Ell's 2025 NFL Draft Grades: AFC South

Ell's 2025 NFL Draft Grades for the AFC South. Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston Texans. 

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, fundamentals and techniques, that's the key. Right sixty minutes,
right sixty minus. Thanks for the AFC South, I gave

(00:28):
it the Titans B plus. Of course. With the number
one overall pick, pick quarterback cam Ward out of Miami.
I've been a camp Ward fan since I saw him
at Washington State. Basically, he was a player that spent
time in JUCO as the top player in the JUCO.
He was a tip player at Washington State while he

(00:48):
was there. Then he was the top player again at Miami.
So he's just used to being that guy. So he
is soft spoken, but he's still a leader. Definitely a
big arm guy to make all the throws. He does
stay pretty calm in the pocket, but they just like
to see more consistency into the accuracy overall, but he

(01:08):
has shown the tendency to come up in the clutch.
So far has been good reviews about him coming out
of the camp, how smart he is, and of course
his leadership. It was so far, so good on that pick.
Then in the second round they went with Edge Russia
Alaba Femi O Ladijo out of UCLA, so they consider
them more of an edge rusher, but I see him

(01:30):
more as a pair of linebacker. They can definitely stop
the run. Right strong guy with good size, or because
he's tall and lanky. They did move him more of
the edge to try to get more pass rush out
of him. But I think he's a guy that you
can put keep outside of the middle linebacker to stop
the run and eventually he'll get better at the pass rush.
He's a little stiff to me, but I think you

(01:53):
know he can be a three down linebacker overall. I
said the past rush would come and just need to
continue to develop pass rush moves an increases awareness overall.
If I like him as a player, I think eventually
he'll be a three down starter. So he provide death
for now. Then in the third round with safety Kevin
Winston Jr. Out of Penn State. He was one of

(02:15):
my higher rated safeties and said this was the kind
of weak safety draft. But Winston could have went a
lot higher, but he got hurt last season. He's basically
one of those physical enforces. Did you prefer in the box?
Definitely don't mind coming down laying it hit, more like
an extra linebacker. He does have pretty good coverage too.
Not really a guy you want to leave on the

(02:36):
island in the back end, but I think eventually he'll
be a start at the position. He's need to improve
his awareness playing some technique issues, mostly in coverage. Say
he is a solid tackler overall, so I can see
him being a playmaker on the defense. Then in the
fourth round with a wide receiver Chim Mayor DK out

(02:58):
of University of Florida. He tested well with good speed
and he has good side for the position, so he
does have number two potential, but he's more of a
slot mismatch guy would be perfect for him, but I
watched him play out of the slot when he was
at Florida. He just a player they kept going to
mostly in the clutch too. I mean they say he

(03:19):
plays at one speed, which is kind of issue. Just
always plays fast, but he finds a way to get open.
He's very good in his space, even though they like
to see him doing more after the catch. But he
gives special teams value as a return man as well.
And with the Titans, the legal wide receive was I
could definitely see him moving up the depth chart pretty
easy because the season goes along. They just like to

(03:42):
see more consistency in his hands. Improving that he's more
than just a deep threat player. But I think he'll
match you well with cam Ward in the system. Then
they went with tight end Gonna Helm out of Texas.
He was another player that I mentioned that I liked,
but he had a bad showing at the scouting combine,
actually getting hurt Roilet running his forty and running the

(04:02):
slow forty. I sound more of his like a six
to five mismatch type guy, you know, one of those
go to tight ends that can definitely go up and
get it. You just wanted to see him add some
strength and improve as a blocker. But coming from Texas,
he does know how to block by saying he would
need more strength on his frame in the NFL, but

(04:27):
like the potential here and they don't had to start
him out of the gate, so he'll provide depth for now.
Then then again in the fourth round, get a wide
receiver Eli a minor out of Stanford. He's a player
that list is one of my sleepers. He basically broke
out in the game against Colorado, put his name with
the map, even with Travis Hunter guarding him. He had

(04:48):
two hundred plus yards in the game and Stanford didn't
ever really give him the best of quarterback play, but
he's not really the fastest kind of possession guy, so
you kind of like him inside and outside. Basically number
two wide receive potential, said another guy. That could be
more aslot mismatch, but you wouldn't mind him as the
number two. But he just needs to show that he

