New episodes dropping every Friday! Every year, there are a few prospects you fall in love with during the predraft process. Chris breaks down his biggest 2022 NFL draft crushes and teases The Aftermath’s upcoming draft contest.
You can find every episode on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts. As always, I appreciate reviews, feedback and when you hit that subscribe button.
NFL Draft Daily looks at top stories, historical trends, player performances and more all through the lens of the NFL Draft. After all, there are only 14 days until the 2022 NFL draft. Check back in tomorrow for another entry.
We are onto school number three for JT Daniels. The former five-star quarterback told ESPN on Wednesday that he will be transferring to West Virginia after losing his starting job to Stetson Bennett at Georgia. This is already the second time that Daniels has transferred, arriving in Athens after two years at USC. His college career has been nothing shy of a rollercoaster ride.
Unfortunately for Daniels, injuries have plagued his career. He suffered a torn ACL in his sophomore year at USC, which led to Kedon Slovis taking over the starting job. Slovis had a phenomenal freshman season, prompting Daniels to head to Georgia. The NCAA granted him permission to play immediately following his transfer in the summer of 2020, paving the way for him to compete with Jamie Newman, Bennett and D’Wan Mathis for the starting job. Newman ultimately ended up opting out of the 2020 season.
Perhaps we should have known right away that Daniels was not going to be the guy in Athens. He finished third in that quarterback competition. Mathis was the Week 1 starter, but quickly lost his job to Bennett. Daniels became the backup to Bennett. He only took over when Bennett suffered an injury in November. He looked sharp in the team’s final four games, winning the starting job for the remainder of the season. He completed just over 66 percent of his passes and averaged over 300 yards passing per game.
That set the stage for a big 2021 season. Daniels entered the year as a Heisman front runner and the presumed starter. Once again injuries got in the way as he missed extended time and ultimately lost his starting job even when he was healthy enough to return. Bennett went on to lead Georgia to a national championship, with Daniels playing sparingly in relief throughout the final stretch of the season.
At this point, it is hard to know what to make of Daniels. He clearly still has some talent. Over his two seasons at Georgia he put up solid numbers. He completed 69 percent of his passes to go with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions across nine appearances. Daniels has prototypical NFL size, standing 6’3″, 210 pounds. He has an above average arm with decent velocity on his throws. I was particularly impressed with his quick release. There are some nice anticipation throws on his tape as well. While he is not a great athlete for the position, he can move around in the pocket and make throws on the run. His deep ball isn’t always perfect, but when it is on, it looks great.
However, Daniels will need to show a number of things this year in order to prove to NFL teams that he deserves a shot at the next level. His ball placement is a bit inconsistent, especially when throwing to the boundary. His footwork also needs to be cleaned up. There are several throws where his feet are a mess and it impacts the trajectory of the throw, frequently leaving the ball short of where he should be leading the receiver. His throwing motion also gets a bit funky at times. Above all else, he will need to show that he can stay healthy. Perhaps adding a few pounds to his frame will help prepare for the physical nature of the NFL.
Some people may be questioning why West Virginia of all schools. Well for one, his former offensive coordinator at USC, Graham Harrell, is the offensive coordinator for the Mountaineers now. Having some familiarity with the offensive scheme was likely appealing to Daniels. They also have a veteran group returning for 2022 on offense. Beyond that, he simply did not have many other suitors. The other schools he visited were Missouri and Oregon State.
Without a doubt, there is a lot of work to be done in order for Daniels to rehab his draft stock. For a frame of reference, I think Daniels would probably be a late-round pick or priority undrafted free-agent in this quarterback class at best. This is one of the weakest quarterback classes in recent memory, but he would likely be the eight or ninth quarterback selected. There are just too many unknowns about him right now.
