Ya’ll ready for Part 2? Today we get some football appetizers…

As a reminder, we probably won’t see many starters during the duration of preseason action; those appearances seem to have waned further and further over the years. What we will have, is a chance to see a lot of rookies and young players get a chance to spin. Luckily, there were some pretty interesting picks made during the draft… and not all in a good way. Many questions were addressed by each team heading into the 2025 season, but a whole host of new questions have cropped up in their place.

Between this and my Part 1 of this article (Rounds 1-3), you can hit Ctrl + F (or ⌘ command + F if you’re one of those 👀) and search to find the entries for your team. Search per game matchup, OR read straight through — piece it together however you want. Yes, all the Seahawks picks are either listed or mentioned (in the case of three who did not make the cut). Every team in the league had at least one guy make it in his round… some teams had four. Each team is not equally interesting 🤷🏾‍♂️.

In honor of actual football coming back to us in the 8th month of the year, here are the 8 most interesting picks in each round of April’s draft to keep tabs on this preseason.

ROUND 4

  • Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars HB – (Pick #104) A tough, fast and explosive threat on the ground, as a receiver and in the return game. He’s also a smaller back, and I always love those that hold it down for the short kings ✊🏾 (5’9” counts in the NFL, aight?). Could he provide a Devon Achane-lite impact in Duvall? Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby don’t scare me, but the fact that Tuten was the fastest back at the combine does. The fact that he said in an interview with NFL Network that, “I like contact a lot”, does. This after the Jags went way up to get a dynamic receiver / DB with the 2nd overall pick (Travis Hunter), and also took a guard in the 3rd (Wyatt Milum) … Trevor Lawrence’s success and support system is being treated as mission critical at this point, after a career of inconsistency thus far for sunshine.
  • Cam Skattebo, Giants HB – (Pick #105) The Giants already had a breakout ball carrier from last year, in Tyrone Tracy Jr., who ran for 830+ at 4.4 Yards Per Carry (YPC) as a rookie. That didn’t stop Big Blue from taking this tank of a back: Cam Skattebo. Some will say that just based on his tape, he should’ve been given more respect in the draft process. An ASU legend, the Sun Devils had him all over the formation, and it remains to be seen if he will end up plying any of the lost art of fullback. New York seems to like him plenty enough at tailback. He’s not fast, but C-Skat. is a bruising halfback in the mold of David Montgomery. Same mold, different mamas. Even if he don’t know $hi+ about NFL legends 😬. I’m excited, but this is a little overboard:

