A pair of cornerbacks highlight the prospects from Missouri ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. As Akayleb Evans and Allie Green IV made the most of their lone year at Missouri, they’re not the only defenders hoping to hear their names called in the draft. Here are the full Missouri scouting reports with eyes toward the 2022 NFL Draft.
Missouri 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Evans and Green both transferred from Tulsa and had their moments at Missouri. They headline a talented group on the defensive side of the ball, while RB Tyler Badie may be an underrated prospect.
Akayleb Evans, CB
Positives: Tall, physical corner with a large upside. Instinctive, stays with assignments, and has opposing quarterbacks throwing away from him. Incredibly quick flipping his hips in transition, works well with safeties, and quickly diagnoses plays. Effective facing the action, takes proper angles, and fires upfield to defend the run. Forceful on the blitz. Physical and works hard to break up throws.
Negatives: Displays poor hands for the interception. Struggles staying with receivers out of breaks. Lacks a second gear.
Analysis: Evans is a long, talented cornerback with a large upside who fits in a zone system or in press coverage. He needs to work on his game. But if he gets proper coaching, Evans will be a productive nickel back on Sundays.
Akial Byers, DT
Positives: Once-highly rated defensive tackle who plays with proper pad level, gets leverage on opponents, and is quick with his hands. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step, keeps his feet moving, and possesses a closing burst. Flashes power.
Negatives: Easily turned from his angle of attack by a single blocker. Was not a consistent starter at Missouri until last season. Poor pass rusher who has just 2 sacks in five years.
Analysis: Byers looked like an up-and-coming defensive tackle prospect after his sophomore season in 2018. Nonetheless, his game has since leveled off, and he’s shown little improvement. He possesses the size and athleticism to be used on the inside of a four-man front. But Byers must really develop a complete game and quickly produce in camp this summer.
Allie Green IV, CB
Positives: Versatile defensive back who can be used at corner or safety. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses plays, and stays with coverage assignments. Plays faster than his 40 time, works to get off blocks, and fires upfield against the run. Effective facing the action, has a burst to the ball, and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Inconsistent pedaling in reverse. Gets turned and loses balance. Lacks true deep speed.
Analysis: Green is a physical defensive back who is best facing the action and can be used as a zone cornerback or safety.
Blaze Alldredge, LB
Positives: Undersized run-and-chase linebacker who plays with an all-out mentality. Instinctive, intense, and makes as many plays with his head as he does his physical skills. Fires to the ball handler, sells out, and drives his shoulders through tackles.
Explodes through the gaps upfield, gives effort defending the run, and wraps up tackling. Flows laterally to the action, stays with coverage assignments, and sacrifices his body to make tackles and force fumbles. Displays good change-of-direction skills and plays faster than his 40 time.
Negatives: Displays limited speed in pursuit. Not smooth or fluid pedaling in reverse. Struggles getting off blocks.
Analysis: Alldredge is a hard-charging linebacker who gets the most from his ability and consistently plays smart, tough football. He possesses limited athleticism but comes with a special-teams mentality, which is added value.
Keke Chism, WR
Positives: Nice-sized possession receiver with reliable hands. Comes back to the ball to make himself an available target, extends, and snatches the ball out of the air. Tracks the pass in the air, displays eye/hand coordination, and comes away with difficult catches when defenders are draped on him. Terrific downfield blocker who squares into defenders and turns them from the action. Possesses soft, natural hands.
Negatives: Poor route runner who rounds off breaks. Plays to one speed and lacks a burst.
Analysis: Chism possesses excellent length and nice size as well as strength. However, he has speed and quickness limitations. Though he’s not fast, his dependable hands and ability as a downfield blocker are very attractive.
Kobie Whiteside, DL
Positives: Explosive one-gap lineman who gives effort on every down. Fires off the snap with an explosive first step, keeps his feet moving, and chases the action hard. Plays with proper pad level, displays strength in his game, and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Works his hands throughout the action.
Negatives: Quick when asked to twist or stunt. Struggles getting off blocks and is more of a first-step lineman.
Analysis: Whiteside is an underrated defensive tackle who showed flashes of ability the past two seasons. He offers possibilities as an inexpensive backup on the inside of a four-man line.
Michael Maietti, OL
Positives: Hard-working center who flashes ability in motion. Fires off the snap, stays square, and keeps his head on a swivel. Bends his knees, blocks with leverage, and shows ability in motion. Fires out to the second level and squares into linebackers to seal them from plays. Effective with the shotgun snap.
Negatives: Doesn’t sink his butt at the line of scrimmage. Lacks strength and a dominant base. Gets minimal movement run blocking.
Analysis: Maietti is a hard-working center who gets the most from his ability but has limited upside. He has a chance to make it as a backup in a zone-blocking system.
Tyler Badie, RB
Positives: Smaller, quick running back with a versatile game. Quick-footed and runs with proper lean and behind his pads. Sets defenders up and makes them miss. Easily changes direction, alters the momentum of runs without losing momentum, and quickly cuts back against the grain. Patiently waits for blocks to develop, finds the open lanes, and consistently runs north/south.
Bounces around piles, works runs, and does not go down without a fight. Squeezes through the small openings of the offensive line and will pick and choose his way on the inside. Possesses a burst and immediately gets to top speed. Solid pass catcher who quickly gets out into routes, adjusts to errant throws, and makes receptions in stride. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes.
Negatives: Not a strong back who picks up much yardage off initial contact. Fast but lacks the ability to run to daylight as well as true breakaway speed.
Analysis: Badie is a creative ball carrier who is effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield and has the skills necessary to be a third-down back or situational runner on Sundays.