2025 NFL Draft Stock Up
Josaiah Stewart, DE, Michigan
All game, Stewart was whipping the USC left tackles and putting a ton of heat on Miller Moss. In the first quarter, Stewart had a lightning-speed rush with a blow by sprinting straight past the Trojans left tackle Elijah Page to get a sack, the third of the season thus far for Stewart. Shortly later, Stewart used speed to power to move Page back into the quarterback for a near sack. A play later, Stewart almost had a sack on a screen flying past Page. In the fourth quarter, Stewart fired off the ball and cut to the inside to get a near sack. Moss got the pass off, but it was rushed and resulted in a third-down incompletion.
Stewart showed a ton of ability for the NFL in this game. He has a tremendous first step with explosive speed off the snap. Stewart can blow by tackles with devastating speed around the corner and has twitch to dart to the inside. Even when tackles know it’s coming, they have difficulty stopping Stewart’s speed rush. It will be interesting to see how NFL teams feel about his size. Being listed at 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Stewart is undersized to be a pro edge rusher. Still, Stewart looks like a demon off the edge and this tape will help him to be an early-round selection.
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Graham was a monster against USC and was very disruptive behind the line of scrimmage. He had a ton of pressures, run stops, and logged a critical sack late in the game. Graham was a beast at the point of attack. He constantly used power to push his blocker in the backfield and showed the strength to shed blocks. After getting free, Graham was quick to close and athletic for a thickly built tackle. Graham looks like a potential top-20 talent for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
Walker has enjoyed a solid start to the season, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. He has 11 tackles with 1.5 sacks and a pass broken up thus far. In 2023, Walker was a designated pass rusher and rotational player. He had 20 tackles with five sacks. Off the edge, Walker is very similar to other recent Georgia edge rushers like Azeez Ojulari and Nolan Smith.
DeAndre Jules, DT, South Carolina
Jules (6-4, 315) has been a tough run stuffer and gap filler for the Gamecocks this season. In 2024, he has nine tackles thus far. In 2023 with Pitt, he had a quality season for a nose tackle with 24 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
Jordan Burch, DT, Oregon
Going back to his time at South Carolina, Burch always flashed potential but never was consistent. This year, he is playing at a higher level, and he has gotten off to a strong start with 13 tackles, three passes batted, and 1.5 sacks. Burch (6-6, 295) is big, quick, and athletic. He could rise in a strong class of interior defensive line talent if he stays consistent.
2025 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jonah Monheim, C, USC
Monheim struggled against Michigan while taking on two future NFL defensive tackles in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. This tape illustrates that Monheim is not a dominant force as a center. He did not look like a first-round pick, and Monheim did not look as good of a center prospect as Duke’s Graham Barton or Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson were last year. Monheim is a quality athlete and has good technique. However, he lacks some strength to create a push and does not pack much of a punch off the ball. Monheim needs to get stronger for the NFL. This tape will hurt his draft grade.
Harold Perkins Jr., LB, LSU
Unfortunately, Perkins makes the stock down because of injury. Last Saturday against UCLA, Perkins suffered a torn ACL, and that will probably end his career at LSU. It would be a major surprise if he decided to return to Baton Rouge rather than enter the 2025 NFL Draft. In all likelihood, the ACL injury will push Perkins lower in the draft. It would not be surprising if Perkins ends in the mid to late first-round range.
