Before the 2021 season, the Jaguars and Bengals had similar longshot odds to win Super Bowl LVI. Unlike the Jaguars, the Bengals vastly exceeded all expectations. Counting the playoffs, Joe Burrow was sacked a combined 70 times in 20 games. Yes, Chase was the right decision in the Chase vs. Penei Sewell debate, but improving Burrow's protection has to be the team's top priority this offseason. Penning would immediately become an upgrade over right tackle Isaiah Prince, who graded out as PFF's 82nd of 83 qualified offensive tackles in '21. I'd expect the Bengals to devote multiple draft picks to address their offensive line woes.
Even if the Bengals add OL help in free agency, drafting a potential starter at guard or center wouldn't be a bad idea at all. Johnson quietly had a terrific Senior Bowl and looked natural snapping for the first time in a live, competitive setting. He could replace Trey Hopkins or slide right in at guard in 2022.
The Bengals made it all the way to the Super Bowl despite having a weak offensive line, and it remains their top priority heading into this offseason. This scenario gives them the perfect opportunity to address their need at right guard with a polished, physical blocker in Johnson, who would be an immediate upgrade.
Do we even need to explain this one? Cincinnati allowed 55 sacks in 2021 (third most), and then it took 19 more across four playoff games. Its 48.8% pass block win rate was 30th in the NFL. The season ultimately ended on a pressure, as Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald got to quarterback Joe Burrow on the Bengals' final offensive play of the Super Bowl. Burrow is one of the best young passers in the game, and Cincinnati must, must, must clean up the offensive line to keep him healthy and let him operate the offense with more ease. Raimann has a powerful upper body and shuts down pass-rushers when he gets his hands inside.
One of the few blights in an otherwise brilliant season was the play up front in Cincinnati, where Joe Burrow continued to get pummeled.
Cross has the light feet, active hands and length that scouts prioritize at left tackle but isn't as forceful in the running game. He could slip further down draft boards than his media hype suggests, as the track record of blockers out of Mike Leach's offense is discouraging.
When you might have the league's next great quarterback (Joe Burrow) on your roster, but he's sacked a league-high 51 times in the regular season -- and a record-tying nine more in one playoff game ... and a record-tying seven more in the Super Bowl defeat to the Rams -- it's obvious what needs to be done. Green played every O-line position but center for the Aggies in 2021 but took most of his college snaps at left guard. Even if Cincinnati adds blockers in free agency, a near overhaul might be required.
If the Bengals have one priority this offseason, it's to get better protection for Joe Burrow. Penning brings length, athleticism, and a nasty demeanor to the Cincinnati line. Drop him in at right tackle and let Burrow go to work.
You watched the Los Angeles Rams sack Joe Burrow seven times to win the Super Bowl; and the Bengals watched it too. Expect early resources to be spent upgrading the offensive line. With the return of 2021 second-rounder Jackson Carman and adding Zion Johnson, the interior in Cincinnati could be a stretch in no time.
Larry Ogunjobi and B.J. Hill are both scheduled to hit free agency. I couldn't help but notice Wyatt's power and explosiveness from the three-technique spot during Senior Bowl week, as well as his major contributions for Georgia's prospect-laden defense.
The dream scenario. The Bengals badly need offensive line help that can step in right away. The good news is that Green has shown he can start anywhere, as he logged reps at every position except center this season.
Following his 2019 true freshman season, Stingley seemed destined to be the CB1 lock in this draft class, but he has played only 10 games since then and not at the same elite level. One of the youngest prospects in the draft (he turns 21 in June), the former five-star recruit has prototypical size and length, and elite athleticism and ball skills. If he reaches his potential at the next level, the duo of A.J. Terrell and Stingley will make it extremely difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
The Falcons are in an interesting spot here, with no obvious pairing jumping out. But assuming they add pass-rush help in free agency, getting some depth at corner might not be a bad idea. Gardner and A.J. Terrell could make a very tough pair to throw against on the outside.
The Falcons could go in one of many different directions here, but you can never go wrong when you prioritize overall value and quality offensive line talent. Cross is barely scratching the surface of his potential, and was battle-tested against some of the nation's best competition in the SEC.
