Drafting early-round wide receivers has been more miss than hit for Bill Belichick, but London is a top-15 talent who should elevate to the WR1 role early in his career for the Patriots. A former USC basketball player, the 6' 5" wideout uses his large frame and wide catch radius to dominate at the catch point.
Getting help for Mac Jones would be nice. But the image that will be burned into Bill Belichick's brain all offseason was the scoreboard from the playoff loss to the Bills and the helplessness the Patriots felt defending Josh Allen. Some teams might not know how to best unlock the 275-pound Walker's unusual skill set, but we believe he's an ideal fit in New England.
If anyone knows the value of a dominant nose tackle, it's Bill Belichick, who watched Vince Wilfork set the tone for his best units throughout the Patriots' dynasty. Davis has the size, athleticism and power to make a similar impact for the Pats in this generation.
The Patriots were second in passing yards allowed per game (187.1), tied for second in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.4) and second in interceptions (23). And they were one of three teams to keep opponents under 60% completion percentage. But the back seven could lose several starters to free agency, including cornerback J.C. Jackson, safety Devin McCourty and linebacker D'onta Hightower. It could also use an influx of speed in that area, of which Gordon has a ton. His versatility and ability to jump routes would also be welcome on one of the league's top defenses -- and he'd make the potential loss of Jackson a little easier to handle.
Linebacker and safety are two other areas to watch, and I'd watch how the receiver class is playing out as New England nears its pick. Ohio State's Chris Olave would give quarterback Mac Jones a smooth route runner with great separating speed. Alternatively, Alabama's Jameson Williams will likely miss some time but could end up the top receiver in the class. Bill Belichick would find ways to get the ball into his hands.
Throughout much of the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots have boasted one of the NFL's best linebacker corps. His group is facing a potentially significant transition in 2022, however, with longtime standouts Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins among a handful of free agents at the position.
Lloyd lacks the bulk of most of the previous New England linebackers, but his instincts and playmaking ability are definitely befitting the Patriot Way.
No reason to waste (more) time before remedying 2019's first-round mistake with WR N'Keal Harry. Williams might be a top-10 pick had he not torn an ACL in the national championship loss to Georgia. He's a burner who was remarkably productive in 2021, averaging 100 receiving yards and a TD catch per game. The Ohio State transfer didn't play with Pats QB Mac Jones in Tuscaloosa, but -- as soon as he's healthy -- he has the goods to develop into the dominant target this team has long lacked.
* It's unclear if the 21/22 picks were the Raiders trading up a spot or if it was an inadvertent error in pick order.
The Patriots haven't exactly had a ton of success in drafting first-round receivers, but they still need to upgrade that position badly. Olave is a polished, highly productive pass catcher who can provide a field-stretching presence and the ability to get separation in high-leverage situations. He's a game-ready playmaker who'd provide a boost for Mac Jones.
It's impossible to project what the Patriots will do this far out from the Draft, but it is easy to connect the dots of how slow they looked on defense against the Bills with this upcoming draft class' strength on defense. Karlaftis looked like JJ Watt to start the ‘21 season before cooling off, but he has the player profile to fit the Patriots' defense to a T.
Pickens has an elite skill set as an outside playmaker and proved his work ethic coming back from a torn ACL in the spring to be a factor in the late stages of the Bulldogs' title run. He's worth the investment at this point of the first round.
Chenal isn't for everyone's scheme, but any of Belichick's disciples will love the skill set he brings to the table. The Wisconsin product has the block-beating ability and football IQ to seamlessly replace Dont'a Hightower. He recorded the highest run-defense grade and second-highest pass-rushing grade among linebackers in college football last year.
Karlaftis often faced double or even triple teams at Purdue, but he wins with power, heavy hands, a quick first step and a relentless motor. At 275 pounds, the true junior has inside-outside versatility. Justin Houston will be a free agent next month.
With Johnson off the board, Penning absolutely could be in play here -- even with Charles Cross still on the board. Penning's nasty demeanor could make him a perfect Ravens tackle, and he should put on a show at the combine for his size.
If this offense is going to operate at full speed, the offensive line needs to be reloaded. Offensive tackle may be the bigger need, but the better value in this scenario is along the interior, where Linderbaum is the rare center prospect worthy of top-15 consideration.
