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By now you’ve seen the same old scenarios hashed out for the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL draft. Every year there are a few prospects who surprise and sneak into the first round when the consensus believed they’d go on Day 2 or …
By now you’ve seen the same old scenarios hashed out for the Kansas City Chiefs in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL draft. Every year there are a few prospects who surprise and sneak into the first round when the consensus believed they’d go on Day 2 or later. With two picks at the end of the first round, the Chiefs find themselves in that surprise first-rounder territory.
Here’s a quick look at six of those players who could potentially surprise Chiefs fans at picks No. 29 and No. 30:
2022 NFL draft: Philadelphia Eagles add more talent on defense in full seven-round mock post blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints
The Eagles once again shook up the NFL draft boards after a blockbuster trade that saw general manager Howie Roseman trade pick No. 16, No. 19, and No. 194 to the Saints for pick No. 18, No. 101, No. 237, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-rounder as well.
Philadelphia now has two first-round picks in 2022, an extra third-round picks in 2022, along with pushing a first-round pick back to 2023 and also accumulating an extra second-round pick in 2022.
With the moves made, here’s an updated Eagles-only seven-round mock draft via Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, that’ll likely see the Birds still land players that were on their board.
2022 NFL draft: Philadelphia Eagles add more dynamic talent on defense in full seven-round mock
The NFL’s official league year got off to a roaring start as the quest for a Super Bowl in 2022 is underway for all 32 NFL teams.
The Eagles just completed the first two weeks of an intriguing offseason that started off strong with free agency, features three-first round picks, valuable salary-cap space, and several different routes the franchise can choose to follow.
With Jalen Hurts as the quarterback for at least the next calendar year, Philadelphia has chosen to build around the quarterback, and they still could push a first-round pick back to 2023 where the quarterback class will be much more talented.
It’ll be an interesting lead-up to April’s NFL draft and we’re adding to the fun with our fifth full seven-round mock draft 5.0, this time, after the first wave of free agency.
In this seven-round mock draft using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator, we again avoided making any trades in this version, choosing to fully restock a roster that has holes on both sides of the ball, utilizing seven of the 10 picks on high-profile and highly versatile defensive players.
Our @goldmctNFL reveals his 7-round 2022 mock draft 2.0 for the #Chiefs and the first since the Tyreek Hill trade:
There are less than 30 days to go until the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs have loaded up on draft picks due to the Tyreek Hill trade, but they’ve also created an even greater need at the wide receiver position. This mock draft looks quite a bit different from our 1.0, not just because of the new draft picks, but also given our recent look at the 90-man offseason roster. There are plenty of needs to consider, both for the upcoming season, but also for the future in Kansas City.
In order to gauge player availability for the mock draft, I ran multiple simulations using the various mock draft machines to create a composite. If players weren’t available with regularity, they were eliminated from contention at a specific pick. Typically, I’d have 8-10 players on my big board to choose from at a given pick, though in Round 7 the pool is significantly larger.
Without further delay, here’s a look at our mock draft version 2.0:
Dane Brugler’s post-combine mock draft has the Packers taking 325-pound DL Travis Jones (UConn) in the first round.
The Green Bay Packers grabbed an athletic and disruptive defensive lineman prospect in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft for The Athletic.
Brugler has the Packers taking UConn’s Travis Jones at No. 28 overall in his post-combine mock draft.
Jones (6-4, 325) has dominated the pre-draft process so far, including the combine.
From Brugler: “It would be easy to overlook Jones playing for a program like UConn, but he has made it impossible for anyone to miss him throughout the draft process. He was nearly unblockable at the Senior Bowl and continued that momentum at the combine, crushing the position drills and posting outstanding numbers (4.92 40-yard dash, 7.33 three-cone drill) at 325 pounds.”
A mix of strength and athleticism, Jones could team with Pro Bowler Kenny Clark to give the Packers a pair of foundational pieces for Joe Barry’s defensive line.
Brennen Rupp of Packers Wire believes Jones has potential as a pass-rusher and “the quickness to win one-on-ones” on the interior.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones produced 25 pressures and 21 run stops during his final season at UConn.
