NFL Draft Yearbook Scouting Report
Christian Watson – North Dakota State

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Wide Receiver Prospect

Christian Watson #1 – 6-4, 210 – North Dakota State – Sp. 4.35
            NFL Comparison: CeeDee Lamb                          Rating 88
Fast sure handed senior was the go-to guy for the Bisons over his career. Earned first team honors in 2019. Good lean athletic frame with speed and the running skills to be an impact weapon in the NFL. Speed to get deep regularly on the nine route and developing the nuances as a route-runner to separate from coverage and run the full route tree. Good lean muscle development and adequate functional strength, but could benefit from adding more muscle to his frame. Smooth runner moves in a gliding style, yet showed good elusiveness as a runner after the catch with efficient footwork to create space and break the play. Outstanding hand-eye coordination and able to elevate and high point the ball. Strong hands and usually able to maintain control while taking hits. Natural athlete and polished in many critical aspects of play. With experience, he has learned to run better routes with quicker cuts. Able to maintain concentration on making the catch and separate from defenders. Alert and works his way back to pass. Reading zone coverage better and learning how to find and settle in the soft spots. Adequate as a blocker, but needs hand technique work to improve and sustain.
The Numbers: In 2021, he played in 12 games and had 43 receptions for 801 yards for 18.6 yard average and 7 TDs. At the Senior Bowl, he had a good performance, especially running routes with quick adjustments on the ball. During his career, he caught 105 passes for 2140 yards for a 20.4 average and 14 TDs. At the NFL Combine, he came in just over 6’4” and 208 lbs. Ran a 4.36 time with an exceptional 1.46 ten-yard split time. Added a 38.5”VL and an 11”4”BJ. It was an excellent workout. Similar to CeeDee Lamb in size, speed, body type, AA and development.
The Skinny: Fast athlete with speed to take the lid off a defense. Developing receiver with definite playmaking ability to be a weapon in a few roles both outside and in the slot. Impact in three wideout sets early. Playmaker needs to prove he will go over the middle consistently and must learn the full route tree to be a complete receiver. Fast rising top 50 prospect on my board after the NFL Combine. Probably goes in the early rounds with the strong demand at the position for playmakers. Emerging talent with the tools to continue to improve and be a huge factor in the right situation. Versatile playmaker can provide impact in time and be a difference maker. Incredible ceiling to become an NFL star.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round

NFL Draft Yearbook Scouting Report

Trey McBride – Colorado State
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Tight End Prospect

 1 * Trey McBride #85 – 6-3, 245             Colorado State – Sp. 4.55
NFL Comparison: Dallas Clark                     Rating 88

Athletic mobile junior flashed big play talent over his MWC career, earning first team honors in 2021. Two-time MWC honoree and John Mackey 2021 winner. Lined up as both an inline and flex performer over his four starting seasons. Fluid athlete with top athleticism to press the middle of the field and naturally run the seam. Agile and flexible to change directions or go up for the ball. Natural hands catcher with run after the catch ability that is just being tapped into in a number of formations. Fast developing receiver with huge upside as a vertical threat. Solid specimen and easy mover with some growth potential. He has improved significantly as a blocker. Quick athlete with the explosiveness off the line to get into a defender or his routes with the footwork and agility to be a very effective movement blocker with further technique work. Greatest asset is his developed playmaking ability. Early contribution as flex receiver and H-back with the receiving skills to become a difference maker. High grades for top overall development and receiving skills. Savvy route runner with very good instincts to read and adjust to coverage and sit in holes. Able to catch outside the frame with a nice receiving radius and huge hands (10 1/8”). Settles in the soft spots in zones to move the chains. Very dangerous on crossing routes with fine run after the catch ability and speed to break plays. Quick getting off the line and beats the jam to get a clean release. At the breakpoint, he separates well in coverage and creates a consistently reliable target. Tough in the shorter zones on crossing routes, hooks and underneath routes with good hands and the ability to adjust. Runs well and snatches the ball in a crowd. Difficult matchup in single coverage with a developed route tree. As blocker, he is quick on the snap with stocky athletic frame and good hand usage to get a surge at the point of attack. Needs development blocking, including a stronger punch with improved lower body power and footwork. In limited time inline, he graded out high as a blocker, relying more on toughness and athleticism than sound technique and functional strength. As a move blocker, gets into an opponent on 2nd level and shows quickness to sustain. On the move, shows the talent to seal and neutralize with the agility to reach backers, though needs technique and strength work.

The Numbers:   In 2021, he started 12 games and caught 90 passes for 1121 yards and 1 TD. Earned first team MWC and All-American honors. In 2020, he started every game and caught 22 passes for 330 yards, a 15-yard average and 4 TDs, earning 2nd team MWC honors. At the NFL Combine, he checked in at 246 lbs. and just under 6’4” with 32 1/2” arms and 10 1/8” hands. Did not run and did 18 reps in the lifting. Added a 33” VJ and a 9’9” BJ. Looked very good in the positional drills with the agility to adjust to the pass. Similar to former Colts’ Pro Bowler, Dallas Clark in size, play making ability, AA and developed receiving talent. Also, similar to George Kittle in many respects.

The Skinny:  Mobile sure handed prospect with very good athleticism to play in base and multiple sets with highly developed skills and LOD as a receiver. Quality addition with the athletic talent to give an offense an early playmaker. As a receiver, he has upside with soft hands, fine movement skills and good speed to stretch the seam. Versatile and marginal top 40 and rising prospect with the talent to surprise in the right offense. Emerging playmaker with skill set to be ideal for today’s pro-offenses.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round

NFL Combine 2022 – Rising Prospects

Rising Offensive Players off their NFL Combine 2022 Performance

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Quarterbacks
Sam Howell, North Carolina
Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Malik Willis, Liberty

Running Backs
Tyler Goodson, Iowa
Breece Hall, Iowa State
Pierre Strong, South Dakota State
Kenny Walker III, Michigan State

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Wide Receivers
Kevin Austin Jr., Notre Dame
Danny Gray, SMU
Bo Melton, Rutgers
Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
Skyy Moore, Western Michigan
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Christian Watson, North Dakota State

Tight Ends
Greg Dulcich, UCLA
Trey McBride, Colorado State
Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State
Jelani Woods, Virginia

Offensive Linemen
Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
Ickey Ekwonu, N.C. State
Luke Fortner, Kentucky
Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan
Ed Ingram, LSU
Zion Johnson, Boston College
Braxton Jones, Southern Utah
Cam Jurgens, Nebraska
Abraham Lucas, Washington State
Dylan Parham, Memphis
Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Sean Rhyan, UCLA
Tyler Smith, Tulsa
Cole Strange, Tennessee-Chattanooga

NFL Free Agency & Trading Period 2022

Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag – deadline March 8, 2022

The NFL’s salary cap for 2022 will rise to $208.2 million, expanding by $25.7 million compared to last postseason. That is the maximum amount agreed upon by the NFL and NFL Players Association in May.

The large increase stems from a lowered 2021 cap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous cap in 2020 was $198.2 million, but because teams played in front of limited or no crowds last season, the 2021 cap was adjusted accordingly and reduced to $182.5 million, its lowest mark since 2018. That required teams to get somewhat creative in efforts to be in compliance with the cap.

Prior to the pandemic, the NFL salary cap had been steadily increased each season in recent years in the range of $10-12 million per year.

Clubs that utilize a tender have until mid-July to work out a multi-year contract with a player. If an extension isn’t agreed to at that point, the player will work the 2022 season under the one-year tender.

There are three tender options: 1) Non-exclusive franchise tag; 2) Exclusive franchise tag; 3) Transition tag.

NFL Free Agency & Trading Period 2022 starts March 16th

Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag Players (8) – deadline March 8, 2022

Wide Receivers – tag average for position is $20.415 million

Davante Adams – Green Bay Packers
Chris Godwin – Tampa Bay Bucs

Tight Ends – Tag average for position – $10.93 million

Mike Gesicki – Miami Dolphins
David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
Dalton Schultz – Dallas Cowboys

Offensive Tackles – tag average is 16.662 million

Orlando Brown – Kansas City Chiefs
Cam Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Safety – tag for safeties is $12.91 million

Jessie Bates – Cincinnati Bengals

Non-exclusive rights Franchise players
QB – $29,703 million
RB – $9.570 million
WR – $18.419 million
TE – $10.931 million
OL – $16.662 million
DE – $17.859 million
DT – $17.396 million
LB – $18.702 million
CB – $17.287 million
S – $12.911 million
K/P -$5.220 million

Non-exclusive franchise tag – This is a one-year tender of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years, or 120 percent of his previous salary, whichever is greater. The player can negotiate with other teams. The player’s current team has the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation if he signs with another club.

