2022 nfl draft defensive ends
Brugler's Top 100: TE1, No. After finishing the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, the Chicago Bears have the No.1 pick in the NFL draft, in addition to seven other selections. 4/27/22: In 2021, Barno had 35 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. 4/27/22: Charlton was decent for Mississippi State in 2021 with 35 tackles and four sacks. In 2019, Gaye was playing football for the junior college program Garden City. Subsequently, NFL teams that like having bigger edge rushers would jump at the chance to add Karlaftis. Johnson's best fit in the NFL could come as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The production alone was impressive. He has one of the highest floors in this DE class and a fairly high ceiling. He was listed over 280 pounds in college, but at the NFL Combine, he measured in at 62 5/8, 268 pounds. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds. Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presump 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 George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. They view Hutchinson as a solid double or triple, but not a grand slam. He broke out in 2018 with 49 tackles and five sacks, but transferred to N.C. State after the season. 7/10/21: In 2020 Sanders was a dangerous edge rusher for the Bearcats, notching seven sacks with 31 tackles and five passes batted. At 64, 267 pounds, Thomas is more of a power rusher, but hes shown he can employ hand moves at the apex and stack counters. 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. 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. He possesses a delightful change-of-direction ability, remarkable lateral agility, and, to top it off, he has excellent play speed. Mar 04, 2023. 7/10/21: Tisdale is a big defensive end who is a tough run defender at the point of attack. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock in late April. In addition to being a phenomenal pass rusher, Thibodeaux is impressive against the run. 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. 7/10/21: Charlton was a solid defender for Central Florida in 2020. Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. They think he is safe pick to turn into a solid, if unspectacular, pro. Sources say he bombed some interviews and team visits. Additionally, OLB Nik Bonitto is one of the best at his position. He has everything you look for Aspiring college or profootball journalist? Boye Mafe will be a 24-year-old rookie, but regardless of age, his sheer upside should have teams jumping to the podium in the top 50. Before the 2022 college football season began, Jordan Addison and Jaxon Smith-Njigba were viewed as the two best wide receiver prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. Moreover, he appears to have developed physically over the offseason. Defensive End Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DE ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Rank 2.7 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-7 24 in passing yards allowed (4,160) and No. 7/10/21: Hutchinson was excellent to open 2020, collecting 13 tackles and a pass batted before going down with an ankle fracture that required surgery. 98), outside linebacker Baron Browning (2021, No. He had 40 tackles and four sacks in 2019. Ojabo is superb at slapping at the ball while taking the quarterback down as well. He doesnt have an elite get-off, but he possesses a good sense of timing around the edge. All that being said, they feel his ego could drive him to be a good player as he wants to be a star. Barno broke out in 2020, recording 6.5 sacks with 43 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes batted. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock. Gunter was forced to sit out the 2019 season before transferring back to Coastal Carolina for 2020. He wants to with suddenness and athletic ability as a run defender, moving and slanting. 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? Thibodeaux was productive in 2021 despite playing at less than 100 percent and teams sending a steady amount of extra blocking his direction or moving plays away from him. For the NFL, Ebiketie is undersized to be a defensive end and probably would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. If it is close, for example if a defensive end is a bit undersized, but moves really well in space, they very well . Super informed fan? Meanwhile, he flashed further defensive disruption with 5 pass breakups. video. At 63 3/4, 261 pounds, Mafe has the frame density, explosiveness, speed, and the bend to sink below the corner. He could conceivably play as a 3-4 defensive end or a 3-technique in a base 4-3 scheme. There's also a lot of talent on the defensive line, although many of the big names will likely go in Round 1. Very tricky thing to do is first weed out guys that are defensive ends in college that will be 3-4 OLB's in college. Ojabo uses his hands and feet at the same, showing the ability to translate speed to power. He totaled 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six passes broken up in 2021. 2022 NFL Mock Draft: A Debate Over the Best Defensive End Might Kayvon Thibodeaux not be the best defensive prospect in the upcoming draft class? He would be better off as a standup outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. 4/27/22: In 2021, Karlaftis recorded 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles. And Isaiah Thomas also finds himself on the list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. A top-five finisher in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting seven consecutive seasons, Donald also already has a Super Bowl championship -- along with 6.