NFL Draft Preview 22: Edge, Interior Defender, Cornerback and Safety

Analysis
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We finish the draft article preview series with Edge Defender (DE/OLB rush), Interior Defender (NT, DT and 3-4 DE), Cornerback and Safety. Getcha popcorn ready

EDGE

TIER

Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan 6’7 260 pounds

This guy is a beast and should be a top 2 pick in the draft. Has size, speed and strength and super productive for the Michigan this year. Potential to be a stronger Jared Allen. If the Jaguars don’t take him, the Lions better take him.

Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon 6’4 254 pounds

Thibodeaux was the consensus top pick until he had a couple questionable answers at the combine. He is explosive, fast and a perfect fit at 3-4 OLB or DE. He is compared to Myles Garrett and could have a higher ceiling than Hutchinson but a lower floor.

Travon Walker DE/DT Georgia 6’5 272 pounds

Tall long and thick with good speed. He can play 3 Tech DT or be a rush OLB/DE. The Jaguars might be in love with this guy so he has potential to go number 1. Lacked production at times but has immense potential. Compares to Arik Armstead of the 49ers.

Second TIER

Jermain Jonson II Florida State EDGE 6’5 254 pounds

Good bull rush and good with hands. Compares to Montez Sweat. Needs counter rushes and to rush lower. Round 1 and maybe top 10 pick.

George Karlaftis Purdue EDGE 6’4 266 pounds

Big size and good power but could be better. Ryan Kerrigan comparison. Mid to late Round 1

Boye Mafe Minnesota

Bud Dupree speed but needs more consistency. Late Round 1 or early Round 2 pick.

Arnold Ebiketie Penn State EDGE 6’2 250 pounds

Explosive with long arms but needs more strength. Late Round 1 or Round 2 pick. Transfer from Temple to Penn State and had a good pass rush for the Nittany Lions.

David Ojabo Michigan EDGE 6’4 250 pounds

Exploded for Michigan this year with Hutchinson. Tore his achilles so may drop into Round 2 or 3 because of it. Compares to first rounder Brian Burns from Carolina.

THIRD TIER

Myjai Sanders Cincinnati

Round 3 pick. Compares to Yannick Ngakoue but a better teammate

Josh Paschal Kentucky

Athletic with high motor but needs more pass rush moves, bend and strength. Round 3 or 4

Tyreke Smith Ohio State

Athletic bend but needs a lot more strength. Round 3 or 4 pick.

Interior Defender

Second TIER after Travon Walker

Jordan Davis Georgia

Nose tackle but great athlete and run defender. Compares to Brandon Williams. Mid to late 1st rounder.

Devonte Wyatt Georgia

3 tech DT with pass rushing win rates. Dancing bear with good bull rush. Had off field issue of assault accusation. Late Round 1 or early day 2 pick

Logan Hall Houston

Power but needs to get lower and more pass rush moves. Round 2 pick

Third TIER

Travis Jones UCONN

Huge nose tackle. More of a run blocker. Round 3 pick

Cameron Thomas San Diego State

Versatile for DT or DE but needs more strength and agility. Round 3

Demarvin Leal Texas A&M

Good hands was a high rated prospect but not enough production. Round 2 or 3 pick.

Perrion Winfrey Oklahoma

3 tech with good burst but needs to play lower. Round 2 or 3 pick

Cornerback

Top TIER

Ahmad Sauce Gardner Cincinnati

Physical shut down corner. Compares to Richard Sherman but more atheltic. Could be a top 5 pick

Derrick Stingley Jr LSU

Size and speed but with a injury history. AJ Terrell comparison. Top 12 pick

Second TIER

Andrew Booth Jr Clemson

Zone CB with closing speed but gambles and can get beat. Mid 1st rounder

Trent McDuffie Washington

Quick closing speed and great athlete. Have seen Jaire Alexander comparisons. Mid 1st round pick

Roger McCreary Auburn

Big outside experienced cornerback with good press and agility. Jaylon Johnson comparisons. Late 1st or 2nd rounder

Kaiir Elam Florida

Another long physical corner with AJ Terrell comparisons. Late Round 1 or Round 2

Kyler Gordon

Good agility and size and strength. Needs better run support. Trevon Diggs comparison. Round 2

Third TIER: Round 3 or 4 guys

Marcus Jones Houston

Martin Emerson Miss State

Alontae Taylor Tennessee

Safety

Top TIER

Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame

Verstaile safety that can play in box, free or slot CB. Great game speed and closing speed but timed average. Still most likely a top 10 pick

Second TIER

Daxton Hill Michigan

Five-star athlete that can cover and hit. Could play in slot too. Mid-1st rounder

Lewis Cine Georgia

Speedy safety with great closing speed but needs to be assignment sound. Late 1st

Jalen Pitre Baylor

Safety/slot hybrid but needs a bigger frame. Round 2 pick

Jaquan Brisker Penn State

Tall hard-hitting safety with big time playmaker. Needs to sure up tackling and improve coverage a little. Round 2 pick

Third TIER

Kerby Joseph Illinois

Think Jessie Bate. Late Round 2 or Round 3

Brian Cook Cincinnati

Smart player but not a ballhawk. Compares to Deshon Elliot. Round 3

Nick Cross Maryland

Super athlete that tested off the charts. Round 3 pick

This closes out the Draft Series preview. Hope you’ll be watching Round 1 starting at 8 PM ET on ABC, ESPN or NFL Network. Going to be an interesting unpredictable draft in Las Vegas.