The 2022 NFL Draft Class has received some criticism for not being as strong or star-studded as previous years. There’s certainly a drop-off in talent at the quarterback position with many insiders and outlets suggesting that there might not be a QB taken in the top 10 this year, which hasn’t happened since 2013, while there isn’t a consensus #1 pick as has been the case for the past couple of years.

That’s not to say that the criticism of this class is entirely justified. As has become the trend recently, this class has an exciting and deep array of receiving options, it’s home to some of the most intriguing offensive linemen in recent times and a number of prospects with the physical attributes to become genuine superstars if they can knit everything together in the pros.

To help familiarise yourself with some of the top prospects, the Erimus Sports Big Board analyses what we believe to be the best 50 players that will be drafted in April. Positional value i.e. QB, EDGE and Tackle being more influential to success than Running Back or Safety has not been considered although it is a key component of the overall scouting and drafting process.

This board is also not a suggestion of the order these players will be taken (Mock Draft incoming!). These rankings are based purely on talent and potential. The bracketed numbers indicate where each player ranks within their own position group.

1. Aidan Hutchinson – EDGE (EDGE1) – Michigan

The most complete and league ready defensive prospect in this class, Hutchinson turned in one of the most dominant seasons in years from a pass rusher as the Michigan Wolverines made their first ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Hutchinson’s 14 sacks in 2021 was the 4th highest in the country as he displayed a propensity for violence at the line of scrimmage and terrifying agility for a man that stands at 6ft 7″.

The 21-year-olds extremely skilled hands means he’ll be able to be productive as both a pass rusher and run defender at the next level and should be a reliable double-digit sack producer throughout his career. He’ll be a quality starter from the second his name is called on Draft night.

2. Kyle Hamilton – S (S1) – Notre Dame

Kyle Hamilton is built different. His 6-foot-4, 220lb frame is unheard of for a safety and defensive coordinators will be salivating at the possibility of using Hamilton to eliminate tight-ends from the passing game or blitz the quarterback.

The star of Notre Dame’s secondary since arriving as a freshman in 2019, Hamilton has consistently made plays (he recorded 8 interceptions in his 3 years at college) as his stature makes him a beast at the catch point compared to your average safety.

Hamilton doesn’t posses incredible acceleration having recorded a 4.59 40 time at the Scouting Combine but his top speed of 21 miles per hour is exactly what teams are looking for in the back field.

In short, Hamilton will give his team an immediate equaliser against modern offences.

3. Evan Neal – OT (OT1) – Alabama

Neal is a giant of a man that stands at 6ft 7 and 350lbs per his measurements at Alabama, who happens to have a pair of incredibly quick feet, making him an irresistible force at left tackle.

Starting as a left guard at ‘Bama in 2019, Neal moved to right tackle in 2020 before taking the left tackle spot in this past season. Despite shifting along the line, he saw his PFF Grade increase each year (71.2 to 83.7 to 84.5) and that proven versatility nudges him ahead of the rest of the tackle class.

While he will need to work on his balance at the point of attack to truly reach his potential, his physical attributes are simply unteachable and he’s already far more polished than other “freak” tackles who’ve been drafted recently.

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE (EDGE2) – Oregon

Pegged as a candidate to be selected #1 overall when the college season began, Thibodeaux has since fallen down draft boards after concerns about his production and attitude surfaced throughout the year, making the Oregon pass-rusher an incredibly intriguing player who COULD provide the greatest value of any player in the draft if his fall in stock translates to his selection on Draft Night.

A 10-sack freshman in 2019, Thibodeaux wins with the traditional pass-rushing holy trinity of explosiveness, length and bend, with an unbelievable first step at the snap helping to catch Olinemen cold.

His sack numbers have decreased year on year, recording just 3 in 2020 before having a more respectable 7 this year, but some of that is down to defences altering their gameplans to counteract Thibodeaux’s fantastic physical attributes.

While he isn’t close to being Myles Garrett, who he’s been repeatedly compared to, Thibodeaux has All-Pro potential. It’s just going to be a matter of whether his coaches can unlock that.

