Football

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 308

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 31¾"

WINGSPAN: 77½"

40-YARD DASH: 5.05

3-CONE: 7.56

SHUTTLE: 4.51

VERTICAL: 30.5"

BROAD: 8'9"

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POSITIVES

— Good athletic ability, body control and movement skills.

— Does a very good job closing space, lining up and intersecting targets on climbs and pulls.

— Solid anchoring ability using a series of small hop-backs with the mobility, tight hands and strain to die slowly against the bull-rush.

— Efficient zone run blocker with a firm understanding of leverage, timing and leverage to stick on blocks.

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NEGATIVES

— Sawed off frame with mediocre sand, girth and mass.

— Below-average power leaves him stacked and stalemated against bigger, hulking defensive tackles when isolated in the run game.

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NOTES

— 4-star recruit from the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Son of Pete Kendall, former Boston College and NFL guard with 193 pro starts

— 37 career starts at center

— Team captain

— 2024: AP First-team All-ACC selection

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl

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OVERALL

Drew Kendall is a three-year starter at center including 13 starts in 2024 as a team captain inside Boston College's run-heavy (64-36 run-pass split) multiple-run scheme. Kendall has mediocre arm length with evenly dispersed weight throughout his frame, good athletic ability and solid play strength.

Kendall is an efficient zone run blocker with good quickness, leverage, and sustain skills to execute combos effectively, climb, pull, and intersect targets on the move. He does a nice job steering defenders away from the ball to secure rush lanes and not fall off of blocks cleanly, very often. Kendall will get stacked and stalemated on back blocks due to middling power and length, but he has the mobility and strength in his lower half to dissipate momentum enough to not get blown up.

In pass protection Kendall has a solid anchor to grind down the bull-rush and die slowly with the hand-fighting skills and grip strength to stay inside and underneath of rushers. His lack of girth, mass and length leaves him vulnerable to getting picked by penetrators and creates soft edges that moves across his face can exploit but his active hands and feet keeps him in the fight and give him a shot to recover.

Overall, Kendall has below-average size and power but is an athletic, sticky run blocker with solid play strength to anchor who can carve out a role as a backup center with the sustain skills to compete for a starting job inside a zone-based run scheme.

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GRADE: 6.5 (Potential Role Player - Round 4)

OVERALL RANK: 170

POSITION RANK: IOL16

PRO COMPARISON: Greg Mancz

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 306

HAND: 10¼"

ARM: 32½"

WINGSPAN: 78⅛"

40-YARD DASH: 5.20

3-CONE: 8.01

SHUTTLE: 4.83

VERTICAL: 28"

BROAD: 8'6"

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POSITIVES

— Thick, sturdy and well-rounded build with good play strength.

— Has a stiff punch with tight, inside hand placement using a double-under technique.

— Excels on base blocks and in the post on double-teams covering up, lifting and uprooting defensive tackles

— Grinds the bull-rush down with a strong, firm anchor.

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NEGATIVES

— Struggles to sustain and finish blocks late in the rep due to not always bringing his feet and failing to step on the toes of defenders.

— Gradually lets his pads rise, gets overextended and is vulnerable to getting shed by the push=pull technique.

— Adequate lateral quickness and recovery skills.

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NOTES

— Born Dec. 12, 2002

— 2-star recruit from the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Originally committed to Lamar University in Texas where he started 22 games at center before transferring to Arkansas State before the 2023 season

— 46 career starts at center

— Suffered a torn ACL during spring practice before the 2024 season and returned five months later in Week 2

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Senior Bowl

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OVERALL

Jacob Bayer is a four-year starter at center, including 24 career starts at Arkansas State, including 12 in 2024 inside the team's 53-47 run-pass split, inside zone-based, downhill run scheme. Bayer has a thick, sturdy, and well-rounded build with adequate athletic ability and good play strength.

Bayer wins as a run blocker with a wide-bodied base, good upper-body strength, and an effective double-under technique to cover up, lift, and displace defensive tackles in the post on double-teams and angle-drive blocks. He has enough quicks to overtake and reach shades in the outside zone run game but does his best work on inside zone and gap concepts where he can work downhill. Bayer shows some lower half stiffness that saps his ability to sustain, redirect, and recover late in the rep. He also needs to work on churning his feet and stepping on the toes of defenders to close space and not get overextended against the push-pull technique.

In pass protection, Bayer is a stout presence against power, and he quickly absorbs and grinds the bull-rush down in his anchor while creating a lift using the double-under. He has a stiff, jolting punch and physical mindset when uncovered to clear the pocket. Bayer's feet tend to get stuck against rushers that can string together moves, creating easy access to his edges and gradual penetration when isolated.

