Numbers 41-50

Who are the top NFL Draft prospects for this upcoming season? Here at DraftDive, we’re going to be breaking down our top 50 prospects going into the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s definitely early, but we’re always talking football here.

 

50) Damone Clark, LB-LSU

 

Clark was tied for the lead in tackles for LSU in 2020. I really like Clark as a potential breakout player this year. I don’t think I’m going too far out on a limb when I say I think LSU will be pretty good this year. Clark has prototypical NFL linebacker size and is a leader on the team. I expect Clark to be a centerpiece of the LSU defense, just like Jabril Cox was.

 

Iowa State tightend Charlie Kolar running with the ball versus Baylor. Charlie is wearing the red jersey with a yellow 88.

 

49) Charlie Kolar, TE-Iowa State

 

The Red-shirt senior was selected as a second team All-American in 2020 by the Walter Camp Foundation. He has quietly averaged 650 yards and seven scores over the last two seasons (full statistics). Who doesn’t love a guy who let a coin flip decide whether he would enter the draft or return to school for his senior season? I expect him to be taken on the second day of the 2022 Draft.

 

Ole Miss running back Jerrion Ealy poses in locker room wearing shoulder pads and holding a baseball bat over his shoulders.

 

48) Jerrion Ealy, RB-Ole Miss

 

After earning All SEC second team honors from PFF in 2020, Ealy has solidified himself as a player to watch. A two sport athlete (baseball) for the Rebels, Ealy brings great athleticism and play making to the gridiron. He totaled 900 yards along with ten scores last season (full statistics) and I believe we will see him utilized in the passing game more often with Elijah Moore moving onto the NFL.

 

Washington tigth end Cade Otton stands in the end zone against Utah.

 

47) Cade Otton, TE-Washington

 

Otton is another player who I think is flying under most people’s radars. He was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, despite only appearing in four games. Otton will be a four year starter after this season. He’s 6’5”, 240 lbs. and is one of the best blocking tight ends to come out of college in a long time. The fact that he is a legitimate all around tight end means I love him.

 

Ohio State Safety Marcus Hooker knocks away a pass intended for a Michigan State receiver. Booker is wearing a white jersey adorning a red 23.

 

46) Marcus Hooker, S-Ohio State

 

Genetics all day. Malik Hooker’s brother, Marcus, is an impressive prospect in his own right. Hooker doesn’t have a ton of tape now, but by the end of this season I expect him to look like a star. Hooker has played wide receiver, running back, quarterback, cornerback, linebacker and safety in the past. This guy’s a freak athlete and playmaker. He’s going to be a highlight reel player.

 

clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas wearing a white jersey with orange number 3.

 

45) Xavier Thomas, Edge-Clemson

 

The former five star recruit from the infamous IMG Academy has the size and athleticism to succeed, but has yet to put it all together. He needs to add consistency to his game and finish stronger. In three years he has only sacked the QB 9 times. (full statistics) If he does that, we could be seeing him go in the first round in the 2022 NFL Draft.

 

Tyreke Smith of Ohio State stands with his hands upon his hips while wearing white jersey adorning a red number 11.
Photo credit lettermenrow.com

 

44) Tyreke Smith, Edge-Ohio State

 

Smith is your prototypical NFL defensive end. He stands 6’4”, 265 lbs. and has a very nice mix of power and speed. He would have been grouped in with all the other defensive ends in the 2021 NFL Draft, great potential but lacking consistency. I expect Smith to polish his game with another year at Ohio State and become a complete edge rusher.

 

Alabama Safety Jordan Battle holds ball in endzone while wearing the crimson jersey adorning a white number 9.

 

43) Jordan Battle, S-Alabama

 

Battle has started at safety since his freshman year at Alabama. That should tell you a lot about his skillset. The crazy thing about Battle is that he’s good at everything. He’s good in coverage, a strong tackler, and a good blitzer. He’s a big safety, and also a very athletic one. Battle is simply a strong all around safety.

 

Andrew Booth of the Clemson Tigers Celebrates by extending his arms and pointing to the sky.

 

42) Andrew Booth Jr, CB-Clemson

 

Booth is a great athlete at the cornerback position and is tall enough for the NFL at 5’11”. He’s also a strong tackler and good against the run. Booth is still raw, but his potential ceiling is sky high. He’s a prospect I expect to test through the roof in drills. If he tightens up his game, he’s an early first round pick.

 

Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson runs with ball in his hands against Nebraska. Wilson is wearing the red jeresey adorning a white number 5.

 

41) Garrett Wilson, WR-Ohio State

 

Wilson was a celebrated high school prospect, ranking as a five star recruit and the number two wide receiver in his class. Wilson runs great routes, has great hands, and is explosive. I don’t think his 40 time will be eye popping, but make no mistake, he’s an explosive athlete who catches everything thrown his way.