DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Butler trimmed down and became a faster, more impactful player with increased range and better coverage. The three-time captain is the heart and soul of his defense and flies around looking to make a hit. He's inconsistent at diagnosing the play, and his lack of length and poise stymie his finishing rate as a tackler. Butler's toughness, cover talent and potential to help on special teams gives him a shot to make a squad despite his lack of physical traits.

Offensive line prospect with the frame, strength and grit to make a go of it moving from tackle to guard. Carter displays some technical savvy in certain areas, but needs much more work to get to where he needs to go. He lacks explosiveness and tends to lean on his ability to maul as a run blocker. If he can get his hands and pad level locked in, he'll have a shot to become an NFL backup.

Diallo has been tied to multiple colleges and multiple positions. While he has experience as a physical base end in an even front, he lacks the length and rush consistency teams look for along the edge and would be better-suited gaining back his weight and plying his trade inside. The twitchy, violent hands and ability to pursue down the line with speed create playmaking opportunities that should translate into the league, but he must play with better focus and gap integrity to stick around as a rotational defender.

To get a complete picture on Roberson, it is necessary to study his tape prior to the ACL tear he suffered in 2020. The typical recovery timetable should have Roberson back to pre-injury form by next season, so his grade is based primarily off tape from 2019 and 2020. He's a high-cut receiver with tight hips who is more speedy than athletic. When healthy, he takes the top off of defenses with high-power acceleration that can lead to long touchdowns. However, he lacks the short-area agility to beat tight man coverage with route success. Medicals will play a big role in determining his draft day value, but when healthy Roberson, will still need a more limited route tree for optimal results.

Sky-scraping tight end with in-line potential if he can continue filling out his frame with additional muscle. Despite his tall center of gravity, Allen will flash as both a down blocker and as an athletic, moving shield when blocking in space. His release and route running are heavy and plodding; he's unlikely to beat man coverage on the next level without scheme help. He is willing and able to catch the ball in traffic and his height gives him a theoretical advantage on jump-ball throws. Allen appears to have football in his future, but his level of success could be determined by whether or not he can develop into a true "Y" as a pro.

Developmental project with extremely rare length who will need a technique overhaul to be ready to fend off NFL pass rushers. Eze is a former basketball player with a leaner lower body and a wingspan to find opponents before they find him. He's likely to have pad-level issues, so building up his base and learning to play with better hands is a must. He's a candidate for a draft-and-stash practice squad run to work on areas of improvement. Eze has swing tackle upside but a lower floor.

Inside/outside target with his most productive seasons coming at Montana in 2019 and Nebraska in 2021. Toure has average NFL size and speed and below-average route-running technique, but coverage tends to struggle to stay in step with him on over routes and posts. He struggles with physical coverage and contested catch opportunities. Toure might have a shot to find a back-end roster spot in an offense looking for slot speed with a scheme allowing him to catch on the move both intermediate and deep.

Scheme-dependent safety whose impressive pro-day numbers will earn a second look from evaluators. Teams will love the speed, quickness and explosive testing but the attributes don't always pop on tape. He's a little tight-hipped and lacks fluidity in man coverage and ball tracking as a deep safety. Nelson is instinctive and reactive when playing forward. He's a solid cover man over the first two levels from man or zone. He's a capable run supporter with quick diagnosis but can be inconsistent with pursuit angles. If used properly, Nelson has backup potential.

While Newman-Johnson has spent a majority of his time at guard, teams are likely to ask him to play center, where is size and length are a more natural fit. He's a decent run blocker with good pop and the ability to play in a variety of schemes. He has enough initial quickness to get into space and make blocks asked of centers in move-oriented offenses. His pass protection, however, is where the concern lies, as he has had issues playing with a consistent mirror and good balance. He offers center/guard flexibility and has backup potential at the next level.

