2022 NFL Draft: Updated Top 150 Big Board

With just one game left in the college football season, NFL clubs are starting to assemble scouting staffs together to discuss the 2022 draft class. At The Draft Scout, we’re also working on our lists before the all-star game schedule and pre-draft process kickoff.

The first part of our process is to get a solid list of which players are returning to school and which are declaring for the NFL draft. The league gives players until January 17 to make a decision—and then a three-day window to reverse that decision.

This year is more complicated than any before with the NCAA saying the 2020 season didn’t count towards a player’s eligibility. For example, a player like Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has played four seasons at Michigan but his 2020 season didn’t count towards his four years—so he actually could return and play another year.

Hutchinson likely won’t “declare” for the draft on social media, we just know he’s in because he’s signed with an agent. Keeping track of who is in and who is out is the biggest obstacle of this season, and we’re doing our best to stay on top of it.

Step two is prioritizing which players to watch. Here’s a look into my process. In December and January, I prioritize players by:

1. A top 50 player on my preseason watchlist

2. A rising junior (David Ojabo is an example of this)

3. Players who accept a Senior Bowl invite

4. Players who accept a Shrine Game invite

From there, it’s a process of logging a lot of iPad hours and taking as many handwritten notes as possible in a 3-5 game viewing per player.

That scouting leads to this list, but with the caveat that the most scouting for me actually takes place from January to the end of April.

So, let’s get into it. Here’s a look at my current Top 150 players.

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1. EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Hutchinson’s senior season has pushed him over Kayvon Thibodeaux on my rankings. His football IQ, length, power and ability to close ranks with speed as a pass-rusher makes him a special prospect.

2. EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Let’s not forget about Thibodeaux; a player who has been touted as a future No. 1 overall pick since his true freshman season. His athleticism could ultimately push him over Hutchinson for both media and teams.

3. SAF Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

An elite safety with the size (6’3”, 220 lbs) to impact the game from the middle of the field, in the box, or even as an edge-defender (not rusher). Safeties aren’t drafted in the top five, but Hamilton might be the exception.

4. OT Evan Neal, Alabama

A massive (6’7”, 360 lbs) left tackle prospect who is an elite mover for his size. He’s among the best athletes along the offensive line in this draft class, which could put him in play for the No. 1 overall pick.

5. CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU

Stingley didn’t play much in 2021 due to injury and his 2020 tape wasn’t great, but going back to his 2019 freshman season and looking at his athleticism you’ll see a player with an incredibly high ceiling. The question is—how much stock do you put into his last two seasons?

6. OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

An athletic left tackle prospect coming from a system that made him prove himself in pass protection. Cross has to get stronger, but he’s working with famed offensive line coach Duke Manyweather in his pre-draft process and will head into his rookie season with a more refined toolset.

7. WR Drake London, USC

It’s important to remember just how dominant Drake London was before fracturing his ankle in the team’s eighth game. At 6’5” and 210 pounds he’s a big wideout with ball skills and an unstoppable presence on 50/50 balls.

8. DT DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

Play him inside (3-tech) or outside (5-tech). At 6’4” and 290 pounds, Leal is ideal for a 4-3 inside position and has shown the athleticism to be a major force on all three downs.

9. CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati

A smooth-moving cover man at 6’2” with elite feet. Gardner is the top cornerback for multiple teams I’ve spoken to at this point of the process. He has top 10 talent with few weaknesses.

10. EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan

Ojabo is raw, long, toolsy pass-rusher who blew up in 2021 opposite Aidan Hutchinson. He’s speedy and ideal for a stand-up or outside pass-rusher role. His pre-draft process could push him higher on draft boards.

11. OC Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Good luck finding a more athletic center prospect. Linderbaum is a certified freak athlete and it shows up in his movements in space. The former high school wrestling star is a plug-and-play starter.

12. OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

If you want a powerful blocker, Ekwonu is your man. Teams are torn on his future NFL position due to his height (6’4”) but he’s a huge impact, especially in the run game. It’s not impossible to think that he could surpass Charles Cross and find his way into the top five picks.

13. LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Dean fits the mold of the modern off-ball linebacker at 6’0” and 225 pounds. What he lacks in length he makes up for in quickness and football IQ. His processing speed is his most impressive trait—even more so than his top-tier athleticism.

14. WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

A tough wide receiver at 6’0” and 193 pounds, Wilson has sticky hands and is a sure route-runner. He doesn’t profile as a classic WR1 due to his lack of size or top-end speed, but he’s the type of receiver that will win with routes and hands.

15. WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Teams that are eyeballing speed and chunk plays could identify Jameson Williams as their top wideout in this class. He might not be the scheme-fit for every team but his big play ability is electric.

16. OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

A big, powerful offensive tackle who doesn’t pop off the tape with as much athleticism of the top prospects at the position, but Penning’s technique and strength are NFL-ready on the left side.

17. EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia

A player we used to call a ‘tweener, Walker can line up on the edge of the defensive line or kick inside as a nickel interior rusher. He’s an impressive all-around athlete with very good strength and length at 6’5”, 275 pounds.

18. EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue

Karlaftis quieted down towards the end of the season, but he was red hot in September. He has the size (6’4”, 275 lbs) and strength needed to play as a traditional 6-technique defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

19. LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

A long, athletic, active linebacker (6’3”, 235 lbs) who has been very, very good the last two seasons. There are some scouts who think Lloyd played it safe this year, but he was Utah’s best overall player and the best defender in the Pac-12.

20. WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Dotson doesn’t have the best size, but he’s a downfield threat that wins with burst and acceleration throughout his route tree. He’s a sure-handed weapon down the field and someone who can consistently win over the top.

21. WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

A lean wideout (6’1”, 170 lbs) but one who has consistently won with his hands and route-running. Olave is seen by some to have topped out his potential, but he arrives to the NFL with great football IQ and a diverse route tree.

22. WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Big (6’3”, 230 lbs) and explosive with the ball in his hands, Burks is a weapon after the catch. If your favorite offense runs slants and breaking routes, Burks’ ability to turn the short catch into a big play is phenomenal.

23. QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

A super-senior with small hands (8 1/4”) but the most impressive draft-eligible quarterback from the ‘22 class. Pickett needs a good showing at the Senior Bowl—where weather and rain are often an issue—to answer questions about hand size.

24. CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

A stocky cornerback prospect who dominates at the line of scrimmage with press man skills. He’s quick enough to recover and stay in-phase, too. Booth is tailor-made for zone coverage and should be a priority for those teams in the back half of Round 1.

25. QB Matthew Corral, Ole Miss

The most improved quarterback from the 2022 class and a viable dual-threat, Corral tore apart SEC competition this year. He can still push too far with his arm strength and try to make throws that aren’t there, but his decision-making and athleticism took a huge jump in ‘21. If he can ace interviews, he could be the first quarterback drafted.