Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects

The Minnesota Vikings general manager search is done. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is the new team-builder. While not officially done, the head coach search is done. Kevin O’Connell will be the head coach when his Super Bowl obligations are done. There are still a lot more things to do. Put together a coaching staff. Perhaps round out the personnel department. Despite a bunch of other football stuff, it’s time for a little draft stuff. That’s the fun football stuff. NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his Top 50 Prospects list last week. 

1.   Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

2.   Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

3.   Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

4.   Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

5.   Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

6.   Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

7.   Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

8.   Devin Loyd, LB, Utah

9.   Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

10. Drake London, WR, USC

11. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

12. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

13. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

14. George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

15. Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

16. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

17. Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

18. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

19. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

20. Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State

21. David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

22. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

23. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

24. Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State

25. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

26. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

27. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

28. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

29. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

30. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

31. Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

32. Andrew Booth Jr., CB,  Clemson

33. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M

34. Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi

35. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

36. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

37. Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama

38. Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

39. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

40. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama 

41. Daniel Faallele, OT, Minnesota

42. Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State

43. Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama

44. DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M

45. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

46. Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina

47. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

48. Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana

49. Logan Hall, DT, Houston

50. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

***

Right or wrong, drafts are usually defined by the quarterbacks in them. Daniel Jeremiah’s current rankings have the quarterbacks sitting Kenny Pickett and then the rest. 

18. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

34. Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi

35. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

36. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

The Minnesota Vikings have more immediate needs at cornerback, linebacker, and edge but quarterback will be an interesting option at #12. There’s no top of the draft quarterback this year. Come draft time, there will be a quarterback, or two, taken in the Top 10. There always is. Right now, I like all of Jeremiah’s top four. My personal order might look something like this:

Malik Willis

Kenny Pickett

Sam Howell

Matt Corral

Georgia’s Defense:

7.   Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

15. Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

16. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

31. Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

38. Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

50. Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

No wonder Georgia won the National Title. Half their defense might be selected in the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

It sure would be fun to see Minnesota offensive tackle Daniel Faalele on the New York Jets. Bookend tackles:

Mekhi Becton: 6’7” 363

Daniel Faalele: 6’9” 380

Ridiculous. 

It’s early in the draft evaluation process. My current wish list for the Vikings at pick #12 looks something like this:

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Devin Loyd, LB, Utah

Derek Stingley JR., CB, LSU

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

and quarterbacks:

Malik Willis

Kenny Pickett

Sam Howell