Category: Team Needs

2022 NFL Draft Team Grades

If you want our full thoughts on the players your team has added, you can check out the brand new SIS NFL Draft site for tons of great information. And if you’d like to contribute to next year’s draft cycle, consider applying to our Football Video Scout position.

After three years of the SIS Football Rookie Handbook, our “Draft Guide” is now a website. However, not much changed with the transition. Actually, it allowed us more time to take the next step and go even bigger and better than the book has ever allowed us to do. With that said, we had 410 players on the site this year. We grade ourselves on how many players were drafted that we had on the site.

After having 69% (174 of 254) of drafted players in the book in 2019, 78% (199 of 255) in 2020, and 84% (218 of 259) in 2021, we raised that number to 86% (226 of 262) for Year 1 of the website.

When taking out specialists and fullbacks, which we currently don’t write up, there were only 29 players drafted who weren’t on the site and only 6 of which we didn’t get eyes on. That’s nearly 98% of the NFL Draft covered! Plus, many players who didn’t get drafted have already signed UDFA deals with teams.

Now using our grades, we attempted to rank each team’s draft class. Just like in our article from last season, we assigned all grades from the site.

Here are the draft classes ranked in order of their grade:

Final Rankings
Rank	Team	# of Picks	Draft Grade
1	Jets	7	6.53
2	Eagles	5	6.46
3	Lions	8	6.45
4	Ravens	11	6.43
5	Panthers	6	6.40
6	Texans	9	6.38
7	Seahawks	9	6.34
8	Falcons	8	6.30
9	Jaguars	7	6.30
10	Saints	5	6.30
11	Giants	11	6.28
12	Packers	11	6.27
13	Chiefs	10	6.27
14	Bengals	6	6.23
15	Commanders	8	6.19
16	Titans	9	6.17
17	Raiders	6	6.15
18	Patriots	10	6.14
19	Vikings	10	6.10
20	Cowboys	9	6.10
21	Browns	9	6.09
22	Cardinals	8	6.08
23	Bears	11	6.05
24	Bills	8	6.04
25	Broncos	9	6.02
26	Steelers	7	6.01
27	Chargers	8	6.00
28	49ers	9	5.98
29	Buccaneers	8	5.94
30	Colts	8	5.90
31	Rams	8	5.86
32	Dolphins	4	5.80

One difference is that we’ve usually assigned all players that weren’t in the book a flat 5.7, but with the number of players who made the site and with dropping some of the grade thresholds, we bumped that number to 5.4 this year, which is the equivalent to a training camp body. We took those grades for each player and divided that by the number of selections the team had. These rankings do not account for the value of where players were drafted or trades teams made; it is literally based on the grades we gave the players who were drafted.

The 2022 Best Draft Class, with an average grade of 6.53, went to the New York Jets. They had seven draft picks and made the most of them by selecting players who were all featured on the SIS NFL Draft site.

The Jets draft class is in the table below.

New York Jets 2022 Draft Class
Pick	Position	Player	College	Grade
4	CB	Ahmad Gardner	Cincinnati	6.8
10	WR	Garrett Wilson	Ohio State	6.8
26	ED	Jermaine Johnson II	Florida State	6.7
36	RB	Breece Hall	Iowa State	6.7
101	TE	Jeremy Ruckert	Ohio State	6.6
111	OT	Max Mitchell	Louisiana	6.3
117	ED	Micheal Clemons	Texas A&M	5.8

It definitely doesn’t hurt the draft grade when you get three 1st-Round picks, especially when they’re all highly graded. The Jets did just that. After selecting Ahmad Gardner at No. 4 (SIS No. 2 CB) and Garrett Wilson at No. 10 (SIS No. 3 WR), they traded back up to No. 26 to grab Jermaine Johnson II (SIS No. 5 Edge).

Gardner is a long press corner who figures to step into the mix right away. Wilson is an excellent receiver with the traits to be a top receiver option. Johnson has the pass rush ability to be a force getting to the quarterback early and often.

Beyond that, Breece Hall (SIS No. 2 RB) in the 2nd Round was good value, as he could eventually take over the starting job. Jeremy Ruckert (SIS No. 2 TE) could arguably be the best and most complete tight end in this class.

Max Mitchell and Micheal Clemons on Day 3 were great value picks who should come in and compete for depth spots within their first couple seasons.

SIS Top Draft Classes
Year	Team	Previous Season	Following Season	2nd Season
2019	Tennessee Titans	9-7 (No Playoffs)	9-7 (L, AFC Champ)	11-5 (L, Wild Card)
2020	Cleveland Browns	6-10 (No Playoffs)	11-5 (L, Divisional)	8-9
2021	Detroit Lions	5-11 (No Playoffs)	3-13-1	?
2022	New York Jets	4-13 (No Playoffs)	?	?

Since we grade players based on what they will be at the beginning of Year 2, let’s widen the table of our recent Draft Class winners. After winning in 2019, the Titans made consecutive playoff appearances. While the Browns made the playoffs the next year, the turmoil in that locker room this year forced a fall to 8-9.

Finally, the Lions did take a dip this season after taking home the No. 1 class last year, but it was Year 1 with a new regime and they were competitive in most games. Look for them to take a step forward in 2022.

What does that mean for the Jets? They got their franchise quarterback in Zach Wilson last year and have added good pieces around him. If he’s able to show significant development in Year 2, look for them to improve upon their 4-13 record last year.

Scout’s Choice

John Todd: Houston Texans (SIS Rank: 6th)

After not having a 2021 selection until the 3rd Round last year, and only 5 picks overall, the Texans needed to make up for lost time in 2022. Determining if QB Davis Mills will be a hit is the biggest key, but we feel like Houston’s draft class this year did a great job of building up the team around him.

Each of the Texans first 6 selections this year received a 6.4 grade (role-playing starter) or higher. Their first three choices of Derek Stingley Jr. (6.9, SIS No. 1 CB), Kenyon Green (6.9, SIS No. 1 OG) and Jalen Pitre (6.8, SIS No. 4 S) project to be high-impact players and potential cornerstone choices for the new regime. Their next three mid-round picks are all football-young, upside picks from the SEC in WR John Metchie III, LB Christian Harris, and RB Dameon Pierce.

They did a great job of finding quality contributors after the first two rounds and made some big splashes with their early picks. There’s a long way to go in Houston, but this was a big step in the right direction.

Nathan Cooper: Detroit Lions (SIS Rank: 3rd)

This is a homer pick, but the Lions rank 3rd this season after taking home the top honor last year. That’s two outstanding draft classes in the first two seasons for Brad Holmes and company.

Aidan Hutchinson was the top player on the SIS board, and one of only three 7.0 players graded this year. Getting him at No. 2 had the Lions War Room as ecstatic as they were to get Penei Sewell at No. 7 last year. Then, instead of sitting back at No. 32, they moved up to No. 12 without having to give up a 2023 1st-Round pick, and took Jameson Williams (SIS No. 2 WR). The Lions need impact players, and they got one on each side of the ball.

On Day 2, Josh Paschal (SIS No. 10 Edge) is a strong, versatile defensive lineman with heavy hands and the ability to work against both the run and pass. Additionally, Kerby Joseph (SIS No. 5 S) has the range on the back end and is still learning the position.

If not for an injury early in 2021, James Mitchell (SIS No. 12 TE) could’ve been in the top 5-7 tight ends heading into this year’s draft. The other Day 3 picks of Malcolm Rodriguez, James Houston IV, and Chase Lucas should all compete for depth spots at their respective positions, and at worst fill some holes on special teams.

Jordan Edwards: Baltimore Ravens (SIS Rank: 4th)

The Ravens were able to accumulate an abundance of talent with safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, and tight end Isaiah Likely, who were our top ranked players at each of their respective positions. In addition to that, they added players who can make an immediate impact, such as nose tackle Travis Jones (SIS No. 2 NT) and a towering tackle prospect in Daniel Faalele (SIS No. 8 OT), who can fill a void in the offensive line left last year from the Orlando Brown trade.

Also, looking ahead to the 2023 season they’ll have edge rusher David Ojabo (SIS No. 8 Edge), who is coming off a torn Achilles injury, that should make a very intriguing pass rush pairing with former high school teammate Odafe Oweh.

Jeff Dean: Kansas City Chiefs (SIS Rank: 13th)

The Chiefs defense should look a lot different next year with 5 of their top 6 picks going to that side of the ball. Trent McDuffie (SIS No. 3 CB) is a perfect fit in their defense and with half of their draft picks being defensive backs, it was clearly an area of concern. George Karlaftis (SIS No. 4 Edge) and Leo Chenal (SIS No. 3 Mike LB) both add immediate toughness in their front seven and should challenge for starting spots right away.

While trading away Tyreek Hill created an area of need at wide receiver, the Chiefs didn’t jump up during the early wide receiver run and snagged a dynamic playmaker in Skyy Moore (SIS No. 9 WR). Darian Kinnard (SIS No. 3 OG) was once viewed as a 1st-Round pick and offers extreme value late in the draft. The Chiefs just solidified themselves as an AFC contender again with a strong draft.

Ben Hrkach: Seattle Seahawks (SIS Rank: 7th)

The Seahawks draft haul included a blend of easily translatable players that should start early in their career, especially Charles Cross (SIS No. 2 OT), as well as prospects with high-level traits that could excel at their position, such as Boye Mafe (SIS No. 9 Edge), Kenneth Walker III (SIS No. 3 RB), Coby Bryant (SIS No. 5 CB), and Tariq Woolen (SIS No. 14 CB), if they fulfill their potential.

With what looks to be a strong QB class in 2023, Seattle is situated to replicate their “Legion of Boom” roster with solid starters throughout, all with controllable, salary cap-friendly contracts.

Bottom of the rankings

The bottom three teams for 2022, listed 30 to 32, were the Colts. Rams, and Dolphins.

Although the Colts didn’t possess a 1st-Round pick, they were still able to grab Bernhard Raimann (SIS No. 6 OT) in the 3rd Round, which was their best pick according to our grades. Alec Pierce (SIS No. 12 WR) is a solid No. 3 option and Jelani Woods (SIS No. 11 TE) is an athletic freak, but we project him as more of a backup. Additionally, they seemed to go heavy on small-schoolers, taking three FCS players late in the draft, two of which were not featured on the site.

The Rams took home the worst draft class last year, and look at how that worked out. They won the Super Bowl. It’s apparent Les Snead isn’t worried about draft picks, so when you don’t have many early-round selections, it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself near the bottom.

With that said, three of their eight selections were players not featured on the site. Their best selection was Derion Kendrick (SIS No. 11 CB) in the 6th Round. He struggled at his Pro Day, but has the tools to be a low-end starting corner at the next level. We view Kyren Williams (SIS No. 14 RB) as a 3rd-down difference maker and Logan Bruss (SIS No. 13 OG), their first selection of the draft, as a versatile backup along the O-Line.

This year’s worst class goes to the Miami Dolphins. Another team without an early-round pick, their first pick came in the 3rd Round.

However, it was an awesome one in Channing Tindall (SIS No. 4 Will LB). He’s an absolute missile at the linebacker position with a non-stop motor. After selecting Tindall, they drafted Erik Ezukanma (SIS No. 36 WR) in the 4th Round with Cameron Goode and Skylar Thompson coming in the 7th. Thompson just missed out on making the website.

With the trade for Tyreek Hill, however, one can argue that he’s part of the draft class and should be a huge weapon for Tua. Can the Dolphins follow in the footsteps of the Rams and win the Super Bowl after having the worst draft class? We’ll see.

Key Facts

Ten teams selected players who were all featured on the NFL Draft site. An additional three teams selected all but one, with the one being a special teams player.

After having the No. 2 Draft Class, the Eagles have reportedly added twelve UDFAs post-draft, with Carson Strong (SIS No. 5 QB), EJ Perry (SIS No. 8 QB), Mario Goodrich (SIS No. 18 CB), and Noah Elliss (SIS No. 5 NT) highlighting the group.

The Ravens have selected only three players who were not featured in the Handbook or on the site over the last four seasons, and only one wasn’t a fullback or punter (Brandon Stephens).

Across the past four seasons, the Bengals have the best average SIS Draft Class rank and grade average based on what grades were given in the Handbook and onto the website.

How the Handbook Compared to the Draft

Let’s take a look at how the SIS website stacks up to the NFL’s thinking of where players were selected. Outside of the Travon Walker/Aidan Hutchinson situation, SIS’s top player at each defensive position (NT, DT, Mike LB, Will LB, CB, and S) matched the first player of that group taken in the draft.

However, offensively we saw plenty of differences, only matching the first center (Tyler Linderbaum) and guard (Kenyon Green) taken. We matched with the same group of first five tackles taken, Mike linebackers, and edge rushers in slightly different orders, and matched 4 of the 5 at multiple positions. Every player an NFL team took within the top five at his position was on our website with a worthy grade, which we’re very proud of. The difference of opinion is healthy, and we’ll be interested to see how it shakes out in the years to come.

Overdrafted?

Some of the players we believe were taken too early in our estimation were Arnold Ebiketie and Tyquan Thornton, two top 50 selections who received 5.9 grades from our scouts. We liked the traits enough to give them top backup grades, but there’s work to be done to become a starting-caliber player.

The first round lined up with our grades very well. Again, our methodology of role-based scouting doesn’t lend itself to lining up perfectly with the rounds that players are selected in, but generally speaking, taking a player graded as a backup very early isn’t a good thing, as only 4 of the first 32 did not receive a 6.7 or higher from SIS.

However, we did have the Patriots’ selection of Cole Strange as our biggest Day 1 “reach.” With that said, we still did give Strange a lower-end starting grade, so even if it was a bit surprising, we still see him playing early for New England. The other non-6.7s were Kenny Pickett, Quay Walker, and Kaiir Elam.

Some other players we believe were taken too early for the roles we project them to are Martin Emerson, JT Woods, and Nick Cross, three players taken who were Top-100 selections who received grades a notch below a top backup.

The first eligible player (non-specialist or fullback) taken who we did not give a strong enough grade to reach the threshold we set for the website was Broncos WR Montrell Washington, taken in the 5th round, 162nd overall. This is the latest a non-website/Handbook player has been taken in the past four years.

Underdrafted?

Some Day 3 picks we believe will outperform their draft position include Coby Bryant, Isaiah Spiller, and Kingsley Enagbare. Each player received a universal solid-starting grade of 6.7 from our scouts and were high on our “SIS 101” Big Board. We also liked the Ravens’ two 4th-Round tight end selections of Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely, who were each graded a step below at 6.6.

Later on, there were six players at the 6.5 grade level taken in the 6th Round and later. Those players are Amare Barno, Grant Calcaterra, Cade Mays, Derion Kendrick, Kalia Davis, and Rasheed Walker. We think there’s a great chance these players can contribute in a big way by their second years in the league.

The only players SIS graded within the top 5 of their position group who were not drafted were Carson Strong, Alec Lindstrom, Dohnovan West, and Noah Elliss. Each of these players has already signed as a priority free agent (including, as noted earlier, two by the Eagles), and we could easily see them finding their way onto a roster this fall.

Our lone 6.7-level player who wasn’t selected in the draft was Justyn Ross, which has been widely discussed. His medical history (as we’ve noted on his report) is extensive, but we grade the player for who he is on the field. He finally landed with the Chiefs on a UDFA deal Monday afternoon. Similarly, Damone Clark was drafted much later than he possibly should have been, but he recently underwent surgery that will likely keep him from playing his rookie season.

Handbook Report Card

Every year the SIS scouting department looks to make improvements, and this year was our biggest leap yet. Transitioning to a website allowed us to remove our strict word count/page restrictions, which led to more thorough report writing and a much larger number of reports. There are 410 scouting reports on the Sports Info Solutions NFL Draft website, compared to 318 in 2021’s third annual edition of the SIS Rookie Handbook, the majority of which are much longer and more readable in their current format.

The number of drafted non-specialist/fullback players not featured on our site went down, as did the number of players drafted on whom we didn’t have eyes on at all (only 6 out of 262!). As we noted, our 1st-Round evaluations were a big success with 28/32 picks receiving 6.7 grades or higher and none below 6.5. The first player not featured on the website to be drafted was taken almost 90 picks after he was last year and not until the middle of the 5th Round.

Our scouting process became much more broad and collaborative this season, which can be seen in these results. As more of our contributors take larger ownership of certain regions, and further levels of cross-checks are added, our draft evaluations will only become more comprehensive. Due to the advent of our website, we were able to incorporate Combine and Pro Day performances as slight factors into the process, which was a new strategy for us that led to deeper injury evaluations and some needed triple checking of reports.

We can’t wait to build off the success of the introduction to our online platform and streamline the process moving forward. Year 2 of the site and Year 5 of the process will no doubt be the best yet, as has every previous edition before it.

Please continue to check out the SIS NFL Draft website as the offseason continues. If you’d like to be involved in our scouting and charting processes next year, consider applying to our Football Video scout position. We’re taking applications and interviewing for next year’s class now.

May 2, 2022

What Does Your Team Need in the NFL Draft?

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve done in-depth pieces looking at what each NFL team needs in the upcoming draft and which players are the best fits to fill those needs.

If you’re looking for your team, you’ve come to the right place. You can find all of the articles here.

Team	Article Link
49ers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/26/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-san-francisco-49ers/
Bears	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/26/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-chicago-bears/
Bengals	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/19/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-cincinnati-bengals/
Bills	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/26/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-buffalo-bills/
Broncos	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/22/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-denver-broncos/
Browns	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/25/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-cleveland-browns/
Buccaneers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/19/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-tampa-bay-buccaneers/
Cardinals	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/27/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-arizona-cardinals/
Chargers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/15/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-los-angeles-chargers/
Chiefs	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/13/nfl-draft-analysis-kansas-city-chiefs/
Colts	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/13/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-indianapolis-colts/
Commanders	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/14/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-washington-commanders/
Cowboys	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/19/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-dallas-cowboys/
Dolphins	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/27/nfl-draft-analysis-miami-dolphins/
Eagles	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/26/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-philadelphia-eagles/
Falcons	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/27/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-atlanta-falcons/
Giants	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/18/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-new-york-giants
Jaguars	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/08/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-jacksonville-jaguars/
Jets	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/18/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-new-york-jets/
Lions	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/21/2555/
Packers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/25/sis-nfl-draft-pick-analysis-green-bay-packers/
Panthers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/12/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-carolina-panthers/
Patriots	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/25/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-new-england-patriots/
Raiders	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/12/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-las-vegas-raiders/
Rams	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/15/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-los-angeles-rams/
Ravens	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/20/sis-nfl-draft-analysis-baltimore-ravens/
Saints	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/27/nfll-draft-pick-analysis-new-orleans-saints/
Seahawks	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/27/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-seattle-seahawks/
Steelers	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/20/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-pittsburgh-steelers/
Texans	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/22/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-houston-texans/
Titans	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/25/nfl-draft-pick-analysis-tennessee-titans/
Vikings	https://ww2.sportsinfosolutions.com/2022/04/21/nfl-draft-analysis-minnesota-vikings/

April 28, 2022

NFL Draft AnalySIS: Miami Dolphins

The State of the Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have had quite the offseason!

After a 9-8 season, they fired Brian Flores, which he quickly responded to by filing a lawsuit. While it seems that the plan was to bring in Tom Brady and Sean Payton to run the team (allegedly), the Dolphins eventually set their sights in a different direction.

Mike McDaniel has taken over as Head Coach, and the Dolphins offense around Tua Tagovailoa promises to look very different this year. After trading a load of draft capital for Tyreek Hill, Miami will have one of the fastest pairs of wide receivers in the league, but it isn’t scheduled to pick until a compensatory selection in the 3rd round at 102 overall.

#102 Overall

Coby Bryant – CB – Cincinnati

Bryant doesn’t have elite speed and needs to become a better tackler, but is an intelligent and athletic corner who has the field awareness and ball skills to be a long-time starter at the next level.

It might be a longshot to hope that he will still be available, but if the other half of Cincinnati’s excellent CB duo (along with Sauce Gardner) is still available at the end of Round 3, that would present excellent value to a team that needs some more cost-controlled options at the position.

Matthew Butler – DT – Tennessee

Butler has the first-step explosion, heavy hand punch, and nonstop motor to be disruptive, but his lack of strength and agility likely keep him from being a three-down starter at the next level.

Butler seems likely to be available at this slot, and he could provide some much needed depth on Miami’s defensive line. He’s naturally slotted in as a reserve 5-technique with the ability to rush from the inside on passing downs.

Isaiah Likely – Tight End – Coastal Carolina

Likely is a unique hybrid tight end with the athletic, receiving skills needed to pose a threat to defenses, but he’ll need to improve as a standard blocker to become a complete player.

The Dolphins are in no position to be drafting for need without a pick in the top 100, so even though they already have Mike Gesicki on a franchise tag, Likely would upgrade the receiving ability of the position group immediately and potentially provide roster flexibility in the future.

#125 Overall

John Ridgeway – NT – Arkansas

Ridgeway has the size, strength, and body control to be an effective two-gap run defender, but he lacks the athleticism or mismatch ability to be an effective pass rusher.

If the Dolphins elect to fortify their defensive front at the Nose, the former small schooler, Ridgeway, would present an interesting alternative to Raekwon Davis and John Jenkins.

Justyn Ross – WR – Clemson

Ross has the combination of size, athleticism, and quick-twitch to contribute in a variety of ways in a receiving room at the next level, but must overcome injury and production concerns to do so.

After adding Tyreek Hill and Credric Wilson to a team that already includes Jaylen Waddle, McDaniel can afford to take a shot on a big-bodied talent despite the injury risk.

Amare Barno – Edge – Virginia Tech

Barno has the athleticism, speed, and explosion to get after the quarterback, but needs to get stronger in the run game and become a more polished pass rusher in order to be a three-down player at the next level.

The Dolphins are one injury away from having major issues finding somebody to come off the edge. You can never have too many pass rushers, and Barno will provide depth while he learns the ins and outs of the position.

To learn more about the Dolphins and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 27, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
Seattle Seahawks

The State of the Seahawks:

The Seattle Seahawks are yet another team at the end of an era, trading former Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a haul of picks and players, including former 2nd round pick Drew Lock.

Even with public-facing positive comments about Lock being their starter they love, their could still be a QB in the cards for the Seahawks. Pete Carroll remains the head coach, and seems to continue with his run-first mentality. However, the Seahawks have multiple holes on the offensive line, especially at both tackle spots, and are in need of a next-level edge rusher.

#9 Overall

Derek Stingley Jr. – CB – LSU

Stingley has the man coverage, athleticism, and ball skills to be an NFL defense’s No. 1 cornerback, but his injury history and dip in on-field production since his freshman year are concerns that need to be vetted.

Stingley is a bank-on-the-tools cornerback who showed the ability to anchor a secondary as a freshman, but recent lack of production could cause him to slip to the Seahawks.

Malik Willis – QB – Liberty

Willis is a true dual-threat quarterback with special arm talent and explosive athleticism, but needs to become a more polished and accurate passer to reach his full potential at the next level.

The Seahawks have had plenty of success with a mobile QB, and with Willis’ elite rushing skill set, could bank on that as they move their team into a new era.

Travon Walker – Edge – Georgia

Walker has the physical and athletic traits that are highly coveted as a versatile defensive lineman, and if he can reach his potential as a pass rusher at the next level, he can be a special pass rushing talent.

Walker’s off-the-charts athleticism could give Seattle the elite rusher it has long looked for.

#40 & #41 Overall

With back to back picks, the considered players are the same.

Matt Corral – QB – Ole Miss

Corral is a mobile quarterback with great pocket awareness and athletic ability, but he must refine his spot-on accuracy to all levels and decision-making skills in order to become a reason you win games in the NFL.

Corral comes with a huge RPO background, and his abilities with his legs are reminiscent of Russell Wilson’s younger years.

Arnold Ebiketie – Edge – Penn State

Ebiketie is toolsy in key areas like length, athleticism, flexibility and closing speed, but he needs to improve as a run defender by adding bulk to his lower half, as well as his efficiency and variety as a pass rusher in order to see an expanded role at the next level.

Ebiketie’s ability to make plays behind the LOS and generate pressure in pass rush make him a perfect candidate for a D-line needing that spark.

Kyler Gordon – CB – Washington

Gordon is an athletically gifted cover corner with good versatility inside and out, who should develop into a solid subpackage contributor with improved instincts and hand techniques.

The local Kyler Gordon would serve as a great developmental corner who, with experience, could develop into a dependable NFL starter.

Daniel Faalele – OT – Minnesota

Faalele has the gargantuan size and surprising athleticism teams salivate over in a potential tackle, but he will need to continue to improve his body composition and his foot quickness to reach his high potential.

Faalele’s dominant run blocking, massive potential with his massive size, and need of reps makes him a perfect day one insert into Seattle’s front.

#72 Overall

Brandon Smith – LB – Penn State

Smith has the athleticism, coverage comfortability, and closing speed to play in today’s NFL, but he must refine his run game strength and technique to see the field consistently.

Smith’s high athleticism and experience as a tackle machine make a great developmental stand-in for the now-Ram Bobby Wagner.

Carson Strong – QB – Nevada

Strong has the arm strength and leadership qualities needed to be a solid quarterback at the NFL level, but he will need to become more accurate and better under pressure to be much more than a circumstantial starter.

Odds are low any QB will have as much experience calling the shots for their offense than Strong. There’s a lot to like, but falls a step short in accuracy and handling pressure.

Abraham Lucas – OT – Washington State

Lucas is a big-bodied technician that wins with savvy and anticipation on the edge, though his lack of strength and athleticism will prevent him from being a consistent starter.

Lucas’ experience goes a long way, and his high production in pass protection fills an immediate need for right tackle.

To learn more about the Seahawks and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 27, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
New Orleans Saints

The State of the Saints:

The New Orleans Saints have found themselves at the brink of the salary cap for multiple years, and are planning to give Jameis Winston another run at the helm after tearing his ACL in 2021. With a .500 roster, the Saints have potential needs on the left side of the line, and in supporting WRs.

After a massive trade with the Eagles, the Saints gave up plenty of future selections to add an extra 1st round pick to this season. It could be QB driven, it may not be. The now Sean Payton-less Saints head into a draft crucial to their long-term success.

#16 Overall

Desmond Ridder – QB – Cincinnati

Ridder shows good decision-making ability, mobility, and leadership, but he lacks the arm talent to be an ideal starter on the NFL level.

Trading an extra first with a shaky QB situation makes it impossible to ignore this possibility. Ridder’s leadership, experience, and evident production make him an easy candidate for a developmental future face of the franchise.

Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama

It remains to be seen if he can regain the elite sink and explosive force in his lower half post-injury, but Williams’ speed control, intangibles, and overall game-breaking dynamism will make for a high-quality receiving threat in the NFL.

The Saints have had tons of success with getting Alvin Kamara the ball in space, and Williams presents those same luxuries from the lacking receiver room.

Devin Lloyd – LB – Utah

Lloyd has the speed, aggressive mindset, pass rushing ability, and defensive playmaking ability teams crave in a Will linebacker, and if he continues to hone his craft within the box, he has a very high ceiling.

Lloyd’s all-around abilities and fantastic athleticism would make him a day one starting linebacker in New Orleans, likely as a Will.

#19 Overall

Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State

Olave has the catch radius, catch skills, and tracking ability to be a threat at all levels of the field, but needs to become a cleaner route runner and get quicker out of breaks to take advantage of his full potential.

With one of the weakest receiver rooms in the league, Olave’s ability to separate and win at all levels makes him an easy WR selection.

Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas

Burks will have to improve as a sharp route separator as his tree expands moving forward, but his body control, catching skills, and competitive speed make him an impact player at all levels of the field.

Burks’ physical abilities are nowhere to be found in the current receiving corps. A dynamic weapon for years to come.

Trevor Penning – OT – Northern Iowa

Penning is a physically dominant and imposing run blocker with an ideal frame for an NFL tackle, but he needs to keep developing his hand use and improve his pad level to round out his overall profile taking the big step up in competition.

With a large hole at left tackle, Penning’s physicality would be a welcomed addition to the Saints.

#49 Overall

Bernhard Raimann – OT – Central Michigan

Raimann is a raw athlete with good size and the strength to hold up early at the next level, though refining his hands and overall skill set as a lineman could allow him to develop into a solid starter one day.

Betting on his traits, he would get plenty of reps to catch up to NFL speed at LT to replace Terron Armstead.

Jaquan Brisker – S – Penn State

Brisker is a polished, ready-made, versatile DB with a well-rounded set of physical, mental, and emotional tools that add up to a high-floor safety in the NFL.

Brisker’s all-around game will fill the hole left by the dependable Malcolm Jenkins’ retirement.

#98 Overall

Alontae Taylor – CB – Tennessee

Taylor has the speed, physicality, and cover skills to make an impact at the next level, with improvement playing off, with his transition, and his overall tackling ability in order to work himself into a starting role.

The Saints need to ensure depth at the corner position, and Taylor’s man coverage ability and physicality make him a strong developmental candidate.

Jelani Woods – TE – Virginia

Woods is an adequate receiver and blocker with the smarts and physicality to see time as a backup tight end, though he’ll need to get faster and improve his functional strength once he gets to the next level.

Woods’ receiving and YAC ability would give Jameis another much-needed weapon by virtue of the tight end position.

Zach Tom – OT – Wake Forest

Tom is a technical blocker who possesses the reactive athleticism, hand use, and range to be an effective player at the next level, though lack of length, lower-body strength, and overall finishing ability make him more of a backup.

Tom’s technically sound and reactive style would make a serviceable solution to the left tackle spot, but his lacking strength will hold him to a long-term backup.

To learn more about the Saints and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 27, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
Arizona Cardinals

The State of the Cardinals:

The Cardinals enter the 2022 season as a team seemingly progressing towards a deep playoff push, but uncertainty is abound. It will be the fourth year of Kliff Kingsbury’s tenure that has seen an increase in wins each season, but late season woes and disappointing finishes as well. They have also yet to extend their young quarterback Kyler Murray, causing him to show frustration in the public. With an aging group of skill position players, they will look to fortify their future.

#23 Overall

Drake London – WR – USC

London lacks explosive speed and quickness, but his hands, size, basketball-level athleticism, and natural feel for the receiver position should make him an impact player in the NFL at multiple levels of the field.

London gives the Cardinals another big play receiver that could take their offense to the next level.

Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas

Burks will have to improve as a sharp route separator as his tree expands moving forward, but his body control, catching skills, and competitive speed make him an impact player at all levels of the field.

Burks is a big-bodied playmaker that fits well and will be an impact blocker for Kingsbury’s offense.

Trevor Penning – OT – Northern Iowa

Penning is a physically dominant and imposing run blocker with an ideal frame for an NFL tackle, but he needs to keep developing his hand use and improve his pad level to round out his overall profile taking the big step up in competition.

Penning’s size, athleticism, and demeanor give him tremendous potential, and after he gains some refinement, he can take over at either tackle or guard spot.

#55 Overall

Trey McBride – TE – Colorado State

McBride has the hands, catch radius and body control as a receiver with the willingness and competitiveness as a blocker to start at the next level, but inconsistent separation skills and run block effectiveness could hold him back.

McBride is a ready to play prospect that can help this team win now and is a natural to take over for Zach Ertz.

Drake Jackson – Edge – USC

Jackson has the physical profile and energy of a potential starter, but he needs technical refinement of his quality tools to reach a consistent three-down level of development.

With Markus Golden getting older and Chandler Jones moving on, Jackson is a player that can contribute some this year and could be a potential impact rusher.

#87 Overall

Nik Bonitto – Edge – Oklahoma

Bonitto is an athletic, rangy, bendy pass rusher who should excel at getting to the passer with his lack of strength and run game stoutness limiting him to just third downs early in his career at the next level.

If the Cardinals wait on an Edge, Bonitto is a pass rush specialist that could fill the role vacated by Chandler Jones.

Isaiah Likely – TE – Coastal Carolina

Likely is a unique hybrid tight end with the athletic, receiving skills needed to pose a threat to defenses, but he’ll need to improve as a standard blocker to become a complete player.

With no clear tight end of the future on the roster, Likely gives them an explosive playmaker that could develop into a well-rounded, top-tier player.

Greg Dulcich – TE – UCLA

Dulcich isn’t the shiftiest route runner or most technically refined run blocker, but he’s a converted wide receiver with good competitive toughness and the strong all-around skill set of a potential starter.

Dulcich is a weapon in the pass game that can model himself after Ertz.

To learn more about the Cardinals and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 27, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
Atlanta Falcons

The State of the Falcons:

Truly the end of an era in Atlanta. Decade-plus quarterback Matt Ryan was sent to Indianapolis for one last push at a Super Bowl, while the Falcons re-tool a roster that has continued to overachieve. Their SIS-WAR expected wins was 3.2 last year, but they won 7. All efficiency metrics rank in the 20s. This is not a good football team.

With a hole at virtually every position besides their last two first round selections (TE Kyle Pitts and CB A.J. Terrell), the Falcons are looking for any piece of value coming their way. Trying to reunite Marcus Mariota with a coach who benched him for Ryan Tannehill in Arthur Smith is, a start. With Mariota likely just a bridge QB, the Falcons have plenty to address with their five Top 100 picks.

#8 Overall

Kyle Hamilton – S – Notre Dame

Hamilton is a versatile safety who impacts all three levels of the field and is a rangy playmaker with the cover skills, speed, and athleticism to be an elite-level defender against both the run and pass.

If there’s a slide for his testing metrics, the Falcons should jump on the incredibly versatile and dynamic safety.

Charles Cross – OT – Mississippi State

Cross’ transition to a more diverse offense will be an adjustment, but he’s a true pass protecting left tackle displaying outstanding athleticism and body control, whose improvements already at a young age suggest a very high ceiling.

Cross is a franchise left tackle that can be a pre-built solution for their QB investment of the future.

Travon Walker – Edge – Georgia

Walker has the physical and athletic traits that are highly coveted as a versatile defensive lineman, and if he can reach his potential as a pass rusher at the next level, he can be a special pass rushing talent.

Walker’s phenomenal athletic upside and home-grown talent would make him a fan-favorite franchise building block.

Garrett Wilson – WR – Ohio State

Wilson has the speed, route running, and ballcarrying traits that excite teams, and if he can work on attacking the ball when it’s in the air and improving his ability along the sideline, he will be a strong starter very early in his NFL career.

The WR room in Atlanta is abysmal. We’ve seen the Falcons build around a WR previously (Julio Jones), and Wilson comes with the versatility to win anywhere and everywhere.

#43 Overall

Quay Walker – LB – Georgia

Walker’s ability to defend the run and play in zone coverage make him an intriguing prospect at his size and athletic profile, and if he can continue to improve his instincts, he has the potential to be a high-level starter at the next level.

The tools of a dependable LB, with pass game experience and run game excellence.

Bernhard Raimann – OT – Central Michigan

Raimann is a raw athlete with good size and the strength to hold up early at the next level, though refining his hands and overall skill set as a lineman could allow him to develop into a solid starter one day.

Let him have all the reps he needs, and use his athleticism to mold him into the franchise tackle the Falcons want.

#58 Overall

Perrion Winfree – DT – Oklahoma

Winfrey’s positional versatility, power, and pass rush ability will give him a chance to make an impact early on, but his body control and agility will need to improve for him to become a three-down player.

A Senior Bowl dominator, Winfree displays a dominant athletic profile, where he can work on technicalities with plenty of reps.

Kenneth Walker III – RB – Michigan State

Walker isn’t the most dynamic running back, and his passing game skills will need to be improved if he wants to see an every-down workload, but his vision as a ballcarrier is excellent and should allow him to be a quality starter right away.

Patterson is a fun, dynamic player, but the Arthur Smith Titans leaned on a fantastic pound-the-rock runner, and Walker is exactly that.

#74 Overall

The Falcons WR room is this bad. Each one of these receivers is a bit different, but would all provide needed upside and ability, something necessary for Marcus Mariota if he’s getting a real shot at a long-term starting gig.

Wan’Dale Robinson – WR – Kentucky

Robinson is undersized and needs improved route sharpness, savvy, and overall receiving play detail, but his short-area quickness and extensive history as a ballcarrier give him an intriguing ceiling as a mismatch weapon out of the slot.

David Bell – WR – Purdue

Bell needs to improve his route running separation skills, but his deep ball tracking and slippery ballcarrying abilities should make for a multi-level threat and a reliable, alignment-versatile third option.

Jalen Tolbert – WR – South Alabama

Tolbert has the size, speed, and athletic body control to take the top off a defense at the next level, but he’ll need to improve on the finer points of receiver play to become a more versatile offensive contributor.

#82 Overall

Sean Rhyan – OG – UCLA

Rhyan is strong and powerful, generating push in the run game and using accurate hand placement in pass pro, but heavy feet, a lack of quickness, and the inability to redirect against pass rushers pencil him in as a backup swing tackle.

Could play tackle, but also projected to move inside. Smart and powerful, but technique refinement necessary.

Myjai Sanders – Edge – Cincinnati

Sanders has a relentless mindset with the length, repertoire, and hand use to be an effective three-down player, but he’ll need to keep his pad level down and focus on mixing up his pass rush moves in order to hit his ceiling.

The ceiling is high for Sanders, and plenty of snaps are available for him to develop more moves.

To learn more about the Falcons and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 27, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
Philadelphia Eagles

The State of the Eagles:

After a trip to the playoffs that surprised some, the Eagles enter the 2022 season with second year head coach Nick Sirianni, and third year quarterback Jalen Hurts. They have already moved one of their first round picks into 2023, as Hurts is in a prove-it year and the 2023 QB class looks to have high-end talent.

As for the rest of the roster, the secondary is in dire need of help in the back-end, as well as someone to play opposite CB Darius Slay. They also must improve upon their lackluster 2021 sack production

#15 Overall

Derek Stingley Jr. – CB – LSU

Stingley has the man coverage, athleticism, and ball skills to be an NFL defense’s No. 1 cornerback, but his injury history and dip in on-field production since his freshman year are concerns that need to be vetted.

