2022 NFL Draft - Front Seven (INT/Edge/OBLB)

Front seven has good but lower upside players at interior but with some interesting prospects, edge is stocked at the top with high upside/high risk players and high floor/low ceiling players, and linebacker is loaded adding to a slightly odd trend of less valued positions being good in this class.

 

Interior Linemen

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Tackles for Loss | Sacks | Passes Defensed | Forced Fumbles | 40 | 10 | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | Vert | Broad

Devonte Wyatt | Georgia (SEC) – 6’ 2 7/8”, 304 lbs | 7 | 2.5 | 1 | 1 | 4.77 | 1.60 | 4.63 | 7.45 | 29 | 111 | S (7.4)

Travis Jones | UCONN (IND) – 6’ 6 3/8”, 325 lbs | 7.5 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 4.92 | 1.78 | 4.58 | 7.33 | 28.5 | 110 | S (7.2)

Logan Hall | Houston (AAC) – 6’ 6 1/8”, 283 lbs | 9.5 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 4.88 | 1.67 | 4.44 | 7.25 | 30 | 105 | S (7.1)

Jordan Davis | Georgia (SEC) – 6’ 6 3/8”, 341 lbs | 5.5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4.78 | 1.68 | x | x | 32 | 123 | ES (6.8)

Wyatt was the more dynamic of the Georgia linemen while Davis is athletic, he was at his best occupying space in the middle of the line. Jones was a standout for UCONN but really popped on the scene at the Senior Bowl and Combine. The tape matches what he did especially in an impressive performance against Clemson. Hall is an Edge for some and while I think he could perform admirably out there he was stout enough against the run when he played inside and his athleticism should shine better on the inside.

DeMarvin Leal | Texas A&M (SEC) – 6’ 3 7/8”, 283 lbs | 11.5 | 7.5 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1.72 | 4.49 | 7.20 | 30.5 | 110 | ES (6.5)

Perrion Winfrey | Oklahoma (B12) – 6’ 4 1/4”, 290 lbs | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 4.89 | 1.68 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | ES (6.4)

Phidarian Mathis | Alabama (SEC) – 6’ 2 7/8”, 304 lbs | 12 | 9 | 2 | 2 | x | x | 4.91 | x | 23.5 | 109 | ES (6.1)

Leal, Winfrey, and Mathis are all athletic interior disruptors from big schools. They made relatively consistent impacts, but didn’t disrupt quite like the top 4.

 

Neil Farrell Jr | LSU (SEC) – 6’ 4 1/8”, 330 lbs | 9.5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5.41 | 1.86 | 5.05 | 8.41 | 21.5 | x | ES (6.1)

Kalia Davis | UCF (AAC) – 6’ 1”, 302 lbs | 4.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | ES (6.1)

Eyioma Uwazurike | Iowa State (B12) – 6’ 6 1/8”, 316 lbs | 11.5 | 8.5 | 1 | 1 | 5.32 | 1.82 | 4.75 | 7.58 | 30 | 107 | PS (5.9)

Davis was really good but he missed most of the season with injury, Uwazurike played well against elite line competition and Farrell didn’t test well but was all over the place for the LSU Defense.

 

Edge Rushers

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Tackles for Loss | Sacks | Passes Defensed | Forced Fumbles | 40 | 10 | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | Vert | Broad

 

Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon (P12) – 6’ 4”, 254 lbs | 12 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 4.58 | 1.56 | 4.38 | 7.23 | x | 119 | S (7.4)

Travon Walker | Georgia (SEC) – 6’ 5”, 272 lbs | 7.5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4.51 | 1.54 | 4.32 | 6.89 | 35.5 | 123 | S (7.3)

Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan (B1G) – 6’ 5/8”, 260 lbs | 16.5 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 4.74 | 1.61 | 4.15 | 6.73 | 36 | 117 | S (7.2)

All three are good players, I just prefer the upside provided by Thibodeaux and Walker. Thibodeaux is getting the stupidest of NFL treatment as someone who has a personality and hobbies. Reminds me of when Myles Garrett had the red flag of “liking dinosaurs”. Hutchinson is the least exciting but probably the best rounded edge prospect of this draft.

 

George Karlaftis | Purdue (B1G) – 6’ 3 3/4”, 266 lbs | 11.5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4.78 | 1.65 | 4.34 | x | 38 | 121 | ES (7.0)

David Ojabo | Michigan (B1G) – 6’ 4”, 250 lbs | 12 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 4.55 | 1.59 | 4.45 | x | 35 | 122 | ES (6.8)

Boye Mafe | Minnesota (B1G) – 6’ 3 3/4”, 261 lbs | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4.53 | 1.56 | 4.46 | 7.24 | 41.5 | 125 | ES (6.7)

Jermaine Johnson II | Florida State (ACC) – 6’ 4 5/8”, 254 lbs | 18 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4.58 | 1.59 | x | x | 32 | 125 | ES (6.6)

Karlaftis is a strong, athletic, consistent performer who reminds of Kerrigan coming out but not because of the jersey (I Promise), Ojabo would be in the top tier if he hadn’t blown out his achilles, Mafe is athletic as shit but he wasn’t consistent at the point of attack and was inconsistent in pass rush disruption, and Jermaine Johnson II is a discount Hutchinson, in that he’s solid but I wonder ultimately about his upside.

