Safety Tyrann Mathieu wants to re-sign with the Chiefs, but four of the team's top six defensive backs in terms of snaps played are currently unsigned for 2022. The brother of Ravens running back Justice Hill and a former five-star recruit out of Oklahoma, Hill will test off the charts next month in Indy and has the versatility to be utilized in a variety of alignments.
This would be a coup for the Chiefs, who still could use a third wheel in the passing game. Burks might not run a speedy 40-yard dash, which could hurt his standing, but he offers great versatility and yet won't be expected to catch 75 passes as a rookie. Burks' size, toughness and tracking ability could be lethal in this offense.
Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are still a dominant pair of pass-catchers, but the Chiefs shouldn't pass up the chance to give Patrick Mahomes yet another dangerous weapon. London's combination of size, length, athleticism and physicality would bring another dimension to an already explosive offense.
Kansas City could fixate on defense, considering it allowed 5.9 yards per play in 2021 (30th). The pass-rush needs attention, and Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie would fit the bill there. Defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Charvarius Ward are currently without a contract, so UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen might be in play. And there will be more turnover on the offensive line, too, even if the Chiefs re-sign Orlando Brown Jr.
So a receiver? The Chiefs will still have Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman and Travis Kelce next year, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes thrives on distributing the football. Byron Pringle and Demarcus Robinson are headed toward free agency. Dotson is lightning quick in and out of his breaks, and despite a 5-foot-11 frame, he can pluck on the run and produce after the catch. He'd be a great possession receiver for Mahomes after catching 91 passes in 2021, including at least five in 11 of 12 games. Dotson would be the sixth receiver here, and it'd be the third straight class of at least five first-rounders. That has never been done.
As long as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense are lighting up the scoreboard, Kansas City is going to want to keep adding playmaking defenders. Tall, long and fast, Elam possesses the traits preferred in Kansas City's press-heavy scheme, and he's battle-tested, projecting as an immediate contributor.
Given how often the ball is -- and likely will remain -- in the air in the AFC West, you can never have enough good corners. And the Chiefs may be in desperate need of one if Charvarius Ward and/or Mike Hughes sign elsewhere this offseason.
With Melvin Ingram, Jarran Reed, Alex Okafor, and Derrick Nnadi all headed to free agency this spring, the Chiefs need reinforcements on the defensive line. Leal does just that by offering positional versatility to play on the edge or rush from the inside depending on the look of Kansas City's defense.
There is a long list of pending free agents in Kansas City but none is bigger than safety Tyrann Mathieu. If the leader of the defense leaves for a bigger payday, the Chiefs are in desperate need of a new safety. In a heavy three-safety defense, they are with or without Mathieu. Daxton Hill's athleticism and range should be attractive to those fans tired of seeing Daniel Sorensen in coverage.
If the Chiefs are able to re-sign safety Tyrann Mathieu, they could look to replace potential free-agent losses Charvarius Ward and Mike Hughes with a competitive, physical corner like Elam, whose uncle, Matt, was picked 32nd overall by the Ravens in 2013.
Walker is still a project as a pass-rusher, but he can come in and be a plus run defender from the rip. He has a similar physical profile to someone like Rashan Gary coming out, and he is similarly unpolished.
Wilson is a dynamic wide receiver and the first at his position off the board. Las Vegas needs help at the position following the tragic Henry Ruggs situation.
The Raiders' turmoil of off-field incidents and tragedies have clearly hampered a promising 2021 campaign. The loss of last year's 12th overall pick, wide receiver Henry Ruggs, may induce Las Vegas to spend a first round selection on a pass catcher in the 2022 draft. If they choose to take Olave, the Raiders will be getting a polished wideout with excellent awareness and body control. His ability to create separation, find soft spots in defensive coverages and win contested passes makes him a sensible receiving option for a contending team like Las Vegas.
The Raiders value raw numbers over seemingly everything, and Elam has them. He ran a 4.51 40-yard dash in high school, and at 6-2 he certainly has the physical characteristics to project well at the next level.
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a tumultuous season off the field, losing their head coach and two of their 2020 first-round draft picks. The Raiders still have a talented QB in Derek Carr and if they want any chance at success in the future they need to surround him with talent. With this pick, the Raiders select USC WR Drake London.
