This was a simulation from The Mock Draft Database. So far I feel this site has much more realistic simulations than most of the other simulator tools. If our draft ended up close to this I would be absolutely thrilled. I believe it addresses most of the bigger issues we have with a focus on both future and the present. Along with the selection I made I will list some notable players that were available.

Round 1 - 31st Selection



Daxson Hill - S - Xichigan - 6'0' 191

Given the contract status of Bates and the depth behind him this is virtually a no-brainer if Hill is indeed available at 31. There really is nothing to dislike about the game of this young man. He is fluid with great feet and hips. Has the coverage ability of a lockdown corner and from what he has shown on the field I have no doubt he could be lined up at either S or CB and perform either at an extremely high level. This provides depth that is badly needed as well as placing the Bengals in a very comfortable position should Bates move on in free agency. If Bates stays what a tandem they could make.
Notables: Kenyon Green, Boye Mafe, Lewis Cine, Roger McCreary, Logan Hall

Round 2 - 63rd Selection



Alec Pierce - WR - UC - 6'3" 211

To be honest I had never really considered a WR this high until I really looked at the roster and saw how the selections shook out to this point. Some have projected Pierce as a big slot receiver which he certainly has the skillset to play but he really brings a ton of versatility and could line up anywhere on the field. Pierce did it all for UC and would be a great compliment to the WR room this team has. Realistically, Boyd may not be around for another contract when you consider everyone that will be getting re-signed in the future. Pierce is a nice insurance policy to have in place. Good speed, size, and physicality.
Notables: Trey McBride, Leo Chenal, Chad Muma, Nicholas Petite-Frere, Calvin Austin lll, Davide Bell

Round 3 - 95th Selection



Jelani Woods - TE - Virginia - 6'7" 259

I had made the selection of Woods in a previous simulation and the selection got bashed by some who critiqued the simulation. I really like the selection but thought maybe I had not done enough homework on the selection so this prompted me to look closer. What I found is that I liked the selection even more. This kid is just beginning to come into his own and to realize how much of a weapon he can be for a team. Relative Athletic Score when it comes to TEs has proven to be a good indicator of highly productive as well as elite TEs. Jelani Woods scored the highest Relative Athletic Score that has ever been recorded. I am including a link that outlines TE production relative to this scoring criteria.

I really like Woods here and I think he will be a formidable mismatch and one that Burrow is going to seriously be able to take advantage of. I believe that Woods will end up being a player that will keep defensive coordinators up at night when they try to scheme to stop him.
Notables: Greg Dulcich, Troy Andersen, Jeremy Ruckert, Cade Otton, Damone Clark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Uw8C-aOtw&t=522s

Round 4 - 136th Selection



Damarri Mathis - CB - Pitt - 5'11" - 196

Mathis plays with good ball skills and anticipation and has shown a good football IQ. He has played very well against big time competition. There was some question about his long speed but he answered that with a 4.39 - 40 at the combine. It is easy for a corner to get buried in this draft as it is deep at the position. Mathis is a well built corner who plays bigger than he is. I really like his skillset and I feel like he brings a great deal of value at this point in the draft. I believe he is a candidate for early playing time in this defense.

Round 5 - 174th Selection



Joshua Ezeudu - OG - NC - 6'4' 308

This may be one of my favorite selections in this simulation. The more film I watch on Ez the more I like him. Ez played guard and tackle for the Tar Hills but he translates more to OG in the NFL but one with OT versatility if needed. I feel like there is a lot of good ability here for Frank Pollack to work with. Certainly adds to the depth of this roster at OG and could push a player like Adeniji down the depth chart of off of the roster.

Round 6 - 209th Selection



Spencer Burford - T/G - UTSA - 6'4" 304

Played both tackle and guard for the Roadrunners so he brings versatility. Needs to add some strength but has good length and really good feet. Should get stronger with an NFL nutrition and training regimen and could be a high reward prospect at this point in the draft. At the worst a developmental RT or guard that could polish his game on the practice squad.

