Tag: Kyler Gordon

Cardinals take big, explosive CB in Daniel Jeremiah’s new mock draft

Jeremiah has the Cardinals going with Washington CB Kyler Gordon with the 23rd selection in the 2022 NFL draft.

With the NFL combine just around the corner, it is mock daft season and one of the most prominent draft analysts has a new mock draft. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah put together his second mock draft of the season.

In his first mock draft, he projected the Arizona Cardinals would select Michigan pass rusher David Ojabo.

In his latest projections, he projects they will go with a cornerback that will get attention at the combine.

The Cardinals take Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon with the 23rd pick of the draft.

Gordon is going to create some buzz at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is big and explosive!

The Cardinals do like Washington defensive backs. They drafted Budda Baker and Byron Murphy and had Zeke Turner on their roster.

They have not used a first-round pick on a cornerback since taking Patrick Peterson fifth overall in 2011.

Since then, Byron Murphy, selected in the second round in 2019, is the only cornerback they have taken before Round 3.

Gordon is 6-0 and 200 lbs. He had 45 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions for the Huskies in 2021.

Cornerback is a premium position. If the Cardinals can get a top prospect at the position in the first round, it would make sense. they are lacking in cornerback depth entering the offseason.

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ESPN’s Todd McShay has Patriots adding to secondary with post-Super Bowl mock draft

Todd McShay’s recent mock draft includes a top-tier cornerback heading to New England.

Mock draft season is officially upon us.

The New England Patriots have the No. 21 overall pick and there isn’t one glaring position that takes priority over another. The offensive line could use reinforcements, the Patriots could undoubtedly use an explosive No. 1 receiver and it would be ideal to aim for some speed at the linebacker position.

ESPN’s Todd McShay went a different route by sending Washington Huskies cornerback Kyler Gordon to Foxborough. McShay, in his post-Super Bowl predictions for all 32 first-round picks, has the Patriots selecting Gordon over receivers like Alabama’s Jameson Williams and Ohio State’s Chris Olave.

Here’s what he said about the selection.

The Patriots were second in passing yards allowed per game (187.1), tied for second in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.4) and second in interceptions (23). And they were one of three teams to keep opponents under 60% completion percentage. But the back seven could lose several starters to free agency, including cornerback J.C. Jackson, safety Devin McCourty and linebacker D’onta Hightower. It could also use an influx of speed in that area, of which Gordon has a ton. His versatility and ability to jump routes would also be welcome on one of the league’s top defenses — and he’d make the potential loss of Jackson a little easier to handle.

Linebacker and safety are two other areas to watch, and I’d watch how the receiver class is playing out as New England nears its pick. Ohio State’s Chris Olave would give quarterback Mac Jones a smooth route runner with great separating speed. Alternatively, Alabama’s Jameson Williams will likely miss some time but could end up the top receiver in the class. Bill Belichick would find ways to get the ball into his hands.

McCourty announced he’s making a return next season, but he’s a free agent and he hasn’t inked a deal with the Patriots just yet. Jackson is the most important piece in the secondary and he’s due for a boatload of money this offseason — money the Patriots don’t usually hand out to cornerbacks.

The Patriots have relied on elite cornerbacks to anchor the secondary like Jackson and Stephon Gilmore in recent years, and they’ll be without one if they lose the 26-year-old this offseason.

Selecting a top-notch cornerback like Gordon could be part of Bill Belichick’s plan to save cap space money in the long run.

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Colts add CB Kyler Gordon, WR John Metchie in Chad Reuter mock draft

In Chad Reuter’s first mock draft of the offseason, the Colts added upside at CB and WR.

The Indianapolis Colts will be entering the offseason with several needs to address and it should be expected that they have their eyes on doing so through the 2022 NFL draft.

In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter had five quarterbacks go in the first round. He left the Colts taking a high-upside cornerback and wide receiver with their two picks in Rounds 2 and 3.

Round 2 | No. 47 overall | Washington CB Kyler Gordon

With their first pick of this three-round mock draft, the Colts added a high-upside cornerback prospect. Even though the position isn’t one of major need for the Colts, adding some high-upside depth isn’t a bad idea at all.

Here’s what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say about Gordon after comparing his play style to that of Byron Jones:

“Cornerback who comes with an elite, high-performance engine but a GPS still in the process of loading. Gordon’s dynamic athletic qualities will show up in testing, but more importantly, they are all over his tape. His blend of play strength and explosive burst affects the passing game from press, off-man and zone coverages. He plays with an alpha demeanor and hitting is definitely part of his overall package. Gordon lacks polish and needs to play with better route recognition and anticipation, but if those elements click, his ball production could be near the top of the league as one of the top playmakers in the game.”

Adding a high-upside piece to a room currently consisting of Kenny Moore, Rock Ya-Sin and Isaiah Rodgers would certainly solidify the room. But fixing the pass rush is still the top priority.

