Category: 2022 NFL draft

Titans trade up, select Treylon Burks in PFN’s 2022 mock draft

It would take a lot for the Titans to prioritize a WR this early in the 2022 NFL draft.

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With the Tennessee Titans’ uncertain situation at the wide receiver position beyond the 2021 season, it’s quite possible we could see general manager Jon Robinson take one at some point in the 2022 NFL draft.

All in one offseason, the Titans have traded for Julio Jones, signed Josh Reynolds and drafted Dez Fitzpatrick in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft to replace departed receivers Corey Davis and Adam Humphries.

But Reynolds is only on a one-year deal, the jury is still out on Fitzpatrick, who has yet to play in a game, and Jones could be a cut candidate in 2022 should things not pan out for whatever reason.

As a result, Pro Football Network has the Titans trading up with the Arizona Cardinals from No. 22 overall to No. 13 overall in the first round of next year’s draft in order to take Arkansas wide receiver, Treylon Burks.

Arizona trades back with Tennessee to gain draft capital in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. A.J. Brown is an elite receiver, and Julio Jones still has gas left in the tank. However, Jones won’t play to an elite level forever, and outside of those two WRs, the Titans have little depth. Thus, Tennessee spends big to draft Brown’s co-star for years to come in the big-bodied Treylon Burks.

The only way we could see the Titans taking a wide receiver this early would be if Jones and Reynolds are one-and-done in Nashville, and Fitzpatrick doesn’t show he’s capable of being a No. 2 opposite A.J. Brown.

Even then, Robinson has shown he’s willing to wait on taking a wideout. After all, the Titans desperately needed help at the position this year, yet waited until the fourth round to get some.

As far as Burks is concerned, he’s no doubt an intriguing prospect. He has even drawn a comparison to Brown from NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

I remember watching Brown torch the SEC from the slot. Brown is a little more explosive than Burks, but both guys play with tremendous physicality and toughness. They aren’t afraid to work in traffic and they become special once the ball is in their hands. Brown has already established himself as a premier player at his position in the NFL. I don’t believe Burks has quite the same upside, but I see him developing into a solid No. 2 target at the next level.

In the past two years at Arkansas, Burks totaled 80 receptions for 1,295 receiving yards and seven scores, while also adding 110 rushing yards on 24 carries. In 2020, Burks totaled career-highs in receptions (51), receiving yards (820) and touchdowns (seven).

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Giants select two defenders in PFN’s latest 2022 mock draft

In the latest 2022 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Network, the New York Giants select two key defenders.

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Pro Football Network has pounded the drum and beat the dead horse to dust when it comes to New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. They don’t believe in him, they feel the Giants are wasting time and have repeatedly projected a quarterback to Big Blue in the 2022 NFL draft.

However, PFN finally took a much-needed and long-awaited break from that narrative last week during their most recent 2022 mock draft. And while they still took a jab at Jones, they passed on the Giants taking a quarterback.

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Rather, with the seventh overall pick, PFN has the Giants selecting USC edge rusher Drake Jackson.

7. New York Giants: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC

If the Giants are picking seventh overall, the Daniel Jones experiment failed for likely the last time. However, with the sure-fire QBs off the board, PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator has the G-Men acquiring a top-tier edge defender. Drake Jackson can play the edge, kick inside, stop the run, and rush the passer. What more could you ask for from a top-10 pick?

With their second pick in the first round, acquired in a draft day trade with the Chicago Bears this past April, PFN again has the Giants going back to the defensive well with Alabama linebacker Christian Harris.

10. New York Giants (via Chicago): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

With two selections in the first 10 picks of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Giants double-dip in the defensive player pool. This time, they draft Alabama linebacker Christian Harris. Outside of Blake Martinez, New York’s linebacking corps is suspect. Adding Harris brings a physical presence in the heart of the defense that has been missing for some time.

If the Giants are again picking inside the top 10, a bunch went wrong. But without knowing what the future holds, grabbing two Day 1 defensive starters would be a huge get.

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Finding a pro comparison for LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Which top cornerback from the NFL ranks serves as a promising comparison for LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.?

LSU has been churning out top NFL prospects for years now, especially in the secondary, and the 2022 draft class will be no exception.

