We’ve finally made it. The 2026 NFL Draft is here. With decisions made and trades accepted, teams are ready to make their selections (or more trades!). We’ll have you covered throughout the draft with real NFL and fantasy football reactions. We have a live stream for Round 1 AND the entirety of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft. We’ll also be active on social media and via our Discord channel where you can join fellow football fans as we all enjoy the NFL Draft. Let’s dive into each pick of Round 1 of the NFL Draft along with draft grades and scouting reports for fantasy football-relevant players!
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Expert Consensus
- DBro’s Top 100 Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
2026 NFL Draft Round 1 Coverage
We’re going to share our draft grades for each pick of Round 1 below. Our analysts will each provide their grades, and we’ll share the consensus for each first-round selection in the table below.
NFL Draft Grades: Round 1
Round 1 Draft Picks & Analysis
1.01 – Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza (QB – Indiana)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Mendoza:
Mendoza has an easy, quick release. He has the necessary arm strength to make every throw required in the NFL. His touch and ball placement are strong. He leads his receivers on crossers well and doesn’t limit YAC opportunities while also being able to drop it in the bucket for go routes. He can sling it from multiple arm angles. His pocket presence is excellent. Mendoza doesn’t drift in the pocket. He will climb versus the rush and has no issues standing tall against incoming pressure to deliver the ball to his receivers. While he isn’t an electric athlete, Mendoza is a solid opportunistic scrambler. He can pick up a few yards with his legs when the situation calls for it. Mendoza isn’t an off-script artist, but he can make some plays outside of structure. It’s not a world that he seeks to live in and shouldn’t. There’s something to be said for being a “boring” quarterback that can be trusted to run an offense. He’ll have to adjust to tighter windows in the NFL. It’s not a consistent issue for Mendoza, but he did show some hesitancy pulling the trigger early in 2025 when faced with smaller throwing windows. He would pump and pat the ball at times, but he did improve in this aspect throughout the 2025 season, ripping it more consistently with confidence toward the end of the season. Mendoza didn’t work much under center, which will be a hurdle with his transition to the NFL with footwork, etc. It will help that last year, Klint Kubiak allowed Sam Darnold to work from shotgun on 63.3% of his dropbacks. Don’t be surprised if Kubiak bumps that rate up some for his rookie quarterback in 2026.
1.02 – New York Jets – David Bailey (Edge – Texas Tech)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Bailey:
A highly tenacious edge rusher who has the first-step, speed, and agility to threaten the edge on passing downs, and who brings the same motor in the run game as well, his excellent 2025 campaign has him in the high first-round conversation. At the same time, he’s not quite as clean of a prospect as his numbers would lead you to believe, and will need to continue to add functional strength, improve his pad level, and diversify his arsenal of rush moves/counters. Frame suggests he’s likely to be viewed as more of a rush linebacker than even-front base end.
1.03 – Arizona Cardinals – Jeremiyah Love (RB – Notre Dame)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Love:
Jeremiyah Love glides across the field. He has instant and easy elite acceleration. Love will monetarily pause after receiving a handoff with some runs before exploding upfield. He has the burst to get away with it. Love also has backbreaking home run speed with the ability to house any carry or screen. Love has an amazing combination of vision, patience, contact balance, and power with his frame. Love has no issues letting blocks set up in front of him before weaving through traffic. With his frame, Love flashes impressive finishing power with runs and interior rushing skill. He won’t be a player that is pulled at the goalline for a bruising power option. He can string together tackle-breaking moves without losing speed with impressive fluidity. Love is a spin move, samurai deploying the move to churn out a few extra yards. He’s made plenty of defenders look silly in the process. His creativity at the second-level can be jaw-dropping with jump cuts, spin moves, and some insane hurdles. Love should be a passing game weapon from Day 1 in the NFL. Since 2024, he has aligned in the slot or out wide with 10.6-16.6% of his snaps. He was tasked with wheels and angle routes in addition to the usual flats and dumpoffs. Love can also align in the slot or on the perimeter. His explosive short-area agility allows him to run routes like a true wide receiver. Love’s pass pro still needs some refinement. He has the play strength and base to be a trusted pass pro option from the jump in the NFL. With many reps, he’ll physically push a defender off course or out of the play path, but he also needs to work on anchoring down or latching onto a defender and driving them into the dirt. His technique will improve with more coaching in the NFL, but he has the skills to become one of the league’s best in this area. Since 2024, he has amassed 118 pass blocking snaps (per PFF), allowing zero sacks or quarterback hits and only four pressures.
