2022 NFL Draft: 5 Most Explosive Rookies for 2022

LendingTree Bowl - Liberty v Eastern Michigan
LendingTree Bowl - Liberty v Eastern Michigan

#3 - DE Kayvon Thibodeaux's explosiveness makes him the better prospect than Aidan Hutchinson in 2022 NFL Draft

Colorado v Oregon - DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Colorado v Oregon - DE Kayvon Thibodeaux

Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson is getting the nod over Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux in most mock drafts, but Thibodeaux is more explosive with a higher ceiling, despite lower stats in 2021. He's an all-around star edge-rusher with limitless potential in the NFL. The few flaws to his game have nothing to do with speed or explosiveness, but rather his hand movements and reading power run schemes. Not only does he have speed, he also has the agile movements and fluid body control to match. Thibodeaux is ready for the NFL and will only get better with time, making a case for him to be the number one overall pick.

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2021 Stats

  • 10 games
  • 49 tackles
  • 7 sacks
  • 12 TFL

#4 - DL Jordan Davis provides NFL with Vince Wilfork-like nose tackle

South Carolina v Georgia
South Carolina v Georgia

Georgia's Jordan Davis is a prized possession in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is a pure, talented nose tackle. He's quite similar to Vince Wilfork, who wrecked havoc on the defensive line for the Patriots dynasty. Davis is a mixture of speed, size, strength, athleticism and explosiveness that solidifies him as a first-round selection. Davis will fill the space as a 1 and 0-tech on the defensive line at 6-foot-six, 340 pounds while also being light on his feet and flexible. He lacks the skills to be a dominant pass-rusher, but he will shut down the run game by exploding through the lanes and racking up tackles for loss.

2021 Stats

  • 14 games
  • 32 tackles
  • 2 sacks
  • 5 TFL

#5 - QB Malik Willis is the most explosive QB in NFL Draft

LendingTree Bowl - Liberty v Eastern Michigan
LendingTree Bowl - Liberty v Eastern Michigan

As mentioned, this year's draft class has more questions than answers when it comes to quarterbacks. Liberty's Malik Willis seems to be getting passed over by scouts and analysts for playing in offenses like Auburn and Liberty. But that has little to do with what he can bring to the table in the NFL Draft. He is arguably the most explosive dual-threat in the draft. Once he sees his lane to take off out of the pocket, he's hard to catch up to and makes you miss in the open field. The only issue is that he has to contain his explosiveness in the pocket and clean up his footwork and pocket presence, which is key in the NFL. Too many dropsteps will get you eaten alive by pass-rushers.

2021 Stats

  • 61.1% completion rate
  • 2,857 yards
  • 27 touchdowns
  • 12 interceptions
  • 878 rushing yards
  • 13 rushing touchdowns

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