The Purdue Boilermakers are set to make waves in the top half of the 2022 NFL Draft, according to their latest scouting reports. George Karlaftis is a top-notch prospect and a near-lock for the top portion of the draft, while former Purdue WR David Bell should hear his name called early as well.
Purdue 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Here are the full scouting reports for Purdue with eyes toward the 2022 NFL Draft.
David Bell, WR
Positives: Sure-handed receiver coming off a career season. Plays with excellent balance, displays terrific awareness, and gets vertical to snatch the ball from the air. Tracks the pass, displays a sense of timing, and adjusts to grab errant throws from the air. Possesses soft as well as strong hands and shows good eye/hand coordination.
Does a terrific job following the quarterback across the field and works to separate from defenders to make himself an available target. Quickly transitions upfield after the catch and displays outstanding short-area quickness. Stays low exiting breaks, uses his frame to shield away defenders, and positions himself to make the catch.
Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Plays to one speed, does not show a burst, and lacks a second gear. Struggles in battles.
Analysis: Bell was a pass-catching force who could not be stopped at Purdue last year. He possesses a good amount of pass-catching skill but has a ways to go to develop a complete game. Though talented, I do not project Bell as anything more than a third receiver at the next level.
For more information on David Bell, visit his full scouting report
David Bell, Purdue WR | NFL Draft Scouting Report
George Karlaftis, DE
Positives: Long, athletic pass rusher who impacts the game. Plays with excellent lean, keeps his feet moving, and shows strength in his lower body. Rarely off his feet, breaks down well, and easily changes direction. Slides off blocks, fluidly moves about the field, and is very quick.
Fires off the snap out of a three-point stance, plays with terrific pad level, and gets leverage on opponents. Quick up the field and displays the ability to bend off the edge. Forceful and effectively uses his hands to protect himself. Immediately alters his angle of attack in backside pursuit, stays with assignment, and possesses a closing burst.
Negatives: Lacks bulk, gets easily washed from the action on running downs, and gets handled by big offensive tackles. Sack totals were nothing outstanding.
Analysis: Karlaftis is a hard-working, athletic pass rusher with a large upside. Consistently drawing double teams from opponents, he was effective out of a three-point stance as well as standing over tackle and offers potential in a variety of systems. While he needs time to physically mature and complete his game, Karlaftis could potentially be a monster pass rusher at the next level if properly coached.
For more information on George Karlaftis, visit his full scouting report
George Karlaftis, Purdue DE | NFL Draft Scouting Report
Greg Long, OL
Positives: Smooth college left tackle who projects to guard on Sundays. Quickly sets up off the snap, keeps his feet movin, and stays square. Keeps his head on a swivel, remains disciplined with assignments, and shows outstanding awareness. Starts with good knee bend, quickly pulls across the line of scrimmage, and shows excellent blocking vision. Makes outstanding use of angles in pass protection, fires his hands into opponents, and knocks rushers from the action. Works run blocks.
Negatives: Lacks top size as well as bulk and gets knocked back off the line on occasion. Gets tall in pass protection and does not show great footwork off the edge.
Analysis: Long was a productive, durable offensive tackle at Purdue and offers possibilities as a backup guard in the NFL. He must get stronger at the point of attack and do a better job blocking on the second level. Nevertheless, Long comes with an upside.
Jaylan Alexander, LB
Positives: Underrated linebacker who makes a lot of plays in space. Breaks down well, effectively uses his hands to protect himself, and remains disciplined with assignments. Gets depth on pass drops, displays solid range, and quickly gets out to the sidelines to defend the run and cover the pass. Flows well laterally to the action, fires upfield defending the run, and possesses a closing burst. Sells out to make the play.
Negatives: Not a forceful blitzer. Comes with average size and speed.
Analysis: Alexander comes off a terrific senior season and is a run-and-chase linebacker who plays bigger than his listed size. He’s worth selecting in the late rounds and offers the versatility to be used as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment or even a weakside defender in a conventional system.
Zander Horvath, FB
Positives: Underrated triple-threat fullback who plays smart, tough football, remains disciplined with assignments, and shows outstanding awareness. Gives effort as a blocker, stays square, and plays through the whistle. Possesses good agility for a bigger back, keeps the play in bounds, and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Terrific pass catcher who adjusts to errant throws and extends his hands to snatch passes away from his frame. Quickly gets out of his stance into pass routes and blocks.
Negatives: Displays a limited burst in his game and cannot beat defenders into the open field. Runs with an upright style. Seemingly was the odd man out last season and disappointed after a terrific 2020 campaign.
Analysis: Horvath was a big running back who was effective as a ball carrier, pass catcher out of the backfield, and blocker at Purdue. He possesses the size and style to be a throwback West Coast fullback for a team that uses the position.