(05:10):
can get constant separation and clean up some technique issues.
But I believe in him so solid picked that to
me late. Then in the fifth round they went with
god Jackson Slater out of Sacramento Steak. He his small
school prospect with good size and strength for the position,

(05:33):
but he needs to clean up his technique in his
footwork or he'll be more developmental at this point, while
providing death in two positions. Then in the sixth round
they will with cornerback Marcus Harris out of the University
of cal He's a speedy, physical cornerback. It probably fit

(05:55):
best in the nickel, but he could play some outside.
He's need to continue to develop by improving his technique
and his awareness, so they provide definite position as well.
And for the last pick in the sixth round, they
took running back Kalel Mullins out of Michigan. He was
a player that I thought the Chargers might grab because

(06:18):
of hardball and they were looking for a power back.
But Mullins is just a pure power back, good size
for the position, but he doesn't offer my speed. But
the good thing about him he wasn't really used sitting
behind Blake corn and Donovan Ewards, so he's more of
that number two guy that just came when teams were
worn down and weigh you down. So I think he

(06:40):
could do the same in the league, just come down
to change the pace back and then maybe even a
goal line back. So if he plays like he did
to Michigan, he kind of give him some drek henries
vibes the way he runs as he's looking for the contact.
But he's like to see him be a little bit
more elusive, so he also provide death. So said slid

(07:05):
draft there gave it the bet. Plus I think they
got their quarterback in the future cam Ward. So all
the days, y'all, I believe is a three down start linebacker.
Eventually Kevin Winston Jr. Starting strong safety eventually. Jimmy and
DK said slot wide receiver gadget got potential, also get

(07:25):
you value in the special teams. Right now you got
a held, solid pass catching tight end. The would be
number two number three for now he look at your
minor another wide receiving number two number three potential position
the need for them Slater by death inside guard and
center Paris will provide deafite corner another position in need,

(07:50):
and Mudlins to give him a power back add to
the running back mix. So I like what they did there.
Next for the Endiapolis coach, I gave him a c.
They started up in the first round with the obvious
pick that was linked to him taking tight end Tyler
Warren out of Penn State. He was the best tight

(08:11):
end in the draft of me. Just a movable piece.
The guy today even let throw the ball sometimes and
line up in the back is a running back. They
kind of gave you some Mark Andrew type vibes that'd
be a good camp for him. But slid pass catcher,
just an athletic player overall, just knowing to be a
competitive guy. I mean he did metch out with short

(08:33):
arms which probably wouldn't mat him and just need to
clean up his technique as a blocker, so he should
be a starter right out the gate. Is the tight
end position much needed, where a lot of people had
him mocked. He including myself in the second round doing
with Edge Russia DT Twoomalo out of Ohio State. He's

(08:56):
a player that went back for another year. Could have
left last year, but his value didn't drop. He still
around the second round late first so he went back
to win the championship. But just a solid overall player
who can stop to run. Definitely improving Edge Russia. I
see him more as a per defensive end than an

(09:17):
Edge Russia because he does have the size for the position.
But they just need to clean up some technique issues
and they could see to approve his past rush moves
because he's more of a power guy than a speed guy.
In the third round, they won cornerback Justin Whaley out
of University of Minnesota. Rarely's experienced college cornerback who played

(09:40):
outside in college, but he might to move inside in
the league because of his sure arms. He's a player
with good footwork, so a physical man coverage corner, but
he just need to clean up his technique and cut
down on the penalties. They kind of see him as
being overdrafted here byderstand it was a position need for
them despite the addition in the off season, so he

(10:03):
provide good depth for him. Then in the fourth round
they want to tackle Jalen Travis out of Iowa State.
He was the second sixth eight guy in the draft
at tackle. He was more of a swing tackle in college,
playing left and the right side, but of course being
six eight, need help with his bend or his leverage

(10:26):
if they usually have, you know, knee problems of dead size,
trying to get low like the other guys. But he
comes from a basketball family. It's an all row athletic
type guy. They just need to clean him some technique
issues and improve his run blocking, so he do the
same similar colleges. Provide death the left and right tackle spots,

