Talent always finds its way through the cracks. Here are my best available priority free agents after this weekend’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh:
1. Isaiah World, T, Oregon, Sr.
When healthy, World looks like a legitimate top-tier tackle prospect with pass-pro upside, natural ability and a commanding presence.
2. Jeff Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati, Sr.
Caldwell is one of the more fascinating upside swings in this class because he has a knack for handling off-target throws and his combine was absurd. He unloaded a 4.31 40, 1.48 10-yard split, 42-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump in Indy (9.99 RAS).
3. Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati, Sr.
The conditioning, history of blood clots and range are issues, and Corleone’s pass-rush utility is narrow, but with his rare size and density, and the natural ability to clog interior gaps, somebody will bet on the power profile and past tape.
4. Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama, Sr.
Lawson became just the 16th player to serve as a multiyear captain for the Crimson Tide, and earned All-SEC honors his last two seasons.
5. Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss, Sr.
Wright was highly productive last year, earning second-team All-SEC recognition despite dealing with an injured shoulder all season. He wins as a receiver first, using burst and body control to create value up the seam and in space.
6. Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor, Jr.
Trigg can threaten linebackers down the seam, track the ball and create after the catch, but he’s still more big slot than true in-line answer.
7. Anthony Lucas, Edge, USC, Sr.
Lucas is long, athletic and disruptive enough in flashes to keep scouts talking. The developmental ceiling is worth the investment.
8. Taurean York, LB, Texas A&M, Jr.
York is smaller than many teams prefer, but he’s productive, with preternatural instincts and tough to ignore.
9. Mason Reiger, Edge, Wisconsin, Sr.
Reiger’s solid production (five sacks for the Badgers), strong testing and an impressive performance during East-West Shrine practices (and he was named the Defensive MVP of the game) took him from a fringe prospect to a projected Day 3 pick (potentially early).
10. Michael Heldman, Edge, Central Michigan, Sr.
Heldman showed gradual improvement each season with the Chippewas before erupting his senior season with 16½ tackles for loss, 10½ sacks and 53 QB pressures (second to only Nadame Tucker in the MAC).
11. Roman Hemby, RB, Indiana, Sr.
Hemby is helpful in multiple phases, a good enough athlete, and it’s easy to envision him earning a coaching staff’s trust and an opportunity early on.
12. Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma, Sr.
Ott’s pro day reminded scouts why they cared in the first place: 4.46 40, 40½-inch vertical and a 10-foot-11 broad jump (9.37 RAS).
13. Logan Fano, Edge, Utah, Jr.
The team captain earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after posting 44 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss and 4½ sacks in 2025.
14. Mikail Kamara, Edge, Indiana, Sr.
Kamara’s stat line last season (34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks) undersells the disruption because he still generated 58 QB pressures.
15. Louis Moore, S, Indiana, Sr.
Moore earned All-American recognition, won a national title, and made a bunch of plays on the ball at Indiana.
16. Rene Konga, DT, Louisville, Sr.
At almost 300 pounds, Konga put together a pretty impressive pro day with a 4.79-second 40, a 1.60 10-yard split, a 37-inch vertical and a 10-foot-2 broad jump (9.78 RAS).
17. J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, Florida, Sr.
Sturdivant’s production never consistently matched the ability, but the body type and athletic tools (9.96 RAS) are still going to get him a long look.
18. Nadame Tucker, Edge, Western Michigan, Sr.
Tucker led the nation last season with 21 tackles for loss and was tied for first with 14½ sacks (with David Bailey).
19. Aidan Hubbard, Edge, Northwestern, Sr.
Hubbard led the Wildcats in sacks as a sophomore, junior and senior, finishing with 20½ for his career (5th all-time at Northwestern).
20. Bryson Eason, DT, Tennessee, Sr.
Eason plays exactly like you would expect an interior lineman with SEC mileage to play: sturdy, physical and hard to move.
21. Vincent Anthony Jr., Edge, Duke, Sr.
Anthony started 41 games for the Blue Devils, and finished his career with 29 tackles for loss and 15 sacks, earning All-ACC recognition as a senior.
