Latest news with #TheBeastDraftGuide
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Raiders select DT Tonka Hemingway at pick 135 in Round 4 of the NFL Draft
Raiders select DT Tonka Hemingway at pick 135 in Round 4 of the NFL Draft If you're drafting based on names alone, the Raiders got themselves a steal at pick 135. Tonka Hemingway went with the third overall pick in my all-name draft this year. But since we're talking about *actual* criteria that matters, Hemingway was ranked 215 on the consensus big board. Making this a bit of an unexpected selection at this point. Here is what Dane Brugler had to say about Hemingway in his The Beast Draft Guide: A three-year starter at South Carolina, Hemingway worked up and down the line of scrimmage in defensive coordinator Clayton White's four-man front. As part of one of the deepest defensive lines in college football, he lined up in multiple spots and showed that he could make an impact from across the line. With three older siblings who also were college athletes, Hemingway developed his competitive toughness at a young age — that toughness is evident in the way he works to stay involved in plays. Undersized for interior work, he can be jarred off balance once engaged and tossed to the ground, so NFL offenses won't hesitate to run at him. Overall, Hemingway probably isn't going to have a ton of success as a pure take-on player in the NFL, but he moves well for his size and has a feel for keeping himself freed up to chase the football. His best fit will be in a scheme that helps keep him clean, potentially outside on the edge. Brugler had Hemingway ranted as a Round 6-7 prospect.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Raiders get another receiver, selecting Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton at pick 108, Round 4
Raiders get another receiver, selecting Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton at pick 108, Round 4 The Raiders entered day three with all their major needs addressed. But one major need that needed more than just one addition was wide receiver. The Raiders go after that with their pick at 108 in the fourth round, landing Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton. Here is what Dane Brugler said about Thornton in his The Beast Draft Guide: A two-year starter at Tennessee, Thornton was an outside receiver in head coach Josh Heupel's spread scheme (95.7 percent of his 2024 snaps came outside the numbers). A former top high school recruit, he spent two years at Oregon before transferring to Knoxville, where he was a low-volume target but a big-play ignitor (led the FBS with 25.4 yards per catch in 2024). A nine-route monster, Thornton has easy speed to quickly stack or eat up cushions, often forcing cornerbacks to get stuck when they underestimate the surface area he can cover with his long, powerful strides. His deep acceleration can make him a decoy and help open the underneath passing game, but his incomplete route tree currently limits what he can do. Overall, Thornton lacks versatility, but his gliding speed and ability to find another gear downfield could make him a big-play threat in a specified vertical role. His value as a prospect will vary from team to team. Brugler had Thornton as a round 5-6 pick and he was ranked at 161 on the Arif Hasan consensus big board. Thornton is a towering 6-5, 205 pounder, so he can be the X receiver the Raiders need.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
At pick 98 at the bottom of the third round the Raiders take Texas Tech T/G Caleb Rogers
At pick 98 at the bottom of the third round the Raiders take Texas Tech T/G Caleb Rogers With one of the picks the Raiders got in the trade down in the second round with the Dolphins, at 98 overall in the third round the Raiders select Texas Tech OL Caleb Rogers Here is what Dane Brugler said of him in his The Beast Draft Guide: A four-year starter at Texas Tech, Rogers worked primarily at right tackle in former offensive coordinator Zach Kittley's heavy-zone/counter scheme with some gap-based principles (pin-pull, etc.). With 4,331 offensive snaps in college, he is one of the most experienced players in this draft class — he made 55 straight starts across four different positions (and developed under three different offensive line coaches). With his loose movement skills, Rogers is efficient at reaching his landmarks to anchor in pass protection. He is at his best pulling in the run game when he can build momentum, locate targets and thump in space. Though his hands are heavy, his balance and pad level start to work against him when attempting to counter shifty rushers or sustain in the run game. Overall, Rogers needs continued technical refinement with his hands and posture, especially inside at guard, but his blend of foot quickness, play strength and competitive toughness create optimism for his pro transition. He projects as a versatile backup with spot-starter potential. He will compete at right tackle right away, but could also kick inside at guard if that's his best shot at seeing the field.
