2022 Official Bolts Draft Superthread

[Boltinloudguy]

Keeping up with the new terminology - wide back. I want one too.



Deebo Samuel is one of three first-team All Pro wide receivers this season, and he doesn't even call himself a wide receiver.

The 49ers use Samuel so many different ways, calling him a wide receiver is incomplete. Because now he's just as much a running back as a wide receiver. Plus, he threw a touchdown pass last week, so technically he's a quarterback, too.

Here's what Samuel said Friday about how he sees himself.

ME: If you were to meet someone who didn't know you and they asked you what position do you play, what would you say?

SAMUEL: Wide back. Wide receiver playing running back.

Samuel said that with no hesitation. Clearly, he has thought about this question before. And he is without question the best (only?) wide back in the NFL.

Compare Samuel to Cooper Kupp, another first-team All Pro this season. Kupp is a wide receiver, not a wide back. The Rams fed him a whopping 191 targets this season, and deserved every one of them because he's that good.

Meanwhile, Samuel got just 121 targets, partially because halfway through the season the 49ers turned him into a "wide back," meaning his targets and catches went down while his carries went up. Plus, Samuel had to split targets with George Kittle, who's not an All Pro this seaosn.

Which means the 49ers held back Samuel. Imagine the numbers he would have posted had he gotten the ball as frequently as Kupp, who's not as good as him?

Hopefully for the 49ers, they'll give Samuel as many targets and carries as he can handle in the playoffs. Because he's their best player, and they'll go as far as he takes them.

Velus Jones Jr. is built and has the ability to be the next “Wide Back”, plus a return specialist. He is built very similar to Deebo at 5’11 207 lbs but has more speed. I’d take Velus in the 4th if he’s there since the Chargers have more pressing needs. I’d also be all up in Josh Palmer’s ear asking him about Velus Jones.

[Lone Bolt]

Louis Nix a comp for Jordan Davis? That is ridiculous. Nix was an overachieving fat guy who bombed at the combine, while Jordan Davis is a 340 pound athlete who played a far tougher schedule, and put up great numbers relative to the snaps he played. Louis Nix (may he RIP) was never half the prospect Davis is.

No reason to slander a perfectly good prospect, just because some of you want somebody else at 17.

[Parcells]

With all the guys rising in this draft, it now seems like at least 30 guys are gonna be taken before pick 17, which will be a serious bummer for us.

[powderblueboy]

g

Louis Nix a comp for Jordan Davis? That is ridiculous. Nix was an overachieving fat guy who bombed at the combine, while Jordan Davis is a 340 pound athlete who played a far tougher schedule, and put up great numbers relative to the snaps he played. Louis Nix (may he RIP) was never half the prospect Davis is.

No reason to slander a perfectly good prospect, just because some of you want somebody else at 17.

You're right, i don't want Jordan Davis (not even in the 2nd round)

One of my problems with Jordan Davis is that you rarely see an explosive first step from the guy, nor does he move down the line all that quick.
The 40 time and vertical just doesn't translate to his game.

He just seems like the big fat kid in a pee wee league who runs around a bit generally without a plan.

[NoMoreChillies]

i would love to see Mahommes trying to run away from Jordan Davis

[Xenos]

We’re going to draft a punter IMO. What round on the third day is the question.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/03/07/nfl-scouting-combine-news-fmia-peter-king/

“We get off to a good start on the drive and then it’s third-and-one. We don’t make it. At that point, fourth-and-one at our 18, I just felt like Vegas wasn’t a great short-yardage team, and our punter had struggled. We were the worst net punting team in the league. I really felt like we could get this thing off the ground. On fourth-and-I one, everyone’s gonna tell you percentage-wise, go for it. It’s a no brainer in terms of that.”

[Bolts4ever213]

I’m am starting to like the idea of Davis at 17. He’s just a mountain of a man. It’s just being a first round pick that I’m not liking. But hey, we drafting Murray in the first, how’s that going?

[madcaplaughs]

With all the guys rising in this draft, it now seems like at least 30 guys are gonna be taken before pick 17, which will be a serious bummer for us.

I just saw a mock (Jeremiah) where Travon Walker went #5 to the NYG. Before the combine, he was often ranked 25-32 in the mocks. I don't see how anyone looking at his reps would not have known that he was pretty dang fast for a DE. Go figure.

[Formula 21]

Dane Brugler NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Post-NFL Combine buzz puts Travon Walker, Ahmad Gardner and Trevor Penning in top six

Dane Brugler 6h ago 184
The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the best weeks of the year, not just because of what happens on the field, but more importantly the information gathered through conversations away from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Who are teams meeting with? Which players have teams already eliminated from their draft board? What do teams expect other teams to do in the draft?

