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2022 NFL Draft: 5 Underrated prospects to watch out for

By Khari Demos

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Defensive end George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Defensive end George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Draft
2022 NFL Draft: Boye Mafe #34 of the Minnesota Golden tackles Taulia Tagovailoa #3 of the Maryland Terrapins during a college football game on October 30, 2020 at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Underrated 2022 NFL Draft prospect #5: Boye Mafe (EDGE) — Minnesota

Even in one of the deepest edge classes in recent memory, there’s always room for a speed rusher. Enter Mafe, who has made himself some money since last lining up for the Gophers last fall.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound edge had a big Senior Bowl week, but then added to that with an explosive combine performance. Mafe timed out at 4.53 in the 40, leaped 38 inches in the vertical, and had a 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump.

That goes along with some impressive tape. And while he needs some work as a run defender, there’s one thing he’ll be able to do immediately; get after quarterbacks.

While he’s clearly a tremendous athlete, the thing I like most about Mafe is how violent he can play with his hands. Some pass rushers win with pure skill, or even just off of effort. But Mafe combines both, using great hand techniques to go along with elite traits to terrorize OTs and QBs alike.

Personally, more compact speed rushers like Mafe were the ones I always felt were tougher to block when I played offensive line. He’s built very similarly to former All-Pro and Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora and could have a similar impact as a pass rusher.

Potential team fit: Cleveland Browns

Outside of Myles Garrett, the Browns do not have another viable pass-rushing option. Jadeveon Clowney is no longer on the roster after finishing with nine sacks last season and the next closest sack total for a player after him was Malik McDowell’s three.

Garrett will be able to hold things down as a strongside DE, so Mafe could eventually take over on the weak side, especially once he develops as a run defender. Cleveland did just trade for Chase Winovich this offseason, but that should not stop them from adding another edge to the fold.

The Browns seemed to have reopened their championship window with the addition of polarizing QB Deshaun Watson.  And to continue on the path of competing for a championship, they’ll need to make sure Garrett isn’t their only threat to get after QBs.

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