If available, Stingley Jr. could give the Eagles the best cornerback tandem in the league if he regains the form he displayed as a freshman at LSU.

Kyle Hamilton – S – Notre Dame

Hamilton is a versatile safety who impacts all three levels of the field and is a rangy playmaker with the cover skills, speed, and athleticism to be an elite-level defender against both the run and pass.

With his 40-yard dash time causing concerns, Hamilton could fall into the lap of the Eagles and give them the versatile tone-setter their defense requires.

Trent McDuffie – CB – Washington

McDuffie is a fluid athlete who has the speed, quickness, and transition ability to be a solid shutdown corner at the next level, though his size for the outside and limited on-ball production could be what holds him back.

McDuffie would thrive as a No. 2 cornerback and would force offenses to test Darius Slay more frequently.

#18 Overall

George Karlaftis – Edge – Purdue

Karlaftis is an athletic and powerful edge prospect with his best football ahead of him, especially if he can continue refining his pass rush detail.

Karlaftis shows the ability to rush the passer from the outside, as well reduce down and could take over for Brandon Graham going forward.

Daxton Hill – S – Michigan

Hill is a versatile and competitive defensive back who can be impactful at all levels of the field with his man coverage ability, despite his slight frame.

With a lack of production from the safeties on the roster, Hill could fill multiple roles and looks to have his best football in front of him.

#51 Overall

Jaquan Brisker – S – Penn State

Brisker is a polished, ready-made, versatile DB with a well-rounded set of physical, mental, and emotional tools that add up to a high-floor safety in the NFL.

The Eagles need cohesion on their defense and Brisker can act as a coach on the field and become a leader as a rookie.

Jalen Pitre – S – Baylor

Pitre is a super twitched-up athlete with very good instincts for when to attack and a skill set that will have him making plays all over the field, but limited deep cover skills likely limit him to exclusively playing near the LOS.

Pitre is a playmaker that can both sure up the Eagles’ run defense and help boost their sack numbers.

Roger McCreary – CB – Auburn

McCreary projects best as a 3rd corner with good height, speed, and athleticism to play in the slot or out wide, and despite his short arms, he is at his best in press coverage.

Despite his lack of ideal length, McCreary is a pure technician that can be left alone on an island.

#83 Overall

Jalen Tolbert – WR – South Alabama

Tolbert has the size, speed, and athletic body control to take the top off a defense at the next level, but he’ll need to improve on the finer points of receiver play to become a more versatile offensive contributor.

The Eagles could use a vertical threat opposite DeVonta Smith and Tolbert is a master at taking the top off the defense.

Cole Strange – G – Chattanooga

Strange has the reactive athleticism to mirror defenders, consistent leg drive to move them, and the nastiness to finish through the whistle, but he’ll need to improve his balance, footwork, and awareness to maximize his potential.

Strange has the ability to play guard at the next level, and at the Senior Bowl, showed that he is also an option at center.

#101 Overall

Dameon Pierce – RB – Florida

Pierce is a powerful back who has the contact balance, strength, and toughness to impact the next level, but his lack of playmaking ability, long speed, and receiving impact may keep him from being a three-down player.

Pierce gives the Eagles a running back that fits the current offensive scheme and reduces the future cap hit from that position.

Dylan Parham – G – Memphis

Parham is a smart player with the athleticism and quickness to be a versatile lineman, but will need to get stronger and more physical to maximize his potential at the next level.

Parham’s athleticism and experience across the offensive line make him a prime candidate to take over for center Jason Kelce moving forward.

Sam Williams – Edge – Ole Miss

Williams is a fantastic athlete who will bring good length, strength and upside to a team’s pass rush attack, but he needs to refine his technique and play with more mental consistency to become a reliable three-down player.

With experience ranging from off-ball linebacker to interior defensive lineman, Williams has consistently won with both physicality and athleticism.

To learn more about the Eagles and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 26, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
Buffalo Bills

The State of the Bills:

The Bills are in full on win now mode and perennial super Bowl favorites heading into the 2022 season. After having their season ended by the Kansas City Chiefs the past two seasons, GM Brandon Beene is looking to add the missing pieces with an eye on the Lombardi trophy.

The offseason has already seen them fill key holes at some crucial positions by bringing in Von Miller, Rodger Saffold III, and O.J. Howard in free agency. Through the draft they will be looking to fill their No. 2 CB role, add another WR to Josh Alllen’s arsenal, and perhaps bring a youthful young RB into the locker room.

#25 Overall

Andrew Booth Jr. – CB – Clemson

Booth is a twitchy, athletic corner with the man coverage tools and ball skills to develop into a strong starter at the next level, but his tackling woes and lack of hip fluidity could hold him back early in his career.

Looking to fill the No. 2 CB spot across from Tre’Davious White, the Bills would look to Booth to fill that role in the first round.

Jahan Dotson – WR – Penn State

Dotson’s size and toughness limit him in certain situations, but his explosiveness and body control allow him to make spectacular plays at all levels of the field.

With departures of Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley the Bills need to look at filling a void at the WR position and Dotson does just that.

Kenyon Green – OG – Texas A&M

Green can have inconsistent hand placement and needs more refined technique against finesse rushers, but he is a physical and athletic guard with the footwork, sheer strength, and awareness to be a difference maker on the inside.

The weak point of the Bills offense has been their OL play, more specifically their guards over the past several seasons, so any help would be a welcome addition to protecting Josh Allen and aiding in the run game.

#57 Overall

Christian Harris – LB – Alabama

Harris is a fast, smart, and versatile linebacker who has many of the requisite physical traits of a quality starter, but he needs to improve his downhill playmaking and zone instincts to reach his full potential.

While the Bills starting LBs are locked down with Edmunds and Milano, they will be looking for a back-up and some fresher legs if one of their starters may miss time due to injury which Harris can provide for them.

John Metchie III – WR – Alabama

Metchie has the quickness, route running, and ability after the catch to be a threat out of the slot at the next level, but his inability to make contested grabs and lack of long speed may be what holds him back.

The Bills will be looking for WR help especially for a savvy route runner who can fill the void of Cole Beasley in the slot and Metchie fills this role perfectly.

Kenneth Walker III – RB – Michigan St

Walker isn’t the most dynamic running back, and his passing game skills will need to be improved if he wants to see an every-down workload, but his vision as a ball carrier is excellent and should allow him to be a quality starter right away.

While RB may not be a focus of the offseason, having more options behind Devin Singletary also wouldn’t hurt the Bills offense and Walker provides skills they could use.

