2022 NFL Draft notebook: Ohio State’s dynamic duo and more
By John Blair
Most underrated: Elijah Cooks, Nevada
A wide receiver who is definitely being overlooked as we go into the 2021 season is Nevada’s Elijah Cooks. The main reason why people are looking past him is due to the shoulder injury that limited to just two catches last season. However, when you watch his 2019 film you see a big wide receiver who shows impressive athletic ability. If Cooks can stay healthy this year he easily could be a high day three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Most overrated: Frank Ladson, Clemson
A player who is being extremely overrated by sites such as NFL Draft Scout is Clemson wide receiver, Frank Ladson. Despite having a career total of 27 receptions Ladson is rated as the sixth-best wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft by NFL Draft Scout. To go along with lack of production he is far from an elite athlete who has the potential to develop into a day one pick. Some of the issues with him include that he is a stiff athlete, is not very physical and lacks quickness in and out of his breaks.
Wide receiver that should significantly improve his stock: Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky
Former Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson should have a big season this year, now that he will be focused on playing slot receiver in Kentucky’s offense. He is the perfect match for Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen who comes over from the Los Angeles Rams, and will likely use Robinson in a similar way to how the Rams used Cooper Kupp. It would not be a surprise if Robinson is one of the leading receivers in the SEC this season.
Biggest risk: George Pickens, Georgia
While there is no doubt George Pickens has the talent to be a first-round pick he does have some issues that could make him a risky pick. The most significant issue is the torn ACL he recently suffered that will force him to miss at least some of the 2021 season. The other issue is he can have some problems staying focused which leads to him drawing penalties for things like getting in a fight and squirting an opponent with a water bottle. These focus issues also have led to him dropping some passes due to taking his eye off the ball.
Top small school wide receiver: Christian Watson, North Dakota State
What makes Christian Watson of North Dakota State the top small school wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft is his combination of size and athletic ability. Coming in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds he is one of the bigger wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft, and for someone his size, he moves amazingly well. It would not be a surprise if Warson heard his name called early on day three of next year’s NFL Draft.
Special teams standout: Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
While Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank has yet to establish himself as an NFL-level wide receiver, he has proven he is one of the best return men in college football. Last season, he was named the Big Ten return man of the year after taking two kickoffs back for touchdowns and averaging 23 yards per return. Cruickshank was also able to take two kickoffs back for touchdowns in 2019 when he was playing for the Wisconsin Badgers.
Overall Rankings
1. Drake London, USC, (first round)
2. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, (first round)
3. Chris Olave, Ohio State, (first round)
4. Justyn Ross, Clemson, (first round)
5. George Pickens, Georgia, (first round)
6. John Metchie III, Alabama, (second round)
7.Zay Flowers, Boston College, (second round)
8. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama, (second round)
9. Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland, (third round)
10. Treylon Burks, Arkansas, (third round)
11. David Bell, Purdue, (third round)
12. Ronnie Bell, Michigan, (fourth round)
13. Ty Fryfogle, Indiana, (fourth round)
14. Jahan Dotson, Penn State, (fourth round)
15. Romeo Doubs, Nevada, (fourth round)
16. Ainias Smith, Texas A&M, (fifth round)
17. Christian Watson, North Dakota State, (fifth round)
18. Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU, (fifth round)
19. Tré Turner, Virginia Tech, (fifth round)
20. Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina, (fifth round)
21. Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest, (fifth round)
22. Winston Wright Jr, West Virginia (sixth round)
23. Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky, (sixth round)
24. Travell Harris, Washington State, (sixth round)
25. Dai’Jean Dixon, Nicholls State, (sixth round)
26. Elijah Cooks, Nevada, (sixth round)
27. Justin Shorter, Florida, (sixth round)
28. Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State, (sixth round)
29. Khalil Shakir, Boise State, (sixth round)
30. Jacob Copeland, Florida, (seventh round)
31. Calvin Austin III, Memphis, (seventh round)
32. Tanner Conner, Idaho State, (seventh round)
33. Josh Ali, Kentucky, (seventh round)
34. Avante Cox, Southern Illinois, (seventh round)
35. Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston, (seventh round)
36. Taysir Mack, Pittsburgh, (seventh round)
37. Bo Melton, Rutgers, (free agent)
38. Charleston Rambo, Miami, (free agent)
39. Jaylon Robinson, UCF, (free agent)
40. Jalen Virgil, Appalachian State, (free agent)
41. Isaiah Weston, UNI, (free agent)
42. Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers, (free agent)
43. Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech, (free agent)
44. Corey Sutton, Appalachian State, (free agent)
45. Chris Autman-Bell, Minnesota, (free agent)
46. Samori Toure, Nebraska, (free agent)
47. Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech, (free agent)
48. Ben Ratzlaff, Western Kentucky, (free agent)
49. Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee, (free agent)
50. Keylon Stokes, Tulsa, (free agent)
51. Dareke Young, Lenoir-Rhyne, (free agent)
52. JuanCarlos Santana, Tulsa, (free agent)
53. Omar Manning, Nebraska, (free agent)
54. Jack Sorenson, Miami of Ohio, (free agent)
55. Andrew Parchment, Florida State, (free agent)
56. R.J. Sneed, Baylor, (free agent)
57. Emeka Emezie, North Carolina State, (free agent)
58. Taj Harris, Syracuse, (free agent)
59. Mike Harley, Miami, (free agent)
60. Savon Scarver, Utah State, (free agent)
61. Reggie Todd, Troy, (free agent)
62. Jakob Herres, VMI, , (free agent)
63. Keke Chism, Missouri, (free agent)
64. Frank Ladson, Clemson, (free agent)
65. Jarrin Pierce, Middle Tennessee, (free agent)
66. Jaylon Redd, Oregon, (free agent)