1.04 – Tennessee Titans – Carnell Tate (WR – Ohio State)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Tate:
Tate is a fluid mover who looks like he’s gliding down the field at all times. He has easy, effortless acceleration and speed. Tate pulls away from corners on crossing and vertical routes. He has no issues stacking corners. Tate can threaten a defense at all three levels. Tate is a savvy route runner with an in-depth understanding of how to manipulate corners with a variety of pacing variations in his routes, head fakes, and jab steps. He loses little speed when linking these separation tools together. The snap at the top of his stems is crisp and sudden. Tate’s play strength shows up during routes and at the catch point. He has incredible body control to make difficult catches outside of his frame look easy and routine with arrogant hands. He snags the ball away from his body with a litany of sideline catches. Tate finishes college with a 68.8% contested catch rate and a 4% drop rate (including zero drops in his final season). One area that Tate will have to improve upon in the NFL is consistently beating press coverage. He can get hung up at times with physical corners that can get into his body and stall him. It’s not a consistent issue as he has plenty of high-level reps against press where corners flail as they attempt to slow him down, but it’s worth noting.
1.05 – New York Giants – Arvell Reese (EDGE – Ohio State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Reese:
One of the most versatile defenders in recent memory, Reese can defend the run between the tackles or flow sideline-to-sideline as a traditional off-ball linebacker, threaten the edge as a speed rusher on passing downs or shade over the slot and work in coverage. There appears to be divided opinion on whether Reese is primarily a linebacker or EDGE defender. The former seems to be a slightly better fit. Either way, Reese looks poised to be one of the top players off the board on draft day.
1.06 – Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) – Mansoor Delane (CB – LSU)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Delane:
One of the top prospects in this year’s class, he took major strides this past season, showcasing his excellent combination of height, length, technique, route recognition, and ball skills, traits which made him arguably college football’s premier man-cover corner in 2025. Consequently, looks like he should be able to step right in and start at the next level, with the upside of a number-one cornerback. Look for him to be among the first dozen picks off the board on draft day.
1.07 – Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles (LB – Ohio State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Styles:
A fascinating prospect in that he converted from defensive back to linebacker. However, Styles brings a highly physical and powerful style of play to the linebacker position, stepping into the hole, taking on and fighting through blocks, and providing reliable tackling.
Styles looks very comfortable executing a range of coverage assignments, with excellent awareness, positioning, and range on passing downs. Those traits should make him an easy first-round pick. Would be best on a creative, multiple front to showcase the versatility he offers.
1.08 – New Orleans Saints – Jordyn Tyson (WR – Arizona State)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Tyson:
Tyson looks like he’s gliding across the football field. He has effortless and easy acceleration, explosiveness, and fluidity to his movements. His change of direction without losing speed and snap at the top of his stem is fantastic. Tyson has a long medical track record with a horrible knee injury in 2022 (ACL, MCL, PCL), a broken collarbone in 2024, and a hamstring injury in 2025. I’m not concerned about the knee injury as he has since returned to the field and is three years or so past the injury. The collarbone injury is more of a freak thing than something to obsess over. If we want to knock him down because of the hamstring issue, ok, but I’m not. Tyson plays through contact well in his routes, but that type of play strength doesn’t show up consistently in all facets of his game. Tyson isn’t an elite YAC producer or a catch point dominator. He finishes his collegiate career with only 5.1 yards after the catch per reception over the last four years and 13 missed tackles since 2024. Tyson had only a 43.8% contested catch rate in his final collegiate season. He will win the battle for the ball against some corners, but he has to improve his consistency in this area if he wants to hit the top range of his NFL outcomes. Tyson has the raw ability to be the best wide receiver in this class, but he still has areas of growth that have to happen for that to occur. Tyson excels against off coverage with strong spatial awareness against zone. He has an electric first step off the line, which allows him to gain early separation on drag routes and crossers. Tyson can win all day with hitches, ins, and outs. Tyson needs to continue to hone his footwork with releases and at the top of his stem. There’s too much wasted footwork and TikTok qualities at times. His split release is a perfect example of this, as he has the raw athleticism to get away with some inefficient footwork. Tyson also needs to improve his in-route salesmanship with pacing variations, jab steps, etc. He can telegraph his next movements and breaks at times. This is especially evident with the vertical route tree, as he doesn’t consistently stack defenders. Because of his athleticism, he can, however, snap off a nice double move and get back to top speed quickly. Tyson has a big catch radius. He has plenty of diving and sliding catches on his film as he adjusts to low targets and balls outside of his frame. Tyson can also extend for targets above the rim, where he flashes nice late hands.
