Purdue Football: ESPN's Todd McShay has George Karlaftis Taken 5th in 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Purdue junior George Karlaftis is one of the top defensive end prospects in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. ESPN's Todd McShay released his first mock draft of April's first round, and he projects the Boiler star to hear his name quickly.

Author:
D.J. Fezler
Publish date:
Dec 14, 2021 1:57 PM EST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2021 college football season is coming to a close, with several bowl games across the country ready to kick off while leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship. At the same time, there's just one month left in the NFL before the playoffs start.

The conversation is only beginning, but now's when others start to look ahead to the 2022 NFL Draft. ESPN senior writer Todd McShay released his first mock draft of April's first round Tuesday, and he predicts Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis will come off the board quickly.

McShay projected Karlaftis to be taken by the New York Giants with the fifth overall pick. He was the third defensive end taken in the top five, coming after Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson (first overall) and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux (second overall).

"The Giants have a pair of early picks and could go a bunch of different ways," McShay wrote. "But they are no better than 25th in sacks (25), pass rush win rate (32.0%) and pressure rate (25.9%), despite some flashes from rookie Azeez Ojulari (7.5 sacks). Karlaftis wins with power and has proven disruptive even though he often sees double-teams for Purdue -- and like Leonard Williams, he is versatile enough to rush from inside when needed."

Todd McShay's First 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan — Detroit Lions
Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon — Houston Texans
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama — Jacksonville Jaguars
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU — New York Jets
George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue — New York Giants. (Via Chicago Bears)
Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State — Carolina Panthers
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia — New York Giants
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama — Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame — New York Jets. (Via Seattle Seahawks)
David Ojabo, DE, Michigan — Philadelphia Eagles (Via Miami Dolphins)
DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M — Las Vegas Raiders
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh Steelers
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss — Washington Football Team
Devin Lloyd, ILB, Utah — Philadelphia Eagles
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati — Minnesota Vikings
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa — Cincinnati Bengals
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty — Denver Broncos
Drake London, WR, USC — Cleveland Browns
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati — New Orleans Saints
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State — Philadelphia Eagles (Via Indianapolis Colts)
Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State — Miami Dolphins (Via San Francisco 49ers)
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa — Baltimore Ravens
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn — Buffalo Bills
Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia — Los Angeles Chargers
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina — Detroit Lions. (Via Los Angeles Rams)
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson — Tennessee Titans
Travon Walker, DE, Georgia — Dallas Cowboys
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State — Green Bay Packers
Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State — Kansas City Chiefs
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida — Arizona Cardinals
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas — New England Patriots
Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

KARLAFTIS, BELL WON'T PLAY IN MUSIC CITY BOWL: Juniors George Karlaftis and David Bell have made the decision to forgo Purdue football's final game of the season to prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft. The team is scheduled to play Tennessee in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. CLICK HERE
AIDAN O'CONNELL TO RETURN FOR SIXTH SEASON: Purdue fifth-year senior quarterback Aidan O'Connell announced he will use his sixth year of eligibility to return to the program next season. He threw for 3,178 yards and 23 touchdown this year, helping to guide the Boilermakers to an 8-4 regular-season record. CLICK HERE
DAVID BELL DECLARES FOR NFL DRAFT: In three years with the Purdue football program, star wide receiver David Bell tallied 232 catches, 2,946 yards and 21 touchdowns. Bell was named the Big Ten Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year and is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. CLICK HERE
GEORGE KARLAFTIS DECLARES FOR NFL DRAFT: In three years with the Purdue football program, star defensive end George Karlaftis tallied 97 tackles, 29 tackles for loss and 14 sacks. Karlaftis is one of the top defensive end prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. CLICK HERE
PURDUE TO PLAY IN MUSIC CITY BOWL: After finishing the regular season with an 8-4 record, Purdue is headed to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. The team will face off against Tennessee on Dec. 30 at Nissan Stadium. CLICK HERE
14 PURDUE PLAYERS EARN ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS: David Bell and George Karlaftis represent Purdue football as members of the All-Big Ten first team. In total, 14 players were recognized ahead of the postseason, and Bell was named the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year. CLICK HERE