Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson’s 2021 stats: 2,882 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and 767 rushing yards

The Baltimore Ravens dual-threat QB and face of Madden 21 has been a breath of fresh air thus far. Jackson has registered a potent three passing touchdowns in each of his prior two match-ups. He was crafty with a 72.41 completion percentage in Week 2.

Let’s not forget that the scary leg ability combined with Jackson’s gifted arm, as he ran for 119 rushing yds and a TD last week.

Jackson is expected to have Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay back and healthy in Week 7 against the New England Patriots, according to The Baltimore Sun. It’s clear the second-year WR (Bateman) is improving his chemistry with Jackson after recording an impressive 108 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. Mark Andrews is also on fire (9 catches for 104 yds and 1 TD) heading into Week 4. Andrews was first-team All-Pro last season by hauling in 107 receptions, 1,361 yds, and 9 touchdowns.

The Bills have a lethal defense with Von Miller (2 sacks against LA in Week 1). The Bills rank second in PPG allowed. It’s worrisome that LT Ronnie Stanley is sitting out Week 3 and could not be ready for Week 4, too. Per Baltimore Ravens team page, he practiced on a limited basis for the first time Wednesday and Thursday. It’s encouraging that Stanley is shaking off the rust, but I believe it will seem unlikely for him to be 100% and in sync in Week 4.

The Bills have only allowed 17 points over the past two games combined. Although, It should be noted that the Bills defense has bled against top-tier signal-callers in recent memory. Patrick Mahomes unveiled three touchdowns and 378 passing yards in the latest divisional round & Tom Brady threw 363 passing yards and 2 touchdowns to defeat the Bills in December of 2021. The ultimate question is: which Bills defense should we expect against the elite Ravens QB?

Josh Allen

Josh Allen’s 2021 stats: 4,407 passing yards, 36 passing TDs, 15 ints, and 763 rushing yards

The ring leader of Bills Mafia, Josh Allen, is undoubtedly the MVP favorite at this very early point in the season. The Bills QB1 has registered 7 passing touchdowns to 2 interceptions in two contests combined. He also ran for a touchdown and 56 yds in Week 1. Allen also has a freaky-high completion percentage (75.4 completion percentage) right now. It simply can’t be undermined that one of his wins came against the reigning Super Bowl Champion (Los Angeles Rams). Allen already has a whopping 90.7 grade by PFF.

The connection between Allen and Stefon Diggs is absolutely cooking. Diggs ousted 12 catches for 148 yds and 3 TDs in Week 2 & 8 catches for 122 yds and 1 TD the game prior. PFF has given Diggs a 90.8 grade for his work thus far. In 2021, Diggs unleashed 103 catches, 1,225 yds, and 10 touchdowns. Gabriel Davis garnered four catches for 88 yds in the Bills opener. Of course, he was a major factor in the recent Bills playoff battle against KC — by ousting a playoff-record four touchdown catches.

The Bills have honestly had quality pass protection early in the 2022 season — as Allen has only been sacked on three occasions in two contests. The Bills LT Dion Dawkins had done an admirable job (0 sacks allowed and a 76.9 grade by PFF). Dawkins was a pleasant LT last season with a 77.5 grade by PFF.

The Ravens pass defense was undoubtedly surprisingly porous last week against the Miami Dolphins. Tua Tagovailoa threw for a record six touchdowns against BAL. Tyreek Hill (11 receptions, 190 yds, and 2 TDs against the Ravens) and Jaylen Waddle (11 catches, 171 yds, 2 TDs) weren’t exactly weak against the Phins, too.

Verdict:

I am a big fan of the momentum that each AFC signal-caller carries in this early chapter of 2022. Although, it will undoubtedly be a tall task for Jackson to have a high-end performance against the Bills pass rush, especially if Stanley is MIA. I also really feel the Bills defense in 2022 is superior to the 2021 Bills defense (which was the best defense in football).

The Ravens defense has a ball-hawk in Marcus Williams (three ints in two show-downs) and an ascending rookie safety in Kyle Hamilton, but I don’t want to express extreme confidence in the Ravens CB group, to say the least. Marcus Peters has a 44.5 grade and Marlon Humphrey has a 61.2 grade by PFF after Week 2. Diggs also has a similar skill-set as Hill, so Ravens nation should be concerned.

Allen is 1-1 against the Lamar Jackson train, but I suspect that Allen will edge out the former Louisville QB and climb forward to possess the 2-1 record in the AFC rivalry. Allen inked a hefty extension in the 2021 off-season for a six-year deal worth $150 million guaranteed. Hopefully, Jackson can ink a massive contract extension with the Ravens very soon. It would be extremely exciting for the NFL world if each QB can remain with their squads and have a plethora of fascinating duels in the future.

