NFL Draft Guide 2022

Edge

Nik Bonitto 6”3 240lbs Oklahoma

Edge

Athlete

  • Lanky build- ability to stretch for QBs

  • Extremely smooth mover w/ change of direction twitch

  • Makes himself a small target- skinny’s down/ dip

  • All around play strength may need to be added- plays a phyical brand vs the run however

Pass Rush

  • Can pause movement upfield to sidestep inside tackles

  • High level pass rush production rate

  • Can time up snap count & be first player to move/ however can be flagged (must watch for hard counts)

  • High level flexibility to dip and bend the edge

  • More linear than lateral pass rusher

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Fluid dropping ability into flats

  • INT vs Nebraska- toe slide in end-zone (15 yard drop)

  • Can get some run defense penetration upfield/ explodes into chest of lineman- some incredible jumps

  • TFL reps vs zone rushing attempts off backside

  • If shoots hands/ has a push-pull disengage move vs run

  • Shown awareness to get out of no mans land off edge and slide inside to help vs run based on tackle play

  • May have issues lining over or inside tackle on early downs/ struggle to hold a lane

  • Hands can be delayed/ doesn’t win here- gets in a bad spot

Role/Grade: Pass rushing artist/ Possible 4-3 OLB

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 2

Michael Clemons Texas A&M 6”5 270lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Stop and start takes a second to get going

  • Strider not a twitchy rusher

  • Very impressive straight-line speed (4.53 40) (ran down Robinson from Bama from behind)

Pass Rushing

  • Plays tall/ stops push (seen on stunts)

  • Above average get-off just not always seen

  • Shown ability to lower shoulders/ bull rush

  • Not much bend and dip to close off edge, forced to transition into spin

  • Not much of a pass rush plan w/ hands- locked up by Bama TE

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Violent w/ strong punch and power to disengage from blockers

  • Large tackle radius (wingspan)

Role/Grade: 4-3/3-4 DE

Comp:

Draft Proj Rd. 5

Arnold Ebiketie Penn State (From Temple) 6”3 256lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Arm length is visible from stance 34”

  • Doesn’t explode out of stance off snap

Pass Rushing

  • Pass rushing bag of tricks to win in different ways- shown ability to win w/ agility oversetting tackle/ beating inside

  • Twitchy wide rusher consistently dominate week after week (wins inside or oustide)

  • Finds pass rush w/o being a dynamic athlete (go to rip through at punch)

  • Feet dig in on bull rush attempts

  • Keeps hands high and active pass rushing/ wall off Tackles (long arm left arm)- can break point of contact (wrists strip sack vs Michigan)

  • Didn’t show much change of pace pass rushing

  • Missing elite bend to burn and dip around a tackle (little limped for stunts as well)

  • Overall balance waivers- throws a lot into pass rush strikes

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Tasked to drop into space and showed ability to line out wide (across from slot)

  • Balance holding gap in run defense/ great base off the snap/ problem for zone blockers

  • Lacking some driving power

Role/Grade: Prefers stand up wide role

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 2

Kingsley Enagbare 6”4 265lbs South Carolina

Edge

Athlete

  • Above average get off speed (looks to time up snap)

  • Agility potential to open up toolbox

  • Great closing flexibility- warps to ball

  • Explosive mover in space

  • Rotates w/ DE Jordan Strachan

Pass Rushing

  • Quick reflex hands/ over swim move to evade

  • Needs a more consistent pass rush plan

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Some screen play recognition- take away receiver

  • Inconsistent hands in run defense/ has gotten moved by tight ends

Role/Grade: Developmental pass rusher

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 3

Ali Fayad Western Michigan 6”1 255lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Great effort/ Solid chase-down speed

  • Length is average at best (32 inches)

  • Plenty of upper body power (28BP) More stocky

  • Versatile usage: Spy, Coverage hole, Stunts, Edge rush

Pass Rushing

  • Big time spin rusher (Go-To)/ good lower body balance

  • Very active hands- overhand chop

  • Used delayed walk up to get the step on tackles/ some adequate burst upfield when he pinned his ears back: Doesn’t have the edge speed/explosiveness to consistently threaten edge or open a tackles chest