Round 3 | No. 82 overall | Alabama WR John Metchie III

With their selection in the third round, the Colts got a discount on a wide receiver that would have gone much sooner had it not been for a torn ACL he suffered during the SEC Championship game.

Here’s what Zierlein said about Metchie’s game and how it may translate to the NFL:

“NFL slot projection with good polish but a lack of noteworthy elements in his game. Metchie has decent size but average play speed. He’s proficient in more sophisticated routes but lacks explosiveness to separate and will have to prove he can become a more physical wideout to win contested catches at the pro level. He can play multiple receiver spots and has the ability to take what the scheme provides him. As long as his recovery from an ACL tear goes smoothly, Metchie has a chance to become a starting slot receiver with a relatively modest ceiling.”

The wide receiver position is one of the biggest needs for the Colts this offseason. Whether they decide to add a short-term option in free agency or add to the room with one of their early picks in the draft remains to be seen. But they have to get more help outside of Michael Pittman Jr. if this offense is going to improve.

Let us know your thoughts about this mock draft in the comments below!

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Seahawks pick 2 local prospects in this post-Senior Bowl mock draft

Here’s how a recent three-round post-Senior Bowl mock from Luke Easterling at Draft Wire played out for Seattle.

The Seahawks once again won’t have a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft. This one left in the Jamal Adams trade with the Jets, who wound up getting the No. 10 overall pick in 2022 on top of the first-rounder they already got last year. While the Rams have proven that you can actually trade your way to a Super Bowl, it’s a frustrating state of affairs for Seattle fans who prefer the organization to build for the long haul through the draft.

It is what it is and it’s hardly the first time that Pete Carroll and John Schneider have squandered No. 1 picks in highly questionable trades. Here’s how a recent three-round post-Senior Bowl mock from Luke Easterling at Draft Wire played out for Seattle.

Chargers 4-round mock draft: Post-Senior Bowl edition

The Chargers upgrade the defensive line, wide receiver and cornerback position in the latest projections following the 2022 Senior Bowl.

The 2022 Senior Bowl is officially in the books.

With one of the most important legs of the evaluation process a thing of the past, the Chargers draft board continues to take shape.

With that being said, it’s time to take a look at what Los Angeles might do with its first four selections in April’s draft.

Round 1, No. 17, EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia

As it stands, the Chargers edge defender group is rather thin, with Joey Bosa and Chris Rumph being the only ones under contract, with the future of Uchenna Nwosu up in the air. I believe that Nwosu is worthy of a contract extension, but even if he is brought back, the team simply needs more juice at the position that’s capable of getting into the backfield on a consistent basis.

With Walker, Los Angeles would be getting a 6-foot-5 and 275-pounder who wreaks havoc with rare get-off to get around the corner or through gaps and the length and strength to bench press blockers. In addition, Walker is strong against the run, where he flashes anchor to hold his ground at the point of attack and open-field tackling ability.

Further, Walker’s versatility is one of his strong suits as he can play off the edge or along the interior, something that Brandon Staley utilizes with Bosa to create mismatches up front.

Walker is a former five-star recruit that stayed home to play for the Bulldogs, where he shined in his first season as a Freshman All-SEC Team member. Defenses paid attention to him more as a sophomore, which led to a down year, but 2021 saw him ascend, resulting in 32 tackles (5.5 for loss), five sacks, and 25 quarterback hurries.

Round 2, No. 48, CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

Asante Samuel Jr. proved to be the Chargers’ best cornerback in just his first season, but suffering two concussions in his first season is concerning. Michael Davis played well, but nothing to warrant the money he was paid last offseason. Chris Harris Jr. will be a free agent after this season.

Therefore, Los Angeles will be in the market for someone at the position that’s capable of making an impact early on.

At 6-foot and 200 pounds, Gordon boasts impressive size which he couples with impressive agility and quickness to help him stay in phase with receivers in man coverage. In off coverage, he uses his outstanding instincts to see things develop and close in on the football. One of the best-tackling corners, Gordon is good at limiting extra yardage and playing the run.

Beyond that, he has the size to survive along the boundary and the short-area quickness and toughness to play inside the football.

In his Husky career, Gordon intercepted two passes, forced two fumbles and recovered a safety as he also saw limited action against the pass as opponents avoided him. Last season, Gordon was Pro Football Focus’ highest-grading cornerback in man coverage as he notched a 90.9 grade.

Round 3, No. 79, WR Calvin Austin, Memphis

The Chargers are set for the foreseeable future with their No. 1 wideout in Keenan Allen. However, behind him, the room draws some questions. Will Mike Williams be re-signed, franchise-tagged, or let go of altogether? Is Josh Palmer ready to take the leap as the No. 2 guy if Williams walks?

Regardless, one thing is certain: Los Angeles needs a speed/yards-after-the-catch weapon.

Shifty and bursting with energy, Austin is an explosive product that has proved size isn’t everything when playing wide receiver. With track speed, ravishing route running, and a dangerous threat with the ball in his hands, Austin is exactly the play-maker the Bolts would benefit from.

