2022 NFL Draft Review: Day 1
By Simon Carroll
Was it worth the wait? You bet it was!
As with every year, the first round of the NFL Draft threw up it’s fair share of surprises. Simon Carroll brings you a review of all thirty-two picks of the opening night, including all the trades and drama that unfolded:
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Sure, there were edge rushers out there with better production at the college level. But ultimately, Trent Baalke opted for the insane measurables and athletic testing that gives Travon Walker a higher ceiling than other prospects. Walker can play in any scheme and should create an intimidating tandem with Josh Allen.
2. DETROIT LIONS
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
With Jacksonville passing on Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit are able to please their fanbase and keep the former Wolverine in-state. Hutch brings buckets of character and competitiveness to go with an unnatural blend of power and speed. The perfect edge rusher for Dan Campbell.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS
Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Stingley going this high was being mooted the last few days as rumours began leaking out of war rooms. The Texans were in dire need of upgrading their secondary, and now have a guy who can erase WR1’s and lock down one side of the field.
4. NEW YORK JETS
Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Another AFC team with questions in their secondary, Joe Douglas didn’t hesitate to send in the card once Stingley went off the board. Sauce Gardner brings length, physicality and competitiveness to the Jets’ back end – and has the demeanour to fit right in in the Big Apple.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Speaking of New York demeanour – was any prospect in this draft more ready for the brightest lights than Kayvon Thibodeaux? Rumours of a slide were unfounded as the pass rushing phenom went in the top five, bringing some much needed pocket penetration to the Giant’s defensive front.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Panthers do the sensible thing, even if it doesn’t necessarily help Matt Rhule in keeping his job. Ickey Ekwonu is a massive dude who takes great delight in moving bodies somewhere they don’t want to be. Whoever is under center in Carolina next year has a much better chance of staying upright.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
A dream draft debut for Joe Schoen, who must have been ecstatic to get Thib AND Evan Neal. The big Alabama tackle will begin life on the right side, and with Andrew Thomas offer Daniel Jones a pair of bookends to work behind as he looks to salvage his Big Blue career.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS
Drake London, WR, USC
Marcus Mariota now has two massive targets to aim for as The Falcons add another big-bodied pass catcher to their ranks. Drake London can play inside or out and gives this offense a much needed boost – but the defense will be wondering if they’re going to see any reinforcements on day two…
9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Maybe the Seahawks do believe in Drew Lock after all; giving the former Bronco the best pure pass protector in this class will offer him the best chance to nail down the starting QB job. Cross has lightning feet and active hands, and is adept at keeping pockets clean.
10. NEW YORK JETS
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Joe Douglas gives Zach Wilson a blue chip receiver who can test all three levels of the field. Garrett Wilson might not be as smooth as other receivers in this class, but he’s explosive and a real threat with the ball in his hand. This offense just got a playmaker.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
TRADE! The Saints send #16, #98 and #120 to The Commanders for #11
The first trade of the night, as The Saints got antsy seeing all these receivers start coming off the board. Chris Olave makes perfect sense in this NOLA offense, with the deep speed to take advantage of Jameis’ big arm. The ideal foil to play opposite fellow Buckeye Michael Thomas.
12. DETROIT LIONS
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
TRADE! The Lions send #32, #34 and #66 to The Vikings for #12 and #46
A jaw-dropping trade for the Detroit Lions, who swap second rounders and give up a third to move up TWENTY spots to grab Williams. The former ‘Bama receiver is more than worth the rather cheap price of moving up – Jared Goff now has three elite pass catchers to throw to in this Lions offense.
13. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
TRADE! The Eagles send #15, #124, #162 and #166 to The Texans for #13
A cheeky trade for Philly, who cough up three day 3 picks to jump the Ravens and snag Jordan Davis. The behemoth run-stuffer looks to be the future replacement for Fletcher Cox, who is back in town on a one-year rental. Can he be more than just an early down run defender?
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Classic Ravens – they stand pat and let the best player in the draft fall to them at 14. Kyle Hamilton is going to thrive in this Baltimore defense, and have Ravens fans reminsicing of Ed Reed. A true playmaker and versatile DB, Hamilton must be delighted with his landing spot.
15. HOUSTON TEXANS
Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
*Received from The Eagles as part of the trade for #13 (Jordan Davis)
The Texans obviously knew who they wanted to take, and engineered a move back. Green might still be a bit of a reach here, but for me he’s the best interior offensive lineman in this draft class; quick, strong, and able to play every positon on the offensive line. Houston are looking to get better quickly, and selections like this help in that pursuit.
16. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
*Received from The Saints as part of the trade for #11 (Chris Olave)
Washington needed some more draft capital, and perhaps passed up on having one of the top four receivers in order to get it. That being said, Jahan Dotson fits the mould of the type of pass catcher this franchise has targeted recently; elite hands, big playmaking ability, and dangerous after the catch. Dotson’s tape is littered with ridiculous plays.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
After loading up the defense in free agency, The Chargers complete their rebuild of Justin Herbert’s protection. Zion Johnson has positional versatility, but will likely step in at guard and allow Matt Feiler to move to right tackle. What was once a weakness looks like a very strong offensive line.
18. TENNESSEE TITANS
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
TRADE! The Eagles send #18 and #101 to The Titans for wide receiver AJ Brown
A stunning trade saw The Eagles send this pick to Tennessee for Pro Bowl receiver AJ Brown, who they promptly gave a 4 year, $100m deal to, with $57m guaranteed. The Titans weren’t willing to pay that, and couldn’t have found a more similar replacement in Treylon Burks. The former Arkansas receiver excels with the ball in his hand and plays with the same physicality as his predecessor.
