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2022 DRAFT
Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com totes up the current state of the first round after Monday’s Saints-Eagles dealings:
The 2022 NFL draft is still more than three weeks away, but we’ve already seen a flurry of first-round trades.
Eight teams have two first-round picks, eight other teams have none, and in all 11 first-round picks have been traded. Two first-round picks have already been traded twice.
Here’s the full breakdown of teams with two first-round picks:
Giants have their own first-round pick (No. 5) and the Bears’ (No. 7) from last year’s trade that allowed the Bears to draft Justin Fields.
Jets have their own first-round pick (No. 4) plus the Seahawks’ (No. 10) from the Jamal Adams trade.
Texans have their own first-round pick (No. 3) plus the Browns’ (No. 13) from the Deshaun Watson trade.
Eagles have the Dolphins’ first-round pick (No. 15) from last year’s trade that allowed Miami to draft Jaylen Waddle, plus the Saints’ first-round pick (No. 18) from an exchange of picks that also netted Philadelphia the Saints’ first-round pick in 2023 and second-round pick in 2024.
Saints have the Colts’ first-round pick (No. 16), which was sent to the Eagles in the Carson Wentz trade and then sent by the Eagles to the Saints in an exchange of multiple picks that also gave the Saints the Eagles’ first-round pick (No. 19).
Packers have their own first-round pick (No. 28) plus the Raiders’ (No. 22) from the Davante Adams trade.
Chiefs have their own first-round pick (No. 30) plus the 49ers’ (No. 29) which was originally sent to the Dolphins so the 49ers could draft Trey Lance, and then sent from the Dolphins to the Chiefs in the Tyreek Hill trade.
Lions have their own first-round pick (No. 2) plus the Rams’ (No. 32) from the Matthew Stafford trade.
Peter King with his top 10 picks in the draft, as we note that George EDGE TRAYVON WALKER is yet again linked to the Lions at #2:
My take on the top 10 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, and who goes where, with one trade that makes all the sense in the world:
1) Jacksonville Jaguars
Aidan Hutchinson, edge rusher, Michigan
Safest pick at a need position, and the kind of long-term cornerstone the Jaguars are crying out. Put him opposite Josh Allen, sprinkle in the underrated Dawuane Smoot, and all of a sudden the Jags have the kind of pass-rush that’s going to give foes real issues. One other thing: Smoot and Allen have expiring contracts at the end of this year. Young greatness is vital on the edge.
2) Detroit Lions
Travon Walker, edge rusher, Georgia
Walker edges Kayvon Thibodeaux here (gee, I wonder if Thibodeaux will be ticked off), in part because of versatility. At 275, Walker will be a lightish 3-technique defensive tackle on occasion, but more likely a strong two-way defensive end with good run-stuffing ability. If it is Thibodeaux, then potential and pass-rush wins. If it’s Walker, it’s best all-around player/worker bee in the Dan Campbell mold.
3) Houston Texans
Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
Second straight team that wouldn’t surprise me taking Thibodeaux because of the promise. But when I think of GM Nick Caserio, I think of long-term program-builder, and I think “Saban dude.” As a disciple of Bill Belichick, Caserio learned to trust Belichick’s best pal in coaching, Nick Saban, and Saban is all-in on this versatile long-term lineman. Neal can start at right tackle if need be and play four spots on the line, and is a near-lock to earn a second contract from the Texans.
4) New York Jets
Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I hear the Jets, like many teams, are leery of the best cornerback talent in this draft, LSU’s Derek Stingley, who had a super-weird career in the SEC. Gardner’s a fascinating prospect. In 33 college games, he didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage. “I don’t plan to allow one in the NFL either,” he said at the combine. At 6-2 and 188 pounds (likely to be able to play at 195 or so), Gardner is the kind of big corner teams lust for.
5) New York Giants
Ikem Ekwonu, T, North Carolina State
The legend is true: Accepted at Harvard and Yale, chose to go to the better football school. One of the brightest players to enter the draft in years, the athletic Ekwonu would be the kind of perfect piece to continue a crucial Giants’ rebuild on the line. A tandem of Andrew Thomas and Ekwonu at left and right tackle—if Thomas continues his progress (two sacks alowed in 800 snaps in 2021)—could give Daniel Jones a real chance to show he deserves the Giants’ QB job.
6) Carolina Panthers
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
When Matt Rhule was the Temple head coach in the spring of 2016, he sealed the deal with top QB recruit Kenny Pickett from south Jersey. When Rhule took the Baylor job, Pickett de-committed and went to Pitt … and made the most of his opportunity there. You just get the sense the Panthers aren’t sold on Sam Darnold and are desperate for an upgrade. Drafting Pickett (2021: 67-percent passer, 42 TDs, seven interceptions) is no sure thing, at all. But the Panthers are still searching at quarterback, and Pickett would give them hope.
7) Los Angeles Chargers (trade with New York Giants)
Charles Cross, T, Mississippi
Chargers deal the 17th pick in this draft, plus 2023 first- and sixth-round picks, for this choice. Wild guess on my part. Giants don’t want to make this pick—they want an extra first-rounder in 2023 in case they need ammo to go get a quarterback, or simply for depth in a draft likely to be stronger in the first round. The Chargers want a long-term starter opposite young Rashawn Slater. Works for both teams—except the Giants certainly would prefer dealing for a worse team’s top pick in 2023. The Chargers’ pick could be in the mid-twenties or lower. The Giants could also try to engage Pittsburgh (20th overall this year) if the Steelers are quarterback-smitten … because Pittsburgh would likely have a better first-round pick in 2023 than the Chargers would.
