Category: American Style Football

In a recent episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports discussed the potential impact of the Dallas Cowboys drafting Arizona Wildcats WR Tetairoa McMillan. As he explained, the Cowboys struggled last season to utilize fantasy football star CeeDee Lamb effectively due to a lack of a true X receiver. With Lamb forced to spend nearly half of his snaps on the outside, his role as a slot receiver — a position where he truly excels — was diminished.

McMillan, with his impressive build and skill set, is well-suited to take on the X receiver role. Standing at 6'4", he offers the size and presence needed on the outside, allowing Lamb to return to the slot. This shift not only plays to Lamb's strengths but also adds a new dimension to the Cowboys' offense. As Trapasso noted, McMillan's ability to win in contested catch situations and his proficiency in the intermediate passing game make him a perfect fit.

What's more, Lamb's versatility means he can still take snaps at the X position, adding an element of unpredictability to the offensive scheme. The synergy between Lamb and McMillan could create nightmares for opposing defenses, forcing them to account for multiple threats across the field.

This strategic draft decision goes beyond optimizing personnel — it's about unleashing an explosive potential that lies within the Cowboys' offense. Pairing Lamb's dynamic playmaking ability with McMillan’s strong, consistent presence on the outside could indeed make for a formidable duo.

[It's not too late — join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season]

For a Cowboys team looking to bolster its arsenal and contend in a competitive league, drafting Tetairoa McMillan could be the key to unlocking new levels of offensive success and truly unleashing the potential of CeeDee Lamb.

Incorporating TMAC into the Cowboys’ roster could turn an already potent offense into one of the most feared in the NFL — something fans are eager to see.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Mike Tice, former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, joined his son, Nate, on the Football 301 podcast to discuss the offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Here is how Mike Tice ranks the o-linemen in this year's class:

1. Josh Conerly Jr. (T, Oregon): Mike Tice highly praises Conerly as his No. 1 offensive lineman in this draft. He appreciates Conerly's great technique, footwork, hand usage and ability to extend his arms. Tice believes Conerly has a lot of good traits, making him a premier offensive tackle in this year's draft.

2. Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State): Tice is fond of Simmons and considers him a true left tackle. He highlights Simmons' athleticism, smoothness and ability to finish plays. Tice also notes that Simmons can sink and flip his hips effectively, especially on the backside.

3. Kelvin Banks (T, Texas): Tice sees Banks as a tackle due to his athletic ability. He highlights Banks' excellence in space, good redirection and ability to maintain contact with pass rushers. Tice believes Banks is capable of playing left tackle at the next level.

4. Armand Membou (T, Missouri): Tice ranks Membou highly for his excellent agility, foot fire in the run game and use of his arms. He appreciates Membou's ability to excel in wide receiver screens and his ability to redirect quickly.

5. Will Campbell (T, LSU): Although Tice indicates that Campbell may project as a guard due to his arm length, he recognizes his strengths as a young player. Campbell is praised for his intelligence, aggression and ability as a blocker.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Oregon's Derrick Harmon is emerging as a standout prospect on the defensive line. Harmon is drawing significant attention for his versatility, skills and ability to impact the run and passing game.

Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice ranked him 15th on his big board entering April and Charles McDonald put him 21st on his board. 

Harmon is heralded for his adeptness at playing across the defensive line. Tice appreciates Harmon's ability to line up as a true three-technique defensive tackle, meaning he typically lines up on the outside shoulder of the guard, positioning himself perfectly to disrupt runs and passes.

Brandon Sloter via Getty Images

Harmon's game film illustrates his proficiency not merely in racking up big plays but also in doing the important in-between work. He's noted for keeping his feet moving, maintaining his gaps and contributing significantly during twists and games, a tactic involving defensive linemen exchanging roles to confuse the offensive line.

One of the more fascinating comparisons for Harmon is to former NFL star Akeem Hicks. Like Hicks, Harmon is expected to contribute effectively against both the pass and run, potentially proving to be a valuable asset to any defensive scheme. This versatility allows him to fit into gap-shooting defenses, where the objective is to penetrate and disrupt the backfield, as well as two-gap systems, where retaining a position and controlling the blocker are key.

The enthusiasm surrounding Harmon is largely due to his balanced skill set, suggesting a high floor with plenty of ceiling yet to be realized. Harmon's robust performance numbers were highlighted in the "Football 301 Podcast" episode that broke down the top defensive linemen in this upcoming draft. 

Whether dominating at the line of scrimmage or making critical stops behind it, Harmon is poised to be a significant asset in this year's defensive line class. 

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Michigan's Mason Graham stands out as a top-tier defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft with incredible potential thanks to his explosive playmaking and versatility. However, injury concerns, length issues, and questions about consistency and sack production make him a prospect that NFL teams will have to evaluate carefully to ensure his college dominance can translate to the professional field.

Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice and Charles McDonald dove into the pros and cons of Graham's game. Here's what they found:  

Why Graham is high in class of defensive linemen

Explosive playmaker: Graham has earned the nickname "the human hand grenade" due to his ability to detonate plays upon impact. His explosive athleticism and knock-back power are impressive attributes that set him apart from his peers.

Versatility: Graham can play as a three-technique in normal downs and shift inside to a one-technique on pass rush downs. This flexibility makes him a valuable asset for NFL teams looking for a dynamic presence.

Big play generator: Beyond being just a big body on the line, Graham is known for generating significant plays in the pass rush and run defense. His ability to contribute meaningfully across the board bolsters his stock as a top prospect.

High potential for dominance: His 2023 game tape shows stretches of outright dominance, indicating that when healthy and in form, Graham can take over games. His quickness, strength and ability to penetrate the line make him a threat to offenses.

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Yellow and red flags on Graham 

Injury concerns: While Graham's 2023 season showcased his potential dominance, there was a notable drop-off in his 2024 season, partly due to injuries. This raises concerns about his durability and ability to sustain high performance over a full NFL season.

Lack of length: One of the main blemishes in Graham's profile is his 32-inch arm length which, although not a deal-breaker, might limit his effectiveness against longer-armed offensive linemen in the NFL. This could impact his ability to consistently create separation and execute certain pass rush moves.

Consistency: While most reports laud his potential, there's acknowledgement that Graham didn't consistently dominate in 2024. His performance fluctuated, posing questions about his ability to maintain a high level of play week-in and week-out in the NFL.

Projection as a sack artist: There is some uncertainty about whether Graham can be a guaranteed double-digit sack player, which is often a benchmark for elite defensive tackles. Although he has moments of brilliance, questions about his ultimate ceiling in terms of sack production remain.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.