High Low Sports: DJ's Top 50 NFL Draft Big Board

DJ’s NFL Draft Top 50 Player Big Board

Created by DJ Stewart, Co-host of the High Low Sports Podcast (@DJ_Stewart_ or @High_Low_Sports)

For the second year, the NFL draft prospect big board is back! This year’s draft features a little less star power at the top but has good depth. Especially the receivers and edge rushers. This year’s big board features 11 wide receivers and 8 edge rushers. I can see a lot of draft-day trades happening if certain players start to slip. Today, we are going to look at the prospects, some of their strengths and weaknesses, and some favorable NFL comparisons based on build and/or skill set. These are FAVORABLE comparisons, not exactly who I think they will be at the next level. Here is a look at my ranking of the 2022 NFL Draft’s top draft prospects, and their scouting reports.

Kayvon Thibodeaux – Edge, Oregon
- Kayvon has been widely considered one of the top prospects for this NFL draft since May 1st of 2021. He is an explosive athlete off the edge, both up the field and laterally. Thibodeaux also shows incredibly high football I.Q. in the way he diagnoses plays. As a 3-4 outside linebacker/ stand-up edge rusher, he has an incredible ceiling. His motor and effort are relenting at times and can overwhelm an offense (see Oregon v UCLA 2021). He can add a little bit of weight to his frame. He does have room to grow with hand usage and taking power runs head-on.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Early Aldon Smith (49ers), Brian Burns
Ikem Ekwonu – OL, NC State
- Power, power, and more power. There is no better way to describe Icky Ekwonu’s game in this NFL draft. He spent his 3 years at NC State overwhelming opposing defensive linemen. Ekwonu has long arms and a Francis Ngannoue type of punch when he initiates contact. He projects to the next level as a high-level tackle or guard. His aggressiveness does lead to him sometimes getting off-balance. Look for Ekwonu to make an immediate impact wherever he goes, and add some tenacity.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Rashawn Slater, Tarik Glenn
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB, Cincinnati
- No touchdowns allowed his entire college career. Sauce was the boss over opposing teams’ receivers. There isn’t much he can’t do. Tall, long arms, great technique, willing tackler, and long strides at top speed. Sauce is aggressive and will put his hands on any receiver. Excels in man-to-man coverage. He can get a bit stiff when changing directions and is sometimes too aggressive. He is CB1 in this NFL draft for a reason and will be looking to continue his streak of no touchdown passes given up.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Nnamdi Asomugha, Stephon Gilmore
Aidan Hutchinson-Edge, Michigan
- A speed rusher with a tenacious motor. Aidan Hutchinson led college football in sacks with his explosive first step of the edge. His handwork is more defined than many young edge rushers, and pairs well with his 6’6 270-pound frame. Hutchinson showed in 2021 an ability to flip from speed to power on a dime, and get offensive lineman on their heels. He does have shorter arms, and can sometimes struggle to disengage once offensive linemen get their hands on him. He is a very cerebral athlete who I expect to go very early in this NFL draft and be a force on passing downs out of the gates.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jared Allen (Vikings), Chandler Jones
Evan Neal – OT, Alabama
- An athletic marvel. Might be the first person who wears 330+ pounds better than most. Evan Neal is an absolute tower, standing at 6’7 and 337 pounds. Neal possesses great hands and footwork to match his natural gifts. His near 7-foot wing makes him an ideal left tackle. Having played across the line during his time at Alabama, Neal provides versatility and experience to translate to the NFL game immediately. He will need to work on hand placement and overextending at the next level. Look for him to slide in and make a fast impact wherever he goes in this NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Joe Staley, Jack Conklin
Tyler Linderbaum – C, Iowa
- An experienced leader with an outstanding collegiate resume for the Hawkeyes. Tyler Linderbaum led Iowa’s run-heavy offense with impressive strength and incredible leg drive. Everyone knew Iowa was going to run the ball, and Linderbaum still found success leading the rushing attack. He is patient when pass blocking and does a quality job holding his blocks. He is pretty undersized and can get knocked back by a bigger interior defensive lineman. Even with his faults, look for Linderbaum to make a quick impression on whatever team lands him in this NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jeff Saturday, Jason Kelce.
