Now, we’re more than a week away from the 2022 NFL draftRookie camps have just begun to kick off. It is the perfect time to ask our NFL experts panel to address some of your most pressing questions. As they discuss Rounds 1-7, they will share their thoughts on what analysts and writers liked, what they didn’t like, and much more.
We didn’t see many young quarterbacks move off the board before their time, but we did witness many future stars joining new pro teams. In a series of record-breaking trades, teams moved up the board to secure top prospects and to obtain more draft capital to pursue late-round steals. Some moves may work. Some moves might not work. The 13 panelists analyzed the new crop and answered questions about their favorites, most challenging moves, and more.
You can check back each day to see additional questions and answers, including which team has the best class and which rookies could become fantasy superstars. These are the topics that we have covered so far. Click the links to find the answers.
What was your favorite pick from the entire 2022 draft series?
Stephania Bell is a fantasy football analystOT Bernhard RaimannColts at Number. 77. This offseason, the Colts made a major upgrade to their quarterback position by way Matt RyanHowever, the offensive line is still in development and crucial to his success. He’s not very agile. Matty Ice’s TD rate, interception rates and sack rate have been lower than the league average over the last three seasons when he was under pressure. The Colts also allowed pressure at the seventh highest rate (32.1 percent dropbacks) last year. Raimann, at 6’6 and 303 lbs, was a tremendous value pick in round 3. He had the flexibility to play tight end and was an excellent choice.
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: S Kyle HamiltonTo the Ravens at No. 14. Hamilton, who is 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds, can be disruptive to the Ravens’ team with his top-down speed. To create on-the ball production, Mike Macdonald will be the new coordinator.
Mike Clay is a fantasy football writer WR Skyy MooreThe Chiefs at No. 54. After trading away, stuck with no receiver Tyreek HillKansas City might have discovered Patrick Mahomes‘ long-term No. 2nd round target. Moore’s hands are large and his speed is impressive. He can also line up across the field — an essential part of Andy Reid’s scheme. Moore was highly targeted at Western Michigan (32% target share), and reliable (4 drops on 256 targets). He has a chance to play an immediate all-down role in one the league’s top offenses.
Tristan H. Cockcroft is a fantasy football writerRB Breece HallTo the Jets at No. 36. Everyone loved the Jets’ draft. I included myself in that love, making the call between Hall or No. 26th overall pick Jermaine Johnson IIThe move, whose value was an absolute steal, was difficult. Although I didn’t like the move in fantasy football terms, one-two running back punches can be more trouble than helpful — Hall is a great fit. Hall is a better choice to be the primary running back for the team than I thought. Michael Carter. He will help relieve some pressure on the sophomore quarterback Zach WilsonBalance the offense better
Jeremy Fowler is the national NFL writer WR John Metchie IIITo the Texans at Number. 44. Although this is a player NFL coaches loved as a first-round talent due to his ACL injury, he was not given enough time in the pre-draft process. Because they can wait at least a year and are patient with injured players, the Texans make the best team to prioritize. Metchie will once he’s fully healthy, prove his value as a top quarterback option. Davis Mills.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: S Daxton HillThe Bengals are No. 31. Hamilton is my answer, but I think he will be a very popular player. Let’s not forget about Hamilton’s smart value pick, which I believe was an excellent one by the defending AFC champs. Hill is seen by the Bengals to be a Swiss Army Knife-type defensive back that can also play safety and slot corner. Although they were able to hit the offensive line as hard as they needed, they also had to fill some defense gaps. Hill can help them to fill any gaps that they might have. He’s a great leverage play for the team, in case Jessie Bates IIIThe contract dispute continues to linger.
Doug Kezirian, sports gambling analyst WR David BellTo the Browns at Number. 99. Hill was the one I had in mind, as he is a slot security and will offer tons of flexibility. But Graziano stole my thunder. Bell will have a long career that I believe will be productive. While his measurables aren’t the best, Bell is an excellent player on the football field. He will be a star once he produces, just as he did in college.
Eric Moody, Fantasy Football Writer: WR Skyy MooreThe Chiefs at No. 55. Kansas City fans are still grieving the loss Tyreek Hill, but they might have breathed a sigh relief upon the selection of Moore. His ability to run routes and create space using route leverage is exceptional. The explosive Chiefs offense is set to terrorize NFL defenses over the next few years.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: S Kyle HamiltonTo the Ravens at No. 14. Hamilton was my number one pick. Hamilton was my No. 4. Hamilton will be a leader for the Ravens and a three down difference-maker for their defense.
Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst ILB Nakobe DeanTo the Eagles at Number. 83. The Achilles’ heel of Philadelphia’s secondary is linebacker play for quite some time. Dean is a potential solution for the Eagles lacking a true leader at the middle. Howie roseman, the general manager, tends to overlook drafting linebackers at the beginning of the draft. However, Dean’s third-round loss meant that the value was too great to miss. Dean is a solid mix of pursuit speed, controlled aggression, and savviness, so he could have an impact on the franchise’s early years.
Mike Tannenbaum is an insider in the NFL’s front office: CB Trent McDuffieThe Chiefs at No. 21. In a deal with New England Kansas City drafted a great corner who is scheme versatile. McDuffie can cover both man and zone, and he has instincts and toughness. He could be the top corner in the league.
Seth Walder is a sports analytics writerQB Malik WillisThe Titans at No. 86. Even though Willis may not be a franchise-level QB in the near future, it’s a good investment for a team that could be looking to enter the QB market within the next year. The cost of the deal is not that high if it does not work out. There are upsides to franchise-altering opportunities if it works out. This is hard to find in the third round.
