2022 NFL Draft Grades

The 2022 NFL Draft is underway. As the draft goes on, teams will be graded on how they have done. Here are the 2022 NFL Draft Grades.

Note: This post will be updated through draft weekend.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: C+

Draft Picks: CB Kaiir Elam, RB James Cook, LB Terrel Bernard, WR Khalil Shakir, P Matt Araiza, CB Christian Benford, OT Luke Tenuta, LB Baylon Spector

The Bills needed another corner after Levi Wallace left in free agency and got a nice replacement in Elam. James Cook was picked rather early and fills a skillset that is similar to Devin Singletary. Bernard was also early and the Bills could’ve filled more needs. Shakir is versatile and a great pick for the Bills.

Miami Dolphins: A

Draft Picks: LB Channing Tindall, WR Erik Ezukanma, LB Cameron Goode, QB Skylar Thompson,

After trading some of their picks and receiving Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins made a good value pick in Tindall at the end of the third round. Ezukanma will give solid depth in the receiver room.

New England Patriots: F

Draft Picks: OG/C Cole Strange, WR Tyquan Thornton, CB Marcus Jones, CB Jack Jones, RB Pierre Strong, QB Bailey Zappe, RB Kevin Harris, DL Sam Roberts, OT Andrew Stueber,

It was way too soon to take Strange in the first round. Thornton was also a reach at his draft spot. The best pick of the draft has been Marcus Jones, who will help out at slot corner and as a returner. Jack Jones was a reach and will be 25 when his rookie season starts. Zappe was a good value, but the Patriots could have drafted an impact player rather than a backup quarterback.

New York Jets: A

Draft Picks: CB Ahmad Gardner, WR Garrett Wilson, EDGE Jermaine Johnson, RB Breece Hall, TE Jeremy Ruckert, OT Max Mitchell, EDGE Michael Clemons

The Jets have filled areas of need and have picked quality players in Gardner, Wilson and Johnson. Day two gave the Jets Breece Hall, who may be more of an every-down back than Michael Carter. Jeremy Ruckert wasn’t a position of need, but did present solid value. Mitchell was picked a round later than expected. Clemons can provide some depth for the Jets.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: B-

Draft Picks: OT Tyler Smith, EDGE Sam Williams, WR Jalen Tolbert, TE Jake Ferguson, OT Matt Waletzko, CB Daron Bland, LB Damone Clark, DL John Ridgeway, LB Devin Harper,

Dallas cut La’el Collins in order to start Terrence Steele at right tackle, so picking another one doesn’t make a tone of sense. Sam Williams will help fill the void left by Randy Gregory. Tolbert was a steal of a pick as a good athlete and will help the receiving core. Ferguson is a gritty tight end, but doesn’t have the athleticism to create mismatches.

New York Giants: A

Draft Picks: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, OG/C Josh Ezeudu, CB Cordale Flott, TE Daniel Bellinger, S Dane Belton, LB Micah McFadden, DL DJ Davidson, OG/C Marcus McKethan, LB Darrian Beavers,

The Giants had to improve their offensive line and did get Neal, who is the best in the class. Thibodeaux is the best pass rusher in the class and can really help their defense. Robinson may have been selected a little early, but Brian Daboll will have a unique way of using him. Ezeudu and Flott filled areas of need, but may have been reaches. Bellinger will give them depth at tight end after cutting Kyle Rudolph. Belton was a reach, but can provide depth.

Philadelphia Eagles: A-

Draft Picks: DL Jordan Davis, OG/C Cam Jurgens, LB Nakobe Dean, LB Kyron Johnson, TE Grant Calcaterra,

After making some trades, the Eagles had one first-round pick and got a game-changing defensive lineman. They also acquired A.J. Brown, which made it a great night. Jurgens may have been selected too soon, but if the medicals check out on Dean, he could be the steal of the draft.

Washington Commanders: D+

Draft Picks: WR Jahan Dotson, DL Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson, S Percy Butler, QB Sam Howell, TE Cole Turner, OG/C Chris Paul, CB Christian Holmes,

The Commanders do get some credit for trading down, but Dotson was more of a late first or second-round pick than in the middle of the round. Mathis will likely not see the field much with the Commanders having a very talented defensive line. Their drafting of Robinson may be an indication that they don’t trust Antonio Gibson to stay healthy. Butler was selected a  round too early. Howell was a steal in the fifth round.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: A

Draft Picks: S Kyle Hamilton, OG/C Tyler Linderbaum, EDGE David Ojabo, DL Travis Jones, OT Daniel Faalele, CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, TE Charlie Kolar, P Jordan Stout, TE Isaiah Likely, CB Damarion Williams, RB Tyler Badie

The Ravens didn’t necessarily need a safety, but were able to get the best player in the draft in Kyle Hamilton. On top of that they picked the best interior lineman in the draft in Linderbaum. Baltimore had a great pick with Ojabo, even if he may not be able to play in 2022. Jones can be a great fit in the middle of their defensive line. Faalele is huge and could develop with better footwork. Armour-Davis is a good athlete who provides instant depth. Kolar can be a nice security blanket tight end, while Likely is more of an athlete.

Cincinnati Bengals: C

Draft Picks: S Daxton Hill, CB Cam Taylor-Britt, EDGE Zachary Carter, OG/C Cordell Volson, S Tycen Anderson, EDGE Jeffrey Gunter,

Hill presented solid value for the Bengals, but may not see too many snaps in year one. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, more of an impact player could have been drafted. Taylor-Britt may be able to take over the starting cornerback role down the road and showed the Bengals were focused on drafting players who tested well. Zachary Carter may turn out to be a tweener and was selected too soon. Volson was a reach.

Cleveland Browns: C+

Draft Picks: CB Martin Emerson, EDGE Alex Wright, DL Perrion Winfrey, K Cade York, RB Jerome Ford, WR Michael Woods, OG/C Dawson Deaton,

The Browns already have young corners, but Emerson will provide one that is big for the position. Wright could have had more production to justify his draft slot. Winfrey fits a need at defensive tackle and presented good value in the fourth. York is a solid kicker, but it may have been too rich to take him in the fourth.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B-

Draft Picks: QB Kenny Pickett, WR George Pickens, DL DeMarvin Leal, WR Calvin Austin, FB Connor Heyward, LB Mark Robinson, QB Chris Oladokun

At least the Steelers didn’t trade up for Pickett, but there were better quarterbacks on the board. Pickens will give the Steelers three solid receivers. Leal will give them youth on the defensive line and the Steelers drafted him when his value was high. Austin is a speedster who was a great pick in the fourth.

NFC North

Chicago Bears: C+

Draft Picks: CB Kyler Gordon, S Jaquan Brisker, WR Velus Jones, CB Akayleb Evans, OT Braxton Jones, EDGE Dominique Robinson, OG/C Zachary Thomas, RB Trestan Ebner, OG/C Doug Kramer, OG/C J’Atyre Carter, S Elijah Hicks, P Trenton Gill

Drafting Gordon was a solid move, but the Bears didn’t get a receiver early enough to help Justin Fields. Brisker should make an impact as well. Jones was selected way too early and may not have the production to help Fields.

Detroit Lions: B+

Draft Picks: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, WR Jameson Williams, EDGE Josh Paschal, S Kerby Joseph, TE James Mitchell, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, LB James Houston, CB Chase Lucas,

Detroit didn’t desperately need an edge rusher, but Hutchinson was a solid value and local product. They did have to get more wide receiver help and were aggressive in trading up for Williams, who is coming off an injury. Paschal is a versatile player who can really help their defense. Joseph was a solid value and has good ball skills, but isn’t the most experienced player.

Green Bay Packers: B

Draft Picks: LB Quay Walker, DL Devonte Wyatt, WR Christian Watson, OT Sean Rhyan, WR Romeo Doubs, OG/C Zach Tom, EDGE Kingsley Enagbare, LB Tariq Carpenter, DL Jonathan Ford, OT Rasheed Walker, WR Samori Toure,

Aaron Rodgers is still without a lot of good receivers. The Packers took Quay Walker too soon, while Wyatt was a solid pick. In round two, the Packers traded up for a wide receiver to help the offense. Rhyan can really improve their offensive line. Doubs is a solid deep threat for Rodgers to utilize. Tom is a great pick as a former tackle who can pass protect.

Minnesota Vikings: B

Draft Picks: S Lewis Cine, CB Andrew Booth, OG/C Ed Ingram, LB Brian Asamoah, EDGE Esezi Otomewo, RB Ty Chandler, OT Vederian Lowe, WR Jalen Nailor, TE Nick Muse,

The Vikings did trade down, but could’ve drafted more of an impact player than Cine. Booth was a steal in the second round. Ingram can fight for a starting spot. Asamoah gives the Vikings youth in the linebacker room.