The Bills and Ravens square off at 1 PM on Sunday, October 2nd.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Baltimore Ravens have a secondary group that is more gifted than the Jedi Council Darth Vader. After displaying two stars in their secondary last season in Humphrey and Peters, the Ravens pass defense certainly bulked up with the addition of Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton.

Humphrey was an absolute stud early in his career, to say the least. Between 2018 and 2019, PFF gave him the highest grade in single coverage and the only grade above 90. He was also first-team All-Pro in 2019. Humphrey didn’t have the sexiest 2021 campaign and he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although, he’s healthy and motivated to win a Super Bowl in Lamar Jackson in the near future.

Humphrey’s partner, Marcus Peters, is also returning to full health after missing the entire 2021 season. Peters was an All-Pro CB in 2019 (as he had three defensive touchdowns) and he was also quite productive in 2020: four ints, four forced fumbles, and 9 pass deflections. Peters and Humphrey will serve to be a fantastic CB duo. Kambui Bomani of Pro Football Focus labeled Peters and Humphrey as the fifth-best defensive duo in football.

The Ravens elite defensive duo could also have a front-row seat to a DROY season from Kyle Hamilton. The former Notre Dame star somehow slid to BAL at pick 14. Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports labeled him as one of the five biggest steals of the draft. Hamilton has excellent size (6’4, 220) and range at the safety position. He had three interceptions in seven games in the 2021 season. Peters won DROY and then the CB Marshon Lattimore won DROY. Perhaps Hamilton can be the next defensive back to win the prestigious defensive rookie award.

The former Saints free safety, Marcus Williams, has been one of the best players to not make the Pro Bowl over the past few seasons. Williams may be recognized as the player that allowed the Minneapolis Miracle to a fan that only watches the Super Bowl, but he’s honestly a reliable, ascending profile. He earned an 80.1 grade by PFF last season.

The Ravens also inked CB Kyle Fuller, who can play inside and outside. Ravens Wire gave the Ravens an A for the signing of the former All-Pro CB.

It’s clear that the Ravens defensive back room is stout from top to bottom. PFF nicely recognized the overall talent in the Ravens secondary, as they ranked the Ravens secondary the best DB room in the NFL. It’s obvious that Ravens have one of the very most talented defensive back units in the league, but do they actually have the best DB room in the NFL?

I do believe they have an amazing combination of talent and potential. The Ravens defensive backs have been overly productive in recent years, they are finally healthy in 2022, and they are very young (excluding Fuller and Peters). I am confident that the Bills secondary and Saints defensive back unit could be Top-5, as well. Although, I firmly believe the Ravens talented and well-proven CB duo should give the Ravens secondary a slight edge over the likes of BUF and NO.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns were essentially tied in a Chinese finger trap as the most disappointing squads in 2021. Yet, the Lamar Jackson-led Ravens should feel comfortable about turning the corner in 2022. With that said, I’m going to untwine three profiles on the Ravens that should break out and help propel their hungry AFC North squad to stronger heights next season.

Rashod Bateman

The Ravens second-year WR Rashod Bateman knows that the trumpets are being played for his arrival after Hollywood Brown was shipped out of town. Per RavenCountry.com, Bateman is ready to thrive in his new chair. Bateman knocked out 46 receptions and 515 yards in 12 games last season. I fully expect an increased target share (near Brown’s 146 targets last season) in a 17-game slate will drive Bateman to be a 1,000+ yd WR in 2022.

Kyle Hamilton

There are countless analysts including Tyler Sullivan from CBS Sports that believe Kyle Hamilton was one of the biggest steals in the draft. Mina Kimes even felt like Hamilton was the best player in the draft. In fact, it seemed surprising to the Ravens that he was available at 14th overall. I trust that Hamilton will have plenty of targets in the Ravens elite secondary featuring Marcus Williams, Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey, and I trust that he will be up for the challenge.

Justin Madubuike

I’m a big fan of Justin Madubuike’s personality (and size), but it could likely correlate with him being a future star. The player that took positive steps last season has expressed that he still has a lot of work to do in his third season. I believe that his training with Aaron Donald this off-season should help prepare him to excel moving forward. PFF dubbed him as a breakout player in 2021, but I finally expect the quick-twitch, Sheldon Rankins-clone to utilize his ability well on a consistent basis in 2022.

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By: Jake Rajala

The former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton surprised John Harbaugh when he was available for BAL to snatch at 14th overall. The Notre Dame royalty will be a valuable asset to the Ravens secondary that currently features Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Marcus Williams. It wouldn’t be a total surprise if the Ravens flexed the top pass defense in the NFL with Hamilton in their defensive unit.