  • Used stop and start agility to set up edge

  • Great pull down power

  • Good knee bend for stunts/twists

  • Not much upper-body bend/ forced to sink on edge

  • Didn’t have the length to make tackles pay chasing to recover

  • Lower body pushing power should be improved

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Avoids traffic smooth slide backside edge/ leaves feet- reach to finish

  • Uses Push/Pull to disengage- upper body strength is translatable

  • Likely at best a gap shooter

  • Height can get him lost in traffic (unable to see backfield)

  • Was out-reached often- length can be an issue

Role/Grade: SOLB/Limited edge upside- should be useful in pass rush games w/ plenty of role versatility

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 6-7

Aidan Hutchinson Michigan 6”5 265lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Pretty quick get-off/first step (nice 10 yd split) reacts off the ball quickly

  • Thrived in stand-up role (Preferred Pat Mcafee show) production took off/ Not a smooth mover

  • Not as dominate in years past (role changed in an NFL style defense/ Ravens coach)

  • Good athlete that can drop into space/ shown off at combine

  • Reps on special teams (punt coverage)

  • Power throughout frame- just keeps driving through tackles

  • 6.73 3 cone drill/ 10 yd split matched Travon Walker

  • Surgery fractured leg 2020

Pass Rushing

  • Incredible side to side agility- setup tackles over and over (beat inside)

  • Relentless rusher that keeps throwing strikes

  • Pass rush productions builds through game (wears down OL)

  • Versatile pass rusher moved along defensive line/on pass downs- will slide inside tackles/ for 5 man front

  • Wins edge w/ scissors rush (Bosa) into rip through

  • Absence of top level bend/ limits production attacking around tackles (underwhelming)

  • Could add more edge pass rushing ways to win- has a go to right now

  • Opportunities to line up vs opponents right tackle w/ Ojabo on other side

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Grown man strength TEs couldn’t handle his power setting edge

  • High football IQ adjusts to tendencies/ jumped into flats to break-up pass

  • Top level run defender in the class

Role/Grade: Pass rushing artist/ Possible 4-3 OLB

Comp: DE/OLB on Base downs- slides around pass downs

Draft Proj: Rd. Top 5

Drake Jackson USC 6”4 249lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Long arms can project really well setting the edge

  • Unexpected nimble mover (Recovery vs Stanford)

  • Late season injury left foot

Pass Rushing

  • Great flexibility to bend around tackles-hips/shoulder dips (can still come through a little high)

  • Upside for spin inside rush counter

  • Not a blind rusher/ reactive and thinking on the fly

  • Good ankle flexibility to turn to corner balanced

  • Above average first step when timing is right

  • Little inside pass rushing prowess/ should be a big part of his game

  • Not much of a pass rush plan w/ hands- more reactionary here

  • Little punching power in his hands/ hasn’t shown ability to convert speed to power and bull rush off edge

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Long arms are a problem for for opposition/ gets contact so early- creates space shortly after the snap

  • Gets extremely low/ nice knee flexibility- balance allows to react to what he sees- sidestep blockers (slippery)

  • Can be used to drop in flats or hole (coverage)

  • Doesn’t have the lower body power to drive through play or hold ground/ disengage rate isn’t high enough

  • Can be shoved off his gap

Role/Grade: Project Edge

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 2-3

Jermaine Johnson Florida State 6”5 260lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Plays light on toes working edge/ allows dl movement

  • Aligns from both edge spots

  • Length extension is very translatable

  • Energy is infectious throughout games

  • Movement ability to have deep arsenal of moves (swims to spins…)

  • Middling punching power from a stop

  • 1.55 10yd split/ 4.58 40- numbers didn’t always match off the edge

Pass Rushing

  • Very Active hands (pull down/swipes) keeps working

  • Keeps working as pass rusher- falls into sacks

  • Opens chest of tackles w/ hesitation (Hesi to side step beats around edge)- inside step to outside rush go-to/ even when not needed (Florida)

  • Beautiful outside spin rush pressing tackles

  • Wins w/ feet side-stepping lineman

  • Big time stunt presence

  • Gets under shoulders and lifts tackles- big time speed to power converter

  • Closing bend after pausing tackles and length to finish

  • Seemed to learn how to win through the season Wake Forest and Notre Dame were below standards pass rushing- started drawing more attention

