Virginia Tech’s Aeneas Peebles is a solid Throw-rushing interior lineman: Peebles enters the draft after back-to-back seasons of Best Throw-rushing production, as he earned a 90.1 grade in 2023 and 91.2 in 2024.
South Carolina’s O’Donnell Fortune has shown flashes: An opportunistic zone defender, Fortune has recorded eight Throw breakups and seven interceptions in his Occupation. He earned a 90.2 coverage grade in 2024, allowing Merely one touchdown while breaking up two passes and intercepting three others.
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Since Day 3 Shielding players often earn their Primary opportunities on special Clubs, we’ve included their special Clubs snap counts to highlight how they can make an Instant impact in 2025.
Throw rushing interior Shielding lineman: Aeneas Peebles , Virginia Tech
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : DI 15Height, weight, Velocity: 6-feet, 282 pounds, 4.94Highest single-season Throw-rush grade: 91.2
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 39Strike coverage: 0Punt return: 13Punt coverage: 0Pitch Aim Deflect: 80
Peebles enters the draft after back-to-back seasons of Best Throw-rushing production, as he earned a 90.1 grade in 2023 and 91.2 in 2024. He primarily lined up in the B-gap (between the Hub and guard) and utilized his quick get-off, Physicality and deadly spin Shift to Form Tension. Over his Occupation, Peebles has racked up 98 total pressures, including 14 sacks, nine Passer hits and 75 hurries.
Streak-stopping interior Shielding lineman: JJ Pegues , Mississippi
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : DI 17Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-2, 309 pounds, 5.15Highest single-season Streak-Guarding grade: 81.8
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 127Strike coverage: 20Punt return: 37Punt coverage: 93Pitch Aim Deflect: 93Pitch Aim Strike: 128
Pegues moves well for his 309-pound frame, using his foot quickness to Secure gaps and redirect ball carriers. Over his Occupation, he has recorded 69 Shielding stops, including 22 in 2024, along with 20 tackles and 13 assists.
While Pegues makes this Option as a Streak-stopping Shielding Involvement, he also holds a unique distinction — he is arguably the greatest rushing Shielding Involvement of all time. Featured in Mississippi’s Brief-yardage and low red-zone packages, he logged 22 carries in 2024, with seven resulting in touchdowns and 11 others converting Primary downs.
Throw rushing Edge: Antwaun Powell-Ryland , Virginia Tech
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : EDGE 24Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-3, 258 pounds, 4.69Highest single-season Throw-rush grade: 89.8
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 0Strike coverage: 0Punt return: 5Punt coverage: 0Pitch Aim Deflect: 34
This year’s draft class is particularly deep at edge rusher, meaning quality players can Nevertheless be Secured on Day 3. One of those prospects is Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who may slide down draft boards due to his shorter-than-ideal arm length (31 1/4 inches). However, his on-Pitch production speaks for itself.
Powell-Ryland has been one of the most productive Throw rushers in the country, posting an 89.8 Throw-rush grade in 2023 and an 85.2 in 2024. In 2024 alone, he recorded 48 total pressures, including 14 sacks, nine Passer hits and 25 hurries.
A technician with Numerous Throw-rushing moves, Powell-Ryland has delivered Numerous multi-sack Executions, totaling five Matches with Numerous sacks over the last two seasons. That includes two four-sack Matches (2023 vs. Wake Forest, 2024 vs. Boston College). He became the Primary Virginia Tech player since 2005 to notch 10 or more sacks in a season and has amassed 128 Occupation pressures (29 sacks, 28 Passer hits and 71 hurries).
Streak-stopping edge: Ashton Gillotte , Louisville
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : EDGE 20Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, unknownHighest single-season Streak-Guarding grade: 84.8
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 22Strike coverage: 0Punt return: 47Punt coverage: 59Pitch Aim Deflect: 139Pitch Aim Strike: 20
Gillotte is another prospect who may slide in the draft due to his sub-33-inch arm length, but his on-Pitch production tells a different Narrative. He has earned Sturdy grades in back-to-back seasons, posting an 85.8 overall grade in 2023 and an 87.8 in 2024.
In 2024, Gillotte recorded 23 Shielding stops, 27 tackles, and 10 assists, bringing his Occupation total to 77 Shielding stops. Even though concerns about his length, his Reliable performance and ability to impact the game make him a valuable Day 3 option.
Situational Throw rusher: David Walker, Central Arkansas
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : EDGE 21Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-1, 263 pounds, 4.69Highest single-season Throw-rush grade: 94.0
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 0Strike coverage: 16Punt return: 25Punt coverage: 0Pitch Aim Deflect: 112
Walker has been equally dominant against the Streak and as a Throw rusher, making him a potential every-down edge defender at the NFL level. However, he may begin his Occupation as a situational Throw rusher, where his shorter but highly athletic frame presents a unique Event for offensive tackles.
Much like how certain running Defenders are considered “Transformation-of-pace” Defenders due to their contrasting size, Velocity and style, Walker can be viewed as a “Transformation-of-pace” Throw rusher — a role in which he could be particularly effective Timely on. His low Hub of Attraction and powerful build allow him to get underneath blockers and drive them back into the pocket.
