2022 Top Five Positional Rankings: Pre Combine Edition

Hello everyone and welcome again to another exciting year of the Top Five Positional Rankings!! Yes, yes, I am a bit behind on this for certain but fear not, the process is still ongoing and today, we shall begin with the latest installment. Now, bear in mind that there was a Pre and Post Senior Bowl Edition slated for this year but sadly, those files have been lost..... for good. However, some of the pre save files of that information had already had much of the rankings completed. Others will have noticeable changes for certain. More of this will be explained when those sections are up next for reading. Now, as always, before we begin, a disclaimer.


* These written statements by the author do not reflect nor are shared opinions of members of TheSteelersFans Message Board, Staff Members and/or Site Administrator.*


Top Five By Position:


Quarterbacks:

1.) Kenny Pickett: University of Pittsburgh

2.) Matt Corral: University of Mississippi

3.) Malik Willis: Liberty University

4.) Sam Howell: University of North Carolina

5.) Desmond Ridder: University of Cincinnati

To kick things off, Matt Corral is either the best or second best off script QB in the class.... by a country margin. Only Malik Willis can be argued for better here. While he also does not have a huge arm, like Pickett, unlike him, Corral can do a lot more for a team both in the air and on the ground. That said, if there is one major glaring weakness for him... it is the fact that he currently is a one read QB; not ideal for starting conditions at all. Having him sit down will be critical here. Now, the same can be said for the next two in Malik Willis and Sam Howell. For Malik Willis, if one is banking on potential and talent to become production, even including the likes of Kavon Thibodaux and Kyle Hamilton, no other player possess more of it in this class than Willis. Willis' major issue though stems from not having any of the immeasurable gifts or talent but the ability to put it all together in a consistent fashion. Flashes here and there are good but with such a dynamic talent... it always leaves one wanting more. This brings up another major shortcoming for Wills; bust potential.... and there is a lot of it here. Even including someone like Evan Neal, no other player possesses more bust than Willis does. The classic critique of not coming from a Power 5 school often is brought up here but I am going with a different set of optics here; very, very raw in both pocket presence and pocket manipulation. While other QBs, even other prospects in the class, do need some time, no other player in the class would benefit greatly from it than Willis. Start him at one's own discretion as the results are not likely to benefit the team. Howell suffers from a different problem; consistency on throws and accuracy. While Malik Willis has the capability to consistently keep an opponent guessing for multiple downs on end, Howell's strengths mainly lie within his arm talent, accuracy and decision making abilities. He has these, some good mobility and capability to throw within multiple arm angles. However, due to the fact that he, like both Corral and Willis, played in Offenses that simply have not worked out for QBs in the NFL, not having consistency within one's strengths can greatly magnify their weaknesses. Corral can over come this through his superior pocket manipulation and pocket poise whereas Willis can extend plays for longer periods of time without much of an issue. Howell is mobile... just not to the same level as Corral or Willis.

Finally, for Ridder, he has the most impressive overall resume not named Pickett and did play in an NFL Offense. He not only possess a high caliber arm but also is very mobile though not like Malik Willis. So, with such experience and abilities, why is Ridder the lowest one on the list? Accuracy woes.... and a lot of them. Ridder has shown flashes of consistent accuracy during his four years at Cincy. However, bear in mind I did say flashes... not consistent performances. Rule number one of being an NFL QB is not just having a strong arm but being able to throw it accurately the same. His four peers are much better in this regard; doubly so in Pickett's case. While something so miniscule does seem a bit harsh to undervalue a player, an understanding of the game needs to be clear in context. The NFL has little to no room for error. Any and every error that does happen in an NFL game does not go away but is magnified.. no matter how the results play out. Finite attributes are what are needed to mitigate or even negate these woes. However, some of these are inherent; one either has the ability to do so or does not. Ridder does have the accuracy to perform at the NFL Level but is not a QB one should bet the farm on when talking about a QB with consistency of it.


Running Backs:

1.) Isaiah Spiller: Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University

2.) Kenneth Walker III: Michigan State University

3.) James Cook: University of Georgia

4.) Hassan Haskins: University of Michigan

5.) Kyren Williams: University of Notre Dame


Regarding the rest of the class? Some interesting players but nothing too big to write home about. James Cook is best suited towards teams that run outside zone concepts and/or use their backs in a variety of ways. He does have good vision and arguably the best overall running discipline in the class but with so many injuries dealt to him despite having less than 250 carries in his college career... he limits himself in this regard. Hassan Haskins is the best power running back in the class. Teams with gap based rushing Offenses or teams who need short yardage backs will be delighted to have him. He is also very sound in pass protection to boot. Major weaknesses is that he is more power than speed, is not reliable as a receiving weapon and does not possess elite speed for multiple Offensive styles. Despite this, Haskins can still be counted on for wearing teams down or picking up short yards.

Kyren Williams reminds me a bit of Travis Etienne from a year ago... except Etienne was simply a better athlete overall. That is not to say Kyren does not bring anything unique to the table. In fact, among all RBs in the class, say hello to the class' best chess piece as there is not a single role he cannot play... with the exception of being a power runner of course. Slot based wideout? You bet. Pass protection? Despite his size, say hello to the best one in the class in both capability and discipline. That said, at a little under 200lbs?... it is fair to question how long can he hold up in the NFL; all the more reason Kyren is best suited for a team that has a RBBC (Running Back By Committee) approach.


Wide Receivers:

1.) Jameson Williams: University of Alabama

2.) Treylon Burks: University of Arkansas

3.) Drake London: University of Southern California

4.) Chris Olave: Ohio State University

5.) Jahan Dotson: Penn State University


Let us begin with Jameson Williams. Despite his ACL Injury, Jameson Williams was a major reason as to why Alabama got so far as it did. Never mind his track burning speed, his abilities as a route runner along with creating massive amounts of YAC (Yards after Catch) make him not just the best receiver in the class but also one of the most complete players in the entire class as a whole. Improving on the finite aspects of his ball skills, like pass catching in traffic, is a shortcoming for him but not one I would consider too detrimental overall.

