Offense
Quarterback
Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky: Zappe gained notoriety this past season when he broke multiple records in a Hill Topper uniform. His 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns were number one in the nation to go with his 78.6% QB rating. The Houston Baptist transfer was also named C-USA MVP. I believe he’ll be a player selected on day three and could come in as a backup with a team like the Rams, Colts, or Buccaneers; he’d be a backup for a year or two and then blossom into a starting quarterback. His accuracy and pocket presence will allow him to flourish as a backup and progress nicely.
Running Back
Kyren Williams, Notre Dame: While the running back class is pretty weak, Kyren Willams name has been lost in the shuffle. Williams is tremendous in many facets of the game and excels in passing situations. Out of the backfield, he catches the ball like James White as he reeled in 42 passes for 359 yards in 2021. In addition to that, he is hands down the best pass blocking back in the draft. At only 5’9, 200 pounds, he shy’s away from no linebacker, blitzing DB, or edge rusher; that’s what makes him such a special player.
Wide Receiver
Christian Watson, North Dakota State: There are two reasons why Watson is a potential “under the radar” star. He didn’t play Power Five football and this years receiver class is one of the best I’ve ever seen. The NDSU alum is a great athlete. He stands at 6’4 and ran a 4.3 40 yard dash; speed and size is a lethal duo. What makes him even more valuable to a team is not just his pass catching ability, but his kick returning skills. He’ll find a way to get involved with whoever takes him early on in his career in one way or another.
Tight End
Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina: Much like the running back class, the tight end position isn’t very top heavy. Isaiah Likely will be a day two or three selection and could couple nicely with a bigger tight end that is a primary blocker; Baltimore, San Francisco, or New England. His average size and faults in the run game are made up through his pass catching ability. With strong hands and sneaky good route running, he could flourish in the league as a third or fourth option.
Offensive Tackle
Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: Raimann is a borderline day one pick to teams like the Packers or Bengals. 2021 was a breakout season for the big fella as he was named First Team MAC and showed off his athletic ability in a big 6’6 frame. The best part of Raimann’s game has to be his hands. He’s crafty with the way he strikes pass rushers and will continue to work his hands inside. He has the potential to be a day one starter at either right or left tackle with some small tweaks and development from an NFL offensive line coach.
Offensive Guard
Cole Strange, Chattanooga: When you think of Cole Strange, two words come to mind; gritty and versatile. Strange started nine games at left guard and two at left tackle in 2021, while also being named First Team So-Con. In the NFL he’ll be an interior lineman and at the Senior Bowl really excelled when he played center. You are looking at a player that has a very high in game football IQ as he’s quick to pick up blitzes and finds work when it’s not presented to him. A lot of positives about this small school blocker.
Center
Alec Lindstrom, Boston College: The reason that Lindstrom isn’t a talked about player is because he played next to a first round talent in Zion Johnson at BC and the center ahead of him is the very talented Tyler Linderbaum. Take those two maulers out of the equation and I think Lindstrom’s a day one selection. The All American is one of the top pass protectors in the draft as he posted a PFF score of 84.6% in 2021 on pass plays. If the Dudley, MA native puts on ten pounds of good weight he’ll be a starting center in no time.
Defense
Defensive Tackle
Perrion Winfrey Jr., Oklahoma: Potential; that is what Winfrey has. He has an immense amount of upside in the NFL and that’s what makes him so enticing. The Senior Bowl MVP made 23 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2021 with the Sooners and his burst and quickness at 290 pounds is the reason why. He’ll be a good fit as a three tech or pass rushing defensive tackle that can pin his ears back and make plays. While he needs to improve in the run game, he has all the intangibles to be a solid rotational piece for a defense in need.
Edge Rusher
Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma: BACK TO BACK BOOMER SOONERS. Playing defense in the Big 12 won’t usually get you a lot of notoriety and that’s why Bonitto and Winfrey aren’t being discussed a ton. Bonitto’s build makes him a Haason Reddick style player where he can do it all off the edge. Want him to bull rush a tackle, he’ll do it. Want him to spill on a trap, he’s your guy. Need someone to peel blitz on a running back; better call Bonitto. Much like Lindstrom, Bonitto needs to add weight to be more successful in the NFL. In an edge rusher loaded class, Bonitto is a true diamond in the rough.
Linebacker
Leo Chenal, Wisconsin: Leo Chenal is a dog. His build and play style match that of Dont’a Hightower when he was younger; that just means there is room to grow. One concern is that he’s too heavy at 250, but that didn’t prevent him from running a 4.5 40 at the combine. Chenal is a violent yet controlled player that will fill A, B, or C gap with out an issue. Something about his game that sticks out is his longer arms make it tough for offensive lineman to get their hands on which makes Chenal an effective blitzer.
Cornerback
Tariq Woolen, Texas-San Antonio: Big corners are like a unicorns in the NFL; you rarely see them. Woolen stands at 6’4 and is a flyer that ran a 4.26 40 yard dash. The one drawback of Woolen is his height though, as he struggles to keep his pads low, but he’s very good in bump and run coverage because of his long strides. Woolen as a good feel for the field which many young defensive backs struggle with. Watch a team like the Vikings, Jets, or Seahawks make a move on the UTSA alum; he’ll add corner depth and eventually evolve into a starting corner for these squads.
Safety
Jalen Pitre, Baylor: When I watch Pitre play, I see a lot of Budda Baker in him; he’s like a Swiss army knife. Pitre shines when he blitzes because he bends the edge better than some edge rushers in this draft and that’s almost unheard of. With 2 interception and 7 pass breakups in 2021, he showed off his ball hawking abilities. There’s a reason he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year over players like Winfrey, Bonitto, and Siaka Ika.
