NFL Draft

If you're in the market for a wide receiver in the 2022 NFL draft, you're in luck. This year's class is as deep as it is talented. And while there are those who prefer Treylon Burks of Arkansas or Garrett Wilson of Ohio State as the No. 1 prospect at the position, in the opinion of some draftniks, the best pass-catcher of the class is Drake London of USC (B/R Scouting Report).

But after fracturing his ankle last year, the 6'4", 219-pounder skipped workouts at the combine. That left a lot of scouts eager to see London run the 40-yard-dash at his personal pro day a few days ago in order to alleviate concerns about his speed and ability to separate at the NFL level.

However, London elected not to run, leaving those speed concerns looming over him and ratcheting up the risk for NFL teams considering spending their first pick on him.

According to Ryan Kartje of the Los Angeles Times, London downplayed his decision to skip athletic testing once again after he tweaked his hamstring while working out ahead of USC's pro day last month.

"You know, everybody has six, eight weeks, a couple months to really train for that, whether it's broad jump, vertical, all of that," London said. "I was just trying to get back running at the end of the day. The tape is out there. You've seen it."

There is indeed plenty of tape of London using his big frame to high-point passes and out-muscle defenders. He hauled in 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven scores last season in just eight games before injuring his ankle last October.

And to be sure, London has his supporters. They include Bleacher Report's scouting department, which slotted London as not only the top wide receiver but also the No. 3 prospect in the entire draft.

"London has more to his game than you'd initially think given his size," Nate Tice wrote. "He is able to run a varied route tree that asks him to throttle down, which is even more impressive given his large frame. …Overall, London's size, athleticism and route-running ability project him as a valid Day 1 X WR for NFL teams with true mismatch potential every week of the season. And he has enough polish and nuance to his game to be asked to line up across the formation given the play call that only adds to his All-Pro potential."

Drae Harris of the Draft Network also talked up London's size, physicality and route running.

"He is an excellent athlete with regards to jumping ability, body control, and agility for a big receiver. In the run game, he has the potential to be a dominant run blocker due to his toughness, length, and competitive spirit. He is surprisingly very good as a runner after the catch. In the passing game, he is excellent. He has outstanding body control and agility as a route-runner and uses his bigger frame to "big boy" smaller defenders. He is excellent in contested-catch situations and uses his strong hands to secure the football in traffic."

Frankly, you'd be hard-pressed to find a scout who disagrees with those assessments. London is big, physical and sure-handed, and his route tree is relatively refined.

London is talented, to be sure.

But is he fast enough to consistently separate from defenders at the professional level?

It's a concern that has been voiced by multiple pundits, including Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network.

"For all his athletic gifts," he wrote, "the USC WR isn't blessed with long speed. London does his best work on short and intermediate routes, using his after-catch ability and physicality to add extra yards. He won't separate downfield based on speed alone."

Draft Wire's Natalie Miller also expressed worries that London's long speed (or lack of it) could hinder him at the next level.

"While London's deep-ball play is excellent, there will always be some concern about a receiver that lacks the ability to create consistent separation. That can lead to defenders squatting on routes in anticipation, and basing part of a game plan on his ability to win those contested catches constantly against elite defenders. Some teams will shy away from that. His quickness is not noteworthy either, instead having to use his body as a shield on shorter routes rather than burning past defenders."

Had London run even an OK 40 time, most scouts would likely have smiled, written "fast enough" in their notepad, and that would have been that. But by not running, London may have created a flicker of worry. Raised a specter of doubt. Brought back a ghost

The ghost of Laquon Treadwell.

In 2016, many of the same superlatives attached to London were affixed to Treadwell. He posted an 82/1,153/11 line in his last year at Ole Miss facing some of the nation's top defenses. Scouts lauded his size and physicality and his natural feel for the game. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Treadwell to DeAndre Hopkins. Per the Vikings' website, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports called Treadwell the "next Dez Bryant."

Treadwell did run at his pro day, but even a wildly disappointing 4.63-second 40 didn't stop then-NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock from lauding Minnesota's decision to draft Treadwell 23rd overall.

