2022 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebacker

4/27/22: In 2021, Hutchinson recorded 62 tackles, 14 sacks, three passes batted, a fumble recovered and two forced fumbles - another one was mistakenly given to a teammate. He was a steady pass rusher and a big presence for the Michigan defense. Even with the extra attention, Hutchinson was a consistent force to get after the quarterback, and Hutchinson helped teammate David Ojabo to have a breakout season across from him. Team sources view Hutchinson as being a safe pick to be a solid pro, but they don't see huge upside. They view Hutchinson as a solid double or triple, but not a grand slam.

Here's how a team's director of player personnel summarized Hutchinson, "I think he's a good athlete with speed and a pretty good get-off. I'm concerned with strength. He really doesn't want that smoke as a run defender. He wants to with suddenness and athletic ability as a run defender, moving and slanting. Hutchinson has issues holding up at point of attack. He's sufficient versus the run because he can find it and can win with quicks and athletic ability. But when they run right at him, it's alarming."

7/10/21: Hutchinson was excellent to open 2020, collecting 13 tackles and a pass batted before going down with an ankle fracture that required surgery. He broke out as a sophomore for the Wolverines as a tough defender who flashed pass-rush ability. In 2019, he had 68 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Hutchinson has good size for the next level in that he could be a base end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 five-technique defensive end. Improving his pass-rush production would help Hutchinson, but he is a phenomenal run defender who flashes an ability to get to the quarterback. He is quick at the point of attack and causes a lot of disruption behind the line of scrimmage.

4/27/22: Scouts were buzzing about Walker in the early going of the 2021 season, and he really helped move himself up boards for the 2022 NFL Draft. The junior put together an impressive 2021, including a number of games against good opponents in which he wreaked havoc. On the year, he had 34 tackles and five sacks, but he played much better than the numbers indicate.

Team sources say Walker is big, athletic and speedy. They feel is a well-rounded defender with a lot of upside and versatility. They feel he could add 10 pounds and be a speedy defensive tackle like DeForest Buckner, or drop 10 pounds and be a standup outside linebacker, or stay as is and be solid base end like Cam Jordan. Walker has the size to set the edge and is quick off the ball. He has risen during the 2022 NFL Draft process, and he will probably end up as one of the first players drafted. A number of NFL sources have Walker graded higher than Aidan Hutchinson.

4/27/22: Thibodeaux recorded 49 tackles, seven sacks, one pass batted and two forced fumbles in 2021, but he also spent much of the year dealing with a balky ankle. While Thibodeaux was solid, he didn't dominate on the field and he also showed a poor motor with taking plays off consistently. He missed a few games with the ankle injury and decided to skip Oregon's bowl game in favor of draft preparation. Thibodeaux was productive in 2021 despite playing at less than 100 percent and teams sending a steady amount of extra blocking his direction or moving plays away from him.

Team sources say Thibodeaux is worthy of being a high first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and feel he has the upside to possibly be a Khalil Mack-type rusher at the next level. Teams are worried, however, about how much Thibodeaux loves football and the focus he has on "his brand." Multiple sources from around the league say that Thibodeaux does not love football, wears on his teammates, and is focused on himself above all else. Sources say he bombed some interviews and team visits. All that being said, they feel his ego could drive him to be a good player as he wants to be a star.

7/10/21: Thibodeaux recorded 32 tackles, three sacks and three passes batted in 2020. He had a superb freshman season for the Ducks, doing an excellent job of getting after the quarterback and totaling nine sacks, 35 tackles, a forced fumble and three passes batted. It would help Thibodeaux (6-5, 242) to gain more strength, as he will need more weight to hold up as a run defender and to shed blocks from NFL offensive linemen. He has plenty of time to add weight and grow stronger over the next year.

4/27/22: Johnson totaled 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2021. He made big plays in run defense and the pass rush. Johnson was a high-effort player for the Seminoles, making a lot of stops in the ground game along with putting steady pressure on the quarterback. He further helped himself with an excellent week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

After his impressive practices in Mobile, more team evaluators think Johnson will go late in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Multiple NFL team sources say there isn't a significant difference between Johnson and top-10 picks like Aidan Hutchinson. Johnson does get hurt with teams giving him bad marks for football character and have concerns about dealing with him. Some sources say that Johnson's football character is worse than Kayvon Thibodeaux, and that played a role in Johnson leaving Georgia.