8) Atlanta Falcons
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Lots to be concerned about here, because Willis needs a redshirt year under a smart QB coach like Arthur Smith, and he needs to be schooled in working his progressions most importantly. But Smith is a patient teacher, and he won’t need to play this year with Marcus Mariota in the saddle for at least 2022. There’s something about Willis’ fit. He’s a local kid from Roswell High (23 minutes from downtown Atlanta), teammates love him, very positive, and he has a big arm. Owner Arthur Blank could view him as a perfect long-term pilot of his franchise. I’m fascinated with the prospect of this.
9) Seattle Seahawks
Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
One of the strangest prospects to come out in years. Was superb as a true frosh in 2019, and had great practice battles with Ja’Marr Chase. But Stingley played only 10 games in the last two years due to ankle, illness and Lisfranc issues, and now teams don’t know what to think of him. But the Seahawks are desperate for corners this spring, and the 6-1 Stingley could be the kind of big and competitive corner Seattle longs for. “He’s got the best feet of any corner I’ve ever seen,” one evaluator says. That could be enough for a corner-needy team like Seattle to take this chance. Note 1: LSU’s Pro Day is Wednesday, and Stingley’s performance there will be very important for his draft stock. Note 2: The Vikings are interested in Stingley too, and they might view a one-year Patrick Peterson mentorship (LSU ties) worthy of trying to trade up for him.
10) New York Jets
Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge rusher, Oregon
Asking around, people told me, Gotta give the Jets a receiver with one of the first-round picks. And they could go Drake London or one of the Ohio State stars here. And they could deal their picks at 35 and/or 38 overall up into the first round to get a wideout too. At some point, I think Robert Saleh might sidle up to GM Joe Douglas and tell him he can find a good wideout (or two) with those two high second-round picks. But the Jets could also strike gold with Thibodeaux, the rusher of a thousand opinions who could go as high as two overall. This is why the draft is so fun, because of arguments on guys like Thibodeaux.
I’ll do my customary mock draft in three weeks, in the column of April 25. What you’ve just read is a combo-platter of what I’m hearing and what I think would be smart. It’s definitely not a prediction of what will happen. This is going to be a fun month and a compelling draft.
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Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, who comes from the college side of things, offers a Mock Draft full of anonymous sources:
After spending the past six weeks talking to coaches and experts inside college football as well as many NFL sources, I put together my mock draft based on those evaluations and the needs of each team, as I did last season. The insights and scouting reports from coaches, scouts and analysts informed how I view Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft and what each team will be getting with these players.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Hutchinson is a terrific talent, and folks inside Michigan rave about his character and commitment. He will make the Jaguars better and should be a high-level pro for the next decade. Jacksonville might be tempted by the upside of Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker. It also wouldn’t be shocking if the Jaguars tried to snag an offensive tackle, especially Ickey Ekwonu, but they franchised Cam Robinson and also have second-year OT Walker Little, whom we hear the team is encouraged by, and 24-year-old Jawaan Taylor, a 2019 second-rounder.
Hutchinson (14 sacks in 2021) could cause problems for rival quarterbacks. His change of direction for someone 6-foot-6, 260 pounds is remarkable. He clocked a 4.15 shuttle time, fifth-fastest of anyone at the NFL Scouting Combine this year, and a 6.73 3-cone, sixth-best in Indianapolis.
The Coaching Intel
“He loves football and wants to be a great leader. He can play the run. He can play a 9-technique, a 6-technique, a 4i. He can rush off the edge as a 5. He can drop in coverage. He’s flexible and has mental and physical toughness. He’s a rare dude. When you talk about position flexibility, there’s not much he can’t do.”
“There’s no question: He’s pretty. He’s long and he can rush the passer. I am curious how he translates to the next level. I thought he was good, not elite. In our game, he seemed a little hesitant. I thought we blocked him pretty well. He and Chase Young are not in the same ballpark. Young is bigger, twitchier.”
“On film, I wasn’t as impressed. But in person, he’s a wrecker. It’s the motor he plays with, in combination with his speed and strength. His use of hands is great. He affected the game on every play. His ability to generate speed to power from his hips to his hands on film doesn’t look great, but he is just violent. They moved him all over. I’ve got nothing but respect for that kid.”
2. Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
There’s buzz that the Lions might nab a quarterback here. I’m skeptical there’s someone on whom they’d invest the No. 2 pick. They really could use a wideout, but again, there’s not one they’d spend this on. They go for a potentially dominant big-play edge rusher in Walker, who is considerably bigger physically than Kayvon Thibodeaux and has many convinced he has as much upside as any defensive player in this draft. Walker led Georgia in quarterback pressures in 2021 (36) and had six sacks.
The Coaching Intel
“I think he might end up as the best of all these Georgia players. He’s so long. He’s huge. He can run his ass off. He doesn’t have all the technique. He’s still very raw. I think there’s so much untapped potential there.”
“He has so much juice. He’s violent, man. He’s long and slippery and had some wiggle to him. He could wreak some havoc.”
“This is just a big, scary dude who can roll. He was a tight end’s worst nightmare.”
3. Houston Texans: Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu, OL, NC State
I think Lovie Smith and the Texans would love to have Walker, but with him off the board, they move to strengthen their offensive line and bring in a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder who clocked a 4.93 40 with a 1.76-second 10-yard split. Ekwonu will provide a nasty defensive mentality to the offense. That should be a welcome addition for promising second-year quarterback Davis Mills.
A former unheralded recruit who was overshadowed by his twin brother, Osita, a linebacker at Notre Dame, Ekwonu blossomed into a dominant force. Last year at this time, he was the O-lineman all the coaches in the ACC were buzzing about, even though Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw was the player all the mocks were touting.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s as good an offensive lineman as I’ve seen in years. He’s athletic as hell, and he’s mean as shit. It was so unusual to see a guy enjoying his craft as much as he does. He plays with great balance. He can really run his feet on contact, so he can drive guys for as long as he wants.”
“I was really impressed with him. He’s so athletic. He’s still raw, but I think he’s got huge upside. Offensive tackles like him are rare. I could see him as the first (overall) pick.”
“He has incredible short-area power and explosiveness. He looks a little more like a guard, but his arms are really long and his feet are so good. He can be a great guard or a great tackle.”
4. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The choice between Ekwonu or Neal is made easier with the Texans drafting Ekwonu, leaving the 6-foot-7, 335-pound Neal available for a move to the Northeast. Neal has wowed Tide coaches since the day he arrived in Tuscaloosa, from his eye-popping flexibility and athleticism to his size and approach to the game. Neal, who has played in the 350-pound range, is seen by some opposing coaches as better suited to play inside than as a tackle.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s very strong at the point of attack. He has some meat hooks and a good center of balance. This is a big old monster. He’s just hard to run around, but I think he might be more of a guard than a tackle.”
“I think he’s more of a guard playing offensive tackle. There’s some movement stuff that he struggled with. I think he’ll be an excellent guard.”
“He has unbelievable size and athleticism. To be that big, he really has good feet, and he can bend. The guy is always in a good football position. He times up his punch and switches it up. I do think he’s gonna be a very good left tackle.”
5. New York Giants: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With neither of the standout tackles falling to the Giants, they go for the surest player at a position of need in the vastly underrated Utes star, picking him over a glitzy Pac-12 option, Thibodeaux. The Giants need help at both positions, but I expect the buzz about Lloyd to really build. The 6-foot-3, 237-pounder with 33-inch arms made a ton of plays for Utah, posting 32 TFLs in the past 19 games.
The Coaching Intel
“I think he’s a freaking stud. I loved that kid. He can do everything. He can rush the passer. They blitzed him just enough. He’s slippery, can get off blocks. He’s tall and long. He can get in passing lanes. He’s really instinctive. He backs it up on film. He’s not just a good test guy.”
“He’s a sure tackler. His sideline-to-sideline presence is great. They used him as a pass rusher. He did a good job of using his length.”
“Good player. Very instinctive. He’s a knock-back tackler; is good in pass coverage, great against the run. He takes on guards. He backdoors zone plays.”
“He’s a freak. I’ve liked him for a couple of years. In our room, we had the utmost respect for him. He’s an elite player.”
“Amazing player. He’s so instinctive. He diagnosed plays and closed the gap in a hurry. He’s also kind of that typical Utah defender, in that he’s a great tackler at the point of contact.”
“He was the leader of that defense. He was dynamic in that role and never had a bad game. Nobody could do anything to get him off his game and he got better every week.”
6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
This franchise desperately needs a quarterback after last year’s Sam Darnold experiment backfired. While they will be tempted to go for the player with the bigger arm (Liberty’s Malik Willis), the hunch here is they go with the quarterback who is more ready to make an immediate impact.
In 2021, Pickett completed more than 67% of his passes, had a 42-to-7 TD-to-INT ratio and led the Panthers to the ACC title. Panthers coach Matt Rhule and Pickett go back; in fact, almost exactly six years ago, Pickett committed to Rhule’s Temple program before Rhule left for Baylor.
The Coaching Intel
“I think the NFL would like him. He played in a true pro-style offense. He understands West Coast passing concepts, and he’s the opposite of what they like to bitch about, of only knowing ‘a college offense,’ or, ‘Oh, he doesn’t understand concepts.’ I think he has athleticism; he has speed and the ability to run. I like how he improved over his career. He’s very smart and he benefited with the extra year. Some people may say he doesn’t have the big arm, but he made some really big time throws in their Clemson game. I like him a lot. There are a lot more questionable QBs that have been taken in the first round than him.”
“A lot of people were late on realizing how good he is. He’s got plenty of arm and athleticism. I think he’s got a lot of that ‘it’ factor. He kept getting better and made so many clutch plays. He made that program so much better.”
7. New York Giants: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I imagine there will be a lot of hope Big Blue grabs Kyle Hamilton, but they won’t be able to pass up a true lockdown corner in the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder. Almost no opposing offense in college wanted to mess with him. The Giants might also take a long look at Derek Stingley Jr., the other exceptionally talented corner in this draft, but the hunch here is that the former LSU Tiger’s up-and-down past two seasons will steer them to Gardner.
The Coaching Intel
“I thought he was the best player we played against last year. He completely shut down that side of the field. We came in thinking, ‘We’re gonna go after him.’ We got off that idea real quick. He jammed our guy into the sideline. Then, on a shallow, he’s playing the drill with our quarterback. He’s getting beat, but then he closes and picks it off. He’s really savvy, really long.”
“You could tell he studied film. He really recognized pass concepts. There’s a reason why he didn’t give a touchdown his whole time in college.”
“I thought he was very good but I didn’t know how good he was because nobody ever really went at him. We didn’t want to. We put a slapdick (receiver) over there the whole game and never looked at him. He’s imposing. His parameters are elite in terms of his size, range and speed.”
8. Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Atlanta has a lot of holes, and if Pickett was still available, I think the Falcons would scoop him up. But with him off the board, do they go after Willis or Matt Corral? Trade down for a wideout, especially with Calvin Ridley suspended for the season?
In the end, Atlanta opts for Thibodeaux. The No. 1 recruit three years ago has the talent to help a defensive line that really struggled to pressure the quarterback. The 6-foot-4, 254-pound Southern Californian, who clocked a 4.54 40 at the combine and was a two-time All-Pac-12 player, has some doubters bothered by his lack of consistency.
The Coaching Intel
“When he wants to go, he can really go. He’s got good speed-to-power and he has excellent get-off, but he cannot play in space at an elite NFL level. I don’t think he’s a 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s more of a 4-3 DE that can, at times, drop. He doesn’t have a big counter game as a rusher. He’s gonna have to develop that.”
“He’s a high-waisted long guy, and his get-off is elite. Going into the game, you really worried about that, that he was gonna beat us off the ball.”
“There’s talent there, but what are you getting? He plays in spurts. He’s got it in his body — although there’s a little bit of stiffness in there. It’s not like he’s got an amazing body. He’s got a good first step for a 250-pound guy. I’d worry about his interests off the field. In a weird way, he reminds me of (Josh) Rosen. I think they’re both really good football players, and if they really concentrated on football, they’d be really good at it. But you listen to Thibodeaux talk and you wonder about his mindset. I think whatever his perception of being an NFL guy is is going to be totally different to what it actually is.”
“He’s a generational talent, freaky on film. He was the best D-lineman in the Pac-12 since Vita Vea. I didn’t think he was consistent with effort. He didn’t have much success early in our game, and he kinda shut it down.”
“I don’t see it, man. He’s good. He’s not great. He was a non-factor in so many games. He’s an independent contractor. His first step is unbelievable. You just wonder, how important is football to him?”
9. Seattle Seahawks: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Seahawks could really use an offensive tackle, and Charles Cross, a top pass protector, is available, but they also really need a quarterback (I have my doubts whether Seattle will view Drew Lock as the answer to life after Russell Wilson).
I toyed with the idea of a big wild-card pick here, where they draft Corral. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks are going to get as good intel on this one as anyone, since Corral’s coach is Lane Kiffin, who has been extremely close to Carroll for decades. But Corral is just too high here. The Seahawks draft Stingley, another gifted player for whom Carroll will have keen insight, as Carroll is a mentor to former LSU coach Ed Orgeron.
Stingley was a star as a freshman on the Tigers’ 2019 national title team and had LSU staffers believing he was capable of playing in the NFL right then. Every practice he gave Ja’Marr Chase his toughest battles. But the past two seasons from Stingley were inconsistent, marked by a lot of time on the sideline because of injury.
The Coaching Intel
“The kid is uber talented. He’s long as shit. He wasn’t physical but there’s no question he’s talented. He’s an impressive athlete. I think he moves better than the other (top) cornerbacks. I’ve heard he’s a good kid.”
“I thought he was a finesse corner. He wasn’t violent at the line of scrimmage, but he has great feet and is a real technician, and his ball skills really set him apart. But you wonder: Is the drive or fire there? He had that great freshman year. I don’t know what’s happened the past two years. He’s got the ability to be really good. I just wonder if he’s built for it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets to the league and he does really well. But if he gets a second contract, is he gonna be the same player?”
“He’s got those long arms that pretty much touch the grass in his stance. I think he’s smoother than a sudden guy. Plays the ball in the air very well. I think he got a little bored at times. When the ball isn’t going his way, his technique gets away from him. He did fall off a little bit; maybe that was new scheme, new defense.”
“He’s almost like a wide receiver playing DB. His ball skills and the way he made plays on the ball are rare. It’s one thing for a defensive back to get in position, but his body control and the adjustments he could make in mid-air, this dude is different. He looked like a seasoned vet as a true freshman.”
10. New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC
There’s a lot of debate about which of two Ohio State receivers, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, is more talented, but the Jets go with the bigger, more physical option outside in London, who can be a go-to guy for Zach Wilson and a prime red zone weapon. The 6-foot-4, 219-pound former basketball star, who doesn’t turn 21 until late July, was dominant in 2021, catching 88 passes for 1,084 yards and seven TDs in eight games before a broken ankle ended his season.
The Coaching Intel
“You can see the basketball player in him because his ball skills are elite. He also plays faster than people think. That team he was on was awful, just a complete train wreck. But that kid brought it.”
“He just has a really good feel for spacing and very strong hands. You do wonder if he’s got enough juice to separate or get away from guys after the catch, but I think the quarterbacks will love him.”
“I think he’s one of the best receivers I’ve ever seen. He can really high-point the ball, and he runs routes like a little guy, getting in and out of his cuts. He’s not afraid to get dirty. People may question his top-end (speed), and he probably won’t wow you, but his functional football speed, with his pads on, is really good.”
“He’s a really tough matchup. He reminds me of Mike Evans. Both have those long bodies, but they’re not afraid to be really physical with people.”
11. Washington Commanders: Kyle Hamilton, safety, Notre Dame
Though it wouldn’t surprise me if he fell further than many draft analysts have been projecting, I think the Commanders jump on the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder who only turned 21 last month. Hamilton has exhibited the kind of range that turns heads. His athleticism at his size is impressive: He’s broad-jumped 10-11 and vertical jumped 38 inches. There are some concerns about his coverage skills, but he is still a unique talent.
The Coaching Intel
“He has above average instincts, and he has great length. We didn’t think he was that fast or that he could cover a slot.”
“People remember that (he) made that long INT against Florida State. He is long and rangy, but we didn’t think he was a good cover guy in space. He is fast and has all the measurables, but he had a hard time tackling our slot and covering our guys. I didn’t think we had to go away from him. When I heard top-5 pick, I get it, because he has the measurables, but I didn’t really see that.”
“He’s got great instincts, a real nose for the ball. Got that great size and range, and he will come downhill and be physical. I think he’s special.”
12. Minnesota Vikings: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
If Stingley is still available, I think Minnesota takes him. But with him gone, I’m not sure the Vikings would jump for either Trent McDuffie or Kyler Gordon, two excellent corners out of Washington. Johnson feels like a nice fit here. The former Georgia Bulldog missed out on being on a national title team in 2021, but his move to FSU worked out for him; he won ACC Defensive Player of the Year after posting 70 tackles, 18 TFLs and 12 sacks. At 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, Johnson clocked a 4.58 40 in Indianapolis and broad-jumped 10-5. Excellent numbers for an edge guy who displayed a lot of production.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s still pretty raw and wasn’t that great with his hands, but he’s explosive and really active. He looks like he can also get a lot bigger.”
“He’s a skilled pass rusher. He’s tough, physical and also played the run well. He was a menace. I don’t think he’s freaky athletic, but he’s a really good football player.”
13. Houston Texans: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
The Texans have big needs almost everywhere, and they’ll have two excellent options to boost their O-line with Cross or Trevor Penning, but with Ekwonu already in the fold, they jump on another physical player with whom Smith is very familiar from Karlaftis’ days in the Big Ten West.
The 6-foot-4, 266-pound Boilermaker isn’t quite as nimble as some of the other top edge guys, but no one will grind harder than this all-around athlete. In 2021, while often being double- and sometimes triple-teamed, he had 11.5 TFLs and forced three fumbles.
The Coaching Intel
“There are guys with more length who may run faster, but I’m not sure any of them have any more pop and power than he does.”
“We thought (George) Karlaftis was gonna be a maniac, but (he) didn’t do that much in our game. He was a bitch on film; he is really strong and tough but not super athletic. We were planning on double teams and being strategic in our pass rush, but our tackles were able to match his physicality.”
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
This 6-foot-6, 341-pound behemoth put on one of the most remarkable combine performances and could be an ideal fit to replace longtime Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams. Davis has considerably more length and agility, as evidenced by his jaw-dropping 4.78 40 to go with a 32-inch vertical and 10-3 broad jump. Davis was in great shape for the combine but will have to be mindful of his conditioning. Word is, he weighed around 355 pounds when Georgia played Alabama in the SEC title game and was slowed in his play, especially as the Tide went up tempo.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s freakishly different. I’ve seen a lot of big people, but he’s a bit of an athlete, like a super-sized tight end. He’s like a 20 mph guy (on the GPS). He’s got rare burst and can get after the ball. He’s light on his feet and freakishly strong and can really torque and twist.”
“He just ate people up. The guy is not just big in the middle but explosive and can knock back and get penetration. They didn’t allow you to get to the second level.”
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Eagles need a lot of help in the secondary opposite Darius Slay, and they have two strong choices in McDuffie and Gordon. Both have been well-coached and are excellent technicians, although the 5-foot-11, 193-pound McDuffie lacks the length of Gardner and Stingley. He’s exceptionally quick and is a good tackler.
The Coaching Intel
“I was very impressed with both Washington corners. They compete. They’re consistent. Sometimes you have a real cover cornerback but he isn’t a really physical player. (McDuffie) is.”
“He’s so technically sound. It’s hard to get anything big on him.”
16. Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean is a winner and was the cerebral leader of the national champions. A mechanical engineering major with a 3.5 GPA, he really impressed NFL coaches in their meetings at the combine. He’s a little undersized at 5-foot-11, 229 pounds with 31 7/8-inch arms, but he runs very well and plays faster than he’ll time. The 2021 Butkus Award winner led the Bulldogs in tackles for loss with 10.5 and was second on the team in sacks with six. He also had 31 quarterback hurries, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s an absolute monster, man. His closing speed is tremendous. We put our running back in fast motion and threw him a swing screen. (Dean) ran with him stride for stride and then makes the tackle in open space. Our back is really fast, and that play should’ve gone for at least 20. Instead, it was like a 1-yard gain.”
“I think there’s some pass coverage concerns with him maybe at the next level, but he’s just so instinctual. He made a play on a screen where the guy should’ve walked into the end zone but he just beat all of the O-linemen and slipped through. You could see his leadership and communication skills on the film and tell his extreme passion for the game.”
“He’s a real field general. The guy is just so smart. He plays more proactively than reactively. I thought he got away with some things because he’s just so instinctive. Sometimes he doesn’t take the right steps, but he could get away with it. At the next level, he might not.”
