With the all-star games having passed and the Scouting Combine approaching quickly, it’s a good time to take a look at the updated big board for the 2022 NFL Draft.
While many question how working out without pads can significantly impact these players’ final grades, I argue that it’s not so much the testing numbers as much as living up to the expectation. These workouts are like the final exam at the end of a school year. The process is vital. It’s much more than the “Underwear Olympics,” as some have deemed them.
With that in mind, here are my top 2022 NFL Draft prospects leading up to the next month and a half of workouts.
1-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-80 | 81-100
2022 NFL Draft Prospects: 61-80
61. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Kenneth Walker III comes in a very similar package as Breece Hall, though Hall should be slightly taller and heavier. Still, Walker breaks tackles thanks to his contact balance and leg drive. He’s also got long arms, which offer him the ability to shed tacklers with a stiff-arm approach.
Still, he’s not going to blow us away with his big-play ability, thanks to his slightly above average speed and change-of-direction skills. Walker also doesn’t currently offer much on passing downs either, though, like Hall, the frame is there to help in pass protection if he commits to it.
62. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
Jalen Tolbert had outstanding productivity over the past two years for the Jaguars, catching 146 passes for 2,559 yards and 16 touchdowns. Not only does Tolbert present a big catch radius for his quarterback, but he’s got the core strength to adjust his body on off-target throws.
In Mobile, I was impressed with how well he got in and out of his breaks, and his ability to win 50-50 balls is another strength that teams will love. Also, while he’s more of a possession option, there is enough speed to make big plays in the open field.
63. Travis Jones, DT, UConn
I could see Travis Jones going higher than this if a team is looking for a run-stuffing nose tackle, but players like this tend to slide in the draft. While Jones’ size and power stand out in the run game, he is a bit one-dimensional against the pass.
He was constantly a threat to push his opponents backward in one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl, but that’s all he offers rushing the passer. Still, during his time in Mobile, he also proved just how disruptive he could be against the run. Jones can reset the line of scrimmage with his punch and leg drive, and his 34-inch arms make it difficult for his opponents to latch on. I see a lot of similarities between him and A’Shawn Robinson.
64. Jamaree Sayler, OL, Georgia
Jamaree Sayler has some similarities to Sean Rhyan, considering he played tackle at Georgia but will be a better fit at guard. Still, like Rhyan, Sayler is a technical player with his balance and hands, and also has terrific core and lower-body power to bring defenders to a halt.
While his lateral quickness isn’t good enough to consistently hold up on the outside, it’s not bad for a 320-pound player. I think he can be a day-one starter as a guard, though he needs to clean up his footwork, which can range from being quick to clunky.
65. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
If not for an ACL injury last spring, George Pickens would likely be in the mix for the top receiver in this class, and possibly even a top-ten grade. Before the injury, his size and smooth athleticism mimicked former Bulldog A.J. Green, and I thought he was a more complete route-runner than Green coming out.
The explosion, body control, and ability to accelerate in and out of his breaks are impressive for a receiver that stands 6’3”, and his ball skills are exceptional when his focus is dialed up. There will be some questions about some character concerns, as his emotions tend to shine on the field, and the medical checks will also play a significant factor in his final grade.
66. J.J. Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
After collecting six sacks and seven TFL in eight games in 2020, Enagbare could not take his game to the next level last fall. J.J. Enagbare has terrific hands, employing an accurate, powerful punch that can take blockers off balance.
Still, he’s a bit on the stiffer side, and may never have the burst and flexibility consistently challenge the edge. Also, while he is a solid run defender, his feet can go dead at the point of attack following his initial strike.
However, I liked some of the progress he showed in Mobile, and no one ever questions his effort. I can see him impacting a team’s run defense early, but he will need to continue to grow as a pass rusher, whether it’s on the edge or interior.
67. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
Like Pickens, Justyn Ross is a guy that would rate much higher on this list (and may have declared in 2021) if not for a significant injury. Before the 2020 season, reports indicated his career might be in jeopardy after a congenital fusion was discovered in his spine.
