NFL Draft grades 2022: Live results & analysis for every pick in Round 1
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Did your team ace or botch its pick or picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft? Sporting News has you covered in tracking all the selecting and handing out grades beginning in real-time beginning Thursday night, also going through the second and third rounds on Friday night.
There might not be the same level of marquee names at the top, especially at quarterback in contrast to past drafts. But there will be plenty of intrigue for what happens in Las Vegas, given unprecedented unpredictability. The depth of talent, particularly at edge rusher, wide receiver, and cornerback, will make many teams happy.
Although it seems early to grade picks right after they go down, Sporting News' immediate analysis and evaluation is based on three key early criteria: how good the prospect is, whether he satisfies his NFL team's schematic needs and what kind of value he has in relation to his selection.
From No. 1 through No. 105, this is your hub for in-depth live reaction for Round 1 and continuing into Rounds 2 and 3, grading every team and player fit:
NFL Draft grades 2022: Live picks, analysis for Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
- Grade: B
The Jaguars go for a disruptive pass rusher, but it’s the more versatile Walker for their three-man front vs. Aidan Hutchinson. Trent Baalke and Jacksonville wanted Walker because he can be a force inside or out with some run-stopping pop, too. Although Waker has great athletic upside and a high ceiling, they did pass on some safer selections at other positions, including Hutchinson as a pure edge player.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
- Grade: A
Hutchinson doesn’t have to move far from Ann Arbor, going back home to the Detroit metro area. The Lions can be thrilled about the ferocious Wolverine slipping to be a cornerstone pass rusher for their 4-3 under Aaron Glenn, for which he’s an ideal fit. He is tough and relentless and straight-up productive. Hutchinson can remain dominant in the NFL and also is an asset against the run. He is the best player in this draft class.
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
- Grade: B-
The Texans address a key need for a big playmaker on the back end of coach Lovie Smith’s defense, but it’s surprising they passed on the better values at offensive tackle and took Stingley ahead of better all-around corner prospect Sauce Gardner. Stingley has some durability concerns and had some time off, and the Texans are banking on him being a Jalen Ramsey-type player. It’s a true boom-or-bust selection for Nick Caserio.
4. New York Jets: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
- Grade: A
Gardner is the best corner in the draft and the Jets didn’t want to take a chance on him still being there at No. 10, given the crosstown Giants had heavy interest behind them. He can be a Richard Sherman-type alpha in coach Robert Saleh’s defense, forming a new dynamic duo with former Seahawk D.J. Reed. It’s mildly surprising that the Jets didn’t land Kayvon Thibodeaux for the edge here, but Joe Douglas can tap into a strong class at that position later, believing Gardner stands out in a great group at his position.
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
- Grade: A-
The Giants had been tied to taking the best offensive tackle available for a while, either Evan Neal or Ickey Ekwonu, but they also had a critical need for someone to wreak absolute havoc on the edge. Joe Schoen could have waited and tapped into the position depth later, but Thibodeaux’s immense ceiling for a franchise that values freakish sack artists was difficult not to take after the Jets passed.
6. Carolina Panthers: Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
- Grade: A
The Panthers chose to pass on a quarterback and that decision was made easier by having their pick between Ekwonu and Evan Neal. Scott Fitterer circles back to address Carolina’s biggest need by looking right down the road to Raleigh for a strong, powerful but also very athletic force to form bookends with Taylor Moton. The Panthers’ QB course of action this year might be instead adding veteran competition for Sam Darnold.
7. New York Giants (from Bears): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Grade: A+
The Giants should be pinching themselves in Schoen’s first draft after being able to get Thibodeaux and Neal. They now have their rock of a (likely) right tackle working opposite rising first-round star Andrew Thomas. His combination of size, athleticism and quickness is exceptional and Neal will be a massive boost to the protection of Daniel Jones and the running of Saquon Barkley. The Giants have tapped into their old-school strengths nicely with two tremendous picks that are perfect need fits, too.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
- Grade: C-
The Falcons did address a desperate need for a wide receiver with Calvin Ridley suspended, Russell Gage gone and Julio Jones long gone. But they whiffed by not taking either Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave or Jameson Williams instead. Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith go for London’s massive frame and intriguing speed, but he also comes with plenty of volatility. Perhaps they got addicted to the catch radius of 2021 first-round tight end Kyle Pitts and preferred London as the complementary pass-catcher. It’s a big-time head-scratcher.
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Grade: A
The Seahawks have liked Cross for a while as their replacement for left tackle Duane Brown so it came down to whether they were interested enough in a quarterback early to replace Russell Wilson. Although Ekownu and Neal separated from him as big-time blockers, Cross is a mighty force in his own right with the right combination of run push and pass protection for what Seattle wants offensively under John Schneider.
