The day dreams come true. The 2022 NFL Draft has officially started in Las Vegas with the best tradition of all: Commissioner Roger Goddell being booed by the fans.
Death, taxes and booing the @NFLCommish ?
?: 2022 #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/1G8D72WVMv
— NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2022
But what we all want to know is who were the picks made on the first day.
No 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Travon Walker
For the fifth time in the last 16 Drafts, a non-QB player was picked with the first pick overall. Walker earned the starting spot in his third season in Georgia and didn’t disappoint with 33 tackles and six sacks in the season. Now that the team has Trevor Lawrence in command of the offense and locked Cam Robinson long-term, it was time to look to improve the defense for Jacksonville.
No 2. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Aidan Hutchinson
The senior out of Michigan that has been ranked as the best prospect in the Draft went second to Dan Campbell’s roster where he will fit right in with his physical and relentless motor when he is on the field. In his last college season, he recorded 36 tackles and 14 sacks. Certainly, the Jags and Lions got two of the best talents in the Draft.
No 3. Houston Texans: CB Derek Stingley
With the first of their first-round picks, the Texans selected the first Cornerback on their list. Stingley’s presenting card is his athleticism and quickness to face their opponent. In LSU he battled Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase in practice so you know he’ll be ready to face anyone on the field. A foot injury limited him to three games in the 2021 season.
No 4. New York Jets: CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardener
Not sure if you need to know anything else besides him being known as Sauce Gardner. That just shows the confidence the kid has in himself. Arguably the top cornerback in the Draft, he will arrive at the Big Apple to help a defense that was second to last in Interceptions this last season. In 11 games this past season, he grabbed three interceptions for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
No 5. New York Giants: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
With their first pick, the Giants are attacking their weaknesses in the edge rusher position. Thibodeaux has a great first step and agility to pass any linemen in front of him. In his last year with the Oregon Ducks, he recorded 35 tackles and 7 sacks.
No 6. Carolina Panthers: OT Ikem Ekwonu
The Panthers are trusting Sam Darnold and decided to pick some protection for him in the first round. This last season, he allowed only two sacks in 820 snaps. The tackle out of NC State covers a need in Carolina as the team allowed 52 sacks to their QBs this past season.
No 7. New York Giants: OT Evan Neal
The other top Offensive Tackle in the Draft didn’t last a lot of time available and will go to New York to protect Daniel Jones or the next prospect the team brings either this draft or the next one. Neal brings flexibility to the Giants as he played at left guard, right tackle, and left tackle in his three years in Alabama.
No 8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Drake London
Drake’s bet ended up cashing and the first wide receiver picked this year was Drake London out of USC. With the Falcons rebuilding, they are starting to acquire weapons for the next QB of the franchise. London is one of the most athletic receivers in the 2022 class. In his three years in college caught 160 passes for 2,153 yards and 15 touchdowns in his college career.
No 9. Seattle Seahawks: OT Charles Cross
This draft pick would have made Russell Wilson if he was still in Seattle but as the team prepares for the post-Russell era, they start with some protection. In his last season with Mississippi State, he didn’t allow a single quarterback hit.
No 10. New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson
Now that there’s some defense in the team, the Jets will bring some weapons for Zach Wilson to throw to. Wilson has quick feet, and great route-running ability, and will bring big plays for the Jets. He finished his college career with 143 catches for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns.
No 11. New Orleans Saints: WR Chris Olave
The Saints sent picks 16, 98, and 120 to Washington for the 11th pick and with it, they picked Chris Olave from Ohio State. Olave has great speed and good pass-catching ability. For the Buckeyes, he racked up 175 catches for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns.
No 12. Detroit Lions: WR Jameson Williams
For this pick, the Lions traded pick no. 32, 34, and 66 to the Minnesota Vikings and received picks 12 and 46. A brand new weapon for Jared Goff.
No 13. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Jordan Davis
The Eagles traded picks 15, 124, 162, and 166 for the 13 picks.
No 15. Baltimore Ravens: S Kyle Hamilton
No 15. Houston Texans: OG Kenyon Green
No 16. Washington Commanders: WR Jahan Dotson
No 17. Los Angeles Chargers: G Zion Johnson
No 18. Tennessee Titans: WR Treylon Burks
Titans traded AJ Brown to Philly for the 18th pick to select WR Treylon Burks and the 101st pick.
No 19. New Orleans Saints: OT Trevor Penning
No 20. Pitsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett
The first QB off the board is the sensation out of Pittsburgh, guess he won’t have to move. The successor of Big Ben will have a chance to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the league. Pickett has a good arm and accuracy to make big plays and can run out of the pocket and create opportunities in the run. Last season, he throw 4,319 throwing yards, 42 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions.
No 21. Kansas City Chiefs: CB Trent McDuffie
Kansas sent no.29, 94, and 121 to acquire pick no. 21 and draft Trent McDuffie out of Washington. Certainly, a weird pick for Kansas as the team has yet to replace Tyreek Hill on their roster.
No 22. Green Bay Packers: LB Quay Walker
Well, Aaron Rodgers won’t have a new weapon to play with yet. Walker is a very athletic linebacker with a good frame and the ability to create plays in the defense. He tallied 139 tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss, and 5.0 sacks in his four-year career at Georgia.
No 23. Buffallo Bills: CB Kaiir Elam
The Ravens traded Hollywood Brown and 100th pick to the Arizona Cardinals for the 23rd pick. They traded the 23rd pick to the Buffalo Bills for the 25th and 130th.
No 24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Tyler Smith
No 25. Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Linderbaum
No 26. New York Jets: EDGE Jermaine Johnson
The Jets acquired the 26th pick and 101st in exchange for the pick no. 35, 69, and 163.
No 27. Jacksonville Jaguars: LB Devin Lloyd
The Jaguars acquired the 27th pick in exchange for 33, 106, and 180.
