LAS VEGAS- The first-round 2022 NFL Draft got underway on Thursday night in Las Vegas. Eight NFL teams came into this draft without a first-round pick and eight teams came in with more than one first-round pick because of all the deals and trades this offseason.
This is the second time in NFL history four defensive players have been selected in a row with the first four picks in the draft.
Several crazy deals went on in this year’s first-round, let alone the entire draft. Wide receivers AJ Brown and Marquise Brown were traded away among several other trades in the first round.
The Packers became the first team ever to select two players from the same school in the first round, the New York squads made five combined first-round picks, there were nine or more trades, and this was the second time in 20 years only one QB was selected in the first round.
The Top 10 Picks
No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars
A team that has the first overall pick in the draft for the second year in a row and selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2021, had a huge decision to make this year.
With the QB need filled, there was a need to find a big playmaker. Aiden Hutchinson out of Michigan and Evan Neal the tackle from Alabama was on top of draft boards for weeks, until recently where Georgia’s defensive end, Travon Walker sprung up on draft boards.
Walker selected first overall in 2022 will be looked at to find and use his potential and the ceiling that he brings to the table.
No. 2 Detroit Lions
The Lions were another team that had a big need for a playmaker. With the Jaguars selecting Walker, Aiden Hutchinson was the sure-fire pick at No. 2.
The Lions immediately selected the pick after the Jaguars’ selection, showing just how much confidence they have in the pick.
Hutchison with a star-studded season with 14 sacks, is one of the most pro-ready players in this year’s draft.
No. 3 Houston Texans
After a few seasons of drama for the Texans and trading Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the Texans have a first-round pick.
Maybe one of the bigger surprises of the draft, the Texans selected Derek Stingley Jr. cornerback from LSU.
A player who was on the top of draft boards but had his stock fall and rise this past year due to injury and limited play.
But with film and work against some of the now bigger stars in the NFL, like Jamar Chase, the tape Stingley did have makes him a big talent and if healthy, could be a “cornerstone” for the organization in years to come.
No. 4 New York Jets
Tied with the New York Giants for the worst records in the NFL the last five seasons, the Jets found their potential franchise QB last year in Zach Wilson. With questions surrounding Mekhi Becton the 2020 tackle, questions at the corner, and defensive pass rusher position, the Jets had their basket of players to choose from.
What did the Jets value more, well at No. 4 the Jets selected Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati, a player who has not allowed a single touchdown in coverage in his college career.
The Jets lock in their defensive backfield and get a cornerback that they have not had since Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis.
No. 5 New York Giants
The Giants had a lot of turmoil last season and “cleaned house” this offseason. With a new front office in Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, the Giants set out on a new journey.
The Giants come into this draft needing a pass rusher and needing offensive linemen.
They filled that with their first pick in the draft with Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux one of the most interesting watches in this draft had a lot of questions about his football commitment.
Mel Kiper said Thibodeaux could potentially go as far as No.12 or as early as No. 3. The Giants get their pass rusher in a player with a lot of power and disruption on the field.
No. 6 Carolina Panthers
One of the bigger questions in the draft is, what are the Carolina Panthers going to do? The Panthers could use a QB and possibly replace Sam Darnold, or do they improve the offensive line for Darnold.
The Panthers chose to secure the offensive line and selected Ikem Ekwonu the tackle from N.C. State. With the Giants passing up an offensive lineman at five, the Panthers had the pick of the litter.
Ekwonu is versatile, with his 40 time at a 4.93 and his long arms, Ekwonu can play at the guard position. Ekwonu even did track and wrestling.
Maybe the best offensive linemen in this draft and they get the guy to secure Darnold.
No. 7 New York Giants
The Giants with their second pick of the first round select Evan Neal the tackle from Alabama. Neal started 40 games at three different positions on the offensive line, started at right tackle and then eventually at left tackle, while even playing guard.
The Giants get more protection for QB Daniel Jones and a massive man who is listed as 6”7 nearly 340 pounds.
