2022 NFL Draft Notebook: 2021 NFL MVP Rams QB Matthew Stafford?
By John Blair
- Look for the Indianapolis Colts to use 2021 fourth-round pick Kylen Granson in a similar way to how they used Trey Burton last year. In 2020, Burton caught 28 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns while playing the F tight end spot. The main reason the Colts took Granson in the fourth round was his hands and ability to be a mismatch in the passing game which makes him a good fit for this role in Indianapolis’s offense.
- Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has been impressed with fifth-round pick Nate Hobbs. Hobbs was a four-year starter at cornerback for Illinois and posted some impressive numbers at his pro day including a 40.5-inch vertical jump and 4.46 40-yard dash. Hobbs will be to be the team’s nickel cornerback this coming season.
- It has not been a great start for New York Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney’s career. He has already missed significant time due to numerous issues including equipment, injury, contract, and personal issues. The most surprising one of these is him missing three weeks of voluntary workouts despite signing a waiver that would allow him to take part in these workouts. While Toney might be the team’s starting punt returner this season, his touches on offense could be limited partly due to his poor route running. Overall, it would not be a shock if Toney is one of the more disappointing rookies this season.
- Another player who will likely see most of his action on special teams this year is Los Angeles Rams third-round pick Ernest Jones. While Jones was a productive linebacker in college having recorded 199 tackles, he was highly overdrafted. The fact he lacks the skills you want to see from a third-round pick and the Los Angeles Rams already have plenty of linebackers on their team does not bode well for Jones making much of an impact this season.