Pro Day Schedule 2022 for NFL Prospects

 With the record setting NFL Combine completed, the Pro Day calendar takes center stage for the final evaluation process for college players. A few pro days have already been completed with a heavy full schedule upcoming through late April.

 Draft Insiders’ staff will attend many Pro Day events and include those reports in our 2022 NFL Draft Yearbook – in-depth Scouting Reports

 Watch Pro Days on TV

Both NFL Network and ESPN will provide pro day coverage from some of the major programs, including Alabama, Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC.

 NFL Draft – Pro Days Schedule 2022
     Times local

 March 5
North Carolina Central – 8 a.m.
 
March 7
Arkansas-Monticello – 2 p.m.
 
March 8
Miami (Oh) – 9 a.m.
Northwestern – 11:30 a.m.
 
March 9
Alabama A&M – 2 p.m.
Arkansas – 8:30 a.m.
Kansas State – 7 a.m.
Kansas – 2 p.m.
Monmouth (N.J.) – 9:30 a.m.
Oklahoma – 8:30 a.m.
Ouachita Baptist (Tx) – 4 p.m.
Texas-San Antonio – Noon
UAB – 8:30 a.m.
UCLA – 7:30 a.m.
Wisconsin – 10:30 a.m.
Wisconsin-Whitewater – 1:30 p.m.
 
March 10
Arkansas State – Noon
Central Arkansas – 9 a.m.
Indiana – Noon
Missouri State – 11 a.m.
New Mexico – Noon
Texas – 1 p.m.
Tulsa – 9 a.m.
 
March 11
Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 8 a.m.
Southeast Missouri – 9:30 a.m.
Texas State – 9 a.m.
West Florida – 8 a.m.
 
March 14
Austin Peay (Tn.) – 3 p.m.
Georgia Tech – 7:30 a.m.
Grand Valley State (Mi.) – 4 p.m.
Kennesaw State (Ga.) – 2 p.m.
Kent State – 9 a.m.
Western Michigan – 11 a.m.
 
March 15
Arizona – 8 a.m.
Auburn – 7:15 a.m.
Central Michigan – 8:45 a.m.
Murray State (Ky.) – 2 p.m.
Saginaw Valley State (Mi.) – 2:30 p.m.
UCLA – 9 a.m.
West Georgia – 3:30 p.m.
 
March 16
Colorado – 10:30 a.m.
Georgia – 8 a.m.
Michigan State – 10 a.m.
Minnesota – 9 a.m.
San Jose State – 10 a.m.
Villanova (Pa.) – 10 a.m.
 
March 17
Clemson – 8 a.m.
Eastern Michigan – 8 a.m.
 
March 18
Michigan – 9 a.m.
New Mexico State – 8 a.m.
South Carolina – 8 a.m.
 
March 19
Citadel (S.C.) – 10 a.m.
 
March 21
Bowling Green – 4:30 p.m.
Iowa – 9 a.m.
Jackson State (Ms.) – 2 p.m.
Nevada – 8 a.m.
Northern Iowa – 2:30 p.m.
Pittsburg State (Ks.) – 10 a.m.
Princeton (N.J.) – 9 a.m.
Southern Miss – 8:30 a.m.
Stony Brook (N.Y.) – 8 a.m.
Syracuse – Noon
 
March 22
Albany – 9 a.m.
Army – Noon
Iowa State – 8:45 a.m.
Liberty (Va.) – 9 a.m.
Mississippi State – 1 p.m.
Nebraska – 11:30 a.m.
Ohio U – 11:30 a.m.
SMU – 2 p.m.
Texas A&M – 8:30 a.m.
Virginia Tech – 2:00 p.m.
 
March 23
Bryant (R.I.) – 3:30 p.m.
Connecticut – 8 a.m.
Delaware – 8 a.m.
Georgia State – Noon
James Madison (Va.) – 8 a.m.
North Dakota State – 4:30 p.m.
Ohio State – 11 a.m.
Pittsburgh – 8 a.m.
South Dakota State – 8:30 a.m.
Temple – 1 p.m.
Utah State – 8 a.m.
Virginia – Noon
Weber State (Ut) – 1:30 p.m.
 