Heading into 2023, he will certainly not be in contention to be the first quarterback taken. With Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and possibly Tyler Van Dyke all in the mix to be top-10 selections, it is hard to see Daniels coming anywhere close to that group. That being said, if Daniels can simply stay on the field and post similar numbers to his time in Georgia, he will be drafted. Probably not in the first round given his injury history. It is obviously way too early to say, but I think Daniels will still have a really good shot of making the jump to the NFL.
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NFL Draft Daily looks at top stories, historical trends, player performances and more all through the lens of the NFL Draft. After all, there are only 15 days until the 2022 NFL draft. Check back in tomorrow for another entry.
We all have crushes. For most people, they are probably famous celebrities they fantasize about. For me, it’s NFL draft prospects that I would love to end up on my favorite team. Yes, I am aware that I’m weird.
Call them whatever you want. “My guys,” “draft crushes” or something of that nature. These are players that I might be a bit higher on than most or you were one of the first members on the hype train for. In recent years, I’ve had a few. In 2020, it was guys like Bryce Hall, Bradlee Anae and Tyler Biadasz. In 2021, Creed Humphrey, Liam Eichenberg and Paulson Adebo were high up on the list. Sometimes, you hit on guys that should have been taken earlier (Humphrey and Hall) and sometimes you whiff badly (Anae and possibly Eichenberg).
Overall, this is mostly a fun exercise where I can give some love to some of my favorite prospects in the draft. Feel free to let me know who your favorite draft crushes for this year are on Twitter @cmcglynn84.
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I didn’t say I was the only one who was going to be high on some of these players. Like most, I am a huge fan of Sauce. I love big, long corners capable of playing press man. Gardner is that and then some with impressive speed for his size and great ball skills. His 33.5-inch arms only make me love him more. He was dominant in his time at Cincinnati and seems poised to be a true lockdown corner in the NFL. I have him as the No. 2 player on my board. I really hope the Jets select him at No. 4.
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
I mentioned Bradlee Anae before. It was actually watching Anae’s tape in preparation for the 2020 draft that I first noticed Lloyd. He played in kind of a rover or star linebacker role for Utah that season, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. He was overshadowed by players like Anae, Leki Fotu and Francis Bernard on that defense, but I liked what I saw. He was a redshirt sophomore then. Last season, I had him ranked as a top 75 player before he announced he was returning to school. He debuted at No. 29 in my Way-Too-Early 2022 mock draft back in May. Now I have him as a top 10 player on my big board. I love his versatility and physical traits. I could see him sliding on draft day because I don’t think the league prioritizes off-ball linebackers as much, but man he is a fun player to watch.
Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
You can take your pick of Georgia defenders this year. There are a lot of them that are going to get drafted. It is hard to put on film from 2021 and not get distracted from the player you are watching. That is what kept happening for me when I would try to watch Jordan Davis or Nakobe Dean. Instead, I would end up focusing on Wyatt. He is so physical at the point of attack and aggressive in attacking pass rushing lanes. I think he will be a good 5-tech end at the next level. I know everyone has caught up on him, but I think he should be the first Georgia player selected this year.
Cade Otton, TE, Washington
While the trend for tight ends in the NFL has been for them to be big receivers rarely lined up inline, I still think there is some value in finding a more traditional tight end. He has the versatility to line up at the end of the line and serve as an extra blocker or flex out in the slot. What impresses me most is how willing Otton is to take on contact. This is easily the best example I can find of just that.
Otton blasts Hutchinson off the line and knocks him off his feet. Hutchinson absolutely dominated that game, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Otton’s part. His balance after first contact is a huge plus. He does a great job creating leverage as a run blocker as well. He never put up gaudy stats, but I think he is going to be a very productive tight end at the next level.
Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
How about another tight end? McBride caught my attention at the end of the 2020 season with 330 yards and four touchdowns in just four games. He took it to another level in 2021. In stark contrast to Otton, McBride posted monster numbers this past season. He reeled in 90 receptions for 1121 yards and a touchdown during his senior season. He is an above average blocker with fantastic hands. He reportedly ran in the mid 4.5s at his pro day as well, so he certainly has the requisite speed needed to excel at the next level. With the ability to line up inline, flexed out or on the boundary, McBride is going to be a really fun chess piece for offensive coordinators to have at their disposal.
Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA
I love this Roadrunner. I shouted out one of his teammates in Tariq Woolen yesterday in my favorite small school prospects in this draft. He is a compact tackle breaker with some pass catching ability. He had close to 4,000 yards rushing and 68 receptions in his three years at UTSA. His 40-time was a bit of a red flag, but he plays much faster on film and had several long touchdown runs this season. His contact balance is particularly impressive, allowing him to run through arm tackles. He could be very effective as a one-cut back that can contribute on passing downs. I like him going early in the third round.
Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Another linebacker and another Georgia defender. I love Walker’s coverage ability and versatility. He is big at just under 6’4″, weighing in at 241 pounds, but he can fly around the field. He posted a 4.51 40-time to back up the speed we saw on tape. He dominated Alabama as well, racking up eight tackles and six pressures in the National Championship Game. Finding a linebacker that can drop into coverage, generate pressure on the blitz and showcase sideline-to-sideline range is hard. He has scheme versatility and can line up at middle linebacker or as an off-ball outside backer. Sign me up for that. I think Walker is a legitimate first-round talent.
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NFL Draft Daily looks at top stories, historical trends, player performances and more all through the lens of the NFL Draft. After all, there are only 16 days until the 2022 NFL draft. Check back in tomorrow for another entry.
By now, most fans are familiar with the big-name players from schools like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan. However, the NFL is full of players that reign from much smaller, non-Power 5, and in some cases, non-FBS schools. Rather than highlight players like Malik Willis or Ahmad Gardner. They might end up being top-five picks. Instead, here are a few smaller school prospects that could come off the board pretty early that you should definitely be paying attention to.
Christian Watson, WR, NDSU
This is probably one of the most well known small school prospects in this class. Watson has an incredible combination of size and speed. He measured in at 6’5″ at the combine and posted a 4.36 40-time. When you watch him play, you will see a technician in route running with huge hands capable of snatching contested passes. He lacks elite quickness to generate separation, but his size makes up for much of that. Expect him to go early in the second round if he doesn’t sneak into the first.
Cole Strange, OL, Chattanooga
Strange turned heads at the Senior Bowl and the scouting combine with a really strong pre-draft process. He will be a fantastic fit for any team that uses pulling guards and runs a heavy dose of screen plays. His speed and agility stood out on tape. The biggest drawback in his game is average to below average play strength. With the ability to play at guard or center, I expect him to come off the board on Day 2.
Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
If you could build a corner prototype, Woolen might be the base model. He stands 6’4″ and can move. He posted a blazing 4.26 40-yard dash time at the combine with an absurd 42-inch vertical. He has 33 and 5/8-inch long arms as well. He is unquestionably raw when it comes to his technique and hand usage, but my goodness, he has all the physical tools to be an elite shutdown corner. Expect him to be taken on Day 2.
Pierre Strong Jr., RB, South Dakota State
If you are looking for a home run hitter at running back, here is your guy. Strong is a menace in the open field, making defensive backs look foolish trying to track him down. He has breakaway speed and great acceleration. His footwork is also very impressive. Given his slightly smaller frame, he probably won’t ever be an every down back, but he could definitely be a high-quality change of pace or committee option. He isn’t an elite receiver, but he caught 43 passes over the past two seasons as well and can hold his own as a blocker. I don’t think he will make it to Day 3.
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Easily the biggest name among small school prospects this season not named Malik Willis, Penning seems like a lock for the first round at this stage. He is massive at 6’7″ and 325 pounds. What might be more impressive is his movement skills for a man his size. He tested in the 97th percentile for the 40-yard dash and the 98th percentile with his 3-cone time. There will be a learning curve and some refining for Penning at the next level, but he brings some nastiness along with that athleticism. He will develop into a solid starting tackle. With the amount of buzz he is getting, he will probably be a top-20 pick.
Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
Thomas put himself on a lot of draft boards following an impressive 2021 season, posting 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. He did not test super well, but the production and tape are more important. Given his size, he projects best as a 4-3 defensive end, but could bulk up to play 3-4 end as well. He plays downhill and shows good play speed when he disengages from blockers. He needs to develop more pass rush moves, but he has a solid swim move he relies on. I believe he will be selected in the late second or early third round.
Dylan Parham, G, Memphis
While Parham is very undersized by NFL standards, he competes well. His effort and technique make up for some of the physical shortcomings. He has solid play strength and good footwork. Those physical limitations will prevent him from joining the league’s elite at the position, but he has already done really well to bulk up from the 285 pounds he was listed at when he played for Memphis. He is now 311 pounds and does not seem to have lost any of his speed. Pass-heavy teams in the late second or early third round will definitely want to give Parham a look.
Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also check out our weekly podcast Draft Season Never Ends with new episodes every Friday, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
NFL Draft Daily looks at top stories, historical trends, player performances and more all through the lens of the NFL Draft. After all, there are only 17 days until the 2022 NFL draft. Check back in tomorrow for another entry.
We are entering the home stretch of draft prep with just over two weeks until the first round kicks off in Las Vegas. Speculation is running wild about what teams are interested in and where certain players will go. It is a really fun time, but it is also incredibly tricky to sort through what is true and what is just a smokescreen.
With the draft drawing closer, I want to go beyond just the first round for the first time in this draft cycle. There are so many teams this year that do not have a first round selection. Plus, it is important to remember that just because a team does not address their biggest need in the first round that they will not address it at all during the draft.
As always, these mocks are a reflection of what I would do if I were the general manager for each team. I will do a predictive mock draft as we get closer, but right now I am going to stick to what I believe should happen. Also, no trades just yet.
With all of that in mind, let’s dive into my latest mock.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
This is going to be unpopular. I believe Neal is the best player in this draft class and plays one of the most crucial positions in the sport. Jacksonville does not have a huge need at offensive tackle for this season with Cam Robinson on the left and some combination of Walker Little or Jawaan Taylor on the right. That being said, Robinson and Taylor are both slated to be free agents after the season and Trevor Lawrence needs protection to develop. Neal has experience playing guard from his time at Alabama and can kick out to tackle in 2023 when Robinson is gone. Finding a franchise tackle is never a bad move.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
The player that most expect to come off the board at No. 1 slides all the way to No. 2. I think Hutchinson will be the Jaguars pick on draft day, but I like Neal better in that spot. For the Lions though, this is a slam dunk. They get a local kid with a high motor and a ton of college production. He will immediately make this defense better.
3. Houston Texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The smear campaign against Thibodeaux has been going on for a while now. Reports of poor interviews and criticism over a lack of fire have seemingly tanked his draft stock. Now, I wasn’t in those interviews, but when I turn on the film, I see a twitchy pass rusher with the ability to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. The Texans could desperately use a playmaker like that to pair with Jonathan Greenard.
4. New York Jets – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
New York invested a lot in its secondary over the past two offseasons between spending a bunch of draft picks in the later rounds of last year and signing D.J. Reed this year. Perhaps New York will view that as a complete cornerback room. I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring in Gardner. He is a long, athletic shutdown corner with the physical tools to become one of the best in the league. After watching the secondary get shredded last season, bolstering this group feels like a really smart move.
5. New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants have pledged to give Daniel Jones a chance to turn things around. In order for him to do so, he needs to have some time to throw the football. Ekwonu is a road-grading tackle with all the physical tools you like to see at the position. He would pair nicely with Andrew Thomas to give New York a very solid foundation to build the offensive line around. Saquon Barkley would also greatly appreciate Ekwonu’s arrival.
