#34 | OL | Max Iheanachor | Arizona State

Ht: 6’ 5-7/8” (6057) | Wt: 321 | Hand: 9” | Arm: 33-7/8” | Wing: 83.25” | Ape: 1.07

2025 Stats: 860 Snaps | 0 SKs | 3 Hits | 8 Pen | 14 Pressures (12 Games)

Key Stats: 70.8 True Pass BG | 68.1 Zone BG | 0 Sacks

PFF: 66.8 RBG | 78.3 PBG | 72.5 Overall | 62.9 Gap Grade

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 4 | Previous Rank: #38

Max Iheanachor possesses a prototypical NFL offensive tackle frame. Measuring 6’5-7/8” weighing 321 pounds with 9-inch hands—a massive 83.25-inch wingspan. His 33-7/8” arms cross the critical threshold—mirroring premier NFL blindside protectors like Laremy Tunsil (6’5”, 313 lbs, 34.25” arms) and Tristan Wirfs (6’5”, 320 lbs, 34” arms). Iheanachor’s raw physical dimensions and weight distribution comfortably rank in the upper echelon of the 2026 offensive line group.

The film reveals an incredibly fluid athlete with elite lateral quickness and lower-half fluidity. Iheanachor excels in pass protection, posting a 78.3 pass-blocking efficiency rating across 860 snaps in 2025—allowing zero sacks and just three quarterback hits. He dictates matchups with a wide engagement radius, famously neutralizing Texas Tech’s elite edge rushers by surrendering just two pressures the entire game.

Despite these dominant flashes and a 98.5% pressure efficiency rate, his extreme rawness—having only played football since 2021—doesn’t necessarily preclude a first-round grade. He warrants a late 1st round pick for a team wanting the 5th year of control for cost control and development. An early-to-mid Day 2 selection is expected to be the latest where a franchise can capitalize on his elite physical profile without demanding Day-1 technical perfection.

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#35 | Edge/ILB | Cashius Howell | Texas A&M

Ht: 6’ 2-1/2” (6024) | Wt: 253 | Hand: 9.25” | Arm: 30.25” | 74.25” | Ape: .99

2025 Stats: 31 Tackles (20 Solo) | 11.5 sacks | 14 TFLs | 6 PBUs | 1 FF (13 Games)

Key Stats: 19.9% Pass Rush WR | 41 Pressures | 3 BPs | 27 Hurries | 21 Stops

PFF: 73.6 RDG / 90.3 PRG / 81.2 Overall

Red Flags: Short Arms | .99 Ape Index | Struggles Vs The Run | 3.1% Run Stop

Draft Stock: ⬇️ 7 | Previous Rank: #28

Producing one of the most statistically dominant seasons in Texas A&M history, Cashius Howell terrorized the SEC in 2025 with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 41 quarterback pressures. The unanimous All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year operates with a violently sudden first step, firing out of a two-point stance to immediately compromise blocking angles.

He wins the arc through elite ankle flexion and natural hip bend, consistently dipping entirely under the strike zone of opposing tackles. When his primary speed rush stalls, he flawlessly transitions into a lethal inside spin counter. Even when neutralized, he weaponizes high-end instincts to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage, guaranteeing backfield disruption.

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#36 | DT | Caleb Banks | Florida

Ht: 6’ 6-1/4” (6062) | Wt: 327 | Hand: 10.875” | Arm: 35” | Wing: 85.75” | Ape: 1.10

2024 Stats: 21 Tackles (10 Solo) | 7 TFLs | 4.5 SKs | 2 FF | 1 BP (12 Games)

Key Stats: 29 Pressures | 21 Hurries | 13 Stops | 8.3% PRWR

2024 PFF: 67.9 RDG / 73.2 PRG / 73.0 Overall

Red Flags: Foot Injury | Consistency Concerns | Missed Tackles

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 1 | Previous Rank: #37

Caleb Banks plays out of a 6‑foot‑6, 327‑pound frame with 35‑inch arms and an elite 1.10 ape index. He weaponized his overwhelming length and physical displacement power to generate knock‑back with his first strike and immediate post‑contact power. His first step is sudden for his size, and his club move creates clear breach points into the gaps—Banks doesn’t absorb blocks—he ragdolls interior linemen.

