Monday Morning Draft is back! This is a column that delves into the past weekend’s action from an NFL Draft perspective. As the season goes on, the draft picture and slotting will become more clear, but every Sunday will provide a few hints for next April.
By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Race for the No. 1 Pick:
Detroit Lions: The Lions had a bye this week, but they their hold on the top pick grew stronger thanks to wins by the Jaguars and Dolphins. A few weeks ago, Detroit played the Rams tough on the road before Los Angeles pulled away in the fourth quarter. While the Lions are 0-8, they had some bad breaks and lost to some crazy long field goals – Baltimore, Minnesota. Detroit has played better than the Texans, so it would not surprise me if the Lions win a few games in the back half of the year and end up picking high but not first overall.
Detroit is deep in rebuilding mode after previous general manager Bob Quinn and previous head coach Matt Patricia did a terrible job of drafting. It will take some time for Detroit to rebuild the roster new general manager Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell inherited. Hence, it could be a long year for the Lions, but Holmes is a phenomenal talent evaluator who will build a talented team, and the Lions are playing really hard for Campbell. This year is going to be painful, but Detroit has the staff to build a winner.
If the Lions land the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, what they do with it will depend on how Jared Goff plays this season. If Goff plays well enough, they could maybe trade down for a big package of picks. If Goff struggles, they could replace him with the top quarterback. Detroit has two first-round picks in each of the next two drafts, so the franchise already has good resources thanks to the haul that Holmes landed for Matthew Stafford. If the Lions don’t take a quarterback, wide receiver and edge rusher could be the top considerations.
Houston Texans: The Dolphins and the Texans had a competition over which team was more inept at the game of football, and the Texans stunk worse falling to 1-8 on the season. A few weeks ago, the Texans came close to their second win of the season, but the Patriots won thanks to horrible special teams play by Houston. Clearly, the Texans are one of the worst teams in the NFL and they are paying the price for Bill O’Brien ruining one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. With Deshaun Watson on his way out of town, finding the long-term franchise quarterback is the priority for Houston.
Top General Manager Candidates:
Top Head Coach Candidates:
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
This section will look at some of the top talent in college football and match those prospects up with teams that have a dire need at the position.
Miami Dolphins: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama 
Miami’s defense intercepted Tyrod Taylor three times and supported Jacoby Brissett to get a win over a bad Houston team. The Dolphins’ offense struggled, with Myles Gaskin running for only 34 yards on 20 carries. Miami’s running back position has been a weakness for many years, and the team needs a long-term answer to provide more production in the ground game.
Robinson is having a breakout 2021 season, averaging 4.7 yards per carry for 724 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has 18 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns as well. Robinson (6-1, 225) has quickness and a burst to get to the second level along with surprising athleticism and agility in the passing game for a big back. This season, Robinson has been a real riser with pro teams.
Sources say they there is a lot to like about Robinson. “He has low mileage,” said a director of player personnel. “He’s athletic, instinctive, and has size and power. Right now, he’s our top-rated back.” High in the second round, Robinson could be a good value for the Dolphins.
Cleveland Browns: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama Odell Beckham Jr. is done in Cleveland, and the team’s lack of receiving talent was visible even though it beat Cincinnati by 25. The Browns didn’t have a single receiver record three receptions, and aside from Donvoan Peoples-Jones, they didn’t have a receiver produce 30 yards through the air. In the offseason, the Browns need to add more playmaking receivers for Baker Mayfield.
The Ohio State transfer Williams has been an electric playmaker for the Crimson Tide this season, averaging 19.3 yards per catch for 870 yards and seven touchdowns over 45 catches. The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Williams has quality height and explosive speed alongside suddenness and a burst that catches defensive backs by surprise. Williams has put himself in contention to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Late in Round 1, Williams could be a good fit for the Browns.
Baltimore Ravens: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State 
After the Vikings jumped out to a big lead, the Ravens made a huge comeback thanks to Lamar Jackson putting them on his back once again. This offseason, Baltimore needs to add more offensive line talent to protect Jackson and create more consistency to the ground game. Walker could be a good right tackle in the NFL and a solid value last in the first round in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Walker had a mixed outing against Wisconsin in the 2021 season opener, but he played better against Auburn. The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder is a large offensive tackle with further potential to improve as he gains experience. He could end up being a tough run blocker and reliable pass protector. Walker has a good skill set with size, speed and athleticism. He needs to eliminate, however, his tendency to bend at the waist and lunge after defenders. That leads to him having issues in pass protection at times, but the skill set is there for Walker to be a good pro. Late in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he could be a good value for the Ravens as a bookend to go with Ronnie Stanley.
New England Patriots: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State 
The Patriots cruised over Carolina thanks to Bill Belichick once again getting the better of Sam Darnold. New England’s wide receivers were dreadful however. Rhamondre Stevenson led the Patriots in receiving yards with 44, and no Patriots player had even four catches. New England has the worst set of wide receivers in the NFL, and the team needs to devote multiple picks to upgrading the talent at the position. Taking Olave in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft could make sense as a dynamic route-runner who is a good fit for the New England offense.
