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USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF hypes Florida QB DJ Lagway as potential No. 1 pick in 2027 NFL draft
PFF hypes Florida QB DJ Lagway as potential No. 1 pick in 2027 NFL draft Florida football quarterback DJ Lagway is already turning the heads of NFL talent evaluators, and a new Pro Football Focus feature suggests the Gators' rising sophomore could headline a star-studded 2027 NFL draft class. PFF analyst Max Chadwick highlighted 12 underclassmen who could make the 2027 draft "historic", singling out Lagway's rare arm talent and sky-high ceiling as the biggest reason scouts are "drooling". The 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound signal-caller posted an FBS-best 8.8 percent big-time throw rate in 2024 while earning a 95.6 passing grade on deep balls, according to PFF charting. Should Lagway continue to develop as projected, he could become another Florida quarterback selection taken in the top five alongside Anthony Richardson back in 2023. Lagway's rapid rise fuels growing national expectations for Billy Napier's program, which closed last season with four straight wins. If Lagway continues to refine his mechanics, Florida could field its most complete offense since the Tim Tebow era. Here is everything Chadwick said about Lagway and his growing potential. What PFF said about Lagway "It wouldn't be a special draft class without at least one potential franchise quarterback. Lagway showed why he was the top quarterback recruit in the 2024 cycle, leading the Power Four with an 8.8% big-time throw rate. Lagway's 95.6 passing grade on deep throws stood third in the country as well. He'll need to become more precise as a sophomore, though, as his 59.7 passing grade on all other throws was the second-worst mark in the Power Four. "It was still a very encouraging freshman year for Lagway, though, considering how brutal Florida's schedule was. He may have more arm talent than anyone else in college football and just needs to fine-tune his footwork and accuracy to potentially become the best quarterback in the nation." Other names included from the SEC Along with Lagway, the other names mentioned by PFF that play in the SEC are edge rusher Colin Simmons (Texas Longhorns), edge rusher Dylan Stewart (South Carolina Gamecocks), wide receiver Ryan Williams (Alabama Crimson Tide), wide receiver Cam Coleman (Auburn Tigers) and safety KJ Bolden (Georgia Bulldogs). Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Broncos draft RB RJ Harvey: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
The Denver Broncos drafted Central Florida running back RJ Harvey with the No. 60 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, filling the last glaring vacancy on their roster. Denver selected Harvey after twice trading back in the second round, acquiring an extra fourth-round selection in the process. Harvey had one of the most productive seasons of any running back last season, rushing for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns and adding 20 catches for 267 yards and three more scores. His 25 scrimmage touchdowns were the fourth-most in college football, only five behind Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. 'That call was the most joyful moment of my life,' Harvey said moments after being selected. 'It's a blessing. I'm just so excited.' Harvey ranked No. 92 in Dane Brugler's Top 300 big board. Here's what Brugler had to say about him in his annual NFL Draft guide: 'Though he doesn't have the power to drive through the first level, he is a dynamic make-you-miss runner with his tempo and burst (54 carries of 10 or more yards in 2024), which made him a frequent visitor to the end zone (UCF-record 48 total touchdowns). He is below average as a pass-protecting blocker but has the tools to be a weapon catching the ball on screens and wheels. Overall, Harvey needs to develop better consistency on passing downs, but he is skilled at patiently settling his feet and changing lanes with his instinctive field vision and lateral quickness. Similar in ways to Tyjae Spears, he projects best in a timeshare role in the NFL.' Sean Payton loves his 'Joker' players. Harvey gives up size, but he was an extremely productive player at UCF — as a rusher and pass catcher. Think of him as a slightly bigger version of Darren Sproles. He might not be able to handle a huge workload in the NFL, but this is a very nice fit. Grade: B-plus Advertisement The Broncos moved back twice in the second round, but they kept Harvey in their sights as a potential instant infusion for their backfield. The 24-year-old dealt with injuries early in his career, including an ACL tear that wiped out his 2021 season, but he rushed for more yards during the past three seasons (3,789) than all but three other FBS running backs. The 5-foot-9, 208-pound running back isn't an especially bruising runner, but he has an extra gear when he reaches the second level. An FBS-best 23.3 percent of his carries last season went for 10 or more yards. The Broncos lost leading rusher Javonte Williams in free agency. No other player on their current roster has rushed for more than 500 yards in a season. Harvey is not a perfect running back. But he has illustrated a big-play potential for the last three seasons that the Broncos simply didn't have on their roster before they called Harvey's name Friday night. Payton will make Harvey earn his carries and general playing time, just like he made rookie Bo Nix earn the job in a three-way quarterback competition last offseason. But make no mistake, Harvey is