 

Arnold Ebiketie | Penn State (B1G) – 6’ 2 3/4”, 247 lbs | 18 | 9.5 | 1 | 1 | 4.66 | x | 4.24 | 6.95 | 38 | 128 | ES (6.4)

Drake Jackson | USC (P12) – 6’ 2 5/8”, 254 lbs | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | x | x | 4.28 | 7.09 | 36.5 | 127 | ES (6.2)

Sam Williams | Ole Miss (SEC) – 6’ 3 5/8”, 261 lbs | 16 | 12.5 | 1 | 1 | 4.46 | 1.55 | 4.34 | 7.03 | 32.5 | 123 | ES (6.1)

Josh Paschal | Kentucky (SEC) – 6’ 2 5/8”, 268 lbs | 15.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 4.77 | 1.57 | x | x | 37.5 | 123 | ES (6.1)

All three are above average athletes, Jackson drops well, Paschal is the worst athlete but stout at the point of attack, Ebiketie is athletic but needs refinement and Williams is the one that might have the best bend.

 

Off-Ball Linebackers

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Tackles | Tackles for Loss | Sacks | Passes Defensed | Forced Fumbles | 40 | 10 | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | Vert | Broad

Nakobe Dean | Georgia (SEC) – 5’ 11 3/8”, 231 lbs | 43.5 | 10.5 | 6 | 8 | 2 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | S (7.6)

Devin Lloyd | Iowa State (B12) – 6’ 2 3/4”, 237 lbs | 65.5 | 22 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 4.66 | 1.58 | x | x | 35 | 126 | S (7.5)

Dean and Lloyd are great prospects, with incredible instincts and the ability to go sideline to sideline with ease.

Quay Walker | Georgia (SEC) – 6’ 3 3/4”, 241 lbs | 47.5 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 | 4.52 | 1.60 | 4.32 | 6.89 | 32 | 122 | S (7.2)

Leo Chenal | Wisconsin (B1G) – 6’ 2 5/8”, 250 lbs | 68.5 | 18.5 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 4.53| 1.60 | 4.24 | 6.98 | 40.5 | 128 | S (7.1)

Chad Muma | Wyoming (MWC) – 6’ 2 3/4”, 239 lbs | 105.5 | 8 | 1.5 | 4 | 0 | 4.63 | 1.61 | 4.21 | 6.90 | 40 | 129 | ES (7.0)

Walker was outshined by Dean but is a quick, smart, and athletic player in his own right, Chenal continues a line of Badgers backers with pro level upside and athleticism, and Muma isn’t a classic inside linebacker but he’ll be a great OLB in 4-3 and has the athleticism to rush or drop in coverage when needed.

Troy Anderson | Montana State (FCS) – 6’ 3 1/2”, 243 lbs | 101 | 14 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 4.42 | 1.49 | 4.07 | 6.77 | 36 | 128 | ES (6.7)

Malcolm Rodriguez | Oklahoma State (B12) – 5’ 11”, 236 lbs | 87.5 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4.52 | 1.54 | 4.13 | 7.02 | 39.5 | 120 | ES (6.6)

Brian Asamoah | Oklahoma (B12) – 6’ 0 1/4”, 226 lbs | 67.5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4.56 | 1.60 | x | x | 36.5 | 124 | ES (6.2)

Micah McFadden | Indiana (B1G) – 6’ 1 1/8”, 240 lbs | 47.5 | 15.5 | 6.5 | 3 | 2 | 4.63 | 1.54 | 4.15 | 6.88 | 35 | 118 | ES (6.1)

Brandon Smith | Penn State (B1G) – 6’ 3 1/2”, 244 lbs | 54 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4.52 | 1.58 | 4.08 | 6.94 | 37.5 | 128 | PS (6.0)

Darrian Beavers | Cincinnati (AAC) – 6’ 3 3/4”, 243 lbs | 61 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4.70 | 1.63 | 4.17 | 6.91 | 39 | 125 | PS (6.0)

2022 NFL Draft - Offensive Line (OT/G/C)

Tackle being the marquee position has a couple starter quality players but overall lacks depth of up top. Much of the same at guard except even less at the top with only 1 starter level player. Center, however, is a strength this year with two very good players up top and a handful of players that have a good chance to start.

Offensive Tackle

Evan Neal | Alabama (SEC) | 6’ 7 1/2", 345 lbs | x | x | x | x | x | x | S (7.2)

Ikem Ekwonu | NC State (ACC) | 6’ 4”, 310 lbs | 4.95 | 1.73 | 4.75 | 7.85 | 29 | 107 | S (7.2)

Charles Cross | Mississippi State (SEC) | 6’ 4 3/4", 307 lbs | 4.99 | 1.77 | 4.65 | 7.94 | 31 | 111 | S (7.1)

Neal is an athletic freak who waist bends a bit too much and has technique flaws but he’s the one tackle in this draft who has the pure athleticism to recover from bad body angles, re-anchor, and still maintain position. He’s played left guard (Freshman All-American), right tackle, and left tackle at a high level for the Tide. Ekwonu isn’t a bad athlete but he isn’t close to Neal in that regard he is always in the right position and kind of boring to watch which is a very good thing with tackle tape. Some have Ekwonu as a guard prospect, while he could slide inside, I think he’s more than worthy of being given the chance to play outside. Cross was the biggest revelation for me, a smooth pass blocker and on the occasions that he was asked to run block he came downhill well.

 

Bernhard Raimann | Central Michigan (MAC) | 6’ 4 3/4”, 303 lbs | 5.05 | 1.70 | 4.32 | 7.34 | 30.5 | 117 | ES (6.5)

Zachary Thomas | San Diego State (MWC) | 6’ 4 7/8”, 308 lbs | 4.96 | 1.65 | 4.65 | 7.40 | 22.5 | 107 | ES (6.2)

Zach Tom | Wake Forest (ACC) | 6’ 4 1/4", 304 lbs | 4.94 | 1.63 | 4.47 | 7.32 | 33 | 118 | ES (6.1)

Trevor Penning | Northern Iowa (FCS) | 6’ 7 1/8", 304 lbs | 4.89 | 1.65 | 4.62 | 7.25 | 28 | 111 | ES (6.1)

I was impressed and surprised by Raimann. He’s a good athlete and mover and has functional power if not being over powerful. Thomas is a right tackle prospect but he’s tough and moves well enough to hold up pass pro. Thom is a bit blockier and could be moved inside but he held up well enough against good competition that I think you’d be remisced if you didn’t give him a shot outside. Lastly, Penning. He’s a bully but not in the positive way usually associated with line play. He shoves and rips guys down but it’s usually after the play. I watched him against Iowa State and NDSU and his toughness doesn’t really show up much. He’s tested really well but it didn’t consistently show up in game but he stands out enough that he warrants a rank in the top two tiers.

 

Braxton Jones | Southern Utah (FCS) | 6’ 5 1/4", 310 lbs | 4.97 | 1.69 | 4.74 | 7.59 | 25.5 | 108 | PS (6.0)

Luke Goedeke | Central Michigan (MAC) | 6’ 5", 312 lbs | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | PS (6.0)

Tyler Smith | Tulsa (CUSA) | 6’ 4 5/8", 324 lbs | 5.02 | 1.71 | 4.65 | 7.78 | 27.5 | 105 | PS (5.9)

These three are all good solid players that are probably going to be right tackles at the next level.

For Your Consideration

Kellen Diesch | Arizona State (P12) | 6’ 7 1/8", 301 lbs | 4.89 | 1.70 | 4.43 | 7.77 | 32.5 | 110 | PS (5.8)

Logan Bruss | Wisconsin (B1G) | 6’ 5", 309 lbs | 5.32 | 1.82 | 4.55 | 7.57 | 31 | 112 | PS (5.8)

Ryan Van Denmark | UCONN (IND) | 6’ 6 1/2", 307 lbs | 5.27 | 1.75 | 4.54 | 7.50 | 30.5 | 7.50 | PS (5.7)

Tyler Vrabel | Boston College (ACC) | 6’ 5 3/4", 315 lbs | 5.40 | 1.81 | 4.61 | 7.47 | 28.5 | 110 | PS (5.7)

Abraham Lucas | Alabama (SEC) | 6’ 7 1/2", 345 lbs | 4.92 | 1.69 | 4.40 | 7.25 | 29 | 113 | PS (5.6)

Guard

Zion Johnson | Boston College (ACC) | 6’ 2 5/8”, 314 lbs | 5.18 | 1.74 | 4.46 | 7.38 | 32 | 112 | S (7.1)

Kenyon Green | Texas A&M (SEC) | 6’ 3 7/8”, 323 lbs | 5.24 | 1.76 | 5.03 | x | 28.5 | 102 | ES (6.8)

Sean Rhyan | UCLA (P12) | 6’ 4 5/8", 321 lbs | 5.25 | 1.77 | 4.60 | 7.55 | 34.5 | 110 | ES (6.7)

Johnson was the only lineman that really popped both in his movement but also with that nastiness that I haven’t seen too much of in this class. He finished blocks, moved guys off the line, and, my favorite, leveled guys in pass pro when he had no one to block. Green was solid and moved guys off the line and played well in space. Rhyan played tackle for UCLA but he’s built like a classic guard and played well downhill for the Bruins.

 

Marquis Hayes | Oklahoma (B12) | 6’ 4 7/8", 318 lbs | 5.30 | 1.83 | 4.78 | 7.94 | 24.5 | 102 | ES (6.4)

Jamaree Salyer | Georgia (SEC) | 6’ 3", 318 lbs | x | x | 4.70 | x | 24 | 98 | ES (6.3)

Nick Zakelj | Fordham (FCS) | 6’ 6 1/8", 316 lbs | 5.13 | 1.72 | 4.71 | 7.75 | 28.5 | 110 | ES (6.2)

Chris Paul | Tulsa (CUSA) | 6’ 3 7/8", 323 lbs | 4.89 | 1.72 | 4.83 | 7.74 | 27 | 109 | ES (6.1)

These four were the rest of the players I thought stood out. Hayes was physical, Salyer managed to play tackle for the national champs, Zakelj showed out at the senior bowl and against Nebraska, and Paul played well for Tulsa and almost convinced me with his play to put him in my tackle rankings.

Joshua Ezeudu | North Carolina (ACC) | 6’ 4 1/4", 323 lbs | 5.19 | 1.78 | 4.56 | 7.83 | 28.5 | 105 | PS (5.9)

Darian Kinnard | Kentucky (SEC) | 6’ 5 3/8", 322 lbs | 5.31 | 1.78 | 4.96 | 8.11 | 25 | 99 | PS (5.8)

Chasen Hines | LSU (SEC) | 6’ 2 3/4", 327 lbs | 5.22 | 1.74 | 5.00 | 8.46 | 30.5 | 108 | PS (5.7)

Ezeudu, Kinnard, and Hines are all large school prospects with flawed but good metrics, and solid if not spectacular tape. They had no glaring weaknesses.

 

Center

Tyler Linderbaum | Iowa (B1G) | 6’ 2 1/8”, 296 lbs | 5.04 | 1.78 | 4.57 | 7.13 | 32.5 | 110 | S (7.6)

Linderbaum is the best center in the draft, he’s smaller and needs to play in a zone scheme but he’s powerful, he understands leverage, he gets to the second level and he just pops off the screen.

Cam Jurgens | Nebraska (B1G) | 6’ 2 7/8”, 303 lbs | 4.92 | 1.71 | 4.49 | 7.19 | 33.5 | 119 | S (7.1)

Jurgens had the best testing scores of the centers this year and you see it on tape. He’s not just an underwear Olympian though, he gets himself in good positions and moves people with his blocks

Dohnovan West | Arizona State (P12) | 6’ 3 3/4", 296 lbs | 5.27 | 1.82 | 4.81 | 7.82 | 28 | 112 | PS (6.4)

Luke Fortner | Kentucky (SEC) | 6’ 4 1/8”, 307 lbs | 5.21 | 1.77 | 4.95 | 7.75 | 29 | 102 | PS (6.3)

Cole Strange | UT - Chattanooga (FCS) | 6’ 4 7/8”, 307 lbs | 5.03 | 1.71 | 4.50 | 7.44 | 28 | 120 | PS (6.2)

Wesley French | WMU (MAC) | 6’ 4 7/8", 307 lbs | 5.19 | 1.81 | 4.62 | 7.28 | 29 | 110 | PS (6.1)

Dawson Deaton | Texas Tech (B12) | 6’ 5 1/2", 306 lbs | 5.12 | 1.74 | 4.49 | 7.52 | 29 | 108 | PS (6.0)

Alec Lindstrom | Boston College (ACC) | 6’ 3 3/8", 299 lbs | 5.18 | 1.74 | 4.66 | 7.50 | 29 | 111 | PS (6.0)

Nick Ford | Utah (P12) | 6’ 5", 310 lbs | 5.52 | 1.90 | 4.65 | 7.81 | 26 | 107 | PS (5.9)

Luke Wattenberg | Washington (P12) | 6’ 4", 306 lbs | 5.20 | 1.72 | 4.57 | 7.45 | 29.5 | 113 | PS (5.8)

Liam Shanahan | LSU (SEC) | 6’ 4 5/8", 305 lbs | 5.22 | 1.82 | 4.69 | 7.41 | 30.5 | 103 | PS (5.8)

2022 NFL Draft - Skill Position Ranks (RB/WR/TE)

 It’s once again a deep year at wide receiver, with 6 receiving starting grades and 15 cracking my top two tiers. It doesn’t have the standout at the tippy top but what it lacks in absolute star power it more than makes up for with depth and breadth. Running back, for its part is very similar, although it doesn’t have as robust a top end as wide receivers but it holds quality in depth with a number of intriguing, if flawed, talent. Tight end is yet again rather weak, and unlike last year there is no Kyle Pitts to add a massive ceiling to the ranks. Although I wouldn’t say the it possesses the same depth or breadth as receiver or running back it does have some solid players who should fill roster roles if not necessarily exciting from a more fantasy or entertainment slant.

 

Running Backs

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Touches | AY/Ru | AY/Re | 40 | Short Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vert | Broad | Role (Grade)

 

Breece Hall | Iowa State (B12) – 5’ 11 1/4", 217 lbs | 289 | 7.27 | 6.31 | 4.39 | x | x | 40 | 126 | S (7.2)

Kenneth Walker III | Michigan State (B1G) – 5’ 9 1/4", 211 lbs | 276 | 7.48 | 5.16 | 4.38 | x | x | 34 | 122 | ES (7.0)

 There’s a tier at the top with Hall the only starter grade for me this year. Hall just has a bit more wiggle to him, which allows him to create a bit more when everything is a problem. They both have great long speed and have the ability to utilize a lead back role.

 

Tyler Allgeier | BYU (IND) – 5’ 10 3/4", 224 lbs | 304 | 7.33 | 4.42 | 4.60 | 4.36 | 7.09 | 33 | 120 | ES (6.4)

I’m higher on Allgeier than a lot of people, he’s a slightly older prospect but he’s a big, fluid, back with good vision and an ability to get up field, functional athleticism and consistent production.

