What was often a breathless first round of the 2022 NFL draft – delivering the trades of picks and players and the annual smattering of risers and fallers that make this event so captivating – has been put to bed following a very memorable night in Las Vegas.
Forging ahead after a scant bit of shuteye – Vegas, baby – time to attempt a forecast of how Friday’s second round could unfold. It’s likely to be headlined by quarterbacks since only one, Pitt’s Kenny Pickett (Steelers), was selected in Round 1. However plenty more quality players are available at a point where teams that scout well can leverage the depth of talent.
Onward:
33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – DL Logan Hall, Houston: A versatile lineman who could play base end for the Bucs yet give them a valuable interior rush presence on passing downs. Even if veteran free agent Ndamukong Suh returns to Tampa, he’s now 35.
34. Minnesota Vikings (from Detroit Lions) – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson: The Vikes, who took Georgia S Lewis Cine at the end of Round 1, continue refitting their secondary with a talented corner who gets to learn the ropes from veteran Patrick Peterson.
35. Tennessee Titans (from New York Jets) – QB Malik Willis, Liberty: Thursday’s trade of WR A.J. Brown suggests this could be a franchise in transition. That could also occur at quarterback in light of Ryan Tannehill’s inability to elevate this team in the postseason crucible. Enter Willis, who will remind Nashville fans of former Titans league MVP Steve McNair. With a year of seasoning behind Tannehill, Willis, an Auburn transfer whose 74 combined TDs (pass/rush) were the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision over the past two seasons, should be ready to rock.
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36. New York Giants – CB Kyler Gordon, Washington: This defense could definitely use another corner, particularly one who can play outside or in the slot. Adding a player of Gordon’s caliber would also make it easier to move on from expensive veteran James Bradberry.
37. Houston Texans – LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia: Yes, he’s undersized at 5-11, 229 pounds. That didn’t prevent Derrick Brooks from becoming a Hall of Famer under coach Lovie Smith’s watchful eye. Dean is a smart, instinctive, first-rate leader whose tape should trump perceived physical limitations.
38. Jets (from Carolina Panthers) – OLB/DE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State: After transferring from Temple last season, he burst onto the scene in Happy Valley by posting 9½ sacks and 18 tackles for losses. He’s not the stoutest guy (6-2, 250) and might benefit by focusing early on what he does best – hunt quarterbacks – as a sub package stud alongside DL Quinnen Williams and fellow rookie pass rusher Jermaine Johnson.
39. Chicago Bears – WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State: A 6-5, 208-pound target with 4.36 speed would be a gift to second-year QB Justin Fields and a nice alternative to the slight but equally swift Darnell Mooney.
40. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) – DE/OLB David Ojabo, Michigan: Despite the Achilles tear he suffered at his pro day, his upside is too much to pass up – especially for a Seattle defense shifting to a 3-4 front that will probably suit Ojabo better. And a redshirt year would likely benefit him anyway given he made one tackle as a sophomore in 2020. A native of Nigeria who grew up in Scotland, Ojabo (6-4, 250 pounds) exploded for 11 sacks last season.
41. Seahawks – QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati: With Russell Wilson gone, perhaps no club has a bigger question under center than Seattle. Ridder is a renowned leader, winner and worker – plus a very good athlete to boot. Sound a bit like the guy he would replace in this scenario?
42. Indianapolis Colts (from Washington Commanders) – OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: Indy turns to the Austrian exchange student as its new blind side protector for aging QB Matt Ryan.
43. Atlanta Falcons – DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota: He had seven sacks in 2021, and his quick first step was partially quantified by the 6-4, 261-pounder’s 4.53-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The Falcons could definitely use those traits after posting (by far) a league-worst 18 sacks last year.
44. Cleveland Browns – DT Travis Jones, Connecticut: Coming off his career with the Huskies, when he posted 8½ sacks and 19 TFLs in three seasons, Jones was a standout at the Senior Bowl before the 6-4, 325-pounder tested well at the combine – highlighted by a 4.9-second 40. The Browns can definitely use that kind of talent on a depleted line that needs to give DE Myles Garrett help.
45. Baltimore Ravens – DT Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma: The Senior Bowl MVP, who had 5½ sacks and 11 TFLs for the Sooners last year, injects a shot of youth and depth into Baltimore’s front.
46. Lions (from Vikings) – QB Sam Howell, North Carolina: Adding a guy who’s got a great arm but also showed how effective he is on the move last season gives Detroit another option under center but doesn’t necessarily preclude the organization from drafting a passer in Round 1 next year, when the team owns a pair of first-round selections.
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