When firing off the ball as a 3-technique or an odd-front 5-technique, he starts hot with agile feet and violent hands. Banks wins reps early in the down by swiping past lunging guards or deploying raw attack strength to execute a heavy bull rush. His suddenness routinely destroys the geometry of the offensive line, disrupting run paths and backfield timing before plays can materialize.

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The NFL Draft is built on exact science, thousands of hours of film study and a whole lot of risk. But once in a generation, a prospect emerges who forces evaluators to tear up the scouting manual and simply trust their gut. This time it is a 306-pound force of nature carrying six percent body fat—with a vertical jump that defies gravity and zero snaps of organized, padded collegiate football. Enter Uar Bernard.

At the NFL’s HBCU showcase and throughout the 10-week International Player Pathway (IPP) training program in Fort Myers, Florida, the 21-year-old Nigerian defensive tackle didn’t just test well—he completely recalibrated the ceiling for human athletic performance in the trenches. He is raw and untrained, yet Bernard is a Day 3 draft target that Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes must aggressively pursue.

From Abuja to the IPP

Bernard did not spend his youth attending specialized defensive line camps or playing high school football under Friday night lights. Bernard was raised in a small Nigerian village where agriculture was the primary way of life.

He discovered basketball at 16, utilizing his massive frame for local school and club teams in Abuja. In 2023, a coach witnessed his overwhelming physical presence during a game and urged him to attend a local football camp. It was this suggestion that altered the course of his future.

Former New York Giants star Osi Umenyiora quickly identified Bernard’s upside, inviting him to the 2024 NFL Nigeria camp. That same year, Bernard’s sheer force made headlines when he won an Abuja weightlifting contest by deadlifting 666 pounds. Advancing to the 2025 NFL Africa camp in Cairo secured his ticket to the 2026 IPP class. For the past 10 weeks, he has literally slept in the gym under the guidance of trainer Jordan Luallen and former Wake Forest defensive line coach Dave Cohen.

1-of-1 Physical Profile

When evaluating Uar Bernard, the numbers border on the absolute limits of human physiology. According to verified measurements from the IPP program and the NFL’s HBCU showcase, his profile yields a flawless 10.00 Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

• Height/Weight: 6-foot-4 1/2, 306 pounds

• Body Composition: 6% body fat (a number that has left scouts and analysts stunned)

• Wingspan & Hands: 11-inch hands, nearly 36-inch arms

• Speed: 4.63-second 40-yard dash (featuring a jaw-dropping 1.60 10-yard split)

• Explosion: 39-inch vertical jump; 10-foot-10 broad jump

To put that into context: Bernard’s broad jump was a full 14 inches longer than any defensive tackle at the 2026 NFL Combine. Let me say that again—Bernard’s broad jump was a full 14 inches longer than any defensive tackle at the 2026 NFL Combine.

Trainer Jordan Luallen bluntly told The Athletic, “Hands down, he is the most explosive athlete I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The Detroit Lions Fit

The Detroit Lions are not in the business of drafting projects without a clear developmental runway, but Uar Bernard aligns perfectly with the specific philosophies of the front office and coaching staff. Here is why investing a Day 3 pick in Bernard makes undeniable sense for Detroit:

• Cultural Fit: Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell demand players willing to sacrifice and outwork their competition. Skyler Fulton, head of the NFL’s IPP program, noted Bernard’s unmatched determination, stating the young lineman was “sleeping in the gym, literally.” A player driven by the memory of his father and a daily phone call to his mother, who approaches a brand-new sport with a blue-collar mentality, perfectly embodies the Allen Park ethos.

• Scheme Alignment: Under Defensive Coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions’ defensive front requires point-of-attack strength and explosive, upfield penetration. Bernard’s 1.60 10-yard split demonstrates elite first-step quickness. He possesses the natural leverage and lower-body power required to drop anchor against double teams. While his hand-fighting technique is raw, his basketball background provides the lateral footwork necessary to eventually develop elite pass-rush counters.

