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PLAYSTYLE & SCHEME FIT
The 2022 NFL Draft will have no shortage of edge rushers. George Karlaftis is another powerful edge rusher who is a projected first-round talent. Karloftis was born in Athens, Greece, and spent a good portion of his youth in Greece before coming to the United States. He didn't play organized football until middle school and would eventually become a track and field star, where he won a state title in the shot put at West Lafayette High School as a sophomore.
Karlaftis boasts a high motor, with an explosive get-off allowing him to get on top of his blockers in pass sets. He has a wide array of pass rush moves involving his hands, and he uses his leverage to win one-on-one battles with a good combo of power and speed. He can win with a bull rush or use a spin move to gain leverage.
Not a particularly flexible athlete, Karlaftis is a technician who can use various pass rush moves and power to win. He can shoot a gap and squeeze through unlikely creases or bull rush a blocker into the pocket before spinning off and making a play on the QB. His hand power is one of his key strengths. He has a powerful punch that allows him to gain leverage against his blocker.
Karlaftis plays with good awareness; he has a solid pre snap pass rush plan and can improvise on the fly using an array of hand moves. He can sometimes rely too much on his power allowing his blockers to gain leverage before he decides to counter. As a run defender, Karlaftis is solid but needs to improve. His play recognition and lateral quickness are an area he needs to improve to be a more effective run defender.
Karlaftis is an every-down player that can be effective in the NFL standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He does lack the size to be an effective interior defender in the NFL. He can flourish in a gap control scheme that uses multiple fronts.
PLAYER COMPARISON:
CEILING GRADE ANALYSIS
Near Elite (70-74)
A high-caliber prospect who is expected to become a significant contributor by Year 2. These players have outstanding physical tools and strong football IQ, with only minor flaws in their game. They demonstrate consistency at a high level and project as future Pro Bowl-caliber players if properly developed.
Primary scout:
Brandon Lundberg
Football Scout 365 NFL Draft Grade Scale
Football Scout 365 grades reflect a prospect’s projected long-term NFL value and role. Draft ranges are general value projections, not predictions of an exact selection. Positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical information and athletic testing can influence where a player is ultimately selected.
How Football Scout 365 Grades NFL Draft Prospects
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Elite (75+): A rare, high-impact prospect with elite physical tools, advanced football intelligence and the ability to make an immediate NFL impact. Elite prospects carry franchise-altering potential and typically project as top 5–10 selections in the first round.
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Near Elite (70–74): A high-caliber prospect with outstanding physical tools, strong football intelligence and only minor developmental limitations. Near Elite prospects project as significant early-career contributors with Pro Bowl upside and first-round draft value.
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High-End Starter Potential (65–69): A starting-caliber prospect with strong physical tools, quality technical skills and a defined NFL role. These players may require development before reaching their ceiling but generally carry second- or third-round draft value.
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Mid-Level Starter Potential (60–64): A solid prospect with NFL-level tools and a pathway to becoming a dependable starter if key limitations are addressed. These players generally carry third- to fifth-round draft value.
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Low-Level Starter Potential (55–59): A developmental prospect who could become a low-end starter, high-end backup or valuable specialist in the right role. These players generally carry fifth- to seventh-round draft value.
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Backup Level (50–54): A depth or rotational prospect with enough functional ability to compete for an NFL roster spot but limited long-term starting potential. These players generally project as late Day 3 selections or priority undrafted free agents.
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Not NFL Level (Below 50): A developmental or camp prospect who does not currently demonstrate enough consistency, technical refinement or functional NFL traits to project as a regular contributor. These players generally project as undrafted free agents, practice-squad candidates or camp invitations.
Draft position can vary based on positional value, team needs, scheme fit, medical evaluation and athletic testing.