Both the NFL and CFB seasons are underway. Over the last two month or so, NFL scouts have attended college practices and games, getting a look at some of the upcoming draft prospects for the 2022 Draft. The process as a whole is a year-long process that never truly stops.
Last year, players such as Zach Wilson soared up draft boards while Marvin Wilson and Dylan Moses went from first-round prospects to undrafted free agents. There is plenty of movement throughout the year in terms of which prospects are soaring up draft boards while others plummet. Here is the second edition of the stock movement for 2022 draft prospects, which thankfully doesn’t have many fallers.
Be sure to check out all of the previous parts of this series.
Stock Up: Drake London, WR, USC
London put himself firmly in the first-round conversation with his performance against Colorado. The USC receiver had three absurd catches where he went over defenders to make the grab, including an insane one-handed catch in the corner of the endzone on a goal-line fade. In five games this year, London has better numbers in catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns than Devonta Smith did in his Heisman-winning campaign last year. Many had London as their fourth or fifth-best receiver in the class, and while many have said this receiver class isn’t as good as the last two, players like London and Jahan Dotson are making their case for this receiver class to be in the same category as the last two.
Drake London is just THAT GUY, separation or not he will go up and win the ball for you https://t.co/u5vZP5bDhU
— Luke Carr (@LukeCarrFB) October 2, 2021
Stock Down: Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
For the second time in as many articles, Rattler appears in the stock down category. There was a time where the Oklahoma quarterback was the Heisman frontrunner and was in play for the first overall selection in the 2022 draft. Since our last installment, Rattler has thrown three touchdowns to two interceptions. Even worse, in the game against West Virginia, the home crowd was chanting for the backup, Caleb Williams, to enter the game and for the Sooners to bench Rattler. With Malik Willis, Carson Strong, Matt Corral, and others gaining heat in the race for the best quarterback in the 2022 class, Rattler’s stock has taken a massive hit. Some mock drafts don’t even have the Oklahoma quarterback in the first round anymore.
Stock Up: Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State
It seems as though we have found our Wilson/Joe Burrow quarterback prospect for the 2022 draft. The Washington transfer has burst onto the scene early in the 2021 season. While his performance against Hawaii wasn’t spectacular, Haener has proven throughout the season to be a prospect similar to Wilson, with his mentality to sling it and trust himself. While that leads to mistakes sometimes, Haener has had an impressive start to his senior season. The Fresno State signal-caller has completed almost 70 percent of his passes for over 2,200 yards, 18 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. If he continues to improve each game, Haener could have a chance to sneak into the day one quarterback conversation.
Another #FresnoState Jake Haener to Jalen Cropper touchdown connection. Brand synergy.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 3, 2021
Stock Up: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Second-level defenders in the NFL today are tasked with being fast, physical, and can cover the middle of the field. Zaven Collins and Jamin Davis saw massive rises up draft boards last year, and Lloyd could be in a similar boat for the upcoming draft. The linebacker class for the 2022 draft doesn’t have a true front-runner just yet, but there are a lot of players that could take ahold of the number one spot in the draft, and Lloyd has proven he is one of them. Mel Kiper Jr recently listed him as his 11th-best prospect in the class. The Utes linebacker has totaled 46 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and a forced fumble this season.
Stock Up: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
What is even more unfortunate for Rattler is there is another quarterback who is rising through the ranks, and that is Pickett. Many draft analysts had Pickett as their quarterback that would elevate his stock from day three into the first round conversation. In the last three games, the Pittsburgh quarterback has tossed 14 touchdowns. Thankfully for Pickett, it seems as though his receivers are finally catching the ball, unlike last year. The best part about this stretch of play for the Pittsburgh quarterback is that it has caught the attention of Jim Nagy, who listed him as a likely Senior Bowl prospect on Tuesday. Pickett could see his stock rise similarly to that of Kellen Mond from last year.
☑️Dropback
☑️Off-balance throw
☑️ Zip
☑️ Another TD for Kenny Pickettpic.twitter.com/N6gjBCJI9i— NFL Draft Prospects Podcast (@nflprospectspod) October 2, 2021
Stock Down: Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame
The fourth quarterback in this list is another one that saw his stock drop significantly. After performing well against Wisconsin, Coan fell flat against Cincinnati this past weekend, as he was only able to muster 114 passing yards with an interception and no touchdowns. Notre Dame lost to Cincinnati last week, and while Coan’s stock wasn’t super high to begin with, he may not hear his name called at all now if he doesn’t pick up his play.
Stock Up: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
The interior offensive line class this season is a monster one. There are plenty of prospects that have first-round potential, and after seeing players like Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, and Josh Myers succeed for their teams this season, maybe teams will start taking interior offensive linemen earlier. Johnson would’ve likely been a day two selection last year had he declared, but he is again showing why he is one of the best offensive linemen in the country for Boston College.
Stock Up: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Last year, Northern Iowa produced Spencer Brown, who went in the third round to the Buffalo Bills. This year, Penning could go much higher than that. After playing as a right guard in 2019, he moved to the tackle spot and hasn’t looked back. Kiper recently had the Northern Iowa tackle as a top-20 prospect in the class. Some outlets have him creeping up towards him being the best offensive tackle in the class and a potential top-ten selection in April’s draft.
Stock Up: Jalen Cropper, WR, Fresno State
Haener’s favorite receiver rounds out the list. Like Wilson and Dax Milne last year, the connection between the two is vastly improving both of their draft stocks. On the season so far, Cropper has posted career-highs in catches (44), yards (528), and touchdowns (9). Cropper has caught half of Haener’s touchdown passes, and the two will likely continue to connect throughout the season, and hopefully, Fresno State can rebound from their loss to Hawaii.
I told y’all pregame don’t be surprised if #FresnoState WR Jalen Cropper breaks off a long touchdown today.
Takes a slant, bounces off a tackler and takes it 86 yards. Has legit long speed. https://t.co/vc7Lr9btKp pic.twitter.com/PY7jkHoSUv
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) August 28, 2021
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