Gardner is in the midst of the stingiest seasons PFF College has ever seen from a cornerback who predominantly plays man coverage. He has allowed only 87 total yards from 368 coverage snaps and 11 starts while picking off three passes and breaking up another. Gardner's success isn't limited to this year, either. The 6-foot-3 cornerback's length gives him an advantage against every receiver he faces. He brings a "dog" mentality to the field and is an easy first-rounder.
In previous years, these have been general manager Mike Mayock's requirements for first-round picks: being a senior, having production and playing at a blue-blood program. After the release of 2020 first-round pick Henry Ruggs, the Raiders quickly scrambled to sign veteran DeSean Jackson. Olave, who has 11 touchdown catches this season, is a natural fit as a replacement for an organization that values speed. Olave could be a downfield threat to help Derek Carr.
The Everson Griffen situation is heartbreaking but it only magnified Minnesota's immediate need at edge rusher. Drake Jackson is the best prospect at the position on the board.
McDuffie is a patient cornerback who avoids panicking in coverage, displaying unflappable confidence and an elite awareness on the gridiron. He is adept in man or zone schemes and supports the run better than most cornerbacks. A versatile athlete, he consistently demonstrates adequate NFL range when dropping into coverage downfield. Minnesota experiences some lapses in coverage and if they acquire a talent like McDuffie, those miscues should lessen and increase accountability within the defensive secondary.
Everything you read about Leal talks about his versatility. You can put him anywhere along the D-line and he can help you. Already with 7.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL this season, the 6-4, 290-pound Leal can get what he wants, when he wants it.
Jordan Davis is a dominant interior defensive lineman that plays with brute strength. In college, he has shown the ability to bull rush offensive linemen and collapse the pocket. He will immediately help a Minnesota Vikings defense that has failed to slow down opposing offenses' rushing attacks.
Elam dominated so much as an underclassman -- 89.8 and 81.0 coverage grades as a true freshman and sophomore in 2019 and 2020 -- that opposing offenses have largely avoided him in 2021. This year, Elam has been targeted 27 times in seven games, 18 of which came in just two games (Alabama and Samford). In addition, he has allowed only one explosive reception over 15-plus yards while making six plays on the ball. Elam is fantastic at the line of scrimmage in press-man coverage, but he can thrive in multiple schemes.
With Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland on expiring contracts and 2020 third-rounder Cameron Dantzler still developing, Minnesota's long-term outlook at cornerback looks bleak. In past early-round selections at the position, the Vikings' front office has valued versatile cornerbacks who are also consistent run-defenders. Booth is one of the best in this class at both of those, and so he'd check the boxes that the regime has coveted.
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.
No safeties were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but Hamilton will hear his named called early in 2022 and potentially inside the top-five picks. Leading Notre Dame in tackles last season, Hamilton has tremendous size and length (6-4, 219) at safety with the versatility to impact the game in a variety of ways.
After selecting Zach Wilson second overall in the 2021 draft, the Jets used their next several draft picks -- guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, receiver Elijah Moore and running back Michael Carter -- to put more pieces around their young quarterback. With Chris Herndon entering the final year of his contract and a wild card at tight end, Joe Douglas adds an upgrade with the consensus top tight end in the upcoming draft. Wydermyer has 78 catches for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns over his first two seasons.
Derek Stingley Jr. is widely expected to be the first cornerback taken in the next draft, but the title of CB2 is something of a debate at the moment. A player that could propel himself into that spot -- and into the top of the 2022 NFL draft -- is Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam. Elam was named to the All-SEC First-Team by the conference's coaches, and notched two interceptions last season. With another great campaign he could fly up boards in the fall.
The New York Jets are now on the clock again, thanks to the Jamal Adams trade. Having addressed a number of different positions over the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL draft -- and having added cornerback Kaiir Elam earlier in this scenario -- they turn to the tight end position.
Jalen Wydermyer has caught 78 passes for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and in just ten games a year ago he caught 46 passes for 506 yards and six touchdowns. He was names a Second-Team All-SEC performer last season, as well as a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in the nation. As the football world starts to look for the "next Kyle Pitts," Wydermyer is a name to watch.
