The NFL Draft is just two months away and the pressure is on these NFL draft prospects. More importantly, the NFL Combine kicks off at the beginning of March. Future NFL talents will be looking to rise up the draft board as this is their last chance to impress before the draft. Before we head into the combine, I’d like to give you my top ten current prospects heading into the combine.
Number One: Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
How could you not be mesmerized by this guy’s talent. Kyle Hamilton stands 6’4” and weighs 220 pounds. Hamilton is a versatile defender who can easily be plugged into a struggling defense and will be able to help all around. Hamilton has tremendous ball skills and is also great in coverage. With such fantastic coverage skills, Hamilton also has elite tackling skills. Hamilton, a three year starter, was having a brilliant junior year before it got cut short to injury in late October. To go along with Hamilton’s lock down coverage, he had three interceptions and 34 tackles.
Hamilton finished his career at Notre Dame with 138 tackles, 17 pass deflections and eight interceptions. Hamilton’s football IQ makes it seem like he is almost a step ahead of everyone. Hamilton is always all over the field making plays. Hamilton started for Notre Dame as a true freshman. It’s so crazy that he is so young but can probably have the most day one success. Hamilton showcased us his freakish talent on the field. Now he gets to showcase it at the combine. Hamilton’s build is already enough to get your attention, but his combine numbers will make the scouts fall in love. It’s crazy that Hamilton is arguably the best player in the class, but just because he’s a safety he might slip in the draft.
Potential fits: Texans, Giants, Jets
Number two: Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State
A lot of people prefer Evan Neal, but there’s some slight edge I give to Ekwonu. One thing that Ekwonu brings to the table is versatility. Ekwonu started off at NC State playing guard; where he was really good. NC State then switched him to tackle where he played fantastic. So if you’re an NFL team with a poor offensive line or maybe an offensive line with injury problems, Ekwonu would be the guy you’d want since you can trust him to play in other positions on the line.
I also just trust Ekwonu more as a day one starter. Neal has shown he can be a star as a dominant run blocking tackle. But if you’re looking for more versatility, I trust Ekwonu more. Ekwonu also has such great size as he stands 6’4” and weighs 320. Ekwonu has shown great athleticism and has shown to me to be the best overall offensive line prospect in the draft.
Potential fits: Jaguars, Jets, Giants
Number three: Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
It’s really time to start pushing the Gardner CB1 draft agenda. I mean no disrespect to Stingley, but Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has done things during his time at Cincinnati that are simply unreal. Last season during Cincanitti’s Cinderella run, Gardner didn’t allow more than 13 yards to any receiver in a game. If that’s not crazy enough, Gardner didn’t allow a single TD during his entire time at Cincinnati! That’s crazy considering Gardner dropped into coverage over 1,000 times!
Didn’t allow a TD in his college career; he dropped into coverage over 1,000 times. Gardner started for the Bearcats when he was a true freshman. His zone and press coverage is arguably the best in the class, and he still has great man coverage as well. This class is really deep with depth in the CB class. That may cause Gardner’s stock to fall a tad. But he is simply too good of a prospect to fall for long. Gardner will make a day one impact for whatever team he is drafted to. This man is lockdown.
Potential fits: Jets, Vikings, Eagles
Number four: Evan Neal OT Alabama
Neal may be the second best tackle in the class, but he is still one of the best prospects in this draft. Neal’s size and freakish ability is #1 pick worthy. Neal is massive, standing at 6’6” and weighing 360 pounds. He is a strong figure who’s one of if not the best run blocker in the class. Neal started playing for the Crimson Tide in early 2019. He was a plug and play player until he earned his starting right tackle spot in 2020, a team that would go on to win the national championship.
That off season, the majority of the offensive line went into the NFL draft. It seemed the offensive line was going to take a step back. Thanks to star tackle Neal, Bama’s offensive line stayed at the standard they were. Bama was able to go onto the national championship where they’d lose to the Georgia Bulldogs. Neal was very successful at Bama. He looks to take that success with him to whatever team drafts him.
Potential fits: Jags, Jets, Giants
Number five: Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
Hutchinson decided to have some fun this year at Michigan. His 14 sacks were the third highest in the country. Hutchinson also had 16.5 tackles for a loss to add onto a great campaign. Hutchinson’s great season helped lead the Michigan Wolverines to their first ever playoff appearance. After having such a wonderful season, Hutchinson looks to take his success to the next level. Hutchinson is 6’6” and weighs 270 pounds. He is bound to have a draft combine that impress all of the scouts.
Hutchinson has a relentless motor and can consistently play three downs. Hutchinson is someone you can build your defensive line around. I do prefer Hutchinson over Thibodeaux. Hutchinson had a much better season and he seems to have a perfect attitude. He has one of the best work ethics in the draft while Thibodeaux has been questioned for his passion for the game. Hutchinson will make an impact on day one, no matter what team he goes to.
Potential fits: Lions, Texans, Giants
Number six: Devin Lloyd LB Utah
I see Lloyd and instantly think of Roquan Smith. Lloyd can tackle anybody and can also sit back in coverage. He can also pass rush either inside or outside of the offensive line. Lloyd can simply do it all. He was the leader of one of the best defensive units in college football. He finished his senior year with 111 total tackles, eight sacks, four interceptions and even a forced fumble. Lloyd can simply do it all. Lloyd has good size at 6’3” and 235 pounds. Whether you want a linebacker to stop the run, get to the quarterback or defend the pass, Lloyd has shown he is capable of doing it all. Lloyd could get taken in the mid to late first round due to him being a linebacker. He will still end up as one of the best players in this draft class
Potential fits: Giants, Eagles, Patriots
Number seven: Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
This year is another deep wideout class. Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams and Drake London are just some of the members of the class. I think Burks has the edge on all of these guys. Burks is a massive wide receiver, standing at 6’3” and weighing 225 pounds. Burks lined up as an X receiver or slot receiver. When he wasn’t playing as a receiver, he played some snaps in the back field. Burks has a lot of similarities to Deebo Samuel. With the way football is modernizing, having a player like Burks could be game changing. Burks was game changing for Arkansas as he caught 66 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns. For being so massive, Burks is surprisingly quick. He’s got great hands and is a handful to tackle. Burks is a pure physical specimen.
Potential fits: Browns, Saints, Patriots
Number eight: Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
Thibodeaux was a unanimous #1 pick in majority of mock drafts to start off last season. There is a very good chance he could get picked at that spot, if not right around it. Thibodeaux is a 6’5” 258 pound beast that is explosive and agile. Thibodeaux can both rush the passer and defend the run. He can have a draft combine that makes scouts want to take him over Hutchinson, I just believe Hutchinson is better at some of the tinier things. Hutchinson has a better engine and work ethic. But Thibodeaux was seen as the number one guy for the longest time. Thibodeaux was the number one prospect heading into Oregon. Thibodeaux looks to be #1 again.
Potential: Lions, Texans, Jets
Number nine: Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
It’s not often we see two linebackers the quality of Dean and Lloyd in the same draft, but here we are. Dean is very similar to Lloyd in skillset. He can blitz right up the middle and can drop into zone coverage as well. Dean is very reactive and has an awesome first step. Lloyd gets the slight edge due to size. Dean isn’t small, but 6’0” 225 pounds isn’t massive. However, Dean can make the same day one impact that Lloyd does.
Potential fits: Giants, Eagles, Patriots
Number ten: Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
Linderbaum needs to start getting his deserved hype. Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects we’ve seen in draft history! He stands at 6’3” and weighs 290 pounds. His leadership and IQ is unreal. Linderbaum could lead the offensive line as just a rookie. He can call out the blitzes and keep everyone in tact, which is massive. Linderbaum can run and pass block. He is truly one of the best center prospects we’ve ever seen.
Potential fits: Ravens, Steelers, Bengals
Stats and height/weight information came from ESPN