Daniel's Draft Page 2022

[Daniel]

Once again, I'm compiling my prospect rankings and mock drafts into one thread for convenience.  We'll see if my rankings are even better and more accurate than they were last season, where I definitely got like every first round pick right.  No need to check me on that.

This class is short on top end talent at a lot of positions, but very deep at OL, TE, DE, and even QB.  The Combine looks to be even more important this year than usual, with a lot of logjams in positional rankings.  Physical upside is all that a few guys need to separate themselves from the pack.

Mock draft to come later, probably after the combine.

QB: The QB class is particularly interesting, with a whole lot of good prospects, but very few worth considering in the first round.  If you combined the 2021 QB class and the 2022 QB class and divided them in half, you'd probably have two very average QB classes.

1. Malik Willis, Liberty: Willis needs to work on reading defenses, accuracy, and mechanics, and he needs a lot.  However, his physical talent is off the charts, and in a weak QB class, that's the best there is.  A team with the ability to develop a QB and the time to let him learn the game for a year could end up with a very good player.  If he's rushed out too soon, he'll fail miserably.  Classic boom or bust.
2. Kenny Pickett, Pitt: Pickett is the polar opposite of Willis.  He can do everything well, but nothing to wow you.  He's accurate, but rarely throws to tight windows.  He's got prototype size, but small hands.  He can read a defense, but he's not the super cerebral type.  He is evasive in the pocket, and can run, but isn't a difference maker with his legs.  Looks like a high end game manager type to me, but could win with a good team around him.
3. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati: Probably the second best runner, with prototype size and one of the bigger arms in the class.  Evasive in the pocket, and a difference maker with his legs.  Accuracy is just barely good enough for NFL and needs work.  Needs to improve the mental aspect of the game a lot, as he struggles to read defensive adjustments and makes strange decisions more often than you'd like.  Solid pocket awareness, and does good things when flushed out of the pocket. 
4. Carson Strong, Nevada: Pretty advanced with the mental aspect, pretty big arm, and prototype size.  Still, he's a statue in the pocket, and has a tendency to stare down receivers.  Outside of Pickett and Howell, the best at fitting balls into tight windows.  Can run when necessary, but not a running QB.  Needs better pocket awareness.  If the physical tools are there, he could have some upside.
5. Matt Corral, Ole Miss: Corral I am convinced is a system QB first.  That said, he can run and he is an accurate thrower.  He tends to run as soon as his first read isn't open, and so many of his throws are designed to be behind the LOS and with throwing on fourth always on the table that it's really hard to see what he'd really do in a pro style offense.  Still, with physical talent, there is upside there, but I think he's almost as much of a project as Willis, and he's not as physically talented and is coming off an injury.  Also not sure about his size.
6. Sam Howell, UNC: Despite being one of the most accurate throwers and best runners, I think Howell is too limited for the NFL.  He runs through people, which won't work in college, and his size concerns and ball security issues are a problem.  He tends to start making mistakes under pressure, and has poor pocket awareness.  Still, he reads progressions well and can make throws into tight windows, though he was usually throwing to wide open receivers.  Without an offensive system tailored to him, he'll struggle.
7. Jack Coan, ND: I liked what I saw at the Combine from Coan.  He led a very good team this year, and at least has the measurements.  Could be a solid backup option in the NFL.
8. EJ Perry, Brown: Tape on him may as well be nonexistent, but with a decent arm and athleticism, he offers more than many depth guys in this crop.
9. Bailey Zappe, WKU: He threw for a ton of yards, but there's really not much to like about him as a prospect.  Could be a good backup for a dink and dunk type offense, but he's not actually that accurate.  His inaccuracy showed in the combine tape.

OT: A great group, with several guys at the top with stellar tape, and some other guys with some good potential.  Depth past the top talents I'm iffy on, but it's got two blue chips, like three other first rounders, and then three guys at least that belong in the second.