19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Mickey Loomis’ pre-draft business with Philly gave him two first rounders for a reason; he needed a receiver and a tackle in this draft. And he achieved those objectives with the selection of Penning, a nasty mauler who needs some finesse but has all the raw tools to be a long-term tackle in the NFL.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The only QB to come off the board in the first round barely has to move from his old college stomping ground. From Pitt to Pittsburgh, Kenny Pickett is familiar with Heinz Field, and after an exhaustive search was deemed by Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin to be the long-term replacement for Big Ben. Pickett is as day-one eady as it gets, and Mitchell Trubisky will be looking over his shoulder…
21. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
TRADE! The Chiefs send #29, #94 and #121 to The Patriots for #21
The Chiefs are loaded with draft capital, and use some of it to get ahead of Buffalo and snag Trent McDuffie. The former Washington Husky is a perfect fit for this KC defense, with speed, instincts and playmaking ability on the back end. He can play outside the numbers or in the slot, and should be a contributor early at Arrowhead Stadium.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Not only did Green Bay eschew the opportunity to select a receiver here, they also took a player that many had pencilled as a day two pick. I doubt many Packer fans will be upset with the selection once they see how good Quay Walker is, a versatile linebacker with insane blitzing skills and a nose for the football in the backfield.
23. BUFFALO BILLS
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
TRADE! The Bills send #25 and #130 to The Ravens for #23
*The Cardinals had previously traded #23 to The Ravens for #100 and wide receiver Marquise Brown
The Bills’ biggest need was at corner, and so they move ahead of the Cowboys to make sure they get their man. Kaiir Elam has his detractors, but he’s, long, feisty at the catch point, and had a blazing forty time at the combine. He should make the perfect companion for Tre’Davious White – this Bills team is ready for another run.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS
Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
The Cowboys have lost some pieces on this offensive line and understand that the way to get back to their best is to rebuild it. Tyler Smith is extremely raw but has the size, speed and aggression to be a long-term tackle for Dallas – although he may be best served beginning life on the inside of that line as he acclimates to the NFL level.
25. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
*Received from The Bills as part of the trade for #23 (Kaiir Elam)
Right. Where to begin with this. Firstly, the Ravens are really good at the draft. Not only do they get good value for a receiver that has underwhelmed for them, but they also land an elite prospect who fills a position of need. Linderbaum is a technician and perfectly suited for Baltimore’s zone blocking scheme, and will be the immediate replacement for Bradley Bozeman.
As for the Cardinals, I can only assume they were thinking of the Murray-Brown Oklahoma connection when they made this trade. Brown has flattered to deceive so far in the NFL, so it’s a risky move by Jason Licht, who may have also been trying to appease their disgruntled quarterback when he pulled the trigger on this trade.
26. NEW YORK JETS
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
TRADE! The Jets send #35, #69 and #163 to The Titans for #26 and #101
Tip of the hat to Joe Douglas, who traded back into the bottom of the first round to take the sliding Johnson. The Jets GM got three high caliber draft prospects and still has plenty of draft capital left to play with. Johnson has wowed the draft community the last few months and adds an element of explosion to this Jets defense.
27. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
TRADE! The Jaguars send #33, #106 and #180 to The Buccaneers for #27
The Jaguars make the ninth and final draft day trade by sending Tampa a couple of day three picks to move back into the first round. They snag Devin Lloyd, a true team leader and high character linebacker who flies around the football field and is proficient against both the run and pass. The perfect replacement for the departed Myles Jack, Lloyd is captain material and a piece to build around.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
Oh to be a fly on the wall in the Rodgers household. The Packers fail to address receiver AGAIN, instead opting for Wyatt, who is probably the more polished out of the two Georgia tackles but has some character concerns to consider. He’s a three-down contributor to a fearsome defense, and Green Bay will look to bolster their offensive weapons in round two – something they have done successfully in years past.
29. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Cole Strange, IOL, Tennessee-Chattanooga
*Received from The Chiefs as part of the trade for #21 (Trent McDuffie)
With Shaq Mason departing in the offseason, it was imperative the Patriots found some new blood for the interior of their offensive line. Not many people thought Cole Strange would crack the first round, but he’s a gritty competitor who has barely scratched the surface of his potential. The sky is the limit for Strange, who became the first player in Chattanooga history to go in the first round of the NFL Draft.
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
George Karlaftis has been seriously disrepected in the buildup to this NFL Draft. The Purdue pass rusher was a production machine for the Boilermakers, utilisng his size and power to work gaps and penetrate the pocket. The Chiefs defensive line, with both Chris Jones and George Karlaftis staring at you, will be an intimidating site for AFC West quarterbacks.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
I love this pick. Daxton Hill is a talented, playmaking safety who can also line up as an outside or nickel corner. I expect him to be moved around this defense as a role player in year one, but ultimately Hill could prove to be the long-term successor to Jessie Bates should the Bengals fail to agree a new deal with their veteran safety.
32. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
*Received from The Lions as part of the trade for #12 (Jameson Williams)
Great to see Lewis Cine sneak into the first round, a personal favourite of mine and a true whirlwind safety who has no concern throwing his body in to stop an offense.
However.
The trade back for Minnesota was a bad one, who received minimal compensation from a division rival and passed on Kyle Hamilton, only to take a different safety with less playmaking ability. A risky move by new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whose first ever pick has a lot to live up to if it’s to be as successful as his predecessor’s was (Rick Spielman was part of the Vikings’ front office that selected Adrian Peterson 15 years ago).