1.09 – Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) – Spencer Fano (OL – Utah)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Fano:
One of the most athletic right tackles you’ll see, with excellent body control, lateral quickness and range, plus a strong motor, which allows Fano to easily stick with opponents, even when executing difficult blocking assignments.
Fano’s versatility in the run game and ability to work on an island against explosive EDGE rushers should make him one of the top tackles off the board. Enjoyed more success at right tackle over the past two years than he did as a freshman left tackle. Wouldn’t be surprising if some teams viewed him primarily as a blindside protector.
1.10 – New York Giants (from Bengals) – Francis Mauigoa (OL – Miami)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Mauigoa:
A big, thick, experienced prospect who has the discipline, technique, work ethic, grip strength and anchor to step in right away as a starting right tackle in an in-line scheme, Mauigoa offers the consistent snap-to-snap play teams look for up front.
While Mauigoa may not be the quickest, most agile tackle prospect, he does a nice job of executing with his skillset, avoiding the issues with oversetting, lunging and waist-bending that plague some other prospects with his build.
1.11 – Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) – Caleb Downs (S – Ohio State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Downs:
One of the most disciplined, intelligent and consistent prospects in the class, Downs looks just as comfortable working down into the box to defend the run and tackle ball-carriers as he does working in different types of zone coverage, from traditional high-zone looks to zones closer to the line of scrimmage.
Downs might not have quite as sexy a highlight reel as some other top safeties in recent drafts, but he is probably safer and more well-rounded. Looks like a safe bet to be a high first-round pick and early, long-term starter.
1.12 – Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) – Kadyn Proctor (OL – Alabama)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Proctor:
As a former five-star recruit with size and athletic testing that few players can match, Proctor has been considered a future first-round pick for years now. While he certainly has the functional strength and movement skills to develop into a high-level starter at either tackle or guard, his tape is a bit more inconsistent than you’d like, without ideal body control or the most consistent positioning.
1.13 – Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) – Ty Simpson (QB – Alabama)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Simpson:
Simpson has the arm strength to make every throw required of an NFL quarterback. His ball placement and accuracy are erratic. Simpson will be locked in for a few throws and then sail or dirt an easy checkdown or toss a pass behind a receiver on a crossing route. His accuracy also suffers when he’s on the move. With his accuracy issues on the move and his statue-esque mobility, Simpson isn’t an off-script artist. He’s at his best when he can hit his three or five-step drop and fire the ball to a receiver when the back foot hits the ground. Many of Simpson’s second-level throws are on a line. He’ll need to improve with layering his passes to the second-level. There are some examples of this on film, but it’s not done with nearly enough regularity. Simpson will get stuck in his progressions. He’ll hang on his first read too long, way too often. He’ll miss wide receivers running wide open that are later in the progression. Simpson feels a tick behind on many plays because of his propensity to linger on his first read, but also because he operates as an extreme “see it throw it” quarterback. Receivers will snap off the top of their stem and flash open, and Simpson will then fire the ball in their direction. This won’t do on any level in the NFL with both of these tendencies holding him back. This will become even more pronounced with the speed and spacing of the NFL game. Simpson’s play against pressure is variable. He’ll step up in the pocket with composure at times or hang in the pocket and deliver an accurate ball when absorbing a big hit, but he also has concerning plays. Simpson will get happy feet versus pressure and bail workable pockets or rush his mechanics. He’ll need to become more of a steadying presence versus pressure to make it in the NFL with his lack of off-script artistry. Butter fingers impacted Simpson’s counting stats from his receiver depth chart last season. He dealt with the third-most drops among FBS signal callers (8.9% drop rate, 35th per PFF).
1.14 – Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane (OL – Penn State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Ioane:
A very thickly-built blocker with the type of lower body strength you’d like and a tough, physical on-field temperament, but who is actually surprisingly mobile for his size. Executed some difficult blocks in the Nittany Lions’ gap-based scheme.
At times, it didn’t seem like he was sustaining blocks or playing with the balance you’d expect given his physical and athletic traits, but he still offers pretty good snap-to-snap consistency. Probably the top true guard in the draft class. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to see how Ioane will fit into an in-line/gap scheme at the next level. Should be able to work his way into the starting lineup relatively early.
