at 242 kilos. He didn’t take a look at, which provides me some questions, however the truth that he can carry that weight is sweet for his NFL prospects.
• Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa operating a 4.63 40 yard sprint is a little bit disappointing. The security convert has pace for days on tape, but it surely didn’t present up immediately. Leaping 38 inches within the vertical is an effective save, nonetheless.
• South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr. intrigues me. He’s an explosive tackler who needs to thump shit, however operating 4.58 and having the highest GPS time among the many linebackers is big for him. I like his recreation so much.
• Simply watch this rep from Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell, the highest LB within the class:

Textbook. See you in spherical 1.

• Oklahoma State LB Nick Martin is one other man I’m intrigued by. He’s undersized at 5’11 and 221 kilos, however he can MOVE. Martin ran a 4.53, had an explosive vertical and broad soar, and seemed actually clean in his drops immediately. He’s in all probability extra of a sub-package LB, however his postseason circuit has been good.
• Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman operating 4.52 within the 40 is an effective time for him. He’s extra of a throwback linebacker, who performs off blocks properly and is an effective blitzer, however his really feel in house remains to be coming alongside. Very enjoyable participant.
• For those who’re questioning why no one is doing agility drills:

We’ll be again with extra protection of the mix all through the following week.