In 2021, Olave has 42 catches for 623 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has shown off his excellent speed, route-running, and smooth athleticism. Olave caught 50 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in 2020. The Buckeyes had other good receiving talent with more experience during 2019, but Olave (6-0, 182) became their most dynamic receiving playmaker that season with 49 receptions for 849 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a big-time point producer and looked like he was just getting started. Olave has quality height and the speed to get downfield. He would be a plug-and-play upgrade for the Patriots.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas 
The Jaguars pulled off a shocking upset in Jacksonville, knocking off the Bills 9-6. The Jacksonville defense came up with a huge performance to keep Buffalo out of the end zone and produce some huge stops in the clutch. Clearly, the Jaguars need more receiving talent for Trevor Lawrence. Marvin Jones is an aging veteran and not a long-term answer, while D.J. Chark is heading for free agency. Even if Laviska Shenault pans out, Jacksonville needs more receiving weapons for Lawrence and a player who can make plays in the red zone.
Burks has 48 receptions for 799 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021. In 2020, he made 51 receptions for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Burks is a big possessional receiver for the next level. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is tough, physical, and dangerous after the catch. Burks is a phenomenal jump ball receiver who uses his height, strength, and frame to get good position, and he shows an innate ability to high point the ball and then strong hands to make acrobatic leaping grabs. If Burks runs fast times in workouts before the 2022 NFL Draft, that would really help him. He would be a nice first-round pick for Jacksonville.
New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame 
The Giants were able to top the Raiders thanks to some key blunders by Las Vegas that gifted the game to New York. Giants free safety Xavier McKinney had an excellent game with two interceptions, but the team was hurt by a lack of talented depth at linebacker and free safety. Raiders Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake and Darren Waller all hurt the New York defense, and the Giants were fortunate to keep those three out of the end zone on numerous drives deep into Giants territory. Hamilton would be an excellent value and addition with one of New York’s first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Hamilton is a dynamic playmaker and difference maker. He has phenomenal size, speed and athleticism to go along with instincts and intelligence. With his size and tackling ability, Hamilton is a highly impactful run defender who flies downhill and is capable of being the eighth man in the box. Hamilton’s speed and range can also allow him to serve as a free safety who locks down the deep part of the field. He also has man-coverage ability on tight ends. The only thing Hamilton does not look exceptional at is man coverage on slot receivers, but he has the skill set and upside to be one of the best safeties in the NFL.
Hmilton has totaled 31 tackles, three interceptions and three passes defended so far in 2021. He has missed a few games sinc suffering a knee injury while tackling USC’s Drake London. Hamilton totaled 56 tackles, an interception and six passes broken up in 2020. He put together an excellent freshman season for Notre Dame, showing good ball skills with four interceptions and six passes broken up to go along with 41 tackles. If the Giants take Hamilton in the 2022 NFL Draft, he and Xavier McKinney could form the best safety tandem in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts: Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Penn State The Indianapolis offense absolutely dominated the Jets on Thursday night, rushing for over 250 yards and getting a strong performance from Carson Wentz through the air. The Colts’ defense, however, almost allowed New York back into the game after backup quarterback Josh johnson relieved the injured Mike White and threw for over 300 yards. The Indianapolis defense has had some issues in coverage this season, and the roster could use more young cornerback talent.
Castro-Fields has played well in coverage thus far in 2021, recording 24 tackles and six passes defended. He had a couple of rough plays against Auburn from eye-discipline issues, but those are correctable. Versus the Ohio State tandem of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Castro-Fields had an impressive performance, limiting those future NFL starters. Castro-Fields’ best season came in 2019 when he had 52 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes broken up. He only played in three games in 2020 before going out for the season with an injury.
Castro-Fields (6-0, 197) has good size and the speed to run well in pre-draft workouts, so he could be a riser during the process leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. Showing health and durability will important for him as a senior, but he has an excellent skill set to be an early-rounder. Castro-Fields is big, fast, capable of running the route to prevent separation, and has some ball skills. He does everything well and has no real holes in his on-field performance.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand in regards to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills: Entering the 2021 season, the Bills were my preseason Super Bowl pick for the AFC, and it still would not be a surprise if Buffalo gets to Los Angeles in February. The Bills loss to the Jaguars on Sunday was a fluke, and There are some fluke games to be disregarded every season. Buffalo has a talented team with depth, good coaching, a stud quarterback, and young legs to lean on. If the Bills don’t win the Super Bowl this year, they have a big window of opportunity with quarterback Josh Allen and an excellent front office that is consistently drafting well to build up the roster. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane, assistant general manager Joe Schoen, and assistant director of player personnel Terrance Gray are doing a tremendous job.
In my latest mock 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Bills taking Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam, and they have been interested in adding more cornerback talent across from Tre’Davious White. Buffalo was eyeing Eric Stokes in the first round last year before Green Bay snatched him away, but the 2022 NFL Draft is deep at corner. Elam would be a superb No. 2 for Buffalo because he is a well-rounded corner who does a good job of running the route to prevent separation. He would be an ideal partner to pair with White. Other first-round options for the Bills at cornerback include Penn State’s Tariq Castro-Fields, Washington’s Trent McDuffie, Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner and Alabama’s Josh Jobe. Obviously, Buffalo won’t be picking high enough for LSU’s Derek Stingley.