After being away from the football field for well over a year, Ross returned in 2021, only to suffer a stress fracture in his foot in November. Whether or not Ross will ever return to the dynamic playmaker he was in his first two years is a big question mark.
Still, if he does, someone will get a player with a huge catch radius that allows him to make some of the most incredible catches we’ve seen over the past four years. His body control was terrific, and his combination of play strength and play speed had some comparing him to Josh Gordon.
He may not be an extensive route-runner, but he’s a difficult match for any corner in man coverage if he is fully healthy. That will be the big “if” that dominates the narrative between now and the end of April.
68. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Like Strong, there is a healthy drop-off between Desmond Ridder and some of the top quarterbacks in this class. Still, there is also a lot to like about him, and I’m not ruling out him being a starter at the next level.
However, his throwing mechanics have to be tweaked, and overall, he needs to be more consistent with them. There is an occasional wind-up in his motion, and his throwing platform isn’t always ideal. Those flaws have been detrimental to his accuracy, which many hoped would tick up in 2021.
Still, the guy is a gamer. He’s got terrific mobility (though he is slender), and his desire to compete is always ramped up. It’s going to take some work, but if he can develop some consistency with his mechanics and decision-making, someone will want him running their huddle.
69. Abe Lucas, OT, Washington State
In a class with quite a few linemen that can push for a starting job early, Abe Lucas’ name belongs in that conversation. The guy isn’t as flashy as some of the other tackles on this list, but he consistently gets the job done with terrific patience and technique.
Lucas has tremendous size at 6’6” and 332 pounds with nearly 35-inch arms, and he is an easy mover for being that big. His pad level will occasionally get too high, and Lucas isn’t going to maul his opponents, but he executes his assignments.
70. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
Few tight ends in this class combine Greg Dulcich’s play speed and play strength. In fact, he may be the best tight end in this class after the catch. He accelerates well and isn’t afraid to be physical with those that get in his path.
Still, there are some rough areas that need to be cleaned up. As a route-runner, Dulcich plays through contact and can gain separation with his speed. However, hard-breaking patterns will be an issue until he cleans up his footwork at the top of the route and learns to sink better.
Also, the willingness is there as a blocker, but the hand placement has to be more precise, as do his angles. Still, he has the strength to excel in this area as well as the length with 34-inch arms.
71. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
While Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker will make their money between the tackles, Isaiah Spiller is more of a change-of-pace back. He’s got good initial burst, and his long speed should be better than Hall or Walker. Though he’s got a bit of an upright running style, he also changes direction better than either of them.
However, he’s not going to be able to take the punishment of consistently carrying the ball in the box, nor does he have the power to consistently fall forward or push piles. Spiller will fit best in an outside zone scheme and could set himself apart as a pass-catcher. He’s got good hands and has proven capable of creating separation as a route-runner.
72. Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
Two things stand out about Leo Chenal on tape. He’s always reacting to the play quickly, and he is not afraid to lay the lumber. The guy is one of the most physical linebackers I’ve seen in some time, with a thick build from top to bottom.
He is a force in the run game, and his best fit may be on the strong side, where he can put his talents to use at the point of attack. Still, I’m not sure how much he offers on passing downs, though I’d hate to pick this guy up on the blitz. Chenal will also probably play an active role on special teams.
73. Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
Martin Emerson is a tall, long-armed corner that is best near the line of scrimmage, where he can disrupt the receiver’s release. He has a very aggressive mentality, though he will need to tone it down, as he can occasionally keep the contact going beyond five yards.
I love his aggression as a tackler, though Emerson can occasionally come in too high. Still, he gets downhill in a hurry and wraps up consistently. In zone coverage, Emerson shows promise thanks to his burst and length, but he can be a bit overly aggressive and open up throwing lanes. Still, he can compete to play from day one in a scheme that implements a lot of press-man and cover two.
74. Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana-Lafayette
For teams looking for a developmental prospect at tackle, Max Mitchell is a guy to keep an eye on. He’s got tremendous size and length and is one of the better athletes this class has at the position. However, there is still a lot of room for improvement before a team turns him loose on NFL defenders.
