Want to know what I think of every pick made in Thursday’s first round of the 2022 NFL Draft? You can find everything below. You can also follow the rest of the draft on Days 2 and 3 for more grades and further analysis. Be sure to update this page throughout the weekend for the latest sheet music.
If you want to do all of that, plus track the best available prospects and have one-page access to every selection in the draft, you can do that in our draft tracker.
Grades: round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7
1. Jaguars: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
grade B-
This is purely a projection. They need edge help but he plays more like a down 5 technique. He’s a good player, a tough player, a physical player, but he’s not an explosive rusher. You can pair him with Josh Allen, but I would have gone offensive lineman here.
2nd Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Grade: B+
They need a pass rusher in the worst possible way, and they must be thrilled that Hutchinson fell on them here. He’s a polished edge rusher who will be an impact player right away. The Lions need to be able to influence the quarterback better than last year. Hutchinson will do that. But he could be a 12-sack guy for most of his career, rather than a 16-sack guy. But that’s okay.
3. Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Grade B
That doesn’t make much sense to me. They’re playing a defense that doesn’t give the cornerback a bounty, but they’ve picked an overpass rusher. Stingley is an excellent cover corner, but that’s a bit odd. Pass rusher or tackle was a better option.
4. Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Grade: B+
If you want to win the AFC East, you have to stop the Bills and Josh Allen. This means that corner covers are very popular. Gardner is the top cover player in the draft. This should mean more man for Robert Saleh and his crew. Good choice.
5. Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Class: A
He is the best pure pass rusher in this draft. He has the explosive ability the Giants desperately need. The question with him now is his character. does he love the game But I think he will move past that talk and become a dominant edge player. I love this selection.
6th Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, State NC
Grade: B+
The Panthers played gyros at left tackle last year, so getting a tackle in this draft was a no-brainer. I liked Evan Neal more, but I have that choice. Ekwonu needs some work on his passport protection, but it’s fixable.
7. Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Class: A
The Giants land the best tackle in the draft. He’ll intervene in the right tackle and give them a nice pair of bookends with Andrew Thomas. They need to protect the quarterback better, and they will. He will be a longtime starter who goes to many Pro Bowls.
8. Hawks: Drake London, WR, USC
grade B-
London is a big receiver, but he’s not doing so well. This is a team that needed to add more speed. At this point I would have picked Garrett Wilson. He would have given them a more immediate effect. London is good. But there were better options.
9. Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi St.
Grade B
They had a glaring hole at left tackle, so they had to get a left tackle. With the run on them, they land on a player who is good at pass protection but needs work in the run game. If Seattle wants to do better, they picked the wrong tackle. But he’s good at protecting the quarterback.
10. Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio St.
Class: A
I love this choice. I know there has been talk of trading that pick to get Deebo Samuel, but I love staying put and taking Wilson. He’s a fast player who will help Zach Wilson a lot. It’s fast and a lot cheaper than Samuel.
11th Saints (from Commanders): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio St.
Grade: C+
Giving up the whole arsenal to get Olave is risky if you ask me. Olave is a quick receiver that will complement Michael Thomas, but that’s a lot to give up to get him. Jameis Winston will be happy, but I don’t love that. The saints must.
12. Lions (by Vikings): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Grade B
This is the best receiver in the draft. The Lions can wait until he recovers. If he is healthy he will be a dynamic playmaker. They took a bold step to get him, but they gave up a bunch to get him. You better hope he’s what you think they can become. I think he’s a star.
13. Eagles (by Texans): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Grade B
This is a damn good pick for the Eagles. They had to bring a strong player into the team as age became an issue there. Davis will be a three-down player in the NFL, although some don’t think he will be. The Eagles will be much better against the run – that’s for sure.
14. Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
grade B-
The Ravens will get a player to help their backend right away. I like Hamilton, but I don’t love him like most people do. He’ll have some issues with cover, but you’ll need to use him in a variety of ways to take advantage of his talents. He’s not Ed Reed. That’s for sure.