The Ravens went 8-9, but they were ravaged by injuries and are set up for a bounce-back year. A key to getting back on track will be protecting Lamar Jackson -- who missed five games in 2021 -- and opening lanes for J.K. Dobbins, who will return from a torn ACL. Tackle is the big question mark on the offensive line, with Ronnie Stanley missing 26 regular-season games over the past two years and Alejandro Villanueva turning 34 in September. Maybe Northern Iowa's Trevor Penning is the pick?
I instead opted for Linderbaum, who is one of the best 15 players in the class. Current Ravens center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent, and Linderbaum anchors well and is effective as a combo blocker at the second level. He'd help a Baltimore front that allowed 57 sacks last season (second most).
The Ravens are always one of the more fascinating clubs on draft day, sprinkling in surprises while filling key areas of concern. On paper, the Ravens appear well stocked along the offensive line, with multiple early draft picks and key free agents invested there, including with left tackle Ronnie Stanley and right tackle Alejandro Villanueva.
Stanley's struggles with injuries, however, could open the door for a surprise early selection of a tackle, and there is no denying that Penning plays with the kind of ferocity that GM Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh love up front. Penning distanced himself from the other senior tackles in this class with a commanding performance at the Senior Bowl, likely cementing a top-15 pick.
A scheme-diverse 6-5, 275-pounder, Walker can do it all from applying pressure to dropping into coverage if needed. He only had 9½ sacks in three seasons with the Dawgs, but the ability is there -- and so is the need for a 25th-ranked defense about to lose veterans such as Calais Campbell and Justin Houston from its front.
With both Justin Houston and Calais Campbell headed for free agency, the Ravens need to bolster their edge rusher group. Walker can slide in and contribute right away, and along with Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, and Justin Madubuike, would add to the team's new young nucleus up front.
Ronnie Stanley is great when active, but he's missed the most of the last two seasons and is a health risk currently. Even if he's back, the Ravens' offensive line needs upgrades. Penning has the size and athleticism to play either left or right tackle from Day 1.
The Ravens could play Penning at either tackle spot, and the FCS All-American will have fun coming off the ball with bad intentions in the team's running game.
Penning was built to run-block. The Ravens are built to run the ball. It's a match made in heaven. While Baltimore has already re-signed both tackles long-term, Patrick Mekari could easily kick inside.
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.
On the surface, the Buccaneers are stacked on both sides of the ball and even have solid depth at key positions. However, Tampa is an aging team built to win today, so drafting for the future starts immediately. Of the 25 unrestricted free agents on the roster, five of them are defensive lineman, four of which are 30 years of age or older. Although more of a power edge rusher, Karlaftis is skilled at disrupting pass plays having tallied six passes defended while at Purdue.
Penning is a mountain of a man at 6-7, 340 pounds, and Tampa would do well to grab a guy with Penning combination of strength and athleticism to protect Tom Brady.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is struggling primarily due to the poor play of their secondary. Kaiir Elam is an experienced CB who has good length and size that will immediately improve the CB play for Tampa Bay.
Booth doesn't quite have the lockdown numbers as some of the other top corner prospects in this class, as he's allowed 321 yards across 288 coverage snaps in 2021. However, he does have the tools worth taking a swing on in the first round. The 2019 five-star recruit has exceptional feet, good length and brings the physicality out on the field.
After being plagued with injuries to multiple starters this season, the Bucs depth in the secondary has been exploited. McCreary, a physical man-coverage corner, has put together a stellar senior campaign. He has a playing style similar to Bears 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson, who likely would've been a Day 1 selection if not for multiple shoulder surgeries. McCreary must improve his tackling in run support, but he has all of the tools to be an early starter on the perimeter.
I am lacking creativity at this point because I tend to always give the Eagles Kyle Hamilton and Booth. Both thrive in heavy zone concepts and that could be exciting to watch them develop with Darius Slay.
After using two picks on defense, Philadelphia starts adding some offensive foundational pieces in the event that they move forward with Jalen Hurts, which it appears they will.
Philadelphia has four defensive ends that are unrestricted free agents, with two of them being 33 years in age. One of the 33 year-olds (Brandon Graham) will be returning from a season ending ruptured Achilles tendon, and the other defensive ends aren't producing enough game changing plays. The need for player like Drake Jackson is evident considering his ability to explode past offensive lineman and disrupt offensive schemes. His athleticism and versatility should diversify Philly's pedestrian pass rush and make him a viable draft option.
11. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is an intractable defender that offensive coaches and quarterbacks struggle to defeat. Gardner is a lean 6'2", 188 pound cover corner, whose long limbs make every potential reception a contested challenge. A strong inside coverage playmaker, Gardner will lay off and bait quarterbacks into throwing potential interceptions. The Eagles are possibly one corner back away from having a top ten secondary, that could limit offenses and elevate the entire defense to a playoff level.
16. Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas
Catalon plays like a cross between NFL safeties Budda Baker (Cardinals) and Tyrann "Honeybadger" Mathieu (Chiefs). An aggressive downhill tackler with closing speed, Catalon hits ball carriers with a compacted force that belies his size (5-10, 195 lbs). Extremely versatile, Catalon is effective playing close to the line of scrimmage, within the slot or as a single high free safety. The Eagles would definitely increase their ability to confuse offenses by lining up Catalon in various defensive schemes.
With Derek Barnett all but gone after 2021 and the future of Brandon Graham up in the air, Karlaftis fits an immediate area of need for a team with a sporadic pass rush. The Boilermaker big man has an elite combination of raw strength and athleticism that the Eagles can tap into out of the gate. A heck of a second prize with Hutchinson off the board.
The Eagles stay defense for the most complete corner in the draft in Booth. The 6-foot, 200-pound Booth anchors a secondary that ranks among the top 10 in FBS in fewest TD passes allowed (9) and fewest yards per pass attempt (6.04). Plugging him in opposite Darius Slay will allow Jonathan Gannon to go deeper into his defensive playbook.
16. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
It hasn't happened since 1979, but the Eagles get a steal at this spot with the selection of the playmaking Utah linebacker. A force against the run and the pass, Lloyd gives the Eagles a three-down stalwart they have lacked for years.
The Jalen Hurts project looks like it is working in Philadelphia. In order to continue to help his progression, they draft the most complete WR in this year's draft in Chris Olave. In college, we've seen the best versions of Hurts when he was surrounded by elite WR talents and the Eagles need to replicate that to get the most out of their young QB.
The Eagles need team speed on both sides of the ball. With this pick, they go with Andrew Booth, a quick-twitch explosive athlete that plays with a passion for the game that jumps out to you on film. Booth combined with veteran Darius Slay will give the Eagles one of the most athletic CB tandems in the league.
With this pick, the Eagles select Darian Kinnard, a multi-year starter that has played against some of the best edge rushers college football has to offer. Kinnard has great feet and plays with physicality to help continue the Eagles' dominance in the run game.
Wilson is a route-running savant. He's sudden, fluid and getting open at an extraordinary rate at the collegiate level when going up against single coverage. Wilson has generated a step or more of separation on 78% of his targets against single coverage this season -- the highest in the Power Five among receivers with at least 30 such targets. He has sustained last year's success when working primarily from the slot this year while working on the outside (3.00-plus yards per route run each year).
McDuffie is one of the most underrated players in college football. He is on pace to earn an 80.0-plus grade as a true freshman, sophomore and junior. This year, McDuffie is playing at historic levels, allowing just 92 yards in 260 coverage snaps this season.
McDuffie is a fantastic zone cover corner. His awareness, athleticism, physicality and tackling ability make him an issue for any underneath passing offense.
16. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd -- a fifth-year senior -- has three years of starting experience and has steadily improved in each one. The Utah off-ball linebacker has graded above 79.0 against the run, as a tackler, as a pass-rusher and when in coverage en route to an 88.0 overall mark. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker has the size, length and athleticism teams covet in the first round.
The last time the Eagles drafted a defensive back in Round 1? It was 2002, when they took cornerback Lito Sheppard at No. 26. They've also never drafted a safety in the first round. They could break that streak with the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Hamilton, a do-it-all player who had three interceptions before suffering a knee injury last month. Hamilton would be a huge boost to a Philadelphia secondary that is allowing quarterbacks to complete 74% of their passes this season, which ranks last in the league.
After taking safety Kyle Hamilton with their first Round 1 pick, the Eagles could continue to remake their secondary here. Thanks to extra picks from the Dolphins and 49ers, they have a chance to take the top safety and corner in this class. Elam, who has six career interceptions, would give Philadelphia an option to pair alongside Darius Slay in 2022.
15. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
With one more first-round pick in this draft -- this selection is based on Carson Wentz playing 75% of the Colts' offensive snaps, and he's at 99.3% -- the Eagles could fortify the offensive line. Linderbaum could be the heir apparent to oft-injured guard Brandon Brooks or veteran center Jason Kelce. They used a second-round pick in April on Landon Dickerson, who also has experience at center, but they still need a young influx of depth in the interior offensive line.
Houston goes back to the Big Ten for an edge rusher. There is a lot for the Texans to sort out within the next six months and their draft outlook will look a lot different.
