C.J. Stroud: Stroud has consistently earned praise from his coaches and teammates throughout the offseason. Unsurprisingly, he's been officially named the Week 1 starter against the Baltimore Ravens. An accurate passer when given time in the pocket at Ohio State, Stroud consistently made plays outside of structure against the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff. He's off the fantasy radar in single-QB redraft leagues, but he should increase the overall efficiency of Houston's offense in 2023.
Dameon Pierce: Pierce had never exceeded 106 carries in his four seasons at Florida, but he reached that number through his first six games last year with the Texans. While he missed the final four games of the season with an ankle injury, he had 220 carries for 939 yards and four touchdowns through Week 14. He also added 30 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. The former Gator was the RB15 through Week 14. Despite Houston signing Devin Singletary, Pierce is still a viable RB2 for fantasy managers in 2023.
Devin Singletary: Through four seasons in Buffalo, Singletary had more than 150 carries and averaged exactly 2.4 receptions every year. The workload will certainly decline in Houston, but he would become a RB2 if Pierce were to miss any time.
Nico Collins: Collins appeared in only 10 games last season, but he ranked second to Brandin Cooks on a per-game basis in receptions (3.7) and yards (48.1). With Cooks traded to the Dallas Cowboys, Collins is a breakout candidate and the favorite to lead the Texans' receiving corps in fantasy production.
Robert Woods: Woods arguably had his worst season as he set career lows in yards per reception (9.9), yards per target (5.8) and yards per game (31.0). Although Ryan Tannehill also missed five games, Woods reached the 40-yard receiving mark in only four of 17 games with the Titans in 2022. While his upside is relatively low, it's possible he emerges as the team's most consistent receiver.
Dalton Schultz: Schultz has a minimum of 89 targets in each of the past three seasons, and he has averaged 4.1 receptions and 41.7 yards per game over that span. While he may get a tick less in terms of volume, he has the potential to lead the Texans in receptions in 2023.
C.J. Stroud: Stroud displayed pinpoint accuracy when given time in the pocket at Ohio State, and he had an eye-opening performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff with how consistently he made plays outside of structure. Although he hasn't officially been handed the starting job yet, he has earned praise and respect from his new coaches and teammates. Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson has said that Stroud is "already way, way ahead of pace" with his footwork and timing. Meanwhile, left tackle Laremy Tunsil recently said, "How I describe C.J.: dawg. He's a straight dawg. He comes in there ready to work, he handles the huddle perfectly and he goes out there and balls, man."
Dameon Pierce: Pierce had never exceeded 106 carries in his four seasons at Florida, but he reached that number through his first six games with the Texans. While he missed the final four games of the season with an ankle injury, he had 220 carries for 939 yards and four touchdowns through Week 14. He also added 30 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. The former Gator was the RB15 through Week 14. Despite Houston signing Devin Singletary, Pierce is still a viable RB2 in 2023.
Devin Singletary: Through four seasons in Buffalo, Singletary had more than 150 carries and averaged exactly 2.4 receptions every year. The workload will almost certainly decline in Houston as he becomes the second option to Pierce, but he could be a bye-week flex option.
Nico Collins: Collins appeared in only 10 games last season, but he ranked second to Brandin Cooks on a per-game basis in receptions (3.7) and yards (48.1). With Cooks traded to the Cowboys, Collins is the early favorite to lead the Texans' receiving corps in fantasy production.
Robert Woods: Woods arguably had the worst season of his 10-year career as he set career lows in yards per reception (9.9), yards per target (5.8) and yards per game (31.0). Although Ryan Tannehill also missed five games, Woods reached the 40-yard receiving mark in only four of 17 games in 2022. While his upside is relatively low, it's possible he emerges as the team's most consistent receiver.
Tank Dell: Dell was uber productive (199/2,727/29 in 27 games over past two years) in college, and though he's undersized (5-8, 165), he's extremely quick. Talking about the wide receivers on SportsRadio 610, DeMeco Ryans recently praised Dell's "route-running ability. He's been open a lot in OTAs. So that's exciting."
Dalton Schultz: Schultz has a minimum of 89 targets in each of the past three seasons, and he has averaged 4.1 receptions and 41.7 yards per game over that span. While he may get a tick less in terms of volume, he has the potential to lead the Texans in receptions in 2023.