For starters, his lower body and core must get stronger. He has some nice pop in his punch, but he struggles to anchor at times, and stronger players put him off balance too often. He is also a step behind developmentally with his technique. Mitchell’s hands can be all over the place, and his posture needs to be more firm and upright with bent knees. His angles can be inconsistent as well, and I’d love to see his feet be more active post-contact. Still, he has the size and mobility teams want and could be a future starter in a zone-heavy scheme.
75. John Metchie, WR, Alabama
John Metchie seldom got the spotlight to himself, having played behind guys like Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith, only to watch Jameson Williams transfer in and have a breakout year in 2021. Still, he’s a guy who has worked hard to make himself available in a variety of ways.
For starters, the guy is a sound route-runner. He is physical on his path and has terrific footwork at the top of the route. He catches the ball cleanly and is oblivious to traffic. I also love Metchie’s effort as a blocker, as that was often the way he made his mark prior to 2021. Still, this is a guy that can be a top-three receiver on a roster, and his work ethic is tremendous.
76. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Like his teammate, McDuffie, Kyler Gordon is an explosive athlete who can play inside or on the perimeter. He’s expected to put up some terrific numbers during the athletic testing, and we got proof of that often in 2021. There are first-round traits there, but unlike McDuffie, he still has some technical flaws that need to be cleaned up.
His best reps come in off coverage, where he is confident in his ability to recover, allowing him to be more aggressive when a receiver sinks his hips. I’d like to see him be more disruptive when pressed up, but I’m not sure if adding more strength to his frame is worth taking away some of his exceptional athleticism. Still, his hands can be more precise.
Like most defensive backs coming out of Washington, he is not afraid to play the run, but once again, he’s not the strongest guy. Gordon still has a lot to clean up with his footwork, too, as he takes too many false steps on tape. That also leads to him getting a little grabby when he’s out of position.
77. Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
Romeo Doubs has some of the best deep speed in this class, and when paired with Carson Strong’s arm strength, it made for a dangerous playmaker in Nevada’s offense. I’ve likened Doubs to Torrey Smith, who was one of the top deep threats in the NFL early in his career, though a bit one-dimensional.
However, Doubs surprised me during his time at the Senior Bowl. While his speed is bound to get him separation on vertical routes, he separated better than I anticipated on hard-breaking intermediate patterns. I still think he has room to improve as a route-runner, and Doubs lets the ball get to his frame more often than I like. Still, in a vertical passing system, Doubs can be a heck of a player.
78. Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
Bryan Cook is another safety in this class that can impact the game in various ways. He’s got the feet and burst to matchup in the slot or against tight ends, and I like his range lining up deep. He also has no reservations about delivering a blow when he gets to the ball.
Against the run, he can be dangerous lined up near the line of scrimmage. He may not be quite as quick as Jalen Pitre when it comes to reacting off his key, but Cook still has good instincts against the run. He also does an excellent job of wrapping up. I mention that Pitre had some similarities to Budda Baker earlier. Well Cook has a little Honey Badger to his game.
79. Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
Tyler Davis is one of the more explosive defensive tackles in this class, but injuries have stunted his development since his Freshman All-American campaign. Still, he’s got natural leverage with a slightly shorter smaller build, and fires out of his stance.
I’d like to see him employ more pop in his hands, and they could be more active in general. His balance also tends to get too far out front, make him easy to neutralize for more patient blockers. Davis should fit best in a penetrating scheme, but teams will have to show patience as he becomes a more technical player.
80. Boye Mafe, OLB/DE, Minnesota
Boye Mafe is another guy that has first-round traits but still needs to learn to make the most of them. His explosion off the snap is tremendous, and he shows the torso and ankle flexibility to easily turn the corner once gaining the edge.
However, he struggled to show multiple techniques in getting after the passer, both on tape and in Mobile. He also has to do a better job countering when his first technique doesn’t succeed. I also wish he was better at the point of attack setting the edge and disengaging to get in on the tackle.
Still, this is Mafe’s time of year, as he is expected to put on a show with his workouts. Teams will see how physically gifted he is and envision a top-flight edge player, but make no mistake, there is still a lot of work to be done with his game.
