Ranking the top 50 players in the 2022 NFL Draft

We are ONE WEEK OUT from the 2022 NFL Draft. Rumors are flying around and players’ stocks are as erratic as ever. This year’s class is a unique one compared to the last few drafts and my top 50 players paint a good picture of what makes it so different.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
2. Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
3. Derek Stingley Junior, Cornerback, LSU
4. Jordan Davis, Defensive Lineman, Georgia
5. Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
6. Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
7. Ikem Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle, NC State
8. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
9. George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
10. Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
11. Travon Walker, Edge/Defensive Lineman, Georgia
12. Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
13. Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
14. Lewis Cine, Safety, Georgia
15. Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
16. Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
17. Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M
18. Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
19. Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
20. Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
21. Andrew Booth Junior, Cornerback, Clemson
22. Jermaine Johnson, Edge, FSU
23. Jaquan Brisker, Safety, Penn State
24. Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Lineman, Georgia
25. Logan Hall, Defensive Lineman, Houston
26. David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
27. Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
28. Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
29. Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
30. Christian Harris, Linebacker, Alabama
31. Darrian Kinnard, Offensive Lineman, Kentucky
32. Zion Johnson, Offensive Lineman, Boston College
33. David Bell, Wide Receiver, Purdue
34. Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Michigan State
35. Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
36. George Pickens, Wide Receiver, Georgia
37. Chad Muma, Linebacker, Wyoming
38. Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
39. Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan
40. Breece Hall, Running Back, Iowa State
41. Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
42. Roger McCreary, Cornerback, Auburn
43. Isaiah Likely, Tight End, CCU
44. Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati
45. Darrian Beavers, Linebacker, Cincinnati
46. Drake Jackson, Edge, USC
47. Bernhard Raiman, Offensive Tackle, CMU
48. Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pitt
49. Troy Andersen, Linebacker, Montana State
50. Jalen Pitre, Safety, Baylor

Observations

• The quarterback class has been the most talked about feature of this 2022 group. In year’s before, the drafts had surefire top guys whereas this class has a lot less star power. Based on upside, Malik Willis is the only quarterback I would take with a first round pick. Guys like Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder, and Kenny Pickett have likable traits and fall into that second tier together. They are not first round-types.
• There are seven offensive linemen ranked in the top 32 players: This is a meat and potatoes class where teams looking to stock up in the trenches will enjoy the top end of this class and the depth.
• There are 10 defensive line/edge prospects ranked in the top 50. That does not even capture the total depth of the class. Teams looking to get younger up front on defense will love what this class has to offer.
• The top of the class skews defensive with 27 defenders being ranked in the top 50.
• Players I see as Slam Dunk, Blue Chip prospects are Kayvon Thibodeaux, Kyle Hamilton, Derek Stingley and Jordan Davis. All defenders.