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 10 . 10 overall. 0:00. There's a load of heavy, stout defensive ends who played last college season at 270, 275 or 280 . Williams did a nice job of blitzing the quarterback off the edge in 2019, and he showed some nice ability to put pressure on the signal-caller. Powerful, yet surprisingly agile for his size, he also plays the game with competitive toughness. He broke out for the Boilermakers in 2019, totaling 7.5 sacks with 54 tackles in his debut. Pro Football Network, LLC. 4/27/22: Malone collected 94 tackles, nine sacks, four passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2021. Team sources say Walker is big, athletic and speedy. when the Browns took defensive end Myles Garrett, in which a QB isn't the first player off the board. Quietly productive as a freshman, Gunter has been defensively dominant in the rest of his college football seasons. The 64, 240-pounder significantly elevated his stock in a season where he accounted for half of the Gamecocks sacks. 4/27/22: Mafe collected 34 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. In 2021, it would help him to continue to improve as a rusher while adding strength to be a tougher run defender. ** - denotes 2024 prospect. They will gather on the field for the first time when the team holds their rookie minicamp May 13-15. He is a 1-year wonder who could find his best fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. On the other hand, he was very productive in 2021, recording 71 tackles, 11.5 sacks and one forced fumble. One of the best fits in this year's draft class for the Patriots on the interior of the defensive line, Mathis is compared to Lawrence Guy by Pro Football Focus. 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 . 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. Thomas was buried on the depth chart behind Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant prior to 2019. Some team sources said they have Thomas graded on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft as a potential backup in the NFL. Raiders officially relocated to Las Vegas, No. The 2022 NFL Draft was the 87th edition of the National Football League's annual draft and was held from April 2830, 2022, at the Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. 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. Additionally, Paschal received outstanding marks from teams for his football, locker room leadership, and off-the-field intangibles. Lets take a look. In the months between the end of the NFL Draft and the start of the college football season, weve poured over hours of tape to compile our top defensive ends for the 2022 cycle. The Grecian Goliath measures in at 64 and 275 pounds and is one of the strongest defensive ends in this upcoming class. Ojabo could stand to get better as a run defender for the NFL. 4/27/22: Johnson was a dangerous pass rusher for Texas A&M in 2021, recording 8.5 sacks and 31 tackles. He is a riser who could go in the early rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. He missed a few games with the ankle injury and decided to skip Oregon's bowl game in favor of draft preparation. Anthony will need to increase his pass-rush production and show improvement as a run defender to rise. Pre-Snap Reads 2/28: 2023 NFL Draft could prove to be most . I wouldn't take a guy that high that isn't a three-down starter, but someone will take him up there though.". 24 overall Consensus Big Board: TE1, No. This has provided a further showcase of his athletic ability to impact multiple phases of the game. 5 pick in 2022 draft NFL+ X Players Only Combine Presented by NOBULL Matthew Judon and Devin White join host Rhett Lewis for. Johnson has good size and speed off the edge. Anderson had an impressive pro-day workout, and his lawyer is seeking the dismissal of the charges. 7/10/21: Anthony was a backup in 2018 and 2019 before earning playing time as a junior in 2020. He likely fits best as a 3-4 defensive end at the next level, where hell see more interior reps. In-depth prospect rankings with linked reports and all updated player information. He didn't do enough in 2021 to be a riser and build momentum for the 2022 NFL Draft. Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. Sanders has speed and athleticism on the edge, but he needs to get stronger and fill out his frame. Given his size, the assumption is that Karlaftis wins with strength alone. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. Ali Gaye sneaks into our top 10 defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Hes demonstrated that he can win with pure size, strength, and hand violence. 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. 2022 NFL Draft: Defensive End Rankings 1. The Cincinnati pass rusher has tremendous athletic upside, with explosiveness and the ability to bend around the edge. They wonder and question if he snuck out after curfew and bed check, so Anderson's situation is a huge mess for his draft stock. 4/27/22: Thomas was unimpressive in 2021 despite having some really good talent next to him on the inside of the Clemson line in the early going of the year. Projecting for defensive end roles in the NFL, the top defensive end in the 2022 NFL Draft isnt Hutchinson or Karlaftis. Led by Oregons Kayvon Thibodeaux, there are several first-round prospects. 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: Some NFL advance scouts had Anderson with the highest preseason grade of any player on their preseason watch list. Hutchinson can be successful across the line due to his size and length. We first try to identify a position, but often list both possibilities. He has excellent size at 65 and 258 pounds, with incredible length. I'm concerned with strength. 