2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 75 Loaded At EDGE, Defensive Back
The Latest 2022 NFL Draft Big Board at NFL Mocks features a plethora of edge rushers and defensive backs.
The first week of college football has come and gone, and with that comes the initial reactions of seeing future 2022 NFL Draft prospects in action. Many of the top players did extremely well and proved that they belong near the top of the board come next April, while others are still developing and working. The good news is that there are another dozen weeks.
However, here at NFL Mocks, the 2022 NFL Draft work never stops. It’s been a while since the big board was updated, and even the preseason positional rankings need a little tuning. The board expands to 75 prospects in this update, with a plethora of players at defensive back and edge rusher. The quarterbacks are likely a bit lower than in recent classes, but five are on the board. Let’s dive in to the most recent top 75 for the 2022 NFL Draft.
1. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Kyle Hamilton sits atop the board here, and at 6’4″ and 220 pounds, it’s easy to see why. Possessing elite range for his size, Hamilton has incredibly long strides and covers ground with ease. He’s a reliable tackler with great recognition skills, and opened up the season well with two interceptions against the Seminoles.
2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux leads the edge class in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the argument can be made for him to be at the top. He has an elite first step and is excellent at defending the run, using great hand placement and strength to quickly engage and disengage. A big game against Ohio State would be impressive should he play.
3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Derek Stingley sits atop a fantastic corner group, and his freshman season was undeniably special. His patience and ability to locate the football in coverage is excellent, and he’s already showed off better tackling ability and the closing speed to boot.
4. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Players at 290 pounds shouldn’t be able to move the way that DeMarvin Leal does, and his versatility to line up all over the defensive line will attract plenty of teams looking to upgrade. His quickness and power combination is very good.
5. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth has ridiculous upside for the position, and his ball skills and in-air athleticism are unmatched in the class. He’s developing and refining his skills in coverage, but Booth has the physicality and temperament to go high in the 2022 NFL Draft.
6. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Evan Neal didn’t end up the top tackle on the preseason rankings, but he looked the part of a franchise left tackle in the opener. He is a true mauler at the position and has the footwork and quickness to succeed in pass protection on the outside.
7. Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green made a move over to tackle this fall, and it’s so far so good. SEC play will determine a lot for his future position, and either way, Green is an elite guard with great core strength, lateral quickness, and finishing ability.
8. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Garrett Wilson is ready to join an excellent group of separators to be a first round pick next April. He’s dynamic throughout his stem, and has the burst to be a deep threat. He’s a great route salesman, and the clear top receiver right now in the 2022 NFL Draft.
9. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Tyler Linderbaum is a very good fit in a zone offense with his combination of initial quicks, explosion, and hand usage. He’s got great vision when leading the charge in space and is continually improving in pass pro.
10. Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington
At 6’7″ and 310 pounds, Jaxson Kirkland is a rock on the blind side. His athleticism is impressive for his size, and he’s hard to beat when dropping into pass pro while also being sufficient in the run game.