Dane Bruegler’s 3rd draft with writeups from ‘The Beast’ in Athletic

[raleigh-panther]

all offense.  OT. TE. G. in rd 1 to 3 

 

Rd 1

19. Carolina Panthers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

 

OFFENSIVE TACKLE  6Grade: 1st–2nd rd.

Blake Miller

Clemson

Has the physical traits, football IQ and toughness that NFL teams will bet on every time.

A former high-level wrestler, four-year starter and team captain, Miller plays with great consistency and has the football IQ to make up for his penchant for playing tall. He may never dominate, but he could start for a decade.

 

Overview

• Hometown: Strongsville, OH
• Birthday: February 25, 2004
• Age: 22.2
• Jersey: No. 78
• High School: Strongsville
• Year: Fourth-year senior

A four-year starter at Clemson, Miller was a mainstay at right tackle in former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced gap/zone scheme. Highly recruited out of the Cleveland area, he earned a starting job from day one at Clemson and was a model of consistency for a mostly inconsistent college offense. He started all 54 games the past four seasons (most consecutive starts by a non-specialist in school history) and set the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778).

Miller has a good mix of on-field talent and intangibles. In pass protection, he is quick off the ball, with the range to mirror rushers up the arc and a surprisingly sturdy anchor to answer different types of rushers. Miller also shows his foot quickness and physical demeanor to move bodies in the run game. He isn’t a great bender, though, and savvy NFL rushers will find some success using his aggressive techniques against him. His coaches rave about his smarts and football character (NFL scout: “I think he missed one practice in four years. The thought of letting down his coaches and teammates kills him.”).

Dane’s takeawa

Miller has an upright play style that could lead to issues vs. NFL competition, but he has the type of profile (physical traits, football IQ, competitive toughness) that teams will bet on every time. He should compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie

Combine stats

Hover any column header to see its definition.

STAT	HT	WT	HAND	ARM	WING	BP	10	20	40	VJ	BJ	SS	3C
Combine	6′63/4	317	93/4	341/4	837/8	32	1.75	2.92	5.04	32	9′5	DNP	DNP
Pro Day	6′65/8	318	93/4	343/8	823/4	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	DNP	4.65	7.75

Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice).

Strengths

• Prototypical size — broad shoulders, outstanding arm length and athletic build
• Urgent in his setup and the way he operates (Duke edge rusher Wesley Williams said Miller was the best blocker he faced in 2025)
• Sets with a wide, sturdy base to withstand bull rushers down his middle
• Quick to respond and find balance after first contact in pass pro
• Has play strength to press rushers off him and keep them at bay
• Thudding, decisive hands as a run blocker; able to generate movement on drive blocks
• Shows off athleticism as a puller and on the move
• Voted a senior captain; member of the leadership council (NFL scout: “Love his focused mindset. Doesn’t cheat himself or his teammates.”)
• Remarkable toughness and consistently plays through bumps and bruises (broken wrist during 2025 spring practices required surgery, but he missed only one practice)

Weaknesses

• Upright posture and inconsistent technique in pass protection
• Delivers adequate pop but doesn’t have overwhelming power to create knockback
• Can be late to draw hands from holster, opening his chest to rushers
• Gets caught leaning; requires a half-beat to get back in position
• NFL rushers will find some success setting him up
• Would like to see better control on perimeter to make it harder on defenders to avoid him
• Almost all (96.5 percent) of college snaps came at right tackle — lingering questions about his position flex

 

Rd 2 

51. Carolina Panthers: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

 

Eli Stowers

Vanderbilt

A mismatch-creating, explosive pass-catcher who must show he can block at the NFL level.

 

 

Overview

Hometown: Denton, TX

Birthday: April 15, 2003

Age: 23

Jersey: No. 9

High School: Guyer

Year: Fifth-year senior

A two-year starter at Vanderbilt (three-year starter overall), Stowers was a detached tight end (70.7 percent of snaps in the slot) in offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s run-heavy scheme. A highly recruited quarterback out of high school, Stowers began at Texas A&M and then New Mexico State but suffered multiple shoulder injuries, which forced him to change positions (Stowers: “I could never throw the same.”). With Diego Pavia as his quarterback for that transition, Stowers’ receiving production improved each of the past three seasons, including 769 receiving yards in 2025, tops among FBS tight ends and earning him All-America honors and the Mackey Award.