Derek Stingley Jr. – CB, LSU
- One of the more interesting prospects in this draft. At 18 years old, he could have been a first-round pick in the draft. He was an All-American and regarded as the best CB in college football after LSU’s title run. Since that point, injuries and one less than spectacular performance against Devonte Smith had his stock drop a bit. He still has a very versatile skill set in both man and zone coverage. Stingley has good speed and ball skills. Still has very fluid hips and great technique in coverage. Expect him to slide in and be an instant impact player in any secondary in this NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: DeAngelo Hall, Darius Slay
Chris Olave – WR, Ohio State
- He has almost become the forgotten receiver at the top of this class. The smoothest route runner, with impressive speed to compliment. Chris Olave has been a playmaker for Ohio State his whole career. 2021 was a “down year” for Olave and he still nearly had 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is a decent-sized receiver at 6’1 and about 190 pounds, with some room to put on a little weight. This does draw questions about him going against press coverage, but his route tree is as strong as anyone in this class. Even in the red zone, he is able to create separation with little space. He can play outside and in the slot with ease. Despite the intrigue from other receivers, Olave is still my WR1 in this NFL draft, with potential frontrunner for rookie of the year depending on who drafts him.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Marvin Harrison, Amari Cooper
Nakobe Dean – LB, Georgia
- Incredible range. This is the best way to describe Nakobe Dean’s game. The stand-out linebacker from Georgia was the captain of college football’s best defense and popped off the screen every week. He has great blitzing skills and is smooth in pass coverage. Dean is a smaller linebacker who covers distance as well as any linebacker in this NFL draft. He is undersized at 5’11 and about 230 pounds. There are concerns about him getting off blocks and being overpowered at the next level. He might be best served as a weak-side linebacker in a base 4-3 defense where he can simply fly across the screen. On passing downs, look for Dean to show his impact by chasing down screens and patrolling the middle of the field.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Roquan Smith, DJ Williams
Drake London – WR, USC
- He won’t be able to celebrate Draft day with a legal alcoholic drink, but whoever drafts Drake London in this NFL draft should crack open the champagne bottles. He is the youngest receiver in the draft at 20. Standing at nearly 6’4 and 220, London is a big body with an underrated route tree. Being a bigger body, he lacks the lateral quickness of his smaller counterparts and isn’t the strongest blocker despite his size. London has all the makings of a big-play receiver at the next level.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Vincent Jackson, Allen Robinson
Jordan Davis – DT, Georgia
- Oh my goodness, did you see what that man just did?!? That is how I and many others described Jordan Davis at the NFL combine, and throughout his season at Georgia. Standing at 6’4, north of 340 pounds, and running a 4.78 forty-yard dash, Davis seemingly defies the laws of physics. He moves so fast for such a big man and can be a disruptive force at the center of a defense. His first step off the line is a step slow, and he doesn’t have the cleanest technique when rushing the passer. Despite this, I expect Jordan Davis to step right in and be one of the better run defenders in the league coming out of this year’s NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparison: Kris Jenkins (Panthers), Akeem Hicks
Kyle Hamilton – S, Notre Dame
- Kyle Hamilton is a very unique prospect in this draft. He has a ridiculous size for a safety, being 6’4 and 220 pounds, and incredible football I.Q. His football I.Q. is so good that it actually disguises his lack of recovery speed. Once he diagnoses a play, he explodes to the ball and brings the hammer each time. Hamilton brings the hammer but does need to improve his 1v1 open field tackling. Very good ball skills for a safety, and is a versatile piece that can playback, but will thrive in the box. Every team in this NFL draft has use for a guy like Kyle Hamilton, but if he goes to the right situation, he can be a major impact player, similar to Micah Parsons last year.