  • Dont’e Thornton Jr., Raiders WR – (Pick #108) Pete Carroll loves to take calculated shots downfield at a steady pace… so does Geno Smith. After the Silver and Black took a big-hearted possession WR earlier (Jack Bech) they team him up here with this deep threat (4.30 second speed in the 40-yard dash). Thornton led all of college football with 6 catches of 50+ yards last season. Yeah, Pete’s gonna like that. He might be a one-trick pony… but that trick is pretty damn good. This is a nice convergence of a classic Raiders pick, and a classic Pete Carroll pick.
  • Woody Marks, Texans HB – (Pick #116) Somebody’s poisoned the water hole!!! Mixon is hurt, and both Nick Chubb as well as Dameon Pierce (also currently hurt) were ineffective last season. Enter Woody Marks, who caught 261 passes in his college career, and seems marked for the 3rd down back role. H-Town continues to build even depth across the roster, and this man may yet still get a shot at contributing in a meaningful way. He totes the rock with grit and heart, and we may get to see him reach for the sky if he scores for the Texans.
  • Billy Bowman Jr., Falcons S – (Pick #118) Through this point in the draft, the Falcons double-dipped at EDGE rusher in the 1st Round (Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr.) to solve the annual pass rush deficit, then double-dipped at safety with their next two picks! I even have a conspiracy theory that they stole this guy before the division rival Panthers could get to him (after trading down), leaving Carolina with three starting safety types who are all box safeties with questionable coverage skills 😈 Bowman has been compared to Quandre Diggs, with his instincts, range and hitting power. I’m not sure if he’ll live up to the comp. as a 4th-round player, but he may start out in rotation in the slot for ATL. The Dirty Birds look like they’re gearing up for some shootouts 👀 fire up the royal Michael Penix and keep him clean!!!
  • Jack Sawyer, Steelers EDGE – (Pick #123) Sawyer had the 2nd highest total of pressures in this draft class last year! Every single player on that list got drafted before him, and I saw so many teams with pass rushing needs pass up on him. I think some will regret that. This guy is a balanced and aggressive power rusher who adds to the rejuvenation of the defense this year (DT, Derrick Harmon in the 1st, DB’s, Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey via free agency and trade, respectively). Mike Tomlin said he wanted to establish a “big-man presence” this offseason… throw in acquisitions of DK Metcalf and rookie power back, Kaleb Johnson on offense and he’s achieved that objective across the roster. Tomlin also said that Jack Sawyer’s “got Steeler DNA. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers has anything left in the tank, Blitzburgh now has four potentially potent pass rushers ready to hunt the great QB’s from the edge in the AFC.
  • Dylan Sampson, Browns HB – (Pick #126) EDGE rushers and running backs are FLYING off the shelf in the 4th! It’s vision, instincts and speed with this tailback. He was drafted as the lightning to Quinshon Judkins’ thunder (2nd-Round pick), and Cleveland will want to run the ball heavily with their cadre of questionable signal callers behind center. There’s also the fact that Judkins is in some legal trouble, and is the only remaining unsigned draft pick from this class… does that mean Sampson will get his chance to shine early?
  • Elic Ayomanor, Titans WR – (Pick #136) Tennessee traded up directly in front of Seattle, then as soon as this pick was made, the Seahawks announced they had traded out of the 4th (they did take a higher-rated WR in the next round). Was this their man the whole time, and the Titans caught on? Either way, this is a big, athletic target who adds to Cam Ward’s arsenal and threat downfield. He, as well as fellow 4th-Round pass catchers, Chimere Dike and Gunnar Helm, will fill in behind Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett and Chig Okonkwo to support the #1 pick. Man, the 206 doesn’t need his ugh anyway, he’s just a smaller, slower DK 🥹 that’s sour grapes and a sore subject, as he does bring some similar elements to the field. I love that Ward is getting every chance to be surrounded with talent.

