Position re-grades: QB | RB | WR | TE | DT | LB | OLB/DE | CB | SAF
Position previews: QB | RB | WR | TE | DT | LB | OLB/DE | CB | SAF
Leading up to Senior Bowl week, I do 15-30 minutes of scouting preview work on each prospect set to attend -- watching a couple game tapes and looking over some performance data, etc., and then I give each prospect a pre-event scouting grade for the NFL based on that brief look.
After we scout their performance at the Senior Bowl week of practices, drills, etc., we update the grades and comments and re-rank. We continue to go through the same process for the NFL Combine, as we build a study for 2023 draft prospects until we ultimately choose to do an even deeper study of certain prospects and publish a full scouting report and run our computer scouting models for numerical grades on over 600+ prospects for the NFL Draft.
This is a very brief look for me, as a scout, to start to build my data and scouting notes for the weeks and months ahead, and to be ready to focus in on certain prospects in Mobile that are jumping at me from the early preview. It's a first, sometimes second look (for me) at a prospect and their tape, actions, info and my impressions/grading can and will change as we go through the year long process.
After a January quick study, here are my impressions, grades, and ranking of each position (except O-Line, we'll look at OLs after the Combine).
The Edge/Pass Rushers
EDGE Derick Hall, Auburn (Pre-SB Grade: B+)
2022: 41 solo/19 asst tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 FF
6'3"/251
Projected 40-time: 4.5+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 50
Could be an 'A' grade after we get his Combine data, and with more study. Great get-off on the snap. Excellent acceleration when he gets a sliver of a path to get to the QB. Changes directions deftly for a man his size. He really looks good as a 4-3 DE prospect…possible is fine as a 3-4 OLB as well.
NFL Comp? = Harold Landry
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/cA2Durc4Fl8
EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (Pre-SB Grade: B)
2022: 23 solo, 21 asst tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF
6'4"/257
Projected 40-time: 4.6+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 30
Foskey is good…I didn't see great. He has good acceleration, really good long speed -- he can chase things down really well. He is a solid pass rusher, but he plays the rest of the game (the run, covering) well too. He's promising in all phases, and that's what makes him a solid prospect.
NFL Comp? = Sam Hubbard
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/90tglksH9kE
EDGE Eku Leota, Auburn (Pre-SB Grade: B-/C+)
2022: 14 solo, 4 asst tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks (5g) *Cut short with Pec injury
6'4"/250
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
A really smooth (in movement) 4-3 DE/EDGE rusher for Auburn but I could see some possibility of him transitioning to a middle linebacker position. Intriguing.
NFL Comp? = Jordan Willis...Zaven Collins?
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/pQ-00iUSR-s
EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech (Pre-SB Grade: B-/C+)
2022: 36 solo/25 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks (10g)
6'6"/275
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 10
I was excited for this preview. Wilson being a consensus top 10 prospect and some saying he could be a sleeper top 1-2-3. So, I watched, ready to love…and then at a certain point I wondered if I had the right tape. This guy is a top 10 prospect?
Good size, obviously. Great reach. No real explosion off the snap or giving better blockers much trouble. For college he is big and strong, a giant mass pushing blockers and a guy who can reach long…but I didn't see any world domination or guy who might take the NFL by storm. I'll see how he does in Mobile, but not that impressed at first glance. Has a body to work with for the pros, but he cannot be a top guy that I see. Not enough juice in his movement.
NFL Comp? = Jonah Williams
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/ui3p6TBo3aM
EDGE Andre Carter, Army (Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 23 solo, 18 asst tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
6'7"/265
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.4+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
A tall but lanky edge prospect…possibly a little too lanky/thin. Needs some body work. He has pretty fast feet for his tall/lanky body type. Can make moves on the pass rush but also drops back in coverage and is pretty good at it. There's definitely something intriguing here, but we need more data.
NFL Comp? = A quick, thinner version of Tanoh Kpassagnon?
EDGE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri (Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 25 solo/15 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF (12g)
6'4"/266
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
A great power rushing prospect. Nothing fancy on his college tape…just a 'too strong' pass rusher pushing his blocker backwards and trying to slide off that to get to the QB. He has a pretty solid get-off on the snap too. Might be a 'B' prospect…we'll see how he does at the Senior owl week.
NFL Comp? = Has some Trey Hendrickson-like hope.
EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern (Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 27 solo/11 asst tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks
6'2"/265
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
Solid build/frame for the NFL. Quick feet and good power pushing blockers backwards off the snap. Good tools to work with. But, if he's so good…why such low output numbers? He tries to out-athlete his blockers and gets through some…but he didn't show me high-end pass rush technique/ability -- but he can learn that.
NFL Comp? = Hopeful upside to be a Kwity Paye-like pass rusher.
EDGE Byron Young, Tennessee (Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 22 solo, 15 asst tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks (13g)
6'3"/243
Projected 40-time: 4.6+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
Really muscular, thick framed edge rusher with a great-looking, NFL desired lower body design. He's quick and powerful off the edge. Not filled with technique yet, more just a power rusher…but he can learn moves. A very solid prospect with upside here.
