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The Top 32 Pro – Ready Prospects of the Upcoming 2022 NFL Draft
Introduction
Below is a thoughtfully comprised list of the top 32 draft prospects for the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft which will be held from Thursday, April 28th, 2022 through Saturday, April 30th, 2022 from the lovely location Paradise, Nevada. I honestly do not know much about Paradise, Nevada, but it does sound nice, doesn’t it? That is the home of the Las Vegas Raiders newly relocated NFL franchise which just built and broke in the new multi - billion - dollar facility, Allegiant Stadium. The following list is ranked in order from # 1 (highest) to # 32 (lowest).
1.) Kayvon Thibodeaux – Defensive End out of the University of Oregon. He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 250 - pounds. His current draft grade of 94 puts him at the top of this exclusive top prospect list for the 2022 NFL Draft. Thibodeaux is a master at the art of pass – rushing. He is quick, big, and strong as fuck especially at the collegiate level of football right now. He uses the dipping and ripping technique in order to beat his opponents’ offensive lineman / tight ends in order to get to the quarterback early and often. Kayvon is currently the best edge / pass – rushing prospect for the next NFL draft.
2.) Derek Stingley Jr. – Cornerback out of Louisiana State University (LSU). He is 6 – foot 1 – inch tall and weighs 195 - pounds. Stingley Jr. also has a draft grade of 94 out of 100. Derek busted out of the gates with an unbelievable 6 interceptions during his freshman campaign, and although he doesn’t have any interceptions over the course of the last 2 seasons (10 total games), that is only because quarterbacks rarely test him and throw his way as he is a true ball hawk. Stingley Jr. will definitely be a solid attribute to the secondary of the whichever NFL team chooses to draft him.
3.) Evan Neal – Offensive Tackle out of the University of Alabama. He is 6 – foot 7 – inches tall and weighs 370 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 93 out of 100. Nick Saban tested Nick Saban approved! This big boy who lives in the trenches of the gridiron can play both right as well as left tackle, and he slides and mirrors well. Speed pass – rushers have trouble getting past his large frame and excellent footwork.
4.) Kyle Hamilton – Safety out of Notre Dame University. He is 6 – foot 4 – inches tall and weighs 219 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 93 out of 100. Hamilton is a match – up nightmare especially in the NCAA college football level of the game which should translate well to the pro NFL level of game play. He covers anyone from small and speedy slot receivers to big and beefy pass catching machine tight ends. He is smart and has a knack for being able to read quarterbacks well.
5.) Aidan Hutchinson – Defensive End out of the University of Michigan. He is 6 – foot 6 – inches tall and weighs 269 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 92 out of 100. Very powerful and has a relentless approach to harassing quarterbacks up and down the football field. He is a hard worker and has a tremendous upside as he should continue to develop in to a very serviceable Sunday sack master as well as run - stuffer.
6.) Malik Willis – Quarterback out of Liberty University. He is 6 – foot 1 – inch tall and weighs 215 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 92 out of 100. This Auburn transfer although is not the tallest quarterback around can read the field well and has the ability to extend plays with his running ability. Willis can also throw accurately in to tight windows as he possesses an outstanding release point on his throwing mechanics.
7.) Charles Cross – Offensive Tackle out of Mississippi State University. He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 310 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 92 out of 100. Cross is a great at picking up blitzes, and he reads what the defenses are trying to do well. His only negative aspect is his lower body strength but NFL conditioning and training can quickly improve that quality as long as he is willing to put in all the sweat and tears / hard work.
8.) Garrett Wilson – Wide Receiver out of the Ohio State University. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 193 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 92 out of 100. Wilson is a very fast wide out that runs exceptional routes and his breaks are unbelievable. What he lacks in size he makes up for in quickness and heart. Great big – play ability!
9.) DeMarvin Leal – Defensive Lineman out of Texas A & M University. He is 6 – foot 4 – inches tall and weighs 290 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 91 out of 100. Due to his quick as hell first step he is a very versatile d – lineman. Leal can play the outside as well as the interior of the defensive line. He also possesses enviable strength as well. Solid all around defensive lineman at the college level right now, and should get even better when he puts the work in at the NFL level.
