After we final projected the highest picks within the 2022 NFL draft, Russell Wilson was nonetheless a Seahawk, Matt Ryan was nonetheless a Falcon and the highest two receivers within the NFL have been nonetheless on their respective Tremendous Bowl contenders.
After a pair of stunning trades, Davante Adams is in Las Vegas and Tyreek Hill is in Miami, displaying simply how rapidly fortunes can change throughout the offseason.
Now that the mud has settled from a wild few weeks of participant motion, workforce wants have gotten abundantly clear. With lower than a month to go earlier than the draft begins April 28 in Las Vegas, The Baltimore Solar affords its projections for the primary and second rounds.
Spherical 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
After the Jaguars spent greater than $250 million in free company to revamp their roster, all indicators level towards Hutchinson being the No. 1 decide. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound edge rusher didn’t disappoint on the NFL scouting mix, posting a Relative Athletic Rating of 9.87 out of 10, which ranks nineteenth amongst almost 1,500 defensive finish prospects since 1987. He’ll make a right away influence for a protection in want of playmakers.
2. Detroit Lions: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
In a really unpredictable draft, the Lions are maybe the largest wild card. After a standout predraft course of that included a robust efficiency on the Senior Bowl, the 6-foot, 219-pound Willis has rapidly entered the dialog to be a top-five decide. With veteran Jared Goff holding the Lions’ beginning job for now, this could be the right touchdown spot for the strong-armed, athletic prospect who nonetheless wants time to develop.
3. Houston Texans: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Subsequent to Willis, Walker has been the draft’s greatest riser, going from afterthought on the ultra-talented Georgia protection to probably the most sought-after gamers on this class. The 6-5, 272-pound lineman’s explosive efficiency on the mix was among the finest ever on the place, making him a near-lock to be chosen within the prime 5. For a workforce that wants assist all over the place on protection, Walker makes a ton of sense.
4. New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The prevailing thought for many of the offseason was that the Jets would goal one of many premier offensive linemen within the draft, however the signing of guard Laken Tomlinson offers them a dependable beginning 5. Whereas Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal would supply useful insurance coverage behind tackles Mekhi Becton and George Fant, it’s now not a precedence. As an alternative, the Jets take maybe the perfect participant in your complete draft within the 6-4, 254-pound Thibodeaux, giving coach Robert Saleh the game-breaking edge rusher he wants.
5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The run on edge rushers makes this decide a no brainer for the Giants, who desperately want to enhance their offensive line. The 6-4, 310-pound Ekwonu is a dominant run blocker who can step in at proper sort out reverse 2020 first-round decide Andrew Thomas, giving the Giants two of the perfect younger bookends within the league. To get essentially the most out of quarterback Daniel Jones, operating again Saquon Barkley and a proficient receiving corps, the Giants must get higher up entrance.
6. Carolina Panthers: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Whereas quarterback stays a obvious want for Carolina, there merely isn’t a prospect aside from Willis who’s thought of worthy of a top-10 decide. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett could be a marginal improve over Sam Darnold in his rookie season, however is that sufficient to save lots of coach Matt Rhule’s job? The Panthers’ offensive line ranked thirty first within the league final season in line with Professional Soccer Focus, so including a stalwart at left sort out within the 6-7, 337-pound Neal would assist resolve a number of issues.
7. New York Giants (through Chicago Bears): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
With the Giants reportedly planning to commerce James Bradberry to clear wage cap house, cornerback turns into one of many workforce’s prime wants. The 6-3, 190-pound prospect often known as “Sauce” boasts a uncommon mixture of dimension and athleticism and has develop into the consensus prime nook on this class after a dominant profession at Cincinnati.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The year-long suspension of Calvin Ridley for playing and the departure of Russell Gage to Tampa Bay left the Falcons with one of many bleakest vast receiver rooms within the league. The 6-foot, 183-pound Wilson is a dependable separator from each the slot and the skin who can decide up yards after the catch, giving new quarterback Marcus Mariota a go-to goal.
9. Seattle Seahawks (through Denver Broncos): Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
The commerce of quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver not solely netted the Seahawks their first top-10 decide since 2010, but in addition fourth-year signal-caller Drew Lock. An offensive lineman like Charles Cross or Trevor Penning might be tempting, particularly if veteran left sort out Duane Brown doesn’t return, however the Seahawks haven’t had an influence go rusher for years. The 6-5, 262-pound Johnson, a Georgia switch, impressed scouts on the Senior Bowl after a breakout season.
10. New York Jets (through Seattle Seahawks): Drake London, WR, USC
The Jets have a promising trio of younger vast receivers in Corey Davis, Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios, however the addition of the 6-4, 219-pound London could be the icing on the cake. Whereas he’s earned his popularity as a contested-catch winner, London has additionally proven a capability to win off the road of scrimmage and create separation. He needs to be an enormous assist for younger quarterback Zach Wilson.
