May 012023
 
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee Volunteers (November 16, 2022)

Jalin Hyatt – © USA TODAY Sports

1) Draft Pick Number (round) : Name – Position / School – height/weight

2) NFL Comparison (Skill set and style of play – not future projection)

3) Summary from Report (from early spring) + Pre-Draft Giants focus (from early April)

4) Post-Draft focus and my perception of strategy, usage (short and long term), and value

1) #24 (1): Deonte Banks – CB/Maryland – 6’0/197

NFL Comparison: Kelvin Joseph / DAL

Senior entry. Three-year starter but two of those years summed to just five starts combined because of Covid-19 (2020) and a shoulder injury that kept him out of all but two games (2021). Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2022. Banks is a bit of an unknown because the lack of experience over that two-year span. That said, he did start as a true freshman in 2019 (11 games, 8 starts) and looked fantastic in 2022 (12 games, 8 starts). The movement traits are nearly off the charts and his aggressive playstyle will be attractive to defensive schemes that want to use a lot of man coverage. His rapid-fire footwork allows him to stay sticky and the long speed pairs with acceleration traits to stay on top of pro deep threats. There are not a lot of plays made on his tape and I’m not sold he completely understands what he is doing yet. Banks is a wildcard that could make a case to be the top corner in the draft because of talent and traits, but there are question marks in a few of the mental areas of the grade sheet.

*Banks tore it up at the Combine and this is a position that everyone wants to see traits at, then gamble. Banks’ movement ability shows up on the film, there is no denying his ability to play against NFL speed. The question will be how quickly he adapts mentally. He simply did not play a lot in college, and he was not challenged often enough. Like a lot of these other corners in the group, this will be a big swing for the fence and his shortcoming centers around size/length.

*A quick note on what I mean by a lack of experience and him not being challenged. Of the first six outside corners taken, Banks played the lowest number of snaps and was targeted the least (by a lot). It is not a negative, and I did not hold it against him in the grading process. I simply believe it should be known there is a rawness to him, a few boxes unchecked. That lengthens the spectrum of what he could evolve into over time. It seems rather clear to me that this was the corner Martindale wanted. He fits the mold of the Baltimore corners that were drafted when he was calling the shots there. Blazing speed, easy turn and run ability, play strength, and ball skills. I expect him to start in year one, possibly as soon as week one if he has a strong camp and preseason. Let’s use Marlon Humphrey as an example. He was a first-round pick in 2017 (16th overall) while Martindale was the linebacker coach (Martindale was also considered assistant DC and took over the DC role a year later). Humphrey, who had a very similar profile to Banks both as an athlete and amount of college experience, began his rookie season in a rotational role. They eased him into more and more playing time and then he ended up starting the final four games. He has been essentially their number one or two ever since. That is where I see Banks heading.

Prior to the draft, I was asked on multiple platforms where NYG would go in round one. My answer was always corner or receiver. Sure, a value could have fallen at another spot but if was going bet money on it, the CB/WR was always option A. Hearing Schoen discuss the mindset as two corners and four receivers came off the board from picks 16-23 caused the trade up one slot with JAX. The value of the trade, by the way, was completely within market value. It was not an overpay. NYG had reason to believe that pick was going to be traded regardless because they likely had intel JAX was going for a tackle (which could be had later in round one). JAX ended up taking Anton Harrison at 27 following another trade down. Year one of this regime was about starting the rebuild of the trenches and enhancing the quality depth. Year two was about getting the explosive playmakers and preventing explosive plays by the opposition. Macro-level, this is the right approach. Micro-level, Banks was the right fit considering what Martindale wanted and the untapped upside Banks has.

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2) #57 Overall (2): John Michael Schmitz – OC/Minnesota – 6’3/301

NFL Comparison: Ted Karras / CIN

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Flossmoor, IL. Named All-Big Ten three straight years including a first team honor in 2022. Also named a first team All-American in his final season. Schmitz is the point guard of the offensive line, fully capable of making all the calls and directing traffic. He does all the little things right and it adds up to consistent, reliable play. He excels in the running game with his combination of heavy contact and excellent footwork. While he is not the most natural athlete, he makes up for a lot of the shortcomings with proper angles, spacing, and timing. Schmitz has a great feel for when to peel off to the next man and his hands do a lot of damage. The shortcomings as a pass blocker on an island and occasional lapse in body control can cause some concern, but the floor is high for him. Schmitz has the mental capacity and reliable run blocking to fit into any situation right away and compete for a starting job, but this is a low ceiling, high-floor kind of player.

*Want a plug and play center that will immediately become the mental leader of your line? Schmitz is your guy. Want a high-upside athlete that is going to eventually be one of the top players at the position in the league? Look elsewhere. Schmitz is a classic “is what he is” type prospect. You know what you are getting, you know what you are not. One negative I could see NYG having on him is the fact he never played a position other than center. In addition, the already-24 year-old simply lacks more area to chew up on the progression curve. Will he provide the best OC play this team has had since…O’Hara? Probably. The question is about positional value, and everyone has an opinion on that. I like Schmitz, as do many in the league. But he only becomes an option for me in round 3, and I think he is gone by then.

This just seemed right. That was the thought that immediately came to mind when the pick was made. Round 1 for Schmitz would have been way too high. Round 3 for Schmitz probably would not have been possible. Schoen opted to stay put, not trade up, and get a starting center that will be in the league a long time. Regardless of what is said by Daboll, I fully expect Schmitz to be the starting center week 1. This locks in four spots along the line with a competition for the left guard job that will be incredible to watch throughout camp/preseason. Schmitz will improve the run blocking and eventually the overall cohesion of this line. While he may not be a star, he is going to be the guy for four to five years, at least. That alone improves chemistry and chemistry alone raises the bar of an offensive line.

As stated above and as I said leading up to the draft, the process of building the offensive line was not over and it had to be addressed in this draft with the mindset of getting a starter in the building. Center was a hot topic, as it was the lone spot where the team did not have a set starter (a case can be made for left guard as well). This prompted many to bang the table for a center in the first round and that is a move we may have gotten used to with the previous three General Managers. This is yet another sign things really have changed inside those walls. The lone question that can be asked here is, what is the gap between Schmitz and another center that could have been had later? Not always a fair question, I know. But Olu Oluwatimi (Michigan) went in round 5, Luke Wypler (Ohio State) went in round 6, Jake Andrews (Troy) went in round 4, Ricky Stromberg (Arkansas) went in round 3. Was the value of Schmitz right? In a vacuum? Sure. When considering the big picture while also knowing they passed on the likes of WR Marvin Mims and OG O’Cyrus Torrence, it can be questioned. But to repeat myself from earlier, NYG seemed to value him and there was not shot he would have been there round 3. He likely would have come off the board to Houston or Buffalo just a few picks later.

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3) #73 (3): Jalin Hyatt – WR/Tennessee

NFL Comparison: Will Fuller / RET

Junior entry. One year starter from Irmo, SC. First Team All American and SEC honors in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award. Hyatt was one of the country’s breakout performers in 2022, leading the power five conferences with 15 touchdowns. Coming into the year, he had just 502 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He nearly tripled that in his junior season alone. This is the kind of speed that changes how an opposing defense plays. There is a lot of unknown in his game, however. He is inexperienced in contested situations, he rarely lined up outside, and the route running on anything besides vertical-routes needs a lot of refinement. While the speed is next-level and he will immediately become one of the best deep threats in the NFL early in his career, there is a lot that needs to be gained for Hyatt to be considered a formidable number one threat.

*The one prospect in this group that I would label THE swing for the fence is Hyatt. If you can recall my comparison for him, Will Fuller, and what he did for the Houston offense pre-injury (#1 in NFL in yards per target in 2020, #3 in 2018) you may want to consider taking him in the first round. Even though he is such a one-dimensional guy, his ability within that dimension is potentially special. And that dimension is also what every team in the league wants on offense and fears defensively. Credible deep speed that can get over and stay over the top of the defense. Throw in the fact he tracks and catches the ball at a high level and yes, he could easily end up a first rounder. Personally, I struggle with number of boxes that remain unchecked. The route tree, strength against contact, sudden change of direction, yards after contact. There is a lot to unwind here but I would be lying if I said he doesn’t excite me.

How does a guy like this fall out of the first two rounds? If you asked me to bet on him being taken in round one or round three, all my chips would have been put on the former. While almost all of his production in college came in one season and there are several boxes unchecked, speed kills in the NFL. Everyone wants it. Hyatt’s elite movement was the easiest thing to scout in the world. Watching him separate vertically in such a hurry and then lengthen that space with each step against SEC defenses really was something. He has a standout trait that nobody in this NYG position group has. Sure, Campbell and Slayton can get downfield, but Hyatt is on a different level. In addition, the trait he has but very few talk about because they are obsessed with the speed centers around his ball skills. Hyatt can track the ball over his shoulder, and he snags it with his hands. It is one thing to be a burner that gets over the top, but not everyone can track the ball with balance while maintaining speed. That is why I am optimistic about his upside.

The trade value chart I use says this was a dead-even exchange. NYG gave up their 3rd and 4th to move up 16 spots. This is an evaluation I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for. I discussed (and so has everyone else) the upside and element he brings to the table. Hyatt truly is the most exciting player in this NYG draft class. But there is no denying the risk. Hyatt has been thrown the ball 151 times over his career. Jordan Addison was targeted 144 times in 2021 alone. Zay Flowers, 124 times in 2022 alone. Just 14 career starts for a kid that played in an offense that almost never had guys change sides of the field or alter alignments. There were passing plays where he did not even have to run a route because of the half-field concept. The 176-pounder rarely dealt with contested situations. According to PFF, he had a grand total 13 of them his entire career. Addison? 49. Flowers? 41. Johnston? 54. Mims? 30. Tillman? 39. Now, perhaps it is unfair to throw some of those names in there because all of them besides Tillman were taken way ahead of Hyatt, but the point is that Hyatt is such an unknown. After a year of the Daboll/Kafka offense, however, I feel optimistic this is going to work out. Hyatt can change this offense. Both the trade up and selection were undoubtedly warranted.

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4) #172 (5): Eric Gray – RB/Oklahoma – 5’9/207

NFL Comparison: Mark Ingram / NO

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Memphis, TN. Spent two years at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma for his final two seasons. Second team All-Big 12 in 2022. Ended his career with almost double the usage and production of any other season in his career, finishing with the ninth most single-season rushing yards in Oklahoma history. Gray brings a tremendous physical profile and body to the table. He looks like he is manufactured in a running back factory and has the quality tape to back it up. He can fit into any running scheme but will be best suited for action between the tackles. There is where he can truly maximize the plus-burst, balance, and strength. Gray also has proven to carry a pair of elite hands as a receiver. While he may not end up with the best long speed in the group, Gray will create explosive plays with how decisive and violent he can run downhill while always maintaining the ability to abruptly stop and change direction. Gray is an ideally-built, versatile team player that fits into the every down role at the next level.

*Gray was a favorite of mine when it came to the surface level scouting. He is not a very big guy, but he is huge in the right places. His lower half is put together almost like Saquon. His short limbs work well with the kind of movement we need to see out of running backs. Short, choppy, balanced movements that can get in and out of small spaces in a hurry. When he reaches the open field, he can be caught from behind but do not overlook just how much his burst can create initially. Gray is a guy that, if he hooks up with the right team (SF, PHI, BAL) – he is going to be a 1,000-yard rusher. An overlooked attribute in his game shows up as a receiver. He was targeted a lot (102 times last three years combined) and dropped just two of them, a very good number for anyone let alone a back with power.

It was a long start to day three for NYG. Because of the two trade ups, they had to watch 99 players come off the board before selecting again. Because of the difference in values from team to team, this is the area of the draft where players “drop” frequently. It must have been hard for Schoen to see so many guys go, some of which I am sure they had high value on. #128 overall and #160 overall formerly belonged to them but they had to watch other teams make those picks because they wanted Banks and Hyatt. Many speculated NYG taking a running back at some point in this draft. In a 7-round mock I did with one of the other scouts from Ourlads for the Draft Guide, I took Jahmyr Gibbs for NYG in round two (who ended up going #12 overall Thursday). I bring that up because I think the position was on the table all weekend. The long-term status of Saquon Barkley is very much an unknown. My gut is leaning toward 2023 being the final year we see him in blue.

This selection gives NYG a solid year to find out what Gray can be at the next level. I have long viewed him as a pro back, a guy that will outlast multiple running backs drafted ahead of him. Seeing him on tape and you think he is a 225 pounder. The lower body is thick, almost Saquon-thick. But the lower-than-perceived weight stems from the fact he is not a broad guy at all. In fact the sub 72” wing span was the fifth smallest of all the backs at the Combine. He has short limbs and a specific body type. It helps him with power production and short area burst but will cap his long-stride speed and ability to pass protect and keep tacklers away from his frame via the stiff arm. Very similar body type to Ahmad Bradshaw. Gray can take Gary Brightwell’s spot on this depth chart by the end of 2023, but it will not come easily. His receiving skill set is an overlooked component to his game but then again, those short arms will pop up on third down the most. And Brightwell will not be giving anything up without a fight. I see Gray as the second-best pure runner on this team and even if he isn’t THE guy long term, I trust his skill set and its ability to translate to the league a lot. NYG fans will love the natural ability to see and cut like a classic ideal zone runner. Great value here at the end of round five.

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5) #209 (6): Tre Hawkins III – CB/Old Dominion – 6’2/188

NFL Comparison: Greedy Williams / PHI

Fifth year senior from Temple, TX. Spent two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to Old Dominion. Had his first season there canceled due to Covid-19. He started two years on the outside and produced across the entire stat sheet. He puts together an impressive blend of tools catapulted by elite vertical speed and burst. Once he diagnoses the route, his reactionary skill are sudden, twitchy, and explosive. He does not hesitate against the run and will attack the ball carriers hands, forcing fumbles (six over his career). Hawkins III lacks the feel in zone coverage and is late to notice underneath routes, but the tools are all there to develop him into a quality backup down the road. PFA.

*I did not write more than that on Hawkins III leading up to the draft. I had three Old Dominion tapes, and I left the scouting process with a PFA grade on him. His name came back across my email after an alert that comes from a certain echelon of Pro Day workout performances. I gave the numbers a look and while they did boost his overall grade on the stack, it kept him below the mark. Apologies if that isn’t enough on him.

There was something interesting I noted, however. The 4.40 surprised me. One of my game notes says “Potential move to S”. The school at him listed at 6’3”. The scouting list I get over summer had him as a projected 4.60 forty (that is from a pro scout). His tape then showed some lack of lateral fluidity, but he was obviously a physical kid that played downhill with violence. He was good tackler, and I trusted his ability to catch up to receivers vertically. All of that and his name was introduced as a “defensive back”. This has me wondering if he is the guy they play to move into the hybrid CB/S role or even someone they will try to develop as a straight safety. On paper, it makes sense to me. The film backs it up, too. Regardless, this was a traits-led selection that also brings a physical/aggressive approach to the table. Remember that day three is also about building special teams (returners and coverage units). That is where Hawkins III will start off and he has a path to the 53-man roster.

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6) 246 (7): Jordon Riley – DT/Oregon – 6’5/338

NFL Comparison: Jonathan Ford / GB

Sixth year senior from New Bern, NC. One year starter that arrived at Oregon (his fourth stop) after stints at North Carolina, Nebraska, and Garden City Community College. Riley is a mammoth-sized interior defensive lineman that played his best football in his final year of eligibility. The natural bender shows an accurate punch with quality lockout. The ball location skills need work, and he does not have much of a pass rush repertoire. He is overly reliant on the bull rush because of past knee issues, there is not much drive behind it. He is a long-term project that is older than the average prospect and will not offer a lot of versatility. The lack of baseline athleticism will limit the ceiling beyond a camp body.

*I can see what NYG liked in Riley. He is a massive body in every direction. He will fit right in next to the likes of Dexter Lawrence and A’Shawn Robinson. The initial hand strike and lockout strength will look good, and he is simply a hard guy for linemen to get movement on. This is a classic 3-4 nose tackle all the way. Remember last year’s 5th rounder DJ Davidson was the emerging backup interior run defender before he tore his ACL. Riley could be a safety net for that role, but my guess is he will stick to the practice squad while this defensive staff tries to enhance his pass rush repertoire. Where is the upside? It will stem from the power, length, and technique because his athletic ability is bottom of the barrel.

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7) 254 (7): Gervarrius Owens – S/Houston – 6’0/195

NFL Comparison: Kerby Joseph / DET

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Moore, OK. Spent three seasons at Houston after transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he also started and was a JUCO All-American. Owens was a cornerback for a year before transitioning to safety in 2020. His size and movement traits better with what we see in the middle but there is enough speed and fluidity to occasionally play a corner role here and there. Owens is an explosive, well-built missile from the back end that can really put his foot in the ground and go. His closing speed gets him to where he needs to be in a blink. Owens will flash big play ability but he also flashes big mistake potential. He sells out on his initial read and will get caught by looks-offs and double routes routinely. The missed tackle rate also strengthens the “all or nothing” feel to his game. If he can channel some of the aggression and improve his ability to finish plays, Owens can be a starting caliber safety. If not, he will be a special teamer and quality backup. 4th-5th round.

*Owens is a guy I remember first watching in November. As I have said a few times, my focus had to be majority offense this year and I was forced into playing some catch up on the defensive guys. Anyway, I watched two plays of his and immediately put him in the draftable tier of the my safety stack. Two plays. I think he could have gone a lot higher than this too but the numbers game caught up to him. Owens could have easily been a 5th round pick. The trait I like the most is ball tracking and it is easy to see the former receiver/corner in him. The safety group now has a lot of competition and I would say Owens will fit right into the tier of the guys that hope to be backups and special teamers. He is just as talented. This will breed the best results from these guys throughout preseason.

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Overall, this seven-player draft class was simply the next step in their rebuilding plan. As I said earlier, this is a front office and coaching staff with a real plan. Both from the personnel side and player development side. They came into the draft knowing they would not be able to solve every issue. This was and is a roster with several holes and it was not realistic, considering the resources available, to patch them all up with a few picks. They have had two drafts together so far and it included 8 draft picks in rounds one through three combined. 3 offensive linemen. 2 wide receivers. 2 cornerbacks. 1 outside linebacker. Assuming their key picks pan out, expect year three to continue the trend of those premium positions (pass rusher would be next). Start prepping for the 2024 Draft!

Apr 272023
 

New York Giants 2023 NFL Draft Review

Round Pick in Round Overall Selection Player Selected Video
1 24 24 CB Deonte Banks (Video)
2 26 57 OC John Michael Schmitz (Video)
3 10 73 WR Jalin Hyatt (Video)
5 37 172 RB Eric Gray (Video)
6 32 209 CB Tre Hawkins III (Video)
7 26 243 DL Jordon Riley (Video)
7 37 254 S Gervarrius Owens (Video)

2023 Draft Pick Scouting Reports

1st Round – CB Deonte Banks, 6’0”, 197lbs, 4.35, University of Maryland

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Senior entry. Three-year starter but two of those years summed to just five starts combined because of Covid-19 and a shoulder injury that kept him out of all but two games. Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2022. Banks is a bit of an unknown when because of the lack of experience over that two-year span. That said, he did start as a true freshman in 2019 and looked fantastic in 2022. The movement traits are nearly off the charts and his aggressive play style will be attractive to defensive schemes that want to use a lot of man coverage. His rapid-fire footwork allows him to stay stick and the long speed pairs with acceleration traits to stay on top of pro deep threats. There are not a lot of plays made on his tape and I’m not sold he completely understands what he is doing yet. Banks is a wildcard that could make a case to be the top corner in the draft because of talent and traits, but there are question marks in a few of the mental areas of the grade sheet.

*Banks tore it up at the Combine and this is a position that everyone wants to see traits at, then gamble. Banks’ movement ability shows up on tape, there is no denying his ability to play against NFL speed. The question will be how quickly he adapts mentally. He simply did not play a lot in college and he was not challenged often enough. Like a lot of these other corners in the group, this will be a big swing for the fence and his shortcoming centers around size/length.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “You guys know Wink’s defense and what he likes, and Deonte fits that mold “to a T”. He was ecstatic… He’s a prototype from a size standpoint. He’s athletic. He’s physical. He can run. He ran 4.32 at the Combine. He has arm length, big hands. He’s been a four-year starter. He was hurt a year ago but he has played a lot of ball there at Maryland and schematically, he’s a good fit. And we spent a lot of time with him. Met with him at the Combine. He’s a guy that, you know, we went down to the pro day, and we spent a good amount of time with him, and again we felt comfortable with him… Getting Banks is a guy that we liked, we spent a lot of time with and we’re ecstatic to get him… He’s a personable individual. Football intellect was good (at the Combine). Very good understanding of their defense. You know, made a good first impression at the Combine, and I’ll give our scouts the credit, you know he was hurt in 2021 and one of our guys was in there in August, and he wasn’t really on our radar because he didn’t play a lot in 2021 and so our scouts were on him early. So he is somebody that we were able to get out and see and we had several looks throughout the fall, live looks, whether it was at the school, games or at practice. So you know, we had very good coverage on him.”

Brian Daboll’s Take: “You can never have enough good corners. This is a passing league. We have a tough division and Te, he’s a tall, lengthy, press, man-to-man corner who we had graded high, and happy we have him… He’s played a lot of press man-to-man. Again, we play a variety of defenses with our system but he’s played a heavy amount of man-to-man coverage and press and he’s strong. He’s got good length. He’s got good quickness, good speed. And now we’ll just throw him in the mix with our guys and good to have him.”

Media Q&A with Deonte Banks: (Full Transcript)


2nd Round – OC John Michael Schmitz, 6’4”, 301lbs, 5.35, University of Minnesota

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Flossmoor, IL. Named All-Big Ten three straight years including a first team honor in 2022. Also named a first team All-American in his final season. Schmitz is the point guard of the offensive line, fully capable of making all the calls and directing traffic. He does all the little things right and it adds up to consistent, reliable play. He excels in the running game with his combination of heavy contact and excellent footwork. While he is not the most natural athlete, he makes up for a lot of the shortcomings with proper angles, spacing, and timing. He has a great feel for when to peel off to the next man and his hands do a lot of damage. The shortcomings as a pass blocker on an island and occasional lapse in body control can cause some concern, but the floor is high for Schmitz. Schmitz has the mental capacity and reliable run blocking to fit into any situation right away and compete for a starting job, but this is a low ceiling, high-floor kind of player.

*Want a plug and play center that will immediately become the mental leader of your line? Schmitz is your guy. Want a high-upside athlete that is going to eventually be one of the top players at the position in the league? Look elsewhere. Schmitz is a classic “is what he is” type prospect. You know what you are getting, you know what you are not. One negative I could see NYG having on him is the fact he never played a position other than center. In addition, the already-24 year-old simply lacks more area to chew up on the progression curve. Will he likely provide the best OC play this team has had since…O’Hara? Probably. The question is about positional value, and everyone has an opinion on that. I like Schmitz, as do many in the league. But he only becomes an option for me in round 3, and I think he is gone by then.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “Schmitz is a great guy… smart, tough, dependable, played a lot of ball. Had a great Senior Bowl. He’s a good player and a great kid.”

Brian Daboll’s Take: “This guy’s tough. He’s smart. He’s got a good frame. Former wrestler. Good leader. We’ll throw him in the mix, let him compete it out with the other guys and see how it ends up.”

Media Q&A with John Michael Schmitz: (Full Transcript)


3rd Round – WR Jalin Hyatt, 6’0”, 176lbs, 4.4, University of Tennessee

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Junior entry. One year starter from Irmo, SC. First Team All American and SEC honors in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award. Hyatt was one of the country’s breakout performers in 2022, leading the power five conferences with 15 touchdowns. Coming into the year, he had just 502 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He nearly tripled that in his junior season alone. This is the kind of speed that changes how an opposing defense plays. There is a lot of unknown in his game, however. He is inexperienced in contested situations, he rarely lined up outside, and the route running on anything besides vertical-routes needs a lot of refinement. While the speed is next-level and he will immediately become one of the best deep threats in the NFL early in his career, there is a lot that needs to be gained for Hyatt to be considered a formidable number one threat.

*The one prospect in this group that I would label THE swing for the fence is Hyatt. If you can recall my comparison for him, Will Fuller, and what he did for the Houston offense pre-injury (#1 in NFL in yards per target in 2020, #3 in 2018) you may want to consider taking him in the first round. Even though he is such a one-dimensional guy, his ability within that dimension is potentially special. And that dimension is also what every team in the league wants on offense and fears defensively. Credible deep speed that can get over and stay over the top of the defense. Throw in the fact he tracks and catches the ball at a high level and yes, he could easily end up a first rounder. Personally, I struggle with number of boxes that remain unchecked. The route tree, strength against contact, sudden change of direction, yards after contact. There is a lot to unwind here but I would be lying if I said he doesn’t excite me.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “He ran 4-3 and some change, and you could feel his speed on film. That’s legit. Just a player we liked, and we spent some time with, and we thought the value was good for what we had to give up to go get him… He can roll. I was at that Alabama game… You could really feel his speed. It’s legit 4-3.”

Brian Daboll’s Take: “I think he’s a good player. I think he runs some of the routes that we run here. You can see, a little bit like Gabe, how it might translate. But again, everything is new for him. He’s a young guy. We’ll throw him in the mix with the other receivers and let those guys compete it out. A good visit here. Definitely has some qualities that you like when you’re watching him. Good young man. So, happy we have him.”

Media Q&A with Jalin Hyatt: (Full Transcript)


5th Round – Eric Gray, 5’10”, 207lbs, 4.55, University of Oklahoma

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Senior entry. Three-year starter from Memphis, TN. Spent two years at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma for his final two seasons. Second team All-Big 12 in 2022. Ended his career with almost double the usage and production of any other season in his career, finishing with the ninth most single-season rushing yards in Oklahoma history. Gray brings a tremendous physical profile and body to the table. He looks like he is manufactured in a running back factory and has the quality tape to back it up. He can fit into any running scheme but will be best suited for action between the tackles. There is where he can truly maximize the plus-burst, balance, and strength. Gray also has proven to carry a pair of elite hands as a receiver. While he may not end up with the best long speed in the group, Gray will create explosive plays with how decisive and violent he can run downhill while always maintaining the ability to abruptly stop and change direction. Gray is an ideally-built, versatile team player that fits into the every-down role at the next level.

*Gray was a favorite of mine when it came to the surface level scouting. He is not a very big guy, but he is huge in the right places. His lower half is put together almost like Saquon. His short limbs work well with the kind of movement we need to see out of running backs. Short, choppy, balanced movements that can get in and out of small spaces in a hurry. When he reaches the open field, he can be caught from behind but do not overlook just how much his burst can create initially. Gray is a guy that, if he hooks up with the right team (SF, PHI, BAL) – he is going to be a 1,000-yard rusher. An overlooked attribute in his game shows up as a receiver. He was targeted a lot (102 times last three years combined) and dropped just two of them, a very good number for anyone let alone a back with power.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “Eric Gray is a guy we liked. He was at the Senior Bowl. Played at Oklahoma and transferred from Tennessee. Super productive. Really good hands out of the backfield. Also has some elusiveness to him inside. Like what he brings. He also has done some returns in his past; he did some at Tennessee, comfortable catching punts at Senior Bowl. So again, he’ll come in and compete with our group. ”

Media Q&A with Eric Gray: (Full Transcript)


6th Round – CB Tre Hawkins III, 6’2”, 188lbs, 4.4, Old Dominion University

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Fifth-year senior from Temple, TX. Spent two seasons at Trinity Valley Community College before transferring to Old Dominion. Had his first season there canceled due to Covid-19. He started two years on the outside and produced across the entire stat sheet. He puts together an impressive blend of tools catapulted by elite vertical speed and burst. Once he diagnoses the route, his reactionary skill are sudden, twitchy, and explosive. He does not hesitate against the run and will attack the ball carriers hands, forcing fumbles (six over his career). Hawkins III lacks the feel in zone coverage and is late to notice underneath routes, but the tools are all there to develop him into a quality backup down the road. Priority free agent.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “Tre Hawkins, we took him late in the sixth. From Old Dominion corner, height, weight, and speed prospect that has high upside. He’s a physical kid, not afraid to tackle. You see a trend with some of these guys that we took at that position. Good developmental prospect for Wink’s defense and projects well to special teams due to his physical traits and toughness.”


7th Round – DL Jordon Riley, 6’5”, 338lbs, 5.31, University of Oregon

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Sixth-year senior from New Bern, NC. One-year starter who arrived at Oregon (his fourth stop) after stints at North Carolina, Nebraska, and Garden City Community College. Riley is a mammoth-sized interior defensive lineman who played his best football in his final year of eligibility. The natural bender shows an accurate punch with quality lockout. The ball location skills need work and he does not have much of a pass rush repertoire. He is overly reliant on the bull rush because of past knee issues, there is not much drive behind it. He is a long term-project who is older than the average prospect and will not offer a lot of versatility. FA/Camp Body

Joe Schoen’s Take: ” Jordon Riley, again, big body guy. It’s hard to find these guys. When you get into the 7th round, you are looking for guys that maybe it will be hard to get at different areas. And another guy we spent time with, big run stopper in there, 6’5, 330. He’ll compete for a depth role there… He’s at Oregon. You walk out to practice and there’s this 6-5, 330-pound guy, who piques your interest right there. Again, some of these guys in different schemes may not have the production, the tackles, the sacks. But for what Wink looks for in terms of size, length, knock back, he possesses those traits.”


7th Round – S Gervarrius Owens, 6’0”, 195lbs, 4.57, University of Houston

Sy’56’s Scouting Report: Fifth-year senior. Four-year starter from Moore, OK. Spent three seasons at Houston after transferring from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M where he also started and was a JUCO All-American. Owens was a cornerback for a year before transitioning to safety in 2020. His size and movement traits better with what we see in the middle but there is enough speed and fluidity to occasionally play a corner role here and there. Owens is an explosive, well-built missile from the back end that can really put his foot in the ground and go. His closing speed gets him to where he needs to be in a blink. Owens will flash big play ability, but he also flashes big mistake potential. He sells out on his initial read and will get caught by looks-offs and double routes routinely. The missed tackle rate also strengthens the “all or nothing” feel to his game. If he can channel some of the aggression and improve his ability to finish plays, Owens can be a starting caliber safety. If not, he will be a special teamer and quality backup.

*Similar to a player discussed above, Owens passes the initial test but once you watch a lot of his tape, it is easy to tell there is a lot of guessing in his game. If he can truly process the information and play at his highest rate of speed, he can be a player. Watch out for guys like this coming from a program that does not exactly invest in defensive resources. First exposure to high quality coaching could turn a light on. Owens has that kind of untapped upside. I like him a lot as a day three prospect.

Joe Schoen’s Take: “Gervarrius Owens, another guy we like, a tall, long, athletic safety from the University of Houston, was out at the East-West Game. Another physical kid. Projects well to special teams and also compete for a depth role.”


Rookie Free Agent Scouting Reports

QB Tommy DeVito, 6’2”, 210lbs, 4.64, University of Illinois (Video)
Transfer from Syracuse, where he was benched. DeVito lacks height, but he is a physically tough quarterback. However, pressure can bother him and he needs to play with more consistency.

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, 6’3”, 224lbs, 4.38, West Virginia University (Video)
Wheaton combines excellent size, speed, and overall athletic ability. He can can high-point a ball and win contested catches. However, he is a poor route runner and should be more productive than he has been. Inconsistent hands.

TE/FB Ryan Jones, 6’3”, 247lbs, 4.78, East Carolina University
Jones caught 41 passes for 413 yards and five touchdowns in his final collegiate season.

OLB Habakkuk Baldonado, 6’5”, 260lbs, 4.78, University of Pittsburgh (Video)
Baldonado was born in Rome, Italy. He played defensive end in a 4-3 defense in college, but projects to edge in Wink Martindale’s defense. His best season was in 2021, when he had 9.5 sacks. Baldonado has good size and strength and he plays hard. However, he lacks ideal quickness as a pass rusher.

ILB Dyontae Johnson, 6’2’’, 230lbs, 4.76, University of Toledo
Johnson had 109 tackles, eight tackles for losses, three pass defenses, three sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in his final collegiate season. He is productive and instinctive, but lacks ideal size and speed.

ILB Troy Brown, 6’1”, 220, 4.69, University of Mississippi
Brown lacks ideal size and and strength, but he diagnoses well and has proven to be productive (93 tackles in his final collegiate season).

CB Gemon Green, 6’2”, 186lbs, 4.52, University of Michigan (Video)
Green lacks ideal speed for the position, but he has experience in multiple coverages, including man. Green does not make many plays on the football. He plays a physical game but needs to be more consistent in run support.

S Alex Cook, 6’1’’, 196lbs, 4.68, University of Washington
Cook has average size and lacks ideal speed. He is an aggressive player who is better against the run. He does not make many plays on the football in the passing game. Team captain.

LS Cameron Lyons, 6’0’’, 225lbs, 5.00, University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Apr 262023
 
Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide (November 26, 2022)

Bryce Young – © USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACKS

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 10 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 11 – 16

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

What a difference a year can make. The new leadership of NYG decision makers declined the fifth-year option on Daniel Jones a year ago. It was not punch to the gut, as Jones was drafted by a previous regime and did not have a lot of success in his early years. What it was, however, was a mark in the sand for Jones to get past. He had to prove it the hard way. Even during training camp when I saw some struggles in person, I was already thinking about the 2023 Draft class and what it was going to offer at quarterback. Well, nine months later he is locked into a long-term contract that currently averages top ten in the league when it comes to per-year spending and guaranteed money at signing. While this does not cross off the position from overall draft needs (backup Tyrod Taylor has just one year left on his deal), Jones is the guy for the foreseeable future.

TOP 10 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Bryce Young – Alabama – 5’10/204

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: Russell Wilson / DEN

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Pasadena, CA. 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and All-American. Two-time first team All-SEC. Young is an elite innovator that has a special ability to create on his own. He knows when to stay within the scheme, makes the right decision to adjust at the right time, and plays his best football in the most difficult moments. The initial hesitation that stems from his diminutive frame is credible. There are almost no long-time quarterbacks that have sustained success in the league at his size. His two years of tape, however, show countless flashes of high-level playmaking, leadership, and productive play. Young is simply the player you want with his hands on the ball in tight games. His versatility is hard to defend, and his maturity is way beyond his years. Young has proven over and over that his brain, unique skill set, and leadership traits can overcome the issues that could come from a lack of sheer size in more ways than one and is fully capable of being the face of a franchise under center.

*Man, what a long process this was. Young has been the quarterback I have spent the most time on since I started scouting professionally. The voice inside my head kept saying “No”. You can’t have a guy this small playing quarterback, you just can’t. But the film says otherwise, the QB coaches I speak with say otherwise, and big moments say otherwise. In a very bizarre quarterback class to say the least, Young is the guy I want with the ball in his hands at the end of the game if my life was reliant on his result. I trust his decision making, I trust his arm talent, I trust his innovation. Young will be fighting an uphill battle his entire career and every time a Dexter Lawrence fall on top of him, I am going to shut my eyes and hold my breath. Every, single, time. He does finish as my QB1 – but man this would be a hard card to hand in if my job relied on it.

2) CJ Stroud – Ohio State – 6’3/214

Grade: 82

NFL Comparison: Derek Carr / NO

Third-year sophomore entry. Two-year starter from Inland Empire, CA. Two-time first team All-Big Ten, two-time All-American, two-time Heisman finalist, and two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Stroud finished first and second respectively in the country in passing efficiency in 2021 and 2022. Ohio State went 21-4 in his starts. He is atop the single game passing records in the historic Rose Bowl. Keep discussing Stroud and you will run out of breath talking about how many things he accomplished in the two years after Justin Fields left for the NFL. Stroud is simply next in line from the program’s productive list of passers to make their way into the NFL. The production is off the charts. He won a lot of games. The question will be how much of these results derived from the system and elite talent at receiver and how much of it came from Stroud? The tools and intangibles pass all the tests and Stroud can make a strong case to be considered the best pure passer Ohio State has ever produced. Stroud is coming from a program that can cause at least some hesitation when it comes to projecting his college success to the NFL, but his ascent and performance on the toughest stages of his career combined with his outstanding arm talent are worth taking a chance on to be a credible, big-time NFL quarterback.

*What gave Stroud a fighting chance to finish as my QB1 was the arm talent. Simply put, I believe his ability to throw the ball is better than everyone in the class. Not just power, not just accuracy, not just touch – but the sum of them all. Stroud is smooth, he is confident, and he got better in big moments when comparing 2021 to 2022. Does the recent history of OSU quarterbacks strike some fear into you? I would not look down on anyone that felt that way. It isn’t just the system – but the receivers and O-Line. You would have a hard time finding a better combination of talent AND a bigger gap between his team and weekly opponents than what Stroud had at his disposal. If he did not elevate his game the way he did in 2022 in big moments – I may have kept him out of round 1.

3) Anthony Richardson – Florida – 6’4/244

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Cam Newton / FA

Junior entry. One year starter from Gainesville, FL. A career that started off in the Covid season and the decision to play Emory Jones in front of him in 2021, Richardson had to oddly wait until 2022 to get the full-time starting job for the Gators. It was his lone full season atop the depth chart, thus he enters the league with 13 starts under his belt. When looking at the combination of elite tools that he has put into motion on multiple occasions, it is hard to see just how high the ceiling is from where he currently stands. He has the body of a tight end, the speed of a receiver, and the contact balance of a running back. He complements that with top-shelf arm strength and a lightning-quick release that produces a tight spiral throw after throw. Richardson’s inconsistent ball placement and footwork are fixable indeed, but the near-blank canvas will present a lot of risk. There is a lot of unknown simply because he did not get on the field enough in college and the track record for quarterbacks in this situation is not a good one. The tools are the best in the class at the position and an offense that can build the scheme around him with patience is the most ideal route for him to trek on. Richardson brings to the table but the contrast between his good and bad combined with a lack of experience makes him a tremendous boom or bust prospect.

*What is your detailed plan for him? That is the first question I am asking the Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator prior to drafting him. Baltimore set the template with how they handled Lamar Jackson and the fact they constructed an offense for and around him. The amount of starts he had scares me the most. Sure, the inconsistent ball placement/accuracy woes are frustrating. The turnovers are too many. The adjustment to the NFL will take him some extra time. But since 2010, here is the list of guys that started under 18 games in college: Cam Newton, Mitch Trubisky, Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, Trey Lance, Mac Jones. I don’t love the idea of taking him round one but there are generational traits here. I see a lot of Newton by the way. Newton without the weird personality could have been special.

4) Will Levis – Kentucky – 6’4/229

Grade: 80

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Madison, CT. Began his career at Penn State where he redshirted and started two games, backing up Sean Clifford. Levis, a two-time team captain, played under two NFL offensive coaches. His 2021 coordinator was Liam Coen, who previously coached quarterbacks for the Rams. His 2022 coordinator Rich Scangarello, who previously coached quarterbacks for the Niners. That exposure will give him a slight head start into pro-caliber scheming, game planning, and overall demands. Levis has the prototype profile for today’s quarterback. He is a big, strong, and physical kid that could fit in with the linebackers. His muscle mass if functional. He has a cannon for arm and his base is incredibly thick and strong. The two-time team captain was a brilliant student, one that graduated undergrad in three years and then obtained his masters over the course of his two years at Kentucky. He is a tough kid with intelligence and good leadership traits. All the talent and tools are there but the consistency was not. Levis had such a roller coaster tenure with Kentucky, and he did not win the starting job at Penn State. At some point, the tools need to evolve into dependable play that can be relied upon week to week. He never quite got there. Levis will come into the league with top ten talent for the position, but it will take a quality coach and system to bring him along slowly but surely if they want him to play at a dependable level of consistency.

*Levis was the guy I projected to be number one heading into the 2022 season. A foot injury and poor supporting cast hurt his case in a big way. But we can’t pretend the issues started and ended there. Levis did not play well, he did not make those around him better. He did not elevate his game in big moments. It is hard to ignore the fact he looks, moves, throws like a prototype. The fact he played under two separate NFL offensive minds is a positive. When all is said and done, Levis just has the feel of a first-round pick. What ends up happening with him is a mystery and I have asked myself if I needed a QB in the top 10, do I take him? After a long time scouting his tape, I am a no.

5) Hendon Hooker – Tennessee – 6’3/217

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Joshua Dobbs / CLE

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Greensboro, NC. Spent four seasons at Virginia Tech and two at Tennessee. 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year and Third Team All-American. Hooker took over the starting job for Tennessee a couple weeks into the 2021 season and changed the trajectory of the program. A year later, he took home the SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award and nearly led them to the College Football Playoffs. Playing under the Air Raid scheme, Hooker proved he can drop the ball in a bucket downfield, create with his legs, and play a tough brand of football. A torn ACL late in the year and the fact he is already 25 years old can cause some hesitation when looking at the long-term projection. This is a top-shelf young man with talent and proven success at the highest level of college football. At the very least, he is a great addition to the quarterback room with the upside of a solid starter. Hooker is a mature, battle-tested leader with an equal distribution of talent from his arm and legs with that will be a great addition to a quarterback room with quality starter-upside.

*I like the intangibles of Hooker enough to consider him in round one. The knee and age (combined) are enough to bump him down a notch. He will be 26 when he sees his first NFL action. That is approaching Brandon Weeden territory. But even if you don’t see a starter – he will be important for a team. Remember, one can make an argument the backup QB is more important than some of the starting spots in today’s NFL. He is tough, he is a leader, he is smart. I think someone is going to trade up for him toward the end of round one to let him compete for a job in 2024.

6) Jake Haener – Fresno State – 6’0/207

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Taylor Heinicke / ATL

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Danville, CA. Spent one season at Washington before transferring to Fresno State in 2019. Three-time All Mountain West including the first team honor in 2022 despite missing four weeks due to injury. Haener falls below the ideal measurables for the position. He barely stands at six feet and further lessens the reach and radius with below average arm length and wingspan. He is going to fight an uphill battle off the snap his entire career. Beyond that, however, this is a tough gamer that can stand figuratively tall and brave in the face of pressure. The lightning-fast release and ability to put some extra RPM’s on the ball from his torque can make up for some of the physical shortcomings. He scored 81 touchdowns and threw just 18 interceptions over his career. The constant ascent in his game is a positive sign of what is to come at the next level. Haener will be a smart and usable presence in the quarterback room even if he does earn a starting job. He brings a noticeable level of energy and leadership to the offense that can hold the ship together if the starter goes down. Do not sleep on his potential to evolve into a quality starter as well. Haener projects as a backup at the next level but there is a sense of intrigue around the combination of talent and intangibles that are worth considering as a starter down the road if the system is friendly to his skill set.

*In a class where the likely #1 overall pick is being heavily scrutinized for a lack of size, not enough is made about Haener and his diminutive frame. I know it is at least somewhat different because Haener is being projected for backup duty, but it still needs to be discussed. His wingspan is smaller than Young’s. His playing weight was under 200 pounds. He tied for the smallest hands among quarterbacks at the combine. I do not want to beat him down further, but these are things that need to be considered if you are at all concerned by the Bryce Young size; it would not make sense otherwise. Anyway, I like the style in which Haener plays with and it reminds me so much of Heinicke. It was one of my favorite comparisons in the class, I saw it instantly.

7) Dorian Thompson-Robinson – UCLA – 6’1/203

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Tyrod Taylor / NYG

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Las Vegas, NV. Three-time All-Pac 12 honoree. Thompson-Robinson turned his back to the NFL after a strong 2021 season where he led the conference in several passing metrics, including total touchdowns and yards per game. He left his mark on the UCLA program, leaving as the all-time leader in total offense, passing yards, completions, and touchdowns. Over the course of 48 career starts, Thompson-Robinson scored 116 times. This is a dynamic and versatile threat that plays the game with unshakeable passion and toughness. There is a competitive juice to his game that very few can match and if channeled correctly, it can elevate his game. He fits in well with what the league wants out of its quarterbacks. There will be plenty to work on both as a passer and reader of the defense, but the traits are worth a day three gamble. Thompson-Robinson is an athletic, high-powered thrower that can make all the plays both as a runner and passer if he stays on a disciplined path.

*I am higher on DTR than the market and I will tell why. This is not algorithm-based, this is not based on analytics. It is a feeling. NYG would be smart to maintain an athletic presence behind Jones on the depth chart. The QB-running is a big part of the scheme and success. Let’s stay away from a Mike Glennon or Jake Fromm type, even if they look good throwing the ball. They need a competitive gamer behind Jones. Someone that is standing on the sideline, foaming at the mouth waiting to get his shot. They need a good teammate, one that will do things away from the field and on his own to make the team better. And lastly, they need someone that can bring energy to the field should Jones go down. DTR checks all those boxes at adamantly. Again, not the biggest guy, but I am OK with it. The league is shifting toward this kind of quarterback, and I think there are elements to DTR many overlook. I would invest an early day three pick in him even if it meant keeping three quarterbacks on the 53 all year.

8) Clayton Tune – Houston – 6’3/220

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Tom Savage / RET

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Carrollton, TX. First Team All-AAC in 2022. The three-time team captain set a conference record with 40 touchdowns in his final go-round. He finished his career top five in school history across multiple key categories, including wins. Tune is a sizeable framed, well put together, classic pocket passer that can drop dimes down the field. He has a knack for putting the ball in a bucket on vertical routes with the pocket awareness plus maneuverability to stay alive under pressure. He is not a great athlete and there are a few shortcomings on the move, but if he can be protected just long enough, he has the skill set to move the ball and score points. Tune has the experience and has shown the ability to lead his team to a pile of wins. How smoothly he can morph into an NFL-style offense will dictate a lot when it comes to his trajectory and ceiling. Tune projects to the backup tier of quarterbacks at the next level but there is a wide spectrum of outcomes when transitioning from a Dana Holgorsen scheme to the NFL.

*The classic drop back, downfield thrower has some of the best sustained production in the class. He also threw 10 interceptions each of the past three seasons. He also comes from an offensive scheme that has struggled to produce NFL talent. Tune has his fans, some that think he is the #6 guy in this class. I don’t see anything special, although the arm talent is real, and he is a big, thick kid. The pre-draft meetings for him will be very important when it comes to how well he does on the whiteboard and with interactions between coaches.

9) Jaren Hall – BYU – 6’0/207

Grade: 71

NFL Comparison: Sam Howell / WAS

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Spanish Fork, UT. Will turn 25 years old before the draft. He is married and has a daughter. Hall comes from an athletic family, as his brothers and parents have played different sports for BYU. Hall himself was a two-sport athlete in college, also playing Baseball for the Cougars for two seasons. He missed 2020 with an injury, the final year Zach Wilson was the starter. Since then, he has scored 54 touchdowns, thrown just 11 interceptions, and went 18-8 as the starter. His arm talent jumps off the screen and he is an excellent scrambler. Hall does some of his best passing work on the move. There are multiple issues with his footwork, and he has multiple shortcomings when it comes to size. The NFL will have to weigh the risk / reward of his consistent glitches found on tape with his plus-talent as both a thrower and runner. Hall’s maturity and intangibles will be a welcomed addition to any quarterback room. Hall makes several NFL-caliber throws look routine and there is a mature competitive mindset here that can maximize his talent. He projects to a backup role but there is something in him that can evolve into much more.

*Similar to the comment about Haener and his lack of size, Hall is in the same discussion. His wingspan is even smaller than Haener (almost 2 inches smaller than Bryce Young). Hall has more thickness to him, however. When I see the best of Hall, there is some Zach Wilson arm talent in him. Very snappy thrower that can change up the angles with ease. He is an underrated athlete, too. Hall can make a strong case for himself but the adjustment to the NFL scheme will be tough (Wilson’s lack of success does not help him) but this is a mature kid that will do the work. I like him as a backup prospect to look at day three if that is a goal of this front office.

10) Aidan O’Connell – Purdue – 6’3/213

Grade: 71

NFL Comparison: Ryan Finley / RET

Sixth year senior from Long Grove, IL. Two-year starter full time, but also started three games in both 2019 and 2020 respectively. Two-time All Big Ten. After beginning his career as a walk on, O’Connell had to scratch and claw his way to the top of the depth chart. He finally got ahold of the starting job during 2021 season and took off. He went over 500 yards twice that year, a first in program history. He also set school records in completion percentage and passing efficiency. The production was paired with turnovers (24 interceptions over his last two years) and a lack of impact in the running game. He is a pure pocket passer that excels at getting the ball out quickly but there are times he doesn’t seem to know what he is throwing into. With a player this old and experienced and one that lacks plus-athleticism, O’Connell simply needed to be better by this point. He projects to a backup role, and nothing more. O’Connell can be a valuable intangible-based asset to a quarterback room, but the below average anticipation and talent put a severe cap on his potential.

*I have been told a couple times by people I trust to re-consider my grade here, that he needs to be higher. I did go back and look at everything – my opinion remained unchanged. O’Connell is an awkward mover in multiple ways. He moves away from pressure like he has cinderblocks tied to his cleats. The throwing motion is inconsistent. Now, if you are looking for intangibles out of your backup more so than talent, I can see it. He will be a nice addition to a QB room, he can be an extra coach. That may even be his future in the league like Kellen Moore.

11 – 16

11) Tanner McKee – Stanford – 6’6/231: 71
12) Stetson Bennett – Georgia – 5’11/192: 70
13) Tyson Bagent – Shepherd – 6’3/213: 70
14) Chase Brice – Appalachian State – 6’2/236: 69
15) Max Duggan – TCU – 6’1/207: 69
16) Adrian Martinez – Kansas State – 6’2/221: 68

NYG APPROACH

There is still a high demand for quarterbacks in the league. I’m not sure everyone understands how big that demand is (it was a key reason why Jones got the contract he did). Add in the fact there are at least two 2024 quarterbacks who are going to grade out higher than everyone in this class (and last class too), the unpredictability of this market is wild right now, maybe an all-time high. I could see four quarterbacks going in the top ten (a first-time ever). I could see just two quarterbacks going in all of round one. Simply put, NYG is fortunate not to be caught up in the mess of trying to find their next franchise guy right now considering where they are picking. Nobody will criticize or feel uneasy if they ignore the position altogether, either. They have a solid backup in Taylor and what they need behind Jones can be found rather easily year-to-year. With that said, if they see a real QB value, the position could be a strong consideration to use a day-three asset on a player. Locking in a backup for below-market value pricing for three to four years can allow more spending elsewhere. The one stipulation would be the fact they would have to use a 53-man roster spot on a third quarterback. When injuries pile up elsewhere on the roster, that can be prohibitive. Drafting a quarterback would be much more about 2024, 2025, and 2026 than it would be about 2023. That is the consideration and then you have to also love the player. Interesting situation to follow here.

Apr 242023
 
Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns (October 2, 2022)

Bijan Robinson – © USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 15 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 16 – 31

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

Saquon Barkley was the #2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. A much-debated pick because the value of running backs in relation to the economics of production that lead to wins and the usage of salary cap allocation, Barkley played out the five years of his rookie deal. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and finished as a Pro Bowler. The next three seasons saw 21 missed games and just eight rushing touchdowns. Under his fifth-year option in 2022, Barkley bounced back, playing in 16 games and making his second Pro Bowl. This led to the franchise tag, as the NYG front office has not fully committed to his long term future with the organization. Matt Breida was re-signed to back him up along with the ascending Gary Brightwell. Only Brightwell and the 2022 undrafted free agent, Jashaun Corbin, are under contract beyond 2023. While the group looks strong on paper, the future is very unknown.

TOP 15 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Bijan Robinson – Texas – 5’11/215

Grade: 88
NFL Comparison: Dalvin Cook / MIN

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Tucson, AZ. 2022 Doak Walker Award winner and unanimous All-American. Two-time first team All-Big 12. Robinson is the factory-made prototype for any offense, any era. His skill set will present weapons for the running and passing games respectively right away. The combination of elusiveness and contact balance makes him a tough ball carrier to get on the ground but then he adds the finishing touch of elite runaway speed and short area quickness to create and lengthen separation from defenders. He has wide receiver-caliber hands, understands how to protect himself, and shows the knack for the big play in big moments. Robinson is a day one starter in any scheme with the ceiling of quickly being one of the top backs in the league. Robinson is an elite playmaker that left the Texas program as one of most productive backs in school history and has every tool in the box to be a superstar at the next level.

*Not much needs to be discussed here. Robinson is one of the best running back prospects I have ever scouted. I still think he is going top 10, but many think he will not. It will be interesting and fun to see what happens because this is not a traditional running back with traditional value. Robinson could grade out as a day two wide receiver if he wanted to. What sets him apart is the ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact. That is the number one trait I look for and he is the best to ever do it. There are a few holes in his game, and he is the typical new age guy that wants every play to be a highlight. If he can do some of the dirty work and always fall forward, he will be a better player. If NYG had a shot at him at #25? I’ll plead the fifth. “Trade down”.

2) Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama – 5’9/199

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: James Cook / BUF

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Dalton, GA. Spent two seasons at Georgia Tech where he earned first team All ACC and second team All American honors as an all-purpose player in 2021 before moving on to Alabama, where he earned second team all SEC in 2022. Gibbs chose to take a step up in competition, both in-house and with his opponents. He responded with a career year, leading the Crimson Tide (by over 2x) with 132.3 all-purpose yards per game, second in the conference. He can wear multiple hats on offense and special teams, as the only objective here is to simply get the ball in his hands. Gibbs has such fluid movement patterns below the waist in all directions. It looks like he is on ice skates with how easily he can change direction and explode. He has home-run speed, receiver-caliber hands, and a good feel for where the creases will appear. This is an ideal skill set for today’s pro running back. Gibbs will be an immediate asset to any passing game and has shown the elite movement traits both in crowded areas and in the open field to create explosive plays weekly.

*Gibbs is one of the fastest 12 running backs to run at the combine since 2000. The other names on that list are exciting including the likes of Isiah Pacheco, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Jahvid Best, CJ Spiller, Chris Johnson, Reggie Bush…etc. The smaller guys on that list? They all had durability issues. Even though he was a pretty durable back in college, he’s never had more than 200 touches. Gibbs is a weapon for any offense and if I think he is deserving of a first round slot. Just know he can’t be the guy that gives you 20 touches a game. But his hands, routes, and movement traits are exactly what defensive coaches hate to deal with. Gibbs may see a fall because of positional value and if someone does get him round 2, it will be one of the top values of Friday night.

3) Zach Charbonnet – UCLA – 6’0/214

Grade: 80

Grade: Adrian Peterson / RET

Senior entry. Started games in both years he spent at Michigan before transferring to UCLA in 2021 where he also started for two years. Two-time All-Pac 12, first team in 2022. Charbonnet hit a bump in the road after a strong freshman season in Ann Arbor, where he earned third team All-Big Ten honors. His playing time diminished the next season and it led to the transfer. He was then able to put his full ability on display week to week, getting just under 500 carries over his two seasons under Chip Kelly. Charbonnet’s body and body of work scream NFL. He has well-distributed muscle mass with tremendous thickness around his hips and calves. That size along with precise footwork and forward lean breaks a lot of tackles. He has the look of a guy that can handle a full dosage of carries in addition to providing excellent hands in the passing game and upper tier blocking. He does it all. This is an ideal fit for a starting job in a gap-heavy scheme. Charbonnet is everything a starting caliber back needs to be when looking at the well-balanced skill set, body, and mentality.

*Rewind 15 years ago and I strongly believe Charbonnet is a first-round pick. I think he played closer to 225 pounds by the way but likely shed some weight for the sake of his workout. Just above I wrote that Gibbs may be the ideal fit for today’s running back. While Charbonnet may be a decade too late to be considered a top-notch prospect, there is still a place for a guy like this. 566 carries, 2 fumbles. Targeted 90 times, just 5 drops as a receiver. His footwork is so precise and the way he breaks through cheap contact and will constantly “fall forward” leads me to believe he can be the leading ball carrier on a team right away. This is as pro-ready as possible no matter what role you need a back to do. Will also be one of the top pass blockers at the position in the league right away.

4) Tank Bigsby – Auburn – 6’0/210

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Isaiah Crowell / RET

Junior entry from LaGrange, GA. 2020 SEC Freshman of the Year and second team all-conference. Bigsby exploded on to the scene right away with 834 yards, second most in program history by a true freshman. Even though the team around him went backwards, especially up front on the offensive line, Bigsby continued to evolve and make plays. He has explosive movement traits on a well-sized frame that can break through cheap tackle attempts and get away from defenders in space. When things are timed well, Bigsby can break off big plays as both a rusher and receiver. He is a high-upside player that brings some extra unknown because of the lack of talent he played with over his career. Bigsby has enough potential to be labeled a dynamic threat at the next level but there are concerns about his vision, ball security, and consistency of effort.

*Ball security and overall impact as a receiver. Those are the two red flags that bumped him down a few notches. Beyond that, I am a high on Bigsby. It took me some time to finally get to him but after doing the deep dive, I see the vision and aggressive run-style that can make big difference at the next level. Bigsby will be line-dependent more than most backs. He is not overly explosive or shifty when it comes to reactions. He simply just gets the ball and runs to his point as fast as he can. Fun kid to watch with big upside if he cleans up his issues. Quietly left Auburn as one of best backs from a program with a storied tradition at the position.

5) Kendre Miller – TCU – 5’11/215

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Alvin Kamara / NO

Junior entry. One-year starter from Mount Enterprise, TX. First team All-Big 12 honors in 2022. His third year with the program was the first and only time Miller was the team’s top used back. He responded with the fifth most single season rushing yards in program history. Miller has the NFL body and run style to adjust smoothly into the NFL. He carries most of his weight above the waist, promoting his sudden quickness and ability to play shifty in traffic. He is a physical player that welcomes violence and knows how to stay centered against it. Miller gains plenty of yards after contact and shows the gear to get away in space. He is an every-down back that will favor a physical downhill attack preferably with zone tendencies. Miller brings a well-balanced skill set to the table and was a consistent force after contact throughout his entire career, a trait that translates well to the NFL.

*The Kamara comparison is more about measurables and running style. Miller’s contact balance and vision are special and that is a big reason why Kamara has had success. The other half of Kamara’s game that is elite shows up in the passing game. I’m not sure I see that with Miller. Just as a pure runner, Miller is one of my favorite backs in the class. He will not be a big play guy, but he is going to annoy the heck out of defenses. Broken tackles, excellent vision, and yards after contact. This is a guy that presents starter-value possibly in round four, which is where I project him to go.

6) Zach Evans – Mississippi – 5’11/202

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Chuba Hubbard / CAR

Junior entry. Spent two seasons at TCU where he started games both years. Transferred to Mississippi for 2022 where he was also split starting duties. Evans is a complete package back with the prototype combination of speed and size to immediately contribute in the NFL. He has elite movement traits across the board that look loose and flexible, but twitchy and explosive. He is a home-run hitter (6.9 yards per carry over career) with the right mentality. While his greatest attributes are movement-based, Evans shows plenty of toughness and grit. He opted to challenge his skill set in the SEC by transferring, showing the inherent competitive mindset. He only improved his stock with how he played against the country’s top week to week talent. Evans flashed superstar potential but needs to clean up specific components to his skill set before being relied upon as a top back. Evans was never the focal point of a running game, but it could work in his favor. He comes into the league with plenty of tread left on the tires in addition to his combination of size and speed complementing his running style well.

*Evans is a little shaky when it comes to character and maturity. There will need to be some extra digging into off-field habits. On the field, I sometimes use the work “unique” and “stand-out”. Evans averaged 7 yards per carry with just under 300 carries in his career. That really is an amazing number. The 3 fumbles in 2022 bothered me a bit and there are some holes when it comes to vision. But when it comes to pure running, acceleration, and upside, Evans is one of the top three in this class.

7) Tyjae Spears – Tulane – 5’10/201

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Shane Vereen / RET

Fourth year junior entry. First team All-AAC in 2022 and won the Conference’s Player of the Year award, the first time a non-quarterback has taken home the hardware. Spears missed most of the 2020 season with a torn ACL and then bounced back with just under 2,500 yards on just 360 carries (6.8 avg) in two years. This is a big play back with elite burst, balance, and runaway speed. The size and bendiness make him a weapon after contact, and he was among the nation’s leaders in explosive runs. Spears is an ideal complement to a power back that can fit into any scheme that will excel in space, but will not be big enough to carry an every down load. Spears will be a good secondary threat in the backfield, one that specializes in explosive plays in space.

*Spears is a kid I boosted up quite a bit later in the process. The combination of his Senior Bowl and bowl game against USC is not a huge sample size, but there were a lot of “wow” moments. I love this kid’s running style. He is aggressively patient, tough, and wants every inch. He has a lot of dog in him. Can he hold up at that size with this style? That will be the question. A kid that tore his ACL in 2020 came back and produced just under 7 yards per carry over the following two season, Spears simply has the natural traits that will show up when opportunities are there. Get him a #2 job and be ready to hear his name called.

8) Deuce Vaughn – Kansas State – 5’5/179

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Tarik Cohen / CHI

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Round Rock, TX. Three time All Big 12 and two-time first team All American as an all-purpose player. The 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year is the son of Cowboys Assistant Director of College Scouting, Chris Vaughn. Deuce exploded on to the scene right away as a true freshman and never looked back. He ranked sixth in the country in all-purpose yards in both 2021 and 2022 respectively. While his frame is nearly off the charts in the wrong direction, Vaughn is one of the few that can play running back in the NFL at the diminutive size. He is hard to find in traffic and moves with tremendous agility, burst, and long speed. His greatest impact will likely come as a pass catcher, but do not sleep on what he can do as a rusher. Vaughn will need a specific role and scheme to be most effective, but the unique skill set and impact on the passing game will be viewed as a hard-to-defend weapon in the passing game especially.

*I bet grades on this kid will be all over the place. But if you remember what the Patriots did with Dion Lewis and James White or the Eagles did with Darren Sproles and Brian Westbrook, that is where I envision Vaughn. He is not the number one of number two back, he simply has his own position. A scat-back that will destroy linebackers in the passing game. He carried the ball 293 times in 2022, 235 times in 2021. In a 17-game season, I would not expect him to see even half that load. But what he can do in the passing game can be such a big-time asset. I am saying it right now – if NYG can get him day three I will be all over it.

9) Roschon Johnson – Texas – 6’0/219

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Chris Carson / SEA

Senior entry from Port Neches, TX. Started games each of his last three seasons but was never considered the number one back. Earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2022. Was a dual threat quarterback recruit out of high school. Moved to running back because of injuries at Texas and never looked back. Johnson is a football player above all else. He can make things happen as a runner, receiver, blocker, and a tackler on special teams. He shows all-out effort all the time. He packed on weight after making the transition to the backfield and special teams but was able to maintain his plus-speed. Paired with the aggression and power, Johnson makes his presence felt weekly. He is not the most graceful runner with the ball and his style highly favors gap over zone schemes. But if a team gets him on the back end of a depth chart and finds ways to use the skill set and mentality, Johnson is going to create the hidden elements that win games. Johnson is the ideal teammate and 48th gameday player that will wear several hats, and wear them dependably.

*When a program has an absolute star at a position from the beginning of his career, always give the backup an extra look. That is principle of mine every cycle. Bijan has been a star at Texas from day one. Add in the fact Johnson was a quarterback until 2019 (and in high school), one can only wonder just how early on the progression curve he is. Johnson lacks polish and feel as a runner, but this dude can pick up yards in an NFL offense. His value as a top-notch cover man on special teams and the fact he is incredibly smart/coachable will get him extra looks draft weekend. This is a high-floor player with the mindset everyone wants in the locker room.

10) Eric Gray – Oklahoma – 5’10/207

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Mark Ingram / NO

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Memphis, TN. Spent two years at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma for his final two seasons. Second team All-Big 12 in 2022. Ended his career with almost double the usage and production of any other season in his career, finishing with the ninth most single-season rushing yards in Oklahoma history. Gray brings a tremendous physical profile and body to the table. He looks like he is manufactured in a running back factory and has the quality tape to back it up. He can fit into any running scheme but will be best suited for action between the tackles. There is where he can truly maximize the plus-burst, balance, and strength. Gray also has proven to carry a pair of elite hands as a receiver. While he may not end up with the best long speed in the group, Gray will create explosive plays with how decisive and violent he can run downhill while always maintaining the ability to abruptly stop and change direction. Gray is an ideally-built, versatile team player that fits into the every-down role at the next level.

*Gray was a favorite of mine when it came to the surface level scouting. He is not a very big guy, but he is huge in the right places. His lower half is put together almost like Saquon. His short limbs work well with the kind of movement we need to see out of running backs. Short, choppy, balanced movements that can get in and out of small spaces in a hurry. When he reaches the open field, he can be caught from behind but do not overlook just how much his burst can create initially. Gray is a guy that, if he hooks up with the right team (SF, PHI, BAL) – he is going to be a 1,000-yard rusher. An overlooked attribute in his game shows up as a receiver. He was targeted a lot (102 times last three years combined) and dropped just two of them, a very good number for anyone let alone a back with power.

11) Devon Achane – Texas A&M – 5’8/188

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Trenton Cannon / TEN

Junior entry. One-year starter from Missouri City, TX. Earned first team All-SEC honors in 2022. Also a member of the Texas A&M track and field team, running short distance races and posting some of the fastest times in school history. Achane is near the Olympic level when it comes to speed, and it shows up on film. The easy burst and next gear are always enough to outrun angles. He is not a player that will be caught from behind. His play style fights the stereotype of track athletes that put the pads on. He is tough and hard-nosed. He puts his shoulder down into a pile of tacklers. And he succeeds between the tackles. Achane is an elite, explosive athlete that can show up in the passing game, obviously in the running game, and on special teams. While there are a few physical restrictions that come with a frame this size, the right usage is going to inject explosive plays into the offense and points on to the scoreboard. Achane’s game is built on speed and burst that can be used in more ways than one but should not be the feature back early in his career.

*The speed is Chris Johnson-caliber. The kind of speed that can change an offense in a hurry. But how many backs were drafted and sustained a 5+ year career at running back that weighed in under 190 pounds at the combine since 2000? Besides the 5’6” Darren Sproles? Zero. You need to consider that when deciding whether to draft him. Is the idea of him realistic? It is fun, but what are the odds he can hold up? Of course, he can put some weight on and I am sure he will, but most backs do. And how much does that eat into his movement traits? And it’s not like his shuttle/3-cone times are great. Achane is worth a gamble at some point, I agree. Day three is the only time I think about it.

12) Israel Abanikanda – Pittsburgh – 5’10/216

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Jay Ajayi / RET

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Brooklyn, NY. First Team All-ACC and a consensus All-American in 2022 after leading the country with 11.6 points per game and finishing second in all-purpose yards per game. The former high school track star (100 M) plays an explosive brand of football attached to a credible NFL-dimensioned body and advanced vision. He has the kind of do-it-all skill set that screams number one back in specific schemes. Abanikanda is a little thin below the waist, but he can accelerate in such a hurry that is transforms into power. He can run with force between the tackles but what makes him a true threat is what happens in the open field. He erases angles of pursuers and only lengthens the gap between him and the other team the further into space they get. Abanikanda will bring life to any backfield with a bias toward a zone scheme and there is icing on the cake with is kick return value. Abanikanda will not be a fit for every scheme, but his size/speed combination will be among the best in the class, and he has true home-run ability every time he gets the ball.

*I am surprised there is not more chatter about this kid. We did not see a full exposure of him during the Kenny Pickett era. Pickett (and Addison) leave town and Abanikanda breaks out, leading the ACC in rushing and finishing as an All-American. He is such an aggressive downhill runner that turns that plus-speed into power. Maybe he doesn’t always know what he is doing or where to go, but what he showed in one year of being a feature guy behind a shaky-at-best offensive line and no other talent to speak of on offense? This may be one of the top five sleepers in the class.

13) Chase Brown – Illinois – 5’10/209

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Chris Evans / CIN

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Ontario, Canada. Three-time All-Big Ten and a consensus second team All-American. Son of Darren Issac, a running back that played in the CFL. Brother, Sydney, is also a 2023 draft prospect on the defensive side of the ball. Chase transferred to the Illinois from Western Michigan following the 2018 season. The high school track star redshirted after barely seeing the field in 2019 and then became their feature back from there. His usage was brought to another level in 2022, nearly doubling his career touches to that point. He ended up a Doak Walker finalist, the first in school history. Brown is a hard-nosed blazer with the kind of home-run ability that can change an offense in an instant. He was among the nation’s leaders in runs over ten and fifteen yards. He is best suited for a zone-running scheme where he can search for the crease and turn on the jets to beat defenders to a spot. The fumbles need to be cleaned up (he had a nation-high five in 2022 alone) and he may not be an every-down guy between the tackles. As a part of a committee though, Brown is the explosive threatBrown is at his best in space where he can fully utilize his plus-speed and sharp cutting ability to create big plays.

*Production played a huge part in his evaluation by the media and public. The All-American finished third in the nation in yards, second in the nation in carries. He has the look of what a back needs to look like. Thick but also fast explosive enough to create big plays. The fumbles bothered me and what he did in the passing game both as a receiver and blocker left me a bit underwhelmed. His ideal spot is a #2 or #3 behind a back or a dual-back system. He does not have a specialty, but he can play football. He can do a lot of things well enough. You need a guy like this somewhere on depth chart.

14) Sean Tucker – Syracuse – 5’9/207

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Chase Edmonds / MIA

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Owing Mills, MD. Two-time All ACC, including first team honors in 2021 after setting the program single season rushing yards record, a season that also earned him All-American honors. Tucker has elite athleticism in every sense of the word. The former state champion sprinter is a danger to the defense every time he is in space. All of the necessary movement traits are there both as a rusher and receiver. He has the size and pad level to hide in the shadows of his blockers just long enough to wait for a crease to open up before he shoots out of the cannon. Tucker is an advanced route runner and shows an understanding of timing and tempo to maximize the space he can create from defenders. This is a big play threat that is reliable with the ball in his hands and will work like a blue collar, seasoned veteran right away. Tucker has the traits to be an explosive playmaker and enough versatility to stay on the field in all situations, but is best suited for a number two, complementary job.

*It has not been a great pre-draft process for Tucker. He did not workout for scouts at the Combine or Pro Day due to a medical issue. The workouts are where he was supposed to shine. The former track standout had 112 carries of 10+ yards in the last two years alone, an amazing number. At his size, he had some workhorse in him. Tougher than you would think but maybe not the receiver you would think. Tucker is a nice guy to have on the back end of a depth chart because he is dangerous with the ball if he gets some space to work with. Also, a guy that won’t hurt you. Medicals will be big.

15) Mohamed Ibrahim – Minnesota – 5’8/203

Grade: 73

NFL Comparison: Giovani Bernard / TB

Six-year senior. Redshirt in 2017 and used the extra Covid year. Starter all five seasons he was on the field but missed nearly all of 2021 with a torn achilles. Two-time All American and three time All-Big Ten (’18, ’20, ’22). The 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the year left Minnesota as second all-time leading rusher and atop the career touchdown list. Because of multiple injuries below the knee, he played in just 40 games over the course of five seasons. His production and consistency were vital components to the program that was turned around by Head Coach PJ Fleck. He is simply a back that understands the nuances of the position inside and out. He displays great vision and toughness in addition to elite ball security. He always picks up the sure yards and gains yards after contact on a consistent basis. The question with him will revolve around past injuries and the amount of tread left on the tires. Ibrahim plays the position the way it should be played, a lot of teach-tape can come from his film. Whether or not he can hold up at the next level is the question.

*If one could guarantee me Ibrahim will hold up physically, he is the kind of back I am taking a chance on. I love his play-style and toughness. This kid’s picture is next to the word “gamer” in the football dictionary. The injury history, volume of touches in college, and diminutive frame do not add up to strong odds there. But for my money if this kid is there toward the end of the draft, this is a risk that is worth taking. He plays running back at a higher level right now than 90% of the backs in this class.

16 – 31

16 – Kenny McIntosh – Georgia – 6’0/204: 73
17 – Keaton Mitchell – East Carolina – 5’8/179: 72
18 – Travis Dye – USC – 5’10/201: 72
19 – Tyron Evans – Louisville – 5’10/225: 72
20 – Chris Rodriguez – Kentucky – 6’0/217: 71
21 – Camerun Peoples – Appalachian State – 6’1/213: 71
22 – Dewayne McBride – UAB – 5’10/209: 71
23 – Deneric Prince – Tulsa – 6’0/216: 71
24 – Evan Hull – Northwestern – 5’10/209: 70
25 – Hunter Luepke – North Dakota State – 6’1/230: 70
26 – Xazavian Valladay – Arizona State – 5’11/204: 69
27 – Lew Nichols III – Central Michigan – 5’10/220: 68
28 – SaRodorick Thompson – Texas Tech – 5’11/204: 68
29 – Jordan Mims – Fresno State – 5’10/206: 68
30 – Emari Demercado – TCU – 5’9/213: 68
31 – Isaiah Bowser – Central Florida – 6’0/217

NYG APPROACH

This is a running back class that I like a lot. I was asked during the season which position groups were the strongest/deepest. My answer was EDGE, TE, and RB. I have not answered with RB in a quite some time. There are different flavors of backs to the point where I have a hard time projecting where guys go. It will likely come down to when teams want to pull the trigger on a position that is now becoming undervalued by the public. A good running back room is still ultra-important to offensive success in today’s NFL. If your guy is there in round one, so be it. You can find a good one day three, but then again, we can say that about every position including Brock Purdy and quarterback.

NYG should use one of their day three picks on the position. Create some competition and depth for Matt Breida and Gary Brightwell. But the elephant in the room – Saquon Barkley’s long-term future – needs to be considered. If you know he will not be here in 2024, does it change your outlook on this year’s draft? Or do you simply push this to the side and leave this position alone for a year and maybe add a piece or two in undrafted free agency? I can go either way. If a back is drafted, he needs to have a specialty whether it is special teams and/or receiving. If a big-time value present itself day two, do you bite? This offense needs playmakers and because of that, yes I take a hard look if the value is right. Everything is on the table.

Apr 222023
 
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Buckeyes (January 1, 2022)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba – © USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVERS

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 20 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 21-49

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

The November waiver claim of Isaiah Hodgins saved the 2022 outlook of this group. Had it not been for him, who knows where this offense would have ended up? Not bad for a guy Buffalo waived in the third year of his career after being a sixth round draft pick from Oregon State with four catches to his name. Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson were both on injured reserve by Thanksgiving (they combined for 9 games played and 36 catches), the duo of Darius Slayton + Richie James lacked any sort of consistency, Kadarius Toney was traded to Kansas City, and Kenny Golladay…well you know. Simply put, this was arguably the worst receiver group in football. Slayton was re-signed, Golladay was released, and James left for Kansas City. The team brought back Shepard and Slayton, signed Paris Campbell, and will let Jamison Crowder compete for a roster spot. The new faces in town can lead one to the notion things look improved, and perhaps they are. Time will tell. But the needle has not been moved, NYG still has one of the worst groups of wide receivers in football until proven otherwise.

TOP 20 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State – 6’1/196

Grade: 87

NFL Comparison: Julian Edelman / RET

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Rockwall, TX. Played in just three games (62 snaps) in 2022 because of a hamstring injury and the Covid-shortened season led to just seven games (162 snaps). Thus, 2021 was his lone full year of action. He set the Big Ten single season receiving record, leading the Buckeyes in both catches and yards on a team that included eventual first rounders Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, landing him third team All American honors. Smith-Njigba entered the 2022 season with high expectations after leading all power five programs with 1,606 yards and finishing number one in the nation with an 84.8% reception percentage in 2021. The Big Ten record-setter lined up primarily in the slot and showed advanced route running and ball skills. The standout attribute, however, is the ability to create extra yards after the catch. He is a stocky receiver with some running back-flavor to his game when working against defenders in space once he has the ball. The vision, body control, and incredible balance make him incredibly tough to take down. That physical nature shows up in contested situations as well, another area he ranked number one in the country in by a wide margin. While his soft tissue concerns will need extra screening, Smith-Njigba is a pro-ready slot receiver day one that will be a dangerous weapon in offenses that scheme yard-after-catch opportunities. Smith-Njigba carries concerns into the league that center around a lack of experience and a nagging hamstring injury but there is no denying the ability shown on tape when projecting how quickly he can make a big impact at the next level.

*Last year I graded Garrett Wilson at 85, the top WR in the class. During my real-time draft selections I do every year for NYG – I picked him for NYG at #7 overall. Smith-Njigba is the better player. They are very different, but gun to my head I am taking this kid every time. After I decided on that, I hear that Ohio State coaching staff (including great WR coach Brian Hartline) proclaim the same thing. Then I hear Wilson himself (and Chris Olave) agree that Smith-Njigba is the best of them three. Then quarterback CJ Stroud piled on. Maybe some get weary of the average (at best) forty time, I get that. But did you pay attention to the 3-Cone and Short Shuttle? They are Odell Beckham caliber, and it shows up on the field. They are all-time great. Throw in the power/strength he runs with after the catch, throw in the elite feel he shows as a route runner. This is a player I would strongly consider trading up for if he somehow got out of the top 12 and I mean it. It would likely cost the NYG 1st and 2nd rounder. This guy could change how NYG plays football.

2) Zay Flowers – Boston College – 5’9/182

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: Jaylen Waddle / MIA

Fourth year senior entry. Four-year starter from Fort Lauderdale, FL. Three time All-ACC and a third team All-American in 2022. Flowers re-wrote the program’s record book, leaving school as the all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He plays in fast forward mode when comparing him to everyone else on the field. His movement traits are elite in all directions, all situations. Flowers creates separation both with and without the ball and a sense of sudden explosion. The ability to sharply change direction without any loss of speed and full balance is rare. A creative offensive mind will be able to use him on dump and runs, vertical routes, and underneath crossers at the snap of a finger. The lack of size and power against contact will need to be schemed around a bit, but that should not be a major hurdle between him and his playmaking ability. Flowers is an ideal fit for specific offenses that understand how to use the skill set he brings to the table and will create explosive plays from any and all angles.

*Flowers comes with some risk. That risk may be increased even further because of the NYG receiver group. He is nearly off the charts when considering weight, wingspan, and height. But let’s not make the mistake of calling him a slot-only. He lined up wide almost twice as often as he did in the slot. He knows both spots – something I have heard Daboll speak of multiple times with NYG and BUF. I have put together multiple projections of round 1 (mock drafts) – and Flowers has been the guy at #25 in almost all of them. Would it be more ideal to use a pick on a guy with more size? Yes. Is it a requirement with the Kafka/Daboll duo? Absolutely not. In some ways, this could be the identity of their passing game. A bunch of hard-to-touch guys that are impossible to cover with one defensive back and will create after the catch. Perhaps that is most ideal for a Daniel Jones-led offense, as we are a bit unsure about his deep vertical passing ability. If I had to make a bet on who NYG ends up with if they go WR, it is Flowers.

3) Quentin Johnston – TCU – 6’3/208

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: AJ Green / ARI

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Temple, TX. Earned All Big 12 honors all three seasons, first team in both 2021 and 2022. Johnston is a long, strong, explosive talent that has the kind of presence that changes how a defense approaches the passing game. The long strider with elite build-up speed and leaping ability is more than just a physical marvel. Johnston is a tough, hard-nosed, physical gamer that plays bigger than his already-big frame. He is a menace to tackle, he has a credible runaway gear, and there isn’t a group of defenders or space on the field where he feels too vulnerable heading into. Johnston lacks some of the experience needed to run a quality route tree right away and he has had some ugly concentration drops but match the top-notch intangibles with the top-notch physical gifts and set them up next to the glimpses of domination and production, Johnston has superstar potential. Johnston has credible number one receiver upside both physically and mentally, but his ascent will require patience as there is still considerable rawness in his game.

*A swing for the fence that has the more-than-normal chance of ending up in a strikeout. On one end, Johnston is in very rare territory historically when matching the radius, leaping ability, and production together. Of over 800 receivers since the 2010 combine, Johnston is almost in a tier of his own when matching up all of the above. But one look at his tape and one can easily pick up on the fact he just isn’t there yet. Whether it is the above average drop rate or the fact the TCU scheme had these guys line up on the same side of the ball almost EVERY snap, there are simply a ton of boxes that remain unchecked. The one receiver that played under Sonny Dykes that fits this profile, and has had some success in the league, is Courtland Sutton. Johnston’s ceiling is special, and his skill set would be an ideal complement to what NYG has on the roster right now, absolutely ideal. Whether or not he is the guy at #25 will largely depend on the value of risk/reward when it comes to the final grading process.

4) Cedric Tillman – Tennessee – 6’3/213

Grade: 81

NFL Comparison: Tee Higgins / CIN

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Las Vegas, NV. Father played four seasons in the NFL in the mid-1990’s. Tillman’s initial standout trait revolves around his physical presence and play strength. He measures big and plays even bigger. He has the NFL body, and it is paired with quality movement traits that show up as a route runner across all levels of the route tree. He is a powerful and aggressive player that will pick fights on the field week after week. While receivers do not get drafted to block on the perimeter, Tillman is going to impact the game with how hard he works and how reliable he is in that department. As a pass catcher, he checks a lot of boxes when it comes to running routes and ball skills. The width of his radius and competitive nature will create an attractive target for passers. Tillman fought through an ankle injury that impeded his 2022 impact. His rehab will be important to monitor and if he bounces back fully, this is a starting outside receiver in the NFL early on. Tillman did not respond well to a strong 2021 season but part of that was injury-based, he still presents a strong offer that is derived from size, speed, and a fiery competitive nature.

*If there is a receiver that comes out of nowhere and ends up being the second one taken behind Smith-Njigba, it is this guy. Watch the 2021 tape and an argument can be made it is better than both Flowers and Johnston in addition to everyone behind him on this list. What I like the most about a guy that may not have the elite gear downfield is the fact he is dominant when he gets his hands on the ball. His drop rate is low, he attacks the ball with his hands, and his contact is strong against defensive backs. This is another guy that lined up near exclusively on the right side of the line. There may be some adjustment time needed as he gets inserted into an NFL offense. One other thing that may not make him an ideal fit here is the lack of ability after the catch. He has never been very good there. It did not impact his grade much – but it may be something this coaching staff looks down upon.

5) Jordan Addison – USC – 5’11/173

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Diontae Johnson / PIT

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Frederick, MD. Spent two years at Pittsburgh where he led the team in catches and yards, capping off 2021 by setting a program record with 100 receptions on his way to earning first team All American honors and winning the Biletnikoff Award. Even though the second half of his 2022 season at USC was hindered by a lower body injury, Addison showed improvement across multiple components of the position. He saw more snaps outside after lining up primarily in the slot at Pittsburgh and showed notable improvements with his ball skills. Addison is an elite route runner, showing precise and explosive cuts in and out of breaks. He understands spacing, timing, and how to keep defenders from anticipating his direction. A reliable underneath threat and excellent downfield pass tracker, there is not one level of the route tree he cannot be effective. Addison is an elite, sudden, and explosive route runner with snappy hands that will be an excellent security blanket for any passing game.

*I’m not sure where I fall in line of being “old” or “young” compared to most of you. But the name that jumps out to me the most when it comes to projecting Addison to the NFL is Marvin Harrison Sr (IND). I did not put him in the comparison slot above – but for those of you that remember watching him, there you go. Addison may have been the victim of having the bar set too high for him after winning the Biletnikoff Award and then transferring to such a high-profile situation. Anyway – this kid is an easy pro and will be around for a while. But it is hard for me to project anything special here for a guy that is slender, lacks length, has had drop issues, and may have a hard time holding up physically. The skill set is there, no question. Like Harrison, if he has the right system and quarterback, he will be very productive. But I don’t see him being someone that produces a ton on his own. Addison feels safe and I could still see him being the guy at #25 if he does well in interviews. That is one area I have not heard great things about, though.

6) Marvin Mims Jr. – Oklahoma – 5’11/183

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Mecole Hardman / NYJ

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Frisco, TX. Led team in receiving and earned All-Big 12 honors all three seasons including first in 2022. Set a Texas state high school record for most career and single season yards. Mims is a production-machine with home-run ability. His explosive-play potential shows up in multiple ways week to week. He can and did line up anywhere on the field, including the backfield and runs the entire route tree like an established veteran. His smooth, but sudden acceleration creates and builds separation that very few lone corners can stick with. Mims will give an offense plenty of options when it comes to alignment and play design. He simply creates production via big plays and has several pro-ready traits. Mims will be a consistent big play threat on offense and as a punt returner that can be used in a variety of ways.

*Yet another receiver that may be considered undersized, especially if you want to use him outside, near the top of the WR stack. Mims does not have many differences in his game from the guys listed above him. The area I think he stands out among them is the vertical speed and ball tracking. He gets to his top speed in a hurry and has a way of avoiding contact by defensive backs. The area I think he falls short is with the change of direction and the ability to break tackles. He does not have a power trait to his game. I like my Hardman comparison – but I think Mims is cleaner with the skill set – but there is also some Richie James I see in his game when it comes to body type and sheer strength. When a guy does not play strong (or physical) – there need to be some key components to make up for it. That is the unknown with Mims. A second rounder all day that I would feel pretty good about if increase explosive play frequency was the goal.

7) Josh Downs – North Carolina – 5’9/171

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Elijah Moore / CLE

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Suwanee, GA. Earned first team All-ACC honors in both 2021 and 2022. Left North Carolina as the program’s all-time single season reception and receiving yards leader after set as a sophomore. Downs is a slot-only that can run himself open on all levels of the route tree. The accomplished triple and long jumper in high school moves with tremendous short area burst underneath and couples that with the final gear to run away from cover men downfield. While the diminutive frame can pop up in traffic, Downs plays a strong and stable game which stems from his thick hips and thighs. He is the kind of underneath threat that an accurate passer can consistently rely on and one that will do more than his fair share of damage after the catch. Downs is the prototypical slot receiver that has all of the movement traits, toughness, and ability after the catch to come into the league right away and provide the much-needed third down security blanket.

*Downs is in a cluster of receivers in this class. He could be at the top or bottom of it based on what a specific team needs. You want a traditional slot? You probably will not find a better option than him. You want someone that can line up outside in certain looks and can win in contested situations? I would advise going with him last. I do not want to get too repetitive here with all of this small receiver talk, but Downs is more of what NYG currently has on the roster. The difference between him and a guy like Flowers is the fact Downs lined up outside under 8% of the snaps in college. This truly is a “slot only” that you may not want to force into an outside role.

8) Jalin Hyatt – Tennessee – 6’0/176

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Will Fuller / RET

Junior entry. One year starter from Irmo, SC. First Team All American and SEC honors in addition to winning the Biletnikoff Award. Hyatt was one of the country’s breakout performers in 2022, leading the power five conferences with 15 touchdowns. Coming into the year, he had just 502 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He nearly tripled that in his junior season alone. This is the kind of speed that changes how an opposing defense plays. There is a lot of unknown in his game, however. He is inexperienced in contested situations, he rarely lined up outside, and the route running on anything besides vertical-routes needs a lot of refinement. While the speed is next-level and he will immediately become one of the best deep threats in the NFL early in his career, there is a lot that needs to be gained for Hyatt to be considered a formidable number one threat.

*The one prospect in this group that I would label THE swing for the fence is Hyatt. If you can recall my comparison for him, Will Fuller, and what he did for the Houston offense pre-injury (#1 in NFL in yards per target in 2020, #3 in 2018) you may want to consider taking him in the first round. Even though he is such a one-dimensional guy, his ability within that dimension is potentially special. And that dimension is also what every team in the league wants on offense and fears defensively. Credible deep speed that can get over and stay over the top of the defense. Throw in the fact he tracks and catches the ball at a high level and yes, he could easily end up a first rounder. Personally, I struggle with number of boxes that remain unchecked. The route tree, strength against contact, sudden change of direction, yards after contact. There is a lot to unwind here but I would be lying if I said he doesn’t excite me.

9) Jonathan Mingo – Mississippi – 6’2/220

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: AJ Brown / PHI

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Brandon, MS. Missed seven games in 2021 because of a broken foot suffered in practice midseason. Mingo is the next pro receiver coming from this program with a standout frame. His has the thickness of a running back but enough speed and juice to create plays down the field and after the catch. There is a uniqueness to his game that many other receivers do not bring to the table. Mingo’s physical nature and experience both from the slot and outside will only open more doors to his potential impact at the next level. This is the kind of player that can be used on all levels of the route tree according to matchups and situations. Mingo will have the ability to play all receiver roles for an offense that likes to move their targets around. His versatile skill set will provide options.

*It is almost scary how similar Mingo is to Brown. Both from Mississippi, height/weight almost identical, near-matching workout numbers, and similar play style. Brown was a bit more polished and productive – but I can see it with Mingo. He has a few traits this small receiver filled class do not. He stands out and whenever we see standouts that can play football well, you must consider them going high. If NYG goes into day 2 looking for size to balance out their current pass catchers, keep him in mind. There is some domination in his game – the kind of guy that can take over a game.

10) Jayden Reed – Michigan State – 5’11/187

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Anthony Miller / PIT

Fifth year senior from Naperville, IL. Spent one season at Western Michigan before transferring to Michigan State for the duration of his career. Four-year starter. Career has been filled with production both as a receiver and returner respectively. Freshman All-American in 2018. Two-time All-Big Ten and a 2021 All-American as an all-purpose player. Reed is an ultra-quick, ultra-explosive threat that can produce in a variety of ways. The ability to put his foot in the ground and burst into any direction at any given moment is a headache for cover men to deal with. That same loose, but assertive speed shows up with the ball in his hands both after the catch and as a returner as well. The competitive spirit is high. He is a gamer that makes big plays in big moments, coming across as a guy that is bigger than he is listed. This inside-out threat can line up and be used all over the offense and special teams. Get him the ball, enjoy the touchdowns. Reed is a dynamic playmaker with toughness that will give an offense multiple options in addition to a weapon in the return game.