5. Ikem “Ikky” Ekwonu – OT (OT2) – North Carolina State

Ikky Ekwonu could have been graduating from Harvard rather than entering the NFL Draft if he’d prioritised academics over athletics coming out of high school. Thankfully for us, Ekwonu decided to commit to North Carolina State because there isn’t a more enjoyable offensive linemen to watch in this year’s class.

A behemoth at the line of scrimmage, Ekwonu wakes up every morning and chooses violence, rag-dolling opposition pass-rushers like they’re kindergartners. When he uncoils his hips into contact, bodies hit the floor.

Allowing 3 sacks in 819 snaps in 2021, Ekwonu was able to answer some of his critics this year who suggested he would have to move to guard at the pro level, although he could become the best guard in the league with his nasty play style. Run-heavy teams will have him as their OT1 because he’s almost impossible to move and will open up humongous lanes for running backs.

6. Derek Stingley Jr. – CB (CB1) – LSU

The forgotten man of this year’s class, Stingley produced the best freshman season at the cornerback position in living memory in 2019, allowing only a 37% completion rate and securing six interceptions as the Tigers marched towards their historic national title victory.

The following two campaigns have not lived up to those heights with Stingley suffering multiple injuries. Even when he has been fit, Stingley’s performances have looked laboured and haven’t come close to the heights of 2019.

However, the talent didn’t disappear overnight and the LSU man has all of the tools to become an elite CB at the next level with ideal size (6 ft 1), speed and fluidity for the position meshed with incredible instincts.

7. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB (CB2) – Cincinnati

Ahmad Gardner didn’t allow a single touchdown in his entire college career. That’s the tweet, as the kids say.

Known as “Sauce”, the Cincinnati corner dominated in man coverage, only allowing 131 yards in 2021. His height (6 foot 3) and arm length (33.5 inches) both rank in the 98th percentile for the position, while he clocked a 4.41 40 at the Combine, physical traits which translate extremely well into the NFL.

There are some level-of-competition concerns for all Cincinnati prospects although “Sauce” flashed in the playoffs against Alabama, only allowing 14 yards on four targets, and any team that regularly lines up in press coverage would love Gardner to fall to them.

8. Travon Walker – EDGE (EDGE3) – Georgia

The first of several stars from Georgia’s championship winning defence in this list, Travon Walker’s rare traits make him an exciting pass-rushing project who could become one of the best NFL defenders from this class.

Walker’s stats as a pass-rusher don’t immediately jump off the page, recording only 5 sacks this year, but his blend of strength and speed have seen him fly up boards as the season wore on.

He wasn’t asked to be a consistent rusher in the Bulldog’s dominant defence but this allowed Walker, previously a rotational player, to develop his run defence game which will allow him to be used consistently while he works on his pass-rush moveset.

9. Drake London – WR (WR1) – USC

Drake London’s 1084 yards and 7 touchdowns on 88 receptions in 2021 would’ve been a more than respectable return through a full season. The fact that he managed it in 8 games before breaking his ankle in October highlights the dominance the former basketball player (he played as a freshman for USC) had over opposition corners.

A true #1 receiver who batters opponents at the catch point and possesses a gigantic catch radius , London’s 6-foot-4 frame will still put him head and shoulders above his defensive counterparts in the NFL.

2021 was the receiver’s first season solely focused on football and it showed in his improvements as a route runner. In a deep class, London has the best chance of any of this year’s receivers to become a consistent 100-receptions per year player.

10. Devin Lloyd – LB (LB1) – Utah

The most well-rounded of this year’s linebacker corps, Devin Lloyd graded well in all facets of the game in 2021, becoming a factor as a pass-rusher, run defender and in coverage for Utah.

Lloyd created the 6th most QB pressures amongst linebackers with 31, forcing 4 incompletions (4th most amongst LBs) and racking up 90 total tackles.

While he doesn’t posses the uber-athletic traits of others at his position, Lloyd projects to be the Mr Reliable at the heart of an NFL defence, contributing in all situations.

11. Jermaine Johnson – EDGE (EDGE4) – Florida State

It’s hard to think of a player who has had a more impressive rise over the past year than Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson.

