With the Tremendous Bowl far within the rearview, all NFL groups flip their consideration to the NFL Scouting Mix (Feb. 27-March 2), free company (March 12) and the NFL Draft (April 24-26).
Forward of the mix in Indianapolis, Yardbarker NFL writers choose one participant who every staff within the AFC ought to have on its radar. (2024 regular-season information and first-round draft positions are in parentheses.)
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (13-4 | First-round choose: No. 30) | South Carolina security Nick Emmanwori | NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein called the 6-foot-3, 227-pound security “a bodily specimen with uncommon dimension and excellent pace, able to enjoying excessive, contained in the field and even matching up with pass-catching tight ends.” Emmanwori had 4 interceptions (together with a pick-six) for South Carolina final season and would begin instantly if pending free agent Damar Hamlin indicators elsewhere.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-9 | First-round choose: No. 13) | Alabama guard Tyler Booker | Booker (6-foot-5, 325 kilos), a two-year starter and staff captain with Alabama, gave up one sack in school. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa took 21 sacks and missed six video games with head and hip accidents final season and will use assist now that guards Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones and Isaiah Wynn are about to change into free brokers.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-13 | First-round choose: No. 4) | LT Will Campbell |
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, New England ranked thirty first in pass-block win price (50.9 p.c) final season and allowed the fifth-most sacks (52) within the NFL. New head coach Mike Vrabel has mentioned the offensive line can be a high precedence for the Patriots, and the staff might do worse than a 6-foot-6, 323-pound consensus All-American who allowed solely 4 sacks in three years with LSU.
NEW YORK JETS (5-12 | First-round choose: No. 7) | Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart | The Jets want a QB to usher within the post-Aaron Rodgers period however haven’t any probability of touchdown high QB prospects Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami) with the seventh choose within the draft. Dart (6-foot-2, 225 kilos) could have a second-round grade, however with 11,970 yards and 81 touchdowns passing and one other 1,543 yards dashing for his school profession, the QB might give New York a dual-threat possibility it hasn’t had since Michael Vick performed 10 video games for the staff in 2014. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (10-7 | First-round choose: No. 20) | Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen | Very like former Saints RB Darren Sproles — who performed for Broncos HC Sean Payton from 2011-13 — Allen (6-foot, 201 kilos) is a multi-skilled again. In 13 video games in 2024, he had 20 touchdowns (16 dashing and 4 receiving) and 1,542 yards (1,021 dashing and 521 receiving).
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (15-2 | First-round choose: No. 31) | Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. | Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 occasions in 16 regular-season begins in 2024, so Ok.C. ought to think about concentrating on Conerly (6-foot-4, 310 kilos) to enhance its O-line. In a current scouting report, The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs compared Conerly to Buffalo Payments OT Dion Dawkins, a four-time Professional Bowler.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4-13 | First-round choose: No. 6) | Miami QB Cam Ward | Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders is also a good selection for the Raiders, however Ward (6-foot-2, 223 kilos) could also be a greater prospect. In 2024, he led the FBS in TD passes (39 in 13 video games) and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6 | First-round choose: No. 22) | Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka | Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh — a former Michigan coach — most likely wouldn’t thoughts having the Ohio State star on his staff. Egbuka (6-foot-1, 205 kilos) set a faculty report for receiving yards (2,868) in 4 seasons with the Buckeyes and will change into a dependable playmaker for Chargers QB Justin Herbert. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5 | First-round choose: No. 27) | Arizona OL Jonah Savaiinaea | The Ravens would possibly have to rebuild the offensive line this offseason with Ronnie Stanley, Patrick Mekari, Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland set to hit free company. Savaiinaea is a home on legs at 6-foot-5, 336 kilos, and he’s able to step in and contribute on the NFL degree instantly.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-8 | First-round choose: No. 17) | Penn State security Kevin Winston Jr. | Winston (6-foot-2, 205 kilos) isn’t the highest security on most draft boards, however that’s largely as a result of he missed a lot of the 2024 season with a torn ACL. He led the Nittany Lions in tackles (61, three for loss) and had 5 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries in 2023.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-14 | First-round choose: No. 2) | Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter | The Browns want a QB, however not one of the choices on this draft class really feel worthy of the No. 2 general choose. Carter (6-foot-3, 259 kilos), nonetheless, looks like a can’t-miss prospect and a Micah Parsons clone. Cleveland should bolster its go rush if it trades Myles Garrett.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7 | First-round choose: No. 21) | Iowa operating again Kaleb Johnson | Johnson (6-foot, 225 kilos) is coming off a junior season during which he led the Large Ten in dashing yards (1,537) and dashing touchdowns (21). With Najee Harris possible departing in free company, the Steelers might exchange him with Johnson, who looks like an ideal match for OC Arthur Smith’s scheme. — Jack Dougherty
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (10-7 | First-round choose: No. 25) | North Dakota State OL Gray Zabel | It’s no secret the Texans should tackle their offensive line, making Zabel (6-foot-6, 305 kilos) a participant Houston ought to watch carefully in Indy. Per Pro Football Focus, Zabel has spectacular versatility, enjoying all 5 positions on the O-line in his 5 seasons with the Bison.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-9 | First-round choose: No. 14) | Miami TE Elijah Arroyo | Arroyo (6-foot-4, 245 kilos) was one of many standouts on the Senior Bowl after a senior season during which he had 35 receptions for 590 yards (16.9 yards per catch) and 7 landing catches. If he makes one other stable impression on the mix, he would possibly already be dwelling in Indianapolis, which has tight end among its biggest needs.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-13 | First-round choose: No. 5) | Michigan CB Will Johnson | Jacksonville’s go protection was arguably the league’s worst in 2024. Johnson (6-foot-2, 202 kilos) is a shutdown nook with 9 profession interceptions. After being restricted due to accidents this previous season, he wants a robust mix efficiency to point out scouts he’s value a top-10 choose.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-14 | First-round choose: No. 1) | Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders | Per FanDuel, Miami QB Cam Ward is the betting favourite (-140) to listen to his title referred to as first in April’s NFL Draft, making the mix one of many remaining alternatives for Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 kilos) to make his case to the Titans. Sanders holds the FBS report for highest profession completion proportion (71.8 p.c), however he would possibly want to point out greater than accuracy in Indy to be Tennessee’s man. — Eric Smithling