“He was the only guy on that defense,” Rupp said, “and was still able to be a disruptive force.”
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Jones to Jonathan Hankins and called him a “nose tackle with size and power” and a “rumbling play style.”
“Jones has the demeanor, traits and overall ability to become a successful run-plugger and potential starter in a two-gapping scheme,” Zierlein wrote.
With great testing numbers at 325 pounds, Jones produced a Relative Athletic Score of 9.65 of 10.0. The Packers typically target young and highly athletic prospects in the first round under general manager Brian Gutekunst.
Travis Jones is a DT prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.65 RAS at the Combine out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 48 out of 1325 DT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/sQ7NxCYPlN #RAS via @Mathbomb pic.twitter.com/YkgcKEgPlI
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Clark needs help along the defensive line, and adding a big, athletic player like Jones could open up more attacking possibilities for others in the Packers front seven.
“In Green Bay, he’ll face constantly one-on-ones with teams focusing on Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. That late in the first round you bet on the traits and upside that Jones possesses,” Rupp said.
In the second round of Brugler’s mock, the Packers took Montana State linebacker Troy Andersen, who is an ascending prospect after running the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the combine.
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Highlighting a few players on Days 2 and 3 of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine who should have caught the attention of the Chargers.
We are approaching the final day of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, where the defensive backs will take the field.
Before we look towards that, I want to rewind to the past two days to highlight a few prospects who stood out that could be on the Chargers’ radar.
Let’s take a look at seven in particular.
I know Chargers fans won’t be thrilled with the idea of taking a running back after the Larry Rountree and Joshua Kelley, who were taken the past two years, have not panned out. However, with eight picks on Day 3, they might add yet another back, and Strong would make sense. At 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds, Strong recorded the fastest 40 time of the day at 4.37. His explosiveness also stood out, as he posted a 36-inch vertical jump. On the field, Strong was shifty with foot quickness and showed solid burst in the open field. Overall, he has the vision, speed, and pass-catching ability to crack into the No. 2 role potentially.
The Chargers will likely be in the market for a right tackle, as Bryan Bulaga is a potential cap casualty and the last game of the season against the Raiders, where Justin Herbert was under constant duress, showed that Storm Norton is not the long-term answer. Therefore, they could resolve this with a cheap free agent signing and a Day 2 pick, like Penning. We knew Penning was a mauler with a nasty mean streak from his showing at the Senior Bowl. But he also showed the athleticism Los Angeles is looking for. At 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, Penning notched a 4.89 40 and 7.25 three-cone. Further, he was silky smooth in the drills, showing the ability to mirror and pull out into space.
Lucas started 42 games for the Cougars and did not allow a single sack this past season. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Lucas posted elite times on the 40-yard dash (4.92), 3-cone (7.25) and 20-yard shuttle (4.40). On the field, Lucas was agile and fluid in his kick-slide and redirect ability and showed nice pop in his hands with the bag.
Davis and the Chargers has been the perfect marriage to many media members and fans up to this point, given their desperate need to fix the run defense. However, there’s now a possibility that might not even come to fruition after Davis made himself a lot of money with his eye-popping performance. Coming in at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds, Davis ran an eyebrow-raising 4.78 40 and 1.68 10-yard split. Let me repeat that. A 4.78 40-yard dash and 1.68 10-yard split at 341 pounds is believed to be one of the fastest times for a player that size in the event’s history. Moments later, Davis posted a broad jump of 10-foot-3.
Now, if either Davis is not available at No. 17 or the Chargers just choose to go with a different player altogether there, Jones could be just as good, if not, better value in the second round. Jones finished with a 4.92 40 and a 1.76 10-yard split at 326 pounds. Further, he looked smooth in the positional drills, especially in the Figure 8.
I felt like there was a decent chance that Ojabo would be on the board when the Chargers pick in the first round, but that may be a pipedream after Saturday. Nonetheless, Ojabo’s explosiveness was on display, as he posted 4.55 40, 35-inch vertical, 10-foot-2 broad jump, and 4.45 shuttle. While he only has a one-year sample size and he needs to further refine his game against the run, Ojabo has the traits that you’re willing to bet on to become a premier player at the next level.
