DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Enticing edge defender whose game is fueled by traits and power over skill and instincts at this juncture of his career. Thibodeaux is hardly a finished product, but has pro-ready attributes that should help him acclimate quickly. He's a plus run defender who punches above his weight at the point of attack with heavy hands and a sturdy base. He has some suddenness in tight quarters and above-average pursuit speed, which should keep the tackles for loss rolling in throughout his career. Thibodeaux rushes with effort, upfield burst and play-through power that should bring reasonable sack/pressure production. However, he needs to add some go-to moves and more skilled hands to his bag if he is to affect the quarterback more frequently and reach his lofty potential as a standout, two-way edge defender.

Edge defender with good power and a relentless motor to keep the heat on offensive counterparts throughout the game. Karlaftis' best production came in 2019, as he missed half of Purdue's 2020 season and saw teams focus more energy toward stopping him in 2021. He's a lift-and-leverage run defender at the point of attack but fits into a "team defender" column more than "premium run-stopper" category. He's a force-based rusher with anchor-busting power and the ability to get to his counters when the rush begins to stall. With just two full seasons under his belt, there will be more development headed Karlaftis' way. He's a future starter as a strong-side defender in an even or odd front.

Emerging edge defender who should see a substantial leap in play consistency with more time to work on his technique and learn the game. The upside is evident, despite his inexperience. At times, the run tape can be a rough study, but it improved as the 2021 season progressed. Ojabo's rush approach is fairly sophisticated with the feet and agility to juke, stutter, spin and race his way past offensive tackles. He's not ready to take on pro run blockers, but Ojabo is in the early stages of his physical and play development. The Achilles tear he suffered at his pro day is likely to hurt his draft stock, but it will be hard for teams to pass on his upside if he remains available in the second round.

Mafe's evaluation requires the evaluator to focus more closely on the flashes than just the play-to-play action. His combination of rare explosive measurables with average fundamentals could make for a perfect storm of rapid development once he gets focused skill work at the pro level. His footwork is average and he lacks desired instincts as a rusher, but pairing efficient hand work with twitchy upper-body power could turn him into a productive rush bully. He has the traits and toughness to develop into an above-average starter as a 4-3 base end.

Purposeful rusher with good length. Ebiketie is quiet to the edge with accurate, active hands and a pressure percentage worthy of projection. He's not bendy and loose but uses body lean and skilled hands to grease the edge and access the pocket. He will need to keep adding to his bag of tricks as a pocket hunter, as he lacks the base and body type to hold his ground and plug up run games on a consistent basis. Ebiketie could see action as a sub-package pass rusher early in his career. He has the potential to find starting reps as a 3-4 rush linebacker in the future.

Undersized edge defender who plays in a slant-based scheme that makes evaluating his three-down value more difficult. Evaluating the pass-rush talent, on the other hand, is quite easy. He's a wildly athletic rusher who blends get-off, stride length and flexibility into one alarming package for tackles trying to slow him down. Rush counters come instinctively and his ability to seamlessly transition his attack from outside to inside makes him a projectable rusher against athletic tackles as a pro. Teams will want him to get bigger, stronger and more assertive against the run as a 3-4 outside linebacker or he could be relegated to DPR (designated pass rusher) status.

Despite his troubling performance versus the run, Williams' pass-rush flashes tend to leave a more lasting impression. He was often overmatched and pummeled at the point of attack, failing to play with the effort and grit needed to stand up to SEC linemen. As a rusher, he gets off the ball quickly and attacks the pocket with the bend and hand work to gain entry into the backfield from a variety of angles. He projects as a potentially dangerous sub-package rusher who will need to get stronger and more competitive against the run if he wants to be considered for early down snaps.

Wideout turned quarterback hunter with the bricks and mortar needed to build an impactful career as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 rush end. Robinson frequently flashes despite his relative inexperience at the position. He's quick off the snap, using plus fluidity, athleticism and bend to trim the edge and assail the pocket. However, he needs additional moves and counters before he's ready to beat pro tackles. He must get stronger and more technically sound in run support. Aligning as a stand-up rush linebacker might help expand his range as a playmaker in space. Robinson projects as an unpolished gem with a high ceiling and stable floor.

Super senior who decided to come back for another season to put more on film for general managers to think about. Malone's wiry build belies his toughness and play strength at the point of attack. He uses quick feet, a flexible frame and unusually successful recovery balance to slink into playmaking positions in the run game. His rush is unorthodox and unpredictable but his burst to close and fluidity inside the pocket are valuable in finishing against mobile quarterbacks. His slender frame will get knocked and he needs to craft a more repeatable rush, but he is competitive and savvy. Malone could challenge for a future starting job as a 3-4 outside linebacker and offers immediate special-teams value.

