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Sebastian Cheeks, a key defensive player for Wisconsin, has begun to attract national attention following his impressive showing against USC. In the Badgers' 24-7 victory over the then-No. 16 Trojans, Cheeks recorded five tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, a performance that earned him Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has taken notice of Cheeks' play, recently listing him among prospects who have caught his eye for the 2027 NFL Draft. Kiper currently projects Cheeks as a possible third- or fourth-round selection.
Kiper's Evaluation
What stands out about Kiper's assessment is that it goes beyond the sack numbers. Kiper highlighted Cheeks' explosiveness and his versatility as a pass rusher, noting his ability to rush from both the interior and exterior of the defensive line. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Cheeks possesses enough power to trouble offensive tackles with a bull rush. However, Kiper also pointed out areas for improvement, particularly the need to add weight to better hold up against the run, a factor NFL teams will scrutinize during the draft process.
Despite these areas for growth, Kiper's early mention of Cheeks as a mid-round pick in October is significant.
Consistent Production
The USC game may have been a breakout moment, but Cheeks has been a disruptive force all season. According to Pro Football Focus, he leads the Big Ten with 34 pressures. Earlier this month, his 27 pressures through five games led the nation. The USC performance was not a fluke but rather the culmination of consistent pressure, as Cheeks finished plays that he had been disrupting all year. He accounted for half of Wisconsin's five sacks against USC and helped limit the Trojans to 239 total yards and minus-18 rushing yards.
Rising Draft Stock
Kiper is not alone in his admiration for Cheeks. CBS Sports draft analyst Mike Renner ranks Cheeks No. 48 overall on his latest 2027 NFL Draft big board. Renner appreciates Cheeks' ability to get around offensive tackles but also notes that Cheeks lacks the ideal length NFL teams typically seek at the position. This physical limitation will be part of the evaluation, but Cheeks' on-field production is becoming harder to overlook.
Cheeks began his college career at North Carolina before transferring to Wisconsin. He recorded 12 tackles and two sacks in 2024, then improved to 25 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks last season. This year, with increased opportunities, he has become a more consistent playmaker, and NFL draft analysts are taking notice.
While much football remains to be played and Cheeks' draft stock could fluctuate, the fact that Kiper is discussing him as a third- or fourth-round pick and another analyst has him inside the top 50 suggests it's time to view Cheeks as a legitimate NFL prospect, not just one of Wisconsin's top defenders.