22. RJ Maryland, TE, SMU, Sr.
Maryland is built more like a jumbo receiver than a true Y tight end, and that’s both the appeal and the concern. He can stress coverage and create after the catch, but teams will need a clear vision for how to use him.
23. Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC, Sr.
In his three seasons in the FBS, Fitzgerald produced 10 interceptions and 24 passes defensed. He also played on kick and punt return coverages at both NC State and USC. Projected: Rounds 6-7
24. Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss, Sr.
Harris looks like two defensive linemen stacked on top of each other. This is a rare body with rare length, and watch out if the technique ever catches up to the frame.
25. Diego Pounds, T, Ole Miss, Sr.
Pounds has the size, movement ability and pass-pro chops to warrant patience.
26. Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor, Sr.
Robertson was one of seven FBS quarterbacks to throw 30-plus touchdowns last season and was No. 2 in the FBS in passing yards per game (306.8). He checks the size, athleticism (9.72 RAS) and production boxes with enough arm talent to challenge downfield, and the legs to keep defenses honest.
27. Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Arkansas, Sr.
Sorey was the second-ranked linebacker in the 2021 class and the No. 26 recruit in the nation. After three years at Georgia as a backup, he joined the Razorbacks for his final two seasons of eligibility, leading the team in tackles both years.
28. Tyreak Sapp, Edge, Florida, Sr.
Sapp is a blue-collar early-down defender who offers more grit than glamour. His 2024 tape will probably get him drafted more than his 2025 tape will.
29. Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU, Sr.
Hudson had career highs with 61 receptions for 766 yards and six touchdowns in 2025, earned All-ACC third-team honors and a Senior Bowl invite.
30. J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia, Sr.
The jump from the FCS to the ACC didn’t faze Taylor. He had 1,062 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.
31. Nolan Rucci, T, Penn St., Sr.
Rucci was the fifth-ranked offensive tackle in the 2021 class and the No. 16 recruit nationally. His selling points are obvious: size, pedigree and flashes of athletic ability in pass sets.
32. Aamil Wagner, T, Notre Dame, Jr.
Wagner, a former four-star recruit and team captain, is worth stashing because his light feet and length are NFL-caliber.
33. Aaron Hall, DT, Duke, Sr.
Hall is a former three-star recruit who became a two-year starter and two-time team captain for the Blue Devils.
34. Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech, Sr.
King was an Under Armour All-American and the fifth-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2020 class. After injuries derailed his time at Texas A&M, he joined the Yellow Jackets, and became one of the program’s most successful and decorated players.
35. Le’Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M, Sr.
Moss was the fifth-ranked running back in the 2022 recruiting class and the 82nd-ranked recruit nationally. He features agile footwork, and has a downhill temperament with above-average contact balance.
36. Jayden Loving, DT, Wake Forest, Sr.
Loving is a sneaky late-round name because the production and testing came together at the end. His pro-day workout included a 4.82 40 with a 1.64 10-yard split, a 35-inch vertical and 33 bench reps (9.93 RAS).
37. Chip Trayanum, RB, Toledo, Sr.
Trayanum didn’t get a Combine invite, but he tested well at his pro day (9.62 RAS). He brings size, physicality and a linebacker’s mentality to the position, which shows up in pass protection and short-yardage work.
38. Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa, Sr.
In four seasons as South Dakota State’s starter, the former no-star recruit led the Jackrabbits to three FCS national championship games (two wins) and set several school records before joining the Hawkeyes last season. Gronowski set an NCAA record, across all levels, with 58 career wins as a starting quarterback.
39. Tristan Leigh, T, Clemson, Sr.
Leigh was a consensus top-20 recruit nationally in the 2021 class, and became a three-year starter at left tackle for the Tigers and a team captain his senior season. He features NFL size and length, but could use more consistent hand usage in pass pro.
40. Nick Dawkins, G, Penn St., Sr.
Dawkins checks the boxes NFL staffs care about late in the process: two-time team captain, Wuerffel Trophy winner, and major-program experience with impressive testing (9.77 RAS).