Developmental defensive back with size, speed and fluidity that stands out on tape against his level of competition. Junior's technique and field awareness could be early stumbling blocks but are certainly correctable. He's smooth and athletic working around the field and teams will go to work discovering his level of talent and versatility during the draft process. He had limited ball production against a lower level of competition, but the traits are present for that to change. He will be an early special teams worker as a draft-and-stash talent on Day 3.

Nicknamed "The General" by teammates for his leadership traits, Gemmel is jam-packed with a treasure chest of intangibles that coaching staffs will love. He plays instinctive, fast football with an impressive regulator to alter speeds and maintain tackle-ready positioning. There are elements of his game that stand out, but the body of work is more solid than spectacular. He is undersized and could struggle with taking on NFL blockers, but his football IQ and range could make him an intriguing run-and-chase 4-3 Will linebacker with special teams potential.

Undersized inside linebacker with adequate diagnose quickness and downhill trigger. His passivity and indecisiveness against Iowa and Ohio State, in particular, seemed out of place relative to the rest of his tape. He's very average in the athleticism and speed departments but is well-prepared and exploits soft spots in blocking schemes to make impact tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He's unable to challenge blocks and constrict gaps as a thumper, but he's tough. McFadden has Day 3 value as a backup inside linebacker with core special teams potential.

Press corner with prototypical height, weight and length that should garner some attention from traits-hungry general managers. Webb played against a lower level of competition but had good ball production at that level. He can press and crowd receivers off the snap but needs to improve his technique and trust it a little more often to keep from drawing penalties down the field. His transition and footwork can be too sloppy from off coverage, so scheme fit will matter for him. He needs to transfer his physical coverage style over to his run support if he wants to stick around as a developmental press corner.

One-dimensional wideout with speed to burn but a history of injuries that halted any momentum during his career at Ole Miss. Sanders won't be a guy who can uncover on all three levels and his contested-catch finishing is below average. However, he has home-run potential and can draw additional safety help over the top. The injury background comes with a "buyer-beware" sticker, but speed and talent matters. Sanders will get his shot to earn a back-end roster spot as a field-stretching backup.

Slender boundary corner with an enormous amount of football snaps in his background. Lucas plays in off coverages, which is likely for the best considering his lack of strength and long speed. He typically trusts his eyes and has the traits to make plays on the football. He plays with adequate footwork to pedal and match basic routes but struggles to stay connected to more complex routes, as his body control and change of direction let him down. His lack of size will make him a target against both the run and pass at the next level. Lucas projects as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent who could struggle to find NFL work.

If your defense needs a block consumer who anchors at the point of attack, Brooks isn't the right fit. If your defense is looking for an athletic, gap-attacking prospect, you've come to the right place. Brooks lacks the size and mass of an NFL interior lineman but has first-step quickness with an ability to create quick-win opportunities. He's determined to get off blocks and into plays, and he can be disruptive to blocking schemes as both a run and pass defender. However, he could struggle to find a true home as the tweener label is likely to stick.

A projected slot corner at the next level after spending time on the perimeter and at safety in 2021, Williams is a two-time team captain praised for being reliable, durable and extremely tough. He's twitchy to make plays on throws underneath but his speed deficiency shows up when routes extend downfield. He will slide off of a tackle from time to time due to his lack of length, but he's more than willing to mix it up in run support in nickel packages. The football character and mental makeup are outstanding, but Williams will have to prove he can handle himself from a speed standpoint.

Rosenthal is a leggy, long tackle with enticing athletic traits and a frame that still has room for growth. There are plenty of issues that will need to be corrected as both a run blocker and pass protector, but there's talent to work with. A lack of core strength and questions about his maturity are two areas that could short-circuit his chances of becoming a developmental tackle prospect who could begin his career on a practice squad.

Perimeter cornerback with outstanding height/speed/explosion. Baker's athletic gifts are evident in his testing and flashes on tape. However, the flashes fail to produce an expected level of production due to inconsistencies with instincts and awareness. He plays with quality body control, field fluidity and recovery talent, which should add up to better overall coverage success if a team can coach him into recognizing and attacking routes. Baker can play in a variety of coverages and has the upside worthy of a late-round pick.

