This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2022 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2022 NFL Draft Stock Up
Drake London, WR, USC London is a bit of a love/hate prospect between different scouts. The evaluators who don’t like London feel his speed is average at best and that he will struggle to get open enough in the NFL. The scouts who like London call him a cross between Keenan Allen and Mike Evans. They feel London is a good route-runner, who is surprisingly effective at uncovering for a big guy, and has good suddenness and feel for his size. Despite London’s season-ending broken ankle, some sources think London could still be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky Robinson has been phenomenal for Kentucky in 2021, catching 94 passes for 1,164 yards and seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder transferred from Nebraska after the 2020 season and took the SEC by storm. Some team sources feel Robinson is a better version of Brandin Cooks. Like Cooks, Robinson is an outside speed receiver who is a threat to burn defenses vertically. Robinson is similar to Tyreek Hill, but just not as fast. Some sources think Robinson could be a better version of Cooks in the NFL.
Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech Smith has been a solid starter at guard for the Hokies during his college career. He has a strong frame and the bulk to be a tough blocker in the ground game. Improving his pass protection and ability to handle speed rushers could lead to him carving out an NFL career.
Luke Geodeke, OT, Central Michigan Goedeke missed the 2020 season due to injury, but he has come back to put together a solid senior year that earned him a Senior Bowl invitation. Goedeke has been a starter at right tackle, and that could be his best fit for the next level. Performing well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones in Mobile could help Goedeke to rise.
Spencer Burford, OT/G, UTSA Burford has been a standout for UTSA the past three seasons, playing well enough to earn a Senior Bowl invitation. Over the past three seasons, Burford has shown his versatility by starting at left tackle, right tackle, and guard. His best fit in the NFL might come inside at guard. Burford, however, could be a valuable game-day backup with his ability to provide depth at both tackle and guard.
Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota After suffering a season-ending injury in 2020, Waletzko returned to the field in 2021 and played well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Waletzko broke into the starting lineup during his freshman season in 2018. Waletzko could help himself by playing up to the better competition in Mobile.
Dylan Parham, G, Memphis Parham has played right tackle and right guard as a senior. He has put togete a solid career for the Tigers, showing impressive quickness, athleticism, and reliable blocking. Given how undersized he is, however, moving to center could be his best option for the NFL. If Parham were to stay at guard, he would have to get stronger and add weight to his frame.
Max Mitchell, OT, La.-Lafayette Mitchell has started at left and right tackle for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2021, earning all Sun Belt Conference accolades. The senior has played wellm helping to protect Levi Lewis, and La.-Lafayette has had a lot of success running the ball behind Mitchell over the past few seasons. For the NFL, Mitchell (6-6, 299) could be a swing tackle backup, but it would help him to get stronger for taking on NFL defensive lineman.
Mick Zakelj, OT, Fordham Zakelj (6-5, 325) was a solid left tackle for Fordham over the past three seasons, and his dependable play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Alongside his size, Zakelj has the height, length and bulk for the NFL. If Zakelj struggles on the edge, he could kick inside to guard.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Penn State Castro-Fields had a lot of buzz with evaluators entering the season, but his play dropped off and he had a rough year. Specifically, Castro-Fields needs to improve at not biting on double moves and improve his eye discipline. He has a good skill set, so he could help himself in pre-draft workouts, but his final season of tape was extremely disappointing. Castro-Fields is getting labelled with the dreaded “underachiever” criticism.
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