Cory's Reads #44: The 2025 NFL Draft for Noobs
Some uninformed takes from a slightly informed fan
Longtime readers of Cory’s Reads know it is that time of year again, when this TV and movie-obsessed newsletter shifts its focus to the world of football, where the 2025 NFL Draft is just one day away.
I have been putting together mock drafts for at least a decade-and-a-half, almost the entirety of my NFL-watching career. The player evaluation process has always appealed to me, even as someone who — in all honesty — watches very little college football each year. And so as I present to you, my dear disinterested readers, the 2025 iteration of my three-round mock draft, I do so with an admission that I think lends my predictions a particular sense of legitimacy, or perhaps strips them of it altogether. As the draft-industrial complex grows and grows each year — podcasts and player rankings proliferating at an improbable rate — it seems that there are more so-called draft experts than ever before. Many self-described draft analysts likely do maintain a degree of expertise in player evaluation, not to mention a general football acumen.
I make no such claims here at Cory’s Reads. I am an experienced football watcher in my own right, and an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. I enjoy the logic of surveying a team’s needs and identifying the appropriate player for them accordingly. I may take that team’s broader football philosophy into account as I put together my mock draft, and I may conduct some half-assed research so that I can form my own baseless takes as to which players are destined for greatness and which ones will bust faster than you can say “Zach Wilson.”
Indeed, the NFL Draft discourse is all about takes. And just like America’s overlong election process, the leadup to the NFL Draft allows the faucet to run for just a bit too long…
Jaxson Dart is a first-round prospect. Shedeur Sanders may fall out of the first round. Tetairoa McMillan is not a top-fifteen prospect, and TreVeyon Henderson may be drafted above Omarion Hampton.
Such takes are only a sampling of the absurd leakage I have ever heard over the last several months of the NFL Draft faucet going drip, drip, drip. These takes are ostensibly sourced by NFL insiders, and researched by true tape-grinders. Alas, it is all just hearsay. Most — if not all — of us are NFL Draft noobs, and I am brave enough to admit it.
Enjoy this year’s NFL Mock Draft. Or don’t. I promise the discourse is almost over.
Oh, and go birds!
*Players with asterisks are personal favorites of mine.
ROUND 1
1. Titans - Cam Ward QB Miami
This pick is all but certain. Cam Ward is the best QB in this draft class, although that would only make him the fourth or fifth best QB in the last few classes. I think he has a solid shot to be a mid-level starter in the league, perhaps good enough to land Tennessee in the Wild Card race year after year. Still, he is not likely to be the franchise-changing player that a team often covets with the first overall selection. Nevertheless, he is worth the gamble in a draft class that mostly lacks that kind of surefire blue-chip talent across the board.
2. Browns - Travis Hunter WR/CB Colorado
Travis Hunter is widely regarded as the best player in this draft class, and I do think the Browns are securing themselves a lockdown corner with this pick. He may work in a few gadget plays on offense every now and then, but I have my doubts as to whether or not he can shoulder a full workload on both sides of the ball in the NFL. Besides, the Browns do not have a QB that could throw Hunter the ball even if he did play WR.
3. Giants - Abdul Carter EDGE Penn State*
My personal pick as the top prospect in this draft class, Abdul Carter is the exact kind of bendy pass-rusher that teams aim for with a top-five pick. I see no reason for him not to replicate the production of recent top five selections like Will Anderson and Aidan Hutchinson, even if he has a somewhat alarming fracture in his foot. The Giants do not have a huge need on the edge, but Kayvon Thibodeaux has not played like an irreplaceable player at this point in his career, and so bolstering their pass rush with the best player available is still the smartest option for a team simply desperate for talent.
4. Patriots - Will Campbell OT LSU
Like any team with a promising young QB, the Patriots need to make this draft all about setting Drake Maye up for success. They do so here by selecting the top tackle in the draft, Will Campbell. Scouts are concerned by Campbell’s unprecedently short arms for the position, but he was a versatile and dependable player for LSU throughout his career, even earning the program’s distinguished #7 jersey (he wore it as a patch rather than a jersey number due to NCAA restrictions around jersey numbers for offensive linemen.)
5. Jaguars - Mason Graham DT Michigan*
The Jaguars have been attached to Mason Graham throughout the draft process, and I see no reason he should not be the pick here. You could argue that he is the safest bet to succeed at the NFL, and the Jags need more defensive line talent, particularly on the interior.
