2022 NFL Draft: Purdue DE George Karlafits a great pass rusher

Limitations Deal With Outside Track

There are still things that Karlaftis can work on as we head to the 2021 season. He gets very aggressive and into “chase mode” against read option plays, leading to some big plays to the perimeter of the field. He has grown to stay more patient at times, but getting more consistent in that area will be important.

Karlaftis doesn’t possesses the flexibility and elite burst and get off to become a true speed rusher on the outside. He won’t win with a lot of bend or flexibility to dip under contact on the outside, and when he tries to get around on the outside, he often drifts too far up the field.

2022 NFL Draft Outlook

George Karlaftis already looks like one of the best edge rushers to potentially be in the 2022 NFL Draft class. His skill set as a technician and a power rusher makes him dangerous on the edge, and he possesses great vision, recognition skills, and closing speed/burst.

His production is something noteworthy as well. Karlaftis is averaging 0.67 sacks per game and 1.35 TFLs per game. While those may not sound like excellent numbers, it isn’t easy to be productive on the edge in an era of quick passing and spread offenses. Those numbers can translate very well to the NFL.

He will get opportunities to prove himself against top tackles in the Big Ten like Daniel Faalele, Thayer Munford, and Nicholas Petit-Frere. Big games there will prove his skill against top competition as well.

If it weren’t for Thibodeaux, more analysts and fans would be talking about Karlaftis. He’s securely on the round one radar for the 2022 NFL Draft right now, and another strong season should only solidify his stock as a top rusher in the class.