*The good tape on Reed is right up there with some of the top guys in this class. He has a lot of snappy movement to his game and a tough, competitive style of play. He was not very consistent though. Some will say it was the offense he played in, which I somewhat agree with. But the drops and lack of ball security showed a lack of concentration. Add in the fact he isn’t very big, and the movement traits are rather average – some are going to struggle to see the true pro upside. Others are going to say the gap between him, and a Jordan Addison is so minuscule that it makes them feel better about passing on WR early.

11) Rashee Rice – SMU – 6’0/204

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Russell Gage / TB

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Richland Hills, TX. Two-time All AAC and a 2022 All-American. Set the all-time school record for single season receiving yards in 2022. Rice has been the number one pass catcher on this team for three straight years. But it was his final run that stood out the most. Playing on a bad foot for most of the year, Rice was used in a different way, seeing more downfield looks, and he nearly doubled his previous single season high in yards. Rice specializes in ball skills and making the difficult look easy. The body control and contact-strength he shows in traffic with the ball in the air is special. There are issues with some of the other skill-components to his game, mainly route running. He is far from a finished product and there is a boom or bust feel to his game. The right coach can mold him into a solid number two receiver that can impact every level of the route tree. Rice has the ability to make plays on the ball at a high level with a blend of size and toughness, but he has a long way to go before he can be considered dependable every-down player.

*Always a bit of a risk taking a receiver from an offensive system like this. Some are going to make the mistake of saying his 4.51 at the combine will make his speed questionable. His 10-yard split (1.49) was third best of every WR there and his 41” vertical tied for the best mark. On the field, Rice had a spurt during the season that put him in round 1 discussions. The size (just under 33” arms, one of the longest in class) in combination with his burst and ability in traffic to go up and get it is an attractive combination of traits. The sloppiness in his game screams need for development. In addition, there were some maturity question marks a couple years ago. A lot to unwind here but a guy that has exciting upside.

12) Tyler Scott – Cincinnati – 5’10/177

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: TY Hilton / FA

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Norton, OH. Second team All-AAC in 2022. Scott, a multi-sport star in high school, plays with top-shelf speed and fluidity. He has the kind of straight-line burst and final Mach 3 gear to get and stay over the top of the secondary. There is more to his weaponry as an athlete, however. Scott has loose and bendy lower body joints that allow him to play free, light, and easy. He should be able to get himself open on all portions of the route tree and he excels at tracking the football. Combine those traits, mix it in with a sense of competitiveness, and a receiver that ranked top four in the AAC in his two seasons as a starter respectively comes out. Scott needs to strengthen his hand-catching and smooth out the inconsistencies, but he will immediately become one of the more explosive threats in the league. Scott brings the kind of explosion that immediately changes how the opposing defense plays and if he can strengthen his ball skills, he will be a credible deep threat.

*Are we not hearing enough about Scott? Take the timed speed out of the picture for a moment. Scott may be the fastest game-receiver in the group. Add in the fact he did not play receiver until he got to college, the former running back and track star is still early on the progression curve. The track speed is functional, he brings a lot of upside for post-catch ability, and was an effective gunner on special teams. That should give you an idea on about his toughness. Scott dropped too many balls and there are concerns about his ability to hold with his style of play. But this is the kind of speed you cannot teach and there is a credible reason to believe he still has a lot to chew off when it comes to development. Sneaky prospect that is going aa little under the radar.

13) AT Perry – Wake Forest – 6’4/198

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Marquez Valdes-Scantling / KC

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Lake Worth, FL. Two-time first team All-ACC. The former high school basketball player and long jumper left Wake Forest atop the single season and career touchdown reception rankings. His 1,293 yards in 2021 and 1,096 in 2022 rank second and third among single season highs in program history. When it comes to on-field impact, Perry was a bit of a late bloomer but once he got going, the train never slowed down. Perry has an incredibly unique athlete with a rare combination of size, bend, and balance. He does not jump off the screen when it comes to speed, but the suddenness and agility he can play with, and elite-level catch radius can do serious damage short and intermediate. He needs a well-timed passing game and there is a cap on his potential impact but in a league that favors the passing game in that 7-10 yard window, Perry can do damage. Perry has a few traits that can be considered high-end, but he does not play through contact well and struggled to get over the top of college secondaries.

*If a team wants size at WR and they strike out days 1 and 2 – Perry will be the focal point in round 3. His radius is huge (right there with Johnston and bigger than Tillman), he can jump out of the building, and his body control is top-notch. Perry has such a unique blend of traits that are hard to find. Part of the reason I do not always like giving out comparisons is that it can eat up time. I am a perfectionist with them, and it took me awhile to find the ideal fit for Perry. There just aren’t many guys with his blend of length, speed, jumping and most importantly, bendy lower half joints. The way he can move is rare. It can set him up to be an elite route runner, but he needs to clean up the drops and he isn’t a tough guy at all. Perry has some softness in him. Not a fit for every team but he has things most of the guys in this class do not.

14) Nathaniel Dell – Houston – 5’8/165

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Greg Dortch / PHI

Fifth-year senior. Three-year starter at Houston after playing his first two seasons at Alabama A&M and then Independence Community College. Two-time first team All-AAC and earned All-American honors in 2022 after leading the country in receiving yards and touchdowns. Dell is an elite mover in all forms of the word. The joystick quickness, burst, and agility enables him to get all open all areas of the route tree. With the ball in his hands, he creates and lengthens separation from defenders with those movement traits but he also exudes toughness and high-IQ. Dell will need every ounce of those physical and mental strengths to overcome his diminutive frame. Playing and consistently producing at under 170 pounds in the NFL is a rarity, no matter what other tools are in the shed Dell is the best slot receiver Dana Holgorsen has worked with according to the coach himself, a group that includes former top ten pick Tavon Austin. If a team with an accurate passer gets their hands on Dell, he will be an immediate weapon out of the slot.

*I liked Dell enough to put him in round 3 consideration throughout most of the process. The movement is so dynamic on tape. The kind of joystick-change of direction we would occasionally see from Kadarius Toney? Dell has that, maybe even better. But I can’t get away from the size. Since 2010, 13 out of 826 combine receivers weighed in as light as Dell or less. The guys in that size-tier that did make an impact in the league were blazers. Dell is quick and explosive, but he is not a blazer. There just aren’t good odds of this kid holding up in the NFL and there are also a few boxes that remain unchecked from a skill set perspective. I like him day three because the risk is not as high. There are things he can do movement-wise that almost nobody else can.

15) Ronnie Bell – Michigan – 6’0/191

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Robert Woods / HOU

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Kansas City, MO. Missed all but one game in 2021 because of a torn ACL. Came back to lead the team in both catches and yards for the third time, earning third team All-Big Ten honors. Was the team offensive skill player of the year in both 2019 and 2022. Bell is a player that is greater than the sum of his parts. He has average size and speed but tremendous competitive spirit and smarts. He knows both slot and outside receiver roles well and shows the ability to impact games both on and off the traditional box score. Bell is tough and dependable, albeit with a limited tool set. He fits well on the bottom half of a depth chart where he can backup multiple receiver positions, add some return value, and increase the needed competitive intangibles of a football team. Bell will create more than what his tools provide and has value as a back-end roster player that can wear a lot of hats and increase the energy of a team.

*Bell is my guy for day three if he is there and NYG goes elsewhere in the draft with their first four-five picks. I think this is a reliable, versatile, team-guy that will find ways to contribute week to week. His measurables ended up better than I thought they would. Remember that 2022 was a year away from his ACL injury and the notion is still out there it takes 12+ months before a guy can be considered fully back. He is not a burner, but he knows how to play fast and sudden. The fact his best seasons were in 2019 and 2022 with the turmoil in between (Covid Year / ACL year) tells me a lot about the kid’s character. A kid that originally was going to play college basketball and ended up one of the lowest-rated recruits in the Michigan program.

16) Kayshon Boutte – LSU – 5’11/195

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Jarvis Landry / NO

Junior entry. Three-year starter from New Iberia, LA. After earning Freshman All-American honors in 2020, Boutte continued to flash but never quite put it all together on a consistent basis. The explosive, well-proportioned receiver had his 2021 season cut short because of an ankle injury that required two surgeries. He then had a baby in September 2022. His final season on Baton Rouge was the worst of his career on a per-game basis despite seeing a major uptick in quarterback-quality. His drop rate increased, his effort looked questionable, and he was back and forth on commitment to his future at LSU and the Draft. Boutte has the talent, body, and past tape that can create long term hope for a successful career, but there is a lot that needs to be answered for. Boutte’s talent and upside are undeniable, but the lack of consistency and versatility give him a high-risk label that will cause teams screen him extra and make a decision if he is worth spending the much-needed time on trying to develop him.

*Boutte recorded a vertical of 29” at the combine. Of the 825 names I have in by database since 2010, only 11 of them put up a lower number. He also ran a below average 4.50 forty and a below average 7.14 three-cone among drafted receivers. I do not obsess over workout numbers, but I do want it to be known when we have an outlier. Boutte was a top three receiver in my stack at the start of the year. It did not last long. His effort looked poor on tape, he was dropping balls left and right, and some information came my way about his maturity. Boutte also had a rough recovery from a 2021 ankle injury that required two surgeries and then he had a baby in September. The apologists will say life got in the way of his ascent to the next start receiver from the program. Others will call it true colors. This is a kid that opted to return to school for 2023 – but an off-field incident would have likely led to a suspension. So he pulled the plug and declared for the draft. His pre-draft process has been poor. One can only make so many excuses until you just move on. I suspect some teams will cross him off the board, but others will look at the tape from early in his career and see the next Jarvis Landry.

17) Charlie Jones – Purdue – 5’11/175

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Dede Westbrook / GB

Sixth year senior from Deerfield, IL. Spent two seasons at Buffalo, three at Iowa, and one at Purdue. One year starter, his final year. In that final year, Jones went from obscurity to All-American and first team All-Big Ten. He led the nation with 110 receptions after totaling just 39 from 2018-2021. This was a breakout performance of epic proportions. Jones left the anemic Iowa offense to play in high octane, spread attack. He re-kindled the chemistry with fellow draft prospect, quarterback Aidan O’Connell, as the two played youth football and baseball together. Jones’ program single season record setting year showed the NFL what he can do if the looks are there. The routes and sure hands will be the attractive traits but there will be questions around his talent upside. He measures below average when it comes to both size and speed and even though 2022 was dynamite, the overall career production is low. He may need to permanently move inside to slot at the next level while offering return value. Jones deserves a back-end spot on the roster, one that can also add return value, but he will fight an uphill battle based on tool set.

*Jones is a guy worth gambling on. The fact he bounced around, stuck with it, and absolutely dominated in a way very few have in the history of the Big Ten is worth something. Jones played against Joey Porter Jr (Penn State), Garrett Williams (Syracuse), and Devon Witherspoon (Illinois). All three will be in the NFL next year. The snaps he matched up against them? Jones won. That means something even if you feel his production was manufactured via scheme. Get this guy a shot.

18) Parker Washington – Penn State – 5’10/204

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Amari Rodgers / HOU

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Sugar Land, TX. Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in his final season. Cousin of 2022 Titans quarterback Josh Dobbs. Washington is a uniquely built slot receiver that looks like be belongs in the running back room. He carries evenly distributed muscle mass that is used effectively to break tackles after the catch and remain balanced through traffic. While the reach radius is small, Washington has proven over and over that he can make contested catches and get to balls away from his body. He is tough, hard-nosed, and creates big plays on his own. Washington is a slot-only prospect that has a unique body and play style for the position which may need the right system to be effective, but has the ability to create on his own consistently.

*In a receiver class saturated with small, shift, and speedy guys Washington is a standout. No, he does not move like some of the guys higher on the list. But this dude is a thick 204 pounds and could pass as a running back. He has 20-30 pounds on some of these other guys. Maybe not a fit for everyone, but he is unique. The biggest question mark on him is speed and agility. I saw some tightness and we rarely saw him gain any vertical separation. The ankle injury that ended his 2022 season lingered and he does not have any testing data for teams to objectify. That could cause a big drop draft weekend. Stay tuned. This is a guy I would give a look to late.

19) Rakim Jarrett – Maryland – 6’0/192

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Jalen Reagor / MIN

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Palmer Park, MD. Three-time Honorable Mention All-Big 10. Jarrett is an elite athlete whose game centers around explosion and toughness. His burst off the line is next level but he brings more to the table than speed alone. Jarrett shows the feel for finding available creases with the ball in his hands and he has tremendous grit against tacklers. He welcomes contact and borderline looks for it. This is a physical, aggressive football player capable of creating the big play on multiple fronts. There are some rough edges to his game when it comes to skill set and knowing when to take the gamble on the tools will determine where he goes in the draft. Jarrett is a swing for the fence type prospect with game breaking speed and burst, but has a lot to clean up as a pass catcher and route runner before he can be an every-down asset.

*I’ll tell you what. In a scenario where NYG ignores receiver for 4-5 picks (I would be surprised, but you never know), Jarrett is a guy I am intrigued by. This is a credible vertical threat but also a thick, strong, tough dude that can be a weapon on reverses and in the return game. He plays with some swagger, the kind of guy that just catches your attention every time he is on the tape. There is some DJ Moore here (a former Terp) but I felt like Jarrett was not used correctly. The drops bother me enough and I know there is quite the learning curve after being a slot only and his skill set does not match up there. But there are very few receivers this far down with his upside.

20) Xavier Hutchinson – Iowa State – 6’2/203

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Jakobi Meyers / LV

Fifth year senior from Jacksonville, FL. Three-year starter at Iowa State after transferring from Blinn Junior College. Burst onto the scene right away in 2020, winning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. First Team All-Big 12 all three seasons and a 2022 First Team All-American. Hutchinson led the Big 12 in receptions all three years, a first in conference history. His 254 receptions set a program record and were the most ever in Big 12 history among receivers that spent just three seasons in school. To sum that up simply, Hutchinson was Mr. Automatic and had stretches of play where he appeared to be a man among boys. He did all of this despite not having any standout, dominant physical traits. He is an example of a guy that can win over and over by doing things right. Route running, attacking the ball with his hands, coordination, and awareness are lasting qualities that will continue into the future. Hutchinson is not a true number one, but he has the game that enables him to stick as a quality number two for a decade. Hutchinson is a quarterback’s best friend that will make the touch catches in traffic, get open underneath, and get the most out of himself but the lack of speed and length will limit his impact that matches up with a number two-caliber receiver.

*There is a good chance Hutchinson outlasts multiple guys ahead of him on this list. He needs the right scheme/system and make sure you know what you’re getting. He is big and he is polished. He comes across as a guy that just knows what to do. Can every offense take advantage of that? No. But an offense with a quarterback that can manipulate space, time things well, and accurately put the ball where it needs to be on a consistent basis will get a lot from Hutchinson.

21-49

21) Elijah Higgins – Stanford – 6’3/235: 73
22) Andrei Iosivas – Princeton – 6’3/205: 73
23) Michael Wilson – Stanford – 6’2/213: 72
24) Trey Palmer – Nebraska – 6’0/192: 72
25) Malik Knowles – Kansas State – 6’2/196: 72
26) Bryce Ford-Wheaton – West Virginia – 6’4/221: 72
27) Tre Tucker – Cincinnati – 5’9/182: 72
28) Jalen Moreno-Cropper – Fresno State – 5’11/172: 72
29) Justin Shorter – Florida – 6’4/229: 71
30) Deuce Watts – Tulane – 6’1/196: 71
31) Dontayvion Wicks – Virginia – 6’1/206: 70
32) Jadon Haselwood – Arkansas – 6’2/215: 70
33) Demario Douglas – Liberty – 5’8/179
34) Jake Bobo – UCLA -6’4/206: 70
35) Grant DuBose – Charlotte – 6’2/201: 70
36) Aron Cruikshank – Rutgers – 5’9/165: 69
37) Derius Davis – TCU – 5’8/165: 69
38) Joseph Ngata – Clemson – 6’3/217: 69
39) Matt Landers – Arkansas – 6’4/200: 69
40) Jacob Copeland – Maryland – 5’11/201: 69
41) Antoine Green – North Carolina – 6’2/199: 69
42) Michael Jefferson – Louisiana – 6’4/199: 69
43) Jalen Wayne – South Alabama – 6’2/210: 68
44) Dontay Demus – Maryland – 6’3/212: 68
45) Kearis Jackson – Georgia – 5’11/196: 68
46) Malik Heath – Mississippi – 6’2/213: 68
47) CJ Johnson – East Carolina – 6’1/224: 68
48) Jason Brownlee – Southern Miss – 6’2/198: 68
49) Xavier Smith – Florida A&M – 5’9/174: 68

NYG APPROACH

Maybe the most interesting position group to discuss in regard to NYG and the 2023 NFL Draft. A unit that left the 2022 season hanging on by a thread did see multiple changes (in addition to a high-end receiving tight end). Were the changes good enough? Are the additions of Paris Campbell and Jamison Crowder and the return from injuries by Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson going to move the needle? This was a group that was starving for more big plays. Did NYG truly get better here? Or did they shuffle around personnel and simply find a new way to bake the same pie? Time will tell but there is no disputing the fact there is a shortage within this receiver group (no pun intended). In a league, and in an era, where exciting talent is plentiful at receiver, NYG has several question marks and very few answers.

NYG is in play for a receiver at #25. I think they could even be in play for a trade up for someone like Smith-Njigba if he falls. “They do not need another slot” is a tired argument. “They need more size” is another one. Sure, in a perfect world there is big, physical, vertically fast guy there at some point that can round out the group but by no means is a deal breaker. What NYG needs is a guy that will create more explosive plays for an offense that ranked dead last in that category in 2022. If he is small, he is small. If he is big, he is big. Beggars can’t be choosers in this scenario. The one question I have a hard time figuring out is when to draft a receiver. It is a must-get for this team, but a strong argument can be made the more necessary-get is at cornerback.

I have been on quite a few shows lately and this topic has come up often. The more I talk about it and the more I get into projecting what will happen, it is becoming more and more clear they may be best suited taking the risk of waiting until day two to get their playmaker. The gap between the top receivers in this class and the next tier is there, no question. But how big is it? And look at how many guys fit within that cluster (tiers 2 and 3). Now the longer you wait, the stronger the odds are you don’t get the difference maker you are looking for. It is a dangerous game, one that may require some draft weekend maneuvering via trades. After much debate and after going back and forth, I believe NYG will end up passing on WR at #25 overall, beef up the defense (up front or in the defensive backfield), and pursue their WR day 2. Also consider the fact that day three will be loaded with the big receivers. Look at the sizes I have on guys in that 21-49 listing. One after the other has the desired size but drafting two guys is going to cause an over-crowded receiver room. Don’t forget about Colin Johnson – he is going to get a shot at that size spot.

Apr 192023
 
Dalton Kincaid, Utah Utes (October 27, 2022)

Dalton Kincaid – © USA TODAY Sports

TIGHT ENDS

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 15 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 16-23

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

After the failed experiment that came from selecting Evan Engram #23 overall in the first round of the 2017 Draft, this position group was on a trajectory toward being a top need on the roster. They struck gold on day three of the 2022 Draft, grabbing one of the top values of the weekend in fourth rounder Daniel Bellinger. Besides missing five games with a freak eye-injury, Bellinger provided the prototypical “high-floor, low-ceiling” presence to the lineup. The every-down value he brought to the field was easy to overlook but the team went 1-3 in the games he spent on the sideline. The lack of proven NFL-caliber, quality depth did create the clear path toward Bellinger grabbing ahold of the starting job right away. The notion was further solidified after his injury and for the balance of the season that this group, from a macro perspective, simply was not good enough. Cue the trade for Darren Waller. Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka, previously of Kansas City, got his Travis Kelce-type weapon (not caliber). Now, they offer a more-than-solid 1-2 punch at the position that will give the offense a lot of options. Free agent signing Tommy Sweeney has experience with Brian Daboll from their days in Buffalo and Lawrence Cager, an in-season pickup from last year, did flash as a pass catcher. Chris Myarick returns to fight for a job as a backup.

TOP 15 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Dalton Kincaid – Utah – 6’4/246

Grade: 85

NFL Comparison: Greg Dulcich / DEN

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Las Vegas, NV. Spent two years at San Diego University before transferring to Utah in 2020. FCS All-American in 2019, FBS All-American in 2022 in addition to two-time honoree All-Pac 12. Kincaid is a fast forward athlete when considering his size. He explodes out of his breaks and hits his top gear in a blink after the catch. The sudden movement traits are rare for a player this tall and long. The athleticism is going to be a menace to deal with at the next level. Combine that with the top tier ball skills, sure hands, and toughness, Kincaid has the makings to be one of the more unique pass game weapons in the entire class, however he will not offer much as a blocker in-line. He must be used correctly. Kincaid has special traits that can elevate a passing game led by a creative mind right away, but will need to be kept out of in-line blocking roles as much as possible.

*There are a couple speed bumps that teams have more information on than I do that center around a potential back issue. Something to keep in mind draft weekend if he starts to fall a bit. The last sentence in my summary above is key; “…can elevate a passing game led by a creative mind…”. This is where I have always seen the fit with NYG. The duo of Kafka/Daboll have proven to be both innovative and creative, carryover traits from their days prior to being a part of NYG. The trade for Waller all-but wipes out the idea of Kincaid being drafted high, however. Tight End most likely will not be considered early, thus a guy like Kincaid (who could go top 20) really does not need to be discussed much in relation to this team. I will be keeping close track of him, however. I think he is the best passing game weapon at the position in the class.

2) Luke Musgrave – Oregon State – 6’6/253

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: Mark Andrews / BAL

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Bend, OR. Nephew of former NFL quarterback and longtime Offensive Coordinator at both the NCAA and NFL levels. Musgrave’s sports background screams elite athlete to the highest of levels. In high school he was an all-state football, lacrosse, and alpine skiing. The rare blend of tools show up on tape. He is a quick burst, high speed, bendy mover that can go up and get it. The understanding of the game shows up across the board whether he is running routes, catching the ball, and blocking. There isn’t a box he leaves unchecked other than experience. Musgrave missed all but two games in 2022 with a knee injury and he played in just seven games in 2020 because of Covid-19. He enters the league with just 15 starts and 47 catches under his belt. As attractive as he looks on paper, there is a lot of unknown to his game on the field. The upside, however, is credibly as high as any pass catcher in the entire class.

*Musgrave is a guy I know I am taking a bit of a risk on. Normally to finish with a grade of 83 or higher, I need to see more experience. Covid and injuries left a lot of his projection in the dark, more so than others. I am going to trust the NFL lineage and understanding of how things work will be a strong enough complement to his top-shelf tool set. Musgrave really is the prototype of the new-age tight end. He is the best blend of size and speed and I’m not sure everyone knows just how good this combination of skills/tools can be. I don’t think there is a team in the league that overlooks the ceiling this kid has.

3) Darnell Washington – Georgia – 6’7/264

Grade: 83

NFL Comparison: Adam Shaheen / MIA

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Las Vegas, NV. Second team All-SEC in 2022. Washington has rare, standout physical traits. His size is off the charts from all angles with a gigantism-type look. Washington also grades well above-average as straight-line mover. The long strides and aggressive nature make him a handful and a half to try and bring down after the catch. He creates tremendous force as a blocker and could come across as a sixth lineman. He shows advanced tactics when it comes to getting to the ball with defenders draped all over him. Washington’s short-area game may not be the flashiest, but the rare size/speed combination and bully-style approach he brings to the table can be a dangerous and versatile weapon at the next level from the Y tight end spot. As tall, as long, and as densely built as it gets for the position. Washington brings a high ceiling/low floor label into the league because while he has such a rare blend of tools, there is a lack of fluidity to his game and he simply did not get enough snaps in college to firm up who he really is as a football player.

*Incredibly tough guy to come up with a comparison for. Three names came to mind based on looking at some size/athleticism traits. Adam Shaheen, Marcedes Lewis, Rob Gronkowski. Quite the range of quality NFL players, isn’t it? And that is exactly the feel I have on Washington coming into the league. I graded him as a round one talent because of how unique he is and the fact he is going to be a better blocker than several offensive linemen in the NFL. Even if he bottoms out as a passing game threat, his impact in the trenches is going to be noticeable every week. The risk with Washington revolves around sudden movement and is ability to play quick. To be a big-time asset to a passing game from tight end, there must be more twitch than what Washington shows. I don’t care about the forty time that much. We can count on one hand how many times that mattered over his career at Georgia. That size though, man it is something else.

4) Michael Mayer – Notre Dame

Grade: 80

NFL COMPARISON: Hayden Hurst / CAR

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Independence, KY. A two-time All American that re-wrote the Notre Dame record book, finishing atop the program’s all-time tight end ranking list in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. An every down threat, Mayer possesses every tool in the box to fit into the prototypical Y tight end role. His specialty will undoubtedly reside in the passing game where he can pose as a major matchup problem for defenses. He has the length, bulk, and coordination to win in contested situations and enough size to break through cheap tackle attempts after the catch. Mayer is a safe week one starter at the next level with as much upside as we have seen out of any tight end from the historic program. Mayer is a reliable player that brings a high floor to the position and will be a quality, versatile starter early in his career if not right away.

*Interesting situation here. The strength of this tight end class gives the image that I do not like Mayer. Look at my game notes and even my report on him and the image that I love him appears. As most debatable topics in this world, the answer is right in the middle. I graded Hayden Hurst at 80 back in 2018. He is now on his fourth team since that time, but still a good player that many teams would want on their roster. There is a safe and reliable level of play there that I think Mayer brings to the table. I do not see much more than that, however. He is not a special athlete. He is actually undersized (very few talk about that). He cannot sustain good contact as a blocker. A lot of his production was manufactured (easy routes/passes). If you know you are not getting elite from Mayer, I am fine with end-of-round-1 talk. But the quick ascent from recruit to Notre Dame stud inflated the view quite a bit. And if it were me, I am taking the other three guys in this class before him even if Mayer has the higher floor.

5) Sam LaPorta – Iowa – 6’3/245

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Gerald Everett / LAC

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Highland, IL. Three-time All Big Ten including a first team honor in 2022. Has a suitcase full of team awards that center around production, offseason work, and leadership. LaPorta is a natural football player in every sense, every situation. He excels at getting open and catching the ball when it is within his grasp. The dependability and versatility he brings to the position will make him a fit in every scheme. Whether he is the number one or two guy, LaPorta is going to help a team win games, plain and simple. The former high school wide receiver does not have enough size and core strength to play with his hand in the dirt every down. But a scheme that can find a move-role for him, he will create for himself and others on a consistent basis. His body control and smooth speed are stand out traits in the passing game. He is a finisher that gets the job done and his full skill set was never put on fill display being a part of the poor Iowa offense. LaPorta simply needs to be kept out of consistent in-line duties but anything else that is needed by the offense, he will be able to give a starter-caliber performance.

*While I see a distinct difference between the top four and the rest of the group, a very deep group, LaPorta is the guy that could be the surprise. He is such a good football player and part of me thinks he could be in line for a much more productive pro career than what his 46-game career at Iowa. That offense was tough to watch the past two years. Such bad quarterback play and they were simply overmatched nearly everywhere. The fact he walked away with 111 catches / 1,327 yards / 4 TD says something about him, it really does.

6) Davis Allen – Clemson – 6’5/245

Grade: 77

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Calhoun, GA. Third team All-ACC in 2022. Allen lined up all over the Clemson offense. Their version of the H-Back saw snaps split out wide, in the slot, with his hand in the ground, and from the backfield over his career. The coaching staff lauded his ability as a blocker, calling him the best they’ve had at the position in that department. He took his game to another level as a receiver in 2022, however. He set career highs in targets, catches, and yards all while continuing to improve his drop rate for the third straight season. Allen has reliable hands with sneaky-strong ball skills once the pass is in the air. This is a player with a great feel for the game no matter the role he plays. He has the ceiling of a starter but the basement of a solid number two that will do a lot of positive things that do not show up in the box score. Allen is an underrated receiver that will make the plays he can get near, but his real value will be as a blocker where he can be moved around and thrown into the line of fire.

*I believe I am, and have been, higher on Allen than the market. He is not an impressive athlete and has just one season of notable production as a receiver. His 12 touchdowns over the course of three seasons (83 catches) does stand out. I saw most of those on tape and most of them were hard-earned. Allen is arguably the top contested catch guy in this group when watching the film and the numbers back it up. While I don’t see NYG going tight end day one or two, if Allen slips through the cracks, I feel good about what he can offer this offense from a backup role. This is the kind of guy that outlasts several players drafted ahead of him.

7) Tucker Kraft – South Dakota State – 6’5/254

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Mark Andrews / BAL

Fourth year junior entry. Three-year starter from Timber Lake, SD. Two-time First Team All-MVFC and two-time All-American, First Team in 2021. After almost going unrecruited out of high school and turning his back on college basketball, Kraft turned into a classic example of a raw late bloomer that we often see from the northern portion of America’s Great Plains. He was an oversized high school running back that turned his back on transfer opportunities to several top-notch programs over the past two years. Kraft’s size and speed is hard to match, but what makes him standout is the toughness in traffic and after the catch. The physical nature does not seem pro-ready for blocking in the trenches, but the potential is there to be a starting Y tight end. His ankle injury somewhat hindered his final season, but he fought his way back and still contributed to a team that made the FCS National Championship. Kraft has all of the tools to be an every down contributor with a high enough ceiling to warrant a day two pick.

*There is a good chance that if Kraft played all of 2022, he could have cracked the top 5 in this group. His tools are legit and watching him attack the ball is fun. Kraft has dominant tape, a lot of it. Coming from FCS, you borderline need that to be considered anywhere day two. This is a guy that could match the upside of the top four in the class, but because of the unknown and the fact he has to smooth out the edges means he comes in with a lower floor. Gotta think the success of Dallas Goedert is going to help him out draft weekend.