Overall, Bayer has below-average movement skills but brings the size, play strength, and demeanor to compete for a backup role at center with the upside to get onto the field during his rookie contract if he can clean up his footwork.

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GRADE: 5.8 (Backup/Draftable - Rounds 6-7)

OVERALL RANK: 252

POSITION RANK: IOL28

PRO COMPARISON: Russell Bodine

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

HEIGHT: 5'10" 3/8

WEIGHT: 279

HAND: 10⅜"

ARM: 31½"

WINGSPAN: 78⅛"

40-YARD DASH: 5.21

3-CONE: NA

SHUTTLE: 4.7

VERTICAL: 23.5"

BROAD: 8'8"

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POSITIVES

— Outstanding natural leverage and contact balance with good play strength.

— Very good quickness to close space in a blink on climbs and pulls and when uncovered in pass protection.

— Refined all-around footwork and use of hands.

— Keeps elbows and hips connected with a tight, firm punch and excellent grip strength.

— Sticky run blocker who strains as hard as any blocker in the nation to finish blocks.

— Strong week of practice in Mobile at guard and center.

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NEGATIVES

— Uniquely undersized in terms of height and weight

— Will get stacked and pulled into overextension here and there if unable to establish first meaningful contact.

---

NOTES

— Born Jan. 22, 2002

— 3-star recruit from the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Won the Florida 2A heavyweight state championship in wrestling as a senior with a 47-0 record

— 61 career starts across the interior; 26 at left guard, 21 at right guard and 14 at center

— 2024 AP First-team All-ACC selection

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Senior Bowl

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OVERALL

Willie Lampkin is a five-year starter with double-digit starts across each spot on the interior including 12 at right guard in 2024 inside UNC's 56-44 run-pass split, multiple run scheme. Lampkin is uniquely short and light with adequate arm length, very good quickness and good play strength.

Lampkin is a leverage monster in the run game with a refined skill set and a keen understanding of how to stick on blocks. He can hold the point in the post on double teams, strain, and wall-off rush lanes when isolated on drive blocks and regularly intersects targets on pulls and climbs. Once latched, Lampkin is a chore to shed due to his tremendous ability to fit, clench, and take away space for defenders to operate. His lack of girth and mass creates soft edges that defenders can get to and if he cannot establish first meaningful contact has gotten push-pulled into overextension but these instances are rare on film.

In pass protection Lampkin shows very good footwork and strike timing in his jump set to land his punch first and inside the frame of rushers before clenching and anchoring on command. He uncorks on adjacent rushers when uncovered and is alert to decipher line games and stunts.

Overall, Lampkin has an unprecedented combination of size limitations and great tape that creates a difficult projection for the NFL, but he more than held his own in the ACC and Mobile. Worst case Lampkin can fit into a versatile move blocker role in the mold of Ravens FB Pat Ricard but checks enough boxes apart from size to compete for a job at center as a rookie.

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GRADE: 6.0 (Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 218

POSITION RANK: IOL23

PRO COMPARISON: Shorter Aaron Brewer

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

After watching the Philadelphia Eagles defense dominate the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Penn State star Abdul Carter lobbied to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

"DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!" Carter posted on X while making it clear where he believes he stands in this year's class:

https://twitter.com/1NCRDB1/status/1888796675449241802

The Nittany Lions edge-rusher has a case to at least be considered the best player overall. He sits second on Bleacher Report's 2025 big board behind Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and boasts a 9.1 overall grade.

B/R NFL scout Matt Holder compared Carter to Von Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion.

"Initially, Carter will have to win with athleticism by making linemen miss or on run stunts to be an effective run defender," Holder wrote. "That could push him into a pass-rush specialist role to begin his career, but he could become a complete player by his second year in the league.

"Schematically, he'd be a good fit as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts. He also can be used to drop in coverage occasionally given his athleticism and background as an off-ball linebacker."

Mahomes already has three Super Bowl rings and is almost a cheat code in terms of helping the Kansas City Chiefs contend for championships. But Sunday night was the second time the team watched its title hopes undone in the face of a dominant pass rush.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers smothered Mahomes en route to a comfortable 31-9 victory in Super Bowl LV, while the Eagles' constant pressure caused problems for the two-time All-Pro on the biggest stage once again.

For as important as the quarterback position is in the NFL, a great defense can still overwhelm a great signal-caller.

