Jamaree Caldwell 2025 NFL Draft: Oregon DT Scouting Report
In a talented 2025 NFL Draft class, a standout defensive tackle to know about is Jamaree Caldwell. He’s a strong DT from Oregon with an explosive first step. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth expert scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Jamaree Caldwell 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Caldwell’s path to the NFL is a testament to resilience and development. A zero-star high school recruit from Newberry, South Carolina, Caldwell began his career on the offensive line before transitioning to defense at the junior college level. After brief stints at Hutchinson Community College and Independence Community College—where he played just four games in 2021—he emerged as a Division I talent at Houston. There, he earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2023 with 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss (TFLs).
At Houston in 2023, his sack production (6.5) came from B-gap alignments, but Oregon’s scheme shift to nose tackle prioritized run defense over pass rush, muting his stat sheet but not his impact. His Senior Bowl practices in 2025 further underscored his power, winning reps with quickness and hand violence against top competition.
Caldwell projects as a rotational nose tackle with early-down value in a 3-4 base defense, though he could slide into a 4-3 as a 1-technique in run-heavy packages. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, or Green Bay Packers—needing stout run defenders to complement an aggressive linebacker corps—could maximize his skill set. His ceiling hinges on refining his tackling and adding pass-rush counters, but his floor is a reliable Day 1 contributor in a two-gap system.
Transferring to Oregon for his final season in 2024, Caldwell adapted to a nose tackle role. In total, he started in all 14 games and earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten recognition. Additionally, his 29 tackles and 4.5 TFLs in 2024 don’t fully reflect his impact as a space-eater who commanded attention in the trenches. Caldwell’s football lineage is worth noting as well. His father, Cecil, was a South Carolina defensive lineman. Additionally, his uncle, Larry Werts, was an NFL draft pick. Overall, this adds context to his natural instincts and work ethic.
HT: 6021
WT: 332
HAND: 938
ARM: 3200
40: 5.17
Strengths:
- Run Defense Anchor: Caldwell’s squat, dense frame, and low center of gravity make him a natural fit as a 0- or 1-technique nose tackle. He consistently resets the line of scrimmage, holding ground against single blocks and showing the ability to split double teams with leverage and hand strength.
- Explosive First Step: Despite his 332-pound build, Caldwell flashes surprising short-area quickness off the snap, allowing him to penetrate gaps and disrupt plays in the backfield.
- Powerful Hands: His violent, active hand usage stands out on tape. Caldwell delivers heavy strikes to jolt blockers and uses a strong bull rush to collapse the pocket or push linemen into running lanes.
- Scheme Versatility: Experience across multiple alignments (0-tech to 5-tech) at Houston and Oregon suggests adaptability to both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, though he thrives most as a two-gap run-stuffer.
- Motor and Effort: Caldwell plays relentlessly, pursuing plays laterally and maintaining activity even when double-teamed. His hustle shows up in his ability to chase down runners outside his area.
Areas for Improvement:
- Limited Pass Rush Upside: While Caldwell has a decent bull rush and occasional club-swim moves, his pass rush arsenal lacks variety. His 2024 season at Oregon produced zero sacks, reflecting a shift to a run-first role and a reliance on power over finesse.
- Inconsistent Tackling Technique: He tends to lunge rather than wrap up, leading to missed tackles in open space. Improving his finishing ability could elevate his stat line.
- Length Concerns: At 32” arms, Caldwell lacks the reach to consistently disengage from blockers once they lock onto him, particularly against longer NFL guards.
- Pad Level Fatigue: His leverage advantage wanes late in games or on extended drives, as he occasionally stands upright, making him easier to displace. Conditioning will be key at the next level.
- Snap Count Limitation: He is likely capped at 40-50% of defensive snaps due to his specialized role as an early-down defender, reducing his value in pass-heavy situations.
Conclusion:
All in all, Caldwell’s tape reveals a player who thrives in the unglamorous but critical role of clogging the interior. Against Ohio State (2024), he held firm against double teams, allowing linebackers to flow freely, though he missed a tackle in the backfield. His four-tackle, 1.5-TFL performance against Purdue showcased his ability to penetrate and disrupt, while his forced fumble against Michigan State highlighted his playmaking potential.
Overall, Caldwell’s journey from JUCO obscurity to NFL prospect reflects a player who’s already overcome long odds, but his growth isn’t complete. Coaching up his hand placement and secondary moves could unlock modest pass-rush potential, while improved stamina and technique might push him toward a three-down role. At a minimum, he’s a high-effort plugger with the tools to carve out a multi-year career. Caldwell resembles a less dynamic B.J. Raji—similar build and run-stuffing dominance but without the same pass-rush polish.
Round Grade: 4th Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sk | PD | FR |
| 2022* | Houston | 9 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Houston | 11 | 22 | 5 | 9 | 6.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 14 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Career | 34 | 44 | 24 | 18 | 8.5 | 3 | 0 |
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