Early 2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Defense takes the stage
Wide Receiver. 21. player. 848. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Purdue. David Bell
Stop if you’ve heard this before. Purdue has a dynamic wide receiver who put up great numbers as a freshman. David Bell is a dynamic playmaker who also flashes some ability to win in contested spots with great body control. He could be in for a massive junior campaign in 2021.
872. TCU. Cornerback. Tre'vius Hodges-Tomlinson. 22. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
He’s undersized, sure (currently listed at 5’9″, 177 pounds), but Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has already gotten plenty of buzz for the 2022 NFL Draft. He possesses great instincts in coverage, is willing to stick his nose in the run game, and has great ball production (13 pass breakups in 2020).
Running Back. Iowa State. 837. Breece Hall. 23. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Breece Hall had a dominant sophomore campaign, leading the Iowa State Cyclones to a Big 12 championship appearance and a Fiesta Bowl win with 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns. While he is an upright runner, Hall has great vision, quick processing skills, and can pick up yards after contact.
Scouting Report. 24. 829. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. Alabama. John Metchie III. player
Another Alabama receiver? Yes indeed. John Metchie III has the potential to be a first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He will likely put up insane numbers in 2021. Metchie has good hand usage to create some space and is savvy when winning vertically. He needs to work on catching through contact, but he has a well-rounded game.
Pick Analysis. Tyler Linderbaum. player. 25. 878. Scouting Report. Center. Iowa
Tyler Linderbaum is a little undersized for the center position (289 pounds), but are we really going to bet against an Iowa offensive lineman? Linderbaum has great hand usage, initial quicks, and is nearly always in a great position to maintain leverage.
Scouting Report. 26. player. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Ohio State. Zach Harrison. 812
He’s yet to put together a productive season together on the stat sheet, but Ohio State edge rusher Zach Harrison has the tools to put it together in 2021. He’s the type of high upside, toolsy player that teams go after in the first round.