These summaries come from NFL.com. Players mentioned have either been connected via mock drafts, or combine/pro-day visits.
'22: 1st All-SEC
combine: 5.01s 40, 29"vert, 9'6" broad jump
strengths: Bulldozer vibes when working double teams and combo blocks. Able to stand his ground through one-on-one power swaps. Jolts LBs out of positioning with push. Uses length for forceful redirection in protection. Stops speed-to-power attempts consistently.
weaknesses: Gets very little bend in his 2-point stance. Below average hand resets and finish as a run blocker. More of a catcher than a puncher. Shows confusion against twist.
grade: 6.38 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 84 (Good)
combine: 4.40 40, 40"vert, 11'3" broad jump
strengths: Top-end speed creates tension for defensive coordinators. Tears into cushions & rockets past off-man coverage. Maintains spacing from physical coverage getting into the route. Glides into acceleration mode at route stems to separate. Gets pitch-and-catch opportunities underneath against off-man. Willing & effective as a perimeter blocker.
weaknesses: Route tree is somewhat limited. Knocked off course when press punch finds him. Lacks deception in his short & intermediate routes. Unsuccessful holding ground when the catch is contested.
grade: 6.50 (Boom-or-bust potential) Next Gen: 89 (Good)
comp: DeSean Jackson
WR - Rashee Rice, SMU 6'1" 204
'22: 1st All-AAC, 96rec/1,355yds/10TDs
combine: 4.51 40, 41"vert, 10'8"broad jump
strengths: His 2nd gear allows for decent vertical separation. Effective ball-tracking with talent to alter trip to the ball. Impressive leap-&-lean on jump-ball challenges. Play strength to separate late and snatch with extended hands. Scrambles with the QB and works hard back on throws.
weaknesses: Lacks commitment to detail as a route runner. Inconsistent use of frame to shield the defender. Frequent free-releaser who needs to prove he can beat press.
grade: 6.00 (Traits/talent to be an above-average backup) Next Gen: 83 (Good)
RB - Roschon Johnson, Texas 6' 219
'22: 93c/554yds/5TDs, 14rec/128yds/1TD
combine: 4.58 40, 31.5"vert, 10'2"broad jump
strengths: Running style is highly determined & very physical. Creates yardage with broken tackles. Willing and capable in pass protection. Has four phase Special Teams experience.
weaknesses: Lacks juice to widen the field & find chunk runs. Trouble re-accelerating when his feet are forced to slow. Missing creativity between the tackles. Slow getting through his jump-cuts.
grade: 5.92 (Average backup/Special Teamer) Next Gen: 67 (Average)
S - Christopher Smith II, Georgia 5'11" 192
'22: 1st All-American/1st All-SEC, 61tckls/5TFLs, 3INTs, 5PUs
combine: 4.62 40, 33"vert, 9'8"broad jump
strengths: Ready to rush into the alley and slow the outside run. Able to alter track to mirror runner's movement in pursuit. Finds angles to play the ball in tight spaces. Jarred a high number of throws loose from wideouts.
weaknesses: Slows feet & catches the collision in the open field. Needs to play with better eye balance from off-man. Average chase burst at the top of the route. Very average feel when perched as a high safety.
grade: 5.95 (Average backup/Special Teamer) Next Gen: 73 (Good)
EDGE - Nolan Smith, Georgia 6'2" 238
'22: 8 games - 18tckls/7TFLs, 3scks
combine: 4.39 40, 41.5"vert, 10'8"broad jump
strengths: Attacks pulling blocks. Rare point of attack leverage strength for his size. Cuts a tight, efficient track to the ball in pursuit. Agility for more creative edge-to-edge attacks in the future.
weaknesses: Unable to generate speed-to-power conversion. Rush plan can be monotonous & lacking counters. Unable to control blocks & shed quickly. Very average pursuit speed for a smaller player.
grade: 6.33 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 80 (Good)
comp: Samson Ebukam
comp: George Karlaftis
WR - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio St 6'1" 196
'22: 3 games: 5rec/43yds
combine: 35"vert, 10'5"broad jump
strengths: Elevates his catch focus when contested. Leverages his intermediate break points. Tracks deep throws with poise & accuracy. Athletic and smooth catching on the move. Plays to his top speed throughout the route.
