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
Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State Team sources told WalterFootball.com they believe Johnson could end up jumping Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and end up as the third defensive end taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, after only Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson and Georgia’s Travon Walker. Johnson worked out well at the combine and in other pre-draft workouts, has interviewed well, and is coming off a 2021 season in which he produced excellent tape for the Seminoles. Johnson’s rise could continue in the draft meetings this month, when the coaches get more involved.
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati There are a lot of projections of Gardner being the first cornerback taken in the 2022 NFL Draft and going ahead of LSU’s Derek Stingley. Gardner has more size than Stingley, and Gardner was an ascending player at Cincinnati over the past three seasons, while Stingley was a 1-year wonder with his dominant season coming in 2019. Stingley is viewed as having some boom-or-bust potential, and Gardner could be the safer pick. Gardner may end up being the first cornerback drafted and could be a top-5 pick.
Charles Cross, LT, Mississippi State Across the league, team sources are high on Cross. While they believe Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu will be selected ahead of Cross in the 2022 NFL Draft, they feel there is not a real dropoff to Cross and think he is worthy of a top-10 choice. Those sources would not be surprised if Cross is off the board before the teams picking late in the top 10 are on the clock. Cross has an excellent skill set and projects to be a rock-solid pass protector at left tackle. He has upside and a lot of teams are intrigued with Cross.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State It has become more common to see projections of Watson becoming a late first-round pick in 2022 NFL Draft, and the recent wide receiver trades will only help Watson to go on the opening night of the draft. With Green Bay’s trade of Davante Adams and Kansas City’s trade of Tyreek Hill, both teams have two first-round picks in the 20s and huge holes at receiver due to the loss of those playmakers. Watson has deep speed to go along with height. In the 20s, he has a lot of potential landing spots with the Patriots, Packers (twice), Cardinals, Chiefs (twice) and Lions. Watson looks like he has a good chance of going on Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington There have been projections of Gordon going in the first round. While teams like Gordon, it does not sound like they are necessarily in love enough for him to be a sure-fire first-rounder. Gordon is on the bubble between Day 1 and Day 2 because he is in the running to be the fourth cornerback taken, but he could slide. Some team sources say they have Gordon graded on Day 2 and would not consider taking him until middle of the second round. That could set him up to sliding to the second day of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson Booth is in a similar position to Gordon. He has a shot at being a late first-rounder and the fourth cornerback drafted, but he also could end up sliding to the second round. Some team sources also have Booth graded in the second round and say they would not take him until the middle portion of Round 2, at the highest. Perhaps there are teams that value him higher, but Booth is also in danger of sliding well into the second round as well.
David Bell, WR, Purdue Bell ran slow times in his 40-yard dash at both the NFL Scouting Combine and Purdue’s pro day. The lack of speed is visible was already visible in his game tape, and while Bell was a gritty possessional receiver for the Boilermakers, he could have major problems separating from NFL cornerbacks. Bell could end up slipping to the third day of the 2022 NFL Draft due to his slow 40 times.
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