ESPN's Top 106 Ranked Players in the Draft:

[Couch-Potato]

Tier 1: No prospects
Grades of 95 or higher. Elite prospects. Should be immediate NFL starters and project as perennial All-Pro players. Worthy of a top-five pick most years. I had just one player in this tier in 2021.

McShay: It's not super uncommon for a prospect-less top tier, and it's never a crowded group. Last year, it was just quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The year before, it was just edge rusher Chase Young. The last time we had zero prospects break the 95-grade mark was 2016, when edge rusher Joey Bosa and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil topped our list with matching 94s. But this speaks to the 2022 class, too. The strength of this group is in its depth, not its elite upper tier.

Muench: OK, but a question for you ... if Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton had a better workout at the combine, would he be here? Say he runs a sub-4.5 in the 40-yard dash, a sub-6.85 three-cone drill and/or his arms are roughly an inch longer, I think he could jump from 93 to 95. He's obviously an outstanding prospect, but it seems like the testing is holding him back a bit. His ranking shows how tough it is to crack that top tier.

McShay: Before the combine, I had him at 94 and dropped him slightly. That was based on an expectation he'd run a sub-4.5 time. But I talked to a scout who had his pro-day 40 time at 4.7, which is obviously even worse than the already-middling 4.59 we saw at the combine. I don't see it on tape, though, and think he plays much faster than that. Tier 1 wouldn't have been out of the question if he had dominated in the pre-draft process, but I still think I'd have him as one of the best Tier 2 guys.

Muench: And Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson came closest to making this elite club. Was there one thing you could point to that caused him to just miss the cut?

McShay: Yeah, he's the top prospect in the class, and we're splitting hairs here. But when we're comparing him to pass-rushers who made Tier 1 in past years, I think Hutchinson has a little less length and bend. Think about Young, Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett -- all of whom had 95 grades for me -- and the way they can operate while keeping blockers away from their bodies. I think that's probably the biggest difference. But again, this is splitting hairs. Hutchinson is an excellent edge rusher and likely the No. 1 pick.

Tier 2: Nine prospects
Grades between 92 and 94. A notch below the elite class but still considered a plug-and-play NFL starter with high-level potential. Worthy of a top-15 pick most years. I had nine players in this tier in 2021.

1. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan (94)
2. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State (93)
3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (93)
4. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (93)
5. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (93)
6. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (92)
7. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon (92)
8. Travon Walker, DE, Georgia (92)
9. Drake London, WR, USC (92)

Muench: Three of the nine players in this group are edge rushers, and that should come as no surprise. But I can't get on board with giving Ekwonu and Neal the same grades we gave offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell last year (93). That is, unless we are saying that we were too low on Slater and Sewell when they came out last April. Ekwonu and Neal have great potential, but I don't think they are as polished.

McShay: Yeah, I honestly cringed a little bit when comparing Ekwonu and Neal to those two tackles from the 2021 class. Maybe we were just a notch too low on them last spring. But Ekwonu and Neal are true 93s, and I don't want to ding them just based on that. Ranking the four linemen within the 93 grade -- based on their pre-draft evaluations -- I would have had the order as Sewell, Slater, Ekwonu and then Neal.

Muench: The omission of Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis also stands out. I get that it's tricky. This tier is reserved for players worthy of a top-15 pick each year, and he's the 16th prospect on our board right now. He's a nose tackle and better run defender than pass-rusher. Teams don't generally draft a player that high. But Tampa Bay took Vita Vea at No. 12 in 2018, and Baltimore took Haloti Ngata at the same spot in 2006, and those picks worked out all right. Davis has a chance to be that kind of player in my eyes.

McShay: I'll also mention the receivers here. There's a pretty strong consensus that Wilson or London will end up the first wideout off the board at the end of April, and both deserve to be in this tier. They are very different types of receivers, so who is actually the top WR might come down to team preference. But this is also a sign of what this receiver class is. Four pass-catchers slid into Tier 2 last year, and three were there in 2020. Just two this time around. I love this receiver class, but it's because of the depth and variety. Teams will have a lot of options later in Round 1 and on Day 2, and they will be able to draft pass-catchers based on exactly what they're looking for on offense.

Tier 3: 14 prospects
Grades between 90 and 91. Good NFL starters and are considered strong values in the bottom half of Round 1 in any given draft class. I had 15 players in this tier in 2021.

10. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State (91)
11. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (91)
12. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia (91)
13. Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah (91)
14. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington (90)
15. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (90)
16. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia (90)
17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (90)
18. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (90)
19. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (90)
20. Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia (90)
21. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (90)
22. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (90)
23. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan (90)

McShay: Here come the quarterbacks. Willis and Pickett each have a 90 grade, and I'm not expecting changes there. Most teams have those two at the top of their boards, and the majority of the rest have neither lower than QB3. We all know this isn't the best QB class, but consider this: Four 2021 signal-callers had better grades than our best 2022 guys, and three of them were in higher tiers.

Muench: No arguments here. If Willis and Pickett were in the 2021 class, I would have felt comfortable ranking them Nos. 6 and 7, slightly behind Mac Jones. It's just that type of year. The real question isn't about rankings or grades, though. It's how early they will get drafted. Does a team fall in love with one and reach? That could make for draft-night intrigue.

McShay: One guy who was tough to slot is Stingley. He might be the most interesting player on the entire board. We have a 91 grade on him right now, but teams have a lot of variance in how they stack him up with other first-round prospects. Everyone is working with the same information, but evaluators have different levels of risk tolerance. Are you getting the player we saw in 2019? If we were judging on that year, he'd probably have a 94 or even 95 grade, potentially cracking Tier 1. Stingley certainly has the talent to be ranked in the top three or four in this class. But what if you're drafting the player we've seen for the past two years -- the one who has battled injuries and played at an inconsistent level? Will teams give up a surefire double with another one of these Tier 3 prospects to take on home run potential with strikeout risk? He's a really difficult evaluation.

Muench: As far as corners are concerned, Gardner has separated himself and deserves to be a tier ahead. Now you weigh Stingley's risk against the potential reward. I'm not going to rehash all the pros and cons of his up-and-down college career. But shutdown corners are tough to find, and he has the ability to develop into one of the best in the league -- not just this class. I get minimizing risk and the double vs. home run/strikeout analogy, but you can't play it safe all the time. We've seen Stingley's ceiling, and it's high.

McShay: I have to shout out Dean here, too. I love his tape. I have a feeling he won't be drafted in this range, and I'm still OK with my evaluation. He has star potential. I'll die on Nakobe Dean Hill.

Muench: Yes, I personally think Lloyd should be higher, but they both deserve to be in this group, and Dean is so much fun to watch. Teams should be thrilled to get either one of them.

Tier 4: 22 prospects
Grades between 85 and 89. Good future NFL starters. Second-round value. I had 20 players in this tier in 2021.

24. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue (89)
25. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (89)
26. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (89)
27. Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M (89)
28. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (89)
29. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (89)
30. David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan (88)
31. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (88)
32. Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota (88)
33. Zion Johnson, G, Boston College (88)
34. Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi (88)
35. Quay Walker, ILB, Georgia (87)
36. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (87)
37. Christian Harris, ILB, Alabama (86)
38. Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State (86)
39. Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut (86)
40. Logan Hall, DE, Houston (86)
41. Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor (86)
42. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (85)
43. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan (85)
44. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State (85)
45. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (85)

Muench: There's a lot to talk about when it comes to the two offensive tackles in this group. I recently told you that I get nervous when an offensive lineman is repeatedly referred to as a "mauler." Penning is nasty with excellent power. Sure, two good traits to have as an offensive lineman, but they can be overrated. You have to pass block to succeed in the NFL, and I think Penning will struggle in that area early in his career. Raimann is an even greater project. Both have the talent to get there. But I'd feel more comfortable with Penning at the bottom of this tier and Raimann in Tier 5.

McShay: Ojabo is the one who pops here for me. Before the Achilles injury at his pro day, he was a clear Tier 3 guy -- and high in it. I had a 90 grade on him two weeks ago, and he was a top-20 prospect. Even then, though, he was probably a pass-rush specialist as a rookie before developing into a more consistent role. Now you aren't even getting that. You have to really believe in the upside to use a first-rounder on him.

Muench: You know I'm not going to pass up on a chance to talk about my guy Pitre, who has an 86 grade for us. He is undersized with shorter arms and didn't run at the combine, so there are some concerns. But the tape is fantastic, and I thought he had a good Senior Bowl week.

McShay: Yeah, he's one of a few super-talented prospects in this range with something missing. I see a clear separation between the top and bottom of this tier. You have plug-and-play guys in the 89-grade range. Booth is maybe the exception, but he's still at worst a No. 3 corner in Year 1. After that, though, you're projecting a bit. Pitre is undersized. Ebiketie doesn't have the measurables. Jones is still developing. Hall doesn't have a locked-in position. Walker struggles in pass-blocking. They are all excellent players, and I love all their games. In fact, I see this tier as the strength of the class. But below that 89 mark, these aren't guys you can pop onto the top of the depth chart when they walk in the door.

Tier 5: 21 prospects
Grades between 80 and 84. Future solid to good NFL starters but might need to serve in substitution package/situational roles early in career. Mid- to late-second-round value. I had 17 players in this tier in 2021.

46. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State (84)
47. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (84)
48. Leo Chenal, ILB, Wisconsin (84)
49. Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama (84)
50. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (84)
51. Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma (84)
52. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia (84)
53. Nick Cross, S, Maryland (83)
54. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn (83)
55. Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State (83)
56. Nik Bonitto, OLB, Oklahoma (83)
57. George Pickens, WR, Georgia (83)
58. Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa (82)
59. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (82)
60. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota (82)
61. Drake Jackson, OLB, USC (81)
62. DeMarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M (81)
63. John Metchie III, WR, Alabama (81)
64. DeAngelo Malone, OLB, Western Kentucky (80)
65. Chad Muma, ILB, Wyoming (80)
66. Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State (80)

McShay: The running backs in this class are interesting. I'm not as enamored by them as others are, but the race for RB1 will be something to watch. I had Walker (Tier 4) ranked higher based on tape, and I actually moved Hall up a little following the combine. He had a great workout, and he's also the more complete back at this point and has a lot of experience. Walker remains out front, though, because he is more explosive and will likely become just as effective as Hall as a pass-catcher. I'm thinking both guys come off the board early on Day 2.

Muench: As you are with the running backs, I'm not as high on this offensive tackle class as others might be. But I like Lucas and think he's going to be a Day 2 steal. Give me the seasoned four-year starter from a Power 5 conference who had an outstanding workout at the combine. If minimizing risk is so important, then why isn't Lucas ranked ahead of the two tackles in Tier 4?

McShay: This is teams' last shot at finding a true plug-and-play tackle. I think Lucas probably is someone you could insert into a starting lineup as a rookie. And maybe you're right, in terms of him being a safe prospect. I do think Penning is a step above; he's longer and faster, and while he has some work to do as a pass-blocker, he's in a different class. I like the tape for Raimann a bit more than Lucas, but Lucas had an incredible workout, and there's an argument for those two to be closer. Another step below, Smith and Faalele are developing but will get there. But after that, you're gambling on finding a starter-level tackle at the next level. And likewise, this is probably the last chance to get a quarterback with any real chance to be a long-term NFL starter under center.

Tier 6: 40 prospects
Grades between 70 and 79. Project as future solid starters but need time to develop, have limited upside or come with red flags. Third-round value. I had 50 players in this tier in 2021.

67. Damone Clark, ILB, LSU (79)
68. Dylan Parham, G, Memphis (79)
69. Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois (79)
70. Troy Andersen, ILB, Montana State (79)
71. Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State (79)
72. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky (79)
73. Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky (78)
74. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati (78)
75. Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA (78)
76. Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati (77)
77. Channing Tindall, ILB, Georgia (77)
78. Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga (77)
79. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA (77)
80. Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis (77)
81. Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati (77)
82. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State (76)
83. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama (76)
84. Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee (75)
85. Amare Barno, OLB, Virginia Tech (75)
86. JT Woods, S, Baylor (74)
87. James Cook, RB, Georgia (74)
88. Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina (74)
89. Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (74)
90. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston (73)
91. Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska (73)
92. JoJo Domann, S, Nebraska (73)
93. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada (73)
94. Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA (73)
95. Kingsley Enagbare, OLB, South Carolina (73)
96. Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan (72)
97. Brandon Smith, ILB, Penn State (72)
98. Kellen Diesch, OT, Arizona State (71)
99. Dai'Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls State (71)
100. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama (71)
101. Marcus Jones, CB, Houston (70)
102. Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State (70)
103. Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia (70)
104. Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati (70)
105. Luke Fortner, C, Kentucky (70)
106. Brian Asamoah, ILB, Oklahoma (70)

Muench: I know we went back and forth on Muma (Tier 5) and Andersen. I like them both, and it's close. Muma has the edge when it comes to the tape, but Andersen has the higher ceiling.