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. The following is the breakdown of the 262 players selected by position: In the explanations below, (PD) indicates trades completed prior to the start of the draft (i.e. With that size, hes not the highest-tier athlete, but Carter still brings good burst, and his power capacity helps elevate his game. A few names have been mixed into the No. The hype comes on the back of a sensational first season at the FBS level. [3][4] The Linq Promenade hosted the NFL Draft Experience, which featured fan activities. 4/27/22: In 2021, Jackson totaled 37 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and an interception. He had 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass defended on the year. Of the top five, all are projected as first-round. After a relatively disappointing defensive draft last April in terms of first-round pass rushers, the top of the 2022 NFL Draft could feature multiple defensive ends. His power certainly comes first, but he does flash great burst off the line, as well as modest ankle flexion around the edge. 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Johnson was a high-effort player for the Seminoles, making a lot of stops in the ground game along with putting steady pressure on the quarterback. Despite his late introduction to the sport, the Purdue pass rusher racked up 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in the 2019 campaign. Mafe had a career season at Minnesota in 2021 and followed it up with a stellar showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. His best fit in the NFL could be as a 3-4 outside linebacker. SEC Defensive Tackles with the highest . He really doesn't want that smoke as a run defender. 7/10/21: Stills showed pass rush potential in 2019 when he recorded seven sacks for the Mountaineers. 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. The draft concluded with rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 30. Its close between all of them, but Johnson arguably has the most well-rounded skill set. The Oregon pass rusher also possesses great length. 7/10/21: Thomas contributed somewhat in the pass rush in 2020, but he did not produce well in run defense. 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. Travon Walker *, Georgia 4. Karlaftis worked out well at the combine and interviewed well according to team sources. 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. The versatile DE has the physicality to play multiple positions along the defensive line. 120: New Orleans Washington Carolina, No. If Anderson is exonerated, he could return to being an early-round pick, but right now, it looks like he would be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent until his legal situation is resolved. Boye Mafe, Minnesota; Malik Vann, Cincinnati; Jordan Strachan, South Carolina; Ochaun Mathis, TCU; Will McDonald, Iowa State, 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. Heres a look at the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. 39 min read Last year saw tight end Kyle Pitts, termed the "unicorn" in many circles, come off the board. He was wise to go back to school. Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson has a good blend of size, athleticism, and blocking prowess to play the position at the NFL level. 4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. 2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive End *Walt taking 2014 and 2018 Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates. As well as impressive pass-rush ability, the Oklahoma DE is an extremely competent run defender. Yet, he has the tools to be a big EDGE as well for teams who like to move their linemen around and exploit matchups. Gunter has quality size to be an edge defender in the NFL. Players are identified as Pro Bowlers if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. 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. Find out where your favorite Position stacks up against the 2023 class and view expert mock drafts. He did not impress at the Senior Bowl, but he had an excellent combine with an ultra-fast 40-yard dash. In 2021, VanValkenburg totaled 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Hutchinson has issues holding up at point of attack. His agility emphasized by a fantastic 6.73 three-cone doesnt always show up in full capacity on tape, but his leverage may have something to do with that. At 63, 260 pounds, Smith might not appear as imposing as his teammate. However, beyond the statistics, Sanders is an alluring prospect. There is no doubt that Ojabo is very fast off the edge with the ability to bend underneath offensive tackles. He was a tough defender for the Aggies. hes a force off the edge who wins with strength, quick feet, and ability to read the game. On top of his size and power, Karlaftis has an underrated finesse element. Johnson contributed some pass rush in previous years, so he could rise now that he has some starting experience, plus he has a good end in Michael Clemons drawing attention on the other side. That expectation does inflate Hutchinsons value a bit, but hes still an exciting prospect. 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. He also has to up his pass-rush production with the Bulldogs. Apr 15, 2022, 4:52pm ET in NFL News Top 10 Best defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft Teams in need of a dynamic edge rusher are going to have plenty of opportunities to fill that role as the 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with top defensive ends. Furthermore, Karlaftis has the ability to play both inside and out, making him extremely versatile. Who among Aidan Hutchinson, George Karlaftis, and Jermaine Johnson II takes the top spot? 