8) Josh Whyle – Cincinnati – 6’7/248

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Coby Fleener / RET

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Cincinnati, OH. Also led the team in receiving one season where he was not the starter. Two-time All AAC, first team in 2022. Whyle came on the radar in the shortened-2020 season. His height/speed combination turned into production, catching 28 of 33 targets and scoring six touchdowns. Since then, the program had multiple pro-caliber receivers emerge, slightly hindering Whyle’s opportunities in the passing game. Make no mistake, this is a potential matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He gets north in a hurry and attacks the ball with precise coordination and body control. The short area footwork and change of direction will widen his ability to run the full route tree and impact all passing situations. Whyle is best suited for a motion-type role or in a scheme where a tight end is used as a big slot receiver most snaps. Whyle may not be a true number one, but his tool set and ability to impact the passing game from the F role will be highly sought after by specific teams.

*In a normal year, Whyle could easily be a top five tight end in a group. His height/speed combination is rare. Since 2010, there have been 25 tight ends that measured in at 6’6 and a half at the scouting combine. Only two of them ran a forty under 4.7, Whyle ran a 4.69. If that isn’t good enough for you, Whyle has a below average drop rate for the position (just 1 drop in 2022) and is a menace after the catch with running back-caliber feel and vision. Even if I have a couple of capable tight ends on my roster, Whyle is a guy you make room for. If NYG wants a Waller-type in the room for backup/future purposes, this kid makes sense.

9) Luke Schoonmaker – Michigan – 6’5/251

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Daniel Bellinger / NYG

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Hamden, CT. Two-time All-Big Ten. Schoonmaker was a high school quarterback that had a slow start to his career as a tight end at Michigan. As time went on, his size/speed combination to go along with a soft pair of hands kept on getting the coaching staff’s attention despite a crowded tight end room. He put his best season on display in 2022, more-than doubling his previous single season highs in catches and yards. The traditional Y tight end will make his money as a receiver, one that still needs to shore up some areas of his route running and ball skills. He does not have enough power to get movement as a blocker, but he competes hard consistently and knows the game well. Schoonmaker has enough in his tool set to start in the NFL, but will be best suited for a split-role with another tight end.

*Erik All is a tight end for Michigan that I liked more coming into the 2022 season. This was set to be quite the duo, but an injury to All’s back kept him out most of the year (he went back to school for the 2023 season and transferred to Iowa). This opened the door for Schoonmaker and he took full advantage. My games notes on him are full of “looks like a pro” type comments. He looks like a guy that will need time in a pro weight room and don’t overlook he is almost 25-years old already. But guys with soft hands, this kind of radius, and this kind of speed can be hard to find. Worth a shot day three if he is there but he won’t be ready right away.

10) Brenton Strange – Penn State – 6’4/253

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Josiah Deguara / GB

Fourth year junior entry. Three-year starter from Parkersburg, WV. Third Team All-Big Ten in 2022. Strange has never been the focal point of the passing game, but he did show steady progression, production, and involvement over the course of his career. He also brings value as a move-blocker and special teamer. The undersized, but tough and powerful gamer showed a knack for big plays in big moments against his best competition. He should fit in well as a backup that can be a steady part of the rotation lining up in different spots. He does not have the ceiling as an every down player, but there are multiple usages he brings to a team. Strange will be attractive to both offensive and special team coaches to the point it could get him drafted a round earlier than what his tape grade would suggest.

*Strange does not meet some of the minimums some teams have for the tight end position. He may be most attractive to teams that use a hybrid for fullback/tight end roles that can interchange. His most consistent trait is the ability to block on the move; he is very effective there. Add in the fact he can make a name for himself as a special teamer because of his competitive nature and size, Strange will find a home as a versatile backup that wears a lot of hats. Seems like a Patriot-type.

11) Will Mallory – Miami – 6’5/239

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Brycen Hopkins / LAR

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Jacksonville, FL. Second Team All-ACC in 2022. Son of Coach Mike Mallory who has been a Special Teams Coach in the NFL for ten seasons and is currently rumored to be heading to Michigan for the 2023 season. Will comes from a football family, to say the least. In addition to his father, both of his uncles and his grandfather are/have been coaches/Head Coaches at the college level. Will grew up as a highly sought-after recruit and accomplished track athlete. He has been a steady contributor as a receiver but does not have the power or mass to handle blocking duties. He will need a specialty-type role, one that primarily lines up away from the line. Mallory brings a credible vertical threat to the passing game with ability to create after the catch as a backup.

*Mallory will have his fair share of fans. We are talking about real, functional speed and an obvious level of football intelligence considering his background. He also brings some swagger to the field that I was drawn to. His success in the NFL will very much be about scheme and fit, but do not look past him if the right play caller/designer gets ahold of him.

12) Cameron Latu – Alabama – 6’4/242

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Grant Calcaterra / PHI

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Salt Lake City, UT. Originally recruited as an edge defender, Latu made the move to tight end in his second year at Alabama. He put himself on the radar in 2021 with a breakout year, setting a program record for tight ends with eight touchdowns while also averaging just under 16 yards per catch. Latu does not have a standout trait to his game, but he does enough things well to be considered a solid backup at the next level. The hope with him will center around the fact he did not play a ton of tight end compared to others. He needs to improve his ball skills and blocking techniques while also trying to pack on some weight. He will not be athletic enough to warrant extra looks as a slot receiver. Latu will bring special teams and depth value early on in his career with a limited, but very attainable ceiling.

*Latu would be an interesting day three pick. One of the negatives some have on Alabama prospects is that many of them are so well trained on and off the field, that they’re almost at their peak. Some of them just don’t have another step up the ladder to go. Latu, I don’t feel that way about. He is a solid football player that is rough around the edges of his skill set. Maybe the transition to tight end will simply take him a bit longer. At the very least, I can see the former defender contribute on special teams at a high level.

13) Brayden Willis – Oklahoma – 6’4/241

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Noah Gray / KC

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Arlington, TX. Second Team All-Big 12 in 2022. Willis lined up all over the Sooners offense and has all of the respect from the coaching staff. They label him an ideal representative of the program. His best tape is found as a blocker on the move, further strengthening the idea he can play fullback for teams that still use one. Willis does have enough size to play tight end line, both F and Y roles. He plays bigger than his size. Do not sleep on his ability as a pass catcher underneath, either. He is sudden and instinctive and will find a way to find the crease. He does not have a standout physical trait, but he is a tough guy that will wear many hats on gameday.

*Willis could go a lot higher than where I have him. He has been hampered by a hamstring injury throughout most of the pre-draft process. If a team (likely one that uses a fullback) can find the right usage, he is simply an economic presence to have. He will be reliable, yet unspectacular.

14) Payne Durham – Purdue – 6’6/253

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Jesse James / CLE

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Suwanee, GA. Three-time All-Big Ten. Durham was an accomplished high school lacrosse player that was on a trajectory to play in college. A late pivot back to the gridiron after not playing grades 9-11 led him to Purdue, where he redshirted and then quickly became the team’s top tight end. Durham has a unique body type for the position. He is long and top heavy, but lacks the lower body thickness to factor as an in-line blocker against defensive ends and tackles. That said, he is a physical, try-hard player that will make things happen through grit and hustle. His greatest impact will be felt as a receiver. He can use his radius well to out-reach defenders and there is some sneaky athleticism he shows after the catch. Durham projects to the back end of a depth chart while he enhances his power and strength with the upside of being a rotational, versatile chess piece.

*Durham turned some heads at the Senior Bowl. He won the National Team’s Player of the Week, an award given out from the practices. He is a coachable player with plus size and underrated straight-line speed. The short area movement and lack of stability that comes from his lower half worries me a bit. There just isn’t a ton of margin to work with, thus he needs to clean a bunch of things up. I like the long-term upside, but a lot of boxes will need to get checked.

15) Zack Kuntz – Old Dominion – 6’7/255

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Donald Parham / IND

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Camp Hill, PA. First-Team All-Conference USA in 2021. After spending three seasons at Penn State where he played 17 snaps and caught three passes, Kuntz moved on to Old Dominion. The high school state champion hurdler and district title high jumper brings a rare blend of size, speed, and explosion to the table that does not come around often. He can use the tools as a vertical route runner and contested situations at a high level. He screams matchup nightmare for the defense. As good as Kuntz looks on paper, he never quite evolved into a quality short space mover. He does not play sudden as a route runner or ball carrier. Separating from defenders is unlikely unless it is a simple route up the seam. There is also no impact as a blocker in the trenches. The initial punch is soft and there is a lack of lower body and core strength to sustain good contact on to his man. Kuntz will give the perception of a guy that has the ceiling of taking over games on third down and near the end zone, but the natural skills and fluidity have not arrived yet. He is a risky project.

*Above, I mentioned Josh Whyle and how rare his size/speed combination was. Well, Kuntz takes the cake there because there has never been a combine invite at tight that ran a 4.55 while also measuring in over 6’6. Add in the elite leaping ability, massive hands, and long arms and this kid is full-blown unicorn status. A historic prospect. Because of that, we could see someone take a chance on him as early as round 4. My initial look at him had a top 5 grade. The tape against Virginia (a team with multiple future pros) was very good. The deeper dive saw a lot of the issues that come from a guy with this body type. He lacked twitchy change of direction, and he was a liability as a blocker. There are options he brings to the table that others will not. He can be a solid package player, but I wouldn’t even label him second string caliber. Interesting prospect to say the least.

16-23

16) Blake Whiteheart – Wake Forest – 6’4/247: 70
17) Leonard Taylor – Cincinnati – 6’5/250: 70
18) Jahleel Billingsley – Texas – 6’4/224: 70
19) Noah Gindorff – North Dakota State – 6’6/263: 70
20) Ben Sims – Baylor – 6’5/250: 69
21) Travis Vokolek – Nebraska – 6’6/259: 69
22) Ryan Jones – East Carolina – 6’1/240: 68
23) Camren McDonald – Florida State – 6’4/237: 68

NYG APPROACH

If I had to choose one position on this roster that NYG will ignore in the 2023 NFL Draft, tight end is it. Even more so than quarterback. The irony? This my personal favorite tight end group I have ever scouted. It is both strong at the top, and deep through the end. I bet there is some chatter out there proclaiming this was THE year NOT to trade a draft pick for a veteran tight end that chews up an above average portion of the salary cap. I do not agree with the sentiment. One look at the database of tight ends I have for the sake of historic measurements, and some draft weekend analytics I use quite often, it is easy to see how volatile this position is. There are absolute freaks drafted at tight end every year. There are guys who had elite production in college. There are receivers, there are blockers. The amount of tight ends who do not pan out at the next level is more than people think. Simply put, as a coach once told me, tight end is the hardest position to adjust to in the NFL from college other than quarterback. The decision to cross off the tight end need by trading for Waller was a good decision. The one note that sticks in the back of my mind? He is essentially playing on a few one-year option deals that NYG can get out of in a hurry at minimal cost. Waller is not locked into this spot for a long time contractually by any means.

This brings me to the burning question. If (more likely, when) a big-time value is available for NYG at tight end on day three, do you use a pick on one? Waller and Bellinger are the unquestioned 1-2 punch. Tommy Sweeney was hand-picked by this Head Coach/General Manager duo after working together in Buffalo. Lawrence Cager showed us a few things down the stretch last season that I know this front office likes and personally, I think can be a weapon at some point. Four tight ends (plus Chris Myarick) simply mean the van is full. No more seats. I stand pat with the projection they will not draft, nor should they, unless there is a special teams/fullback type weapon in his arsenal. The other reason would be that they feel they can stash him on the practice squad which can always be tough because he would then be there for the taking all year by the other 31 teams. As much as I like the class – it is the year to look away. Something tells me this isn’t the last time we are going to see a tight end class like this anyway.

Apr 162023
 
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern Wildcats (October 22, 2022)

Peter Skoronski – © USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 15 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 16-26

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

NYG has two top ten picks manning the outside of their offensive line who are currently on rookie contracts. One of them is All-Pro caliber in Andrew Thomas, soon-to-be extended to a monster deal that is very much deserved. Thomas still has a long way to go in terms of his career, but the trajectory he is on is going to land him on a short list of the top linemen who have ever worn the NYG uniform. No celebrating yet, as he needs to keep that foot and ankle healthy for the next five-plus years, but that is the kind of performance we have been seeing out of him. Let’s recall what his outlook was after his rookie year in 2020. He went through some rough times among a rookie class of guys who started off their respective careers on a higher step up the staircase. Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, and Jedrick Wills all appeared to be homeruns. Well, three years later Wirfs is still the best of the bunch, but Wills and Becton are not exactly standing on a strong foundation when it comes to even holding onto a long-term starting job for CLE / NYJ, respectively. I bring this up because the struggles Evan Neal went through as a rookie need to be taken in stride. His rookie season was poor, no question. But as I said after he was drafted, he was going to need time to fix some of his technique and body control issues. 2023 will be the FIRST TIME he has played the same position as the previous year since high school. Behind them, Matt Peart, Korey Cunningham, and Tyre Phillips offer adequate but replaceable depth. Very few teams have strong depth at tackle, they’re hard to find.

TOP 15 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Peter Skoronski – Northwestern – 6’4/313

Grade: 87

NFL Comparison: Zack Martin / DAL

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Park Ridge, IL. 2022 First Team All American and three-time All Big 10, first team in both 2022 and 2021. Grandson of former Green Bay tackle Bob Skoronski. A technique-savvy tackle with near-perfect hands and feet. He can speed up his footwork on the fly while maintaining his body control, balance, and hand placement. He looks like a player on repeat snap to snap. The dependability and scheme-versatility he brings will be sought after by nearly every team. There are credible questions surrounding his lack of length, but he has more than enough high-quality tape to prove he can handle life on the outside. There are teams with a need inside at guard, however, that can still draft him high and get a Zack Martin-type player. No matter where Skoronski ends up, he is going to be a long-time quality blocker that enhances a team’s ability to control the point of attack.

*My outlook or grade on him does not change based on the position we are talking about. If you personally are big on positional value, then I could see him dropping a few slots in the overall stack. To keep this simple, Skoronski is one of the safest picks in the draft. You hear decision makers often talk about a draft class ending up with a bunch of “doubles”. That is exactly where I see this kid ending up at worst. Guard or tackle? Let me see what is currently on your roster and I will let you know afterward. Measurements scream guard, but those arm length issues matter less than you are talking about a guy with this caliber of technique and intelligence. Joe Thomas comes to mind when I see how consistently he moves.

2) Broderick Jones – Georgia – 6’5/311

Grade: 84

NFL Comparison: Tytus Howard / HOU

Third-year sophomore entry. Two-year starter from Lithonia, GA. Jones, a former top tier five-star recruit and accomplished high school basketball player, technically started just 19 games over his career but was a part of a rotation in 2021 that gave him a lot of snaps. Once he took over the full-time job protecting the blindside of quarterback Stetson Bennett, he never looked back. Jones is an elite athlete with the kind of quick trigger and snap out of his stance that looks like he’s in fast forward mode. He is light on his feet with easy and natural ability to redirect. He stays square to his man with rapid-fire footwork and active hands. Jones still has some rawness to his game that likely stems from less-than-ideal experience. He needs a bit more mass and strength to improve the anchor, but that can come in time. He is an ideal fit for a zone blocking scheme and could even pave a road for himself inside at guard if tackle does not work out. Jones has all of the traits to start in the NFL, but his lack of experience may throw caution into the wind for some teams and depending on who gets him.

*There is a little buyer-beware here. There is not a single tackle in this class that played less college football than Jones. Some could take that as a good thing, others could use that fact to look elsewhere for offensive line help. The former basketball player has actually grown an inch in the past year and a half, a rarity. The 19-game starter was not flagged for holding once over his career, a rarity. While he comes into the league with more-than typical unknown, the performance was top notch in the SEC. Considering the hunger for more quality OL play in the league, do not sleep on the possibility Jones ends up being the first blocker taken in the draft.

3) Paris Johnson – Ohio State – 6’6/313

Grade: 84

NFL Comparison: Tyron Smith / DAL

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Cincinnati, OH. 2022 All American. Two-time all-Big Ten, first team in 2022. Spent the 2021 season at guard and 2022 at tackle. Johnson is a twitchy, long, and fluid pass protector with the mechanics and technique to handle pass rushers on the edge. He snaps out of his stance and looks comfortable moving up the outside. He greets the defender at the meeting point with a violent hand strike and can initially maintain his balance and control. The experience and success at two different spots along the line will open up even more doors for the high-ceiling athlete. There will need to be anchor gains made in the weight room, but when considering the already-present tools and versatility, Johnson has all the makings to be a quality pro. Johnson plays a premium position at a high level that many teams are in dire need of, and his value is further increased by the experience at both guard and tackle.

*Depending on which team drafts him and who they have playing tackle, we could see Johnson begin his career inside similar to Tyler Smith at Tulsa. His body type is best suited for outside and what separates him from a much higher outlook is simply the lack of experience he has playing tackle. I want to see more stoutness; I want it to look a bit cleaner. That should come in time and whoever drafts him may need to cope with some growing pains that center around power and balance. But this kind of length is all-time great, and he still does not use it to full capacity. Johnson has the most upside in the OL class.

4) Matthew Bergeron – Syracuse – 6’5/318

Grade: 81

NFL Comparison: Mitchell Schwartz / RET

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Victoriaville, Quebec. Two-time All-ACC. Has seen starts at both tackle spots but was predominantly on the left side over his career. Bergeron checks a lot of boxes when it comes to what teams are looking for at offensive tackle. There is a sense of comfort and developed know-how to his game. He will come into the league further along than most when it comes to the nuances of the skill set required to block defenders of all shapes and sizes. The lack of consistency and the need for some time in the weight room could end up stalling the impact he can have on the line initially, however. The question will revolve around just how high the roof is of his physical potential. He is not far off from pro-ready and if the power and strength attributes make just enough gains, he has the look of a guy that will start for over a decade. Bergeron looks pro-ready right now in a lot of ways but will simply need to heighten his lower body power and strength before being put in there on an every down basis.

*I have been pretty steady on my outlook of Bergeron since September. I labeled him a borderline first rounder back then and here we are, a guy who I believe should be taken toward the end of round one. The million-dollar question centers around what a team thinks his true upside can be. Is he near-maxed out? If so, I am fine with it. He can be an average linemen in a league with several below average linemen in starting lineups. Is he a tackle or guard? Another fair question. His skill set projects to both and with the instability the NYG line has inside/outside (until Neal proves he can get the job done), this can be a pick that you use to bring the player in, figure it out later.

5) Dawand Jones – Ohio State – 6’8/374

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Trent Brown / NE

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Indianapolis, IN. Eared All-Big Ten honors in both 2022 and 2021. Jones is a former Division I basketball recruit and has one of the more unique bodies in the entire class. His frame is massive in all directions, in every sense of the word. He will immediately be one of the largest men in the league full of giants. Jones has learned to use that size to his advantage. While his movement traits get ugly at times, he has the kind of reach and lockout strength that can control his man with ease. His mass and explosion can get tremendous movement upon contact. And he has developed better footwork over his two years in the staring lineup. Jones still needs to work on his lower half to avoid the ugly beats where he is off balanced and slow, but the physical gifts are rare, and his impact is real. Jones has gifts and power that cannot be ignored but he does not always play to the natural athletic ability and may need to drop some weight for long term durability and current ability to adjust naturally.

*One thing I did not factor into my grade, but I do want to throw out there is the concern I have with his body type and it holding up for an entire career. I had similar fears with Mekhi Becton back in 2020, and look where he is. Jones does not have a bad body, but 374 pounds on legs that are not very thick scare me a ton. The pressure on his joints in combination with the discomfort he shows at times getting into a stance would lead me to deeper medical checks if I had access to them. He was a durable player in college, but it is something I will monitor. Anyway, Jones does not always look pretty but he has some margin to work with that others do not because of that size. All-time kind of size.

6) Anton Harrison – Oklahoma – 6’4/315

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: DJ Humphries / ARI

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Washington, DC. First team All-Big Ten in 2022. Harrison played on the left side all three years and routinely graded well in pass protection. He plays with such a wide wingspan and radius and understands how to use it. The body control and confidence he has in himself, and his techniques can go a long way against pro edge rushers. The strong hands and the ability to keep them inside can be overwhelming for opponents. There are some leverage and overall power issues that can be fixed in time. He has the look and play style of a guy that will be in the league for a long time. Harrison has the potential to be a starting left tackle in the NFL once he starts to match his lower body strength and consistency on the same level his hands are currently at but should start off his career as a backup swing tackle.

*Harrison is the kind of player that everyone likes, but nobody really talks about. They don’t stick their neck out for him, but it is understood by nearly everyone he will have one of the 32 starting left tackle jobs early in his career. Do I want him there right away? Not really, but things could be worse. If I am a team looking for a swing tackle in 2023 that can play toward the end of the year and in 2024 at the latest, I am all in on Harrison day two. Remember his name because very few chat about him, but I consider him one of the safest bets in the group. There is some Charles Cross here, too.

7) Darnell Wright – Tennessee – 6’5/333

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Donovan Smith / FA

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Huntington, WV. First-team All-SEC honors in 2022. Wright started games at three different positions over his career, including a full season at left tackle in 2021. Most of his snaps have been spent at right tackle, and that is where he will likely begin in the NFL. The former five-star recruit was a little bit of a late bloomer, saving his best football for 2022. He plays like a grizzly bear that just woke up from hibernation. The aggression and natural power are there, but he seems disoriented and uncoordinated. The feet are athletic enough and he can body defenders, but when it comes to consistency and sustaining quality contact, Wright still shows a lot of rawness and may eventually need to move inside. Wright has the physical goods to be a starter but the consistency around his skill set and lack of coordination may bump to guard.

*The feeling I had after watching Wright’s tape was all over the place. One snap I would see Trent Williams, the best left tackle in the NFL. The next snap I would see was Tevin Jenkins, a former Bears first rounder that was miserable at tackle but quite effective at guard. This happened over and over. The trend I see is what leads me to my projection and the trend here revolves around inconsistency. He is gifted, he is a big-time physical blend of tools. He plays with swagger and will fit in well to a group that kicks the crap out of people. But his issues in space are going to be chewed up alive if he doesn’t fix them. More than once I got an Ereck Flowers vibe. Many see round one, I do not.

8) Tyler Steen – Alabama – 6’6/321

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Matt Feiler / FA

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Miami, FL. Earned second team All-SEC honors in 2022, his lone season at Alabama after transferring from Vanderbilt. Steen, originally a defensive tackle, started over 40 games in the SEC and was put on the national spotlight in his final year playing for the Crimson Tide. He quickly won the starting left tackle job after arriving in Tuscaloosa. Steen played his entire career outside but could make a move to guard at the next level when considering his measurements and movement style. No matter where he ends up, he plays a dependable and physical brand. His initial punch does damage, he stays square and active, and his contact presence is heavy. Steen plays with great hands, but the feet have shown sluggish reactions that have caused problems in pass protection. His best work is in a phone booth, however. He is a weapon inside them. Steen should get a look at tackle first, but his traits align more with a quality starting guard but no matter where he ends up, the options he can provide should give him a boost.

*This is a name I feel will get a long look from NYG when they look for tackle-to-guard converts. He fits the profile of what BUF was looking for when Schoen/Daboll were there. The length is a bit of an issue but he is such a densely built, strong dude that even when he loses the hand game his anchor looks unmovable at times. Smart kid, coming from that ‘Bama offensive line that this regime drafted from a year ago could replace Peart as the third string OT right away in addition to eventually competing for a spot inside.

9) Jaelyn Duncan – Maryland – 6’6/306

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Trey Pipkins / LAC

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter at left tackle that earned Honorable Mention All-Big 10 honors three straight seasons. Duncan is a light-footed, easy bending blocker with several key boxes checked. The thickness in his legs, athleticism, and ability to remain square against his opponent all appear to be pro-ready right now. The tools are all there, but the tape does not always sync up. He had way too many losses in pass protection and there is a length-shortcoming that could lead to problems on the outside. His game may be best suited inside where he can maximize his body type and skill set. Duncan has some of the best tape in the class, but his consistency issues are enough to be moved inside but no matter what position he ends up playing, there is an incredibly high ceiling here to try and mold.

*Prior to the season, I said he looks like a guard based on body type and the 2021 tape. His 2022 season was so bad in pass protection outside, that it nearly made me just put him in at guard. So, disclaimer here I did not know where to put him for the sake of the preview. Just know that when draft weekend comes, and you see his name. Duncan really does look the part. His set up post-snap, his hand strike, his ability to stay square. You catch the right string of plays, and you see a first-round caliber guy. To see the shortcomings, you must watch all of the tape. His footwork is so poor in pass protection despite 39 starts. And the fact he gained 16 pounds between the combine and his Pro Day and completely blew the workout may say something about the maturity / character. A lot to unwind here but I do see a guy that can be a good guard if the mental stuff checks out.

10) Wanya Morris – Oklahoma – 6’5/307

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Braxton Jones / CHI

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Grayson, GA. Second team All-Big 12 in 2022. Started at left tackle for two seasons at Tennessee before transferring to Oklahoma, where he was backup in 2021 before starting at right tackle this past year. Morris missed the first two games of 2022 because of academic issues and then another game-plus with an upper body injury during the back half of the season. Thus, he has started just nine games since the start of 2021 after the transfer. He measures in way above average across multiple dimensions and brings quality natural footspeed to the table as a pass rusher. His play is inconsistent and that centers around aggression and reaction-based quickness. There are traits and stretches of play that make him look dependable, but he will be best suited for a backup role that can play both sides. Morris projects ideally to the swing tackle role that could credibly backup both spots, but there are too many shortcomings both mentally and physically to think of anything more early on.

*Morris grades out on tape a little worse than this, but his tool set is borderline-rare. I am worried a bit by the past three years from a macro-level. Since the start of the pandemic season in 2020, he has started just 15 games. There have been a few durability issues and the character is not fully clean. The questions can be enough for teams to simply look elsewhere. At some point though, the quality 2022 tape and tools need to be considered.

11) Asim Richards – North Carolina – 6’4/309

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: La’el Collins / CIN

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Philadelphia, PA. Earned All-ACC honors in 2022. Richards primarily played tackle for the Tar Heels but also had a cup of coffee at guard. He split time between the two at the Senior Bowl. His movement traits and production should get an initial look on the outside for the start of his pro career. He shows a tremendous hand work from both a power and technique perspective with athletic-enough feet and hips. He can seal the edge and play sudden, showing abrupt adjustments and transitions. The greatest trait to his game, however, could very well be the competitiveness he shows on a weekly basis. This is a high-effort, highly talented lineman with the tool set to play multiple positions and projects to the starter level early in his career. Richards may look like a guard initially, but his pass blocking techniques and movement should get him a look outside initially, a spot he could develop into a starter within two years.

*What is easy to like about Richards centers around how much he improved year to year. I saw a lot of him when I scouted the two guys NYG drafted last year. I was impressed enough to write a few notes on him thinking he could have come out in the 2022 class. His tape was even better in the 2022 season. I would even say he looked better at the end of year than he did at the start. To pair with that, he is an intense player with a lot of hustle. I always like to see that out of big, powerful guys. Could NYG triple-drip from the same college O-Line?

12) Carter Warren – Pittsburgh – 6’6/311

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Chukwuma Okorafor / PIT

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Paterson, NJ. Second Team All-ACC in 2021. Missed all but the first four games of the 2022 season with an injury that required surgery. Will spend most, if not all, of the pre-draft process rehabbing rather than competing on the field or working out at the scouting combine. Warren fits the prototype for the position. He is tall and long with broad shoulders, thick hips, and thin ankles. He carries his weight well and besides the need to get stronger, he is physically ready for the league. Warren is a blank canvas that offensive line coaches will be excited to work with. The team captain started 39 games in college but still has multiple technique-based inconsistencies that are standing between him and his high ceiling. He has proven he can move his feet fast enough; he has proven he can win the lockout game; he has proven he can play square. If the edges to his skill set get smoothed out, this is a starting caliber lineman. Warren checks most of the boxes but simply needs more consistency and man-strength before he can be put into the fire.

*I call him a “blank canvas that coaches will want to work with”. But the one contradiction there is the fact he is already 24-years old with just under 40 career starts. I just see rawness in his game. Inconsistent techniques but a blend of size, power, and athletic ability that very few have. Warren has flashes of a year one starter in his game right now. He suffered a meniscus injury that required surgery, thus we did not get to watch a lot of tape in 2022. There will be a lot of coaches that are drawn to him.

13) Ryan Hayes – Michigan – 6’6/298

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: David Edwards / BUF

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Traverse City, MI. Two-time All-Big Ten. Member of two straight Joe Moore Award award-winning offensive lines. Hayes is a short-armed tackle that may have to move to guard at the next level. There are multiple issues within his pass block repertoire that can get exposed against pros more than they did in college. The lack of reach and poor balance with too much lower body stiffness is a potential recipe for disaster. With that said, Hayes does not have many losses on tape. Plain and simple. There is a heaviness to his contact when striking the opponent and he plays a brand of football that gets the most out of himself. He notices all the tricks and trades, competes through the whistle, and puts plenty of attention on the little details on and off the field. He was penalized just six times in four years. Hayes may have an overall talent shortcoming, but guys like this tend to play longer in the league than many drafted ahead of him. No matter what position Hayes ends up, the near-guarantee will be he will hit his ceiling and provide extra attitude to the offensive line. The question is, just how high will his talent construct that ceiling?

*Before I went deep-dive, I liked Hayes game a ton to the point I had an initial day two outlook on him. As I watched more, I saw he did not have enough in his arsenal to make up for the lack of length to stay outside. With a few bend-issues below the waist, life inside may be a bit tough for him. Regardless, Hayes is the kind of guy I want to see on a depth chart in a backup role. He will project to multiple spots, he gets the most out of himself, and there is a ton of grit to his play. May be a better pro than college player, as has been the case with quite a few Michigan linemen in recent years.