Deaton's evaluation requires an open mind, as his body type is nowhere near the NFL norm for the center position. Despite his long-legged frame, he actually plays with adequate strength as a base blocker. He has the body control to adjust and land on second-level targets but might not be able to hold his ground sufficiently against NFL power. The body type will be an immediate non-starter for some teams, but the bigger concern for Deaton might be his evaluation as a single-position backup with no roster flexibility.

Brkic had decent power in 2020, but he was a more composed and effective striker of the football in 2021. Hitting five of his seven attempts from 50-plus yards, Brkic improved his draft stock, but he lacks premium accuracy on intermediate kicks. Brkic could be a Day 3 selection, but needs to sharpen his placement and touchback rate on kickoffs.

"The Problem" was just that in his lone season with the Tigers, raking in high-impact production at an impressive rate. His Florida tape gives insight into his potential as an aggressive, downhill linebacker with modest instincts and results from the middle. He's shorter and smaller than teams like along the edge but plays with an instinctive rush approach that effectively utilizes his explosive athleticism and bend to overwhelm FCS tackles. Despite a lack of ideal size, his value on special teams and upside as a rusher could create a late-round opportunity in the league.

A year ago, Moon was an edge defender with below-average strength at the point of attack and an unimpressive skill set as a rusher. However, his move to linebacker has given his draft hopes new life. He's long, athletic, fast and showed a decent talent for getting to the football despite a lack of experience off the ball. The instincts and feel for leveraging run lanes are very much a work in progress but his length, athleticism and range as a tackler should create interest from teams looking to draft the traits and develop the linebacker.

Tight end with good size and great grit. Kieft understands his bread is buttered as a run blocker. He's tough and effective at the point of attack but offers very little in terms of a pass-catching threat. He has a chance to see NFL snaps thanks to his fit as a run-blocking specialist.

An old-school Cover 2 cornerback, Johnson has NFL size and strength. He does a nice job of utilizing it as a press defender who can hinder the release for lesser athletes. His lack of top-end speed and back-to-the-ball talent could take him out of man consideration, but he might have the traits to play a corner spot where he can have his eyes on the ball.

Long, finesse cornerback with traits and talent to compete in full-field, press-man coverage. Emerson has patient feet to maintain positioning against the release and uses length and positioning for catch disruptions. He's indecisive in his angles to the throw, missing out on interception opportunities. His run support issues will most certainly hurt his draft standing with some teams. Emerson isn't well-rounded but he has enough cover talent to make a team.

Skyscraping FCS tackle with tremendous length but there are too many holes in the physical profile to project NFL success at this stage. Waletzko's length and upper-body power are traits that teams will want to cultivate, but his pad-level issues and average foot quickness are limitations that could be difficult to work around. The run blocking should improve with more experience and coaching but his habit of leaning in pass protection reflects core strength concerns. If his pass posture isn't fixed as a right tackle prospect, power rushers will eat him up.

Undersized but explosive, Johnson is a three-year starter with plus athletic ability who appears to be missing the physical elements needed to stay at safety as a pro. He loses battles to tight ends working underneath or down the seam and is a below-average stopper as a tackler in space. Johnson might be suited for a permanent move to nickel corner, where his pattern matching and twitch could be shaped and improved with more coaching. He needs a more aggressive approach when playing the football if he's going to make a team.

Blackshear is not big enough to be an every-down back and his production certainly won't blow anyone away, but he's an instinctive open-field runner with the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He's a shifty, one-cut specialist with quick feet to elude incoming tacklers, but will struggle to find yards after contact between the tackles. He has mismatch ability as a receiver and could compete as a change-of-pace back, but his lack of size, production and explosive qualities could hurt his chances of being drafted.

