This year, the 2022 NFL Draft defensive end class is stacked with possibly five players projected to be first-round picks. During the Senior Bowl game, Mafe was impossible to block, and it was a glimpse of what he can become in the NFL. Pre-Snap Reads 2/28: 2023 NFL Draft could prove to be most . hes a force off the edge who wins with strength, quick feet, and ability to read the game. 2022 September 2 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings John Vogel September 2, 2022 in 2023 Rankings, Player Rankings - 6 Minutes 1. All that being said, they feel his ego could drive him to be a good player as he wants to be a star. The draft concluded with rounds 47 on Saturday, April 30. 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. * - denotes 2023 prospect. 2023 NFL Draft Defensive End Prospect Rankings and Scouting Reports In the NFL, Malone could be too undersized to play defensive end and might be better off as a 3-4 outside linebacker. [17] Seven picks were awarded for the 2022 draft pursuant to the resolution. 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. He flashed more pass-rush ability in 2019 and 2017. That will be a terrifying prospect, as he establishes himself as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class. BIO 1 18 -- Travon Walker Georgia 6'5" 272 JR His power certainly comes first, but he does flash great burst off the line, as well as modest ankle flexion around the edge. And Isaiah Thomas also finds himself on the list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. They don't see freaky traits of speed and explosion to make up for Johnson's lack of size. He is an interesting player because team sources say he shows some ability as a pass rusher, including functional strength to get off blocks, but that does not translate to defending the run, where he needs to get stronger for the NFL. Johnson does get hurt with teams giving him bad marks for football character and have concerns about dealing with him. Charlton has the ability to be a capable edge defender, but needs to get stronger. With his skill set taking on easy competition, Hall needs to produce more in 2021. Enagbare creates power out of his frame while possessing excellent length. The South Carolina DE has plenty of juice to take off after the passer. He isn't George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. 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. With his skill set, Jackson has the upside to improve his production as he gains more experience. Strengths The Ohio State Buckeyes have a rich recent history of sending defensive line talent to the NFL. 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. He follows a trend of undersized edge rushers from Clemson that includes the likes of Vic Beasley and Shaq Lawson. The 2022 NFL Combine's 40-yard dash is a chance for some defensive linemen to really improve their stock. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently released his top five draft-eligible defensive ends. 4/27/22: Gunter was solid for Coastal Carolina in 2021, but it would have helped him to have a more productive season. Johnson was wise to go back to school and improve before going to the next level. He has an elite combination of size, strength, a Drake is a quality prospect who possesses impressive athletic ability: he has a unique combination of speed, agility, power as wel David Ojabo may have the greatest upside of any player in the 2022 NFL Draft class with a unique combination of size, strength, an Arnold Ebiketie is an impressive pro prospect who has top-level athletic skills - he's explosive, has elite speed around the edge, Johnson has been rocketing up draft boards after his dominating 2021 season with FSU. 28 in rushing . Like the edge rushers group of the 2022 NFL Draft, the interior defensive linemen are extremely deep and versatile. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan 2. He broke out for the Boilermakers in 2019, totaling 7.5 sacks with 54 tackles in his debut. NFL Draft 2022: Relative Athletic Score Standouts at Every Position 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. 7/10/21: Thibodeaux recorded 32 tackles, three sacks and three passes batted in 2020. Perrion Winfrey is one of the top defensive tackles on the board. That tells you a lot about what they think of Anderson's skill set considering he enters his senior year having only been a rotational player and never having been a three-down starter. We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. Subsequently, NFL teams that like having bigger edge rushers would jump at the chance to add Karlaftis. Its not much of a surprise, especially after seeing how Walker fared at the NFL Combine. 4/27/22: In 2021, Karlaftis recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles. No one mistakes Enagbare for being a speed rusher, but the former Gamecock does have an enticing skill set with his length, play strength, and bend capacity. He's sufficient versus the run because he can find it and can win with quicks and athletic ability. At 63 3/4, 261 pounds, Mafe has the frame density, explosiveness, speed, and the bend to sink below the corner. Top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft | 1-5, Top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft | 6-10. Similar to teammate Lakia Henry, Williams is a junior college product who could be better in his third season with Ole Miss. [2], Draft activities were held around two main locations on the Las Vegas Strip; invited players walked a red carpet stage constructed on the man-made lake in front of the Bellagio and its fountains. Additionally, OLB Nik Bonitto is one of the best at his position. He totaled 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six passes broken up in 2021. 4/27/22: In 2021, Jackson totaled 37 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and an interception. Johnson's best fit in the NFL could come as a 3-4 outside linebacker. By Oliver Hodgkinson August 27, 2021 Jump Around This Article Click to show Are the stars aligned for Seahawks to repeat 2022 draft success Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15 , '16 , '17 , '18 , '20 , and '21 Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017 and 2019 NFL Drafts Here's a closer look. The imposing defensive end racked up 12 tackles for loss amongst 31 total tackles. Instead, its Florida States Jermaine Johnson II. INDIANAPOLIS - The 2023 NFL draft shapes up as a referendum on bigger-than-average edge rushers. Heres a look at the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. There are even more pass-rush playmakers ready and waiting to push their way up draft boards this fall. New York Giants select defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux with No. 7/10/21: Charlton was a solid defender for Central Florida in 2020. Sources are wondering why Anderson was at home and not at the team hotel. He decided to transfer to Mississippi State after the season. After his impressive practices in Mobile, more team evaluators think Johnson will go late in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Led by Oregons Kayvon Thibodeaux, there are several first-round prospects. NFL Draft Buzz is on the lookout for new contributors who would like a chance showcase their perspectives on the NFL draft. He has plenty of time to add weight and grow stronger over the next year. $$ Pure WalterFootball with no advertisements for $7.99 a month. SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Anderson should be a top-10 or top-15 pick if he keeps playing like he did against Clemson. Moreover, he appears to have developed physically over the offseason. He further helped himself with an excellent week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Plant High School, Christian Watson was a lightly recruited prospect who was viewed as a developmental player due to his . At 63, 260 pounds, Smith might not appear as imposing as his teammate. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. He had 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2020. He has an elite combination of size, strength, a Drake is a quality prospect who possesses impressive athletic ability: he has a unique combination of speed, agility, power as wel David Ojabo may have the greatest upside of any player in the 2022 NFL Draft class with a unique combination of size, strength, an Arnold Ebiketie is an impressive pro prospect who has top-level athletic skills - he's explosive, has elite speed around the edge, Johnson has been rocketing up draft boards after his dominating 2021 season with FSU. SEC Defensive Tackles with the highest . Josh Paschal shouldve been able to register the backfield as a private domicile given how often he lived there this past season for Kentucky. Bears draft defensive end Dominique Robinson - Chicago Bears The NFL Combine is the first week of March and it will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Who among Aidan Hutchinson, George Karlaftis, and Jermaine Johnson II takes the top spot? 39 min read Last year saw tight end Kyle Pitts, termed the "unicorn" in many circles, come off the board. 0:00. Hes incredibly explosive, demonstrates excellent body movement, and exhibits tremendous play speed. 2022 NFL Draft l Day 2 ends with yet another receiver picked Stills needs to improve in both phases to rise for the 2022 NFL Draft. 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. 86 overall in Round 3 after trading up with Raiders", "Carolina Panthers use 3rd-round draft pick on QB Matt Corral amid Baker Mayfield trade speculation", "Colts trade up and draft Maryland safety Nick Cross in the third round", "Vikings acquiring TE Chris Herndon from Jets in trade following Irv Smith Jr.'s knee injury", "New Vikings CB Akayleb Evans Ready to Learn From Patrick Peterson", "Panthers trade into 4th round, select LB Brandon Smith", "Raiders trade up to No. He was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. Anderson had an impressive pro-day workout, and his lawyer is seeking the dismissal of the charges. 2022 NFL Draft: Top 10 prospects by positions - Sportskeeda . Gunter was forced to sit out the 2019 season before transferring back to Coastal Carolina for 2020. Brad Holmes Detroit Lions 2022 NFL Draft Provides Reason for Real Hope All Rights Reserved. 2022 NFL Draft: The top 12 edge defenders - Touchdown Wire 7/10/21: Clemson played well for the Aggies in 2020, showing some ability to get after the quarterback. He has everything you look for Aspiring college or profootball journalist? You dont earn 14 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and take home Heisman runner-up honors on accident. Pre-Draft), while (D) denotes trades that took place during the 2022 draft. The injury also could cost Ojabo a spot in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. Top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft include Kayvon Thibodeaux He also has to up his pass-rush production with the Bulldogs. 2022 NFL Draft Sleepers Relative Athletic Score Standouts At Each Position Quarterback: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati Relative Athletic Score: 9.6 It starts with insane athletic traits. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. Super informed fan? 4/27/22: Robinson only recorded 28 tackles in 2021, but he flashed some pass-rush ability by recording 4.5 sacks. Throughout the 2020 campaign, Sanders showed improved hand usage at the line of scrimmage. 7/10/21: In 2020, Johnson was part of a loaded group of edge rushers at Georgia. He was a dynamic pass rusher and showed improved run defense. Barno must get stronger because his run defense is a real liability entering the NFL. The versatile DE has the physicality to play multiple positions along the defensive line. Impressed? On the year, Paschal had 52 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble. Last fall, the Cincinnati pass rusher was a late riser up draft boards, earning buzz as a potential Day 2 selection. Paschal lost his 2018 season to fighting malignant melanoma, but after beating cancer, he returned to the field in 2019 to put together a quality year for Kentucky. Easily the most physically imposing of all the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft, George Karlaftis combines size, power, and explosion to be a dominant defensive lineman. He only recorded 14 tackles for the season, however, because Azeez Ojulari played over him on run downs. When he has a runway, Thomas builds up speed and pressures tackles. 