A bit-part player at Georgia, Johnson transferred to the Seminoles this year and burst onto the scene creating multiple pressures in every game he played and getting 14 sacks, equalling the total of Aidan Hutchinson.

The transfer also led the ACC in tackles for loss with 18.

Creating further buzz with his performances at the Senior Bowl in February, Johnson has the length, agility and quick hands to cause disruption in the run game and as a pass-rusher. While there will be some concern than the 23-year-old has only 1 season of production, he projects as a capable 3-down player in the NFL.

12. Nakobe Dean – LB (LB2) – Georgia

There will be more talk about other members of the Georgia defence as draft season cranks into gear but the man who held the all-time level crew together in 2021 was linebacker Nakobe Dean.

While Dean is undersized for an NFL linebacker at 5ft 11, his ability as a blitzer, reading of the game and command of the field will endear him to teams. The Georgia LB can also provide supreme touchline to touchline defence against running backs, making him a Tasmanian Devil in space that might not test the quickest at his pro day but will play the fastest come game time.

13. Trent McDuffie – CB (CB3) – Washington

McDuffie is a football scout’s favourite. An intelligent reader of the game who’ll be an immediate contributor on the field and in the locker room, McDuffie is a football fanatic which has become a hallmark trait of players coming out of Washington.

However, his limited height (5ft 11″) and length (29.75″ arms) will cause some teams to pigeonhole McDuffie as a slot-corner despite operating exclusively on the outside for Washington.

14. Charles Cross – OT (OT3) – Mississippi State

Cross is a fascinating player to evaluate and provides a really good insight into the difficulty in scouting football players.

On the face of it, Cross is a fabulous pass-protector that sticks to EDGE defenders like glue, showing top-drawer hand movement and balance.

However, the Mississippi State tackle still has plenty of room for improvement in the run game, having not been tasked with many pro-style run-blocking schemes in his college career. That will mean he will face a steeper learning curve than most in Year 1 but could blossom into a consistent Pro-Bowler.

15. Garrett Wilson – WR (WR2) – Ohio State

Smooth like butter. That’s the best way to describe Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson who wins with extremely impressive route-running that sends defenders to the hot dog stand and the fans home happy.

His ability to create space is also evident after the catch which will provide offensive coordinators with a plethora of passing options to immediately include Wilson in their gameplan.

Another receiver with high-end basketball experience, Wilson plays much taller than his 6ft frame would suggest at the catch point and he uses those physical attributes to contort his body to make crazy catches.

Wilson enters the draft off the back of a 12 touchdown season at Ohio State.

16. Jordan Davis – DT (DT1) – Georgia

The King of the Combine. No human being should stand at 6ft 6″, weigh over 24 stone and run a 40 yard dash in 4.82 seconds, but Jordan Davis did at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

The enormous nose tackle produced an all-time Combine performance to generate even more buzz around himself after a stellar 2021 at the front of Georgia’s impenetrable defence.

The Deontay Wilder of college football last year, Davis is very much a one-trick pony, offering little as a pass-rusher, but that one trick is extremely effective. He’ll automatically elevate any team’s run defence.

Concerns remain about his cardio after such a low workload at Georgia (only playing 378 snaps).

17. Tyler Linderbaum – IOL (IOL1) – Iowa

An All-American in 2021, Linderbaum’s play at center eclipsed the work we saw from Creed Humphrey and Landon Dickerson at the position, with freaky athleticism and a background in wrestling making Linderbaum an immovable object at the heart of Iowa’s offensive line.

Only allowing 1 sack in over 900 snaps last season, he is already an elite run-defender and has earned rave reviews from scouts due to his leadership skills.

18. Devonte Wyatt – DT (DT2) – Georgia

Like others in the Georgia defence, Wyatt has really benefited from the pre-draft process, where he was able to showcase more of his skills and play with more freedom during Senior Bowl week.

In 2021, Wyatt was able to pull together all of his promise and maximise it as part of the Bulldog’s dominating defence, causing havoc in offensive lines alongside Jordan Davis and Travon Walker.

Georgia’s scheme, which heavily utilises blitzing linebackers, mean Wyatt doesn’t come into the draft with staggering statistics (4 sacks, 6 TFLs in 2021) but he was unblockable during Senior Bowl drills and should benefit from the freedom afforded to him at the pro level.

