Rookie deep dive w/ Pat Kerrane and Eric Froton

Tate is projected to go in the fifth round and is ranked first among the top three receivers in the class. He demonstrates elite route-running skills including double moves and chain routes, excellent catch-point adjustment, fluidity for his size, and the ability to win at the boundary despite not matching Jeremiah Smith's 225-pound frame and 4.4 speed. He comes back to the ball aggressively on hitches and curls and adjusts the ball well while it's in the air.

Dark-horse QB prospect with legitimate pre-season buzz. Physical profile: 6'5", 235 pounds with good arm talent. Key concern: clunkiness and deliberate, slow processing through reads—a trait that may be difficult to improve coming off an injury. The source suggests if Aller can speed up his read progression, he could improve his draft stock, but injury recovery adds uncertainty to that development.

Clear #1 QB prospect in the 2025 class and only viable number-one option at the position; going at ADP 133 in best ball. The source ranks him as a prospect better than Cam Ward coming into the draft, indicating strong prospect conviction. Excels at pushing the ball downfield with back shoulder throws and had strong chemistry with receivers Elijah Surroad, Charlie Becker, and Omar Cooper. The source values his makeup as a 'square QB' and 'straightup nerd' who will be in the facility working hard, studying film, and exhibiting Belichick-Brady-esque professionalism, though notes some concern that his demeanor feels slightly rehearsed. However, Mendoza's pocket navigation and footwork present NFL concerns; while he shows composure, there's clunkiness in the pocket when taking quick hop steps to buy time. His tendency to bail is mitigated by strong on-the-run throwing ability, including full-speed roll-outs and throws across the body. His smoothness navigating the pocket calmly and coolly could hang him up in the NFL. Additionally, Kubiak's low-volume passing game scheme (similar to Darnold's approach) suggests Mendoza's overall drop-back volume may be on the lower side, making him a lower-upside fantasy option despite his big-play creation ability.

Notre Dame RB ranked #2 in running back class by the source's rankings and ADP. Shared backfield with Jeremiah Love in a complementary role designed to manage Love's workload and keep him fresh.

Notre Dame RB whose touches were managed due to depth chart featuring Anias Williams Junior as starter and a passing-down back role. Wore down and got banged up late in 2024 season, leading to limited carries (eight carries vs. Indiana in first game). This touch distribution is a minor fantasy concern compared to prospects like Gentry who could be counted on for consistent volume.

Notre Dame RB prospect with first-round NFL projection (early first, possibly top 10); comparable to Bijan Robinson tier but source notes he's 'a little different' and 'more explosive than Genty was' in straight-line speed. Demonstrated elite hurdling ability and contact balance in games vs. Indiana (playoff) and USC. Clear-cut number one running back prospect in the class with elite passing-game production; he averaged 1.83 yards per route in 2025, leading all RBs in the class. The source is bullish on his three-down workhorse profile and talent to take over the backfield over the course of his rookie season, though notes he may not be loaded with touches immediately out of the gate and could be used in a split role early, similar to how Trayvon Henderson was deployed. Talented enough to probably take over the backfield over the course of the season in his rookie year.

Arizona/Washington RB, 5'8", 225–228 lbs, ranked #2 RB in class by the source. Averaged 5 yards after contact as sophomore at Arizona under Jed Fish, then 4.5 yards after contact in Big 10 at Washington in 2024; ranks second in class in yards per route at 1.73 (behind Love's 1.83) and is a capable pass-catcher. Suffered mid-season knee injury requiring bulky brace in final games but continued receiving carries. Maintained 84th percentile run grade across all four college seasons despite 2024 injury. Speaker has tracked him for three years and projects him as potential early-down back capable of challenging for carries immediately if healthy; first five-to-six games of 2024 showed elite form before injury. Elusiveness rating declined from 153 in 2023 to 166 in 2024 due to compromised mobility from injury, though speaker expects injury not to cloud availability by summer. Recommended as third-round target at ADP 117 with upside as early-down back; speaker prefers Coleman over Jarian Price (ADP 98) because Coleman has superior feet and wiggling ability in the hole, making him more dangerous on zone runs and in space. Low center of gravity, density, quick feet in hole, ability to make defenders miss, and receiving skills support workload capacity. Speaker is original Coleman truther since his second year in Arizona and fully believes Coleman will be fantasy-worthy running back; would be shocked if he isn't playable in some form.

Tyson is projected to go in the fifth round as the third-ranked receiver among the top three in the class. Despite an extensive injury history, he has been highly productive whenever healthy as a four-year player and is expected to be off the board by pick 20 or earlier.

Katron Allen is ranked at 151 overall in dynasty, approximately two rounds ahead of consensus ADP, making him a very affordable second-round dart throw in a thin running back class. The source has him ranked significantly ahead of ADP.

Arkansas RB who speaker is baffled by lack of buzz despite elite measurables: 220 pounds with size-speed combo and 20 mph top-end speed clocked at Senior Bowl. Has concerning depth chart history—was behind AJ Henderson at Buffalo for two years without breaking through, then transferred to New Mexico State where speaker thought teammate Seth McGawan was the better back. Now at Arkansas, which had number one rushing success rate offense in the country with elite blocking and yards per contact, providing strong schematic fit for Washington's skill set.

Indiana RB who speaker is not remotely interested in despite earlier mockdraft buzz; has fallen like a rock on mockdraft database rankings. Core concern is lack of lateral agility—straight-line runner with limited elusiveness, which limits fantasy upside even when running behind experienced 25–26 year old offensive line at Indiana.

Number-two receiving option for Mendoza at Las Vegas, functioning as an inside slot receiver who operates between the hashes. He will not see the sideline usage or boundary throws that Mendoza threw in college, limiting his route-running opportunities compared to college receivers like Charlie Becker who could contort and win in late-stage routes.

Henderson's lack of experience manifested in poor processing and patience; he rushed into the backfield without waiting for blocks to develop, a contrast to more patient, deliberate running backs who use pace steps and read the flow of the run game.

Indiana RB who speaker likes significantly more than Roman Hembi; speaker had Hembi pretty far down on running back list (in the teens). Marks benefits from running behind experienced 25–26 year old offensive line at Indiana, which provides schematic advantage for fantasy production.