We’re less than a week away from the 2022 NFL Draft, and I don’t know about you guys, but I am certainly ready to draft already. Let’s get this show on the road. This is an interesting class – it’s as if there’s an embarrassment of riches for steady, stable NFL talent, but I don’t know if that one single game-changing generational talent is there. The closest thing we have, in my opinion, is Kyle Hamilton, and the top three tackles (Evan Neal, Ickey Ekwonu, and Charles Cross). Hell, even with those guys, there are some questions. The example I’d use is at the wide receiver position – it’s not a good year to be looking for WR1, but if you have a need at WR2 or WR3, buddy, you just hit the jackpot!
Just like any other draft that us writers write about, there’s also an undertow of talent that has tremendous potential if certain conditions are met. You have the guys that have the physical traits, but aren’t quite polished enough to go in the early rounds. You have the guys that have the experience and leadership skills you look for, but man, did they not test as well as the more explosive prospects. And then you have the blind dart throws….that class of prospect that just has “it.” The guys that look like long shots, but if they get in the right situation, and the ingredients are ripe around them, they just might make an impact. Those are the dudes I want to write about today, because I think there’s plenty of them in this year’s draft class. In no particular order, here are my picks for this year’s hidden gems in the NFL Draft.
Hidden Gems in the 2022 NFL Draft
RB Rachaad White – I know the running back position tends to have been devalued as a whole, but guys who are drafted late (or not even drafted at all) have the capability to come in and make an impact. I like White’s potential to do so, and he’s become one of my draft crushes – a real Swiss army knife that can do multiple things well from out of the backfield.
WR Romeo Doubs – A fast, physical, underrated prospect that could surprise at the next level. This wide receiver class is so deep and so chock full of talent that people are sleeping on the skill set that Doubs brings to the table.
LB Darrian Beavers – To me, Beavers is being underrated in his starting potential. He may not be a first or second round talent, but he definitely has the potential to start in this league. Beavers is a smart, heady, sure-tackling linebacker that has the ‘field general’ aura about him. If given the opportunity, he’s a safe bet to be a contributor with starter potential in the NFL.
RB Tyler Badie – Badie looks like the perfect change-of-pace pass-catching back and played in an offense that used the hell out of him.
TE Cole Turner – A real surprise from the Senior Bowl – Turner improved his stock by being a willing blocker and making explosive plays when called upon. This tight end class is deep, and Turner could end up being a tremendous value for someone.
OT Chris Paul – There’s a lot of potential with Paul because of his size. If he gets with a coach that can connect with him on his technique, he is capable of becoming a quality OL. For teams looking for right tackle help (*cough*Titans*cough*), he could be a steal.
S Leon O’Neal Jr. – Super underrated because he doesn’t flash as a rangy center-fielder, but this dude is a hard-hitter with good closing speed in the run game. He’s a guy you want crashing the box.
WR Bo Melton – I don’t know why we, collectively, aren’t talking about Bo Melton more. Not only did he test well at the Combine, but his tape shows a sharp guy that has a knack for finding the open spot on the field. He may not be not the most polished receiver, but he knows how to get open and can make plays because of it. He also adds value as a potential return guy, too.
IOL Luke Fortner – Fortner is a great example of a guy that might not have the measurables of the elite prospects at his position, but hot damn, does he have the savvy and know-how. Fortner is a good, steady interior lineman that probably projects best as a center, but one that has a shot in the NFL because of his solid technique. And, if his current draft projections end up being accurate, he’s going to be a steal for somebody in the middle of this draft.
RB Abram Smith – Smith is an “it” guy to me. He’s not the most explosive athlete, but he’s a great downhill runner with a willingness to navigate traffic to get yards. He has an underrated one-cut step when he finds his hole and just commits to it. If he gets behind a good offensive line, call me crazy, but I think he has a shot to contribute and post some halfway decent touchdown numbers.
CB Gregory Junior – Nobody seems to be talking about the cornerback out of Ouachita Baptist, but he impressed me with some tight coverage in big moments during Senior Bowl week. He’s not the shiftiest guy, but I’ll be damned if he can’t get up there and use his big frame to jam guys up.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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