2025 NFL Draft Notebook: Dorian Strong needs more love, where Tai Felton fits in at WR, and other draft nuggets
The All-Star circuit is officially underway with the East-West Shrine Bowl beginning practice. Before you know it, the 2025 NFL Draft class is going to be all everyone can talk about. The next wave of future NFL stars will be competing in Mobile for the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week as well, and the NFL […]
The All-Star circuit is officially underway with the East-West Shrine Bowl beginning practice. Before you know it, the 2025 NFL Draft class is going to be all everyone can talk about. The next wave of future NFL stars will be competing in Mobile for the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week as well, and the NFL Scouting Combine is just on the horizon.
With the 2025 class being an exceptionally large group, there’s a lot to cover in this week’s scouting notebook. That includes a Big Ten speedster not enough people are talking about, a couple Top 100 defenders, and the best great pass rush prospect. Here’s this week’s notes.
Where does Tai Felton fit into the WR class?
The 2025 wide receiver class does leave a lot to be desired, and most evaluators are desperately searching for talented under the radar pass catchers to elevate the group. Even though Maryland star Tai Felton just put together one of the best seasons of any wide receiver in the country, he somehow isn’t getting a ton of attention. Felton hauled in 96 receptions for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns during that final campaign.
While Felton isn’t the most physically imposing wide receiver (6006v, 181v), he’s dynamite with the football in his hands. It’s expected that Felton could run in the 4.3s when he runs the forty-yard dash during the draft process, and his game resembles that of current New Orleans Saints standout Chris Olave closely. Play strength is always going to be a major concern, but as a modern Z receiver, there is a lot to love about Felton.
Stop underrating Dorian Strong
It is a deep, and extremely talented cornerback group in the 2025 class. It’s easy for some very good football players to get lost in the shuffle a bit in return, and that’s exactly what has happened with Virginia Tech star Dorian Strong. Despite Strong having a chance to be a top 100 selection in April, you barely hear a peep about him.
Strong is one of the rare cornerbacks who heads to the NFL incredibly battle tested. In 53 games, he has recorded 112 total tackles, seven interceptions, and 28 pass breakups. There is a lack of overall play strength, but Strong is a really smart zone cornerback who can run with anyone. He will be somewhat scheme dependent, but in that scheme, Strong has upside to be a plus starter.
The upside of TJ Sanders
Sanders has been a valuable member of the South Carolina defensive line for multiple seasons now. Despite having one more year of eligibility remaining, Sanders opted to enter the 2025 class. The 6-4, 290-pound defensive tackle ended his Gamecock career with 109 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
Those numbers are very impressive when you consider all the dirty work that Sanders was tasked with in the structure of the South Carolina defense. If Sanders lands in a system that asks him to be more of a penetrator, there is still playmaking potential to tap into. Sanders is an extremely gifted athlete, both in terms of foot quickness and flexibility.
Is it too early to drool over Dylan Stewart?
While watching Sanders, as well as linebacker Demetrius Knight, and safety Nick Emmanwori, it’s impossible not to notice freshman pass rusher Dylan Stewart. At this point, everyone knows Stewart, but he is still a sight to see. Defensive ends at 6-6 and 248 pounds aren’t supposed to move like this.
2025 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders makes calculated decision, Kenneth Grant is a behemoth, and other interesting East-West Shrine Bowl takeaways
Early 2025 NFL Draft takeaways from East-West Shrine Bowl.
