The biggest game of the year could come down to Boozer.

That’s not exactly an unprecedented sentiment for Duke this season, but as the Blue Devils prepare for Rick Pitino and St. John’s, we’re not referring to Cameron Boozer. We’re talking about his twin brother, Blue Devil point guard Cayden Boozer.

Cameron has been, by most accounts, the best player in college basketball this year. He’s expected to be a top-three pick in June’s NBA draft. Conversely, Cayden has come off the bench for Duke for the vast majority of the year and is not on any draft boards. The twin brothers have a maximum of four games left together before their careers are separated for the first time. 

Up until this point, the Boozer twins have done nothing but assemble the greatest history of winning we’ve seen in recent high school basketball history, and extended that success to Duke with an ACC regular season and tournament championship. 

For the Boozers to keep that streak going, and advance to the Elite Eight and contend for a National Championship, they will have to go through a generational coach best known for his intense, pressure defense. 

The challenge of St. John’s defense

Pitino patented the importance of defensive deflections. While that was once viewed as synonymous with his pressing system, it has become a commonality of whatever defensive schemes he has utilized over the years.

This season, they rank as the nation’s eighth-best defense per KenPom.com. They force turnovers on 19% of their possessions and are even more adept at forcing opposing teams into tough shots, by playing with the type of force and physicality that is almost unmatched. 

For Duke, that poses a clear challenge, especially without a fully healthy Caleb Foster, who is the team’s starting point guard and most experienced player. Boozer has taken over the lead guard spot since Foster went down on March 7. The Blue Devils haven’t lost a game in that span, including their ACC tournament championship. This St. John’s team, however, is different, and thus the challenge would be unprecedented.

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The spotlight turns to Cayden Boozer

So who exactly is Cayden Boozer the player? Not as Cameron’s brother or half of the Boozer twins, but standing solely on his own merit. 

Cayden is a big point guard. He has excellent positional size at 6-foot-4 and a strong body, but lacks ideal length or athleticism. He was ranked No. 23 by 247Sports in the 2025 class. He’s also not a knockdown shooter, as he tends to push his release. He’s historically been a very reliable decision-maker who distributes the ball while simultaneously making very good decisions. He lacks the quickness to be a ball-hawk defensively, but he’s reliable and engaged, making Duke more efficient on that end when he was on the floor. 

Most opponents tend to guard Cayden the same way. They dare him to shoot, first by going under ball-screens and then by helping far off him when he’s off the ball. Cayden compensates by taking enough of those open threes to keep defenders honest. More subtly, though, he uses that space to get himself into the paint. He may not be an explosive leaper, but he’s a very efficient finisher for a guard who understands how to use his body, has balance through contact, and good touch. 

Cayden also utilizes that space to make his passing reads easier. When opposing defenders dare him to shoot, it gives him extra room that only makes it that much easier for him to use his size to see over the top of the defender, or set just the right angle on the ball screen. 

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Finally, he has a knack for making winning plays, and we’ve seen that recently when it matters most. Whether it’s pulling down a critical offensive rebound in the ACC championship against Virginia, finding run-out lay-ups in the first round against Siena, or capitalizing on his chemistry with his brother, he understands how to find the small margins that can make a difference between winning and losing. 

The bottom line is that Cayden Boozer may not be his brother, but he knows exactly who he is, and Duke doesn’t win the ACC Tournament Championship or advance to the Sweet 16 without him. If they make it to the Elite 8, it will be because he is capable of handling the pressure from one of the best defense teams in the country and the defensive coaches of all time. 

Looking ahead, when the 2025-26 season is wrapped, and Cameron is in the NBA, the real question for Cayden is what happens when he is judged exclusively on his own merit. That will start next season. There’ll be more pressure on him, but he’ll still be surrounded by elite college basketball talent, just not his All-American brother, with whom he has played his whole life. I’m not sure Cayden ever evolves into an offensive alpha, but he’s someone who can run the show at Duke for years to come. He’s mature, smart, understands how to use his size and strength, and is ultra-reliable with the ball in his hands. 

Pro days are underway across the country, as we’re less than a month away from the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. Amid a ton of buzz about early picks and the quarterback class, we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.

