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
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State Cross has been a late riser, and many sources feel he has been underrated throughout the draft process. Cross is a dynamic pass blocker with a lot of experience in which he was a reliable blind-side protector. Some teams have Cross graded ahead of N.C. State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, and they feel Cross should go before Ekwonu. Along with Ekwonu and Cross, Alabama’s Evan Neal will probably go high in the first round. But of that trio, team sources feel that Cross is the most natural left tackle, and some evaluators believe that Cross could have the potential to be best pro among of the three.
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State In the final weeks before the 2022 NFL Draft, many team sources have come to expect that Wilson will be the first receiver taken and believe he could be a late top-10 pick. With the Falcons selecting eigth overall and the Jets picking at 10th overall, Wilson has two potential landing spots with teams who are in need of more playmaking ability at wide receiver. Wilson has worked out well, and team sources say that his interviews were good too. If Wilson does not go as a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he should go in the early teens. Wilson coul most likely end up the first wide out off the board.
Quay Walker, LB, Georgia Team sources over the weekend told WalterFootball.com they believe Walker will go in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They said his final season of tape was good, but Walker followed up that tape by nailing the pre-draft process. He has worked out extremely well, showing an excellent combination of size, speed and athleticism while also interviewing well with teams. Walker could be on the bubble of the first and second round, but a number of team sources believe Walker will hear his name called on the opening night of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut Jones is a heavy nose tackle who is strong at the point of attack and is a physical presence in the middle of the line. Some projections have Jones as a late first-round pick, and given the weakness of the 2022 NFL Draft’s defensive tackle class, Jones could be the third one off the board. He looks safe to be a second-day pick and could go in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois Joseph could be a second-day pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, with some team sources believing he won’t make it out of the third round. Joseph could start out as a backup who contributes on special teams and might develop into being a starting free safety in the NFL. “Joseph has good range and impressive ball skills,” said a NFC director of player personnel. “The word is he doesn’t have great timed speed, but I think he goes by the fourth.” Joseph could be a second-day pick who ends up being an excellent value pick because it can be hard to find natural free safeties who are capable of being ball hawks in the deep part of the field.
Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA Rhyan was the Bruins left tackle and was a good fit in Chip Kelly’s offense in 2021. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Rhyan showed some athleticism and quickness for UCLA as a mobile run blocker last fall. With his 32.38-inch arms, Rhyan might be a better fit to move inside to guard in the NFL. He has received some media buzz in the final weeks before the 2022 NFL Draft, and that could be a sign he could go earlier than ranked by teams.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Drake London, WR, USC London is a true wild card in the 2022 NFL Draft. He could go as high as the top 10, or slide as low as the 20s. Two weeks before the 2022 NFL Draft, London held a workout to show teams he is healthy and solid coming off his broken ankle. He still has yet to run the 40, however, which could lead some teams to believe that he is hiding a poor time. London was not expected to run well anyway because some teams are worried about how well the big receiver will separate from NFL coverage. There is no doubt London also has great tape from 2021 with mismatch size and excellent run-after-the-catch skills. Teams would not be surprised if he goes high or slides low come the 2022 NFL Draft.
George Pickens, WR, Georgia Teams really like Pickens skill set given his intriguing combination of size, speed and athleticism. They also like the tape he generated from 2019, 2020, and the very brief action he played in 2021. Team interviews since, however, have not gone well for Pickens, which has dampened the enthusiasm for him among scouts and coaches. While Pickens could have been a late first-round candidate, the interviews may drop him well into Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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