Folks, if you’re like me and your favorite NFL team is a complete abomination then even though it’s October you’re set to look ahead to the NFL Draft. Recently, I’ve been watching some tape of a lot of prospects and the early returns are showing that this is going to be a heavy defensive draft class.
After the past few seasons have lacked some promising edge rushers, this draft has quite a few really talented edge players that could make an impact on the game year one. But the most notable aspect of this class is that every single quarterback has some pretty big question marks. I can firmly say that if your team is quarterback needy then last season would have been the year to take a quarterback. Matt Corral is the only guy I’m high on at this very moment.
So let’s get to the list!
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux: Edge, Oregon
Thibodeaux is far and away the best player in this draft. He wreaks havoc on opposing offenses. He has an ankle injury that has limited him to just part of one game this season but I don’t think that will deter any teams from taking him as he should be returning to action in the coming weeks.
2. Derek Stingley: CB, LSU
Stingley has been touted as a top five draft prospect for the 2022 draft since he was a freshman and rightfully so. He’s a true lockdown corner who has the ability to take a team’s best receiver out of the game. NFL teams would go to great lengths to get a guy who can do that.
3. Kyle Hamilton: S, Notre Dame
Hamilton is a versatile safety who can play multiple positions on defense. Think of him in the same mold as a guy like Isaiah Simmons except he’s better. He is a true ballhawking safety who can cover slot receivers and play in the box when needed as well. He’s a special talent.
4. Evan Neal: LT, Alabama
Neal is a massive human being standing at 6’7″ and weighing 360 lbs. He played left guard his freshman year, right tackle his sophomore year, and he’s playing left tackle now. He projects as a left tackle with elite potential in the NFL. He is probably a better run blocker than he is pass blocker but he’s going to have gold jacket potential heading into the NFL.
5. Matt Corral: QB, Ole Miss
Call me crazy but I really like Matt Corral (keep in mind this is being published before he plays against Alabama today). But in all seriousness, he’s got an incredibly special arm, he can move very well, and he’s got an IT factor that appears to be special. The biggest knock on him is that he’s been careless with the ball throughout his college career. He’s a true gunslinger and will be a first round pick in April.
6. Aidan Hutchinson: Edge, Michigan
This guy’s been an absolute freak this season piling up 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble through four games. That type of relentless production is what wins games at the NFL level. He will definitely hear his name called early.
7. DeMarvin Leal: IDL/3-4 DE, Texas A&M
Leal is an interesting prospect because he’s got a lot of great athleticism but the pass rushing numbers haven’t always been there. The expectation is that he’s playing along the interior defensive line in the NFL which would likely fit his skillset better than standing up like he occasionally does at Texas A&M and allow him to have better numbers.
8. Garrett Wilson: WR, Ohio State
Wilson is a versatile receiver who has played both in the slot and on the outside in his college career. He has the ability to play both which is key for a lot of NFL teams. His YAC ability is incredible and with how the NFL game has evolved, you’ve just gotta get the ball in his hands in space and let him run.
9. Chris Olave: WR, Ohio State
I have both Ohio State receivers in the top ten heading into the 2022 NFL Draft at this time. Olave is definitely more of a deep threat than teammate Garrett Wilson but he doesn’t have as great of a YAC ability. A team that likes to chuck the ball down the field will likely prefer Olave but I like both of them.
10. Tyler Linderbaum: C, Iowa
It’s crazy that I have a center in my top ten but when it comes down to it, the offensive line is the most important position group in football outside of the quarterback and Linderbaum is a damn good center. He wouldn’t be a sexy pick at number ten but he’d be incredibly effective for whoever ends up taking him.