How likely is it for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson to go in Round 1? Does Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love make sense for the Titans at No. 4? Who could rise into the top 10 picks by April, and which underrated prospects could be available late? We get into all that and then let Miller, Reid and Yates predict the best first rounds for teams with multiple Day 1 picks. How can the Browns, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins and Jets win the day?

Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they’re hearing, seeing and thinking ahead of April. Let’s start with the latest on Simpson, who said he’s “absolutely” a first-round pick at Alabama’s pro day.

Jump to a section:
Ty Simpson | Jeremiyah Love
Who will move into top 10?
Day 3 sleepers | First-round mocks
Emptying our notebook: What we’re hearing

What percentage chance would you put on Ty Simpson going in Round 1?

Miller: 25%. As the draft order stands right now, no team in Round 1 makes sense to me as a Simpson landing spot. No team in the top 10 that needs a quarterback is likely to reach for him, nor should they. Even the Rams are drafting too early at No. 13 overall. Maybe a team trades back into the first round for him, but that’s a risky proposition to give up draft capital — especially if it includes 2027 picks.

Reid: 75%. Considering the lack of QB talent at the top of the draft, I’d be surprised if Simpson wasn’t selected in the first round. But I agree with Matt that there’s no logical landing spots in the first 16 picks. One idea that I floated in my last mock draft was the Cardinals trading back into Round 1 at No. 28 for Simpson. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew at the top of the depth chart, they are obviously in need of a young QB.

Yates: 90%. I borrowed from Jordan’s idea of the Cardinals trading up in my last mock draft, but I’m going a step further than him on the percentage. Simpson is the clear-cut second-best QB prospect, his first half of last season was far too strong and there are too many teams that need a QB in the first round.

Could the Titans really take Jeremiyah Love at No. 4?

Reid: Love is my No. 1 prospect in this class, but I just don’t see it happening. General manager Mike Borgonzi joined Tennessee after 16 seasons in Kansas City, where the Chiefs always valued premium positions early. Don’t be surprised to see another defensive player added here for new coach Robert Saleh.

Yates: They absolutely could. Tennessee’s busy offseason has opened the board up, as it added all over its defense and signed wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson to a four-year deal. Love is my No. 2 prospect, and many NFL executives and scouts believe he is Tennessee’s most likely pick. With that said, what other teams think the Titans are going to do doesn’t mean much. This will come down to whether Tennessee is confident in the rest of its roster.

Miller: Yes, they could and should take Love at No. 4. The Titans were aggressive enough in free agency to enter the draft without a must-pick position here. Love is the type of transcendent prospect who the Titans can build their offense around, giving quarterback Cam Ward a viable threat in the run and pass game. And from what I’ve heard, if Love falls past Tennessee, the Giants will likely take him at No. 5.

Who isn’t a consensus top-10 pick right now but could end up there by draft time?

Yates: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama. Consensus is not easy to find right now, but one name that I haven’t seen linked to the top 10 as often is Proctor. He has incredible traits, led by his mammoth size at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds with nifty athleticism. He could be in play for the Browns at No. 6 and the Chiefs at No. 9.

Miller: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia. He might rise into the top 10 based on positional value and need. The 6-foot-7, 315-pounder was just a one-year starter, but his athletic tools are that of a high-end NFL starter on the left side. Like Proctor, the Browns or Chiefs could take a chance on Freeling.

Reid: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn. He fits the exact archetype that teams covet near the top of the draft. At 6-foot-5, 276 pounds, Faulk’s pass-rush production took a step back in 2025, but he’s only 21 and one of the best run defenders in the class. When speaking to scouts, Greg Rousseau and Mykel Williams are two NFL comparisons for him. The Chiefs at No. 9 and the Bengals at No. 10 overall are two teams to watch here.

Who is your favorite Day 3 sleeper right now?

Miller: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M. Lee was a consistent performer throughout college and jumps off the tape in press coverage, where he played 240 of his snaps over three seasons. That talent was on display at the Senior Bowl, too. Lee’s 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine didn’t help his draft stock, but he’s a potential NFL starter.

Reid: Adam Randall, RB, Clemson. He made a seamless transition from wide receiver to the backfield this past season. Because of that background, the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder could be a movable piece all over the field. Randall also has A+ value on special teams with experience as a return specialist. I have a strong Round 4 grade on him.