• Roster Fit & Cap Impact: Drafting a raw, 306-pound defensive tackle with a late-round pick is the definition of a low-risk, high-reward investment. The NFL’s international development rules provide a 17th practice squad spot specifically designated for an international player. The Lions can secure Bernard’s rights and allow Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers to meticulously mold him over the next three seasons without burning a spot on the primary 53-man roster.

The Blueprint: Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah

The path for Uar Bernard already exists in Detroit’s football archives. Like Uar, Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah was a raw mold of clay when he arrived to the United States. Both crossed the Atlantic with zero football experience, trading the basketball court for the violent reality of the trenches.

Ansah arrived at BYU in 2008, didn’t play a down until 2010, and had to be taught how to put on shoulder pads. Three years later, his raw speed-to-power conversion made him the fifth overall pick by the Lions, evolving into a Pro Bowl pass rusher. Ansah proved that a lack of childhood muscle memory is irrelevant when the physical traits are overwhelming.

While Ansah entered the league as a 270-pound edge rusher relying on burst, Bernard is a 306-pound interior wrecking ball with 36” arms, carrying just 6 percent body fat and just posted a 39-inch vertical and effortless 10’10” broad jump. His speed is what will overwhelm interior guards the most initially. The Lions could simply use him as a “see ball-get ball” specialist.

If a defensive staff can harness his natural leverage and hand-fighting—just as Detroit did with Ansah—Bernard possesses the sheer physical capacity to evolve from a raw IPP prospect into a nightmare on Sunday’s.

The Verdict

Uar Bernard is a blank canvas painted with the most expensive athletic traits on the planet. He is learning how to play in pads, studying Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett on YouTube, and openly admitting his biggest hurdle is learning the intricacies of defensive line play.

Drafting him requires patience. But when a player stands 6-foot-4, weighs 306 pounds, and broad jumps nearly 11 feet, you do not let another franchise take the swing. With seven Day 3 picks (one 4th, and two in each of the 5th, 6th, & 7th rounds), the Lions have the coaching infrastructure, defensive scheme, and roster flexibility to take on this project. Investing a late-round pick in Uar Bernard isn’t just a dart throw; it is a calculated, high-upside acquisition of a prospect with a physical ceiling that has never been matched in the NFL.

Will Rock is an independent journalist covering the Detroit Lions for the Detroit Football Journal. Contact him at Mailbag@Rockedon.Com, join the chat or Follow him on X

Thank you for reading and please send it to a friend! ~ ~ Will Rock

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LB Damone Clark | Detroit Lions | 2026 NFL Free Agency Profile

Ht: 6’ 3” (6030) | Wt: 240 | Hand: 9.75” | Arm: 33” | Wing: 78.5” | Ape: 1.05
2025 Stats (DAL/HOU): 14 Games | 28 Tackles | 1 TFL | 0.5 Sacks | 131 ST Snaps
Career Stats: 55 Games (26 Starts) | 198 Tackles | 6 TFLs | 2 FF
Key Metrics 2023: 5.4% Missed Tackle Rate | 109 Tackles | 0 Games Missed
Contract: 1-Year (Terms Undisclosed) | Role: WILL LB / Core Special Teams

Former teammate Micah Parsons has consistently praised Clark's elite top-end speed and physical traits, famously telling the media during Clark's rookie year that the former LSU linebacker was actually faster than him. When fans debated the quote, the tracking data backed Parsons up. Next Gen Stats officially clocked Damone Clark hitting 22.19 MPH while chasing down quarterback Justin Fields in 2022—making it the fastest max speed ever recorded by a linebacker in the NGS era.

The Bio & Medical Background: Baton Rouge Iron Man

Beginning his football journey in Baton Rouge, Damone Clark developed a psychological callousness that would define his professional trajectory. Earning the prestigious No. 18 jersey at LSU—awarded only to the player who epitomizes the Tigers’ absolute standard of accountability—Clark produced a 135-tackle First-Team All-SEC campaign in 2021. However, his path hit a terrifying roadblock. Just prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, an MRI revealed a herniated disc requiring spinal fusion surgery. Dropping to the fifth round where Dallas selected him 176th overall, Clark defied the medical timeline. He returned to the field halfway through his rookie season.

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How does a corner entering the NFL heavily criticized for his historic lack of length survive in a league of giants with sub-29-inch arms? McCreary plays the position with violent anticipation—compensating for the physical limitations with elite route recognition—and rarely taking a false step. He doesn’t rely on rare measurables to blanket receivers; he is a spatial operator who shrinks passing windows through phase, mirror-match technique, and flawless positioning.

BIO & BACKGROUND

Emerging from the blue-collar city of Mobile, Alabama, McCreary a multisport standout at Williamson High School—he dominated as a safety and wide receiver, establishing a competitive drive that outweighed his three-star recruiting rank.

Arriving at Auburn in 2018, he faced an immediate developmental hurdle. The coaching staff shifted him to cornerback—a position he had never played—forcing him to learn the intricacies of man coverage against elite SEC speed. He silenced doubts during a sensational 2021 senior campaign, logging 14 pass breakups and earning First-Team All-American honors. Proving that football intelligence and technique conquer raw measurables, he posted a staggering 90.2 PFF coverage grade his senior year, establishing himself as a premier cover man. Today he stands as a “Positioning Savant,” a battle-tested veteran who carries the relentless preparation of his collegiate journey into every snap. He has transformed from an undersized project into one of the league’s most dependable inside-out coverage defenders.

AT-A-GLANCE

• STATUS: SIGNED (Detroit Lions)

• AGE: 26 | HEIGHT: 5-11 | WEIGHT: 190 lbs

• FORTY: 4.50 | HANDS: 9” | ARM: 28 7/8” | WING: 70 5/8”

• COLLEGE: Auburn (1st Team All-American)

• DRAFT YEAR: 2022 | ROUND: 2 | PICK: 35 (Tennessee Titans)

• CAREER EARNINGS: $10.8 Million (Spotrac)

• INJURY HISTORY: Hip/Groin strain (2025 - Placed on IR Nov 27, Returned Dec 29)

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#1 | RB | Jeremiyah Love | N. Dame

Ht: 6’ 0” (6000) | Wt: 212 | Hand: 9.125” | Arm: 32” | Wing: 78.625” | Ape 1.09 (RARE!)

2025 Stats: 163 / 1,372 Yds | 21 Total TDs (18 Rush / 3 Rec) | 1 Fumble

Key Stats: 127.5 Elusiveness | 56 Forced Missed Tackles | 4.5 Yds After Contact

PFF: 72.7 Rec Grade | 93.7 Rush Grade | 93.1 Overall | 84.5 Gap | 92.8 Zone

Draft Stock: ↙️↗️ No Change | Previous Rank: #1

The pre-draft tape already showcased a back who erupted with a highly productive 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Love is a verified home-run threat who rockets through interior entry points to stress missed run fits—averaging 4.5 yards after contact while forcing 56 missed tackles. The 2025 campaign churned up 21 TDs on 1,372 rushing yards—turning routine off-tackle concepts into 70-yard track meets. He shortens his stride to improve control, slamming the accelerator to escape rallying defenders with a 127.5 elusiveness rating. His 117.3 Speed Score confirms he generates terrifying mass and force at the point of contact.

Arriving at Lucas Oil Stadium, Love backed up his 2025 campaign by incinerating the track with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash. Clocking the exact same 40-time as Jahmyr Gibbs, Love confirmed his 53% collegiate breakaway rate was pure athletic dominance, not just a byproduct of elite blocking. Most analysts moved Love into a tier of his own, noting that he consistently plays even faster than his 4.36-second 40-yard dash. This play speed is defined by a rare ability to maintain maximum velocity while navigating traffic, a trait that separates elite home-run hitters from pure track athletes.

