NFL Draft 2022: Live grades, analysis for every Round 1 pick
Image courtesy of NFL.com
The 2022 NFL Draft has finally arrived.
Tonight, 32 athletes will realize their dream of becoming NFL players. With no consensus top talent, this rendition of the draft will be one of the more chaotic in recent history.
While it’s silly to analyze the picks so soon, an exercise such as this one clarifies which players exceeded expectations.
We won’t dig too deep into these grades, but I will offer a quick analysis of how that player fits into their new team’s future.
Follow along for live analysis and an instant reaction to each pick in Round 1.
2022 NFL Draft: Round 1
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
As expected, Travon Walker is the pick here for the Jaguars.
While he doesn’t have the production of a typical first overall pick, Walker offers rare traits at his size and is the ultimate upside play here at 1.
Grade: B
2) Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
I expect that a celebration erupted in the Lions’ draft war room after the Jaguars selected Walker with the first pick.
Here, the Lions grab the hometown guy and now have a franchise cornerstone they can build around on that defense.
Grade: A
3) Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Our first “surprise” of the draft. Injuries and inconsistent play have lowered the public perception of Stingley as a prospect, but the talent is undeniable.
If healthy, Stingley has the makeup of a shutdown corner who could be viewed as the draft’s best player down the road.
Grade: B+
4) New York Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner - Cincinnati
Despite a need at pass rusher, the Jets chose to take the lockdown corner from Cincinnati.
Gardner is the ultimate competitor who did not allow a touchdown reception in college. He joins DJ Reed, Bryce Hall, and Brandin Echols in a much-improved corner room.
Grade: A-
5) New York Giants: kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Best. Player. Available. New general manager Joe Schoen swore to find franchise cornerstones in the draft and he now has one in Thibodeaux.
The former Oregon pass rusher is a dynamic talent who should turn into a very good player for the Giants’ defense.
Grade: A+
6) Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Panthers made the responsible decision here with Ekwonu. Rather than reach for the quarterback, they grab the best tackle in the draft.
Home run pick for Carolina.
Grade: A+
7) New York Giants (from CHI): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Two picks. Two home runs by Schoen.
Neal is a great athlete for his size and has experience at multiple positions on the offensive line. The Giants find some protection for Daniel Jones and a battery mate for Andrew Thomas.
Grade: A+
8) Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
The first receiver taken lands in Atlanta here at 8. London doesn’t top my personal receiver rankings, but he is a talented receiver nonetheless.
With Calvin Ridley suspended on an indefinite basis, the Falcons choose to add to their thin receiver corps.
Grade: B
9) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Charles Cross, OT
The Seahawks choose to invest in their offensive line with the best tackle available. Cross is an exceptional pass-blocker who will step in as a plug-and-play starter on the Seahawks’ offensive line.
Great pick here for Seattle.
Grade: A+
10) New York Jets (from SEA): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
For the second consecutive draft, a Wilson lands in East Rutherford.
If Deebo Samuel was not a possibility, then Garrett Wilson was the next-best option. Here, the Jets get a dynamic receiver who has elite athleticism and ball skills.
Grade: A
11) New Orleans Saints (from WSH): Chris Olave
New Orleans moves up 5 spots in the draft’s first trade, selecting the speedy Olave at 11.
Olave is a burner and an elite route runner. Those traits and his deep-ball tracking skills will pop with Winston under center.
I would have picked Jameson Williams here, but Olave is quite the player himself.
Grade: B+
12) Detroit Lions (from MIN): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Lions jump back into the first round to take Williams here at 12. Williams, the draft’s most dangerous deep threat, has speed that is just different from everyone else.
The move cost them two second-round picks, but I love the move to grab the fastest receiver in the draft.
Grade: B+
13) Philadelphia Eagles (from HOU): Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
With Jameson Williams on his way to Detroit, the Eagles move up two spots to fortify their defensive line.
The decision to address the interior defensive line rather than an EDGE prospect is an interesting decision.
Nonetheless, solid pick for Philadelphia here.
Grade: B-
14) Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Hamilton’s draft-day slide ends in Baltimore.
The Notre Dame product is the best safety prospect to enter the league since Jamal Adams and has the skill set to have the same impact in the Ravens’ secondary. Great value here for the Ravens.
Grade: A-
15) Houston Texans (from PHI): Kenyon green, IOL, Texas A&M
My first reaction was shock, but I actually love the pick here. Green is one of the more versatile offensive linemen in the draft and will step in at guard for the Texans.
Great decision to find protection for Davis Mills with their second first-round selection.