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Chargers can help their budding superstar quarterback Justin Herbert by adding more speed outside. They’ll have an interesting quandary in picking from two terrific Ohio State wideouts. They go Wilson over Olave, who is from Southern California, as Wilson plays a little bigger than his 6-foot, 185-pound frame and is more of an extrovert than his teammate. Olave is considered the faster of the two, but Wilson’s 4.38 40 at the combine and 36-inch vertical helped underscore a strong profile that is reflected in his excellent burst and ability to run after the catch. In 2021, he caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s explosive. He’s not quite as smooth as Olave, but he’s harder to tackle. I think he’s more workmanlike.”
“He’s really tough in one-on-one matchups. He’s so twitchy, bouncy, explosive. He has an amazing ability to decelerate as fast as he does, where it’s that stop on a dime, like you think he’s gonna tear his ACL. It’s wild, like he’s a rubber band. I do think he has to play with more discipline; he gets run off on his route sometimes. He’s tougher than Olave.”
“I was more scared of him than Olave. He scared you every snap. I just thought he could jump a little better than Olave and had more of the raw athleticism and explosiveness. He just seemed like a jackrabbit.”
18. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Saints struck gold with a Buckeye receiver before in Michael Thomas. Olave is blazing fast and a legitimate home-run threat who excels at tracking the ball. In 2021, he made 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a big part of the most loaded receiver room in college football.
The Coaching Intel
“He is super fast, but he’s more than just a deep ball guy. He is slight, though, and I think if you got him, you’d worry about him getting pressed.”
“Olave is so smooth and is so explosive in and out of his cuts. He does need to get a lot stronger.”
“He’s as advertised: really good route runner, fast, good ball skills; high-points it well. But the most talented of the Buckeye receivers isn’t in this draft (sophomore Jaxon Smith-Njigba).”
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Could the Eagles take a wideout in the first round for the third consecutive year? I went back and forth on whether they’d snag Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, but I think they keep loading up on defense.
I see three good candidates here that include Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey and Georgia linebacker Quay Walker, but I think it will be Wyatt. He’s a freaky big athlete at 304 pounds and ran the 40 in the mid-4.7s at 4.77. He has elite lateral quickness and good change of direction. You’d probably like him to have more length — his arms measured 32 5/8 inches, but many think there’s still a lot of untapped potential and that he didn’t quite get the hype he merited because he played on a loaded front seven in Athens.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s an incredible athlete at that size. He’s not the talent 88 (Jalen Carter) is — that guy is a monster — but Wyatt’s really impressive. He’s still pretty raw but is very violent and disruptive, and he’s faster than a lot of linebackers.”
“I thought he was OK. You were so worried about 99 (Jordan Davis) and 88, you didn’t worry about him. But he’s very solid.”
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
I don’t think the Steelers go quarterback here. Not with two strong offensive tackle prospects available in Cross and Penning. Expect Pittsburgh to go for the more physical player in Penning, who, at 6-foot-7, 325, has a lot of length and power. He also has pretty good wheels, having clocked a 4.89 40 at the combine. Penning, who watches the horror movie “Saw” on his phone before games, is another remarkable development story for Northern Iowa, which last year produced another unheralded gem in Spencer Brown, a tackle for the Bills.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s a real beast. Powerful. Plays with an edge. He just abused D-linemen at that level. This guy is a nasty prick. I’d love him on my team.”
“(He) has really impressive physicality, especially with how he finishes. He’s nasty. He also has position flexibility; he can probably play all five positions along the line. I think he bends and runs really well for his size. (I) also thought he improved in pass protection dramatically the last two years. He did struggle some with movement and stunts against dynamic edges. He’s still over-aggressive in pass pro at times. Guys can bull rush him to set up counter moves off of power moves.”
21. New England Patriots: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
There are other good options for the Patriots here: Zion Johnson, an excellent interior O-lineman who played down the road at Boston College; Burks; and Alabama speedster Jameson Williams. But Walker’s potential will be tough for New England to pass up. This is a big, physical, explosive dude at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, who blazed a 4.52 40 for the national champions. Some inside the Georgia program expect him to be a better NFL player than Dean. He made 67 tackles and had 25 quarterback pressures last season, including a team-high eight tackles in the national title game.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s the prototypical NFL linebacker. He can run with wheel routes; can bend really well; is good in man coverage. You can blitz him. I think he has tremendous athletic upside.”
“He is freakishly athletic. You watch some of the plays he made on film where he’s stringing plays out all the way to the sideline, and he’s so long and has violent hands to get off blocks. I think he’ll be even better in the NFL than he was at Georgia.”
“He has excellent lateral movement for being so big — he’s like a power forward out there, but he is still a bit raw. He does take some false steps out there, but he runs so well he can overcome it.”
22. Green Bay Packers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Losing Davante Adams is a big blow to the Packers, to Aaron Rodgers and to what is now a very suspect receiver room. Williams, who started his career in the loaded Ohio State receiver room, is coming off an ACL injury suffered during the second quarter of the national title game and probably won’t return to about 100% until midseason. But he is elite and a good value selection here.
His explosiveness at 6-foot-1 1/2 is too much to pass up, even with Burks available. In 2021, Williams had 79 catches for 1,572 yards, an Alabama record, and 15 touchdowns. His big-play potential is enormous, as evidenced by his FBS-leading four touchdowns of 70-plus yards last season. He also had 11 TDs of 30 yards or more, best in the country. As a kick returner, he averaged 35.2 yards with two touchdowns.
The Coaching Intel
“His speed is ridiculous. He runs away from people who are fast and makes them not look fast. He could be in the slot; can run a deep crossing route; is a dangerous return guy.”
