According to NFL.com Chad Reutersthe Indianapolis Colts should select Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernard Raiman and Nevada quarterback carson strong in his final four-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft:
To take 42
Indianapolis Colts
(from WAS)
Bernard Raiman
Central Michigan · OT · Senior
Choose 73
Indianapolis Colts
(from WAS)
carson strong
Nevada QB Junior (RS)
As for Raimann, the 6’6″, 303-pound offensive tackle (with 32 7/8″ arms) and formerly converted tight end made all 6 starts at left tackle in 2021 for the Chippewas – winning the first All-MAC team and Sporting News second-team All-American honors respectively.
Although he has relatively short arms, Raimann was highly regarded for his athleticism, lateral quickness and movement skills – with the ability to scale second tier defenses with relative ease. However, being relatively new to the position, his technique could be refined.
He has a relative athletic score [RAS] of 9.81 out of a potential of 10.0which again, showcases his impressive athleticism at attacking tackle.
Here is what they say about Raimann:
My top 5 @SeniorBowl (non-QB) prospects entering the week. All five have 1st round grades with a chance to keep climbing.
1. Trevor Penning, Occupational Therapist, UNI
2. Bernhard Raimann, OT CMU
3. Jermaine Johnson, DE, FSU
4. Zion Johnson, OG, BC
5. Logan Hall, DL, HOU— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 1, 2022
Here are a few players I’ve noticed I’m slightly below consensus on – and hey, that’s okay! Most pass in the 1st round…
Round 2 notes:
EDGE David Ojabo – MICH
OT Bernhard Raimann – CMU
OT Trevor Penning – UNI
WR Drake London – USC
DL Hall Logan – UH— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 12, 2022
Players, I will be above the consensus on this cycle:
Leo Chenal
Sam Howell
Chasen Hines
Alex Wright
Sean RhianPlayers I will be below consensus on:
Bernard Raiman
Nakobe Dean
The QB position
Cam Jürgens
Jalen Tolbert— Cory (@realcorykinnan) April 8, 2022
In his 9th game playing offensive tackle, Austrian-born Bernhard Raimann traveled to Death Valley at LSU and dominated.
Allowed one haste all day. In fact, he allowed less than one pressure per game on average, and only let his QB hit 4 times ALL YEAR.
—Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) March 28, 2022
Movie Theater Preview: Bernhard Raimann breaks down one of my favorite reps on his 2021 film. Great example of what it’s like to stay leveraged on a block to finish. Footwork pic.twitter.com/BsbtkSXsve
—Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) April 4, 2022
According to a source, 13 NFL offensive line coaches were at Central Michigan’s pro day today for Bernhard Raimann and Luke Goedeke.
Raimann a potential Rd1 and Goedeke a Rd2-3 player. Both have NFL starting traits
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 4, 2022
Spinning moves are usually one-on-one cheat code, but Bernhard Raimann is everywhere this one from Arnold Ebiketie
Thought the Central Michigan tackle settled in very well today after a shaky start on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/Y4oQ3vvta2
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike) February 3, 2022
Wake Forest OL Zach Tom’s 9’10” is tied for 4th since 2006
Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann’s 9’9″ is 7th best
Three great jumpers in this OL class pic.twitter.com/Aq2dZradAE
—Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 5, 2022
Here are some comparisons I feel really good with so far in this OL class:
Max Mitchell – James Hurst
Ed Ingram – Jonas Jackson
Dohnovan West – Kendrick Green
Lecitus Smith – Nate Davis
Bernhard Raimann – Jake Matthews pic.twitter.com/pVNw3QqZug—Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) February 18, 2022
Meanwhile, Strong is a 6’3″, 226-pound junior quarterback who has thrown 366 of 522 throws (70.1% completion rate) for 36 passing touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 12 starts, earning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Mountain West honors for a straight season in 2021.
As a pocket passer, Strong has exceptional arm talent with the ability to fine tune the football and really tear it up in tight space when needed with the ability to launch multiple platforms. He has the mentality of a gunslinger in his pocket, but also needs to be quicker in processing his reads and throwing the football away sometimes. There are also durability issues regarding his surgically repaired right knee.
Strong is also highly regarded for his leadership, so he could make sense on ‘Day 2’ for the Colts as a developmental quarterback behind the veteran starter. matt ryan– should it slip a little in the draft. The hope would be that he could be groomed behind Ryan for two seasons before assuming the starting position for the Colts in 2024.
Here’s the truth about Strong:
#Nevada QB Carson Strong announces he will enter the 2022 NFL Draft and skip the bowling game.
Good luck we get to see Strong in the Senior Bowl. Strong and confident passer. Not the most mobile. Combining the medicals might be the most important part of his draft grade.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 15, 2021
I usually wait until practice 2 to really focus on quarterbacks. But it’s clear Carson Strong’s passes have a lot more life than Ridder and Pickett. Not really a surprise.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) February 1, 2022
My QB rankings if you combine 2021/2022 #NFLDraft Classes
1. Trevor Lawrence
2. Malik Willis
3. Justin Fields
4. Trey Lance
T5. Zach Wilson
T5. Matt Coral
7. MacJones
8. Desmond Rider
9. Kenny Picket
10. Carson Strong
11. Sam Howell https://t.co/zoNSe9oV2J— Thor Nyström (@thorku) April 4, 2022
% lowest clean pocket throws inaccurate/unable 10+ yards in 2021, by @PFF:
1. Kenny Picket (20%)
10. Carson Strong (28%)
19. Matt Corral (31%)
24. Bailey Zappé (32%)
53. Malik Willis (36%)
54. Desmond Rider (37%)63. Sam Howell (38%)
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) April 8, 2022
If it weren’t for the fact that his knee was held together by the cartilage of a corpse, we could be talking about Carson Strong as a 1st rounder. Opinions differ on his longevity, but the gunslinger has all the tools you want in a pocket passer.https://t.co/CCbIcwC0Hy
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 7, 2022
Senior Bowl QB Performance Rankings
1. Malik Willis
2. Carson Strong
3. Bailey Zappe
4. Kenny Picket
5. Sam Howel
6. Desmond Rider— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) February 4, 2022
Nevada QB Carson Strong says he wasn’t completely healthy last season. He underwent surgery which required a year of recovery, but he returned after 6 months. Feels he showed in the Senior Bowl that he can extend plays, move around a bit, especially without a knee pad.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 2, 2022
It would really be something if the Colts could find their future left tackle and quarterback in the same draft class respectively.
For what it’s worth, Reuters also has the Colts selecting Cincinnati senior wideout. Alec Pierce in the fourth round, who caught 52 receptions for 884 receiving yards (average 17.0) and 8 touchdown receptions in 14 starts in 2021 – while receiving second-team All-AAC honors.
At 6’3″, 211 pounds, with a time of 4.41 forty, Pierce has the ideal height-speed combo, who plays like a great physical possession player – with considerable toughness, but could struggle to separate to the next level and needs to further develop his course by running.
Still, such a draft class would be incredibly offensive for the Colts, while hopefully filling in some key holes for the long-term picture.