We might not get all the answers, but there is no shortage of buzz from informed sources about the possibilities. The dot-connecting will continue as free agency plays out over the next few weeks, but if the draft happened today, this is how I could see the first two rounds shaking out.
First Round


1. Jacksonville Jaguars — Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
No change at the top in this update. I received plenty of pushback when I put Ekwonu at No. 1 in my mock draft in January. But based on conversations at the combine, the NC State left tackle is absolutely in the mix for the Jaguars, with some around the league believing he is the favorite.

2. Detroit Lions — Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Michigan
Hutchinson didn’t do anything at the combine to hurt his draft standing as one of the best players in the class. While his 40-yard dash time was average, he led all front-seven defenders with a 6.73 three-cone and 4.15 short shuttle, which are both extraordinary numbers. To put those times in perspective, Von Miller posted a 6.70 three-cone, and Khalil Mack had a 4.18 short shuttle.

3. Houston Texans — Travon Walker, edge, Georgia
My No. 6 overall player entering the combine, Walker made a believer out of the doubters with his remarkable workout on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Texans are mid-rebuild, and the chance to add a high-upside pass rusher with length and athleticism fits what both Nick Caserio and Lovie Smith covet in a keystone draft pick.

4. New York Jets — Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Jets have drafted an offensive lineman in the first round each of the last two seasons, and they could make it three in a row if Neal or Ekwonu are on the board here. A starter at tackle and guard in college, Neal can be the plug-and-play right guard for New York as a rookie before eventually kicking outside as the long-term right tackle.

5. New York Giants — Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Regardless if James Bradberry6. Carolina Panthers — Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
It is no secret that the Panthers are looking to upgrade the offensive line, but the better question is do they see a lineman worthy of this pick? Although still raw in areas, Penning is an above-average athlete at 6-7 and 325 pounds with the competitive on-field temperament that fits what head coach Matt Rhule covets at the position.

7. New York Giants (from Chicago) — Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
With a pair of top-seven draft picks in his first year running the front office, Schoen will be looking to draft players that help establish the new culture. Cross lacks brute power, but his athletic movement patterns and outstanding hand exchange skills are why he is one of the best pass-blockers in the draft.

8. Atlanta Falcons — Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame
Last year in his first draft as the Falcons’ general manager, Terry Fontenot stuck to the best-player-available strategy and drafted Kyle Pitts, which was an immediate home run for the Falcons’ offense. If Fontenot follows the same philosophy this year, Hamilton’s athleticism, intelligence and versatility could be too enticing to pass up. A wide receiver like Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson also makes a lot of sense here, especially with the recent Calvin Ridley news.

9. Denver Broncos — Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge, Oregon
Does Thibodeaux fit the culture that George Paton is looking to build in Denver? I don’t know, but you can bet the Broncos will be doing their due diligence to find out. On the field, his disruptive traits are worthy of this high pick and would give Denver a pass rusher capable of filling the void left by Von Miller.

10. New York Jets (from Seattle) — Jermaine Johnson, edge, Florida State
We could see the first wide receiver off the board here as the Jets continue to build around their young quarterback. But general manager Joe Douglas always has his eyes on the trenches, and Johnson is an NFL-ready edge rusher who can torment quarterbacks and shut down the run.

11. Washington Commanders — Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Washington will continue to explore quarterback trade options around the league, but if it strikes out and doesn’t address the position in free agency, this pick is where we might see the first quarterback off the board. Pickett would help the Commanders win games right away.

12. Minnesota Vikings — Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
With a new head coach and general manager in Minnesota, the Vikings could go in any number of directions here. Stingley remains a wild card in this draft class, but Minnesota would be an ideal landing spot, especially if fellow LSU alum Patrick Peterson stays put for another season to mentor him.

13. Cleveland Browns — Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Browns would be elated if no wide receiver is drafted in the top 12 picks, giving them the chance to pick their top-ranked player at arguably their largest position of need. Wilson, who clocked a 4.3 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, has only average size, but his ability to create space before and after the catch is what separates him in this class.

14. Baltimore Ravens — Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Some of the endurance and snap count questions are still there, but Davis’ performance at the combine basically locked him into the draft’s top 20 picks. The Ravens will have some defensive line turnover this offseason, and Davis gives them a young building block in the middle of their front.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami) — Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The sub-30 inch arms are far from ideal and could break a tie if teams have him closely ranked with Sauce Gardner or Derek Stingley on their cornerback board. Nonetheless, he is a top-tier athlete with inside-outside versatility and the football intelligence that makes him an immediate NFL starter.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis) — George Karlaftis, edge, Purdue
With three selections in the top 20 and pass rusher being the strength of this draft class, it would be a shock if the Eagles don’t draft an edge defender in the first round. Karlaftis plays with outstanding lower body explosion, motor and hand skills that will translate well to the pro game.

