Daily Norseman
Almost time for your final mocks!
Let’s see those mocks today with the position you want taken first!
A good article about Aeneas Peebles but also includes a caution about Emmanwori.
2025 NFL Draft Value Plays: Comparable talent, better investment after Round 1
Why draft Walter Nolen in the first round when you can take Aeneas Peebles in the third?
Walter Nolen made the most out of his transfer to Mississippi this season, posting a 91.6 run-defense grade for the year, second best in the country to only Michigan’s Mason Graham. He is a bowling ball of a prospect who used his quick first step and power to register six sacks and 35 total pressures.
While his first step and natural power pop on film, I’m not as sold as some others on his prospects for the NFL. While he showed the ability to win off the ball, he did not display a wide array of pass-rush and counter moves, and at times, he struggled to shed blockers. This can often be a sign of a player with short arms, and sure enough, he measured at just 32 ½-inches at the combine. He also weighed in at just 296 pounds and did not participate in the on-field workout. At his pro day ,the only athletic event he measured was the short shuttle, and his 4.76 seconds would have finished just eighth among the 10 interior defenders to time at the combine.
One of the interior defenders who bettered his pro day effort was Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles (4.70 seconds). He also impressed with a 4.94-second 40-yard dash, but like Nolen, he measured in with short arms (31 ⅜ inches). He truly impressed the most on the football field in 2024.
A transfer from Duke, Peebles graded out as one of the best all-around defensive interiors in the country last season. He graded positively on a solid 20.4% of run-defense plays and ranked first in the nation with a 91.3 pass-rush grade. His 17.8% all-around pass-rush win percentage and his 27.3% win percentage on true pass sets both ranked No. 1. Comparatively, Nolen’s win rate on true pass sets was just 19.5% and ranked him 14th nationally.
He possesses first-step explosiveness just like Nolen, but he is ahead of Nolen at this point in terms of having a plan when taking on blockers. He doesn’t try winning with plain brute strength, as he has a variety of swims and rips that he syncs up with his quick feet, allowing him to gain consistent penetration.
Vikings need a defensive tackle that can get after the passer!
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Kevin O’Connell talks Vikings’ backup QB options, NFL draft approach
Speaking to reporters on Monday, which marked the first day of the Vikings’ offseason program, head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked about the team’s plan at backup quarterback.
*“We’ve been patient and evaluated a lot of different ways that we can potentially do that,” he said. “There’s potential trades and...
