The 2022 NFL draft is officially in the books. After three days and 262 selections, there is plenty to talk about, including which teams had the best (and worst) classes, which rookies will make the biggest impact in Year 1 and which prospects could outplay their draft positions.
NFL draft analysts Jordan Reid and Matt Miller run through their choices for those categories, while also giving their favorite picks in the class, choosing the players guaranteed to be future stars and the best value picks in each of the seven rounds.
How do they feel about the Jets’ three-pick first round and the Patriots’ interesting decisions? And what are their thoughts on linebacker Nakobe Dean and quarterback Malik Willis sliding to the third round? Find out below. Plus, they’ll make early predictions for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year and project which quarterbacks from this class will be starting by midseason.
Reid and Miller evaluate 20 different categories for this draft:
Jump to a superlative:
Favorite trade
Guaranteed future star
Least favorite class
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Best value picks by round
What were your favorite picks of the entire draft?
Reid: Matt, I thought Jets general manager Joe Douglas knocked it out of the park. My favorite pick was actually his first with cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at No. 4. Since joining the team in 2019, the highest draft capital that Douglas had used on a defensive player was Ashtyn Davis in the third round (No. 68) in 2020.
Douglas quickly changed gears this year. He wanted to secure a lockdown corner after seeing Derek Stingley Jr. go at No. 3. What Gardner brings is something the Jets haven’t had since the prime days of Darrelle Revis, and he has the length, ball skills and confidence to thrive immediately. Gardner is the building block this team needed and will be a perfect fit in Robert Saleh’s defense.
Miller: Jordan, there were so many picks to like this year. But I loved the Lions rushing the card in to pick defensive end Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2. In a year in which it seemed like the Jaguars overthought their choice at the top, the Lions had to be ecstatic to see the best player in the class sitting there with the second selection in the draft.
In the local kid, Hutchinson, the Lions get a future captain, a player with proven production and the upside necessary to continue developing his game.
How many rookie quarterbacks will be starting by midseason?
Reid: Three. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett (No. 20) will be the one who starts first. Mitch Trubisky was signed to be a bridge gap to the next quarterback, and the Steelers will give Trubisky every opportunity to win the job. Pickett, though, has the potential to make this competition interesting throughout training camp. I think he will eventually overtake him and take the QB1 spot by midseason.
Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder (No. 74) is another signal-caller I would be on here. Durability has always been the biggest criticism of Marcus Mariota. Behind a leaky offensive line, he will be asked to do a lot in that offense as a runner and passer. Based on the previous injury history of Mariota, he could get banged up at some point next season — which could crack the door open for Ridder to get a chance to start and never hand the job back to Mariota.
Plus, whether he is ready or not, don’t be surprised to see Matt Corral (No. 94) take the QB1 job quickly in Carolina. Coach Matt Rhule knows he has to win next season or else he is in danger of losing his job. Corral could jumpstart the offense.
Miller: Zero. The quarterback class was the draft’s weakest position, and we saw that reflected in how teams filled needs before the draft kicked off. With just one quarterback (Pickett) drafted in the top 73, it’s highly unlikely we see a Russell Wilson situation in which a Round 3 quarterback unseats a veteran to steal a starting job. Barring a preseason injury, I can’t see a quarterback starting by Week 8.
Which prospect is a guaranteed future NFL star?
Reid: Fortifying the trenches was atop the to-do list for the Giants, and they did just that with edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5. Still, I see their second top-10 pick — offensive tackle Evan Neal (No. 7) — as the prospect with the best chance to turn into a bona fide star.
Neal played all over the line at Alabama, ranging from right guard to right tackle to left tackle. We expect him to return to right tackle with the Giants, as some scouts felt that his tape was better there than on the left side. Paired opposite of Andrew Thomas, new general manager Joe Schoen now has a promising pair of bookends.
Miller: I loved everything the Ravens did throughout this draft, but stealing safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 was an amazing get. It also sets up both the Ravens and Hamilton, my fourth-ranked prospect overall, for success.
In Mike Macdonald’s scheme, he will be asked to play in the box with a ton of quarters coverage. Hamilton’s instincts and length will set him up for plenty of interceptions, but his positioning in this scheme will also unleash his ability as a pass-rusher.
What is your favorite prospect-to-team fit?
Reid: Linebacker Nakobe Dean to the Eagles (No. 83) is easily my pick here. General manager Howie Roseman has been criticized for his disregard in finding second-level playmakers. Instead, he has patchworked the linebacker unit, which has been one of the worst in the league over the past few seasons.
Dean not only is an immediate upgrade, but he brings leadership to a group that hasn’t had a leader in the middle since the prime years of Jeremiah Trotter. Philadelphia might have found a foundational piece in the third round.
