We’re late in the college football season, and it’s been much easier to scout players than it was last season.
This year’s draft class will feature more senior prospects than ever before due to the extra year of eligibility, and as a result there’s plenty of prospects slipping through the cracks.
Let’s take a look at some of the most underrated players in the 2022 NFL Draft Class, as of November 2021. Depending on when you’re reading this, some of these players may no longer be underrated or may have had their draft status change (due to injury or eligibility), so keep that in mind.
The following players are listed in positional order only. Prospects who are not currently listed as seniors are labeled with an asterisk (*). Note there will be many players who are seniors but didn’t actually use up their junior eligibility from last season, and are eligible to return next year.
Most Underrated NFL Draft Prospects in 2022
Dustin Crum, QB, Kent State
Dustin Crum plays in an electric Kent State offense who led college football in points per game in 2020.
He drew some attention as a potential breakout player prior to the season, but there’s been very little about him since then. The offense at Kent State hasn’t flowed quite as well as it did early last year, but Crum continues to look great on tape. He’s one of the most accurate QBs in the class, and throws as clean of a deep ball as you’ll see.
Crum is also known for his great decision making. In his 27 starts over the past 3 years, he’s thrown 45 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions, while averaging about 9 yards per attempt.
There are a couple issues to his game, namely the obviously hitch in his delivery and a slight frame (6’3″, 200-205 lbs). But his high football IQ, strong arm, decent mobility, and great accuracy make him a very good early day 3 option who isn’t really getting talked about.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
Boise State has been a little disappointing this year, but Khalil Shakir hasn’t been the problem. Shakir has made a name for himself with dazzling catches, and even received 3rd team Preseason All-America recognition from PFF. But he’s still not getting the recognition he deserves.
An experienced receiver who has gotten more consistent throughout his career, Shakir has elite hands, great open field elusiveness, and a high football IQ. He lines up all over the field for the Broncos, and shows a fairly diverse route tree.
While he doesn’t play with elite top end speed, he has a knack for getting open and as reliable of hands as you’ll find in college football. Add in the open field elusiveness, and he isn’t too far out from having WR1 potential.
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Alec Pierce is one of the most improved players in college football, and has become the clear number 1 target for the undefeated Bearcats.
When you watch Pierce, you see a guy that NFL coaches will love. Tall, strong, and explosive, all with a high IQ and character.
He’s been a good player throughout his Cincy career, but it wasn’t until this year that things really started feeling legit. His route running looks much better, he’s shown consistent hands, and he’s as explosive as ever.
At 6’3″ 220 pounds, Pierce will be one of the combine’s top performers in the vertical and broad jump. He’s a jump ball threat anywhere on the field, and has the speed to threaten corners downfield.
After entering the year with pretty little buzz, a couple people are starting to come around. He likely won’t qualify for this list for much longer, because his star is rising.
James Cook, RB, Georgia
It’s odd to find such an underrated player on the number 1 team in the nation, and even more odd that it’s the younger brother of an NFL star. Nevertheless, James Cook hasn’t been anywhere near the top of RB prospect lists despite looking like a legitimate NFL contributor.
He’s never gotten his chance to be RB1 in the talented Georgia backfield and is undersized for an every-down back (5’11” 190 lbs), but he has every skill you want from a running back.
Cook is very talented as a shifty runner, shows good balance, and excellent hands. He’s having his best season to date, and has never averaged less than 6 yards per carry in a season.
If he got more opportunities to showcase his skills at Georgia, he’d be near that top tier of running backs. NFL scouts will see this and draft him much higher than his current rankings from media scouts.
Abram Smith, RB, Baylor
Abram Smith has had an unusual career path at Baylor. A reserve running back his first couple seasons, Abram switched to linebacker in 2020 and played fairly well. They moved him back to running back in 2021, and all he’s done is lead the Big 12 in rushing yards.
Smith doesn’t have elite open field quickness, but has a powerful first cut and decent top end speed. He runs with low pads and can easily run over you, and his vision and instincts are better than expected for someone with limited on-field experience.