14) Blake Freeland – BYU – 6’7/302

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Brian O’Neill / MIN

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Herriman, UT. 2022 All-American. Father played football and mother played basketball for BYU. One of four sisters throws on the BYU track team. Freeland was a state champion shot put and javelin thrower himself in high school and he was also an all-state basketball player. The athletic package is there. The experience level is there. The production is there, as he allowed just one sack and 11 pressures over the previous two seasons combined. Freeland played two years at both tackle spots. All of this should add up to a high overall outlook and grade, but the tape does not always match up. He needs a lot of body work, the lack of stability is a credible concern, and he has a hard time recovering. The athletic profile and aggressive style of play provide a wide base to build from, but the negatives in his game will need to be ironed out over the course of a year or two before being thrown into the mix. Freeland’s projection is based more on athleticism than skill which is fine if it is taken in the right spot. For such an experienced player, there appears to be such a long way to go.

*This will be an interesting guy to follow draft weekend. The analytics and workout numbers combine to give him a big-time outlook and projection. This not a good athlete, this is a special athlete. He was a very good player on the field, statistically. But then I had to question the competition he was matched up against for two reasons. One, his body control, lower half activation, and techniques were incredibly inconsistent. Two, he was a train wreck at the Senior Bowl. That was the week I solidified the idea he needed to be day three, and not an early day three guy. The tools are worth taking a chance on, but there is way too much he needs to refine.

15) Braeden Daniels – Utah – 6’4/291

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Kelvin Beachum / ARI

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Carrollton, TX. Two-time All-Pac 12 including first team honors in 2022. Daniels, an accomplished shot-put thrower in high school, started multiple games at three different positions in college. He played both tackle spots in addition to left guard. The physical profile and play style credibly support the projection to play both inside and outside. He is explosive and has shown the capability of peppering the feet with plenty of fast twitch. Daniels, despite over 40 career starts under his belt, still has a raw feel about him. He has a hard time finding the line between aggressive and reckless, leading to struggles in sustainment and a lot falling to the ground. But when he is lined up with patience and balance, he checks a lot of boxes. He is an ideal fit for a versatile backup role in a zone scheme. Daniels has the capability to handle the combination of speed and power in the NFL, but will need time to put on more weight and find a true position.

*I was drawn to him right away when I broke down the Florida tape from early in the year. He won against multiple SEC defenders by a. wide margin. The size is tough to look past, though. Even a zone-heavy scheme will need to redshirt him for a season and then you can get a better feel for his best position. His value will stem from versatility, as the experience and skill set credibly align with both guard and tackle roles.

16-26

16) John Ojukwu – Boise State – 6’5/309: 72
17) Richard Gouraige – Florida – 6’5/306: 71
18) Connor Galvin – Baylor – 6’7/293: 70
19) Kadeem Telfort – UAB – 6’7/322: 69
20) Jake Witt – Northern Michigan – 6’7/302: 69
21) Jaxson Kirkland – Washington – 6’7/321: 69
22) Warren McClendon – Georgia – 6’4/306: 69
23) Earl Bostick Jr – Kansas – 6’6/309: 69
24) BJ Wilson – Quincy – 6’6/337: 68
25) Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu – Oregon – 6’6/317: 68
26) Dalton Wagner – Arkansas – 6’8/320: 68

NYG APPROACH

While there is zero hesitation or question about the starting tackles in 2023, I do sense some unstable ground behind them. Tyre Phillips is the top backup and while there are better options out there among swing tackles in the league, there are quite a few teams that would take Phillips over what they currently have on the depth chart. Matt Peart, on the other hand, has been downright awful over multiple years now. To be blunt, he has not panned out after being selected in round three of the 2020 draft. A player who we knew was more about tools and potential than readiness and skill set, he simply has not mastered the repeatable fundamentals of the position. Korey Cunningham is the last option to compete for a backup job and I do not see a player who will provide anything better than Peart. All three are free agents in 2024.

This brings me to the subject many are either not willing to discuss or have a hard time putting credible thoughts together on. That is the situation around right tackle Evan Neal. The #7 overall pick from last year’s draft played poorly as a rookie, no way around it. I shake my head at the strong reactions. Neal suffered multiple injuries, fought through them, and provided steady run blocking. His pass protection lacked consistent feel and control. As I have said several times, I fully expect to see a better version of him in 2023, the first time he will be playing the same position as “last year” since high school. With that said, constructing a roster is about being ready for anything. What happens if Thomas/Neal go down? What happens if Neal does not improve and ends up in the basement again? Quality depth is needed at a spot where is nearly does not exist in the league. Marcus McKean is a big-time hopeful, but I would suggest another college tackle who could project to a backup both inside and outside. It should be day three, maybe even mid-to-late day three. While we cannot expect a great prospect to be available at that spot, we can realistically expect someone to be there who can compete for Peart’s job and offer some versatility as well. Sign me up for an Earl Bostick Jr., Ryan Hayes, or Asim Richards type if one of them falls.

Apr 142023
 
O'Cyrus Torrence, Florida State Gators (February 4, 2023)

O’Cyrus Torrence – © USA TODAY Sports

GUARDS / CENTERS

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 21 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 22-29

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

The one group on the roster that has already has an abundance of intra-squad competition, perhaps even “enough.” Also, a group that lost a starter (Jon Feliciano to SF) and a key rotational piece (Nick Gates to WAS). The only spot set in stone is right guard Mark Glowinski, the biggest free agent addition of the 2022 offseason. After a year of watching him play, I’m not sure he has more than a year left here before his job is in jeopardy. Otherwise, there will be a group of four to five guys who will compete for the starting left guard + center roles. The leaders in the clubhouse are Ben Bredeson in the middle (9 career starts in three years, 8 of which came last season) and Joshua Ezeudu at left guard (coming off a rotational role as a rookie and a neck injury). The backups are Shane Lemieux (who has had trouble staying healthy), Jack Anderson (who struggled in limited action last season), JC Hassenauer (a former starter for PIT who lost his job), and Markus McKethan (a 2022 sixth rounder coming off a torn ACL that occurred prior to the regular season). This is a classic example of the personnel line I like to use in situations like this: “If you think you might have the answer, you don’t have the answer”. NYG does not have answer at both left guard and center, period.

TOP 21 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) O’Cyrus Torrence – Florida – 6’5/330

Grade: 87

NFL Comparison: Mike Iupati / RET

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Greensburg, LA. Spent three years at Louisiana-Lafayette prior to transferring to Florida in 2022. Earned first team All-Sun Belt honors in 2021, second team in 2020. Shined in his lone season in the SEC, earning first team All-SEC and All-American honors. Torrence followed Head Coach Bill Napier to Gainesville, upping his level of competition with an enormous leap. Not only did he continue his dominant play, but he also appeared to raise his skill set in a vacuum. His game revolves around overwhelming power and strength. Once he gets those enormous bear claws latched on to the defender, it is over. He shows advanced awareness and decision-making ability as well when it comes to pass protection and complex stunts, twists, and blitzes. While he will not mistake anyone for a track star, he is a good enough athlete to supplement his elite power. Torrence shined after taking the jump in competition and there are plenty of reasons to believe he will do the same following his next step up the ladder in the NFL.

*What sold me on Torrence, and I’ve had a first-round outlook on him since summer, was the set of intangibles he brings to the table. This kid was 400+ pounds in high school before he re-shaped his life around nutrition and training. He went under-recruited and despite arriving at Louisiana as a raw and not-yet ready lineman, had to be put into the starting lineup. Coaches said he may have been the best player on their line at the end of the year, a line that had three eventual NFL starting linemen (Robert Hunt, Max Mitchell, Kevin Dotson), and he just continued to get better and better. He then transfers to the SEC to increase his level of competition (a decision he made himself), and then earns All-American honors. Like Sauce Gardner never allowed a touchdown in his college career, he did not allow a single sack over his career and did not get flagged at all in 2022. Torrence is a week one starter that changes this offensive line right away and long term if NYG can get him at 25. He will be one of my ideal picks for this team if he drops into their lap.

2) Steve Avila – TCU – 6’4/332

Grade: 80

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Arlington, TX. Earned All-Big 12 honors all three seasons, including first team in both 2021 and 2022 and added the second team All-America accolade to his mantle in his final season. Avila has played every spot along the offensive line (just one snap at left tackle), with near-equal distribution between left guard and center. His body type and play style will keep him inside and will need to be placed into a gap-heavy blocking scheme. He is a top-heavy power blocker that plays aggressive with his hands and can stay square through engagement in a phone booth. The lack of natural athleticism shows up against lateral quickness and he will need to improve lower body techniques over time if he can be trusted against professional pass rushers. Avila’s biggest drawing cards will revolve around power and versatility but will need to clean up footwork issues and needs to tighten up his body before being matched up against pro speed.

*Avila grew on me as I went through the deep dive process. Simply put, there are not a lot of losses on tape and there are several flashes of dominance. He instantly makes a line more physical and creates push. The surprising trait to his game was the ability to move at the second level as a run blocker. He completely washed them out and remain attached. The odd part there is, against in-line against quicker pass rushers, he did not seem as natural at staying square. The traits are there and, to repeat myself from the report above, his versatility could easily see him get drafted in round one.

3) Cody Mauch – North Dakota State – 6’5/302

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Connor Williams / MIA

Sixth year senior. Three-year starter from Hankinson, ND. Three-time All-MVFC, first team in 2021 and 2022. Two-time FCS All-American, first team in 2022. Mauch is a hyper-active blocker that will bring instant energy to a front. He plays with a fire and passion snap after snap that, if channeled correctly, will make a tangible difference. Mauch is also a plus-athlete with active and powerful hands. When he lines everything up, Mauch can stay attached and square to his target. He never stops chopping his feet and will play through the whistle. There are credible size concerns if he wants to stay at tackle. His skill set will work best at guard in a zone-blocking scheme where his burst and balance will be best utilized. Mauch dominated at the FCS level and has the kind of attitude that is needed to play in the NFL trenches but there is a good chance he moves inside which could even further lengthen the time before he is ready to contribute.

*I do not know Mauch or anyone close to him personally, just the typical “rumblings”. Mauch grew up on a family farm and aims to be back there after his football career is over. Considering that and his background, one must wonder how he would respond to the New York scene. That did not factor into the grade at all, but you know it is a part of the screening process. On the field, Mauch is an energy stick that fits into the trend some teams (including Buffalo when Schoen was there) of drafting tackles to play inside in the NFL. While I do think Mauch could play tackle in a pinch, his future will be at guard. It would be nice to have him on the roster should problems pile up outside, however.

4) John Michael Schmitz – Minnesota – 6’3/301

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Ted Karras / CIN

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Flossmoor, IL. Named All-Big Ten three straight years including a first team honor in 2022. Also named a first team All-American in his final season. Schmitz is the point guard of the offensive line, fully capable of making all the calls and directing traffic. He does all the little things right and it adds up to consistent, reliable play. He excels in the running game with his combination of heavy contact and excellent footwork. While he is not the most natural athlete, he makes up for a lot of the shortcomings with proper angles, spacing, and timing. He has a great feel for when to peel off to the next man and his hands do a lot of damage. The shortcomings as a pass blocker on an island and occasional lapse in body control can cause some concern, but the floor is high for Schmitz. Schmitz has the mental capacity and reliable run blocking to fit into any situation right away and compete for a starting job, but this is a low ceiling, high-floor kind of player.

*Want a plug and play center that will immediately become the mental leader of your line? Schmitz is your guy. Want a high-upside athlete that is going to eventually be one of the top players at the position in the league? Look elsewhere. Schmitz is a classic “is what he is” type prospect. You know what you are getting, you know what you are not. One negative I could see NYG having on him is the fact he never played a position other than center. In addition, the already-24 year-old simply lacks more area to chew up on the progression curve. Will he likely provide the best OC play this team has had since…O’Hara? Probably. The question is about positional value, and everyone has an opinion on that. I like Schmitz, as do many in the league. But he only becomes an option for me in round 3, and I think he is gone by then.

5) Joe Tippman – Wisconsin – 6’6/313

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Graham Glasgow / DET

Fourth year junior entry. Two-year starter from Fort Wayne, IN. Two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten. Tippman is a tall, athletic man in the middle capable of abruptly firing out of his stance and reaching his points in a hurry. The ease and comfort he shows as a lateral mover will sit well with blocking schemes that especially favor zone components. There is natural cohesion from the snap to his first two steps and he rarely looks fooled or out of position. There are some pad level issues that show up in pass protection and because of the compensation he creates by bending from the waist, the lapses pop up from time to time. His tools and intelligence are there, though, with correctable shortcomings. Tippman has starter potential within the first two years, preferably after he gets some weight room work and lower body refinement in the rear-view mirror. Tippman is a big and athletic blocker with the foundation that can blossom into a quality starter in time once he masters more consistent footwork and lower body strength.

*If you are pursuing potential, Tippman is the guy. Of all the centers in the group, he has the best size/speed combination, and it translates to power. He can drive guys down the field, there is a nasty demeanor here that the others do not have. And there is a skill set that fits into a guard role, although to be fair, almost all of his college snaps came at center. Regardless, Tippman will need to fix his lower body to avoid a massive amount of leverage losses. You can get away with them in college most of the time, but not in the NFL. That can be a dangerous issue inside, especially at center. Higher risk, higher reward than every center in the class. I imagine the OL coach will have a lot of say in his final outlook.

6) Jordan McFadden – Clemson – 6’2/303

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Trai Turner / FA

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Spartanburg, SC. Three-time All-ACC honoree, first team in 2022. Recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy after his final season, given to the top blocker in the ACC. A permanent team captain voted on by teammates. McFadden has seen starting action at both tackle spots over his career, predominantly on the left side. He does not have all the prototypical measurables for the outside, although he will come into the league with enough versatility to be credibly play inside and/or outside. McFadden has country-strong hands and pays attention to details from head to toe. He rarely gets caught out of position and finishes his blocks via staying attached and keeping the lower body active. He is a safe and reliable player with good intangibles and enough talent to build from. A move to guard is likely but he could double as an emergency tackle if the situation arises. McFadden is a high-floor prospect that will do his job and get the most out of himself consistently.

*McFadden is on the short side, but it shouldn’t matter much besides some that always want the prototypes. The tackle-to-guard convert fits the mold and profile of a few guys BUF drafted while Schoen was there. I have been high on him from the beginning of the year. It is all about the hands for me. He jolts defenders with violence and latches on. The suddenness and overall anchor are the question marks. I can recall a play vs. Florida State, though, when he led the running back into space as a lead blocker from the inside and it was a “wow” moment. This dude can move. Could be a similar player to Ezeudu if the front office wanted to double dip there.

7) Luke Wypler – Ohio State – 6’3/303

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Corey Linsley / LAC

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Montvale, NJ. Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in 2022 and 2021. Wypler is a stout, well-centered man in the middle that stays on his feet against both speed and power. The squatty frame and strong lower half pair well with the twitchy feet and fast hands. His techniques are smooth and repeatable from top to bottom. Once he gets that vital inside hand position, he won’t let go. Wypler excels at staying square and playing patient. He trusts his plus-athleticism, comes across smart, and understands angles. He is an ideal fit for zone-heavy blocking schemes. Wypler is a blocker that will stay attached, show proper technique, and play at a consistent level that can be relied upon week to week.

*The top three centers, maybe even the top four, are very closely graded overall. I think they come off the board according to scheme more than grade if that makes sense. Wypler is the one that I would feel best about if they were looking to replace Feliciano’s skill set. While there are traits both Schmitz and Tippman, and even Oluwatimi, do at a higher level than Wypler (traits I personally value a lot), I trust Wypler in outside zone concepts a bit more. He can move and maintain leverage + power much better. The lack of length is a killer though. His margin for hand use techniques is simply a lot less than the other guys. Also, a guy with no position versatility. His next snap at guard would be his first, ever.

8) Olusegun Oluwatimi – Michigan – 6’3/309

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Tyler Biadasz / DAL

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Upper Marlboro, MD. Spent time with three programs (Air Force for one season, Virginia for four, Michigan for one). Earned all-conference honors in both the ACC and Big Ten. First team All-American and winner of both the Rimington Award and Outland Trophy in 2022. Oluwatimi was the leader of the line that won the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top offensive line. He has a lot of experience and performed at a high level in multiple schemes and surroundings. He is a thick, powerful athlete that can anchor against anything. The straight-line mover will have lapses against quick and lateral, low-to-ground pass rushers from time to time. He does a nice job of staying spatially aware. The contact presence he brings to the table can be effective enough in a lot of cases. At the very least, Oluwatimi is a quality backup-type prospect, but he should get a shot at a starting nod early in his career. Oluwatimi brings a high floor that can be depended on to back up early on with the high likelihood of earning a starting job early in his career.

*There appears to be a lot of love for this kid. The intangibles are there and that tells me the coaches are going to increase his grade a bit. Having a leader in the middle that can both hold the point and make all the calls is so important. I can’t completely get over the lack of fluid movement though, especially in a league where the defensive linemen (even the inside guys) are moving at such a fast rate. He is going to have some ugly losses. But like I said, the floor is high enough and he could fit into a backup OG role a well.

9) Anthony Bradford – LSU – 6’4/332

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Brandon Scherff / JAC

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Muskegon, MI. Saw time at both tackle and guard but the skill set will keep him inside at the next level. Bradford did not get as much experience under his belt in college as many others. He as on the field for just over 1,000 snaps over his four years with the Tigers. Taking that out of the equation, he presents starter-caliber upside based solely on his size and power. He is thick in the right places and can drive block defenders, both first and second level, down the field in the running game. Power schemes will view him as a weapon worth developing for a year or two. Any issues that show up as a pass protector can be corrected with more attention on his techniques and a stronger understanding of the game. Adjustments to lateral movement are lethargic. Bradford has the kind of presence that can be an enormous difference maker inside for a power scheme but needs time to refine and improve his footwork.

*There is a cluster of day three linemen that I would want to work with if I were an OL coach. Inside, Bradford is the top one. His combination of size and speed is rare. He developed nicely over the past two years and considering the lack of stability that program had from 2020-on, there may be a big opportunity here. A team looking for another mauler should give this kid a long, hard look.

10) Andrew Vorhees – USC – 6’6/310

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Jalen Mayfield / ATL

Sixth-year senior. Starter all six seasons but played in just two games in 2019 because of an injured ankle. Two-time first team All-Pac 12 and two-time All American, including first team honors in 2022. Tore his ACL at the 2023 Combine, likely pushing the start of his career to 2024. Vorhees is as experienced as it gets. He has played well over 3,000 career snaps mostly split between both guard spots but has seen some action at right and left tackle as well. He is technically sound with smooth lower body bend and fluidity. He can be trusted to play with proper mental decisions and physical form. There is a strict ceiling to his potential, however, as he does not play with enough sudden reaction or sheer power. He struggles to recover and does not create enough power to get a big push off the ball. He should be drafted by a zone-heavy scheme and will be good enough in pass protection to start early in his career. Vorhees will be a reliable, know-what-you’re-getting starter, albeit with a limited ceiling and may be scheme-dependent.

*The most important part to this situation is knowing where he stacked up prior to the unfortunate injury suffered during positional drills at the combine. Vorhees was a third round projection for me. I loved the experience, reliability, and versatility. A red mark (alert) I had on his report did center around durability. Now it comes down to how much one wants to downgrade him. Some will say late day three, but I wanted to keep him early day three. I am okay with him redshirting his first NFL season and being ready to compete for a starting job in 2024. That is solid value for a guy you are getting in the fourth or fifth round.

11) McClendon Curtis – Chattanooga – 6’6/324

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Kelechi Osemele / RET

Sixth year senior. Four-year starter from Chattanooga, TN. Three-time first team All SoCon and a 2022 All American. Winner of the Jacobs Blocking Award, given to the SoCon’s top offensive lineman. Has started games at both left tackle and right guard. Curtis is dripping in tools. He has overwhelming size and a quality straight line burst that combined to create a dominant force at a lower level of college football. It is hard to find beats on tape no matter where he lined up. The highly successful blocker measures in like a tackle with extra long limbs. His movement traits, however, scream inside player. He does not have the body control and comfort in space to handle pass protection on the edge. Curtis’ explosion traits and sheer strength will make him an oversized guard capable of swallowing up interior defenders and linebackers. If he can stabilize his joints and create more balance, Curtis will be a quality starting guard. Curtis has a set of tools that very few possess inside but he will need to master better footwork and trust his lower half before he can be trusted in pass protection.

*Make no mistake, this will be a bit of a project. The occasional bout with awkward, unbalanced movement are enough of a red flag to bump him down here. What I mean by that is that his best tape can rival anyone on this list outside of Torrence. I know two scouts that are in the league and they both cover his region. Both said his ceiling is higher than Cole Strange, the 2022 surprise first round pick by the Patriots. Coincidentally, they both finished the grading process with a 75. Curtis will have a different path to a starting job, and it will require more time/work, but he has everything a guy needs to be dominant player at the next level. It just comes down to building consistency.

12) Nick Saldiveri – Old Dominion – 6’6/318

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Ezra Cleveland / MIN

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Waxhaw, NC. Season was cancelled in 2020. Two-time All-Sun Belt. Spent most of his career at right tackle with just a few games worth of snaps at guard and left tackle respectively. Saldiveri is a coordinated, plus-athlete with the frame to handle gains in muscle mass over time. He does a lot of the little things right with a heavy lean toward his handwork. The fact he can stay square with a strong latch gives him the high-floor outlook. He will not be ready for the size and power demands of the NFL trenches early on. This is a project that centers around living in the weight room with an extra meal or two per day. He needs to fix some of the initial footwork shortcomings as well. He will likely need to transition inside full time where he could be viewed as a starter or versatile backup within two years. Saldiveri will need time to fully transition inside at the next level and will need to add more presence to his contact before being relied upon as a versatile backup.

*Solid day three option that fits the profile of NYG is likely looking to add their line. An interior guy that projects best inside at the next level but does still carry some pro tackle traits. A versatile backup early in his career that some scouts have even projected to center at the next level because of intelligence.

13) Chandler Zavala – North Carolina State – 6’3/316

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Kevin Zeitler / BAL

Sixth year senior. Two-year starter, Boynton Beach, FL. First Team All-ACC in 2022. Spent four years at Division II Fairmont State but had his 2020 season cancelled due to Covid-19. Transferred to NC State prior to 2021 where won the starting left guard job but missed the final seven games because of a back injury that required surgery. Zavala did not start playing football until his junior year of high school and spent just his senior season on the offensive line. The late bloomer ended up settling in at left guard for the Wolfpack but did play multiple spots at Fairmont State. His experience with both wide and tight zone complements his body type and play style well. Teams wanting a versatile interior backup with the ceiling of starting down the road will see him as a day three pick if his medicals check out. Zavala has a pro body paired with a proper blend of power and athleticism, the late bloomer should make a roster and give a team something to build from.

The 24-year-old is going to be red flagged by some teams because of the back. I did factor it a bit into this grade, but nothing drastic. One of the top combine snubs, Zavala has been on the radar since October and has only improved his stock via quality tape. While he may not bring positional versatility to the table, he does bring maturity and is well adept at fighting through adversity. He is a nice fit for the current NYG situation if they feel good about his back. A guy that will sit behind multiple veterans for a year, let them battle it out, and he gets his shot at competing for a job in 2024.

14) Ricky Stromberg – Arkansas – 6’3/306

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: JC Tretter / RET

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Tulsa, OK. Two-time All SEC including first team honors in addition to winning the Jacobs Blocking Trophy (conference’s top offensive lineman award) in 2022. Stromberg began his career at guard but moved to the middle in year two and found his home. He is both powerful and smart enough to play on an island against pro defensive linemen right away. The hand strikes and anchor will be a difference maker inside but the questions about his lateral movement in pass protection and tendency to overset will cause a few ugly losses. The baseline tools, skills, and overall mesh of abilities are good enough to warrant an eventual starter projection. His position-versatility is the extra icing on the cake and give him a dependable, versatile outlook. Stromberg is a power blocker that does a lot of the little things right to maximize his athleticism but must fix some of the technique and control issues before vying for a starting job.

*A team like NYG could have Stromberg higher than where I do in the OC stack because of his proven versatility. Remember, most of the OCs ahead of him do not have that. This is a kid that could win the starting OC job right away. Getting a guy like that day three? Sign me up. I kept him out of a higher outlook because of the inconsistencies in his technique below the waist. It simply will be much more difficult in the pros to get away with that than it was in college, even the SEC. The issue is correctable and tools are there to be a very good player.

15) Jake Andrews – Troy – 6’3/305

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: David Andrews / NE

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Millbrook, AL. First-Team All-Sun Belt in 2022. Andrews played all three interior line positions over his career, with the majority coming at right guard and center. His physical profile screams the latter. He is a short-armed, stocky player with tremendous lower body strength and flexibility. He is a constant winner of leverage battles, and the handwork is consistent. Andrews does tend to struggle when he needs to show range laterally. His lack of length will dampen his margin for error positionally. The tremendous lower half and balance will always provide a fighting chance for him, though. Andrews has the physical ability to play inside at the next level, but a lack of top end tools will make his margin for error razor thin.

*In most years, Andrews enters draft weekend as one of the top three centers in the class. The stronger-than-normal group we have in 2022 may cause some to overlook him, but the league will not. Andrews has quicker hands and reaction time than everyone outside of Wypler. That is an important trait at the next level. I like his style of play. He is gritty, tough, smart, and consistent. We are not talking about the highest upside, but something about his game feels safe. Could be he is one of a few centers in the class that has played substantial snaps at multiple spots.

16) Emil Ekiyor Jr. – Alabama – 6’4/314

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: AJ Cann / FA

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Indianapolis, IN. First-team All-SEC in 2022. Father, Emil Sr, spent time in the NFL with Atlanta. Ekiyor Jr is an experienced and versatile interior blocker that spent the majority of his career at right guard but saw a lot of action at center during Senior Bowl week. He transitioned smoothly and made a strong case to be permanently moved there in the NFL. No matter where he ends up, the versatility and options he can provide an offensive line coach will only boost his outlook. This is a guy that did not allowed a single sack or over his final 1,805 snaps and was not penalized at all in 2022. He has a tremendous anchor and shows the suddenness to get on the right side of defenders on zone runs. He will be a valuable, versatile inside backup that plays a dependable brand of football. Ekiyor Jr is a starting caliber interior blocker that turned heads as a center at the Senior Bowl and the shortcomings in space could keep him there.

*For the camp that really likes and wants Steve Avila, this is an excellent day three option as a backup plan. A guy that started 40 games at right guard but showed up to Mobile and played center as if that were his spot all along. I trust a guy like this. I would not expect strong play week after week, he will have his fair share of losses, but he is an ideal guy to have on the bench that can back up three spots and it won’t scare you if he is needed on the field.

17) Jon Gaines II – UCLA – 6’4/303

Grade: 73

NFL Comparison: Dakota Dozier / FA

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Wauwatosa, WI. Named honorable mention All-Pac 12 in 2022. Gaines II has seen snaps at all five positions on the line, primarily inside. Most of his career has been spent at right guard but he does have notable experience at center, which can only enhance his projection. He has the prototype body, athletic ability, and play-style for a gap-scheme. There is a sudden burst about his game that can get movement off the ball initially while maintaining active feet and a bendy, wide base. His traits are there but there is roughness around the edges of his skill set. Too often he is either falling off his man or backtracking. Gaines II is worth trying to spend a year or two developing on the back end of a depth chart because there is enough ability to land him in a starting five at some point with a fallback option as being the top interior backup for all three spots. Gaines can get movement off the ball with an excellent lockout game, but will need to show better anticipation and reaction skills before he can be trusted in pass protection.

*The first look at Gaines was a positive one, a day-2 caliber positive one. He checks a lot of initial boxes and I value explosion + getting initial movement highly. He did both. The more I watched, the more repeated red flags appeared, however. The inability to stay attached to his man bumped him down quite a bit. It is a big deal to me when scouting a blocker at any position. The versatility and upside are enough for me day three though. I will not be surprised if he ends up a starter.

18) Nick Broeker – Mississippi – 6’4/305

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Connor McGovern / NYJ

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Springfield, IL. Second Team All-ACC in 2022. After a career spent at left tackle leading up to his final year, the team opted to shift him inside to accelerate his preparation for the next level. Broeker has the body of a guard or center, as the length simply is not there for the outside. In addition, his style of play is better suited to pass protect against interior defensive linemen more than ends. While he will bring a versatility option to his usage in the NFL, Broeker will primarily be a guard/center in a gap-heavy scheme. He is a smart and plays sticky with an active, low-to-ground base. The athletic shortcomings will limit his upside, but the floor is high enough to be considered a solid backup for multiple spots. Broeker’s versatility and grit will make give him a higher outlook than what his ability alone can provide, but the ceiling is limited and should be viewed as versatile depth more than a potential starter.

*Even dating back to his days at tackle, I always saw a center-type in his skill set. The shift inside in 2022 started that process and knowing how intelligent he is in addition to the fact he now has seasons of starts piled up at the two other positions, this pick on day three makes a lot of sense. I do not want this to be the only pick NYG makes along the OL, but I do feel like it would be great second-OL pick. Keep this kid’s name in the back your mind.

19) Jarrett Patterson – Notre Dame – 6’5/307

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Nick Gates / WAS

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Laguna Hills, CA. Spent first four seasons at center before transitioning to left guard for 2022. The former high school tackle shifted inside right away at Notre Dame and that is where he will reside in the NFL. He does not have the reach or athleticism to provide inside-out versatility. The question will be whether he can provide depth to the three interior spots. Most of Patterson’s career was right in the middle with his hand on the ball. He is a leader-of-the-line type presence. He can see the defense and make calls and he is rarely caught by surprise. Patterson went an entire career without allowing a sack (3,100+ snaps). He does not always make it look pretty and there are multiple physical shortcomings that keep a tight lid on his potential. But there are simply very few losses on tape from Patterson. He best projects at center with emergency backup capabilities at guard. Whether or not he can start will be dictated by him cleaning up his footwork, as right now it is not good enough. Patterson is likely a center-only and even though the experience and intelligence are there, his talent may not be enough to warrant a starting spot.