(10:48):
but he's still developmental. In the fifth round, they were
running back DJ Giddings out of Kansas State. He's a
productive college back with good size, but he just lacked
that home run speed. He's done a good job of
holding on to the football with only one fumble over

(11:09):
the last two seasons, showing good ball security, and he's
known for being a patient runner who knows how to
follow his blocks. So I see him more as a
one B running back. Just need to improve his blocking
and pass catching. So I think he's somebody that you
could pay her with another back, so more than number

(11:30):
two to come in and wear teams down, but should
be solid in this system and he can provide great
in showings for Jonathan Taylor. Next, in the sixth round,
they went with quarterback Riley Leonard. I didn't know the Dame.
He was a solid player at Dude. He played pretty
well for nother Dame, you know, as they lost in
the championship. Not really the most athletic guy, but he

(11:54):
is a dual threat, definitely leave the pocket if needed,
good size for the position, in a solid arm. Even
though they like to see him though by the deep ball,
he is pretty consistent picking your part, but they didn't
like to see him add some strength and see a
lot more consistency in his game as far as accuracy.

(12:14):
But he does a good job of reading plays and
awareness you know what's going on. So I like him
as a solid number two potential quarterback with spot started potential,
I should say, but I think he'll be a solid
backup anyone. With defensive tackle Tim Smith out of Alabama.
He's a strong defensive tackle with good size, but he

(12:37):
got short arms, so at this point more of a
space eater and per run stopper. He's just no more
than a dirty work guy. We should eventually work his
way into the rotation. He lacks the quickness to really
provide much pass rush. I say it be more of
a run stopper, spacey eaters guy, but he should be

(12:58):
able to play on specialty and provide death, so that
should help earn his spot. The last in the seventh
round with linebacker Hunting Wola out of Wisconsin. He's more
of a linebacker safety hybrid more so, and his potential
as a box safety because of his ability to cover

(13:20):
tight ends, but he lacks to speed to possibly stay
on the field as a starter, so he might be
more of a movable piece. Where they considered like a
dime safety, he's more like an undersized linebacker. He should
earn his spot through special teams and that should earn
his keepers he continues to develop. I said average draft

(13:44):
to me. I gave it a C thought it could
have been a little bit better. I do like the
Tyler Warren pick, you know, tighter and much needed. JT. Tamala,
so he should give him some good death. He's more
built like the players they like off the edge, so
I think they'll know exactly what to do with him.
To Justin Wheeley provide deaf a cornerback, Jalen Travis big tackle,

(14:09):
should provide death. Not really sure started potential in either
one of them. The DJ getting solid running back that
should provide good depth to say more as a number two,
but Salad picked there. Riley Lennard more of a number
two quarterback. But I like to pick as well, so
I liked him from Duke and know the Dame, the

(14:32):
Tim Smith space eed of run stopper, special teams guy
providing death, Hunter Wooler, It's an undersized linebacker, possibly strong safety,
definitely special teams guy. I just felt like they just
need a little bit more as a team trying to
take the next step. Then a lot of deaf guys.

(14:52):
You know, Warren is basically the only guy you're definitely
getting starting and to a malof inserted into the rotation
as an edge rusher, but just not enough for me.
Next for the Jaguars. Next for the Jacksonville Jaguars, I
gave him a C minus, so I wanted to give
him a C, but I had to dock him just

(15:12):
for using a pick to move up to get Travis Hunter.
I'm gonna started there, of course, get traded up, get cornerback,
wide receiver Travis Hunter out of Colorado. It sounds like
they're planning to use him more as a wide receiver.
I like him best as a cornerback, especially have the
release of Gave Davis. Definitely seems like the old U

(15:33):
be especially have the release of Gave Davis. It sounds
like they'll be using Hunter more wide receiver, but overall
not playing the draft to me, forrier athletics, just ability
to play both sides and give an opportunity to play
both sides in the league. Show you how special years
As far as a wide receiver, he just need to

(15:54):
improve his route running. He was more of a gadget
guy in college. You know, most people might not see
it that way, but just being overall athletically better than
anybody else. A lot of those deep threat touchdowns that
you saw. But still I think he has all the
potential there. Like you say, one of those guys that
whatever he wanted to do, he possibly couldn't do, just

