Who should you be watching out for during this college football season? He made big plays in run defense and the pass rush. Rookie defensive end Amar Barno put together a solid start to his professional career in his debut season in 2022. He would be better off as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. If Mafe were taller and had more length, he would have a better shot at being first-round pick. He has great strength, violent hands, and a relentless motor. You're correct in his get-off being reminiscent of Von Miller at Texas A&M. Zachary Carter isnt lacking in either of those departments. He's sufficient versus the run because he can find it and can win with quicks and athletic ability. 2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Midseason Defensive Positional Rankings by Austin Smith November 5, 2021 Heading into another great college football weekend, here are the top defensive positional rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft Prospects, including Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux being the top-rated defensive end. On the contrary, he is deceptively athletic for his size. He had a decent week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Analysts attributed the high number of trades to eight teams entering the draft without a first-round selection and a general absence of highly-touted prospects. He was wise to go back to school. He has ideal size to play as a versatile defender in the trenches for Belichick, even if he's not a freaky athlete. Oklahoma has quite a few eligible defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. You dont earn 14 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and take home Heisman runner-up honors on accident. Paschal needs to improve his pass-rush production as a senior. [17] Seven picks were awarded for the 2022 draft pursuant to the resolution. Robinson made it the Senior Bowl, but he didn't stand out. Barno must get stronger because his run defense is a real liability entering the NFL. Anderson should be a top-10 or top-15 pick if he keeps playing like he did against Clemson. Moreover, he accounted for 60% of South Carolinas forced fumbles. It was a big jump from his underclassmen years as a backup. 4/27/22: Charlton was decent for Mississippi State in 2021 with 35 tackles and four sacks. NFL Draft picks 2022: Complete list, results, selections of Round 1. . (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) Looking. Hill to Cincinnati Bengals for OL Billy Price", "Green Bay Packers trade CB Ka'Dar Hollman to Houston Texans", "Falcons make it official, trade for tight end Lee Smith", "Ravens Trade for Tight End Josh Oliver, a Former Third-Round Pick", "Rams ship CB Aqib Talib, fifth-rounder to Dolphins", "Patriots reportedly trade for Dolphins receiver Isaiah Ford", "Panthers put Troy Pride Jr. on IR, trade Greg Little", "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit; Acquire OL Yasir Durant in a Trade with Kansas City", "Bills agree to acquire quarterback Case Keenum in trade with Browns", "Titans trade first-round pick Isaiah Wilson to Dolphins", "Short-handed Denver Broncos send draft choice to Minnesota Vikings for Stephen Weatherly", "Chargers trade #254, #255 to Bears for 2023 6th-round pick", "The NFL draft was just another wild night in Vegas. 42: Washington Indianapolis Minnesota, No. Anthony will need to increase his pass-rush production and show improvement as a run defender to rise. He can be more consistent there, but Karlaftis has the tools to eventually be one of the top defensive ends from the 2022 NFL Draft class. 7/10/21: Charlton was a solid defender for Central Florida in 2020. He really doesn't want that smoke as a run defender. This has provided a further showcase of his athletic ability to impact multiple phases of the game. Hes adept at combining speed with a high motor to finish plays. The Cincinnati pass rusher has tremendous athletic upside, with explosiveness and the ability to bend around the edge. 4/27/22: Malone collected 94 tackles, nine sacks, four passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2021. Equally adept at terrorizing quarterbacks or setting the edge in the run game, his usage at Coastal gives him additional versatility. With Anderson and Smith returning to the Bulldogs, Johnson transferred to Florida State. Anthony Richardson Combine Results: Florida Star Makes Case for QB1, Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland | NFL Draft Scouting Report, 2023 NFL Combine Hand Size Results: Notable Quarterback Measurements and More, 2023 NFL Combine Risers: Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch Perform Well. The LSU pass rusher can already be found in several first-round mock drafts, including from Pro Football Networks Cam Mellor. hes a force off the edge who wins with strength, quick feet, and ability to read the game. Affectionately named The Grecian Goliath by our own Oliver Hodgkinson, George Karlaftis is a superb power rusher whose ability to generate point-of-contact force inspires awe. From the college perspective, here are the best defensive end and edge rusher prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. Conversely, only one quarterback (Kenny Pickett) was selected in the first round at 20th overall, the lowest for a draft's first quarterback since 1997, and no running backs were taken in the first round for the first time since 2014. Similar to teammate Lakia Henry, Williams is a junior college product who could be better in his third season with Ole Miss. 2022 NFL Mock Draft: A Debate Over the Best Defensive End Might Kayvon Thibodeaux not be the best defensive prospect in the upcoming draft class? 