The top 20 NFL Draft Prospects in 2022
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Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Kyle Hamilton
With the 2021 NFL season coming to a close, all eyes now move to the offseason with free agency and the NFL Draft fast approaching. This is the opportunity for teams to thoroughly evaluate and assess their needs.
Whether they look to spend big or find hidden gems in free agency, every team will have their eyes on the NFL Draft, aiming to find a stud for the future. With that in mind, here are 20 of the best college football players that NFL teams will be paying very close attention to this March.
Related: Mel Kiper’s Worst NFL Draft Takes Of All Time
#1 NFL Draft prospect: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson is viewed as the best player coming into the draft by many people. He has elite explosiveness and great awareness of plays being run. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 265 pounds, he’s got a great physique for the position and has shown good speed. A solid 40 time will solidify his stock. His use of power as a pass rusher is what really sets him apart.
While he may not go #1 overall, there is a very solid argument for Hutchinson being the cream of the crop in the 2022 NFL Draft.
#2 NFL Draft prospect: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
The battle between Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson is a very close one. Thibodeaux is built exactly like an elite NFL pass rusher. He has a great combination of length, size and speed and he knows how to use it very well. Couple that with well above average flexibility, he can get around just about any offensive tackle. He lacks a bit of technique but it’s nothing that can’t be learned. While he doesn’t primarily use his power, he’s shown that it can be part of his game. And that can get better in the NFL.
Thibodeaux is one to keep an eye on.
#3 NFL Draft prospect: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Kyle Hamilton is the ultimate prototype safety. At 6’4″ and weighing 220 pounds, he can be the true enforcer of the defense. But where he really stands out is his ability in zone coverage. At his size, being able to change direction the way he can is truly scary for opposing quarterbacks and he loves baiting them into mistakes.
He’s somewhat similar to Kam Chancellor in terms of his build at safety albeit smaller. While he may not have the strength as of now, it’s something he can add to his game to become a real game-changer. His man coverage ability against tight ends is great but may need some work for the shiftier slot receivers of the NFL. Still, one of the best players in this upcoming draft.
#4 NFL Draft prospect: Evan Neal, Tackle, Alabama
Evan Neal can both pass block and run block at an extremely high level. He’s shown great explosiveness in pass blocking scenarios and unbelievable quickness for his size when run blocking. Putting together his physical traits along with his technical ability makes him truely a marvel in this class.
It’s very possible that the Jaguars who need help protecting Trevor Lawerence, take Neal #1 overall. He has the potential to live up to the hype of being selected first overall, so long as he can clean up a bit of his game when it comes to utilizing his hands.
#5 NFL Draft prospect: Derek Stingley Jr., Cornerback, LSU
LSU is really cementing itself as DBU. If Derek Stingley Jr. can live up to the hype, he’ll add to the plethora of successful DBs from LSU in the NFL. A great combination if size and speed means he can cover down the field and can be a threat to intercept passes.
While he lacks the tangibles to handle the bigger backs of the NFL, he’s shown willingness to commit in the run game, something coaches love to see.
#6 NFL Draft prospect: Charles Cross, Tackle, Mississippi State
Charles Cross will be 21 years old when the NFL season starts. 21. That alone is a huge positive. He has plenty of time to further develop his solid skill set which includes excellent hand placement along with great balance and footwork. He works great in the both the passing and running game. He knows how to utilize his quickness well and can be an asset for teams that like to run the ball a lot.
While the Jaguars are primarily looking to protect Trevor Lawerence, Cross is someone who’ll definitely be on their radar and could find himself going #1 overall.
#7 NFL Draft prospect: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
College football’s version of the Greek Freak. Another pass rusher that truely fits the mold. Karlaftis has excellent explosion off the snap and combines that with relentless power. He’s consistently knocked back opposing tackles with ease.
Where he lacks a bit is his length and speed rushing game. Too often he finds himself with his pad level too high and aborting rush attempts. Skills that can be learned but regardless, his hand fighting and power are true weapons.
#8 NFL Draft prospect: Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
While Tyler Linderbaum is slightly undersized, resembling someone like Jeff Saturday, he makes up for that with his knowledge of leveraging blocks and using his natural quickness and power to take over defenders. His elite-level grip strength makes him a real force in the run game.
While he may struggle against the elite power rushers in the NFL, he tends to adapt quickly and is a multi-sport athlete so he can make up for the size disadvantage with natural athleticism.
#9 NFL Draft prospect: David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
David Ojabo breaks the top 10 because of what is possible here. He was a one-year starter in college and still has a lot to develop about himself. He’s shown great explosiveness and speed. He couples that with excellent flexibility allowing him to get around tackles and get to the quarterback quickly.
There’s a lot of upside here if he develops well in the NFL. But one thing you won’t see very much from him is power rushing. He lacks the hand strength and raw power to bull rush tackles. He also isn’t the best run defender in this class but the ceiling for him as an outside speed rusher is just so high.
If any team can get their hands on this kid and clean up certain areas, he can be a real star.