Round 7 - 226th Selection



Esezi Otomewo - DL - Minnesota - 6'5" 282

Esezi is a guy that should provide inside out ability for this defensive line. He showed flashes for the Gophers and brings some skills that Hobby should be able to refine and build upon. He is a guy like Cam Sample that should be able to move inside on passing downs and provide interior push. Good skillset to provide rotational value for Hendrickson and Hubbard.

Round 7 - 252nd Selection



Kalia Davis - DT - UCF - 6'1" 302

With the right coaching, which I believe we have with Hobby, this kid could be a really disruptive 3 technique at the NFL level. From reports he needs consistency and conditioning. When you watch film you see a player that certainly has disruptive abilities but you want to see it more consistently. Watching film on him leaves you always wanting to see a little bit more. I think with the right coaching and workout program Davis could be a nice compliment to BJ Hill and a nice depth piece to this defense. At this point in the draft it is a high reward and low risk selection.

Priority Undrafted Free Agents:

Bamidele Olaseni - OT - Utah - 6'7" 348

Just a massive man who has the potential to develop into an outstanding RT at the NFL level. Played 2 really good games against a very good Oregon defensive line and he pretty much held Kayvon at bay whenever they were lined up against each other. He some polish and technique refinement but has the size, length, and strength that can be hard to find.

Kyler McMichael - CB - NC - 6'0" 202

McMichael has all the physical traits you are looking for at the CB position. He has good size, length, and he ran a 4.34 - 40 at the NC pro day. What he needs to develop is ball skills. McMichael has not recorded an INT at the collegiate level. If this aspect of his game can be developed then he could be a legit NFL corner.

Jack Coan - QB - ND - 6'3" 218

Coan has a good arm and functional athleticism for the position. Has shown pretty good poise while at Wisconsin and ND and should be able to push Brandon Allen to earn his job rather than just having it handed to him.

Curtis Brooks - DT - UC - 6'2' 287

Brooks was not happy about being snubbed by the combine. This fueled him at the UC pro day and his performance would have put him among the top 5 DTs at the combine. Luke Fickell cannot say enough good about this young man and said he was the MVP of the Bearcats defense. Brooks recorded 7.5 sacks and 12.5 TFL in his 2021 campaign.

In regard to Jelani Woods and Relative Athletic Score here is another link that breaks down the theory in the scoring system.

https://steelersdepot.com/2022/04/2022-draft-tight-end-prospects-relative-athletic-scores-ras/

Damarri Mathis - Against Clemson he pretty much took their leading receiver Ross out of the game. When they were playing man on the back end, which was a good part of the game, Mathis was singled up on Ross and played really well.

Alec Pierce - I found this really good video breaking down his game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJesiZqV_b0

Josh Ez - There is a lot of good film to watch on this kid and I really like him at the LG position. The more film I watch on him the more I feel he is a guy that would challenge for the starting spot for sure.

Love me some Dax Hill.
Even though he'd be technically behind Bates and Bell as a rookie, I'm sure they'd find ways to get him some snaps at either safety or slot CB. Dude has some of the best pure football field speed of anyone in the draft class.

I'm also cool with Pierce, but I'd look to move on from Boyd after this season to expedite Pierce getting opportunities.
I'd hate for him to have to sit as WR4 for two years.

Woods has clear upside and wouldn't be forced into starting as a rookie.

I haven't looked into the CB from Pitt or the OL from UNC before, as neither has really been up on prospect rankings much.
TDN still has Ezeudu as a UDFA. They say he's versatile and a mauler, but they don't feel he has enough lateral athleticism to handle a zone scheme. Mack Brown says he's the Tar Heels' best OL on the team though.

I like Burford as a Day 3 pick, for sure. He has good length and athleticism, plus plenty of versatility. I think Burford could push Carman for starting LG reps but be a good swing OT if he doesn't win a starting spot.

About all I'd wish for is an interior pass rusher taken earlier.

