NFL Draft season is in full swing with this weekend’s combine, and Big Boards are coming into focus. This year’s prospect pool is understandably deeper than most cycles as a result of the shortened 2020 season affording prospects an extra year of college eligibility. With that in mind, this draft class is as interchangeable from 1 through 75 as any in recent memory.
Without further ado, here’s my debut Big Board of the 2022 draft season (rankings will be updated throughout the weekend):
1. Kayvon Thibideaux, EDGE, Oregon
The skinny: A freak athlete with a body tailored to rush the passer. How he tests will be important, but for now this shouldn’t be over-thought.
Best trait: Athleticism
Why he could fall: If he doesn’t test out of this world at the combine/pro day then knit-pick concerns will rule the day.
2. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
The skinny: Most scout’s EDGE1 and arguably the safest pick in the class. Elite length, lateral quickness, refined technique, and a relentless motor make for a can’t-miss prospect.
Best trait: Motor, hand-usage
Why he could fall: He likely won’t.
3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The skinny: A massive athlete with smooth moves and a mean-streak in the run game.
Best trait: Size/athleticism combo
Why he could fall: Still growing in pass protection, though the tools are all there
4. Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
The skinny: Checks every box at corner—size, quick feet, loose hips, natural instincts.
Best trait: Fluidity
Why he could fall: Injury concerns
5. Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
The skinny: Nasty, dominating run-blocker with still-growing but ever-present pass blocking tools.
Best trait: Putting run defenders in their grave
Why he could fall: May always be more valuable at guard than tackle
6. Charles Cross, OT, Miss. St.
The skinny: Elite pass blocking tools and refined technique make him a plug-and-play prospect at LT.
Best trait: Pass protection
Why he could fall: Likely won’t, but run-oriented offenses will prefer Neal/Ekwonu
7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The skinny: Uber-athletic EDGE with a lunch-pail mindset and plenty of room to grow.
Best trait: Speed-to-power
Why he could fall: Scouts vary on his value in a loaded EDGE class.
8. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The skinny: Size and speed freak with the jets to go 0-60 in a blink; get the ball in his hands and figure out the rest later.
Best trait: Size/accelerator combo
Why he could fall: A variety of skillsets & lack of consensus in the WR class makes the board unpredictable.
9. Kyle Hamilton, SS, Notre Dame
The skinny: An instant-impact chess piece for smart defenses, this level of athleticism and skill normally doesn’t come in a 6’3” 220 lb. package.
Best trait: Size/thump
Why he could fall: Lacks single-high versatility (likely a high-end SS/sub-LB in the pros).
10. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The skinny: Listed as CB1 by some scouts, he also possesses the “full package” at corner, and has potential to lock down receivers from day one.
Best trait: Length/instincts
Why he could fall: Despite proven reps against a few top-tier wideouts, that may not be enough to shake off competition concerns at Cincinnati.
11. Drake London, WR, USC
The skinny: A big-bodied, contested-catch nightmare for opposing defenses; has the savvy separate out of breaks, and is a hungry hippo after the catch.
Best trait: Ball skills
Why he could fall: Some teams will prefer another flavor of receiver
12. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The skinny: A fleet-footed, sticky corner with loose hips and the physicality to make a difference in the run game.
Best trait: Motor, instincts
Why he could fall: Lack of length
13. Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The skinny: A well-rounded DE prospect with untapped potential to rush the passer. Dominant against the run with the versatility/strength to kick inside.
Best trait: Powerful
Why he could fall: Somewhat of a tweener depending on scheme
14. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The skinny: A proven resume and bankable skillset of deep speed and route-running chops.
Best trait: Getting open
Why he could fall: Possible size concerns (though he likely won’t fall)
15. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The skinny: A well-rounded linebacker with natural instincts, he can sift through the muck, run sideline-to-sideline, or drop into coverage adequately.
Best trait: Versatility
Why he could fall: There is a debate that he’s not necessarily elite at any one responsibility, clouding both fit and upside.
16. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The skinny: A downhill linebacker with explosive athleticism and a knack for the football. His ability to cover running backs and blitz at a high level make for an exciting prospect.
Best trait: Explosiveness
Why he could fall: Some scouts will have fair concern over size, as well as the fact that he feasted behind a generational D-line (not his fault, of course).
17. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The skinny: A true burner with the route-running prowess, ball skills, and competitive fire to demand double-teams on every snap (health permitting).
Best trait: Speed
Why he could fall: A torn ACL in the National Championship makes for a wide range of outcomes.
18. Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
The skinny: A road-grading athlete with the versatility to play tackle in a pinch. A strong anchor, low center of gravity, and long arms allow him to consistently out-leverage his man.
Best trait: Run blocking
Why he could fall: IOL are always at risk of sliding as a result of position value.
19. Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The skinny: The widely-regarded top center prospect in a few years—we can debate the positional value of center/IOL, but his mettle as a prospect is undeniable.
Best trait: Smart & nasty
Why he could fall: Positional value
20. David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The skinny: An explosive athlete with every trait a pass rusher could ask for, if he develops the finer points of the position he’ll be a generational talent.
Best trait: Speed-to-power
Why he could fall: Raw, inexperienced
21. Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
The skinny: Pairs elite lateral quickness, burst, and fluidity to consistently win inside on all three downs.
Best trait: Explosiveness
Why he could fall: Lacks ideal length; still needs polish
22. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The skinny: Major upside as a sudden route-runner with deep speed and a wide catch-radius.
Best trait: Explosiveness
Why he could fall: Still a little technically raw; concerns over his release, physicality, and concentration drops.
23. Jahan Dotson, WR, PSU
The skinny: Polished route-running, twitchy athleticism, and ridiculous hands make up for size and durability concerns.
