The NFL Draft is almost here and I’m excited. I took time during the offseason to check players that either stayed in college or jumped to the pros. This is my first time doing the NFL draft information, but I’m keeping things simple.
Nearly everyone does their mock drafts to predict players that could be picked in the first round, but I’m not interested in it. Instead, I listed players that I like/want/hope to be drafted by the end of the weekend. For the players in red, I WANT them to get drafted by the end of the weekend. It may not happen for a couple of players, but there are 262 draft picks. Anything can happen.
Check out the list, see what you think, and check out MY Top 10 Players with information below that were marked in red. Hope you all enjoy and have a great rest of the week!
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
MY TOP 10 PLAYERS
10. AMARE JONES – GEORGIA SOUTHERN/TULANE TRANSFER RUNNING BACK
Amare Jones is a running back with all-purpose capabilities on offense and special teams. He played running back, caught out of the backfield, and played quarterback for the time being while at Georgia Southern. He needs more bulk, but he could be useful in several areas of the field if put in the right system. Certain teams that utilize players like that could be a good spot for Jones.
9. MARCELINO MCCRARY-BALL – INDIANA LINEBACKER/DEFENSIVE BACK
Marcelino was listed as a linebacker to start out his career. Then he switched to defensive back for the rest of his career. He’s athletic, lean, quick, and flies around the field. He may need to finish strong when attempting tackles or it becomes a consequence to allowing more yards. Playing the nickel/outside linebacker spot would be a good start for McCrary-Ball. With enough work and improvement, it could go a long way in his career.
8. MCKENZIE MILTON – FLORIDA STATE/UCF TRANSFER QUARTERBACK
Remember when UCF went from the grave to an undefeated season with a big bowl win over Auburn? This guy made it possible alongside Scott Frost. McKenzie Milton was one of the most athletic quarterbacks in college football and had a big story coming back from a gruesome leg injury against USF. If it wasn’t for injury, he had first round/early second round written all over. He didn’t get the bounce back story he wanted with Florida State, but it could be there at the next level. His size, frame, and questionable confidence with his leg could hinder his chances of getting his name called this weekend. Otherwise, playing a Fan Controlled Football League, maybe signing with the USFL, or playing football in Canada would be a good start for Milton.
7. MATT ARAIZA – SAN DIEGO STATE KICKER
We’ve seen kickers and punters that have the swagger or the leg to do it all. Pat McAfee, Sebastian Janikowski, Marquette King, Lou Groza, Ray Guy, Shane Lechler, Andy Lee, etc. But what about Matt Araiza from San Diego State? This guy punted around 90 yards from under his own 10 into Hawai’i’s endzone. Check out this video:
He also had the stones to tackle players a few times on special teams. He’s not a bad kicker and has the leg to do it at the next level if they need him to. He’s a late draft player and a lot of people believe so too. Last season, big boy Pressley Harvin was chosen in the 7th round.
6. IKEM EKWONU – NORTH CAROLINA STATE OFFENSIVE TACKLE
I didn’t follow Ikem Ekwonu until after watching the 2021 NC State spring game. After that, there was no doubt he had first round potential. He’s a nasty run blocker and has improved in pass blocking. He was also a high school wrestler, which adds on to the nastiness this offensive tackle brings. Ikem is expected to be picked up by the 10th pick. The ongoing issue that NFL scouts seem to have Ekwonu’s pass blocking ability and nothing else. He can improve on that or he can play the guard position for a bit since he’s done that at NC State too. Any team that picks him up will make great use of his skills.
5. DEANGELO MALONE – WESTERN KENTUCKY DEFENSIVE END/LINEBACKER
One of the more talented defensive players I’ve seen since he stepped on the field for Western Kentucky. Malone’s a great tackler, has the athleticism to get at it, and is lean enough to press through blockers in pass rushing situations. His tackling numbers increased each year and he was First Team All-Conference his junior year while being All C-USA Defensive Player twice. He may switch at outside linebacker at the next level because of his overall size, but that could be an issue of itself since he played defensive end the majority of his career. He has starting potential, but it’s best he starts out as a backup until he’s comfortable with his new position in the NFL.
4. BAILEY ZAPPE – WESTERN KENTUCKY/HOUSTON BAPTIST TRANSFER QUARTERBACK
If it wasn’t for COVID-19, I wouldn’t have checked Bailey out on his stats and his performance for Houston Baptist. He played at the FCS and FBS level in one career and shelled out impressive yardage against two levels of competition. In 2019, he threw for 3811 and 35 touchdowns. In his short and last 2020 season with HBU, he threw for 1833 and 15 touchdowns to 1 INT (great numbers in just 4 games). He took his talents to the FBS and nearly threw 6000 yards in one season along with 62 touchdowns. He showed NFL potential, but what type of quarterback could he be? A Case Keenum, a Patrick Mahomes, a Drew Brees? Who knows, but his name should be called somewhere between the second and third day of the draft.
3. BRITAIN COVEY – UTAH WIDE RECEIVER
Britain Covey is the name I’ve coveted since his freshmen season…in 2015. It was the same year I started my college football content while attending college. In 2016 and 2017, he took two years off to go on his mission for the school. Once he returned, he was still the most coveted receiver for the Utes. When he was healthy and off from his mission, he led the team in receiving and returning categories except 2015 (K.O. returns) and last season (receiver). He needs to bulk up to handle NFL tackles, but if players like Antonio Brown and Darren Sproles can make it, so can he. He could be an impactful all-purpose player at the next level. If I was a head coach, an offensive coordinator, or a special teams coach, I would draft this dude on the second or third day in a heart beat.
2. CARSON STRONG – NEVADA QUARTERBACK
I still remember the Purdue/Nevada game I attended when Carson Strong made his first start of his career. After the first few throws in the game, I asked “who’s this quarterback?” I heard his name and said “I like this guy!” After leading Nevada to one of their biggest comebacks of his career against Purdue, everything changed. He improved each season, including last season which was his best performance of his career. He’s got the NFL arm and can sling it all over the field to give his receivers opportunities. However, his leg injury is an ongoing issue that he had since his senior year of high school. He sometimes hesitates on his throws and needs to work on his decision-making and not forcing it. He’s definitely a Day 2 pick and has starting potential. Go Pack!!!
1. SAM HOWELL – NORTH CAROLINA QUARTERBACK
When Mack Brown returned from retirement for his second stint with the Tarheels, he was searching for a new quarterback after UNC’s ugly 2018 season. North Carolina native Sam Howell’s name was called up ahead of the South Carolina game, and he wooed Tarheel nation over after that upset. Howell had some highs where he made great and impactful plays that either won or put the team in winning position. He also had some lows where he was forced to create more opportunities to keep drives alive and made some costly errors as a result (mostly last season). The 2020 season was his most impressive season of his career and was projected to be definitive first quarterback off the 2022 draft board after the 2021 season. But once his numbers dipped and the struggles went up, it put him between the 4th and 6th quarterback off the board. Sam Howell is still projected for the first or second round, but questions about his 2021 performance are still there. I will say he was limited last season due to losing his top two receivers and top two running backs after 2020. Howell was left with one top receiver, one running back, and him running for his life a lot more (you can check his rushing stats too). I think he’s an NFL starter in Year 1 but needs time to shake off last season’s bad habits.
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