Wow, mock drafts are all over the board. Generally most years, there is some consensus regarding who is in the top tiers of talent in a 1st round. But even the #1 pick isn’t a consensual
So am I missing something on Travon Walker, I dove into his film and I did not come away impressed. Cool, he’s a freak athlete, but his measurable did not come out on tape. I would not take him at 3…or at 13. I get a strong scent of bust from him.
Just draft the best players at those spots , for me it comes down to #3 Neal, Sauce #13 Jordan Davis, Jameson Williams
Not the biggest KT fan but I wouldn’t be mad at this at all. Shore up the trenches and add the best RB in the class.
If our secondary can lock down, that gives our DL time to pressure.....which we never have had in our franchise's history.
Elite QB, CB, LT, and DE are taken at the top of the drafts. It’s almost a rule of thumb. For all other positions, you can find value throughout the draft and later rounds. But there is no denying the talent of elite QB, CB, LT, and DE. Sure some WR, RB, safeties, non tackle OL, D-linemen, and linebacker might sneak into the top of an NFL draft class, but certain talent cannot be confused with average NFL talent. Less not be forgotten that even below average NFL talent is still a world class athlete.
Deshaun Watson approves of this message! (just hackin' on ya consensus > consensual is the way to go on this one!), We're reaching the paralysis by analysis phase of the draft. Hopefully Caserio doesnt overthink it. Hutch is the clear #1 for a team who doesnt need/want an OT. Texans should follow suit and draft the best edge at 3 and then get their CB at 13. I think you can find some IOL in the later rounds to shore up the offensive line (round 4-5) and hopefully they find a RB (round 3) to help Mills out. I would like the team to take a shot on a WR early (round 2) if the opportunity is there. I want Mills to have every opportunity to solidify his position without background noise to avoid confusion next draft.
https://theathletic.com/3257464/2022/04/20/nfl-draft-player-rankings/ Top 300 NFL Draft prospect rankings by Dane Brugler Spoiler 1. Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan (6-6, 260) Hutchinson wins in multiple ways, with the power in his upper half to overwhelm blockers but also the agile feet and hand technique to quickly disengage. He is wired the right way with the competitive play personality that raises the level of his teammates (Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh: “He is one of my absolute favorite guys that I’ve coached, and for all the right reasons.”). Overall, Hutchinson doesn’t have the same bend or arc skills as the Bosa brothers, but he wins with similar quickness, power and skilled hand play to be productive as both a pass rusher and run defender. He projects as a disruptive, scheme-proof NFL starter. 2. Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State (6-4, 310) A mauling blocker in gap or zone, Ekwonu generates extraordinary explosion at contact and uses controlled violence to displace or drive defenders, creating more pancakes than IHOP. Although he is guilty of overaggression and oversetting, he showed tremendous improvement as a junior with his balance and handwork in pass protection, proving he can stay outside at tackle. Overall, Ekwonu isn’t a refined blocker and must improve his landmarks, but he is nimble, powerful and should continue to get better and better as his technique and awareness mature at tackle. He has the traits to become an elite run blocker in the NFL and should be a rookie starter at tackle or guard. 3. Evan Neal, OT/G, Alabama (6-8, 337) A smooth athlete for a massive blocker, Neal bends well in pass protection and continues to rework his feet into position, using controlled hand exchange to keep rushers contained. In the run game, he has strong hands and does well at initial contact as a drive blocker, but his balance and sustain skills start to fade as the play progresses. Overall, Neal lacks elite lateral agility and needs to clean up his leaning, but he is an effective blocker thanks to his rare mix of size, athleticism and flexibility. He projects as an immediate NFL starter with Pro Bowl potential and multi-position versatility. 4. Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia (6-5, 272) Walker has rare movement skills for a 275-pounder, including an explosive first step to shoot through gaps, cross the face of blockers or chase down plays. He wasn’t asked to be a consistent outside rusher in the Bulldogs’ scheme, but that helped him develop into a strong run defender, disengaging and leveraging blocks. Overall, Walker is still developing his sequencing plan as a pass rusher, but he has freaky athletic traits for his size and offers the natural power and length to consistently win his matchups. He projects as a scheme-diverse front-seven player with the potential to be one of the best NFL defenders from this draft class. 5. Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (6-3, 190) Gardner is a long-bodied, athletic cover man who does a great job staying on top of routes to force quarterbacks to look elsewhere (saw only 11.0% of the defensive targets in 2021). He shows better poise at the line of scrimmage than downfield, but he plays fearlessly and has the disruptive skills to make plays on the ball when challenged (zero touchdown passes allowed in 1,103 career coverage snaps in college). Overall, Gardner needs to continue developing his play strength, but he is a sticky bump-and-run corner with the athletic instincts to stay in phase and smother receivers. Cincinnati hasn’t produced an NFL first-round pick since 1971, but that will soon change with Gardner. 6. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (6-4, 220) Hamilton is a long, super-sized safety who has the explosive range, smarts and toughness to be deployed anywhere on the football field. He anticipates well vs. both the pass and the run and shows the ball skills and tackling balance to be a consistent finisher. Overall, Hamilton frustrates quarterbacks with all the ways he impacts the game and will need an NFL defensive scheme that understands how to maximize his versatile talent. A mash-up of Isaiah Simmons and Justin Simmons, he has the potential to be a diverse matchup weapon in the NFL thanks to his rare combination of physical traits and natural football instincts. 7. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (6-5, 307) Cross has above-average foot quickness, body control and functional length to attack, reset and get the job done versus edge rushers. His run blocking is a work in progress (78.9% of his college snaps were pass-blocking plays), but he flashes the hand strength and angles to out-leverage defenders. Overall, Cross lacks ideal bulk and power, especially in the run game, but he processes things quickly and shows outstanding hand exchange and movement patterns in pass protection. He projects as an NFL starter with Pro Bowl-level talent thanks to his pass blocking. 8. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon (6-4, 254) Although he needs to continue filling out his frame, Thibodeaux is physical vs. the run and rushes with upfield urgency and cornering skills to skirt blockers. His go-to move is a powerful jab step that helps open up his options, but he is still learning how to efficiently patch together his rush moves. Overall, Thibodeaux isn’t a fluid mover, and his impact runs hot and cold, but he understands how to create leverage as a pass rusher with his length, flexibility and hand strength. He draws comparisons to Jadeveon Clowney with NFL teams and has the talent to develop into a high-end starter if he stays committed. 9. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah (6-3, 237) Lloyd plays with speed and suddenness in his movements to weave through traffic in pursuit or change directions and make plays in coverage. He has room to improve his play strength and posture as a take-on player, but he does a great job scraping and sifting with his slippery athleticism and length to make plays at the line of scrimmage. Overall, Lloyd doesn’t have to come off the field with his impressive blend of instincts, chase speed and explosiveness to blitz, play the run and cover. He projects as a scheme-proof NFL starter and a better version of Los Angeles Chargers’ Kenneth Murray. 10. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 183) A Division I basketball recruit out of high school, Wilson credits basketball (his favorite sport) for developing the route athleticism and fluidity in and out of his breaks that makes him a true three-level threat on the football field. With his long arms and uncanny adjustment skills, he catches the ball well outside his frame and is comfortable operating with bodies around him. Overall, Wilson needs continued route refinement, but he makes the playbook come alive with his ability to get open before and after the catch thanks to his athleticism and instincts. With his slender frame, elite body control and catch-point skills, he reminds me of CeeDee Lamb. 11. Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State (6-5, 254) Johnson is a long, athletic edge defender with the quick feet and natural instincts to win as a pass rusher and make stops vs. the run. Although he can be too segmented and upright in his rush attack, his motor runs hot, and his swipe/rip/stab moves are angry. Overall, Johnson has average get-off, but his length, agility and active hands lead to disruption as both a pass rusher and run defender. He projects as an every-down NFL starter. 12. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington (5-11, 193) McDuffie is fluid in both man and zone coverages and rarely appears stressed athletically because of his feel for timing and spacing. Though he is a top athlete, his mental skills might be even more impressive with eyes that are dialed in and the processing to sort through everything and communicate like an extra coach on the field. Overall, McDuffie might not hit ideal size thresholds for some, but he is an easy sell in draft rooms because he has outstanding athleticism, intelligence and is well-schooled in various techniques. He has a high ceiling and a high floor and should start as an NFL rookie. 13. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (6-2, 179) Williams was born into a track family and shows elite speed in his routes and with the ball in his hands (responsible for 10 of Alabama’s 11 longest plays in 2021). He might not be a natural hands-catcher, but he has outstanding tracking skills and can flip his hips with balance to make easy adjustments on the football. Overall, Williams is rehabbing a torn ACL, but if healthy, he has the field-stretching speed and ball instincts to be a big-play weapon. He projects as an NFL starter with a chance to be special in a downfield passing offense.