"We all know he ran a 4.65 40 at his pro day. So, either you believe in him and his game, or you don't. He's a natural hands catcher and will win 50-50 balls. He's also one of the best blocking wide receivers in this draft. He's physical, tough and has great hands. I think the Vikings got a winner."

What the Vikings got was a player who just wasn't fast enough to play wide receiver at the game's highest level. In four years with the team. Treadwell never caught more than 35 passes. His season high in yardage in Minnesota was 302. He scored all of two touchdowns.

Now, London deciding not to run a 40-yard-dash doesn't doom him to Treadwell's fate any more than John Ross peeling off a 4.22-second 40 in 2017 guaranteed his success in the pros.

It didn't even a little. Being fast isn't all that helpful if you can't catch.

London checks just about every other box, whether it's size, hands, physicality or route refinement. He would appear to have all the tools to be a good wide receiver.

But NFL teams drafting in the first round aren't looking for good. They are looking for great. The biggest question mark regarding London's ability to be great was his straight-line speed. That question now looms larger than ever.

This may all be much ado about nothing, but as badly as NFL teams want to hit on their first pick, they even more desperately want to avoid whiffing on it. Risk is a four-letter word to general managers in more ways than one.

And in electing to leave the speed question unanswered, Drake London has become a riskier pick than Wilson, Burks, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams, the latter of whom showed ridiculous acceleration and athleticism last year before tearing his ACL.

Is it possible that London will emerge as the best receiver from the Class of 2022? Yes.

But less than two weeks from the big day, he has emerged as the riskiest of the high-end options.

Aidan Hutchinson is reportedly losing his grip on being the No. 1 overall pick.

Multiple people around the NFL spoke to Peter King of NBC Sports and said they expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to ultimately select Georgia's Travon Walker with the top selection.

"I look at [Jags GM] Trent Baalke's history going back to San Francisco," one general manager said. "That year he picked Aldon Smith [2011]; look who he passed on—J.J. Watt, Cam Jordan. Bigger guys, sturdier guys. Trent picked the guy with tools and traits, Smith. That's why I think he'll take Travon Walker. Great kid, and he's got all the traits except consistent production."

Walker has been among the fastest-rising players in the draft because of his incredible physical talent. The Georgia product ran a blazing 4.51-second time in the 40-yard dash at the combine while measuring in at 6'5" and 275 pounds. He has the capability to play all over the defensive line, lining up both on the interior and as an edge-rusher last season.

"I wouldn't draft Walker thinking you're getting Von Miller," another general manager said. "He's not a classic edge. He's more an all-around guy who plays the run well too. He's a great example of this draft—not a no-doubt prospect, but intriguing."

As much as Walker has impressed with his physical gifts, his college production pales in comparison to Hutchinson's. The Michigan defensive end was a rare Heisman finalist from the defensive side of the ball after recording 62 tackles and 14 sacks during his breakout 2021 campaign. He swept essentially every possible defensive individual honor and had been pegged as the No. 1 pick for months.

While Hutchinson isn't quite the same physical athlete as Walker, he's still more than quick enough off the edge and carries enough size (6'6", 265 lbs) to be a perennial Pro Bowler.

Taking Walker over Hutchinson would be a bet on potential over production, and it's not clear that Walker's ceiling is high enough to justify taking him over arguably the safest pick in this class.

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 210

HAND: 9 3/8"

ARM: 31 3/4"

WINGSPAN: 6'5 3/8"

40-YARD DASH: 4.75

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: 4.36

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Tough demeanor in the pocket. Willing to stand strong and take hits.

— Competent decision-maker. Mostly plays on time and flashes the ability to manipulate safeties.

— Low-volatility play style. Seldom puts the ball in harm's way.

— Above-average runner. Tough, balanced rushing style with just enough speed. Can be used on designed runs.

NEGATIVES

— Clunky mechanics. Slow, disconnected release with no pop when the ball comes out.

— Heavy feet in the pocket. Often a tick slow when trying to move or reset.

— Poor arm strength. Deep balls often end up underthrown.

— Struggles with changing trajectory. Can only throw low-MPH floaters; can not drive the ball into windows consistently.

— Not a naturally creative playmaker outside of the pocket.

— Limited offense that did not require difficult reads and throws over the middle of the field.

2021 STATISTICS

14 G, 244-381 (64.0%), 3,206 YDS (8.4 YPA), 20 TD, 6 INT, 161 ATT, 703 YDS (4.4 AVG), 12 TD

NOTES

— 2-star recruit in 2017.

— Three-year starter.

— 2020 and 2021 first-team All-MAC.

OVERALL

Dustin Crum is a camp arm whose toughness in the pocket and value as a runner make him worth a look.

Crum comes with an awkward build. Though only 6'1" and 210 pounds, Crum has long legs for his frame, resulting in some heavier, clunkier footwork than expected. Crum can lumber when resetting in the pocket, and he lacks the explosiveness to evade pass-rushers at the drop of a hat. Crum's throwing mechanics are not crisp, either. His throwing motion often feels disconnected, and the ball does not pop out of his hands. In turn, Crum's arm strength is lacking. Crum can only throw with a high, looping trajectory, making it difficult to drive throws into windows over the middle of the field.

Kent State's offense also raises questions. The offense rolled with a limited batch of concepts, many of which targeted down the field or outside the numbers, leaving few NFL-style reps for passes over the middle. Crum will need an adjustment period in the NFL.

That said, Crum comes with some decent high-floor type of traits. He is more than willing to stand strong in the pocket and take hits, perhaps making him more conducive to a play-action heavy scheme in the NFL. Additionally, Crum is a relatively timely decision maker who rarely puts the ball in danger. That could be a useful trait for a backup. Crum also adds value as a runner. Though not the quickest ball carrier, Crum runs hard and brings just enough speed to be a reasonable threat. He will be best in short yardage and red zone scenarios as an inside runner.

Crum's rushing ability, toughness and timely decision-making warrant a look in the NFL. His lack of arm strength and accuracy, as well as the murky projection brought on by Kent State's offense, make it tough to see him as an NFL starter, though. Crum is most likely to stick around as a backup and/or practice squad arm.

GRADE: 5.4 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential - UDFA)

OVERALL RANK: 293

POSITION RANK: QB14

PRO COMPARISON: Chandler Harnish

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 5'11 5/8"

WEIGHT: 213

HAND: 9 3/4"

ARM: 31 1/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'3 1/8"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Versatility to play at multiple levels. Has shown the ability to play in deep coverage, as well as in the slot. Can also play the run from deep and in the box.

— Tracks and drives on the ball when in the air. With above-average ball skills, he does a good job of reacting to the ball in the air.

— Makes quick reads when playing the run. Triggers quickly and comes downhill to support the run.

NEGATIVES

— Top-end speed is a question. One-speed runner who can struggle to open and run with faster receivers. Questionable cover skills at times. Inconsistent carrying receivers downfield.

— Shows to have some stiffness and rigid movements. Can be slower redirecting at times.

2021 STATISTICS

14 Games, 70 TKLS, 4.5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 3 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR

NOTES

— 2019 First Team All-Big 12 (Coaches, AP)

— 2019 OSU Bob Fenimore Award (Team MVP)

— 2020 Second Team All-Big 12 (Coaches)

OVERALL

Kolby Harvell-Peel is a physical safety with slightly above-average size for his position. A player with good functional strength, he can be tight and heavy footed when moving in space. When playing the run, he does a good job reading and reacting to what he sees; triggering quick to fill running lanes and shoot gaps. Harvell-Peel does a good job tracking ball-carriers with very good angles. A physical player who willingly takes on blocks, he can get pushed around and occasionally get walled off by bigger blockers. When tackling, he does a good job of getting the ball-carrier to the ground with secure wrap tackles.

When playing the pass, he shows to have good awareness of the threats in his zone but can have narrow vision at times. Combined with his tendency to be overly aggressive to play action, Harvell-Peel can get caught out of position. When playing in man coverage, he does a decent job matching routes but can get bumped off routes at times and can show to lack top-end and recovery speed. When in position downfield, he often struggles to make a play on the ball.

Harvell-Peel is a productive player with three years of experience under his belt. He will need to continue to work on his coverage skills while relying on his play in the run game. He will look to compete for a backup spot.

GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable - 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 278

POSITION RANK: S19

PRO COMPARISON: Caden Sterns

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

HEIGHT: 5'11 3/4"

WEIGHT: 204

HAND: 9 3/4"

ARM: 30 7/8"

WINGSPAN: 6'1 1/2"

40-YARD DASH: 4.31

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 33"

BROAD: 10'1"

POSITIVES

— Great speed. Top gear can separate from anyone.

— Smooth runner who can switch lanes with ease in space.

— Comfortable running vertical routes. Does well to separate down the field.

— Good contact balance with the ball in his hands.

— Experience and production as a punt and kick returner.

NEGATIVES

— Route tree is limited right now. Mostly a screen-and-go ball player at this stage.

— Needs to tighten up route running. Plays too loose and allows cornerbacks to get the jump on him.

— Uncomfortable seeing the ball in at times. Often has to throttle down to find the ball.

— Does not flash much ability to catch outside of his frame or in traffic.

2021 STATISTICS

13 G, 61 REC, 807 YDS (13.0 AVG), 7 TD,

23 KR, 628 YDS (27.3 AVG), 1 TD, 18 PR, 272 YDS (15.1 AVG)

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2016.

— Began his career at USC before transferring to Tennessee in 2020.

— Six-year player, thanks in part to the added year of COVID-19 eligibility.

— 2021 first-team All-SEC (all-purpose).

OVERALL

Velus Jones Jr. is more of a return specialist than a wide receiver right now, but speed like his will always be a premium in the NFL.

Jones sprinted to a 4.31 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and he backs that speed up on film. He may not have the immediate acceleration of some other stud speedsters, but once Jones gets rolling, he is tough to catch from behind. That rings true both with and without the ball in his hands, making Jones as much of a deep threat as he is a yards-after-catch weapon. With the ball in his hands, Jones can weave smoothly in between traffic and shows off impressive contact balance for a receiver of average size.

That being said, Jones is not a complete receiver right now. His route tree was largely limited to go balls, screens and slants. In the rare instances he was asked to run other routes, Jones lacked the technique or sharp movement skills to get in and out of breaks comfortably. Furthermore, Jones' hands are a concern right now. He struggles to catch balls outside of his frame or when contested in traffic, and he even shows some discomfort finding the ball in clean scenarios from time to time. It will likely take a couple years for Jones to iron out either of these issues.

Jones does offer immediate special teams value, though. Jones returned kicks in all five seasons he played, as well as returned punts for Tennessee in 2021. Though he can excel at both, Jones' build-up speed and weaving rushing style make him a great fit to return kicks from Day 1.

Jones may not be ready to play offense out of the gate, but he can be a team's starting kick and punt returner instantly. Jones' speed and yards-after-catch potential are worth trying to develop at wide receiver, though that may be a longshot for someone set to be 25-years-old as a rookie. The most likely projection for Jones is a starting returner and speed threat off the bench.

GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 170

POSITION RANK: WR25

PRO COMPARISON: Devin Duvernay

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'3"

WEIGHT: 249

POSITIVES

— Good first step. Explodes out of his stance with decent consistency.

— Quick, fluid player who thrives when given space to work with.

— Flashes of powerful hands, mainly as a pass-rusher.

— Shows moments of decent leg drive when attacking OTs head on.

— Remains balanced as a pass-rusher, allowing him to stay upright and win late at times.

NEGATIVES

— A little bit on the lighter side. Has to add weight and strength in the league.

— Not a natural bender. Struggles to get low and turn the corner effectively.

— Pass-rushing approach stalls out completely unless he wins with the first step. Needs to develop more tools.

— Anchor in run defense is a concern. Often moved or turned out of his gap.

2021 STATISTICS

14 G, 30 TOT, 10 TFL, 5 SK, 2 PD, 1 FR, 1 FF

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2017.

— Three-year starter.

— 2021 first-team All-AAC.

OVERALL

David Anenih is a light, explosive edge prospect with enough tools to be of intrigue in the modern NFL.