24 in passing yards allowed (4,160) and No. Ojabo could stand to get better as a run defender for the NFL. The first round was held on Thursday, April 28, and was followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29. Anderson had an impressive pro-day workout, and his lawyer is seeking the dismissal of the charges. Nashville Tennessean. With strong, precise hands, Enagbare can maximize his length and combat extensions. Apr 15, 2022, 4:52pm ET in NFL News Top 10 Best defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft Teams in need of a dynamic edge rusher are going to have plenty of opportunities to fill that role as the 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with top defensive ends. Top Edge Rushers 2022 NFL Draft 2022 NFL Draft - Top Edge Rushers Most Recent Update: 4/27/2022 7:00 PM EST Position/Conference Rankings OT RB-C WR-S EDGE DL 1-TECH DL 3-TECH DL 5-TECH OLB ILB SAFETY CB KICKER PUNTER SEC ACC BIG-10 BIG-12 PAC-12 AAC M-WEST MAC C-USA SUN BELT 2021 RANKINGS 2020 RANKINGS Rank O/A Chng Player/School Ht/Wt Elig. Gaye racked up 9.5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks and a forced fumble last fall. A top-five finisher in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting seven consecutive seasons, Donald also already has a Super Bowl championship -- along with 6.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 10 . NFL Draft Buzz is on the lookout for new contributors who would like a chance showcase their perspectives on the NFL draft. Get ready for the 2023 NFL Draft with positional and big board rankings from the team at The NFL Draft Bible. Now that he has a year of experience, Thomas could be even better in 2021 and rise for the 2022 NFL Draft. And Isaiah Thomas also finds himself on the list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. 4/27/22: Tragedy struck for Ojabo when he tore his Achilles during Michigan's pro-day workout. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. SEC Defensive Tackles with the highest . Aidan Hutchinson is widely projected to be the No. The 2023 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 27 and ends on Saturday, April 29. Anderson is tremendous pass rusher who produces quarterback pressure at an insane rate. Standing around 65, 266 pounds, Thomas is an impressive athlete for his size. After a relatively disappointing defensive draft last April in terms of first-round pass rushers, the top of the 2022 NFL Draft could feature multiple defensive ends. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Last season, in his first opportunity to be the dominant leader of the defensive line, he secured only 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He broke out for the Boilermakers in 2019, totaling 7.5 sacks with 54 tackles in his debut. He totaled 9.5 sacks, 52 tackles, four forced fumbles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and three passes batted on the year. The top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft; The most pressing need for each NFC East team; A Big 12 corner who will turn heads at the NFL Combine; And much more; Taking a look at Christian Watson. Teams are worried, however, about how much Thibodeaux loves football and the focus he has on "his brand." Johnson contributed some pass rush in previous years, so he could rise now that he has some starting experience, plus he has a good end in Michael Clemons drawing attention on the other side. There is a deep group of defensive backs, and we know that the New York Giants will be in the market for back-end help, specifically at cornerback, a position widely regarded as deep in this year . Players are identified as Pro Bowlers if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. Hutchinson has issues holding up at point of attack. 7/10/21: Hutchinson was excellent to open 2020, collecting 13 tackles and a pass batted before going down with an ankle fracture that required surgery. Paschal earned 15 tackles for loss on the year and proved to be a menace for opposing offensive linemen. He started slowly, but he was coming alive in the final regular-season games for Ohio State. SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. While Thibodeaux would benefit from refinement of his pass-rush toolbox, his ability to convert speed to power effortlessly will leave many offensive linemen embarrassed this fall. Jackson showed pass-rushing talent off the edge and played hard. Hutchinson plays upright a lot. Multiple NFL team sources say there isn't a significant difference between Johnson and top-10 picks like Aidan Hutchinson. 