NFL Combine 2022: 10 players to watch out for
The NFL Combine returns this week for the first time since 2019 as college football prospects prepare to raise their profiles before the upcoming NFL Draft next month.
With the Combine being cancelled for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NFL teams and their fans will be relishing the chance to see the top college prospects in back in action in Indianapolis.
While some controversy remains over this year’s event, there will be plenty of players participating in the unique combine drills looking to take advantage of their peers being elsewhere.
The likes of LSU’s Derek Stingley and the projected number one pick Evan Neal will be skipping the Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. They will instead choose to work out at Pro Days later before the draft.
With the pecking order atop the 2022 NFL Draft still very much up for debate, the Combine could provide some added insight as to where certain players may end up.
Let’s take a look at some of the prospects who could see their stock rise in Indianapolis:
KAYVON THIBODEAUX, EDGE, OREGON
The Oregon star has been seen as one of the best players in this class for a long time, but his value has somewhat slipped in recent months. Fuelled by power and instinct, Thibodeaux is as athletically gifted as anyone. While far from a finished product, he possesses pro-ready athletic attributes that should make him a standout edge defender in the NFL.
Despite often being criticised for a lack of awareness and consistency, a strong combine performance could be perfect for Thibodeaux to prove doubters wrong.
DAVID OJABO, EDGE, MICHIGAN
Michigan’s David Ojabo should be an outstanding tester in Indianapolis this week. The native Scotsman has such a high-ceiling and he’s someone we cannot wait to see in the NFL. After a breakout year in 2021, we’re confident he can become one of the best pass rushers in the game, but will he be one of the first selected in 2022?
Ojabo churned out sub 11-second 100-meter times as a high schooler and now, as a more refined athlete, should be producing some of the elite scores in the combine drills. Expect Ojabo to run a sub 4.60 40-yard dash and make a serious claim to being a top-10 pick this week.
MALIK WILLIS, QB, LIBERTY
With Ole Miss’ quarterback Matt Corral not performing at the Combine, this will be a great opportunity for Willis to build some momentum in the run up to the draft after a stellar outing at the recent Senior Bowl.
Following a positive week in Mobile, Willis will be looking to emulate all of his best throws from tape to the main stage for NFL teams to admire. He has the arm talent to go with some impressive athleticism which makes him a very handy dual-threat quarterback. If he can get his timing and anticipation right in Indianapolis, there is no reason why he can’t put himself in the mix to be QB1 come the draft.
KYLER GORDON, CB, WASHINGTON
In what is such a deep cornerback class, Washington’s Kyler Gordon will be looking to test well in Indianapolis. With the likes of Ahmed Gardner, Trent McDuffie and Derek Stingley all expected to go early in the draft, this is a big change for the physical playmaker Gordon to step out of the shadows.
We expect Gordon to be a contender for the fastest player at the Combine and if he’s able to fully showcase his top speed and movement, he could elevate himself to be in the position alongside the other premier corners in 2022.
SKYY MOORE, WR, WESTERN MICHIGAN
A player who has gone under the radar until recently, Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore is without doubt one of the fastest players in the upcoming draft. With outstanding hands and reflexes, Moore can make a case for being one of the first 10 (if not better) receivers drafted this year.
We currently have Moore down as a late Day 2 pick, but that could easily change. He’s slightly short in stature but on tape, he looks an effective route runner who could be a valuable asset for many teams, especially on RPO plays.
A strong showing in the dash and the other drills could push the receiver into becoming a possible second-round pick.
DAXTON HILL, DB, MICHIGAN
Daxton Hill was an instrumental piece of the Michigan defense that won a Big Ten title in 2021 and his individual athleticism is for all to see. A sprinter in high school, Hill is a very versatile player and while Kyle Hamilton is stealing all the limelight pre-draft, an incredible safety alternative in Hill is quietly going under the radar. He could be a steal for any potential suitors if he slips in the Draft, but expect to see his stock rocket at the Combine.
As a college recruit, Hill post a 4.30 40-yard dash as well as a lighting 4.22-second shuttle time. If he’s anything close to those numbers, Hill could creep in the first round of the draft.
IKEM EKWONU, OT, NC STATE
With Evan Neal not working out this week, this could be a prime opportunity for NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu to make a claim to being the premier offensive lineman in the 2022 draft. A former state champion wrestler, Ekwonu is beast of an athlete and has plenty of speed and power for a 6’4”, 320 pound human being.
He’s expected to go close to a huge 30 inches on the vertical jump, and should easily hit 30+ reps on the bench press. By the end of the week, we could have a new number one pick contender.
DANIEL FAALELE, OT, MINNESOTA
Faalele is a machine. He’s 6’8”, weighs almost 400 pounds and after impressing at the recent Senior Bowl, we believe Faalele has the potential to go very far at the next level. Dubbed as the next Jordan Mailata, the Australian native has a lot of upside despite never playing football at a young age.
For a man of his size, this will be a crucial week for Faalele as he must prove his athletic ability well. He’ll know more than anyone that his stock could soar or plummet during the space of just a couple of days but he’ll be determined to show his NFL ability.
We predict he’ll blow a lot of teams away with his athleticism, which could see him push to make a claim for a late first round selection.
GEORGE PICKENS, WR, GEORGIA
This time last year, Georgia’s wideout George Pickens was in the discussion for being the best receiver in the 2022 class. Now, after an ACL tear last year, it’s looking unlikely that he’ll be taken in the first-round.
That could all change this week however. Pickens, a big-bloodied receiver who could boast a very respectable dash time and be impressive during the catching drills. There will be other receivers who will undoubtedly grab a lot of the headlines for their performances, such as Drake London and Garrett Wilson, but Pickens could be a dark horse contender to be right up there.
BRIAn Asamoah, LB, OKLAHOMA
Another under-the-radar prospect expected to make a splash is Oklahoma’s Brian Asamoah. The explosive Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean are seen as the premier linebackers in this class, but Asamoah could easily push himself from a mid round player to a top order star.
Georgia’s Quay Walker could also attract teams this week, but Asaomah was one of the best defenders in the middle of the field during the Senior Bowl in February. He’s not the most powerful against blockers, but he’s certainly an explosive runner, a fearless tackler and someone who will be out to put on a show during the Combine.