A three-year starter at Houston, Anenih wins primarily through his first step. He is most comfortable when allowed to play from a stand-up alignment, particularly one that allows him to turn inside and watch the ball. From that alignment, he consistently flies off the ball and threatens offensive tackles on the outside shoulder, which can open up some inside countermove opportunities from time to time.

Anenih also sports great quickness, which allows him to quickly separate himself from blockers when he decides to rip and go. Though it isn't his most reliable tool, he also does flash the ability to jolt blockers with his hands and drive them back to push the pocket.

On the flip side, many of Anenih's pass-rushing tools do not show up consistently enough. Whenever he fails to instantly win the corner with his first step, he abandons his approach entirely, leaving too many empty reps on film. Anenih also struggles to bend and turn the corner around offensive tackles, which is troubling for a lighter player who consistently gains advantages with his first step.

As a run defender, Anenih will probably be unplayable early in his career. He sports a light frame and plays to it. Though he flashes a hefty punch now and again, Anenih regularly loses his anchor and gets knocked out of his gap. He does have decent run-and-chase skills whenever he gets freed into space, but not enough to outweigh his anchor issues right now.

Anenih projects as an outside linebacker for a 3-4 base defense. His first step and quickness must be facilitated by giving him space. As of right now, Anenih's middling play strength and inconsistent approach make him a developmental prospect who may eventually become a useful pass-rusher off the bench.

GRADE: 5.8 (Backup/Draftable - 6th//7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 253

POSITION RANK: EDGE28

PRO COMPARISON: Justin Hollins

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'3 3/8

WEIGHT: 301

HAND: 10 5/8"

ARM: 33 1/4"

WINGSPAN: 6'7 7/8"

40-YARD DASH: 4.94

3-CONE: 7.33

SHUTTLE: 4.41

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: 9'2"

POSITIVES

— Plays with good pad level initially and does well to fight to maintain it.

— Fairly scrappy player. Hands start to activate after his initial punch.

— Above-average upper-body strength. Will not allow OL into his chest and take control of him.

— Quick feet and decent agility. Moves across the line of scrimmage without many hiccups.

— Overall tested better than his film showed, which suggests he has more potential.

NEGATIVES

— Often late reacting to the snap and does not explode out of his stance. Poor combination for getting off the ball.

— Can get all over the place when initiating contact. Takes himself out of plays.

— Has quick feet, but often struggles to settle himself down and find a consistent base.

— Below-average lower-body strength. Has some issues anchoring against the run as well as generating push as a pass-rusher.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 59 TOT, 5 TFL, 1 SK, 1 PD

NOTES

— 4-star DE recruit in 2018. Came out of high school at 290 pounds.

— Significant contributor and/or starter for four seasons.

— Heavy special teams contributor during his time at Stanford.

— 2020 and 2021 second-team All-Pac-12.

— 2020 and 2021 team captain.

OVERALL

Thomas Booker is a ready-made rotational interior player with the athletic potential to develop into something more down the line.

Booker's best traits are his pad level and upper-body strength. Thanks in part to his average height, he consistently plays with good leverage and does not allow offensive linemen to get under him easily. He also does well to maintain that leverage after contact and continue to fight for that positioning.

Booker is likewise scrappy with his hands. Sometimes that can be to a fault, as he does have a tendency to get wild upon his engagement and his initial punch typically suffers as a result. Once engaged, however, Booker shows active hands and does well to remain in position to come off blocks. Pair that with his decent movement skills and quick feet, and he has enough to make himself work as a competent run defender.

With that said, Booker's lower body is a problem right now. For one, he fails to come off the ball well. Part of that is his late reaction to the snap, but he also just does not explode out of his stance in a way that strikes fear in any opposing linemen. Moreover, Booker tends to struggle against big, powerful linemen who forklift him out of the way. He will need to add some heft in the NFL.

For now, Booker is a rotational defensive linemen who can play either 3-tech or over the tackle. He can win with quicks, pad level and general feistiness. With that said, Booker will need to translate his NFL combine athleticism to the field, as well as add some strength in his lower body, before being able to transition to a starting role. Booker can be a special teams standout and depth defensive lineman early in his career while working to unlock his athletic potential.

