NFL Draft 2022 Results: What We Learned
Draft Overview
The 2022 NFL Draft was held on April 28th and 29th, 2022 and was the first to be held in a virtual format. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the draft was an exciting one with plenty of surprises. A total of 32 teams made the selections, with 7 rounds and 254 picks in total.
Top Picks
The number one overall pick was selected by the Carolina Panthers, with QB Trevor Lawrence being the first player off the board. He was followed by QB Justin Fields, who was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rounding out the top five were OT Penei Sewell, WR Ja'Marr Chase, and QB Zach Wilson.
Notable Selections
The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge splash in the draft when they traded up to the number six spot to select TE Kyle Pitts. Pitts is widely regarded as one of the best players in the draft and could be an impact player for the Eagles. The New York Jets also made a big move when they selected WR Devonta Smith at number 11. Smith had an incredible season for Alabama and is expected to be a star in the NFL.
Best Bargains
The draft was full of teams finding value in later rounds. The Cleveland Browns were able to select OT Alex Leatherwood in the second round, who was widely seen as a first round talent. The Atlanta Falcons were able to get a steal in the fourth round with WR Terrace Marshall, who had a great college career at LSU. The Denver Broncos also made a great pick in the sixth round with CB Asante Samuel Jr., who is the son of former NFL great Asante Samuel.
Biggest Surprises
There were plenty of surprises throughout the draft, but none bigger than the selection of QB Trey Lance by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round. Lance was a projected mid-round pick, but the 49ers were confident enough to take him at number three overall. Other surprises included the New England Patriots taking QB Mac Jones at number 15 and the Minnesota Vikings selecting OT Christian Darrisaw in the first round.
Biggest Losers
The biggest losers of the draft were the teams that failed to find the talent they were looking for. The Dallas Cowboys had a chance to address their defensive needs, but instead chose to take a running back, leading to criticism from fans and analysts alike. The New Orleans Saints also had an opportunity to add an impact offensive lineman, but instead chose to go in another direction with their picks.
Conclusion
The 2022 NFL Draft was an exciting and unpredictable one. We saw teams make bold moves, find great value in later rounds, and surprise the fans with unexpected picks. It will be interesting to see how these picks pan out in the upcoming season and if they become the stars of the future.