If the Lions are picking this high in 2022, it's possible that they could look to reset at quarterback. The Lions would only incur a $10 million cap hit if they moved on from Jared Goff next offseason. In addition, Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently said they "would have had to strongly consider" a quarterback at No. 7 if Penei Sewell weren't their highest-ranked player available.
Since 2018, two Sooner quarterbacks (Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray) have been selected first overall and another (Jalen Hurts) was a second-round pick. If there's a quarterback that will challenge Howell for the honor to be 2022's QB1, it's most likely Rattler. Based on props from Bovada, Rattler (11/2) is the early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy over Clemson's D.J. Uiagalelei (6/1), who's not eligible until the 2023 NFL Draft.
After missing all of 2020 after surgery to repair a bulging disk and congenital fusion in his spine, the draft evaluations for Ross will begin with his medicals. Provided doctors are comfortable with his outlook, he has the talent to be a first-round receiver next April and perhaps even the WR1 in 2022. In his first two seasons with the Tigers, Ross (6-4, 205) has 112 receptions for 1,865 yards (16.7 Y/R) and 17 touchdowns.
The Detroit Lions passed on the quarterback position with their first selection in the 2021 NFL draft, adding young and talented offensive tackle Penei Sewell. That likely means Jared Goff has at least one season to prove himself as the starter in Detroit.
But if the Lions are picking where odds-makers believe they will be, then the Goff experiment likely has come to a sudden, and disappointing, conclusion. If the Houston Texans indeed address the pass rush, that could give general manager Brad Holmes his choice of quarterbacks. While many point to UNC's Sam Howell or Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler as the likely QB1 right now, there is a case to be made for Liberty's Malik Willis. Allow Bruce Feldman to open the argument:
“He has the strongest arm of anybody I have ever seen.” Quincy Avery, who has worked with a bunch of NFL QBs, including Trey Lance, the guy with the biggest arm in this draft, is one of many raving about the potential of Malik Willis: https://t.co/9UAprGnnYw
There is a lot of football to be played, but Willis could certainly be the next QB riser, perhaps all the way to the Motor City. If he takes another big step forward, Willis could indeed put himself in QB1 contention.
Thanks to the Matthew Stafford trade, the Detroit Lions have a second pick in the 2022 first round. Earlier in this scenario the Lions added Malik Willis from Liberty, the intriguing quarterback who could rocket up boards if he puts together a solid 2021 season. Now they add to the receiver room later in the first round.
And yes, Alabama has another receiver to watch. After seeing Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle all get picked in the first round, John Metchie III could be the next Crimson Tide WR to crash the early selections. There is early buzz that Metchie could be the best of the group, and while in my mind it is far too early for such a statement, every time you turn on Alabama film you can see #8 working himself open. If that continues this fall, Metchie will certainly see his stock rise.
Howell has the arm strength and accuracy to warrant such a selection, but the North Carolina offense is doing him no favors in his development. His tape is pretty much littered with go-balls and RPOs. His 132 RPO dropbacks last year were 25 more than any other quarterback in the country.
30. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks is a physically imposing specimen at the position. Listed at 6-foot-3, 232 pounds, he went for 811 yards in only nine games last year, hauling in eight of his 12 contested targets.
Current Lions QB Jared Goff was part of the return in the Matthew Stafford trade in January, and a lot of what the Lions do with their two first-rounders in 2022 will depend on how he performs in his sixth NFL season. Detroit does have a potential out on Goff's contract after the 2022 season with a $10 million dead cap hit, so it could certainly be in the quarterback market next April. Slovis is 6-foot-3 with a strong arm, and his 70% completion percentage over 2019-20 ranks seventh among FBS signal-callers.
Detroit is back on the board after taking a quarterback earlier, and it gets a versatile high-impact linebacker. Before transferring to LSU, Jones played the nickel/Sam position at Clemson after Isaiah Simmons left for the NFL. He is 6-foot and 220 pounds, so his role in the NFL is still to be determined, but wherever he is, he will produce. In 10 games last season, Jones had 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, two passes broken up, half a sack and a forced fumble.
Harrison is still developing pass rush instincts, but a third year coached up by defensive line savant Larry Johnson should do the trick. He could test off the charts when we return to the combine in Indy.
Wilson was impressive in the slot as a sophomore -- 723 yards on 43 receptions and six touchdowns in eight games. He'll have a chance to show what he can do outside this season.