Of course, it's worth noting that Eagles star Jalen Hurts was named the Super Bowl LIX MVP after going 17-of-22 for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. As good as Philly is defensively, the team also boasts a franchise quarterback on a $255 million contract.

But if the Tennessee Titans aren't sold on either Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, widely considered the two best QBs in then 2025 draft, then going with Carter and making him the cornerstone of the defense could be the smarter play.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams reveled in denying the Kansas City Chiefs their place in NFL history.

Williams said he was "definitely" motivated by the general conversations around the Chiefs' three-peat bid.

"They were talking about getting the copyright and all that B.S." he said, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "Throw that s--t in the trash."

Defensive end Brandon Graham conveyed a similar sentiment.

"That was motivation because it was kind of a slap to us," he said. "It was like, they ain't seen us yet. So, we heard that all week. And when the game came, execution was on point and together."

Thanks to some incredibly savvy thinking by NBA coaching legend Pat Riley decades ago, any team's pursuit of three straight championships inevitably hits on the fact that the phrase "Three-Peat" and "3-Peat" officially trademarked. Their usage for commercial purposes requires Riley's approval.

Securing the necessary agreements needs to be done in advance in order to have championship apparel and memorabilia available as soon as a game is over. That meant the NFL prepared for the Chiefs' three-peat well before Super Bowl LIX.

It's no different than how the league produces hats and T-shirts for both teams competing in the Super Bowl, with half of that inventory never seeing the light of day in the United States.

But athletes and coaches never turn down a possible source of inspiration ahead of a big game. For the Eagles, hearing about the Chiefs' quest to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls weighed squarely on their minds.

Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett communicated a trade request to the team "weeks" before he went public with the demand.

Garrett announced Feb. 3 in a statement he wants out, citing his desire to win a Super Bowl title.

Breaking: Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and #Browns star Myles Garrett has requested a trade.

Exclusive statement: pic.twitter.com/LgS5YCeCnP

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 3, 2025

According to The MMQB's Albert Breer, however, "his request had been in for a couple of weeks."

"My sense would be that the request becoming public came as a result of some level of frustration from the former Defensive Player of the Year," Breer said. "The Browns told him they wouldn't deal him. They've messaged that to other teams. And Cleveland planting its feet in the ground on that would motivate Garrett to go public."

At least one NFL personnel evaluator has serious doubts the Browns actually trade Garrett.

"There is no way they are going to trade that guy," the anonymous exec said to The Athletic's Mike Sando. "They would be crazy to. I think they are just going to sit on it and simmer it down. That said, when (offensive guard Joel) Bitonio came out and said he had doubts as well, it affirmed for me that this is all about Deshaun Watson. I think they want him out of the building and they want a clear path to no more drama."

An immediate reaction from many was that the six-time Pro Bowler's days in Cleveland are numbered.

Thanks in part to the Deshaun Watson trade being such a spectacular failure, whatever title window the Browns once had seems to have closed. Beyond the extent to which Garrett's trade request will linger around the organization, dealing him might be the most straightforward way for the front office to accelerate a rebuild.

Maybe the anonymous executive's read on the situation will instead prove to be correct.

Soon, free agency and the NFL draft will give fans something else to talk about, thus taking the focus away from Garrett and his future in Cleveland. General manager Andrew Berry might in turn feel a little less pressure to act.

Still, it's tough to see what the front office can do to address Garrett's concerns when the Browns are projected to be more than $30.1 million over the salary cap. Cutting ties with Watson is out of the question, too, thanks to the financial consequences.

Cleveland is going to have a new starting quarterback for 2025; that much is clear. The team may struggle to identify one who's enough of an upgrade to lift the team into contention.

NFL legend Tom Brady empathized with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the final stages of Kansas City's 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

As the outcome was clear midway through the fourth quarter, Brady said from the broadcast booth that he lingers over his three Super Bowl defeats "probably more than I think about the seven wins" (via Matt Geagan of WBZ News).

"It hurts to lose this game," the Fox Sports analyst said. "We lost to the Giants in 2007. That was 17 years ago. We were on the precipice of history and we faced a Giants team that played their hearts out that day and beat us. I still haven't really lived it down, because you care so deeply. And I know that this Chiefs team does as well. Patrick is the ultimate competitor. The reality of a loss in this game is you don't ever get over them."

That's exactly what Mahomes conveyed in his postgame press conference. He told reporters that a defeat in the Super Bowl is "the worst feeling in the world."

"Anytime you lose the Super Bowl, it's the worst feeling in the world. It'll stick with you the rest of your career... they hurt -- probably more than the wins feel good."

