Innholdsfortegnelse for 2022 Pro Football Draft i Athlon Sports Football Bundle

QUARTERBACKS 1 Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh 2 Matt Corral Ole Miss 3 Malik Willis Liberty 4 Sam Howell North Carolina 5 Desmond Ridder Cincinnati 6 Carson Strong Nevada 7 Kaleb Eleby Western Michigan 8 Bailey Zappe WKU 9 Jack Coan Notre Dame 10 D’Eriq King Miami (Fla.) 11 Brock Purdy Iowa State 12 EJ Perry Brown 13 Dustin Crum Kent State 14 Chase Garbers California 15 Brandon Peters Illinois 16 Skylar Thompson Kansas State 17 Nick Starkel San Jose State 18 McKenzie Milton Florida State 19 Anthony Brown Oregon 20 Armani Rogers Ohio RUNNING BACKS 1 Breece Hall Iowa State 2 Isaiah Spiller Texas A&M 3 Kenneth Walker III Michigan State 4 Kyren Williams Notre Dame 5 James Cook Georgia 6 Tyler Allgeier BYU 7 Zamir White Georgia 8 Brian Robinson…

One of the clearer examples of the tweener-turned-first-rounder phenomenon is David Ojabo at Michigan, who didn’t really have a place in the Wolverines’ defense until the 2021 season. Ojabo — whose family moved from Nigeria to Aberdeen, Scotland, when he was seven — resided with the scout team as a freshman and didn’t see a single snap. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he played special teams and linebacker and recorded a whopping one tackle. In 2021, he made his first career start at outside linebacker in the season opener, then moved to the edge position and finished the year as a second-team All-American and a likely top-15 draft pick. “Ojabo was more of a specialist,” explains Chris Hutchinson. “With his game, some aspects are still evolving. He might play only…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ COVERAGE RECOGNITION Reads coverage, zone and man-to-man ☑ RUN AFTER CATCH Athletic after catch • Production with ball in hands ☑ PATTERNS Type of cuts, rounded or sharp • Body control • Drops weight • Lateral separation ☑ RELEASE Escapes being held up in press coverage • Quick feet • Strength to fight jams ☑ SEPARATION Ability to come out of break with burst/acceleration • Creates space — can he get open? ☑ RECEIVE LONG Can he adjust to the ball in flight? • Does he pick up speed down the field? • Does he run through the ball? • Vertical threat • Leaping ability and timing ☑ BALL REACTIONS Reactive and assertive in traffic • Reactive to low balls and balls behind him • Ball skills…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Feels pressure and reacts on the move • Diagnoses play after controlling opponent • Quick reactions ☑ KEY AND DIAGNOSE Football intelligence • Reads and reacts to keys • Right place at the right time ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Low and sudden movement when delivering a blow • Ability to unlock hips with force ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT/ATHLETIC ABILITY Can he bend and turn the corner? • Downline pursuit • Quickness in stunts and slant moves ☑ TACKLING Is he explosive? • Hard hitter ☑ WARD OFF/SHED/SEPARATION Use of hands and strength to separate • Pull and jerk ☑ AGGRESSIVENESS Face-up wrap tackler • Intense and relentless ☑ BURST/ACCELERATION Amount of time it takes to get to top speed ☑ INITIAL QUICKNESS Initial suddenness • Type of stance •…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Ability to anticipate and analyze offensive set tendencies and react quickly • Suddenness to read and react and pattern read ☑ KEY & DIAGNOSE/FOOTBALL INTELLIGENCE Recognition and reaction to run/pass • Thinks on feet • Makes quick adjustments ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Quick movement out of transition to break on the ball ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT Plays square to receivers • Demonstrates change of direction and lateral quickness ☑ HANDS/BALL SKILLS Soft or stiff • Is he a hands or body catcher? • Can he adjust to intercept a poorly thrown ball? • Does he knock down catchable balls? • How does he use his hands to shed a blocker? ☑ TACKLING Effectiveness • Break down and wrap up • Physical or drag down ☑ WARD OFF/SHED Can he…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 23 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES G – The interior of Arizona’s offensive line was problematic at times in 2021. Center Rodney Hudson, acquired via trade last March, wasn’t particularly effective, and the soon-to-be 33-year-old has only one year left on his contract. Max Garcia came off the bench and saw time at center and guard in 2021, but he was a glaring weak point on the line when pressed into action. Justin Pugh has been a letdown since signing in 2018 and has only one year left on his contract, while 