DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Defensive end prospect with a can't-miss combination of football character, skill and physical traits who is more likely to contend for occasional Pro Bowls than become an All-Pro playmaker. Hutchinson's strength and flexion allows him to drop a deep anchor and set a very firm edge, and that is unlikely to change as a pro whether he's used in 4-3 or 3-4 fronts. He can be too mechanical, engaging in cursory contact rather than using his hands to whip the man in front of him quickly. Hutchinson is an instinctive rusher, assailing the pocket with a non-stop barrage of activity. His hands are skilled and efficient to grease the edge while fluid counter steps open inside paths to the pocket. He needs to add a few more items to his rush menu in order to maintain his rush production against NFL tackles. Hutchinson is scheme versatile and should be a very good starter with a very high floor, but his ceiling might not be as elevated as some of the talent he's been compared to.

Ascending edge prospect. Johnson has NFL traits and the potential to keep getting bigger and better as a pro. He is a one-year full-time starter with an underdeveloped pass rush and occasional lapses in awareness, but both areas should be correctable with more coaching and game experience. He's more instinctive and consistent as a run defender, but his length and relentlessness are excellent building blocks for challenging protection. Johnson's blend of strength and athleticism should make him a firm edge-setter and playmaker near the line of scrimmage for odd or even fronts. He has the traits, athleticism and talent to project as a top-40 pick with a bright future.

Walker is a big, rugged run-stopper with the playing style and body type to play as an even- or odd-front end. He consistently outreaches blockers to take control at the point of attack and sets firm edges despite playing with limited knee bend. He has quick-shed ability to make plays near his gaps and could see an increase in production if allowed to play in a scheme that asks more of him than Georgia did from a playmaking perspective. He has the strength and length to plow through overmatched pass protectors but will need to improve his skill level to consistently find the quarterback as a pro. Walker's blend of explosiveness and aggression could help push his draft stock beyond his tape grade.

Fully grown defender with the play strength and versatility to contribute in odd or even fronts. Paschal's urgent, full-tilt demeanor helps him control his fair share of engagements, but it also leads to occasional lapses in footwork and balance. He's like a block of granite at the point of attack with low pads and a heavy anchor. He has the twitch to see-and-shed against single blocks and the range to make a tackle a gap away. His face-up rush style lacks elusiveness and will see limited success off the edge, but his snap quickness fits perfectly as an interior rusher in sub-packages. Paschal might never be a star, but he's a good future starter with winning character that coaches and fans will grow to love.

Hard-working, two-year starter with projectable frame and developmental traits whose best positional fit could be in the eye of the beholder. Hall played defensive tackle in college, but his playing style and physical profile are better suited for defensive end in a 3-4 alignment. He's segmented and a little gradual in his attack, but flashes violent hands and forward charge as an interior rusher. Improvement lies ahead for Hall, but he needs a scheme fit and extended runway as a rotational lineman.

In a perfect world, Thomas adds mass and muscle to develop into a starting 3-4 defensive end with interior rush value in nickel packages. He currently carries a scheme-versatile label, but is more of a base 4-3 end with average play strength and a lack of explosiveness to create fear as an edge rusher. The splashy run-stopping data comes via equal parts scheme and effort but might not be a true indicator of what to expect in the pros. A bigger, brawnier version of Thomas would allow teams to align him as an every-down 3-4 end, where his motor and hand work could mismatch guards. Regardless of alignment, he has enough in the toolbox to project as a rotational lineman with starting upside.

Carter is viewed as position versatile, with the ability to play defensive end in an odd or even front. His skilled hands and quick feet make him a perfect candidate to move inside in nickel packages as a rusher. Some evaluators like his girth and envision him adding weight to become a full-time three-technique in a one-gapping front. Carter possesses the anchor for the point of attack, but needs to improve his stack-and-shed technique to make more plays in the run game. He's a skilled, thoughtful rusher, but a fluctuating motor creates inconsistencies on tape. The sum doesn't always equal the parts, but he has the size and skill to become a quality starter with splashy, interior rush potential.

A tight-legged defensive end with NFL measurables and toughness, Clemons' style of football won't be a flavor that will appeal to every team. His movements are rigid and limiting at times, but his motor and play strength are qualities some teams see as building blocks for a successful career in more physically minded fronts. He needs to diversify his rush approach but his heavy hands have legitimate pro potential in opening pathways to the pocket. He has pro-ready traits, but a lack of fluidity and functional agility create a limited ceiling.

Developmental defensive end who is still growing into his body and his position. Wright will likely look much different in pads within a couple of years. His current play lacks recognition, sophistication and technique. However, he's a young player who flashes and still posts good rush production, albeit versus lesser blockers. In a projection-based model where additional size, strength and technique improvements are likely, his athleticism becomes an even more impressive weapon as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will require a runway for development, but he's worth a middle-round selection as a potential three-down starter for odd- or even-front teams.

Long-levered defensive end with impressive body composition but limited playmaking production. Otomewo's lack of range and his two-gapping potential make him best suited for a 4i or 5-technique in a 3-4 front. He is a diligent, team-oriented defender with a focus on executing assignments but could leave a team hungry for more playmaking capability. There is untapped potential still lurking, but Otomewo might be too limited to become more than a rotational end with run-defending upside.

Athletic, even-front end who has continued filling out his frame each year and is clearly playing his best football. Johnson started out smaller but has always played with the aggression and violence of a bigger man. He attacks opponents with gusto and has the athletic ability to get around the field and make plays. He's not overly instinctive or consistent as a rusher and might be utilized inside, where his quickness can be highlighted against bigger guards. Johnson is a potential priority free agent but has an above-average chance of eventually making a team.

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.

Anderson gives glimpses of next-level potential thanks to his impressive size and length, but it never fully materializes into the success you might expect. His long frame should be able to carry more mass, allowing him to profile as a 3-4 end. He lacks explosiveness off the ball and needs more schooling in both the run and rush phases. Anderson's tape isn't good enough on its own, but his traits and size could make him a developmental project.

Team leader and try-hard defender whose effort will exceed his skill level as a pro. He has a body type caught between defensive end and defensive tackle, but doesn't currently carry enough mass to play inside. Fast feet and a hot motor help him stress the blocker, but he will struggle to overtake NFL O-linemen during the second phase of the rep. Tagovailoa-Amosa is a busy rusher with an impressive spin counter that might give him a shot to be viewed as a sub-package rusher in the future, but that feels unlikely.