(16:15):
with the have leticism that he has. Then at cornerback
it'd just be adding some strength to his frame, as
the technique is already there. You know, taking on number
ones in the league would be a little different by
I say, with him playing both positions, he'll possibly be
a little bit more on the slot, will possibly movable
piece at corner and saying with wide receiver. So I

(16:37):
like to pick their overall with needs at both sides,
but I wouldn't opened up the need at wide receiver
as much. They also lost Christian Kirk as well. Then
in the third round, they went with cornerback Caleb Ransall
out of Tulane. He's a strong, physical cornerback with good speed.
View it as a mobile piece. He needs to improve

(17:00):
his footwork and technique, but they see him more as
a nickel corner free safety type. But he does have
special teams experience, so he can also contribute there as well.
Let's say adding Ransall shows that maybe Hanna will be
more wide receivers. Ransaar adds to the cornerback death. Then

(17:21):
again in the third round, they went with guard Wyatt
Miller out of West Virginia. He was viewed as a
sleeper by mel Kaiber basically played tackle in college. They
like to see him move into guard. I think he
gives potential to possibly play both if needed, but of
course it's short arms. They always like to try, and
you know, think he could be a ten year pro

(17:42):
Bowl guards when they move you inside. He's strong, physical
player with good size. Need improve his past block and technique,
so he does give started potential early. But with the
Jags shifting the old line, it's possible he'll provide death
or just I said, be a swing player at guard
and tackle, getting potential to put him at either one,

(18:06):
but I think they planning to use him as a
guard in the fourth round. They won't running back by
sale Tooting. He was a player that they went crazy
over during the scouting combine his testing crazy off the charts,
but he considered explosive dual threat back, good in space,
had special teams experience. As a returner, He's need improve

(18:30):
as far as fumbling and drops. I say him as
a number two back with third down back potential. You know,
I think he'll work his way up that way. I mean,
I would never sleep on him as a starter, but
I think he's more of that guy that you were
winning a combo with somebody else, just due to his size,

(18:50):
he more of a smaller back. Then then again in
the fourth round, they went with linebacker Jack Kaiser out
of know the Dame six year college player, very physical,
known the more as the run stoping linebacker, the solid
tackler with good awareness, so middle linebacker of course, special

(19:12):
teams experience. He lacks the speed in the athleticism to
be a three down starter, but he does get you
two down linebacker potential just because of his awareness overall
his physical play, so he'll be a special teams guy
providing death as he continues to develop. Next in the

(19:33):
sixth round with a linebacker Jalen mcleil out of Auburn.
Think lil is a physical, high motive linebacker. If improving
past rushing skills, but he lacks the lymphant the size
to be a pure edge rusher, and he needs to
improve in coverage. He could be a special teams guy

(19:54):
early that could offer value as a situational pass rushing
but he's still developmental at this point. The next SS
ISCT the safety Rayon Lane, the third out of Navy.
He's a durable player who's been healthy throughout his career.
Very physical player, high valume, tackler with good range. Here

(20:15):
a high level special teams player, so he'll definitely earn
a spot there, but he lacks speed and need to
improve his technique overall, he could have add some weight
and strength to his frame, you know, being so physical
at that size. But I said, he's been able to
stay durable in college, so I think he'll be a
solid special teams player with potential to contribute as a

(20:37):
mobile piece in the secondary. Not really sure he has
started potential, but he could least contribute, I believe. In
the seventh round, JOHNA. Moham out of USC He's a
virgatile lineman that played all the positions, so he can
played tackle, guard, and center. It's a smart lineman overall,

(21:02):
good pass blocking who may be limited the center just
because of the size. So of course going seventh ROWND,
he's still developmental, but being able to play all the positions.
I said, with an old line in need, he should
be able to keep his spot. The last in the
seventh round, it went running back la Quinn Allen out
of Syracuse. He's a finesse back with good size and

(21:25):
pass catching skills, but they want to see him run
by the inside and improve his strength, but he does
offer special teams value as well, which should help earn
his KEYP. But I see him as more of a
third down back, the number two back potential. But you
work out well in this system. You know, they still