Spoiler 14. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (6-0, 190) Stingley, who played primarily outside with some slot snaps worked in, is patient in press with the effortless hip fluidity to turn and run vertically or mirror underneath. Although NFL scouts have questioned his toughness in press coverage and as a tackler, he has outstanding on-ball production thanks to his timing and awareness in coverage (allowed only 41.1% completions during his three seasons at LSU). Overall, Stingley needs to stay on the field (missed more games the past two years than he played because of injuries), but he is a top-tier athlete with the man-coverage skills and ball instincts to stay attached on an island. He projects as a Pro Bowl-level NFL starter if he stays healthy. 15. Drake London, WR, USC (6-4, 219) The ultimate respect for a wide receiver is when everyone knows the ball is going to him, yet the defense can’t stop it. That sums up London’s junior season (15 targets per game), which was his first as a football-only athlete in his life. Formerly a two-sport athlete, his basketball background is evident with his elite high-pointing skills to play through contact and thrive above the rim. Overall, London needs continued development with his route running, but he provides big-play ability with his outstanding size, athleticism and ball skills, including extraordinary instincts when the ball is in the air. 16. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (6-7, 325) Penning is an athletic mover (fastest 10-yard and 20-yard splits among linemen at the combine) with the long arms and nasty attitude that consistently bail him out of trouble. His pass-set angles are inconsistent, and he must do a better job with his lower-body bend and handwork to win the leverage game. Overall, Penning’s fundamentals and on-field discipline need to be coached up, but he has an impressive blend of size, length, fluidity and power along with the physical presence to dominate the man in front of him. With his traits, he can be a rookie NFL starter as he works out the kinks. 17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 187) Olave is a smooth route runner with the downfield speed and tracking instincts to consistently win as a deep threat. He knows how to create spacing in his routes and won’t waste steps out of his breaks, but he isn’t a tackle-breaker and doesn’t show the same elusiveness after the catch. Overall, Olave has an average body type and marginal play strength, but he is a polished pass catcher with dependable ball skills and a unique feel for pacing coverage. He projects as a starting Z receiver and a productive WR2 on the depth chart in the NFL. 18. George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue (6-4, 266) Karlaftis’ hands are not only physical and violent, but they’re well-timed and strategic to get the offense off schedule. For a player with his play speed, strength and physicality, he misses too many tackles and needs to become a more controlled finisher. Overall, Karlaftis doesn’t have elite length or athletic twitch, but he has NFL power, effort and hand work to break down the rhythm of blockers and be disruptive. He is a starting NFL defensive end in a traditional four-man front. 19. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (6-2, 296) A six-sport athlete in high school, Linderbaum is very quick in his snap and step and shows athletic range, body control and refinement as an on-the-move or reach blocker. Although he doesn’t have an ideal body type, his wrestling background is clear with his handwork, leverage and killer instinct to win early or reset mid-rep. Overall, Linderbaum is a center-only prospect and will struggle at times in pass protection because of his lack of length (sub-32 inch arms), but he is an elite-level run blocker thanks to his athleticism and grip strength to latch and drive. He projects as a longtime NFL starter in a zone-based scheme. 20. Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan (6-0, 191) Hill plays with the athletic twitch and transitional quickness to interchangeably play slot-man, deep safety or in the box and can just as easily lay licks in the run game as he can cover the slot fade. He displays the competitive temperament and awareness to smother in zone or man, although he can do a better job exploding through his target as a tackler or blitzer. Overall, Hill might not have elite size or length, but his versatile package of skills (athletic range, toughness, football IQ) make him the ideal nickel defender in today’s NFL. He should be a rookie starter as either a split safety or slot defender. 21. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (6-2, 225) With his vision and acceleration, Burks has the skills to turn quick-hitters into big plays, breaking tackles with his balance, body strength and competitive toughness (led the SEC with 22 plays of 20-plus yards in 2021). He can also track the football downfield with his large catch radius, although his separation skills can be mitigated by his undeveloped rhythm as a route runner. Overall, Burks is underdeveloped as an outside route runner, but he is a dynamic weapon with the ball in his hands and boasts the unique blend of size, athleticism and ball skills to grow into an NFL team’s No. 1 receiver. He compares to a linebacker-sized Deebo Samuel in a similar scheme. 22. Zion Johnson, OG/C, Boston College (6-3, 312) Johnson has a stout, developed body type with the patience and placement to plant and re-leverage himself to stay centered as a pass blocker. In the run game, he shows off his body control and drive strength to execute from various angles. Overall, Johnson will occasionally lose his balance, but his combination of play strength, muscle twitch and reaction skills help him sustain as both a pass and run blocker. He has the talent to carve out a decade-long career as an interior NFL blocker. 23. Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia (6-3, 304) With his athletic traits, Wyatt can win in different ways off the ball, displaying initial quickness, lateral range and chase down speed. In the run game, he understands how to leverage gaps and find the ball carrier, although he would benefit from becoming a better finisher. Overall, Wyatt needs to play with better control and play recognition, but he fires off the ball and competes with the speed and effort to make an impact on all three downs. Wyatt has NFL starting skills and is the best three-technique tackle in this draft class. 24. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia (6-6, 341) Despite high pad level, Davis is a hard-to-move space-eater with the point of attack strength to reestablish the line of scrimmage and overwhelm ball carriers as a tackler. He is a talented athlete for a player his size, and his motor expands his tackling range, but he was also helped by fewer defensive snaps in 2021 (25.2 per game) compared to 2020 (32.9). Overall, Davis offers limited pass rush value, but he has the size, functional power and block recognition to be a dominant run defender. He projects as a starting NFL nose tackle in multiple fronts. 25. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (5-11, 178) A polished pass catcher, Dotson puts defenders in conflict with his twitchy speed to defeat press and manipulate coverages at the stem. Although he is undersized, he has above-average hands and natural body control with maybe the largest catch radius of any sub-5-foot-11 receiver I have ever scouted. Overall, Dotson isn’t a tackle-breaker, and his marginal play strength will be more noticeable vs. NFL defenders, but his dynamic speed, route instincts and ball skills make him a difficult player to cover one-on-one. He is an NFL starter in the Diontae Johnson mold with better hands and punt-return skills. 26. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (6-0, 194) Booth stays in phase because of his lower-body quickness and hip-flip skills to mirror routes, staying coordinated in his transitions and in position to make plays on the ball. There is nothing finesse about his play style, and he takes his contain responsibilities seriously in the run game, but his downhill aggressiveness makes his tackling an adventure. Overall, Booth’s tape has some volatility, and he must mature his feel for spacing, but he has fluid athleticism, finds the football and disrupts the catch point, three important ingredients to playing the position at a high level. He has NFL starting traits (if he stays healthy) and projects best in a man-heavy scheme.
