NFL teams meeting with individual players are a significant part of the draft process. These meetings can happen at the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days, the Senior Bowl, the East-West Shrine Bowl or a private workout.
For fans following the process, these meetings are sort of like poker tells for the draft, as they indicate what positions a team could be focusing on. Do teams draft players they haven’t met with? Yes, they do. It happens all the time, but they have often spoken to other players at that position.
A good list to check to see who teams have met with is usually at WalterFootball.com.
So far, teams have had access to players at various bowl showcases (like the Senior and East-West Shrine Bowls), the Combine and some pro days. Therefore, I am going to profile players you should know and who the Ravens could select in the 2022 draft. Next up is Louisiana offensive tackle Max Mitchell. Let’s get to know him better.
Tale of the Tape
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 307 pounds
Strengths: Played both left and right tackle at Louisiana, showing above-average balance, solid feet and athleticism; has a high football IQ; excellent in pass protection; I like how active his hands are; delivers a good initial punch.
Areas For Improvement: Mitchell needs to get stronger and add some weight to his 6-foot-6 frame — can struggle in the run game because of this.
Other Notes: First-team All-Sun Belt and third-team All-American in 2021.
NFL Player Comparison: Has a Riley Reiff skill set.
Draft Projection: Is he a left or right tackle? Or does he move inside to guard? This is what NFL team will have to decide. Mitchell should have a long career in the NFL, even if he is moved inside to guard. I believe Mitchell will be drafted in the third or fourth round, with teams giving him the chance at tackle to start his NFL journey.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Louisiana Athletics