The 2022 college football season is right around the corner! Several teams start their season this weekend, including Illinois, Nebraska, and Utah State, while the majority of teams across the country open their seasons the following weekend. Throughout the summer, I’ve been watching film of the top NFL Draft prospects in the college football landscape. After countless hours of grinding the tape, I present to you my top twenty prospects heading into the 2022 season who I think will be lighting up the gridiron every Saturday and hearing their names called early in the 2023 NFL Draft!
1) Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama
Widely regarded as the best player in the 2023 NFL draft class heading into the season, Anderson’s game certainly lives up to the hype. Anderson checks every box, demonstrating great size, length, power, and athleticism to dominate both as a pass-rusher and run-defender. His production matches his traits too, as evidenced by his FBS-leading 17.5 sacks in 2021. Look for Anderson to turn in another stellar season in 2022, which may see him become a Heisman finalist before becoming a Pro-Bowl-caliber player in the NFL.
2) Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
Three Georgia defensive linemen were selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, including Travon Walker with the first pick, but I believe Jalen Carter was the best player on that line last season. He’s the best natural pass-rusher of the group, thanks to his remarkable athleticism and a good array of hand moves. In 2022, Carter will face much more attention from offenses following the departure of his talented teammates, but I am confident he will play very well despite it.
3) C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
The 2022 NFL Draft saw twenty-three picks go by before a quarterback was selected, and I doubt that will be the case in 2023. Stroud is currently the best of the bunch in my view. Despite having just one year of starting experience in college under his belt, Stroud already reads the field, goes through progressions, and senses pressure really well. His internal clock is as impressive as I’ve seen from a college quarterback in the last few years. Stroud’s size, arm strength, and accuracy also check the boxes, although his ball placement could improve with cleaner mechanics. He’s not a big running threat, but he is such a skilled passer that he rarely needs to resort to his legs. 2022 will be the confirmation year for Stroud, who has realistic franchise-quarterback potential in the NFL.
4) Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle, widely viewed as the best tight ends in the NFL, are all fantastic receivers and blockers. While many tight-end prospects are drafted highly for their skills and potential as receivers, few become high-end starters in the NFL because of blocking deficiencies. To be truly elite at the position, it often takes stellar play in both facets of the position, and Michael Mayer brings that to the table. He is a dangerous receiver with good route-running ability, great hands, and a knack for dominating contested-catch situations. As a blocker, Mayer excels due to his size, strength, and technique. Mayer can become one of the five best tight ends in the NFL.
5) Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
This may be higher than Skoronski is ranked on most big boards, but I think that will change come next spring. Similar to his former teammate and current Pro-Bowler for the Los Angeles Chargers Rashawn Slater, Skoronski does not possess elite physical traits but makes up for it with excellent technique. He is rock-solid in pass protection, rarely giving up his chest or ending up on the ground. He is smart and effective in the run game but isn’t the mauler that other offensive linemen can be. Protecting the quarterback is worth a premium in the NFL, and Skoronski’s skill and reliability in that regard will make him a long-time quality starting left tackle at the next level.
6) Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
🚨ODDS SHIFT ALERT🚨
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: the next WR to win the Heisman Trophy? 👀 pic.twitter.com/eYwfCHZEmJ
— PFF Bet (@PFF_Bet) August 23, 2022
Smith-Njigba’s 347 yards and 3 touchdowns in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah made national headlines and set the scene for a 2022 season in which he will be the dominant WR1 for Ohio State following the departures of first-round selections Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. He is an incredible route-runner who excels at setting up defensive backs. Smith-Njigba also excels in contested-catch situations and rarely drops a pass. Despite being a terrific wide receiver, he isn’t elite in the two most highly-regarded traits at the position: size and speed. As a result, Smith-Njigba may be best in the slot in the NFL, but he carries Pro-Bowl potential nonetheless.