1.15 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE – Miami)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Bain:
A “bull in a china shop” style lineman who combines a very thick, strong build with an excellent motor, strong gap discipline in the run game, heavy hands, and outstanding pound-for-pound explosiveness. Those traits make him an obvious, high first-round value who should be able to step in right away and make an impact at the next level. Played in his ideal role in school: a two-gapping base defensive end in an even front.
1.16 – New York Jets (from Colts) – Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Sadiq:
Kenyon Sadiq should be a full-time starter for an NFL team from the jump. Not only does he deliver upside as a receiver, but Sadiq is a difference maker as a blocker. Sadiq can hold his area of grass with a strong anchor and high motor. Sadiq was also utilized as an edge-setting blocker and lead option with the running game for the backs and quarterback-designed runs. Sadiq has fluid hips that allow him to uncover at the top of his stems quickly. He has to improve his route running with the footwork at the top of his stems and his salesmanship during his routes. That isn’t to say that Sadiq is a bad route runner. That’s definitely not the case. He has the raw speed to easily pull away from corners during routes and up the seam. He flashes good ball tracking with downfield seam routes and impressive body control in the air. He has the play strength and above-the-rim skills that play well at the catch point and in the red zone. Sadiq’s catch radius is massive, with the skills to adjust to targets thrown low and behind him. He can operate as a dump-and-run option for an NFL passing attack with the ability to create yards after the catch. Sadiq can break tackles in the open field with strong contact balance and a thick lower half, which is great because he isn’t the twitchiest player with the ball in his hands. Sadiq can snap off a decent whip route, but it won’t blow you out of your shoes. The lack of suddenness in some of his change of direction and route running can improve as he hones his skills as a technician. He has the raw athleticism to improve.
1.17 – Detroit Lions – Blake Miller (OL – Clemson)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Miller:
The Clemson prospect is a very experienced and technically polished right tackle with impressive size and functional strength. Those traits make him one of the more consistently effective blockers in this year’s class. He may not be one of the sexiest tackle prospects from an athletic perspective, but he’s also a good enough mover to get out in space a bit and to protect the edge with form in the passing game.
1.18 – Minnesota Vikings – Caleb Banks (DL – Florida)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Banks:
A tall, thickly-built player with an impressive work rate, much better quickness than typical for his size, and plenty of functional strength, he has the versatility to play virtually anywhere along the defensive line, which should appeal to teams who like to mix things up schematically. At this point, health seems to be the biggest question mark, especially after he missed most of this past season with injury. If he checks out medically, he could draw some first-round interest, and it’s hard to imagine a player with his tools getting past the second round.
1.19 – Carolina Panthers – Monroe Freeling (OT – Georgia)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Freeling:
A big, physical blocker with an aggressive, rangy style of play, he offers impressive versatility in the run game and has the lateral quickness and anchor strength to protect the edge on passing downs. However, in his urgency to engage opponents, has a tendency to play outside of his frame, leading to issues with balance which cause him to fall off of more blocks than you’d like.
1.20 – Philadelphia Eagles (from Cowboys) – Makai Lemon (WR – USC)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Lemon:
Lemon will run the majority of his routes from the slot in the NFL, as he did in college (75.6% slot). His perimeter usage could depend on whether he’s closer to the 2024 or 2025 version of his play. In 2024, Lemon was a more explosive player in all facets (off the line, in route, and after the catch). He wasn’t nearly as twitchy in 2025, which could be related to a preseason injury he sustained or possibly adding some weight prior to the 2025 season. We’ll see what version of Lemon we get in the NFL, but if he’s closer to the 2025 version of himself, he could be a slot-confined receiver. Lemon isn’t a burner regardless of which season you’re discussing. He’s more quick than fast, though. He has the quick-twitch/short-area skills to produce with the ball in his hands after the catch. Lemon displays solid contact balance with the ability to break tackles and churn out yards with the ball. He has good vision in traffic as a runner. Lemon is a zone coverage Ginsu knife. He slices through zone with ease, with a firm understanding of finding space and pacing his routes well. Lemon’s snap at the top of his routes can be good, but not amazing at times, which allows corners to undercut his routes. He has to clean up his technique in this area. Lemon’s raw speed and the limitations in this area, and his route running, could limit him as a perimeter receiver and vertical threat. Lemon doesn’t routinely stack defenders with vertical route concepts as he puts the emphasis upon his ability to win with back shoulder throws and at the catch point. Lemon is strong at the catch point with the ability to high point the ball while flashing late hands. He had a 66.7% contested catch rate in 2025. Lemon isn’t a skyscraper, so despite the fact that he is strong at the catch point, his smaller catch radius could make it tough to live in a world in the NFL where he must dominate at the catch point. His hands are like vice grips, though, with a 2.8% drop rate in college (only four in college across 183 targets).
