2022 NFL Draft Stock Watch: New QB To Watch, EDGE Rusher Soaring

A new quarterback joins the fold and an edge rusher is soaring in this edition of 2022 NFL Draft Stock Watch.

We are two full weeks into the college football season, and opinions are starting to form on many players who could potentially be in the 2022 NFL Draft class. While some perform like many expect, others make a big jump with improved play and others don’t make the jump. Through two weeks, many have grabbed attention, for the right and wrong reasons.

The 2022 NFL Draft is a long process, so two weeks won’t tell the full story. But right now, there are trends that are hard to ignore. Let’s look at the latest installment of stock watch, which features a quarterback getting on the radar, a running back taking an important step, and an edge rusher rising in a deep class. Let’s roll!

Stock Up: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

In a big game at at the Big House, Aidan Hutchinson was the big winner as the Michigan Wolverines rolled the Washington Huskies. Hutchinson, who was on the radar last year before injuries, returned to Michigan for 2021 to put a full season on display. There’s a chance that this game is all NFL teams will need to prove he can be one of the best edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Against Jaxson Kirkland, a top prospect in his own right at tackle, Hutchinson made things difficult for Kirkland all night long. Hutchinson had a rep where he walked Kirkland right back to the quarterback using a great bull rush, showing off his power and leverage prowess, and did finish off the sack. Hutchinson showed off the athleticism to close quickly downhill to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and to work around the outside track. His athleticism, strength, and counters make for a huge riser and a potential first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Stock Up: Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

Well hello there. Could Will Levis be the quarterback riser from nowhere? We will see, but his performances the first two weeks have warranted the requisite attention. A transfer from Penn State, Levis has the Kentucky Wildcats flying high thus far, as he’s thrown for 546 yards and five touchdowns to just two interceptions thus far. Now, he came back to earth a bit against Missouri, but did enough to help that offense to a 35-28 victory.

Levis shows off good mechanics, an efficient delivery, and good arm strength and velocity. He also has a very good deep ball that has tremendous touch and accuracy. He’s built a great rapport with receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, another to keep an eye on.

Levis will have to continue to improve, and has big games against Florida and Georgia on the schedule, but he’s put himself on the 2022 NFL Draft radar to this point. Keep note of him going forward.

Stock Down: Sevyn Banks, CB, Ohio State

This one is pretty self-explanatory to this point. Sevyn Banks was high on some NFL Draft boards entering the season, and was probably a bit too high on some in a deep corner class, but many were hoping for a strong season that would get him into the early round discussion.

The issue right now isn’t even related to on-field play. Banks has been on the bench for the Buckeyes in their first two games, and the secondary hasn’t been strong to this point. If he can’t eventually get back into the lineup and start, the 2022 NFL Draft could be on hold and Banks could end up returning for another year.

Stock Up: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M

Obviously, Isaiah Spiller’s 2022 NFL Draft stock is very good at this point, and is RB1 for a variety of draft analysts. For this writer, he sits a bit lower, but had an impressive showing against Colorado that grabbed attention.

Spiller is a very good runner between the tackles, with fleet feet, good burst, and excellent contact balance. Where he needed to improve was his receiving chops, and he made some huge plays to help the Aggies survive out in Boulder. Spiller caught a ball in a contested spot down in Colorado territory, securing a great ball and hanging on through the ground. He then beat a linebacker on a wheel route for a score to give the Aggies the lead, a lead they would keep. If Spiller can keep making an impact as a receiver, his stock will soar and he could end up the top running back in the class.

Stock Up: Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon

As if the defensive back class needed to get any deeper, Verone McKinley III put together a resume performance in the Ducks win in Columbus. McKinley is a versatile safety who can play in a two-deep shell and near the line of scrimmage. He made important open field tackles and a couple good plays at the catch point in the game, and securing a big time interception late in the contest. His versatility and leadership skills, combined with his ball production, could see him go early in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Stock Up: Will McDonald IV, EDGE, Iowa State

Finishing up the stock watch is Iowa State rusher Will McDonald IV. Even in a tough loss at home, McDonald was one of the key players on the Cyclones defense that kept them in the game as much as they could. McDonald has great hands and works well at contact to trim or bend the edge, and he’s a great finisher when he gets to the quarterback. After a great 10.5 sack season in 2020, McDonald is at it again, with 2.5 sacks through two contests (and 1.5 against Iowa, a team with a well-coached offensive line). He doesn’t have the elite size, but could be a JACK type of rusher in a 3-4 defense.