7/10/21: In limited action because of a lot of cancellations in 2020, Smith was solid. Thomas could be better in 2021 now that he has more starting experience. Smith also converts speed to power exceptionally well. 2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End *Walt taking 2014 and 2018 Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates. Given his height and weight, however, Ebiketie is not a good fit as a hand-in-the-ground base end for a 4-3 defense. All that being said, they feel his ego could drive him to be a good player as he wants to be a star. Mar 04, 2023. 2022 NFL Draft l Day 2 ends with yet another receiver picked By The Associated Press April 29, 2022 LAS VEGAS (AP) The Latest on the NFL draft. He looks like a potential three-down starter in the NFL. He doesnt have an elite get-off, but he possesses a good sense of timing around the edge. This was after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 NFL Draft, originally scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, to take place remotely via video conferencing. 4/27/22: Anderson was charged with rape in November and turned himself into the police. If he continues on an upward curve with all those attributes, he will comfortably end up as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. There's a load of heavy, stout defensive ends who played last college season at 270, 275 or 280 . Whichever kind of defensive end you project a prospect to be, power and play strength are fairly important elements of success at the next level. Hall has good length and speed, but he is too light to line up every down on the inside. He has one of the highest floors in this DE class and a fairly high ceiling. Having made little impact in his first three seasons with the Sooners, Thomas exploded into life during his redshirt junior campaign. 7/10/21: Thibodeaux recorded 32 tackles, three sacks and three passes batted in 2020. While Jackson was highly regarded in scouting circles, Jeffrey Gunter has the potential to be even better as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Throw in his stellar run defense, and youre looking at a tremendous three-down player. There were many talented defensive linemen in the 2021 NFL draft, but the 2022. Top 10 Defensive Ends in the 2022 NFL Draft | 6-10, Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo were listed in our outside linebacker rankings, projected to be the No. Five Georgia defensive players were also taken during the first round, the most from an individual school in a draft. This gives Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry a true . Hes demonstrated that he can win with pure size, strength, and hand violence. The 2022 NFL Draft big board rankings are reflective of Bucky Brooks' top five 2022 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0 and ESPN's NFL Draft "Best Available" list. When he has a runway, Thomas builds up speed and pressures tackles. The sixth-round pick in this past April's NFL Draft played in nine games for the Carolina Panthers over the course of the year, totaling nine total tackles, with eight solo stops, and finishing the season with two total sacks to . After finishing the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, the Chicago Bears have the No.1 pick in the NFL draft, in addition to seven other selections. 28 in rushing . Copyright 2019-2023. carry receiving threats up the seam or play man-to-man against tight ends. Anderson looked significantly better against the run in the games against Arkansas and Kentucky. Last season, six edge rushers were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. 4/27/22: Hall broke out for the Cougars in 2021, showing length, strength, quickness, and athleticism to set the edge. Paschal is a tough run defender who can contribute some pass rush. Techie with an interesting slant on player evaluation? Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presumptive top p Thibodeaux has out-of-this-world athletic ability and as a result, is in the running for being the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Some teams are eyeing him late in the second round and early in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. INDIANAPOLIS - The 2023 NFL draft shapes up as a referendum on bigger-than-average edge rushers. Multiple team sources who said they had spoken to recent Georgia staffers and recent former teammates of Anderson all reported those around the Bulldogs program were surprised and didn't believe he was that kind of guy. He had a superb freshman season for the Ducks, doing an excellent job of getting after the quarterback and totaling nine sacks, 35 tackles, a forced fumble and three passes batted. Hunter, who has posted at least 12.5 sacks in three of his first six seasons appeared in just seven contests last season after tearing his pectoral muscle. DJ Dale, Alabama HT: 6025 WT: 300 4-star (0.9076) Super Junior from Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, AL) 7/10/21: Clemson played well for the Aggies in 2020, showing some ability to get after the quarterback. 4/27/22: Scouts were buzzing about Walker in the early going of the 2021 season, and he really helped move himself up boards for the 2022 NFL Draft. Then theres Isaiah Thomas. 0:00. He was a consensus first-rounder prior to the injury. This year, the 2022 NFL Draft defensive end class is stacked with possibly five players projected to be first-round picks. He is a riser who could go in the early rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. 