7) Isaiah Foskey, DE, Notre Dame
Foskey is a really well-rounded prospect with no true weaknesses. He has really good length to get into the offensive lineman’s chest, as well as high-end burst and bend around the edge to pressure the quarterback. Foskey could be more consistent in the following areas, but he excitedly flashes effective pass-rush moves and the ability to convert speed to power. He is solid against the run as well. Foskey is a talented and safe prospect at a highly valued position.
8) Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson
Murphy possesses elite physical traits which offer him tantalizing potential in the NFL. He possesses high-end size, length, and athleticism and consistently pressures the quarterback thanks to his ability to convert speed to power. Unfortunately, Murphy does too little with his hands against both the pass and the run to fully take advantage of his traits. He needs to develop pass-rush moves and become less reliant on his traits. Murphy is a high-effort player though, which inspires confidence that he can put in the work to improve his technique and reach his sky-high ceiling.
9) Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
In the past decade, the running back position has been marred by the recurrent narrative that the position lacks value, is highly replaceable, and should not be selected in the first round. However, an elite running back still elevates an offense and when one enters the NFL draft, teams are wise to set aside the narrative and select him in the first round. Robinson fits this mold. He is a terrific runner who possesses great burst, speed, cutting ability, vision, power, and contact balance. He is a good receiver as well with flashes of route-running ability and a penchant for gaining yards after the catch. Robinson is one of the best running back prospects in the last few years.
10) Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
The 2021 Heisman Trophy winner is a polarizing prospect in NFL Draft circles. Young is highly accurate, showing the ability to process the field and deliver the ball with good anticipation and placement. Despite being an excellent distributor of the football, there are still a couple of areas that Young needs to work on. His deep-ball accuracy is still a work in progress and he often holds onto the ball too long, which leads to taking unnecessary sacks. Young’s small stature is worrying too and means that he should be used sparingly as a runner to protect his health. As a result, he has less margin for error as a passer. Young performed superbly in his first year as a starter and has a good foundation of traits as a passer to build on, but he must show improvement in certain areas for me to be confident in projecting him as a surefire franchise quarterback and selecting him in the top ten.
11) Jordan Addison, WR, USC
As just a sophomore, Addison remarkably won the 2021 Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best wide receiver. Addison is an athletic and savvy pass-catcher who separates with sudden and deceptive routes. He is a big-play threat with the ability to stretch the field and gain yards after the catch. Addison isn’t the biggest or strongest receiver, which leads to struggles at times against route contact and at the catch point but his athletic and technical prowess allows him to consistently get open regardless.
12) Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU
Like Addison, Boutte is an athletic receiver who excels in the route-running department. He is at his best working the middle of the field on slants, as he plucks the ball out of the air and instantly turns upfield to gain more yardage in an extremely quick motion. Boutte has a similar profile to Addison in that he also could get stronger to resist contact and improve in contested-catch situations.
13) Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon
The brother of Detroit Lions offensive tackle and former Oregon Duck Penei Sewell, Noah possesses first-round talent in his own right. He boasts a really good combination of size and athleticism. Sewell excels against the run, showing good read-and-react ability and reliable tackling. He is a high-effort, physical player who can be relied upon to execute his assignment. He excels in zone coverage and can be serviceable in man coverage in short areas. His pass-rush ability is limited due to his size. Sewell profiles as a quality starting linebacker in the NFL.
14) Andre Carter II, DE, Army
Carter is a really intriguing prospect who tallied 15.5 sacks in 2021, trailing only Will Anderson Jr. nationwide. At 6’7” and 260 pounds, Carter possesses rare size and couples it with really good athleticism. He shows good burst and bend to beat the offensive tackle around the edge, using his length and strength to push his opponent back with a bull rush. Despite being very productive, Carter is highly reliant on his elite physical traits and should look to improve in the finer aspects of the game, including his pass-rush arsenal and his handwork against the run. Army has never produced a first-round pick in the Super Bowl era, but Carter’s unique profile and endless potential could see him make history next spring.
15) Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina
McCall is the most underrated quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft class. He is an excellent distributor of the football who throws with great accuracy and ball placement. He senses pressure well, navigates the pocket well, and makes good decisions to take care of the football. McCall doesn’t have elite physical traits but possesses adequate size, solid arm strength, and sneaky athleticism that allows him to pick up chunks of yardage with his legs. My primary concern with McCall is the simplicity of Coastal Carolina’s Spread Triple Option offense. He has operated in this system since middle school, and it will be a significant adjustment to run an NFL offense in which he is faced with throws, reads, and concepts he has not yet been exposed to. As a result, it takes a certain leap of faith to project McCall to the NFL, but his remarkable accuracy, decision-making, and feel for the game deserve to put him in the first-round conversation.
16) Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
Smith is a really solid cornerback prospect who really excels in press coverage. He stays in phase with the receiver thanks to his poise, physicality, fluidity, quickness, and route anticipation. Smith is solid in off-coverage too but has not been used often in zone coverage as much. His deep speed isn’t elite but he has the length to recover in many instances. Smith is highly willing against the run but should look to improve his tackling technique. I could see Smith as a polished press-man cornerback starting his rookie season in the NFL.
17) Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
Anudike-Uzomah may not get the buzz of other pass-rushers in the class but he is certainly worthy of it. His 4-sack performance against TCU, one of the best individual performances I have ever seen, is the perfect example. He has elite traits that include great size, length, burst, and bend. These traits make him a really dangerous pass rusher who can make his way to the quarterback through a variety of paths within the pocket, especially in addition to his nonstop motor. Anudike-Uzomah is still raw in certain areas and needs to work on staying low in his pass rush and developing hand moves. I expect Anudike-Uzomah’s draft stock to rise throughout the season and the draft process. Don’t be surprised if the former 3-star recruit’s ascent leads him into the first round in 2023!
18) Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
Alabama struck big this off-season by landing the commitment of former LSU cornerback Eli Ricks via the transfer portal. His traits are elite, as he combines ideal size and length with admirable athleticism. He excels in press coverage, using his physicality to effectively jam the receiver and crowd him to the sideline. As great as he is in press coverage, Ricks is relatively inexperienced in off-coverage and zone coverage and needs to improve his mental game overall, including his route anticipation. Indeed, Ricks doesn’t come without risk, given that he has a season-ending shoulder injury and an arrest for speeding and marijuana possession on his record. On the other hand, the reward could be massive for Alabama, who are getting a supremely talented cornerback with elite NFL potential.
19) Brian Bresee, DT, Clemson
Bresee was a highly-touted 5-star recruit out of high school, choosing Clemson over the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia. Bresee’s lofty recruiting ranking is understood when considering his physical profile. He possesses great size and even better length, which he uses to consistently stay clean and get into the offensive lineman’s chest. Bresee has a really good burst too, which makes him a dangerous pass rusher from the interior. He is too reliant on these traits currently though and needs to expand his pass-rush arsenal. Bresee is solid against the run because of his length, strength, and effort, but he should improve his technique and discipline. A torn ACL unfortunately limited Bresee to four games in 2021. If he can prove he made a full recovery and stay healthy in 2022, in addition to showing improvement in the areas I mentioned, Bresee can become a top ten pick in 2023.
20) Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Battle is a player I am surprised returned to school for the 2022 season, as I think he could have been in the first-round conversation alongside Daxton Hill and Lewis Cine in the 2022 NFL Draft. Battle excels in man-coverage, providing rare value in doing so from the safety position. Battle seems to lack urgency against the run though, which I’d like to see fixed in 2022. Alabama has produced a long line of NFL safeties, and Battle is likely the next to hear his name called in the early rounds.
Just Missed The Cut
- Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
- B.J. Ojulari, DE, LSU
- Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