  • won’t win w/ just speed off the edge

  • Was latched by Zach Tom pass rushing/ can get locked in chest early (hands could improve)

  • Production didn’t break out until transfer to FSU from Georgia (played OLB role unlike Walker) way less snaps

  • Dominated NC State

  • Lacking some twitch (stop and start power isn’t there) will need to improve post down-hill

  • Little stiff around the edge

  • Inconsistent power/ due to inconsistent set-up (get-off was hit and miss but shows potential)

  • Slowing down into contact vs Wake Forest

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Lot of run defense power- active playstyle sets edge at high level/ will find field often due to run defense

  • Walls off tackles w/ inside arm

  • Ability to get under pads (Notre Dame)

  • Great pursuit to ball vs run- nice speed in space to flats

  • Disciplined edge setter

  • Incredible disengage ability on edge

  • Head up vs the run

Role/Grade: 2pt or 3pt Edge 7.4 Grade

Games Watched: BC, Clemson, ND, NC State, Florida, Wake Forest, Miami, Alabama (2020)

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 1

George Karlaftis Purdue 6”4 275lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Versatility and power to slide in on any down from wide technique

  • Lot of strength and adequate length to rock back tackles on bull rushes

  • 38inch vertical (good explosiveness) Powerful lower body squat (quick releases from 2pt vs Iowa)

  • Moves well in space for build

Pass Rushing

  • Has ability to sidestep overset tackles- work overtop & inside

  • Push pull move can useful- after winning w/ power (counter rush)

  • Long arm move to win when even vs tackles- powerful strikes (consistent break points)

  • Went crazy vs Iowa (10+ pressures)

  • versatile pass rusher lined up inside (spin) 2pt (get off and hand strikes 3pt (bull rush/long arm)

  • Mild first step get-off/ not threatening acceleration

  • Doesn’t win w/ bend off edge often- lacks some ankle flexion/ hops around edge

  • Struggled to get the edge on Ohio State (however, OSU slid protection his direction)

  • Spin counter effectiveness/ may be limited due to lack of elite athleticism to set it up off edge- can overdue it

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Can redirect lineman w/ upper body strength for run defense

  • Punch to release for run defense

  • Slides inside guard on sneak situations

  • Missing closing burst- keeps from being more of a playmaker as a run defender

  • Filling run lanes- leaving space (hands get caught up inside unable to reach and grab ball carrier's) and create space between blocker/ arm length isn’t great could be an issue sliding inside

Role/Grade: 4-3/3-4 DE 2pt stance (for pass rush) Better Outside tackle

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 1

Boye Mafe Minnesota 6”4 265lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Pops off the line quick first step

  • Arm length is average 32 5/8 inches

  • Very twitchy mover/ explosive

Pass Rush

  • Quickly builds up speed from stand-up sprinter stance

  • Push-pull finish

  • Forces Tackles to get a lot of depth

  • Tons of chase-down speed (4.53 40)

  • Burst out of strike causes tackles to stumble

  • Moves faster than opponent while using hands- Swipes/chops/rip-through (for speed wins)

  • Struggled to stick his foot and flatten the edge vs WVU

  • Should improve stringing pass rushing moves together/ cleaner pass rush plans for consistency

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Will win leverage battle often, plays very low

  • Fluid dropping back into coverage/ man reps- good change of direction

  • Inconsistent Walling up and setting edge vs the run- closing run lanes- syncing punch and jab to create space

  • Didn’t hold contain discipline

  • Can be blind to ball-carrier watching lead blocker

  • Easy coverage dropper- can turn and run w/ backs

Role/Grade: 2pt 3-4 OLB

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 2-3

David Ojabo Michigan

Edge

Athlete

  • Set to miss 2022 NFL season w/ injury at Pro Day

Pass Rush

  • Pass rushing power

Run Defense/Coverage

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj:

Myjai Sanders Cincinnati 6”5 240lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Almost surprises lineman w/ explosiveness upfield

  • Great effort to stick w/ plays- finds himself by the football often

  • Length is very translatable/ big part of everything he does- bull rushing or run defending for space

  • Balance is a big issue sliding past lineman- could use hands more effectively/ active to fend off blockers (falls… a lot)

  • Frame doesn’t match some power that puts in, loses balance in the process

  • Strange weight situation/ came in very slim at Combine

Pass Rush

  • Slim frame benefits working inside tackles- can slide through

  • Patient pass rusher- tries to base move off the look he gets (stand up role)

  • Uses feet to get tackle off-balance and get to the QB (bull rush punch or sidestep)

  • Good jump in first couple steps/ gets up on a tackle quickly

  • Very fast and slippery hands (swipe/rip through)

  • Loses Footing looking to bend the edge

  • TEs placed on his side through pass rushing plan off

  • Get off isn’t consistent yet some look strategic

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Jolts into blockers (launches into)

  • Keeps Head up into blockers- allows him to avoid blocks all together/ not be washed out of play

  • Real threat to bat passes down at the line

  • Run defense at point of attack will be an issue currently (push pull w/ length is his method vs run)

Role/Grade: WDE 2pt or 3pt (wide)

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 3

Tyreek Smith Ohio State 6”3 254lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Good eyes in the backfield/ snap get-off inconsistent (last man off at times)

  • 33 5/8 Arms

Pass Rush

  • Upper body flexibility to make himself skinny (twists/splitting lanes)

  • Awareness to adjust rushing plan based on Tackle pass set- pushed inside foot on quick pass sets to counter outside (go-to move)

  • Very clean inside spin vs Penn State led to INT

  • Keeps outside hand free and strikes w/ inside to get by

  • Disengage arm pull down/ violent hands

  • Not a very quick winner w/ speed to win the edge

  • Quickness-burst off the line is average

  • Doesn’t flatten very well to close space for stunts\

  • Hit and miss get-off (snap) reading backfield

  • Good overall motor

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Read screen vs Oregon quickly- got involved in tackle

  • Consistent hand placement- multiple push/pull wins vs Oregon

  • Good ankle/ knee flexion off the snap

  • Comes to balance and sidesteps lineman working upfield

  • Will likely need to build up base power more for NFL

  • Edge set technique/ can use long arms to snag a jersey to keep in play

  • Dropped a few times (Penn State) not very much depth/ C-O-D in space is an issue

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 4-5

Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon 6”5 258lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Very flexible edge athlete/ shoulder dips-bend

  • Tons of upper body strength to jolt blockers

  • Went nuts vs Oregon State (2021)

  • Team player- attempts to make the right play/ not chasing stats

  • Ankle injury to begin 2021 missed time- OSU, Stony Brook… (worked back quickly)

Pass Rush

  • Deep arsenal potential

  • Can explode off the line- first step is next level- “special” can really pressure tackles

  • Long arm- overhand counter rush (Utah Pac-12 Championship)

  • When lined up wide technique can completely beat tackles off the snap around the edge

  • Stop and start- shows hands to Tackle then blows by w/ rip through or hand swipe go-to (ability to set up tackles)

  • Quick wins vs mis-matches (RB/TE)/ can get caught up: not as dominant as you would hope

  • Showed signs of wearing down a little through full game (less pass rush production/ missed tackles/ Can rise a little)

  • Runs a little hot and cold (Oregon State vs UCLA)

  • Hand strikes on bull rushing attempts (go to) slide outside- stops movement

  • Step through inside setup pass rush- steps become small allows for recovery

  • Missing counters strung off of initial plan- not an instinctive pass rusher

  • Bend balance/ struggles to make himself a small target (stiffness in lower body)

  • Rushes at a different speed on obvious pass downs than base downs

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Has man coverage reps on running back- not great C-O-D/ can drop 15+yds into coverage

  • Flattens line of scrimmage to make chase down run plays off backside

  • Ability to diagnose screens and draws up field (based on TE or OT movement) from edge position to avoid being sucked out of play

  • Weapon shooting gaps- used on short yardage situations inside/ can blow up plays w/ first step

  • Tunnel vision noted from time to time on blocker in run defense- a gap shooter

  • Has lost edge contain on read options/outside runs

  • Needs work on run defending technique vs reach blockers (stringing hands w/ feet to get distance between blocker)