A team has used top-10 picks on pass-catchers in back-to-back drafts three times since 1967, so this might seem odd for a roster that just went 7-10. But the offense could lose five of the eight players who had at least 70 receiving yards last season to free agency, and it's possible the Falcons additionally look to trade Calvin Ridley, who played in five games last year while taking time off to focus on his mental health. London, meanwhile, was on his way to a massive campaign for USC before breaking his right ankle in October. He's a 6-foot-5 target who has the body control and contact balance to make plays over the middle, the speed to produce vertically and the instincts to create against different defensive looks.
The Falcons passed on a strong QB class at No. 4 last April to draft tight end Kyle Pitts, but it might decide to go that route now. Matt Ryan is their guy for 2022, but if they fall in love with one of the signal-callers, it's a good spot to draft an heir to sit and learn behind Ryan. Perhaps Pitt's Kenny Pickett could fit.
The Falcons finished dead last in the NFL in sacks in 2021, and it wasn't close, as they took down opposing quarterbacks just 18 times in 17 games (the Eagles were next on the list with 29 sacks). With the top-rated edge rushers (Hutchinson and Thibodeaux) long gone by this point, Atlanta faces a fascinating decision here, as this class is talented and deep but not limitless.
The Falcons certainly know Johnson well, as he signed as a highly touted prep with the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring and starring at Florida State and, more recently, in the Senior Bowl.
A native of Nigeria who grew up in Scotland, he had one tackle as a sophomore in 2020, so bit of an understatement to deem Ojabo raw. But what a breakout during his junior year, when the 6-5, 250-pounder erupted for 11 sacks -- though it certainly didn't hurt playing opposite Hutchinson. Atlanta, which hasn't had a player register even five sacks in the past two seasons, desperately needs a player who can bring the heat. The Falcons' 18 sacks in 2021 were 11 fewer than the next-worst team. And given they're in a bit of a rebuild situation, Ojabo should have a grace period to refine his skills.
If the Falcons want to get the most out of Matt Ryan's final year or two with the team, they've got to do a better job of keeping him upright in the pocket. Linderbaum is a plug-and-play starter for this offense who would provide a boost to both the passing game and ground attack.
The Falcons are the ideal situation for Malik Willis to thrive given the presence of Matt Ryan for the 2022 season. Willis can learn, acclimate and improve on a plan very similar to the one put in place for Trey Lance by the San Francisco 49ers. His arm talent and elusiveness as a runner are electric.
Pairing Stingley with A.J. Terrell would give the Falcons defense remarkable potential. Terrell is already one of the best shut-down corners in the league, while Stingley has been the same at the collegiate level. Over his college career, the LSU product broke up or picked off 26 of his 129 targets in coverage.
Could this be the point where the first quarterback comes off the board? Sure, but I think the Panthers will instead cross off (pun intended) one of their other biggest needs here at left tackle. With only this pick in the first three rounds, the Panthers could pursue a trade partner to slide back and acquire more picks as well. In Mike Leach's Air Raid system, Cross gained tons of pass-blocking experience (1,293 snaps over two seasons, per PFF), and the former five-star recruit uses his length and light feet to excel in pass protection.
It wouldn't be hard to envision Matt Rhule pushing for Kenny Pickett here, given that Rhule recruited Pickett to Temple years ago. But we wouldn't be shocked by the Panthers shooting for the moon with the ultra-talented (but unrefined) Willis. GM Scott Fitterer certainly could try to pry Russell Wilson from his former Seahawks pals, but short of that, gambling on Willis is one route to consider. The owner, David Tepper, acts like a man who wants as close to a nuclear-grade QB as he can find.
This year's quarterback class is still a mystery in many ways, but after whiffing at the game's most important position last year (passing on Justin Fields, trading this year's second-round pick for Sam Darnold), the Panthers can't afford to do it again. Willis' rare arm talent and explosiveness/athleticism give him a sky-high ceiling.
This was the most difficult pick for me. For one, the QB situation remains unresolved. The Panthers are financially invested in Sam Darnold for 2022, but it's apparent he isn't the long-term solution. Even so, No. 6 is too rich for any of the signal-callers in this class, and if Carolina is set on drafting one, a move back would be prudent. Then there is the offensive line, which surrendered 52 sacks in 2021 (fifth most). But again, the board doesn't fill the holes. Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross could work, but he's No. 22 on my board at the moment. (I'm a little lower on him than some teams; he could be a top-10 pick.)
So I ended up going with the best available, and that's absolutely Gardner. I mean, he gave up all of 60 yards in 14 games last season. That's a true shutdown cornerback. And yes, the Panthers took Jaycee Horn at No. 8 last season, but this duo would be one of the best young tandems in the league. A team has used top-10 picks on defensive backs in back-to-back drafts just three times in the common draft era -- and Carolina traded for CJ Henderson, who was Jacksonville's ninth pick in 2019 -- but Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson are both free agents, meaning this group isn't as strong as it appears.
While plenty of questions remain at quarterback in Carolina, there is no question that the Panthers must get better up front. If Neal, a legitimate No. 1 overall candidate, slips out of the top five, the Panthers might have the easiest choice yet.
Massive and shockingly athletic, Neal could be the difference-maker needed along the line of scrimmage to help Sam Darnold (or another QB) and RB Christian McCaffrey make a playoff push.
A case could be made to go quarterback here as they head into the final year of Sam Darnold's contract ... but given how this year's crop looks, meh. A case could be made for an O-lineman to improve the cast around Darnold ... but do you go with the third one off the board if Neal and Ekwonu are gone? The best move might be for GM Scott Fitterer to trade back given this is currently his only selection in the first three rounds, and decent blocking options will be available deep into Round 1. (And, yes, much is likely to change between now and draft day anyway.) Barring such conjecture, going the good ol' best available player route might be best, and "Sauce" might qualify at this spot. The consensus All-American allowed only 20 receptions in 2021, picked off three passes and -- evidence of his all-around game -- had 40 tackles and three sacks. His 6-3, 200-pound build is just another selling point to a league that likes big corners. He and 2021 first-rounder Jaycee Horn could be quite a tandem for Carolina, which stands to lose CBs Stephon Gilmore, Donte Jackson and Rashaan Melvin in free agency.
The Panthers need to bolster their offensive line, but it's just too hard to pass up an elite prospect like Hamilton. The dynamic defender could be the keystone to what's already an ascending defense, and alongside Jeremy Chinn and Shaq Thompson, Hamilton gives Carolina endless possibilities for how to deploy their back-seven chess pieces.
The quarterback talk will be real as the Panthers are expected to be very active this offseason, but for right now their books still have Sam Darnold on them for the 2022 season. The word around the league is that a new offensive coordinator and an improved offensive line will be the key to Darnold's success in Carolina. Charles Cross and Taylor Moton as bookends will certainly help that.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule's search for a QB1 continues and, in this scenario, Carolina trades up for the playmaking Willis despite sending valuable draft picks to the Jets for Sam Darnold a year ago.
Cross is one of the most battle-tested tackles in the class in terms of pass protection. While Mike Leach's offense doesn't ask many NFL things from its tackles, Cross' 1,293 pass-blocking snaps over the past two years are far and away the most of any top tackle.
Will the Broncos use this pick (and more) to trade for Aaron Rodgers (or another quarterback)? Time will tell, but new Broncos coach (and ex-Packers offensive coordinator) Nathanial Hackett is reportedly "pushing hard to trade" for Rodgers. If the Broncos retain this pick (and don't draft a quarterback), Lloyd would give them a playmaker in the middle of the defense. Several of Denver's inside linebackers--Kenny Young, A.J. Johnson and Josey Jewell--are unrestricted free agents next month. The Pac-12's Defensive Player of the Year, the do-it-all former Ute ended 2021 with 110 tackles, 22 TFLs, eight sacks and four interceptions.
Why would the Broncos take Pickett if they passed on the likes of Justin Fields and Mac Jones a year ago? Well, the stakes and urgency have been raised, and Aaron Rodgers and other big-name veterans might not be available. Pickett would have a chance to start immediately and have success with Denver's allotment of pass-catching talent.