No. 8 Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had a crazy offseason, from losing wide receiver Calvin Ridley to gambling and working on Matt Ryan’s contract to being involved in the Deshaun Watson trades and ultimately leading to the end of QB Matt Ryan in Atlanta. Their needs are on offense are QB and WR and at eight. Atlanta may have the full fruit basket when it comes to picking from any of those two positions.
They selected the big man at WR with Drake London from USC. London who reminds me of Julio Jones will fill the mold of both Ridley and Jones.
In eight games last season, he had nine catches or more in seven out of the eight games.
London is listed at 6”5, 210 pounds will fit nicely next to last year’s first-round pick, Kyle Pitts.
No. 9 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks, another team with a busy offseason and a team that walked into this offseason without a first-round pick.
With Russell Wilson traded to the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks, got a haul of players and picks.
Seattle is now in a slight rebuild mode until they can find their next franchise QB.
Left without a QB and in need of both sides of the line, Seattle selected Tackle Charles Cross from Mississippi State.
Cross at 6”4, 307 pounds, has over 1200 pass-blocking reps.
He is a solid pass protector which is his strong suit over the run game blocking. With room to improve as a run blocker, Seattle is a getting a strong pass blocker and maybe this is a sign the Seahawks believe in Drew Lock and Geno Smith at QB.
No. 10 New York Jets
The Jets are back on the clock…
The Jets with a major need to get a number one WR and improve the weaponry for Zach Wilson selected Garrett Wilson WR from Ohio State.
Wilson is an all-around wide-out and ESPN even compared him to former Steelers Hall of Famer, Lynn Swain. Wilson has an immense catch radius and can make all the catches.
Trades Galore
- No. 11 Washington Commanders trade to the New Orleans Saints
Right outside of the Top-10, the first trade of the NFL draft had happened. The New Orleans Saints who traded up with the Eagles weeks before the NFL draft once again moved up the boards.
The Saints trade up to 11 and the Commanders receive picks 16, 98, and 120 in the NFL draft.
They selected the “deep threat”, Chris Olave, and back-to-back Ohio State wide receivers in the draft.
Olave has incredible route-running skills and can stretch the field. With Jameis Winston’s huge arm, Olave and Winston should be in for a big season.
The Commanders went on to select their wideout with Jahan Dotson from Penn State who had just two drops out of 137 targets.
Dotson fills a need at WR for Washington and adds some ammo for Carson Wentz as the fifth wideout taken at that point in the draft.
2. With the very next pick, two trades in a row, the Detroit Lions traded up with the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 12 pick.
The Lions trade their 32nd overall pick for the No.12 overall pick and swapped second rounders (34 for 46) and gave up their 2022 third-round pick.
The Lions get Jamison Williams, WR, Alabama, maybe the best wideouts in this year’s draft, but his draft stock began to vary with his ACL tear late in the season.
Williams is fast and can fly after the catch. He is one of the more dynamic players in this year’s draft and the Lions are getting possibly the best WR in the draft.
Williams was a former WR at Ohio State with the third WR selected in a row, as a run of wideouts went from picks 10-to 12.
3.The third trade in a row right after the next, the Philadelphia Eagles trade up with the Houston Texans for the No.13 pick.
The Eagles move up to 13 and trade their 15th, 2022 fifth rounder, and two 2022 fifth-round picks.
The Eagles selected Jordan Davis, the 6”6, 345-pound, defensive tackle, which is what Mel Kiper called “the immovable mountain.” The big man ran a 4.78 in the 40-yard-dash.
Davis is a big run stopper and will shut down the middle of the defensive line. He needs to sharpen his pass-rushing skills. However, his run-stuffing skills will translate easily to the NFL with his enormous presence.
The Texans ended up selecting guard Keyon Green, a multi-positional monster who helps sure up the interior of the line.
4.The Baltimore Ravens Trade Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals and their 100th pick for the 23rd overall pick in the first round.
5. The Eagles are moving once again with the Tennessee Titans with the No. 18 pick.
The Titans trade star WR, AJ Brown to the Eagles in exchange for the 18th pick and the Eagles’ 2022 third-round pick.
