I’ve taken the decision to publish an earlier-than-usual horizontal board this week (see above). This is in part because a.) I wanted something to distract us from the 49ers game and b.) I think there’s so much duff information being put out by draft media over the last few months, I want to lay down some firm thoughts on where I see players fitting into this class.
Let me stress, this is a very early board. I typically wouldn’t publish this until late November at the earliest. I’m just a bit bored of reading what I think are some pretty out-there draft takes and the only thing I’m giving you are 4-5000 word articles where a lot of you might prefer something a bit easier to digest.
There are grades on the board that I will adjust. There are also players I simply haven’t studied enough to include yet. So if you see a name missing, that’ll be why.
There are 117 names on the board currently. I’ve done more work on this class to this point than I’ve done on any previous class. That speaks, I think, to how interesting and intriguing it is — especially at the top end. I’m excited to scout these players — a massive difference compared to last year’s hugely underwhelming class.
I currently have 18 players graded as blue-chippers or clear first rounders. I have seven players after that in a range I consider ‘would be prepared to take in round one’. I would imagine that by the time the combine has concluded, I could easily have +20 legit first round graded prospects — something I’ve never had before. I also currently have 60 players I’d be happy to take before the end of round two. Again, that is far more than usual.
Take a look at the board. We’ll discuss it in more detail next week during the ‘mini-bye’ between Thursday Night Football and the Chiefs game.
Meanwhile, here are my latest draft notes from week six of college football…
UCLA vs Oregon
I felt coming into the summer there was no more overrated team than Oregon. Their depth was weaker than people realised, with a number of highly touted big name players who weren’t anywhere near as good as some people were suggesting.
That’s not to say they don’t have talent. Tight end Jamari Johnson is an interesting prospect, as is receiver Evan Stewart. They can both be very productive players in the NFL. However, in this game against UCLA they had no chance to make an impact. Oregon’s passing game was a disaster — with Dylan Raiola proving to be out of his depth (on this afternoon at least) before eventually finding himself on the bench. Dante Moore, who reminds me mostly of Josh Freeman as a prospect, remains out with the head injury he suffered against USC (and I hope he isn’t fast-tracked back into the line-up after this mess of a performance).
It was a good opportunity to watch Oregon’s defensive linemen though, in a bit of a slugfest matchup against an upstart unbeaten Bruins team. I’ve watched the tape (all-22) twice through and only came away more convinced by my low ratings for Oregon’s defenders.
Defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington is an athlete not a football player and it’s preposterous that he’s been ranked and graded as a potential first rounder. This is purely down to his athletic profile, which admittedly is rare. He’s 6-3 and 330lbs, can supposedly jump a 36-inch vertical and run nearly 21mph on the GPS. As Mazi Smith has shown though, what use is any of this if you can’t get the fundamentals right?
His run defense is nowhere near good enough for a man of his size and profile. His first step often seems to be sideways — why are you not moving forwards and taking on blockers, bullying them, dominating with your physical talent? He shouldn’t be trying to evade contact so often. Be the enforcer.
Perhaps it’s because he’s too easily manhandled by opposing interior linemen, as we saw again on Saturday. He exposes his chest and just leaves a nice big target for a jolting punch. He doesn’t use his own hands well enough and too often puts his head down to drive contact. He doesn’t do a good enough job disengaging and his first contact is rarely forceful enough.
When he plays on the outside shoulder he can use his quickness to penetrate and when he gets it right his bull-rush can be thunderous. It’s very easy to pick out five highlight plays over the last two years and say, ‘wow look at that’. But he’s nowhere near consistent enough — which is why he only had two sacks in 2025 and by October 14th hasn’t had one in 2026.
There are simply too many games where you barely notice he’s playing. He’s a player who really needs his entire game reconstructing to make the most of his tools. But you can’t gamble on that early in the draft, not within a deep looking class.
When we get to the combine or his pro-day no doubt everyone with marvel at his testing. Unless his tape improves though, it’ll be a mirage.
Bear Alexander plays next to him — another prospect who doesn’t justify the early round talk. He’s been a college football mercenary —- going from Georgia to USC and now Oregon. He’s listed at 6-3 and around 315lbs.
I think he’s just a very basic, average defensive tackle. He doesn’t show any real twitch as a pass rusher. He’s not a consistent gap shooter with great get-off. He can be too easily pushed backwards by guards, displacing him in the run game. He doesn’t have enough speed to be effective on stunts or trouble the outside shoulder to penetrate. His hand-use isn’t consistent enough and he doesn’t deliver a jolting blast to the chest to disrupt linemen.
Alexander seems to rely on absorbing initial contact then side-stepping blockers to fill gaps. As with Washington, I would rather him be the aggressor. Drive people backwards. A basic requirement at this position is your ability to effect the pocket by just driving blockers backwards and forcing the quarterback off his spot. Neither does this anywhere near enough.
He’s not quick or dynamic enough to be a finesse rusher to make up for it. He feels like the type of player who is two for a penny most years in the draft. I highly doubt he will impress at the combine, unlike his team-mate. He only has 6.5 sacks in five years of college football.
Off the edge you have another big name player in Matayo Uiagalelei. He’s listed at 6-5 and around 265lbs.
The first thing you notice is he lacks any kind of quick-twitch off the edge. You are not getting a bend-and-straighten specialist with amazing ankle flexion. But OK — he’s 265lbs and on the bigger side. He’s not Brian Burns. Maybe he’s a warrior against the run?
I expected violence and got ‘meh’. He feels hesitant, like he’s trying too hard to read everything then react. He also missed 21 tackles in 2024 and 2025. They move him around sometimes but he looks out of place when he moves inside — like a deer in the headlights. I expected a big, strong, powerful end and just came away underwhelmed. There’s nothing special here.
He doesn’t possess great straight-line pursuit speed. His pass-rush plan seems very limited. He gets stuck on blocks and lacks a potent counter. He just appears to be a very average player in all honesty. I didn’t see anything worthy of a high pick, whether on a skill, physical or technical level. The only thing I noted as a key positive is how he stands his ground well vs angled blocks.
Across from him is Teitum Tuioti. He’s a large looking EDGE listed at 6-3 and 263lbs with a thick frame. He’s really heavy on his feet feet and certainly not a ‘quick twitch’ pass rusher. He’s a get-your-head-down-and-run-forwards type at full tilt. He tries to barge his way through a line — pin balling off blockers, hoping to find a route through. For me it’s borderline whether he’ll be drafted.
UCLA tight end Brayden Loftin had 1v1 wins against Tuioti blocking. I really like Loftin but if he’s able to defend the edge against you, it’s not a good sign for your pro-prospects as a pass-rusher.
Tuioti shows stiffness in his movements and is never going to bend-and-straighten off the edge. It’s hard to see how he wins in the NFL — he’s just a bit of a plodder for Oregon. He has no real burst off the snap or any real pass rush plan. I won’t dispute his effort and hustle and he’ll give 100% — but he’s not a difference maker.
Finally there’s linebacker Devon Jackson. He’s 6-2 and 242lbs and has remarkably been timed running 24mph on the GPS. He can also reportedly jump a 40-inch vertical so he’s a special athlete. People will remember his big plays against Oklahoma State — chasing down Drew Mestermaker on his 75-yard run, forcing him out of bounds near the goal-line and saving his team four points (OkSt had to settle for a field goal after being stopped). He also ran a tipped pass back 96-yards in the same game for a pick-six.
His long speed is clearly better than his burst and short-area agility. He can be slow to react and run to the ball. He needs to do a better job shedding blocks and playing with more violence once engaged. His change of direction is laboured and he doesn’t come downhill to set a tone. He can be hesitant trying to read the play and he’s too easily blocked, then too content to sit on blocks.
