Latest news with #MockDraftDatabase
USA Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Huge 2026 NFL mock draft update rebuilds Steelers offense
We are a month away from the start of NFL training camps and just after that, the college football season will kick off. So we thought now was the perfect time to update our five-round mock draft for the 2026 NFL draft. As things stand right now, we have five quarterbacks with a first-round grade and depending how the college season plays out, there should be a potential franchise quarterback on the board when the Steelers pick in the first round. This time around we utilized the mock draft simulator from Mock Draft Database that utilizes projected compensatory picks and very up to date prospect rankings. First round - QB Fernando Mendoza - Indiana The Steelers pick No. 15 overall in this mock and a run on quarterbacks leave them with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. He's not a household name yet but by the time the draft gets here, he should be one of the first four quarterbacks off the board. Second round - CB Jalon Kilgore - South Carolina Kilgore has prototypical NFL size and athleticism and showed a ton of growth last season in his coverage technique. Third round - TE Max Klare - Purdue We are rooting for Darnell Washington but if tight end becomes a bigger part of the offense, a pick like Klare as a receiving weapon makes a lot of sense. Third round - WR Nic Anderson - LSU Anderson is healthy and getting a fresh start at LSU. He is good at everything and has no real glaring weaknesses to his game. Third round - RB Jonah Coleman - Washington If Jaylen Warren leaves after the season, the Steelers will need to add a back to go with Kaleb Johnson. Coleman is a powerful, squatty back with impressive balance truly elite vision with sneaky athleticism. Fourth round - OT Drew Shelton - Penn State Massive powerfuly run blocker who just overwhelms defenders with his size and power. Fourth round - S Keon Sabb - Alabama Exceptional developmental safety who might end up going much sooner than this if he can develop more in coverage Fifth round - IOL - Febechi Nwaiwu - Oklahoma Nwaiwu transfered to Oklahoma last season and after he got up to speed, really looked good as the team's starting right tackle. We expect him to make another big jump in 2025 and he could be Isaac Seumalos' replacement. Fifth round - WR Germie Bernard - Alabama Alabama is Bernard's third FBS team in four seasons. He's not spectacular in any area but he's found a way to develop as a really reliable possession receiver if he can just have some stability in coaching and scheme.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How did Packers do in draft value relative to 2025 consensus board?
How did Packers do in draft value relative to 2025 consensus board? The Green Bay Packers selected eight players in the 2025 NFL draft. How did Brian Gutekunst and the Packers do in terms of value this year? It's a tough question to answer. Maybe impossible. Value is an important part of the draft process. An understanding of the board is vital to judging how teams went about maximizing value during the draft. However, establishing true "value" is incredibly difficult. Thirty-two teams each have a different draft board, and there is no consensus big board for all teams. Teams scout differently and have different schemes, coaching staffs and needs. The best we can do is base value on the consensus of the information available. The "wisdom of the crowd" can Hasan of Wide Left Football creates the go-to consensus board, which ranks the top 300 players in the draft class based on 101 different big boards from draft analysts. As Hasan says, "the consensus of these experts does a better predictive job than individual experts." Here are the Packers' picks in the 2025 draft, their consensus rank, their pick number and the difference between the two. This is how we'll establish value. WR Matthew Golden Consensus rank: 24 Pick number: 23 Difference: -1 All good here. Golden came off the board right where he was expected to go. OL Anthony Belton Consensus rank: 91Pick number: 54Difference: -37 A potentially big "reach." The consensus board saw Belton as a late third-rounder. The Packers took him midway through the second. WR Savion Williams Consensus rank: 97Pick number: 87Difference: -10 All good here. The board saw Williams as a third-rounder, and that's where the Packers got him. DE Barryn Sorrell Consensus rank: 134Pick number: 124Difference: -10 Like Golden and Williams, nothing egregious here. The Packers picked Sorrell right where he was expected to go. DE/LB Collin Oliver Consensus rank: 212Pick number: 159Difference: -53 A bigger "reach" than Belton, per the board. Oliver missed 10 games to injury during his final season and is a bit of a tweener, which likely pushed him down on the consensus board. The Packers think he can be a designated pass-rusher and play some off-ball linebacker, too. DL Warren Brinson Consensus rank: 241Pick number: 198Difference: -43 The board saw Brinson as a seventh-rounder. The Packers took him in the sixth. CB Micah Robinson Consensus rank: N/APick number: 237Difference: -63 (based on top 300 players) Robinson wasn't ranked in the top 300 on the consensus board. He wasn't ranked on the 712-player consensus board at Mock Draft Database, either. The Packers brought Robinson (who played one season at Tulane after four season at FCS Furman) in for a visit and liked the player. He's small and lacking elite athleticism, which is almost certainly why he was overlooked as a draftable player. OL John Williams Consensus rank: 274Pick number: 250Difference: -24 Looks about right. Williams was a late seventh-rounder or priority UDFA on the board. The Packers got him with one of the last picks in the draft. Overall In terms of the consensus board, the Packers technically "reached" for every single player in the eight-player draft