NFL Draft Rumors: What little tidbits are we hearing before tonight’s first round?

It is finally draft day! The NFL Draft for 2022 is here, and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

I wanted to post an article with some cool tidbits and nuggets we are hearing and figured it would be a nice like change of pace for people wanting to know more about the draft and what we are hearing.

Trade UPS?

We are hearing there are several teams looking to trade up into the top 15. Those two teams that we continue to hear are the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. We hear the Eagles could have a wide receiver on their mind, while the Saints have an offensive tackle.

The Saints have been linked to Charles Cross recently, and I would not be shocked that the Panthers would have interest in trading back. At this point the Panthers do not have much draft capital. Many have the Panthers going tackle, but if they do in fact want a quarterback trading out of 6 to fall back makes quite a bit of sense.

Another couple teams we hear have interest in getting back into the later parts of the 2nd round are the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. Both of them are likely targeting a quarterback and that quarterback could be Desmond Ridder. Two teams that could be willing to trade out of the first to get to the early second are the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. Packers pick 28 makes sense, but if a team wants to jump them, Buffalo is sitting at 25. Many have the Bills going running back, and I hear that could be a possibility but they have some corners at that pick they like as well. Beane is always looking to make a splash.

Medicals, Medicals, Medicals

I am not sure if it is a smoke screen or a team trying to get players to fall, but over the last several days there have been several players names coming up about medical issues. They are saying Evan Neal is falling because of medicals, as well as Kenyon Green. I have not talked to one team who had either one of them having any major medical issues. There are several linebackers whose names are being tossed around who have medical issues as well. Those two players are Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd. With these medical questions, keep an eye on Quay Walker. He could jump over both of them.

I was told that teams have cleared Derek Stingley Jr., and Jameson Williams from any medical issues. David Ojabo will likely fall because of his injury, but I have heard from several people that his medical will not slow him down long term. He will miss a lot of his rookie year, but he could be a value pick for a team that has multiple picks. Basically a redshirt year.

Tons say that Justyn Ross and Carson Strong are going to drop because of their medicals. Ross was born with Klippel-Feil Syndrome, but he has played for a long time at a high level. I would not be afraid of taking either one of these prospects. Both Carson Strong and Matt Corral have medical concerns but will they be able to pass physicals? That is the question.

John Metchie is a guy that has question marks in the injury department, but there are teams who love the kid. He will likely fall to round 2 but I would not be shocked if a team came up early to get him.

Who is climbing?

There are several players who are getting a lot of love from NFL teams. Roger McCreary and Kaiir Elam are both talked about big time as top corner prospects. Many NFL teams are in love with these kids. I would not be shocked if one or both are drafted in the first.

Zion Johnson is a guy that NFL teams love. He is smaller, but he is so technically sound. I have heard some amazing things about this kid and I would not be shocked if he is the first interior offensive lineman taken. Keep an eye on Arizona!

Trey McBride has been linked to the first round quite a bit. I would not be shocked if the Cowboys or Bengals pick him. McBride is the best tight end in the class, and if he does fall to the second, you better expect a team to climb in front of the Giants. I think the Giants would be a perfect landing spot for him.

Quay Walker could be the first linebacker selected. Many are in love with this kids game. Another linebacker whose stock is flying is Brian Asamoah. I have heard several teams at the top of Round 2 are very interested in this kid. He has a motor and can play sideline-to-sideline.

Logan Hall from Houston has been named to me by several teams as a person who could end up in the first round. I would not be shocked if he is drafted late one.

If you are a looking for an offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has been on five top 30 visits. He could easily be a top 5 tackle drafted in 2022 from what I am hearing.

Drake London reportedly had some medical issues, but I am hearing he is cleared and his stock is skyrocketing. I heard there are several teams in him in the top 10.

Who is being overhyped?

I keep hearing that George Karlaftis is a guy that several had rated a lot higher than others. I am not sure he is a lock to be a first rounder. I could see him going to the second for sure.

Bernhard Raimann is a player I have seen in several first round mock drafts. I am not saying he is not talented, I am hearing he could fall though and several teams did not have him in their top 5 offensive tackle spots.

Treylon Burks is being placed in a lot of first round mock drafts, but he was not very good at his combine. If a team is looking for a bigger and physical wide out they could draft him but I would not be shocked if he falls to round 2.

I had several teams tell me with the news this week on Adam Anderson from Georgia about being charged with rape he is all the way off their boards. Many had him as top 5 linebacker prospect. This news could not have come at a worse time.

Teams are scared of Devonte Wyatt’s off the field issues. I think he could fall out of the first round. He is expected to be at the NFL Draft in Vegas, so hopefully he is drafted so he does not have to sit in the green room by himself for a long time.