2022 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 28: (L-R) Devin Lloyd poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage after being selected 27th by the Jacksonville Jaguars during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft Grades – AFC South

Houston Texans

The Texans addressed a lot of needs in the draft but didn’t appear to maximize the value of their picks. Derek Stingley was a good idea in the first round as a home-run swing at cornerback but they likely could have traded back to land him while Kenyon Green was a reach at 15. The Day 2 picks provided better value with John Metchie, Jalen Pitre and Christian Harris all likely to play significant roles this season. It was disappointing to see Houston’s need at edge rusher go unaddressed since Lovie Smith was vocal pre-draft about how important it was to implement his defensive schemes to their highest potential.

Grade: C

Indianapolis Colts

The heavy lifting for the Colts came on Day 2, where they landed a couple of intriguing weapons for Matt Ryan in wide receiver Alec Pierce and tight end Jelani Woods. Snagging offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann in the third was also a savvy play since Raimann’s skill set offers potential development of a franchise left tackle. Not having a first-round pick hurt but Indianapolis still did pretty well for themselves.

Grade: B

Jacksonville Jaguars

The process behind Jacksonville’s selections was definitely flawed, as evidenced by taking Travon Walker at No. 1 ahead of Aidan Hutchinson despite the fact that Walker only recorded 9.5 sacks in his entire college career. Trading up to get Devin Lloyd in the first round landed a good player but was questionable resource allocation since the Jaguars didn’t really do much to help Trevor Lawrence’s development. Not taking a wide receiver in a draft that was deep in talent at the position was highly questionable and could prove to be a regret down the road.

Grade: C-

Tennessee Titans

The A.J. Brown trade hangs over this draft since the Titans opted to trade him away and draft Treylon Burks in the first round as a potential replacement. While that was a bummer, getting Malik Willis in the third round was excellent value at quarterback, giving Tennessee a risk-free look at a young quarterback that was regarded as a potential first-round pick at the beginning of this draft cycle. Willis will be the key to this whole class since his development could turn an average haul into a great one if Willis becomes a franchise quarterback.

Grade: B-

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