2022 April - Pro Football Rumors

Jets Take WR Garrett Wilson At No. 10

April 28th, 2022 at 8:15pm CST by Ben Levine

After going defense at No. 4, the Jets have pivoted to offense with the 10th-overall pick. The Jets have selected Ohio State wideout Garrett Wilson at No. 10.

This isn’t a huge surprise, as the Jets have been hunting for a receiver for the entire offseason. After failed attempts at acquiring the likes of Tyreek Hill, there were whispers that the organization could deal No. 10 to the 49ers for Deebo Samuel. The Jets instead decided to pursue receiving help via the draft. While the decision may not see immediate returns (like a Deebo trade), it provides the organization with a young, cost-controlled option to develop alongside quarterback Zach Wilson.

At 6’0″ and 188 pounds, scouts believe that Wilson’s ability could translate to the outside as well as the slot. In 2020, he put himself on the NFL radar with 43 catches for 723 yards and six touchdowns in just eight games. This year, he’s elevated his stock with 70 grabs for 1,058 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, plus one rushing TD.

He should have an immediate opportunity to show what he’s got in New York. Corey Davis and Braxton Berrios currently lead the depth chart at wide receiver, and Wilson will be joining a grouping that also features two recent second-round wideouts (Denzel Mims, Elijah Moore).

Seahawks Pick Charles Cross At No. 9 Overall

April 28th, 2022 at 8:10pm CST by Ely Allen

The third offensive lineman off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft, Charles Cross has finally heard his name called for the Seahawks at No. 9 overall.

Cross wasn’t necessarily considered to be on the same level as Alabama tackle Evan Neal or NC State blocker Ikem Ekwonu in terms of overall talent, but the Mississippi State product makes up for his lack of athleticism with consistency and savviness. His length and footwork will allow him to be a long-term answer on the offensive line, and his underrated strength should continue to develop as he ages.

The lineman broke on the scene in 2020, and he followed that up with a standout 2021 campaign. Cross finished the season with 12 starts at left tackle, and he earned first-team all-conference honors.

Cross visited several teams during the pre-draft process with most teams in the late area of the Draft’s top-10 picks counting on him being there if Neal and Ekwonu were taken. The Seahawks get that last top-10 talent available at offensive line in the draft to block for Drew Lock or Geno Smith.

Falcons Select WR Drake London With No. 8 Pick

April 28th, 2022 at 8:01pm CST by Ben Levine

The first wideout is off the board. The Falcons have selected USC wideout Drake London with the No. 8 pick.

The young wide receiver is undoubtedly talented. Despite only playing 8 games this year, London led his team in every receiving statistic, reeling in 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns. The next closest receiver on the team had 54 catches for 602 yards through 12 games.

London’s season came to an early end when he suffered a fractured ankle in late October. He underwent surgery but, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller, there was no ligament damage in the ankle. At the time of his injury, London was widely considered a top wide receiver in college football. Before he missed any time, he led the NCAA in receiving yards, contested catches (19), and missed tackles (22) and was the highest-graded receiver according to Pro Football Focus. So, while the numbers might not be there, there’s a reason why London was the first wideout off the board.

The Falcons offense will look a whole lot different next season with Matt Ryan no longer in Atlanta. Veteran Marcus Mariota will replace him under center, and London should instantly be one of his preferred targets, especially with Calvin Ridley suspended. The Falcons used their 2021 first-round pick on tight end Kyle Pitts, and the offensive weapons should highlight Atlanta’s offense for years to come (despite uncertainty at the QB position).

Giants Select Evan Neal With No. 7 Pick

April 28th, 2022 at 7:57pm CST by Ely Allen

Giants wanted offensive line help from the 2022 NFL Draft and they got their guy at No. 7 overall taking Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal.

At six-foot-seven, 360 pounds, Neal’s size and frame are certainly NFL-ready. He projects well as a powerful right tackle, though he started every game this season on the blindside, who could be dominant in the run game with his size and strength. He earned a PFF grade of 84.5 for the 2021 season, in which he was a consensus First-Team All American.