6. Raiders - Armand Membou OT Mizzou*
The Raiders have been attached to Ashton Jeanty throughout the pre-draft process, but with Chip Kelly in place as the team’s new OC, I expect them to instead target Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson in the second round as an upgrade at the position. Instead, they use their first-rounder to improve on the line of scrimmage and select Armand Membou, an athletic left tackle who just might offer the most upside of any player selected in the top ten.
7. Jets - Tyler Warren TE Penn State*
Brock Bowers had a TE rookie season for the ages, but do not let that distract you from the fact that Tyler Warren is also among the best TE prospects we have seen in decades. I think this guy will be a stud in the NFL, and an the Jets have an underrated need at the position. They have no playmakers on offense outside of Garrett Wilson, and while a proper WR2 would be nice (remember those couple of great games from Davante Adams?), a dominant TE would still suffice and makes for better value in this particular draft class.
8. Panthers - Tetairoa McMillan WR Arizona
The Panthers used their first round pick on a WR last year, selecting a raw and old prospect in Xavier Legette. The South Carolina standout flashed at times in his rookie year, but I still think there is a fair degree of combustibility to Legette’s long-term profile, and it is not like the Panthers have much else at the position anyway. McMillan may never be a truly dominant X receiver in the NFL, but I think he is a safe bet for a long career as a WR2 in the NFL. But if a team can teach him to play with a bit more physicality, his imposing size could turn him into the league’s next Mike Evans or AJ Green.
9. Saints - Shedeur Sanders QB Colorado
Despite his NFL pedigree, I am not a fan of Shedeur Sanders as an NFL prospect. There are reports he may slip even further than this in the draft, and it is an absolute mystery as to what the Saints plan to do with this pick, but with Derek Carr’s career in jeopardy, I think you can justify a swing on at QB with the ninth overall pick.
10. Bears- Ashton Jeanty RB Boise State
This pick is the latest I can imagine Ashton Jeanty falling in the draft. Jerry Jones — never one to learn from his mistakes — may call Mickey Loomis to leap over the Bears, but I otherwise think Jeanty is going to Chicago. Even with Jeanty’s undeniable talent, I remain pretty firm in my belief that no RB should be drafted in the top ten. Still, I do think Chicago needs to add a playmaker for Caleb Williams (even if a stud pass-rusher is a need as well), and Jeanty is by for the best offensive player left on the board.
11. 49ers - Jalon Walker LB Georgia
Jalon Walker is one of the most athletic defenders in this draft class, although he may be left without a proper position in the NFL. Of course, the 49ers could just as easily argue that Walker offers unique versatility for a defense that lost Dre Greenlaw at LB, but also could stand to bolster its pass rush opposite Nick Bosa. Javon Hargrave left in free agency as well, so replenishing the defensive front will be paramount for San Francisco on draft day.
12. Cowboys - Matthew Golden WR Texas
As much as I hate drafting RB early in the draft (not to mention the Cowboys), I would not judge them for selecting Omarion Hampton here. But still scrambling from missing out on Ashton Jeanty, the Cowboys opt for speed and reach for WR Matthew Golden, a quick and agile player who should be able to find seams in opposing defenses and open up a Dallas offense that relies almost exclusively on the talents of CeeDee Lamb.
13. Dolphins - Kelvin Banks Jr OT Texas
In the wake of Terrance Armstrong’s retirement, OT becomes the priority for Miami entering Thursday night. The team also has a need at OG, so they select Kelvin Banks Jr, a hulking tackle who will likely offer the versatility to play both positions in the NFL.
14. Colts -Tyler Booker OG Alabama*
The Colts have one of the greatest guards in NFL history in Quenton Nelson. They also have a massive hole opposite him. Tyler Booker is a safe bet to be a dependable starter in the league, so the Colts scoop him up here. The team’s front office has made their desire for one of the draft’s top pass-catchers well known, but I think there is a significant drop-off between TE Tyler Warren and TE Colston Loveland, so the Colts stay patient and look towards scooping up one of the talented TEs available in rounds 2-3.
15. Falcons - Mykel Williams EDGE Georgia
The Falcons have needed to improve their pass rush for as long as I have been watching football. I cannot guarantee that Mykel Williams will finally address that issue, but they absolutely have to select the best edge rusher available with this pick.
16. Cardinals - Will Johnson CB Michigan
The Cardinals land an incredible value by selecting Will Johnson here. They likely do not enter draft night with CB as their #1 priority, but they need talent all across their defense, and some concerns over Will Johnson’s lingering knee injury push him down the board in this scenario. The former Wolverine may never enter that upper echelon of elite CBs in the NFL, but he should still be a high-end starter for a long time.
17. Bengals - Nick Emmanwori S South Carolina
For such a good team, the Bengals are a pretty bad team. They have holes all over their roster, and have struggled to properly address their porous defense via the draft, whiffing on the likes of DJ Turner and Myles Murphy, two players whom I admittedly liked. Who knew this whole player evaluation thing was a total crapshoot? Anyway, the Bengals have had a massive hole at safety ever since Jessie Bates left for Atlanta. Nick Emmanwori is one of the most athletically gifted players to enter the NFL in years, and he is surprisingly polished for a player with his profile. He is estimated to go much later than this pick by several pundits, but I could also see him going much higher.
18. Seahawks - Colston Loveland TE Michigan
Colston Loveland may not make it past the Indianapolis Colts at #14, but he certainly will not make it past the Seahawks here. TE is not among the team’s biggest needs, but Noah Fant is arguably the most overpaid player in the NFL, so Seattle could likely improve the offensive firepower for new QB Sam Darnold and save themselves several million dollars in the process by selecting Loveland, who profiles as a Zach Ertz-type at the next level.
19. Buccaneers - Jihaad Campbell LB Alabama
The Bucs are thin at linebacker as it is, and franchise legend Lavonte David is likely entering his final year in the NFL. GM Jason Licht therefore elects to draft David’s successor in Jihaad Campbell, a South Jersey native whose speed and length should make him a reliable tackler in the NFL. Whether or not he can develop into a dominant playmaker remains to be seen, however.
20. Broncos - Omarion Hampton RB UNC*
I have been considering soft-launching a hot take, so here I go: Omarion Hampton will have a better NFL career than Ashton Jeanty. He has that same combination of sheer size and bulldozer mentality that has made Derrick Henry so dominant for so long. Of course, Henry has been fortunate enough to maintain that elusive RB trait throughout his career: durability. Hampton will have to pick his battles in the NFL if he wants to build a similar career, but he is also a more explosive weapon in the passing game than Henry ever was, and is a perfect fit for the improving offense that Sean Payton is building in Denver.
21. Steelers - Derrick Harmon DT/DE Oregon*
Imagine Cam Heyward. Now imagine him even bigger. That only begins to capture the type of player that you are getting with the selection of Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. With Heyward’s career entering its twilight, and the Steelers’ promising stable of young defensive linemen still missing the kind of intimidator who can draw double teams from opposing offenses, Harmon emerges as the perfect fit for the Steel City. QB is obviously a need for this franchise, but I refuse to believe in Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe as first-round prospects.
22. Chargers - Walter Nolen DT Ole Miss*
If I had to identify a late first round selection who we look back on one day and ask “how did he go so late?”, my money is on Walter Nolen. Draftniks are predicting a wide range of outcomes for Nolen, with some suggesting that he may fall out of the first round altogether. From my outsider perspective, I cannot find a single reason that Nolen should be drafted outside of the top 20 picks in this draft. He strikes me as the exact type of athletic DT that has become the prototype for the position over the last decade. The Chargers have had a massive hole in the middle of their defensive line for years now, and as much as an explosive pass catcher will tempt Jim Harbaugh and co., it is high time that the team addresses DT with an early-round selection.
23. Packers - Shemar Stewart EDGE Texas A&M
Shemar Stewart could go much earlier in the draft if a team falls in love with his off-the-charts athleticism, but I am not sold on the Texas A&M product. His sack totals as an Aggie were pathetically low for a player with his traits, and he seems to lack the set of pass-rush moves that generally allow lesser athletes to sack the QB at a consistent rate. Still, he is a worthy gamble at this juncture in the draft, and the Packers have been desperate for pass rush juice opposite Rashan Gary for years now. 2023 first-rounder Lukas Van Ness does not seem to be the answer so far, so Green Bay takes a swing on Stewart instead.
24. Vikings - Grey Zabel OT/G North Dakota State*
Grey Zabel may have played in the FCS, but he strikes me as a safe bet this late in the first round. He has a chance to succeed at any position along the offensive line in the NFL, and I could see the Vikings moving him to center at some point during his rookie year. He most likely starts his career at guard, where the Vikings have a glaring hole on their otherwise talented offensive front. If Nick Emmanwori is still available, he will tempt Minnesota here as well.
25. Texans - Donovan Jackson OT/G Ohio State
This pick may come as a mild surprise to those following mock drafts across the internet, as Donovan Jackson has largely been slotted as a second-rounder thus far. However, there are always 1-2 players unexpectedly picked on Thursday night, and you could do a lot worse than a mauling guard with experience playing OT as well. The Texans need to replace Kenyon Green after trading him to Philly in exchange for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but their need at OT may be even more urgent after offloading Laremy Tunsil and his massive contract to the Washington Commanders this offseason. I fully expect this pick to be an offensive lineman — C.J. Stroud is praying I am correct — and although Jackson may not be the best one available on my personal draft board, his versatility bumps him up a few slots.
26. Rams - Jahdae Barron CB Texas
The Rams are likely pining for a pass-catcher, but they abandon that initial plan to scoop up Jahdae Barron and stop the versatile corner’s relative slide. I am a bit wary of Barron’s NFL potential, as the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner projects as a big nickel CB, but perhaps not much else. He will likely cross-train at safety on a Rams defense that needs talent throughout its backfield, but I would be scared to play him on the outside, which is why I stray from consensus and have him outside my top 20.
27. Ravens - Mike Green EDGE Marshall
The Ravens already have a need at defensive end, and the latest reports are that the team is inexplicably looking to trade Odafe Oweh as well. An edge rusher therefore becomes the obvious pick at #27, and they get some excellent value here with Mike Green, albeit for good reason. Green is arguably a top-fifteen talent in this draft, but he has two sexual assault allegations across both his high school career and his time at the University of Virginia. Green was murkily suspended from the Cavaliers program and transferred to Marshall, but those are some major off-the-field red flags that compel me to remove Green from my own personal draft board.
28. Lions - Donovan Ezeirukau EDGE Boston College
South Jersey native Donovan Ezeirukau would be a strong pick for the Eagles at #32, but I do not expect him to last that long. I think he has been a bit underrated throughout this draft process, with the appropriate length and size for his position and the consistent production to back it up. The Lions fell apart last season for a number of reasons, but it did not help that their pass rush completely disappeared once Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury.
29. Commanders - Malaki Starks S Georgia*
Malaki Starks is one of the more intriguing prospects going into draft night, as he could hear his name called at several different points throughout the evening. I would love to see yet another Georgia Bulldog slip to the Eagles at #32, but I do not see Starks making it past the Commanders, whose Cinderella season came to a screeching halt once their putrid defense was exposed by the Eagles in the NFC Championship. The Commanders should target the best defensive player available with this pick, but safety is a particular hole on this roster, so Starks makes sense for more reason than one.
30. Bills - Luther Burden III WR Mizzou*
The Bills have been trying to provide Josh Allen with a worthy cast of supporting talent for years, and I truly think Luther Burden III could be the answer to their woes. He is one of the most fun players to watch in this draft class, and I will absolutely be rooting for him to succeed in Buffalo. His YAC ability is impressive, as is his ability to separate despite his lack of top-end speed. There are reports that Burden lacks motivation at times, hence his status as a late first-rounder, but in the right offense, the Mizzou Tiger will make teams look silly for passing on him.
31. Chiefs - Aireontae Ersery OT Minnesota*
The Chiefs may be due for a major cooldown in 2025, especially if they do not fix their offensive line. Mahomes suddenly looked human behind that terrible line in Super Bowl LIX. Creed Humphrey is the best center in the NFL, but everyone around him is a question mark. Joe Thuney departed for Chicago, and the only free agent addition on the OL was Jaylon Moore…not great. Aireontae Ersery is an athletic freak with the ability to play both OT and OG, providing some much-needed versatility up front.
32. Eagles - Landon Jackson EDGE Arkansas
In all honesty, I fully expect the Eagles to trade out of the first round on Thursday night. I just do not see them coveting a player so strongly that they need to stick around, and there will almost certainly be a team looking to trade back into the first round to snag a dropping player. Emeka Egbuka, Mason Taylor, and Jaxson Dart could all entice a team to trade for #32 and secure that fifth-year option for the player they covet. I am not predicting trades with this mock, however, and so I am simply assigning the Eagles one of my favorite pass-rushers in the class, even if they have not been associated with him whatsoever throughout the pre-draft process. The Eagles have a promising pair of undersized yet athletic edge rushers in Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, but Landon Jackson has the strength and explosiveness that the team currently lacks. He also has alopecia, which is not relevant but it does make him look even meaner in his headshot. He may not be the best player available at this juncture, but I want the former Razorback on my football team.
ROUND 2
33. Browns - Josh Conerly Jr OT Oregon*
34. Giants - Josh Simmons OT Ohio State
35. Titans - James Pearce Jr EDGE Tennessee
36. Jags - Emeka Egbuka WR Ohio State
The Jags have one of the best WRs in the NFL in Brian Thomas Jr, but the departure of Christian Kirk left them fairly thin at the position. Emeka Egbuka will likely never become a true stud in the NFL, but I think he can carve out a long career as a dependable WR2.
37. Raiders - TreVeyon Henderson RB Ohio State
As promised, Chip Kelly reunites with one of his favorite offensive weapons from Ohio State.
38. Pats - Jaylin Noel WR Iowa State
39. Bears - Nic Scourton EDGE Texas A&M*
If the Eagles do not select Landon Jackson at #32, Scourton could be an option as well. The Bears need to bolster their pass rush opposite Montez Sweat, who has been a disappointment in his own right since arriving via trade from Washington in 2023.
40. Saints - Benjamin Morrison CB Notre Dame*
41. Bears - Carson Schwesinger LB UCLA*
A former walk-on, Schwesinger is one of the best stories in the draft, and the Bears pick him here as the next leader of their defense.
42. Jets - Jonah Savaiinaea OT/G Arizona*
43. 49ers - Tyleik Williams DT Ohio State*
44. Cowboys - Oluwafemi Oladejo EDGE UCLA*
45. Colts - Jaxson Dart QB Ole Miss
The Colts once again pass on a TE when presented with a value that is just too good to pass up. Jaxson Dart could easily go in round 1, but the Colts snag him here to provide Anthony Richardson with some much-needed competition. Dart is distinct from Richardson in that he actually knows how to complete a pass, so he could push rather quickly for the starting job in Indy.
46. Falcons - Shavon Revel Jr CB ECU*
Shavon Revel should be a first-rounder, but CB is a loaded position atop the draft and so I expect several of them to slide into round 2 as teams hedge their bets and prioritize other positions. The Falcons could consider Will Johnson with pick #15, but Revel presents even greater value here.
47. Cardinals - Kenneth Grant DT Michigan*
48. Dolphins - Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky
49. Bengals - Marcus Mbow OT/G Purdue*
The Bengals’ offensive line struggles continue, but Marcus Mbow can play all five positions, so he has to address at least one of them…right?
50. Seahawks - J.T. Tuimoloau EDGE Ohio State*
51. Broncos - Trey Amos CB Ole Miss
52. Seahawks - Anthony Belton OT NC State*
53. Bucs - Darien Porter CB Iowa State
54. Packers - Tre Harris WR Ole Miss
The Packers have a fun group of young WRs, but none of them stand out as a proper WR1. Tre Harris may not either, but Green Bay needs to provide Jordan Love with a true go-to target early in this year’s draft, and Harris has the size and speed to make it happen.
55. Chargers - Mason Taylor TE LSU
Mason Taylor is getting some last-minute buzz as a first round prospect, but I don’t see it. He is the son of Jason Taylor and the nephew of Zach Thomas, but I find him rather underwhelming outside of his NFL pedigree. Still, the Chargers really need a dependable TE for Justin Herbert, and Taylor will likely intrigue them this late in the second round.
56. Bills - Darius Alexander DT Toledo
57. Panthers - TJ Sanders DT South Carolina*
58. Texans - Tate Ratledge OG Georgia
59. Ravens - Wyatt Milum OT/G West Virginia
60. Lions - Xavier Watts S Notre Dame
61. Commanders - Josaiah Stewart EDGE Michigan*
62. Bills - Jacob Parrish CB Kansas State
63. Chiefs - Jack Bech WR TCU
64. Eagles - Emery Jones Jr OT/G LSU*
The Eagles grab another project for Jeff Stoutland. Emery Jones is a long and athletic tackle who will likely play guard in the NFL.
ROUND 3
65. Giants - Omarr Norman-Lott DT Tennessee
66. Chiefs - Kaleb Johnson RB Iowa*
67. Browns - Quinshon Judkins RB Ohio State
68. Raiders - Elic Ayomanor WR Stanford
Stanford always seems to produce these massive WRs who are just too slow for the NFL. Ayomanor may not be an exception, but he did create much better separation with the Cardinal than most WRs of his size. Besides, the Raiders are desperate for bodies at the position.
69. Pats - Bhayshul Tuten RB Virginia Tech
70. Jaguars - Azareye'h Thomas CB Florida State
71. Saints - Jayden Higgins WR Iowa State*
72. Bears - Jonas Sanker S Virginia
73. Jets - Jalen Milroe QB Alabama
The Jets already have an elite running QB in Justin Fields, so why not add another one? Like Fields, Milroe may not have the arm talent necessary to succeed in the NFL, but he is a historically good rusher at the position and should find a way to positively impact an offense in the NFL one way or another.
74. Panthers - Jared Wilson OC Georgia
75. 49ers - Charles Grant OT William & Mary*
76. Cowboys - Jordan James RB Oregon*
77. Pats - Shemar Turner DT Texas A&M
78. Cardinals - Jalen Travis OT Iowa State*
79. Texans - Joshua Farmer DT Florida State*
80. Colts - Harold Fannin Jr TE Bowling Green*
All that patience pays off as the Colts land Harold Fannin Jr., who just put together perhaps the greatest season by a TE in NCAA history.
81. Bengals - Deone Walker DT Kentucky*
82. Seahawks - Tommi Hill CB Nebraska*
83. Steelers - Tyler Shough QB Louisville
Tyler Shough is too old for a team to invest in as their QB of the future, but he offers the experience and maturity that could quickly make him a reliable stopgap starter for a team like the Steelers. I do not expect him to light it up in the NFL, but I think he can efficiently run an offense and limit turnovers in the run-heavy Pittsburgh offense.
84. Bucs - Ashton Gillotte EDGE Louisville*
85. Broncos - Tory Horton WR Colorado State*
I love playing with this guy in NCAA Football 25. That is all I can really say. Hope he succeeds in the league!
86. Chargers - Xavier Restrepo WR Miami
87. Packers - Jordan Phillips DT Maryland
88. Jaguars - Ozzy Trapilo OT Boston College
89. Texans - Isaiah Bond WR Texas
90. Rams - Chris Paul Jr LB Ole Miss*
Chris Paul Jr is not related to former Los Angeles Clipper Chris Paul, but that won’t stop me from mocking him to the Los Angeles Rams nonetheless.
91. Ravens - Savion Williams WR TCU
92. Seahawks - Andrew Mukuba S Texas
93. Saints - Bradyn Swinson EDGE LSU
94. Browns - Alfred Collins DT Texas
95. Chiefs - Kyle Kennard EDGE South Carolina
96. Eagles - Elijah Arroyo TE Miami*
Elijah Arroyo may not last this long, but if he does, the Eagles should run to the podium. He is an athletic pass catcher who will need to improve as a blocker in the NFL, but should be able to fill in quickly as a Dallas Goedert replacement.
97. Vikings - Kevin Winston S Penn State
98. Dolphins - Ty Robinson DT Nebraska*
99. Giants - Terrance Ferguson TE Oregon
100. 49ers - Jalen Royals WR Utah State
101. Rams - Jordan Burch EDGE Oregon
102. Lions - Jackson Slater OG Sacramento State
EAGLES PICKS:
Landon Jackson EDGE Arkansas
Emery Jones Jr OT/G LSU
Elijah Arroyo TE Miami
C.J. West DT Indiana
Maxen Hook S Toledo
LeQuint Allen RB Syracuse
Justin Walley CB Minnesota
*And because I expect the Eagles to accrue at least one more pick via trade, keep an eye out for hulking Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce in the late rounds of the draft.
Letterboxd Review of the Month
Coogler has clearly had the juice all along, so I never really doubted that Sinners would be an entertaining popcorn flick. Still, this is an overwhelmingly original vision from a filmmaker who has clearly learned a lot from operating at that Black Panther scale, but has finally been afforded the opportunity to fully realize his own ideas about Black culture and the American mythos rather than layer them over an established property. The film reminded me a bit of Nope, with its sprawling synthesis of entire cultural histories in the context of what ultimately boils down to a rock-solid genre film. Ludwig Goransson's work here is already ridiculous when it's conveying a textured portrait of Prohibition-era Mississippi or weaving together decades and decades worth of musical evolution, but when those electric guitar riffs kick in and announce this thing as a bloodsoaked vampire horror, Coogler's entire project and its range of influences really comes into focus. Sinners is vibey and patient and sexy. It goes down easy, but it's also provocative in a way few mainstream blockbusters are.
Considering her billing, Hailee Steinfeld feels a bit wasted on a rather thinly written and inconsequential character, but I'm hoping to be proven wrong when I rewatch this thing next week the way Coogler intended it.
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