2022 NFL Draft Big Board

The early word on the 2022 draft class: loaded.

There are seven quarterbacks ranked in the top 50 overall and 14 quarterbacks on my early watch list. And that’s just the quarterbacks.

2022’s class looks to be deep again at wide receiver (this is becoming a yearly occurrence) and running back. It has notable talents at cornerback and defensive line where the 2021 class lacked top-tier, “presidential” talents.

And of course, the 2022 class has a superstar pass-rusher. And that’s where any and all conversations about next year’s class must begin. With Oregon’s backfield wrecker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

A junior, Thibodeaux has been a monster at Oregon since he stepped onto the field. He’s NFL-built at 6’5” and 250 pounds with the length, quick step, agility and bend around the edge to project highly on pro scouting boards.

And in my early estimation, while not as powerful as the Bosa Brothers or Chase Young, he arguably has a better first step than they did as top three draft picks.

Thibodeaux is where the draft conversation starts, but here are my top 50 players for next year’s class.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux — EDGE — Oregon (6'5", 250)
2. Derek Stingley Jr. — CB — LSU (6'1", 195)
3. DeMarvin Leal — DL — Texas A&M (6'4", 290)
4. Kyle Hamilton — S — Notre Dame (6'4" 219
5. John Metchie III — WR — Alabama (6'0", 195)
6. Evan Neal — OT — Alabama (6'7", 360)
7. Zach Harrison — EDGE — Ohio State (6'6", 268)
8. Kaair Elam — CB — Florida (6'2", 195)
9. Carson Strong — QB — Nevada (6'4", 215)
10. Sam Howell — QB — North Carolina (6'1", 225)
11. Garrett Wilson — WR — Ohio State (6'0", 188)
12. George Karlaftis — EDGE — Purdue (6'4", 275)
13. Drake Jackson — EDGE — USC (6'4", 255)
14. Malik Willis — QB — Liberty (6'1", 215)
15. Isaiah Spiller — RB — Texas A&M (6'1", 225)
16. Chris Olave — WR — Ohio State (6'1", 189)
17. Kenyon Green — OT — Texas A&M (6'4", 325)
18. Spencer Rattler — QB — Oklahoma (6'1", 210)
19. Phil Jurkovec — QB — Boston College (6'5", 226)
20. Kedon Slovis — QB — USC (6'3", 215)
21. Breece Hall — RB — Iowa State (6'1", 215)
22. Jalen Wydermyer — TE — Texas A&M (6'5", 255)
23. George Pickens — WR — Georgia (6'3", 200)
24. Brandon Joseph — S — Northwestern (6'1", 192)
25. Jahleel Billingsbley — TE — Alabama (6'4", 230)
26. Rasheed Walker — OT — Penn State (6'6", 312)
27. Charles Cross — OT — Miss. State (6'5", 305)
28. Christian Harris — LB — Alabama (6'2", 232)
29. Desmond Ridder — QB — Cincinnati (6'4", 215)
30. Justyn Ross — WR — Clemson (6'4", 205)
31. Aidan Hutchinson — EDGE — Michigan (6'6", 269)
32. Tyreke Smith — EDGE — Ohio State (6'3", 260)
33. Nik Bonitto — EDGE — Oklahoma (6'3", 238)
34. Zion Nelson — OT — Miami (6'5", 316)
35. Josh Jobe — CB — Alabama (6'1", 192)
36. Kyren Williams — RB — Notre Dame (5'9", 195)
37. Ainias Smith Jr. — RB/WR — Texas A&M (5'10", 190)
38. Joseph Ngata — WR — Clemson (6'3", 220)
39. Sevyn Banks — CB — Ohio State (6'1", 200)
40. Jordan Davis — DL — Georgia (6'6", 320)
41. Haskell Garrett — DL — Ohio State (6'2", 299)
42. Darian Kinnard — OT — Kentucky (6'5", 345)
43. Zamir White — RB — Georgia (6'0", 215)
44. Myjai Sanders — EDGE — Cincinnati (6'5", 258)
45. D.J. Dale — DL — Alabama (6'3", 307)
46. Demani Richardson — S — Texas A&M (6'1", 210)
47. Thayer Munford — OT — Ohio State (6'6", 321)
48. David Bell — WR — Purdue (6'2", 205)
49. Marcus Hooker — S — Ohio State (5'11", 200)
50. Jordan Battle — S — Alabama (6'1", 210)