NFL Draft

1/28/25

9 min read

2025 Shrine Bowl: Players Who Made The Most Money

By Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst
Jan 3, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer (16) looks to pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second quarter at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft comes more into focus during this key two-week period that features all-star game activities. 2025 NFL Draft prospects across the spectrum often take part in drills, practices, and a game that is designed to highlight their best traits. Along with the on-field activities, teams get to interview and coach these prospects ahead of the Scouting Combine.

The 2025 East-West Shrine Game wrapped its practices on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's media day and Thursday's game. The Shrine Game gives unprecedented access to players for media and NFL scouts and has done an excellent job bringing in top seniors and juniors to compete. For example, Shedeur Sanders attended this week's events so he could speak with teams.

After watching all six practices and breaking down the individual drills for both the East and West team rosters, we have a list of the top winners. The Shrine Bowl will generate a significant number of drafted players, and these could be difference-makers in the NFL as soon as this fall.

Biggest Winners of 2025 Shrine Bowl Practices

There were so many standout performers we couldn't help but nominate some honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

  • Efton Chism, WR, Eastern Washington
  • Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
  • Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky
  • Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado
  • Thomas Perry, IOL, Middlebury
  • Jacolby George, WR, Miami

Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU

Primarily used as a 290-pound defensive end at SMU, Elijah Roberts has the build NFL teams can easily project into a role early in his career. The former Miami Hurricane immediately became a star at SMU after transferring to the Mustangs ahead of the 2023 season with his impressive blend of power and speed for his size. After producing only 21 tackles and half a sack at Miami, Roberts became an All-American candidate at SMU.

With 131 quarterback pressures and 17.5 sacks over the last two years, Roberts was a pass-rushing maniac in the American and ACC conferences. His run defense was decent, but he gets overzealous and will overpursue the ball carrier. His 17.6% missed tackle rate reflects his lack of discipline when controlling gaps and staying within the scheme and his assigned place.

That said, it's easier to coach him out of over-penetrating than the opposite. It was especially encouraging to see Roberts compete at the Shrine Bowl, as his physical stature stood out even more and proved to be problematic. He dominated individual drills with his power and array of inside counter moves. 

Roberts should now be considered a top-100 value and will be especially attractive as the first batch of pass-rushers come off the board. 

Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis

Shorter-stature linebackers are more popular than you might think, as Dre Greenlaw, Nakobe Dean, and Nick Bolton have each found success as sub-6-foot linebackers. Chandler Martin has the chance to be the next starting-caliber short guy manning the middle of a defense. The 233-pounder has the athleticism and instincts to become an early-impact player.

Martin's journey from East Tennessee State to Memphis led to an All-AAC selection, racking up 206 tackles, 10 sacks, and three interceptions over the last two years. He's a baller who forces negative plays and has an excellent feel for the game. His range and comfort in coverage are what really stood out at the Shrine Bowl.

Consistently in the way of screens and short passes over the middle, Martin's closing ability and aggressiveness are huge positives to his game. He forced a fumble and displayed the physicality needed to thrive at the point of attack against longer athletes in the NFL.

Off-ball linebackers aren't tremendously valued in the NFL, but Martin has top-100 value over bigger names who don't perform nearly as well. 

Jackson Meeks, WR, Syracuse

There were a handful of big winners at receiver from the Shrine Game practices, including all three Colorado playmakers present. But Jackson Meeks wasn't as much on the radar as Will Sheppard, Jimmy Horn Jr., and LaJohntay Wester were entering this week. The former Georgia receiver immediately found a home with Syracuse after transferring last offseason.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Meeks has more speed, a better catch radius, and reliable hands than what would be expected of someone who took four years to break out. He caught 77 passes on 115 targets in 2024 for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. Almost 90% of his routes came on the outside, and most of his damage came at the catch point instead of after the catch.

An excellent player on contested catches and with great hands, Meeks showed out when asked to run a full route tree beyond the basics Syracuse deployed. Meeks has quick, efficient footwork on underneath routes and creates better separation on vertical routes than I expected. His physical skill set is that of a No. 2 NFL receiver, and he's more skilled than given credit for.

Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

Thin cornerbacks who don't have elite length will always have limitations that affect their draft stock and long-term value, but these factors aren't the end-all-be-all. Cobee Bryant is a good example of an excellent player who overcomes his physical measurements by playing his way and within his body's capabilities. Bryant was so good at the Shrine Bowl that he sat out the rest of the week after two practices.

An off-ball coverage ace, Bryant has excellent ball skills and plays with the necessary aggression to be a nuisance for offenses to deal with. He's only 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds with stiffer hips than what's ideal, but his 31 ⅞ inch arms, experience, and confidence are huge selling points. Importantly, he showed development throughout his career at Kansas.

He followed a good 2023 season with a great 2024 campaign. He allowed a career-best completion rate of 54.3% while improving his missed tackle rate from 17.9% to 8.5%. His ball skills have always made up for mistakes that come with aggression, as he's produced 13 interceptions and 18 pass deflections compared to seven touchdowns and 18 penalties allowed.

Late Day 2 to early Day 3 is the right range for Bryant.

Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota

Another one-year breakout player who took advantage of a bigger role in 2024, Max Brosmer made some money at the Shrine Bowl. He played four seasons at New Hampshire before coming to Minnesota, and the jump in competition brought out his best performance yet. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder blended being a game manager with timely downfield throws that kept the Gophers' offense chugging along.

Smart with the ball and possessing the athletic traits to create some downfield opportunities out of structure, Brosmer strikes the right balance as a projected backup in the NFL. Teams want reliable decision-making with some athleticism and creativity. Brosmer looked most comfortable of any quarterback at the Shrine Bowl working under center, off play-action, and when it was time to float passes into tight windows.

Kyle McCord had big plays and more explosive throws, but teams know what to expect from McCord. Brosmer was more intriguing because he's better under pressure and is a better athlete. McCord may still get picked higher, but it shouldn't be by much. Both are backups, and Brosmer's value as a game manager who can win a game is now clear. 

Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland

There's no question the most disruptive player from the Shrine Bowl all week long was Jordan Phillips. The Maryland defensive tackle had some good tape over the last two years despite totaling only 57 tackles and zero sacks, but this week has redefined his potential. Scouts were all wondering why the 6-foot-1, 318-pounder suddenly seemed to find a new level of success.

Dominating almost every drill, including 1v1s, Phillips unleashed a deep set of moves that showed he's not just a power run stuffer at the nose tackle spot. His low-cut build allows him to anchor effectively in the run game and overcome average arm length. That was expected, but his quickness and pad level were better than seen on tape.

Run-stuffing nose tackles often go later on Day 3 or even undrafted. However, if teams now view Phillips as a potential three-down contributor who can play some 1-technique and get into the backfield on occasion, he'll be in the fourth-round range and leapfrog a ton of more familiar names.

Tags: 2025 NFL Draft, Chandler Martin draft, Cobee Bryant draft See More

Ian Valentino

NFL/NFL Draft Analyst

Ian Valentino is an NFL and NFL draft contributor for The 33rd Team. He has covered all aspects of the NFL since 2013. He's previously provided scouting services to the NFL, XFL and CFL. He also has written for Bleacher Report, Complex Sports and Pro Football Network.

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