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
Lewis Cine, S, Georgia Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and defensive end Travon Walker helped themselves with excellent combine performances, but they weren’t the only ones, as Cine had an amazing few days in Indianapolis. Cine did well in the workout, and he was a star in the meeting room. Teams loved his football IQ, instincts, character, and leadership potential. Some scouts have called Cine is one of their favorite players in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Cole Kelley, QB, Southeastern Louisiana Kelley (6-7, 249) helped himself at the combine, where he showed off a big arm to go along with his big size. In 2021, Kelley completed 74 percent of his passes for 5,124 yards, 44 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. After his strong performance in Indianapolis, Kelley could be a third-day pick who gets consideration as a developmental backup.
Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA Dulcich (6-4, 243) went from walk-on to being a good tight end for the Bruins and ultimately a second-day prospect for the 2022 NFL Draft. In 2021, he took 42 receptions for 725 yards and five touchdowns. Dulcich flashed in 2020 with 26 catches for 517 yards and five scores. He is a smooth athlete with quickness, route-running, and receiving potential for the NFL. With some development, Dulcich could become a three-down starter.
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State The Tampa, Florida native Watson was a good player for the Bison, but he set his draft stock on fire with an excellent Senior Bowl. To continue an excellent postseason, Watson had a superb combine, including an electric time 40 of 4.36 seconds and good numbers in the jumps. In Mobile, the 6-foot-4, 211-pounder showed good speed and run-after-the-catch ability to go along with mismatch size.
Watson caught 43 passes in 2021 for 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown with 114 yards on 15 carries. Watson showed big-play ability in 2020 – 24.3 yards per catch – and 2019 – 21.5 yards per catch. After his impressive week in Mobile and combine showing in Indianapolis, Watson looks like a late first-round or early second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Nick Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State The Buckeyes left tackle had a good workout at the combine, but he continues to go under the radar with the media. Petit-Frere is a good athlete with size and athletic upside. Even though he hails from a high-profile program, Petit-Frere has not been getting many first-round projections. Still, multiple NFL team sources believe Petit-Frere could be a late first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
“We have him as an early second,” said an AFC director of college scouting. “He has solid upside, so I could see him going late one though.” Sources from three different teams said they had him as an early second-rounder but thought he could end up going late in the first round.
Scott Nelson, S, Wisconsin Nelson helped himself with an excellent pro day, showing some serious serious speed with a 4.38-second time in the 40-yard dash and a superb 10-yard split of 1.48 seconds. He also had good numbers in the vertical jump – 39.5 -, broad jump – 10-6 – , and a three-cone-drill time of 6.62 seconds. Nelson also put up 14 reps on the bench press. In 2021, Nelson recorded 50 tackles, an interception and five passes defended. He could be a third-day pick who is a valuable special teams contributor with upside to develop into a starting caliber player.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama While Robinson played well in 2021, he was not a standout at the Senior Bowl or the combine. As a result, Robinson has been passed up as the top consensus back for the 2022 NFL Draft by Iowa State’s Breece Hall. Robinson is in danger of sliding to the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft due to his underwhelming postseason.
Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M Wydermyer had a disastrous combine performance that could make him a mid-round pick in a few weeks. Team sources say Wydermyer really struggled with football IQ in the team meetings at the combine, and then he had a disappointing field workout with dropped passes. Wydermyer has been passed as the top tight end for the 2022 NFL Draft and could end up being a third- or fourth-round pick.
Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech The Hokies ballhawk had a poor workout at the combine, running slow times despite having an undersized frame. Waller needs to get stronger and add more weight to take on pro receivers. After his rough showing in Indianapolis, Waller will probably be a third-day pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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