2022 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0: Sauce on Top

With the combine in the rearview mirror and the off-season about to take full swing, it is time for us to drop our first OFFICIAL prospect big board of the year! This is all subject to change and prospects will move up and down the board, but these are our initial rankings that we may refer to coming up in future pre-draft articles!

1. Sauce Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
Position Rank: 1

A guy who has been rising exponentially throughout the off-season thus far has reached the top! Ahmaud "Sauce" Gardner is our top prospect in the NFL draft! First of all, how do you not love a guy whose nickname is literally SAUCE. He backs it up with his play on the field. Sauce was a sticky coverage guy for the past few seasons in Cincinnati as he's also never allowed a TD in his entire college career. You can say that he doesn't consistently face the best opponents, but even that isn't true as he's excelled in all the games that Cinncy has played against top teams in out of conference games. Gardner has all of the physical tools as well to be one of the best CBs in football for years to come. 6'2, 4.4 speed, insane coverage ability, and a near surefire top 5 pick. Being a CB makes him unlikely to go top 3, but he's still our no. 1 player in the class.

2. Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Pos. Rank: 1

While many might not even have Evan Neal as a top 2 player in the class, let alone the top tackle in it, I do. This is my big board and how I see players stacking up against one another. His ceiling is sky-high and I also feel like he has a pretty high floor. At 6'7, 340 pounds, Neal is strong, agile, athletic, and impossible to move. Pictures of Neal were going viral at the combine for how slim he looks despite his gargantuan size. That is good news for teams who could worry he's the next big tackle to eat his way out of the NFL. Neal could be the premier pass blocking LT in the NFL in a couple years time.

3. Aidan Hutchinson, Edge Rusher, Michigan
Pos. Rank: 1

Another guy who many see as the best player in the class. I like Hutchinson, don't get me wrong, he just doesn't feel like that superstar rusher that teams have been waiting to draft for years. His final season at Michigan really propelled him to this high ranking as he was second in Heisman voting as well. Hutchinson had an unreal season at Michigan with over 13 sacks and bringing consistent pressure every single Saturday. I just don't feel like he is an out of the world athlete like a ton of the other edge rushers we've seen go top 3 over the past decade or really just ever. Not saying he will be bad by any means, but Hutchinson feels like a high-floor, low-ceiling kind of talent to me. I have him slightly above the other rushers (and currently have his as my no. 1 pick).

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge Rusher, Oregon
Pos. Rank: 2

Again, another potential shocker. Hutch feels like a safer pick maybe, but the ceiling on Thibs feels unlimited as he's already shown us so much despite limited availability during his college career with the Ducks. Thibodeaux showcases that elite bend off of the edge and brings the juice some plays that will remind you of a young Jadeveon Clowney coming out of South Carolina. While some downgrade him due to availability and potential character issues, he feels like a potential superstar rusher.

5. Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
Pos. Rank: 1

In a loaded WR class, Drake London stands out as my top prospect. I don't like to heavily compare a prospect to a current NFL player much, but London is literally another shade of Mike Evans. Both are thin but strong, massive targets who seem to catch everything and also possess surprisingly good speed. London did get injured midway through the season, but was still on track for a monster year. London, who played basketball too at USC, plays above the rim, and with his other skills, he is going to be a highly coveted prospect in the early part of the first round and has a great chance of being the first wideout off the board.

6. Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Position Rank: 1

While he didn't test incredibly well at the combine, that doesn't deter us from giving Hamilton his well deserved flowers. Hamilton is a unicorn, standing at 6'4 and 225 pounds, he isn't JUST a safety. He moves all around the defense and does so at an elite level. In the NFL he won't be just a safety, but an LB and possibly even an edge rusher at times as well. While he likely won't be the top pick due to his primary position being Safety, but he is still the top player in the class in my eyes. People are going to have him dropping in rankings, but I still think he's worthy of a top 5-10 pick, he could end up being the steal of the first round. 

7. Travon Walker, Edge Rusher, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 3

Talk about another guy who we are seeing rise throughout the pre-draft process. Walker exited the season as a question mark whether he'd be a first rounder at all, now we are seeing analysts say he could go as high as pick number TWO overall. While I'm not that crazy about Walker, I still love him to death and am higher on him than most. Walker feels like a rare specimen of a prospect. At 6'5, 275 pounds, Walker boasted 4.5 speed at the combine and looked incredibly smooth during the on-field drills portion. Walker's versatility is what is so exciting about him. He plays off the edge but has shown he can dominate inside and EVEN drop back into coverage where we saw him make a number of plays. I'm not going to go close to comparing him to someone like Aaron Donald, but his versatility and traits make him somewhat similar to the 3x DPOY winner. Walker is going to be a very high draft pick but may need some time before being a true impact player in the NFL.

8. Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, NC State
Pos. Rank: 2

This is many people's no. 1 tackle and player in the class. I'm not too far behind, but I like Evan Neal just a bit better. Ekwonu has scouts and analysts falling in love with him with his nasty demeanor in the trenches and prowess in both blocking facets, especially in the run. Despite his massive size like Neal, Ickey is also impossible to get around or overpower. I put Neal slightly ahead just due to competition they face (SEC vs ACC).

9. Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
Pos. Rank: 3

Despite this ranking as the third best tackle, Cross is potentially the best pass blocking lineman in the class and feels like a lock to go within the top 10 due to positional need. Playing in the air raid offense like Mike Leach deploys at Miss. State, Cross was pass blocking almost every play, and doing it at an elite level. There are so many teams picking within this top 10 that are going to prioritize adding a guy who they know for sure can be their anchor from a pass blocking prospective. He obviously has room for growth in the run blocking game, but he isn't as bad there as you might think and could become an elite player quickly if he is able to work on that which I expect him to. In many years, Cross would be the surefire top tackle (it just shows the OT strength of this class). I think Cross could be the most NFL ready of the top 3.

10. Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 1

There was some serious talk of Davis falling out of the first round before the combine, but after it, Davis feels like a potential lock to be a top 15 pick. You couldn't have had a much better combine that what Davis did. He ran a 4.7 forty at 350 pounds and then leapt 10 feet. He just showed off his freak of nature traits and looks like he is going to be quite the mismatch and double-team commander in the NFL. Again, like Travon Walker, I really don't wanna compare anyone to Aaron Donald, but Davis could be that good. He's already one of the best run stuffing prospects I've seen but with his unbelievable speed and overall athleticism at his size, he could be a Hall of Famer if he gets it all right. Davis has worked his way into our top 10 prospects list!

11. Derek Stingley Jr., Cornerback, LSU
Pos. Rank: 2

Stingley might be the biggest wildcard right now in this draft. For the longest time we saw him as a surefire top 5 pick in the class following his monster freshman season at LSU. Since then, we haven't seen much of him due to injury. There is no denying the skill and athleticism of the 6'1, 195 and speedy corner, but whoever drafts him is going to be taking a bit of a shot in the dark with him as we haven't seen consistently good tape from him in over 2 years. I think he is going to be a steal and a great player in the NFL at this rate, but it is certainly far from a given. Stingley still feels like a lock to go inside the top 12 (I can't see him falling past both Seattle & Minnesota).

12. Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
Pos. Rank: 1

Tyler Linderbaum IS the best center prospect I've ever seen. There is also not much reason to worry with him as he's coming from OL U which is Iowa. That place just churns out elite lineman after elite lineman and Linderbaum feels a lock to be the next. Seriously, he can do everything you'd want out of a center and will do it all at an elite level right out of the gate. In three seasons as the Hawkeyes' starting C, Linderbaum has allowed just THREE sacks. The only knock on TL is that he doesn't possess elite length which will scare some teams away. That's it. This is one of, if not the, safest prospects in the draft and I think he could have Creed Humphrey level success in year 1. Despite being my #12 overall prospect in the class, there's a real chance he doesn't go until the late 20s just because of how teams value IOL in recent drafts. 

13. Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Pos. Rank: 2

It is so unfortunate that Williams tore his ACL in the CFB playoff, because he would not only have an even better shot of being the first WR off the board, but he was a potential top 8 pick. Now, while I think his stock is slowly but surely coming back up, it took a big hit with that injury. Williams is coming off of an unbelievable single season at 'Bama. He is the definition of a deep threat, having scored a 50+ yard TD in almost every game of the year with the Crimson Tide. His numbers on the year were also astronomical. At 6'2, 180, Williams has elite height and also pairs elite speed with it. The smoothness and speed he runs his routes is a beauty to watch. I truly think that he is the WR1 in the class without the injury, but he still may be even with the injury as reports are surfacing that he is way ahead of schedule in rehab and is likely to be ready for week 1 of the upcoming NFL season. I'm higher on Williams than most as I have him inside the top 13 and higher than guys like Garrett Wilson or even Chris Olave. 

14. Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
Pos. Rank: 1

If Devin Lloyd had dominated the combine, we could have seen his draft stock rise into the potential top 5-8. Sadly, he didn't impress at the event, but still is one of the best defensive players in the class and is in turn, my top LB prospect. While Lloyd didn't dominate the combine, his tape speaks for itself. He was one of the most dominant LBs I've ever seen in a single season of college football. I'm not going to recite his insanely packed statline again, but go look it up if you haven't seen it. His impact is unmatched. While the top end speed at LB isn't there for Lloyd, pretty much everything else is. He's great is pass coverage and awesome at stopping the run. He feels like the next potential Bobby Wagner or Luke Kuechly. I'm really going THAT far to say how good I think Lloyd is and will be in the NFL. He will be the heart and soul of an NFL defense very soon.

15. Jermaine Johnson, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Pos. Rank: 4

The top 3 edge rushers in the class feel pretty cemented in stone right now, outside of them though, Johnson is a big wildcard. Some teams LOVE Johnson while others appear to be somewhat low on him. Only time will tell where he goes. At the Senior Bowl, Johnson was the best player on the field. He did so well throughout the first few days that he literally didn't participate in the later days because he had nothing left to prove. He isn't the fastest edge rusher you will see but his power is near elite. He could stand to gain from adding some new moves to his pass rushing arsenal, but then again, he is awesome with the bull rush move he utilizes so much. This is a player that will be a great and productive day 1 starter, but figures to get even better as he learns more at the next level. Johnson is feeling more and more like a top 10-15 lock by the day.

16. Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Pos. Rank: 3

Garrett Wilson may very well be the first wideout off the board in April, but for the time being, he is our no. 3 at the position. Wilson also feels like a pretty safe pick as far as first round wideouts go. He can do everything somewhat well, but I wouldn't say there is anything CRAZY about him, which is why I have him here. Wilson is a modest 6 foot, 190 pounds who tested well with a 4.3 forty and looked as smooth as we all expected him to while running on the field. The best thing about Wilson is his skill after the catch. It's almost like he hits a new gear. As a route runner, he is very good as well. I think it won't take any time for him to get going in the NFL and it would not shock me if he is the rookie of the year if he ends up in the right situation. Some have him going as high as #4 to the Jets, for me, I just love London and Jam. Williams a little bit more. 

17. Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 2

I think you can get a sense for how good this Georgia defense was. Dean marks the third UGA defender inside the top 17 of my big board rankings. There is a serious case to be made for Dean being the top LB in the class. While a little smaller than the prototypical NFL 'backer these days, Dean makes up for it in pretty much every other way possible. He can do it all. He is insanely fast, can cover any player he's asked to, and is an outstanding run defender who can also make an impact blitzing the QB. It wouldn't shock me at all to see him go over Devin Lloyd and even inside of the top 15. A player he reminds me a little of is Devin White, and if he's anything like the Bucs' young stud, he is going to be an asset for years to come. Don't forget, despite all of the talent on that title winning Georgia defense, Dean was the captain. I could only see him falling just due to LB positional value not being valued as much as other spots. A team could be in line to get a straight up steal with him in the late first.

18. Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
Pos. Rank: 1

People are downplaying how stacked this draft class is with talent just because it happens to be a weak one at the QB spot. While that is true, I think Malik Willis stands out alone from the crowd of other QB prospects here. I'm enamored by Willis as a prospect. He is literally Lamar Jackson but with a better arm in my opinion. While he isn't polished at all yet, he has so much upside and will likely go to a team committed developing him into the superstar he could be. You wouldn't expect a guy who is as small, lean, and quick as Willis to have the absolute cannon that he has. I strongly recommend turning on the tape of him throwing at the combine, it was some of the most impressive throwing I've seen at the event ever. He was dropping it right in his receiver's bucket in stride with no adjustments needing to be made by the player. I strongly believe he deserves to be a top 5-10 pick and if teams get intrigued by him, I could see a major trade up happening to secure him. 

19. Trevor Penning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
Pos. Rank: 4

While I'm lower on him than most, there is no denying that Trevor Penning is rising up draft boards quickly. It is clear that OL is going to be at a premium in this class which bodes very well for Penning's draft stock. At 6'7 and over 325 pounds, Penning fits the exact mold of what you would want your premier tackle of the future to be. Penning has all of the tools to be a great tackle in the NFL but he definitely is not there yet. We've seen many flashes with him, including many times where his nasty demeanor is shown off big time as he will leave opposing edge rushers on the ground. He has a ton of strength and athleticism, plus this tough mentality, he just has to develop. Penning is starting to feel like a top 15 lock as well, due to how many teams are looking for OT.

20. Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
Pos. Rank: 3

You won't ever really hear the word "flashy" associated with Trent McDuffie, but that is alright with him and will be alright with a TON of NFL teams in April. McDuffie brings everything you could ever want in a corner to the table. He excels in both man, zone, and press and has top notch instincts and seems to always be in the right place at the right time. The only knock on him is that he's 5'11 which is a bit undersized in the NFL but we've seen guys like DJ Reed make it work on the outside. Some teams might want to move McDuffie to the nickel but he's seriously good enough at everything to be a CB1 in the NFL. 

21. Andrew Booth Jr., Cornerback, Clemson
Pos. Rank: 4

Not far behind McDuffie is the skilled Andrew Booth Jr. of Clemson. While Booth has more prototypical CB size than McDuffie, he is as good of a player. I do think it is extremely close though. Just like McDuffie, Booth has a high floor in every coverage aspect. His biggest strength has to be his ball skills as he is a known ball-hawk from his time for the orange and purple. In a class of studs, Booth is getting very overlooked. There are many years where he'd easily be the CB1 in the class and a likely top 10 pick, this just shows how strong this year's class happens to be.

22. Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Pos. Rank: 4

The word you are going to hear from everyone when talking about Chris Olave is silky. Another one is smooth. Maybe even buttery. Any word in this kind of category is what Chris Olave is considered as. Olave is one of the silkiest, smoothest, most buttery route runners you will ever see. He feels like a smaller receiver but at 6'1, he's actually a perfect size. He also impressed with a 4.39 forty at the combine. Guys were lower on Olave after the season, but he's slowly rising up boards and I fully expect to see him taken inside of the top 20-25 picks of the draft. His ability to just find ways wide open 40-50 yards down the field is unmatched. A contender with a big-armed QB might just get lucky with him on April 28th. Every year there is a receiver who shocks everyone by going much higher than people expected, I think Olave could be that guy and potentially be the second wideout off the board and a potential top 15 pick.

23. Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
Pos. Rank: 5

While you really shouldn't base too much off of singular combine drills, Burks running a 4.5 forty was very disappointing. At 6'3 and over 220 pounds, Burks was known for his surprisingly good speed to go with his violent ability to make people miss and break out of tackles in the NFL. There have been a lot of Deebo Samuel comparisons going around. Regardless, running that slow 40 pumps the breaks a lot on Burks, who may not have the speed at the next level to dominate the way a guy like Samuel does. I still love Burks and think he has been recouping some value in the weeks since the combine. Teams are especially WR needy this season and so I will not be shocked when someone takes him potentially higher than he should go. Green Bay or New Orleans are two teams to look at here.

24. Daxton Hill, Safety/Defensive Back, Michigan
Pos. Rank: 2

Daxton Hill is not just a speedster, and he is also not just a Safety. While I think that should be where he starts out as a rookie, depending on where he lands, he could be moved all around and even potentially be a boundary corner (though the slot would suit him well too). Hill is one of the most exciting players in this year's draft class. He brings amazing speed, versatility, and athleticism to the table. He excels greatly in zone coverage but then two plays later could be blitzing down the middle and getting a sack. He may be just 6 foot and 190 pounds, but he plays much bigger than that. This is an exciting chess piece that could be a late first round steal for a contender. He has a good shot to win DROY if he lands in the right place...like maybe Kansas City.

25. Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 2

This is a weak class for DT, but the top 2 both were teammates at Georgia this past season. Devonte Wyatt is an athletic freak who tested very well at the combine and could find himself as a mid to late first round pick as a result. Running a 4.77 forty yard dash, Wyatt was the fastest DT at the combine, which, by the way, is crazy speed for a guy who is 6'3 and 310 pounds. Wyatt could be considered in some ways as a jack-of-all-trades as he's kind of good at everything you'd want from a DT but a true master of nothing yet. He has the athleticism (as shown off at the combine) and the physical tools to develop into a stud in the middle of an NFL defense. At the very least, he will be a problem as he can eat up blocks in the middle of the line. Wyatt would be a lot higher if he wasn't in the shadow of Jordan Davis.

26. Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh
Pos. Rank: 2

High floor, low ceiling for Kenny Pickett. As most top QBs in drafts, the draft range for Pickett is all over the place. I could see him going top 6 if a team decides they really want a QB and love him the most but I could also see him falling as far as 20th to the Steelers. Either way, teams are getting a good athlete with an average arm who will not make terrible decisions with the football. They are decently different players, but Pickett's game right now reminds me a little of Mac Jones and how he played and what he did as a rookie. I think there is room for growth here with Pickett and he could be a very decent NFL starter for years, but he doesn't totally wow you in any one aspect of the game, and his tiny hands are becoming a concern in league circles.