Hamilton was a special draft prospect, to say the least. Hamilton notched three interceptions, two sacks, and 34 tackles in seven games in 2021. The 21-year-old was the eighth-best prospect on Pro Football Focus’s big board. His combination of size, versatility, and production made him a special draft profile. Hamilton has been often compared to the mythical Kam Chancellor.

Hamilton was projected to be selected by many teams in the Top 12 of the draft, such as Atlanta, Carolina, and Washington. Yet, Hamilton fell in the Ravens hands outside of the Top 12. The Hamilton selection by the Ravens was an enormous reason why CBS Sports dubbed the Ravens as one of the main draft winners. It was obvious that the fact that Hamilton slid to pick 14 wasn’t as surprising that Malik Willis fell to the Titans in the third round, but it was still bizarre that the Ravens were able to add another elite chess piece to their pass defense in Hamilton.

The rookie safety can be a key factor in imminent, prime-time matchups against key AFC contenders like Buffalo, Kansas City, and Cincinnati. The Ravens can’t rely on Lamar Jackson unveiling miracle 2-minute performances in the AFC playoffs. Joe Flacco won Super Bowl MVP as a Raven, but his defense put the most steam in the engine in their successful 2012-2013 road to the big dance. Perhaps Hamilton can be a noticeable spark to the Ravens defense and the Ravens can be the next darkhorse AFC team to play in the Super Bowl.

The post Was Kyle Hamilton the steal of the 2022 NFL Draft? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Khari Demos

There’s no denying the pure talent and production Kyle Hamilton has. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the former Golden Domer helped Notre Dame get to the College Football Playoffs as a sophomore during a first-team All-ACC season, then was named a Consensus All-American in 2021. In 31 career games, Hamilton piled up eight interceptions and 16 passes defended.

His range and explosion are a rare blend for a player of his size. Hamilton is far and away considered the top defensive back in the class, as he patrols the secondary as a do-it-all safety. Whether it’s coming downhill in the run game, or covering the back end from sideline to sideline, he has a similar skill set and frame to All-Pros Derwin James and Kam Chancellor.

Then he went to the NFL Combine and showed out. The soon-to-be 21-year-old leaped with a 38-inch vertical, measured 10-feet, 11-inches in the broad jump, as well-timed at 6.90 in the three-cone drill and 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. When a player with elite tape couples that with elite physical tools, you have the makings of a can’t miss prospect. Hamilton is a true prototype player and projects as a safety that can move fluidly in many assignments throughout a defensive backfield.

But the issue for Hamilton in this draft class comes down to value; playing a role on the field that is considered lower in positional value (safety), the Notre Dame product is not a lock to go within the top five because of it. A team like the Detroit Lions, however, should at least ponder over bringing in a player who could be a plug-and-play starter and Pro Bowler.

During Dan Campbell’s first year at the helm, the Lions showed progress but ultimately finished at the bottom of the NFC at 3-13-1. Posting the 29th overall defense in the league last season, Detroit also ranked 24th in pass D, tied for the third-most TD passes allowed, and tied for the fifth-least picks in the NFL.

The Lions did have solid safety play from Tracy Walker last season, but he’s set to hit free agency next week. The team’s other starting safety, Will Harris, is still under contract but he is coming off a rough go in 2021 (42.6 PFF grade). So if selected, Hamilton could upgrade the secondary in an immediate fashion.

Detroit has been trying to figure out its secondary for some time now. The Lions traded former All-Pro Darius Slay in 2020, then took Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah with the No. 3 pick that same year. But through two NFL seasons, the former Buckeye has struggled on the field and has only played in 10 games. Even more directly at Hamilton’s position, the Lions also traded safety Quandre Diggs to Seattle in ’20, and he’s picked up two Pro Bowl selections since then.

And let’s be honest, who would you even consider Detroit’s best defensive player? Amani Oruwariye? Alex Anzalone? Trey Flowers? Charles Harris is coming off a 7.5-sack season, but he too will be heading to the free-agent market. The Lions need an absolute difference maker on D and selecting Hamilton could bring in that caliber of player.

It will be a major move if Detroit selects Hamilton at No. 2. The highest a safety has gone in recent years was when the Jets picked Jamal Adams No. 6 overall in 2017, and the last to go top five was Eric Berry in 2010. And historically, only two others (Eric Turner at No. 3 in 1991, Sean Taylor at No. 5 in 2004) have gone in the top five. Those are some great names to be in conversation with, and Hamilton deserves to be in the same breath as them as the next great safety prospect.