- Favorable NFL Comparison: Roy Williams (Cowboys safety), Jamal Adams
Jermaine Johnson II – Edge, Florida State
- Lengthy and explosive. Those two adjectives summarize Jermaine Johnson II’s game the best. His first step is like he’s shot out of a cannon, and his long arms allow him to engage the tackle first. 2021 was a breakout season that saw him get 11.5 sacks and showed what he is capable of. Johnson is a bit thin at 258 pounds and does sometimes get stuck in the muck on run plays. He has some room to grow, and take on lineman more effectively. In passing situations, his athletic traits and sophisticated pass-rushing moves will make him a handful for offensive linemen for years to come.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jevon Kearse, Danielle Hunter
Devin Lloyd – LB, Utah
- An underwhelming combine doesn’t take away from Devin Lloyd being one of the best defensive players in this NFL draft. He has outstanding coverage skills, especially in the zone. Lloyd does a great job reading the offense and attacking the weak points. He is a great blitzer from the edge and up the middle. There are still questions about his hip fluidity, and how well he can match up with athletic tight ends and running backs. Overall, Lloyd brings plenty of versatility and experience as a 5th year junior.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Navarro Bowman, Eric Kendricks
Garrett Wilson – WR, Ohio State
- A fantastic athlete who is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Garrett Wilson was an absolute standout for Ohio State last year. He is explosive in short spurts and possesses great downfield speed. He is a bit smaller and struggles with route running at times. Defensive backs can get into his body and slow him down. Wilson’s as dynamic as it gets in this draft with the ball in his hands, and will have defenses on their heels as soon as he touches the ball for the first time.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: DJ Moore, Percy Harvin
Charles Cross – OT, Mississippi State
- Arguably the best pass protector in this NFL draft. Charles Cross is a big, strong, athletic, prototype of a left tackle. He compliments his athletic traits with very good hands and technique. He played in an air raid offense under Mike Leach that both helped and hurt him. It hurt in that the splits and alignment from air raid offenses benefit tackles with more space between the rusher and the QB. It helped that he was basically in pass pro the entire time, refining his technique over his career. Cross feels like a sure thing to at least be an NFL starting lineman at worst.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Ryan Clady, Terron Armstead
George Karlaftis – Edge, Purdue
- A true grinder with great hands. George Karlaftis really stood out on the Purdue defensive line. Standing at about 6’4 and weighing around 270, he was a true hand-in-the-dirt defensive lineman. He has an exceptional short field burst to get off the snap. In certain packages, he can even slide inside on passing downs and rush from there. He doesn’t have an amazing wingspan and can get buried by big offensive linemen on running downs if they can get into his body. Karlaftis should be able to contribute right away on passing downs and mold into a quality starting defensive lineman.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Justin Smith (49ers) Preston Smith
Trevor Penning – OT, University of Northern Iowa
- A mountain of a man. Trevor Penning comes from a smaller school but packs a big punch. A staggering 6’7 and 325 pounds, Penning shot up NFL draft boards this offseason when he proved he could maul the bigger school guys too. His athleticism matches his tremendous size, with impressive handwork. Being so tall, he does sometimes play too high and let rushers get into his body. Penning still has some work to do, but he is as promising as any offensive lineman in the draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Lane Johnson, Donald Penn
Jameson Williams – WR, Alabama
- Tell me if you’ve heard this story before, “receiver from Alabama will be one of the fastest players in the NFL immediately”. Jameson Williams follows the footsteps of burners like Henry Ruggs and Jaylen Waddle entering the league. He scored 15 touchdowns last season at an absolutely staggering 47.5-yard average per touchdown!?! An ACL injury will most likely have him sidelined to start his rookie campaign, which could cause him to slip a bit in the draft. He will need to work on route running and using his hands to get off press coverage. For such a burner, he possesses great hands and concentration in traffic. When he is healthy, Williams will have safeties taking that extra few steps back pre-snap to account for his speed.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Terry McLaurin, Mike Wallace
Devonte Wyatt – DT, Georgia
- Sometimes the unsung hero of the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. Devonte Wyatt is a big interior defensive lineman who, like his teammate Jordan Davis, absolutely blew the doors off Lucas Oil Stadium with his combine performance. Running a 4.77 at 305 pounds, Wyatt has an incredible first step off the ball with underrated power and bendability. He does lack technique with his hands and can run himself out of the play if he gets too far up-field. Not a DT that will do well taking on double teams in the run game. Wyatt offers something Davis does not, and that is versatility up and down the defensive line. Look for Wyatt to make some noise up the middle on passing downs right away.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Fletcher Cox, Tommie Harris
David Ojabo- Edge, Michigan