Until he proves otherwise, Jared Goff is likely the short-term option in Detroit while the organization searches for the long-term answer. It is tough to watch Howell and not see similarities to Baker Mayfield -- both positive and negative. His maturation will be interesting to track without Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, all taken in last week's draft.
The second Ohio State receiver drafted in this mock, Olave was considered a borderline first-round pick before he decided to return to Columbus for his senior year. His body type is only average, but his speed and ball skills are appealing traits for the next level.
We'll find out if Jared Goff is the answer in Detroit, and if he's not the Lions will be in the market for a franchise QB. Howell has some of the same gunslingin' traits as the last face of the franchise, Matthew Stafford.
Bolden flashed at The U in 2020, returned to school and he has a chance to be one of the top safeties in this class along with Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton.
Detroit hit the trenches hard in the 2021 draft. Penei Sewell, Levi Onwuzurike, and Alim McNeill help solidify both sides of the line of scrimmage. Despite taking those two DTs, though, the Lions still need more help up front, particularly off the edge. Thibodeaux is a former five-star recruit who has produced 12 sacks in his first two seasons on campus, which is made slightly more impressive due to the PAC 12's 2020 season being shortened.
The Alabama WR dynasty is not over. Last season, Metchie got a ton of playing time as Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy left school, in addition to Jaylen Waddle missing much of the season with injury. Like his teammates, Metchie has tremendous speed and a natural ability to track the ball down the field. Metchie, at 6-foot and 200-pounds, is a bit thicker and tougher than Waddle and DeVonta Smith, though, and offers a slightly different style of YAC.
The Philadelphia Eagles could have three picks in the first round, and that depends on what Carson Wentz does during the 2021 season. As part of the terms of the Wentz trade the Colts included a conditional selection with these terms: If the quarterback plays on 75% of the Colts' offensive snaps in 2021, or if he plays on 70% of the snaps AND the Colts make the playoffs, the Eagles will receive Indianapolis' 2022 first-round selection. If Wentz fails to hit those numbers, the Eagles will receive the Colts' 2022 second-round selection. Let's take the "glass half-empty" approach and assume Wentz does not meet those conditions, and therefore give Colts fans a reason to read this mock draft.
Despite the retirement of Anthony Castonzo, the Colts did not add to the offensive line until the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft, so this could be a position the team addresses early in 2022. Charles Cross was impressive last year in his first season starting at left tackle, and if he continues to impress he could leave school after the end of his redshirt sophomore season, making him an option for the Colts next draft.
Metchie could be the fifth Alabama wide receiver selected in the first round in three years. He had 916 yards on 55 receptions and six touchdowns in an offense dominated by Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and Najee Harris. He'll be Bryce Young's clear-cut number one target in the fall.
Washington has become the Pacific Coast version of "DBU" and McDuffie is next in line to be an early-round pick. Entering his third season as a starter, the California native doesn't have ideal size, but he plays with obvious swagger and compete skills to stay on top of routes.
Even after Anthony Castanzo retired, the Colts didn't address the left tackle position in the '21 draft. With a solid '21 campaign, Walker, who was dominant at times last season, will be in the first-round mix.
Many expected the Colts to address left tackle with this year's draft. Instead, the Colts double-dipped at EDGE, leaving tackle to be an issue for 2022. Munford is heading into his fourth year starting for the Buckeyes. In each of his first three years starting, Munford has only gotten better and better, particularly with respect to his work in the run game. Munford probably could have been a top-50 pick in 2021, but returns to school with hopes to iron out his technique just enough to raise him into the first round here.
Before his announcement to return to school, Olave was often listed in 2021 first-round mock drafts. By returning to school, Olave has a chance to become the first receiver off the board in 2022. Olave isn't the biggest receiver (6-1, 188), but he is one of the best route-runners in college football and has outstanding hands and speed.
Looking ahead to the 2022 NFL draft the Tennessee Titans could address a few different positions. One of them might be on the offensive side of the football, as the Titans might look to add at either wide receiver or tight end given the departures of Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith.
But they could also look to bolster the pass rush off the edge, leading them to USC's Drake Jackson. He started at defensive end as a true freshman in 2019, and then transitioned into an outside linebacker role for the 2020 season, notching 20 tackles and a pair of sacks in just six games. For his efforts he was named to the All-Pac-12 second team. He could be a perfect addition to the Tennessee defensive front.