2020 third-round pick Josh Jones and reserve Sean Harlow are replacement-level players. CB – After losing Patrick Peterson, Dre Kirkpatrick and Johnathan Joseph last off season, Arizona tried to restock at cornerback by signing veterans Robert Alford,…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 25 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES G – While massive third-round rookie right tackle Spencer Brown looks set to join center Mitch Morse and left tackle Dion Dawkins as centerpieces of the offensive line moving forward, revamping the entire guard rotation is the top off season priority in Buffalo. A slimmed-down Jon Feliciano was manhandled in pass protection; 2019 second-rounder Cody Ford failed to capitalize on ample opportunities; and Daryl Williams regressed to his 2019 form. Ike Boettger and Ryan Bates are simply replacement-level depth pieces. Expect the Bills to upgrade at guard to maximize the return on their investment in QB Josh Allen and improve the efficiency of the running game. DT – The Bills have a top-tier back seven, but their front four is too often bullied…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 31 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Cincinnati upgraded its secondary significantly last off season when William Jackson III and Mackensie Alexander were lost in free agency and replaced by Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton as outside and inside CBs, respectively. Finding a No. 2 outside CB was one of the few struggles the Bengals’ defense faced in 2021. Injuries have limited Trae Waynes to five regular-season games in two seasons since joining the team. Former Giants first-round bust Eli Apple was surprisingly competent playing on a one-year deal, while Tre Flowers, also inked to a one-year deal last off season, continued to be problematic. With 2018 fifth-rounder Darius Phillips relegated to a special teams role, there’s plenty of room to improve the cornerback rotation in Cincy. DT…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 9 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES LB – Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson emerged as one of the league’s premier inside linebacker duos in 2020, but injuries in 2021 limited them to two and six games, respectively. While third-round rookie Baron Browning showed some promise after taking over a starting job on Halloween, Kenny Young and Justin Strnad weren’t up to the task. With Jewell, Johnson and Young all playing on expiring contracts in 2021, the ILB rotation needs to be bolstered. QB – The Broncos made a huge upgrade at quarterback last season when they acquired Teddy Bridgewater from the Panthers, but he was in the last year of his contract. While Bridgewater’s 2021 campaign was arguably the best of his career and surely the best season by…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 3 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES EDGE – Jonathan Greenard, a 2020 third-round draft pick, tallied eight sacks in just 12 games in 2021, but despite his pass-rushing prowess, Houston used him in a part-time role for stretches. The rest of the Texans’ edge defender rotation was stocked with cheap, shortterm free agents. Defensive coordinator Lovie Smith (presuming he’s retained) strives to create pressure with his front four (Houston had the third-lowest blitz rate in 2021), but better D-line pass rushers are needed to make Smith’s “Tampa 2” scheme functional. S – Houston’s defense needs help at every level. Safety looks like a particularly dire need this offseason. Justin Reid, a 2018 third-round pick, was arguably their best defensive player last season, but he was playing on an expiring…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 30 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES WR – Opponents were able to slow down the Chiefs’ offense by keeping safeties deep and double-teaming Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. If KC can find a third reliable receiving weapon, the sky’s the limit for the team’s scoring ability. Mecole Hardman was drafted in the second round in 2019 as insurance for Hill when Hill was facing serious domestic abuse accusations. Hardman has yet to convert his elite speed into consistent production, struggling with drops at times. Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson, both on expiring contracts, also disappeared for long stretches. S – Though eight-year veteran safety Daniel Sorensen knows defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system well and makes heady plays at times, he was consistently embarrassed in coverage and doesn’t hold up…