March 24
Harvard (Ma.) – 9:30 a.m.
Massachusetts – 9:30 a.m.
Merrimack (Ma.) – 2 p.m.
North Dakota State – 9 a.m.
North Texas – 1 p.m.
Oklahoma State – 9:30 a.m.
Ole Miss – 12:30 p.m.
SMU – 8:30 a.m.
Utah – 8 a.m.
William & Mary (Va.) –
Yale (Ct) – Noon
 
March 25
Boston College – 11 a.m.
BYU – 9 a.m.
Hampton (Va.) – 12:30 p.m.
Memphis – 9 a.m.
Notre Dame – 9:30 a.m.
Old Dominion (Va.) – 9 a.m.
Richmond – 8:30 a.m.
Tarleton State (Tx) – 8:30 a.m.
TCU – 1 p.m.
UAB – 8 a.m.
 
March 28
Air Force – 12:30 p.m.
Ball State – 9 a.m.
South Dakota – 9 a.m.
Tennessee State – 8:30 a.m.
Vanderbilt – Noon
 
March 29
Campbell (N.C.) – 4:30 p.m.
Louisville – 8 a.m.
North Carolina Central – 9 a.m.
N.C. State – Noon
Purdue – 9 a.m.
Tennessee – 7 p.m.
Washington – 8 a.m.
West Virginia – 1:30 p.m.
Wyoming – 10 a.m.
 
March 30
Alabama – 8 a.m.
Baylor – 7:30 a.m.
Boise State – 9 a.m.
Colorado State – 8 a.m.
Elon (N.C.) – 8:30 a.m.
Indiana State – 9 a.m.
Marshall – 9:15 a.m.
Maryland – 9 a.m.
Navy – 4 p.m.
North Carolina A&T – 8 a.m.
Tennessee Tech – 12:15 p.m.
Tennessee – 12:30 p.m.
Wake Forest – Noon
 
March 31
Appalachian State – 9 a.m.
Chattanooga – 9 a.m.
Florida Atlantic – 8:30 a.m.
Morehead State (Ky.) – 10:30 a.m.
Western Kentucky – 9 a.m.
 
April 1
Houston – 8:30 a.m.
Kentucky – 9 a.m.
Rice – Noon
South Florida – 8 a.m.
Texas Southern – 1 p.m.
UCF – TBD
 
April 4
Akron – 9 a.m.
Louisiana – 2 p.m.
 
April 5
Tulane – 1 p.m.
 
April 6
LSU – 9:45 a.m.
 
April 11
Syracuse – 8:30 a.m.
 
April 27
Iowa State – 2:30 p.m.
 
Draft Insiders’ staff will attend many Pro Day events and include those reports in our 2022 NFL Draft Yearbook – in-depth Scouting Reports

 Watch Pro Days on TV

Both NFL Network and ESPN will provide pro day coverage from some of the major programs, including Alabama, Cincinnati, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and USC.

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NFL Draft 2022 – 1st Round Mock Draft – March, 2 2022

   Pre-NFL Combine Mock Draft
        * Underclassmen –   Selection order after Super Bowl         

All underclassmen had until Jan. 17th to declare for the NFL Draft 2022. Players had three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility. No underclassmen rescind their decision.

1st Round

   #   Team              W/L   St Sch            Player                 Pos          Ht/Wt             School
1 Jacksonville             3-14      .512           Evan Neal                  OT           6-7/350             Alabama
2 Detroit                     3-13-1   .528         Aidan Hutchinson     DE         6-6/265             Michigan
3 Houston                   4-13      .498         Ikem Ekwonu            OT          6-4/320             N. Carolina St
4 NY Jets                    4-13      .512         Kyle Hamilton             S            6-4/220             Notre Dame
5 NY Giants                4-13      .529         Kayvon Thibodeaux    DE       6-5/260             Oregon
6 Carolina                   5-12      .512          Derek Stingley            CB        6-1/195             LSU
7 NY Giants (Chicago) 6-11      .524          Charles Cross           OT        6-5/310             Mississippi St
8 Atlanta                     7-10      .476          Drake London            WR       6-5/210             USC
9 Denver                     7-10      .484          Kenny Pickett            QB       6-3/220             Pittsburgh
10 NY Jets (Seattle)       7-10      .519          George Karlaftis        DE       6-4/275             Purdue
11 Washington              7-10      .529          Malik Willis                QB       6-1/220             Liberty
12 Minnesota                8-9        .507          Ahmad Gardner         CB        6-3/200             Cincinnati
13 Cleveland                 8-9        .517          Garrett Wilson           WR       6-0/190          Ohio State
14 Baltimore                 8-9        .528          Tyler Linderbaum      C          6-3/290             Iowa
15 Phil (Miami)              9-8        .464          Jermaine Johnson     DE       6-5/265             Florida State
16 Phil (Indianapolis)     9-8        .495          Devin Lloyd               ILB       6-3/235             Utah

