Who is the better NFL Draft prospect, Jelani McDonald or Zach Lutmer?

Compare their college production, consensus rankings, community draft activity, and scouting reports. These signals provide context for your own evaluation.

What stats are used to compare Jelani McDonald and Zach Lutmer?

Body measurements, position-relevant college production, and Fanspeak draft signals: consensus rank, ADP, mock-draft volume, and hype, plus a scouting note and most-drafted-by-franchise for each side.

Can I compare any two college prospects?

Yes. Use the comparison tool to pick any two 2027 draft-eligible players; every pairing has its own shareable page.

Jelani McDonald vs Zach Lutmer — NFL Draft Comparison

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Leading value: 80	Tackles	71
3	Passes Defended	7 (leading value)
3	Interceptions	3
4.0	Tackles for Loss	5.5 (leading value)
0.0	Sacks	1.0 (leading value)

Measurements: Jelani McDonald versus Zach Lutmer
Jelani McDonald	Statistic	Zach Lutmer
6-2	Height	6-1
201 lb	Weight	203 lb

2027 draft projection

2027 draft projection: Jelani McDonald versus Zach Lutmer
Jelani McDonald	Statistic	Zach Lutmer
#77	Fanspeak rank	#73 (leading value)
S 5	Position rank	S 4 (leading value)
99.8	Average pick	87.7 (leading value)
1,993	Times drafted	2,293 (leading value)
Leading value: 69	Hype Score	68
342x	Most drafted to	515x

Scouting reports Read both evaluations

Jelani McDonald

Dean Kindig

Track guy. SOPHOMORE (2024): Played in 14 games with four starts. Appeared in season opener vs. Colorado State (8/31) and registered two tackles. Played in road win at No. 10/9 Michigan (9/7) and carded two tackles (one solo stop). Made two tackles (one solo) vs. Mississippi State (9/28). Compiled three tackles (two solo) against Oklahoma (10/12). Had a half tackle in scouted game against Georgia (10/19). Logged a career-high seven tackles (five solo), including his first career tackle for loss, in the road victory at Vanderbilt (10/26). Followed with a four-tackle (one solo) effort in the scouted home win against Florida (11/9). Recorded one solo tackle and a pass break-up in road win at Arkansas (11/16). Snagged his first career interception against Kentucky (11/23). Had two assisted tackles in the scouted road win at Texas A&M on (11/30). Saw action in the SEC Championship vs. Georgia (12/7). Made three tackles (two solo) in the CFP First Round vs. Clemson (12/21). Recorded six stops (two solo) in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl vs. Arizona State (1/1). Played against Ohio State in the CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl (1/10) but did not record any statistics.

Full player profile

Zach Lutmer

Dean Kindig

4 solo 2 asst 3 PBU vs Rutgers, 3 solos 4 asst 1 INT vs Indiana. 2025 Honors -- Second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) and third-team All-Big Ten (media). CSC Academic All-District. Academic All-Big Ten. Roy Carver Most Valuable Player, defense. Hustle Award, defense. One of two sophomores named to 2025 Player Council. 2025: Started at cash position in all 13 games. Collected 71 tackles on the season (44 solo, 27 assists), including 5.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, one QB sack for one yard, three interceptions for 72 yards and one touchdown, seven pass break-ups, and one recovered fumble on the season while Iowa's defense led the nation in fourth down conversion percentage (23.8), and ranked fifth in first down defense (204), eighth in scoring defense (15.6), ninth in total defense (280.4), and 10th in passing defense (172.7). The three interceptions ranked eighth in the Big Ten.