NFL Player News

Per McCormick, the Titans’ 18-minute talk with Ward at the NFL Scouting Combine proved to be “the big turning point” in the Titans’ evaluation process. The discussion prompted Titans brass to schedule Ward’s top-30 visit, in which Ward reportedly “wowed” attendees with his “alpha personality, astute knowledge of the game and his detailed understanding of the QB position.” The team then sent an “arsenal” of coaches, evaluators and media members to Ward’s Pro Day, which was followed days later by a private workout attended by “reclusive” owner Amy Adams Strunk. Ward is on track to be drafted No. 1 overall and seemingly having won the entire Titans organization over during the pre-draft process.

Hampton lands with the Chargers and run-first offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The highly-efficient Hampton should have no problem operating as the Bolts’ lead back ahead of deeply inefficient Najee Harris in 2025. Harris could take some short yardage and goal line work away from Hampton, however. A solid if distant No. 2 behind Ashton Jeanty in this year’s running back draft class, 22-year-old Hampton (6’0/221) enters the league as a power back who tacked on 67 receptions over the past two seasons. A 1,500-yard rusher on 250-plus carries each of the past two years, Hampton is a genuine workhorse. He’s also a big-play threat, ripping over 45 runs of 10-plus yards last season. That includes 26 of 15-plus yards. Hampton confirmed his explosiveness at the Combine, posting a 4.46 40, 38-inch vertical, and 10’ 10’’ broad jump. The questions are not about his physical skills, but rather his finesse and feel. Hampton seemed to lack elite vision in the ACC, and wasn’t instinctual when it came to utilizing pace steps and waiting for the hole to develop. Those are the kinds of flaws that can doom even the most physically-gifted backs, but maybe Hampton just needs a little NFL coaching. He’s a high-floor, reasonable-ceiling pick as the second back off the board behind the great man Jeanty.

A local product from Austin, TX, Barron (5’11/194) arrived on campus in 2020 and proceeded to play 56 games over the next five years for the Longhorns. He played as a slot corner/safety for most of his first four years in Austin, only starting outside last year when he allowed a stingy 7.7 Yards Per Reception with a 7.9 ADOT and just three of the 37 receptions he surrendered going for 15+ yards. Only gave up more than 35 receiving yards in a game one time all year, and even that was 43 yards on one reception versus Kentucky. Only 63 of his 541 snaps were in press man coverage, with Texas DC Kyle Flood employing a zone-heavy scheme. Strong tackler who stays square to the ball carrier and is tough to shake with a 9.1% missed tackle rate. He thrived in his new role, earning a 91st% cover grade with five interceptions and a superb 34.2 NFL passer rating allowed when targeted. Verified his exceptional tape with a 94th percentile 4.39s 40-yard dash and a solid 8.62 Relative Athletic Score. Is extremely instinctive and feels at home in zone, as his 91.5 zone grade will attest. At his best when he can read the play and peel off from primary responsibilities to cover multiple routes at once. As a movable chess piece who can line up all over the formation, Barron should be able to immediately step in and play heavy reps as a rookie.

Long connected to the Steelers, Harmon (6’5/310) spent his first three seasons at Michigan State as a run-stopping three tech before transferring west to Oregon. He found another gear with the Ducks, earning Second-Team AP All-American accolades to go along with 55 pressures, leading all FBS interior defensive linemen. Harmon’s 17.6% pass rush win rate ranked third nationally, while his 9.1 PRP charted second overall. He’s also a credible run defender, having recorded 25 stops and an 80th percentile run defense grade, though his 26.7% missed tackle rate needs drastic improvement. He ran a blazing 4.95 40-yard dash (88th percentile) and is blessed with 34 3/8th” arms. He opted to not perform any other Combine tests. Harmon has a hair trigger get off that he blends with NFL-friendly traits to keep blockers off balance and penetrate into the backfield. A one-man pressure machine, he uses an arm-over technique to devastating effect which makes him difficult to square up for opposing linemen. Harmon is a first-rate disruptor who can have a long career if he can refine his tackling success rate.

We know that the Giants tried to trade up to get the number one overall pick and draft Cam Ward earlier tonight. The Giants have also been repeatedly linked to Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, who could be the target if the Giants can swing a deal and jump back into the first round.

After drafting Alabama OG Tyler Booker in the first round tonight, there was some thought that the Cowboys would then move Tyler Smith back out to left tackle. Instead, Dallas will start Smith and Booker at guards and keep Tyler Guyton at left tackle. Yes, that’s three Tylers on the starting offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys.

Egbuka (6’1/205) earned a starting role in his second season and immediately ran with it to the tune of 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, and 10 scores. He added two touchdowns on the ground. Egbuka thrived in the No. 2 role opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. while catching passes from C.J. Stroud. An ankle injury derailed his junior season and he returned for a final outing in 2024. Unfortunately for Egbuka, Ohio State had freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith in the fold and Egbuka was forced to play second fiddle to a future star once again. He did, however, top 1,000 yards with double-digit touchdowns for the second time. Egbuka ran three-quarters of his career routes from the slot and will start his career primarily as a slot receiver for Tampa Bay. That makes him a slightly awkward fit for a team that just brought back Chris Godwin on a three-year deal. Godwin is currently recovering from a dislocated ankle, but his contract suggests Tampa Bay isn’t worried about his long-term outlook. It’s also a nightmare scenario for Jalen McMillan, who broke out late in 2024 after Godwin went down. McMillan may struggle to earn playing time in the now-crowded receiver room.

Zabel will join a Seattle offensive line graded in 2024 as the league’s sixth worst pass blocking unit and eighth worst run blocking unit. Grey Zabel (6’6/312) exits college after five years having earned FCS All-American accolades en route to his second National Championship last season. He shuttled between right tackle and guard over his first four seasons, logging 633 of his 911 snaps at RT where he posted a 2.7% pressure rate and an 88.5 pass block grade. He moved over to left tackle last year and excelled in both phases, recording a sensational 92.9 pass protection grade paired with an 87th percentile run grade. Excellent footwork and movement ability offsets less than ideal 32” arms, with Zabel routinely stonewalling his overmatched FCS opponents to the tune of a 99.1% pass block efficiency rate. His athleticism was verified in testing with Zabel recording a 99.5th% 36.5” vert and a brisk 4.60 shuttle (87th%) for a superb 9.49 Relative Athletic Score that ranks 3rd among 2025 tackles. Any concerns about how he stacks up against upper level competition were quelled when Zabel shined in Senior Bowl practices, punching his ticket as a top flight OL prospect.

It seems like every class has a supremely talented and athletic EDGE defender whose measurables overshadow their on-field production. Stewart (6’5/247) only recorded two sacks in each of his final two seasons, while posting a disappointing 44.7 tackle grade and a dismal 26.9% career missed tackle rate according to PFF. However, Stewart’s 88.2 run grade and 39 pressures indicate he was creating havoc in the backfield despite the modest sack numbers, having earned a positive grade on 24% of his rushing snaps. His draft stock shot up with a dominant Senior Bowl showing followed by a perfect 10.0 Relative Athletic Score he posted at the Combine. It’s easy to see why Stewart is a tantalizing prospect, as his physical profile and speed/power combo are legitimately rare. However his pass rush toolkit is unrefined and consists of mostly a well timed bull rush where he simply overpowers his opponent. Stewart’s raw athletic traits will hopefully help him get by until he polishes up his move set and becomes a fully formed EDGE.

The #1 overall recruit from the 2022 prep cycle, Nolen (6’4/296) was the crown jewel of Texas A&M’s best all-time recruiting class. He rotated through the Aggies defensive front shuttling between three tech and Edge for two seasons earning a middling 72.5 overall grade in 2023 with 21 stops and zero missed tackles. He left College Station following Jimbo Fisher’s firing and blossomed into a fully-formed, game-wrecking three tech who ranked second nationally with a 91.6 run grade and fifth with 26 stops on running downs. The First Team All-American is a bit undersized at 296 pounds but he is able to uncoil and strike with the force of a much larger man thanks to his impressive raw power. A plus athlete who has a brisk get off and can keep blockers off balance with speed or power, Nolen can rush the passer with an undisciplined technical approach and get away with it thanks to his physical gifts. However in the run game he plays with outstanding leverage routinely discarding blockers and breaking through double teams. A true havoc creator on the interior, Nolen needs to work on secondary rush moves but has every down start potential.

Walker (6’1/243) hails from a football family, with his father being a former D2 All-American and well-regarded High School football coach and his brother being a DB at Georgia State. He led the Bulldogs with 5.0 sacks with 26 pressures despite serving as a rotational player who logged just 126 pass rush reps. Walker finally got a chance to start last year and made the most of his opportunity as a hybrid linebacker/edge, producing 60 tackles while leading the Dawgs with 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and a 17.2 percent pass rush win percentage. The Third Team AP All-American was also adorned with the coveted Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. A twitchy athlete with sudden explosiveness and enough power to crack and stonewall pulling linemen, Walker hones in on his prey like a lion in the Serengeti. However, he’s also a cerebral, savvy player who takes good pursuit lines and is always in the right position. On the pass rush, he posted incredible 45%+ win percentages with his overarm move, inside counter, and a ferocious bull rush. The big issue with Walker is his tweener proportions make him ill-suited for full-time edge work, and off-ball linebackers don’t have the same devastating effect on opposing game plans. Regardless, Walker is a premium talent whose versatility and high football character make him a safe and projectable talent.