by Carter Brantley

It’s that time of year; mock drafts, theoretical trades, busts, and betting on whether or not a guy with the last name of Sanders will be selected in the 1st round.

We’re going to do everything except a couple of those things (including theoretical trades, because it’s complicated enough trying to guess what teams are going to do without throwing another unpredictable factor into the formula), and hopefully have some fun doing so, even though this is being published on the day of the draft and why did I wait so long to do one?

That last question might require a bit more of a look in the mirror than what I’m seeking for a mock draft write-up, so let’s just get into it.

Round 1, Pick 19: Safety Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

Emmanwori is one of the most athletically gifted players in this draft class, as he scored a perfect 10 out of 10 on his Relative Athletic Score (RAS).

There are some questions about his ability to be a true centerfielder at the safety position, but his combination of size, power, speed, and agility is something you just don’t find at this position.

Malaki Starks out of Georgia would be a fine pick here, as would whatever flavor of pass rusher the Bucs deem the best, or a cornerback if Will Johnson or Jahdae Barron fall to 19.

A lot of outlets even have the Bucs managing to snag Jihaad Campbell, linebacker out of Alabama.

For those last 3 names, I unfortunately predict the Bucs will miss out on selecting them, as they’re projected to go relatively high in some mocks.

So, the Bucs decide to pick a guy who can not only bolster their safety room but potentially line up as a nickel to bolster their run defense, as he’s very much a run support type of safety.

Round 2, Pick 53: Corner Darien Porter, Iowa State

Another uber-athletic player for the Bucs to try to upgrade their secondary, Porter almost matched Emmanwori in RAS with a 9.99.

He gets there via his blazing speed, elite agility, and solid explosiveness, especially in the broad jump.

Porter lacks the experience of some of the other more highly rated corners in this draft, but fortunately for the Bucs, he can spend a season sort of learning the ropes as they have 2 established starters.

The former Cyclone would offer not only depth but a potential replacement for either Jamel Dean or Zyon McCollum, depending on how the Bucs choose to proceed with their cornerback room moving forward.

If Porter can put it all together, him, Emmanwori Tykee Smith, and Antoine Winfield, Jr. could turn a glaring weakness into a potential strength.

Round 3, Pick 84: Interior Defensive Lineman Vernon Broughton, Texas

I know right, no pass rushers? Weird.

But while Broughton may not be the dominant edge winner that Bucs fans want for this team, he can be an immediate impact player as a rotational defensive end, either supporting or outright replacing Logan Hall along the defensive line.

He’s got great size for the position at 6’5 and 311, and he managed to be a very good contributor for the Longhorns, with an 86.1 PFF grade for the 2024 season.

He’s good enough in the run to be a very serviceable rotational piece off rip, and while there are concerns about how much better he can really get as a pass rusher, that likely won’t be as much of an issue in the role he’d have with the Bucs.

Round 4, Pick 121: Linebacker Barrett Carter, Clemson

Some might ask why not that Bassa fellow out of Oregon? Valid point, and if the Bucs went that direction that’d be fine, but I just happen to like Carter more (no not because of his last name, why do you ask?).

He lacks the prototypical size of many other linebackers, but Carter is very fast and has enough explosiveness to make him a factor as a coverage backer.

He’s not quite up to snuff in the run game, but the hope would be that he can learn from future Canton guy Lavonte David on how to further improve in that area.

The RAS score Carter earned was a fine 7.46, and he managed an 81.4 PFF grade in his first year at Clemson during the 2022 season but took a few steps back throughout his career, speaking to why he’d be available in the 4th round.

Round 5, Pick 157: Center Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State

At this point the Bucs are getting into filling out the roster and practice squad, or trying to find high-upside players they can dream on and see if they can turn into diamonds in the rough.

McLaughlin falls more in the former category, as he’s certainly someone who could fill in immediately as a backup center and not totally screw things up, but his upside as a starter might be a bit more limited.

But that’s what day 3 picks are for, and McLaughlin has all the intelligence and experience you would want out of your center.

He even won the Rimington Award after transferring to Ohio State from Alabama, making for a very productive if not superbly promising.

Round 7, Pick 235: Safety Malik Verdon, Iowa State

Another Cyclone! He possesses a lot of upside as an athlete, but just needs a whole lot of polishing in order to fully realize that potential.

His role would be limited if he made the roster, likely a special teamer, but the Bucs need all the safety help they can get, and Verdon would have a better shot than a lot of other positions if the Bucs decided to go another way with their final pick of the draft.

