Will Campbell's Pro Day arm-length measurement is longer than at Combine
Will Campbell's play at left tackle for LSU made him a consensus All-America in 2024, but the length of his arms has created some debate about how high he will go in this year's draft.
Campbell measured in at 32 5/8 inches during the Scouting Combine, which is short of the threshold teams generally look for at left tackle. The number was up to 33 inches at LSU's Pro Day on Wednesday, which remains below the 34-inch mark that's seen by some as the minimum but the Combine measurement didn’t bother Campbell and he's not buying that the Pro Day measurement matters either.
Campbell told reporters "there were a lot of people at the combine who had messed up measurements" and that led him to get measured again at school. He also said that "nobody really cares" when it comes to evaluating his play
“For two years, nobody had any measurements on me and nobody said anything about my play,” Campbell said, via Wilson Alexander of NOLA.com. “So now, all of a sudden, an arm length decides if I'm a good player or not? I think it’s BS. But any decision-makers in the NFL, they don't really care. It's all people who don't coach, and they don't coach for a reason.”
Campbell said he's spoken to two teams that have talked about playing him at guard, but "that's because they already have tackles." He said he's willing to do whatever a team asks, but made it clear that he thinks he can thrive at tackle in the NFL.
49ers DL Sam Okuayinonu signs his exclusive rights tender
49ers defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu signed his one-year exclusive rights tender contract, the team announced Wednesday.
Okuyinonu was one of seven exclusive rights free agents the 49ers tendered in February.
Okuyinonu bounced between the practice squad and the active roster.
He appeared in 16 games with three starts last season, seeing action on 450 defensive snaps and 39 on special teams. Okuyinonu totaled 35 three sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.
His only other regular-season action came in 2022 with the Titans. He played six games and made 11 tackles and half a sack.
Is Michigan's Mason Graham a top 10 NFL Draft pick?
(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.
Mason Graham's play from 2024 season didn't match his dominance of the 2023 season. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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.