An above-average athlete for the position, Stowers attacks defenders’ techniques and uses his quickness to consistently win one-on-one on slants, digs or seam balls. Because of the quarterback and scheme at Vanderbilt, he was asked to use his burst for quick windows and is unproven in other areas, although he has the speed to be more of a deep threat in a pro-style scheme. He delivered mixed results when asked to attack in traffic, but he has reliable hands and fluid adjustment skills. As a blocker, he has questionable physicality and sustain strength but competes when sealing or walling off defenders.

Dane’s takeaway

Stowers will need to prove himself as a serviceable blocker at the NFL level, but he is explosive as a pass catcher, and I love the way he maximizes his catch radius. He has mismatch-creating potential and can eventually develop into an NFL starter.

Combine stats

Hover any column header to see its definition. Scroll right to see more metrics.

STATHTWTHANDARMWINGBP102040VJBJSS3C

Combine6′33/423993/4325/8793/4DNP1.592.624.51451/211′3DNPDNP

Pro Day6′31/224291/2327/879DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP

Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice).

Strengths

Broad-shouldered frame, with adequate bulk and room to add mass

“Freaks List” athlete, which is reflected on the tape and in testing

Graceful speed to attack down the seam or after the catch

Fluid route runner who can sink and cut on command

Quarterback background is an asset when reading coverages and finding windows

Solid ball skills, especially for a former quarterback (3.9 percent career drop rate)

Frequently widens catch radius to make proper adjustments and bail out his quarterback

NFL scouts say he logs “countless hours” at the facility and wants to be coached “harder than the rest of the team”

Team captain; driven attitude made him a leader at Vandy

Led FBS tight ends in 2025 in receiving yards per game (64.1)

Weaknesses

Lean muscle structure — more linear body type than what some teams prefer

Competes but has marginal play strength as a run blocker (21 percent of snaps came inline)

Light in the pants and likely will never overwhelm defenders at point of attack

Not consistently efficient blocking backside on the move

Can do a better job selling route movements with his eyes/shoulders

Want to see him be more aggressive finishing on the ball in traffic

Durable after moving to tight end at Vandy but had two key injuries before that: injured right (throwing) shoulder in high school, then tore labrum during freshman year, which required postseason surgery (Jan. 2022); torn PCL and meniscus in left knee in 2019 state championship game, which required surgery (Jan. 2020).

 

 

 

 

rd 3

83. Carolina Panthers: Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky

 

Jalen Farmer

Kentucky

An athletic boulder who projects as a starter in the right scheme.

 

Overview

Hometown: Covington, GA

Birthday: January 6, 2004

Age: 22.3

Jersey: No. 52

High School: Eastside

Year: Fourth-year junior

A two-year starter at Kentucky, Farmer lined up at right guard in former offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s balanced scheme with gap-run principles. He struggled to see the field in two seasons in Gainesville, but he got in better shape after transferring to Lexington and things started to click. He started all 24 games at right guard the past two seasons and impressed during Senior Bowl week.

Farmer has outstanding size, play strength and presence. Using his long arms and leg drive, he can fit up and dump defenders in the run game. He has a stout anchor and heavy punch in pass protection and is quick to replace his hands and recover when he’s initially beaten. His pad-level issues pop up more than you’d like, and the nasty flashes need to become more consistent.

Dane’s takeaway

Farmer is an athletic boulder in pass protection and a bulldozer as a run blocker. He should continue to ascend with pro coaching. He has NFL starting-caliber ability, especially if he lands with a team that specializes in a downhill, smash-mouth run game.

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Combine stats

Hover any column header to see its definition.

STATHTWTHANDARMWINGBP102040VJBJSS3C

Combine6′47/831291/4341/4825/8DNP1.752.884.93279′0DNPDNP

Pro DayDNP320DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP

Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice).