2022 First-Round Pick: None OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – No. 2 CB Darious Williams was retained on a one-year deal last off season, but his play worsened a bit under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. With Troy Hill departing in free agency last off season, Dont’e Deayon was arguably the best of their sub-package DBs in 2021, but his contract also ended this winter. David Long Jr., a 2019 third-rounder, hasn’t impressed in his three seasons in Los Angeles, and fourth-round rookie Robert Rochell’s playing time had to be reduced in the second half of last season. LB – The Rams mixed and matched personnel so that none of their inside linebackers played true full-time roles. Troy Reeder, a 2019 UDFA, has seen his role grow each season to where he was…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 21 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES WR – Ever since Bill Belichick took over as the de facto general manager in 2009, the Patriots have struggled to identify and develop wide receiver talent. The six wideouts they’ve drafted in the first four rounds have all been busts — Brandon Tate (83rd overall in 2009), Taylor Price (90th in 2010), Aaron Dobson (59th in 2013), Josh Boyce (102nd in 2013), Malcolm Mitchell (112th in 2016) and N’Keal Harry (32nd in 2019). Free agent signings Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor (along with tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith) infused some playmaking ability into the lineup, but QB Mac Jones’ development will be hampered until a true starting-caliber WR or two is added. CB – The Patriots have developed J.C. Jackson,…

2022 First-Round Picks: No. 4, 10 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – New York drafted three defensive backs on Day 3 last year in hopes of finding a diamond in the rough in an area of dire need. While fifth-rounder Jason Pinnock never cracked the defensive rotation, fellow fifth-rounder Michael Carter II was their primary nickel DB, and sixth-rounder Brandin Echols saw significant time at outside CB — and neither was able to hold up in coverage. Both profile more as sub-package/depth bodies as opposed to reliable starters. TE – QB Zach Wilson needs better weapons at his disposal if he’s going to take a major step forward in his second season. Help is needed at wideout and tight end. The latter is a more urgent issue considering both the nonexistence of…

2022 First-Round Pick: None OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Jason Verrett was a great comeback story in 2020, but he tore his ACL in Week 1 last season — he’s played only 20 games in the last six seasons because of a series of leg injuries, leaving his future effectiveness in doubt. Josh Norman was on the wrong side of the highlight reel far too often in 2021, while fellow aging veteran Dre Kirkpatrick lasted just six games before being released. Rookie Deommodore Lenoir, a fifth-round pick, began the year in the starting lineup (when Emmanuel Moseley was injured) but was buried on the depth chart by October — his inability to crack the rotation when Norman and Kirkpatrick were routinely getting torched is troubling. G – Starting guards Laken Tomlinson…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 26 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES LB – It’s easy to see why Mike Vrabel has an affinity for old-school, thumping linebackers, seeing as Vrabel was once one himself. But if the Titans are going to succeed as a defense in the 2020s, they need stack linebackers who can thrive in pass coverage. Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown played 2021 on expiring contracts, while Zach Cunningham and David Long Jr. rounded out a linebacking corps that, to a man, fared much better as run-stuffers than as coverage options. WR – While it wouldn’t be fair to say Julio Jones is washed up, his reign as one of the NFL’s top wideouts has surely come to an end. Even if the Titans can stomach keeping him on the roster at…

1ST ROUND 1 Jacksonville Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan The Jaguars could get Trevor Lawrence direct help in the form of an offensive tackle, but Hutchinson would bring them one step closer to having the kind of capable four-man pass rush that’s becoming a necessity in the modern NFL. 2 Detroit Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon The Lions’ previous regime tried to bring in a dynamic edge rusher in Trey Flowers, but it hasn’t worked out as planned. Thibodeaux would add a pass-rushing element that would take some of the heat off a struggling young secondary. 3 Houston Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame After spending years in New England, GM Nick Caserio knows the value of a versatile defender. Hamilton would upgrade the secondary and help a shorthanded linebacking corps on what…

The 2022 NFL Draft will feature a handful of prospects from the Football Championship Subdivision, the “lower” half of Division I football that nonetheless manages to leave a mark on the professional game year after year. This year’s FCS class is heavy on offensive linemen and defensive backs. Here are some smaller-school names to know as the draft cycle kicks into high gear. EJ PERRY • QB BROWN The last few years have been a whirlwind for everyone on the planet, but few football players have had more twists and turns in that span than Brown’s quarterback, EJ Perry. Perry was the backup at Boston College in 2017 and ’18, sitting behind starter (and eventual Oregon transfer) Anthony Brown. He opted for a transfer and sought a school that would…