17. Los Angeles Chargers — David Ojabo, edge, Michigan
Even if the Chargers franchise tag Mike Williams, wide receiver will be in play here. But the organization also wants to get better on the defensive line, and it is always smart to bet on high-upside pass rushers like Ojabo who show natural pass rush instincts even with their relative inexperience.

18. New Orleans Saints — Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Obviously with a new head coach and an unsettled quarterback situation, the Saints are very much a wild-card team when it comes to the quarterback carousel this offseason. Teams seem split on the timeline of when Willis will be ready for steady NFL playing time, but the high-ceiling tools are enticing.

19. Philadelphia Eagles — Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Nick Sirianni-led offense prioritizes technically proficient receivers who are where they need to be at the exact moment they need to be there. That description fits Olave like a glove. He is as smooth as they come with his routes and timing while also offering the 4.3 speed to keep the coverage honest.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers — Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College21. New England Patriots — Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Fans will be clamoring for a wide receiver here, but the Patriots have several holes to fill at linebacker, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Bill Belichick prefers the defender in this scenario. Although his combine performance was closer to average than above average, Lloyd’s tape and production are both well above average.

22. Las Vegas Raiders — Drake London, WR, USC
Stylistically, London is very similar to Bryan Edwards, who is already on the Raiders’ roster. But above all, Las Vegas will be looking for playmakers who can help move the chains, and that is what London offers, even if he doesn’t light up the stopwatch at his pro day next month.

23. Arizona Cardinals — Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
With their needs, defensive line is a position the Cardinals could address in free agency and early in the draft. Although Jordan Davis’ workout led the headlines, Wyatt also had a standout combine performance, leading all interior defensive linemen with a 4.77 40-yard dash at 304 pounds.

24. Dallas Cowboys — Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Cowboys’ No. 1 goal this offseason: Make the offense more explosive. Amari Cooper will not be with the team much longer, and Burks might be too talented to pass on here. The fact that he is from Jerry Jones’ and Stephen Jones’ alma mater is just a bonus.

25. Buffalo Bills — Bernhard Raimann, OT/G, Central Michigan
Adding offensive line depth is never a bad plan, and Raimann has skill set that should fit interchangeably at tackle and guard. He is older than ideal (will be a 25-year-old rookie), but the former tight end has terrific athleticism and awareness that will immediately strengthen the Bills’ offense.

26. Tennessee Titans — Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Even with his recent ACL injury, Williams has no business falling this far in the first round, although Tennessee won’t be upset to see it. He has the elite-level speed that changes how opponents defend you and would help take attention away from AJ Brown and the Titans’ run game.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
The surprise retirement of Ali Marpet created another hole for the Buccaneers to fill this offseason. Although he offers multi-position versatility, Green is best at guard where he can step in and be a starter from day one.

28. Green Bay Packers — Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
It would be easy to overlook Jones playing for a program like UConn, but he has made it impossible for anyone to miss him throughout the draft process. He was nearly unblockable at the Senior Bowl and continued that momentum at the combine, crushing the position drills and posting outstanding numbers (4.92 40-yard dash, 7.33 three-cone drill) at 325 pounds.

29. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco) — Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Dolphins need upgrades on the offensive line but also on defense, where they ranked in the bottom five in the league last season in explosive runs allowed. At 5-11 with sub-32 inch arms, Dean won’t be for everyone, especially in the first round. But his athleticism, toughness and football IQ would be welcomed in Miami.

30. Kansas City Chiefs — Lewis Cine, FS, Georgia
With Tyrann Mathieu expected to hit the open market, the Chiefs will be looking to bolster their secondary this offseason. Cine has average ball skills, but he is an enforcer vs. the run with the athleticism in coverage to make plays. He reminds me of Xavier McKinney as a prospect.

31. Cincinnati Bengals — Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
No player has a wider variance of where he could be drafted than Linderbaum. Arguably one of the 15 best players in this draft, the former defensive lineman is a center only with below-average length and scheme versatility, which will limit his landing spots in round one. But he would be an absolute steal at this point in the draft for the Bengals.