He’s still raw, but a big running back with massive production and solid athleticism isn’t too easy to find. I doubt he would rise up to the top 3 rounds, but you could make a legitimate argument he’s a top 10 running back prospect (in a deep class), and he’s currently still being labeled as an undrafted free agent type of prospect.
Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State
Kolar has been dominating college football for years, getting All-American recognition in the past.
Despite this, he hasn’t been getting much love from draft analysts. I think there’s chance he could be the first tight end taken in April.
At 6’6″ 260 pounds, Kolar has prototypical size for the position. He’s helped block for one of the nation’s best running backs, and has been a consistent safety blanket for Brock Purdy.
There may be slightly more fluid tight ends, but no one has done as much for their team as Kolar. He lines up all over the field and has been dominant split out wide, in the slot, and on the line of scrimmage.
I was a little surprised when he decided to return to school for the 2021 season, and I expect him to be the most NFL-ready tight end prospect in the draft.
Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati*
Whyle is an athletic and very smooth moving tight end prospect who draws my eye every time I watch Cincinnati.
Despite a slow start to the season, Whyle is a good route runner with elite hands. He needs to get a lot stronger as a blocker, but he shows a solid understanding of footwork in the blocking game and is very coachable.
Cincinnati has produced plenty of tight ends in the past (see Travis Kelce), and Whyle is an absolute mismatch over the middle.
There’s a chance he returns to school since he’s only a junior, and this is the deepest tight end class I’ve ever seen. But with all the attention Cincinnati has gotten this year, it wouldn’t surprise me if he left early anyway.
Carter Warren, OT, Pittsburgh
Carter Warren serves an important role for Pitt, manning the left tackle spot for one of the most prolific passing offenses in college football. He’s been great in pass protection all season long, and is the leader of a top-10 rated offensive line in college football.
At 6’5″ 300 pounds, Warren doesn’t have elite size for the tackle spot, but he makes up for it with great bend and overall athleticism.
Experienced, athletic offensive tackles aren’t easy to find, yet Warren hasn’t gotten much attention from media scouts. Despite less-than-elite length he should be able to continue playing left tackle at the next level, and his continuous improvement throughout his career should help him rise up draft boards in a tackle class with many raw prospects.
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
If John Michael Schmitz transferred to Alabama or Georgia, he’d be viewed as the second best center in college football (behind Tyler Linderbaum).
At 6’4″ and 320 pounds, Schmitz is extremely powerful and easily moves even big defensive tackles. He’s an elite run blocker who also plays very well in pass protection, while having a very high football IQ and character.
Schmitz is the least experienced starter of a Gopher offensive line which is the most combined starts in the entire FBS, by a wide margin. Anchoring a unit that has helped five different running backs reach the 100 yard mark in a game this season, his power and advanced technique will make him a darling among NFL scouts. He’s nowhere to be seen in draft rankings at the moment, perhaps because he’s eligible to return next season (despite being listed as a senior).
If he enters the draft, he’ll be one of the first 5 centers off the board. And one of likely three Gopher offensive linemen to be drafted.
Dion Novil, DT, North Texas
I haven’t seen hardly any mention of Dion Novil from draft analysts, but I’m sure that’ll change at some point.
At 6’4″ and over 310 pounds, Novil has great power and an insanely fast first step. If you watch the North Texas defense for even just 5 snaps, you’ll be able to spot him. He consistently blows up plays and pushes guards right into the opposing quarterback with his fast get off.
Novil followed up a good 2018 campaign with an incredible 2019 season, putting up 61 total tackles from the interior of the d-line and forcing 13 tackles for loss. Those are gaudy numbers from an interior lineman who doesn’t have much help from his edge rushers.
In 2020 the numbers were down while he was constantly double teamed, but he dominated enough to garner 1st Team All-Conference honors. He’ll undoubtedly do that again this season, and will make a team very happy with a day 3 pick.
Owen Carney, EDGE, Illinois
Carney was a senior last year who decided to return with his extra year of eligibility, and he’s again been a disruptive force for the Illini. At 6’3″ 275 pounds with a chiseled frame, Carney often plays upright on the side of the line, and has plus athleticism.
