FIVE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2022 NFL DRAFT

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Another NFL draft is in the books in what ended up being three days full of unpredictability and intrigue. With the suspense about what prospects are going where now over, it will be up to the coaches to develop these youngsters into established players and justify those big decisions. There were plenty of exciting moves and non-moves made over the three-day selection process.

George Karlaftis | Source (Background Photo/s): ESPN

1. NFL-Ready quarterbacks are worth more than prospects

NFL teams were gushing over the quarterback class of 2021 as three were chosen in the first three positions, but in 2022 that was not the case. Not only was a QB not selected with the top pick for the first time since 2017, but only one pivot was taken in the first round, Kenny Pickett, at #20 by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

You have to go back 25 years to remember the last time that an NFL franchise waited so long to draft a quarterback. The year was 1997 when the San Francisco 49ers went with Virginia Tech’s Jim Druckenmiller at #26. Over the offseason, teams needing quarterbacking help have sought other avenues to get their guy via trades or free agency. Several teams replaced their longtime veterans with other established QBs, including Russell Wilson (Denver Broncos), Marcus Mariotta (Atlanta Falcons), Carson Wentz (Washington Commanders), Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns), and Matt Ryan (Indianapolis Colts). Many teams out there want to win right now, and I think what we saw last week and in the weeks prior to the draft proves that.

2. Wheeling and dealing

General managers across the league were busy negotiating with other teams to either move up the draft board or get a missing piece to their club. Nine trades were made in the opening round of this year’s draft setting a new NFL record.

Some big names were also moved, including AJ Brown, who was shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the 18th overall pick that the Tennessee Titans used to select Treylon Burks out of Arkansas. Another Brown also got moved as Marquise will hope to provide Kyler Murray with some much-needed support next year in the Arizona Cardinals offense. According to NFL research, the nine trades were the most since Round 1 was moved to its own day in 2010.

3. Defence turns franchises around?

For years like a broken record, we have heard the statement that defense wins championships. That philosophy might still be true to a certain extent, although when you look at the potent offensive teams who have won the previous three Super Bowls (LA Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kansas City Chiefs), it makes one wonder if it is still that important. In recent years, teams have succeeded without stingy defenses, but in the 2022 draft, some of the worst teams from the previous season decided to rebuild by adding what they hope will be some significant defensive prospects. The first five selections this year were defensive players, marking only the second time in draft history where that has happened and the first since 1991. Two cornerbacks were chosen among the first five selections (Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley), the first time that we have seen that happen since Shawn Spriggs (Seattle Seahawks) and Bryant Westbrook (Detroit Lions) were taken at #3 and #5 in the 97 draft.

4. Catching Up

If you are not convinced that the NFL is a pass-happy league at the moment, then you missed what transpired in Las Vegas. The top five teams to choose in the draft may have gone defensive, but flashy receivers stole the show after that, as six were selected by the end of round one, with the first being Drake London at #8 for the Atlanta Falcons.

Scouts had a lot of confidence in the 2022 receiving class, but GMs and coaches also seem to recognize the importance of that position. Let’s not forget that as mentioned a couple of big names, AJ Brown and Marquise Brown, moved as part of blockbuster deals. At the same time, Davante Adams became a Las Vegas Raider, and Deebo Samuel requested a trade before the draft began. It seems as though receivers are hot commodities now, and those who play the position know their worth and are parlaying that into big pay raises.

5. Georgia on the NFL’s mind

The first national championship for the Georgia Bulldogs in over 40 years did not go unnoticed by NFL teams. Edge rusher Travon Walker was the first Georgia player to be chosen with the #1 selection, but there were plenty more who would hear their names called by commissioner Roger Goodell. By the time the draft closed on Saturday, a total of 15 players from that school had found new homes in the NFL, setting a new draft record. When you look at what the Bulldogs achieved in 2021, it is probably not that big of a surprise as they were loaded with talent all over the field. Walker was one of five lucky defensive players from the Bulldogs to be chosen in the opening round, another NFL record. The other four players were Jordan Davis, Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, and Lewis Cine.

Winning a national championship is hard enough, but what the Georgia program achieved in this year’s draft speaks volumes about the brilliance of head coach Kirby Smart.