1. Evan Neal, Bama: The presumptive top tackle, pretty much just because he faced the best pass rushers over the season and held up well.  Also, he's huge and looks like someone who would have done very well in the combine regardless.
2. Ikem Ekwonu, NC State: It's hard to remember seeing a more impressive physical specimen at the combine in recent memory.  I'm keeping him at two because he did have a little lackluster tape this season, and because Neal's measurements were impressive too.  He's just a tad shorter than your ideal OT too, if we're nitpicking.
3. Charles Cross, Mississippi St: Like Neal, he faced the best pass rushers in the country in the SEC West and was rarely beaten.  He's not small, but he's not the overwhelming physical specimen that some others are.  Did pretty well in the combine, but had a shockingly narrow chest and no bench press.  Could not be strong enough to be a top tackle, but looked the part everywhere else.
4. Trevor Penning, NIU: The only top tackle at the Senior Bowl, he looked very good in the practices and game.  He's big, but faced much lesser competition than others, and is a little raw.
5. Tyler Smith, Tulsa: Came in looking the part, and did not disappoint in drills.  Fringe first.
6. Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: The other Senior Bowl standout, he's a former TE, and one of the more svelt guys in the class.  His best days are in front of him.
7. Abraham Lucas, Washington St: I noticed him going against Thibs and holding his own, then he blew the combine up too.
8. Daniel Faalele, Minnesota: Dude is raw, but he's enormous and new to football, so he drips with upside.
9. Kellen Diesch, Arizona St: Haven't studied his tape in depth, but he blew up the physicals and didn't show obvious mistakes in the drills.
10. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio St: Started 2021 as a first rounder, but got bodied too many times.  Didn't impress at the combine either.
11. Spencer Burford, UTSA: Footwork was great, but I'd be lying if I said I was gonna find any Texas San Antonio tape to watch.  He looked better than some above him, but I can't move him higher on mediocre athletics and good technique.
 

OL: An average group when you don't account for OTs that could move inside (other than the ones I've put here already).  Two studs that belong in the first round, one that should be, and a bunch of second and third round talent.

1. Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa: Iowa just pumps out quality OLs.  Linderbaum is a little on the light side, but that's the only negative thing I can think to say about him.  He's good enough in every other aspect for that to be overlooked, and measured in at 296 at the combine.  If he can play at that weight, he's a stud.
2. Zion Johnson, BoCo: One of the most athletic interior guys in this class, Johnson was a baller in the Senior Bowl, and looked incredible at the combine.
3. Kenyon Green, TAMU: A tackle who projects to move inside, Green is built like a big, old school heavy guard.  As a tackle, he moves well enough not to be shoehorned into only playing right guard.  Awful combine, but so bad that it seemed like something was wrong.  If his pro day isn't way better, he'll drop like a stone.
4. Dylan Parham, Memphis: Didn't blow the combine away like expected, but performed well enough to tick the box.  Solid second round prospect.
5. Luke Fortner, Kentucky: After the Georgia DLs tested, he went way up for holding up as well as he did in that game.  Didn't do great in the combine though, but still a second rounder.
6. Logan Bruss, Wisconsin: Wisconsin sends an OL that looks like a 3rd year pro in the combine, 2022 edition.
7. Jamaree Sayler, Georgia: Great player that was part of a great overall OL.  Only thing he did at the combine was bench, but he put up a ridiculous 30 reps with very long arms.
8. Cole Strange, Chattanooga: Came with a lot of hype and did not disappoint, as a top performer in everything he did.  Gamble in the early third.
9. Cam Jurgens, Nebraska: A guy I was turned on to just before the combine, and he gives a dominant performance there.
10. Zack Tom, Wake Forest: Another guy with great measurables, but I haven't seen his tape yet.
11. Chasen Hines, LSU: Another smooth mover in the drills with respectable, but not impressive, numbers.
12. Darian Kinnard, Kentucky: Super long arms, a big build, and a good history of paving the way for Kentucky's run game.  Bad combine to the point of it being a concern, and not great Senior Bowl tape.  Maybe he was assisted by the rest of his OL more than previously thought.

TE: The TE class, while it doesn't have a blue chipper like Kyle Pitts, it has a lot of talent.  The second day of the draft will see a lot of TEs selected.  Almost all the guys are around the same size, in the 6'4" to 6'6" range and 250 lbs, which is prototypical.  But a lot of top names didn't do the combine either, so.  TEs can be hard to evaluate, because it depends on what you're looking for.  Mainly, what I want is a big guy that can catch, move smoothly enough to be evasive, and break tackles.

1. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina: Crazy production, especially in the endzone.  Excellent vertical, and he has the size you want.  Probably the highest ceiling in this class.
2. Tre McBride, Colorado St: Long strider, matchup problem, but not the big bully you want on tape.  Still, very much a solid receiver type, despite only 1 TD in 90 receptions.
3. Jaylen Wydermyer, TAMU: Got that YAC, tendency to stop on routes, but good hands.  Two solid years of production, and he does the kind of play you want to see at the NFL.
4. Greg Dulcich, UCLA: Dulcich can flat out play.  I don't know how much he brings as a blocker, but he is practically a big receiver.  Quick and surprisingly elusive, he can break tackles too.
5. Charlie Kolar, Iowa St: Also got that YAC, and is one of the bigger TEs in the class.  Pushes guys around, so I assume the blocking is also there.
6. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio St: Outstanding hands, big, and strong, and can be hard to stop when he gets going.  Still, he doesn't power through DBs like you want, playing more like a receiver.
7. Cole Turner, Nevada: Fantastic catch radius, and top end production.  His combine wasn't as great as I hoped, but with 10 TDs and 677 yards this season, there's plenty of examples of him making difficult catches, though he won't bring much as a blocker.
8. Jelani Woods, Virginia: A plus blocker, Woods doesn't have the best hands out there, but he's the biggest, fastest, and strongest TE in the class (per combine numbers), and did manage to still catch 44 balls for nearly 600 yards and 8 TDs.  Criminally underrated.
9. Cade Otten, Washington: Well rounded, but lacking the production of so many of his contemporaries.
10. Daniel Bellinger, SDSU: A smooth mover, and every bit as strong as he looks, Bellinger blew up the combine, and looked good in drills too.  Definitely someone who can do a little of both.
11. Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin: Looks like a running back once the ball is in his hands.  Maybe not as explosive or quick as the others in the class, but still a guy who can do a lot for you.

WR: Injuries to two of the best prospects make this WR class really prone to movement in the rankings.  Combine will sort out a lot.

1. Drake London, USC: London only played part of a season, but still managed to put up over 1000 yards.  He's got better size than the other top end guys as well, so he's my pick to be the top prospect when all is said and done.  This could change based on his medicals.  Was tempted to move him down after the combine, but he stays put for now.
2. Chris Olave, Ohio St: Super smooth route runner, who doesn't look that fast on tape, but he also blew the combine away.  His chances of falling to 26 seem slim now.
3. Treylon Burks, Arkansas: The other big receiver, Burks lit it up for Arkansas this season, and was perhaps the biggest reason they started the season so strong.  He's big, prolific, and will be the favorite receiver for a QB that likes to throw up 50/50 balls.  Didn't test very well, which isn't a problem unless you're in a super strong WR class.
4. Garrett Wilson, Ohio St: A slim 188 lbs, but that's really the only complaint.  He lit it up at OSU, and had an outstanding combine.
5. Jameson Williams, Bama: The class burner, Williams was Bama's next up fast dynamic receiver.  Teams have been willing to take speed demons earlier than they're projected the last few years, and I wouldn't be surprised if Williams is the next to do the same.
6. Jahan Dotson, Penn State: I had dinged Dotson for not being as physically talented as some other WRs in this class.  Oh how wrong I was.  Add to that his impressive field work, and he looks like yet another future stud.
7. George Pickens, Georgia: What could have been.  Pickens could have been the top receiver in the class if it weren't for injury derailing his seasons.  He tested very well at the Combine, showing that there's still plenty to work with there.
8. Calvin Austin, Memphis: Followed up a great Senior Bowl with a great combine.  Short, but speedy, he's destined to be a great slot receiver in the NFL.
9. Alec Pierce, Cincinnati: Another small school player that showed he can play with the big boys.  At 6'3" and jumping out of the building, his stock will probably be going up.
10. Christian Watson, NDSU: Watson is a freak, but I have no film for him.  Still, he should be drafted highly just on physicals.
11. Velus Jones, Tennessee: Jones was a TD machine for a streak with the Vols, and then posted an insane 40 time.  He's got solid size too.
12. Tyquan Thornton, Baylor: I'll not beat around the bush: he's here because of that 40.  Pretty good hands, but I don't think I saw him match up well with a good corner.  Still, as a guy who can be a deep threat, there's a lot to like.
13. Skyy Moore, WMU: Moore isn't the biggest, but he tested well, and looked great in drills.
14. Wan'Dale Robinson, Kentucky: I was high on Robinson pre-combine, but he didn't post a blistering 40 time, and he was really small at 5'8 178 lbs.  That's fine, but he didn't test that well.  In a weaker class, that could slide.
15. David Bell, Purdue: Bell did not test well.  He was one of the slower guys at the combine.  I don't want to knock him too far down, since he played well, but it's hard to imagine too many 4.65 receivers being successful.
16. John Metchie, Bama: I hate putting him this low, but without combine numbers, it's hard to justify him over guys like Bell and Robinson who I liked more, but then tested poorly.  Really, he's still a pretty good prospect, but this class is just loaded.