ROUND 5

  • Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Vikings DL – (Pick #139) One of only five players drafted this year by Minnesota, Ingram-Dawkins is a hybrid DE / DT player who should mix into a rotation up front. The Vikes’ moves this offseason were about reallocation. They took priority away from Sam Darnold and gave some to J.J. McCarthy, and the rest they poured into investments in the offensive line in free agency (Ryan Kelly, Will Fries) and the draft (1st-Rounder, Donovan Jackson). On defense, although the secondary seems weakened (on paper), the emphasis on the trenches this year stands out. Signing Jonathan Allen from the Commanders and Javon Hargrave from the 49ers were nice moves. Adding their first defensive player of the draft in Ingram-Dawkins at the top of the 5th, “Minny” fortifies a unit that led the league in takeaways during last year’s campaign. This is a player who only started for one year at Georgia, showed off his quickness, but has a lot of potential room to grow behind some experienced vets. While speaking with the NFL Network during the draft, Kevin O’Connell mentioned T.I.D.’s (live from the VIP) versatility to play up and down the line… this should be fun.
  • Rylie Mills, Seahawks DE – (Pick #142) This one is different, since he won’t be playing in the preseason while recovering from injury. I’ll still be paying attention to any news about his progress. Mills is one of only two defensive players among the Hawks’ 11 selections in the 2025 draft, Seattle takes a player who led Notre Dame in sacks from an interior rush position. Mills also owns the distinction of having been named to Bruce Feldman’s College Football Freaks List for the second consecutive year just before the 2024 season. He’s there below recent Seahawks signee and UDFA, Thor Griffith. He may be a freak, but don’t freak off… no Diddy, but Mills is strong, long and explosive in the trenches as a pass rusher. The catch is that the rookie may still need time to fully recover from 2024’s knee injury, as he may not be back until midway through the season (if that). This guy has the physical tools to be a good player, so can he ramp up to push Byron Murphy II / Jarran Reed / Mike Morris for playing time opposite Leo Williams (keeping BMII fresh and motivated)? I felt that more of a run stuffing NT would be a better fit in Seattle, but Mills is going to eventually audition to be the future tag team partner for Murph.
  • Shedeur Sanders, Browns QB – (Pick #144) A tough, intelligent and accurate pocket passer, and son of a Hall of Famer, Sanders was a projected top-10 of the 1st Round pick. Before our eyes we witnessed possibly the most dramatic draft “slide” of all time NFL history unfold… until the Brownies traded up one spot ahead of Philly for a 5th-Round dart throw (their final 2025 selection) on Shedeur. Did all the analysts collectively get his talent wrong? Did he absolutely BOMB all of his interviews? Were the coaches and GM’s too worried about the specter of eventually losing their jobs to legendary DB and coach, Deion Sanders?? Did the league collude to teach Neon Deion, a confident and accomplished black man) a lesson about who holds the power??? It was weird to see some anonymous grown men come out (with undertones of malice and ridicule) to bash this young man🤔. Nick Saban said of Shedeur: “When he’s in the pocket and he throws the ball on time, he is one of the most accurate passers in this draft. And he can be an exceptionally good quarterback if he did that”. Cleveland has not proven to be able to develop and support young QB’s. Ever. Now that Shedeur has been buried in the 5th Round and has to fight his way out of a competition with Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and 3rd-Round rook, Dillon Gabriel, we’ll have a chance to see what he’s made of outside of the nurturing shadow of his pops. GM, Andrew Berry said that Sanders’ reaction “was probably a mixture of like gratitude, relief and determination”. Can he fight his way to relevancy at the bottom of the wet paper bag that is the Browns organization? Watching him in the preseason will be absolute cinema, one way or another. There surely won’t be any hot takes on X…