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#2 | LB | Sonny Styles | OSU

Ht: 6’5” (6050) | Wt: 244 | Hand: 10” | Arm: 32.875” | Wing: 80.875” | Ape: 1.05

2025 Stats: 82 Tackles | 1 Sack | 6.5 TFLs | 1 INT | 11 Pressures

Key Stats: 38 Stops | 75.8 Passer Rate | 2.2% Missed Tackle Rate

PFF: 87.4 CG | 65.1 Pass RG | 87.8 RDG | 87.9 Overall

Draft Stock: ↗️↙️ No Change | Previous Rank #2

Player Profile Snapshot

Sonny Styles is the prototype for the modern NFL “position-less” defender—a 244-pound eraser pairing an edge-rusher’s frame with a cornerback’s gimbaled hips. A former five-star safety who migrated to the second level to anchor the Buckeyes’ 2024 championship defense, Styles spent 2025 essentially eliminating the “missed tackle” from his vocabulary. Standing 6-foot-5 with a massive 1.05 Ape Index, he led the nation with a staggering 2.2% missed-tackle rate. Styles is a historic outlier, utilizing 32 7/8-inch arms to lock out linemen and erase vertical seams with elite lateral range.

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Editor’s Note (Updated 3.19.26 @ 1:35 PM): This article has been updated to correct underreported free-agent transaction totals initially pulled from third-party analytical sites. All data and contract metrics have been re-verified to reflect the complete and accurate roster transactions from 2021 through 2025 (Per Spotrac).

When General Manager Brad Holmes walked into the Detroit Lions’ facility in 2021, the salary cap was a crime scene. Massive dead money allocations suffocated the books. The depth chart was depleted, and the locker room lacked the requisite talent demanded by head coach Dan Campbell. To rebuild a franchise, they were going to start from the mud.

The Lions’ cap space prior to the new league year in 2021 was heavily in the red, anchored by a massive dead cap hit exceeding $84 million. Holmes had to architect a roster-building philosophy that operated with ruthless financial efficiency. He found his ultimate leverage point in the one-year contract.

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#3 | LB | Arvell Reese | OSU

Ht: 6’4-1/8” (6041) | Wt: 241 | Hand: 9.5” | Arm: 32.5” | Wing: 79.5” | Ape 1.04

2025 Stats: 69 tackles | 6.5 sacks | 10 TFLs | 2 PBUs | 0 INT | 23 Pressures

Key Stats: 30 Stops | 100.9 Passer Rate | 6% Missed Tackle Rate

PFF: 56.6 CG | 72.6 Pass RG | 87.0 RDG | 76.1 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬆️1 | Previous Rank #4

Player Profile Snapshot

At just 20 years old, Arvell Reese is a dynamic, 241-pound defensive weapon who is still actively filling out his frame. Operating with a highly proportional 1.04 Ape Index, with 32.5-inch arms, his length provides playmaking range a city block wide. While his arm length sits just under the preferred 33-inch threshold for pure perimeter edge rushers—it is more than sufficient for an off-ball linebacker, allowing him to deliver tone-setting hand strikes that explode into his targets and keep his pads clean. He possesses all the physical tools and baseline measurements required to become a premier NFL edge-setter.

Reese entered Indianapolis needing to validate his dynamic deployment potential as a Mike linebacker and a stand-up edge. He absolutely proved his tape is real, scorching the track with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. The combine verified that his kinetic, twitchy lateral movements and closing speed are rooted in top-tier athletic traits. He proved his collegiate production was fueled by genuine, NFL-caliber explosiveness, cementing his status as a fluid and fast defender who maximizes his attack on two-way goes.

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The Production Baseline

Entering the NFL as the 35th overall pick out of Auburn in 2022, Roger McCreary faced intense scrutiny regarding his 0th-percentile arm length (28 7/8 inches). Not only did he silence the critics by forcing his way onto the Tennessee Titans’ starting lineup as a rookie—he played all 17 games, logging 17 starts and 84 tackles. Week 15 of his rookie season—McCreary showcased his elite awareness and agility by jumping out of bounds to tip a Justin Herbert pass back into play for an assisted interception.

In 2023, he transitioned to the full-time starting nickelback, posting a career-high 86 tackles and two sacks, evolving into one of the league’s most consistent slot defenders.