RB: A really solid group.  I don't see huge studs, but the number of quality prospects is really something.  It's a pick your poison kind of class IMO.

Kenny Walker, Michigan St
Breece Hall, Iowa St
Isaiah Spiller, TAMU
Brian Robinson, Bama
Dameon Pierce, Florida
Zamir White, Georgia
Ty Chandler, UNC
Tyler Goodson, Iowa
James Cook, Georgia
Pierre Strong, NDSU
D'Vonte Price, FIU
Tyler Badie, Missouri

Edge: A great class, with a lot of first round grade guys.  List in progress.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon: Hands down most talented player in the class.  Great speed, phenomenal strength, and some moves.  Sometimes it looks like he can't change direction well, so I'm disappointed he didn't do agility drills at the combine, but he also drops back into coverage pretty well.  I don't know the off the field issues, so those aren't factoring into this.  What does is his lack of production for all that talent.
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan: Hutchinson plays like a smaller, less talented JJ Watt.  He's very good at stunting to the inside, swiping away OT's hands, and swatting at the ball.  But he's not that strong, fast, or twitchy.  He's got a speed rush, a bull rush, and some bend, but not much of any of that.  He does have a high motor, and probably a very high floor.  Add in the good showing at the combine, he's very close to Thibs.
3. Arnold Ebikeite, Penn St: Great bend, extremely fluid mover, and high motor.  Ebikeite lacks some strength, and gets locked up with OLs quite a bit, but he always pops his head up ready to swipe at the ball, or get off to pursue.  Despite his tendency to get locked up, he disengages quickly and easily.
4. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma: Great closing speed, good bend, and a good power.  He drops into coverage a lot for a guy that doesn't seem to cover well, but he can move in space.  Love how he almost plays the Edge like a middle linebacker, looking for what's happening next.
5. Jermaine Johnson, Florida St: Speedier and twitchier than a lot of the other top prospects, Johnson has good moves.  He avoids direct contact with OLs often, and tries to either bounce around to find a gap, or get skinny on a guy's shoulder.  Didn't see him drop into coverage on film, but he seems to move around well, and would be well suited to a 3-4 base.
6. George Karloftis, Purdue: Similar to Hutchinson, he's not super quick on film, and doesn't bend much to get around the edge.  He does show a lot of play strength, but a little stiff.  Has moves, but largely relies on pushing blockers off of him with his hands.  Quick RBs and QBs in the NFL may be able to get around him, but he's a classic 4-3 DE.  Bottom of the first/top of the second.
7. Travon Walker, Georgia: Plays with violence, which I like, but I don't see much at the LOS other than charging at the guy in front of him, or at the shoulder.  Drops back into coverage comfortably and easily, and clearly is super athletic.  
8. Boye Mafe, Minnesota: I don't think I saw Mafe win a single bull rush attempt on tape, but he loves his swim move and has the speed to rush around the edge.  Where he really shines is dropping into coverage.  He's the best I've seen in the class in that respect, but that's less important than hitting home in the trenches.
9. David Ojabo, Michigan: I have not been impressed with Ojabo. He has better bend and speed than Hutchinson, and has some moves in his arsenal, but he takes a lot of plays off, and I do not see any elite traits to justify drafting him in the first, from what I've seen.  Middle second round.
10. Sam Williams, Ole Miss: Mean bull rush, but got handled all game by Neal.  Not the worst, since Neal is a top tackle, but I don't see many moves other than trying to win with pure power.  Surprisingly, not the strongest tackler.  That said, his 40 times was crazy good, so he's got traits to work with.
11. Dominique Robinson, Miami OH: Robinson was a small schooler, but he was good at the combine, not for his testing numbers (which were solid), but for the bend and fluidity he showed in the drills.
12. Kingsley Enagbare, SC: Another questionable motor guy with even less production is Enagbare.  Got rave reviews at the Senior Bowl, but on tape, he's painfully slow off the snap.  Has tools to work with though, solid bend around the edge, and some power in a bull rush. Early third rounder.
13. Tyreke Smith, OSU: He never stood out in games to me, but he had a decent combine, and a history of production.
14. Josh Paschal, Kentucky: Another solid guy in a very solid class, Paschal is best suited as a 4-3 DE.
15. Drake Jackson, USC: High motor and great vision, but I don't see any elite traits.  Looks like a rotational guy, but a solid one that coaches will probably like.  Worth taking in the fourth.