1.21 – Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Iheanachor (OT – Arizona State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Iheanachor:
A huge, very thickly-built right tackle who’s relatively new to the position but uses his excellent natural strength and surprising quickness to effectively wall off opponents in the run game, and to protect the edge on passing downs. While his late transition to football sometimes shows up in a lack of awareness against stunts/twists/blitzes up front, and while he doesn’t have the most range or versatility as a run blocker, there are some starting-level tools here for a gap-based scheme.
1.22 – Los Angeles Chargers – Akheem Mesidor (EDGE – Miami)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Mesidor:
One of the most violent, intense edges in the class, he combines impressive explosiveness with plenty of strength, an excellent motor, and surprisingly smooth edge-rushing skills, traits which could make him a starter in an aggressive one-gap front. Temperamentally, however, may not be a fit for every scheme, especially those which favor patience and discipline. Has early-round talent, but being significantly older than some of his peers could cause him to slide a bit in what is a deep defensive end class.
1.23 – Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles) – Malachi Lawrence (EDGE – UCF)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Lawrence:
A physical, intense EDGE rusher with good technique in his hands. Lawrence offers solid and above-average anchor strength in the run game and can mix in different moves as a pass-rusher, with nice flexibility and bend on those snaps.
Lawrence is perhaps not the most aware run defender at the moment, or the most explosive rusher, but there aren’t glaring flaws to his game, either.
1.24 – Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) – K.C. Concepcion (WR – Texas A&M)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Concepcion:
Concepcion has outside/inside versatility. He played in the slot 82.1-92.7% prior to 2025 before transitioning to the perimeter (65.3%) in his final season. Concepcion has the skill set to play either role in the NFL. His speed is immediate and palpable on film (high 4.3/low 4.4 40 speed). Concepcion explodes off the line and can easily stack corners on nine routes. He has good bend in his routes and can change directions without losing speed. Concepcion is a threat at all three levels of a defense. His first step is devastatingly quick, which allows him to earn easy separation on crossers and drag routes. One area that he can improve in his route running is his hip sink and decelerating at the top of his stem. He can be more efficient and sudden at the top of his stem on whip routes and comebacks. He has a varied release package off the line and the upper body strength to handle press. I don’t have any concerns with his ability to separate in the NFL against man and press coverage. Concepcion adds all the little bells and whistles to his routes like jab steps, variations in pacing, head fakes, etc. He sets up corners well and has a strong sense of leverage and route pacing against zone coverage, with the feel of where to sit down in zone. His play strength serves him well during routes and at the catch point. He isn’t knocked off his routes and can play through contact. During his final collegiate season, Concepcion had a 66.7% contested catch rate. He plays bigger than his listed size as a ball winner at the catch point and as a receiver who can make difficult shoestring catches and play above the rim. Concepcion is a YAC threat that can also be utilized in the manufactured touch department and run game. He finished his collegiate career with 431 rushing yards (6.2 yards per carry) while also ranking inside the top 33 in YAC per reception twice in his three collegiate seasons. Drops will be part of the conversation of his eval with a 10.3% drop rate or higher in his final two seasons. I’m not worried about his hands, though. There are far too many occasions in his film where he comes down with an immensely difficult catch, or he secures a pass and immediately is hit and holds onto the ball, that I’m not worried about his hands.
1.25 – Chicago Bears – Dillon Thieneman (S – Oregon)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Thieneman:
A very experienced safety and jack-of-all-trades who might not have the most elite athletic tools, but still manages to end up around the ball very often because of his impressive patience, instincts and recognition skills.
Thieneman is capable of working in high zones, shading over the slot and processing route combinations from off-coverage, or dropping down into the box and offering active run defense with reliable tackling. Those traits should make him a starter in the NFL. His best fit would be in a scheme that could take advantage of his versatility.
1.26 – Houston Texans (from Bills) – Keylan Rutledge (OG – Georgia Tech)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Rutledge:
A bit of a throwback lineman with a very strong build, plenty of power in his hands, and an aggressive, brawling temperament, but who also has impressive short-area quickness and range for the position which give him schematic versatility. As it currently stands, there are a bit too many sloppy reps on tape, so learning to harness his aggression and minimize balance issues should be a priority. Has starting-caliber tools, but might be frustrating if forced onto the field before he’s ironed out the kinks in his game.
