NFL Draft 2022- Bold Predictions
THREE QBs WILL BE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND
There is no position more important in the NFL than QB and if a team does not have their QB on the roster most of the time teams will look towards the future in the draft. History has shown that teams will overdraft QBs do the importance of the position as shown below.
2021- 5 (Lawrence, Wilson, Lance, Fields, Jones)
2020- 4 (Burrows, Tagovailoa, Herbert, Love)
2019- 3 (Murray, Jones, Haskins)
2018- 5 (Mayfield, Darnold, Allen, Rosen, Jackson)
2017- 3 (Trubisky, Mahomes, Watson)
2016- 3 (Goff, Wentz, Lynch)
Liberty’s Malik Willis and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett are among the names who should go in the first round and likely a couple other more. Don’t be surprised at the end of the first night if there are four QBs drafted.
FIRST THREE PICKS WILL BE EDGE RUSHERS
Over the last ten years, only two defensive players have been drafted #1 overall (Myles Garrett in 2017 & Jadeveon Clowney in 2014) and not since 2000 have two defenders gone back-to-back as the top two picks. This year could top 2000 as the first three picks may end up being defenders, all of which potentially the same position. With the lack of true star power at QB, teams may look to defense and edge rushers, Aidan Hutchinson of Michigan, Travon Walker of Georgia and Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon could very well be those top three picks.
NO RBs IN THE FIRST ROUND
One of the yearly traditions that will end this year is at least one RB going on the first round. We saw two go last year with Najee Harris and Travis Etienne but this year lacks star power at the position and it would be a surprise to see it happen. Unless a team falls in love with Iowa State’s Breece Hall or Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker, don’t expect a RB to come off the board on night one breaking the streak that has gone on since 2014.
STRONGEST DRAFTED POSITIONS FIRST ROUND WILL BE WR & OLINE
This year’s draft may not have a strong QB class, but it makes up for it at two key positions, WR and Oline. As it stands right now, we could see as many as six WRs go in the first round including a pair from Ohio State in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave and Oline is headlined by a pair of potential top 5 picks in Alabama’s Evan Neal and N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu. When its all said and done, we could see a half of the first round made up of offensive players.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE WILL HAVE ANOTHER FIRST ROUND PROSPECT
Last year North Dakota State had a top 3 draft pick with QB Trey Lance and this year they could look to secure another first round pick with WR Christian Watson. The 6-4 playmaker has been on the rise since his outstanding performance at the Senior Bowl and only made more of a name for himself at the Combine. There is at least one small school prospect who makes his way into the first round, and we should consider Watson to be that guy along with Liberty QB Malik Willis.