Spoiler 27. Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M (6-4, 323) A wide-based blocker, Green flashes explosive traits and physical hands to create movement in the run game or anchor in pass protection. Although he can catch himself thanks to his center of gravity, he will make things more difficult for himself with lunging tendencies. Overall, Green must fix the bad habits and penalties at the next level, but he does a great job staying balanced before and after contact with the mobility and brawling mentality to win his matchups. He should establish himself as a dependable starting guard early in his NFL career. 28. Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State (6-2, 250) Ebiketie explodes off the edge and stresses blockers with his arc acceleration, active hands and relentless play personality (registered at least one tackle for loss in 11 of 12 games in 2021). Though he uses his length well as a pass rusher, he struggles to consistently anchor, lock out and free himself to contain the run. Overall, Ebiketie needs to improve his refinement as a rusher and reliability vs. the run, but he is a long, twitched-up athlete with the motor and mentality to develop into a starting NFL pass rusher. 29. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia (5-11, 229) An athletic pursuit player, Dean has perimeter speed to chase down plays, and his instincts also show in coverage and as a blitzer. Although his frame looks maxed out physically, he is a strong open-field tackler, and his intelligence and intangibles will win over a coaching staff. Overall, Dean’s size is working against him, but he has the key/read/flow skills and play range vs. both the run and the pass to impact the game in different ways. He projects as an NFL starter in the Jonathan Vilma mold. 30. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (6-3, 217) Pickett shows outstanding instincts as a passer with his ability to throw receivers open and make quick-reaction decisions. Though his confidence is more of a strength than a weakness, he will get greedy at times forcing throws into tight coverage and writing checks his arm can’t cash. Overall, Pickett has some skittish tendencies, and the hand size (throws with a glove) will be a factor for some teams, but his football IQ, functional mobility and accuracy from various platforms are an impressive package. He projects as an immediate starter who can be an upgrade for several NFL teams. 31. Quay Walker, LB, Georgia (6-4, 241) With his lateral twitch and movement skills, Walker has outstanding mirroring skills vs. the run and uses his long arms to punch himself off blocks or lasso ball carriers out of his reach. Although he doesn’t have the statistical résumé of a playmaker, he has a high batting average as a tackler, and his traits and trajectory suggest his best football is ahead of him. Overall, Walker is still developing his instincts, especially in coverage, but he aces the eye test with his exceptional combination of size, length and athleticism to dominate vs. the run. He has the potential to be a four-down impact linebacker in the NFL. 32. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (6-1, 219) Although his timing and accuracy go through lulls, Willis has a fluid release, outstanding velocity and a great feel for touch and placement on vertical-based patterns. With his escapability and body strength, the backfield was his playground, but he struggles to recognize pressures and takes too many sacks (he was equally responsible for finishing No. 1 in the FBS with 51 sacks in 2021). Overall, Willis needs time to mature his anticipation, vision and placement, but he has the potential to be a dynamic NFL playmaker because of his natural athleticism, arm talent and intangibles. He will likely need a redshirt year before seriously competing for an NFL starting role. 33. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia (6-2, 199) With his range, explosiveness and appetite for contact, Cine is a do-everything safety and led a talent-rich Georgia defense in both tackles and passes defended in 2021. Although he has room to tidy up his tackling technique, he is at his best as a physical run defender, running the alley like a freight train and tuning up his target. Overall, Cine lacks ideal size by NFL standards and has marginal ball skills, but he is an enforcer vs. the run with the athleticism in coverage to make plays. He is an ascending talent with NFL starting skills, similar to Xavier McKinney as a prospect. 34. Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut (6-4, 325) A big-bodied athlete with strong legs and arms, Jones is quick off the ball and powerful through his hips to be disruptive vs. both the pass and the run. He uses quickness and forceful hand moves to get his nose in the gap, but he needs to harness his momentum and consistently use his secondary moves to shoot through. Overall, Jones’ pass rush technique is still a work in progress, but he creates problems for interior blockers with his athletic movements and explosive upper body to stack, shed and toss. He projects as an early NFL starter with two-gap potential. 35. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State (5-9, 211) With his vision and contact balance, Walker generates impressive burst off his plant foot to dart away from trouble and break tackles (led the FBS with 89 forced missed tackles in 2021). Once he clears the first wave, he can hit an extra gear to reach the corner or fend off chasing defenders. Overall, Walker must improve as a pass catcher and pass protector, but his instinctive ability to press the line, set up his cuts and create yardage will translate to the pro game, similar to former Pro Bowler Garrison Hearst. He projects as an immediate NFL starter. 36. Bernhard Raimann, OT/G, Central Michigan (6-6, 303) An efficient pass protector, Raimann plays with the athletic reflexes and natural center of gravity to mirror/counter rush moves with his stubborn hands. He needs to get stronger through his roots/legs and he would benefit from more explosive hands, especially in the run game, but he has a crafty understanding of his body posture and hand placement to establish his base and absorb power. Overall, Raimann is still developing his strength and technique, but he is a fluid, balanced athlete with the reactionary skills and awareness to match up against NFL speed. He is older than ideal for a rookie, but he should compete for starting reps in year one. 37. Logan Hall, DL, Houston (6-6, 283) Although he played primarily inside in college, Hall has the long levers and foot quickness to be an impactful pass rusher when given a runway off the edge. He has the body flexibility to bend, dip and attack from different angles but must continue to develop his anchor and shed strength, especially when his pad level rises. Overall, Hall has some tweener traits and lacks consistency, but with additional coaching, he can be a matchup weapon thanks to his athletic versatility, body length and disruptive nature. He projects as an NFL starting edge rusher who can slide inside in subpackages. 38. Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor (5-11, 198) Pitre has the cover skills to challenge pass catchers man-to-man and the downhill instincts to make stops at or behind the line of scrimmage (31 tackles for loss in 23 games the past two seasons). He has a natural feel for proximity and angles but needs to clean up his break down skills on the move. Overall, Pitre has only average speed but projects best as a “big nickel” in a role that takes advantage of his athletic versatility, spatial awareness and competitive urgency. He will be an immediate special teamer and has NFL starting potential. 39. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (5-10, 195) A physically and mentally tough competitor, Moore creates route leverage with his foot quickness and is extremely reliable at the catch point thanks to his large, sticky hands and quick-reaction ball skills. Although he isn’t an explosive YAC threat, he flashes natural instincts with the ball in his hands and makes it a chore for defenders to get him on the ground. Overall, Moore might have trouble creating sizable passing windows vs. NFL coverage, but he has outstanding hands and reflexes with the detail-oriented mindset to grow into a three-level threat. He projects best as an NFL slot receiver.