And despite his freshman status, corner Derek Stingley Jr. was a major contributor to that storybook Bayou Bengals run, racking up six interceptions and leaping into the national spotlight in his first season of college ball with performances like his two-interception showing vs. Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Flash forward to today, and Stingley is banking on NFL general managers remembering that remarkable run because injuries robbed the rising superstar of a repeat performance in Baton Rouge. Possessing a raw skill set and frame that scouts drool over for the position, Stingley was hampered by injuries in a COVID-shortened 2020, playing in only seven games with five pass breakups. Then, his LSU career ended almost out of nowhere: After injuring his foot in summer workouts before the 2021 season,…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ ARM STRENGTH Ability to throw sideline and deep ball • Throws with velocity through a small window ☑ DELIVERY Deliberate, fast, slow or windup ☑ RELEASE QUICKNESS Ability to get the ball out of hand quickly • Three-step quick-snap wrist release with velocity • Keeps ball high ☑ ANTICIPATION/TIMING Natural feel in the passing game ☑ TOUCH Feel for throw • Ability to throw over defense • Timing and anticipation ☑ ACCURACY SHORT/MEDIUM/LONG Consistent ability to keep receivers on their routes • tent Completion percentage • Can he hit receivers on routes with few adjustments? ☑ POISE Pressure is not a factor, doesn’t get rattled • Hangs in pocket • Performance under game and rush pressure • Pocket awareness ☑ DECISION-MAKING Decisive under pressure • Is he…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INITIAL QUICKNESS Type of stance and movement off ball • Burst into cuts ☑ COVERAGE RECOGNITION Can he read coverages and adjust on run? • Instincts? ☑ RUN AFTER CATCH Determined runner who fights for extra yards • Strength to break tackles ☑ HANDS Soft, natural, easy or stiff ☑ PATTERNS Type of cuts, sharp or rounded • Does he gather his feet to cut (not a good trait)? • Body control ☑ RELEASE Can he escape being held up at line of scrimmage? • Foot quickness and strength • Type of release, speed or arm-over ☑ SEPARATION Burst and body movement to create space from defender and get open • Horizontal and vertical separation ☑ RECEIVE SHORT Can he split Cover 2 coverage? • Vertical threat…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Read-and-react quickness • Natural ability to find the ball • Anticipation • Playmaker ☑ KEY & DIAGNOSE Recognition and reaction to run/pass • Football intelligence ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Knee bend • Functional strength • Ability to dominate ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT Quickness to shuffle • Makes plays parallel to line of scrimmage • Plays with good knee bend on balls of feet ☑ HAND USE Tough on blockers • Can he stack and control blockers with hands? ☑ TACKLING Is he a hard hitter or a grab-and-drag-down guy? • Wrap-up tackler? • Is he good in space? • Does he break down and run through the ball carrier? ☑ WARD OFF/SHED Hand strength • Use of hands and forearms • Pad under pad • Does he accelerate off…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Ability to anticipate with quick reaction and analyze offensive set tendencies immediately • Sudden-Suddenness ☑ KEY & DIAGNOSE/RUN THE DEFENSE Recognition and reaction to run/pass • Instincts ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Quick movement out of transition to break on the ball ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT Plays square to receivers • Demonstrates change of direction and lateral quickness ☑ HANDS/BALL SKILLS Soft or stiff • Is he a hand or body catcher? • Can he adjust to intercept a poorly thrown ball? • Does he knock down catchable balls? • Sheds blockers ☑ TACKLING Effectiveness • Break down and wrap up • Physical or drag down • Ward off/shed ☑ AGGRESSIVENESS Is he nose-to-nose in press cover-coverage? • Good stance, balance and strength • Physical age? striker? ☑ CLOSING QUICKNESS…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 8 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES EDGE – Edge defender has become a perennial need for the Falcons, and 2021 was particularly bleak at the outside linebacker position. The top performer was arguably Dante Fowler Jr., but he was relegated to a part-time role in a contract year and was not the disruptive force he was at times earlier in his career with the Jaguars and Rams. Perhaps fifth-round rookie Adetokunbo Ogundeji can develop into a serviceable edge-setter, but he didn’t put anything on tape last year to suggest he should be a major factor going forward. Veterans Brandon Copeland and Steven Means were both in contract years and in their early 30s, and given their lack of production, it’s hard to imagine them finding and keeping NFLroster spots…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 6 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES QB – The Panthers acquired 2018 third overall draft pick Sam Darnold from the Jets in exchange for three draft picks last April. Darnold started the season with an impressive four-game run, but after that he posted an embarrassing 49.4 passer rating in five starts before fracturing his shoulder. Former Panther star Cam Newton, who was released by the Patriots late in the summer, signed with the team in November and split time with P.J. Walker once Darnold was on IR. Like Darnold, both Newton and Walker were largely ineffective and plagued by bad turnovers. G – Aside from right tackle Taylor Moton, it would be difficult to justify bringing back any of the veteran contributors from Carolina’s anemic 2021 offensive line. Panthers…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 13 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES DT – After an impressive start to the season, Cleveland’s run defense faltered in the second half of 2021, allowing 145 rushing yards per game from Weeks 10 to 17 (a stretch during which the Browns went 2–5 and fell out of playoff contention). The interior defensive line was largely to blame — pending free agent DTs Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell were routinely muscled out of position, and 2020 third-round pick Jordan Elliott regressed. The fact that fourth-round rookie Tommy Togiai didn’t see the field until November despite those D-line struggles was an indictment of his abilities. WR – Even before the Browns waived Odell Beckham Jr. in November, their wide receiver group was one of the NFL’s weakest. While 2020 sixth-rounder…