When linemen reach up to the second level he gets taken for a ride. His pursuit speed when he has a clean run and a clear view of the ball-carrier is very good, which is to be expected with his profile.
The physical potential is there but he doesn’t play a glass-chewing brand of football. He’ll be drafted in the middle rounds for his profile and maybe you can tap into his rare combination of size and speed — but for me he and Washington both need their stock capped for having upside yet the tape needs to be a lot better.
What about the Bruins? Although UCLA is rejuvenated and winning, Nico Iamaleava hadn’t been playing at a level to really supercharge his stock. Now he’s expected to miss the rest of the college season due to an injury suffered in this game. He did deliver one wonderful layered throw to the right sideline with about 6:10 remaining in the first half against Oregon. He followed it up though with a stinking interception with 1:17 left in the half. I suspect he will now be forced to return to college next year to see if he can finally deliver on his significant talent.
I mentioned tight end Brayden Loftin. He is really, really good at blocking on key run plays. Given the way Seattle likes to play the game, he’s a name to remember.
Georgia vs Alabama was a strong NFL showcase (as expected)
This was a game loaded with future pro-players and potential high draft picks. Once again, Georgia linebacker Chris Cole stood out.
He had an early, patented stalk-and-chase that almost forced Alabama off the field (the quarterback just scrambled for a first down, getting there by inches on review). Shortly after he faked a drop in coverage, read the play and pursued the running back to drop him for a TFL. He had a delayed rush with 9:29 left in the third quarter, ran from deep, got around the right tackle and made the sack. He was so quick in his closing burst. On the same drive he almost had another sack, again with a delayed rush. It looked like he was spying but Keelon Russell shook him off to extend the play. However, most quarterbacks will get dropped there. On the same drive he played the edge and got his hands up to deflect a pass on third down to force a field goal attempt.
Cole just does everything — chase and pursuit, dropping into coverage, running to cover the flat, rushing the edge, attacking the interior of the LOS, filling in the run game. He is the definitive modern NFL player — capable of wearing so many different hats with excellent physical talent that is so rare within the league.
There is some perspective required. At the moment his reps off the edge lack refinement. You can tell it’s new to him. He doesn’t really have any plan, or any ability to set-up blockers. He doesn’t have a go-to move and really just tries to out-athlete tackles off the edge. If he’s going to take reps there, he’ll need coaching and time to make this a dangerous aspect of his pro-game.
Even so — he has the speed and length to work into an effective chess-piece who can deliver some pass-rush opportunities. Even if that doesn’t work into something he does a lot in the NFL, I can’t remember watching a player with his pursuit speed and size. It must be terrifying for opponents and he has the makings of a really exciting linebacker if nothing else.
I’m still very much of the belief that Alabama’s Ryan Coleman-Williams is the clear WR2 in this draft. In this game he took a dump-off behind the line of scrimmage, made a defender miss before leaping with his fantastic explosive power to launch himself over the line to gain for a first down. This is what a 43-inch vertical looks like on a football field. It was a special example of physical talent.
Later in the game he landed awkwardly after an attempted red zone catch with seconds left in the first half. He was already wearing a knee brace going into the game and limped off the field. He came back out for the second half but did not look healthy. On the plus side, this was another drop-free game. If that was his big issue from last season, it hasn’t been a problem this year. So how long will it be before people start acknowledging just how talented he is? His potential is through the roof.
Josh Ford the popular Alabama tight end played the game with a broken arm and was getting stuck right in as a blocker. It was very impressive. You can win with guys like this. He’s only a junior but for future blocking-TE’s fitting the Seahawks’ preferred brand of football, this might be a name to remember.
Georgia safety KJ Bolden saved a touchdown by chasing down a long run by the running back. He took a good angle on the recovery, showing ample speed. He also levelled an opponent early in the game. Bolden consistently plays tough and physical. He flies downfield when he diagnoses what’s happening. Georgia were content leaving him in single-high coverage for sections of this game. When he runs downfield he’s adept at positioning himself well to take away receivers running routes in behind him, then sprinting to the ball-carrier when it’s inevitably checked down.