Best trait: Ball skills
Why he could fall: Size concerns
24. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The skinny: A twitched-up runner with a stocky build and a rocket for an arm. Still developing as a passer.
Best trait: Mobility/velocity combo
Why he could fall: Will need real time to develop.
25. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The skinny: A pocket passer with decent mobility, pro-progression chops, and a knack for playmaking.
Best trait: Accuracy/ball placement
Why he could fall: Some team’s will prefer another flavor of quarterback in an unremarkable yet diverse class.
26. Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
The skinny: A violent, nasty blocker in an athletic, fluid frame; he’s as raw as any prospect in the class but possesses ridiculous upside.
Best trait: Power/athleticism combo
Why he could fall: Very raw
27. Jordan Davis, NT, Georgia
The skinny: An explosive and immovable object in the middle of the trenches, he commands double teams and has the wiggle to make you pay for trying otherwise.
Best trait: Size/athleticism combo
Why he could fall: Not an every down player by virtue of position/size
28. Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida St.
The skinny: An all-around natural EDGE with an ideal build, he may not have the upside of his peers but his floor is bankable.
Best trait: Feel for the position
Why he could fall: Lacks high-end athleticism
29. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The skinny: A well-rounded passer with average size, decent mobility, and a plus-arm; he’s tailor-made for RPO-heavy schemes.
Best trait: Accuracy, feel
Why he could fall: Lacks an elite trait to hang his hat on.
30. Roger Mcreary, CB, Auburn
Skinny: A jack-of-all trades corner with plus athleticism, instincts, and movement skills. An overall high-floor prospect at a premium position.
Best trait: Battle tested
Why he could fall: Merely average size and length have some scouts doubting his potential to lock down the outside against bigger wideouts.
31. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The skinny: A long press corner with fluid hips and quick feet, he’ll fit in some schemes better than others, but should be valued by all.
Best trait: Physicality, length
Why he could fall: Can be a liability against quicker, more explosive wideouts.
32. Jaquan Brisker, Safety, PSU
The skinny: A balanced safety who makes plays against the run and pass, he’s an instant impact starter who can fill multiple responsibilities on defense.
Best trait: Length, physicality
Why he could fall: Though versatile, he projects better playing near the LOS than in deep looks
33. Dax Hill, Safety, Michigan
The skinny: An elite athlete with coverage instincts and willingness in the run game; a tiny frame might limit an otherwise enticing skillset to nickel.
Best trait: Speed
Why he could fall: Size concerns
34. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The skinny: A contested-catch threat with the speed and fluidity to make scouts drool.
Best trait: Ball skills
Why he could fall: Injury history
35. Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The skinny: An elite athlete with all the coverage/versatility chops of his Washington peer.
Best trait: Athleticism
Why he could fall: Inconsistent college career
36. Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
The skinny: A lengthy, fluid corner with elite high-upside.
Best trait: Length
Why he could fall: Inexperienced and raw compared to his peers
37. Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The skinny: A toolsy developmental piece with the versatility to rush the passer and play in space, odd-front teams will covet his upside.
Best trait: Versatility
Why he could fall: Scheme-specific, a little raw
38. Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
The skinny: An interior pass rusher who thinks he’s a true EDGE; has elite potential as a base-end that kicks inside on passing downs (if he’s willing to buy-in).
Best trait: Versatility
Why he could fall: Possible tweener (versatility is often a double-edged sword)
39. Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky
The skinny: An experienced, elite run-blocker who can play all across the line at a high-level.
Best trait: Nasty, fluid
Why he could fall: A run-heavy scheme at Kentucky clouds his evaluation in pass sets.
40. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The skinny: A toolsy passer with a blend of mobility, arm talent, and size; decision-making and accuracy concerns hold back an otherwise elite prospect.
Best trait: Size/mobility/arm combo
Why he could fall: Accuracy concerns
41. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
The skinny: A true pocket passer with a big arm; would have been a first-round lock a decade ago.
Best trait: Howitzer arm
Why he could fall: Seasoned, yet still developing processing and accuracy.
42. Trevor Penning, OT, North. Iowa
The skinny: A powerful mauler in the run game with the length/anchor to handle pass protection; a low level of competition clouds his projection.
Best trait: Power
Why he could fall: Competition concerns
43. Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The skinny: A penetrating interior lineman with an elite first step and plus length; a three-down, bankable skillset.
Best trait: Quickness
Why he could fall: His value somewhat depends on scheme.
44. Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia
The skinny: A long, athletic, and experienced corner who excels in zone coverage
Best trait: Length, instincts
Why he could fall: Man coverage needs refinement
45. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio St.
The skinny: A zone-blocking tackle with ideal size and plus athleticism, equally solid in the run and pass game.
Best trait: Feet
Why he could fall: Still developing the finer points of the position.
46. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
The skinny: An experienced linebacker who can mop up sideline-to-sideline and carry backs and tight ends in man coverage.
Best trait: Explosiveness
Why he could fall: Other similar skillsets in this range
47. Logan Hall, DL, Houston
The skinny: A long and strong lineman with versatility to slide across positions, he possesses impressive burst and quickness for his size.
Best trait: Versatility
Why he could fall: Could be viewed as a tweener.
48. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Mich.
The skinny: An explosive and twitchy route-runner with decent hands and YAC ability; if he wasn’t so small he’d be a first-round talent.
Best trait: Burst
Why he could fall: Size concerns
49. Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
The skinny: Physical run-blocker with a powerful frame and plenty of pop.
Best trait: Length, power
Why he could fall: Scouts vary on his evaluation
50. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The skinny: An experienced passer tailor-made for an RPO offense, his quick release and fastball will play in the right system.
Best trait: Leadership
Why he could fall: Lacking elite traits and upside
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