AFC South

Houston Texans: B

Draft Picks: CB Derek Stingley, OG/C Kenyon Green, S Jalen Pitre, WR John Metchie, LB Christian Harris, RB Dameon Pierce, DL Thomas Booker, TE Teagan Quitoriano, OT Austin Deculus,

Stingley was a great pick and can be one of the league’s top corners. Green will help the offensive line, but was maybe taken early for an interior lineman. Pitre may not have the range as a safety to be a long-term solution at safety. Metchie will be a solid number two receiver if he can recover from injury. Harris can blitz well and is a good athlete. Pierce is a tough runner who can help with depth. Booker was a steal in the fifth.

Indianapolis Colts: B+

Draft Picks: WR Alec Pierce, TE Jelani Woods, OT Bernhard Raimann, S Nick Cross, DL Eric Johnson, TE Andrew Ogletree, DL Curtis Brooks, CB Rodney Thomas,

Pierce will give Matt Ryan another option to throw to, which will open up the box more for Jonathan Taylot. Woods can help the void left by Jack Doyle. Raimann has to work on his technique, but has the athletic tools to be a solid tackle. Cross is big and has some speed for the backend of the Colts’ defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars: C-

Draft Picks: DL Travon Walker, LB Devin Lloyd, OG/C Luke Fortner, LB Chad Muma, RB Snoop Conner, CB Gregory Junior, CB Montaric Brown,

The Jaguars took Walker after a good combine, but he had just six sacks last season. There were better edge rushers on the board. Lloyd was a solid pick to fill in for Myles Jack at linebacker now that he is in Pittsburgh. Protecting Lawrence was at the front of the mind with the selection of Fortner, who was a solid pick. Muma was picked in a good range, but the Jaguars already picked Loyd earlier.

Tennessee Titans: B+

Draft Picks: WR Treylon Burks, CB Roger McCreary, OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, QB Malik Willis, RB Hassan Haskins, TE Chigo Okonkwo, WR Kyle Phillips, S Theo Jackson, LB Chance Campbell,

They had to trade away A.J. Brown, but the Titans did get a similar player in Treylon Burks, who will cost less on a rookie contract. McCreary will help their corner issues with good man coverage. Petit-Frere can develop into a solid lineman with time. Drafting Willis was worth the risk in round three and could pay off big time for the Titans. Haskins can help back up Henry after the departure of D’Onta Foreman.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: B

Draft Picks: WR Drake London, EDGE Arnold Ebiketie, LB Troy Andersen, QB Desmond Ridder, EDGE DeAngelo Malone, RB Tyler Allgeier, OG/C Justin Shaffer, TE John Fitzpatrick,

Atlanta had to get a receiver at some point. London can win jump balls and can be a solid option with Kyle Pitts. Ebiketie will really help their pass rush. Andersen was taken a little soon, but has athletic upside as a former quarterback. Taking a flier on Ridder makes a lot of sense with Marcus Mariota set to start for Atlanta in 2022. Malone can be a rotational pass rusher for the team.

Carolina Panthers: A

Draft Picks: OT Ikem Ekwonu, QB Matt Corral, LB Brandon Smith, EDGE Amare Barno, OG/C Cade Mays,

The Panthers realized there weren’t many good quarterbacks in this draft and took an offensive lineman to smartly fix the protection. Carolina drafted another option at quarterback with Matt Corral, who was worth the risk in round three. Smith needs to show a good motor every play.

New Orleans Saints: C

Draft Picks: WR Chris Olave, OT Trevor Penning, CB Alonte Taylor, LB D’Marco Jackson, DL Jordan Jackson,

Trading up for Olave was a little much, but now the Saints will have two solid receivers with Michael Thomas coming back. Penning is a little bit of a project for a mid-first-round pick. New Orleans reached for Taylor, but his anticipation could help him develop.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: C

Draft Picks: DL Logan Hall, OG/C Luke Goedeke, RB Rachaad White, TE Cade Otton, P Jake Camarda, CB Zyon McCollum, TE Ko Kieft, EDGE Andre Anthony,

Hall can help fill the void left by Ndamukong Suh, but may have been a little early. Goedeke was solid value and fills a need on the interior of the offensive line. The pick of White came out of nowhere and was far too early. Otton may be able to fill in for Rob Gronkowski if he doesn’t return. McCollum will help them after they had injuries in 2021 in their secondary.