Fayad's below-average size, length and athletic testing will hurt his draft chances, as will his inability to play with functional power at the point of attack. However, ignoring his sack/pressure production might be a mistake, as his rush IQ and skill level look worthy of consideration. If Fayad is to make a roster, it will likely be as an odd-front, designated pass rusher.

Rogers is in the infant stages of his switch to a new position and the East-West Shrine Bowl practices showed he still has a ways to go. He doesn't have the size or strength to be much of a blocker but does show a willingness to give it a go. Rogers' athleticism and speed will create opportunities for teams to project him as a pass-catching target with mismatch potential if he can develop at a reasonable rate. It will take time, but Rogers could qualify as a draft-and-stash project with an immediate future on a practice squad.

Olaseni might be worthy of a priority free agent look due to his upside. He's a big right tackle prospect with limited pass protection range and a lack of drive leverage as a run blocker but does a nice job of using his elite length to make up for some of those deficiencies. He hasn't played much football relative to some of the other prospects in this draft and could use additional work on a practice squad.

Wells has played as an edge defender but appears to be much better suited for consideration as a 4-3 Sam linebacker as a pro. He has good play strength and excellent eyes with the ability to process and respond to play design like an inside linebacker. He's slow-twitch, which limits his pursuit range, but he's been a consistent tackler throughout his career and has used his recognition talent to make more plays than his athletic profile would indicate. Wells doesn't have the juice or skill teams look for as a rusher so rebranding as backup linebacker with good toughness and a high football IQ makes the most sense.

Oladokun offers good arm talent and an ability to throw on the move and off platform. His placement and anticipation need work and he's noticeably better throwing between the numbers than outside them. He plays with plus pocket mobility and can extend the play when needed but must become a better decision-maker and field-reader to have a chance at the next level.

The body type and jump-ball talent might be reminiscent of the NFL's Mike Gesicki, but Turner isn't on his level at this point. He's a pass-catching tight end who needs to hit the weights and add necessary functional strength to play through contact. He has talent but is inconsistent finishing difficult catches and needs to prove he can become a legitimate every-down catch threat against NFL defenders and not just a height mismatch in the red zone. Turner is a Day 3 prospect with limited blocking and special teams value, so he'll need continued growth as a pass-catching weapon to earn an extended NFL stay.

Flowers might have an unconventional background relative to other prospects, but the traits and potential should create interest. He is long and explosive and was a legitimate two-sport performer during his time at Robert Morris. He has a point guard's foot quickness with the length and burst to close windows and make plays on the football. He needs to become a more consistent run defender and still needs plenty of technical work in coverage, but Flowers' return potential should make him a coveted free agent if he goes undrafted.

With only one year as a full-time starter at Montana State and a lack of NFL size, Hardy faces longer odds to hear his name called on Day 3 of the draft. However, his disruptive production, premium testing numbers and explosive rush potential are enough to garner attention. He needs more size and technique work but has special teams ability that will help him compete for a roster or practice squad spot as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

In-line tight end with long arms and blocking bloodlines that keep showing up on tape. The technique isn't always there for Deese, but the toughness is easy to see. He can be wild with his hands but stays aggressive in finding his positioning and sustains with some grit once he's locked in. He's a better target option on intermediate routes than underneath, which could complicate his usage somewhat, but it's his upside as a blocker that will ultimately fuel his playing time potential.

Five-year starter who can play all over the field but will need to find a home as he's lacking in high-level traits. Hicks is an intelligent and instinctive player with above-average aggression. His play on special teams could help him carve out a spot while he plies his craft for a zone-based defense.

A highly coveted recruit coming out of Long Beach Poly High School, Jones initially attended USC and started all 14 games in his sophomore season, leading the Trojans with four interceptions. But following that breakout season, Jones was ruled academically ineligible and then arrested for breaking into a restaurant after hours, eventually pleading guilty to a second-degree misdemeanor charge of commercial burglary. After spending a year in junior college, Jones enrolled at Arizona State. Earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors in 2019 and 2021, Jones was limited to one game in 2020 due to a suspension for violating team rules. As a player, he's a ball-hawking cornerback with playmaking instincts. Despite solid ball production, though, Jones also gave up a lot of touchdowns at the college level. His lack of size/strength should make technique a top priority, as his talent for finding the football won't matter as much if he can't get on the field. Jones could be a late Day 3 selection, but physical deficiencies are working against him.