32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles) — Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
A quarterback at No. 2 overall would be a surprise, but not as much if the Lions take a passer here. The Lions have been doing their homework on several quarterbacks in this class, including a formal meeting with Ridder at the combine. With Jared Goff the starter in 2022, the Lions would be able to develop Ridder at his own pace instead of forcing him into immediate action.
Second Round


33. Jacksonville Jaguars — Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
34. Detroit Lions — Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan
35. New York Jets — Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
36. New York Giants — Boye Mafe, edge, Minnesota
37. Houston Texans — Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
38. New York Jets (from Carolina) — Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
39. Chicago Bears — George Pickens, WR, Georgia
40. Denver Broncos — Darian Kinnard, RT, Kentucky
41. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Smith, OT/G, Tulsa
42. Washington Commanders — Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
43. Atlanta Falcons — Arnold Ebiketie, edge, Penn State
44. Cleveland Browns — Logan Hall, DL, Houston
45. Baltimore Ravens — Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
46. Minnesota Vikings — Drake Jackson, edge, USC
47. Indianapolis Colts — Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
48. Los Angeles Chargers — Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
49. New Orleans Saints — Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
50. Miami Dolphins — Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
51. Philadelphia Eagles — Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
52. Pittsburgh Steelers — Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
53. Las Vegas Raiders — DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
54. New England Patriots — John Metchie, WR, Alabama
55. Arizona Cardinals — Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
56. Dallas Cowboys — Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
57. Buffalo Bills — Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
58. Atlanta Falcons (from Tennessee) — Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
59. Green Bay Packers — Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
61. San Francisco 49ers — Jaquan Brisker, SS, Penn State
62. Kansas City Chiefs — Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
63. Cincinnati Bengals — Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
64. Denver Broncos (from Los Angeles) — Jalen Pitre, FS/NB, Baylor

[Formula 21]

Brugler’s top 17 is a who’s who of players I’d like to see here.

Ojabo-Winfrey is a winning combo for me.

4 OT in top 7, these guys are worth their weight in gold.

[Lone Bolt]

Ojabo makes me nervous...foreign born and late to football, makes you think his best football is ahead of him, right?...but he only produced one year, with the best DE in the league on the other side, grabbing all the attention. I could be wrong, but I see Attouchu 2.0. In that mock Im taking Wyatt, Dean, Lloyd, and even Travis Jones before Ojabo...maybe its just me, but my gut says he is overrated.

[Formula 21]

A Post combine Top 50 with Positional Value Adjustments. I like it.


2022 NFL Draft Top 50 prospect rankings: Receivers and edge rushers dominate big board

The first Top 50 Big Board demonstrates the strength of the edge and receiver classes


By Chris Trapasso
3 hrs ago 18 min read

Minor grading tweaks after the NFL Scouting Combine are complete, so it's time for my first Top 50 Big Board of draft season. And of course, receivers and edge rushers dominate the list. There are a few surprise names high, and a few "consensus" top prospects further down my rankings or not included at all. That's just how everything worked out with my grading system.
As for said grading system, one key element to keep in mind for every prospect: I assign extra points based on how valuable I view the position they play, and running backs are at the bottom, with no "Position Addition."
Let's get to it.

1. Kyle Hamilton, S1, Notre Dame

He excels with: Size, length, range, versatility, blitzing acumen, tackling reliability, coverage capabilities, elite closing speed
Areas of concern: Coming off injury, ran slower than expected at combine
Hamilton brings the best blend of on-field brilliance, athleticism, high floor and high upside in this class, and the safety position is increasing in value. I don't care that he ran slower than expected in Indianapolis. He can excel in every facet of playing safety today.


2. Derek Stingley Jr., CB1, LSU

He excels with: Elite ball skills, loose hips/ankles to stay in phase, high-end speed
Areas of concern: Shorter with shorter arms than expected, best season was 2019, coming off injury
Stingley feels like he could be the steal of Round 1, if he falls out of the top 10. Yes, the 2019 season was somewhat of a perfect storm, but his fluidity and ball skills are special.
3. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE1, Michigan

He excels with: Loaded pass-rush moves arsenal, speed-to-power conversion, deceptive bend, high energy
Areas of concern: Shorter arms, burst is good, not great


Because of his shorter arms, there's a tiny collective stock down movement for Hutchinson. He's the exact type of edge rusher who can be instant impact and get better every season early in his career. That was the case at Michigan, and he's become an advanced rusher.
4. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE2, Oregon

He excels with: Freaky athleticism, burst, bend, easy power
Areas of concern: Didn't have to rely on hand work often in college, could add more weight
Thibodeaux feels a lot like Danielle Hunter. Similar size, testing numbers, and both relied heavily upon their athleticism that gave them a huge advantage in college. With more reliable hands, Thibodeaux can be an All-Pro type.


