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
Damone Clark, LB, LSU As we reported last week in the Hot Press, some teams are projecting Clark to be a first-round pick and think he could rise into being a high first-rounder during the leadup to the 2022 NFL draft.
“He’s long, fast, athletic, and that doesn’t last long in the draft,” said a NFC director of player personnel. “He’s similar to Micah Parsons movement wise, but Parsons had a little more freakish juice and was more explosive, but not by a ton. Clark has better instincts than Parsons and the production reflects that. I think Clark will rise into a mid- to high first.”
Clark has been a tackling machine this year and has led the nation throughout the year. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder has size, speed, length and athleticism. He could rise throughout the runup to the 2022 NFL Draft thanks to his excellent production from 2021 and his skill set.
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State Olave has had a prolific career for the Buckeyes, and he made history versus Michigan State over the weekend. Olave got open to move the chains on a curl route during the first drive, and he closed out the drive by getting open for a 23-yard touchdown. That score tied Olave with David Boston for the most touchdown catches in Ohio State history. It was an impressive route, as Olave got open running a deep slant past two defenders to make a leaping grab in the end zone.
Olave made the record all later in the first quarter after streaking down the field to get open and running into the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown. Later in the second quarter, Olave made a superb adjustment with a phenomenal leaning catch to keep his feet in bounds for a highlight-reel reception of about 30 yards to the one-yard line. Olave caught seven passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns against the Spartans.
For the NFL, Olave looks like a future starter who could be a low-end No. 1 receiver, but might be a fantastic No. 2 receiver. Olave does not have overwhelming size, and while he has good speed, he is not a pure burner. Olave is a well-rounded wideout who looks like a safe pick to be a quality pro. He could end up going in the back half of the first round or early in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, depending on how his pre-draft workouts go.
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty In my current 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Willis is the first quarterback off the board. The Liberty playmaker has a buzz in the scouting community, and his powerful arm, mobility, and strong frame, give him the best physical skill set of any quarterback eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft. The general tone from team sources seems to be more excited over Willis than Ole Miss’ Matt Corral. Willis, Corral and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett are the top quarterback prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft, but Willis is the most physically talented of the three, which could lead to him being the first quarterback taken next Spring.
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas Burks put together a huge performance that will help him to end up as a first-rounder next April in the 2022 NFL Draft. In the first quarter, Burks got open on a crossing route and powered his way through a tackler to fall for first-down yardage. In the second quarter, Burks outplayed Alabama’s Josh Jobe for a 50-50 pass to make a contested catch on a back-shoulder throw to gain about 32 yards. Burks demonstrated his toughness on the catch, battling through a painful chest injury he’s been dealing with. Burks finished the drive by running an out route from the slot and catching a short pass. He then stiff-armed a tackler away and coasted into the end zone for the 15-yard touchdown.
Burks made a tremendous play in the third quarter. While sprinting along the sideline against Jobe, Burks slammed on his brakes, relying on Jobe’s momentum to keep him running leave Burks open on the stop route. After catching the back-shoulder pass, Burks slashed across the field and took off on a run of about 50 yards. Alabama safety Jordan Battle over-ran the reception, and the Crimson Tide defense couldn’t catch Burks, who scored from 67 yards out. That was a huge play for Burks’ draft stock. The reason? Speed. Burks is a big, tough receiver, but the questions with that type of receiver is if they are sufficiently fast for the NFL, and Burks long score illustrated that he has pro speed. Against Alabama, Burks totaled eight receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns. His performance will help him to be a first-round pick next April.
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama Williams has been an electric playmaker this season, and he continued in that fashion against Arkansas. His elite speed and explosion dominated the Razorbacks secondary, which was completely incapable of running with the ultra-fast wideout.
In the second quarter, Williams ran a route from the slot and burned a corner and a safety to get open deep down the field. Bryce Young hit Williams in stride, and he raced the remaining 30 yards for a 79-yard touchdown. Just before halftime, Williams ran a quick slant and got hit on the run. He then outraced the Arkansas defense for a 32-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter with the Crimson Tide only up by six, they went to Williams for a clutch play to put the game away. Williams ran a go route down the middle of the field and made a diving catch in the back of the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown. On the day, he took eight receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Williams has quality height, but his explosive speed, suddenness and vertical burst catch defensive backs by surprise and are what make him truly special. The lightning bolt-fast wideout could be one of the NFL’s most dangerous deep-threat receivers early in his career. Williams has put himself in contention to be a first-round pick thanks to his dominant 2021 season.
Isaiah Chambers, DE, McNeese State Chambers (6-5, 251) has played well in 2021, creating a buzz in the scouting community. He has 9.5 sacks, 52 tackles, four forced fumbles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and three passes batted this season. Chambers recorded five sacks in 2019 and 4.5 sacks in 2018 playing for the University of Houston. Playing well at an all-star game could help him climb draft boards.
Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State Ebiketie has played well for the Nittany Lions this year, recording 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He made a particular impact in Penn State’s close wins over Wisconsin and Auburn. Ebiketie has size limitations for the NFL, but he is a nice college player who has helped himself as a senior with his consistent pressure on the quarterback. The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder would fit best at the next level as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut The 6-foot-4, 333-pound Jones has gone under the radar, but he is a big nose tackle who has flashed some pass rush ability the past two years, notching 3.5 sacks each season. Jones has also been a solid run defender, collecting 126 tackles over three seasons. Jones has accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and he could rise with a strong week in Mobile.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Zion Johnson, G, Boston College Johnson had an underwhelming performance against the young talent of Florida State’s defensive line, giving up a sack and a safety in the first half. His performance against the Seminoles is going to hurt his draft grade. Johnson struggled with the speed and length of Fabien Lovett and the other Florida State defenders. Johnson is short and lacks length for the NFL, so he will need to be coached up on how to compensate for those things when taking on pro defenders. While Johnson has some limitations, he is athletic and has quickness. It could be a good idea for him to move to center at the next level. Johnson could be a second-day pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but against the Seminoles he looked like third-rounder rather than a second-rounder.
Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College Because of his older brother Chris being a first-round pick, many expected Alec Lindstrom to be a similar caliber prospect. However in speaking to some sources, they say Alec Lindstrom is not the same caliber of player as his older brother. At 6-foot-3, 298 pounds, Alec Lindstrom is slightly under sized to play center in the NFL, and some evaluators don’t see him being a force at the point of attack like his brother was for the Golden Eagles. Alec Lindstrom looks more like a mid-round or day-three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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