Treylon Burks and Drake London though, have a team covered when talking about catching in traffic. More specifically, Treylon Burks is not just a deep threat, he is also a slot based nightmare. Now, as for his abilities with his hands? Say hello to the most sure handed player in the class; regardless of it being Receiver or Tight End. Very seldom does he drop much of anything; doubly so when contesting catches or in traffic. Add that he is one of the most physically imposing specimens in the class overall and one must wonder as to why Treylon is not rated higher. That answer is simple; schematic limitations. In a West Coast Style or even Erhardt-Perkins Offense??... few other Offensive Players, never mind Receivers, fit the bill more than Burks does. In an Offense that requires precise timing and methodology like RPOs or Spread Concepts??... all I can say is ouch for him as this is not an ideal offense for him. Unlike Treylon Burks, Drake London does not seem to have the schematic limitations at first. However, there in lies some of the bigger flaws within London's game. For one, despite him being a big play threat, he is not nearly as versatile as Burks is in terms of overall usage. Burks can work the field in whichever manner he wants to whereas London's best abilities happen outside the numbers or on the outside of the slot. Most importantly is number two, unlike many other WR's in this class, London's abilities are tailor made for only one specific type of Offense; a Vertical Passing Offense. A good candidate brought up by some is the Air Coryell Offense but that Offense is more than just bombs away contrary to popular belief. There are quite a bit of nuances and timing methods to get down and, given how much of an explosive big play threat London is, would actually devalue and undermine his biggest strength; high volume point machine. He can get teams points at a very fast rate but to do so, one has to limit the amount of routes and responsibilities London performs. Not stating he is incapable of learning the Air Coryell (he actually can) but using him in such a manner is a severe waste of his talents.

Chris Olave and Jahan Dotson seem to be a bit closer rankings wise than one gives credit for. However, take a look at their nuances and finite qualities and, one will find major differing aspects. For one, Chris Olave is a Route Running Savant; period. Jameson Williams may have the best combination of skills among any WR but Olave beats him with the ability to run routes. No other Receiver in this class comes even close. For that matter, he and Williams are two of the best Receiving Options when it comes to creating separation though they achieve this in different ways; Williams with his speed and Olave with his acceleration and quickness. Pound for pound, Olave really can be considered the second best Receiver in the class.... so why isn't he. For one, his hands, along with his ball skills, are maddeningly inconsistent... and I mean MADDENING. If Drake London does not have him beat here??.... Treylon Burks is on another planet when comparing the two. Again, while this seemingly innocent critique could be mistaken as harsh, like the Desmond Ridder case before it, we need to understand the context of the position; route running and separation are the tools need to place one into position towards getting the catch but completing the catch is another story all together. That said, while it is a shortcoming, I do not see it as a glaring issue. Hands can be improved over time but route running like his cannot. That said, this rankings is all about what is, not what will be. As such, Olave is at number four.


Tight Ends:

1.) Trey McBride: Colorado State University

2.) Jalen Wydermyer: Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University

3.) Jeremy Ruckert: Ohio State University

4.) Cade Otton: University of Washington

5.) Greg Dulcich: University of California Berkeley


No sugar coating this one; this Tight End class is just simply.... not good at all. Honestly speaking??? Trey McBride, Jalen Wydermyer and Jeremy Ruckert; this is more or less... what this year's Tight End class is barring the unusual and extreme case of "complete fit of hand to glove" cases. Trey McBride is the best overall Receiving Tight End, Jalen is the biggest playmaker among all Tight Ends and Jeremy Ruckert is the most balanced and polished of the three. Trey lands first as he has no schematic limitations and should be primarily used in a variety of ways whereas Wydermyer should be used in Offenses that covet the big play. Ruckert is an interesting case as his balance and polish permit him to play in any Offense. His hands are among the best among Tight ends as well. However, further study indicates that a West Coast Style Offense or a Erhardt-Perkins Offense is his best fits are suited towards an Offense who needs a consistent, steady hands catcher who can not only make those tough catches but also consistently move the chains. Add he is not nearly as athletic as either Jalen and Trey and Jeremy's overall usage is diminished somewhat. That said, Ruckert is still a bright spot in an otherwise supbar Tight End class.

Cade Otton is a less polished, slightly less athletic Jeremy Ruckert but possess some of the best overall effort of any Tight End in the Class. For that matter, Cade is the best blocking one as well... and it is not even close. Greg Dulcich is a supercharged WR playing TE but that is sadly all he provides. Blocking as a Tight End is still important and Dulcich needs to hit the weight room to fully achieve his potential in this regard.


Offensive Tackles:

1.) Ikem Ekwonu: North Carolina University

2.) Charles Cross: Mississippi State University

3.) Evan Neal: University of Alabama

4.) Trevor Penning: Northern Iowa University

5.) Nicholas Petit-Frere: Ohio State University


Beginning with Ikem Ekwonu, I am running out of praise for him... so, I will just say it now; do not be surprised if Ikem is is the number one overall pick in the draft. No seriously, do not be surprised if he is the number one overall pick in the draft. He is that good of a talent and that good to be considered a "Franchise Left Tackle". Outside of some small pass protection set quibbles, really nothing else negative about him. A true Blue Chip prospect in every sense of the word; full stop. No schematic limitations, no positional ones (I truly believe the Offensive Guard talk is silly) and no athletic ones to be found either. If Doug Pederson is hell bent on protecting Trevor Lawrence... this is the guy to do it.

Charles Cross is next on the list and, dare I say, what a pass protecting gem. Just about every snap of his pass protection sets alone from this season is truly something special indeed. For that matter, say hello to the pass protector in the entire class among lineman; regardless of position. There is not a single form of sets nor scheme that can limit nor corral what Cross is able to do. Being a hyper athletic player does not hurt either as this allows him to deal with the ever growing threat of speed based NFL Rushers entering the class. That said, while his overall pass protection, athleticism and overall hand techniques are not to be questioned, his abilities in the running game do leave a lot to be desired for certain. For that matter, his overall lack of power is further illustrated when going up against rushers who are either power based rushers or those who have high level skill in converting speed to power as a whole. Rather, the latter does not give him as much trouble as the former; the former being sheer ferocity and brute strength. Despite this though, Charles still does not lose nearly as much to said players at all when it comes to the passing game. The running game is a different story but he is not one to get beat constantly. Overall, Charles Cross is an Offensive Tackle worth pushing the proverbial chips in; Running Game woes and all. The potential is immense and, should it be captured??.. Cross has Franchise LT written all over him.