I don’t think he’s going to be a big playmaker at the next level. He’s not an interception machine, eraser type coverage safety. He has a good blend of size, toughness, want-to, speed and versatility to be a regular starter at the next level. His position isn’t typically valued in the draft these days but he could and should be a top-42 pick.
Alabama’s safety Bray Hubbard had a really instinctive play on an interception. He read the RPO, reached an arm out to deflect the pass into the air and then caught the deflection himself. Hubbard has stiffness running in space and although he’s considered a good athlete, he’s always going to be better working in short areas. He also didn’t make a key tackle late in the game on a big run. I see him as more of a mid-round type.
Alabama’s versatile defensive lineman Devan Thompkins had a good play where he split the tight end and right tackle with quickness to slip through the line and force a running play TFL. He played the run well in this game, which was good to see. He’s flashed plenty as a pass-rusher already this year. Testing will determine the level of his upside but he’s done a good job for his size playing both defensive end and the interior.
Outside linebacker Yhonzae Pierre had a sack but he was completely unblocked and had a free run to the quarterback. I didn’t feel Pierre as a pass-rusher in this game but he played the run in his usual style. He does feel very much like a Seahawks OLB. He’s got the size, looks the part and he plays the run well. He’s just not the most blistering sack-specialist or difference maker off the edge. I can imagine the Seahawks having interest in him though.
There were two potential first round cornerbacks on the field. Alabama’s Zabien Brown did a good job coming up to the line to play the run, with one really good run-blitz. He gave up three receptions on four targets but limited the damage to 26 yards.
Georgia’s Ellis Robinson IV wasn’t really tested and gave up one six-yard reception on three targets. He had a really good open field tackle on the quarterback after he broke contain. He was often matched up with Coleman-Williams and did an excellent job in mirror coverage, playing up in his grill and not being beat off the snap. When RCW drove downfield he often stuck with him, comfortably enough to round off on the inevitable comeback when separation wasn’t achieved. When he played off-coverage they’d often run the ball instead — it would’ve been nice to see his closing speed on such a dynamic target like RCW. His backpedal and transition was smooth when having to drop and then change direction on the post. He has an excellent chance to be the second cornerback drafted.
I’ve seen a few people mention Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton in the comments. I think he’s one of the most underrated players in college football. He’s extremely effective as a passer and scrambler and for a loaded team like Georgia, he’s very capable of producing enough plays per game to put points on the board and complement the defense.
In terms of the draft, he doesn’t have the size or the physical tools (despite being a strong runner) to imagine he’ll be a high pick or necessarily a starter at any point. I think he’s the kind of player who might get taken in round four or five, especially if he can go on and win a National Championship, and he’ll have a chance to see if he can make things stick in the league.
Other notes from Saturday
— I think Ole Miss receiver Deuce Alexander is a top-25 talent in this class at the moment. He had another excellent touchdown against Vanderbilt on Saturday. It was a 39-yard score —- the safety is terrified of his deep speed and he knows it so he fakes to run downfield then breaks off to go across the field. He catches the football at the left hash 20-yards downfield, turns the final defender and then just leaves him for dead — racing the final 20 yards to the end zone. He then makes one final defender miss at the goal-line to score. On another ball thrown to the outside, he side-steps the covering defender with ease, cuts past another defender and accelerated for a first down. It’s a top level play showing off his special quickness and suddenness. Players with his speed and dynamism are always enticing.