*I can justify using a fifth rounder on Patterson but I’ll tell you what, some teams will not keep him on their draft board. The length is very poor, his athletic grade is below average, and there are couple medical red flags below the waist. I like the blue collar in him, the leadership traits, the versatility. Even if I do not see him getting to a starter level, he will bring value to the back end of a depth chart across multiple angles.

20) Jovaughn Gwyn – South Carolina – 6’2/297

Grade: 70

NFL Comparison: Hjalte Froholdt / ARI

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Charlotte, NC. Second team All-SEC in 2022 and has won multiple team awards for toughness, academics, and offseason training. The two-time team captain played over 3,100 snaps over his career, almost all coming from right guard. The body type and play style could shift him to center, but no matter where he ends up, Gwyn will give an offense multiple roles inside. He plays an explosive game that can turn into power. His low-pad level and country-strong hands can win a lot of initial battles. How rangy he can play when he needs to move laterally and how well he can offset a reach disadvantage will determine how far he goes at the next level. Gwyn may need to move to center because of his size but all of the mental traits are there and he then could become the valuable versatile inside backup that almost undoubtedly sees time over the course of a season.

*Gwyn’s body screams a move to center. Of his 3,190 snaps, all but 16 of them were at guard. There will be a learning curve if he does move and it is unknown if he can do it. The fact I still have a draftable grade despite less-than-ideal physical traits should tell you something about his ability to play. Gwyn was a good player over multiple years in the SEC. Worth a day three shot to back up a few spots. And maybe the move to OC is what he needed.

21) Henry Bainivalu – Washington – 6’6/306

Grade: 70

NFL Comparison: John Jerry / RET

Sixth year senior. Three-year starter from Sammamish, WA. Two-time All-Pac 12. Bainivalu spent nearly his entire career at right guard. Over 2,000 career snaps at that position and even though his measurements could fit in at tackle, his skill set screams interior. He is both wide and long above the waist and there is easy knee bend to support a sturdy base. When he is in a phone booth, he can do damage. He has a powerful punch and strong latch with the ability to stay square to his target. The issues show up when he needs to move laterally more than a step. He lacks the explosive trait to beat defenders to a spot and falls off his man too often. If he can improve his shortcomings there, Bainivalu has several other starting caliber traits. Bainivalu checks a lot of boxes but arguably the most important one, explosion, is the one dent in the armor that needs to be fixed before he can be considered a starting caliber player.

*A good example of how hard it is to end up a draftable player. We lose sight of that sometimes. You see a guy that will grade out in the 220-250 range overall. I see a guy that made the top 200-250 out of thousands of college football players from the start of the process. The issues with his movement are hard to fix, however. The upside does not match what you may initially think when you see him play. It took some extra film work to notice that.

22-29

22: Atonio Mafi – UCLA – 6’3/329: 70
23: Sidy Sow – Eastern Michigan – 6’5/323: 70
24: Juice Scruggs – Penn State – 6’3/301: 70
25: Mark Evans II – Arkansas Pine-Bluff – 6’2/303: 69
26: Brent Laing – Minnesota Duluth – 6’4/304: 69
27: Tashawn Manning – Kentucky – 6’3/327: 69
28: TJ Bass – Oregon – 6’4/317: 68
29: Joey Fisher – Shepherd – 6’4/296: 68

NYG APPROACH

I am going into draft weekend with the idea this team needs to walk away with an interior guy that can start in either 2023 or 2024. Most of the names are in this preview, some more will come in the upcoming OT preview as converts. When you have question marks both in the starting lineup and behind them with the depth on an offense that is still run-dependent, there is massive concern. Take positional value out of the discussion for a second (I know it matters, don’t worry), where is the biggest hole on this offense? When I say “hole”, meaning what spot lacks the most from a pro-starter perspective? The answer cannot be “number one receiver”. They have starting receivers, tackles, tight ends. They have a starting quarterback and a starting running back. This team does not have a starting left guard or center. Even if you are a believer in Ezeudu, which is fine (I think he can be the guy too), Bredeson/Hassenauer are not starting caliber. Can the line be good enough with one of them? Sure. But let’s think bigger than good enough.

Now we circle back to how early is too early? Every positional preview has been able to make a case for NYG using their first pick on that particular spot. Or their second, or their third. This is a reminder this team has too many needs to fill in this draft alone and I challenge everybody to avoid trying to find the perfect puzzle piece. It does not exist. I say that because if Torrence is there at #25, I think he needs to be a strong part of the discussion. While I do prefer a Steve Avila or Cody Mauch in round 2, or one of the top three centers in round three, it is hard to gauge if they will be available. After I get my thoughts on some of the tackle-to-guard converts, I will say I have a hard time accepting the idea this team ignores interior OL with one of their first four picks. They need to avoid the OL hell we had to watch for nearly a decade. Absolutely need.

Apr 122023
 
Will Anderson, Alabama Crimson Tide (November 12, 2022)

Will Anderson – © USA TODAY Sports

EDGE

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 20 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 21-39

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

In consecutive drafts, NYG has used top 50 picks on edge defenders including #5 overall a year ago. Their top backups, veteran Jihad Ward and undrafted second-year player Tomon Fox, were both brought in by this regime. They’re both physical edge setters and play more stout than fast. Then there is Elerson Smith; a day three pick from the previous regime that has been on the field for 121 snaps in two years, just 14 of which came in 2022. When looking at the starting duo of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari, both current impact and quality long-term projection are in play. The former turned on the heat late in the year and if that is the indication of what to expect in the future, he will easily justify being a top five pick. Ojulari, who set the franchise record for sacks by a rookie in 2021, was marred by multiple soft-tissue injuries in 2022. This was a guy that came into the league with a question about his knee, remember. When on the field, Ojulari actually had a higher pressure rate than Thibodeaux. The ability is there, and it has been proven over multiple years. But this is a shaky group that lacks depth from a pass rush perspective and even the biggest Ojulari supporters must label him an injury problem right now.

TOP 20 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama – 6’4/253

Grade: 90

NFL Comparison: Khalil Mack / LAC

Junior entry from Hampton, GA. Three-year starter. Named All-SEC all three seasons of his career and earned All-American honors in both 2021 and 2022. SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Anderson brings the combination of physical traits, production against top tier competition, and intangibles that produce a “face of the franchise” outlook. When it comes to his play on the field, he is an every-down asset. His ideal blend of bend, explosion, and agility can beat one on one blockers and it goes deeper than the pass rush. He shows a great feel and the physical nature to set an edge, free himself, and finish plays at and behind the line of scrimmage. He is more than a pure pass rusher. Even if he was drafted for just that pass rush role, the upside still warrants the high pick. There are a couple of power-rush shortcomings when a sizeable tackle bodies him, but the secondary rush moves are so far developed and the amount of wins he creates with the initial burst and leverage advantage will merge together and create a ceiling that is up there with the top pass rushers in the league. The mental approach to his craft will elevate the floor, making him one of the safest and best prospects in this draft.

*For a team looking to add Carter or Anderson, man what a tough call. Carter is the better player right now, but something about Anderson seems safer. I would even say the ceiling is higher. Remember what Khalil Mack was doing early in his career? That can easily be Anderson if the team keeps him outside more than what Alabama did in 2022. He played the edge 150 less than times in 2022 than he did 2021. That is where his biggest issues arise. I’m sure there was a strong reason behind it, but it caused a dip in his production and impact. Anderson is a near-lock for 12+ sacks a year for a long time and do not sleep on his run defense, it is nearly just as good.

2) Myles Murphy – Clemson – 6’5/268

Grade: 85

NFL Comparison: Robert Quinn / FA

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Marietta, GA. Two-time All ACC including first team honors in 2022. Murphy, a highly touted five-star recruit, burst onto the scene right away, winning the ACC Newcomer of the Year award in 2020. This was two seasons after Clelin Ferrell moved on to the NFL and the drop off in play was minimal-to-none. Ferrell was the fourth overall pick that year in the 2019 draft, and Murphy was close to that level as a true freshman. You read that right. This is an absolute freak in every complimentary form of the word. His height and length are used as weapons against lone blockers, as he is almost always the one that wins the initial hand battle. The explosion and closing speed combined with his natural bend can constantly put a tackle in catch up. And the trait that ties it all together is the sheer effort he puts into his craft. Murphy’s talent made, and will make, plays for the defense. But the hustle is what can put him over the top. Murphy has made over 36 plays behind the line of scrimmage and has forced six fumbles. He is a reliable and consistent force to be reckoned with and there is a potential superstar inside of him.

*I do not put a ton of credence into who travels to certain workouts from specific teams. I have put some effort in the past and I have not found any objective trails that lead to projecting where a guy lands. I do believe there is significant interest in Murphy from NYG, however and what they’ve done in recent months reinforces that notion. He is a match for what BUF added along the edge when Schoen was there and what BAL added along the edge while Martindale was there. I said this last offseason and I will say it again; I believe this team wants more size on the outside. Add in Ojulari was drafted by a previous regime and the fact he is now an injury risk, this could be a round one target for NYG if he falls. Everyone is talking corner and receiver, rightfully so. My money would be on one of those spots too. But adding another premiere edge rusher is, no question, on their priority list and would be hard to look past if he is there.

3) Tyree Wilson – Texas Tech – 6’6/271

Grade: 84

NFL Comparison: Emmanuel Ogbah / Oklahoma State

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Henderson, TX. Spent two seasons at Texas A&M prior to transferring to Texas Tech in 2020. Two-time All-Big 12, including first team honors in 2022 and a 2022 All-American. Wilson is blessed with a frame that is off the charts when considering the prototype for the position. Some people look like they were put on earth to play football, and that is Wilson. With his hands hanging near his knees and well-distributed thickness on a 6’6” frame immediately screams traditional 4-3 defensive end. He showed a lot of versatility throughout his career, proving to factor as a B gap pass rusher in addition a dominant edge setter in the running game. He can take over one on one matchups, a credible level of sheer dominance. He will not win a lot of battles with pure speed and burst and there are occasional leverage issues that come from such a high-cut frame. As he learns to use his hands and length to his advantage on a more routine basis, Wilson has the ceiling of a double digit sack guy that also provides elite run defense with the inside-out maneuverability that every scheme wants.

*A lot of talk around Wilson being the number two edge guy with an outside shot at being the top dog. This completely stems from his size, in my opinion. Sure, it is freakish how big and long he is, extremely rare territory. He was productive and versatile. In addition, the scouting list I get my hands on over summer had Wilson as the top overall senior in the country heading into 2022 (from the league). He was on the elite-radar all year and his play was good. Wilson, to me, is a top 15 overall player on my board, thus I obviously like him. But I have not been able to put that Pro Bowl / All Pro grade on him because I think he fed off some poor blockers in college. I did not love his tape against his top competition, and I get a tad a worried about the hip tightness. Regarding NYG, it is not relevant. He will not escape the top 10 overall draft weekend it sounds like.

4) Nolan Smith – Georgia – 6’2/238

Grade: 84

NFL Comparison: Vic Beasley / RET

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Savannah, GA. Played in just eight games in 2022 before tearing his pectoral muscle, which needed surgery. Smith, a team captain, was the top recruit in the nation out of high school in 2019. He was also a running back but there was no mistake what he would be at the next level, as he won the Georgia Co-Newcomer of the Year Award his freshman year. Because of how Georgia plays defense and considering the amount of top shelf talent they have on that squad; Smith remains a bit of an unknown. He played just over 1,100 snaps in college. Most prospects reach that number in under two full seasons. Smith also measures in much lighter than the average edge defenders in the league. The debate will come in when considering his top-shelf speed, burst, and quickness. Smith can out-move all blockers both as a run defender and pass rusher. His impact in a scheme that plays with a lot of slants and twists will be felt immediately. With that said, he does not fit into every scheme and a role will need to be engineered for him, as he could have trouble holding up over the course of a season. Smith’s intangibles will enable several teams to gamble on the rare athleticism, but the risk assessment will need to be weighed heavily.

*Every year we see supreme athletes come into the league along the defensive front. It has gotten to the point where I am left wondering how future offensive lineman are going to be able keep up. Anyway, Smith is in a tier of his own when it comes to speed, burst, and agility. The size will get him in trouble at times, but he is very hard and unlikely guy to lock on to. I do not see him escaping the top 15 but even if he did, I’m not sure I see the fit with NYG. If they add another edge presence, it will be one with more size. There is considerable risk here for anyone that takes him.

5) Will McDonald IV – Iowa State – 6’4/239

Grade: 81

NFL Comparison: Randy Gregory / DEN

Fifth year senior. Two-year starter from Pewaukee, WI. Three-time First Team All-Big 12 and a Third Team All-American in 2021. McDonald’s athletic background is rare. He did not start playing football until his junior year of high school but was a state champion discus thrower (and third place high jumper) and a conference player of the year in basketball. The blend of talent and movement traits show up on tape as a pass rusher. He is bendy, explosive, and long. The Iowa State single season sack record holder can be a menace for blockers to get a hold of. He can shoot out of a cannon up the edge with the ability to turn a tight corner at the meeting point. At his worst, he is still a hard guy to race up the outside. When it comes to his rush moves, he is still developing but there have been flashes of a Dwight Freeney-caliber spin move. That kind of agility combined with his top shelf burst is hard to find in one player alone. McDonald is not yet a finished product and his lack of power is worrisome. His lower body looks like it belongs in the cornerback room and his run defense will never be a strong suit. A pass rush upside like this, especially considering he is earlier on the progression curve than others, needs to be gambled on. If he hits his ceiling, he can be one of the top pass rushers in the league.

*Grades are very mixed on McDonald IV. Some will have him as high as top 15 overall and considering the position he plays, a surprise draft weekend is possible. Personally, the body type worries me enough to keep him on the brink of round 1-2. He is going to turn 24 a month after the draft and I wonder how much potential there is when it comes to adding mass on his frame. If he does pan out to be a quality every-down defender, there will still be plenty of value potential in his third down pash rush ability. Worth a swing for odd fronts.

6) Lukas Van Ness – Iowa – 6’5/272

Grade: 81

NFL Comparison: Marcus Davenport / MIN

Third year sophomore entry. Rotational player from Barrington, IL. All-Big Ten in 2022. Oddly enough, Van Ness was never a starter for Iowa. That has less to do with his ability and more to do with the odd way the program uses seniority for personnel decisions. That aside, Van Ness is one of the most physically gifted and overall versatile defenders in the class. He spent the majority of 2021 as an inside player and the majority of 2022 as an edge defender. He will be able to play both spots at the next level. Van Ness has elite power and it created plays for the defense against both the run and pass. His lockout game will be NFL ready week one and the very least a team will get out of him is stout run defense and versatile alignment possibilities. The upside can be considered as high as any pass rusher in the class. The tools are nearly unmatched by anyone but in the same break, he played under 1,000 snaps in college. There is a lot of unknown and much more development, notably with his rush moves, that will vary his outlook widely. Early on he can be used as a movable chess piece based on situations and matchups while his body fully develops and a team finds where his best fit truly is because right now, it is a guessing game.

*On paper, Van Ness is overly impressive. On tape, he already looks like he can handle the rigors of NFL power snap to snap. The thing that separates him from a higher grade for me is the lack of innovation he shows as a pass rusher and the tightness that show up from time to time. Can he play fast laterally? I still don’t know. While the movement is impressive for a kid that weighs 270+, we are not talking about Travon Walker. He is versatile, but we are not talking Aidan Hutchinson. There is a lot of development still to be had here and if his game is going to be pass rush-based, I would say a lot of development. NYG will have interest in him at #25 if he is there. He won’t be my top pick, but his outlook makes sense if they want to make an aggressive move at EDGE.

7) Tuli Tuipulotu – USC – 6’3/266

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Trey Hendrickson / Florida Atlantic

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Hawthorne, CA. Two-Time first team All-Pac 12 and a 2022 first team All-American. Led the nation with 13.5 sacks and led power five programs with 22 tackles for loss. Has multiple family members with NFL ties including Niners safety Talanoa Hufanga. Tuipulotu primarily lined up outside the tackle in USC’s three-man front, but he saw more than a fair share of snaps inside closer to the guard. No matter where he was, he produced. He plays with immense power both in his hands and below the waist. Tuipulotu excels with techniques and bend and shows an excellent feel for the intentions of the offense. This is a guy that can forecast and react exceptionally well, constantly finding himself on the right side of blocks and within striking distance of the ball carrier. He is a finisher with an intense, fiery mindset. This energy stick up front can play all over the line and create mismatches across multiple locations of the trenches.

*The concern with Tuipulotu is how well his game translates to the next level with average tools. During the season, before I went deep-dive on defensive prospects, I thought he would be a first rounder. He measured in a bit smaller than I thought he would, and the speed isn’t there to fully make up for it. That said, Tuipulotu can beat blockers on an island a variety of ways, inside and outside. He would be a great day two pick for this defense and a guy that complements the current NYG edge group well. Think a much better version of Ximines/Fox. A more athletic version of Ward, but just as physical. How often he missed tackles (an alarming number) was odd and I am curious to know how much that weighs with the NYG brass.

8) BJ Ojulari – LSU – 6’2/248

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Takkarist McKinley / DAL

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Marietta, GA. First Team All-SEC in 2022. Ojulari, the brother of Giants outside linebacker Azeez, has been hampered by a hamstring injury throughout the pre-draft process after missing games early in 2022 because of a knee issue. Remember that Azeez had his draft stock altered a bit by a knee injury during his own pre-draft process and has been an injury problem in the league. This will likely cause extra screening for BJ. On tape, Ojulari screams 3-4 outside linebacker. He can explode off the edge with proper bend and long arm-usage. He flashed top tier traits but was inconsistent. He does not have the look of a guy that has a clear plan and ability to adjust on the fly. The baseline tools are all there, but he simply disappears for stretches of play. He does fly to the ball and his effort switch is always on, he just has a raw feel to his game that needs to be hardened before seeing majority snaps. He will start off as a backup/rotational player with the definite upside of starting in a 3-4 scheme.

*I do not have a credible medical background and I do not have an inside source with Ojulari / LSU. I am going to say I am slightly worried about the lower body injuries. Throughout my research, I found he missed a few practices with a “cranky patella”. We are now seeing an obstructed pre-draft process because of a hamstring. Considering the issues Azeez had and is having, I am just a little worried about his durability. An outside linebacker’s game in a 3-4 is so much based on the ability to bend at the knee while producing power, speed, and agility. Doing it on a cranky knee with vulnerable soft tissue around it can be a major problem.

9) Derick Hall – Auburn – 6’3/254

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Arnold Ebiketie / ATL

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Gulfport, MS. Two-time All-SEC, first team in 2022. Hall has the look of a pro edge defender in every possible way. He is rocked up with elite length and a broad wingspan. His frame is packed with muscle, but the lower body aesthetic promotes that of a track athlete. When looking into his game on a more detailed level, the sheer effort and violence are the initial standouts. He is an every-down defender with techniques that have come a long way. While there are some lower body tightness issues that can make reactionary movement somewhat lagged, the straight line burst and closing gear are weapons. Hall’s best role would be a simple speed rusher off the edge. Teams that use wide-nine alignments will be drawn to him, but he will also hold his own setting the edge against the run. Hall can be a starter or number one pass rusher off the bench. Either way, he brings big time value to the defense.

*There will be teams that have a high second round grade on Hall. The profile of his tools is hard to find and easy to be drawn to. Everything about him looks like an elite edge rusher and he is a real football player. Old school in his approach. This is not just a freak athlete that looks the part. This also seems like a Martindale type, and he plays more stout against the run than his size suggests. I know I keep saying this, but because I believe NYG is going to add a pass rusher in this draft, don’t be surprised to see Hall’s name come across the board if they are looking for another Ojulari-type.

10) Keion White – Georgia Tech – 6’5/285

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: William Gholston / TB

Sixth year senior. Three-year starter from Garner, NC. Two-time All-Conference. Spent four seasons at Old Dominion where he played tight end for two years, one of which he was a starter. In his first season at defensive end, he tied a school record with 19 tackles for loss. The program cancelled the 2020 season because of Covid-19, prompting an eventual transfer to Georgia Tech. 2021 was supposed to be his coming out party, but a broken leg kept him to just four games. White then played in every 2022 contest and led the Yellow Jackets with 14 tackles for loss, fifth best in the ACC. White is a bit of a blank canvas, but he does not have tremendous youth on his side. The combination of strength and speed is unmatched among almost all defensive linemen in this class. However, the 24-year-old does not play with enough fluidity. There is rigidness in his movement, and he struggles to read the action. The flashes of physical dominance are enough, though, at a premium position to warrant a day two selection. At the very least, he can be an excellent five-technique that will provide elite run defense.

*White is a safe prospect. If NYG wants to get the Jihad Ward role locked in for 2024 and beyond, he is one of the guys I would feel good about in that role. Physical and stout edge setter. Versatile and a team leader-type. White has some big fans in the league, some that think he is on the same level as Luke Van Ness and even Tyree Wilson. He presents the right value in round three, but I don’t think he will make it there. I’m not in love with the upside, that’s all. Can be a very solid player, though. Especially in this scheme.

11) Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State – 6’3/255

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Olivier Vernon / RET

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Kansas City, MO. Two-time First Team All-Big 12, a 2022 All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Anudike-Uzomah already has the look of a refined and technically sound pro edge defender. He plays with exceptional pad level and hand usage that combines with a quick and sudden first step to give him a lot of initial wins. This is a guy that constantly puts himself in a good position to win. He plays smart, can read the action, and has several ways to free himself from contact. His skills set has been on a constant ascent since arriving at Kansas State. Anudike-Uzomah needs to show more consistency with his body control, however. Too many times does he end up on the ground or trying to re-gain his balance. The pre-draft process has not been a good one for him, as he’s been fighting multiple lower body injuries. There will be some unknown and risk here but there is no denying his high ceiling that stems from a pro-ready skill set, consistent production, and top shelf set of intangibles.

*If he had a clean and explosive pre-draft process, Anudike-Uzomah could have easily finished a few spots higher in the stack. He already has a lot of the nuances to pass rushing down but where I saw the biggest improvement from 2021 tape to 2022 was in the running game. He understands hand usage and leverage so well and it gets him in position. That is something many young edge defenders never figure out and it kills their career. The lower body injuries (nothing serious) and overall lack of stability give me some hesitation here, but by no means am I taking him out of the projected starter tier.

12) Yaya Diaby – Louisville – 6’3/263

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Justin Houston / KC

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter after transferring from Georgia Military College where he spent two seasons. Earned All-ACC honors in 2022. Diaby steps off the bus in street clothes and you immediately know this is a pro football player. The combination of height, width, length, and well-distributed muscle mass is how they look in a factory. He was always a gifted athlete, but the skill set, and consistency took some time to come to fruition. Once it was there, Diaby proved to be of the best physical packages up front in the entire class. This is violent hand striker that out-muscled nearly everyone that tried to block him. He shows excellent burst and agility for a player his size. And he brings multiple usages to the table that a defensive coach can have a field day with. He is an outside player that will set a hard edge, but his biggest value will be found inside on passing downs. This is a safe prospect that can be so much more if he comes into the league and keeps his head focused.

*Diaby is one of my guys. It may not seem like it because of how far down the stack he is but as I’ve been saying, this edge group is incredibly strong and deep. He is one of the guys that did not fully workout at the combine or Pro Day – not for injury reasoning. Odd decision to say the least. He is a straight line burst guy that almost ran a sub 4.5 in Indy and some of the best leaping numbers in the class. At 263 pounds. His agility is the credible concern and that is what he didn’t test. That does bother me a bit, and it bothers scouts too. Besides that, Diaby has impressive tape and was a bit of a late bloomer. Louisville did not use him to his full capacity, but they did display his versatility. His pressure rate is among the best in the class by the way. He is the kind of physical presence this defense needs behind the top two guys on the edge.

13) Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame – 6’5/264

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Preston Smith / GB

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Antioch, GA. 2022 All-American. Foskey plays a physical brand of football. For defenses that are looking for a true edge setter without losing too much against the pass will look for a player exactly like Foskey. He is a heavy handed, bendy, country-strong defender that can stay on the field in all situations. His skill set can translate to any and all schemes. The amoeba fronts will like him a lot. Foskey can play with his hand in the ground or standing up, whichever look the play caller wants to give. He can beat one on one blockers but if he gets bodied, there is gap integrity and a keen awareness he shows against the run. The assignment-savvy team captain will be a dependable starter or heavy rotational player at the next level. The lack of true burst and speed up the edge may limit his overall impact, but this is the kind of winning player that finds a way to get it done.

*What NYG got out of Oshane Ximines would likely be the basement for Foskey. He is bigger and more physical. The flashes we have seen out of Ximines over the years are what we would likely see out of Foskey on a more routine basis. That is a borderline starter and a guy that helps the defense from a premium spot. Foskey is yet another name I think fits the micro-level need they need behind the top two but there is a chance the coaches do not see enough alignment versatility. Me? I feel safe with him, and I believe the #3 rusher is an ideal role for him.

14) Eku Leota – Auburn – 6’3/252

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Alex Highsmith / PIT

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Asheville, NC. Spent three seasons at Northwestern before graduating and transferring to Auburn in 2021. Tore his pec in October 2022, forcing him into surgery and sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Leota has shown enough on tape, both in the Big Ten and SEC respectively, to warrant a future starting role in at the next level. His body type and play-style scream 3-4 outside linebacker. Even though he has dropped into coverage a little bit, he will be drafted to rush the passer. Leota has good juice and a borderline special blend of stride length, hop sets that transform into an elite speed rush, and bend. Throw in the well-developed lower body and overall strength, Leota can win more than his fair share of battles on the outside shoulder of the tackle. The question will be whether he can develop secondary/inside rush moves or not. He also can get swallowed by imposing run blocking tackles. While there are limitations here, Leota can be a major factor as a pass rusher and plays with the kind of hustle, passion, and grit to make up for a few weaknesses.

*One of my favorite occurrences during the scouting process takes place every year but never in predictable fashion. I turn on tape to watch a specific player, and an unknown or a guy I know very little about is the one that jumps off the screen. When I turned on Derick Hall vs. Penn State early in the year and the LSU tape from 2021, it was Leota that I came away wanting to see more of. He is such a high-energy, bendy, physical edge defender that made a few eye-opening plays. He does not have the baseline tools or upside Hall does, but we are not talking about a slouch in that department. Leota may be a specialty/sub-package guy at the next level with some upside as a starting player. Either way, he will be an energy stick for a front.

15) KJ Henry – Clemson – 6’4/251

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Kemoko Turay / IND

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Winston-Salem, NC. First Team All-ACC in 2022, his lone season as a full-time starter. Henry was a 1,000-point scorer on the hardwood in high school. The three years following his redshirt were about rotating in as a pass rush specialist. In 2022, he took a full-time role all season and showed he could be more. His game is most attractive to 3-4 schemes where he can simply live on the outside and try to win on an island. His ability to put his foot in the ground and change direction while already in motion is a weapon when he has the space to work with. Henry won a lot of pass rushers via cutting across the tackle’s face with good pad level and disrupting the passer head on. The shortcoming that arose often was when he did not have the lateral space to work with, got bodied by the blocker and could not get enough push. His power game is lacking. He projects to be a pass rush specialist and backup, but a high level one that can offer a productive 20+ snaps per game.

*I see a very good backup type that will see a good number of snaps weekly. Perhaps a situation where a team as a solid edge duo or trio, but one of them is more of a power/size guy that can shift inside on sure-passing downs. Henry was among the national leaders in pressures, and I think there is some left to bite off if he can refine the skill set and secondary moves.

16) Ali Gaye – LSU – 6’6/263

Grade: 76

NFL Comparison: Taco Charlton / CHI

Fifth year senior. Three-year starter from Lynwood, WA. Spent two seasons in Junior College prior to transferring to LSU. Gaye moved to the United States from Gambia when he was 12 years old. A bit of a late bloomer, Gaye arrived on campus in 2020 and looked like a future first rounder. The frame, the natural bend, and his ability to impact both the passing and running game respectively instantly with years of eligibility remaining gave off a lot of hope. Multiple injuries to both his upper and lower body throughout the 2021 season halted those projections. While he played a full season in 2022, Gaye has yet to return to the level we saw him play at in 2020. The ability is there and the tools are still worthy of being brought in for most schemes. A 4-3 front will be his best scheme-fit, but there is a skill set that could fit outside in 3-4 looks. He is a nasty edge setter that plays with a chip on his shoulder but for him to see every down snaps, he needs to get more consistent and clean up some of the body control issues.

*One of the higher upside guys I have in this tier of edge defenders. Gaye’s tape from 2020 after transferring from junior college in the Covid-Year was enough to warrant that label. Consider the shaky leadership from the program itself since that time and the amount of changes the coaching staff underwent, there are going to be several defensive line coaches that want their shot at molding him. Gaye’s fit really can be found in any scheme. The team needs a plan for him, and Gaye needs to stay healthy. Upside is there to finish ahead several of the guys listed ahead of him.

17) Yasir Abdullah – Louisville – 6’1/237

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Haason Reddick / PHI

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Miramar, FL. Two-time All ACC, first team in 2022. Abdullah has been an undersized edge defender his entire career. He arrived at Louisville after a successful high school track career in addition to football, posting times in the 100 M and 200 M that are usually reserved for receivers and defensive backs. It was not until 2021 where he really broke out and developed the skill set to offset his lack of bulk. Abdullah is overly reliant on the first step-win. He needs that initial crease. When he gets there, he plays under the pads of the blocker with ease while maintaining the ability to turn a tight corner and burst to his point. He plays the run well. He beat up tight ends on a routine basis and even showed the ability to cover them. Ask three different defenses where he fits best, and three different answers will come out. No matter what, his biggest impact will be felt as a speed rusher but there is enough a defense can do with him to keep him on the field in most situations.