Evan Neal and Trevor Penning are honestly near borderline clones of one another. That is very odd to say given the fact that Evan Neal is widely viewed as the best Offensive Tackle while Trevor is viewed as the most violent Offensive Tackle. That said, their overall play styles mirror one another. Before ongoing the comparisons, let us start with Evan Neal. To say that he has been near universally anointed the number one overall pick is an understatement and one can see why. Evan Neal's combination of size, speed, athleticism and power make him the ultimate Offensive Tackle; one that was literally built into a lab no less. Surviving the hellish SEC Pass Rushing gauntlet is another major feather to his cap; often dispatching SEC opponents. However, as has been the case thus far, one as to examine the tiny details; Evan Neal's greatest strengths somehow, someway, are his great weakness within his athletic abilities. Even including the likes of Hutchinson and Kyle Hamilton, Evan Neal is by far and away the most athletically, physically gifted player in the entire class. Dare I say he just very well may be the most athletically gifted player to come out in any NFL Draft since Myles Garrett.Speed Rushers have consistently showcased that they can take advantage of Neal's slow abilities to reset his leverage; affecting his overall footwork and protection sets all together. This makes him an easy target for teams who have not just speed based rushers but also the continued rise of leverage rushers as well. Leverage Rushers best weapons are to use an opponents lack of lateral mobility and leverage against opposing Offensive Tackles; their size and/or power becoming the Tackles biggest issues. This is only magnified by the fact that Neal's Football IQ is not as sound as either Cross' and does not come close to Ickey's. As a result, Neal can often succumb to whiffing on blocks, assignments or even in some cases both. However, if there is one major redeeming quality about Neal.. and there is one major redeeming one is not just his overall power and strength but his length as well... which is likely to be enormous when he weighs in. If anything, even accounting for some of the best run blocking Offensive Tackles the NFL has seen come out in the past seven years, RaShawn Walker and Penei Sewell included, Evan Neal just may very well be the absolute best among all of them... and I mean all of them. Truth be told, Evan's best home would be for opting as a Right Tackle as the traditional strengths of said position would be supercharged with Neal; a top 10 Right Tackle in the NFL as a rookie at that and arguably top five.

Moving on to Penning, his similarities to Neal are not too hard to see; great athletic profile, great length and great power. The biggest issues that lie with Penning are not ones of Football IQ or anchor ability but one of lateral mobility.. and a bit of a big one. . While the lack of mobility does seem it to be of a concern for Penning... I do not see it nearly as much of an issue as I do with Neal. Penning actually has the ability to be either a Left or Right Tackle.


Interior Offensive Line:

1.) Tyler Linderbaum: University of Iowa

2.) Kenyon Green: Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University

3.) Zion Johnson: Boston College University

4.) Jamaree Salyer: University of Georgia

5.) Sean Rhyan: University of California Berkeley


Linderbaum and Green truly are one of the same but both are cut from a unique cloth. For Linderbaum, good luck finding another complete Interior Offensive Lineman in the class as there just is not much weaknesses to be noted of him. Yes, yes, might not be as powerful as say, Kenyon Green or even someone like Jarmaree Salyer but the notable gap difference in power is small to non existent; not enough to knock him from the top spot overall. How he shows up at the combine though can affect his rankings as being 295lbs as a Center is not the most ideal of circumstances. It is doable... as it was for the case of Jason Kelce...but not ideal in any scenario. That said and, for now, very little if any major deficiencies in his game overall. Linderbaum is not just one of the most complete players in the draft but also one of the safest players to draft overall currently.

For Green, say hello to the most versatile Interior Offensive Lineman in the class... though he is much better suited for Guard and arguably the best overall. Zion Johnson's meteoric rise to power after only one season at a Power 5 school is not one of just being a mere fluke. His overall balanced skill set among Interior Lineman in addition to his disposition could make him into a very sneaky round one target come draft day. Among the favorites players of this writer in the class... he is one of them for certain.

To round out the Interior Offensive Lineman, Jamaree Salyer and Sean Rhyan are more accustomed towards being scheme specific more so than the other three but, in the right scheme, I believe they can be quality level starters; possible Pro Bowlers even. For Jamaree, a man gapped blocking scheme will be his best friend as his best attributes coincide with his abilities; a throwback mauler who can use his strength and bulk to not just hold up would be defenders but also work his way up to the second level. Pass protection for him can be a bit hit or miss overall as much of that power can get the better of him in terms of his patience when talking on pass rushers on the inside. Aggression is needed in an Offensive Lineman but controlling and honing that aggression is what separates those who are great versus those who are not.

Interior Defensive Lineman:

1.) Jordan Davis: University of Georgia

2.) Devonte Wyatt: University of Georgia

3.) Logan Hall: University of Houston

4.) Phidarian Mathis: University of Alabama

5.) Perrion Winfrey: University of Oklahoma


For Jordan Davis...... it has been a long time coming. To have a true three down Nose Tackle in the NFL again is quite the treat indeed. Pass rushing is often a major critique of his and, to be honest, a fair one. However, it is not due to the popular belief of simply not being able to develop. His major shortcoming is the lack of refinement in this area. How so? For his run stopping abilities, never mind being the best that this class has to offer but, Jordan Davis just may very well be the best run stopping IDL since Kenny Clark; possibly even better. His overall combination of size, athleticism and limitless abilities easily make him a Top 10 player in the class. The major reason he is not considered by many to not be that is due to the position he plays; Nose Tackle... which is a shame really. That said though, Davis is more than just a NT. He has lined up all over the Interior so merely calling him such is a major form of disrespect to his talents. Underestimate Jordan at one's own discretion as few College Teams found ways around him.

