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2022 NFL Draft winners: 10 teams that crushed it

By Russell S. Baxter

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 28: Kyle Hamilton poses onstage after being selected 14th by the Baltimore Ravens during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 28: Kyle Hamilton poses onstage after being selected 14th by the Baltimore Ravens during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Daxton Hill #30 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – OCTOBER 19: Daxton Hill #30 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 19, 2019 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Michigan 28-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

8. Cincinnati Bengals

It’s not a slot in the draft that this franchise has become accustomed to in recent years. After five straight losing campaigns, the Cincinnati Bengals come off an appearance in Super Bowl LVI and their first pick in 2022 was the 31st overall.

Zac Taylor’s club made a total of six selections. One addressed the interior of the offensive line – guard Cordell Volson (North Dakota State) was a fourth-round pick – and the other five focused on getting heat on the quarterback and addressing the NFL’s 26th-ranked pass defense from this past season.

In safeties Daxton Hill (Michigan) and Tycen Anderson (Toledo) and second-round cornerback Cam-Taylor Britt (Nebraska), the team adds to a defensive unit that allowed 26 TD passes during the regular season. University of Florida defensive end Zach Carter adds depth to a much-improved defensive line in 2021.

7. Kansas City Chiefs

It was a rough beginning to 2021 and an even bigger disappointment when it came to its conclusion. And this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have obviously made some decisions that have had a huge impact on the roster.

But general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid entered this year’s draft with a dozen picks – tied with the Jaguars for the most in the league. When it was all said and done, the Chiefs selected 10 players. And seven of those choices addressed the defensive side of the football, a major disappointment in 2021.

In terms of trying to replace six-time Pro Bowler Tyreek Hills, Veach used a second-round pick on Skyy Moore (Western Michigan). As far as the other side of scrimmage, the first round netted cornerback Trent McDuffie (Washington) and pass-rusher George Karlaftis (Purdue). The latter hopes to make an impact on Steve Spagnuolo’s unit. Kansas City totaled only 31 sacks in 17 regular-season contests a year ago.

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