*Similar to Reddick coming out of Temple in 2017, Abdullah needs the right situation to realize his potential. I do not see a guy that will end up with the same career and production as Reddick, but the idea behind him is the same. Sure, he can float back into coverage and move around in certain looks, but you bring this kid in to rush the passer. Period. That is his job. Do not line him up in the middle with occasional blitzes off the edge, it will not work. Abdullah is on the same level of explosion/speed as Reddick was coming out, very near what Nolan Smith is now. You like those guys? You must at least kinda like Abdullah.

18) Mike Morris – Michigan – 6’5/275

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Alex Wright / CLE

Fourth year junior entry. Two-year starter from Belle Glade, FL. First Team All-Big Ten and Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2022. Morris was a late bloomer, as he was on the field for just five defensive snaps over the course of 2019-2020. He showed alignment versatility in 2021, seeing equal usage on the edge and inside the tackle. Once he was moved almost exclusively to the edge, Morris saw his production and level of consistency jump. His length and power will make him a force as an edge setting run defender. He plays a man’s game with proper hand usage. The athletic limitations that came from his leggy frame will limit his secondary rush moves, causing him to get bodied by pro-caliber tackles. His pad level and lower body explosion shortcomings will also need to be fixed if he wants to carry the consistency, he showed in 2022 to the NFL. He will start off as a rotational defender in any front but will likely end as a 4-3 defensive end when all is said a done, a borderline starting caliber one.

*Morris has the tools to be a quality player in the league. He still has a lot to prove and develop but if a team believes in their ability to develop young linemen, he can be a starter within two years. He has a uniqueness to him. There is some good tape against his best opponents, and he can be a fit in all situations. Do I have him too low? Some will say yes. I sense some danger here. Is he maxed out? Can he fix some of the lower body issues? How much does he sense the blocking schemes? These are the big questions I have, and we are not talking about a special athlete. Wide spectrum of possibilities here.

19) Jose Ramirez – Eastern Michigan – 6’2/242

Grade: 73

NFL Comparison: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo / CLE

Sixth year senior. Three-year starter from Lake Alfred, FL. Three-time All-MAC, first team in 2022. Also finished his career as an All-American and the winner of the MAC Defensive Player of the Year Award. Originally signed with Arizona out of high school a wide receiver/safety recruit. He had to go the Junior College route before settling in at Eastern Michigan in 2019. Ramirez is a crafty edge rusher that played on a different level than his opponents in 2022. His ability to win off the snap with sudden burst set him up stay snug to blockers as he turned the corner. His rush moves are plentiful. The 24-year-old rookie does not defend the run with a stout presence, but he does have a way of getting to space and adjusting his weight on the fly. He is a strong finisher with good football sense. He will be a nice backup option for 3-4 fronts with a ceiling of being a good number three option if he can improve his strength.

*Crafty is the word that comes to mind here. Ramirez falls short across multiple measurables, nearly all of them to be honest, but he knows how to beat blockers. His moves, and counter moves, are well-developed. Can he increase his power game enough to widen the repertoire? Pro tackles, who he played against very little against in college, are going to try and swallow him up. Ramirez needs to be taken at the right spot of the draft, but he is a guy that is way beyond many others on this list when it comes to having a plan.

20) Lonnie Phelps Jr – Kansas – 6’2/244

Grade: 73

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Cincinnati, OH. Two-time All-MAC and earned All-Big 12 honors in 2022. Spent three seasons at Miami (OH) before transferring to Kansas for his final year. Phelps Jr. is a hyper, athletic tone setter than instantly adds energy and intensity to the team. He was a demon on special teams as well as off the edge defensively. He plays with a solid first step, easy bend, and natural avoidance of blockers. He does not always play with proper discipline, technique, and control but the one certainty he brings is effort. Phelps will create based on that alone. He is a bit of a project defensively, but the baseline tools are more than good enough, and he has proven to produce across multiple conferences. At the very least, Phelps Jr. will be one of the top special teamers on whatever team he lands on.

*One of two guys that transferred out of that Miami (OH) program that elevated their outlook in a big way this past season. Phelps is undersized and undisciplined. But man, the energy and effort he brings to the field along with his juice and sheer strength can find a home somewhere. He will make his money as a special team ace, one you will actually notice week to week, while a coaching staff tries to refine the skill set and find his best role. A 3-4 outside linebacker front is likely the only spot he fills into the best.

21-39

21: Isaiah McGuire – Missouri – 6’4/268: 72
22: Byron Young – Tennessee – 6’2/250: 72
23: Tavius Robinson – Mississippi – 6’6/257: 72
24: Tyrus Wheat – Mississippi State – 6’2/263: 72
25: Andre Carter II – Army – 6’7/256: 72
26: Zach Harrison – Ohio State – 6’5/274: 72
27: Robert Beal Jr. – Georgia – 6’4/247: 72
28: Tyler Lacy – Oklahoma State – 6’4/279: 71
29: Dylan Horton – TCU – 6’4/257: 71
30: DJ Johnson – Oregon – 6’4/260: 70
31: Thomas Incoom – Central Michigan – 6’2/262: 70
32: Ochaun Mathis – Nebraska – 6’5/250: 70
33: Nick Hampton – Appalachian State – 6’2/236: 69
34: BJ Thompson – Stephen F. Austin – 6’5/238: 69
35: Viliami Fehoko – San Jose State – 6’4/276: 69
36: Caleb Murphy – Ferris State – 6’3/254: 69
37: Brevin Allen – Campbell – 6’3/265: 69
38: Brenton Cox Jr. – Florida – 6’4/250: 69
39: Habakkuk Baldonado – Pittsburgh – 6’4/251: 69

NYG APPROACH

The discussion around the defensive tackle position in relation to NYG was about depth. Whether they add a veteran or rookie, there needs to be an addition made for the sake of depth the long-term projection of the position. That notion rings true with the edge group as well and I could make the argument the need is even stronger. While I like the return of Jihad Ward, and Tomon Fox flashed as a physical edge setter, we cannot overlook how vulnerable this outside group is in the current state. If either Thibodeaux or Ojulari (again) goes down, who is stepping in? Pass rushers do not grow on trees and the idea that a difference making veteran can be scooped up over the summer or after rosters are cut down would be more fantasy than reality. NYG needs to add a rotational piece this group in this draft, the deepest group of edge rushers I have ever scouted.

Who and when is the question. Is round one too early? This team has several holes, and they just used a top five pick on the edge in 2022. Day two seems like the popular vote to many but remember, that is often the answer for many positions and NYG has just one pick in round two, one pick in round three as of now. Their late third was used on tight end Darren Waller. The fourth round is my projection. Because of the abundance of talent available at edge in this group, I must think there is going to be a future starter or three there when NYG comes on the clock day three. Next question will be about skill set. As stated earlier, I think Martindale will lean toward size and power more than he will burst and speed. The day three names that match up with that approach are likely to be Diaby, Foskey, Gaye, and Morris. All those guys can contribute in 2023 and fill the shoes of Ward in 2024. That is where I think they go but as always and especially with this position, there is no such thing as “too early” for another pass rusher. Including #25 overall.

Apr 092023
 
Jalen Carter, Georgia Bulldogs (January 9, 2023)

Jalen Carter – © USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Layout of the Preview:

1) Brief Positional Overview
2) Top 15 Prospects. Includes Grade, NFL Comparison, Summary, Extra Thoughts

*Comparisons are more about physical profile and play style, NOT projection

3) Grades only: 16-28

*Grading Scale:

90+: All Pro
85+ Pro Bowl
81-84: 1st Round / Year 1 Contributor / Starter
79-80: 2nd Round / Year 1 Contributor / Year 2 Starter
77-78: 3rd Round / Contribute by end of Year 1 / Year 2 Starter
74-76: Early Day 3 / Special Teams / Future Backup / Possible Starter
71-73: Mid-Day 3 / Special Teams / Future backup / Gamble Starter
68-70: Late Day 3 / Back End of Roster / Practice Squad / Developmental
65-67: Preferred UDFA
60-64: UDFA

4) Positional Approach – Draft Weekend

POSITION OVERVIEW

Throughout the season I often labeled the Leonard Williams + Dexter Lawrence duo as the top interior defensive line pair in the league. After another NFL offseason, that statement still rings true. I was worried there was a chance the Williams deal would lead to him becoming a cap casualty, but the fact he is coming back is a big deal. Lawrence and Williams give this defense an enormous asset to build and scheme around. They’re both equally impactful against the run and pass, they can play a lot of snaps, and they make other players better. If the guys on the outside both take a step up, you are talking about a front four that could be mentioned among the best in the league. Bringing in Rakeem Nunez-Roches will give them a tremendous leg up compared to what they marched out there a year ago with three linemen on the field. The depth and a third linemen who can play more of a five-technique role are still spots that can use an upgrade. DJ Davidson is a nose tackle only, one who can be solid. Vernon Butler provides competition. But as much as I liked Ryder Anderson as an UDFA – that is a spot that looks awfully weak right now on paper.

TOP 15 GRADES AND ANALYSIS

1) Jalen Carter – Georgia – 6’3/314

Grade: 91

NFL Comparison: Quinnen Williams / NYJ

Junior entry. Three-year starter from Apopka, FL. All-SEC in both 2021 and 2022, first team in his final season. Despite missing a couple games midseason this past fall with a knee injury, Carter ends the pre-draft process as one of the two elite-caliber talents in the class. When it comes to defeating blockers one on one, this is a defensive weapon that will consistently shrink the pocket in front of the passer’s feet. He wins with explosion on one play, and sheer power on the next. With the way the league is slowly shifting toward to value of interior rushers, Carter is the prototype. He carries elite grades across the sheet. Size, strength, bend, and speed are all near or at the top of the class among defenders. The lone question surrounding Carter will be durability and conditioning. The Georgia program rotates their defensive front as much as any in the country. Carter has the goods to be the number one overall player in the class, but if a franchise wants to make him the focal point of their defense, he will need to play more snaps and smooth out the edges to his skill set. There is no denying the talent and upside, but the question of 75% snap share reliance can rightfully cause hesitation.

*For the record, I did not deduct anything from his grade as a result of the legal issue he had in March. It will have zero impact on his availability. That said, there is some smoke brewing around this kid and his maturity. Every conversation I have had about him with people I trust has included something along the lines of “when he wants to” or “when he tries hard”. There is a consistency problem here with his effort and this is the kind of position and body where that does matter. Taking him top ten is going to be a risk no matter how you spin it. But on the field, over the course of multiple years, this is the best player in the draft and a potential game wrecker.

2) Adetomiwa Adebawore – Northwestern – 6’2/282

Grade: 86

NFL Comparison: Aaron Donald / LAR

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Kansas City, MO. Two-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Adetomiwa is one of the more unique prospects in the entire class. He does not have a true every down position, as he spent over just 50% of his snaps outside and just under the remaining 50% of his snaps scattered between the A gap and inside shoulder of the tackle. This is the kind of matchup nightmare for opposing blockers because of his rare combination of burst, quickness, and length. He plays with such a low pad level but maintains immense power and strength while moving at such a sudden rate. Adetomiwa is going to be a force in passing situations. The impact may not always be felt via traditional stats, but do not overlook how much he can do for a defensive front, especially on a team that is trying to protect a lead late in games.

*After all is said and done, I may be the highest on this kid of anyone out there. I have him as a credible top ten talent in this class. The first thing I noticed about his game was the uniqueness of his skill set and tools. He is undersized for the interior, no question. But his measurements are nearly identical to Aaron Donald, but with even more length, burst, and speed. He is not nearly as developed when it comes to rush techniques, his hands in particular, but the suddenness and versatility are in rare territory. There are a lot of freaks in this draft class and Adebawore is up there with the best. What a weapon this would be for Martindale.

3) Bryan Bresee – Clemson – 6’6/298

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Zach Sieler / MIA

Junior entry. Three-year starter that was named All-ACC each season, including first team honors as a true freshman in 2020 where he also won the ACC Rookie of the Year award. Missed most of the 2021 season with a torn ACL and it appeared to hamper him in 2022. Bresee was a five-star recruit that immediately made an impact on one of the best defenses in college football. The trajectory was spiking through the roof but when the injury occurred, that was only the start of adversity. Bresee’s teenage sister passed away in September of 2022 to brain cancer. Football and injuries are secondary to the loss of family and that must be kept in mind when evaluating his tape. Bresee is an elite physical package, a mature young man way beyond his years, and produced across multiple seasons after coming in with high expectations. There is some roughness to his game when it comes to pad level and lower body power, but the best is clearly ahead of Bresee and this is a story that teams will want to root for.

*While there are a few issues with his game that center around his lower body power and bend, Bresee brings one of the most versatile skill sets to the table in this draft class. He is one of the tallest defensive tackle prospects ever. He has tight end-caliber movement skills at just under 300 pounds. He can line up across the line. He has flashes of sheer dominance on tape over different years spread apart. The interviews with him and extra background checks will be vital. While he does have more bad tape in 2022 than I wanted to see, there are credible justifications. An offseason without rehab and an incredibly unfortunate personal situation from last season now fueling his fire could get the most out of the upside he possesses. Bresee would be a nice fit for the Leonard Williams role in a year or two and his versatility could get him on the field in year one as a big-time disruptor. I have been told his grades are all over the place in the league. Very interesting prospect and situation to follow.

4) Calijah Kancey – Pittsburgh – 6’1/281

Grade: 80

NFL Comparison: Mike Daniels / FA

Fourth year junior entry. Three-year starter from Miami, FL. Two-time first team All-ACC and a consensus 2022 All-American. Kancey is arguably the biggest anomaly in the entire draft class. He measures off the chart in the wrong direction across all dimensions. The lack of staying power and the short arms show up against the inside run. He cannot stay home against the double team. Catch the right play and it is easy to come away with the idea he does not belong in the NFL. Kancey, however, is a force and a credible threat to the offense every-down. His get off, rapid-fire feet and hands, and feel for the game all enable him to create plays in the backfield. He plays under the pads of blockers and has the suddenness to get the initial advantage snap after snap. He excels with adjustments and understands how to play the game with his hands. His ideal role will be a three-technique in a scheme that will allow him to slant his way into space. He cannot handle the traditional stay-at-home role. He will get bodied from time to time, but the decision will be how much a defense is willing to risk for the reward of several plays in the backfield.

*Yet another freak athlete and this one played in the same program as Donald. Personally, the comparison game is not as strong as the one mentioned above. Kancey can move as well as anyone interior pass rusher in the league. His burst, change of direction, and bendability can be a lethal combination. Length is a big deal to me, however. He is nearly off the chart in the wrong direction there. He can be an elite package-defender but I’m not all the way sold it can work at that size and he is not going to be an every-down player.

5) Keeanu Benton – Wisconsin – 6’4/309

Grade: 79

NFL Comparison: Folorunso Fatukasi

Senior entry. Four-year starter from Janesville, WI. Two-time All-Big Ten. Benton arrived at Wisconsin after a 48-2 record as a high school wrestler. He started off as a big and powerful, stout run plug. As his career progressed, he evolved into an every-down threat that could handle a full snap load as pose as a multi-dimensional threat. He has the NFL body enough athleticism to pursue runs from tackle to tackle and beat pass blockers one on one. He checks all the boxes both physically and mentally. Benton is a guy that will come into the league and make an impact right away. He is a safe bet to give the team that drafts him at least a double. He will hold the point of attack, keep linebackers clean, and make the occasional play behind the line of scrimmage.

*There isn’t anything sexy about Benton’s game. We are in an era of defensive tackles being paid $23+ million per year (Dexter Lawrence is next). Because of that, he is an easy guy to look past. Benton is not going to be a household name but look around the league and you will see plenty of guys that fit his profile that several teams want. They’re important defenders to a defense that is a well-rounded unit. I am not sold on him being a Martindale fit, but he is going to be in the league a long time.

6) Byron Young – Alabama – 6’3/294

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Ta’Quon Graham / ATL

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Laurel, MS. Young is the kind of blue-collar defender you may not find in the highlight reel, but one that coaches and players know is a vital part to the front. First, he can play anywhere on the line, in any scheme. His power, length, and hand strength are difference making traits. He is always the aggressor, the one that initiates contact and sets up camp where he wants to. Second, his distribution among different spots along the line was a credible moving target that can adjust on the fly. Third, Young beats one on one blocking. While he may not be the best two-gapper against the run and he will take himself out of some plays, the sum of the parts here is enough to warrant a starting job early in his career in hybrid fronts. He will show up to work every day, put in his top effort, and maintain a strong physical presence. Early on he will be a versatile rotational piece and he has a shot at being a long-time starter down the road. Young is a winning player.

*Throw the traits of Young into an algorithm and then pair them what NYG is looking for on the defensive line, good chance Young ends up being the match. I’m not saying he is going to be picked by Schoen, but this is the profile I can see them adding. A guy with a bit more juice than their current backups, but also someone that can shift outside in certain looks. The question with him is two-gap run defense and overall stoutness. If that is what Wink wants more of, the fit may not be there. Personally, I love Young and if he falls into round four, it would be immense value.

7) Mazi Smith – Michigan – 6’3/323

Grade: 78

NFL Comparison: Dontari Poe / RET

Fourth year junior entry. Two-year starter from Grand Rapids, MI. Two-time All-Big Ten, including first team honors in 2022. Smith is a physical marvel. At 323 pounds, you may never find a guy that athletically tests the way he does. He was atop the infamous “Freak List” put together annually by Bruce Feldman last summer. This is a guy that simply does things with his body that nearly no one else can at that size. It does not carry over to physical dominance or production, however. Simply put, Smith is a guy with a half-sack and just five tackles for loss in college. Defensive line play goes much deeper than that, however. Smith’s movement and power did cause a lot of disruption, but it was sporadic. There are pad level issues, hand-technique issues, and mental processing issues. Add them up together and this is simply an inconsistent player with a high ceiling. Schematically he can fit into multiple roles. Teams with hybrid fronts should be all over him but the question will be, how soon is too soon to gamble like this. Smith will be an interesting player to follow but the team that drafts him needs a specific plan and progression.

*I could talk about Smith for 20 minutes and the listener may not know if I like him or not. What I mean is, the strengths and upside of this kid’s game are unrivaled. There are physical and talent comparisons to Jalen Carter. In the same breath, you will not find a stretch of his career where you were blown away. Not one. He flashed, then disappeared. Flashed, then disappeared. This is a hard player to project, and I assume it will take a bit more, in-depth screening with coaches to see what can be tapped into. Smith will likely go higher than where I have him and on paper, seems like the kind of profile BAL drafted when Martindale was there.

8) Zacch Pickens – South Carolina – 6’4/291

Grade: 77

NFL Comparison: Sheldon Richardson / CLE

Senior entry. Three-year starter from Anderson, SC. Was a team captain and won multiple team-awards, both on and off the field. Pickens has a rare athleticism package. He is fast and explosive attached to a thick, broad, but also long frame that when used correctly, looks unstoppable at times. Pickens is a penetrator that did not always play in a scheme or role that best suited his strengths. The hope at the next level is that he finds a one-gap scheme that allows him to shoot upfield. His stamina needs work as well. Too often Pickens appeared to lose a gear late in games. For these reasons he will likely be a rotational pass rusher early in his career with the potential to be a starter down the road. He may never be a solid stay at home two-gapper, however. It is simply not his game.

*Pickens is role specific, scheme specific. Get him a classic three-technique role and I think he does well. Ask him to play most of the snaps and use up energy defending the run, I think he struggles. The burst is real, and he has some room on the frame to grow. There were a few at the Senior Bowl that said he is an absolute lock for a day two selection. With the money being tossed around to pass rushing interior guys now, they may be right. This is becoming a positional value spot.

9) Jaquelin Roy – LSU – 6’3/305

Grade: 75

NFL Comparison: Larry Ogunjobi / PIT

Junior entry. One-year starter from Baton Rouge, LA. Roy became a part of the LSU rotation inside right away. Although he has just 13 starts under his belt, do not mistake that for a lack of experience. Roy has the play style to be an active nose tackle. He can play stout and strong inside, manning two gaps to keep linebackers clean. He is a tree stump against double teams. There is also some sneaky burst and closing speed when he is near the action that he put on display. Roy will not be an every-down player, but he can make a rotation early in his career. The upside will be capped because of the tightness in his lower half combined with a lack of ideal length, but the floor is high. He will be a strong run defender that will make the occasional takedown in the backfield.

*This is about the area where I see a few 3-4 nose tackle types jockeying for position. Roy does not have the ideal measurables for the spot when looking at other pros, but he is the furthest along when it comes to technique and awareness. Roy plays smart, he knows what to do. He flashed a bit more playmaking within the box than I was expecting, too. Really solid day three option for NYG if they want to bring a guy in to compete with Davidson for the backup NT job.

10) Colby Wooden – Auburn – 6’4/273

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Solomon Thomas / NYJ

Fourth year junior. Three-year starter from Lawrenceville, GA. Wooden is a versatile, high-character type that will line up all over the line. Pegging him to a specific position would be a disservice to both him and the team. He showed up as a 240-pound edge defender but played at 285 pounds in 2022 and most of his snaps over his final two seasons were inside the tackle. What position he is specifically stacked at will vary from team to team, but his greatest tape comes as an interior pass rusher. He plays with tremendous pad level, sudden lateral movement, and effective rush moves. He beat one on one blockers several different ways over his career. Wooden will not have a traditional position, but that not as important as it used to be. He will be a difference maker and can be moved around to create mismatches.

*I have been back and forth on which stack to place Wooden into. That said, I would not argue against anyone that left him in the EDGE stack. Wooden played at 280+ pounds last year at Auburn and I have to think he will be back there in 2023. He could even make his way up to 290 in time. There aren’t many guys that played over 700 career snaps inside and over 670 snaps outside in college. A near-split with an additional 360+ snaps over the tackle. Wooden did it and can do it at the next level. He could be a surprise day two pick because there simply is such a small supply of this kind of player. Was he overly productive? Not really. Is he a standout athlete? Not really. But this guy is tough, strong, and smart. Coaches want that on their depth chart.

11) Gervon Dexter – Florida – 6’6/310

Grade: 74

NFL Comparison: Chris Jones / KC

Junior entry. Two-year starter from Lake Wales, FL. Dexter’s path to the draft is not like most of the others. He was a highly touted basketball player and discus thrower in high school. He began playing football as a junior and dominated in year two. He earned the scholarship to Florida but was, as we understand now, not an ideal program for player development. He is a guy that really needed it. After three years, Dexter still struggles with basic fundamentals of the position. He is late out of his stance routinely, his hands are rarely where they need to be, and the pad level is inconsistent. Even though he is blessed with top-tier tools, it has not translated into quality football yet. He can move like very few do at his size, however an odd lack of length will make life difficult if he does not clean up the shortcomings. Dexter has potential for the inside role in both odd and even fronts as a two gapping boulder that will impact the pass rush at times. He needs time, good coaching, and a development plan.

*I was hesitant to put Chris Jones in there as the comp. The All-Pro Chris Jones. Obviously, I did not grade him to that level in the NFL. But the list of 6’5+ / 310+ pound defensive tackles with oddly short arms and plus athletic ability is small. Dexter, as a matter of fact, tested out better than Jones. Jones, as a matter of fact, I graded way too poorly out of Mississippi State in 2016. I had him at 76. The irony here is that both players finished the scouting process in the same area. Is this a sign of things to come? Dexter is a huge unknown. There isn’t a tackle in this group that brings this package to the table. There are enough flashes on tape that look good too, real good. I have to stay day three here, but I would be lying if I said I was not intrigued.

12) Siaki Ika – Baylor – 6’3/335

Grade: 73

NFL Comparison: Danny Shelton / KC

Senior entry. Two-year starter from Salt Lake City, UT. Two-time First Team-All Big 12. Ika began his career at LSU but then transferred to Baylor, following Head Coach Dave Aranda who was previously the Defensive Coordinator at LSU. He is a one-dimensional, two gap run defender that will not be a fit for every team. For the schemes that are still using a classic 3-4 nose tackle, Ika fits in like a glove. He does have a quick first step and wins a lot of initial battles. The secondary rush moves and closing ability are lacking. He walked himself into six sacks in 2021 but that portion of his game off a cliff in 2022. He will be a situational defender at the next level that will likely play under half the snaps on a week-to-week basis. Do not expect a pass rush impact, but do expect a high floor run defender that will help the process around him.
*This is a classic example of a good player for the role he plays in, but it is not a role everyone uses or wants. Ika will find a home and I bet he sees playing time in 2023. I don’t see any sort of upside beyond what he is right now. He has such an odd body type. Not nearly as broad as most pro nose tackles and borderline sloppy. 2021 production put him on the radar, but he did not progress. If anything he went backwards. Ika is fine for the run defending interior role, it just needs to be weighed properly.

13) Karl Brooks – Bowling Green – 6’3/296

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: James Lynch / MIN

Fifth year senior. Five-year starter from Lansing, MI. Two-time All-MAC, first team in 2022. Brooks played more outside linebacker than defensive line throughout his career. His measurables scream interior pass rusher, however, as he does not have enough speed and explosion to play on the outside. The combine snub will essentially need to learn a new position in the NFL while also making a big jump in competition. While he shows crafty rush moves and quick feet, Brooks does not have enough mass or power to push the pocket. His game will be largely dependent on lateral movement and twists. A team will need a specific plan for him and while he can occasionally push outside in specific looks, Brooks will be a rotational three-technique that needs time to gain power and strength.

*Brooks measured in well below average when looking at the arm length and body mass. Throw in he is making a huge jump in competition and likely shifting positions in the NFL, we may see him go later than where I had him. I personally thought he should have been a combine invite over at least a handful of interior guys that were there, and he was not. You need to watch a lot of his tape to appreciate what he can do as a pass rusher. He is consistent and crafty. A guy that simply knows what to do against lone blockers. He will be very one-dimensional though.

14) Cameron Young – Mississippi State – 6’3/304

Grade: 72

NFL Comparison: Carlos Watkins / ARI

Fifth year senior. One-year starter from Crosby, MS. Was also a heavy part of the rotation in 2021. Even though he was not a starter, his snap count was close to what it was in 2022. Young does not have a set of dynamic traits that can disrupt the offense, but he is undoubtedly an NFL body with NFL power and NFL speed. His game does not make the highlight reel, but the more he plays the more he exudes reliable play along the interior. He has elite length and hand strength with solid initial get off. He will fit best as a backup that sees snaps weekly and will specialize in run defense. Young brings a high enough floor to warrant a day three selection and could easily outlast several defenders drafted ahead of him.

*Traits, traits, traits. You are not going to say “wow” when you watch his tape, but you are going to see an NFL lineman. The league is filled this kind of player. Long and thick with good power and a solid get-off. Young is going to be a safe day three pick that you will see get snaps early in his career. Even though he will always be a guy that you can replace down the road or someone that you wish produced more, you’ll never be unhappy he is on the depth chart. 4-3 fronts will favor him a bit more.

15) Keondre Coburn – Texas – 6’1/332

Grade: 71

NFL Comparison: Daylon Mack / BAL

Fifth year senior. Four-year starter from Houston, TX. Three-time All-Big 12. The classic 3-4 nose tackle does not bring multiplicity to the table, but he is a refined specialist. He is built, and plays, like a boulder that eats up a piece of both A-gaps. When he is on the field, a defense can be nearly assured there will be traffic inside. The lack of length in addition to the tightness in his hips will limit the impact he can have consistently away from the starting point. He did elevate his pass rush in 2022, however, doubling his career output in both sacks and pressures. There is a nimbleness to his feet that can take advantage of a crease and there is no mistaking the raw power he can bulldoze with. Coburn will be an asset only to 3-4 fronts, but one that should stick in the league for a long time.

*The NFL comparison I have for Coburn was drafted by BAL while Martindale was the Defensive Coordinator there, for what it’s worth. A very odd body type here. You see the weight and first look on tape, and you think he is massive. He really is not. He is short with very short arms and a lack of broadness. The lower body does not bend very well, so he could be a guy many teams will not even look at. In those situations, I look for opportunity. On day three, I think the opportunity is worth a swing if NYG wants another nose tackle. He knows the game and it shows. He has developed a long way in the last three years. Good kid too, coaches will love him. This one makes sense if he is there late.

16-28

16) Jalen Redmond – Oklahoma – 6’2/291: 71
17) PJ Mustipher – Penn State – 6’4/320: 71
18) Dante Stills – West Virginia – 6’3/286: 70
19) Moro Ojomo – Texas – 6’2/292: 70
20) DJ Dale – Alabama – 6’1/302: 70
21) Devonnsha Maxwell – Chattanooga – 6’1/299: 69
22) Jerrod Clark – Coastal Carolina – 6’3/334: 69
23) Nesta Jade-Silvera – Arizona State – 6’1/304: 69
24) Brodric Martin – Western Kentucky – 6’5/337: 69
25) Kobie Turner – Wake Forest – 6’2/293: 68
26) Ryan Cooper – Florida State – 6’2/309: 68
27) Taron Vincent – Ohio State – 6’1/303: 68
28) Ifeanyi Maijeh – Rutgers – 6’1/289: 68

NYG APPROACH

This team is looking for at least one more defensive lineman, no question. I believe they are going to add multiple prior to camp and at least one of them is coming in the draft. Yes, early is possible. I would not say it is likely, but I can’t see them wanting Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams on the field for 90+% of the snaps in a game as often as they did a year ago. I’m also not sold Williams is going to be here beyond 2023 because of economics. No matter the case there, this team needs, and I know for a fact they want, another body in there that can contribute in 2023. Calais Campbell priced himself out (signed with ATL) and A’Shawn Robinson believes he is getting more than what the league has told him he is worth this offseason. Whether it ends up being him or another veteran (they’re available), a guy with size and A-Gap pass rush presence will be signed.

In regard to the draft, the team could use a body anywhere because of the long-term projection that comes with a pick. If Wink had his way, he wants more pressure right up the middle. It could be a Lawrence-sized guy (likely) or more of a three-technique (Adebawore?) and give Williams more snaps inside the guard. No matter what, a defensive lineman with pass rush prowess could taken anywhere in the draft including round one. How this team feels about DJ Davidson could dictate how they feel about nose tackle depth. There is a cluster of day three guys who fit that role. If they are taken somewhere after round five, I am on board.