2022 NFL Draft Notes: Treylon Burks, Matt Corral, Malik Willis

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah is taking an early look at some of the top prospects to watch this upcoming college football season and for the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Treylon Burks

• Although the past few receiver classes have been outstanding, Jeremiah points out they’ve been a little short on size. That should change with Arkansas WR Treylon Burks who is listed at 6-3 and 225 pounds. 
• Despite his size, Arkansas primarily plays Burks out of the slot where Jeremiah notes his size, strength and smooth athleticism are on display. Jeremiah highlights his yards-after-catch ability as one of Burks’ best traits and Arkansas feeds him on quick-hitting routes out of the slot. 
• While Burks tracks the ball very well, Jeremiah doesn’t think his speed is outstanding, as he didn’t see him generate a ton of separation down the field.
• He also would like to see Burks run a greater variety of routes from different alignments, though he acknowledges that’s not his role on the Razorbacks offense. 
• Based on what he sees on tape right now, Jeremiah thinks Burks could thrive in the NFL in a Deebo Samuel-style role for a creative play-caller. He also sees some similarities to Titans WR A.J. Brown if Burks can continue to develop into a more complete receiver. 

Matt Corral

• According to Jeremiah, Ole Miss QB Matt Corral is generating a lot of buzz among NFL personnel executives heading into the 2021 season. 
• Jeremiah thinks the 6-1, 205-pound redshirt junior has an intriguing skill set, as he’s a versatile thrower with touch who can drive the ball into small windows, layer passes into the intermediate range above linebackers and underneath safeties and drop deep passes into the bucket. 
• He also highlights Corral’s athleticism which makes him a factor on the ground, as he’s quick, competitive and has strong pocket awareness. 
• In terms of weak spots, Jeremiah identifies turnovers as a major point of improvement for Corral, as he’s prone to giving up the ball in bunches due to locking onto his first read or not recognizing when a window has closed to fit the ball in. 
• Still, Jeremiah notes he’s seen enough signs of promise — like the ability to manipulate safeties and the aforementioned touch on his passes — to think that Corral could see his stock skyrocket like Jets QB Zach Wilson‘s did last year as long as the Ole Miss passer has a strong 2021. 
• As far as a comparison, Jeremiah is reminded of a more aggressive version of Raiders QB Derek Carr when watching Corral. 

Malik Willis

• Another quarterback getting a lot of buzz as a potential riser next spring per Jeremiah is Liberty’s Malik Willis, a former transfer from Auburn. 
• Jeremiah wrote the word “explosive” in his notes several times while studying Willis and says the quarterback’s arm strength and burst as a runner generate several wow plays per game. 
• However, Jeremiah points out Willis needs to become more consistent with his ball placement, decision-making and taking care of the football to avoid turnovers. Some of his issues are due to mechanics that can be fixed, others come from overconfidence in his abilities. 
• Jeremiah sees a lot of similarities between Willis and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and thinks some teams will find him intriguing as a developmental prospect in next year’s draft.