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
Daxton Hill, CB/S, Michigan The top-three cornerbacks for the 2022 NFL Draft are Derek Stingley, Ahmad Gardner and Trent McDuffie, but after them, Hill could be the next defensive back drafted. Hill is hybrid safety/cornerback who is at his best when playing nickel corner. NFL teams play nickel 70 percent or more of defensive snaps and sometimes have games where they only play nickel. Hence, Hill would be a starter as the third corner who also can contribute some play at safety. His versatility and the passing-driven nature of the modern league gives Hill a shot at being selected in the back half of the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida Along with Daxton Hill, Elam is in the running to be the fourth cornerback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, which makes him a definite contender to end up as a first-round pick. Elam is a smooth cover corner with size, physicality, and three years of experience in the SEC. Some scouts have speed concerns with Elam, which pushes him below the top-three corners. If Elam runs well in pre-draft workouts, however, those times could really push him up boards considering his size, tape and history of production. Elam will be an interesting prospect to watch over the next few months, and he should go as a top-45 choice this April in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Lewis Cine, S, Georgia Cine was a valuable defender for the Bulldogs in 2021, locking down the deep middle of the field. He totaled 73 tackles, an interception and nine passes batted on the year. As a sophomore in 2020, Cine had 52 tackles and three passes broken up. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has a good skill set with upside, and some sources think he could be a nice value on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati Cook was a good contributor for the Bearcats in 2021, totaling 96 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and nine passes defended. He flashed during other seasons, including four interceptions in 2017 when he played for Howard. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Cook has good size for the for the next level.
Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State Brisker is a talented player with speed, instincts and versatility, plus he is willing to get physical. Brisker recorded 43 tackles, two interceptions and four passes broken up in 2021. He flashed at times for the Nittany Lions in 2020 while recording 57 tackles, four passes defended and an interception. Brisker totaled 31 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended in 2019. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder has starting potential at the next level and could be a good value pick on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama Jobe has a good skill set, but his inconsistency on the field has led to some teams grading him as a backup for the NFL. Given his size and speed, Jobe has the skill set to develop into a starter. Over his four years at Alabama, however, Jobe would flash feast-or-famine play and was prone to some busted coverage down the field. He also ended the 2021 season with an injury, which could impact his pre-draft training. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Jobe could end up being a mid-round pick.
Zakoby McClain, LB, Auburn After two solid seasons at Auburn, it was surprising to see that McClain did not land a Senior Bowl invitation and ended up going to the East-West Shrine. The Senior Bowl likes to bring in players from within Alabama because they help sell tickets to the game, so to not invite McClain reveals that he could be more of a third-day prospect for the 2022 BFK Draft.
Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College A few years ago, Alec’s older brother Chris Lindstrom had an impressive Senior Bowl performance, and that week in Mobile, helped Chris Lindstrom to be a top-20 pick by the Atlanta Falcons. While NFL team sources have said Alec Lindstrom is not as talented as his older brother, it hurts his draft projection that he did not receive a Senior Bowl invitation. Perhaps he can impress at the East-West Shrine, but pro sources were not blown away by his senior-year tape.
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