In 2024, the Titans' aggressive offseason overhaul of their secondary—headlined by trading for L'Jarius Sneed and signing Chidobe Awuzie—pushed McCreary into a strict rotational slot role. Consequently, his defensive snap share dropped to just under 62 percent. Despite the reduced playing time and fluctuating usage, he remained a highly effective run defender and situational blitzer. Appearing in 15 games with seven starts, he recorded 50 tackles, one sack, and a pass deflection, proving he could maintain his physical tackling efficiency even when boxed out of an every-down role.

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#4 | EDGE | David Bailey | Texas Tech

Ht: 6’ 3-1/2” (6034) | Wt: 251 | Hand: 10.25” | Arm: 33.625” | Wing: 79.625” | Ape: 1.05

2025 Stats: 52 Tackles 14.5 Sacks | 19.5 TFLs | 73 Pressures | 3 FF | 3 PBUs

Key Stats: 21.6% Pass Rush WR | 9.0% Run Stop | 32 Stops | 42 Hurries

PFF: 76.4 RDG | 93.3 Pass RG | 92.4 Overall

Red Flags: 2024 Missed Tackle Rate | 20.7% | Career 15.8%

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 1 | Previous Rank #5

Player Profile Snapshot

David Bailey’s transfer from Stanford to Texas Tech triggered the most violent pass-rush campaign in the nation. Leading the country with 14.5 sacks and a lethal 21.6-percent pass-rush win rate, Bailey entered Indianapolis needing to prove his production was not simply a byproduct of the Big 12 offensive structure. He delivered a categorical statement, posting a 10-foot-9 broad jump and a blistering 1.51-second 10-yard split. Clocking a top speed of 22.91 MPH during his 40-yard dash, Bailey verified the rare closing burst required to hunt dual-threat quarterbacks from the backside.

Operating with functional length including the requisite 1.05 Ape Index, Bailey utilizes elite sequencing to deploy a lethal long-arm stab, seamlessly converting speed-to-power or disappearing underneath tackles with a high-end "ghost" technique. He is a tactician who understands exactly how to shorten the corner, reduce his surface area, and compress the pocket with professional precision.

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#5 | QB | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana

Ht: 6’ 4-3/4” (6046) | Wt: 236 | Hand: 9.5” | Arm: 31.875” | Wing: 76.75” | Ape: 1.06

2025 Stats: 3,535 Passing Yds (72% Comp) | 41 TD | 6 INT | 90/276 Rushing | 7 TD

Key Stats: 15.8% Pressure Sack Rate | 93.4 Deep | 92.2 Intermediate | 2.63 Avg TTT

PFF: 83.7 Passing Grade | 87.9 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 7 | Previous Ranking #12

Player Profile Snapshot

Before arriving in Bloomington Mendoza was the definition of a “just-a-guy.” Scouts viewed Mendoza as a low-ceiling prospect who struggled to elevate a team beyond its baseline. Over two seasons at Cal (2023–2024), he was mediocre at best, battling through a 6-7 record both years. While he showed flashes of accuracy, his production was middling: he totaled 30 passing touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 20 starts.

The 2025 transfer to Indiana is where Mendoza completely rewrote his evaluation, transforming from a turnover-prone starter into a Heisman Trophy-winning technician. Directing a historic 16-0 National Championship campaign, he decimated Big Ten defenses, throwing for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He capped off the run by setting Rose Bowl records with an 87.5-percent completion rate and a 250.2 passer rating against Alabama. The tape showcases a hyper-efficient processor operating perfectly on schedule.

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#6 | OT/G | Francis Mauigoa | Miami

Ht: 6’ 5-1/2” (6054) | Wt: 329 | Hand: 10.625” | Arm: 33.25” | Wing: 80.75” | Ape: 1.04

2025 Stats: 1034 Snaps | 3 Hits | 2 SKs Allowed | 9 Hurries | 5 PENs (16 Games)

Key Stats: 74.5 Gap Grade | 74.3 Zone Grade

PFF: 79.4 Run BG | 87.0 Pass BG | 83.6 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 3 | Previous Rank #9

Player Profile Snapshot

Francis Mauigoa operated as a 329-pound bulldozer for Miami in 2025, starting all 42 games (1,034 snaps) of his career without missing a single snap at right tackle. As the winner of the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy and a Consensus First-Team All-American, he anchored a unit that ranked No. 5 in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.63 per game).