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17 LA Chargers             9-8        .510          Travon Walker           DE        6-5/280             Georgia
18 New Orleans             9-8        .512          Matt Corral                QB       6-1/205          Ole Miss
19 Philadelphia             9-8        .472          Treylon Burks            WR       6-3/225           Arkansas
20 Pittsburgh                9-7-1     .521          Trevor Penning          OT        6-7/320          Northern Iowa
21 New England            10-7      .481          DeMarvin Leal           DT        6-4/290             Texas A&M
22 Las Vegas                10-7      .510          Jahan Dotson            WR       5-11/185            Penn State
23 Arizona                    11-6      .490         David Ojabo              DE       6-5/250          Michigan
24 Dallas                      12-5      .491        Kenyon Green           OG       6-4/325            Texas A&M
25 Buffalo                    11-6      .472          Andrew Booth           CB        6-0/195             Clemson
26 Tennessee                12-5      .472          Chris Olave               WR       6-1/190             Ohio State
27 Tampa Bay              13-4      .460          Jameson Williams      WR       6-2/190             Alabama
28 Green Bay                13-4      .479          Nakobe Dean            ILB       6-0/225             Georgia
29 Miami (San Fran)      10-7      .500       Bernhard Raimann     OT      6-6/305       C. Michigan
30 Kansas City              12-5      .538          Jordan Davis             DT        6-6/340             Georgia
31 Cincinnati                 10-7      .472          Perrion Winfrey         DT        6-4/305             Oklahoma
32 Detroit (LA Rams)     12-5      .483          Roger McCreary        CB        6-0/190             Auburn

NFL Draft Yearbook Sample Scouting Report – TJ Watt

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NFL Draft Yearbook Scouting Report – 2017

* T.J. Watt #42 – 6-4, 255, Wisconsin – Sp. 4.65
NFL Comparison: Ryan Kerrigan                     Rating 90