Miller: Wide receiver Skyy Moore to the Chiefs (No. 54)! Moore’s ability to win at the line of scrimmage, toughness over the middle and ability to track the ball on downfield routes makes him an easy plug-and-play target in the Kansas City offense. No, he is not the next Tyreek Hill, but he can be used in a similar manner and should have immediate targets from the outside and the slot.
2:17
Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay break down which teams won and lost in the 2022 NFL draft.
What was your favorite trade of the draft?
Reid: Roseman acquiring A.J. Brown for a first- and third-round pick was arguably the best move of the weekend. Anytime you can get a proven player compared to gambling on a rookie at the position, you’ll take that 10 times out of 10. Taking advantage of the Titans not wanting to reward their star receiver, Roseman saw an opportunity and completed the trade that no one saw coming. Brown also received a four-year, $100 million extension. Now the Eagles now have a strong offensive core for quarterback Jalen Hurts to flourish.
Miller: The Jets resisted the panic to trade around in the top 10 while having pick Nos. 4 and 10. Instead, they played the board beautifully. After their first two selections, they still needed a pass-rusher and had been connected to Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II in the week leading up to the draft. They managed to get him with a move back up the board at No. 26 by trading pick Nos. 35, 69 and 163. By getting Nos. 26 and 101 in that move, they also landed tight end Jeremy Ruckert. One trade for the Jets turned into two potential starters. That’s one heck of a move.
Which pick surprised you most?
Reid: The Patriots selecting guard Cole Strange (No. 29) was a big surprise on Day 1. I had a third-round grade on the former Chattanooga lineman, and even there I thought I was higher on him than most. The Patriots clearly one-upped me and thought otherwise. After having a standout Senior Bowl, Strange helped himself significantly.
Miller: Quarterbacks Malik Willis (No. 86) and Matt Corral (No. 94) both falling to the middle of the third round was a massive surprise. Even if teams didn’t value them as rookie starters, each has the arm strength and running ability to be future starters. To not hear their names called in Round 2 was a shocker. To see them wait until Round 3 was without a doubt the biggest surprise of the draft.
Which team had your favorite class?
Reid: I can’t say it enough — I really like what the Jets did. They needed help at wide receiver, edge, cornerback and running back, and Douglas secured top-ranked players at all of those positions. I mentioned Gardner above, but the Jets also added a new receiving threat for Zach Wilson in Garrett Wilson (No. 10) and then traded back into the first round to get Jermaine Johnson II (No. 26). Douglas said afterward that their three Day 1 selections were top-eight players on their draft board.
After a strong opening night, the Jets also added the best RB in the draft in Breece Hall (No. 36) to serve as a new 1-2 punch with Michael Carter. Rounding it out, Jeremy Ruckert (No. 101) adds to the makeover at tight end after the team also signed C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin this offseason. Offensive tackle Max Mitchell (No. 111) and defensive end Micheal Clemons (No. 117) both have the potential to add depth in the trenches.
Miller: I’m joining colleagues Mina Kimes and Mel Kiper Jr. in raving about what general manager Eric DeCosta did in this class. Landing safety Kyle Hamilton (No. 14), center Tyler Linderbaum (No. 25), edge rusher David Ojabo (No. 45), defensive tackle Travis Jones (No. 76) and offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (No. 110) in the first four rounds gave them five players in my top 60 overall.
The Ravens continued to make smart picks with Alabama’s ascending cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (No. 119), punter Jordan Stout (No. 130) and tight end Charlie Kolar (No. 128), three of their whopping six fourth-round selections. Even on a playoff-contending roster, these are eight draft picks who will contribute in 2022.
Which team had your least favorite class?
Reid: The Patriots have been known as a team that has only around 80 or 90 players total on their draft board. They go against the grain with unpredictable selections, and this year’s group was no different. I thought a lot of their selections were a round — or two — too early.
Selecting Cole Strange (No. 29) in the first round was a huge shock to everyone around the league. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (No. 50) was another reach; he was viewed more as a Round 3 or 4 selection. Bailey Zappe (No. 137) was my favorite Day 3 quarterback of this year’s class, but after drafting Mac Jones a season ago, taking another young QB seems unnecessary. Maybe the team is hoping that eventually Zappe turns into a future asset similar to Jimmy Garoppolo.
Miller: It’s tough to pick on a team after it just made a dream come true for draft prospects, but the Commanders’ value in this draft didn’t match up with the board. They traded back for Jahan Dotson (No. 16) instead of selecting Chris Olave or Jameson Williams in Round 1 — a big head-scratcher.
The same can be said for their back-to-back Alabama selections of defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (No. 47) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (No. 98). Both are good players, but the value at their respective spots was off by at least a full round.
Who’s a developmental/project pick to watch?
Reid: The Ravens already have two starting tackles in place with Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, but I liked them taking a chance on Daniel Faalele (No. 110). When thinking of the players they like, he checks a lot of boxes.