Grade: B+
16) Washington Commanders (from NO): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Commanders need more production from their non-Terry McLaurin receivers, so the Dotson pick makes sense.
Dotson arguably has the best hands in the draft and should fit in next to McLaurin and Curtis Samuel.
Grade: B
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
With the positional flexibility to play guard or center, Johnson is a plug-and-play offensive lineman who will help keep Justin Herbert.
Never a bad decision to protect your franchise quarterback.
Grade: A
18) Tennessee Titans (from PHI): Treylon Burks, WR
The trade of star receiver A.J. Brown to the Titans created an obvious need at receiver for the Titans.
Burks is a big talent in his own right, with plus size (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) and good athleticism. Love the pick here.
Grade: B+
19) New Orleans Saints (from PHI): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints address a big need at left tackle with Penning.
While his play can be inconsistent, Penning plays with a nasty streak that should translate to the NFL with better coaching.
Grade: A-
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, Qb, Pittsburgh
Our first quarterback falls off of the board here at 20.
Pickett is the most-NFL ready quarterback prospect in the draft. He lacks elite tools, but he is the perfect quarterback for what the Steelers like to do.
Grade: A-
21) Kansas City Chiefs (from NE): Trent Mcduffie, CB, Washington
The Chiefs trade up eight spots to take the talented Washington corner. Charvarius Ward and Tyrann Mathieu’s departures created big holes in an already-thin secondary.
McDuffie has excellent mirroring skills in coverage and should help the Chiefs slow down opposing passing attacks.
Home run pick here for Kansas City.
Grade: A+
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
I’m not in love with the pick here. Sure, Walker offers elite athletic traits and was a big contributor to the Georgia defense, but there were better linebackers available (Devin Lloyd).
Walker’s upside warrants his selection here, but this is too high for me. My first question mark of the night.
Grade: C+
23) Buffalo Bills (from BAL): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Bills move up two spots to pick Elam. With Tre’Davious White still recovering from an ACL tear, the Bills had a huge need at cornerback.
Elam gives them a young, talented corner who will be a plus starter in time.
Grade: A-
24) Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
I like the pick here. Dallas’s once-impenetrable offensive line has suffered some cracks in recent years due to injuries and the effects of aging.
Smith may not be ready to start Week 1, but he moves quite well for his size and has plus starter-level traits. Bit of a reach here at 24, but tackle is a premium position so I don’t mind too much.
Grade: B
25) Baltimore Ravens (from Buf): Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
Bradley Bozeman’s departure in free agency left a void in the middle of Baltimore’s offensive line. Here, they replace him with the best center prospect in the draft.
Linderbaum’s athleticism is unmatched at the center position and he has all of the tools to become a longtime starter in Baltimore. Have to wonder about the pick here with Jermaine Johnson still on the board, but one must never doubt the Ravens’ front office on draft day.
Grade: B
26) New York Jets (from TEN): Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida state
In what may end up as the steal of the first round, the Jets snuck back into the tail end of the round to grab a pass rusher. Johnson is a refined pass rusher on the edge who fits what the Jets like to do defensively. Great haul for the Jets here in the first round.
Grade: A+
27) Jacksonville Jaguars (from TB): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
I love the pick here. The Jaguars move back into the first round to stop Devin Lloyd’s slide down the board.
The talented linebacker gives the Jaguars another stud on defense to complement Josh Allen and first-overall pick Travon Walker.
Grade: B+
28) Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
Yet another starter from Georgia’s defense taken in the first round. At times, Wyatt was the best defensive player on that team.
He has the potential to develop into a destructive force on Green Bay’s defensive line. Love the pick here.
Grade: A-
29) New England Patriots (from KC): COLE Strange, IOL, Chattanooga
Let’s start with the positives. Strange is a good player from a small school who showed out during the pre-draft process. He should be a longtime pro at the next level.
But this was a big reach here at 29. Have to question the Patriots’ decision here.
Grade: C-
30) Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Overlooked amongst an impressive crop of pass rushers, Kalafatis is a bargain in this range. He doesn’t possess any plus traits, but Karlaftis is a powerful athlete who knows how to get into the backfield.
How Kansas City uses Karlaftis will dictate his development as a pass rusher.
Grade: B+
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Bengals’ shocking run to the Super Bowl was a wholesome development, but they need to improve their secondary to take the next step.
Hill’s ability to play safety and in the slot makes him a versatile weapon that Cincinnati will love on their defense.
Grade: B
32) Minnesota Vikings (from DET): Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Minnesota is another team that desperately needed an infusion of talent into their secondary.
Cine is a very good player who excels both in coverage and against the run. Great pick to end the first round.
Grade: B+