Explosive dynamic redshirt junior completed his career with an amazing breakout performance after a limited earlier stay in Madison. Brother of NFL defender JJ Watt. Like JJ, he also converted to defense from tight end entering college. Earned 1st team Big Ten and 2nd team All-American by DraftInsiders.com in 2016. Excellent combination of size, speed, athleticism and tenacity. Took his game up a few levels in 2016 where the game slowed down and he instinctively picked up schemes, blocking angles and the ball to respond naturally and quickly. Big athletic frame and the movement skills to attack the line or move laterally or in reverse. Finally, healthy from the prior knee injury, he flashed dominant skills in both run and pass defense. Tough physical defender who strikes with a powerful punch to get blockers off balance and use his good speed to make his move. Though not a refined quick twitch edge athlete, he can win with speed and will likely play more up as a linebacker in the pros. Emerged as one of the rising prospects in this draft class after an excellent final season. Shows perhaps the best technique development in this class, working out with his Pro Bowl brother JJ.  Quick burst off the ball often gets tackles off-balance and allows him to cross their face. Displays flexibility to avoid their reach and turn the corner with very good closing speed. Possesses a balanced spin move to counter inside and a better than expected bull rush. More effective playing up where he projects best to the backer role in the pro 3-4 scheme. Powerful edge defender with broad shoulders and impressive upper body development. Shows he can get hands under the tackle’s reach and walk much bigger pass-blockers back. Good pursuit speed, with the instincts and determination to chase down ball-carriers from behind. Explosive tackler and just learning to dislodge the ball on impact. Shows good ball awareness, often ripping and tugging when he gets the chance. At the point vs the run, he can anchor well vs big tackles and picks up the ball with the ability to separate and chase. At times, he takes on blockers too high and gets washed out of the play. Sets the edge very well vs the run with the girth to hold his ground and functional strength to neutralize tackles or tight ends even in combo blocks. Projects as an OLB in either front best, though could be a 4-3 weak side end in some schemes. Among the very best pure edge rushers in this draft, though could be even better with more experience and diversity in his rush moves. As a junior, he started all 14 games and had 71 tackles, a team-high 15.5 TFL, a team-high 11.5 sacks, 13 QB hurries, 2 FF, 1 pick and 4 PBU. In 2015, played in 13 games with no starts and made 8 tackles, 1.5 TFL, no sacks, 4 QB hurries and 3 PBU. First two years comprised redshirt and injury seasons in 2013 and 2014. A knee injury forced him to miss 2014. At the NFL Combine, he came in over 6’4”, 252 lbs. with long 33 1/8” arms and huge 11” hands. He ran a 4.69 time with a 1.61 ten-yard split and did 21 reps. He added a 37” VL, a 10’8” BJ and looked very sharp in the positional drills and had excellent times of a 6.79 three cone and a 4.13 in the short shuttle. Best suited for the attack backer role in a 3-4 defense where his playmaking ability off the edge shows a fast-developing elite skill set. He flashed many of the same skills as. Fast rising prospect jumped into the early rounds off a big postseason following a breakout 2016 effort. Power and fine burst with positional versatility. Similar to Ryan Kerrigan coming out of Purdue in body type, scheme versatility, pass rushing skills and overall demeanor. Rising hard-nosed defender with the intangibles to get the most out of his fast-developing skill set. Flying up the board and a top 25 pick off his impact ability. Steelers, Seahawks, Browns and Packers interested. First round bubble prospect.

Draft Projection: 1st Round

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NFL Draft Yearbook Scouting Report – 2020

* Justin Jefferson #2 – 6-1, 200, LSU – Sp. 4.45
                 NFL Comparison: Calvin Ridley      Rating 90
Big agile junior has been a key part of the Tigers’ deep receiving corps over his two starting seasons while earning All-American and SEC honors in 2019. Smooth wideout with long arms and strong hands. Fast developing skills to become an NFL playmaker within a short time and very productive over his career operating with QB Joe Burrow. Deceptive gliding running style with soft reliable hands and excellent use of his body to shield off defenders. Combines good size and speed with top hands to be one of the most intriguing prospects at this position. Shown fine improvement on the key points and nuances of the game, especially route running and overall defensive awareness. Amazing production vs top ten talent. Wiry high cut receiver with very good ball skills to start immediately. Savvy ability to separate in the deep game, though he lacks elite top end speed. Highly developed as a route runner with the ability to change speeds and use multiple moves on a defender. Eats up a cornerback’s cushion and comes out of his cuts well for a lanky receiver to create separation. Finds holes in coverage and is especially dangerous on the short and intermediate crossing routes. Precise route runner with the ability to recognize coverage and zone schemes to make fast adjustments. Size and agility to fight off the jam and separate in coverage with very good run after the catch ability. Shows development to adjust nicely and catch outside the box. Especially dangerous on the fade pattern with the developed hands to make the tough catch. At the sidelines, he uses his height, reach and leaping skills to create matchup problems. Learning to use his hands better to avoid the jam and stay on routes. Disciplined footwork at the breakpoint with very good body control to adjust and track the ball. As a route runner, he shows the ability to make cuts and retain his speed. Earned 1st team SEC honors. Scored 24 TDs over his final two seasons as one of the best red zone threats in the country. At the NFL Combine, he came in over 6’1” and 202 lbs. with 33” arms and 9’1/8” hands.  Did not lift. Ran an impressive 4.43 time and added a 37.5” VL and a 10’6” BJ. Performed very well in positional drills showing sure hands and good radius to complete an excellent overall performance. Similar to Calvin Ridley and Adam Thielen in size, speed, AA and playmaking ability. Developed polished receiver with early NFL starting talent. This fast riser developed almost as quickly as his QB Burrow. High LOD to play in multiple sets day one. Player with the athleticism to become a solid #1 receiver and big play NFL performer. Marginal top 25 prospect with talent to continue to improve and become an impact weapon.
Draft Projection: 1st Round

