2025 Pre-Combine "My Guys"

#28 Jack Sawyer (↑22 Spots)

Jack Sawyer fits the definition of "my guy" more than anyone else on this list. He is built well for the position with solid length and good mass. His knock is going to be his athleticism. He will not be the fastest, twitchiest, or bendiest edge out there. He is never going to win at the NFL level by being the best athlete. Why so high then? Because he will win by outworking everyone else. He is a natural leader (2x OSU captain) and a high-motor player. He shows up in big moments and never back down from a challenge. Sign me up.

#31, Jayden Higgins (↑42 Spots)

Jayden Higgins needs more love, plain and simple. He is a big-bodied wide receiver who knows how to use his size to his benefit. He gives you the large catch radius, high contested catch percentage, and low drop rate that you want from a true Z receiver. Not enough, okay, he moves like a sub-six-foot receiver both off the line and with the ball in his hands. If he can post a solid weekend at the combine I would expect to see his name moving up on a lot of analysts boards.

#32, Xavier Watts (↑25 Spots)

Watts is a player that I still struggle to see why the league is not higher on him. One year ago Tyler Nubin went Top 50 as the top safety. While I was a Nubin fan, you did have to squint to see his potential and how he could impact the league. That is not the case with Watts. He is a true center fielder, has a knack for the ball, and has some legitimate ball skills to pair with that. Easily SAF1 last year and should be a prime target for teams to start the day on Friday of the draft.

#39 Xavier Restrepo (↑41 Spots)

In a league that is becoming dominated by 11 personnel, the slot receiver is more important than ever—enter Restrepo. Over his career, he has proven to be an extremely reliable target. Over the last two seasons, he has been wildly productive with 17 TDs and over 150 catches. He doesn't drop the ball, will make contested catches, and gives stellar YAC ability, what more can you ask from a wide receiver aside from a sub 4.3 forty?

#44 Jordan Burch (↑41 Spots)

Burch is a player who is going to be a question mark for most front-seven groups. Is he a defensive end? Interior pass rusher? Stand-up edge rusher? One this that isn't a mystery is his ability to produce at any of those positions. Primarily an outside rusher, he showed the ability to be impactful in Oregon's defensive front. He was extremely efficient as a pass rusher for the Ducks and showed the ability to be an effective run defender on the outside. A player like Burch offers a ton of flexibility from a coordinator to be creative with different rotations and assignments. Expect his versatility and production in college to be something that boosts his resume and impact early on in the league.

Newt Westen

In every draft cycle, there are players that I get drawn to and convinced are the second coming. Sometimes it is the way they play, others are freakish testers, and some I couldn't even tell you why if I had to explain it, I think they're good quality players.

Looking at my board versus consensus, I look for guys I am significantly higher on (20+ spots). My consensus board is built from the analysts and companies that I value most so it may waiver a little bit from the general public, but it is comprised of over a dozen big boards.

Here is the list of "my guys" in my Top 50—where I have them, how much higher I have them, and why I like them.