5. Evan Neal, OT1, Alabama

He excels with: Gargantuan size, immense length, high-caliber athleticism, bulldozer abilities in the run game
Areas of concern: Lacking grip strength, off-balanced reps in pass pro and at second level
Neal's film isn't flawless. His body and what it could become should be a scary thought for edge rushers. And, the Alabama star shouldn't be able to move as rapidly as he does in small spaces.
6. Ahmad Gardner, CB2, Cincinnati

He excels with: Intimidating length, amazing fluidity/mirroring skill at his size
Areas of concern: Doesn't have the twitch to stay with super-quick separators, hit-or-miss reliability as a tackler


Gardner's combine confirmed he's a certified freak. His college career was essentially perfect, and while he may have some minor issues with smaller, agile wideouts, he's loose hipped and knows how to utilize his length to suffocate routes and shrink windows for quarterbacks.
7. Charles Cross, OT2, Mississippi State

He excels with: Super-smooth pass-pro talent, never appears panicked, outstanding hand work, grip strength
Areas of concern: Takes him a second to sink his anchor, must add weight, needs to generate more pop for the run game
Cross can become the best offensive tackle in this class. Why? Because he's already a stud in pass protection due to his calm, cool, and collected manner on the field that his athleticism affords him. Pass pro trumps all. And in time, he'll get stronger, and the movement ability and hand work will translate to the run game.


8. Malik Willis, QB1, Liberty

He excels with: Supreme arm strength/talent, elite athleticism, plus ball placement
Areas of concern: Needs to read coverages quicker, limit his "hero ball" decisions
Have to start with this -- Willis is very accurate throwing the football. The "raw" quarterbacks are automatically grouped into the "inaccurate" category, and the latter is not Willis. He'll immediately have one of the top 10 strongest arms in the league, and he's a dynamic runner. He fits the style of today's new wave at the quarterback spot. It will take him time to read coverages quicker.
9. Drake London, WR1, USC

He excels with: Imposing size, deceptive power, elite contact balance, dominance in rebound situations down the field
Areas of concern: Separation skill is average, questionable deep speed


London isn't stiff and incapable of getting open. Believe me, I know the perils of falling for a big, contested-catch specialist. He's different. London is quick and flexible and might be better after the catch than he is on those jump balls down the field.
10. Andrew Booth Jr., CB3, Clemson

He excels with: Tremendous plant-and-drive skills, elite twitch, high-caliber body control and ball skills
Areas of concern: Can arrive to the football out of control, will dive for tackle attempts too often, zone talent outweighs man ability
Booth looks like a film glitch when he plants and drives on a route. Insane twitch. He locks onto the football down the field and has the loose body control to contort to snag the ball.


11. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE3, Penn State

He excels with: Bend, length, smart pass-rush plans, converts burst to power
Areas of concern: Bend is good, not amazing, lacks a true trump card
Ebiketie brings it on every snap. He isn't necessarily phenomenal in every phase. He checks all the boxes. Being able to beat blockers in a variety of ways is key once a rusher is in the NFL, and the Temple-turned-Penn State star can do just that.
12. Jameson Williams, WR2, Alabama

He excels with: Lightning speed, good suddenness at the top of his route stem, above-average contested-catch ability
Areas of concern: Slender frame, ACL tear in January, one year of top-level production


Williams scoots, man. His afterburners are special. I love how he plays large on high throws, and he's elusive after the catch. I'm not docking him much for the ACL, even if he may not be able to play until November of his rookie season.
13. Roger McCreary, CB3, Auburn

He excels with: Eye-popping recovery speed, magnificent plant-and-drive skills, glue-like ability to stay in phase, major production
Areas of concern: Incredibly short arms
The history of cornerbacks with the length of McCreary's arms is not encouraging. At all. He's one of my #TrustTheTape prospects in this class. Every game in the SEC, McCreary was such an annoyance to every passing offense he faced. And go check the 2019 film against Ja'Marr Chase.


14. Kenny Pickett, QB2, Pittsburgh

He excels with: Good athleticism, natural playmaker with his legs, deceptive arm talent, aggressive passing style
Areas of concern: Downfield touch, great, not elite accuracy, one year of needle-moving productivity
Pickett is a Week 1 starter. Will he ever be an All-Pro? Probably not. His accuracy could be fine-tuned, and he doesn't have a cannon attached to his shoulder, but the rest of his game checks out with what teams are looking for at quarterback today.
15. Garrett Wilson, WR3, Ohio State

He excels with: Nasty releases, bounciness as a route runner, suddenness after the catch, speed
Areas of concern: Smaller frame, average contact balance
Wilson feels like a modern-day receiver. He's going to get open, frequently, and he's a dynamic threat with the ball in his hands. Is he going to bounce off tacklers? Not really. The rest of his style is en vogue.
16. Daxton Hill, CB4, Michigan