— South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart had a tremendous sack with four minutes left in the first quarter vs Florida, marking his return to the field. It was on a third down and forced a punt. Clearly he’s quite immature but his ability to dip and bend with his length and quickness, plus the physicality he’s shown against the run when he’s been on the field, make him arguably the third or fourth best draft eligible player. Maybe even the second best, frankly. The suspension by his team was more a necessary teaching point rather than a long-term assessment of his draft status. I’m telling you — he will go in the top-eight picks next April and could easily go in the top-five. This isn’t a Jalen Carter character flag problem. This is a player who seems to have generated some entitlement, needs to grow up a bit and perhaps has had a hard time dealing with how poor South Carolina have been this season. You simply don’t see many players like this coming into the NFL and he will be coveted.
— Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestermaker continues to really impress. I think he’d be better off continuing to play football in college, adding needed experience, rather than thinking of turning pro in 2027. There are a few quarterbacks in the same boat. Yet there’s no doubt he’s playing at a standard way beyond a lot of the other over-hyped college QB’s. One play stood out to me. It was 4th and 5 with seven mins left in the first quarter. Mestermaker stood tall in the pocket, took a massive hit and still delivered an on-time, accurate pass for a key first down. He consistently plays well under pressure, appearing poised and accurate. It might not be that exciting but he has a Daniel Jones feel to him in my opinion. Perhaps he has a little bit more upside in his arm but that’s who I thought of. Jones, and therefore Mestermaker, aren’t going to revolutionise the NFL. But they both might end up being appreciated starters.
— I continue to be impressed with USC quarterback Jayden Maiava. Every week there is clear evidence of him going through progressions (unlike most college quarterbacks). He also makes big plays consistently on third down. Away at Penn State he delivered a big first quarter conversion on a 3rd and 4 on the way to a score. He also had an incredible 3rd and 7 conversion with 4:37 left in the first half. He scrambled to his right to extend the play then threw on the run, delivering a pass between two defenders that travelled 50 yards in the air right on the money to the receiver. It’s a top, top level throw. I’ve questioned his physical upside at times but that was a play to suggest it might not be much of a concern after all. He had another touchdown on 3rd and goal at the 10 yard line. It was a congested red zone but he made two clear progressions. He was well protected and executed to score a touchdown to put USC eight points ahead. Increasingly I would say if you need a quarterback — draft another position early then go after Maiava on day two.
— Arch Manning made some nice plays for Texas in their loss to Oklahoma. He also threw two hopeless interceptions late in the game, including a back-breaking pick-six and another interception when driving to try and win the game (ultimately handing that opportunity to Oklahoma instead — and they took it). I’ll say it for the 47th time in the last month — he’s a first name pick only because of the name on the back of his jersey. He is not playing anywhere close to that level. Draft media, who’ve consistently had him in the top-five of mocks and big boards, seemingly are giving up the ghost and are coming to terms with reality. At this stage it seems almost certain he won’t declare and will return for another season in college in 2027. I’m not sure it’ll make much difference. I don’t think he’s a NFL starter. He’s just too hesitant, he doesn’t see the field well enough and his accuracy is way too inconsistent. Too many people have been fooled by his second name.
— LaNorris Sellers was a lot better against slumping Florida on Saturday, who got whipped in the trenches for the second straight game. He was far more competent as a passer and really used his mobility and speed to great effect. This is how Sellers has to play. If he can put together six weeks of this form, he might save his Head Coach and re-establish any hope of being in the 2027 draft, rather than facing the need to prolong his college career (probably with a new team). What he showed on Saturday was tantalising. Now let’s see more of it. If I had to guess, we’ll probably see him turn up in Miami next year to do what Cam Ward, Carson Beck and now Darian Mensah are doing.
— Two defensive linemen I’ve been talking up a lot — Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace at Kentucky and Emmanuel Oyebadejo at Florida — both flashed again at the weekend. Oyebadejo had another sack and that’s now five in five games in his first season in the SEC. He’s 6-7 and 300lbs and has incredible upside potential. He’s not the finished article and I’m sure he would admit that (he missed some tackles at the weekend) but the physical upside with his size, length and athleticism is top level. Humphrey-Grace had four hurries against LSU and has really stepped up to the plate for UK.
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