 

Zamir White | Georgia (SEC) – 5’ 11 7/8", 217 lbs | 169 | 6.62 | 5.36 | 4.40 | x | x | 33.5 | 128 | ES (6.1)

Brian Robinson Jr. | Alabama (SEC) – 6’ 1 5/8", 225 lbs | 306 | 5.91 | 5.98 | 4.53 | 4.59 | 7.3 | 30 | 119 | PS (6.0)

James Cook | Georgia (SEC) – 5’ 11 1/2", 204 lbs | 140 | 7.58 | 8.40 | 4.42 | x | x | 33 | 124 | PS (5.9)

Dameon Pierce | Florida (SEC) – 5’ 9 5/8", 218 lbs | 119 | 8.13 | 9.13 | 4.59 | 4.46 | 7.53 | 34.5 | 119 | PS (5.9)

Isaiah Spiller | Texas A&M (SEC) – 6’ 0 3/8", 217 lbs | 193 | 6.51 | 5.21 | 4.64 | 4.27 | x | 33 | 114 | PS (5.8)

Jerome Ford | Cincinnati (AAC) – 5’ 10 1/2", 211 lbs | 236 | 7.76 | 7.25 | 4.46 | 4.22 | 7.31 | 31 | 118 | PS (5.8)

Tyler Badie | Missouri (SEC) – 5’ 8", 197 lbs | 322 | 6.95 | 4.73 | 4.45 | 4.28 | 7.07 | 33.5 | 121 | PS (5.8)

Going to give a superlative for the last 7 as I obviously don’t have a huge amount of difference between them…

White shows flashes of elite talent and may have the highest upside of the group. Robinson is a big back with good balance and solid all-around skills. Cook is a receiving back maven who understands space well and is just good enough on the ground to not make it completely obvious whether it’s a run or pass. Pierce the one player who flashes as much as White but 50 less touches and no Cook level backfield mate makes you wonder why those touches were so few. Spiller a solid overall back, which feels like damning with faint praise but I just didn’t see that huge ceiling a lot of people did. Ford had a great game against Bama, his former team, and he does a great job maximizing what’s there. Badie had a huge workload and is a firecracker but that size is going to hamper him even if he is definitely chunky enough to hold up.

 

For Your Consideration

Rachaad White | Arizona State (P12) – 6’ 0 3/8”, 214 lbs | 225 | 7.04 | 6.89 | 4.48 | x | x | 38 | 125 | PS (5.7)

Abram Smith | Baylor (B12) – 5’ 11 5/8”, 213 lbs | 270 | 7.09 | 3.57 | 4.54 | 4.40 | 7.25 | 36 | 116 | PS (5.7)

Ty Chandler | North Carolina (ACC) – 5’ 11 1/4”, 204 lbs | 197 | 7.31 | 9.80 | 4.38 | 4.41 | 7.40 | 31 | 121 | PS (5.6)

Tyler Goodson | Iowa (B1G) – 5’ 9 3/8”, 202 lbs | 287 | 4.93 | 5.43 | 4.42 | 4.12 | 6.76 | 36.5 | 123 | PS (5.6)

Ronnie Rivers | Fresno State (MWC) – 5’ 7 1/2", 198 lbs | 196 | 5.43 | 7.46 | 4.57 | 4.34 | 6.91 | 36.5 | 119 | PS (5.5)

Hassan Haskins | Michigan (B1G) – 6’ 1 3/4”, 228 lbs | 288 | 6.28 | 4.52 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | PS (5.5)

Leddie Brown | Iowa State (B12) – 5’ 11 1/4", 213 lbs | 258 | 5.85 | 4.22 | 4.64 | 4.26 | 7.10 | 36.5 | 118 | PS (5.5)

Jerrion Ealy | Ole Miss (SEC) – 5’ 8 1/8”, 187 lbs | 165 | 6.47 | 5.03 | 4.47 | 4.35 | 7.07 | 34.5 | 128 | PS (5.5)

 

Wide Receivers

 

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Touches | Production | 40 | 10-yard Split | Short Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vert | Broad | Role (Grade)

 

Drake London | USC (P12) | 6’ 3 7/8”, 219 lbs | 140 | 8.68 | x | x | x | x | x | x | S (7.4)

Jameson Williams | Alabama (SEC) | 6’ 1 1/2”, 179 lbs | 126 | 13.25 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | S (7.3)

Treylon Burks | Arkansas (SEC) | 6’ 2”, 225 lbs | 105 | 9.37 | 4.55 | 1.60 | 4.23 | 7.28 | 35.5 | 122 | S (7.2)

Chris Olave | Ohio State (B1G) | 6’ 0 3/8”, 187 lbs | 104 | 9.37 | 4.39 | 1.45 | x | x | 32 | 124 | S (7.2)

Garrett Wilson | Ohio State (B1G) | 5’ 11 3/4”, 183 lbs | 112 | 8.45 | 4.38 | 1.53 | 4.36 | x | 36 | 123 | S (7.2)

Alec Pierce | Cincinnati (AAC) | 6’ 3 1/8”, 208 lbs | 83 | 7.39 | 4.33 | 1.46 | 4.20 | 7.13 | 40.5 | 129 | S (7.1)

Jahan Dotson | Penn State (B1G) | 5’ 10 5/8”, 181 lbs | 145 | 10.06 | 4.43 | 1.56 | x | 7.28 | 36 | 121 | ES (7.0)