Davis' teammate, Devonte Wyatt, may not have Jordan's immeasurable gifts but he just may be the most versatile IDL in the class. Like Davis, Wyatt has lined up at every spot. Unlike Davis, Wyatt's snap count in these area's is much higher overall; more experience overall. To some, this makes Wyatt the best overall IDL in the class. However, while I do agree with the notion that Wyatt is more malleable than his teammate at present, his skills are best suited towards Defenses that allocate their IDL's to attack opposing Offensive Lineman as opposed to maintain and hold off at the POA. Now, this is not to say that Wyatt's run stopping abilities are not up to snuff; they are. However, Wyatt's best attributes lie within his versatility, technique and agility rather than his natural strength and athleticism. Even so, like Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt can fill in a variety of roles and can do so very well. It is just not to the same caliber that Jordan Davis though possesses.

Logan Hall is the odd ball among all IDL on the list. For one, he really may not classify as one; 6'6 and barely 275lbs at that. Most of all, for two, while he is classified as a Defensive Lineman per the University of Houston, he saw more time on the outside and on the inside. That said, there is one major redeeming quality about him; he is unusually strong and has exceptional length. For that matter, couple his length with his overall hand technique, run defense and lateral mobility and one can easily see the appeal of him being on the inside here. If anything, him adding even 10lbs would be more than sufficient enough for being a 5 tech 3-4 Defensive Lineman as his length, leverage and technique will allow him to control more trench fights on his terms rather than the other way around. However, this is also apart of Logan's greatest weakness; he is mainly a 3-4 player only.

Now, for both Phidarian Mathis and Perrion Winfrey, both men are opposites but one is more versatile than the other and, as such, is simply the better player. For Mathis, this is easily the case as he is as balanced and dependable a IDL as one is going to find in the class. He is not the athletic marvel of Jordan Davis or possess nearly the tremendous usability that Devonte Wyatt provides but Phidarian does provide a good set of all the above with an excellent motor to boot. For one, being in Alabama means there really is not a single form of Defense he is not accustomed to playing. Even the brutal responsibilities of the two gap NT is somethin that Phidarian is well equipped to perform in. His hand usage and his leverage are also top notch; often dispatching opponents with little to no effort. So.. why so low? The issue lies in the overall lack of flexibility within Mathis' game. Due to him being somewhat stiff, this greatly limits his effectiveness in some situations. For example, Mathis only has good enough length to begin with. While good can work in some situations, having great or elite length as a IDL can offset some of the flexibility woes a player has. This also correlates to his lateral mobility as well. He can shift directions well... but only at a full stop. He cannot perform so as quickly as others in the class; not even Winfrey below him. Despite this, Mathis is still the better player as he is not nearly as limited as Perrion is. Mathis' usage likely will have him as an early down IDL player but it is not a detriment to have him being a three down one every now and then.


EDGE Rushers:

1.) Aidan Hutchinson: University of Michigan

2.) Kavon Thibodeaux: University of Oregon

3.) George Karlaftis: University of Purdue

4.) Jermaine Johnson: Florida State University

5.) David Ojabo: University of Michigan


I have studied EDGE Players for quite a while now and have always found it a fascinating class of differing standouts per draft class. There are the gifted technicians, the athletic marvels, the Super Heroes (those who have the versatility to rush from anywhere) the Blue Motors (my term to describe players whose effort is simply not just boundless but endless) and of course the unicorns (everything a coach could ever want from a player... basically all of the above mentioned). Oddly enough, Aidan Hutchison only classifies as three of the four to be a unicorn and, he is not the unicorn of the class; Kavon actually being that player. So, why is Aidan ahead of Kavon exactly? The answer is very minuscule but one of significance in pass rushing; power within the hands. Having the technique to quickly dispatch opposing lineman is one aspect but having that power is another aspect all together. Even including Karlaftis, Aidan Hutchinson just may very have the best overall of hand power that I have studied since... coincidentally enough... T.J. Watt. Like Watt, Hutchinson's overall power within his hands permits him to win more one on one matchups that even some more athletically gifted players like David Ojabo or even Kavon himself have difficulty overcoming against similarly athletically gifted Offensive Tackles or even Offensive Lineman as a whole. This seemingly small benefit though comes into a level of its own when adding in Hutchinson's ridiculous arm length; many Offensive Tackles being powerless to stop him.... no matter how gifted they are. Beyond the hand power though... there is not many overall shortcomings to his game minus not being within the elite tier of athleticism. However, he is more than sufficient and athletic enough to get the job done; his versatility no less. Simply put, if Kyle Hamilton did not exist in this draft, Aidan Hutchinson would be the clear cut number one player on this writers board.

Onwards to Kavon and, I will just say it; expect him to test out of his mind come the combine... there is simply no way around that. For that matter, as stated before, say hello to the unicorn of the class. Now, he is not nearly as legendary a unicorn a la Chase Young and never mind Myles Garrett but he still is in a class all unto himself among his peers. This makes him scheme proof... like Aidan above.. with a catch. Aidan can play in literally any scheme, any style of his own beckoning call. Kavon can play in any scheme but some schematics have to be changed. While his overall strength, length, leverage and technique are not to be ignored among being a 4-3 DE, having him merely maintain the POA as one is an absolute waste of his talents. He can perform this trait no problem.... just doing so is pointless as his main function is all out attack; hence his athletic gifts giving him more leeway to do such. Some may even call him 3-4 OLB specific but I am not one of those people personally. Kavon, being the unicorn that he is, means that a team has to maximize all of his abilities in creative ways. Kavon's versatility is not the problem but how the team who draft's him and uses him could be.