They selected Treylon Burks WR, from Arkansas. Burks is getting an ESPN comparison to Deebo Samuel and AJ Brown.
He comes in as Browns’ replacement as a younger version and a new contract. Burks is physical, big, and can do it all.
this is the sixth WR to go In the draft and the first time in the common draft era that six wideouts go in the first round.
6. The Kansas City Chiefs trade up to pick 21 with the New England Patriots
The Chiefs traded the 29th overall pick and their third and fourth rounder in this year’s draft.
They drafted Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, from Washington, who is going to be a huge help to the Chiefs secondary that struggled a season ago.
Adding this piece will add fuel to the defense, a part of the team that has started to dwindle.
7. The Ravens trade away the 23rd pick to the Buffalo Bills
The Bills selected Florida Gators cornerback Kaiir Elam. Elam will join the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL last season but got torched in the divisional game against the Chiefs.
The Bills are sure up on the backend and continue to add to their already strong defense.
The Ravens selected a Center from Iowa, Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum is the best center in this year’s draft. Linderbaum is athletic and can pull as a center.
8. The New York Jets traded with the Titans for the 26th pick
The Jets send picks, 35, 69, and 163 and receive 26, and 101. With their third selection they Jermaine Johnson II from Florida State.
Johnson is an edge rusher the Jets needed and now the Jets load up on all fronts and get a player who fell right into New York’s lap.
Johnson II joins a defensive front with Jonathan Franklin Myers, Quinnen Williams, and Carl Lawson.
9. The Jaguars trade up to the 27th pick with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Bucs receive picks 33, 106, and 180.
The Jaguars trade back up to select linebacker Devin Lloyd from Utah. ESPN has Lloyd compared to Colts Darius Leonard.
Lloyd can not only be a sure-fire tackler in the box, he can play in coverage which makes him extremely valuable. His versatility at the linebacker is what makes position so valuable.
Surprise Picks
1. Jameson Williams
The Lions traded from No. 32 to get Williams who could be the best WR in this year’s draft.
The Lions at this point are betting on recovery and time, if Williams can stay healthy and the Lions are patient, he will be an elite talent and a foundational player for the Lions.
2. Packers at No. 22 Quay Walker
A lot of attention on Nakobe Dean, his teammate Walker was selected as the first linebacker in the first round to go. Walker was a part of the strong Georgia defense a season ago and is talented in the run game.
The Packers pass up on edge rusher Jermaine Johnson from Florida State and a wideout, yet they do have one more pick at 28.
3. Jermaine Johnson II
The pick by the Jets to trade back up and pick Johnson is not surprising, but the fall of Johnson is.
Many mock draft boards had him in the top-10 and going to the Jets in the top-10.
The questions remain, why the fall? But, the Jets filled their three biggest positional needs, all in the first round.
Jake’s Favorite Picks
1. Kyle Hamilton Safety Norte Dame
Hamilton was selected by the Baltimore Ravens at the 14th overall pick. The Ravens who were ravaged by injury at the defensive back position last season, get a rangy, and lengthy Safety.
Hamilton at 6”4 over 200 pounds, is big enough to play in the box and fast enough to cover sideline to sideline.
Hamilton reminds me of Kam Chancellor and is a versatile player.
2. Trevor Penning Tackle Northern Iowa
A 6”7, 325-pound linemen, the Saints replace the loss of Terron Armstead in the offseason with the Miami Dolphins.
Penning is a bully on the line and dominated at the Senior Bowl throwing many players down into the dirt.
He has the attitude and grit, but It leads to a lot of penalties, if he can clean that up, he will be the blindside protector for years to come.
The Franchise Piece
1. Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
At the No. 20 pick, the Steelers had their pick of QBs and make the first QB selected in the 2022 draft.
Pickett will now try to replace Super Bowl-winning QB Ben Roethlisberger who recently retired from the NFL.
He criticized for small hand size, had an amazing final year at Pitt with throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Pickett is said to be the most pro-ready QB in this year’s draft.
And now the Pitt kid stays in Pittsburg.