(04-21-2022, 03:30 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Love me some Dax Hill.
Even though he'd be technically behind Bates and Bell as a rookie, I'm sure they'd find ways to get him some snaps at either safety or slot CB. Dude has some of the best pure football field speed of anyone in the draft class.

I'm also cool with Pierce, but I'd look to move on from Boyd after this season to expedite Pierce getting opportunities.
I'd hate for him to have to sit as WR4 for two years.

Woods has clear upside and wouldn't be forced into starting as a rookie.

I haven't looked into the CB from Pitt or the OL from UNC before, as neither has really been up on prospect rankings much.
TDN still has Ezeudu as a UDFA. They say he's versatile and a mauler, but they don't feel he has enough lateral athleticism to handle a zone scheme. Mack Brown says he's the Tar Heels' best OL on the team though.

I like Burford as a Day 3 pick, for sure. He has good length and athleticism, plus plenty of versatility. I think Burford could push Carman for starting LG reps but be a good swing OT if he doesn't win a starting spot.

About all I'd wish for is an interior pass rusher taken earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFOY5dNKs2U&t=181s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7T6O_4szvA&t=157s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XLzAlA_MMo&t=214s

Anyone who says Ezuedu does not have lateral quickness may want to brush up on their film watching. Her are three games of his. He is #75 and is generally lined up at LG but will swing out to LT occasionally. He is strong for sure but I would not think of him as a mauler at all. In watching these film clips he appears to be very well rounded in his game.

Here is some good stuff on Mathis he is lined up on Ross the Tigers leading receiver on an island whenever they are playing man #21 for Pitt...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_R75cFzYtY

(04-21-2022, 05:13 PM)OSUfan Wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFOY5dNKs2U&t=181s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7T6O_4szvA&t=157s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XLzAlA_MMo&t=214s

Anyone who says Ezuedu does not have lateral quickness may want to brush up on their film watching. Her are three games of his. He is #75 and is generally lined up at LG but will swing out to LT occasionally. He is strong for sure but I would not think of him as a mauler at all. In watching these film clips he appears to be very well rounded in his game.

Here is some good stuff on Mathis he is lined up on Ross the Tigers leading receiver on an island whenever they are playing man #21 for Pitt...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_R75cFzYtY

What does that exactly mean?
Is there a tutorial or something out there of how to properly watch film?
If so, I've never seen it.

EDIT - NFL.com compares Ezeudu to Alex Redmond. They think he has things he needs to refine but does have good enough athleticism. They feel he has "low-end starter potential with emergency OT versatility."

(04-21-2022, 06:01 PM)ochocincos Wrote: What does that exactly mean?
Is there a tutorial or something out there of how to properly watch film?
If so, I've never seen it.

EDIT - NFL.com compares Ezeudu to Alex Redmond. They think he has things he needs to refine but does have good enough athleticism. They feel he has "low-end starter potential with emergency OT versatility."

Means they should probably open their eyes when watching...lol.


"If he can learn to play with better leverage and sustain blocks more consistently in the run game, he has the physical traits and demeanor to become a starter within his first contract."


"POSITIVES

— Above-average movement skills with impressive explosiveness out of his stance and lateral quickness to gain positional leverage on defenders."


https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10026433-joshua-ezeudu-nfl-draft-2022-scouting-report-for-north-carolina-iol

Oh yeah, this is a good Mock.

I might not be as high on Dax Hill as most on here for my reasons but I love the rest of this Draft. Pierce and Jelani
are fantastic for the Offense down the road I think. I just want a 3-tech earlier as well as Corner but I understand.

I like your late round projects.

I like it alot. The CB from Pitt had Charles Davis drooling the other day on Sirus.

(04-21-2022, 11:01 PM)sandwedge Wrote: I like it alot. The CB from Pitt had Charles Davis drooling the other day on Sirus.

There are some things that he certainly needs to improve from a technique standpoint but these things should come with NFL coaching and understanding his role within the scheme of the team that he is on. He may be a guy that ends up as an outstanding slot corner much like Hilton but should also be a capable #2. I would like to see more length at the position but he is very physical and works to alter the route at the line of scrimmage.