weaknesses: Rolls into his breaks with top-heavy momentum. Lacks suddenness for separation in & out of breaks. Below average top-end speed to win vertically. Likely to be viewed as a slot-only option. Lacks burst to elude after the catch.
grade: 6.41 (Will become a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 84 (Good)
comp: Jarvis Landry
CB - Brian Branch, Alabama 6' 190
'22: 2nd All-American, 90tckls/14TFLs, 3scks, 2INTs, 7PUs
combine: 4.58 40, 34.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump
strengths: Has range & instincts to play single-high safety. Pedals and transitions with smooth, agile feet. Able to mirror & match patterns from off-man. Uses ball-hawking angles and explosive burst to undercut the pass. Attacks blockers of all sizes with consistent tenacity. Diagnoses run & pursues runner with proper leverage and angles.
weaknesses: Could use tighter route squeeze relative to down & distance. Becomes a drag-down tackler when coming in too high. Occasionally outflanked as a run defender from the start.
grade: 6.49 (Will become a good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 87 (Good)
comp: Minkah Fitzpatrick
WR - Jayden Reed, Michigan St 5'11" 187
'22: 2nd All-BIG 10, 55rec/636yds/5TDs
combine: 4.45 40, 33.5"vert, 10'1"broad jump
strengths: Accelerates to his top speed in a hurry. Good ball skills to track & time the deep throw. Makes winning plays on back shoulder throws. Can be elusive when needed after the catch. Has 3 career punt return TDs.
weaknesses: Quicker than fast with average deep separation. Hip tightness limits in-&-out quickness at route breaks. Doesn't always finish his routes. Loses catch focus working into the middle of the field.
grade: 5.98 (Average backup/Special Teamer) Next Gen: 71 (Good)
comp: Greg Ward
S - Jammie Robinson, Florida St 5'11" 191
'22: 1st All-ACC, 99tot tckls, 1sck, 1FR, 1INT, 5PUs
combine: 4.59 40, 33.5"vert, 9'8"broad jump, 23 reps
strengths: Attacks seams & crevices as a run defender near the line. Stalks the route with anticipatory movement. Drives through his targets to disrupt the catch. Rushes in for attack versus quick game. Versatility to align as a FS or nickel-back.
weaknesses: Takes sloppy angles as a downhill run supporter. Will overstep positioning and lose his leverage. Receivers can challenge him above the rim. Fails to make up ground in a foot race.
grade: 6.11 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter) Next Gen: 76 (Good)
comp: Damarious Randall
WR - Jordan Addison, USC 5'11" 173
'22: 1st All-PAC 12, 59rec/875yds/8TDs
combine: 4.49s 40, 34"vert, 10'2" broad jump
strengths: Possesses athleticism & speed to work anywhere on the field. Smart use of footwork defeats coverage leverage. Good sink & foot agility getting in and out of breaks. Can be a slippery runner after the catch. Has punt return experience.
weaknesses: Route timing can be disrupted by handsy corners. Limited catch radius for off-target throws. Needs better timing in working back to throws. Unable to create catch space downfield against size.
comp: Tyler Lockett
grade: 6.36 (Will eventually be a plus starter) Next Gen: 84 (Good)
WR - Zay Flowers, Boston College 5'9" 182
'22: 1st All-ACC, 78rec/1,077yds/12TDs
combine: 4.42 40, 35.5"vert, 10'7"broad jump
strengths: Sudden feet to slip the press & race ahead of coverage. Routes are fast and maintain their momentum through turns. Lower body flexion to corner tightly at break points. Tracks & catches deep balls with above average poise. Works back to the throw when needed. Very slippery as an open-field runner.
weaknesses: In too much of a hurry at times. Routes need better salesmanship and attention to detail. Needs to do a better job of finding optimal holes in zone coverage. Teams might have to live with more drops than they would like to see.
grade: 6.46 (Good starter within 2 years) Next Gen: 82 (Good)
comp: Travis Benjamin
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