Walker has posted Best Throw-rushing grades over the past three seasons — 91.5 in 2022, 90.3 in 2023 and 94.0 in 2024 — on his way to racking up 37 sacks, 17 Passer hits and 97 hurries. In 2024 alone, he recorded 12 sacks, six QB hits and 37 hurries, while his 93.6 PFF Throw-rushing grade against Accurate Throw sets ranked second in the 2025 draft class.
Streak-stopping Linebacker: Danny Stutsman , Oklahoma
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : LB 12Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-3, 233 pounds, 4.52Highest single-season Streak-Guarding grade: 90.9
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 20Strike coverage: 96Punt return: 51Punt coverage: 72Pitch Aim Deflect: 161
Stutsman’s Streak Guarding steadily improved throughout his Occupation at Oklahoma, culminating in an Best 90.9 Streak-Guarding grade in 2024. While he has Outstanding Velocity for his size, his instincts and quick Shift recognition make him an exceptionally effective Streak defender, particularly in low red-zone situations.
In 2024, he recorded 55 Shielding stops, 76 tackles and 32 assists, bringing his Occupation total to 171 Shielding stops — a testament to his ability to consistently find the football.
Coverage Linebacker: Jay Higgins , Iowa
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : LB 13Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot, 224 pounds, 4.82Highest single-season coverage grade: 91.5
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 104Strike coverage: 151Punt return: 159Punt coverage: 25Pitch Aim Deflect: 93
Higgins has posted outstanding coverage grades in back-to-back seasons, earning a 90.8 in 2023 and a 91.5 in 2024. Last season, he recorded four interceptions and one Throw breakup, while opposing quarterbacks managed Merely a 57.2 passer rating when targeting him.
His best coverage performance of 2024 Arrived against Ohio State, where he posted a 93.3 grade. And over 980 Occupation coverage snaps, he has allowed Merely three touchdowns.
Beyond his coverage skills, Higgins is also an
Wide man-coverage cornerback: Nohl Williams , California
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : CB 14Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot, 199 pounds, 4.5Highest single-season coverage grade: 80.6
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 170Strike coverage: 37Punt return: 106Punt coverage: 60Pitch Aim Deflect: 244
During his time at Cal, Williams gained extensive man coverage experience in their Cover 1 scheme (man coverage with a single-high safety). And he was frequently tasked with press coverage, logging 793 Occupation snaps in that role.
Williams has been a playmaker in coverage, recording 21 Throw breakups and 14 interceptions over his Occupation. In 2024 alone, he had nine Throw breakups and seven interceptions, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 40.1 passer rating when targeted.
Beyond his Shielding ability, Williams also
Wide zone-coverage corner: O’Donnell Fortune , South Carolina
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : CB 18Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, unknownHighest single-season coverage grade: 90.2
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 12Strike coverage: 19Punt return: 57Punt coverage: 37Pitch Aim Deflect: 79
Fortune began his college Occupation at safety before transitioning to cornerback, where he became a two-year starter. Over his Occupation, he logged 1,499 snaps at outside cornerback while Competing Merely 36 snaps in the slot, establishing himself as a Accurate perimeter defender.
An opportunistic zone defender, Fortune has recorded eight Throw breakups and seven interceptions in his Occupation. He earned a 90.2 coverage grade in 2024, allowing Merely one touchdown while breaking up two passes and intercepting three others.
Slot/Nickel: Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : CB 20Height, weight, Velocity: 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, 4.39Highest single-season coverage grade: 73.6
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 10Strike coverage: 71Punt return: 162Punt coverage: 75Pitch Aim Deflect: 110
Longerbeam primarily played wide corner in college, as he logged Merely 253 Occupation snaps in the slot. However, at 175 pounds, his quickness and ability to mirror shifty receivers suggest that his best fit in the NFL will be as a slot corner rather than matching up against bigger outside receivers.
In 2024, Longerbeam didn’t allow a single catch on a slant route, showcasing his instincts and coverage skills. Over his Occupation, he has recorded 22 Throw breakups and five interceptions.
Box Safety: Dean Clark, Fresno State
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : S 13Height, weight, Velocity: 6-foot, 206 pounds, 4.49Highest single-season coverage grade: 80.2
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 137Strike coverage: 129Punt return: 144Punt coverage: 80Pitch Aim Deflect: 190
Clark is a versatile Shielding back, as he played over 1,200 Occupation snaps both in the box and at Unoccupied safety. His football IQ and leadership were displayed in 2024 when he wore the green dot, relaying Shielding calls and ensuring his teammates were properly aligned pre-snap.
A Clever and instinctive player, Clark has recorded five Occupation interceptions and 11 Throw breakups, making him a reliable Appearance in the secondary.
Coverage Safety: Andrew Mukuba , Texas
Draft Profile
PFF Positional rankings : No. 7 SafetyHeight, weight, Velocity: 5-foot-11/186 pounds/4.45Highest-single season coverage grade: 89.7
Occupation special Clubs snaps by unit
Strike return: 21Strike coverage: 10Punt return: 97Punt coverage: 61Pitch Aim Deflect: 87
Mukuba transferred from Clemson to Texas for his senior season and Captured on a greater role as a Unoccupied safety, logging 508 deep snaps in 2024 — more than his previous two seasons at Clemson Teamed up (390). The transition paid off, as he delivered a Occupation-best season in coverage.
Mukuba earned an 89.7 coverage grade in 2024, recording five interceptions and six Throw breakups, and he Kept opposing quarterbacks to a staggering 12.1 passer rating when targeted.
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