The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and teams are already meeting with potential prospects to determine the best fit for their rosters. To get a sense of who the scouts favor at each position, Yahoo Sports asked eight NFL scouts at the combine to name their favorite prospect. While there was some consensus, there were also heated debates, making this year’s draft pool an exciting one to watch.
Quarterback:
Caleb Williams emerged as the clear favorite among the quarterbacks. He is projected to be the top pick in the draft and has already made a strong impression on scouts. Other notable quarterbacks include Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, all of whom are expected to be first-round picks.
Running back:
Unlike previous years, there is no dominant or overwhelming prospect in the running back class. However, there are several players who should be selected on the second day of the draft. Trey Benson, Audric Estime, and Braelon Allen are all bigger backs with the balance to handle an NFL workload.
Wide receiver:
Marvin Harrison Jr. received the most votes among wide receivers, but it was not a unanimous decision. Despite assumptions that he will be the first wide receiver off the board, there is still some debate among scouts. Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze also received praise for their speed and all-around skills.
Tight end:
Brock Bowers is the only unanimous selection in this year’s draft. The star Georgia tight end has long been considered one of the top prospects and is expected to go in the top 15 picks. However, the positional value of a tight end may affect his draft position.
Offensive tackle:
Taliese Fuaga has emerged as a frontrunner among offensive tackles. Scouts are impressed with his nasty streak and his strong performance in interviews. Other notable offensive tackles include Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, and Amarius Mims.
Interior offensive linemen:
Graham Barton, Zach Frazier, and Jackson Powers-Johnson received votes among interior offensive linemen. Barton, who played left tackle for Duke, is projected to play guard at the next level. Frazier and Powers-Johnson have also been touted as potential first-round picks.
Interior defensive linemen:
Jer’Zhan Newton and Byron Murphy stood out among the interior defensive linemen. Both players possess the penetrating 3 technique that sets them apart from the rest of the pack. T’Vondre Sweat, Murphy’s teammate at Texas, also garnered attention for his impressive weigh-in number.
Edge:
Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu are the top options among edge players. Their standout performances throughout the season have solidified their positions as favorites among scouts. Chop Robinson and Jared Verse are also worth noting as solid options in this year’s draft class.
Linebackers:
The linebacker position is a bit of a mess this year, with no clear favorite emerging. Junior Colson, Edgerrin Cooper, Payton Wilson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Cedric Gray, and Tommy Eichenberg all received votes. Teams may be looking for athletes who have the potential to become consistent starters.
Cornerbacks:
The cornerback class is strong, but there is no consensus on the best player. Almost every player projected to go in the first round received votes, except for Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. Cooper DeJean, while his position in the NFL is not yet solidified, is expected to excel at either outside cornerback or safety.
Safety:
Tyler Nubin is the top safety prospect at this point. While this year’s safety class has not received rave reviews, Nubin has stood out among his peers. Javon Bullard, Kamren Kinchens, and Jaden Hicks also received recognition from scouts.
As the NFL Draft approaches, the debate among scouts continues to intensify. With no clear favorites at many positions, this year’s draft pool promises to be an exciting one. Keep an eye on these prospects as they make their way into the NFL and shape the future of the league.