Stingley led the FBS in coverage grade as a true freshman in 2019 before taking a bit of a step back in an injury-plagued 2020 campaign. He's got the size, length and speed -- he ran a 4.3-second 40 in high school -- that you want at the position.
Enagbare broke out as a junior in 2020, putting up an 89.2 pass-rushing grade in eight games. He probably would have been a Day 2 pick this year had he declared, but he returned to try to build on that for a full season. At 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, Enagbare has the frame everyone is looking for at the position early on in the draft.
Let's keep building this Jets offensive line around new quarterback Zach Wilson. Cross, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt sophomore, started 10 games for the Bulldogs in 2020. With Cross and Mekhi Becton bookending the line -- which now also includes Alijah Vera-Tucker on the inside -- Wilson could have time to create on throws downfield.
We got the Jets a lineman earlier in Round 1, so let's now add a big 6-foot-6, 268-pound defensive end with a lot of speed to come off the edge. Only Quinnen Williams -- an interior lineman -- had more than 3.5 sacks for the Jets last season. Harrison had only two in seven games last season, but look for him to get more production in 2021.
I expect Hamilton to be one of the best all-around defenders in the nation next season. He features a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), athleticism and football IQ for a defensive back.
Walker would have heard his name called had he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, but his current developmental trajectory puts him as one of the first offensive lineman off the board in 2022.
Stingley put his name on the NFL map as a true freshman playmaker for LSU's 2019 national championship team. He battled through an injury-plagued 2020 season, but the talent to be a blue-chip pro prospect is there.
South Carolina always seems to have at least one defensive lineman who will be a future NFL starter, and Enagbare is that guy to watch this fall because of his length and athletic twitch. Also known as "JJ," he became a starter last season as a junior and led the team in sacks (six) and forced fumbles (three).
Stingley has been on NFL radars since his freshman season in 2019. He was the best defensive back on that championship LSU roster that also included Kristian Fulton and Grant Delpit.
The Jets went all in on offense with the 2021 NFL draft. They wanted to ensure rookie QB Zach Wilson has the tools to succeed out of the gate. New York's defense is still a bit of a mess, as a result, and they will absolutely have to address it at the top of the 2022 draft. Stingley is a former five-star recruit who has been a stud from the moment he got to campus at LSU. Stingley is long, athletic, and has unteachable ball skills. Stingley instantly changes the makeup of the Jets defense.
Signing Carl Lawson this offseason was a step in the right direction, but the Jets still need work on the edge. Harrison, though not terribly productive in a short season in 2020 (two sacks), has great size at 6-foot-6, 265-pounds and shows surprising bend for a dude his size. Harrison was also a former top-15 recruit back in 2019. This next season could be huge for Harrison and it would not be a shock to see him actually go higher than this.
Ben Roethlisberger will turn 40 next offseason and if this year isn't his final year, it's obvious that there isn't much left in the tank. A former five-star recruit and USC transfer, Daniels threw for 1,231 yards, 10 touchdowns to only two interceptions in his four games for the Bulldogs in 2020.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a few different options behind quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the moment, including Joshua Dobbs, Mason Rudolph and former first-round selection Dwayne Haskins, who was let go by Washington last season. Still, given how Roethlisberger's season ended in 2020, you might think that finding the true quarterback of the future will be atop the list of to-dos for the Steelers in 2022.
Could Desmond Ridder be the answer? Before announcing his decision to return to Cincinnati for his senior season, Ridder was getting some buzz as perhaps a quarterback to crash the top tier in the 2021 NFL draft. He has been a mainstay in the Bearcats' offense the past few seasons and posted career-high marks in completion percentage (66.2%) and NCAA Passing Efficiency (152.9) last season.
Slovis had an up and down sophomore year after an outstanding true freshman campaign. He doesn't quite have the arm of some others in this class, but he's been one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the class for two years running.
Another QB! We just watched five go in the first 15 picks last week, and now we could see as many go in the first half of Day 1 again. Pittsburgh has Ben Roethlisberger back for one more season (2022 is a void year on his contract), so it should absolutely be in the QB market at the draft. Ridder has done a little bit of everything at Cincinnati, throwing for at least 2,100 yards and 18 TDs in three straight seasons. And the 6-foot-4 redshirt senior averaged 6 yards per carry and scored 12 times on the ground in 2020.
After the Steelers failed to address offensive tackle in the draft, I doubt Ben Roethlisberger has much longer. If you're looking for a quarterback with breakout potential like Joe Burrow or Mac Jones, it's Daniels in his first full season as Bulldogs starter.
Another quarterback who can put himself in the first round discussion with continued development, Jurkovec is a well-built competitor with better mobility than expected -- similar to a current Pittsburgh quarterback. Scouts are eager to see the development of this Notre Dame transfer.
Elam has the size (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) and athleticism to be considered among the up-and-comers to watch. He had two picks and 11 pass breakups last season playing opposite Marco Wilson, a 2021 fourth-round pick of the Cardinals.
Many expected Ridder to declare and be a top-100 pick in the 2021 class. Ridder instead chose to return to a loaded Cincinnati program, where he hopes to improve his stock by ironing out some of his ball placement and errant decision making. Ridder has good size, excellent rushing ability, and a strong arm. All the tools for success are there -- Ridder just needs to make use of them in a smart, consistent way.
Elam followed up a strong true freshman season as a reserve with two interceptions and 11 passes defended in his first season as a starter in 2020. With continued development, Elam (6-2, 193) has the potential to hear his name called on Day 1 in 2022 like his uncle Matt was several years ago.
With the addition of Kyle Pitts in this past draft class, the Atlanta Falcons added a dynamic weapon to their passing game. But with recent news that the organization could be looking to move Julio Jones, the receiver spot could be a need next spring.
That could open the door for a player like Justyn Ross from Clemson. Ross missed the past season due to a congenial fusion in his spine which required surgery, but it is believed that he will be cleared to play this fall. He racked up over 1,000 yards as a freshman in 2018 and led the Tigers with 66 receptions in 2019, and provided he is healthy his play-making ability puts him in position to be the first receiver selected next spring.
Hamilton is a long and rangy safety, but he is also one of the most versatile safeties in the country. At 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, Hamilton is like an Isaiah Simmons clone who can stay on the back end in the NFL.
Olave explodes off the line and shows soft hands. And he is incredible at creating separation vertically, thanks to solid speed and always having a plan as a route runner. I had him among the top receivers in the 2021 class before he decided to go back to Ohio State for another season. If the Falcons are indeed considering moving Julio Jones to save cap space, Olave could step into a starting role to keep the passing game strong alongside Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts.
While watching the 2020 Florida tape, I was trying to study Bobby Brown. But Leal kept drawing my eye with his agility, especially for a 290-pounder. The second Aggie in this mock draft, he has true inside-outside versatility and the dominant traits to make plays in the backfield.
Jackson had a standout freshman campaign, flashed in the shortened Pac-12 season in '20, and is looking for a breakout campaign in '21. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, he looks the part.
Atlanta needs a pass-rusher. Again. The Falcons could also use, well, every other defensive position aside from IDL, but pass-rushers tend to come first in the pecking order when ranking premium positions. Jackson sports a thick 6-foot-4, 255-pound build, and plays with the violence and explosion desired of a defensive end. Jackson is a bit raw in his approach as a rusher, but the tools are there and he could rise once the PAC-12 gets to play a normal schedule again.
A number of Minnesota's cornerbacks -- Patrick Peterson, Mike Hughes and Mackensie Alexander -- will be UFAs after the 2021 season and last year's first-round pick -- Jeff Gladney -- had a disappointing rookie campaign (PFF's 102nd-graded corner). In addition, safeties Harrison Smith and Xavier Woods are scheduled to become free agents in 2022 as well. The Vikings allowed the third-most 20-yard pass plays (63) and tied for allowing the most 40-yard pass plays (12) in 2020. In other words, there's a good chance they use their first-round pick on the secondary and Mike Zimmer gets a versatile safety prospect with Bolden here.