6. Carolina Panthers – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
This is a tricky spot. With the top two tackles off the board, this seems like it might be a good space for the Panthers to trade down. I’m not predicting trades quite yet in my mocks, so instead, let’s go with the No. 1 quarterback on my board, which is Willis. He has a strong arm, is incredibly accurate and has plus athleticism for the position. I don’t think he is necessarily a Day 1 starter with some major concerns over his pocket awareness and ability to play against the blitz, but I really like his upside. Darnold can be the starter while Willis gets up to speed in the NFL.
7. New York Giants via Chicago Bears – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
New York addressed its biggest need with its first pick. The question is where do they turn to next. I’m usually not big on drafting safeties this early, but I think Hamilton fits well with the Giants and fills a big need. He would slot in next to Xavier McKinney and give New York a really talented duo on the backend of their defense. There will be edge rushers available for them to target in the second round.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Drake London, WR, USC
Some fans will hope for a quarterback here, but I don’t see it happening. I think Atlanta recognizes this is a rebuild, especially after eating over $40 million in dead cap money in the Matt Ryan trade. The Falcons need to rebuild this roster and could even consider trading out of this spot to acquire a few more 2023 selections so they can target a quarterback there. If they stay put, wide receiver is a must here. Drake London is my top receiver here with this contested catch ability and upside in the red zone. Atlanta has no one in their receiver room that comes close to being a No. 1 receiver. London and Kyle Pitts give the Falcons a good starting point as they reshape the offense.
9. Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Another spot where it feels like quarterback could be in play, but I don’t have a first-round grade on anyone other than Malik Willis. Seattle is also more than just a quarterback away from competing. Instead, the Seahawks grab one of the most polarizing prospects in this draft. At this spot, Stingley could be a steal if he is able to reclaim his 2019 form. He had a strong showing at his pro day and I think answered a lot of the questions that existed about what kind of physical shape he was in following an injury-plagued season. There is definitely a bit of projection involved here, but after losing D.J. Reed, Seattle could use an upgrade at corner.
10. New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
I was tempted to go with a wide receiver here, but I can’t pass up Johnson. He put together a fantastic season with 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. While his pass rushing ability is impressive, I think he is an even better run defender, which goes a long way in the NFL. Pairing Johnson with Carl Lawson, who should be back to full strength after suffering an Achilles injury last preseason, would give New York a really strong complement of edge rushers.
11. Washington Football Team – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Terry McLaurin needs some help. Washington could return to the well so to speak by grabbing another former Buckeye to plug into this offense. Wilson is a talented playmaker who creates separation and has the speed to take the top off a defense. He would give Carson Wentz another reliable receiver as the Commanders hope they can get him to bounce back from a rough end to the 2021 season.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
I have such a tough time knowing what to do with Minnesota. Corner is this team’s biggest need, but with Gardner and Stingley off the board, I don’t think there is one worth going here. This feels like a trade down spot for the Vikings if they can find a partner looking to move up. With no trades allowed though, I will tab Wyatt to take over for Sheldon Richardson on the defensive line. He is stout against the run and can collapse the pocket. Suddenly, that Minnesota front seven looks like a really good group.
13. Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
I went back and forth on this pick for a while, but ultimately landed on a wide receiver capable of changing this offense. Houston made a smart move in locking up Brandin Cooks, but there is not much other proven talent at the receiver position. Williams is coming off an ACL injury he suffered in the National Championship Game against Georgia, but that should not really impact the Texans too much. This team is not a title contender right now and would be wise to focus on the long term. Williams could be someone for Davis Mills to grow with in the coming years.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Baltimore loves to load up along the front seven. If Walker is still on the board, I don’t see them passing. Walker is incredibly versatile. He can line up at defensive tackle, defensive end or outside linebacker. I think the Ravens will covet that flexibility and bet on Walker developing his pass rushing skills at the next level.
15. Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Yes, the Eagles have drafted a receiver in the previous two drafts. No, the Eagles do not have a very good receiver room, outside of DeVonta Smith, despite using premium draft capital at the position. Olave would give Philly a dynamic and dangerous duo to roll out. If this team is serious about giving Jalen Hurts a shot at proving he is the franchise quarterback, giving him the necessary talent to work with is crucial.
16. New Orleans Saints via Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
This is likely a big part of the reason the Saints made this move. They wanted to ensure they could jump ahead of the Chargers to take the top tackle available. Cross is a proven pass blocker with sound technique and tons of reps from his time at Mississippi State. He has limited tape as a run blocker, which makes him a bit of an unknown, but there is enough upside for me to think he can develop into a solid starting left tackle in the NFL.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Chargers will be disappointed to see Cross go off the board one pick before them, but Penning is a heck of a consolation prize. He tested really well and showed a good deal of nastiness at the Senior Bowl. He definitely has room to improve when it comes to his hand placement and technique, but with his size and athleticism, Los Angeles would be more than willing to bet on his upside.
18. Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Darius Slay is a quality starting corner, but the Eagles don’t have much in the way of proven options behind him. Zech McPherson is worth developing, but in the meantime, Booth can start across from Slay and take some pressure off McPherson. Booth has good size and some solid tape from his time at Clemson. He adjusts well to the ball while it’s in the air. Philly will be much better on the boundaries with him and Olave on board.
19. New Orleans Saints via Philadelphia Eagles – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
This is a little bit early for Burks, but New Orleans needs someone to play alongside Michael Thomas and some insurance in case Thomas misses time with injury again. Burks was an exciting playmaker at Arkansas, but struggled a bit with consistency. If he can find his groove, I expect him to be a really strong No. 1 receiver for the Saints with the potential to take over as the top option down the line.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
I thought about taking an offensive lineman here, but I think Pittsburgh can target an interior lineman on Day 2. Instead, they grab the best corner available. McDuffie is a bit undersized, but he plays bigger and is not afraid of contact. He has the tools to become the Steelers’ No. 1 corner, which will be even more important if they do not bring Joe Haden back.
21. New England Patriots – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
After trading away Shaq Mason this offseason, the Patriots have a big need at interior lineman. Kenyon Green is capable of stepping in and starting from Day 1 at either guard spot. Mac Jones is not a very mobile quarterback and New England loves to run the ball, so rebuilding in the trenches feels like a wise investment.
22. Green Bay Packers via Las Vegas Raiders – Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
Wide receiver is the clear need here, but with five already off the board, it does not make sense to reach for one here. Instead, the Packers can bolster Aaron Rodgers’ protection with a versatile interior lineman capable of playing either guard spot or center. Johnson impressed at the Senior Bowl and has the tape at Boston College to back it up. He could be a Day 1 starter for Green Bay.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
I have Davis rated much higher than this, but he slid based on how the board fell. He is an elite run stuffer with incredible athleticism. I think that will translate to him being a solid interior pass rusher as well, but maybe don’t expect him to become Fletcher Cox. For Arizona, this feels a clear need and gives them a devastating defensive line.
24. Dallas Cowboys – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
With Randy Gregory’s departure this offseason, Dallas has a clear need across from Damarcus Lawrence. Ojabo will not be ready at the start of the season after suffering a torn Achilles last month, but his physical tools had him projected to go in the top 10 prior to the injury. There is obviously a bit of risk involved in taking a player coming off an injury like this, but the upside is enormous.
25. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Tre’Davious White is still recovering from a torn ACL and Dane Jackson had a rocky rookie season. That sets the stage for Buffalo to find defensive back help early in this draft. Elam is what I love in a corner: long and athletic. He has room to improve in zone coverage concepts, but he will excel in any press man situations Buffalo puts him in.