“He has elite speed, ball skills and body control. A lot of guys are fast, but they can’t really control their body. He comes out of his breaks so well, tracks the ball well, and it’s his ability to move laterally that really separates him.”
“He has such elite speed and length. You’ve got to find ways to disrupt his timing. If you let him run free in zone (coverage), he’ll eat you up.”
“That this guy couldn’t get on the field as a receiver at Ohio State (where he only caught 15 passes) is kind of mind-blowing.”
23. Arizona Cardinals: Zion Johnson, OG/C, Boston College
They need a lot of help at corner and on the O-line. I went back and forth on Johnson or Cross, a quality tackle prospect who played in the toughest division in college football. They go for the interior guy in Johnson because, with a very short quarterback in Kyler Murray, shoring up the middle and protecting the pocket is more critical than on the edge. Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green is another good option here, but Johnson, at 6-foot-3, 312 pounds with a 32-inch vert and 4.46 shuttle, is a better athlete.
The Coaching Intel
“I thought he was a good player but not great. They played very well together as a group, and they play a lot of 12 personnel. He’s solid.”
“He played a lot at tackle, but he’s a much better fit at guard. He’s a very good athlete with good feet, but he didn’t redirect as well as I expected. Sometimes you didn’t think he saw some things or might be late picking some stuff up.”
24. Dallas Cowboys: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Cowboys could use another edge rusher, but I’m not convinced they would go for someone like Minnesota’s Boye Mafe here. Could they go for an O-lineman here, in versatile prospect Green? Ultimately, they get receiver help and jump on Burks, a big, physical talent with huge hands from Jerry Jones’ alma mater. Burks, 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, is excellent with the ball, and even though he was the marked man for rivals, he’s consistently been a big-play weapon for the Hogs. He torched Alabama last season for 179 yards on eight catches with two TDs. For the season, he had 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 TDs.
The Coaching Intel
“He scared the shit out of us because he’s so big and athletic. He’s not super dynamic, but he’s really physical. I think he’s gonna be a very good NFL player.”
“They did a ton of stuff with him. He’s a huge dude who bullies people. He also tracks the ball well. He’s pretty raw, and he was playing in a funky offensive system, but he’s such a good, pure athlete.”
“He’s competitive and makes those 50-50 balls a problem for you. He’s not a burner, but he’s fast enough and really hard to tackle.”
“I loved him. He’s so just physical. He reminded me of A.J. Brown.”
25. Buffalo Bills: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Bills don’t have many holes, but they lost cornerback Levi Wallace in free agency to Pittsburgh. There are some promising cover men available here between Florida’s Kaiir Elam, Clemson’s Andrew Booth and Gordon. Michigan’s Dax Hill, a really versatile DB, also might be tempting. But they go with Gordon, who, at 5-foot-11, 194 pounds, didn’t run as fast as expected at the combine (4.52) but whose film shows his undeniable agility and athleticism. Jimmy Lake has produced plenty of terrific NFL DBs and said Gordon, who has a background in dance, kung fu and ballet, is the most athletic of them all.
The Coaching Intel
“His quickness and flexibility are as good as I’ve seen. He’s really fluid. (He) can do things effortlessly in terms of body control and change of direction most corners just can’t or really struggle with. We thought he might get a little sloppy in his technique at times. McDuffie seemed to have a little better feel for things than he did. But those guys are close, because Gordon’s probably an even better athlete.”
“I was really impressed with both (Washington) corners. They were competitive and really athletic and tough. I think Gordon is a little better, but they’re both first-round talents.”
26. Tennessee Titans: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Help is needed at receiver and on the O-line, and Mike Vrabel will love this Hawkeye, who is a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 296 pounds but measured bigger than many thought at the combine. His arms are short at 31 1/8 inches, but the former prep wrestling champion, a two-time first-team All-Big Ten choice and the 2021 Rimington Award winner (the nation’s top center) comes from an Iowa program that is as good as it gets at developing pro O-linemen.
The Coaching Intel
“Wow. He’s unbelievable. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one move better. He can sink his hips and get on people and doesn’t give you a chance to react. He is by far the most athletic I’ve seen in a long, long time in the Big Ten. I think he’s going to be like Jeff Saturday, where he plays in the NFL for a long time at a high level.”
“I think he’ll be a good pro, but he’s a little undersized. How will he do against a huge nose guard in the NFL when you cover him up? If you don’t cover him, he’s a problem because he’s athletic enough to get on your backers. He will struggle against an odd defense vs. a four-down front. He does play with good leverage and is good on scoop blocks, but he’s not gonna maul a bigger guy.”
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
With Ali Marpet’s surprise retirement, the Bucs need to shore up their interior O-line, and this very versatile Aggie will fit in well. He started at four positions on the line last year en route to earning All-American honors. At 6-foot-4, 323 pounds, Green has pretty good length for an inside guy with 34 1/8-inch arms.
The Coaching Intel
“He was a pretty good tackle, but he’s an outstanding guard. I don’t think his feet are good enough to play tackle at a high level, but he’s powerful, is very good with his hands and is a road-grader in the run game. He was their most consistent guy up front.”
“He looked better on film than he did in our game. He understands angles and leverage well. Playing tackle, he’s not used to that much space. I thought he was more of a Day 2 guy.”