He excels with: Genuine positional versatility, closes on the ball in a blink, not limited athletically whatsoever
Areas of concern: Slender frame, quicker than fast on the field, missed tackles pop up, good, not great productivity
I'm calling Hill a cornerback, a slot defender, really. And he thrives in that role. It's a difficult position to man today, and the best nickel corners are souped-up athletically. Hill is that type, and he hits like a linebacker.
17. Skyy Moore, WR4, Western Michigan

He excels with: Efficient releases, sneaky speed, balance and agility in YAC situations, full-extension grabs come naturally
Areas of concern: Shorter frame, lower level of competition in college
I adore Moore. His film was the most fun of any receiver I've watched this draft season, and his size is so fascinating to me. Just under 5-10 and 195 pounds. He's a smaller version of Samuel after the catch, and he dazzles whenever the ball is in his vicinity. He plays well beyond his years in terms of the intricacies of playing the receiver spot, and he's a dynamic athlete.
18. Ikem Ekwonu, OT3, NC State

He excels with: Revved engine for the ground game, mobile and under control at second level, powerful hands, recovery skill
Areas of concern: Problems against longer rushers, can get overzealous in pass pro, susceptible to inside moves
I'm slightly lower on Ekwonu than most. I'm enamored by his mixture of athleticism and power. He's a little further behind as a pass protector than I'd like for someone who could go in the Top 10, or, say, No. 1 overall.
19. Jalen Pitre, CB5, Baylor

He excels with: Striking speed, flexibility to stay with quick separation-based receivers, plays bigger than his size
Areas of concern: Deployed in free-roaming, playmaking position in college, doesn't have elite speed
If you like Hill, you'll be a fan of Pitre. They're basically the same player. I think Hill plays the ball a bit more naturally in the air. That's it though. Plug and play slot defenders.
20. Chris Olave, WR5, Ohio State

He excels with: Speed, stunning ball-tracking capabilities, sharp routes
Areas of concern: Slender frame, minimal wiggle/power in YAC scenarios
To me, Olave's best attribute is how outstandingly he tracks the football deep. He's, of course, very fast too, and runs crisp routes. High floor prospect.
21. Treylon Burks, WR6, Arkansas

He excels with: Chiseled frame, contact balance, deceptive bounce after the catch, "my ball" mentality down the field
Areas of concern: Good, not great at getting open himself
Burks and Olave have the same grade in my scouting grade book. So if you're team needs a power YAC with the ability to pluck the ball up and over cornerbacks, Burks is your guy.
22. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL1, Iowa

He excels with: Otherworldly athleticism, surprising power, technically sound hand work
Areas of concern: Run blocking is ahead of his pass pro, gets overaggressive and will lunge on occasion, short arms, underweight
This could be as low as you've seen Linderbaum, and don't get it twisted. He's a stud center prospect. yet doesn't come without flaws though, most namely his shorter arms, occasional over-aggression as a blocker, and fact that he needs to add a lot more sand in his pants.
23. Zion Johnson, IOL2, Boston College

He excels with: Positional and scheme versatility, prototypical size, length, and power
Areas of concern: Athleticism is solid, not spectacular
Johnson is ready to go. He could start for more than half the league at guard tomorrow. Length, power, experience, awesome knee bend. He has it all. Johnson's upside is slightly limited because he's a touch heavy-footed on film.
24. George Pickens, WR7, Georgia

He excels with: Height, bus-sized catch radius, suddenness at his size, surprising wiggle in space, vertical separation
Areas of concern: Coming off torn knee ligament, small hands, more of vertical threat than intricate route runner
Surprise! Well, it actually shouldn't be too shocking. Had Pickens not gotten hurt before the 2021 season, this landing spot would've been almost universal. He's a former top recruit who gave Georgia fans glimpses of A.J. Green early in his Bulldogs career. He's that type of wideout.
25. Nakobe Dean, LB1, Georgia

He excels with: Short-area quickness, speed to the football, coverage comfort, quick play-identification skills
Areas of concern: Shorter arms, block-shedding needs to be improved/may be unfixable because of his size
Dean's game is tailored for today's game. He's not undersized, by the way. I want my coverage linebacker right around 6-0 and 225 pounds. Big blockers will overwhelm him at times, but those instances will be outweighed by the impact plays he makes in coverage.
26. Lewis Cine, S2, Georgia

He excels with: Rocket-like speed to the football, fluidity in coverage, thumping nature as a tackler
Areas of concern: Better closer to the line than down the field, some tackling misses on film
The bruising hits first pop on Cine's film, which are fun but don't matter too much at the next level. Then, you notice him making play after play in man or zone coverage. He's a superb athlete too.
27. George Karlaftis, EDGE4, Purdue