26. Tennessee Titans – Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky
Tennessee has gotten by for the past two seasons with David Quessenberry at right tackle, but he is a free agent this year and the Titans have not brought anyone in to replace him. Kinnard is a mauler with impressive play strength and superb length. He will definitely need a bit of refining at the next level, but he also has the potential to kick inside to guard if he struggles at tackle.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bernhard Raimann, OL, Central Michigan
With Ali Marpet and Alex Kappa both departing this offseason, Tampa Bay found itself needing to replace both of its starting guards. The Buccaneers already acquired Shaq Mason via trade so adding Raimann would help solidify the offensive line. Raimann played tackle at Central Michigan, but after watching some tape and seeing his arm length in the 23rd percentile for offensive linemen, I think a move inside is in his NFL future.
28. Green Bay Packers – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Green Bay desperately needs receivers capable of playing on the perimeter. Watson fits that mold and should be someone Aaron Rodgers will enjoy throwing to. Watson is an impeccable route runner, getting in and out of his breaks quickly and understanding how to set up opposing corners to get himself open. Adding him would be a good start to the Packers rebuilding their receiver room.
29. Kansas City Chiefs via Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis slides a bit with all the receivers and corners coming off the board. That is all well and good for the Chiefs, who need edge rushing help in the worst way. Karlaftis would be a great scheme fit as a 4-3 defensive end and could start across from Frank Clark right away. He has some areas of his game he needs to clean up when it comes to run defense and setting the edge, but he will certainly be capable of creating pressure.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
In a perfect world, there would be a wide receiver or corner worth taking in this slot, but with a run on both positions in the teens and 20s of this mock, the Chiefs will go with the best player available at a position of need. To me, that is Hill. Kansas City lost Tyrann Mathieu this offseason and they tend to run a lot of five or six defensive back sets. Adding in Hill, who can play either safety spot or even slot corner, gives the Chiefs a versatile playmaker on the backend of their defense.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
If we get to this point, I think the Bengals would be looking to trade down with a team trying to grab a quarterback at the end of the first round. In this scenario, I think continuing to bolster their interior offensive line makes a ton of sense. Linderbaum is definitely undersized, but he makes up for it with physical play and outstanding athleticism in space.
32. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Let me make something clear. I really like Devin Lloyd. I have him ranked among my top 10 prospects. I just had a hard time finding a good landing spot for him where the value of getting an off-ball linebacker made sense. Lions fans would be happy to see him fall this far. He is a dynamic playmaker with some pass rush ability and the versatility to play multiple roles. For a defense starved of talent, this is a great get.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Arnold Ebeketie, EDGE Penn State
34. Detroit Lions – Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
35. New York Jets – George Pickens, WR, Georgia
36. New York Giants – Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
37. Houston Texans – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
38. New York Jets via Carolina Panthers – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
39. Chicago Bears – Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
40. Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
41. Seattle Seahawks – Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
42. Indianapolis Colts via Washington Commanders – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
43. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
44. Cleveland Browns – Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
45. Baltimore Ravens – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
46. Minnesota Vikings – Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
47. Washington Commanders via Indianapolis Colts – Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
48. Chicago Bears via Los Angeles Chargers – Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
49. New Orleans Saints – Sam Howell, QB, UNC
50. Kansas City Chiefs via Miami Dolphins – Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
51. Philadelphia Eagles – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
53. Green Bay Packers via Las Vegas Raiders – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
54. New England Patriots – Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
55. Arizona Cardinals – Amare Barno, EDGE, Virginia Tech
56. Dallas Cowboys – Dylan Parham, G, Memphis
57. Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
58. Atlanta Falcons via Tennessee Titans – Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
59. Green Bay Packers – Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Travis Jones, DL, Connecticut
61. San Francisco 49ers – Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga
62. Kansas City Chiefs – Cody Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
63. Cincinnati Bengals – Cade Otton, TE, Washington
64. Denver Broncos via Los Angeles Rams – Logan Hall, DL, Houston
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