Spoiler 40. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (6-3, 211) A mobile athlete, Ridder moves well in the pocket and possesses the arm and poise to drive the ball to every level of the field. He has experience making whole-field reads and working his progressions, but his ability to quicken his eyes and trigger vs. NFL speed will be the key to whether or not he finds sustained success at the next level. Overall, Ridder needs to become more consistent with his release, timing and accuracy, but his loose athleticism, self-confidence and experience are strong selling points. He has the physical tools and mindset to compete for starting reps early in his NFL career. 41. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State (5-11, 217) Hall, who is Iowa State’s all-time leading scorer, has a strong understanding of his strengths as a player and is a disciplined athlete by nature. He posted outstanding testing numbers, but there are times on tape you wish he showed more of an escape gear. Overall, Hall has room to improve as a blocker and pass catcher, and he doesn’t consistently play up to his testing numbers, but he runs with outstanding patience, vision and athletic footwork to be a starting-caliber back in the NFL. He projects best in a zone-based scheme (inside or outside). 42. Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State (6-2, 206) Brisker covers a lot of ground and is most comfortable when he can walk down and attack the line of scrimmage with his physical play demeanor. Though he competes with non-stop urgency vs. the run, he isn’t a consistent wrap-up tackler, which leads to misses. Overall, Brisker lacks ideal explosiveness and size on paper, but his innate toughness and timing fuel his playmaking skills. He projects as a starting strong safety in the NFL. 43. David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan (6-4, 250) An athletic rusher with a long, nimble frame, Ojabo has the balanced feet and hip flexibility developed from years of basketball and soccer training to work tight spaces and grease the edge as a pass rusher. His defensive role shouldn’t be restricted to only rushing the passer, but he needs to improve his functional strength and body positioning to make plays in the run game. Overall, Ojabo is admittedly “still learning” various aspects of football, but he is naturally explosive with the upfield burst and stride length to overwhelm tackles with arc speed. He will be a subpackage rusher when he returns from his Achilles injury and offers down-the-road Pro Bowl upside as a hybrid linebacker. 44. Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming (6-3, 239) Muma’s college film is catnip for NFL teams: He can run, fills up the stat sheet and boasts top intangibles — at worst he will have an important role on special teams at the next level. He doesn’t have any major deficiencies as a prospect, but his average lateral range and take-on skills will be tougher to mask vs. NFL competition. Overall, Muma is a high-energy tackling machine with excellent play speed, compete skills and the awareness to always be around the football. 45. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (6-1, 191) Elam checks boxes for size, strength, physicality and athleticism, mixing it up with receivers and crowding the catch point downfield. He will surrender spacing on stop and comeback routes, which can be masked by coaching and scheme, but slight stiffness in his mirror and transitions will always be there. Overall, Elam needs to tidy up his timing and processing issues, but he is a good-sized athlete with natural cover talent and NFL-ready intangibles. With his physicality for press-man, he compares favorably to Tampa Bay’s Carlton Davis when he was coming out of Auburn. 46. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama (6-1, 226) Harris is a do-everything breed of linebacker with the multidimensional skill set to drop in coverage, get downhill vs. the run or make plays in the backfield as a blitzer. He has a good feel for play direction but needs to pull the trigger a half-second quicker and better leverage his gaps as a take-on player. Overall, Harris must become more consistent diagnosing the action, but he is a versatile athlete with the play speed and intangibles to grow into a dependable NFL starter. Although still developing in several areas, he has the ceiling of a scheme-diverse, three-down player. 47. George Pickens, WR, Georgia (6-3, 195) Pickens is a balanced athlete with fluidity at the stem and the wheels to win vertically, skillfully tracking the deep ball. Though his competitiveness is a plus, he lacks discipline in several areas of the position and lost a year of on-field development because of his injury. Overall, Pickens has a discount sticker on him after missing most of the 2021 season, but he is a graceful athlete with outstanding ball-tracking and 50-50 finishing skills. He has WR1 traits and potential if he returns to pre-injury form and continues to refine his routes. 48. Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota (6-4, 261) Mafe bursts out of his stance with the muscle twitch, arc acceleration and active hands to capture the corner. Despite his unique athletic gifts, his on-field instincts and impact don’t consistently mirror his traits, especially in the run game (averaged only 2.6 tackles per game in 2021). Overall, Mafe isn’t yet the sum of his parts and requires further schooling as a run defender, but he can get after the passer with natural explosion in his lower body, hips and hands. He projects as a subpackage NFL rusher with starting potential as he continues to be coached up. 49. Cam Jurgens, OG/C, Nebraska (6-3, 303) Jurgens has above-average movements skills with explosiveness in his upper half and rare range to reach and cut off pursuit angles. Though he shows core strength when engaged, his overaggressive and undisciplined tendencies lead to negative reps. Overall, Jurgens lacks the brute power to easily control defenders, but he is a twitched-up athlete with play quickness and competitive toughness that will translate to the NFL. He is the round two version of Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum and will grow into a starter for a zone-based offense. 50. Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa (6-5, 324) With his size, movement skills and physical brand of football, Smith is the type of young talent ideal for drafting and developing at the right price. However, he relies too much on his aggression, and his chaotic timing and technique lead to balance issues. Overall, Smith is incredibly raw, but he has the play strength and physical traits to get significantly better with technical and mental development. There is a sizable gap between where he is now and his ceiling as a potential NFL starter, and he will require a patient coaching staff ready for a project. 51. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (6-0, 194) Gordon has freakish athletic abilities with the impressive acceleration to plant and drive or close the gap after a lost step. Although he played more decisively with his read-react in 2021, he is still figuring out how to dissect his keys and prepare for different types of route runners. Overall, Gordon needs to continue maturing his technique and cover awareness, but his fluidity and toughness are ideal for the next level. As he continues to develop the mental side of the position, he has the skills to become a full-time NFL starter. 52. Darian Kinnard, OT/G, Kentucky (6-5, 322) Kinnard looks to impose his will early and manhandle everything in his path to create movement at the point of attack. He has the quickness to square half-man rushers, but he relies more on his upper body than lower body to get the job done, which leads to balance issues. Overall, Kinnard’s NFL ceiling will hinge on his ability to refine his sloppy tendencies, but he has the physical tools and bully mentality to be a dominant, scheme-diverse run blocker. Teams are split between guard and right tackle as his best NFL position.
