3 biggest first-round boom-or-bust prospects of the 2022 NFL Draft

3. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

There have been a few small-school players that have made a big impact in the NFL and NFL Draft over the past couple of seasons. Players like Dillon Radunz (Tennessee), Quinn Meinerz (Denver), Spencer Brown (Buffalo), Kyle Dugger (New England), and Jeremy Chinn (Carolina) have been taken in the first two rounds and became instant impact players for their NFL squads. One of the next stars on that list is Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning.

The 6-foot-7, 327-pounder is a monster of a man and an absolute mauler at the left tackle position. He has the nasty demeanor that offensive line coaches covet and that attitude could get him taken earlier than expected.

As of right now, Penning projects as a mid-first rounder, but he may come off the board as early as number five overall. With the amount of importance placed on the passing game and protecting quarterbacks these days, Penning could go from a relative unknown to a very rich man.

A team like the Chargers could be an ideal fit for Penning in Round 1. The former Panther does not possess the ideal bend or balance to become an elite left tackle but should be a long-term starter on the right side for the next decade. He has a jarring first blow, and will consistently drive defender until and after the whistle is blown. Penning will instantly upgrade a running game from day one, but his upside is tied to his athletic limitations moving forward.

Each of these players has extremely intriguing skillsets and it will be fun to watch and see just how early these prospects are taken. Regardless of their draft slot, Penning, Williams, and Thibodeaux will have massive expectations as they continue their journey towards NFL stardom.