Carney is a perfect fit as a 3-4 OLB or a 4-3 DE, and is very experienced with over 50 career games. He’s used to being the only elite edge rusher on his team and draws a lot of looks from opposing o-lines, but could absolutely dominate as a pass rusher alongside a more talented front 7.
When you see him, it just screams “NFL.” I wouldn’t be surprised if Carney ends up being a better pro than he was college player, so long as you’re able to get consistent focus on every play.
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Muma has been rising over the course of the season, and looks like yet another great linebacker out of Wyoming.
As one of the semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, he’s been recognized as an elite player at the college level. As an athletic 6’3″ 240 pound linebacker who can play multiple positions, there’s no reason to expect it wouldn’t translate to the NFL.
He uses his length well getting to the quarterback, and has the quickness to get sideline to sideline.
After being a 1st team All Conference selection by PFF last year, Muma has added some improved coverage skills to his game, picking off the first three passes of his career.
His mix of technique, athleticism, power, and work ethic will play well amongst coaches, and he’ll rise above plenty of power 5 linebacker prospects in the coming months.
Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Yet another Bednarik Award semifinalist, Brisker’s decision to return for 2021 has paid off big time. While Kyle Hamilton is likely a better overall prospect, Brisker’s play this year has been second to none.
He’s a consistent disruptor in everything he does, and can play all three major roles of a safety: In the slot, in the box, and deep as a field safety.
Athletic and powerful in his 6’1″ 205 pounds frame, Brisker has been productive and caused headaches for the opposition all three seasons for Penn State. Prior to this season the one thing he didn’t do well was finish tackles.
This year his tackling has been much more consistent, he’s improved his angles, and shown great instincts in coverage as always.
Brisker is one of the few safety who you could trust to cover a tight end, wide receiver, or a shifty running back, and his versatility will help him be in contention for a late first round pick.
Kolby Harvell-Peel, S, Oklahoma State
Safety is always a deep position, and Harvell-Peel is a guy who has just been lost in the midst a bit.
After bursting on to the scene in 2019 with 5 interceptions and 13 additional pass break ups, Kolby has been a consistent ball hawk for OSU and earned All-Conference honors multiple times.
He has enough size (6’0″ 210), athleticism, and instinct to be a consistent and productive tackler, while continuing to range deep and pick off passes.
While he has some more gaps in his game than someone like Brisker, he’s got the potential to turn into a complete safety and has already shown great productivity.
Most people have him on the outside looking in right now, but as OSU continues to play solid defense he’s likely becoming a favorite of NFL scouts behind the scenes.
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati*
I’ll close with a player who most have as a first round prospect, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
I’ve loved his game ever since his freshman season, and there’s a legitimate case that he should be the #1 corner in the draft. Yes, even over Stingley.
Gardner doesn’t necessarily have elite speed, but he’s plenty fast to recover if needed. The thing is, he doesn’t need to recover. Gardner is a junior who’s a 3 year starter and has never allowed a single touchdown reception.
Opposing offenses actively look away from his side of the field, but he has still picked off 3 passes in each of his 3 seasons. His ball skills are very good, but his ability to mirror and keep tight coverage is easy to see.
His run defense has been improved the past two years, and tackling ability is above-average for a corner. It helps that he’s 6’2″+ and 200 pounds with long arms.
When you’re a big bodied corner with solid athleticism, tackling ability, next-level production, great technique, and no known off-field concerns, that’s a recipe for a potential top 10 pick. Give this man the respect he deserves. And while you’re at it, give Cincy the respect it deserves.
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I try to keep my underrated prospects lists to players who are actually underrated. A couple players who I previously considered underrated but no longer are: Kenny Pickett, David Bell, Kingsley Enagbare, and Jalen Catalon.
If you’re interested in seeing an updated list of underrated prospects in the 2022 NFL draft, let me know by leaving a comment below.
There are obviously plenty of other players that could have been included on this list! Let me know some of your favorites by commenting below.