Patrick Mahomes says this loss will motivate him to be better pic.twitter.com/OwT95jbokd

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 10, 2025

The frustration for Mahomes is probably magnified because of how poorly he played Sunday night.

Hardly anyone blamed the two-time MVP when Kansas City came up short against Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. The Chiefs offensive line had no answer for the Bucs' pass rush, so it was a minor miracle Mahomes even managed to throw for 270 yards on that occasion.

While the Eagles applied steady pressure in Super Bowl LIX, that doesn't fully account for Mahomes' performance. He finished 21-of-32 for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, with two of those TDs and a lot of yards coming in garbage time. He made some questionable decisions and simply didn't look comfortable in the pocket.

MAHOMES: pic.twitter.com/Wi7h8Z7D27

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2025

It's safe to say Mahomes will be stewing on this game all offseason, and it will probably remain in the back of his mind for a long time to come.

Tennis legend Serena Williams consoled Taylor Swift after the music star received a frosty reception from the crowd at Super Bowl LIX.

In a post on X, Williams advised Swift to tune out the boos she received inside Caesars Superdome:

I love you @taylorswift13 dont listen to those booo!!

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) February 9, 2025

Swift appeared on the stadium's jumbotron at one point, which elicited loud boos. She appeared to be taken aback by the reaction:

Confused' Taylor Swift's eyes bulge as Eagles fans boo her during Super Bowl 2025 pic.twitter.com/jJWxNYYUUZ

— New York Post (@nypost) February 10, 2025

This ultimately may have come down to the fact the 14-time Grammy winner is the most famous Chiefs fan on the planet, and the Superdome seemed to be predominantly Eagles fans.

Compare and contrast how the crowd responded to the pregame intros, which featured actors Bradley Cooper and Jon Hamm. Cooper drew large cheers as he brought the Eagles onto the field, while boos were audible with Hamm announcing the Chiefs' entrance:

Let's take it down to Bradley Cooper to introduce the NFC Champion @Eagles!#SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/t6MeyAJ75R

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025

Actor Jon Hamm hypes up the defending champion @Chiefs as they make their way onto the field! #SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/roXQmeP7U2

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025

Listen, we're talking about a fanbase that once threw snowballs at a man dressed in a Santa Claus costume because they were so disgusted with the state of the Eagles at the time.

It shouldn't be a shock Eagles partisans didn't roll out the red carpet for a celebrity so closely associated with the Chiefs during the biggest game of the season.

The Philadelphia Eagles seem to keenly understand their fans care about championships, not balance sheets.

Following Philly's 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, The Athletic's Brooks Kubena wrote that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman partook in the team's locker room celebration, during which Future's "Lil Demon" played from the speakers. One line from that song is "Go platinum, f--k a budget."

Howie Roseman celebrating with his guys 🔥🤣

(via @AlbertBreer)pic.twitter.com/KlxQ7RkQJ5

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) February 10, 2025

Kubena laid out how "f--k a budget" has to some extent been Philadelphia's approach to building its roster.

The NFL is a hard-capped league, so it's not as though a team can spend its way to success in the same way you theoretically can in the NBA or MLB. But there is room to be more aggressive than your peers in the short term, and that's exactly what the Eagles have been.

The three-year contract they gave to Saquon Barkley is a prime example. At a time when a lot of teams are shying away from bigger multiyear deals for running backs in free agency, Philly didn't hesitate with Barkley, and he proceeded to perform at an MVP-type level.

Then there are the extensions the Eagles have paid out to players who were already on the roster. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, offensive tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson and offensive guard Landon Dickerson all have average salaries of at least $20 million.

The Chiefs, by comparison, have three players averaging $20 million or more.

Savvy drafting by Roseman and the front office has perfectly complemented the massive spending on proven talent.

Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean both made immediate impacts as rookies this year, with DeJean getting a pick-six in the Super Bowl.

COOPER DEJEAN PICK TO THE HOUSE!

📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/y4Q4bGTHE2

— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025

Defensive tackle Jalen Carter has grown to become a game-wrecker as well. He had two hits on Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, which doesn't do justice to how much he influenced the contest.

Linebacker Zack Baun wasn't drafted by the Eagles, but his one-year, $3.5 million contract was one of the biggest bargains in the league as he went on to be an All-Pro.

There will come a time when Roseman has to make some difficult decisions with the current roster, choices that are largely fueled by financial concerns. But that day is not today.

For now, Roseman deserves all the credit for being the architect for what's clearly the NFL's strongest squad.