10. New York Jets (from Seahawks): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
- Grade: A+
The Jets get their needed third big playmaker for Zach Wilson. Garrett Wilson is the ideal complement to Corey Davis and Elijah Moore with his big-play burst to go along with technical route-running and great hands. Look for Moore to slide into the slot while Davis acts like more of a big possession body and Wilson becomes the primary field-stretcher for his second-year QB. The Falcons jumping on London made this a no-brainer.
11. New Orleans Saints (from Commanders): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
- Grade: A-
The Saints made an aggressive move up from No. 16 to land another Buckeyes wide receiver to complement Michael Thomas. New Orleans fills a big need but it’s a bit surprising Mickey Loomis didn’t go for a quarterback. This means there’s a commitment to making it work with Jameis Winston by giving him a dynamic big-play threat to match his big arm and play off Thomas’ strong intermediate possession skills.
12. Detroit Lions (from Vikings): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
- Grade: B+
The Lions made an intradivision trade to make sure they got in on the run for the three best wide receivers in the draft from consecutive picks. Given the position was so deep, they get knocked a little for giving up a considerable haul of picks to the rival Vikings and also not thinking about the first crack at quarterback. But when breaking down the player, the Lions could afford to be patient with Williams, a flat-out big playmaker, while he recovers from his knee injury. He’s a terrific skill complement for Amon-Ra St. Brown, D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson. Now they need a QB upgrade behind a top line to get the ball to Williams downfield.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (from Browns via Texans): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
- Grade: A
The Eagles didn’t give up too much in later draft capital to move up a little and ensure the Ravens didn’t snipe them for Davis. Philadelphia was in the market for defensive line reinforcements with Howie Roseman and needed a powerful run stopper to complement Fletcher Cox, who’s also 31. Davis had a late boost up the board as he got more attention for his sometimes explosive interior pass rush.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
- Grade: A+
The Ravens have been searching for that special playmaking safety since the glory days of Hall of Famer Ed Reed after Earl Thomas didn’t pan out for long. They get that answer here in a top-five overall talent in this draft. Hamilton is a thumper against the run and a ballhawk in pass coverage. He just has a nose for impact plays. He’s an immediate strong candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year working next to solid free-agent addition Marcus Williams.
15. Houston Texans (from Dolphins via Eagles): Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
- Grade: C
The Texans passed on offensive tackle earlier so it’s a bit odd they went for an interior blocker here, especially when players such as Tyler Linderbaum and Zion Johnson were on the board. They also could have doubled up on defense by going after many of the impactful edge rushers still available. Green will be a powerful force for the running game, but there were more pressing needs to address for an overall talent-poor team.
16. Washington Commanders: (from Colts via Saints, Eagles): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
- Grade: B
The Commanders took a circuitous route to getting their deep threat complement to Terry McLaurin, knowing Carson Wentz operates best when having that type of player outside. It might seem a little forced after choosing to stay put and take either Olave or Williams, but Dotson’s speed and quickness was definitely a missing offensive element for Scott Turner.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
- Grade: A
The Chargers’ offseason has been about trying to make a Super Bowl run with Justin Herbert. After they got their left tackle rock in Rashawn Slater in last year’s first round, they get the ideal player to upgrade the right side, either inside or outside. Johnson does a little bit of everything well with his all-around skill set, featuring his natural agility and power.
18. Tennessee Titans (from Eagles via Saints): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
- Grade: D
The Titans gave up their already established top-flight young wide receiver A.J. Brown for this pick only to acquire a lesser, similar-style talent with some big question marks attached to his level of speed and quickness. They don’t have the same big-play potential off play-action tied to Derrick Henry’s power running anymore for Ryan Tannehill. Burks and former Ram Robert Woods make this more of an intermediate passing attack. Tennessee didn’t want to break the bank to keep Brown, but it also took a big hit given its status as an AFC playoff team with more uncertainty at a critical offensive position.
19. New Orleans Saints (from Eagles): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
- Grade: A
The Saints had been targeting Penning as their smaller-school replacement for left tackle Terron Armstead, who left for the Dolphins in free agency. Penning has a mean and nasty streak along with his athletic upside in a sturdy frame, making him the ideal bookend for Ryan Ramczyk in front of Winston. With the Olave pick earlier, the Saints are committed to better downfield pocket passing.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
- Grade: B
The Steelers got Mitchell Trubisky as a contingency bridge, but as a transitional playoff team, they were fully expected to tap into a potential rookie franchise passer with this pick. It’s interesting they stuck with the local line and took Pickett despite the higher-upside Malik Willis still being on the board. Pickett has the ideal deep-ball accuracy for Matt Canada’s offense as a little more of a traditional pocket passer, also bringing favorable athleticism and moxie to make the pro jump in his college city.
