NFL Draft Winners/Losers

To be frank, the NFL Draft is a total crapshoot. Yes, you can scout and evaluate each and every player to make as informed of a decision as possible. However, projecting success in the NFL is very hard. Reactionary draft grades are often wildly incorrect and laughable, such as analysts being skeptical about the Rams selecting Aaron Donald. With that being said... here is my analysis on the 2022 NFL Draft.

Day 1

Winners

New York Jets

The Jets entered the draft with two top ten selections, setting them up for a potential haul. Despite New York having a need at edge rusher, GM Joe Douglas selected Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner with the 4th pick. Sauce had one of the most prolific college careers, failing to give up a single touchdown in his collegiate career. With the 10th pick, the Jets flipped to the offensive side of the ball when they selected Garrett Wilson, WR from Ohio State. He’s not huge, but Wilson makes highlight plays and was at the forefront of one of the best offenses in college football while at Ohio State. I’m sure (Zach) Wilson is happy to have (Garrett) Wilson. Then, the Jets traded back into the first round to select edge rusher Jermaine Johnson at pick 26. There was pre-draft buzz of Johnson being selected near the top ten, so this is great value for Gang Green. In total, the New York Jets got three of the best players at their respective positions, including my WR1 and CB1.

New York Giants

For as much as I liked the other New York draft, I think the Giants had the best round one. After rumors swirled about the Giants trading down in the first round, new GM Joe Schoen stayed at picks number five and seven. The result? Two ELITE prospects at positions of great value. Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux was long considered the top prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he magically fell into the Giants’ lap with the 5th pick. Then, standout Alabama offensive linemen Evan Neal was snatched up with the 7th pick. At one point or another, both Thibodeaux and Neal were considered the “favorite” to be selected number one overall. For not having to trade up, New York made out like bandits in the first round with two blue-chip prospects.

Georgia Bulldogs

After winning the national championship and boasting one of the most fearsome defenses in this century of college football, everyone knew that we’d see some Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the NFL Draft. What most didn’t expect, however, was former Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker being selected with the first pick. There was a brief intermission of Bulldogs being picked, but it resumed when Philadelphia took freak DT Jordan Davis. The Green Bay Packers were clearly infatuated with the players from Athens, as shown by their selections of LB Quay Walker and DT Devonte Wyatt. The Minnesota Vikings would then conclude the first round with the selection of Lewis Cine, S from… Georgia! This was only the beginning of the Georgia takeover in the 2022 NFL Draft, as they would go on to break the record for most players from a single school being drafted (15).

Losers

Tennessee Titans

Coming off of a disappointing playoff exit last season, the Titans offseason has been largely made up of subtractions rather than additions. On draft night, Tennessee dealt star WR AJ Brown to Philadelphia in exchange for a first and third round pick. The Titans wasted no time finding Brown’s replacement, selecting Arkansas WR Treylon Burks with the eighteenth pick. I love Treylon Burks as a prospect, his size and playmaking combination is tantalizing, but he’s a bit of a project. The Titans are in win now mode, and while I love Treylon Burks, losing AJ Brown for a boom-or-bust player isn’t ideal.

New England Patriots

The Patriots certainly are interesting in the way that they draft. This year, New England traded back in the first round and selected Chattanooga G Cole Strange at pick twenty-nine. I won’t pretend to be an expert on offensive line scouting, so I don’t necessarily have a strong opinion on Strange as a player. However, he wasn’t projected to be selected until day two of the draft. I get that the Patriots may love Strange and consider him as a first-round talent, but the value feels off. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that the Patriots could’ve snagged him in the second round. This means that the Patriots could have grabbed someone like NDSU WR Christian Watson or Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis at pick twenty-nine, then taken Strange at pick fifty (or possibly a few spots higher if they were to move up and secure his availability). Or, they could’ve traded down again and accumulated even more assets later in the draft and for the future. This is less of a knock on Cole Strange as a player, rather more of a critique on the process that New England took in selecting him.

Quarterbacks

Woof. After the first three picks of the 2021 NFL Draft were QBs, only one signal-caller heard his name called in the first round of this year’s draft. Former Pitt Panther QB Kenny Pickett got the call from the local Pittsburgh Steelers, but that was all she wrote for QBs in the first round. It was well documented that this QB class was fairly weak, but teams are always in search of a QB. There were rumors of the Detroit Lions being interested in Liberty’s Malik Willis at pick two, maybe the Carolina Panthers finding their QB at pick six, perhaps a team would fall in love with Desmond Ridder’s football IQ. Alas, this draft marked the fewest first round QBs picked since 1996, when no QB was selected in the first. This doesn’t mean that this QB class will turn out horribly, but the 2022 QB prospects were undoubtedly big losers on day one.

Favorite Pick(s)

Jacksonville Jaguars select Devin Lloyd, LB from Utah (#27)

Devin Lloyd is the total package at LB. The heart and soul of the 2021 Pac-12 champion Utah Utes, Lloyd possesses a special combination of size, athleticism, and IQ. I see him as one of the best overall players in this class, Jacksonville got a total steal in Lloyd at the end of the first.

Least Favorite Pick(s)

Houston Texans select Kenyon Green, OG from Texas A&M (#15)

I previously stated my lack of knowledge regarding offensive linemen, so keep that in mind. The Houston Texans are a bad football team with lots of needs, so I don’t understand taking an offensive guard that wasn’t projected to be selected until the late first round/second round. If they really wanted to go with an offensive linemen, I would’ve preferred they took Boston College G Zion Johnson or the reigning Rimington Award recipient, Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum. Overall, I don’t see the value in this pick for Houston, and based on my small amount of knowledge on linemen, I am skeptical about Kenyon Green as a player.

Day 2

Winners

Kansas City Chiefs

Many expected Kansas City to target a WR with one of their two first round selections. Instead, they opted to double up on defense on day one. On day two, the Chiefs locked in on Western Michigan WR Skyy Moore, a pick I absolutely love. He’s no Tyreek Hill, but Moore is an explosive player that can thrive in Andy Reid’s offense. Next, Kansas City took Cincinnati S Bryan Cook, but their selection of Wisconsin LB Leo Chenal at the end of round three is what really gets me excited. After an impressive career as the leader of the Wisconsin defense, Chenal should contribute early and often as a rookie for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. He’s not freaky athletic, but he’s technically sound and brings tons of experience.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens did great on day one, but I’d argue that their second and third days were even more impressive. Day two started with Baltimore selecting Michigan EDGE David Ojabo, a projected first rounder before tearing his achilles. Next, they selected UCONN DT Travis Jones in the third round. Jones comes from a bad football program, but he can make an instant impact in the interior of the Ravens defensive line. As well, Travis Jones was often mocked in the second round. The value that the Ravens got on day two is just fantastic, they absolutely nailed this draft.

Losers

New York Giants

After crushing day one, the Giants dropped the ball on their next selections. With WRs such as John Metchie III, George Pickens, Alec Pierce, Skyy Moore, and Jalen Tolbert available, New York opted for Kentucky WR and gadget guy Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson is a fine player, but I am perplexed that he was selected over so many more well-rounded prospects. As well, Wan’Dale’s game style is very similar to second-year Giants WR Kadarius Toney, setting up a strange dynamic. In total, this was a massive reach and confusing fit for the Giants offense.

Favorite Pick(s)

Green Bay Packers select Christian Watson, WR from North Dakota State (#34)

The Packers, once again, chose not to select a WR in the first round. After doubling up on Georgia defenders, the Packers moved up in round two to take FCS star Christian Watson. Watson has a big frame at 6’4” 208 lbs, but also runs a 4.36 40-time. There may be an adjustment period for him moving from the FCS to the NFL, but I believe Christian Watson has the tools to be a superstar.

Minnesota Vikings select Andrew Booth Jr., CB from Clemson (#42)

A standout at Clemson since he stepped on campus, Andrew Booth was expected to be a first-round pick. Alas, Booth fell to pick 44 before being snagged by the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings were able to steal an athletic player that has been battle-tested facing off against the best of the best in college football.

Kansas City Chiefs select Leo Chenal, LB from Wisconsin (#103)

I mentioned the great second round for the Kansas City Chiefs already, but I want to emphasize my love for Leo Chenal. He brings pedigree and leadership from Wisconsin. Don’t be surprised if Chenal is one of the better defensive rookies this upcoming year.