Strengths

Boasts an NFL body — broad chest, thick core and long arms

Strong at the point and flashes a finishing demeanor

Drives his legs in the run game to generate jarring power at contact

Functional mobility to wall off defenders and execute pulls

Stout as a pass blocker to gobble up bull rushers

Can be caught leaning out front but recovery skills are impressive

Forceful hands to put dents into defenders when he connects

Flagged just once in 2025 (holding vs. Eastern Michigan)

Served as a team captain in four games in 2025 (NFL scout: “Matured and took better care of his body after transferring.”)

Started all 24 games the past two seasons

Weaknesses

Pops upright too often at the snap, with inconsistent sink

Can be caught oversetting and crossed up by quickness

Late with his hands — would like to see him tighten his carriage

Tardy working through slow-developing pressures and games

Can do better job refitting in the run game when he doesn’t initially establish leverage

Inconsistencies redirecting and adjusting in space will be more noticeable vs. NFL athletes

Position flexibility questions — 100 percent of college snaps came at right guard

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College stats

Hover any column header to see its definition.

YEARSCHOOLGPGSPOS

2022Florida20—

2023Florida20—

2024Kentucky1212RG

2025Kentucky1212RG

2022 Enrolled May 2022

2024 Enrolled January 2024

Background

Jalen Farmer, who has a brother (Tristan), was born and raised in the Atlanta area by his mother (Kartella Fuller) and father (Shaun Farmer). While growing up in a football family, he was “always around” the game and had several cousins who played. Farmer started playing at age 7 and was a defensive lineman and linebacker before moving exclusively to the offensive line.

Farmer enrolled at Eastside High School in Covington, Ga., which is the alma mater of NFL players Sheldon Rankins and Eric Stokes. He was a four-year letterman on varsity and started 11 games as a sophomore left guard in 2019. Farmer returned as the starting left guard as a junior in 2020 and helped Eastside to 10 wins. As a senior, he played left guard and defensive tackle and was named 2021 Class 5A Region 8 Lineman of the Year. Farmer posted 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble as a senior, while adding a 1-yard rushing touchdown. He also lettered in track at Eastside, setting personal bests of 33 feet, 5 inches in the shot put and 61-4 in the discus. 

A three-star recruit, Farmer was the 31st-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2022 class and the No. 73 recruit in Georgia. After he became a starter as a sophomore, he picked up his first scholarship offer the following spring, from Georgia Tech (May 2020). Before his senior season, Farmer added an offer from Florida and committed to former head coach Dan Mullen, who then was fired a few months later. In the weeks before signing day, Farmer received a late flurry of offers from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Mississippi State. But thanks to a strong push from new Gators head coach Billy Napier, Farmer stayed committed to his first choice. He was the 13th-ranked recruit in Napier’s first class in Gainesville. After two seasons buried on the depth chart, Farmer entered the transfer portal in December 2023 and committed to Kentucky. 

He elected to skip his senior year and declare for the NFL Draft. Farmer accepted a late invite to the Senior Bowl.

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[micnificent28]

Personally I love the beast I read it every year one of my go to tools for the draft

[strato]

Not doing it for me. Next. 
 

Guess I’ll go look at it and get the full context on who we passed on to take these future HOFs. 

Edited April 8 by strato

[Khyber53]

While I want to see an MLB in that mix, if it went this way, I wouldn't be sad.

One thing about that Tackle out of Clemson... he's had years to get used to the heat he'll be working in during training camp and the first of the season. That's not a minor thing. Also, high football IQ is always a plus (and we find that in the TE prospect, too... who I'm liking more and more.)

Guard in the third? Sounds like a good one, but I wish that somewhere it said he could play Center as well. That'd sell me.

 

[strato]

2 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

While I want to see an MLB in that mix, if it went this way, I wouldn't be sad.

One thing about that Tackle out of Clemson... he's had years to get used to the heat he'll be working in during training camp and the first of the season. That's not a minor thing. Also, high football IQ is always a plus (and we find that in the TE prospect, too... who I'm liking more and more.)