In a loaded edge defender class, Barno flew under the radar. But that’s no longer the case after testing. Standing at 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds with 34-inch arms, the ideal measurements of a player that Brandon Staley covets at the position, Barno posted some freakish numbers of a 4.36 40, 1.54 10-yard split, 37-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump. While still a bit of a project, Barno has the athletic traits that could see him become a good defender in the NFL eventually.
Here is a look at a few players likely on the Chargers’ radar who should blow up the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is set to begin.
This event is a useful tool for player evaluation, and some teams put more stock in it than others.
It is a big opportunity for prospects to showcase their athleticism and skill set through a series of tests, including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and on-field drills.
With that, I have compiled a list of 11 prospects Chargers fans must watch for in Indianapolis over the course of the next few days.
Below are the players to keep an eye on:
At Tom Telesco’s presser, he mentioned that one of the goals this offseason is to find more weapons for Justin Herbert. Should the Chargers look to check that off the checklist on Day 1, Burks is a polarizing option. Burks, the 6-foot-3 and 225 pounder proved to be a deadly weapon for the Hogs. He is a threat with the ball in his hands no matter the alignment and is set to show off his sheer combination of size, strength, and speed. Not only will he raise eyebrows in the positional drills, showing off his hands that require 4XL gloves, but look for him to run in the 4.4s and post a big number of reps on the bench press, having done 380 pounds, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman.
If the Chargers want a receiver in the first round with a little bit different flavor than Burks, Olave could be that guy. Arguably one of the top route runners in this year’s class, Olave also has the top-end speed to win vertically. A track star at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, CA, Olave reportedly hit 10.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash and it would not be surprising if he runs in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash.
Unlike Burks, Austin is an example of why size does not always matter. With a frame at just 5-foot-7 and 173 pounds, Austin is capable of having defensive backs compromise with quickness and savvy with his releases and top-end speed to generate large gaps of separation vertically. When the ball is in his hands, Austin is nearly always going to create positive plays. Austin won nine state titles on the track in high school and ran track in college for the Tigers. Look for that speed to stand out.
With Bryan Bulaga’s future with the Chargers up in the air, they could be looking for his replacement, or at least someone to compete for the starting job from Day 1. Mitchell led all FBS tackles with a 94.8 PFF grade, as he allowed only 13 pressures and three sacks this season while racking up the third-most big-time run blocks. With very good athletic ability and foot quickness to get to his spot to protect the edge and range when blocking at the second level, it should be replicative when Mitchell performs the positional drills.
Now until the draft, Davis and the Chargers will be a popular pairing. While I’m a believer that they should wait until Day 2 to draft a nose tackle, the coaching staff may see the impact against the run that Davis could make right away, and the testing might be the ultimate selling point. His rare movement skills are evident on tape, and even at 350 pounds, there is a strong chance Davis could run under a five-second 40-yard dash.
If the Chargers choose to pass up on Davis in Round 1, Jones brings just as much, if not, more value in Round 2. Jones’ power and heavy hand should not only show up when hitting the bags, but his testing should reflect it, as he benches 455 and has done 32 reps at 225 pounds. Further, Jones also has a shuttle time of 4.57. For reference, former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a top-10 overall pick who was almost the exact same weight, ran it in 4.79 at the 2020 combine, per Feldman.
Should the Chargers add another pass rusher into the mix on Day 1, Ojabo is just the type of player Brandon Staley covets. Wreaking havoc opposite top-3 selection Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo is long and flexible with explosiveness, lateral agility, and closing burst. Per Feldman, he is expected to run the 40 in the low 4.5s and vertical jump in the high 30s.
Robinson was a high school quarterback and converted to wide receiver in college. He moved to pass rusher in 2020, finishing his collegiate career with 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Robinson is an explosive, edge rusher with the bend, burst, and change of direction to be a disruptive force in opposing backfields. At Miami, he ran a 4.31 agility time and also has vertical jumped 34 inches, per Feldman. Look for him to run in the mid-4.6s.