  • Jaydon Blue, Cowboys HB – (Pick #149) One of the 6 straight draft picks that were on the altar of sacrifice to the media blitz on Shedeur Sanders after he was selected. These six dudes received basically zero analysis or coverage after the selection of Shedeur. Nonetheless, Jaydon Blue is a smaller back who possesses speed to make house calls from anywhere on the gridiron. Where Blue will get leveraged most is as a true receiving threat out of the backfield, as that is his superpower. Despite shady rumors from an ex-Dallas coach about Blue being “borderline lazy”, J.B. said the incident added “a little fuel to my fire”. Was there any truth to it, or was this old staffer throwing $hi+ out there, just hating for views? Offensive coordinator turned head coach, Brian Schottenheimer resurrected the name of an old favorite of mine to describe Jaydon Blue’s game: Darren Sproles and his agility. He who is 5’6” and 6th in NFL history in all-purpose yards. This guy has a lot to prove on multiple fronts before even touching the grass.
  • Collin Oliver, Packers EDGE – (Pick #159) The Pack took the final guy in the green room in the 4th Round at EDGE (Barryn Sorrell), then doubled back for another, with Oliver. Where Sorrell is a power rusher, Collin Oliver is a speed rusher who may start off as a DPR (Designated Pass Rusher). Green Bay had a tough time getting pressure on Philly in their playoff loss to the eventual league champs… so it looks like they see a PRBC (Pass-Rush-By-Committee) as the answer to the woes that they’ve sat with over the spring season. Keeping the rotation fresh and varied could certainly change the equation for the Wisconsin team in gold and green; Oliver also brings the unique dimension of versatility that portends his ability to rush even from off-ball positioning. The young man who has love for an old band called, A Tribe Called Quest should go H.AM. (Hard as a mu£***er) if given the chance to display his best.
  • Francisco Mauigoa, Jets LB – (Pick #162) Apart from having a fun name to say, Francisco Mauigoa is putting on for all the uces, as a breakout player who was born in American Samoa. Mauigoa also made the journey from WSU Cougar to Miami Hurricane along with top overall pick, Cam Ward. He is a downhill hitter as a tenacious defender in the middle who helps to usher along new HC, Aaron Glenn’s clear agenda to get tougher (and more Detroit-like) in the middle of the field. There’s also the fact that his brother, Francis (that had to be confusing growing up) has a chance to go in the top 3 of next year’s draft. If Francisco of the Jets keeps his head in the game, maybe he’ll get a chance to pass rush against his bro, an offensive lineman.
  • Tory Horton, Seahawks WR – (Pick #166) The deep threat that Seattle’s receiving corps badly needed once they traded DK Metcalf and released Tyler Lockett. JSN and Cooper Kupp can route you up, but the Hawks had a need for speed prior to this selection (and possibly still do). In addition to being a field stretcher, Horton is tough, a savvy route runner and can hop right into the punt return game. Remember when Lockett added that explosive element as a youngin’ with his very first punt return ever? 🥹 on to the next generation… which includes a fight for WR3 duties between Horton, a recent signee (MVS) and a local folk hero (Jake Bobo). Tory is somehow the 3rd-highest rated Seattle rookie in Madden 26 this year… let’s just hope that with all that speed, Horton doesn’t hear a “who” when we talk about his name at the end of the year.
  • Chris Paul Jr., Rams LB – (Pick #172) Well, there are officially two Chris Paul’s in L.A. pro sports now! Unlike the “Point God” who plays for the Clippers, C.P.J. will work to limit scoring in the city of angels. Los Angelas finally moved to replace Ernest Jones IV with another menacing and instinctive run stopper. Doesn’t hurt that he didn’t allow any passing TDs in coverage either… NEVA LOST. From the only interview of him that I saw, it seems like “Pooh” Paul is a straight up character, so I also want to see how that gregarious nature carries over to the field of competition.