At 6-foot-8, 390 pounds, he is the ultimate project because of his size. Placing him in a downhill gap/power running scheme like Baltimore’s suits his skill set. Faalele won’t be rushed into playing time.
Miller: The Texans quietly waited for a running back and picked up Florida’s Dameon Pierce (No. 107) in the fourth round. Pierce has excellent vision and power, and while he doesn’t have elite runaway speed, he is quick enough to pick his spots and find plus yardage. The Texans don’t have an established RB1; Pierce could sneak his way into this lineup.
Who’s your pick to win Offensive Rookie of the Year?
Reid: I’m going with Treylon Burks (No. 18) in Tennessee. He won’t be fighting for touches with many other targets, and the team is likely to use him in a similar fashion to A.J. Brown. Burks can have an effect on the game in so many ways; the Titans are likely to force feed him as a rushing and receiving threat.
He could have an impact in multiple areas because of the volume of touches he is likely to get early as a rookie. Someone has to step in to fulfill the production Brown left behind — and Burks is likely to be the top candidate to do that.
Miller: With no quarterbacks expected to start early in their careers from this class, I’ll go with the theme of wide receivers dominating. Chris Olave (No. 11) landed in an ideal spot with the Saints to have a Justin Jefferson-like rookie campaign. With Michael Thomas keeping defenses honest, Olave’s vertical speed and ability after the catch will give him plenty of yards and touchdowns to boost his rookie-of-the-year candidacy.
Who’s your pick to win Defensive Rookie of the Year?
Reid: I’m a big believer in Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 5) and his abilities as a pass-rusher. From day one, he should be a key contributor for a Giants defense that lacks true pass-rush options.
With Dexter Lawrence eating up double-teams, along with Leonard Williams getting a bulk of the attention, Thibodeaux has a chance to thrive.
Miller: My love for Kyle Hamilton (No. 14) continues. I can’t stress enough how great the fit is for him in Baltimore. While the rookie of the year is oftentimes someone dominating the stat sheet in sacks, Hamilton has the tools to impact the stat sheet in tackles, interceptions, passes defensed and sacks.
Let’s talk value for all seven rounds: What was the best value pick in Round 1?
Reid: Without question, it’s the Jets trading back into the first round to get Jermaine Johnson II (No. 26). He was my 12th-ranked prospect. The Jets haven’t had a defensive player record double-digit sacks since 2015 when Muhammad Wilkerson hit the number.
Last year, Carl Lawson was supposed to help that but suffered a torn Achilles in training camp. Adding some type of presence there was seen as essential. Douglas was aggressive with getting back into the first round as he sent three picks — including the No. 35 overall selection in the second round — to Tennessee in order to acquire the No. 26 and 101 overall picks.
Miller: I mentioned Kyle Hamilton (No. 14) earlier, but how about defensive back Daxton Hill (No. 31) to the Bengals? He was my 16th-ranked prospect and is an exceptional value.
Hill’s speed, range, versatility and playmaking skills are not only a great value but filled arguably the biggest need in a Bengals secondary that needs to continue adding depth pieces. I think we’ll see him ultimately play more cornerback than safety.
What was the best value pick in Round 2?
Reid: Andrew Booth Jr. was my No. 3 cornerback in this class. The Vikings getting him with the No. 42 pick has a chance to be a massive steal. Heading into the pre-draft process, the former Clemson standout was seen as a potential top-20 pick. After suffering a quad strain during the days leading up to the NFL combine and having sports hernia surgery for the second time in April, there were questions about his long-term durability. The Vikings showed to be confident in his long-term outlook, and it could pay off for them in a big way down the road.
Miller: Christian Watson was my No. 5 wide receiver in this class and a top-32 player. While the Packers didn’t get an exceptional pick value by trading up to draft him at No. 34, they did fill the biggest need on the entire roster at the top of Round 2. Getting WR5 in this class at No. 34 — where he was selected as WR7 — is a value in my book.
What was the best value pick in Round 3?
Reid: It’s hard to go against Malik Willis here, Matt. The Titans getting the best quarterback in the draft all the way down at No. 86 is an outcome that no one saw coming into the draft. Outside of Kenny Pickett, the slide of the signal-callers in this class is easily the biggest story of this year’s draft. Willis lands in a spot that is ideal for his skill set. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Willis have a small package of plays that includes some designed runs to get him some on-field time early in his career.
Miller: Jordan, I knew you were going to take Willis, so I had to go with Nakobe Dean to the Eagles. Dean was a top-20 player on my draft board and slipped to No. 83 due to concerns about size, speed and medical history. At this point in the draft, those concerns aren’t an issue. What is important is the game tape, and Dean was the heart and soul of the Georgia defense and has the instincts, timing and leadership to become a starter in Philadelphia.