#10 NFL Draft prospect: Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
If Pete Caroll were to physically mold a cornerback, it would look exactly like Ahmad Gardner. Tall with exceptional length and great athleticism. Not afraid to play physically and get involved in run defense. The Seahawks would love to have him but he’s way too good to fall out of the first round.
He couples his good vision and anticipation in zone coverage with excellent ball skills making him a real threat for turnovers. Sometimes he finds himself going overboard, something that needs to be contained when in the NFL.
#11 NFL Draft prospect: Chris Olave, Wide Receiever, Ohio State
Finally, we find ourselves looking at an offensive skill position player. What Chris Olave lacks in size, he makes up with excellent route running. He has a very polished route tree that he combines with good body control and balance.
However, his lack of size makes him vulnerable as a run blocker. it hasn’t been too much of an issue in college but it’s something that might be slightly exposed in the NFL.
Regardless, he’s still a top-tier talent in this year’s class.
#12 NFL Draft prospect: Ikem Ekwonu, Tackle, North Carolina
Ikem Ekwonu is an absolute unit who knows how to utilize every ounce of his 320-pound frame to bulldoze defenders. He utilizes his unbelievable power with his athleticism to dominate whoever he’s lined up against. That being said, he does have some weaknesses like taking things too far in terms of aggressiveness which ultimately harms is ability.
The mental side of the game is something he certainly can work on once he’s in the NFL and it’s something coaches will ensure happens. With that, he can be a true star on the offensive line.
#13 NFL Draft prospect: Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
Drake London is a big-bodied receiver with great height and he uses it. Standing at 6’5″ he creates matchup nightmares against smaller corners, especially in the red zone. Along with that, he has great body control for his size allowing him to keep his routes neat and tidy which creates separation.
In the NFL, he’ll be expected to make an impact in scoring situations as well as after the catch where his physical ability allows him to fight through tackles. While he has the size for it, he isn’t the most proficient run blocker but he is very willing to get involved.
#14 NFL Draft prospect: Andrew Booth Jr., Cornerback, Clemson
Another great build for a physical cornerback. While his strength and physicality are good for his position, he may find himself struggling with speedy guys down the field.
When in a position to make plays, he has very good ball skills to disrupt both the short and deep passing games. When catches are made, he can struggle to make tackles in the open field which could be an issue against those aforementioned quick receivers.
#15 NFL Draft Prospect: Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green has great power combined with the athleticism to make an impact in the run game. His impact really does make an impact. He’s got heavy hands which he uses to set the tone on the line.
However, hand placement and footwork is where he finds himself lacking a bit of skill as he finds himself in awkward positions with defenders a bit often. Working on that at the next level will be crucial, otherwise he’ll find himself getting numerous holding calls against him.
#16 NFL Draft prospect: Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
Nakobe Dean is unquestionably the best speed linebacker in this class. He’s a great sideline to sideline defender that packs a punch. He doesn’t shy away from contact despite his somewhat smaller stature.
While mentally he has the toughness to go up against the big offensive linemen in the NFL, his size could be a limiting factor. But when in position, he’s a solid tackler and an elite Blitzer off the edge and up the middle.
#17 NFL Draft prospect: Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
Devin Lloyd is a former safety and it shows. He brings a relatively slim and speedy size to the linebacker position, allowing him to cover the whole front making him a great run defender. He also has great anticipation of runs which further helps his case.
While he is a former safety, he finds himself playing a bit slow at times and doesn’t have the smoothest change of direction ability. He can also find himself lacking a bit of the physicality expected from linebackers at the next level.
#18 NFL Draft prospect: Jordan Davis, Devensive tackle, Geogria
Jordan Davis truly is a big human being. At 6’6″ and 340 pounds, there aren’t many humans bigger than him, let alone football players. He plugs up gaps and takes up blockers excellently just because of his size.
He has the unbelievable athleticism to go with his size as his side-to-side movement is great allowing him to stuff runs. His downfall comes in the pass-rushing game where he hasn’t really stood out. Along with that, he has a limited snap count that could hurt his stock.
#19 NFL Draft prospect: Jameson Williams, Wide Reciever, Alabama
Jameson Williams is the definition of a deep threat receiver. His speed is unmatched and I’m sure he’s itching to have a go at the 40-yard dash at the combine. His speed truly makes him a threat on every single play.
However, he lacks the size and physicality that cornerbacks in the NFL possess. There are ways he can succeed but his speed won’t get him out of every situation. While he does have a polished route tree, he must develop physically to show that he can survive in the NFL.
#20 NFL Draft Prospect: Garret Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Another Buckeye wide receiver makes the list. Garret Wilson has excellent hands coupled with his raw athleticism. He’s got supreme speed making him a real threat from anywhere on the field, in particular on screen plays.
While he has the measurables and physical ability, his route running still needs work as he often telegraphs his routes and can find himself off balance when breaking out of his routes. He’s still a great grab but it’s evident that there’s work to be done.
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Roshan Anand
(278 Articles Published)