ACC 2022 NFL Draft prospects and scouting reports

Syracuse Orange Draft Prospects

Syracuse has been a struggling program for a while, but it almost always finds a way to get players selected in the draft. The Orange have not had an offensive player selected in the draft since 2013, something I believe will change next April.

Taj Harris, WR | Grade: 3.31 | Projected Round: 6th-7th

Taj Harris is a long, sure-handed receiver with reliable hands. While he plays to one speed, Harris catches deep balls well. I would expect him to be selected in the late rounds next April and compete to be a team’s fifth receiver.

Matthew Bergeron, OT | Grade: 3.35 | Projected Round: 6th

Junior tackle Matthew Bergeron is a stout, powerful blocker who shows ability in pass protection and run blocking. He needs to polish his game, but he’s worth keeping on the late-round radar.

Virginia Cavaliers Draft Prospects

UVA’s recent draft history has been spotty, and the program did not have a single player selected in 2021. It could be a repeat performance next year.

Noah Taylor, LB | Grade: 3.32 | Projected Round: 6th

Linebacker Noah Taylor grades as a sixth-round prospect on my board, much higher than scouts who’ve stamped him as a UDFA. Taylor comes with terrific size (6-foot-4 and 230 pounds) and decent speed (mid-4.7s), but he failed to live up to expectations in 2020.

I suggest everyone go back to the 2019 film, as Taylor flew around the field making plays. I think he has the ability to grow into a 4-3 strongside linebacker, and I’m expecting big things from Taylor this season.

Joey Blount, S | Grade: 3.11 | Projected Round: FA

Safety Joey Blount is often spoken about outside scouting circles, but I grade him as a UDFA, as do most inside the scouting community. Blount is a decent college defensive back with average size, poor speed, and a one-dimensional game.

Virginia Tech Hokies Draft Prospects

The Hokies had three top-100 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, including a pair of first-rounders, something I doubt they repeat next year. I presently have a pair of Hokies graded as third-round prospects, and they are neck-and-neck on my board.

Amaré Barno, OLB | Grade: 3.67 | Projected Round: 3rd

Edge rusher Amaré Barno is prototypical of the type of prospect coming out of Virginia Tech at the position. He’s athletic, explosive, and very quick, but he’s also undersized.

Barno flies around the field making plays, shows great speed closing on the quarterback, and easily changes direction to make plays in pursuit. He plays with balance as well as body control, but he lacks bulk and cannot get off blocks. Some will have Barno listed on their defensive end board, but I have him as an OLB. He has upside, but he must add bulk and strength.

Tayvion Robinson, WR | Grade: 3.64 | Projected Round: 3rd

Junior receiver Tayvion Robinson is a big-play threat with reliable hands, rating just below Barno on my board. Robinson was consistent last season and came through for Virginia Tech in many big spots.

James Mitchell, TE | Grade: 3.56 | Projected Round: 4th

Scouts I’ve spoken with grade James Mitchell as a late-round pick, which is surprising to me, as I grade the senior three rounds earlier. Mitchell looks like a receiver in a tight end’s body the way he moves around the field catching the ball. Though not a true speedster, Mitchell is fast enough to split the seam and get down the field.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Draft Prospects

Wake Forest had a player selected in the second round last April, but for the most part, the program’s draft history is highlighted by Day 3 picks. That will be the case moving forward, as my board has just a single Demon Deacon with a draftable grade.

Sam Hartman, QB | Grade: 3.43 | Projected Round: 5th

Quarterback Sam Hartman grades as a fifth-round prospect on my board, but he could move higher. He’s a mobile RPO quarterback with a solid arm and great intangibles. Hartman does a great job leading the offense, makes good decisions, and picks up yardage throwing the ball and carrying it.

He’s small, though that really doesn’t seem to matter these days. Hartman must improve his deep accuracy, but he has a lot of the skills teams want in a starting signal-caller in today’s NFL.

Draft-Eligible Prospect Rankings: ACC

You can sort my prospect rankings below by team, position, projected draft round, and conference (we’ll add new conferences throughout the summer). You can also utilize the search function to quickly find whatever you may be looking for. Mobile users — please note that the database is best viewed in landscape mode.