Two injuries robbed Allan of valuable game experience and dulled some of his development. He's a physical specimen with the strength to hold his own at the point and rid himself of single blocks with twitch and technique. However, he often seems lost in terms of play recognition and what he needs to do to get in on a play. He has some upfield rush charge but isn't a natural bend-and-trim rusher, so building out a more thoughtful, diversified attack is a must. Allen has the traits to play edge in odd or even fronts but additional development is critical if he wants to become more than just a quality rotational defender.

Jackson lacks play strength but has the frame to add muscle and mass. He's a loose-limbed, restless pass rusher with the activity level to find angles and openings in both his primary and secondary rush. However, he lacks successful counters to do it consistently against stronger tackles. Jackson also lacks the take-on toughness and functional anchor needed to hold up at the point on run downs. He has developmental rush potential, but needs a major upgrade in grit and technique against the run.

Long, rangy 4-3 defensive end with pass-rush talent to be cultivated, but a lack of stoutness at the point of attack. Thomas' field movements are a bit gawky and segmented but can also be effective. He combines efficient hands and an instinctive feel for advantageous angles to grease the edge and attack the pocket. He needs to build his lower half to improve rush consistency against physical tackles, though. Thomas' length and pass-rush talent could help him find sub-package snaps while he attempts to develop into a starting-caliber end.

Elastic, long-limbed edge defender whose unbridled, attacking style brings both highs and lows in every game. Smith's urgent motor is an ingredient that gives him a chance to find some success in the pros, but his inefficiencies and lack of body control limit his ceiling. Filling out the frame -- especially his lower half -- will be essential to become a functional edge setter. His pass rush is long and slippery, and there are enough flashes to intrigue evaluators looking for a rotational 4-3 end with sub-package rush potential.

Three-year starter whose unorthodox movements can be off-putting until you realize they also help put him in position to make plays. Whether playing the run or rushing the passer, Sanders is flexible and slippery, making it hard to sustain run blocks and mirror him during pass sets. He needs to diversify his rush counters but has the foot quickness and efficiency of movement to cut a cleaner path into the pocket. Sanders is a segmented mover with a slender build and might need a move to 3-4 outside linebacker to keep from being mauled by NFL blocking. He has the potential to earn snaps as a designated pass rusher.

Explosive edge talent whose pass rush tape far surpasses the run defense tape. Johnson won't get dominated at the point of attack, but he's far less urgent and invested in thwarting blocks. He plays with a powerful base to balance through contact but needs to work on playing past blockers for better tackle production. His pass rush offers an impressive pairing of explosive speed and elite bend that can rocket him up and around the edge to hunt quarterbacks. The traits are present to project him as a future sub-package rusher.

Odd- or even-front edge defender with a hot motor but average athletic ability. VanValkenberg plays with rare pre- and post-snap recognition that allows him to sniff out play design and blocking scheme on a regular basis. He doesn't have the twitch or length to lean on, so he will need to outthink and outwork his opponents. He's a try-hard rusher with decent go-to moves but he must diversify his counters and his rush approach to beat an NFL tackle. Despite some of his limitations, VanValkenburg could fit into an early down backup role for odd or even fronts.

Athletic edge defender who is much more talented as a rusher than run defender. Gunter lacks the functional anchor and scrappiness to battle through contact and come out on the other side. He has the athletic ability and motor to harass the pocket, but needs to get stronger to open more rush doors in the future. Gunter has Day 3 potential as a backup 3-4 rush linebacker in a blitzing and gaming-based front.

High-ceiling, low-floor rush end prospect with traits galore but a somewhat passive field demeanor. Barno's production fell off from his outstanding 2020 campaign. His 2021 tape showed little growth as a run defender or pass rusher and he seemed too willing to hold back rather than play with full-scale aggression when he had opportunities to make a hit. He's long and explosive but easy to find for blockers. He needs to learn the fundamentals of positioning and hand usage before he is ready for next-level pass rush development. Barno has the necessary athletic tools but is more of a project at this stage with wide-9 or 3-4 outside linebacker value in the middle rounds.

Dixon's length, flexion and physique will instantly check boxes for teams searching for a Day 3 target with upside as a pass rusher. Dixon lacks take-on technique and his instincts are a little dull, but he has the potential to develop a more consistent anchor at the point of attack and has the athletic makeup and flashes to project continued improvement as a rusher. Dixon could be drafted as a developmental 3-4 or 4-3 edge, but he's better suited to rushing with a hand in the dirt.