“He was really special in 2020. They had a better line then, and sometimes it’s about who’s playing next to you. He has very good awareness — seeing twists, recognizing pre-snap movement, seeing it when it’s coming. His cleats are always in the dirt. I think he’s elite. He reminds me of (Bills Pro Bowler) Dion Dawkins.”
28. Green Bay Packers: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
I almost had Cross going here, but I think the Pack choose the one-time Austrian exchange student who really blossomed in the Mid-American Conference after converting from tight end. Neither Cross nor Raimann has great size relative to the other top tackles. Cross has more length; Raimann is stronger. Both are very athletic. Raimann, who broad-jumped 9-9 and clocked a 5.05 40 at 6-foot-6, 303 pounds, has really impressed coaches with his technique, but he still needs a lot of polish.
The Coaching Intel
“I liked his physicality. He could displace the D-linemen. He’s got very good feet, good balance and played with great pad level and stayed square. He really stood out.”
“His feet are excellent, and he shows a lot of athleticism, but you can tell he’s still working some things out in his pass sets, and he’s probably gonna get exposed for a while by better guys at the next level.”
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
The Chiefs can upgrade their secondary with the versatile Wolverine, who gets picked ahead of Booth and Elam. Hill was overshadowed by Hutchinson, but he was also a key piece in Michigan’s breakthrough season. The two-time Academic All-Big Ten pick finished second on the team in tackles with 69 and elevated what had been a shaky secondary. The 6-foot, 191-pound Oklahoma native clocked a 4.38 40 and the second-quickest shuttle time of anyone at the combine, 4.06, and he also had the second-best 3-cone time, 6.57 seconds.
The Coaching Intel
“He is a little undersized but has unbelievable play speed; he changes direction well and has a good knack for the ball. He played nickel a lot; sets the edge; could cover your slot or your tight end. He’s a baller.”
“He’s a very explosive athlete. What makes him unique is he can play safety, nickel or corner if he was in a Patriots system.”
30. Pittsburgh Steelers (trade with Kansas City): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Life after Ben Roethlisberger starts this year, and Pittsburgh moves up to kickstart a small quarterback run. Willis, a former Auburn Tiger, has the strongest arm in the draft and is a good runner; he was well-suited to Hugh Freeze’s RPO attack. The 6-foot, 225-pounder had a 47-18 TD-INT ratio the past two seasons. He also ran for 27 touchdowns and more than 1,800 yards during that stretch. There’s a lot of tools there, but he’s still raw.
The Coaching Intel
“We couldn’t tackle him. He’s got a cannon. From a true physical ability thing, he was special. He throws an amazing tight spiral. I mean, it comes out of his hand and it pops.”
“Watching him on film, I was scared to death. He has a really, really strong arm and a very quick release.”
“He has all the arm talent, and he will make some ‘wow’ throws; I’m not sure how much he reads coverages. There was a lot of inconsistency there. His O-line was God awful. He got happy feet with us. He is a competitor, a good athlete — not sure he’s a great athlete — and is tough, but can he be consistent?”
31. Atlanta Falcons (trade with Cincinnati): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
First-round quarterbacks are often boom or bust, and Corral has that vibe about him in a big way. He’s a polarizing prospect who continually improved under Kiffin and was dynamite in 2021. At the combine, he measured 6-foot-2, 212 pounds; some NFL coaches thought he bulked up just for that because he wasn’t running. Corral cut down his interceptions from 14 in 2020 to five in 2021. He also ran for 11 touchdowns and 614 yards in 2021 for a Sugar Bowl team. Against Tennessee in Knoxville, Corral ran for 195 yards. The previous year, he torched Alabama, going 21-of-28 for 365 yards. Corral’s maturity is concerning for some.
The Coaching Intel
“He was alright in the interview. He knew his offense, but there are still some concerns about his maturity. He’s had a bumpy path and has come out on the other side. He and Lane get along famously, but what are you getting into with him? He’s gonna be expected to be the leader of a bunch of men with families.”
“He has a really quick release and has some ‘wow’ throws on tape, but he plays with so much risk. He has such a short memory — which can be good — but you see him throwing picks and think, can you reel it in just a little to get out of here with a win? He’s a much better runner than I expected. He’s tough. He held up against some big hits, but those hits in the NFL are gonna be a lot worse.”
“His mindset is different — he’s like a middle linebacker playing quarterback. This is a football-playing joker. He’s not fazed by anything. He thinks he can make every throw, and honestly, he can.”
32. Detroit Lions: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The 6-foot-3, 211-pounder, once ranked as the country’s No. 116 “athlete” in the 2017 recruiting class, had a tremendous career for the Bearcats as a four-year starter who had 87 total TDs and just 28 INTs; he never had more than nine picks in a season. He ran for 28 more touchdowns in his career. This past season, he led Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff, a remarkable feat for a Group of 5 program, especially one that was 4-8 the year before he arrived. Ridder excelled in the testing at the combine, running a 4.52 40, which was faster than most coaches we spoke to thought he plays on the field. He also vertical-jumped 36 inches and broad-jumped 10-7.
The Coaching Intel
“His improvement over the past three years was tremendous. You noticed it most on his downfield accuracy on deep balls. He had total command of that offense. He is mature and has a competitive nature. He’s savvy. You can tell how important it was to him just from watching him warm up. I think he has an above-average arm. It’s not elite, but he has good velocity and good touch.”
“I think he’ll struggle in the NFL. He’s tough as nails; that impressed me the most. He took hits — he’s got that wiry toughness, and he was a great system fit there, but I just don’t think he’s accurate enough.” |