Field Yates, NFL analyst WR Jameson WilliamsThe Lions at Number. 12. Williams wouldn’t have been available at No. if he didn’t tear his ACL in January. 12. Given that Williams is not expected to return until the middle of next year, I understand why some teams may have hesitated to trade for Williams. Detroit is a team who can be patient and won’t give up future draft capital for the trade. Williams is special to me.
What was the most controversial pick in the draft?
Bell: WR Jameson WilliamsThe Lions at Number. 12. Don’t get me wrong. I LoveWilliams and the talent that he will bring the NFL. However, the Lions are in dire need of many players which makes it difficult for me to understand why they would sacrifice picks Nos. 32, 34, 66 and 66 are available for Williams’s capture, who is a wide receiver less than three months after ACL reconstruction surgery. (Detroit received also No. 46 was returned to Detroit in the swap. The Lions hope that they are playing long games and will be patient with their return-to-play status. This is especially considering their other able passcatchers like receiver Amon Ra St. Brown, tightend T.J. Hockenson, running back De’Andre Swift.
Bowen: WR Tyquan ThorntonThe Patriots at No. 50. Thornton’s vertical power can stretch defenses downfield and his foot speed allows him to create route separation. Given the number of talented receivers on the No. 50 George Pickens, Alec PierceSkyy Moore and I felt that the Patriots drafted Thornton a bit too early.
Clay:RB Ken Walker IIIThe Seahawks at No. 41. Seattle traded quarterback Russell WilsonHe is left with one among the league’s worst rosters. Yes, durability is a concern for the backfield, especially with Chris CarsonThe league’s uncertain status. However, this franchise should not prioritize the league’s most valuable position when it has many other important needs.
Cockcroft: WR Wan’Dale RobinsonTo the Giants at Number. 43. It feels like I’m complaining about the Giants’ inflexible draft of wide receivers nearly every year. This is the first time I have ever felt that they were truly aggressive. ShouldSpend some draft capital to acquire the position. Robinson is still a smallish slot-oriented wide receiver. His poor combine numbers left him far below the top 10 prospects in the position. While I am aware that the Giants took fourth-round picks (Falcons), and fifth-round picks (Jets), they should have taken any of the better-graded prospects (Skyy, George Pickens, or Alec Pierce) instead.
Fowler: WR Jahan DotsonTo the Commanders at No. 16. Dotson could have a great career. However, the teams I spoke with had him in the No. 23-35. It seemed obvious that Jameson Williams was the top-ranked receiver in this draft. Drake London, Garrett WilsonAnd Chris Olave— were in their own classes. The receiver ran between picks Numbers. They were the ones that started and ended the receiver run between picks Nos. 8 and 12. Washington was there in the thick, picking 11th before being traded out. Dotson, despite his explosion, faces questions about his true position due to size (5-foot-11). He will he play on the outside or slot receiver?
Graziano: DE Travon WalkerJaguars at No. 1. We might be wrong, but they may be right. Perhaps it was the best thing to do in a draft where there were many people wondering what to do. Walker might be the star of the future, changing the course in Jaguars history. He could also become the NFL’s most dominant player over the next decade. All I’m trying to say is that I have a lot more faith than I do in the “maybes” of Walker if another team had done it. It’s not because your skills are good enough to be in the top 10, as Jacksonville was.
Kezirian: WR Wan’Dale RobinsonTo the Giants at Number. 43. How did the Giants get this call? Robinson is 5 feet 8 and 175lbs. It was a stretch at No. 43. The Giants also laughed at Kadarius ToneyOne would expect them to avoid another curveball last year. This felt more like another David Gettleman pick.
Moody: RB James CookTo the Bills at Number. 63. Cook is a great prospect. He has the playspeed to make game-changing moves at the professional level. He’s also very capable as a runner between tackles or as a receiver from the backfield. Nevertheless, Cook is eerily similar to Devin SingletaryBills running back. It would be better to prioritise a back who can gain significant yards after contact between tackles.
Miller: WR Wan’Dale RobinsonTo the Giants at Number. 43. Robinson is a solid player but he’s more a gadget guy than a skilled wide receiver. This sounds very similar to last year’s first rounder, Kadarius Tuney. This was a luxury selection for a team with a limited budget.
Reid: WR Velus Jones Jr. To the Bears at Number. 71. Despite two second-round selections, the Bears surprised themselves by waiting until the third round in order to address the most pressing need on their roster. Jones is a speedy vertical threat and a dynamic receiver who enjoyed a breakout year as a return specialist and receiver at Tennessee. However, he was more of a Day 3 selection and there were better players at the position in round three. Jalen Tolbert, Khalil Shakir, Romeo DoubsAnd Calvin Austin III.
Tannenbaum: CB Derek Stingley Jr. To the Texans at Number. 3. Houston drafted a talented corner, with serious durability concerns. Stingley, if healthy, can be a great player. But Ahmad GardnerI believe that he is still on the board. It would have been better to select him.
Walder:G Cole StrangeThe Patriots at No. 29. A team could make the most common mistake of drafting a player before it is necessary. This is a wasteful use of draft capital. All indications are that the Patriots shouldn’t have worried about Strange being taken by another team until the second round (or even the third). It is possible that we, outsiders, misunderstood the market on Strange. It is. However, it is Sean McVay’s or Les Snead’s. live reactionsThese selections were shockingly revelatory.
Yates:TE Trey McBrideTo the Cardinals at No. 55. My answer is no. This is because these teams work tirelessly for a year to make it to draft weekend. Although I know that not every pick will go through, I do understand the “why”. McBride was undoubtedly the best tight end in this class. But the reason I chose McBride here is because Arizona had more sets with at most four receivers than any other NFL team last year, and also made a large investment. Zach Ertz. McBride might need to wait until the Cardinals make a shift to a more two-tight team.