Amazingly, the Texans defeated the AFC South division leading Titans in Tennessee, indicating the players haven't given up on themselves or the organization. Despite the impressive road win, chances are Houston will still be making a top five selection in April's draft. It's likely the Texans trade beleaguered, outcast quarterback, Deshaun Watson in the off-season to acquire additional draft picks; while drafting a signal caller with their first round option. Quarterbacks are generally the face of a football organization and Corral plays in the southern region of the country ( Ole Miss Rebels ) which may excite a frustrated fan base.
Houston has no true starting quarterback, and picking one here would be a colossal reach. Neal is a great place to start. At 6-7, 350-plus pounds, he's a Day 1 starter and a lock to protect whomever the Texans seek out as their next signal-caller.
The Texans roster is depleted and is in the midst of a rebuild. With this pick, the Texans select defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal. Leal possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism that allows him to play both on the interior defensive line and as an edge rusher, similar to the versatility that J.J. Watt displayed during his time as a Texan.
No one in college football has played better at their respective position in 2021 than Hutchinson. Offenses have had to hone in on stopping Hutchinson each week, chipping, doubling and committing penalties while trying to block him in one-on-one situations. Hutchinson has earned an FBS-leading 93.1 PFF grade and 25.2% pass-rush win rate through Week 12. He is also doing this after suffering a season-ending fracture in his leg during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. With his power, get off and advanced rush ability, Hutchinson has been virtually unblockable this season.
With nine picks in this draft, general manager Nick Caserio will have an opportunity to imprint his own identity on a roster that has been stripped down to the studs since he took over in January. Deshaun Watson still wants out, which means quarterback is a big need, but the Texans must continue to add talent to the entire roster. Their talent on the edge is scarce, particularly after releasing veteran Whitney Mercilus and trading away Charles Omenihu. Hutchinson (nine sacks, two forced fumbles) would be an upgrade at a premium position and instantly become their best pass-rusher.
The Jets use the first of two first-round picks on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. New York has upgraded the offensive line and can now turn attention to other premier positions.
6. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Ikem Ekwonu is a polished run blocker that continues to improve in pass protection. New York selects their third first-round offensive lineman in as many years.
Possessing NFL bloodlines dating back to his grandfather ( WR - Darryl Stingley / New England Patriots ), Stingley is an athletic prodigy with game altering, playmaking skills beyond his years. Blessed with a body type engineered to play cornerback ( 6-1, 195 lbs), Stingley combines long speed and short area quickness to shadow receivers on any level of the gridiron. A former receiver himself (six career touchdown receptions - Dunham H.S / Baton Rouge, LA), Stingley's enhanced ability to track passes makes him difficult to beat in coverage.
Hamilton has uncommon size for a safety (6-4 , 219 lbs), and exceptional athleticism buoyed with an explosive fluidity. New York will have to decide if re-signing starting safety, Marcus Maye is cost effective, considering his current contract pays him over 10 million, he'll want an increase in salary. Taking into account Hamilton's eight career interceptions and 16 passes defended, he could possibly tandem with a re-signed Maye and provide the Jets with a dynamic back end to their secondary.
The Jets have a ton of needs, mainly on defense. Stingley is out for the season, but a player of this talent and athleticism (4.30 in the 40, 42-inch vertical) at a position of need would be foolish to overlook.
The Jets double up on secondary, tabbing the most versatile defensive player in the draft. Hamilton can tackle, he can cover, he excels wherever you put him on the field.
The New York Jets defense has struggled due to injury and being void of talent. With this pick, the Jets select Kayvon Thibodeaux, an edge rusher that has elite athleticism that is capable of wreaking havoc on every down.
Kyle Hamilton might be the pound-for-pound best football player in college football. His ability to play sideline to sideline against the pass and also being a formidable run defender makes him the best safety prospect coming out of college football in the past decade. The Jets take Hamilton with this pick and continue to add talented pieces to their defense.
Stingley just might be the best all-around athlete in this class. At The Opening event in high school, Stingley posted a 4.3-second 40-yard and 42.0-inch vertical. He's the owner of one of the best seasons PFF College has seen since its inception in 2014 as a true freshman in 2019. That year, Stingley earned a 91.7 PFF grade while allowing a minimal 38% catch rate and combining for 21 interceptions plus pass breakups. Stingley's last couple of seasons have, unfortunately, been derailed by injury (only 289 coverage snaps played as opposed to 589 played in 2019), but he still performed admirably, allowing under a yard per coverage snap in that span.
