The 2022 NFL Draft is still a while away, but news and rumors continue to come in regarding this year’s prospects. Here is the latest I am hearing on the highly-regarded OT Jaxson Kirkland, as well as some additional insight into the hirings of new Giants general manager Joe Schoen and new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels.
NFL Draft News and Rumors: Jaxson Kirkland to undergo surgery
The 2022 NFL Draft will have one less offensive lineman available to teams. Jaxson Kirkland, the highly regarded offensive tackle from the University of Washington, will undergo surgery this week to repair an ankle injury suffered midway through the 2021 season.
The injury hampered Kirkland, graded as a solid middle-round pick, for much of October through November. I have confirmed Kirkland has withdrawn his name from the 2022 NFL Draft and is petitioning the NCAA for another season on the college field.
NFL Draft News: Teams impressed with RB Trestan Ebner
Teams have come away impressed with Baylor running back Trestan Ebner, going as far as comparing him to Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys. Ebner’s pass caching has been brilliant all week. His footwork, as well as the ability to elude defenders, has also been impressive.
Ebner’s Baylor teammate, Tyquan Thornton, had his moments this week. The receiver made some nice receptions yet at the same time was caught off guard on occasion. I’m told Thornton does have some previous knee issues which must be examined and could hurt his draft stock.
NFL News and Rumors: Opinions split on Josh McDaniels as the new Raiders head coach
On Saturday, I reported the general feeling here at Shrine Bowl practice from those in the league is the New York Giants hit a home run when they hired Schoen as the new general manager. The feeling couldn’t be any more different on opinions over the Raiders hiring of McDaniels.
Only time will tell, yet the overall belief is the choice of McDaniels will end in disaster for the Raiders. People here feel it’ll take two years before the franchise is back to square one. People were more complimentary on the hiring of Dave Ziegler as the general manager. The feeling is he’ll be much more than a “yes” man for McDaniels.