- An impressive athlete who comes off the edge like a bullet. David Ojabo Showed he was more than just Robin to Aiden Hutchinson’s Batman last year, tallying 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He was well on his way to skyrocketing up NFL draft boards after his impressive combine, before tearing his Achilles during his pro day. Ojabo does have some room to beef up and will need to improve taking power runs. He won’t be able to start the season, but look for Ojabo to be a long-term edge defender for whatever team drafts him.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Robert Mathis, Shawn Merriman
Matt Corral – QB, Ole Miss
- The top-rated QB in the 2022 NFL draft. Matt Corral has a good blend of talent, production, NFL traits, and swagger. Corral showed a significant jump in his accuracy and anticipation in his throws last year, while still making the big plays. He is a bit undersized and will take some time improving his field vision as a passer. Corral’s athletic ability and arm talent make him a solid prospect in this draft, and I expect him to be a starter sooner rather than later, especially in an RPO-heavy offense.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota
Kenneth Walker – RB, Michigan State
- The Heisman front-runner for the majority of the season, Kenneth Walker has done nothing but help his draft stock during the process. Running a sub 4.4 40-yard dash at 5’9 and 215 pounds, Walker is a prime build for a modern running back. He put the Michigan State Spartans on his back last season and was their workhorse. He has decent receiving skills but can use some work in the passing game, including blocking. Walker’s vision and ability as a runner will make him an impact player wherever he is drafted in this NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: JK Dobbins, Thomas Jones (Bears)
Demarvin Leal- DT, Texas A&M
- A bit of an enigma. That is the best way I can describe Demarvin Leal. He has quick, nimble footwork, is surprisingly smooth in space, and has short field explosiveness you want from a defensive tackle. Unfortunately, though, Leal is a mediocre run defender, ran a 5-flat 40-yard dash, and doesn’t separate from blockers that well. There’s a lot of boom or bust on his tape. If he hits, he will be a chess piece along the d-line that coordinators will have fun using. The potential is very high, and he could be one of the best players in the draft depending on where he gets drafted in this NFL draft.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Ed Oliver, Kevin Williams (Vikings)
Kenny Pickett – QB, Pittsburgh
- Probably the surest thing of the QBs in this NFL draft. Kenny Pickett has good arm strength, accuracy, mobility, and a good feel for the game. Pickett had a big jump from last year to this year in his overall skills as a passer. A lot has been made of his small hands, but that shouldn’t really affect him that much at the next level. I have concerns about how much he can improve, and if his ceiling is very low. If he can continue to build on his game as he did over the last year, look for Pickett to be a strong starter for years to come.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Mac Jones, Alex Smith
Trent McDuffie – CB, Washington
- Versatile and cunning are the two adjectives I’d use to describe Trent McDuffie’s game. He’s a physical, agile corner who is always willing to tackle. Probably the best blitzer of the bunch, and a good run defender. He is a good-sized CB, but not great-sized. His technique is solid and compliments his athletic ability. Look for McDuffie to be used as a swiss army knife type of player by a creative defensive mind.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Kenny Moore, Charles Woodson
Jahan Dotson – WR, Penn State
- I feel like Jahan Dotson has a strong chance to be this year’s Justin Jefferson or Tee Higgins. Dotson is an awesome route runner who does great work in space. He is a very good athlete and has some of the better hands in the class. His biggest knock is his small size. Even at his stature, he still did a fantastic job beating press coverage and willingly blocking. Dotson even offers versatility as a returner. If he was a couple of inches taller and 15 pounds heavier, he would be the top receiver in this class. If Dotson stays healthy at the next level, he will be a fantastic addition to any offense (cough cough Packers don’t overthink it)
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Antonio Brown (pre-drama), TY Hilton
Travon Walker – Edge, Georgia
- This year’s combine darling among scouts and draft fanatics. Travon Walker was a big part of that vaunted Georgia front line that terrorized college football. He backed up his tape, and then some, at the combine when he ran a 4.5 41-yard dash at 6’5 and 275 pounds. He is explosive off the edge with fantastic strength and flexibility around the edge. Walker is very strong against the run and uses his strength to anchor down the edge. He does have some work to do in pursuit and handwork, but the talent is there for Walker to be an outstanding NFL edge rusher.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jadeveon Clowney, Richard Dent
Breece Hall – RB, Iowa State
- One of the best prospects you probably didn’t hear a word about until the end of the season. Breece Hall finished up an incredible career at Iowa State that saw the team crack the top 10 multiple times the last couple of seasons. He scored 23 TDs last year and showed the ability to be an every-down workhorse. There are concerns about longevity, he had more than 800 touches in his college career. He also has some work to do in pass protection. Hall offers an outstanding blend of size, speed, and finesse that will make him an impact back right away at the next level.
