2022 NFL Draft Thread

https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/mocks/nfl-draft-2022-nfl-mock-draft-edge-rushers-on-the-rise-round-two

 

https://theathletic.com/2943001/202...ve-tackles-and-pass-rushers-well-represented/

Spoiler

Now with a half-season worth of game film, it is time to update my NFL Draft board of the top 50 prospects that was last published in the summer.

It might not be surprising, but it is interesting that there are zero quarterbacks or wide receivers among the top 15 prospects. It is rare for there to be more quarterbacks drafted on Day 2 than Day 1 (it has only happened once over the last 13 years). However, it could happen this April because while it is easy to like some of the quarterbacks in the 2022 class, it is hard to love them.

There are 35 prospects who stayed in the top 50 from the summer, which also means there are 15 new names. The highest-ranked player who didn’t appear on the preseason board? Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker. The highest-ranked player from the summer who doesn’t appear on this update? Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler.

One player who has top 50 talent but did not make this list is Georgia’s Adam Anderson, who was accused of rape last week and suspended indefinitely. Anderson has denied the allegations “in the strongest possible terms” and could compete for a spot in the first round if he is cleared of any wrongdoing. But until we know more details, I chose to leave him off this update.

(Note: Asterisk represents draft-eligible underclassmen. Heights and weights are what NFL teams have on file for each player and may differ from school rosters)

1. *Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge, Oregon (6-4, 255)
Is Thibodeaux on the same level of prospect as Myles Garrett, Chase Young and the Bosa brothers? Not quite, in my opinion. But the fact that it is even a debate is a compliment to the vast talents of the Oregon pass rusher. Thibodeaux has missed some time this season due to injury, but he has been near unblockable when on the field, displaying dominant traits vs. both the pass and the run.

Rank in August: 2

2. *Kyle Hamilton, DS, Notre Dame (6-3, 218)
The last time a safety was drafted among the top three picks was 30 years ago when Bill Belichick’s Browns made Eric Turner the No. 2 overall selection in 1991. A rangy athlete, Hamilton has the diverse skill set to impact the game in a number of ways, showing the instincts and competitive mentality to create plays vs. both the pass and the run.

Rank in August: 3

3. *Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (6-1, 195)
Rank in August: 1

4. *Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (6-7, 357)
Rank in August: 4

5. *Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State (6-4, 322)
Rank in August: 32

6. Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Michigan (6-6, 261)
Rank in August: 13

7. *Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (6-5, 305)
Rank in August: 22

8. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (6-7, 329)
Rank in August: 31

9. *Travon Walker, DL, Georgia (6-5, 275)
Rank in August: NR

10. *Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa (6-3, 292)
Rank in August: 20

11. *George Karlaftis, edge, Purdue (6-4, 268)
Rank in August: 11

12. *Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M (6-4, 325)
Rank in August: 7

13. Jordan Davis, NT, Georgia (6-6, 360)
Rank in August: NR

14. *Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia (6-0, 225)
Rank in August: 49

15. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn (6-0, 187)
Rank in August: 50

16. *Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (6-2, 198)
Corral is the only quarterback among my top 25 prospects. He doesn’t have an ideal body type and you want to see him eliminate the forced throws on tape. But Corral plays with exceptional quickness from his feet to his eyes and his delivery, processing in a hurry and firing strikes to every level of the field.

Rank in August: 18

17. *Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 186)
Rank in August: 14

18. *Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (6-2, 182)
Rank in August: NR

19. *Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (6-3, 232)
Rank in August: 15

20. *Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State (6-5, 304)
Rank in August: 27

21. *DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M (6-4, 290)
Rank in August: 5

22. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (6-1, 182)
Rank in August: 12

23. *Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (6-2, 200)
Rank in August: 26

24. *Drake London, WR, USC (6-5, 212)
Rank in August: 29

25. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (5-11, 175)
Rank in August: 47

26. *David Ojabo, edge, Michigan (6-5, 250)
Rank in August: NR

27. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh (6-3, 219)
Of the 15 new names on this top 50 update, Pickett has been the biggest riser so far. Considered an early Day 3 draft pick two months ago, the fifth-year senior is processing quicker and making smarter decisions. While not quite on Joe Burrow’s level as a prospect, the parallels are undeniable with similar mobility and accuracy from various platforms.

Rank in August: NR

28. *Drake Jackson, edge, USC (6-4, 255)
Rank in August: 9

29. Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College (6-3, 315)
Rank in August: NR

30. *Daxton Hill, DS, Michigan (6-0, 192)
Rank in August: 40

31. *Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington (5-11, 195)
Rank in August: 19

32. *Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (6-0, 193)
Rank in August: 16

33. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (6-0, 220)
If these rankings were based on the most fun players to study, Willis might be the clear-cut No. 1 guy. Dynamic athleticism and above-average arm strength are the foundation of his game, but the simplistic nature of the Liberty offense makes it tough to discern Willis’ ability to make whole-field reads and break down coverages post-snap. Nonetheless, all 32 NFL teams would love the opportunity to develop his electric talent.

