This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2022 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2022 NFL Draft Stock Up
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas Before leaving the game with an injury, Burks was dominating the Texas A&M secondary, including cornerback Myles Jones. Midway through the first quarter, Burks ran a go route down the sideline. He and Jones had some hand fighting, and Burks managed a late push for some separation to haul in a pass before racing away from Jones for an 85-yard touchdown. Later in the first half, Burks made a diving catch deep downfield, and it looked like it was another long gain, but Burks was questionably ruled out of bounds.
Burks made a phenomenal leaping one-handed catch a short time later for a chunk gain. He also drew a critical pass interference. Midway through the second half, Burks was shaken up and had to go to the locker room. That ended his game with six receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown.
Burks showed solid route-running, hands, and physicality with cornerbacks throughout the day. While Burks is not a burner like a Jaylen Waddle, DeSean Jackson or Will Fuller, he is a big wideout who has enough speed to generate some late separation. He is dangerous after the catch and has the size and the strength to out-position defensive backs. His 40 before the 2022 NFL Draft will be important, but Burks could be an A.J. Brown-caliber receiver prospect for the NFL.
Tre Williams, DE, Arkansas Williams has been excellent for the Razorbacks this season, and the Missouri transfer was an animal last Saturday against Texas A&M. He collected four tackles and two sacks while also producing steady pressure on the quarterback. This season, he has 15 tackles and four sacks – more sacks than he had over the past two years at Missouri. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Williams is on his way to being a riser as a senior.
Zach Carter, DL, Florida Carter is having a good senior season that is helping his draft stock. After an impressive performance versus Alabama, Carter played well against Tennessee. In the second quarter, Carter came up with a clutch third-down sack on a phenomenal rush. Carter used speed to get upfield, rocked the left tackle with a strong left arm punch to knock him off balance, and then Carter chased down the quarterback for a sack. Carter also added a few tackles in the ground game.
Carter (6-4, 285) is similar to former Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. They both are tweener defensive end/tackles. Bullard was drafted into the wrong scheme as a 3-4 defensive end, and that led to him not panning out for the Bears. Both players have the weight of a defensive end and the height of a defensive tackle. Carter has some quickness, functional strength, and plays hard. Some area scouts have told me they think Carter’s best fit in the NFL would be to continue to add some weight and be a three-technique tackle in a 4-3 defense. Carter end up as a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Travon Walker, DE, Georgia As we reported in the Hot Press last week, Walker is creating a buzz with scouts. The junior is viewed as a definite early-round pick, but the scouts feel he has the potential to rise into the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft. “That No. 44 looks like he could be special,” said an area scout. “He is big, athletic, can run; he’s a bigger-bodied guy that can play the edge. On ability alone, he’s at least a Day 2 guy.”
Walker is off to an impressive start in 2021, including a big performance against Clemson in the season opener. Thus far, he has 11 tackles and a sack. The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder has the size to set the edge and is quick off the ball.
Juanyeh Thomas, S, Georgia Tech Georgia Tech almost upset Clemson in part because Thomas had a superb game against the Tigers. He followed that up with a strong performance against North Carolina in the Yellow Jackets’ blowout of the Tar Heels. Thomas has collected 23 tackles, a forced fumble and two passes defended this season. The 6-foot-3, 217-pounder has strong safety size, but shows the interchangeable ability to play free safety. He is a sleeper with the potential to rise.
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky The Penn State transfer Levis has guided Kentucky to a 4-0 start and has shown off some impressive arm strength. The 6-foot-3, 232-pounder has a powerful arm with good size for a pocket passer. Levis needs to cut down on his interceptions, as he has already thrown five this season, but he has completed 65 percent of his passes for 902 yards and seven touchdowns as well. With his skill set and arm talent, Levis could turn himself into an interesting pro prospect for the 2022 or 2023 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma Rattler entered the 2021 season as the consensus top quarterback prospect, but his inconsistent and underwhelming play has hurt his projection significantly. At this point, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral looks like the better prospect. Rattler has continued his harmful season with a narrow 16-13 win over West Virginia. Rattler had five touchdowns against a weak competitor in Western Carolina, but over the other three games – West Virginia, Nebraska, and Tulane, he has a total of three touchdown passes and three interceptions. Rattler does not have the look of a high first-rounder and should return to Oklahoma if he doesn’t start playing better.
Myles Jones, CB, Texas A&M After missing some games early this season with an injury, Jones had a tough draw in his first action of 2021, landing Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks. Burks beat Jones for an 85-yard touchdown in man coverage, and Jones looked rusty in the Aggies loss to Arkansas. Jones has good size, but concerns around his deep speed and fluidity were exacerbated by his performance against the Razorbacks.
Al Blades Jr., CB, Miami Blades has an ugly start to the season against Alabama, giving up separation in coverage. While Blades has quality size, he lacks speed and athleticism to run in coverage. Team sources feel Blades should go back to school for his senior year.
Bubba Bolden, S, Miami Team sources say they have been disappointed in Bolden’s tape this year, and entering the season, they felt his 2020 tape revealed some of the same problems. Specially, missed tackles and poor angles are the big complaints with Bolden. Some teams thought Bolden could have Day 2 potential entering this season, but right now, it looks like Bolden could end up getting third-day grades.
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