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. 7/10/21: Mafe played well in the shortened 2020 season, totaling 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted. 2022 NFL Draft - Top Defensive Ends NFL Combine: Defensive Backs to Watch - Sports Illustrated New York The LSU pass rusher can already be found in several first-round mock drafts, including from Pro Football Networks Cam Mellor. 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. He doesnt have an elite get-off, but he possesses a good sense of timing around the edge. 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 . George Karlaftis *, Purdue 6.. On top of his size and power, Karlaftis has an underrated finesse element. 7/10/21: Thomas enjoyed a breakout 2020 season, racking up 8.5 sacks with 32 tackles, 13 for a loss, two passes defended and one forced fumble. Hall has good length and speed, but he is too light to line up every down on the inside. He could be more of a backup designated pass-rusher in the NFL. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds. 2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Midseason Defensive Positional Rankings And Isaiah Thomas also finds himself on the list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has enough bend to win around the apex while using his length to disengage. ___ The second day of the NFL draft ended appropriately with another wide receiver being selected. On the other hand, he was very productive in 2021, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Addison thrived catching passes from . With Chase Young out for almost all of the season, Sweat was the Commanders . 2022 NFL Mock Draft: A Debate for the Best Defensive End Henderson to Panthers for TE Dan Arnold", "TRADE ALERT: Broncos trade their 75th overall selection to the Houston Texans for their 80th and 162nd overall picks", "New Orleans Saints complete trade with Houston Texans for CB Bradley Roby", "Miami Dolphins trade up to take Notre Dame offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg", "Falcons trade QB Matt Ryan to Colts for 2022 third-round pick", "2022 NFL Draft: Titans end Malik Willis' slide at No. 4/27/22: Anthony was playing well for LSU and on his way to a good season, but he suffered a non-contact knee injury versus Central Michigan that ended his 2021 season. carry receiving threats up the seam or play man-to-man against tight ends. While he may not become a starter, he has the potential to be a quality rotational backup. He came up with some clutch plays in USC's comeback win over Washington State. NFL Draft Buzz is on the lookout for new contributors who would like a chance showcase their perspectives on the NFL draft. 164: New England Las Vegas LA Rams, No. Anderson and Johnson both flashed, with Johnson recording four sacks and 14 tackles in backup duty. 7/10/21: Anthony was a backup in 2018 and 2019 before earning playing time as a junior in 2020. Anderson is tremendous pass rusher who produces quarterback pressure at an insane rate. 4/27/22: Anderson was charged with rape in November and turned himself into the police. Off the snap, it is as if he has been shot out of cannon as he explodes upfield with shocking speed. Anthony will need to increase his pass-rush production and show improvement as a run defender to rise. Early on, WalterFootball.com caught up with a director of college scouting from a playoff team that is one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, and here is what they had to say about Anderson prior to the off-the-field trouble: "Talk about holding a guy back; Georgia is definitely doing that. 2022 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Edge Defenders - PFF Top 10 Best defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft That helps him be a menace at the line of scrimmage both in terms of winning as a pass rusher and making plays on the ball in the air. The 2022 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 28. . 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. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock. Copyright 2019-2023. Yet, theres no doubting his ability as a ferocious pass rusher. Thomas did play on the interior at times for the Aztecs, so he could feasibly cut weight and move to DE full-time in the NFL. But when they run right at him, it's alarming.". Hutchinson has good size for the next level in that he could be a base end in a 4-3 or a 3-4 five-technique defensive end. 1 overall pick, and at least four others should come off the board in the first 50 picks. Gaye racked up 9.5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks and a forced fumble last fall. With that size, hes not the highest-tier athlete, but Carter still brings good burst, and his power capacity helps elevate his game. With Anderson and Smith returning to the Bulldogs, Johnson transferred to Florida State. Although a confluence of circumstances ensured that 2020 was a disappointing affair, theres every reason to believe that Karlaftis can recapture the freshman form that catapulted him into national attention. 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. He helped himself with a good week at the Senior Bowl and worked out well at the combine. Meanwhile, he flashed further defensive disruption with 5 pass breakups. At the Senior Bowl, Ebiketie showed that he is a fast edge rusher with serious burst around the corner. 0:29. SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. 