ROUND 6

  • Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins HB – (Pick #179) There are SO MANY running back selections I could’ve included in this article! I’m excited to see this class of backs tote the pill and make their mark on a potential rebirth of the running back era. This one’s a little different. Miami takes one of the biggest (the largest), heaviest and most power-based tailbacks in this draft. They had put such an emphasis on speed for so long, that taking a power back like this is almost unexpected (but beneficial). He led the FBS in rushing yards, and was 2nd in rushing touchdowns two year ago. College teams stacked the box on him this year, and he did not show out in quite the same fashion. Tyreek seems to think he could fill a niche. The Dolphins have the longest active drought in the NFL when it comes to playoff wins… it’s been 25 years! The ‘Fins have made multiple picks this year to shift to a more physical identity, perhaps to find success even when the weather turns unforgiving.
  • JJ Pegues, Raiders DT – (Pick #180) Travis Hunter’s worst nightmare (more on that below). This is an immediately relevant pick and a position that the team formerly based in California (just like Pete) went double or nothing after taking the epically named Tonka Hemingway in the 4th. That looks like an ingenious gamble for Vegas, especially after the shocking and strange release of Christian Wilkins and his freaky self. The wild thing is that both young men can play interior defensive line as well as coming in as goal line fullbacks. Emphasis on Pegues here as the more versatile of the two. In addition to being an agile run stopper on the interior, JJP has played TE, Wildcat QB, FB, HB and WR, dawg. Forget the Jags’ Hunter… let Pegues spin on both ends!! The Raiders also took a QB in the late 6th who ran a 4.39 40 (Tommy Mellott) and is expected to convert to WR… there will be no shortage of trick play possibilities in Vegas.
  • Kyle McCord, Eagles QB – (Pick #181) All eyes will be on the top-rated rookie quarterbacks (Ward, Dart, Shough, Gabriel, Milroe, Sanders), but how about the next tier down? That’s not a shot at McCord here, as I saw some pre-draft pieces about the strong-armed passer being a possible factor / sleeper at the position. KMC will go at it with another 6th-Rounder, 3rd-year passer: Tanner McKee. Throw in Dorian Thompson-Robinson and this should be an interesting battle royale in the warmup games. Kyle McCord led the FBS in passing yardage this past college season and has a chance to be Jalen Hurts’ backup. The defending Super Bowl champions do a good job of investing in QB assets, and got some draft ammo from trading previous backup, Kenny Pickett. Kyle McCord may be compared a lot to the next two QB’s taken (both sharing the national champion stage): new Steelers quarterback (and reigning national champion), Will Howard and new Colts quarterback, Riley Leonard.
  • Tyler Loop, Ravens K – (Pick #186) The second kicker taken, after New England broke the seal four selections earlier. Baltimore is the only team to finish in top 10 in scoring offense and scoring defense in each of the last two seasons. They used 3 of their first 4 picks on defense (all three levels), then on the next pick doubled up on the offensive line. Here they drafted a K to touch on the 3rd phase of the football team. In fact, this is a momentous occasion! Here we have the first kicker drafted in the Ravens’ history as an organization (they had been the only team in the league to not have done so)! This one has versatility, as he handles kickoffs, and has also punted. The big leg hit on a 62-yarder in his final collegiate season. Is Justin Tucker going to be given the Deshaun Watson treatment? I mean, I guess we’re good to go here.
  • Bryce Cabeldue, Seahawks OG – (Pick #192) The Hawks are certainly looking to fortify the line and create an efficient machine that can control the pace on the ground. Cabeldue is a quick mover while zone-blocking, and needs to compete like the Cable due, the rent’s due, the lights due and the car note’s due if he wants to make this roster (or just hope that the Hawks straight up cut Anthony Bradford). Seattle had the penultimate pick in the 5th Round and took a nasty blocker who has the supposed vision to chew a path as the lead blocker for the ballcarrier… Robbie Ouzts. We are going to watch the birth of an endangered species with his transition from massive TE / H-back to a full time FB this preseason! After taking Grey Zabel in the opening round of the draft, Seattle selects a guard who brings strength, movement skills and depth. Lance Zeurlin and Bucky Brooks agreed that 6th and 7th round guards and centers have the chance to make rosters and even start in the right situations. The 12’s saw that happen just last year with Sataoa Laumea. To keep adding to this group, Seattle takes another lineman in the next round (Mason Richman).
  • Ahmed Hassanein, Lions DE – (Pick #196) The fan that announced this pick had a very interesting speech, then left the mic saying, “One pride, worldwide”. That’s very fitting for this selection, as this is the very first Egyptian player to ever be drafted into the league. He recorded the 2nd-highest amount of sacks (22) in the FBS over the last two years. I thought Detroit would take a bookend edge rusher earlier, but here we are. This guy is still new to football, but he plays with constant urgency and relentlessness. Maybe he can pick up a few tips during the revenge tour of Aidan Hutchinson.
  • Kain Medrano, Commanders LB – (Pick #205) Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu had good years last year, but their status as starters together make the ILB unit stand out with an average age of 32… Nick Bellore is currently on the roster and is older than both (36). Medrano can play in coverage better than all three veterans, and will do battle with two sophomore 5th-Rounders: Jordan Magee and Dominique Hampton for the rights to succeed the starting vets. They should soak up as much game from the older guys while they have that wealth of knowledge available to them in their careers. B-Wagz will be a Hall of Famer whenever he leaves the game. Medrano, the speedy Bruin, was the fastest linebacker at the NFL Combine.
  • Chase Lundt, Bills OT – (Pick #206) The offensive line that gave up the least sacks in the league last year (14) adds a 6’7” player who allowed a 0.5% pressure rate that was the 2nd best among all right tackles in D-1 football. He and Alec Anderson may form a solid tandem of swing linemen to fill in and keep Josh Allen as clean as possible if/when there are injuries up front. Lundt is a finesse technician who played for Jim Mora Jr. (the scapegoat who was fired after one year so that Seattle could bring in Pete Carroll) and is fighting for a roster spot. He’s one of the tackles with shorter arm length who may yet still stick at tackle (instead of getting moved inside to play guard). Here he is (77) in a bad picture, standing on the sidelines on Hard Knocks while Dion Dawkins (73) mean mugs the camera:

ROUND 7

  • Damien Martinez, Seahawks HB – (Pick #223) It’s tough to see injuries… the what-ifs can haunt and rob football fans of what could be. It can rob us all of competition at the highest level. Don’t forget, it has an impact on these guys’ lives, livelihoods and mental state as well. The fact that Kenny McIntosh had mostly sat on the bench for the first two years of his career, but then came on STRONG with his opportunities late last year is a beautiful thing. The fact that he tore his ACL in training camp mere days ago and may possibly not ever get to provide the full panoply of his game in Seattle is heartbreaking. I’ll be rooting for him, his well-being and his recovery. Football is a tough sport. Simultaneously, I am excited to see how Damien Martinez can prove himself and to see him contribute whatever he can behind Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Seattle takes this guy and Ricky White III (WR) as young playmakers who can fight for spots and maybe even PT. Martinez is a hammer of a ball carrier who should provide some oohs and ahhs in exhibition games in August. His vision, acceleration and YAC-ability should serve him well behind a zone blocking line.
  • Quinn Ewers, Dolphins QB, – (Pick #231) Quinn Ewers was once a highly sought high school prospect who could never quite find that extra gear to rise to franchise QB status. Even so, Ewers is probably thinking to himself 💭 I beat out Arch Manning, there’s no question I can beat out Zach Wilson for the rights to backup (oft-injured starter) Tua Tagovailoa. He’s got a quick trigger, but is an inconsistent performer. There is an underrated backup QB battle that should unfold in the 305 in the waning light of the summer.
  • Tez Johnson, Buccaneers WR – (Pick #235) At 154 pounds, this guy’s got me thinking. Like bro, I think my niece might weigh more than this! Jk, she doesn’t… but somewhat believable, right? I remember when WR’s under 190 were considered small, but Johnson makes DeVonta Smith look like a heavyweight 🧚🏾‍♂️ Can Tez withstand the physicality of the league? Can he unseat Trey Palmer or Sterling Shepherd for a roster spot? Tezmania is a shifty route runner and ball carrier. The Bucs already have an embarrassment of riches with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan (last year’s 3rd-Round pick) and Emeka Egbuka (this year’s 1st-Round pick who barely missed the cut in Part 1 of this article). Once you slot… apparently for the Bucs, you just can’t stop.
  • Caleb Lohner, Broncos TE – (Pick #241) A dude who played four years of college basketball 🏀 then finally decided to give football 🏈 a try… in his only season playing at a competitive level he had 4 catches… all four resulted in touchdowns. Sean Payton can appreciate a red zone post-up game, as last seen in: Graham, Jimmy. The lonely Lohner seems to free his mind at night. He’ll be working day and night before the season to refine his overall game as much as possible. That may be on the practice squad, but preseason is his chance to put his box out skills to work.
  • Konata Mumpfield, Rams WR – (Pick #242) I told my Rams homie that we need to get him a shirt that says: Puka & Tutu & Konata & Kyren. These guys have hall of fame level first names! Don’t even get me started on how annoying Garoppolo and Kinchens are to type out 🙃 we’ll see if Mumpfield can make a mark in a crowded receiver room. He’s a RAC-type route runner with limited speed who should be able to catch some passes underneath to give preseason hero, Jordan Whittington some competition.
  • Dominic Lovett, Lions WR – (Pick #244) After taking Sir Isaac TeSlaa (fast for his size) in Round 3, Detroit selects a player that looked promising at his first stop (Mizzou) but didn’t ascend to star level after transferring to Georgia. Lovett is even faster than the first guy. Not a bad plan for the Lions to put all this speed around Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to mitigate the loss of a top shelf play caller in Ben Johnson (now leading the rival Bears). Lovett dropped his first pass in the Hall of Fame Game but then followed it up with a 10-yard catch and run, a 20-yard punt return, then a few more catches (one to convert on 3rd down in the red area).
  • Jacory Croskey-Merrit, Commanders HB – (Pick #245) This guy only played one game last year, after a mixup with redshirt rules 😳 he ran the fastest 40-yard dash of any back in this draft… was this guy a well-kept secret because of the odd circumstances? He cuts on a dime, and just adds to a solid collection of backs in D.C.
  • Moliki Matavao, Saints TE – (Pick #248) This is a 7th-Rounder who may get a lot of action, as the 2nd and 3rd stringers, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill (you guess the order…) are both presently dealing with injuries. Matavao is a big, contested catch maven. He may not be the fastest moving player, but he does a lot of little things right. How will he click with the 3-man QB competition? Tyler Shough (Round 2 rookie), Spencer Rattler and Jacob Haener might be looking his way to act as a security blanket early and often.

See ya’ll outside!