DRAFT TRACKER 2022

Nicknamed "Punt God," Araiza possesses elite power and field-flipping ability that could make him the highest-drafted punter since Todd Sauerbrun went 56th overall in 1995. Punts explode off his instep at a low launch angle with tremendous velocity and force. He has less regard for hang-time and coverage considerations than NFL special teams coaches will so he may be asked to dial back the long-ball mentality and dial in with more control from all field positions. Araiza has rare power and should continue to fine-tune his craft with more coaching and experience. If he learns to kick with more consistent control, the sky's the limit.

Fifth-year senior who played two different positions and saw just nine total team wins during his journey at Kansas. Johnson's tape as an edge defender in 2021 is better than anything he produced as an inside linebacker, but he likely lacks the traits and tools to stay on the edge in the NFL. He has shown noticeable improvement and consistency handling his business at the point of attack and he has excellent speed to range across the field. However, he lacks the instincts needed to process and play quickly between the tackles. His best shot to make a team is as a backup 4-3 Sam with above-average special teams potential.

Inside linebacker with throwback size but also throwback athleticism that fails to fit cleanly into today's brand of football. Beavers is a phone-booth linebacker who is well-schooled in taking on and slipping blocks between the tackles but can be overwhelmed by athletic opponents when forced to move and play in space. He plays too stiff-legged and with a lack of desired agility, which gets him tangled up in traffic more than teams might like. He'll need to lean into a role as a thumper to make a team, which will require improvement in consistently attacking and discarding blockers. Beavers has a challenging road ahead of him but his background as a core special-teamer helps.

Big, bruising runner with good vision and the self-awareness to understand that power running is what will butter his bread. His 2021 productivity fell off from 2020, due in part to health issues, shared carries and average South Carolina run blocking. He creates for himself with contact and tackle-breaking talent, but typically drops and finishes against an open-field tackler rather than avoiding him. He's a chain mover with excellent ball security as a battering ram inside. He will be limited as an outside runner and needs to come off the field on passing downs. Harris has talent and his impressive 2020 was no mirage. He's a good Day 3 option for teams looking to upgrade their power.

Offensive line prospect who checks multiple boxes in both the traits and intangibles categories. Evaluators are sure to love Lowe's personal character as well as his measurables. He's big, strong and long but needs to play with better hand accuracy and technique to fully unlock those traits. Bend and athleticism are both strengths for Lowe, who is a scheme-independent talent. He's allowed too many pressures and sacks during his career but has the tools for rapid improvement with a few coaching fixes. Lowe is worthy of middle-round consideration as a swing tackle with guard potential.

A four-year starter with good size and football IQ, Benford plays the game with good physicality in coverage and in run support. However, he appears to lack desired top-end speed. He has an impressive talent for feeling play development near the line of scrimmage and reading routes in space. His instincts and length bring impressive ball production and he frequently flips 50/50 throws in his favor with his ability to body and eliminate the wideout. He can play zone or man but needs some scheme protection against speedy targets. Benford is a willing tackler and could be in consideration for a spot at cornerback or safety in the future.

Tackle-to-guard prospect with run-blocking talent to work with, Thomas is a fit for zone-scheme teams as a sticky move blocker with the ability to shift and stay connected while continuing to keep his feet moving. He lacks the desired mass and power to generate much downhill push, but improved hand placement could help. His play strength, in general, needs an upgrade, as does his protection posture, to prevent defenders from exploiting certain flaws. Thomas has late-round potential and could find a place on an NFL roster as a guard with emergency tackle flexibility.

Decorated four-year starting tackle with NFL-caliber size and traits. Zakelj plays with strain and aggression. However, his block sustain and finish are occasionally derailed by modest knee bend and core strength at the point of attack. Athletic feet and reactive athleticism allow him to stay connected to outside edge speed or inside counters in his pass sets. Despite his foot agility, he is just average in getting three-techniques reached on backside zone blocks, but there is a noticeable pop into initial contact when coming off the ball and getting downhill. Field toughness, an NFL frame and pass protection ability give Zakelj a shot as a swing tackle with the potential to develop into a bigger contributor.