DL: A pretty weak group. Davis is on par with the top guys we usually see, but after that, the dropoff is big and fast.  Still, there are a bunch of guys at the next tier that will go on the second day, with very little difference in quality from Leal to Mathis.

1. Jordan Davis, Georgia: An easy number 1.  He was the presumptive top player before his legendary combine.
2. DeMarvin Leal, TAMU: The next few are extremely close.  Leal had better production in the SEC, and despite his slower 40 time, had a great split and shuttle time.  Perfect fit for a 3-4 DE, which is what you want from a DL in today's league.
3. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma: Winfrey loves to just charge forward into the wall of OLs.  He's not got a lot of moves, but he's a powerful pocket collapser with a good motor that tries to anticipate the snap and find a gap when he can.  He's also got insanely long arms, big hands, and is athletic.
4. Logan Hall, Houston: Big guy, great length if they want him to play a 3-4 DE.  He was a force this past season, looked great in drills, and put up quality numbers in everything he was measured on.
5. Travis Jones, UConn: I struggled between Hall and Jones, but Hall had slightly better measurables.  Jones is the classic violent 4-3 DT.  He mauled some very good OLs in the Senior Bowl, and just moves with a purpose.  Fell down on that one drill though.
6. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia: Wyatt looked the part at the combine, testing like a freak and moving smoothly through drills.  Still, I gave him a little knock for playing next to Davis.
7. Phidarin Mathis, Bama: Another great Bama DL, he's not too far off in talent from DeMarvin Leal, but the others above him just have better overall tape.  Really, it was hard sorting out everyone after Davis.
8. Matthew Butler, Tennessee: Call me a homer, but Butler was fine at the combine, and was Tennessee's best interior DL in a weak group.  He put up some solid tape against high level competition.
9. Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa St: Didn't test particularly well, but was solid in drills, and at 6'6" 316 has size and length for DE.
10. John Ridgeway, Arkansas: Didn't put up impressive numbers, but he was a good player at the Senior Bowl, and has killer size.

LB: Another class that's deep at the top without a surefire blue chipper, there is a diverse group this year, with some guys that are fast and great in coverage but lacking speed, some guys that are downhill thumpers, and some that have the pieces but haven't put it together.  Only Chenal gets a first round grade, but the next five all get second round grades.

1. Leo Chenal, Wisconsin: Read and react ability is a check, and he plays with violence, and even brings some versatility as a pass rusher.  Great size, but not sideline to sideline speed on tape, despite running well at the combine.  But that's really the only negative I can find in his game.
2. Troy Anderson, Montana St: Tape is sparse, but he has great read and react ability when you can see it, and he closes in like a missile without hesitation.  With his size and athleticism, he looks like a sure thing at the next level.
3. Nakobe Dean, Georgia: Dean, despite being small, plays big.  He has elite read and react ability, and is clearly just a little slower than Walker (who is very athletic).  Sure tackler, always eager to run up to the line of scrimmage and hit.  But he's not an elite athlete and is smaller than he should be.  Good player in the right scheme.
4. Christian Harris, Alabama: The modern rangey coverage linebacker you want.  He was maybe the smoothest mover at the combine, but his size is gonna make him get bodied by OLs that can reach him, and by bigger RBs.
5. Damone Clark, LSU: A classic 4-3 LB, Clark is just a little slower to react than he needs to be, but he has athleticism for days and the size you want in a LB.
6. Devin Lloyd, Utah: This is probably a hot take to have him this low, but Lloyd does everything you want from a modern linebacker, except he's just a little slow.  It shows on film too (watch him vs. BYU).  He's just not fast enough to cover as well as he needs to as a first rounder, but he is an elite tackler.
7. Quay Walker, Georgia: Getting to watch Walker next to Dean was useful, because you could very easily see, on a lot of plays, which did what thing better.  Walker is quicker to drop into coverage, is slower to diagnose plays, and is the faster player.  He was a smooth mover at the combine too.  Not an elite tackler.
8. Chad Muma, Wyoming: I was surprised by his high 40 time, considering how quickly he moves on tape.  But his biggest problem is he just doesn't read and react as quickly as the guys above him.  Still like him though.
9. Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma: Another thin, rangey type, Asamoah gets used as a blitzer, but he's usually blocked by whoever gets between him and the QB.
10. Brandon Smith, Penn St: Athletic, and a smooth mover, Smith needs to work on fundamentals.
 

