Quarterback
Malik Willis, Liberty:
I was between Willis and Pickett, but I just like a lot of what Willis does more than the double gloved assassin. Willis has a very good presence on the field. He steps us nicely in the pocket and when he gets outside, he’ll make a team pay with his legs; he rushed for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021. While Willis is great with his legs, he also has an awesome arm. He connected on 207 of 339 pass attempts for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He is the best quarterback in the draft.
Running Back
Breece Hall, Iowa State:
This years running back class is like the tight end position; there aren’t many guys at the top, but there are lots of good day-two and three guys. When picking a running back I was between Kenneth Walker and Hall but ultimately landed on Hall. Hall has great explosion that other backs in this class do not have. He’s also tremendously productive as he rushed for 897 yards in 2019, 1,572 in 2020, and 1,472 in 2021. Hall is about as consistent as they come.
Wide Receivers
Drake London, Southern California:
I think I love Drake London. London has a massive catch radius and is a big-bodied player standing at 6’5, 210 pounds. This past season he really stepped up his play, catching 88 balls for 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns. Outside of his big body, I really like his big play ability and productivity. Of the eight games he played in, he had over 130 yards in six of them. Get ready to see him in an NFL end zone on Sundays very soon.
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State:
On a loaded Buckeye offense, Wilson stood out. He was C.J. Strouds top target catching 70 balls for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021. Wilson’s size makes him the ideal slot receiver, a.k.a, a number two in the NFL. Pair him alongside Michael Thomas in New Orleans or Devonta Smith in Philadelphia and you’ll see an immediate boost in that quarterbacks production.
Treylon Burks, Arkansas:
I could have gone with Williams or Olave, but Burks size (much like London) makes him a better threat at the professional level. He’s 6’3, 225 pounds and faced some of the nations top defensive backs in the SEC this season catching 66 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s a dynamic player that will kill a defense over the top and make you pay if you give him space.
Tight End
Trey McBride, Colorado State:
This year’s tight end class is weak. We most likely won’t see one come off the board until day two, but Colorado State’s Trey McBride is a solid player; like being the hottest garbageman. While he does struggle around the red zone only catching one touchdown in 2021, he’s great in the open field. McBride reeled in 90 passes for 1,121 yards and will be a solid addition to any team that takes a day-two flier on him.
Offensive Tackles
Evan Neal, Alabama:
I think Evan Neal is the most talented player in this years draft. He’s a mountain of a man that has little to no flaws in his game; he should be the consensus number one selection to Jacksonville. I would say that Neal has the same talent as Quenton Nelson when he was in the draft which is tremendously high praise. I love Evan Neal.
Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State:
The reason that Ekwonu is the second rated offensive lineman in the draft and a projected top-five pick is because of his versatility; he can play both guard and tackle. Over his three year stint with the Wolfpack, Ekwonu allowed only 10 sacks against solid ACC pass rushers. Whoever lands this behemoth gets a franchise blocker.
Offensive Guards
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M:
If you want to watch an explosive offensive lineman, watch Kenyon Green. He plays with low-pad level and violent hands which will be great in a zone-blocking scheme that many NFL teams run. While he has room to work in pass protection, he’ll be a tremendous day-one guard for a team that scoops him up late in the first round.
Zion Johnson, Boston College:
Zion Johnson is an absolute mauler in the trenches that puts dudes on their back. Johnson plays a lot like Roger Saffold as he’s a tremendous run blocker and stout in the passing game. While Johnson’s very aggressive, unlike Trevor Penning, he’s able to rein it in; he has the proper temperament and intangibles to be a starting guard in the league.
Center
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa:
Linderbaum is ridiculously talented. He pulls better than every guard in this draft; and for a center to pull, it takes immense talent. The best comparison for Linderbaum would have to be Jason Kelce as his game is so well rounded. Don’t be shocked to see the Iowa alum come into the league and be one of the NFL’s top centers the same way Creed Humphrey did in 2021.