Linebacker whose draft slotting will be a litmus test for how teams value tape and productivity against size deficiencies. Rodriguez carries a compact, sawed-off frame that is muscular but stubby. His transition from read to flow is seamless, with some of the cleanest GPS to the football in this draft. He's straight-line fast but lacks the looseness for sudden lateral bursts, which could limit his range as an NFL tackler. He can play on third downs but is very average in that department. Rodriguez has been a career gap-hog, finding and finishing runners who come his way. His floor is as a good backup and core special teams player, but the smart bet might be to project his impact production to follow him into the league, with Rodriguez eventually starting as a 3-4 inside linebacker.

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.

Mauling bear at left guard who plays with a salty demeanor but a lack of consistency. Shaffer will struggle when tasked with blocking one-gapping fronts and sub-package rushers. He matches power with power and can win ugly when needed, but a change in scheme and upgrade in talent across from him could be a challenge he struggles to meet. He needs to prove his size and power can counteract his lack of reactive athleticism and foot quickness.

Speedy outside target with field-stretching talent who has been beset by injuries in three separate seasons. Nailor is sudden but smooth with his route release and his gliding gait tends to mask his acceleration, allowing him to climb quickly past the coverage. While he can work deep, he has the agility and body control to become a more effective route specialist on all three levels. Nailor is a competitor but has some trouble winning battles against stronger, physical corners. Teams will need to weigh the playmaking speed against the injury background, but Nailor has the talent to become an NFL backup.

Ogletree is plenty athletic as a route runner, but his hands are poor and he doesn't catch through congestion effectively. Without NFL blocking talent, he's just an impressive athlete with no real production for evaluators to rally behind.

Harper is a 4-3 Will linebacker candidate whose strong athletic traits could outweigh his lack of starting experience for some teams. His pursuit of the ball is bolstered by his speed and agility, providing him with NFL-caliber range. However, his lack of instincts and play recognition will require a much-needed upgrade. Harper's special teams potential could give him a chance to make a practice squad.

High-motor tweener with some intriguing physical traits, but a lack of consistency at both defensive end and defensive tackle. Jackson is at his best when he's chasing down the line or attacking the pocket with a secondary rush fueled by hustle. His lean lower half and lack of knee-bend might always be culprits in holding the point of attack, but his snap quickness gives him a shot in a one-gapping scheme. Lateral quickness and active hands give him some life as an interior rusher, but he needs to upgrade his skill set if he wants to become more than a practice squad candidate.

The broad chest, bulbous thighs and long arms sound like a nice starting point for a move inside, but Salyer is high-cut and lacking functional bend, which makes his projection more difficult. No matter the position, range and leverage are going to be a concern in the running game. The athletic limitations could lead to erratic results depending upon the matchup, but he is qualified and capable of doing battle against power-based defenders. His pass sets can be clunky and disjointed, but he is fairly confident in pass protection and his best position could be right tackle. He offers roster flexibility but he has the ceiling of a below-average starter or quality backup.

Undersized, change-of-pace back with a big heart and pass-catching talent. Despite a lack of desired size, Badie took on a monster workload and produced at a high level. He played in a run scheme heavily tilted to outside zone and is at his best in space, although he's natural and confident in tight run lanes. He's a tough runner but lacks short-yardage leg drive, so his role as a pro could be fairly well-defined as a talented third-down back who can handle an occasional spike in carries if needed.

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.

An athletic tight end with quality ball skills and receiving acumen, Calcaterra has a concussion history that will be flagged by some teams. He retired from football in 2019 and spent 2020 preparing to become a firefighter before transferring to SMU, where he showed he still had it as a two-level pass-catcher. He plays with good football IQ versus zone coverage but might benefit from more pattern breaks to help him uncover against tight man coverage. He won't make a difference as a blocker so he needs to shine as a pass-catching threat. The medical evaluations will be the biggest determining factor in where he might be drafted.