2022 First-Round Picks: No. 2, 32 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES EDGE – It will take multiple years to rebuild the defense assembled by former GM Bob Quinn and former head coach Matt Patricia, both of whom proved to be franchise-destroying hires. The entire front seven has to be reimagined, with OLB Charles Harris — arguably the Lions’ best pass rusher in 2021 — hitting free agency this off season and OLB Trey Flowers — a laughably terrible signing by Quinn in 2019 — due for a $47 million cap hit over the next two seasons. The Okwara brothers, Julian and Romeo, have played well enough to earn roles going forward, but neither is a game-changing athlete. WR – Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola all walked in free agency last…

2022 First-Round Pick: None OFFSEASON PRIORITIES WR – The Colts’ passing attack needs more weapons. Michael Pittman Jr. ascended into a true No. 1 WR role in his second season, but 2019 second-round pick Parris Campbell can’t seem to stay healthy. T.Y. Hilton has been on a steady decline for the past three years, and the rest of the receiver group is replacement-level. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Indy add pieces at both WR and TE this offseason. S – The Colts started the year with 2020 third-round pick Julian Blackmon at free safety and 2019 fourth-rounder Khari Willis at strong safety. Both players provide excellent support in the run game, but the coverage on the back end was a mess at times. Willis missed a month with…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 22 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES DT – Defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Maurice Hurst departed last off season, and Vegas’ top three interior linemen — Johnathan Hankins, Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas — were all on expiring contracts in 2021, as was Gerald McCoy, who tore his ACL in Week 1. The Raiders should use this as an opportunity to restock at a position that has been a weakness for several years. T – Brandon Parker, a 2018 third-round pick, started at right tackle in the final year of his rookie deal, and he was simply one of the worst tackles in football. Alex Leatherwood, the 17th overall pick last April, played right guard as a rookie and could kick out to RT in Year 2, but his…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 29 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES C – Miami’s 2021 offensive line habitually failed to establish a run game, and their inability to hold blocks forced the Dolphins into an inefficient, quick-strike passing approach. Center Michael Deiter was a 2019 third-round draft pick whose spotty performance at guard as a rookie landed him in a reserve role in 2020, but he returned to the starting lineup as one of the league’s worst centers in 2021. When he was on IR with a foot injury, pending free agent Greg Mancz wasn’t any better, and Austin Reiter played poorly enough to be released once Deiter was healthy. T – Left tackle Liam Eichenberg took more than his share of lumps as a rookie last season, though his pedigree as the 42nd…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 18 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES WR – Michael Thomas’ past two seasons have been derailed by ankle injuries. After he missed all of 2021, Thomas and the Saints publicly criticized each other over the handling of the injury. With his future up in the air, New Orleans needs to bolster its WR depth chart. Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harris played 2021 on expiring contracts, and while Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey showed some flashes, all four players are complementary pieces to a passing game in need of an alpha. QB – Taysom Hill will be 32 before the season begins. Even if New Orleans is all-in on designing its offense around Hill’s unique skill set, it’s fair to wonder if Hill is a long-term answer under center and…

2022 First-Round Picks: No. 15, 16, 19 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES S – In an up-and-down season for the Eagles’ defense, the secondary was not up to the task against talented passing offenses. Free agent signee Anthony Harris (who’d worked with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon during Gannon’s time as assistant DB coach in Minnesota) and six-year Eagle Rodney McLeod never crystallized into a reliable tandem. Both players were in contract years. Marcus Epps, a 2019 sixth-round draft pick, might be ready to take on a larger role as a box safety, though 2020 fourth-rounder K’Von Wallace was relegated to a special teams role midway through the season. EDGE – DE Josh Sweat has proven himself a to be a great Day 3 draft find, and the 130th overall pick from 2018 signed…

2022 First-Round Pick: None OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Seattle’s pass defense has been disastrous each of the past two seasons. Top cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar and Shaquill Griffin were lost in free agency last off season, and Tre Flowers’ poor play landed him on waivers in October. Starting CBs D.J. Reed and Sidney Jones IV were adequate in 2021, though both were on expiring contracts. Fourth-round rookie Tre Brown was impressive, but injuries limited him to five games. Perhaps 2020 fourth-round pick John Reid can assume a bigger role in his third season, but there isn’t any reliable depth beyond that. C – Last off season, Seattle brought 2017 second-round center Ethan Pocic back on a one-year deal. While he’s developed as an impact blocker in the run game, his pass…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 11 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES QB – Though Taylor Heinicke was an upgrade over 2020’s Alex Smith/Dwayne Haskins Jr./Kyle Allen rotation, at no point in 2021 did he look like a top-20 NFLquarterback. It wouldn’t be a disaster for Washington to stick with him as the starter for another year or two and hope he thrives as mistake-averse game manager, but the talent to install him as a long-term franchise QB just isn’t there. WR – Beyond Terry McLaurin, Washington’s wideout rotation is in shambles. A groin injury severely limited Curtis Samuel last season, and while he was out, pending free agents Adam Humphries, DeAndre Carter and Cam Sims failed to impress. Rookies Dyami Brown (drafted in the third round) and Dax Milne (seventh round) barely cracked the…

INJURIES have taken their toll on the Class of 2012, robbing fans of the prime years of some exhilarating talents. That’s not to say that this class didn’t feature some outright busts and some middling, serviceable-but-not-stupendous players as well. In other words — a typical haul for the obsessed-over but still largely non-scientific annual crapshoot known as the NFL Draft. 1 Indianapolis: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Indianapolis (2012-18) Luck’s abrupt retirement and post-football status as one of the most meme-able figures in sports have obscured what was once a Hall of Fame career in the making. Luck came out of the gate living up to his pre-draft rep as a franchise QB, leading the Colts to back-to-back-to-back 11–5 seasons and peaking with a 4,761-yard, 40-TD performance in 2014. Injuries took…

IN Minnesota, they call it the “Rush Room.” That’s the place where the Gophers edge rushers gather to plan and prepare. Cool name for a meeting room, right? Except the thing about the Rush Room is … it’s not really a room, per se. The Gophers had to make up a Rush Room because the position morphs like Minnesota fall foliage. “We had our own position meetings because the position was so unique,” says Bofa Mafe, a no-name freshman turned sleeper NFL Draft prospect for the Gophers. “We couldn’t meet with the defensive line. We couldn’t sit with the linebackers. They have a different position than us.” So the assignments varied by week and sometimes by day — and sometimes even by play. The Gophers edge rushers “bounced around the…

Why is it DBU? Why not WRU, or OLU? Why is it that defensive backs and their supporters are so tribal, and why are so many people eager to argue that their school should hold that title? Maybe it’s just the nature of DBs themselves, or how incredibly difficult the position has become in the modern game of advanced, aggressive offenses and monster-sized wideouts. “It comes with their attitude,” says a Power 5 defensive coordinator. “That’s the position on the field where you want the most ego, the most chatter. It takes a certain mindset to believe you can go out and lock down a No. 1 receiver in today’s game. You have to be confident and then some.” So, with all that jawing and ego come declarations of greatness,…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INITIAL QUICKNESS Explosive start • Movement on snap • Quickness to the hole ☑ RUN INSTINCTS Natural feel for running the ball • Ability to create • Run skills and overall raw talent ☑ VISION Ability to hop cut in the hole • Sees the crease and bursts through it ☑ INSIDE RUN Vision • Follows and cuts off blocks • Aggressive 2 and 3-yard runs • Drives legs on contact ☑ POWER RUNNER Leg drive after initial contact • Low pad level tact ☑ BALANCE Ability to retain body control • Lower-body strength • Stays on feet ☑ OUTSIDE RUN Speed to turn the corner, outrun defender • Cut-back ability versus flow run ☑ BURST/ACCELERATION Extra gear • Quickness to reach top speed ☑ ELUSIVE Cuts…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Feels pressure and reacts on the move • Diagnoses play after controlling opponent • Quick reactions ☑ KEY AND DIAGNOSE Reads and reacts to keys • Right place at the right time ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Low and sudden movement when delivering a blow • Ability to unlock hips with force ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT/ATHLETIC ABILITY Can he bend and turn the corner? • Downline pursuit • Quickness in stunts and slant moves • Hand use ☑ TACKLING Is he explosive, a hard hitter? • Can he stop ball carrier without losing ground? • Better in closed area ☑ WARD OFF/SHED/SEPARATION Use of hands and strength to separate • Pull and jerk ☑ AGGRESSIVENESS Face-up wrap tackler • Intense and relentless ☑ BURST/ACCELERATION Amount of time it takes to…