19. Jameson Williams – WR (WR3) – Alabama

Mehh, mehh, fucking neeeeow. Williams takes the tops of defences with uncatchable speed. There have been quick receivers in the past but Williams also possesses the ball skills and route-running ability to make his speed a truly devastating weapon.

After transferring to ‘Bama from Ohio State, Williams had a breakout season in 2021 finishing with 78 catches, 1561 yards (at an average of 20 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns.

If he can recover well from the ACL injury he suffered in the Championship game against Georgia, Jameson Williams has the potential to be truly special in the NFL.

20. Daxton Hill – S (S2) – Michigan

The unsung hero of Michigan’s defence, Daxton Hill has been a versatile piece for Jim Harbaugh and his capability in the slot and at safety will make him a valuable asset to any team.

Hill is brilliant at hunting down ball carriers in space with top-end speed for a player in his position and his aggressive, care-free play style similar to Arizona Cardinal Budda Baker will mean the Oklahoma native is a fan favourite wherever he ends up.

21. Kaiir Elam – CB (CB4) – Florida

It soon became apparent that Kaiir Elam wasn’t going to produce top-level statistics this past year at Florida. Not because he wasn’t capable. Quarterbacks just stopped throwing the ball anywhere within his vicinity.

After a superb sophomore season in 2020, where Elam only allowed a 42.6% completion rate, QBs targeted the 6ft 2″ corner nearly 50% less in 2021.

An incredibly physical corner who can flatten receivers at the line of scrimmage, Elam will need to tone down some of his play to avoid becoming a flag magnet in the NFL.

22. George Karlafitis – EDGE (EDGE5) – Purdue

A member of the Greek national youth water polo team as a child, Karlaftis moved to America with his family as a 13-year-old and draws on his Greek lineage to bulldoze offensive linemen with Olympian-level strength.

The 20-year-old displays unnatural power, given that he’s yet to really get his “man strength”, with arguably the best bull-rush in the class. He will need to develop a touch of finesse to dominate in the NFL but his power immediately makes him a factor as a pass-rusher.

23. Kenyon Green – IOL (IOL2) – Texas A&M

An extremely versatile prospect who lined up at LT, LG, RG and RT for the Aggies this past season, Kenyon Green is the most explosive interior linemen in this class.

A player who is more athletic when the pads are on than when the stopwatch comes out, Green floats across the field when plays break down making him a top target for teams with mobile quarterbacks.

Although he could be a capable tackle at the next level, when he was finally settled in at Left Guard for Texas, Green put elite performances in and could be an All-Pro guard for years to come.

24. Zion Johnson – IOL (IOL3) – Boston College

Zion Johnson is one of the most NFL-ready prospects within the 2022 Draft class.

A stalwart at left guard for Boston, the most attractive trait that Johnson possesses is that when scouts write reports on him, they won’t be able to honestly pick a glaring weakness in his game.

That’s not to say the 22-year-old is perfect and he may not have the ceiling of Green or Linderbaum but there isn’t any major holes in his arsenal, making him a Day 1 starter.

25. Chris Olave – WR (WR4) – Ohio State

There are notable NFL wide receivers that haven’t got the route-running abilities of Chris Olave.

Ohio State’s all-time leader in touchdown catches (35), Olave combines his route-running with the speed (running a 4.39 40) and reliable hands (dropped just 4.9% of career targets) to consistently win at the intermediate and deep level of the field. That talent for creating space will lead to him making an immediate impact in the NFL although his lack of creativity after the catch (only 9 broken tackles in his career) will prevent him from becoming a teams main receiver.

26. Trevor Penning – OT (OT4) – Northern Iowa

Trevor Penning is a bully and he treats pass-rushers like nerdy kids that are only there to hand over their dinner money.

The 6ft 7″ tackle has the killer instinct to obliterate opposition players that you love to see from men of that size although he does go overboard at times – he’s been flagged 34 times in 31 games- but that’s a trait you’d rather have to tone down than create at the pro level.

27. Bernhard Raimann – OT (OT5) – Central Michigan

Raimann’s backstory is brilliant. A foreign exchange student from Austria, Raimann was initially a tight-end before transitioning to tackle in 2020.