Yates: Dae’Quan Wright, TE, Ole Miss. Much like the running back position last year, there are going to be tight ends that drop because of the incredible depth of the position. Wright played an important role for Ole Miss this past season, hauling in five touchdowns on 39 catches. He’s a snappy route runner who’s comfortable hauling in catches outside of his frame.

The perfect first round for teams with multiple Day 1 picks

Reid’s ideal picks for the New York Jets

2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech
16. Makai Lemon, WR, USC

In search of foundational pieces, the Jets should take two players who can be impactful right away. A highly productive player off the edge, Bailey’s explosive get-off is something this pass rush lacks. And for help opposite Garrett Wilson, Lemon is a steady option who could move inside to the slot. His sure hands, formational versatility and competitiveness after the catch make him an easy fit in new coordinator Frank Reich’s offense.

6. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
24. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

In an unpredictable draft, Tate is one of the surer prospects. The field-stretching wideout is an excellent route runner who dropped just one pass in 2025. Simply put, the Browns need his offensive firepower. Cleveland will have a good debate about taking an OT or WR with the first pick, but they’d be excited to land Lomu in this perfect scenario. He surrendered six pressures and zero sacks at left tackle in 2025. Plus, he is nimble in space to get to the second level as a run blocker.

Miller’s ideal picks for the Miami Dolphins

11. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
30. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The best route for the Dolphins would be a complete rebuild of the secondary after allowing the highest completion percentage in 2025 (72%) and trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick again this offseason. McCoy, who sat out the 2025 season with an ACL injury, profiles as a true CB1 with shutdown ability. McNeil-Warren would give new coach Jeff Hafley a long, rangy safety who could play in the box or at free safety.

9. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
30. T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson

After losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams, cornerback is at the top of Kansas City’s needs. Delane blew scouts away with a 4.38 40-yard dash time at LSU’s pro day Monday and cemented his status as the top cornerback in the draft. And after an underwhelming season, Parker has had a strong predraft process. Dense and powerful rushers are prioritized in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, making Parker an ideal fit.

Miller’s ideal picks for the Dallas Cowboys

12. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
20. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Dallas signed Sam Williams to a one-year deal and traded for Rashan Gary, but this is still a roster that needs another speed rusher. Bain would bring exactly that, as well as power to the position. At safety, Dallas signed Jalen Thompson and has Malik Hooker under contract for one more season. They could use another playmaker on the back end; Thieneman had eight interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Purdue and Oregon.

What else did you hear and see this week?

Yates’ notes:

• LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier had his pro day Monday, which was an important showcase for him after a disappointing season. Nussmeier threw the football with the accuracy you would expect — the hallmark of his great 2024 season was excellent anticipation and accuracy — and observers noted how he looked healthy, which Nussmeier himself noted at the conclusion of the event. Health was an issue for him this past season, but seeing him look like this helped strengthen his case to be taken as QB3 in the upcoming draft.

• A prospect who I’ll bang the drum for is Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge, who is No. 48 on my board. Perhaps no player embodied the toughness and identity of the Georgia Tech program quite as well as Rutledge over the past two seasons. And he showed at the combine that he’s a quality athlete. Scouts I talk to believe he’s a strong bet to go in the second round.

Miller’s notes:

• Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson opted to not work out at the combine and will not participate in Friday’s pro day, but a scout told me he will work out for teams on April 17. That’s just six days before the start of Round 1, and Field reported Wednesday that Tyson will do only positional work. A potential top-15 pick, Tyson has been plagued by hamstring injuries that limited his 2025 season to just nine games.

Reid’s notes:

• Alabama’s pro day took place Wednesday and multiple scouts in attendance came away impressed with how the ball came off Simpson’s hand. “I thought his arm was a little above average on tape, but it’s much stronger than I anticipated after seeing him up close,” said an NFC executive.

• After Faulk didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash at the combine, evaluators were eager to his true speed at Auburn’s pro day Tuesday. Scouts that I talked to had him timed in the range of 4.67 to 4.69 seconds. He also completed 17 reps on the bench press and participated in positional drills.

• At Miami’s pro day Monday, edge rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor took part only in positional drills, but offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa did run a 40-yard dash. Scouts that I talked to had him in the 5.10 to 5.12-second range on both runs. Mauigoa is my top-ranked offensive tackle and could go as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals.