The 87th edition of the NFL draft is a wrap. A total of 262 players were selected. So which 10 franchises nailed the three-day event?
It’s over. It’s all over.
Yes, the 2022 NFL Draft has concluded and all 32 teams have wrapped up months of work. Now comes the process of grabbing those college prospects that weren’t among the 262 selections in Las Vegas.
Hence, here’s a subjective look at who excelled over the past three days when it came to bolstering its roster.
10. Houston Texans
In the previous four drafts combined, the Houston Texans had selected one player. But that changed in a big way this year. Cornerback Derek Stangley Jr. (LSU) was chosen with the third overall selection. General manager Nick Caserio swung a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles and moved from 13th to 15th, picked up additional picks and grabbed Texas A&M guard Kenyon Green.
The second round netted safety Jalen Petrie (Baylor) and highly-regarded wideout John Metchie III (Alabama). And any concerns about the latter’s torn ACL suffered late in the season are being put to rest by Metchie himself (via Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle).
9. Green Bay Packers
There has been plenty of angst surrounding this team the past two offseasons and for various reasons. Armed with 11 picks entering the draft, the Green Bay Packers would certainly look to fill the void left by the trade of wide receiver to the Las Vegas Raiders.
But general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the club’s suspect defense in the first round by adding former University of Georgia standouts Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. The Packers sent a pair of second-round picks to the rival Vikings and took wideout Christian Watson (North Dakota State) 34th overall. And the defending NFC North champions added depth to the defense and offensive line in the final five rounds.
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.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
What you talkin’ about Willis? All puns aside, some would say that there was plenty of smoke coming out of the Steel City when it came to the 20th overall pick. It appeared that general manager Kevin Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin had set their sights on a quarterback with the retirement of 18-year pro Ben Roethlisberger.
But instead of opting for Liberty’s Malik Willis, the Black and Gold stayed local and opted for University of Pittsburgh product Kenny Pickett. The Steelers also needed to replenish their wide receiving corps – now minus Juju Smith-Schuster, James Washington and Ra-Ray McCloud – and hope second-round pick George Pickens (George) and fourth-round choice Calvin Austin III (Memphis) can fill the bill.
And sixth-round fullback Connor Heyward (Michigan State) is the younger brother of All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s been quite a few months for a team that won Super Bowl LV in 2020 but was knocked out of the playoffs on the final play of the game by the eventual champion Rams in 2021. Bruce Arians retired and Todd Bowles is the new head coach. Tom Brady retired and then changed his mind as he returns for his 23rd NFL season.
The Buccaneers traded out of the first round on Thursday night but would address all three aspects of the club. That includes punter Jake Camarda (Georgia) in the fourth round. Elsewhere, versatile defensive end Logan Hall (Houston) is a little insurance up front if Ndamukong Suh doesn’t return.
Elsewhere, second-round guard Luke Goedeke (Central Michigan) could take over for retired Ali Marpet. Tight end O.J. Howard signed with the Bills and Rob Gronkowski hasn’t made a decision regarding 2022, hence the fourth-round choice of Cade Otton (Washington).
4. New York Giants
Former Buffalo Bills executive Joe Schein is the Giants’ new general manager. And by all indications, the franchise struck gold numerous times with its 11 selections.
This is a team that has had its issues in recent years in the trenches. But Big Blue added a quality pass rusher in end Kayvon Thibodeau (Oregon) and well-schooled offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) with the fifth and seventh overall picks, respectively. All told, Schoen addressed the offensive line three times in this draft.
This is a roster in dire need of young talent and play-making help for quarterback Daniel Jones. Hence the additions of Wan’Dale Robinson (Kentucky) in the second round and tight end Daniel Bellinger (San Diego State) two rounds later.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The 2022 for this franchise was more about quality than quantity. When it was all said and done, the Philadelphia Eagles wound up selecting only five players in three days. But general manager Howie Roseman and the organization left Sin City with a lot more.
The Birds flew back to the City of Brotherly Love with formidable defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean from the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs. They also acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans via trade. The latter solves a big-time issue for Nick Sirianni’s team, which tabbed wideout Devonta Smith in the first round a year ago.
2. New York Jets
It’s been a rough stretch for a franchise which last finished with a winning record in 2015. Over the past six seasons, the New York Jets own a dismal 27-70 resume and have lost at least 11 games five times.
Robert Saleh begins his second season as head coach. The club owned the fourth and 10th overall picks entering the draft and wound up with three first-round picks.
Cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner (Cincinnati) and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State) – the latter the 26th selection via a trade with the Tennessee Titans – hope to contribute immediately to a defensive unit that allowed the most total yards in the NFL in 2021. And wide receiver Garrett Wilson (Ohio State) gives Zach Wilson a big-play target. Second-round running back Breece Hall bears watching.
The Jets wound up with seven picks but did not pick after the fourth round.
1. Baltimore Ravens
General manager Eric Decosta did some major work when it came to the first round. And the Baltimore Ravens landed a pair of performers capable of starting immediately in Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and University of Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum. The latter was the top-rated player at his position.
While linebacker David Ojabo (Michigan) slipped into the second round due to injury concerns, defensive tackle Travis Jones (Connecticut) could slip into a starting role as the team has not re-signed Brandon Williams.
The Ravens made a total of six selections in the fourth round. Perhaps the real surprise was the choice of Penn State punter Jordan Stout. Does that mean 16-year veteran Sam Koch will hit the open market?