Looking ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft for Louisville football

In the words of John Garcia Jr., the most recent guest on From The Pink Seats Podcast, getting players drafted is the best thing for a program’s success. For Louisville football that rings true as there have been 15+ first-rounders over the years, and a generational talent in Lamar Jackson.

We saw two more Cards join the growing list of players to get drafted after a successful career for Louisville. As well as countless others who were signed to undrafted free agent contracts shortly after draft’s end. Tutu Atwell was the first player off the board as the Rams used their second rounder on the former Card. Then came Dez Fitzpatrick, drafted in the 4th round by the Tennessee Titans – a bit higher than anyone expected.

The natural question to ask following the draft is “who is next?”

Glad you asked. Let’s take a look at what the 2022 NFL Draft could behold.

Sure things:

C.J. Avery – ILB

Entering his fifth season at Louisville, Avery has the potential to go down in the record books. He’ll get another 12-13 games to do that and prove to NFL organizations he’s a more than capable NFL linebacker.

Avery has been the most consistent Louisville defensive player over the last three seasons and it’s not even close. He may not have the highlight tapes of other big named players, but he more than makes up for it in production. In three years of playing linebacker (started at safety), Avery totaled 227 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries. Needless to say, Avery has been an impact playmaker and leader nearly his entire career.

The NFL will love the production as well as the speed and overall playmaking ability of Avery. Size is becoming less important to NFL GM’s and coaches, with speed becoming the priority. He fits the mold of a hybrid linebacker/safety, and that’s why I think he’ll hear his name called somewhere in the 7 round draft.

Where and when remains to be seen. This year Avery will need to show improvement in a few key areas to continue his NFL trajectory, most notably increasing his playmaking stats. To me, that’s the sacks category and interceptions/forced fumbles. Avery has safety in his background yet has never had a season with more than 2 interceptions. His role is unlikely to focus on creating sacks in the NFL, but in his final season at Louisville, I’d like to see more getting into the backfield after the QB.

Kei’Trel Clark – CB

Sensing a theme here?

Believe it or not, Louisville football is at a point now where the defense may have more pro talent than the offense. Who would have ever thought?

After transferring from Liberty as a true freshman no one knew what Louisville football was getting. So it was a little shocking to watch Clark develop into an All-ACC player and help Louisville become a top 20 in pass defense. He finished with 36 tackles, 8 pass deflections, and an interception and became the lock-down corner Bryan Brown needed.

The numbers may not pop out but when you take a closer look at the analytics you’ll see how dangerous Clark is. In 2020 he allowed just 11 completions on 31 total targets, finishing with a 35.5 completion percentage. He held a 32.30% forced incompletion percentage and gave up ZERO completions over 20+ yards. With more film, production (including more interceptions), and individual accolades (will compete for First-Team All-ACC) Clark should be a day two caliber prospect.

With big seasons it’s possible:

Yasir Abdullah – OLB

I have been on the Yasir Abdullah bandwagon since his freshman season in 2018, so I’m not stopping now. If he appears on the draft radar at this time next season it will be because he had a dominant, breakouts season in 2021; something I’m expecting.

As we talked about on the latest Pink Seats episode, the modern-day linebacker is evolving in the NFL. While there’s always room for a Brian Urlacher-type player, the linebacker position at the next level is becoming more about speed, athleticism, versatility, playmaking, and power – something Abdullah possesses by the truckload.

Abdullah needed some time to get adjusted to his new role in Louisville’s defense and once it happened, it looked unstoppable. That came late in the season, but it’s the reason why I think he’s going to pop this season.

Don’t sleep on Abdullah being a mid-round draft pick next season.

Malik Cunningham – QB/ATH

Heading into last season I really thought Malik Cunningham was going to become a viable NFL prospect for Louisville football. He showed a lot of flashes but struggled with a few key details including turnovers/bad decision-making and reading defenses. There’s still time to develop into a long-term project potentially, but I think it’s more likely that Cunningham will have to switch positions to play at the next level.

If you look at Cunningham as just a QB it’s hard to see him being anything more than a 7th-round flyer or priority undrafted free agent signing. He’s thrown for over 5,000 yards in 33 games, including 43 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Not bad. He’s completed 63% of his passes (which is higher than Lamar Jackson) and has a QB rate of 142.9. Also not bad.