Neal’s status as the top blocker in this year’s class was challenged by NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu throughout the draft process. At one point, the Alabama product was the definitive top OT prospect in the draft, but his stock seemingly fell a bit leading up to the draft.

Despite falling below Ekwonu, Neal beat out speculation that Mississippi State’s Charles Cross could be taken over him, as well. The Giants also considered taking Neal at No. 5 overall, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, but opted for defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was much less likely to be available at No. 7. Regardless, Neal is on his way to Broadway to start his pro career.

Panthers Select OT Ikem Ekwonu

April 28th, 2022 at 7:51pm CST by Ben Levine

The draft opened with four-straight defensive players being selected, but we finally have our first offensive pick. The Panthers have selected NC State offensive tackle Ikemefuna Ekwonu with the No. 6 pick.

In a draft that features a handful of top-level offensive tackles, “Ickey” was arguably the best. The lineman broke onto the scene during his 2020 season, and he established himself as a surefire first-round pick in 2021. Ekwonu earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best blocker and was a unanimous All-American selection en route to his top-1o draft stock.

In the NFL, Ekwonu’s main development will come via his ability to harness his aggressiveness into controlled energy. Still, he should be an immediate starter, and his athletic ability makes him scheme-diverse, so he should be a long-term fixture at his new home. Plus, for what it’s worth, he also played offensive guard in college, and that versatility could come in handy during his career.

Ekwonu was a popular name during the pre-draft circuit, with the lineman generating interest from teams throughout the top-10. The Panthers had their eye on offensive line help, but there were some who wondered if the organization would move back in pursuit of a mid-first quarterback. Instead, they stuck with No. 6, and barring a trade, we won’t hear the team’s name called again until pick No. 137.

Giants Draft Kayvon Thibodeaux At No. 5

April 28th, 2022 at 7:42pm CST by Ely Allen

Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux was long expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, but his name was finally called at No. 5 overall, making him a member of the Giants.

In three years in Eugene, Thibodeaux did exactly as he was recruited to do as a five-star prospect, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss all three seasons. He finished his career with 19.0 sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss, only failing to amass double-digit TFLs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, when he had 9.5 through seven games. He also added 14 quarterback hurries over his career, leading the team last year with 8.

In early February, Thibodeaux started to see his draft stock affected in a way not uncommon to Oregon alumni. In an interview with Bleacher Report, as reported by Paul Kasabian, ESPN’s Todd McShay spouted his opinions on the top prospect saying, “I heard a lot about Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, including concerns that he just doesn’t play with the same fire as some other top prospects…it wouldn’t shock me if Thibodeaux fell out of the top five.”

The same concerns were placed on former first round draft picks and Oregon alumni Justin Herbert and Penei Sewell. Those concerns don’t matter much anymore as Thibodeaux has heard his name called and will head to New York for the next step of his career.

Jets Take CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner At No. 4

April 28th, 2022 at 7:35pm CST by Ben Levine

“Sauce” is heading to New York. Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner has been selected by the Jets at No. 4.

Armed with a pair of first-round picks and a number of holes on their roster, it was uncertain what direction the Jets would go in at No. 4. Ultimately, they landed on one of the draft’s top cornerbacks, exactly one pick after the first player at that position went off the board.

Gardner is one of the draft’s top prospects, and for good reason. Standing at 6-foot-3, the cornerback ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, and after allowing only 6.6 yards per reception last season, he earned consensus All-American and conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 33 games with Cincinnati, the cornerback had nine interceptions.

Naturally, Sauce was connected to a number of teams throughout the pre-draft process. There was a prevailing sentiment that Sauce wouldn’t get past the Giants at No. 7. Instead, he didn’t get past the other New York squad at No. 4.

Gardner should be a day-one starter for the Jets thanks to his elite length and speed. Last year, the Jets were the third-worst team against the pass, allowing 259.4 yards per game and collecting just seven INTs. Some pundits believed that the Jets would select an offensive lineman to pair with 2021 first-round QB Zach Wilson. Instead, the Cincinnati cornerback was too good to pass up, and the Jets now have a mainstay in their secondary for years to come.

