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
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati In the Bearcats’ impressive road win over Notre Dame, Ridder completed 19-of-32 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a score and lost a fumble. His peformance against the Fighting Irish will help his draft grade beacuse he showed field vision to work through progressions and the ability to manipulate coverage with his eyes. Ridder used his feet to extend some plays and lofted in some accurate passes downfield. Leading his team to a tough road win over a good team will not be lost on pro evaluators, and beating Notre Dame could help Ridder to rise in the 2022 NFL Draft’s weak quarterback class.
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati Pierce definitely helped himself versus Notre Dame by catching six passes for 144 yards. The 6-foot-3, 213-pounder has good size, and the question with big receivers is always whether they have the speed to separate. Pierce created space against Notre Dame, running past defenders and getting open on go routes that are a pure foot race. Pierce showed good hands, concentration, and size downfield. His performance against Notre Dame will really help his draft grade for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia Georgia’s defense dominated Arkansas, and the defender who had the biggest game was inside linebacker Nakobe Dean. In the first quarter, Dean came on an interior blitz and snuffed out a quarterback draw for a tackle for a loss. In the third quarter, Dean blitzed up the middle and powered through a running back to start a sack. Shortly later, Dean added another sack thanks to an interior blitz that went through a blocker.
For the NFL, Dean is a fast linebacker who is physical and a dangerous blitzer. His blitzing ability will get diminished as a pro because teams more often have inside linebackers drop into coverage and Dean is not big enough to be a designated pass rusher at the pro level. Some team sources told me they thought Dean could go on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft and should go in the early rounds of Day 3 if he slips that far.
Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech Waller has been a ballhawk so far in 2021, recording three interceptions, two passes defended and 21 tackles. This isn’t the first season in which he has shown serious ball skills, as he notched three interceptions, 10 passes broken up and 46 tackles in 2019. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has a good skill set, and some team sources believe he will become a starter in the second year of his NFL career.
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt Pickett is a sleeper quarterback who is rising with team sources. He continued his impressive 2021 season by ripping a Georgia Tech defense that had an excellent showing in knocking off North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell a week earlier. Versus the Yellow Jackets, Pickett completed 23-of-36 passes for 389 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has been an accurate rhythm passer, showing some running ability and toughness. Given the 2022 NFL Draft’s weak quarterback class, Pickett is rising and has the potential to become a hot prospect.
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State While Chris Olave gets more attention, some team sources have said they have been very impressed with Wilson this year. Some feel he is more smooth and explosive than Olave for the next level, while others prefer Olave. Regardless of the order the two get drafted, both are impressive wide receivers and Wilson is helping himself with team evaluators this season.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky Robinson has been huge for the Wildcats in 2021, providing some clutch plays during their 5-0 start. He has some serious speed to stretch defenses and threaten them downfield. Robinson has 29 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns this season. In 2020 and 2019, Robinson played at Nebraska, but he has taken his play to another level this season.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
John Metchie III, WR, Alabama Metchie has been solid this season, but not as impressive as he was in 2020 when DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle were commanding the attention of defenses. Metchie has 27 catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns this season. Kaiir Elam and the Florida secondary held Metchie in check. The 6-foot, 195-pound Metchie has quality speed, but he is not a game breaker like Smith or Waddle. He also does not have mismatch size for the next level. This season, Metchie looks more like a No. 2 or 3 receiver for the NFL.
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