7/10/21: In 2020, Johnson was part of a loaded group of edge rushers at Georgia. Azeez Ojulari was the featured defender, while Johnson, Adam Anderson and Nolan Smith rotated for snaps. Anderson and Johnson both flashed, with Johnson recording four sacks and 14 tackles in backup duty. With Anderson and Smith returning to the Bulldogs, Johnson transferred to Florida State. Some NFL scouts gave Johnson a high projection on their preseason watch list. Johnson has good size and speed off the edge.

4/27/22: In 2021, Karlaftis recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles. He is an interesting player because team sources say he shows some ability as a pass rusher, including functional strength to get off blocks, but that does not translate to defending the run, where he needs to get stronger for the NFL. Karlaftis worked out well at the combine and interviewed well according to team sources. Some team sources view him as a mid-first-rounder while others think he belongs late in Round 1. They think he is safe pick to turn into a solid, if unspectacular, pro.

7/10/21: Karlaftis recorded four tackles and two sacks in 2020 while missing time with a leg injury. He broke out for the Boilermakers in 2019, totaling 7.5 sacks with 54 tackles in his debut. The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder has the upside to get better.

4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. He was impactful in Penn State's close wins over Wisconsin and Auburn. Ebiketie has size limitations for the NFL, but some team sources have compared him to Yannick Ngakoue. At the Senior Bowl, Ebiketie showed that he is a fast edge rusher with serious burst around the corner. Given his height and weight, however, Ebiketie is not a good fit as a hand-in-the-ground base end for a 4-3 defense. He would be better off as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

7/10/21: Ebiketie impressed NFL advance scouts with his 2020 performance while playing for the Temple Owls. He totaled 42 tackles with four sacks. For the NFL, Ebiketie is undersized to be a defensive end and probably would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/27/22: Mafe collected 34 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. He helped himself with a good week at the Senior Bowl and worked out well at the combine. If Mafe were taller and had more length, he would have a better shot at being first-round pick. He still could sneak into Round 1, but multiple team sources said they graded Mafe on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.

7/10/21: Mafe played well in the shortened 2020 season, totaling 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted. The NFL advance scouts listed Mafe as an outside linebacker, but at his size, he could grow into being a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. Mafe's best fit might come as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/27/22: Tragedy struck for Ojabo when he tore his Achilles during Michigan's pro-day workout. Given the timing, the injury could easily cause him to miss his rookie season. The injury also could cost Ojabo a spot in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a consensus first-rounder prior to the injury.

With Aidan Hutchinson commanding a lot of attention, Ojabo broke out in 2021, recording 35 tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and three passes defended. There is no doubt that Ojabo is very fast off the edge with the ability to bend underneath offensive tackles. Ojabo could stand to get better as a run defender for the NFL. He is a 1-year wonder who could find his best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Ojabo has the speed and strength to be a tough battle for pro offensive tackles. As a pass rusher, Ojabo can burn tackles with a speed rush, and he is explosive off the ball. Ojabo uses his hands and feet at the same, showing the ability to translate speed to power. He also flashes the agility to redirect to the inside or sink his hips while running the loop on the outside. Ojabo is superb at slapping at the ball while taking the quarterback down as well. His natural instincts to go for the strip sack are phenomenal.

4/27/22: Bonitto is an undersized edge rusher who has the speed to get after the quarterback. He notched seven sacks and 39 tackles in 2021. In 2020, Bonitto recorded 32 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two passes defended. He helped himself with a good workout at the combine.

Area scouts say Bonitto is undersized and has to show he can play in the stack. They expected him to test well, but they have concerns with his football I.Q. and background. They feel Bonitto is a tweener end/linebacker. Some scouts like Bonitto, but they are not in love.

4/27/22: Some in the media are projecting Thomas in the first round, but team sources said they don't have him that high. They feel he could have issues with strength holding up against inside runs, and they say Thomas is not overly twitchy or explosive. On the other hand, he was very productive in 2021, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Thomas had four sacks in 2020 and 5.5 in 2019. Thomas wisely accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, where he put together an okay performance.

4/27/22: In 2021, Barno had 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He was not as tenacious as a pass rusher. Barno must get stronger because his run defense is a real liability entering the NFL. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl, but he had an excellent combine with an ultra-fast 40-yard dash.

7/10/21: Barno has some serious speed with a frame to get bigger as he ages in the NFL. Barno broke out in 2020, recording 6.5 sacks with 43 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes batted. He could be even better now that he has a year of experience, and NFL advance scouts were impressed with his 2020 tape.

