2022 NFL Draft, ACC preview: North Carolina’s Sam Howell top prospect, Clemson reloads on offense

The ACC has been down in recent times outdoors of Clemson. Will the 2021 marketing campaign deliver Florida State or Miami’s return to prominence? Will Boston Faculty, North Carolina or a darkish horse problem the Tigers for the convention crown? And who’re the highest draft prospects within the convention? CBS Sports activities breaks down the transcendent expertise that must be on the radar of each draft aficionado forward of the ACC opener between NC State and South Florida on Sept. 2.

Boston Faculty

Large receiver Zay Flowers is fast and exhibits pure physique management. Following a yr the place undersized receivers have been all the craze — 10 of the 15 taken within the first three rounds have been listed at 6-foot or shorter — Flowers (5-11) jumps out as one of many prospects who may obtain comparable early spherical buzz.

Offensive sort out Tyler Vrabel — son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel — is managed into his go units and blocks with good leverage. He’s not essentially the most athletic prospect on this sort out class, however he does an enough job of staying linked to defenders. Offensive guard Zion Johnson is a superb run blocker who performs with good leverage and stability. 

Clemson

The Tigers misplaced 5 starters from final yr’s offense, however nobody is feeling sorry for the perennial contender. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei confirmed that he could be a actually productive participant when Trevor Lawrence was absent final season. Uiagalelei is just not eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft, however is actually one to keep watch over subsequent season. 

Clemson has a steady of large receiver expertise but once more. The massive information of the week was that Justyn Ross was cleared to return from the 2020 offseason spinal surgical procedure that stored him out final season. Though Ross may be very gifted and liable for large catches in current historical past, it’s truly Joe Ngata who stands out from a draft perspective. His publicity has been restricted (simply 24 complete catches in two seasons) however he flashes brilliance. Frank Ladson Jr. additionally must be drafted on the place. 

And should you consider in iron sharpening iron, then Clemson practices are the place for you. Regardless of parting methods with projected early spherical cornerback choice Derion Kendrick, who transferred to Georgia, the staff boasts three gifted gamers within the secondary: cornerbacks Sheridan Jones and Andrew Sales space and security Nolan Turner. The previous two look like prospects worthy of early-round consideration. The aforementioned large receivers are being examined each day and vice versa. 

Tight finish Davis Allen is a good go catcher who additionally takes pleasure in his blocking capability. Alongside the defensive entrance seven, Tyler Davis and Ok.J. Henry are most noteworthy for the upcoming draft. Bryan Bresee and Marcus Murphy dominated as true freshmen and must be first-round picks within the 2023 NFL Draft in the event that they proceed to carry turf. 

Duke

The Blue Devils do not need any gamers that bounce off the web page as a possible prime 100 choose, however they do have some good gamers, like operating again Mateo Durant and heart Jack Wohlabaugh. Wohlabaugh is coming back from a torn ACL and hopes to show that he deserves a spot within the NFL.

Florida State

The Florida State protection has seen a number of defections this offseason, however Robert Cooper will discover himself within the dialog for groups trying so as to add some run stuffing functionality within the type of a nostril tackle-type. Linebacker Amari Gainer has some tantalizing athletic traits however appears stiff in areas that will stop him from being profitable each down. 

The Seminoles are putting lots of religion into the palms of UCF quarterback switch McKenzie Milton and Kansas large receiver switch Andrew Parchment on offense.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is one other program that doesn’t provide lots of high-end expertise for the 2022 NFL Draft. Norfolk State offensive sort out switch Kenneth Kirby has intriguing dimension. Working again Jahmyr Gibbs is a playmaker however ineligible to be drafted till the next yr.

Louisville

From a dimension and athleticism standpoint, offensive sort out Adonis Boone is noteworthy. Boone is a straightforward mover however the Florida native oversets too typically. Quarterback Malik Cunningham has some promising traits. The 2 most highly-regarded skills may very well be on the defensive aspect of the ball, nevertheless. Liberty cornerback switch Kei’Trel Clark is slight of body however has quick ft. The potential in his sport is obvious. Linebacker Monty Montgomery is a bit undersized by conventional requirements however that has grow to be much less of a difficulty within the modern-day sport. Montgomery strikes very well and there may be some buzz round him in Louisville.

Miami

Offensive sort out Zion Nelson is a bodily specimen with lengthy arms. He must marry his ft along with his palms and enhance his approach total however his bodily profile appears like that of an All-Pro lineman. 

Security Bubba Bolden was a prime highschool recruit and, just like former teammate Jaelan Phillips, displayed as a lot in his second season with the Hurricanes. His athletic capability was all the time evident however he began to mix that with performs in protection. If he continues to progress on the similar fee, he may have an opportunity to grow to be the second security off the board.

Tight finish Will Mallory operated within the shadows final fall as outgoing Brevin Jordan made his case for the subsequent stage. With the door now large open, Mallory may have the chance to point out that he’s a well-rounded participant within the mould of former Hurricane Greg Olsen. D’Eriq King is an intriguing expertise with a spot within the NFL if he’s keen to compromise. He’s not going to be a quarterback however his athleticism will earn a glance.

North Carolina

Quarterback Sam Howell might be in competition to grow to be the primary quarterback taken within the 2022 NFL Draft. Howell could not possess the elite bodily stature of Trevor Lawrence or the arm expertise of Patrick Mahomes, however his endearing trait is his management. The North Carolina native provides off Baker Mayfield vibes in the best way that he performs the sport and carries himself.

Offensive guard Josh Ezeudu has some versatility taking part in a number of positions, however his pad stage will get too excessive at occasions. His body is right however he struggles to lock onto defenders in area. 

North Carolina State  

NC State has a little bit of a poor man’s 2020 North Carolina occurring with ability expertise littering the roster. Large receivers Emeka Emezie and Thayer Thomas are respectable gamers, with operating backs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Individual Jr. toting the rock. Knight has the flexibility to be a prime 100 caliber participant. Large receiver Porter Rooks is one other promising younger participant who is not going to be eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Sort out Ikem Ekwonu is certainly one of a number of offensive line prospects who’ve a super bodily profile and the athleticism to grow to be a very efficient NFL participant, however there may be work to be carried out earlier than he’s thought-about a lock for the primary spherical.

Pittsburgh

Quarterback Kenny Pickett may be the supply of some head scratching performs, however his dimension and arm expertise will entice NFL teams. Pickett’s ceiling doubtless is not going to attain the primary spherical, however Day 2 is just not unrealistic. His go catchers did him few favors a yr in the past. He has reasonable mobility.

Syracuse

Cornerback Garrett Williams has nice pace and excels mirroring the large receiver down the boundary. Williams is just not afraid to be bodily. His tackling approach may use some work and his hips open too large on breaks. There are spectacular elements of his sport, however he falls wanting a primary spherical projection proper now.

Virginia

Nobody jumps off the web page as an early spherical choose from this present Cavaliers staff. Security Joey Blount and defensive lineman Mandy Alonso are a few notable names to know. 

Virginia Tech

Since November, an astonishing 18 gamers have entered the switch portal at Virginia Tech, in line with 247Sports. There was vital roster turnover in Blacksburg, however a couple of gamers stand out as being of curiosity to NFL groups. Tight finish James Mitchell is an above-average blocker constructed like an H-Again. He lacks nice prime finish pace however has a knack for sitting within the comfortable spots of zone protection.

Offensive guard Lecitus Smith has a low heart of gravity and performs the sport with a imply streak. He’s fast out of his stance and managed into his go stance however his palms have to grow to be extra disciplined.

Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons had a gifted younger operating again by the identify of Kenneth Walker III however he transferred to Michigan State after the season. Large receivers Donovan Greene and Jaquarii Roberson are essentially the most attention-grabbing prospects remaining in this system. Greene was only a redshirt freshman in 2020 so there isn’t any rush to ship him off to the subsequent stage. His endearing trait is his capability to create separation whereas Roberson’s power is his physique management. Neither is a prime 100 participant for me proper now, however there’s a path for Greene to get there.