S:

CB: A top heavy group, with a bunch of shut down corners to choose from.  I expect the top four to all go in the first round, maybe more, but there seems to be a lot of CBs after that with athleticism/speed concerns.  Again, combine will sort a lot of that out.

1. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati: I said it would take a lot to unseat Stingley, but I also said Gardner could be a quick riser.  Late to the party, but with a check at every possible physical box, Gardner's field work against smaller schools is validated.
2. Derek Stingley, LSU: While he hasn't played in a while, he managed to stand out even with guys like Kristian Fulton on his team.  Fulton has transitioned well to the pros, and Stingley was better than him on the field then.  It's concerning that he's played so little in two years, but it's not like he got worse.  Still, the injuries are a concern.
3. Kaiir Elam, Florida: Shut down almost everyone he was against this year (in the SEC no less), and has the length you want in a top CB.
4. Trent McDuffie, Washington: One year wonder, but he joins the ever growing list of impressive Washington CBs.  He allowed almost nothing this year.  Brings some value as a kick returner as well.

5. Roger McCreary, Auburn: McCreary didn't have the shut down season those ahead did, but he was still good in coverage, batting down a ton of passes.
6. Martin Emerson, Mississippi St: Emerson wasn't thrown at very much in 2021, but he was tested in 2020, where he made play after play after play.
7. Daxton Hill, Michigan: Hill was a part of a great Michigan defense, where he provided solid tackling and more than just pass coverage.  He holds up against the run too.
8. Alontae Taylor, Tennessee: I'm probably being a little of a homer putting Taylor this high, but he's a good CB.  It would have been nice to see him against David Bell in the bowl game, but they both sat out.  I may move some others in front of him once I actually have a chance to look at something other than numbers for the other guys.

Final Mock (04/23/22): All the fun stuff happens!