At the end of the first round, the Bills could land the top running back in the 2022 NFL Draft because top runners are commonly projected to be second-round picks. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have flashed at times for Buffalo, but neither one has locked down the position as a three-down starter and difference maker. In the first or second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bills could target a feature back like Alabama’s Brian Robinson, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller or Georgia’s Zamir White. Any of those three would offer some power, athleticism and quickness.
The Bills could consider help at linebacker if Tremaine Edmunds is not signed to an extension. In the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft there could be some quality options for Buffalo, including LSU’s Damone Clark, Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown, Alabama’s Christian Harris and Clemson’s James Skalski.
Buffalo has the luxury of a strong roster that could allow the organization to truly select the best player available regardless of position throughout the 2022 NFL Draft. That would let the team continue to add quality young talents who improve depth.
With Beane and his excellent scouts leading their drafts, it would not be surprising if Buffalo ends up winning a Super Bowl championship in the near future because they have done a magnificent job of loading up the Buffalo roster. Now, Sean McDermott and the players need to finish the job on the field.
New York Jets: The Jets fell to 2-6 on the season after getting destroyed by the Colts on Thursday Night Football. The Jets are a young, so they were expected to have success on the field this year. Seeing progress out of young players and promising signs of the future with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson were the goals to show the team is headed in the right direction. Unfortunately for Jets general manager Joe Douglas and new head coach Robert Saleh, those signs have not been visible, with Wilson struggling overall before getting hurt and other young players failing to break out. Fortunately for the Jets, they are loaded with picks for the 2022 NFL Draft, so they have a great opportunity to fill needs and upgrade the talent on their roster.
The Jets enter the offseason with some clear needs. They have to get more edge-rush talent, and losing Carl Lawson for the year during the preseason was a killer for them. Even if Lawson comes back in his pre-injury form, New York could use an edge rusher across from him. The team needs a couple of cornerbacks, safety help, a tight end, a running back, and some interior offensive line help.
In my latest mock 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Jets taking Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, who would be a great fit for Saleh. Hamilton is one of the top talents for the 2022 NFL Draft, and New York needs a difference maker at safety to replace impending free agent Marcus Maye. It sounds like Maye will leave, and Hamilton could be a difference maker on the back end of the Jets’ defense as a do-it-all safety. Hamilton is a playmaker who is a threat to pick off passes, is superb at stopping the run, can play free safety or strong safety, and can handle some man coverage on tight ends. Hamilton looks like he has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the NFL early in his pro career.
New York also needs multiple cornerbacks to upgrade the roster, so LSU’s Derek Stingley deserves a lot of consideration as a top-10 target. Later in the first round, the Jets could consider corners like Penn State’s Tariq Castro-Fields, Washington’s Trent McDuffie, Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner, Alabama’s Josh Jobe and Florida’s Kaiir Elam. There also should be solid cornerback options available in the second round and the Jets have multiple second-round picks to help fill needs.
The 2022 NFL Draft looks strong for edge-rushing talent, so the Jets could have some nice options to consider in the first round. In my latest mock 2022 NFL Draft, I have the Jets taking Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson at the end of the top 10 with the pick they received from the Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade. Johnson is a dangerous pass rusher and tough run defender who has been super productive this season. He’d be a great fit in Saleh’s scheme across from Lawson and next to Quinnen Williams.
Aside from Johnson, New York could consider other pass rushers like Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, Purdue’s George Karlaftis, Georgia’s Travon Walker and Georgia’s Adam Anderson – depending on Anderson’s legal situation. The Jets probably won’t be picking high enough for Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Jets also could stand to add some talent to help their young quarterback. A second-round running back like Alabama’s Brian Robinson, Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller or Georgia’s Zamir White would be a nice addition to help Wilson with more punch in the running game.
Another position that the Jets could consider finding an upgrade at is tight end. Texas A&M’s Jalen Wydermyer looks like the top tight end prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft because he is an excellent route-runner with size, quickness and athleticism. Landing the No. 1 tight end in the 2022 NFL Draftraft at the top of the second round could be a good value pick for New York.
The Jets could also consider some interior offensive line help with one of their second-round picks. They could have a number of good options to consider who have the potential to be plug-and-play starters. LSU’s Ed Ingram or LSU’s Chasen Hines would be great scheme fits and second-round players to target. Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green could be a late first-round pick, but the Jets might be able to nab him high in Round 2. After taking a guard in the top half of the first round last year, however, New York probably needs to use its top three picks on other positions.
The Jets have a roster with a lot of holes in it, and upgrading their defense is a critical need. The recent games against the Patriots and the Colts gave proof those issues. This is a huge offseason for Joe Douglas. He bet his job on Zach Wilson, and nailing the 2022 NFL Draf is critical to improving the team around Wilson. The pressure is on the Jets, and they must be significantly improved next season. The 2022 NFL Draft could be make or break for providing proof that the franchise is on the right track.
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