NFL Comp? = Samson Ekubam
EDGE K.J. Henry, Clemson (Pre-SB Grade: C+/C)
2022: 26 solo/25 asst tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 6 PDs
6'4"/255
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.35+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
NFL body. Nice motor. Well-built. Has good quickness. Everything looks solid but a lack of high production in a Clemson D-Line is concerning. He may shine at Mobile…if he doesn't, he's gonna fall to the 5th+ round on consistency concerns.
NFL Comp? = Terrell Lewis
EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State (Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 23 solo, 13 asst tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, 4 PDs
6'4"/245
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
Good size, nice acceleration. He looks like an NFL EDGE prospect, but I wasn't as excited about his 2022 work as I was his 2021. He's solid/useful, not sure he's a star potential.
NFL Comp? = DeAngelo Malone
EDGE Keion White, Georgia Tech (Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 29 solo/25 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks
6'4"/267
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
An NFL build and nice NFL-level movement skills. He's a former TE who still looks like he's learning his craft -- he has little moves/techniques but uses strength/size/power to get to the backfield. He's a draft and hope-to-develop type prospect…at a size, athleticism that likely winds him up as a day two pick.
NFL Comp? = Quincy Roche
EDGE Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss (Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 16 solo/27 asst tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks (13g)
6'7"/245
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 250
Played as a 3-4 DE on the tape I watched…which does not help EDGE production numbers, so his 6.0 sacks aren't too bad coming as a 3-4 DE. He has nice length, decent movement skills…he's an interesting prospect I wanna see as a 4-3 DE at the Senior Bowl, to see if he shines there. He might.
NFL Comp? = A skinnier Greg Rousseau possibly.
EDGE D.J. Johnson, Oregon (Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 15 solo, 24 asst tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks (11g)
6'4"/258
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 175
An athlete learning to be an edge rusher or OLB. He began his Oregon career at DE…then moved to TE for two seasons then to EDGE/OL as a senior/2022. He has some athleticism with NFL size…it's raw and needs to be refined.
Mobile is an opportunity to shine…or he gets exposed as too raw or too miscast as a defender. He's a projection prospect for the NFL.
NFL Comp? = With a lot of work maybe he can be a Joseph Ossai type of athlete EDGE/OLB?
EDGE Yaya Diaby, Louisville (Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 22 solo/15 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 9.0 sacks
6'4"/255
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 200
A downhill pass rusher…he's constant energy trying to get to the backfield. He's not overpowering or filled with great technique…he just 'keeps coming' and is a little slippery and persistent, and just finds his way to the backfield pretty well. May be better for college play and gets lost in the mix in the pros. There's enough here on the preview to see how he translates at the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comp? = Mike Danna
EDGE Thomas Incoom, C. Michigan (Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 31 solo/26 asst tackles, 19.0 sacks, 11.5 TFLs, 1 FF
6'4"/260
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 275
Good size, long arms…shows some flashes of solid edge rush prospect but he had big moments in the MAC…we'll see how he does against the SEC/power division blockers in Mobile.
NFL Comp? = Upside hope to be a Trevis Gipson
EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU (Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 17 solo/19 asst tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF
6'6"/250
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Has the absolute size and look of a top NFL edge rusher, but rarely gets to the QB. Looks a little lost. Is too easily gobbled up by his opposing blocker. He's a projection/hope-and-prayer prospect. Mobile could do wonders for him.
NFL Comp? = Kemoko Turay
EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State (Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 20 solo/14 asst tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 PDs, 3 FF
6'6"/268
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.4+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 75
Has 'height' (6'6") and 'Ohio State' in his favor…other than that, I don't see anything too exciting here. He's got an NFL body/reach, but more of a backup, developmental, situational edge player…doesn't look like a 'take the league by storm' DE.
NFL Comp? = Slow Dion Jordan…memba him?
EDGE Isaiah Land, Florida A&M (Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 20 solo/asst tackles, 12 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF (8g)
6'2"/230
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 275
Hard to fully project playing HBCU competition. Looks good for his level, did have 25.5 TFLs/19.0 sacks in 2021. The tape I saw was OK. Not a big monster sized EDGE…just pretty quick for HBCU. He'll get a better shot to impress in Mobile.
NFL Comp? = Jabril Cox
EDGE Dylan Horton, TCU (Pre-SB Grade: D)
2022: 32 solo/19 asst tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 4 PDs
6'4"/244
Projected 40-time: 4.9+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.6+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Maybe I had bad tape, but I saw nothing here. I was watching him against Michigan in the CFB playoffs and just shut off the tape halfway in because it was so dull. Then I look and see he had 4.0 sacks in the Michigan game. So, I went and finished the tape in case I missed something…but I didn't finish it, because I shut it off again after a while. The sacks I saw were circumstantial and that this guy is every generic good DE who is too slow to be a real impact DE in the NFL. Maybe I'll see something different at the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comp? = A guy we'll never pay attention to or will never make it in the league, first impression.
EDGE Nick Hampton, Appalachian St (Pre-SB Grade: D)
2022: 19 solo, 20 asst tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, 3 FF
6'3"/225
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
A kinda quick OLB/EDGE. Not overly fast or quick or big or powerful…just solid, in my first glance. Didn't command my attention in the tape I watched.
NFL Comp? = Pick your undersized edge, who can't really translate to pure linebacker.