27. George Karlaftis, Edge Rusher, Purdue
Pos. Rank: 5

One really talented player in this class that I think has a great NFL career ahead of him but is receiving no hype or love is George Karlaftis. The massive edge rusher from Purdue is the ultimate package of size, strength, and speed off the edge. While he's definitely far from a finished product as an edge rusher, he's getting there and certainly has all of the tools to get there. The thing I like most about him as how polished he already is as a run stopper off the edge as well. If you are getting a guy with this much potential as a pass rusher but is ALREADY this good against the run, phew, could be a home run. Some teams might be scared off by his short arms, but that is knit-picking in my opinion.

28. Jalen Pitre, Safety/Defensive Back, Baylor
Pos. Rank: 3

While I don't know if he will actually be able to sneak his way into the first round, Jalen Pitre is a name gaining a lot of steam as we inch closer towards the draft. He is coming off of a great junior season at Baylor in which he had 18 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and 7 pass deflections. These numbers tell you the story that he could be one of those coveted do it all safeties at the next level. Jevon Holland was the surprise stud safety out of last year's class, I see some of that in Pitre. Some teams may worry about his slim/small size, but the numbers speak for himself, and Pitre has and is also talented enough to work out of the slot. This guy has risen to me giving him a late first round grade!

29. Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
Pos. Rank: 5

After a good combine in which Elam ran well (in the high 4.3s), Elam's draft stock is on the rise and he's looking like a first round pick. There's a lot to like with Elam. For one, his length is quite ideal in the current day NFL and he now has showcased the elite speed he's got going for him as well. He also was the CB1 for Florida and they faced some of the best teams and wideouts in the country on a week to week basis. Elam was routinely put against top targets and he won a lot of the time. That's a huge win for him as NFL teams will really like that. He has potential to be an island corner as he's good in press man but also in zone. While he has work to do, Elam is looking like a pretty polished prospect at this point in the process and could rise even higher, similar to the meteoric rise we saw from Jaycee Horn leading up to last year's draft. Buffalo and New England feel like realistic mid to late first round landing spots for him.

30. Zion Johnson, Offensive Guard, Boston College
Pos. Rank: 1

While Johnson is far from my top O-lineman in the class, he is my top guard. Considering that Linderbaum is more a center than anything else, Johnson becomes the first guard on the big board. No one's draft stock is really rising more right now than Johnson's, who was considered a third-rounder by some just a month back but now firmly feels like a first rounder. Potentially the strongest lineman in the class, Johnson pumped up 32 reps on the bench at the combine which was the most. At 6'3, 315 pounds, Johnson is huge, but nimble on his feet. I would say he's currently a better run blocker than pass blocker, but that could change quickly as he feels like he is ready to develop into a stud guard. At the very least, he's ready to start day 1 for a team. 

31. Kenyon Green, Offensive Guard, Texas A&M
Pos. Rank: 2

Especially when it comes to offensive line, boy do NFL teams love versatility. Kenyon Green defines versatility along the OL. He's played virtually every spot during his college career and can do so in each spot at a pretty high level. Teams that need OL are going to be very interested in him due to the fact that they are comfortable playing him wherever they need. He's 6'4 and 325 pounds and just so strong. He is pretty in good in both run and pass blocking though there are technical aspects in both that he could really stand to improve on. Overall, he's going to be an exciting prospect to watch during the draft. Right on the heels of Johnson, it's going to be interesting to see which one goes first and if one sneaks into the late first and the other does not.

32. Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Pos. Rank: 6

Our final first round graded prospect (top 32). This receiver class is so stacked that a guy as talented and unique as Dotson finds himself as the SIXTH ranked wideout in the class. What you will hear a lot about Dotson is how undersized he is and how that is a major concern. That isn't very true. While 5'11 may be a little short for the position, we see a ton of stud NFL receivers under 6 foot, and even those guys don't possess the same skill that Dotson does. He has an astoundingly large catch radius which makes his small build less important. If you throw it in his vicinity, he is going to catch it like a 6'3 wideout. Dotson ran a nice 4.43 forty yard dash which confirms that he has the speed to create separation in the NFL. While he could benefit from bulking up a little, Dotson feels like he will excel out of the slot as a rookie but can even play outside as a no. 1 or 2 receiver. Don't sleep on this guy, especially if he winds up with a QB like Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers. 

33. Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati
Pos. Rank: 3

I'm not sure any QB has improved their draft stock more during the pre-draft process. While he is just slightly a second round talent sitting at no. 33, I firmly believe Ridder will be a first round pick due to QBs being the most important position in the draft. While he isn't absolutely exceptional at anything, he is a known commodity as a leader and knows how to command a high-power offense that can win (as he was a 4 year starter for the 'cats). In terms of accuracy, arm strength, and decision making, Ridder has shown great flashes in all of those aspects, yet his inconsistency defines him. At the next level, if he's coached up, he could end up being a star QB in the future. Teams already appear to be falling in love with him, and seeing him in the top 20 is starting to feel plausible. 

34. Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Tulsa
Pos. Rank: 5

Aside from QB and EDGE, OT might be the most sought after position in the NFL draft. That really helps a guy like Tyler Smith who has seen his name go from a day 2 pick to a near first-round lock due to positional value. The top 4 tackles feel like top 20 locks and then Smith is starting to become the consensus next best guy, giving him quite a shot to go in the first round. At 6'6", 330 pounds, Smith is one of the largest and hardest to get by blockers in the class. Just like Ickey Ekwonu and Penning, Smith is widely known for the NASTY and DIRTY demeanor he plays with. I've seen comparisons to major bust Isaiah Wilson, expect  for Smith has the work ethic, so he should be a day 1 starting OT in the NFL and could be a fixture on a team's line for the next 8 or so years.

35. Quay Walker, Linebacker, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 3

Another Georgia defender! With Lloyd and Dean cemented as the top two LBs in the class, Walker has made quite the rise himself during this pre-draft process to be seen as the next man up after them. At 6'4", 239 pounds, Walker is a MASSIVE LB. They don't really come any bigger than him. At this size, Walker is still pretty fast and is a great tackler who drives offenders down with his sheer size and force. I think there is still a bit to be desired with his coverage, but there definitely have been flashes of high level anticipation at times and he clearly is going to get better with time and coaching. Walker figures to be an early second-rounder who I'm sure the Patriots would be thrilled to snag if they can, he is the definition of a Belichick LB.

36. George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Georgia
Pos. Rank: 7

More WR talent. Pickens is another near first-round talent that could sneak in. I know that both the Chiefs and Packers have shown interest and are doing their research on him as they are WR needy as hell and Pickens could be their guy. At 6'3", 200 pounds, Pickens has elite size and an elite frame to succeed at the next level. Despite this, Pickens adds himself "as a big target that can run 4.4, I can do what other receivers can along with having size". This is very true and what is super intriguing about him. He reminds some of a young Davante Adams. The only reason he is rated somewhat low right now is his injury history and how he hasn't played in a minute, but as a freshman, he was one of the best wideouts in college. George Pickens has all of the talent in the world, now we will see just how high a team is willing to take him.

37. Christian Watson, Wide Receiver, North Dakota State
Pos. Rank: 8

The world got to finally see it during the combine, but this guy is quite the athlete. At 6'5, you pretty much will never see a guy so fast and elusive. He ran a 4.3 forty at the combine and also returned kicks in college. You have to have crazy speed and elusiveness to do that and he did it and did it well. At 6'5. Watson is an easy separation creator and even more so when you factor in that he can catch balls that others simply cannot due to his A+ height. Usually WRs this tall get moved to TE eventually, but again, Watson has the speed of a guy whose 5'11/6 foot. I think his potential is sky high and someone is going to get a steal. I'd be really intrigued to see him playing with a QB like Aaron Rodgers or Pat Mahomes. He and Pickens are so close right now in my eyes.

38. David Ojabo, Edge Rusher, Michigan
Pos. Rank: 6

Before tearing his Achilles at his pro day, Ojabo was set to be a top 20 pick. Now he could be anywhere from a mid first to a mid second rounder. From my standpoint, I see a player with TREMENDOUS upside and potential but also a guy who we've already seen produce at an elite level. Despite being labeled by many as raw and with a lot of work to do, the Michigan man still produced a whopping 11 sacks this past season for the Wolves and did so while flashing this said potential. In terms of bend, which is potentially the most coveted trait in an edge rusher, Ojabo displays more of it than any other prospect in the class. To complement that elite bend is top end speed as well. I think his potential is scary but it is even scarier that he's already had this much production despite being so raw. It's very sad that he suffered this major injury, because he could have been a very high draft pick. Now if someone gets him outside the top 25, after waiting probably a year for him to recover, they will have themselves an unbelievable young talent.

39. Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Pos. Rank: 4

One of the things that Corral has to me is that "it" factor. He just feels like a great leader of men and that he possesses some intangible that is going to make him succeed. I don't know why but I feel strongly about Corral being successful in the NFL if he goes to the right situation. While he is a little small for a QB at 6'2, we've seen a ton of successful small QBs of late so it isn't much of a real concern at all. He has a pretty good arm despite his small size which is something to be excited about with him and you have to be intrigued with the fact that he played in a more run heavy offense where he wasn't fully unleashed. Corral is also a really talented, and violent, runner which is good as the league shifts to more mobile-oriented QBs but also worrisome in terms of getting injured. His aggressiveness is similar to that of Carson Wentz who finds himself in some tough looking positions after getting tackled at times. There is definitely quite a bit of mystery with Corral, but in the right scheme and under the right coach, I think he could be a star QB in the NFL. There's still a chance he's a first-rounder, but it is also starting to feel more and more likely by the day that he finds his home in the early second round. As of now, I only see Willis, Pickett, and Ridder as first-round pick QBs.

40. Logan Hall, Defensive Tackle/EDGE, Houston
Pos. Rank: 3

Logan Hall is a name that I'm starting to see sneaking into the late first-round of mock drafts. I do like Hall a lot but as I've said for a bunch of guys, not THAT much yet. Sometimes the brakes need to be pumped a little. Still, he's coming off a really good year. Despite being huge at 6'6" and 285 pounds, Hall was able to blaze a 4.88 forty time. That coupled with his 6.5 sacks last season and over 12 tackles for loss are going to have NFL teams drooling. Hall has the athleticism and production already to show NFL teams he might just be a future All-Pro. That's right, I think he could potentially be THAT good at the next level.

41. Breece Hall, Running Back, Iowa State
Pos. Rank: 1

I didn't originally plan on featuring an RB inside of my top 50, but recent murmurs have changed my mind. Apparently there is a belief around the league that Hall has an outside shot of being a late first rounder. Taking RBs in the first-round has seemed to be costly time and time again, so I really don't think Hall should go round 1, but he is probably the best RB in the weakest RB class I've seen. Hall is the definition of a patient and elusive RB. I see a bit of young Le'Veon Bell in him. Teams are also intrigued with his already refined pass catching abilities. Hall proved he can be a workhorse last season with almost 1,500 yards on the ground, and couple that with the pass catching and patience behind the OL, and Hall is my top RB in the class.

42. Roger McCreary, Cornerback, Auburn
Pos. Rank: 6

While he may be considered a bit small at CB, standing at 5'11, McCreary has shockingly refined press coverage skill. I've seen some say that McCreary might be one of the best pure press cover corners they've scouted. That is going to be very coveted by CB needy teams in the late first and early second. You also have to consider the fact that McCreary also was a big-time starting CB in the SEC which is the toughest conference in college. He was also routinely lining up against great WRs and holding his own. Roger could get a bit better in zone, but even at that, he's not bad. I like how he is also a very willing tackler. McCreary feels like he is going to be great value if someone gets him in the second round. 

43. Boye Mafe, Edge Rusher, Minnesota
Pos. Rank: 7

I feel like I'm a lot lower than most on Mafe. Ever since he tore up the combine, many have seen him as a lock to be a first-rounder. I like him, but I'm not there yet. What many are saying about his tremendous potential is true, he does have that. His physical traits are there and we see elite skill flashes with him like his first step ability along with his technique, but to be a first-rounder to me, he just is still a little too underdeveloped. That being said, if a team is able to get him in the early second and coach him up, they will be very happy with the results.

44. Christian Harris, Linebacker, Alabama
Pos. Rank: 4

Christian Harris is going to be a name that continues to get some buzz as draft day nears. A known commodity and experienced starter, Harris has plenty of starting experience in the toughest division in CFB. He still has some work to do in terms of consistency in pass coverage and run stuffing, but has shown a lot of potential in both (including ability to match up with anyone at times in coverage). The best part about Harris is his speed (he ran well at the combine), size, and ability to tackle. He could go earlier than a lot of people expect.