McShay: Yeah, you talked me into Muma over Andersen. I love Andersen's game. He wowed me at the Senior Bowl and combine. But Muma's tape is impressive.

Muench: There are a ton of potential steals here, and I like this inside linebacker class. Clark, Andersen and Tindall all have a chance to be quality starters early in their careers. Then Diesch is another player to keep an eye on. Offensive linemen feel the same way about arm length as quarterbacks feel about hand spans: If they don't check that box, they don't want to hear about it. Diesch has short arms, and defenders are able to get into his frame on tape, but he is fundamentally sound and plays with balance. He has a chance to overcome that lack of length.

McShay: While we're at it, I have a few more sleepers. Joseph plays like he's 225 pounds at 203 and has good ball skills. Robinson is arguably the most underrated player in the entire class, and you just want to get him the ball. Pierce is one of the most reliable pass-catchers available. Woolen has early-pick traits but needs seasoning, and Sanders has loads of upside. Oh, and Jurgens will be one to watch. I originally had him in Tier 5.

Muench: I know that you were higher on him, and I convinced you to drop him into this range. He's a talented player and a top-100 prospect, but the tape is a little underwhelming. One guy we agree on is Barno. His frame and production are concerning, but the talent and upside are too good to ignore at this point.

McShay: I'll stay in Virginia for one last shoutout. Woods had a great pro day and could end up a really good starter. He has 6-foot-7 size and 4.61 speed.

[PurpleJesus28]

Nice read.I kind of hope the Chiefs can get Ojabo.I was watching a segment on ESPN about him,before injury of course and he just looks like a helluva player.They could use that kind of swag on the D for sure,i'm assuming he will make a full recovery.

[Couch-Potato]

I noticed ESPN was higher on Q Walker, D Malone & A Barno, lower on DT Davis, Cam Thomas & Enagbare compared to other boards.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

Tier 1: No prospects
Grades of 95 or higher. Elite prospects. Should be immediate NFL starters and project as perennial All-Pro players. Worthy of a top-five pick most years. I had just one player in this tier in 2021.

McShay: It's not super uncommon for a prospect-less top tier, and it's never a crowded group. Last year, it was just quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The year before, it was just edge rusher Chase Young. The last time we had zero prospects break the 95-grade mark was 2016, when edge rusher Joey Bosa and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil topped our list with matching 94s. But this speaks to the 2022 class, too. The strength of this group is in its depth, not its elite upper tier.

Muench: OK, but a question for you ... if Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton had a better workout at the combine, would he be here? Say he runs a sub-4.5 in the 40-yard dash, a sub-6.85 three-cone drill and/or his arms are roughly an inch longer, I think he could jump from 93 to 95. He's obviously an outstanding prospect, but it seems like the testing is holding him back a bit. His ranking shows how tough it is to crack that top tier.

McShay: Before the combine, I had him at 94 and dropped him slightly. That was based on an expectation he'd run a sub-4.5 time. But I talked to a scout who had his pro-day 40 time at 4.7, which is obviously even worse than the already-middling 4.59 we saw at the combine. I don't see it on tape, though, and think he plays much faster than that. Tier 1 wouldn't have been out of the question if he had dominated in the pre-draft process, but I still think I'd have him as one of the best Tier 2 guys.

Muench: And Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson came closest to making this elite club. Was there one thing you could point to that caused him to just miss the cut?

McShay: Yeah, he's the top prospect in the class, and we're splitting hairs here. But when we're comparing him to pass-rushers who made Tier 1 in past years, I think Hutchinson has a little less length and bend. Think about Young, Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett -- all of whom had 95 grades for me -- and the way they can operate while keeping blockers away from their bodies. I think that's probably the biggest difference. But again, this is splitting hairs. Hutchinson is an excellent edge rusher and likely the No. 1 pick.

Tier 2: Nine prospects
Grades between 92 and 94. A notch below the elite class but still considered a plug-and-play NFL starter with high-level potential. Worthy of a top-15 pick most years. I had nine players in this tier in 2021.

1. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan (94)
2. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State (93)
3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (93)
4. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (93)
5. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (93)
6. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (92)
7. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon (92)
8. Travon Walker, DE, Georgia (92)
9. Drake London, WR, USC (92)

Muench: Three of the nine players in this group are edge rushers, and that should come as no surprise. But I can't get on board with giving Ekwonu and Neal the same grades we gave offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell last year (93). That is, unless we are saying that we were too low on Slater and Sewell when they came out last April. Ekwonu and Neal have great potential, but I don't think they are as polished.

McShay: Yeah, I honestly cringed a little bit when comparing Ekwonu and Neal to those two tackles from the 2021 class. Maybe we were just a notch too low on them last spring. But Ekwonu and Neal are true 93s, and I don't want to ding them just based on that. Ranking the four linemen within the 93 grade -- based on their pre-draft evaluations -- I would have had the order as Sewell, Slater, Ekwonu and then Neal.

Muench: The omission of Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis also stands out. I get that it's tricky. This tier is reserved for players worthy of a top-15 pick each year, and he's the 16th prospect on our board right now. He's a nose tackle and better run defender than pass-rusher. Teams don't generally draft a player that high. But Tampa Bay took Vita Vea at No. 12 in 2018, and Baltimore took Haloti Ngata at the same spot in 2006, and those picks worked out all right. Davis has a chance to be that kind of player in my eyes.

McShay: I'll also mention the receivers here. There's a pretty strong consensus that Wilson or London will end up the first wideout off the board at the end of April, and both deserve to be in this tier. They are very different types of receivers, so who is actually the top WR might come down to team preference. But this is also a sign of what this receiver class is. Four pass-catchers slid into Tier 2 last year, and three were there in 2020. Just two this time around. I love this receiver class, but it's because of the depth and variety. Teams will have a lot of options later in Round 1 and on Day 2, and they will be able to draft pass-catchers based on exactly what they're looking for on offense.

Tier 3: 14 prospects
Grades between 90 and 91. Good NFL starters and are considered strong values in the bottom half of Round 1 in any given draft class. I had 15 players in this tier in 2021.

10. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State (91)
11. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (91)
12. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia (91)
13. Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah (91)
14. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington (90)
15. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (90)
16. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia (90)
17. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (90)
18. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (90)
19. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (90)
20. Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia (90)
21. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (90)
22. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (90)
23. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan (90)

McShay: Here come the quarterbacks. Willis and Pickett each have a 90 grade, and I'm not expecting changes there. Most teams have those two at the top of their boards, and the majority of the rest have neither lower than QB3. We all know this isn't the best QB class, but consider this: Four 2021 signal-callers had better grades than our best 2022 guys, and three of them were in higher tiers.

Muench: No arguments here. If Willis and Pickett were in the 2021 class, I would have felt comfortable ranking them Nos. 6 and 7, slightly behind Mac Jones. It's just that type of year. The real question isn't about rankings or grades, though. It's how early they will get drafted. Does a team fall in love with one and reach? That could make for draft-night intrigue.

McShay: One guy who was tough to slot is Stingley. He might be the most interesting player on the entire board. We have a 91 grade on him right now, but teams have a lot of variance in how they stack him up with other first-round prospects. Everyone is working with the same information, but evaluators have different levels of risk tolerance. Are you getting the player we saw in 2019? If we were judging on that year, he'd probably have a 94 or even 95 grade, potentially cracking Tier 1. Stingley certainly has the talent to be ranked in the top three or four in this class. But what if you're drafting the player we've seen for the past two years -- the one who has battled injuries and played at an inconsistent level? Will teams give up a surefire double with another one of these Tier 3 prospects to take on home run potential with strikeout risk? He's a really difficult evaluation.

Muench: As far as corners are concerned, Gardner has separated himself and deserves to be a tier ahead. Now you weigh Stingley's risk against the potential reward. I'm not going to rehash all the pros and cons of his up-and-down college career. But shutdown corners are tough to find, and he has the ability to develop into one of the best in the league -- not just this class. I get minimizing risk and the double vs. home run/strikeout analogy, but you can't play it safe all the time. We've seen Stingley's ceiling, and it's high.

McShay: I have to shout out Dean here, too. I love his tape. I have a feeling he won't be drafted in this range, and I'm still OK with my evaluation. He has star potential. I'll die on Nakobe Dean Hill.

Muench: Yes, I personally think Lloyd should be higher, but they both deserve to be in this group, and Dean is so much fun to watch. Teams should be thrilled to get either one of them.

Tier 4: 22 prospects
Grades between 85 and 89. Good future NFL starters. Second-round value. I had 20 players in this tier in 2021.

24. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue (89)
25. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (89)
26. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (89)
27. Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M (89)
28. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (89)
29. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (89)
30. David Ojabo, OLB, Michigan (88)
31. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (88)
32. Boye Mafe, OLB, Minnesota (88)
33. Zion Johnson, G, Boston College (88)
34. Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi (88)
35. Quay Walker, ILB, Georgia (87)
36. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (87)
37. Christian Harris, ILB, Alabama (86)
38. Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State (86)
39. Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut (86)
40. Logan Hall, DE, Houston (86)
41. Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor (86)
42. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan (85)
43. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan (85)
44. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State (85)
45. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State (85)

Muench: There's a lot to talk about when it comes to the two offensive tackles in this group. I recently told you that I get nervous when an offensive lineman is repeatedly referred to as a "mauler." Penning is nasty with excellent power. Sure, two good traits to have as an offensive lineman, but they can be overrated. You have to pass block to succeed in the NFL, and I think Penning will struggle in that area early in his career. Raimann is an even greater project. Both have the talent to get there. But I'd feel more comfortable with Penning at the bottom of this tier and Raimann in Tier 5.

McShay: Ojabo is the one who pops here for me. Before the Achilles injury at his pro day, he was a clear Tier 3 guy -- and high in it. I had a 90 grade on him two weeks ago, and he was a top-20 prospect. Even then, though, he was probably a pass-rush specialist as a rookie before developing into a more consistent role. Now you aren't even getting that. You have to really believe in the upside to use a first-rounder on him.

Muench: You know I'm not going to pass up on a chance to talk about my guy Pitre, who has an 86 grade for us. He is undersized with shorter arms and didn't run at the combine, so there are some concerns. But the tape is fantastic, and I thought he had a good Senior Bowl week.

McShay: Yeah, he's one of a few super-talented prospects in this range with something missing. I see a clear separation between the top and bottom of this tier. You have plug-and-play guys in the 89-grade range. Booth is maybe the exception, but he's still at worst a No. 3 corner in Year 1. After that, though, you're projecting a bit. Pitre is undersized. Ebiketie doesn't have the measurables. Jones is still developing. Hall doesn't have a locked-in position. Walker struggles in pass-blocking. They are all excellent players, and I love all their games. In fact, I see this tier as the strength of the class. But below that 89 mark, these aren't guys you can pop onto the top of the depth chart when they walk in the door.

Tier 5: 21 prospects
Grades between 80 and 84. Future solid to good NFL starters but might need to serve in substitution package/situational roles early in career. Mid- to late-second-round value. I had 17 players in this tier in 2021.

46. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State (84)
47. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (84)
48. Leo Chenal, ILB, Wisconsin (84)
49. Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama (84)
50. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (84)
51. Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma (84)
52. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia (84)
53. Nick Cross, S, Maryland (83)
54. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn (83)
55. Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State (83)
56. Nik Bonitto, OLB, Oklahoma (83)
57. George Pickens, WR, Georgia (83)
58. Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa (82)
59. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State (82)
60. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota (82)
61. Drake Jackson, OLB, USC (81)
62. DeMarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M (81)
63. John Metchie III, WR, Alabama (81)
64. DeAngelo Malone, OLB, Western Kentucky (80)
65. Chad Muma, ILB, Wyoming (80)
66. Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State (80)

McShay: The running backs in this class are interesting. I'm not as enamored by them as others are, but the race for RB1 will be something to watch. I had Walker (Tier 4) ranked higher based on tape, and I actually moved Hall up a little following the combine. He had a great workout, and he's also the more complete back at this point and has a lot of experience. Walker remains out front, though, because he is more explosive and will likely become just as effective as Hall as a pass-catcher. I'm thinking both guys come off the board early on Day 2.

Muench: As you are with the running backs, I'm not as high on this offensive tackle class as others might be. But I like Lucas and think he's going to be a Day 2 steal. Give me the seasoned four-year starter from a Power 5 conference who had an outstanding workout at the combine. If minimizing risk is so important, then why isn't Lucas ranked ahead of the two tackles in Tier 4?

McShay: This is teams' last shot at finding a true plug-and-play tackle. I think Lucas probably is someone you could insert into a starting lineup as a rookie. And maybe you're right, in terms of him being a safe prospect. I do think Penning is a step above; he's longer and faster, and while he has some work to do as a pass-blocker, he's in a different class. I like the tape for Raimann a bit more than Lucas, but Lucas had an incredible workout, and there's an argument for those two to be closer. Another step below, Smith and Faalele are developing but will get there. But after that, you're gambling on finding a starter-level tackle at the next level. And likewise, this is probably the last chance to get a quarterback with any real chance to be a long-term NFL starter under center.

Tier 6: 40 prospects
Grades between 70 and 79. Project as future solid starters but need time to develop, have limited upside or come with red flags. Third-round value. I had 50 players in this tier in 2021.

67. Damone Clark, ILB, LSU (79)
68. Dylan Parham, G, Memphis (79)
69. Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois (79)
70. Troy Andersen, ILB, Montana State (79)
71. Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State (79)
72. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky (79)
73. Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky (78)
74. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati (78)
75. Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA (78)
76. Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati (77)
77. Channing Tindall, ILB, Georgia (77)
78. Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga (77)
79. Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA (77)
80. Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis (77)
81. Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati (77)
82. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State (76)
83. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama (76)
84. Velus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee (75)
85. Amare Barno, OLB, Virginia Tech (75)
86. JT Woods, S, Baylor (74)
87. James Cook, RB, Georgia (74)
88. Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina (74)
89. Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State (74)
90. Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston (73)
91. Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska (73)
92. JoJo Domann, S, Nebraska (73)
93. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada (73)
94. Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA (73)
95. Kingsley Enagbare, OLB, South Carolina (73)
96. Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan (72)
97. Brandon Smith, ILB, Penn State (72)
98. Kellen Diesch, OT, Arizona State (71)
99. Dai'Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls State (71)
100. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama (71)
101. Marcus Jones, CB, Houston (70)
102. Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State (70)
103. Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia (70)
104. Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati (70)
105. Luke Fortner, C, Kentucky (70)
106. Brian Asamoah, ILB, Oklahoma (70)

Muench: I know we went back and forth on Muma (Tier 5) and Andersen. I like them both, and it's close. Muma has the edge when it comes to the tape, but Andersen has the higher ceiling.

McShay: Yeah, you talked me into Muma over Andersen. I love Andersen's game. He wowed me at the Senior Bowl and combine. But Muma's tape is impressive.

Muench: There are a ton of potential steals here, and I like this inside linebacker class. Clark, Andersen and Tindall all have a chance to be quality starters early in their careers. Then Diesch is another player to keep an eye on. Offensive linemen feel the same way about arm length as quarterbacks feel about hand spans: If they don't check that box, they don't want to hear about it. Diesch has short arms, and defenders are able to get into his frame on tape, but he is fundamentally sound and plays with balance. He has a chance to overcome that lack of length.

McShay: While we're at it, I have a few more sleepers. Joseph plays like he's 225 pounds at 203 and has good ball skills. Robinson is arguably the most underrated player in the entire class, and you just want to get him the ball. Pierce is one of the most reliable pass-catchers available. Woolen has early-pick traits but needs seasoning, and Sanders has loads of upside. Oh, and Jurgens will be one to watch. I originally had him in Tier 5.

Muench: I know that you were higher on him, and I convinced you to drop him into this range. He's a talented player and a top-100 prospect, but the tape is a little underwhelming. One guy we agree on is Barno. His frame and production are concerning, but the talent and upside are too good to ignore at this point.

McShay: I'll stay in Virginia for one last shoutout. Woods had a great pro day and could end up a really good starter. He has 6-foot-7 size and 4.61 speed.

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

Nice!

This

[dlphg9]

Oh look people are already doing the hilarious quote the long OP just to say something even more hilarious.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by dlphg9

Oh look people are already doing the hilarious quote the long OP just to say something even more hilarious.

You mean one of the most annoying parts of CP? Yeah....it's still happening.

[Dante84]

Spoiler tags, people. Spoiler tags are your friend when you copy/paste a long article into an OP.

[smithandrew051]

Originally Posted by Dante84

Spoiler tags, people. Spoiler tags are your friend when you copy/paste a long article into an OP.

I had my fun. Deleted for convenience.

Actually was a good read though.

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

I had my fun. Deleted for convenience.

Actually was a good read though.

The only reason I don't get that annoyed and actually laugh when the long OP's get quoted multiple times is because I imagine the poster opening the thread and getting pissed off at other people for having to scroll through their own long post.

[Nothing against you, Mr. Couch Potato, it happens to all of us now and again. It's the reason I started using spoiler tags as well.]

[Kiimo]

Originally Posted by PurpleJesus28

Nice read.I kind of hope the Chiefs can get Ojabo.I was watching a segment on ESPN about him,before injury of course and he just looks like a helluva player.They could use that kind of swag on the D for sure,i'm assuming he will make a full recovery.

Staylor disagrees with me and I have never watched him.


That said here are some quotes to provide a different perspective.

An Achilles tear on a dude like Ojabo is potentially sending him to Day 2 at a minimum. He’s a freak athlete but the risk if it doesn’t heal is essentially that you have a guy who is only first step with a worse first step. I would be more worried you reach for like the Penn State dude or Paschal.

Alternatively, maybe you get lucky and get a swing at Boye Mafe who is creeping up my board as I look at him. He’s kind of what people want Enagbare or some of these other “played in the SEC” types where he looked pretty good against a lot of teams with superior talent.

My hot take as a Michigan fan is that Ojabo had bust written all over him, even before the injury.

He played one season and did so opposite a guy who was so dominant that he could've won the Heisman. It reminds me of the defensive linemen who play next to Aaron Donald, rack up mostly clean-up sacks, and then get exposed as nothing special once they've signed a big contract somewhere else.

Yeah I didn't like Ojabo at all before the injury. An amazing first step will only get you so far if you literally have 0 strength. The guy was swallowed up in every run play and couldn't bull rush anyone. Relied on sticking an arm every time and just dipping around the pocket. Works fine if you had a dominant Heisman candidate like you said but I don't know how you have him out there on first down ever even if you have quality NFL DEs opposite him.

It's a complete rework on how he plays which is so difficult to do. He has the body to pop an OT and dip inside but he never does it.

I keep trying to imagine if someone gave him the Aldon Smith/Randy Gregory assignments but I just don’t think he’s the type of twitchy to work out of 2 point consistently or drop and not be a huge liability. Serious Vernon gholston/cam maybin energy.

He honestly might end up a developmental guy for the Steelers if he’s there in like the 3rd. Not paying him first round money might buy him enough time to develop. People keep comparing him to Oweh, but oweh at least showed power rush potential some even if he didn’t produce in college—I honestly can’t find a clip of a high end tackle getting countered in or pushed on the inside shoulder with him.


I have a new insane hot take which is that whoever of Muma/Lloyd/Beavers drops low enough for the pats is going to get turned into a pro bowler because Bill is the only guy you can really trust to use or create Thumpers now. Maybe someone like Saleh or Staley could but even they’ve been leaning hard on the “overgrown strong safety” types just out of market availability.

[BossChief]

McShay takes money from agents to prop up status.

Remember that.

He’s probably my least favorite draft analyst, but some of his opinions hold weight.

[Couch-Potato]

Originally Posted by Dante84

The only reason I don't get that annoyed and actually laugh when the long OP's get quoted multiple times is because I imagine the poster opening the thread and getting pissed off at other people for having to scroll through their own long post.

[Nothing against you, Mr. Couch Potato, it happens to all of us now and again. It's the reason I started using spoiler tags as well.]

Sorry, I'll learn to use the spoiler tags.

This was locked behind a stupid paywall so I thought I'd release it for everyone.

[PurpleJesus28]

Originally Posted by Kiimosabi

Staylor disagrees with me and I have never watched him.


That said here are some quotes to provide a different perspective.

Hmm,i see.No risk,no reward i guess for taking him late first i guess.Same with Jameson though,i feel like someone will take him just cause theres so much hype about him.

[Mecca]

Williams is gonna go higher than that though, I'd be stunned if he lasts past 20.

There's likely to be an early WR run, I expect the Jets to take Garrett Wilson 4th.

[Kiimo]

Trading to 19 so Philly can't take him

Do it