However, when you look at the film and the way his game has progressed you might think it’s lackluster. There’s a lot of boom, don’t get me wrong. But when you’re seeking an NFL quarterback there can’t be that much bust.

Panning out to see a bigger picture is where the thought-process goes to Cunningham attracting ire from the next level. While doing all those QBing things, he’s also run for 1,588 yards and 18 touchdowns – doing so very impressively. His athleticism is what makes him such a dynamic weapon and intriguing option for NFL teams. Is it at RB? Who knows. What about receiver? That’s more likely. Either way, he’s got the ability to play at the next level, just probably not as a quarterback.

Kenderick Duncan – S

We’ve heard coaches sing the praises of Kendrick Duncan since his transfer from Georgia Southern earlier this offseason. At 6’3, 225-pounds, Duncan has great size and intangibles that NFL teams would want. He possesses good film and solid production (138 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 6 INT, 2 FF) but likely needs a big year at a premier school to make the NFL leap.

Duncan appears to be a shoo-in for one of the two open safety positions heading into 2021, an area where playmaking is sorely needed. He’s been bringing that so far to the table, at least according to Satterfield during spring. He said:

“He’s just out there making plays every time.. He has really stood out to me.”

Having a big spring and a break-out NFL caliber season are two different things. Duncan has already done the former, now it’s about doing the latter.

Marshon Ford – TE

All the former walk-on Marshon Ford has done in two seasons as a starter is produce touchdowns. In 20 career games, Ford has 45 receptions for 601 yards and an incredible 13 touchdowns. Mix that production with the elite outside blocking he provides and it makes sense why NFL teams would have an interest.

Ford is by no means a finished product for Louisville football, hence his position here. Last season he showed flashes of becoming more than a backfield utility weapon in scoring situations, especially in the game against Georgia Tech. As the targets increased the more you saw the potential of him rounding out his game as a pass-catcher.

Coming out of the backfield as an h-back, Ford is a first down & touchdown threat every time he touches the ball. We know that. This year NFL teams will want to see more route running on display and catches made down the field. Luckily for Ford, he could be the #1 target for Cunningham, which should allow for big opportunities.

So you’re saying there’s a chance

Cole Bentley – C, Caleb Chandler – OG

Two elder statesmen on the offensive line could potentially hear their names called on draft night in 2022, but as of now it’s unlikely. Both have started and played in a bunch of games. Both have limitations that make their NFL future questionable.

Still, there’s a path to the NFL Draft but one that likely starts with a free agent contract. In 2019, Tyler Haycraft played himself into an NFL opportunity with the Giants. Both of these guys have the talent to do the same.

Hassan Hall – RB

There’s always been pro potential with Hassan Hall but unfortunately the emergence of Javian Hawkins as well as injuries have prevented that from happening.

While it’s expected that Jalen Mitchell will be the top dog in the running back room, Hall could show himself to be a Michael Carter type back in 2021. His speed, agility, and elusiveness make him a big play threat every time he touches the ball.

In my opinion for Hall to get drafted he’ll need to develop into a dominant third down back. He’s shown flashes as a pass-catcher already and we know what he can do as a runner. If he’s able to become a true threat through the air, his stock will without question rise.

If you told me Hall became the top back by seasons end and finished with 1,000+ yards, I’d believe you. But if you also told me he lost opportunities due to turnovers and other players emerging, I’d also believe it. His NFL future could go either way depending on how he plays in 2021.

Jacques Turner – DT

After opting out of 2020 and transferring to Louisville football, there will be a lot of pressure to succeed on Jacques Turner.

The newest Cardinal is expected to step into a prominent role along the defensive line this year. If he can get back to the level he was at in 2019, when he was a First-Team All Conference-USA, then watch out. The transition to the ACC isn’t the most forgiving, and doing it after missing a season won’t be the easiest.

He has the production at a smaller school, totaling 99 tackles, 30 TFL, and 15 sacks. But like Duncan needs to show it at the highest level in the ACC.

Shai Werts – WR/ATH

We have zero idea how good Werts will be as a wide receiver so it’s hard to predict an NFL future. His stats at GSU, as both a quarterback and athlete, are stupid and that alone deserves a spot on the list.

Werts has the overall talent to be a big threat as a offensive weapon but his NFL potential hinges on his transition to WR.