Derek Stingley Jr. is widely regarded as this year’s top cornerback prospect, and a likely top-five pick in next year’s draft.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently broke down Stingley’s game heading into the 2021 college football season, and didn’t have to look far to find a promising comparison for the Bayou Bengals’ top cover man in the New Orleans Saints’ Marshon Lattimore:

They have a similar build and similar movement skills. Both guys combine their physical gifts with outstanding instincts and awareness. I thought Lattimore was a little more physical coming out of Ohio State, but their games are very similar. Lattimore has enjoyed a very successful NFL career and I see similar success on the horizon for Stingley.

If Stingley can stay healthy and play up to his potential this fall, he should be a lock to be the first player selected at his position come next April.

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What makes LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. the next great CB prospect

LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. has all the physical and mental tools to be a dominant cover man at the next level

From the moment he stepped onto the field for the LSU Tigers, Derek Stingley Jr. appeared destined to be the first cornerback selected in the 2022 NFL draft.

A dynamic cover man with all the physical and mental tools to be an elite player at the next level, Stingley wasted no time shutting down some of the nation’s most talented pass-catchers while playing in the SEC.

What makes him the next great corner prospect? NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently broke down Stingley’s game, and came away as impressed as you might expect:

I love Stingley’s combination of size, speed and fluidity. He is a very easy mover without any hint of stiffness in his ankles or hips. He has the speed to mirror vertical routes — and on the rare occasion he is out of position, he has enough juice to recover. He is at his best in press coverage. He isn’t ultra-physical, but he does get his hands on opponents, which helps him feel and anticipate break points down the field. From off coverage, Stingley displays the instincts and knowledge to protect the sticks and drive on balls thrown in front of him. He doesn’t waste steps in his transition out of his pedal and he displays an explosive burst to close.

Jeremiah says Stingley brings to the table all the things that NFL teams are looking for at the corner position:

The NFL is a man-coverage league. Teams are starving for players like Stingley. With a little more experience and polish, he’s going to be able to lock up top-tier NFL wideouts without much help over the top. Guys like this are very difficult to find. He will be highly coveted whenever he decides to enter the league.

If he can stay healthy and play up to his lofty potential in 2021, Stingley should be a top-five lock in next year’s draft.

To check out Jeremiah’s full breakdown of Stingley at NFL.com, click here.

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Matt Corral draws a Derek Carr comparison

One of the top quarterback prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral brings a familiar skill set to the table

The 2022 NFL draft class should be loaded with intriguing quarterback prospects, and Matt Corral from Ole Miss is one name that could shoot up the draft board with a strong 2021 campaign.

A talented passer who will get to test his skill set against top talent in the SEC, Corral recently drew the praise of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who believes the Rebels’ signal-caller is a strong candidate to be this year’s version of Zack Wilson.

But when breaking down his actual skill set as a prospect, Jeremiah sees a different NFL comparison for Corral:

However, from a pure skill-set standpoint, I see Derek Carr as the better comparison for Corral. Carr is a little taller, but the operational quickness and athleticism between the two players is almost identical. Corral is more aggressive than Carr was during his college career at Fresno State, but both players could make every throw and also extend plays. Carr receives a lot of unwarranted criticism, but he’s quietly emerged as one of the most consistent passers over the last several years. If Corral can improve his ball security, I could see a similar path for him.

Carr has been a highly productive passer for the Raiders, with an arm that can make every NFL throw effectively. If Corral can live up to lofty expectations this upcoming season, he could easily put himself in the conversation as one of the top quarterbacks off the board come next April.

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Why Liberty QB Malik Willis defies pro comparisons

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had a hard time finding a pro comparison for Liberty quarterback Malik Willis

Every year, NFL draft analysts try to find comparisons between the top prospects in the next class of college talent, and their pro counterparts with similar skill sets and playing styles.

For some of the more unique and dynamic players, that effort can be challenging for all the right reasons.

That’s the case for NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Liberty quarterback Malik Willis:

I couldn’t come up with a clear-cut comparison for Willis. He makes some Josh Allen-type plays but he lacks Allen’s rare size (6-5, 237). As a runner, he reminds me a little bit of Taysom Hill because of his suddenness and strength. However, in terms of build and skill set, I think he is most similar to Jalen Hurts. They both have really powerful lower bodies and can use their running ability to take over games. Both are inconsistent passers, but the ability is there and just needs to be developed. Willis is more dynamic and explosive, but I thought Hurts was a more trustworthy decision-maker on the field.