41. Latrell McCutchin, CB, Houston, Sr.
The technique still needs sanding, and zero interceptions in 48 career games is concerning, but McCutchin’s combine testing gave his draft case a nice shot of nitrous.
42. Riley Mahlman, T, Wisconsin, Sr.
Mahlman looks the part of a Wisconsin tackle prospect: big, experienced and battle-tested.
43. CJ Donaldson, RB, Ohio St., Sr.
At 236 pounds, Donaldson offers goal-line and short-yardage appeal, and the career production is respectable. He’s never scored fewer than eight touchdowns despite only starting 15 of the 45 games he’s played.
44. Avery Smith, CB, Toledo, Sr.
Smith earned second-team All-MAC honors as a junior and senior and combined for 25 passes defensed and three interceptions his final two seasons.
45. Caden Barnett, G, Wyoming, Sr.
The former three-star recruit was also a standout wrestler, powerlifter and track athlete in high school. Barnett is thickly built, possesses a guard-friendly temperament and provided enough pro-day juice (9.54 RAS) to keep teams interested.
46. Thaddeus Dixon, CB, North Carolina, Sr.
Dixon features prototypical size, fluid hips, the ability to mirror releases and showed inside-outside versatility in Bill Belichick’s system when he was healthy.
47. Josh Gesky, G, Illinois, Sr.
Gesky became a three-year starter for the Illini, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten each season, got a Hula Bowl invite, and helped himself with a solid pro day that reportedly included a sub-5.00 40, a 33-inch vertical and 30 bench reps.
48. Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt, Sr.
Pavia is undersized, ultra-competitive and flat-out annoying for defenses when the play breaks down (or Heisman voters when he doesn’t win). He brings legitimate playmaking, toughness and edge, but the size and style create obvious durability and projection concerns.
49. Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh, Sr.
Reid is tiny, a problem in space and almost certainly scheme-dependent, but there’s still a path here. He has receiving value, return-game appeal and enough lateral quickness to create mismatches, even if the pro-day testing didn’t fully erase concerns about size and durability.
50. Brent Austin, CB, California, Sr.
Austin was a former no-star recruit who spent two years at James Madison before transferring to South Florida and then delivering an All-ACC senior year at Cal, where he tied for second nationally with 13 pass breakups.
51. Garrett DiGiorgio, G, UCLA, Sr.
Forty-nine starts (second in program history), honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition and experience at tackle and guard make DiGiorgio a useful swing depth candidate, even if there is not one truly standout trait pushing him up boards.
52. Stephen Daley, DT, Indiana, Sr.
Daley, a second-team All-American, led the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 19, which is a huge number for a player without classic interior dimensions.
53. Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois, Sr.
Altmyer is efficient, generally composed and capable of operating within structure. The catch is that he lacks a standout physical trait, which makes the margin for error thin.
54. Jeadyn Lukus, CB, Clemson, Sr.
Surgeries on both shoulders and a hip injury derailed the former five-star recruit’s first two seasons with the Tigers.
55. Kolbey Taylor, CB, Vanderbilt, Sr.
Taylor is a long developmental corner with enough frame-based appeal to earn post-draft attention.
56. Bryce Phillips, CB, San Diego St., Sr.
According to Pro Football Focus, Phillips ranked 11th among FBS cornerbacks in run defense (84.6 grade) last season. Coaches love defensive backs who aren’t allergic to tackling.
57. Al’Zillion Hamilton, CB, Fresno St., Sr.
Hamilton was a three-year starter for Bulldogs. He became one of the best defensive backs in the Mountain West, producing 26 passes defensed and eight interceptions in his past three seasons.
58. DeVonta Smith, CB, Notre Dame, Sr.
Smith spent four years at Alabama, predominantly as a special teams player, before transferring to South Bend for his final season.
59. John Michael Gyllenborg, TE, Wyoming, Sr.
Gyllenborg earned second-team All-Mountain West honors with the Cowboys as a junior, and was selected team captain his senior season. He’s still more clay than sculpture.