- Favorable NFL Comparison: Priest Holmes, Jonathan Taylor
Andrew Booth Jr. – CB, Clemson
- Andrew Booth Jr. is a very lengthy corner with very good fluidity to complement it. Booth uses his long arms very well in press man-to-man coverage. Doing an even better job diagnosing the play and reacting. He is a flexible corner who can be used in multiple schemes. Booth does need to work on tackling and can be a bit stiff breaking on routes. I see Booth Jr. as a future starting CB who can make an impact on passing downs right away.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: AJ Terrell, Antonio Cromartie
Kenyon Green – OL, Texas A&M
- A big, versatile, mauler. Kenyon Green had a very busy final season at Texas A&M, playing every position on the offensive line besides center. Green has a tough, physical play style, with a ruthless first punch. A good athlete for his size, he also does well climbing levels in the run game. Green does need to work on hand placement and usage. He gets a bit wide with his hands and his stance. His experience at multiple positions makes him a great option for teams in need of o-line help, and I expect his best to be at guard.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Joel Bitonio, Logan Mankins
Treylon Burks – WR, Arkansas
- He’s not Deebo Samuel. We can stop that comparison right now. That doesn’t mean that Treylon Burks won’t be a playmaker at the next level. He is a big, strong, and explosive receiver, who is a very good ball carrier. He has very good hands and the ability to line up at any receiver spot. His route running will need some work, and small details in his game will need to be ironed out. Overall, I expect Burks to be an explosive offensive weapon, who does offer some special teams return value if needed. In the right system he makes the QB’s job that much easier.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Josh Gordon, AJ Brown
Malik Wills – QB, Liberty
- Easily the most polarizing QB prospect in the draft. Malik Willis has an awesome set of traits and is a fantastic person on top of it. He has a cannon of an arm, really good speed is a natural ball carrier who takes on tacklers like a freight train, and can put the ball anywhere on the field. The questions come from his ability to maximize that talent. His college tape is two different highlight reels of great and questionable. He has a lot of Josh Allen in him. The question is, can he be developed and surrounded by a team similar to what Allen has received in Buffalo. Willis can go anywhere from pick #2, to potentially #32. Come draft day, all eyes will be on the talented signal-caller out of Liberty.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Cam Newton, Dante Culpepper
Charlie Kolar – TE, Iowa State
- My first and only tight end on this list. Charlie Kolar has a very average athletic profile, but he brings a big body with good hands. He was a star at Iowa State and will be an immediate red-zone threat at the next level. With his limited athleticism, he will need to improve his route running. Often he just uses his size to get position and box out defenders. Kolar has the makings of a really reliable safety blanket in the NFL who will churn out first downs at a high clip.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jason Witten, Pat Freiermuth
Roger McCreary – CB, Auburn
- A gamer with a wealth of experience. Roger McCreary played in 40+ games against legit competition. Arguably, his best performance came in the Iron Bowl against Alabama. He made life for those Alabama receivers hell. A very fluid technician with very good ball skills. He lacks explosion and sometimes is a bit slow to react. McCreary has a pretty high floor with how good his technique is, and I expect him to be a quality starter/nickel corner.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jamel Dean, Brandon Flowers (Chiefs)
Zion Johnson – OL, Boston College
- Might be the best pure guard prospect in the class. Really good in pass protection, and a mauler in the run game. Plays with a really good, low pad level. He does a great job climbing to the second level and getting downhill. His struggles come from having to redirect and suddenly change against delayed blitzes or stunts. Johnson can step in on day one and lock up a guard spot for many of the teams in position to take him. The only concern is if a team tries to move him to a tackle spot, and takes away his best skills.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jahari Evans, Shaq Mason