(21:45):
trying to figure out what's going on the running backs
for down here from Etn last year and Bigsby more
so taking over the carriage. So Allen and Tooting to
give him a different mix in the running back position.
But it's similar to the Colts. It's OK. Drafts. I
wanted to get a Sea, had to give it a
C minus because it's trade up for a Hunter, which

(22:08):
was a big cost for them, the team that's not
guaranteed to get in the playoffs. Like I said, I
like starting over with Travis. Hunter gives them a number three,
number two wide receiver and the number three the number
two corner and how they choose to use them. Ran
Saw provides death at the cornerback position, possably giving them

(22:29):
another nickel or movable piece in the secondary. The wide
millim was a good pick up. Says they shift in
their old line. Gives them starting guard potential, or you
can give the ability to play guard and tackle by
Saul Tooton said, solid running back to provide good depth
of a position, possibly be in the mix. Says they

(22:52):
trying to figure that out. Said. Kaser gives them two
down starting linebacker potential in the middle once he develops mcleo,
it's a special teams player outside linebacker potential, it could
be a situational pass rushing laying. The third said, gives

(23:16):
them movable piece in the secondary potential. Definitely a solid
special teams player, so you should stand out there and
make his mark there. Jona Maheim, they give them death
inside mostly at center and guard. He also play some
tackle too, possibly the same with Laquin Allen. Gives them
a different mix to the running back position, the dual

(23:38):
threat similar to two. I said, Okay, draft before again
for a team, try to take that next step. I'd
like to see more ready down players. So the only
really ready now player is hunting unless they decide to.
Don't wanted the running backs in the mix, so I said.
Melim could possibly take a starting guard spot to help

(23:59):
the whole line, which I think will come eventually, but
it takes some time. Actually the Houston Texans I gave
him a B plus. He really considered the high B
plus just under eight minus, especially with them trading down
out of the first round, Lavender Johnson select Jackson Dark,

(24:19):
which you got them some extra picks. So to start
off the second round, it took wide receiver with Jayden
Higgins out of Iowa State. He's another guy that really
impressed at the scout and combine with his size and
his speed. But similar to Tattaro McMillan, even though he
does say the size and the speed, he's more of

(24:41):
a number two, number three tight wide receiver than a
period number one. Basically in Coyleege he was used more
as a mismatch in the slot, and that's where they
see like would be his best potential in the league
is being a mismatch in the slot. He has pretty
good hands, He's to go up and get it type player,
but they just like to see him improve his route

(25:01):
running and separation. I think overall he'll be a solid
number two across from Nico Collins potentially. Then again in
the second round, they chose tackle Arianta Nursery out of Minnesota.
He's a player I like originally him in my top
twenty five. He did fall something for me. I think

(25:23):
he is a player who does have the potential to
be a starting left tackle, which is where the Texans
would love for him to be, especially after trade and Tunsil.
But he's just a man of guy, definitely a power
run blogger, but he can hold his own in the
past rush. I watched him stop a dual carter easily.
They just need to clean up his past blocking technique

(25:45):
as far as they think he has some bend issues there.
I said, if you can hold your own against a
dual carter, definitely solid. He went, you know, so hot
in the draft number three overall. I think the plan
here for Urstu is to develop him into that tackle
after trading Tounson, But if needed, I'm pretty sure he

(26:05):
can play the right side as well as a run baller.
Then in the third round, they took wide receiver Jalen
Noel out of Iowa State. So it's smart to keep
it to Iowa State wide receivers together, but Noel is
more of a smaller wide receiver fit best in the slot.
He can also get some outside player as well. The

(26:26):
very fast guy, good acceleration, good in space, very good
kick returner. But they just like to see him improve
his overall consistency. He does lack the size and he's
known for small hands. I believe he is a solid
overall playmaker, so he can contribute special teams early. He
could be number three, number four wide receiver on the

(26:48):
death chuck, but he does give slot wide receiver potential.
Then again, in the third round, they chose cornerback Jalen
Smith out of USC. He is smaller dB. It may
be limited to the nickel because of his size. He
plays with good technique, the physical press, corner with special

(27:11):
teams experience, but he just lacks top speed. Need to
prove his awareness. Overall, adds a muscle to his frame,
so he provide definitive position for now that the secondary
is pretty loaded, so it's no Rushveld to get thrown
into the fire. In the fourth round, he chose running
back what he marks. They call him Wood. He named

(27:35):
after the Toy story character, so that's not really his
real name. He's a five year college player who played
in Mississippi State. He's a solid dual threat running back,
good in space, good after the catch, but he lacks
top speed and ability to run between the tackles. But
they like to see him add some strength. Does give

(27:58):
number two down running back potential, but he had to
earn his way up to death chart of course, but
he'll give him good death. He's known as a tough player,
physical player, tough to take down. Then in the sixth
round they got safety Jalen Reed out of Penn State.

(28:19):
Was the beneficiary of Winston that I mentioned getting drafted
by the Titans. When he got hurt, Reid was able
to step into a spot. So he's another physical box safety,
good run stopper and blitzer. He need to improve his
technique and his awareness. Similar to Winston. He's another guy
you don't really want out on the island, even though
he does have good coverage skills. And I said, another enforcer,

(28:42):
so he'll provide death taxing secondary pretty solid, but he
does give start and strong safety potential, but he can
provide death play on special teams for now. Then again
in the sixth round they won't quarter it back Graham
Merch out of the University of Florida. He a productive

(29:04):
six year college quarterback who also played at Wisconsin. He's
a good accuracy guy, but knowing more as a thinking
duct type guy, not really gonna take too many chances.
Basically a smart game manager they would call him, but
he lacks mobility. He need to clean up his technique,

(29:25):
and he comes with injury concerns. It's the reason why
he was able to play six years. So I see
him as more of a number two type quarterback. I
wouldn't want him starting. If you need somebody to come in,
I say game manager fill in. I can see him
more so that type of role. So he should be

(29:45):
like a number two, number three type quarterback. But now
say that would't mind. Hum was just you know, coming
in emergency, just to control the game, manage the game
he has experienced. In the seventh round, he went with
defensive tackle Deyontae Hamle out of Ruggers. He's a run
stoping defensive tackle. It does have some pass rush potential,

(30:08):
plays with good leverage and has good athleticism. He's a
wrestling recruit coming in, but he needs to improve his technique.
He's still raw and he lacks the left that they like.
But he's still developmental. With this point, thank for them
to grab him in the seventh round. They see something
in him, so he shouldn't stick around. The last they

(30:30):
want with tight end, they want with tight end up
La out of Iowa. He a big tight end with
a mix of pass catching and blocking ability. It needs
improves his strength and they'd like to see him play
with a more physical demaner. But basically they think that
he has the potential to be a blocking tight end

(30:50):
with some pass catching potential, so he'll be developmental. Not
really sure if he'll make the roster, but of course
it's the seventh round pick on him. He sees something
they like, there's a better chance to stick him, but
they could break somebody in to do the same. Then
they're pretty solid and tight end already. I said solid

(31:10):
draft there said, gave it a high V plus to me,
like and both hioua state wide receivers in a position
the need with the injury to tank. Dell said, well,
Higgins give you number two potential. I'll give you number
three potential. I like picking up tackle Arianta Ursery, I said,
one of my top tackles in this draft. I think

(31:32):
you can definitely play right tackle. She'll be able to
play left tackle, I said, with no need to really
rush them into the job. I think they spend the
time to develop them into that left tackle. Cornerback Jalen Smith.
Give them a movile piece in the secondary. Said the
secondary is good, so no need really throw him in
the mix. He'll be number four cornerback. At best. They'll

(31:55):
provide death. Said what he marks, give him something different
and insurance at running back. It said a tough runner
wouldn't hurt behind mixing who was a good dual threat.
So you remarks, and it's a tough power tangier pace
back to a number two potential third down back potential.
So Jayleen Reed is starting strong safety potential. I said,

(32:20):
definitely a special team of mobile piece at this point.
The Graham Mertz give you number two quarterback potential, first
case of backup number three, number two, but I think
it definitely I gotta stick around Giant Hamilton the Taggle,
get them a run stable with some pass rush potential
to developmental. It's a solid overall draft there and picking

(32:44):
up some extra picks to trading down out of the
first round. But thanks for tuning in, looking forward to
give you the West real soon. Thank you for the
sport