With the NFL Draft finally occurring later this month, it is time to highlight some prospects I have not covered much. Some are late-round gems, and others are mid-rounders who have solidified their chance of going early. Here are some names you may have heard picking up steam in the draft world (and where I would like to see them go).
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart came out of high school with a big name—the Salt Lake City area native won the national Gatorade Football Player of the Year award for 2021 and committed to USC. After a major coaching staff overhaul in 2022, Dart transferred to Ole Miss, where he has been a very successful three-year starter, especially in 2024. Dart showcased strong decision-making, poise, toughness, and accuracy, but drew concerns over whether he could transition to an NFL-style offense (the one he played in at Ole Miss is nowhere near pro-style). Still, hype for Dart has been building, especially as the Steelers have been slow to address their quarterback needs. There is a high chance that Dart, a consensus Round 2-3 prospect, could go to a QB-desperate team like Pittsburgh in the first round. However, going to a team like the Saints or Rams (teams with older but established starters) will be better for Dart, who I believe will need at least half a year to adapt to the pace of the NFL.
Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Kyle Williams of Inglewood, California, was once a versatile offensive weapon in high school, but committed to UNLV to play wide receiver. Over the last two seasons, however, he has been a highly reliable target for Washington State, hitting 1,000 yards in 2024 as a fifth-year senior. Williams did most of his damage vertically, using speed and route-running savvy to burn defenders, but he also showed productivity on short and intermediate passes, especially after the catch. He has a few drop concerns and stands a lean 6’0”, 186 pounds. Scouts believe he’ll be a Day 3 (4th round or later) developmental prospect who will need years to adapt to the physicality of the pros, but with the wealth of successful slim receivers in the NFL, I think taking Kyle Williams before the fourth round is not a bad idea in the slightest. Teams like the Bills, Seahawks, and Commanders (teams who could use some wide receiver depth long-term) could think about spending their draft capital on Williams.
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Miami-area local Brashard Smith found himself playing for the UMiami Hurricanes in 2021. After a breakout season in 2023, the Pinecrest native transferred to SMU and became their lead running back. The former wide receiver used his slippery movement skills and sticky hands to excel as a receiving back, leading SMU to a surprise College Football Playoff appearance. Teams will value his versatility and kick return experience, but will be worried about his below-average size. He is considered a Day 3 prospect now, but with the amount of hype in this running back class, Smith could go as high as the middle of Round 3. Teams in need of a third-down back or a new kick returner will likely see high value in Smith.
Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Coming out of Rio Linda, California, Cameron Skattebo was an overlooked prospect with a singular Division I offer from Sacramento State. He is no longer a no-name, especially after he single-handedly revived Arizona State in their College Football Playoff game against Texas. Skattebo is the hardest, toughest runner you may ever see. His tackle-breaking ability is arguably on the same level as Ashton Jeanty’s. But his experience as a pass catcher is limited, and his speed is not elite. Still, Skattebo looks like he could be a third-round pick and could easily go in the second round if a team like the Raiders waits until later to get a running back.
Andrew Mukuba, SF, Texas
Andrew Mukuba’s trajectory is one full of intrigue. Born in Zimbabwe to Congolese refugees, Mukuba moved to Austin, Texas, and grew up close to the University of Texas. He initially committed to Clemson and played there for three seasons, but moved back home for 2024. Throughout his career, Mukuba has shown high-level instincts and ball skills and has shown aggressiveness in run support. Scouts are rightly concerned about his ability to manage that aggressiveness but he looks well prepared to be an immediate starting safety. Look for him to possibly go in Round 2 instead of Round 3 (his consensus ranking at this point) to a team like the Chiefs or Colts, both teams in need of safety depth.
Demetrius Knight, LB, South Carolina
Demetrius Knight is a sixth-year senior from Locust Grove, Georgia, who is quite well-traveled. After four seasons of limited game time at Georgia Tech, Knight found game time at Charlotte before transferring to South Carolina and becoming a key defensive leader. Knight’s experience is reflected in his strong instincts and awareness, which compensate for a lack of elite athleticism. Scouts have him currently going late third round or later, but a team looking for an immediate starting linebacker (Rams) could reach for him in the second round.
Shemar James, LB, Florida
Shemar James of Mobile, Alabama, came out as a true junior, something prospects rarely do when they are under the radar like he was. But it has proven fruitful, especially after his Senior Bowl performances impressed many people. James is an explosive run defender with a dynamic blitzing ability. Scouts are concerned about his tackling consistency, but he has a nose for the football. Plus, he has some top-notch pass coverage skills. James has the makings of a solid starting linebacker, but a lack of elite athleticism has him rooted in the Day 3 conversation. I would look for him to sneak into Round 3 or even Round 2 to teams like the Rams, Seahawks, Vikings, or even the 49ers, who are looking to replace Dre Greenlaw.
Rylie Mills, DT, Notre Dame
Rylie Mills of Lake Bluff, Illinois, has been one of Notre Dame’s most feared defenders for years now. He has proven to be immovable when being blocked by a single player, using power to overwhelm the opposition. He has also shown flashes of quickness as a pass rusher and as a block shedder. Unfortunately, Mills is coming off a knee injury from the College Football Playoff, and that injury has dropped his stock to late Day 3. However, with what he has done on the field, he definitely deserves to go in the top four rounds to a team like Cincinnati, which is now under the defensive guidance of Al Golden, Mills’ defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.
Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
There arguably was no bowl game moment more iconic this season than Darius Alexander’s pick-six vs Toledo. The Fort Wayne-born freak athlete dropped into coverage, intercepted a high-velocity pass, and ran it back 58 yards, cementing himself into Toledo lore. Throughout the draft process, Alexander has done nothing but carry that momentum forward, turning it into an outstanding Senior Bowl week and a major rise in draft stock. Once projected to go in later rounds, Alexander is now a consensus Day 2 prospect. However, I reckon because of his age and experience, teams that may be looking to start him off the bat (like Houston) could use a first-round pick to obtain Darius Alexander.
Charles Grant, OG, William & Mary
Every draft has an FCS prospect of note. The FCS prospect of the year appears to be William & Mary’s Charles Grant. Hailing from Portsmouth, Virginia, Grant has been a top tackle in the FCS for three years, earning FCS All-American honors in 2023 and 2024. Scouts admire Grant for his elite athletic profile, solid strength, and overall consistent performances, albeit at a lower level than other prospects. Still, there has been some late third-round hype surrounding Grant, and I reckon that guard-needy teams (Seattle) could use a guy like him in their ranks.
Femi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
Our last selection is a former linebacker from Elk Grove, California, who successfully converted into a full-time pass rusher for 2024. While leading the team with 13.5 tackles for loss and notching 4.5 sacks, Oladejo showed good aggressiveness, but he also showed how raw he was as an edge defender. There is a lot of cleaning up he has to do in regards to technique, but his athletic traits shine and could send him up the board to a team like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, or even Chicago, teams that need more rotational pass rushers. A consensus 3rd-round pick, Oladejo could go in Round 2 based on his ceiling.