166: Arizona Philadelphia Houston Chicago Cincinnati, No. 2022 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings includes a prospect ranking, a breakdown of scouting for the position, key questions about the position, and a link to learn more. Half of his sacks came in one game versus LSU. Hutchinson figures to be one of the most versatile of all the DE prospects on this list. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl, but he had an excellent combine with an ultra-fast 40-yard dash. While some NFL Draft prospects will ascend during the 2021 college football season, Myjai Sanders is carrying momentum from the previous campaign. 39 min read Last year saw tight end Kyle Pitts, termed the "unicorn" in many circles, come off the board. Hes one of the larger players on this list, standing around 64, 282 pounds. 1. He has everything you Davis surprisingly gave up the chance to enter the 2021 NFL Draft, but given his impressive play of late, it looks like to have be Travon Walker is a prospect who is still a better athlete than a football player. Mafe's best fit might come as a 3-4 outside linebacker. If Harrison showcases those more consistently while adding a more explosive presence, he will cement his place as one of the best pass rushers in the class. Like any preseason list, these are subject to change throughout the year as some defensive ends elevate their stock and others falter along the way. After sending Tarron Jackson to the NFL just months ago, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have the potential to send another pass rusher to the pros. Perrion Winfrey is one of the top defensive tackles on the board. Carter was very productive for the Gators this past season and flashed numerous times at the Senior Bowl in early February. 1 overall pick conversation, and Georgias Travon Walker is one of them. Listed at 65 and 268 pounds, Thomas has the frame to add more weight and strength this season. 154 overall: Conner is the selection", "Browns acquire WR Amari Cooper in trade with Cowboys", "Sources: Vikes ship Ngakoue to Ravens for picks", "Jaguars agree to trade DE Yannick Ngakoue to Vikings", "2022 NFL Draft: Jaguars Pick Up Future 4th Round Pick in Trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers", "New England Patriots acquire WR DeVante Parker in trade with Miami Dolphins", "New York Jets trade LB Avery Williamson to Pittsburgh Steelers", "Raiders OT Trent Brown expected to be traded to Patriots", "Raiders trade No. Pro Football Network, LLC. 4/27/22: Robinson only recorded 28 tackles in 2021, but he flashed some pass-rush ability by recording 4.5 sacks. Also, PFF strangely leaves off two players who should be in anyone's top 101 players. 4/27/22: Smith had a slow start to the 2021 season, and his lack of pass-rush pressure really hurt Ohio State against Oregon and Minnesota. 3 Overall", "Chiefs Trade WR Tyreek Hill to Miami Dolphins", "Lions to trade Matthew Stafford to Rams in blockbuster deal involving Jared Goff, picks", "Packers make a trade with Vikings to move up and take WR Christian Watson", "Jets trade up with Giants, draft running back Breece Hall in second round", "Jets trade Sam Darnold to Panthers for three draft picks", "Falcons Trade with Giants, Select Arnold Ebiketie at No. The top group of defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft is full of different player types, and South Carolinas Kingsley Enagbare is just one example. In 2021, Anderson totaled 32 tackles and five sacks despite limited opportunities. 4/27/22: Sanders had a quality year for Bearcats even though he did not produce a big stat line. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently released his top five draft-eligible defensive ends. With his skill set, Jackson has the upside to improve his production as he gains more experience. Head back to the 2022 NFL Draft Bible Virtual Guide homepage. We have a new consensus Top 300 NFL Draft Big Board here at PFN. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock. However, it presents a list of prospects to watch out for in the 2021 college football season. Some sources say that Johnson's football character is worse than Kayvon Thibodeaux, and that played a role in Johnson leaving Georgia. After an offense-heavy draft in 2021, there is more defensive promise in 2022. Who will be the top defensive ends for the 2022 NFL Draft? He further helped himself with an excellent week of practice at the Senior Bowl. The consensus among draft analysts and scouts, though, is this year's class is loaded with pass rushers be it 290-pound defensive ends or smaller edge rushers who would fit well in a 3-4 . 6", "Philadelphia Eagles trade QB Carson Wentz to Indianapolis Colts for two draft picks", "Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints shake up first round of 2022 NFL draft with multipick trade", "Packers trading Davante Adams to Raiders; WR signing 5-year, $141.25M deal", "Ravens trade WR Marquise Brown to Cardinals for first-round draft pick", "49ers Make Blockbuster Pre-Draft Trade Up to No. The draft concluded with rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 30. 