2022 NFL Draft First Round Liveblog

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

One of the most physically impressive players in this year’s draft class, Walker has enough speed to be a true edge rusher and enough size to play as a 3-4 end. He needs some real polish as a pass rusher. Think Rashan Gary. Not good enough to pass on Aidan Hutchinson for, but that why the Jags pick first every year.

2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

A rich man’s J.J. Watt. Hutchinson may very well be the best defensive prospect I’ve ever evaluated. A dominant pass rusher, he can win with strength or finesse and is a smart run defender as well. An absolute steal at #2 for the Lions.

3. Houston Texans – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Stingley showed immense potential when he was on the field, but a combination of injuries and general nonsene within the Tiger program the last two years hampered his time in Baton Rouge.

4. New York Jets – Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Gardner possesses a combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills that will make life tough for opposing receivers.

5. New York Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Thibodeaux is a high-upside prospect with a ton of athleticism. He’s already a great pass rusher, but needs some polish to round out his game.

6. Carolina Panthers – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Ekwonu is already a masterful run blocker and has the footwork and athleticism to become a top-notch pass protector as well.

7. New York Giants – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Neal can play either tackle position as well as guard. The Alabama product is a dominating run blocker and strong pass protector.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Drake London, WR, USC

London went over 1000 yards in just 8 games in 2021 before a broken ankle ended his season. He doesn’t possess elite speed, but has great size and ball skills.

9. Seattle Seahawks – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Cross is the best pass protector in this year’s draft class. He’ll take some time to adjust to the NFL game, but all the tools are there.

10. New York Jets – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Wilson is a great route runner with plenty of speed. His combination of skills makes him a handful to cover. He can play either outside or in the slot.

11. New Orleans Saints (trade from WAS) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Olave helped himself out in a big way at the combine. His tape already looked great and then in Indianapolis, he displayed tremendous speed.

12. Detroit Lions (trade from MIN) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Williams is a serious deep threat with excellent speed. On top of that, he’s also a solid route runner. He’ll be a serious matchup problem.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (trade from HOU) – Jordan Davis, DI, Georgia

Jordan Davis is a massive human being who moves in a way that massive human beings should not be able to move. If he can keep his weight under control and improve his pass rushing ability, good luck everybody else.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

A smart, instinctual player, Hamilton didn’t test well at the combine. His best fit in the NFL may be as a s/LB hybrid player.

15. Houston Texans – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M

Played everywhere except center in college. Likely a guard in the NFL. Biggest problem at tackle was losing the edge. At guard, he should be strong as both a run and pass blocker.

16. Washington Commanders (trade from NO) – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Dotson is difficult to cover because he’s not only fast, but quick. He’s a solid route runner, has very good hands, and could play both outside and out of the slot.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

Johnson had a strong 2021 and has become a strong pass blocking guard. He needs real work on his blocking in space.

18. Tennessee Titans (trade from PHI) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Burks has good size, great hands, and fantastic ball skills. His route running could use some polish and a less-than-spectacular combine is a slight concern. Only slight, though, as his tape looks very good.

19. New Orleans Saints – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

An absolute mauler. It will be an adjustment from the FCS to the NFL and his pass blocking could use some work.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Pickett is the safest QB prospect in the class. He’s an accurate passer and a generally good decision maker. He’s got a good, not great arm and good, not great athleticism. Should be a solid starter.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (trade from NE) – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

McDuffie is slightly undersized, but plays bigger than he is. He’s fast enough to hang with the speedsters in the NFL and can cover the best route runners.

22. Green Bay Packers – Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

Walker is strong against the run and has plenty of athleticism. His pass rush could use some work and his overall technique could use some polish. This seems like a reach for the Packers, with multiple better options left on the board.

23. Buffalo Bills (trade from BAL) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Elam has all the tools to be a great NFL corner and was battle tested playing against some really talented receivers in the SEC. In addition, he tested well at the combine. If he can clean up some mental mistakes and penalties, look out.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

A dominant run blocker, Smith could play either tackle or guard in the NFL. His pass blocking needs work and he really needs to clean up the holding penalties.

25. Baltimore Ravens (trade from BUF) – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa

The best interior offensive line prospect since Quenton Nelson, Linderbaum has the smarts and instincts to be an elite center really quickly. Not a dominating blocker, but wins with fantastic technique.

26. New York Jets (trade from TEN) – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

Jermaine Johnson’s tape looked really strong and then a great week in Mobile really got him moving up draft boards. He’s got great pass rush ability and sets the edge very well in the run game.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (trade from TB) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

A do-it-all backer, Lloyd is a force as a run stopper and as a pass rusher. He’s solid in coverage, as well.

28. Green Bay Packers – Devonte Wyatt, DI, Georgia

A prototype NFL 3-tech, Wyatt looked excellent on tape and tested well at the combine. He’s got plenty of athleticism and is a strong pass rusher.

29. New England Patriots – Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga

Strange is a high-upside prospect who tested well at the combine, but will need some time to adjust to the NFL, coming from the FCS.

30. Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

A rich man’s Ryan Kerrigan. Karlaftis is strong against both the run and the pass and can play standing up or with his hand in the dirt.

31. Cincinnati Bengals – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

Hill turned in a great 2021 season for the Wolverines and is only scratching the surface of his potential. He can play both nickel and safety.

32. Minnesota Vikings (trade from DET) – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

Cine can play either safety spot. He’s got good ball skills and is a great tackler.

 

Twitter: @KevinSports312

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