Best landing spots for five UCLA Bruins at 2025 NFL draft

Posted by author February 17, 2025 NFL

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The 2025 NFL draft is just around the corner. For five UCLA football playeres headed to the NFL combine, their time to shine is now. These UCLA Bruins are seeing which NFL organizations really understand how to operate, and which do not. Having a successful career depends partly on their own talent and work ethic, but we know that going to the right organization is often the key which unlocks an athlete’s full potential.

As the Bruins prepare for their pro days and the combine, it is worth looking ahead at where they may fit best. With 32 teams in the NFL looking to improve through the draft, here are the best landing spots for each of the five Bruins in the pros.

Linbacker Carson Schwesinger – New England Patriots

The Patriots have a storied history of productive inside linebackers. New England loves its sure-tackling linebackers, from Teddy Bruschi to Jerod Mayo to Dont’a Highton. Schwesinger’s size and playmaking ability against the run or pass make him a logical Day 2 fit for the Patriots in their first season under defensive-minded head coach Mike Vrabel.

Defensive Tackle Jay Toia – Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals boast a talented pass-rush duo on the outside in Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson. That said, Cincinnati’s interior offensive line leaves a lot to be desired. Surrendering a whopping 20 touchdowns on the ground in 2024, Toia’s ability to plug running lanes and draw double teams would be the perfect addition to the Bengals’ defensive line.

Defensive End Oluawfemi Oladejo – Detroit Lions

After star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a leg injury in the 2024 season, Detroit’s lack of a pass rush became apparent. Oladejo would slide into the Lions scheme and give them production on all three downs. Able to wear many different hats on defense, Oladejo could be one of the defensive steals in the draft this year.

Linebacker Kain Medrano – Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ defense smothered Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense in Super Bowl 59 en route to their 40-22 win. But Philadelphia could use another rangy, athletic linebacker. Medrano’s speed and ball-hawking ability would complement the Eagles’ swarming defense for the 2025 season and would be a bargain on Day 3.

Tight End Moliki Matavao – Denver Broncos

Broncos head coach Sean Payton utilized Jimmy Graham for years in the passing game with the New Orleans Saints. In his third year with Denver, Payton could spring for Matavao in the NFL Draft and pick up a solid pass-catching tight end with a size and athletic upside. At 6′ 6″, 263 pounds, Matavao could fold nicely into an open tight end room in Denver and become an instant impact player with the Broncos.