Overall, Verdon has enough upside to certainly warrant a day 3 pick, even if he never fully capitalizes on his talent and isn’t able to latch on as a full-time safety.

Capital Sports Network Presents: “Eckel and the Genius: 2025 NFL Draft Spectacular“

Friday, April 25 at 5:45 PM EDT — Live on YouTube, X, Twitch, and Facebook

The 2025 NFL Draft is already shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Capital Sports Network has you covered with an all-access breakdown just minutes before Round 2 kicks off.

Join longtime NFL insider Mark Eckel and Capital Sports Network’s own “The Genius” Sean Miller for “Eckel and the Genius: 2025 NFL Draft Spectacular”, broadcasting live at 5:45 PM EDT on Friday, April 25.

 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCQsMznJeOw
 Also streaming on X (@TheProdigalSean), Twitch, and Facebook

Breaking Down Round 1: Who Got It Right? Who Totally Blew It?

Mark Eckel will tap into his deep network of NFL GMs, scouts, and executives to give you an inside look at what really happened on Thursday night. Who nailed their first-round pick? Which teams made head-scratching decisions that left draft rooms across the league stunned?

Expect analysis on the quarterbacks who flew off the board early, the surprise fallers who slipped into the 20s, and the trades that shook up the first round — including potential Day 1 draft shocks like a contender making an aggressive move up the board.

Can Anyone Stop the NFC Powers? And Did the AFC Contenders Keep Up?

With Super Bowl aspirations hanging in the balance, Sean Miller and Mark Eckel will assess how teams like the Packers, the Super Bowl champion Eagles, and Lions positioned themselves to stay on top in the NFC — and whether AFC heavyweights like the Chiefs, Ravens, and Broncos added impact talent that could make the difference in January.

They’ll also dive into how Jacksonville, New England, Chicago, and the New York Giants approached their rebuilds. Did any sleeper team quietly crush Round 1?

Previewing Day 2: Best Players Still on the Board

The second and third rounds are where real rosters are built — and Eckel and the Genius will tell you where the value is. From overlooked receivers to plug-and-play offensive linemen and game-wrecking edge rushers, they’ll highlight who’s still waiting for their name to be called.

Could we see more quarterback movement? Will teams trade up for that explosive wideout or versatile cornerback still on the board? Are teams eyeing future stars who fell out of Round 1?

The Most Informed Draft Show Out There — Period

There are a lot of draft shows out there. But none bring together the experience and connections of Mark Eckel — a trusted NFL voice with more than three decades in the game — and the insight and personality of Sean “The Genius” Miller, a veteran broadcaster with sharp betting takes and deep football knowledge.

Together, they’re can’t-miss viewing for any football fan who wants to understand what’s really happening behind the scenes on draft weekend.

Where to Watch

 YouTube (LIVE): Click here to tune in
 X (Twitter): @TheProdigalSean
 Twitch and Facebook: Search Capital Sports Network

Don’t go into Round 2 blind — go in with Eckel and the Genius.
Friday, April 25 at 5:45 PM EDT. Be there.

Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca have parted ways with South African head coach Rulani Mokwena, a few weeks before the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.

Sports Talk United confirmed that the decision was made on Wednesday, April 23 after Wydad Casablanca ended the Moroccan Botola Pro season with a 1-1 draw against Olympic Safi.

The decision brought an end to Mokwena’s brief stint in Casablanca following his appointment in July 2024 as Wydad finish third in the league table – qualification spot for CAF Confederation Cup next season.

Summary of Mokwena’s stint at Wydad

This season, Wydad Casablanca failed to play continental football neither CAF Champions League nor Confederation Cup for the first time in a decade and the South African arrived with lots of expectations.

Under Mokwena’s watch, Wydad managed 11 wins, 12 draws (the most by any team in the Moroccan top-flight) and four losses in 27 league matches.

However, things did not end well between the former Mamelodi Sundowns coach and his Moroccan employers amid reports of unpaid salaries for eight months and a run of poor results as RSB Berkane won the league title.

What’s next for Wydad Casablanca

Following the abrupt dismissal of the Mokwena and his backroom staff, Wydad Casablanca will now hope to get a new head coach to begin preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the United States of America.

The Moroccan giants are one of the four African teams that will compete in the newly-expanded tournament. They will face Manchester City on June 18, then Juvenus on June 22 and Asian heavyweights Al Ain on June 26.