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You’ve read the player profiles, you’ve read the mock drafts (so many mock drafts), you’ve even memorized the Draft Commandments. It’s hard to imagine it, but we’re mere minutes from the kick off of the 2022 NFL Draft. Finally!
Now, we get to spend the next 3 days analyzing, dissecting, and hopefully, in the case of the Washington Commanders, celebrating the decisions throughout the draft. This article will provide a running, real time commentary on the draft, with a particular eye on the questionable (or inspired!) moves by each of the franchises. I look forward to discussing them with you in the comments.
Analysis will primarily be done through the lens of my Draft Commandments, laid out over the course of the past week. More details can be found at the links below:
I. Thou shalt not draft offensive skill positions (other than QB) in the first round.
II. Thou shalt always be looking to accumulate more picks, particularly on Day 2.
III. Thou shalt attempt to draft the best player available.
IV. Thou shalt not draft (primarily) for need.
V. Thou shalt build trust relationships with other franchises.
VI. Thou shalt draft with the future in mind
VII. In the absence of a definite long term option at QB, use your top half of the first round pick to take the best QB (with a consensus first round grade) available.
VIII. Don’t be afraid to use a late round pick to take a flyer on a top talent who has slipped.
Team needs taken from CBS Sports.
Day 1:
Pick 1: Jacksonville Jaguars
Needs: LB, DT, C, TE, S, OT, LB
Travon Walker, EDGE
The Jags compliment their first overall pick on offense in 2021 with a defensive menace. One wonders how this first overall pick will be viewed in the context of others taken at that position over the course of the past decade or so.
Pick 2: Detroit Lions
Needs: LB, WR, CB, DT, S, EDGE, LB
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
The Lions take the University of Michigan product who was often discussed as a potential number one overall pick. Unless he can play QB, it’s hard to see him changing Detroit’s fortunes much.
Pick 3: Houston Texans
Needs: OG, C, CB, S, EDGE, LB, WR
Derek Stingley Jr., CB
The Texans surprise in taking Stingley before Sauce Gardner. Stingley played incredibly well in 2019, but some issues were raised about his drive over the past two seasons. The Texans decide those concerns don’t matter.
Pick 4: New York Jets
Needs: CB, EDGE, LB, WR, OT, DT, LB
Sauce Gardner, CB
The Jets take Gardner, thought by many to be the best cornerback in the draft. Gardner played incredibly in college, not allowing a single touchdown during his time at Cincinnati.
Pick 5: NY Giants
Needs: OT, OG, C, EDGE, LB, S
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE
The Giants surprise here, passing over and offensive tackle, and grabbing another EDGE rusher in the top five. The Giants hope the Oregon product will give them some extra, much needed, juice on defense.
Pick 6: Carolina Panthers
Needs: OT, OG, CB, TE, QB, LB, S
Ikem Ekwonu, OT
The Panthers take NC State product Ekwonu to protect their eventual franchise QB. Interesting move by the Giants at 5 allows the Panthers to have their pick of tackles at 6.
Pick 7: NY Giants
Needs: OT, OG, C, EDGE, LB, S
Evan Neal, OT
The Giants get their tackle. For what seems like around 5 years now, the Giants have struggled to re-build their offensive line. With Andrew Thomas at LT, this move should help shore up that front.
Pick 8: Atlanta Falcons
Needs: WR, RB, LB, EDGE, S, CB, WR
Drake London, WR
The Falcons pick the big man, which is an interesting choice given the pairing with Kyle Pitts. The USC product is the first WR taken.
Pick 9: Seattle Seahawks
Needs: QB, OT, OG, CB, EDGE, LB, OT
Charles Cross, OT
The Seahawks do the responsible thing and take the last, top, offensive tackle on the board. The Mississippi State product is one of the best pass blockers in the draft.
Pick 10: NY Jets
Needs: CB, EDGE, LB, WR, OT, DT, LB
Garrett Wilson, WR
The Jets break my heart and take my WR1. No surprise at all that the Jets prioritized WR here with their aggressiveness in pursuing one in free agency.
Pick 11: New Orleans (traded from Washington)
Chris Olave, WR
Pick 12: Detroit (traded from Vikings)
Jameson Williams, WR
Pick 13: Philadelphia
Jordan Davis, DL
Pick 14: Baltimore
Kyle Hamilton, S
Pick 15: Houston
Kenyon Green, G
Pick 16: Washington
Jahan Dotson, WR
Pick 17: Chargers
Zion Johnson, G
Pick 18: Titans
Treylon Burks, WR
Pick 19: Saints
Trevor Penning, G
Pick 20: Steelers
Kenny Pickett, QB
Pick 21: Chiefs
Trent McDuffie, CB
Pick 22: Packers
Quay Walker, LB
Pick 23: Bills
Kaiir Elam, CB
Pick 24: Cowboys
Tyler Smith, OT
Pick 25: Ravens
Tyler Linderbaum, C
Pick 26: Jets
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE
Pick 27: Jaguars
Devin Lloyd, LB
Pick 28: Packers
Davonte Wyatt, DT
Pick 29: Patriots
Cole Strange, G
Pick 30: Chiefs
George Karlaftis, EDGE
Pick 31: Bengals
Daxton Hill, S
Pick 32: Vikings
Lewis Cine, S