DRAFT NEWS

The majority of the top WR prospects in college football this season figure to be sophomores who only left high school prior to the 2024 season and are therefore not available this next April. Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), Ryan Williams (Alabama), Cam Coleman (Auburn), TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco (Clemson), Ryan Wingo (Texas), and Nick Marsh (Michigan State) are all potential first round picks, but no sooner than the 2027 NFL Draft.

The 2025 RB class is one of the best group of prospects to enter the NFL in the last two decades. Unfortunately, the 2026 class does not look like it has as much elite, top end talent nor the depth of last April’s class. This class is unlikely to offer a Top 10 prospect like Ashton Jeanty, who was selected by Las Vegas with the sixth pick last spring, but there a few prospects who may warrant first round consideration with a quality season this fall.

After a down year for the QB position in the NFL Draft, the prospective top upper classmen signal callers could be a bounce back class that delivers several potential franchise QBs to NFL teams in need next April. Although there is no clear-cut leader in this class, there are several prospects that have the combination of physical tools, mental makeup, and game experience to be drafted first overall next year.

The Niners are trying to rebuild on the fly and decide to get a pass rushing partner for All-Pro Nick Bosa. Williams, a former 5-star has elite skills that he just started to tap last season in Athens. Williams has difficulty staying healthy but flashes superb burst and natural strength. The Niners believe his talent is too good to pass.

Coach Jim Harbaugh played for Bo Schembechler, who espoused running the football. The apple does not fall far from the tree. The Chargers select the big, fast, and strong Hampton, who can run between the tackles, run wide, and has reliable hands as receiver out of the backfield.

Chicago desperately needs to upgrade OLT but feel that there is no prospect worth selecting here. Surprisingly, Loveland gets selected before Tyler Warren but he fits what new coach Ben Johnson wants in a TE - a mismatch piece used over the middle to take advantage of safeties and LBs in coverage, much like Lions use TE Sam LaPorta.

And the fall has finally stopped. Sanders is the second QB that Cleveland has drafted (Dillon Gabriel) which seems like a less than ideal situation. But at least, this drama has ended.

Shedeur Sanders' free fall has officially started as the Saints decide to lock down OLT for the next decade with the Outland Trophy winner. Banks, SNS' #1 ranked OT and #3 prospect overall, is a well-rounded player with All Pro potential.

The Jags deal up to get the second pick in the draft. But the cost was steep - pick #5, a second round pick (#36), a fourth round pick (#126), and a 2026 first round pick for the second pick, a fourth rounder (#104), and a sixth round pick (#200). Jacksonville uses the second selection on Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who will try to play offense and defense in the NFL. Hunter figures to start at WR and play situationally at CB as a rookie.

Booker and Ezeiruaku address team needs after the retirement of Zack Martin and the departure of DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency. Revel has excellent size and length and displayed quality ball skills in his last healthy season in 2023. Blue is an explosive RB that has been missing in Dallas for years. Mafah is a powerful inside runner who has had a heavy workload in college and is likely to have a short NFL career. James is a fast, rangy LB in the mode of DeMarvon Overshown.

The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded but the process of acquiring additional talent to compete for roster spots never truly ends. After the draft, the more than 1,000 undrafted prospects that had entered the draft are still hoping to be signed to a free agent contract or at least receive a mini-camp invite. But only a couple of hundred of these undrafted prospects will get a call from an NFL team.