London was my surprise this draft season. Based on the highlights I had seen used when he was talked about it was almost always a contested catch with little separation. He was much more than that he lined up inside and out, was the focal point of his offense and made plays and got separation routinely. The impact Williams had on Alabama was pretty evident in the championship game. Yes Metchie was out too but Bama was able to move the ball while Williams was on the field Bama moved the ball and was a threat to score, once he went down it became much much more difficult. Burks wins best as a big slot but he's capable of playing on the outside and gets separation a bit more often than he’s given credit for. The big knock is his speed but we’ve seen him run away from the entire Alabama defense and consistently create small space separation so I’m very comfortable with him. Olave & Wilson were fantastic at OSU, Olave is a footwork maven with great speed and nasty in space. Wilson was used as a deep threat more often, is a bit more solidly built and creates separation on his deep routes. I favor Olave ever so slightly but see them as having very similar floors and ceilings. Pierce was so much fun to watch and provides pure burner speed with a big receiver body. He routinely flashed against bigger competition and is a good prospect and explosive athlete. Dotson absolutely balled out with bad QB play who could make me feel stupid for just sliding him out of the Starter tier but he’s the shortest of my top 10 receivers and although he’s shown an ability to play outside sub-six foot may put him in a great role that just limits his value a little bit.

 

Christian Watson | North Dakota State (FCS) | 6’ 4 1/8”, 208 lbs | 69 | 6.66 | 4.36 | 1.45 | 4.19 | 6.96 | 38.5 | 136 | ES (6.7)

Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama (SBC) | 6’ 1 1/4", 194 lbs | 131 | 11.59 | 4.49 | 1.57 | 4.24 | 7.08 | 36 | 123 | ES (6.6)

George Pickens | Georgia (SEC) | 6’ 3 1/4", 195 lbs | 8 | - | 4.47 | 1.50 | x | x | 34.5 | 125 | ES (6.5)

David Bell | Purdue (B1G) | 6’ 0 7/8”, 212 lbs | 148 | 9.98 | 4.65 | 1.56 | 4.57 | 7.14 | 33 | 118 | ES (6.4)

Wan’Dale Robinson | Kentucky (SEC) | 5’ 8”, 179 lbs | 166 | 10.46 | 4.44 | 1.49 | 4.13 | 6.99 | 35 | 118 | ES (6.3)

John Metchie | Alabama (SEC) | 5’ 11 1/4", 187 lbs | 153 | 9.23 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | ES (6.2)

Skyy Moore | Western Michigan (MAC) | 5’ 11 7/8”, 195 lbs | 151 | 10.57 | 4.41 | 1.46 | 4.32 | 7.13 | 34.5 | 125 | ES (6.1)

Khalil Shakir | USC (P12) | 5’ 11 7/8”, 196 lbs | 123 | 8.91 | 4.43 | 1.49 | 4.21 | 7.28 | 38.5 | 124 | ES (6.1)

There’s a bit of a tier break after Dotson but not a huge one. Watson is an absolute burner who has slightly limited production in a NDSU offense that focuses more on the ground than through the air. Tolbert had some hands inconsistency and played in an offense that used in smaller spaces but he’s a tall guy with good feet and long speed. Pickens has the talent to be the best receiver in this draft and might be my favorite receiver but he’s been limited for multiple years by known back injuries and that means he gets knocked for that and production. Bell was a beast at Purdue who routinely racked up production, he’s not an athletic freak but he’s just a smart player who gets open routinely and I see no reason he shouldn’t be able to do that at the next level. Robinson is an RB/WR hybrid player that can be moved around the formation and makes plays in a whole bunch of ways but that also means he’s relatively reliant on being used correctly and being designed touches. That said the dude can absolutely scoot and is the proverbial home run threat. Metchie, Moore, and Shakir are chunkier (relatively) slot guys with good athleticism, ball skills, and enough reps on the outside to move around formations and be useful outside of just the middle of the field.

 

For Your Consideration

 

Makai Polk | Mississippi State (SEC) | 6’ 3 1/8”, 197 lbs | 156 | 8.27 | 4.59 | 1.53 | 4.34 | 7.06 | 32.5 | 120 | PS (6.0)

Calvin Austin III | Memphis (AAC) | 5’ 7 3/4”, 170 lbs | 118 | 9.28 | 4.32 | 1.44 | 4.07 | 6.65 | 39 | 135 | PS (5.9)

Danny Gray | SMU (AAC) | 5’ 11 7/8”, 197 lbs | 78 | 6.95 | 4.33 | 1.51 | 4.37 | 7.38 | 34 | 126 | PS (5.8)

Bo Melton | Rutgers (B1G) | 5’ 10 7/8”, 189 lbs | 88 | 4.81 | 4.34 | 1.47 | 4.10 | 6.81 | 38 | 121 | PS (5.8)

Calvin Jackson Jr | Washington State (P12) | 5’ 8 7/8”, 193 lbs | 105 | 7.99 | 4.53 | 1.57 | 4.26 | 7.23 | 36 | 124 | PS (5.7)

Tyquan Thornton | Baylor (B12) | 6’ 2 3/8”, 181 lbs | 99 | 8.12 | 4.28 | 1.41 | 4.39 | 7.25 | 38.5 | 131 | PS (5.6)

Kevin Austin Jr | Notre Dame (IND) | 6’ 2 3/8”, 200 lbs | 76 | 7.28 | 4.43 | 1.48 | 4.15 | 6.71 | 39 | 132 | PS (5.6)