The rising junior is going to head into the season as WR1 on the PFF draft board. He's so smooth as a route-runner and already displays high-level nuance. He racked up 723 yards and six scores in eight games last season.
Wait, another Alabama receiver? Metchie would be the fifth to go in the first round over three years. He had a great year with the Crimson Tide, catching 55 passes for 916 yards and six touchdowns, and he played a big role in the national title game with eight catches for 81 yards. Metchie was born in Taiwan before moving to Ghana, Canada, Maryland and New Jersey. After one more season in Tuscaloosa, let's send him to Tennessee to help repair a decimated receiving corps and give Ryan Tannehill a dynamic target.
The first wide receiver off the board in this scenario, Wilson has a knack for getting open and winning at the catch point. With a new quarterback and so many mouths to feed in the Buckeyes' offense, his stat line this season might not look dominant, but his tape and traits will be a different story.
It has to be a WR. Does not matter who. As of now, the Titans' only good WR is AJ Brown. After that, the depth chart is a smorgasbord of role players, at best. They need to get a legit wide receiver who can get open alongside Brown, and Burks can be that. Burks is more of a "power slot" at 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds, but the H/W/S dynamic in addition to his natural YAC ability makes him a menacing pairing with Brown.
It wouldn't surprise me if Wilson is off the board before teammate Chris Olave and/or if he's the first receiver drafted in 2022. That said, the Patriots were big spenders in free agency, but they will go into the 2021 season with Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne atop the depth chart at wide receiver. Adding better weapons for Mac Jones starts here with Wilson.
There are a few different directions the New England Patriots could look to travel early in the 2022 NFL draft. Wide receiver might be a position that Bill Belichick addresses, as is cornerback depending on the status of both Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. Then there is linebacker. While New England is getting veteran Dont'a Hightower back after opting-out in 2020 -- and there will be no Hightower slander from this author, as the veteran should have at least one Super Bowl MVP trophy on his mantle -- Belichick could look to draft his replacement. Ventrell Miller has been a mainstay in the middle of the Florida Gators defense the past two seasons, and could be the kind of linebacker that Belichick covets.
Through four games in 2020, Daniels was shutting down his side of the field in his first year as a starter before getting injured. He allowed only six catches from 18 targets for 100 yards with five pass breakups. He's an explosive dude who can hang clean 400 pounds despite weighing only 193 pounds.
The Patriots got their franchise QB in Mac Jones, but they curiously did not pick a wide receiver until pick No. 242 (Tre Nixon). With Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne occupying the top spots on the depth chart at the moment, receiver will likely be on the team's 2022 offseason wish list. Wilson finished second on the Buckeyes in receiving yards by 6 yards (723) and in touchdowns by one (six), both to Chris Olave. With both Wilson and Olave projected here, this would mark the third straight year that there has been a school with two Day 1 receivers (Alabama in 2020 and 2021).
The Mission Hills product shunned millions of dollars to come back for his senior season in Columbus and will likely be a top-three prospect at the position in 2022.
While I studied Feleipe Franks' tape last season, Burks made himself impossible to overlook with a number of highlight-worthy plays each week. A good-sized athlete at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he has a huge catch radius and makes even the most difficult grabs appear routine.
We can use the Sevyn Banks template above for Alabama wideouts: "Metchie is the next in a long line of Crimson Tide wide receivers who end up in the NFL after impressive college careers."
Stephon Gilmore's contract expires after 2021 and it's hard to imagine Bill Belichick is going to be okay with losing cornerback talent, assuming Gilmore walks. Jobe is a former four-star with a good build (6'1/192), long arms, and exciting press-coverage qualities. Throw on top the fact that he's a Nick Saban guy and it just feels like such a natural fit with the Patriots.
With DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle off the NFL, Metchie III will become Alabama's top wideout for the 2021 season. If the draft materializes this way, Metchie would be the fifth 'Bama first-round receiver over a three-draft period (2020-2022). Metchie was just shy of 1,000 yards as a sophomore with 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns.
Full credit to Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, who found a way to get the band back together this off-season. That allowed the organization to add value and look to the future early in the draft, and they did just that, adding EDGE Joe Tryon in the first round and quarterback Kyle Trask in the second.