In the 2021 NFL draft we did not see an interior defensive lineman until the top of the second round. Could that change in 2022? If so, Perrion Winfrey is one of the leading contenders to force that issue. In 2020, his first season with the Oklahoma Sooners after playing junior college football at Iowa Western, Winfrey was named a Second-Team All-Big-12 selection by the conference's coaches. He played in all 11 games with eight starts, notching 19 tackles, including six for a loss.
The Minnesota Vikings added nose tackle Jaylen Twyman in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft, but could add Winfrey into the mix as another interior defender early in 2022.
McDuffie heads into his junior season having earned coverage grades of 83.7 and 77.6 in his first two years for the Huskies. He's also one of the best tackling corners in the country, with only two misses on 64 career attempts.
Karlaftis dominated in 2019 with 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 54 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. But the 6-foot-4, 275-pound edge rusher was limited to three games in 2020 after testing positive for COVID-19. Patrick Jones II, the Vikings' fourth third-round choice on Friday night, provides depth on the edge but isn't likely to be a high-impact starter opposite Danielle Hunter. Karlaftis can be that. After being among the top five teams in sacks in 2018 and 2019, Minnesota ranked in the bottom five in 2020, with 23.
Over the last six years, Florida has produced 11 defensive back draft picks, including several first-rounders, and Elam is next in the pipeline. He needs to cut down on the penalties and improve his tackling, but his length and ball skills help him shut down passing windows.
Olave had some 1st/2nd-round buzz after a stellar 2020 season, but he decided to return to school where he'll be one of the top receivers heading into the fall.
The Vikings could use someone like Pickens on the outside. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are a nasty 1-2 combo at WR, but Minnesota would benefit from having a stud who can consistently win on the perimeter. Pickens is 6-foot-3, 200-pounds with some sudden explosiveness and speed. Pickens also has an absurd catch radius and a real knack for playing with strong awareness near the sideline. Assuming the ACL injury he suffered this offseason does not ruin him, Pickens is going to be a star.
The Eagles didn't add any competition via the draft for Jalen Hurts, but they will have three first-rounders in 2022 assuming that Carson Wentz plays a minimum of 75% of offensive snaps for the Colts in 2021. If they are picking this high based on their own performance (i.e., their original pick), the Eagles brass will likely add competition next year. A transfer from Auburn, Willis is arguably the most physically-gifted quarterback in this year's draft class with a chance to put himself in the mix for the top pick come next April.
Per The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, Coastal Carolina's DC Chad Staggs said the following about Willis: "We were undefeated, we had beat BYU, I thought we were pretty good on defense. And I felt like [Willis] single-handedly beat us. We couldn't tackle him. He's got a cannon. From a true physical ability thing, he was special."
Not only is Brandon Graham 33 years old, but Derek Barnett is scheduled to play the 2021 season on the fifth-year option. If the former five-star recruit is able to take a major step forward in his third season, he has the tools and athleticism to follow in the footsteps of recent Buckeye edge defenders to become a high draft pick.
The conditional 2022 second-round pick sent to the Eagles becomes a first-rounder as long as Carson Wentz plays at least 75% of the offensive snaps in 2021. Barring an injury, it's a near lock that the Eagles will own Indy's pick in 2022.
Both Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II were off the board before the Eagles were on the clock in 2021 and the team drafted Zech McPhearson in the fourth round, but I could see the team using one of their first-rounders on the position in 2022. A five-star recruit, Booth has outstanding ball skills (see below) and if he plays with more consistency, he should hear his name called on Day 1.
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Andrew Booth with an unbelievable one-handed interception!
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler stepped into the starting lineup after Jalen Hurts moved on to the NFL. Could a similar situation play out in Philadelphia? The Eagles made moves to build around Hurts in this past draft, trading up for wide receiver DeVonta Smith. But if the Eagles are picking this early, it might mean that the organization will be in the QB market next spring. Rattler needs to calm his feet in the pocket and not play so frenetically, but with a step forward this season he might challenge for that QB1 spot in the draft.
16. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner burst onto the national stage as a true freshman in 2019, securing a Pick-Six in Cincinnati's upset win over UCF, and it was Gardner's touchdown that was the different. He added a second Pick-Six later that year against ECU. He earned a starting job by the end of the season, and held down that role for the Bearcats in 2020. Last season he ranked second in the ACC with nine pass breakups, and tied teammate Coby Bryant for fourth in the conference with three interceptions. He might be a dark-horse candidate for the first round at this point, but he is certainly someone that could play himself into the mix with a solid junior season.