01. Jags: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia: I'm thinking Hutchinson is a bit more likely, but there's stuff coming out both ways, and this is more fun.
02. Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan: With Hutchinson still there, the Lions grab him.  If the Jags go Hutch, then I could see this going lots of ways.
03. Texans: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati: Gardner is one of the most talented players in the draft, and with all the smoke, I think it makes sense here.
04. Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Bama: Neal might be the best overall player in the draft, and the Jets could use a tackle.  Easy pick for them.
05. Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State: The Giants also need a tackle, so I don't think they'd even hesitate to run his name up there with the Panthers next up.
06. Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: We're going with fun stuff.  Willis is probably going somewhere earlier than I would think, but probably through a trade up.  I'm not doing trades, so he goes here.
07. Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon: Thibs is the most talented pass rusher in the draft, but there are a lot of rumors about off the field concerns.  Still, Giants are glad to take him here.
08. Falcons: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU: The Falcons are one of those teams that could go a lot of ways.  I have them taking Stingley over Hamilton or their choice of WR.  For now, at least.
09. Seahawks: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss: Again, fun stuff.  The Seahawks may not take Corral here, but they're impossible to predict anyway, so I'm giving them Corral at 9.
10. Jets: Jameson Williamson, WR, Bama: The rumors are that Williamson is WR1, even despite the injury, and I can see it.  Jets have a tackle, so now they give Wilson a weapon.
11. Commanders: Kyle Hamilton, S, ND: Another team with a lot of smoke on a particular prospect.  This is about the right range for Hamilton anyway.
12. Vikings: Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia: Frankly, I don't know what the Vikings will do in this scenario.  They may go CB, but Davis is the best defensive player on the board, so I have them taking him.
13. Texans: Charles Cross, OT Miss St: The Texans passed on Neal and Ickey earlier, so now they're thrilled to have Cross fall to them.
14. Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa: Yet another team that I could see going a lot of ways.  Linderbaum is a pretty perfect center prospect, so I think he's worth taking this high if there aren't obvious better choices.
15. Eagles: Drake London, WR, USC: The Eagles need receivers, and they could take a couple different ones.  But I like London's size and production in limited time, and think he'll go early.
16. Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt: The Saints need a QB to replace Brees.  Jameis Winston is a stopgap, and Pickett is the most pro ready QB in the class.
17. Chargers: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio St: Keep Herbert happy.  Value at the position here too.
18. Eagles: Jermaine Johnson, Edge, FSU: Johnson seems to be the consensus next up pass rusher.  The Eagles got offensive help, so now they get some help on the other side.
19. Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio St: The Saints got Pickett, so now they give him a shiny new weapon to come to town with.
20. Steelers: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida: With the QBs they like off the board, the Steelers just take the next best corner.
21. Patriots: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College: Pats stabilize their OL with the best guard in the class.
22. Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: The Packers are taking a WR, and here, they luck out in that a decent one is actually there.
23. Cardinals: George Karloftis, Edge, Purdue: Karloftis to the Cards is getting to be popular.  I'm a follower, I guess.
24. Cowboys: Trevor Penning, OT, NIU: A right tackle for the Cowboys.  Penning was overhyped a ways back, but now he's overly hated.  Still a very good prospect, with prototype size and athleticism.
25. Bills: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston: The Bills are another team that I could see going a lot of directions.  I think there's value at corner here, and they're gonna want to add a lot to that defense that couldn't slow the Chiefs down for 14 seconds.
26. Titans: Kenyon Green, OL, TAMU: This isn't a great scenario for the Titans; they either reach for WR6 or settle for a lesser tackle, or a guard.  They take Green, who is the best fit left.
27. Bucs: Logan Hall, DL, Houston: Hall is getting enough interest by teams that are picking in the late first to think he may go in the first.  The talent at DL is very close from like the second spot to the sixth, so I could see Hall being slightly preferred over Wyatt, DeLeal, or Jones.
28. Packers: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia: With WR out of the way, the Packers address safety with the next best one in the class.
29. Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington: The Chiefs take some additional help at corner to shore up that defense and make Mahomes have to do a little less.
30. Chiefs: Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia: They pair it with a DL that has great athleticism.  Between these two, the defense will be much improved.
31. Bengals: Arnold Ebikeite, Edge, Penn St: The Bengals could use a pass rusher, and I have Ebikeite as better than any left.  As for what teams think, that seems all over the place, so I go with my list.
32. Lions: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati: I'll be surprised if the Lions don't spend some early pick at QB.  Here, Ridder is the best one left, so it's who they end up with.

Edited April 25, 2022 by Daniel

[jebrick]

 

3 hours ago, Daniel said:

Calvin Austin, Memphis: Short speedy receiver that wasn't on my radar before the Senior Bowl, but a great week of practices puts him on everyone's.  He's extremely short, which limits him in the NFL, but his speed gives him a role.

Calvin Austin III is taller than Antonio Brown and Diontae Johnson.  I expect he will test great in the 3-cone drill( like the two mentioned WRs) and be a great NFL WR .

[INbengalfan]

13 minutes ago, jebrick said:

 

Calvin Austin III is taller than Antonio Brown and Diontae Johnson.  I expect he will test great in the 3-cone drill( like the two mentioned WRs) and be a great NFL WR .

And destined to be a Bengal if he makes it to the late third/fourth.  We got LSU Tigers, Clemson Tigers, a Pitt Panther, so Memphis is the next logical place to look when Mizzou lacks a slot prospect.

[Scoundrel]

17 minutes ago, jebrick said:

 

Calvin Austin III is taller than Antonio Brown and Diontae Johnson.  I expect he will test great in the 3-cone drill( like the two mentioned WRs) and be a great NFL WR .

Austin measured below 5’ 7.5”. Antonio Brown was 5’10 and Diontae 5’10.5

[jebrick]

48 minutes ago, Scoundrel said:

Austin measured below 5’ 7.5”. Antonio Brown was 5’10 and Diontae 5’10.5

I must have been looking at an early college measurement where he was listed at 6'0 .  He is still going to be a very good NFL receiver.

[Scoundrel]

1 minute ago, jebrick said:

I must have been looking at an early college measurement where he was listed at 6'0 .  He is still going to be a very good NFL receiver.

Never has been listed taller than 5’9. Which even if you saw that would still be shorter than the two receivers you mentioned. 

