This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2022 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Up
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama Some team sources believe Williams would be the top receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft and a potential top-10 pick if he were healthy. While Williams is coming off a torn ACL in the National Championship, he is said to be ahead of schedule in his rehab and believes that he will be ready for the start of his rookie season. Williams appears to be safe as a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida The Florida power back has had an excellent offseason overall, starting off with a dominant week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Pierce then worked out well at the pro day, and a number of teams are showing a lot of interest in him. He could end up being a steal on Day 2 because he has the skill set to be a future three-down starter.
Kalia Davis, DT, Central Florida Davis did not assemble big production in college, but he has received some late buzz for the 2022 NFL Draft. His best season came in 2019, when he totaled 27 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. Davis skipped the 2020 season, and started five games in 2021 before going out with a torn ACL. The former linebacker has shown potential for playing three-technique, given the 2022 NFL Draft’s weak class of interior defensive linemen, Davis has risen.
Marcus Jones, CB, Houston The diminutive corner has generated a lot of pre-draft visits leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. According to NFL sources, teams are interested in Jones mostly as a returner and feel he could be an excellent special teams contributor. They feel he is not as impressive as a cornerback, but he could carve out a role in the NFL as a backup corner who is the lead returner.
Nick Cross, S, Maryland Cross was a solid defender for Maryland over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. As a sophomore, he collected 45 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. Cross was then solid in the shortened 2020 season with 23 stops, an interception and three passes broken up. Cross put together his best season as a senior, recording 66 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, five passes defended and three interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder has good size to be a potential strong safety in the NFL.
2022 NFL Draft Stock Down
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia Dean had a phenomenal 2021 season to help the Bulldogs win a National Championship, but he has been reeling this offseason. Dean did not work out at the combine because he was dealing with an injury, and he did not look right at his pro day. He admirably worked out, but was not in normal shape and did not impress evaluators in the workout. The Georgia staff has let scouts know that Dean did not have fast 40 times, but he obviously played fast. Dean (5-11, 220) also is an undersized linebacker. Given the way linebackers fall in NFL drafts, Dean could end up being a late first-round pick in 2022 NFL Draft. There is a possibility he could slip to Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson Booth was on the bubble of the first and second round before it was revealed that he needs hernia surgery. While he is expected to be ready for the season, having the surgery late in the process will hurt him with the teams that make it a point to avoid drafting players with medical red flags. Booth shouldn’t fall out of the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but his chances of going in the first round have taken a hit due to the surgery.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