Kyle Phillips | UCLA (P12) | 5’ 11 1/4", 189 lbs | 94 | 6.63 | 4.58 | 1.49 | 4.09 | 6.75 | 33.5 | 124 | PS (5.5)

 

Tight Ends

 

Name | School (Conf) | Height, Weight | Touches | Production | 40 | 10-yard Split | Short Shuttle | 3 Cone | Vert | Broad | Role (Grade)

 

Trey McBride | Colorado State (MWC) | 6’ 3 5/8”, 245 lbs | 143 | 12.72 | 4.56 | 1.60 | x | x | 33 | 117 | ES (7.0)

Greg Dulcich | UCLA (P12) | 6’ 4”, 243 lbs | 67 | 9.16 | 4.69 | 1.62 | 4.37 | 7.05 | 34 | 122 | ES (6.5)

Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina (SBC) | 6’ 4 5/8”, 245 lbs | 94 | 12.76 | 4.83 | 1.70 | 4.57 | 7.39 | 36 | 123 | ES (6.4)

Cole Turner | Nevada (MWC) | 6’ 6 1/2", 249 lbs | 99 | 9.70 | 4.76 | 1.62 | 4.33 | 7.06 | 29 | 120 | ES (6.2)

Jelani Woods | Virginia (ACC) | 6’ 7 1/8”, 253 lbs | 70 | 8.39 | 4.61 | 1.57 | 4.33 | 6.95 | 37.5 | 129 | ES (6.0)

Jalen Wydermeyer | Texas A&M (B12) | 6’ 3 7/8”, 255 lbs | 57 | 6.34 | 5.02 | 1.78 | x | x | 25.5 | 109 | ES (5.8)

Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin (B1G) | 6’ 4 7/8”, 250 lbs | 73 | 5.67 | 4.77 | 1.61 | 4.48 | 7.03 | 34.5 | 118 | PS (5.7)

Jeremy Ruckert | Ohio State (B1G) | 6’ 5 1/2", 252 lbs | 41 | 4.09 | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | PS (5.5)

Chigoziem Okonkwo | Maryland (B1G) | 6’ 2 1/2", 238 lbs | 83 | 6.06 | 4.52 | 1.57 | 4.45 | 7.19 | 35.5 | 117 | PS (5.4)

McBride is a functionally strong blocker, a good athlete and a consistent performer. Dulcich has great feet for a man his size and performed when given the chance. I like Likely more than consensus… He doesn’t have the athletic profile and that worries me but he’s a fluid mover who and produced as well as anyone in the class. Turner and Woods are big athletes, with Woods being the better athlete and Turner being the more productive player while looking slightly awkward in motion. Wydermeyer is a bad athlete and an ok producer who I just liked more when I watched him. Ferguson is the complete opposite profile-wise and someone who routinely made plays for Wisconsin. They could probably be flipped but alas. Ruckert is a favorite of many in the draft community but he strikes me a lot like Spiller at running back. He’s a fine player who moves well and is passable at all phases but doesn’t have that one standout trait. Onkonkwo was used as an H-back/move tight end and I’d expect him to be used in similar spaces at the next level, making him a better fantasy prospect than an overall draft prospect.

 

For Your Consideration

Peyton Hendershot | Indiana (B1G) | 6’ 4 1/8”, 250 lbs | 73 | 6.92 | 4.78 | 1.62 | 4.25 | 6.75 | 33.5 | 124 | PS (5.1)

James Mitchell | Virginia Tech (ACC) | 6’ 4”, 249 lbs | - | - | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | INJ | PS (5.1)

Derrick Deese Jr | San Jose State (MWC) | 6’ 3 1/4", 244 lbs | 75 | 9.00 | 4.93 | 1.65 | INJ | INJ | 31 | 120 | PS (5.0)

Charlie Kolar | Iowa State (B12) | 6’ 6 1/2", 252 lbs | 92 | 9.14 | 4.62 | 1.66 | 4.30 | 7.00 | 35.5 | 120 | PS (5.0)

Chase Allen | Iowa State (B12) | 6’ 6”, 251 lbs | 37 | 3.50 | 4.79 | 1.62 | 4.43 | 7.03 | 33.5 | 117 | PS (4.9)

Austin Allen | Nebraska (B1G) | 6’ 7 5/8”, 253 lbs | 61 | 7.15 | 4.83 | 1.67 | 4.26 | 7.00 | 35.5 | 120 | PS (4.8)

Lucas Krull | Pittsburgh (ACC) | 6’ 6 1/8”, 253 lbs | 61 | 6.32 | 4.64 | 1.62 | 4.38 | 7.15 | 35 | 120 | PS (4.8)

2022 NFL Draft - Quarterbacks

 I have a little more time this year and better data so we’ll be doing a bit more than we did last year and much more like previous years pre-draft process. I’m going to post this standalone quarterback post followed by posts about skill positions (RB/WR/TE), offensive line (OT/G/C), front seven (INT/Edge/OBLB), and secondary (CB/S). To recap I’m using a 2-8 rating system burrowed from baseball combined with a role grouping that works out to UDFA 2.1-3.0, Backup (B) 3.1-4.0, Potential Starter (PS) 4.1-6.0, Expected Starter (ES) 6.1-7.0, and Starter (S) 7.1-8.0.

 

Quarterbacks

It’s not the crop of QBs from last season but it’s still an alright class with some intriguing prospects and very little consensus. There is a relative consensus on the top 5 QBs, Willis/Pickett/Corral/Ridder/Howell, which I shirk a bit with Bailey Zappe just edging out Howell. Overall, I have 14 QBs with potential starter grades, 1 with an expected starter grade, and 0 starter grades in this class.

 

Name | Team (Conf.) | Height, Weight | Attempts | Adjusted Yards per Attempt (TDs +20, INTs -45) | Production | Role (Grade)

 

Top 10

Malik Willis | Liberty (IND) - 6’ 0 1/4”, 219 lbs | 339 Att. | 8.37 AY/A | 4.013 | ES (6.1)

Willis is good athlete with very good arm strength and shows command of his offense to hit throws in rhythm. As a smaller school prospect, he falls into the trap of trying to do too much and relying too much on his athleticism when there are smarter choices but he’s got all the tools and sits on a similar spot for me that Trey Lance did but with a better level of competition.  

 

Kenny Pickett | Pittsburgh (ACC) – 6’ 3 5/8”, 217 lbs | 497 Att. | 9.69 AY/A | 5.470 | PS (5.8)

Matt Corral | Ole Miss (SEC) – 6’ 1 5/8”, 215 lbs | 386 Att. | 9.09 AY/A | 5.055 | PS (5.8)

Pickett and Corral are similarily graded QBs while being very different players with similar ceilings and floors. Pickett is a Burrow mold prospect in that he broke out his senior season but hadn’t done much to that point. His year wasn’t as world breaking as Burrow but he burst onto the scene and led the Panthers to a New Year’s Six bowl. He has smaller hands than small hands Burrow and although it didn’t lead to an increase in fumbles it is interesting to note than in poor weather games, he had some of his worst performances. He has a limited arm but excels when throwing on the run. Corral played in a Ole Miss offense that did a lot pre-snap and relied on reading backers in RPO. Almost all of his reps came from some sort of run action but he does well moving in the pocket, possesses enough athleticism to make an undisciplined defense pay, and has the chutzpah to stick the ball in small windows. He’ll have an adjustment period to an NFL offense but he has the flash that gives him upside to be a good NFL starter.

 

Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati (AAC) – 6’ 3 3/8”, 211 lbs | 387 Att. | 9.18 AY/A | 4.753 | PS (5.6)

Ridder is the QB this year that I liked but he was too inconsistent and didn’t flash the way I thought he might and the way others raved about him doing. He has a good arm, solid process but he underthrew the deep ball quite often and had general accuracy issues that left me wanting more. Ridder had enough talent around him that he didn’t have to carry the load all by himself but especially in the Notre Dame game he left quite a few shot plays on the table especially in the first half.

 

Bailey Zappe | WKU (CUSA) – 6’ 0 1/2”, 215 lbs | 686 Att. | 9.72 AY/A | 5.449 | PS (5.3)

Sam Howell | UNC (ACC) – 6’ 0 5/8”, 218 lbs | 9.72 AY/A | 4.417 | PS (5.2)

Zappe was other-worldly at times last season for WKU and took advantage of good athletic weapons on the field against Conference USA opposition. Zappe gets the ball out on time, has functional arm strength but nothing to write home about, and has the willingness to fire into tight windows. Howell is a flawed bulldozer of a QB but throws one of the most consistently pretty deep balls you will ever see. He’s going to need a offense that utilizes his ability to hit those shot plays with a bit of help in the short to intermediate range but all in all he’s an intriguing prospect.

 

Cole Kelley | SE Louisiana (FCS) – 6’ 7 3/8”, 249 lbs | 10.01 AY/A | 4.464 | PS (5.0)

Carson Strong | Nevada (MWC) – 6’ 3 3/8”, 226 lbs | 8.62 AY/A | 4.424 | PS (5.0)

Brock Purdy | Iowa State (B12) – 6’ 0 5/8”, 212 lbs | 8.20 AY/A | 4.586 | PS (4.9)

Kaleb Eleby | Western Michigan (MAC) – 6’ 0 3/4", 208 lbs | 9.48 AY/A | 4.626 | PS (4.8)

Kelley is a small school kid who put up impressive numbers in the FCS, he pushed the ball downfield well and was impressive but level of competition and height are the biggest drawbacks. Carson Strong is a guy who many are hyping as a dark horse to be one of the best in the class and while he has a great arm, his lack of mobility and oft-injured knees mean he slips for me. Purdy is a solid QB who’s probably a backup most of his career, think along the lines of those career backup Badgers QBs and you got your man… He’ll be around a decade but have only a handful of starts. Eleby is a small school QB who helped Skyy Moore impress, he’s got a quick release, some mobility, and the stats to back him up but he’s a rough outline of what he’ll need to be at the next level.

 

The Rest (of the Potential Starters)

Skylar Thompson | Kansas State (B12) | PS (4.5)

Jack Coan | Notre Dame (INID) | PS (4.4)

Anthony Brown | Oregon (P12) | PS (4.2)

Dustin Crum | Kent State (MAC) | PS (4.1)