Nohl Williams, cornerback out of Cal, was picked in Round Three, pick No. 85, by Kansas City. Williams is 6-1, 200, so he’s a bigger corner. And he led the FBS in interceptions, so he has ball skills. According to Mike Bradway, Chiefs director of player personnel, “He can come in and contribute right away” especially on special teams. Kansas City likes that he’s physical. “He tackles. I think that’s a premium,” Bradway said. “[Our corners] have to take on blocks and throw their bodies around.”
I am keeping these players on offense in mind for this 2025 draft. The PK Watchlist features players that are a bit unheralded, but they have the production and may have the measurables to make some noise. They may not all have star potential, but they all could be starters or at least key situational members of a defensive unit, all for not much draft capital. Of course, a note of caution: there is always movement. Some of ‘em could move up the boards, which means they ain’t so unheralded. AND … some may not get much of a shot…
Brady Cook, 6-2, 215, QB, Missouri
I think that Jalen Milroe is so underrated, but it appears that he may go in the first round or early in the second, so he ain’t for the PK Watchlist. So I went with Brady Cook, who is WAY underrated, I think. Cook started four Bowl Games in four years for Missou. He was a three-team captain, the 2023 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and threw 365 straight passes without an interception. He is a plus athlete with a plus arm. I’ve been wrong about QBs a lot, but this guy is Day Three guy. I think he wins the Brock Purdy award. Like Purdy, Cook is experienced, athletic, strong-armed, tough leader. He may NOT be Purdy, but he has a chance. … I’ll leave that there.
LeQuint Allen, 6-0, 204, RB, Syracuse
Allen is what you are looking for in a undervalued running back. If he had a little more long speed, he would be a Day Two pick. I think he’s Day Three guy, but a VERY productive back. Two seasons over 1,000 yards and over 4.0 yards per carry. He also had 64 catches last year. (He can flex out at slot or wide and be very productive.) Very good pass blocker … which is very important to NFL teams that care about their quarterbacks, which are all of ‘em. Played special teams a couple of years ago. He is a tough runner, can make one cut and go, and should be a contributor right away.
Pat Bryant, 6-2, 204, WR, Illinois
I saw Bryant several times in 2023 and 2024, and he was effective against Big Ten cornerbacks. He only had one drop in 78 targets last year, and he was a first-down machine. He’s athletic, but he’s not overly fast. But his football smarts and technique made what speed he has seem more effective. He is a clutch performer. Bryant had three game-winning TD catches in 2024. He makes the most of his ability. Also, as befitting a Big Ten receiver, especially one who plays for Bret Bielema, Bryant is a good run blocker and downfield battler. He could develop into a No. 2 in the NFL.
Update: Bryant was was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft, 74th overall, by the Denver Broncos.
Keandre Lambert-Smith, 6-1, 190, WR, Auburn
Lambert-Smith is a burner, and was used that way at Auburn in 2024. He spent four years at Penn State, where in 2023 he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer. Last year, he made second-team All-SEC, with 50 catches for 19.6 yards per catch, one of the best marks in the nation. He turned in a 4.37 40 at the combine. He needs to work on his route running and strength, so that he can get open against press coverage in the NFL. But he has the speed and athletic ability to continue to improve, as he has for the last three years in college.
Chimere Dike, 6-1, 195, WR, Florida
Dike was at Wisconsin until last year, when he transferred to Florida and led the Gators in receptions. He has a long association with former Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz, who also transferred to Florida. A 4.34 guy, Dike played both slot and outside equally last year, and he used his speed to great effect. He is someone who will need to really refine some of his technique. He has speed, but there will be some nuance that he will need to learn on the next level. Dike is another speed guy who will need to grow as an all-around wide receiver at the NFL level.
Luke Lachey, 6-6, 250, TE. Iowa
I watch Iowa a lot. A lot. I’ve seen the assessments of Lachey’s draft prospects. When I read draft prospects articles, I can be convinced, or at least understand the fact that these people see a lot more than I do. Anyway. Lachey? I think they are so, so totally wrong. All of ‘em. Let’s just say, the Iowa offense hasn’t been over the past several years an amazing passing machine. Lachey was THEIR NO. 1 OPTION. He played with what I would call below-average Big Ten quarterbacks. The dude can catch. Run a route. Block like an Iowa tight end. He’s GONNA BE GOOD. At least good.