45. Daniel Faalele, Offensive Tackle, Minnesota
Pos. Rank: 6

This guy could sneak into the late first purely off of the insane potential he has. This will be the biggest player in the NFL, maybe in the history of the NFL. Faalele is 6'8, and nearly 400 pounds. Are you serious?! Despite being just a behemoth of a person, he is shockingly nimble on his feet and has developing technique in pass protection. Team's will be confident to plug and play him as a week 1 starter at the tackle spot purely due to his size. Even if he's raw right now, it's simply just impossible to get through, by, or around someone that big. He can learn on the fly as he get's valuable starting experience. If he can develop more skill...man oh man. I seriously am intrigued by the MASSIVE potential of Faalele...see what I did there :)

46. Arnold Ebiketie, Edge Rusher, Penn State
Pos. Rank: 8

While Ebiketie may be shorter than most edge rushers in the NFL at 6'2", he makes up for it with his athleticism and work ethic. He never stops working. Just watch some of his tape. He never quits on a play and has the highest motor you will see. While he still has a lot of developing to do, he was able to amass 9.5 sacks last season which is elite production and shows you what he is capable of doing. He has to work on refining his talent in the run-stuffing game, but as a pure pass rusher, he is already something now. 

47. DeMarvin Leal, Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M
Pos. Rank: 4

Expectations were very high for Leal coming into this season, and while he disappointed somewhat, he is still one of the top tier DTs in this class and should be a lock for going somewhere within the first two rounds. While some didn't see the tape they loved from him in 2021, Leal was still able to record over 8 sacks on the year and over 12 TFLs. At 6'4", 285 pounds, Leal is one of those rarely gifted interior defensive line pass rushers that are just SO coveted at the NFL level. He is quite the gifted athlete who plays with tremendous power, I could see him with great success in year 1.

48. Chad Muma, Linebacker, Wyoming
Pos. Rank: 5

If you are looking at prospects from a straight up production standpoint, you are going to love the athletic Chad Muma. Muma was second in the country in total tackles with 142 which instantly shows you he is going to be a stat-sheet stuffing tackler right out of the gate. He isn't just a tackler either, he's already shown good skill in zone coverage and picked off multiple passes as well this past year at Wyoming. Teams will wait to draft LB in the first due to guys like Muma especially who they know they can wind up with in the second as a consolation if they wait and go elsewhere (positionally) in rd. 1. I like his upside a lot and he feels like a very NFL ready day 1 starting caliber player.

49. Tariq Woolen, Cornerback, UTSA
Pos. Rank: 7

Potentially one of the most polarizing talents in the class, Tariq Woolen has the physical traits and athleticism to become one of the top CBs in the NFL with time. It becomes just a matter of if he can get the right coaching and actually improve. Woolen is a rare specimen. He will instantly be the tallest CB in the NFL standing at 6'4. Even with this height (and also tremendous length), Woolen is one of the fastest DBs in NFL combine HISTORY. He ran a frickin' 4.26 forty which was a top 5 fastest for a defender EVER. Woolen broke up 5 passes and picked off one during his final season at UTSA, but most importantly showed off many flashes of actual skill instead of just raw athleticism. Woolen is closer than you may think to being a decently refined player, but he's definitely still very raw and needs to land in the right system. If a good team lands him in the early to mid second, they could develop him into one of the best defensive weapons in the game! I'm super high on him.

50. Trey McBride, Tight End, Colorado State
Pos. Rank: 1

The 6'4, 260 pound McBride just had a season for the ages as a TE. We don't see a ton of production from TEs out of college often, but the small school stud recorded over 1,100 yards receiving. McBride is a big bodied target who can make some acrobatic catches but is also one of the better blocking TEs I've scouted in a minute. He's not nearly as strong or dominant as Gronk, but his mix of skills and production does remind me a little of him. He could sneak into the very end of the first round if a team feels desperate for a TE.

Just missed: Coby Bryant (CB, Cincinnati) | Sam Howell (QB, UNC) | Carson Strong (QB, Nevada) | Skyy Moore (WR, Western Michigan) | Marcus Jones (CB, Houston) | Isaiah Spiller (RB, Texas A&M) | Kenneth Walker (RB, Michigan State) | Kyler Gordon (CB, Washington) | Bernhard Raimman (OT, Central Michigan) | Perrion Winfrey (DT, Oklahoma) | Kalon Barnes (CB, Baylor) | Matt Araiza (P, SDSU) | Bailey Zappe (QB, WKU) | Calvin Austin III (WR, Memphis) | James Cook (RB, Georgia) | Lewis Cine (S, Georgia) | Cam Jurgens (C, Nebraska) | Cole Strange (OG, Tennessee-Chattanooga)