George Pickens – WR, Georgia
- One of my favorite prospects in the draft, who might slip down some draft boards. George Pickens is a big, strong, athletic receiver with smooth hands and a developing route tree. He missed much of last season coming off a knee injury and showed flashes of his potential in his limited action. Running a 4.47 at 6’3 helped his draft stock in a crowded class of receivers. He’s not the twitchiest or smoothest receiver out of breaks. If he begins to slip to some of these teams with premier quarterbacks, look out for Pickens to make a run at ROTY.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: AJ Green (Bengals), Miles Austin (Cowboys)
Darian Kinnard – OL, Kentucky
- Darian Kinnard falls in a similar category as Jordan Davis when it comes to carrying a ton of weight really well. Weighing north of 320, he looks like an athlete on the offensive line. He’s got bricks for hands and an aggressive streak. While he looks athletic, he is a bit slow off the line, and not overly twitchy. His technique will need to be polished up, like keeping his pad level at a good level. He is another prospect who has a high ceiling as a guard, and with the right coaching should be a starting guard for a decade.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: John Feliciano, Brian Waters
Dax Hill – Safety, Michigan
- Might be the most versatile defensive back in the draft. Dax Hill can line up as a single high safety, two high safety, in the box, and as a nickel corner without missing a beat. Running a 4.38, Hill can cover a lot of distance from every part of the field. He’s a risk-taker, and can sometimes give up big plays from gambling too much. His best fit would be a buzz zone, roll safety in a single-high look, where he can play downhill. The defensive coordinator of the team who drafts him is going to have a lot of fun utilizing Hill across the field.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Jevon Holland, Brian Dawkins
Nik Bonitto – Edge, Oklahoma
- Speed, speed, and more speed. Nik Bonitto showed off his athletic ability with a fantastic combine and pro day. He has a knack for getting skinny and bending around the edge on the way to the quarterback. Truly explodes off the line with a good set of moves. The knock on him is his size and his strength. Didn’t have much power when he engaged with offensive linemen and was dependent on exploding around them. If he can add some weight and improve his strength, Bonitto can be a solid edge defender, especially on passing downs and in a 3-4 scheme.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Robert Mathis, Leonard Floyd
John Metchie – WR, Alabama
- If we’re being honest, John Metchie could be much higher on this list, and many others, if he didn’t get injured late in the season. Metchie had a fantastic final season at Alabama and provided Bryce Young with a reliable route runner to complement Williams’ explosive plays. Metchie isn’t as athletically gifted as his teammate and didn’t get a chance to run or do any drills due to the injury. He is a bit small for his playstyle and doesn’t run away from people too often. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for with subtle juke moves and is really good when he has the ball. A potential long-term steal if he goes to the right team.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Donald Driver, Jarvis Landry
David Bell – WR, Purdue
- A powerful receiver with really good hands and ball skills. David Bell has all the intangibles you want in an NFL receiver. Bell has really underrated run after catch ability with his strength and size. The big concern with Bell is his lack of speed, only running a 4.65, and struggles separating for corners. He also will need to polish up his route running to help him separate. Despite the concerns, Bell was still an All-American last year with some big-time games against strong competition. I can see Bell being an outstanding WR2 in a really good offense at the next level.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Anquan Bolden, Kendrick Bourne
Arnold Ebiketie – Edge, Penn State
- The best way I can describe Arnold Ebiketie is simply by saying look at Penn State’s depth chart last season. He was listed as a starter or backup on multiple positions on the front line. He’s very explosive off the edge with an evolving set of pass rush moves. He is still very raw and didn’t really stand out until this season. I like him to start as a situational, wide 9 pass rusher, then develop into a full-time player.