McDuffie and Gordon are set to join a long list of NFL defensive backs that the Huskies have produced, and the Chargers should be watching closely, having a glaring need at the position. McDuffie’s body control and sweet feet will show up in the positional drills, while his explosive burst will translate to when he jumps. McDuffie has posted a 41.5-inch vertical and a 10-9.5 broad jump. Meanwhile, Gordon also has elite athletic traits and change of direction on the field, which should show up in testing, as he has vertical jumped 42.5 and clocked a pro agility time of 3.87 seconds.
The Chargers will also be searching for players to fill out the safety group. The do-it-all ability of Cross, who finished with three interceptions, 66 tackles and three sacks, should garner their interest. But it’s the athletic traits that may be the ultimate selling point. A track star in high school and college, Cross posted times of 6.93 in the 60 meters and 22.27 in the 200 meters.
Five Senior Bowl studs that the Browns should consider in the upcoming NFL draft from @joshkeatley16. #Browns
The nightmarish 2021 season is officially over and thank goodness as Cleveland Brown fans we didn’t have to witness a Cincinnati Super Bowl victory. At the Browns Wire we have been focused on the 2022 NFL Draft for a while and our sights have been set on what the possibilities are at the 13th pick and what missing pieces are needed for Cleveland to reach the level of play we saw in Cincinnati.
The Senior Bowl was recently completed and as always it featured a ton of talent that would look good in Cleveland. The following are five prospects that would be ideal for the Browns and looked great during Senior Bowl week based on reports and publicly available videos.
Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez and Cole Topham break down the 2022 NFL draft prospects who made themselves money at the Senior Bowl.
Now that the 2022 Senior Bowl, the most premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects is over, it is time to reflect back on the meaning of the week.
Which players on the defensive side of the ball helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile?
Let’s dive in with our winners and risers.
Our winner(s): Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma) and Devonte Wyatt (Georgia)
Winfrey entered this week with a mixed bag of reviews, as the tape showed immense flashes but it was on an inconsistent basis. That wasn’t the case down in Mobile. Winfrey consistently lived in the backfield with his get-off, remarkable power, and lengthy arms. His electric energy throughout the sessions really stood out, too. Winfrey was named the Senior Bowl MVP after pairing three tackles for a loss with two sacks in the game.
Jordan Davis drew nearly all the attention for the Bulldogs, but Wyatt was just as impactful and he showed that when the spotlight was on him. In one-on-ones, Wyatt won with first-step quickness, lateral agility, and power at the point of attack. Reminiscent of Kenny Clark coming out of UCLA, Wyatt could find himself as a first-round pick when all is said and done.
Our biggest riser: Travis Jones (UConn)
If the Chargers pass up on Davis, who many are projecting to them, Jones is a nose tackle that can provide excellent value on Day 2. A straight-up bulldozer in one-on-ones, Jones consistently walked offensive linemen back to the quarterback with pure power and burst. In team drills, Jones was collapsing the pocket and stopping ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage. There’s plenty of excitement surrounding Jones now.
Our winner(s): Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
Entering the week, I had Johnson a fringe first-round pick, but he stamped himself as a top-20 selection. Offensive tackles had no rebuttal for his power and length, as well as some hand counters and agility when working either inside or outside of them. Further, Johnson looked good when defending the run. With the edge defender position set to be near the top of the Chargers’ priority list this offseason, Johnson is a strong candidate at pick No. 17.
Our biggest riser: Boye Mafe (Minnesota)
In a deep edge defender group, Mafe flew under the radar coming into the week. However, he made sure his presence was known coming out. All but unblockable, Mafe won with his wingspan to lockout and power to push blockers into the backfield, as well as great lateral agility and body flexibility to keep himself clean. He carried that over to the game, finishing with a strip-sack, a second sack, and a tackle for loss. An athletic specimen, Mafe’s stock is only going to continue to rise when he tests at the Combine.