Jack Nelson, 6-7, 318, OT, Wisconsin
Nelson is a four-year starter from a blue-chip program. He’s got the size, experience (three years as the starting left tackle), pedigree (his dad was a starter for Wisconsin who was drafted in the NFL), and skill to play on the next level. He projects as a swing tackle. He projects to me as a right tackle, a good run blocker who is an experienced in pass blocking. He did lead the conference in penalties a couple of years ago. The footwork needs to develop. But Nelson is a blueprint type late bloomer, playing top competition and improving year over year.
Carson Vinson, 6-6, 305, OT, Alabama A&M
The projections on Vinson are all over the place. A four-year starter at Alabama A&M, he was a First Team all-SWAC pick, as well as an honorable mention all FCS and HBCU pick. He has some experience against SEC teams (Vandy and Auburn), so there is tape of him against Power Four competition. And he did really well in the Senior Bowl and at the Combine. Vinson is athletic enough to be a left tackle in the NFL. He has a nice frame, and he could use a few years in the weight room to fill out a bit. But he loves football, is a hard worker, and is notable for his eagerness to be coached.
Connor Colby, 6-6, 309, OG, Iowa
An Iowa guard seems like a pretty safe bet for someone who can compete at the next level. Colby is experienced, with 50 starts. He was a Third-Team All-Big Ten performer in 2023 and First Team in 2024. I do like them Iowa linemen. … He is athletic and has good technique in both run blocking and pass blocking. He would be a fit for a zone blocking team. Colby needs to get stronger and will have to improve finishing. He needs to become more of a mauler. But he has a good foundation athletically to become a starting guard in the NFL.
Xavier Truss, 6-7, 309, OG, Georgia
Truss played guard and tackle at Georgia, but there’s a question as to whether he can be a tackle on the next level. But he started many games at guard. He is tall and well built, he has a ton of experience (42 starts at both guard and tackle), and he played against top-flight competition his entire career. He also played both right and left guard AND tackle positions. He is the blueprint for a developmental guard. If you need to put Truss in at either guard this season, he should be able to hold up. And he can be a backup at four positions to get you some depth.
Seth McLaughlin, 6-4, 304, C, Ohio State
This guy was named the CFB’s best center in 2024, winning the Rimington Trophy … and he missed the last six games with an Achilles tear. Mclaughlin started 25 games at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State his senior year. He is a true center, so he knows the subtleties of the position. McLaughlin also knows the ups and downs, and he was criticized at Bama for some bad snaps. Also, he missed the end of his senior year after the Achilles surgery in November. The injury will drop his draft status, and he may not be ready to go right away. But after a “redshirt” year, he could be a starting center in the NFL.
Here are some players on defense in this draft on the PK Watchlist. I will be watching to see how they do. They are a bit unheraleded, but they have the production and may have the measurables to make some noise. They may not all have star potoential, but they all could be starters or at least key situational members of a defensive unit, all for not much draft capital. Of course, a note of caution: these guys could move up draft boards, making them seem more obvious on Draft Day then they are now. AND … some may not get much of a shot…
Brendan Mott, 6-5, 245, Edge, Kansas State
Mott was a 30+ game starter for the Wildcats over five seasons, and he rang up 8.5 sacks last year on his way to being named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. That seemingly hasn’t translated into much draft noise before draft day. Brendan’s father Joe Mott was an All-Big Ten defensive end at Iowa, so he has some bloodlines there. He may not have top-end get-off, but he plays with leverage and motor. Mott has to become more consistent as a rusher. He also needs to get stronger, but he could be a contributor pretty early at edge or outside linebacker.
Johnny Walker Jr., 6-3, 245, Edge, Missouri
Walker was a second-team All-SEC defensive end for Missouri, with 9.5 sacks on the season. He is a pass rush hotshot. He can get around the edge, as well as use one of his pass rush moves. The defensive MVP in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, Walker notched four sacks and forced a fumble. He consistently delivers excellent effort. At 245, he may have a challenge holding up versus the run against some of the bigger NFL offensive linemen. But he is relentless, and if he can develop that aspect of his game, he can be a contributor.
Ty Robinson, 6-6, 310, DT, Nebraska
Robinson is a rangy defensive tackle or a traditional five-technique 3-4 D-end. He has some size about him, but he can move. He seems to be quick enough to be a three-technique, and I think he could be a disruptor in the middle of a defense and run stuffer at DE for run situations. He’s big enough and athletic enough to occupy the middle of the line of scrimmage, allowing linebackers to stay clean and make plays. While not at the top of the list as a pass rusher, he’s athletic for his size and may develop into an above-average DT in terms of providing inside pressure.