The film showcases a premier pass-protector. Posting an 87.0 pass-block efficiency with just one sack allowed in 205 true pass sets (two total in 2025) is elite production. His 93.7% win rate in high-leverage situations ranks second among 2026 draft-eligible tackles, verifying his blue-chip technician status. Proficient in both gap and outside zone concepts, Mauigoa is a mauler with bad intentions climbing to the second level.

Arriving in Indianapolis to solidify his status as the draft's premium offensive tackle, Mauigoa’s official measurements at weigh-ins triggered immediate concern across league scouting departments.

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#8 | TE | Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon

Ht: 6’ 3-1/8” (6031) | Wt: 241 | Hand: 10” | Arm 31.5” | Wing: 78.25” | Ape: 1.04

2025 Stats: 51 Rec | 560 Yds (11.0 Y/R) | 8 TDs (14 Games)

Key Stats: 58.3% Contested CR | 145.5 PRWT

PFF: 72.1 Receiving Grade | 73.8 Overall | 66.3 Run Block Grade

Red Flags: 10.5% Drop Rate

Draft Stock ⬆️6 | Previous Rankings: #14

Kenyon Sadiq weaponized Oregon’s spread offense in 2025—claiming Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors—rewriting the Ducks’ record books with 51 catches and eight touchdowns. As a Mackey Award finalist, he operated as a lethal "move" mismatch—reinforcing his value as a QB’s best friend with a massive 145.5 passer rating when targeted. Evaluators arrived in Indianapolis to contextualize this historic efficiency against athletic benchmarks—searching for the verified traits to justify Sadiq potentially becoming the highest-drafted tight end since 2021.

Sadiq delivered a historic clinic—obliterating the all-time tight end 40-yard dash record with a 4.39. Off the turf, he overwhelmed front offices during “chalk talk”

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#7 | WR | Carnell Tate | Ohio State

Ht: 6’ 2-1/4” (6022) | Wt: 192 | Hand: 10.25” | Arm: 31.75” | Wing: 78” | Ape: 1.05

2025 Stats: 51 Rec | 875 Yds (17.2 Y/R) | 9 TDs

Key Stats: 85.7% Contested CR | 0% Drops | 150.5 PRWT

PFF: 90.2 RG | 90.3 Overall | 75.2 Vs Man

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 1 | Previous Rank #8

Player Profile Snapshot

Carnell Tate operated as a surgical operator at all three levels, the most refined tactical weapon in the 2025 Ohio State passing attack. Stepping out from the shadow of Jeremiah Smith—Tate made his quarterback’s job easy with a near-perfect 151.8 passer rating when targeted. Even after missing three games in 2025 with a calf strain—Tate still managed to separate himself as a premier go-to weapon—posting career highs across the board. Tate averaged 17.2 yards per reception while securing nine touchdowns—including five scores of 40-plus yards. His nine-catch, 183-yard destruction of Minnesota showcased a receiver who covers ground quickly with a long stride and attacks defender leverage with suddenness, earning second-team All-American honors.

Evaluators arrived in Indianapolis demanding verification of Tate’s top-end gear to justify a top-10 selection. Needing to prove that his play speed translated to the next level—Tate ran a 4.53 forty—slotting him 27th out of 34 receivers.

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#9 | CB | Mansoor Delane | LSU

Ht: 5’ 11-3/4” (5116) | Wt: 180 | Hand: 8.875” | Arm: 31” | Wing: 74.5” | Ape: 1.04

2025 Stats: 45 Tackles (26 Solo), 2 INTs, 11 PBUs

Key Stats: 89.1 Man CG | 76.7 Zone CG | 40% CRA | 31.3 PRWT

PFF: 74.4 Run DG | 66.40 Pass RG | 90.7 Coverage | 90.5 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 1 | Previous Rank #10

Player Profile Snapshot

After transferring to LSU, Mansoor Delane delivered a technical clinic in coverage during his 2025 campaign—translating elite route-pattern recognition directly into high-end production. Delane is a field general—a pure mirror-and-match tactician, pairing 45 tackles and 11 pass breakups with a suffocating 31.3 passer rating allowed when targeted. While his elite 89.1 man-coverage evaluation and calm footwork proved his sticky status in both man and zone concepts—his decision to opt out of athletic testing shifted the focus heavily toward his physical profile.

