The Draft: Purple Reign

When I start my draft prep, every player who participates in the Combine gets added to a spreadsheet, I read their Combine scouting report, cross it with another report from the internet (sites vary but usually Bleacher Report, Draft Buzz or PFF) then assign them a color on my spreadsheet. The colors look like this:

Blue - Day 1 starter with All Pro upside 

Green - Day 1 starter with long-time pro upside

Yellow - Contributor with one skill that will play in the pros (pass rush specialist, coverage linebacker, short yardage back, etc.) while other skills develop.

Orange - Developmental prospect who can become a yellow-type with the right fit and coaching

Red - Practice squad, bottom of the roster player

But most fun is purple

Purple = High upside prospect who possess some type of differentiating trait, quality or circumstance that could indicate they would be able to outperform their draft position relative to other players of the same position in the same draft class.

For example, last year’s wide receivers: I had Matthew Golden as a yellow player. Speed wide receiver who had a skill but there was some work to do. He was taken 23rd overall by the Packers. I had Luther Burden as a purple player. Burden was a projected 1st rounder before his last season at Mizzou, their QB play was bad and there were some whispers about his “character” so he fell. Those are some circumstances to indicate he may overperform his draft position. Obviously, the Bears took him 39th. While the story isn’t totally written yet, if you asked Packers fans honestly if they could have a redo, they’d probably take Burden over Golden. Do you think the Eagles would take Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger over Jihaad Campbell? How about the Ravens taking Nick Emmanwori over Malaki Starks? Schwesinger and Emmanwori were purple players who outperformed their draft position. 

The Purple Player explained. 

So… who are this year’s purple players? I thought you’d never ask.

First Round

Some of these guys likely won’t ever get near the Bears so this is more general NFL information:

-Makai Lemon (WR): monster, might end up being the best player in the draft. Amon-Ra comps are spot-on.

-Kadyn Proctor (OT): massive human who can move in a way no one his size should.

-Keldric Faulk (DE): huge, long limbed edge who can defend the run immediately and could develop into a 4-down terror.

-Denzel Boston (WR): overshadowed by other WRs in the class, should be a red zone menace.

-Dillon Thieneman (S): Do-it-all safety perfectly built for evolving role of safety as both linebacker-caliber run defender and corner-caliber coverage.

-Max Iheanachor (OT): great movement skills, lots of learning room

-Chris Johnson (CB): Turnover machine who plays big

Second Round

-Jacob Rodriguez (LB): Prototype field general, average size but way above average everything else.

-R Mason Thomas (DE): Probably won’t ever be a three-down player but can be an elite pass rush specialist. Reminds me of James Pearce last year (10.5 sacks) without all the craziness.

-Brandon Cisse (CB): Top-end athlete who can be a Day 1 man cover corner, everything else will take some work but lots of foundation.

-Anthony Hill Jr. (LB): Five star recruit and three year green dot who has all the physical tools.

-Caleb Banks (IDL): First round pick without injury history. Risky but big upside.

-AJ Haulcy (S): Big time ball production with coachable flaws. “Mr. Gimme Dat”

Third Round

-Mike Washington Jr. (RB): Between the tackles style with 4.33 speed

-Tyler Onyedim (IDL): Won’t ever be a run plugger but ascending TFL and sack production with balanced skillset

-Jaishawn Barham (ED): Position switch before 2025 resulted in 10 TFLs and four sacks, more to build.

-Bryce Lance (WR): 6’3 with a 4.34 40. FCS competition leaves questions but route tree is better than expected for a low-level prospect.

Fourth Round

-Eli Raridon (TE): Injury concerns but massive frame leaves room for projection.

-Tacario Davis (CB): Longest wingspan in the draft, nearly 6’4 with a nation leading 16 pass breakups in 2023.

-Julian Neal (CB): Only 16 career starts but played his best in his final year after transferring to Arkansas to play in the SEC. 6’2 length with good zone and man coverage skills.

-Dametrious Crownover (OT): 6’7 with nearly 36 inch arms, huge human being with lots of work to do but size that can’t be taught.

-Demond Claiborne (RB): If you look up at RedZone and ask, “who is this little guy ripping off 65 yard runs?” This guy.

-Malik Benson (WR): Not a technician but a track-level sprinter who can also be a punt return weapon.

Fifth Round

-Robert Spears-Jennings (S): Fastest 40 (4.32) among safeties but not a typical centerfielder, desire and skills to play near the line.

-Kaleb Proctor (IDL): Undersized and FCS competition but elite athlete that can disrupt the backfield.

-Jeff Caldwell (WR): Raw as they come but 6’5 and a 4.31 40.

-Michael Trigg (TE): All-American contested catch monster with lots of character baggage.

-Carsen Ryan (TE): Solid blocker and catcher, will find a job in the evolving three-tight end world of the NFL.

Sixth Round

-Hezekiah Masses (CB): First round name and FBS leading 18 passes defended with five interceptions in 2025.

-Kendal Daniels (LB): Converted safety who is a modern defender who can cover, crash and rush.

Seventh Round

-Adam Randall (RB): Converted WR who projects as more of a chess piece than a true running back, 6’3 who can align anywhere.

-Micah Morris (OG): Finally got his shot at Georgia and played well, 350 pound bully in the run game.

-Jordan van den Berg (IDL): 99th percentile athlete who is new to football.

-Zxavion Harris (IDL): Nearly 6’8, kick block specialist with likely disqualifying personal issues plus foot surgery in March but unteachable size.

-Eric McAllister (WR): All-American with serious legal issues.