2022 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Playmakers Climbing, Top QB Sliding
Through three weeks of college football, the landscape for the 2022 NFL Draft is starting to take shape. Positions are starting to form tiers, and sleepers in the summer are rising to major relevancy on big boards. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, other than a wild (and underwhelming) quarterback class. Playmakers are stepping up, players are having statement (or resume) games, and as autumn really establishes itself, the NFL Draft talk will only grow.
In this week’s stock watch, playmakers are definitely the focus. Three are making serious moves, from jumping onto the radar to busting things open. Two quarterbacks are also on the move, but in the other direction. Let’s dive in!
2022 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Post-Week 3
Stock Up: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
The running back class has talent, but it was waiting for the breakout star, and Spartans RB Kenneth Walker is that. He burst onto the scene with a fantastic debut in green and white against Northwestern, and has continued to carry that. According to PFF, Walker broke 20 tackles against Miami this past weekend, and number that’s absurd. His field vision is excellent, he has the flexibility and space manipulation to have defenders grasping at air, and he drops his pads when necessary. His ability to create with his athleticism and football IQ is special to watch. He will be on the next NFL Mocks big board update.
Stock Up: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Creating yards after the catch is becoming more and more important, as the quick passing game is usurping the running game before our eyes. Separating quickly is also crucial, and that’s something that Jameson Williams has done so far with the Crimson Tide. An Ohio State transfer, Williams has taken advantage of the vacated targets in this Alabama offense. He had a 94 yard touchdown in week one, and has the loose, oily hips and release package to quickly separate. He’s fluid and smart after the catch and possesses good straight line speed. It will be interesting to see if he declares early if the production keeps up.
Stock Down: Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
This isn’t a massive dip, but for Spencer Rattler, who was the near-consensus QB1 coming into the season, the 2021 season hasn’t been the greatest for him. The hope for Rattler was that the decision making issues would be quelled more than they have to this point, but instead, Rattler is still challenging triple coverage and locking on to where he wants to go with the football. Is the fabled term “arm arrogance” true here? A little bit, and if it continues, the QB1 conversation could go elsewhere.
Stock Up: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Dotson was firmly on the 2022 NFL Draft radar coming into the season, and he’s continuing to rise in a talented receiver class. Dotson is wicked quick off the line of scrimmage, and shows great acceleration working into his stem. He’s a very good deep threat, but can win at all three levels and produce highlight reel catches with impressive ball skills. Size shouldn’t be a worry with Dotson, who is showing he can do it all.
Stock Down: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Yes, he responded well late in the game to help the Bearcats win at Indiana, but Desmond Ridder also put his team in a bit of a hole on the road early this past Saturday. Ridder still struggles with accuracy to all levels, even missing wildly at the line of scrimmage. He backs away and throws off his back foot in the face of pressure, and while his athleticism and mobility is good, it’s not something he can hang his hat on if everything else is lacking. He needs to right the ship with strong performances going forward, or he could get lost in the day three picks at quarterback.