Stingley is CB1 and should be a top-three pick next April.
5. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis -- who was born in Athens, Greece -- is the "Greek Freak" of college football. He is one of the most powerful defensive ends in the country and pairs that strength with arguably the best hand usage in the country and an explosive get-off that makes life tough on opposing offensive tackles. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Boilermaker showed a lot of promise as an underclassman and is now maximizing his full potential as a true junior, as evidenced by his 90.1 pass-rush grade this season.
After aiming to rebuild the offense during the first draft with Robert Saleh as the coach, general manager Joe Douglas and the Jets could invest on the other side of the ball this offseason. Stingley, who hasn't played since having foot surgery in early October, had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2019. He has a skill set and ceiling that is reminiscent of former Ohio State corner Marshon Lattimore, who was drafted No. 11 overall by the Saints in 2017. Stingley would be a clear improvement over New York's current corners.
Ojabo is the defensive prospect who has helped himself most this season, as he has 10 sacks and four forced fumbles in 10 games. It's just a one-year sample for the third-year sophomore, but he has starred on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. Ojabo, a former high school teammate of 2021 first-rounder Odafe Oweh, is the exact type of prospect the Jets should covet to place alongside a healthy Carl Lawson in 2022. The Jets can fill both of their biggest need positions -- corner and edge -- with their two top-10 picks.
Buffalo adds Gardner to pair with Tre'Davious White. The Bills defense has improved this season but the addition of Gardner leads to one less vulnerability.
Wilson's body control and quick gear shifting attributes, infuriate defensive backs attempting to contain him with press coverage tactics. An adept route runner with soft hands, Wilson has the speed to get deep and the moxie to beat defenders in a variety of ways. Wilson operates efficiently from the slot position and equally from outside the hashmarks as a boundary receiver. A threat to score vertically, he would make a nice downfield target for the cannon armed Josh Allen.
Ohio State hasn't had a WR selected in the first round since Ted Ginn in 2007. Olave becomes the second to go in the first round in this draft. Some would argue he's the best all-around pass catcher in the draft.
There isn't a tougher football player in the draft. George Karlaftis will fit in well with the Buffalo Bills' culture while also providing a pass rush boost.
Leal has no clear position right now. The former five-star broke out as a sophomore in 2020 with an 88.3 PFF grade while playing predominantly on the edge. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman has split time between the interior defensive line and edge in 2019, and his production diminished as a result. Leal has earned a 55.5 run-defense grade and 63.3 pass-rush grade when inside the tackles while posting a grade above 75.0 in both of those facets on the edge. Leal may be a bit heavier than the stereotypical NFL edge, but he has the power and juice to hold up there.
Williams, an Ohio State transfer, has starred in his lone season in Tuscaloosa. At a slender 6-foot-2, 189 pounds, he is a seasoned route runner who can attack the deeper portions of the field. He has averaged 20.2 yards on his 51 catches this season, adding 10 touchdowns. With Emmanuel Sanders on a one-year deal, adding Williams with Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis and Cole Beasley will continue the Bills' explosiveness on the perimeter.
New York is testing out Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche this season but there are still concerns about the pass rush moving forward. Aidan Hutchinson would alleviate those concerns.
If Dave Gettleman is still around, he is almost certain to draft an interior offensive lineman in the first round. He is committed to Daniel Jones working and the offensive line has been part of his downfall.
In terms of generating quarterback pressure (hurries + knockdowns + sacks per drop back), the Giants have the worst percentage in the NFL (16.9 percent). Monday night's game versus Tampa Bay exemplifies New York's feeble efforts at applying significant pressure on a 44 year old Tom Brady. Brady completed 32 passes on 48 attempts for 318 yards and two scores, while being sacked just once the entire evening. Drafting Hutchinson could give the Giants a legitimate pass rusher, who is equally adept against the run, setting the edge at the point of attack to contain running plays along the perimeter.
The Giants have several talented skill players on offense, especially the 2018 number two overall pick, running back Saquon Barkley. Yet, despite Barkley's athletic versatility and explosiveness the Giants average less than 100 yards a contest (92.9) and managed just seven rushing touchdowns throughout ten games. The offensive line needs to raise its level of production for the Giants to actually improve and become significant in their division. If they chose Green, an imposing and extremely powerful player (6-4, 325 lbs) who typically devastates defenders, New York could begin to dominate at the line of scrimmage and beyond.