GRADE: 6.3 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 188

POSITION RANK: DL19

PRO COMPARISON: Lawrence Guy

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'6 1/8"

WEIGHT: 316

HAND: 10 1/8"

ARM: 35 1/8"

WINGSPAN: 7'0 3/4"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: 33"

BROAD: 8'11"

POSITIVES

— Tall, thick build with great arm length. Could fit all over the defensive front.

— Strong punch. Can knock OL back with relative ease if he gets a clean strike.

— Great lateral movement for his size. Can slide through gaps and work across the line of scrimmage comfortably.

— Good movement skills in space. Can finish plays in the backfield.

— Above-average eyes and discipline. Does well to play with correct leverage and gap integrity.

NEGATIVES

— Slow off the ball. Will not be one to overwhelm offensive linemen out of the gate.

— Struggles to settle and anchor. Has some issues finding his base after moving around.

— Tends to lean and lunge to initiate contact. Gets himself off-balance.

— Not a polished pass-rusher at this stage. Has the athletic potential to get there, but will need time and quality coaching.

2021 STATISTICS

13 G, 43 TOT, 12 TFL, 9 SK, 1 PD

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in 2016. Came out of high school listed at only 250 pounds.

— Four-year starter.

— Six-year player who played on the added year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19.

— 2021 first-team All-Big 12.

OVERALL

Eyioma Uwazurike is built like a nose guard, but he projects to handle a different role in the NFL.

Despite a massive 6'6" and 320-pound frame, Uwazurike wins primarily with his movement skills. He does not fire off the ball particularly well, which is tough to square with his quality jump testing at the NFL combine, but the rest of his athletic profile looks good on film.

Uwazurike flows comfortably across the line of scrimmage and has plenty of stop/start change of direction ability for a player his size. Whenever he gets free in space, he often has the speed and agility to finish plays. Those skills rarely translate to his pass-rushing reps, unfortunately, but the potential is there.

Uwazurike's anchor complicates his run defense profile. Though he strikes well with his hands and can overwhelm blockers that way, his lower body too often fails him. Uwazurike's base often gets out of whack, leading him to either lunge when he goes to strike or get completely knocked off-balance when offensive linemen latch onto him. That is likely part of why he did not primarily play over the center at Iowa State despite his frame.

Uwazurike is best when allowed to play on or over the tackle, which means he needs a base 3-4 front that will allow him to do so. He needs to work on being able to settle and anchor as well as find a pass-rushing play before moving into a starting role, but he has enough athleticism and run-defense savvy to find a rotational role within his first few years.

GRADE: 6.1 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 214

POSITION RANK: DL22

PRO COMPARISON: Bigger Christian Covington

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 302

HAND: 9 1/2"

ARM: 33 5'8"

WINGSPAN: 6'8"

40-YARD DASH: DNP

3-CONE: DNP

SHUTTLE: DNP

VERTICAL: DNP

BROAD: DNP

POSITIVES

— Short, stocky build helps him eat contact and anchor in the run game.

— Great first step. Explodes off the snap.

— Good quickness across the line of scrimmage. Can fire off into gaps with relative ease.

— Above-average agility and movement when working in space. Finishes plays.

— Flashes of great upper-body strength and power in his hands.

NEGATIVES

— Foot speed slows down when engaged. Base ends up out of whack.

— Plays sawed-off despite good length. Constantly leaning and chest-bumping.

— Hand usage needs work, both versus the run and pass. Would help unlock his strength.

— Not an effective 1-on-1 pass-rusher at this stage.

2021 STATISTICS

5 G, 17 TOT, 4.5 TFL, 1 SK

NOTES

— 3-star LB recruit in 2017. Listed at 235 pounds coming out of high school.

— Started the 2019 and 2021 seasons. Opted out of the 2020 season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Missed the second half of the 2021 season with an ACL injury.

OVERALL

Kalia Davis is a wrecking-ball-sized prospect with the power and explosiveness to be an intriguing developmental piece.

