12 NFL Prospects John Harris is keeping his eyes on at the 2022 NFL Combine

Feb 25, 2022 at 05:02 PM

John Harris

Texans Analyst

The Combine is here… Well, better put, the Combine is BACK!

After losing the Combine to the pandemic in 2021, it'll make a roaring comeback next week and I can't wait.

Here are a few guys I'll be watching for a few different reasons. Now, I'll readily admit. I have NO idea who will do what, if any testing at all, but these are the guys I'm ready to see in action in Indy and why.

1 - WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

First off, I want to see what his measurements are. Arkansas posted 6-3, 225 lb., which makes him Andre Johnson-like size. Then, I want to see his speed. He didn't get caught from behind in the most speedy conferences in the nation. If he comes in at 6-2, 225+ lb. and 4.4 in the 40, it's a wrap on WR1 in this draft class.

2 - OLB Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma

From a pure pass rush standpoint, Bonitto is in a class on his own. He's not big… but how NOT big is he going to be?

3 - CB Kalon Barnes, Baylor

First of all, he's from Silsbee, TX so he's a Houston homeboy, basically. Most of all, though, Barnes can absolutely fly. He ran a 10.22 100-meters in the Texas state meet back in high school and ran track at Baylor for a few years. He also ran 21.28 in the 200-meters when he was a state high school champion. So, yeah, he can absolutely fly and I can't wait to see how that translates into his 40-time.

4 - OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

On film, Cross looks as athletic as any OL in this draft class and rumors are floating around after his pre-Combine testing. In a good way, no... A GREAT way. If he posts the numbers that have been out in the social media-a-sphere, LOOK. OUT.

5 & 6 - NT Jordan Davis, Georgia & NT Noah Elliss, Idaho

First off, I want to see which one is heavier. I always LOVE to watch big AND athletic dudes go to work. These 345+ lb. monsters will be as athletic, pound for pound, as anyone that sets foot on the Lucas Oil Stadium floor.

7 - CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

How fast is he?

8 - QB Cole Kelley, Southeast Louisiana

Liberty QB Malik Willis has the strongest arm of any QB at the Combine. Kelley may be second on the list. At 6-6+, 260 lb., he's one intriguing prospect and after he throws in Indy, there may be a few more jumping on the Kelley bandwagon.

9 - OLB Boye Mafe, Minnesota

At Minnesota, he put on a show every time he tested in all phases. He's heading to Indy with a ton of momentum after a tremendous Senior Bowl, and if his testing goes through the roof, he'll push for potential night one draft status.

10 - CB Roger McCreary, Auburn

He won't set records for size and arm length, but if he hits 4.3 range in the 40-yard dash... Oh boy, it's ON!

11 - QB E.J. Perry, Brown

1. He's from Brown.
2. He's the most athletic QB in school history.
3. He's from Brown (for those that don't know, that's my alma mater and we don't get a ton of Brown alums to the Combine).

12 - WR Devon Williams, Oregon

The USC transfer declared early for the NFL Draft and has been well off the radar screen for a multitude of reasons, but he popped on tape when I watched Oregon this fall. At 6-5, 207 lb., he has a chance to get way more attention with superb testing.

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An image from Feb. 8, 2022, when Lovie Smith was introduced as the new head coach of the Houston Texans.An image from Feb. 8, 2022, when Lovie Smith was introduced as the new head coach of the Houston Texans.

Zach Tarrant/HOUSTON TEXANS