The check marks for size, toughness, ball production and testing all point to an opportunity for Blount to make an NFL roster. He plays with an appealing level of aggression but disconcerting tackle consistency due to poor pursuit angles. His tight-hipped, linear movements will need to be paired with a downhill role or he is likely to be exploited on the back-end. Inconsistency in fulfilling his duties will be hard to get around for some teams, but the traits and special teams potential are likely to give Blount a much-needed push.

Cornerback with the traits worthy of consideration for a late-round pick. Barnes has legitimate track speed but his play can be too reliant upon that aspect of his game. He's a better athlete than cover man, often losing track of his coverage duties. He's athletic and has no excuses for not playing with better technique. Barnes' length and ball skills could have a team willing to plug him into a practice squad slot to see if there is more consistent football ahead for him.

Inexperienced wideout with tape offering hope for future growth and success at the position. Abram's footwork and route running are below average at this time, but he displays the athleticism needed to improve with additional coaching and time. He has the size and willingness to compete for 50-50 balls but is still learning how to consistently win in space. Abram's 2021 flashes and explosive testing could give him a chance to compete for a roster spot despite just a single season of major college production.

Krull is more of a move tight end in a Y tight end's body. It seems he doesn't love the physicality needed at the point of attack but does have the tools to get better. He tends to be a grass-stomping step-counter underneath but flashes his athletic gifts when he's allowed to open up his gait and play in space. Krull lacks game experience and his hands are a little spotty, but he's a competitive, passionate player with NFL traits and could benefit from a team willing to invest time and coaching into his development.

Potential diamond in the rough candidate with premium speed and length but a lack of desired experience. Mosely has the tools to play press man, but struggles to read and phase routes with consistency. His athletic ability and flashes on tape could put him squarely on the radars of teams relying more heavily on Cover 3 and quarters coverages while his talent as a gunner will appeal to all teams. Mosely's lack of game experience could prevent him from being drafted, but he should be a coveted free agent if he isn't picked.

Productive interior lineman who plays with good upper-body power and the skills needed to create for himself. He has average size by NFL standards, so his lack of foot quickness inside could make his work a little tougher. He's an instinctive rusher, which increases his chances of competing for a roster spot.

Former walk-on who has developed into a ball-hawking slot defender. Womack has eye-popping speed and quickness with above-average ball production as a three-year starter. He's a natural at searching for clues and utilizing quality pathways to play the throw. Inconsistent technique and a lack of poise and positioning downfield are areas of concern that might not be easily correctable with coaching. Womack is not strong against the run, but he's sticky from press and instinctive from zone, which gives him a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Conner possesses explosive athletic ability but lacks NFL receiving skills. He's more project than prospect with a lack of functional ball skills. He has mismatch potential, but needs to better utilize his size and go to school as a route-runner. He has late Day 3 potential and could be a practice squad stash.

Long but slender cornerback with an appetite for the football. Gilbert's build might take him out of consideration for some teams and will need to be weighed against his ball production. He's a fluid, natural athlete who can play in all forms of coverage. He possesses the ball skills and instincts to challenge throws both short and deep. A lack of play strength should show up more often on the pro level, as will his issues in run support. Gilbert's ball production and coverage versatility make him a potential Day 3 pick with some upside.

Safety prospect with decent size and toughness but a lack of instincts and range could lock him into a narrower role as a pro. Hawkins doesn't have the ball skills or comfort level needed to play too far off the line of scrimmage. He's a productive run supporter and capable tackler, so his best opportunity to play in the league could be as a core special-teamer with nickel linebacker and dime safety value.