Mel Kiper Jr. invokes Super Bowl LIX to make case for Jamaree Caldwell as NFL Draft sleeper despite sack numbers

After spending one year at Independence Community College and two at Houston, defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2024 campaign. On First Draft Monday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. made the case for NFL teams to use a pick on Caldwell.

“He didn’t get a sack, but he got a lot of pressures. He’s disruptive,” Kiper said. “Violent hands is what you notice on tape with a guy like Jamaree Caldwell. At 6’2, 344, he doesn’t have the longest arms, but super athletic, quick, disruptive and active.

“… Forget the sack numbers. He didn’t have any this year, but the disruptive plays. He attacked. He was in the backfield. He was getting pressures. He was affecting the quarterback. He was making the quarterback uncomfortable. Can’t beat them if you can’t block them.”

Caldwell appeared in 14 games for the Ducks this season, logging 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflection and a forced fumble. Although Caldwell was never able to record a sack, he gave opposing offensive lines headaches with his relentless pressure on the backfield.

Caldwell had his best game of the season in Oregon’s 31-10 win over Michigan State. In the victory, he tallied a season-high four tackles and forced a fumble. While Caldwell’s size doesn’t necessarily jump off the page, he has other intangibles that Kiper believes will translate to the next level.

“Why did Patrick Mahomes lose in the Super Bowl? Because he was uncomfortable. They got after him, made his life miserable,” Kiper said. “Jamaree Caldwell with those violent hands and that consistent — I think this thing that has impressed me the most — consistent motor for a defensive tackle. Very impressive.

“This is a kid who, again, could get a little lost in the shuffle. We thought that the depth of defensive tackle going well into the fourth, fifth, sixth round. Jamaree Caldwell, it’s gonna be interesting where he comes off the board… Jamaree Caldwell could be that guy that presents great value by the time we get to late April.”

There is no shortage of standout defensive tackles entering the 2025 NFL Draft this season, with stars like Michigan‘s Mason Graham and Ole Miss‘ Walter Nolen headlining draft boards. Alas, Kiper is confident that Caldwell could make a difference for the right team in the NFL.

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.