10.) Chris Olave – Wide Receiver out of the Ohio State University. He is 6 – foot 1 – inch tall and weighs 188 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 91 out of 100. Great ball skills, great hands, plenty of speed, and he is best known for his amazing route running ability in which he uses to gain separation from pesky defenders on the outside.
11.) Kaiir Elam – Cornerback out of the University of Florida. He is 6 – foot 2 – inches tall and weighs 193 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 91 out of 100. Elam this former track runner has speed for days as well as great awareness while playing in coverage. He has been known to run to the ball as it is in the air which means he is able to make adjustments well on the fly especially on long passes downfield. Should be fun watching him on Sundays as long as he stays healthy as he is not the biggest wide receiver out there.
12.) Jahan Dotson – Wide Receiver out of Penn State University. He is 5 – foot 11 – inches tall and weighs 184 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 91 out of 100. Dotson although undersized is a very resourceful and crafty pass catcher. His lightning speed will work in the National Football League next season.
13.) Jordan Davis – Defensive Tackle out of the University of Georgia. He is 6 – foot 6 – inches tall and weighs 340 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 91 out of 100. Davis is a massive beast of a man willing to get down and dirty at the nose tackle position in a 3 – 4 defensive scheme. His bull – rush is no joke as he can make a quarterback shit his pants. He is more of a play disrupter than a finesse finisher. He could be quicker but he is a big presence on the Georgia Bulldog defensive line.
14.) Nakobe Dean – Inside Linebacker out of the University of Georgia too. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 225 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 90 out of 100. Dean has decent speed, range, and uncoachable defensive instincts. He also wraps up well on tackles as Nakobe has well refined fundamentals.
15.) Nicholas Petit – Frere – Offensive Tackle out of the Ohio State University. He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 315 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 90 out of 100. Petit – Frere has solid heavy hands which keep defenders off balance. He also has spectacular body control. Never gives up sacks, but does pick up the occasional holding penalty.
16.) Devin Lloyd – Inside Linebacker out of the University of Utah. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 235 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 90 out of 100. Lloyd is versatile and moves like a free safety. Exceptional speed, strength, and body control. Very rangy and he loves to spy the quarterback. Can play all over the defensive side of the ball.
17.) George Karlaftis – Defensive End out of Purdue University. He is 6 – foot 4 – inches tall and weighs 270 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 89 out of 100. Karlaftis creates havoc on the football field and is often known as a nuisance by his opponents. He tackles, sacks, causes fumbles, and even returns fumbles for touchdowns. He is powerful and holds his ground well. He has the ability to rush the quarterback from inside as well and is great for stunting defensive unit.
18.) Treylon Burks – Wide Receiver out of the University of Arkansas. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 225 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 89 out of 100. Burks doesn’t have that burner speed, but he is a savvy route runner who uses his head while playing football. He uses his body well in order to generate late separation in order to come down with jump balls.
19.) Jalen Wydermyer – Tight End out of Texas A & M University. He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 255 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 89 out of 100. This tight end is perhaps the finest tight end in the college football game at the moment. He can be flexed outside like a receiver as well as tight to the line for run blocking, he runs crisp routes and has sweet quickness. Should pick up lots of yards after the catch (YAC).
20.) Tyler Linderbaum – Center out of the University of Iowa. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 290 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 89 out of 100. Effective zone blocker has good foot speed and is good at blocking the second line of a defense (linebackers). Decent power and anchors well for his size.
21.) Matt Corral – Quarterback out of Ole Miss University. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 200 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 89 out of 100. Corral has a great upside out of the somewhat limited QB class of 2022. He is an improved passer out of the pocket which is a necessity in today’s NFL. His completion percentage has been decreasing lately which needs to be corrected prior to starting at the quarterback position in the National Football League. He has a quick release and moves well in the pocket too. Matt is a work in progress but could get better sooner than later.