The fact that he’s been able to pick up the position so quickly, earning a 94.6 PFF Grade this season and only allowing 1 sack, makes you wonder just how good he can become when he’s surrounded by world-class coaches and players at the next level.

28. Treylon Burks – WR (WR5) – Arkansas

For those players who benefit from the NFL Combine, there is always one who sees their stock damaged from the pre-draft testing and this year that was Treylon Burks.

Comparisons to DK Metcalf and Deebo Samuel during the season mean that his 40 time (4.55), vertical jump (33″) and broad jump (10’2″) all came in well below expectation.

However, Burks was the focal point of Arkansas’s offence for a reason and his tape shows a player that combines size, speed and ball skills better than anyone else in the class as he burned through defences with the ball in his hands and bullied defenders at the catch point as he notched 11 touchdowns and 1110 yards in 2021.

29. Malik Willis – QB (QB1) – Liberty

There’s a hell of a lot of MIGHT about Malik Willis. He MIGHT have the best arm in the class. He MIGHT be able to improve his pocket presence to become a reliable game reader. He MIGHT be able to use his top-tier mobility to revolutionise an offence at the pro level. He MIGHT be able to knit his athletic tools together to become a top-10 QB.

Or he might not.

While he impressed with his arm strength and improved footwork in 2021, it’s incredibly obvious that any team that draft Willis is taking a gamble on a player who has all the jigsaw pieces but doesn’t yet know how they all fit together. Major boom or bust candidate.

30. David Ojabo – EDGE (EDGE6) – Michigan

Ojabo tearing his Achilles during Michigan’s Pro Day was a stark reminder of how unforgiving football can be, with the expectation being that the prospect will now see his draft stock plummet. Ojabo, who only started playing football less than 5 years ago, is a player that teams would have been desperate to get straight onto the training field to fine tune his game but he will now miss a large portion of his rookie year.

Playing across from Aidan Hutchinson in the Wolverine’s defensive line, Ojabo managed 11 sacks in his breakout season, already showing a surprising variety of pass-rush moves for somebody who has played so little. However, after growing up in Scotland, he still has major room for improvement and wasn’t even on the field for obvious running downs against Georgia in the playoffs.

31. Jahan Dotson – WR (WR6) – Penn State

With 25 touchdowns in his college career and a flare for an acrobatic catch, Dotson is one of the most impactful receivers in this year’s class.

With twitchy speed, sudden change of direction and ridiculous catch radius for someone who stands at 5ft 11″, Dotson projects as a quarterback’s best friend as a reliable pass catcher who’ll always be open.

Despite spending two years as Penn State’s #1 outside receiver, a move to the slot will be on the cards for Dotson due to his size and lack of play strength when asked to break tackles.

32. Andrew Booth Jr. – CB (CB5) – Clemson

Booth is a nuisance to evaluate due to having all of the physical tools and aggressive mind-set needed to thrive as a man-cover corner yet he comes from playing almost exclusively in zone-coverage at Clemson.

However, that also opens him up to be drafted by every corner-needy team and if he can improve on the lapses in concentration that saw him give up the occasional big play, he could become a reliable #2 CB early on.

33. Boye Mafe – EDGE (EDGE7) – Minnesota

Boye Mafe made himself some serious money in the pre-draft process. Seen as a 3rd round talent at best as recently as December, Mafe exploded into life at the Senior Bowl. The 23-year-old was unplayable in drills before being named the National team’s Player of the Game as he logged a pair of sacks, a TFL and a forced fumble in the showpiece game.

With an enticing blend of speed and power that creates a top-line finishing instinct once he locks onto the quarterback, Mafe could be the steal of the Draft if he keeps improving at this rate.

34. Lewis Cine – S (S3) – Georgia

Cine isn’t a standout athlete but more than makes up for that with a fantastic ability to read the game and a love for tackling that is unrivalled at the pro level, never mind within this draft class.

The Georgia stalwart has missed only 6.9% of all his attempted tackles and it’s that alpha mentality that will serve him well in the NFL.

35. Kenny Pickett – QB (QB2) – Pittsburgh

It’s strange that a quarterback who threw for 4308 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2021 is spoken about as negatively as Pickett is, but the obvious concern is that he’s already reached his zenith as a player.

Accurate within the pocket and on the move, Pickett has the football IQ side of things down pat and is constantly surveying his options.

It almost feels like we’ve been spoilt at the QB position over the past couple of years, with bonafide superstars coming through. Pickett is a rung or two below that. There’s also the…you know…tiny hands thing.

36. Leo Chenal – LB (LB3) – Wisconsin

At 6ft 3″ and 250lbs, Chenal is an absolute horse of a linebacker who will add a significant presence to any team’s defence.

He received the third-highest ever run-defence grade for an off-ball linebacker from PFF this past season at 94.1 and his pass-rush win-rate of 23.5% will see defensive coordinators looking to utilise Chenal similarly to Micah Parsons as a frequent blitzer out of the backfield.

37. Travis Jones – DT (DT3) – Conneticut

He’s big, he’s mean and Travis Jones is coming to beat up your favourite offensive linemen. All 6-foot-4, 325 pounds of a man who is a throwback to the defensive linemen of old.

The UCONN alum wins in exactly the fashion you want from your nose tackle: through brute force. While he will mainly be deployed against the run, Jones has shown enough explosiveness and flexibility to suggest that he could add a pass-rushing string to his bow with the right coaching.

38. Skyy Moore – WR (WR7) – Western Michigan

Despite having not played wide receiver until arriving on campus at Western Michigan, Skyy Moore has special movement skills and his highlight reel barely features a defender in-shot.

Moore led the FBS in broken tackles in 2021 and that YAC ability, combined with his elusiveness, will make him an interesting weapon in pass-heavy offences.

There will be some concerns about the low-level of competition he faced at W.Michigan, which had an impact on Moore’s need to expand his route tree but he impressed against good competition at the Senior Bowl.

39. Jaquan Brisker – S (S4) – Penn State

Brisker has consistently performed for Penn State as a box safety and has shown the physicality to match up with tight-ends in the passing game.

The safety has also showcased a good nose for the ball, recording at least 1 interception each season in his college career, though coaches will want to avoid him having to cover any speedy deep threats in the passing game as his stiff hips can hold him back in coverage.

40. Perrion Winfrey – DT (DT4) – Oklahoma

Winfrey suffered slightly from being miscast at Oklahoma as he was often deployed as a nose tackle (236 snaps) despite flashing more successfully as a pure penetrator between guards.

With 6 sacks last year and 41% of his tackles resulting in a loss of yards, it’s that ability to break the line of scrimmage that NFL team will covet. When he was allowed to work up the field at the Senior Bowl he really impressed, taking home the game’s MVP award.

Winfrey also “brings the noise” in the locker room and will likely find himself as a key leader on the defence wherever he lands.

41. Christian Harris – LB (LB4) – Alabama

Harris is a well-rounded prospect at linebacker who does his best work in the tackle, exploding into contact and giving everything to stop the opposition. You can’t expect much less from a player coached by Nick Saban.

A modern-day linebacker with a blend of athleticism and power, Harris uses a burst of speed to get himself out of trouble which also comes in handy when tracking ball carriers in space

Asked to perform a lot of different jobs in ‘Bama’s pro-style defence, Harris still needs to flesh out his game as he’s often guilty of misreading situations and biting too quickly on QB movements when in coverage.

42. Jalen Pitre – S (S5) – Baylor

To call Jalen Pitre a poor man’s Isaiah Simmons isn’t the criticism that it may look like. An agile, versatile defender who became a dynamic blitzer during his time at Baylor, Pitre has a natural feel for the game which makes him a ball-hawk.

Wherever the ball is on the field, Pitre will be there throwing himself into a tackle or attempted interception. Despite his size (5ft 11″) the slot-corner turned safety is game in run defence with 18 TFLs in 2021.

43. Arnold Ebiketie – EDGE (EDGE8) – Penn State

If Ebiketie had any elite physical attributes, he’d be up there with Hutchinson and Thibodeaux at the top of this class, with the Penn State man having an incredible array of pass-rush weapons at his disposal. He’s consistently improved and produced as a pass-rusher, scoring 8 sacks in 2021 with 12 TFLs, after transferring from Temple University.

Alas, Ebiketie just doesn’t have the standout traits to really excite NFL evaluators and the team who drafts him will have to accept those athletic limitations in the hope that the Penn State standout can win through skill alone.

44. DeMarvin Leal -DT (DT5) – Texas A&M

There was talk at the start of the college football season of Leal being a top-10 prospect after a terrific sophomore campaign. That 2020 tape had numerous examples of Leal’s frightening athleticism for a 290-pounder, spinning offensive linemen out of their boots, but 2021 saw his draft stock plummet after a number of below-par showings.

Leal was exposed in the run game in 2021 and despite his career-high 9 sacks, struggled heavily to break through lines especially when asked to play further inside, where he will be expected to line up in the NFL.

The team that does take a punt on Leal will need to work on his confidence to try and bring back the Leal of 2020.

45. Matt Corral – QB (QB3) – Ole Miss

Corral is an infuriating prospect because everything that makes him good is what will hold him back at the next level. He played in an exciting quarterback-friendly RPO offence, likes to break the pocket and run and slings the ball like a catapult every time.

In the NFL, he won’t get the same paint-by-numbers passing opportunities with wide open receivers, his knack for taking a hit when on the move has already seen him injured on multiple occasions in 2021 and he doesn’t yet posses the touch to drop picture perfect balls into receivers in tight windows, a necessity in the NFL.

Corral will be best served being drafted by a team with a veteran QB, that can afford to iron out the creases in his game behind the scenes, rather than throwing him in the deep end immediately.

46. Kenneth Walker III – RB (RB1) – Michigan State

A Heisman Trophy finalist, Walker tied Jonathan Taylor and Rashaad Penny’s record for the highest yards after contact average (4.5) for all RBs with 250+ carries in a season.

Winning through pure power or shredding speed, Walker racked up 1634 yards and 18 touchdowns for Mich.State, with a knack for exploding through tight gaps which will serve him well in the NFL.

Having regularly produced throughout his college career and handing a large workload, Walker tops a running back class as a true every-down, bellcow type of back.

47. George Pickens – WR (WR8) – Georgia

When Pickens returned from a torn ACL to make the most eye-catching play of the National Championship game, it was a reminder to everyone of the quality the receiver has in his locker.

After a stunning freshman campaign where Pickens burst onto the scene with 726 yards and 8 touchdowns, he ‘s struggled with injuries and some poor quarterback play, though his ball skills are arguably the best in this class.

If he can prove his durability, Pickens could develop into a true #1 outside receiver, with his stunning late change of direction and 6-foot-3 frame making him a nightmare in 50/50 situations.

48. Logan Hall – DT (DT6) – Houston

Logan Hall was built to play over offensive tackles, walk them back and smack them into their quarterback. He’s a 6-foot-6 nuisance to defend in one v one situations because he gives Olinemen a unique problem to deal with play after play.

With a multitude of manoeuvres to create pressure including a nasty clubbing swim move, a move outside where he can best utilise his physical traits might suit Hall better in the NFL.

49. Roger McCreary – CB (CB6) – Auburn

I wish Roger McCreary was bigger because he’d be unbeatable if he was a few inches taller. Since becoming a starter at Auburn in 2019, he’s consistently been one of the highest-graded and disruptive corners with 28 pass break ups in that time.

With extensive experience against premier opposition (facing 183 career targets), McCreary is fluid in his motion and rarely looks flustered.

However at 5 foot 11″ and with the shortest arms of any outside corner in the NFL at 28″, McCreary will be pigeonholed into the slot immediately.

50. Quay Walker – EDGE (EDGE9) – Georgia

Walker is a huge off-ball linebacker with an impressive mix of speed and power, who could be moulded into a dangerous defender at the pro level.

He’s fluid and fast enough to match up with tight-ends in coverage and running backs in open space, attacks blockers violently in the run game and has exceptional acceleration in between the touchlines when playing laterally.

Walker just doesn’t have the body of work to be ranked higher than the other tried and tested edge rushers in the class.