We have officially said goodbye to the 2021 draft process, and now the focus shifts, with just under 11 months to go, to the 2022 NFL Draft. After a mock draft that went live earlier this week, it’s time to shift gears and look at a way too early 2022 NFL Draft big board.
Before we get to the early top 32, there are plenty of initial observations as we weave our way through summer scouting regarding the class. Obviously, with a full college season to go through, things will change, but it’s about getting familiar with the class this early.
The discussion always begins with the quarterback class. In 2021, we saw an unprecedented level of arm talent at the top of the class, and four prospects worth a top 10 selection. This year, however, there is a bit to be desired at this juncture. A couple talented arms lead the way, but right now, there’s a lot of day two talent at the position. Many players could make the jump into the first round with a strong season, and that’s a narrative to watch as the 2021 season unfolds.
Of course, the wide receiver class will come up in early talk too. After a class with unmatched depth and another with great talent at the top, this class will still be good, but could lack those elite WR1s at the next level.
The NFL is cyclical in nature, and the 2022 draft could follow the trend. After two years of offense dominating the conversation, defense could dominate the talk for 2022.
In this 2022 NFL Draft big board, defense stands tall at the top.
Let’s dive in to the initial top 32!
An elite safety leads the way on the 2022 NFL Draft big board. Kyle Hamilton has elite size at the position (6’4″, 218 pounds) and has athleticism in spades. He’s physical working downhill, has great range, and excellent closing speed. Expect to see a special season from him, and he could be drafted as high as Jamal Adams was.
Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is the consensus top prospect right now, and it’s easy to see why. Thibodeaux has a quick first step and great hand placement to create leverage at the point of attack. He shows off the athleticism to win on the outside track and plays with a consistent motor to chase down plays.
After an excellent freshman season that included six interceptions and 15 pass breakups, many believed that would continue in 2020. It didn’t happen, and Derek Stingley Jr.’s sophomore season left a lot to be desired. However, a bounce back season is in the works. His combination of ball skills, patience, and awareness make for a top prospect.
A little bit of a shocker here, but expect Kenyon Green to lead the 2022 NFL Draft discussion on the interior of the offensive line. Green has excellent skills in a phone booth in pass protection, a good anchor, and very good lateral movement skills.
Back to back Texas A&M prospects here near the top of the board. DeMarvin Leal has played multiple positions on the defensive line, and has won at every spot. His hand usage is impressive and he’s very quick for being listed at 290 pounds.
The 2021 draft had an elite linebacker lead the class, and the 2022 NFL Draft could end up similar in that regard. With a great blend of athleticism, range, and instincts, Alabama linebacker Christian Harris has the three down ability that NFL teams will covet.
The tackle class has quite the leader in the clubhouse at this point. Listed at 6’7″ and 360 pounds, Evan Neal has elite size and strength at tackle. He can be a force at the point of attack, a road grader in the run game, and can be nearly impossible to move off his spot when rushing against him.
The corner class looks extremely talented, and Clemson has a top talent in Andrew Booth Jr. His ball skills and in-air athleticism are insane, and he’s already made highlight reel plays in his time with the Tigers. Improve his technique a bit and he could be a problem at the next level.
Another corner with the potential to be CB1 in the 2022 NFL Draft, Florida’s Kaiir Elam is excellent in man coverage. He has quick transitions, oily hips, and is consistently making plays at the catch point. He has four interceptions and 15 passes defensed in his first two seasons in Gainesville.
Drake Jackson dropped some weight before the 2020 season, getting down to 255 pounds. It didn’t affect his ability to use his hands effectively to get off blocks, but his change of direction skills and athleticism to rush the passer got even better.
Teams with needs at defensive end are going to be happy with the 2022 NFL Draft class. Purdue’s George Karlaftis should be near the top of the conversation. Karlaftis is a heavy-handed, power rusher who does flash some burst off the line. He will look to repeat the numbers he put up as a freshman in 2021 (17.0 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks).
The fight for the “WR1” title will be fun throughout the 2021 NFL Draft process. Right now, Treylon Burks is one of the few who can make an argument. Burks has an impressive catch radius, and brings great size for the prototypical “X” receiver. However, he does more that that, showcasing some speed and field vision after the catch.
Chris Olave could easily have come out in last year’s draft, and would likely have been an early day two pick. Olave is the savvy route runner in the class, with great skills at the top of his route stems and the long speed and stamina to win deep down the field.
Another Texas A&M Aggie finds his way into the early top 15. The tight end class has a chance to be deeper in the 2022 NFL Draft and Jalen Wydermyer leads the way. He has the blend of size and athleticism to be a productive pass catcher at the next level.
The first quarterback finds his way onto the list. Spencer Rattler has impressive arm talent, very good touch on the football to the intermediate and deep areas of the field, and enough mobility to make plays on the move. He does have some decision making questions to iron out, but he’s the best quarterback right now.
Some may see redshirt sophomore Charles Cross as a little too high on the board here, but he’s well on his way to be a top tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. His athleticism and quickness to mirror is impressive, and he displays very good hand usage for such a young talent.
Ohio State has a pair of top young receivers in this process, finally taking the mantle from Alabama. Garrett Wilson may have some of the highest upside of the receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s twitched up with his movement skills, and shows the ability to create separation off of his athleticism and flexibility alone, along with showing great tracking skills. If he continues to refine his game, he can push for the top spot.
Penn State tackle Rasheed Walker is another tackle who will get plenty of hype once the season begins. He has a ton of experience under his belt and possesses good skills in pass protection along with a high football IQ. Walker could leap into round one with another good year.
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong is already getting buzz in draft circles, and hearing his name called early in the 2022 NFL Draft wouldn’t be surprising. Strong has a live arm, which is apropos, and continually pushes the ball down the field with consistency. Being able to vary up velocity is important for Strong, as he can fit the ball into tight windows and drop it in the bucket.
Derion Kendrick has dropped off the radar a little bit since leaving Clemson, but recently completed his transfer to the Georgia Bulldogs. Kendrick is fluid and patient in man coverage, and could follow Eric Stokes as a first round corner from Georgia.
Stop if you’ve heard this before. Purdue has a dynamic wide receiver who put up great numbers as a freshman. David Bell is a dynamic playmaker who also flashes some ability to win in contested spots with great body control. He could be in for a massive junior campaign in 2021.
He’s undersized, sure (currently listed at 5’9″, 177 pounds), but Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has already gotten plenty of buzz for the 2022 NFL Draft. He possesses great instincts in coverage, is willing to stick his nose in the run game, and has great ball production (13 pass breakups in 2020).
Breece Hall had a dominant sophomore campaign, leading the Iowa State Cyclones to a Big 12 championship appearance and a Fiesta Bowl win with 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns. While he is an upright runner, Hall has great vision, quick processing skills, and can pick up yards after contact.
Another Alabama receiver? Yes indeed. John Metchie III has the potential to be a first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He will likely put up insane numbers in 2021. Metchie has good hand usage to create some space and is savvy when winning vertically. He needs to work on catching through contact, but he has a well-rounded game.
Tyler Linderbaum is a little undersized for the center position (289 pounds), but are we really going to bet against an Iowa offensive lineman? Linderbaum has great hand usage, initial quicks, and is nearly always in a great position to maintain leverage.
He’s yet to put together a productive season together on the stat sheet, but Ohio State edge rusher Zach Harrison has the tools to put it together in 2021. He’s the type of high upside, toolsy player that teams go after in the first round.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.