Davis plays exactly to the wrecking ball style that his short, round frame suggests. He flies off the ball with a commanding first step, allowing him either to shoot into adjacent gaps or bring the fight to offensive linemen right away. When paired with his flashes of outrageous upper-body strength, Davis has moments where he completely overwhelms offensive linemen upon engagement and knocks them into the backfield. From there, he typically has the movement skills in space to come off blocks and finish plays.

However, Davis still has a ways to go to complete his game. Right now, he struggles against the run when asked to do anything but fire off the ball and make a mess. Despite a thick frame and good strength, Davis can struggle to anchor in the run game as a result of a poor base. Likewise, when he has to work across the line of scrimmage while engaged with a blocker, he tends to leave his feet behind him and end up off-balance or stuck behind the flow of the play. Pair all of that with inconsistent hand usage, specifically issues with leaning and chest-bumping into blockers, and the end result is a prospect who will need a few years of work.

Davis has pass-rushing tools, but he similarly needs to develop his skills. His power and decent quickness give him the ability to win with raw athleticism at times, but he lacks a creative approach to pass-rushing at this stage. Davis will mostly be a pocket-pusher early on while he develops a better pass-rushing plan.

Davis is a good "guardrails" type of defensive tackle prospect. Just let him loose in one direction off the snap and allow his explosiveness to muck things up for the offense. With that said, Davis' technique is a work in progress, and he needs to find a more consistent anchor before blossoming into a full-time starter. He can be a quality rotational player and short-yardage defensive weapon right away while developing the skills to become a full-time starter.

GRADE: 6.3 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 185

POSITION RANK: DL17

PRO COMPARISON: Deadrin Senat

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 299

POSITIVES

— Good length. Enables him to engage first more often than not.

— Explosive first step. Can really get rolling off the ball.

— Quick, agile player. Regularly shoots across an OL's face or into an adjacent gap.

— Flashes of powerful hands. Jolts people back when he strikes clean.

— Fluid mover in space. Can finish plays in the backfield when he gets there.

NEGATIVES

— Too often comes out of his stance high and fails to regain leverage at any point.

— Footwork is lacking right now. False steps out of his stance regularly.

— Lower-body strength is not there yet. Struggles to hold ground versus the run or generate push as a pass-rusher.

— Overall pass-rushing effectiveness is limited to stunts and twists right now. Not a natural 1-on-1 winner.

— Needs to play faster. More athlete than football player right now.

2021 STATISTICS

12 G, 43 TOT, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 SK, 1 FF, 1 FR

NOTES

— Unrated recruit in 2016.

— Started a majority of the team's games since 2017.

— 2021 second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference.

OVERALL

Eric Johnson II is a fireball of athletic potential who will need time and refinement to grow into the NFL game.

Johnson is a stellar athlete for a 300-pounder. When he gets off the ball cleanly, he flies and overwhelms guards instantly with his explosiveness. He also has the side-to-side quickness to slash into adjacent gaps at will. He is also effective at turning his shoulders and flying across an offensive lineman's face to get into gaps further away. Whenever Johnson frees himself into space this well, he generally does well to move fluidly and find the ball-carrier.

Johnson's lone athletic question is his lower-body strength. Despite being explosive, he does not anchor well in the run game. He also struggles to drive through blockers in the passing game, leaving him rather limited as a pass-rusher when paired with his inconsistent and uninspired hand usage.

To take the next step, Johnson needs to work on his technique and awareness to facilitate his athleticism. He flashes great upper-body strength and punch, but he too often plays with slow hands and does not strike as cleanly as he could. Johnson's pad level is also wildly inconsistent coming out of his stance, and he struggles to regain leverage from there. His feet and eyes can be slow when working across the line of scrimmage while engaged, too, leaving him behind plays a bit too often.

Johnson fits as a gap-shooting 3-technique. Just let him loose. His flashes of explosion, fluidity and violence are a good fit for that role. However, he has to improve his technique and consistency, as well as find a consistent pass-rushing tool, before fully blooming into an NFL starter. Johnson should play sparingly early on while working to iron out his game, but the payoff for someone with his athletic tools could be excellent.

GRADE: 6.4 (High-level Developmental Prospect - 5th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 172

POSITION RANK: DL16

PRO COMPARISON: Kendall Reyes

Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen