KSR Predicts Kentucky Football Picks in the 2022 NFL Draft

Time is ticking on mock draft season. You have seen where the NFL gurus project each Wildcat. Now it’s time for the KSR crew to provide NFL Draft Predictions for each player that could hear his name called this weekend in Las Vegas.

Freddie’s UK NFL Draft Predictions

— Josh Paschal: Baltimore Ravens (Round 2, Pick 45)

Paschal is going back home to Maryland. The Ravens love smart defensive players that create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Josh teams up with Lamar Jackson for a Super Bowl run. 

— Darian Kinnard: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 2, Pick 60) 

Guard Ali Marpet retired leaving a hole in the Brady Wall. Kinnard can kick inside to fill that void. Kinnard will have a chance for a Super Bowl ring in year-one. 

— Wan’Dale Robinson: Kansas City Chiefs (Round 2, Pick 62)

Tyreek Hill is now a Miami Dolphin. Wan’Dale Robinson can operate in the slot and run crossers all day. Catching passes from Patrick Mahomes will be fun for the Wildcat.  

— Luke Fortner: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 3, Pick 70)

Bless his heart. Luke is my all-time favorite Wildcat and I hate to wish this on him. But, being a pro is being a pro. Fortner reunites with Josh Allen. Again, bless his heart. 

— Yusuf Corker: New England Patriots (Round 5, Pick 158)

Corker feels like a Bellichick selection. Tough, smart, can play in the box and star on special teams; Yusuf Corker is a prototypical Patriot. 

— Dare Rosenthal: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 6, Pick 198)

Bless his heart Part II. The Jaguars need help all over the field. Protecting Trevor Lawrence is a priority. 

— Marquan McCall: Las Vegas Raiders (Round 7, Pick 227)

Bully has a Raider personality. He’ll be a huge hit in Vegas. 

Luckett’s UK NFL Draft Predictions

— Josh Paschal: Houston Texans (Round 3, Pick 68)

Josh Paschal owns high athletic traits combining with great production and intangibles. However, the lack of pop as a true edge rusher dings him as the DMV native is run stuffer first. The rebuilding Texans scoop him up early in the third round as the AFC South franchise is in best player available mode.

— Darian Kinnard: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 3, Pick 70)

The Jaguars spent some money in free agency to address the offensive line, but the organization still needs to build depth so Trevor Lawrence can remain clean. Darian Kinnard is a fit in Doug Pederson’s multiple rushing attack and will bring guard and tackle versatility to Jacksonville.

— Wan’Dale Robinson: Atlanta Falcons (Round 3, Pick 74)

The wide receiver position is in terrible shape in Atlanta. General manager Terry Fontenot must spend multiple picks on the position. The Falcons scoop up Wan’Dale Robinson in the middle of the third round as a quality slot backup to Olamide Zaccheaus who can eventually be a core piece once the franchise finds the quarterback of the future.

— Luke Fortner: San Francisco 49ers (Round 3, Pick 105)

Luke Fortner improved his stock a ton during the pre-draft process. The super senior is a center first, but brings guard versatility. After losing Laken Tomlinson in free agency as star center Alex Mack ages, the 49ers staring building depth on the interior. Fortner is taken with the last pick of the third round as a depth piece that could take over a starting spot down the road.

— Dare Rosenthal: Dallas Cowboys (Round 5, Pick 176)

The Cowboys lost two starters on the offensive line to free agency and must start to rebuild that position. Dare Rosenthal is a developmental pick, but the LSU transfer has athletic tools and could turn into a starting left tackle down the road. The high ceiling gets Rosenthal off the board at the end of the fifth.

— Yusuf Corker: Arizona Cardinals (Round 6, Pick 201)

The Arizona Cardinals had the most scouts in attendance at Kentucky’s pro day. The NFC West franchise got a long look at Yusuf Corker who participated in most drills that day. The high football intelligence is appealing and the safety can be an immediate special teams contributor as a rookie. The Cardinals add Corker to provide safety depth and character to their football building.

— Marquan McCall: Los Angeles Chargers (Round 7, Pick 236)

The Chargers had an awful rushing defense and that must be fixed despite all of the pass defense concerns in the AFC thanks to numerous offseason quarterback transactions. General manager Tom Telesco takes Marquan McCall as a space-eater that can demand double teams, squeak through gaps, and help stuff the run.

Roush’s UK NFL Draft Predictions

— Josh Paschal: Baltimore Ravens (Round 2, Pick 45)

If the Ravens pass on Jordan Davis in round one, Josh Paschal is not a bad, albeit smaller, alternative. He fits the culture close to home and can provide the stout, run-stuffing ability Baltimore needs in the physical AFC North.

— Darian Kinnard: Chicago Bears (Round 2, Pick 48)

The Chicago Bears need an offensive tackle and an interior offensive line. Even though most believe Kinnard will kick down to guard in the NFL, but his experience at OT gives the Bears some positional versatility.

— Wan’Dale Robinson: Kansas City Chiefs (Round 2, Pick 50)

Tyreek Hill ain’t walking through that door. The Chiefs will remain patient in round one, until there’s a run on wide receivers. Some may see Wan’Dale as just a slot receiver, but Andy Reid knows he can do so much more in KC’s offense. There’s no reason to wait until No. 62 to take Wan’Dale.

— Luke Fortner: San Francisco 49ers (Round 3, Pick 93)

The 49ers’ offensive line needs someone on the interior of the offensive line. Zach Yenser can give the organization his stamp of approval for Fortner’s services.

— Dare Rosenthal: New Orleans Saints (Round 6, Pick 194)

It’s an ideal homecoming for Dare. He left LSU on good standing and the Saints can take a flyer on a player who had the potential to climb up into the second day if he decided to stick around college football for another year.

— Yusuf Corker: Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 6, Pick 209)

Mike Tomlin LOVES picking Kentucky Wildcats. Even if they aren’t on the 53-man roster, he will keep Cats around on the practice roster just in case. A two-time team captain, Corker checks the boxes the Steelers love and can stay on the roster as a special teamer.

— Marquan McCall: Indianapolis Colts (Round 7, Pick 240)

Whatever character questions folks have of McCall’s drive, former Colts’ coach Brad White can give the organization personal testimony of Bully’s growth. Facing Derrick Henry twice a year, Bully can fortify the middle of the Indianapolis defensive line.