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. In our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft, that's exactly what happens as both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions bolster the edge of their lines at No. 7/10/21: Jackson played well in 2020, recording 20 tackles, two sacks and an interception. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has the strength to set the edge in the ground game and has the length to play 3-4 five-technique defensive end. Carter was very productive for the Gators this past season and flashed numerous times at the Senior Bowl in early February. Here are the top 20 offensive tackles in this class according to the consensus big board. San Francisco received an additional third-round selection and another 2023 third-round selection when Miami hired 49ers offensive coordinator. Some team sources said they have Thomas graded on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft as a potential backup in the NFL. 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. [3][4] Parts of Flamingo Road and Las Vegas Boulevard were closed to vehicle traffic to allow spectators to travel between the two sites.[5]. video. That expectation does inflate Hutchinsons value a bit, but hes still an exciting prospect. Aidan Hutchinson goes first overall in 2022 NFL Mock Draft He showed some pass-rush potential alongside quality size and speed. Brugler's Top 100: TE1, No. His natural instincts to go for the strip sack are phenomenal. The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 28-30, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.The first round was held on Thursday, April 28, and was followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29. Its reasonable to expect that his playing weight could be over 270 in the NFL. That versatility, in a way, could make him more coveted. The Tennessee Titans ' defensive needs aren't as obvious as . Hutchinson has issues holding up at point of attack. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. At the next level, Paschal has a curious projection. Kayvon Thibodeaux *, Oregon 3. Latest 2022 NFL Draft big board: Defensive Line | Top 10 Tuesday He is quick at the point of attack and causes a lot of disruption behind the line of scrimmage. Hutchinson is a great athlete, standing at 66 5/8, 260 pounds. 4/27/22: Johnson was a dangerous pass rusher for Texas A&M in 2021, recording 8.5 sacks and 31 tackles. 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. Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux will compete for the No. 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. Techie with an interesting slant on player evaluation? For the second straight year, Williams showed blitzing ability as well. 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? 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. Lets take a look. Even with the extra attention, Hutchinson was a consistent force to get after the quarterback, and Hutchinson helped teammate David Ojabo to have a breakout season across from him. 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? 4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. They feel is a well-rounded defender with a lot of upside and versatility. For purposes of schematic differentiation, projected stand-up rushers such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo were listed in our outside linebacker rankings. Paschal is a tough run defender who can contribute some pass rush. Karlaftis worked out well at the combine and interviewed well according to team sources. 2022 NFL Draft: Defensive End Rankings 1. But if he plays with a hand in the dirt at the NFL level, it could help him attain better leverage, while maximizing his athletic traits. From the college perspective, here are the best defensive end and edge rusher prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. As Cincinnati emerged as a genuine College Football Playoff contender, Sanders amassed 31 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks. While some NFL Draft prospects will ascend during the 2021 college football season, Myjai Sanders is carrying momentum from the previous campaign. [Shrug emoji]", A director of player personnel sent the following on Anderson earlier in the year: "I think he's a first-rounder; I haven't done enough tape to finalize how high, but he has all the traits. In 2021, Thomas put up 71 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. 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. This gives Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry a true . San Francisco could also use some help at defensive back after the group has been thinned out over the years. Chambers recorded five sacks in 2019 and 4.5 sacks in 2018 playing at University of Houston. Find out where your favorite Position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. Giants select Kayvon Thibodeaux with No. 5 pick in 2022 draft Half of his sacks came in one game versus LSU. They view Hutchinson as a solid double or triple, but not a grand slam. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. In 2021, VanValkenburg totaled 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He possesses a delightful change-of-direction ability, remarkable lateral agility, and, to top it off, he has excellent play speed. NFL Draft picks 2022: Complete list, results, selections of Round 1. . Nick Suss. Techie with an interesting slant on player evaluation? He would be better off as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Powerful, yet surprisingly agile for his size, he also plays the game with competitive toughness. Best of defensive ends | 2022 NFL Scouting Combine - NFL.com 2022 NFL Draft prospects: Ranking top defensive ends in this year's Oklahoma has quite a few eligible defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. A few names have been mixed into the No. He made the right decision for his player development to go back to the Buckeyes for 2021. It wasnt just Paschals skill set that stressed offenses, but also how he was used because he could take on a multitude of different roles.