11. Washington Commanders: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Whereas the 6-4, 220-pound Hamilton is a consensus top-three participant on this class, his 40-yard sprint time of 4.59 seconds on the mix and “low 4.7s” at his professional day might result in a tumble. The Commanders are the massive winners right here, taking a prospect who’s drawn comparisons to Chargers star Derwin James. If these fears about his velocity are overblown, he could possibly be a right away difference-maker for a protection trying to rebound from a disappointing season.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The return of veteran Patrick Peterson helps, however the Vikings nonetheless need assistance at cornerback. Why not flip to a different former LSU standout in Stingley? Regardless of all of the considerations about his comparatively disappointing play the previous two seasons, the 6-1, 195-pound nook remains to be an distinctive athlete with a excessive ceiling.
13. Houston Texans (through Cleveland Browns): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
So far as rebuilds go, there are worse methods than making an attempt to recreate the 2021 Georgia protection. Pairing the 6-6, 341-pound Davis — who posted the perfect Relative Athletic Rating of any defensive sort out prospect up to now 35 years on the mix — along with his former school teammate Walker would give the Texans two imposing constructing blocks on the entrance of their protection.
14. Baltimore Ravens: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis feels just like the forgotten man of this draft, and it could possibly be to the Ravens’ profit. Whereas Walker and Johnson had extra spectacular exercises main as much as the draft, you'll be able to’t argue with the Purdue star’s manufacturing. In keeping with Professional Soccer Focus, the 6-4, 275-pound lineman produced 54 pressures on 335 rushes, incomes a pass-rushing grade of 90.6. The Greece native, who simply turned 21 on Sunday, is usually a foundational piece for a defensive entrance that should get youthful.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (through Miami Dolphins): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Outdoors of final yr’s rookies DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins, the Eagles’ vast receiver corps has been a disappointment. Whereas Williams is coming off a torn ACL suffered within the SEC Championship sport, there needs to be no concern about his future as a game-breaking receiver who can stretch the sphere each vertically and horizontally. The 6-2, 189-pound Ohio State switch would give quarterback Jalen Hurts one other elusive goal who can separate downfield.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (through Indianapolis Colts): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Whereas the Eagles boast among the finest defensive traces within the league, there’s work to do within the secondary. The 5-11, 195-pound McDuffie isn’t essentially the most spectacular athlete, however his efficiency speaks for itself. He’s persistently graded among the many prime cornerbacks within the nation and affords the flexibility to line up within the slot or the skin.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
This may be a dream situation for the Chargers, who get a participant many contemplate a top-10 expertise. After buying and selling for go rusher Khalil Mack and signing cornerback J.C. Jackson, proper sort out stays the largest gap left to fill. The 6-5, 310-pound Cross could be the perfect go protector on this class, permitting simply two sacks in 719 pass-blocking snaps this previous season, in line with PFF.
18. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Star receiver Michael Thomas is anticipated to return from his ankle harm, however that shouldn’t cease the Saints from including one other wideout to the combo. Marquez Callaway and Tre’Quan Smith are superb No. 2 and No. 3 choices, however New Orleans might actually use one other elite receiver to unfold the sphere round quarterback Jameis Winston. The 6-1, 188-pound Olave is a refined route runner with positive arms who can torch single protection.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Eagles have lengthy ignored linebackers early within the draft, however with three first-round alternatives, this could be the yr that lastly modifications. Lloyd wouldn’t simply be a attain at a place of want, both. The 6-3, 235-pound former security has the size, velocity and athleticism to excel as a contemporary linebacker in the midst of the protection.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
After the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger and the signing of former No. 2 general decide Mitch Trubisky, the Steelers have reportedly achieved loads of homework evaluating this quarterback class. They didn’t need to go very far to scout Pickett, who broke out in his fifth season to earn first-round consideration. Whereas he would possibly by no means be a really elite quarterback, the 6-3, 220-pound Pickett ought to on the very least be an improve over backups Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins.
21. New England Patriots: Andrew Sales space Jr., CB, Clemson
The departure of J.C. Jackson in free company leaves the Patriots’ cornerback room perilously skinny. Given the sources the workforce has allotted to the place throughout coach Invoice Belichick’s tenure, that received’t be the case for lengthy. The 6-foot, 195-pound Sales space is an explosive athlete who can stick with receivers one-on-one and be comfy in nearly any scheme.
22. Inexperienced Bay Packers (through Las Vegas Raiders): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Packers haven’t drafted a receiver within the first spherical since 2002, but when they’re going to buck custom, that is the yr. After buying and selling celebrity Davante Adams to the Raiders and shedding Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Chiefs, they’re left with an unproven group of wideouts. The 6-3, 225-pound Burks matches their type as a big-bodied, athletic receiver who can get open downfield and make defenders miss after the catch.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
It wouldn’t be an thrilling decide that makes quarterback Kyler Murray glad, nevertheless it’s the perfect worth at a place of want. With many of the prime receivers off the board, the Cardinals decide to bolster their defensive entrance with the 6-3, 315-pound Wyatt, a flexible lineman who has the potential to be an influence go rusher.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Proper sort out La’el Collins is now with the Bengals, leaving a giant gap on the offensive line. The 6-7, 321-pound Penning might stand to enhance as a go blocker, however his uncooked power and physicality offers him a robust base on which to construct on. He and 6-5, 320-pound Tyron Smith would immediately be essentially the most imposing pair of tackles in soccer.