60. Khordae Sydnor, Edge, Vanderbilt, Sr.
Sydnor’s testing, a 4.68 40, 1.58 10-yard split, 10-foot-1 broad jump with almost 35-inch arms, is good enough to justify a camp bet.
61. Ethan Burke, Edge, Texas, Sr.
Burke is long, rugged and better suited to playing through people than around them. The former four-star recruit’s best chance to stick in the pros is as a strong-side edge-setter and special teams contributor.
62. Niles King, Edge, San Diego St., Sr.
King produced 27 tackles for loss and 20 sacks over 34 games in four years at Grand Valley State before joining the Aztecs last season. He had 10 tackles for loss and 6½ sacks after jumping from Division II to the Mountain West.
63. Eric Gentry, LB, USC, Sr.
Gentry is the outlier in this class and maybe in any linebacker class. At 6-7 with 35-inch arms and 4.59 speed, he’s a genuine unicorn, and that length changes throwing lanes and tackling radius in ways few players can.
64. Christian Jones, T, San Diego St., Sr.
The intrigue surrounding Jones is built almost entirely on size. His hands are 10¼ inches, his arms are 36¾ inches and his wingspan is almost 89 inches. You’re not going to find that combination anywhere else in this draft class (or most other draft classes for that matter).
65. Joshua Braun, G, Kentucky, Sr.
The SEC pedigree alone will get him a camp opportunity.
66. Malachi Cooper, DT, San Diego, Sr.
Cooper finished his career at USD with 105 tackles, 26½ tackles for loss and 16 sacks, plus three all-conference selections. He features exceptional length (35-inch arms), heavy hands and the ability to absorb special teams effectively.
67. Omari Evans, WR, Washington, Sr.
The former three-star recruit caught just 17 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown in his only season at Washington, but Evans’ pro day shocked his draft stock back to life. Evans reportedly posted a 4.28 40, 41-inch vertical, 10-foot-7 broad jump and 15 bench reps (9.52 RAS), numbers strong enough to force teams into a second look.
68. Mory Bamba, CB, BYU, Sr.
Bamba is the kind of priority free agent defensive backs coaches lobby for after the draft ends. He turned heads at his pro day with 4.27 speed and an 11-foot-1 broad jump (9.56 RAS).
69. Gavin Ortega, T, Weber St., Sr.
A former three-star recruit, Ortega earned second-team FCS All-American honors and was chosen team captain in his senior season with the Wildcats.
70. James Brockermeyer, C, Miami, Sr.
Brockermeyer wins with savvy and technique, not overwhelming power. He fits the mold of a system-dependent center who can stick if he lands with a coaching staff that values precision.
71. Jack Strand, QB, Minnesota St. Moorhead, Sr.
Strand features a big frame, huge production, intriguing athletic profile (9.17 RAS) and a small-school mystery box appeal.
72. Khalil Dinkins, TE, Penn St., Sr.
Dinkins is a classic late-round blocking tight end with enough athletic ability to at least keep the developmental door open.
73. Delby Lemieux, G, Dartmouth, Sr.
Lemieux is an intriguing FCS/Ivy developmental bet with workable tools (9.30 RAS). He’s a two-time FCS All-American who was the first Dartmouth player invited to the Senior Bowl in more than 40 years.
74. Bayo Kannike, G, San Diego St., Sr.
Kannike spent four years at Utah Tech, an FCS program, where he played every offensive line position except center. The Los Angeles native primarily played right guard for the Aztecs, where he showcased consistent form in pass-pro, and earned honorable mention All-Mountain West. He features NFL size and length, plus enough fluid movement (7.71 RAS) to make him a finisher in the run game as well.
75. Joshua Weru, Edge, Kenya
Weru has never played organized football, but his pro day and field workout certainly caught the attention of the scouting world. The Kenya-born rugby product from the International Player Pathway program produced a 4.45 40 with a 1.59 10-yard split, a 41-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump (8.69 RAS).