1.27 – Miami Dolphins (from 49ers) – Chris Johnson (CB – San Diego State)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Johnson:
One of the most polished cornerbacks in the class from a mental and technical standpoint, he is well-built for the outside and shows the ability to play different techniques, with good patience, route recognition, ball skills, and tackling. He may not be quite as athletic or twitchy as some of the top cornerbacks in the class, but is a good enough athlete to match up against most receivers, and has the look of a future starter, whether at corner or safety.
1.28 – New England Patriots (from Bills) – Caleb Lomu (OT – Utah)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Lomu:
An impressive athlete with the explosiveness, speed, awareness and technique to execute a variety of assignments in the run game. Lomu is smooth and laterally quick enough to protect the edge against speed in the passing game.
While he’s not the most powerful blocker or the most flexible in the knees, Lomu’s strengths will likely have NFL teams viewing him as a potential starting left tackle.
1.29 – Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) – Peter Woods (DL – Clemson)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Woods:
One of the cleanest defensive tackle prospects you’re likely to see, with an outstanding combination of quickness, functional strength, awareness and block-shedding ability/technique that allows Woods to read and react in a two-gap role or create disruption as a gap-shooter.
Would probably function best as a two-gap three-technique on a four-man line, but looks to have a positionally/schematically versatile skillset.
1.30 – New York Jets (from 49ers) – Omar Cooper Jr. (WR – Indiana)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Cooper:
Cooper brings inside/outside versatility to the NFL. He was a full-time slot receiver in his final collegiate season after operating as a perimeter option in the two previous seasons. Cooper could easily operate as a 50/50 perimeter/slot receiver in the NFL. He has good burst off the line and impressive footwork and agility in a phone booth. Cooper is an underrated route runner with a strong release package. He can threaten a defense at all three levels with a nuanced understanding of leverage and route salesmanship with jab steps, pacing variations, etc.. Cooper has a firm understanding of how to attack zone coverage with the ability to drop his hips and deaccelerate quickly. He can be utilized downfield with good ball tracking and the ability to stack corners. Cooper has insane body control. His back of the end zone toe tapper versus Penn State last year will populate collegiate highlight reels for years to come. He has the ability to make a quarterback right when their ball placement is off. His catch radius is huge. Cooper has dependable hands. There are plenty of moments on film where he makes difficult snags or hauls in a reception and then immediately absorbs a big hit and manages to hold onto the ball. Cooper had only five drops in college (4.2% drop rate). Cooper can churn out YAC thanks to his tackle-breaking ability and a strong lower half. He can create odd angles for defenders and slip through the creases.
1.31 – Tennessee Titans (from Bills) – Keldric Faulk (EDGE – Auburn)
Matthew Jones shares his scouting report for Faulk:
One of the best-built defensive ends you’ll see, he entered the season looking destined to be one of the top prospects in the class but didn’t stuff the stat sheet as much as expected. Still, he offers an excellent combination of size, length, patience, awareness, technique, and anchor strength to two-gap in the run game, and his suddenness, lateral quickness, and hand use make him an effective pass-rusher as well. Would be best in a scheme which favors two-gap duties up front, whether that’s on the end of an even or odd front.
1.32 – Seattle Seahawks – Jadarian Price (RB – Notre Dame)
Derek Brown shares his scouting report for Price:
Price has easy and immediate acceleration. He doesn’t have a truly elite home run gear, but I won’t be surprised if his runs in the low to mid 4.4s in the 40 with a strong 10-yard split. The strong acceleration makes him appear shot out of a cannon on many runs. He’s a scheme-agnostic runner. Price has the contact balance and lower body strength to handle runs up the A gap while displaying the speed to consistently win the edge with stretch zone plays. Price has an awesome feel for pressing the line and exploding upfield. He can create yards for himself and make defenders look silly when he looks dead to rights with his short-area agility, vision, and decisiveness. Price is an adventure as a pass protector. He has more than a few reps where he was late on blitz pickup. If you’re asking him to redirect incoming rushers or chip a defender, Price looks competent, but tasking him with holding his area of grass and standing up a rusher is more of a tall order. Price has a limited resume as a pass catcher in college with only 18 targets, but when he was asked to catch passes, he displayed soft, dependable hands (zero drops) and looked comfortable doing so. He transitions well from receiver to runner immediately.
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