This one is obviously a massive projection, as he's only taken 95 career dropbacks. Jones is one of the best dual threats in the country, though, and he earned an 86.1 rushing grade on 35 carries last season.
Jackson is still only scratching the surface of what he could be for the Trojans after recording a 66.6 pass-rushing grade last season. His high-end flashes are as impressive as anyone's in this class.
20. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Gardner broke onto the scene with a massive true freshman campaign that saw him earn a 90.2 coverage grade and allow only 39.7% of his targets to be completed. He followed it up by allowing only 17 catches on 40 targets for 221 yards as a sophomore in 2020. He's a touch skinny but has first-round ability if he can fill out his frame.
This is another spot where the pick could go a lot of different directions based on this season. If Jalen Hurts proves he's the guy, then don't expect the Eagles to look QB. If he provides doubt, then Howell would be an excellent pick. Howell followed up his 38-TD 2019 season -- an FBS record for true freshmen -- with 30 more in 2020, and he improved his completion percentage and yards per attempt along the way.
Cornerback continues to be an issue for the Eagles, as they lack depth behind Darius Slay, especially with Avonte Maddox on an expiring contract this season. Philadelphia used a Day 3 pick on Zech McPhearson but has not invested a first-round pick in the position since drafting Lito Sheppard in 2002. Taylor-Stuart has 6-foot-2 size and speed, and I think he will have a big year in 2021. He has a lot of talent.
This pick isn't Philadelphia's just yet, but since we are projecting the Colts to make the playoffs, we'll say Carson Wentz plays 70% of the snaps this season and the Colts' second-rounder involved in the offseason trade becomes this first-round pick. After getting a cornerback a few spots earlier, the Eagles can add a big, experienced safety here. Both starters -- Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod -- could come off the books next spring. Bolden transferred to Miami from USC two years ago, and he had a big 2020 season, making 74 tackles and tying for second in the nation with four forced fumbles.
*This conditional second-round pick -- part of the Wentz trade -- becomes a first-rounder for 2022 for the Eagles if Wentz plays 75% of the Colts' offensive snaps in 2021 or if Wentz plays 70% of the offensive snaps and the Colts make the playoffs.
Elam took a step back after an impressive freshman campaign in 2019. He'll be hard to pass on as a 6-foot-2 corner with elite ball skills if he can fine-tune his technique and become a more reliable tackler.
Jalen Hurts has a "prove it" season coming up, and if he doesn't take command of QB1, then the Eagles will likely be in position to draft a different quarterback in the top 10. If the draft were tomorrow, Willis probably isn't a first-round pick. But if he makes key improvements, scouts believe he could climb this high. Check out Bruce Feldman's recent article on his exciting talent.
19. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Although he was injured during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Karlaftis was dominant as a freshman in 2019, leading the team with 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His heavy-handed attack and GPS for the football should translate well to the next level.
Unless there are glaring needs at, say, quarterback heading into the season it's hard to predict what those needs will be by next January. But the Eagles have had injuries along the O-line torpedo their chances in recent years so it's never a bad idea to upgrade the unit. Neal played guard early in his Alabama career, kicked out to right tackle last season and he'll move to left tackle in 2021.
Harrison looks the part, without question, but he'll need his production and consistency to match that to work his way into the first-round conversation.
Philly's LB situation is embarrassing. They did sign Eric Wilson this offseason, but he is really more of a coverage specialist than a legit three-down player. Harris is a former four-star recruit who earned a starting job as a freshman at Alabama. At 6-foot-2 and 232-pounds, Harris could use a couple more cheeseburgers to fill out the frame, but the speed, processing, and understanding of how to take on blockers is fantastic.
There is still a chance Andre Dillard turns things around in 2021. However, his play to this point has been poor and it's fair to think the Eagles could be thinking about replacing him. Nelson, a former three-star recruit, will have three years of starting experience in as many seasons at Miami by the time he comes out. Nelson is not the strongest or most violent OT, but the movement skills are just wonderful.