Guard in the third? Sounds like a good one, but I wish that somewhere it said he could play Center as well. That'd sell me.

 

The only way I think a G makes sense there is if he converts to C. 

[Jon Snow]

The Panthers have not had a top 30 visit with any of those guys yet. Miller is a possibility I suppose. I think they have their eye on the NCS TE. If they go oline in the 3rd I hope it's for a center. I would not be surprised if they took Rodriguez at 19 either. 

[Coheed]

I’d honestly be fine with Miller. Really hoping we grab AJ Haulcy in the second. I think he’s gonna be a stud 

[MHS831]

I get it.  this is the conservative approach, but we are talking about a right tackle.He is a player I really like,but at 19?  This mock would appeal to the people who want an OT in round 1, but maybe addressing the RT spot is the way to go. Not sure if Miller can play both sides.  He would sit behind Moton.

With the LBs that are predicted to be there is round 2, hard to explain the TE--although this one is solid.  Stowers is a very good TE and he would upgrade the position and offense immediately.

Farmer:  If he skipped his SR season, how did he play in the SR bowl?  Farmer is a good OL, but I this would be another pick who sits year 1.  

Very conservative with a practical eye to the future--if you consider the $$ they will pay Bryce, it is possible Moton and at least one of the guards is not on the 2027 roster.  In that case,, this is very nice.  However, if you are looking for help in 2026, this is minimal.

 

[poorboysrev]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

I get it.  this is the conservative approach, but we are talking about a right tackle.He is a player I really like,but at 19?  This mock would appeal to the people who want an OT in round 1, but maybe addressing the RT spot is the way to go. Not sure if Miller can play both sides.  He would sit behind Moton.

With the LBs that are predicted to be there is round 2, hard to explain the TE--although this one is solid.  Stowers is a very good TE and he would upgrade the position and offense immediately.

Farmer:  If he skipped his SR season, how did he play in the SR bowl?  Farmer is a good OL, but I this would be another pick who sits year 1.  

Very conservative with a practical eye to the future--if you consider the $$ they will pay Bryce, it is possible Moton and at least one of the guards is not on the 2027 roster.  In that case,, this is very nice.  However, if you are looking for help in 2026, this is minimal.

 

Right... I'd want to know can he slide to guard if needed. Injuries always happen on the oline I think someone that can cover multiple positions is always good to have

[Jon Snow]

7 minutes ago, poorboysrev said:

Right... I'd want to know can he slide to guard if needed. Injuries always happen on the oline I think someone that can cover multiple positions is always good to have

You want Fano then. I would be ecstatic if they somehow got him. But there's no way he falls that far.

[firefox1234]

55 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

The Panthers have not had a top 30 visit with any of those guys yet. Miller is a possibility I suppose. I think they have their eye on the NCS TE. If they go oline in the 3rd I hope it's for a center. I would not be surprised if they took Rodriguez at 19 either. 

I think quite a few ILBs will go in the bottom half of the first like Allen, Rodriguez, and Hill Jr. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of them go at 19.

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, firefox1234 said:

I think quite a few ILBs will go in the bottom half of the first like Allen, Rodriguez, and Hill Jr. I also wouldn’t be surprised if one of them go at 19.

I think if we really want one they will have to take one at 19 because all off those guys will be off the board by pick 51.

[raleigh-panther]

Hard to tell,how this will go

…not who I would like either 

we all know OT is a premium position   Not sure any will be there at 19 or what is there,  it worth it 

we also know we have line injuries and lack of depth at Guard and LT  and an older RT player who has started to miss time at the Tackle position.  We also have a top,paid guard coming off injuries and a contract that is huge 

…oh yeah, we have a little fella at qb

 

[poorboysrev]

6 minutes ago, Jon Snow said:

You want Fano then. I would be ecstatic if they somehow got him. But there's no way he falls that far.

Strange things happen in the draft just want them to hit on their guy...I don't follow college football so I just go off you guys' opinions and write ups etc