1:12
Field Yates explains why the Titans made a shrewd move by choosing Malik Willis with the 86th pick.
What was the best value pick in Round 4?
Reid: The Chargers made a lot of calculated moves, especially with the additions to the offensive line, but getting Isaiah Spiller at No. 123 has a chance to be one of the best moves of this entire draft. Spiller’s vision, quick feet and ability to create in traffic made him an appealing rusher in this class. Being added to Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler and a wide-open offense will give him an ample amount of opportunities to well outplay his draft slot.
Miller: We saw a run on tight ends and running backs in Round 4, and so many of them could be a pick here, but let me go with my guy Pierre Strong Jr. going to the Patriots at No. 127. Strong doesn’t have great size (199 pounds), but he has juice at the position and will run away from defenders when he hits daylight. The Patriots have a good stable of backs, so he might be a rotational guy, but as my RB5 in this class it’s a great value pick.
What was the best value pick in Round 5?
Reid: Tariq Woolen to the Seahawks at No. 153 is an underrated Day 3 pick who could eventually blossom. When you think of the type of player the team has coveted in the past, it includes a lot of the traits Woolen possesses: length, ball skills and primarily a fit in zone coverage. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he is the exact mold that represents a Seahawks cornerback.
After running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash and putting up a 42-inch vertical jump at the combine, Woolen wowed scouts. As a converted wide receiver, he is still raw, but he landed in the perfect spot as he fits the scheme and satisfies a major position of need.
Miller: The Chiefs found success in the 2021 draft by tapping into the clients of private offensive line coach Duke Manyweather when they added Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith. Both would go on to start every game for the team.
This year, they went back to that well and added Kentucky offensive lineman Darian Kinnard at No. 145. Kinnard’s length and power make him an ideal right tackle — an area the Chiefs unsurprisingly are looking for a Day 1 starter. We rarely put those expectations on a fifth-rounder, but Kinnard has that potential.
What was the best value pick in Round 6?
Reid: Although he wasn’t invited to the combine, outside linebacker Kyron Johnson was a prospect on the radar of many scouts. After a productive week of practices at the Senior Bowl combined with running a 4.40 40-yard dash time and 39.5 inches in the vertical at the pro day, he certainly helped himself, landing with the Eagles at No. 181.
The late rounds are viewed as the areas to take chances on athletes who may be undersized. Johnson fits the criteria for that. At 6-foot, 231 pounds, he might be severely undersized at the position, but his explosiveness could help him stick on the Eagles roster.
Miller: Jordan, that is one of my favorite picks in the entire round, too. Johnson was a star in Mobile. How about linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez going to the Lions at No. 188? He was a four-year starter in college and had solid testing at the combine and his pro day with a 4.52-second run in the 40. He is experienced in coverage, has played in space plenty in Oklahoma State’s 4-2-5 scheme and has the physical traits to be a weapon on special teams.
What was the best value pick in Round 7?
Reid: Isaiah Thomas, the last picked from a group of Oklahoma defenders, could end up as one of the best of the group. He went to the Browns at No. 223.
At 6-foot-5, 266 pounds, he is a well developed pass-rusher who has a knack for generating pressure on quarterbacks. Inconsistent play throughout his career with the Sooners is one of the major reasons he lasted so long in the draft.
Miller: You beat me to it, Jordan. Thomas was a legit steal. I was shocked wide receiver Bo Melton was still on the board for the Seahawks at No. 229. He started 42 games in college and was a team captain in 2020 and 2021. He also started every game the past three years and has excelled as a kick returner and punt returner. Melton is the type of late-round pick who can make an impact on special teams and work his way into the lineup.
Which undrafted free agent will definitely make a Week 1 roster?
Reid: It was surprising to see the Eagles not draft a cornerback or safety at all. Instead, they waited until after the draft to add at those positions. They signed Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich, who has a chance to make the roster in a wide-open spot on the depth chart opposite of Darius Slay. He is not likely to be an instant-impact player, but he can serve as depth in a position that the team lacks talent in.
Miller: The Broncos picked up one of my sleeper favorites in receiver and returner Jalen Virgil. He had a hamstring injury in October that likely knocked him down the draft boards, but he scored three times on kick returns, and in a run-heavy offense, he was able to produce in the passing game.
Give us one prediction about this class for five years from now:
Reid: This class was labeled as one of the weakest in recent memory, but I just don’t agree. The trenches of this class will live up to the hype and produce multiple Pro Bowl players. Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will all turn out to be huge hits and have their fifth-year options exercised in 2026.
Miller: I hate to close this article out on a sour note, but five years from now, no quarterbacks from the 2022 draft class will be starting with the team that drafted them. Only Kenny Pickett will have a team option for a five-year contract and as for the other quarterbacks, being selected in Round 3 or later doesn’t bode well for the job security of the quarterbacks in this class.