Nash Hutmacher, 6-3, 320, DT, Nebraska
Wow. Did someone watch a little too much Husker football in 2024? I REALLY liked Hutmacher last year. He’s a nose-type two-gap DT with a wrestling background who can anchor pretty well. He plays with power and leverage, as befitting a four-time state champion wrestler. He defeats run blocks, and pushes the pocket effectively. Not a pass rusher per se, he may not be on the field on third downs or in two-minute packages. But every team says they want to be stout against the run. And may I present Nash Hutmacher. Stout. Against. The. Run.
Shaun Dolac, 6-1, 225, LB, Buffalo
Undersized. Not at all athletic. BUT … hyper-productive. Dolac notched 168 tackles last year in 13 games at Buffalo. He was a First-Team All-American … from Buffalo! This dude is a tackling machine. Can he be a starter in the NFL? I think he has an uphill battle there. But I think he’s a special teamer, a great backup, and he could have a long career. But is he a Sam Mills? Zach Thomas? Who knows? But I’m pretty sure he can make a team and contribute. I kinda see Alex Anzalone in Dolac’s game. He may not be Anzalone, but Dolac is the kind of player all 32 teams love on their roster.
Jay Higgins, 6-1, 235, LB, Iowa
Easily one of my favorite players in college football in 2024, Higgins with this running partner at linebacker at Iowa Nick Jackson. I was going to put one of these guys on the team, and I went back and forth, but ended up with Higgins. Higgins was the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and First-Team All-American. A tough tackler, he is outstanding filling gaps and patrolling the middle, and he can be effective in short middle zone defense. He may not have the most quickness in the draft, but his excellent instincts can make up for some of that.
James Burgess, 6-3, 190, CB, Alabama State
Burgess was the 2024 Aenaes Williams Award Winner as the best defensive back in the HBCU. He was a first-team All-American and all-SWAC performer. He had six interceptions, so he has demonstrated his ball skills. He also had 50-plus tackles. It’s unusual for an HBCU player to get a draft call, with Isaiah Bolden being the last drafted in 2023. Burgess has the athletic profile of a special teamer and productive backup. He has years of productive play and is 6-3, which should be attractive to the NFL teams that play zone and press man against taller receivers in their divisions.
Jermari Harris, 6-1, 190, CB, Iowa
Harris was a key member of the tough Iowa defense for the past two years. He was named a third-team All-Big Ten corner. Iowa runs a zone defense, and Harris played zone corner about as well as you can. He reads routes and anticipates throws, is able to rally and tackle a catch in front of him, and will stick his nose in and force the run game. There have been off-field issues, which will affect his draft position. His size allows him to be effective in press coverage. But there seems to be concerns about his man skills in space, which ain’t nothing in the NFL.
Nohl Williams, 6-1, 200, CB, Cal
Update: Kansas City Chiefs select Nohl Williams in Round Three, No. 85 overall.
Williams has a nose for the ball. He had seven interceptions in 2024, on his way to being named first-team All-ACC and All-American. He played two years at UNLV, where he was a second-team Mountain West Team player in 2023. He transferred to California, and showed that he could match with some of the better receivers in CFB. He has been criticized for not having elite athletic skills. I think he really is NOT that far behind some of the best in this draft. He has size, tackling skills, and coverage ability. Williams should be pretty good.
Kenny Gallop, 6-0, 215, S, Howard
The accolades for Gallop just piled up so I paid some attention. In 2023, he was the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, HBCU All-American, and the Aenaes Williams Award Winner. Seriously, this dude was an FCS All-American and three-time first-team all-HBCU. He can flat-out ball. Gallop is a tackler and could be a good box safety at the next level. He goes all out, full speed. He projects as a tough, disruptive strong safety, probably after a few years learning. If nothing else, he should be able to provide solid backup duty and be a gamer on special teams Day One.
Sebastian Castro, 5-11, 205, S, Iowa
Castro was another Iowa defensive player that I can hardly wait to see on the next level. He is athletic, and he is just a football player. I don’t know if he’s a nickel, because he may be a step slow for that role. But I think he is a free safety and, perhaps, a box safety. He is competitive and tough enough to help with the run game, and he is a zone coverage guy. He will be a great special teamer. He can step in right away and play; he has a really high floor. He might not have the highest ceiling, though I think he can get better, because he did during his college career.
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