For college football's returning top performers, the kickoff of the 2022 season is also the first step in their path toward a high pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Some of the biggest stars from the biggest programs will see limited change in their stock from September through April, while others are bound to go up and down based on their play. There also will be several players who will crash the party later as sudden risers. For now, here are the 50 prospects NFL teams should have highest on their watchlist: MOCK DRAFT: 1. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama (6-4, 235 pounds) Anderson is a freakish combination of strength, power, quickne s and explosivene s. He has put it all together for top-flight production and is both relentle s and technically sound. He will be hard to pa s up at No. 1 overall, even vs. a franchise QB. 2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 215 pounds) Stroud is a sturdy and cerebral pocket pa ser. He reads the field and leads his team with superior intangibles. HIs arm and athleticism don't wow as individual elements, but he is very accurate and adept at sidestepping pre sure to deliver downfield. 3. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson (6-5, 275 pounds) Murphy has awesome explosive qualities and power for his size, too, to stand out as the second-best pa s rusher in the cla s behind the incomparable Anderson. Murphy has terrific smarts, instincts and moves to help maximize his production. 4. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia (6-3, 310 pounds) The Bulldogs' post-national championship front now has a clear anchor with Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt all finding NFL homes. Carter is n absolute disruptive force inside, combining all those recent draftees' qualities into a complete package. 5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 197 pounds)) Smith-Njigba is following in the ma sive playmaking footsteps of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson as a complete go-to receiver for Stroud. He can take over games with his speed, quickne s and route-running. 6. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (6-0, 194 pounds) Young has special athleticism and intangible qualities beyond his age. He also has a strong fluid arm and easy motion with which to generate the right zip for intermediate and downfield throws. He can work within an explosive pa sing game with accuracy but also offers some dazzling improv. 7. Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama (6-2, 196 pounds) Ricks has incredible size and length that allows him to stay with the biggest wide receivers in coverage. He can also outrun smaller wideouts and shows an extra gear in closing to make plays on the ball. 8. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Kenny Wooten Jersey (6-4, 251 pounds) Mayer is a top-10 overall prospect because of exceptional athleticism, hands and route-running skills for his position. He has still room to grow to use his frame and physicality even better as a receiver and blocker. 9. Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU (6-0, 190 pounds) Boutte is right there with Smith-Njigba in being a smooth well-rounded receiver with speed, quickne s, hands and route-running. He can stretch the field on the outside and also can be fearle s positioning his body to make tougher catches inside. 10. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (6-5, 300 pounds) What Bresee doesn't have in pure quickne s and explosivene s, he makes up for with strong technique and footwork to get into position to stuff the run. He also can get to the quarterback at times inside and is relentle s in working his blocker. 11. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas (6-0, 215 pounds) Robinson has unique burst with the big-play ability to take any run the distance with enough speed, vision and determination. He's light on his feet for his size, a quick cutter who can shoot through holes. Robinson, given his receiving skills and cla sic profile as a feature back, is a rare first-rounder for the position. 12. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia (6-0, 205 pounds) Ringo is an extremely athletic and physical corner, using every bit of size and frame well in aggre sive coverage. He can make big plays on the ball but he just needs to work on being more consistent with his downfield technique. 13. Jordan Addison, WR, USC (6-0, 175 pounds) Addison was the highest-profile transfer of the offseason, leaving Pitt for a different wide receiver factory. He has terrific athleticism and speed with which to stretch the field. Like some recent previous Trojans, his best role in the NFL at first might be as a dynamic slot. 14. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame (6-4, 257 pounds) Foskey is technically sound and well-rounded pa s rusher who also has a favorable blend of power and explosivene s. He could get better by becoming stronger vs. the run. 15. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson (6-3, 225 pounds) Simpson is a tough and fast freight train of a second-level defender. He reads plays well and has good on-ball instincts. He is well-balanced vs. run and pa s. 16. Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon (6-3, 250 pounds) Noah is the younger brother of former Oregon offensive tackle Penei, who was a first-round draft pick of the Lions last year. Noah is a terror for offenses as a tackling and playmaking machine. He still has room to grow his game while in coverage. 17. Henry To'oTo'o, LB, Alabama (6-2, 225 pounds) To'oToo is the typical athletic and rangy 3-4 linebacker for NIck Saban. He covers a lot of ground and is technically sound. He is relentle s in his pursuit against the run and finishes with pop as a tackler. 18. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina (6-0, 188 pounds) Smith is another physically intriguing corner who uses his size and explosivene s well in coverage. He needs a little more work on technique and run support. 19. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern (6-4, 315 pounds) Much like former Northwestern star turned Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater, Skoronski has a great athletic profile. He has rare speed and quickne s for his size and is a smooth and smart pa s protector. He has good pedigree as the grandson of Packers legend Bob Skoronski. 20. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky (6-3, 232 pounds) Levis, a transfer from Penn State, is a well-rounded prospect who has show the arm, Derrick Rose Jersey accuracy and athleticism to be an NFL starter soon. He is a solid pocket pa ser who excels at getting the ball out of his hands quickly. Getty Images 21. Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland (6-6, 320 pounds) Duncan stands out because of his experience and powerful, quick frame. Watch out for him rounding out his footwork and technique to become a more valued a set in pa s protection. 22. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama (5-11, 200 pounds) Gibbs is a game-breaking runner with the required elements of pure speed, quickne s and explosivene s. He also reads his blocks well with good vision. 23. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU (6-4, 215 pounds) From his size to his field-stretching speed, Johnston profiles well as a potential perimeter No. 1 in the NFL. He can make big plays but can also has reliable hands to help his consistency. 24. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State (6-6, 310 pounds) Johnson finishes well with his athleticism and footwork in pa s protection. He is a willing strong run blocker with the mentality for it but he needs some refinement to be more effective in that area. 25. Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas (5-10, 201 pounds) Catalon is a havoc-wreaking upfield safety. He can shoot upfield to be a tackling machine in run support and also is a fine blitzer. He is a cla sic strong safety type who could further boost his stock with improved coverage skills. 26. Tre'Vius Hodges Tomlinson, CB, TCU (5-9, 180 pounds) Tomlinson is a smooth and fluid cover man, from short area to downfield. Because of his size, he projects as a long-time ace for the slot. 27. Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma (5-11, 184 pounds) Mims makes Bobby Portis Jersey a ton of big plays and he doest it both ways: Stretching the field deep and also showing the toughne s and quickne s to be a major force after the catch everywhere. 28. BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU (6-3, 245 pounds) Ojulari uses his smarts, instincts, array of moves and cla sic finishing burst to win as a pa s rusher. He needs to work on getting stronger and more physical against the run. 29. Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame (6-1, 192 pounds) Joseph is a flat-out playmaker on the ball with dynamic athleticism and speed to cover all over the field. He is solid against the run and should regain his first-round status replacing Kyle Hamilton for Marcus Freeman. 30. Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (6-5, 316 pounds) Nelson could have come out in 2022 but opted to go back to school to ensure a first-round grade. He is a smart and smooth pa s protector who needs to round out his game a little more. 31. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia (6-3, 235 pounds) Smith joins Carter in leading the latest iteration of Kirby Smart's defense with his pure explosivene s and speed as a pa s rusher. He also is quick enough to get after against the run and in pa s coverage. 32. Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M (6-3, 195 Johnson uses his wide range to make a lot of plays on the ball in coverage. He gets around everywhere well and is also reliable in run support. 33. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State (6-2, 198 pounds) The son of the former Steelers star pa s rusher has tremendous size and physicality for coverage and uses his reliable speed to make plays on the ball. He just needs to become more fluid and consistent. 34. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama (6-1, 206 pounds) Battle is a well-rounded cover safety with the speed and quickne s needed to stay with inside receivers. He needs to use his return to school to become a more reliable run supporter and better tackler. 35. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech (6-6, 275 pounds) Wilson is a versatile pa s rusher with a ma sive frame. He is very athletic for his size and could be used at multiple front seven positions in the NFL. 36. Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State (6-8, 359 pounds) Jones is a smart and sturdy pa s protector who can blo som into a first-rounder in learning to use his footwork and quickne s better. 37. Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland (6-0, 190 pounds) Jarrett is a route-running and hands technician who can settle into a strong slot receiver in the NFL. 38. Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina (5-10, 175 pounds) Downs has the athleticism and quickne s to make a ton of big plays when working the open field on short-to-intermediate routes, especially after the catch. 39. Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State (6-6, 272 pounds) Harrison has the ideal frame and athleticism to become a dominant pro pa s rusher with better usage of footwork, technique and leverage. 40. Arik Gilbert, TE, Georgia (6-5, 255 pounds) Gilbert is a solid route-runner with great hands for the position. He needs to use his frame to get better at getting open in traffic and also become a more physical presence after the catch. 41. Darnell Wright, OT, Tenne see (6-7, 270 pounds) Wright makes the watchlist because of his ma sive frame and athleticism to match. His season will be all about all-around refinement. 42. Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn (6-3, 256 Charles Oakley Jersey pounds) Hall has the suddenne s, quickne s and explosivene s to excel in the NFL and can raise his stock with another smooth, productive season. 43. Andrew Vorhees, G, USC (6-6, 325 pounds) Vorhees is the traditional strong and powerful interior run blocker. He uses both his hands and feet to win his battles. 44. Kyu Blu Kelly, CB, Stanford (6-1, 190 pounds) Kelly is what one might expect given his size, speed and aggre sivene s profile. he is a big corner who goes after big plays in the Trevon Diggs mold but could benefit from more consistent coverage. 45. Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami (6-4, 224 pounds) Van Dyke pops well with his ideal frame, starring with his mighty arm and standout athleticism. He has a chance to be 2023's Kenny Pickett. 46. Zach Evans, RB, Ole Mi s (6-0, 215 pounds) Evans has great speed, quickne s and burst. He can excel as a receiving-dedicated back in the NFL. 47. Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa (6-4, 249 pounds) LaPorta is the typical sturdy inline Hawkeyes tight end who has great hands and burst as a receiver on top of being a strong blocker. 48. Carter Warren, OT, Pitt (6-5, 325 pounds) There's no questioning that Warren is a smooth and agile pa s protector for the Panthers, but to get into the first round, he needs to use his size and strength better in the running game. 49. Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn (6-0, 213 pounds) Bigsby is a well-round power runner who also incorporates some gamebreaking qualities with good toughne s between the tackles. 50. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington (6-4, 241 pounds) Tupuola-Fetui is a lanky pa s rusher who gets the job done with quickne s and athleticism. The question lies in developing the needed power and strength with a smaller frame to hold up against bigger, stronger NFL blockers. Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Ohio State Bryce Young, Alabama Will Levis, Kentucky Tyler Van Dyke, Miami Phil Jurkovec, Boston College Tanner McKee, Stanford Anthony Richardson, Florida Running backs Bijan Robinson, Texas Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama Zach Evans, Ole Mi s Tank Bigsby, Auburn Zach Charbonnet, UCLA Wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Kayshon Boutte, LSU Jordan Addison, USC Quentin Johnston, TCU Marvin Mims, Oklahoma Rakim Jarrett, Maryland Josh Downs, North Carolina Parker Washington, Penn State Tight ends Michael Mayer, Notre Dame Arik Gilbert, Georgia Sam LaPorta, Iowa Erick All, Michigan Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State Offensive linemen Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern Jaelyn Duncan, OT, Maryland Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State Zion Nelson, OT, Miami Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State Darnell Wright, OT, Tenne see Andrew Vorhees, G, USC Carter Warren, OT, Pitt Emil Ekiyor, G, Alabama Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota Edge rushers Will Anderson Jr., Alabama Myles Murphy, Clemson Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame B.J. Ojulari, LSU Nolan Smith, Georgia Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech Zach Harrison, Ohio State Derick Hall, Auburn Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State Defensive tackles Jalen Carter, Georgia Bryan Bresee, Clemson Tyler Davis, Clemson& Julius Randle Jersey #13;Mazi Smith, Michigan Gervon Dexter, Florida Linebackers Trent Simpson, Clemson Noah Sewell, Oregon Henry To'o To'o, Alabama Mohamoud Diabate, Utah Cornerbacks Eli Ricks, Alabama Kelee Ringo, Georgia Cam Smith, South Carolina Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU Joey Porter Jr., Penn State Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford Garrett Williams, Syracuse Emmanuel Forbes, Ole Mi s Christian Gonzalez, Oregon Safeties Jalen Catalon, Arkansas Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M Jordan Battle, Alabama Tykee Smith, Georgia Brian Branch, Alabama Christopher Smith, Georgia