The NFL 2022 Scout Factory kicks off in Indianapolis this week with interviews with head coaches and general managers. The festivities begin later in the week, with prospects in each group of positions taking part in field tests and training. Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com, Chris Trapaso and I answered some of the biggest questions of the week.
1. What prospect will explode in the plant?
Wilson: “I can’t take credit for that, but I talked to our man at CBS Sports HQ, two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden, and he referred me to (UTSA cornerback Tariq) Woolen, who was at the Senior Bowl and more than single. But he is 6 feet 4, 205 pounds and not only is smooth in his movements, but has a chance to burn the time 40. Let’s put it this way: If you run at a high 4.3 seconds. this will be considered a disappointment. “
Trapaso: “Rightly, the focus of the safety spot is on Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame. And if he trains, it will be a show. But (Penn State security Jaquan) Brisker will prove to be quite a big, fast and athletic specimen of the safe place, thus continuing the recently formed tradition of Nittany Lion products erupting in the plant. “
Edwards: “Washington’s Cornerback Killer Gordon must test very well. I expect him to fight for the fastest player in Indianapolis. If he manages to show his speed and skills, then he will rise to a regular player in the first round of predictions. . ”
2. Who will run the fastest?
Wilson: Woolen will be in the mix. In the history of the plant we have had 13 players who broke 4.3 and there is a chance that this will happen again this week. In addition to Woolen, Calvin Austin from Memphis will also take part in the conversation. There will also be LSU cornerback Derek Stingley, who ran in the 4.3 range in high school. We also heard that Dax Hill from Michigan can measure the weather well. “
Trapaso: “Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis – nine-time US track champion. American on the Memphis track team. He will weigh under 180 pounds. He will fly.”
Edwards: “I will say Woolen. There is a lot of noise that he will test very well. Coming from UTSA, he is a bit off the radar for the average fan, but NFL teams are intrigued by his combination of size and speed. The combine is his moment to explode on the national stage. “
3. Which perspective under the radar should be named after the combine?
Wilson: “I guess I’ll keep mentioning Woolen until we all agree he’s a famous name. (WR) Christian Watson of North Dakota retired from the Senior Bowl, as did Jalen Tolbert of South Alabama. On the other side of the ball, midfielder Chad Muma from Wyoming and Troy Andersen from Montana are other names to watch out for. “
Trapaso: “In the movie (Oklahoma LB Brian) Asamoah is a lightning bolt in football and he was one of the most stable defenders in the Senior Bowl. Will it destroy blockers pulling to the next level? Not usually. But he is incredibly fast and shaky. The world watching football will see how explosive it is in Indianapolis this week. “
Edwards: “Georgia’s Quay Walker is built as a superhero and must move as such. There is a rumor that he will test as one of the best prospects for the pound. In an era where NFL teams value the speed of the defender’s position and the ability to move unencumbered from the side to the sideline, Walker should be desired by many. “
4. Which quarterback will move up after the combine?
Wilson: “We haven’t heard much from (Ole Miss QB) Matt Coral since the end of the season because he didn’t qualify for the Senior Bowl. If he has a good 40 times and interviews well, he will immediately return to the QB1 mix. As for the non-standard QB to watch: Caleb Elebi from Western Michigan is a fun player (he beat Pete at Heinz Field in the fall) and I like him more than I thought when I watched his tape. “
Trapaso: “Skyler Thompson, QB, Kansas – The challenge is to draw the main conclusions of the quarterback position from their work at the plant. But the impressive training in time / measured training is a long way, especially in today’s NFL, which asks more quarterback in Athletic plan. Thompson was a dynamic scrambler and a designed type of runner for the Wildcats and has a living hand.
Edwards“My first answer would be Thompson and my second would be Elebi. Instead of trying to add extra flavor, I’ll break up with Thompson. He’s a good athlete with quarterback developmental traits.”
5. Who needs a huge combine the most to save / increase their stocks?
Wilson: “Hopefully (defensive end of Texas A&M) Demarvin Leel is retiring. His tape was up and down in ’21, but he can’t deny his physical instruments. He just needs to use those instruments more consistently. He regularly he appeared in my fake drafts back in the fall, but I have to admit, I was waiting for him to turn it on. That didn’t happen, and although NFL teams are in love with his potential, he never materialized. this week in Indie, blowing up the doors of training and here’s hoping he’ll do just that. “
Trapaso: “Okay, (Oregon Ultimate Rocher Caivon) Thibodeau is not at risk of falling on the night of the draft. However, there are some questions about his maturity and intentions in his football career. Unreasonable or not, it affects his shares. “Thibodeau can shift the focus back to what he is capable of on the field in a star drill combine.”
Edwards: “LSU Korgback Derek Stingley Jr. was my initial response, but it was announced on Monday that he would wait until his Pro Day to perform. If he brought out numbers like Rashan Gary, knowing Walker was better player at this stage of Gary, then it is reasonable to believe that he could be taken earlier than number 12 in general, when Gary was elected “
Complete list of 324 potential customers invited to the NFL Combine 2022