Big Blue lacks a playmaker in the passing game to keep teams from stacking the box against Saquon Barkley. Wilson, the Buckeyes' big-time playmaker, will help. Witness his effort against Purdue, where he caught three TD passes and took a Jet sweep 51 yards for another score.
7. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
This is a move designed to lengthen the career of Barkley from within. Linderbaum compares favorably to Jason Kelce, which definitely shows up on film. He has the athleticism and strength to anchor the Giants' line for years to come.
Derek Stingley Jr. has been ranked as the No.1 corner since his all-time great freshman campaign during LSU's National Championship run in 2019 and has nothing to hurt that ranking. His combination of athleticism, instincts, physicality, and ball skills make him a generational talent at corner. The New York Giants can use a true lockdown corner in their secondary and Stingley will provide just that.
The Giants use their second first-round pick on the most instinctual linebacker in this year's draft. Nakobe Dean is an athletic, quick linebacker that excels at playing in space. Dean has been the leader of Georgia's defense and will bring that leadership to the Giants' defense.
Ekwonu is one of the nastiest run-blockers PFF College has ever seen. He owns a 93.4 run-blocking grade for the 2021 season -- the highest in the FBS. Ekwonu has laid down a whopping 16 big-time blocks this season. Not only does that lead every offensive lineman in 2021, but it is also the most in a single season during the entire PFF College era. He's been that kind of a monster in the run game in all three of his years at NC State, but he's starting to pass protect better as well. After posting a poor 55.3 pass-block grade in 2020, Ekwonu has improved that to a solid 77.9 mark in 2021.
Dean is on the smaller end of the linebacker spectrum, but he is a freak athlete who fits the bill of a modern-day linebacker. He is undoubtedly the best off-ball linebacker in the country when it comes to defending the pass. His blitzing prowess and coverage ability are second to none, as Dean has recorded a 90.0-plus grade as a pass-rusher and in coverage this season -- something no Power Five off-ball linebacker has accomplished in the PFF College era.
Left tackle Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, has shown signs of improvement during his second season -- though he's now on injured reserve with a foot injury, and his replacement, Matt Peart, remains inconsistent. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Ekwonu has been stellar at left tackle this season, but opinions vary on the position he'll play at the next level. He could be a top-tier starter at right tackle or guard.
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants have gotten 5.5 sacks from rookie second-round pick Azeez Ojulari, but they need to stockpile young edge rushers to improve their defense. Karlaftis is a versatile and heavy-handed defensive lineman who could contribute early in the NFL. Karlaftis has only 2.5 sacks this season, but he is always around the quarterback. With two top-seven picks, this means the Giants get starters along the offensive and defensive lines.
Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram missed a combined 13 games last season, but only seven teams had fewer sacks than the Chargers (27) in 2020 and Ingram is (still) a free agent. While injuries and COVID-19 limited Karlaftis to only three games in 2020, the 6-foot-4, 275-pounder had 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a freshman in 2019.
It was something of a surprise when Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave decided to return to Columbus for his final college season, but perhaps in a crowded 2021 wide receiver field Olave wanted the chance to stand out in the subsequent draft class. Or perhaps he felt that the Buckeyes needed to finish the job with a national title. Either way, Olave could rise up boards if he improves on last year's numbers, where he caught 50 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games. Pairing him with the young arm in Justin Herbert could give the Los Angeles Chargers a heck of a QB/WR duo for the next few seasons.
Karlaftis is a power end who was banged up in 2020 but showed what he was capable of with 55 pressures as a true freshman in 2019. He's an ox for opposing offensive tackles to handle and has also demonstrated the ability to kick inside at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds.
The Chargers don't have a ton of depth on their defensive line, and DT Linval Joseph turns 33 during this coming season. Leal is very versatile, playing both defensive tackle and defensive end. At 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, he had eight QB hurries, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three passes broken up, an interception and a forced fumble in 2020.
A 6-foot-2 corner out of Detroit, Gardner had an All-American true freshman season in 2019 and had another strong year as a sophomore, collecting three interceptions each season. His competitive temperament gets the best of him at times and penalties have been a problem, but his coverage grades stand out.
The Chargers just took Asante Samuel Jr. in the second-round of 2021, but I'm skeptical that Samuel alone fixes the team's need at CB. Samuel, Michael Davis, and Chris Harris Jr. could be a fine enough trio, but it would not be surprising if the Chargers believed they still needed a dog on the outside. Banks has impressive feet and good ball skills, which could be enough for him to fix the Chargers' woes.