He excels with: Inherent strength, awesome swim move, good bend around the corner
Areas of concern: Inconsistent game-to-game
Karlaftis has grown-man strength. Moving blockers looks incredibly easy for him, and his finesse moves through the line are outstanding. I'm just confused why he'd disappear for long stretches.
28. Trevor Penning, OT4, Northern Iowa

He excels with: NFL offensive tackle size, length, power, nasty demeanor, heavy anchor
Areas of concern: On-field athleticism lacks a bit, average recovery talent, can get overanxious at second level
Penning's not quite as athletic on the field as he demonstrated in Indianapolis, and he has a tendency to lunge when he can't find contact quickly. Everything else about his physical profile and college career screams franchise left tackle.
29. David Ojabo, EDGE5, Michigan

He excels with: Burst, supreme bend, sustained speed to the quarterback, flattening skill can't be coached, new to football
Areas of concern: Almost barren pass-rush move arsenal, has to get stronger, speed-to-power is lacking
Ojabo's splash plays are as good as any rusher's in this class. He does have a way to go with the nuances of what it will take to consistently win around the corner in the NFL.
30. Desmond Ridder, QB3, Cincinnati

He excels with: Smart decision making, accuracy to all levels is consistently good, arm is solid, has new-age athleticism
Areas of concern: Not a natural improviser, tends to retreat in pocket under pressure
I watch quarterbacks first during the pre-draft process, to shield myself from any possible hype-train bias. I liked Ridder from the jump. He's not quite as athletic on-field as his testing indicates, and his under-pressure play is a touch worrisome. But many of the details that make a quarterback successful today, he has down.
31. Bernhard Raimann, OT5, Central Michigan

He excels with: Fires out of his stance, vice grips for hands, sound hand work, quality backbend to anchor, explosive, new to football
Areas of concern: Older prospect, explosive in straight line but lateral quicks aren't spectacular
Raimann is one of the oldest prospects in this class. Concerning? A little. He has the athletic chops, hand work, and power to hit the ground running in the NFL. May have to add a little weight.
32. Kyler Gordon, CB6, Washington

He excels with: Unfathomable flexibility, smooth change-of-direction talent, active in run support and as blitzer, plays fast
Areas of concern: Somewhat smaller framed, will miss some tackles
Gordon is Gumby at corner. Flexible City. He didn't run as fast as expected in Indianapolis. I didn't see speed as someone that got him into trouble in college.
33. Jaquan Brisker, S3, Penn State

He excels with: Angry demeanor on the field, sudden for his size, loose hips, attacks blocks like a linebacker
Areas of concern: Better as run defender than in coverage right now, best in box/flying downhill as quasi-linebacker
Brisker did make some plays in coverage last year. He's better against the run. Brisker's size and athletic profile indicates he can become a good coverage safety down the road.
34. Boye Mafe, EDGE6, Minnesota

He excels with: Power, burst, bend, ascending pass-rush move arsenal
Areas of concern: Inconsistent with his hands and speed-to-power conversion
The more football Mafe plays, the better he gets. There's clearly a calculated pass-rush plan when he gets after the quarterback, and his burst will threaten NFL offensive tackles.
35. Jahan Dotson, WR8, Penn State

He excels with: Long speed, natural hands-catching skill, body control, sharp route-running
Areas of concern: Wiggle is lacking for his size/role
Dotson is a unique slot who's faster than he is quick. I love his route-running chops and how well he plays above the rim despite being under 6-0.
36. Logan Hall, DL1, Houston

He excels with: Length, burst off the snap, advanced pass-rush moves, agility
Areas of concern: Thinner frame, rushes can be a tick high
Hall did rush from the outside a fair amount in college. He made the most impact inside. He's a high-end athlete with long arms he uses extremely well.
37. Devonte Wyatt, DL2, Georgia

He excels with: Rapid first step, pop first contact, versatility closing speed when he's in the backfield
Areas of concern: Speed is better than his overall athleticism, pass-rush move arsenal needs improvement
Wyatt and Hall have the same grade. Two different body types. It's difficult to find a massive hole in Wyatt's game. He's just not sensational in any area.
38. Trent McDuffie, CB7, Washington

He excels with: Eye discipline, twitch, block-dispatching skill, versatility deceptive speed
Areas of concern: Smaller frame, minimal ball production in college
McDuffie does a lot of things really well, and given that the NFL is mostly a zone league today, he will have a quick transition. Is he outstanding in any one area? I'm not sure.
39. Daniel Faalele, OT6, Minnesota