SCOUT CHECKLIST ☑ INSTINCTS Read-and-react quickness • Natural ability to find the ball • Anticipation • Playmaker ☑ KEY & DIAGNOSE Recognition and reaction • Football intelligence ☑ EXPLOSIVE/LEVERAGE Knee bend • Functional strength • Ability to dominate ☑ LATERAL MOVEMENT Quickness to shuffle • Makes plays parallel to line of scrimmage • Plays with good knee bend on balls of feet • Change-of-direction ability ☑ HAND USE Takes on blockers • Can he stack and control blocker? ☑ TACKLING Is he a hard hitter or a grab-and-drag-down guy? • Wrap-up tackler • Is he good in space? • Does he break down and run through ball carrier? ☑ WARD OFF/SHED/SEPARATION Hand strength • Use of hands and forearms • Pad under pad • Does he accelerate off a block?…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 14 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES DL – Starting defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams will turn 36 and 33, respectively, this off season. Though both players are still effective, their contracts end in March, and if they return in free agency, it will only be as short-term solutions. Broderick Washington Jr., a 2020 fifth-rounder, hasn’t looked ready to be at the top of the D-line rotation. T – Baltimore traded Orlando Brown Jr. to Kansas City in April, then lost Ronnie Stanley for the season in Week 1, leaving the Ravens in a tough spot. Long-time Steeler Alejandro Villanueva signed a two-year deal in May, but he was just as ineffective in 2021 with the Ravens as he was in 2020 with their divisional rivals. Patrick Mekari,…