NFL Top Quarterbacks – post Super Bowl LVI

   Top 22 NFL Quarterback Rankings following 2022 postseason

Draft Insiders’ staff

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1. Tom Brady – Goat retires after unparalleled brilliant career
2. Aaron Rodgers – Rare back to back MVP awards
3. Patrick Mahomes – Magic Man just entering his prime
4. Josh Allen – Might be the best in the league going forward
5. Justin Herbert – Terrific passer looks to refine his game
6. Joe Burrow – Brilliant young leader could be best with better protection
7. Matthew Stafford – Tough veteran finally got with playoff team and results were great
8. Lamar Jackson – Talented scrambler needs to refine his passing game to rank in top five
9. Derek Carr – Cagey vet carried his club to the playoffs through a very difficult season
10. Russell Wilson – Veteran leader hoping a change of scenery to a playoff contender
11. Matt Ryan – Wiry veteran can still perform and hopes to land with a legit contender
12. Kyler Murray – Young playmaker blew up in the postseason with horrible performance
13. Ben Roethlisberger – Tough veteran retires after brilliant career as a two-time SB champ
14. Dak Prescott – Overrated starter comes up short consistently in big spots
15. Kirk Cousins – Highly productive vet with marginal results in critical games
16. Jimmy Garoppolo – Moving on after solid performance and capable of helping a contender
17. Ryan Tannehill – Manages a game well, though dependent on power ground game and defense
18. Mac Jones – Terrific rookie season and the talent to continue to improve
19. Trevor Lawrence – Super talented rookie passer paid his dues with a terrible offensive line and major coaching upheaval
20. Deshaun Watson – Major legal issues hang out his head, but a top 5 player here when right
21. Baker Mayfield – Tough vet slide back after erratic performance and ongoing injury concerns
22. Jalen Hurts – ROP performer has improved each season, but needs to prove he can win from the pocket

Super Bowl LVI MVP – Rams’ Cooper Kupp
Completes Generational Performance
Eighth Wide Receiver to be named MVP

Rams’ Cooper Kupp capped off a breakout season with an MVP performance in Super Bowl LVI. Kupp’s 1-yard TD reception with 1:25 left became the winning score in the Rams’ 23-20 victory over the Bengals. He was justifiably named Super Bowl MVP after catching 8 of 10 targets for 92 yards and two TDs. He became only the eighth receiver to win Super Bowl MVP. QB Matthew Stafford finished 2^nd in the balloting while DT Aaron Donald finished 3^rd in the award. Stafford threw 3 TD passes and orchestrated a brilliant game plan with savvy throwing and good decision making. Donald was invisible the first three quarters being regularly double teamed, but came on late with two big sacks to close the victory.

Draft Insiders’ predicted a Rams Super Bowl victory prior to the start of the 2021 season in our 2021 forecast

On the game winning drive, Kupp also converted a fourth-and-1 with an 8-yard run on a jet sweep with five minutes left. It was probably the critical play of the game. He caught four passes for 34 yards on the Rams’ game-winning drive. Earlier, he also caught an 11-yard TD reception early in the second quarter gave the Rams a 13-3 lead.

Kupp won by the NFL’s most prolific offensive player off a rare generational 2021 triple statistic performance of receptions, yardage and TDs. He recently became the first wide receiver to receive a regular season MVP vote since Randy Moss in 1998. He finished third behind Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, the latter of whom won his fourth MVP award and 2nd in a row. rd.

The veteran 28 year-old receiver led the NFL in catches, receiving yards and TD receptions during the regular season. His 147 receptions and 1,947 receiving yards were the second-highest regular-season totals in league history. He became the first receiver in league history to surpass 2,000 receiving yards in a season during the Rams’ win over the Cardinals in the wild card round of the playoffs. In 21 games this season, including the postseason, he totaled 178 receptions for 2,425 yards and 22 TDs. He was the catalyst on an injured receiving corps that lost vet Robert Woods early in the season and late addition Odell Beckham who was injured in the first half of the Super Bowl. Kupp’s production helped deliver the Rams’ first Super Bowl win as a Los Angeles-based team.

Kupp won the wide receiver triple crown as he led the league in catches (145), yards receiving (1,947) and touchdowns (16). He averaged 114.5 yards per game, which was also tops in the league. His run after the catch ability is incredible with both speed and power to break tackles and run away from defenders.