Ranking 5 players with the highest ceiling in 2022 NFL Draft ft. Chris Olave, Malik Willis and more
The 2022 NFL Draft has talent in abundance across a lot of positions, some more than others, and it is the perfect chance for a franchise to improve their immediate future with the right choice.
Aside from the obvious names like Aidan Hutchinson and Ikem Ekwonu, players that are guaranteed to be drafted early on draft night and succeed in the NFL, there are those undervalued stars who have significant hidden potential.
Sleepers have been a feature of every NFL Draft in living memory, and the class of 2022 is no different with a number of players having certain attributes that make them likely to explode once in the league and forge incredibly successful careers.
Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, just who are the 5 players with the highest ceiling?
#5 - Rachaad White, Running Back, Arizona State
Taking a running back in the first-round of the draft is not always advisable, unless there are home-run hitters like Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley or even Adrian Peterson.
The 2022 class doesn’t have a player of that type at first glance, and very few mock drafts have a running back selected on the opening night of the draft.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t serious talent on offer at the position and in the form of Rachaad White out of Arizona State, there is a player who could be a perennial pro-bowl participant.
White had an excellent 2021 season which culminated in an invitation to the Senior Bowl, and his smooth style of running will be a hit in the NFL.
He barely wastes a single motion, is difficult to tackle and glides through defenses with consummate ease.
His cut moves occur at top-speed and big plays are his speciality.
Balance is crucial for a running back and you just can’t knock White out of his stride. He has all the measurable tricks of an elite running back, with his game-tape highlighting jukes, spins and hurdles, and he is a serious gamechanger on offense.
Whilst White may not make the explosive plays on down one of a drive, he’s a graceful battler and will wear the defense down, plus once he breaks the first line of tacklers you just can’t catch him.
Few running backs have looked as graceful as Peterson, but White does. One team is going to get a bargain in the second round of the draft because this kid is special.
#4 - Arnold Ebiketie, Defensive End, Penn State
2022 has an NFL Draft class full of talented pass rushers, with Aidan Hutchinson being the pick of the bunch for an immediate starting role.
Arnold Ebiketie is a bit more of a project prospect, but his ceiling is as high as anyone’s in this draft.
Ebiketie’s 6ft 3in frame is deceiving because this is a big boy. He can get off the line of scrimmage with explosive speed and then hit you hard.
If the offensive line isn’t fully awake then the Penn State star will punish them.
He has great length for a player in his position, ensuring he remains a threat to quarterbacks even whilst still engaged in battles with the O-line
2021 was a breakout year for the Penn State defender, who was a spark plug for the team. He brings momentum in abundance onto the field and then plays with it behind him.
It’s rare you see a defensive end with the foot dexterity of a running back, but Ebiketie can cut like an offensive star. This allows him to trick the quarterback and breeze past less mobile linemen.
You want your pass rush to be powerful and dynamic, and those two words describe Ebiketie perfectly.
The scary thing is he’s still learning and getting better, 2021 was a breakout season for him as he made 62 total tackles and registered 9.5 sacks.
You can expect to see a similar jump forward in 2022, albeit not as a starter on every down, and by the time he is heading into his second season in the NFL, we’re going to see a really strong defender.
Pressures bucketed by seconds post-snap (2021 only), per @PFF:
- 47% in the 2.1-2.5 range for Aidan is pretty insane
- Arnold Ebiketie >>>
- Jermaine Johnson 🤐 https://t.co/A2JzWGHpnL