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. Pro Football Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Coastal Carolina defensive end also led the nation with 6 forced fumbles in 2020. Given the timing, the injury could easily cause him to miss his rookie season. 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Copyright 2019-2023. Johnson does get hurt with teams giving him bad marks for football character and have concerns about dealing with him. Team sources say Clemons could be a third- or fourth-round pick who develops into being a starter in the NFL. The first five selections were defensive players, the second-most taken at the start of a draft after the six in 1991. 4/27/22: Tisdale recorded eight tackles and zero sacks in 2021 from playing over four games before going out for the season in early October. He's sufficient versus the run because he can find it and can win with quicks and athletic ability. The sixth-round pick in this past April's NFL Draft played in nine games for the Carolina Panthers over the course of the year, totaling nine total tackles, with eight solo stops, and finishing the season with two total sacks to . Some teams are eyeing him late in the second round and early in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Last fall, the Cincinnati pass rusher was a late riser up draft boards, earning buzz as a potential Day 2 selection. Enagbare creates power out of his frame while possessing excellent length. 4/27/22: Gunter was solid for Coastal Carolina in 2021, but it would have helped him to have a more productive season. He could be even better now that he has a year of experience, and NFL advance scouts were impressed with his 2020 tape. Walkers athleticism is legitimately otherworldly, and on tape, his power is just as potent. In 2020 as a part-time designated pass rusher, Anderson was tremendous at putting heat on the quarterback, collecting 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted. He was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. Top Defensive Ends 2022 NFL Draft 2022 NFL Draft - Top Defensive Ends (5-Technique DT) Most Recent Update: 4/27/2022 7:00 PM EST Position/Conference Rankings WR-S DL 1-TECH DL 3-TECH DL 5-TECH ILB KICKER BIG-12 AAC M-WEST C-USA SUN BELT 2021 RANKINGS 2020 RANKINGS Rank O/A Chng Player/School Ht/Wt Elig. Over his three-year career at San Diego State, Thomas amassed 39 tackles for loss and 20 sacks, averaging 13 tackles for loss and almost 7 sacks per season, respectively. Nik Bonitto is one of the drafts best outside linebackers. At 65, 272 pounds, with outrageous 35 1/2 arms, Walker ran a 4.51, had a 35.5 vertical, a 123 broad jump, and a 6.89 three-cone. Florida Football: DT Zachary Carter NFL draft 2022 profile GatorSports.com Schedule Teams SEC Alabama Arkansas Auburn Georgia LSU Tennessee Texas A&M ACC Clemson UNC Big Ten Iowa Michigan. Yet, they dont define what makes Enagbare one of the top defensive ends in the class. He is a freak athlete though and a special pass rusher. 7/10/21: Enagbare started to make his presence felt as a sophomore, but showed real improvement as a pass rusher during his junior season. Despite not having a standout defensive prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, Tyreke Smith joins Harrison to give the Buckeyes two of the top 10 defensive ends in the class. He is a massive man even by the . It starts with insane athletic traits. 29: San Francisco Miami Kansas City, No. Similar to teammate Lakia Henry, Williams is a junior college product who could be better in his third season with Ole Miss. Having made little impact in his first three seasons with the Sooners, Thomas exploded into life during his redshirt junior campaign. The statistics are sensational. 4/27/22: Johnson totaled 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2021. Thomas wisely accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, where he put together an okay performance. 7/10/21: Mafe played well in the shortened 2020 season, totaling 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted. 1 overall pick conversation, and Georgias Travon Walker is one of them. He isn't George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. The 2022 NFL Draft is chock full of pass-rushing talent at the top of the class and deep into Day 2. He totaled six sacks, three forced fumbles and 30 tackles for 2020. Addison thrived catching passes from . 2. He had 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2020. The South Carolina DE has plenty of juice to take off after the passer. Jack Borowsky Jul 5, 2021 1:08 PM EDT The. 7/10/21: Jackson played well in 2020, recording 20 tackles, two sacks and an interception. In his two-year career, Harrison has contributed just 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. 2022 NFL Mock Draft Defensive End Rankings: Travon Walker, Georgia Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State George Karlaftis, Purdue Hutchinson is expected to lead the Wolverines defense and help cement his position as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. This year, the 2022 NFL Draft defensive end class is stacked with possibly five players projected to be first-round picks. He notched 38 tackles, seven sacks, three passes batted and three forced fumbles on the year. He is very undersized for the NFL, however, making him look like a backup who might fit only as a designated pass rusher. Multiple NFL team sources say there isn't a significant difference between Johnson and top-10 picks like Aidan Hutchinson.