AFC West

Denver Broncos: B

Draft Picks: EDGE Nik Bonitto, TE Greg Dulcich, CB Damarri Mathis, DL Eyioma Uwazurike, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, WR Montrell Washington, OG/C Luke Wattenberg, CB Falon Hicks,

Bonitto will be a rotational edge rusher early in his career, as someone with good burst. Dulcich can help fill the void left by Noah Fant. Mathis will give the Broncos some decent depth at corner. Uwazurike can fit in well on the Broncos’ three-man front.

Kansas City Chiefs: A

Draft Picks: CB Trent McDuffie, EDGE George Karlaftis, WR Skyy Moore, S Bryan Cook, LB Leo Chenal, CB Joshua Williams, OG/C Darian Kinnard, CB Jaylen Watson, RB Isiah Pacheco, S Nazeeh Marshall

Kansas City knew they had to improve their defense and they drafted two great impact players for 2023 in McDuffie and Karlaftis. Moore will help create some production after Tyreek Hill left. Cook is a good box safety. Chenal was great value at the end of the third round and could see the field earlier than expected. Williams is raw, but could develop. Kinnard was a steal in the fifth.

Las Vegas Raiders: B

Draft Picks: OG/C Dylan Parham, RB Zamir White, DL Neil Farrell, DL Matthew Butler, OT Thayer Munford, RB Brittain Brown

The Raiders have missed on some linemen in the past and Parham can help their interior. White can give them some depth at running back and was good value.  Farrell was a nice pick and can give some depth.

Los Angeles Chargers: B

Draft Picks: OG/C Zion Johnson, S J.T. Woods, RB Isaiah Spiller, DL Otito Ogbonnia, OG/C Jamaree Salyer, CB Deane Leonard, FB Zander Horvath,

The idea of protecting Justin Herbert was a good one, but they may have taken Johnson just a little too early. Woods gives the Chargers depth at safety, but may not see the field early in his career. Spiller can be more of an every-down back than Austin Ekeler and was a steal in the fourth round.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: C+

Draft Picks: TE Trey McBride, EDGE Cameron Thomas, EDGE Myjai Sanders, RB Keaontay Ingram, OG/C Lecitus Smith, CB Christian Matthew, LB Jesse Luketa, OG/C Marquis Hayes

The Cardinals traded for Marquise Brown with their first-round pick. Taking Trey McBride was interesting after they just traded for Zach Ertz. Thomas and Sanders can help add to the pass rush after he left for Las Vegas.

Los Angeles Rams: B

Draft Picks: OG/C Logan Bruss, CB Decobie Durant, RB Kyren Williams, S Quentin Lake, CB Derion Kendrick, LB Daniel Hardy, S Russ Yeast, DL AJ Arcuri

Les Snead traded picks for a Super Bowl. His first pick in Bruss will help the star players on offense produce. Durant gives them some much-needed depth at corner. Williams was a great pick in the fifth round.

San Francisco 49ers: C-

Draft Picks: EDGE Drake Jackson, RB Ty Davis-Price, WR Danny Gray, OG/C Spencer Buford, CB Samuel Womack, OG/C Nick Zakelj, DL Kalia Davis, CB Tariq Castro-Fields, QB Brock Purdy

Jackson can be a rotational rusher, but needs to add weight. Davis-Price was drafted way too early and was selected a year after Trey Sermon and Elijah Mitchell. Danny Gray provides solid value and insurance in case Deebo Samuel holds out.

Seattle Seahawks: A

Draft Picks: OT Charles Cross, EDGE Boye Mafe, RB Kenneth Walker, OT Abraham Lucas, CB Coby Bryant, CB Tariq Woolen, EDGE Tyreke Smith, WR Bo Melton, WR Dareke Young,

It figures that the Seahawks try to fix the offensive line after trading away Russell Wilson, but taking Cross was a smart pick. Mafe fills a need and has some athletic traits that are worth coveting. Walker was a bit of a perplexing pick with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny on the roster. Lucas was a great pick to help the pass blocking of the offensive line. Bryant is a good fit for their defense and was a steal. Woolen was another great pick.

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