NFL draft: Twelve prospects Charles Davis would pound the table for in 2025

It’s pretty simple to me. Sanders has helped turn two programs around, bringing new energy to Jackson State and then Colorado. He’s improved every year, too, leading offenses coordinated by Sean Lewis (now the head coach at San Diego State) in 2023 and former NFL head coach Pat Shurmur in 2024. So, he’s quite familiar with pro concepts.

Being the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, his head coach at JSU and UC, brought Shedeur a lot of attention and the so-called perks of the world. You know what else it did? It put a big target on his back. Shedeur has taken the best shot from the opposition over and over again, and I believe there are plenty of people who would like to see him fail. He’s dealt with that his whole life.

He keeps producing, no matter the challenges, and he’s faced his share of those. I’m banking on his talent and determination.

I would be pounding the table for him if I were a QB-needy team picking in Round 1.

Skattebo might be a top-five running back in this year’s draft. I definitely believe he can be an NFL starter. I know his timed speed is not great, but I’m not overly worried about it. With his running style and play speed, he will still be able to break off runs of 10-20 yards that make a big difference in a game. And he’ll have some runs even longer than those when he knocks people over down the field. Yes, he has a compact build, but he moves like a player with more length, and he’s going to punish defenses.

He can make plays in the passing game, too, with soft hands that pluck the ball quite well. I don’t know if people are giving him the respect he deserves this spring.

Bech is no stranger to tough competition. He began his career at LSU -- where he was a teammate of 2024 first-round draft picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. -- and he led that team in receptions with 43 in 2022. He transferred to TCU for his final two seasons, pacing the Horned Frogs with 62 catches in 2024. Bech runs good routes, reels in contested catches and will make blocks, too. And I’ll never forget his emotional Senior Bowl performance, when he made the game-winning catch in the final seconds and paid tribute to his late brother, Tiger, who tragically passed away in the New Orleans terror attack one month earlier. Tiger, a true hero, saved a life during the attack.

Chism is smaller in stature (5-foot-10, 195) for the receiver position, but he piled up huge numbers during his time at Eastern Washington. He led the FCS with 120 catches last season and also ranked among the top five in receiving yards (1,311) and touchdown grabs (13). Much of his production has come on shorter throws, but don’t sleep on his ability to make people miss and be physical when the ball is in his hands. There’s an emerging NFL WR pipeline coming out of EWU, with Cooper Kupp and Kendrick Bourne among Chism’s predecessors. I like this guy a lot as a late Day 3 pick.

Conyers bounced between Oklahoma, Arizona State and Texas Tech during his five college seasons, and while he never put up eye-catching numbers, I think he’s being overlooked a bit in this class. He’s built like an in-line (“Y”) tight end. He has great movement skills for a 260-pounder, though, and could also be used as a big slot receiver. He can even do damage as a Wildcat quarterback (two rushing TDs in 2024). Conyers will have to block a little bit more at the next level, but I could say that about almost every tight end in the class.

Jackson didn’t blink when he had to step up in a big way for Ohio State last season. An injury to Josh Simmons left a massive hole at left tackle for the Buckeyes, but Jackson slid outside from guard -- and his first assignment was blocking Penn State’s Abdul Carter, arguably the top player in this year’s draft. Jackson was up to the challenge during the team’s run to the national title, and I watched up close as he powered through his NFL Scouting Combine workout, when it didn’t look like he was at his best. He’s expected to move back inside in the pros, where one team is going to be very happy with the decision to draft him, likely early on Day 2.

I understand Lampkin does not have the measurables NFL teams want to see. At 5-10, 279 pounds, he’s extremely undersized. All I know is Lampkin more than held his own at the Senior Bowl, when he was matched up against much bigger people. This guy is a battler, and he has the intelligence to play the center position. So, are we going to give up on him because he’s small? I’m not. Some teams might envision Lampkin as a fullback at the next level due to his size, but I think center is where he belongs. He reminds me of A.Q. Shipley, who was a trusted starter for Bruce Arians on some very good Cardinals teams in the previous decade, although Shipley was about 20 pounds heavier than Lampkin. I know the odds are against this young man, but I’m rooting for him.

I’m not a member of the scouting community -- you have to do the job, and earn it -- but I listen and learn from those who are part of that fraternity. They have taught me that the ability to rush the quarterback translates, no matter what level of football you’re coming from. Walker has it. He posted an eye-popping 82.5 tackles for loss with 39 sacks over the past four seasons, splitting his time between Southern Arkansas and Central Arkansas. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl, where he was matched up against tougher competition than he faced during his college career. He might not possess the ideal measurables at 6-0, 267 pounds, but I like guys who can rush the passer, no matter what package they come in. I see a little of two-time Pro Bowler Shaq Barrett in his game.

Texas must be doing something right when it comes to developing interior defensive linemen. A year after former Longhorns Byron Murphy II and T’Vondre Sweat were drafted, it’s Collins’ turn. He’s a big man at 6-5, 332 pounds, with long arms, a quick first step and good change of direction. He was a second-team All-American in 2024, and he has the tools to elevate his game beyond what we saw at Texas. I would be pounding the table for him on Day 2 of the draft.

I’m convinced Stutsman will be a three-down linebacker at the next level, and I have no doubt he will be making the calls on the field for a defense one day. Stutsman reminds me of Chiefs LB Leo Chenal, although Stutsman is about 20 pounds lighter. They had almost identical 40 times at the combine (Stutsman: 4.52; Chenal: 4.53 in 2022). Chenal has a nose for the football, and the same goes for Stutsman, who hits with some thump. He was well-coached in high school, and that continued during his time at Oklahoma. He's a ball player. 

Morrison has not received as much buzz as other cornerback prospects this spring, due in large part to the hip injury that ended his 2024 season after six games. The medical exams will be critical for him, because when he’s healthy, he’s as good as any cornerback in this year’s class. He’s comfortable in any situation, whether he’s in off coverage, man, press or zone. He’s being coached up by NFL defensive back skills trainer Jeremy Lincoln, who has my full trust and respect. If the medicals check out and Morrison fares well in his pre-draft workout -- scheduled for April 21 – don’t be surprised if he ends up going in Round 1.

I would not count Trader out of making an NFL roster. He’s not going to wow anyone with his athletic testing, but he knows how to play the game. When I was at the Senior Bowl, every time I looked, he was near the football, which reminded me of Eagles safety Sydney Brown, who played in the Senior Bowl two years ago as a prospect out of Illinois. Trader was an elite lacrosse player, as well. In fact, he earned third-team All-American honors in 2023 for Maryland lacrosse, one of the best programs in the country. I see similarities between him and Browns safety Ronnie Hickman, who was also mighty skillful on the lacrosse field during his high school days. I trust Trader when I watch him play.