Austin finished his collegiate career with 2,541 yards and 22 touchdowns on 156 catches. He also left Memphis tied for second in touchdown receptions and fourth in receiving yards.

Round 4, No. 120, NT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU

The Chargers could address this position as early as the first round or they might have some flexibility to do so later on if they’re aggressive in free agency. In this case, they do and snag Farrell, who provides excellent value here in the fourth round.

Overshadowed by other SEC interior defensive linemen, Farrell did not get as much buzz throughout the season. However, his efforts were always noticed. Farrell finished with the fifth-most run stops (24) and the second-highest run-stop percentage (11.4), per Pro Football Focus.

He reaffirmed himself as one of the nation’s top nose tackles at the Senior Bowl, winning the American Team Defensive Lineman of the Week.

At 6-foot-3 and 338 pounds, Farrell shows the ability to control the point of attack to allow second-level defenders to roam freely or get in the backfield with the quickness through gaps, proper leverage, brute strength & powerful limbs to push blockers back, and heavy hands to swat jab attempts.

Good luck finding the end zone against Washington CB Kyler Gordon

Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon didn’t allow a single touchdown in his entire career with the Huskies

While his teammate Trent McDuffie has gotten more attention as a potential first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Washington’s Kyler Gordon is a stellar prospect in his own right.

In fact, Gordon played 722 coverage snaps during his career with the Huskies, and never gave up a touchdown (per Pro Football Focus).

This year’s draft class is loaded with top prospects at corner, which could make Gordon a bargain for any team that lands him on Day 2.

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Titans select CB Kyler Gordon in Mel Kiper’s first mock of 2022

It’s hard to imagine the Titans taking another CB in the first round, but that’s what Mel Kiper has them doing in his first mock of 2022.

While all of the attention for the Tennessee Titans is on their upcoming playoff contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, it isn’t too early to at least start taking a look at the 2022 NFL draft, which is coming up on April 28.

In his first mock draft of 2022, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Titans taking  Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon in the first round. Here’s why:

I really liked Caleb Farley in the 2021 class, but a torn ACL ended his season after just two games, and that was after a back injury dropped him to the Titans in Round 1. That injury history is a little scary, which is why the Titans could go with back-to-back first-round corners.

Like his college teammate Trent McDuffie, Gordon has some scheme versatility and the ability to play in the slot as well as outside. He improved a lot in 2021, picking off two passes and breaking up seven throws. He can also tackle, and I think he’ll test well at the combine.

The concerns about Farley are no doubt valid, but we still can’t see the Titans going with another first-round cornerback in 2022, as it would amount to waiving the white flag on the Virginia Tech product after just one year.

That isn’t going to happen and instead the Titans will give Farley more time to show what he can do. At most, maybe the Titans add a cornerback in the later rounds as an insurance policy.

As far as Gordon is concerned, here’s a quick scouting report on him, courtesy of The Draft Network’s Drae Harris:

Kyler Gordon is an exceptional athlete with explosive and dynamic movement. In the run game, he comes up hard when he is the force player in zone. He is an eager participant in the run game and does a good job as a tackler on the perimeter and in space as a core special teamer. In the passing game, he is exceptional. His outstanding agility and quickness in coverage help him stay in phase. From press alignment, he often uses bail technique and closes quickly when he can play with vision. From off man, he can get a little “nosey” with his eyes but obviously trusts his athleticism in these instances. In the NFL, he has the athleticism and hips to be a starting outside corner. However, his tackling ability, instincts, and agility also project him favorably to playing inside, giving him true inside/outside flexibility.

Gordon, who can play both inside and out, already has a connection to the Titans. He shared the same defensive backfield at Washington with Elijah Molden from 2018 through 2020.

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Bills settle CB debate in way-too-early 2022 NFL mock draft

#Bills settle CB debate in way-too-early 2022 NFL mock draft:

Levi Wallace or Dane Jackson? Neither for the Buffalo Bills by 2022 says Sports Illustrated. 

While in the heart of the 2021 offseason, SI took a look way ahead to the 2022 NFL draft with a mock this week. In it, the Bills at No. 30 overall select a cornerback. In doing so, that would solidify the team’s No. 2 spot across from Tre’Davious White.

The player that would be doing so via SI’s mock is Washington’s Kyler Gordon:

The second Washington cornerback to get drafted in the first round of this mock has drawn comparisons to Jaire Alexander with his springiness and demeanor.

Thinking of White next to the likes of Alexander is an exciting prospect for the Bills defense. Gordon does not have an interception so far in his college career, however, he does have good size and length for a defensive back, standing six-feet tall.

Forecasting ahead, such a selection by the Bills in 2022 would completely solidify the defense. Unfortunately for Wallace and Jackson though, selecting a Round 1 cornerback would push both down the depth chart in the future. Wallace is also only playing on a one-year deal currently.

Aside from the cornerback spot across from White, future positions the Bills could consider with one of their top picks, as of now, include tight end or even further additions to either side of the trenches.

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