2022 First-Round Pick: None OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Jaylon Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick, took a huge step forward in his second season, but finding reliable cornerbacks to play alongside him was a challenge for Chicago in 2021. Kyle Fuller left in free agency last off season, and the Bears released Desmond Trufant in August before he ever played a snap for Chicago. That left 2020 fifth-rounder Kindle Vildor and 2019 sixth-rounder Duke Shelley to take on major roles, and both players looked out of place more often than not. C – Cody Whitehair’s move from center to guard left a void going into the 2021 season. Sam Mustipher, a 2019 UDFA, took the reins at center and was arguably one of the worst starting interior linemen in the NFL.…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 24 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES DT – Dallas’ 2021 run defense was an upgrade from its embarrassing 2020 performance, but issues linger on the interior of the defensive line. The Cowboys never found a reliable defensive tackle rotation, with seven players seeing significant time. An elbow injury kept 2020 third-round pick Neville Gallimore sidelined until December, and rookies Osa Odighizuwa (a third-round pick) and Quinton Bohanna (sixth round) failed to impress. Trysten Hill, a 2019 second-rounder, has been a headache, failing to develop into a reliable defender and earning notoriety as a dirty player. S – When defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was hired last off season, he restocked the safety room, bringing in free agents Jayron Kearse, Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker. Holdovers Darian Th ompson and Donovan…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 28 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Cornerbacks Chandon Sullivan and Kevin King were on expiring contracts in 2021, and while both players improved upon their distressing 2020 campaigns, Green Bay may opt to move on from their frustrating, often inept performances. Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes could be one of the NFL’s top CB duos this season, though counting on Rasul Douglas — a player cut by three teams from September 2020 to September 2021 — to turn in another stellar year after his 2021 breakout is a dicey proposition. Even if Douglas does settle in as a reliable long-term option, depth is needed in the secondary. T – Injuries took their toll on the Packers’ O-line in 2021, with rookie center Josh Myers, outstanding guard Elgton…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 1 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES T – The O-line has some questions to answer on the edges. Left tackle Cam Robinson played 2021 on the franchise tag. Walker Little, the 45th overall pick last spring, is likely going to get a chance to succeed him, although he entered the NFLhaving played just one game in 2019 (knee injury) and zero in 2020 (COVID opt-out), so he’s not a sure thing to thrive as a pro. Jawaan Taylor, a starter at RT since he was drafted 35th overall in 2019, might get one more season to prove his worth because he’s on a cheap rookie deal through 2022, but he offers little as a run-blocker and is mediocre in pass protection. WR – Jacksonville needs to surround QB Trevor…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 17 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES DT – The Chargers’ struggles against the run were their downfall in 2021. Their best interior defensive lineman was Linval Joseph, but he’s heading toward his mid-30s and was playing on an expiring contract. Justin Jones and Christian Covington were also playing in contract years, and neither was able to hold his ground or make plays consistently against the run. Jerry Tillery, a 2019 first-round pick, played more than anyone up front, but he has yet to develop into a force as a pass rusher or a run-stuffer, and it may be time to relegate him to a reserve role. EDGE – Los Angeles needs to find a threatening edge defender to play opposite Joey Bosa. Melvin Ingram III once filled that role,…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 12 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Minnesota allowed Mike Hughes, a 2018 first-round pick, to walk in free agency last year and released 2020 first-rounder Jeff Gladney in August after a domestic violence indictment. Patrick Peterson, Mackensie Alexander and Bashaud Breeland signed last off season, but Peterson and Alexander were on one-year deals and looked past their prime, while Breeland was released in December after getting into verbal spats with teammates and coaches. Minnesota’s propensity for blowing leads in 2021 was a direct result of the dysfunctional secondary, and upgrading at corner is by far the Vikings’ biggest off season need. EDGE – In 2021, star DE Danielle Hunter was limited to seven games due to a torn pectoral, and he missed the entire 2020 season with…

2022 First-Round Picks: No. 5, 7 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES EDGE – The Giants had one of the NFL’s feeblest pass rushes in 2021. While defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence II were able to generate some push on the interior, OLB Azeez Ojulari, the 50th overall pick in 2021, was the only threatening edge rusher. LB Lorenzo Carter, a 2018 third-rounder, did not impress during his four-year rookie contract. Rookie Quincy Roche, Pittsburgh’s sixth-round pick who was released in the preseason, showed some potential, but he doesn’t project as an every-down edge defender. LB – After the Giants lost ILB Blake Martinez to a torn ACL in Week 3, they elevated 2020 seventh-round pick Tae Crowder into an every-down role and struggled in every aspect of the game. Reggie Ragland…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 20 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES QB – Between his eight mistake-prone starts in 2019 and a poor showing against the Lions last year, 2018 third-round pick Mason Rudolph has left little doubt that he’s not a worthy successor to Ben Roethlisberger. Though head coach Mike Tomlin praised Rudolph’s pace and communication when Rudolph was pressed into action in a Week 10 tie, his decision-making and accuracy were not up to snuff. Perhaps he can be a bridge to a young passer and settle in as an above-average backup, but even that is a best-case scenario. G – Pittsburgh had to rebuild its O-line almost from scratch last off-season, and the results were disastrous. Steelers runners averaged 1.9 yards before contact, second worst in the NFL. And the line’s…

2022 First-Round Pick: No. 27 OFFSEASON PRIORITIES CB – Poor coverage in the secondary plagued the 2021 Buccaneers at times as injuries and ineffective play resulted in a constant shuffling of the lineup at cornerback. Even when all the pieces were in place, 2019 third-rounder Jamel Dean was the only corner who consistently held his own. Carlton Davis, a 2018 second-rounder, and desperation in-season signee Richard Sherman were on expiring contracts, while veterans Pierre Desir and Ross Cockrell are north of 30 and are best suited to sub-package roles. DE – Th ree key pieces to Tampa Bay’s defensive line rotation — Ndamukong Suh, William Gholston and Steve McLendon — were on expiring contracts in 2021. Suh is 35 and McLendon is 36; both players are solid but noticeably fading.…