Texans Select CB Derek Stingley Jr. With No. 3 Pick

April 28th, 2022 at 7:28pm CST by Ben Levine

It’s been quiet in Houston surrounding the third-overall pick, and we finally have an answer on what the organization will do. The Texans have selected LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. with the No. 3 pick.

The LSU cornerback had long been considered one of the top-two cornerback prospects available, along with Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner. Recent reports indicated that Stingley was trending as high as the top-three with the Lions or Texans rumored to be interested in him at No. 2 or 3 overall. That ended up being the case, as Houston scooped him up after pass rushers were selected with the first two selections.

After a stellar freshman season, Stingley was easily viewed as the best cornerback that would be available by the 2022 Draft. But, after a subpar 2020 season and only appearing in three games last year, combined with another stellar season from Gardner, NFL teams have allowed a bit of room for Gardner to challenge as the best corner on the board.

Stingley underwent season-ending foot surgery in October, limiting him to three games as a junior. He finished his collegiate career with six interceptions, all coming during his freshman campaign.

The Texans needed offensive line help and going past that now is good news for the Panthers and other teams anxiously awaiting the opportunity to draft help up front. It had been rumored that the Texans would move up to take Stingley if he wasn’t their first pick, according to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus. They didn’t take any chances and took him at No. 3.

Lions Select DE Aidan Hutchinson At No. 2

April 28th, 2022 at 7:22pm CST by Ben Levine

Aidan Hutchinson is staying in Michigan. The Lions have selected the Michigan defensive end with the second-overall pick in the draft.

Following a 2020 season where Hutchinson’s season ended early after he suffered a fracture in his leg that required season-ending surgery, the defensive end returned in full force in 2021.

Hutchinson set a school record with 14.0 sacks in a single season, more than tripling his output from his first three years combined. He tacked on 62 tackles and led the teams in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries with 16.5 and 12, respectively. After a dominant performance versus rival Ohio State that saw the 21-year-old tally 3.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, Hutchinson shot up draft boards, pushing what was likely a first-round selection into conversations for the No. 1 overall selection. Ultimately, he’ll stay in Michigan after going second-overall.

As our own Ely Allen wrote, Hutchinson was built to be a pass-rusher. He’s extremely strong with quick feet and efficient hand use. He knows he can win relatively easily at the college level, so he tends to tolerate a bit more contact than is necessary, something he’ll need to avoid at the next level using the multitude of pass-rushing moves at his disposal. He’s a weight room warrior, but likely won’t be able to add much more weight at the next level. He’s probably maxed out his size. He has a high motor and quick recognition, but his instincts in the running game can hurt him occasionally. He’s often posed as a slightly lesser version of the Bosa brothers with a bit less bend.

The Lions were also connected to Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 2, but Hutchinson seemed like a logical target if he fell past the Jaguars. The rookie will provide a natural boost to a Lions defense that struggled mightily in 2021, and the organization is certainly hoping the defensive end can be a mainstay in Detroit.

Jaguars Draft Travon Walker No. 1 Overall

April 28th, 2022 at 7:21pm CST by Ely Allen

After all the deliberation and lack of consensus, the Jaguars have used the No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker.

In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Walker emerged as a versatile piece along the defensive front. His junior campaign saw a jump in production, as he totaled 33 tackles and 6.0 sacks. Those relatively pedestrian numbers contrast with his size (six-foot-five, 275 pounds) and impressive testing figures to give him a higher upside, according to many, than most or all other prospects in this year’s class.

Walker tested well at the Combine, posting a 4.51-second 40-yard dash despite his 272-pound frame. As a result, Walker found himself bouncing up and down the top-1o of mock drafts leading up to the draft.

Walker unfortunately was in a serious car accident earlier today, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, but, luckily, emerged without injuries. Rapoport added that no citations were issued.

Walker should be fine to walk into the building in Jacksonville ready to get to work and bring the “Sacksonville” moniker back to Duval.