#89 Overall

Ed Ingram – OG – Georgia

Ingram is gap-scheme-specific, and his limited athletic ability and finesse traits could hold him back if misutilized, but his pulling prowess, point-of-attack tenacity and power, and pass pro awareness should make him a starting-caliber NFL guard.

Ingram would give the Bills another option as an interior lineman, a position of weakness in the past.

James Cook – RB – Georgia

Cook is a dynamic receiver who has the versatility and playmaking ability to win in space at the next level, but he’ll need to become a more technical and consistent runner and improve in pass pro to become a three-down back.

The third round is where the Bills may start to be more inclined to add a RB and Cook’s skill set, especially his abilities in the passing game, will earn him snaps on the Bills offense.

Wan’Dale Robinson – WR – Kentucky

Robinson is undersized and needs improved route sharpness, savvy, and overall receiving play detail, but his short-area quickness and extensive history as a ball carrier give him an intriguing ceiling as a mismatch weapon out of the slot.

The versatility of Robinson would be a welcome addition to the Bills offense where he could fit right in lining up in the slot.

To learn more about the Bills and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 26, 2022
NFL Draft Pick AnalySIS:
San Francisco 49ers

The State of the 49ers:

The 49ers turned an injury-riddled slow start into being one quarter away from the Super Bowl, thanks in large part to the steady play of QB Jimmy Garoppolo and the explosive talent of WR-turned-RB Deebo Samuel.

Now, Garoppolo and Samuel are both awaiting potential draft-night trades, as San Francisco’s competitive roster turns to 2020 1st-round QB Trey Lance.

The 49ers pieced together its secondary last year and saw multiple free agent departures that need addressing, especially on the offensive line. However, Lance’s readiness and the apparent replacement of Samuel’s touches are the most crucial keys to sustaining their contending status.

Potential mid-late 1st Round Pick (Deebo Samuel trade)

Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas

Burks will have to improve as a sharp route separator as his tree expands moving forward, but his body control, catching skills, and competitive speed make him an impact player at all levels of the field.

Burks has often been compared to a larger Deebo Samuel in this draft process, so he’d be an ideal target in the event of a trade. The 49ers have a clear trend in their receiving preferences – yards after catch abilities – and Burks has that in spades.

Trevor Penning – OT – Northern Iowa

Penning is a physically dominant and imposing run blocker with an ideal frame for an NFL tackle, but he needs to keep developing his hand use and improve his pad level to round out his overall profile taking the big step up in competition.

This is a deep WR class, so the Samuel replacement could come later. Having bookend tackles with the elite athleticism and mauling tenacity of Trent Williams and Trevor Penning could be too difficult to pass up.

#61 Overall

Tariq Woolen – CB – UTSA

Woolen’s gliding strides, elite athleticism, and superior length are difficult traits to teach, but he needs to match his play strength to his size and continue growing his natural coverage skills and comfortability to reach his high ceiling.

Woolen is a high upside cornerback prospect, with exceptional length and athleticism to go with a raw wide receiver background, that would give the 49ers a quality outside corner to develop opposite FA signing Charvarius Ward.

DeMarvin Leal – DT – Texas A&M

Leal is an athletic and agile defensive lineman at his size, who offers great versatility as a pass rusher but needs to work on his interior run defense to keep that flexibility on all three downs.

Arik Armstead’s move inside could be the template for Leal, and Javon Kinlaw has had a bumpy start to his career. Leal fits the 49ers’ mold of pass rushers with alignment diversity.

Darian Kinnard – OG – Kentucky

Kinnard is a big, strong blocker with a mauling mentality in the run game, but needs to refine his footwork, hand accuracy, and overall technique in the pass game to be an effective starter at the next level.

San Francisco will have some new pieces up front next season. Kinnard is a big body but moves well for Shanahan’s zone scheme, especially with a shift inside to guard.

Wan’Dale Robinson – WR – Kentucky

Robinson is undersized and needs improved route sharpness, savvy, and overall receiving play detail, but his short-area quickness and extensive history as a ballcarrier give him an intriguing ceiling as a mismatch weapon out of the slot.

In the event of a Deebo Samuel trade that isn’t addressed with a potential earlier pick, Robinson offers a similar package of RB/WR experience and ballcarrying flexibility that the 49ers covet.

#93 Overall

Kerby Joseph – S – Illinois

Joseph is a rangy, ball-hawking deep safety who has the smarts and skills to be a starter at the next level, though he’ll become more of a threat if he gets a little more physical and is willing to mix it up more often.

Jaquiski Tartt is now a free agent after spending 7 seasons in San Francisco. Joseph is a different style of player than Tartt, and what the 9ers currently have as alternative options, but he’s a back-end pass and run playmaker.

Marcus Jones – CB – Houston

Jones is an excellent, fluid athlete with the speed, quickness, and mirror-match ability to excel at the next level, but his size and issues against bigger receivers may prove difficult to overcome from time to time.

One of the most unique players in this year’s class, Jones is a twitchy, undersized ball hawk, who can contribute from the slot in subpackages and boost a tepid return game.

Kingsley Enagbare – Edge – South Carolina

Enagbare has the hand usage, pass-rush technique, and motor to be an effective pass rusher early on, but must get stronger in his lower half and get a little more athletic to be an impact player against the run.

Enagbare could be a nice edge rusher complement to Joey Bosa and give the 49ers good rotational depth at a position that’s lacked consistent production.

#105 Overall

Jeremy Ruckert – TE – Ohio State

Ruckert isn’t a dynamic weapon, but he has a well-balanced game in all phases with the blocking temperament and receiving upside to become a solid tight end.

George Kittle is arguably the most complete tight end in the NFL, but injuries and heavy usage suggest finding a strong No. 2 is a need. Few tight ends in this class match Ruckert’s combination of blocking and receiving upside.

Max Mitchell – OT – Louisiana

Mitchell has the frame and athleticism to become a valuable swing tackle and potentially more if he can continue to work on the technical aspects of his game.

Mitchell is an experienced zone blocker with a well-rounded skill set to assist at multiple spots on the 49ers’ evolving offensive line.

Luke Fortner – OC – Kentucky

Fortner has the quickness, athleticism, and smarts to start at the center position by Year 2, but he needs to improve his strength and leverage in order to hit his full potential.

Alex Mack has a lot of miles on his body. Fortner could potentially contribute early at guard in their zone scheme as the center-in-waiting for the future.

To learn more about the 49ers and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.

April 26, 2022