Risen Star
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But who is going to wow scouts, coaches and executives over the next three months? I predicted 10 prospects who are primed to gain momentum and jump up draft boards, and I outlined how they might do it. Let's dive in.
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Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Current projection: Early-mid Day 3
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McCord was a revelation after transferring from Ohio State, leading Syracuse to its first 10-win season since 2018. After an inconsistent 2023 season with the Buckeyes, he finished with a nation-leading 4,779 passing yards and 34 touchdown passes, going from a late-round hopeful to a potential mid-round selection.
McCord has an average arm, but his decisiveness and accuracy have been solid outside of an uncharacteristic five-interception performance against Pittsburgh. His 36 completions on passes of 20 or more air yards led the FBS and shows how aggressive he was this season. But if he wants to rise boards and maybe even get into the QB3/QB4 competition, McCord has to prove he has enough arm strength to drive the ball into tight windows at the Shrine Bowl.
Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
Current projection: Late Day 2, early Day 3
At 5-foot-11, 215 pounds, Neal is a stoutly built rusher who is a versatile threat out of the backfield. He ran for 1,266 yards and 16 touchdowns this past season while adding a career-high 254 receiving yards and one score. Neal has good vision and understands how to let blocks set up before accelerating through creases. His contact balance also stands out, as he had 725 rushing yards after first contact this season (18th in the FBS).
Scouts told me this week that Neal currently has a fourth-round grade. But his stock could rise at the Senior Bowl if he's able to show versatility in the passing game as a blocker and pass catcher. Despite it being a secondary part of his game at Kansas (24 catches in 2024), Neal has good hands and can be used on creative routes as a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. He has the potential to be a good addition to any running-back-by-committee approach, serving as a rushing and receiving option.
Savion Williams, WR, TCU
Current projection: Mid-to-late Day 2
Williams is one of the more versatile playmakers in this class. TCU used his formational versatility throughout the past season, lining him up at running back and receiver. He finished with career highs in catches (60), receiving yards (611) and receiving touchdowns (six). He also rushed for 322 yards and six scores. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Williams is the ultimate chess piece who can generate explosive plays from either spot. Any team that drafts Williams needs a distinct plan on how to best utilize him, but a creative playcaller could deploy him at multiple spots.
The one downside this season was his five drops, which is why most scouts have Williams as a Round 3 or 4 prospect. But he could surge into the Round 2 discussion if he shows some consistency at the catch point at the combine. All eyes will be on the gauntlet drill for Williams. But I also expect him to be a standout tester in Indianapolis, as he could run in the low 4.4s in the 40-yard dash and jump 40-plus inches in the vertical. That would give his stock quite the boost.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Miami
Current projection: Mid-late Day 2
Arroyo remained healthy in 2024 after injuries sporadically kept him out in his first three college seasons. He finished this season with 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns. A 6-foot-4, 245-pound target, Arroyo can create separation on route stems. He had zero drops and 71.4% of his catches went for either a first down or a touchdown (fifth-highest in the FBS among TEs). Scouts have remained cautious because he has had only one productive year -- he had 11 catches for 163 yards combined in his previous three seasons -- and most are giving him an early-Day 3 grade.
Despite that, Arroyo stands out in a deep tight end class as a receiving threat. I expect him to be one of the biggest winners at Senior Bowl practices because of his pass-catching upside and his fluid movement in and out of breaks. He also understands how to set up and execute various route stems against defenders. Add his ability to snag the ball out of the air, and it's easy to see him as someone who could fly up boards as we get closer to April.
Charles Grant, OT, William & Mary
Current projection: Mid-to-late Day 2
The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Grant is this year's small-school offensive lineman who could potentially skyrocket up draft boards. Evaluators have touted him as an early-Day 3 selection heading into the All-Star game circuit. "I want to see him against better competition before I'm a true believer," an NFC area scout said.
A light-footed easy mover, Grant has the ability to mirror and match his lower body to pass rushers. He couples that with a physical demeanor that helps him strain and finish defenders. And Grant's quickness in climbing to the second level and cutting off linebackers is among the best of all tackle prospects and makes him a fit in zone-based schemes.
Because of his lean frame, Grant must show that he has sufficient strength against better competition. It's widely believed that Grant is a multi-year development player because he needs to add mass to his frame. Senior Bowl week will be the first big test of his pre-draft process. If he plays well there, scouts will start to buy in.