Offensive line prospect with five-position experience, a broad frame and good overall strength. He has good length and can play square against bigger, odd-front defenders, which is extremely valuable at center. He needs to stay under his pads and play with a wider base on a more consistent basis. However, he has drive-blocking talent and should benefit from his pass protection experience. Mays has the potential to become a starting center in time.

Highly decorated defensive tackle with very good career production against Division II competition. The jump to the next level could be difficult for him as he lacks the needed bend and hand skill.

Running back prospect with adequate size and quickness who leaves you wanting more. Ingram was noticeably quicker and more elusive at a lighter weight after transferring to USC from Texas. He sees the interior clearly but can be too content to bounce runs wide rather than continuing to probe between the tackles. He's a below-average run finisher but will create additional yardage with quick decision-making at times. Ingram can handle an occasional pass and blitz pickup, but he's not ready to be a third-down option. There aren't any real standout qualities, but he should be competitive in a camp.

Arkansas transfer with just a single season in Lincoln Riley's passing game. Woods is a tight-hipped receiver with below-average bend that affects his route running and keeps his work on a vertical plane. He has decent build-up speed and showed improved hands in 2021, but is unlikely to ever be considered a catch winner. Woods has a shot to compete for a practice squad spot but lacks play traits that stand out for the position.

Swiss Army Knife with size, speed and versatility to potentially help in three different phases for a team. Ebner is a former all-state prep receiver whose mismatch potential out of the backfield should rank as his most endearing play trait. He's been a productive kick returner with open-field vision and build-up speed to hit big plays. Despite his size, he's underwhelming as a runner and struggles to play with consistent decisiveness and aggression in that role. He fits as a future third-down back who can run an expanded route tree and attack vertically when the mismatch aligns for him.

Impressive pro day tester with good size, length and leadership qualities. Jackson's college versatility is less likely to translate into the league, as he lacks the short-area quickness to match routes in man coverage and isn't aggressive enough to play run support at safety. The traits have scouts' attention, but finding a long-term spot will be a challenge.

Durable and highly experienced, Deculus is a right tackle-only prospect with good know-how but a debilitating lack of athletic movements to get blocks executed consistently on the pro level. He uses his length effectively with active hands and good extension to keep rushers out of his frame but securing the edge against speed will be a challenge. He's a phone-booth run blocker who lacks bend and drive at the point of attack and will struggle to find his landmarks on move blocks. He's a late-rounder or undrafted free agent who could be a longshot to make a roster.

Face-up defender who fires off the ball with a rock 'em, sock 'em mentality that works for him and against him. Henningsen is a phone booth brawler lacking a dynamic playmaking skill set as a run defender or pass rusher. He offers a worthy challenge to the blocker in front of him, but he fails to play with much awareness for the play design at times. He's not girthy enough to fit as a three-technique but possesses the traits and toughness to compete for a roster spot as a rotational 3-4 end.

A five-year starter, Kramer is a zone-scheme center who moves fairly well but lacks the body control and core strength to win battles against NFL interior linemen.

Former running back turned H-back with surprisingly sticky hands and a determined demeanor to find additional yardage after the catch. Heyward fails the pregame eyeball test as a shorter player with a paunchy upper body and a lack of length. However, he catches everything and his tape is filled with good football plays. He has move-blocking potential but is not schooled-up enough in that area for a team to trust him at this point. Heyward's draft stock might be limited due to his lack of physical traits, but he's a natural football player who might find a roster spot thanks to his versatility.