Spoiler 53. Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma (6-4, 290) Winfrey has an imposing frame and length that no blocker wants to deal with, playing with the shock in his hands to jar blockers or toss bodies from his path. His tendency to play tall and inability to break down and be flexible leads to missed plays in the backfield. Overall, Winfrey needs to improve his pad level and play discipline, but his size, energy and the power in his hands help him to terrorize blockers. He has NFL starting-level traits. 54. Jamaree Salyer, OT/G, Georgia (6-3, 321) Salyer is very efficient in his setup and plays with outstanding body control, balance and core strength to stay centered through contact. Although he tends to get narrow with his steps and has some bad habits, he understands depth, angles and how to effectively respond with his hands. Overall, Salyer had 22 of his 23 career starts in college at offensive tackle, but his stout frame, quick reactions and overall skill set are ideally suited on the interior. He projects as a plug-and-play NFL guard while offering position versatility in a pinch. 55. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn (5-11, 190) McCreary plays sticky in coverage because of his fluidity to shadow and his awareness to recognize route concepts. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and looks to mix things up, but his physical nature will backfire in coverage and lead to wild habits as a run defender. Overall, McCreary lacks ideal length, but he is a quick-reaction athlete with the ball skills and competitive mentality to face off against NFL receivers. He offers inside/outside versatility and should compete for a starting role as an NFL rookie. 56. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (6-2, 212) Although undersized, Corral plays with natural twitch to process quickly, move his feet and comfortably throw with zip from different platforms. He doesn’t show enough anticipation as a passer, and his post-snap decision-making from the pocket will need to improve. Overall, Corral is still unproven in several integral aspects of playing the position, but he is an instinctive athlete with the live arm and competitive toughness to create plays. With continued development and less hero-ball, he has a chance to be an eventual playmaker in the right scheme. 57. Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska (5-11, 196) Along with his plus size and length, Taylor-Britt has the springy athleticism and body control to disrupt passes and the toughness to be a force in run support, which will translate to cornerback or safety. He played a lot of bail and side-saddle technique in college, and his patchy transition skills often left him out of position in coverage and contributed to missed tackles. Overall, Taylor-Britt must improve his route recognition at all levels, but his physical traits (size, length, athleticism), competitive nature, and ball skills give him NFL starting potential in press-man or zone-heavy schemes. 58. Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin (6-3, 250) Chenal has outstanding eyes, aggressive flow and feel for run-blocking development, which allows him to play ahead of climbing blocks and pile up tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage. Though he has the range to hold up in coverage, his questionable fluidity and ball skills are a cause for concern. Overall, Chenal has room to grow as both a cover man and blitzer, but he has exceptional run instincts with above average key-and-diagnose skills and contact balance downhill. He compares favorably to Jordyn Brooks as a prospect. 59. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama (6-1, 194) Aside from the occasional focus drop, Tolbert shows impressive catch-point timing and adjustment skills. Although he doesn’t have elite top-end speed, he has fluid footwork and uses slight hesitation in his route breaks so he can mash the gas and create pockets of separation. Overall, Tolbert needs to tighten up a few areas of his game, but he has NFL starting traits with his ability to track deep or sink and work back to the football. 60. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (6-1, 218) The Tar Heels’ scheme spread out the defense and gave Howell a chance to show off his mobility and toughness, as he accounted for seven 100-yard rushing games (not including lost sack yardage) in 2021. He is more of a see-it thrower and must develop his anticipation and read efficiency, but he is a confident passer with twitch in his delivery and arguably the best deep ball in the draft class. Overall, Howell needs to clean up his footwork and develop as a pocket passer, but he has NFL-quality arm strength, athleticism and work ethic and operates with a slow heartbeat. He projects as a low-end NFL starter, flashing similarities to Baker Mayfield. 61. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (6-4, 208) With his smooth acceleration, Watson displays vertical tempo as a route runner and is quarterback-friendly with the way he works back to the ball and expands his catch radius. He never faced an FBS opponent while at NDSU and will see a sizable jump in speed and physicality when facing NFL competition. Overall, Watson is unpolished as a route runner and must improve his consistency at the catch point, but he is an intriguing size/speed athlete with the explosiveness to win vertically. He projects as a WR4 as a rookie with WR2 upside and offers kick-return experience. 62. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (6-4, 246) McBride is a reliable target over the middle of the field with excellent hands, natural ball adjustments and the competitive toughness to finish through contact. He lacks deception in his routes to easily shake coverage and must do a better job re-setting his hands and feet as a blocker once defenders attack his frame. Overall, McBride is a better version of Hayden Hurst — not super dynamic, but a competitive receiver and blocker with the reliable focus and urgency that will translate to the NFL game. He can play either the Y or F tight end positions. 63. Drake Jackson, Edge, USC (6-3, 254) Although his initial step can be better, Jackson rushes with outstanding flexibility, length and arc acceleration along with the instincts to capture the corner or fire back inside. He had average production for a player with his athletic tools, but he tends to be speed-reliant and needs to add more ammo and urgency into his hands. Overall, Jackson is a twitched-up speed rusher with the upside to be disruptive in the NFL if he can develop his play strength and hand/power moves without sacrificing athleticism. He has the upside of an impactful NFL starter but has work to do if he wants to reach that level. 64. Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (6-4, 243) In his 25-game stretch as a full-time linebacker (2019 and 2021), he posted 201 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 15 passes defended and three interceptions. Although he won’t be teaching a clinic on the mechanics of wrap tackling, Andersen has incredible chase down speed with the aggressive nature to get his man on the ground. His lateral range helps make up for the wasted steps, but he spends too much time attached to blocks, and his instincts are still developing. Overall, Andersen has sloppy tackling/take-on habits and shows a marginal feel in coverage, but he is a toolsy size/speed athlete with the competitive toughness and versatility that give him legitimate NFL upside (on offense, defense, and special teams). 65. Nik Bonitto, Edge, Oklahoma (6-3, 248) Bonitto is an active athlete and shows a natural feel for shaking blockers thanks to his agility and instincts to attack the pocket from different angles. However, he can be engulfed by size on the edge and must weaponize his hands to consistently defeat NFL blockers. Overall, Bonitto is a hybrid player and must develop his play strength to find a full-time role, but he affects the quarterback and uses his quick feet and fluid body movement to keep blockers from centering him up. He projects best as a stand-up linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. 66. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota (6-8, 384) Faalele engulfs edge rushers with his wide frame and uses his anvil hands and natural power to overwhelm his man at the point of attack. He moves with balanced footwork and body control but can be caught leaning/falling off blocks in the run game and his body angles require refinement. Overall, Faalele has range/mirror limitations and is still learning the position, but he has a unique package of size, play strength and fluid movements. He should compete for an NFL starting right tackle job during his rookie season.
