Early 2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Defense takes the stage
Georgia. player. Pick Analysis. Safety. Lewis Cine. 27. 814. Scouting Report
This might be the biggest shocker on the board, but once more analysts dive in to the tape, they will see an excellent playmaker. Lewis Cine has the size, physicality, speed, and range to be a versatile playmaker at the safety position, and could work his way into the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Scouting Report. Texas A&M. 28. player. 873. Pick Analysis. Running Back. Isaiah Spiller
Isaiah Spiller, yet another Aggie, makes the early big board. Spiller has good balance through contact, can make defenders miss in space, and possesses a good gear once he finds some daylight. He also contributed in the passing game, something that is crucial in today’s NFL.
838. Pick Analysis. Quarterback. North Carolina. Sam Howell. 29. Scouting Report. player
The third and final quarterback to grace the board, North Carolina’s Sam Howell brings volatility to the position. He had an impressive freshman campaign, and shows off the arm talent and deep ball touch. Howell needs to be more consistent overall with his accuracy and quick decision making, but the tools are certainly there.
Ahmad Gardner. player. 830. Scouting Report. Cincinnati. Cornerback. 30. Pick Analysis
The Cincinnati Bearcats had two safeties drafted in the 2021 draft, and now they’ll have a top corner in the 2022 NFL Draft. Ahmad Gardner is a tough, feisty corner with a great temperament for the position. He does a good job closing and transitioning when in zone coverage, and produces at the catch point (six INTs, 12 passes defenses in two seasons).
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 31. Offensive Tackle. UCLA. Sean Rhyan. player. 836
A couple Pac-12 linemen finish up the early 2022 NFL Draft big board. UCLA tackle Sean Rhyan put together an impressive performance against Thibodeaux last season, and he’s another guy with the tools and athleticism to ascend.
Defensive Tackle. 32. 815. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oklahoma. Perrion Winfrey. player
The defensive tackle class isn’t the best once again in the 2022 NFL Draft upon early glances, but Perrion Winfrey has the upside to lead the pack. He flashed the ability to create some pressure in 2020, and had the awareness to bat the ball out of the air a fair amount. Winfrey has the quickness and explosion to take off this coming year.
Next. 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Spencer Rattler leads QB class. dark
A few players who just missed the cut: Zion Nelson, OL, Miami, Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson, Iken Ekwonu, OL, NC State, Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia, Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington, Cade Otton, TE, Washington, Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington.