2025 NFL Draft Notebook: Treading lightly with Walter Nolen, the Shavon Revel timeline, and breaking down Princely Umanmielen
The college football season is officially over, and the NFL playoffs are flying by as well. In just a couple of weeks, all people are going to want to talk about is the 2025 NFL Draft class. We are almost to All-Star season, and the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, and pro day circuit will come […]
The college football season is officially over, and the NFL playoffs are flying by as well. In just a couple of weeks, all people are going to want to talk about is the 2025 NFL Draft class. We are almost to All-Star season, and the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, and pro day circuit will come shortly after.
For the third straight week, I opened up for questions for the 2025 class. That included some of the top pass rushers, day three values, and the curious case of Tetairoa McMillan. Here are the questions that everyone is wondering about heading toward April.
Shavon Revel Jr. evaluation
From everything I’ve heard, there isn’t much to worry about with the injury to ECU cornerback Shavon Revel. To my knowledge, he hasn’t had much of an injury history, which is a good sign. The injury will keep him from participating in the All-Star circuit and NFL Scouting Combine, but I’m told that he should be good to work out during the pro day circuit. Seeing him back healthy should be huge.
More than anything, Revel is going to be healthy and good to go well before offseason team activities begin. He’s a freaky athlete at 6-2 with a ton of length, and I expect teams to value him as such. As it currently stands, I would be surprised if he isn’t drafted in the first round come April.
Breaking down Princely Umanmielen
Umanmielen is going to be one of the more fascinating evaluations in the 2025 class. From a talent perspective, he has it all. He’s long, explosive, and very bendy. The highs he has as a pure pass rusher rivals anyone in this class. You saw the flashes at Florida, but Umanmielen always left you wanting more. We saw a much more consistent player while at Ole Miss.
The biggest issue surrounding Umanmielen is reports about his work ethic. There are lapses on his film in that regard, and there are some who believe that begins with his practice habits. If you are getting a Umanmielen that is locked in all the time, then you are getting a perennial double digit sack artist. It’s just uncertain if that’s who you are going to get every day.
Does Miami look for a QB?
I personally would not be against Miami drafting a quarterback somewhat early, depending on what the board looks like. The facts are that Tua just hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and he also may not be a good enough of a quarterback to elevate a pretty average roster. The Dolphins are in an awkward spot.
If someone like Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) was there in the third or fourth round, I’d likely jump on it. If there isn’t a talented enough quarterback in that spot, however, it would be a hard sell for me. Forcing selections you don’t believe in is never the answer.
What is the future for Dak Prescott?
I don’t see Dallas moving on from Dak Prescott. When he’s healthy, they win a lot of games, for the most part. Jerry Jones is also very hardheaded and I imagine he’s going to stick with Prescott until he’s forced off of him. This season could be a make or break, and I wouldn't be shocked if some hard decisions have to be made if it’s a rough one.
Talking Walter Nolen
Yes, it’s possible that he goes in the first round. It will all depend on how his interviews go during the process. There has never been any questions about his talent. There’s a reason that Nolen was a former five-star recruit.
The major questions surrounding him are effort and character. According to multiple sources, the latter is especially concerning. There are multiple NFL teams that have already taken Nolen off of their board. He is not consistently enough of a disruptive player to have as many concerns as he does. I’m out.
Drafting for the Broncos
I keep mocking a tight end to the Broncos in the first round, assuming the board falls the right way. It is a good tight end class, but the dropoff from the top two to three to the rest of the class is substantial. If you wanted an EDGE in the first round slot, Jalon Walker (Georgia) would seemingly fit the system best. Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss) would also be another fun fit, although he’s a much different style.
You can definitely find value at cornerback potentially. I’m very high on ECU star Shavon Revel Jr., and there’s a chance he could be available in that spot. I also like Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) quite a bit, but some may think that slot is a bit rich. My main question is, should the Broncos invest that early in cornerback with Patrick Surtain Jr. and Riley Moss already on the roster? Doesn’t seem like a major need to me.
Where will James Pearce go?
Pearce feels like a top-20 lock at this point. He didn’t quite take the leap I was hoping for during his final year at Tennessee, but you just can’t teach this combination of length, explosiveness, and bend. I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes inside the top ten if he has a good draft process.
Favorite offensive line prospects
My favorite is probably Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona). There is going to be a major debate about whether he ends up as an offensive tackle or guard, but either way, he’s going to be a plus starter on the next level. You just don’t see players at over 6-4 and 330 pounds that are this smooth.
I’m also a fan of Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) and Chase Lundt (UConn) for very different reasons. Ersery is massive, powerful, and absolutely dominant at times. Lundt is all about betting on movement skills. He has some of the cleaner change of direction ability of anyone in this class.
What to make of Tetairoa McMillan
Arizona wide receiver is never going to be a great separator. He possesses great length and body control, so he will be able to create some separation in the air. As an athlete, his length affects his transitions at times, and doesn’t possess very good long speed. There is a world where he becomes a good player, but McMillan isn’t quite the prospect some act like he is. Betting on wide receivers who win solely in the air is risky business.
Let’s talk Day 3
That’s a great question, and there are a lot. Two wide receivers that I’m a huge fan of that could be major values are Jaylin Noel (Iowa State) and Daniel Jackson (Minnesota). They are both cut from a similar clothe, projecting best in the slot, but possessing outstanding spatial awareness, underrated YAC ability, and consistent approaches. Both will play in the NFL for a long time.
I also like Maryland safety Dante Trader Jr. quite a bit. He didn’t take the step forward in 2024 I was hoping for, but there is a lot to like there. He is comfortable playing from the roof, and is a super smooth mover.
I’d also like to throw Minnesota EDGE Jah Joyner into the conversation as well. He’s still very raw in terms of technique, but he’s long with an outstanding frame. There is underlying power, and good explosiveness to work with as well. An NFL team is going to love working with him.
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