There could be a push to add edge rushers, Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux, especially for the former as a Michigan native that dominated just 45 minutes away in Ann Arbor as a Wolverine last fall. And I’m sure as a former tight end Campbell would love to add a presence in the trenches. But Hamilton, in my opinion, is an even more coveted prospect, so the Lions should seriously mull overtaking the ND product.

The post Why the Lions really need to draft Kyle Hamilton appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

It’s a week before the NFL playoffs which means Giants nation ought to be served with an NFC East rivalry showdown for supper and a mock draft for desert. It surely will be an interesting offseason with Joe Judge staying in town and Daniel Jones getting the reigns for a likely make or break year in 2022. As the offseason soon gets underway, the focus is on taking a large step with the squad. At large, the focus will be on the NFL draft. So, which direction could NYG elect to go in with their pivotal 2022 draft? Well, here is a three-round mock draft for the optimistic, NFC, Big Apple squad. 

*note – the Giants hold two first-round picks

1. Derek Stingley Jr – LSU – CB 

The Big Blue could make some noise with the selection of Derek Stingley. The LSU DB has drawn high praise, despite having more robust stats in his freshman year. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com compared Stingley to Saints Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore. He’s quite similar to former LSU CB Patrick Peterson, as well. Stingley is a physical beast at 6’1 195 as he can press receivers well and step up to play the run when needed.

A talent like Stingley Jr. noticeably helps players around him elevate their game. If the Giants can score a lot of points against defenses like New Orleans, they need their own secondary to match the ascending offensive attack.

1. Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame – S

I would very much love to see the Giants make these first two selections. With the combination of Stingley Jr and Hamilton, they don’t only make two amazing picks with high floors and high ceiling, but they are striving to make a decade-like talent position group with their secondary. We’ve seen the magic of the Legion of Boom and now it might just be New York’s turn to unfold their own gifted secondary.

It may be wise to acquire a veteran OL in free agency, then strike gold with these two defensive backs early in the 2022 draft. 

2. Ed Ingram – OG – LSU 

The Giants could get an interior OL with a load of potential in Ed Ingram (not Evan Engram). Ed is a fluid OL, plus he packs a punch at 6’4 330 pounds. The 2021 second-team all-SEC would bring much-needed help to Saquon Barkley’s game. He’s also a proven winner and the ultimate competitor.

Whether or not the Giants seek out OL help in free agency, they could find a long-term fit in Ingram. It’s been made clear that Joe Judge wants to build the OL around Andrew Thomas and the issues lie in between Thomas and Nate Solder notably. The Giants will need to go OL in the first two rounds and Ingram would really be a nice value pick here.

3. Kenneth Walker – RB – Michigan State 

The Michigan State Spartans RB, Kenneth Walker would be a Day 1 RB2 and the perfect all-around back for Danny Dimes. Walker could just be the best RB to come out of Michigan State since Le’Veon Bell. Walker ousted 1,636 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 6.2 YPC in route of decomposing defenses.

Saquon Barkley has shown that he can still produce at a very quality level. Nonetheless, Walker could be a reliable upgrade over backup Devontae Booker and boost to the attack if the elite RB continues to endure injuries. Walker should be on the board at least in the early third round (not beyond Round 3). It might even be a possibility that Walker commands the backfield in a couple of seasons. They could make a smart, quick pick with the Spartan.

3. Chad Muma – LB – Wyoming

Chad Muma is a versatile athlete and I could see him fitting in well in the Big Apple. We saw the aggressive, versatile LB Zack Baun slide until the third round and get picked up by the Saints. I could see a similar scenario playing out with Muma.

The 6’3 230 LB is a thumper and that’s evident with his 68 defensive stops. He’s also versatile and that could be a great asset in a defensive front with Leonard Williams. The Giants need to return to the days of having great LBs like JPP, Justin Tuck, and Michael Strahan (even if they have different skillsets).

4. Cole Turner – TE – Nevada (or trade for veteran TE or veteran OL)

Evan Engram could likely be out the door this offseason and Kyle Rudolph clearly isn’t the TE he used to be. It would be smart to pick a TE in the top four rounds of the draft. Cole Turner out of Nevada would fit in nicely at this spot. Turner hauled in a staggering 10 touchdowns last season and he also recorded 677 receiving yards — which was good for eighth in the nation among tight ends.

5. Romeo Doubs – WR – Nevada

It would be poetic if the GMEN obtained two weapons from Nevada. Furthermore, it would be a big help to Danny Dimes if they pulled it off. Romeo Doubs is Mr. consistent and a very explosive wideout at 6’2 200 pounds. He could be seen as a poor man’s version of Deebo Samuel, but he would surely be a nice complement to the rubber-like WR in Kadarius Toney. Jones could use more help in the screen game and Doubs would be a fantastic aid in that department.

6. D’vonta Price – RB – Florida International

If they truly want to figure out if Daniel Jones is the answer at QB, they need to load up on offense and come out “guns blazing” in 2022. They could really use more firepower at RB behind Barkley, even if they add Kenneth Walker. The 49ers make a living by utilizing the talent of many different running backs. Price would be a nice, downhill RB to finish a defense off late in ball games. If Barkley isn’t in the house in the near future, they can have a nice 1-2 punch in Walker and Price.

The post 2022 New York Giants 7-Round Mock Draft appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tom Rodriguez

The NFL season is coming to a close and most franchises will begin looking towards the players that they need to lead their franchise to future prominence. The 2022 NFL draft is unlike one we have seen in quite some time. It has gotten much less talk than in past classes. The main reason for that is the quarterbacks. They’re bad. We have been spoiled by talented passers for years and now it’s time for a much less “sexy” draft. This is an overwhelming “eat your vegetables” draft. Many of the better players play in the trenches, which is where many teams believe you should start building your roster from. On the outside, there are a nice crop of defensive backs and wide receivers as well. It may be weak at quarterback and running back, but the 2022 class featured plenty of elite prospects. With that being said, the top five of this draft is sure to be exciting. Here’s a quick mock of the top five!

Disclaimer

This order is the current NFL draft order (before the final week of the regular season has been played). Also, this mock draft is predictive, not what I would do.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

As stated previously, this mock is predictive, not opinionated. Aidan Hutchinson would not be my “EDGE1” as of right now (Hell, he may not even be my EDGE2 right now). However, the NFL seems to be big fans of the Wolverines’ pass rusher. With fourteen sacks and two forced fumbles in 2021, Hutchinson was one of the most dominant players in the country. Jacksonville already has Josh Allen coming off the edge, but have yet to find him a true partner. With a big swing and a miss on 2020 first round pick K’Lavon Chaisson so far.

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Billed as the consensus best player in the class back in the Summer, Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux did not have the dominant season that many expected him to. Most of that was because of an early season injury that caused him to miss some time. With the best traits of the entire EDGE class, he’s the perfect pick for a rebuilding team that is looking to add some high level talent on defense. Detroit showed some signs of life this season, and Thibodeaux turning into the player we all expect him to be would go a long way in expediting their timeline.

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The wisest thing for the Houston Texans to do with Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal is to do what was done to Laremy Tunsil as a rookie. Who better to help Neal come along than Tunsil himself. With the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Tunsil played guard while Miami was waiting for Brandon Albert’s contract to finish. In 2017, Tunsil was then moved back to his natural position of left tackle. Neal has guard experience and can form a formidable left side in 2022 with Tunsil. The Texans may be heading into full rebuild mode and move off of some veterans soon. Deshaun Watson will be traded soon for a cavalcade of draft picks. The high priced Tunsil may be on the move after that. Neal, a towering mauler at left tackle brings more natural strength to this franchise than they currently have. A little raw in pass protection, Neal is not a perfect prospect. However, he has the traits and position versatility to warrant a top three selection.

New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

It’s high time to address the cornerback room in the Big Apple. The Jets corner room is about as uninspiring as any in the league. There are some encouraging youngsters in Bryce Hall and Brandon Echols. However, the AFC East currently runs through Buffalo and that means two things: 1. You have to deal with Stefon Diggs and 2. You have to deal with as many four and five wide receiver sets as anyone else. Derek Stingley, a high caliber athlete and potential lockdown corner is the best option to deal with those realities. Stingley burst onto the scene in the Tigers undefeated 2019 season with six interceptions as a true freshman. However, injuries and game cancellations limited him to just ten starts in the last two years. Stingley has been on the NFL radar for some time and should expect to be picked rather high.

New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Pick good football players. Many people will have Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton as their top rated player in the class. That billing would be entirely justified. Hamilton does it all and that isn’t hyperbole. Coverage, run fits, tackling, athleticism; there’s nothing he can’t do. Now, would current Giants general manager Dave Gettleman make this pick? Unlikely. However, the Giants are likely to have a new man in charge very soon! If that’s the case, you would hope it is someone young whose football mind is adapting with the times, or in simpler terms, the antithesis of Gettleman. How likely is that hire to be made? From the owner who is in heavy support of the new taunting rule, it also feels unlikely. We can always dream.

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By: Jacob Keppen

The draft landscape has changed a bit for the Philadelphia Eagles over the past month. Once thought to possibly have three top ten picks in their possession, the Eagles draft picks are slowly starting to move down the board and space out. With Miami starting to win games, Indianapolis being competitive, and the Eagles being a massive question mark week to week, the Eagles still have three top 15 selections. With 11 total picks, here is the Eagles mock draft heading into December.

8th Overall (Round 1): Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Safety might be the sneakiest need for Philadelphia moving forward. Anthony Harris is only here on a one year deal and is 30, while Rodney McLeod will be 32 next year and is coming off a major injury this year. There isn’t really a replacement plan in place at the position, and Kyle Hamilton is one of the best players in the draft regardless of position. A 6’4 athletic unicorn, Hamilton has the range and tackling of a potential All Pro safety in the NFL.

9th Overall (Round 1): Andrew Booth Jr, CB Clemson

The Eagles are not done at cornerback yet, not by a long shot. While Darius Slay is playing some of the best football of his career, he is 30. Hopefully the Eagles get a few more productive years out of their star corner, but eventually his replacement must be found. With Steve Nelson on a one year deal the bandaid over the 2nd corner position will almost surely be ripped off come next season. Andrew Booth is an extremely talented and athletic corner who can be the second in command across from Darius Slay, eventually taking over Slay’s role as the team’s lockdown corner. 

14th Overall (Round 1): Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State

Yes, it disgusts me as well to select a receiver this high once again for Philadelphia. Since 2019 the Eagles have taken three receivers in the top two rounds, twice in the first round the past two years. The Eagles also took a receiving threat in Dallas Goedert early in the second in 2018. If last game against the Giants made anything clear, it’s that the Eagles weapons simply are not good enough. Bringing in one veteran receiver in the offseason won’t fix that either, teams needing multiple weapons to really get an edge in today’s NFL. Garrett Wilson can really do it all, his technique winning him most reps at the line of scrimmage and his ability with the ball in his hands making him a dynamic threat next to Devonta Smith.

42nd Overall (Round 2): Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn State

This edge rusher class is really good, like really good. Even in the second round teams will have a bevy of fine pass rushers to choose from, and Arnold Ebiketie is one of the best. Since transferring to Penn State this year, Ebiketie has been on an absolute tear making the 2021 All Big Ten First Team Defense. Ebiketie has great bend and athleticism, combined with some very educated hands. With a big week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, he might not even be available at 42.

73rd Overall (Round 3): Brandon Smith, LB Penn State

Double dipping once again in the vast pool of defensive talent at Happy Valley, Brandon Smith could be the finishing piece to an Eagles linebacker corps that is starting to figure it out. Once the biggest hole on the team, the additions of T.J. Edwards and Davion Taylor to the starting lineup have been very solid this season. In Smith the eagles take another swing on an extremely athletic linebacker.

110th Overall (Round 4): Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina

That’s right, another receiving weapon. If the Eagles truly want to see if Jalen Hurts is the guy they can’t give him bargain bin weapons. No more excuses, get him help and see what happens. The backup tight end spot is one I think the Eagles should look at. While Tyree Jackson has shown a ton of potential, Isaiah Likely has been a force for Coastal Carolina the past two years. An athletic threat up the seam Likely can be a good complementary threat next to Dallas Goedert.

151st Overall (Round 5): Jalen Pitre, LB/S Baylor

Jalen Pitre is one of my favorite later-round guys in the draft, and he fits a mold of players that Philadelphia tends to like. It’s almost a running joke at this point how the Eagles don’t take linebackers, they just take safeties and put them at linebacker. Pitre plays that hybrid linebacker/safety role, utilized best blowing up plays around the line of scrimmage. Opposing teams rarely can barely get screens off cleanly when playing against Baylor.

160th Overall (Round 5): Max Mitchell, OT Louisiana

It is never a bad idea to take backup linemen with upside later in the draft. Philadelphia has been doing this routinely during Roseman’s reign as GM, and it usually has worked out. Multiple times we’ve seen later round linemen thrust into starting roles due to an injury in Philadelphia. For the Eagles Lane Johnson has been the man at right tackle for the past decade, but it’s time to start thinking about some reassurance behind him. He’s getting older and has dealt with some injuries. Max Mitchell is an aggressive lineman who flashes on film and could make for a good option behind Lane.

173rd Overall (Round 5): Tyler Allgeier, RB BYU

The Eagles running back situation is a very interesting one. It seems as though the team really isn’t sold on Miles Sanders being the guy, the former second-round pick never really receiving a heavy workload. Jordan Howard has at times been featured as the power back this year, and it’s worked pretty well. Of course, you do still have Kenny Gainwell, last year’s 5th round selection, who adds as a receiving threat. I don’t think Miles Sanders is going to be the guy in Philadelphia after his contracts up, and Tyler Allgeier’s an interesting option to add to the mix in Philly. Possibly the most underrated back in college football over the past two years, Allgeier is a speedy back who slashes through defenses.

193rd Overall (Round 6): Dylan Parham, IOL Memphis

It is never a bad idea to take backup linemen with upside later in the draft. Philadelphia has been doing this routinely during Roseman’s reign as GM, and it usually has worked out (Hey, where have I seen that intro before?) Dylan Parham has impressed this year at guard and there have been talks of trying him out at center at the Senior Bowl. A superb athlete for the position, Parham could be a sneaky good player if he bulks up a bit more.

206th Overall (Round 6): Brad Hawkins, S Michigan

Why not end the mock by sending a local player back home! Playing high school football at Camden High (You want the High, you got the High!) right across the bridge from Philadelphia, it would be a full circle for the Eagles to draft him. A fifth-year player with tons of Big 10 experience, Hawkins can fill a variety of roles as a backup including special teams.

The post Philadelphia Eagles 7 round mock draft in December appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Tim Rodriguez

The 2022 NFL draft: Defined by the defense. After two years of elite quarterback classes, we have something “different”. A lot of these quarterbacks have yet to remove some of the questions that surround them. So here we sit in October, looking at the worst quarterback class since 2019. However, this class is shaking up to be even better defensively than that crop was almost three years ago. All of these players will be on full display this weekend. Who are five guys to watch this weekend on the defensive side of the ball? 

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame: @ Virginia Tech

Did you think Kyle Hamilton was not going to be on this list? Kyle Hamilton should be on every list. Probably the best player in college football, Hamilton has NFL evaluators wondering how high a safety could realistically go in the modern era. Jamal Adams went sixth overall in 2017 and was the highest safety selected in quite a while. Sixth overall feels like a steal. I have a hard time finding five players that I can justify taking over Kyle Hamilton. The ultimate chess piece on defense, Hamilton is worth throwing out positional value for. 

Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State: @ North Carolina 

A positive thing being written about Florida State football! Senior transfer Jermaine Johnson has been the best thing about the Seminoles since the second he stepped on the field for them. Unable to consistently get on the field at Georgia, Johnson only had five sacks in 2020. Just five games in, he already has 5.5 in 2021. Johnson has been dominant and shoots up draft boards every single week.  

Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: @ USC

Utah’s Devin Lloyd is a new age linebacker. With excellent range to flow from sideline to sideline and premier athletic traits, Lloyd is a constant playmaker for the Utes. Lloyd plays with good burst and can make up ground in a hurry, which also helps him in coverage. While his overall play in the run game leaves much to be desired, Lloyd has the tools to be a day two pick and start for an NFL team in his rookie year. 

Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia: @ Auburn 

Why is he not playing in the NFL? It is objectively hilarious watching college lineman try to deal with Jordan Davis, who may also be the largest man on planet Earth. The 2021 defensive tackle class was as weak as it could possibly get and Davis would have easily been the first one off the board, likely in the late first round. Standing at a massive 6-6, 340 pounds, Davis is a mountain of a man in the middle of possibly the best defense we have seen in the last decade. Davis’ production has also taken an uptick in his senior year. He is on pace to set career highs in statistics across the board, but his impact goes well beyond the box score.   

Perrion Winfrey, IDL, Oklahoma: vs Texas (neutral site)

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has completely transformed  the Oklahoma Sooners defense in recent years. Oklahoma gets after the quarterback like no one else and one of the biggest reasons for that is JUCO transfer Perrion Winfrey. Winfrey is having a breakout senior year for the Sooners and has made their defense sneaky good for the first time in quite a while. Winfrey plays with a relentless motor and uses his athleticism to push the pocket and frustrate quarterbacks. Grinch constantly has him looping on stunts and using that athleticism to frustrate offensive lines. Winfrey looks like a top 50 pick right now as a raw, athletic, high effort interior pass rusher.

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By: Tim Rodriguez

We are one week into the 2021 NFL season and hope is still in the air for all 32 franchises. However, it is necessary to be realistic in these times. It was wildly entertaining to see the Detroit Lions, a team that is obviously in rebuilding mode, battle back against a talented 49ers squad and make it a hotly contested game towards the end, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the Lions are ready to punch their ticket to the postseason. Fanbases like the Lions’ should be turning their attention to the 2022 NFL draft, chock full of questions at quarterback and intriguing defensive talent. 

{Pick 1} Detroit Lions: Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma 

There is no safe option at quarterback in the 2022 class. They all have their question marks. The one with the highest upside, however, may be Oklahoma’s, Spencer Rattler. Rattler certainly has issues with consistency and decision-making but has all of the necessary traits to justify taking him at number one overall. If Detroit is uncomfortable with the questions surrounding this quarterback crop, they have the draft capital to push this decision to 2023. 

{Pick 2} Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jacksonville Jaguars made the ultimate investment in Trevor Lawrence this April. It’s high time to start protecting that investment. With offensive tackle Cam Robinson and A.J. Caan entering free agency and veterans Brandon Linder and Andrew Norwell continuing to age, right tackle Jawaan Taylor may be the only player on their current offensive line starting in a year. A 6’7”, 350 pound-force, Alabama’s Evan Neal is a battering ram who plays with exceptional power and would be a great option to protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside for the next decade. 

{Pick 3} Houston Texans: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada 

It is time to give up on the Deshaun Watson dream. Aside from the incredibly disturbing accusations levied against him recently, Watson has made it clear he will not be playing in Houston. The Texans should be looking to move forward without their disgruntled star. Should they be moving forward with Nevada’s Carson Strong; they would be getting a strong-armed pocket passer with the ability to do everything asked of him, including escaping the pocket to make a play off-script. If Houston is able to acquire picks and/or players for Watson, they could use that capital to build an offensive line for Strong. 

{Pick 4} Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

No quarterback? Whoever new general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith select to replace future Hall of Famer will define their tenure in Atlanta. There is no need to rush that decision and reach for a player with question marks they are uncomfortable with. Liberty’s Malik Willis and Ole Miss’ Matt  Corral may end up being talented players, but with the rebuild kicking off, the Falcons should push this decision to next year and select an elite prospect at a premier position. Thibodeaux, a freak athlete coming off the edge, has the burst and explosiveness to be an elite speed rusher and be the cornerstone of a defense that is getting a makeover with new coordinator Dean Pees.

{Pick 5} New York Jets: Kaair Elam, CB, Florida 

The cornerback room in New York may be the worst in the NFL by a mile. With some promising talent at safety, the Jets should be looking to complement those players with a shutdown corner. With an excellent length and ball skills, Elam feels like a cornerback that head coach Robert Saleh would be pounding the table for. After going with an offensive heavy approach in 2021, it is time for the Jets to bolster their defense. 

{Pick 6} Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Eagles are another team that has the draft capital to be creative with how they handle the quarterback position. With Jalen Hurts trying to prove that he’s a franchise quarterback and multiple other picks, the Eagles, at least in September, can opt to take the player who may be the best player in the class. Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton is a player that makes you throw away positional value. A 6’4” safety with the range to boot, Hamilton is going to be a force in the NFL on the back end. 

{Pick 7} New York Giants: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty 

Should the Giants actually be picking in the top ten, there will be plenty of changes coming for “Big Blue”. General manager Dave Gettleman will likely be gone, along with his former first round pick quarterback Daniel Jones. Head coach Joe Judge would likely get a “hot seat” year in 2022, meaning he would also change at least one coordinator, most likely offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. The Giants would have explosive athletes in tow with Kadarius Toney, Darius Slayton and Saquan Barkley, with some other nice offensive pieces. With that being said, why not add an explosive athlete at quarterback? Liberty’s Malik Willis brings next-level athletics and improving mechanics. 

{Pick 8} Las Vegas Raiders: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M 

Regardless of the Raiders record, Jon Gruden will still be the head coach. However, if they are picking in the top ten, he may be working with a new general manager. With the offensive line getting ripped to shreds last off-season and the inevitable retirement of Richie Incognito, this feels like a no-brainer here. In 2021, the Raiders selected Alex Leatherwood, who can play guard or tackle. Kenyon Green has played guard and has recently been kicked out to right tackle. Las Vegas would be able to have them compete at tackle and then play the “loser” at guard. 

{Pick 9} Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson

The Bengals are still looking for some long-term answers at the cornerback position. Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton are great short term options, but the room could certainly use an influx of young talent. Clemson’s Andrew Booth has all of the potential to be a top-tier boundary corner for the Bengals. In the second round of 2020, when they needed an offensive lineman, the Bengals selected a receiver. They did the same thing in 2021 with the fifth overall pick. The Bengals have shown that they prioritize the outside. 

{Pick 10} Chicago Bears: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Justin Fields will be the man in Chicago eventually. When that happens, it will be on the Bears front office to surround him with talent. They also may be afforded a high draft pick as some rookie growing pains may cause the Bears to lose some winnable games. With star receiver Allen Robinson making it evident he wants out, the Bears will likely need to add a receiver to the room. The Bengals, Dolphins, and Eagles all gave their young quarterbacks their former teammates with first-round receivers. The Bears can elect to do the same with Ohio State’s Chris Olave, one of the smoothest receivers to come out in recent years.

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