Is The 2022 NFL Draft Class Good?

There is a lot of hype around the potential in the 2022 NFL draft class. Is it really as good as people say? Let’s take a look at some of the top prospects.

Introduction

The 2022 NFL draft class is good. That is the general consensus among NFL analysts and draft experts. The class is loaded with talent at the top, and there is depth at almost every position. The quarterback class is particularly strong, with several potential franchise quarterbacks expected to be taken in the first round.

There are a few concerns about the class, however. Some analysts have questioned the overall strength of the offensive line group, and there are some questions about the depth of the defensive line group. But overall, the consensus is that the 2022 NFL draft class is very strong and has the potential to be one of the best classes in recent years.

Quarterbacks

The 2022 NFL Draft is stacked with quarterbacks. There are a handful of signal-callers who could go in the first round, and a few more who could go in the second or third rounds. The class includes a mix of pocket passers and dual-threat quarterbacks, so there should be something for everyone.

The top quarterback in the class is Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. Lawrence has been the consensus No. 1 overall pick for the 2022 NFL Draft since he was a freshman. He has all of the physical tools that you want in a quarterback, and he has shown the ability to make all of the throws. Lawrence also has terrific pocket presence and does a great job of going through his progressions.

The second-best quarterback in the class is Justin Fields of Ohio State. Fields is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his arm and his legs. He has a strong arm and can fit the ball into tight windows. Fields also is very accurate, which is impressive given his size (he’s 6’3″). Some scouts have expressed concern about his decision-making, but he has shown improvement in that area over the past year.

The third-best quarterback in the class is Zach Wilson of BYU. Wilson is another dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his arm and his legs. He’s extremely accurate, especially on deep passes, and he has good pocket presence. One concern with Wilson is that he played in a small conference (BYU), so it’s unclear how well he’ll adjust to playing against better competition.

Other quarterbacks who could go in the first three rounds include Brock Purdy (Iowa State), Kedon Slovis (USC), Sam Howell (UNC), Tanner Morgan (Minnesota) and Kyle Trask (Florida).

Running Backs

The class of running backs in the 2022 NFL draft is not loaded with top-end talent, but there are a few players who have the potential to be very good at the next level. The top players in this group are Alabama’s Najee Harris and Clemson’s Travis Etienne. Harris is a physical runner who has good vision and can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Etienne is a bit undersized, but he’s extremely quick and has good hands. Both of these players should be solid starters in the NFL.

There are also a number of players who could be complementary pieces in an NFL backfield. Florida State’s Cam Akers is a strong runner with good speed, and he catches the ball well out of the backfield. North Carolina’s Javonte Williams is another player who could be a complementary piece in an NFL backfield; he’s not as quick as some of the other top running backs, but he’s a powerful runner who can break tackles and pick up yards after contact.

Wide Receivers

There is a lot of hype around the 2022 NFL Draft class, and rightfully so. This class is loaded with talent at the wide receiver position, and there are a few players who have the potential to be difference-makers at the NFL level.

The most notable player in this class is Clemson’s Justin Ross, who is widely considered to be the best wide receiver in the country. Ross has good size (6’3″, 210 pounds) and blazing speed (4.45 in the 40-yard dash), and he’s a playmaker who can score touchdowns from anywhere on the field. He’s also a polished route runner with good hands, and he should be able to make an immediate impact at the NFL level.

Other receivers worth watching in this class include Bowling Green’s Teo Redding, Penn State’s Juwan Johnson, LSU’s Dee Anderson, and Notre Dame’s Equanimeous St. Brown. All of these players have the potential to be solid NFL players, and they should hear their names called on draft day.

Tight Ends

The 2022 NFL draft class is shaping up to be one of the best tight end classes in recent memory. There are a number of talented pass-catchers who should be able to make an immediate impact at the next level. Here are some of the top prospects:

-Kyle Pitts, Florida: Pitts is one of the most talented tight ends to come out in years. He has great size (6’6″, 240 pounds) and is an excellent route-runner with great hands. He should be a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

-Brevin Jordan, Miami: Jordan is another talented tight end who has good size (6’3″, 247 pounds) and is a very good receiver. He could also be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

-Pat Freiermuth, Penn State: Freiermuth is another big-bodied tight end (6’5″, 257 pounds) who is a very good receiver. He should be a mid-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Offensive Linemen

There are a lot of good offensive linemen in the 2022 NFL draft class. Some of the best include Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Wyatt Davis, and Trey Smith. All of these players are considered to be first-round picks and could potentially be taken in the top 10. Sewell is widely considered to be the best offensive lineman in the class, while Slater and Vera-Tucker are both seen as potential top-10 picks. Davis and Smith are also highly regarded and could go in the first round.

Defensive Linemen

There are a lot of good ones in the 2022 NFL draft class. Some of the best include Shaun Dion Hamilton, Bradley Chubb, Maurice Hurst, and Vita Vea.

Linebackers

There are a few studs at the top, but the depth drops off significantly afterwards. The lack of top end talent may push some teams to look for creative ways to fill the position, such as using an edge rusher in a LB role or using a bigger safety. Overall, this is a class that will need time to develop but there are still some very good players that can make an immediate impact.

Defensive Backs

The 2022 NFL Draft class is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, with a number of talented defensive backs expected to be taken early in the first round.

Ohio State’s Shaun Wade and Caleb Farley are both considered potential top-10 picks, while Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II and South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn are also expected to be taken in the first round.

There are a number of other talented defensive backs in this draft class, including Virginia Tech’s Devon Hunter, Stanford’s Paulson Adebo and Louisville’s Trevon Young.

Conclusion

All in all, the 2022 NFL draft class is shaping up to be a very talented group of players. There are a number of players who have the potential to be franchise cornerstones for years to come. While there are always a few busts in every draft class, the overall talent level in the class appears to be very high. If you’re a fan of one of the teams with a high draft pick, you should be excited about the prospects for your team in 2022.