4/27/22: Sanders had a quality year for Bearcats even though he did not produce a big stat line. He totaled 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six passes broken up in 2021. Sanders did not stand out at the Senior Bowl.

7/10/21: In 2020 Sanders was a dangerous edge rusher for the Bearcats, notching seven sacks with 31 tackles and five passes batted. He had 40 tackles and four sacks in 2019. Sanders has speed and athleticism on the edge, but he needs to get stronger and fill out his frame. His best fit in the NFL could be as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/27/22: Smith had a slow start to the 2021 season, and his lack of pass-rush pressure really hurt Ohio State against Oregon and Minnesota. Smith started playing better afterward, including putting up a big game against Penn State. He didn't do enough in 2021 to be a riser and build momentum for the 2022 NFL Draft.

7/10/21: In limited action because of a lot of cancellations in 2020, Smith was solid. He started slowly, but he was coming alive in the final regular-season games for Ohio State. He made the right decision for his player development to go back to the Buckeyes for 2021. Smith needs to become a more consistent pass rusher this coming season.

4/27/22: Malone collected 94 tackles, nine sacks, four passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2021. He had a decent week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

7/10/21: Malone was a dangerous quarterback hunter over the past three seasons for the Hilltoppers. Along with getting after the quarterback, Malone was a solid pursuit run defender, providing a lot of tackles for his defense. In the NFL, Malone could be too undersized to play defensive end and might be better off as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/27/22: Wells recorded 51 tackles, an interception, four passes defended and 5.5 sacks in 2021. He could be a solid mid-rounder who has backup and special teams potential.

7/10/21: Wells was a solid linebacker for the Buffaloes over the past three seasons. He showed pass rush ability in 2018 and 2020 when he combined for 11 sacks over those two seasons. As a senior, it would help Wells to produce more in run defense and pass coverage.

4/27/22: Thomas played well for Oklahoma in 2021, getting after the quarterback. He notched 38 tackles, seven sacks, three passes batted and three forced fumbles on the year. Some team sources said they have Thomas graded on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft as a potential backup in the NFL.

7/10/21: Thomas enjoyed a breakout 2020 season, racking up 8.5 sacks with 32 tackles, 13 for a loss, two passes defended and one forced fumble. It was a big jump from his underclassmen years as a backup. Thomas has quality size to him to go along with speed and athleticism. Now that he has a year of experience, Thomas could be even better in 2021 and rise for the 2022 NFL Draft.

4/27/22: Johnson was a dangerous pass rusher for Texas A&M in 2021, recording 8.5 sacks and 31 tackles. He is very undersized for the NFL, however, making him look like a backup who might fit only as a designated pass rusher. Team sources say Johnson beat up on some bad tackles and really struggled against Alabama left tackle Evan Neal. They don't see freaky traits of speed and explosion to make up for Johnson's lack of size.

7/10/21: Johnson flashed some pass-rush ability in 2020, but he also illustrated limitations in the ground game. He could be more of a backup designated pass-rusher in the NFL. Johnson was wise to go back to school and improve before going to the next level.

Johnson contributed some pass rush in previous years, so he could rise now that he has some starting experience, plus he has a good end in Michael Clemons drawing attention on the other side. Johnson's best fit in the NFL could come as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

4/27/22: Anthony was playing well for LSU and on his way to a good season, but he suffered a non-contact knee injury versus Central Michigan that ended his 2021 season.

7/10/21: Anthony was a backup in 2018 and 2019 before earning playing time as a junior in 2020. He totaled 5.5 sacks with 24 tackles in a solid debut. Anthony will need to increase his pass-rush production and show improvement as a run defender to rise. He should benefit in 2021 from Ali Gaye commanding attention across from him.

4/27/22: Teams sources say Williams would be a first- or second-round pick if it weren't for significant character concerns that could cause him to go undrafted. They say that his tape and skill set are superb, but the off-the-field issues could push him down into the mid-rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft or lower. Williams was phenomenal in 2021 and one of the best defensive lineman in the nation. He had 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass defended on the year.

7/10/21: Williams had a solid 2020 season, showing run-stuffing skills and some ability to play in pass coverage. For the second straight year, Williams showed blitzing ability as well. He looks like a potential three-down starter in the NFL. Williams did a nice job of blitzing the quarterback off the edge in 2019, and he showed some nice ability to put pressure on the signal-caller. Similar to teammate Lakia Henry, Williams is a junior college product who could be better in his third season with Ole Miss.

4/27/22: Strachan did not stand out in 2021, recording only 23 tackles, an interception and three sacks.

7/10/21: Strachan broke out for Georgia State in 2020, really impressing NFL advance scouts. He showed dangerous edge-rushing ability, recording 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 41 tackles. It will be great to see how Strachan performs against better competition in the SEC and if he can play true outside linebacker. Strachan is undersized to be an every=down edge rusher in the NFL and will have to be an off-the-ball linebacker who rotates in as an edge rusher in obvious passing situations.

4/27/22: In the 2021 season opener, Allen went out for the year with a fractured foot.

7/10/21: During Alabama's undefeated season and National Championship run, Allen showed some ability to rush off the edge and had some timely rushes for the Crimson Tide. In his first season of extended playing time, Allen had five sacks, two forced fumbles and 33 tackles. It will be interesting to see if Allen can build on his resume now that he some additional experience.

4/27/22: Charlton was decent for Mississippi State in 2021 with 35 tackles and four sacks.

7/10/21: Charlton was a solid defender for Central Florida in 2020. He decided to transfer to Mississippi State after the season. Charlton has the ability to be a capable edge defender, but needs to get stronger. He also has to up his pass-rush production with the Bulldogs.

4/27/22: Anderson was charged with rape in November and turned himself into the police. He has vehemently denied the accusation, and some team sources believe Anderson is innocent and could get acquitted. If Anderson is exonerated, he could return to being an early-round pick, but right now, it looks like he would be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent until his legal situation is resolved. Anderson had an impressive pro-day workout, and his lawyer is seeking the dismissal of the charges.

Multiple team sources who said they had spoken to recent Georgia staffers and recent former teammates of Anderson all reported those around the Bulldogs program were surprised and didn't believe he was that kind of guy. He had the reputation of being a good guy and teammate. As Deshaun Watson and others have proven, however, nobody knows for sure what people will do privately. Some team sources are wondering about the timing as the incident occurred the night before the Georgia game versus Florida. Sources are wondering why Anderson was at home and not at the team hotel. They wonder and question if he snuck out after curfew and bed check, so Anderson's situation is a huge mess for his draft stock. If he is innocent, this could be a situation like La'el Collins', where a first-round talent becomes a late-round steal.

In 2021, Anderson totaled 32 tackles and five sacks despite limited opportunities. He was a dynamic pass rusher and showed improved run defense. Anderson looked significantly better against the run in the games against Arkansas and Kentucky. Early on, WalterFootball.com caught up with a director of college scouting from a playoff team that is one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, and here is what they had to say about Anderson prior to the off-the-field trouble:

"Talk about holding a guy back; Georgia is definitely doing that. You're correct in his get-off being reminiscent of Von Miller at Texas A&M. Anderson should be a top-10 or top-15 pick if he keeps playing like he did against Clemson.

"He's only 230 pounds and really struggles to add weight because of a high metabolism. That's why Georgia says they don't start him. [Shrug emoji]"

A director of player personnel sent the following on Anderson earlier in the year: "I think he's a first-rounder; I haven't done enough tape to finalize how high, but he has all the traits."

Not all evaluators were high on Anderson because of him being a backup and rotational player. Here is what one area scout said about Anderson around the same time, "I think he goes in the first, but I wouldn't take him in the first because of his run defense and he's just a designated pass rusher. He is a freak athlete though and a special pass rusher. He is going to be freak at the combine and pro day. I wouldn't take a guy that high that isn't a three-down starter, but someone will take him up there though."

7/10/21: Some NFL advance scouts had Anderson with the highest preseason grade of any player on their preseason watch list. That tells you a lot about what they think of Anderson's skill set considering he enters his senior year having only been a rotational player and never having been a three-down starter. In 2020 as a part-time designated pass rusher, Anderson was tremendous at putting heat on the quarterback, collecting 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted. He only recorded 14 tackles for the season, however, because Azeez Ojulari played over him on run downs.

Anderson is tremendous pass rusher who produces quarterback pressure at an insane rate. Anderson looks like a bolt of lightning off the ball with his amazing first-step. Off the snap, it is as if he has been shot out of cannon as he explodes upfield with shocking speed. On top of being very fast, Anderson shows an uncanny ability to bend his long frame. The 6-foot-4, 226-pounder needs to get stronger and improve his run defense for the NFL, but he looks like he has the potential to be a lethal pass rusher who produces some big sack totals and makes a lot of game-changing plays to limit passing attacks.