2022 NFL Draft Prospects Big Board: Top 25 Individual & Top 10 By Position

[Old School]

ESPN https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2022/i...ler-sam-howell



NFL draft 2022 rankings: Top 25 prospects, best by position in Mel Kiper's Big Board, including Kayvon Thibodeaux, Spencer Rattler, Sam Howell

After a nice summer spent in hibernation while I studied up on the best prospects in the 2022 NFL draft, I'm back with a new batch of rankings. My updated Big Board features my list of the top 25 prospects overall, and I also included my top 10 prospects at every position at the bottom. You'll notice lots of movement from my way-too-early rankings from May, but my No. 1 prospect remains the same.

I really like the depth of the 2022 quarterback class, but my pal Todd McShay is a little higher on a few of the top guys than I am. It will be nice to get a full college football season in 2021, because much of last season's tape feels incomplete. A few of the prospects on my Big Board played fewer than five games, and so I'm excited to see some of these underclassmen play more snaps.

Before you dive in, here are a couple of notes on my rankings:

• There is a lot of projection involved, particularly for my top 25. Many of these prospects have started only a handful of games, and so I'm not yet writing up detailed scouting reports. I expect many of them to be stronger, faster and better in 2021, so I'll adjust my rankings as the season moves on.
  
• Heights and weights are based on what we have from schools; we don't get official numbers until the 2022 combine next March.

Let's go:

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

HT: 6-5 | WT: 250 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Fresno State on Saturday

Could 2022 be a year in which a non-quarterback goes No. 1? It hasn't happened since 2017, when the Browns took Myles Garrett. (And they had the No. 1 pick the following year, too.) Thibodeaux, who was the No. 1-ranked high school recruit in 2019, is an elite pass-rushing talent with the quickness and bend to get double-digit sacks annually at the next level. He had nine sacks as a true freshman in 2019, and he had three sacks and 9.5 total tackles for loss in seven games last season.



2. Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma

HT: 6-1 | WT: 205 | Class: Third-year sophomore

First game: vs. Tulane on Saturday

The Heisman Trophy favorite had a rough start in 2020 -- keep in mind that he didn't get a full spring as the starter after he sat for a season behind Kyler Murray -- but was electric down the stretch, throwing 15 touchdown passes and two interceptions in the Sooners' final seven games. That included four total touchdowns (three through the air) while averaging 10.8 yards per attempt against Florida in a Cotton Bowl blowout. Rattler has a big arm and can also beat teams with his legs, though he'd much rather sit in the pocket and dice up defenses.


3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

HT: 6-1 | WT: 195 | Class: Junior

First game: at UCLA on Saturday

This ranking is all about Stingle's ceiling. His freshman film, when he was one of the best players on LSU's 2019 title team, is tremendous. Stingley didn't play as well last season, but that can mostly be attributed to the entire LSU defense being dreadful. He has shown that he can lock down SEC receivers, and he should star again. I wouldn't be shocked if Stingley was a top-five pick.


4. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

HT: 6-7 | WT: 360 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Miami in Atlanta on Saturday

Neal has a massive frame and stellar physical traits. Check out this clip of him showing off his physical skills. Neal started at right tackle last season and was Bama's starting left guard as a freshman in 2019. He'll be the Crimson Tide's left tackle this season, taking over for first-round pick Alex Leatherwood. That's usually a tough transition, but Neal has the tools to make it look seamless.


5. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

HT: 6-4 | WT: 219 | Class: Junior

First game: at Florida State on Sunday

Hamilton and the Fighting Irish start their season in Tallahassee, and I'm excited to see where Hamilton lines up and how many times he blows up a play. He's one of the most versatile defenders in the country. Hamilton has five interceptions and 10 total pass breakups over the past two seasons, and he had 63 total tackles in 2020. He's exactly what NFL teams want in their first-round safeties.


6. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

HT: 6-4 | WT: 290 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Kent State on Saturday

Leal is one of my favorite prospects in this class, a versatile defensive lineman who could play in any defense at the next level. I like his potential as an interior penetrator a little more than I do as an edge rusher, and he has the frame to put on a few more pounds. But he plays incredibly hard and is always in the right spot. Leal had 2.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a forced fumble last season, and he also picked off Alabama's Mac Jones on a deflection and ran it 43 yards.


7. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

HT: 6-1 | WT: 225 | Class: Junior

First game: at Virginia Tech on Friday

There's a lot to like about Howell's tape over the past two seasons. He's very accurate and can manipulate the pocket to find time to throw. He throws a nice deep ball and doesn't make many game-changing mistakes. As I mentioned in May, though, the Tar Heels lost running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and wideouts Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome to the NFL, so I'm really curious to see how Howell plays early, starting against the Hokies.


8. Jaxson Kirkland, OT, Washington

HT: 6-7 | WT: 295 | Class: Senior

First game: vs. Montana on Saturday

In rewatching Kirkland's 2020 tape -- only four games because of the abbreviated season -- I didn't see any mistakes. He's just incredibly consistent. He didn't allow a single sack, and he excels in the run game, too. Kirkland started 25 games at right guard in 2018 and 2019 before moving to left tackle last season. I expect him to stick outside in the NFL.


9. Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M

HT: 6-4 | WT: 325 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Kent State on Saturday

Like Kirkland and Neal, Green is a former guard, but this will be his first season at left tackle for the Aggies. Green has played both right and left guard in his career, and I'm really curious to see how he fares in the move outside. Based on his tape at guard, he could be a first-round pick, and I expect him to struggle at times making the transition. But Green has immense talent. I made the comparison in May to USC's Alijah Vera-Tucker, who moved from guard to tackle last season and went No. 14 overall to the Jets. Green could do the same.


10. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

HT: 6-0 | WT: 193 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Minnesota on Thursday

We'll get an early chance to see new Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud and his star receivers against Minnesota on Thursday night. Stroud backed up Justin Fields last season and never threw a pass in a game. But he's going to get a lot of help from Wilson and Chris Olave, who also makes my Big Board a few spots down. Wilson played mostly out of the slot last season, catching 43 passes and averaging almost 17 yards per reception. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and should get more reps outside in 2021.


11. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

HT: 6-4 | WT: 270 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Oregon State on Saturday

Karlaftis played just three games last season; a positive COVID-19 test in November cut short a promising sophomore campaign. He had two sacks and seven pressures, and ESPN Stats & Information credited him with two incompletions created. As a freshman in 2019, Karlaftis had 7.5 sacks and 17 total tackles for loss. He's a fantastic 4-3 end prospect who could hit double-digit sacks this season.


12. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

HT: 6-3 | WT: 232 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Rice on Saturday

At 6-foot-3, Burks isn't a typical slot receiver, but he did a ton of damage there for the Razorbacks last season; all seven of his touchdowns came from that alignment. He can break tackles -- 170 of his 820 receiving yards last season came after first contact -- and he has some speed, though I'm not sure he'll test off the charts at the combine next year. Burks did have four drops in 2020, so I want to see him clean that up.


13. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

HT: 6-6 | WT: 265 | Class: Senior

First game: vs. Western Michigan on Saturday

I think Hutchinson could have a big year. He played only 144 defensive snaps last season before he injured his leg against Indiana and had to have surgery. The Michigan defense cratered after he was hurt. He was outstanding as a sophomore in 2019, putting up 4.5 sacks and creating havoc in the backfield (10.5 total tackles for loss). I waited to add him to my Big Board until I got some more intel on him this summer, but the feeling is that he's primed for another great season.


14. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

HT: 6-1 | WT: 188 | Class: Senior

First game: vs. Minnesota on Thursday

I wrote in May that Olave probably would have been a Day 2 pick had he entered the 2021 draft, and now he has a chance to be the first receiver off the board next April. He's one of the best deep threats in this class -- he has averaged 15.0 air yards per target in his career -- and is an improved route runner with stellar hands. You're going to see a lot of deep balls from C.J. Stroud this season. Olave has 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons.


15. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Class: Fourth-year junior

First game: vs. Campbell on Saturday

The Auburn transfer had a big 2020 season, throwing 20 touchdown passes and just six interceptions while adding 14 rushing TDs and 944 yards on the ground. His 78.7 QBR ranked 16th in the country. I want to see him take a step forward as an anticipatory thrower, but he has all the tools to be an NFL starter. I'll be watching a lot of Liberty games this season, and the Flames play at Syracuse and Ole Miss and get a home game against Louisiana in November.


16. Adam Anderson, OLB, Georgia

HT: 6-5 | WT: 230 | Class: Senior

First game: vs. Clemson in Charlotte on Saturday

Out of all the 2020 tape I studied this summer, Anderson's might have been the most impressive. He flies off the edge to get to quarterbacks and never takes plays off. Anderson had a great season as an edge rusher, racking up 6.5 sacks, 17 QB pressures and two forced fumbles. He is likely to stick as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, and he has the potential to be a big-time sack artist.


17. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

HT: 6-2 | WT: 193 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Florida Atlanta on Saturday

Elam's tape is a little inconsistent, but he has flashed enough over the past two seasons to be considered one of the top defensive backs in the 2022 class. At 6-foot-2, he has long arms. He had five interceptions over the past two seasons and broke up 11 throws in 2020. Florida is known for producing defensive backs, with its last first-rounder in 2020 (CJ Henderson to the Jags at No. 9). Elam could be next.


18. Christian Harris, ILB, Alabama

HT: 6-2 | WT: 232 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Miami in Atlanta on Saturday

I dropped Harris a few spots from my early Big Board, but that's mostly just because he plays an off-ball linebacker position that isn't as highly valued in the NFL these days. We're not going to see many middle linebackers go in the top five picks anymore. Harris had a complete 2020 season, with 77 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and an interception. The folks at ESPN Stats & Information counted 13 missed tackles for Harris, and I noticed those on tape as well. He has the speed and physical traits to get to the football, but he needs to improve in getting ball carriers down to the ground.


19. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

HT: 6-0 | WT: 195 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Georgia in Charlotte on Saturday

As I wrote in May, Booth was overshadowed nationally last season by Derion Kendrick, who has now transferred to Georgia, but the tape showed something different. He was really, really good. If you're just looking at his counting stats -- two interceptions, four total pass breakups -- you don't see how he locked up wideouts. Quarterbacks rarely threw Booth's way. He could be the first cornerback off the board in April.


20. Drake London, WR, USC

HT: 6-5 | WT: 210 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. San Jose State on Saturday

London, who played on the USC basketball team in 2019-20, has a huge frame for a receiver, though he's a little lean. He towers over Pac-12 defenders, and he can outleap just about any corner. London had 72 catches for 1,069 yards and eight touchdowns over the past two seasons. He has dropped only one of his 106 targets. London could top 100 catches with quarterback Kedon Slovis back for the Trojans.


21. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

HT: 6-0 | WT: 190 | Class: Senior

First game: vs. Akron on Saturday

McCreary's tape is another I really like after watching more of Auburn this summer. I think he's under the radar right now. He's very instinctive and has nice size. Now, McCreary gave up a couple of big plays last season, so he needs to be more consistent from snap to snap, but he wasn't even close to the Tigers' biggest issue on defense. McCreary had three picks and can play press coverage at the next level.


22. Drake Jackson, OLB, USC

HT: 6-4 | WT: 255 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. San Jose State on Saturday

Jackson showed a ton of promise as a freshman pass-rusher in 2019, racking up 5.5 sacks and 15 total tackles for loss. He had only two sacks in six games last season, but the talent is still there. He could be one of the best edge rushers in the country this season. I'd like to see him improve in his technique and build out a few more moves to get by offensive tackles.


23. Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State

HT: 6-6 | WT: 265 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Minnesota on Thursday

I keep hearing about Harrison's talent, and now I want to see it in action, starting against the Golden Gophers. Harrison has played only 490 snaps in the past two seasons, with 5.5 sacks and 9.5 total tackles. If he can put together his potential this season, he could light up the Big Ten and become the next great Ohio State edge rusher. I have a feeling Harrison will rise over the course of the season.


24. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

HT: 5-11 | WT: 195 | Class: Junior

First game: vs. Montana on Saturday

When I popped in the Washington tape this summer, I wanted to take a closer look at McDuffie. The problem? He was targeted only six times total in the Huskies' four games. There wasn't much to see from those snaps. McDuffie allowed three catches for 41 yards as the primary defender and had an interception. So while I really liked what I saw, 2021 is going to be a huge season to get a fuller evaluation.


25. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson

HT: 6-4 | WT: 205 | Class: Third-year sophomore

First game: vs. Georgia in Charlotte on Saturday

Clemson has some turnover on offense this year, but one of its stars is back in Ross, who missed the entire 2020 season with a congenital fusion in his spine. He was one of college football's best receivers in 2018 and 2019, catching 112 passes for 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns. More than 750 of those yards came after the catch. Ross did have some issues with drops in 2019, and it's hard to predict how he'll look after the long layoff, but he was so good before 2020 that this is a pick for first-round potential.


Rankings at every position for the 2022 NFL draft:


Quarterbacks

1. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
2. Sam Howell, North Carolina
3. Malik Willis, Liberty
4. Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
5. Matt Corral, Mississippi
6. Kedon Slovis, USC
7. Carson Strong, Nevada
8. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
9. Dillon Gabriel, UCF
10a. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
10b. JT Daniels, Georgia


Running Backs

1. Breece Hall, Iowa State
2. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
3. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
4. Rachaad White, Arizona State
5. Jerrion Ealy, Mississippi
6. Tyler Goodson, Iowa
7. Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
8. Zonovan "Bam" Knight, NC State
9. Zamir White, Georgia
10. Leddie Brown, West Virginia


Fullbacks/H-Backs

1. Jeremiah Hall, Oklahoma
2. Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
3. Ryan Bowman, Washington
4. Clay Moss, Weber State
5. Zander Horvath, Purdue
6. Clint Ratkovich, Northern Illinois
7. Giovanni Fauolo Sr., UNLV
8. John Chenal, Wisconsin
9. Houston Heimuli, Stanford
10. Roger Carter, Georgia State


Wide Receivers

1. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
2. Treylon Burks, Arkansas
3. Chris Olave, Ohio State
4. Drake London, USC
5. Justyn Ross, Clemson
6. John Metchie III, Alabama
7. George Pickens, Georgia
8. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
9. Jahan Dotson, Penn State
10. Ainias Smith, Texas A&M


Tight Ends

1. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
2. Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
3. Cade Otton, Washington
4. Trey McBride, Colorado State
5. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
6. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
7. Austin Stogner, Oklahoma
8. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
9. Cole Turner, Nevada
10. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina


Offensive Tackles

1. Evan Neal, Alabama
2. Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
3. Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
4. Charles Cross, Mississippi State
5. Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
6. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
7. Zion Nelson, Miami
8. Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
9. Rasheed Walker, Penn State
10. Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa


Guards

1. Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
2. Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
3. Thayer Munford, Ohio State
4. Ed Ingram, LSU
5. Zion Johnson, Boston College
6. Jordan McFadden, Clemson
7. Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina
8. Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama
9. Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma
10. Logan Bruss, Wisconsin


Centers

1. Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
2. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
3. Dohnovan West, Arizona State
4. Grant Gibson, NC State
5. Nick Ford, Utah
6. Michael Maietti, Missouri
7. Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
8. Doug Kramer, Illinois
9. Alex Forsyth, Oregon
10. James Empey, BYU


Defensive Ends

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
2. DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
3. George Karlaftis, Purdue
4. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
5. Zach Harrison, Ohio State
6. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
7. Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
8. Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
9. Xavier Thomas, Clemson
10a. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
10b. Tyreke Smith, Ohio State


Defensive Tackles

1. Jordan Davis, Georgia
2. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
3. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
4. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
5. Tyler Davis, Clemson
6. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
7. Thomas Booker, Stanford
8. Taron Vincent, Ohio State
9. Zachary Carter, Florida
10. DJ Dale, Alabama


Inside Linebackers

1. Christian Harris, Alabama
2. Nakobe Dean, Georgia
3. Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama
4. Devin Lloyd, Utah
5. Owen Pappoe, Auburn
6. Mike Jones Jr., LSU
7. Zakoby McClain, Auburn
8. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
9. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
10. Ventrell Miller, Florida


Outside Linebackers

1. Adam Anderson, Georgia
2. Drake Jackson, USC
3. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
4. Jordan Strachan, South Carolina
5. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
6. Brandon Smith, Penn State
7. Boye Mafe, Minnesota
8. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
9. Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina
10. Mike Rose, Iowa State


Cornerbacks

1. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
2. Kaiir Elam, Florida
3. Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
4. Roger McCreary, Auburn
5. Trent McDuffie, Washington
6. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
7. Mykael Wright, Oregon
8. Noah Daniels, TCU
9. Tiawan Mullen, Indiana
10a. Josh Jobe, Alabama
10b. Derion Kendrick, Georgia


Safeties

1. Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
2. Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
3. Lewis Cine, Georgia
4. Daxton Hill, Michigan
5. Jordan Battle, Alabama
6. Brandon Joseph, Northwestern
7. Markquese Bell, Florida A&M
8. Yusuf Corker, Kentucky
9. Jalen Pitre Baylor
10. Bubba Bolden, Miami


Kickers And Punters

1. Cade York, LSU (K)
2. Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma (K)
3. Jake Camarda, Georgia (P)
4. Will Reichard, Alabama (K)
5. Adam Korsak, Rutgers (P)
6. Jake Oldroyd, BYU (K)
7. Lou Hedley, Miami (P)
8. Austin McNamara, Texas Tech (P)
9. Anders Carlson, Auburn (K)
10. Blake Hayes, Illinois (P)


Long-Snappers

1. Damon Johnson, USC
2. Ethan Tabel, Illinois
3. Austin Spiewak, Iowa
4. Keegan Markgraf, Utah
5. Cal Adomitis, Pitt
6. John Taylor, Duke
7. Brian Keating, Connecticut
8. Billy Taylor, Rutgers
9. Justin Mader, Texas
10. Karsten Battles, Oregon