Tall tackle with predictable leverage issues, creating difficulties in both run and pass phases. Tenuta is a segmented mover who lacks desired play strength. His issues are made worse by erratic hand placement, but coaching could improve his hands, which would alleviate some of his strength concerns. He won't shine as a drive blocker or move blocker. And his pass-protection issues are more physical in nature, making them harder to correct. He's a potential undrafted free agent and could struggle to compete at the pro level.

Burly, strong center/guard prospect whose strengths lend themselves to a fit with a power-based rushing attack. Hines can create run lanes as an aggressive drive blocker and is effective hitting targets on the move on pin-and-pull reps. He needs to drop some weight and improve his hand placement in order to sustain blocks as a pro. He protects the pocket with decent technique but might not have enough mirror to keep the gaps clean as a full-time guard. Hines has early backup value along the interior line with eventual starting talent that is best-suited at the center spot.

Safety prospect with the size, bloodlines and intelligence to make an NFL roster. Lake isn't the fastest or the most athletic player and has coverage limitations that cap his ceiling, but he has a high football IQ and impressive ball skills. He sees the field well, which helps him get to where he needs to go. He's not an enforcer near the line of scrimmage but does tackle with good strength and technique to finish the job. He was a demon on special teams as a freshman and will likely reprise that role as a backup in the league.

Cornerback with four years of playoff experience and two national titles under his belt. Kendrick has played against some of the best wideouts in the game but has a history of struggling in some of those matchups. He lacks speed and strength to stay outside but his quickness and route recognition should help him move inside as a nickel. He's athletic and capable underneath with excellent ball skills but can be exploited by long speed and needs safety help in those matchups. He's unreliable as a tackler, but concerns over character and maturity appear to be a bigger issue for him. Talent and those concerns need to be weighed, but Kendrick has CB3/CB4 potential in the right scheme.

The signing of Marcus Mariota (two-year deal) should not prevent the Falcons from spending an early pick on a quarterback for the first time since 2008. There's also the matter of filling the hole at wide receiver. Oh, and breathing life into the worst pass rush in the league.

Two-time team captain and durable outside cornerback whose lack of on-ball production and cover consistency don't seem to match his testing and experience. Taylor struggles to stay connected to routes and plays with average recovery speed once trailing. His penalty count is a clear indicator of his lack of confidence in playing down the field and he's more likely to get his shot as an undrafted free agent.

An athletic, three-year starter at guard with a decent frame, Smith lacks the desired measurables for the position. He is capable of working as a move blocker and out in space. However, he really struggles with hand placement and staying under control at the point of attack and on work-up blocks. His lack of consistency as a run blocker is balanced by surprising technique and success in pass protection. Some of Smith's issues are correctable through coaching and discipline, but he might not rise above the level of average backup with the ability to step in and start from time to time.

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.

"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.

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.

Campbell is big, strong and physical but his lack of athleticism and functional speed will tether him to the box. He's able to bang between the tackles and does a nice job of locating the football when playing the run. Campbell sees runners separate from his pursuit when plays flow wide, and he's a liability in coverage. Special teams experience and his overall physicality may help him some, but getting to plays and finishing them will always be a challenge.

One-gapping three-technique with terrific snap quickness that creates early advantages with the potential to become full-scale disruptions. Davis is a former linebacker with above-average bend, foot quickness and athleticism to create mismatches for lumbering guards. He needs more schooling and refinement as both a run defender and pass rusher to become capable of competing against the spectrum of talent he will see on the next level. He hasn't played much football over the last two seasons, but his explosive flashes could foreshadow a bright upside as a disruptive, upfield talent.

Perimeter cornerback with appealing size and traits for press-man, but confidence and consistency were missing from his 2021 tape. Castro-Fields' length, strength and athleticism are likely to be viewed as moldable features by defensive back coaches. However, he is missing the desired stickiness to the route and lacks spatial awareness and ball-hawking instincts from zone. His run support commitment is a bit disappointing relative to his size. Castro-Fields possesses the tools and versatility to operate as a backup in a variety of coverage schemes and is a middle-round value with upside traits.