7/10/21: Thomas contributed somewhat in the pass rush in 2020, but he did not produce well in run defense. 7/10/21: Stills showed pass rush potential in 2019 when he recorded seven sacks for the Mountaineers. At 64, 267 pounds, Thomas is more of a power rusher, but hes shown he can employ hand moves at the apex and stack counters. 10 overall. Thomas was quietly very productive over the past couple of seasons, with 12.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss through 2020 and 2021. The 6-foot-4, 226-pounder needs to get stronger and improve his run defense for the NFL, but he looks like he has the potential to be a lethal pass rusher who produces some big sack totals and makes a lot of game-changing plays to limit passing attacks. Defensive Line Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DL ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Rank 2.7 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-7 Hes still raw from a hand usage standpoint, and the way Georgia used Walker, he was rarely rushing the edge in a pure defensive end role. 4/27/22: Some in the media are projecting Thomas in the first round, but team sources said they don't have him that high. 4/27/22: In 2021, Hutchinson recorded 62 tackles, 14 sacks, three passes batted, a fumble recovered and two forced fumbles - another one was mistakenly given to a teammate. 7/10/21: Enagbare started to make his presence felt as a sophomore, but showed real improvement as a pass rusher during his junior season. Best of defensive ends | 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Watch the highlights of the defensive end, EDGE rusher group at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Sanders did not stand out at the Senior Bowl. Last fall, the Cincinnati pass rusher was a late riser up draft boards, earning buzz as a potential Day 2 selection. Is Aidan Hutchinson No. 1? Some team sources said they have Thomas graded on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft as a potential backup in the NFL. In addition, it further increases his value as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a dynamic pass rusher and showed improved run defense. This will be followed by College Pro Days and will culminate with the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada which is set to begin on Thursday, April 28th. Top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft include Kayvon Thibodeaux, George Karlaftis After an offense-heavy draft in 2021, there is more defensive promise in 2022. Who will be the top defensive ends for the 2022 NFL Draft? Thomas was buried on the depth chart behind Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant prior to 2019. Anderson and Johnson both flashed, with Johnson recording four sacks and 14 tackles in backup duty. He played well for the Gamecocks and then had a solid week at the Senior Bowl. Johnson's best fit in the NFL could come as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Johnson has good size and speed off the edge. Team sources view Hutchinson as being a safe pick to be a solid pro, but they don't see huge upside. At the Senior Bowl, Ebiketie showed that he is a fast edge rusher with serious burst around the corner. 4/27/22: Johnson was a dangerous pass rusher for Texas A&M in 2021, recording 8.5 sacks and 31 tackles. He was not as tenacious as a pass rusher. It's part of a significant overhaul of a defense that allowed 27.5 points per game a season ago (31st in the NFL), plus ranked just No. These are the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since the 2021 draft, the NFL, under 2020 Resolution JC-2A, rewards teams for developing minority candidates for head coach and/or general manager positions. Despite his late introduction to the sport, the Purdue pass rusher racked up 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in the 2019 campaign. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame. That's why Georgia says they don't start him. ", Not all evaluators were high on Anderson because of him being a backup and rotational player. His natural instincts to go for the strip sack are phenomenal. A look at the Steelers 2022 NFL Draft Class. He has some quickness, strength, and athleticism that was illustrated with good workouts. To view the players scouting report, click on the name of the player you want to learn . He had 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass defended on the year. 126", "2021 NFL Draft trade tracker: Full details of every move", "Texans acquire Brandin Cooks in trade with Rams", "Full details of the Trinity Benson trade between the Lions and Broncos", "Chiefs trade up with Seahawks for Kentucky OT Darian Kinnard at pick No. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan 2. Hes incredibly explosive, demonstrates excellent body movement, and exhibits tremendous play speed. As Cincinnati emerged as a genuine College Football Playoff contender, Sanders amassed 31 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. As a pass rusher, Ojabo can burn tackles with a speed rush, and he is explosive off the ball. 2022 NFL Draft: Top Defensive Tackles Georgia's Jordan Davis (99) is Eddie Brown's top-rated defensive tackle in the upcoming NFL Draft.