- Favorable NFL Comparison: Osi Umenyiora, Brandon Graham
Christian Watson – WR, North Dakota State
- You can make the argument that Christian Watson has the highest ceiling of any receiver in this draft. Many people are doing just that. He’s 6’4, 210 pounds, and runs a 4.36 40-yard dash. Watching him on tape, he plays like it too. A true big-play receiver with a pretty decent route tree for how big he is. What is concerning is some of the drops he had. His deep ball tracking isn’t the best either and sometimes lets DBs get too physical with him and disrupt his routes. Watson brings underrated yards after catch skills to complement his deep threat skillset. With the right coaching and time, Watson could develop into the best receiver in the class.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Braylon Edwards, Kenny Golladay
Troy Andersen – LB, MSU
- Might have the most decorated overall college career of any prospect in this class. A freshman All-American and Big Sky Conference Freshman of the year as a running back and linebacker combo, First-team All-Big Sky as a quarterback his sophomore season, First team All-Conference at linebacker his junior year, and his final year he was an FCS All-American, and Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He also ran a 4.42 at the combine. Andersen is a versatile athlete with some room to improve, (especially in pass coverage) but his versatility and athletic profile have him soaring up draft boards, rightfully so.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Myles Jack, Mike Vrabel
Dylan Parham – OL, Memphis
- A 4-year starter at Memphis with excellent mobility and pad level. Dylan Parham is one of the safer picks in the draft, with a high ceiling. Excellent at finishing his blocks and staying patient once he is engaged with a defender. He lacks the length you would like to see and moves his feet too much with hesitation moves. He is a great athlete who does a good job getting to the second level and clearing out defenders. Parham shouldn’t have much trouble making an impact at the next level.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Mark Glowinski, Marshall Yanda
Desmond Ridder – QB, Cincinnati
- Desmond Ridder has all the traits and intangible skills you want in a quarterback prospect. Very athletic, has a rocket of an arm, has fantastic leadership, and has a strong mental acuity for the game. Ridder was an underrated runner, scoring 28 rushing touchdowns in his college career, and did it smoothly. He can put the ball anywhere on the field with plenty of arm strength. His accuracy and ball placement have continued to be his biggest weakness. He does tend to play a bit of hero ball as well. Ridder has all the traits to potentially develop into a QB1 at the next level if he ends up in the right situation.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Dak Prescott, David Garrard
Kaiir Elam – CB, Florida
- An aggressive corner with good size and speed. Kaiir Elam would probably feel comfortable playing linebacker if he added 50 pounds. Takes receivers head-on and is a willing tackler. Does a pretty good job at attacking the ball in the air. What is his strength, is also a bit of a weakness. He tends to get over-aggressive and get caught out of position when pressing or going for the tackle. Elam is a very gifted corner who will thrive in a man-to-man heavy scheme.
- Favorable NFL Comparison: Dominique Rogers Cromartie, Patrick Peterson
Brian Asamoah – LB, Oklahoma
- An athletic linebacker with a knack for coverage. Brian Asamoah is a smaller linebacker who can fly across the field. When he makes his read, he can fire to the ball like a bullet. Really effective in coverage, and could probably handle many tight ends or running backs. His biggest flaw is he is incredibly undersized for a linebacker and struggles to take on blocks. He really is a hybrid safety/linebacker who will find his best success on passing downs in a nickel-style defense. If he can add a few pounds without losing explosiveness, I expect him to develop into a strong 3-down starter.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Tevin Smith, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Samori Toure – WR, Nebraska
- Another Big Sky standout makes this list. Samori Toure starred for the University of Montana before transferring to Nebraska for his final season. There are plenty of players ranked lower than him that have more potential than Toure, but I see him as a versatile football player who has many skills but isn’t a master of any. He is really good in space, finding open spots, and catching the ball. He isn’t the most dynamic athlete and would be mostly just a slot weapon. What he lacks in potential, he makes up for noticeably as a big-game baller. In his first playoff game with Montana, he broke Randy Moss’s receiving record in an FCS playoff game when he put up 303 yards against Southern Louisiana. Then against Ohio State, he put up 150 yards and a touchdown. The ceiling isn’t very high, but he is made of the right “stuff” for a guy I want on my team.
- Favorable NFL Comparisons: Hakeem Nicks, Ashton Dulin