Our winner(s): Damone Clark (LSU)
Utah’s Devin Lloyd and Georgia’s Nakobe Dean are the consensus top linebackers and behind them are a few candidates vying for the spot. Clark made a strong case to be LB3. Leading the pack in run stops during practices, Clark was explosive when attacking downhill. He was just as effective blitzing, especially in a one-on-one rep against one of the top pass-protecting running backs in Alabama’s Brian Robinson, as Clark shrugged him off with ease. Another thing going for Clark is that he should test out well athletically at the Combine.
Our biggest riser: Troy Andersen (Montana State)
There were many eyes on the small-school standout who made the conversion from quarterback/running back/wide receiver to linebacker, and his play raised their eyebrows. With his impressive athleticism, Andersen looked comfortable dropping back and making plays in coverage. His speed and range enabled him to move freely from sideline to sideline and make stops on opposing ball carriers. Andersen also showed plenty of special teams upside, as he was consistently the first guy down the field on coverage units.
Our winners: Coby Bryant (Cincinnati) and Roger McCreary (Auburn)
The 2022 Thorpe Award winner was by far the highest-profile player in the National group of defensive backs. Bryant demonstrated why he earned that accolade by blanketing receivers in one-on-one matchups with patient press coverage and rising to the catch point to bat away passes using rare ball skills. A consistent performer across all three days of practices, Bryant’s small hiccups in the Senior Bowl game should not be what NFL scouts remember from watching him perform in Mobile.
Another player who surprised with his measurements was McCreary with his 29” arms, which is significantly below average the target threshold for outside cornerbacks. But McCreary looked like the same player on the practice field as he did on tape, staying in the hip pocket of the receiver and smothering the throwing window. McCreary posted six interceptions and 30 pass breakups in his college football career. The shorter reach obviously did not hamper his production much.
Our biggest riser: Damarri Mathis (Pittsburgh)
Mathis flew under the radar in the National team group, but the Pitt cornerback left an impression on many as a scrappy cover man in isolation reps. Mathis was diligent in combating receivers off the line and did not bite on any ornamental moves during the release. He kept receivers close down the stem and consistently put himself in position to contest for the ball.
Our winner(s): Jalen Pitre (Baylor) and Leon O’Neal (Texas A&M)
A hybrid defender that played the safety, linebacker, and slot cornerback positions at Baylor, Pitre was deployed in a similar “star” role at the Senior Bowl. Pitre struggled on the first day guarding some of the more physical tight ends like Colorado State’s Trey McBride, but showed growth over the rest of the week in coverage and as a box defender. In interviews, he expressed his belief that the NFL is transitioning toward positionless defense and is confident his variety of talents and versatility will benefit any team.
O’Neal played both free and strong safety positions and was a tough defender to slip past in the run game. An aggressive player that does not hesitate to lay the hammer on opponents, O’Neal also showed he had the quickness to stick with receivers in man coverage. His closing speed and physicality make him a desirable tone-setter.
Our biggest riser: Kerby Joseph (Illinois)
Joseph took all four years to grow into the player that competed in Mobile, and the case can be made that he has yet to reach his ceiling as a prospect. Joseph is instinctive and ball-hungry, zooming around the field with urgency to disrupt the play. His athleticism and raw potential were on full display at the Senior Bowl and just needs refinement to become a key cog in secondaries at the next level.
Looking at the 10 players the #Philadelphia #Eagles should be most excited to watch in 2022 #SeniorBowl after a strong week of practice #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE
Not only was UTSA’s Tariq Woolen fastest player in Mobile this week, his max speed of 22.45 mph is best since @ZebraTechnology has been providing data for @seniorbowl. Been plenty of 4.3 guys in Mobile. Will @_Tariqwoolen hit 4.2’s? 🤯#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ #BestoftheBest pic.twitter.com/V7B1A8AqlG
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 5, 2022
The draft starts in Mobile, Alabama and Saturday will officially start the process with kickoff from the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium, on the campus of South Alabama.
The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET and will air live on NFL Network.
The Eagles hold a good amount of draft capital with three first-round picks and the week saw all of the key personnel and staffers make the trip to Alabama to scout some of the top seniors and draft-eligible players.
Philadelphia has several positions of need and 10 players with key skillsets stood out the most.