Vilain could catch a "project" label or a "diamond in the rough" tag, but he's worthy of more than just a cursory conversation for teams. He never lived up to his four-star billing at Michigan and saw little playing time, but his explosiveness and upside frequently flashed on his Wake Forest tape from the 2021 season. He's not a naturally instinctive player and lacks consistency as a run defender, but Vilain's measurables, athletic traits and upside as a pass rusher should make him worthy of a Day 3 pick.

"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.

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.

Thomas is a bit of a tweener with the demeanor and toughness of a 4-3 interior player but the size of a 4-3 base end. He plays with pop in his hands and a natural feel for getting rid of the blocker, but the pro-day testing did not help his cause.

With Tisdale's size, length and athletic testing, it would not be a surprise to see a team or two fall in love with his upside. However, he's not very instinctive or physical at the point of attack and lacks consistency, which could prevent him from ever fully realizing his potential. He has range and can make plays in the run game but his rush is far too basic and unproductive. The traits are appealing but Tisdale could require an extended runway on a practice squad for further development.

The body type, length and rush get-off all work in Anenih's favor but he's far from a finished product. He can be disruptive in a one-gap, slanting attack, but tends to struggle when asked to take on blocks and engage in combat at the point of attack. The pass rush will require better hand usage to make up for a lack of coordination, but he does have the first-step quickness to create occasional advantages. He might never be a well-rounded prospect, but Anenih does have immediate practice-squad potential.

Onujiogu represents this year's version of the highly productive Division III player with the traits and production to draw scouts' attention. He plays with effective hand usage and has a variety of pass-rush attacks but offers average explosiveness getting up the field. He has average size and length by NFL standards but is an intriguing prospect. Teams will want to see him compete against NFL talent in camp to get a better idea of how he'll translate to the next level.

Team captain and voracious worker with standout intangibles and football character from. Tafua offers plus play strength and an intelligent rush approach. He relies on hand work and angles to create pocket opportunities but lacks the suddenness to beat quality tackles with counters and speed on the next level. He's a tough guy at the point of attack and can set a strong edge but is unlikely to show the range and short-area twitch to be a consistent pro tackler and playmaker against the run. His age (served two-year mission before redshirting in 2017) and lack of special-teams experience work against him but his pass rush could get him a longer look in camp.

Williams is a talented pass rusher with good size and length, but red flags in his off-field history and a poor pro day performance could keep him from being drafted. His rush is both active and natural, with an ability to attack and counter. In the run game, he doesn't play with the base, anchor or discipline to prevent NFL running games from targeting and attacking him with success. He can play standing up or with a hand down, and his rush talent alone would usually garner interest. However, the athletic profile and character concerns will likely move him into undrafted free-agent status.

Whitley is a power end with long arms and a thick, strong base that fits what teams want. He lacks a consistent methodology to disrupt the pocket and stack sack production, though. He plays with good power that will flash when he's forcing the action as a rusher or jostling blockers at the point of attack. He has the physical tools as a run defender but makes mental mistakes that cost him positioning. He's a longshot to make a roster but has a quality physical profile.

Nichols plays on a lean, long frame and his disruptive production forced scouts to take notice. He lacks power and explosiveness at the point of attack and is unable to really control his gap against the run. He's not a bendy rusher but does a nice job of locating angles out wide and creating inside counter opportunities with his lateral quickness. He's a developmental rusher who might have some upside left to mine, but he'll likely need to battle for a spot on a practice squad early on.

Big Kat is a better football player than pro day tester. He operates with good recognition and awareness to attack the blocking scheme after the snap. He's a little lean through his lower body, though, and will give ground against NFL run blockers. He's a try-hard rusher but might not have enough skill to stick as a pro.

Edge defender with below-average size and play strength to win on run downs as a pro. Mosby is tight-hipped and will struggle to bend and flatten as an edge rusher, but plays with a good feel for setting up inside moves. He has a rare ability to search for and strip footballs from pocket quarterbacks. He's likely to offer just rush-only consideration, so selling his special teams value in camp will be of the utmost importance.

Moala is very stout and powerful. He can hold his own in a pure test of strength, but the lack of length and explosiveness are roadblocks in his road to NFL success. He's not fast or flexible rushing off the edge and lacks the necessary skill needed to be a make-it prospect along the defensive front. Moala was a high school tight end, so there could be a team willing to try him out as a fullback.