The NFL Scouting Combine isn’t far away and neither is the pro day for a bunch of players looking to raise their draft stock at the very last second. Teams and scouts are looking at extensive film on these players at this current time and are also getting their final grades in.
We are around eight weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft, which will begin on Thursday, April 28th with the first round, Friday, April 29th will be the second and third rounds, and Saturday, April 30th will be the fourth thru seventh rounds. The future stars of tomorrow will be presented on that stage.
With a ton of mock drafts continuing to happen and with also players’ draft stocks either rising or falling, what feels like the Top 10 NFL Draft picks for 2022 as of right now?
Jacksonville Jaguars- Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is going to need a left tackle in order to survive in the NFL. Evan Neal has been named to be the number one overall pick for the last several months and I don’t think it is going to change despite the fact it is a very deep offensive lineman draft.
Detroit Lions- Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
I can’t see this selection being anyone else other than Hutchinson unless he gets selected number one overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Detroit Lions need a lot of help on the defensive side of the football. He has a motor and is also a game-changing player this franchise desperately needs and is also a future captain.
Houston Texans- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Houston Texans need a lot of help on the defensive side of the football. With Lovie Smith being named as the new head coach for Houston, defense is his specialty. Houston needs a pass rusher in the worst way. Even though there have been questions about Thibodeaux’s motor, he is one of the most talented pass rushers in the entire NFL draft.
New York Jets- Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The New York Jets had major problems on defense last year. Hamilton is a player who can do it all on the backend. He can play in coverage and tackle in open space. Kyle Hamilton would immediately improve this defense.
New York Giants- Ikem Ekwonu, OL, North Carolina State
The offensive line for the New York Giants was completely horrendous last season. New York only has one solidified starter moving forward on the offensive line and that’s left tackle Andrew Thomas. Drafting Ekwonu would be a great start in fixing this horrid offensive line for the Giants and that’s what general manager Joe Schoen needs to do.
Carolina Panthers- Kenny Pickett, QB, PITT
The Carolina Panthers are clearly not happy with their quarterback situation with Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker. Carolina does need help on the offensive line, but they are not waiting another year to get a quarterback. Pickett is probably the best quarterback in a very weak quarterback class.
New York Giants- Charles Cross, OL, Mississippi State
With the second selection of this round, the New York Giants take another offensive lineman. Cross could be a starter on day one as well. Cleaning up the offensive line with their first two draft selections is a great start.
Atlanta Falcons- George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t get after the quarterback a season ago. Atlanta barely got after the quarterback. Karlaftis would upgrade their pass rush immensely.
Denver Broncos- Ahmad Gardner, CB. Cincinnati
With already having Patrick Surtain II in their secondary, why not add potentially another elite young cornerback? It would be Denver’s best cornerback duo since Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. Even though they need a quarterback, why rush it here?
New York Jets- Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
New York needs more help on the offensive line. Linderbaum is going to be a starting center in the NFL for the next decade or so. The Jets need to take the best football players on the board for general manager Joe Douglass.