Now they can look to add on the interior alongside Vita Vea, and Tyler Davis could be an ideal option. Davis has been a mainstay on the inside for the Clemson Tigers since stepping on campus, and he became the first true freshman to start at defensive tackle since Jeff Mills in 1974. He led all true freshman interior defensive lineman in sacks in 2019 with 5.5. Last season he added a pair of sacks while dealing with an MCL sprain, but he is healthy and ready to put together a monster season.
Linderbaum is the top center on PFF's draft board and one heck of an athlete for the position. He's put on a good deal of weight since he first became a starter in 2019 and earned an outstanding 91.5 overall grade last year.
With no massive holes in the roster, Tampa Bay can look at the top running back on the board at the moment, the Aggies' Spiller. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound back had 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he has averaged 5.5 yards per tote over his career. Plus, he is a capable receiver, catching at least 20 passes in each of his two seasons. The Bucs have a handful of running backs on their roster, but it's noteworthy that only Ke'Shawn Vaughn is under contract past 2021.
The Buccaneers have a year to evaluate Kyle Trask after using the final pick of the second round on him at the draft, but quarterback could obviously also be in play for them as they start to plan for the future.
The pandemic limited Karlaftis to only three games last fall (he still had two sacks), but he was an AP Freshman All-American in 2019 after producing 7.5 sacks with 17 tackles for loss as a true freshman.
My top-ranked center, Linderbaum flies out of his stance to reach blocks or advance to the second level. He plays with tight hands and a flexible lower body to cleanly redirect or move laterally.
Originally a defensive end, Leal has the versatility and athleticism to play up and down the line, though at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds he's primarily on the inside. He has the potential to be really, really good and this could be the year he puts it all together.
Rob Gronkowski and OJ Howard will both see their contracts expire after the 2021 season. Who knows what Howard will ask for on the open market, and Gronk only has so many years left with the condition his body is in at this point. Wydermyer has been producing since his freshman season at Texas A&M, thanks in large part to some exceptionally smooth movement skills. Wydermyer can also play both in-line and from the slot comfortably. Though not in the George Kittle tier, Wydermyer can also handle himself as a run blocker.
Buffalo used their first two picks -- Gregory Rousseau and Carlos Basham -- to improve their pass rush. While the Bills have one of the league's best corners in Tre'Davious White, they could use an upgrade opposite him. Jobe (6-1, 192) is a long and physical corner that had 11 passes defended, 55 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in 2020.
Running back was a common selection in mock drafts for the Buffalo Bills this past draft cycle, with players like Najee Harris and Travis Etienne serving as the main options. But with both players off the board when the Bills were on the clock last week, the organization went in a different direction and added pass rusher Gregory Rousseau.
Still, the team is looking to be more efficient on the ground, and that could mean they address RB early next draft cycle. Iowa State RB Breece Hall could be an option for the Bills, and he is coming off a huge season. Last year Hall led the nation in rushing yards and 100-yard games, and was named the Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. Another huge campaign and Hall will be in the mix for RB1.
Battle made a few spot starts as a true freshman back in 2019 before taking over full-time in 2020. He is a solid all-around safety with ideal size at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds. Battle earned a run-defense grade of 79.1 and a coverage grade of 81.5 last year.
Jobe started opposite Pat Surtain II last season and was an effective press-man corner with the ability to reroute receivers at the line of scrimmage. He attacks the ball in the air and broke up 11 passes last season, but he has just one interception over three seasons. After Buffalo took care of the edge rushing group at the draft, it will be able to focus on adding to the secondary next offseason.
Every starting cornerback for the Buckeyes since 2013 have been drafted -- seven in the first round. Banks has the physical traits and skillset to keep the party going.
Alabama's streak of consecutive drafts with at least two wide receivers taken in the first round will likely end next April. But if Metchie cracks the first round, he will be the sixth Crimson Tide pass catcher to do so since 2014. He finished second on the team in receiving last season, and his 16.7 yards per catch average was better than DeVonta Smith's 15.9.
Wilson made plays on a weekly basis for the Buckeyes in '20 and it's fair to say that he and Olave are the most dangerous WR tandem heading into the 2021 season.
Kirkland played left tackle in 2020 (and presumably again in 2021), but he does not necessarily have to play there for the Bills. Kirkland started out as a right guard for Washington, showing great quickness off the snap and decent power at the point of attack. He is also one of the most efficient pass blockers in the country. The Bills could slot Kirkland at guard right away while having the option to flex him out to tackle, in the case of injury or some other circumstance that would benefit from him moving around.