[Daniel]

51 minutes ago, jebrick said:

I must have been looking at an early college measurement where he was listed at 6'0 .  He is still going to be a very good NFL receiver.

I like him from the limited tape I’ve seen, and assuming he’s fast. It’s a good year to need a receiving threat.

[THE DUKE]

Wouldn't take a single one of these QB's in rd 1, but I do agree that if i'm taking a chance on one of these QB's, it's Willis.  Carson Strong will make some pretty throws, but unless his pocket presence and avoidance of the rush in the pocket is elite, he's going to take a beating.  I guy I might take a late flier on in round 6 or 7 to develop as a long term backup would be Coan.

Garrett Wilson will be the OROY if he goes to even a halfway competent QB situation.

[Daniel]

3 hours ago, THE DUKE said:

Wouldn't take a single one of these QB's in rd 1, but I do agree that if i'm taking a chance on one of these QB's, it's Willis.  Carson Strong will make some pretty throws, but unless his pocket presence and avoidance of the rush in the pocket is elite, he's going to take a beating.  I guy I might take a late flier on in round 6 or 7 to develop as a long term backup would be Coan.

Garrett Wilson will be the OROY if he goes to even a halfway competent QB situation.

I was harder on Pickett before I watched the Senior Bowl.  I think he'd be worth a late first, but obviously he'll go much higher than that in such a weak class.  If I'm a HC, and have a guy on my team that I trust to develop a QB, I probably target Ridder.  He's got accuracy problems and needs to learn to read the field, but the latter is something you expect to need work on transitioning to the NFL anyway, and for the rest, he's less of a project.  Got almost as big an arm, has the height you like, and runs well.

And most importantly, he's probably a QB you can get much later, so he's got a potentially higher return on investment.  I think he's a solid second rounder.  But Willis has by far the highest ceiling.

Strong and Corral are the ones I want to see most at the Combine.  If Strong performs well in physical tests, then I think his value goes way up.  If Corral measures in well, he potentially goes up IMO.  I had Strong as a late second, Corral as a third, and Howell as a third/fourth.

[THE DUKE]

Willis: Early to Mid 2
Ridder: Late 2 to Mid 3
Pickett: Early 3
Strong: Mid 3
Corral: Late 3 to Early 4
Howell: 4-5
Zappe: 5-6
Coan: 6-7-UDFA

That's how I see it.  I wouldn't be too hard on someone if they gambled a mid first on Willis, but top 10 seems rich to me.  He's going to need to sit at least 1 year unless you are counting on him to be a 1 read QB who bails if it's not open.
 

[MSURacerDT55]

21 hours ago, Daniel said:

5. Chris Olave, Ohio St: The other super talented OSU receiver, Olave is a little bit taller than Wilson, but not as polished a route runner as Wilson is.

This is false 

[Daniel]

15 minutes ago, MSURacerDT55 said:

This is false 

My assessments are infallible, so I don't know what to tell you.

Kidding, of course.  You think Olave is a better route runner than Wilson?

[Scoundrel]

17 minutes ago, Daniel said:

My assessments are infallible, so I don't know what to tell you.

Kidding, of course.  You think Olave is a better route runner than Wilson?

Finish your rankings

[MSURacerDT55]

6 minutes ago, Daniel said:

My assessments are infallible, so I don't know what to tell you.

Kidding, of course.  You think Olave is a better route runner than Wilson?

Well I am a Buckeye lifer and I think Wilson understood the nuance of route running from Olave (And of course his position Coach Hartline). The feeling around Buckeye land before last season was Olave was a super route runner and steady while Wilson was more dynamic and a big play waiting to happen. Well Wilson's route running caught up with Olave and he became an elite prospect on the way.

On the surface, Olave in the right situation can easily be a Marvin Harrison type of guy who will silently kill you for 10 years. He is so under appreciated, its crazy 

[Scoundrel]

Just now, MSURacerDT55 said:

Well I am a Buckeye lifer and I think Wilson understood the nuance of route running from Olave (And of course his position Coach Hartline). The feeling around Buckeye land before last season was Olave was a super route runner and steady while Wilson was more dynamic and a big play waiting to happen. Well Wilson's route running caught up with Olave and he became an elite prospect on the way.

On the surface, Olave in the right situation can easily be a Marvin Harrison type of guy who will silently kill you for 10 years. He is so under appreciated, its crazy 

You have some interesting takes on YouTube AA