CFB Prospects You Should Be Watching Today
Chiefs missed out on another WR in free agency, who could fill those shoes in the 2022 NFL Draft?
The AFC has fallen into compete and utter shambles for the 2021 NFL season. This has been quite the fortunate turn of events for the Kansas City Chiefs who are currently sitting at 5-4 on the season. With very few teams taking advantage of the down division, this has given the Chiefs plenty of life at the mid-point of the NFL season.
Unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the Chiefs’ news front this week. For the second - or third, or fourth - time this calendar year, they have pursued a wide receiver in free agency. Despite having what many consider an incredibly favorable situation, they struck out again with Odell Beckham Jr. choosing to sign with the Los Angeles Rams.
So while the Chiefs are very much alive in the playoff - and even a home game - the team is still clearly targeting a specific position for improvement. Let’s keep that in mind this for this College Football Saturday and make sure we get some on eyes on the wide receivers then, shall we?
Week 11 Prospect Watchlist
Day 1 Stud
David Bell | WR
6’2” 205lbs | Purdue | #3
David Bell entered the 2021 season as one of the more productive wide receivers in college football but was still being relatively underrated. In 18 games he had amassed 1.660 receiving yards and 15 TDs but was still often seen as the after-thought to ex-teammate Rondale Moore. Through 8 games in 2021 he’s already cracked 1000 yards while setting a career high in yards per reception as well. In two games against Top 10 ranked teams, Bell has 22 receptions, 457 yards, and 2 TDs.
Bell’s skillset is one that often gets overlooked going through the NFL Draft process. He has a good blend of size and athleticism without being elite in either one which is something that always causes hesitation for NFL teams looking for top wide receivers. Where Bell wins the most consistently is with his route running technique and understanding of coverage. He’s active with his hands and feet at the line of scrimmage and on double moves to beat man coverage, and understands leverage and zone spacing when working against zone coverage. Bell’s route running is top tier and pairing that with fantastic hands and tracking ability and there is easily a top flight WR prospect in there.
How to watch: Purdue Vs Ohio State, 2:30 PM CST, ABC
Will Ohio State be the third straight Top 10 ranked team to fall victim to David Bell’s greatness or will they finally find a way to put a lid on him? You’d expect Ohio State to have the athletic advantage - over the other Top 10 teams of Iowa and Michigan State - at the corner position and if Bell can still torch them, his name could keep flying up draft boards.
Potential Riser
Jalen Tolbert | WR
6’3” 190lbs | South Alabama | #8
Jalen Tolbert has been getting NFL Draft buzz since the end of the 2021 draft cycle. Even back in May, he was garnering “top ten wide receiver” conversations despite playing at South Alabama. It’s easy to see why just looking at the size, athletic profile, and the production - 1,085 yards and 8 TDs in 2020 - but would he be able to keep it up? Tolbert was certainly up to the challenge as he’s on pace to set career highs in receptions, yards, and TDs.
The first thing about Tolbert’s skill set is the athleticism at his size. At 6’3” 190lbs, he is able to win on the vertical plane with quality long speed and fantastic ball skills working down the field. He isn’t the most fluid receiving prospect in the country but he has enough burst and speed to consistently threaten defenders downfield. He utilizes that vertical threat well enough to open up routes underneath and once he has the football, Tolbert does a great job turning into a runner.
How to watch: South Alabama vs Appalachian State, 1:30 PM CST, ESPN+
Unfortunately for fans of college football, South Alabama doesn’t have any premier matchups for Tolbert to really showcase his talent vs the best competition. Appalachian State likely provides the stiffest competition from a talent and athleticism standpoint while also having a few draftable players in the secondary in cornerback Shaun Jolly and safety Ryan Huff. If Tolbert can have another monster game in this one, he may cement his draft stock as a high Day 2 pick in the upcoming draft.
Local Flavor
Nik Bonitto | EDGE
6’3” 238bs | Oklahoma | #11
Nik Bonitto has been the most productive member of an Oklahoma Sooner pass rush that has had a few more NFL caliber prospects than anticipated over the last few years. In 2020, Bonitto finished with 9 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss in the 10 game season. Coming into 2021, there were concerns if he could be “The Guy” at the Sooners' defense. It’s safe to say he’s answered those questions already recording 5 sacks and 9 TFLs on the year.
Bonitto is always going to have questions swirling about his size since he still weighs in the 230s. After entering OU as an off-ball linebacker and 200lbs, getting up to just shy of 240lbs isn’t the end of the world but it’s the sleight frame that is a bigger cause for concern. Still, these size questions haven’t stopped Bonitto from being an explosive speed rusher off the edge. He has the kind of first step that makes you immediately perk your ears up and has the flexibility to finish out rushes consistently. So far in 2021, he’s done a good job incorporating some inside counter moves to assist with his pass rush profile, which will be pivotal since he’s likely a dedicated pass rusher at the next level.
How to watch: Oklahoma vs Baylor, 11:00 AM CST, FOX
The Baylor Bears don’t have the most talented offensive line that Bonitto has seen so far this season but it’s still a competent offense. Baylor will take to the air on enough occasions that Bonitto should get some opportunities to pin his ears back and attack the quarterback showcasing his high end traits.
I think we need to attack the WR position in free agency AND the draft. Clean house a bit at the position. We need new blood