The Aaron Rodgers rumors will persist throughout the offseason, but until it actually happens, quarterback will remain Denver's biggest need. Pickett may lack the high-end upside of Willis, but he's more pro-ready right now, and a team like the Broncos could draw connections between him and Joe Burrow.
Will Denver end up with Aaron Rodgers? It's hard to project anything for the Broncos until they figure out the quarterback situation. They have had zero success drafting and developing QBs. Drew Lock deserves a shot to compete if they don't land a proven veteran, but no one is saying they're Super Bowl bound with the 2019 draft pick under center, especially in a division that features Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr.
The defense got strong returns from Pat Surtain II in his rookie year, but there are definitely some weak spots on that side of the ball. The Broncos were bottom six in both pass rush win rate (31.3%, 32nd) and run stop win rate (27.8%, 27th). And linebackers Alexander Johnson, Josey Jewell and Kenny Young are all primed for free agency. Lloyd plays fast, is rangy and has great recognition skills. I have Georgia's Nakobe Dean ranked higher, but I'm hearing some teams like Lloyd a bit more. He's a plug-and-play starter who can be Denver's leader on defense.
No one knows better than the Broncos that to contend in the arms race that is the AFC West, this club must get better play at quarterback. The draft class does not offer that kind of immediate impact, however, so expect Denver and new coach Nathaniel Hackett to try to acquire a veteran QB (Aaron Rodgers?). That would be better than gambling away a top-10 pick that could be used to restock a pass rush that is lacking due to the trade of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb's durability struggles.
Ojabo is raw but even more gifted athletically than his former teammate and the projected No. 1 overall pick, Hutchinson.
Quarterback is this team's obvious need, but let's assume -- for now -- that GM George Paton finds another avenue to address Denver's hole under center. Paton also needs to replace departed OLB Von Miller's production for a defense that finished with a middling 36 sacks. This isn't to suggest Karlaftis is a similar player to Miller -- who is? -- but in two full seasons (2019, 2021) for the Boilermakers, he compiled 13 sacks, 32 QB hits and 64 hurries.
The Broncos could go with a quarterback here, but after watching them pass on both Justin Fields and Mac Jones last year, I'm not convinced they'll like anyone in this year's class any better (and certainly not better than, say, Aaron Rodgers, who could be an offseason trade target). After building out their skill position corps over the past few years, Denver looks to beef up the offensive line with Cross, who fills a need at the right tackle spot. Both Bobby Massie and Cameron Fleming are slated for free agency.
The Broncos are more likely to solve their opening at quarterback through a trade or free agency; that opens the door for a rangy, athletic, attacking linebacker to fill a huge need on defense. Lloyd was a one-man wrecking crew for the Utes.
Pickett's double-jointed thumb should not distract people from his ability to lead an offense. The Broncos will appreciate his underrated athleticism and competitive nature.
Johnson is as NFL-ready as it gets in the draft class. He's at the very least a hard edge-setter and an every-down player and averaged over 60 snaps a game last season.
Injuries decimated the Baltimore roster in 2021, but center Bradley Bozeman had a solid season. The problem? He's now a free agent and could get more money on the open market. The Ravens could turn to the draft for his replacement, and if Linderbaum is on the board at No. 14, they would upgrade. Linderbaum is pro-ready right now -- he already has great technique and is already a great run and pass-blocker. This one makes a ton of sense.
Barring significant injuries again, Baltimore is well-positioned for another playoff run in 2022. It needs to keep Lamar Jackson clean in the pocket, and Linderbaum will certainly help there.
Good players just seem to fall to the Ravens in the draft, right? That is the case here because it wouldn't surprise me if Walker ends up being one of the best defensive players from this draft class. With players like Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams set to hit free agency, the Ravens' defensive line could look very different in 2022.
What McDuffie lacks in size -- 5-foot-11, 195 pounds -- he makes up for in short-area quicks and polish. On 296 coverage snaps in 2021, he allowed just 16 catches from 36 targets for 111 yards and zero touchdowns, earning an impressive 88.7 PFF coverage grade in the process.
With aging veterans Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee hitting free agency and Tyus Bowser expected to miss significant time with an Achilles injury, the Ravens need a pass rusher. Like rookie Odafe Oweh, his former teammate at New Jersey's Blair Academy, the 6-5, 250-pound Ojabo is a raw prospect with outstanding athleticism and speed. He racked up 11 sacks and a program-record five forced fumbles this season.
Keeping Lamar Jackson upright remains a priority and the way the Ravens' offensive line got hit with injuries this season makes bringing in somebody like Green with five-tool versatility a priority.
You might want to constantly replenish the talent on your offensive line if running the football is your team's identity. Cross is a powerful blocker who can do damage at the second level in the run game with premium athleticism and his target-lock awareness. He developed into a dominant pass protector this season and could end up cracking the top-10 in April.
A singularly calamitous spate of injuries this past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL. Though true centers seldom earn this consideration -- the last to be taken in the top 15 picks was Steve Everitt to the Browns in 1993 -- Linderbaum is a uniquely talented blocker who can unlock even more possibilities in the Ravens' diverse run game.
The Ravens could a number of directions with this pick, but nothing can be more meaningful than adding to the offensive line with the return of a healthy Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins in 2022. They need an answer at right tackle and Trevor Penning is a perfect fit.
A massive, road-grading blocker, Penning is the type of offensive lineman we've seen Baltimore gravitate toward in the past. He could help stabilize the tackle spot, especially if Ronnie Stanley returns to form after his latest injury.
This is an easy call based on Carolina's biggest weakness: It has to get a better left tackle. The Panthers ranked last in the league in yards per play (4.6) and 28th in sacks allowed (52). They went into the season with journeyman Cameron Erving manning the spot and finished with rookie third-rounder Brady Christensen filling in. Taylor Moton is a really solid right tackle, but they can upgrade the left side with this pick.
Cross took a big leap in 2021, allowing just a single sack while playing in a pass-happy Mike Leach offense. He can be a big-time NFL left tackle. This isn't a reach pick. The Panthers need to hit here because they don't have second- or third-round picks due to trades for quarterback Sam Darnold and cornerback CJ Henderson. This is a massive draft for coach Matt Rhule, who fired his offensive coordinator and might have to make the playoffs in 2022 to keep his job.
If the Panthers strike out on their quarterback options in free agency and on the trade market, this could be the spot where we see the first quarterback drafted. This is Carolina's only draft pick in the top 100, putting even more pressure on Matt Rhule and the organization to get this selection right.
Cross is talented enough to be OT1 on some team's draft boards. He has the athleticism and movement patterns to be comfortable pass-blocking on an island, and his hands are well-timed and precise. Cross should be able to start from day one as a rookie.
Safety isn't a premium position, and it is relatively low on the positional value chart because of it, but Kyle Hamilton is different. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the Notre Dame star legitimately has all of the sideline-to-sideline range, size and ball skills to be a game-changer, regardless of scheme or role at the next level.
If coach Matt Rhule wants to stick around in Carolina, he needs a better quarterback than Sam Darnold or Cam Newton. The 6-3, 220-pound Pickett is far from a sure-thing after breaking out in his fifth college season, but his experience and poise in the pocket could be just what the Panthers need to get the most out of a talented offense.
As much as ownership would love to sort out the QB position or head coach Matt Rhule would love to shore up the offensive line, London can turbo-charge the offense given his size, catch radius and ability to post up in the end zone. The team has lacked that true No. 1 since Steve Smith left and Sam Darnold's fellow Trojan can assume the mantle almost right away as a rookie.
Matt Rhule recruited Pickett while he was head coach of Temple and actually got him to commit before a bigger program was able to lure him away. This time the Heisman finalist won't have the final say if the Panthers can't land Deshaun Watson or Aaron Rodgers this offseason.
Pickett is most dangerous outside of the pocket when he goes off script. He has good size, overall athleticism and solid arm talent, but needs to work on his anticipation throws and his comfort within the pocket.
After the failed Sam Darnold experiment and Cam Newton's flameout as a substitute starter, Carolina seems like a strong candidate to be the first team to select a quarterback in the draft. But owner David Tepper's sense of urgency for finding a franchise signal-caller might point the Panthers toward an answer in the trade market instead. Whoever takes over behind center will need a significant upgrade in blind-side protection, and Cross is an alluring candidate. The redshirt sophomore has showcased considerable tools as a pass blocker while still signaling substantial room for growth.
The Panthers are in a challenging position with the need to find multiple starters along the offensive line and secure a worthwhile direction at quarterback. Finding the answer to both where cap space is tight and the draft capital is limited is nearly impossible. A trade back makes a lot of sense, but if Carolina believes in Kenny Pickett then he has to be the pick.
As will be said numerous times this draft season, Pickett once committed to play for Matt Rhule at Temple and owner David Tepper is a Pittsburgh native and Pitt alum. Pickett just delivered arguably the best quarterback season in ACC history and has elevated himself to the first-round conversation. He is a very logical projection to Carolina in the top 10 at this point in the process.
There's no way the Bengals would take back their choice of wideout Ja'Marr Chase over offensive tackle Penei Sewell in last year's draft, but you saw this season why so many of us thought they would take Sewell. Joe Burrow was sacked 55 times -- third most in the league -- and the offense averaged 4.0 yards per rush, which ranked 26th. It ranked 30th in ESPN's pass block win rate metric. This is a below-average offensive line. Luckily for the Bengals, this is a deep tackle class at the top.
The 6-foot-7 Penning towered over defenders at the FCS level, and he was rarely challenged. He makes things look easy. Yes, it's a big leap to the NFL, but I think he has the traits to be an early starter. If Cincinnati wants to keep 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams on the left side, Penning could easily slot in at right tackle, where free-agent-to-be Riley Reiff played for most of 2021.
Maybe this is an overreaction to watching Vernon Hargreaves trying to cover the Raiders, but with Eli Apple a pending free agent, cornerback could be in the mix here. McDuffie doesn't have great ball production, but there weren't many opportunities because he prevents throws by blanketing his side of the field.
One of the biggest risers following the 2021 college football season, the 6-foot-7, 305-pound Raimann earned a 94.6 overall grade, 88.7 pass-blocking grade and 94.6 run-blocking grade with Central Michigan this year. He didn't earn a PFF grade above 75.1 in any season prior. Expect his 2021 campaign and a strong Senior Bowl to vault him into the first round.
The Bengals surrounded quarterback Joe Burrow with plenty of weapons. Now it's time to protect him. With Riley Reiff hitting free agency and the right side of the line playing poorly, Cincinnati needs an upgrade at right tackle. The 6-7, 321-pound Penning allowed just one sack in 436 pass-blocking snaps this season, according to PFF.
The Bengals haven't been afraid of taking players who others might knock for being a tad short so McDuffie becomes a seamless fit with that Bengals defense that continues to make quality moves to plug holes on the depth chart.
The Bengals' offensive line has improved with a healthy Jonah Williams at left tackle, but the interior still needs to be addressed. Drafting the Rimington Trophy winner and unanimous All-American is a steal here and would help Joe Burrow (and Who-Dey Nation) rest easier at night. Linderbaum was a multisport athlete in high school who earned multiple letters in wrestling, track, baseball and football.
The Ja'Marr Chase-Penei Sewell debate was at least temporarily settled by the Bengals wide receiver when he embarked on his record-setting rookie year. Still, Cincinnati must have been on edge when Joe Burrow was dinged up after taking four sacks and 10 hits in the penultimate game of the regular season. No one will confuse Kinnard's pass protection skills with those of Sewell, but the Southeastern Conference standout is a stable option at either right tackle or guard.
The Bengals get a nice value here with Devin Lloyd falling into their laps. Lloyd would add a huge boost of speed and playmaking to a defense that has to play against Nick Chubb and Lamar Jackson four times a year.
Joe Burrow has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and is still facing his share of pressure. While the weapons around Burrow are deep, the offensive line still needs help and Charles Cross is a steal at this point in the draft.
Cross is an athletic tackle that should be an exceptional pass blocker in the NFL and has grown as a pass blocker. He could pair with Jonah Williams to solidify the offensive tackle pairing and protect Burrow from the elite pass rushers in the AFC North.
Carolina is obviously going to make a change at quarterback this offseason so this pick may be earmarked for a quarterback or to be used in a trade for a veteran. In the meantime, they also need to upgrade the protection.
Ok, seriously, what can't Utah's Devin Lloyd do on the football field? Throughout 11 contests this campaign, Lloyd's 91 total tackles tie a single season high; likely, a personal best he should surpass with several games remaining on his schedule. Lloyd's 21 tackles for loss this year matches the combined totals from the past two seasons ( 10 and 11 ) and his six sacks, three interceptions and six passes defended exhibit his all-around effectiveness. Panther fans would say Lloyd's production reminds them of their franchise's greatest linebacker, Luke Keuchly.
Whether the Panthers stick with Cam Newton 2.0 or go elsewhere, they'll need to protect whomever takes the snaps in their offense. Green has experience on the inside as well as at the tackle spot, and will certainly help a leaky Carolina front.
Matt Rhule and his coaching staff are feeling the pressure to wi--hence the return of Cam Newton. This coaching staff doubles down on their commitment to a scheme with a mobile QB and drafts Malik Willis. Newton will serve as a mentor to Willis as a dual-threat QB. Willis gives the coaching staff a young, talented QB to mold.
From the accuracy and timing he puts on display on a weekly basis in Lane Kiffin's offense to his big arm and mobility, Corral has placed himself in early-Round 1 conversation. The Ole Miss quarterback has earned a 90.5 and 88.2 PFF grade in each of the last two years and ranks inside the top five quarterbacks in accurate pass rate on throws beyond the line of scrimmage for the 2021 season. In addition, he has not only dealt with injury issues himself, but he has also had to deal with a banged-up wide receiver room.
The experiment with Cam Newton on a one-year deal could change the Panthers' quarterback outlook, but it doesn't appear as if Sam Darnold is the answer, even though the team picked up his option for next season. Pickett could be a match here, as he has history with Carolina coach Matt Rhule. He was once a Temple commit (2016) while Rhule was leading the program. While constructing the roster, Rhule has shown special attention to players he has coached. Pickett, a fifth-year senior, has made an astronomical rise after he received a midround grade from NFL scouts at the end of last season. A calm distributor -- he has thrown 32 touchdown passes and just four picks this season -- he might not have the arm strength or running ability of some of his counterparts, but his accuracy, decision-making and intangibles could force a team to fall in love with him.
Green Bay does not take wide receivers in the first round but they may have to depending on how things play out with impending free agent Davante Adams.
The Packers have had injury and depth issues along their offensive line all season. Targeting Cross would suggest Green Bay wants to improve its athleticism on the offensive line and solidify the team's quality of depth. Not just a typical athlete, Cross regularly mauls defenders while run blocking, and is adept at punishing players attempting to bypass him on the way to the quarterback.
He doesn't look like the prototypical NFL wide receiver, but watching him play eases all doubts. Everyone in the building knows he's the first (and second, and third) option in the passing game, and he still produces: 19 touchdowns in his last 20 games and still going strong.
It's no surprise here. The Green Bay Packers go defense again. This time they draft Cincinnati EDGE Myjai Sanders. Sanders is a quick, athletic edge rusher that will improve the Packers' sack production.
Dotson has grown significantly throughout his four years at Penn State. He has greatly improved his speed and explosiveness while becoming a strong route-runner with elite ball skills. Dotson has earned an 84.5 PFF grade so far in 2021 and has dropped only two of his 129 total targets. The Nittany Lion is a promising receiver despite not being the most physical at 5-foot-11 and 184 pounds.
With Za'Darius and Preston Smith both entering the final year of their contracts in 2022, the Packers could get ahead of a potential need a year in advance. Enagbare has posted the third-best defensive pressure rate in the country (18.3%) and has shown off an improved catalog of pass-rush moves. He could be an ideal target for Green Bay.