(04-21-2022, 09:28 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Oh yeah, this is a good Mock.

I might not be as high on Dax Hill as most on here for my reasons but I love the rest of this Draft. Pierce and Jelani
are fantastic for the Offense down the road I think. I just want a 3-tech earlier as well as Corner but I understand.

I like your late round projects.

I would be interested in your reasons for not being big on Daxson Hill. I have not seen much about his game that would go in the deficiency column. He has corner cover skills and great instincts for playing safety. He is not a huge hitter but I think that is probably one of the most overrated aspects of the position. Give me a guy that can cover and is a sound tackler over big hits any day.

I absolutely wanted a 3 technique earlier but I am not overly concerned in that on passing downs we have several guys that can play inside or out such as Sample, Hubert, and Kareem. As well Hubbard has been a guy that has shown some ability moving inside on passing downs because of his sheer strength.


I have found out a bit more about Kalia Davis that makes his positioning in the draft more understandable. It is not because of ability or missing aspects of his game as much as it is that he tore his ACL in November. Most profiles talk about his ability and that he certainly will be considered developmental but could bring value early on as a third down inside rush specialist while the rest of his game is groomed. He did not participate in many drills at the UCF Pro Day since he is rehabbing but he did put up 30 reps would have placed 4th at the combine.

(04-21-2022, 08:06 PM)OSUfan Wrote: Means they should probably open their eyes when watching...lol.


"If he can learn to play with better leverage and sustain blocks more consistently in the run game, he has the physical traits and demeanor to become a starter within his first contract."


"POSITIVES

— Above-average movement skills with impressive explosiveness out of his stance and lateral quickness to gain positional leverage on defenders."


https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10026433-joshua-ezeudu-nfl-draft-2022-scouting-report-for-north-carolina-iol

Good call. Chad Reuter has Ezeudu in the 2nd round of his latest mock draft.

(04-22-2022, 06:49 PM)WhoDeyK Wrote: Good call. Chad Reuter has Ezeudu in the 2nd round of his latest mock draft.

The more film I see on him the more I like him as a guard. Most of the poor snaps I have seen from him have come with him kicking out to LT. While he may be able to get you by in an emergency I believe he is clearly a guard and a very good one. One would also think that he should continue to develop under NFL coaching.

(04-22-2022, 08:51 AM)OSUfan Wrote: There are some things that he certainly needs to improve from a technique standpoint but these things should come with NFL coaching and understanding his role within the scheme of the team that he is on. He may be a guy that ends up as an outstanding slot corner much like Hilton but should also be a capable #2. I would like to see more length at the position but he is very physical and works to alter the route at the line of scrimmage.

I like Mathis a lot. Another one I like real well is Alontae Taylor and Zyon McCollum.

(04-22-2022, 09:08 AM)OSUfan Wrote: I would be interested in your reasons for not being big on Daxson Hill. I have not seen much about his game that would go in the deficiency column. He has corner cover skills and great instincts for playing safety. He is not a huge hitter but I think that is probably one of the most overrated aspects of the position. Give me a guy that can cover and is a sound tackler over big hits any day.

I absolutely wanted a 3 technique earlier but I am not overly concerned in that on passing downs we have several guys that can play inside or out such as Sample, Hubert, and Kareem. As well Hubbard has been a guy that has shown some ability moving inside on passing downs because of his sheer strength.


I have found out a bit more about Kalia Davis that makes his positioning in the draft more understandable. It is not because of ability or missing aspects of his game as much as it is that he tore his ACL in November. Most profiles talk about his ability and that he certainly will be considered developmental but could bring value early on as a third down inside rush specialist while the rest of his game is groomed. He did not participate in many drills at the UCF Pro Day since he is rehabbing but he did put up 30 reps would have placed 4th at the combine.

Kalia is also a former LB then beefed up to play DL obviously