With the first five picks all going to defensive players, blockbuster trades wreaked havoc on day one of the 2022 NFL draft. The Saints, the Lions and the Eagles have all brought in quality talent. Then the Ravens gave up receiver Marquise Brown and the Titans gave up wideout AJ Brown.
The run on receivers meant that some teams could still grab a few more bargains later in Round 1, while some offensive line picks looked like hits in the final round. Here are Sports Illustrated’s draft ratings for each first-round selection.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Jaguar general manager Trent Baalke sees a lot of Aldon Smith in Walker. Given the early success he had in San Francisco with Smith (33 ½ sacks in his first two seasons), Baalke hopes a bet on Walker’s talent will pay off, as was the case in 2011. While Michigan would have been better, no rusher has longer arms than Walker. His pass rush production is modest (9 sacks in three years), but he’s an excellent run defender. Former first-rounder K’Lavon Chaisson hasn’t impressed (two sacks in 31 games) so Walker will be a significant improvement over Josh Allen if he reaches his potential.
Note: 2-
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Coach Dan Campbell will appreciate Hutchinson’s commitment, energy and character. This trade fills one of the team’s biggest needs as only two teams had fewer sacks than the Lions (30) in 2021. Hutchinson has been productive (school record 14 sacks) and is performing well at this stage in his development, but he doesn’t get enough credit for his athleticism. Its strength is its relentless engine combined with its physical characteristics. His talent makes him one of the safest picks in the draft.
Note: 1+
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Texans have a lot of work to do, so they just need good football players. No draft-eligible cornerback has had a better season than Stingley, and it’s impressive that he was there as an 18-year-old freshman during the LSU title race. Unfortunately, his last two seasons have been marred by injuries. 20-year-old Stingley has the speed, athleticism and fluidity to continue to develop. Add to that his excellent ball skills (six INTs in ’19). If he stays healthy, Stingley will immediately bolster the Texans’ pass defense. He has the potential to become one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
Note: 2
4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Gardner is a lanky cornerback with excellent arm length, toughness and confidence. When asked how he would react if he conceded an NFL touchdown, Gardner said, “I have no intention of conceding one”. The Jets needed an upgrade in the corner and he has a chance to be one of the best. The AFC East have Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs and he immediately helps slow them down a bit.
Note: 1-
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Thibodeaux left Oregon on a solid record — 19 sacks and 35.5 TFLs over three seasons. He has an impressive combination of speed (4.58 40-yard dashes) and strength (position-high 27 bench press reps on the combination). With his explosive first step and quick finish, Thibodeaux should be able to hit double-digit sacks relatively early in his NFL career. He gives the Giants another talented young pass rusher alongside Azeez Ojulari, who had eight sacks as a rookie last season. He’s a top-three contender, so the Giants are getting a good player here.
Note: 1
6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Panthers’ two biggest needs before the draft were offensive tackle and quarterback. Instead of reaching for a quarterback, they get an offensive tackle of their choice and keep Ekwonu in North Carolina. Ekwonu is arguably the best offensive lineman for run blocking in this draft and in previous drafts. Strong with his nimble feet and point-of-attack movement skills, Ekwonu was also nicknamed “Mr. Pancake” (due to the amount of Pancake blocks he had). While he occasionally exaggerates in pass protection, he has the qualities, intelligence and character that should allow him to continue to make great strides in this area.
Note: 1
7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
Neal offers the Giants versatility, having featured at left guard, right tackle and left tackle each of the past three seasons. The former five-star recruit boasts an impressive combination of height, length and strength, but is very agile for a player his size. Neal is an exceptional athlete, topping Bruce Feldman’s annual freak list for The Athletic. Left tackle Andrew Thomas improved in 2021 from his rookie season, but the Giants’ offensive line needed an upgrade at right tackle, and Neal has been offering that from day one.
Note: 1+
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
A former USC basketball player, London makes good use of his tall physique to boot out defenders. Its large catch radius and strong hands help it dominate when catching. London is a young prospect (he’ll be 21 at the end of July), but he’s been prolific last season: 88 captures for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. A tall receiver, the type Arthur Smith prefers, he fills an immediate gap at the receiver position with Calvin Ridley suspended for 2022 and Russell Gage signed with the Bucs.
Note: 2+
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OL, Mississippi State
Cross has had tons of pass-blocking reps over the past two seasons, and the former five-star recruit has improved significantly from 2020-2021. He has pluses in arm length, athleticism, balance and hand placement. All of his starts have been left tackle, and he offers the Seahawks an instant upgrade as a day-one starter.
Note: 2+
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
While the Jets missed a trade for Tyreek Hill, they’re getting help for Zach Wilson with my top-ranked receiver in that class and seventh-ranked prospect overall. Wilson has excellent body control and ball skill and is dynamic after catches. Fast and evasive, Wilson ran a faster-than-expected 40-yard run (4.38) in Indianapolis. He’s a complete receiver who finished 2021 with 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Note: 1-
11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Note: 2-
12. Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Note: 2
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Note 2:
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Note: 1+
15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Note: 3
16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Note: 3
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Note: 2
18. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Note 2
19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Note: 2+
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Note: 2-
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Note: 1-
22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Note: 3
23. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Note: 2+
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa
Note: 3+
25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, OL Iowa
Note: 1
26. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson II, LB, Florida State
Note: 1+
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Llyod, LB, Utah
Note: 1
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Note: 2
29. New England Patriots: Cole Strange, OL, Chattanooga
Note: 4+
30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Note: 2+
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill, LB, Michigan
Note: 2
32. Minnesota Vikings: Lewis Cine, LB, Georgia
Note: 2
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