Spoiler 67. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M (6-4, 283) Leal moves with the burst and body control of a much smaller player and has shown the ability to win as a pass rusher via quickness or force. He has some similarities to Washington’s Jonathan Allen but doesn’t play with the same power, pad level or hand technique. Overall, Leal’s tape has more flash than sustained high-level impact, but he is immensely gifted with the strength potential and athletic traits ready to be developed. He projects best inside as a three-technique tackle, where he has starter upside. 68. Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama (6-4, 310) Mathis passes the eye test with his physical, revved up motor and ability to two-gap or hold his ground vs. doubles. He generates push at contact as a bull rusher, but his tape shows a lot of hand-fighting without consistently going anywhere. Overall, Mathis’ inconsistent pass rush skills are notable, but he is a physically impressive big man with power and disruptive qualities. He should be part of a rotation as a rookie and grow into an NFL starter. 69. Kingsley Enagbare, Edge, South Carolina (6-4, 258) Enagbare rushes with heavy, skilled hands and forward lean to convert his speed to power and does a nice job with his rush sequencing to set traps for blockers. He is rugged and alert but will need to become more consistent setting the edge in the run game and proving he can kick inside on passing downs. Overall, Enagbare has tightness in his movements and lacks suddenness, but he is efficient and powerful in his attack with the athletic movements to break down the rhythm of blockers. He projects as a rotational defensive end who has the talent to quickly earn NFL starter reps. 70. Marcus Jones, CB, Houston (5-8, 174) Jones scored a touchdown four ways in college (reception, interception, kick return, punt return) and tied the NCAA record with nine career kickoff/punt return touchdowns. He has the lower-body twitch to mirror, match and make easy transitions in coverage, finishing with noticeable closing burst. Overall, Jones is small on paper but big on tape with sticky cover athleticism, physical compete skills and excellent on-ball production. He is a tailor-made slot cornerback in the NFL with playmaking ability as a return man. 71. John Metchie III, WR, Alabama (5-11, 187) Metchie, who lived on three different continents before his seventh birthday, adopted a fierce work ethic and devotion to his craft, which is evident on film. He has outstanding body control and adjustment skills, although he is guilty of the occasional focus drop (had more career drops than TD catches). Overall, Metchie has only average size and speed, but he is a seasoned route runner who understands how to manipulate coverage and be a quarterback’s best friend. As long as he makes a full recovery from his ACL tear, he can be a quality No. 2 receiver in the NFL. 72. Dylan Parham, OG/C, Memphis (6-3, 311) Parham is extremely quick off the ball with the mobility to get out in space and the core strength to latch and drive opponents at the line of scrimmage. He lacks ideal length and can be overpowered at times, but he strikes with a flexible coil and developed nasty streak. Overall, Parham can play too fast at times and loses his bearings, but he has excellent movement skills and understands how to out-leverage defenders and sustain the point of attack. He has the talent level to provide immediate interior depth for an NFL team and compete for a starting job, projecting best at center. 73. Cole Strange, OG/C, Chattanooga (6-5, 307) Strange, who is attempting to become the first Chattanooga player to be drafted in the top five rounds since Terrell Owens in 1996, commanded the NFL’s attention with his 2021 performance vs. Kentucky, and he again rose to the occasion at the Senior Bowl, showing his versatility at both center and guard. His hands and feet need to be on time or defenders will take advantage, which will drastically lower his margin for error vs. NFL power. Overall, Strange struggles to recover once defenders gain the upper hand, but he works hard to stay balanced with his quick feet, strong hands and competitive toughness. He will be ready to compete for an NFL starting job (guard or center) in year one. 74. Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia (6-2, 230) Tindall flies across the field with impressive closing burst to run and hit, continuing his acceleration through the ball carrier. He finds runners between the tackles with his aggressive run fits, but his anticipation can be better downhill and when dropping in space (zero career pass break-ups). Overall, Tindall has coverage limitations, but his explosive speed, tackling skills and enforcing nature should all translate well to the NFL game. He projects best as a rotational linebacker as a rookie with the talent level to grow into a starting role. 75. Luke Fortner, OG/C, Kentucky (6-4, 307) Fortner has guard-center versatility with his wide base and contact balance to anchor and keep his strong hands engaged. He is an alert player with enough lateral quickness to react with sudden defenders, but he has very little room for error, or defenders will gain leverage. Overall, Fortner can get overpowered at times, but he rides out the storm and is an assignment-sound, high-intangible player. He projects as a starting center in an NFL zone-blocking scheme, offering depth at guard. 76. Luke Goedeke, OG/C, Central Michigan (6-5, 312) Goedeke is a finisher in the run game and does a great job staying connected to blocks with his strong hands and balance through contact. In pass protection, he needs to work on his anchor and reset, but he has an active punch and usually keeps his upper and lower halves on the same page. Overall, Goedeke has only two years of playing experience on the offensive line, and it shows at times. But he has outstanding play strength with enough lower body fluidity to stay centered in his blocks. He fits best inside where he has NFL starting potential at guard. 77. Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati (6-1, 206) Cook is one of the most reliable tacklers in this draft class with his ability to come to balance on the move, maintain a wide stance and strike low and physical through his target. In coverage, he has the athleticism and awareness to stay on top of routes, although he can be better with his body positioning downfield. Overall, Cook has room to raise his consistency level in coverage, but he is an above-average run defender with the physical traits and overachieving attitude to see the field early and often in the NFL. He should compete for a starting role in Year 1. 78. Dominique Robinson, Edge, Miami (Ohio) (6-5, 253) A player who hates to be blocked, Robinson is a good-sized athlete with the muscle twitch, body flexibility and hand-fighting attitude to create disruption. He has shown noticeable improvement getting his hips, hands and eyes on the same page when rushing the passer, but he relies more on agility and effort than a creative thought-out rush attack. Overall, Robinson needs to improve vs. the run and develop his countermeasures, but he has exciting pass rush potential thanks to his athletic traits. He may require time on the practice squad before earning a sub-package role in the NFL. 79. Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State (6-6, 315) An efficient blocker, Lucas is a smooth athlete for his size and does a great job of staying patient in his pass sets and quickly regaining his balance to counter rush moves. Though he flashes power with inside/outside zone concepts in the run game, he is inconsistent with his point-of-attack skills and needs more experience as a run blocker (only 27% of his offensive snaps in college were run-blocking snaps). Overall, Lucas is not an explosive mover, and his hand exchange must improve versus NFL-level competition, but he has a massive frame and the balanced athleticism to keep his man blocked. He projects as a low-ceiling starting right tackle in the NFL. 80. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA (6-4, 243) Dulcich is at his best as a “big slot” with his ability to find open zones or attack the seam/crossers with his pull-away acceleration (averaged 17.6 yards per catch in his career). As a blocker, his pass protection has a quick expiration date and he needs to continue developing his play strength and hand technique. Overall, Dulcich needs continued maturation as a blocker, but he is explosive as a pass catcher with a good-sized catch radius and separation burst before and after the catch. He projects best as an “F” tight end in the NFL with mismatch value.
Spoiler 81. Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA (6-4, 205) Nicknamed “Riq the Freak,” Woolen is still learning the details of the position, but he wows physically and athletically, and his receiver background works to his advantage. Although he is trending in the right direction, he currently has an undeveloped feel in coverage and his tackling is a liability. Overall, Woolen will require time to develop his technique and recognition both in coverage and run support, but he has a rare package of traits worth betting on with his height, length and speed. He is an appealing draft-and-develop prospect. 82. DeAngelo Malone, Edge, Western Kentucky (6-3, 243) With his burst and speed, Malone runs the arc extremely well and shows the ability to win the corner, flatten and close. With his struggles to stay square at the point of attack in the run game, he is at his best in space, where he can show off his versatile athleticism. Overall, Malone is a speed-reliant rusher with questions about play strength and position fit, but he is a quarterback hunter with the athletic traits and God-given acceleration to make plays. He can be an effective role player as a stand-up edge rusher or linebacker who will play primarily on passing downs. 83. Josh Paschal, Edge, Kentucky (6-3, 268) Paschal is a smart, technically sound defender with the body type and balanced athleticism to shut down the run. He has the physical hands and quickness to defeat blockers as a pass rusher, but he struggles to bend the corner or win at the top of his rush. Overall, Paschal isn’t a dynamic or sophisticated pass rusher, but he is polished vs. the run with the point-of-attack instincts and football character that will be welcomed in an NFL building. He is a scheme-diverse end who can be part of an NFL rotation. 84. Nick Cross, S, Maryland (6-0, 212) Cross has above-average speed, range and closing burst along with the play violence to stroke ball carriers in the alley or across the middle of the field. His cover awareness is on the rise, but his decision-making and discipline can be inconsistent, especially in man coverage. Overall, Cross is an inconsistent risk-taker, and teams will have to live with the ups and downs as he grows, but he has explosive speed and downhill toughness that come in an NFL starter kit. He is scheme-versatile with NFL starting potential from various alignments. 85. Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State An athletic big man, Ruckert was a standout soccer goalie growing up, which helped develop his ball skills on the football field, showing the toughness and concentration to finish catches through contact. He fires out of his stance as a blocker but often to the detriment of his balance, struggling to establish point-of-attack leverage. Overall, Ruckert must become a more consistent blocker, but he is a strong-willed athlete and ball winner who can make natural adjustments because of his flexibility and focus. He is a strong candidate to be a better pro than college player with a skill set reminiscent of Adam Trautman. 86. Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma (6-0, 226) Asamoah plays with the foot speed to make plays downhill, outside the numbers, and when dropping and covering in space. He can be engulfed at times, but he has decent length and should continue to get better taking on contact. Overall, Asamoah is undersized and underpowered, but he has sideline-to-sideline speed with dependable tackling skills and upside in coverage. He projects as a run-and-chase linebacker with NFL starting potential. 87. Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati (6-1, 193) With his natural feel for mirroring routes, Bryant plays physically to pin or achieve body position and shows outstanding reaction time to make plays on the ball (finished No. 2 in school history with 45 passes defended). He doesn’t have much experience working inside and might lack the twitch to match up against NFL slot receivers. Overall, Bryant doesn’t have the length or suddenness that some teams prefer at the position, but he plays with quick feet and feisty hands to stay connected in man coverage, and his ball production speaks for itself. He projects best in a man-to-man scheme where he has NFL starting potential. 88. Cameron Thomas, Edge, San Diego State (6-4, 267) Thomas played a high volume of snaps on tape and showed the consistent effort to be disruptive in the backfield or routinely make tackles away from the line of scrimmage. Although he didn’t stay blocked for long in college, he has only average length and burst, and his win rate will drop vs. NFL-level blockers. Overall, Thomas is a tight, face-up rusher with inconsistent pad level, but he is a hard-charger with the cranked motor and physical hands to wear down blockers and find the football. He projects as a 4-3 defensive end with three-down potential. 89. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati (6-3, 211) Pierce is physical to the football, and his heightened focus is the same at the catch point whether he is wide open or triple-covered. Although he is still honing his route running and separation skills, he is a long, limber athlete who has the ball skills to consistently win in the air. Overall, Pierce is still adding branches to his route tree, but he is a pass catching weapon who is at his best vertically with his springy athleticism and ball-tracking skills. He can be a down-the-road starter. 90. Marquis Hayes, OG, Oklahoma (6-5, 318) Some blockers rely on power and others rely on angles, but Hayes relies on both, and I was impressed by his ability to make split-second adjustments. He will rely too much on his length at times, but he plays violent and stout and does a great job with the balancing act of staying composed while also unleashing hell on defenders when the opportunity is there. Overall, Hayes needs continued development with his technique and pad level, but he has the mauling strength, smooth movements and blocking instincts to be equally efficient as a run blocker and pass protector. He should compete for an NFL starting role as a rookie. 91. Sam Williams, Edge, Ole Miss (6-4, 261) Although he needs better setup and countering skills mid-rush, Williams creates a surge with his hard-charging athleticism and violent hands. In the run game, he has a reliable motor but struggles to control the point because of a faulty anchor and tall pads. Overall, Williams must improve his discipline to be a more consistent edge-setter and rusher, but he has the upfield acceleration and attacking mentality to affect the game as a quarterback hunter. He is an exciting pass-rush prospect in subpackages with potential to be more. 92. Cade Otton, TE, Washington (6-5, 247) The grandson of the all-time winningest high school head coach in the state of Washington, Otton is stout and athletic in the passing game as both a route-runner and blocker and he is physical to the football with the hand strength to sustain catches through contact. He is comfortable doing the dirty work but too often he clutches with his hands while his stagnant feet attempt to catch up. Overall, Otton lacks dynamic traits before or after the catch, but he is a catch-point finisher, a nuanced route runner, and he takes his blocking responsibilities seriously. He projects as a prototypical Y tight end in the NFL. 93. Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State (6-3, 195) Williams has the fluidity and length to be disruptive in press and downfield at the catch point. As a former wide receiver, he has ball skills and an instinctive feel for route development, but he is late to find the football once his back is turned, and NFL play callers will feed on his risk-taking appetite. Overall, Williams might require a redshirt year as he continues to hone his technique, but his size, sudden footwork and recovery speed are the foundation traits of a future NFL starter. He is an intriguing short-term project for an NFL staff. 94. Sean Rhyan, OG, UCLA (6-5, 321) Rhyan is a powerful blocker who understands blocking leverage and how to anchor. However, he looked like a guard playing tackle on tape because of his lack of range, fluidity and recovery skills in space. Overall, Rhyan is strong and balanced in both the run game and passing game, but he must play with quicker hands/feet and more efficient weight distribution for him to make it. He does his best work in short areas, projecting as a guard with NFL starting potential in either a power or zone scheme.