21. Kansas City Chiefs (from Patriots): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
- Grade: B
The Chiefs surprised a little by trading up for a corner vs. going for a wide receiver or pass rusher, but they liked McDuffie as their replacement for Chavarius Ward to make this move. McDuffie is a very smart and fluid corner who can do everything needed of him in coverage and beyond in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
22. Green Bay Packers (from Raiders): Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
- Grade: D
This is another questionable first-rounder for the Packers, who were a bit handcuffed by the major wide receiver run in the top 18 picks. They did need some inside linebacker pop next to De’Vondre Campbell, but they reached big-time for Walker when more dynamic college teammate Nakobe Dean and better overall prospect Devin Lloyd were still available. They also could have “won” by pivoting to the strength at edge rusher, led by Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson. Walker can turn out to be a pretty good player, but he could have been had deep into Day 2. Brian Gutekunst nearly matches the Jordan Love pick with this one.
23. Buffalo Bills (from Ravens via Cardinals): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
- Grade: B
The Bills needed a corner and had their eye on McDuffie, who went to the AFC playoff rival Chiefs. It’s also surprising they traded up for Elam instead of Andrew Booth Jr. But the bottom line is, they needed a nice-sized replacement for Levi Wallace opposite Tre’Davious White more than anything else on a loaded roster. Elam was worthy of a late first-rounder or early second-rounder, so this isn’t really too much of a reach.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
- Grade: B
The Cowboys took a late-rising player vs. a faller in Jermaine Johnson to help them on the edge pass rusher. Dallas was desperate for offensive line help after moving on from Connor Williams and La’el Collins. Smith helped his stock by convincing teams he could be a durable rock and also hold up outside at right tackle, the best bet for where he’ll play opposite Tyron Smith. Jerry Jones’ move makes sense given the Cowboys are trying to be in win big now mode around Dak Prescott.
25. Baltimore Ravens (from Bills): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
- Grade: A+
No one should be surprised that the Ravens ended up with two first-rounders under Eric Costa and nailed them both. Linderbaum fills a big need to anchor the middle of the offensive line with his overall blocking and leadership and it didn’t hurt that his mentor was former Ravens all-everything guard Marshal Yanda, a fellow former Hawkeye. The Ravens didn’t really need Hollywood Brown, and the net of Hamilton and Linderbaum makes them a much stronger team on both sides.
26. New York Jets (from Titans): Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
- Grade: A+
The Jets were smart to jump back into the first round to complete an exceptional early haul for Joe Douglas. Robert Saleh gets his much-needed freakish pass rusher with some Nick Bosa upside to complement the upgraded playmaking in coverage with Sauce Gardner. The Jets’ talent is quickly shooting upward with ideal picks that fit their rebuilding game plan under both leaders.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Buccaneers): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
- Grade: A-
The Jaguars gave up some of their league-high draft picks to catch this falling star in the first round, but it falls in line with their mission to upgrade their defensive front seven for new coordinator Mike Caldwell. While Walker works up front, Lloyd’s length, strength and three-down coverage skills will be a nice complement to active tackling addition Foyesade Oluokun. There’s no doubt Jacksonville traded with Tampa Bay to try to re-create a Tampa Bay-style defense with Lloyd and Oluokun playing the roles of Devin White and Lavonte Davis.
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
- Grade: A
That’s more like it for the Packers in making a defensive-minded pick and grabbing Quay Walker’s college teammate. Wyatt slipped a little with the Cardinals not picking, but Green Bay had a need to upgrade around Kenny Clark in its three-man front. Wyatt is a versatile and explosive disruptor who can give them a needed extra pass-rush element.
29. New England Patriots (from Chiefs via 49ers, Dolphins): Cole Strange, G, Chattanooga
- Grade: B-
The Patriots loved Strange enough to jump on him in the first round but they could have likely gotten him in the third round. He is their ideal type of interior blocking prospect with his versatility tied to balanced strength and agility and fills a considerable need with Ted Karras and Shaq Mason no longer on the roster.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
- Grade: A
The Chiefs, like the Packers, avoid reaching on a wide receiver and get the best player available in Karlaftis, a different kind of “Greek freak.”. He has some special natural qualities in getting after the quarterback and gives the team some flexibility. It can now keep Chris Jones inside and get at least good situational production opposite fading Frank Clark. The Chiefs rebounded well on pass defense with Karlaftis complementing new corner Trent McDuffie.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
- Grade: B-
This is a curious case of the player himself being a solid pick as Hill brings the right blend of smarts, instincts, smarts and quickness to the position. But safety is also a strength for Cincinnati with franchise player Jessie Bates and solid Vonn Bell. The team also has a fine slot corner in Mike Hilton. The Bengals didn’t have any glaring needs and the offensive line values didn’t line up, it’s just interesting that one of the best players available was more of a luxury. This might mean they won’t be signing Bates long-term.
32. Minnesota Vikings (from Rams via Lions): Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
- Grade: A
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