After Week 9 of college football action, we have a whole new batch of 2022 NFL Draft sleepers to go over. Let’s take a look at our latest list, which includes several SEC defenders, a rising quarterback, a deep threat in the Group of Five, and two talented FCS playmakers.
2022 NFL Draft Sleepers: Week 9
Who makes our list of 2022 NFL Draft sleepers as we head into Week 9? Here’s a look at the latest 11-man roster.
Alabama CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Jalyn Armour-Davis is starting to get some buzz, but in case word hasn’t gotten around, he is legit. The 6’1″, 192-pound cornerback often plays second fiddle to Josh Jobe in mock drafts, but I think Armour-Davis is actually the better prospect. Both are long coverage defenders, but Armour-Davis is more twitchy, fluid, and natural with his footwork. He’s also less reckless from a physicality standpoint.
If there is a knock on Armour-Davis, it’s that he’s not elite at producing on the ball. He has 2 interceptions and 2 pass deflections this year, with one of those picks coming last week against Tennessee. While it looks nice on the stat sheet, it was truly caused by a miscommunication between the QB and the WR. Armour-Davis can be more consistently proactive when in position. But already, he has the fluidity, short-range burst, and instincts to put himself in position more often than not.
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
On one hand, it feels a little dangerous to get excited about every quarterback with traits — the 2022 QB class lacks inspiring talent. But on the other hand, when so many possibilities are on the table, we can’t leave any stone unturned. This past week, Hendon Hooker put forth an inspiring performance against Alabama, perhaps throwing his hat into the ring as a potential 2022 QB option.
Thus far in eight games, Hooker has completed 114 of 166 passes for 1,578 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions. He also has 416 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Quietly, Hooker has been one of the league’s most productive and efficient signal-callers — and he has the traits to match. He’s a good athlete at 6’4″, 218 pounds, and he has a good arm (one that can generate easy velocity with a whip-like motion).
It’s too early to throw him in the mix with the top passers, but keep an eye on Hooker. He has the traits, and he’s quickly ascending.
Cincinnati TE Josh Whyle
If you follow me on Twitter, you know I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to name-drop Josh Whyle in a piece. I was a big fan of Whyle coming out of summer scouting, and he’s always been one of my favorite 2022 NFL Draft sleepers.
He hasn’t quite produced to the level expected this year, but Week 8 was a breakout game for him. Against Navy, Whyle had 4 receptions for 60 yards and 2 scores, showing off body control and smooth athleticism in space.
Kentucky S Yusuf Corker
Yusuf Corker has been a key contributor for the Kentucky defense, but he’s only just now starting to emerge as a legitimate 2022 NFL Draft sleeper.
Corker is embarking on a career year, with 40 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, a sack, and 7 pass deflections in seven games. He’s a long safety at 6’0″, 197 pounds, and he compounds that length with exciting explosiveness — a trait that shows up when he triggers on plays. In a deep safety class, Corker provides even more upside.
Tennessee LB Jeremy Banks
Jeremy Banks flashed when I was watching Matthew Butler. He’s coming off a rougher game against Alabama, but the 6’1″, 220-pound linebacker clearly has great twitch and explosiveness for his size. He positions himself well in coverage, flashes instincts, and has a hot motor in run defense, even if he can’t always hold up at the point of attack.
With 9 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, Banks has been all over the place this year. He’s a former running back, and that amped-up style shows up.
Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal
Interestingly enough, Leo Chenal is of an almost completely different mold than Banks. While Banks profiles as a coverage-oriented linebacker given his size, Chenal is a 6’2″, 255-pound thumper who lives for gritty, low-scoring affairs.
Chenal dominated in Wisconsin’s recent win over Purdue, logging 9 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. With his burst and all-out energy, Chenal is a dangerous blitzer. But he also plays with anticipation in congestion, and he knows how to free himself to make those decisive plays.
SMU WR Danny Gray
Naturally, the red-hot SMU Mustangs’ passing offense will spawn at least one NFL wide receiver. Before the season, Reggie Roberson was the name that first came to mind. Now, however, it’s Danny Gray.
Gray, who’s on the Senior Bowl watch list, has been a dynamic threat for SMU this year, tallying 38 receptions for 609 yards and 7 scores in seven games so far. He’s a high-level speed receiver with searing explosiveness in open space, but he also has the body control to tip the scales in contested situations.
Louisville DE Yaya Diaby
Perrion Winfrey is one player who’s legitimizing the JUCO pipeline this year. Another such player is Louisville DE Yaya Diaby.
Diaby joined Louisville last year after spending time at Georgia Military College. He’s turned things on lately, with all 1.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss coming in his last four games. On tape, Diaby has impressive upside. Although he’s listed at 6’4″, 255 pounds, he appears heavier and has great length. He can play inside or outside, and he flashes great bend and burst. It’s a deep edge class, but he’s a 2022 NFL Draft sleeper to watch, nonetheless.
North Texas RB DeAndre Torrey
Every year, productive small-school backs go overlooked and end up providing value for NFL teams that give them a chance. DeAndre Torrey could end up being one of those backs. He’s one of the deeper 2022 NFL Draft sleepers you’ll see, and it’s unlikely he gets drafted at all.
But Torrey has some appeal as a potential high-value add in the UDFA circuit. He’s been an insanely productive back for North Texas. Although he’s smaller at 5’7″, 195 pounds, he’s compact and energetic as a runner. He hits the hole with great burst, and he can be tough to take down in the open field.
2022 NFL Draft sleepers at the FCS level
Now, let’s move on to our two FCS 2022 NFL Draft sleepers for the week. We’re picking out two defensive players this week — Holy Cross CB John Smith and McNeese State edge rusher Isaiah Chambers.
Holy Cross CB John Smith
As we’ve mentioned before, production is a great way for FCS players to get noticed. If they can produce at a level above their counterparts, that’s the first step to being recognized by NFL evaluators. John Smith has done that.
The 6’0″, 186-pound cornerback has 3 interceptions and 5 deflections in seven games this year. In his career, Smith has 10 interceptions and 25 deflections to his name. He’s a high-level playmaker at the FCS level with dangerous ball skills, and he also flashes quick twitch and vertical athleticism.
McNeese State EDGE Isaiah Chambers
McNeese State’s defense made the explosive Incarnate Word offense implode on itself last week. Edge rusher Isaiah Chambers was a big reason why. He had 4 sacks on the day, and he was an absolute terror for the Redbirds to defend. By now, Chambers is a known quantity in scouting circles. Listed at 6’5″, 251 pounds, Chambers had 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in the spring 2021 season. Now, he already has 6.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in seven games this year.
His FCS status may fool you, but Chambers is a former four-star recruit. He came to McNeese State from TCU and Houston. He’s always had the talent, and the FCS stage has provided him with the opportunity to stand out. He has great burst and lateral quickness for his muscular build, and his hot motor rounds out his game. Already on the Senior Bowl watch list, Chambers is a 2022 NFL Draft sleeper who’s due to keep climbing up boards — especially if he can put together more performances like last week’s.