Latest news with #JustinMelo
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New Orleans Saints meet with Ohio State Remington Trophy winner ahead of 2025 NFL draft
New Orleans Saints meet with Ohio State Remington Trophy winner ahead of 2025 NFL draft The New Orleans Saints have had the chance to meet with the prospects they needed to get a better look at ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, and now, with the event right around the corner, they are finishing up the last of these meetings and gathering intel. Many of the prospects that the team has met with recently have been along the offensive line, with a clear indication that they would at least like to do their due diligence on the group at a minimum. One of the recent noteworthy meetings they held was with Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin, a Remington Trophy winner as the best center in the nation, and an All-American. Unfortunately, he went down with a torn Achilles tendon in November and missed the later portion of the season, but his 10-game sample size was outstanding prior to that. The standout center recently sat down with Justin Melo of The Draft Network for a pre-draft interview, and one of the questions was about which teams he met with during the process. McLaughlin shared a list of his recent meetings, which includes the Saints: "I've met with a handful of teams virtually since the NFL Combine. I recently met with the Commanders, Cowboys, and Saints. I've met with a good little group. I've had a lot of fun in those meetings." Coming in at 6-foot-4, 304 pounds, with a 31-inch arm length, he has good size for a center prospect. In 565 snaps for Ohio State in 2024, he allowed no sacks and only seven hurries, with 290 of those snaps being pass blocking reps. This is not any different from previous years where he was able to go all season long either, giving up only one sack since the start of the 2022 season, and only 24 hurries in that span. He would be a quality addition to the Saints' offensive line, and while they do have a center already in Erik McCoy, having quality interior offensive linemen is never a bad thing.
USA Today
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals had virtual pre-draft meetings with Clemson RB Phil Mafah
Arizona Cardinals had virtual pre-draft meetings with Clemson RB Phil Mafah Clemson running back Phil Mafah had pre-draft virtual meetings with the Cardinals and several other teams The Arizona Cardinals have some interest in a late-round or potential priority free agent running back prospect. Clemson running back Phil Mafah told The Draft Network's Justin Melo that he had pre-draft virtual meetings with the Cardinals and several other teams. Mafah is a large running back. He is six feet tall and 234 pounds. He played four seasons for Clemson, improving his production each season. In 2023, he rushed for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 last year, gaining 1,115 and scoring eight touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes each of the last two seasons. As a potential undrafted free agent or late-round pick, what will be key is showing he can be a special teams contributor and/or offer something in the passing game, either as a receiver or in pass protection. When Saturday of the draft rolls around, pay attention to his name in the final rounds and then in new of undrafted rookie signings. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
09-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals to meet with Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Arizona Cardinals to meet with Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith While the Cardinals have been meeting with many top defensive prospects, we can add a Day 3 receiver prospect to the list. The Arizona Cardinals have been busy hosting NFL draft prospects and many of them have been top defensive prospects. They have not been ignoring other positions. According to The Draft Network's Justin Melo, they will have Auburn receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith in for a top-30 visit next week. Lambert-Smith played four collegiate seasons for Penn State before transferring to Auburn last season. He was a big-play receiver for the Tigers, catching 50 passes for 981 yards, averaging 19.6 yards per reception. He scored eight touchdowns. He is tall and speedy. He measured at nearly 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds with long 32 5/8-inch arms. He ran the 40 at the NFL combine in 4.37 seconds and posted a 34.5-inch vertical leap and 124-inch broad jump. He is possibly a Day 3 candidate, where the Cardinals have selections in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds. As Saturday arrives for the draft, he will be a name to pay attention to. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts met with physical, versatile UCLA offensive lineman
Colts met with physical, versatile UCLA offensive lineman The Colts met with a versatile UCLA offensive lineman at the Tropical Bowl earlier this offseason. The Indianapolis Colts continue to look heavily into the offensive line and defensive line position groups in this year's NFL draft. In an interview with Justin Melo of The Draft Network, UCLA offensive lineman Josh Carlin mentioned that he met with the Indianapolis Colts at the Tropical Bowl. Carlin also met with Houston and Dallas there as well. "Those three teams knew a good bit about me," Carlin told Melo. "They like my versatility and how that's the biggest aspect of my game. They appreciate that I've had some great coaches and how that played a role in my time at UCLA." Carlin is listed at 6-5 - 310 pounds and played mostly right guard at UCLA--over 1,400 career snaps during two seasons as a starter--but he has some center experience as well. In 2023, Carlin allowed only two sacks and 10 pressures on 478 pass-blocking snaps. He was one of the better-ranked guards by PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric. However, this past season, he allowed five sacks and 29 pressures over 500 pass-blocking snaps. Over his two seasons as a starter, Carlin graded out as an average run-blocker by PFF's metrics. The offensive line is a position that the Colts very much need to add to. Depth along the interior and at tackle are very much needs, not to mention that competition at right guard wouldn't be a bad thing either. "I love playing in a phone booth," Carlin added. "Obviously, you want to be physical as an offensive lineman. Coach Castillo always said physicality isn't about being the loudest or biggest guy. It's about finishing and playing with terrific effort. That shows your physicality as an offensive lineman."
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Saints met with exceptionally fast Auburn LB who has drawn immense interest from the NFL
Saints met with exceptionally fast Auburn LB who has drawn immense interest from the NFL The New Orleans Saints have had a long offseason process so far, between hiring an all-new coaching staff, clearing up cap space to utilize for new players, and then setting up a long list of pre-draft meetings in recent weeks to speak with prospects and see who they mesh well with. Their group of meetings has grown even longer in the past few days as reports continue to come out regarding who they have spoken with to this point. Justin Melo of The Draft Network has been an exceptional resource for these interview reports, and he recently spoke with Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante regarding his meetings so far and plans for the coming weeks. "I met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl. I had a great meeting with the Steelers. Mike Tomlin was on the field while we were practicing. He was coaching me up and giving me pointers. I met with Tomlin and their general manager in a Senior Bowl meeting. I feel like that interview went really well. We talked about my frame and football journey, the type of person and man I am. I had great interviews with the Seahawks, Cowboys, Commanders, and Saints as well. Those are a few that come to mind," Asante said. He added: "I had some more relaxed follow-up conversations at the combine. I met with the Colts, Jets, Jaguars, Bengals, and Commanders again. I met with the Browns' linebacker coach. He was the on-field instructor for our position group at the combine. I loved his interview process. It was unique. We talked a lot about block deconstruction. I'll also be scheduling more meetings after my Pro Day." At this point in time, it seems the Saints may not be the favorites of the bunch, but a positive interview with a team is always a good sign, especially if the player picks the team out of all 32. While it looks clear that the Steelers may be the most notable here in scouting him, the Saints are among the more notable teams. 2023 was definitively the best season for Asante, as he would post 86 total tackles (53 solo, 33 assisted), 9 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a 67-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. This type of production was not as strong for him in 2024, only putting up 47 total tackles (31 solo, 16 assisted), 5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Regardless, he had a very solid collegiate career and could be someone the Saints look into taking during the 2025 NFL draft.