Spoiler 95. David Bell, WR, Purdue (6-1, 212) Bell is a smooth, savvy pass catcher with dependable ball skills (4.7% career drop rate) and flashes Michael Pittman-like ability at times. He is efficient in and out of his routes, but his ability to uncover is based more on route subtleties and not route suddenness. Overall, Bell doesn’t have ideal speed or explosive traits by NFL standards, but he is a productive ball-winner with the body control and toughness that translate to the pro game. He projects as a high-floor, low-ceiling NFL starter. 96. Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh (5-11, 196) Mathis has the athletic profile needed for the NFL and shows play recognition and reactive twitch, both mentally and athletically. Though physicality is an endearing part of his game, he isn’t shy going through receivers and must control his urgent play style. Overall, Mathis’ aggressive demeanor can be a double-edged sword and work against him, but he is smart, speedy and competitive, which is an easy sell in draft meetings. He can play man or zone and will push for early NFL playing time if he develops better discipline in coverage. 97. Alex Wright, Edge, UAB (6-5, 271) A flexible, long-limbed pass rusher, Wright has the reactive athleticism and basic understanding of hand use to separate from blockers in different ways. His first step is average, but he has the long, explosive strides to eat up ground quickly and out-leverage roadblocks. Overall, Wright is still a work in progress in several areas, but he has elite length and intriguing movement skills for his size to be disruptive vs. both the pass and run. Although health is a concern, he is an ascending edge player with high-ceiling traits. 98. Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia (6-7, 253) Woods is a large-sized target with outstanding body control, wingspan and focus to expand his catch radius (70.5% of his receptions in 2021 resulted in a first down or touchdown). He isn’t fluid in his releases or explosive in his routes, but he was at his best on one-cut patterns over the middle of the field (posts, corners, etc.), showing the plant-and-go athleticism to challenge coverage. Overall, Woods needs to tighten up his route running and overall consistency, but his size, blocking potential and catch point upside are an attractive package. A prototypical Y tight end at the next level, he caters his game after Marcedes Lewis. and it shows. 99. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State (6-5, 316) Petit-Frere has excellent foot quickness and bend through his lower half, especially in pass protection and as a zone blocker. However, his anchor/play strength issues are concerning and he must do a better job staying centered on the move and establishing his base once he’s engaged (something Aidan Hutchinson exposed). Overall, Petit-Frere is a projection because of the development still required in his game, but he has the size, quickness and big-man twitch that NFL coaches covet. He has the talent to grow into an NFL starter for a patient coaching staff. 100. Myjai Sanders, Edge, Cincinnati (6-5, 228) At pass rusher, you want first-step burst, and that is what Sanders offers. That unlocks the corner or the side-step, which is his go-to move. Though he can be overpowered by size, and his hands aren’t going to win many battles, he is a fighter and unafraid of contact. Overall, Sanders must improve his snap anticipation and the efficiency of his secondary moves, but he is explosive off the ball with a slithery body type to stay free and chase the football. He projects best in a scheme where he can line up wide or stand up off the edge. 101. Joshua Ezeudu, OT/G, North Carolina (6-4, 308) With his initial quickness, Ezeudu is able to hit his landmarks and pass-set angles to out-leverage defenders. He has eager hands and a clear desire to finish, but he needs to be more disciplined, especially post-contact. Overall, Ezeudu is still developing the tricks of the trade to be a more consistent sustain blocker, but he gives defenders a battle with his athleticism and hand strength to wear down his opponent. He has starting upside as an NFL guard who can also fill in at tackle in emergencies. 102. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State (6-2, 199) McCollum has a rare résumé with his testing athleticism and ball-hawking production (led the team in interceptions four of his five years in college), albeit at the FCS level. Although he will lose phase at times, he is a confident man-to-man corner with the recovery skills to get back into position and disrupt the catch point. Overall, McCollum faces a learning curve as he adapts his timing and technique to NFL speed, but his athletic traits and mental processing ability make him an attractive developmental prospect. He is an NFL-ready gunner with versatile starting upside on defense. 103. Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois (6-1, 203) With his play speed, range and above-average ball skills, Joseph is reliable as the last line of defense with his ability to patrol from the hash marks to outside the numbers. He credits his reaction quickness to his volleyball background and drives on the football in front of him, although he has room to clean up his tackling consistency. Overall, Joseph must improve his play strength, but he reads well from depth and tracks the football with his speed and burst to close. He projects as a special teamer and developmental NFL starter ideally suited for a Cover-3 scheme. 104. JoJo Domann, LB, Nebraska (6-1, 228) Domann has terrific field speed, and his play range is expanded by his awareness, hip movements and closing skills. He will have a tougher time holding up vs. slot receivers in the NFL compared to college, but he is an instinctive zone dropper with the reactive quickness to challenge plays. Overall, Domann lacks length and needs to play with better control as a finisher, but his athleticism and anticipation fuel his versatility in space, which should earn him a subpackage and special teams role in the NFL, stylistically similar to LB Jabril Cox. 105. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky (5-8, 178) Robinson is hyper-quick and slippery to create pockets of separation out of his breaks and elude pursuit after the catch. He has excellent field awareness with the ball in his hands, but his routes are a little rough, and he has more career drops (11) than receiving touchdowns (10). Overall, Robinson is undersized and quicker than fast, but he is a catch-and-go creator with outstanding vision and athleticism in the open field. He has potential to be a starting NFL slot receiver and return man. 106. Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis (5-8, 170) My favorite part of Austin’s game is how quickly he goes from pass catcher to runner — it’s seamless for him, and that immediate explosion puts added stress on coverage pursuit. For a player with his measurements and speed, I expected more missed tackles after the catch. Overall, Austin’s size will always be an issue, but his ball skills and athleticism with and without the football give him a chance to be a WR3 or WR4 in an NFL offense. His punt return skills will help him stick on an NFL roster. 107. Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State (6-7, 252) Kolar is a quarterback’s best friend because he makes himself available, has a large catch radius and is strong to the football. He is one of the smartest, most competitive players in this draft class, but needs to improve his point of attack and sustain skills as a blocker to expand his role. Overall, Kolar won’t threaten defenses vertically, and his blocking leaves a lot to be desired, but he is a big, dependable chain-mover, and his ability to finish in contested situations is his calling card. He projects as a high-floor, rotational Y tight end in the NFL who can earn his paycheck in the red zone. 108. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M (6-0, 217) Spiller is a good-sized back with the controlled feet, processing speed and tempo to pick through the defense, forcing missed tackles with his instincts and contact balance. He is an average athlete, and his pass protection must continue to improve, but his ability as a pass catcher alone should keep him playing on Sundays for a long time. Overall, Spiller needs to be more consistent with his pad level and blocking, but he has outstanding footwork, patience and vision and ties it all together to maximize each carry. He has all the tools to develop into a three-down NFL starter. 109. John Ridgeway, DT, Arkansas (6-5, 321) Ridgeway was a state champion wrestler in high school and plays with the knock-back power to displace and overwhelm blockers. He lacks the burst or balance to provide a steady pass rush, but he knows his role and looks to reset the line of scrimmage to give his linebackers freedom to run. Overall, Ridgeway will be limited to early downs in the NFL, but he is burly, long and strong with the base power to stand up double teams and two-gap. He has NFL starting potential as a nose tackle. 110. Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (6-0, 196) Though he isn’t a true burner (despite his 4.43 40-yard dash), Shakir skillfully uses gear control to set up defenders and create pockets of separation with his short-area quickness. He has terrific body control, which is evident in his routes, at the catch point and as a ball carrier. Overall, Shakir has average triangle numbers, but he is a crafty route runner with excellent hand-eye coordination and adjustment skills. He projects best in the slot and can handle return responsibilities.