He excels with: Unfathomable mass, impressive movement skills for his size, relatively new to game of football
Areas of concern: Slow lateral quickness, which limits his recovery skill, not ready to regularly pass protect on an island
Faalele gave me serious Orlando Brown vibes, and the former Oklahoma Sooner was my No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2018 class. It feels like Faalele's best football is in his future, but I wouldn't want him on an island in pass pro against a crafty veteran early in his pro career.
40. Chad Muma, LB2, Wyoming

He excels with: Smooth athleticism, lightning-quick play-identification skills, man/zone coverage prowess, tackling reliability
Areas of concern: Lacking blazing speed, block-shedding needs work
Muma is my type of linebacker. Smooth, coverage-specialist who also loads the stat sheet against the run. He's fundamentally sound in all the areas that matter at the linebacker spot today.
41. Matt Corral, QB4, Ole Miss

He excels with: Quick release, strong arm, some athletic juice, toughness as a runner
Areas of concern: Overall ball placement is not fantastic, played in RPO-heavy offense, leaned on his legs too often
I came away from Corral's film disappointed in his overall accuracy and loving his tenacity as a runner. Now he won't be able to be much of a designed-run type in the NFL, but the athleticism is there. The offense he ran in college won't do him many favors once he's playing on Sundays.
42. Travon Walker, EDGE7, Georgia

He excels with: Length, acceleration, bull rush
Areas of concern: Almost non-existent pass-rush moves, minimal bend around the corner
I'm lower on walker than I think just about everyone out there. Yes, I know Georgia asked him to two-gap often, but I didn't see a bendy rusher on film, and his lacking hand work was striking. He's an all-upside bet.
43. Marquis Hayes, IOL3, Oklahoma

He excels with: Effortless power, insane length, grip strength, anchoring
Areas of concern: Limited versatility, average athleticism
Hayes is a classic Oklahoma masher who uses his length wonderfully in the run and pass game. He won't be for everyone, but a gap-scheme club can plug him into their lineup immediately.
44. Jordan Davis, DL3, Georgia

He excels with: Size, length, incredible burst for his size, block-defeating skills
Areas of concern: Limited pass-rush moves, every-down ability
Davis' combine was epic. No doubt. If he can play closer 341 than 360, he may have more three-down viability than he had in. He's just limited as a pass-rusher because of his lacking hand work. Davis won't be able to dispatch NFL offensive linemen as easily as he did in the SEC.
45. Jermaine Johnson, EDGE8, Florida State

He excels with: Length, urgency off the snap, speed-to-power conversion
Areas of concern: Small arsenal of pass-rush moves, stalled-out high rushes
Johnson is a fun prospect, but to me, the hype has gone off the rails. His productivity was tremendous in 2021, but he's not fully ready to be a No. 1 edge as a rookie.
46. Kaiir Elam, CB8, Florida

He excels with: Physicality at the line, downfield speed
Areas of concern: Grabbiness beyond five yards, stiffer hips/ankles than his contemporaries
Elam would've been a lock top 10 pick had he been entering the league a decade ago. His speed and length will be best friends in the NFL, but the stiffness to his game doesn't translate well to the game today.
47. Myjai Sanders, EDGE9, Cincinnati

He excels with: Burst, speed-to-power conversion, pass-rush moves
Areas of concern: Extremely low weight, bend could improve
Sanders is somewhat of an enigma, and I don't care how much he weighs, he brings it on every pass-rushing snap. He's not quite as long or bendy as Brian Burns, but he gives me those vibes.
48. Kellen Diesch, OT7, Arizona State

He excels with: Gliding athleticism, always-ready hands, great knee bend
Areas of concern: Lacking weight, power
Diesch will rock in a zone-blocking scheme. Like most young blockers, he needs to add considerable weight and power before he's viable.
49. Tyler Smith, OT8, Tulsa

He excels with: Sheer point-of-attack power, nimble feet for his size, length
Areas of concern: Bad hand placement, over anxiousness
Smith's hand work is patently brutal at times, but he has tantalizing power, length, and energy on the field. In four years, he might be on his third team or an All-Pro.
50. Dylan Parham, IOL4, Memphis

He excels with: Low-center-of-gravity strength, plus grip strength, assignment-sound movements
Areas of concern: Minimal recovery ability, lateral explosiveness
Parham is a bowling ball at guard, and his hand work, anchor, and grip strength will help him early in his career. The athleticism leaves a little to be desired.
Next 10

Max Mitchell (OT Louisiana), Devin Lloyd (LB Utah), Kenyon Green (OL Texas A&M), Obinna Eze (OL TCU), Cam Jurgens (Nebraska), Kingsley Enagbare (EDGE South Carolina), Cordale Flott (CB LSU), Cameron Thomas (EDGE San Diego State), Jeremy Ruckert (TE Ohio State), Phidarian Mathis (DL Alabama)