Measuring in with 30-inch arms, Delane’s length registers well below average for a boundary cornerback. On film, he utilizes leverage manipulation and advanced spatial awareness with violent hands at the line of scrimmage—manufacturing an advantage both in press alignments and at the catch point. The glaring concern is translation—how will he effectively carbon copy that exact technique at the next level against longer, stronger, and substantially more physical wide receivers?

Without top-tier extension, NFL offensive coordinators will look to stress his high-cut transitions and press-coverage consistency. Expect play-callers to intentionally isolate him against “X” receivers with superior catch radii who can out-reach his frame in contested-catch situations.

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#10 | WR | Makai Lemon | USC

Ht: 5’ 11-1/8” (5111) | Wt: 192 | Hand: 8.75” | Arm: 30.5” | Wing: 73.25” | Ape: 1.03

2025 Stats: 79 Rec | 1,156 Yds (14.6 Y/R) | 11 TDs (12 Games)

Key Stats: 66.7% Contested CR | 2.5% Drop Rate | 130.0 PRWT

PFF: 91.4 Receiving Grade | 90.8 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 3 | Previous Grade: #13

Player Profile Snapshot

Makai Lemon operated as USC’s most reliable target in 2025—translating his elite route-running directly into professional-grade production. His performance included 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. There are few slot technicians this surgical at dissecting zone coverages with the precision of a ten-year veteran. His efficiency metrics reflect a highly polished operator with advanced spatial awareness, boasting a 66.7% contested-catch rate, a highly reliable 2.5% drop rate, and a massive 130.0 passer rating when targeted. The film further showed leverage manipulation validating his high-level receiving evaluation—converting 65% of his targets into a fresh set of downs without wasted movement.

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#11 | Free Safety | Dillion Thieneman | Oregon

Ht: 6’ 0” (6000) | Wt: 201 | Hand: 9” | Arm: 31.375” | Wing: 78.125” | Ape: 1.09

2025 Stats: 96 Tackles (44 Solo) | 3.5 TFL | 2 INT | 5 PBU | 1Sk (15 Games)

Key Stats: 66.2 PRA | 17.2% Forced IR | 8.3% MTR | 18 Stops

PFF: 89.9 Overall | 90.5 Coverage | 81.0 PRG | 69.3 Run Defense

Draft Stock: ⬆️ 13 | Previous Ranking: #24

Player Profile Snapshot

Dillon Thieneman enters the 2026 NFL Draft evaluation cycle as a premier high-IQ tactician in the secondary, armed with the read-and-react traits to impact multiple phases of a defensive scheme. His 2025 campaign at Oregon translated elite mental processing directly into relentless production and surgical efficiency. Operating as the deep-third quarterback, he racked up 96 tackles, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Those baseline statistics are strictly validated by his advanced metrics, securing a dominant 90.5 coverage evaluation and allowing a suffocating 66.2 passer rating when targeted.

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#12 | Box Safety | Caleb Downs | Ohio State

Ht: 5’ 11-5/8” (5115) | Wt: 206 | Hand: 9.5” | Arm: 30.25” | Wing: 73.25” | Ape: 1.02

2025 Stats: 68 tackles, 1 Sack, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 5 TFLs

Key Stats: 7.7% Forced IR | 11.5% Missed Tackle | 47.9 Passer Rate Allowed

PFF: 83.0 RDG | 64.9 Pass RG | 87.0 CG | 83.9 Overall

Draft Stock: ⬇️9 | Previous Rank #3

Player Profile Snapshot

Caleb Downs enters the 2026 evaluation cycle as the premier processing safety in this draft class. Operating as the primary defensive chess piece for his unit, he plays with absolute zero hesitation. Widely considered the smartest defensive player on the board, his 2025 campaign perfectly synchronized elite mental processing with professional-grade production. He diagnoses route concepts pre-snap and consistently triggers downhill to erase passing windows before the quarterback even reaches the top of his drop.

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