class. The total value of the reaches was -241 points, a considerable amount. The big reaches came in the second round with Belton and on Day 3 with Oliver, Brinson and Robinson. Why does this matter? Big reaches usually don't work out, especially in Green Bay -- although Evan Williams from last year sticks out as a potentially great example of a "reach" working in the Packers' favor. Other big reaches from last year's class include Ty'Ron Hopper, who hardly played as a rookie, and Travis Glover, who will be fighting to stick on the roster as a second-year player. The Packers didn't reach in the first round, which is a good sign. Past reaches in the first include Darnell Savage, Eric Stokes and Quay Walker. Golden wasn't a reach at all via the consensus board. All teams have players they like more than consensus on Day 3. It's a crapshoot past the fourth round, and teams take fliers on traits and players they've done the most work on pre-draft. If there's a true complaint from the Packers draft class from a consensus board viewpoint, it's Belton. He was a popular player for teams pre-draft, and the Packers see him as a big, athletic offensive lineman who can play four positions at the next level. But he's also 24, played six seasons at the collegiate level and might eventually have to move inside to guard. Taking him at No. 54 looks like the most questionable pick of the three days. Also, the Packers reportedly signed Georgia defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse and Kentucky linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson after the draft. Stackhouse was the No. 225 player on the consensus board; Dumas-Johnson was No. 243. So the Packers added some "value" in college free agency post-draft. Recent years How did Packers do in draft value relative to 2024 consensus board? How did Packers do in draft value relative to 2023 consensus board? How did Packers do in draft value relative to 2022 consensus board?
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Browns: Grading the selection of Mason Graham in the 2025 NFL draft
Browns: Grading the selection of Mason Graham in the 2025 NFL draft The Cleveland Browns have made a significant addition to their defensive front, securing a player poised to amplify the unit's already formidable pass-rushing prowess by landing Michigan's Mason Graham in the 2025 NFL draft. This article delves into the immediate impact and long-term potential of this acquisition, analyzing how his skills align with the Browns' defensive philosophy, his positional value in today's NFL landscape, and the crucial need he fills on a team in flux. From dissecting his on-field abilities to evaluating the draft capital expended, we'll explore why this move for the former two-time California heavyweight wrestling champion could be the key to unlocking a truly terrifying defensive force in Cleveland. The Fit This move immediately injects a dynamic force into Jim Schwartz's aggressive defensive scheme. Graham, a disruptive three-technique, explodes off the snap with exceptional first-step quickness, promising consistent interior penetration. His rapid read-and-react ability allows him to consistently defeat lateral blocks, while his stout build, impressive leverage, and body control make him a formidable presence at the point of attack, though double teams might push him back. While his shorter arms present a challenge in securing quick pass-rushing victories, his relentless motor compensates, ensuring constant pressure. Graham's skill set appears tailor-made for our slashing defensive front. Imagine the havoc he, Myles Garrett, and newly acquired free agent Maliek Collins will wreak on opposing offenses, collapsing pockets and disrupting plays in the backfield. And once sophomore defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. recovers from his late 2024 MCL tear, their front four will become a truly terrifying unit for any opposing quarterback to face. The Value How does Graham's positional value stack up against his undeniable talent? According to the consensus of mock draft experts, as compiled by the Mock Draft Database big board, Graham entered the draft cycle as the sixth-ranked player overall. This lofty evaluation shows a glimpse into the player that the Browns are hoping will solidify their defensive front for years to come. A 2018 study by Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlighted that edge defenders narrowly outperformed their interior counterparts in critical pass-rushing metrics such as time to pressure, expected points added (EPA) lost by the offense, sack conversion rates, and forced fumble frequency. Despite this statistical edge for edge rushers, the fundamental truth remains: generating pressure on the quarterback from any angle is a game-changing asset in today's NFL. The Browns clearly believe Graham possesses the disruptive capabilities to significantly impact opposing offenses from the interior, making him a valuable cornerstone of their defense, regardless of the positional nuances. The Need Adding Graham to a formidable unit already featuring perennial Pro Bowler Myles Garrett on the edge, along with the experienced Maliek Collins and Shelby Harris in the interior, injects another high-impact talent into the mix. This bolstered defensive line, which already terrorized opposing quarterbacks to the tune of 41 sacks and 108 quarterback hits in the 2024 season, now boasts even greater potential to disrupt offenses and control the line of scrimmage. Graham's arrival signals a clear intent: the Browns are doubling down on their defensive strength, in hopes that Graham can be a part of a tide that lifts all boats for the defensive unit in 2025 and beyond. Pick Grade: B+ Per a very reliable source, Myles Garrett wanted to play next to Graham. If it's good enough for Myles, it's good enough for me. Still, moving away from a truly generational prospect like Travis Hunter stings.