Least Favorite Pick(s)

New York Giants select Wan’Dale Robinson, WR from Kentucky (#43)

I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but this is a really bad pick. Wan’Dale doesn’t profile as a player worthy of being picked in the second round and he is molded similar to Giants WR Kadarius Toney. In every aspect, this is a puzzling pick.

Chicago Bears select Velus Jones Jr., WR from Tennessee (#71)

Another WR pick, the Bears selected Velus Jones Jr. with the 71st pick. Jones is already 25 years old after spending six years in college. He’s fast (4.31 40 time), but hasn’t shown himself to be a viable deep threat. He’s been effective in RAC situations, but the upside is limited and his age must be taken into account. I personally would’ve opted for Jalen Tolbert from South Alabama or former Boilermaker David Bell if I were to take a receiver here.

Day 3

Winners

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens draft was just absolutely incredible. With their four fourth round picks, the Ravens made out with mammoth OT Daniel Faalele, Alabama CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, reigning William V. Campbell Award recipient (also known as the Academic Heisman) TE Charlie Kolar, and P Jordan Stout. Stout isn’t sexy, but Faalele is a 6’8” monster with incredible potential, Armour-Davis is uber-talented and comes from the gritty SEC, and Charlie Kolar was one of the best TEs in college football over the last few seasons. There’s more? Baltimore would go on to take Missouri RB Tyler Badie, an experienced and versatile back from the SEC, in the sixth-round to conclude their draft. Oh I skipped more fourth rounders? TE Isaiah Likely was one of the better group of five players in the country last year and the Ravens also selected Houston CB Damarion Williams. A 10/10 draft from GM Eric DeCosta, no doubt about it.

Seattle Seahawks

He’s not as talked about as his former teammate Sauce Gardner, but Cincinnati CB Coby Bryant quietly won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2021, recognizing the best CB in college football. For the Seahawks to land Bryant in the fourth round is incredible. They then selected WR-turned-CB Tariq Woolen, who is a raw prospect, but stands at 6’4” with 4.40 speed. Ohio State DE Tyreke Smith can have an impact for Seattle as a fifth rounder and Rutgers WR Bo Melton can be a useful gadget guy early on. These picks might not launch the Seahawks back into Super Bowl contention, but they likely found some late-round gems.

Losers

N/A

Favorite Pick(s)

Cleveland Browns select Perrion Winfrey, DT from Oklahoma (#108)

Perrion Winfrey was regarded as one of the top DT prospects in the pre-draft process, but managed to slip to the fourth round. Winfrey plays with great power and strength and was able to show off his skills at the Senior Bowl. He might not begin as an every-down player, but he should get playing time as a pass rushing option.

Buffalo Bills select Khalil Shakir, WR from Boise State (#148)

There were a lot of good WRs in this draft class and Khalil Shakir isn’t necessarily in the top echelon of receivers, but I was surprised to see him fall into the fifth round. He possesses great ball skills and has the ability to do damage after the catch. He’ll provide quality depth for Buffalo and could maybe even make his way to their WR3.

Green Bay Packers select Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE from South Carolina (#179)

The Green Bay Packers selected South Carolina’s Kingsley Enagbare with the final pick of the sixth round. His profile at 6’4” 258 lbs makes him an intriguing prospect who could develop into a more polished player in the NFL. He likely won’t see too much action on the field with Rashan Gary ahead of him on the depth chart, but I like the upside with Enagbare.

Least Favorite pick(s)

Baltimore Ravens select Jordan Stout, P from Penn State (#130)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jake Camarda, P from Georgia (#133)

I’m gonna combine these picks into one because they’re my least favorites for the same reason. It’s less about me disliking them as players, rather they aren’t Matt “Punt God” Araiza, who took college football by storm with his rocket of a leg. It just feels wrong that Araiza wasn’t the first punter selected, as he waited until the sixth round for his name to be called. On the other hand, Jordan Stout and Jake Camarda were selected in the fourth round.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Who do you think had the best draft? Who had the worst draft? Will any QB from this class rise to stardom? Let me know in the comments below!

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