25. Buffalo Payments: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Payments enter the draft in an enviable place. With among the finest rosters in soccer, there’s no main gap to fill. That might result in a luxurious decide like a operating again, however Buffalo might study from Kansas Metropolis’s mistake when it took Clyde Edwards-Helaire within the first spherical. The 6-2, 196-pound Elam — the nephew of former Ravens first-round decide Matt Elam — could be a pleasant match subsequent to Tre’Davious White and provides the workforce some useful depth at a premium place.
26. Tennessee Titans: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Linderbaum is a consensus top-15 participant on this class, so why such a giant slide? Positional worth. In keeping with a examine by PFF, facilities provide among the lowest surplus worth of any place within the draft as a result of they're one of many lowest-paid positions within the league. Veteran middle Ben Jones is again with the Titans this season, however Linderbaum might step in at both guard spot whereas getting ready to take over within the close to future.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Johnson, G, Boston School
Tampa Bay misplaced beginning guards Ali Marpet and Alex Cappa this offseason, shaking up among the finest offensive traces within the league. They introduced again middle Ryan Jensen and traded for Patriots starter Shaq Mason, however the gap at left guard stays unfilled. The 6-3, 316-pound Johnson, one of many draft’s greatest risers, is a plug-and-play possibility.
28. Inexperienced Bay Packers: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
After releasing edge rusher Za’Darius Smith in a cost-cutting transfer, there’s a gap on the Packers’ line of defense. Whereas he lacks an explosive first step, the 6-3, 256-pound Ebiketie is probably essentially the most technically sound go rusher on this class, able to establishing strikes and beating blockers with excellent arms.
29. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (through Miami, through San Francisco): George Pickens, WR, Georgia
With the decide the Chiefs landed for buying and selling star vast receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, they'll draft his alternative. The 6-3, 200-pound Pickens missed almost all the 2021 season with a torn ACL, however he’s proven flashes of being a really dominant “X” receiver who can bully cornerbacks and make contested catches.
30. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Outdoors of defensive sort out Chris Jones, there’s loads of room for enchancment on the Chiefs’ line of defense. The 6-4, 265-pound Mafe dominated on the Senior Bowl earlier than posting among the greatest athletic testing numbers ever on the place, rating within the ninetieth percentile or higher within the broad leap, vertical leap and 40-yard sprint.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Some groups could be scared off by the 6-foot, 190-pound McCreary’s sub-29-inch arms, however he greater than held his personal in three seasons towards SEC competitors — together with towards present Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals desperately want one other cornerback to keep away from giving reclamation undertaking Eli Apple too many snaps.
32. Detroit Lions (through Los Angeles Rams): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
This could possibly be a major spot for the Lions to commerce down with a workforce that wishes to land a quarterback and acquire that useful fifth-year possibility. If not, there won't be a greater participant to guide a rebuilding protection than Dean, a mechanical engineering main who can learn performs instantly and fly to the ball provider. He won't have preferrred dimension at 6 ft and 225 kilos, however his school tape speaks for itself. He’d be a real tradition changer for coach Dan Campbell.
Spherical 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
34. Detroit Lions: Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
35. New York Jets: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
36. New York Giants: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
37. Houston Texans: Breece Corridor, RB, Iowa State
38. New York Jets (through Carolina Panthers): Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
39. Chicago Bears: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
40. Seattle Seahawks (through Denver Broncos): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
41. Seattle Seahawks: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
42. Indianapolis Colts (through Washington Commanders): Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
43. Atlanta Falcons: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
44. Cleveland Browns: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
45. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Pitre, DB, Baylor
46. Minnesota Vikings: Kenyon Inexperienced, G/T, Texas A&M
47. Washington Commanders (through Indianapolis Colts): Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
48. Chicago Bears (through Los Angeles Chargers): Logan Corridor, DL, Houston
49. New Orleans Saints: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
50. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (through Miami Dolphins): Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
51. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darian Kinnard, G/T, Kentucky
53. Inexperienced Bay Packers (through Las Vegas Raiders): Tyler Smith, G/T, Tulsa
54. New England Patriots: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
55. Arizona Cardinals: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
56. Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
57. Buffalo Payments: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
58. Atlanta Falcons (through Tennessee Titans): Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
59. Inexperienced Bay Packers: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
61. San Francisco 49ers: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
62. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
63. Cincinnati Bengals: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
64. Denver Broncos (through Los Angeles Rams): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
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