I feel that I need to place both George Karlaftis and Jermaine Johnson in the same discussion point here as both players feel so similar yet are not and are intended for different play styles and roles. For George, the best power rusher in the class. For those unaware, power rushers win their matchups with superior overall strength and sheer ferocity to drive opposing Lineman backwards; often with a bull rush though other power based moves such as clubs or chops work just as well here. For George here, best of luck to opposing Lineman thinking they can outmuscle him here. His length is often seen as a detriment but due to the ferocity, power and violence that he has with is hand usage, opposing Tackles often have little to no chance of winning against him. This also does not account for the fact that Karlaftis has the Blue Motor; opposing Tackles and opposing Lines often taxed out by the late game to stop him. This makes George not just the best power based rusher in the class but also the best run stopping EDGE player as well. However, for all of his player comes one flaw; his lack of versatility. He can fit in any scheme... so long as it is based in the 4-3. Other schemes need not apply here as doing so greatly diminishes George's overall effectiveness as a whole. Despite this, Karlaftis' value should not be depreciated based on merely being effective in just one style of formation as Karlaftis brings more flexibility on said formation than any other one formation based EDGE player in the class; bar none. Jermaine Johnson does not have the flexibility issue that Karlaftis does nor the length issue here either; a more versatile and appealing player on the surface. Add the fact that his overall balance in playing in multiple defensive schemes and sets allow for more creativity and Jermaine should be above George Karlaftis right.. right?? This calls upon bringing those assumptions into check here as one major aspect from keeping him from going higher is not the lack of pass rushing moves he has but the overall lack of counters at his disposal; an area where George has him soundly beat in. The fact though is that while having exceptional length can offset some of the counter deficiencies, it is not intended to be a full stop solution


Linebackers:

1.) Nakobe Dean: University of Georgia

2.) Devin Lloyd: University of Utah

3.) Darrian Beavers: University of Cincinnati

4.) Christian Harris: University of Alabama

5.) Damone Clark: Louisiana State University


I am running out of ways to say it.. so.. I will just say it; Nakobe Dean has arguably the best instincts of any Defensive Player in the class; Kyle Hamilton included. Seldom does Kyle Hamilton get fooled. Very Seldom does Nakobe Dean... if ever. His Football IQ and Instincts alone are what separate him from the pack but that is not what all he provides. Outside of Christian Harris, no other LB compares to Deans ability to cover. Other players are taller and longer but few are more technically refined than Dean is at this as a whole. Part of the reason is Dean's exceptional athletic abilities; further amplified by his already immense Football IQ and Instincts. If there is one aspect that is a shortcoming, it is block deconstruction, which in turn, can affect his abilities to tackle albeit rarely. This also makes Dean very, very limited to what he can be as a LB; 4-3 WILL and only that. However, even in this case, among all LBs in the class, he is the best suited for being a player solely based on such a role as he is tailor made for it. Some do indeed see such as detrimental but I do not. Dean's ability to impact the game far exceed any other intended role he may have. As such, the frequency of impact plays a player has is more important to me than the amount of positions he can play. Now, ideally both is what I like but, very seldom do such talents show up among Off Ball LBs anymore.

Devin Lloyd is the next LB on the list and, to be quite honest, it is difficult to even call him that to begin with. He has all the athletic tools to succeed but is not the typical LB one is used to seeing. Like Nakobe Dean, block deconstruction is not his best friend here. However, unlike Dean, who possess superior polish and refinement in this area, Lloyd shockingly does not. Again, keep in mind that Dean's reasonings for him being unable is not due to a lack of technique but a lack of stature in the running game. Lloyd does not have the stature problem but does lack the technical aspects of shedding blocks when in blitzing; an area where the smaller Dean beats him in. Even against the run, Lloyd's lack of polish can show up from time to time and get him washed out at times. While, the overall lack of polish and fundamentals is worrying, allow me to uplift some spirits. Devin Lloyd is about as close to a Micah Parsons clone as one is going to get in the class. Simply put, placing him in one area is not an ideal strategy as Lloyd's greatest strength's lie within his versatility.... so long as he is given a clean rushing lane to attack.. unlike Parsons. Outside of keeping him mainly on the EDGE, he can supplant many roles here; MIKE 'Backer, WILL Backer, some SAM 'Backer and even some Money Backer as well.. provided he is in Zone Coverage as more shifty WR's will eat him alive in Man to Man. Versatility is by far Devin Lloyd's greatest asset and why he really should not be looked so much as a LB in the traditional sense. That said, he will need a Defensive Coordinator to get creative as he is not the traditional case here. For that matter, best to start him as an 4-3 OLB; either SAM or WILL being okay so long he has a clear lane against the run.

Darrian Beavers is about as throwback a LB as one is going to get in this class; one that I have high respect for. For Mr. Beavers.. what you see is what you get with him. Now, some have offered the notion that he is more so a hybrid player due to his increased usage at the EDGE during his time at the University of Cincinnati. However and again, allow me to clear up some aspects here. While the pass rushing appeal is definitely hard not to resist given the tape he has displayed, his superior proficiency in overall coverage automatically negates the need for him to do so. A DC is welcome to try this as this can boosts Beavers effectiveness but the major strengths that Beaver's possess lie within covering large areas of grass in between the numbers using his abnormal frame and superb athletic abilities. His talents of rushing do need tuning up from the inside but his overall abilities as a run defender and pass coverage player are not to be overlooked here. His best attribute though is overall amount of controlled aggression he plays with in addition to the positives; he is coming full speed with hell raising intentions. Furthermore, he brings 100%+ effort every play and is very vocal and supportive among his peers; great leadership traits to have. While he is best suited as a MLB, Darrian Beavers' potential for being a successful one are a bit higher than others are giving him credit for.

To round this out, as stated in the beginning, this class is kind of carbon copy paste. That said, here are the two players who have near identical strengths and weaknesses in both Damone Clark and Christian Harris. Let us start with Harris who, as stated before, possess the best overall coverage skills in the class. Man Coverage or Zone Coverage, it does not seem to matter much..... save for the elite tier of WR's and TE's of course. His abilities as a pass rusher and run defender are not too shabby either; efficient in both areas. So... what seems to be the issue with Mr. Harris?? Over aggression on plays.... and a lot of it too!! Far too often will Harris over pursue on a play and take himself out of it. Not only this but it also causes him to miss tackles far too often. It is quite maddening really as Harris' overall tackling fundamentals and form are very good overall. However, none of this matters if he is going to continually take himself out of the action. Much of the same can be said for Damone Clark although with Clark it is not about the lack of over aggression based on his athletic ability, one that trumps even Harris, but instead based on the lack of Football IQ overall. See, Harris' Football IQ and instincts are not the problem at the moment but his lack of overall control. With Clark, the lack of Football IQ is the culprit here and, unlike Harris, undermines his own superior athletic abilities far more than it should. Both are capable of playing in multiple ways but Clark has more versatility in more fronts than Harris who I believe is better suited to playing in an even front where the DC can shuffle him around.


Cornerbacks:

1.) Derek Stingley Jr.: Louisiana State University

2.) Andrew Booth Jr.: University of Clemson

3.) Trent McDuffie: University of Washington

4.) Ahmad Sauce Gardner: University of Cincinnati

5.) Roger McCreary: University of Auburn


Derek Stingley Jr has had his fair share of ups and downs. After a stellar, if not historic, Freshman Campaign in 2019. In 2020 and 2021... much of that tremendous competitive spirit came and went as it pleased; a major red flag to some and myself included. Despite this, Stingley Jr is arguably the best pure lock down corner in the class. No matter what type of coverage he is in, rest assured that, more often than not that Stingley can get the job done. I say can as players like DeVonta Smith, John Metchie III and Jameson Williams have all given him trouble; putting his seemingly "impeccable" man coverage skills into question. Zone coverage is actually where he may perform best at early on if not taking on opposing Number One's routinely as his ball skills and Football IQ really get a chance to shine here. Worry not about run support either as Stingley has one covered in that area. Realistically speaking, had it not been for his string of injuries... it is possible that Stingley Jr. would be the Number Two rated player on my board. Alas, not to be.

Andrew Booth and Trent McDuffie are kind of the same player but both have one finite trait that simply pushes one over the other. For Booth's rise to the second spot, if Stingley Jr was not in the upcoming draft... Booth would have a considerable lead over any other CB in the class as his overall abilities in coverage and run support are tremendous. That said... so is Trent's.. so where is the major difference between the two? While Trent has very good athleticism... Booth's Jr.'s athletic abilities are elite; thus placing him in a higher tier. Athleticism is often overrated by some simply based on the fact that a player is believed to do more while performing less... a flawed conclusion if one asks me. Having the proper discipline and technique is essential and is more of a necessity than having elite physical traits. Now, having those elite traits can help. However, those traits are designed to augment one's efficiency and capabilities. The foundation in which those athletic gifts can shine lie in the basics and fundamentals of the position; having both allowing said player to perform at levels that others simply lack. Now, for Booth Jrs. case, this permits him to perform in any role imaginable and one does not have to worry about what type of coverage he can be used upon. However, if there is one major flaw within his game is the fact that his performance against bigger WR's are something to monitor; a flaw that Derek Stingley simply does not have and one that propels him to the top spot. Beyond that problem though... no other major woes here regarding Booth Jr. Now, for Trent??... In terms of skill set, say hello to the most balanced corner in the class. Like the other two, there is simply not a single scheme he cannot play in. However, unlike the other two, there is simply not a Corner position that is impossible for him to play. Inside or outside. no other CB possess this level of versatility. No major problems with his ball skills and Football IQ.... though more production on the former would have been nice to see. If there is one major gripe I had about McDuffie and, I am sure this has been heard before.. is the classic "if he were only taller" shortcoming. In addition, as stated before, Trent's athleticism is very good... just not great. Trent McDuffie in all actuality could be the best CB when it is all said and done but how he used will heavily depend on succeeding at the next level for while I do not see him consistently taking on opposing Number One WR's... he can operate in any function.

Sauce Gardner is easily the most "in your face" style of Corner back in the entire class. Not only are his intentions to dominate any opposing WRs apparent, unlike most corners his size, for the first time in a long time, Sauce Gardner is the rare 6'3 Corner that possess the speed, agility and COD (Change of Direction) skills needed to thrive on the outside. His ball skills and instincts are also among the best as well in the class. Now, as for his coverage types... zone coverage should be best with him early on as while his COD is very good, his overall fluidity will leave him vulnerable against more shifty and creative route running WR's in the game. Now, this is not to say Sauce cannot cover opposing Number Ones; he totally can. Just a matter of opposing Receiving types he goes up against will dictate his coverage. Now, in the event he is given a favorable matchup... allocate him for press coverage. Among all press cover Corners in not just the Top Five but the entire class... say hello to the most violent and aggressive one. Now, that said, he does come with his fair share of problems. The first of these problems is that he can be quite grabby during developing routes by opposing Receivers; doubly so on double moves. This is major reason as to why having him start out as a predominant Zone Corner is a much better play as he continues to develop his overall technique. The second problem, and potentially a bigger one, is that aggression itself; too aggressive at times. Bear in mind that while this should bode well for run support, he is often seen taking poor angles and attempting to make highlight level tackles as opposed to the high percentage ones.


Safety:

1.) Kyle Hamilton: University of Notre Dame

2.) Jaquan Brisker: Penn State University

3.) Jalen Pitre: University of Baylor

4.) Daxton Hill: University of Michigan

5.) Lewis Cine: University of Georgia


Let us begin with Kyle Hamilton, who, I had already crowned the best player in the 2022 Draft long before the 2021 CFB season began. After a stellar freshman campaign, I was anxious to see if Kyle could do much better heading into his Sophomore Campaign. While his overall numbers are down from his freshman year... that is not a matter of ability but one of respect; teams actively game planned against him in that year... to little or no avail in most situations. 2021 was looking to be his best season but sadly, his year was cut short by injury. Alas, there had been more than enough information for me to crown him the best overall player in the class. Now, how does Kyle Hamilton stand out from the rest. Let us just get this out of the way; he is a unicorn Safety prospect... through and through. No major or even minor deficiencies here as there truly is little to none to be found. This basically makes him scheme proof and being able to play literally any position, any where, any time on the field. If there is one major aspect here that I would have to dock him points for if my feet were held to the fire, his tackling angles could use some polish. Again, not an issue or worry but... something that could need just a bit of a tune up here. Truly, not much else to say here; Kyle Hamilton is one of the few prospects to come out that is not just worth the hype but also worth taking very high.

Now, for JaQuan Brisker, this is about as high level of a "Steady Eddie" player that one is going to get among safeties and arguably defensive players as a whole. As stated before, JaQuan's best attributes lie in his flexibility to play either Free or Strong Safety; interchangeable roles within a defense being his best fit. Now, on tape, he could be more suited towards a high caliber SS role but I would not Pidgeon hole his abilities even though his run support is exceptional; second only to Kyle Hamilton. There is some ability to cover man on man here but.. I would not go too crazy with this idea. While JaQuan is capable... it is not a task he should be asked to do with regularity here. However, as a multi role safety??... Brisker has one covered here. Try not to overthink Mr. JaQuan Brisker here as he is the most pure based Safety in the class with some unique tricks up his sleeve; one worth spending a first round pick on at that.

Jalen Pitre and Daxton Hill are again another classic case of "opposites of the same coin" here. Now, before I begin this similar study again, let me remind you that while both seemingly do possess near identical play styles, their athletic abilities and overall traits are what separate them from each other. Starting off with Jalen Pitre, despite being only 5'10 per the Senior Bowl measurements.. that is honestly his only major limitation in the class... well.. that and his lack of playing time as a Single High Safety (more on this in a bit). To begin with Jalen Pitre and to better understand him, I do need to start with the bad before getting onto the good. As stated before, 5'10 is simply not the ideal height for the current paradigm of NFL Defenses sans some specific roles currently. For two, as stated before, he has only been used predominantly in run support based tasks; not too many Single High ones to count. Finally, for three... while he will likely test well at the NFL Combine, I do fear that a DC will sadly attempt to box him in on one role as opposed to exploring the general scope of his abilities. So far, not looking so good for Jalen Pitre and, much of the overall problems listed regarding Pitre... does not affect his counterpart in Daxton Hill; doubly so in being a Single High Safety and possessing superior athletic ability. So... why is Jalen Pitre higher rate than Daxton? This is where we get into the good.. and trust me.. it is very good. Even in a world where Kyle Hamilton and Nakobe Dean do not exist.. say hello to arguably the most instinctive player among all defenders. Instincts and Football IQ again, appear to be two small things. However and, as stated before, the basics and fundamentals of a position matter more in the long run than the athletic side for while the physical component of one's game can deteriorate.. the knowledge of the position does not. Due to this superior usage of Instincts and Football Acumen, while some may have Pitre firmly slotted in a position called the STAR Role (basically a hybrid safety that can play 4-3 OLB here), I truly beg to differ. Pitre's overall speed is being heavily undervalued here.. as his potential. While I personally would not develop him into a full time, all out Single High FS, he can add said role to his tool box to become more effective over time. More over to his STAR responsibilities, while he will have trouble against some slot based WR's and TE's, do not be opposed to placing him into such spots. Only players like Tyreek Hill or Mark Andrews should be high level warning signs here. Pitre's best attribute though may very well be in how he balances all of his positive traits together while mitigating his shortcomings; a well rounded Safety if you ask me. Now, that said, I still would not go too crazy in placing him all over and starting him in roles similar to the ones he enjoyed at Baylor will be the better play in time. However, over time, with a creative DC, Jalen Pitre can easily outplay his draft stock. Who knows??.. those instincts alone may very well allow him to be the best safety from the class... Kyle included.


Conclusion:

Once again, thank you all for reading!! I hope you had fun and I hope you enjoyed!! As always, please leave your thoughts and opinions down below as they are always welcome!! Hope to see you again soon for the Post Combine write up as that aspect will likely see some shifts in some positions!! Until next time, this is AskQuestionsLater saying so long and stay safe!!

 

One more major aspect I forgot to add!!


Final notes will be added onto per section later on today!! Need to grab a quick bite before ongoing!!!

 

Cool list. It was a great read. However, there was one GLARING omission... How is Garrett Wilson not on the WR list at all? I have him as the #1 receiver overall. Williams and Burks can be argued ahead of him (due to personal taste), but he is wildly more talented than Olave, Dotson, and London. Idk if you just missed him, or if you don't like his game? Best route runner in the class, fluid in the air, excellent jumping ability and ball skills, can beat you deep, underneath, after the catch. He is a sure fire day one starter who I would be absolutely stunned if he isn't a 1000 yard receiver in his rookie year. He just does almost everything at an NFL level already. I could understand not being #1, but I was super surprised to see him completely off the top 5 list. Just curious to your reasoning behind it.

 

Well I screwed up my first post. So ...Great write up, and very good read.
Though I don't agree on 100% of it....I agree on a $hit ton of it. LoL.
Again ....Great Job

 

Hello all!!

As promised, the Final Notes section will be posted below. As such, always be sure to leave your comments below!!


Final Notes:


Quarterbacks:


Best Arm Talent: Malik Willis

Most Mobile: Malik Willis

Most Accurate: Kenny Pickett

Best Decision Making: Kenny Pickett:

Biggest Boom Potential: Malik Willis

Biggest Bust Potential: Malik Willis/Desmond Ridder

Most Pro Ready: Kenny Pickett

AQL Favorite: None




Running Backs:


Best Speed: Kenneth Walker III

Best Power: Hassan Haskins

Best Vision: James Cook

Best Blocking: Kyren Williams

Best Receiving: Kyren Williams

Biggest Boom Potential: Isaiah Spiller

Biggest Bust Potential: James Cook

Most Pro Ready: Kenneth Walker III

AQL Favorite: Hassan Haskins



Wide Receivers:


Best Speed: Jameson Williams

Best Route Running: Chris Olave

Best Hands: Treylon Burks

Best Slot: Jahan Dotson

Best Blocking: Treylon Burks

Most Versatile: Jameson Williams/Chris Olave

Biggest Boom Potential: Treylon Burks

Biggest Bust Potential: Drake London

Most Pro Ready: Jameson Williams

AQL Favorite: Chris Olave/Jameson Williams



Tight Ends:


Best Speed: Jalen Wydermyer

Best Power: Cade Otton

Best Receiving: Trey McBride/Jalen Wydermyer

Best Hands: Jeremy Ruckert

Best Blocking: Cade Otton

Most Versatile: Jeremy Ruckert/Trey McBride

Biggest Boom Potential: Jeremy Ruckert

Biggest Bust Potential: Jalen Wydermyer

Most Pro Ready: Jeremy Ruckert

AQL Favorite: Jeremy Ruckert



Offensive Tackles:


Best Pass Blocking: Charles Cross

Best Run Blocking: Evan Neal

Best Zone Blocker: Ikem Ekwonu

Best Man Blocker: Evan Neal

Best Aggression: Trevor Penning

Best Technique: Ikem Ekwonu

Most Versatile: Evan Neal/Ikem Ekwonu

Biggest Boom Potential: Nicholas Petit-Frere

Biggest Bust Potential: Evan Neal

Most Pro Ready: Ikem Ekwonu

AQL Favorite: Trevor Penning



Interior Offensive Lineman:


Best Pass Blocking: Tyler Linderbaum

Best Run Blocking: Zion Johnson

Best Zone Blocker: Tyler Linderbaum/Zion Johnson

Best Man Blocker: Jamaree Salyer

Best Aggression: Kenyon Green

Best Technique: Tyler Linderbaum

Most Versatile: Kenyon Green

Biggest Boom Potential: Zion Johnson

Biggest Bust Potential: Sean Rhyan

Most Pro Ready: Tyler Linderbaum

AQL Favorite: Tyler Linderbaum



Interior Defensive Lineman:


Best Pass Rush: Devonte Wyatt

Best Run Stopping: Jordan Davis

Best Motor: Devonte Wyatt/Phidarian Mathis

Best Aggression: Jordan Davis

Best Technique: Devonte Wyatt/Phidarian Mathis

Best Power: Jordan Davis

Best Speed: Perrion Winfrey

Best 3 Tech: Devonte Wyatt

Best 5 Tech: Logan Hall/Jordan Davis

Best Nose Tackle: Jordan Davis

Most Versatile: Devonte Wyatt

Biggest Boom Potential: Phidarian Mathis

Biggest Bust Potential: Perrion Winfrey

Most Pro Ready: Phidarian Mathis/Devonte Wyatt

AQL Favorite: Jordan Davis




EDGE:


Best Pass Rush: Aidan Hutchinson

Best Run Stopping: George Karlaftis

Best Motor: Aidan Hutchinson/George Karlaftis

Best Aggression: George Karlaftis

Best Technique: George Karlaftis/Aidan Hutchinson

Best Speed: Kavon Thibodaux

Best Power: George Karlaftis

Best Stand Up EDGE: Kavon Thibodaux/Jermaine Johnson

Best HID (Hands In Dirt) EDGE: George Karlaftis/David Ojabo

Most Versatile: Aidan Hutchinson/Kavon Thibodaux

Biggest Boom Potential: Jermaine Johnson

Biggest Bust Potential: David Ojabo

Most Pro Ready: Aidan Hutchinson

AQL Favorite: George Karlaftis



Linebacker:


Best Pass Coverage: Christian Harris

Best Run Support: Darrian Beavers

Best Pass Rusher: Darrian Beavers/Nakobe Dean

Best Instincts: Nakobe Dean

Best Speed: Nakobe Dean

Best Power: Darrian Beavers

Best Technique: Nakobe Dean

Best Leadership: Darrian Beavers

Most Versatile: Devin Lloyd

Biggest Boom Potential: Damone Clark

Biggest Bust Potential: Devin Lloyd (Scheme Dependency)

Most Pro Ready: Nakobe Dean

AQL Favorite: Darrian Beavers



Cornerbacks:


Best Man Coverage: Derek Stingley Jr

Best Zone Coverage: Sauce Gardner

Best Run Support: Trent McDuffie

Best Blitzer: Trent McDuffie/Andrew Booth Jr

Best Speed: Derek Stingley Jr

Best COD (Change of Direction): Andrew Booth Jr

Best Instincts: Trent McDuffie

Best Technician: Trent McDuffie

Best Tackler: Andrew Booth/Trent McDuffie

Best Slot: Roger McCreary/Trent McDuffie

Most Versatile: Andrew Booth/Trent McDuffie

Biggest Boom Potential: Sauce Gardner

Biggest Bust Potential: Derek Stingley Jr

Most Pro Ready: Andrew Booth/Trent McDuffie

AQL Favorite: Trent McDuffie





Safety:


Best Man Coverage: Kyle Hamilton

Best Zone Coverage: Kyle Hamilton

Best Speed: Daxton Hill

Best Power: Lewis Cine

Best Tackler: JaQuon Brisker/Lewis Cine

Best COD: Jalen Pitre

Best Instincts: Jalen Pitre/Kyle Hamilton

Best Slot: Daxton Hill/Jalen Pitre

Best Single High: Daxton Hill

Best Pure Safety (FS or SS): JaQuon Brisker

Best Strong Safety: Lewis Cine

Most Versatile: Kyle Hamilton

Biggest Boom Potential: Jalen Pitre

Biggest Bust Potential: Daxton Hill

Most Pro Ready: Kyle Hamilton

AQL Favorite: Kyle Hamilton

 

Excellent read, although, I have a player or 2 that I think are more deserving of top 5 recognition....

QB:
I like Carson Strong over Ridder

RB:
Pierre Strong is being mightily slept on

WR:
Hard to argue your top 5 here as once again there is a stellar class at this position.... I can see us taking a flier on Jaylon Robinson

TE:
Yes, it is a weak class, but don't overlook Will Mallory

OT:
Very strong class this yr... I would love to see big Dan Faalele in black and gold

C:
I think Alec Lindstrom would be a great consolation prize for not getting Linderbaum

DT:
Everyone here knows I have a huge man crush on Jordan Davis, but in the event that we miss out, or (gasp), pass on him, Travis Jones should be in play

Lber:
Brian asamoah is one I have an eye on

CB:
Josh Kobe or Zyon McCollum warrant a close eye

S:
The more I see of Smoke Monday, the more I like... I honestly don't see a discernable weakness in his game