NFL Draft intel: Assessment of Ohio State QB Will Howard may raise eyebrows

He must continue making huge plays to help the Longhorns stop Buckeyes freshman WR Jeremiah Smith, who won Rose Bowl offensive MVP in a 41-21 win over Oregon. 

AFC South team named as potential landing spot for Miami QB Cam Ward 

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon. Tennessee's next GM should take a QB with the No. 1 pick. In 12 starts, Titans second-year QB Will Levis went 2-10, posting an awful 27.6 QBR. 

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Jordan Reid has the Titans (3-14) selecting Ward (6-foot-2, 223 pounds).

"[Ward's] combination of arm power, creativity and shortstop-like throwing motion make him an electric playmaker," wrote Reid. "He can also beat you deep, as his 29 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards were the seventh most nationally."   

Some scouts may prefer Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-2, 215 pounds), but Ward still could be a solid option for Tennessee. In 13 starts, the 2024 Heisman finalist tossed 39 touchdown passes and logged a stellar 88.7 QBR. 

Where could Georgia LB Jalon Walker land in draft?

On Monday, Walker (6-foot-2, 245 pounds) declared for the draft. According to The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner, he's among the best defensive prospects in the class. 

"Walker is one of my favorite defenders in this class as his versatility along the front seven is really only rivaled by Penn State's Abdul Carter," wrote Baumgardner in a piece published Monday. "He's been my LB1 for some time now with an easy first-round grade." 

Walker won the 2024 Butkus Award as the best LB in college football. In 14 games, he had career highs in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (6.5). 

Unsurprisingly, he could be a potential top-15 pick. In Baumgardner's latest mock draft, the San Francisco 49ers (6-11) take Walker No. 11 overall. 

Miami WR Xavier Restrepo has a message for NFL teams 

Restrepo recently accepted his invite to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Practices start on Jan. 28, and the game is Feb. 1. In a recent interview with The Draft Network's Justin Melo, he revealed why teams should consider drafting him.

"I want to prove that investing a draft pick in me will be the smartest decision [NFL teams have] ever made," Restrepo said. "I'm somebody that really loves football. Nobody loves football more than I do. I mean that. I stand on that statement." 

In 12 games, Restrepo finished with 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 TD catches, but he's not considered a first-round pick.

On Pro Football Focus' updated big board, the site listed Restrepo as the No. 52 prospect in the class. To prove he's a potential steal, he must mitigate concerns about his size (5-foot-10, 198 pounds) at the Senior Bowl.