Willis is a versatile playmaker who can make big things happen with both his arm and his legs. While there are plenty of promising quarterback prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class, none of them bring the same kind of skill set to the table that Willis possesses.

A strong 2021 campaign could easily put Willis in the conversation to be the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft.

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Cardinals land OT, CB in new early mock draft

In a way-too-early mock draft before the college football season even starts, the Arizona Cardinals are projected to land these two players.

The 2021 college football season has not started yet but there are already mock drafts for 2022. While they are not truly predictions, they do give us an idea of some potential prospects at different positions.

Draft Wire managing editor Luke Easterling has a new two-round mock draft and the Arizona Cardinals address a couple of predictable positions.

They take a tackle in the first round and a cornerback in the second round.

They have the 18th pick in each round, based on currently Super Bowl odds.

Check out the picks below.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

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Summer Scouting: UNC QB Sam Howell

A video breakdown of UNC quarterback Sam Howell, who might just crash the QB1 party next draft cycle.

As the college football season approaches, another quarterback generating a ton of buzz in scouting circles is rising junior Sam Howell from UNC. Howell was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of Sun Valley High School in Indian Trial, North Carolina, and committed to the Tar Heels over Florida State.

Howell became the first true freshman to start a season-opening game for North Carolina in 2019, and finished the season having completed 61.4% of his passes for 3,641 yards and 38 touchdowns, against just seven interceptions.

Last season Howell managed to improve on some of those numbers, completing 68.1% of his passes for 3,586 yards, 30 touchdowns and again seven interceptions.

Yet Howell, despite the production and the accolades, is going to stress a few different scouting adages over the next year or so. First, Howell is going to test the concept of what a “pro ready” quarterback truly is. In that regard, I would recommend reading this brilliant piece from Carter Donnick of The Draft Network on how we need to rethink that idea.

The second idea that Howell will test is this scouting rule: Scout the traits, not the scheme. Howell thrives in Phil Longo’s Air Raid offense, but when you dive into his traits, you will find things that matter for NFL quarterbacks.

That is what we will dive into in the following video:

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Some of those traits that matter? Pocket toughness, manipulation, footwork and downfield passing. Howell checks those boxes. As for the rest? Well, we might have to wait until the fall to find out for sure.

Houston Texans 2022 NFL draft target: LSU CB Derek Stingley

If the Houston Texans are looking for a playmaker at cornerback in the 2022 NFL draft, LSU’s Derek Stingley could be the answer.

The Houston Texans are projected to finish with a top-5 overall pick when the 2021 season is all said and done.

If the Texans are taking a cornerback that high in the 2022 NFL draft, it would have to mean Davis Mills has firm command of the starting quarterback job, and the club is pleased with the edge defenders under contract. Otherwise, going with a cornerback with such a highly valued pick would be inadvisable.

Should the Texans be in a position to take a cornerback, LSU’s Derek Stingley needs to be on their radar.

According to Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus, Stingley is the second-best player in college football ahead of the fall campaign.

Stingley might be the best athlete to take the field this fall. He’s such a rare one that even Coach O is thinking about giving him some reps on offense. Coming out of high school in 2019, the five-star cornerback clocked a 4.3-second 40 time and a 42-inch vertical. He then proceeded to have the best true freshman season since PFF College’s inception back in 2014, recording a 91.7 PFF grade and 0.97 wins above average (WAA), the latter being the best mark among non-quarterbacks all year.

Stingley provided the Tigers with 27 combined tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery through seven games in 2020. Opposing quarterbacks avoided throwing his way as his 2019 season included six interceptions and 15 pass breakups through 15 games.

The Texans will still have Bradley Roby under contract, although he will be in the final year of his three-year deal signed in the 2020 offseason. Roby will also be 30 years old by the time Week 1 of the 2022 season kicks off.

In order to take Stingley, the Texans would need to ensure they were complete at quarterback and edge defender before taking care of the secondary.

WATCH: Alabama OT Evan Neal shows off his ridiculous athleticism

Watch Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal display his rare athletic ability during offseason workouts

It’s one thing to be as big as Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal happens to be. It’s another thing entirely to be able to accomplish the athletic feats he’s capable of at 6-7, 360 pounds.

Neal recently showed off those skills via social media, executing an incredible box jump that displays his explosiveness and balance.

The top offensive tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL draft, Neal is expected to be a top-five pick next year, assuming he stays healthy and delivers another strong season in 2021.

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