2022 NFL Draft: ‘Trust The Traits’ prospects who shouldn’t be overlooked in this class despite pedestrian film

The ideal NFL Draft prospect had tremendous production in college and boasts jaw-dropping athletic traits. Of course, many don’t check both boxes. But sometimes you have to trust a prospects physical capabilities even if he’s not a great football player yet. 

This is the first in a two-part series that will examine a pair of unique subsets of every draft class. For this article, my #TrustTheTraits prospects, NFL hopefuls who didn’t have extraordinary film in 2021 but just give me a feeling that, in time, with the proper coaching, in the right scenario, they can become quality pros because their traits either pop on film or did so at their combine/pro day workout. 

These are my Trust The Traits prospects in the 2022 class. 

(Disclaimer: To many, Georgia EDGE Travon Walker would be the poster child for a #TrustTheTraits prospect. I just don’t see “it” with him and feel he doesn’t play up to his insane, otherworldly workout at the combine.)

Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State

Walker was the No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247 Sports’ composite rankings and never quite met those elevated expectations during his time in State College. In my scouting gradebook, I wrote “weaknesses than can be easily ironed out of his game.” What are those weaknesses, you ask? 

Walker tends to “open the gate” too early, which is essentially just opening his outside hip and shoulder to give the rusher an easy path to the quarterback. That can be coached out of him in his first week at training camp. His power, nastiness, and recovery skill — the latter being vital to playing the position today — are immediately evident on film. I like, too, how Walker is assertive with his hands, constantly resetting them if they’ve been swatted away. It’s almost if he trusts his own traits throughout the rep, he never quits and will fight through the whistle. 

Another positive — Walker is nearly 6-6 with arms just under 34 inches. He has an NFL offensive tackle’s body. 

Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC

Jackson fascinates the heck out of me. The No. 10 defensive lineman in the 2019 class behind names like Travon Walker, DeMarvin Leal, and Kayvon Thibodeaux and just ahead of George Karlaftis, Jackson is very naturally gifted. 

On film, it shows. Jackson has a case has the defensive end with the most impressive burst/bend combination in the class.  I’m serious. He’s super-light on his feet, too, which helps him change directions with ease. After 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a freshman in 2019, Jackson was never quite as productive when it came to those classic stats again at USC. 

He’s active with his hands at the point of attack but does he rush with a calculated plan? Doesn’t feel like it. And he has to get considerably strong to live on the edge in the NFL. He bulked up to 254 pounds at the combine but Jackson has to add legitimate power to his pass-rush ability. Interestingly, he weighed-in at 273 pounds at the USC Pro Day. The acceleration off the snap and bend around the corner simply cannot be taught, and he’s only turning 21 in April. 

Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh

Like just about every Pittsburgh defensive back in the Pat Narduzzi era, Mathis really gets after it on the football field. No hesitation, no shy away from a larger receiver, a boulder of a back heading into his direction. It doesn’t matter. When Mathis buckles his helmet, it’s game on. 

Was his film mind-blowing? No. He’s not a mirroring magician. Quicker receivers can get the best of him more frequently than most defensive coordinators would probably like. However, Mathis plays with rockets attached to his cleats. Once he plants a foot in the ground, he’s exploding forward, as evidenced by his 4.39 time in the 40 yard dash at the combine, a 43.5-inch vertical and 11-foot, one-inch broad jump. That helps him recover like a champ. 

Even if Mathis won’t lock down the slipperiest receivers in the NFL early on, I’m trusting his explosive traits to carry him in the NFL. 

Esezi Otomewo, EDGE, Minnesota

We never got full testing numbers from Otomewo, and that’s a bummer. He’s a specimen at 6-5 and 282 pounds. His get-off the line is borderline stunning for someone his size and will threaten slower NFL offensive tackles. After that initial jolt, Otomewo does throttle down considerably, which should be expected at his size. He had three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss as a senior. In his four-year tenure with the Gophers, Otomewo had just 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 quarterback takedowns. He won’t be drafted due to his collegiate production. 

And his pass-rush plans need development. No doubt. But Otomewo flashed a nasty straight-arm bull rush that’s overwhelmingly powerful. I know the NFL game today is all about getting to the quarterback in a hurry, like, say, under 2.5 seconds. And the Minnesota star isn’t a speed-based rusher. I’m fine with it. 

Even if he doesn’t rock as a pure edge rusher, Otomewo can legitimately kick inside to defensive tackle and win with burst, length, and power. 

Chris Paul, OT/OG, Tulsa

Paul’s teammate, Tyler Smith, is someone else I considered for this list. Paul felt like the more deserving candidate. And the two Tulsa blockers are similar — stellar athletes on the field with hand work that needs to be cleaned up at the next level. Like Smith, Paul’s hands get outside his assignment’s shoulder pads. 

But I love how explosive of a mover he is in every direction. He mirrors pass rushers well and can recover if initially beaten. He’s been projected inside to guard but at nearly 6-4 and 328 pounds with 34-inch arms, I think he can stay on the perimeter of the line in the NFL. With a stronger anchor, that will come in time, Paul can be a high-caliber starter at the pro level, and he’ll likely be available late on Day 2 or early on Day 3. 

Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska

Jurgens was a blast to watch. My word. So sudden, so nasty. In my gradebook, I wrote “oversized guided missile to the second level.” His quickness shines not only for the run game but when having to block multiple interior rushers, or dealing with an individual’s counter moves in pass protection. 

Jurgens’ lack of power is evident on film, and likely why he’s not generating loads of buzz. If there’s one thing you can bet on an offensive lineman improving upon at the NFL is their strength. One season in an NFL strength and conditioning program typically does it. 

Another positive for this Nebraska star — he’s nearly 6-3, weighed-in over 300 pounds at the combine and has arms well over 33 inches. He’s going to be a star. 

Obinna Eze, OT, TCU

Measurables, measurables, measurables — how Eze is selling his draft profile to NFL teams. At nearly 6-7 and 321 pounds, the TCU offensive tackle has arms over 36 inches and a wingspan in the 98th percentile at the position over the past 21 years at the combine. 

And I don’t hate his film! Sure he’s a bit clunky out in space. I’m more concerned about a blocker’s pass-protection skills anyway, and Eze uses his length as a weapon on pass plays. He just blocks everything. Even though he probably understands he’s a tick slow, Eze is methodical and balanced and keeps defenders off him with those tentacles he has dangling from his frame. Eze put some “scary” reps on film against smaller speed rushers, but I didn’t see him lose many of those reps, often pushing them past the quarterback. 

Even if Eze never gets more athletic — he probably won’t — his length and calm, balanced style is my jam.