now the featured running back in Denver's offense. An intriguing subplot of the Harvey selection is how the depth will stack behind him. The Broncos have four running backs on their roster — Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estimé, Tyler Badie, Blake Watson — who could complement Harvey in different ways. There won't be room for all of them, and Denver could still add another running back on Day 3. The Broncos like the defensive line depth in this class. Though that position group returns every player from a stout 2024 unit, the Broncos could use a player ready to start as soon as next season. They could address that position in the third round … or the fourth … or with one of their two picks in the sixth. The same goes for tight end, a position that thinned out quickly during the early and middle portion of the second round. But there was no arguing Denver's biggest position of need, and it would have made no sense to let the wait for a running back continue. Advertisement The Broncos spent free agency plugging holes at linebacker (Dre Greenlaw), safety (Talanoa Hufanga) and tight end (Evan Engram). Running back was the one glaring vacancy remaining. The Broncos didn't fill that void in the first round, opting instead to draft cornerback Jahdae Barron at No. 20. They were out of reach for the Ohio State duo of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson at the top of the second round. But general manager George Paton has reiterated throughout the predraft process that Denver would be able to land an impactful running back at various points in the draft. They found that in Harvey, who scored at least one touchdown in 11 of his team's 12 games last season.
Associated Press
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
The Titans hope top NFL draft pick Cam Ward can lead them back to winning ways
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans certainly hope picking a quarterback in the first round for the third time in 15 NFL drafts proves to be the charm. The Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall selection Thursday night. He joins Jake Locker, the No. 8 pick overall in 2011, and Marcus Mariota, at second overall in 2015, in the franchise's attempts to find a winner at that position in that span. That doesn't count the Titans' other draft whiffs in later rounds. Sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger in 2014 lost all 10 of his starts before being waived. They traded up for Malik Willis at No. 86 in the third round in 2022 only to trade him away after two seasons and three starts in 11 games. Will Levis had been the franchise's highest pick at quarterback since Mariota when the Titans traded up to No. 33 and took him out of Kentucky in 2023. But he is 5-16 as a starter with more turnovers (26 interceptions and fumbles lost combined) than touchdown passes (21). Brian Callahan benched the turnover-prone Levis during the 2024 season, his first as the Titans' head coach. General manager Ran Carthon, who traded up for Levis, was fired after two seasons. A 3-14 finish netted Tennessee the No. 1-overall pick for the first time since the 2016 season, a year when they traded the top selection two weeks before the draft. The Titans turned that draft into an eventual 2,000-yard rusher in Derrick Henry and a two-time All Pro safety in Kevin Byard. New general manager Mike Borgonzi and Chad Brinker, the Titans' president of football operations, spent the offseason studying top prospects ranging from Ward to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter of Colorado and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. The Titans appeared to quickly settle on Ward as their top choice for the coach to build around. Taking a quarterback became obvious once Tennessee signed a pair of journeymen in Brandon Allen, who worked with Callahan in Cincinnati, and Tim Boyle. Levis remains on the roster for now, with the Titans insisting he'll be given a chance to compete. Callahan talked at the March owners' meetings about how they asked Levis to work with Jordan Palmer on his lower body mechanics and footwork. But Tennessee still lacks a third-round pick in this draft, making Levis possible draft bait if Borgonzi wants to try to get back into that round. And Ward is the quarterback who finished fourth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy after his lone season at Miami, where he completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards with an FBS-best and program-record 39 touchdown passes. Ward also had only seven interceptions. That followed two seasons at Washington State, where he threw for more yards and TDs in each season while dropping his interceptions from nine in in 2022 to seven in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound Ward did his best to make his case at Miami's pro day. He completed one pass on the run, then told the Titans' top officials, 'I'm solidifying it today ... I made sure they heard me.' ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL draft: Browns best targets at pick No. 2
NFL draft: Browns best targets at pick No. 2 After years of searching for a franchise-altering talent, the Cleveland Browns once again find themselves holding a coveted top selection in the 2025 NFL draft. While this year's draft class might not boast the same overwhelming depth at premium positions we've seen recently, it certainly isn't short on captivating prospects. As draft analysts and Browns faithful alike speculate on who the team will target, including a dynamic pass rusher, a unique star, and a poised quarterback. So what will the Browns do when they come on the clock starting Thursday night? Let's meet the menagerie, shall we? Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado The name Shedeur Sanders has been floated in mock drafts all offseason for the Cleveland Browns' coveted second overall pick. While his on-field talent is fairly cut-and-dry, the pre-draft narrative surrounding him has often focused on subjective interpretations of his personality. Some analysts and fans have characterized him as arrogant, citing his confident on-field presence and active social media use. However, the Browns' own evaluation paints a different picture. Despite some pre-draft buzz suggesting otherwise, Cleveland's front office reportedly found Sanders to be confident and engaging during their NFL Scouting Combine interviews, a stark contrast to any notions of arrogance or brashness. Sanders enters the 2025 NFL Draft as the widely recognized second-best quarterback prospect. His impressive 2024 season at Colorado saw him throw for a remarkable 4,134 yards, accompanied by 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He played a pivotal role in the Buffaloes' successful 9-4 campaign, culminating in their first bowl game appearance in five years. As the Browns meticulously evaluate their options at two, Sanders' proven production and the team's positive interactions with him suggest he is far more than just a frequently mocked name, he's a legitimate contender. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State Selecting Abdul Carter would inject immediate and formidable talent into the browns defensive front. The 21-year-old recently engaged in a private dinner on March 27th with a significant group of Browns leadership, including general manager Andrew Berry. Carter's potential impact is undeniable. Pairing him with Myles Garrett, who recently secured a lucrative four-year extension, would create a terrifying pass-rushing tandem for opposing offenses. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 250 pounds, Carter is widely regarded as the premier pass-rushing prospect in the draft. His dominant 2024 season saw him rack up 12 sacks and an FBS-best 24 tackles for loss across 16 games Should the Browns opt for a defensive powerhouse like Carter at 2, they could still address their quarterback needs later in the draft with a Day 2 selection. This scenario presents an intriguing possibility for Cleveland to bolster their defense with an immediate game-changer while keeping the plan flexible for the future of their offense. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado Most mock drafts produced in the last week or so have projected the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner to the Cleveland Browns with the second overall pick. The reasoning behind this newfound consensus is based upon his run-ins with Cleveland staff at his pro day, along with the language GM Andrew Berry uses to describe the kid. Berry alludes to the common comparisons of Hunter to other two-way players like Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson as if they sell him short. While this is high praise, being compared to men who each have gold jackets, it's hard not to see what would make the 'Shohei Ohtani' of football so captivating. Ultimately, Travis Hunter's exceptional athleticism, two-way capabilities, and otherworldly cardiovascular conditioning make him a prospect any fan can get excited about.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Elijah Arroyo on Cam Ward's potential fit with Titans: 'They're getting a dog'
Elijah Arroyo on Cam Ward's potential fit with Titans: 'They're getting a dog' Show Caption Hide Caption Miami QB Cam Ward's pro day leaves no doubts about No. 1 NFL draft pick Cam Ward is feeling confident after his pro day performance. He tells the media why he thinks he will be the number one overall draft pick in April. The Tennessee Titans are expected to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Elijah Arroyo – a tight end who worked closely with Ward during their lone season together with the Hurricanes – believes that would be a great move for Tennessee. Arroyo was asked during an appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" what the Titans would get in Ward should select him with the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. "They're getting a dog," Arroyo responded. While Arroyo was complimentary of Ward's athletic skill set and playmaking abilities, he believes there is another critical factor that will allow his teammate to quickly find success in Tennessee. "I mean, you've seen it on film, you've seen what he can do, but I would say most importantly, they're getting an elite leader," Arroyo said, referencing Ward's fit with the Titans. "Just, off-the-field, he came in from Day 1 and he just brought everybody in and made us closer. The whole team was willing to work." NFL MOCK DRAFT 2025: Could Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart bring QB chaos? Ward helped lead Miami to its first 10-win season since 2017 after transferring over from Washington State. He completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, an FBS-best 39 passing touchdowns and 7 interceptions while adding 204 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Ward's strong performance led him to a fourth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting. He also kept the Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff hunt for most of the season. The Titans will be hoping Ward can lead a similar turnaround as they prepare to make him the 2025 NFL draft's top selection.