Rank in August: 44

34. Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan (6-6, 303)
Rank in August: NR

35. *Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (6-2, 190)
Rank in August: 35

36. *Lewis Cine, DS, Georgia (6-1, 200)
Rank in August: 46

37. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah (6-3, 232)
Rank in August: NR

38. Darian Kinnard, OG, Kentucky (6-5, 342)
Rank in August: 34

39. Jaquan Brisker, DS, Penn State (6-1, 203)
Rank in August: NR

40. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota (6-8, 379)
Rank in August: 36

41. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (6-4, 206)
Ridder is an easy quarterback prospect to like, but a tough quarterback prospect to love. He is a mobile athlete with a strong arm and the confidence required to play the position at the highest level. While his accuracy isn’t a glaring weakness, I wouldn’t call it a strength either as too many of his throws tend to be scattershot.

Rank in August: NR

42. *Isaiah Foskey, edge, Notre Dame (6-5, 257)
Rank in August: 39

43. *Cameron Thomas, DL, San Diego State (6-5, 270)
Rank in August: NR

44. Logan Hall, DL, Houston (6-6, 270)
Last year, Houston’s Payton Turner snuck his way into the first round to the New Orleans Saints. This year, Houston has another defensive lineman ready to make the same jump. Whether he is lined up on the edge or on the interior, Hall looks the part and plays with the physical and mental quickness to make plays up and down the line of scrimmage.

Rank in August: NR

45. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State (5-10, 212)
Rank in August: NR

46. Jermaine Johnson, edge, Florida State (6-5, 255)
Rank in August: NR

47. *Jalen Catalon, DS, Arkansas (5-10, 200)
Rank in August: 17

48. *Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (6-1, 225)
This season hasn’t gone according to script for Howell and North Carolina, but the quarterback has battled through adversity and showed why he has an NFL future. He has utilized his mobility more this season with six 100-yard rushing efforts through nine games (excluding lost sack yardage). As a passer, Howell is still battling a few bad habits, but his steady heartbeat and arm talent are NFL quality.

Rank in August: 6

49. *Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M (6-5, 255)
Rank in August: 43

50. Kingsley Enagbare, edge, South Carolina (6-4, 260)
Rank in August: NR

 

Really really coming around to taking either Neal or Hamilton.

Neal is massive and can really give this team the ability to really play the power run game we want to establish.

Hamilton is regarded by many as a 6’4 220 Ed Reed. The Texans have really been trying to find a safety for years. He can also have an impact as a nickel or dime LB as well. Could really man our defensive unit and be the leader this team desperately needs.

 

This staff will not be around in a few years when we're hopefully competitive so you absolutely do not draft for scheme, philosophy or need. BPA all draft, and mostly the same next year. Only exception is QB

 

you son of a b****, i'm in.

 

"Can't draft Derrick Johnson because he doesn't fit our scheme [which was a crazy stance to have anyway] we like this other Johnson better" is still one of the dumbest things the Texans have ever done, and pisses me off to this day

 

I'd take a flyer on Ridder if he fell that far (if a trade didn't happen in the offseason). But, there's such a dearth of talent on D that we almost need to draft best defender available with every pick next year.

 

Don't tell me it's too early to be looking at the draft order. The draft is the most exciting part of the year as a Texans fan.

A few teams got some wins last week that really helped Houston's positioning.

 

If not Corral or Malik in Rnd 1, I'd take a flyer on Ridder. I also likel Jayden Daniels too

 

Plus we probably end up with 3 more draft picks from Philly before the draft.

 

I don’t want to have 3 picks all in the same year.

It’s way better for our rebuilding process to have the picks spread out over multiple years.

 

nvm.

Everything just went bold and I can't turn it off.

eta: Weirdness Fixed!

Yes, you don't want all the 1st rounders in the same year on a team that is 3 years from competing, for future contract issues (if you hit on all they come up at the same time right when you're getting good), plus you have a year(s) to narrow down existing guys you might not need to replace with a high pick.

That being said, if you're looking at 2 top-10's in a draft, you take that. Get another 1st for the next year. Also depends on who you're trading with and how you think they'll do with Watson (a late 1st is a high 2nd, that sort of thing). Or do they have another team's 1st you might want more?

Fluidity. Nothing's happening until the offseason, so we'll see how smart Caserio is.

 

Yep, but

If you can get three 1st rd picks in this draft you've gotta take the deal. You can always trade around with 1 of them get a 2022 2nd and a 2023 1st. Probably get even more depending on how high, say Philly,s 1st rd picks are.

 

Sooner kicker is almost as good as Fairbairn