  • Utah ran at him in Championship, consistently not making a play

Role/Grade: Most dominant from wide tech to use explosiveness/ Can slide inside and win w/ first step- WDE Grade 6.8

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 1

Cameron Thomas SDSU 6”5 270lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Beats OL off the line of scrimmage (slanting)

  • Good athlete in space (nice setting edge)/ tackle screen vs Utah

  • Hard to knock off balance

Pass Rush

  • Wins over top w/ overarm counter

  • Nice pop in hands creates space to finish pass rush

  • Quick hands attacks w/ a plan (Had edge rep forcing outside ankle, speed to power, and finishing w/ overhand swim) SJSU

  • High level stunt usage, opening up or opened up

  • Powerful attacking w/ hands- working free

  • Lacks speed and bend to win off the edge consistently (pushed inside on pass downs)

  • Can get a little tall not dipping through stunts, can stop movement

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Relentless defender

  • Gets on opponent quickly, leverage and drives through/ springs off the line (4pt)

  • Works to reset hands and create space setting edge

  • Easy push-release move, fires into chest and releases overtop (Downhill blocking)

  • Gets even and keeps driving gaps

  • Rare coverage drops

  • Not built to hold gaps at size, in a slant heavy defense

Role/Grade: 4-3 DE/ If bulked up-3-4 DE/ Inside rusher on pass downs. Interior gap shooter

Comp: Trey Hendrickson FAU

Draft Proj:

Isaiah Thomas Oklahoma 6”5 267lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Great length 33 7/8 inches

  • Flexible/slippery shooting gaps

Pass Rush

  • Tons of punching power/ jolts back lineman- gets tackles reeling

  • Barely gets touched on swim move

  • Lacking lower body bend to flatten the edge

  • Average at best burst around the edge

Run Defense/Coverage

  • R

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Draft Proj:

Travon Walker Georgia 6”5 276lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Use of length (long arm move) helps set edge 35.5 inches

  • Wowed at NFL Combine w/ movement & measurables- showed bend potential

  • Great first step- However, pad level rises w/ snaps

  • Really nice foundation to improve on

  • Speed to power has moments that are incredible

  • Very rotational on a deep defensive line

Pass Rush

  • Slides inside on pass downs to blow by guards (also could play spy roles)

  • Speed to power can be detrimental to tackles if hand-placement improves

  • Production is lacking (role: like Jermaine Johnson/took many reps inside tackles not off the edge)- tasked w/ opening rushers on stunts/slants

  • Counter hand strikes/ missing consistent counter strikes

  • Less impactful working edge vs Evan Neal (Alabama)

  • Pass rushing consistency lacking polish (raw)

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Dropped in to coverage more than 20 times

  • Long arm to arm down swipe to disengage run defender/ great burst to close space quickly

Role/Grade: Raw DE w/ high upside- moveable piece

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd. 1

Sam Williams Ole Miss 6”4 261lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Closing speed outside of pocket (Louisville)

  • Powerful player

  • (Twisted ankle vs Alabama)

Pass Rush

  • Release low of the line- improved first step

  • Middling stop and start acceleration

  • Tons of strength paired w/ leverage

  • Strong single arm punches- can punch and rip w/ one arm

  • Didn’t show much flexibility to counter inside tackles

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Plenty of lower body power to anchor

  • Forces opposition to throw a lot to move, allows Sam to push/pull

  • Runs well into flats/ speed to quickly get distance

  • Doesn’t create much separation between lineman/ should use hands better (allows opponent to get in pads)

Role/Grade: Versatile Edge, can slide inside and move around

Comp:

Draft Proj: Rd.

Alex Wright UAB 6”6 270lbs

Edge

Athlete

  • Ankle flexibility splitting lineman keeps balance

Pass Rush

  • Good push into base protection sets

  • Hip flexibility to counter outside pass rush moves

  • Downhill power setup by forcing outside ankle

  • Speed to consistently get the edge is missing

  • Bend to sink the edge and flatten is average at best

Run Defense/Coverage

  • Tight hand placement into chest- gets shoulders down/ creates extension between lineman

Role/Grade: Stand-up SDE

Comp:

Draft Proj: