titansfan Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 I started this as a review on Arvell Reese but the opportunity to evaluate Styles and Downs was too much to pass. All-22 is not as easily available as it was last year but I was able to watch Texas, Penn St., Miami, and Indiana. I saw a couple from 2024 as well. These are individual player evals that go into the draft tiers listed below. I hope to give my full draft board matrix by mid-March. Draft Tiers Tier 1: Top Pick... 6.60 - 7.00 [Generational/Rare Prospect. HOF expectations. Not available in most drafts.] Tier 2: Top 4 Pick... 6.35 - 6.59 [Immediate Starter. Elite traits with minimal weaknesses or risks. Franchise foundational player with All Pro trajectory] Tier 3: Top 12 Pick... 6.34 - 6.05 [First Year starter. Has some top 1/4 NFL level Traits. "Pro Bowl" upside. 2nd contract and long term starter expectations with drafting team] Tier 4: Solid 1st Round... 6.04 - 5.75 [Early career starter with above average traits. May have limitations, but nothing exploitable. Expected reliable starter who will likely receive a 2nd contract from any team] Tier 5: Late 1st/Early 2nd... 5.74 - 5.55 [High level starter traits. Has positional value drawbacks or has development/consistency issues that may result in a delayed timeline. Reliable contributor in rookie season] Tier 6: 2nd Round... 5.54 - 5.25 [Starter pathway. Functional traits with observable ceiling or limitation. Expected to develop into a starter level player by end of second year] ---- Ill stop it there and will present the rest later. What you find is the majority of draft prospects fall around the 3rd round level. At the top of the draft most drafts do not contain a generational prospect and very few "top 4" level prospects. Most of your very top prospects in any draft fall into the top 12 category. Im not sure how many overall prospects will get a 1st round grade for this draft but my initial estimate is that it'll be low-- around fifteen. --- Moving onto Ohio State. Incredible talent on that team. The fun part of studying prospect's game tape is that you cant help but notice other players. For example Caden Curry, a likely day 3 guy who will absolutely be a contributor on someone's roster as a backup. Others include 2027 prospects like Jeremiah Smith (of course-- hes incredible), Peyton Pierce, even the young OL Joshua Padilla.. So much high end talent. Indiana had NO business winning that game. Curt Cignetti made it a slow, low scoring game and then played the ball control and clock game. --- The evaluation I use is improved on what ive done in year's past and models what some scouts use to evaluate prospects. After I give my overall grading using observable criteria I then send it through a formula that adjusts the prospect's grade based on modifiers. I'll save the minutiae of the math but those modifiers account for projection (indicators of more development or untapped ability), probability (risks associated with selecting a player based environmental factors impacting his development), and timeline. It also accounts for any potential red flags (medical, behavior, size, etc.). Finally it adjusts for positional value based on my assessment and how I think Tennessee values positions. I am admittedly a traits guy, even over production. That's not to say i dont value production-- i do. I think production speaks more to evidence and probability of present traits that will lead to future success. I evaluate LBs using five overall overall categories (which contain multiple subcategorie): Mental Processing, Run Defense, Coverage, Pressure/Disruption, Physical Traits. For safeties I use Mental Processing, Playmaking/Ball Skills, Coverage, Run Defense, Pressure/Disruption, Physical Profile/Movement Skills, Versatility/Role Value. ---- Long read I know, but I wanted to give the background and explain what everything means up front. Its been enjoyable reviewing some of these prospects. Love it, like it, hate it.. Hopefully it drives some discussion. DCTitan, and SleepingTitan 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
titansfan Posted February 24 Author Report Share Posted February 24 (edited) ARVELL REESE LINEBACKER/EDGE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 20 Years Old 3-Year Junior 6'4 243lbs NFL Combine Results (Will update after Combine) 2025 Stats: 14 games, 69 tackles, 10 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 PBUs Overview: Reese to many came out of nowhere this past season, but those around the program anticipated a breakout year. In 2024 he played in every game and was a heavy contributor. Patricia used him in several ways as a chess piece this year. AREA OF STRENGTH: - Extremely quick diagnoses of run plays and unafraid of physicality. - Packs a powerful punch and able to knock 300+ lb OTs off balance. Can get full extension when engaged which demonstrates his strength. - Sets the edge extremely well and enables teammates to make plays. He's really unafraid of taking on pulling linemen. - Very disciplined and was very trusted by the OSU defensive coaching staff as evident by the multiple assignments given to Reese. Versatile and played on-ball and off-ball. - A great blitzer and great at finishing when he gets close to the QB. Wins in pass rush contests with power. Has shown he can dip and bend on the corner. - Very underrated in dropping back into hook/curl; high ceiling if a team decides to give him the time to develop with those responsibilities. - Very athletic and powerful with the frame to gain another 10-15lbs if playing full time on the LOS. AREA OF IMPROVEMENT: - An inconsistent tackler. Powerful runners will slide out of his grasp. More of a drag down tackles. - Plays fast but will engage and enter traffic sometimes unnecessarily. -Depended on athleticism to wade through but doesnt show disengagement technique consistently which allowed runs. - Does not take a lot chances to make plays that sometimes you wish he played more aggressively at times. Misses opportunities in zone coverage to make a play on the ball. - Can be fooled by counter and play action. Hasn't shown the ability to recover. - Lacks pass rush plan and will need development and reps if made a full time edge. He will not be able to win off power alone. - Position questions are valid. If a team attempts to make him the multi-use defensive player he may not ever reach his ceiling as a LB or edge. - Only one year as a starter and not at a consistent role. Traits Mental Processing: NFL Starter Level Run Defense: High-End Level Coverage: NFL Starter Level Pressure/Disruption: NFL Starter Level Physical Traits: High End Level Comparison (style of play or build, not level): Jalon Walker, Will Anderson Overall Draft Grade: 6.11 ~ Top 12 Prospect (with medium risk) Titans Fit: I think Reese looked most natural in college playing as an on-ball LB but was most comfortable playing sideline to sideline where he was asked to pursue. I think his best position will be as an edge or on-ball 3-4 LB in the NFL. For Tennessee he contains the power and length that Borgonzi says he desires. And he plays with the aggression and speed that Saleh says he wants to be part of the team's identity. I think his calling card initially will be his execution in run defense where his instincts really shine. After a year, I think you will begin to see the dividends of him as a consistent pass rusher. I would advocate for and would be excited if he were available at 4 and Tennessee selected. Saleh and the coaching staff would alleviate any concerns I'd have about his role uncertainty. Edited February 25 by titansfan SleepingTitan 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
titansfan Posted February 24 Author Report Share Posted February 24 (edited) ALEX "SONNY" STYLES LINEBACKER OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 21 Years Old 4-Year Senior 6'5 243lbs NFL Combine Results (Will update after Combine) 2025 Stats: 14 games, 82 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF, 3 PBUs, 1 int. Background: Was a 5-star safety prospect when he first came to Ohio State and played as a unicorn style safety due to his size. Played and started at safety in his first two years before converting to LB after Caleb Downs arrived to Columbus. AREA OF STRENGTH: - A sure tackler, not a thumper but is as reliable as they come as a tackler. Really good at weaving through traffic and finding the ball carrier. Had a 98% success rate on attempted tackles last season. - Extremely athletic and extremely fluid. Great sideline ability and great in pursuit. - Smooth hips in coverage-- plays hook and curl well and does well carrying TEs. His experience as safety really shows in his ease in pass defense. - Lots of upside due to only being in year 2 as a LB-- a lot of his mistakes are correctable through more reps and experience. Was late on some diagnoses but I never sensed that he was ever lost on what was happening on the field. - Defensive commander who was often in Mike position, but has the versatility to play any LB position. AREA OF IMPROVEMENT: - Inside zone blocking give him issues-- would find himself either late or filling incorrectly. Miami took advantage of him in this area in the 2nd half of his final game. - Played the mug but was not a good pass rusher and only an average blitzer. Will need to improve his timing. - Unafraid to stick his head into OLs but must work to better disengage from blockers - Doesn't make many tackles at LOS; Not a hard hitter or one who can stuff powerful RBs at the first level. Will need to continue to get stronger. - I am interested to see his speed times. I actually dont get the impression that he's the super fast LB that you'd expect from a former DB. Traits Mental Processing: NFL Starter Level Run Defense: NFL Starter Level Coverage: High-End Level Pressure/Disruption: Needs Development but Playable Physical Traits: High End Level Comparison (style of play or build, not level): Fred Warner, Brian Urlacher, Tremaine Edwards Overall Draft Grade: 5.90 ~ Solid 1st Round Prospect (with low risk) Titans Fit: Can play Mike or Will. He's a 3-down backer who you can leave on the field no matter the defensive alignment or personnel grouping. I think he's a much easier projection on this defense than his former teammate, Reese. The pairing of him and Cedric Gray would be interesting as neither are downhill guys who make plays at the LOS, but they'd be one of the best tackling LB pairings in the NFL. He will absolutely give Saleh the talent at LB that hes come to like but the question is value even if this is a medium position of need (I dont think Barton plays fast enough or has value in coverage).There is a scenario where Styles becomes a Titan, in my opinion, if we trade down. Edited February 25 by titansfan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
titansfan Posted February 24 Author Report Share Posted February 24 (edited) CALEB DOWNS SAFETY OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY 21 Years Old 3-Year Junior 6'0 205lbs NFL Combine Results (Will update after Combine) 2025 Stats: 14 games, 68 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF, 2 ints, 2 PBUs Overview: Caleb Downs, brother of Colts' WR Joshua Downs, was a top-10 high school prospect who committed to Alabama. He started as a true freshman for Nick Saban and immediately showed future 1st rounder ability winning SEC Freshman of the Year. After Saban retired he transferred to Ohio State where he made an immediate impact as the best defensive player on the team. He's considered one of the best safety prospects over the last 10 years. AREA OF STRENGTH: - Aggressive and attacks the run game like a LB, flows to the ball easily and finds the opening. - ELITE processing and read and reacting. One of the smartest on field players you'll see in college. Plays with anticipation and clearly had the trust of the coaching staff to play with freedom. - Downhill speed is impressive and shows true confidence in his processing. Fearless in taking on contact from incoming blockers. - Great downhill ability and breaks on would be receivers. Delivers big hits and can cause fumbles. - Will clean up outside runs if the edge is set; many times at or behind the LOS. He fits the run well especially when playing off of Arvell Reese. - Versatile safety; can play the box or can play high. Can play dime. Very natural in zone coverage/reading the QB and a smooth athlete. - Plays with incredible field awareness. Seems to understand the best opportunities to take risks. Has great range. AREA OF IMPROVEMENT: - Not the playmaker that you may expect him to be. He's not really a ball-hawk and constantly opts to make plays on the receiver instead of the ball. - While a smooth athlete, hes not an elite athlete nor has top end speed. Also only has average size and build for a safety. - Seeks to make tackles, but inconsistent in wrapping up when going for big hits - Matches well with most TEs and RBs, but not a lot of cases where hes in man coverage or in typical back or shuffle, and I think there is enough uncertainty to question how good he is if tasked to do it consistently. - Seems like nitpicking, but hes a complete safety prospect who appears to gotten the most out of his talent that I think its fair to question his ceiling given his average size and less than elite athleticism/speed. I think Kyle Hamilton was a better overall prospect. Traits Mental Processing: Elite Playmaking/Ball Skills: NFL Starter Level Coverage: High-End Level Run Defense: Elite Pressure/Disruption: NFL Starter Level Physical Profile/Movement Skills: High End Level Versatility/Role Value: High End Level Comparison (style of play or build, not level): Budda Baker, Eric Berry Overall Draft Grade: 6.32~ Top 12 Prospect (with low risk, safe prospect) Titans Fit: Every team in the NFL would love to have Caleb Downs. Theres not an NFL defense that couldn't use him. He will walk into the league and will likely finish the season already among the top 16 safeties in the NFL. For Tennessee, he would absolutely enable the cover 3 coverage we will no doubt play and would serve the ability of not having to swap personnel because of his ability to serve in the role as a LB. There is a question on his ability to match athletic TEs or fast RBs, but he would give Tennessee three very good safeties. I think with Winston being more of a box guy, there is possibility that he would moreso that he'd be making Hooker expendable eventually as the team would look for another deep/coverage oriented safety. I would not draft him at 4 even though his draft grade score comes very close in bringing him into that territory as a prospect. If we traded down to eight or below I believe the value is justified because you'd be getting a longterm starter with All Pro upside. Edited February 25 by titansfan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FRT Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 Ole 3D seems back again… Droppin Dimes Days Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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