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
First-round target for Arizona Cardinals could go higher that projected
First-round target for Arizona Cardinals could go higher that projected Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams could get drafted higher than many expect The Arizona Cardinals have the 16th pick in the 2025 NFL draft this week, which begins Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They have been connected to a number of players, mostly pass rushers and defensive linemen. One player in particular has become a popular pick for the Cardinals in mock drafts, and that is Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams. However, they might not even have the chance to draft him. According to FOX Sports' Peter Schrager, Williams, along with Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, will end up being drafted higher than expected, before the consensus mock drafts. What does that mean? Well, with a focus on the Cardinals, let's look at Williams. According to the consensus board by Mock Draft Database, Williams is No. 14 overall with a peak of 10th overall. If the Cardinals want Williams, it means he won't be available with the 16th pick. The consensus No. 16 pick is Texas A&M EDGE Shemar Stewart. The draft always brings surprises. We will see soon if any of those impact the Cardinals or if they involve them. 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
17-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Building a Packers 7-round mock draft from the consensus big board
Building a Packers 7-round mock draft from the consensus big board The consensus big board from Mock Draft Database can help pave realistic pathways for the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft. The idea is simple: wisdom of the crowd. The NFL draft is almost impossible to predict, given there are 32 teams ranking hundreds of prospects in different ways. But the consensus big board -- a collection over 150 big boards from draft analysts -- predicts the draft better than any one individual. The big board won't be perfect, but it can help predict how the draft will play out at various points. So, let's use the consensus board to highlight a few potential ways the draft could fall for the Packers over seven rounds next week. For these exercises, we'll be making each pick based on the players expected to go within a specific number of spots of the Packers' selection. For example, at No. 23 overall, the Packers can pick from players ranked No. 18 to No. 28 on the consensus board. We will expand the possible pool of players each round as we go. This way, we are narrowing the available players without trying to get too specific. Here are three exercises in mocking from the consensus board: Mock draft 1 1.23: DL Derrick Harmon, Oregon (rank: 27)2.54: WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State (rank: 49)3.87: DE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (rank: 92)4.124: CB Nohl Williams, Cal (rank: 117)5.159: OL Logan Brown, Kansas (rank: 154)6.198: OL Jack Nelson, Wisconsin (rank: 187)7.237: WR Ricky White, UNLV (rank: 224)7.250: LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky (rank: 281) Mock draft 2 1.23: DL Kenneth Grant, Michigan (rank: 26)2.54: DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (rank: 53)3.87: WR Jalen Royals, Utah State (rank: 85)4.124: OL Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech (rank: 136)5.159: DE Barryn Sorrell, Texas (rank: 158)6.198: DB Jordan Hancock, Ohio State (rank: 192)7.237: CB Jason Marshall, Jr., Florida (rank: 238)7.250: WR Keandre Lambert-Smith, Auburn (rank: 255) Mock draft 3 1.23: WR Matthew Golden, Texas (rank: 20)2.54: DL T.J. Sanders, South Carolina (rank: 57)3.87: OT Anthony Belton, NC State (rank: 95)4.124: DE Saivon Jones, LSU (rank: 116)5.159: CB Caleb Ransaw, Tulane (rank: 162)6.198: WR Isaac TeSlaa, Arkansas (rank: 188)7.237: QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (rank: 248)7.250: DL Zeek Biggers, Georgia Tech (rank: 279)
