As an analyst masking the 2022 NFL Draft, I really feel an important high quality for any aspiring analyst is transparency. This new NFL Draft Scouting Pocket book, a weekly sequence, will assist convey the evaluation nearer to you, at its very roots. The aim right here is final transparency — not stream-of-consciousness-level transparency, however a glimpse into the method. As a result of the method is the place all of it begins.
Scouting is pinpointing what prospects could be
One mantra that at all times underpins my evaluation is that this — you’re scouting what a participant can be, not essentially what they’re now. Rookie contracts span 4 years. Productive NFL starters can play as much as a decade (and even longer). Speedy utility is necessary, however discovering the participant who has but to blossom could be simply as helpful.
After all, there’s hazard in specializing in the ceiling. The ceiling is a spot that not each prospect reaches. In truth, in case you had been to conduct a statistical evaluation, I’d say nicely over half of the prospects that come out by no means truly attain their ceiling. So much goes into reaching one’s ceiling, together with state of affairs, teaching, supporting expertise, and off-field motivations which can be inconceivable to quantify.
That’s the powerful half. Scouting from the skin, you don’t at all times have the assets to get solutions on the off-field portion. And in case you’re not affiliated with a staff, you don’t have management over the state of affairs. Thus, you merely must be open to the numerous potential outcomes that exist. And it’s important to maintain a detailed eye on the movie for keys to a prospect’s development potential.
The underside line is that this — know what you don’t know. And at all times be fluid together with your evaluation. Don’t be afraid to have conviction together with your opinions in case you’ve actually put within the work. However don’t entrench your self, and be open to altering your opinion as your perspective broadens.
5 NFL Draft prospects it’s worthwhile to know
Now that you just’ve gotten a glimpse into my thought course of, let’s dive into some summary movie observations. Clearly, I prioritize the gamers I’m assigned scouting studies for. However alongside the best way, different gamers at all times catch your eye. By no means miss a chance to write down a observe and put it within the vault.
Listed below are 5 gamers who caught my eye this previous week. Not all of those prospects are within the 2022 NFL Draft pool, however all are price figuring out for the longer term. We’ll begin with one characteristic prospect within the 2022 NFL Draft — Ole Miss linebacker Mark Robinson.
Mark Robinson, LB, Ole Miss
I lately wrapped up my scouting report on Ole Miss LB Probability Campbell. He’s a enjoyable participant with excessive upside. However he’s not the one Ole Miss LB on this cycle. His teammate Robinson has additionally flashed a number of instances.
I hadn’t heard of Robinson earlier than watching. So once I noticed No. 35 making performs, I needed to look him up. Robinson’s soccer journey is unimaginable. He was a working again in highschool. He logged 1,000 yards as a senior however nonetheless didn’t get a lot curiosity.
Robinson signed with Presbyterian on scholarship however needed to switch after they eradicated scholarships after the 2017 season. That led to 2 uneventful years at Southeast Missouri. He was led to Ole Miss by his HS teammate Otis Reese, however he was a walk-on. Robinson took a leap of religion and sat out a 12 months as a switch. Then he got here again, turned heads in spring camp, earned a scholarship in the summertime of 2021, and have become a beginning linebacker at an SEC faculty.
91 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks later, Robinson is a 2022 NFL Draft prospect. There’s just about no buzz round his identify. However maybe that should change.
Robinson wins with mindset and physicality of a former RB
Campbell is explosive, so he gives a superb barometer to guage different gamers and their explosiveness. Watching Robinson subsequent to Campbell, it’s clear that he has the same degree of short-area burst.
Robinson is an explosive, energetic mover with good closing velocity and lateral athleticism. He’s a bit shorter than your common linebacker, however he’s listed at 5’11”, 235 kilos. He’s extraordinarily dense and compact, hits like a ton of bricks, and engages blocks with drive.
That physicality is paying homage to his previous as an RB, however Robinson isn’t only a heavy hitter. As a former RB, he is aware of what keys to search for and deciphers run performs shortly. He’s noticeably extra pure than Campbell sifting via congestion, and he can run with blocks to swallow up ball carriers.
Robinson does overshoot tackling angles at instances within the field, and he’s not but a playmaker in protection. However Robinson’s bodily talent set, mixed along with his toughness and physicality, makes him an intriguing sleeper. Regulate this man at Ole Miss’ Professional Day. He might shock.
R.J. Moten, S, Michigan (eligible for 2023 NFL Draft)
We’re getting on to 2023 NFL Draft prospects now, and the Michigan protection is filled with them. We might even go on to 2024 if we need to discuss Rod Moore, however we’ll maintain off on that for now. For now, let’s concentrate on two particular 2023 prospects on the Wolverines’ squad, beginning with security R.J. Moten.
Watching Vincent Grey, I acquired a detailed take a look at the Michigan secondary. It was sufficient that I can confidently say that Moten has the instruments to be a Daxton Hill-esque riser in 2023 — besides Moten is nearly 30 kilos heavier.
Listed at 6’0″, 221 kilos, Moten flies throughout the sector. It’s not stunning that he was a star middle fielder in highschool, and he sports activities a reported vertical soar over 40″. Moten explodes out of his stance and has imposing vary. He doesn’t have Hill’s top-end velocity, however he can cowl floor both method. Together with his middle discipline expertise, he flashes nice playmaking instincts down the sector. And along with his dense body, he can levy large hits downhill.
Moten had a decide and three deflections in a crowded Wolverines secondary final 12 months. I’m prepared to guess it’s simply the beginning.
Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan (eligible for 2023 NFL Draft)
Christopher Hinton is the one Michigan inside defensive lineman who declared for the 2022 NFL Draft. However in case you’re asking me, he wasn’t one of the best prospect in that inside group this previous season. I used to be extra usually drawn to No. 58 — Mazi Smith, a 6’3″, 326-pound behemoth on the defensive entrance.
Smith is a monster when he’s on his recreation. He’s extremely robust and highly effective, and he flashes good burst as a move rusher as nicely. His bread and butter, nevertheless, is run protection. There’s a rep towards Nebraska that’s significantly placing.
Lined up at 3-technique, on the entrance facet of an inside-zone run, Smith is on the focused hole. He makes use of his lateral athleticism to shade in entrance of the guard and closes off the A spot, forcing the runner to improvise. Because the RB now diverts to the B hole, nevertheless, Smith makes use of a startling burst of brute drive to shove the guard into the B hole with one arm. He primarily makes use of the lineman to close the RB’s path, then swallows up the again for no acquire.
It was a second not dissimilar to Jordan Davis‘ well-known two-gap terror towards Kentucky, and it characterizes Smith’s upside. He’s a flexible nostril deal with whose bodily traits make him a key identify to look at within the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas (eligible for 2023 NFL Draft)
In fact, there are a number of prospects to look at on the Texas defensive position. Alfred Collins is a mauling defensive deal with, whereas Ovie Oghoufo is a Notre Dame switch with intriguing traits on the sting. This week, I’m going to withstand the urge to speak about all of them and concentrate on one participant — defensive deal with Moro Ojomo.
I used to be a fan of present Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham popping out. I’m at all times keen on defensive linemen who’re a bit shorter however have good proportional size. That method, you might have pure leverage, and you may generate extra energy on extensions. Graham had that mixture, and Ojomo may be the following who matches that mildew.
Ojomo is listed at 6’3″, 281 kilos, however he’s extremely dense and compact and sports activities a superb first step. He probably doesn’t have elite size, nevertheless it seems to be good for his dimension, and he makes use of it nicely. He can surge his arms into contact with violent drive, and he makes use of his explosiveness to generate ample energy on the level of assault. If he can maintain refining his hand utilization, he has potential as a 3-technique on the NFL degree.
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
All of us love protection, however let’s shut this part out with an offensive participant. Huge receiver is considered one of my private favourite positions to scout. There are such a lot of differing kinds and molds to determine. However it’s powerful to interchange the affect of an alpha. And an alpha may be what TCU’s Quentin Johnston is.
Listed at 6’4″, 193 kilos, Johnston instantly attracts consideration along with his body. He’s lengthy and wiry, however there’s extra to his recreation than dimension. He flashes stable hip sink and throttle management as a route runner. And on the catch level, he holds up even higher than you’d assume.
One play towards Oklahoma is emblematic of Johnston’s alpha mentality. Johnston makes use of his acceleration to stack his man on a go route. The QB launches a move to the top zone, nevertheless it’s quick. Johnston has to show and attain over the defender to seize the move. There’s a wrestle for the ball, and the DB will get his arms on it. However Johnston’s arms are stronger, and he prevails — then provides the DB a stiff-arm celebration for good measure.
Johnston is on my record early for the 2023 cycle. With 612 yards and 6 scores on simply 33 catches in 2021, it’s clear he’s a dynamic deep risk. I’m trying ahead to seeing if he can put issues collectively and turn out to be among the best WRs within the 2023 class.
5 prospects I’m watching subsequent
If , . The grind actually by no means ends. So, right here’s a fast preview of the gamers on my record for subsequent week’s article. My watch record received’t be reserved for these 5, nevertheless. The scouting course of is at all times a bit spontaneous, so don’t be stunned if I am going off-script. However proper now, these are the fellows I’ve acquired on deck.
Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford
That is the final scouting report left in my present batch earlier than one other bundle is available in. I’m enthusiastic about this one. I’ve at all times been intrigued by Thomas Booker, and the offseason hasn’t modified that. He flashed on the Shrine Bowl and did nicely on the Mix, testing with a 4.94 40-yard sprint, a 7.33 three-cone, and a 110″ broad soar. He’s within the mildew of DT described above — pure leverage and good proportional size. Think about his athletic numbers and there’s rather a lot to love on the floor.
Noah Harvey, LB, Michigan State
Dwelling close to East Lansing, I see numerous Michigan State soccer in passing. I’ve seen Noah Harvey flash throughout these video games, however his professional day testing took me abruptly. At 6’3″, 230 kilos, Harvey ran a 4.57 40-yard sprint and likewise had a 34.5″ vertical and a 117″ broad soar. Past even that, he racked up a powerful 25 bench reps. I’ll be desirous to do a deep dive on Harvey’s tape. Based mostly on his numbers, he could possibly be a diamond within the tough.
Nolan Turner, S, Clemson
Nolan Turner is one other participant that’s at all times flashed via viewings however by no means drew an in-depth look. Which may change after his professional day testing. Turner is an skilled veteran on protection with good ball manufacturing. And now, after his professional day, he has a 4.46 40-yard sprint to his identify, together with a 37.5″ vertical, 122″ broad, 7.00 three-cone, and 17 bench reps. Athleticism is a key constructing block within the NFL. Turner has that…and extra.
Devin Rockette, CB, South Alabama
PFN is a hive of Jalen Tolbert hype, however I’m simply as within the man masking Tolbert throughout practices. South Alabama cornerback Devin Rockette put up eye-popping numbers at his professional day — amongst them a 4.53 40-yard sprint, a 38.5″ vertical, a 130″ broad, and 15 bench reps. Rockette is simply 5’9 1/2″ and 180 kilos, however he has good proportional size with 31″ arms. And with 5 picks and 11 deflections over the previous three seasons, it’s clear he could make performs on the ball.
Devin Cochran, OT, Georgia Tech
This one is a re-watch for me. I watched Devin Cochran earlier within the cycle and got here away impressed. In my view, he’s an underrated deal with within the 2022 NFL Draft who’s nicely price an NFL Draft decide. His professional day testing numbers help this notion. Cochran is 6’7″, 306 kilos with large 35 3/8″ arms and a straight unusual 86 1/4″ wingspan. Past that, he has a 5.12 40-yard sprint, a 30″ vertical, and a 112″ broad soar.
Cochran is an amazing bodily specimen, however final time I watched him, his arms additionally stood out as a energy. I’m desirous to finalize his report, as he might deserve extra buzz than he’s at present getting.