22.) Andrew Booth Jr. – Cornerback out of Clemson University. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 195 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 88 out of 100. Booth Jr. is best in press coverage where he can supply pressure in order to make plays in the secondary of the defense. He is good at turning while staying on wide receivers in order to locate the ball in the air. This is important in today’s NFL because if a defensive back in coverage doesn’t play the ball and just plays the receiver they flagged constantly.
23.) Ahmad Gardner – Cornerback out of the University of Cincinnati. He is 6 – foot 2 – inches tall and weighs 188 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 87 out of 100. Gardner is great at shucking receivers within the 5 yards allowed to make contact with a wide - out. Great in zone coverage as he holds his responsibility and he wraps up and is known for being an overall play – maker in the defensive secondary.
24.) Drake London – Wide Receiver out of the University of Southern California (USC). He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 210 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 87 out of 100. London is a large receiving target which makes him easy to find by his quarterback. Great balance, can play the slot, and he does even possess enough speed to surprise DBs who are expecting him to stretch the field vertically.
25.) Brandon Smith – Inside Linebacker out of Penn State University. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 241 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 87 out of 100. Smith moves well side to side giving him a solid range. He is big and strong but sometimes he comes in too hot and misses tackles or runs past the ball carrier. He has room for improvement, but for his size and speed he should equate to an outstanding NFL defender.
26.) John Metchie III - Wide Receiver out the University of Alabama. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 195 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. Usually, a list of top NFL prospect will contain a lot of players from the Alabama Crimson Tide, but the NFL basically drafted their entire team earlier this year during the 2021 NFL Draft. Metchie III is a polished route runner. He executes the play calls well, and usually is where he should be on the field for his offense as well as his QB.
27.) Kenny Pickett – Quarterback out of the University of Pittsburgh. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 220 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. Pickett has made drastic improvements and his arm strength is to die for. Kenny moves well within the pocket and he has a reputation for being one tough mother fucker. Hopefully Pickett can remain healthy as he is known for taking wild risks in order to pick up first downs and move the ball downfield.
28.) Jameson Williams – Wide Receiver out of the University of Alabama. He is 6 – foot 2 – inches tall and weighs 189 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. Williams may go in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he may fall back much further depending on the needs of the teams up to pick their player. He has elite speed and big – play - making - ability. He needs to improve on his route running if he wants to have great success in the National Football League.
29.) Adam Anderson – Outside Linebacker out of the University of Georgia. He is 6 – foot 5 – inches tall and weighs 230 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. Anderson has nice speed off of the edge, and he is very explosive. He needs to increase his strength in order to make it in the NFL as those guys are much bigger and faster than the players in the NCAA college football system.
30.) Zion Johnson – Offensive Tackle / Offensive Guard out of Boston College. He is 6 – foot 3 – inches tall and weighs 316 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. His versatility is outstanding as he plays OT just as well as OG. He has great foot speed and is a fairly decent blocker both in the run and pass game. He could be a little better at pass protection, but that will come if he uses those fast feet to his advantage in order to stay in front of defenders trying to assault his QB.
31.) Roger McCreary – Cornerback out of Auburn University. He is 6 – foot 0 – inches tall and weighs 190 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. McCreary has the ability to reroute receivers, and he uses his physicality in positive ways for his defense. Roger does have issues with staying with wide – outs after they make sharp cuts so hopefully McCreary works on his foot speed and doesn’t bite on obvious fakes by WRs.
32.) Desmond Ridder – Quarterback out of the University of Cincinnati. He is 6 – foot 4 – inches tall and weighs 215 – pounds, and has a draft grade of 86 out of 100. Ridder is consistent and reliable but he doesn’t seem to be a special or generational type quarterback. I believe Dez will eventually become a back – up quarterback in the National Football League unless he continues to develop at an exponential rate. He may go in the first round in a team is desperate to take a chance on an average quarterback like the young Tom Brady out of the University of Michigan…hahahahaha!
Sources:
“NFL draft 2022 rankings: Todd McShay's top 32 prospects in the class, including four QBs, seven receivers, more”, Todd McShay, espn.com, October 28, 2021.