What a Draft! Highs and Lows, you couldn't take your eyes off it for a minute! Let's take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from the NFL 2022 Draft!
Winners
Kenny Pickett
The only QB taken in Round 1. From Pittsburgh to Pittsburgh, this was the best-case scenario for Pickett. Doesn’t necessarily need to play this year, he can sit behind Trubisky and learn, if there is even anything to learn from Trubisky at this point.
He’s also going to a team that has all the pieces around him, the Steelers are ready to succeed. They have a good receiving corps and a stud RB. If Pickett can hit the ground running, he could be set up for a great NFL career.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Davis is a monster. Yes, they may have reached for him but having a Fletcher Cox replacement ready to go will hopefully look like a steal for them in the next few years.
Nakobe Dean. This is boom or bust. With all the medical issues surrounding Dean and his supposed refusal of surgery, this could be a huge bust. Many projected Dean to be the top linebacker in the Draft. The fact that he fell till the third round is alarming. However, if this works out, and Dean develops into the talent that he’s projected to have, this will be the steal of the entire draft.
AJ BROWN!! Why gamble on a rookie when you can get a STUD………for 100m. Easily the biggest trade of the draft. Huge move by the Eagles. Unfortunate for Brown who would’ve stayed in Tennessee if given the right amount of money.
Jets
Across the board, the Jets, without a doubt, won this draft. The first two picks were to be expected. In many people’s opinions they came away with the best healthy receiver of the draft class and the best corner back.
Not to mention the absolute STEAL they got with Jermaine Johnson at #26. All three of their first-round picks could’ve been top 10 picks on another day.
That wasn’t good enough for the Jets though, they then went and traded up to take RB Breece Hall after rumours emerged that he was linked to the Texans. So not only did they potentially get the best WR and CB in the draft, but they also got the best RB. Incredible by the Jets. They almost have all the pieces to succeed. Over to Wilson now.
Ravens
The Ravens draft well. It’s the same every year. So, it’s of no surprise that they drafted well again despite multiple teams trading up to get ahead of them on numerous occasions.
They ended up with Kyle Hamilton – Safety, Tyler Linderbaum- Center, David Ojabo – Edge and Travis Jones – Tackle as their first four picks. Hamilton and Linderbaum are the top pics at their position and the Ravens got them at value picks at #14 and #25 respectively. Ojabo, if healthy could’ve been a top 10 pick and many projected Travis Jones to go at the end of the first round. Well done, Ravens. Well done.
Desmond Ridder
Did you see the look in his eyes? He is determined to prove the NFL wrong for not drafting him earlier.
This is a great landing spot for him. Yes the team needs work but he can develop under Mariota. Not to mention he’s going to have the two giants that are Drake London and Kyle Pitts to throw to for the next five years.
Chiefs
After Day 1, we’re sure many people were surprised that the Chiefs did not take a WR in the first round. Instead, they opted for CB Trent McDuffie and DE George Karlaftis. Which all things considered, both are very good value picks.
They then lucked out when Skyy Moore fell to them in the second round, and they did not hesitate to take him. Moore’s off the ball movement paired with Mahomes doing Mahomes things will surely fill the hole that Tyreek Hill has left in Kansas. Moore has arguably got the best landing spot of all the WRs taken in the draft.
Losers
Cardinals
Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown. On paper this makes sense. Brown didn’t want to play for a team that prioritise the run so much and is good friends with Kyler Murray. But Brown had an average season at best. This seems like a bit of a reach considering what the Eagles were able to do.
Yes, the Cardinals did lose Christian Kirk and they were lacking that deep threat. You could even make an argument to move this to the winner’s section after the recent 6 week ban that De’Andre Hopkins received. But we’re not sure Brown was the answer. The Cardinals could've done better here. It just leaves us feeling...meh.
Malik Willis
Could’ve gone 2nd Overall. Ended up going in Round 3 to a team that has a QB who recently said that it 'wasn’t his job' to mentor Willis.
This definitely is not how Willis saw the draft going. He’s obviously happy to be going into the league, but we don’t think the Titans are the right fit. They prioritise the run game with Derick Henry over anything else. Evident by their willingness to trade AJ Brown. Will Willis ever have the pieces around him or even have the chance to succeed at Tennessee? Who knows?
Lamar Jackson
Where his receivers at? Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman. That’s it. The Ravens did have a good draft. But they really didn’t help their star QB who we’re sure is not happy with the situation he’s in next season.
Hopefully their RBs can make up for the lack of receiving weapons in Baltimore.
Chicago Bears
Is there even an offense in Chicago? Look at the Jets, they’ve been making big moves to try and give Zach Wilson all the tools he needs to succeed. The same goes with Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville.
What have the Bears done to help Justin Fields? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s sad, but his career is going to get lost to the NFL and in a few years, he’ll be a backup at another team.
Vikings
Look, their draft picks may work out to be franchise players. But the fact that they traded down with two divisional rivals is ridiculous. Not to mention the Packers and Lions drafted WRs that will wreak havoc on their secondary for the next five or so years. What were they thinking?!
It seems harsh to call winners and losers so soon after the Draft. Here's hoping the losers prove everyone, including us wrong.
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